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.

The Seigneury of VENICE.

WEst of the Lands of the Church, from Romandiola to the Alpes, lie the Italian Provinces of the State of VENICE; that is to say, Marca Trevigiana, Friuli, Histria, and some Ilands in the Golf neer the City it self. Besides which it containeth a great part of Dalmatia, together with the Ilands Candie, Corfu, Cephalonia, Zant, Ithaca, Cithera, and certain others of less note. The length of their Dominions both by Sea and Land, extending above a thousand miles, but the breadth not answerable.

The nature of the soyl, and the principall Rivers which refresh it, we shall see anon in the de∣scription of the Provinces before mentioned; according to which Provinces, and the chief Cities of them, the Character of the people is best taken: it being said proverbially by the Ita∣lians, that the Venetians themselves are stately, crafty and greedy; the Veronians studious and faith∣full; the Paduans fierce, the Vincentians eager on Revenge, those of Friul•• gratefull and incon∣stant; those of Histria neither long-livers, nor of very great courage. That in the conduct of a war, those of Venice bring silver, those of Treviso swords; that the Brescians are fit to dig in trenches, those of Bergomo to lay Ambushes, those of Padua to manage Horses. And of the wo∣men it is said, that those of Crema are deceitfull, those of Venice insolent, those of Venice insolent, those of Vincentia con∣stant, those of Verona gracious, those of Treviso jealous, those of Brescia diligent, and the Bergo∣masques crafty.

But not to dally longer in these Proverbiall Characters, certain it is that the Venetians them∣selves do affect a great deal of gravitie in their actions, speak very little at the Table; very se∣vere where they have authority, and many times in the excess. And yet such is the constant

temper of their Government, and their impartiality in doing Justice, that they are very wel obey∣ed, and generally well beloved of all their subjects (notwithstanding the heavy pressures which are layd upon them) is wel in Italie as without. Esteemed in former times good souldiers both by Sea and Land, maintaining wars continually with the Turks in Palestine; the Emperors of Constantinople in Greece it self; the Genoese by sea; and their neighbours of Italie in this Conti∣nent. But of late times they have more studied to preserve than inlarge their Dominions; and that too by rather expence of mony, than the loss of blood; and by wit rather than by valour. So fortunate in this last kind of practice, that Machiavel observed of them in his time, that what∣soever they lost by War, they recovered by Treatie. A pregnant evidence whereof we shall see anon.

To proceed now to the description of such of the Provinces and Estates of this Common∣wealth, as pass under the accompt of Italie, they are as before was said, 1. Marca Trevigiana, 2. Friuli, 3. Histria, 4. the Italian Isles of the Adriatick; of which now in order, leaving the rest to be considered in their proper places.

1. MARCA TREVIGIANA is bounded on the South, with the Rivers Athesis, and Po, by which parted from the Territory of Ferrara, and the rest of Romagna; on the West, with the Rivers Mineius and Sarca, and the Lake of Benacus, (now called Lago de Garda from a little Town of that name adjoyning) by which parted from the Dutchie of Millaine; on the East, with Friuli, and the Golf of Venice; and on the North, with the Alpes, which divide it from Tirolis, a Province of Germany.

The principall rivers of this tract are, 1. Brenta, called antiently Meduacus Major, which rising in the Alpes not far from Trent, and watering the fields of Padua, passeth into the Sea neer the City of Venice, making up the famous Haven of Malamocco. 2. Bachil••o, called an∣tiently Meduacui Minor, which riseth also in the Alpes, and passing by Vincenza, emptieth it self into the Brenta; And 3. Athesis, now called Adige, which springeth also out of the Alpes not far from Trent, and having taken many lesser streams into its channel, passeth by Verona, and af∣ter is divided into two great branches; whereof the one falls into the Sea, the other loseth it self in the middest of the Marishes.

The chief Cities of it are, 1. Vincentia, one of the twelve Cities built by the Tuscans or He∣trurians on this side of the Apennine; pleasantly seated on the banks of the River Bachilio, and another navigable water called Retone (Erotenus formerly.) The Territory of the City not more large than fruitfull, abounding with all store of fruits, and yeelding an excellent kind of wine, which from thence is vended unto Venice. The buildings of it for the most part of polished stone, whereof the fields adjoyning afford speciall Quarries; and the Inhabitants generally an industrious people, making great quantitie of Silks, with which they do adorn themselves, and supply their Neighbours. 2. Treviso, seated on the banks of the River Silus, which runneth tho∣rough the middest of it, in the middle of a large and spacious plain, abounding even to admi∣ration, with most excellent wheat, and all other necessaries. A City of no antient name, not mentioned by Ptolomie, or others of the old Geographers: but of sufficient note in the later times for being the residence or seat of those Provinciall Governors (Marquesses they are some∣times called) which the Lombardian Kings sent hither to defend their borders. Hence it gave name to all the Countrey, in Latine called Marca Trevisiana, or Tarvisana as some call it: taken by the Venetians, and lost again divers times; but was finally conquered A^o. 1380. or thereabout, Antoni•• Venieri being Duke of Venice. 3. Padua, formerly called Patavium, built by Antenor, whose Tomb is still here to be shown. The University was established An^o. 1220. famous for Physicians, who have here a Garden of Simples; and for the birth of Livy the Historian, Julius Paulus a Civil Lawyer his Co-temporary, L. Aruntius Stella, and C. Valerius Flaccus two famous Poets celebra∣ted by Martial: and in the later times of Marsilius Patavinus a Minorite Frier, who wrote so lear∣nedly in behalf of the Emperor against the Pope, Fr. Zabarella the Civilian, Mic. Savanorola the Physician, Maginus the Geographer, and divers others. It was much renowned in former times for the humanity of the men, and chastity of the women; which last so eminent and famous, that as chast as one of Padua, grew into a Proverb. Hereunto alludeth Martial, speaking of his lascivious writings.

Tu quo{que} nequitias nostri lusus{que} libelli, Uda puella leges, sis Patavina licet. Young maids my wanton lines will long to see, And read them o're, though Patavines they bee.

