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.

OF THE ALPES.

BEfore we can come out of Italie into France we must cross the Alpes, a ridge of hills where∣with (as with a strong and defensible Rampart) Italie is assured against France and Germany. They are said to be five days journey high, covered continually with snow, from the whiteness whereof they took this name: that in the Sabine Dialect being called Alpum, which in the La∣ti••e was called Album.

They begin about the Mediterranean or Ligustick Seas, and crossing all along the borders of France and Germany extend as far as to the Gulf of Cornero, in the Province of Istria; and are in severall parts, which we will muster up as they lie in order from the Mediterranean to the A∣driatick. And first those which lie neerest to the Mediterranean, are for that cause called Mari∣timae; from their neerness to Liguria, called by some Ligusticae. 2. Then follow those called Co∣ctiae, from Coctius, a King of the Allobroges; and 3. those named Graiae, from the passage of Her∣cules, and his Grecian followers; of which both amongst the Poets and Historians there is very good evidence. 4. After we come to the Poeninae, so named from the march of Annibal and his Carthaginiant, whom the Latine Writers call by the name of Paeni, or from the Mountain-God Poeninus, worshipped by the Veragri, the Inhabitants of it. 5. Next come we to the Le∣pontiae, so named from the Lepontii, who did there inhabite; as 6. the Rhaetica, which lie next to them, from the Rhaeti once a powerfull people of that mountainous tract. 7. Then follow those called Juliae, from the passage of Julius Caesar over them, in his march towards Gaule: and so at last we come unto those called Carnica, extending to the shores of the Adriatick, deno∣minated from the Carni who did here inhabit, and who gave name also to Carniola, an adjoyning Province.

The antient Inhabitants of these mountainous Countreys, besides the Allobroges, Veragri, Le∣pontii, Rhaets, and Carni, spoken of before, were the Sedani, Salii, Valenses, Vacontii, and divers others of less note and estimation: all vanquished by the indefatigable industry of the Romans. After whose subjugation, and the settlement of the Roman Empire, these mountains, and some part of the vales adjoyning, made five severall Provinces, viz. the Province of the Coctian Alpes, containing Wallisland and Piemont. Secondly, of Rhaetia Prima, comprehending the Grisons, and part of the Dukedom of Millaine, now in possession of the Switzers; both which were mem∣bers of the Diocese of Italie. Thirdly, of the Alpes Maritima, now part of Daulphine and Pro∣vence. Fourthly, of the Graiae and Poeninae Alpes, and the greatest part of Maxima Sequanorum, including some part of Savoy, and most part of Switzerland; both which were members of the Diocese of Gaule: and fifthly, of Noric••m Mediterraneum; comprehending Carniola, Carin∣thia, and the parts neer hand, which were members of the Diocese of Illyricum Occidentale. The people antiently, as now, by reason of their drinking snow-water, dissolving from the tops of the hills, and sometimes falling thence with as great a violence as the Cataracts of Nilus are said to do, were generally troubled with a swelling in the throat, which the Latines call Stru∣ma, being the same with that which we call the Kings Evill, because by speciall privilege cura∣ble by the Kings of France and England. Quis tumidum guttur miratur in Alpibus? as the Poet hath it.

Of these vast hills, the lowest are the Carnicae and Maritimae, lying nearest to the severall Seas before remembred. The Coctia and the Graiae not so high, but that the passages lye open for the most part of the year. The rest, by reason of their deep and dreadfull praecipices, their tedious and steep ascents, narrow ways, dangerous craggie Rocks, fierce whirlwinds, and huge balls of snow tumbling with an incredible violence from the tops of the mountains, are hardly passable by horse, not at all by waggon. And yet amongst these dreadfull hills there are observed to be some vallies of great fertilitie, not giving ground for fruitfulness to the best in Europe: and for the sweetness of the temperature going much beyond them. With such an equall hand doth the heavenly Providence dispence the benefits of Nature to his whole Creation, that plenty bordereth upon want, and pain on pleasure.

And yet for all the difficulty and danger of these Alpine passages, covetousness, or curiosity, or desire of conquest, have found a way to make them passable in many places, and that not only for private and particular passengers, but for vast multitudes and numerous Armies, such as those led by Annibal and Julius Caesar. But specially the barbarous people found out five wayes to

break into Italie, which have been since much travelled by divers Nations; of which three be out of France, and two out of Germanie. The first from France is thorough Provence, and so close to the Ligustick Seas; easiest for private Passengers, but too strait and narrow for great Armies; there being many passages in the Countrey of Nizze, so narrow, that ten men may make head against ten thousand, as in that called the Pace of the Virgin, for one. The second is over the hills called Geneure, into the Marquisate of Saluzzes, and so to the other parts of Lom∣bardie: which was the way that Charles the eighth marched towards Naples; and by the Ita∣lians is called commonly Strada Romana, because the ordinary passage betwixt France and Rome. The third way is over the greater Cenis (which some call the lesser S. Bernard, so to Aost, or Turin; which (if we may believe Antiquity) was first opened by Hercules, and after fol∣lowed by Annibal, who found the passages so closed up, that he was forced to break his way (as Plutarch telleth us) with fire and vinegar: whence that so memorable saying, Viam Annibal aut inven••ct aut faciet; and from the passage of those Worthies, this tract, and that adjoyning, were called Alpes, Craiae, and Poeninae. Or if (as others think) Annibal took the former way, and came directly upon Turin, which Town it is most certain that he took in his march; then these Poeninae must take name from the passage of Asdrubal, or of some part of Annibals Army, which probably was too great to go all one way, or els from the Mountain-God Poeninus, as before was said.

The first way out of Germany into Italie, is thorough the Countrey of the Grisons, by the Val∣tolin, which the Spaniard seized into his hands. So that by the keeping of the Veltlyn, or Valto∣lin, and manning of the Fort Fuentes, which he also erected; he was in a manner the Lord of this passage: not onely to the discontent of the Natives, but to the distast of his neighbours the Savoyards and Venetians. The other way out of Germany into Italie, is thorough the Countrey of Torolis, by the Towns of Inspruch and Trent. This passage is commanded by the Castle and Fort of Eresberg, seated on the confines of this Countrey towards Suevia, and from Instruch, is two days journey distant. Which Fort, in the War which the Protestant Princes made against Charles the fifth, was surprized by Captain Scherteline, so to hinder the comming of the Popes Forces into Germany: for which the Emperor so hated him, that when all the rest of that facti∣on were pardoned, he only continued a Proscript, his head being valued at 4000. Crowns. The taking also fo this Fort, and the Castle adjoyning, by D. Maurice of Saxony, made the said Charles then being in Inspruch, to fly out of Germany, and shortly after to resign his Empire to his brother Ferdinand.

Out of these Mountains rise the springs of many of the most renowned Rivers in these West parts of the world; as, 1. The Rhene, which springeth from two severall Fountains, the one which they call the Neerer Rhyne, out of the Lepontiae; and the other which they term the Vor∣der, or further Rhyne, out of the Rheticae; which meet together about a Dutch mile from Chur, the chief Town of the Grisons, and so go on by Constance to Germany. 2. Rhosue, which riseth in that part of the Lepontiae, which is called Die Furchen, about two Dutch miles from the head of the Neerer or Hinder Rhyne, and so thorough Wallistand into France. 3. Padus, or Po, which hath his head in a branch of the Coltian or Coctian Alpes, heretofore called Mons Vesulus, and so thorough Piemont into Italie. Out of them also spring the Rivers of Russe, Durance, and A∣thesis, the first a Dutch, the second a French, and the third an Italian River also; not to say any thing of others of inferiour note. The great Lakes which are found in this monntainous tract, we shall hereafter meet with in their proper places.

Let us next look upon the Countreys and Estates here situate, vvhich bordering upon Italie, France, and Germanie, and partaking somevvhat of them all, do belong to neither; but reckon themselves to be free and absolute Estates, Supreme, and independent upon any others, as indeed they are. Such other of these Alpine Countreys, which are under the command of the German Princes, as some parts of Schwaben and Bavaria, together vvith Tirol, Carniola, and the rest vvhich belong to Austria, shall be considered in the History of those States and Princes, to vvhich of right they do belong. But for the rest, vvhich as they lie intire together vvithout intermix∣ture, so they are absolute in themselves, and ovv nor sute nor service unto any other; vve vvill consider them in this place, under the name of the Alpes, or the Alpine Provinces.

The ALPES then, or the Alpine Provinces, call them vvhich you vvill, are bounded on the East vvith Tirol in Germany, and the Dukedoms of Millain and Montferrat in Italie; on the West, vvith Provence, Daulphine, and La Bresse, parts of the Continent of France; on the North, vvith the County of Burgundy in France, and Suevid or Schwaben in High Germany; and on the South, vvith Lombardy, and a branch of the Mediterranean Sea. Called in the middle times by the name of Burgundia Trans••urana, because it contained that part of the Kingdom of Burgundy, which ••ay beyond the Mountain Jour: A Mountain vvhich beginning near the City of Basil, and not far from the Rhene, passeth South-Westvvard by the Lakes of Bieler-Zee, Nuwenburger-Zee, and that called Lemane, till it come almost unto the Rhosue: dividing by that means the Provinces of Switzerland and Savoy from the County of Burgundy.

It lyeth under the sixt Climate, and some part of the seventh: so that the longest day in Sum∣mer is fifteen hours, and three quarters. Of different nature in regard both of Soyl and Peo∣ple; vvhich vvill best shevv it self in the Survey of the severall Provinces into vvhich divided; that is to say, 1. the Dukedom of Savoy, 2. the Signeury of Geneva, 3. the Resorts of Wallisland,

4 the Cantons of the Switzers, and 5 the Leagues or the Grisons. Which severall States, though they be reckoned to belong to the German Empire, and that the Bishops of Chu••, S••on, and Basil, are generally accounted for Princes of it: yet they neither come unto the Diets, nor are subject to the publick Taxes, nor comprehended within any of those ten Circles into which the Empire is divided.

The Language herein spoken, partakes somewhat of all three, as before was sayd: the French being wholly spoke in Savoy, the lower Wallisland, and generally by the Switzers bor∣dering on the Lake Lemane; the Dutch being common to the greatest part of the Switzers, the Grisons about Chur, and the upper Wallisland; and finally the Italian, used by the ge∣nerality of the Grisons, the Praefectures appertaining unto them and the Switzers both, in Pie∣mont, and those parts of Savoy which lie next unto it.

The principall Souldiers of these mountainous Provinces, 1 Rodolph Earl of Habspurg, the Founder of the present Austrian Family 2 Thomas, and 3 Peter, Earles of Savoy, this last surnamed Charlemain the second. 4 Emanuel Philibert, one of the later Dukes hereof, Commander of the Armies of the King of Spain. 5 John Tzerclas, commonly called Count Tilly, Generall of the Imperiall Armies in the War of Germany. For Scholars of more spe∣ciall note for which we are beholding to these Countryes, we have 1 Philip Theophrastus Bombastus à Boenham, commonly called Paracelsus, the Author, or Instanrator of Chymicall Physick; born in the Mountains of Helvetia, as he saith himself: a man of most prodigious parts, and of no mean vices. 2 Zuinglius, one of the chief Agents in the Reformation. 3 Musculus, and 4 Oecolampadius, two Divines, his seconds. 5 Henry Bullinger, one of the same profession also. 6 Sebastian Castalio, of as much Learning as the best of them, though of different judgement. 7 Dan. Tossanus the Hebrician. To which we may adde 8 Calvin also, who though he had his birth in France, had his being here; and never grew to any eminency in Fame or Learning, till he was setled in Geneva.

For matter of Religion, it is of a very mixt condition also in all these Countries: that of the Romish onely have publick countenance in the Dukedom of Savoy, and Piemont; but so that the Reformed is tolerated in some parts thereof, especially in the parts next Dauphine; to which the neighborhood of Geneva gives a great increase. In Switzerland there are four Cantons which are wholly for the Reformation, viz. Zurich, Bern, Basil, and Schaffhausen: Seven that stand wholly for the Doctrin of the Church of Rome, i. e. Uren, Switz, Underwal∣den, Lucern, Zug, Friburg, and Solothurn: in Apenzel and Glaris, they allow of both. The Grisons are confusedly divided betwixt both Religions; but the Italian Praefectures admit no other but the Romish. The cause of which division came upon the preaching of Zuinglius, a Canon of the Church of Zurich, who being animated with Luthers good success in Germany, began about the year 1519 to preach against the Mass, and Images, and other the corruptions of the Church of Rome. In which his party so increased, that on a publick Disputation which vvas held at Zurich, the Mass was abrogated in that Canton by the authority of the Se∣nate, Anno 1526, and Images destroyed at Bern, 1528. After which prosperous beginnings, the Reformation began to spread it self amongst the Confederates; and had prevailed further both in France and Germanie, but for a difference which arose betwixt him and Luther about the Sacrament of the Supper: in which Luther did not only maintain a Reall presence, but a Consubstantiation also in the sacred Elements; which Zuinglius maintained to be only a bare sign and representation of Christs blessed body. For reconciling of this difference, wherein the e∣nemies of both did extremely triumph, a conference was held between them at Marpurg a town of Hassiae, by the procurement of that Lantgrave, but without success: Luther professing that he durst not agree in that point with Zuingulius, ne Principes suos interpretatione tantopere Ponti∣ficiis exosa, magis invisos redderet, for fear of drawing too great hatred on the Princes of his own profession. From this time forwards all brake out into open flames, the names of Ubiqui∣tarians, and Sacramentarians, being reciprocally cast upon one another; to the great hindrance of the cause which they had in hand: yet so that the Lutheran opinions got ground in Germa∣ny, the Zuinglians amongst these Mountains and in France it self, and finally prevailed by the meanes of Calvin in many parts of Germany also. But hereof more hereafter in convenient place.

