4 VOLHINIA.
VOLHINIA, by some accounted one of the Palatinates of Lituania; (as once it was) but by others a distinct Province of it selfe, is bounded on the North and East with Lituania, on the South with Podolia, and on the West with Russia Nigra, and Podlassia. So called, as Maginus is of opi∣nion, from the Volgari, who dwelling on the banks of the River Volga, came afterwards into this coun∣trey calling it Volgaria, whence by degrees it came unto Volhonia, and at last to Volhinia. But this con∣jecture is improbable and of no good grounds.
The countrey yeelds good plenty both of grain and fruits, Pooles which abound with very good fish, Forrests which doe afford them store of game and honey; and much good pasturage for their cattell. The people of the same nature with the Lituanians, but more strong, and warlike, and better weaned from their old superstitions and heathenish customes, then the others are. Of the same lan∣guage and Religion with those of Russia, to which, together with the rest of Lituania, it did once be∣long: It is divided commonly into three parts or Provinces, all taking name from the three princi∣pall Cities of it; that is to say, 1 Luzke, in Latine called Luceozia, a towne of above 1000 families, where 127 onely, in the time of my Authour were of the Romish Religion; the residue being Rus∣sians, Grecians, and some Armenians; the seat & residence of two Bishops, of which one being of the Com∣munion of the Church of Rome, is of the Province of the Archbishop of Lemburg in Russia Nigra: but they which are of the Communion of the Church of Greece, have also a Bishop of their owne, who acknowledgeth the Patriarch of Mosco for his Metropolitan. 2 Valodomir, a Bishop See also, of the same condition. 3 Keromenze, which (as the rest) hath under it many fair Towns and Castles, besides large Villages. The whole once part of Lituania, as before was said; but of late dismembred from it, and united to the Crown of Poland, as a State distinct. But so, that the greatest part of it is immediately sub∣ject to the Duke of Ostrogoye, who is said to have 4000 Feudataries in this Countrey, the greatest Prince of those who hold Communion with the Church of Greece, in the whole Realm of Poland.