CENTRE
for
REFORMATION
and
RENAISSANCE
STUDIES
VICTORIA
UNIVERSITY
TORONTO
The Itinerary
of
Fynes Moryson
In Four Volumes
Volume IV
GLASGOW
PRINTED AT THE UNIVERSITY PRESS BY
ROBERT MACLEHOSE COMPANY 1,TD. FOR
.lAMES MACLEHOSE AND SONS PUBLISHERS
TO THE UNIVERSITY OF GLASGOW
MACMILLAN AND CO. LTD.
I'HE MACMILLAN CO.
THE MACMILLAN CO. OF CANADA
SIMPKIN HAMILTON AND CO,
BOWES AND BOWES
DOUGLAS AND FOULIS
MCMVII]
LON DON
NEW YORK
TORONTO
LON DON
CAMBRIDGE
EDINBURGH
An
Itinerary
Containing His Ten Yeeres Travell through
the Twelve Dominions of Germany, Bohmer-
land, Sweitzerland, Netherland, Denmarke,
Poland, Italy, Turky, France, England,
Scotland & Ireland
Written by
FYNES MORYSON
GENT.
VOLUME IV
Glasgow
James MacLehose and Sons
Publishers to the University
MCMVlli
THE TABLE
The Contents of the severall Chapters contained
in the Second Booke of the Third Part
(Continued).
CHAP. 1II.
Of Germany, Bohmerland and Sweitzerland, touching the
Geographicall description, the situation, the fertility,
the trafficke, and the diet.
PAGE
CHAP. IIII.
Of the united Provinces in Netherland, and of Denmark
and Poland, touching the said subjects of the precedent
third Chapter.
CHAP. V.
Of Italy touching all the subjects of the third Chapter
going before..
46
74
The Contents of the severall Chapters contained
in the Third Booke of the Third Part.
CHAP. I.
Of the geographicall description of Turk)-, the situation,
fertility, trafficke and diet.
V
o 4
THE TABI:E
The Contents of the severall Chapters--Continued. PAGE
for Horse, Foot, and Navy, the Courts of Justice, rare
Lawes, more specially the Lawes of inheritance and of
womens Dowries, the Capitall Judgements, and the
diversitie of degrees in Families, and in the Common-
wealth., z38
CHAP. I11I.
Of the particular Commonwealths, as well of the Princes of
Germany, as of the free Cities, such of both as have
absolute power of life and death.
CHAP. V.
Of the Commonwealth of Sweitzerland, according to the
divers subjects of the third Chapter..
CHAP. VI.
Of the Netherlanders Commonwealth, according to the
foresaid subjects of the third Chapter.
333
383
443
The rest of this Worke, not as yet fully finished,
treateth of the following Heads.
Chap. . Of the Commonwealth of Denmarke, under
which title I containe an historicall introduction, the
Kings Pedegree and Court, the present state of the
things, the Tributes and Revenewes, the military power
for Horse, Foot, and Navy, the Courts of Justice, rare
Lawes, more specially those of Inheritance and Dowries
and Contracts for mariage, the Capitoll or Criminall
Judgements, and the diversitie of degrees in Families
and the Commonwealth.
Chap. z. Of the Commonwealth of Poland, under which
title, &c.
vii
THE TABLE
The Contents of the severall Chapters--Continued.
Chap. 3- Of the Commonwealth of Italy, touching the
historicall introduction, the Princes pedegrees, the
Papall dominion, and the late power of the King of
Spaine, with some other subjects of the first Chapter.
PAGE
Chap. 4- Of the particular Commonwealth of Venice,
touching most of the foresaid subjects.
Chap. 5. Of the Commonwealth of the Duke of Florence,
the Cities of Lucca and Genoa, with the Dukes of
Urbino and of Mantoua.
Chap. 6. Of the Commonwealth _of Italy in generall:
touching the rest of the heads which belong to the
generall State of Italy, rather then of any part thereof.
Chap. 7- Of the Commonwealth of the Turkish Empire,
under which title &c. as followeth in the first Chapter.
Chap. 8. Of the Commonwealth of France, under which
title, &c.
Chap. 9" Of the Commonwealth of England, under
which title, &c.
Chap. IO. Of the Commonwealth of Scotland, under
which title, &c.
Chap. I. Of the Commonwealth ot Ireland, under
which title, &c.
Chap. z. Of Germany touching Religion.
Chap. x3- Of Bhemerland, Sweitzerland, the united
Provinces of Netherland, of Denmark and Poland,
touching Religion.
Chap. 4. Of Italy touching Religion.
Chap. 5. Of the Turkish Empire touching Religion.
Chap. 6. Of France, England,
touching Religion.
VIII
Scotland and Ireland
The Fourth Volume
OF
The Itinerary of Fynes Moryson
I605-I 7.
Paralells.
FYNES MORYSON'S ITINERARY
verticall point (that is the point right over head) of each
place, whether the Sunne being come by his accidentall
motion (in each day) it makes noone above the Horizon,
and midnight under the Horizon (or with the Antipodes3
The Circle in the convex or bending of the earth, direc.tly
and perpendicularly under this circle Meridian, passing
by the extreme points of the earth that are under the
Poles, and by any appointed place in the superficies (or
upper face) of the earth, is called a Meridian of the earth.
And because there is no certaine number of particular
places on the earth, it follows that the Meridians are
innumerable, so as every place distant from another
towards the East or West, hath his owne peculiar
Meridian, divers from the Meridian of another place.
Yet for making of maps, and like uses, the Geographers
appoint one hundred eighty Meridians, namely, ninty
Easterly, and nintie Westerly.
The lesser circles are called Paralells, that is, equally
distant, because having relation one to the other, or to
any of the great circles, they are in all parts equally
distant. For al lesser circles have relation to one of the
greater, and are called the paralells of this or that greater
circle. But here onely mention is made of the Paralells
referred to the /Equator, which are lesser circles drawne
neere the/Equator, from East towards West, or contrary,
by the vertical points of several places in heaven, or
by the places themselves in the upper face of the earth,
& they are the greater, the neerer they are to the/Equator,
the lesser, as they are more distant from the same towards
either Pole, and the Geographers call them Northerne
Paralells which are neare the /Equator in the Northerne
.Hemisphere, and Southerne Paralells, which are so drawne
in the Southerne Hemisphere. Also as there is no
certaine number of particular places, so the Paralells
are innumerable, insomuch as each place upon the
upper face of the earth, distant from another towards
the North or South, hath his pecular verticall Paralell.
Yet usually the Geographers number I8o Paralells,
2
FYNES MORYSON'S ITINERARY
from the same towards the Southerne Pole. Also the
Longitude in like sort, but imaginarily, is said to be
Easterly & Westerly, beginning at the first Meridian.
The places situated under the ]Equator, are said to have
no latitude and the places under the first Meridian, no
Zons. longitude. The Zones compassing the earth like girdles,
according to the Longitude thereof, devide it by the
]Equator, and foure paralells into five parts, whereof two
are temperate, and three intemperate. One of the
intemperate, being the middle, lies under the ]Equator,
betweene the two Paralells called Tropici, and this is
called the Torride or burnt Zone, because it being under
the Ecliptick line, of the Sunnes yeerely course, is con-
tinually burnt with the beames thereof. This Zone in
the Superficies or upper part of the earth, containes the
greater part of Affrick towards the South, yea, almost
all Affrick, (excepting Egypt, and Mauritania, towards
the Northerne Pole, and the furthest parts of Affrick
towards the Southerne Pole), and it containes the chiefe
Ilands of the East Indies. Next to this middle torride
Zone towards the North, lies one of the temperate
Zones, seated betweene the two Paralells, called the
Tropick of Cancer, and the Artick circle, and it containes
the greatest part of America, the Northerne part of
Affrick and almost all Europe and Asia. The other
temperate Zone lies by the middle torride Zone, on the
other side of the ]Equator, towards the South, seated
betweene the two Paralells, called the Tropick of Capri-
corn, and the Antartick circle, and containes the part of
America called Peru, and the extreme Southerne parts of
Affrick, and great part of the Southerne World as yet
undiscovered. Next to these temperate Zones lye the
other two Zones called intemperate for cold, as the first
are for heate, and one of them lies under the Northerne
Pole of the World, containing Noruegia, and the part
of Tartaria lying within the Artick circle, the other lies
under the Southerne Pole, which part of the World is
not yet discovered.
OF GEOGRAPHY IN GENERAL
Clymes are tracts compassing the earth circularly from
the West to the East, and they are much more narrow
then the Zones, and not of equal Latitude among them-
selves, but as Zones are the greater, the neerer they are to
the/Equator, and the narrower, the more they are distant
from the /Equator, towards either of the Poles, so are
the Clymes. The Latitude of each Clyme is so great,
as from the beginning to the end of it, the greatest
Solstitial day may increase halle an hower. And because
this variation of the day, in parts most remote from the
/Equator, happens in shorter distances of the earth, there-
fore the Clymes also most remote from the /Equator,
are made more and more narrow. In our age wherein
great parts of the World are discovered, which were
of old unknowne, this distribution of the earth from the
Artick circle to the Antartick, may be made into 2 3 clymes,
the Equinoctial clyme not being numbred. But this
property must ever bee observed, that the Solstitiall day
of the following clime, is ever half an hour longer, then
the solstitial day of the foregoing clime. The first clime
aswell from the Equator towards the North, as from it
towards the South is placed, where the greatest day con-
taines I2 houres & a halfe, & that is next to the/Equator
on either side. The second where the greatest day con-
taines 13 houres. The third where it containes 13 houres
& an halle. The fourth where it containes 14 houres.
And so forward, till you have numbred the 0--3 clime,
making the day of 2 3 houres & a halle, & so come to one
of the said circles, Arctick towards the North, or Antartick
towards the South, where in the Solstitial day of the one
half of the yeere, the Sun shines 2 4 houres above the
Horizon, & the night is but a moment, & on the contrary,
in the solstitial day of the other halle of the yeere, the
Sun is hidden 4 hours under the horizon, & the day
is but a moment: but beyond these circles, this distri-
bution of the earth into climes ceaseth, because after the
day is no more increased by halle houres, but the oblique
horizon on both sides, hideth certaine portions of the
6o5-7.
C/y
[III. ii. 77-]
FYNES MORYSON'S ITINERARY
7 The Countries of Bavaria, and of the Bishopricke
of Saltzburg, were of old called Vindelicia Noracum, and
the Inhabitants thereof, Taurisci, and it hath these Cities,
Scherdung, Saltzburg, and Lintz.
Suevia stretcheth into old Vindelicia, and that which at
this day is so called, containes the greater part of Rhetia
and Vindelicia. The Suevians (vulgarly Schwaben) of
old forsooke their dwelling upon the River Elve, and
invaded upper Rhetia, which to this day they hold. The
Cities thereof are Nerlingen, Gepingen, and the foresaid
Ulme and Augsburg.
9 Helvetia (or Sweitzerland) was of old part of Gallia
Belgica, now is reckoned as part of Germany. The head
spring of the Rheine, (the second River of Germany, next
in greatnesse to the Danow), is in the highest Alpes of
Helvetia, where it riseth in two heads, and the Northerly
head fallin from the Mountaines Furca and Gotardo, is
called the fore Rheine, and the Southerly head, falling
from the Lepontine Mountaines, is called the hinder
Rheine, both which running towards the East, are united
at Chur, and then with the name of Rheine, it fals towards
the North violently from the Mountaines. Helvetia hath
many and very famous Cities, namely, Schaffhusen, (as the
houses of boats or ships) Constantia (vulgarly Costnetz),
Tigurum (vulgarly Zurech) Solodurum (or Solothurn),
Bern, Lucern, & Geneva, with Losanna, which two last
of old were reckoned in Savoy, but now are confederate
with the Sweitzers. The Inhabitants of Helvetia are
commonly called Sweitzers, and among themselves they
will be called Eidgenossen, that is; partakers of the
sworne league. The part of Helvetia betweene the
Rheine and the lake of Constantia, is called Brisgoia,
vulgarly Brisgaw, (Bris signifies a price, and Gaw a
meadow), and therein is the spring-head of the River
Danow, and the Townes thereof are Rotwill, Brisach,
Friburg, (an University) Basil (a famous University), of
old belonging to Alsatia, now confederate with the
Sweitzers.
OF THE GEOGRAPHY OF GERMANY A.D.
I005-17 .
o Alsatia, so called of the river Ilia running through
it, is divided into the upper & the lower: The upper
from Basil to Strasburg is called Singaw, and the Inhabit-
ants of old were called Tribocchi, and Tribotes: some
hold Strasburg of old to have beene the chiefe City
thereof, but it hath now three Cities, Basil, Selestade,
and Rusach. The lower lying above Strasburg to the
Mount Vogasus, hath these Cities, Haganaw and Sabern.
I I. For the Tract upon the Rheine: first, above
Alsatia towards Metz, the Nemetes (whose chiefe City is
Spira), and the Vangiones (whose chiefe City is Worms),
possesse the West side of the Rheine. The tract adjoyn-
ing is called Vetus Hannonia (vulgarly Alt-henegaw.)
Something further from the Rheine towards the
Dukedome of Luxenburg, are these Provinces. The
County Sweybrucken (also called Bipontanus in Latin,
of two Bridges), and the Cities are Sweybrucken and
Sarbrucken. Secondly, Austracia (vulgarly Uestreich, as
a vast Kingdome.) Thirdly, the Territory of the Elector
Bishop of Trier, whereof the chiefe Citie is Treveris
(vulgarly Trier.)
On the other side of the Rheine towards the East, the
Marquisate of Baden lyes next to Helvetia, whose
inhabitants of old were called Vespi. Next lies the
Dukedome of Wirtenburg, the Cities whereof are
Tubinga and Sturcardia, whereof the former is an
Universitie. Then followes the Palatinate of Rheine,
the Inhabitants whereof were of old called Intuergi &
Phargiones, and are now called Phaltzer, and Heidelberg,
seated upon the River Neccar is the chiefe Citie, and the
seate of the Palatine Elector.
The lower Germany is devided into nineteene Pro- I9 Prorinces
vinces, Franconia, Bohemia, Moravia, Silesia, Saxonia, oflooer
Germany,
Lusatia, Misnia, Turingia, Marchia, the Dukedome of araong,hich
Brunswicke, the Dukedome of Meckleburg, Hassia, Bokeraiais
Juliacum, Clivia, Vrestphalia, Frisia Orientalis, Pomer- reckoned.
ania, Borussia, & Livonia, (for I omit Gallia Belgica to be
handled in his proper place.)
9
6o5-7.
Jill ii. 75-]
FYNES MORYSON'S ITINERARY
x Franconia is an ancient and noble Nation, the
inhabitants wherof driving the Romans out of Gallia,
possessed the same, and gave the name of France to that
Kingdome. This Province hath old and faire Cities,
namely, Bamberg (a Bishops seate), Rotenburg, Francfort
(famous for the yeerely Marts or Faires), Wirtzberg (a
Bishops seate), Mentz or Metz (the seate of the chiefe
Elector Bishop), and Nurnberg (a famous City, which
some hold to be in Bavaria, but the Citizens doe more
willingly acknowledge themselves to be Franckes.) All
the Province (excepting the free Cities, and the three
Cities belonging to Bishops) is subject to the Margrave
of Brandeburg.
o Bohemia hath a language proper to it selfe, and hath
two Provinces belonging to it, Moravia (having his
proper language), and Silesia (using the Dutch tongue)
and these three make a Kingdome, which is subject to
the Emperour, and it is joyned by Geographers to the
Provinces of Germany, because the same compasseth it
almost round about. Bohemia is not devided into
Counties, but according to the Teritories, belonging to
the King, or to Noble men and Gentlemen; this being
called the Kings land, that the land of the Baron of
Rosenberg, or the land of the Popells, and so of the
rest. The chiefe City and seate of the Emperour their
King, is Prage. The River Elve hath his head spring
in Bohemia, being the third River of Germany, and it
runs through Saxony to Hamburg, and after falls into
the sea. The inhabitants of Bohemia came out of
Dalmatia, as their language witnesseth.
3 Moravia was of old inhabited by the Marcomanni,
and had subject to it Bohemia, Silesia, and Polonia: but
at this day it is onely a Marquisate, subject to Bohemia,
and hath the name of the River Morava. The chiefe
City thereof is Bromia, vulgarly Prim.
4 The inhabitants of Silesia were of old called Lugii,
Dantuli, and Cogni. The River Viadrus, or Odera,
runnes through it into Pomerania, and so falles into the
IO
OF THE GEOGRAPHY OF GERMANY
sea. Silesia is annexed to Bohemia, and so is likewise
subject to the Emperour, as King of Bohemia, and the
chiefe City thereof is Uratislavia, vulgarly Bressell, and
the inhabitants of this Province are Germans, as well in
language as manners.
5 Saxony containes all that lies betweene Hassia,
Silesia, Polonia, Bohemia, and the Baltick sea, so as at this
day, Lusatia, Misnia, Turingia, both the Markes, and the
Dukedomes of Brunswick, and of Meckleburg, are con-
tained therein.
6 Lusatia is a little Region, annexed to the Kingdome
of Bohemia. In the upper part are the Cities Gurlitz
(an University), and Pautsan, and Siltania. In the lower,
Soravick and Cotwick, and the River Sprea runnes
through them both.
7 Misnia was of old inhabited by the Hermonduri,
and Sorabi, of the Sclavonian Nation. It is a fertill
Region, and therein begin the Mountaines which
Ptolomy calles Suditi, in which are mines of mettals, and
especially of silver. The Cities thereof are Misnia
(vulgarly Misen), Torg, Leipzig, and Witteberg (two
Universities), Fryburg (the fields whereof have rich mines
of silver), Dresden (the seate of the Saxon Elector),
Remnitz, and Suicania.
8 The Province of Turingia is said of old to have
been inhabited by the Gothes, because the chiefe City is
called Gota. The Metropolitan City is Erford, being
large and ancient, and one of the free Cities of the
Empire. This Province is subject to the Duke of
Saxony, with the title of Langrave, as Misnia is also,
with the title of Marquis.
9 The River Odera hath his head spring in Marchia,
and runnes through it, deviding it into the new Marke,
and the old. The chiefe Citie of the old is Franckford
upon the Odera, (so called in difference of the more
knowne Franckford upon the Maene). The new Marke
hath these Cities, Berlin, the seate of the Elector, and
Brandeburg, of which the Elector of Brandeburg hath
II
6o5-7.
Jill. ii. 76.]
FYNES MORYSON'S ITINERARY
that stile, and both the new and old are subject to the
said Elector.
x c) Brunswick gives the name to that Dukedome, and
hath the name of Bruno that built it, and is a free Citie
of the Empire, strongly fortified, and not any way subject
to the Duke of Brunswick, though upon some old title
hee hath the name thereof, and possesseth the rest of the
Dukedome, holding his Court at Wolfenbeiten, not farre
distant from Brunswick.
x The Dukedom of Meckelburg, was of old
inhabited by the Pharadini, as Ptolomy writes. It hath
two Cities, both on the Seaside, Wismar, and Rostoch (an
University.)
2 Hassia is a mountanous Country, in which Ptolomy
placeth for old inhabitants the Longobardi, the Chatti,
the Teucteri, and the Chriones. At this day it is subject
to the Family of the Landgraves of Hassia. It hath
these Cities, Casseils (the chiefe seat of the elder brother
of that Family) Hersphild, and Marpurg (an Universitie.)
The tract upon the River Lovia, is derided into the
County of Nassaw (whereof the chiefe Towne is Dillen-
berg) and the County of Catzmelbogen (so called of the
Chatti inhabitants, and Melibots a famous Mountaine.)
The Bishoprick of Colen gives title to one of the Clergie
Electors, and was of old inhabited by the Ubii, of whom
the chiefe Citie was first called Ubiopolis, which Marcus
Agrippa repaired, and called it Agripina Augusta: but
Marcomirus King of the Francks or French, conquering
it, called it Colonia. It is a small Country, and the
Bishop Elector hath most part of his revenues from other
places.
13 Juliacum is a little Region, and hath title of a.
Dukedome.
x 4 The Dukedom of Cleve was of old inhabited by the
Usipetes, and the City Cleve is the seate of the Duke.
5 Westphalia is a large Region, inhabited by the
Cherusci, Teucteri, Bructeri, and the Vigenones, and it
hath these Cities, Padeborn, Munster (which the Ana-
I2
OF THE GEOGRAPHY OF GERMANY
baptists held in time of Luther), Breme (a free city of the
Empire, fairely built upon the River Visurgis), and Mindawe.
I6 Easterly Freesland lyes upon the River Amesus,
vulgarly Emms, and is a County, subject to the Count of
Emden, who hath his name of the chiefe Citie Emden :
but of late upon some difference he was for a time driven
out of that City, so as it seemes hee hath not absolute
power over it.
7 Pomerania was of old inhabited by the Hermiones,
and lies upon the Baltike sea or Oest sea, and is subject
to the Duke thereof. It hath these Townes, Stetin,
Coberg, (both on the Sea-side), Sund, Stutgard, and
Grippwalt (which lies also on the sea, and is an old Uni-
versitie, but hath few or no Students.)
8 Borussia or Prussia, is at this day subject to the
King of Polonia, by agreement made betweene the
Polonians and the Knights of the Teutonick order, but
the inhabitants are Germans, both in speech and manners.
The chiefe Cities are these, Dantzk (a famous Citie,
acknowledging the King of Poland for tributes, yet so,
as they will not receive him into the Citie, but with
such a traine as they like.) Another Citie is Konigsperg
(the seate of the Duke of Prussen, who is of the Family
of the Elector of Brandeburg, but hath the Dukedome
in Fee from the Kings of Poland, to whom it fals in want
of heires males.) The other Cities are, Marieburg, Elb-
ing and Thorn (which lies upon the confines of Poland,
and witty Copernicus was borne there.)
I9 Livonia is a part of Germany, but hath neither the
speech nor the manners thereof. It was subdued some
two hundred yeeres past, and was brought from the
worshipping of Idols and Devils, to Christian Religion,
yet in the Villages they have not at this day fully left
their old Idolatrie. It is inhabited by the old Saxons,
and hath these Cities, Refalia (on the sea-side) Derbt
(within land), and the Metropolitan Citie Riga (on the
.sea-si.de, which the Duke of Moscovy hath often, but
In valne, attempted to subdue.)
I3
^.D. FYNES MORYSON'S ITINERARY
I605-I 7.
The situation Old Writers affirme (as Munster witnesseth) that the
of Germany. Germanes had perpetuall Winter, and knew not Harvest
for want of fruites. This opinion no doubt proceeded
rather from their neglect or ignorance of tyllage and
husbandrie, then from the indisposition of the ayre or
soyle. Yet I confesse that they have farre greater cold
then England lying more Northerly, especially in lower
Germany and the Provinces lying upon the Baltick or
Oest Sea, more especially in Prussen (part of that shoare,
which the more it reacheth towards the East, doth also
more bend towards the North) where in September my
selfe did feele our Winters cold.
And since the Baltick sea is little subject to ebbing
and flowing, and the waters therof are not much moved,
except it bee upon a storme, it is daily seene, that in
winter upon a North or North-West wind, this sea for a
good distance from the land is frosen with hard yce, to
which the inland Rivers are much more subject, which
[III. ii. 77-] argues the extreme cold that this part of Germany
suffereth. Also neare the Alpes, though Southerly, that
part of Germany, having the said Mountaines interposed
betweene it and the Sunne, and feeling the cold winds
that blow from those Mountaines perpetually covered
with snow, doth much lesse partake the heat of the
Sunne, then others under the same paralell, having not
the said accidents. Upon these Alpes (whereof I have
formerly spoken in this booke) the snow lyes very deepe,
and covers all the ground for nine moneths of the yeere,
yet notwithstanding the vallyes and discents of them
lying open to the South Sunne, and taking life from the
heate thereof, are very fi'uitfull. Lastly, in generall
through all Germany, the aboundance of Lakes and
Mountaines, doth increase this cold of the aire in divers
places, except they bee something defended from the same
by Woods adjoyning, and in some places (as namely at
Heidelberg) where the Cities are almost fully inclosed
with Mountaines, the cold windes in Winter doe more
ragingly breake in on that side the Mountaines lye open,
14
OF THE SITUATION OF GERMANY
the more they are restrained and resisted on the other
sides. _As likewise by accident the Sunne beames in
Summer reflecting against those Mountaines (though in
a cold Region) are so violently hot, as the Cities at that
time are much annoyed with multitudes of flies, which
not onely vex men, but so trouble the horses, as they
are forced to cover them with cloathes from this ann.oy-
ance. The foresaid intemperatenesse of cold pressing
great part of Germany, in stead of tier they use hot
stoves for remedie thereof, which are certaine chambers
or roomes, having an earthen oven cast into them, which
may be heated with a little quantity of wood, so as it
will make them hot who come out of the cold, and incline
them to swetting if they come neare the oven. And as
well to keepe out cold as to retaine the heate, they keepe
the dores and windowes closely shut ; so as they using not
only to receive Gentlemen into these stoves, but even to
permit rammish clownes to stand by the oven till their
wet clothes be dried, and themselves sweat, yea, to indure
their little children to sit upon their close stooles, and
ease themselves within this close and hot stove (let the
Reader pardon my rude speech, as I bore with the bad
smell), it must needes be, that these ill smelles, never
purged by the admitting of any fresh ayre, should dull
the braine, and almost choke the spirits of those who
frequent the stoves. When my selfe first entred into
one of them, this unwonted heate did so winde about
my legges, as if a Snake had twined about them, and
made my head dull and heavy: but after I had used
them, custome became another nature, for I never in joyed
my health in any place better then there. This intem-
peratenesse of cold, is the cause that a Lawrell tree is
hardly to be found in Germany, and that in the lower
parts towards Lubeck, .they keepe Rosemary within the
house in eartherne pitchers filled with earth, as otherwhere
men preserve the choice fruits of the South, yet can they
not keep this Rosemary (when it prospers best) above
three yeeres from withering. For this cause also, they
[III. ii. 78.]
FYNES MORYSON'S ITINERARY
have no Italian fruits in Germany, onely at Prage I did
see some few Orange trees, preserved in pitchers full of
earth, by setting them fourth in the heate of the Summer
dayes, and after drawing them into houses, where they
were cherished by artificiall heate. And the like fruits
I did see at Heidelberg in the Pallatine Electors Garden,
growing open in Summer, but in winter a house being
built over them, with an oven like a stove, and yet these
trees yeelded not any ripe fruit, when as at London and
many parts of England more Northerly then those parts
of Germany, we have Muske Mellons, and plenty of
Abricots growing in Gardens, which for quantitie and
goodnesse are not much inferiour to the fruits in Italy.
Also this cold is the cause, that in Misen (where they
plant vines) and in the highest parts of Germany on this
side the Alpes (where they make wine thereof) the Grapes
and the wine are exceeding sower. Onely the wines upon
Neccar, and those upon the West side of the Rheine, are
in their kinds good, but harsh and of little heate in the
stomacke.
The cherries called Zawerkersen, are reasonable great,
but sower. And the other kind called Wildkersen, is
little and sweete, but hath a blacke juyce, unpleasing to
the taste. They have littIe store of peares or apples, and
those they have are little, and of small pleasantnesse,
onely the Muskadel peare is very delicate, especially when
it is dried. And the Germans make good use of those
fruits they have, not so much for pleasure when they are
greene, as for furnishing the table in Winter. For their
Peares, and Apples, they pare them, and drie them under
the Oven of the stove, and then dresse them very savorly
with Cynamon and Butter. In like sort they long
preserve their cheries drie, without sugar, and the greater
part of their cheries they boyle in a brasse cauldron, full
of holes in the bottome, out of which the juce falles into
another vessell, which bein,, kept, ,rowes like marmalade,
and makes a delicate sauce for all roasted meates, and
wilI last very long, as they use it. The Italians have a
I6
OF THE FERTILITY OF GERMANY
Proverb, Dio du i panni secondo i freddi; that is, God
gives cloathes according to the colds, as to the cold
Muscovites bee hath given furres, to the English wooll
for cloth, to the French divers light stuffes, and to
Southerlie people stoore of silkes, that all Nations abound-
ing in some things, and wanting others, might be taught,
that they have neede of one anothers helpe, and so be
stirred up to mutuall love, which God hath thus planted
betweene mankind by mutuall trafficke. For this must
be understood not onely of clothes, but also of all other
things necessary for human life.
Germany doth abound with many things necessary for
life, and many commodities to be transported. For great
Cities, and Cities within land (of which Germany hath
store) those argue plenty of commodities to bee trans-
ported, and these plenty of foode to nourish much people.
And since that paradox of Cicero is most true, that small
causes of expence rather then great revenues, make men
rich, surely by this reason the Germans should bee most
rich. They never play at Dice, seldome at Cardes, and
that for small wagers. They seldome feast, and sparingly,
needing no sumptuary Lawes to restraine the number or
costlinesse of dishes of sawces. They are apparrelled
with homely stuffes, and weare their clothes to the utter-
most of their lasting, their houshold stuffe is poore, in
gifts they are most sparing, and onely are prodigall in
expences for drinking, with which a man may sooner
burst, then spend his patrimony. They have Corne
sufficient for their use, and the Merchants in the Cities
upon the sea coast, export Corne into Spaine, aswell of
their owne, as especially of that they buy at Dantzke.
They want not Cattle of all kinds, but they are commonlie
leane and little, so are their horses many in number, and
little in stature, onely in Bohemia they have goodly horses,
or at least great and heavy, like those in Freeseland : but
I remember not to have seene much cattle, or great heards
thereof, in the fields of any Towne. the reason whereof
may be gathered out of the following discourse of the
1I. IV I 7 B
6o5-I 7.
The fertility
oJ- Germany.
[III. ii. 97-]
FYNES MORYSON'S ITINERARY
Germans diet. Their sheepe are very little, bearing a
course wooll, and commonly blacke, which they export
not, but make course cloath thereof for the poorer sort,
the Gentlemen and for the most part the Citizens wearing
English cloath. The libertie of hunting commonly
reserved to Princes, and absolute Lords, and they have
great store of red Deare, feeding in open Woods, which
the Princes kill by hundreds at a time, and send them
to their Castles to be salted, using them in stead of beefe
for the feeding of their families. They have no fallow
Deare, except some wild kinds upon the Alpes. They
have great store of fresh fish in Lakes, Ponds, and Rivers,
among which the Lakes of Sweitzerland are most com-
mended. At Hamburg they catch such plentie of
Sallmons, as it is a common report, that the servants
made covenant with their Masters, not to bee fed there-
with more then two meales in the weeke, and from thence
great plentie of Sturgeon is exported. Either the cold
drives away birds, or else they labour not to take them;
for I did seldome see them served at the table, but onely
Sparrowes, and some few little birds.
In all their Rivers I did never see any Swannes, yet
they say, that at Lubeck, and about private Castles of
Gentlemen, they have some few. They say that they
have some mines of Gold: but surely they abound with
mines of Silver above all Europe, and all mettals where
so ever found, are by a Law of the Golden Bull appropri-
ated to the Emperour, and to the Electors, in their severall
dominions. Also they abound with copper and brasse,
wherewith they cover many Churches, but within forty
yeeres past, the English have brought them Leade, which
they use to that and other purposes. Also they have
great plenty of Iron, and they have Fountaines yeeldin
most white Salt, in Cities farre within the land, which
Cities are commonly called Halla. Austria beyond the
Danow yeelds excellent Saffron, and at Judiburg in Styria
growes store of Spica Celtica {'as the Latin Herbalists call
it.) In the season of the yeere yellow Amber is plenti-
18
OF THE FERTILITY OF GERMANY ^.D.
r605-I7
fully gathered upon the Sea coast of Prusia and
Pomerania. The Germans export into forraigne parts,
and there sell many curious and well prised workes of
manuall Art. And it is worth the consideration, that
the Citizens of Nurnberg, dwelling in a sandy and barren
soile, by their industrie, and more specially by their skill
in these manuall Arts, live plentifully, and attaine great
riches, while on the contrary, the inhabitants of Alsatia
the most fruitfull Province of all Germany, neglecting
these Arts, and content to enjoy the fatnesse of their
soyle in slothfull rest, are the poorest of all other Germans.
Moreover, the upper part of Germany abounds with
\X, roods of Firre, which tree (as the Lawrell) is greene
all Winter, and it hath many Okes also upon the Alpes,
and not else where, and lower Germany, especially towards
the Baltick Sea, aboundeth with Woods of Oke. They
convey great store of wood from the Alpes into the lower
parts, by the River Rheine, cutting downe whole trees,
and when they are marked, casting them one by one into
the River, to be carried downe with the violent streame
thereof, or otherwise binding many together, to floate
downe, with men standing upon them to guide them.
And at many Cities and Villages, they have servants,
which know the trees by the markes, and gather them
up in places, where they may best be sold.
The Cities that are on the Sea-coast on the North Ofte traflck
side of Germany, have very great ships, but more fit for of Germany.
taking in great burthen, then for sayling or fighting,
which the Netherlanders more commonly fraught with
their commodities, then the Germans themselves, neither
are the German Marriners much to bee commended.
The German Sea in good part, and the Baltick Sea
altogether, are free from Pyrats, which is the cause that
their ships are little or not at all armed, onely some few
that trade into Spaine, carry reat Ordinance, but are
generally made large in the ribs, rather fit for burthen,
then fight at Sea. I never observed them to have any
common prayers morning or evening as our English ships
I9
OF THE TRAFFIC OF GERMANY
an unspeakable quantity of Beere with great gaine, which
yeelds great profit to private Citizens, and to the Princes,
or publike Senate in free Cities, there being no Merchan-
dize of the World that more easily findes a buyer in
Germany, then this. For the Germans trafficke with
strangers, I will omit small commodities (which are often
sold, though in lesse quantitie, yet with more gaine then
greater) and in this place I will onely speake of the com-
modities of greater moment, aswell those that the Country
affords, as those that buy in forraigne parts to be trans-
ported in their owne ships. The Germans export into
Italy, linnen clothes, corne, wax (fetcht from Dantzk and
those parts) and coyned silver of their owne, which they
also exchange uncoined with some quantity of gold. Into
England they export boards, iron, course linnen clothes
(and of that kind one sort called Dyaper, wrought in
Misen), and bombast or cotton. Into Spaine they export
linnen cloth, wax, brasse, copper, cordage, Masts for
shippes, gun-powder, bombast or cotton, and Nurnberg
wares (so they call small wares.) Againe, they receive
all kinds of silkes from Italy, whereof they use little
quantity for their owne apparrell, but send great store
over land, to those Cities on the Sea-coast, where the
English Merchants reside, to be sold unto them.
For the English Merchants had their Staple first at
Emden, the Count whereof used them well, yet in the
warre betweene England and Spaine, this place grew
dangerous for them, for the enemie often tooke their
goods, and made them prisoners, at the very mouth of
the Harbour. Whereupon they removed to Hamburg,
where being oppressed with new impositions, and being
denied the publike exercise of their Religion, they went
from thence, and settled their Staple at Stoade. In like
sort the English Merchants trading for Poland and those
parts, first had their Staple at Dantzk in Prussen (by
Staple I meane their residence in a City, giving them
priviledge to stop any forraigne wares, intended to be
carried further, and to force the Merchant to sell them
OF THE TRAFFIC OF GERMANY
.shippes, boards and timber for building, Linnen cloathes,
Wax, minerall Salt (which in Poland they dig out of pits
like great stones, and the same being put to the fire is
made pure, and being blacke, his colour is rnore durable,
and lesse subject to giving againe, then our boiled salt.)
Also they bring from thence pine ashes for making of
Soape, and great quantity of Corne. Yet the English
seldome have neede of their Corne for the use of England,
which many times of their owne they transport to other
Nations, but they buy it as the free Cities doe, to transport
it to others, and the Low-Countrey men buy it as well
for themselves, as to serve Spaine therewith, so as great
quantity thereof is distracted into all parts of E.urope.
The Amber that is brought from these parts, is not
gathered at Melvin or Dantzke, but on the sea side of
Konigsperg (where the Duke of Prussen holds his Court),
and all along the Coast of Curland, where howsoever it
lies in great quantity scattered on the sand of the Sea,
yet is it as safe, as if it were in warehouses, since it is
death to take away the least peece thereof. When it is
first gathered, it is all covered over with drosse, but after
it is polished, becomes transparantly bright. At Dantzke
I did see two polished peeces thereof, which were esteemed
at a great price, one including a frogge with each part
cleerely to be seene, (for which the King of Poland then
being there, offered five hundred dollers), the other
including a newt, but not so transparant as the former.
Some thinke this Amber to be a gumme distilling from
trees, and by these peeces falling upon frogges and like
things, this opinion should seeme true, but those trees
from which they hold this Amber to distill, abound in
Germany, yet Amber is onely found upon this Coast of
the Balticke Sea. Others thinke rather that Amber is
generated by the Sea, and it is most certaine that Marriners
sounding farre from the Land, often find sand of Amber
sticking to their plummets, whereof my selfe was an eye
witnesse. And Munster holds them to be deceived, who
.thinke Amber to be a gumme distilling from trees, and
23
[III. ii. 8.]
t6o5-I 7.
The Germans
Diet.
FYNES MORYSON'S ITINERARY
because it is fat, and burnes being put to the tier, concludes
it to be a fat clay, or bituminous matter, affirming that
it is not onely found upon the Sea Coast, but often caught
at Sea in nets, and he adds that being liquid, it often
fals upon, and includes little beasts, which growe with
it to the hardnes of stone, and that it smels of mirh.
The diet of the Germans is simple, and very modest,
if you set aside their intemperate drinking: For as they
are nothing sumptuous, but rather sparing in their apparell
and houshold stuffe, so they are content with a morsell
of flesh and bread, so they have store of drinke, and
want not wood to keepe their stoaves warme. And in
generall, since they affect not forraigne commodities, but
are content with their own commodities, and are singular
as well in the Art as industry of making manuall workes,
they easily draw to them and retaine with them forraigne
Coynes. The free Cities use to have alwaies a yeeres
provision of victuals laid up in publike houses, to serve
for homely food for the people, in case the City should
happen to be besieged. They commonly serve to the
Table sower Cabbages, which they call Crawt, and beere
(or wine for a dainty) boyled with bread, which they call
Swoope. In upper Germany they moreover give veale
or beefe in little quantities, but in lower Germany they
supply the meale with bacon and great dried puddings,
which puddings are savory and so pleasant, as in their
kind of mirth they wish proverbially for Kurtz predigen,
lange worsten, that is ; Short sermons and long puddings.
Sometimes they also give dried fishes, and apples or peares
first dried, then prepared with cinamon and butter very
savourily. They use many sawces, and commonly sharpe,
and such as comfort the stomacke offended with excessive
drinking: For which cause in upper Germany the first
draught commonly is of wormewood wine, and the first
dish of little lampreys, (which they call nine augen, as
having nine eyes) served with white vinegar; and those
that take any journey, commonly in the mornin drlnke
a little Brant wein, (that is, their Aquavita) anl] eate a
4
OF THE DIET OF GERMANY
peece of Pfeffer kuchen, (that is, Ginger-bread) which
useth to be sold at the gates of the City. They have a
most delicate sawce (in my opinion) forrosted meats, of
cherries sod and brused, the juice whereof becomes hard
like Marmalade, but when it is to be served to the Table,
they dissolve it with a little wine or like moisture. And
as they have abundance of flesh fish in their Ponds and
Rivers, so they desire not to eate them, except they see
them alive in the Kitchen, and they prepare the same very
savourly, commonly using anniseeds to that purpose,
especially the little fishes, wherof they have one most
delicate kinde, called Smerling, which in Prussen I did
eate, first choked, then sodden in wine, and they being
very little, yet sixty of them were sold t'or nineteene
grosh. The foresaid sawce of cherries, they thus prepare
and keepe, They gather a darke or blackish kind of cherry,
and casting away the stalkes, put them into a great
cauldron of brasse set upon the tier, til they beginne to
be hot, then they put them into a lesse cauldren full of
holes in the bottome, and presse them with their hands,
so as the stones and skinnes remaine in this cauldron,
but the juice by the foresaid holes doth fall into another
vessell. Then againe they set this juyce upon the tier,
continually stirring it, lest it should cleave to the bottome,
and after two bowers space, they mingle with it the best
kind of peares they have, first cut into very small peeces,
and so long they boile it and continually stirre it, till it
waxe hard, and notwithstanding the stirring beginne to
cleave to the vessell. This juyce thus made like a
Marmalade, may long be preserved from moulding .in
this sort. They which desire to have it sweete, mlxe
sugar with it, and others other things according to the
taste they desire it should have. Then they put it into
earthen pitchers, and if it beginne at any time to waxe
mouldie, they put these pots into the Oven, after the
bread is baked and taken out. Also these pitchers must
be close stopped, that no aire may enter, & must be set
where no sunne or continuall heate comes. Lastly, when
[III. ii. 82.]
FYNES MORYSON'S ITINERARY
they will make ready this sawce, they cut out a peece of
the said juice, and mingle with it a little wine to dissolve
it, (with vineger, or sugar, or spices, according to their
severall appetites), and so boile it againe some halle bower.