As for the story of those Countries, before they were divided into so many hands, we are to know that the old Inhabitants hereof (mentioned before) were conquered severally by the Romans: as shall be shewen in the description of the severall Provinces. Won from the Ro∣mans by the Burgundians, in the time of Honorius the Western Emperor, they became'a member of their Kingdom, except the Country of the Grisons, and some parts of Switzerland, which fell under the Almans: united afterwards in the new Kingdom of Burgundy of the French erection, when subdued by that Nation. But Charles the Bald, the last of the French Kings of Burgundie, having united it to the Kingdom of France, divided it into three Estates; that is to say, the Dukedom of Burgundie on this side of the Soasne, the Dukedom of Burgundy beyond the Soasne, and the Dukedom of Burgundy beyond the Jour. This last containing the greatest part of all these Alpine Provinces (except Piemont onely) vvas by the sayd Charles gi∣ven to Conrade a Saxon Prince, the sonne of Witikind the third, and younger brother of Ro∣bert,

the first Earl of Anion, by the name of Earl of Burgundy Transjurane, or Burgundy be∣yond the Jour. Rodolph his sonne and successor, by Eudes the King of France, his Comin German, was honoured with the title of King: to make him equall at the least with Bos••n Earl of Burgundie beyond the Soasne, whom Charles the Grose, Tabour the same time had made King of Arles. But Rodolph finding it offensive to the German Emperors, abandoned it on the death of Endes, and took to himself the title of Duke. The residue of the story we shall have in the following Catalogue of

The Earles, Dukes, and Kings of Burgundie Trnnsjurane.

• 1 Conrade, the first Earl of Burgundie Transjurane.
• 890 2 Rodolph, Earl, King, and Duke of Burgundie Transjurane.
• 912 3 Rodolph II. elected King of Italie against Berengarius; which title he exchanged with Hugh de Arles, who vvas chosen by another Faction, for the possession of the Kingdom of Arles and Burgundie, on the assuming of which Crown he resigned this Dukedom to his Brother.
• 4 Boson, the brother of Rodolph the second, succeeded his brother in the Dukedom of Burgundie beyond the Jour; as afterwards he succeeded Rodolph his Brothers sonne in the kingdom of Arles and Bnrgundie.
• 965 5 Conrade, sonne of Boson, King of Arles and Burgundie, and Duke of Burgundie Trans∣jurane.
• 990 6 Rodolph III. sonne of Conrade, who dying without issue lest his estates to Henry sur∣named the Black, the sonne of his sister Gisela, by Conrade the second, Emperor and King of Germanie: united so unto the Empire, till by the bounty and improvidence of some following Emperors, it was cantonned into many parts; of which more anon. It is novv time to lay aside this discourse as to the generall condition and affairs of these Alpine Provin∣ces; and to look over the particulars: beginning first with the estate of the Duke of Savoy, situate wholly in these Mountains, and lying next to Italie, where before we left.

THE DVKEDOM OF SAVOY.

THe Dukedom of SAVOY is bounded on the East, with Millain and Montferrat in Italy; on the West, with Dauphine in France; on the North, with Switzerland, and the Lake of Ge∣neva; and on the South, with Provence, and the Mediterranean. The Country of so different na∣ture, that it cannot be reduced under any one character: and therefore we must look upon it in the severall parts into which divided; that is to say, 1 the Principalitie of Piemont, and 2 Sa∣voy, specially so called.

1 PIEMONT, in Latin called Regio Pedemontana, because situate at the foot of the Moun∣tains (as the name in both languages imports) is bounded on the East, with Millain and Montfer∣rat; on the West, with Savoy; on the North, with the Switzers; and on the South, it runneth in a narrow valley to the Mediterranean, having Montferrat on the one side, Provence and a part of the Alpes upon the other. The Country wonderfully fertile compared with Switzerland and Savoy, which lie next unto it; but thought to be inferior to the rest of Italie. It containeth, besides Baronies and Lordships, 15 Marquisates, 52 Earldoms, 160 Castles or walled places: and is so populous withall, that once a Piemontese being demauded the extent of his Country, made answer, that it was a City of 300 miles compass.

The principall Cities of it are, 1 Turin, called of old Augusta Taurinorum, because the head City of the Taurini, once the inhabitants of this Tract: from which Taurini it deriveth the name of Turin, and not as some conceive from the River Duria, on whose banks it standeth. In this City is the Court and Palace of the Duke of Savoy (who is the Lord of this Country) the See of an Archbishop, and an Universitie, in which the renowned Scholar Erasmus to ok his degrees in Divinity. It is situate on the River Po, in a place very important for the guard of Italie, for which cause the Romans sent a Colony hither, and the Lombards made it one of the•• four Dukedoms. Adjoyning to it is a Park of the Dukes of Savoy, watered with the Duria, Sture, and Po, six miles in circuit, full of Woods, Lakes, and pleasant Fountains, which make it one of the sweetest situations in Europe. 2 Mondent, seated on the swelling of a little hill, with very fair Suburbs round about it, in one of which the Dukes of Savoy built a Church and Chappell to the blessed Virgin: intended for the buriall-place of the Ducall Family. It is the best peopled Town, for the bigness of it, of any in Italie. 3 Augusta Iraetoria, now call∣ed

Aost, situate in the furthest corner of Italy to the North and West. 4 Vercelli, a strong Tovvn bordering upon Millain, to which it formerly belonged, and was given first in Dower with Blanch the daughter of Philip Maria Duke of Millain, to Amadee the third, Duke of Sa∣voy, antiently the chief Town of the Libyci, who together with the Salassi and Taurini, were the old Inhabitants of this Countrey. 5 Inurea, called by Ptolomie Eporedia, situate at the very jaws of the Alpes, an Episcopall Citie. 6 Nicaea, or Nizze, an Haven on the Mediterra∣nean, at the influx of the River Varus, which divides it from Provence, beautified with a Ca∣thedrall Church, the Bishops Palace, a Monastery of Nuns, and an impregnable Cittadel. A place so naturally strong, that when as yet the Fortifications were imperfect, it resisted the whole Forces of Barbarossa the Turkish Admiral, An. 1543, lying before it with a Navy of two hun∣dred sayl, and battering it continually with incredible fury. First fortified by Duke Charles, up∣on occasion of some words of the Duke of Burbon, who passing this way with his Army, Be∣hold, saith he, a situation of which they know not the importance: the Citadell being after added by Emanuel Philibert, and garrisoned for the most part with 400 souldiers. 7 Suse, seated in the ordinary thorough fare betwixt France and Italy, called of old Segovio, and honoused in those times with a stately Sepulchre of K. Coctius King of the Allobroges: one of the seven Mar∣quisates in the middle times erected by the Emperor Otho. 8 Pignarolle, fortified with a Castle of great importance, which commandeth all the adjoyning vallies. 9 Quiers, adorned vvith many goodly Churches, fair Convents, and noble Families. 10 Ville Franche, a place of great strength, more towards the sea. 11 Savillan, seated in so pleasant a Country, that Duke Ema∣nuel Philibert had once a purpose to settle his abode in it, and make it the chief of his Estate. 12 Busque, a Marquisate, another of the seven erected for the sonnes of Waleran. 13 Hereunto we may adde the City of Ast (though properly within the limits of Montferrat) antiently a Colony of the Romans, and now to be compared, for the greatness and beauty of her Palaces, to the most stately Cities of Lombardy, situate betwixt the two Rivers of Po and Tenarus, very rich, and populous.

Here is also in this Country the Marquisate of Saluzzes (of the same erection as the former, but a greater Estate) the cause of so many differences betwixt France and Savoy. The principall Town whereof is called also Saluzze (from the Salassi questionless who dwelt hereabouts,) seated about the spring of the River Po, reasonably big, and fortified with a very large Castle, fitted with rooms for all uses, and for every season. 2 Carmanlogla, which gave name to that fa∣mous Captain who carried so great a sway in the Wars of Italie. A Town so fortified and sto∣red with all sorts of Ammunition, that it is thought impregnable. 3 Ravelle, a well-fortified place. 4 Doglian, the thorow-fare for the greatest part of the trade which is driven betwixt Pie∣mont and the River of Genoa. The Arms hereof Argent, a Chief Gules.

The antient Inhabitants of this Country were the Salassi, Libyci, and Taurini, as before is said, all vanquished by the Romans, and their Country made a Province of that Empire, by the name of the Province of Alpes Coltiae, in the time of Nero, of which Genoa was the Metropolis or principall City. The present are descended for the most part of the Heruls, who under the conduct of Odoacer conquered Italie, whereof he was proclamed King by the Romans themselves: but Odoacer being vanquished near Verona, by Theodorick King of the Gothes, the Heruli had this Country allotted to them by the Conqueror, for their habitation. They had not held it long, when subdued by the Lombards, of whose Kingdom it remained a part, till given by Aripert the seventeenth King of the Lombards, to the Church of Rome: affirmed by some to be the first temporall estate that ever the Popes of Rome had possession of. But lying far off, aud the dona∣tion not confirmed by the Kings succeeding, the Popes got little by the gift: so that in the sub∣verting of the kingdom of the Lombards, it was at the devotion of the Kings of Italie, of the house of Charles the Great, and afterwards of his successors in the Empire, by whom distracted into severall Estates and Principalities. Thomas and Peter Earls of Savoy made themselves Ma∣sters of the greatest part of it by force of Arms: the former in the year 1210, the later in the year 1256. Since that time the first sonne of Savoy is stiled Prince of Piemont. The Marquisate of Saluzzes, containing almost all the rest, was added by the mariage of a daughter of this Marquisate with Charles Duke of Savoy, An. 1481. Of which mariage though there was no issue, vet the Savoyard alwayes held it as their own; till the French upon as good a title possessed themselves of it: Recovered by the Savoyard An. 1588, the Civil Wars then hot in France. But finding that he was not able to hold it against Henry the fourth (who looked upon it as a door to let his forces into Italie) he compounded with him, An. 1600. the Country of Bresse being given in exchange for this Marquisate: Of which, together with the residue of Piemont, and some peeces of importance in the Dukedom of Montferrat, that noble Family of Savoy doth now stand possessed.

The Armes of this Principality are Gules, a Cross Argent, charged with a Label of three points Azure.

2 SAVOY, strictly and specially so called, is bouuded on the East, with Wallisland, and part of Piemont; on the West, with Daulphine and La Bresse; on the South, with some parts of Daul∣phine only; and on the North, with Switzerland, and the Lake of Geneva.

The Country is fot the most part hilly and mountainous, overspread with the branches of the Alpes; healthy enough, as commonly all Hill-countries are, but not very fruitfull, except some

of the vallies which lie nearest to the Western Sun, and the plain tract about the Lemanian Lake, lying towards Geneva. By reason of the difficult and narrow waies, and those full of theeves, it was once called Malvoy: but the passages being opened by the cost and industry of the people, and purged of theeves by good Laws and exemplary justice, it gained the name of Savoy or Sal∣voy, quasi salva via; as Maleventum, a town of the Realm of Naples, on the like considerations got the name of Benevent. By the Latins of these later times it is called Sabaudia, a name not known to any of the antient writers, who knew it by no other name than that of the Allobro∣ges, or Allobrogum Regio.

The Common people are naturally very dull and simple, so gross of understanding for all their continuall converse with other Nations, who take this Country in their way to Italie, that they beleeve the Duke of Savoy to be the greatest Prince in the World: and so unwar∣like, that a few men of another Nation well trained and disciplined, will make a great num∣ber of them fly. But on the other side, the Gentry are of a very pleasing conversation, civill, ingenious, and affecting all good exercise: so as there may be dayly seen in Chamberie as much good company, and as well-appointed and behaved, as in many of the best Towns of France or Italie. The number of both sorts, taking in Piemont (who are not interessed in the first part of this character) are thought to be 800000.

