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 FRANCE.

NO people but are ambitious to winne upon Antiquitie as farre as their Line will reach. Among others the French are great pretenders to that Title, and fetch their originall from Mesech the sixt sonne of Iapheth, not above an hun∣dred and fifty yeares after the Arke rested. But this passeth not for currant truth among her owne Historians; and therefore is not the plea, which gives France here the second place in my division of Europe. I observe rather her situation, which rankes her next to Spaine Eastward: and that was the course proposed in my Generall Description.

(2) As for her Inhabitants, the first certainly, which we can make good, were the Gaules: A people of whose beginning, we can give no unquestionable account: yet this of them is most sure, they were a Nation of Noted valour above foure hundred yeares before Christ: It is now full two thousand and twelve since they sacked Rome, and tooke the Capitoll. In the memory of that great Action we may claime a part. For first were them∣selves Conquered by the two noble British spirits, Brennius and Belinus Kings of England: and after led on by them (if we may trust the story) unto those glorious adventures, which have to this day continued their fame almost above any other Nation. Let the proofe rest upon my Author. This saith Matha•••• West∣monasteriensis out of the Roman History.

(3) Trecenta millia Gallorum ad sedes novas quaerendas prof••cti ducibus Belino & Brennio Romam invaserunt, ibique din morati sunt. Sed mille libras auri praemium discessionis à Romanis susci' pientes, mox diversis agminibus alii Graeciam, alii Macedoniam, alii Thraciam petiverunt, & sua prole velut quodam examine to∣tam Asiam replêrunt. Tantus inde terror Gallici nominis & ar∣morum, invicta{que} foelicitas erat in illis diebus ut reges Orientis sine mercenario corum exercitu ulla bella gerere non praesumerent, ne{que} pulsi à regno ad alios quam ad Gallos confugerent. Non enim aliter Majestatem suam tutari, neque amissam recuperare se posse nisi Gallicâ virtute arbitrabantur. Itaque in auxilium regis Bi∣thyniae vocati, regnum cum eo peractâ victoriâ diviserunt, cam{que} regionem Gallo Graciam cognominaverunt, which we now call Galatia. And thus for a time their victories carried all before them: yet at last they had their turne too of ill fortune: were expulsed Rome by Camillus, fared as their neighbours did, and became tributarie to the Empire.

(4) Then did the name of Gallia comprehend a large portion on Europe, besides that which we now call France: and was divided by the ancient in Cisalpinam: which indeed was a part of Italy, that which we now call Lombardy: and Transalpinam, which Pliny cals Comata, from the curled haire of the Inhabi∣tants, and Ptolemy Celto Gallatiam, as the Greekes gave it. Nor yet was this equall to the name of France, but was again divided by Caesar in his Commentaries. (1) in Belgicam, which for the most part belongs to Germany. (2) Celticam, and (3) Aqui∣taniam. After him Ptolemy gives a third division into foure parts. (1) Aquitaniam, (2) Lugdunensem the same with Caesars Cel∣tica, (3) Narbonensem, or Braccatam, and (4) Belgicam.

(5) We must here passe by the out-reaches of Belgia and the rest, and confine our tract to those parts which are now govern∣ed by one King. And though it retaine still the antique appella∣tion, which the Inhabitants received from the Greeke 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, for their beautie and white colour; yet is it best and most properly knowne by the name of France, from the Franci or Francones, a people of Germany that over-ran these parts, and subdued most of them to themselves.

(6) Now the limits of this new Gallia or France are Westward the Pyrenaean Mountaines, which divide her from Spaine, and runne crosse the Isthmus, that joynes both the Kingdomes. They were very famous for rich Mines: in so much that being once fired by Shepheards, the Gold and Silver runne streaming downe into the lower Countries, called up the Inhabitants to prey; and was the first occasion of a forraine entry upon those parts. Eastward it lyeth upon Germany. South-east it is severed with the Alpes from Italy. Northward it is bounded with our English Seas; and Southward with the Mediterraneum. Her chiefe Rivers reckoned by Maginus are (1) Garumna Garrone the greatest. (2) Ligeris Lo••re the sweetest. (3) Sequana or Seyne the richest. (4) Rhodanus Rosne the swiftest: to these we may adde, (5) Some upon which standeth Amicus.