In Saxony, Misen, and those parts, they sometimes
serve to the Table a calves head whole and undevided
into parts, which to us strangers at the first sight seemed
a terrible dish gaping with the teeth like the head of a
Monster, but they so prepare it, as I never remember to
have eaten any thing that more pleased my taste. They
use not for common diet any thing that comes from the
Cow, neither have I observed them to have any butter
in Saxony, or the lower parts of Germany, but they use
a certaine white matter called smalts in stead of it, not
tasting like our butter. They doe not commonly eate
any cheese, neither remember I that I ever tasted good
cheese there, excepting one kind of little cheese made of
Goats milke, which is pleasant to eate : but salt and strong
cheeses they sometimes use to provoke drinking, for which
purpose the least crum is sufficient. These Cheeses they
compasse round with thred or twigges, and they beginne
them in the midst of the broade side, making a round
hole there, into which hole, when the cheese is to be set
up, they put some few drops of wine, that it may putrifie
against the next time, when they eate the mouldy peeces
and very creeping maggots for dainety morsels, and at
last the cheese becomes so rotten and so full of these
wormes, that if the said binding that compasseth it chance
to break, the cheese fals into a million of crums no bigger
then moates. They have a kind of bread brownish &
sowrish, and made with anniseeds, which seemed very
savoury to me. They serve in stead of a banquet, a kind
of light bread like our fritters, save that it is long, round,
& a little more solid, which they call Fastnacht kuchen,
Shroftide baking, because then and upon S. Martins day,
and some like Feasts they use to make it. They use not
in any place almost, to offend in the great number of
dishes, onely some few Innes of chiefe Cities give plenti-
z6
OF THE DIET OF GERMANY
full meales. And for the Saxons, they for the most part
set on the pot or roast meate once for the whole weeke :
Yet in the golden bull they have a law, that Hosts shall
not serve in more then foure dishes, the price of them
to be set by the Magistrate, & that they should not gaine
in the reckoning more then the fourth or at most the
third penny, and that the guests should pay severally for
their drinke, the Germans drinking so largely as it was
unpossible to prescribe the rate thereof. It were to be
wished by strangers, that not onely drinke should be
paid for a part from meate, but that each man should pay
the share himselfe drinkes, and no more, so the charges
of sober passengers in Germany, having all th!ngs reason-
ably cheape, would not m such measure increase, as
otherwise they doe through their companions intemper-
ancy. The said Saxons set the dishes on the Table one
by one, for the most part grosse meates, whereupon I
have heard some merrily compare them to the Tyrants
of Sicily, of whom one being dead, stil a more terrible
Monster succeeded him. Here & in these parts o c the
lower Germany, they use to serve in sower cra,t or
cabbage upon a voide circle of carved Iron standing on
three feete, under which they serve in one large dish,
roast flesh and pullets, and puddings, and whatsoever they
have prepared, which dish a Countryman of mine did
not unproperly compare to the Arke of Noah, containing
all kinds of Creatures. Also in Saxony, for the first dish
they serve in stewed Cherries or Prunes, then tosted or
sodden Pullets, or other flesh, and last of all Bacon to
fill his bellie that hath not enough. Almost all their
Tables are round, and of so great a compasse, as each
dish being served one by one, (not as we use to have the
Table fully furnished with meate), they that sit at the
corners of the Table, are forced to stand on their feete
as often as they cut any meate. The Germans seldome
breake their fasts, except it be in iournies, with a little
Ginger-bread and Aquavity. They sit long at Table,
and even in the Innes as they take iournies, dine very
III. ii. 83. ]
FYNES MORYSON'S ITINERARY
largely, neither will they rise from dinner or supper, till
though slowly, yet fully they have consumed all that is
set before them. And they cannot speak more reproch-
fully of any Host, then to say; Ich hab reich da nicht
satt gefressen, that is, I did not eate my belly full there:
Yea, at Berne, a Citie of Sweitzerland, they have a Law
that in Feasts they shall not sit more then five howers
at the Table. And at Basell, when Doctors and Masters
take their degrees, they are forbidden by a Statute, to
sit longer at Table, then from ten of the clocke in the
morning, to sixe in the evening, yet when that time is
past, they have a tricke to cozen this Law, be it never
so indulgent to them, for then they retire out of the
publike Hall into private Chambers, where they are
content with any kinde of meate, so it be such as pro-
voketh drinking, in which they have no measure, so long
as they can stand or sit. Let the Germans pardon me
to speake freely, that in my opinion they are no lesse
excessive in eating, then drinking, save that they onely
protract the two ordinary meales of each day, till they
have consumed all that is set before them, but to their
drinking they can prescribe no meane nor end. I speake
of their ordinary diet, especiallie at Innes by the way as
they travell: In Feasts their provision is rather full then
sumptuous. At Leipzig for meere curiositie, I procured
my selfe to be invited to a marriage Feast, in one of the
chiefe Citizens houses, the marriage was in the afternoone,
and at supper they served in a peece of roasted beefe
hot, and another cold, with a sawce made with sugar and
sweet wine, then they served in a Carpe fried, then Mutton
roasted, then dried Peares prepared with butter and
cinamon, and therewith a piece of broiled Salmon, then
bloted Herrings broiled, and lastly a kind of bread like
our fritters, save that it is made in long roules, and more
drie, which they cal Fastnacht kuchen, that is, Shroftide
baking, together with Cheese. And thus with seven
dishes a Senators nuptiall Feast was ended, without any
flockes of fowle, or change of fishes, or banquetting stuffe,
8
OF THE DIET OF GERMANY
which other Nations use, onely there was endlesse drink-
ing, whole barrels of Wine being brought into the
Stoave, and set by us upon a Table, which we so plied,
as after two howers, no man in the company was in case
to give account next morning, what he did, said, or saw,
after that time. To nourish this drinking, they use to
eate salt meats, which being (upon ill disposition of my
body) once displeasing & unholsome for me, and I com-
plaining therof to my Host, he between jeast and earnest
replied, that the use of Salt was commended in Scriptures,
alleadging that text: Let all your speeches be seasoned
with salt, and then said he much more should our meates
be thus seasoned. Salt thus pleaseth their pallat, because
it makes the same dry, and provokes the appetite of drink-
ing. For which cause also, when they meet to drink,
as they dine with dried pork, and beefe heavily salted,
together with cheese sharpe like that of Parma, so when
the cloth is taken away, they have set before them rawe
beanes, waternuts, (which I did see onely in Saxony),
and a loafe of bread cut into shives, all sprinckled with
salt and pepper, the least bit whereof will invite him to
drinke that hath least need. And to say truth, Porke
dried, or Bacon, is so esteemed of the Germans, as they
seeme to have much greater care of their Hogges then
of their Sheepe, or other Cattle. For in the morning
when they turne them forth, they scratch them with their
fingers, as Barbers doe mens heads; and blesse them
that they may safely returne, and in the evening when
they are to come backe with the Heard, a servant is
commanded to attend them, who washeth the dust from
them as they passe by the fountaine, and so followes them
till they come home of their owne accord, without any
beating or driving. The price of a fat Sow is at least
five, sometimes foureteene Guldens, yea, at Heidelberg,
it was credibly told me, that a Sow, being so fat, as shee
could not at one feeding eate a raw egge, all her intrels
bein closed up with fat, had lately beene sold for fifty
Guldens. With this fat they larde many rosted and
29
[III. ii. 84.]
OF THE LODGING OF GERMANY
take in good part what is set before you, demanding
nothing for your owne appetite. The shot demanded,
must be paid without expostulation, for the Hosts seldome
deceive strangers or others, and never remit one halle
penny of that they demand. Above the table hangs a
bell (especially through all lower Germany), by sounding
whereof they call the servants to attend. And at Nurn-
berg there hangs such a little bel under the table, which
they sound if any man speake immodestly of love matters
or any like subject, and thou.gh it bee done in sport, yet
it serves to remember a wise man of his errour. In
lower Germany after supper, they leade the guests into
a chamber of many beds, and if any man have no com-
panion, they give him a bed-fellow. Lastly, all things
must be desired and intreated, as if the guests were
intertained of free cost, for the Host thinkes you beholden
to him for your intertainement, without any obligation
on his part.
Through all Germany they lodge betweene two fether-
beds (excepting Sweitzerland, where they use one bed
under them, and are covered with woollen blankets) and
these fetherbeds for softnesse and lightnesse are very
commodious, for every winter night the servants are called
into the warme stove, whereof such fethers as are reserved,
they pull the fethers from the quill, using onely the softest
of them for making of beds. The bed lying under is
great and large, and that above is narrow and more soft,
betweene which they sleepe aswell in Summer as Winter.
This kind of lodging were not incommodious in \Vinter,
if a man did lie alone: but since by the high way they
force men to have bedfellowes, one side lies open to the
cold, by reason that the upper bed is narrow, so as it
cannot fall round about two, but leaves one side of them
both open to the wind and weather. But in Summer
time this kind of lodging is unpleasant, keeping a man
in a continuall sweat from-head to foote. Yet in Country
Villages, and many parts of Saxony, passengers have no
cause to complaine of this annoyance, since all without
31
6o5-I 7.
The Lodging
of Germany.
[III. ii. 8S. ]
FYNES MORYSON'S ITINERARY
exception, rich and poore, drunken and sober, take up
their lodging among the Cowes in straw, where some-
times it happens, that hee who lying downe had a pillow
of straw under his head, when hee awaketh finds the same
either scattered or eaten by the Cowes: yea; where they
have beds, I would advise the passenger to weare his
owne linnen breeches, (or their sheets are seldome or never
cleane. They advise wel, who wish passengers to offer
the servant drinking mony, that he may shew them the
best bed, yet when that is done, this best bed will prove
farre unfit to be entered naked, though perhaps the servant
will judge it very pure and cleanly. This by experience
I often found, once with extreme laughter observing the
servants speciall curtesie to me, who taking my reward,
brought me to a bed with cleane sheetes as he called them,
wherein he swore deeply that no body had lien but his
owne mother, which was an old trot of 9c yeeres age.
These servants in Innes expect as it were of duty drinking
money from all passengers, and boldly demand it, as if it
were their right whether the passenger will or no, which
they doe rudely in the lower parts of Germany, by offering
them a pot to drinke at parting, and more civilly in the
upper parts, the maide servants offering a nosegay to
each severall guest. This is peculiar to the Germans,
none serve or attend more rudely, none more boldly
challenge reward.
I have formerly advised English Travellers, first to
passe by Germany, that they may there learne patience
by serving themselves. For if you come to a shop to
buy shooes, the Master bids you to find out your selfe
those that will fit you, and then to put them on your
selfe, which done, he askes the price, whereof he will not
bate one halle penny, and when you have paid his asking,
then the Prentices challenge drinking money as of duty,
and the like manner is observed in all other shops, wherein
you buy any thing. In the meane time, if in your Inne,
you bid the servant reach any thing to you, the same
man that when you take horse will in this sort exact
OF DRINKING IN GERMANY
shall with no other quality make so many friends as with
this, so as he that wil be welcome in their company, or
desires to learne their language, must needs practice this
excesse in some measure. When they drinke, if any
man chance to come in and sit in the roome, though he
be a stranger of another Nation, they doe not onely
conjure him to pledge them by the bond of friendship,
of his Fathers Nobility, and his Mothers chastity, but
(if need be) compell him by force therunto, vulgarly
crying, Kanstunight sauffen und fressen, so kanstu keinem
bern wol dienen; If thou canst not swill and devoure,
thou canst serve no Master well. In the meane time,
they like not to drinke great draughts, wherein our
Countrey-men put them downe, but they will spend an
Age in swoping and sipping. Their Coachmen are in
this kind so tender hearted to their Horses, that out of
a fellow feeling of thirst, they will suffer them to drinke
in standing water, scarce covering their shooes, when they
sweat by the high way. The Germans repute it such
honour to them to have abundance of wine, as the very
Princes strive, as for a Princely perheminence, who shall
have the hugest and most capable vessels in his Cellar.
Some of these vessels containe more then a thousand
measures, each of seventy Cans or Pots, and are ascended
by twenty or thirty staires. Out of this vessell they daily
draw wine, and being halfe emptied, they fill it up againe :
but at the birth of a child, or any like feast, they turne
this Monster loose for all commers to tame it, and drinke
it out to the bottome. Passengers in the Innes of lower
Germany, so make their reckoning at dinner, as they
reserve a great proportion to drinke before they take
Coach. Once I observed that my selfe and seven consorts
after dinner upon a full gorge, had sixteene great pots
to drinke at parting, at which time one of our consorts
being a Horseman, and not fit to ride, was taken into our
Coach, and sitting by me, now laughing, then weeping,
and often knocking his head against mine, at last defiled
me by casting his stomacke in my bosome, with no
Princes strie
for the hugest
[III. ii. 87. ]
FYNES MORYSON'S ITINERARY
reproch to himselfe among his Countreymen, but un-
speakeable offence to me. When they are sit downe to
drinke, if any man come in by chance, each one at the
Table salutes him with a Cup, all which garausses he
must drinke as for a fine, before he can be admitted into
their number, for they are very jealous that any man
being sober, should behold their quaffing, so as a man
had better fall among the thickest of his enemies fighting,
then into the company of his friends drinking. He that
reades this, would thinke that they drunke sweet Nectar
at the least, or some like drinke inviting excesse; but
in lower Germany, sometimes and rarely they drinke
Rhenish \Vine, commonly Beere, and that so thicke and
ill smelling, and sometimes medicinall, as a stranger would
think it more fit to be eaten (or cast into the sinke), then
to be drunke, wherof a drop once falling on my hand,
seemed to me foule puddle water. Their \Vines in
generall are sharpe, and those of the Rheine small, which
are to be had in their Cities, and when I first passed to
Leipzig, and being ignorant of the language, was forced
to commit my selfe to a Conducter, and after my covenant
with him for my diet, desired him to carry some glasse
bottels of wine in our Coach, yet he could not in the
way use it temperately, but either would allow us no
wine at all, or at one meale drunke off a whole great
bottell, as if he thought it a shame to taste it, and not
drinke all out at once. Thus as often it fals out in Princes
Courts, that a stranger may die of thirst, but he that is
acquainted in Court, shall hardly escape sober, so he gave
me either no wine, or too much. In upper Germany for
the most part they drinke wine, and that with some lesse
excesse, then is used in the lower parts, yet so as in this
vice they degenerate not from their Countreymen. The
Germans of Prussia formerly praised by me, must pardon
me if I taske them with this vice as much as the rest.
When I passed from Melvin to Dantzke, my companion
by the way shewed me a Tower called Groske, where
certaine Husbandmen being upon a wager to drinke
36
OF DRINKING IN GERMANY
twelve measures of wine, which we call lasts, and use for
proportions of Merchants wares, not for wine or beere,
did roast upon a spit one of their consorts, because he
left them before the taske was performed, and to save
their lives for this murther, paid their Prince as many
silver grosh as could lie betweene that Tower & the City
of Dantzke. In generall, the Germans want not many
exemplary punishments and effects of this vice: For Punishments
many quarrelling in drink are killed, and he that kils, and ects of
never escapes if he be taken. I remember that a Gentle- crinkig.
man of Brunswicke, riding from Hamburge to his home,
when he was extremely drunken, was next day found
torne in many peeces, by the striking o( his Horse when
l'.e fell out of the saddle, which was a miserable and
exemplary kinde of death. And the like mischiefe befell
another while I was at Torge in Misen. And a Physician
a familiar friend of mine, tolde mee that many Germans
dying suddenly upon excesse of drinking, were ordinarily
(for hiding of the shame) given out to die of the falling
sickenesse. In their drinking they use no mirth, and
little discourse, but sadly ply the buisinesse, sometimes
crying one to the other, Seyte frolich, Be merry, Drinke
aus, Drinke out, and as (according to the Proverbe) every
Psalme ends in Gloria, so every speech of theirs, ends
in Ich brings euch, I drinke to you. For frolicks they
pinch, and that very rudely their next Neighbours arme
or thigh, which goes round about the Table. So for
.equality they drinke round, especially in Saxony, except
an curtesie they sometimes drinke out of course to a
Guest; and this eqv.all manner of drinking, they say
had his first originall from a pleasant or rather wicked
Act, of an undutifull Sonne, who receiving a boxe of the
eare from his Father, and daring not strike him againe,
did notwithstanding strike his next Neighbour as hard
a blow as hee received, desiring him to passe it round
about the Table as a frolicke, in these wordes: Lasset
umb gehen, so kriagt der ratter auch was; Let it goe
round, so my Father shall have it in his course, and so
37
Drinin
[III. ii. 88.]
FYNES MORYSON'S ITINERARY
more modestly or lesse wickedly hee revenged himselfe.
While all drinke in this manner circularly out of one
and the same pot, they scoffe at him that drinkes the last
remainder, saying proverbially that hee shall marry an old
trot. At Nurneberg, and some other Innes of higher
Germany, each guest hath his peculiar drinking glasse set
by his trencher, which when he hath drunke out, if he
set it downe with the mouth upward, it is presently filled
againe, (in which filling the servants use a singular
dexterity, standing in great distance from it), but if bee
turne the mouth downeward, they expect till in signe
of thirst it bee turned upward; for they are such
Masters in this Art of drinking as they are served by
dumbe signes without speaking a word. In Saxony two
use to begin a pot to two, and when each receives the
pot, or gives it to his fellow, they curiously looke upon
certaine pegs or markes set within of purpose, that they
may devide the drinke by the equall ballance of Justice.
Sometimes they take three glasses at once upon 3 fingers,
and beginning to another, drinke them all of at once,
which kind of karaussing they call the crowning of the
Emperor. If you begin to any man, you must fill the
cup for him with your owne hands, or at least deliver
it to him your self, or otherwise for a penalty you must
drinke it againe, and some doe willingly make these errors,
that they may seem to be compelled to this pleasing
penalty. When they are extraordinarily merry, they use
a kind of garaussing, called kurlemurlebuff, wherein they
use certaine touches of the glasse, the beard, some parts
of the body, and of the Table, together with certaine
whistlings, and phillippings of the fingers, with like rules,
so curiously disposed in order, as it is a labour of Hercules
to observe them. Yet he that erres in the least point of
ceremony, must drinke the cup of againe for penalty.
They hold it a point of reputation, if themselves having
sense and memory, can send their guests home voide of
sense or reason, or full (as they more gently call drunken-
nesse); and the better to performe this, they will now
38
AoDo
6o5-I7.
T& trade of
brewing.
[III. ii. 89. ]
FYNES MORYSON'S ITINERARY
bewray their dispositions, which they can cloake and
dissemble when they are sober. And they find by
experience, that in drinke cholerike men are prone to
quarrels, sanguine men to dancing and imbracing, men
possessed with melancholy to teares and complaints, and
they who are flegmatike to dull astonishment and spewing.
The trade of brewing is more commodious among the
Germans, then any other tracke. So as at Torg, (where
the best beere is brewed and from thence distracted to
other Cities) onely the Senate hath the priviledge to sell
the same by small measures (as also to sell wine), and
in the rest of lower Germany, as onely the Senate buies
and selles wine, so the chiefe Citizens by turnes brew
beare, admitting troopes of poore people into their houses
to drinke it out. As the gaine of brewing is great, so
Princes raise great impositions from it, and the most rich
Citizens or Aldermen (as I said) not onely disdaine not
to brew, but even greedily expect their turne, at which
time they also sell it by cannes, and have their lower
roomes full of drinking tables for the common people,
where every man payes for his drinke before his canne
be filled, that at least their purse may teach them measure,
which otherwise they cannot observe. Yea, my selfe,
not without wonder, have seene in a Senators house,
poore soules pawne their cloths for drinke, and goe home
halfe naked, yet sufficiently armed with drinke against
the greatest cold.
The beere of Torge is most esteemed in hi.her Saxony,
and the most part at Leipzig drinke no other, yet for
their servants brew a small beere called beerd of the
covent, and a kind of most small beere, which the students
call Rastrum, that is rake. There is an Imperiall Law
in the golden Bull against Hosts, Mariners, and Carters,
who either in Cellers, or Carriage by the high-way, mingle
brimstone or water with wine, wherein notwithstanding
they daily offend, putting in brimstone to make it heady
strong, and water to fill up the measure. There be in
the same golden Bull many Lawes made against drunken-
4o
OF DRINKING IN GERMANY
nesse, at such time as the Germans having warre with the
Turkes, beganne to looke into themselves, for reforming
of notorious vices; wherein it is decreed, that Courtiers
given to this vice, should be expelled the Courts of
Princes, and that all Magistrates should search out
drunkards, and severely, punish them: But give me one
Prince free of this vce, who may thus punish his
Courtiers. My selfe being at a great Dukes funerall,
did see a Prince his neere cozen, drinke so stiffely to
expell sorrow, as all his sences and almost his spirits were
suffocated therewith, and of many Princes there present,
(pardon me to speake truth) I did not see one sober at
this funerall Feast, what would these Princes have done
at a Marriage? Princes have a custome to drinke by
Attourney, when they are sickely or ill disposed, and
many times they reward this substitute strongly bearing
much drinke, as for a good service to the Common-wealth,
yet except they be very sicke, few are found which will
not in person performe their owne taske. Give me one
Magistrate of so many thousands, who with his owne
innocency is armed with boldnesse to punish others. Give
mee one, (I am ashamed to say it,but truth is truth); I
say give me one Minister of Gods Word, who preacheth
against excesse of drinking. My selfe have heard some
hundreths of their Sermons, yet never heard any invective
against this vice.
Turpe est Doctori, cure culpa redurguit ipsum,
The teacher needs must be ashamed,
Who for the same offence is blamed.
Onely the Weomen of Germany are most temperate
in eating and drinking, and of all I did ever see, most
modest in all kinds of vertue: yet the Weomen of
Bohemia use as great (or little lesse) excesse in drinking,
as Men, not without a staine to their reputation of
chastity. The Weomen of" Germany have a custome to
helpe their Husbands or Friends, by sipping of the cup;
but I did never see any chast woman, (as most of them
41
6o5-I7.
Lawes made
against
drunkenness.
Princes drinke
by 4 ttourncy.
The 14reomen
of Germany
most
temperate.
16o5-I 7.
/ldite to
travelers.
llll. ii. 90.]
FYNES MORYSON'S ITINERARY
are) drinke largely, much lesse to be drunken: But for
Men of all sorts whatsoever.
Si quoties peccant, toties sua fulmina mittat
Princeps, exiguo tempore inermis erit:
If the Prince smite, as oft as they offend,
His Sword and Arme will faile him ere the end.
Thus howsoever the Germans be honest, deceiving
neither stranger nor Countreyman, and have abundance
of all things to sustaine life, yet strangers, by reason of
the generall intemperance of the Nation, are either allured
to participate this vice of drinking with them, or at least
by ill custome are drawne to partake their punishment
in paying of the shot, and through their churlish rusticity
are ill entertained, and yet forced to reward the servants,
whose attendance deserves nothing lesse.
It remaines that I should enforme p.assengers how to
apply themselves to the Germans m this drinking
custome, so as at least with lesse hurt or offence, they
may passe through their territories. For those who passe
suddenly through the same without long abode in any
place, nothing is more easie then to shunne all participa-
tion of this vice, by consorting themselves with fit
companions in their journey, so as they being the greater
part as well in the Coach, as at the Table, may rather
draw the lesser part to sobriety, then be induced by them
to excesse. But they who desire to converse with the
Germans, and to learne their language, cannot possibly
keepe within the bounds of temperance, and must use
art to shunne great or daily excesse. Such a passenger
sitting downe at Table, must not presently drinke of all
the Cups begunne to him from others: for the Germans
are so exceeding charitable to all Men, as they will furnish
him presently with new Cuppes on all hands for feare
that hee should suffer thirst. He shall doe better to set
the cups in order before his trencher, and first to drinke
of', those of" lesser quantity, but ever to keepe one or
two of the greatest, to returne in exchange to him that
42
OF DRINKING IN GERMANY
drinkes to him. For this kind of revenge (as I may terme
it) the Germans feare, more then the Irish doe great
gunnes, and to avoide the same, will forbeare to provoke
him with garausses. For they love not healths in great
measures (which they call In floribus), but had much
rather sip then swallow. In this kinde I remember a
pleasant French Gentleman much distasted them, who
invited to a feast, and admonished that bee could not
possibly returne sober, did at the very beginning of
supper, drinke great garausses, of himselfe calling for
them, besides the small healths commended to him from
others, which unwonted kind of skirmishing when they
disliked, he presently replied: Why should we leese
time? since we must be drunken let us doe it quickly,
the sooner, the better; and therewith hee so tyred those
at the table, as bee found no man would in that kind
contend with him. But to the purpose. If the cuppes
set about his trencher increase in number, he may easily
finde occasion (as when his consorts goe out to make
water) either to convey some of them to their trenchers,
or to give them to the servant to set away : After supper
he may nod and sleepe, as if he were drunken, for,
Stultitiam simulare loco prudentia summa.
Sometimes the foole to play,
Is wisdome great they say.
And so hee shall bee led to a bed, which they have in
all their stoves, and call the Faulbett, that is, the slothfull
bed. Otherwise bee may faine head-ach, or feare of an
ague; or if these excuses prevaile not, as seldome they
doe while bee staies in the roome, because they cannot
indure to have a sober man behold them drinking, then
as if bee went out to make water, or speake with some
friend, bee shall doe best to steale away, and howsoever
bee have confidently promised to returne, yet to come
no more that night, no not to fetch his cloake or hat,
which are alwaies laid up safely for him, especially if bee
foresee the skirmish like to bee hot. But above all, let
43
,6o5-7.
FYNES MORYSON'S ITINERARY
Of both in
generall.
Sweitz.
particularly.
him take heede of the old fashion to take leave of his
companions and bid them good night, for the Germans
upon no intreaty or excuse will suffer any man to goe
to bed so sober. If there bee musicke and dancing,
their dances being of no Art and small toyle, hee had
much better daunce with the women till midnight, then
returne to the table among the drinkers, for one of these
foure he must doe, drinke, sleepe, daunce, or steale away,
no fifth course remaines. Lastly, let him warily chuse
his companions of that Nation, with good triall of their
honest dispositions. But with strangers, as English,
French and Polakes, let him carefully eschew excesse of
drinking. For these, and especially the English, when
they are heated with drinke, are observed to bee mad in
taking exceptions, and in the ill effects of fury, being
more prone to quarrels then the Dutch, and having no
meane in imitating forraigne vices or vertues, but with
Brutus, that they will, they will too much.
Boemerland For Bohemia and Switzerland, that seated in the center
andSweitzer- of Germany, this on the Northwest side of the Alpes, I
land. .
have contained their Geographicall description m that
of Germany, and have spoken something of them in
this discourse of Germany. It remaines to adde some-
thing of them, touching the particular subjects of this
Chapter. The Bohemians drinke the Wines of Hungarie,
being much better then those of Germany, and have
much better Beere, in regard they have great plenty of
Corne, and the Sweitzers drinke the delicate Wines of
Italy. Neither of their traffickes is comparable to that
of Germany, because Bohemia is farre within land and
hath no great commodities to bee .exporte.d, and Sweitzer-
land is addicted to the mercinane serwce of forraigne
Princes in their warres, changing their cattell for the
Wines of Italy, and content with their owne, so they want
not plenty of good drinke.
Some Cantones of the Sweitzers make great gaine of
spinning wooll, whereof they make pieces of cloth some
r34 elles long, and lest covetousnes of private men might
44
I605-I 7.
FYNES MORYSON'S ITINERARY
and their women swill Wine and Beere daily, and in
/reat excesse, which to the Germans is most reprochfull.
In the lnnes they give large dyer for some five Bohemish
grosh a meale, and upon the confines of Germany towards
Nurnberg, for some twenty creitzers a meale. But the
Bohemians eate often in the day, and sit almost continually
at the Table, and since at Prage, and in many other
places, all things are sold out of the Innes, at'ter the maner
of Poland, the Bohemians seldome eat at an ordinary,
but demand what meate they will upon a reckoning. For
the rest, Boemerland and Sweitzerland little differ from
Germany, for the diet, the Hosts, the Innes, excesse of
drinking, or any like things.
Chap. IIII.
Of the united Provinces in Netherland, and of
Denmarke and Poland, touching the said sub-
jects of the precedent third Chapter.
Of the Unitcd He longitude of Netherland lyes, or
Pt'oince. extends seven degrees and a halle, from
the Meridian of twenty two degrees
and a halle, to that of thirty degrees,
and the Latitude lyes or extends five
degrees, from the paralell of fort)" eight
degrees and a halle, to that of fifty three
degrees and a halle. It is called Netherland, as a Country
lying low, and the people for language and manners hath
great affinitie with the Germans, both being called Dutch-
men by a common name. Of old this Country was a
part of Gallia transalpina (that is, beyond the Alpes
from Italy) which was subdevided into Comata and
Narbonensis, and againe Comata (so called of the peoples
long haire) was subdevided into Aquitanica & Celtica, or
Lugdunensis, and Belgica. This part called Belgica, con-
taines the Lowcountries, whose dominion hath been by
[III. ii. 9z.] marriage derived from the Burgundian family to that of
Austria, and some divide this Countrie into seventeene
46
OF THE UNITED PROVINCES
Provinces, whereof some still remaine subject to the King
of Spaine, others (of which I am to speake) being united
in league, have recovered their libertie by the sword,
and at this time did make warre with the Spaniard about
the same. But some Maps, among these seventeene
Provinces reckon the County of Valkenburg, which is
part of the Dukedome of Limburg, other Maps make
Mechlin and Antwerp to bee Provinces, which are both
contained in the Dukedome of Brabant. Therefore I
better approve those, who divide the whole Country into
fifteene Provinces, namely, the Counties of Artois, of
Flanders, of Hanaw, of Zeland, of Holland, of Zutphan,
and of Namurs, and the Dukedomes of Luxenburg, of
Brabant, of Limburg, and of Gelderland, and the terri-
tories, of West-Freesland, of Groning, of Utrecht, & of
Transisola.
t The County of Artois hath many faire Cities, whereof
Arras is the chiefe, giving the name to the Province, and
to those rich hangings, wherwith our great men adorne
their Pallaces.
2 Flanders is the largest County, the chiefe Cities Of Flanders
whereof are Ghant (where the Emperour Charles the particularly.
fifth was borne), and Bruges (whether great concourse
of Merchants was made of old, so as the strangers hearing
no other name but Flanders, did by custome impose the
name of Flanders on all the fifteene Provinces, and the
name of Flemmings on all the inhabitants.) Flanders
hath other Cities, namely, Calleis, Dunkerk, Ostend, and
Sleuse, all lying on the Sea coast; whereof Sleuse is a
Municipall Village of Bruges, but at this time was it
selfe strongly fortified, and Ostend taken from the
Spaniards by the States of the united Provinces, was at
this time committed by them, and under their pay, to
the custody of an English Garrison under Sir Edward
Norreys Knight. This Province yeelds plenty of Corne
and Flax, and is very rich with making Linnen and
Woollen Cloathes. It hath excellent pastures, and is
inriched with Cheese, Butter, Oy|e made of Rape-rootes,
47
Of the Cowty
of Zeland.
FYNES MORYSON'S ITINERARY
Salt, and the fishing of Herrings, but it yeelds no Wine.
The famous \,Tood Ardvenna lies in the confines thereof
towards land, where it aboundeth with Wood, but towards
the Sea they burne Turfe, made of earth, and also burne
Cow dung.
3 The County of Hanaw hath the Principality of
Arscot, united to the Dukedome of Brabant, by which
the Dukes sonne hath the title of Prince. The chiefe
Cities of this County are Mons and Valinciennes. It
hath mines yeelding Leade and Marble of many colours,
and a good kind of Coales.
4 The County of Zeland is by situation, the first of
the United Provinces, consisting of many Ilands, whereof
seven are principall, and the chiefe is Walcherne, the chiefe
Citie whereof is Midleburg, famous for trafficke, and the
Staple for Spanish and French Wines. Neere that is the
City Vlishing, strongly fortified, being the chiefe of the
Forts then ingaged to the Crowne of England, and kept
by an English Garrison, under the command of Sir Robert
Sidney Knight (for the second Fort ingaged to England,
lyes in another Iland, and is called Brill, being then kept
by an English Garrison, under the command of the Lord
Burrows.) All these Ilands are fertile, and yeeld excellent
Corne, more plentifully then any other Province, so as
one aker thereof is said to yeeld double to an aker of
Brabant. But they have no sweete water, nor good aire,
and for want of wood burne turffe. They take plenty
of sea-fishes, which they Salt, and carry into other
Countries. Madder for dying of wooll, growes there
plentifully, which likewise they export, and grow rich
by selling these commodities, as likewise Spanish and
French Salt, and like trafficke.
5 The County of Holland called of old Battavia, and
inhabited by the Chatti (as Tacitus writes), is in situation
the second of the united Provinces, but the first in
dignity. The Cities whereof are Amstelrodam (famous
for trafficke), Rhoterodam (where Erasmus was borne),
Leyden (an University), Harlem, Dort (the staple for
OF THE UNITED PROVINCES
are Germanes, but they of the lower parts, are like the
French in language and Manners.
9 The Dukedom of Brabant hath faire Cities, namely
Antwerp, most famous before the civil War, because
Maximilian, of Austria, brought thither from Bruges in
Flanders, the famous traffique of all Nations, by a ditch
drawne to Sluce (onely to bee sailed upon at the flowing
of the Sea tides). At this day forsaken of Merchants,
it lies overgrowne with grasse, and the said trafficke
inricheth Holland and the united Provinces. The next
City is Brissell, of old the seate of the Dukes, and now
of the Spanish Governours. Then Lovan a famous
University. Then Mechlin subject to the united States. [HI. ii. 94.]
Then Bergen-ap-zome a fortified City, at this time com-
mitted to the custody of Sir Thomas Morgan Knight,
with an English Garrison. The Inhabitants of this Duke-
dome were of old called Tungri.
to The Dukedome of Limburg hath Mastricht for
the chiefe City, & the Bishoprick of Liege pertaines to
it, wherein the City of Liege is the Bishops seate, and
the territory thereof yeelds a little quantity of a small
wine, and hath Mines yeelding a little Iron, some leade,
and brimstone, and a very little quantity of good gold.
The Mountaines yeeld a black Alablaster, with marble
and other stones, especially stony coales in great quantity,
which being there found at first, are now called generally
Liege Coales.
t The Dukedome of Gelderland, was of old inhabited
by the Menapii and Sicambri, and aboundeth with
excellent pastures and meadowes, so as great Heards of
Cattle brought thither out of Denmarke to be sold,
are for great part fatted there. The chiefe City is
Nimmengen, the second Harduike, a fortified City subiect
to the united States, and the third Arnheim, also subiect
to them.
t2 The Territory of WTest-Freesland is divided, as
Holland, with artificiall ditches, and aboundeth with
excellent pastures for fatting of the greatest heards of
AoDo
I6O5- 7.
['he ituation.
FYNES MORYSON'S ITINERARY
Cattle, and yeeldeth it selfe all kinds of cattle of extra-
ordinary bignesse, as Horses of Freesland vulgarly
knowne. It hath many Cities, whereof the chiefe are
Lewerden, Dockam, Fronikar (an University) and
Harlingen, not to speake of nine other Townes, fortified
with wals and ditches. This Territory is subject or
associated to the united States.
3 The Territory of Groningen, made part of Frees-
land by Cosmographers, is also subject to the States, and
hath the name of the chiefe City, strongly fortified and
seated in a fenny soyle.
4 The Territory of Utrecht is also associated under
the same united States, whose chiefe and very pleasant
City is called Utrecht.
5 The Territory of Transisole, vulgarly called De
land over Yssell (the Land beyond Yssell) is also associ-
ated to the united States, whereof the chiefe City is
Deventry, which besieged by the States Army in the yeere
i59 I, was then subdued, and it lies neerer to the Sea.
It hath another City called Swoll.
The united Provinces of Netherland, (through which
onely I did passe) have a most intemperate Aire, the
Winter cold. being excessive, and the Summers heat farre
exceeding the ordinary heate of that clime. The reason
of the cold is, that the Northerne winds of themselves
ordinarily cold, doe here in a long course on all sides
glide upon the German Sea, thereby gathering farre
greater cold, and so rush into those plaine Provinces,
no where stopped either by mountaines or woods, there
being no Mountaines, scarce any hils, no woods, scarce
any groves, to hinder them from violent passage with
their uttermost force. Like reason may be given for the
heate: For the same open Plaine, no way shaddowed
from the beames of the Sunne by opposition of Woods
or Mountaines, must needs in Summer be subject to the
heate of the Sunne and winds from land. Adde that
in Winter the frequent Rivers, Lakes, and Pooles or
standing waters, infinitely increase the coldnesse of the
OF THE UNITED PROVINCES
aire. These waters aswell running as standing, are almost
all Winter frosen over with a thicke ice, so as they will
beare some hundreths of young men and women, sliding
upon them with pattins, according to their custome. Yea,
the Arme of the Sea called Zwidersea, lying within land,
betweene Holland and Freseland, though it be large and
deepe, having only two flats or shoales, yet being com-
passed with Ilands and the Continent, is many times in
Winter so frosen over, as Victualers erect Tents in the
middest of it, having Beere and Wine, and tier made
upon iron furnaces, to refresh such as passe upon sledges,
or sliding upon iron pattens from one shoare to the other.
This cold is the cause, why their sheepe and cattell are
kept in stables, to bring forth their young. And how-
soever the same be done in Italy, subject to great heate,
yet it is not of necessitie, as here, but out of the too
great tendernesse of the Italians, towards the few cattle
they have. And this is the cause, that howsoever they
use not hot stoaves, as the Germans doe, yet the \Teomen,
as well at home, as in the Churches, to drive away cold,
put under them little pannes of tier, covered with boxes
of wood, boared full of holes in the top. And this
sordid remedy they carry with them, by the high way in
waggons, which the Danes or Moscovites use not, though
oppressed with greater cold: onely some of the more
noble Weomen, disliking this remedy, choose rather to
weare breeches, to defend them from the cold.
In this distemper of Aire, it cannot be expected that
there should be plenty of flowers and summer fruites.
No doubt, in regard of the fatnesse of the soile, watered
with frequent ditches, and through the foresaid heat of
the Summer, they might have plenty of flowers and fruits,
were it not impossible or very difficult to preserve them
from perishing by the winters cold, and were not the
Inhabitants carelesse of such dainties, though in later
times, as they have admitted forraigne manners, so luxury
hath more power with them, then formerly it had. I
have oft seene one Apple sold for a blancke, and those
53
[III. ii. 95-]
The fertilily
of the tmited
Provinces.
FYNES MORYSON'S ITINERARY
great Cherries which are brought into England, grow
not here, but in Flaunders, and the Territories within
Land. They have abundance of Butter, Cheese, and
Rootes, and howsoever they have not of their owne full
sufficiency of other things to maintaine life, yet they
abound with the same brought from other parts. Some
provinces, (as the Bishoprick of Utrecht) yeeld come to
be transported, but in generall the united Provinces (of
which only I discourse in this place) have not sufficient
corne for their owne use, yet by traffick at Dantzke, they
furnish themselves & many other nations therewith. They
have little plenty of River fish, excepting onely Eales,
but in the Mosa, as it fals from Dort to the sea, they
have plenty of Salmons, and other fish, which fishing did
of old yeeld great profit to the Prince and Merchants.
And for Sea fishes salted and dried, they make great
trafficke therewith. My selfe lying for a passage in the
Iland Fly, did see great quantity of shell-fish sold at a
very low rate. Great heards of Oxen and Calves, are
yeerely brought into these parts out of the Dukedome
of Holst, united to the Kingdome of Denmarke, (in
which parts they feed most on dry and salt meates), and
these Heards are fatted in the rich pastures of Gelderland
and Freesland. There is great abundance of Sea Fowles,
(especially in West-Freesland) and they want not land
Fowles. They carefully nourish Storkes, as presaging
happinesse to an Aristocraticall governement, making
them nests on the tops of publike houses, and punishing
any that drive them away, or trouble them. In which
kind also they preserve Hernes making nests in those
groves, which are onely in few Cities. They have a race
of heavy Horses, and strong, which they sell in forraigne
parts, using onely their Mares to draw Waggons, and
for like uses at home. The Provinces on the Sea Coast
(as I formerly said) burne their owne earth, by the frequent
digging whereof, they say the Sea or lake at Harlem was
first made. And of these turffes they make tiers, both
cleere and of good smell, without smoke, and com-
54
OF THE UNITED PROVINCES
modious to dresse meat, to starch linnen, and like
uses.
They are notable 1Marriners, yet in that to be blamed,
that being at Sea, they use no publike prayers, that ever
I heard: And severall Cities have great numbers of
ships, wherein they trade with such Industry and subtilty,
as they are in that point envied of all Nations.
The very Italians, who in foreseeing wisdome, would
bee accounted Promethei, were by them made Epimethei,
wise after the deed, too late repenting, that when they
came first to settle their trade in Flaunders, they tooke
young youths of that Nation to bee their Cassiers, who
by writing letters for them, learned the secrets of that
trade, and after, to the Italians great prejudice, exercised
it themselves. Some three Flemmings, brethren or
partners, use to settle themselves in as many Cities of
great trade, where they keepe such correspondency, as
by buying all things at the well head, where they are
cheapest, and transporting them farre off, where they are
dearest, and especially by living sparingly, both in dyet
and apparrell, and not shaming to retaile any commodity
in small parts (which great Merchants disdaine to sell,
otherwise then by whole sale), they have attained the
highest knowledge and riches of trading. Thus they buy
rawe silke of the Turkes, and weave the same into divers
stuffes in Italy, which they sell not there, but transport
them into England, and the Northerne parts, where they
beare h!ghest price, and there retaile them by the smallest
proportions. They have of their owne, very fine Linnen,
and Woollen cloathes, of divers kindes, and many clothes
of Cotton, Arras hangings, plenty of Hops (aswell on
the Sea-coast of Brabant, as in the East part of Holland)
and great store of Butter, Cheese, and Fish salted and
dryed, all which they transport. Againe they bring from
Dantzke store of Hemp, whereof themselves make Ropes
and Cables, neither transport they any rude matter, but
by working it at home, inrich many populous Cities.
Also fi'om Dantzke they bring corne, all kindes of pitch,
55
t6o5- 7.
The tafl,ke.
[III. ii. 96.]
OJ the olde
trade of
Bruges.
FYNES MORYSON'S ITINERARY
and other commodities of that place, and from Italy many
kindes of silke stuffes. Also by the diligent fishing,
especially of Herrings, on the Sea-coast of England, they
grow rich, selling the same to all Nations, and to the very
English, who are not so industrious in that trade. Lastly,
they draw the commodities of all Nations to them, and
fetch them from the very Indies, and in like sort they
transpor.t them to the remotest parts, where they yeeld
most game.
It is not amisse to adde the very words of Marchantius,
writing of the olde trade of Bruges in Flanders, since
what I have written, is onely to bee understood of the
united Provinces. Thus he saith. Lodovicus Crassus in
the yeere 323. granted a staple to Bruges, which his
sonne Malanus confirmed. The Staple is a priviledge
of stayin lorraine Commodities in the place, except the
seller and bringer chuse rather to returne whence they
came. Bruges hath a Market place, with a house for
the meeting of Merchants at noone and evening, which
house was called the Burse, of the houses of the extinct
Family Bursa, bearing three purses for their Armes,
engraven upon their houses. The Marchants of England,
Scotland, France, Castilia, Portugal, Aragon, Navar,
Catalania, Biscaia, the Hans Cities of Germanie ; (namely
Lubeck, Hamberg, Rostoch, Dantzke, Riga, Revel, and
divers other Cities,) the Marchants of Venice, Florence,
Genoa, Luca, and Milan (namely fifteene Nations,) had
each their Colledge or house here. The Italians brou.ht
Chamblets and Grograms, made of Goates hayre, m
Galatia a province of the Lesser Asia, they brought Hides,
thred of Silke, of Silver, and of Gold, and cloathes made-
of them, they brought Jewels, Wines of Candia, Allure,
Brimstone, Oyle, Spices, Apothecary Wares, Mithridate,
Rhebarb, Mummy, Sena, Cassia, and the soile of Brasse.
The French brought Salt, Red and white W'ines, Oyle,
and Paper. The English brought Wooll, Leade, Tynne,
Beere, Woollen cloathes, especially those to make vailes
for the Low countrey women. The Scots brought skinnes
5 6
OF THE UNITED PROVINCES
of sheepe Conneys and other, and course woollen cloathes.
The Spaniards and Portugals, brought graine t'or Scarlet
Dye, Gold, Silver, raw Silke, thred of Silke, the wood
Guiacum, Salsaparilla, Unicornes Horne, and Spices.
