and such stocks of Sheep, that when they tax a man for lying in excess of numbers, they use to
say. Phy Sir, th••re are not so many Sheep in Berry.
It containeth in it 3•••• walled Towns, the chief whereof are, 1 B••urges, a Town of great strength
by nature, and as well fortified by Art; situate in a low Flat, amongst deep impassable Bogs and
Marishes, caused by the over-flowings of the Auron, Yeure, Molon, and Aurette; small Riverets, but
of great waters when they meet together. By means whereof it may be easily drowned at the ap∣proach
of an enemy: for that cause made the fastnes•• and retreat of Charles the 7th, in his long Wars
against the English, possessed at that time of Paris and the greatest part of the Kingdom. The poor
Prince in the mean time fain to feast it here with a Rump of Mutton and a Chick, and that but upon
high daies neither: from his constant abode here, and that withall he had been Duke of this Coun∣trie,
in the life of his three elder Brethren, by the English in derision called King of Berry. A large,
fair, and rich Town it is, the Seat of an Arch-Bishop, a Seige Presidial, and one of the best Vniver∣sities
in France, especially for the studie of the Civil Lawes; first founded by K. Lewis the 9th, and
afterwards restored or perfected by Charles Duke of Berry, the Brother of King Lewis the 11th.
Some fabulous founders, and as ridiculous originations have been thought of for it; as that it was
built by Ogyges, a Grand-child of Noah, by whom called Bytogyges, which in the corruption of the
following times, came (forsooth) unto Bituriges: which Etymologie were it as dear bought, as
it is farre-fetched, might be good for Ladies, and then it would be good for somewhat. Others no
less absurdly, will have it called Bituris, quasi Bi-Turris, from two fair Towers which formerly (as
they pretend) were erected here; one of the two, in part still standing: and unto this, they say,
alludeth an old Grammarian, thus,
Turribus à binis inde vocor Bituris.
From two Towers which were builded here
The name of Bituris I bear.
But the truth is, it was thus called from the Bituriges (the Biturigum Civitas of Antoninus) and
by that name in the division of old Gaul by the Emperour Constantine, made the Metropolis of
the Province of Aquitania Prima, of which this Countrie was a part. 2 Viarron, or Viarzon, plea∣santly
seated amongst Woods, Vines and Rivers; the Rivers Arnon, Thee, Cher, and Yeure, meet∣ing
hereabouts. Built in or neer the place of the old Avaricum, a town of great note and strength in
the time of Caesar: the Revolt whereof gave such a check to his proceedings, that he was fain to
stretch his wits and valour on the verie tenter-hooks, before it was again recovered. 3 Concressant
on the River Souldre, beautified with a strong and magnificent Castle. 4 Chasteau Roux on the Ri∣ver
Indre; of which little memorable. 5 Issaudun, on the River Theo, the Bailliage for that part of
the Countrie. 6 Montfalcon, an antient Baronie. 7 Argenton, on the River Creuse, the title and
estate of Philip de Comines, hence called Seigneur de Argenton, who writ the Historie of France un∣der
Lewis the 11th, in which he dived so farre into, and writ so plainly of the greatest affaires of
State, that Queen Catharine de Medices used to say, that he had made as many Hereticks in State-Policie,
as Luther had done in Religion. 8 Sancerre, seated on an high hill neer the River Loire, by
some Latine Writers called Xantodorum, but most generally said to be so called, quasi Sacrum Cere∣ris,
from the Godess Ceres herein worshipped. A Town of great consequence and strength, and as
such assigned over to the Hugonots Anno 1579. as a Town of Caution for their securitie, and the
better keeping of the Articles of Peace then agreed upon: famous not long after for enduring a most
desperate and tedious Siege under Charles the 9th, by whom those Articles were almost no sooner
made than broken.
Here is also in this Province the Town and Signeurie of Aubignie, adorned with many privileges, an
ample territorie, and a beautiful Castle. Bestowed by Charles the sixt on Robert, the second Sonne
of Alan Stewart, Earl of Lennox in Scotland, for his many Signal Services against the English; and
is still the hnourarie title and possession of the second Branch of that noble and illustrious Fa∣milie.
But as for Berry it self, and the fortunes of it we may please to know, that in the time of Hugh Capet
one Godfrey was Governour of this Province, whose Posteritie enjoyed that Office under the Kings
of France, till the daies of King Henry the first; of whom the Inheritance and Estate was bought
by Harpi••, one of the Descendants of that Godfrey. But long he had not held it as Proprietarie, in
his own right, when desirous to make one in the Holy Wars, he sold it back again to King Philip
the first (the better to furnish himself for that expedition) Anno 1096. to be united to the Crown
after his decease. Since which time the Soveraigntie of it hath been alwayes in the Crown of France,
but the possession and Revenue sometimes given with the title of Duke, for a portion to some of
the Kings younger Sonnes, to be holden of them in Appennage, under the Soveraigntie and com∣mand
of the Donor and his Successors: the last which so enjoyed it being Charles the Brother of
Lewis the 11th; after whose death it was united to the Crown, never since separated from it, save
that it gave the title of Duchesse to the Ladie Margaret, sister of Francis the first, maried after to
the Duke of Savoy.