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 the Kingdom of Hungary

IT is not without example of good au∣thoritie, if I take into this Descripti∣on, not onely that part which is now more peculiarly knowne by the name of Hungarie; but the whole Countrey likewise of Daria, which was once one with it, though time and fortune have at last severed them: so that each hath now its owne Princes, Laws, Cu∣stomes, Language and Religion different from other. I the ra∣ther take to my selfe this leave, to avoyd both the charge and trouble of ordering for every one, a severall Table.

(2) First then the Kingdome of Hungarie is on the Southeast of Germanie, and joynes upon the Dukedome of Austria. They heretofore divided betwixt them the Countrey of Pannonia, Au∣stria was the superior, and this the inferior Pannonia. Their go∣vernment and titles are now dis-joyned; and Austria hath got the start in power: for she is the mother of many German Princes, and hath drawne the Crowne Imperiall almost into a succession.

(3) Yet is Hungarie still an absolute Kingdome: and if not so rich and populous as heretofore, it must not take from her ho¦nour, since her fortunes sunke not through want of valour, and fault of her former Inhabitants: but have beene for a long time▪ exposed to hazzard in the defence of Christendome against the mis-beleeving Turke: and for that, it hath beene by some styled the Cockpit of the world, where once in a yeare at least a prize is played, and some ground either won or lost by either partie.

(4) The first Inhabitants of this Countrey were the Panno¦nes: those were expulsed by the Gothes: And when the Gothes went into Italy, it was left to the possession of the Hunni, a Scy¦thian people, which lived before neere the Palus Maeotis: and when they saw their time, changed their seat: and about the yeare three hundred seventie three, brake by great multitudes into these parts of Europe, which they held till they were dis∣placed by the Lombards. These last were the Winnili, which li∣ved in Scandia or Scandinaria, a Northerne Peninsula, betwixt the Germane and Hyperborean Seas. Their seat it seemes was too barren for their number; and meere want of victualls forced them to seeke better sustenance in some other quarter. They o∣ver-ran many Countries, ere they could find any one to their content: Among the rest the Pannonia had her course: and here they continued till they marched into Italy, under the com¦mand of Alboinnus, where after 200. yeares, their Kingdome was ruinated by Charlemain.

(5) When it was thus left by Lombards, the Hunnes return∣ed to their former seat: and after some time of rest, grew up to a potent Nation, able to encounter the Romane Macrinus, to breake his Forces, and returne victors from the battaile. About the yeare 439. they chose for their King, Attyla, whose inscrip∣tion was, Attyla Mundizi filius, & Magni Nim: nepos Engadiae natus, divinâ benignitate, Hunnorum, Medorū Gothorum, ac Da∣norū, metus orbis, Deique flagellum. An insolent title; but indeed he was victorious over most parts of the then known world, and bethought himselfe of enlarging his Territories in Asia and Africa: But that designe was drowned in wine and lust; which at length brought him to a most miserable destruction: For in the night time, when he had filled himselfe with both, as he lay by his Concubine, with his face upward in a dead sleep, his nose gusht a bleeding, and choked him, being not able to recover him∣selfe from his back to give it passage.

(6) Since this settling, they were once more disturbed by the Lombards: and after by Charles the Great: so that they were not well fastened in their possession of this Countrey, till the time of the Emperour Arnulphus, about the yeare 900. And in deed at this day hardly enjoy it, by reason of the incredible spoyls and massacres which the Tartars commit amongst them. This last name of Hungaria without doubt had the Originall from their present Inhabitants and their Predecessors, which at times have peopled this Countrey above 1200. yeares.

(7) This Hungaria propria is bound on the West with Au∣stria, on the East with the River Tibiscus: on the North with Poland and Russia, and on the South with the River Savus.

(8) The land thus limited, it is hard to beleeve what most Geographers report of her fertility. That she yeelds Corne thrice in one yeare, almost without any tillage or care of the husbandman. Fruit of all kinds in great abundance, and grapes which make an excellent, wholesome, and rich wine. It breeds Cattle in such plenty, that this one Countrey, besides stores for her owne Inhabitants, sends Sheepe and Oxen into forraigne Nations, which lye about her: and might (say they) suffice to feed all Europe with flesh. Venison is not here any dainties: Does, Haires, Harts, Goates, Boares, &c. are every mans meate: and the game common, as well to the Boores as Gentry: And so for Phesant, Partridge, Black-birds, Pigeons, most fowle, wild and tame.

(9) The earth is inricht with variety of Mines, which yeelds her plenty of Iron, Steele, Copper, Silver and Gold: Lead she hath not, and scarce at all any Tinne. Her Rivers are equally commodious, as well for their owne wealth, as fit conveyance of forraigne Merchandize by shipping into their quarters. The chiefe and onely one indeed which belongs properly to this Re∣gion, is Tibiscus or Teissa: and this imparts not her streames to any other Countrey, but fully and freely payes her tribute to the Hungarian, more Fish then can be spent yearly within their owne limits. It passeth proverbially upon this River, that two parts of it are water, and a third fish. The rest, which are com∣mon to this, with other Countries, are Danubius (here Ister) and Savus and Darvus, all of them well stored with water provision, and in some places cast up a sand mixt with very good Gold. Here are besides many waters of excellent vertues: whereof some turne Wood into Iron, others Iron into Brasse: Some very medicinall for sundry diseases: others againe so pestiferous, that they kill the creature which doth but tast them. The like is re∣ported of an Hiatus in the ground, unaccessable by any but the fowles of the ayre, and those fall suddenly dead with the stench which ascends from it.

