(by reason of the many woods) abundance of Akorns: with infinite herds of swine (which they breed
up with those naturall helps) of so good a relish, that a Gammon of Wesiphalian Bacon, is reckoned
for a principall dish at a great mans Table.
The old inhabitants hereof were the Chauci Majores about Bremen, the Chanani, Angrivarii, and
Bructeri inhabiting about Munster, Osuaburg, and so towards the land of Colen; and part of the Che∣rusci
(before spoken of) taking up those parts which lie nearest unto Brunswick and Lunenbourg. All
of them vanquished by Drusus, the son-in-law of Augusius, but soon restored to their former liber∣ty,
by the great overthrow given by the Cherusci and their associates to Quintilius Varus. After∣wards
uniting into one name with the French, they expulsed the Romans out of Gaul: leaving their
forsaken, and ill-inhabited seats to be taken up by the Saxons; with whom the remainders of them
did incorporate themselves both in name and nation. Of that great body it continued a conside∣rable
Member (both when a Kingdome and a Dukedome) till the proscription and deprivation of
Duke Henry the Lyon, at what time the parts beyond the Weser were usurped by Barnard, Bishop of
Paderborn; those betwixt the Weser, and the Rhene by Philip, Archbishop of Colen, whose successours
still hold the title of Dukes of Westphalen: the Bishopricks of Breme, Munster, Paderborn, and Mindaw,
having been formerly endowed with goodly territories, had some accrewments also out of this
Estate: every one catching hold of that which lay nearest to him. But not to make too many
subdivisions of it, we will divide it onely into these. two parts, VVestphalen specially so called,
and 2 the Bishoprick of Bremen.
In VVESTPHALEN specially so called, which is that part hereof which lyeth next to
Cleveland, the places of most observation are, 1 Geseke, a town of good repute; 2 Brala, a village
of great beauty; 3 Arusberg; and 4 Fredeborch, honoured with the title of Prefectures; 5 VVa∣denborch;
6 Homberg, lording it over fair and spacious territories. All which, with two Lord∣ships,
and eight Prefectures more, dispersed in the Dukedome of Engern, and County of Surland, be∣long
unto the Bishop of Colen, the titulary Duke of VVestphalen, and Angrivaria, (Engern) as he
stiles himself. 7 Mountabour, (perhaps Mont-Tabor) seated in that part hereof, which is called VVe∣sterwald;
a town of consequence belonging to the Elector of Triers. 8 Rhenen; 9 Schamlat; and
10 Beekem, reasonable good towns, all of the Bishoprick of Munster. 11 Munster it self, famous for
the Treaty, and conclusions made upon that treaty, for the peace of Germany, seated upon the
River Ems, and so called from a Monastery, here founded by Charles the great, which gave begin∣ning
to the Town; supposed to be that Mediolanium, which Ptolemy placeth in this tract, a beauti∣full,
and well fortified City, and the See of a Bishop, who is also the Temporall Lord of it. Famous
for the wofull Tragedies here acted by a lawlesse crew of Anabaptists, who chose themselves
a King (that famous Taylor, John of Leiden) whom they called King of Sion, as they named the
City New Jerusalem; proclaimed a community both of goods and women, cut off the heads of all
that opposed their doings: and after many fanatick and desperate actions by the care and industry
of the Bishop and his confederates brought to condigne punishment. The Story is to be seen at
large in Sleidan, and some modern pamphlets, wherein as in a Mirrour, we may plainly see the face
of the present times. 12 Osnaburg, first built, as some say, by Julius Caesar; as others by the Earls
of Engern; but neither so ancient as the one, nor of so late a standing as the others make it; here be∣ing
an Episcopall See founded by Charles the Great, who gave it all the priviledges of an Ʋniversity.
Liberally endowed at the first erection of the same, and since so well improved, both in Power, and
Patrimony, that an alternate succession in it by the Dukes of Brunswick hath been concluded on in
the Treaty of Munster, as a fit compensation for the Bishoprick of Halberstad (otherwise disposed
of by that Treaty) of late enjoyed wholly by that Family. 13 Quakenberg, on the River Hase,
14 VVarendorp; and 15 VVildshusen, towns of that Bishoprick. 16 Paderborn, an Episcopall See
also, founded by Charles the Great, at the first conversion of the Saxons; more ancient then strong,
yet more strong then beautifull. 17 Ringelenstein; and 18 Ossendorf, belonging to the Bishop of
Paderborn. 19 Minden, upon the VVeser, another of the Episcopall Sees founded by Charles the Great,
and by him liberally endowed with a goodly Patrimony: converted to lay-uses since the Reforma∣tion,
under colour of Administration of the goods of the Bishoprick; and now by the conclusions at
Munster setled for ever on the Electors of Brandenbourg, with the title of Prince of Minden. 20 Rinte∣lin,
a strong town, conveniently seated on the Weser, not far from Minden, to the Bishop whereof it
doth belong.
Hitherto one would think that Westphalen had formerly been a part of Saint Peters Patrimony
belonging wholly to the Clergy; but there are some Free Cities, and secular Princes which have
shares therein, as 1 VVarburg, a neat town, but seated on an uneven piece of ground neer the Ri∣ver
Dimula, a town which tradeth much in good Ale, brewed here, and sold in all parts of the
Country: heretofore a County of it self under the Earls hereof, now governed in the nature of
a Free Estate, and reckoned an Imperiall City. 2 Brakel, accompted of as Imperiall also. 3 Herv••r∣den,
a town of good strength and note, governed by its own Lawes and Magistrates, under the pro∣tection
of Colen. 4 Lemgow, belonging heretofore to the Earls of Lippe, but by them so well pri∣viledged
and enfranchised, that now it governeth it self as a Free Estate. Here is also 5 The town
and County of Ravensburg, belonging anciently to the Dukes of Cleve, and now in the rights of
that house to the Elector of Brandenbourg: As also 6 the Town and County of Lippe, lying on the
west side of the VVeser; the Pedegree of the Earls whereof some fetch from that Sp. Manlius, who de∣fended