The chief Cities are, 1 Chamberie, situate on the banks of the River L' Arch in a very pleasant valley, compassed round with Mountains, the principal of the Dukedom on that side of the Alpes, honoured with the Dukes Court when he resideth in this Countrey, the or∣dinary seat of Justice, and many neat houses which belong to the Gentry: fortified of late with a strong Castle and sufficient Out-works, but not recovered of the damage it received An^o 1600, when it was forced by King Henry the fourth of France, in his Wars with Savoy. 2 Tarentuise, an Archbishops See, situate in the middest of the Mountains; heretofore the Me∣tropolis of the Province of the Alpes Graiae, and Poeninae, and called by Antoninus, Civitas Centronum, from the Centrones who inhabited about this tract. 3 Lunebourg, in the Country of the old Me∣dulli, betwixt which and Suse, a town of Piemont, lyeth the most ordinary road betwixt France and Italie. 4 Aque belle, situate at the foot of a craggy Rock. 5 Ripaille, in a sweet and fruitfull situation, on the South-side of the Lake Lemanus, the chief Town of the Signeury of Fossig∣me: where Amadee the first Duke of Savoy having given over his Estate, lived a Monastick life, and was thence chosen Pope by the Fathers of Basil, An^o 1440. 6 Nun or Nevidum (by some of the old Latins called Noviodunum) an antient City, layd desolate, in, or before the time of Julius Caesar, repaired again in the Empire of Vespasian; the seat of late times of the Bishops of Geneva, since their expulsion out of that Citie. 7 Bele, on the Rhodanus, or Rhos∣ne. 8 Albon, founded about the year 456. 9 Conflans, fortified by the late Dukes of Savoy, but otherwise of small importance. 10 Annunciada, not much observable, but for being the seat or place of Sol••mnities, for an order of Knights called by that name. 11 Maurienne, or St. John de Maurienne, an Archbishops See, situate in a valley of the Alpes so called; the chief City of the old Medulli, who dwelt hereabouts; from whence the Princes of this house were first entituled Earles of Maurienne only. 12 Charboneers, a well-fortified place. Here is al∣so the strong Town and Fort of Montmelian, which held out four moneths against Henry the fourth, and many thousand shot of French Cannon, An^o 1600: and the impregnable Fortress of St. Catharines, which yet submitted to that King; the Government whereof being denied to the Duke of Byron, plunged him in discontent and treason to the loss of his head.

The many Tribes in and about this mountainous Country, of which we have mentioned some before, pass generally in most antient Writers by the name of the Allobroges, because the most powerfull of them all. Of whom the first mention which vve find in story, is the Attonement made by Annibal in his passage this way, between Bruncus and his brother, a∣bout the succession of the Kingdom. Afterwards siding with the Salii a Gallick Nation in a War against Marseilles, then a confederate of the Romans, they drew that people on their backs, by whom they were in fine subdued, with the loss of no less than 120000 Galls, un∣der the severall conducts of Cn. Domitius Aenobarbus, and Qu. Fabius Maximus: by which last, Bituitus, or Bitultus King of the Auverni, one of the confederates, was led in triumph unto Rome. The Country and people at that time were much alike, Coelum atrox, pervicaci inge∣nio, a sharp air, and stubborn people, as it is in Florus: not without commendation in the following Ages for discovering Catilines conspiracy, by which the whole Roman state was in danger of ruin. After which we find Coctius one of the Kings of these Allobroges, to have been in speciall favour with Augustus Caesar, affirmed to be the founder of 12 Cities in this mountainous tract, whence it had the name of Alpes Coctiae; and by that name reduced into the form of a Province by the Emperor Nero. In the declining of that Empire, this Province became a part of the Kingdom of Burgundy; and passed with other rights of that falling Kingdom to the Emperors of Germany, by the gift of Rodolph the last King. To them it did continue subject till the year 999, in which Berald of Saxony, brother to Otho the third, for killing Mary the lascivious Wife of his Uncle, fled from Germany, and setled himself here in France. His sonne Humbert (surnamed Blanchmanis, that is White-hand) was by the speciall favour of the Emperor Conradus Salicus, made Earl of Maurienne, which is a town of this

Country, An^o 1027. And by this mariage with Adela the daughter and heir of the Mar∣quess of Suse, added that noble Marquisate (one of the seven erected by Otho the second, and given amongst the sonnes of Waleran) unto his estate. Humbert the second gained by conquest the Town and Territory of Tarentaise; as Ame, or Amadee the third did the Counties of Vaulx and Chablais, An^o 1240, or thereabouts. Ame, or Amadee the fourth, by the Mariage of Si∣bille daughter and sole heir of Wric Earl of Bresse, added that Earldom to his house: as Ame, or Amadee the ninth, did the Town and Territory of Vercelli, upon the contract be∣twixt Philibert his sonne and successor with Blanch the base daughter of Philip Maria Duke of Millain, who afterwards was maryed unto Francis Sforza. Ame, or Amadee the second Earl of Maurienne was by the Emperor Henry the fifth, invested with the title of Earl of Savoy; and Amadee the eighth created the first Duke by the Emperor Sigismund, An^o 1397. But the main improvement of the power and patrimony of this House, came by the valour and good success of the two Earles, Thomas, who in the year 1210, and Peter one of his sonnes and successors (for his manifold Conquests, surnamed Charlemaine the Junior) An^o 1256, by con∣quest got a great part of Peidmont, to which the Marquisate of Saluzzes containing almost all the rest, was united by a Mariage of the daughter of the Marquisate, to Charles Duke of Sa∣voy; and though he dyed without issue by her, An^o 1489, yet his successors still kept the pos∣session of it, till Francis the first, pretending some title to it in the right of his Mother (a daughter of the house of Savoy) layd it unto the Crown of France: from which it was a∣gain recovered by the Savoyard, during the French Civill Wars, An^o 1588, and now is peace∣ably possessed: The Countrey of Bresse being given to the French for their pretension to the Marquisate, An^o 1600. These Dukes of Savoy have a long time been devoted to the faction of Spain, especially since the French Kings took in the lesser states bordering on them, as Bur∣gundie, Bretagne, &c. Charles the third sided so constantly with the Emperor Charles the fifth, that denying Francis the first a passage for his Army thorough the Country into Italy, he vvas by the sayd King dispoyled of his Estates, An^o 1536. The Emperor to recover it left no∣thing undone; but in vain: for the French encountring his force in the open field, vanquished them, vvith the slaughter of fifteen thousand of his men. In the year 1558, peace being made between Henry and Philip, successors to those great Princes, Emanuel ••hilibert, sonne to Duke Charles, was restored to all his Rights. His sonne and successor, having maryed Ca∣tharine the daughter of King Philip the second, depended wholly upon Spain, notwithstand∣ing many quarrels vvhich did grovv betwixt them, his sonnes receiving thence many great pensions and preferments: For at the same time Prince Amadee Victorio the second sonne, during the life of Philip his elder brother, vvas chief Commander of that Kings Gal∣lies, and had in pension a hundred thousand Crowns per annum; Philibert the third sonne was Vice-Roy of Sicil; Maurice the fourth, a Cardinal, had a moity of the Revenues of the Arch∣bishoprick of Toledo; and Don Thomazo, though then young, had his pensions also. But Ama∣dee Victorio, who succeeded him, marying Madam Christian, a daughter of King Henry the fourth of France, changed his dependances, and held more close to France than any of his pre∣decessors; but whether to the hurt or benefit of his Estates future times will shew. For leaving his heir a Minor, in the hands of his mother, the French upon pretence of preserving the Coun∣try for him against the incroachments of the Spaniard, have made themselves masters of the greatest parts of it, which when they will restore to the proper owner, is beyond my cunning to determine. But now behold the Catalogue of the

Earles and Dukes of Savoy.

• 999 1 Beral of Saxony.
• 1027 2 Humbert, the first Earl of Maurienne.
• 1048 3 Ame, or Amadee I.
• 1076 4 Humbert II.
• 1109 5 Ame, or Amadee II. the first Earl of Savoy.
• 1154 6 Humbert III.
• 1201 7 Thomas, sonne of Humbert.
• 1234 8 Ame, or Amadee III.
• 1246 9 Boniface, sonne of Ame III.
• 1256 10 Peter, a younger sonne of Earl Thomas, called Charlemagne the less, won Turin, Vaulx, &c.
• 1268 11 Philip, brother of Peter.
• 1285 12 Ame, or Amadee IV. Nephew of Thomas the 7^th Earl, by a sonne named Thomas.
• 1323 13 Edward, sonne of Ame IV.
• 1329 14 Ame, or Amadee V. the brother of Edward.
• 1342 15 Ame, or Amadee VI.
• 1385 16 Ame, or Amadee VII.
• 1397 17 Ame, or Amadee VIII, the first Duke of Savoy.
• 1434 18 Lewis, sonne of Ame VIII.
• ...

• 1461 19 Ame, or Amadee IX.
• 1475 20 Philibert, sonne of Ame 9^th.
• 1481 21 Charles, brother of Philibert.
• 1489 22 Charles II.
• 1495 23 Philip II. sonne of Lewis, the second Duke.
• 1496 24 Philibert II.
• 1504 25 Charles III. the brother of Philibert, outed of his Estate by King Francis the first.
• 1559 26 Emanuel Philibert, restored upon his Mariage with Margaret the daughter of King Francis the first, made Knight of the Garter by Qu. Mary.
• 1580 27 Charles Emanuel. 28 Ame X. called also Amadee Victorio, sonne of Charles Emanuel, maryed Christiane the daughter of King Henry the fourth.
• 1637 29 Charles Emanuel II. sonne of Amadee Victor, or Ame the 10. at the age of three yeares succeeded his Father.

The Forces of this Duke consist especially in his Forts and Garrisons, vvhereof he hath good store in France, Savoy, and Piemont, well fortified, and plentifully furnished with all manner of Ammunition. And it concerneth him so to have, considering what dangerous neighbours he hath near him, and that his Country is a continnall thorow-fare for the Armies both of France and Spain upon all occasions. Nor doth it less conduce to his preservation, that he hath so many retreats of naturall strength, as are not easily accessible by a conquering Army; of this last sort is, amongst many others, the valley of ••ost (which some reckon for a part of Savoy, and some of Piemont) so strong by reason of the narrow entries, the uneasie pas∣sages, and the great multitudes of the people which inhabit in it, that those who have made themselves masters of the rest of the Country, durst never attempt it. And of the first, be∣sides those formerly described, is the Town of Nizze, so fortified and flanked upon all acces∣ses, that it seems rather to be an assembly of Forts, than a single Fortress. Out of which Garrisons the Duke is able to draw great Forces for present service; besides the ready∣ness of the Piemont ese upon all occasions, vvhich are for the most part given to Arms.

The ordinary Revenue of this Dukedom (taking Piemont in) are sayd to be above a Million of Crovvns per Annum. But his extraordinary is so great, that Duke Charles Ema∣nuel, during his Wars with Henry the fourth, in a very few years drew out of Piemont onely eleven Millions of Crowns, besides the charge which they were put to in quartering of Soul∣diers. By which it may appear that the Dukes are not like to want money to serve their turns, when they shall desire it of the Subject, and yet not charge them more than they are able to bear.

The only Order of Knighthood in this Dukes Estate is that of the Annunciada, which ordai∣ned by Amade the first Duke, at vvhat time he defended Rhodes from the Turks, An. 1409. Their Collar is of fifteen links, to shew the fifteen mysteries of the Virgin: at the end, is the por∣traiture of our Lady, with the history of the Annunciation. Instead of a Motto, these letters, F. E. R. T. id est, Fortitudo Ejus Rhodum Tenuit, are engraven in every plate or link of the Collar: each link being inter-woven one within the other, in form of a True-lovers knot. The number of the Knights is fourteen, besides the Duke, who is the Soveraign of the Order: the solemnitie is held annually on our Lady-day, in the Castle of Saint Peter in Tu∣rin. So from this victory (for every repulse of the besieger, is a victory to the besieged) there arose a double effect: first, the institution of this order; secondly, the assumption of the pre∣sent Arms of this Dutchy, which are G. a Cross A. This being the cross of Saint John of Hie∣rusalem, whose Knights at that time vvere owners of the Rhodes. Whereas before, the Arms vvere Or, an Eagle displayed with two heads, Sable, armed Gules, supporting in fesse, an escotchi∣on of Saxony, that is Barrewise six pieces Sable and Or, a Bend flowred Vert. A coat belong∣ing to the Emperors of the house of Saxony, from whom the first Earles of Savoy did derive themselves.

3. THE SIGNEURIE OF GENEVA.

GENEVA is a City in the Dukedom of Savoy, formerly subject to its own Bishops, ac∣knowledging the Dukes of Savoy for the Lord in chief: now reckoned as a Free-Estate, bordering close upon the Switzers, and with them confederate; and so more properly within the course and compass of these Alpine Provinces. It is situate on the South-side of the Lake Lemane, opposite to the City of Lozanne in the Canton of Bern, from which it is distant six Dutch miles: the River Rhosne (having passed thorow the Lake with so clear a colour, that it seemeth not at all to mingle with the waters of it) running thorow the lower part thereof, over which there is a passage by two fair bridges. This lower part is seated on a flat or le∣vell, the rest on the ascent of an hill: the buildings fair, and of free-stone; well fortified on both sides both by Art and Nature, in regard of the pretensions of the Duke of Savoy (whom they suffer not to arm any Gallies upon the Lake) and other jealousies of State. The compass of the whole City is about two miles, in which there are supposed to be about sixteen or seven∣teen thousand soules. One of their bridges is more antient and better fortified than the o∣ther, belonging antiently to the Switzers (or Helvetians the old inhabitants of that tract) but broken down by Julius Caesar to hinder them from passing that way into France.