The City, after much vicissitude of fortune, fell into the power of the Venetians, with all her Territories, being in compass one hundred and eighty miles, An^o. 1400. Michael Steno then Duke; Vicenza being won about the same time also. 4. Brescia, the second City for bigness and beauty in all Lombardy. It is also the seat of an Arch-bishop, who is an Earl, a Mar∣quess, and a Duke. Her Territories are in length one hundred, in bredth fifty miles, which the Citizens, together with their freedom, bought of Otho the German Emperor, but lost it to Philip Maria Visconti, Duke of Millaine, An^o. 1421. to whom they yeelded upon certain conditi∣ons; which being broken by the Duke, they yeelded themselves unto the Seigneury of Venice, An^o. 1434. Francis Foscari being then Duke; under whom it continueth to this day. The City is very populous, the air sound and good, the soyl exceeding plentifull of corn, wine and

fruits; and having in it Mines both of Iron and Copper, to the great inriching of the people. It was antiently the chief of the Cenomani, who coming out of Gaule, drove the Tuscans hence, and seated themselves in their habitations, till finally conquered by the Romans. It is situate on a little River called Garcia, which runneth thorough the middle of it; and is said to contain at this time 50000. Inhabitants. 5. Verona, so called (as some conceit it) quasi vere una; or as others, quasi Brenona, because built by Brennus; both false and frivolous alike. It is situate on the banks of the River Athesis, and is counted the first City of the second rank of the Cities of Italie; proud in the birth of Catullus, a well-known Poet, and in an Amphitheatre (a re∣mainder of the Roman greatness) able to contain 80000. persons. The Territories hereof are sixty five miles in length, forty miles in bredth; enriched with many medicinall herbs, (espo∣cially on Mount Baldus, an hill therein) where the Physicians go a Simpling. 6. Bebriacum, or Bedriacum, as some Writers call it, two days march from Verona, now a small Burrough named Labinia, and never of any great note when it was at the best. Remarkable in the Roman stories for the defeat here given by the Vitellians unto Otho's Army; and after by Vesbasians forces un∣to those of Vitellius. By Tacitus called in that regard duabus Romanis cl••dibus notus & in∣fanstus Vicus. 7. Crema, a Town of no great Antiquity, but situate in a wealthy soyl, well peo∣pled, and as well built for the private Edifices: so strongly fortified, that it is reckoned the chief Bulwark of the Signeury of Venice, against the Millanese, on the borders of which State it standeth. First built about the year 970. by some remnants of the Anthropomorphites, who on the destruction of Pornassus (a Town of Lombardy) where before they lived, abjured their he∣resie, and were permitted to build here. Honored in succeeding times with a See Episcopall, ei∣ther the birth-place or preferment of John Cremensis, a Roman Cardinall, who being by Pope Honorius sent into England, An^o. 1225. to disswade the Clergie-men from Mariage, and having in a Convocation of the Clergie called for that purpose, highly advanced the honour of the single life, and shewed the inconvenience and unfitness of Mariage in men preferred unto Holy Orders, was the night following (to the great discredit both of his cause and person) taken in Adulterie. B. Bergom••, a right antient Town, but very well built, seated upon the side of an hill, and having a very large and beautifull Suburb, the Territory whereof hath many rough and craggy Mountains, the Spurs and excursions of the Alpes, but withall many rich and de∣lightfull valleys intermingled with them. The people of this City and Countrey are said to speak the coursest language of any in Italie, but to have as fine wits as the best. Places of more inferiour note are, 1. Este, (Ateste in most Latine Writers) whence came the Family D'Este, late Dukes of Ferrara. 2. Liniacum, a strong Garrison on the borders of Mantua; as 3. Castel-France is towards Ferrara; and 4. Seravall, of most remarkableness for the great quantity of Armour which is therein made. 5. Feltrie, which still preserves its old name of Feltria.

This Province being antiently a part of the Cisalpine Gaule, fell to the power of the Romans at the end of the second Punick war: and being conquered by the Romans did continue theirs, till first the Gothes, and afterwards the Lombards became Masters of it. Afterwards, in the fall of the Kingdom of Lombardie, it fell first unto the French, and after to the German Empire; from which by many mean conveyances, it came at last to Othocarus, King of Bohemia and Duke of Austria, who bought the same of Ulricus the last Duke of Carinthia. Upon a reconciliation made betwixt this Ottocarus and Rodolfus of Habspurg (then Emperor of Germany) it was added (toge∣ther with Austria itself) unto the Patrimony of that Family, sold by Duke Leopold the ninth, to the Carraras, then Lords of Padua; in the ruin of whose Estate and Family it fell (toge∣ther with that City) into the power of the Venetians, who still hold the same.

2. FRIULI hath on the East the River Formio, which parteth it from Histria; on the West, Marca Trevisana, and a branch of the Alpes; on the North, the main body of the Alpes, which divide it from Germany; and on the South, the Adriatick Sea, or Golf of Venice.

It is called Forum Julii in the Latine, (of which that of Friuli is derived) from Julius Caesar, who conducting his Armies this way, built the Town so named; and from that march of his, the Alpes adjoyning, as 'eis thought, had the name of Juliae. By some Writers of the mid∣dle times it is called Regio Aquilegiensis, as appertaining for the most part, by the gift of the Emperors Otho and Conradus, to the Church, or Patriarchate of Aquileia; and by the common people of Venice for the most part Patria, or the Countrey, because from these parts they derive their first Originall.

The Countrey is in a manner square, each side fifty miles, watred with Rivers of 1. Hydra, heretofore of no small fame for the silver Mines. 2. Tiliaventum, rising from the Alpes, and na∣vigable towards the later end of its course. 3. Natisco, neighboured by the famous City of A∣quileia. 4. Tiniavus, mentioned in the first of the Aeneids; which rising out of the Alpes, and running under ground for the space of 330. furlongs, breaketh out again; and being bran∣ched into nine Channells, falleth into the Gulf or Bay of Trieste. By Niger it is now called Lareina; but by Leender named Timavo. The Soyl sufficiently fruitfull, except towards the Alpes, and yeelding a very pleasant Wine, which Plinie did prefer before any in Italie.

Towns herein of most note and consequence, 1 Aquileia, or Aquilegia, as some call it, made

