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.

2. The Estates of the three ELECTOR-BISHOPS.

Adjoyning to the Estates of Cleve are those of the Spirituall Electors of the Empire of Germanie, Co∣len, Ments, and Triers; not so contiguous and conterminous as those of Cleveland, and therefore to be laid out severally by their metes and boundaries: And first for

1. COLEN-LAND, or the Estate of the Archbishop and Elector of Colen, is bounded on the East with the Dukedome of Berg, from which divided by the Rhene; on the West with Gulick; on the North with Cleve it self and the County of Muers; and on the South extending to the land of Triers. The ancient Inhabitants hereof were the Vbii, in former times possessed of the Countreys of Berg, and March; but being warred on by the Germans bordering next upon them, they were by the Clemency of Agrippa, then Lievtenant of Gaul, received into protection, and by him placed along the French side of the Rhene, as well for defence of the borders of the Roman Empire, as for their own se∣curity against that Enemy. Won from the Romans by the French in the reign and under the conduct of Childerick, anno 412. or thereabouts; and from the French by the Emperour Otho the first, anno 949.

Since that time, the City of Colen hath remained Imperiall, and of late times incorporated amongst the Hanse-towns: but the territory near unto it, and a great part of Westphalen, subject immediately to the Bishop, much of the lands which formerly belonged to the Kingdome of Lorrain, being conferred upon this See by the Emperour Otho the second at such time as the Dukedome of Lorrain was erected by him. The Bishops See first founded here by S. Maternus, one of the Disciples of S. Peter; as hath been constantly affirmed by old tradition: but howsoever an Episcopall See without all question in the time of Constantine: Maternus, Bishop hereof, subscribing amongst others to the Councell of Arles anno 326. And being Colen was in those times the Metropolis of the Province of Germania Secunda the Bishop had the power of a Metropolitan, according to the rule and observation so often mentioned. Afterwards when the Empire was made Elective, these Bishops, with their brethren of Mentz and Triers, were made three of the seven, which were to nominate and elect the succeeding Emperour: after which time it is no wonder that they grew both in power and Patrimony.

Places of most importance within this Electorate, are 1. Bonn, situate on the banks of the Rhene, in the most pleasant and fruitfull place of all the Countrey; the ordinary refidence of the Archbi∣shop, whose house or Palace here, is said to be one of the fairest in all Germanie. By Tacitus called Benna, and sometimes Castra Bonnensia, the wintering Camp in his times, of the sixt Legion. 2. Nuys, by the same writer called Novesium, (Nivesia by Antoninus) seated on the Erp, not far from its fall into the Rhene; the break-neck of the glories of Charles Duke of Burgundie: who being resolved to get this town into his hands, as a convenient passe into Germanie, lay so long before it, that he lost the opportunity of joyning with King Edward the 4. of England, whom he had purposely invited to the war of France; and yet was fain to go without it. By means whereof he grew so low in reputation, that he was undermined by the French, defied by the Lorrainer, forsook by the English, baffled by the Switzers, and at last overthrown and slain by that beggerly nation. 3. Ernace, or Andernach, by Marcellinus called Antenacum, one of the ten Garrisons erected by the Romans on the banks of the Rhene, to secure their Province from the Germans: the other nine, being Confluenz, Bopport, Wormes, Bing, Zabern, Altrip, Selts, Strasburg, and Wassenberg. 4. Lintz, seated on the same River also. 5. Sontina, a town of good repute. 6. Zulp, now a village of no esteem but for the Antiquities of it, by Tacitus and Antoninus called Tolbiacum; most memorable for the great victory which Clovis the first Christian King of the French (upon a vow made in the heat of the fight to embrace the Gospell) obtained against the whole power of the Almans, never presuming after that to invade his territories. 7. Rhineburg, commonly called Berck, the most northern town of all the Bishoprick, situate on the Rhene (as the name imports) there where the lands of this Bishop, as also of the Dukes of Cleve, and the Earls of Muers, meet upon a point. A Town which for these 60. years hath been of little use or profit to the right owner, possessed sometimes by the Spaniards, sometimes by the confederate States; for each commodiously seated, as opening a passage up the River, and receiving great customes on all kinde of Merchandise passing to and fro. But having finally been possessed by the Spaniard from the year 1606, till 1633, it was then regained for the States by Henry of Nassaw Prince of Orange; with the losse of no more then 60. men: there being found in the Town 30. Brasse peeces of Ordnance, 70. barrels of powder, with victuals and ammunition of all sorts thereunto proportionable. 8. Co∣len, situate on the Rhene, first built by the Vbii before mentioned, and by them called Oppidum Vbio∣rum: afterwards in honour of Agrippina (daughter of Germanicus, and wife of Claudius) who was here born, made a Roman Colonie, and called Colonia Agrippina; and sometimes by way of eminency Co∣lonia only; thence the name of Colen. A rich, large, populous, and magnificent City, containing about five miles in compasse; in which are numbred 19 Hospitals, 37 Monasteries of both Sexes, 30 Chappels of our Lady, 9 parishes, and 10 Collegiate Churches, besides the Cathedrall, being a Church of vast greatnesse, but of little beauty, and not yet finished: the Metropolitan whereof is Chancellour of Italy, the second of the three Electors; and writes himself Duke of W••stphalen and An∣grivaria. Nigh to this Town did Caesar with incredible expedition make a bridge over the Rhene, which more terrified the barbarous enemy, then the reports of his valour: so powerful is laborious industry, that it overcometh all dysasters, and maketh the mostunpassable waters yeeld to Heroick resolutions.