The people of the town are generally of good wits in the managery of publick business, but not very courteous towards strangers, of whom they exact as much as may be; modest and thrifty in apparell, and speak for the most part the Savoyard, or worst kind of French. So that the great resort of young Gentlemen thither, is not so much to learn that Language (which is no where worse taught) as out of an opinion which their parents have, that the Reformed Re∣ligion is no where so purely practised and professed as there. By means whereof the frie or se∣minarie of our Gentry being seasoned in their youth with Genevan principles, have many times proved disaffected to the forms of Government (as well Monarchicall as Episcopall) which they found established here at home: to the great imbroilment of the state in matters of most near concernment. The women are sayd to be more chast (or at least more reserved) than in any o∣ther place in the World: which possibly may be ascribed to that severity with which they pu∣nish all offendors in that kind: Dancing by no means tolerated in publick or private; Adul∣terie expiated by no less than death; Fornication, for the first offence with nine dayes fasting upon bread and water in prison, for the second with whipping, for the third with banishment. But notwithstanding this severity, they make love in secret, and are as amorous in their dali∣ances as in other places.

The Territories of it are very small, extending not above two Leagues and an half from any part of the Town: but the soyl, if well manured, bringeth Grain of all sorts, and great store of Wine. There is likewise plenty of pasture and feeding grounds, which furnish the City with flesh-meats, butter and cheese at very reasonable rates; the nearness of the Lake af∣fording them both Fish and Wild-fowl in good measure; and amongst others (as some say) the best Carps in Europe.

But the main improvement of this State is by the industry of the people, and the convenient situation of the City it self; the City being situated very well for the trade of Merchandise, in regard it is the ordinary passage for transporting Commodities out of Germany to the Marts at Lions, and from thence back again to Germany, Switzerland, and some parts of Italy. And for the industry of the people, it is discernable in that great store of Armor and Apparell, and other necessaries, brought from hence yearly by those of Bern; and their Mannfactures in Satten, Velvet, Taffata, and some quantities of Cloth (fine, but not durable) transported hence yearly into other places.

The Soveraignty of this City was antiently in the Earls hereof, at first Imperiall Officers on∣ly, but at last the hereditary Princes of it. Betwixt these and the Bishops (Suffragans to the Metropolitan of Vienna in Daulphine) grew many quarrels for the absolute command here∣of. In fine, the Bishops did obtain of the Emperor Frederick the first, that they and their suc∣cessors should be the sole Princes of Geneva, free from all Taxes, and not accomptable to any but the Emperor. Which notwithstanding, the Earls continuing still to molest the Bishops, they were fain to call unto their ayd the Earl of Savoy; who took upon him first as Protector onely, but after by degrees as the Lord in chief. For when the rights of the Earls of Geneva, by the Mariage of Thomas Earl of Savoy with Beatrix a daughter of these Earls, fell into that house; then Ame, or Amadee the sixt of that name, obtained of the Emperor Charles the fourth, to be Vicar-generall of the Empire in his own Country, and in that right superior to the Bi∣shop in all Temporall matters: and Ame, or Amadee the first Duke, got from Pope Martin (to

the great prejudice of the Bishops) a grant of all the Temporal jurisdiction of it. After vvhich time the Bishops were constrained to do homage to the Dukes of Savoy, and acknowledge them for their Soveraign Lords; the Autority of the Dukes being grown so great (notwith∣standing that the people were immediately subject to their Bishop onely) that the Money in Geneva vvas stamped with the Dukes name and figure; Capitall offenders were pardoned by him; no sentence of Law executed till his Officers were first made acquainted; nor League contracted by the people of any validity, vvithout his privity and allowance; and finally the Keyes of the Town presented to him as often as he pleased to lodge there, as once (for in∣stance) to Duke Charles the third, comming thither with Beatrix his Wife, a daughter of Por∣tugall. And in this state it stood, till the year 1528, the Bishop being all this vvhile their immediate Lord, and having jus gladii & alias civilis jurisdictionis partes, as Calvin himself con∣fesseth in an Epistle to Cardinal Sadolet. But in that year, Religion being then altered in the Canton of Bern, near adjoyning to them, Viret and Farellus did endeavour it in Geneva also. But finding that the Bishop and his Clergy did not like their doings, they screwed themselves into the people, and by their ayd in a popular tumult, compelled the Bishop and his Clergy to abandon the Town. And though the Bishop made them many fair overtures, out of an hope to be restored to his Estate; yet would they never hearken to him, nor admit of him any more, being once thrust out. Nor did they only in that tumult alter the Doctrin and Orders of the Church before established, but changed the Government of the State also: disclaming all allegiance both to Duke and Bishop, and standing on their own Liberty as a Free-Common∣wealth. And though all this was done by Viret and Farellus before Calvins comming to that City, which was not till the year 1536, yet being come, suffragio meo comprobavi, as he saith himself, no man was forwarder than he to approve the Action.

But Calvin being come amongst them, made their Divinity Reader, and one of the ordina∣ry Preachers, he first negotiated with them to abjure the Papacie, and never more admit their Bishop; to which he found a cheerful and unanimous consent in all the people. Then finding that no Ecclesiasticall discipline was in use amongst them, he dealt with them to admit of one of his own composing; which at last he obtained also, but with very great difficulty, and got it ratified by the Senate July the 20th. 1537. The next year after, the people weary of this new yoke, and he and his Colleagues (Farellut and Coraldus) as resolute to hold them to it; they were all three banished the Town in a popular humor; and with like levitie sued to, to return again: to which he would by no means yeeld, except they would oblige themselves by a so∣lemn Oath to admit of such a form of Discipline as he, with the advice of the other Ministers, should prescribe unto them. This being condescended to by that fickle multitude, he returns in triumph to Geneva, September the thirteenth, 1541: and got his new Discipline established on the twentieth of November following. The sum of the device was this: All Ministers to be equall amongst themselves; two Lay-men to be super-added unto every Minister; the Mini∣ster to continue for term of life, the Lay-Elders to be annually chosen; these being met toge∣ther to be called the Presbyterie; and to have power of Ordination, Censures, Absolution, and whatsoever else was acted by the Bishop formerly. Hitherto it related to Geneva only, which being but one City, and a small one too, was not capable of more than one Presbyterie. The names and notions of Classicall, Provinciall, and Nationall Assemblies came not in till afterwards; as it got ground in Kingdoms and larger Provinces. This Platform though of purpose fra∣med to content the people; yet since the Lay-officers were to be but annuall, and after subject to the lash like other Mortals, it gave but sorry satisfaction unto wiser men. And being built withall on a false foundation, was for a long time hardly able to stand alone, and fain at twelve years end to borrow a support from Zurich, and others of the Protestant Cantons, whom Calvin earnestly sollicited to allow his project, against which one Perinus, and some principall Citizens had begun to spurn. And so we have the true beginning of the Genevian Discipline, begotten in Rebellion, born in Sedition, and nursed up by Faction.

Being born into the World by the means aforesayd, some other helps it had to make it ac∣ceptable and approved of in other Churches. As first, the great content it gave to the common people, to see themselves intrusted with the weightiest matters of Religion, and thereby an equa∣litie with, if not (by reason of their number, being two for one) a superiority above their Mi∣nisters: Next, the great reputation which Calvin for his diligence in Writing and Preaching had attained unto, made all his Dictates as authentick amongst some Divines, as ever the Popes Ipse dixit in the Church of Rome. Whereby it came to pass, in a little time, that only those Churches which embraced the Doctrines and Discipline authorised by Calvin, were called the Reformed Churches: those in high Germany and elswhere which adhered to Luther, being generally called by no other name than the Lutherans, or the Lutheran Churches, as not reformed enough from the dregs of Rome. Then comes in his endeavours to promote that Platform in all other Church∣es, which he had calculated for the Meridian of Geneva only: commending it to Gasper Ole∣vianus Minister of the Church of Triers, as appearby his Letters dated April the twelf 1560, con∣gratulating the reception of it in the Churches of Poland, as appeareth by others of his Letters. And for the last help, comes in Beza, who not content to recommend it as convenient for the use of the Church (beyond which Calvin did not go) imposed it as a matter necessary upon all

the Churches: so necessary, ut ab ea recedere non magis liceat, quam ab ipsius Religionis placit is; that it was utterly as unlawfull to recede from this, as from the most materiall points of the Christian Faith. So he Epist. 83. By means whereof their followers in most of the Reformed Churches drove on so furiously, that rather than their Discipline should not be admitted, and the Episcopall Government destroied in all the Churches of CHRIST, they were resolved to depose Kings, ruin Kingdoms, and to subvert the fundamentall constitutions of all civill States. And hereunto their own Ambition gave them spur enough, affecting the supremacy in their severall Parishes, that they themselves might Lord it over Gods inheritance, under pre∣tence of setting CHRIST upon his Throne. Upon which love to the preheminence, they did not only prate against the Bishops, with malitious words (as Diotrephes for the same reason did against the Apostles) but not therewith content, neither would they themselves receive them, nor permit them that would, casting them out of the Church, with reproach and infamy. Which proud ambition in the ordinary Parochiall Minister, was cunningly fomented by some great persons, and many Lay-Patrons in all places, who underhand aimed at a further end: the one to raise themselves great fortunes out of Bishops Lands; the other to keep those Tythes them∣selves, to which by the Law they only were to nominate some deserving Person. Such were the helps by which this new device of Calvin was dispersed and propagated.

But to return unto Geneva, though Calvin for his time did hold the Chair as a perpetuall Moderator, and Beza too, untill Danaeus set him besides the Cushion: yet after that the pow∣er of the Presbyterie was shrewdly lessened in Geneva, and the good Members so restrained in the exercise of it, that they have no power to convent any man before them, but by the auto∣rity of a Syndick or Civill Magistrate. And as for maintaince, they hold their Ministers so strict∣ly to a sorry pittance, as would be sure to keep them from presuming too much on their pow∣er in Consistory. Tithes of all sorts, were to be taken up for the use of the State, and layd up in the publick Treasury; and stipends issued out to maintain the Ministerie: but those so mean, that Bezaes stipend whilst he lived, hardly amounted to eighty pound per annum, the refidue of the City-Ministers not to sixty pound, those of the Villages adjoyning, having hardly forty pound, enough to keep them always poor, and miserably obnoxious to the wealthier Citizen. And that they may not steal the Goose, and not stick up a feather, the Staee doth use to make some poor allowance to the wives and daughters of their deceased Ministers, if they dye poor, or leave their children unprovided; or otherwise have deserved well in the time of their lives. In respect hereof though the Ministers are very strict in forbidding Dancing, and have writ many Tracts against it; yet to give some content to the common people (who have not lea∣sure to attend it at other times) they allow all Man-like Exercises on the Lords-day, as shoot∣ing in peeces, long-bows, cross-bows, and the like, and that too in the morning both before and after the Sermon; so it be no impediment to them from coming to the Church at the times appointed.

As for the Government of the State, it is directed principally by the Civill or Imperiall Laws; the Judge whereof is called the Leiutenant-criminall, before whom all causes are tryed, and from whom there lyeth no Appeal, unless it be unto the Counsell of two hundred, whom they call the Great Counsell, in which the supreme power of the State resideth. Out of this Counsell of two hundred, there is chosen another lesser Counsell of five and twenty, and out of them four principall Officers whom they call the Syndiques, who have the sole managing of the Com∣monwealth, except it be in some great matter, as making Peace or War, offensive or defensive Leagues, hearing Appeales, and such like generall concernments; which the great Counsell of tvvo hundred must determine of. They have a custom superadded to the Civill Law, that if any Malefactor from another place fly to them for refuge, they punish him after the custom of the place in which the crime was committed. Otherwise, their Town being on the bor∣ders of divers Provinces, would never be free from Vagabonds. Examples hereof I will assign two: the first of certain Monks, who robbing their Convents of certain plate, and hoping for their wicked pranks at home to be the welcomer hither, were at their first acquaintance ad∣vanced to the Gallows. The second is of a Spanish Gentleman, who having fled his Country for clipping and counterfeiting the Kings Gold, came to this town, and had the like re∣ward. And when for defence he alleged, that he understood their City being free, gave admission to all Offenders; true (said they) but with an intent to punish them that offended: a distinction which the Spaniard never till then learned, but then it was too late.

As for their ordinary Revenue, it is proportionable to their Territory, if not above it, con∣ceived to amount to sixty thousand pound per annum, which they raise upon the demain of the Bishop, and the Tithes of the Church, and on such impositions as are layd upon flesh and Merchandise. But they are able to raise greater sums if there be occasion, as appears plainly by the sending of 45000 Crowns to King Henry the third, before they had been long setled in their own estates.