the Metropolis first of the Province of Histria and Venetia, by the Emperor Antoninus; as after∣wards of the whole Diocese of Italie by the Western Emperors. Honoured in that regard with the seat of the Praefectus Praetorio, and of his Vicarius or Lieutenant; translated from Millaine to this Citie, as the Gate of Italie, by which the Barbarous Nations used to make their entrance: never so like to be shut out as by the power aod presence of so great an Officer. After his time, and on this occasion, the Bishop here of had the title of Patriarch: And here the Patriachall See continued till the City was destroyed by Attila that furious Hun, and then removed to Ve∣nice, as the safer place, and setled in the Isle of Grada; yet so, that the succeeding Bishops of A∣quileia (for they staied at Venice onely till the times were quiet, &c.) do still retain the dignity, and name of Patriarchs, as well as those of Venice do, and with better reason. For besides the honour which it had in being made the seat of the Praefectus Praetorio, it had been formerly more honoured with the residence of Augustus Caesar, who here kept his Court, whence it had the name of Roma altera, or a second Rome; and of Tiberius, who here lived with Julia the daughter of the said Augustus, before his comming to the Empire. As for the City it self, it is situate on the River Natisco, but not well inhabited at the present; partly because of the ill Air, but principally by the ill neighbourhood of Venice, attracting all Trade unto it self. Most me∣morable in old story for enduring that famous siege against Maximinus for the safety of the Em∣pire of Rome, and her Emperours Maximus and Balbinus. In whose cause the Citizens hereof were so resolutely faithfull, that they bereaved the women (willing to lose that invaluable or∣nament of their sex for the common good) of the hair of their heads, to make Bow-strings withall. Nor did this pious constancie of theirs want an happy issue. For they beheld the Tyrant headless under their walls (slain by the hands of his own Souldiers) and saw the Me∣tropolis of the World preserved by their loyalty. And yet the matter was not ended with the death of the Tyrant; the Souldiers and people laying hands on his children also, and putting all unto the sword. Of which crueltie being asked the reason, they returned this Answer, that not a whelp was to be spared of so ill a litter; none of the brood of such a Cur; or in the lan∣guage of the Author, Pessimi Canis, Catulus non est relinquendus. 2 Trieste, of old called Ter∣gestum, from whence a spacious Bay adjoyning had antiently the name of Sinus Tergestinus, and is now called Golfo di Trieste. The Bay replenished principally with the water of the River Timans, which with many streams doth fall into it, and is therefore by the inhabitants of that Golf or Bay, called Fons maris, as Polybius in Strabo telleth us. The town of no greater An∣tiquitie than observation, mentioned by Plinie and some others of the Antient Writers, but not else considerable. 3 Montfalcon, famous for its medicinall Herbs. 4 Porto Gruate, an Haven∣town, as the name importeth. 5 Concordia, in former times of no small esteem; but so demo∣lished by Attila the Hunn, that it is now nothing but a ruin. 6 Utina, or Uden, the fairest and largest at this time of all the Province, containing about five miles in compass, and about 15000 Inhabitants. Honoured for a time with the Patriarchall See, removed hither from Aquilegia, at some siege thereof: of which though long ago deprived, yet it is still the ordinary seat of the Procurator or Provinciall Governour, sent from Venice hither. 7 Palma, a new Town, as being built by the Venetians no longer since than the year 1583, but held to be the best fortified of any in Italie. 8 Cividad de Austria, first built by Julius Caesar, in some of his marches towards Gaule, by whom it was called Julium, after Forum Julii, whence the name of Friul•• (Districtus Foro-Juliensis, as the Latins call it) came unto the Province. But being taken and repaired by some Princes of the Austrian Family (on the borders of whose Estate it standeth) it got this new name of Cividad de Austria.

This Province antiently was one of the four Dukedoms founded by the Lombards when they conquered Italie; the other three being Turin, Benevent, and Spoleto. The Family of the Be∣rengarii were once Dukes hereof; three of which were of speciall fame, and two of them Com∣petitors for the Kingdom of Italie. But this Family being suppressed by the Emperour Otho, he have a great part of the Country to the Church of Aquileia, to which almost all the rest was added by the Emperour Conrade; yet so that there were divers petit Lords who had good estates in it; the name of Duke remaining unto some of the antient race. One of which na∣med Luitprandus, envying to the Venetians their increase of Dominion, made war against them; which ended in the loss of his Country, An^o 1020, or thereabouts, ever since subject to that State: the Patriarch of Aquileia (whose authority in this Country began to decline, in the ri∣sing of the States of Venice) surrendring all his interess also to that powerfull Signeurie, as better able to defend it against all Pretenders.

HISTRIA is environed on the East, West, and South, with the Adriatick, in the manner of a Demy-Iland, or Peninsula, save where it toucheth on Friuli; and on the North is parted from Carinthia with the Alpes of Germany. The Country very woody, and full of Quarries, affor∣ding materials to Venice both for ships and houses; not comparable for fertility to the rest of Italie; and of air so sickly and unwholsome, that the Venetians were compelled to hire people to dwell there, and afterwards to grant them many large immunities. It is two hundred miles in compass, watered with the Rivers of Formio, which they now call Risano; 2 Nanportus, call∣ed at this day Quietus; and 3 Arsia, which runneth into the Gulf of Quevero, called antiently Sinus Flanaticus.

The chief Towns of it are, 1 Cape de Istria, called in Plinies time Aegide, and being after∣wards repaired by the Emperor Justine, was called Justinoplis. But being taken and destroyed by the Genoese, and re-built again, it took the name of Caput Histriae, or Cape d' Istria, because the principall of the Province, and a Bishops See. Of this See was Vergerius Bishop, about the time of Luthers first preaching in Germany; who with Antonio de Dominis Arch-Bishop of Sp••∣lato, were of most note of any of these parts of the world that fell off from the Church of Rome to the Protestant partie; and therefore shall be spoken of in more particulars; Spalato in his pro∣per place, and Vergerius hero. Being a man of great industry and eminent parts, he was by many of the Popes employed in Germany against Luther. In which negotiation he behaved himself with such dexterity, and gave such content unto the Pope, that Paul the third, An. 1541 in∣tended to have made him Cardinal, had not some who envyed him that honour, accused him of Lutheranism; to purge himself he began to write a Book, entituled, Against the Apostata's o•• Germany; in the pursute whereof, pondering Luthers reasons, he became of his opinion; which being known, he was driven from Justinople. He submitted himself and his cause to the Father•• at Trent, but could not get a hearing. Thence he went to the D. of Man••ua, from him to the State of Venice; but no-where finding protection, he retired unto the Grisons, and there preach∣ed, till Christopher Duke of Wittenberg, An. 1548, placed him in his University of Tubing, and there allowed him a sufficiency of maintenance. It was built by Justinus (as before) the Nephew of Just••man the Emperor, as a fortress against the incursions of the barbarous people. 2 Pola, built by the Colchians at the first comming hither; the name in their language importing as much as the place of banishment. It was after made a Roman Colony, and called Pictas Julia; but being first destroied by Attila, after by the Genoese, it recovered the old name again, and still continueth with the title of a See Episcopall. It abutteth upon Sinus Flanaticus, or the Golf of Quevero. 3 Pazenze. 4 Pliun, 5 Cita Nova, all of them seated in the Midlands, and not much observable. 7 Rovigno, in a little Iland, and mounted on an high hill, not unfruitfull in Olives; beautified with a convenient Port, and that defended also by a very strong Castle. The Town but poor, by reason of the ill neighbourhood of Venice, from which distant not above twenty miles, inhabited for the most part by Mariners, and skilfull Pilots, hired by such ships as are bound for Venice to conduct them safely over the Bars of Malamocco. The adjoyning mountai∣nous and somewhat wild; but those mountains covered on the outside with Physicall Simples, and yeelding many Quarries of most excellent Marble, which so adorn the Venetian Pa∣laces.

It is recorded that the Histrians were a people of Colchis, who being sent by King Aetas to pursue Jason and the Argonauts, were driven up this Gulf; and either for fear of the Kings an∣ger, or not daring to venture their weak vessel to so long a voyage, as from hence to Colchis whence they came, stayed in this Country. It was after that time called Japidia, from Japis an Aet••lian who first planted here; and took the name of Istria from the Istri, a people on the banks of Ister, or Danubius, who made up a considerable part of this plantation. Siding with the Aetolians in their War against the Romans, and making many inrodes and excursions on them, they were invaded first by Manlius, without leave of the Senate; and him they charged with such a fury, that they beat him out of his Camp. Where finding plenty of Wine, and all store of Provisions, they fell rouudly to it; till Manlius having rallied his men again, charged them in their Cups, and killed 8000 in the place; their miserable King being so hotly pursued by the Victors, that he was fain to kill himself for fear of Captivity. This was in An^o V. C. ••75 Cl. Pulcher the next Consul perfected the conquest. Sempronius long time after that, An^o sc. V. C. 625. reduced it to the form of a Province. So it continued till the time of Augustus Caesar, who joyning it to that of Venice (or Venetia) made out of both the eleventh and last Re∣gion of Italie. Under the Romans they continued whilst that Empire stood, and after the de∣cay thereof regained their liberties, which they enjoyed till by Piracie molesting the Venetians, they lost many of their Towns to Duke Petro Candiano, An. 938; and the whole Country was made Tributary by the valour of the Duke Henry Dondol••, about the year 1190. After which many times rebelling, they were still re-conquered.

