16. MECKLENBOVRG.
The Dukedome of MECKLENBVRG, is bounded on the East with Pomerania, on the West with Holstein, a Province of the Kingdome of Danemark; on the North with the Baltick Sea, and on the South with Brandenbourg, and Saxen-lawenburg. So called from Mecklenburg, or Megalopolis, (both names in severall languages of the Dutch and Greeks signifying a great City) a great town of that name here being in the time of the Heruli and the Vandals (the old Inhabitants of these parts) whose chief City it was, but on their leaving of this Countrey, decayed to nothing. The Countrey of the same nature as Pomerania, and was rich in corn.
Places of most importance in it are 1 VVismar, a noted Port on a Creek or Bay of the Baltick Sea; raised out of the ruines of old Mecklenburg before mentioned, about the year 1240. the Haven hereof capable of the greatest vessels, to which it gives a safe and assured Station, whence the name of VVismar; the word signifying in the Sclavonian language idem ac certum mare (as my Author hath it) as much as a quiet or safe Sea. Now one of the Hanse Towns, and being it lies conveniently for the use of the Swedes, alloted to that Crown by the treaty of Munster, the Duke of Mecklenburg being in recompense there∣of to have the temporaries of the Bishopricks of Swerin, and Ratzenburg. 2 Swerin, seated upon the South side of the Lake so named, an Episcopall See, and honoured with giving the title of a Baronie to the Dukes of Mecklenburg. 3 Malcaw, first walled by Niclot, Prince of the Vandals, anno 1270. 4 Ratzenburg, an Episcopall See, spoken of before. 5 Rostoch, the next in reputation of all the H••••se towns, to Lubeck and Dantsick. Large, rich, and much frequented by all sorts of Merchants, in compasse almost six English miles, situate on the River VVarn neer the fall thereof into the Baltick. Ho∣noured with an University here founded by John Duke of Mecklenburg, an. 1419. the first Professors in it being brought from Erdford in Saxony. 6 Stargard, which once gave the title of Duke to the younger Princes of this house. 7 Sarentine, memorable for a Nunnery there founded by Duke Magnus the se∣cond. 8 La••, built and fortified by Duke Henry the second, as an out-work to Rostock, which he had lately bought of Christopher then King of Denmark. 9 Sternberg, of which little memorable. 10 Fridland, on the edge of Pomeren not far from Stargard, which gave the title of Duke to Albert of Wallenstein, after that called Duke of Fridland, that eminent and prosperous Commander of the Im∣periall Forces, in the late war of Germany: but miserably murdered after all his services by command of the Emperour. 11 Fitchtell, both pleasantly and strongly seated on the edge of a Lake. 12 Dam∣min, a strong Town on the Marches of Brandenburg.
The antient Inhabitants of this Country were the Vandals, with the rest of the Heruli, and Burgundi∣ans. But the Burgundians being reckoned as a part of the Vandals were not much took notice of (till their irruptions on the borders of the Roman Empire made them more considerable) the Princes of these Nations using no other title then Kings of the Heruli and Vandals. Of these the first is said to be one Anthyrius sonne of an Amazonian Lady, who learned his first rudiments of warfare under Alexander the Great. Out of his loins descended a long race of Kings, amongst whom Rhadaguis••, who toge∣ther with Alarick the Goth, invaded Italy, (I know not by what warrant) is accounted one. Gunderick the seventeenth of these Kings, weary of so cold a dwelling, passed towards the South, and having harassed Gaul and Spain, shipped himself over the Straits of Gibralter, and erected the Kingdome of the Vandals in Africk; whose successors we shall meet with there. By Vitalaus the youngest sonne of Gensericus the sonne of Gunderick, the line of these Princes is continued, who after mingling with the Obotriti, and other of the Sclaves, succeeding into the void places of the Vandals, left off the title of Kings of the Vandals, and called themselves Kings of the Heruli and Obotriti: continuing it to Pri∣bislaus or Primislaus the second, who wrote himself Pribislaus Dei gratia Herulorum, Wagriorum, Circi∣panorum, Palumborum, Obotritorum, Kissinorum, Vandalorumque Rex. Making herein a generall muster of those tribes of the Sclaves and Heruli, which remained under his command. But he being vanqui∣shed by Henry surnamed the Lyon, Duke of Saxony and Bavaria, the title of King was laid aside; his successours contenting themselves with that of Princes. Divided betwixt Henry and Niclot, the Ne∣phews of Pribislaus by his sonne Henry into two Estates, Henry assuming to himselfe the title of Prince of the Obotriti, and Niclot, that of Prince of the Vandals. But the posterity of Niclot failing in VVilliam the last of that line, anno 1430. his title with the lands thereunto belonging, fel to Henry the fat, the fourth Duke of Mecklenbourg, to which honour Albert and John the sonnes of Henry the fourth,