Cosmographie in four bookes : containing the chorographie and historie of the whole vvorld, and all the principall kingdomes, provinces, seas and isles thereof / by Peter Heylyn.

EAST-FRISELAND.

EAST-FRISELAND is bounded on the East with the River Weser, by which parted from Westphalen; on the West with the River Ems which parteth it from Groyningen and the rest of West-Friseland; on the North with the German Ocean, and on the South with the Earldom of Mark, a part of Cleveland. So called from the Frisu, who casting out the old inhabitants possessed themselves of it, and called it by their own name Friseland: divided by the Ems or Amisus, into the Western spoken of amongst the Netherlands, and the Eastern or East-Friseland in which now we are.

The nature of the soil we shall see anon when we come to the subdivisions of it. Chief Rivers, besides those of Ems, and 2 Weser, spoken of elsewhere, 3 Juda, which falleth into a great Bay o•• Arm of the Ocean, called from hence Die Jadie. 4 Dalliart, on which standeth the Citie of Emdeu; 5 Delm, and 6 Honta, neighboured by Delmenhorst and Oldenborch, towns of this Countrie. The whole divided into 1 the Countie of Emden, or East-Friseland properly so called, and 2 the Earldom of Oldenburg.

1 EAST-FRISELAND specially so called, hath on the West the River Ems, on the North the Ocean, on the East and South the Earldom of Oldenbourg; called also the Countie of

EMDEN,* 1.1 from the fair Town of Emden, the chief Citie of it. The soil hereof is very fruitfull both in corn and ••asturage, sending great store of Oxen, Horses, Wool, Swine, Butter, Cheese, and all sorts of Grain into other Countries; all of them excellent in their kind, not easily to be bettered (if equalled) in any place whatsoever. Chief towns herein are 1 Emden, so called from the Ems, on which it is situate: D••llaert a smal River falling here into it: a noted and wel traded town, beautified with a Haven so deep & large, that the greatest ships with ful sail are admitted into it. The people rich, affirmed to have 60 ships of 100 tuns apeece, and 600 lesser Barks of their own, besides 700 Busses and Fisher boats, maintained for the most part, by their Herring-fishing on the Coast of England. The buildings generally fair, both private and publick, especially the Church, the Town-Hall, and Earls Palace. This last a strong and stately Castle, situate at the mouth of the Haven, and on all sides com∣passed by the Sea, and yet not strong enough to preserve the Townsmen in their due obedience: who about 50 years agoe, taking advantage of the absence of their Earl, kept him out of their Town, because he seemed not to approve the Calvinian humor; and have since governed in the nature of a Com∣mon-wealth confederate with the States of the Vnited Provinces, for their better establishment and support. So easily is Religion made a mask to disguise Rebellion. 2 Auricts, by some called Anseling, seated in the Inlands, rich, and well walled, of great resort by reason of the pleasure of Hunting, afforded very li∣berally in the Forrests and Woods adjoining; drawing hither the Nobilitie and Gentrie in great abundance. 3 Esen, on the Sea shore, which gives the title of an Earl to the Lord thereof, as doth also 4 Jevere, situate on the West of the River Jada, but both Earls subject to the Earl of East-Frise∣land. 5 Vredeburg (that is to say, the Free Village) so called from some Immunities granted by the Earls, possessed a while by those of Brunswick, who fenced and garrisoned it for themselves, but in the end recovered by Ezard the 2. Earl. 6 Broick, the seat and proper Government of the Ancestors of these Earls: from whence the parts adjoining are called Broickmerland. 7 Norden, another Praefe∣cture or Captain-ship of the said Ancestors. 8 Dunort, a strong Castle and retiring place of the Earls. 9 Linghen, upon the Ems, a strong town well fortified and as well garrisoned, belonging to the King of Spain as Vicar to the Empire over all Friseland, even to Ditmersh and the confines of Danemark. A dignitie procured by Maximilian, Grandfather to Charls the 5. of the Emperour Frederick the 3. in right whereof, the King of Spain as heir of the House of Burgundie, hath some preheminence over Emden, of little use to him since the falling off of the Belgick Provinces. More towns of note I find not in it, but of Castles, stately dwelling houses, and well built Villages, an incredible number, standing so thick that in many places they join together: some of them being withall so large, so well peopled, and of streets so spacious that they may compare with many Cities in Germanie, of the which the most City-like is named Leere.

