A prospect of the most famous parts of the vvorld Viz. Asia, 3 Affrica, 5 Europe, 7 America. 9 With these kingdomes therein contained. Grecia, 11 Roman Empire, 13 Germanie, 15 Bohemia, 17 France, 19 Belgia, 21 Spaine, 23 Italie, 25 Hungarie, 27 Denmarke, 29 Poland, 31 Persia, 33 Turkish Empire, 35 Kingdome of China, 37 Tartaria, 39 Sommer Ilands, 41 Civill Warres, in England, Wales, and Ireland. You shall find placed in the beginning of the second booke marked with these [3 asterisks in triangle formation] and (5) together with all the provinces, counties, and shires, contained in that large theator of Great Brittaines empire. / Performed by John Speed.

¶ The Description of GERMANY.

GERMANY is continued with Belgia, and lyeth next East-ward in our course toward Asia. We shall find them oft∣times no otherwise distinguisht, then by the termes of higher and lower, greater and lesser Germany. And indeed as this is the largest portion of the whol•• Region, which is known by that name: so is it the largest Region of our whole quarter, which is knowne entirely by any one name.

(2) As for her antiquitie; it doth not onely compare her to the rest of Europe: but compares Europe her selfe with any other part of the second world, which accounts her years but from Noahs Flood, or the confusion of Tongues. For this purpose we had before occasion, in our generall Descriptions, to men∣tion the originall of the Germane Kingdomes: and that (as you may remember) was drawne by Chronologers from Tuisco (some say) the sonne of Noah, which lived soon after the world was repaired, and began his Empire about thirty yeares from the fall of Babel.

(3) It appeares sufficiently upon the record of received Hi∣storians, that in the time of their Idolatry, they worshipped one Thyst or Tuisco, as a God which sprang from the earth: and to this day, as I heare, there is a street about Cullen called Deutsch, and is thought as yet to retain a sound of the name of Tuisco: for there he is supposed to have kept his residency. Whether thus or no, I leave it to my Authors proofe, and my Readers judgement to beleeve or reject as it shall seeme best. All I can inforce is, that doubtlesse the Germanes were an ancient people: and that they might challenge, had they no other testimony to shew for it, then her very names of Tuiscia or Teutscke, Theuschland, Al∣mania, and Teutonia, by which she was known, in severall ages, long before the Romanes gave her this last appellation of Ger∣many.

(4) Tuiscia, Teutsch or Theuschlant was received from her first King, and Almania from her second, the sonne of Tuisco, who (as their Story gives it with equall credit as it doth the rest) was likewise worshipped for a God, by the name of Mannus: The same account is rendred for Teutonia, from Teuto a Cap¦taine of the Germanes: and their ninth from Tuisco. Vnder these they continued, till the Romanes entry, after their Conquest over the Gals: for whose likenesse to them both in feature, and colour, in goodly portraiture and carriage of their wars, they were from that time called Germany, as if brothers to the Gaules. Yet there are two, which compound the name of the Teutonike words Gar or Ger, which signifieth all or wholly, and man, which retaines with us its prime signification of Man: as if they were all men to the proofe: or as others interpret, as if they were a mixt Na∣tion of all sorts of men from severall Countries.

(5) But this last agrees not with the conjecture of some Geo∣graphers, that Germany hath not changed her Inhabitants since she was first possest: quoniam non est verisimile (saith one) aliquos Asiâ, aut Africâ aut quidem Italiâ relicta Germaniam pettisse, terris informem, Coelo asperam, cultu tristem, aspectúque minimè nisi indigenis gratam. And this indeed differs not much from the report of Mela, Tacitus, & other ancient Writers. But the reason I hold not good: for howsoever it might be true in their times of some, and the most part perhaps of Germany (as it was then limited) that it was sylvis horrida, paludibus faeda, et fluviorum cursibus praepedita, montium anfractibus exasperata ob idque max∣imè invia: yet now she hath changed her hue, and by the help of good husbandry is become so fertile and pleasant: by the large additions to her Territories in these our after ages is growne so populous, that she vayles not to France, Spaine, or Italy it selfe, saith Quadus.

