The estates, empires, & principallities of the world Represented by ye description of countries, maners of inhabitants, riches of prouinces, forces, gouernment, religion; and the princes that haue gouerned in euery estate. With the begin[n]ing of all militarie and religious orders. Translated out of French by Edw: Grimstone, sargeant at armes.

The Estate of the Empire

❧ A DISCOVRSE [ A] OF THE EMPERORS [ B] ESTATES.

The Contents.

1 EXtent and greatnesse of the auncient Roman Empire: Her declining and great weakning, by ciuile warres; by the translation of the seat from Rome to Constan∣tinople; and by the diuision which the Emperour Constantine made vnto his [ C] children, diuiding it into three parts. 2. Diuision of the Empire into East and West: and what the partition was in Charlemaignes time. 3. A generall description of Ger∣manie, the circuit, bounds, and prouinces, and first of Alsatia, and the chiefe townes. 4 Of Wittemberg, the townes and castles. 5. Franconia, vulgarly Frankenland, subiect to fiue Prin∣ces: the limits and good townes, Spire, Wormes, Mayence, or Ments, Francfort, &c. 6. Of Sue∣uia: and of the realme of Bohemia, commonly called Behaim, the l••ngth and confines of these two Estates, the riuers and chiefe townes. 7. Mora••ia, the riuers, counties, Seigneuries, and the chiefe towne, Olmus. 8. Ba••aria, or Bayern, high and low, the chiefe townes. 9. Austria, or Oesterreich: the confines and riuers. 10. The countie of Tirol 11. Stiria or Steirmarck, the Earledomes, and chiefe townes. 12. Carinthia or Kaerndten, and the best townes. 13. The two [ D] Carnioles, with the chiefe townes. 14. Westphalia: the limits and townes. 15. The duchie of Cleues, and her best townes. 16. The countrie of Iuliers. 17. The Lantgrauiat of Hessen. 18. Turinge. 19. The auncient Saxonie, high and low: her earledomes and townes. 20. The Marquisat of Brandebourg, diuided into two Marches. 21. The Earledome of Man••field. 22. Lusatia. 23. Silesia. 24. Misnia or Meyssen. 25. Liege. 26. The Archbishopricke of Treues. 27. Holsatia. 28. Besanson. 29. Vnder what climat Germanie lies: the ayre trouble∣some and sharpe in winter: abounding with all sorts of corne and pulses: mynes of Siluer, Cop∣per, Yron, Lead, and Gold: Fountaines and mynes of Salt: Vines, Safron, and Firre Trees. 30. A particular obseruation what euerie prouin••e in Germanie doth yeeld, and first of Alsatia aboun∣ding in wheat, wine, and pastures. 31. Allemandes, why in old time called Germans; hauing no [ E] vse of gold, siluer, nor of swords. What their armes were, and their manner of fighting. Election of their kings, and heads of armies: their women martiall and couragious: their sacrifices of me•• to Mercurie. Obseruation of the New Moone in their enterprises: their assemblies in armes: their exercises out of warre, and in time of peace: their apparrell. Chastitie of their w••m••n: p••∣nishment of adulterie, and murther. Their banquets and feasts, where they did treat of aff••••r••s both of peace and warre. Exercise of their youth in armes. Their yeare diuided into three sea∣sons. 32. A particular obseruation of the manners of some people of Germanie. 33. Of the Sax∣o••s, diuided into foure Estates. Giuen to the superstition of Idols, and to the adoration of trees, fountaines, forrests, and high growne woods. 34. Of the art of diuining, which they ••s••d. 35. Manner of liuing, and the lawes of them of Suabe, or Sueuia. 36. Of them of B••u••ria. [ F] 37. The Germans at this day diuided into foure Estates and what their manners are in generall, their kind of liuing, their apparell and exercises. 38. Particularities of euerie prouince ••n their l••••es, and of their manner of liuing, apparrell, and disposition of bodie and mind. 39. Riches of Ger••••••ie, in mynes of Siluer, and other mettalls: Fountaines, and pits of Saltwater, traf••ique,

[ A] 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••••rkes of diuers arts, Faires of Francsort: reuenues of townes, and secular princes. 40. Of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••••perors reuenues. ••1. What forces the Emperor Charles the fift, and Maximilian the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 drawne out of Germanie, whenas they armed against the Turke. 42. Number of 〈…〉〈…〉 the Emperor may draw to field, and of the Germane foot and horse. 43. Their sea 〈…〉〈…〉 allies. 44. Of two things which the Empire wants. 45. Wh••n, and by whom, the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 being hered••tarie, was made electiue. 46. Of the three members of the Empire, wherof 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Electors make the first. 47. Of the second member of Princes and Noblemen. 48. Of 〈…〉〈…〉 member of the Empire consisting of free townes. 49. Of the Councells of the Circles, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••h••t end they were instituted. 50. Institution and erection of the Imperiall Chamber 〈◊〉〈◊〉 51. Of the charges and dignities of the Empire reduced to the number of foure. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 What their sittings be at the Diet, and of the order that is kept in generall Processions. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Of the three Councells which are at Diets, and of what persons euery Councell is composed. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Of the Germanes religion, and of the beginning and progresse of the profession of Luther, ••••••••lius, and others in that countrie: and of the Estate wherein it stands at this day. 55. In 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Estate the Romish religion is in Germanie, and what religion the seuen Metropolitans hold. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 A list and catalogue of the Emperors of the West, their liues, raigne, and death.

[] THe Roman Empire, which vnder Traian did extend from the Spa∣nish [ I] sea, beyond the riuer of Tygris, and from the Atlanticke Oce∣an vnto the gulfe of Persia, and from Mont Atlas, vnto the for∣rest of Caledonia, and toucht the riuer of Elbis, passing that of Danubius, began first to decline by means of the ciuile wars of Gal∣ba, Otho, and Vitellius, in whose time the armie which was in great Brittain, past to the firme Land; and Holland, with the neighbour 〈◊〉〈◊〉 reuolted, and in a short space (the frontires being vnfurnished with souldiers) 〈…〉〈…〉 past the riuer of Danubius, and the Alains the Caspian ports, the 〈…〉〈…〉 power and reputation, the Gothes ouer-ran Misia and Macedonia, and the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 into Gaule.

〈◊〉〈◊〉 did afterwards restore the Empire to her auncient beautie, for that he 〈◊〉〈◊〉 [ D] broiles, supprest tyrants, bridled the Barbarians, and staied the Nations 〈◊〉〈◊〉 enemies to the Romane name, forcing them to liue in quiet. Yet he did two 〈◊〉〈◊〉 which did somewhat weaken this Monarchie: the one was, that he transported the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••f the Empire from Rome to Constantinople, by meanes whereof he left the citie 〈◊〉〈◊〉 naked, and the Empire weake; being most certaine, that as plants which ar•• 〈…〉〈…〉 into a soile which differs much both in clymat and quallitie, retaine very little 〈…〉〈…〉 naturall vertue; euen so humane things, and especially great Seigneories 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Commands, loose much of their force, by great changes and alterations. This was 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••ubiect and reason why the Senat of Rome would neuer consent, that the people 〈◊〉〈◊〉 leaue the citie of Rome for that of Veies, which was much fairer, and more 〈◊〉〈◊〉, no not after that Rome had beene ruined by the Gaules. The other thing was, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 he diuided the Empire into three parts, to distribut it to his children, the which 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in the yeare of grace 341; so as of one great and mightie Estate, he made three, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 remarkable decrease both of authoritie and forces, and his sonnes making war one 〈◊〉〈◊〉 another, did so consume themselues, as the Empire was in a manner like vnto a 〈◊〉〈◊〉 without bloud: and although it was sometimes vnited vnder one prince, yet from 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••••me it was so easily drawne into factions, as it was often seene diuided into two; so 〈◊〉〈◊〉 East had one Empire, and the West another; vntill that Odoacre king of the 〈◊〉〈◊〉, comming into Italie with a mightie armie, forced Augustulus to quit the Empire 〈…〉〈…〉 West through dispaire, the which happened in the yere of grace 466, for that the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 [ F] had already past the riuer of Danubius, Alaric king of the Vandales had taken 〈◊〉〈◊〉, and the same Vandales had seised vpon Andalusia, and afterwards vpon 〈◊〉〈◊〉, the Alains held Portugal, the Gothes the greatest part of Spaine, the English 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Britaine, the Bourgondians Prouence, the Francons Gaule, and the Huns 〈◊〉〈◊〉 (at this day Hongarie.)

The Emperor Iustinian did some what restore this Estate, for that by the meanes of his [ A] captaines he expelled the Vandales from Africke, and the Gothes out of Italie in the yeare 556, but this lasted not long; for that in the yeare 613 the armes and sect of Maho∣met began to afflict both the Empires, which in a short time were oppressed by the Sara∣zins, who made themselues in a manner absolute maisters of the one side, of Syria, Aegipt, and the Archipelagus, and on the other side, of Africke, Sicile and Spaine: who also in the yeare 735, seised vpon Narbona, Auignon, Tolouse, and the neighbour countries: so as by little and little the Empire of the West was quite ruined, and that of the East growen so weake, as the citie of Constantinople could hardly defend it selfe against the Mahometans, much lesse giue any aide to them of the West. The which Leo the third [ B] hauing well considered (besides that the Emperors of Greece did nourish impieties and heresies) heresolued to giue the Empire of the West to Charlemaigne king of France, the which happened in the yeare of our saluation 800.

[ II] The Empire of the West was then diuided from that of the East after this manner, so as the Grecians had for their part all Eastward, from Naples and Siponte with Sicile; Beneuent remained to the Lombards; the Venetians, as neuters, remained free, and the rest was left to Charlemaigne. Blondus saith, that this diuision was first allowed by the Emperesse Irenea, and afterwards confirmed by the Emperor Nicephorus. Some say that by this meanes Pope Leo transported the Empire to the Germans, for that Charles was a German by bloud and nation, as all the Francs which came into Gaule were of Fran∣conia, [ C] a Prouince of Germanie.

The Empire remained by this meanes, so diuided, as it could neuer be afterwards vni∣ted, notwithstanding that Emanuell Comnenes hearing of the depriuation of Frederic the first, made great offers to Pope Alexander the third: so as this disunion began by the transport of the Imperiall seat from Rome to Constantinople, and came vnto the heigth of it in the creation of Charlemaigne, who remained possessor of that which had beene as∣signed vnto him by the Pope. Since the Empire was reduced into narrow and straight bounds hauing nothing remaining, but Germanie, and a part of Italie, for that the Pope did peaceably enioy a great countrie in Italie, and the Venetians (who were in a manner betwixt both the Empires) liued in absolute libertie with all their Estate, not depending [ D] vpon any one, and the realmes of Naples and Sicile (which the Normans had taken from the Grecians) were become fees of the Church, first vnder the Antipope Clement, and then vnder Nicholas the second, and his successors, who allowed (in regard of the publicke good) of what the Antipope had done; and Lombardie, and Tuscanie (partly through the disobedience of Henry the fourth and fift, and of Fredericke the first and se∣cond Emperours, towards Popes, and partly by reason of the mutinous humor of the people) did still put the Emperors to more paine and charge, than they brought them aide or profit. Wherefore Rodolphus not onely neglected to go into Italie (for that the crosses and misfortunes of his pr••decessors had amased him) but he also sold the people their libertie at an easie rate: for they of Lucca paid but ten thousand crownes, not the [ E] Florentines aboue six. Thus the Empire loosing her force and reputation in Italie, there remained scarce any other thing than the name. The Visconts at Milan and some others in other places seised vpon what they could, bearing no more honour or respect vnto the Emperor, than to demaund the inuestiture. Yea Francis Ssorce hauing conquered the Estate of Milan by armes, cared not to obtaine the inuestiture, thinking that he could maintaine himselfe in the possession of this Estate, by the same means which he had got∣ten it. To conclude, the Empire at this day is wholy reduced to Germanie, yea and in ma∣ny places the Emperors authoritie is in a manner extinct.

[ III] But to come vnto the description, we must speake generally of this countrie, whose confines are in question. The most Auncient haue bounded Germanie within the riuers [ F] of Rhin and Danubius, the sea, the riuer of Don, or Tanacis, and the Euxin sea. They that came after, as Strabo, Ptolome, Pomponiu•• Mela, Plinie, and others, as well Grecians as Latins, containe it betwixt the riuers of Rhin and Vistula, Tacit••s saith, that the Ger∣••ans are rather diuided from the Sarmatians and Daciens, by a mutuall feare and by

[ A] the mountaines, than by the riuer of Vistula. At this day they giue vnto German•••• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 those prouinces whose inhabitants vse the Germane tongue; so as it containes (be••o••d the limits of Ptolomee, or Danubius, Rhetia, or the Grisons) high Hongarie, a•••• a part of S••lauonia, vnto the countrie of Trent.

The Germanes haue held beyond the Rhin, the townes of Constance, Ausbourg, S••••usbourg, Wormes, Mentz, Conflans, Bonne, Cologne, and many other places vn∣•••• ••he sea. They also comprehend the Suisses at this day among the Germanes, and in like manner the Prussians who dwel beyond the riuer of Vistula: so as Germanie should ••xtend beyond the Rhin vnto Picardie and Bourgondie vpon the West, and vnto the [ B] Alpes towards the South, vpon the East it should containe Prussia beyond Vistula, and towards the North it should be bounded in by the sea.

But omitting what I haue spoken elsewhere of Low Germanie, discoursing of the Low Countries, and also of Suisserland, speaking of that Commonweale, and passing also vnder silence the Estates which acknowledge not the Emperour; I will begin first 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Alsatia, or the country of Elsas, which doth frontire vpon the Suisses. This prouince •••• diuided into hgh and low: the high is a Lantgrauiat, and containes Suntgoye, and ••••••goye. All this countrie comprehends a great number of townes, boroughs, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and is very well peopled. The chiefe townes are Rubeaquum, which was built by 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Romans, now called Rufach, and Schlestatt, or Selestad in high Alsatia, Fribourg in [ C] ••••isgoye, and Argentine or Strasbourg in high Alsatia: this place is exceeding strong, where there is to be seen an admirable tower, being fiue hundred seuentie and foure geo∣metricall paces high.

The countrie of Vittemberg, or Wittemberg, confines vpon the East and South with [ IIII] a part of Suaube, vpon the North with Franconia, and towards the West with the Pa∣la••inat of Rhin. The riuer of Neccar passeth through the middest of this countrie. There are in this prouince many townes and castles, with an infinit number of villages. The chiefe towne is Stutgarde: the next of no•••• are Tubinge (where there is an vniuersitie) and Wittemberge, which giues name vnto the whole prouince.

Franconia, otherwise called East France, and vulgarly Frankenland, hath for bounds [ V] [ D] towards the South Suaube, and Bauaria, vpon the West the riuer of Rhin, vpon the East Bohemia, and the countrie of Turinge, and towards the North the countrie of Hasse, and Turinge aboue mentioned. The chiefe towns are Herbipolis, common∣ly called Wirtzbourg, whose Bishop calls himselfe duke of Franconia, not of the whole countrie, but of the greatest part: next is Bamberg a faire towne. This prouince is sub∣iect v••to fiue princes, that is, to the Bishops of Wertzbourg, Bamberg, and Mentz, to the Butgraue of Noremberg, and to the Count Palatin of the Rhin.

Not far from Franconia, neere to the riuer of Rhin, is the town of Spire, in the which is the Imperiall Chamber: then Wormes, which is famous by reason of the Diets, and as∣semblies: after which is Mayence commonly called Mentz, whose Archbishop is an [ E] Elector of the Empire. This towne is strong, as well by reason of the scituation, as for the walls, and inhabitants: it stands vpon the riuers of Rhin and Mein. Francfort vpon Mein i••famous by reason of the faires which are held there twice a yeare, and for that the Em∣peror is chosen there.

Sueuia, or Suaube is the highest part of all Germanie: it hath for bounds vpon the [ VI] East part, Bohemia, towards the North Franconia, vpon the West Alsatia and the riuer of Rhin, and to the South Bauaria, and the Alpes. The spring or head of the riuer of Da∣nubius is in this countrie: it was sometimes a realme, afterwards it became a duchie, & is now vnder diuers princes, but not any one doth carrie the title of duke of this countrie: yet the duke of Wittemberg holds the best part. The chiefe townes are Ausbourg, sea∣••ed [ F] vpon the riuer of Lich, the which is as rich as any one in Germanie. Vlme is vpon the ri••er of Danubius, which is not so great, yet is it very rich, and of great trafficke: and N••••linge standing in a goodly plaine, and is three miles in circuit. There is also diuers 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Imperiall townes which they call free.

Th•• Emperor who raigns at this day doth also hold the realm of Bohemia, commonly

called Behaim, which lies within the limits of Germanie. This realme hath for confines [ A] towards the East, Morauia, and a part of Selesia, vpon the South Austria, and Bauaria, to the West the countrie of Noremberg, and vpon the North Saxonie and Misnia: the forrest of Hercynia doth enuiron it round about. It is round in forme, and they passe the Diameter in three daies iourney: others say that it is thirtie and six Bohemian leagues long. The riuers which runne through this realme are Albis (which the Bohemians call Labe) Multauia, commonly called Vltaune, and in the Germane tongue Vuolda, and besides these the riuer of Egra, Sassaue, Gisera, Mise, and Vatto, which fall into Labe. Prague called in old time Bubien, and Marobude, is the chiefe citie, and is diuided into three parts, that is to say, old Prague, the New, and the Little, which is diuided from the [ B] two others by the riuer of Vltauue.

[ VII] Morauia, sometimes Marcomania, and in the vulgar tongue Me••heren, takes his name from the riuer of Moraue: it is diuided from Hongarie and Poland vpon the East, from Bohemia towards the West, and from Selesia on the North, by mountains, forrests, or ri∣uers: but it is plaine towards Austria, which confines it toward the South. The riuers are Moraue, Noire, Suitte, Taize, Igle, Haue, and Suarte. There are two Earledomes in Mo∣rauia, with certaine other seigneuries. The chiefe towne is Olmuz, which the Bohemi∣ans call Holomats: the next which followes is called Prunne, and in the Germane tongue Brin, and in the Bohemian Bruno.

[ VIII] Bauaria, commonly called Bayerne, containes the countrie which in old time the Na∣risses [ C] did hold, which at this day they cal Nordaouu, and is seperated from the rest by the riuer of Danubius; and it doth in like manner imbrace the countries of the Noricians, and Vindelicians, commonly called Licatians, or Lechrains. This countrie hath for bounds on the North part Franconia, to the West Suabe, towards the South the Alps, and vpon the East part Austria, and Bohemia. There are two Bauaries, the higher, and lower: high Bauaria lies on this side the riuer of Danubius towards the Alpes, and the South. The chiefe townes are Mo••achie, commonly called Munchen, vpon the bankes of the riuer Iser (whereas the duke makes his ordinarie residence) Ingolstad, a famous vniuersitie, Fressing an Episcopal towne: and generally throughout the whole country, there are thirtie and foure reasonable good townes. [ D]

Base Bauaria lies beyond the riuer of Danubius, and containes thirtie and four towns, fortie and six boroughes, with many castles and villages. This part is called Nortgoy: the chiefe towne is Noremberg, which is eight miles in circuit, and hath in it many faire and stately buildings, and is compast in with two walls: the other chiefe townes are Ra∣tisbonna, called in their vulgar tongue Regenspurg, in old time Augusta Tiberia, and before Artobriga: Passauu, vpon the mouth of the riuer of Inn, which falls into Danu∣bius: Lanshut vpon Iser, and Saltzbourg an Archbishopricke vpon the riuer of Saltz.

[ IX] Austria, commonly called Oesterreich, or Austorlich, or else Osterland, that is to say, the East countrie, was in old time called high Pannonia: it hath for confines vpon the East Hongarie, vpon the South the mountaines of Stiria, which runne from the Alpes [ E] into Hongarie, and beyond it, vpon the West Bauaria, and to the North the riuer of Teye and Morauia. The riuers of Austria, are Danubius, which runs through the middest of it, Onase, Traune, Erlaf, Traise, Ipsia, Melice, Marchie, Teye, and Leythe. Austria is an Archduchie, whose chiefe citie is Vienne, in old time called Flauiana, or Iuliobona, it is faire, rich, well peopled, and hath a good vniuersitie.

[ X] The countie of Tirol lies betwixt the riuers of Thesin and Oen or Inn, and the Alpes, and it hath taken the name from the little towne of Tirol. This countrie was in old time a part of Rhetia: it confines vpon the North with Bauaria, vpon the South with Lom∣bardie, towards the East with the Marquisat of Treuiso and Friuli, & on the West wi••h Suisserland. The chiefe townes are Inspurg, the aboad of the Lord of the Prouince, and [ F] the place for the Chamber, and Parliament of the countrie of Austria; then Brixen vp∣on Ise, and after that Trent, a towne famous by reason of the Councell that was held there in the yere 1546, vnder Pope Paul 3: in it there is a very faire Castle. In this coun∣••ie is also the towne of Maran vpon the riuer of Thesin, and those of Bolzan, and Hale.

[ A] Stiria, called in old time Valeria, and by the vulgar people Steirmarck, is a little coun∣trie [ XI] which confines vpon the North part with Austria, vpon the West with Carinthia, on the South part with Croatia, and Sclauonia, and vpon the East with Hongarie. It was made a duchie by the Emperor Frederic Barbar••usse. There are many Earledomes in this co••ntrie, and among others that of Vuarasdin vpon the riuer of Drauu, and that of I••bnan vpon Mure. The chiefe townes are Celia or Cilte, Fruch, and Greezie, which 〈◊〉〈◊〉 a very strong Castle looking towards Austria, and in like maner the town of Sepian.

Carinthia, commonly called Kaernd••en, confines vpon the West and South with Fri∣uli, [ XII] and Carniola, and towards the East and North with Stiria. The best townes are [ B] Vuoltkmarch and Villac, both standing vpon the riuer of Drauu, Marchburg, Clagens∣fu••••, in old time Claudia, a towne well fortified: but S. Veit is the chiefe towne of the Prouince.

There are two Carnioles, the one is called the Drie, and in the vulgar tongue Vnder∣••rain. [ XIII] The princes of Austria hold many townes there, and amongst others Gorice, sea∣ted vpon the banks of the riuer of Sonte: the other Carniola is called Oderkrain, and lies among the stonie mountaines of Noritia. The chiefe towne is Lubiana, which the Ger∣••ans call Laubach.

The countrie of Westphalia is taken by some for the true and auncient Saxonie: the [ XIIII] limits are, vpon the East the riuer of Viser, vpon the North Frisland, and the Centrie [ C] of Vtrecht, to the West the Rhin, and towards the South the mountains of Hessen, cal∣led by Ptolomee Obnobies. The chiefe townes are Munster, Dusseldorp, Wesal, Olden∣bourg, Osnabourg, Minde, and Herworde. A good part of this countrie is subiect to the Bishop of Cologne, a towne seated vpon the Rhin, with a double wall and double ditch, hauing eightie and foure towers, and nineteene parishes.

The duchie of Cleues lies of either side of the Rhin betwixt Cologne and the Low [ XV] Countrie of Vtrecht. The Lordship of Rauistein is ioined to the duchie of Cleues: the chiefe townes are Cleues, Wesel, Reez vpon the Rhin, Ringlebourg, Kernendonck, Duy••bourg, and some others.

The countrie of Iuliers, or of Guelich, hath taken his name of the chiefe towne, the [ XVI] [ D] which is strong, and yet it was taken of late yeares by the Marquis of Brandebourg, and the duke of Neufbourg. This countrie, and that of Cleues, are now in question by many who pretend to haue right.

The countrie, or Lantgrauiat of Hessen confines vpon the East with Turinge, vpon [ XVII] the South with Franconia, vpon the West with Westphalia, and towards the North with the Duke of Brunswie, the Bishop of Minde, and some other Lords. The chiefe townes are Marpourg, where there is a good vniuersitie, Cassel, where the Lantgraue remaines, and then Bubac and Asfeld. There are some Earledomes vnder this Lantgraue, whereof the chiefe is that of Waldeck.

The countrie of Turinge hath vpon the East the riuer of Sal, vpon the North the for∣rest [ XVIII] [ E] of Hercynia, vpon the West the riuer of Vuer, and on the South the forrest of Tu∣ringe, which they call Thuringerwaldt. This countrie is a Lantgrauiat, the which hath not aboue twelue Germane leagues in length or breadth; and yet it containes twelue Earledomes, and as many Abbies, one hundred fortie and foure townes, and as many boroughes, besides two thousand villages, & two hundred and fiftie castles. The chiefe townes are Erfourt, seated vpon the riuer of Gere, and one of the greatest of Germanie, the next are Weymar vpon Ilin, and Isenach vpon Nesse, where there is a good vni∣uersitie.

The Palatinat lies betwixt Franconia, Alsatia, the countrie of Witt••mberg, Lorraine, and some part of Luxembourg. This countrie besides many boroughes, villages, and [ F] castles, containes eight and fortie townes, whereof Heidelberg is the chiefe in the which the Prince Elector Palatin makes his ordinarie residence. The scituation of it is pleasant standing at the foot of the hills, from whence the riuer of Neccar doth flow, & passe by it. The countrie about Heidelberg is fruitfull of all things. In the yeare 1346 Robert the elder prince Palatin was the founder of a famous vniuersitie, in the which in processe of

time there haue flourish••d many learned men: and the same Robert (being king of the Ro∣mans, [ A] and Emperor) did also build a goodly church there, dedicated to the holy Ghost, where he was interred. Besides Heidelberg there are in this countrie the townes of Al∣zea, Neostade, Mosbach, and Bretta, which are of some note. The prince Palatin is the chiefe of the secular Electors, and the first prince of the Empire, but he is neither so powerfull, nor so rich as the duke of Saxony.

[ XIX] The auncient Saxonie, or Sachscen contained sometimes Westphalia, the auncient Marche, Misnia, Lusatia, Mansfeld, and some other countries: for that it did imbrace all that was betwixt the riuers of Rhin, and Elb, the German sea, and the riuer of Leydore vnto Hessen and the Frontires of Turinge: so as Brunswie was as it were in the Cen∣ter [ B] of this countrie, but now they diuide Saxonie into high and low. The chiefe towne of high Saxonie is Wittemberg vpon the riuere of Elb. Some put Torge in this high Saxonie, but it is fitter to place it in the countrie of Misnia.

The chiefe towne of base Saxonie is Alba, neere vnto the which is the town of Mans∣feld, the chiefe of an Earledome. The counties of Lauuembourg, Mekelembourg, & Lu∣nembourg are also contained vnder base Saxonie, with the countries of Holsace, Stor∣mar, & Dithmarsie. Aboue Saxonie towards the North, stands Magdebourg vpon the ri∣uer of Elb, the which is strong both by scituation and art, whose Archbishop ••arries the name of Primat of Germanie; & yet the Archbishops of Mentz, Treues, and Cologne, who are Electors, nor the Archbishop of Saltzbourg, yeeld nothing vnto him. [ C]

[ XX] The Marquisat of Brandebourg is vpon the East of New Saxonie, and is diuided in∣to two parts, that is to say, the old Marquisat which is watered by the riuer of Spree, whose chiefe towne is Brandebourg, vpon the riuer of Hauel: but the chiefe towne of the new Marquisat is Francfort vpon Odere. There is also Berlin, whereas the Marquis remaines, who is one of the Electors of the Empire, and is to be held for one of the mightiest princes of Germanie, for that besides these two Marquisats he enioies certaine towns and counties in the countries of Lusatia, and Selesia: and they hold that his Estate is sixtie Germane leagues long, in which they do number fiftie and fiue townes, and six∣tie and foure boroughes.

[ XXI] The countie of Mansfeld is a part of old Saxonie, and hath for confines vpon the East [ D] the riuer of Sal, with the Archbishopricke of Magdebourg, and the diocesse of Merse∣bourg; vpon the South Turinge; and vpon the West the counties of Suuar••zem∣bourg, of Stolbourg, and some other pettie seigneuries that are neighbours. There are vnder this countie foure other Earles, that is to say, Arnster, Vutpre, Vuethin, and Quem∣furt, besides the Palatinat of Saxonie, and some other principalities. The chiefe townes are Mansfeld, neere vnto the which is Leimbach, then Eiszleben and Vuypre.

[ XXII] Lusatia lies betwixt the riuers of Elb and Audera, and the mountaines of Bohemia: it is diuided into high and low, and both belong vnto Saxonie. It it watered by the riuer of Nesse. The chiefe towne is Gorlitz, next vnto the which is Zittauu vpon Nesse.

[ XXIII] Selesia, commonly called Schleste, is bounded towards the South by Morauia, and the [ E] forrest Hercynia; vpon the West by Lusatia, & a part of Bohemia; & towards the North and the East by Polonia. It is two hundred thousand paces long, and eightie thousand broad. There are many vniuersities in this countrie. The chiefe towne is Vratislania, com∣monly called Breslauu, where there is a Bishopricke and an Vniuersitie, another of the best townes is Nissa, or Neysse, which is also a Bishopricke. There are fifteene duchies in this prouince, whereof six haue beene diuided to three ancient families, and the rest are fallen to the king of Bohemia.

[ XXIIII] The countrie of Misnia, commonly called Meyssen, hath vpon the East part Lusatia, vpon the South Bohemia, vpon the North the Marquisat of Saxonie, and towards the West Turinge. There are in this prouince many cities and castles. The chiefe towne is [ F] Misnia, the which hath an exceeding strong castle; next of greatest note is Dresden the princes aboad (and these two stand vpon the riuer of Elb) and Lipse, where there is a good vniuersitie: they doe also put Torge, but some others place these two last in Saxonie, confounding Misnia with the countrie of Saxonie. But to returne to Dresden, it is a town

[ A] of great note, for that the duke of Saxonie doth commonly keepe his court there: yet is it not aboue an English mile and a halfe in compasse, but the scituation is very plea∣sant, the fortification strong, and the buildings faire, being most of stone; so as it is not held inferior to any town of Germanie. In it is a famous stable able to containe one hun∣d••ed twentie and eight horses, and an armorie which doth exceed most in Christendome: some write that it is able to arme seuentie thousand men, whereof there are ten or twelue thousand compleat for horsemen. There is great store of canons and other ordnance, with all necessarie furniture and munition. There is a bridge vpon the riuer of Elb of an admirable length and bredth.

[ B] The Duchie and Bishopricke of Liege hath vpon the North and West Brabant, vpon [ XXV] the East the riuer of Meuse, with the duchie of Lembourg, and vpon the South the countie of Namur. This Bishopricke doth containe the duchie of Boüillon, the Mar∣quisat of Franchemont, the countie of Borchlon, or of Loot, and the countie of Has∣bania, whose chiefe towne is Borkunorm, besides many baronies and abbeys. There are moreouer foure and twentie townes, besides those which are of the diocesse of Vtrecht, whereof the principall towne is that of Liege, seated in a pleasant valley, and neere vnto the Meuse.

The Archbishopricke of Treues, commonly called Trier, is bounded vpon the North [ XXVI] by the countie of Nassau, the duchie of Monts, and the Bishopricke of Cologne, vpon [ C] the East by Ringouia, and the countrie of Hessen, vpon the South by the countrie of Westrich, and the duchie of Deux Ponts, and vpon the West by the duchie of Luxem∣bourg. There are in this diocesse of Treues foure Earledomes with certaine baronies and other seigneures. Finally the chiefe towne of this countrie is Treues, the which is one of the most auncient of the world: there is also the ancient towne of Conflans.

