not so soone appeare; some what is to be alleaged touching the proposed question: that the hi∣storicall Reader may haue some thing here which hee may either confu••e or confirme. Wee are therefore by probable reasons to inquire, who were the first inhabitants of the Northerne World, and from whence they came: then, when they began to inhabit this our World: that from hence some coniecture may arise concerning the originall of the language. And that I may here acquit my selfe without circumstances; I thinke the first inhabitants of the Northerne World, were of the number of Giants, nay, mere Giants; men that inhabited the mountaines of an huge and sometimes a monstrous body, and of monstrous and exceeding strength: and that they were the posteritie and remnant of the Canaanites, expulsed from the Territories of Pale∣stina, about the yeere of the World 2500. by Iosua and Caleb remoouing into Palestina through [ 10] Gods pleasure and direction: and that this Countrey of the World euen vntill those times, or peraduenture longer, remayned altogether not inhabited.
For thus Saxo Grammaticus argueth in the Preface of his Dania. But (sayth he) the stones of ex∣ceeding bignesse fastened to the Tombes and Caues of the ancient, testifie that the Countrey of Den∣marke was sometimes troubled with the inhabiting of Giants. But if any doubt, that it was done by monstrous strength; let him looke vp to the high tops of certayne Mountaynes, and say, if he know it well, who hath brought Rockes of such huge greatnesse to the tops thereof? For euery one that considereth this Miracle, shall perceiue that it is beyond common opinion, that the simple labour of mortalitie, or v∣suall force of humane strength should rayse so huge a weight (hardly, or not at all moueable vpon the plaine ground) to so high a top of mountaynous sublimitie.
[ 20] This Saxo writeth, who shall be a sufficient Author vnto vs concerning the first Inhabitants of Denmarke, that is to say, his owne Countrey. So concerning Norway and Suecia, and the bor∣dering Countreyes, as whatsoeuer is most ancient; so it most resembleth a Giant-like disposi∣tion and nature. Whereof examples are to be taken out of Histories, which would bee tedious here. For that I may omit ancient examples, those things are knowne of late memory to haue beene done: Concerning the Giant Doffro, inhabitant of the Mountayne Doffraefiall in Nor∣way; and Foster-father of Haraldus Pulcricomus King of Norway. Also concerning Dunubo who liued in the time of Droffon: from whom the Bay Boddick or Bothnicke: in time past was called Dumbshaff, who in a Sea-fight, encountring eighteene Giants alone, sent twelue of them [ 30] first to Hell before he himselfe was slaine. Of thirtie Giants at once destroyed by fire, by Dum∣bos Sonnes left, in reuenge of their Fathers death. There is yet a later example of certayne Giants of Norway, destroyed by authoritie of Olaus Triggo King of Norway, about the yeere of Christ 995. But the latest in the yeere 1338. Magnus the Sonne of Ericus, being King of Nor∣way, that a Giant of fifteene Cubits was slaine by foure men: as it is found recorded in the Chro∣nicles. Hereunto adde, that a certayne Prouince of Norway, or bordering vpon Finmauchia, in ancient time was called Risalande, that is to say, the Land of Giants (for En R••se, and Rese, sig∣nifie a Giant) from whence Iotum Heimar, that is, the habitation of Giants is not farre dissonant (whereupon as yet, En Iaet, is said to be a Giant) that I may speake nothing heere of Iotumland: by which name, that which at this day is called Iijtland, was sometimes called by our Countrey [ 40] men, and very many other also, the Land of the Cimbri, or Chersonesus: the same name also be∣ing giuen it of Kemper, that is, fighting Giants of Nephilheimar, and Karnephill, else-where, and peraduenture by others shall be spoken, as also of the Gotthes, and Getts (peraduenture also Ietts) and such like others. Moreouer, the remnant of the Giants came into Island, whose Names, Habitations, worthy Acts and Enterprizes, are sufficiently knowne, and before our eyes. See∣ing therefore Giants first inhabited this our World; it is demanded, when, or whence they came?
Gilb. Genebrand. Chronol. Lib. 1. The first Age, sayth hee, (from the Creation of the World vnto the Floud) seemeth to haue beene passed and spent within the mid-lands of the World, and that they came not to the borders of Asia, Africa, and Europe. Bodinus sayth, that Moses wrote the Historie of the whole World (he meaneth inhabited) euen to the yeere of the World, 2450. [ 50] And Genebrand againe, Lib. 1. Chronol. pag. 11. As the first Originall of Mankind was in Ar∣menia, Mesopotamia, Chaldaea, and Syria: and men before the Floud dwelt only there: so other Coun∣treyes themselues, were first inhabited after the Floud. Also Genebrand sayth yet further, ibid. pag. 35. Before three thousand yeeres (for hee wrote in the yeere of Christ 1597.) almost all Europe was emptie, that is, about the yeere of the World 2541. which is chiefly to bee vnderstood of the Northerne World, if of the rest of Europe. But hee said, almost, not altogether, that hee might not take away the migrations of the Nations then presently beginning after the yeere of the World 2500. wee doe not therefore tye the time (wherein this further Europe began to bee inhabited) to the yeere of the World 2500. But wee say, that that troublesome time wherein [ 60] the Nations (and among them the Giants of Canaan) were cast out of their places and dwel∣lings, and compelled to seek new habitations, euen in Europe, happened in this yeere; as was pro∣posed by vs in the beginning. And that Europe receiued her Inhabitants from hence, among the Ancient, Procopius is my Author, a Writer borne at Caesaria of Palaestina, Collector of the wor∣thy Acts of Iustinianus, about the yeere of the Lord 530. who to proue this very thing, allea∣geth