The Germans, with the Danes and Polakes, brought
Honey, Waxe, Corne, Salt-Peter, Wooll, Glasse, rich
Furs, Qfick-silver, Armes, Rhenish Wines, Timber for
building. Againe, they exported out of Flanders, faire
and great Horses, fat Beeves, Butter, divers kindes of
Cheese, pickeld and fumed Herrings, divers Sea-fishes
salted, Woollen and Linnen clothes, Tapestry o.f great
variety and beauty, rare pictures, and all manuary workes.
Thus Flanders gave the name to all Netherland. Bruges
in the yeere 1414. got a priviledge, that they who were
free of that Citie, by Birth, Gift, Buying or Marriage,
should be free from all confiscation of their goods, which
exceedeth the priviledges of any other Citie in Netherland,
for those of Ypre having the like, yet loose it upon any
Force offered to the Prince. The trade at Bruges beganne
to decay in the yeere 1485, partly for the narrownesse
and unsafety of the Port of Sluce and the River leading
from thence to Bruges, partly by the Fame of the large
and commodious River Scaldis at Antwerp, and partly
by the civill Warres. For first the Portugals having
taken Callicut in the East Indies, carried their famous
Spices to the Fayre of Antwerp in the yeere 15o 3. and
contracting with that Citie, drew the Fuggari and Welfari
German Merchants thither. And after the Merchants of
Florence Lucca, and the Spinole of Genoa, and those
of other Nations (excepting part of the Spaniards) leaving
Bruges, seated themselves at Antwerp about the yeere
1516. And they were invited thither by the priviledge
of Marriage Dowries, which became shadowes to many
frauds. For when Husbands either breake in life time,
or be found banckerouts at death, the Wives are preferred
to all debters in the recovery of their dowry. Notwith-
standing Bruges at this day by the third generall taxe of
Flaunders yet in use, payes something more then Ghant
57
[Itl. ii. 97.]
A.r. FYNES MORYSON'S ITINERARY
I6o5-17.
especially in baking of Venison; yet to my knowledge
they have no red Deare in these Provinces, neither have
[IiI. ii. 98.] they any inclosed Parkes for fallow Deare, nor any Conny-
grees. Onely Count Mauritz hath of late had out of
Englan.d some Buckes and Does of fallow Deare, which
runne In the grove at the Hage, and there be some
Connies neere Leyden upon the sandy banke of the Sea,
which are not sutZficient to serve the Inhabitants of those
parts, but are accounted good and pleasant to eat. Neither
in forraigne parts doe they much desire to feed on Connies,
either because they are rare, or because the flesh is not
savoury. They use to eate early in the morning, even
before day, and the cloth is laid foure times in the day
(or very servants, but two of these times they set before
them nothing but cheese and butter. They seeth all
their meate in water falling of raine, and kept in Cesternes.
They eate Mushromes and the hinder parts of frogges
for great dainties, which frogges young men use to
catch and present them to their Mistresses for dainties.
I have seene a hundreth of Oysters in divers Cities
sold sometimes for eight or twelve, yea for twenty
or thirty stivers. They dresse fresh water fish with
butter more then enough, and salted fishes savourly
with butter & mustard: where they eate not at an
Ordinary, but upon reckoning (as they doe in Villages
and poorer Innes), there they weigh the cheese when it
is set on Table, and taken away, being paid by the waight ;
and I have knowne some waggish Souldiers, who put a
leaden bullet into the Cheese, making it thereby weigh
little lesse then at first sitting downe, and so deceiving
their Hosts: But in the chiefe Innes, a man shall eate
at an Ordinary, and there Gentlemen and others of
inferiour condition sit at the same Table, and at the same
rate.
The Inner. The Innes are commodious enough, and the Cities
being frequent scarce some eight miles distant one from
the other, commodities of lodging are as frequent, yea,
they hang out signes at the doore, (which fashion is not
60
OF THE INNS OF THE NETHERLANDS
in use in many Cities of Germany, in Denmarke, Poland,
Scotland, and Ireland, where the Innes are onely knowne
by time) ; and this made me marvell, that notwithstanding
this signe obliging them to lodge strangers, my selfe
though well apparelled, have divers times beene refused
lodging in many of those Innes, which seemed to me a
scorne and flat injury. At the faire City of Leyden not
wanting many faire Innes, I was refused lodging in sixe
of them, and hardly got it in the seventh, which made
me gather that they did not willingly entertaine English-
men: neither did I attribute this to their inhospital
nature, but to the licentiousnesse of our Souldiers, who
perhaps had deserved ill of them thereby, or perhaps by
ill payment, for which I cannot blame the English in that
case, but rather the unequall Law of England, giving all
to the elder brothers, lying sluggishly at home, and
thrusting the younger brothers into the warres and all
desperate hazards, and that in penury, which forcibly
driveth the most ingenious dispositions to doe unfit
things. By reason of the huge impositions (especially
upon wines,) the passengers expence is much increased,
for the exactions often equall or passe the value of the
things for which they are paid. And though a man drinke
beere, subject to lesse imposition and lesse deere then
wine, yet he must understand that his companions drinke
largely, and be he never so sober in diet, yet his purse
must pay a share for their intemperance. After supper
passengers use to sit by the tier, and passe some time in
mirth, drinking upon the common charge, and to warme
their beere till it have a froth: yet doe they not use
these night drinkings so frequently nor with such excesse,
as the Germans doe.
I remember that having beene at Sea in a great storme
of wind, thunder, and lightning, about the moneth of
November, when such stormes are rare, and being very
wearie and sad, I landed at Dockam in West-Freesland,
where at that time some yong Gentleweomen of that
Countrey, passing through that City towards Groning,
6I
I605-I 7.
Huge
Impositions.
[6o5-I 7.
[III. ii. oo.]
FYNES MORYSON'S ITINERARY
degrees and a half, from the Meridian of 27 degrees
and a halfe, to that of 36 degrees. And the latitude
extends I o degrees, from the paralell of 58 degrees, to
that of 68 deg..rees. The Kingdome of Denmark is
divided into slxe parts, Finmark, Norway, Gothia,
Scandia, Seland and Jutland.
Finmark reacheth towards the North, beyond the
Artick circle, to the Castle Warthouse, and therefore must
needs be desart and barren.
2 Norway in the Germans tongue signifies the way
to the North, and it is so large, as of old it had and still
retaineth the name of a Kingdome, and towards Finmark
it reacheth to the Artick circle. The Cities are named,
Anstou not farre from the narrow Sea, called Der Soundt,
and Nidrosia, formerly called Trondia, lying upon the
same sea, and Bergis the seate of a Bishop, and Salzburg
a Citie of traffick. In Norway they catch great store
of Stockfish, which they beate with cudgels, and dry with
cold, and great store of a fish, from the Greeke word
called Plaise, for the bredth thereof, and they sell great
quantity of this fish to the German Cities upon the sea,
which they keep to feede the people, in case the cities
should be besieged.
3 The Iland Gothia is annexed to the Crowne of
Denmark, yet the Succians tooke it in our time, but the
Danes recovered it againe. Histories report, that the
Gothes came out of this Iland, yet old Writers under
the name of Scandia containe all the tract of the neck
of Land, lying from the Hiberborian Sea, betweene the
Northerne Ocean, and the Bodick Gulfe; from whence
it is more probable, that the Gothes came out, then onely
from this little Iland, who after seated themselves upon
the Euxine sea, and the banke of Danow, and from thence
made incursions upon the Roman Empire. And here-
upon the said tract, containing not onely Scandia and
Gothia, but all Norway and Succia, was by old Writers
called the shop and sheath of Nations. The Iland Gothia
yeelds the rich Furres called Sabels.
64
OF THE KINGDOM OF DENMARK
4 The Iland Scandia is also called Scondia, and Scandi-
navia, and Schonlandia, that is, faire land, the beauty
whereof the Danes highly extoll, and for the firtiltie
preferre it to Sealand, though it passe the same in the
buildings of the Kings Court and other houses. The
Cities thereof are Helsenburg, Lanscron, and London the
Metropolitan Citie.
5 The Iland of Seland, (whence they hold the Zelanders
of Netherland to have come into those parts), is beautified
with the City Copenhagen (that is, the Haven of Mer-
chants) where the King hath his Court, and there is an
University. It hath also the strong Castell Cronemburg,
built in the Village Elsenar, and the City Roschild, so
called of a Fountaine, being the seate of a bishop, where
the Kings are buried. Betweene the Castle Cronembirg
in Seland, and the Castle Helsenburg in Scandia, is the
famous straight of the Sea, called Der Soundt, by which
the ships enter into the Baltick Sea, and returning from
Dantzk and Righa, laded with precious commodities, pay
great tributes to the King of Denmarke, both at the
entrie and going fourth of that Straight.
6 Jutland signifying a good land in the German
language, is the Northerne part of the Cimbrian Cher-
sonesus (that is, necke of land) whence the Cimbri came,
who made war upon the Romans. And this Jutland with
the foresaid Seland, are properly called Denmarke, the
other parts being peculiar Regions, at divers times
annexed to that Crowne. The chiefe Townes of Jutland,
are Aleburg, Nicopia and Wiburg. The rest of the tract
of the Cimbrian Chersonesus, containes the Dukedome
of Holst, vulgarly called Holstein, which of old was part
of Saxony, but so, as the Danes often forced it to the
paying of tribute, and at last about the yeere 465 they
fully subdued it. Part of this Dukedome lying upon
the Brittan Sea, betweene the Brooke Idera and the River
Elve, is called Ditmarcia, all fenny, so as by casting downe
certaine bankes, they may drowne al the Countrie, and
by this strength, the inhabitants keeping their enemies
. v 6 5 .
AoDo
I605-I7.
The lland of
Seland.
Jutland.
TAe ,ituation.
The Fertilty.
[III. ii. o.]
The traffcke.
FYNES MORYSON'S ITINERARY
out, long preserved a rude or rurall liberty, but at last
in our time, Frederike King of Denmarke, upon advan-
tage of a great frost in those Fennes, suddenly assailed
and subdued them, joyning that Country to the said
Dukedome of Holst. Of which Dukedome the chiefe
Townes are Flensburg, Slesvick (where of old the Dukes
held their Court) being seated on the Sea towards the
East, and Gottorp, and Meldorp in Ditmarcia upon the
Sea towards the \Vest. Upon the confines of Hoist lye
the faire _rmperiall free Cities Lubeck and Hamburg, to
the freedome whereof the Dukes of Hoist were great and
neere enemies, challenging the same to bee built in their
soyle, for which cause the Kings of Denmark possessing
that Dukedome, are much suspected by these Cities,
whom they more and more feare, as their power more
increaseth. Some reckon the Ilands Orcades for part of
I)enmarke, and they say, that the inhabitants speake the
Gothes language : but Histories witnesse, that howsoever
of old they belonged to the Danes, yet they have long
been subject to the Kingdome of Scotland.
Denmarke lying neere the Artick circle, must needs
be subject to great cold, howsoever the mistie aire, caused
by the frequent Iles, doth in some sort mitigate the
extremity thereof.
In regard of the clime, it cannot be expected, that
fruites should grow here, which are onely ripened by the
heate of the Sunne. They have corne sufficient for their
own use, and plenty thereof (as of all other commodities)
is brought to them from Dantzk and all other parts, by
reason of the frequent concourse of Merchants into the
Soundt, which they injoy at good rates, and with much
ease.
The Danes exchange great plenty of dried and salted
fishes, and of other smal commodities, for necessaries to
clothe and feede them; and being in both these kinds
frugal and sparing (as the Germans are), they also attaine
to some small riches by this poore traffick. And since
they feede for the most part on dried fishes, bacon, and
66
OF THE KINGDOM OF DENMARK
salt meates, and little use flesh meates as veale and
mutton, they carry great heards of oxen and calves out
of Holst into Netherland. Lastly, since they have no
other commodities of their owne to transport, and Mer-
chants that passe the Baltike Sea, of necessity landing
at Elsenar, bring them all necessaries from forraigne parts,
and also take of them such comrnodities as they can spare,
surely howsoever the ships of Denmark are in strength
sayling and lasting next to the English, yet their
Merchants seldome make any other voyages then towards
the Northerne Iles to take fish. In diet they are much
like the Germans, and especially the neighbouring Saxons.
Their dainties are bacon and salt meats, but the common
people feeds much on divers kinds of dried fishes, which
at the first view of them a stranger may wel perceive,
by their leane and withered faces, and they likewise feede
on bread very black, heavy and windy. I did see no
common Innes at Copenhagen, Elsenar, or Roschilde, but
some are there licensed to keepe Taverns for selling of
wine, where the common table for that purpose is alwaies
ready covered with linnen. But passengers must obtaine
diet and lodging with some Citizen, and in their houses
they shal find honest manners, moderate diet, and cleane
beds and sheets. To conclude, the Danes passe (if it
be possible) their neighbour Saxons in the excesse of their
drinking.
Poland hath the name of Fole in that language
signifying a plaine, and is a vast kingdome. The
longitude thereof extends i6 degrees from the Meridian
of 38 degrees, to that of 54 degrees, and the latitude
extends 9 degrees from the paralel of 47 degrees to that
of 56 degrees. It is divided into the greater and the
lesse.
i Of the greater Poland these are the chief'e townes
Bosnau seated on the Brooke Barta, and Genesua, and
Ladislauia seated upon the River Vistula or Wexel.
2 The lesser Poland lies towards the South, wherein
is Cracouia (vulgarly Crakaw) the seat of the Kings. The
67
The diet.
Polaml.
FYNES MORYSON'S ITINERARY
inhabitants come of the Scithians, and the manners of
the common people at this day little differ from the old
Sarmatians. This Region is fenny, and great part thereof
is woody, but it so aboundeth with corne and pastures,
as it supplies all Europe with corne, and the neighbour
Countries with heards of Cattell. It hath no vines, but
it yeelds plenty of pit coale, and much wax and hony,
and it no lesse aboundeth with many kinds of the said
cattell, aswell wilde as tame.
Other Provinces are annexed to this Kingdom, namely,
Samogitia, Massovia, Lithuania, Volhinia, Russia, and
Podolia, for I omit Borussia, though subject to this King-
dome under a free yoke, because I formerly said, that it
is numbred among the Provinces of Germany, the
inhabitants being Germans in language and manners, and
because I have in that place formerly described the same.
3 Samogitia hath no walled Towne, but the people
live in Cottages, and being rude and of great stature,
only apply themselves to the plough, and feeding of cattle,
not knowing any use of mony, scarce the service of
God.
4 The Metropolitan City of Massovia is Warsovia
(vulgarly Warsaw), where the Parlaments of the King-
dome are held.
5 Lithuania gives the title of Great Duke, and is a
most large Province, fenny and woody, so as in Summer
there is no passage into it, but in winter when the Fenns
are frozen, Merchants trade with the inhabitants. Vilna
is the Metropolitan city, and seate of the Bishop. It hath
very few Townes, and the Villages are commonly distant
2o German miles one from the other. They have plenty
of hony, wax, a kind of beast like an oxe called AIce,
wilde beasts and rich furres, but they scarce know the use
of mony.
6 Volhinia is the most fertile province of that King-
dom, and fullest of faire townes and Castles.
7 Russia or Reutenia hath many Townes, whereof the
most knowne is Leopolis (vulgarly Leimpurg) and it is
68
OF THE FERTILITY OF POLAND A.D.
6o5-7.
famous for swift and good horses, not to speake of the
rich furres and other commodities.
8 Lastly, Podolia aboundeth with excellent Pastures,
but hath few Cities or Townes.
In general, Poland is subject to as great cold, as the The ituation.
lower part of Germany, lying under the same Paralell,
and the Countries, as they lie more Northerly, so they
suffer more cold; for the coast of the Baltike Sea, the
more it lyes towards the East, the more it still bends to
the North, besides that, the plainenes of the Countrie,
and the frequency of Lakes and Fennes, doe more increase
the cold. They use stoves heated with earthen ovens,
for remedy against cold, as the Germans doe.
The revenews of the King and Gentlemen are moderate, Thefertilty.
scarce sufficient to maintaine a plentiful table, and to
exchange with Merchants for Wines and Spices (which
they much use, especially in dressing of fish) and
forraigne Stuffes and Clothes of Silke and Wooll. Poland
aboundeth with beasts, aswell wild as tame, and yeeldeth
excellent horses, not great, but quicke and stirring.
Neither doe the Gentlemen more delight in any thing,
then in their horses, so as they hang gold chaines and
Jewels at their eares, and paint them halle over with
exquisite colours, but in that uncomely, that they are
not naturall for horses, as the Carnatian colour, and their
hinder parts they adorne with rich Furres and skinnes
of Lions and Leopards and the like, aswell to terrifie
their enemies, as to adorne and beautifie their horses.
Poland likewise aboundeth with Flesh, Whittmeate, Birds,
fresh-water Fish (it being farre within land), and al kind
of Pulse, as Pease and the like. It hath some, but very
few mines of Gold and Silver towards the Carpatian
Mountaines of Hungary, and of Iron and Brimstone.
It abounds with Hony, which they find in hollow trees
and caves of the earth, besides the Husbandmans hives.
It yeelds great quantity of Wax, Flax, Linnen clothes
made thereof, Hempe, Pich of both kinds, Masts for
shippes, Boards and Timber, rich Furres, Salt digged out
69
Te t,'nffick.
FYNES MORYSON'S ITINERARY
of pits, Amber, Soape-ashes, and all kinde of Graine,
especially Rye, which hath made Daniske famous, for
relieving all Nations therewith in time of dearth.
No marvell then if Merchants bring unto them Silkes
of Italy, Cloth of England, Wine of Spaine, and the
very Spices of India, with most remote commodities,
since they not onely sell them at what price they list, but
also bring from thence such precious foresaid commodities.
Poland is all farre within land, excepting Borussia
(vulgarly Prussen), which with immunities is subject to
this Kingdome, though I have described it among the
Provinces of Germany, because the people are Germans
in language and manners. And the very inhabitants of
Borussia have but few ships, using strangers to export
their commodities. Poland aboundeth with the foresaid
most necessary commodities, and the people live content
with their owne; yet are they not rich, because they
want the foresaid forraigne commodities farre brought,
and so deare. And they have so little Gold and Silver,
as despising all in respect of it, they sell all commodities
at a most low rate, especially those which are for daily
foode, and unfit to be exported.
And in truth, my selfe having in Poland and Ireland,
found a strange cheapenesse o fall such necessaries, in
respect they want, and so more esteeme Silver, this obser-
vation makes me of an opinion much contrary to the
vulgar, that there is no more certaine signe of a flourishing
and rich commonwealth, then the deare price of these
things (excepting the yeeres of famine), nor any greater
argument of a poore and weake State, then the cheape
price of them, and it makes me confident to conclude,
that old wives snared with papisticall superstition, doe
foolishly attribute the late deare prices to the change of
Religion in our time, while they ignorantly extoll former
times, wherein twenty foure Eggs were sold for a penny:
for in our Age, our Kings have more royall Tributes,
our Nobles farre greater revenews, our Merchants much
greater wealth, then ever our progenitors had, and this
70
OF THE DIE3' OF POLAND
is the cause that all things for diet and apparrell, and our
very wanton desires, are sold at much higher prices then
in former ages, because our riches make us not able to
want any thing to serve our appetite, at what price soever
it is set. Againe for Italy, it hath no great store of flesh,
birds, fish, and like things for food, in regard of the
populousnesse thereof, yet the Inhabitants holding it no
disgrace to be spa.ring in diet, and modest in apparell
(so it be clenly), n regard of this generall temperance,
and that the Nobility disdaineth not to weave silkes, and
trade for them, being the sinew of that Countrey, howso-
ever all things are sold there at most deare prices, yet
no Princes (considering things to be considered) no
Gentlemen, no Merchants of the universall World, have
greater treasures and wealth, then those of Italy. I have
said that Poland doth abound with all kinds of flesh,
whitmeates, fresh water fish, and all things necessary for
foode, and that it yeelds no Wine, which the Inhabitants
seldome drinke, but in place thereof they use Beere, which
they of Dantzk brew very strong and good, and they
make a drinke of Hony, which they esteeme almost as
much as wine, and the best composition thereof is made
in the Province of Massovia. They have such store of
Butter, as I have seene them anoint Cart wheeles there-
with, but it is more white and lesse savoury then ours.
This Kingdome hath few Cities; and if a stranger will
for a time sojourne in any of them, he shall easily find
a German or Netherlander to be his Host, who will
entertaine him more commodiously then any of that
Nation, though perhaps at extraordinary rates, as my selfe
found, abiding with a Netherlander at Crakaw.
The Innes in the chiet'e Cities, affoord convenient beds,
and plenty of flesh and fresh water fish. And these fish
they dresse with pepper and spice more then enough,
for which kinde of Cookery, the Polonians are praised
above the Germans or any other Nation, yet the spice
being farre brought and deerely sold, makes the sawce
farre more costly, then the fish it selfe. There is scarce
[lII. ii.
The lnnes.
AoDo
t6o5-I 7.
Fictuah at a
low rate.
I'YNES MORYSON'S ITINERARY
any Gentleman who hath not the skill, and doth not use
to dresse fish for his owne eating. In Villages and small
Cities, by the high way a passenger shall find no bed,
but he may carry a bed in his Coach, and sit upon it
conveniently. Others use to sleepe upon straw, lapped
with a furred horsemans coate, which they use to weare,
and if they have no such coate, they must be content to
sleepe upon cleane straw: And all the passengers lie
together in the warme stoave, with those of the Family,
both Men and Weomen. Neither shall they find in such
places any Wine or choice meates, which they use to bring
fi'om Cities in their Coaches. For the Innes in such
places are poore naked houses, having nothing to sell,
but close by them are the shambles, the Bakers & Brewers
houses, where the passengers buy beere & such meat as
they like, and bring it to the Inne, which a poore Hostesse
will dresse, affoording them onely tier, and a course Table-
cloth. And it seemed to me, that the Lord of the place
useth to impose upon some vassall this charge to entertaine
strangers: for the Hostesse will give her labour for
nothing, except in curtesie you desire her to eate with
you, and if you freely give her a small reward, as three
pence for the whole Company, shee will thinke you deale
bountifully with her, but shee will aske you nothing.
Also you may freelie carrie away in your Coach, flesh,
bread, wine, or anie thing that remaines, which I have
seene done many times. No Countrey in Europe
affoordes victuals at a lower rate. My selfe and a Com-
panion, did in a Countrey Towne invite two Guests,
and our dinner for foure persons came but to foure Grosh
and a halle. I have formerly set downe the ordinary
expences generally, in a Chapter treating of that Subject
in the first Booke of this thirde Part, and particularlie,
in the journey through Poland in the first Part. Now
I will onelie adde, that in the Villages and little Cities
by the high way, I have bought tenne Egges for one
Grosh, a Goose for three, a Partridge for two, a loine of
Mutton for two, a Pigge for three Grosh, and all like
7z
OF THE DIET OF POLAND
things at a very small price. So as if a passenger have
a Cooke in his companie, or have himselfe any skill to
dresse meate for his owne appetite, I thinke hee shall
there want nothing for necessary or delicate foode. But
hee may not expect, that a Countrey Hostesse should
seeke out, or curiously dresse any daineties for him.
Lastly, the Polonians are as stout drinkers as the
Germans, and passe them all, excepting onely the Saxons,
yea above all that ever I observed given to this vice,
they seemed to me to be mad in this kind, that in
drinking they are prone to quarrels, brawling and
fighting. Give me leave to adde one observation,
which to rile seemed very strange. At 1Malvin and
Dantzke in Prussen, betweene Michaelmas and Christ-
mas, the Country people bring in slcdges laded with
dead Hares, all frozen over, which are so preserved
aswell and better, then if they were powdred with Salt,
till our Lady day in Lent, about which time the frost
begins first to breake. And if they will eate a Hare in
the meane time, they thaw it at the tier, or the oven of
the warme stove, or by casting it into water, and so they
presently set it to the tier, either to be rosted or boyled.
In like sort they preserve Phesants, or any kind of flesh,
being frozen over, aswell as if they were salted. And
if any man thinke this a Travellers fiction, let him know,
that a most credible person told mee, of his certaine
knowledge and experience, that the Moscovites in Russia,
bring the dead bodies of men in winter thus frozen over,
and so lay them on heapes in the Bellfrees of the Churches,
where they lie without rotting, or ill smell, till about
our Lady day in Lent the Snow begins to thaw, and
the earth to be fit for digging (for till that time the earth
is covered with deepe and hard snow, and if it were not
so covered, yet is so hard by continuall frosts, as it cannot
bee digged.) And at that time each family takes the
bodies of their dead, and takes care to burie them.
[Chap. V.
[III. ii. to4. ]
The drinking.
I6O5-I 7.
FYNES MORYSON'S ITINERARY
Of Italy
Chap. V.
touching all the subjects of the third
Chapter going before.
He Longitude of Italy extends fourteene
degrees and a halfe from the Meridian
of twenty seven degrees and a halle, to
that of forty two degrees. And the
Latitude extends eight degrees from the
paralell of thirty eight degrees to that
of t'orty sixe degrees. Italy of old was
Janicula, Oenotria, and Ausonia, and lastly
called Saturnia
it had the name of Italy. It was called Saturnia of
Saturne, who banished from his Country, taught the
Inhabitants of this Country the Art of Husbandry, as
Poets t?tble, and is accounted the first King of this people,
then called Aborigines, as borne there, not comming from
any forraigne part to inhabite there. It was called
-- av
Janicula of Janus or Noha, whom they affirme to h e
come thither after the deluge, and to have taught them
the art to plant vines and sow corne, & to have built the
Citie Janua, now called Genoa. It was called Oenotria,
either of the excellent wines, or of Oenotrius King of
the Sabines, as likewise it had the name Ausonia of
Ausonius, the sofa of Ulisses. Lastly, it was called Italy
of Italus King of Sicilie, or of an old Greeke word signi-
fying oxen, and shewing the inhabitants to have been
Heardsmen. Ptolomy describes it in the forme of a
Chersonesus (that is, necke of land) or Peninsula (that
is, almost an Iland), and Pliny in the forme of an Oaken
leafe, but others more aptly compare it to a mans leg,
from the thigh to the sole of the foote.
Old Writers dividing Italy from Gallia Cisalpina, or
togata, inclose Gallia with a line drawne from the River
Varus beyond Genoa, by the Apenine Mountaine to the
Brooke Rubico, where it falles into the Sea neere Ravenna,
and this line is obliquely stretched from the East to the
74
OF THE SITUATION OF 1TAI,Y
West, and so they divide it from Italy, and make Pie-
mount, the Dukedome of Milan, the Dukedome of Ferrara,
the Trevisau Marquisate, and all Histria, to be a peculiar
part of Europe. But these Provinces being at this time
part of Italy, it is better inclosed and confined by a line
drawne from the head of the Brooke Varus, through the
Coccian Alpes to the Mountaine Adula, (which lies upon
the Alpes of Furca or Mount Gothard) and so through
the Rhetian Alpes towards the East, to the Brooke Arsia,
(confining Histria); and the rest of Italy is compassed
with the Sea. Also the Mount Appenine derived from
the Alpes, runnes all the length of Italy, in the forme
of a fishes backe bone, and almost in the midst devides
it into two tracts, one lying towards the upper or Adri-
aticke Sea, the other towards the nether or Tyrrhene
Sea. For howsoever the Appennine about Ancona,
seemes to bend towards the Adriaticke Sea, and there to
end; yet after it turnes from thence, and devides the
rest of Italy, till it ends upon the straight of the Sicilian
Sea. Italy worthily called the Qeene of Nations, can
never be sufficiently praised, being most happy in the
sweete Ayre, the most fruitfull and pleasant fields, warme
sunny hils, hurtlesse thickets, shaddowing groves, Havens
of the Sea, watering brookes, baths, wine, and oyle for
delight, and most safe forts or defences as well of the
Sea as of the Alpes. Neither is any part of Europe more
inhabited, more adorned with Cities and Castles, or to
be compared thereunto for tillage and husbandry.
The Provinces thereof are numbred 4- First beyond
the Appenine towards the Tyrrhene Sea, lie five Provinces,
Liguria, Tuscia, Campania, (subdevided into Umbria,
Latium, and Campania, the happy): Lucania (vulgarly
Basilicata), and Calabria, (the upper and the lower). Also
on this side the Appenine towards the Adriaticke Sea,
lie five Provinces, (going backe from the East to the
West), Salentinum, Apulia, Samnium, (vulgarly Abrotzo),
Picamum, (vulgarly Marca Anconitana) and Flaminia,
(vulgarly Romandiola), whereof part beyond the brooke
[III. ii. tos. ]
Liguria.
C ampania.
FYNES MORYSON'S ITINERARY
Rubico, reacheth into Gallia Cisalpina. Againe in the
part called of old Gallia Cisalpina, are foure Provinces,
Lombardia, Marca, Trevisana, Forum Julii, and Histria.
The chiefe City in Liguria, is Genoa, a free City,
(or at least having the shew of liberty), to which all this
Province is subject, which lieth all upon the Tyrrhene
Sea, and is now vulgarly called La Riviera di Genoa,
being of all Italy the most rocky and barren tract: yet
whether by Husbandmens art and labour, or by lying
upon the South Sun, I know not; but sure I am, and
well remember, that passing that way in the beginning
of Winter, I tooke great pleasure in the plenty and good-
hesse of the fi'uites thereof: Besides that, all Men extoll
the fertility of Mount Ferrate, (a part of Liguria, inclosed
and watered by the Rivers Tanoro and Po.)
z Tuscia had the name of Franckensence, which they
used for Incense, and was formerly called Hetruria, at
this day named Toscana. It was an old Dukedome
erected by the Longobards, and after was devided into
many territories of fi'ee Cities and Commonwealths, the
liberty whereof (namely of Florence, Pisa, and Sienna)
the Family of Medici, invaded in the time of the
Emperour Charles the fifth, and now possesseth all
Toscany with title of great Duke, onely the City of Lucca
still preserving the old liberty of that Commonwealth.
It hath very many Cities, of which these are the chiefe;
Florence, Pisa, (an University), Sienna, and Lucca, (which
still is a free City).
3 Campania (vulgarly Campagna) is subdevided (as I
said) into Latium, Umbria, and Campania the happy.
Latium hath the name of the Fable of Saturne, lurking
there in banishment, and it is the Fountaine of the famous
Latin tongue, and the head City thereof is Rome, which
City together with the whole Province, is at this day
subject to the Pope, & the Province is vulgarly called
Campagna di Roma. The second part is Umbria, which
was held part of Latium, & lieth beyond Rome, amidst
the Mount Apenine of whose shaddow it had the name
76
OF THE SITUATION OF ITALY
of Umbria, but is now called the Dukedome of Spaleto,
to which dignity it was raised of old by the Lombards,
and it is subiect to the Pope of Rome. The Cities
thereof are Volgineum, Assisium, Spoletum, Perusium,
and Otricoli. The third part is Campania the happy,
vulgarly called Terra di Lavorr, having the name of the
most fertile Plaine of Capua, seated upon the banke of
the River Volturnus; and to that Citie it was of old
subject, but at this day it is the chiefe Province of the
Neapolitan Kingdome, the head Citie whereof is Naples,
of old called Parthenope, and Dystarchia, now adorned
with stately Pallaces, of Dukes, Earles, and Gentlemen,
especially those of the Duke of Gravina, and the Prince
of Salerno, these Noble men dwelling there the greatest
part of the yeere. The Capuan delights, corrupting the
Army of Hanniball, are knowne to all the World. This
Province is an earthly Paradise, where Bacchus and Ceres
strive for principalitie. I passe over Cuma, of old a
famous Citie, and Linternum, famous for the banishment
and Sepulch.er of Scipio. the Africane, since at this day
onely remalne some rumes of Cuma, and scarce any
memory of Linternum. Neere Suessa, is the Mountaine
Valerius or Falernus, famous for the wine it yeeldeth,
and the famous Mountaines Gaurus, Massicus and
Vesuvius. The Mountaine Vesuvius is now called
Somma, out of the top whereof, of old great flames
broke out, burning the neighbour places, in which flames
Pliny (living in the time of Traian ) was choaked and
perished, while hee curiously searched the cause of those
flames. In our age this Mountaine burned, and now
daily fire breakes out of it. Here the beautie of all the
World is gathered as it were into a bundle. Here be
the famous dwellings of the Romans, in the Territorie
of Naples. Here are the Acherusian Fennes, the Lake
of Avernus, the Ditch of Nero, the Bridge of Caligula,
and other wonders celebrated by Poets. The Kingdome
of Naples is subject to the King of Spaine, which togethe.r
with the Dukedome of Milan, also subiect to him, Is
77
[III. ii. to6.]
Mountaine
Fesuviu,.
I6O5-I 7.
Lucania.
Calnbin.
Salentinum.
lpulia.
Samnium.
Picaenum.
FYNES MORYSON'S ITINERARY
thought to containe more then halle Italy, besides the
Iland of Sicily, annexed to this Kingdome, whereof this
is the chiefe Province, and the bounds of it reach to the
Sea, and so lye backward on this side the Apennine
towards Samnium, where it is confined, and divided from
the Mark of Ancona, by the Brooke Truento.
4 Lucania, vulgarly Basilicata, is a small Territory, the
Cities whereof are Folia and Laina.
5 Calabria a Province of this Kingdome, is divided
into the upper and the lower. The upper is called great
Greece, being of old inhabited by the Greekes, and using
still that language corrupted with the Italian. The Cities
thereof famous of old, are Rudia (where Ennius was
borne), Croto (where Milo was borne, who carried an
Oxe), Tarentum now the chiefe City, and Locris. The
lower Calabria is called Brutium, the chiefe City whereof
is Reghio, so called, because Sicily is said to have been
there divided from Italy by an Earthquake.
6 Salentinum vulgarly Terra di Ottranto hath the
Cities Ottranto, and Brundusium.
7 Apulia vulgarly Puglia, is divided into Pencetia and
Daunia.
In Pencetia or Mesapia, vulgarly called Terra di Barri,
are the Cities Basigno and Bitonto. In Daunia, vulgarly
called Puglia Piana, are the Cities Mansfredonia, Bene-
venture (made a Dukedome by the Lumbards), Asculum,
and the Village Canne, famous by the old defeate of
the Romans. And here is the Mountaine Garganus,
vulgarly called Sant' Angelo.
8 Samnium of old called Aprusium, at this day hath
the name of Abrozzo, where is Sulmo, in which Ovid
was borne, and here the Kingdome of Naples is confined
on this side the Apenine Mountaine.
9 Picrenum, vulgarly Marca Anconitana is subject to
the Pope, and hath the name of the chiefe City Ancona,
so called of the crookednesse of the Haven, which is
held the best Haven of Italy. Persaurum, vulgarly
Pesaro, belongs to this Province.
78
OF THE SITUATION OF ITALY ^.).
6o5-7-
o Flaminia or Romandiola, vulgarly Romagna, hath Flarainia.
faire Cities, Urbi,aum, subject to the Duke thereof (which
some make part of Picanum), Rimini, Bologna, subject
to the Pope, and ancient Ravenna, which with the greatest
part of this Province is subject to the Pope, who erected
Urbine from a County to a Dukedome, with covenant
of vassalage (which the Popes seldome omit) yet some
part of the Province is subject to the Venetians.
Lombardy of old was part of Gallia Cisalpina, Loratardy.
which the River Padus (vulgarly Po, and of old called
Eridanus) divides into Cispadan (on this side the Po)
and Transpadan (beyond the Po.) Cispadan (of old
called Emilia, now vulgarly di qua del' Po) containes
Piemont (so called, as seated at the foote of the Moun-
taines), whereof the chiefe Citie is Turin (of old called
Augusta Taurinorum), and this Province is subject to
the Duke of Savoy, Also it containes the Territory of
Parma, subject to the Duke thereof, wherin are the cities
Parma & Piacenza. Transpadane, vulgarly di la de1' Po,
containes the Dukedom of Milan, the chiefe City whereof [III. ii. ,o7. ]
is Milano, and it hath other Cities, namely Como, where
both Plinies were borne, seated on the most pleasant
Lake Larius ; vulgarly di Como, abot, nding with excellent
fishes. Also Ticinum vulgarly Pavia, (where the French
King Francis the first, was taken prisoner by the Army
of Charles the fifth). Lastly, Cremona, among other
things famous for the Tower. This Dukedome is the
largest and richest of all other, (as Flaunders is among
the Counties) and it is subject to the King of Spaine.
2 Also Transpadane Lombardy containes the Duke- Transpadane
dome of Mantua, (subject to the Duke thereof) and Lombar, ty.
Marca Trevisana, or Trivigia,aa (subject to the State of
Venice). Mantua is the chiefe City of the Dukedome,
and Marca Trevisana hath the famous Cities, Venice,
Padoa, Ttevijo, Verona, Vicenza, Brescia, and Bergamo.
The Tyrrheni of old inhabited all Cisalpina Gallia, who
gave the name to the Tyrrhene Sea, and were expelled
by the Galles, and of them the Insubres inhabited the
79
Forum Jui.
Hitria.
The situation.
FYNES MORYSON'S ITINERARY
Transpadan part, and there built Milano, and the Senones
inhabited the Cispadane part.
x3 Histria is devided into Forum Julii, and Histria,
properly so called. Forum Julii vulgarly Frioli, and
Patria (because the Venetians acknowledge they came
from thence), was a Dukedome erected by the Lombards,
the chiefe City whereof is the most ancient Aguilegia
adorned with the title of a Patriarchate, which at this
day is almost fallen to the ground. Neere that City is
a Towne, in which they write that S. Marke penned his
Gospell: Now the chiefe City is Frioli. The confines
of this Region lie upon Marca Trevisana, and all the
Province to the River Tagliamonte, is subject to the State
of Venice. The other part is subject to the Arch-Dukes
of Austria. Here growes the wine Pucinum, now called
Prosecho, much celebrated by Pliny.
4 Histria, properly so called, is almost in the forme
of a Peninsule, (almost an Iland) and the chiefe City is
Justinopolis, vulgarly Capo d' Istria, and all the Province
is subject, to the State of Venice.
Italy m Winter time, (namely the moneths of
December, January, and February) hath a temperate
cold, with little or no frosts or Ice: And howsoever
nay selfe did see, not onely the Rivers of the State of
Venice, but the very Inland Seas of Venice, frozen and
covered with thicke yce, for the space of three weekes,
yet the Venetians said it was a rare accident. In Summer
the heate is excessive, and the dew falling by night is
very unwholsome, as also thunderings and lightnings are
frequent, which doe great hurt both to man and beast
then abroad, as sad experience often shewes them. But
in the Dog-dales no man is so hardy as to put his head
out of his dores, or to goe out of the City. For they
proverbially say; Q._uando il Sole alberga in Leone, chi
so mantiene sano, guadagna assai: that is, When the
Sunne lodgeth in the Signe of the Lion, he that preserves
his health, gaines enough. This excesse of heate they
carefully avoid, by inhabiting upon the sides of the
8o
FYNES MORYSON'S ITINERARY
mies, Gardens, Water Conduits, Men good and ill,
learned and unlearned, more you cannot see in the
universall World, then be content, and stay at home.
And so he restrained the young Man in his desire to
travell, wherein perhaps he rather sought to get liberty
then experience. This I write, to shew that the Italians
are so ravished with the beauty of their owne Countrey,
as having by sharpenesse of wit more then the true value
of things, magnified and propounded to strangers admira-
tion, each Brooke for a River, each vice for the neighbour
vertue, and each poore thing, as if it were to be extolled
above the Moone, they have there.by more wronged
themselves then us. For we passing thrbugh Italy,
though we find our selves deceived in the fame of things,
yet still we heare and see many things worthy to be
observed ; but of the Italians, holding Italy for a Paradice,
very few sharpen their wits with any long voyage, and
great part of them have not seene the Villages and Cities
within ten miles of their dwellings. Hence it is that
great part of the Italians have nothing to boast of, but
their naturall wit, while our Nations beyond their Alpes,
besides naturall gifts, have wisdome gained by experience.
Italy is most populous, so as Gentlemens Palaces & Lands
belonging to them, are commonly confined within some
few inclosures. The Castles, Cities, Villages, and Pallaces,
are most frequent, whence it is, that the Land being
narrow, and not well capable of so much people, they
plant and sow in the very ditches of the high wa, yes, in
the furrowes of Land, upon the wals and ditches of Cities
and Castles, yea, to the very dores of private houses,
fitting each least corner, as well to profit as beauty.
Onely Lombardy hath large and open fields, with pastures
to feed Sheepe and Cowes, and with plenty of whitmeats :
For they have delicate Butter, which is not otherwhere
to be found, except in the valey of Pisa, (or of the River
Arno), all other places using Oyle in stead of it. Neere
Parma and Piacenza, it yeelds excellent Cheese, much
prized of very Princes in forraigne parts, whether great
82
OF THE FERTILITY OF ITALY
quantity thereof is transported, and greater extracted into
other parts of Italy.
Lombardy also affoords sheepe to Toscany, and other
": parts of Italy, as Sicily doth Corne, whereby of old it
: deserved to be called the Garner of Rome. Italy hath
- great store of Goates, the milke whereof is so nutritive,
as they give it to the weakest bodies for a restorative.
:. Great Heards of cattle are brought into Italy out of Cattle.
Hungary, and from divers Countries of the Alpes, but
:: the Hungarian Oxen growing leane with driving farre,
- and finding in Italy no Pastures wherein they may be
'. fatted, this makes Italians basely to esteeme of Beefe.
Out of Lombardy the Italians have few or no Catle, all
" Italy being like a most pleasant G,a.rden, and having few
Pastures: And this makes the Italians so tender towards
the few Cattle they have, as for feare of cold forsooth
in that hot Clime, they leade them into stables, when
they are to bring forth their young. In the tlaine
Countrey of Lombardy they use Horses, and especially
Mares, (of an exceeding little race) to ride upon, and
:. for bearing of burthens; and Oxen to draw Carts, and
.. sometimes Caroches, (vulgarly Carozzi): but in the
L Mountaines and hilly Countries they use Asses and
Mules, seldome Horses to ride upon, and for burthens.
In the Roman territory I have seene many Beasts called
Buffoli, like Oxen, but greater and more deformed, having Btli.
great hornes with foule nostrels cast up into the Ayre:
::. It is a slow and dull Beast, yet being provoked, hath
:? malice enough, and the backe thereof is commonly bare
of haire, and ever almost galled. They eate not the
:.. flesh thereof, but trade vith the hides, as with those of
:.-. Oxen, and this beast is held commodious for Husbandry
.- and patient of labour. They have no race of Horses
-r for beauty or service, but onely in the Kingdome of
i Naples. Asses are commonly sold for c crownes a peece,
and a Mule for 5c or 6c gold crownes, which Beasts are
onely used in all Italy, excepting onely Lombardy. Of
.: the Mule I observed, that he will goe under a heavy [III. ii. o9. ]
83
6o5- 7.
Mules.
Husbandry.
