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 POLAND.

THE Kingdome of Poland borders up∣on the East side of Germanie, and in∣deed as farre as the River Vistula, it is accounted a part of the Empire: and useth the same speech, Religions and Customes as the other Territories, ad∣mitting onely that variety, which all of them have among themselves: and must needs be found in so large com∣passe, governed by so many severall free Princes. Beyond the River as it shrinkes from the seat of Christianity, so it begins to degenerate into a kind of Heathenish rudenesse, which favours of their predecessors.

(2) For this Tract is a part of Sarmatia Europaea, and the first Inhabitants were the Sauromatae a Scythian people, as well for barba••isme as by name. It was next possest by the Vandalls, an active Nation, of whom we have had some inkling at least, al∣most in every place which we have past. For they have spread their victories through Europe, and have left either name or story behind them in Spaine, France, Italy, Germanie, Thrace, and where not? Their most received pedegree is from Vandalus (wh••m Tacitus remembers) the Tuscane King, of the progenie of Tuisco first founder of the Germanes. Yet Munster in his Cos∣mographie mentions a pr••tty conjecture of some well wishers, it seemes (perhaps to their owne Countrey) which give the originall of their name of Vandalls to one Vanda, a Queene of Poland.

(3) Briefly, were the Vandalls natives or were they invaders; here they were found, and ejected by the Sclavonians, and these were the third Inhabitants of Polonia. She was over runne at the same time, and had the same fortune with Bohemia: they were both lost to their old Lords, and divided betwixt the two runagate brothers of Croatia, Zechius and Lechius, who being forced (for a murder) out of their own soyle, brought on their crue into these parts, about the yeare 550. and here have con∣tinued (in their posteritie) to this day. They are as yet remem∣bred in the very names of the people. For the Bohemians in their proper language call themselves Zechians, and in the grea-Poland there is still extant a Territorie, knowne by the title of Regnum Lechitorum.

( ) Her Etymon signifieth no other, then the sight of the Countrey, as the Sclavonians first descried it. For it was a Cham∣pian or plaine field, and so is Pole-land interpreted out of the Sclavonish tongue. It was before called Sarmatia, and the people Sauromatae, ab oculis Lacertarum, Lizzards eyes, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, a propertie (it seemes) which gave name to all her Nations. For this was divided from another Sarmatia by the River Tanais: that on the one side was Asiatica, for the most part wilde, hea∣thenish Idolaters, and in the farthest parts of Scythia some 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉: this other is Europaea, which being joyned with some parts of Germany West-ward to the River Odera, Silesia, & Mo∣ravia make up the Kingdome of Polonia, as it is here described.

(5) The bounds then of this great Region are on the West the River Odera, Silesia, and Moravia: on the East the River Neiper, which Ptol••my calleth Boristhenes: on the North Pome∣rania, or rather the Baltick Ocean, and on the South Russia and the Mountains of Hungarie. And if we will with Maginus take in the out Provinces which belong to this government, we must reach East-ward the Tartars and Muscovites, that live neere on the other side of Boristhenes: and North-eastward part of Mos∣covia, Southward the Hungarian Mountaines, and the Vallacci: in so much that the compasse would come little short of all Spaine, as it lyeth beyond the Pyrenaean.

(6) The principall Rivers of Poland are (1) Vist••la, it hath its rise in the Carpathian Mountaines, which divide this King∣dome from Hungarie, and it selfe runs into the Balticke, but by the way takes in divers other streames, on the West out of the Polonia Germanica, and on the East out of the Sarmatica. It is navigable 400. miles. () Neister which hath her fountaines in the hills of Hungarie, and glides Eastward, on the South of Po∣dolia, into the Pontus Euxinus. (3) Neipher or Boristhenes, which bounds the Kingdome on the East is navigable 600. stadia, and runnes from North to South, into the Pontus Euxinus, where there is naturally cast up plenty of Salt, which needs no art to perfect it. (4) Rubin in Lituania. (5) Hypanis, now Bugh, not farre distant from the Citie Oleska, and falls at last into the River Vistula; with many others of lesser note, though all con∣duce to make the Countrey in some kinds very fertile.