In this Town also are said to lie the bodies of the three wisemen, which came from the East to worship our Saviour; vulgarly called the three Kings of Colen. The whole story is at large written in tables, which are fastned unto their Tombes. The pith whereof is this. The first of them called Melchior, an old man with a large beard; offered Gold as unto a King; the second called Gasper, a beardlesse young man, offered Frankineense as unto God: The third called Balthasar, a Blackmoor with a sprea∣ding beard, offered Myrrhe as unto a Man ready for his Sepulchre. That they were of Arabia, the tale saith, is probable; firs, because they came from the East, and so is Arabia in respect of Hierusa∣lem: and 2. because it is said in the 72 Psalme, The Kings of Arabia shall bring gifts. As for their bodies, they are there said to have been translated by Helena, the mother of Constantine, unto Constantinople; from thence by Eustorfius, Bishop of Millain, removed unto Millain; and finally brought hither by Rainoldus, Bishop hereof, anno 1164. This is the substance of the history; which for my part I reckon among the Apocrypha, (except it be their comming from some part of Arabia) but have not leisure in this place to refell the Fable.

2 Next to the Bishoprick of Colen lieth the land of TRIERS, extended all along the course of the Moselle, from the Dukedome of Lorrain on the South, to the influx of that River into the Rhene at the City of Confluentz, where it bordereth on the Land of Colen: and being bounded on the East with Luxembourg, as on the West with some part of Franconia. The Coun∣trey

towards Lorrain, and Luxembourg, somewhat wilde and barren; more fruitfull about Triers it self, and the bank of the Rhene; in all parts generally more pleasant then profitable, the greatest riches of it lying in woods and Minerals. The Bishops See here first erected by Eucherius, a Disciple and follower of S. Peter. The reality whereof, not only testified by the Martyrologies, but by Metho∣dius a writer of approved credit; who addes Valerius and Maternus for his next successours; the line Episcopall continuing till the Councell of Arles anno 326, Agritius Bishop of Triers subscribing to the Acts thereof. From this time forwards and before the Bishop had the reputation and authority of a Metropolitan, the City of Triers being anciently the Metropolis of Belgica prima, within which it stands: increased exceedingly by being made one of the three Electors of the Spiritualty, though the last in or∣der, and Chancellour to the Emperour for the Realm of France; the fortunes of which Realm it fol∣lowed, till wrested from it, with the rest of the Kingdome of Lorrain, by the German Empe∣rours.

Places of most importance in it, are 1. Confluents, now Cobolentz, the Confluentes of Antoninus, so called because seated on the confluence or meeting of the Rhene and the Moselle; the station anciently of the first Legion. A populous and well-built town; and seated in a pleasant and fertill Countrey. 2. Embretstein, over against Cobolentz, on the other side of the Rhene, beautified with a strong Castle of the Bishops, mounted upon a lofty hill, which not only gives a gallant prospect to the eye, but commands both the Town and River. 3. Boppart, seated on the Rhene, and called so quasi Bon∣port, from the commodiousnesse of the Creek (upon which it standeth) for the use of shipping: one of the forts (as Confluents before mentioned was) erected by the Romans on the Rhene for defence of Gaul against the Germans; occasioning in time both Towns. It was once miserably wasted by Richard Earl of Cornwall and King of the Romans, because the Bishop of Triers agreed not unto his Election; but soon recovered of those hurts. The ancient name hereof in the Itinerarie of Antoninus, is supposed to be Bodobriea: pawned to the Bishops of Triers by Henry the 7. and not yet redeemed. 4. Sarbrucken, on the edge of Lorrain (by Antoninus called Pons Sarvix) seated on the River or Brook called Sar, (whence it had the name) at the fall thereof into the Moselle, possessed at the present by a branch of the house of Nassaw (but Homagers of this Electour) entituled hence according to the Dutch fashion, Counts of Nassaw in Sarbruck. 5. Veldents, and 6. Belstern on the Moselle; of which nothing memorable. 7. Tre∣ves, or Triers, in Latine Treveris, the principall City of the Treveri, who possessed this tract: seated upon the Moselle also; the Metropolis of the Province of Belgica Prima, and honoured with the residence of the Vicar or Lieutenant Generall, for the whole Diocese of Gaul: by consequence the seat of a Metropolitan when it submitted to the Gospell. Of such antiquity, that it is said to have been founded 150. years before the City of Rome: of no great beauty of it self, and as little trading: the River not being capable of ships of burden; and the air generally so cloudy and inclined to rain, that it is by some called merrily Cloaca Planetarum. It passed sometimes among the number of Imperiall cities, but now acknowledgeth the Elector for the Lord thereof; by whom made an Vniversity, one of the an∣cientest in all Germanie, and of as much resort for the study of good Arts and Sciences, as the best amongst them. 8. Obert-Wesel, or Vesalia Superior, so called to distinguish it from Wesel in the Duke∣dome of Cleve, which is Vesalia inferior, or the Vnder-wesel: the furthest place of this district, seated on the Rhene, not far from Bacebarach, a Town of the Palatinate, of no great note, but that it is accompted for a Town Imperiall.