Holsatia, commonly called Holstein, hath for bounds vpon the East the riuer of Bilene, [ XXVII] vpon the West Dithmarsia, vpon the South Elb, & vpon the North the riuer of Eidore, which of that side, is vpon the frontire of Denmarke. But I will forbeare to speake any more of Holsatia, for that it belongs to the king of Denmarke, to the which we reserue a particular discourse.

[ D] There is also Besançon in the countie of Bourgondie: it is an imperiall towne, and [ XXVIII] was sometime called Chrysopolis. The riuer of Doux passeth through the middest of it, and goes in a manner round about it, vnlesse it be on that side by the which they goe to Dole.

¶ The Qualitie.

GErmanie is vnder the sixt, seuenth, and eight climat, betwixt the seuen and fortieth, [ XXIX] and fiue and fiftieth degree of latitude, and the four and twentieth, and six and for∣tieth of longitude. The longest day in Sommer in the Paralell towards the South is of [ E] fifteen houres and a halfe, and vpon that side which lies neerest vnto the North, of seuen∣teene and a quarter. Although that Cornelius Ta••••••us writes that the aire is troublesome, and Seneca, that it is alwaies Winter, yet it enioyeth 〈◊〉〈◊〉 aire that is reasonably mild and temperat, but somewhat cold, yet it makes them healthfull 〈◊〉〈◊〉 strong. The soile beares wheat, barley, rye, oats, and all kindes of graine, and pulse in aboundance: the fields are fertile, and the meadowes beare aboundance of grasse. There is also in Germanie many mines of siluer, copper, yron, lead, and other mettalls; yea and of gold in some places. There are also very good fountaines, and mines of salt. Plinie writes that in the auncient Germanie they found christall, onix, topazes, and other stones. There are very faire gar∣dens, and orchards, whose sight is very pleasing in Sommer and Autumne.

[ F] They haue so manured this countrie, as there is little remaining of the forrest H••rci∣nia, notwithstanding that it containes sixtie dayes iourney, and there is not any but the blacke forrest, that of Othon, and those of Bohemia, but is imployed: yet these are not so fearefull as in former times, being full of villages, and monasteries. There is also great s••••••e of vines, especially right against the blacke forrest along the riuer of Rhin, and also

vpon the banks of Neccar, and Mein. But of that side where it confines with high Hon∣ga••ie, [ A] it not only beares excellent wine, but also saffron which is good; there is also great store of fruit trees: but that part which stretcheth towards the sea, and the riuer of Vist••∣la••••lesse fertile, and yet in those places it beares aboundance of wheat. Finally, in high Germanie there are few moores, or troublesome mountaines, for that those which be there are very fertile, yea the Alpes whose tops are alwaies couered with snow, haue at the bottome excellent pastures. The mountaines of the blacke forrest are full of firre trees, from the which they draw great store of pitch, yea and the extremities of these mountaines beare very good wine. This pro••ince feeds no silke wormes, neither doth it beare any oliue trees. [ B]

[ XXX] But let vs come to the particularties of euery prouince, hauing considered of all Ger∣manie in generall.

Alsatia doth beare aboundance of wheat, especially in the plaine, where there are ex∣cellent fruits. The mountaines and little hills beare good wine, and the pastures are also very good vpon the mountaines, and in the valleys.

The soile of the countrie of Wittemberg is partly rough, and will beare no wine, but there are excellent pastures, and some part of it is stonie and full of sand, but fit to beare fruits, and some part also is champian and apt for tillage. There are also riuers, lakes, and pooles full of fish.

Franconia is part of it plaine, and part hillie. And although the soile be not fat in some [ C] places, but full of sand, yet doth it beare good store of wheat and pulses, as also onions, turnups, and cabbages greater than in any other prouince. The countrie is also couered with fruit trees, and there is great store of meadow, wherewith they do feed much cattel of all sorts: and in many places there growes very good wine, especially neere vnto Wirtzbourg. There are many forrests where they haue store of game. Neere vnto Bam∣berg growes aboundance of liquorice.

Suaube hath some part of it plaine, and the rest hillie. But it is fertile and well manu∣red in all places, vnlesse it be where there are lakes, forrests, and mountains. There is great store of game, both for hawking and hunting, aboundance of wheat, and great numbers of cattell. There are also many riuers which come from all parts and fall into the Rhin. [ D] All the countrie is very wholesome, and in the mountaines they find yron, siluer, and other mettalls.

Bohemia abounds in barley and wheat, but it wants oliue trees, and hath few vines, which beare not much, by reason of the Northerly windes whereunto it is subiect, the which doth seldome suffer the grapes to come to maturitie. It brings forth much saffron, whose colour, iuice, and smell is very pleasing. It abounds so in siluer, as there is scarce any other thing to be seene in the veines which they find out: these mines are in the ter∣ritorie of Cromlauu, and in like manner in those of Budvueisz and Kuttemberg. They haue also very good gold in some places, with tin, leade, copper, and yron, wherewith this countrie abounds: but especially there are very good mines of yron ne••re vnto the [ E] towne of Beram. They do also find C••rboncles and Amethistes in this countrie.

Morauia hath for the most 〈◊〉〈◊〉 a fat soile, and by consequence apt for corne, and the little hills are also fit for ••••••es, which agree better with this soile than with that of Bohe∣mia: all is so 〈◊〉〈◊〉 manured, and so full of people that giue themselues to tillage, as there is 〈…〉〈…〉 place left to feed their cattel. Iohn Dubraue hath written that they find Insens 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Myrrhe in this countrie, not that falls from any tree, but which is drawne out of the ground, and it is only found in one place, which they call Gradesque.

The high countrie of Bauaria is in a manner full of mountaines and forrests and wa∣tred with lakes and forcible streames, and for this cause fit for pasture, and for the plan∣ting of fruit trees which yeeld aboundance of fruit: but their champian fields beare good [ F] store of wheat.

The low countrie of Bauaria abounds in wheat, cattell, fish, foule, wild beasts, and other things necessarie for the life of man. This countrie doth breed great store of ••wine by meanes of their akorns and crabs. There are also in this countrie many fountaines or

[ A] salt: but for the most part they want wine. There is also found great store of copper and yron.

The countrie of Austria is plaine, and lies open to the Northren winds. It brings forth good store of wheat, wine, and other fruits. The aire is very wholesome, and they find aboundance of siluer.

As for the countrie of Tyrol it abounds in mines of siluer, copper, and lattin. The moun∣taines of this countrie are very high, alwaies couered with snow, and abound with wild beasts.

Stiria is a countrie altogether hillie, except vpon the East parts, where there are good∣ly [ B] plaines. In it are excellent mines of yron and siluer.

As for Carinthia, there are valleis and little hills which yeeld store of come. It hath also very many lakes and riuers.

Westphalia is fitter to feed cattel than to beare come: there are forrests in some places. The soile is vnfit for vines: but there are diuers fruits, as aples, nuts, and akornes, where∣with they feed great store of swine. There is also store of mettalls in the territorie of Cologne.

The duchie of Cleues doth enioy a sweet and temperat aire, and the soile doth yeeld great store of wheat. There are good pastures, and reasonable good riuers which doe water it.

[ C] As for the countrie of Iuliers it yeelds aboundance of wheat, & a kind of grasse which diers make vse of. There is much tame cattell, especially very good horses.

The countrie of Hessen yeelds aboundance of all things necessarie for the life of man, except wine, whereof notwithstanding, it is not altogether vnfurnished, for that there growes some neere vnto the riuer of Rhin. There is great store of cattell. The soile of Waldec beares much corne and wine, it is watered with many riuers, and rich in mines, from whence they draw gold, siluer, copper, quicksiluer, yron, lead, salt, and alumne.

The Palatinat wants not any thing that is necessarie for mans vse, vpon the hills there grows excellent wine, especially about Baccharac, the which is much commended aboue most of the wines in Germanie, and there grow also vpon these hills aboundance of [ D] chestnuts; at the foot of the hills there are goodly orchards, and in the plaines aboun∣dance of wheat, barley, and other graine. The woods and hills are full of wild beasts, es∣pecially of stags, and the countriemen feed many goats and kids there. The riuer of Nec∣car runs through this countrie in which they take great store of fish, especially of barbles. There go many boats laden with wood out of this riuer into Rhin, and serue all the townes vpon that riuer from Spire to Bins. There lies a great plaine betwixt Wormes, Heidelberg, Neostade, and Oppenheim, the which is wonderfull fruitfull of wine and wheat, but no place abounds more than about the towne of Alzea.

Turinge yeelds good store of corne, and a kind of herbe which the Latins call Isatade, which serues for the vse of diers.

[ E] In Saxonie they haue great store of mettalls, and there are goodly riuers which haue aboundance of fish, and besides all this the inhabitants find many other great commo∣dities.

In the countrie of Mansfeld they haue great store of mettalls, and flint stones which are easie to breake, the which being heat yeeld copper, with good store of siluer. There is also in this countrie a salt lake, in the which if the fishermen cast their nets too deepe, they are burnt, as if they had beene in the fire.

Lusatia yeelds wheat and all other kind of graine in aboundance, like vnto Silesia, which hath also a great number of pooles for fish.

Misnia yeelds good store of wheat, wine, and honie, and doth feed much cattell. In [ F] this countrie also they find mines of gold. The countrie of Liege is pleasant, and excee∣ding fertile: it hath many goodly riuers full of fish, and in like manner great forrests full of deere and other wild beasts, and also mountaines and valleis which yeeld plentie of wine and fruits: there are also mines of yron and coles which they call Lilanthraces. They doe in like manner find much saltpeter, and excellent waters and bathes for the

curing of diuers deseases, amongst the which is that of Tongres, whereof Plinie and some [ A] others make mention.

As for the countrie of Treues, it is vneuen, for that in some places there are rough and barren mountaines which beare nothing but oats, and in some parts there are hills which be greene and fertile, and are well planted with vines: but the countrie is much more yeelding towards the riuers of Rhin and Moselle. This country is watred with ma∣ny riuers, torrents, & smal brooks which fall into Moselle, and then discharge themselues into the Rhin. By reason of these many riuers and waters, the inhabitants are aboundant∣ly furnished with fish. The forrests of this countrie are full of stagges, and other wild beasts. There are in this countrie two lakes of an admirable depth, wherof the one is cal∣led [ B] Vlme, and the other Laiche, in this last ••hey find stones which be greene, yellow, and red, and in a manner as faire as Emeralds, Hyacynthes, and Rubies. There is also general∣ly in this countrie mines of copper, lead, siluer, and yron, and in like manner waters fit and wholesome for sicke persons.

¶ The Manners of the Auncients.

[ XXXI] THe Allemans, called sometimes Germans, by reason of their force, according vnto some, for that this word Germanie signifies all masculine and strong; and according vnto Strabo, for that they did imitate them in behauiour, and were as it were like vnto [ C] them in disposition, and in the greatnesse of their bodies and their complexions: so as the Romaines gaue them this name of Germans, as if they had beene knowne to be bre∣thren to the Gauls, for that the Latine calleth them Germains which are brethren, and issued from one venter. The Allemans I say haue alwaies beene held very valiant and couragious. Before they entred into battell, they did sing a hymne to the honour of Her∣cules who they said, had beene sometimes in their countrie, and they vsed numbers and measures, though without any proportion in their singing, the which was inuented to amase the enemie. They were sodain in their affaires and marcht with great precipitation. They were vnfit for trauell, and could not long indure the discommodities which follow war, especially thirst and heat. [ D]

In old time they had no vse of gold or siluer, and they made as little account of siluer plate, which was giuen vnto captaines, or presented vnto their princes, vnlesse it were of earth: gold and siluer hath since beene known and esteemed by them, onely in regard of trafficke and commerce. There was as little vse in old time of swords, but they rather vsed long staues, boare-speares, or pikes with a little yron at the end, fitter armes to en∣counter an enemie, were it to charge him a far off, or to ioine and come to handy strokes: their horsemen carried launces and targets, and the footmen did cast many darts when they came to ioine battell: they did either fight naked, or else they did vse a certaine short cassocke; and there was no diuersitie of habits to distinguish the companies, they did onely paint their targets diuersly, to the end they might be knowne. There were few that [ E] vsed corslets nor cuirasses, or that did arme their heads with any head peece. They had no great care of the beautie and swiftnesse of their horses, nor to make them coruet, but they were onely contented to haue them passe a straight carreire. He that had lost his target fighting, was so hated & detested, as he was not admitted neither to their sacrifices, coun∣sells, nor publicke assemblies, which caused many that would not suruiue this infamie to aduance their owne deaths.

Their king was chosen out of the bodie of the nobilitie, and had no power to do all things after his owne fancie, not to vse euery thing absolutely at his pleasure. They did chuse for heads of their armies such as exceeded the rest in vertue, and knew better how to execute, than to commaund. It was not lawfull for any one to beat or to kill another, [ F] except the priest onely, to the end that they might beleeue that it was God only that did punish offendors.

They did commonly carry vnto the warre certaine tables, which did represent their Gods, and to this end they drew them out of temples built in forrests. When they went

[ A] to the war, they would haue their neerest kinsemen, and those things which were deerest vnto them not far off, to the end, that in the presence of their friends they might either vanquish gloriously, or dye with honour & commedation: when they were wounded they retired themselues to their mothers and wiues, who were not so daintie but they would dresse their wounds, visit them, and prepare them meat, and encourage them to fight valiantly. We also find in writing, that the Germans (being in a manner defeated) haue often repulsed their enemies by the encouragement of their wiues, to whose spirits they did attribute a certain foresight and holynesse, by reason whereof they did not reiect their counsell, nor contemne their aduice in their assemblies.

[ B] They had certain daies on the which they did sacrifice men to Mercurie, but they offred none but beasts to Mars and Hercules. They did also vse lots and diuination in matters of small importance, the resolutions of affaires depended vpon the heads of cities, but in those things that were of consequence, they did assemble the whole bodie of the citie to determine thereof. They did not begin any enterprise but during the new Moone, and when it was full, and they did not account by the daies, but made their computation by nights. They came armed to their assemblies, and when they would shew that they did concurre in opinion with any one they did onely shake their pikes, which was the most honourable signe of their approbation, but if the proposition did displease them, they shewed it by some great murmuring.

[ C] They that fled from the warre, or betraied their friends were hanged at the first tree where they were found, and cowards, and such as had no force were cast into the myer and couered with dirt, or else they were cast headlong into moores with a hardle vpon them to the end they should not come forth; as if they had beene of opinion that they should publickely punish an offence, and yet couer and hide the infamie of the fact.

It was not lawful for the magistrat to do any thing either in priuat or in publicke with∣out his armes. They were very curious to be well followed, for that they which had the gallantest troupes of youth in their traines were honoured aboue the rest. It was infa∣mous for a souldier to suruiue his commaunder being slaine in war, vnlesse he died after that he had won the victorie. The prince did fight to vanquish, and they that followed [ D] him sought for his preseruation and defence. They did lightly vndertake a war, and with∣ou•• any necessity, being able to liue without fighting; so as they held it a basenesse to pro∣uide for any thing necessarie by labour, if they might get it by force and fighting.

When they were not in war, the most valiant and wor••hiest among them had no other care but to sleepe, eat, and drinke, leauing the charge of their families and husbandrie to thei•• wiues; wherein also the old men were imployed. Their ordinarie aboad was in vil∣lages and hamlets, where their houses were separated.

Their attire was a cassocke made close before with a buckle or a lace, and for want thereof with thornes. The rich did differ in habit from the poore, not for that they were larger, but more straight, and so fitted to the bodie, as it seemed to be glued to the mem∣bers [ E] which it couered: and the apparrell both of men and women was a like.

The Germans among all the Easterne and Northerne Nations haue from the begin∣ning contented themselues with one wife, although there were some that did mary many The wife did not bring a dowrie to her husband, but the husband gaue it vnto his wife: they did not care to adorne their wiues, or to spend their estates in buying of iewells, and moueables, but they gaue them a paere of oxen readie yoakt, a horse with bridle & fur∣niture, a target, a pike, and a sword. It was an admirable thing to see the modestie and continencie of their wiues, being in a manner neuer seene at publicke places or feasts; so it was seldome heard of among so populous a nation that there was any adulteres••e: and if it happened that any woman were conuicted of this crime, first they did cut of her [ F] haire, then her husband brought her naked into the open place before her kinsfolkes, de∣priuing her of the rights of his house, after which she was whipt throughout the village: there was no meanes not hope of any reconciliation, when as a woman had once forgot∣ten her selfe after that manner.

It was not lawfull among them to mocke at one anothers vices, for that they thought

this custome was fitter to corrupt good manners, than to reforme the bad. [ A]

Young men began late to haue the acquaintance and companie of women, and by this meanes their youth were more lustie and actiue: neither did they much hasten the mar∣riage of their daughters, to the end that both parties might be more fit and able for ge∣neration. A murther committed, was recompenced by a certaine price, and a number of cattell, and the murtherer agreeing did make satisfaction to all his familie that had beene slaine. They tooke great delight to entertaine and lodge strangers, and it was a great er∣ror among them to refuse his house and table to such as came. They were accustomed to giue presents mutually one vnto another, without reproaching any thing; for that they did not hold themselues beholding in any sort one vnto another, for any thing they had [ B] receiued.

They spent whole daies and nights in making good cheere, so as they held dunken∣nesse for no vice: and after their drinking there was nothing seene but quarrells; & there was a murther sooner committed, than an iniurious word spoken. They treated of affaires both of peace and war in their banquets, and in old time they were not cunning, but deli∣uered their conceptions plainly and simply. The day after they had consulted, they did re∣tract what they had formerly resolued, to the end they might deliberat the second time, likevnto men that knew not how to dissemble, standing vpon the second deliberation, and thinking that they could not erre, hauing so wel consulted vpon a businesse. Their drinke was made of barley, and like vnto wine: but they that liued neere vnto riuers had wine [ C] which was brought them from forreine countries. For their meat they had wild apples, meale newly ground, and quayled milke.

They taught their youth to passe cunningly through rankes of pikes, and naked swords, to the end they might be more expert in battell. They were so giuen to play, as hauing lost their goods, they would ingage and sell their liberties; so as he that lost remained slaue vnto the other: and althought that the looser were young and strong, yet he suffered himselfe to be bound, and sold like a beast in the market.

They diuided the yeare into three seasons, that is to say, into Winter, the Spring time, and Sommer, like men that knew not Autumne, for that they had neither wine, nor fruits to gather in that season. [ D]

Their teares were soone past at the death of any one, but their griese continued long grauen in their soules. It was the office of women to weepe and lament, and for men on∣ly to haue a remembrance of the dead.

[ XXXII] But to speake in particular of the manners of some people of Germanie, the Saxons were great pirats at sea, as Appollinarius doth teach vs. Before they left the countrie which they had spoiled, their custome was to take the tenth of all their prisoners, whom they murthered with an execrable ceremonie: they thought that by this meanes they were discharged towards their gods, in sacrificing those whom they had taken in war.

They did seldome suffer their neighbours in peace, but they liued quietly among them∣selues, and the lords prouided with great curtesie for all things that were necessarie for [ E] their citisens. They were wonderfull curious of the preseruation of the families and races of their ••uncient nobilitie, and would not much acquaint themselues with strangers, nor allie themselues to their inferiors.

[ XXXIII] This people was generally diuided into foure Estates, that is to say, the nobilitie, free men, men that had beene infranchised, and slaues; and it was forbidden by their law, for any one to quit his ranke in contracting marriage: wherefore a nobleman, or a gentleman was bound to marrie a wife of his owne condition, and so of the rest, and if any one did infringe this ordinance, he was in question of his life. They had good laws for the punish∣ment of offences; as if a murther had beene committed, they had a regard vnto the con∣dition of him that had bin slaine, and it was seldome punished with death, vnlesse it had [ F] been done in some temple, and then there was no remission: yea whosoeuer laid an am∣bush, and sought opportunitie to commit a murther, although he did not execute his bad desseigne, yet was he banished and condemned in great fines.

These was punished with greater rigour, for he that had stolen but three soulz of their

[ A] auncient kind of money was called in question of his life: and in like manner they that did rob and vse violence did passe the rigour of the same sentence. As for inheritances, no man could depriue his lawfull heire, or him that had right vnto the succession, to giue it to ••••other, vnlesse it were vnto the church, or to make the king his heire.

The Saxons were in old time giuen to the superstition of Idols, and did worship 〈◊〉〈◊〉 that were very greene and full of leaues, and laden with branches, and in like man∣ner ••••••re fountaines. They had also the bodie of a great tree set into the ground in an open place which they call Irminsual, which signifies an vniuersall pillar, as if it had sup∣ported all things: this tree was beaten downe by Charles the Great when as he subdued the Saxons, and transported them into Flanders and Brabant, to the end they should not [ B] reuolt any more in their countrie. They did also worship Mercurie, to whom they did sac••••••ice (like vnto the other Allemans) vpon certaine daies those whom they had taken in war. They held it nothing fit for the maiestie of their gods to be shut vp in temples, on that they should make any image to represent them, thinking it impossible for man to comprehend that which is of a diuine maiestie. They did dedicat high growne woods, and the thickest and obscurest forrests to their gods, and there they disputed of the grea∣te•••• secrets of nature with much honour and reuerence. This people was also giuen to o••••••ue the flying, eating, and entrailes of birds, that by this meanes they might diuine of future things.

[ C] In old time they diuined after this manner: They that would know any thing tooke lit∣tle [ XXXIIII] stickes or rods of certaine fruit trees which they cut in peeces, and marked them af∣te•• diners manners, and with diuers colours, spreading them without any forme or or∣der vpon some garment that was white & cleane. If the consultaton concerned the pub∣licke, t•••• priest did preside, and if it were for any priuat cause, the father of the familie, or maister of the houshold where it was practised, hauing made his prayer vnto the gods, with his eyes lift vpon high, he did lift vp these rodds thus spread, thrice, and as the mar••••esturned, he foretold the happie or vnfo••tunat euent of the businesse; and if the markes did forbid the enterprise, they deferred it vntill another time: but if it did allow of it, these lots must also foretell the euent.

[ D] They also bred vp white horses in their woods and forrests at the publicke charge, and they had a care that they should not be vsed: they were harnesed to a chariot ap∣pointed to that end, the which was accompanied by the priest and king, or by the head of the citie or prouince, who did obserue the neighing and noise of these horses; so as there was not any kind of diuination, whereunto they gaue more faith and credit than to this, for as much as they did esteeme these beasts as the ministers of the gods, as who knew their secrets. They had also another kind of lots or hazard by the which they did coniecture the euent of their wars of greatest importance: for they did force euerie one of their captiues taken in warre (and that were of the nation against whom they did contend) to fight with any of theirs they should chuse, and he that had the vpper∣hand [ E] did serue as a prediction of the future victorie.

As for them of Suaube or Sueuia, Caesar faith in his Commentaries, that it was a great [ XXXV] people much giuen to armes, yea more than all the rest of the Germans: that they had a hundred boroughes and cantons, whereof euery one did furnish yearely one thousand warlike souldiers, who went forth of their countrie to inuade their neighbours, and in the meane time, they that remained at home laboured as well to feed themselues, as to defray their charges that went to the wars, and that these which remained went at the end of the yeare, whenas the rest returned home to refresh themselues. He saith also that no man had any land or field in particular, and that it was not lawfull for them to stay and dwell aboue a yeare in a place, that they fed little vpon bread, but vpon milke and [ F] ••esh, and were altogether giuen to hunting, in like maner that they were not accustomed from their infancies to any dueties, nor subiect to the rigour of any discipline. They were so hardened to labour, as notwithstanding they dwelt in a very cold countrie, yet had they no other garments but skins, and those were so short and straight, as the greatest part of their bodies were bare: and they also bathed themselues often in riuers.

They suffered merchants to come into their countrie, more to sell the pillage which [ A] they had gotten during the war, than for any desire they had of that which came from forraine countries. They tooke no delight to be well mounted, like vnto the Gaules; for they contented themselues with such horses as they bred in their countrie, and they did inure them so well to labour, as they made them fit for their seruice. They did often leaue their horses to fight on foot, hauing taught them to stand still in one place. They held no∣thing more base than to vse saddles; so as although they saw great numbers of men, whose horses had saddles, yet they feared not to charge and affaile them. They would not suffer any wine to be brought into their countrie, saying that it made them but ••ost and effeminat. They held it a great honour to haue much ground lying neere them wast, be∣ing [ B] a signe that there were many people which could not withstand their force, so as neere ioyning to the Sueuians there were six hundred thousand paces of ground not manured.

Tacitus saith that they did shorten their haire with tying and wreathing it vpon their heads, & that the princes carried their haire better comed and trimmed than the rest. At a certaine time of the yere they sent deputies out of euery quarter of Germanie, & there they did massaker and sacrifice a man in a place that was thicke couered with trees. It was not lawful for any man to set footing into this place but with his hands bound, to the end he should acknowledge that he was lesse than the gods, and if by chance any one fell to the ground he might not rise againe, but be dragged forth. This foolish super∣stition [ C] tended to acknowledge from whence they had their beginning, & the place where their god raigned. One part of the Sueuians did sacrifice also to the goddesse Isis. Final∣ly the Romans hauing drawne the Sueuians to their obedience and friendship, they al∣waies did them this honour to put them before in their armies, & to giue them the point in battells rather than to any other nation.

[ XXXVI] They of Bauaria (who descended from the Boiens(according to Polybeus) dwelt in hamlets built without any walls, or inclosure, and the ground was their bed with a little straw. They liued of flesh, and were wholy giuen to war and labour, liuing very sparing∣ly, and making no account of arts and sciences. Their wealth consisted in gold and cattel, which things might be easily transported if they should be forced to change their dwel∣lings. [ D] Euery man sought to get as many friends as he could, and he that had most men at his deuotion was most esteemed and feared.

¶ The Manners at this day.

[ XXXVII] AT this day the Germans are diuided into foure Estates and kinds of people. The first is of the Clergie, which comprehends all Churchmen both secular and regular, or religious orders. These haue great reuenues, and are much honored of all the rest, if they be learned, and of good life: for the people do easily contemne prelats and ministers of the Church if they be ignorant and dissolute: the religious men carrie habits befitting [ E] their condition: the priests which are not monkes haue long blacke gownes, their caps are of wooll very hollow, and not pointed, and come downe vnto their eares. When as they go in the street they carry a hood vpon their shoulders which is of silke or wooll, and they weare pantables: the greatest part of them are giuen to idlenesse, and care little for learning, but onely to drinke, play, and make good cheere.

The second Estate is of the nobilitie, which comprehends the princes, earles, barons, knights, and gentlemen. The princes are more esteemed than the rest, not so much for their greatnesse, or the antiquitie of their families, but for that they are more mightie than the rest, as hauing more land, seigneuries, and reuenues. But it is strange to see the princes, earles, barons, and their like, obay their Emperor vpon the first command, as his [ F] subiects and liege men, when as the meanest gentlemen say that they are free from this subiection, and go not to the wars vnlesse they be paied, and yet they call the emperor their prince, and due so acknowledge him. All the nobilitie and gentrie would thinke they should do themselues great wrong, if they should vse the trade of merchandise, or

[ A] practise any mechanique art, and they thinke it would be a great dishonor vnto them to take any base woman to wife, that were not of their qualitie. They contemne the com∣panie and conuersation of Bourgesses of townes, and for this reason they build castles and ••orts in the countrie, whereas they liue at libertie with their families. Some of them frequent the courts of Princes, and follow them to the warres, others liue close at home vpon their reuenues.

All the gentlemen take delight in hunting, and say, that this exercise belongs onely to them, and that they haue the graunt and priuiledges of princes. If any passenger, or any one of the third Estate is conuicted to haue hunted, especially hares, hyndes, fallow [ B] deere, wild goats, and stagges, in any place whatsoeuer, they put out his eyes for a pu∣nishment of the fact; and in some others he looseth his life: yet it is lawfull for any man ••••hunt such beasts as are hurtfull. Finally, the nobilitie make good cheere, & are stately apparelled. Both men and women haue their garments of silke of all colours, & weare many chaines of gold and goodly jewells.

When as they go abroad they are followed by a great troupe of their domesticke ser∣••••••ts, and march with such a granitie, as they are easily distinguished from the people. If they go any thing farre, it is on horsebacke, for that they hold it a dishonour to go on foot, and say, that it is a signe of a strange miserie, and pouertie, and yet if they want any necessaries, they hold it no shame to take it by force and violence. If they haue receiued [ C] any wrong, they do seldome appeale to justice, but seeke their reuenge by way of armes; s•• as spoyling and burning their enemies countrie, they force them that haue done the wrong to make them a sufficient reparation. They are proud, full of disquietnesse, coue∣tous, and hold the poore pesant in a strange seruitude.

Thethird Estate containes the Citisens, and Bourgesses of townes, whereof some are immediatly subiect to the Empire, without acknowledging any other lord: others be∣sides the Emperour haue princes, or are subiect to the Clergie. The citisens of townes line ingreat loue and concord, they carrie themselues honestly, and trafficke together both in publique and priuat, and oftentimes they feast one another. They seldome de∣ceiue one another, and haue verie few controuersies. At what time, or in what place soe∣uer [ D] they meet, they salute one another courteously, and with much honour. They are all plainly attired, and liue spa••ingly on the weeke dayes, but vpon fesgtifall dayes they are somewhat more liberall. They that labour make foure meales a day, and the men that worke not haue but two.

The ordinarie apparell of the men is of wooll, and that of the women of linnen cloth, and sometimes of wooll, but of diuers colours. They loue to be in the French fashion. They attire themselues in blacke at the funeralls of their kinsfolkes, and they mourne thirtie dayes, during which time they cause prayers to be said thrice for the deceased, that is, on the day of the Interment, on the seuenth day, and on the thirtieth. This nation is much deuoted to the seruice of God, so as there is not any Artizan whatsoeuer, but he [ E] prayes before he begins his worke.

They entertaine young men, who for to studie haue voluntarily banished themselues out of their countries and wander throughout the world, whereof sometimes there are so many in one towne, as it is a wonder how they are able to maintaine them. The citi∣sens lodge them for the honour of God, then they go begging their bread and singing from doore to doore, where they are releeued with aboundance. Ioyning to euerie pa∣rish Church there is a house which belongs to the publique, whereas they read the libe∣ral arts, and these poore men, with the children of the towne and others, are taught there by learned men, who haue stipends to that end.

The buildings of rich men are of stone, lime, and sand, the poore haue their lodgings low, [ F] and made of wood and earth. Both the one and the other couer their houses with tyle or slate. In the countrie of Saxonie, and in many other places they couer them with laths.

The last ranke and Estate is of Pesants, and the countrie people, who manure the land, and whose condition is miserable. They remaine far••e one from another, euerie one with

his familie, liuing poorely and wretchedly. Their bread is blacke, and for the most part [ A] of oats. As for their meat, they haue beanes and pease; and their drinke is pure water or beere. Their habit is a cassocke of linnen cloth, a paire of high shooes, and a poore felt hat. These people are alwaies without rest, vnhandsome, and slouenly, in their houshold. They carrie what they haue to sel to the neighbour townes, be it fruit, cattel, or any other thing, and with the money they buy such things as they need, for that they haue few or no attisans dwelling among them in their villages. Vpon festiuall dayes they meet after noone vnder some tree in a publique place, whereas they talke of their affaires: After this, the youngmen fall a dancing by some flute, and the elder men go to the ••auerne to drinke [ B] carouse. The men neuer go to any publique place without some armes, to vse if need be. They make many journeys for the seruice of their lords, tilling their land, sowing and reaping their come, carrying it into the barne, cutting downe their woods, and ser∣uing their masons when they build. Finally, there is no seruitude but the lords say the people are bound vnto.