The ancient Inhabitants hereof were the Chauci Minores, described by Plinie to be so barbarous a people, and so destitute of all necessarie provision for the life of man, that they had no drinke but rain water, preserved in great troughs before the doors of their Cottages. These outed or subdued by the Frisons, a neighbouring people possessing North-Holland, the District of Vtrecht, with the Coun∣tries of Groyning and West-Friseland: who having once passed over the Ems, extended their Domini∣ons as far as Danemark. Governed by Kings, but intermingled with and overpowered by the Saxons, till the time of Charls the Great, by whom the last King Roboald overcome in fight was perswaded to receive the Sacrament of holy Baptisme. But being told that his friends and kinsfolks were in hell, because no Christians: Neither will I (said he) be of that profession, for I love to be amongst my kindred. After this Friseland was a Member of the French kingdom, till the erecting of the Earldom of Holland by Charls the Bald, anno 893. at which time all Friseland on the West side of the Ems was conferred upon him: possessed, but not with out much war and bloudshed, by his Successours; the Frisons ever and anon rebelling against them, and killing divers of them in the open field. Those parts of it on the other side of the Ems, remained unto the German Empire, governed by Deputies, Lieutenants, and Provinciall Earls, accomptable to the Emperours for their Administration, till the year 1453 in which Vlrick Governor hereof for the Emperor Frederick, having got the Town of Emden out of the hands of the Hamburgers, was made Earl of East-Friseland, transmitting the Estate and title unto his posterity.

EARLS of EAST-FRISELAND.

• 1453 1 Vlrieus son of Enno, the son of Ezardus, Captains or Governours for the Empire in Broick and Norden, made the first Earl of East-Friseland by the Emperour Frederick.
• 1466 2 Ezard the son of Vlrick, who got Vreburg from the Citizens of Brunswick.
• 1528 3 Enno the son of Ezard, who regained Greetzil, formerly usurped by the Dukes of Guelders.
• 1540 4 Ezard II. sonne of Enno, who married Katharine daughter to Gustavus the first of Sweden.
• 5 Enno II. son of Ezard the 2. and the Lady Katharine.
• 1586 6 Rudolphus Christianus son of Enno the 2. who being well affected to the Lutheran formes, (first introduced in the time of Enno the 1.) was by a Calvinian partie grown up in Emden, dispossessed of that Citie, anno 1592.
• 1608 7 Enno Ludovicus, son of Rudolphus Christianus, succeeded in this Earldom on the death of his Father, and is still living for ought I can hear unto the contrary.

The Arms of the Earls of East-Friseland, are Azure, Semi of Billets Argent, 2 Lyons Or.

2. The Earldom of OLDENBOVRG,* 1.2 containeth that part of this Country which lyeth on the West side of the Weser, betwixt the Bishoprick of Munster and East-Friseland, specially so called; and so extending Northwards to the German Ocean. So called from Oldenbourg the chief Citie of it, and the head of this Earldom.

The soil hereof exceeding rich but in pastures specially, which breed them in time Herds of Cattel; and furnish not this Country only, but some of their German neighbours, and many of the more Northern Nations with Horses, Beeves, Sheep, Swine, Butter, Cheese. Here is also good store of Pulse, Barley, and Oats, plenty of fruits and trees of all sorts. Large woods, and those well stored with Venison, which yeeld unto the Gentry the delights of hunting. But the air cold and foggie in some extremitie, especially in Winter, and near the Sea.