(7) For it abounds with most sorts of Corne and Pulse, suf∣ficient both for their owne spending, and continuall traffique into other Countries. Many of her neighbouring Regions could not well misse her plenty, as well of Wheate, Rie, and Barley, as Beeves and other Cattle, which give supply to Saxonie, and the rest of Germany neere hand, which hardly yeeld enough for their Inhabitants out of their owne store. The blessing of this fertility cannot come alone: but must needs bring with it the l••ke riches of Butter, Cheese, Milke, Waxe, Honey, and what ever else hath its birth from the ground. It is wel-nigh past be∣leefe which is reported of their multitudes of Bees, such as yeeld more Hony and Waxe, then the people can find roome for: They need here neither art, nor care of the good huswife to or∣der their hives, but naturally are their owne Gardians, and pro∣vide so diligently for their owne safety within the bulks of trees, that they easily passe over the hardest Winter without hurt. There is store of game, both for hunting, fowling, and fishing. In her Forests is seene a kind of wilde Horse with an horne like an Harts, and the Alces, &c. Lastly, among other good com∣modities, the worst is not her Pitch and Rosin, which yeeld her a large annuall revenew.

(8) Her chiefe wants proceed from her bleake situation: For it is a plaine Countrey, and shadowed for the most part with Woods; very cold, and by that meanes she hath little Oyle, and scarce Grapes enough to teach them the use of Wine. A great defect amongst so good drinkers: for they have a name for that equall with any part of Germany: and that I thinke gives no ground to the rest of Europe: But they make a shift to finde themselves play with a kind of Metheglin. Gold or Silver here is not much, unlesse about Cracovia: and (as Maginus saith) in Sandomica, wh••re there are likewise some Mines found of the Lapis Lazulus, perfect L••ade, and Iron, and pieces of Copper. Neere the Towns of Nochow, and Palukie, there is extant a kind of miracle, a certain earth naturally formed up into pots, which if you take forth and dry, they diff••r very little by sight from such as are made by hand, and serve aptly for the same use.

(9) The Inhabitants though they had but a wild beginning, yet in the more civill parts are of a gentle behaviour to stran∣gers, and not injurious one to the other. Theft is a vice not yet knowne to the Polands: For they dare travaile alone long jour∣neys in the depth of Winter, with one poore one to draw their sledge in the night times, &c. and this with more securitie and lesse danger, then we may walke in our open streets in the dusk of Evening. Questionlesse, this speciall practise of honestie in that kind, above other Nations, proceeds from an inbred desire which they generally have to be in imployment: for they are very industrious in their severall faculties. Those which pretend to Learning, addict themselves much to the study of Languages. The Latine is familiar to the Gentry as their owne: (and as Maginus reports) is used in some Townes by rich and poore as their proper speech. They are prodigall both in diet and appa∣rell, give much entertainment, and keepe a large retinue of ser∣vants▪ In briefe, they are as equall to themselves, as they are courteous to others; For they will not be oppressed by the grea∣test Potentate either home-borne or forreigne. They are very va∣liant, and meete their enemy with an undaunted courage, be they never so much over-borne either by number or strength. The truth is, no Peasant is suffered to beare armes: onely their Nobilitie and Gentry of place in their Common-wealth: such as warre, not for others onely, and upon constraint; but have somewhat themselves to lose: and therefore are ready as well for their owne safetie, as defence of their King and Countrey to set on upon all assaies, and raise an incredible number of ex∣cellent Horse, well manned almost in an instant. For they

[illustration] map of Poland

[illustration]

A. NEWE. MAPE of POLAND Done into English by I. Speede

are kept in continuall motion by the Muscovite.

(10) They have a good minde to Religion, but cannot fa∣sten upon any one to their liking; and therefore they will try all Christians, they have beene ever since the yeare 965. but from that time, they have scarce slipt any error, schisme, or here∣sie, which hath crept into the Church. Here are Iesuites, and o∣thers of the Romish sects. Here are Lutherans & Calvinists, and Arians, and Anabaptists, and Antitrinitarians: none allowed, but all tolerated: and indeed Poland had the seniority of Amster∣dame for that old saying: That if a man had lost his Religon, here he might find it. They have one ancient custome in their Churches which me thinks may well interpret our standing up at rehearsall of the Creed: when the Gospel is reading, the Nobi∣lity & Gentry unsheath their swords, and stand as it were prepa∣red to defend it with their lives against any which dare violate it.