[ XXXVIII] But hauing spoken in generall of the manners of the Germans, let vs looke into the particularities which are obserued in many Prouinces. The Saxons are such great drin∣kers, as they that attend them can hardly furnish them that drinke: and therefore they set a great pot vpon the table, whereas euerie man takes what he likes, and by this meanes they drinke exceedingly. They are so giuen to drunkenesse, as they in a man∣ner force euerie man to drinke; and this life they continue day and night: he that drinks [ C] best is not onely commended for his beastly humour, but is crowned with a Crowne of Roses, or other flowers and hearbes, or hath some toy giuen him for the prize of his victorie. Their manner of drinking is spred ouer all Germanie. Whilest they are sea∣sting, if any one passe by them, be it the maister of the lodging or any other, euerie man that hath a glasse full riseth and drinkes vnto him, which is as much to say, as he must drinke to them. They hold him for their enemie that being often inuited to drinke, doth not pledge them: so as this contempt is many times reuenged with some murther.

The Saxons meat is hard, ill drest, and of grosse digestion, as Lard, Sausiges, and Andouilles, or Chitterlings dried in the smoake, raw Onions, and salt Butter: and in some places they seeth the meat on Sonday which they eat all the weeke after. As for [ D] their Infants they doe not feed them with pappe, but they giue them solid meats well chawed by the mother, or nurse, by reason whereof, the Saxons being accustomed to this feeding, are stronger than the rest, and indure all discommodities with more pati∣ence. They haue a particular language; but as for their apparell they differ not much from the rest of the Germans.

The W••stphaliens are wittie and good warriers, but vicious and cunning.

The Francons or Franconians differ neither in proportion of bodie not in manner of habit from the rest of the Germans. They endure much labour, and both men and wo∣men are giuen to dresse and trim their vines, so as not any one liues ydle. These people being prest with pouertie sell their wine, and drinke water, for that they contemne [ E] beere. They are insolent, proud by nature, hauing a good opinion of themselues, and contemne all other nations, yea they speake so ill of others, as straungers that frequent among them will hardly discouer the place of their birth, vnlesse they be verie forward of speech. They that endure their arrogancie with patience are welcome, and hauing once tried them after this troublesome manner, they receiue them often for their allies. and giue them their daughters and kinswomen in marriage. They are verie deuou••, and yet much giuen to blasphemie and theft, whereof the one seemes goodly vnto them, and the other lawfull.

Fi•••• w••••kes before Christmas euerie Thursday, the children, both boyes and girles, go knoc••ing at euerie doore, and singing songs, which containe the neere Natiuitie of [ F] Christ, and by the which they wish vnto the whole companie a good yeare: for which office many giue them Peares, Aples, and Nuts, and some giue them siluer.

Vpon Christmas day, they set the representation of an infant newly borne, vpon the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 about the which the children leape and daunce, and the old folkes sing; vpon

New yeares day the kinsfolkes and friends salute one another, and shake hands, wishing a 〈◊〉〈◊〉 New yeare. They spend the day together in good cheere, and according to the an∣•••••• custome of their ancestors, they send presents one vnto another.

••••on Twelfth day euery house makes a cake of fine white fluore, honie, pepper, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉, and then they create a king as followeth. The mistris of the house is she that 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the cake, into the which when she kneads it, she puts a small peece of siluer, then 〈◊〉〈◊〉 it vpon the harth, she cuts it into as many peeces as there are persons in the house, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 giues to euery one his part: yet there are certaine peeces assigned, first one to Christ, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to the Virgin Marie, and last to the three wise men that came to worship him; and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••hese parts are giuen to the poore: he that hath that part wherein the peece of siluer ••••••aines, is saluted as king, set in a chaire, and raised vp thrice by the whole companie 〈◊〉〈◊〉 great cries of ioy. The king being thus raised vp on high, hath a peece of chaulke in ••and, with the which he makes so many crosses vpon the top of the plancher of the ••••••mber where they meet. During the twelue daies of Christmas, there is not any house ••ranconia but is perfumed with incense, or some other sweet sent, to preuent 〈◊〉〈◊〉.

••t Shrouetide the Franconians run vp and downe the streets attired like deuils, or 〈◊〉〈◊〉, striking without discretion such as passe by with little baggs filled with sand. Vpon 〈◊〉〈◊〉 wednesday in many places, all the boies of the parish meet together, who taking all 〈◊〉〈◊〉 maidens which haue most frequented dauncing that yeare, and yoaking them like 〈◊〉〈◊〉 vnto a chariot, vpon the which there is a minstrell set, who plaies vpon some in∣••••••ent, in this manner they conduct them to the first water which they find.

••••ing the Rogation weeke many parishes meet together, and the young girles and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••arch before in procession with garlands of floures vpon their heads, and staues 〈◊〉〈◊〉 sallow in their hands. The priests of euery church are very attentiue to heare ••arishioners sing, & they that haue sung best haue (according to their sentence, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 custome) certaine measures of wine giuen them to quench their thirst.

〈◊〉〈◊〉 Whitsonholidaies, their manner is both in Franconia and almost through∣•••••• Germanie, for them that haue horses, or can borrow any, to meet together, setting ••••••est al••o on horsebacke, who carries the holie sacrament; and in this manner they go ••••••the precincts of their territorie, singing hymnes and songs, and praying vnto God •••••• would preserue the fruits of the Earth.

〈◊〉〈◊〉 S. Vrbans day, they that trimme the vines set forth a table in some publicke place, ••ouer it with a faire cloth, and with leaues, herbes, and sweet smelling floures, where∣••••••y set the image of S. Vrban. If the day be faire and bright, they drinke freely, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in the honour of his name: but if it raine, or the weather be close, they cast dirt 〈◊〉〈◊〉 this saint, and defile the cloth and whatsoeuer is vpon the table, with stinking 〈◊〉〈◊〉 for that they thinke their vines which are then in flower, will beare, or not, accor∣•••••••• as the day is faire or foule.

〈◊〉〈◊〉 S. Iohn Baptists day, both men and women go dauncing about a bonefire, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 garlands of verue in and other hearbes, and they carrie great nosegaies of flowers, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 they call Esperons, and they looke vpon the fire through these flowers, thinking 〈◊〉〈◊〉 they shall haue no diseases in their eyes that yeare. They that will depart before the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 quencht, cast in first certaine hearbs wherewith they are girt, vsing these, or such 〈◊〉〈◊〉 words, Let all my misfortunes part, and be deuoured in this fire. At the same time 〈◊〉〈◊〉 haue pots of Earth full of holes, which the young maidens couer with roses and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 flowers, then they put a candle burning into them, which they set vpon tops of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to serue as lam pes.

••••llages, the young men which are to marrie, carry young firre trees, and cut off all 〈◊〉〈◊〉 branches downeward, beautifying the top of the tree with looking-glasses, peeces of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 scutchions, and other things that glister, the which they plant in the ground, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 during the Sommer.

Autumne when as their grapes are ripe, it is not lawfull for any man to beginne his 〈◊〉〈◊〉 without his leaue to whom the tythe doth belong, and all they that haue vines

〈◊〉〈◊〉 quarter, must begin their vintage together, and bring the lords right into the val∣ley, [ A] for that which growes vpon the hills. They that will make their vintage later than the rest, must not only haue permission to do it, but they must also bring the lords tythe vnto the presse. Vintage being ended, for that at Wirtzbourg there are young men appointed to controule them that pay, these young men make torches of straw, which they kindle, and so enter by night into the towne singing with this light, thinking that with this cere∣monie they purge and burne Autumne.

The Franco••••••s do celebrat the feasts of S. Martin, and S. Nicholas, the one at the table in drinking hard: the other at church in praying: then euery man tasts of his wine, and at Wirtzbourg, and in other places they giue somewhat to the poore. They cause [ B] two furious boares to fight within a toyle, to the end they may teare one another in pee∣ce••••••nd being both fore wounded, and ouerthrowne, the people haue a part, and the rest 〈◊〉〈◊〉 distributed to the magistrates. Vpon S. Nicholas day the children which go to schoole ••hose three amongst them, one of which is the bishop, and the other are his deacons. This bishop made at pleasure, is that day conducted to the church by the whole troupe of schollers, being attired in his pontificall roabes, with the which he doth assist at diuine f••••n••••e, at the end whereof, he and his deacons go singing from doore to doore to get money, and they denie that this is an almes, but a charitable succour due to the bishop. They teach their children to fast the eue of this Saint, and therfore in the night when they sleepe, they put some peece of siluer in their shooes, telling them that it proceeds from [ C] the saints bountie, so as some fast with such eagernesse, as they are forced to make them eat to preserue their health.

As for them of Sueuia, the richest and of mostnote among them are in a manner all giuen to merchandise, and make a common purse to that end, and euery man knowes what summe he shal aduenture: with which money they not onely buy silkes and spices, but all other small mercerie wares, as spoons, points, looking glasses, & puppets, and they also buy wine and corne to keepe, the which they sell againe for the double of that it 〈◊〉〈◊〉. They haue letters of commission from princes, by the which all men are forbidden to buy wine or corne in any other places, but whereas they haue their storehouses. True it is that they do not vse this trafficke themselues, but they haue their factors who giue [ D] ••hem ••n account.

As for them of meaner qualitie, their greatest trade is to make linnen cloth, to the which they are so giuen, as in many places you shall not onely see women and maidens at the di••••••ffe, but also men and boyes spinning among them. They make a certaine cloth of lin••en mixt with cotten which they call Pargath, and another all of linnen, called in their language Golfch.

The Sueuia•••• are much giuen to incontinencie, and the women are as tractable as men can desire, and both the one and the other begin this lewd life soone, and leaue it late: and therefore there is a common prouerbe, That the countrie of Suaube alone is able to furnish all Germanie with strumpets, Franconia with rogues and beggers, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 [ E] with heretickes, Bauaria with the eues, Westphalia with periurers and false witnesses, and the Marquisat of the Rhin with gluttons.

As for them of Bauaria, they are so slouenly, rude, and brutish, as if they be compared with the rest of the Germanes, they may iustly be termed barbarous. But the vices wher∣with they are mostinfected, are discourtesie and theft. They attire themselues most com∣monly in blew, and do rather weare boots and buskins, than stockings. The most deuout 〈◊〉〈◊〉 them go often in pilgrimage in great troupes, especially to Aix la Chapelle.

Austria hath princes which carrie the title of Archduke, and whenas any one comes vnto this 〈◊〉〈◊〉, they vse a strange ceremonie: for not far from the towne of S. Vite, in a great and deepe valley, there are the ruines of a towne to be seene, but the name is not [ F] 〈◊〉〈◊〉: neere vnto these ruines in a goodly meadow there is a great marble stone set, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the top of which they set a pesant, to whom this right falls by succession: this man 〈…〉〈…〉 cow big with calfe neere vnto him on the right hand, and on the left a leane 〈…〉〈…〉 mare, and about him an infinit number of pesants and other people.

After which the duke comes being accompanied with a great troupe of his nobilitie, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 whom they carrie his Ducall ornaments, and all his traine are in great pompe: 〈◊〉〈◊〉 prince is plainly attired, wearing the habit of a Pesant, with the cappe and shoos, ••••••••epheards hooke; so as one would rather take him for a man of that condition 〈◊〉〈◊〉 a prince. He that fits vpon the stone, seeing the Archduke come, cries out in the ••••••••••nian Tongue, What is he that marcheth so proudly? To whom the multitude ••••••derstands by, answers, It is the Lord of all the countrie. Then the Pesant demaunds 〈◊〉〈◊〉 would be just in his judgement; if he desires the good of the countrie; if he be of a 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••ondition, and of a noble extraction; if he deserues this dignitie; if he will keepe 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••ommaundements of God like a good Catholicke, and defend the Church: whereat 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••••all crie, yea: and then he that sits vpon the stone saith, By what meanes can he take ••••••••om this place? Then the Steward to the new Prince answers, This place shall be 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••••••med from you with the price of sixtie pieces of siluer; these beasts shall be yours, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••hose garments which the duke weares: and moreouer, you, and your familie, shall 〈◊〉〈◊〉 from all Taxes, Imposts, and Subsidies. After this, the Pesant strikes the duke 〈◊〉〈◊〉 vpon the checke, aduising him to be an vpright Iudge; which done, he goes 〈◊〉〈◊〉 from his seat, takes his spoyles, and retires himselfe: then the duke goes vp vnto 〈◊〉〈◊〉, and drawing forth his sword, he turnes himselfe round about, and promiseth 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the people all the duetie of a good Prince, and of an vpright Iudge. Some hold, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 doe also bring him water in a Pesants hat, and that he drinkes thereof for an 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of his future sobrietie. From thence they go vnto a Church neere vnto the place, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to the Virgin Marie, where the duke assists with all his troupe at diuine 〈…〉〈…〉 ceremonies being ended, the Prince casting off his rusticke habit, he puts on 〈…〉〈…〉, and feasts with his nobilitie. After dinner, they returne vnto the meadow, 〈…〉〈…〉 ••he duke heares the complaints of euerie man, and doth justice vnto all, 〈…〉〈…〉 ••ealtie and homage of all his vassalls and subiects. The Pesants haue this 〈…〉〈…〉 the duke in his dignitie, for that they were the first which receiued the 〈…〉〈…〉 that countrie.

〈◊〉〈◊〉 haue a strange kind of proceeding against theeues, especially towards that 〈…〉〈…〉 the towne of Klagen stands. If any man be suspected of theft, they hang him 〈…〉〈…〉 and then they make his processe; if he be found innocent, he is taken downe ••••••••ed, and his funeralls are made at the publique charge; but if he be judged 〈◊〉〈◊〉 suffer him to hang vntill he fall in pieces.

••••••••tire of the Carinthiens is of wooll, but not died, and they doe commonly weare 〈…〉〈…〉 speake the Sclauon Tongue. But the Stirians are grosse and rude, and haue all 〈◊〉〈◊〉 swellings vnder their throat, as it hinders their speech: yet they doe imitate 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in their behauiour and attire, and also in their speech, except it be those 〈…〉〈…〉 along the riuer of Drawe, who vse the Sclauon Tongue. As for them of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 speake no German but Sclauon: yet there are many which at this day speake 〈◊〉〈◊〉 tongue, especially in preaching. This people were neuer tied in generall by 〈◊〉〈◊〉 which drew them vnto vertue, but their will serues them for a law. They are 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••••••••ge breasted, and haue their haire white; they are ambitious, glorious, 〈…〉〈…〉 contemne others, and in all other things doe not much differ from the 〈◊〉〈◊〉

••••••conclude, the Germans make profession to be verie loyall, and to speake the truth, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••••••••ther borne to simplicitie than to subtiltie, the which they know not how to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of themselues: but in a strange countrie, they are the more fit to deceiue others, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 they are not much distrusted; and we may say, that chastitie is more 〈…〉〈…〉 kept in this countrie. Drunkennesse is no vice amongst them, yea, they say, that 〈…〉〈…〉 deceiptfull men haue brought in an abstinence from wine, to the end they 〈◊〉〈◊〉 not, discouer their bad conceptions, hauing drunke hard.

¶ The Riches. [ A]

[ XXXIX] GErmanie must needs be rich, seeing there are so many goodly mynes of siluer, and of all kinds of mettals, yea and of gold more than in any other countrie of Europe; and besides it is fertile in many places, and much giuen to the trade of merchandise, for that the Germans are more carefull of traffique than any other nation, and giue 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to diuers arts and trades, so as they make wonderfull and rare workes. Moreouer, •••• is naturally furnished with many great and nauigable riuers, whereby all victuals and merchandise are transported easily from one place to another. And nature hath beene so [ B] bountifull vnto them as in places farre from the sea, it giues them fountaines and pits of Saltwater, the which they boyle, and make thereof excellent good salt.

They make money of their Saltpits, and of their Wines, which they transport into other countries. Their Fayres are of good consideration, especially those of Franckfort, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 he•• merchants come from all parts of Europe, yea and sometimes out of Africke and Asia.

A••••atia makes great commoditie of her mynes of siluer, copper, and lead: Franconia of wine and liqu••ris where with they lade great wagons, and transport it into forraine countries: Morauia of Incense and Myrhe: Bauaria of fat swine, which they send into di∣uers pa••ts of Europe, and in like manner other cattell, wheat, and salt, where of they haue [ C] many fountaines and also great store of yron and copper, which they send weekley to the riuer of Danow from whence it is disperst into diuers parts of Europe: As for Au∣stria, they docalso make great summes of money of their siluer mines, and in like manner in the countrie of Tyrol which a bounds also in copper.

The country of 〈…〉〈…〉 great commoditie of an hearbe or grasse which they call 〈◊〉〈◊〉 for Dyers 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of H••ssen lends forth much Wooll, and in like sort Gold, Siluer, Copper, Qui••ksilu••••, Iron, Lead, Salt, and Alumne in great aboundance. Turin∣gia doth also make great commoditie of that hearbe for dying; and Misnia of their mines of gold. Finally to speak•• generally of Germanie, it doth not yeeld in riches to any other Prouince of Europe. But to come to particulars, you must vnderstand that the re∣uenues [ D] of town •••• and secular Princes are much increased, by meanes of vsurpation of Church goods and charges imposed vpon the people.

[ XL] As for the Emperous reuenues, first the free townes which are sixtie in number, and were sometimes ••i••••tie six, are bound to contribute the two first parts of that which is resolue•• on in their diets and assemblies: but among these, there are some which they call Imperiall for that they pay a certaine rent vnto the Emperour, which amounts in all to ••ift••••ne thousand Florin••, or one thousand fiue hundred pounds of our starling money. These townes haue all good 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the which doe much exceed their expences: and it is though•• that the Empire hath in all aboue seuen millions of rent; the which is a mat∣ter of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 small moment, for the people not being charged, as in Italie, giue, besides the [ E] ordinarie, verie great subsidies vnto their Princes, whenas necessitie requires.

The Empire is bound at the least, by custome, to entertaine (whenas the Emperour goes to Rome to receiue the crowne) twentie thousand foot, and foure thousand horse for eight moneths; and this is called the ayd of Rome, whereof the Emperour may put a good p••rt into his purse. Sometimes also they graunt vnto the Empire expeditions against heretickes, sometimes against the Turke, by vertue whereof he hath leuied at one time foure hundred thousand Florins.* 1.1 Finally, the Emperour hath better meanes than many persuade themselues, for that he drawes onely out of Alsatia, Suanbe, and the Grisons countrie, whereas the house of Austria hath fourteene Communalties (vn∣der her jurisdiction) about two millions and halfe of Florins in ordinarie rent, and as [ F] much in extraordinarie.

¶ The Forces.

〈◊〉〈◊〉 we proceed any farther, it shall be good to consider what forces former 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••••••rors haue drawne out of Germanie, seeing it is in a manner solely from thence that [ XLI] 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••ay haue them. Charles the fift had about ninetie thousand foot, & thirtie thousand 〈◊〉〈◊〉 whenas he went to Vienne against the Turke, of the which there were many 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and Italians. Maximillian the second, had neere one hundred thousand foot, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 thousand horse, at Iauarin against the Turkes, and yet there was not any want or 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of victualls. When as the Emperor Charles the fift made war against the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 there were in both armies (which held the field for certaine moneths) about one 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and fiftie thousand men.

The forces of Germanie are in truth very great, both for that they haue aboundance [ XLII] 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••ctualls, and also for that the meanes are easie to vnite these forces by their riuers: as 〈◊〉〈◊〉, some thinke that the Empire may draw to field two hundred thousand 〈◊〉〈◊〉 whereof we haue seene the experience by that which we haue said, and also in other ••••••••sions: for since the yeare 1560, they haue in a manner made war continually both ••••••ance and in the Low Countries, with good numbers of Germanes, whereof they 〈◊〉〈◊〉 often made great leuies both of foot and horse. At one instant there came into 〈◊〉〈◊〉 be vnder the duke of Deux Ponts twelue thousand foot, & eight thousand Reistres 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••••em of the religion; and on the other side, there were fiue thousand German horse 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the duke of Aumale, and two thousand vnder the Earle of Mansfeld for the 〈…〉〈…〉: and William of Nassau prince of Orange, had vpon the frontiers of Flaunders 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••••••nce eight thousand horse, and ten thousand foot of the same nation, and the duke 〈◊〉〈◊〉 three thousand. I forbeare to speake of the number of Germans which entred 〈…〉〈…〉 Low Countries vnder the commaund of duke Casimier, and into France also in 〈…〉〈…〉 1587, and many times since. Finally, wheresoeuer they make war in Europe, 〈…〉〈…〉 ••••••waies many Germans, in which number I do not put the Flemings, who haue 〈…〉〈…〉 made armies of eightie thousand men; not the Suisses, who according to the 〈…〉〈…〉 of some, are able to draw together one hundred and twentie thousand foot for 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••owne defence, and who haue sometimes sent forth thirtie thousand, as they did 〈…〉〈…〉 they were drawne into armes to defend the Estate of Milan against king Francis 〈…〉〈…〉

〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••••••••••ning to our discourse, the best Germane footmen come out of the countries 〈◊〉〈◊〉, Sueuia, and Westphalia; and their best horsemen out of that of Brunswicke, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 especially from Cleues and Franconia. They handle a two-hand sword, a pike, and a 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••peare, better than a harquebuze: they are good men in battails & in the open field, 〈…〉〈…〉 to breake, as to withstand the enemies shocke: wherein their order and discipline 〈…〉〈…〉 in a manner natural vnto them) doth much helpe them, and their kind of march 〈…〉〈…〉 graue and slow, and the defensiue armes which they vse. But they must haue a 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••under of some other nation, who can tell how to imploy that which is good in 〈…〉〈…〉 for it hath beene seldome seene that they haue done any thing worthie of their 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••••••••••ent glorie, vnder the leading of a German generall. They are not fit for assaults, for 〈◊〉〈◊〉 they are commonly heauie, and laden with fat. They are rather constant than hardie, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 f••r••ous than valiant; for that they neuer attempt any thing, wherein they shew 〈◊〉〈◊〉 courage: and whenas they are victors, they kill all they encounter, without any 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of age or sexe, if the war continue, and they are besieged, they yeeld soone: if 〈…〉〈…〉 ••ampe, they haue not the patience to attend the victorie in temporizing, if their 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••••••tempt succeeds not, they are amazed and vndertake no more: if they be once 〈…〉〈…〉 put to flight, they neuer make head againe, and most commonly when the armies 〈…〉〈…〉 most readie to ioine they crie out and mutine for gelt.

〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••heir armies are of great charge, and very troublesome, for that they carrie their 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to war, and consume so much victualls, as it is difficult to lead them, and impos∣sible

to maintaine them, being most certain, that no good can be expected without victu∣alls. [ A] Their horses are rather strong than couragious; and for that of ten which they bring vnto the war, eight of them come from the plough and cart, they do no good seruice to their maisters, and become faint hearted in seeing their owne bloud, contrarie to the g••••ets, which grow then ••o••t couragious. To conclude, the Germane foot in their kind are better than the horse.

[ XLIII] Their forees at se•• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 a••e no•• les••e than those at land, although they be not so much im∣ployed, for tha•• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 are townes, whereof some haue one hundred, others a hundred and fiftie shi••s by meanes whereof they are able to make head against the forces of the kings of Denmarke and Sueden. Germanie is so powerfull with all her forces, as being [ B] vni••••ed ••he needs not feare any enemie. We must ioine vnto these forces in their necessiti•• the succours of the princes of Italie, of Sauoy; and of Lorraine: for these princes ha••••e neuer failed the Emperor at need; for in the war of Segeth, Emanuell duke of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 sent vnto the Emperour six hundred Harquebuziers on horsebacke, Cosmo duke of Florence entertained three thousand foot, Alphonso the second, duke of Ferrara went in 〈◊〉〈◊〉 with one thousand and fiue hundred horse so well appointed, as there were not better in the whole armie; William duke of Mantoua went also with gallant troupes: and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 like manner Henry of Lorraine, duke of Guise led three hundred gentlemen: so as with those troupes which Pope Pius the fift did add, Maximillian the second (to whom the Empire, in a diet held at Ausbourg in the yeare 1566, had granted fortie thousand [ C] foot, and eight thousand horse for eight moneths, and twentie thousand foot, and four thousand horse for the three yeares following) had vnder his colours, besides his garri∣sons, one hundred thousand foot, and thirtie fiue thousand horse.

[ XLIIII] But there are two things which want in the Empire, whereof the one, is the Vnion of the resolutions, and the other, the Readinesse of their forces. Their resolutions are diuided as well by reason of the iealousie which the free townes haue of the princes, as for the difference of religions, which makes them to distrust one another; for that besides the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 con••ention betwixt Papists and Protestants, there are diuers professions whose 〈◊〉〈◊〉 all hatred in great, as Lutherans, Caluinists, Anabaptists, and such like: by reason whereof they come coldly to alters or generall assemblies, and being there, they imploy [ D] w••••re time in matters which concerne religion than state.

They do also want Readinesse, being a difficult thing to assemble a diet or parliament, without the which they cannot do any thing, and they must haue three moneths respite after the first sommons and notice thereof: being then assembled, they loose much time by reason of the diuersitie and contrarietie of opinions; and when any thing is conclu∣ded, it is slowly put in execution, although the war requires speed, and that opportunities are lost in an instant.

There is also another inconuenience, which is, that when as they haue resolued to giue a certaine number of men vnto the Emperour, and for a certaine time, they neuer come together; for that when as some march vnto the enterprise, others returne home to [ E] their houses hauing finished their terme, and it may be some are not yet in field; so as the Emperor can neuer make any certaine account of the succours which are promised him: whereof the Emperor Charles the fift made good proofe, meaning to passe into Ita∣lie, contrarie to the will of the French and Venetians. The communalties of Germanie in a diet held at Constance had promised him great numbers of foot, and three thousand horse, and yet ••e could ne••er draw aboue fiue thousand men together, so as his enterprise p••oued vaine. In like manner ••••••se free townes had promised vnto the Emperor Maxi∣••il•••••• the second, an armie of ••••••r••eene thousand men to make head against the Suisses who had inuaded his Estate and Sueuia, and yet he could neuer haue halfe of them to∣gether, for when as the souldiers of one ••••••••munaltie came, others returned vnto their [ F] houses; so as the Emperor being out of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to preuaile, was forced to make an accord with the Suisses, to whom he gaue the towne of Basil. But Maximilian thought to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 this inconuenience, whereof he made triall in the enterprise of Segeth, causing 〈…〉〈…〉 ••••ue these succou••s in money, not in men, for that he thought with money to

make as many men to march as he should need, or at the least the best part of them. But it is a folly to thinke to vnite Germanie, or to effect any matter of importance, whilest th•••• ••hese opinions shall hold them so diuided.

〈◊〉〈◊〉 conclude, we must not thinke (notwithstanding all these defects) that the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 weake, as some ignorant of the affaires of the world would make men beleeue: 〈◊〉〈◊〉 hath a great countrie, and much people, great store of victualls, and sufficient ••••••••fure to vnderdake any enterprise. But all his losse growes by the Turkes neighbour∣••••od, who confines from the Carpathien mountaines, vnto the Adriatick sea, and is able 〈◊〉〈◊〉 onely to weaken, but also to wast and consume greater forces than the Emperours. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 it is well seene that all Princes which are neighbours to the Turke by land, wast 〈◊〉〈◊〉 treasure whilest they are in peace with him, by reason of the great charge they are ••••••ed to vndergo in fortifications, and entertainement of garrisons: and their expences 〈◊〉〈◊〉 greater during the warres, for the Turke hath so great forces, and so readie vpon all ••••••asions, as he is better armed in time of peace, than most other princes are in time of ••••••re; so as they which confine vpon him, must be alwayes in Alarme, and feare so pow∣••••••ll an enemie. Before that the Emperour resigned the realme of Hongarie to the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 duke Mathias his brother, who is now both king and emperour, he entertained 〈◊〉〈◊〉 twentie thousand men vpon the frontiers, and moreouer spent much in fortification∣•••• and other things.

¶ The Gouernement.

〈◊〉〈◊〉 Pope Gregorie the fift which instituted the Seuen Electors: And although that [ XLV] 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the Great by the Popes decree transferred the election of the empire to the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Germanie, yet this tooke no place vntill his race was extinct; for during the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 thereof, the sunne succeeded the father in the Empire. But the decree of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 fift which did exclude all right of succession, referred the free election of the 〈…〉〈…〉 Princes, in the yeare of Grace 1002. The reason which inuited the Pope to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the empire electiue, which had continued hereditarie in the house of Charles the ••••••eat, was, for that Otho the third had not any children: but the reasons were diuers; 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••irst of all the empire being growne weake, the Pope and Emperour thought to raise 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••••••tifie it by the meanes of that person which should be chosen, without regard of 〈◊〉〈◊〉: after which, they would suppresse the dissentions which did grow by the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of Electors.

〈◊〉〈◊〉 Emperour then is the chiefe and head of the empire, and hath vnder him three [ XLVI] 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••••••ers, in the assemblie whereof they consult and resolue of all matters concerning the 〈…〉〈…〉 of the empire.

The first of these members is that of the seuen Electors, which are

• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Archbishop of Mentz, Lord Chauncellor of the empire in Germanie, who hath
• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Chancerie all the records of the Diets or Parliaments.
• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Archbishop of Treues, Lord Chauncellor of the empire in France.
• The Archbishop of Cologne, Lord Chauncellor of the empire in Italie.
• The king of Bohemia the chiefe Cupbearer of the empire.
• The Count Palatin of the Rhyne chiefe Caruer, or rather Lord Steward of the 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 duke of Saxonie Lord Marshall, and Iudge of the Court, who carries the sword 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the emperour.
• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Marquis of Brandibourg Lord Chamberlaine of the Empire.
• 〈…〉〈…〉 haue full and absolute power to chuse the emperor, to the end that no man may 〈…〉〈…〉 himselfe the imperiall dignitie as hereditarie. 〈◊〉〈◊〉

〈◊〉〈◊〉 second member is of Noblemen, as well Ecclesiasticall as Secular, which be 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Archbishop of Magdebourg, Sal••zbourg, Besancon, and Breme. [ XLVII]

The Bishops of

• B••••berg.
• Wui••zpurg.
• 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• Sp••••••••.
• So••••••••••org.
• ...〈◊〉〈◊〉
• ...〈◊〉〈◊〉
• Co••••••••tz.
• ••••••••ildesheim.
• Paderborn.
• Chp••.
• Halbe••stat.
• Fe••••••en.
• M••••••••ster.
• O••••••bourg.
• Pass••uil.
• Frising••n.
• Kempse.
• Gurck or Goritz.
• Seckauu.
• Hana••de.
• Basil.
• Sitten or Wallis.
• Regensbourg.
• M••••••••en.
• Nau••••••ourg.
• Mi••••en.
• Lubeck.
• V••••ecli••.
• Camin.
• Swe••in.
• Genena.
• Ca••••••ay.
• Verdu••.
• Losanne.
• Metz.
• Toul.
• Luyck.
• Trent.
• Brixen.
• Mersbourg.
• Labach.
• Vierina.
• Brandenbourg.
• Ratzenbourg.
• Schleswick.
• Ha••elbourg.

The Princes and Noblemen which are See••l••rs.