(6) By her first Geographers she was limited on the West with the River Rhene, on the east with Ietula, on the south with Danubius: each of these tracts have won upon their neighbour∣ing Countries: and inlarged the compasse of Germany to a double extent of what it was before: For on the West she passeth Rhene as farre as ••icardy and Burgundy, parts of France. East∣ward is the German tongue and Empire exercised over the Re∣gion of Prussia. Southward she reacheth beyond Danubius to the very Alpes, which border upon Italy. North-ward she hath ever kept her owne, but hath beene curbd indeed from seeking new Kingdomes, in that tract, by the maine Ocean, which divides her in part from Swevia, Norway, &c. And to these limits we apply our Description. No marvaile if it give her more honor, then she had in former times. For her compasse now is reckoned to be 2600. English miles. Her ground fertile enough of it selfe: and yet besides enjoyes the benefit of many Navigable Rivers, which inrich her with trafique from other Kingdomes.

(7) Those of greatest fame are, (1) Danubius the largest of Europe, called by Pliny and others Ister. It takes in sixtie Navi∣gable Rivers; and is at last discharged by many passages into the Pontus Euxinus. (2) Rhene, which hath its rising from the Alpes, and runnes into the German Ocean. From thence have we our best Rhenish Wines: and upon his bankes stands the Citie Strasburg. (3) Amasus Ems, which glides by Westphalia into the German Sea. (4) Maemu Megu, whose head is in the Mountaines of Bohemia, and from thence passeth by Francfort into the German Sea. (5) Albis Elve, which riseth from eleven Fountains meeting into one, about the Sylva Hircinia. (6) Ode∣ca, which hath not his passage immediately into the Sea, but into the River Albis. The middle mark of this Countrey is the King∣dome of Bohemia, incompassed with the Sylva Hircinia.

(8) The chiefe Commodities of Germany are Corne, Wine, Salt, Metals of all sorts, Fruits good store, Saffron, &c. The Ayre wholesome, her Baths healthfull, her Gardens pleasurable: her Cities faire, her Castles strong, and her Villages very many and well peopled.

(9) The Inhabitants have put off their ancient rudenesse, as the Countrey her barrennesse. They are as goodly of person as ever, as stout as ever, and farre more civill, then in the time of the Romanes. It seems they were then esteemed but an ignorant and simple people: more able to fight then to manage a battaile. They were ever hardy enough, but wanted Commanders of their owne, of skill and judgement. Since they have had Com∣merce with other Nations: and have suffered the upbraid (as it were) of their Predecessors dulnesse: they have beene (in a manner) shamed out of it, and are now become, rather by indu∣strie, then wit, a most ingenious people, and skilfull in the La∣tine, Greeke, and Hebrew learning, famous beyond any others in Europe, unlesse Belgia, for the invention of many notable and usefull Engines. The Gun and Gun-powder was first brought to light by one Bertholdus Swart a Franciscan, which hath almost put by the use of any other warlike Instrument, in those parts of the world, where the practise is perfectly understood. Generally the poorer sort are excellent Mechanikes, and the rest for the most part Schollers.

(10) It bred Albertus Magnus, Appian, Gesuer, Munster, Lu∣ther, Vrsin, Zwinglius, Scultetus, Iunius, Keckerman, and many others in their severall kinds and Religions: some Papists, some Lutherans, some Calvinists, and among the rest many Iewes.