(7) Her ayre is healthfull, and her grounds fertile; abounds almost with all commodities that may make her one of the hap∣piest Regions in Christendome, yet her greatest plenty is of Corne, Wine, and Salt, which she distributes among her neigh∣bouring Nations: and enricheth her selfe with such Commodi∣ties from them as are not so fully afforded within her owne li∣mits. The women too partake of their Countries fruitfulnesse: In so much that as the earth is scarce able to beare her plenty: so her plenty could hardly sustaine her people, had she not a vent for them into Spaine, Italy, Germany, England, and other Countries: And yet were there long since reckoned Habitato∣res supra quindecim milliones, inter quos octodecim millia nobilium, by Maginus.

(8) In so great a multitude we must looke to find as much variety of Customes and Dispositions. It was the report of Caesar long since, and seconded by a late Authentike Author, Gallicas gentes linguâ, legibus, & institutis inter se differre: multa tamen multis esse communia. For the most part they are of a fiery spirit for the first on-set in any action, but will soone flagge. They desire change of Fortunes: and passe not greatly whether to better or worse. Their women very jocund, of a voluble tongue, and as free of their speech, complementall to strangers, and winne more by their wit then their beauty: one and t'other are great enticers of mens affectiōs; and they enjoy them as free∣ly and securely, without either check of conscience or care of report. It is esteemed Vitium gentile: and indeed they can hard∣ly heare ill for it from any there, which is not equally guilty. Very factious not onely in carriage of publique affaires, but in their private families, which proceeds for the most part from a selfe-conceit of their own wit and wealth: and those will hardly admit a Superiour. Their Nobility have beene reported to be liberall: but I suppose that fashion is now worne out: My selfe have specially noted the contrary in divers, which respect their purse more then their honour, and let passe the service and de∣serts of worthy persons unrewarded, as if their gracious accep∣tance were a sufficient returne of thankes for any office a man can doe them. They are practised to this garbe by their pessan∣try, whom they reckon but as slaves, and command as their pro∣per servants, which the poore snakes take as a favour, and are glad to be imployed by their betters, that by their protection they may stand more free from the injurie of their equals. For the meanest of them are cruell, and affect to oppresse their ad∣versarie, either by open violence or suite in Law, though to their owne ruine. They are very ready to take Armes, and serve in the defence of King and Countrey: need no more presse then the stroke of a Drum: but are as rash in their atchievements. They will not waite upon Councell, but runne as farre on, as upon their strength they may, and when they find that failes, they will as soone give ground.

(9) It hath had heretofore (and yet breeds) men of great esteeme for Learning & Religion. S^t. Bernard, Calvin, Beza, and Ramus were French, and many others, both of the Romish and reformed Churches. For as yet the people stand divided betwixt both, but not equally. The Papists are like to cōtinue the stronger hand, as long as their holy Father shall make murder a meri∣torious act. For by their severall Massacres they have destroyed many Assemblies of the Hugonites as they call them. The grea∣test I think that was ever practiced by such as had entertained the name of Christians, was at Paris in the yeare: 57••. when above thirty thousand soules suffered Martyrdome, and among the rest, some personages of great worth and note.

(10) It is subject to a Monarchicall government, weilded by one sole and absolute King, which beares the title of the Christian King of France: his eldest son the Dolphin of France: by their Salique Law, no woman or heirs may inherit: how justly I may not determine. But yet the English have good rea∣son to examine the Equitie. For it cost our Edward the Third his Crowne of France, to which he was heire in generall by marriage of a Daughter. But the truth is, we have beene ever easie, to part with our hold there, or at least forced to forgoe it by our civill dissentions at home, else after all those glorious Victories of our Predecessors, we might have had some power more to shew there as well as title.