• The duke of Bau••••i••••
• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Archduke of Austria.
• The duke of Saxonie.
• The Palatin of Bauaria.
• The duke of Iuliers, Cleues, and Berck.
• The Marquis of Brandenbourg.
• The duke of Brunswick.
• The duke of Lunembourg.
• The duke of Pomerania.
• The duke of Mekelbourg.
• The duke of Lauuembourg.
• The duke of Holsten. [ B]
• The duke of Lorraine.
• The Landgraue of Hessen.
• The Duke of Wittenberg.
• The duke of Zweybrug.
• The Duke and Earle of Spanheim.
• The Marquis of Bade.
• The Landgraue of Luchtemberg.
• The Prince of Anhalt.
• The Earle of Hennenberg.
• The Burgaue of Hessen. [ C]

Princes that be of the Clergie,

• The Prince and Abbot of Fuld.
• The Prince and Abbot of Hiersfeldt.
• The Prince and Abbot of Kempten.
• The Prince and Abbot of Reichenaw.
• The Prince and Prouost of Wissemburg.
• The Prince and Abbot of S. Gal.
• The Prince and Abbot of Salifeldt.
• The Prince and Prouost of Elwangel. [ D]
• The Maister of the order of the Teutons.
• The Maister of the order of the Knight of S. Iohn.

The Abbeys of

• Waingarten.
• Solmansweiler.
• Kreutzlingen.
• Murpach.
• Walkenriedt.
• Schuttern.
• Weissenow or Minde∣raw.
• S. Blaise.
• Maulprun.
• The Prince and Abbot of Corbey.

The Abbeys of

• Schussenriedt.
• Bir••e••sha••sen.
• Stei•••••• Rhin.
• Scafhausen.
• Kempeseck.
• Waldsachsen.
• Finsideln.
• Rockembourg.
• Ochsenhausen.
• The Prouost of Selts.

The Abbeys of

• S. Gilgen of Noremberg. [ E]
• Nuembourg.
• S. Maximin neere vnto Treues.
• Heueldshausen.
• S. Iohn in Curtel.
• Gengenbach.
• Konigsbrun.
• Rodt or Roden.
• Markthal.
• Rockenhausen. [ F]
• S. Peter in Schwartzwald.
• The Prouost of Odenheim.
• The Prince and Abbey of Stable.

The Abbeys of

• S. D••••••.
• Be••••••••••sen.
• ••••••••••gen.
• ••••••••••••ngen.
• ...〈◊〉〈◊〉
• ••••••enbourg.
• ...〈◊〉〈◊〉
• 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• S•••••••• in Thurtal.
• ••••••••hausen of Cons••a••ce
• ...〈◊〉〈◊〉
• ••••••••••aim.
• ••••••imeram of Ra••isbonna
• ••••••egorie of Munster
• ••••••herode.
• ••••••meille of Munster
• ••••••den.
• ••••••perg.
• ...〈◊〉〈◊〉
• ...〈◊〉〈◊〉
• ...〈◊〉〈◊〉
• ...〈◊〉〈◊〉

The Prouost of

• ...〈◊〉〈◊〉
• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 gasden.

Abbesses or Nunneries of

• ••••••••••bourg.
• ...〈◊〉〈◊〉
• ••••••••nster of Regensburg
• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Munster of Regens.
• K••••••••gen.
• 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Gemrode.
• ••••••••chaw.
• ••••••••munster.
• ••••••••p••ch.
• ••••••••enzel.
• ••••••dt.
• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of
• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of Coblentz.
• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of Elsas.
• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of Osterich.
• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of Inder Etsch.

The E••led••••es of

• ••••••••enstin.
• ••••••chberg.
• ••••••••staig.
• ...〈◊〉〈◊〉
• ...〈◊〉〈◊〉
• ••••••••berg.
• Zimmeren.
• Otingen.
• Sultz.
• Hohen Zollern.
• Castel.
• Vertheim.
• Reineck.
• Hohenloe.
• Erpach.
• Leiningen.
• Falckstein.
• Hanau.
• Luchstemberg.
• Nassaw, Breda, & Dillēburg.
• Wisbaden and Iltztain.
• S••lbnulden.
• Walde purg.
• Nassau in Weilpurg.
• Beil stein.
• Konigstein and Epstein.
• Eisenberg the high.
• Eisenberg the low.
• Mersen.
• Budenghen.
• Wirnemberg.
• Solms.
• Atsenberg.

The Earledomes of the Rhin.

• Horn.
• Seyn.
• Wintzlingen.
• Rhin.
• Bistch.
• Salm.
• Weldentz.
• Dengen.
• Rappin.
• Hardech.
• Hohenstein.
• Wolkenstein.
• Schaumburg and Giengen.
• Dieremburg & in Someraw.
• Mansfelt.
• Stolberg.
• Buchlingen.
• Barbey and Mullingen.
• Gleichen.
• Schwartzemburg.
• Suemberg.
• Iude, lord of Ruech.
• Ples.
• Plawen.
• Weda and Ringelberg.
• Olnbrug.
• Locbenstain.
• Regenstain.
• Westfriesland.
• Eastfriesland.
• Vanderlippe, or of Lippe.
• Oldemburg.
• Hose.
• Delmenhorst.
• Westemburg.
• Munzemburg.
• Lemgow.
• Waldeck.
• Diepholt.
• Steinfort.
• Benthem.
• Brunchorst.
• Witgenstein.
• Spigelberg.
• Biuersdorff.
• Teckelnbourg.
• Dortmund.
• Windorff.
• Rippershoden.
• Hagen, or of la Haye.
• Hoonfels.
• Leisenek.
• Bergen.
• Mandercheid.
• Reiferscheidt.
• Egmont and Isselstein.
• Tubinge.
• Blankenberg or Blammont:
• Kirchingen or Krehanges.

The Barons of

• Gundelfingen.
• Geroltzeck.
• Ober Hewen.
• Rapolestain.
• Saffen.
• Sonneberg.
• Winenberg or Wanneberg.
• Degenberg.
• Obersulzberg.
• Tautenberg.

The Lords or Seigniors of

• Tussen.
• Stutgart.
• Iustingen.
• Schenlingen.
• Rapoltskirchen.
• Hohen Rechperg.
• ...

• Berletzick.
• Hohen Konigsperg.
• Hohenfeldt & Tipoltskirch.
• Braides.
• Reichelsperg.
• Limburg.
• Kunsech.
• Kunseckerberg.
• Geraw.
• Reichensten.
• Muntzenburg.
• Lostenstein.
• Ridberg.
• Ringen.
• Somirisse.
• Bergen and Waelhem.
• Wildenfels or Widerfels.
• Haber or Hauer.
• Senster.
• Roggendorff.
• Alendorff.
• Kunigfuckerberg.
• Morspurg and Befort.
• Brandenstein and Ranss.
• Wolfstein:
• Permont.
• Fronsbek.
• Flackenstein.
• Witten.

The third member of the Emperor is that of the free townes, which are

• [ LXVIII] Aixla Chapelle in the countrie of Iuliers.
• Antuerpe in the duchie of Brabant.
• Ausbourg in the countrie of Suabe.
• Basil in Suisserland. now cantons, and
• Berne in Suisserland. not contributarie.
• Byberach in Suabe.
• Boppert vpon the Rhin.
• Boichorn.
• Campen in Ouerissel.
• Cologne vpon the Rhin.
• Colmar in Alsatia.
• Constance in Suabe.
• Deuenter in Ouerissel.
• Dortmodt in Westphalia. (***)
• Dunkelspoel in Suabe.
• Duyren in Iuliers.
• Euer in Bermewout.
• Erfort in Turinge.
• Estingen in Suabe.
• Francfort vpon Meyn.
• Francfort vpon Oder.
• Fridberch in Wederewaure.
• Friburch in Brisgawre.
• Gheylhuysen in Wedewaue.
• Ghinghen in Suabe.
• Gottinghen in Saxonie.
• Groningue in Friseland.
• Gemunde in Suabe.
• Hagenau in Alsatia. (***)
• Halle in Suabe.
• Halle in Turinge.
• Helpron in Suabe vpon Neckar.
• Hambrough in Eastland.
• Heyde••••••elt.
• Isnen.
• Ingelsheim aboue Rhincau.
• K••••••stouren.
• Key••••••s-berch.
• Key••••••uterne in Westrick. (***)
• Kem•••••••• Suabe.
• Kuyr in Suitz.
• Landaun neere to Spire.
• Lindauu in Suabe.
• Lubeck in Saxonie.
• Lucerne in Suisserland.
• Lunebourg in Saxonie.
• Meydenbourg in Saxonie.
• Men••minghen in Suabe.
• Metz in Lorrain, now belonging to France.
• Mentz vpon the Rhin.
• Mulhuysen in Turinge.
• Mulhuysen in Sugouia.
• Noorthuysen in Turinge.
• Nuremberg.
• Nymeghen in Guelderland.
• Norlige in Suabe.
• Oderheim vpon the Rhin.
• Oppenhen vpon th•• Rhin. (***)
• Pollendorp.
• Poppinghen in Suabe.
• Rauensbourg.
• Regensbourg in Bauaria.
• Rottenbourg vpon Tuber.
• Rosem or Rosheim.
• Roteuil in Suabe.
• Ruylinge in Suabe.
• S. Gal in Suisserland.
• Sleystadt in Alsatia.
• Spyers vpon the Rhin.
• Swymfort in Franconia.
• Strasbourg.
• Treues vpon Mosella.
• Werlinghen in Suabe.
• Weerd vpon the riuer of Danou.
• Vlme in Suabe.
• Vange in Suabe.
• Wesel vpon the Rhin.
• Wesel in Cleueland.
• Wetzelaer in Hessia (***)
• Wyle in Suabe.
• ...

• [] Wimpsen vpon Neckar.
• Wy••••heym in Franconia.
• W••••nbourg.
• Wormes vpon the Rhin.
• Zurich in Suisserland.
• Zwol in Ouerissel.

••••sides this order of Three members, to preuent all diuisions in the empire, and to [ XLIX] ••••intaine Germanie in a generall peace, the Prouinces of the empire haue beene diui∣•••••• into certaine gouernments, which they call Circles, in the which there are priuat Councells appointed by the empire. They did first institute Six Circles at Ausbourg, •••• the yeare of our Lord God 1500, whereunto there were foure added at Nurembourg, in the yeare of our Redemption 1522. They doe chuse in euerie Circle a Gouernour, [ B] o••••ther President of their Councell, he is a Prince, an Earle, a Baron, or some gentle∣•••••• of great note, to whom they giue six Councellors which are of the same bodie, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 men, honourable, and judicious.

• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 first Circle is that of Franconia.
• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 second of Bauaria.
• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 third of Austria.
• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 fourth of Suabe.
• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 fift of the Rhyn.
• The sixt of the Electors of the Rhyn.
• The 7 of base Germanie, or Westphalia.
• The eight of high Saxonie.
• The ninth of base Saxonie.
• The tenth of Bourgondie.

[ C] ••esides these Councells or Circles, to the end that they might resolue with good [ L] 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of matters of great importance, they haue instituted the imperiall Chamber at 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••here of the chiefe or soueraigne Iudge is a Prince, or at the least an Earle or 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••••ron, if they find any that is capable of this charge. They haue giuen them six 〈◊〉〈◊〉 that is, two Earles or Barons, two Lawyers, and two Knights, whom the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 place by reason of the lands he holds hereditarie in the empire. Euerie Elector 〈◊〉〈◊〉 so appoint one, and euerie Circle two; and all these Assistants, or Councellors, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Lawyers and halfe Knights.

Touching that which we haue spoken of the members of the empire, Munster saith, [ D] 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••••••a••ter the seuen Electors, they ordayned foure Dukes, foure Marquises, foure 〈◊〉〈◊〉 foure Bourgraues, foure Earles, foure Barons, foure Knights, foure Townes, ••••••re Villages, and foure Pesants. And yet the emperours haue since created at diuers 〈◊〉〈◊〉 other Dukes, and new Earles; and moreouer they haue made many Earles Dukes: 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in succession of time, many dukedomes are extinct, as those of Suabe, Limbourg, Z••••••••en, Voitland, and some others.

The Charges and Dignities reduced to the number of Foure.

The foure Dukes.

• ••runswick.
• ••a••aria.
• Suabe.
• Lorraine.

The foure chiefe Mars••alls.

• ••••••••••pen••heim.
• [ F] 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• ...〈◊〉〈◊〉
• 〈◊〉〈◊〉.

The foure Landgraues.

• Turingia.
• Hessen.
• Luchtemberg.
• Alsatia.

The foure Bourgraues.

• Meidenbourg.
• Neurenberg.
• Reneck.
• Stronbourg.

The foure Earledomes chiefe in the warre.

• Flanders.
• Tirol.
• Aldenbourg.
• Ferrara.

The foure chiefe Abbeys.

• Fuld.
• Kempten.
• Wissembourg.
• Murbach.

The foure Burroughs of the Empire.

• Aldembourg.
• Meidenbourg.
• Rottembourg.
• Meckelbourg.

The foure Knights.

• Andlauu.
• Meldengen.
• Strondeck.
• Fronberg.

The foure Metropolitan Cities.

• Ausbourg.
• Aix la Chapelle.
• Metz.
• Lubeck.

The foure Villages.

• Bamberg.
• Vlme.
• Hag••ena••.
• Selestad.

The foure Ru••ticks.

• Cologne.
• Ratisbone.
• Constance.
• Saltzbourg.

The foure Marquises.

• Misnia.
• Brandebourg.
• Morauia.
• Bade.

The foure Earles.

• Cleues.
• Schwartzembourg.
• Cilia, or Gretz.
• Sauoy.

The foure Lords of Italie.

• Milan.
• Escala.
• Padoua.
• Mirandola:

The foure mountaines.

• Munerberg.
• Friberg.
• Heidelberg.
• Nurenberg.

The foure Barons.

• Limbourg in Franconia.
• Thusis and Raconie Lord of Tockembourg.
• Westerbourg.
• Aldenuuaden.

The foure possessions of the [ A] Empire.

• Ingelheim.
• Altdorff.
• Liechtenauu.
• Denckrendorff.

The foure Hantsm••n. [ B]

• Hurn.
• Vrach.
• Schombourg.
• Metsth neere to Coures.

The foure hereditarie offi∣ces of Suabe.

• The Caruer of Walpourg. [ C]
• The Cupbearer of Radach.
• The Marshall of Moredorf.
• The Chamberlaine of Kem∣nat.

The foure seruants.

• Waldeck.
• Hirten of Fulchen.
• Amsperg. [ D]
• Rabnauu.

Yet many of these dignities are changed, and quite extinct by the death of such as held them.

[ III] Their Sittings at Diets should be after this manner:

When as the Emperour is in his seat▪ the Archbishop of Treues must sit right against him; the Archbishop of Mentz hath his place vpon the right hand, and the Archbishop [ E] of Cologne vpon the left. The king of Bohemia whenas this realme did not belong vn∣to the Emperour, was vpon the right hand of the Archbishop of Mentz, and next vnto him the Count Palatin of the Rhyne; and vpon the left hand of the Archbishop of Co∣logne sat the duke of Saxonie, and by him the Marquis of Brandebourg.

When as they go in any publique Procession, they are to obserue this order:

The Archbishop of Treues goes before the Emperour, and the other two of either side of him, and then the king of Bohemia followes presently after.

The Archduke of Austria, as a prince of the Empire, hath no place among the secular Princes, by reason of the difference for presedence, but among the Clergie, who go be∣fore. In a Diet held at Ausbourg, in the yeare 1548, all the Prouinces of Bourgondie [ F] were put vnder the protection of the Empire, and the prince of these countries had a place particularly assigned among the Clergie, and yet in a diet held since at Ratisbonne ••••••ing of Spaine sen•• not any man to supplie his place.

The duke of Lorraine was wont to be held for a prince of the Empire, but now this ••••••past into France.

〈◊〉〈◊〉 free cities of the Empire (which acknowledge no other lord but the Emperor) ••••••h their owne lawes, and haue all in a manner a mixt and popular Estate; yet in 〈◊〉〈◊〉 them (among which is Nuremberg) the chiefe men gouerne. The forme of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in these free cities was not in the beginning of any great esteeme, whenas by 〈◊〉〈◊〉 fauour they purchased their libertie of Emperors, or from the princes that ru∣•••••••• them.

〈◊〉〈◊〉 man can be called Emperor vnlesse he be first crowned by the Pope: but he may ••••••ke vpon him the title of Caesar, or king of the Romans, or king of Germanie, if he 〈◊〉〈◊〉 beene chosen by the Electors. The Emperor doth not commaund absolutly in Ger∣••••••••, [ LIII] but doth gouerne it by the meanes of diets or parliaments; by reason whereof 〈◊〉〈◊〉 more or lesse powerfull, according vnto that which he doth obtaine in those diets, ••••••ting, or giuing way to contradictions, and causing himselfe to be loued and feared 〈◊〉〈◊〉 together.

••he three Estates come vnto the parliament, and of these are framed three councells. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Electors enter into the first, and whenas the king of Bohemia is not Emperour, he ••••••es not to the diet, but is absent from their consultations, and is rather an Arbitrator ••••••an Elector; for that if their voices be equally diuided, that is to say, three of the one 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and three of the other, he to whom he giues his voice is chosen.

〈◊〉〈◊〉 second councell consists of all the other princes as well ecclesiasticall as secular, in∣•••••• which there enters two for all the rest, and two others for all the Earles and Ba∣•••••• the Empire. The third councell is composed of the free townes.

••••••mperor, or king of Romans propounds vnto all these what he thinkes good, and ••••••cell retires it selfe to consult what they shal resolue vpon these matters which ••••••unded. But as for the townes, although that they may giue their opinion by ••••••uncell, yet haue they no voice in deliberations. The councell of the Electors ••••eir opinions last, and is most esteemed.

〈◊〉〈◊〉 of Germanie is at this day much peruerted, so as if the Emperor doth call ••••••liament, the princes wil not come in person, but send their agents, to whom 〈◊〉〈◊〉 no authoritie to resolue or conclude of any thing, vnlesse they be formerly ad∣•••••• whereof they will treat, and for this reason they dispatch little.

••••••hing the particular gouernment of townes, and their manner of justice, you shal ••••••and (as I haue formerly said) that there are some townes immediatly subiect to the ••••••or, and acknowledge no other lord: and some other, besides the dutie they owe 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Empire are also subiect to princes and other noblemen, either ecclesiasticall or 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••ut as for those which depend solely of the Empire, they haue goodly priuiled∣••••••mptions, and prerogatiues, for that they are gouerned according to the lawes ••••••••nces of imperiall townes, vnder the charge and conduct of certain magistrats 〈◊〉〈◊〉 be chosen for the administration of justice and mannaging of the gouernment. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 yeare they chuse one among the bourgesses of a towne, who in the distribution ••••••e, is as it were the head thereof, and may be called pr••sident: he with certaine ••••••ncellors or assistants chosen by the people, doth heare and judge of all ciuile or cri∣•••••• causes within the jurisdiction of the towne. In ciuile causes, he that is condem∣•••••• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 appeale from their sentence vnto the imperiall chamber: but in criminal causes 〈◊〉〈◊〉 no appeale from them, the which may seeme very strange, for that these Iudges ••••••imed, nor haue not read the lawes (the which were very necessarie in such oc∣••••••) but they care not so as they judge according to the lawes and customes of the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of euery towne, and the jurisdiction thereof. There are twelue of these Iudges 〈…〉〈…〉 euery towne, and also in some bourroughes, men without reproach, vpright, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 commendable for the sinceritie of their liues, according to the testimonie of all 〈◊〉〈◊〉 although they haue neuer studied the law; for that the people in this case doe 〈◊〉〈◊〉 respect honestie, experience, and practise, than knowledge without vertue. These 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••re bound to administer justice, and yet they receiue no fees, nor haue any re∣compence

for their paines, but honour, whenas they haue discharged themselues well, [ A] and haue not preferred their owne priuat interest before the publicke good. They haue certaine houres appointed to heare contendants, and to do justice, and before they en∣•••••• into their places they take an oath and sweare that they shall exercise their charges vprightly, and according to equitie and reason, not accepting the magistracie to abuse it, but for the aduancement of the commonweale, and with an intent to judge accor∣ding to their consciences, which would torment them if they should judge contrarie to justice and equitie: so as the people (grounding vpon this sincere promise, and solemne oath) in tim••s past were not accustomed to appeale from their decrees & definitiue sen∣tences: but now that Iudges begin to grow corrupted, inclining to that partie which [ B] giues most, they appeale often, and before Iudges that are more corrupted than the first.

As we haue formerly said, they chuse Iudges also in certaine borroughs, but not in all▪ for in most of them they establish certaine men, whom they call bourgomaisters, who ••erue as Iudges and Arbitrators to end all such controuersies as may grow betwixt the labourers and pesants, and they haue also charge of the affaires of the village, but yet they deale not with the pollicie and administration of justice, which belongs to the lords, or to their officers.

¶ The Religion.

[ LIIII] GEermanie is much diuided touching matters of religion: some are Papists, some [ C] Lutherans, and others Caluinists. About the yeare 1517, Pope Leo the tenth hauing sent forth his pardons and indulgences to heape vp treasure; Luther hauing been an Au∣gustine Fryat began to exclaime against the dissolution and excesse which raigned in the Clergie, saying that the reuenues of the Church were imployed in pompe, vanities, and matters of worse practise: and withall, he did write sundrie bookes both against the Masse, and the superstitions of the Church of Rome, and also against the disordered life of the Pope, and his Clergie, so as in a short time his doctrine was imbraced and follo∣w••d by diuers princes and free townes of Germanie. In the end the Emperor Charles ••he fist was forced vnder pretext of keeping the publicke peace, to signe a decree, & to al∣low [ D] of the free exercise of the confession of Ausbourg throughout all Germanie, vntil that by a general Councell, or by some other means, they might settle some order touch∣ing matters of religion; and in the yeare 1552 in a diet held at Posse, all Protestants were forbidden to molest the Catholickes, and especially priests in the exercise of their religi∣on: and in the yeare 1555, in a diet at Ausbourg, they gaue libertie to all the Princes and Estates of the Empire to follow the Popish religion, or the opinion of Luther, and to passe from the one vnto the other, with a condition that a secular prince should not by this change loose his Estate, nor receiue any blemish in his reputation, but the eccle∣siasticall should loose his dignitie, and they to whom it did belong should presently chuse another which was a Catholike. [ E]

But let vs see in what Estate Germanie stands at this day touching Religion. It seemes in our time that the Protestants religion is much aduanced, and very strong, for that the princes that be Caluinists and Lutherans get the possession of Bishoprickes and Abbeys, and leaue them as a part of their inheritance to their successors, seeking to plant their opinion wheresoeuer they haue power and authoritie: yet in most townes there are some churches and markes of Popish religion, as at Minde (although they be all in a manner Protestants) there are Catholicke Chanoins, and in the great Church they sing Masse. At V••me, Strausbourg, Nubourg, and in the Estates of Brandebourg, Saxonie, and Brunswicke, there are many religious houses of Nunnes; yet in some places they are forbidden to admit any new, the which sometimes they cannot do for want of a Popish [ F] Bishop, or of some one which hath that charge

To returne to the purpose, they of the Palati••ar of Rhin, haue been diuers times for∣••••d to change their opinions, as it hath pleased their Earle. Augustus duke of Saxonie was 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and protector of the profession of Luther, & Christierne his sonne after his fathers

〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••rought Caluinisme into Saxonie, who being dead, duke Fredericke expelled it 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and restored Luthers doctrine.

〈◊〉〈◊〉 of the princes of Germanie follow the profession of Caluin or Luther. They that 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Luther are the Marquis of Brandebourg, the Dukes of Saxonie, Brunswicke, and ••••••berg, the Earles of Mans••eld, and the free townes which confine with the ••e•• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Caluin is followed by the Counts Palatins of Rhin, by them of Strasburg, ••••most of the sea townes.

••peak•• generally, the nobilitie is more fallen from the Romish religion than any 〈◊〉〈◊〉, the rich than the poore, and the townes more than the villages, and yet the free 〈◊〉〈◊〉 are more earnest than the villages. And it is a thing worthie obseruation, that of ••••••ly free townes which are in Germanie, there came vnto a diet (which was held of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 yeares for the Catholickes) but three small townes of Suabe, that is Camonde, ••••••heelspille, and Vberlinque, whereas the princes of Austria, the dukes of Bauaria, ••leues (who is now extinct) with Philip of Bade, and the Lantgra••e of Leutem 〈◊〉〈◊〉 haue constantly continued in the Romish profession, and there hath returned vnto ••••••in Count Vlric of Elprestein, with Iames Marquis of Bade, and some others: To con∣••••••••e, all the free cities are fallen from the Church of Rome, except those three which ••••••haue named: yet there are some Catholicks at Neurembourg, Franckford, V••me, ••••x la Chapelle, and in some other places.

But to shew in what estate the Romish religion now stands in Germanie, you must [ LV] ••••••ue the Cathedrall Churches, for that the authoritie of Bishops and Chapters hath ••••••e most part maintayned their religion. Germanie hath seuen Metropolitans, which ••••••agdebourg, Treues, Mentz, Cologne, Saltzbourg, Bezançon, and Prague. The ••••••••hop of Magdebourg, with the Churches of Masbourg, Masberg, Nanbourg, ••••••ourg, Brandebourg, Lubech, Seuerine, Sebourg, Celuth, and Racenbourg (to ••••••h that of Misnia, which was exempt, hath beene added) is not onely fallen from ••••••ish religion, but is also vnder the power of Lutheran Princes, who dispose as ••••••wne inheritance.

••••••hbishopricke of Treues is the freest of all Germanie, for that not onely with∣•••••• 〈◊〉〈◊〉, but throughout all the diocesse they doe not allow of any but the Romish 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and the reason for the most part is, for that this towne had neuer any Bishop ••••••as a Catholicke, and most commonly verie zealous.

••••e Archbishop of Cologne hath with great difficultie maintayned the Romish reli∣•••••••• and would neuer admit the exercise of any other profession. In the yeare 1543, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 hauing discouered that the Archbishop Herman had an intent to bring the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 religion into the towne, and into his whole diocesse, hauing to that end caused 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to come from Lipsic, and Martin Bucer; the Senat and Chapter oppo∣••••••selues, and wrought so, as in the yere 1549, Herm••n was deposed by the Popes 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and Adolfe chosen in his place ▪ yet could he not preuent it, but that some 〈◊〉〈◊〉 whereof this Archbishopricke hath seuenteene) haue receiued the Gospell, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 place vnder this Archbishopricke the Churches of Liege, Munster, Osnobourg, 〈◊〉〈◊〉.

As for Liege, the Romish religion hath continued to this day, and in like manner ••••••••••ghout all the diocesse, which is verie great.

〈◊〉〈◊〉 hath beene much afflicted with Anabaptists, but these being extinct, the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 hath returned to her former estate.

〈◊〉〈◊〉 Church of Osnobourg hath beene greatly molested: for Luthers opinion began 〈◊〉〈◊〉 footing there in the yeare of our Lord 1521. And although tharten yeares after ••••••••••ters were expelled, yet they were receiued againe, and supported by the 〈…〉〈…〉 and Bishops. Since the yeare 1574, vnto the yeare 1586, Henrie of Saxonie vsur∣•••••• of this Church, and that of Breme.

••s for Minde, there is no markes of the Romish religion, but a part of the Chapter, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••elebration of the Masse.

Touching the Archbishopricke of Mentz, the Protestants are dispersed throughout

〈…〉〈…〉 part of the diocesse, yea in the great towne of E••ford; whereas both the gentle∣•••••• [ A] of Archbishop seeke to free themselues from Councellors that are Lutherans: 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the Iesuits, who haue care of the v••iuersalitie, assist them much. They haue in ••••e diocesse two others Colledges, one at Cons••ans, and another at Helegenstad. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the frontiers of Italie, Neere to Helegenstad is a place called Molius, where of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 yeares the Luther•••••• haue published a kind of prayer against the Turke, the Pope, ••nd the 〈◊〉〈◊〉. Although they be in a manner all Lutherans in the towne of Erford, 〈…〉〈…〉 maintained it with some others, and the Senat (which is opposit 〈…〉〈…〉 made a proclamation, that no man should presume to molest the Ca∣•••••• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 during their preaching or diuine seruice, and by the Emperours commaunde∣•••••• [ B] the ••••••••••rans haue bee•••• forced to restore a Church which they had taken from 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Catholicks. The Church of Strasbourg is of great reputation in Germanie, for that 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the Cha••oins must be of noble families: but they are in a manner all Caluinists. ••••••berg ••••••ided in to two parts, as well as the diocesse, where there are a good num∣•••••• of Catholickes.

〈◊〉〈◊〉 Spi••e, the Lutherans doe farre exceed the Papists. The Chanoins of the Ca∣•••••••••• Church being desirous to preserue that little which remaines, haue instituted a •••••• Semi•••••••• of twelue young men, by whose meanes, and of the Colledge of Iesuits, they hope to fortifie their partie.

The inhabitants of Wormes withdrew themselues first from their Bishop, touching [ C] the ••emporall ••••risdiction and afterwards for the spirituall; and the profession of Luther ••••yerie free among them, yet the Clergie are for the most part Catholickes. They of H••••bi••o••••••ane in a manner all Papists, by reason of the great care which their Bishops 〈…〉〈…〉 expell all other opinions. In the diocesse of Ausbourg they are for the most 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••••therans, for that there are commonly in the Citie fifteene Ministers which 〈◊〉〈◊〉. But there are two things which support the Romish religion; the one is, the ••••••••cie of the Senat in that opinion; the other is a Colledge of Iesuits which the ••••••••es haue built there. Moreouer, there are more Papists than others at Ginsbourg, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and Almangauie, and diuers Conuents of religious women. As for Hyestad, 〈…〉〈…〉 haue no publ•••••• exercise of their religion. In the diocesse of Hildesie [ D] 〈◊〉〈◊〉 are many Lutherans, but the Clergie of the Cathedrall Church haue alwaies maintay••ed themselues.

Comming to the Archbishopricke of Saltzbourg, it is most certaine that this towne hath in a maner•• one but P••pi••ts. But at Rati••bona, which is subiect vnto it, they make p••••••••que pro••ession of L••thers doctrine, and there are few Papists, except the Clergie, who 〈…〉〈…〉 fauour of the duke of Bauaria.

Bohemia 〈…〉〈…〉 part follows the opinion of Iohn Husse, who was burnt at the Councel of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 with Ier••••e of Prague, in the yere 1417, contrarie to the pasport and warrant which was giuen the•• by the Emperour Sigismond: but some write, that th•••• countrie is much infected with Anabaptists and Pica••ds, and so are the countries of [ E] M••••a••i•• and Silesia: the late•• tooke the beginning and name from one called Picard, who brought the heresi•• of the Adamits out of Flaunders into the countrie of Bo∣hemia.

As for Austria, in the towne of Vienne, they are for the most part Papists: at the le•••••• wise the Ministers doe not preach publiquely. And to conclude, in all the prouin∣ce•• and townes of Germanie, they are diuided touching religion. The countrie of Ty∣ro•• which is subiect to the house of A••stria, is most deuoted to the Romish religion. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 is for the countrie of 〈◊〉〈◊〉, they are all Papists. [ F]

BRIEFE DESCRIPTION OF THE EM∣perours of the West, beginning at Iulius Caesar the Founder of this Empire, and continewing vnto Mathias the second, now raigning.