(11) The government of this Germany is Imperiall, as once that of Rome was, though it flourish not in so full glory. The right descends not by Succession: nor is the Election continued by the like soffrage as in old Rome. The power of choice was conferred by Pope Gregory the tenth upon seven German Prin∣ces: three Spirituall, and foure Temporall. These are the Arch-bishop of Mentz, Chancellour of the Empire through Germa∣ny; Arch-bishop of Cullen, Chancellour of the Empire through Italy; Arch-bishop of Triers, Chancellour of the Empire through France: The Temporall are the King of Bohemia, who hath the casting voyce, onely in case of equalitie among the other sixe: his Office is to be chiefe Cup-bearer at the great solemnitie. Next him the Count Palatine of the Rhene, Arch-sewer to the Emperour: Duke of Saxonie, Lord Marshall; and Marquesse of Brandeburge, chiefe Chamberlaine. Each of these performe his owne Office in person, upon the day of Inauguration. The Duke of Saxonie bears the sword. The Count Palatine placeth

[illustration] map of Germany

[illustration]

A. NEWE MAPE OF GERMANY Newly Augmented by Iohn Speed Ano. Dom: 1626

his meat on the Table. The King of Bohemia beares his Cuppe and delivers it him to drinke: Marquesse Brandeberg serveth him water to wash: And the three Bishops blesse his meat. He receiveth three Crownes, before he is fully settled into the Ma∣jestie of the Empire. The first is of Silver, for Germany. The se∣cond of Iron, for Lombardy. And the third of Gold, for the Em∣pire: the last is set on at Rome. For to this day it pretends to the name of the Romane Empire, and gives the title of Caesar, or Ro∣mani imperii Imperator.

(12) The first which injoyed the institution of Pope Gregory was Radulphus Nabs purgensis, 1273. after twelve yeares inter∣regnum. The last before him, was our Richard Earle of Cornwall, and brother to Henry the third, King of England. Since it hath continued firme in this course of Election, howsoever not with that liberty as was intended. For commonly the Emperour in being, while he hath his power about him, and can (at least) in∣treat, if not command the Subjects of the Empire, promise a choice of the Rex Romanorum, who is no other then a successor designed to rule after his death, or resignation. And by this meanes it hath a long time continued in the house of Austria without any intermission.

(13) Thus we see much plotting, great state, many ceremo∣nies to the making up of an Emperour: and yet when it is well weighed, it is little better then a bare title. For howsoever these outward observances of the German Princes make shew of an humble subjection to the Emperour: yet when it comes to trial, he hath very little to do•• in their Governments: But each of them takes upon him as a free and absolute Commander in his owne Countrey: permitteth or suppresseth the Religion, which he either likes or dislikes; makes and abrogates Lawes at plea∣sure, stamps Coyn, raiseth Souldiers, and sometimes against their great Master, as the Duke of Saxoni•• against Charles the fifth, and at this day divers others in defence of the Prince Palatine. For of this quality and power there are many Dukes, Marqueses, Counts, &c. besides 64. Franc Cities, which make onely some slight acknowledgement to the Emperour: appeare perhaps at his Parliaments; and (they say) are bound to furnish him at need with 3842. hor••e (among them) and 16200. foot.

(14) The chiefest Regions of Germany, best knowne to us, and noted by our Geographers with a more eminent Character then the rest, are these. (1) East Friz••land. (2) Westphalia. (3) Cullen. (4) Munster. (5) Triers. (6) Cleve. (7) Gulick. (8) Hassia. (9) Alsatia. (10) Helvetia. (11) Turingia. (12) Brunswicke and Luneburg. (13) Franconia. (14) Palatinatus Rhene. (15) Wittenburg. (16) Ausper. (17) Bayden. (18) Mentz. (19) Bamberg. (20) Weirstberg. (21) Saxonia. (22) Anhalt. (23) Mansfield. (24) S••evia (25) Bavaria. (26) Bran∣deburg. (27) ••usatia. (28) Tirolum. (29) Misnia. (••0) Bo∣hemia. (31) Silesia (32) Moravia. (33) ••omerania. (34) Meck∣linburg. (35) Austria.