And as for Military forces, they are able to impress two thousand men, and have Arms of all sorts for so many in the publick Arsenall: as also twelve or fourteen peeces of Ordnance, with all manner of Ammunition appertaining to them; and on the Lake some Gallies in continuall readiness against the dangers threatned them from the Dukes of Savoy. And for

the greater safety of their Estate, and the preservation of their Religion, they joyned them∣selves in a constant and perpetuall League with the Canton of Bern, An. 1528, communicating to each other the Freedom of their severall Cities; and by that means, are reckoned for a member of the Commonwealth of the Switzers, which is no small security to their affairs. But their chief strength, as I conceive, is that the neighbor Princes are not willing to have it fall into the hands of that Duke, or any other Potentate of more strength than he. Insomuch that vvhen that Duke besieged it, An. 1589, they were ayded from Venice with four and twen∣ty thousand, and from England with thirteen thousand Crowns, from Florence with Intelli∣gence of the Enemies purposes. Another time, when the Pope, the French King, the Spa∣niard, and Savoyard had designs upon it; the Emperor offered them assistance both of Men and Money: yea and sometimes the Dukes of Savoy have assisted them against the others, as being more desirous that the Town should remain as it doth, than fall into any other hands than his own. So ordinary a thing it is for such petit States, to be more safe by the interess of their jealous neighbors, than any forces of their ovvn.

The Arms of Geneva, when under the command of the Earls thereof, vvere Or, a Cros•• Azure.

4. WALLISLAND.

EAstward from Savoy in a long and deep bottom of the Alpes Poeninae, lyeth the Country of WALLISLAND, so called either quasi Wallensland, or the land of the Valenses, once the Inhabitants of the Country about Martinacht, a chief Town hereof; or quasi Vallis-land, or the Land of Vallies, of which it totally consists. It reacheth from the Mountain de Furcken to the Town of Saint Maurice, where again the hills do close, and shut up the valley; which is so narrow in that place, that a bridge layd from one hill to another (under which the Ri∣ver Rhosne doth pass) is capable of no more than one Arch onely, and that defended with a Castle and two strong Gates. On other parts it is environed with a continuall wall of steep and horrid Mountains, covered all the year long with a crust of Ice, not passable at all by Ar∣mies, and not without much difficulty by single passengers; so that having but that one entrance to it, which before we spake of, no Citadell can be made so strong by Art, as this whole Country is by Nature. But in the bottom of those craggy and impassable Rocks lies a plea∣sant Valley, fruitfull in Saffron, Corn, Wine, and most delicate fruits, and happily enriched with Meadows, and most excellent Pastures, which yeeld a notable increase of Cheese and But∣ter: And in the Countrey about Sion they discovered in the year 1544 a Fountain of Salt; and have also many hot Bathes and medicinall waters very wholsom. Of Springs and River∣water they are very destitute, having scarce any but what they fetch from the Rhosne vvith a great deal both of charge and trouble (the common people using snow-water for the most part for domestick uses) which made one pleasantly observe, that they pay there dearer for their water than they do for their Wine. Cattell they have sufficient to serve their turn, and amongst others, a wild Buck, equall to a Stag in bigness, footed like a Goat, and horned like a fal∣low Deer, leaping with vvonderfull agility from one precipice to another, and so not easily caught but in Summer time; for then the heat of that season makes him blind.

It is divided into the Upper and the Lower Wallisland; the Upper lying towards the Mountain de Furcken, in the very bottom of the Valley; and the Lower stretching out to the Town of Saint Maurice, which is at the opening of the same: the length of both said to be five ordina∣ry daies journey, but the bredth not answerable. The Upper Wallisland containeth the seven Resorts of 1 Sion, or Sedune, 2 Leuck, 3 Brig, 4 Nies, 5 Rawren, 6 Sider, 7 Gombes; in which are reckoned thirty Parishes: the Lower comprehending the six Resorts of 1 Gurdis, 2 Ardoa, 3 Sallien, 4 Martinacht, 5 Jutremont, and 6 Saint Maurice; in which are 24 Parishes. The peo∣ple in both parts said to be courteous towards strangers, but very rough and churlish towards one another.

The severall Resorts before mentioned are named according to the names of their princi∣pall Towns; which according to their reckoning are thirteen in number. The chief of which are 1 Sedunum, Sittim or Sion, a Bishops See, suffragan to the Metropolitan of Tarentuise; the chief of all this little Country: of no great beauty in it self, but neat and gallant in respect of the Towns about it. Situate in a Plain on the River of Rhosne, under a Mountain of tvvo tops; on the one of which, being the lower, is seated the Cathedrall Church, and the Canons houses; and on the other, looking downwards with a dreadfull precipice, a very strong Ca∣stle, the dwelling place of the Bishop in the heats of Summer: which being built upon an hill of so great an height, and of so hazardous an ascent, is impossible almost to be took by force; the sharpness of the Rocks keeping it from the danger of assaults, and the highness of the hill from the reach of Gun-shot. 2 Marchinacht, by Caesar called Octodurus, and Civitas Valensium by Antoninus, remarkable for its antiquity only. 3 Saint Maurice, or Saint Mo∣rits, antiently Augaunum, the Key of the whole Country, but in Winter especially, vvhen

all the other passages are so frozen up, that there is no other entrance but by the Bridge at this Town: vvhich for that cause is very well manned and fortified to avoyd surpri∣sall; and therefore also chosen for the seat of the Governour of the Lower Wallis∣land.

This Country now called Wallisland, is in most Latin Writers called by the name of Va∣lesia, but corruptly, as I think, for Valensia, as the Dutch or English name for Wallinsland: which name I should conceive it took from the Valenses, the old inhabitants of this valley, of vvhom Octodusus (now called Marchinacht) is by Antoninus made to be the Metropolis or prin∣cipall City. It was made subject to the Romans by Julius Caesar, at such time as the Helveti∣ans were conquered by him: and falling with the Western parts of the Roman Empire unto Charles the great, was by him given to Theodulus Bishop of Sion, An. 805. Under his succes∣sors they continue to this very day; but so, as that the Deputies of the seven Resorts have not only voyces with the Canons in his Election, but being chosen and invested into the place, they joyn with him also in the Diets for choosing Magistrates, redressing grievances, and de∣termining matters of the State. The Lower Wallisland obeyeth the upper, made subject by long War, and the chance of Victory, and hath no sway at all in the publick Government, but takes for Law that which their Governours agree of. The same Religion is in both, be∣ing that of Rome. For maintainance whereof they combined themselves with the seven Popish Cantons of Switzerland, An. 1572, or thereabouts: as also for their mutuall de∣fence and preservation against Forein Enemies, and keeping amitie and concord amongst one another.

5. SWITZERLAND

NExt unto Wallisland lyeth the Country of the SWITZERS, having on the East, the Grisons, and some part of Tirol, in Germany; on the West, the Mountain Jour, and the Lake of Geneve, which parts it from Savoy and Burgundy; on the North, Suevia or Scwaben, a∣nother Province also of the upper Germany; and on the South, Wallisland and the Alpes, which border on the Dukedom of Millain.

The whole Country heretofore divided into three parts onely, that is to say, 1 Azgow, so called from the River Aaz, whose chief Town was Lucern. 2 Wislispurgergow, so called from Wiflispurg an old Town thereof, the chief City whereof is Bern. And 3 Zurichgow, so named from Zurich, both formerly and at this present the Town of most note in all this Tract; but since the falling off of these Countries from the house of Austria, divided into many Cantons and other members; of which more anon.

It is wholly in a manner over-grown with craggy Mountains, but such as for the most part have grassie tops, and in their bottoms afford rich Meadows, and nourishing pastures, which breed them a great stock of Cattell, their greatest wealth. And in some places yeelds plenty of very good Wines, and a fair increase of Corn also, if care and industry be not wanting on the Husband-mans part, but neither in so great abundance as to serve all ne∣cessary uses, which want they doe supply from their neighbouring Countries. And though it stand upon as high ground as any in Christendom, yet is no place more stored with Rivers, and capacious Lakes, vvhich doe not onely yeeld them great aboundance of Fish, but serve the people very vvell in the vvay of Traffick to disperse their severall Commodities from one Canton to another. Of which the principall are, Bodensee, and the Lake of Cell, made by the Rhene; Genser see, or the Lake of Geneve, by the Rhosne; Walldstet see, and the Lake of Lu∣cern, made by the Russe; Namonburger and Bieter sees, by the Orbe; and Zurich see, by the Ri∣ver of Limat, or Limachus.

It is in length two hundred and forty miles, an hundred and eighty in bredth: conceived to be the highest Countrey in Europe (as before is sayd) the Rivers which do issue from it running thorow all quarters of the same, as Rhene thorough France and Belgium, North; Po, thorough Italie to the South; Rhodanus, thorough part of France to the Western Ocean; and the Inn, which falllng into the Danubius passeth thorow Germany and Hungary into Pontus Euxinus.

And as the Country is, such are the Inhabitants, of rude and rugged dispositions, more fit for Arms than any civill occupations, capable of toyl and labour, which the necessities of their Country doth inure them to, not able otherwise to afford them an hungry livelyhood: the poverty whereof makes them seek for service, which they shift and change according as they like the conditions of their entertainment; and having no way to vent their superfluous numbers by Navigation, are able to spare greater multitudes to a Forein War, than a man would easily imagine. In a word, the people are naturally honest, frugall, and industrious, impartiall in the administration of Justice, and great lovers of Liberty.

In matters of War, they were once of such a reputation, on the defeats given by them to Charles of Burgundy, that no Prince thought himself able to take the field, or stand his own

ground in defence of his Dominions; if he had not Switzers in his Army: And to advance their reputation, the Wars which followed in Italie about the Dutchy of Millain, served ex∣ceeding fitly. For being borderers on that Country, they could be hired better cheap by the French or Spaniard than any Army could be brought out of France of Spain. And having had some good successes to increase their fame, they grew so terrible at last, that the Spaniards in the War of Guyen were more affraid of one band of Suisse, than of all the rest of the French Army. But being found withall to be salse and treacherous, and easily bought off by the better purse (which they most evidently discovered in betraying Duke Lodowick Sforze, who had put himself and his estate into their hands) and those Italian Wars growing unto an end, they did decay so fast in their reputation, that first the neighbouring Princes could doe well without them, and at last used them not at all, or at least very sparingly. And now it is their honour that they are chosen of the Gaurd to the French King, and the Popes of Rome, and the Dukes of Genoa; and that the greatest Princes of Europe give them yearly pensions. Which pen∣••••ons were given heretofore to be assured of their ayd upon all occasions, but now to keep them from engaging on the other side.

For matter of Religion, it is proportionably mixt, some of the Cantons being wholly Po∣pish, some wholly Protestant; in others both Religions used promiscuously. At first the diffe∣rences were so eagerly pursued on both sides, that notwithstanding the mediation of some po∣tent neighbours, it broke out into a Civil War; the Cantons of Switz, Uren, Underwald, Lueern, and Zug (which the Latin Writers of this story call the Quinquepagici) arming against Urich, Bern, and others which adhered to Zuinglius. In the beginning of which War, the Protestant party was discomfited, Zuinglius himself slain in the head of the battell, and his body burnt: his heart remaining in the middest of the fire, whole and untouched (as Arch-bishop Cranmers also did) when all the rest of his body was consumed to ashes. But those of the Reformed party would not so give over: Another field they fought for it, and therein had the better of the adverse party. Wearied at last with these reciprocall defeats, they agreed the business, indulging each to other the free exercise of their own Religions. So it continueth at this day, diversitie of opi∣nions not drawing them from a due care of the publick interesse, nor giving any inter∣ruption to that bond of peace vvhich was so firmly knit amongst them in their first confe∣deracies.

Now for the body of their State, it consists of three distinct parts, or members, which are to be considered in this discourse; viz. the Swisse themselves, the Praefectures which are sub∣ject to them, and the States that are confederate with them. The Swisse are subdivided into thirteen Cantons, that is to say Swits, Uren, Underwald, Lucern, Zug, Bern, Zurich, Basil, Fri∣burg, Soloturn, Apenzel, Glaris, and Schaffhausen. These properly make the body of that Com∣monwealth; enjoying many rights privileges and preheminences which the others do not, as power to determine of war and peace, to dispose of the Prafectures, and divide amongst them∣selves the spoyl of the Enemy. The first confederacy was made betwixt the Cantons of Switz, and Underwald, An. 1315. Of which the Switz being the most potent, the most exasperated, and that which did most hotly prosecute the combination, gave to the rest the name of Switzers. Lu••ern was added to the three, An. 1332. Zug, Zurich, and Glaris, came not into the confede∣racy till the year 1351; nor Bern untill the year next after. Friburg and Soloturn came in An. 1481. Basil and Schaffhausen united with them in the year 1501. So that there passed within little of two hundred years from the first beginning of these Leagues to the finishing of them.