1. IVLIVS CESAR was Founder of the Romane Monarchie, and yet he tooke [ LVI] vpon him the name of perpetuall Dictator, and not of Emperor. He liued fiftie six yeres, and raigned three yeres and seuen moneths after the end of his wars. He was ••••••eby Brutus, Cas••••us, and other conspirators, in the yere of the world 3886, which was ••en hundred and eight yeares after the building of Rome, and in the 184 Olimpiade, ••••d before the birth of our Sauiour Christ 47.

2. OCTAVIVS AVGVSTVS, called also Caesar, nephew to Iulius, suc••eeded him, and ••••••ke the name of Emperor, which signifies chiefe of the armie, and made the title of ••bsolute commaund ouer all those countries which obayed the Romans. He liued ••••entie and fiue yeares lacking fiue and twentie daies, and raigned fiftie and six yeares, ••••oning the twelue with Anthonie and Lepidus in the Triumuirat. He died in the yeare [ C] 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the world 3943, after the building of Rome 765, and in the 198 Olimpiade, and in the yeare of Grace 14.

3. TIBERIVS, sonne in law to Augustus by Liuia, and adopted by him in the yeare of the World 2940, after the foundation of Rome 762, and in the seuenteenth yeare of C•••••• ••as chosen Emperor. He had the Empire twentie and three yeares: by nature he ••••troublesome, a mocker, base, cruel, and malicious. In the fifteenth yere of his raigne 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Sauiour Christ being thirtie yeares old was baptised by S. Iohn. The eighteenth yere of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Empire he was crucified. In the ninteenth yeare S. Paul went to Damascus, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 conuerted to the Faith. He liued seuentie and eight yeares, and raigned three and ••••••ntie.

4. [ D] CAIVS CALIGV••A pettie nephew to Tiberius, borne of Germanicus sonne to 〈◊〉〈◊〉, who was brother to Tiberius, in the yere of the world 4001, of the foundation of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 789, and in the yeare of grace 39. This was a horrible monster, cruell, and insup∣••••iable, who plunged himselfe into all villanies and disorders, and had the companie of ••••••ree sisters. He liued eight and twentie yeares, and raigned three yeres, ten moneths, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 dayes.

CLAVDIVS, nephew to Tiberius, and sonne to Drusius, succeeded in the yeare of the World 4005, of the foundation of Rome 793, and in the yeare of Grace 43, be∣•••••• fiftie yeares old, he came vnto the empire by corruption, promising three hundred 〈◊〉〈◊〉 fiftie crownes to euerie souldier. He had profited well in learning, hauing had T••tus 〈◊〉〈◊〉 for his Scholemaister. He was poysoned by his wife, being sixtie foure yeres old, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 had raigned foureteene yeares.

NERO, sonne in law to Claudius, and adopted by the pollicie of Agrippina, in the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of the World 4019, of the foundation of Rome 807, and in the yere of Grace 57, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 seuenteene yeares old, was created Emperour by the souldiers, to whom he pro∣••••••ed as much as Claudius had giuen them. He caused his mother Octauia to be slayne, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Poppe••, and his two wiues, Seneca his Scholemaister, and many others. The Christi∣•••••• were vnder him cruelly murthered. He thrust himselfe through with a sword, ha∣••••••g liued two and thirtie yeares, and raigned almost fourteene. The Familie of the Cae∣•••••• ••••yled in him.

SERGIVS GALBA, of the house of the Sulpitij, was chosen by the Legions of ••••yne, and then confimed by the Senat. He was a good Prince, but by the practises of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 he was slaine in the Market-place of Rome, and his head was carried to Otho. He 〈◊〉〈◊〉 seuentie and three yeares, and raigned but seuen moneths, and seuen daies.

••••ILVIVS OTHO (as soone as the souldiers had slaine Galba) obtained the Em∣pire

by his death, he was a villanous monster, and companion to Nero in his lecherie and [ A] dissolutnesse, shamelesse, impudent, and ambitious: but being vanquished by Vitellius, he ••••abbed himselfe with his dagger, hauing raigned onely foure moneths, and liued fiftie and eight yeares.

9. AVRIVS VIT••LLIVS a glutton, cruell, lustful, and bloudie, hauing caused ma∣ny Romane gentlemen to be slaine, the souldiers murthered him, and cast his carcasse in∣to the riuer of Tyber. He liued fiftie and seuen yeares, and raigned but eight moneths.

10. FL. V••SPASIAN, of the familie of the Flauiens, after the great disorders and cruel••ies committed vnder Caligula, Claudiüs, Nero, Otho, and Vitellius was saluted Empe∣ror during the liues of his predecessors: he reformed the prouinces, legions, armies, [ B] 〈◊〉〈◊〉, and justice: he sent his sonne Titus to besiege Ierusalem the fourteenth of Aprill, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the second yeare of his Empire, and in the yeare of Grace 72. He died of a flux, being 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and nine yeres old, three moneths, and seuen daies: and he raigned ten yeares.

11. TITVS VESPASIAN succeeded his father in the yeare of the World 4043, of ••••••foundation of Rome 831, and in the yeare of Grace 81. He was called the Delights 〈◊〉〈◊〉 mankind, by reason of his justice and bountie; he pardoned his brother Domitian, who had practised his death: being surprised with a seuer he died, at the age of thirtie and nine yeares, fiue moneths, and fiue and twentie daies, hauing raigned two yeres, two mo∣neths, and two daies.

12. DOMITIAN succeeded his brother in the yere of the World 4045, of the foun∣dation [ C] of Rome 833, and in the yeare of Grace 83. He did not resemble his father nor brother, being cruell, cunning, distrustfull, suspitious, treacherous, base, greedy, and a porsecutor of the Christians. Vnder him was the second persecution, accounting that of Nero for the first: he appointed one houre euery day to catch flies, and therefore he was called the h••••ter of flies. He was incestious and l••cherous, for the which he lost his life, in the fiue and fortieth yeare of his age and the fifteenth of his Empire.

13. N••••VA being ••ery old was chosen Emperor in the yeare of the World 4061, of the foundation of Rome 849, & in the yere of Grace 99. He was a good prince, and a just, and restored the goods and offices which Domitian had wrongfully taken away. He c••••sed the persecutions against the Christians to cease, he did abolish publicke plaies, [ D] he adopted Trau••an borne in Spain for his sonne, and he left the Empire more flourishing than all the rest. He died being seuentie and one yeres old, hauing raigned one yeare, and foure moneths.

14. VLP. TRAIAN entred into the Empire whenas Ner••a sent him the decree of his adoption vnto Cologne, being two and fortie yeares old, in the yeare of the World 4062, of the foundation of Rome 850, and in the yere of Grace 100. He was wise, a good justicer, well aduised in war, valiant, and fortunat in execution; by a decree of the Senat he was called the Good Prince. He caused libraries to be built, and did often heare Plu∣t••rch. Going to suppresse the Iewes he died, being sixtie and foure yeares old, and hauing raigned nineteene yeares, six moneths, and fifteene daies. [ E]

15. ADRIAN in the yeare of the World 4080, of the foundation of Rome 868, and in the yeare of Grace 118, came vnto the Empire. He was adopted by Traian, but he did write vnto the Senat that he would not accept of the Empire vnlesse they commaunded him. He was wise, and well practised in affaires, learned and well spoken, sometimes mild, and sometimes cruell. He did visit the prouinces of the Romane Empire more than all former Emperors had done. His life was in the end of his daies so odious as he required them to kill him: he liued seuentie and two yeares, and fiue moneths, and raigned one and twentie yeares, and eleuen moneths, his bones were interred in the Castell of S. Ange at Rome.

16. ANTONIVS PIVS was Emperor in the yere of the World 4102, of the foun∣dation [ F] of Rome 889, and in the yeare of Grace 139. He married Adrians daughter, and ••••s adopted by him. He was a man of a goodly stature and full of wit, eloquence, and ••••••••••••ie. He was the onely prince that was free from the bloud of his subiects: he did 〈◊〉〈◊〉 respect the authoritie of the Sena••, and appointed good pensions for the profes∣sors

[ A] of Philosophie and other sciences: he caused the imposts vpon the limits of the em∣pire to be taken away, and he was accustomed often to say, That he had rather saue 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of one subiect, than to kill one thousand enemies. Wherefore the Senat called 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Father of their countrie. He died being seuentie yeares old, hauing raigned three ••••••••ventie. His bodie was interred in Adrians Sepulcher.

ANTONIVS VERVS, sonne in law to the other Antonin, succeded him in the ••••••ire. In the beginning he joyned vnto him his brother Lucius Verus, and then the em∣••••••e was gouerned by two Emperors, hauing equall power. But this Antonin was good, 〈◊〉〈◊〉, modest, bountifull to learned men, and fortunat in warre. There was vnder him a ••••ecution begun against the Christians, the which ceased, he hauing obtained a battaile ••••••he meanes of a legion of Christians, after the which he did abolish all Edicts made ••••••st the Christians. He suruiued Lucius Verus eight yeares▪ and died being sixtie one ••••••res old, and was Emperour eighteene yeares.

LVCIVS VERVS, hauing beene associated in the empire by Marck Antonin his ••••••ther, for the ••••••all time of his raigne, is not named amongst the good or bad Prin∣••••. He raigned with Antonin eleuen yeares, and died being fortie and two yeares 〈◊〉〈◊〉: he was layed in Adrians Tombe.

COMMODVS succeeded his father Marck Antoninus Verus in the yeare of the ••••••ld 4143, of the foundation of Rome 931, and in the yeare of Grace 182. The Ro∣•••••• Monarchie was in her flourishing estate, from Iulius Caesar vnto Marck Antonin, but ••••••••••wards it was tost with continuall seditions, and ciuile warres. Commodus at the age of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 yeares being in a hot house, vpon a sodaine dislike caused the maister thereof 〈◊〉〈◊〉 into a burning furnace, a presage of his future crueltie. He did drinke most ••••••••••nly all night, and did wallow in all kind of execrable vices, with three hundred ••••••••••bines, and as many young boyes; he framed his life like vnto that of Caligula. He 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Infant Lucilia his sister miserably, and did rauish the rest. He was slayne by 〈◊〉〈◊〉 his Concubine, and by Letus great Prouost of the Empire. His bodie was by ••••••••maundement of the Senat cast into Tyber, hauing raigned thirteene yeares.

PERTINAY succeeded Commodus in the yeare of the World 4156, of the foun∣••••tion of Rome 940, and in the yeare of Grace 194. His father was a bondman infran∣••••••d, and had beene a Scholemaister, then a souldier, and in the end aduanced in such 〈◊〉〈◊〉 he gouerned the prouinces of Rhetia, Norica, Misia, and Dasia. And for that he 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Roman, the murtherers of Commodus did chuse him Emperour, but seeking to re∣•••••• the Pretorien souldiers, he was hated, and therefore slayne by them; who carried ••••••ad vpon a launce to the campe of Iulian his successour: He was sixtie yeares old, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••••igned but six moneths.

IVLIAN, for that in so corrupted an age great men had no authoritie, the souldi∣ers were exceeding bold and insolent. Sulpitian Prouost of Rome, and Digius Iulian 〈◊〉〈◊〉 so shamelesse, as to traffique at what price they might haue the Empire: Sulpitian ••••omised to euerie pretorian souldier fiue hundred crownes, and Iulian promised six hun∣dred twentie fiue, and so he was chosen Emperour; he was a glutton, a player at dice, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 not his promise with the souldiers: whereupon they began to hate him, and he grew 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••••••••hearted, couetous, and base, as he was slayn by an vnknowne souldier, and was em∣••••rour but seuen moneths, and fourteene dayes.

PESCENIVS NIGER gouernour of Syria was saluted Emperour by the soul∣•••••••••• that were in Syria, but Seuerus who had beene chosen by the Senat went against Ni∣•••••• with whom he fought thrice. In the third battaile Pescentus Niger and his wife were ••••••e, and Se••erus remained sole Emperour. The goods of Pescenius were all confiscat, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 his race extinct.

SEV••••VS succeeded Iulian in the yeare of the World 4157, of the foundation of Rome 945, and in the yeare of Grace 195. He was honourably receiued by the Senat ••••d souldiers, and proclaymed Emperour. Being come vnto the Capitoll, he degraded 〈◊〉〈◊〉 souldiers which had slaine Pertinax, and banished them the empire. He did also put 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to death, who had beene the author of the murthers of Commodus and Pertinax:

He vanquished Pescenius Niger in Syria: He made a voyage into England, where he di∣ed [ A] at Yorke. He was verie valiant, and dying, he left as much co••e to the people of Rome as would serue them seuen yeares. He liued sixtie fiue yeares, nine moneths, and fiue and twentie dayes: and raigned eighteene yeares.

24. CLAVDIVS ALBINVS made himselfe Emperour in France. Seuerus hauing defeated Pescenius, returned to Rome to make warre against Albinus, whom he had as∣sociated with him in the empire: but Albinus became treacherous, practising the death of Seuerus, the which made him to lead a great armie against Albinus, who commaun∣ded in France as an Emperour of the Romans, and gaue him battaile neere vnto the citie of Lyon, where Albinus was defeated and taken, and led halfe dead vnto Seuerus, who [ B] caused his head to be cut off, and his bodie to be cast into the riuer, and the whole fa∣milie and friends of Albinus to be rooted out: which done, Seuerus was Emperour alone.

25. ANTONIN BASSIAN CARACALLA, sonne to Seuerus, was Emperour in the yeare of the World 4175, of Rome 963, and in the yeare of Grace 203. He was an incestuous and cruell monster: He slew his brother Geta with his owne hands, hanging about the necke of his mother Iulia, and crying out, O mother they kill me; so as she was all couered with her sonnes bloud, and wounded in the hand: yet afterwards she marri∣ed with her sonne in law Bassian. He caused many Roman Senators to be put to death, and among others Papinian, Prouost of the citie. In the end he was slaine at the instiga∣tion [ C] of Macrine, great Prouost of the empire, by a souldier called Martial, whose brother he had put to death. His bodie was sent to Iulia his mother in law and wife, who seeing it, fell vpon it, and suffered her selfe to be slaine: such was the end of the incestuous. He liued fortie three yeares, and raigned six.

26. ANTONINVS GETA, in the life of the Emperour Se••erus his father, was asso∣ciated by him in the empire, being his youngest sonne. This young prince made shew to be heire of his fathers vertues: but the Emperour Bassian conspired his death, and to attaine vnto it, he watched when he might find him alone, who being on a time in the Chamber of his mother Iulia, second wife to the Emperour Seuerus, he flew him. This execrable murther did purchase Bass••an many enemies. [ D]

27. MACRIN great Prouost of the empire, was created Emperor by the armie which was in Assyria, in the yeare of the World 4182, of Rome 970, and in the yeare of Grace 220. He had beene a bondman infranchised, and a Notarie in the time of Commodus. He made his sonne Diadumenus Emperour in the beginning of his empire. He gaue himselfe to play, and began to be hated of the souldiers, by reason of his miserable and froward disposition. He was cruell, and an inuenter of new torments. He caused two souldiers (for that they had rauished their hostesse) to be sowed together in a Bullockes hide, leauing their heads out, to the end they might speake one vnto another, vntill that vermin, stench, and other torments had killed them. He was slaine in Antioch, hauing raigned fourteene moneths. [ E]

28. VARVS HELIOGABALVS, sonne to Bassian (as some thought) was Empe∣rour by the practises of his grandmother Maea, in the yeare of the World 4184, of Rome 972, and in the yeare of Grace 222. He did associat his cousin Alexander in the empire. He brought his mother into the Senat, and made her to giue her voyce as a Senator: There she published many lawes which were called Matrimoniall. He abandoned himselfe to all abhominable dissolutions, and exceeded Nero and Caligula in villanie: he semeed a monster rather than a man, and did rauish the vestall virgins: he caused his priuie parts to be cut off, thinking to be as a woman, and married himselfe as a woman, and did cohabit with as a woman. Finally, being come to the height of all his villanies, he was slaine with his mother, being hidden in a priuie. His bodie was cast [ F] vpon a dunghill, by the conspiracie of the souldiers, being seuenteene yeares old, and ha∣••••••g raigned two yeares and eight moneths.

•••••• ALEXANDER SEVERVS was by the consent of the Pretorian souldiers and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 made Emperor, in the yeare of the World 4187, of the foundation of Rome

975, and in the yeare of Grace 225, being yet very young, he gouerned the Empire by ••••••ncell of V••pian. The most seuere act he euer did, was the death of Thurin••s 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••hom he caused to be smoakt to death, for that he did not justice, but tooke money 〈◊〉〈◊〉 parties. He made an edict, the which he would haue inuiolably obserued, where 〈◊〉〈◊〉 other things there was, Doe not vnto another what thou wouldest not haue done vnto 〈◊〉〈◊〉. He began to be hated by reason of his seueritie, and was slaine in Gaule by the ••••••ers at the persuasion of Maximin. He liued but nine and thirtie yeares, three 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and seuen daies, and raigned thirteene yeares.

•••••• MAXIMIN (borne of a base familie in Thrace, and of barbarous parents) was 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Emperor by the souldiers without the consent of the Senat, in the yere of the World 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of Rome 988, and in the yere of Grace 238: he also made his sonne Maximin 〈◊〉〈◊〉. By his first trade he was a sheepeheard in Thrace: he came to Rome in the time of ••••••us, and being exceeding strong and actiue of bodie, he did run as swiftly as Se••er•••• 〈◊〉〈◊〉, whereupon he was made an archer: vnder Bassian he had the charge of one 〈◊〉〈◊〉 foot. Being Emperor he grew exceeding cruell and proud, so as the Senat declared 〈◊〉〈◊〉 an enemie to the Empire, by reason of his wickednesse: he caused all the seruants of ••••••••edecessors Alexander to be cruelly put to death: so as the souldiers vnderstanding 〈◊〉〈◊〉 will of the Senat, they cut the throats of Maimin and his sonne sleeping at noone day 〈◊〉〈◊〉 tent, the father being three s••ore yeres old, and his sonne nineteene, hauing raigned 〈◊〉〈◊〉 yeares.

•••••• GORDIAN the elder was against his will with his sonne thrust into the imperiall 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••eing three score yeares old, to free the people from the tyrannie of Maximin▪ 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Gordian his sonne was slaine by the meanes of Cappellus, and the good Emperour ••••••o much the furie of his enemies, hung himselfe for that he would not fall aliue 〈◊〉〈◊〉 hands. He raigned but fiue moneths, and was lamented of all good men, he was 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••••nter, a caruer, and learned.

•••••• ••LENVS MAXIMVS, the sonne of a locksmith, for his great deeds of armes 〈◊〉〈◊〉 all the dignities that could be desired: he grew so hautie and proud as he vsed ••••••ties against the Romans, which made the souldiers to hate him, and to 〈…〉〈…〉 him and Balbin••••, and fell to ••••ti••e in the pallace, from which being 〈◊〉〈◊〉 dragged them to their tents, and there flew them, hauing raigned two yeares.

•••••• ••••LIV•• BALBINVS was chosen Emperour with P••pienus, to suppresse the ••••••••nesse of Maximin. He was a Spaniard and learned, and did pace••ie the seditions ••••••d grow dayly in Rome, by his eloquence and knowledge: but fortune did so ••ma∣•••••• his prince, as the two Gordians being slaine in Africke, the people of Rome aspired 〈◊〉〈◊〉 G••rdian, wishing that Balbinus and Maximus would haue resigned their 〈◊〉〈◊〉 him. By the hatred of the souldiers and people of Rome they were slaine, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Empire but two yeares.

•••••• ••••••IAN the second, being but sixteene yeares old began to gouerne the 〈…〉〈…〉 of the World 4203, of the foundation of Rome 991, and of our 〈◊〉〈◊〉 after that Maximin and his sonne had beene murthered at the siege of 〈…〉〈…〉 and Balbi••us slaine at Rome. He was a louer of justice, honest, peaceable, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••••loued, and more respected of his subiects than any other prince. Finally there ••••d nothing in him but age; whereupon an Arabian called Philip made him odious men of was, shewing them how young their Emperor was, so as he s••borned nine 〈◊〉〈◊〉 souldiers, who slew this good prince being two and twentie yeares old, and 〈…〉〈…〉 six.

•••••• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 HOSTI••IANVS was created Emperor by the Senat at Rome, to 〈…〉〈…〉 of the commonweale, hauing receiued newes of the death of the 〈◊〉〈◊〉, which troubled them much. Hostilianus was a braue prince, but being f••ll 〈◊〉〈◊〉 he died soone after.

•••••• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the Arabian hauing caused Gordian to be slaine, came vnto the Empire 〈◊〉〈◊〉 yeare of the World 4209, of the foundation of Rome 997, and in the yeare of 〈…〉〈…〉 He came to Rome the second yeare of his Empire the caused the secular

games to be celebrated (which they did neuer vse to do but in the beginning of an age) [ A] the first day of May in the 1000 yere of the foundation of Rome. At these games, a great part of Rome was burnt, by reason of the great number of torches which were light in the night. We read that he was the first Christian Emperor, and in hatred thereof, Deciu•• his lieutenant in Illiria reuolted, and was called Emperor. He resolued to go against De∣ci••s, leauing his sonne at Rome, but the Pretorian souldiers cut his throat; which being vnderstood by Philips armie, the souldiers slew him also at Verona. He raigned fiue yeres.

37. DECIVS was chosen Emperor in the yeare of the world 4214, of Rome 1002, and of Grace 252. He was a Hongarian of a noble familie, and was aduanced with the con∣sent of the Senat: his sonne Decius was also called Emperor: he did persecute the Chri∣stians [ B] very cruelly causing Pope Fabian to be put to death at Rome, Alexander at Ieru∣salem, and Babias with his three sonnes in Antioche. In diuers places there was nothing heard but the sighes of poore Christians who were forced to liue in desarts among bruit and sauage beasts. He did fight twice against the Gothes, and in the last, both he and his sonne was slaine, the father being fiftie yeres old. They raigned both but two yeares, and six moneths.

38. Q. HERENNIVS HETRVSCVS is not put among the Emperors by some writers, yet his portrait is found in the booke of Hubert Gollatius, and that he was sonne to Decius.

39. VIBIVS GALLVS HOSTILIANVS succeded in the Empire after the death of De∣cius, hauing beene chosen by the Legion which was preserued in the Scithian warres; [ C] and then he found accesse vnto the Senat, who gaue their consents to call him Augustus, and so saluted him; hauing obtained the Empire more by fraud than vertue, being fitter for a distaffe than a sword, which was the cause of great combustions.

40. VOLVSIAN, all troubles being pacified by the wisdome and valour of Aemilian, and peace being setled in the Empire, the Emperour Gall••s returned to Rome, and made his sonne Volusian companion in the Empire, and commaunded that he should be called C••sar: their raigne had beene very short (for that they were found to be exceeding vici∣ous) if a horrible plague had not happened, the which continued ten yeares, and was ge∣nerall. In the meane time Ae••ilian was chosen Emperor by the souldiers; whereupon Gallus and Volusian, the father and the sonne prepared a great armie to go and fight with [ D] him, where there was a bloudie battell, and the father and the sonne were defeated, and slaine vpon the place, and so Aemilian seised vpon the Empire, and made open warres against the freinds of Gallus, putting them to death wheresoeuer he found them. Gallus raigned but two yeares, and eight moneths, and Volusian two yeares.

41. AEMILIAN after the defeat of the father and the sonne in Mauritania, was Empe∣ror: he was of a poore familie, but by reason of the victories which he had obtained in many places, grew so presumptious, and promised himselfe such successe, as he presumed to write vnto the Senat that within few daies he would free Thrace, Mesopotamia, and Armenia from the oppression of his enemies: but he was deceiued, for he receiued pre∣sent newes that Appius souldiers had chosen another Emperour to expell him. But the [ E] commaunders considering the greatnesse of the new Emperor and the race of Aemilian, they consented vnto his death, and he was slaine by the souldiers in the fortieth yeare of his age, and hauing raigned three yeares.

42. LICINIVS VALERIANVS in the yeare of the World 4218, of Rome 1060, and of Grace 256, being old, was chosen Emperor by the armie which was in Baua••ia: he was of the familie of the Cornelians at Rome, and was beloued of the Senat for his vertue and valour, and receiued Emperour by the consent of the Senat and of all the other ar∣mies. In the beginning he shewed himselfe mild vnto Christians, but afterwards a Ma∣gitian of Aegipt persuaded him to persecute them, and to sacrifice men vnto Idolls, but it continued not long, for going to make war against the Persians, he was descated and [ F] taken prisoner: Saporez king of Persia vsed Valerians backe as a foot stoole when he went to horsebacke, and in the end he caused him to be flead quicke. He held the Empire but two yeares.

43. GALLIEN after the taking of his father was called Emperour in the yeare, of the

[ A] World 4223, of Rome 1011, and of our Redemption 261. He carried himselfe like vn∣to Nero, the plague of mankind, and the basest and most cruell that euer liued: being giuen wholly to his pleasures, and not caring to redeeme his father; which made him to be hated of the souldiers. In his time there were thirtie of his Lieutenants which were saluted Emperours in their seuerall armies, all Tyrans, most of which slew one another: the which did much weaken the empire, & he himselfe hauing lost many battailes against Posthumus, was slaine by a Sclauonian. He raigned fifteene yeares. In the Historie of Gallien there is the first mention of the French, which had assisted the Romans in their warres.

44. SALONIN VALERIAN raigned during the captiuitie of Vaelerian his father, [ B] with his brother Gallien: but he was (contrarie to his brother) a good, wife, modest, sober, bountifull, and learned Prince: the Senat did much esteeme him, but the hatred which the people bare vnto his vicious brother Gallien, made them cold in their affections to him, so as being with his brother in the battaile against Posthumus, they were pursued vnto Milan, whereas the French put them to the sword, and their bodies were buried in the same place.

45. LABIENVS POSTHVMVS (the Roman State being in a maner ruined) was chosen Emperour by the Gaules: Gallien and Valerien brethren, disliking a companion, marcht towards France to fight with Posthumus, who hauing defeated them, made him∣selfe maister of all Gaule, and had alreadie made it a realme: but one of the Captaines [ C] called Lollianus, slew Posthumus and his sonne, whom the father had associated with him in the empire, and caused to be proclaymed Augustus by the French.

46. FLAVIVS CLAVDIVS was chosen Emperour by the armie which was neere vnto Milan; and the Senat confirmed this election, in the yeare of the World 4233, of Rome 1021, and of Grace 271. The words which were recited in the Senat are these: O Emperour Claudius, thou art our brother, thou art our father, thou art our friend, thou art a good Senator, thou art a true Prince: Whereby we may conceiue what a worthie person he was: he expelled the Gothes, and cut them in peeces: he chased the tyrant Aur••olus out of the Commonweale, and died, hauing raigned two yeares.

[ D] 47. AVRELIVS QVINTILLIVS, brother to the Emperour Claudius, was cho∣sen by the Senat for the merit of his brothers vertues: but he was verie fearefull and ti∣merous, and loued a priuat life. Wherefore the souldiers knowing his humour, made choyce of Aurelian in the armie. Which Quintillius hearing, he fell into a melancho∣licke and desperat humour, causing himselfe to be let bloud in the foot, being in the wa∣ter, to the end that death might not be verie painfull vnto him. He died seuen and twen∣tie dayes after his election.

48. AVRELIAN was chosen emperour by the souldiers, in the yeare of the World 4235, of Rome 1023, and of Grace 273. He was a valiant man, and of great experience in the warres: He defeated the Marcomanes and Sueuians. Italie being pacified, be en∣tred [ E] into Rome, where he supprest all mutinies & tumults, and put to death the factious. He led his armie against Zenobia, a Queene of great courage; whom he tooke, and led in triumph to Rome. He led his armie into Suabe, from whence he expelled the Bohe∣mians: and meaning to go into the East, the souldiers slew him neere vnto Bizantium. He raigned fiue yeares, and six moneths.

49. TACITVS, in the yeare of the World 4241, of Rome 1029, and of Grace 279, was for his vertues declared Emperour, by a decree of the Senat, to whom the armies of the empire had left the charge. He was taken and chosen out of the bodie of the Senat, and aduanced to the imperiall Throne. Then the Commonweale of Rome vsed their judgement in the election of emperours. He died of a feauer in the citie of Ta••sis, six mo∣neths [ F] and twentie dayes after his election.

50. ANNIVS FLORIANVS, after the death of his brother Tacitus, seised vpon the empire: but for that he was a prince of a bad constitution both of mind and bodie, the souldiers did chuse Probus: which Florian seeing, he caused himselfe to be let bloud

in the foot, holding it in warme water, whereof he died, the second moneth after his [ A] election.

51. VALERIVS PROBVS, in the yeare of the World 4242, of Rome 1030, and of Grace 280, was by the voyce of the armie which was in Tarsis, the consent of the Se∣nat, and of all the armies of the empire, chosen emperour. Presently after his election, he drew all the armies of the East into Gaule, where he vanquished the French and Ger∣mans; he supprest the Gothes in Asia, and clensed Cilicia from theeues. Neere vnto Syrmium, he prest the souldiers to labour in the drayning of certaine waterish and mo∣rish places: but they mutined against him and slew him, hauing raigned six yeares.

52. CARVS, borne at Narbona, great Prouost of the empire, was created in the yeare [ B] of the World 4248, of Rome 1036, and of Grace 286. He did associat his two sonnes Numerian and Carin with him: He made warre against the Persians, who were reuolted, and made them subiect to the empire. He gaue battaile to the Sarmatians, of whom he slew 1600, and tooke 20000 prisoners, with great spoyles. He vndertooke the conquest of Ctesiphont; but being come to the riuer of Tygris, there fell so great and fearefull a storme, with such violent lightning and thunder, as this good emperour was slayne, ha∣uing raigned two yeares.

53. NVMERIANVS succeeded in the empire by the death of his father: he was one of the most accomplished princes of his time, learned, a good Orator, and a valiant knight, hauing beene with his father in the Persian warres. This Prince gouerning the armie [ C] alone, being verie sicke and comfortlesse for the death of his father, Aper his father in law, great Prouost of the empire, watched an opportunitie to kill him, who being thus sicke, caused himselfe to be carried in a Litter, to the which Aper comming, he made a shew that he would comfort him, but he slew him miserably, and then he shut the Litter without any discouerie. He raigned but two yeares.

54. CARINVS during these things remayned in Gaule, liuing with all pleasure and content, the which ended with the lamentable death of his father and brother; he seised vpon the West empire of Gaule: the which bred great and bloudie warres. He may justly be called the plague and poyson of mankind, & the most abhominable that heauen did ••uffer to be borne. This monster married nine wiues, whom he caused to be deliuered [ D] before their times, when they were bigge with child. Dioclesian being chosen at Rome raigned peaceably. Carinus marcht with a mightie armie against him, where there were diuers battailes giuen; but in the end, that of Carinus was defeated, and himselfe slayne vpon the field, hauing raigned two yeares.

55. DIOCLESIAN, a valiant and wise prince, was chosen emperour in the yeare of the World 4250, of Rome 1038, and of our Saluation 288. He made Maximian his companion in the empire; and for that it was needfull to haue many heads, they named also two more. Dioclesian named Valerius Maximin, and Maximin named Flauius Constan∣tius, father to Constantine the Great. The emperors Dioclesian and Maximian met toge∣ther at Nicomedia, to the end they might ruine the Christians. They made an edict that [ E] all men of what place soeuer should sacrifice vnto the gods, vpon paine of death. This persecution continued ten yeares; and it was obserued, that in one moneth they put to death seuenteene thousand persons. Dioclesian and Maximian did of their owne free wills leaue the empire in one day: and soone after, Dioclesian drunke poyson, and killed himselfe, hauing raigned fiue and twentie yeares.