(15) East-Frizeland is on the West side of Germany, and bounded with the North Sea. Her chiefe Towne is Embden. (2) Westphalia is on the South of East Frizeland. It is most famous for Swine and excellent Bacon, which is esteemed with us, one of our greatest dainties to commend a feast. Part of it be∣longs to the three next Bishops, of Cullen, Munster, and Triers. (3) Cullen her Arch-bishop is an Elector. The chiefe Towne was called Vbiopolis, afterward Agrippina, and lastly Cullen, from a Colony which was there planted by the French. It is a received tradition among the Inhabitants, that the bodies of the Wise∣men, which came from the East to worship Christ are here in∣terred. None almost, but hath heard of the three Kings of Cul∣len. (4) Munster. Her chiefe Citie is Munster, notable since the yeare 1533. at which time a company of brainsicke Ana∣baptists named it Ierusalem, and raised them a new Governour, by the title of the King of Sion. (5) Triers. Her Arch-bishop an Elector. Her chiefe Citie Triers, of great antiquitie, founded by Trebeta the sonne of Ninius; and Bopport sackt by our Earle Richard, King of the Romanes.

(16) (6) Clivia or Cleave-land, a Dukedome of name. Her chiefe Cities are Wesell, Emrick, and Cleve. Her Commoditie the Tophus-stone, of which they make Cement. (7) Iuliacum, Gu∣lick a Dutchy. Her principall City is Aken or Aquisgranum, where the Emperour receives his Silver Crowne for Germany; and doth great worship to a clout, which they take to be our Sa∣viours mantle, in which he was wrapped. (8) Hassia, a moun∣tainous Countrey, but fruitful. Her Metropolis Marpurgum an Vniversitie: and the chiefe place of her Lant-grave is Cassels. It comprehends likewise the Countes of Nassaw and Hanaw (9) Alsatia. Her chiefe Citie is S••r••sburg, famous for a Clocke of wonderfull art and a Tower of five hundred seventy eight paces high. Other Townes here are of note, as Bing, Wormes, Con∣fluence, and Andernach. (10) Helvetia, Switzerland on the East of France, and North of Italy. It containes thirteene Cantons. Zurich, Berne, Lucerne, Vraenia, Glavis, Zugh▪ Basell, Friburg, Vn∣derwalt, Solour, Shaffnansen, Ape••sol, and Suits. Her chiefe Cities are Zurike or Tigurum, whe•••• Zwinglius was martyred: And Sengall or Civitas Sancti Galli, and Basell, where a generall Councel was decreed to be above the Pope: in the yeare, one thousand foure hundred thirty one.

(17) Turingia. Her Prince a Lant-grave. Her ground though not of large extent, not above twelve German miles either in length or bredth (saith Maginus,) yet it is very rich, it com∣prehends twelve Counties, as many Abbies, a hundred fourty foure Cities, as many Townes, above two thousand Villages, two hundred and fiftie Castles. Her Metropolis is Erford. (12) Brunswick on the East of Westphalia, a Dukedome: whose prin∣cipall Cities are Brunswick, Halberstade, Wolsheiten, and Lune∣burgh, which gives title to another Dukedome, whose chiefe seat is Cella.

(18) (13) Franconia. It lyeth on the West of Turingia, and joynes to Hassia Northward. The Inhabitants were converted to Christianity by Boniface. In this Province stands Franckefort, famous for her two Marts every yeare, and Noremberg; within the territories are comprehended the seven other which belong to this section. (14) The Palatine of Rhene, some seventy two miles from North to South, and from East to West ninety sixe. Her chiefe Citie is Heidelberge. Her Prince an Elector, and hath many more priviledges then the other sixe. In the vacancy he is Governour of a great part of Germany. (15) Wirtenberge. The chiefe Townes are Tubing an Vniversity, Studgard, &c. (16) Auspech, a Marquisate. Her chiefe Town Auspech. (17) Baden, a Marquisate, pleasant and fruitfull, betwixt the Rivers Rhene and Neccar. Her chiefe Cities are Turlach and Baden, in which there be Bathes that cure many diseases. (18) Mentz▪ Moguntia, a Bishoprick. The Prince is a Spirituall Elector, and sits alwaies at the right hand of the Emperour. (19) Bamberg, a Bishoprick of it selfe of large rev••newes. In this stand Fochia, where they say Pontius Pilate was borne. (20) Weirstberg. Her Bishop is intitu∣led Duke of Franconia.