4 The fourth member of this estate with respect to Italie, are some ILANDS in the A∣driatick, which being principally under the command of this Commonwealth, is commonly called the Gulf of Venice; a Golf extending in length 700 miles, in bredth 140 miles, in some places less; so called of Adria once a famous Haven-town (as before was sayd) at the mouth of Fridanus or Po. Concerning which we are to know, that though this Gold or Bay or the A∣driatick, extended no farther than the Eastern parts of Dalmatia, where the sea beginneth to take the name of the Ionian; yet Mare Adriaticum, or the Adriatick sea was of greater length. Extended by the Antients over the Ionian, and thence South-West-ward till it meeteth with the Tuscan Seas, and South-wards till it come to the coast of Africk; insomuch as Mare Lybicum, or the sea of Africk, is by Orosius made a part of the Adriatick. For speaking of the Province of Tripolis a Province of Africk, properly and especially so called, he boundeth it on the North with the Adriatick, as he doth the Isle of Crete on the South side of it, with the Libyan Sea, quod & Adriaticum vocant, which they also call the Adriatick, as his own words are. The lik•• might also be made evident out of other Authors both Greek and Latin: Which I note here,

because Saint ••auls being tossed up and down in the Sea of Adria, as is sayd Acts 27. 27. and being after cast on shore in the Isle of Malta; occasioned some to think this Mel••te or Malta, to be that Iland of Dalmatia which is now called Melidar; because seated in the Bay or Golf of Adria: whereas the Text speaks plainly of that Isle of Malta which lyeth in the furthest parts of the Adriatick Sea, on the coasts of Africk. But to return to this Golf, it was ac∣counted heretofore to be very tempestuous and unsafe, as appeareth by Improbo iracundior Adria, in Horace; the Manix Adriaticum in Catullus, and the Ventosi tumor Adriae, in Seneca's Thyestes. But when the Empress Helena had found the Cross on which CHRIST suffered, she caused one of the three Nails with which his body was fastened to it, to be thrown of purpose into this Sea; since which time, as Platina hath told us in the life of Pope Silvester (and cites Saint Ambrose for his Author) it hath been very calm and quiet; the second nail being made into a Bridle for her sonne Constantines horse, and a Crest for his Helmet of the third. But not to trust too much to the truth of this miracle, certain it is that the Venetiane are Lords of it, by reason of their Navall power, and that it is every year espoused to the Duke of Venice, by the solemn casting in of a Wedding-Ring; and every year Baptised on Ep••phany day, by the Bishop of Zant. When this last ceremony took beginning, I am yet to seek. But for the first, which is perfor∣med with a great deal of state, every Holy-Thursday, the Duke, and all the Magnificos being row∣ed in the Bucentaure (which is a rich and stately Gallie made for such solemnities, and capable of 200 persons, whence it had the name) it took beginning from Pope Alexander the third, who being hardly put to it by the Emperor Frederick Barbarossa, fled unto Venice in the habit of a Cook, Sebastian Cyani being then Duke: in prosecution of whose quarrell, the Venetians en∣countered Otho the Emperours sonne, vanquished him, and restored the Pope▪ The Duke re∣turning back in triumph with his Royall prisoner, was thus saluted by the Pope. Cyani, take here this Ring of Gold, and by giving it unto the Sea oblige it unto thee: a Ceremonie which on this day (the Ascension day) shall be yearly observed, both by thee and thy successors, that so posteritie may know that you have purchased the dominion thereof by your valour, and made it subject to you, as a Wife to her Husband.

The pcincipall Ilands of this Sea, lie on the other side thereof, on the coast of Dalmatia. Some few there are upon this side (but those, as well as these under the command of this Signeurie) neither great nor famous. Of these the chief are, 1 MALAMOCCO, in Latin Methau∣cum, now only considerable for the Haven which is large and deep; made by the inslux of Me∣duacus before mentioned; in which the greater ships do ride till they hire Pilots from Rovigno to cross the Bars. It was ennobled heretofore with the Dukes Palace, and an Episeopall See; but the Dukes Palace being removed to Rialto, and the Episcopall See to the Iland of Chioggia, it is now inhabited for the most part by none but Sea-men. 2 TORCELLAN, in which there is a little City of the same name, honoured with a Bishops See; but by reason of the ill air not very well peopled. 3 MURIANUM, or MURIANO, three miles in compass, and but one from Venice, of a sound air, and very well inhabited, the people whereof make the best Ve∣nice Glasses, so much used in all parts. 4 CHIOGGIA, called in Latin Fossa Clodia, di∣stant from Venice 25 miles; to which it serveth instead of a Bulwark. There is a town in it of the same name, to which the Bishops See was removed from Malamocco, An. 1103, and near to which are many Salt-pits which yeeld great gain unto the people, and as much unto the Common∣wealth. Near to this Iland the Genoese so discomfited the Venetians in a fight at sea, that they were offered a blank Charter to write what they would. But the Genoese being grown too inso∣lent on their good success, made the City desperate; who putting all to hazard fell again upon them, beat them, pursued them home, and there utterly crushed them, as we shall tell you more at large, when we come to Genoa.

Betwixt these Ilands and the main land of Friuli, lieth a shoal of little Islets, in and amongst which standeth the renowned City of Venice, the head City of this Commonwealth, and the glo∣ry of Italic. these Islets 72 in number, but joyned together by many Bridges; of which here are sayd to be 4000 at least, besides 10000 boats for passage from one Isle to the other. The compass of the whole aggregate body sayd to be eight miles, the buildings fair, and generally adorned with glas windows; an Ornament not common in Italie, where the windows for the most part are made with paper to let in the light, and that paper oyled all over to keep out the wet. The num∣ber of the Inhabitants estimated at 300000 thousand. By the situation one would think that it was denominated from Venetia, which in the old Latin signifieth the seething or frothing of the sea. VENETIA A maris exaestuatio est quae ad Littus veniat, saith the old Glossarie upon Isidore, out of Marcus Varro. But the truth is, that it was so called from the Veneti, the old Inhabi∣tants of the neighbouring Province of Friuli, who to avoyd the fury of the barbarous Hunnes then threatning Italie, abandoned the main land, and built this City in the bogs and marishes of the sea adjoyning. And that it might afford them the greater afetie; they not onely built in the most inward part of the Adriatick sea, commonly called the Gulf of Venice, but in the midst of many Lakes of salt-water, extending thirty miles in compass, and having on the East the said Adriatick sea for the length of 550 miles; betwixt which and the sayd Lakes, there is a bank or causey which they call Il Lido, made as it were by nature to defend the Ilands which lie in this Lake, from the violent fury of the sea. A Causey of 35 miles in length, bending like a Bow, and opening in seven places only, which serve as well to keep the lakes always full of water, as for the