56. VALERIVS MAXIMIN being associated in the empire, was a cruell, furious, and brutish man: he pacified a great insurrection of Pesants which were reuolted: he went into Africke, where he ended great enterprises: he defeated the Gentians and erected an immortall Trophe of his worthie victorie. He gaue ouer the Imperiall Scepter, hauing raigned twentie yeares, to returne vnto the priuat estate of his former condition. [ F]

57. CONSTANS, a mild and vertuous prince, being called to the gouernment of the empire, diuided it with Valerius Maximin, and had for his part Gaule, Spaine, Italie, and Dauphine, the which he gouerned peaceably. He passed into Asia, and vanquished the

[ A] Persians, and died in England hauing beene Emperor foure yeares.

58. VALERIVS MAXIMIN being associated in the Empire with Constance had for his part Illiria in Greece, and in the East. He was a sheepeheards son, but cruell, bloudie, barbarous, valiant, and hardie, which procured him great victories and conquests. He did chuse with him for Emperors Maximin and Seuerus, and reserued vnto himselfe the coun∣tries of Illiria, whether he retired himselfe with his wife. He was surprised with a grieuous disease, and seeing that he could not be cured, he slew himselfe.

59. MAXIMIN the second was made Emperor, and had for his portion the Easterne prouince: he did associat Licinius who was a valiant man, whereof he repented himselfe, [ B] but too late. He was valiant and actiue, and did win many battells against the Persians, and other barbarous nations of the East. He did persecute the poore Christians, of whom he made a cruell butcherie. God did punish him with a cruell disease, which seised vpon his priuie parts, with so horrible a stench, as no man could come neere him, and seeing that his infirmitie continued, he slew himselfe, hauing raigned sixteene yeres with his companions, and two yeares alone.

60. SEVERVS (associated to the Empire with Valerius Maximin) was a good prince, and a valiant. He had cruell and bloudie warres against Maxentius, who did so practise with the Pretorian souldiers, as he was chosen Emperour without any contradiction of the Senat: Seuerus hauing lost the battaile fled shamefully, and was taken at Rauenna, [ C] where he was murthered cruelly.

61. MAXENTIVS came vnto the Empire by cunning and fraud, causing himselfe to be chosen by the Pretorian souldiers, & confirmed by the Senat: he was turbulent, craf∣tie, furious, cruel, and wicked; so as Seuerus who had beene chosen Emperor by all Italie and Africke, was defeated and murthered by him: the which Constantin hearing being then in Gaule, he past into Italie to take reuenge, and gaue battell to Maxentius, in the which he was defeated by Constantin neere vnto the Miluian bridge, hauing raigned seuen yeres a cruell and vicious tyrant.

62. LICINIVS successor to Maximin, whom he had associated in the Empire, was of base parentage, ignorant, brutish, and hating learning: he persecuted the Christians cru∣elly, [ D] by reason whereof Constantin the Great made sharpe wars against him, and hauing vanquished him he was slaine by his owne men, being seuentie yeares old, and hauing raigned fourteene: he had married Constantia sister to Constantin the Great, by whom he had one sonne called Licinius the young, whom Constantin created Emperor.

63. MARTINIAN was chosen Emperor by Licinius, whenas Constantin made war against him: he was inconstant, yet valiant; he raised an armie to succour Licinius against Con∣stantin, but he was defeated and put to rout: he hated the Christians much. He ended his daies miserably, hauing liued fortie yeares, and raigned two.

64. CONSTANTIN the Great, being in France, was sent for by the Senat to expel Max∣entius; but he was doubtfull whether he should lead his forces or not: but God did let [ E] him see a crosse in heauen of the colour of fire, with these words, In hoc signo vinces: the which made him resolue to march towards Rome, where he vanquished Maxentius, and drowned him afterwards in the riuer of Tyber: so as after the defeat of Maxentius, Con∣stantin and Licinius were Emperors together, in the yeare of the World 4272, of Rome 1060, and of Grace 210, that is to say, Constantin in the West, and Licinius in the East. They liued peaceably about fiue yeares; but Licinius disco••ering his hatred against the Christians, and persecuting them with all violence, they retired themselues to Constan∣tin, who leuied an armie, and with his sonne Crispus gaue battell to Licinius neere vnto Andrinopolis, where he slue him, and so Constantin was Emperor alone, who reformed all things both touching religion, and justice. The six and twentieth yeare of his Empire, [ F] they began to build the walls of Bizantium, which was by him called Constantinople, whether he did transport the seat of the Empire. He liued sixtie and six yeares, and raig∣ned thirtie yeares, ten moneths, and eleuen daies. Before his death he had resolued to be baptised in the riuer of Iordan.

65. CRISPVS eldest son to Constantin the Great, after the death of Licinius was as∣sociated

in the Empire by his father; he was learned, and instructed in the arts by Lactan∣tius [ A] Firmianus. He was in the warre against Licinius, but he liued not long. Some say that Fausta his mother in law, Constantins second wife, prest him to haue his companie; but see∣ing the foulnesse of the fact, he absented himselfe, and she seeing herselfe refused, went vnto the Emperour her husband to whom she complained with hypocriticall teares that Crispus his sonne had sought to dishonour her: which Constantin hearing, and giuing cre∣dit to his wiues words, commaunded sodenly that they should kill him, the which was presently done. Some write that the Emperor caused Fausta his wife to be slaine, hauing discouered the truth of the fact.

66. CONSANTIN the second, in the yere of the World 4303, of Rome 1090, and of [ B] our saluation 341, with his two brethren, all three sonnes to Constantin the Great, suc∣ceeded their father, who by his testament had diuided the Empire, that is, to Constantin (who was the eldest) France, Spaine, the Alpes, & England; Constance had Italie, Africke, Greece, and Illiria; Constantius the youngest had the East, and was sole Emperor: but the eldest was more proud and glorius than the other two, and not content with his por∣tion, made warres against his brother Constance to take away Italie, where being with his armie, he was d••feated neere vnto Aquilea, and troden vnder the horse feet, whereof he died, being fiue and twentie yeres old, and hauing raigned three yeares.

67. CONSTANCE by the death of Constantin, had his portion augmented with all his brothers countries. He was twentie yeares old when he defeated his brother. In the [ C] beginning he was just and valiant, but an Arrian, and a great perscuter of Christians that were not of his opinion, committing many cruelties: by reason whereof they made Mag∣nentius Emperor at Ausbourg, who slew Constance sleeping in his bed: his death is me∣morable, for that he himselfe had preserued this Magnentius in Sclauonia, when the souldiers would haue slaine him, and couered him with his roabe. He raigned thirtie yeares.

68. CONSTANTIVS or CONSTANCE, the youngest of the three sonnes of Con∣stantin the Great, led an armie of 60 thousand men against this murtherer Magnentius, who came to encounter him in Sclauonia with 30 thousand souldiers, as well French as Germans: Constantius woon the the battaile, and Magnentius fled to Lyon where after [ D] that he had slaine his friends whom he distruhed, he slew himselfe. Constantius remained sole Emperor, and had great war both against the French and Germans. He made Iulian his cousin Emperor to encounter them whilest that he made war against the Sarmatians and Persians. He died of a feuer in Silicia, being one and fortie yeares old, and hauing raigned foure and twentie yeares.

69. MAGNENTIVS hauing slain his maister Constance, seased vpon the Empire, which he held not long, being put to flight, and his armie defeated. He raigned three yeres, and six moneths.

70. IVLIAN the Apostat, who before had been companion to Constantius for the space of six yeares, in the yeare of Grace 365, remained sole Emperour a yeare, and seuen mo∣neths. [ E] Being young, the Bishop of Nicomedia instructed him in the Christian religion, whereof he made profession and read publickly in the Church. He went secretly to heare the Sophister Libanius, who infected him with the opinions of I••mblicus Maximus a Pa∣gan Philosopher, from which time he disdained the Christian doctrine, and followed the opinions of the Pagans. He became a sworne enemie to Christians. Seeing himselfe sole Emperor, he did sacrifice men: he sent forth edicts against Christians, and did open the idols temples, prohibiting to giue any offices to Christians: he would not suffer their children to be receiued into the Rhetoricke scholes, and did write against the Christians, persuading the Iewes to reedifie their Estate. Finally he died miserably being thirtie yeres old. [ F]

71. IOVIAN, or IOVINIAN was Emperor in the yere of the World 4329, of Rome 1117, and of Grace 367. He was a good and religious prince. He made a peace with the Persians, and returned into Asia, he pacified many people, and setled quietnesse in the Churches, he called backe them that had beene banished for religion, and commanded

[ A] that the Churches should haue their reuenues restored, which Iulian had taken from them, causing the Idolls Temples to be shut vp, and died hauing raigned onely eight moneths.

72. VALENTINIAN succeded him in the yere of the World 4330, of Rome 111S, and of our Saluation 368: he was of Hungarie. In the time of Iulian he had beene de∣priued of his estates and offices, for that he had beene a Christian. He was a good prince, and a wise. He caused his brother Valens to come out of Hungarie, and made him Em∣perour with him, and some time after, his sonne ••ratian. Valentinian left the East vnto his brother, and marcht himselfe into Gaule, where he defeated the Germans and Sax∣ons. [ B] He punished them seuerely that sold by false waights and measures, causing their hands to be cut off. He died of a feauer in Hongarie, being fiftie fiue yeares old, and ha∣uing raigned eleuen yeares, eight moneths, and twentie dayes.

73. VALENS, who had been Emperour with his brother, suruiued him three yeres: He was ignorant and cruell, who notwithstanding his brothers admonitions, was an Ar∣rian. He intreated the Christians verie cruelly. He made warre against Procopius, who af∣fected the empire, but his souldiers deliuered him vnto Valens, and he put him to death. He went against the Gothes neere Andrionopolis, where he was wounded, and carried into a cottage, whereon the enemies set fire, and burnt him aliue, hauing raigned thirteen yeares, and fiue moneths.

[ C] 74. GRATIAN, and VALENTINIAN the second, sonnes to Valentinian the first, were Emperours together, in the yeare of the World 4344, of Rome 1132, and of our Redemption 382 Gratian made Theodosius partner of the empire, with whom he raig∣ned foure yeares, hauing commaunded eight yeres before with his father, and three with his vnkle Valens. He was learned, a Poet, and one of the best Orators of his time. Af∣ter the death of Valens, he called home all the Christian Bishops, and expelled the here∣tickes, commanding all the Churches with one common consent to hold the Nice••e Creed. He returned into France, whereas he did more esteeme the German souldiers than the Romans: so as the gouernour of Lyons cut his throat, being two and thirtie yeares old.

[ D] 75. MAXIMVS, a wicked and cruell man, hauing murthered the emperour Gratian his ma••ster, who suffered himselfe to be gouerned by him, seised vpon the empire, and de∣feated the emperor Valentinian the second, brother to Gratian, in battaile, whom he for∣ced to flie into the East to Theodosius: but he leuying a mightie armie, came and defeated Maximus, whom he tooke and put to death, hauing raigned but one yeare.

76. VALENTINIAN the second, by the helpe of Theodosius, returned into France, the which he gouerned seuen yeares as Emperour: but Eugenius his Secretarie, and Co∣lonell Arbogastus, a Goth by nation, corrupted the Groomes of Valentinians Chamber with money; so as being at Vienna in Dauphine, they strangled him with a cord. Euge∣nius caused himselfe to be called Emperour, and was taken and carried to Theodosius, at [ E] whose feet he cast himselfe; but the souldiers cut him in pe••ces, and Arbogastus slew him∣selfe.

77. THEODOSIVS, in the yeare of the World 4345, of Rome 1133, and of our Saluation 383, a Spaniard, and of a noble familie, was the last Emperour both of the East & West. Hauing vanquished Maximus, and put him to death, he returned to Rome, whereas he did shut vp the Temples of their Idolls, and did wholly extinguish the sacri∣fices of the Pagans, and their Bachanales, which had continued vntill the time of Valens. He restored the Christian religion, with all good laws and justice: but news comming vnto him that Valentinian had beene strangled, and that Eugenius, and Arbogastus marcht with a great armie towards the Alpes, and had protested that they would restore the sa∣crifices [ F] of the Pagans. Wherefore Theodosius resolued to go and incounter them causing the name of Christ to be drawn in all his ensignes and standards, for that one night being in prayer, and slumbring, one appeared vnto him & persuaded him to go against his ene∣mies, whom he defeated and cut in peeces. He died at Milan the seuenteenth of Sep∣tember, in the sixtie and fiue yeare of his age, hauing raigned seuenteene yeares.

78. ARCADIVS, after the death of his father Theodosius, succeeded with his brother [ A] Honorius in the empire: Arcadius was in the East, in the yere of the World 4362, of Rome 1150, and of Grace 400: he was a courteous Prince, and a good Catholique. His father had left him Rufin to be his Tutor, thinking that he would be faithfull, but Rufin being a French man borne, propounded to make himselfe Emperour, for he drew in Alaric king of the Gothes to terrifie Arcadius, but his treason being discouered, he was slayne by the Italian souldiers. He liued thirteene yeares after the death of his father.

79. HONORIVS, sonne to Theodosius, and brother to Arcadius, was emperour of the West, and had Stilicon for his Tutor. In the eleuenth yeare of his empire, and in the yeare of Grace 409, Redegise came into Italie with an armie of 200000 Gothes, the which was [ B] quite defeated by Stilicon, and Redegise taken and strangled. After this victorie Honorius grew conceited that Stilicon affected the empire: whereupon he caused him to be slaine with his sonne Eucherius. Alaric, king of the Gothes, came to Rome, and tooke it after two yeares siege, the first day of Aprill, in the sixteenth yeare of the empire of Honorius, and in the yeare of Grace 414. He raigned sixteene yeares.

80. THEODOSIVS the second, sonne to Arcadius, being nine yeares old, succeeded his father, in the yere of the World 4374, of Rome 1166, and of our Saluation 412, and in the 15 yeare of the empire of Honorius: His Tutor was called Anthemius, by whose wis∣dome he was instructed in the feare of God, and the publique affaires well gouerned. He made a peace with the Gothes, and imployed them against the Huns and Persians; and [ C] in the end he made a peace with them. He reconciled the Churches, and called a Coun∣cell in the towne of Ephesus, against Nestorius; after which he died at Constantinople, hauing raigned fortie two yeares, and liued one and fiftie.

81. VALENTINIAN the third was associated in the empire by Theodosius the second, after the death of Honorius, in the yeare of the World 4392, of Rome 1180, of our Salua∣tion 430, and in the ninth yeare of the empire of Theodosius the second. He was the last Emperour of the West vntill Charlemaigne. He was an adulterer, a magitian, and a mur∣therer of great captaines which had done him seruice. Boniface his lieutenant in Africke was defeated by the Vandales, so as they seised vpon Carthage in the 34 yeare of the em∣pire of Theodosius the second, and the 17 of Valentinian the third. He raigned 30 yeares. [ D]

82. MARTIAN, lieutenant to Theodosius the second, succeeded his maister, and was Emperour of the East, in the yeare of the World 4416, of Rome 1214, and of our Re∣demption 454. He was wise, valiant, and fearing God: and to pacifie the troubles of the Church, he concluded a peace with the Persians, & with the Vandales in Africke. Hauing raigned six yeares, he died at Constantinople.

You must obserue, that after the death of Valentinian, the Roman Empire was much dismem∣bred and torne in peeces: for the French held a great part of Germanie and Gaule; the Ostro∣gothes, Hongarie; the Westgothes, Spaine; the Vandales, Africke; and many called themselues Caesar in Italie; so as in the space of twentie yeares there were nine Emperours which raigned, and succeeded one another, and slew one another, the last was called Augustulus. This diminitiu•• [ E] name of Augustus gaue some occasion to say, that the empire of Augustus should perish in Italie: for one called Odoacre of Rugia, during these horrible confusions entred into Italie, and spoyled it during the space of fourteene yeares, in the yeare of Christ 465, Leon the Great liuing at Con∣stantinople. He tooke Rome, and caused himselfe to be called King of Rome and Italie, and went vp in triumph to the Capitole, where he made himselfe to be crowned. He abandoned Rome, with many other neighbour townes, to bloud, murther and spoyle. He gaue the third part of his lands to the souldiers, and committed infinit villanies. They ruled in Italie vntill the raigne of Iustinian.

83. LEO the Great, of Thrace, was chosen emperour at Constantinople, in the yeare of the World 4423, of Rome 1221, and of our Redemption 461, by a generall consent of [ F] the Senat and souldiers, and was afterwards crowned by the Patriarch Anatoli••s. He was a good prince, and fearing God: he raigned seuenteene yeres.

84. ZENO being sonne in law and lieutenant of the armie to Leo, in the yeare of the World 4441, of Rome 1239, and of Grace 479, was made Emperor by his sonne, for that

[ A] Leo the Great had by his last will named Leo the second sonne to Zeno, but Leo the second dying, he made his father Emperor, who sent Theodoric king of the Gothes into Italie as his lieutenant against Odoacre, who was vanquished and slaine by Theodoric. During his raign, Constantinople was in a manner all burnt by an accident of fire, and in it there were consumed aboue 120000 volumes of good manuscripts, which was a great losse. Zeno was very cruell, miserable, and a drunkard, who wallowing in his drukennesse and full of wine, the Emperesse his wife caused him to be buried quicke, hauing raigned se∣uenteene yeares.

85. ANASTASIVS was in the yeare of of the World 4456, of Rome 1244, and of [ B] Grace 494, made Emperor by the fauour of Zenos wife: he woon the loue of the people by abolishing a certaine annuall tribute. He supprest diuers seditions, and made a peace with the Persians. He did openly professe the heresie of Eutiches, expelling Euphemius, who had crowned him, out of Constantinople, then he caused Macedonius his successor to be slaine, and did much harme vnto the Church. His raigne was very fatall vnto Chri∣stians, being eightie and seuen yeares old, lightning and thunder fell vpon him and con∣sumed him to ashes, hauing raigned twentie and seuen yeares.

86. IVSTIN the sonne of a sheepeheard of Thrace in the yeare of the World 4483, of Rome 1271, and of Grace 521, being for his valour made captaine of Anastasius gards, and respected by the souldiers, receiued certaine money from Amantius to winne [ C] the souldiers, and to buy their voices for Theocretian his friend: but Iustin practised them for himselfe, who with the consent of the Senat, and of the souldiers was receiued Em∣peror. Amantius and Theocretian sought to be reuenged, the which Iustin descouering, he put them to death. He was a good Catholicke, banished the Arrians, and did much for the Churches of the East. Being old, he created Iustinian his nephew Emperor in his life time in the presence of Epiphani•••• patriarch of Constantinople, and of the Senat, which Epiphanius did crowne Iustinian his wife, and Iustin died the eleuenth yere of his Empire, hauing left Iustin whom he had adopted for sonne.

87. IVSTINIAN who had beene companion to Iustin the space of foure moneths, re∣mained sole Emperour in the yeare of the World 4490, of Rome 1278, and of Grace [ D] 528. He sent Bellissarius his lieutenant against the Persians, whom he supprest and pacifi∣ed. He was also sent into Africke, whereas Carthage yeelded, and Gilimer king of the Vandales was taken, and this was the last king of the Vandales; so as Africke was againe made subiect to the Empire. Bellissarius was also sent into Italie, where in fiue yeares he recouered all the townes which were held by the Gothes, especially Rome in the ele∣uenth yeare of the raigne of Iustinian, and in the yere of Grace 537, and then returned to Constantinople: but Totila raised the power of the Gothes againe in Italie, and Nar∣ses was sent thither, who expelled them happily, but he drew in the Lombards. In the time of Iustininan there was a collection made of lawes, and it was afterwards called the ciuile law. A Counsel was held at Constantinople, and order set down for the restraining [ E] of the incursions of the Barbarians. He raigned thirtie and eight yeres.

88. IVSTIN the second, grandchild to Iustinian, was created Emperor in the yeare of World 4528, of Rome 1317, and of our Redemption 566. He did moderat imposts and vsurie: but by reason of his infirmitie he could not manage the affaires. Martin his lieu∣tenant made war during foure yeares against the Persians, and vnder his raigne was the beginning of the Exarques or six gouernors at Rauenna, and of the Lombards raigne in Italie. He gouerned eleuen yeares.

89. TIBERIVS the second, was sole Emperor in the yere of the World 4539, of Rome 1327, and of Grace 576, & both he and his wife were crowned by the Patriarch Eutiches. He continued constant in the Catholicke Church, and did many almes deeds for the in∣terting [ F] of poore families, causing justice to duely executed. He sent Maurice of Capado∣cia against the Persians, who defeated them, & recouered Mesopotamia: at his return Ti∣berius gaue him Constautin his daughter to wife, and appointed him Emperor in the pre∣sence of the armie, and so died hauing raigned seuen yeares.

90. MAVRICE of Capadocia succeeded his father in law, in the yere of Rome 1333,

and of Grace 584. He was crowned by a Patriarch called the Faster. Caignan king of [ A] Hongarie tooke Syrme a towne of the Empire, and wonne a battaile against Mau∣rice, in which battaile he tooke twelue thousand Romans prisoners: but there fell a plague in Caignans armie, which slew seuen of his sonnes in one day, whereupon he reti∣red, sending Maurice word that if he paied a crowne for euery prisoner, he would send them backe, the which Maurice refused; whereat Caignan being incensed, he caused the heads of all the twelue thousand prisoners to be cut off: vpon this occasion, and for his other basenesse, the souldiers mutined, and thought to haue slaine him with stones vpon Christmas day, as he entred into the Church. In the end the troupes which lay vp∣on the riuer of Danow aduanced Phocas, and saluted him Emperor, who caused Maurice [ B] to be slaine, and all his familie. He was sixtie and three yeares old, and had raigned twen∣tie yeares.

91. PHOCAS was Emperour in the yeare of the World 4566, of Rome 1355, and of Grace 604. He was a Thracian borne, and of base parentage: hauing bin crowned in the suburbes of Constantinople by the Patriarch Cyriacus, after the death of Maurice, he put his friends to death. He was cruell, wicked, dissolute, arauisher of mens wiues, a murthe∣rer of innocents, an exacter and spoiler of prouinces, a drunkard, and a lecher: and whilest that he abandoned himselfe to these vices, Caignan king of Hongarie, and the Persians spoiled the Empire: for Cosroes king of Persia seased vpon Ierusalem, and tooke Syria. He slew ninetie thousand Christians, and carried away the true Crosse whereon [ C] our Sauiour had been crucified, by reason whereof Phocas was hated of the people. Pris∣cus sonne in law to Phocas ioined with Heraclius gouernor of Africke, and with one Pho∣tius, whose wife Phocas had rauished, th••se three arriued at one instant at Constantino∣ple with their armies, and seased vpon Phocas: the souldiers cut off his armes, legs, and priuie parts, after which they cut off his head, hauing raigned eight yeares.

92. HERACLIVS sonne to Heraclius gouernor of Africk, after the execution of Phocas, was chosen Emperor by the consent of the Senat and armies, in the yeare of the World 4573, and of our redemption 612. He was crowned by Pope Sergius, and the same day he married Fabra Eudoxia, who was also crowned. He made a peace with Caignan king of the Huns, and sent also to make an accord with Cosroes king of Persia; who made auuswere [ D] that he would not lay aside armes, vntill that the Persian gods were generally adored, and that he would root out the seruice of the Christians God: wherewith Heraclius was not daunted, but relyed vpon God, and led his armie into Syria neere vnto Arot. Cosroes had retired himselfe into his countrie, & was punished for his pride by a notable meanes chosen of God. Cosrces named Mardassez his younger sonne to be his successor, Syroes who was the eldest tooke his father Cosroes and cut his throat, hauing first slaine his bro∣ther Mardassez, making himselfe king by this meanes; and to be the more assured, he made a peace with Heraclius, and set the prisoners at libertie, among which was Zacherie Patriarch of Ierusalem, restoring the true Crosse. Vnder this Emperor began that dete∣stable sect and religion of Mahomet. He raigned one and thirtie yeares. [ E]

93. CONSTANTIN the third, sonne to Heraclius was made Emperor by the Senat, in the yeare of the World 4605, of Rome 1396, and of Grace 644. He was very vnfortunat in the war against the Sarazins: he flue his brother Theodosius, and put good men to death, who blamed him for adhering to the errors of the Monotholites. By his commaunde∣ment Theodorus Calioppa (Exarque or gouernor of Rauenna) tooke Pope Martin by trea∣son, & sent him prisoner to Constantinople, from whence Constantin banished him to the Taurike Chersonese, where he died soone after of hunger. Constantin went into Italie against the Lombards, where he was defeated, and afterwards made a truce with them, where hauing spoiled Rome he came into Sicile where he was strangled, washing him∣selfe in a bath. He raigned seuen and twentie yeres. [ F]

94. CONSTANTIN the fourth, his father did associat him in the Empire, in the yeare of the World 4605, of Rome 1423, and of our redemption 670, whenas the Sar••azins ar∣mie at sea approched neere vnto Constantinople, and was repulst In the end they were forced to make a peace with the Gothes for thirtie yeares. The Emperor called the sixt

[ A] Councell at Constantinople against the Monotholites, and hauing pacified the empire of the East, touching matters concerning the Church, he died peaceably, hauing raig∣ned seuenteene yeares.

95. IVSTINIAN the second, sonne to Constantine the fourth, was made Emperour by his father, in the yeare of the World 4649, of Rome 1440, and of our Saluation 687; a cruell and bloudie man. He had two flatterers which were the cause of his ruine: the one was Theodosius a Moine, who was in such credit as Iustinian called him Generall or great Maister; the other was Stephen, Chaplaine to the Emperour. These two Mignons intreat••d the captaines of the empire roughly, among others Leontius, whom they kept two yeares in prison: but hauing escaped, he made himselfe Emperour, with the helpe [ B] of the Patriarch, and cut off Iustinians nose, and sent him into exile into an Island, where∣as he caused these two Mignons to be drawne by the feet through the towne, and after∣wards burnt. Tiberius the third of Apsimare returning out of Africke, from whence he had beene expelled by the Sarrazins with his armie, not daring to come neere Leontius, was saluted Emperour by this armie, but being taken by Leontius, he cut off his nose, and kept him prisoner. And Iustinian recouering his estate by the meanes of the king of Bul∣garia, he caused Leontius and Tiber••us of Apsimare to be drawne through the streets, then setting his foot vpon their necks, he caused their eyes to be pulled out, and their heads to be strucke off, and Heraclius (brother to Tiberius) to be hanged. This done, the souldi∣ers [ C] on the other side did chuse Philippicus Bardanes emperor, who marcht towards Con∣stantinople: he caused Iustinian and his sonne to be drawne from an Altar, and to be slain by his commaundement. He raigned ten yeares before his exile, and six after his return; thus were three emperours slaine in a short time.

96. LEONTIVS or LEO was a Priest and Senator of Constantinople; he conspi∣red with certaine factious people to expell the Emperor Iustinian, the which he effected; for entring with his seditious troupe into the palace, he sent him into exile, as hath beene sayd, and caused himselfe to be saluted Augustus: he continued Emperour but three yeares.

97. TIBERIVS the third, of Apsimare, vsurped the empire vpon Leontius, and caused [ D] him to be taken, hauing cut off his nose, he kept him prisoner. During these combusti∣ons, banished Iustinian went vnto his vnkle the king of Bulgaria, now called Hungarie, by whose meanes he entred into Constantinople, and caused Tiberius Apsimare, and Le∣ohtius (who was a prisoner) to be taken, and hauing caused them to be dragged by horses through the streets in view of all the world, vntill they were in a manner torne in peeces, he cut off their heads, Tiberius hauing raigned seuen yeares.

98. PHILIPPICVS BARDANES commaunded Iustinians armie at Sea, and was chosen Emperour by the said armie, after which he came to Constantinople, whereas he caused Iustinian, and his sonne Tiberius, to be slayne. Philippicus being in quiet possession of the empire, he disanulled the decrees of the sixt Councel, by the persuasion of a Monk [ E] whom he fauoured, for that he had foretold him that he should be Emperour, by the Au∣gure which he saw of an Eagle shadowing the head of the said Philippicus when he slept. By his commaundement all Images were beaten downe, and cast out of the Churches, the which did much discontent Anastatius the second, who by his impatiencie and great rashnesse, with his consorts, put out Philippicus eyes, and expelled him the empire, ha∣uing raigned two yeares. He was Protector of the Monotholites, and other great heresies.

99. ANASTATIVS the second, a verie learned man, in the yeare of the World 4667, of Rome 1468, and of our Saluation 715, was chosen emperour: and for that he loued the peace of the Church, he supprest all the enemies of the sixt Councell. He leui∣ed [ F] a great armie, and sent it against the Barbarians and Arabians: but his captaines were treacherous and disloyall, for turning backe, they fell vpon the Emperour, and assayled him with the same armes which he had prepared for another. In this furious incounter, Constantinople was taken and sackt, and Anastatius deposed and confined into a mona∣sterie, hauing raigned one yeare and three moneths.

100. THEODOSIVS the third, hauing beene the author of the sedition and sacke [ A] of Constantinople by the souldiers, and of the spoyling of Anastasius of the empire, cau∣sed himselfe to be called emperour: He was of Constantinople, and of base parentage, but of a great spirit: but some write, that he was forced to accept of the gouernment of the empire. In the beginning he caused Images to be restored in Churches; by his ver∣tue and good gouernement he purchased the loue and obedience of his people, yet Leo Isaurus his mortall enemie made cruell warre against him, wherewith the people were much afflicted: but Theodosius being tyred with these ciuile warres, resolued voluntarily to leaue the empire, and hauing raigned two yeares, he became a Monke.

101. LEO the third, called before Isaurus Conon, being in the armie against the Sara∣zins, [ B] and hearing that Theodosius was chosen Emperour, returned out of Nicomedia, ha∣uing taken the sonne of Theodosius, he compounded so with the father as he quit the em∣pire. After which, he tooke an oath of the captaines and souldiers, in the yeare of the World 4670, of Rome 1471, and of Grace 718. In the second yeare of his empire, the Sarazins besieged Constantinople; but they were chased away, and their ships burnt: af∣ter which he made warre against Images, and commaunded by an Edict, that they should be cast out of Churches: for this cause he was called Iconomach, which is to say, an ene∣mie of Images. He raigned foure and twentie yeares.

102. CONSTANTINE the fift, surnamed Copronyme, for that when he was baptised he berayed the font. He was crowned during the life of his father Leo Isaurus, by the [ C] Patriarch Germain, in the yeare of the World 4704, of Rome 1495, and of Grace 742. He was much more vehement than his father to cast Images out of Churches: where∣upon one Artabardus was chosen Emperour, with the consent of the Patriarch, and of the Nobilitie: but Copronymus, at the end of two yeares defeated Artabardus in battaile, and hauing taken him, he caused his eyes, with his two sonnes, and the Patriarchs, to be put out; he caused him to be whipt, and set vpon an Asse with his face to the tayle, the which he held in his hand, and so was led through the streets. He was a magitian, and a man giuen to all vices. He raigned fiue and thirtie yeares.