(11) Their King is chosen by the generall States, and is for the most part some great warriour of their neighbouring Prin∣ces: For they have no peace on their East limit, with Muscoves and Tartars, but what they make with the sword. The Laws are onely temporary statutes, there are none fundamentall: But when the King hath any great designe in behalfe of the Com∣mon-wealth, he assembles a Councell of the Nobilitie to assist him. His revenues comming in, are thought to be about sixe hundred thousand Crownes: And each quarter of his King∣dome, maintains his expence for one quarter of the yeare. Their first King was Boleslaus, Crowned by Otho 3 in the yeare, 1001. But the regall dignity was lost againe to Boleslaus the bold, who began his raigne 1078. but was deposed by the Pope, and no o∣ther suffered to take up the Scepter and rule by the name of King, till the yeare 1295. The first of the second course was Primaslaus the second Duke of Poland and Pomerania: Since whose time there hath beene no breach to this day.

(12) The chiefe Provinces of the Kingdome of Poland as they lye from her West to East are: (1) Pomerania. (2) The Dukedomes of Ozwitts and Zator. (3) Polonia. (4) Prussia. (5) Russia nigra. (6) Samogitia. (7) Massoria. (8) Livonia. (9) Podlassia. (10) Lituania. (11) Volhinia. (12) Podolia.

(13) The first is Pomerania, bounded on the North with the Baltick Ocean, on the West with Germany: and is accounted by some a Province of the Empire, as we have ordred in our de∣scription. But in regard the greatest part is subject to the King of Poland, I hope I shall wrong neither to give both their due, and reckon it as well to this government, since it hath an equall, if not a greater title, to the rule, though not to the Inhabitants: for they are most Germans. It is a plaine Countrey, but exceed∣ing fertile and rich in all Commodities, which any other part affords: flourisheth with fortie Cities, which are fenced round either with the Sea, or ditches answerable for safety. Her chiefe stands upon the shore: for it is by nature so well guarded from the violence of the Sea, that they need feare no inundation: but yet have a very easie and secure entrance for shippes. Along the Coast stand Colberg, Camin, Coslin, Gribswald, &c. In the up∣land Stetinum the Metropolis, Newgard, Lamburge, &c. The peo∣ple were harsh persecutors of the Church of Christ till the yeare 1122. (:) The two Dukedomes of Ozwittes and Zator by Sile∣sia in the West bounds of this Kingdome. They were hereto∣fore sui juris: But now belongs to this government; The first since the yeare 1454. in the time of Cas••mirus: and the last was brought under by Sigismond the first about an hundred yeares after. (3)

(14) Polonia is divided iuto the greater and l••ss••. The grea∣ter Poland is more Northerne, and joynes upon Pomerania and Prussia. It was therefore called the greater, because here Lechius first planted himselfe and built the Citie Guesna, which was the regall seat till it was translated to Cracovia in the lesser Poland 1320. yet at this day is her Arch-Bishop Primate of the King∣dome: during an interregnum hath the power of a Prince: and Crownes the new King at his inauguration. Polonia the lesse is more Southerne, lyes hard upon Russia and Hungarie. It is now esteemed the more noble part of this Province: For here stands the Metropolis Cra••ovia on the banks of Vistula and Lublin, and other of the best note in Poland. (4)

(15) Prussia Spruce on the East of Pomerania, hath the Bal∣tick Seas on the North, and Massoria on the South: and on her owne East Lituania. It is now a Dukedome, and containes Ci∣ties of note, Dantzke, where Ke••kerman professed, and Mons Regius Regimont: Maneburg, Heilsperge, Culne, &c Her chiefe Commodities is leather much used heretofore to make jerkins, where none more brave then the younger, that could compasse a leather jerkin. Here is likewise great store of Amber, a juyce growing like Corroll in a mountaine of the North Sea, which is cleane covered with water, and cast up by violence of the waves into their Havens. (5) Russia nigra on the East and South of Poland the lesse, and the North of Hungarie, and West of Podolia, had her name as some suppose first Ruthenia and Russia, which in the Ruthen tongue signifies no other then a dispersed Nation: For so were the Russians through all Sarmatia, Europaea, & part of the Asiatike from the frozen Ocean to the Mediterraneum, & the Sinus Adriaticus, and the Pontus Euxinus, and the Mare Balticum, all that used the Sclavonian tongue, and professed Christ after the manner of the Greekes were called Russi and Ru∣theni. But the Province here meant is onely the South tract, as much as belongs to the King of Poland, and is called Nigra to distinguish it from Moscovia or Russia Alba. The people are valiant and in their fights use weapons of exceeding weight and bignesse. Her Prince is intituled Duke: the name of King they will not endure. This Province containes the territories Leopo∣liensis, with her chiefe City Leopolis. Lunt-burg, a faire Towne, and an Arch-bishops See: And the territories Haliciensis, Belzen∣sis, Praemisliensis, &c. (6)

