SCANDIA.
SCANDIA, by Plinie and Solinus called Scandivania, by Jornandos Scanzia, hath on the East that Bay or branch of the Baltick, which is called the Finnisch and Bodner Seas, on the North and West the main Ocean, on the South, where it points towards Germany, the Baltick, or Oost-Zee, as the Dutch call it: joyned to the main Continent of Sarmatia by an Jsthmus, or neck of land, at the bottome of the Bodner See, not far from Wardhuys. In regard of so great Seas on all parts thereof, it was generally by the Antients thought to be an Iland, but incompertae magnitudinis, of an unknown greatnesse, as both Pytheas, and Xen phon Lampsacenus doe affirme it in Pliny: by one of which it is called Basilia, by the other Baltia, from whence the name of Baltick to the Sea adjoyning. But later Navigations, and experience have confuted that opinion, by which it is found to be no Iland, but a part of the Continent, and a great one too, containing the whole Kingdome of Norway, the greatest part of the Kingdome of Sweden, and some part of Denmark: that part hereof which belongs to Denmark, situate in the South-east of this great Peninsula, and divided into the three Pro∣vinces, of Hallandia, Scania, and Blescida; and in them 23 Herets or Prefectures, and fifteene Cities.
1. HALLANDIA or HALLANDT, hath on the East the wilde woods which part it from Gothland, in the West the intervening Sea betwixt it and Juitland, on the North Sweden properly and specially so called, on the South Scania, or Schonen. A Country which for the healthfulnesse of the Air, pliantnesse of the soil, commodiousnesse of Havens, plenty of fish, pleasure of hunting, for inexha••stible mines of Brasse and Lead, (with some veines of Silver) frequency of well-peopled Townes and Villages, and civility of the Inhabitants, not inferiour to any. Places of most im∣portance in it, are 1 Laholm, 2 Halmstad, 3 Falkendorch, all of them on the Sea, at the mouth of navigable streams, whose names I finde not: 4 Warburg, upon the Sea side also, but fortified with a very strong Castle on the top of an hill. Taken and garrisoned by the Swedes, anno 1569, and not without great difficulty recovered by the Danes again, anno 1569.
II. SCANIA, or SCHONEN, hath on the East, Blescida, or Blecking; on the West, the Sound, running along the shore hereof for the space of twenty German miles; on the North, Hallandt; on the South, the Baltick, or Oost Zee. The Country of the same nature with Hallandt, as before described; the Character of that pertaining to all the three: this having over and above, as peculiar to it, that the Sea shores are stored with such sholes of Herrings, that sometimes Ships are scarce able with winde and oar to break through them, and row off the Harbour. It is in length 72 miles, 48 in breadth. Chief towns, in which are 1 Lunden, an Archbishops See, the Metropolitan of Den∣mark & Norway, advanced unto that honor by the means and mediation of Ericus the first, who pur∣posely made a journey to Rome to effect that businesse: the Church of Denmark being before that time subject to the Archbishops of Breme. This was about the yeer 1100. It is situate somewhat with∣in the land; but the Cathedrall easily discernible by Mariners as they sail along. The City mean, and were it not for the Cathedrall of no beauty at all. But that indeed affirmed to be a work of much magnificence and Art, especially for the Clock, the Diall, and some outward adjuncts. For in the Diall couriously set out with divers colours, are to be seen distinctly, the year, moneth, week-day, and hour of every day throughout the year; with the Feasts, both moveable and fixed, together with the mo∣tion of the Sun and Moon, and their passage through each degree of the Zodiack Then for the Clock, it is so framed by Artificiall Engines, that whensoever it is to strike, two horse-men encounter one ano∣ther, giving as many blowes apiece, as the Bell sounds hours: and on the opening of a dore, there appears a Theatre, the Virgin Mary on a Throne with Christ in her armes, and the three Kings or Magi (with their severall trains) marching in order, doing humble reverence, and presenting se∣verally their gifts; two Trumpeters sounding all the while to adorne the Pompe of that procession. 2 Malmoge, or Elbogen, (called by both names) at the very Southern point hereof, just opposite to Coppenhagen in Seland, a well traded Port: the birth-place of Gaspar ••artholinus, otherwise called Malmogius Danus, that great Mathematician; supposed to the be Author of the Clock and Dial, before described. 3 Trelleberg, on the north of Elbogen. 4 Landiscron, on the Sea-side, of great strength and consequence. 5 Helsemburg, a mean town, but fortified with an impr••gnable Castle, just oppo∣site to Helsinare, and Croneberg in Selandt, the other of the two keyes which openeth into the Sound. 6 Radneby, a frontire town bordering on Verendia, a Province of Swethland. 7 Christiania, or Chri∣stendorp, a strong piece built by Christiern the fourth, anno 1604. compassed by the Sea, and fortified by Fens and Marshes, thought to be impregnable.