103. CONSTANTINE the sixt, in the yeare of the World 4744, of Rome 1535, and of Christ 782, sonne to Leo, and Irene, being twentie yeares old, sought to manage [ D] the affaires of the empire alone, and to this effect he dismissed certaine of his mothers seruants: but she with her confederats sollicited the armie to sweare that they should not acknowledge Constantine for Emperour, but the armie of Armenia detesting it, tooke an oath vnto the sonne, and so the other armies followed this example; yet for all this the treason was not supprest: for Constantine hauing raigned seuen yeres, his mother (taking an occasion, for that he had left his wife, and put her into a monasterie, to take another) sent certaine souldiers to take her sonne prisoner, who being in their hands, they put out his eyes, whereof he died within few dayes after of melancholly, and Irene raigned three yeres after her sonne, and her sonne fifteene yeares.

¶ At this time the Empire was diuided into two, which was in the yeare of Grace [ E] 801. But we will leaue the Emperours of the East, and will begin with the Emperours of the West.

104. CHARLEMAIGNE, after the death of Constantine the sixt, was called into Italie against the Lombards, whom he expelled Italie, and conquered by force of armes the citie of Rome, with the townes of Rauenna and Milan, with all the forts of Po∣uillia, and Campagnia. He gaue peace vnto the Church, which had beene opprest two hundred yeares by the Lombards; so as he was declared Emperour of the Romans by Pope Leo, to the great joy and content of all the people. Seeing his death to draw neere, [ F] he declared his sonne Lewis emperour and king of the Romans, and he made his nephew Bernard king of Italie; and soone after he died, being seuentie two yeares old, in the yere of Grace 814, hauing raigned Emperour fourteene yeares.

105. LEVVIS, surnamed the Gentle, the onely sonne of Charlemaigne, after the death

[ A] of his father was crowned at Aix: he was hated by the princes of the empire, by reason of his crueltie against Bernard, his kinsfolkes, and allies. He made Lothaire his eldest sonne king of Bauaria, Pepin king of Aquitaine, and kept the youngest with him, giuing him the title of King of Italie, the which moued Bernard son to Pepin king of Italie to take armes against the emperour: but his comming into Italie terrified Bernard and his allies, and made them flie; but in the end, he yeelded himselfe vnto the emperour, who carried him prisoner to Aix. He put out his eyes, and then thrust him into a monasterie in the yeare 818; and in Bernards place he made his sonne Lothaire king of Italie and emperour. His sonnes conspired against him, & forced their father to yeeld vnto them, and to become a [ B] Monke at Soissons: but the rest of Lewis his children had within a while after some com∣passion of their father, and restored him to the imperiall dignitie. Thus was Lewis resto∣red within a yeare, and pardoned his children who had sought it. At the returne of this voyage Lewis died, being sixtie foure yeares old, hauing raigned seuen and twentie yeres. He was interred at Mets.

106. LOTHAIRE succeeded after the death of his father: he kindled a bloudie warre against the brethren, the which did so weaken the French, as they were in a manner rui∣ned. Writers say that in the first battell there were aboue one hundred thousand men slaine; but the noblemen of the Empire reconciled them in such sort, as the realmes of Lewis the Gentle were diuided into foure parts: Lewis had Germanie, Charles was king [ C] of France, Lothaire had the Empire and Italie, with the countries which lie betwixt the riuers of Rhin and Moselle, Metz, and Treues; and Pepin sonne to Pepin, had Aquitaine. This transaction was published in the yeare of Grace 843. A while after Lothaire did vo∣luntarily giue ouer the Empire, and became a monke in the monasterie of Brume in the yeare of Grace 855, where he died the yeare following, hauing raigned fifteene yeares.

107. LEVVIS the second, eldest sonne to Lothaire, went into Italie to expell the Sara∣zins; but the plague fell into his armie, and he was forced to leaue the countrie of Bene∣uent in guard to Adagise a Lombard, prince of Salerne, who in the Emperours absence tooke the Gretians part, and drew almost all Italie into reuolt. Lewis hauing receiued these newes, returned into Italie to punish these traitors: hauing recouered the townes [ D] which were reuolted, he forced Adagise to flie, and did execute his companions. Hauing pacified Italie, he dyed at Milan, in the yeare 874, hauing raigned nineteene yeares. He was learned, wise, religious, and quicke in giuing councell.

108. CHARLES the Bald, sonne to Lewis the Gentle, hearing of the death of Lewis, hauing no children, raised an armie, past into Italie, to take the Empire from the Ger∣mans, & came to Rome, where he was declared Emperor the fiue & twenteth day of De∣cember in the yeare of Grace 875. He died at Mantoua, and some thought that a Phisiti∣an, a Iew by Nation called Sedechias, his familiar friend, had poysoned him. He died in the yeare of the World 4840, and of Grace 878, hauing been king of France six and thirtie yeres, and Emperor two.

[ E] 109. CHARLES the Grosse, sonne to Lewis surnamed Germanicus, heire of the realm of Italie by Car••oman, and of Germanie by reason of Lewis, after that Pope Iohn had de∣clared him Emperour, he happily expelled the Sarrazins out of Italie, then he returned into Germanie, and gouerned France in qualitie of tutor to Charles the Simple. Finally he was hated and contemned of his subiects, by reason of his infirmities, hauing his mind also as diseased as his bodie. They made him renounce his Empire, and Arnold was set in his place. He died soone after in a poore village of Suabe the thirteenth of Ianuarie in the yeare of the World 4850, and of Grace 888.

110. ARNOLD base son to Carloman being Emperor, Italie was ful of tumults and se∣di••ions. Berengarias and a duke of Spoletum, contended who should be king of Italie. [ E] Arnold (being busied in warre against the Sclauonians of Morauia) could not go into Ita∣lie before he had subdued those people, the which hauing done, he past into Italie, where he pacified the troubles which were at Rome, and was by Pope Formosus (whom he cau∣••ed to come) declared Emperor, the tenth yere after he had taken vpon him the gouern∣ment of the Empire. Finally hauing taken Spoletum by force, he came to besiege the

castle of Cauarin, in the which was the wife of Guy, who being a cunning woman, seeing [ A] there was no meanes to resist, she corrupted one of the Emperors houshould seruants, who gaue him a poisoned cup, whereof Arnold died the nine and twentieth of Nouem∣ber in the yeare of the World 4802, and of Grace 900, hauing beene Emperour twelue yeares.

111. LEVVIS the third, hauing beene created Emperor after the death of his father Arnold, gouerned the Empire for a time with the ayd and assistance of Otho duke of Sax∣onie, and of Otho Archbishop of Mentz his tutors. The ciuile discords which had begun in his fathers life time increased much. Italie and Germanie were full of diuisions and ci∣uile wars. The Hongarians being gathered together, spoyled the limits of Bauaria, and [ B] the Emperor Lewis went to encounter them with all his forces, & gaue them battaile, the which continued from the ninth of August vnto the twelft, but in the end he was defea∣ted and put to rout, where he lost the brauest of the nobilitie of Germanie. The Honga∣rians being victors got the countrie, vntill that Lewis purchased a peace at a deere rate, wherupon he dyed with griefe. He fell sicke and died the twelfth of Ianuarie in the yere of the World 4873, of Grace 911, and of his Empire the twelfth.

112. HENRIE surnamed the Oyseluer, or Keeper of birds, was chosen to the Empire in the yeare of Grace 919, and laboured what he could to pacifie the ciuile wars, and to settle a peace in Germanie, the which he did. He made warre against the Sclauonians whom he vanquished in battaile: which done he turned his forces against the Danes, [ C] whom he defeated in many encounters: after which, he went into Bohemia, and tooke Prague, the chiefe citie of the countrie, making Bohemia tributarie to the Empire. In the meane time the Hongarians returned into Germany, but Henrie went to meet them, and gaue them battaile, where they lost aboue fortie thousand men, the rest he expelled out of Germanie. After this great victorie he prepared himselfe to go into Italie, but he was surprised with an apoplexie, which turned to a palsie, and hauing appointed his sonne Otho Emperor, he dyed, being sixtie yeares old, hauing raigned eighteene yeres, and after the birth of Christ 937.

113. OTHO the second, succeeded his father Henry: he was surnamed the Great, by reason of his braue exploits, hauing pacified Germanie with other sorraine realmes, and [ D] setled the Empire. He was crowned at Aix by Hildeberg Bishop of Mentz, in the yeare of Grace 939, after which he past into Italie, whereas he restored Pope Iohn the third, and caused his sonne Otho to be declared Emperor: after his returne into Germanie, he was surprised with an apoplexie, whereof he died in the yeare of Grace 974, and the 37 of his raigne.

114. OTHO the third, succeeded his father in the yere of Grace 975. The beginning of his Empire was fortunat, but the end was not answerable: hauing setled an order for the Estate of Germanie, he leuied a great armie to go against the Grecians and Sarra∣zins, to whom he gaue battaile, in which he was defeated, and put to rout: the Emperor casting away his armes fled towards the gulfe of Tarent••m and Rosana, where he leapt [ E] into the sea to sane himselfe by swimming; but he was taken by the enemies ships, and being vnknowne paid his ransome vnto the mariners. Otho hauing lost his armie, and in a manner all his Empire, gathered together the small remainder of his forces and then renewed the warres, in the which he cut in peeces all the garrisons of Sarrazins, for the which he was surnamed the Pasport of Sarrazins. He died of a flux the eight of Decem∣ber in the yeare of Grace 983, and of the World 4945, and in the tenth-yere of his Em∣pire. He was interred at Rome.

115. OTHO the fourth was declared Emperor. At his entrance he setled a peace in Germanie, and laboured to pacifie the seditions of Italie▪ Crescentius hauing vsurped the Consuls power at Rome, expelled the Pope out of his seat. The Emperour went thither [ F] with an armie, who staying at Rauenna, had newes of the Popes death; whereupon he presently appointed his cousin Bruno sonne to Otho for his successor, who was called Gre∣go••i•• the fi••t. He sent him before to Rome and followed, after, where being receiued, he p••rdoned Crescentius, and causing himselfe to be declared Emperour by the Pope, he re∣solued

[ A] to returne into Germanie: but he was scarce out of Rome whenas Crescentius of his owne priuat authoritie expelled Pope Gregorie, and made one called Iohn of Plaisance Pope. The Emperor hearing of these newes, returned to Rome, where he entred the ci∣tie and tooke Crescentius, whom he caused to be set vpon an asse with his face to the taile, and so to be led through the streets, then hauing suffered a thousand indignities, he cau∣sed him to be hanged with twelue of his companions at the citie gate. The Emperor ha∣uing setled Gregorie, made a decree with the Popes consent, who did confirme and pub∣lish it; that from thence forth the Germanes should haue all right and power to chuse the Roman Emperor, and it should not be lawfull for the Pope to proclaime any prince Emperor, but him whom the princes of Germanie had chosen: whereat the Romans did [ B] mutine, for that they had taken from them all power to giue their voyces in the election of emperours. Otho returned againe to Rome, where he fell in loue with Crescentius wi∣dow, but she seeing that the emperour prepared to go into Germanie, and would not marrie her, poysoned him for spight. He died the twentieth of October, in the yeare of Grace 1001, hauing raigned nineteene yeares.

116. HENRIE the second, surnamed the Holie, came vnto the empire a yeare after the death of Otho: He preuailed against those which had opposed themselues against his election: he subdued the Henetians who had reiected the Christian religion; and ha∣uing setled an order for the affaires of Germanie, he leuied an armie to go into Italie for [ C] three reasons: the first was, to confirme the empire to the Germans: the second, to sub∣due the Marquis of Androuin, whom the Bishops and Nobilitie of Italie had made em∣perour at Milan: the third was, to make head against the Sarrazins and Grecians, being entred into Italie. He woon two battailes against Andreuin, who was vanquished and slaine. In this warre Henrie was taken, who hauing deceiued his keepers, cast himselfe ouer a wall, but he put his thigh out of joynt, for the which he was afterwards called the Limping. Finally, he died the thirteenth of Iulie, in the yeare of Grace 1024, and of the World 4986, in the 24 yeare of his Empire.

117. CONRADE, the Salique, was chosen Emperour: He past into Italie to keepe them in awe that would tend to any reuolt: he confirmed the possession of the empire [ D] giuen vnto the Germans, and caused himselfe to be declared emperour. Before he went out of Germanie, he appointed his sonne Henrie to be emperor: being returned, he died sodenly, the fourth of Iune, in the yeare of our Redemption 1039, and of the World 5001, hauing beene Emperour fifteene yeares. He lies buried at Spire.

118. HENRIE, surnamed the Blacke, succeeded his father. In the beginning he was ingaged in two important warres; the one against the Bohemians, who refused to pay the yearely tribute which they ought; but Henrie vanquished them, and forced them to re∣turne vnder the obedience of the empire; the other was, to restore Peter king of Honga∣rie, who had beene expelled by Otho, the chiefe of the Bohemians. Henrie marcht into Hongarie, where he defeated Otho neere vnto Iauerin; who being taken, he was brought [ E] vnto the king, who caused his head to be cut off the fourth of Iulie 1044. During these warres, Italie, and the citie of Rome were troubled by Benedict the ninth, Siluester the third, and Gregorie the sixt, all three contesting who should be Pope. The Emperour went into Italie, where (by the aduice of a Councell assembled by his Imperiall autho∣ritie) these three Popes were deposed, and Clement the second chosen in their place: and hauing beene declared emperour by the Pope, he returned with his armie into Germa∣nie, where he was scarce arriued, before the Pope died of poyson; and after him another Pope called Damasus, who liued but three and twentie dayes: the emperour aduanced another Pope called Leo the ninth, and he followed the emperour into Germanie, who within a while after sent Leo backe into Italie, the which was full of seditions. The empe∣ror [ F] returned againe, but before he went out of Germanie, he caused his sonne (being but foure yeares old) to be crowned Emperour at Aix. He continued a yeare in Italie, where he pacified all things. At his returne, he raised an armie against the Sclauonians, the which was wholly defeated. The Emperour being much discontented, fell sicke and died, see∣king to swallow a peece of bread that was too bigge, the fift of October, in the yeare of

Christ 1056. He was Emperour seuenteene yeares, and liued fortie, and was buried at [ A] Spire.

119. HENRIE the fourth, began to be Emperour at the age of seuen yeares: during his youth he had bloudie ciuile warres, and was forced to set hand to worke at the age of fourteene yeares. Germanie was full of combustions and ciuile warres: he vanquished Otho duke of Bauaria. Pope Gregorie the seuenth did excommunicat him at the pursuit of the Saxons, sending a Bull by the which Henrie was put out of the Church; and he sent a crowne of gold to Raoul duke of Suabe, commaunding the Bishops of Germanie to leaue Henries partie, and to adhere to Raoul, who accepted the name of Emperor, and was crowned at Mentz. There were nine battailes betwixt Henrie and the Saxons: but Raoul [ B] was defeated, and wounded to death, for his right hand was cut off. Before he died they brought him his hand, then directing his speech vnto the bishops which were about him, Behold (said he) the hand which hath taken the oath, and promised the faith which I haue falsified by your treacherie to the Emperour, whereof you shall giue an account before God. The Emperour hauing fought sixtie two battailes against his enemies, was depriued of his Imperiall dignitie by his owne sonne: and raising an armie to be reuen∣ged of this outrage, he died at Liege, being fiftie six yeares old, the seuenth of August, in the yeare 1106, hauing raigned fiftie yeares.

120. HENRIE the fift succeeded: at his entrance he vanquished Henrie duke of Lor∣raine, and Robert earle of Flanders, and forced them to sweare fealtie vnto him. He led an [ C] armie to Rome, and in the yeare 1111, was declared Emperour by Pope Pascall, and the auncient priuiledges of the empire were confirmed by a publique proclamation. The Emperour was scarce out of Rome, whenas the Pope disanulled all those decrees, and retracted his promise, persuading the Saxons to leuie a great armie, who gaue battaile vnto the Emperour, the eleuenth of Ianuarie, in the yeare 1115, in the which he was de∣feated. The Emperour returned againe into Italie, but seeing himselfe tormented by the Popes practises, and the many seditions of his subiects, transported with rage and fu∣rie, caring no more for his countrie; and being importuned by the Bishops, who intrea∣ted him to quit some part of his right, he graunted vnto the Pope what he demaunded, the which was published at Wormes, the fiue and twentieth day of Ianuarie, in the yeare [ D] 1122. Hauing pacified high Germanie, he went to Vtrecht to settle a peace in that countrie, where he fell sicke, and died the fiue and twentieth of Iulie, in the yeare of our Redemption 1125, and of the World 5087, hauing raigned two and twentie yeares.

121. LOTHAIRE the second, of Saxonie, inuaded the empire in despight of the German Princes. He had for competitor Conrade, who was sisters sonne to Henrie the fift: but S. Bernard reconciled these Princes, and Lothaire enioyed the empire. The Em∣perour went twice into Italie, where he pacified all troubles. He erected an Vniuersitie for the studie of the lawes, and the ornament of the countrie. Returning into Germanie he was surprised with sicknesse, whereof he died vpon the way, the sixt of December 1138, and of the World 5100, hauing raigned eleuen yeares. [ E]

122. CONRADE the second, after the death of Lothaire, was chosen Emperour by the Estates, held at Mentz. He vanquished Henrie the Proud, duke of Saxonie and Ba∣uaria, who contended for the empire. Guelphe his brother put himselfe into the towne of Weinsberg, who after a long siege, being opprest with famine, was forced to yeeld, and the spoyle of the towne was giuen vnto the souldiers. The women b••sought the empe∣rour to giue them leaue to depart with what they could carrie away, who granted their request, thinking they would not carrie any thing but their greatest wealth; but they tooke their husbands vpon their backes, and their children in their armes, and went forth after this manner. The Emperor seeing the loue of these women, made them a banquet and pardoned them. Afterwards he went into Asia with king Lewis, whereas he gaue [ F] battaile vnto the Turke, neere vnto the riuer of Meandre, and made such a slaughter as this riuer became red, like bloud, and was filled with dead carcasses. Hauing by this victo∣rie chased away the enemie, the way was open to go vnto Hierusalem. The Emperour returned into Germanie, hauing beene foure yeares in the sayd voyage: he died at ••••am∣berg,

[ A] the fifteenth of February 1150, hauing raigned fifteene yeares.

123. FREDERICKE surnamed Barbarousse, was chosen by the testament of Conrad: he accepted the Empire, and came to Rome, whereas Pope Adrian the fourth crowned him the eight & twentieth of Iune, and then he returned into Germanie. Italie reuolted against the Emperor, whether he went and gaue them battaile, in the which there were twelue thousand Romans slaine vpon the place; then he besieged, and tooke Rome. Pope Alexander excommunicated the Emperor, who came to Venice, and there he cast him∣selfe at the Popes feet; who setting his foot vpon the Emperors necke, said, Super Aspi∣dem & Basiliscum ambulabis: to whom the Emperor answered, Non tibi sed Petro, and the Pope replied, Et mihi & Petro. The Emperor hauing obtained absolution, and paci∣fied [ B] Italie, returned into Germanie: then he prepared himselfe for the war of Asia, where he woon three battailes against the Turkes neere to Iconia, and put them to rout. Sa∣l••din fled out of Asia, and Fredericke pursuing his victories conquered Silicia, and cut in peeces the Sarrazins armie, expelling Saladins troupes out of the lesser Armenia. The Emperor being opprest with heat, went into a riuer to bath himselfe, where he was drow∣ned the tenth of Iune 1189, hauing raigned seuen and thirtie yeares.

124. HENRY the sixt, succeeded his father Fredericke in the yere of Grace 1190, with the consent of the princes of the Empire. He married Constance daughter to Roger king of Sicile, who brought the realme of Sicile vnto her husband for a dowrie. Henry past [ C] into Italie, where he was crowned by Pope Celestin. By the Popes persuasion he sent a goodly armie into Asia, being accompanied with the greatest noblemen and princes of the Empire: but the sudden death of Henry brake off the course of their enterprises. He went into Sicile to arme certaine gallies to follow the armie: but being at Messina, he was poisoned by his wife, who hated him for his adulteries. He died in the yeare of the World 5160, and of Grace 1198. He raigned seuen yeare, leauing his sonne Fredericke but fiue yeres old, vnder the gouernment of his brother Philip.

125. PHILIP the second, son to Barbarousse, was chosen Emperor. He had great wars, most part of the princes adhering vnto him: but the Pope, and some other princes oppo∣sed themselues against him, who hauing promised the crowne to Otho sonne to Henry the [ D] fift, he excommunicated Philip, the which was the cause of great wars betwixt Otho and Philip; but in the end Philip enioyed the Empire. Then the Pope sent two Cardinalls to absolue Philip, reconciling him vnto Otho by the meanes of a marriage with his daugh∣ter. All matters being thus agreed, the Emperor being at Bamberg to take physicke, he caused all that were in his chamber to depart, remaining alone with Henry Truchefs, with whom he past the time: hereupon Otho of Witelsbach surnamed the Young, making noshow of discontent, entred into the chamber, and wounded the Emperor in the throat with his dagger, whereof he died the two and twentieth of Iune in the yeare of Grace 1208, and of the World 5170, hauing raigned ten yeres. The Emperesse seeing her hus∣band slaine after this manner, died of griefe.

[ E] 126. OTHO the fift, had the Empire after the death of Philip, but he enioied it not long; for he was depriued by the Popes sentence, who had aduanced him. He was crow∣ned at Rome by Pope Innocent the third; but hauing gotten the possession of Romag∣nia, Ancona, and Pouillia, the Pope excommunicated him; and the Bishop of Mentz published the excommunication in Germanie, which was the cause of great ciuile wars. Otho seeing himselfe assailed by many enemies, and that the princes had chosen Frederick the second, Emperour, he retired into Brabant, where hauing lost a battaile against Frede∣ricke, and seeing himselfe abandoned by his people, he willingly quit the Empire, the third yeare of his gouernment.

127. FREDERICKE, was crowned at Aix, Otho hauing quit the Empire in the yere of [ F] Grace 1213. He made an alliance with Philip the French king: hauing pacified Germa∣nie, they propounded vnto him the war of Asia, the which he promised. He parted from Brunswicke with his armie to go to this enterprise, the eleuenth of August 1228. Being ioined to the Christians armie at Ptolomaide, he made a truce for two yeares with the Sultan which was very beneficiall; for he recouered the possession of the realme of Ieru∣salem,

and the Christian prisoners were set at libertie without ransome: and hauing set [ A] led a good order in Palestina, he returned into Italie, whereas the Pope excommunicated him, which was the cause of great troubles: but finding that his friends and good for∣tune failed him, he retired into Sicile, and was poysoned vpon the way, dying in the castle of Pouille, the third of December 1250, being foure and fiftie yeares old, and hauing raigned two and thirtie.

After the decease of Fredericke, there were Schismes in the Empire vntill the time of Rod••l∣phus, so as most historians which haue written the liues of Emperors, take all that time for an interraigne or vacancie of the Empire; not holding them for Emperors which follow, vntil Ra∣dulphus, for that they were chosen by diuers factions during the ciuile warres, and were neuer [ B] crowned at Rome: werefore we will not account them for Emperors, but will only make mention of them according to their order.

CONRAD sonne to Fredericke the second, was created king of Romans his father be∣ing liuing, and was poysoned by Manfred his base brother in the yeare of Grace 1254.

HENRY Lanpgrau of Turinge, was chosen king of Romanes in hatred of Frede∣rick, and of Conrad his sonne, and died being wounded with an arrow before Vlme in the same yeare that he was chosen king of Romans.

WILLIAM Ea••le of Holland was chosen king of Romans, and allowed by Pope Alex∣ander; who hoping to goe to Rome to be crowned, died in the ninth yere of his raigne, and of Grace 1255. [ C]

RICHARD brother to the king of England, was also chosen king of Romans by Con∣rad Archbishop of Cologne, and Lewis Count Palatin of the Rhin, and died in Ianuarie the sixt yeare of his raigne 1257.

ALPHONSO king of Castile was also chosen king of Romanes by the Archbishop of Treues, and the Marquis of Brndebourg, in the yeare 1257, in Ianuarie, the electors being diuided.

128. RODVLPHVS, or RALFE of Haspourg being foure and fiftie yeares old, was solemnly chosen in the town of Francfort by the electors of the Empire the first of Octo∣ber 1273, and was crowned with great solemnitie. He resolued to suppresse all seditions, tumults, thefts, and wars in Germanie: and to this end he caused his troup••s to march [ D] against the Marquis of Bade, and the confederats of Suabe, forcing them to demaund a peace. Then he went into Austria against Ottacrus king of Bohemia, and vanquished him in two battailes, he being slaine in the second, the six and twentieth of August 1278. He commaunded seuentie castles and strong forts to be razed, which serued as retraits for theeues, and did cause nine and twentie of their chiefe leaders to be executed. He came not into Italie, yet he continued in good termes with the Pope; so as by his wisedome, judgement, vertue, and felicitie, he quenched the ciuile wars, and was the cause that Ger∣manie was restored, hauing beene long in combustion. Being old he died the fifteenth of Iulie, in the yere of Grace 1591, and of the World 5253, hauing raigned nineteene yeres. He lies buried at Spire. [ E]

129. ADOLPHE of Nassau was chosen Emperor the first of May 1292, at Francfort by an imperiall diet. At his first entrance, he went and serued the king of England who had wars against the French king, in regard of a hundred thousand crownes, for which cause the princes of the Empire did no more esteeme him, but scorned him openly. Fi∣nally, Albert of Austria being inuested in the Empire went to field: Adolph came to meet him, and they encountred neere vnto Spire, whereas a battaile was giuen the second of Iuly 1298, in the which Adolph was slaine by the hand of Albert, as he did rise hauing bin ouerthrowne, hauing raigned eight yeares.

130. ALBERT sonne to Radulphus duke of Austria, was receiued to the gouernme••t of the Empire by the seuen Electors, who all with one consent proclaimed him Emperour [ F] the fiue and twentieth of Iuly, where there was so great a concourse of people, as the duke of Saxonie was smothered. Albert came not into Italie, yet he appointed g••ue••∣nors there, and intreated Pope Boniface the eight to proclaime him Emperour, the which he did, and withall, the Pope gaue him the realme of France, for that he had excommuni∣cated

[ A] Philip the Faire. Albert made no warre out of Germanie, but against diuers noble∣men and princes within the countrie, vpon diuers occasions. He was slaine neere vnto the Rhyn by his owne nephew, from whom he had taken the duchie of Su••be, as from a pro∣digall, being accompanied by certain Barons, the first of May, in the yere of Grace 1308, and of the World 5270, hauing raigned ten yeares.

131. HENRIE the seuenth, earle of Luxembourg, was chosen by the Electors at Francfort, the first of Nouember, & confirmed by the Pope, vpon cōdition, that he should pacifie Italie within two yeres. Italie, which had not seene an emperor in sixtie yeres, was bathed with her owne bloud, and was exhausted of her treasure by Tyrants, who held her [ B] in seruitude after a strange maner; so as she implored ayd from the emperour. He led his armie into Italie, all the townes put themselues vnder his protection, and he caused him∣selfe to be crowned at Milan. The Guelphes and Gibelins were in combustion; the em∣perour fauoured the Gibelins, and vanquished the Guelphes, causing terrible executions to be done. After this, he went to Rome, whereas he was declared Emperour, the first of August 1312. He besieged the Florentines, who being in despaire, suborned a Iacobin Monke, who poysoned the emperour at Beneuent, in giuing him the holie Sacrament: Thus this great prince died on S. Bartholomews day, the foure and twentieth of August 1313, hauing raigned six yeares. He lies at Pisa.

132. FREDERIC the third, of Austria, was chosen Emperour, and Lewis of Bauaria [ C] was also chosen; Lewis was crowned at Aix, and Frederic with a lesse traine was crowned at Bonna by the Archbishop of Cologne: Germanie was pres••ntly diuided into two fa∣ctions, and this kindled a cruell ciuile war, the which continued eight yeres: there was a truce made, and they sought to pacifie these controuersies; but vpn S Michels day, in the yere 1323, Frederic was defeated and taken prisoner, and put into a castle standing vpon the riuer of Nabe: he was afterwards set at libertie, vpon condition, that he should carrie the title of Emperor, with Lewis, during his life, but not to challenge the rights & power of the empire. He was poysoned with a loue drinke, in the yere 1330, the 13 of Ianuarie.

133. LEVVIS the fourth, after the death of Frederic, remained sole Emperor he went into Italie, where he caused himselfe and his wife to be crowned: he had great conten∣tion [ D] with Pope Iohn the 22, who was then resident at Auignon; so as this Pope excom∣municated him, and caused Charles sonne to the king of Bohemia to be chosen. Lewis caused an Edict of Abolishion to be made touching those which had followed the partie of Frederic, by which meanes he reconciled the German princes vnto him. He caused an Imperiall Diet to be held at Strasbourg, whereas he made knowne the cause why the Pope had excommunicated him, and that he would submit himselfe vnto a Councell. The Pope commaunded all the German and Italian Princes to quit Lewis partie; so as he could not be absolued, the which was the cause of great troubles. He died a yeare after the election of Charles, the eleuenth of October, in the yeare of Grace 1347, and of the World 5309, hauing gouerned the empire three and thirtie yeares.

[ E] 134. CHARLES the fourth, was chosen Emperour during the life of Lewis, but after his death the Electors reiected him, and made choyce of G••ntier earle of Schuartzem∣bourg in Tutinge, the second of Februarie, in the yeare 1349, but he liued not long, for Charles corrupted his physition, so as on a time Gontier being ill disposed, in stead of a potion, was poysoned by him; who doubting thereof, forced the physition to drinke the rest, and saw him fall downe dead before him, but Gontier liued not long after. He lies in S. Bartholomews Church in Francfort. Charles remaining sole Emperour past into Italie, in the yeare 1354, where he receiued the Crowne of Iron at Milan: then he went to Rome, where he was declared Emperour: being returned to Meta, he held a great Imperiall Diet, whereas that famous Edict of Charles was made, called the Golden Bull. He solici∣ted [ F] the Electors to haue his sonne appointed Emperour, the which was done in the yeare 1376: for Wenceslaus was crowned Emperour, and married Ioane Countesse of Holland and Zeland, daughter to the duke of Bauaria. The Emperour being joyfull to haue ad∣uanced his sonne to the greatest dignitie in Christendome, died at Prague, the seuen and twentieth of May 1375, hauing raigned thirtie yeares.

135. WENCESLAVS, being fifteene yeres old and six dayes, after his election, was [ A] crowned emperour. This prince had a deformed countenance, and did more resemble a Baboone than a Prince: he was dull, base, lasciuious, cruell, and bloudie: he had a bad grace, and his bodie was fit for nothing, but for gluttonie, leacherie, and drunkennesse: he was suspitious, and cruell, killing men at his table, and in his chamber, with his owne hand. In the end, his subiects tooke him prisoner, and kept him in a hole foure moneths, from whence he escaped. All the Electors deposed him from his Imperiall dignitie two and twentie yeares after the death of his father. He died at Prague being seuen and fif∣tie yeares old: during his raigne Artillerie was inuented by a Monke.

136. ROBERT, Count Palatin of the Rhyn (after that Wenceslaus had beene deiected [ B] from the empire) was chosen emperour, a Prince of an actiue spirit, wise, and valiant in warre: he was crowned at Cologne by the Archbishop of the same place: after which, he past into Italie to crosse the dessignes of Galeus, duke of Milan; but he lost a battaile, and so retired into Germanie, leauing the Italians to kill one another. Hauing pacified Germanie, he died in peace, the eighteenth of May 1410, and in the yeare of the World 5372, hauing raigned ten yeares.