(19) (21) Saxoni•• on the East of Hassia, and South of Br••nswick▪ and North of Turingia. In this Province was Luther borne at Isleben. Within her bounds are likewise comprehended these two other Principalities of Anhalt and Mansfield. (22) Anhalt, whose Governour with great courage and power bore Armes in defence of the Palatines right to the Kingdome of Bohemia. (23) Mansfield an Earledome, the more famous for the valiant acts of the present Count, who to this day wars upon the Emperours party, in the behalfe of the Illustrious Palatine, and his unparalleled Lady Elizabeth, Sister to his Royall Majesty of England.

(20) (24) Swevia on the South of Franconia. It is a Coun∣trey full of people, and those of goodly personage: great wit and valiant. In this Province is the head of Danubius, and runs through the middle of the Countrey. Her chiefe Townes are Vlme, Lindawe, and Auspurg, or Augusta Vindelicorum, Norlin∣gen, &c. (25) Bavaria on the South of Bohemia and ••ranconia. There is both the upper and lower Bavaria. Of the first, the chief Cities are Muchen, Ingolstad••, Frising; and about thirty foure Townes more equall to most Cities of the lower Bavaria: the principall are Ratisbone, Patavium, Pussan, Lanshutum, and Salt∣spurge. In this City lyeth buried Paracelsus. (26) Brandeburge: on the East of Saxonie, a Marquisate of five hundred and twenty miles in compasse. It was heretofore inhabited by the Vand••les. The Metropolis is Brandeburge, and Francfort ad Odicum: for so it is distinguished from the other Francfort in Franconia, and Berlium. Here are fifty five Cities, and sixty foure Townes. (27) Lusatia, it lookes Westward toward Saxony. The chiefe Citie is Gorlitzia. (28) Tyrolum, on the South of Bavaria, and East of Helvetia. Her chief cities are Oonipous, Inspruck, Brixen, Tridentum, Trent, where the Generall Councel was held, one thousand five hundred fourtie sixe. (29) Misnia, on the East of Lusatia, a fruitfull Region. Her chiefe Cities are Misnia, Dris∣den, Lipsia, a place of learning, and Torga: many Writers place this Province with Saxonie.

(21) (30) Bohemia, on the South of Saxonie and Misnia, encompassed with the Sylva Hircinia, a fruitfull and pleasant Countrey. It may deserve a particular description of it selfe: and therefore I will mention it here with no other solemnitie, then I doe the rest of Germany. Her Metropolis is Prage, which was taken by the Imperialists in this last quarrell, the King and Queene (being at that time) in the Church celebrating Gods service, were forced suddenly to flye for their safetie into Silesia. (31) Silesia Eastward from part of Bohemia: two hundred mile long, and eightie one broad, a fruitfull Countrey: the people va∣liant. Her principall Cities are Breselare, and Neisse. (32) Mo∣ravia, on the East of Bohemia, and South of Silesia. Her chiefe Cities are Almusium, Olmutz, and Brin. (33) Pomerania. It is bounded on the East with Istula; on the North with the Baltick Ocean. Her Metropolis is Stetin. Others chiefe are Wolgast, Wal∣lin, &c. On the West of this Region stands (34) Mecklinburg or Megalopolis, a place Provinciall of it selfe, and hath Townes of note, Malchawe, Rostock, &c.

(22) (35) Austria, an Arch-Dukedome, it lieth upon Hungarie, and is esteemed by the Germans the Easterne bound of the Empire. It was formerly called Pannonia superior. It is a rich Countrey. Her chiefe Cities are Vienna, famous for beauty, wealth, and learning: Emps, S^r. Leopald, &c. There are reckoned to this Region the Provinces of Styria, Carinthia, Carinola, and by some Tirolum.