3. The Bishoprick of MENTZ, is not laid out by bounds and limits as the other; because the Patrimony and estate thereof doth not lie together: dispersed for the most part about Franconia, in∣termixed with the Lands and Towns of the Princes Palatine, the Bishops of Wormes, Spires, and others. So that the temporall Estate of this Electour is every way inferiour unto those of Triers and Colen; su∣periour unto both in place and dignity: he being the first in rank of the whole Electorall Colledge, Chancellour for the Empire, and in all meetings sitteth at the right hand of the Emperour. The Bi∣shops See first placed here, as some report, by S. Crescens, one of the Disciples of S. Paul, of whose be∣ing sent by him into Gallia (for so the Ancient writers understand Galatia) the Apostle speaketh 2 Tim. 4. Though others with more probability seat him at Vienna in Daulphine. But whether it were here or there, certain it is that anciently this City was a See Episcopall, Martin the Bishop hereof subscribing to the Acts of the Councell of Colen anno 347. And if a Bishop, certainly a Metro∣politan Bishop, this City being in those times the Metropolis of the Province of Germania Prima. But Christianity being worn out of these parts of Germanie, by the conquests of the French, Almans, and other infidels; was again restored in this tract by Boniface, an Englishman, the first Archbishop of Mentz of this new plantation, (in and about the time of Pepin, surnamed the Grosse, Maire of the Pa∣lace to the French Kings, and father of Martell) who for the Orthodoxie of his doctrine, and the number of Churches planted by him, hath been deservedly honoured with the title of the Apostle of Ger∣manie.

Towns of most note belonging to the Bishops hereof are 1. Mentz it self, the Moguntiacum of the An∣tients, so called from the River of Maine formerly Mogus and Moganus in the Latine; now better known by the name of Moenus) opposite to the fall whereof into the Rhene it was built of old, so having the command of both Rivers: for that cause made the seat of a Roman officer, commonly cal∣led the Duke of Mentz, who had a charge of the Frontiers, and especially of those ten Garrisons plan∣ted on the banks of the Rhene, spoken of before. Stretched out in great length on the River side, but not of answerable breadth: well built and populous towards the water, in other parts not so well inhabited. The publick buildings generally very large and beautifull, the houses built according

to the old Roman modell; the most magnificent whereof is the Bishops Palace, who is the immedi∣ate Lord both of the Town and Territory, extended on both sides of the Rhene, fruitfull in all na∣turall commodities, and abounding with most excellent wines. Of good note also for an University here founded by Theodorick, one of the Electours: but especially for the Art of Printing which was here invented, or perfected at the least, and made fit for use. 2. Bing seated on the Rhene, another of the Garrison towns erected by the Romans on the banks of that River. In a small Island of which, not far from this town, is a Tower, or Castlelet, called the Mouseturn, i. e. the tower of Mice: built by one Halto, (or Hanno) Archbishop of Mentz, anno 900, or thereabouts. Who in a yeer of great scarcity pretending to relieve the poor people oppressed with Famine, caused them to be gathered together into an old barn, where he burnt them all; saying they were the Rats and Mice which de∣voured the Corn. After which barbarous act he was so persecuted by those Vermin, that to avoid them, he was fain to build a Palace in the midst of the Rhene; whither the Rats and Mice followed him, and at last devoured him. 3. Lausteine. 4. Hasford. 5. Oxenford. 6. Alderburg. 7. Mid∣dleburg. 8. Ca••lostadt, the birth-place of Carolostadius, of great note in the time of Luther. 9. Bis∣choffstein. 10. Koningsberg, (mons Regius in Latine) the birth-place of Johannes de Monte Regio, a fa∣mous Mathematician, as appeareth by his Comment upon Ptolemies Almagest, most of these in Franken∣land, but of this Electorate.

Notes

• Colen. Mentz.
• Triers.
• Palatinate of Rhene.