137. SIGISMOND, king of Hungarie and Bohemia, was chosen Emperor, who pre∣sently thought to pacifie the troubles of Christendome, and to vnite all princes to renew the warre against the Turke. There were at that time three Popes, Benedict the third at Auignon, Iohn the three and twentieth at Bolognia, and Gregorie the twelfth at Riminy. [ C] Sigismond pursued a Councell to remedie these mischiefes, and made a speedy journey into Italie, France, Spaine, and England: he wrought so with all kings and princes, as they yeelded to haue a Councel held at Constance, whether came some Christian kings and princes, and the emperours of Greece and Trebisond were there also in person. The emperour returned into Italie, where, on the three and twentieth of December 1431, he made his entrie into Milan, and hauing receiued the Crown of Iron, he tooke his way towards Rome, where he was crowned vpon Whitsunday, the two and twentieth of May: From thence he retired into Hungarie, but he had a horrible ciuile warre in Bo∣hemia, by reason of the death of Iohn Hus, who was burnt at the Councel of Constance, contrarie to the pasport which the emperour had giuen them. In the end he fell sicke, and [ D] died at Zuonne, in the yeare of the World 5376, and of our Saluation 1437, hauing been Emperour seuen and twentie yeares, king of Hungarie one and fiftie, and king of Bohe∣mia seuenteene, being seuentie one yeares old: he was an excellent prince, but vnfortu∣nat both in wife and warre.

138. ALBERT of Austria, sonne in law to Sigismond, succeeded him in the empire, and in the two realmes of Hungarie and Bohemia, in the yeare 1438. He had some war in Bohemia, but it was soone quenched; and the yeare following, he was surprised with a flux, hauing eaten mealons too greedily: he died in Hungarie the seuen and twentieth of October 1439. This sodaine death was the cause of new troubles.

139. FREDERIC the fourth, of Austria, was chosen Emperour the tenth of March [ E] 1440: he tooke away the Schisme which happened in the Church touching the Coun∣cell of Basil: he went to Rome: he married Elenor, daughter to Edward king of Portu∣gal: he was declared king of Lombardie, and two dayes after he was acknowledged em∣perour of the Romans, in the yeare 1442. Hearing that Germanie was in great combu∣stions, he made hast to returne, but he soone pacified all. In the end, he died of a flux, be∣ing verie old, hauing raigned three and fiftie yeares. At this time, some write, that the art of Printing was inuented in Germanie, and that the first Bookes were printed at Mentz, and in the yeare 1440, the citie of Constantinople was taken by the Turke.

140. MAXIMILIAN, sonne to Frederic, came vnto the empire the sixt of February 1486. He was a great louer of learned men, and gaue new life to all good arts and scien∣ces [ F] in Germanie, being almost dead: he had great warres both within and without the empire: he had bloudie warres in Italie, wherein he was nothing fortunat, and in Sicile against Charles the eight the French king. He was also in warre against the Suisses. Fi∣nally, he held the last imperiall Diet in a great assemblie of the princes of the empire, in

[ A] the towne of Ausbourg, whereas they did treat of a warre against the Turke. For Selim had rooted out the Mamelus, and caused the last Sultan of Egipt to be ha••ged. He died of a flux the twelfth of Ianuarie 1519, being nine and fiftie yeres old, one moneth, and twentie daies, hauing raigned two and thirtie yeares, and eleuen moneths.

141. CHARLES the fift, king of Spaine, was chosen Emperour by the Electors the eighteenth of Iune 1520. He tooke armes against the great king Francis his competitor in the Empire, and made a league with the Pope and king of England. He sent the duke of Bourbon into Italie, to succour Anthonie de Leue who was besieged in Pauia; they gaue battaile vnto the French, whereas king Francis and the chiefe commaunders were [ B] taken prisoners. He married Elenor his sister to the French king, hauing paied two milli∣ons of gold for his ransome. He returned into Germanie, and resolued to go and meet with the Turke at Vienna, and to giue him battaile, but the Turke fled away with great losse. The Protestant princes of Germanie made war against him, whom he put to rout. He pacified Germanie, made a league with Iulio the third, to driue the French out of Ita∣lie. He leuied a mightie armie in Germanie, and came and besieged Metz, whereas he found that his good fortune began to faile him. His sonne hauing married Marie queen of England, he gaue him the realme of Naples, and finding himselfe much tormented with the gout, he renounced all his Estates, and left the Empire to his brother Ferdinand in the yeare 1555. Being afterwards at Brussells, he caused all the noblemen to take an [ C] oath to obay his sonne Philip, and so returned into Spaine, where he died the one and twentieth of September 1558, being seuen and fiftie yeares old, eight moneths, and one and twentie daies, hauing raigned eight and thirtie yeares Emperor, and foure and fortie king of Spaine.

142. FERDINAND of Austria, brother to Charles the fift, was proclaimed king of Romans in the citie of Cologne the fift of Ianuarie 1531, and was crowned at Aix the eleuenth of the same moneth, notwithstanding the protestation of nullitie made by the Elector of Saxonie being a Protestant. This controuersiie continued some yeares, but it was ended. Now we must come to the election of Ferdinand to be Emperor. In the yere 1558, the Electors assembled after their accustomed manner, and did chuse Ferdinand [ D] Emperour, who sent Guzman his Embassadour to Rome to acquaint the Pope with his election. In the yeare 1559 he held an imperiall Diet at Francfort, where they treated of peace and religion. In the yeare 1561 the Protestant princes of Germanie assembled at Newremberg, whether came two Legats from Pope Pius to exhort and intreat them to assist at the Councell of Trent, where the should haue audience, presenting the Popes letters vnto the princes. In Nouember 1562, the Emperor, Eelectors, and other princes assembled to chuse a new king of Romans, whereas Maximillian sonne to the Emperour Ferdinand, crowned not long before king of Bohemia, was chosen Emperor & crow∣ned king with great pompe and solemnities, the fiue and twentieth of Iulie 1564. Ferdi∣nand died at Vienne in Austria being sixtie yeares old, nine moneths, and some daies, ha∣uing [ E] beene Emperor alone seuen yeares. He lies at Prague. He had fifteene children by Anne queene of Hongarie.

143. MAXIMILLIAN the second, sonne to Ferdinand of Austria, was chosen Em∣peror soone after his fathers death. He held his first Diet at Ausbourg, whereas they did treat especially of a war against the Turke, and the Vaiuode of Transiluania, and what forces they should imploy for the defence of the realme of Hongarie against the Turke an hereditarie enemie to Christians. The Emperor demaunded of the Estates of Germa∣nie fortie thousand foot, and eight thousand horse to make head against the Turke, who was already entred into Hongarie. This yeare 1566, Soliman Emperour of the Turkes came into Hongarie with an armie of sixtie thousand foot, and great numbers of horse; [ F] he first past the riuer of Danou, and then the Draue, vpon the which he caused a bridge to be built to passe his armie: this bridge was finished in foureteene daies, being long, and two and fortie fadome broad: it was made with exceeding great diligence, vpon boats tied and chained together with admirable art. He besieged Segeth a little towne in Hongarie, before the which he died of a bloudie fliz. In the meane time

Mahomet concealing the death of Soliman tooke the towne by assault: the losse where∣of [ A] was great as well for the death of the Earle of Serim, as of other braue souldiers which died in that place, and also for the losse of a hundred peeces of ordnance which were taken within that towne. Againe at the instance of the Emperor, the Archbishop of Mentz appointed an imperiall diet at Fulden, to consult of the meanes how to maintaine a good peace in Germanie. Finally he sought to ioine the realme of Polonia vnto his house, the better to fortifie the Empire, and to resist the violent attemps of the Turke. He was married nine and twentie yeares, and had by his wife sixteene children. He died the twelfth of October 1576, hauing raigned twelue yeares.

144. RODOLPHVS the second, eldest sonne to Maximillian, came vnto the Empire by the death of his father, and succeeded in the realmes of Bohemia and Hongarie, being [ B] fiue and twentie yeares old. He hath had often warres in Hongarie against the Turke, with variable successe of either side. In the end there was a truce made the twelfth of No∣uember 1605, betwixt the Emperor and the great Turke, the which continues vnto this day. Since there haue happened terrible changes in Transiluania and Hongarie, as well in the Estate, as in religion; so as in the yeare 1608, he was forced to quit vnto the Arch∣duke Mathias, his brother, the realme of Hongarie, and all the Archduchie of Austria without any reseruation. He died without children the tenth of Februarie 1612, hauing raigned fiue and thirtie yeares, foure moneths, being sixtie yeares old.

145. MATHIAS brother to Rodolphus succeeded him in the Empire, and was chosen [ C] king of Romans at Francfort, the thirteenth of Iune, in the yeare 1612. I will briefely set downe the forme and ceremonies of his election and coronation, and what past most re∣markable.

* 1.2Because we haue formerly made mention of that memorable edict called the Golden Bull, made by the Emperor Charles the fourth, in the yeare 1356, touching the election of the Emperor, it shall not be impertinent to set downe the chiefe heads thereof, before we describe the manner of this last Emperors election. The Emperor being dead, the Archbishop of Mentz doth presently aduertise the other electors, and appoint a day, that within three moneths they or their embassadours may meet at Francfort, with full authoritie to chuse a new Emperour: and if Mentz neglect it, the rest of the electors [ D] may meet within the same time, none of them hauing aboue two hundred horse in his traine when he enters into the towne, whereof fiftie may be armed. If any one doth not come, nor send his embassadour, or goes away before the businesse be ended, he looseth his right of election for that time. The magistrat of Francfort shall be faithfull to the electors; and during their assemblie, they shall not suffer any to come into the towne but the electors and their traines. Being all met, the ceremonie shall be performed in S. Bar∣tholomews Church, where euery one shal sweare, the Archbishop of Mentz beginning first, that they shall not doe any thing in that businesse for any promise or reward: after which they shall proceed vnto the action, neither shal they depart from thence before the Emperor be created. And if the election be deferred aboue thirtie daies, they shall haue [ E] no meat allowed them but bread and water. He that is chosen by the greater part shall haue the place, as if it had beene by their generall consents. The Emperor being chosen after this manner, he shall first of all confirme all priuiledges belonging to the electors, and whatsoeuer shall belong vnto their dignities, honours, liberties, and immunities. Be∣sides it is decreed, That one shall giue safe passage to another through his territories; what order they shall obserue in their sittings; how their voyces are to be taken; what office euerie one shall hold whenas the Emperour doth any thing, or dines publiquely. That during the vacancie of the empire, the Count Palatin shall haue the chiefe com∣maund in Sueuia, Franconia, and vpon the riuer of Rhyn; and the duke of Saxonie in those places which vse the Saxon law; That an Elector dying, his eldest sonne, or his [ F] brother, shall succeed him; If an Elector be not eighteene yeares old, his next ••insman shall supplie the place of Elector, vntill he come of yeares; That the Electors shall meet euerie yeare touching the affaires of the Commonweale; That the seat of the election shall be at Francfort, and his first Inauguration at Aixla Chapelle, or Aquisgrane; That

[ A] the Electors sonnes in their youth should learne the Italian, Latin, and Sclauon Tongues, to the end they may be able to conferre with many nations. The Emperour shall ratifie these laws prescribed by the Electors, that is, He shall defend the Christian Common-weale, with the Bishop & Church of Rome, whose Aduocat he shalbe: he shall admini∣ster justice equally, & seeke peace: he shal not only confirme the laws of the empire, espe∣cially that which is called the golden Bul, but also amplifie them, with their aduice, where need requires: he shall appoint a Senat or Councell in the empire, chosen of Germans, who shall gouerne the Commonweale: he shall not diminish the rights, priuiledges, and dignities of the Princes and orders of the empire: That it shall be lawfull for the Electors, when it is needfull, to meet, and to conferre of matters concerning the Com∣monweale: [ B] That he shall not any way hinder their assemblie, nor take it in ill part: That he shall dissolue all leagues made by the commons or nobilitie, against the Princes, and forbid them by a law: That he shall make no league or contract with straungers touch∣ing the affaires of the empire, without the consent of the seuen Electors: he shall not sell nor pawne the reuenues of the empire, nor in any sort diminish them; and whatsoeuer is held by other nations, and withdrawne from the empire, he shall recouer vpon the first occasion: prouided alwayes, that there be no fraud vsed to them that haue either priui∣ledge or right: If either he, or any of his house, doth hold any thing vnlawfully that be∣longs vnto the empire, they shall restore it, being required by the Electors: he shall en∣tertaine [ C] peace and friendship with other kings, neither shall he vndertake any war, either within or without the empire, for matters concerning the empire, without the consent of the States, especially of the Electors: he shall bring no strange souldiers into Germanie, but with their consents: If the empire be inuaded, he may then vse any auxilia••ie forces: he shall not call a Diet, nor demaund any tribute without the consent of the electors: he shall not hold any Assemblie without the bounds of the empire: he shall appoint Ger∣mans, and no strangers, for the managing of publique affaires, and they to be chosen out of the Nobilitie: That all letters shall be written in the Latin or German Tongue: That he shall not call any one into question out of the limits of the empire. And for that ma∣ny things are done at Rome, contrary to the contracts made in former times with bishops, [ D] he shall labour with the Pope, that no wrong be done to the priuiledges and liberties of the empire: he shall conferre with the Electors, how the M••nopolies of Merchants, which are verie pernitious for Germanie, may be supprest, and being once resolued, he shall put it in execution: he shall impose no toll nor tax without the consent of the Electors; neither shall he by his letters of Commendation, impaire the reuenues of those Electors which are vpon the Rhyn: If he haue an action against any one, he shall trie it by law, and not vse any force to them that submit themselues to a lawfull triall: he shall not proscribe any man without shewing cause, but shall follow the course of law: he shall not giue the lands of the empire that shall be void to any, but applie them to the publique Patrimonie: If he shall get any other prouince, with the helpe of the Estates, he [ E] shall joyne it to the empire: If he shall recouer any thing that belongs to the publique with his owne forces, he shall restore it to the Commonweale: he shall confirme what∣soeuer the Palatin or the duke of Saxonie shall doe, during the vacancie of the empire: he shall not practise any thing whereby the dignitie of the empire may be made heredita∣rie to his house, but shall leaue it free vnto the Electors to make their choyce, according to the law of Charles the fourth, and the Popes decree; and whatsoeuer shall be done con∣trarie to the tenor hereof, shall be voyd.

¶ Arriuall of the Electors of the Sacred Empire in the Towne of Francfort vpon Main, deputed for this election.

[ F] ON Sunday, the tenth of May 1612, arriued the most reuerend father in God, and most noble prince and lord Iohn Schweick••ard, Archbishop of Mentz, and the most reuerend father in God, and most noble prince and lord Ferdinand Archbishop of Co∣logne, respectiuely high Chauncellors of the Empire for Germanie and Italie, and Ele∣ctors.

In like manner also the most noble princes and lords Iohn Count Palatin of the [ A] Rhyn, duke of Bauaria, administrator and tutor of the elector Palatin, and the most noble prince and lord Iohn George duke of Saxonie, Iuliers, Cleues, and Berg, high marshall of the sacred Empire, and elector, at that time vicars of the holie Empire, euery one in his place, set downe by the golden Bull.

On Munday following, the eleuenth of May, there arriued in the towne of Francfort the most reuerend father in God, and the most noble Prince and Lord Loth••ire, Archbi∣shop of Treues, high Chancellor of the sacred empire in France, and in the realme of Arles, and Elector: as also, the same night the Embassadour of the most noble prince and lord Iohn Sigismond, Marquis of Brandebourg, high Chamberlain of the sacred Empire, [ B] and Elector, duke of Prussia, Iuliers, Cleues, Berg, Stetin, &c.

On Wednesday, being the thirteenth of May, arriued the most famous and mightie prince and lord Mathias the second, king of Hungarie, and Bohemia, &c. Archduke of Austria, duke of Bourgondie, Stiria, Keruten, Crain, and Vurtemberg, Marquis of Mora∣uaia, Earle of Habspurg, Tyrol, &c. with a great and gallant traine, well appointed, in the which were a hundred Harquebuziers on horsebacke: All which Electors and Em∣bassadours were honourably entertayned in the towne of Francfort, by the horsemen which had beene leuied by the towne, whereof the most part were Bourgesses.

¶ The order and sitting of the Electors, Noblemen, and Embassadours in the [ C] Councell held in the Rommer, or Town-house.

THe Electors of the sacred Empire, of Mentz, Treues, Cologne, and Administrator of the Elector Palatin, the duke of Saxony, and the Embassadour of Brandebourg, being arriued (as hath beene said) on the twelfth of May, they held a Councell in the Rommer, or Town-house, in a Hall appointed to that end. There was in this Hall seuen seats couered with blacke veluet, and cushions of the same, set in order one by another neere vnto the window, in the which the sayd Electors did sit, with the Administrator and Embassador, that is to say (to begin at the right hand) fi••st the Palatin, then the king of Bohemia in qualitie of Elector; and after his said maiestie, the Elector of Mentz, then [ D] he of Treues, he of Cologne, he of Saxonie, and last of all he of Brandebourg. Before them was a long Table, at the which did sit the Chauncellors and Secretaries of the said Electors, and vpon seats round about were their chiefe Councellors.

Among diuers things that were propounded, whereof the point of the oath was one, the which (according to the tenor of the golden Bull) the Inhabitants of the towne are bound to sweare. Wherefore the Electors required it both of the Senat, Citisens, and soul diers that were entertained by the towne; and to that end they appointed Satur∣day, the sixteenth of May, with expresse commaundement to auoyd the towne of all such as did not belong to some of the Electors: whereof the Magistrat gaue notice to the Inhabitants the Friday before, by the sound of a drumme, and a publique Procla∣mation. [ E]

¶ The forme of the oath which the Magistrat, Senat, and Souldiers of Francfort, sweare vnto the Electors of the sacred Empire.

ON Saturday following, which was the sixteenth of May, before dinner, the Ele∣ctors, with Adrian Gans, Lord of Putlitz, Embassadour for the Elector of Bran∣debourg, being set in chaires of blacke veluet (after the former order) in a great Hall within the Town house, hauing a scaffold raysed a foot high; the magistrat of Francfort fi••st of all tooke the said oath in the same forme as it was propounded vnto them by [ F] Francis Philip E••ust, Chauncellor to the Elector of Mentz, and after this manner: That before all things the Magistrat of Francfort should with all fidelitie promise and sweare to the most reu••rend Prince and Lord Iohn Schweickhard, Archbishop of Mentz, and Elector, &c. presenting himselfe in his owne name, and in the name of other Lords

[ A] electors, together with the administrator of the elector Pala••in, and the embassadour of the elector of Brandebourg, faithfully to maintaine with all care and foresight all and eue∣ry one of the electors, as well against the surprises one of another, in case there should happen any discontent amongst them; as also against all iniuries which may be done vnto them, or to any of those which are in their train at Francfort to the number of two hun∣dred horse, vpon paine of such punishments as are intimated by the golden Bull: and during the time of the election not to suffer any person of what estate or qualitie soeuer to enter into the towne of Francfort, except their messengers and men of commaund: and in like manner to put all such out of the towne without d••lay, as hauing gotten in during the entrie of the princes or afterwards, vpon such punishments as are mentioned [ B] in the golden Bull.

Presently after this, the Senat promised and swore it publickely in the presence of ma∣ny assistants, according to that forme of oath which had beene propounded by the ele∣ctor of Mentz, Chauncellor: which done the administrator of the elector Palatin, and the embassador to the marquis of Brandebourg did arise from their seats to go vnto the window which lookes towards the market place, whereas they saw the inhabitants, who according to the aduice which was giuen them the day before, were there assembled to take the same oath. And at the same instant the souldiers which had beene drawne from all the quarters of the towne into a place called the Ramhoff, and afterwards led in good [ C] order before the townehouse, hauing cast themselues into a round, tooke the same oath which was propounded vnto them in view of the electors. The daies following the ele∣ctors at diuers times, and in a manner daily returne•• to their sessions and consultations, as they had done before, and in the s••me place. And in the end they appointed the third of Iune for the day of the election, the which was obserued as followeth.

On Tuesday the second of Iune before noone, the magistrat of the towne of Franc∣fort made a new proclamation, commanding all strangers that were not comprehended in the traine of some one of the electors, or not bound by oath vnto the Senat, presently to depart the towne: and after noone all the towne gates were shut vp.

[ D] ¶ Ceremonies obserued in the royall election which was made in S. Bartholomews Church: the elector all ornaments: the order and ranke which the electors hold going to the said Church, and the oath which they take at the altar before they enter into the conclaue of the election.

ON Wednesday the third of Iune 1612, the Royal election was made: and first of all the inhabitants were armed, and drawne into diuers parts of the t••wne, especially they that were placed in two rankes from the Rommer vnto S. Bartholomews Church were gallantly appointed. Then did the Magistrat cause a grea•• bell to be ru••g halfe an houre, the which they call the alarum bell. After seuen of the clocke the electors came [ E] vnto the towne house one horsebacke in great pompe, where hauing sta••ed ••bout halfe an houre to put on their electorall roabes in diuers chambers, they came all forth into the great hall of the Councell. About eight of the clocke they went to horsebacke, and marcht in the order that followes towards S. Bartholomews Church. First there marcht a great number of Councellors, Noblemen, and others belonging to the Electors: then followed on horsebacke Iohn Philip of Hohenecke, and Melchior seignior or lord of Eltz, marshalls to the Electors of Mentz and Treues, either of them carrying in his hand a sword in a golden scabard: after them followed the most reuerend fath••rs in God and princes Iohn Schweickbard Archbishop of Mentz, and Lothaire Archbishop of Treues, attired in their electorall roabes, which were of scarlet furred, and garnished without [ F] with white ermins, and a miter of the same colour furred: after those did ride the mar∣shalls of the Archbishop of Cologne, and of the realme of Bohemia; he of Cologne carrying in his hand a sword with a golden scabard; and the marshall of Bohemia ano∣ther in a scabard of crimson veluet: immediatly after him followed the most reue••end, and most generous prince and lord Ferdinand Archbishop of Cologne on the right hand,

and his royall maiestie as king of Bohemia, and in qualitie of elector on the left, wearing [ A] the like ornaments and bonnets vnto the two former electors, but his royall maiestie wore vpon his cap the crowne of Bohemia: after him marched Pleickhard of Helmstet marshal of the Palatinat, and Maximillian of Pappenheim marshall of the sacred Empire, either of them carrying in his hand a sword in a golden scabard, and after followed on horsebacke the most illustrious princes and lords, Iohn Palatin of the Rhin, administrator to the elector Palatin, on the right hand; Iohn George duke of Saxonie, Iuliers, Cleues, and Berg &c. elector, in the middest; and Adam Gans seignior of Putlitz, as embassa∣dor to the elector of Brandebourg, on the left hand; of the which the two electors of the Palatinat, and Saxonie had also robes of crimson veluet furred, and garnished with∣out [ B] with Ermins, and bonnets like vnto the electors of the clergie: but the embassador of Brandebourg was attired in blacke after an ordinarie manner, neither was there any sword carried before him, for that the elector of Brandebourg was not there present in person. And in this order hauing past betwixt the two rankes of Bourgers which were well appointed, and being come to S. Bartholmews, which is a great Church built in forme of a crosse, and beautified with a gooly high tower towards the North, they aligh∣ted, and entred into the temple, where at their arriuall the electors trumpets (whereof there were a good number) being placed vpon a scaffold made to that purpose, began al∣together to sound, and the drums vnder them to beat; the which they continued vntill that the electors were all entred into the quier, which was richly hung with goodly tapi∣strie [ C] of gold and silke, and the electors seats couered with blacke veluet, and cushions of the same, except the king of Bohemias, which was very richly furnished with cloth of gold. Euery one of the electors hauing taken the seat which was prepared for him, that is to say, the electors of Mentz, Bohemia, and of the Palatinat, on the right hand of the quier. In the middest (whereas the Chaunter is accustomed to sit) he of Treues, and on the left hand, he of Cologne, and Saxonie, with the embassadour of the elector of Brandebourg. Some of their chiefe Councellors and of the Clergie being come in, the marshall of Pappenheim did shut the doore. Soon•• after they began to play on the or∣gans, and to sing Veni sancte spiritus, which the musitions ended being in a gallerie ouer the quier. [ D]

Then the Suffragan of Mentz began to say masse; but the Palatin, the duke of Saxo∣nie, and the embassadour of Brandebourg (who haue not beene accustomed to assist at those ceremonies) retired themselues with their people into the conclaue of the election, which ioines vnto the quier vpon the right hand, where they staied vntill the ma••le was ended, and then they returned to their places. Hauing s••ng, and ended the hymne of Ve∣ni sancte spiritus, the electors with the embassadour of Brandebourg came before the altar, whether euery one of them was led by his marshall, carrying a sword in the sca∣bard, except the aforesaid embassadour of Brandebourg; and there by vertue of the Golden Bull, they tooke the oath after this manner: Euery one of them ascended to the highest steppe of the altar, where turning towards the assistants, the elector of Mentz [ E] being betwixt two, put them in mind of the causes of their assemblie, and that it was to take the oath set downe by the Bull, the which was to be done before the election. Whereupon he himselfe performed it f••••st in the hands of the elector of Treues; then hauing required it, and read it vnto the other electors, after the same manner they did all sweare, the ecclesiasticks laying their hands vpon their breasts, and the seculars vpon the Gospell. The elector of Mentz required also that two notaries should set it downe in writing and take an act, and that they should make one or more instruments: whereup∣on there were some that presented themselues, and all the nobilitie with the other assi∣stants were required to be witnesses.

The oath being taken, the electors returned to their seats, after which (hauing ended the [ F] Antheme of Veni Sancte spiritus, with other collects which depend thereon) they entred into the imperiall Chappel, or conclaue of the election, which place is narrow and long, ioining to the quier towards the South, hauing an altar adorned with rich tapistrie, wrought with gold and silke: and there they began to proceed to the election of a king

[ A] of Romans, and future Emperor. They had also prepared for the young prince Palatin a place hung with cloth of gold, and in like manner for the queene, and the ladies of her traine, vpon the top of the vault of the Temple, right against the quier at the middle window, from whence they might commodiously see what was done both within and without the quier.

The Electors hauing beene some time together in the Cappell or Conclaue of the election, hauing in the meane time often called in their chiefe Councellors and Nota∣ries, and sent them out againe: in the end, hauing agreed vpon the election, and the Pro∣clamation being made in the Chappell of the election, they came forth, all hauing conti∣nued [ B] about halfe an houre: first of all there came forth the Elector of Mentz, then he of Cologne and of Treues, who led betwixt them his royall maiestie of Hungarie and Bo∣hemia, as chosen king of the Romans; then followed the Palatin, Saxonie, and Brande∣bourg: and then the Trumpets and Clairons began to found, and the drums to beat, which made the Church to eccho againe; and all the Bells did ring, and the great ord∣nance of the towne was shot off in signe of joy. In the meane time, his Maiestie was led towards the high Altar in the Quire, where he did kneele downe vpon the highest step, but the Electors stood of either side of him: then they began to sing, Adiutorium nostrum in nomine Domini; and the Psalme, In virtute tua laetabitur Rex, &c. with other▪ Prayers fit for the action, and in fauour of the king newly chosen: which being ended, the Ele∣ctors [ C] did set the king vpon the Altar, and they did sing, Te Deum laudamus, from one end vnto the other, in three kinds of musicke, vpon the Organs, with voyces, and lastly, by the Kings and Electors Trumpets and Clairons.

¶ A Theatre or Scaffold erected before the Quire, for the King of Romans newly chosen, and for the Seuen Electors.

THis done, they opened a doore vpon the right hand of the Quire, and raysed his royal Maiestie aboue the Altar, and the Electors, with the Embassador of Brandebourg, conducted him towards a Theatre or Scaffold, built without before the Quire, couered [ D] of all sides with rich Tapestrie, vpon which Theatre there were also seuen Chaires coue∣red with blacke veluet for the Electors: besides the which, there was one raised a degree higher than the rest and couered with cloth of gold, vpon the which the king newly cho∣sen did sit: but the Electors ••ate euerie man in his rank, that is, the Elector of Mentz, and the Administrator Palatin on the right hand; the Elector of Cologne he of Saxonie, and the Embassadour, on the left; and Treues in the middest: the Administrator h••ld in his hand the Apple, or Golden Ball of the empire, Saxonie the Sword, and the Embas∣sadour of Brandebourg the Scepter. Whilest the Electors tooke their places, the Trum∣pets did sound, and drums did beat, which done, a Proclamation was made by the re∣uerend George Foicderic G••e••ffencloe de B••lraeht, great Prouost of Mentz and Wormes, [ E] in a maner in these words:

¶ Proclamation and publication of the Election.

THat whereas by the death of the most illustrious and most mightie prince and lord Rodulphus the second, Emperour of the Romans, of most happie memorie, the sacred empire was v••id; the most reuerend, most noble, and generous princes and lords the Ele∣ctors, and Embassadour there present, had (as it was conuenient, and according to the tenor of the Imperiall laws, made to that end) mutually agreed of the election & choice of another head, to the honour and glorie of the Almightie, to the profit and peace of [ F] the empire, and to the increase of Christianitie: and that they did then name and declare the most illustrious and most mightie prince and lord Mathias the second, King of Hun∣garie and Bohemia, &c. Archduke of Austria, our most louing lord, and did chuse him, in the name of the Almightie, for King of Romans, and future Emperour. This mutuall election was published in the behalfe of the Electors, and their deputies, to the end that

euerie man might doe the honour and duetie which he ought vnto his royall Maiestie [ A] newly elected.

After this publication, the trumpets and drummes began to sound for joy, and in the meane time the Electors, with his royall Maiestie, rose from their chaires, and went down the scaffold; first of all he of Treues, then the three secular Electors, with the Embassa∣dour of Brandebourg altogether, that is, the Palatin with the Ball of the empire, vpon the right hand, Saxonie with the sword in the midst, and Brandebourg with the scepter vpon the left, his royall Maiestie followed, and a little distance off, Mentz vpon the right hand, and Cologne on the left. Thus they went out of the Church, and tooke horse be∣fore the great doore, conducting his Maiestie in the former order vnto his palace, which [ B] they call the great Braunfels. Before them there marched first of all his Maiesties offi∣cers, then they of the Elector of Saxonie, and after them, all the officers of the other Electors, as also, his Maiesties drummes and trumpets, who filled the streets with their noyse: Lastly, after the Electors chiefe Councellors, followed the Electors themselues, with his Maiestie, in order as hath beene said. Thus, by the grace of God, this royall election was happily performed, and Mathias the second, King of Hungarie and Bohe∣mia, was by a mutuall consent of the Electors, and the happie applause of all men, chosen for King of Romans, and head of the sacred empire.

Although the election were finished as hath beene set downe, yet the Electors conti∣nued their Assemblies euerie morning in the Town-house, there to consult and to resolue [ C] vpon matters of importance concerning the empire: the rest of the time was spent in mutuall imbracings, feasts, and banquets, which were often made, and verie sumptuous with great preparation, as well by the Princes Electors, as by other Princes, Earles, and Noblemen, who presently after the election came flocking into the towne. After these banquets they spent the time in all noble exercises, as running at the ring, and managing of horses, vntil the time of the Emperors coronation, for the which they made great pre∣paration, and it was happily performed on Sunday the fourteenth of Iune. In the meane time, on Thursday, the eleuenth of Iune, being Corpus Christi day, they made a Procession from S. Bartholomews Church vnto the Con¦uent of the preaching Friers, where his Maiestie, with the Ec∣clesiasticall [ D] Electors, and many others of high and low degree, assisted in great numbers.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Female 〈◊〉〈◊〉 pounds 〈◊〉〈◊〉
• * 1.2

  Contents of the Golden Bull.