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4. The Bishoprick of CAMBRAY.* 1.1
Southward with Hainalt lieth the Bishoprick of CAMBRAY, containing a goodly Town and territory, reckoned of anciently as a part of Hainalt, now a state distinct; rather confederate with the Princes of the Netherlands, then subject to them.
The Principall City hereof is Cambray (called in Latine, Cameracum) seated on both sides of the River Scheld; a fair, goodly and mighty City, full of people, many of which are rich Merchants, but all of them industrious, especially in making that fine linnen Cloth, from hence called Camerac, or Cambrick. The private buildings very fair, but the publick much fairer, especially the Mona∣steries and other Churches, of which the most remarkable is that of our Ladie, an ancient and sumptu∣ous fabrick, and the See Episcopall. From whence the countrey and territory hereunto adjoyning, is called Cambresis, in which are divers Villages and places of importance; the chief of which is Cha∣steau Cambresis, six leagues from the City, remarkable for the treaty held there betwixt France and Spain anno 1559. in which a peace was happily setled amongst all the chief Princes of Christendome. 2. Avesnes le sec (so called to distinguish it from Avesnes in Hainalt) near which are digged excellent white stones for building, little inferiour unto Marble.
This Bishoprick was founded in the person of S. Diogenes, a Grecian born, Anno 390. or thereabouts. Whose Successours in tract of time became so potent, that at the last the Bishop hereof became both the Lord spirituall and temporall of the Town and territory, honoured with the title of a Duke, and Prince of the Empire, and in the end made an Arch-bishop by Pope Paul the 4. anno 1562.
The City of Cambray made Imperiall by the Germane Emperours, was first by Henry the fift given in protection to Robert of Hierusalem Earl of Flanders; afterwards setled and confirmed on all his Suc∣cessours by the Emperour Frederick, anno 1164. Which notwithstanding, the French finding it con∣venient for them, divers times possessed it: but governing with too great insolence, they were dri∣ven out by the people, in the time of Lewis the 11. and the town yeelded voluntarily unto Maxi∣milian, governour of these countries for his son Philip. Charles the 5. in the year 1543. built a strong Citadell in it, pretending that he did it for defence of the Town against the French; but indeed to keep it for himself. After this it was taken by the Duke of Alenson, (brother of Henry the 3. of France) then Governour of the Netherlands, anno 1582. but regained not long after by the Spaniards, the Inha∣bitants giving up the Town for want of victuals. Since that continually possessed by the Spaniards; but so, that the people still enjoy their ancient priviledges, and are governed by their own lawes and Bishops.