passage of Ships and Barks of smaller burden; the bigger being compelled to lie at Anchor on the South side of the City, near to a place called Malamocco, and the Castles of Lio, which are very well fortified; and there must remain till they are brought in by skilfull Pilots, who know the passages, which, by reason of the shifting of the sands, change very often. On the West and North sides it is compassed with very deep Marishes, about five miles distant from the land; and on the South with many Ilands, in which are severall Churches and Monasteries, like so many Forts which lie between it and those parts of Italie which are not under the obedience of the Commonwealth. So that it is impossible to be taken but by an Army which can stretch 150 miles in compass. It is built, as before is sayd, on 72 Ilands, the principall of which are, 1 Heraclea, the first seat of the Duke of Venice, from thence removed to Malamocco, and the last to Rialto; more famous at this time for being a Bishops See, than the number of Citizens. 2 Grado, to which the Patriarchall See of Aquileia was removed by Pelagius the second, about the year 580, making it thereby the Metropolitan of Friuli, or the Country of Venice; but from thence it hath been since removed to another of these Ilands called Castello Olindo. 3 Rialto, which is of most esteem and reputation, so called quasi Rivo alto, because the Marishes are there deeper than in other places; or quasi Ripa alta, because it lay higher above the waters, than the other Ilands. For which reasons that Iland getting reputation above the rest, most of the Gentlemen setled their dwellings in the same, and drew thither in the end the Dukes Palace also; insomuch that in some antient writings the whole City hath been called Rialto; many of the old Records being dated in such and such a year of the Rialto. But as they did increase in numbers, so were they fain to spread themselves from one Isle to another, till in the end they built on all the Ilands which lay near together, and might conveniently be joyned by Boats or Bridges. By this Rialto runs the passage called the Grand Canale, being in length about 1300 paces, and some fortie in bredth; adorned on both sides with stately and magnificent Palaces; and covered with an in∣credible number of Boats called Gondolos, very neatly built, and veiled over with cloth, so that the Passengers may go unseen and unknown, without the molestation of sun, wind, or rain. For publique buildings it hath in it 70 Parish Churches, to each of which belongeth a Market-place and a Well; 31 Cloysters of Monks, 28 of Nuns, besides Chappels and Almes-houses.

The principall Church of this City is that of S. Mark, the Patron of their Commonwealth, whose body they report to have been brought hither from Alexandria in Egypt, and intombed herein. Affirmed by some to be the richest and goodliest Church in all the World. The buil∣ding of Mosaick work, of which work they boast themselves to have been the Authors. A kind of work by the Grecians called 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, and by the Latin Writers Musiva, Musica, and Musaica; wrought out of stones or meta••s of divers colours, unto the shape of Flowers, Knots, Birds, Beast••, and other fancies of the Workman, yet done with such exactness of skill and judgement, that it seemeth to be all one stone, the work rather of Nature than Art. A Church of admirable work both within and without, compacted of most rare peeces of Marble, Por∣phyrie, and a rich stone which the Lapidaries called Ophitis, because it is speckled like a snake; adorned on the outside with 148 Pillars of Marble, and eight of Porphyrie near the door; be∣sides 600 Marble pillars of a lesser size, which carry up an open Gallery round about the Church; from whence the Magistrates and others of the principall Citizens, behold such Shews as are presented in the Market place adjoyning to it. The Church in length not above 200 foot of Venice measure, nor above 50 in bredth; the roof thereof being of an Orbicular form, lieth open at the very top, where the light comes in, there being no windows in all the Church; as com∣monly the Churches in Italie are exceeding dark, either to strike in the spectators a religious reverence, or to make their Candles shew the better. And for the inside of the Church, the riches of it are so great, the Images so glorious, the furniture of the Altars so above compa∣rison, that all the treasures of the State may seem to be amassed in the decking of it. And yet as goodly and as glorious as the Fabrick is, it is still unfinished, and as some think, is kept unfini∣shed on purpose, partly to draw on other Benefactors to advance the work, the benefit of whose liberality may be employed unto the use of the publick Treasury; and partly lest the Revenues which are given already should be resumed by the Heirs of the deceased, if the work were end∣ed. So infinitely doth the furniture of the Church exceed the sumptuousness and beauty of the Church it self.

Of other of the publick buildings, the Counsell-house, the Ducall Palace, Monasteries, Churches, and the like, though stately and magnificent structures, I forbear to speak. Nor shall I here say any thing of their private houses, so large and beautified, that here are said to be no fewer than 200 (most of them on the Grand Canale) able to entertain and lodge the best King in Christendom. All I shall adde, and so leave this City, will be a word or two of their Ars••nall, and publick Magazine. In the first of which they have in readiness 200 Gallies, with rooms for Cables, Masts, Sails, Victuals, and Ammunition of all sortt; able thereby to set out an Navy to the Sea on the shortest warning. And in the other it is said, that they have Arms sufficient for 100000 Souldiers of all sorts; amongst which are affirmed to be a thousand Coats of plate, garnished with gold, and covered with velvet, fit for the use and wearing of the greatest Princes. But of their power and forces both by Sea and Land, we shall speak more shortly.

Proceed we now unto their story. And if we look upon them in their first originall, we shall find them to have been a people of Paphlagonia (a Province of Asia the lesser) called the Heneti;

who aiding Priamus King of Troy in his ten years wars against the Greeks, where they lost their King called Philamenes (or Pterilamenes, as some call him) chose rather to seek out new dwel∣lings than return with shame unto their old. Upon this resolution they joyn themselves to Antenor, who with some remnant of the Trojans had the same design; and sayling as the wind and sea conducted them, arrived at last in those parts of Italie now called Friuli. So wit∣nesseth the Poet, saying,

Antenor potuit, mediis illapsus Achivis Illyricos penetrare Sinus, atque intima tutus Regna Liburnorum, & fontes superare Timavi. Antenor through the Greeks could force his way, And safely piercing the Illyrian Bay, Cross the Liburnian Realms, and conquer all From fierce Timavos Fountain to his fall.