Chief towns hereof are, 1 Oldenborch on the River Honta, repaired if not built by Otho the Great, who founded the Church of S. John Baptist: A town of no great state or beautie, the houses generally of clay, but the Castle (the dwelling place of the Earls) of well hewn stones; of an Orbicular form with deep ditches of water, the Town and Castle both being strongly fortified. 2 Delmenhorst, on the river Dehm, a strong place and of great importance, built in the year 1247. by Otho brother of Earl Christian the 2. and having been 65 years in possession of the Bishops of Munster, was suddenly sur∣prised on Palm Sunday morning by Anthony Earl of Oldenburg, anno 1547. continuing ever since part of this estate. 3 Beck-husen, on a River which falleth not far off into the great Bay or Arm of the Sea, which is called Die Jade. 4 E••uarten, 5 Ovelgard, both seated in a long Languet or Demy-Iland, betwixt the said Die Jade, and the River Weser, called Butiada, both taken, and the last well fortified by John Earl of Oldenborch, anno 1520. belonging formerly to the Prefecture of East Friseland, but ne∣ver brought under the command of the Earls thereof. 6 Westerberg, the chief town, of a spa••ious ter∣ritorie. 7 Vrieiade, a strong piece, on the river Jade, built by Earl Christiern, one of the younger branches of the house of Oldenburg, about the year 1400. 8 Mellum, 9 Jadele, places of principall importance, the one on the river Jade, the other near the Ocean. Here is also within this Earldom the Province of Amerlander, supposed by some to have been the seat of the Ambrones, who accompa∣nyed the Cimbri and Teutones in their expedition towards the Roman Provinces, and were slain by Marius.

As for the Earls of Oldenburg, they derive themselves from Walpert one of the Nephews of Witi∣kindus, the last King and first Duke of the Saxons, who having built a strong Castle on the borders of Bremen in honour of his wife Alteburg, (whom hedearly loved) called it Alteburgum, so called by the Latinists to this day, by the Germans Oldenborch, about the year 850. But his male issue failing in Frederick the 7. Earl, it came to one Elimar, the son of Haio, a Noble man of the Frisian bloud, who had married Richsa, the daughter of John, the fift Earl of this Familie. From him in a direct line descended Christian or Christiern, eldest son of Theodorick, who being fortunately advanced to the Crown of Danemark, anno 1448. lest his estate in this Earldome (but reserving the title, according to the fashion of Germanie) to his brother Gerrard; the better to take him off from his pretentions to the Dukedom of Sleswick, and the Earldom of Holst, in which he did pretend a share. The Pa∣trimonie of it much improved by the addition of the Countries of Rustingen, Oystingen, and Wanger land, all lying on the German Sea, bequeathed by the last will and testament of the Lady Marie Countesse of Jevere in East Friseland, to John Earl of Oldenburg, the third from Gerrard. The Succession of these Earls, in regard the Royall line of Danemark, and by consequence of Great Britain is descended from them, I have here subjoined, in this ensuing Catalogue of

The EARLS of OLDENBOVRG.

• 850 1 Walpert, of the race of Witikind, the first Earl of Oldenburg.
• 856 2 Theodorick, the son of Walpert.
• 3 Theodorick II. son of Theodorick the 1.
• 4 Otho son of Theodorick the 2.
• 5 John, the son of Otho, accompanied the Emperour Henry the 2. in his wars against the Greeks and Saracens, anno 1007.
• 6 Huno surnamed the Glorious, son of John.
• 7 Frederick, son of Huno, fortunate in his wars against the Frisians, the last of the male line of this house.
• 8 Elimarus, the son of Haio, a Noble man of the Frisian bloud, and of Richsa his wife, the daughter of John the fift Earl.
• 1120 9 Elimarus II. the son of Elimar the 1.
• 10 Christianus, son of Elimar the 2. surnamed the Couragious, or the Warlike, a professed ene∣my of Henry the Lyon Duke of Saxonie, from whom he tooke the Citie of Breme.
• 11 Maurice, the son of Christian, an associate of Arnulph Earl of Holstein, in his wars with Danemark.
• 12 Christian II. son of Maurice.
• 13 John II. son of Christian the 2.
• 14 John III. son of John the 2.
• ...