(11) There are very many Provinces belonging to this Kingdome, more then will find roome here for their full De∣scriptions in severall, and therefore we will reduce as well this new France, as the old Gallia to the foure parts of Ptolemies di∣vision: (1) Aquitania. (2) Lugdunensis. (3) Narbonensis, and (4) Gallia Belgica. To these we will adde (5) the Iles adjoyn∣ing.

[illustration] map of France

[illustration]

FRANCE revised and augmented. the attires of the French and situations of their cheif∣est cityes obserued by Iohn. Speede. Are to be sould in Pops: head alley by Geo••Humble Ano. 1626 THE SCALE OF MILLES

Their principall under-territories shall be mentioned, as Maginus ranks them.

(12) Aquitania lyeth on the West of France, close upon the Pyrenaean Mountaines and Contunies. (1) Another part of Biscay mentioned in the Mappe of Spaine, and indeed differeth from that but very little (2) Gascoigne and Guien. The first to this day keeps its name (with a very little change) from the Spanish Vascones. The chiefe City is Burdigala, or Burdeaux, a Parliamentary and Archiepiscopall seat and Vniversitie of good esteeme, was honoured with the birth of our Richard the second. Another Citie of note is Tholouse, a seate Parliamentarie, and supposed to be as ancient as the Rule of Deborah in Israel. This Gascoigne containes in the Earledom••s of Forie, Comminges, Armeniaci, and the Dutch Albert. (3) Pictaria Poictu on the North of Guien, a pleasant Region, and a plentifull. It containes three Bishopricks; Poitiers, Lucon, and Mailazai. Her chiefe Cities are Poictiers, an ancient, and the largest next Paris in all France, Castrum Heraldi once the title of the Scotch Earles of Hamildon. In this Province was fought the great Battel betwixt our Black Prince and Iohn of France, where with eight thou∣sand, he vanquished fortie thousand: tooke the King Prisoner and his sonne Philip, 70. Earles, 50. Barons, and 12000. Gen∣tlemen (4) Sonictonia, severed from Poictiers, but by the Ri∣ver Canentell, and so differs but little from her fertility. Her Me∣tropolis Saints. Her other chiefe, Bourg, Blay, Marennes, Saint Iohn D'angely, and Anglosme. Betwixt this Country & Poictiers stands Rochell, a place the best fortified both by nature and art of any in Europe. And is at this time possest by those of the Re∣formed Religion: where they stand upon their guard, and de∣fend their freedome of conscience against the Roman Catholikes of France. (5) Limosin, in limo sita, (saith some) Maginus takes it from Liwoges her chiefe Citie toward the North: which re∣volted, & was recovered by our Black Prince. Her other Towns of note are Tulles and Vxerca, and Chaluz, where our Richard the first was shot. It hath beene by turnes possest by French and English, till Charles the Seventh. Since we have had little hold there. (6) Berry, regio Biturigum from her chiefe City Bituris, now Burges, an Archiepiscopall See and Vniversitie. It is excee∣dingly stored with sheepe, and sufficiently well with other Mer∣chandize of value. (7) Burbone, from her chiefe City Burbone (heretofore Boya) a Dukedome and much frequented by Prin∣ces and the Nobility of France, by reason of her healthfull ayre and commodious Baths. (8) Tureine the Garden of France. Her chiefe Cities Bloys, Amboys, Trurs, and a little higher upon the Loyre stand Orleance.