The second Member of this body are the Towns and States Confederates with them for the preservation of their common Liberties, viz. the Town and Abbot of Saint Gall, the Towns of Rotwell, Mulhasen, Nuwenberg, and Biel, situate on the Lake thence named; of which the first belonged heretofore to the Earls of Longeville in France, the latter to the Bi∣shops of 〈◊〉〈◊〉; with the City and Signeury of Geneva: And of these, Rotwell and Mulhasen are confederate with all the Cantons, the rest with some particulars only. The Abbot of Saint God first entered into League with Zurich, Lucern, Switz, and Glaris, for the preservation of his ••and•• and Towns then revolting from him: and the Town following his example, confederated with Zurich, Bern, Switz, Lucern, Zug, and Glaris, the better to preserve themselves from the power of their Abbot, who was before their naturall and immediate Lord. This was in Anno 1452. Rotwell and Mulhausen two Imperiall Towns in the Province of Schawben confederated in a perpetuall League withall the Cantons, the first An. 1515. the other An. 1519, N••venberg, B••el, and Geneva, with Bern only.

As for the Praefectures of the Switzers, they are such lesser parcels and addiments as have accrewed to their Estate, and are subject unto their authority, either by gift, purchase, or the chance of war: some lying in Switzerland it self, some amongst other parts of the Alpes, and some in Italie. These are the Towns and Countries of Baden, Brengarten, Millin∣gen, Rappensw••ll, Wagenthail, interposed here and there amongst the Switzers: the Town and Country of Sargans, lying amongst the Rhaetian Alpes, not far from the Grisons; and Rhineck, lying in a valley of the Alpes on the left shore of the Rhene, near the Lake of Constans; and fi∣nally

the vallies of Locarno, Magia, and Lugano, Mendrisio, and Belinzano, situate in and amongst the Alpes, near the Dukedom of Millain, to vvhich they formerly belonged. Of which the Praefectures of Baden and Mellingen appertain to the eight first Cantons: Wagenthall, the Sargans, and Rheineck to the seven first Cantons: Rappenswill to Uren., Swits, Underwald, Glaris, and Tur∣gow, unto the ten first Cantons; Belinzano to the three first only, and all the rest of the Italian Praefectures to the Cantons generally, excepting Apenzell, which was entred into the confede∣racy when these Praefectures were given unto the Switzers by Maximilian Sforza Duke of Millain, which was in An. 1513, some moneths before the taking in of Apenzel to the rest of the Cantons.

Such is the number of the Cantons, Praefectures, and States confederate, amongst all vvhich there are few Towns or Cities of any note: there being no City nor walled Town in the Can∣tons of Swits, Uren, Underwalden, Glaris, Apenzel, nor in any of the States confederate situate amongst the Switzers, but Saint Gall onely; nor in any of the Praefectures but that of Baden. So that the places worthy of consideration are not like to be many. Of those that are, the principall are, 1 Zurich, a large City, and a renowned University, situate on both sides of the River Limat, where it issueth out of the Lake called Zurich-See. It had antiently two Mo∣nasteries in it, in one of which Huldericus Zuinglius was a Canon, slain near this Town in the battell spoken of before, An. 1531. now giving name to the most honourable of the Cantons, to which belongeth the autority of summoning the generall Diets, as of those also of the Prote∣stants, the Legates thereof presiding in both Assemblies. 2 Friburg, situate on the River Sana, on the declivity of an uneven and rocky hill, founded by Bertold the fourth Duke of Zurin∣gen. 3 Solothurn, (the Solothurum of Antoninus) on the River of Aar, famous for the Martyr∣dom of S. Ursus, and his 66 Theban Souldiers, in the time of the Emperour Dioclesian. A Town of great Antiquity, but not so old by far as the people make it; who would have it to be built in the time of Abraham. 4 Basil, so called either of a Basilisk slain at the building of the City, or of the German word Pasel, signifying a path; or of 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 signifying Kingly. It was built An. 382, and is famous for an University founded by Pins the second, Anno 1459. It was made a Canton An. 1501; and is honoured with the Sepulchers of Oecolampadius, Eras∣mus, Pontanus, Glarienus, and Hottoman, the famous Civilian. In this City, An. 1431. vvas hold that notable Councill, wherein though the Papall authority was then at the height, it was decreed that a generall Councill was above the Pope. What was then enacted was immedi∣ately put in practise; the Councill deposing Pope Eugenius the fourth, and placing in his room Amadeus Duke of Savoy, afterward called Felix the fourth, who having held the See nine years in a time of Schism, did willingly, in order to the peace of Christendom, resign the Pope∣dom to Nicolas to fift, who had before been chosen by the opposite Faction. The City is great, rich, and populous, sometimes a Town Imperiall, still a Bishops See, the Bishop being subject to the Arch-Bishop of Besanson, in the County of Burgundie: seated upon the River Rhene (where it receiveth Weis and Byrsa, two lesser brooks) by which it is divided into the greater Basil lying towards France, and the lesser lying towards Germany. 5 Lucern, situate on both sides of the Russe, where it issueth out of the Lake of Lucern, so called from Lucerna, i. e. the Lan∣tern, which was placed here on an high Tower, to give light to Water-men in the night. A Ci∣ty well traded, and frequented by strangers, because the ordinary road from Germany into I∣talie, passing from hence thorow the Country of the Grisons; and in regard that the Diets for the Popish Cantons, which heretofore were held at Uren, are removed hither. Not far from this Town is the Mountain called Pilates hill, of Pontius Pilate, whose ghost (as the common people are made to beleeve) doth walk once a year on the banks of this Lake, in his Judges Robes. And to be sure the fiction shall not be confuted, they adde, that whosoever seeth him shall die that year. 6 Bern, compassed almost round with the River Aar, and taking up the whole ex∣tent of a little mountain: the houses of free-stone, neatly and uniformly built. A Town which gives name to the largest and most potent of all the Cantons, and one of the first which did embrace the Reformation, and the first of all which purged it self of Images, those excel∣lent Instruments of Superstition and Idolatry, defaced here in a popular tumult, An. 1548. 7 Lausanna in the Canton of Bern, a Bishops See, Suffragan to the Arch-Bishop of Besanson, seated on the banks of the Lake of Lemane, and compassed with mountains alwaies covered with snow, which open themselves on the East side onely, which is towards Italie. 8 Schaff∣hausen, the only Town of all the Cantons, which lyeth on the other side of the Rhene, of right belonging unto Suevia, or Scawben, a Province of Germany, and reckoned as a part thereof, be∣fore it was incorporated into this Confederacy.

Next for the Praefectures, and confederate States, they have not many Towns of note (except∣ing Rotwell, and Mulhusen two Imperiall Cities, which properly belong to another place.) Of those which be the principall amongst the Confederates, lying within the bounds of this Coun∣try, is the Town of Saint Gall (Sengall as they corruptly call it) an Imperiall City, situate amongst the Mountains near the Boden-Zee: A rich, populous, and well-governed Town, taking name from the Monastery of S. Gall, a famous Scot, and the Apostle of those parts, An. 630, or thereabouts; the Abbat of which having great possessions in this tract (before Apen∣zell, and this Town revolted from him) was a Prince of the Empire. The Anabaptists were once very prevalent here, insomuch that one of them cut off his brothers head in the presence

of his Father and Mother, and sayd (according to the humor of that sect, who boast much of dreams, visions, and Enthusiasms) that God commanded him so to doe. The principal amongst the Praefectures is the Town of Baden, or (to difference it from Baden a Marquisate in Germany) the Upper Baden, seated on a little Mountain near the River Limat, almost in the middle of the Countrey; and for that cause the place of meeting for the Councell of Estate of all the Con∣federates. It taketh name from the Bathes here being, two of which onely are publick, the rest in private houses: conscious, as it is thought, to much lasciviousness. For whereas it is said of Adrian, that Lavacra pro sexibus separavit; here men and women promiscuously Bath to∣gether; and which is worst, in private: where, as Munster telleth us, Cernunt viri uxores tracta∣ri, cernunt cum alienis loqui, & quidem solam cum solo; and yet are not any of them disturbed with jealousie. These Bathes are much frequented, yet not so much for health as pleasure. Their chiefest vertue is the quickning power they have upon barren women. But as the Frier; use to send men whose wives are fruitless, in pilgrimage to Saint Joyce, the Patroness of fruit∣fulness, and in the mean time to lye with their wives: so it may be with good reason thought, that in a place of such Liberty as this is, the lusty and young gallants that haunt this place, produce greater operation on barren women, than the waters of the Bath it self. No other Town of eminent note amongst the Praefectures of the Swisses, except Rheineck it self, the seat of the Governour for the Switzers, situate near the Lake of Constance: and none of any note at all amongst the Italian Praefectures, except Belinzana, and Locarno, neither of them containing 400 Houses, and those none of the handsomest.

Within the limits of this Country, and in that part thereof which was called Argow, con∣taining the now Cantons of Uren, Swits, Underwald, Glarona, and Lucern; with some of the ad∣joyning parts of Germany, and some part of the Dukedom of Savoy; did sometimes stand the famous and renowned Castle of Habspurg, from the Lords whereof the house of Austria, and most of the Kings and Princes of the Christian World doe derive themselves. First founded, as some say, by Ottopert the third Prince of this line, at or before the year 700, as others say by Rapato the sonne of Betzeline, about the year 1020. Situate on the River Aar (by the Latins called Arula) near a Town called Bruck; now so decaied, that there is no tracing of the ruins. Preserved in memory by the Lords and Princes of it, descended in a direct line from Sigebert the eldest sonne of Theodebert King of Mets or Austrasia; first setled in these parts by Clotaire the second King of the French, with the title, as some say, of Duke of Upper Almain (the Lower Almain being that which is novv called Suevia or Schawben, an adjoyning Province of Ger∣man••) Being soon weary of that empty, but invidious title, they were sometimes called Earls of Habspurg, by the name of this Castle; sometimes Earls of Altemburg, another Castle not far oft, of their own foundation. And after closing in with the Kings of Burgundie Transjurane, and the German Emperors, they received of them a great part of the Country of Argow, from which some of them were called Earls of Argow. Not known distinctly by the title of Earls of Habspurg, till the time of Rapato above-mentioned, when those of Altemburg and Argow became discontinued. Howsoever, we will here lay down the whole succession of this famous Family, either Earls, or the Progenitors of.

The Earls of Habspurg.

• 635 1 Sigibert, sonne of Theodebert King of Mets, by Clotaire the second of that name, French King, dispossessed of the kingdom of his Father, and afterwards by him indowed with a great part of those Countries which are now called Switzerland, with the title of Duke of Upper Almain.
• 2 Sigibert II. sonne of Sigibert the first, Duke of Upper Almain.
• 3 Ottopert, or Otbert, the sonne of Sigibert the second, the founder, as some say, of the Castles of Altemburg, and Habspurg, of which promiscuously called Earl.
• 4 Bebo, the sonne of Ottopert, the last Duke of Upper Almain, which title he exchanged for that of Earl of Altemburg, and Habspurg.
• 5 Robert, or Rother, as some call him, the sonne of Bebo, Earl of Altemburg.
• 766 6 Hertopert, the sonne of Robert, who added unto his Estate that part of Scwaben, or Suevia, which is called Brisgow.
• 7 Rampert, the sonne of Hertopert, who flourished An. 814, at what time he procured the Canonization of S. Trutpertus.
• 8 Guntram, the sonne of Rumpert, Earl of Altemburg.
• 9 Luithard, the sonne of Guntram.
• 999 10 Lunfride, the sonne of Luithard.
• 929 11 Hunifride, the sonne of Luitfride, who added unto his Estates the Territory now cal∣led Sungow, bordering on Alsatia, a Province of Germany; recovered after his decease by the Dukes of Scawben.
• 950 12 Guntram II. sonne of Humfride, the first who took unto himself the title of Earl of Argow: from whose second sonne named Berthilo, descended the Dukes or Earls of Zeringen, possessed of almost all Brisgow, and good part of Switzerland.
• ...

• 13 Betzo, or Betzeline, sonne of Guntram the second, Earl of Argow.
• 14 Rapato, sonne of Betzeline, the founder or repairer of the Castle of Habspurg, from whence both he and his successors were constantly called Earls of Habspurg. Great Grand-father, by Theodorick his youngest sonne, of Rodolph Earl of Rhinefelden, and Duke of Schawben, elected Emperor (at the instigation of the Pope) agains Henry the fourth.
• 15 Warner, by some called Berengar, or Berengarius, the sonne of Rapato.
• 1096 16 Otho, the sonne of Warner or Berengar.
• 1108 17 Warner II. sonne of Otho, enriched by the Emperor Henry the fourth, with some fair Estates belonging to the Dukes of Schawben.
• 18 Albert, the sonne of Warner the second, surnamed the Rich.
• 19 Albert II. surnamed the Wise, sonne of Albert the first, added to his Estates all the Upper Alsatia, which he had by the right of Heduigis his wife, daughter and heir of Simon, the last Earl thereof.
• 1238 20 Rodolph, the fortunate sonne of Albert the second, elected Emperor of the Romans, An. 1273. Of which he made so good advantage, that he added unto his Estates the great Dukedom of Austria, with all the incorporate Provinces thereunto belonging, and layd the first foundation of the Austrian greatness; of which more in Germany.