• 15 Courade,* 1.3 the son of John the 3.
• 16 Christian III. son of Conrade, a student in Colen, where initiated into holy Orders, which he relinquished much against the will of his brother Maurice, on the death of his Father.
• 17 Theodorick, son of Christian the 3. the first Farl of Delmenhorst of this line, which fell to him by the death of Nicholas Archbishop of Breme, descended from a younger son of John the 2.
• 1440 18 Christian IV. son of Theodorick, and of Heduigis sister and heir of Gerrard and Adolphus Dukes of Sleswick and Earls of Holstein, elected on the commendation of his Uncle Adolphus to the Crown of Danemark, anno 1448.
• 1448 19 Gerrard the brother of Christian the 4. a Prince of an unquiet spirit, alwayes in wars, and alwayes worsted; he lost the Town of Delmenhorst to the Bishop of Munster.
• 1500 20 John IV. son of Gerrard, repaired the ruines of his Estate, and setled the distractions of it in the time of his Father, being then in exile; and after very much enlarged it by the reduction of Butiada.
• 1526 21 Antonie, the son of John the 4. by a sudden surprise recovered D••lmenhorst from the Bi∣shop of Munster, anno 1547. which he strongly fortified.
• 1573 22 John V. son of Antonie, enlarged this Earldome with the Provinces of Fustingen, Oystin∣gen, and Wangerland, bequeathed to him by the last will of the Countene of Jevere in East Friseland.
• 23 Anthome II. brother of John the 5. in whose life time he was Earl of Delmenhorst, and after his death of Oldenburg also: still living, anno 1649. for ought I can learn un∣to the contrary.

And thus we see the present estate of Germanie, distracted and divided amongst many Princes, Pre∣lates and Incorporate Towns, the chief of which are herein mentioned and described. But besides these there are many others of lesse note, and smaller Territories, which yet are absolute and free: inso∣much, that in one dayes riding, a Traveller may twice or thrice meet with divers lawes, and divers coins; every free Prince and free Citie (whose laws the Emperours are sworn to keep inviolable) ha∣ving power to make what lawes, and coin what money they will. And hence in the censure of Kingdoms, the King of Spain is said to be Rex hominum, because of his Subjects reasonable obedience; the King of France, Rex Asinorum, because of their infinite taxes and impositions; the King of Eng∣land, Rex Diabolorum, because of his Subjects often insurrections against, and depositions of their Prin∣ces: but the Emperour of Germanie, is called Rex Regum, because there is such a number of Reguli, or Free Princes which live under his command; or rather at their owne command, (for they do even what they list) as the Emperour Maximilian the first, well noted.

And to say truth, the publick Government hereof is nothing lesse then Monarchicall: the Empe∣rour being accompted amongst the Princes but as the chief Officer of the Empire, not reckoned of by Bodin and others of our great Statists and Civilians, as an absolute Monarch; such as the Kings of England, France, and Spain, are confessed to be. For the priviledges of the Free Cities being made perpetuall, the great Estates hereditarie, and the Empire eligible: the Emperours were brought at last to such low condition, as to be made accomptable to the States of the Empire: who if they be per∣swaded in their consciences, or but think they be so, that he is likely by his mal-administration to de∣stroy the Empire, or that he will not heark••n unto good advise, ab Electorum Collegio Caesarea majes••a•••• privari potest (as my Author hath it) he may be deprived by the Electors, and a more sit and able man chosen into the place: and that too as the Emperour Jodocus Barbatus hath declared in one of his Constitutions, anno 1410, sine infidelitatis vel Rebelli••nis crimine, without incurring the crimes of treason or disloyaltie. So that the supreme power and majestie of the Empire seems to reside especially and con∣tractedly in the Electorall Colledge; diffusedly in the Imperial Diets, by way of execution in the Cham∣ber of Spires, and other the supreme Courts of the severall Circles. But that which makes that 〈◊〉〈◊〉 which they call the Empire, is the Assembly of the Prelates, Princes and Commissioners of the Free Cities in their Diets or Parliaments, the Emperour presiding in them: whom he that saw adorned in his roall R••bes with the Imperiall Crown and Scepter, with the titles of Caesar and Augustus given at every word, would think that the whole action did take life from him. Whereas indeed he hath not so much priviledge as a negative voice, but is to put in execution such Decrees and Sanctions as these ••states assembled have thought fit to make; not able to doe any Act by his own authority, which may speak him Emperour. But on the other side the Princes take power unto themselves, of ma∣king laws for, and impo••ing taxes on their subjects: of raising war upon one another or against a third, and doing many other Acts of supreme authoritie which in the Emperour would be counted matters of mal-administration. Such points as these, together with the appointing of Judges and the like chief Magistrates (as they relate unto the Empire) are not to be concluded of but in generall Diets, which may be summoned by or without the Emperour, as occasion serveth. And to this weakning of the majestie and power Imperiall, the neighbouring Princes have afforded their best assi∣stance; jealous of their own interesse and decrease of power, if that vast body so well limbed 〈◊〉〈◊〉 be strongly jointed, and all the severall Members of it united under the command of one Supre•••• head. Clear proof whereof we have in those solemn leagues and confederations made in their se∣verall

times against Charls the 5. and the late Emperour Ferdinand the 2. as soon as they began to be in some possibilitie of setling the Imperiall majestie in its proper splendour, and bringing down the Princes to a lower pitch.