(10) The people for the most part are strong, f••rce, revenge∣full, harsh to strangers: briefly, ill mannered and worse learned: For they affect not either liberall Arts or mechanicke Trades. Yet it affords one of the most reverend Fathers of our Church good Saint Hierome. Their greatest pride is their name of a war-like Nation: and the basest infamie to put up the terme of co∣ward. Yet the person charged may not acquit himselfe upon his upbraider: but must make good his honour in single combate with a Turke: when he hath overcome him (and not till then) he may (by order of the Countrey) weare a Feather, as a note of his true Gentry. The sonnes onely are inheritors. If it chance that the males sayle, the estate descends not to the daughters: but is forfeit to the common treasury. They have no portion with their wives, but a wedding garment: and till they are married, neither one nor th'other are accustomed to lye in beds. Their language is the Scythian, and their Religion diverse: some Pap••sts, more Protestants. They received Christianitie above six hundred years since.

(11) Hungarie hath beene heretofore divided in citeriorem & ulteriorem. The former citra, and the other ultra Danubium. And both againe had their division into fiftie Counties, as Ma∣ginus calls them. Her most illustrious Cities are (1) Buda the Metropolis, and seat of their Kings, before it was taken by the Turke. For pleasant situation, wholesome ayre, fertile fields a∣bout her, stately buildings, and whatsoever else may commend her, Quadus sets her equall with any other in Europe. Vadianus mentions here a statute of Hercules, which himself saw made of Brasse to artificially, that the very veines were lively expressed: besides the ruines of other rich work, a goodly Library furnisht by Matthias Corvinus King of Hungarie. But at his being there it was not in the glory that it had beene: and not long after was for the most part utterly wasted by the inhumane Turkes. It is commonly called Offen: and is thought by some to be the same with Curta in Ptolemies descriptions.

(12) (2) Southward from Buda stands Albanum an ancient

[illustration] map of Hungary

[illustration]

THE MAPE OF HUNGARI newly augmented by Iohn Speede Ano Dom: 1626.

Towne, which of late they have called Alba, and now Alba Regalis: for it was the place where their Kings were both Crowned and buried. (3) Strigonium Gra•• an Arch-bishops seat and Metropolitane of Hungarie. It hath had the severall chance of warre, was wonne by the Turke in the year one thousand five hundred fortie three, and recovered one thousand five hundred ninetie five. In which last action our noble Sir Thomas Arundell tooke with his owne band the Turkish Banner: and was honored by the Emperour Rodulphus with the title of a Count ther••: and here by his owne Soveraigne made Lord Arundell of Wardour. (4) Quinque Ecclesia a Bishops See taken by the Turk one thou∣sand five hundred fortie three. (5) Comara in a small Iland, which takes her name from the Town. And here it is reported that the grasse exceeds in length the heighth of a man. (6) Ia∣varium not farre from Comara, and is called Rab. (7) Neuben∣sell, where Bucquoy was slain in the yeare one thousand sixe hun∣dred twenty one, having adventured too farre upon the Hunga∣rians Ambush, with intent onely to have received the order of their Forces, and fittest place for accesse to bid them battaile. And thus of the Kingdome of Hungary as it is strictly bounded with its owne proper limits.

(13) Dacia is on the East of Hungary, and is divided on the North from Sarmatia by the Carpathian mountaines; on the South from Greece with Haemu••; and on the East reacheth the Pontus Euxinus. The first Inhabitants were the Masii of As••a. Afterward the Daci, or (as Strabe cals them,) the Dari, a Nati∣on of so slavish a disposition, that the Athenians brought them into a Proverbe: and in their Comedies presented their Syco∣phants, under no other name then Dari. The Countrey is fruit∣full and enricht with Mines: their horses are very comely, and their manes so long, that they touch the ground. Their last King before it was made a Province to the Romans was Deceba∣lus, who (as Dion delivers it) affrighted the Emperour from an assault which he intended, with an incredible number of stakes, stuck up in battell array, and attired in his Souldiers old habits. A wodden shift it was, but served him for the present: yet after, he was vanquished by Traian; and being sunke (by the fortune of warre) below the hope of recovering his Kingdome, fell upon his owne sword. It is now divided into (1) Transylvania (••) Moldavia. (3) Walacbia. (4) Servia. (5) Rascia. (6) Bulgaria. (7) Bosnia.