FYNES MORYSON'S ITINERARY
burthen from day-breake in Summer, to darke night,
without any bating or rest by the way, onely his meate
is tied in a net before his mouth, so as he eates while he
goes, and his pace is slow, and when his burthen is taken
off at night, he tumbles and rubs his backe in the dust
to coole it, and is thereby more refreshed from wearinesse,
then a Horse can be with lying halfe the night, otherwise
he lies not downe in the stable scarcely once in sixe
moneths. A Mule is begotten betweene a Horse & a shee
Asse, but a Mule mounting a she Mule, an Asse,
or any beast whatsoever, doth never ingender of them,
and the heate of his seed is yeelded for cause thereof.
Narrow Italy cannot beare red or fallow I)eare, onely the
woods of Toscany yeeld some few wild Boares, which are
preserved for the great Dukes game, otherwise a few wild
beasts might soone make great spoile in so rich and well
tilled fields, as be these of Italy.
The hils and mountaines thereof lying upon the South
Sunne, are in generall most fertile or fruitfull of all other,
such are the fields and hils of the Neapolitane territory,
such are the mom:aines and hils of Liguria, lying upon
the Tyrrhene Sea, such is the territory about the Lake
of Gardo, (vulgarly I1 lago di Gardo) lying at the feete
of the South-side of the Alpes. The fields of Lombardy
are lesse happy in yeelding fruites, but give excellent
pasture and corne, where the Husbandman makes use of
the very furrowes betweene the Akers, for as in the Aker
he soweth Corne, so in the furrowes he plants Elme
Trees, the loppings whereof serve him to burne, and
likewise plants Vines, which shoote up in height upon
the bodies of those trees, but these vines yeeld but a small
wine, by reason they grow so high, and in a plaine
Country. In the upper part of Italy, they plant in one
and the same field, Olive and Almond trees, and under
them sow Corne, and in the furrowes plant Vines, which
shoote up, resting uppon sfiort stakes, and yeeld strong
wine of divers sorts, because they grow not high, and
the ground being hilly, hath more benefit from the Sunne
84
OF THE FERTILITY OF' ITALY
beating upon it. The soyle of Toscany being hilly and
stony, seemed to me at the first sight to be barren, but
after I found it not onely to yeeld fruites plentifully,
but also good increase of Corne, as of one measure sowed,
commonly eight or ten measures, often fourteene, and
sometimes twenty five ; neither doe they give the ground
rest by laying it fallow, as we doe, but each second yeere
they sow part of it with Beanes and Pulse, yeelding plenti-
full increase, and then burying the stubble to rot in the
ground, make it thereby fat to beare wheate againe. My
selfe observed, that at the foot of the South-side of the
Alpes, they gather Wheate and Rie in the moneth of
June, and then sow the same fields with lighter kinds of
Graine, which they gather in the moneth of October:
yet by reason of the multitude of the people, and the
narrownesse of the Land, the Italians not onely carry not
any grane into forraigne parts, but also the Merchants
bringing grane to them, are cherished by the Princes,
with faire words and rewards, that they may come againe,
more specially by the Duke of Florence, who takes care
to provide for his Countrey, not onely grane from Sicily
and all other parts, but also sheepe out of Lombardy,
which he devides among his Subjects, at what price he list,
taking this charge upon him to see that his people want
not victuals, as wel for the publike good, as his owne
great gaine. Italy yeelds plenty of Oranges, which Tree
is most pleasant to behold, yeelding fruit three times each
yeere, and bearing at one time ripe and greene Oranges,
and buds. They have like plenty of Citron, Limon, and
Cedar trees, which in Lombardy grow upon the bricke
wals of Gardens, as Vines doe with us, and are kept in
earthen vessels, but upon the mountaines and hils of upper
Italy, the fields abound with these Trees, which both in
body and fruit are as bigge as our Apple-trees, and they
transport great store of these fruites into forraigne parts.
There be many woods of Chesnuts, which they little
esteeme, onely poore people eating them, and with the
rest they feed Hogges, as with Acornes. The Chesnut
85
AoDo
6o5-7.
[III. ii. , o.]
FYNES MORYSON'S ITINERARY
tree is not unlike the Oake tree, but that it is more
small, high, and straight. There be some woods of Pine
trees, which are high, without any boughs or leaves to
the very top, where they have a round tuft, and they
beare at one time the fruit of three yeeres, one pine
Apple round and sharpe at the top, having some hundreth
or more knobs like hasell nuts, in which knob the kernell
is of little bignesse, but of such vertue to provoke wanton-
hesse, as they serve it at all feasts. All the fields are full
of figtrees, not small as with us, but as big in the body
as some Appel-trees, and they have broad leaves. The
fruite hath the forme of a long peare, and a blacke skinne,
and a red juyce, being to be sucked like sugar in taste.
Neither doe I thinke any fruite to bee more pleasant
then this pulled from the tree, I say pulled from the
tree, because the drie figges exported, are not in taste
comparable thereunto. In the fields of upper Italy
are great plenty of Almond trees, so as you would say,
that a whole Province is but one Garden. Like plenty
have they of Olive trees, which yeeld a sweet oyle,
used by them in stead of butter, and in forraigne
parts for wholsomnesse, yet I cannot think that it can be
wholesome when it is heated, as the Italians use it to fry
meates. They have some, but not so great plenty of
Pomegranates, which tree is not unlike that of the white
Rose, but the leaves are little, and the flovers and the
buds of a red colour. The Husbandmen make ditches
about the rootes of all these fruite trees, and the
inhabitants of pleasant Italy are notable in all kind of
Husbandrie. The Cypresse, Pople, and Oake trees, grow
in many places, but are little esteemed, as bearing no
fruite. Italy upon the Hilles and Mountaines lying
towards the Sunne, yeelds rich Wines, and very nourish-
ing, yet some out of experience say, they are not wholsome
for fat men, as causing obstructions, and hindring the
passage of the urine, and other evacuations: but I am
sure they are more pleasant in taste, then any other wine
whatsoever brought into England that ever I tasted.
86
OF THE FERTILITY OF ITALY
But of all the kinds of Wine to be named in my following
discourse, I have spoken more at large in the first Part,
writing my journall through Ytaly.
I have seene Pease, Attichokes, cloved Gilly flowers,
and other flowers of the best kinds, sold in the Market-
place of Saint Marke in Venice all the moneth of Feb-
ruarie, but they had not the odoriferous smell of Summer
flowers. Also at Genoa in the moneth of December, I
did see the same flowers and fi'uits sold, and many of
them for one bolineo, yea the flowers were odoriferous
in smell, and newly gathered, which made me thinke, that
those I did see at Venice, were preserved by Art, and
not newly" gathered. And they of Genoa acknowledge,
that they learned the art to make flowers grow in Winter,
of Cowes by" chance nipping of some budds in Summer,
which they observed to bud and put forth agaire in
Winter: for the Gardners upon this observation, did
themselves nip of some buds newly put forth in Summer,
and forbearing to water that roote all Summer time, did
upon approch of Winter digge about the roote, and sow
cloves about it, to make the Winter flowers have the
better smell, and then covering the roote with earth, began
daily" to water it, and with this Art sooner or later used,
they make the earth yeeld Roses, or any flowers in what
moneth of the yeere they will, so that the ground lye
upon the South Sunne, and fenced from cold windes.
The Gulfe of Venice affoards fishing to serve that City
in good plenty, the Sea of Rome affoards lesse, and that
of Genoa none at all. But in the Sea of Genoa neare
the Ilands Sardinia and Corsica, they fish Corals, sold at
Genoa for three lyres the ownce. In the markets at
Venice they" have great oysters, but in no great plenty,
and divers kinds of shell-fish, as Cockles, Scalops, and
Rasers, called in the Italian tongue Cape tonde, (round
Cape) Cape Sante (holy Cape) and Cape longe (long Cape),
and these they have in more plenty, then in most parts
of England : but the Oysters are very deare, some twenty
for a lyre ; and I doe not remember to have seene shelfish
87
Tte traflicl.
8ilk warmes.
FYNES MORYSON'S ITINERARY
in any other City of Italy, but onely in Venice. Neither
have the Italians any store of fresh-water fish, so as most
of their Markets are furnished in very Lent-time with
salted and dried fishes, or at least newly dead, which the
Germans cannot indure, using to see them alive before
they will eate them. They have at certaine times of the
yeere reasonable plentie of birds, but not great in number
or variety of kinds, but Hens, and especially those of
Turkey or the Indies seeme more plentifully served in
the Markets, because the common sort feedes onely upon
rootes, divers kinds of pulse, hearbs, and small meates
dried or salted. I remember not to have seene any
Storkes in Italy, no not in the free Cities and States,
where fabulous Writers say, they most willingly live, as
under more just Lords and Governours. The Italian
Gentlemen much delight in the art to catch birds, and
in Gardens fitted to that purpose, with nets, bushes and
glades, sparing no cost or industrie in that kind.
Not onely the Gentlemen, but even the Princes of
Italy openly professe to be Merchants (which our men,
with leave may I say, foolishly disdaine) and onely permit
the retailing of their goods to men of inferiour sort,
keeping all trade in grosse or whole sale to themselves,
or at least by their treasures (commonly great) and
authoritie (such as it is) drawing the chiefe profit thereof
into their owne purses. And by this course they keepe
the Patrimonies discending from their Ancestors, and daily
increase them (while our Gentlemen p.rodigall in expence,
and ashamed to make honest gane, destroy their
Families.) But of all trades, they are most inriched by
silke and clothes made of it, especially they of Florence
and Lucca, where the Gentlemen for exercise of this trade,
keepe open shops.
The Silke-wormes are vulgarly called Farfalli, which
infold themselves in a piece of silk they weave of an
ovall forme and yellow color, and some of them so
infolded, are let out for preservation of the kind, by
clipping that piece of silke they weaved ; the other pieces
88
6o5-7.
The Greekes
fooli
marbtgrs.
[III. ii. I3. ]
FYNES MORYSON'S ITINERARY
bouring shoares, and every night put into some Haven
or Baye. The Italians are so much inamored of their
owne land, as they desire to see no other soyle, and abhorre
from venturing themselves at Sea, so as they seldome
prove expert in Navigation, never bold. The Venetians
have a Law, that every ship shall carry a young Gentleman
of Venice in it, allowing him diet and a stipend, and also
shall bring up a Venetian boy in it. Thus their wise
Progenitors tooke care, that neither Gentlemen, nor the
inferiour sort should be ignorant in Navigation. But
the Gentlemen at this day so they may have the benefit
of the Law, by receiving the stipend and the value of
their diet for the Voyage, care not for the experience,
and rather desire to stay at home, then trouble the ship
any further. And for this cause the Venetians altogether
use Greekes aswell for common Marriners as for Officers
and Masters of their ships. And these Greekes (as I
have often found by experience) except they can see the
shoare (which by reason of the narrownesse of the Sea,
and frequent Iles, may often be seene), are often in doubt,
sometimes ignorant where they are, and the least storme
arrising, make such a noise and confusion, as they bewray
their ignorance and want of courage. Our English ships
comming forth of the Harbour of Venice together with
a Venetian ship, will saile into Syria and returne backe
againe, before the Venetian ship can come thither.
Whereof two reasons may be given. One that the
English Marriners are paide by the voyage, not by the
dayes or moneths of absence, contrarily the Greekes are
paide by the Italians after the dayes of absence not alter
the voyage. The other reason is, that not onely the
Italian ships are huge and great and slow of saile, but
also the Masters, upon the first change of wind, or fore-
seeing of ill weather, either for feare, or because they
are paid by the day not by the voyage, presently put into
some Haven, whence commonly they cannot come forth,
but with one or very few windes, whereas the English
on the contrary have not onlie nimble swift ships, but
9 2
4 paradox.
[III. ii., 4-]
FYNES MORYSON'S ITINERARY
any, they make them sumptuous, and that much more
then ours, alwaies making the comparison equal of one
degree against the other. And this is most certaine, that
they infinitely passe us in the expences about their
Gardens, in fitting places for birding, in drawing water
to them, and adorning the Conduits head with Imagry,
in Chapels, and other buildings, of which thins some
yeeld them ffuite, the other last perpetually: for they
bestow their money in stable things, to serve their pos-
teritie, where as our greatest expences end in the casting
out of excrements, which makes me lesse commend our
expences in great provisions of meate, as well at feasts
as daily diet.
And give me leave to hold this paradox, or opinion
against that of the common sort; that the English were
never more idle, never more ignorant in manuall Arts,
never more factious in following the parties of Princes or
their Landlords, never more base (as I may say) trencher
slaves, then in that age, wherein great men keept open
houses for all commers and goers. And that in our age,
wherein we have better learned each man to live of his
owne, and great men keepe not such troopes of idle ser-
vants, not onely the English are become very industrious,
and skilfull in manuall Artes, but also the tyranny of
Lords and Gentlemen is abated, wherby they nourished
private dissentions and civill Warres, with the destruction
of the common people. Neither am I moved with the
vulgar opinion, preferring old times to ours, because it
is apparant, that the Cloysters of Monkes (who spoiled
all, that they might bee beneficiall to few), and Gentle-
mens houses (who nourished a rabble of servants in
idlenesse, and in robbing by the high waies) lying open
to all idle people for meate and drinke, were cause of
greater ill then good to the Commonwealth. Yet I would
not bee so understood, as if I would have the poore shut
out of dores, for I rather desire, that greater workes of
charitie should be exercised towards them, to which wee
should bee more inabled by honest frugalitie, then by
94
OF THE DIET OF ITALY
foolish prodigalitie ; I call it foolish, and thinke the vulgar
sort of prodigals worthy of all ignominy, who with huge
expences keepe many kennels of dogs, and casts of
hawkes, and entertaine great numbers of strangers, some-
times not knowne by name, often scoffing at the
entertainer, alwaies ingratefull, and so not only use them
to live unlawfully without labour or sweate of their
browes, but also in the meane time themselves will have
a brother for their Buttler, and are so niggardly towards
their kinsmen, yea, children and wives, as they provide
not necessaries for them, and have no care of their
advancement, education, and meanes to live, but preferre
vaine-glory before these religious cares. How much
better were it for these prodigall men to lay aside some
good part of their revenue to nourish learned men, to
procure good Preachers for their companions and guides,
to relieve vertuous men in their wants, and to spend the
same to like noble and princely ends.
But I returne to my purpose. A stranger may live
in Italy with lesse expence, then in Germany, where he
must beare the charge of his consorts excessive drinking.
And if any object the dearth of victuals, and wickednesse
of Hosts in Italy, he shal find, that this is his owne want,
not any ill of the Country ; and when he hath experience
to do his owne affaires there, he will be of my opinion.
The Italians have small moneys of brasse, and for the
least of them a man may buy bread, little papers of spice,
or any such thing that is to be sold. These small moneys,
the aboundance of people in a narrow land, and the
common peoples poverty, but most of all their innated
pride, such as they had rather starve for want, then beg,
these things make them doe any service for a stranger
for a small reward, and make the passages of Rivers, or
Channells (as at Venice), and all necessaries, to be
affoorded for a small piece of money. Neither is it a
small commoditie of these little brasse moneys, that it
makes the meaner sort more ready to give almes. This
benefit the English may well know by the want of like
95
Living good
cAeape.
6o5-7.
The gentlemen
of Fenice
frequent the
market,.
FYNES MORYSON'S ITINERARY
moneys, whereby the hire of Porters, all rewards and each
alines being given in silver money, and the small pieces
thereof being rare, all expences are much increased. The
women of Italy know not the price of any thing, or ever
goe to Markets (scarce are allowed to go to Church)
neither do they trust their servants to make their market,
but the richest of all Italy, and most noble (especially in
Ve!fice) daily buy their owne victuals and other neces-
saries. And in all Market-places stand little boyes with
baskets, to carry any thing that is bought to their houses,
which they easily find, knowing all streetes and allyes,
and never faile to performe this honestly, though the
buyer leave them, and (according to their custome) goe
about his other affaires; for if they should fayle, they
cannot escape punishment, being easily to be found in
the Markets where they use daily to stand, and well
knowne by fhce and name. Yet in truth the Italians dyer
is so sparing, as almost strangers alone use these little
Porters, and the very Gentlemen of Venice (which not-
withstanding arrogate to themselves a preheminence above
all Gentlemen of Italy with the singular title of
Clarissimi), carry home what they buy to eate, either in
the sleeves of their gownes, or in a cleane handkercher.
They spend much bread and oyle, and the very Porters
feede on most pure white bread, almost without any other
meat, except it be some roots. And those that are richer,
do for the most part feede on bread, neither remember I
to have ever seene brown bread in Italy, only they eate
sallets of hearbs with their bread, and mingle them with
oyle. And I remember that I saw a barrell of oyle sold
for twenty lyres, and a bushell of Wheate (containing
forty eight measures, called Sata by the Latines, & used
by the Hebrews) for _c lyres, but the very Gentlemen
buy their bread of the Bakers. Many times, especially
in short dayes of Winter, they will breake their fasts
with a bit of cake-bread or sweet bread (called vulgarly
pasta reale, ciambolini, and generally Gentilezze), and a
cup of sweete Wine, and so abstaine from dinner.
96
Of their
lllan?ler of
eating.
FYNES MORYSON'S ITINERARY
their fishing at Sea, and their shell-fishes (which they
much esteeme), and Sea-fishes are indeed rarely found,
but onely at Venice. Also they have little store of fresh-
water fish, onely there is great aboundance of eeles, where
the River Po endes in a Lake, neere the Adriatick Sea, in
the Dukedome of Feraria. The upper parts of Italy
yeeld the same things, but in a farre lesse quantity, and
in Toscany they frequently eate young Goates flesh, which
is very good and savory, and sometimes there will be
wild Bores to be sold, and they delight much in fresh
curds newly pressed, and made into little cheeses. The
Italians sell al kinds of flesh in little pieces, and all things
for diet in little portions, that the meaner sort, if they
list, may at least taste the greatest dainties. The inner
parts of Goates (vulgarly Animale), and the stones of
Rammes and Regles, (vulgarly Granella), are esteemed
great dainties, especially in Toscany, which we cast away,
being very good meate fried. And because the land is
more populous then plentifull in victuals, they eate layes
and other birdes, which we esteeme unwholsome.
In generall the Italians, and more specially the Floren-
tines, are most neate at the Table, and in their Innes from
morning to night the Tables are spread with white
cloathes, strewed with flowers and figge leaves, with
Ingestars or glasses of divers coloured wines set upon
them, and delicate fruits, which would invite a Man to
eat and drink, who otherwise hath no appetite, being all
open to the sight of passengers as they ride by the high
way, through their great unglased windowes. At the
Table, they touch no meate with the hand, but with a
forke of silver or other mettall, each man being served
with his forke and spoone, and glasse to drinke. And
as they serve small peeces of flesh, (not whole joints as
with us), so these peeces are cut into small bits, to be
taken up with the forke, and they seeth the flesh till it
be very tender. In Summer time, they set a broad earthen
vessel full of water upon the Table, wherein little glasses
filled with wine doe swimme for coolenesse. They use
9 8
FYNES MORYSON'S ITINERARY
could not have a hen or flesh if hee listed for want of
money. To conclude, they hold it no honour or disgrace
to live plentifully or sparingly, so they live of their owne,
and be not in debt, for in that case they are esteemed
slaves. Thus living of their owne, they give due honour
to superiours, so they returne due respect to them, other-
wise they dispise him that is richer, saying in scorne, Let
him dine twise a day, and weare two gounes if he will,
it is enough for mee to have convenient diet and apparrell.
They have a very delicate sauce for rosted meat, es, called
Savore, made of slices of bread, steeped in broath, with
as many Walnuts, and some few leaves of Marjoram,
beaten in a morter, and mingled therewith, together with
the juyce of Gooseberries, or some sharpe liquor put in
when it is set on the table.
In some Cities and Universities, especially for the
Germans sojourning there, and unwilling to buy their
owne meate, they have ordinary tables to be paid by the
weeke or moneth, at the rate of some eight or ten Crownes
the moneth, which living they call a la dozina (that is,
by dosens or by the great); but it is much more com-
modious for him that hath some experience and skill in
the tongue, to buy his owne meat, since in Camere locande
(that is, hired chambers) the Hostesse at a reasonable
rate of the chamber, is tied to dresse his meate, and give
him napkins with like necessaries, and there wants not
good commoditie to buy al things he wants, and to live
cheapely, as I have shewed in the expences of my journies
through Italy.
The Italian Hosts are notable in fawning and crouching
for gaine, so as they meete passengers at the Cities gates,
and emulously invite them to their houses, with promise
of all dainties, as if they would give them for nought,
but when they are once come into the houses, all things
threaten famine, and for that meate they have, if the
passenger first agree not for the price, they extort so
unreasonably, as nothing can bee added to their perfidious-
nesse and covetousnesse. The Germans say, these are
6o5-7.
Of the
of Italy.
FYNES MORYSON'S ITINERARY
part are troubled with an itch, witnesse the frequent cry
in their streetes of Unguento per la rogna, Ointment
for the Itch. I formerly said that a passenger needs have
no care of his Horse by the way, for it is the custome
to agree for their meate as well as hire with the Vetturines,
(so they call those that let Horses, and g.oe on foot or
send a servant to meate them): But since the same
Vetturines will also offer a passenger to agree with him
in like sort for his owne diet, surely (as I have said in
the Chapter of the manner to take journies) the passenger
is in ill case, that is dieted by them, neither would I
advise any so to doe, except onely in the way from Rome
to Naples and backe againe, where a passenger in such
a tumultuary journey, and by reason of that old custome,
should otherwise be worse entreated. Lastly, a passenger
shall doe wisely, especially at night to goe to the best
Inne and of most fame, that he may be more safe from
the fosse of his money or hazard of his life.
The Italians hold it a great shame to be drunken, they
sometimes salute one another with a cup, in manner of
a health, but leave it to his pleasure when he will pledge
them, and then he salutes him that drunke to him, as
well as him to whom he drinkes, saying; Faccio ragione
a vos' signoria, brindisi a vos Signoria. Sir I pledge you,
and I drink to you Sir. The word Brindisi comes of the
Dutch phrase, Ich brings euch, I will bring it to you,
used when they drinke to any man, and this shewes the
custome is borrowed from the Germans, and used by the
obsequious Italians to please them, yet abhorring from
drunkennesse, so pleasing to the Germans.
Italy yeeldes excellent Wines, and the common red
wine is held very nourishing, so as the fairest Weomen
will dine with the same, and a sop of bread dipped in
it, thinking it will make them fat, (which kind of Women
the Venetians most love, all things else being equall),
yea, and more faire: So as they Proverbially say; Chi
beve bianco, piscia bianco, a chi beve rosso, avanza il
colore. He that drinkes white, pisses white, he that
OF THE WINES OF $1TALY
drinkes red, gaines the colour: These are the most
famous Wines of Italy. La lagrima di Christo, (the teare
of Christ) and like wines neere Cinqueterre in Liguria:
La vernaza, and the white Muskadine, especially that of
Montefiaschoni in Toscany: Cecubum and Falernum in
the Kingdome of Naples, and Prosecho in Histria. In
generall the grapes that grow high upon Elme-trees in
the plaine, as in Lombardy, & especially the grapes of
Modena, yeeld very small Wines, but those that grow
upon hils and mountaines, resting on short stakes, yeeld
very rich Wines. In the shops where they sell Muska-
dines, there be continually boyes attending with little
wigges of sweete bread and Junkets, which the Italians
dip in the wine; and having thus broke their fasts in
winter time, they commonly eate no more till supper.
.D.
I605-I7.
IO 3
[The Third Booke
[IlI.iii. 8.]
THE THIRD BOOKE.
Chap. I.
Of the Geographicall description of Turkey, the
Situation, Fertility, Trafficke, and Diet.
He Longitude of Turkey extends fifty
five degrees and a halfe, from the meridian
of forty foure degrees and a halfe, to that
of an hundred degrees, and the Latitude
extends forty degrees from the Paralell
of tenne degrees, to that of fifty degrees.
The Provinces of this Empire in Europe,
are thus numbred. Illyris, Albania, Epirus, Gra,'cia,
Macedonia, Thessalia, Thracia, Mysia, Dacia (or Transil-
vania), Hungaria, and the Ilands under him, that lie in
Europe.
I Illyris a part of Sclavonia, is subject partly to the
Turkes, partly to the House of Austria ; the chiefe Cities
whereof are Zara, (which together with the territory
thereof, the Turkes tooke from the Venetians; the rest
of the Province being still subject to the House of
Austria) : and Scordona, lying upon the Sea, as doth the
former City and all the Province. Also Croatia vulgarly
Cranaten, and of old called Liburnia, belongs to this
Province. Albania hath these knowne Cities, Dir-
achium, (vulgarly Dorazzo, of old called Epidaurus),
and Vallona. 3 Epirus hath these Townes Chimera,
Meiandria, Butrinto, Cestrina, and Nicopolis. Of old
part of Epirus was called Acarnania. Of the roiall blood
xo4
OF THE SITUATION OF' TURKEY +.n.
6o5-7.
of this Province was Alexander Scanderbeg, who brought
up in the Great Turkes Court, and upon occasion falling
from him, did so much trouble that vast Empire.
4 Graecia was of old divided into Peloponesus and c,,'ria.
Helles. P.eloponesus, of old called Aiggealia, Ap.pia,.and
Pelasgia, s at this day named Morea, and t is a
Chersonesus, that is a necke of Land almost an Iland
onely joined to the continent with an Isthmus that is
a narrow peece of Land. The rest is compassed with
the Sea, and was of old divided into Sutionium (which
hath the Cities Sution and Carinthus); Argolis (which
hath the Cities Argos and Neapolis), Achaia or Ells,
(whereof the chiefe City was Elis); and Arcadia (whose
chiefe Townes are Psosis and Arcomenus.) And here
the River Emaus, or Erimanthus, springeth, and joyning
with the Brooke Alpheus, fals into the gulfe of Arcadia.
Also the River luachus springs in the Mountaine
Parthenius, and fals into the guile of Neapolis. More-
: over Peloponesus hath a fifth Province called Lacedemonia
..- or Laconia, (whereof the chiefe City was Lacedemon or
:: Sparta, most famous of old). The sixth Province is
Messena, in which is the City Metona now called Modon.
i The straight necke of Land joy,ling Peloponesus to the
Continent, was against the Turkes fortified with a wall
by the Christians, but the Turkes cast downe the wall,
and tooke all the Province. Helles or Achaia, the second
i, Province of Greece, containes Attica, Megaris, Boetia,
- Phocis, Regio Locrorum, and ]Etolia. Attica is more
.-:. famous then the rest, in which was the famous City
..: Athens. Megaris is a small Region, the chiefe City
whereof was Megaria, in which Euclides was borne.
Boetia is a very large Region, so called of an Oxe leading
Cadmus thither, who built the Boetian Thebes, so called
for difference from nine other Cities called Thebes. The
Mountaines Thermopule, derived from the Mountaines
Acroceraunii, lying upon Epirus, devide Greece from the
: West to the East, (as the Apennine divides Italy), and [lll. iii.9. ]
the famous mountaines Otris Pelion and Ossa, are parts
IO 5
Macedonia.
FYNES MORYSON'S ITINERARY
thereof. Of old Aulis was a famous City of Boetia, in
which Iphigenia Daughter to Agamemnon was sacrificed.
Phocis is a small Region, the townes whereof were Elatea,
a,ld Delphis seated at the foot of the Mountaine Par-
nassus, having the Temple of Apollo, not in the Towne,
but upon a Rocke of the Mountaine, where springs the
Castalia,, Fountaine, sacred to the Muses, and the Mount
Helicon lies neere the same. The Region of the Locri
is small, and the chiefe City is now called Lepanto. Of
old a people called Pieres, comming out of Thrace, dwelt
under Parnassus, of whom it was called the Pierian
Mou,,taine, and the Muses were called Pierides. Doris
pertaines to the Region of the Locri, and the chiefe City
is Doricum, whence came the Doric Dialect. The last
Province of Helles a,,d of all Greece, is/Etolia, devided
fiom Epirus by the River Achelons, falling from the
Mount Pindus, and the chiefe Townes thereof are,
Naupactus, now called Lepanto, neere the gulfe whereof,
the Christian Navy under the command of Don Juan of
Austria, gave a famous overthrow to the Turkish Navy
in our Age. The other City is called Chaledon, whence
was the Chaledonian Boare, sung of the Poets.
5 The fifth Province of Turky is Macedonia, of old
called Migdonia, and Emathea, the chiefe City whereof
is Thessalonica, vulgarly now called Saloniche, to the
Citizens wherof S. Paul wrote his Epistle. The Moun-
tains of this Province Olimpus Pelion Ossa, are famous
by the fables of the Giants, & Athos is fained to passe
the clouds with his top. 6 The lower part of Macedonia
is called Thessalia, or Agmonia, of Thessalus the son of
/Emon, (or as others say of Jason) the chiefe Towne
whereof was Pharsalos, whose fields are famous by the
victory of Cesar against Pompey. 7 Thracia hath faire
Cities, Trimontium (of old called Poneropolis and Philip-
popolis), Adrianopolis, and the head City Constantinopolis,
(of old called Bysantium, now Stambol) seated upon the
Bosphorus of Thracia. It hath famous Mountaines,
Rhodope, Mela and Ismarus: Upon Propontis the
io6
OF THE SITUATION OF TURKEY
Thracian Chersonesus (or necke of Land) lies upon the
Hellespont, in which are the Townes Sesto and Callipolis.
8 The upper Misia is devided into three parts, Rascia,
Bosnia and Servia, and the lower Misia into three parts,
Bulgaria, Wallachia and Moldavia. In Bulgaria the
River Danubius beginnes to be called Isther, which fals
into the Euxine Sea, with foure strong and three lesser
channels. 9 Dacia or Transilvania, was of old possessed
by the Saxons, who there built seven Cities or Castles,
of which the Province is called Septem-Castrensis, vul-
garly Sieben burgen, and of old it belonged to the
Kingdome of Hungary, but at this day is tributary to
the Turks. xo Hungaria so called of the people Hunni,
was of old called Pannonia the lower, and of right belongs
to the German Emperour, but of late the "Iurkes have
subdued the greater part thereof. It hath many and
strongly fortified Cities, as Debrezinum, Varadinum,
Segedinum (vulgarly Seget); Castrum (taken by the
Turkes) Strigonium vulgarly Gran (taken by the Turkes
in the yeere 543) Alba Regalis (at that time also taken
by them) Qinquecclesie (the seate of the Bishop) Buda
seated upon the Danow; (twice or thrice taken and
regained on both sides, of old the Kings seate) called
vulgarly Often, and Pesta (seated on the other side of
Danow) vulgarly called New often. The Hungarian
Nation yeelds to none in strength and courage, not unlike
the Scithians in language and manners, x x The Ilands
of Europe, in the Ionian Sea are these, Corcira (vulgarly
Corfu) Cephalonia, and Zaintos, (in Latin Zazinthus,
vulgarly now called Zante); all three subject to the
Venetians. All the Ilands in the/Egean Sea, are subject
to the Turke, being innumerable, among them are the
Cyclades, so called because they lie round together, the
chiefe whereof are Cytnos, Cyphnos, (vulgarly Sifano);
Parus (now called Paris, famous for the Marble), Tenos
(now called Tenasa), Naxus, Andros, and Delos the chiefe
of all, where Apollo and Diana were borne. Next them,
are the Sporades, so called of lying dispersed, among
IO 7
Hungaria.
AoDo
I605-I 7.
[Ill. iii.s z.]
8iria.
FYNES MORYSON'S ITINERARY
furthest bosome of the Mediterranean Sea, or Iccian
Gulfe, where Alexander the Great overcame Darius, and
there is Tarsus, now called Bias, in which Towne Saint
Paul was borne. 5 Armenia the lesser, is thought by
some to be the Land Ararat, upon the Mountaines
whereof the Arke of Noah rested after the deluge.
Under this Province some comprehend I6 Chomagena,
being ful of Mountaines, and confining upon Asia the
lesser towards the East.
The Geographers divide Asia the greater into five parts,
according unto five Empires, the first of the Duke of
Moscovia, the second of great Cham over the Tartars,
the third of the Persian King, the fourth of divers Indian
Kings, the fifth of Ottomon over the Turkes. And this
last onely belongs to my purpose, therefore omitting the
rest, I will speake of it. The great Turke hath these
Provinces in Asia the greater, namely, Syria, Arabia,
Babylonia, Chaldea, Assyria, and divers Ilands.
I. Siria is vulgarly called Sorya, and containes Palestina,
Phenitia, Celosyria, Damascena, Sirophenitia, (and as
some account) Mesopotamia. Palestina of old called
Canaan, is subdevided into Idumea, Judaea, Samaria,
Galilea. Idumea of old called Edom, is not unfertil,
and abounds with Palme-trees, but where it confines upon
Arabia, is said to bee barren, and there are the Mountaines
called Sur in Scriptures. It had these chiefe Cities of old,
Maresa, Ascalon, Asotos. Judea is the second Province
of Palestina, so called of the Tribe of Juda, and Jerusalem
the chiefe City thereof is at this day called Chutz. The
most famous places therof are Bethlehem, Bethania,
Mount Olivet, Jerico, Joppe where S. Peter raised Dorcas
fi'om the dead,) Lydda (where he healed the man sicke of
the Palsie,) Arimathia (where Joseph was borne), and
Hebron (where Saray the wife of Abraham and foure
Patriarkes lye buried), The Hebrewes say, that the vally
called Sittim by Moses, was most fertill, where now is
the Lake Asphaltis, and in this valley stood Sodom and
Gomora. Beyond Jordan is the desart of Betabora, where
IIO
lrabia.
[III.iii. 22.]
FYNES MORYSON'S ITINERARY
of Qinces, Figges, Almonds, and Damasco Prunes.
Sirophenitia the fifth part of Syria, hath these Cities,
Beritum (of old called happy Julia) Biblus, Tripolis,
Laodicia, Antiochia (of old called Reblatha) which after
it had beene decaied by a great Earthquake, was rebuilt
by the Emperour Justinian and called Theopolis, a famous
City in which the Professours formerly called Disciples,
first had the name of Christians, and Histories testifie
that Saint Peter was the first Bishop thereof. Mesopo-
tamia the last part of Syria, is so called as lying betweene
two Rivers, swift Tygris (so called of the swiftnesse,
Tygris in the Medes tongue signifyinR an Arrow) and
Euphrates. And by the yeerely overflowing of these
Rivers after the Solstice (as Egypt by that of Nilus) the
soyle is made most fertile, whereof Writers report
wonders, namely that one measure sowed, yeeldes fifty
and in some places sixty measures, and that plants per-
petually flourish there, yet that the inner parts want water,
so as the Inhabitants finding a spring, use to keepe it
secret, that it may not be knowne to their enemies. At
this day the Turkes call this Province Diarbecke, the
Cities whereof are Edessa and Carra (which Moses in the
twelfth Chapter of Genesis cals Haram) where Abraham
dwelt when hee came out of Chaldea.
2 Arabia is the second part of the Turkish Empire in
Asia the greater, which is subdevided into Petrea (rocky),
desert, and happy Arabia. The Israelites lived forty
yeeres in rocky Arabia, being full of Mountaines and
barren, whereof proceeded their murmurings. There is
famous Mount Sinay, upon which Gods Law was pub-
lished, and over against it Mount Horeb. In Sinay is
the Region Nabathea, and the City thereof Petra (after
called Arech) is in the Scriptures called Petra of the desart,
and neere it lies the Region Agra or Agara, the Inhabitants
whereof were called Agarens, as comming of Hagar
Concubine to Abraham. Desert Arabia is barren,
destitute of waters and covered with deepe sand, the
Inhabitants whereof doe live in Tents, having no certaine
II
The Ilands
[III. iii.* z3.]
FYNES MORYSON'S ITINERARY
built by Assur) and Aruela (famous by the victory of
Alexander the Great against Darius the Persian King.)
6 The Ilands of Asia are the sixth part of the Turkish
Empire in Asia the greater, and they lie either in the
Mediterranean Sea, or m the Archipelagus, or in the
Indian Seas. In the Mediterranean Sea, lies Candia (of
old called Creta) famous of old for having one hundred
Cities, and by the labyrinth of Daedalus, and it was called
Creta of the Earths whitenesse, from whence Meat
quantity of Muskadine Wines are exported into divers
parts of Europe, and it is subject to the State of Venice.
Rhodes lieth in the same Sea, and was of old famous
for the residence of the Knights of Hierusalem, but
at this day is possessed by the Turkes driving out
those Knights, (who now have their residence in
Malta an Iland, neere that of Sicily). Cyprus is an
Iland in the same Sea, and is most fertile, yeelding Canes
of Hony, whence Suger is made, and rich Wines,
and abounding with many things required for life and
for pleasure, and this Iland the Turks in the last Age
took from the Venetians by force of Armes, the chiefe
Cities whereof are Famagosta and Nicosia. The Archi-
pelagus hath innumerable Ilands, whereof the principall
and most fruitfull are, Tenedos (small in circuit) but
famous by the Navy of the Greekes harbouring there at
the siege of Troy) Lesbos, Lemnos, Mitelene, (at this
day called Metalon of the chiefe City); Samnus of old
called Sicania, (where Hypocrates was borne) and Chios
(now called Zio) more esteemed then any of the rest, for
the Marble, Malmesey wine, Masticke, (the juyce or
gumme of the tree called Lentiscus), and no lesse for the
many rich commodities it yeelds, then for the goodnes
and largenes of the soyle.
The Ilands of the Indian Sea belong not to the Turkes,
and therefore I will omit them.
The Turkish Empire stretcheth it selfe yet farther,
containing great part of Affrica, which by the Grecians
was called Libia, and the word in the Greek tongue signi-
I14
8irenaica.
Marmarica.
Egypt.
[IIl.iii. 124.]
FYNES MORYSON'S ITINERARY
in the yeere.) The Brooke Rubricatus is famous for the
Serpent killed there by Attilius Regulus in the time of the
first Punike warre. The quick-sands or sholes of the Sea
adjoyning, are much feared of Marriners, lying sometimes
deepe, sometimes shallow, as the sands are driven into
divers parts, by divers winds blowing and stormes, and
they are two. The lesse not farre from Carthage, the
greater towards Syrenaica. At this day all this Sea-coast
is called Barbary, and is subject to the Turkish Ottoman.
3 Sirenaica hath the name of the chiefe Citie Syrene,
which of old had emulation for greatnesse with Carthage,
and therein were borne, Aristippus the Philosopher,
Calimachus the Poet, and Eratostines the Mathematician,
and (as some say) Symon who carried the Crosse of Christ.
4 Marmarica is sandy, and of old therein was the
Temple of Jupiter called Hammon of the sands, and these
two Provinces are annexed to Egypt.
5 Egypt is most fertile, the very garner of the univer-
sall World, and famous for the antiquitie of the Kingdome.
The upper part thereof was called Thebais, the lower
(towards the Mediterranean Sea) was called Deltica, of
the letter Delta. The Cities thereof no lesse famous in
these dayes then of old are these. Alexandria, built by
Alexander the great at the mouth of the River Nilus
(whose body there buried, was seene by Augustus), and
heere Ptolomy was borne, who did gather in this Citie
the famous Library of seven hundred thousand volumes,
which were all consumed by tier. The next chiefe Citie
is Canopus, where stood the Temple of Syrapis or Osyris.
Then Pelusium, at this day called Damiata, seated upon
the mouth of Nilus called Pelusium. Lastly, the chiefe
Citie of all, is Babylon, built by the Babylonians permitted
to dwell there, which at this day is hugely increased, and
is called Alcaiero (that is, This Caiero),from whence some
fortie stadia distant towards the North, lye the three
famous Pyramides. Three dayes journey towards the
East, in a Garden called Materia, being well fortified, of
old grew, and still growes the hearb Balsamum, sweating
116
OF THE SITUATION OF TURKEY
Balsam out of the boughes, and being cut with a knife,
yeelding the more precious Opobalsamum, and at this
day the same is found even at Caiero in the Gardens of
the richer sort. They say also that Corrall is found in
the Red Sea. I had almost omitted the Citie Arsinoe,
also called the Citie of the Crocadiles, because the
Crocadile was there worshipped. Nilus falles into the
Mediterranean Sea in seven great Armes, which have the
names of the adjacent Townes, namely, Heracleoticum
(or canopicum), Bolviticum, Sebaniticum, Patinicum,
Mendesium, Caniticum, and Peluseacum: the first and
the last whereof are one hundred and seventy miles distant
one from the other. The Nilus doth yeerely overflow,
and thereby gives incredible fertility to the ground, and
the snow melting upon the Mountaines of Luna, or the
constellation of the Moone and Mercury, are thought to
bee causes of this overflowing. And the same happening
to bee greater or lesse then usuall, or comming later or
sooner then usuall is a signe of dearth to them, whereof
Pliny saith, that Egypt in twelve cubites height of the
floud, feeleth famine, at thirteene cubites is hungry, but
that fourteene makes them merry, fifteene safe, and six-
teene brings plenty and dainties. It is strange, that all
other Rivers eating and consuming their bankes, Nilus
rather increaseth them, by bringing with it a mud, that
covers the sand, and doth as it were dung the fields, to
make them more fertill. In sixty dayes after the floud,
the fields are cleare of water. The floud increaseth from
the Summer Solstice, to the Suns entring into Libra, and
after the water retires into his owne bed. About the
twelfth of October they sow their fields, and in May
following reape their harvest. Egypt with the Provinces
belonging to it, hath long been subdued by the Turkes.
6 Lybia hath divers Provinces. Biledurgeret, that is,
the Region of Dates, is inhabited by the black Getuli.
From thence towards the River Niger, lye the Deserts of
Lybia, waste, and full of Lyons, Parries, and other fierce
and venemous beasts (whereof came the fictions of
6o5-I7.
of Nis.
6o5-7.
FYNES 5IORYSON'S ITINERARY
Medusa and Perseus.) The inhabitants of Atsanaga, are
of a colour betweene tawny and blacke. At the Promon-
tory called the white Cape, is the Citie called Argen, where
the Arabians and Portugalls trade together. At the
Promontory, called the greene Cape, the River Niger
falles into the Atlantick Ocean, and the inhabitants are
called Nigrite. This tract containes many Kingdomes,
namely, Senige, Gambrey, Tambot, Guangara (where the
Garamantes dwelt of old), two Kingdoms of Nubia, and
other Kingdomes, which I omit as subject to their
Kings, or to Pretz Jan, and so not belonging to our
purpose.
7 /Ethiopia is divided by Nilus into inward and out-
ward. Inward /Ethiopia is divided by old Writers into
/Ethiopia properly so called, Trogloditica, and Barbaria,
and in the middes thereof is the Iland Meroe, made by
Nilus, in which was a City called Meroe, the seate of the
old Kings, after called Saba, whence was the queene which
came to Salomon, and the Eunuch of Qleene Candaces,
whom Philip baptized. The Troglodites live in caves of
the earth, and their kingdom is at this day called Adel.
Barbaria extends eight degrees beyond the/Equator, from
the promontory called Capo di Guardavi, to the Gulfe of
Barbary, and was so called of old. The outward/Ethiopia
is called /Egisimba by Ptolomy, and containes the King-
dome of Amatzen, and of Vangue, seated under the
/Equinoctiall line. All /Ethiopia, and part of Libia, are
said to bee subject to Pretz Jan, therefore I say no more
of them, nor of the Kingdomes under the Mountaines of
Luna, as pertaining not to my purpose.