As for the Forces of the Empire, for by that name we are to measure the abilities and power of Germanie, we may discern them by those Levies which have been raised upon particular occasions, or by the joint consent of the Free Estates assembled in the Imperiall Diets. First for particular Levies made by private persons, we find 12000 Foot and 8000 Horse raised by the Prince Palatine of Zwey∣bruck for aid of the French Hugonots against their King; and on the other side no fewer then 7000 Horse under the conduct of the Duke of Aumal, and the Earl of Mansfield for the service of that King against the Hugonots. And as for Levies made by consent of the States, we find that Charls the 5. had under his Ensigns at Vienna, 90000 Foot and 35000 Horse; Maximilian the 2. at Javerin in Hungarie, 34000 Horse, and full 100000 Foot; and finally that in the war betwixt Charls the 5. and the Protestant Princes there were no lesse then 150000 men on both sides; which numbers no one Countrie in Europe is able to equall. In a word, it is generally conceived that the Empire is able to raise 200000 Horse and Foot, with Arms, Canon and Ammunition of all sorts, proportionable; which the in∣stances before brought do most plainly evidence.

Touching the Revenue of the Empire, I find them estimated by Boterus, and some others since at seven millions of Crowns yearly. Which may be true enough, taking the Kingdoms of Hungarie and Bohemia, with the hereditary Estates of Austria into the accompt. But since they are not so uni∣ted unto the Empire, but they may at some time or other be disjoined again, no reason they should come into the reckoning, unlesse it be as the Revenue of the Emperour, though not of the Empire. But as for the Revenue of the Empire it self, taken abstractedly from the personall and patrimoniall Estate of the Emperour, whosoever he be; it can amount to no such sum: the tribute paid by the Free or Imperiall Cities (at least 60 in number) amounting to no more per annum then 15000 Florent or 1500l. English; and what is that but like a Pepper corn for a quit-rent in that mighty Continent. By this we may conjecture what the rest may come to. And though in the way of saving charges (which may be reckoned as a part of his income also) the Princes and Free Cities be bound to aid him in the time of war against the Turk with 3842 Horse and 16200 Foot, which he may challenge without troubling the Diets for it: yet war is such a great devourer, that if the Diets doe not grant him grea∣ter helps, he is like to be but a sorry gainer by the undertaking; besides the smalnesse of those forces considered with the numbers they are able to raise, and the puissance of the enemie whom they are to encounter.

Finally for the Arms of the Empire, they are Sol, an Eagle displayed with two heads, Saturn, ar∣med and crowned Mars: the two heads signifying (as some think) the Eastern and the Western Em∣pires. Cuspinian a learned German conceives rather that these Arms are two Eagles conjoined, and not one Eagle with two heads: and that they were taken up by the German Nation in memorie of the three Legions of Quintilius Varus discomfited by them; at what time they seised on two of the Roman Eagles (the Militarie Ensign of that people) the third being cast into the Fennes by the Standard bearer. But whether it be one or two, certain it is that the one head is quite pulled off; and the whole bo∣die quite stripped of all its Feathers, the Imperiall dignitie being little more then titular, dispoiled and stript of all Authority appertaining to it.

There are in Germanie Archbishops 6. Bishops 34. Universities 21. Viz.

• 1 Colen.
• 2 Triers.
• 3 Ments.
• 4 Heidelberg.
• 5 Tubingen.
• 6 Ingolstade.
• 7 Viennae.
• 8 Herborn.
• 9 Hanaw.
• 10 Wirtenberg.
• 11 Friberg.
• 12 Altorf.
• 13 Prague.
• 14 Olmunts.
• 15 Frankford.
• 16 Rostock.
• 17 Gripswald.
• 18 Jene.
• 19 Lipsique.
• 20 Wittenberg.
• 21 Marpurg.

Notes

• * 1.1

  East Frise∣land.
• * 1.2

  Oldenburg.
• * 1.3

  Oldenbourg