(13) Lugdunensis or Celtica lyeth betwixt the Rivers Loyre and Seyne, and takes the name from Lugdunum or Lions her chiefe Citie. This Province comprehends (1) Britany, here∣tofore Armorica, till subdued by Maximinus King of England about the yeare 367. since it hath had the name of Britany, and for distinction from this of ours, it is commonly styled Minor Britannia. There is yet remaining a smatch of the Welsh tongue, which it seemes the Invaders had so great a desire to settle in those parts as a trophie of their Conquests, that when they first mingled in marriage with the Inhabitants, they cut out their wives tongues, as many as were Natives, that no sound of French might be heard among their Children. It hath few Rivers, but that defect is (in some measure) made up by their neighbour∣hood of the Sea, in so much, that the Countrey is reckoned one of the most fertile in all France, for Corne, Wine, and Wood. It breeds good Horses, and speciall Dogges, Iron, Leade, &c. Her chiefe Cities are Nants, Rhenes, S^t. Brenie, and Rohan. It is divided into Britanniam inferiorem, the base or lower Britanie, Westward & neerest England, and Superiorem toward the Loyre Eastward. Her chiefe ports are S^t. Malo and Breste. (2) Nor∣mandie, a part of the Region which was heretofore called New∣stria and took the name it hath from the Norwegians. Their first Duke was Rollo, and the sixt from him our William the Conque∣rour. It was lost from his Successors in the time of King Iohn. Her chiefe Cities are Rhothomagus or Rhoan the Metropolis, Constance, and Cane, memorable for the siege of our English H. the fift: And Verveile, besieged by Philip the second of France, in the time of our Richard the first: which when the King heard as he sate in his Palace at Westminster (it is said) he sware he would never turne his back to France, till he had his revenge: and to make good his oath, brake through the wals, and justly performed his threat upon the besi••ger. Her principall parts are Harflew: the first which King Henry the fift of England assaul∣ted; and New Haven given up by the Prince of Conde to Queene Elizabeth as a Pledge for such Forces as she would supply him with to maintaine Warres with the King in defence of Religi∣on. And Deepe, &c. (3) Anjoue regio Andegavensis, a fertile Countrey, and yeelds the best Wine of France, excellent Mar∣ble, and other faire stone for buildings. Her chiefe Citie is An∣jers, which Ortelius takes to be Ptolemy's Iuliomagum. It is now an Vniversitie. To this Dukedome there are foure Earledomes which owe a kind of homage. Manie, Vandosme, Beufort and Laval. (4) Francia which gives name to the whole Kingdome, and received it her selfe from the Germane Francones, which be∣fore inhabited the great Forrest called Sylva Hircynia. Her chief City▪ and the glory of France is Paris or Lutetia auasi in lu••o sita in compasse twelve miles, is reckoned the first Academie of Eu••rope, consists of fiftie-five Colledges. And here was Henry the sixt Crowned King of France and England. In this Province stands S^t. Vincents, where Henry the fift died: and S••isons and the Dukedome of Valoys, &c. (5) Campaigne and Brye part∣ners in the title of Earledome, it is severed from Picardie onely with the River. A fertile Countrey, and hath many eminent Cities. The principall is Rheimes, where the Kings most com∣monly are Crowned, and annointed with an Oyle sent (they say) from Heaven, which (as oft as it hath beene used) never decreaseth. It is the Seat of an Arch-bishop and Vniversitie of ••ote, especially with our English Roman-Catholiques, who have a Colledge there appointed for their fugitives. And others of note are Troys, and Brye, and Auxerre, and Sans, and Arch-bi••shops See, &c. (6) Burgundis, both the Dutchie and Coun∣tie. The Dutchie or Burgundia inferior, and Westerne lyeth on the South of higher Germany. Her principall places are Digion, Saint Bernards birth-Towne, Antun, Beal••e, Sologue, and Aliza once the famous Citie of Alexia. The Countie of Burgundie or Burgundia superior, yeelds not to the choysest Garden in France for fertility of soyle, not to the most renowned for stoutnesse of the Inhabitants. They acknowledge not as yet the French Com∣mand, no more then Savoy and Loraine. They were under di∣vers Generals, and are called Wallons, corruptly for Galleus, a trick of the Dutch. Her principall Cities are Besauson the Me∣tropolis of both Burgundies, Salives, Arboys, Gray, and Dola. (7) Lugdunense Territorium, Lione an illustrious Citie. The Center of Europe: I mean where Merchants meet for traffique from all quarters. And these Provinces belong either wholly, or at least in part to Gallia Lugdunensis. For indeed some lye di∣vided, and stretch into their neighbours Territories, as Campa∣nia into Belgica, and this last Lugdunense is in part under the Go∣vernment of Savoy.