Having on the occasion of these Earles of Habspurg, beheld so much of the affairs of this Country, as related to that puissant and illustrious Family, let us go forward to the rest: first taking in our way the antient Estate hereof in the time of the Romans. At what time this whole mountainous tract, containing many severall Nations (some of them spoken of before) vvas comprehended under the generall name and notion of the Helvetii; the greatest and most po∣pulous of all the rest: so called, as Verstegan will have it, quasi Hil-Vites, or the Vites of the Mountains, to difference them from the Vites of the lower parts, inhabiting in that part of the Cimbrick Chersonnese, which is now called Juitland. Grown by long peace, and want of op∣portunity by traffick into forein parts, to so great a multitude, that the Country, barren of it self, was no longer able to maintain them, they set fire on their Towns and Houses, and with a generall resolution went to seek new dwellings. The totall number of men, women and children, which went upon this desperate action, are sayd to have amounted to the num∣ber of 3680000, whereof 900000 were fighting men. They had not long before overthrown L. Cassius a Roman Consul, slain the Consul himself, and sold his Souldiers for Bond-slaves: upon the apprehension of which good success, they thought no body able to withstand them: But they found Caesar of a stronger metall than L. Cassius. Who having stopped their passage by hewing down the bridge of Geneva, till he was grown strong enough to bid them battell▪ so wasted them in severall skirmishes and defeats, that they were forced to crave leave of him to go home again, and to rebuild those Towns and Villages which they had destroyed before this enterprise; which he upon deliverie of Hostages did vouchsafe to grant. It is conceived, that at the least two Millions of them perished in this journey, not so much by the sword (though that spared them not) as for want of necessaries. After this they continued Members of the Roman Empire, till conquered in the times of Honorius and Valentinian the third, by the Burgundians and Almans, betwixt whom divided, the River Russ parting their dominions. From them being taken by the French, it was made a part of the Kingdom of Burgundie; some parts first taken out, and given to the Progenitors of the Earls of Habspurg, as before was no∣ted. Given with the rest of that Kingdom to the Emperor Conrade the second, by Rodolph the last King thereof: parcelled out by the German Emperors (as their custom was) into divers States; most of the which were drawn in by the Dukes of Schawben, the Earls of Habs∣purg; and the Dukes of Zezingen; as afterwards in the fall of the one, and as heirs to the other, by the Dukes of Austria. But being at last over-burdened by the tyrannie of those Governors, whom the Dukes of Austria sent among them; seeing withall the Empire by the Popes Fulmina∣tions distracted into many Factions, and the Austrian Family weakned by a sub-division of that great Estate into many parcels; they contracted an Offensive and Defensive League amongst themselves for defeuce of their Liberty, into which first entred those of Switz, Uren, and Under∣walden, An^o 1316. Not all united into one Confederation till the year 1511, as before was noted. At their first beginning to take Arms, Frederick, one of the many Dukes of Austria (to whose share they fell) sent his sonne Leopald against them with a puissant Army; which they encountred with near S••mpuch, a village of the now Canton of Lucern, and there overthrevv him: but more by the convenience of those narrow passages, thorough which his Army vvas to march, than by any valour: In which it was no small help to them, that the waies were all so filled with Ice, that he was able to do no service with his Horse; and his souldiers so ama∣zed at the present difficulties, that the Confederates only casting stones on them from the tops of the Mountains, made them leap into the Lakes adjoyning.

Having thus cleared themselves of the Houses of Austria, they continued in a Free-Estate, but never came to any reputation by their valour, till the War which Charles Duke of Burgundy made against them, whom they discomfited in three set battels. A War begun on very small

occasions, and less hopes: the Countrey being so barren, and the people so poor, that their Ambassador to the Duke (as Comines reporteth) protested, that if all their Countrey-men were taken, they would not be able to pay a ransom, to the value of the spurs and bridle-bits in his Camp. Certainly at that time they were so poor, that they knew not what riches was; for ha∣ving won the first battell at Granson (the other two were those of Morat and Nancie) one of the goodliest Pavillions in the World was by them torn into peeces, and turned into breeches and side-coats: divers silver plates and dishes they sold for a French Sous (each Sous a little more than an English penny) supposing them to be but pewter; and a great Diamond of the Dukes, which was the goodliest Jewell in Christendom, was sold to a Priest for a Guilder; and by him again to some of the Lords of the Country for three Franks. After their valour shevved in these battels, Lewis the 11. took them into pension, giving them yearly forty thousand Crown••, viz. twenty thousand to the Cities, and twenty thousand to particular persons; and bowed so much beneath the Majesty of the most Christian King, as to term himself one of the B••u••∣gesses of their Corporation; and to contend with the Duke of Savoy, which of them should be held for their first Allie. By these arts, and the nearness of their Forces for those occasion••, he wrested Burgundie out of the hands of Mary the daughter of Charles; and Lewis the twelfth won Millain from Ludowick Sforze, whom they perfidiously betrayed, as was said before. Upon the merit of these services, they required an Augmentation of their pensions; which when this Lewis the twelfth denied, they withdrew themselves from the Amity of the French, and entred into the service of Pope Julio the second, who therefore stiled them the Defenders of the Church, An. 1510. The fruits of which entertainment was the defeat of the whole forces of King Lewis, and the loss of Millain, into which Maximilian Sforze, the sonne of Ludowick was solemnly re-instated by the Confederates: who to oblige the Switzers more firmly to him, gave them those Towns and Vallies in the Alpes of Italy (formerly members of that Dukedom) which now belong unto the Switzers, reckoned amongst the Praefectures of their Common∣wealth. Francis the first, in pursuance of his claim to Millain, gave them a great and memora∣ble overthrow at the battell of Marignan; yet afterwards considering what damage his Realm had sustained by the revolt of these Auxiliaries to his Enemies, he renewed the Confederation with them, on condition that he should restore the antient pension of forty thousand Crowns; secondly, that he should pay unto them at certain terms, six hundred thousand Crowns; third∣ly, that he should entertain four thousand of them in his pay continually; fourthly, that for the restoring of such places as they had taken from the Dutchy of Millain, he should give unto them thirty thousand Crowns; fiftly, that he should give them three moneths pay before-hand; fixtly and lastly, that Maximilian Sforze, whom they had estated in Millain, and were now go∣ing to dispossess, might by the King be created Duke of Nemours, endowed with twelve thou∣sand Frankes of yearly revenue, and maried to a daughter of the blood royall. On these con∣ditions, as honourable to them as burdensom to the King, was the League renewed An. 1522: since which time, they have obtained, that six hundred of their Country are to be of the French Kings Guard: five hundred of which wait without at the gates of the Court; the other hun∣dred in the great Hall. And yet the French Kings did not so ingross the Market though they raised the price of the commodity, but that all other Princes might have them also for their money: the Kings of Spain and others bidding fair for them, but never going so high as the French had done. At last, upon the differences which gr••w amongst themselves in point of Religion, they grew to be divided also in point of Pension: the Popish Cantons taking pensions of the Pope and the King of Spain, the Protestants of the French, the mixt of both, and all of the Venetians. By which means, being bribed and corrupted by all, they came in very lit∣tle time to be trusted of none. Which sudden sinking of that fame and reputation which they had attained to, together with the reasons of it, that notable Statesman and Historian Guicci∣ardine doth describe, as followeth:

The name (saith he) of this wild and uncivill Nation hath got great honour by their concord, and glory by Arms. For being fierce by nature, in∣ured to War, and exact keepers of Milltary discipline, they have not onely defended their own Country, but have won much praise in forein parts, which doubtless had been greater, if they had sought to inlarge their own Empire, and not for wages to inlarge the Empire of others; and if nobly they had propounded unto themselves any other ends than he gain of mony, by the love whereof being made abject, they have lost the opportunity of becomming fearfull to Italy. For since they never came out of their confines but as mercenarie men, they have had no publick fruit of their Victories: but by their covetousness have become intolle∣rable in their exactions where they overcame, and in their demands with other men; yea, at home froward and obstinate in their conclusions, as well as in following their commands under whose pay they serve in War. Their chief men have pensions of severall Princes to favour them in their publick meetings: and so private profit being preferred before the good of the publick, they are apt to be corrupted, and fall at discord amongst them∣selves, with great lessening of the reputation which they had gotten amongst strangers.

So he, relating the affairs of the year 1511, which the following issue of affairs hath fully verified.

As for the Government of this State, it is meerly popular, and that not only in the particular

Cantons, but the aggregate body of their Counsell: the Gentry and Nobility being either root∣ed up in those long Wars which were betwixt them and their Vassals, justly provoked by those intollerable pressures and exactions which they layd upon them; or else worn out of memo∣ry and observation, for want of sway and suffrage in the Counsels of the Common-wealth. On∣ly in Schaffehausen, Basib, and Zurich, are some Gentry left, not capable of any place or suffrage in the Senate of the said Cantons (from which they are excluded by the common people, be∣cause they joyned not with them in their first revolt) unless they waive their Gentry, and be en∣rolled amongst the number of Plebeians. The rest they have (it seemeth) in so poor esteem, that Porters and Mechanicks of the meanest Trades, in all occasions of War are numbred with, and amongst these Gentlemen, making up one society onely, and joyning with them in electing the Master of their company, who is one of the Senate. But because that every Canton hath its proper Magistrates, but more or fewer, according as it is in greatness, or in the number of its severall Resorts, or sub-divisions; it will not be amiss to shew what number of Resorts are in every Canton; that is to say, in Underwalden only two, in Switz six, in Uren ten, in Zug five, in Glaris or Glarona fifteen, in Apenzel six, in Lucern seven, in Solothurn no more than one, in Fr••burg ninteen, in Basil and Schaffhausen but one a peece (the Cantons there and in Solothurn, reaching but little further than the Towns themselves) in that of Znrich thirty one, and thirty in that of Bern; in all, one hundred forty and eight. Of these consists the body of this Common∣wealth. In ordering whereof, every particular Canton hath its proper Magistrate, chosen by the commonalty of that Canton (whom they call the Wuaman) together with a standing Coun∣sell assistant to him, chosen out of the people, for the directing and disposing of their ovvn affairs; which meet and sit in the chief Town or Village of that District. But if the cause con∣cern the Publick, then every Canton sendeth one or more Commissioners to the generall Diets, where they determine of the business which they meet about, according to the major part of the Votes: the Commissioners of every Canton having one Vote only, though many may be sent from each, to adde the greater weight to their consultations. The place of meeting is most commonly at the Town of Baden, in respect of the commodity of the Inns and houses, the pleasant situation, and famous Medicinall Bathes; and because it is seated in the very cen∣ter of Switzerland, and subject to the eight first Cantons. And here they do determine of War, Peace, and Leagues; of making Laws; of sending, receiving, and answering Ambassa∣dors; of Governments, and distributing the publick Offices; and finally of difficult causes, and Appeales referred unto the judgement of the great Counsell. In which the City of Zu∣rich, chief of the Cantons, hath the first place, not by antiquity, but dignity, and of old custom hath the greatest authority of calling together this Great Counsell, signifying by Letters to each Canton, the cause, time, and place of meeting; yet so, that if any Canton think it for the publick good to have an extraordinary meeting of their Commissioners, they write to them of Zurich to appoint the same. That which the greater number do resolve upon, is without delay put in execution.

The Forces of these Suisse consist altogether of Foot, Horse being found unserviceable in the••e Mountainous Countries. And of these Foot, Boterns reckoneth that they are able to raise sixscore thousand. Which possibly may be true enough, if it be understood of all that be able to bear Arms. For otherwise de facto, the greatest Army that ever they brought into the field, consisted but of one and thirty thousand men, which was that wherewith they aid∣ed the confederate States of Italie against the French, and restored Maximilian Sforze to the Dukedom of Millain. Their ordinary standing Forces are conceived to be sixteen or seventeen thousand, which they may bring into the field, leaving their Towns and Forts well furnish∣ed. And for their Revenue, it is not like to be very great, considering the poverty of their Country, and their want of traffick with other Nations. That which is ordinaery and in com∣mon, ariseth out of the Annuall pensions which they receive from Forein States, the profits a∣rising out of their Dutch and Italian Praefectures, the Impost layd on Wines sold in Taverns, and Corn used by Bakers, and the rents of a dissolved Monasterie called Kings field (or Conings field) because many Kings and Queens have been cloystered there, amounting to forty thou∣sand Guldens yearly. Which Monastery was built in the year 1380, in memory and honour of the Emperor Albertus slain by his Nephew at Santback, not far from Basil. Their extraor∣dinary doth consist of spoyles that be gotten in the War; which if it be managed in common, are divided in common; but if by two or three of the Cantons onely, the rest can claim no share in the booty gotten.

But this is only in relation to the Switzers themselves. For otherwise taking in the Confe∣derate States, as well without, as within the bounds of that Country, they are able to raise fifty or threescore thousand men: that is to say, the Switzers themselves seventeen thousand, the Gri∣sons ten thousand, those of Wallisland six thousand, the Abbot and Town of S. Gall four thou∣sand, the City of Geneva two thousand, besides what Rotwel and Mulhusen, two Imperial Cities, are able to contribute towards it; the Dukes of Savoy being bound by their antient Leagues to ayd them with six hundred Horses at his own charges; besides two thousand six hundred Crowns in Annuall pensions. But the Revenue of those States is ordered by it self a part, and never comes within the computation of the publick; unless it be one the repulsing of a com∣mon

Enemy, in which they are equally concerned. In which case, and others of a generall interesse, they communicate both heads and purses: the Delegates and Commissioners of all the States of this Confederacy, meeting together to consult of the common cause, which meeting they entitle the Greatest Counsell. But this is very seldom held, publick affairs being generally ordered by the Commissioners of the Switzers only: though they themselves disclaim that name of Switzers as too mean and narrow, and call themselves Eidgenossen, that is to say, Par∣takers of the sworn Leagues. More of this Common-wealth he that lists to see, may satisfie him∣self in Simler, who purposely and punctually hath described the same.

