A true relation; of a most dreadful fire which happened on the city of Udem or Uhien in Germany: together, with an account of the regulars, monastries, churches, houses, people, and cattle, that suffered in those most devouring flames, very remarkable, and not inferiour to that of London.

A TRUE RELATION, of a most Dreadful Fire which happened on the City of Udem or Uhien IN GERMANY: Together, with an Account of the Regulars, Monastries, Churches, Houses, People, and Cattle, that suffered in those most Devouring Flames, very Remarkable, and not inferiour to that of London.

SIR,

ACcording to my Obligation, when I set forward in my Travels, of transmitting to you my Observations, and other Occurences; I am sorry that my first Letter should come frait with so Tragical a Story, which scarce ever was parallell'd, but in the dreadful Con∣flagration of London: I question not, but the Commemoration of your own Losses, in that, will cause a Christian feeling and compassion in all that shall hear of this, for those poor Wretches, that one hour gloried in their Rich∣es, Relations and pleasant Habitations; the next, was forc'd to wander in the Fields, with their parch'd Bodies, destitute of any Abode: But let the Relation speak their doleful Condition.

At Ʋdem, or Ʋhien, a small but Beautiful City, near Xanten, on the lower part of the River Rhine, in Germany; that on Wednesday in the Holy Week of Easter, in the House of a Brewer; at the sign of the Red-Hart, broak out a most dreadful Fire, which in an hour and half; or two hours at most, by it's Raging Flames, the whole City was turned into Ashes, with all the Rich Furniture their Houses were adorned with. The devouring Fire knew no difference betwixt things Sacred and Prophane; but equally in the Com∣bust fell, the Monasteries of the Regulars and Monks, the common Grana∣ry, in which was Stored the City Corn, the Town-House or Court, with all the Houses of the Citizens; excepting that of the Town-Clark, and a little Shed, not far from the Court, in which was kept the Engines, on which the Flames, (which makes us wonder) never exercised it's Fury, but the Temple of the Catholiques, is still standing without a Roof: The Bells were melted down, the Organs and the Altar spared; all things mourn∣fully appeared.

Amongst those that were burnt, are Two and Twenty Regulars, and Fif∣ty Seven others; and we fear many more, who are not yet discovered.

The hopes of saving their Lives made them flye to Subteranus Vaults: One Man, thinking to avoid that intollerable heat, made his Sanctuary his Sepulchre, the Oven, in which he thought to have secured his tender Flesh from Raging Flames, proved the Ʋrne of his pulverated Carcase.

A large Chest, in which the Citizens and Country People had treasured up their Wealth, and deposited in the Church, as a Sanctuary against the ra∣pine of hungry Soldiers, who like Locust, have for some years over-spread and infested those Countrys, was at the beginning of this horrible Incendi∣um, drawn forth into the Church-Yard and there devoured by Flames, with the Wooden Crosses that graced the Tombes of slumbering Saints.

The Cattle perished, one Cow only escaping; the Hair and Ears being burnt off.

So great was the horror and confusion of these poor Wretches, and so violently raged the Flames; that all their Wealth and Substance was con∣sumed before they could reach the City Gates. A little Trunk belonging to a Lady, in which was Money and Jewels, valued at Ten Millions of Imperi∣als; being mounted on a Porters back, thinking to have saved it from the Flames, not far from the City Gates the Iron-Ring broak by which he car∣ried it; and down it fell, the Fire pursued so close, the Porter to save his Life was forc'd to run and leave his Treasure, which was soon devoured by the raging Element, but the melted Mass was after found.

The Goods that was cast into Wells, and Pools, was in a manner with the Water dryed, and burnt up; the Chains and Winals, with which they drew Water looked like Fire-brands, so that no man with his hands could endure to touch them; almost impossible was it, for man to find a passage out of the City: Some ran one way, some another, the Flames still met & pursued them. Hor∣rable shriks filled every corner; Children lost their Antient Parents; Mo∣thers left their tender Babes: and happy was he, that by his swiftness could escape, which none did, but those that left in the Flames their Hair and Cloaths, as pawns for their Lives. The memory of man hath not heard of so sudden and terrible a Conflagration; the Destruction of this City being as total as that of Jerusalem; scarce any man, knowing the Foundation of his late Habitation.

Thus Dear Sir, as brief as I could, have I drawn you the Scene of their miseries, having rid three German Leagues out of my way to view the Ru∣ins, and observe the poor Inhabitants scattered about the Fields in Huts and Tents.

I shall now prosecute my Journey for Vienna, where I hope to receive your Letters and Bills, and in the intrim am,

Your Obliged Frind and Servant I. D.

Xanten, April the 13th. 85. Stila Nova.