80nely of the many Provinces under the Mountaines
of Luna beyond the Equinoctiall line, I will adde, that the
inhabitants of Capo di buona speranza (the cape of good
hope) are exceeding blacke, and nothing different from
the /Ethiopians and Lybians, though they have a greater
latitude by thirtie degrees towards the. South, equall to the
latitude of the farthest part of Spame, and live under the
temperate Zone.
118
OF THE SITUATION OF TURKEY
9 The greatest Iland of Affrick called Madagascar by
the inhabitants, and Saint Laurence by the Spaniards, is
of the Mahometan Religion, and is said to abound with
the medicinall wood Santalum, with Amber and Elephants.
The Canary Ilands called of old the fortunate Ilands are
sixe (or more as some write) in number, whereof Canaria
the greatest gave the name to the rest, which are subject
to the King of Spaine, as are likewise the Hesperides,
little Ilands seated over against the greene Cape. The
Turkish Emperour hath (to my knowledge) no other Ile
of Affricke under him.
The Turkish Empire being so vast, and containing
great part of Europe, Asia, and Affrick, the temper of
the aire cannot bee otherwise described, then by particular
parts thereof. But out of the description of this Empire
(in the journall of the first Part), and by comparing the
particular Provinces, with others of the same longitude
and latitude, and by the fruits and exported commodities
here to be mentioned, the temper of the ayre may bee
knowne, or at least conjectured more easily. To this
purpose I will onely adde, that I landing in Palestine
about the end of May, found their wheate harvest almost
inned, and in the Haven of Joppa, bought about a
thousand Abricots for sixe Aspers. And the yeere follow-
ing when I sailed from Constantinople towards Italy, that
about the middst of March, I did eate pease and other
pulse in the Greeke Ilands.
Lastly in Palestine, Cyprus and those parts, partly I
understood by others, partly I found by experience, that
it seldome raines, and that about September and October
onely, and not often at that time, but so violently for the
time, as if it would beate downe the very houses, falling
(as it were) by palefulls at once, and that the fields are
warred with night dewes, at the fall whereof no man
stirres out of dotes, but with his head well covered, for
danger of sicknesse, all men using to keepe in the house
till the dew be dried, while in the meane time by day the
heate is so excessive, as a man can hardly indure his
119
t605-I 7.
[III.iii.
Madagascar.
The situation.
The fertili#y.
FYNES MORYSON'S ITINERARY
apparrell, though it be of linnen or silke, if it hang not
loose but be close about him.
The fertilitie of the soyle generally through this
Empire, is exceeding great, and the goodnesse and varietie
of the fruits, equalleth and in some places passeth Italy.
The wines of Greece, of Mount Libanus, and especially
of Palormo in Natolia, are exceeding rich and good. Yet
have the Turkes lesse plenty of all things then Europe,
for they very sparingly and onely to serve necessity, either
set pla:at or sow, great part of the people being wasted
with warres, and they that remaine, having not free
fruition of their owne goods, in the great tyranny under
which they live, aswell of the Emperour, as of under-
Governours changed at least once a yeere, and the generall
rapacity and licentiousnesse of the souldiers. Hence it is
that there be vast solitudes and untilled Desarts on all
sides, where yet the ground of it selfe brings forth divers
wild fruits without tillage. They have divers kinds of
graine, Wheate, the graine called Milet, Barly, Oates,
Rye, Pease, and al kinds of Pulse, which for the kinds are
like those of Europe, but the Wheate for the bignesse of
the graine, and so the rest, are to bee preferred before
them. There is great abundance of Rice, Flax and
Cotton growing in the fields. They have good plenty of
all kinds of Cattell, yet are no more industrious in grasing
and feeding heards, then in sowing or planting; and so
they have Egges, Hennes, Rice, Hony (which in a com-
position they drinke), Fruits and Bread for daily foode,
they desire no other dainties or greater riches, since they
can neither injoy their goods while they live, nor yet
bequeath them at death, and nothing is more dangerous,
then to be accounted rich. The Caloiri or Greeke
Monkes in Candia, with whom I abode for a time, shewed
mee fields, which the yeere past had yeelded them ninety
five measures of grame for one sowed: but Candia,
though it lie in the compasse of the Turkish Empire
almost on all sides, yet is subject to the State of Venice.
The Iland Chios (vulgarly Zio) is subject to the Turkes,
The Trnffick.
FYNES MORYSON'S ITINERARY
nople) they furnish their markets therewith. And in
truth at Constantinople, there is as great varietie and
goodnesse of these kinds as can be wished. Onely the
Oysters, though plentifull, yet have not the delicate salt
taste that ours have, the Mediterranean Sea being nothing
so salt as the Ocean. But in generall, the Turkes, by
reason of the foresaid tyranny, and of their temperance
in diet, doe little use fishing or fowling, or any like
exercise.
Yea, by reason of the same tyranny of the Emperour,
Governours and Souldiers, the Turkes carelesly and coldly
exercise trafficke with Merchants. I grant, that they
trade in Natolia, and other parts of their owne Empire
after a cold manner, but they make no voyage by sea into
forraigne parts, excepting some few that come to Venice.
For they doe not labour in any kind more then necessitie
Ibrceth, and are so far from the insatiable desire of riches,
as they avoide nothing more, then the opinion to bee rich.
So as the Jewes, the Greekes subject to the Turkes, and
other confederate Christians, exporting their commodities,
they themselves have very few ships, the Emperour onely
having some twelve great ships, well armed, to bring him
necessaries from Egypt to Constantinople. In like sort
they have few Marrines, and those unexperienced and
fearefull, using the Greekes their vassals, and other slaves
taken in warre, to that purpose, and they much esteerne
(that is gently treate) captives skilfull in Navigation.
Some Townes keepe at their private charge a few small
Gallies and Barkes, to rob the Christians, and the great
Turkes Navie consists all of Gallies, nothing comparable
to those of Venice, and they winter at Constantinople, and
another Haven in Greece, whereof I shall write more
largely in the discourse of the Turkes Commonwealth.
Among other Cities of trade, they have two very
famous, one in Asia, the other in Affrick. That of Asia
is called Haleppo, and it being within land, the Port
thereof is called Scanderona by the Turks, and Alexan-
dretta, by the Christians, whence the commodities of
OF THE TRAFFIC OF TURKEY
Merchants are carried upon Caramels, and the fifth day
arrive at Haleppo, whether the commodities of Persia are
brought by the River Euphrates, and upon Caramels
backes, from the Citie Taurus, of old subject to the
Persians, but in our age subdued by the Turkes. The
Indian commodities are brought thither by the red sea,
and the Guile of Arabia. The famous Citie for trade in
Affricke was called Babylon, and now is named Alcaiero,
whence the commodities of India, Egypt, and all Affricke
are exported. Moreover, upon the mouth of the greatest
arme of the River Nilus, the City Alexandria is seated
upon the Sea, some few dayes saile from Alcaiero.
The Venetians bring into Turkey woollen clothes,
which they call broad, being died Scarlet, Violet, and of all
colours, and they are so strong & well made, as they will
hst very long, so as the Turks prefer them before our
English clothes. And because the Venetians furnish them
in great quantity, they use few other clothes of that kind.
Also the Venetians bring to them Sattins, and Damasks
(made in Italy of Dalmatian silk) and great quantity of
Gold and Silver, to buy the pretious commodities of
Turkey. Whence they carry out raw silke. For by
reason of the foresaid tyranny, as the Turkes are negligent
in Husbandry and trade, so are they in manuall Arts, not
drawing their Silke into threads, nor weaving the same
into clothes. And howsoever they have infinite numbers
of Silke-wormes, especially at
of Asia, which make great
formerly said in the discourse
Tripoli, and in most parts
quantitie of Silke, (as I
of Italy), yet they sell this
Silke raw and unwoven, and buy of the Venetians the
foresaid clothes made of their owne silke, so as the silke-
wormes, may well be said to bee more diligent, and more
to promote the publike good, then the inhabitants; for
they swarming in all Gardens, diligentlie finish their web,
while the idle inhabitants yeeld the commoditie thereof to
strangers.
The Venetians also export from Turkey, Spices, and
Apothecary wares, and great quantitie of the Dye called
I6O5-I 7.
[Ill.iii. z7.]
The I/enetian
7"rafftk.
x6o5-x 7.
FYNES MORYSON'S ITINEtIARY
Indico. They export Galles, Cotten, wooll, Cotton
threads, Chamlets or Grograms, made of the finest haires
of Goates, not sheared but pulled off fi-om their backes,
and woven in Galatia, a Province of the lesser Asia.
They export Turkey Carpets, Goates skinnes wrought,
and died into divers colours.
The English bring to the Turkes Kersies wrought and
dyed of divers colours and kinds, but they bring little
Broad-cloth, wherewith they are aboundantlie furnished
from Venice. They also bring to them Tinne, and blacke
Conni-skinnes in such quantitie, as the Turkes admiring
the same, a Frenchman merily taxing our womens affa-
bilitie, said, that in England there was such plenty of
Connyes, and they so tame, as they were taken in the
Taverns. The English export fi'om them Spices and
Apothecary wares (for the trade into the East Indies was
not then set up), they also export the foresaid corn-
modities, raw silke, Indico, and other precious Dyes of
Scarlet, Purple and the like, Galles, Mastick growing
onely in the Iland Zio, Cotton, and the thread thereof,
Turkey Carpets for tables, Chamlets, Grograms of Goates
haire. The Merchants comming to Constantinople,
hardly find there any commodities to export; therefore
the English ships having unladed there, saile empty to
Alexandretta, and there receive the commodities of
Haleppo. Againe, the Italians who bring much gold and
silver to Haleppo for the commodities there to bee sold,
doe againe receive gold and silver for such commodities
as they bring to Constantinople, and carry the same backe
to Venice. The English lying at the Ilands of Zant and
Cephalonia, subject to the Venetians, and at Petrasso,
seated in the Gulfe of Corinth, and subject to the great
Turke, export Corrands: others from Algier (a Port of
Barbary) export Sugar: others fi-om the Iland Candia
(subject to the Venetians) export Muskadines : and others
fi'om divers Ilands export earthen dishes and vessels
painted, which for the purenesse are much esteemed and
used in Italy, and in our parts Northward.
x4
OF THE TRAFFIC OF TURKEY
The swords of Damasco are famous for the mettall,
piercing, iron, and cutting a halle in pieces, but the
exportation of them is forbidden, though our Christians
supply the Turkes with all warlike munitions, which they
might shame to have particularly named in this discourse
of traffick. The precious Orientall commodities of Persia
and the East Indies, have made the Trade of Turkish
Cities to bee famous, namely, their spices and rich dies,
and Jewels, which notwithstanding the Turkes have in
part of their owne. For I formerly said, that Arabia
yeelds Frankinsence, Mirrh, Cinnamon, and Jewels, and
/Egypt yeeldes Balsam, and Opobalsam (the more precious
gumme of the Balme tree) in great quantity, omitting
many commodities, which besides they have of these
kinds. I speake not of Thessalonica a City of Macedonia,
now called Saloniche, nor other Havens and Cities of
trafficke in Greece, as being of lesse moment. All the
precious traffick of Turkey, by reason of the inhabitants
slothfulnesse, is in the hands of Jewes and of Christians,
and was long in the sole hands of the Venetians, but the
French in the age past, and the English in our age, have
had (as I may say) a trafficking league with the Turkes,
and so partake that trade. And these three States onely
(not to speake of the Germans, who at this time had warre
with the Turkes, and never saile so farre to exercise
trafficke) among so many States of Christians, have their
Ambassadours at the Turkish Court. And if any other
Christians arrive in that Empire (as the Flemmings often
doe), they used at this time to come under the Banner of
one of these three Nations. The Reader must under-
stand, that when I was in Turkey, the English and
Flemmings had not as yet begun their traffick in the East
Indies, which is like to destroy the trafficke in Turkey,
bringing many rich commodities from the well head.
For their dyet, the Turkes live sparingly, I had said
slovenly, but that I remembred their frequent bathings
and washings, and the curious clenlinesse of the linnen,
and all other clothes which they weare: but I will bee
I605-I 7.
[lll.iii. z8.]
Their diet.
FYNES MORYSON'S ITINERARY
bold to say, they feede negligently, and without any
pompe or magnificence. The richer sort doe sit at meate
like Tailors with their knees bended, upon carpets, or
upon the grasse when they eate by Rivers sides and in
Gardens, as they doe more frequently then in the house.
And their table is so low, as they may well reach to it
sitting upon the ground. About this table they cast a
long towell to wipe their hands, but passengers by the
high-way, and generally the ordinary sort of Turkes, use
grasse in stead of this towell. Others carry about a table
of leather coloured red or yellow, which table shuts and
opens like a purse, and upon it they can set but one dish
at once, it hanging hollow upon certaine buckels.
Commonly they eate by the high-way upon the ground,
and alwaies with their knees bended like our Taylors.
They seeth their meat till it be very tender, so as they
may breake it with their fingers, for they have no knives,
neither have they variety of dishes set before them, but
all sitting in a circle, fall upon one dish. Taking meat,
they all together say a short prayer or grace, and talke not
whilest they eate, but silently fall hard to their worke.
They have aboundance of all things for foode, aswell of
flesh (excepting swines-flesh) as of birds, and other meates,
but they abstaine from fish. They have plenty of Corne
(at least sufficient for their temperate dyet), which is
exceeding good, and farre bigger then ours. They are
ignorant of the Arts of birding, fouling, hunting, or
cookery, and having no lascivious apetite provoking them
to gluttony, are content with simple meates. Their
sobrietie in this kind cannot sufficiently be commended,
and since their greatest men can bee content to feede on
rice, and drinke water, it is no marvell, that with ease they
keepe great Armies in the field.
All
the Turkish housholdstuffe is contained, in one
poore pot to seeth meate in, one spoone of wood, one
cup of leather or wood to drinke in, a poore bed or
matresse, yea often a single coverled alone, and the earth
serves them for bedsteed, table and stooles. They have
OF THE DIET OF TURKEY
no neede of a troope of cookes and scullions to dresse
me.ate, and make cleane dishes. They willingly eate
curds turned sower and mingled with bread and water,
commonly called Mishmish, and fresh cheese or curds, and
have plentie of milke, aswell of cowes as of goates. In
stead of bread, they eate unleavened cakes, baked on
the cinders, which commonly are mingled with a kind of
seede. They feede commonly on hens, and rice (either
sod alone, or with a hen or mutton, in a vessell full of
holes, without any liquor put in when it is set on the tier,
so as there being no other juce, but that of the meat, the
rice is made very thick.) Within these narrow bounds is
their most costly feeding restrained. In time of the yeere
they feed much upon fruites, and keepe grapes all winter,
so as you would judge them fresh. They abhor from
swines flesh, as the Jewes do, for the rest I did never see,
nor heare by relations of others, that the richest of them
did affect any other variety of meate, then I have named,
and I have often seene Men of the better sort, eating out
of the seething pot, without any dish set before them.
The above named flesh of Muttons is very savoury, and
the sheepe of Syria and the adjoyning parts of Asia, are
of such greatnesse, as many times a taile of them, hanging
to their heeles, and very woolly and fat, and close woven
in many plights, doth weigh thirty or more pounds.
They have also Venyson, for in the woodes there be many
wild Goates dispersed, and I have seene a kind of fallow
Deare in Syria called Gazelle, of which kind I have seene
some brought out of Barbary into England.
And they much delighting in fruites, have excellent of
many kindes, and in great quantity, namely Abricots, and
muske Melones, and divers kinds of Pumpions, whereof
one called Angouria, as bigge as our Pumpions, is exceed-
ing full of a very cold juyce, being most pleasant for the
coolenesse in any great heat, which coolenesse though I
take to be unwholsome for one sicke of an ague, yet my
selfe almost wasted with the burning of that disease, did
vehemently desire to eate of this fruite, and found it
[lll.iii. z9. ]
Frnites.
FYNES MORYSON'S ITINERARY
nothing hurtfull or rather healthfull to me. In the Haven
of Alexandretta (or Scanderona) a Grecian the Master of
a Venetian ship, gave me a present of foure or five Apples,
which he called (as they vulgarly doe) the Apple of Adam,
and I never in my life tasted so delicete a fruite. It was
of forme like a long Peare, or rather for the crookednesse
like a Cucumer of the lesser sort, and it had a most thinne
skinne, of colour like a Peeches skinne, the least part
whereof being opened, the juyce was easily to be sucked
out, which was very pleasant, and not much unlike to the
juyce of a figge newly pulled from the tree. If I should
particularise all the kindes of pleasant fruites, I might be
infinite therein.
The Turkes when they have eaten, not while they eate,
goe like good fellowes together, and like Horses at once
drinke for that meale, as greedily as if the water were
turned into wine, which kind of drinke those that are
zealous of their Law, and those that jou.rney by the high
way, more specially, and all Turkes m generall most
commonly use, for which cause, those that journey use to
pitch their tents, upon the banks of pure fountains or
running waters, which they no lesse know, or as curiously
search out, as we doe the best Innes or Tavernes : Besides
commonly they have a cup (if I may so call it, being a
purse of leather that opens or shuts with strings) hanging
at their Horses saddle pomell, which as they sit on Horse-
backe, they put downe into the fountaines, and draw water
to drinke, not omitting to taste a good spring of water,
no more then we would a peece of rare Wine. Their
water, especially in Provinces lying neere the Sunne, is
in this property contrary to ours, that it loosens the body
no lesse, then the rice binds it. In Cities divers kinds
of drinkes are to be sold, some esteemed as much as wine
with us. One kind I remember presented unto us in
Palestine by the Sobasha of Ramma, which was made of
medicinall hearbs, to purifie and coole the blood, and they
drinke it hot, so as it seemes a very physicall potion.
They drinke sugar or hony mingled with water, and
OF THE BRINES IN TURKEY
water sodden with grapes, rosewater, and hony: and
they have whole Tunnes of the juyce of Cytrons and
Limons, which they willingly drinke; and all these kinds
are to be sold in their Cities. Wine is forbidden by
Mahomets law, which permits Aquavite vulgarly called
Harech, which Aquavite they often drinke even to
drunckennes. And whether it be out of the common
error of mankinde to desire forbidden things, or out of
the licentiousnes of Souldiers, which every day growes
greater then other, howsoever in Idlenes they obey theire
lawe in not planting Vines, yet not only the Janizaries,
but even the religious men, will drinke wine largely, even
to drunkennesse, with Christians as well Ambassadours as
others, yea, if Christian passengers carry wine by the way
for their owne drinking, and have a Janizary to protect
them, yet they will familiarly come to drinke with them,
and if they have no protector, they will take their wine
and whatsoever they have else at their pleasure, so as their
false Prophet hath onely provoked vice by forbidding it.
Many Provinces yeeld rich wines, the chiefe wherof are
the Greek wines, (which notwithstanding seemed to me
for the most part to be corrasive, fretting the stomacke
and entrals) ; and as well the white as red wines of Mount
Lybanus and Antilibanus, which are carried to Tripoli,
and as farre as Haleppo, (the wines about Jerusalem being
sharpe and small) : but the best wine of all is the white
wine of Palormo in Natolia, which is like the Spanish
sacke, but more pleasant to the taste, being not so sweete
as the Canary wines, nor so harsh and strong as the Sherry
sacke. This Wine is carried to Constantinople, where
also good wines grow, planted by Christians there, but
this is most esteemed: For onely Christians plant Vines
and make wine, and howsoever the Turkes are content to
take part of them at the Christians charge.
The Turkish Souldiers being to fight, if they can find
no wine, drinke the juyce of blacke poppy, called Opium,
to raise their spirits to a kind of fury, thinking themselves
made more valiant thereby: For howsoever we thinke
Wines for-
bidden by
Mahomet's
law.
[III.iii. 3o.]
6o5q7.
Hoitels.
FYNES MORYSON'S ITINERARY
this hearbe, especially taken largely, to be dangerous for
the health, yet there is not a Turke from the highest to
the lowest, who doth not as it were daily use it, nothing
being more frequently, sowed,, nothin, g more plentifull, y
growing, especially ..... xn Natoha, nothing more eaMy finding
a buyer : yea, xf their Cammels and Dromedaries fafle by
the way, or upon necessity must goe further then they use
to journey, as sometimes it fals out in Armies and other
Journeys, then they give them this hearbe, by which they
report their spirits so to be stirred up, as they will goe till
they fall downe dead.
In this vast Empire I did see no Innes, no not in their
Cities, and a man shall rarely find any beds among
Christians, and if he doe, yet the sheetes are made of
cotten, intollerable for heate: For in Turkey generally
they lie upon Tapestry Carpets, and sometimes in Cities
upon a mattresse, with a quilt to cover them, and by the
high way they lye upon straw, hey, or grasse. And in all
places neere Palestine, they either by night lie upon the
house tops on a plastered floare, or in yards upon the
earth and in open Ayre, having the spangled Heavens for
their Canopy. And not onely passengers, but all Turkes
daily weare linnen breeches, so as in these Provinces not
subject to cold, a man may better endure this poore kind
of lodging : But the Turkish passengers, in stead of Innes,
have certaine Hospitals, built of stone with Cloysters
after the manner of Monasteries, where by charitable
legacy of Alines, all passengers may have meate for
certaine meales or dayes, especially the Pilgrims towards
Mecha, for whose sake they were especially founded:
And these houses are vulgarly called Kawne (or as others
pronounce Cain) and the covered Cloysters of them, (built
after their manner but one roofe high), are common as
well to Turkes as any other passengers to lodge in openly,
and like good fellowes altogether, upon such mattresses s
they carry, or upon the bare ground, if straw be not to be
had. For Christian passengers carry such mattresses and
necessary victuals, which failing, they supply them in
I3o
OF TRAVEL IN TURKEY
Cities and every day in Villages may buy flesh meates,
but they must dresse their owne meate.
Neither is the Art of Cookery greater in Turkey then
with us in Wales, for toasting of Cheese in Wales, and
seething of Rice in Turkey, will enable a man freely to
professe the Art of Cookery.
No stranger useth to travell without a Janizary or some
other to guide him, who knowes the places where most
commodious lodging is to be had: but passengers by the
way use not to goe into Cities, but onely to buy flesh
meates, which done they returne to the Tents of their
Carravan, which use to be pitched in some field adjoyning.
In hot climes neere the Sunne, (as I have said in the first
Part writing my journey through Turkey) the Turkes
there dwelling use to beginne their journeys towards the
evening, and to end them two or three houres after the
Sunne rising, resting in their Tents all the heat of the day.
Christian passengers shall doe well to goe to the Italians
Friers at Jerusalem, and to Merchants their Countreymen,
or at least to Christians in Citties of traffick, and to the
Ambassadors or Merchants of their owne Country at
Constantinople, who being themselves strangers, and not
ignorant of the evils incident to strangers, will no doubt
in curtesie direct them to get convenient lodgings and
other necessaries.
Chap. II.
Of France, touching the particular subjects of the
first Chapter.
-. ,,,- He Longitude of France extends thirteene
degrees from the Meridian of sixteene
degrees to that of twenty nine degrees,
and the Latitude extends eight degrees
from the Paralell of forty two degrees to
that of fifty degrees. France of old was
devided into Cisalpina and Transalpina.
In the description of Italy I have formerly spoken of
Cisalpina, which was also called Togata of Gownes the
Of Trar,ell
in Turkey.
[IIl.iii. 3-]
FYNES MORYSON'S ITINERARY
Inhabitants wore, and Tonsa because they had short
haire.
I Transalpina, was subdevided into Comata and Nar-
bonensis. Comata so called of their long haire, was
againe subdevided into Belgica, (of which I have spoken
formerly in the description of Netherland), into Aquitanica
and Celtica, or Lugdunensis. Aquitanica the second Part
of Comata, was of old called Aremorica, lying upon the
Mountaines Pyrenei, and they differ in Language from the
French, being more like to the Spaniards: next to the
Pyreni dwelt the Ansi or Ansitani, called vulgarly
Guascons, comming from Spaine. Their chief City is
Tolouse, where is a famous University, & the Parliament
of that Province. Another City called Bordeaux, hath
also an University, but is more famous by the generall
concourse of Merchants trading for French Wines.
Beyond the River Garumna running through the midst of
Aquitania, dwell the Santones, an ancient people, whose
Countrey is called Santoigne. Next lie the Pictones or
Pictani upon the River Loyer, whose Countrey is called
Poictou, abounding with Fish, Fowle, and all Game for
Hunting and Hawking. It hath three chiefe Cities, all
seates of Bishops, Poictiers, Lusson, and Maillezais. The
necke of Land adjoyning is called Aulone, and the Ilands,
Noir de Chauet, De Dieu, and Nostre Dame De Bouin,
&c yeeld great quantity of Salt to be transported. The
Countrey of the Bituriges is called Berry, and the chiefe
City Burges, of old called Avaricum, being an University,
and the Citizens at sixe Faires in the yeere, sell groat
quantity of woollen cloath: for the Countrey hath rich
pastures, feeding many flockes of sheepe, of whose wooll
this cloath is made, besides that it aboundeth also with
Wine, Came, and all kinds of cattell. The City is within
Land, and is called in Lattin Biturigum of two Towers.
Next the same lies the Dukedome Burbonois, and other
small territories.
Celtica or Lugdunensis another part of Comata, con-
taines the part of Transalpina, that lies betweene the
132
OF FRANCE IN GENERAl,
Rivers Loyer and Seyne, beyond which last River France
of old extended, and included good part of Netherland.
" First towards the West lies the Dukedome Bretaigne,
which hath three Languages in it selfe, all differing from
the French. The first is of the people called Bretons
:. Bretonnant, comming from the English or Cornish
Brittons the first Inhabitants, and the chiefe Cities are
i Saint Paul, and Treguiers. The second people are called
- Bretons Galot, being of Language neere the French, and
the chiefe Cities are Rhenes, (where is the Parliament of
the whole Dukedome), and Dol, and Saint Malo. The
third is mixt of the two former, and the City thereof called
:_ Nantes, is the Dukes seate, and chiefe City of the Duke-
dome. From the Sea Coast thereof great quantity of salt
-. made by the heate of the Sunne is transported, and there
be mynes of Iron and Lead. Towards the East lies
Normandy, so called of Men of the North, namely the
Cimbri there inhabiting, and the chiefe City is Roane.
Within Land lies Turroyne, upon the Loyer, and the
chiefe City is Orleance. Next lies the little Countrey of
: France, like an Iland betweene two Rivers, so called of
the Franckes a people of Germany, conquering and giving
that name to the whole Kingdome. The chiefe City and
seate of the Kings is Paris. Picardy lies towards the
.: North, and the chiefe City is Amiens. Upon France
within Land towards the East lies the Province Cham-
paigne. Next to it lies the Dukedome of Lorrayne, the
Dukes whereof beare their Armes, an Arme armed break-
ing out of Cloudes, and holding a naked Sword, to signifie
that the Dukes have supreme power from God alone.
And the chiefe Cities of the Dukedome are Nancy (the
seate of the Dukes), and Toul, and Neufchastell. The
next Countrey of old esteemed part of Lorrayne, was
inhabited by the Lingones, and by the Mediomatrices, and
the chiefe City by the Lattines called Mediomatricum and
Metis, is now vulgarly called Metz, which City the King
of France tooke in the yeere 1551 from the Empire, in the
time of the Emperor Charles the fifth, who besieged the
I33
6o5-7.
Brgfons,
[lll.iii. 3z.]
AoDD
6o5-7.
N arbonemi.
FYNES MORYSON'S ITINERARY
same Ion , but in vaine, the Kings of France still holdin
it. Theg/ukedome of Burgundy belonged of old to tge
Empire, but is now subject to the Kings of France, the
chiefe City whereof is Dijon, where the Parliament of the
whole Dukedome is held. It hath other Cities, namely
Boanlue, Challon, Chastillon, Noyres, and a place called
Bourgougne, which gave the name to the Dukedome, yet
others write that it had the name of Bourges, (that is
Townes). The County of Burgundy belonged of old to
the Empire, but is now subject to the King of Spaine,
whose progenitor married the daughter and heire of the
Duke of Burgundy, at which time the Kings of France
tooke the foresaid Dukedome from the said daughter and
heire. And this County is vulgarly called Franche Conte,
as free from tributes. It hath two free Cities, Dole (an
University) and Besancon.
z The second part of Transalpina Gallia is Narbonensis ;
(which onely at this day, yet not all, may truly be called
Gallia) : It was of old called Braccata, of the Inhabitants
apparell, and is called Narbonensis of the chiefe City
Narbona, lying upon the River Athesis, neere the Medi-
terranean Sea, which Strabo witnesseth to have beene of
old a famous City for trafficke. The River Rhodanus
runnes through it, which falling from the Alpes, and
increased by Araris, but still retaining the first name, fals
into the Mediterranean Sea. This part called Narbon-
ensis, by the benefit of the Ayre and Sunne, yeelds Figges,
Grapes, Cytrons, Peaches, Pomegranates, Chessenuts, rich
Wine, and all delicate fruites, and all the fields are made
odoriferous by wild Rosemary, Myrtels, Palmetrees, and
many sweete hearbes: and the Inhabitants have lately
planted Canes of sugar. To conclude, the Province is
very pleasant and plentifull in all things. On the West
side of Rhodanus, the Tectosages dwelt of old in the
Province called Languadoc, having that name, because the
Inhabitants use Oc for the French Ouy. The chiefe Cities
thereof are Narbona (aforesaid) Mompeliers (of old a
famous University) & Clermont. The Dukedome of
34
OF FRANCE IN GENERAI
Savoy lies in a corner, from the Alps to the mediterranean
Sea, of old inhabited by the Focuntii, and it lying on the
same side of the Alpes with France, is reckoned a part
thereof, but the Duke thereof is an absolute Prince, and
the chiefe City is Chambery. The Province is very
fertile, and where it is more barren, yet affoordes excellent
fruites and all things for foode at a convenient price.
Dolphiny lies betweene the River Rhodanus and the
Dukedome of Savoy, and gives the name of .Dolphin to
the French Kings eldest sonne. Provence is a most
sweete Territory, and hath the Cities, Marseile, (famous
by trade with the Turkes), Arles, and Avignon (subject to
the Pope; for when many Popes were at one time, John
the two and twentieth did long sit in this City, given by
Joane Q.geene of Naples to the Popes in the time of
Clement the sixth, alienated from the Kingdome of Naples
by her, and annexed to the Patrimony of Saint Pet.er, in
the yeere 36o.) The Principalitie of Orange is an
absolute dominion, having the chiefe City of the same
name, and seated betweene Languedoc, Dolphiny, and the
Popes Territorie of Avignon.
The ayre of the Northerne part of France is purer then
that of England, and being not covered with cloudes
drawne out of the Sea as England is, for that cause in
winter becomes more cold, and in summer more hot, and
farre lesse annoied with mists & rainy weather. But on
the other side, more & lesse according to the clyme, the
parts of France lying towards the Mountaines Pirenei and
neerer to the Equinoctiall line, are subject to intemperate
heate, yet often allaied by the winds blowing from the Sea,
and by the shaddow of the Mountaines. This Southerly
part yeeldes all the fruites of Italy, and in the Northerly
parts as in Normandy, they have abundance of Apple and
Peare trees, of which they make great quantity of Sider
and Perry, and this part as towards the Sea it yeelds also
plenty of Corne, so within Land it affoords the like of
Wines. And in the very Northerly Iland called France,
they have plenty of Grapes upon pleasant hils watered
I35
The situation.
[III.iii. 33-]
OF THE FERTILITY OF FRANCE
by sea. They have in time of warre some few men of
warre for piracy, and some few ships to export their com-
modities, but they saile onely to neighbour Countries, as
out of Normandy and Bretaigne, into England, Ireland,
and the Low-Countries, and onely those of Marseile, to
Tripoli in Syria. As for the Colonies which in our Age
they have led into the West Indies, their unhappy successe
therein, hath discouraged them from like new attempts.
And whosoever sees their rich Cities within Land, witness-
ing that their wealth consists in native commodities, more
then trading by Sea, may easily guesse, that they are not
much addicted to Navigation. The French have many
commodities by which they draw forraigne Coynes to
them, but foure especially, Wine, Salt, Linnen course
cloth, and Corne, which in that respect some call the loade-
stones of France. Neither is it a matter of small moment,
that they have many Rivers, giving commodity to the
mutuall trafficke of their Cities.
They have plenty of Flaxe and Hempe, whereof they
make canvas, sayles, ropes, and cables : Neither want they
wooll, whereof they make cloth, little inferiour to the
English cloth, but not in quantity to be exported. Bour-
deaux is a famous City for exportation of Wines, as
Rochell and the neighbour Ports are no lesse for Salt.
France yeeldeth Saffron, and Oade for dying, which they
call Du Pastell, and many small commodities to be
exported, as Cards, Pinnes, Paper, and the like : yea they
export into Spaine, linnen cloathes made thinne with wear-
ing, and sell them there for a good price. The Spaniards
bring into France some quantity of wooll, raysons, Olives,
Oyle, Cytrons, and other fruites, whereof France needes
no great quantity, and Cochenillo for dying. The Portin-
gals bring into France holy Thistle, (an hearbe like a white
thorne, having leaves like cotten on them) and sugar, and
divers kinds of Indian wood, as Fernandbuckewood,
Schomache, Fustocke, and Logwood, and a smal quantity
of Dates. And these carry out of France great quantity
of Linnen cloth, which we call white Roanes, and greater
I37
I605-I 7.
[III.iii. I 34.]
6o5-I 7.
Their Diet.
FYNES MORYSON'S ITINERARY
quantity of vittree Canvas, and Paper, some woollen
cloth, much Corne, especially Wheate, good quantity of
waxe and cardes, and the like commodities. The English
bring into France great quantity of woollen cloaths, called
Kersies and Cottons, Leade, Tynne, English Vitriall, or
Shooemakers blacke, sheepe skinnes, and by stealth other
Hides, forbidden to be exported, great quantity of
Hearrings, and new found land Fish dried, of wooll
(though forbidden to be exported), Oyle, Soape tunned,
Soape ashes, old worne cloakes, and (I know not to what
use) very old shooes, with other native and forraigne
commodities. And they bring from thence Linnen
cloathes, called white Roanes, and Vitree Canvas, Paper,
white and red wines in great quantity, Threed, Saffron,
Waxe, and from Paris Gold and silver. The Hollanders
bring into France two or three kindes of their Linnen
cloathes, Copper, Feathers, and Wier, and they carry
thence the foresaid Linnen cloathes, Wines, Prunes, Paper,
and the above named commodities. The French carry
into Italy Tinne, Lead, dry fish, called Poore John,
(brought to them by the English), and their owne above
named commodities. And they bring out of Italy silke
cloaths, and other Italian commodities. Among the
French, onely those of Marseile trafficke with the Turkes,
and their greatest trade is onely at Tripoli in Syria, who
carry into Turkey Spanish silver, and French Linnen
cloathes, and bring from thence raw silke, spices, gals,
cotton, and Indico for dying.
Old Writers relate that the Gals used to lie on the
ground, to feed on milke and Swines flesh, and to be
given to gluttony. At this day none eate lesse Bacon or
dried flesh for ordinary diet, then the French, yet I cannot
commend their temperance, since all, as well Men as
Weomen, besides dinner and supper, use breakefasts and
bevers, which they call collations and gouster, so eating
foure times in the day. All France abounds with necess-
aries for food, as well all kinds of Cattle, as fruites not
inferiour in some places to those of Italy, and wild Boares,
x38
OF THE DIET IN FRANCE
and Red Deare, (for they have no fallow Deare); and
Birds and Fowle, and all kinds of Fish, affoorded by the
Sea, and their many pleasant rivers, but their Beef is
neither very good, nor much used. Their Sheep are lesse
then ours in England, but the flesh of them is sweete and
savoury. In the Innes they have greater plenty of
Partridges, and divers kinds of Birds, because the
Countrey people neither doe nor may eate them, and the
Gentlemen are generally sparing in their ordinary diet, so
as great plenty of these dainties is brought to the chiefe
Innes. Howsoever England be happy in all aboundance,
and hath some dainties fbr food proper to it selfe, as God-
wits, and some other kinds of Sea Fowle, and especially
fallow Deare and Brawne: Though it passeth France
generally in plenty of Sea Fowles, and as well the variety
as plenty of Sea fishes, yet hath it not such aboundance as
France hath of Land Fowle, or such as haunt the woods
and fields, as Partridges, Feasants, Woodcocks, and the
like, or at least by reason of the common sort not feeding
thereon, and the said spare ordinary diet of the Gentle-
men, France seemeth much more to abound with them,
being common in all the chiefe Innes. I speake of
England in generall, for in some places they so abound
with us, as they beare little or no price.
The French are commended and said to excell others in
boyled meates, sawces, and made dishes, vulgarly called
Qelques choses, but in my opinion the larding of their
meates is not commendable, whereby they take away all
variety of taste, making all meates savor of Porke; and
the French alone delight in mortified meates. They use
not much whitmeates, nor have I tasted there any good
Butter, which our Ambassadours cause to be brought unto
them out of England, and they have onely one good kinde
of Cheeses called Angelots, pleasing more for a kind of
sharpenesse in taste, then for the goodnesse. As well
the Gentlemen as Citizens live more sparingly then the
English in their ordinary private diet, and have not their
Tables so furnished with variety and number of dishes.
I39
4boundance of
Land Fowle.
[III.iii. 35. ]
4 Maid,hers
Superstition.
The Innes.
FYNES MORYSON'S ITINERARY
They dine most with sodden and liquid meates, and sup
with roasted meates, each having his severall sawce: but
their Feasts are more sumptuous then ours, and consist
for the most part of made fantasticall meates and sallets,
and sumptuous compositions, rather then of flesh or birds.
And the cookes are most esteemed, who have best inven-
tion in new made and compounded meats. And as in al
things the French are chearefull and nimble, so the Italians
observe that they eate or swallow their meate swiftly, and
adde, that they are also slovenly at meate, but I would
rather say they are negligent or carelesse, and little curious
in their feeding. And to this purpose I remember an
accident that happened to a Frenchman, eating with us
at the Masters table in a Venetian ship governed by
Greekes, and sailing from Venice to Hierusalem, who
turning his foule trencher to lay meat on the cleane side,
did so offend the Master and all the Marriners, as well
the best as common sort, as they hardly refrained from
offering him violence. For Marriners in generall, but
especially the Greekes are so superstitious, as they tooke
this his negligence in turning his trencher, (being of
like opinion for the turning of any thing in the ship upside
downe) as if it had been an ominous signe, that the ship
should be cast away.
In a Village of Normandy halfe way betweene Roane
and Diepe called Totes, and in like sort in all the Innes
of those parts, before the civill warre, assoone as
passengers lighted from their horses, the Hoast gave them
water to wash, and bread and wine; for the French have
not the patience to expect their supper without some
refection. Then at supper the table was served with
Mutton, a Capon or Pullet, Patridges and like meates,
with a kind of banquet, as in Summer, Apples, Cherries,
and Grapes, and in Winter, Chessenuts, Rice, Raysons,
and stewed Prunes. Then they gave their guests cleane
sheetes, drying them at the tier in their presence, and in
the morning gave them for breakfast some buttered tostes,
or morsell of meate, and for all this together with horse-
OF THE INNS OF FRANCE
meate, each man paid some twenty two or twenty five
soulz; as likewise the bating at noone for horse and man,
cost each some ten soulz. After the civill warre I passed
through these parts, and commonly each meale paid twelve
or fifteene soulz, with worse intertainment, and for breake-
fasts paid severally, but no great rate. Towards the
confines of Flanders, the Hoasts onely cover the table,
and a side table, upon which everie passenger hath his
glasse, for the French are curious not to drinke in another
roans cup, and the Hoasts are onely to bee paid for this
service. Otherwise at times of eating, they call the
Cookes dwelling neere the Innes, who bring the best
meates they have, and when the guests have chosen their
meate, and agreed for the price, they carry it backe to
dresse it, and so send it warme with sawces. In generall,
through the Cities of France, passengers seldome dine at
their Innes, but with some compamons goe to the
Tavernes or Cookes shops: but at night they must eate
with the Hoast that gives them beds, where they shall
have cleane sheetes, and see them dried before their faces,
but they are of course cloth, and very few chambers are
private, but most have three or foure beds, wherein they
lye not single, but for the most part with bedfellowes.
Also the guests aswell Merchants and Gentlemen, as those
of common sort, eate at an ordinary table, and for supper
commonly large with divers roasted meates, each man
payes some fifteene soulz. He that hiers a chamber in
Cities, which he may have well furnished at Paris for some
two Crownes a moneth, he must buy his meate at Cookes
shops, which are frequent and very cleanly, neither is it
any disgrace, as with us, to buy a morsell of meate there,
and to agree for the price before it bee eaten. And they
that hier chambers can have no better conveniency for
diet, either at Paris, or in other Cities. But hee that
stayes long in a Citie, may agree in a Citizens house, or
an Inne for his diet and lodging by the yeere, which hee
may have at Paris in extraordinary sort for some one
hundred fifty Crownes yeerely, and ordinarily for lesse;
6o5-I 7.
Passengers
must eate with
their Hoast.
[III.iii. 36.]
FYNES MORYSON'S ITINERARY
and at Rone for one hundred twenty, or one hundred
Crownes, and in many Cities for eighty Crownes, and in
many good Innes for sixty Crownes yeerely. Drunken-
nesse is reprochfull among the French, and the greater
pa.rt drinke water mingled with wine, and alwaies French
wines, not Sacke or Spanish wines (which are sold as
Phisicke onely by Apothecaries), or other forraigne
Wines, whereof I remember not to have seene any in the
Northerne parts of France. Yet Marriners, Souldiers
and many of the common sort used to drinke Perry and
Syder to very drunkennes, yea, I have seene many drink
wine with like intemperance, and when these kinds of men
sit at drinking, they use much mirth and singing (in which
art they take great delight), as the French in generall are
by nature chearefull and lively. Women for the most
part, and virgins alwaies (except by stealth they offend
against the custome) use to drinke water, except it be in
the Provinces yeelding Perry and Syder, which all sorts
use to drinke without exception. And at Paris I remember
to have seene a poore woman to beg a cup of water,
which being given her, she drunke it off, and went away
merily, as if she had received a good alines.
England.
Of England,
Chap. III.
touching the particular subjects of
the first Chapter.