(14) Narbonensis Gallia on the West hath the Comitatus Ar∣menaici and Comminges, Eastward part of the Alpes, Northward the Mountaine Comenus, and Southward the French Seas. It is generally a fruitfull Countrey, not inferiour in the esteeme of Plinie to Italy it selfe: it comprehends the Provinces, (1) of Lan∣guedoc, supposed from Languegotia, language of the Gothes. It reacheth from the bounds of Armenia and Comminges to the Mediterraneum: Her chief Cities are Narbon, from whence this whole Region receives her appellation, and is reckoned the first Roman Province in Europe, and Mons pessulame, Mont-Pelleine, an Vniversitie most famous for the study of Physick. Nimes where there is at this day many reliques of Antiquities, and Pons Sancti Siritus, &c. (2) Provence Provincia, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, divided from Languedoc by the River Rhodanus Rhohan. It belongs part to the Crowne of France, part to the Pope, and a third to the Prince of Orange. In the Kings portion are Air, a Parliamentary City, Arles, and Marfilia, the last built in the time of the Roman Tarquine. To the Bishop of Rome belongs, Avenian, a City and Arch-Bishops See, with the whole Comitatus venissimus. To the Prince of Orange the chiefe City Aurangia, or Orange on the ri∣ver Meine Estrang, Boys de S^t. Poll. &c. (3) Daulphine on the North of Province, Regio All••brogum, and is divided in Delphi∣natum superiorem & inferiorem; The first contains in it Embrum, where Agaric & Mama is plentifully gathered, & Valentia, &c. The latter Grinnoble vienna, Daulphin, Romans. (4) Savoy Saba∣dia on the East of Daulphin, a Dukedome, within whose limits stands the well known City Geneva, which entertaines people from all Countries of any Religion: But yet enforceth a law upon fugitives, not common elsewhere: For whatsoever Male∣factor is there apprehended for mischiefe done in his own Coun∣trey: suffers as if he had been there condemned. The principall Cities besides are Tarantise, Bele, Moustire, Maurience, &c. To this Dukedome belong Cambrey on the West side of the Alpes, and the Countrey of Bresse, whose heire is entituled Prince of Pi••mount, a part of Italy at the very East foot of the mountains, which sever her from this Countrey.

(15) Gallia Belgica the last is the Easterne tract toward Ger∣many, and as much as belongs to this Kingdome containes onely Picardie, which is divided into the higher and lower. The first portends towards the British Seas, and here stands Calles distant but thirty miles from Dover: It is that which Caesar called Por∣tus Iccius, wonne from the French by our Edward the third, lost by Queene Mary: upon her Confines toward England is the Countrey of Bononia, and Cuinnes, which contain sundry towns and villages. The chiefe Bulloigne, Conquered by our Henry the eight, but delivered back in the raigne of Edward the sixt. In this Picardie stans Terwin, besieged by King Henry in person, where the Emperour Maximilian served under his Colours, and rece∣ved pay as his Souldiers. In the lower Picardie stands Ambia∣num Ameins the Metropolis: Here are the Dutchie of Terache, whose chief City is Guisa which gave name to the family of the Guises: and the Countrey of Vermeudois, where Saint Quintin stands, Retelois and Retelher metropolis; Arteleis and Laferre her's, Pontheine and Abberille.

(16) The Ilands which are reckoned properly French, are onely those which lye neere in the Atlantick Ocean. They are but few and of no great account. The principall Dame de B••∣vin. L••••le Dieu, Marmotier, Insula Regis.