Here landing they subdued the Euganei (who before inhabited this tract) and possessed their dwellings: the name of Heneti being changed into that of Veneti. But this perhaps not done till subdued by the Galls, and made part of Gallia Cisalpina; agreeably to the name of the Veneti, an old Gallick Nation, opposite to the Isle of Britain. When those Galls were vanquished by the Romans, the name and nation of these Veneti was so considerable, that their Territory had the name of Venetia; and together with Histria, made one Province of the Roman Empire. And here they lived in peace and safety under the protection of the Empire, till the terrible noise of the com∣ing of Attila and the Hunnes, occasioned many of the principall men, with their severall Re∣tinues, to betake themselves to the Ilands, and inaccessible Marishes of the Adriatick; where they built this City, and called it Venetia, by the name of their Nation, An^o 454. Not much increased in power or greatness at the fall of the Lombardian Kingdom; though so considerable at that time, that in the division of Italie made by Charles the Great, betwixt himself, the Popes, and the Eastern Emperors; the Venetians were left at liberty as a Free-Estate. After which, making use of their situation, they grew not only rich in trade, but strong in shipping; and thereby did good service to the Western Princes, in their wars against the Turks in the Holy Land. And they served themselves well by it too: getting in one Expedition onely (that name∣ly in which the Empire of Constantinople was made a prey unto the Latines, An^o. 1200.) all the Ilands which they have at the present, in the Aegean and Ionian Seas, many in those Seas which they have lost, and not a few good Towns in Pelopennesus, since conquered from them by the Turks. Contending with the Genoese for the Soveraignty of the Mediterranean, they received so great a blow at the navall battell near Chioggia, (spoken of before) that they had utterly lost all, if the Enemy could have used his fortune with moderation. But being recovered of that blow, after many various successes and events of War, they got the better of them, and made them quiet; by means whereof, being Lords Paramont at Sea, they next cast their eyes on the main land of Italie, which now they were at more leisure to look after, than they had been for∣merly. The Histrians had before infested them with Piracy, and were punished for it in the time of Duke Pietro Candiano, by the loss of many of their Towns; but in the year 1390, the whole Country is brought under the command of this Commonwealth. Padua with a great part of Trevigiana then appendant on it, they extorted from the noble family of the Carrari, An. 1400. The City of Vincentia they possessed themselves of in the same year also; and not long after fully perfected their Conquest of Histria, with the revolts whereof they had before been often troubled.

But that whereby they most improved their estate was by a constant watching of their oppor∣tunities, taking advantage of the factions and fractions amongst their neighbours, and working their own greatness out of others ruins. By means whereof they came possessed of many places of right belonging to the Empire and Church of Rome, as also of some Townes pertaining to the Dutchy of Millaine, and four of the best Havens in the Adriatick, which properly belonged to the Realm of Naples: not giving ayd to any of their distressed neighbours without the mortgage or direct sale of some peece or other. Which sordid kind of merchandizing drew all the Princes of those parts to make war upon them; every one to recover by strong hand what the Venetian had extorted from them in their necessity. And the confederates thrived so well, that Maximilian the Emperor recovered to the Empire the Towns and Territories of Padua, Vincentia, Verona, Triest, Friuli, and whatsoever else he layd clame unto; the Popes in right of the Church regained Ravenna, Rimini (or Arminum) and Faventia; Lewis the 12 of France, in right of the Dutchy of Millaine, Bergamum, Crema, Cremona, Brixia; the King of Spain in right of the Realm of Naples, Trano, Barlette, and Monopoli, all upon the Adriatick; the Duke of Ferrara gained Rovigo, and the Duke of Mantua the town of Asula. So that the Venetians being (like the Jay) stripped of all their feathers, were fain to quit the firm land, and betake them∣selves unto the Isles and Marishes of their City; having not one foot of all their whole Domi∣nion left them but their Seas and Ilands. And yet in very little time, partly by working on the Pope, to whom they quitted all their interest in the Towns aforesayd, and partly by dividing the rest of the confederates from one another, they recovered all that they had lost in a little time, except the Towns of Naples only, for which they were not willing to contend with the Crown of Spain.

The Government is Aristocraticall, managed only by the principall men of all the City, both for birth and breeding: the common-people having no authority in affairs of State. Their chief Officers at the first were many, whom they called Tribunes: but experience being had of that confusion which a multitude of Governors carrieth for the most part with it, in the year 709. they made choice of one chief Officer, whom they called their Duke. Under these Dukes they have gotten that great Dominion which they now injoy: The authority of which Dukes was at first more absolute, but by degrees restrained and limited within narrower bounds. He that beholdeth him in his Robes, his gravity and outward parts, and the respect given him by the people, would think no Prince could be more absolute and supreme. But look upon him in the exercise and powers of Government, and he is nothing in the wold but an empty Title. For notwithstanding that he injoyeth so great a dignity, yet hath he a full power in nothing, not being able to determine in any point, without the presence of his Coun∣sellors (being six in number) who always sit with him, and dispatch affairs both publick and private; as namely, giving audience to Ambassadors from Forrain States, receiving Letters from their own Ministers, granting of Privileges, and the like; in which the Duke can do just nothing, if four (at least) of these Counsellors be not present with him. And yet these Counsel∣lors without him may conclude of any thing. Nay he is so restrained in all things to the power of the Senate, and to three Officers called the Capi, that he may not go out of the Town without their consent; and by them is prescribed an Order in his own Apparell. So that he is but little better than a Prisoner, when within the City, and a Traytor if he stir abroad: at the best 〈◊〉〈◊〉 honourable Servant. And his Revenue is as little as his Authority; as being allowed out of the common Treasury, no more than 40000. Ducats a yeer towards his expence and entertainment. As for the Soveraignty of the State, that resides wholly in the Senate; but representatively in the Duke, the six Counsellers, and the three Heads or Presidents of the Forty; which are those Officers (as I take it) whom they call the Capi. The Senate or Great Counsell, consist of all the Gentlemen of Venice above five and twenty years of age, which may amount unto the number of 2500. though seldom half that number do assemble at once, by reason of their severall imployments in affairs of the Common-wealth in other places: who usually do meet together every Sunday morning, and on the mornings of other Festivalls, where they choose Magistrates, and distribute Governments, and order matters of the State. But because such great Bodies move but slowly, and are not very capable of trust and secrecie, they parcell th•••• gre•••• Counsell into lesser Members, whereof the principall are the Pregadi, and the Counsell of ••en. That of the Pregadi consisteth of 120. in which they treat of, and determine matters of the greatest importance, and therein conclude commonly of such principall points as for∣merly have been proposed and treated of in the great Assembly: And in this Counsell, besides the 120. before mentioned, the Duke, the six Counsellors, and the Counsell of Ten, and all such as have born any publick Office, have their voyce or suffrage. This is that Counsell which properly and more specially is called the Senate; in which nothing is to be concluded or passed into Acts, except four of the six Counsellors be present at them, and that sixty at the least of the whole number give their suffrage to it. Then for the Counsell of Ten, their power is uni∣versall, over all affairs, such as the other Counsels may not meddle with, as to conclude of war, or peace, to put in execution what they think most necessary for the benefit of the Com∣mon-wealth, and other things of like weight and moment: which if they were first treated of in the Generall Counsell or Assembly, and after in that of the Pregadi, as they ought to be in common course, could not be possibly managed with such speed and secrecie, as the exi∣gencies of the State require. And in this Counsell, with the Prince, and his six Assistants, the Supreme Majesty of the State doth reside especially. Some other Officers there are, and those of great authority and reputation, as the Procurators of S. Mark, which have the charge of the publick Treasures; and the A••ogadori, or Tribunes (as one might call them) of the people, being three in all, one of which must be always present in all consultations, lest any thing should pass to the prejudice and infringement of the Privileges of the common-people.