He Longitude of England extends nine
degrees and a halfe, from the meridian of
thirteene degrees and a halfe to that of
twenty three degrees, and the latitude
extends sixe degrees, from the paralell of
fifty degrees and a halfe to that of fifty
sixe degrees and a halfe. Learned Cam-
den (whom I gladly follow in this description of England)
makes the circuite of all Britany to be one thousand eight
hundred thirty six miles. This is the most famous Iland
OF THE SHIRES OF ENGLAND
of all the World, and is divided into two Kingdomes, that
of England, and that of Scotland. England is sub-
devided into divers Counties or Shyres and Ilands.
r In the description whereof I will first begin with
Cornwall, of old inhabited by the Danmonii. It is for
the most part a Mountanous Country, but the soyle is not
unfirtile, besides that the people incredibly fatten the same
with laying upon it the owes of the Sea, called Orwood,
and a certaine mud. The Sea coast (as Camden writeth,
whom I follow) is beautified with very many Townes,
which have much shipping. The inward parts abound
with a rich vaine of Mettals, where wonderfull quantitie
of most pure Tinne is digged up, and not onely Tinne,
but Gold and Silver with it, and I)yamonds formed into
Angles by nature it selfe, which we call Cornish
Dyamonds. Eringo grows plentifully all along the Sea
side, and with great labour of the Husbandman, they have
such aboundance of Corne, as great quantity of wheate is
yeerely exported thence into Spaine. Also the inhabitants
make great gaine by the fishing of Pilchards, which they
salt and drie in the smoke, and export an huge multitude
of them yeerely into Spaine and Italy. Here is the
famous Mount Michael (of old called Dinsol, and by the
inhabitants the Rock Cana.) This Rocke is somewhat
high and craggy, upon the top whereof is a Chappell,
dedicated to Michael the Arch-Angell. The Towne Fale-
mouth hath a faire Haven, capeable of very many shippes,
and most safe from stormes, where the Rockes doe fortifie
two Castles, built by Henry the eight, and this Haven is
by Ptolomy called Ostium Cenionis.
2 Devonshire likewise inhabited by the I)anmonii, hath
fairer Havens, being no lesse rich in the vaines of Tinne,
and beautified with frequent Townes. In no part of Eng-
land the ground requireth more expence, for m many
places it is barren, till it bee fatted with the Owse or sand
of the Sea, which makes it wonderfully fruitfull, but in the
remotest parts from the Sea, this sand is dearely bought:
The River Plimus gives the name to the Towne Plim-
Devonshire.
I6O5- 7.
[III.iii. I37. ]
Dorsetshire.
8ommgrset.
FYNES MORYSON'S ITINERARY
mouth, of old called Sutton, which grew from a fishers
Village to a faire Towne, by the commoditie of the Haven,
being most safe even for great ships, as well in the said
River, as in another called Tamera. Not farre from
thence is the place, where they fable, that Coryneus
wrastled with Gogmagog, and in this Towne was borne
Sir Francis Drake Knight, the cheefe glory of our Age
for Navigation, who for two yeeres space did with con-
tinual victories as it were besiege the Gulfe of Mexico,
and in the yeere I577, entring the straight of Magellan,
compassed the World in two yeeres and tenne moneths,
with many changes and hazards of Fortune. The Towne
Dortmouth is much frequented with Merchants and strong
shippes, for the commodity of the Haven, fortified with
two Castles. The City Excester called Isen by Ptolomy
and of olde called Monketon of the Monkes, is the cheefe
City of the County, and the seate of the Bishop.
3 Dorsetshire was of old inhabited by the Durotriges.
The Towne Weymouth hath a Castle built by Henry the
eighth, to fortifie the Haven. Dorchester is the cheefe
towne of the County, but neither great nor faire.
4 Sommersetshire was of old inhabited by the Nether-
landers, and is a large and rich County, happy in the
fruitfull soyle, rich Pastures, multitude of Inhabitants, and
commodity of Havens. The chiefe Towne Bridgewater
hath the name of the Bridge and the water. In the Iland
Avallon, (so called in the Britans tongue of the Apples),
which the Latins cals Glasconia, flourished the Monastery
Glastenbury, of great antiquity, derived from Joseph of
Arimathia. Dunstan casting out the ancient Monkes,
brought thither the Benedictines of a later institution, and
himselfe was the first Abbot over a great multitude of
Monkes, indowed with Kingly revenewes. In the Church
yard of this Monastery, they say that the great worthy of
the Britans Prince Arthur hath his Sepulcher. The
Episcopall little City called Wells of the Wells, or
Fountaines, hath a stately Bishops Pallace. The City
Bathe is famous for the medicinall Baths, whereof three
I44
OF THE SHIRES OF ENGLAND
Fountaines spring in the very City, which are wholsome
for bodies nummed with ill humours, but are shut up
certaine howers of the day, that no man should enter them
till by their sluces they be purged of all filth. The
Bishop of Welles buying this City of Henry the first,
removed his Eplscopall seate thither, yet still keeping the
old name of Bishop of Welles, and there built a new
Cathedrall Church. The City Bristowe is compassed with
a double wall, and hath so faire buildings, as well publike
as private houses, as next to London and Yorke, it is
preferred to all other Cities of England.
5 Wilshire was also inhabited by the Belgie or Nether-
landers, and lies all within land, rich in all parts with
pastures and corne. Malmesbury is a faire Towne
famous for the woollen clothes. The Towne Wilton, of
old the cheefe of this County, is now a little Village,
beautified with the stately [pallace of the Earles of [Pen-
broke. The City of Salisbury is made pleasant with
waters running through the streetes, and is beautified with
a stately Cathedrall Church, and the Colledge of the
Deane and [prebends, having rich Inhabitants in so
pleasant a seate, yet no way more famous then by having
John Jewell a late worthy Bishop borne there. Some sixe
miles from Salisbury, is a place in the fields where huge
stones are erected, whereof some are eight and twenty
foote high, and seven broade, standing in three rowes
after the forme of a crowne, uppon which other stones are
so laied acrosse, as it seemes a worke hanging in the Ayre,
whereupon it is called Stoneheng vulgarly, and is reputed
among Miracles, as placed there by Merlin, there being
scarce any stone for ordinary building in the Territory
adjoyning.
6 Hamshire of old was inhabited within Land by the
Belga3 or Netherlanders, and uppon the Sea coast by the
Regni. William the Norman Conquerour, made here a
Forrest for Deare, destroying Towns and holy buildings
for some thirty miles compasse, which ground now well
inhabited, yet serving for the same use, we call New-
M. IV I4 K
LFihhire.
Hamshire.
[III.iii. 138. ]
Barhshire.
FYNES MORYSON'S ITINERARY
Forest. Southampton a faire little City, lies upon the
Sea. Wintchester of old called Venta of the Belgie, was
a famous City in the time of the Romans, and in these
daies it is well inhabited, watered with a pleasant Brooke
and pleasantly seated, and hath an olde Castle; wherein
there hanges against the wall a Table of a round forme
vulgarly called Prince Arthurs round Table : but Camden
thinkes it to have been made long after his time. It hath
a Cathedrall Church, and large Bishops Pallace, and a
famous Colledge founded for training up young Schollers
in learning, whence many learned men have been first sent
to the University, and so into the Church and Common-
wealth. In the Towne or Fort of Portsmouth, lies a
Garrison of souldiers, to defend those parts from the
incursions of the French by Sea.
7 Barkshire was of old inhabited by the Atrebatii.
Newbery a famous Towne inriched by wollen clothes, had
his beginning of the ancient Towne Spina. Windsore is
famous by the Kings Castle, neither can a Kings seate bee
in a more pleasant situation, which draweth the Kings
often to retire thither, and Edward the third kept at one
time John King of France, and David King of Scotland,
captives in this Castle. The same Edward the third built
here a stately Church, and dedicated it to the blessed
Virgin Mary and to S. George the Capadocian, and first
instituted the order of Knights, called of the Garter, as an
happy omen of victory in warre (happily succeeding), who
weare under the left knee a watchet Garter buckled,
having this mot in the French tongue graven in letters
of gold, Hony soit qui real' y pense, and the ceremonies
of this order hee instituted to be kept in this Church.
8 The County of Surry was of old inhabited by the
Regni. Otelands is beautified with the Kins very faire
and pleasant house, as Richmond is with the ings stately
Pallace.
9 The County of Sussex, of old inhabited by the Regni,
hath the faire City Chichester, and the Haven Rhie,
knowne by being the most frequented passage into France.
x46
[lll.iii. 39. ]
Oxfordshire.
FYNES MORYSON'S ITINERARY
fertile in Corne and ffuites, as in some places it yeelds a
hundreth measures of graine for one sowed : but Camden
affirmes this to bee false. The same Vriter affirmes that
the very high waies are full of Appell trees, not planted,
but growing by the nature of the soyle, and that the
fruits so growing, are better then others planted, both in
beauty, taste, and lasting, being to be kept a whole yeere
from rotting. He adds, that it yeelded in his time plenty
of Vines, abounding with Grapes of a pleasant taste, so
as the wines made thereof were not sharpe, but almost as
pleasant as the French wines, which Camden thinkes
probable, there being many places still called Vineyards,
and attributes it rather to the Inhabitants slothfulnesse,
then to the fault of the Ayre or soyle, that it yeeldes not
wine at this day. Tewkesbury is a large and faire Towne,
having three Bridges over three Rivers, and being famous
for making of woollen cloth, for excellent mustard, and
a faire Monastery, in which the Earles of Glocester have
their Sepulchers. The City of Glocester is the cheefe of
the County, through which the Severne runnes, and here
are the famous Hils of Cotswold, upon which great flockes
of sheepe doe feede, yeelding most white wooll, much
esteemed of all Nations. Circester is an ancient City, the
largenesse whereof in old time appeares by the ruines of
the wals. The River Onse springeth in this County,
which after yeeldes the name to the famous River Thames,
falling into it.
x z Oxfordshire also was inhabited by the Dobuni, a
fertile County, the plaines whereof are bewtified with
meadowes and groves, the hils with woods, and not onely
it abounds with corne, but with all manner of cattle, and
game for hunting and hawking, and with many Rivers
full of fish. Woodstocke Towne is famous for the Kings
House and large Parke, compassed with a stone wall,
which is said to have been the first Parke in England,
but our Progenitors were so delighted with hunting, as
the Parkes are now growne infinite in number, and are
thought to containe more fallow Deere, then all the
x4 8
OF THE SHIRES OF ENGLAND
Christian World besides. Histories affirme, that Henry
the second, for his Mistris Rosamond of the Cliffords
house, did build in his house here a labyrinth unpassable
by any without a threed to guide them, but no ruines
thereof now remaine. The Towne it selfe hath nothing
to boast, but that Jeffry Chaucer the English Homer was
borne there. Godstowe of old a Nunnery, is not farre
distant, where Rosamond was buried. Oxford is a famous
University, giving the name to the County, and was so
called of the Foorde for Oxen, or of the Foorde, and the
River Onse.
13 Buckinghamshire was of old inhabited by the
Cattienchiani (which Camden thinks to be the Cassei), and
it hath a large and pleasant towne called Ailsbury, which
gives the name to the Valley adjoyning. The city
Buckingham is the chiefe of the County, and the Towne
of Stonystratford is well knowne for the faire Innes and
stately Bridge of stone.
14 Bedfordshire had the same old inhabitants, and hath
the name of Bedford the chiefe Towne.
15 Hertfordshire had the same old inhabitants, and the
chiefe Towne is Hertford. In this County is the stately
house Thibaulds, for building, Gardens and Walks. Saint
Albons is a pleasant Towne, full of faire Innes.
16 Midlesex County was of old inhabited by the Trino-
bants, called Mercii in the time of the Saxon Kings. In
this County is the Kings stately pallace Hamptencourt,
having many Courtyards compassed with sumptuous
buildings. London, the seate of the Brittans Empire, and
!he Chamber of the Kings of England, is so famous, as
at needes not bee praysed. It hath Colledges for the
studie of the municiple Lawes, wherein live many young
Gentlemen Students of the same. The little citie West-
minster of old more then a mile distant, is now by faire
buildings joyned to London, and is famous for the Church
(wherein the Kings and Nobles have stately Sepulchers)
and for the Courts of Justice at Westminster Hall, where
the Parliaments are extraordinarily held, and ordinarily
I49
I6O5-I 7.
BedfordJhire.
HertfordJhire.
M idletex.
Suffolke.
Norfolke.
FYNES MORYSON'S ITINERARY
the Chancerie & Kings Bench, with like Courts. Also it
hath the Kings stately Pallace called Whitehall, to which
is joyned the Parke and house of Saint James. The Citie
of London hath the sumptuous Church of Saint Paul,
beautified with rich Sepulchers, and the Burse or Exchange
a stately house built for the meeting of Merchants : a very
sumptuous and wonderfull Bridge built over the Thames:
rich shops of Gold-smiths in Cheapeside, and innumerable
statelie Pallaces, whereof great part lye scattered in unfre-
quented lanes.
17 Essex County had of old the same inhabitants, and
it is a large Teritorie, yeelding much Corne and Saffron,
enriched by the Ocean, and with pleasant Rivers for
fishing, with Groves, and many other pleasures : It hath a
large Forrest for hunting, called Waltham Forrest.
Chensford is a large and faire Towne, neere which is New-
Hall the stately Pallace of the Ratcliffes Earles of Sussex.
Colchester is a faire City, pleasantly seated, well inhabited,
and beautified with fifteene Churches, which greatly
flourished in the time of the Romans. Harewich is a safe
Haven for ships. Saffron Walden is a faire Towne, the
fields whereof yeeld plenty of Saffron, whereof it hath
part of the name.
x8 The County of Suffolke was of old inhabited by
the Iceni, and it is large, the soile fertile, pleasant in
groves, and rich in pastures to fat Cattle, where great
quantity of Cheese is made and thence exported. Saint
Edmondsberry vulgarly called Berry, is a faire Towne, and
so is Ipswich, having stately built Churches and houses,
and a commodious Haven.
9 The County of Norfolke had of old the same
Inhabitants, and it is a large almost all Champion
Countrey, very rich, and abounding with sheepe, and
especially with Conies, fruitfull and most populous. The
City Norwich chiefe of the County, deserves to be
numbered among the chiefe Cities of England, for the
riches, populousnesse, beauty of the Houses, and the faire
building of the Churches. Yarmouth is a most faire
15o
OF THE SHIRES OF ENGLAND
Towne, fortified by nature and diligent Art, and hath a
very faire Haven. Upon the bay which Ptolomy names,
/Estuarium Metaris, vulgarly called the Washes, lieth the
large Towne of Linne, famous for the safety of the Haven,
most easie to be entred, for the concourse of Merchants
and the faire buildings.
2c) Cambridgeshire had of old the same Inhabitants,
and consists all of open corne fields, (excepting some places
yeelding Saffron), and it gives excellent Barly, of which
steeped till it spring againe, they make great quantity of
Mault to brew Beere, in such quantity as the Beere is
much exported even into. forraigne parts, and there highly
esteemed. Cambridge s a famous University, seated
upon the River Grant, by others called Came, of which
and the Bridge over the same, it is called Cambridge.
The Northerne part of this County consists of Ilands
greene and pleasant in Summer, but all covered with water
in the Winter, whereof the cheefe called Ely, gives the
name to all the rest, called (as if they were but one Iland,)
the Ile of Ely, the cheefe Towne whereof called also Ely,
is famous for being the seate of a Bishop.
2I Huntingdonshire had of old the same Inhabitants,
the cheefe Towne whereof is Huntingdon.
22 Northamptonshire was of old inhabited by the
Coritani, and is a Countrey most painefully tilled and full
of Inhabitants. Northampton is the cheefe City large and
walled. Peterborow is the seate of a Bishop. Neere
Stamford is the stately Pallace Burleigh, built by William
the first, Lord Burleigh.
23 Leycestershire had of old the same Inhabitants, a
Champion Country and fruitfull in bearing Corne. In
Lutterworth a little Towne of Trade, John Wickliffe was
Pastor or Minister. Leicester the cheefe City, hath more
antiquitie then beauty.
24 Rutlandshire had of old the same Inhabitants, and is
the least County of England, and had the name of the red
Earth. The Towne of Uppingham deserves no other
mention, then that it is the cheefe Towne of the County.
Cambridge-
shire.
Huntingdon-
shire.
Northampton-
shire.
Rutlandshire.
[III.iii. I43. ]
FYNES MORYSON'S ITINERARY
36 Monmouthshire had of old the same inhabitants,
and is so called of the chiefe Towne, no way so glorious,
as in that Henry the fifth Conquerer of France was borne
there. It hath also another faire Towne called Chepstow.
37 Glamorganshire the fourth County of Wales, had of
old the same inhabitants, and the chiefe Citie Caerdiffe
hath a commodious Haven.
38 Caermardenshire the fifth County of Wales, was of
old inhabited by the Dimeta3, and is fruitefull in Corne,
abounds in Sheepe, and in some places yeelds Pit-coale.
It hath the name of the chiefe Citie, where Merlin was
borne, begotten by an Incubus Devill, whom the common
people tooke for a most famous Prophet.
39 Pembrookeshire the sixth County of Wales, had of
old the same inhabitants. Here a long neck of land
makes an Haven, called Milford haven, then which Europe
hath not a more noble Haven, or more safe, or more large,
with many creekes and safe roades, made more famous by
the landing of H. the seventh. Pembrook is the chiefe
Towne of the County. The Flemming having their
Townes drowned by the Sea, had a Territorie of this
County given them to inhabit by Henry the first, before
Wales was subdued, and they ever remained most faithfull
to the Kings of England.
40 Kardiganshire the seventh County of Wales, and
had of old the same inhabitants, and hath the name of the
chiefe City.
41 Montgomeryshire the eight County of Wales, was
of old inhabited by the Ordovices, and hath the name of
the chiefe Towne.
42 Merionethshire the ninth County of Wales, had of
old the same Inhabitants, where upon the mountaines
great flockes of sheepe feede, without any danger of the
wolfe : for the wolves were destroied through all England,
when Edgar King of England imposed the yeerely tribute
of three hundreth wolves upon Luduall Prince of Wales.
The little and poore towne Bala, is the cheefe of this
Mountenous people.
I56
OF THE SHIRES OF rA.LES
43 Caernarvonshire the tenth County of Wales, had of
old the same Inhabitants, and was called Snodenforest,
before Wales was reduced into Counties, so called of the
mountaines, whose tops are alwaies white with snow,
deserving to be named the Alps of Britany; and it is
certaine that there be lakes and standing waters upon the
tops of those Mountaines. The walled City Caernarvon
cheefe of the County, hath a most faire Castle, built by
Edward the first, wherein his sonne Edward the second
was borne, and named thereof. Bangor (that is, faire
Chancell) is the seate of a Bishop. Aberconway deserves
the name of a strong and faire little City, rather then of
a Towne, save that it is not full of Inhabitants.
44 Denbighshire the eleventh County of Wales, had of
old the same Inhabitants, and hath the name of the cheefe
Towne, well inhabited. The little Village Momglath had
the name of the mines of lead, which that pleasant terri-
tory yeelds. Not far thence is the Towne Wrexham,
bewtified with a most faire Tower, called the Holy Tower,
and commended for the musicall Organes in the Church.
45 The little County Flintshire the twelfth of Wales,
had of old the same Inhabitants, the fields whereof the
first yeere after they have line fallow, yeeld more then
twenty measures for one, in some places of Barly, in other
places of Wheate, and generally of Rie, and after for foure
or five yeeres, yeel.d Oates. Holiwell (named of the
sacred Fountaine) is a little Towne, where is the
Fountaine of Winefrede a Christian Virgin, who being
deftoured by force, there was killed by the Tyrant, and
this Fountaine is farre and greatly famous for the Mosse
there growing of a most pleasant smell. A faire Chappell
of Free stone is built upon the very Fountaine, and a little
streame runnes out of it among stones, upon which a
certaine bloody humour growes. The Castle Flint gave
the name to the County.
46 I will omit Anglesey the thirteenth County of
Wales, because it is to be described among the Ilands.
47 Yorkeshire is the farre largest County of all Eng-
I6O5-X7.
Other Shires
of England.
A.Do
6o5-7.
l'orkshire.
[III.iii. 44-]
FYNES MORYSON'S ITINERARY
land, and was of old inhabited by the Brigantes. In the
Forrest called Hatfield Chase, are great Heards of red
Deare and Harts. The Townes of Sheffield and Dan-
caster are well knowne, but of all other Hallifax is most
famous, for the Priviledges and the rare Law, by which any
one found in open theft, is without delay beheaded, and
boasteth that John de sacra bosco (of the Holy Wood)
who writ of the Sphere, was borne there. Wakefield is a
famous Towne for making Woollen cloth. Pontfreit
named of the broken bridge, is a towne fairely built, and
hath a Castle as stately built as any can be named. Neere
the little Village Towton are the very Pharsalian fields of
England, which did never see in any other place so great
Forces, and so many Nobles in Armes, as here, in the
yeere I46I , when in the civill warres, the faction of Yorke
in one battell killed five and thirty thousand of the Lan-
castrian faction. Neere the Castle Knarsborow, is the
Fountaine called Droppingwell, because the waters distill
by drops from the rockes, into which any wood being cast,
it hath been observed, that in short space it is covered
with a stony rinde, and hardens to a stone. Rippen had
a most flourishing Monastery, where was the most famous
needle of the Archbishop Wilfred. It was a narrow hole,
by which the chastity of women was tried, the chaste
easily passing through it, but others being detained and
held fast, I know not by what miracle or art. Neare the
little towne Burrobridge, is a place, where stand foure
Pyramides, the Trophees of the Romans, but of rude
workmanship. Yorke the chiefe Citie of the Brigantes,
is the second of all England, and the seate of an Arch-
bishop. The Emperour Constantius Chlorus died there,
and there begat his sonne Constantine the great of his
first wife Helena, whereof may be gathered, how much
this seate of the Emperours flourished in those daies. By
a Pall (or Archbishops cloake) sent from Pope Honorius,
it was made a Metropolitan Citie over twelve Bishops in
England, and al the Bishops of Scotland, but some five
hundred yeeres past, all Scotland fell from this Metro-
5 8
OF THE SHIRES OF ENGLAND
politan seate, and it selfe hath so devoured the next
Bishoprickes, as now it onely hath primacy over foure
English Bishops, of Durham, of Chester, of Carlile, and
the Bishop of the Ile of man. Henry the eight did here
institute a Councell (as he did also in Wales) not unlike
the Parliaments of France, to give arbitrary justice to
the Northerne inhabitants, consisting of a President,
Counsellors, as many as the King shall please to appoint,
a Secretary, &c. Hull a well knowne Citie of trade, lyes
upon the River Humber, where they make great gaine
of the Iseland fish, called Stockfish. Upon the very
tongue, called Spurnehead of the Promontory, which
Ptolorny, calles Ocellum, vulgarly called Holdernesse, is
a place famous by the landing of Henry the fourth. Scar-
borrough is a famous Castle, where in the sea is great
fishing of Herrings.
48 Richmondshire had of old the same i,ahabitants, and Richmen-
the Mountaines plentifully yeeld leade, pit-coales, and shire.
some brasse, upon the tops whereof stones are found,
which have the figures of shelfishes and other fishes of the
neighboring sea. Neare the Brookes Helbechs (as
infernal), are great heards of Goates, Fallow and Red-
Deare, and Harts (notable for their greatnesse, and the
spreading of their hornes.) Richmond is the chiefe Citie
of the County.
49 The Bishoprick of Durham had of old the same The Bishop-
inhabitants, and the land is very gratefull to the plower, rick f
striving to passe his labour in fruitfulnesse. It is pleasant Durham.
in Meadowes, Pastures and groves, and yeelds great
plenty of digged Coales, called Sea-coales. The Bishops
were of old Counts Palatine, and had their royall rightes,
so as Traytors goods fell to them, not to the Kings.
Edward the first tooke away these priviledges, and Edward
the sixth dissolved the Bishopricke, till Qeene Mary
restored all to the Church, which it injoies to this day,
but the Bishop in Q.eene Elizabeths time, challenging the
goods of the Earle of Westmerland rebelling, the Parlia-
ment interposed the authority therof, and for the time
I59
OF THE ISLANDS OF ENGLAND
dini, and the inhabitants of our time, now exercising
themselves in warre against the Scots, now resisting their
incursions upon these borders, are very warlike and
excellent light Horsemen. In very many places this
County yeelds great quantity of Sea coales. Newcastle is
a faire and rich City, well fortified against the incursions
of the bordering Scots, whence aboundance of Sea coales
is transported into many parts. Barwicke is the last and
best fortified Towne of all Britany, in which a Garrison of
Souldiers was maintained against the incursions of the
Scots, till the happy Raigne of James King of England
and Scotland.
To describe breefly the Ilands of England. In the
narrow Sea into which the Severne fals, are two little
Ilands I Fatholme, and 2 Stepholme, and the 3 Iland
Barry, which gave the name to the Lord Barry in Ireland.
There is also the 4 Iland Caldey, and that of 5 Londay
much more large, having a little Towne of the same name,
and belonging to Devonshire.
On the side upon Pembrookeshire, are the Ilands 6
Gresholme; 7 Stockholme, and 8 Scalmcy, yeelding
grasse and wild thime. Then Northward followes 9
Lymen, called Ramsey by the English, and Saint Davids
Ilands, right over against the seate of the Bishop of Saint
Davy. Next is the IO Iland called Enhly by the Welsh
Britans, and Berdsey (as the Ile of Birds) by the English,
wherein they report that twenty thousand Saints lie buried.
Next lies I I Mona, (that is the shadowed or dusky
Iland) which after many yeeres being conquered by the
English, was by them called Anglesey, (as the Iland of the
English). It is a most noble Iland, the old seate of the
Druides (Priests so called of old), and so fruitfull, as it is
vulgarly called the Mother of XNales, the cheefe Towne
whereof is Beaumarish. Neere that lies 2 Prestholme,
(that is, the Priests Iland), whereof the Inhabitants and
Neighbours make incredible reports for the multitude of
Sea Fowle there breeding.
Next followes 13 Mona or Monoeda, (as the farther
M. IV I61 L
AoDJ
I6O5-I7.
[III.iii.45. ]
The lland
of Enland.
tnglesey.
OF THE ISLANDS OF ENGLAND
who being beheaded for Treason, the Iland fell by right to
Henry the fourth King of England, who assigned the same
to Henry Pearcy Earle of Northumberland, with proviso
that he and his Heires at the coronation of the Kings of
England, should carry the Sword, (vulgarly called Lan-
caster Sword) before the King, but the same Persey being
also killed in civill warre, the King gave that Iland to
Stanlye, from whom discend the Earles of Darby, who
kept the same, till Ferdinand Earle of Darby dying with-
out heire male, and the Earledome falling to his Brother,
but this Iland to his Daughters, as Heires generall, Qeene
Elizabeth thinking it unfit that Women should bee set
over her Souldiers there in garrison, gave the keeping
thereof to Sir Thomas Gerrard. But King James the
foureteenth of August in the fifth yeere of his Raigne,
granted by Letters Pattents this Iland with all things
thereunto appertaining, to Henry Earle of Northampton,
and Robert Earle of Salisbury, their Heires and Assignes
for ever, they upon doing homage for the same, presenting
his Majesty with two Falcons, and his Heires and
Successours at their Coronation in like sort with two
Falcons. And howsoever no use or intent of this grant
be mentioned in these Letters Pattents, yet no doubt the
grant was made to the use of those upon whose humble
petition to his Majesty the Letters Pattents were granted,
as therein is expressely declared, namely of William Lord
Stanly, Earle of Darby, heire male to John Lord Stanly,
and of Elizabeth Countesse of Huntington, Anne wife
to the Lord Chandois, and Francis wife to Sir John
Egerton Knight, being the Heires generall of the said
John Lord Stanly.
The famous River Thames fals into the German Ocean
over against Zeland, and before it fals into the same,
makes the (I4) Iland Canvey upon the Coast of Essex,
so low as it is often overflowed, all but some higher hils,
to which the sheepe retire, being some foure thousand in
number, the flesh whereof is of delicate taste, and they
are milked by young men. Neere that is the (I5) Iland
x63
[III.iii.46. ]
lland Canvey.
x6o5-7.
The lle of
Gerzey and
Garntey.
FYNES MORYSON'S ITINERARY
Sheppey, so called of the sheepe, wherein is Q.ginborrough
a most faire Castle kept by a Constable. Without the
mouth of Thames, lie the shelfes or sands dangerous to
Sea men, which of the greatest, are all called Goodwin
sands, where they say an Iland the patrimony of the same
Earle Goodwinn was devoured by the Sea in the yeere
lO97.
In the Britan Sea lies the (16) Ile of Wight, having in
the Sea most plentifull fishing, and the Land being so
fruitfull as they export Corne, besides that in all parts it
hath plenty of Conies, Hares, Partridges, and Feasanes,
and hath also two Parkes of Fallow Deare. Also the
sheepe feeding there upon the pleasant hils, yeeld wool in
goodnesse next to the Fleeces of Lemster and Cotswold
Flockes. It hath sixe and thirty Townes and Castles, and
the Ecclesiasticall Jurisdiction thereof belongs to the
Bishop of Wintchester. Towards the West lie other
Ilands pretented to be French, but subject to England,
namely, ( 7) Gerzey (whither condemned men were of old
banished) & (18) Garnsey, neither so great nor so fruitful,
but having a more commodious Haven, upon which lles
the Towne of Saint Peter : both Ilands burne a weede of
the Sea, or Sea coales brought out of England, and both
speake the French Language. I omit the seven Iles called
Siadre, and others adjoyning, and will onely adde that the
Ilands lie neere Cornewall, which the Greekes called Hes-
perides, the Engl!sh call Silly, and the Netherlanders call
Sorlings, being n number some 145 more or lesse,
whereof some yeeld Wheate, all abound with Conies,
Cranes, Swannes, Hirnshawes, and other Sea Birdes. The
greatest of them is called Saint Mary, and hath a Castle
wherein Souldiers lie in Garrison, committed in our time
to the keeping of Sir Francis Godolphin, and after to his
sonne Sir William Godolphin, being of a noble Family in
Cornewall. Also many of the said Ilands have vaines
of Tynne, and from hence was Leade first carried into
Greece, and the Roman Emperours banished condemned
men hither, to worke in the Mines of mettall.
i64
OF THE FERTILITY OF ENGLAND
The ayre of England is temperate, but thicke, cloudy
and misty, and Cesar witnesseth, that the cold is not so
piercing in England as in France. For the Sunne draweth
up the vapours of the Sea which compasseth the Iland,
and distills them upon the earth in frequent showers of
raine, so that frosts are somewhat rare ; and howsoever
Snow may often fall in the Winter time, yet in the
Southerne parts (especially) it seldome lies long on the
.round. Also the coole blasts of Sea winds, mittigate
-he heat of Summer.
By reason of this temper, Lawrell and Rosemary
flourish all Winter, especially in the Southerne parts, and in
Summer time England y..eelds Abricots plentifully, Muske
melons in good quantxty, and Figges in some places,
all which ripen well, and happily imitate the taste and
goodnesse ot the same fruites in Italy. And by the same
reason all beasts brin forth their young in the open fields,
even in the time ot Winter; and England hath such
aboundance of Apples, Peares, Cherries, and Plummes,
such variety of them, and so good in all respects, as no
countrie yeelds more or better, for which the Italians
would gladly exchange their Citrons and Oranges. But
upon the Sea coast, the winds many times blast the fruites
in the very flower.
The English are so naturally inclined to pleasure, as
there is no Countrie, wherein the Gentlemen and Lords
have so many and large Parkes onely reserved for the
pleasure of hunting, or where all sorts of men alot so
much ground about their houses for pleasure of Gardens
and Orchards. The very Grapes, especially towards the
South and West are of a pleasant taste, and I have said,
that in some Counties, as in Glostershire, they made Wine
of old, which no doubt many parts would yeeld at this day,
but that the inhabitants forbeare to plant Vines, aswell
because they are served plentifully, and at a good rate
with French wines, as for that the hilles most fit to beare
Grapes, yeeld more commoditie by feeding of Sheepe and
Cattell. Cesar writes in his Commentaries, that Britany
I605-I 7.
The situation.
The fertility
and traffcke.
[III.iii.147. ]
The English
Beere.
FYNES MORYSON'S ITINERARY
yeelds white Leade within land, and Iron upon the Sea-
coasts. No doubt England hath unexhaustible vaines of
both, and also of Tinne, and yeelds great quantitie of
Brasse, and of Allom and Iron, and abounds with quarries
of Free-stone, and Fountaines of most pure Salt; and I
formerly said that it yeelds some _quantity of Silver, and
that the Tinne and Leade is mingled with Silver, but so,
as it doth not largely quit the cost of the labour in seperat-
ing or trying it. Two Cities yeeld medicinall Baths,
namely, Buxstone and Bathe, and the waters of Bathe
especially, have great vertue in many diseases. England
abounds with Sea-coales upon the Sea-coast, and with Pit-
coales within land. But the Woods at this day are rather
frequent and pleasant then vast, being exhausted for tier,
and with Iron-milles, so as the quantity of wood and
charcoale for tier, is much deminished, in respect of the
old abundance, and in some places, as in the Fennes they
burne Turffe, and the very dung of Cowes. Yet in the
meane time England exports great quantity of Seac0ale
to lorraine parts. In like sort England hath infinite
quantity, as of Mettalls, so of Wooll, and of Woollen
cloathes to be exported. The English Beere is fixnous in
Netherland and lower Germany, which is made of Barley
and Hops; for England yeelds plenty of Hops, howso-
ever they also use Flemish Hops. The Cities of lower
Germany upon the sea, forbid the publike selling of
English Beere, to satisfie their owne brewers, yet privately
swallow it like Nectar. But in Netherland, great and
incredible quantity thereof is spent. England abounds
with corne, which they may transport, when a quarter (in
some places containing sixe, in others eight bushels)is
sold for twenty shillings, or under; and this corne not
onely serves England, but also served the English _Army
in the civil warres of Ireland, at which time they als0
exported great quantity thereof into forraigne parts, and
by Gods mercy England scarce once in ten yeeres needes
supply of forraigne Corne, which want commonly pro-
ceeds of the covetousnesse of private men, exporting or
x66
I6OS-I 7.
Catte#.
The King
Forrem.
FYNES MORYSON'S ITINERARY
Broad cloth, it yeelds for clothing many Stuffes, whereof
great quantitie is also exported. And I will not omit, that
howsoever it hath silke from forraigne parts, yet the
English silke stockings are much to bee preferred before
those of Italy, Spaine, or any part in the World.
England abounds in Cattell of all kinds, and particularly
hath very great Oxen, the flesh whereof is so tender, as
no meate is more desired. The Cowes are also great
with large udders, yeelding plenty of Whitmeates, no part
in the World yeelding greater variety, nor better of that
kind. And the hides of Oxen are (contrary to the
common good) exported in great quantity by unjustifiable
licenses, though strictly forbidden by many Statutes. The
flesh of Hogges and Swine is more savoury, then in any
other parts, excepting the bacon of V:estphalia, and of the
Southerne Ilands, where they commonly feede on Rootes
and Chesnuts. The goodnesse of the Sheepe may be con-
jectured by the excellency of the wooll, and wollen
clothes, which Sheepe are subject to rotting, when they
feede on low wet grounds, excepting the Marshes over-
flowed by the sea, which for the saltnesse are held very
wholsome for them, and these rots often destroy whole
flocks, for they seldome drinke, but are moistned by the
dewes falling in the night. And the feeding of Sheep.e,
upon like accident of diseases, often undoes the owner m
his estate, but more commonly preserved from that ill,
they inrich many, so as it is proverbially said, He whose
Sheepe stand, and wives die (the husbands gaining their
dowries) must needs be rich.
The Kings Forrests have innumerable beards of Red
Deare, and all parts have such plenty of Fallow Deare, as
every Gentleman of five hundreth or a thousand pounds
rent by the yeere hath a Parke for them inclosed with
pales of wood for two or three miles compasse. Yet this
prodigall age hath so forced Gentlemen to improve their
revenewes, as many of these grounds are by them dis-
parked, and converted to feede Cattell. Lastly (without
offence be it spoken) I will boldly say, that England (yea
x68
OF THE BEASTS OF ENGLAND
perhaps one County thereof) hath more fallow Deare, then
all Europe that I have seene. No Kingdome in the
World hath so many Dove-houses.
I formerly said, that the Wolves were altogether
destroied in England and Wales, so as the Sheepe feede
freely in the fields and Mountaines. England hath much
more Dogges aswell for the severall kinds, as the number
of each kind, then any other Territorie of like compasse
in the World, not onely little Dogges for beauty, but
hunting and xvater-Dogges, whereof the bloud-Hounds
and some other have admirable qualities. It hath infinite
number of Conies, whereof the skinnes (especially black
and silver haired) are much prised, and in great quantity
transported, especially into Turkey. The Nagges and
Gueldings are singular for the Gentle ambling pace, and
for strength to performe great journies. So are the hunt-
ing Horses of exceeding swiftnes, much esteemed in
forraigne parts, especially in France and Scotland, and of
both kinds the number is infinite. The great Horses for
service, and to draw Coaches and carts, are of like number
and goodnes, and one kinde for service, called the Corser
(as bred of the Neapolitan Corsers and English Mares)
yeelds not for bravery of race to the Neapolitan Corsers,
or Spanish Gennets. I said that they are all strong, and
the horses for jornies indefatigable, for the English,
especially Northerne men, ride from day breake to the
evening without drawing bit, neither sparing their horses
nor themselves, whence is the Proverb, that England is
the Hell of Horses, the Purgatory of Servants, and the
Paradise of Women; because they ride Horses without
measure, and use their Servants imperiously, and their
Women obsequiously.
The Gentlemen disdaine trafficke, thinking it to abase
Gentry: but in Italy with graver counsell, the very
Princes disdaine not to be Merchants by the great, and
hardly leave the retailing commodity to men of inferiour
sort. And by this course they preserve the dignity and
patrimony of their progenitors, suffering not the sinew
169
Dogges
[III.iii.149. ]
Of the
FYNES MORYSON'S ITINERARY
of the Commonwealth, upon any pretence to be wrested
out of their hands. On the contrary, the English and
French, perhaps thinking it unjust to leave the common
sort no meanes to be inriched by their industry, and judg-
ing it equall, that Gentlemen should live of their
revenews, Citizens by trafficke, and the common sort by
the Plough and manuall Artes, as divers members of one
body, doe in this course daily sell their patrimonies, and
the buyers (excepting Lawyers) are for the most part
Citizens and vulgar men. And the daily feeling of this
mischiefe, makes the error apparant, whether it be the
prodigalitie of the Gentry (greater then in any other
Nation or age), or their too charitable regard to the
inferiour sort, or rashnesse or slothfulnesse, which cause
them to neglect and despise traffick, which in some
Commonwealths, and namely in England passeth all other
commodities, and is the very sinew of the Kingdome. I
have at large related in this booke treating of Poland, the
English trafficke in the Baltick Sea, and treating of
Germany, their trafficke with the Hans Cities, and so
treatin, of other severall States, the En lish traffick with
each ol them, so as it were lost labour tg]epeate it againe.
Onely for Spaine, whereof I had no cause to speake touch-
ing their trafficke with England, I will adde, that the
English carry into Spaine Wollen clothes, Saffron, Wax
and Corne, and bring from thence Oyle, Fruits, Sacks and
sweet wines, Indian spices with Gold and Silver.
And in generall I wil observe, that England abounds
with rich commodities of their owne, and exports them
with their own ships, from very Iseland and Moscovye to
both the Indies, and at this day buy not so much of the
Turkes as they were wont, but by long Navigation fetch
Spices and like commodities from the farthest East Indies.
So as the shipping of England must needs be very great
in number and strength. But of Englands Navall glory,
I must speake at large in the discourse of that Common-
wealth. In the meane time I freely professe, that in my
opinion the English Marriners are more daring then any
OF THE DIET OF ENGLAND
other Nation, in stormes of winds, raging of Seas, and
thundring of Ordinance in Navall fights. And if any
stranger take me of too much boasting in this point, I
desire him to consider of Martin Furbushers attempts in
the frozen Sea, of Sir Francis Drakes, and Sir Thomas
Candishes dangerous Navigations round about the world ;
and if these things shal not move him, the worst I wish
him is, that in person he may experience their courage and
art in a fight upon equall termes.
Cesar in the fourth Chapter and fifth booke of his
Commentaries, writes thus of the Britans dyet. It is
unlawfull for them to taste Hares, Geese, or Hennes, yet
they keepe them all for their pleasure, and the inward
parts sow no Corne, but live upon milke and flesh. At
this day the English inhabitants eate almost no flesh more
commonly then Hennes, and for Geese they eate them in
two seasons, when they are fatted upon the stubble, after
Harvest, and when they are greene about Whitsontide,
at which time they are held for dainties; and howsoever
Hares are thought to nourish melancoly, yet they are
eaten as Venison, both rosted and boyled. They have
also great plenty of Connies, the flesh whereof is fat,
tender, and much more delicate then any I have eaten in
other parts, so as they are in England preferred before
Hares, at which the Germans wonder, who having no
Venison (the Princes keeping it proper to themselves, and
the hunting of Hares being proper to the Gentlemen in
most parts), they esteeme Hares as Venison, and seldom
eate Connies, being there somewhat rare, and more like
rosted Cats then the English Connies.
The English Husbandmen eate Barley and Rye browne
bread, and preferre it to white bread as abiding longer in
the stomack, and not so soone digested with their labour,
but Citizens and Gentlemen eate most pure white bread,
England yeelding (as I have said) all kinds of Corne in
plenty. I have formerly said, that the English have
aboundance of Whitmeates, of all kindes of Flesh, Fowle
and Fish, and of all things good for foode, and in the
ITI
Their dyer.
[lIl.iii. 50.]
Cookery.
FYNES MORYSON'S ITINERARY
discourse of the French dyet, I have shewed, that the
English have some proper dainties, not knowne in other
parts, which I will in a word repeate. The Oysters of
England were of old carried as farre as Rome, being more
plentifull and savorie, then in any other part. England
hath aboundance of Godwits, and many Sea-fowles, which
be rare, or altogether unknowne elsewhere. In the
seasons of the yeere the English eate Fallow deare plenti-
fully, as Bucks in Summer, and Does in Winter, which
they bake in Pasties, and this Venison Pasty is a dainty,
rarely found in any other Kingdome. Likewise Brawne
,s a proper meate to the English, and not knowne to
others. They have strange variety of Whitmeates, and
likewise of preserved banquetting stuffe, in which
Preserves l:rance onely may compare with them. It is
needelcsse to repeate the rest, and I should bee tedious,
if I should search particularly like dainties, which the
English have only, or in greater abundance then other
Nations. In generall, the Art of Cookery is much
esteemed in England, neither doe any sooner finde a
Master, then men of that profession, and howsoever they
are most esteemed, which for all kinds are most exquisite
in that Art; yet the English Cookes, in comparison with
other Nations, are most commended for roasted meates.