(16) Samogitia toward the North, and her West hath the Sinus Balticus: North-East Livonia. It is in length fiftie miles, very cold, compassed in with Woods and Rivers. Her principall Towne is Camia: But not that nor any other is very famous for Lordly buildings: the fairest are but sheds in respect of other Countries: The Peasants are truly so indeed. For they rec∣kon themselves but little better then their Cattell: live under the same roofe with them, without any partition or nice ••oath¦ing of their nastinesse: a life fit enough for such a people; for they are yet most of them grosse Idolaters: and are oft times met in their Woods with horrid visions: and are strangely cozened by the Divell with a beliefe that they can Prophecie. The silly blasphemers nourish in their house a poore snake (like them∣selves) gathered out of some ditch, and call it their God, wor∣ship it with great fear & reverence, and sacrifice once in a yeare 1. Octob. to their devil, but by the name of their God Ziem enike. The better sort are Christians of a comely portraiture, and good feature, valiant and ready to take Armes when occasion calls them. Their greatest plenty is of Honey, which they gather ready made to their hands in their hollow trees. (7)

(17) Massoria on the South of Prussia, and North of Polonia, and Russia, and the East of either Poland, West of Lituania: She had her name from a former Duke, which was ejected by Casi∣mirus, where it had a peculiar Prince of its owne, it belonged to the second sonne of the Kings of Poland: but in the yeare 1526. after the untimely death of Iohn and Starislaus, heirs to this state it became a peculiar to the Crowne of Poland. Her chiefe Citie is Marscoria, which hath many under her: all use the same speech and Customes, with the other Polonians. (8) Livonia, to the North bounded with Finlan, on the South with Lituania, on the West with the Baltike Sea, and on the East with Mos••ovie. It is a large Province, carries in bredth, one hundred and sixtie miles, and in length, five hundred. It is Penny and Woody: but yet hath Corne and Fruit plenty, Cattle good store, wilde and tame, especially Horses. They have Honey, Waxe, &c. enough to exchange with other Countries for Wine and Oyle: For this yeelds little or none. It became Christian, one thou∣sand two hundred. Her chiefe Townes are Riga, Rivalia, Derpe, and Venda. About some twelve miles from the Continent is the Ile of Osel. (9)

(18) Podlussia on the East of Masoria, and West of Lituania, was joyned to Poland, one thousand five hundred sixtie nine. The Inhabitants are Massorites, Russians, and Polands. Her chiefe towns are Titocksin, a Fort where the Kings treasure is kept, Beisco, and Russiu. In this the King hath a faire Court, furnisht magnificently, both for state and pleasure. (10) Lituania, on the East of Poland, and South of Livonia, on the West of Moscovia, and North of Podolia. The Ayre is very unnaturall, and by that meanes the creatures there of every kind are very small, and their wants great of Corne, Wine, Salt, &c. The people are of a slavish disposition, and live thereafter po••re and basely. The women have a freedome by custome to keepe many Stallions, which their Husbands love as themselves, and call them their adjutories. But the men may by no meanes play false. Their condemned persons (be it to death) must execute themselves, or be tormented till they expire. They became Christians, such as they are, one thousand three hundred eighty sixe. The prin∣cipall Cities are Vilna, Vilkomire, and Brestia, and Norigredum, a Citie by report larger then Rome.

(19) (11) Volhinia lyeth betwixt Lituania, Podolia▪ and Russia, a plentifull Region, and breeds hardy Souldiers. They live as Russians, use the same speech and Customes. Her chiefe Towns are, Kioria, and Lircassia, upon the edge of Boristhenes. (12) Podolia is on the South of Lituania, East of Poland: and North of the River Neister or Boristhenes, as it runnes from his head to the Pontus Euximus, & on the West of Russia. It affords great plenty it seems; three Harvests (they say) of one sowing. It is pity (saith Vadianus) it should be left Desert, as in a man∣ner it is, unlesse here and there a Village. Her chiefe is Camien∣sen, the onely one, able to returne the Turk and Tartars with the losse, as it hath oftentimes done. The rest are not many, and those but weakly peopled. For the often incursions of the Tar∣tars; their speedy Horse, to ride a great compasse in a little time; their breach of faith, upon tearmes of composition: and their crueltie when they have got a victory, causeth the Inhabitants of those parts, to flie them at a great distance, and leave their Land waste: since they dare not trust their peace, nor are able to withstand their warre.