For the whole body of the City consisteth either of the Gentlemen, or of Artificers and Com∣mons. These last are the descendants and progeny of such as came to settle here when the State was sixed, invited to dwell here, and to follow their occupations, by severall Privileges and Immunities which were offered to them, and these they neither admit into any of their Counsells, nor into any of the Offices of Trust and Power, except it be two; that namely of the Chancellor, and the principall Secretaries, which pertain only to the people. The other are the issue or descendants of those who first laid the foundation of their City and Common-wealth: and these they have in such respect, and so high esteem, that to make any Stranger (how great and eminent soever) a Gentleman of the City, is the greatest honour they can be∣stow, and not bestowed but upon the best deserver. Henry the 3^d. of France taking this City in his way out of Poland, thought himself graced with this attribute, which they are very dainty and sparing of, it being the highest honour which they vouchsafe to impart to such Comman∣ders of their own, and Ambassadors of other Princes, as have well deserved it. And that this honour may be kept up to the very height, and their Nobility not grow too cheap, by being too numerous, neither the younger sonnes of these Gentlemen within the City, or of the Noblemen

in the Countrey, are permitted to marry. But otherwise they suffer them to satisfie their lusts with too much impunity, and for their sakes allow of Stews, as an evill not to be voided on the former grounds.

Now as Otho in Tacitus said to the Pretorian Souldiers, Princeps è Senatu oritur, Senatus è vo∣bis: so out of these Gentlemen are chosen the Senators, out of them the Duke. His election by Contarenus is described in this manner. In the vacancy of the place, all the Gentry above thirty years of age are assembled. So many as meet, cast their names into a pot; and in ano∣ther, are just so many balls; of which thirty only are gilt. Then a child draweth for each, till the thirty gilt ones be drawn; for which thirty the child draweth again the second time out of another pot that hath only nine gilt balls. The nine so drawn, nominate forty, out of which forty are twelve again selected by the same kind of lot. These twelve nominate five and twenty, out of which five and twenty are nine again by lot set apart. These nine nominate five and forty, who are by lot again reduced unto eleven. These eleven choose forty one of the best and chiefest of the Senators, who after an oath taken severally, to choose whom they judge worthiest, write in a scroll every one whom he best liketh. The scrolls are mingled together, and then drawn; the fitness of the persons then drawn is discussed, and he that hath most voy∣ces above five and twenty, is the man whom they pronounce to be elected, and adjudg with due so∣lemnities to be created their Duke. By the like kind of Lottery do they choose Gentlemen in∣to the Senate, and make publick Officers, insomuch that Contarenus, who hath committed unto writing these publick Forms, conceiveth (I will not say how rightly) that the Venetian Com∣mon-wealth was modelled by Plato's Platform.

But whether this be so or not, certain it is, that this Common-wealth thus constituted, and modelled, as before is said, hath lasted longer under one form of Government, than any Repub∣lick in the World either Greek or Roman. Nor hath it onely preserved it self in the same con∣dition, but may most justly be accompted one of the strongest Bulwarks of Christendom against the incroachments of the Turks: the wars whereof hath procured peace, and the peace thereof procured plenty, to the rest of Europe. Insomuch, that it may well be said, that as Eu∣rope is the Head of the World, and Italie the Face of Europe; so Venice is the Eye of Italie; the fairest, strongest, and most active part in that powerfull Body. As if the Genius of old Rome by some Pythagoricall transmigration had passed into the body of this powerfull State, and a∣nimated it with all the vertues of that City, but knit with a more permanent and constant temper. From so base and abject a beginning is this City grown to be one of the best Suppor∣ter of the Arms of Europe.

As for the Religion of this State, they tolerate that of the Greek Church, but they them∣selves profess no other than that of the Church of Rome, yet with such caution and respect to their own authority, that they suffer not the Clergie to injoy those privileges, which they pos∣sess in other Countreys to the publick prejudice. Hence grew the quarrell betwixt them and Pope Paul the fift, in which the Signeury stood stiffly to their antient Rights, and caused Mass to be duly said, notwithstanding all their Churches were under the Interdict; banished the Je∣suits for ever out of their Dominions, for stickling too busily in behalf of the Pope; and in the end prevailed so far by their constant courage, that the Pope was fain to give over the cause, and reconcile them to the Church without any submission. A notable example to all Christian Princes, how to behave themselves towards those of Rome, who are not to be gained upon, but by such resistances. So easie a thing it is for men of constancy and courage to shake off that yoak, which Papall Tyranny and Superstition hath imposed upon them.

In managing their wars they antiently observed two Rules, which much conduced to the in∣largement and security of their Common-wealth. The first was the exempting of their own Citizens from the wars (not out of jealousie, but care of their preservation) unless compelled to the contrary by extreme necessity: the body of their Armies being compounded out of the Provinciall Subject, intermixt with Mercenaries. By means whereof, they did not only keep their City in the same condition, able at any time, and at all times, to give Law to the rest of their Dominions: but wasted the hot and boyling spirit of their Subjects in the Wars abroad, which otherwise might have made too much work at home. The other was, the entertaining of some neighbouring Prince to be the Generall of their forces, whom in the conclusion of the service they dismissed with honor and reward: And by this course they avoided faction, and prevented servitude: Either, or both of which might have hapned by imploying any of their own great ones in the chief command; who (after the example of Julius Caesar in the state of Rome) having a strong party within the City, and an Army without, might perhaps have made himself their Prince. But this was only in the Conduct of their wars in Italie, and in such times when the State was not so well ballanced, as it hath been since.

As for the Forces of the State, we may behold them in relation to Sea or Land. Their Land-forces which they have in continuall pay for defence of their Dominion consist of 28000. Foot, with Captains, and all other Officers inrolled and paid; and besides those they have a choyce band of 4000. Musquetiers: for exercising of which they keep yeerly Musters, as well to improve them in experience, as to proportion them some gratuities, according to their well-deservings. And as for Horse, they maintain constantly 6000. men at Arms, well appoin∣ted and paid, the like whereof is not to be found in all Italie. And yet besides this constant

and ordinary establishment, they are able to bring great Forces into the field, as appeareth by their Army against Lewis the twelfth, in which, without disfurnishing any of their Forts and Garrisons, they had 2000. men of Arms, 3000. light Horse, 30000. Foot, most of their own naturall Subjects, saving that they were interlined with some bands of Switzers, to which peo∣ple they give yeerly pensions, to be assured of their aid upon all occasions. Then for the Sea-forces, besides that they keep fifty Galleys in continuall action, for defence of the Adriatick, and that they have no less then 200. more laid up in the Arsevall, with all manner of tackling and ammunition appertaining to them, they have 10000. men inrolled to serve at the Oar, and may raise as many as they please for those kind of services, out of those parts of Sclavonia, which are subject to them. But the great evidence of the power they can make at Sea, was the great Fleet set out against the Grand Signeur for the War of Cyprus, An. 1570. in which they manned out one great Gallioun, eleven great Gallies, five and twenty tall Ships, and one hun∣dred and fifty Gallies of lesser burden, being in all one hundred and eighty seven sail, fit for present service. To give the totall sum in brief, they held a war by Sea and Land for seven yeers together against all the Princes of Christendome (excepting England) in all which time they neither wanted men nor money; and in the end were the least losers by the bargain.