As abundance of all things makes them cheape, so
riches (preferring a gluttonous appetite before Gold), and
the prodigalitie of Gentlemen (who have this singular
folly, to offer more then things are worth, as if it were a
point of dignity to pay more then others), and lastly the
great moneys of silver, and the not having small coynes
or brasse monies to pay for small matters, these things (I
say) in this great plenty make us poore, and greatly
increase the prices of all things. Also the said abundance,
and the riches vulgarly increased, and the old custome of
the English, make our tables plentifully furnished, where-
upon other Nations esteeme us gluttons and devourers of
flesh, yet the English tables are not furnished with many
dishes, all for one roans diet, but severally for many mens
OF THE DIET OF ENGLAND
apetite, and not onely prepared for the family, but for
strangers and reliefe of the poore. I confesse, that in
such plenty and variety of meates, everie man cannot use
moderation, nor understandeth that these severall meates
are not for one man, but for severall appetites, that each
may take what hee likes. And I confesse, that the English
custome, first to serve grosse meates, on which hunger
spares not to feede, and then to serve dainties, which invite
to eate without hunger, as likewise the longe sitting and
discoursing at tables, which makes men unawares eate
more, then the Italians can doe at their solitary tables,
these things (I say) give us just cause to cry with Socrates,
God deliver mee from meates, that invite to eate beyond
hunger. But the Italian Sansovine is much deceived,
writing, that in generall the English eate and cover the
table at least foure times in the day; for howsoever those
that journey, and some sickly men staying at home, may
perhaps take a small breakfast, yet in generall the English
eate but two meales (of dinner and supper) each day, and I
could never see him that useth to eate foure times in the
day. And I will professe for my selfe and other English-
men, passing through Italy so famous for temperance, that
wee often observed, that howsoever wee might have a
Pullet and some flesh prepared for us, eating it with a
moderate proportion of bread, the Italians at the same
time, with a Charger full of hearbs for a sallet, and with
rootes, and like meates of small price, would each of them
eate two or three penny-worth of bread. And since all
fulnesse is ill, and that of bread worst, I thinke wee were
more temperate in our dyer, though eating more flesh,
then they eating so much more bread then wee did. It
is true that the English prepare largely for ordinarie dyer
for themselves and their friendes comming by chance, and
at feastes for invited friendes are so excessive an the
number of dishes, as the table is not thought well
furnished, except they stand one upon another. Neither
use they to set drinke on the Table, for which no roome
is left, but the Cuppes and Glasses are served in upon a
x73
I6O5-I7.
The English
[III.iii., 5 -]
I605-I 7.
FYNES MORYSON'S ITINERARY
side Table, drinke being offered to none, till they call for
it. That the old English Hospitality was (I will boldly
say) a meere vice, I have formerly shewed in the discourse
of the Italian diet, which let him reade, who shall thinke
this as dissonant from truth, as it is from the vulgar
opinion.
If any stranger desire to abide long in a City or Uni-
versity, he may have his Table with some Citizen of the
better sort, at a convenient rate, according to his quality,
from ten pound to twenty pound yeerely.
I have heard some Germans complaine of the English
Innes, by the high way, as well for dearenesse, as for that
they had onely roasted meates: But these Germans land-
ing at Gravesend, perhaps were injured by those knaves,
that flocke thither onely to deceive strangers, and use
Englishmen no better, and after went fi'om thence to
London, and were there entertained by some ordinary
ttosts of strangers, returning home little acquainted with
English customes. But if these strangers had knowne
the English tongue, or had had an honest guide in their
journies, and had knowne to live at Rome after the Roman
fashion, which they seldome doe, (using rather Dutch
Innes and companions), surely they should have found,
that the World affoords not such Innes as England hath,
either for good and cheape entertainement after the Guests
owne pleasure, or for humble attendance on passengers,
yea, even in very poore Villages, where if Curculio of
Plautus, should see the thatched houses, he would fall into
a fainting of his spirits, but if he should smell the variety
of meates, his starveling looke would be much cheared:
For assoone as a passenger comes to an Inne, the servants
run to him, and one takes his Horse and walkes him till
he be cold, then rubs him, and gives him meate, yet I
must say that they are not much to be trusted in this last
point, without the eye of the Master or his Servant, to
oversee them. Another servant gives the passenger his
private chamber, and kindles his tier, the third puls of his
bootes, and makes them cleane. Then the Host or
174
OF THE INNS OF ENGLAND
Hostesse visits him, and if he will eate with the Host,
or at a common Table with others, his meale will cost him
sixe pence, or in some places but foure pence, (yet this
course is lesse honourable, and not used by Gentlemen):
but if he will eate in his chamber, he commands what
meate he will according to his appetite, and as much as
he thinkes fit for him and his company, yea, the kitchin
is open to him, to command the meat to be dressed as he
best likes; and when he sits at Table, the Host or
Hostesse will accompany him, or if they have many
Guests, will at least visit him, taking it for curtesie to be
bid sit downe: while he eates, if he have company
especially, he shall be offred musicke, which he may
freely take or refuse, and if he be solitary, the Musitians
will give him the good day with musicke in the morning.
It is the custome and no way disgracefull to set up part
of supper for his breakefast: In the evening or in the
morning after breakefast, (for the common sort use not to
dine, but ride from breakefast to supper time, yet corn-
ruing early to the Inne for better resting of their Horses)
he shall have a reckoning in writing, and if it seeme
unreasonable, the Host will satisfie him, either for the due
price, or by abating part, especially if the servant deceive
him any way, which one of experience will soone find.
Having formerly spoken of ordinary expences by the high
way, aswell in the particular journall of the first Part, as
in a Chapter of this Part purposely treating thereof, I
will now onely adde that a Gentleman and his Man shall
spend as much, as if he were accompanied with another
Gentleman and his Man, and if Gentlemen will in such
sort joyne together, to eate at one Table, the expences will
be much deminished. Lastly, a Man cannot more freely
command at home in his owne House, then hee may doe
in his Inne, and at parting if he give some few pence to
the Chamberlin & Ostler, they wish him a happy journey.
England hath three publike Feasts of great expence and
pompous solemnity, namely the coronation of the Kings,
the Feast of S. George, as well upon his day yeerely, as
I75
6o5-7.
6o5-7.
[llI. iii., 52.]
Their drink-
ing.
FYNES MORYSON'S ITINERARY
at all times when any Knight of the Order is installed, and
the third when Serjants at the Law are called. The Lord
Mayor of the City of London, upon the day when he is
sworne & enters his Office, keeps a solemne Feast with
publike shewes of great magnificence, besides that hee and
the Sheriffes of the Citie, daily keepe well furnished
Tables, to entertaine any Gentleman or stranger that will
come to them, to the great honour of the City, in this
particular passing all other Cities of the World kn0wne
to us.
For the point of drinking, the English at a Feast will
drinke two or three healths in remembrance of speciall
friends, or respected honourable persons, and in our time
some Gentlemen and Commanders from the warres of
Netherland brought in the custome of the Germans large
garaussing, but this custome is in our time also in good
measure left. Likewise in some private Gentlemens
houses, and with some Captaines and Souldiers, and with
the vulgar sort of Citizens and Artisans, large and in-
temperate drinkin is used; but in generall the greater
and better part ot the English, hold all excesse blame-
worthy, and drunkennesse a reprochfull vice. Clownes
and vulgar men onely use large drinking of Beere or Ale,
how much soever it is esteemed excellent drinke even
among strangers, but Gentlemen garrawse onely in Wine,
with which many mixe sugar, which I never observed in
any other place or Kingdome, to be used for that purpose.
And because the taste of the English is thus delighted
with sweetenesse, the Wines in Tavernes, (for I speake
not of Merchants or Gentlemens Cellars) are commonly
mixed at the filling thereof, to make them pleasant. And
the same delight in sweetnesse hath made the use of
Corands of Corinth so frequent in all places, and with all
persons in England, as the very Greekes that sell them,
wonder what we doe with such great quantities thereof,
and know not how we should spend them, except we use
them for dying, or to feede Hogges.
I76
OF THE PEOPLES OF SCOTLAND
I605-I 7.
Of Scotland
Chap IIII.
touching the Subjects contained in
the first Chapter.
,He Longitude of Scotland extends five
degrees from the Meridian of sixeteene
degrees to that of one and twenty degrees,
and the Latitude extends foure degrees
from the Paralel of fifty sixe degrees and
a halle, to that of sixty degrees and a
halle. In the Geographical description
wherof, I wil briefly follow the very words of Camden
(as neere as I can), being an Authour without exception.
i The Gadeni of Scotland were of old next neighbours
to the Ottadini of Northumberland in England, and
inhabited the Countrey now called Teysidale, wherein is
nothing memorable but the Monastery of Mailros. 2 In
Merch, (so called as a bordering Countrey) the Castle
Hume is the old possession of the Lords of Hume, neere
which is Kelso the ancient dwelling of the Earles of Both-
well, which were long by inheritance Admirals of Scotland,
and the Merch is mentioned in Histories for nothing
more, then the valour of the said Earles. 3 Laudania of
old called Pictland, shooteth out from Merch towards
the Scottish narrow Sea, called the Frith, and is full of
mountaines, but hath few woods. In this Country are
these little Cities or Townes, Dunbarre, Haddington, and
Musleborrow, places wherein hath beene seene the warlike
vertue of the English and Scots. Somewhat lower and
neere to the foresaid Frith, lies Edenborough, which
Ptolomy cals Castrum Alatum, a rich City of old com-
passed with wals, and the seate of the Kings, whose Palace
is at the East end in a rally, over which hangs a moun-
taine, called the Chaire of Arthur (our Briton Prince), and
from this Pallace is an easie ascent to the West end, where
the length of the City ends in a steepe rocke, upon which
M. Iv 77 i
Scotland.
6o5-x 7.
[III.iii. 53. ]
FYNES MORYSON'S ITINERARY
is built a most strong Castle, called the Maidens Castle,
the same which Ptolomy cals Alatum. This City was
long under the English Saxons, and about the yeere 96o,
(England being invaded by the Danes) it became subject
to the Scots. Leth is a mile distant, and is a most com-
modious Haven, upon the narrow Scottish Gulfe, vulgarly
called Edenborough Frith.
4 Towards the West lay the Selgove upon another
Gulfe, running betweene England and Scotland, vulgarly
called Solway Frith, of the said Selgowe, inhabiting the
Countries called Eskedale, Annandale, and Nidisdale (in
which is the little Towne Dunfrise.)
5 Next lay the Novantes in the Valleys, where Gallway
and Whitterne (which Citie Ptolomy calls Leucopibia) are
seated.
6 In the little Countrie Caricta having good pastures,
is the little Towne Gergeny, which Ptolomy calles Reri-
gonium.
7 More inward lay the Damnii, where now Sterling,
Merteth and Claidsdale are seated. Here the River
Cluyde runnes by Hamelton (the seate of the Hameltons
Family of English race, of which the third Earle of Arran
liveth in our dayes) and after by Glascow (the seat of an
Archbishop, and a little Universitie.) Here is the Terri-
tory called Lennox, whereof the Stewards have long time
been Earles, of which Family the late Kings of Scotland
are discended, and namely James the sixth, who raised this
Earledom to a Dukedome, giving that title to the Lord
d'Aubigny, and these Daubignii serving in the French and
Neapolitane warres, were honoured by the Kings of
France, with addition of Buckles Or in a field Gueules, to
their ancient coate of Armes, with this inscription Dis-
tantia Jungo (that is, Distant things I joyne.) Sterling,
or Strivelm lyes not farre off, a little Citie of the Kings
having a most strong Castle upon the brow of a steepe
rocke.
8 Next these towards the North lay the Caledonii,
somewhat more barbarous then the rest (as commonly they
78
OF THE PEOPLES OF SCOTLAND
are more rude towards the North), where not onely the
fire is cold, but the Country wast and mountanous. And
here was the Caledonian Wood, so knowne to the Roman
Writers, as it was by them taken for all Britany, and the
Woods thereof. At this day this Region is called by the
Scots Allibawne, and by the Latines Albania, and containes
the Bishoprick of Dunkeledon, and the Territory Argile
(so called as neere the Irish), of which the Cambellan
Family hath the title of Earles of Argile, who are the
generall Justices of Scotland by right of inheritance, and
Great Masters of the Kings Houshold.
9 Towards the West lay the Epidii, inhabiting a wast
and Fenny Country, now called Cantire (that is, a corner
of land), and next lies Assinshire.
IO Next lay the Creones, which Region is now called
Strathnaern.
11 Next lay the Cornovace, at the Promontory Hey.
I2 On the East-side of the Caledonians lay the Verni-
cones, in the fruitfull little Region called Fife, where is
the Towne of Saint Andrew, Metropolitan of all Scotland.
13 The little Region Athol is fertile, of which the
Stuards of the Family of Lorne have the title of Earles.
Here is Strathbolgy the seate of the Earles of Huntly, of
the Family of the Seatons, who tooke the name of Gordan
by the authority of a Parliament.
I4 Next lies Gouty, having fruitfull fields of Wheate,
whereof John Lord Rethven was of late made Earle : but
Arrell in this Region, hath long given the title of Earle
to the Family of Hayes.
15 under Fife lies Angush, where is Scone, famous for
the Kings consecration. Montrose hath his Earles of the
Family of the Grahames: but the Douglasses Earles of
Angush, of an honorable Family, were made Governours
by Robert the third of this Region ; and these Earles are
esteemed the chiefe and principall Earles of all Scotland,
and it is said, that they have right to carry the Kings
Crowne at the solemne assemblies of the Kingdome.
I6. 17 Next lye the two Regions of Marnia and Marria
79
OF THE ISLANDS OF SCOTLAND
Scotland, and for the habitation of many holy men, among
which was Columbus, the Apostle of the Picts, of whose
Cell the Iland was also named Columbkill. The Scots
bought all these Ilands of the Norwegians, as a great
strength to the Kingdome, though yeelding very little
profit; the old inhabitants (whether Scots, or Irish) being
of desperate daring, and impatient of being subject to
any lawes. Neare these lye the Orcades (vulgarly Orkney)
about thirty in number, yeelding competent quantity of
Barley, but no Wheate or trees. The chiefe whereof is
Pomonia, well knowne by the Episcopall seate, and yeeld-
ing both Tynne and Leade. These Orcades Ilands were
subject to the Danes, and the inhabitants speake the
Gothes language, but Christiern King of the Danes sold
his right to the King of Scotland. Five dayes and nights
sayle from the Orcades, is the Iland Thule, so often
mentioned by Poets to expresse the furthest corner of
the World, whereupon Virgill saith; Tibi serviet ultima
Thule: that is, The furthest Thule shall thee serve.
Many have thought, that Iseland was this Thule, con-
demned to cold ayre and perpetuall Winter : but Camden
thinkes rather that Schotland is Thule, which the
Marriners now call Thilensall, being subject to the King
of Scotland. In the German Sea, towards the coast of
Britany, are few Ilands, save onely in Edenburg Frith,
where these are found, May, Basse, Keth, and Inche colme
(that is, the Iland of Columbus.)
Scotland reaching so farre into the North, must needs
be subject to excessive cold, yet the same is in some sort
mitigated by the thicknesse of the cloudy aire and sea
vapours. And as in the Northerne parts of England, they
have small pleasantnes, goodnesse or abundance of Fruites
and Flowers, so in Scotland they must have lesse, or none
at all. And I remember, that comming to Barwick in the
moneth of May, wee had great stormes, and felt great
cold, when for two moneths before, the pleasant Spring
had smiled on us at London.
On the West side of Scotland are many Woodes,
The situation.
T,e fertility.
OF THE TRAFFIC OF SCOTLAND
thence Salt and Wines: but the cheefe traffcke of the
Scots is in foure places, namely at Camphire in Zeland,
whether they carry Salt, the skinnes of Weathers, Otters,
Badgers, and Martens, and bring from thence Corne.
And at Burdeaux in France, whether they carry cloathes,
and the same skinnes, and bring from thence Wines,
Prunes, Walnuts, and Chessenuts. Thirdly, within the
Balticke Sea, whether they carry the said Clothes and
Skinnes, and bring thence Flaxe, Hempe, Iron, Pitch and
Tarre. And lastly in England, whether they carry Linnen
c.loathes, Yarne, and Salt, and bring thence Wheate, Oates,
Beanes, and like things.
The Scots have no Staple in any forraigne City, but
trade in France upon the League of the Nations, and in
Denmarke have priviledges by the affinity of the Kings,
and flocke in great numbers into Poland, abounding in all
things for foode, and yeelding many commodities. And
in these Kingdomes they lived at this time in great multi-
tudes, rather for the poverty of their owne Kingdome,
then for any great traffcke they exercised there, dealing
rather for small fardels, then for great quantities of rich
wares.
Touching their diet: They eate much red Colewort
and Cabbage, but little fresh meate, using to salt their
Mutton and Geese, which made me more wonder, that
they used to eate Beefe without salting. The Gentlemen
reckon their revenewes, not by rents of monie, but by
chauldrons of victuals, and keepe many people in their
Families, yet living most on Corne and Rootes, not spend-
ing any great quantity of flesh.
My self was at a Knights house, who had many
servants to attend him, that brought in his meate with
their heads covered with blew caps, the Table being more
then halle furnished with great platters of porredge, each
having a little peece of sodden meate; And when the
Table was served, the servants did sit downe with us,
but the upper messe in steede of porredge, had a Pullet
with some prunes in the broth. And I observed no Art
x83
I6O5-I 7.
The diet.
[lll.iii. 56.]
FYNES MORYSON'S ITINERARY
of Cookery, or furniture of Houshold stuffe, but rather
rude neglect of both, though my selfe and my companion,
sent fro-m the Governour of Barwicke about bordering
affaires, were entertained after their best manner. The
Scots living then in factions, used to keepe many followers,
and so consumed their revenew of victuals, living in some
want of money. They vulgarly eate harth Cakes of
Oates, but in Cities have also wheaten bread, which for
the most part was bought by Courtiers, Gentlemen, and
the best sort of Citizens. When I lived at Barwicke, the
Scots weekely upon the market day, obtained leave in
writing of the Governour, to buy Pease and Beanes,
whereof, as also of Wheate, their Merchants at this day
send great quantity from London into Scotland.
They drinke pure Wines, not with sugar as the English,
yet at Feasts they put Comfits in the Wine, after the
French manner, but they had not our Vinteners fraud to
mixe their Wines. I did never see nor heare that they
have any publike Innes with signes hanging out, but the
better sort of Citizens brew Ale, their usuall drinke (which
will distemper a strangers bodie) ; and the same Citizens
will entertaine passengers upon acquaintance or entreaty.
Their bedsteads were then like Cubbards in the wall, with
doores to be opened and shut at pleasure, so as we climbed
up to our beds. They used but one sheete, open at the
sides and top, but close at the feete, and so doubled.
Passengers did seeke a stable for their Horses in some
other place, and did there buy hors-meat, and if perhaps
the same house yeelded a stable yet the payment for the
Horse did not make them have beds free as in England.
I omit to speake of the Innes and expences therein, having
delated the same in the Itinerary of the first Part, and
a Chapter in this Part, expressely treating thereof. When
passengers goe to bed, their custome was to present them
with a sleeping cuppe of wine at parting. The Country
people and Merchants used to drinke largely, the Gentle-
men some-what more sparingly, yet the very Courtiers, at
Feasts, by night meetings, and entertaining any stranger,
84
OF THE DIET OF SCOTLAND
used to drinke healths not without excesse, and (to speake
truth without offence), the excesse of drinking was then
farre greater in generall among the Scots then the English.
My selfe being at the Court invited by some Gentlemen
to supper, and being forewarned to feare this excesse,
would not promise to sup with them but upon condition
that my Inviter would be my protection from large
drinking, which I was many times forced to invoke,
being curteously entertained, and much provoked to
.garaussing, and so for that time avoided any g.reat
antemperance. Remembring this, and having since
observed in my conversation at the English Court with
the Scots of the better sort, that they spend great part of
the night in drinking, not onely wine, but even beere, as
my selfe will not accuse them of great intemperance, so I
cannot altogether free them from the imputation of
excesse, wherewith the popular voice chargeth them.
i6o5-I7.
Chap. V.
Of Ireland, touching the particular subjects of
the first Chapter.
He Longitude of Ireland extends foure Ireland.
degrees from the Meridian of eleven
degrees and a halfe, to that of fifteene and
a halfe, and the Latitude extends also
foure degrees from the Paralel of fifty
foure degrees to that of fifty eight
degrees. In the Geographicall description
I will follow Camden as formerly.
This famous Iland in the Virginian Sea, is by olde
Writers called Ierna Inverna, and Iris, by the old inhabit-
ants Eryn, by the old Britans Yuerdhen, by the English
at this day Ireland, and by the Irish Bardes at this day
Banno, in which sense of the Irish word, Avicen cals it
the holy Iland, besides Plutarch of old called it Ogigia,
and after him Isidore named it Scotia. This Ireland
OF THE PROVINCES OF IRELAND
Affinity. Not farre thence is Yoghall, having a safe
Haven, neere which the Vicounts of Barry of English race
are seated. In the fourth County of Tipperary, nothing
is memorable, but that it is a Palatinate. The little
Towne Hdy-Crosse, in the County of the same name,
hath many great priviledges. The sixth County hath
the name of the City Limerike, the seate of a Bishop,
wherein is a strong Castle built by King John. Not farre
thence is Awne the seate of a Bishop, and the lower
Ossery, giving the title of an Earle to the Butlers, and
the Towne Thurles, giving them also the title of Vicount.
And there is Cassiles, now a poore City, but the seate of
an Archbishoppe. The seventh County hath the name
of the City Waterford, which the Irish call Porthlargi, of
the commodious Haven, a rich and well inhabited City,
esteemed the second to Dublyn. And because the In-
habitants long faithfully helped the English in subduing
Ireland, our Kings gave them excessive priviledges, but
they rashly failing in their obedience, at King James
his comming to the Crowne, could not in long time
obtaine the confirmation of their old Charter.
2 Lemster the second part of Ireland is fertile, and
yeelds plenty of Corne, and hath a most temperate mild
Aire, being devided into ten Counties, of Catterlogh,
Kilkenny, Wexford, Dublyn, Kildare, the Kings County,
the Qeenes County, the Counties of Longford, of Fernes
and of Wickle. The Cariondi of old inhabited Caterlogh
(or Carloo) County, and they also inhabited great part of
Kilkenny, of upper Ossery and of Ormond, which have
nothing memorable, but the Earles of Ormond, of the
great Family of the Butlers, inferiour to no Earle in
Ireland, (not to speake of Fitz-patric Baron of upper
Ossery.) It is rediculous, which some Irish (who will be
beleeved as men of credit) report of Men in these parts
yeerely turned into Wolves, except the aboundance of
melancholy humour transports them to imagine that they
are so transformed. Kilkenny giving name to the second
County, is a pleasant Towne, the chiefe of the Townes,
x87
Lemtgr.
6o5-I 7.
[III.iii. 58.]
FYNES MORYSON'S ITINERARY
within Land, memorable for the civility of the Inhabitants,
for the Husbandmens labour, and the pleasant Orchards.
I passe over the walled Towne Thomastowne, and the
ancient City Rheban, now a poore Village with a Castle,
vet of old giving the title of Barronet. I passe over the
V-illage and strong Castle of Leighlin, with the Countrey
adjoyning, usurped by the Sept of the Cavanaghs, now
surnamed Omores. Also I omit Rosse, of old a large
City, at this day of no moment. The third County of
Wexford, (called by the Irish County Reogh) was of old
inhabited by the Menappii, where at the Towne called
Banna, the English made their first discent into Ireland,
and upon that Coast are very dangerous flats in the Sea,
which they vulgarly call Grounds. The City Weshford,
\Veisford, or Wexford, is the cheefe of the County, not
great, but deserving praise for their faithfulnesse towards
the English, and frequently inhabited by Men of English
race. The Cauci, (a Seabordering Nation of Germany),
and the Menappii aforesaid, of old inhabited the territories
now possessed by the Omores and Obirns. Also they
inhabited the fourth County of Kildare a fruitfull soyle,
having the cheefe Towne of the same name, greatlie
honoured in the infancie of the Church by Saint Briges.
King Edward the second, created the Giralds Earles of
Kildare. The Eblani of old inhabited the territory of
I)ublin the fifth County, having a fertile soyle and rich
pastures, but wanting wood, so as they burne Turffe, or
Seacoale brought out of England. The City Dublyn
called Divelin by the English, and Balacleigh (as seated
upon hurdles) by the Irish, is the cheefe City of the King-
dome and seate of Justice, fairely built, frequently in-
habited, and adorned with a stron Castle, fifieene
Churches, an Episcopall seate, and a raire Colledge, (an
happy foundation of an University laid in our Age), and
indowed with many priviledges, but the Haven is barred
and made lesse commodious by those hils of sands. The
adjoyning Promontory Hoth-head, gives the title of a
Barron to the Family of Saint Laurence: And towards
188
OF THE PROVINCES OF IRELAND
the North lies Fengall, a little Territory, as it were the
Garner of the Kingdome, which is environed by the Sea
and great Rivers, and this situation hath defended it
from the incursion of Rebels in former civill warres. I
omit the Kings and Qeenes Counties, (namely Ophaly
and Leax) inhabited by the Oconnors and Omores, as like-
:ise the Counties of Longford, Fernes, and Wicklo, as
lesse affoording memorable things.
3 The third part of Ireland is Midia or Media, called by
the English Methe, in our Fathers memory devided into
Eastmeath and Westmeath. In Eastmeath is Drogheda,
vulgarly called Tredagh, a faire and well inhabited Towne.
Trym is a little Towne upon the confines of Ulster, having
a stately Castle, but now much ruinated, and it is more
notable for being the ancient (as it were) Barrony of the
Lacies. Westmeath hath the Towne Delvin, giving the
title of Baron to the English Family of the Nugents, and
Westmeath is also inhabited by many great Irish Septs,
as the Omaddens, the Magoghigans, Omalaghlens, and
MacCoghlans, which seeme barbarous names. Shamon is
a great River, in a long course making many and great
lakes (as the large Lake or Lough Regith), and yeeldes
plentifull fishing, as doe the frequent Rivers and all the
Seas of Ireland. Upon this River lies the Towne Athlon,
having a very faire Bridge of stone, (the worke of Sir
Henry Sidney Lord Deputy) and a strong faire Castle.
4 Connaght is the fourth part of Ireland, a fruitfull
Province, but having many Boggs and thicke Woods, and
it is divided into sixe Countyes, of Clare, of Letrim, of
Galloway, of Rosecomen, of Maio, and of Sligo. The
County of Clare or Thowmond hath his Earles of Thow-
mond, of the Family of the Obrenes the old Kings of
Connaght, and Toam is the seate of an Archbishop, onely
part but the greatest of this County was called Clare of
Phomas Clare Earle of Glocester. The adjoyning Terri-
tory Clan Richard (the land of Richards sonnes) hath his
Earles called Clanricard of the land, but being of the
English Family de Burgo, vulgarly Burck, and both these
x89
6o5-I 7.
Methe.
I6O5-* 7.
Uhter.
[III.iii. 59-]
FYNES MORYSON'S ITINERARY
Earles were first created by Henry the eight. In the same
Territory is the Barony Atterith, belonging to the Barons
of the English Family Bermingham, of old very warlike:
but their posteritie have degenerated to the Irish barbar-
isme. The city Galway giving name to the County, lying
upon the Sea, is frequently inhabited with civill people,
and fairely built. The Northern part of Connaght is
inhabited by these Irish Septs, O Conor, O Rorke, and
Mac Diarmod. Upon the \Vesterne coast lyes the Iland
Arran, famous for the fabulous long life of the inhabitants.
5 Ulster the fifth part of Ireland is a large Province,
woody, fenny, in some parts fertile, in other parts barren,
but in al parts greene and pleasant to behold, and exceed-
ingly stoared with Cattell. The next part to the Pale,
and to England, is divided into three Countyes, Lowth,
Down, and Antrimme, the rest containes seven Counties,
Monaghan, Tyrone, Armach, Colrane, Donergall, Fer-
managh, and Cavon. Lowth is inhabited by English-
Irish, (Down and Antrimme being contained under the
same name), and the Barons thereof be of the Berming-
hams family, and remaine loving to the English. Mona-
ghan was inhabited by the English family Fitzursi, and
these are become degenerate and barbarous, and in the
sense of that name are in the Irish tongue called Mac
Mahon, that is, the sonnes of the Beares. I forbeare to
speake of Tyrone, and the Earle thereof, infamous for his
Rebellion, which I have at large handled in the second
part of this work. Armach is the seate of an Archbishop,
and the Metropolitan City of the whole Iland, but in time
of the Rebellion was altogether ruinated. The other
Countyes have not many memorable things, therefore it
shall suffice to speake of them briefely. The neck of land
called Lecale, is a pleasant little territory, fertile, and
abounding with fish, and all things for food, and therein
is Downe, at this time a ruined Towne, but the seate of
a Bishop, and famous for the buriall of S. Patrick, S.
Bridget, and S. Columb. The Towne of Carickfergus is
well knowne by the safe Haven. The River Bann run-
x9o
FYNES MORYSON'S ITINERARY
the houses of the said Earles, and of the English Com-
manders. Ireland hath great plenty of Birds and Fowles,
but by reason of their naturall sloth, they had little delight
or skill in Birding or Fowling. But Ireland hath neither
singing Nightingall, nor chattering Pye, nor undermining
Moule, nor blacke Crow, but onely Crowes of mingled
colour, such as wee call Royston Crowes. They have
such plenty of Pheasants, as I have knowne sixtie served
at one feast, and abound much more with Rayles: but
Patridges are somewhat rare. There be very many Eagles,
and great plenty of Hares, Conies, Hawkes called Gosse-
Itawkes, much esteemed with us, and also of Bees, as well
in Hives at home, as in hollmv trees abroad, and in caves
of the earth. They abound in flocks of Sheepe, which
they sheare twise in the yeere, but their wooll is course,
& Merchants may not export it, forbidden by a Law made
on behalfe of the poore, that they may be nourished by
working it into cloth, namely, Rugs (wherof the best are
made at Vraterford) & mantles generally worne by men
and women, and exported in great quantity. Ireland
veelds much flax, which the inhabitants work into yarne,
export the same in great quantity. And of old they had
such plenty of linnen cloth, as the wild Irish used to weare
30 or 40 elles in a shirt, al gathered and wrinckled, and
washed in Saffron, because they never put them off til
they were worne out. Their horses called hobbies, are
much commended for their ambling pace & beuty: but
Ireland yeelds few horses good for service in war, and the
said hobbies are much inferior to our geldings in strength
to endure long journies, & being bred in the fenny soft
ground of Ireland, are soone lamed when they are brought
into England. The hawkes of Ireland called Goss-
hawkes, are (as I said) much esteemed in England, and
they are sought out by mony & all meanes to be trans-
ported thither. Ireland yeelds excellent Marble neere
Dublin, Killkenny, and Corke ; and I am of their opinion,
who dare venture all they are worth, that the Mountaines
would yeeld abundance of Mettals, if this publike good
194
OF THE FERTILITY OF IRELAND
were not hindred by the inhabitants barbarousnes, making
them apt to seditions, and so unwilling to inrich their
Prince & Country, and by their slothfulnesse, which is so
singular, as they hold it basenesse to labour, and by their
poverty, not able to beare the charge of such workes,
besides, that the wiser sort think their poverty best for
publike good, making them peaceable, as nothing makes
them sooner kick against authoritie then riches. Ireland
hath in all parts pleasant Rivers, safe and long Havens,
and no lesse frequent Lakes of great circuit, yeelding great
plenty of fish. And the sea on all sides yeelds like plentie
of excellent fish, as Salmonds, Oysters (which are preferred
before the English,) and shel-fishes, with all other kinds of
Sea-fish. So as the Irish might in all parts have abundance
of excellent sea and fresh-water fish, if the fisher men were
not so possessed with the naturall fault of slothfulnesse,
as no hope of gaine, scarsely the feare of authoritie can in
many places make them come out of their houses, and put
to sea. Hence it is, that in many places they use Scots for
Fisher-men, and they together with the English, make
profit of the inhabitants sluggishnesse. And no doubt if
the Irish were industrious in fishing, they might export
salted and dried fish with great gaine. In time of peace
the Irish transport good quantity of Corne ; yet they may
not transport it without license, lest upon any sudden
rebellion, the Kings forces and his good subjects should
want Corne. Ulster and the Westerne parts of Mounster
yeeld vast woods, in which the Rebels cutting up trees,
and casting them on heapes, used to stop the passages, and
therein, as also upon fenny & Boggy places, to fight with
the English. But I confesse my selfe to have been
deceived in the common fame, that all Ireland is woody,
having found in my long iourney from Armah to Kinsale,
few or no woods by the way, excepting the great Woods
of Ophalia, and some low shrubby places, which they call
Glinnes. Also I did observe many boggy and fenny places,
whereof great part might be dried by go.o.d and painefull
husbandry. I may not omit the oplmon commonly
x95
[I I I. iii. 61 .]
FYNES MORYSON'S ITINERARY
received, that the earth of Ireland will not suffer a Snake
or venimous beast to live, and that the Irish wood trans-
ported for building, is free of Spiders and their webs. My
selfe have seene some (but very few) Spiders, which the
inhabitants deny to have any poyson: but I have heard
some English of good credit affirme by experience the
contrary. The Irish having in most parts great Woods
or low shrubs and thickets, doe use the same for tier, but
in other parts they burne Turfe, and Sea coales brought
out of England. They export great quantity of wood to
make barrels, called Pipe-staves, and make great gaine
thereby. They are not permitted to build great ships for
warre, but they have small ships in some sort armed to
resist Pirats, for transporting of commodities into Spaine
and France, yet no great number of them. Therfore since
the Irish have small skill in Navigation, as I cannot praise
them for this Art, so I am confident, that the Nation being
[,old and warlike, would no doubt prove brave Sea-men,
if they shall practise Navigation, and could possibly bee
industrious therein. I freely professe, that Ireland in
generall would yeeld abundance of all things to civill and
industrious inhabitants. And when it lay wasted by the
late Rebellion, I did see it after the comming of the Lord
Montjoy daily more and more to flourish, and in short
time after the Rebellion appeased, like the new Spring to
put on the wonted beauty.
Touching the Irish dyet, Some Lords and Knights, and
Gentlemen of the English-Irish, and all the English there
abiding, having competent meanes, use the English dyet,
but some more, some lesse cleanly, few or none curiously,
and no doubt they have as great and for their part greater
plenty then the English, of flesh, fowle, fish, and all things
lbr food, if they will use like Art of Cookery. Alwaies I
except the Fruits, Venison, and some dainties proper to
England, and rare in Ireland. And we must conceive,
that Venison and Fowle seeme to be more plentiful in
Ireland, because they neither so generally affect dainty
foode, nor so diligently search it as the English do. Many
9 6
FYNES MORYSON'S ITINERARY
free in this excesse as they would kneeling upon the knee,
and otherwise garausse health after health with men; not
to speake of the wives of Irish Lords, or to referre it to
the due place, who often drinke till they be drunken, or
at least till they voide urine in full assemblies of men, I
cannot (though unwilling) but note the Irish women more
specially with this fault, which I have observed in no
other part to be a woman's vice, but onely in Bohemia:
Yet so as accusing them, I meane not to excuse the men,
and will also confesse that I have seene Virgins, as well
Gentlewomen as Citizens, commanded by their mothers
to retyre, after they had in curtesie pledged one or two
healths. In Cities passengers may have featherbeds, soft
and good, but most commonly lowsie, especially in the
high wales; whether that came by their being forced to
lodge common souldiers, or from the nastie filthinesse of
the nation in generall. For even in the best Citie, as at
Corck, I have observed that my owne & other English
mens chambers hyred of the Citizens, were scarce swept
once in the week, & the dust then laid in a corner, was
perhaps cast out once in a month or two. I did never
see any publike Innes with signes hanged out, among the
English or English-Irish; but the Officers of Cities and
Villages appoint lodgings to the passengers, and perhaps
in each Citie, they shall find one or two houses, where they
will dresse meate, and these be commonly houses of
Englishmen, seldome of the Irish: so as these houses
having no signes hung out, a passenger cannot challenge
right to be intertained in them, but must have it of
courtesie, and by intreaty.
The wild and (as I may say) meere Irish, inhabiting
many and large Provinces, are barbarous and most filthy
in their diet. They skum the seething pot with an hand-
full of straw, and straine their milke taken from the
Cow through a like handfull of straw, none of the
cleanest, and so clense, or rather more defile the
pot and milke. They devoure great morsels of beefe
unsalted, and they eat commonly Swines flesh, seldom
9 8
OF THE DIET OF THE 1RISH
mutton, and all these pieces of flesh, as also the
intralles of beasts unwashed, they seeth in a hollow tree,
lapped in a raw Cowes hide, and so set over the tier, and
therewith swallow whole lumps of filthy butter. Yea
(which is more contrary to nature) they will feede on
Horses dying of themselves, not only upon small want of
flesh, but even for pleasure. For I remember an accident
in the Army, when the Lord Mountjoy, the Lord Deputy,
riding to take the ayre out of the Campe, found the
buttocks of dead Horses cut off, and suspecting, that some
soldiers had eaten that flesh out of necessity, being
defrauded of the victuals allowed them, commanded the
men to bee searched out, among whom a common souldier,
and that of the English-Irish, not of the meere Irish,
being brought to the Lord Deputy, and asked why hee
had eaten the flesh of dead Horses, thus freely answered,
Your Lordship may please to eate Pheasant and Patridge,
and much good doe it you that best likes your taste ; and
I hope it is lawfull for me without offence, to eate this
flesh that likes me better then Beefe. Whereupon the
Lord Deputy perceiving himself to be deceived, &
further understanding that he had received his ordinary
victuals (the detaining whereof he suspected, and purposed
to punish for example), gave the souldier a piece of gold
to drinke in Usquebagh for better disgestion, and so
dismissed him.
The foresaid wilde Irish doe not thresh their Oates, but
burne them from the straw, and so make cakes thereof,
yet they seldome eate this bread, much lesse any better
kind, especially in the time of warre, whereof a Bohemian
Baron complained, who having seene the Courts of
England and Scotland, would needes out of his curiosity
returne through Ireland in the heate of the Rebellion;
and having letters from the King of Scots to the Irish
Lords then in Rebellion, first landed among them, in the
furthest North, where for eight dayes space hee had found
no bread, not so much as a cake of Oates, till he came to
eate with the Earle of Tyrone, and after obtaining the
99
[III. iii. 16 3.]
FYNES MORYSON'S ITINERARY
Lord Deputies Passe to come into our Army, related this
their want of bread to us for a miracle, who nothing
wondred thereat. Yea, the wilde Irish in time of greatest
peace impute covetousnesse and base birth to him, that
hath any Corne after Christmas, as if it were a point of
Nobility to consume all within those Festivall dayes.
They willingly eate the hearb Schamrock, being of a
sharpe taste, which as they runne and are chased to an
fro, they snatch like beasts out of the ditches.
Neither have they any Beere made of Malt and Hoppes,
nor yet any Ale, no, not the chiefe Lords, except it be very
rarely: but they drinke Milke like Nectar, warmed with
a stone first cast into the tier, or else Beefe-broath mingled
with milke : but when they come to any Market Towne,
to sell a Cow or a Horse, they never returne home, till
they have drunke the price in Spanish Wine (which they
call the King of Spaines Daughter), or in Irish Usque-
boagh, and till they have out-slept two or three daies
drunkennesse. And not onely the common sort, but even
the Lords and their wives, the more they want this drinke
at home, the more they swallow it when they come to it,
till they be as drunke as beggers.
Many of these wilde Irish eate no flesh, but that which
dyes of disease or otherwise of it selfe, neither can it scape
them for stinking. They desire no broath, nor have any
use of a spoone. They can neither seeth Artichokes, nor
eate them when they are sodden. It is strange and
ridiculous, but most true, that some of our carriage Horses
falling into their hands, when they found Sope and Starch,
carried for the use of our Laundresses, they thinking them
to bee some dainty meates, did eate them greedily, and
when they stuck in their teeth, cursed bitterly the gluttony
of us English churles, for so they terme us. They feede
most on Whitmeates, and esteeme for a great daintie sower
curds, vulgarly called by them Bonaclabbe. And for this
cause they watchfully keepe their Cowes, and fight for
them as for religion and life; and when they are almost
starved, yet they will not kill a Cow, except it bee old,
200
OF THE DIET OF THE IRISH
and yeeld no Milke. Yet will they upon hunger in time
of warre open a vaine of the Cow, and drinke the bloud,
but in no case kill or much weaken it. A man would
thinke these men to bee Scythians, who let their Horses
bloud under the eares, and for nourishment drinke their
bloud, and indeed (as I have formerly said), some of the
Irish are of the race of Scythians, comming into Spaine,
and from thence into Ireland. The wild Irish (as I said)
seldome kill a Cow to eate, and if perhaps they kill one
for that purpose, they distribute it all to be devoured at
one time; for they approve not the orderly eating at
meales, but so they may eate enough when they are
hungry, they care not to fast long. And I have knowne
some of these Irish footemen serving in England, (where
they are nothing lesse then sparing in the foode of their
Families), to lay meate aside for many meales, to devoure
it all at one time.
These wilde Irish assoone as their Cowes have calved,
take the Calves from them, and thereof feede some with
Milke to reare for breede, some of the rest they fley, and
seeth them in a filthy poke, and so eate them, being
nothing but froth, and send them for a present one to
another: but the greatest part of these Calves they cast
out to bee eaten by Crowes and Woolves, that themselves
may have more abundance of Milke. And the Calves
being taken away, the Cowes are so mad among them,
as they will give no Milke till the skinne of the Calfe bee
stuffed and set before them, that they may smell the odor
of their owne bellies. Yea when these Cowes thus madly
denie their milke, the women wash their hands in Cowes
dung, and so gently stroke their dugges, yea, put their
hands into the cowes taile, and with their mouthes blow
into their tailes, that with this maner (as it were) of
inchantment, they may draw milk from them. Yea, these
Cowes seeme as rebellious to their owners, as the people
are to their Kings, for many times they will not be milked
but of some one old woman only, and of no other. These
wild Irish never set any candles upon tables; What do I
2OI
[III. iii. 64. ]
FYNES MORYSON'S ITINERARY
speak of Tables ? since indeede they have no tables, but
set their meate upon a bundle of grasse, and use the same
Grasse for napkins to wipe their hands. But I meane that
they doe not set candles upon any high place to give light
to the house, but place a great candle made of reedes and
butter upon the floure in the middest of a great roome.
And in like sort the chiefe men in their houses make tiers
in the middest of the roome, the smoake whereof goeth
out at a hole in the top thereof. An Italian Frier comming
of old into Ireland, and seeing at Armach this their diet
and nakednesse of the women (whereof I shall speake in
the next booke of this Part, and the second Chapter
thereof) is said to have cried out,
Civitas Armachana, Civitas vana,
Carnes crude, mulieres nudge.
Vaine Armach City, I did thee pity,
Thy meates rawnes, and womens nakednesse.