(14) Transylvania is the Province of Dacia, and was it selfe called Dacia mediterranea & Ripensis Dacia. Since Transylvania, because it was compassed with woods: and septem Castra from her seven Castles of defence upon the Frontiers, built by the Saxons, who questionlesse gave her the German name Sibenbur∣gen, which she yet keeps as a remembrance of her residence in these parts. The Countrey is populous and fertile: It breeds faire and fierce horses, wild bulls: Indeed their men in some parts are not very tame. Toward the North in the Province Za••culcia they live most upon the spoyle, maintaining continuall warres with the Turkes and Germanes, and acknowledge no difference of worth or degrees among themselves. Their go∣vernment or rather want of government is compared to the Helvetian. Three places they have, Hisdy, Corbay, and Scepsy, whither they resort to determine of their State businesse. The chiefe Townes of Transilvania are Harmenstad, Alba Iulia, or Weisenburg, Clansenburg, Schlesburg, Millenbachium, Corona, or Cronstant.

(15) Moldavia lyeth in the North of Transylvania, and rea∣cheth as farre as the Euxine Sea: on the West it hath part of Ru∣thenia. This Countrey hath beene by course in the severall pos∣sessions of the Emperour of Germany, the King of Poland, and sometimes the Turke, thereafter as it was cast by chance of war. It was a Vayvodate, and her chiefe Cities Occazonia, Fuchiana, and Falezing. To this Moldavia belongs the Countrey of the Bessi, mentioned by Ovid in his 6. de Tristibus.

Vivere quam miserum est inter Bessosque Getasque!

They were a people of Thrace not farre from Pontus who li∣ved most by theft and pillage, and after possest the Mountaine Hamus, and a part which lies betwixt it and Lituania, and from the Inhabitants beares the name of Bessaralia. The principall Towns are Kilim, and Chermen. This last is the seat of the Tur∣kish Sanziacke: for the whole Province became subject to his tyranny in the yeare 1485.

(16) Walachia is supposed rather to have beene first named Flaccia, by the Roman Flac••us, who placed here a Colony, which have continued the Latine tongue to this day among the Inha∣bitants, though in a corrupt idiome, such as can hardly be un∣derstood. Neere to this, over the River Danubius, stands Pons Traianus built by the Emperour Traianus Nervaza work worth admiration, as appeares by those ruinous parcells which are yet standing. It hath puzzled the best Artificers to find out how such a vast foundation could be framed in so deepe and fierce a streame, which could not be turned into any other course to give way to the building. The Countrey abounds with good commodities, Gold, Silver, and Iron, Salt-Pits, Wine, Cattell, and excellent great Horses. The chiefe Cities are Sabinivus, Prailaba and Tergoresta.

(17) Servia lyes divided from Hungari•• and Rascia, with the River Savus on her North, and Bosnia on her West. It was the seat of the ancient Triballi, who met with Philip King of Mace∣donia, and tooke from him the spoiles which he had brought from Mateas King of the Sarmatians. It was it seemes but a bar∣barous people, and therefore Aristophanes in one of his Come∣dies among his mock-gods names Marathane-triballos. Her chiefe Cities are (1) Taurunum, which Pliny placeth in the ut∣most bounds of Pannonia. It is commonly knowne by the name of Belgard and Alba Graeca. It is not so great as glorious: nor is it fortified so much with walls as Rivers. It lyeth open for a siege onely one way: which the Turke often attempted, and reckoned with great losse: yet at last in the yeare one thousand five hun∣dred twenty one it gave up to Solyman, and became a Province to his Empire. It stands neere where the Rivers Danubius and Savus are dissevered: and is the Towne which the Hungarians report to have been once delivered by the admirable industrie of Ioannes Capistranus a Franciscan, who is much honoured for the action, by those of his own Society: But Ioannes Huniades that great Souldier and terrour to the Turke challengeth the glory as his peculiar Vadianus. (2) Samandria, and (3) St••nib••rg.

(18) Rascia is on the North of Danubius, where it parts with the River Sa••m, and lyeth betwixt Servia and Bulgaria. In her chiefe Citie Boden there is kept a Fayre once every yeare: and much people resort for enterchange of commodities from most Countries there-about.

(19) Bulgaria some what Northeast from Rascia, and is boun∣ded with Danubius upon the South. Theophylact was here Bi∣shop, and was called Bulgarius: Neere this is the Citie Tom••s, where Ovid lived in Banishment, as himselfe mentioneth in his 3. de Tristibus. The principall cities at this present are (1) Sophia, the seat of the Beylerbeg of Greece. And (2) Nicopolis. The or∣nament of their Kings was Imperiall, a crowne of gold, attire of silke and red shooes. Their title 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, a terme allowed by the Greeke Emperours, to those onely, which might weare this habit, the rest they called 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, as much as Reges.

(20) Bosnia on the West of Servia, and South of the River Savus, had her name from the Bossi or Bessi, the people of Bul∣garia: within the memory almost of our Fathers it was govern∣ed by Kings, and as yet retaines the title of the Kingdome of Bosnia. The chief Towns are Cuzachium and Iaziga: the first is the place of residencie, and the second of buriall for the Bos∣nian Kings. Heretofore the Citie Sinderoria had that honour, which some suppose to be the same that was once called Dar∣danum.