6. THE LEAGVES OF THE GRISONS.

THe Country of the GRISONS comprehendeth all that part of the Alpes, which lyeth between the Springs of the Rivers Rhene, Inn, Adice or Athesis, and Adna: being bounded on the East, with the Country of Tirol; on the West, with Switzerland; on the North, vvith Suevia or Schwaben, and a part of the Switzers; on the South, with Lombardy. A Country far more mountainous than any of this Alpine tract, and having less naturall commodities to boast it self of, more than the Fountains of those Rivers before mentioned.

The people of it by most Latin Writers of these times are called by the name of Rhaeti, the Country Rhaetia; and so far properly enough, as that the antient Rhaeti did inhabit all the lands possessed by the Grisons, though the Grisons do not inhabit a fourth part of those lands, which were possessed heretofore by the antient Rhaeti: For antiently the Rhaeti did extend their dwellings as far as from the Alpes of Italie to the River of Danow; comprehending besides this of the Grisons, a great part of Suevia or Schwaben, Tirol, Bavaria, and so much also of the Switzers as was not in possession of the old Helvetii. Within which tract there were not only many rich vallies and fruitfull fields; but a most pleasant race of Wines called Vina Rhaetiea; much drank of by Augustus Casar, and by him preferred before all others; which no man can conceive to grow in this barren Country. More properly Ammianus Marcellinus calleth this Tract by the name of Campi Canini, mountainous fields, which the continuall snow made look of an hoary hew: and by allusion thereunto, the Dutchmen call this Nation at the present by the name of Graunpuntner, that is to say, the hoary or gray Confederates.

As for the Rhaeti, take them in the former latitude, they were subdued by Drusus and Tibe∣rius the sonnes-in-law, and adopted children, of Augustus Caesar, A. V. C. 739. And in the time of Antoninus made up two Provinces of the Empire, viz. Rhaetia prima, and Rhaetia secunda, both of them appertaining by Constantines new model to the Diocese of Italie. A Nation in the first original, of Italian race, and so more properly to be assigned to that Diocese: but had inhabi∣ted this tract, from the time that Bellovesus the Gall seized on part of Tuscany, expelling thence the antient inhabitants thereof: who under the conduct of Rhaetus, a great man amongst them, possessed themselves of these mountains, and afterwards of the vales adjoyning, which they called Rhaetia, by the name of their Captain Generall. This hapned in the time of Tar∣quinius Priscus, in the first cradle as it were of the Roman Empire: in the declining age where∣of, during the reign of Valentinian the third, and Anastasius, those parts which lay nearest un∣to Germany, and were worth the conquering, were subdved by the Almains and Boiarians, by them incorporated with the rest of their severall States. The residue of this mountainous tract, as not worth the looking after, continued a member of the Empire, till given by Charles the Great to the Bishop of Chur, whose successors, being several waies molested by their potent neighbors, confederated with the Switzers for their mutuall ayd and preservation, An. 1497. By whose ayd they so valiantly made good their ground against the Austrians, that at the last, after the loss of 20000 men on both sides, the points in difference were accorded, and a peace concluded.

This is the substance of this story, as to former times; to which there cannot much be ad∣ded in the way of History, little or no alteration hapning in their affairs, but a more perfect setling of them in a form of Government. Concerning which we must observe that this whole Tract is cast into three Divisions, that is to say, the Upper League or Liga Grisa. 2 Liga Cadi Dio, or the League of the house of God. 3 The Lower League, called also Liga ditture, or the League of the ten Commonalties. The eight Italian Praefectures will make a fourth. Their buildings generally in the three first being cold and mountainous, are of free-stone, but low, and for three parts of the year covered with snow; the windovvs thereof glazed and large, of which, for the said three parts of the year they only open a little quarrie of glass, and pre∣sently shut it close again; the outside of the windows having leaves of wood, to keep the

heat of their stoves from going out, or any cold from comming in. And as for travelling, the waies are for the most part unsafe and dangerous, by reason of the streight passages, dread∣full precipices, and those almost continuall bridges which hang over the terrible falls, and Cataracts of the River Rhene, descending with great violence from the highest mountains: huge hils of snow tumbling into the vallies, with a noise as hideous as if it were a clap of thunder.

For the particulars, the Upper League lyeth in the highest and most mountainous parts of the Alpes of Italie, having therein those vast mountains of Locknannier, and Der Vogel; out of vvhich the two streams of the Rhene have their first originall. By the French it is called Liga Grise, or the Gray League (the word Gris, or Grise, in that language, being Gray in ours) in the same sense as the Dutch call it Graunpuntner, that is, Confederati cani, which vve may render properly the Confederate Grisle-pates: either because the mountains are continually covered with a perriwig of hoary Isicles, or from the heads of this people, Gray before their time. It con∣sisteth of nineteen Resorts or Commonalties, according to the number of their Vales and Villages; of which four only speak the Dutch, all the rest a corrupt Italian: and was the first which did confederate with the Switzers, from whence the name of Grisons came unto the rest, who after joyned with them in the same confederacy. It hath no City nor Town of note. The principall of those that be, are 1 ••••anter, the place sometimes of the Generall Diets for these Leagues. 2 Diserntis, where is a very rich Monastery. 3 Saint Bernardino, situate at the foot of the Mountain Vogel. 4 Masox, sometimes an Earldom, giving name to the Valley of Masoxer-tal. 5 Galanckter, whence the vale so named, inhabited by none but Basket∣makers. 6 Ruffla, situate on the River Muesa, near Belinzano, on the skirts of Italie.

2 The second League, is Liga Cadi Dio, or the League of the house of God, so called because it was the proper Patrimony of the Bishop and Church of Chur: and may be called the middle League, as being situate between the Upper League on the West, and the Lower League upon the East. It is the greatest of the three, containing twenty one Resorts or Commonalties: of which nine lie on this side the tops of the Mountains towards Germany, the rest tovvards Italie, and yet two onely speak the Dutch, the others a corrupt Italian. The places of most note are, 1 Tintzen, the Tinnetio of Antoninus, seated amongst high and inaccessible Mountains, betvvixt Chur and the Valley of Bergel. 2 Mur (called Murus by the same Antoninus) in the valley of Bergel, a Valley extending from the head of the River Maira, tovvards Chiavenna, one of the. Italian Praefectures. 3 Stalla, called Bevio by the Italians, because the vvay doth in that place divide it self. 4 S. Jacomo (in the valley of Compoltschin) called Travasede by Antoninu••. 5 Sin∣nada, in the valley of Engadin. And 6 Chur, by some Coira, but more truly Curia, so called from the long stay that Constantine the great made here vvith his Court and Army, in a War intended against the Germans; built aftervvards by some part of his forces vvhich continued here, An. 357, about half a Dutch mile from the meeting of the two streams of the Rhene: in form triangular; the buildings indifferent in themselves, but not uniform with one another. High on a Hill, in one corner of it, standeth the Close, and therein the Cathedrall Church; a stately Edifice, but more in accompt of the Natives who have seen no fairer, than it is with strangers; and near the Church, the Bishops Palace, and the houses of the Canons, all well built, and handsomly adorned. The Bishop of this City, and of all the Country of these Leagues (for they received their Bishop and the Faith together, An. 489.) acknowledgeth the Arch-bishop of Mentz for their Metropolitan, is reckoned for a Prince of the Empire, and the rightfull Lord both of this City and the whole League; but on the introduction of the Reformed Religion, which they had from the Switzers and Genevians, the Citizens withdrew themselves from their obedience to the Bishop, and govern the City in the manner of a Free-state. So far conformable to him, for their own preservation, that as the Bishop and his Canons, vvith the rest of this League, upon occasion of the wrongs done them by the house of Austria, Lords of the neighbouring Tirol, joyned in confederacy with the seven first Cantons of the Switzers (which was in the year 1498) So did the Citizens of Chur, after they had withdrawn them∣selves from the command of their Bishops, concur with them at last in that mutuall League.

3 The third League of these Grisons, is the Lower League, called also Liga Ditture, or the League of the ten Jurisdictions: situate close upon Tirol, in the North-East part of the whole Country. Of all the ten, two only, vvhich are those of Malans and Meienfeld, obey the joynt commands of the three Leagues of the Grisons: the other eight being subject to the Arch-Duke of Austria, under whom they are suffered to enjoy their antient privileges, for fear of uniting with the Switzers; which hitherto they have not done. Only they did unite together in one common League, An. 1436: conditioning their mutuall defence against all Enemies, preservation of their peace, and maintainance of their privileges; reserving notwithstanding their obedience to their naturall Lords. In which respect, and by reason of the interess and so∣ciety which they have with the rest of the Grisons, they are in friendship with the Swisse, but in no confederacy. City or Walled-town they have none. The chief of those they have, are 1 Castels, the seat of the Governour for the Arch-Duke of Austria. 2 Malans, and 3 Meienseld, both bordering upon the Rhene. 4 Tanaas, giving name to the first and greatest of the

ten Jurisdictions, the chief Town of this League, in which are held the Generall Diets for the same; and vvhere are kept the Miniments and Records which concern their Privileges. In this League is the Mountain called Rhaetico-mons, by Pomponius Mela, but now Prettigower-berg, be∣cause it is at the end of the valley vvhich the Dutch call Prettigow.

4 As for the Italian Praefectures, they are eight in number, and were given unto the Gri∣sons by Maximilian Sforze Duke of Millain, An. 1513. at such time as he gave the like pre∣sent to the Cantons of Switzerland. Of these the first is called Plurs, so called from the chief Tovvn of the same name, in Latin Plura, once seated in a plain at the foot of the Alpes, near the River Maira, the chief of sundry villages lying in the same bottom; now nothing but a deep and bottomless Gulf. For on the 26 of August 1617, an huge Rock falling from the top of the Mountains, overwhelmed the Town, killed in the twinckling of an eye 1500 peo∣ple, and left no sign or ruin of a Town there standing; but in the place thereof a great Lake of some two miles length. 2 Chiarama, situate in a pleasant vallie so called, neer the Ri∣ver Maira, and ten Italian miles from the Lake of Come. Antoninus calleth it Clavenna, and the Dutch Clevener-tal, or the valley of Cleven, more near unto the antient name. 3 The Valtoline, Vallis Telina in the Latine, a pleasant Valley, extending threescore miles in length, from the head of the River Aada, unto the fall thereof in the Lake of Come: the Wines whereof are much com∣mended, and frequently transported on this side the Alpes. It is divided into six Praefectures, according to the names of the principall Towns. The chief whereof are 1 Bormio, seated near the head of the River Aada. 2 Teio, the chief Fortress of the whole Valley. 3 Sondrio, the chief Town, and the seat of the Governour, or Leiuetenant Generall of the whole Country. This Valley lying opportunely for the passage of the King of Spains Forces out of Millain into Germany, by the practices and treasons of Rodolfus Planta, one of the natives of it, and of the Romish Religion, was delivered to the Duke of Feria, being then Governour of Millain, An. 1622, the whole Country brought under the obedience of that King, Chur it self forced and taken by them, and the Religion of Rome setled in all parts thereof. But two years after, by the joynt Forces of the French, Venetians, and Savoyard, the vvhole Valley was recovered from the Spa∣niards, and after a long treaty between France and Spain, the Grisons re-estated in their just pos∣sessions, An. 1630, save that the Spaniard still holds the Fort of Fuentes, for the safer passage of his Forces, if occasion be.

Such is the state of the three Leagues, considered severally and a part from one another. In reference to the vvhole, they make up one Government, or Commonwealth; for ordering vvhereof they hold a generall Diet, once in every year, consisting of threescore and three Com∣missioners, that is to say, 28 from the Upper League, 23 from the League of the house of God, and 14 from the League of the ten Jurisdictions. These have authority to determine of Appeales from the common Praefectures, to conclude of Peace and War, Confederacies, Ambassies, and Lavvs, vvhich concern the publick: yet so, that in a point of Judicature, is is lawfull to Appeal unto the Commonalties of every League, who have autority, if need be, to reverse the sentence: the causes being severally proposed, and passed by the major part of voyces. The Government of each Lague, popular, as amongst the Switzers.

There are in these Alpine Provinces Arch-Bishops 2. Bishops 13. Universities 4. i. e. 1 Turi•• 2 Geneva. 3 Basil. 4 Zurich.

Notes

• Savoy.
• Piemtont.
• Savoy.
• Geneva.
• Wallis∣land.
• Switzer∣land.
• Switzer∣land.
• Grisons.