By this we may conjecture also at the greatness of the publick Treasurie, and of the yeerly income which supplies the same. For though it be conceived that their ordinary standing Re∣venue be but four millions of Ducats yeerly (which yet is more than any Christian Prince can boast of, except France and Spain) yet they have many other ways to advance their Treasury, by laying new Imposts on Commodities, as they see occasion; Which needs must rise to vast and most considerable sums in a City of the greatest Traffick of any in Europe, and perhaps in all the world besides. And yet besides such Customs and Imposts as they lay on Merchandize, there is nothing which the people do eat or drink, for which they pay not something to the publick Treasury: over and above which, the poorest Labourer in the whole Signeury payeth his Poll∣money also. Insomuch, that it is credibly affirmed, that the Christians generally do live in a better condition under the Turk, than under the Venetians. Without such helps, (though heavy and burdensom to the Subject) they could not possibly have spent twelve millions in the war against Selimus the second, and as many a little before that, in the enterprize of Ferrara, and the war raised against them by the League of Cambray, which was that formerly remembred.

As for the Dukes of Venice, though no Soveraign Princes, nor such as do succeed each o∣ther in the right of inheritance: yet being they are always men of most eminent note, and that in their names all the business of State is acted, and all writings dated; I will subjoyn a Cata∣logue of them to this present time; to the end that meeting with their names in the course of Historie, we may the better know in what times they lived.

The Dukes of Venice.

• 697 1 Paulus Anafestus 20
• 718 2 Marcel Tegalian 10
• 727 3 Hippateus Ursus 11
• An Interregnum of six yeers.
• 742 4 Theodatus Hippateus.
• 755 5 Galla of Malamocco.
• 756 6 Dominico Monegarta.
• 760 7 Maurice Galbata.
• 783 8 John Galbata.
• 799 9 Obelerius.
• 804 10 Angelus Partitiatius
• 822 11 Justinian Partitiati••s
• 824 12 John Partitiarius
• 832 13 Petro Tradonico
• 859 14 Ursus Partitiarius
• 876 15 John Partitiarius
• 881 16 Petro Candiano
• 17 Dominico Tribuno
• 18 Petro Tribuno
• 905 19 Ursus Badoarius
• 925 20 Petro Candiano II.
• 932 21 Petro Badoario.
• 935 22 Petro Candiano III.
• 950 23 Petro Candiano IV.
• 970 24 Petro Urscola
• 972 35 Vital. Candiano
• 973 26 Tribuno Meme.
• 985 27 Petro Urscola II.
• 1003 28 Otho Urscola
• 1020 29 Petro Barbolani
• 1021 30 Dominico Flabenico
• 1031 31 Dominico Contareni
• 1059 32 Dominico Silvie.
• 1072 33 Vitalis Falerius
• 1084 34 Vitalis Michaeli
• 1090 35 Ordelasius Falerius
• 1105 36 Dominico Michaeli
• 1118 37 Petrus Polanus
• 1136 38 Dominico Morosini
• 1143 39 Vitalis Michaeli II.
• 1160 40 Sebastian Ziani
• 1165 41 Auria Maripiere
• 1179 42 Henrico Dondolo
• 1193 43 Petro Ziani
• 1216 44 Jacobo Tepuli
• 1236 45 Marino Morosini
• 1240 46 Renieri Zeno
• 1256 47 Lorenzo Tepuli
• 1263 48 Jacobo Contareni
• 1267 49 Dondolo
• 1276 50 Petro Gradenico.
• 1298 51 Marino Georgio
• 1299 52 John Sourance
• 1315 53 Francisco Dandolo
• 1326 54 Barthol. Gradonico
• 1330 55 Andrea Dandolo
• 1342 56 Marinus Falerius
• 57 John Gradonico
• 1343 58 John Dauphin
• 1348 59 Lorenzo Celso
• 1352 60 Marco Cornaro
• 1355 61 Andrea Contarene
• 1371 62 Michael Morosini
• 63 Antonio Venieri
• 1389 64 Michael Steno
• 1402 65 Thomazo Mocenico
• 1412 66 Francisco Foscari
• 1447 67 Paschal Malipiere
• 1452 68 Christophoro Moro
• 1461 69 Nicolao Troni
• 1463 70 Nicolao Marcelli
• 1464 71 Petro Mocenico
• 1465 72 Andrea Vendramine
• 1467 73 John Moconico
• 1474 74 Marco Barbadico
• 75 Augustino Barbadico
• 1489 76 Leonardo Loredani
• 1509 77 Antonio Grimani
• 1511 78 Andrea Gritti
• 1527 79 Petro Lande
• 1533 80 Francisco Donati
• 1540 81 Antonio Trevisani
• 1541 82 Francisco Vivieri
• 1543 83 Lorenzo Prioli
• ...

• 1547 84 Hierome Prioli
• 1555 85 Petro Lor••dani
• 1560 86 Lewis Mocenico
• 1567 87 Sebastian Venieri
• 1578 88 Nicola di Pont
• 1586 89 Paschal Cicogne
• 1596 90 Marino Grimani
• 1606 91 Leonardo Donati
• 1612 92 Antonio Memmo
• 1615 93 Giovanni Bembo
• 1618 94 Nicolas Donate
• 1618 95 Antonio Priul••
• 1623 96 Francisco Contarem
• 97 Giovanni Correlio
• 98 Francisco Erizzo now living An. 1648.

The principall Orders of Knighthood in this Republick are, 1. Of S. Mark, who is the Patron of this City, instituted in the year 1330. and renewed again (being grown somewhat out of use) An. 1562. The honor is commonly bestowed on the person present, sometimes by Letters Pa∣tents on a party absent, as lately upon Daniel Heinsius, one of great eminence for learning in the Netherlands. The person chosen is to be of noble blood, at the least a Gentleman, the Wrod or Motto of the Order, is Pax tibi Marce.

2. Of the glorious Virgin, first instituted by Bartholmew of Vincentia, An^o. 1222. Their charge is to defend Widows and Orphans, and to procure (as much as in them is) the peace of Italie. It was allowed of by Pope Urban the fourth, An^o. 1262. The Arms of this Order, are a purple Cross between ceratain Stars. The habite a white Surcote over a Russet Cloke, and seems to be as well a Religious, as a Military Institution, like to the Spanish Orders, and that of Malta.

The Armes of the Republick are Gules, two Keys in Saltire Or, stringed Azure: which seem to have been given them for some notable service done unto the Church.

There are in the Provinces of this Common-wealth, before described,

Patriarchs 2. Bishops 16.

Notes

• Trevigi∣ana.
• Fruili.
• Histria.
• The A∣driatick Isles of Venice.
• Venice.
• Tuscany.