I trust no man expects among these gallants any beds,
much lesse fetherbeds and sheetes, who like the Nomades
removing their dwellings, according to the commodity of
pastures for their Cowes, sleepe under the Canopy of
heaven, or in a poore house of clay, or in a cabbin made
of the boughes of trees, and covered with ruffle, for such
are the dwellings of the very Lords among them. And
in such places, they make a tier in the middest of the
roome, and round about it they sleepe upon the ground,
without straw or other thing under them, lying all in a
circle about the tier, with their feete towards it. And
their bodies being naked, they cover their heads and upper
parts with their mantels, which they first make very wet,
steeping them in water of purpose, for they finde that
when their bodies have once warmed the wet mantels, the
smoake of them keepes their bodies in temperate heate all
the night following. And this manner of lodging, not
onely the meere Irish Lords, and their followers use, but
even some of the English Irish Lords and their followers,
when after the old but tyranicall and prohibited manner
2O2
[III.iv. 65. 3
THE FOURTH BOOKE.
Chap. I.
Of the Germans, Bohemians, Sweitzers, Nether-
landers, Danes, Polonians and Italians apparrell.
N Ne thing in generall must bee remembred
touching the divers apparrell of divers
Nations: That it is daily subiect to
change, as each Commonwealth by little
and little declines from the best constitu-
tion to the worst, and old manners are
daily more and more corrupted with new
vices, or as each Common-wealth is by due remedies
purged and reformed.
The most rich among the Germans (as old Writers doe
witnesse) used of old straight apparrell, expressing to life
the lineaments of the whole body (which kind of apparel
the Schwaben or Suevi use at this day), and the women
were apparrelled as men (of which wicked custome we find
at this day no remainder, except the souldiers wives
following the Campe may perhaps somewhat offend that
way.) They adde that the Suevi (under which name the
Romanes comprehended all the Germanes) used of old to
be clad in skinnes. No doubt the Germanes, as they ever
were, so are at this day, in their apparrell, constant, and
modest (and I had almost said slovenly.) Surely if a man
observe the time they spend in brushing their apparrell,
and taking out the least spots, aswell at home, as abroad
2o4
OF THE APPAREL OF THE GERMANS
when they come to their Innes, they will seeme cleanly,
but if we behold their apparrell, so worne to proofe, as the
nap of the cloth, and that somewhat course, being worne
off, the ground plainely appeares, and spotted with grease
and wearing, especially the sleeves, which they weare large,
and at table not without cause, lift up with one hand, while
they take meate with the other, lest they should fall into
the dish, no doubt (without offence be it spoken), they
are somewhat slovenly. And for this imputation of old
laid on the Germans, I appeale to Tacitus, writing to this
purpose in the Latin tongue. The slovenly and naked
Germans live in the same house among the same beasts.
And he that at this day lookes upon their Schwartz
Reytern (that is, Blacke Horsemen) must confesse, that to
make their horses and boates shine, they make themselves
as black as Collyers. These Horsemen weare blacke
clothes, and poore though they be, yet spend no small time
in brushing them. The most of them have black Horses,
which while they painefully dresse, and (as I said) delight
to have their boots and shoos shine with blacking stuffe,
their hands and faces become black, and thereof they have
their foresaid name. Yea, I have heard Germans say, that
they do thus make themselves al black, to seeme more
terrible to their enemies. I have often heard their
Preachers declame against the common inconstancie in
apparrel: but they do herein according to the art of
jesting, which is ever most pleasing, when it taskes men
with vices whereof they are not guilty, but never with
those that may be truly imputed. For Drunkennesse,
the famous, yet almost sole vice of the Germans, is
in the meane time silently passed over by them in
their Pulpits, or else out of a guilty conscience slightly
reproved.
No doubt the Germans are of all other famous and great
Nations least expencefull in apparrell, whether a man con-
sider the small prices of the garments, or their long lasting.
By an Imperiall Law, Husbandmen are forbidden to weare
any stuffes, that cost more then halfe a Gulden the ell, and
6o5-I 7.
[III. iv. i66.]
OF THE APPAREL OF THE GERMANS
cambricke or lawne, but of their owne course linnen, such
as I have often seene the Spaniards to weare.
Their handkerchers are very large, and wrought with
silke of divers light colours, with great letters signifying
words, as for example D. H. I. M. T. signifyinF Der her
Ist mein Trost, that is; The Lord is my comtort, so as
they seeme more like wrought saddle clothes, then hand-
kerchers. Many of the Saxons weare thrummed hats,
which are called Brunswicke hats, as most used in those
parts, being so stifle as a sword will hardly pierce them,
especially with the brasse hatbands they weare about them,
and being so heavie as they lie upon the eares, and make
them hang downe with small comelinesse. Few weare
feathers in their hats, yet the Doctors of the Civill Law
have the priviledge to weare them, and my selfe have seene
many Students in the Universities, and most Coachmen of
Germany, weare feathers costing each some twelve or six-
teene batzen. The mention of the said shirt bands, used
in Prussia, makes me remember that the Citizens of
Dantzke, seated in that Province, doe generally weare
more rich Apparell, then any other Germans. And I
remember that their said shirt bands or ruffes were little
lesse then a quarter of an ell long, and hung upon their
shoulders, notwithstanding they had stales to beare them
up, which madde fashion, but not so long, the English
used of old, and have long since laid aside. The men in
these parts commonly weare silkes and velvets, without
any decent distinction of degrees, and the women seemed
much prouder in apparrell then the men. I have seene
married women not of the richest sort, daily weare hats
of velvet, though some weare also felt hats, and others to
weare frontiers of velvet, and others wearing hats, had
their hatbands all set with pearle, and many of their
Daughters did weare chaines of pearle, worth three
hundred guldens, yea some of these Virgins have shewed
me their chaines of five hundred guldens value, being the
Daughters of Citizens and Merchants. As well married
as unmarried women in the chiefe Cities of that Province,
OF THE APPAREL OF THE GERMANS
Few men or women weare gold rings, pearles, or
Jewels: but Bohemia yeelds false stones like the orientall
precious stones, yet of small or no value, and I have seene
some Gentlemen weare these false stones, and brasse rings
guilded over, the wearing whereof is held disgracefull with
us. At Magdeburg I did see a young Gentleman having
all his fingers loaded with rings, which I thought to be of
Old, till my selfe sawe him buy a ring of three hoopes
r some fifteene pence in English money, and so found
his foolish pride. The Statutes (as I formerly said) permit
Noblewomen (that is Gentlewomen) to weare chaines of
gold, which notwithstanding they weare very seldome:
And in like sort their Earles, (vulgarly called Graves) and
their Knights, sometimes weare gold chaines, made of
extraordinary great linkes, and not going more then once
about the necke, nor hanging downe further then the
middle button of the doublet. The Germans in great
part measure a strangers dignity by the richnesse of his
Apparrell, and by his grave or (to speake plainely) proud
looke. Citizens Wives in some places weare upon their
heads little caps in the forme of an Oyster-shell, and
they weare short cloakes, reaching no further then their
elbowes. Citizens daughters and Virgines of inferiour
sort, weare nothing upon their heads, but their haire woven
with laces, and so gathered on the fore-part of the head,
with the forehead stroked up plaine, and upon the fore-
part of the head the Gentlewomen weare a border of
pearle, and all other from the highest to the lowest,
commonly weare garlands of roses, (which they call
Crantzes.)
For they keepe Roses all Winter in little pots of earth,
whereof they open one each saturday at night, and dis-
tribute the Roses among the women of the house, to the
very kitchin maide ; others keepe them all in one pot, and
weekely take as many Roses as they neede, and cover the
rest, keeping them fresh till the next Summer. And the
common sort mingle guilded nutmegs with these Roses,
and make garlands thereof: Only women weare these
M. IV 209 0
[Ill.lv. 168.]
FYNES MORYSON'S ITINERARY
Garlands in Winter, but in Summer time men of the
better sort weare them within doores, and men of the cora-
mon sort weare them going abroade. They keepe Roses
all Winter in this sort, they choose the closest and thickest
buds of all kinds of Roses, but the Damaske Roses best
keepe the smell, and other kindes the colour. Then they
take a pot of earth, and sprinckle some bay salt in the
bottome, and lay these buds severally, not very close one
to the other, in two rowes one above the other, which
do,e they sprinckle the same, and wet all the buds with
two little glasses of Rhenish Wine, and againe sprinckle
them with bay salt in greater quantity, yet such as it may
not eate the leaves. In like sort they put up each two
rowes of buds, till the pot be full, which they cover with
wood or leade, so as no aire can enter, and then lay it up
in a cold cellar, where no sunne comes. 'hen they take
out the buds, they dip them in luke warme water, or put
them into the Oven when the bread is taken out, which
makes the leaves open with the turning of the buds
betweene two fingers, then they dip a feather in rhenish
wine, and wipe the leaves therewith, to refresh the colour,
and some doe the like with rose water, to renew the smell.
Give me leave by the way to relate, (though out of due
course), that I observed women at Leipzig, in like sort
to keepe Cherries all Winter, after this manner. They
inclose some Cherries in a glasse, so as no aire can enter,
and then fasten the glasse to some low shrub or bough, of
a tree, so as the glasse may hang in a brooke, runmng
gently.
Now I returne to my former discourse. Many of the
said Virgines have their neckbands set with spangles, such
as some children with us weare. The married women
weare their gownes close about the breast and neck, with
a very short ruffe about their neckes, (such as men also
weare) set with poking stickes as small as reedes, and they
weare little hats upon their heads. The Virgines in
generall, weare linnen sleeves about their armes, as close
as they can be made, for they esteeme it the greatest grace
OF THE APPAREL OF THE GERMANS
to have the smallest armes, and their petticoates are
guarded with some ten or more fringes or laces of silke or
velvet, each fringe being of a different colour one from
the other, making the skirts thereof as variable in colour
as the Raine-bow. Citizens wives put off their ruffes
when they goe out of the house, covering their neckes and
mouths with a linnen cloth for feare of cold. And they
weare great heavy purses by their sides, with great bunches
of keyes hanging by chaines of brasse or silver: and all
generally, aswell married women as Virgins, goe with bare
legges: and I have seene a Virgine in Saxony, refuse a
paire of silke stockings offered her of guilt : and the maide
servants and married women of the inferiour sort weare
no shooes except they goe out of the house, and great part
goe also abroade bare footed. The married women hide
their naked feete with long gownes, but the maide servants
wearing- short gownes, and girding them up into a
roule some handfull under the wast about their hippes,
(especially in the lower parts of Germany), many times
offend chast eyes with shewing their nakednesse, especially
when they stoope for any thing to the ground. And in
those parts of Germany the Citizens wives, like our little
children, weare red and yellow shooes, and guilded at the
toes. In generall, it is disgracefull to married women or
Virgins (excepting at Augsburg, and some few other
Cities), to goe out of doores without a cloake, which
commonly is of some light stuffe, as Grogram, or the like,
faced with some furres, and at Hidelberg they never goe
abroade without a little basket in their hands, as if they
went to buy something, except they will be reputed dis-
honest. The married Women alwaies have their heads
covered, in some Cities with a peece of velvet, other
where with little caps of velvet, silke, or felt, or with some
like fashion, according to the use of the Countrey. And
very many weare such crosse-clothes or forehead clothes
as our Women use when they are sicke. In many places
the ordinary Citizens Wives have their gownes made with
long traines, which are pinned up in the house, and borne
II
I6O5-I 7.
Apparrdl.
Bohmerland.
[lII.iv..69. ]
Sweitzerland.
FYNES MORYSON'S ITINERARY
up by maide servants when they goe abroade, which
fashion of old onely great Noblemen used with us: And
in many Cities, aswel the married as unmarried Women,
weare long fardingales, hanging about their feete like
hoopes, which our Women used of olde, but have now
changed to short fardingals about their hippes.
The Bohemians are apparrelled much like the Germans,
and delight in greene, yellow, and light colours, but more
frequently weare silkes and velvets then the Germans, and
also false Jewels of their owne. And many times they
weare blacke cloth with many laces or fringes of light
colours, each fringe differing in colour one from the other.
And in respect of forraigne Ambassadours comming from
all parts to Prage, and of Italian Merchants frequenting
there, the Bohemians are more infected with forraigne
fashions, then the Germans. The married Gentlewomen
attire their heads like our Virgins, and in like sort beare
up their haire on the forehead with a wier. They use with
the Germans to make their gownes with traines, or to beare
them out with long fardingals, and to weare short cloakes.
Citizens wives weare upon their heads large gray caps,
rugged like gray Connie skinnes, and formed like the
hives of Bees, or little caps of velvet close to the head, of
a dunne colour, with the hinder skirt (or hinder part) cut
off and open: And upon their legges they weare white
buskins, wrought with velvet at the toes; but upon their
armes they weare large sleeves, and contrary to the
Germans, thinke them to be most comely.
The Sweitzers, being Citizens (for their nobility is long
since rooted out by popular seditions) weare large round
caps, (such as are used by our Prentices and Students in
the Innes of Court), and together with them they weare
cloakes (whereas with us they are onely used with gownes),
yea, and Swords also (which seemed strange to be worne
with caps). They weare great large puffed breeches,
gathered close above the knees, and each puffe made of
a divers light colour ; but their doublets are made close to
the body. The married Women cover their heads with a
212
OF THE SVITZERS APPAREL
linnen coyfe, and upon it weare such caps as the men use,
(which are broader then we used in England), and com-
monly weare a linnen crossecloth upon the forehead. To
be briefe, the Virgins goe bare headed with their haire
woven up, and use short cloakes, and aswell married as
unmarried Women, as also the Men, are apparrelled like
the Germans, and affect nothing lesse then pride in their
attire.
In the united Provinces, the Inhabitants being for the
most part Merchants and Citizens, the Men use modest
attire of grave colours, and little beautified with lace or
other ornament. They weare short cloakes of English
cloth, with one small lace to cover the seames, and a narrow
facing of silke or velvet. Their doublets are made close
to the body, their breeches large and fastened under the
knees commonly of woollen cloth, or else of some light
stuffe, or of silke or velvet. They use very little lace, no
imbrodery, yet the Hollanders of old accounted the most
rude of the other Provinces, at this day increased in
wealth, and reputation of the State, doe by little and little
admit luxury, and their sonnes apply themselves both to
the apparrell and manners of the English and French.
Women aswell married as unmarried, cover their heads
with a coyfe of fine holland linnen cloth, and they weare
gowns commonly of some slight stuffe, & for the most part
of black colour, with little or no lace or guards, and their
necke ruffes are little (or short) but of very fine linnen.
For aswell men as women tor their bodies and for
all uses of the Family, use very fine linnen; and
I thinke that no clownes in the World weare such fine
shirts as they in Holland doe. Some of the chiefe
Women not able to abide the extreme cold, and loth to
put fier under them for heate (as the common use is)
because it causeth wrinckles and spots on their bodies, doe
use to weare breeches of linnen or silke. All Women in
generall, when they goe out of the house, put on a hoyke
or vaile which covers their heads, and hangs downe upon
their backs to their legges ; and this vaile in Holland is of
2I 3
I6o5-7.
Neetn
[III.iv. 7o.]
FYNES MORYSON'S ITINERARY
a light stuffe or Kersie, and hath a kinde of horne rising
over the forehead, not much unlike the old pummels of
our Womens saddles, and they gather the Vaile with their
hands to cover all their faces, but onely the eyes : but the
Women of Flanders and Brabant weare Vailes altogether
of some light fine stuffe, and fasten them about the hinder
part and sides of their cap, so as they hang loosely, not
close to the body, and leave their faces open to view, and
these Caps are round, large, and flat to the head, and of
Velvet, or at least guarded therewith, and are in forme like
our potlids used to cover pots in the Kitchin : And these
Women, aswel for these Vailes, as their modest garments
with gowns close at the brest and necke, and for their
pure and fine linnen, seemed to me more faire then any
other Netherlanders, as indeed they are generally more
beautifull.
I did see the King of Denmarke entred a daies journey
in his progresse towards Holsatia (vulgarly Holst), and he
wore a loose gippoe of blacke velvet, sparingly adorned
with gold lace, and in the Towne he wore a large broade
brimmed felt hat, with the brimmes in part buttoned up,
but in his Coach he wore a rough Brunswicke hat,
used in the lower parts of Germany, and had a large
chaine of gold hanging under one arme so low, as
it was folded about his girdle: And when he walked
abroade, he carried his Sword upon his shoulder with the
point in his hand, and the hilts hanging downe behind him.
His chiefe Courtiers and his younger brother were all
attired in an English cloth, which they called Kentish cloth,
we call Motley, but much finer then that whereof we make
cloakebags, and of purpose made for them, costing some
two dollers the ell. They wore gold chaines, so short as
they reached not further then the sixth or seventh button
of their doublets, but the linkes were great, and they had a
Tablet of gold annexed to them. They carried their
swords as the King did, with the hilts hanging over the
shoulder, and they wore daggers with heavy sheaths of
silver, like those used in Saxony. The Kings Guard wore
214
OF THE APPAREL OF THE DANES
huge breeches puffed, and of divers colours, like the
Sweitzers hose. In generall, the Danes are apparrelled
like the Germans, and especially like the Saxons, constantly
and modestly, and they so abhorre from strange fashions,
as the Kings Father lately deceased, was reported to have
given the strange apparrell of certaine Gentlemen newly
returned from forraigne parts, to the infamous I-Iangman,
that they might be despised of the Gentry. Gentlewomen
Virgins goe with their heads bare, and their haire woven
and adorned with rowes of pearle. And the married
Gentlewomen goe with their heads covered with a fine
linnen coyfe, and weare upon their foreheads a French
shadow of velvet to defend them from the Sunne, which
our Gentlewomen of old borrowed of the French, and
called them Bonegraces, now altogether out of use with
us; and they adorne their heads with borders of Gold.
Women as well married as unmarried, Noble and of
inferiour condition, weare thinne bands about their neckes,
yet not falling, but erected, with the upper bodies of their
outward garment of velvet, but with short skirts, and
going out of the house, they have the German custome
to weare cloakes. They also weare a chaine of
Gold like a breast-plate, and girdles of silver, and
guilded.
At Dermind, the Haven of Dantzke in Prussen, I did
see the King of Poland ready to sayle into Suevia or
Suecia, his Fathers Kingdome of Inheritance, for whom
lately dead, he then wore mourning Apparrell, namely a
long blacke cloake of woollen cloth, and a cap or low hat
of blacke silke with narrow brimmes, with a falling band
about his necke, a blacke doublet close to his body, and
large breeches fastened under the knee. The Qeene
being of the House of Austria, was attired like the Noble-
women of Germany, and being then ready to take ship,
her head "as coverd with a coyfe of fine linnen, and upon
her forehead shee wore a crossecloth almost downe to the
nose. The Kings Courtiers wore two long coates, the
upper coate (or cloake with sleeves was longer then the
The Polo,liam.
Aono
6o5-7.
[III.iv. '7-]
FYNES MORYSON'S ITINERARY
other, the skirts whereof on the right side, were so
fastened on the shoulder with silver buttons, and so cast
upon the left shoulder, as they had their right armes alto-
8ether free; and this upper coate was of English cloth,
faced before with silke. The lower or inner coate was of
silke or some light stuffe, hanging downe on one side to
the knees, on the other side doubled and fastened to the
girdle, and both coates were of light colours, but without
any lace of Gold or Silver, or other ornament whatsoever.
They wore breeches and stockings of the same cloth, like
those of our old men, or the trusses of Ireland, and their
shirts were of much finer linnen then the Germans use.
And they wore a fine and very large linnen handkercher,
fastened to their Girdles behind : but they had no miles
nor any bands of linnen about their neckes, which are
onely used by some few Gentlemen, who have lived in
forraigne parts, but the colours of their coates weare raised
with a peake behind to keepe the necke warme. They
wore extraordinary little caps, hardly covering the crowne
of the head, and in them wore some sixe feathers, not of
mixed or light colours, nor broade, as we weare them, but
white and narrow, such (or the same) as are pulled from
Capons tailes. The Polonians shave all their heads close,
excepting the haire of the forehead, which they nourish
very long and cast backe to the hinder part of the head.
They carry for Armes a Turkish Cemeter, and weare
shooes of leather and also of wood, both painted and both
shodde under the heele and toes with pieces of Iron,
making great noise as they goe. The Gentlemen weare
chaines of gold folded about their girdles, and carry in
their hands a little hammer of silver, and perhaps guilded,
and these of inferiour sort one of Iron. The Hungarians
in their attire differ little from the Polonians, but no
Hungarian may weare a feather, except he have done some
noble act, and according to the number of his brave
actions, so many feathers he may weare, to witnesse his
valour. At Crakaw I did see the Castellani (that is,
Keepers of Castles) and many Gentlemen riding to the
zi6
[III. iv. 72.]
FYNES MORYSON'S ITINERARY
little differs from the Germans, save that their apparrell
is more sumptuous, but of them I have formerly spoken
in the discourse of the Germans attire.
Of the Italians it is proverbially said, that the Venetians
are gowned, yet by night going to visit their Mistresses,
weare short Spanish cloakes. That those of Ferrara and
Mantua are proud in their attire, with their caps set with
gold buttons. That the Florentines are ridiculous, (yet
I observed none more modestly attired.) That those of
Genoa are neate and comely m attire, but weare no gownes,
nor lace, nor gardes. That those of Milan are decent, and
the Neapolitans are glittering and sumptuous. Surely the
Italians in generall, respect the conveniency more then
ornament of their apparrell. When they take journeyes,
they weare large bootes, that they may fling off being
untied, but such as keepe them dry in all weathers; and
to the same ende they weare thicke felt hats, and short fek
clokes, which no raine can pierce, respecting the health,
not the ornaments of their bodies. And howsoever their
apparrell is soft and delicate, yet they onely weare cloth
and stuffes made at home, not any brought from forraigne
parts. Their garments are commonly of silke, but
seldome embrodred, and never laid with gold or silver
lace, and commonly of black colour. And howsoever all
those mixed colours which we so highly esteeme, come
from thence, yet are they not invented by the Italians,
but by the Factors of our Merchants, who lie there of
purpose, to feede the fantasticall pride of our Youth, in
new Stuffes, or at least new colours and names.
The Citizens of Genoa, weare gold Chaines, and might
seeme proudly attired in garments of Velvet, save that we
must remember, that they are not onely Merchants but
Gentlemen, and some of them Princes.
The Venetians, by reason of their strict Lawes from all
antiquity restraining excesse in apparrell, howsoever many
times they weare sumptuous garments, yet are they hidden
under their gownes, not to be seene but by their Mistrisses
at night. They make woollen cloth of such lasting, as
r8
OF THE APPAREL OF THE ITALIANS
they bequeath their gownes by their last testaments. All
the Gentlemen, not one excepted, weare blacke cloth
gownes, buttoned close at the necke, with the sleeves put
on over their doublets, aswell young as old men, but some
under this civill gowne weare rich furres, and imbrodred
garments. And the Senators, Doctors, and Knights,
weare Scarlet gownes, with large sleeves, lined in winter
with rich furres. And their Senate is no lesse or more
glorious in publike pompes, then the Roman Senate was
of old. And the Gentlemen constantly weare these
gownes, either in singular pride to be knowne from others,
(for no Citizen, nor any Gentlemen of other Cities weare
gownes), or for obedience to the Law, or out of an old
custome, which the most wise Magistrates permit not to
be broken. And for the same cause, all the Gentlemen,
none excepted, weare little caps of Freese or Cloth, hardly
covering the crowne, or the forepart of the head.
All other Italians in generall weare stuffe cloakes, and
commonly of Silke in summer, and cloth in winter, and
light felt hats with narrow brimmes; and large breeches,
sometimes wide, and open at the knee, after the Spanish
fashion, but more commonly tied under the knee, and a
loose coate or gippo, but not wide, and a doublet close to
the body, both of silke, and lined with silke, and silke
stockings. Also many weare Jewels, but as it were hidden,
to bee seene onely by chance. Lastly, in great wisdome
they care not to have rich apparrell, but hold it honourable
to live of their owne. They make no fine linnen, & ther-
fore use course linnen, both for shirts, and other uses of
the Family, and commonly weare little falling bands, and
many times ruffes of Flanders linnen, sometimes wrought
with Italian Cut-worke, much used with us, but their
ruffes are not so great as ours, and they have little skill
in washing, starching, or smoothing linnen. They weare
very short haire, as all Nations doe that live in hot climes,
the contrary vice of wearing long haire being proper to
the French, English, and Scots, but especially to the Irish.
The Italians clothe very little children with doublets and
Irenice.
[IIl.iv. '73-]
FYNES MORYSON'S ITINERARY
breeches, but their breeches are open behind, with the shirt
hanging out, that they may ease themselves without helpe.
Among other Princes of Italy, I did see Ferdinand the
third, Duke of Florence, who did weare a cloke of English
cloth, with one little lace, and breeches of Velvet without
and stockings of leather, and a leather
sword, and his Coach was lined with old
and the Horses seemed taken out of the
any ornament,
scabbard to his
greene Velvet,
Plough.
The women
light colours.
in generall are delighted with mixed and
The women of Venice weare choppines or
shoos three or foure hand-bredths high, so as the lowest of
them seeme higher then the tallest men, and for this cause
they cannot goe in the streetes without leaning upon the
shoulder of an old woman. They have another old woman
to beare up the traine of their gowne, & they are not
attended with any man, but onely with old women. In
other parts of Italy, they weare lower shooes, yet some-
what raised, and are attended by old women, but goe
without any helpe of leading. The women of Venice
weare gownes, leaving all the necke and brest bare, and
they are closed before with a lace, so open, as a man may
see the linnen which they lap about their bodies, to make
them seeme fat, the Italians most loving fat women. They
shew their naked necks and breasts, and likewise their
dugges, bound up and swelling with linnen, and all made
white by art. They weare large falling bands, and their
haire is commonly yellow, made so by the Sunne and art,
and they raise up their haire on the forehead in two
knotted hornes, and deck their heads & uncovered haire
with flowers of silke, and with pearle, in great part
counterfeit. And they cast a black vaile from the head to
the shoulders, through which the nakednesse of their
shoulders, and neckes, and breasts, may easily be seene.
For this attire the women of Venice are proverbially said
to be, Grande de legni, Grosse di straci, rosse di bettito,
bianche di calcina : that is tall with wood, fat with ragges,
red with painting, and white with chalke. The women
I6O5-I 7.
FYNES MORYSON'S ITINERARY
The City Virgins, and especially Gentlewomen, cover
their heads, face, and backes with a Vaile, that they may
not be seene passing the streetes, and in many places weare
silke or linnen breeches under their gownes. Also I have
seene honourable Women, aswell married as Virgines, ride
by the high way in Princes traines, apparrelled like Men,
in a doublet close to the body, and large breeches open at
the knees, after the Spanish fashion, both of carnation silke
or satten, and likewise riding astride like men upon Horses
or Mules, but their heads were attired like Women, with
bare haires knotted, or else covered with gold netted
cawles, and a hat with a feather. And many times in the
Cities (as at Padua) I have seene Curtizans (in plaine
English, whores) in the time of shroving, apparrelled like
men, in carnation or light coloured doublets and breeches,
and so playing with the racket at Tennis with yong men,
at which time of shroving, the Women no lesse then Men,
(and that honourable women in honourable company,) goe
masked and apparrelled like men all the afternoone about
the streetes, even from Christmasse holydaies to the first
day in Lent. The Women wearing Mens breeches, have
them open all before, and most part behind, onely buttoned
with gold or silver buttons : And the Curtizans make all
the forepart of their gownes in like manner open, to avoide
wrinckling.
Lastly, the Italians use to tie themselves upon a vow for
recovery of health, or like cause, to weare certaine apparrell
for a time or for life ; and if the vow be in repentance of
sinne, the colour is ashcolour, vulgarly Beretino, which I
have seene some weare for long time constantly, with
purpose to weare them during lif.
OF THE APPAREL OF THE TURKS
Of the
Chap. II.
Turkes, French, English, Scottish, and
Irish Apparrell.
He Turks shave their heads, but only in
the very crowne, where they leave a tufft
of haire ; and they doe not now as of old,
onely nourish the haire of the upper lip,
but al the beard growing round. They
cover their head thus shaved with a close
-- '-- cap of Scarlet, and above it weare some
twelve or twenty elles of fine white cotton cloth, woven
into a round globe, which in their tongue is called a
Tulbent, and by some Tsalma: neither do they ever
uncover their heads in honour to any man, but salute by
bending the body, and laying their left hand on their right
side. This cap (or this head, as they call it) is hollow, and
so admits aire, being borne up by little hoopes, and so
cooles the head, yet being thicke, keepes out the Sunne
from piercing it, and being of most fine linnen, is much
lighter then our hats. All the Orders or degrees among
the Turkes, are knowne by the ornament of the head (or
by their heades, as they speake.) The Azimoglanes weare
Pyramidall caps like sugar-loves, of a mingled colour and
light stuffe. The Janizares weare the said Tulbent, but
have also a cap peculiar to their Order, vulgarly called
Zarcola, which they weare going abroad into the City,
being a standing cap, plaine at the top, with an hood hang-
ing down behind (like that part of our French hoods), with
a guilded home of brasse upright above the forehead.
The Janizares that are Courtiers, weare a Feather hanging
downe from the hinder part of the head to the very heeles.
The Chausses, and all degrees upward to the very
Emperour, weare the said Tulbent or Cap, with a little
piece of red velvet appearing at the very crowne, upon
which they set Jewels and Feathers, whereby these higher
orders and degrees in the warre are distinguished. Like
x6os-x 7.
Jill.iv. 75-]
FYNES MORYSON'S ITINERARY
white Tulbents, but altogether plaine, are worne by
inferiour Turkes, that are not Souldiers, and they cannot
bee more provoked, then by casting any spot upon their
white heads, which they weare as an holy badge of their
Religion, placing the purity of the soule for a great part in
the outward purity of the body, Tulbent, and garments.
All these Tulbents be of pure white ; but the Greekes and
other Christians, aswell subjects as strangers, weare
Shasses, that is, striped linnen (commonly white and blew),
wound about the skirts of a little cap. Such a Shasse my
selfe did weare, costing fifteene Meidines.
The Persians weare such Tulbents for the forme, but the
cloth is of greene colour. And the Turkes (as I thinke)
called Seriffi, and by others called Hemir, namely, the
Kindred or race of Mahomet, (who make great shew of
hereditary holinesse, and are of singular reputation), doe
not onely weare greene Tulbents, but all garments of the
same colour, yet some of them weare garments of other
colours, with a greene marke to be knowne from others.
They say, that Mahomet used to weare greene garments,
whereupon in superstition they onely permit this colour to
his race; and if any chance to weare a shoo-string or
garters of that colour, by ignorance of this rite, they will
file upon him, and beate him with cudgels, and if bee still
weare them, will punish him more severely. My self
ignorant of this rite, passed most part of Turkey, with
my dublet lined with greene taffety, but sleeping by nights
in my dublet, and hiding the silke, lest they should thinke
me rich; by great chance this error of mine was
never detected, till I came to Constantinople, where our
Ambassadour observing it, and telling mee the great
cruelty they use towards such as weare any greene thing,
did much astonish me, yet did I still weare the same, being
safe in the priviledge of the Ambassadours house, till I
went into a Venetian ship, to sayle into Italy. Besides
these hypocrites of Mahomets race, (for that cause so much
respected, as the witnesse of one of them availes more then
of ten common Turkes), they have other orders of
224
OF THE APPAREL OF THE TURKS
religious men, whereof the chiefe, and (as it were) Metro-
politan Bishop is called Mophty, whom the Emperour
highly respects, and takes counsell of him when he goes
to warre. Also the Cady is a chiefe Judge of Ecclesiasti-
call causes: And all these weare silke gownes of skie
coloured blew, which colour is esteemed next greene, and
proper to some such orders. And these religious men
weare their gownes long to the ground, with close sleeves,
and their tulbents are larger, but flatter, then other Turkes
wtre.
Neither men nor women of the Turkes, weare any necke
bands or collars, but their gownes are cut close to the
lowest part of the necke, and there made fast, so as all
the necke is naked. And the gownes of men and women
little differ, save that the men have them large, the women
close at the brest. They hate the blacke colour, as
infernall, and much used by Christians. In general, the
men weare a long coate to the knee, and upon it a long
OWne with gathered sleeves hanging to the calfe of the
gge, and buttoned at the brest, and a third longer
owne hanging behind to the ground, with sleeves
ose to the arme. They weare a girdle of silke or
linnen twice or thrice about the waste, or of fine
leather with plates of gold and silver. Their breeches
and stockings are of one peece of Kersey, like Irish
Trouses, but larger, the stockings hanging loose without
any garters. They weare their shirts hanging over
their breeches, under which they have linnen breeches,
which they weare also by night, in stead of sheetes : And
they pull out their shirts by day, lest they should be
spotted by their privy parts, making it a point of religion,
to keepe their garments cleane. Lastly; they weare red
and yellow shooes, of most thinne leather, pointed sharpe
at the toes ; and two fingers high at the heele, with peeces
of iron under the soles, or else leather buskins, and both
these they put off within dores ; sitting upon the ground,
spread with Carpets, crossing their naked feete like our
Taylors. Their upper gowne and breeches are commonly
M. IV 22 P
1605-t 7.
FYNES MORYSON'S ITINERARY
of English or Venetian cloth, and many times of satten or
damaske, or some light stuffe : And their coates are loose,
and commonly lined with blacke Conie skinnes, brought
out of England, and much esteemed by them; as being
soft, and coole, and keeping out the Sunne in a loose
garment, and also warme in a close garment. Thus they
weare the finest cloth, silkes, and stuffes, but not one is
found so prodigall or ridiculous, as to weare any lace, and
much lesse to cut any stuffe, all wearing them plaine, and
laughing at our contrary fashions. They have no glooves,
and I remember that my selfe in Syria being poorely
attired, yet was taken for a great man, onely for wearing
gloves. They weare very large hand-kerchers, and
wrought all over with silke of light colours, which they
hang by their sides about the girdle. They use linnen
cloth or cotton cloth very thinne and fine, but of browne
colour, for thinnesse not unlike our boulting cloths, but
most pure and cleane, in which they are curious for al
things worne about the body. The chief pride of the
Turks, is in having the pummels of their Cemeters (or
short and broad Swords) set with Jewels, which are many
times counterfet, and commonly of small value, and like-
wise in having good Horses, with bridles and saddles rich
and set with like Jewels. I never observed any Turkes
to weare gold Rings or Jewels on their fingers, excepting
onely some Souldiers in Syria, whom I have seene weare
great rings of white bone upon their thumbs. But the
great men highly esteeme Christian Jewellers, not to weare
the Jewels, but rather to have their treasure portable, and
easie to be hidden. The Turkes weare no Swords in the
Cities, but onely in the Campe, or in Journies. For
Janizaries and other Souldiers have such authority without
armes, as no man dares resist them, so as carrying onely a
long and heavy cudgell in their hands, one of them will
therewith beat multitudes of Turkes, like so many dogs:
yet the Janizaries in Syria weare at their girdles short and
heavy Knives, like daggers.
The Turkish women weare smocks (of which fashion
FFaHE.
FYNES MORYSON'S ITINERARY
they cannot be distinguished in condition or beauty.
Neither goe they abroad in any pompe to be seene, nor
without the leave of their husbands, to whom, and to no
other at any time, they shew their face open, and their
hands unpainted, except they will by immodesty procure
their owne danger. Under the necke of this gowne cover-
ing all their apparrell, they thrust the end of their white
vaile hanging downe from the hinder part of the head;
yet the Greekish women weare this vaile loose over that
gowne. And this singular modesty is attributed to these
women, that they blush to come into Market places, or
publike meetings, or great companies, and are not dis-
pleased to be strictly kept at home. Lastly, in respect of
their frequent bathing, and their faces covered when they
goe abroad, and so never open to the Sunne, wind, or any
ill weather, the Turkish and Greekish women have most
delicate bodyes, and long preserve their beauties.
The French, if we respect the time of these late Civill
wars, weare light stuffes and woollen cloth, with a doublet
close to the body, and large easie breeches, and all things
rather commodious for use, then brave for ornament; and
scoffed at those who came richly attired to the Campe, or
wore long haire. But if wee consider their apparrell
before the misery of the said civill warres, we shall find
them authors to us English, of wearing long haire,
doublets with long bellies to the navell, ruffes hanging
downe to the shoulders, and breeches puffed as big as a
tunne, with all like wanton levities. In time of peace,
Gentlemen weare mixed and light colours, and silk
garments, laid with silke lace, and sattens, commonly raced,
and stockings of silke, or of some light stuffe, but never
woollen or worsted (which only Merchants weare,) and
imbrodered garments, with great inconstancy in the
fashion, and negligently or carelessely, which the Germans
call slovenly, because they many times goe without hat-
bands and garters, with their points untrust, and their
doublets unburned. The sumptuary lawes forbid Gentle-
men to weare cloth or lace of gold and silver, but when
OF THE APPAREL OF THE FRENCH
the King proclaimes an honourable warre against any
lorraine Prince, he permits any bravery to his soldiers, yet
so, as the warre ended, after a fit time to weare out that
apparrel, they must returne to their former attire, except
the king be so weake, as he cannot give life to these lawes.
Aswell men as women commonly weare course linnen, and
Gentlemens Lacqueis or servants ruffle in plaine ragges.
In generall, men and women (excepting Courtiers and
some of the Gentry) weare light stuffes, and rather delicate
then sumptuous garments. And howsoever the Law
forbids to weare silke lace upon silke stuffes, yet the
execution of the Law being neglected, they ever offend
more or lesse, according to the libertie of the time, against
this old Law, never yet abolished, but rather in time worne
out of respect. Merchants weare blacke garments of
cloth, or light stuffes of silke, commonly after a modest
fashion. The Senators weare cloakes and hats (not gownes
and caps as ours use), and onely the Presidents and
Counsellers of Parliaments weare scarlet gownes, and that
onely at solemne times, as the first day that the Court sits,
and all the Procurators daily weare gownes. The Country
people commonly used to weare blew cloth, in loose coates
and close breeches, with stockings hanging over their
shooes. But they have left this fashion, and now for the
most part, weare close doublets, and large breeches, with a
large coate hanging downe to the knees, all of light stuffes
made at home, and stockings of course wooll. And their
wives in like sort attyred, have their heads all over-
wrapped in linnen.
In,igenerall the women, married, cover their heads with
a coyre or netted cawle. The Gentlewomen beare up their
haire on the fore-heades with a wier, and upon the back
part of the head weare a cap of other haire then their owne,
over their cawle, and above that they weare a coyfe of silke,
lined with Velvet, and having a peake downe the forehead.
Or else the Gentlewomen and wives of rich Merchants,
with small difference of degree, weare upon their heads a
black vaile of Cipers, peaked at the forehead, with a velvet
229
[III.iv. I77.]
The French
Women.
FYNES MORYSON'S ITINERARY
hood hanging downe behind; onely the Gentlewomen
weare this hood gathered, and the Merchants wives plaine.
Women of inferiour sort weare like hoods of cloth,
and sometimes of silke, or a light stuffe. And some
Merchants wives and women of ordinary condition, weare
a white coife of linnen (fine or course accordin to their
condition) with certaine high and not very comety hornes,
wreathed up on the forehead. Both men and women
lately used falling bands, which the better sort starched,
and raised up with wier, shewing their necks and breasts
naked. But now both more commonly and especially in
winter, weare thicke ruffes. Gentlewomen and Citizens
wives when they goe out of dores, weare upon their faces
little Maskes of silk, lined with fine leather, which they
alwaies unpin, and shew their face, to any that salutes
them. And they use a strange badge of pride, to weare
little looking glasses at their girdles. Commonly they go
in the streets leaning upon a mans arme. They weare
very light gownes, commonly blacke, and hanging loose at
the backe, and under it an upper-body close at the breast,
with a kirtle of a mixed or light colour, and of some light
stuff e, laid with many gardes, in which sort the women
generally are attired. They weare sleeves to their gownes
borne out with whalebones, and of a differing colour from
the gowne, which besides hath other loose hanging sleeves
cast backward, and aswel the upperbodies as the kirtles,
differ from the gowne in colour and stuffe. And they say,
that the sleeves borne up with whale-bones, were first
invented, to avoid mens familiar touching of their armes.
For it was related unto me (I know not how credibly), that
by Phisitians advice the French make issues in their armes
for better health, as the Italians use to make them under
the knees, covered with a close garter of brasse. In
France as well men as women, use richly to bee adorned
with Jewels. The men weare rings of Diamonds, and
abroad Jewels in their hats, placed upon the roote of their
feathers. The Ladies weare their Jewels commonly at the
brest, or upon the left arme, and many other wales; for
23o
OF THE APPAREL OF THE FRENCH
who can containe the mutable French in one and the same
fashion ? and they commonly weare chaines of Pearle, yea,
the very wives of Merchants weare rings of Diamonds,
but most commonly chaines of bugell and like toyes of
black colour.
The Gentlemen have no plate of silver, but some
spoones and a salt, much lesse have they any plate of gold.
But the great Lords or Princes eate in silver dishes, and
use basons and ewers of silver, and no other kind of plate,
using alwaies to drinke in glasses, and each severall man
to have a glasse by himselfe.
Cesar reports that the old Britans were apparrelled in
skinnes, and wore long haire, with the beard all shaven,
but the upper lippe. Now the English in their apparrell
are become more light then the lightest French, and more
sumptuous then the proudest Persians. More light I say
then the French, because with singular inconstancy they
have in this one age worne out all the fashions of France
and all the Nations of Europe, and tired their owne
inventions, which are no lesse buisie in finding out new
and ridiculous fashions, then in scraping up money for
such idle expences: yea, the Taylors and Shopkeepers
daily invent fantasticall fashions for hats, and like new
fashions and names for stuffes. Some may thinke that I
play the Poet, in relating wonderfull but incredible things,
but men of experience know that I write with historicall
truth. That the English by Gods goodnesse abounding
at home with great variety of things to be worne, are not
onely not content therewith, and not onely seeke new
garments from the furthest East, but are besides so light
and vaine, as they suffer themselves to be abused by the
English Merchants, who nourishing this generall folly of
their Countrymen, to their own gaine, daily in forraigne
parts cause such new colours and stuffe to be made, as
their Masters send painted out of England to them, teach-
ing strangers to serve our lightnesse with such inventions
as themselves never knew before. For this cause the
English of greater modesty in apparrell, are forced to cast
England.
[III.iv. 178.]
I6O5-X 7.
et pleasant
fable.
FYNES MORYSON'S ITINERARY
off garments before they be worne, since it is the law of
nature, that every man may eate after his owne appetite,
but must weare his apparrell after the vulgar fashion,
except he will looke like an old picture in cloth of Arras.
I have heard a pleasant fable, that Jupiter sent a shower,
wherein whosoever was wet, became a foole ; and that all
the people were wet in this shower, excepting one
Philosopher, who kept his study: but in the evening
comming forth into the market place, and finding that all
the people mocked him as a foole, who was onely wise,
was forced to pray for another like shower, that he might
become a foole, and so live quietly among fooles, rather
then beare the envy of his wisedome. This happens to
many wise men in our age, who wearing apparrell of old
and good fashion, are by others so mocked for proud
and obstinate fooles, till at last they are forced to be foolish
with the fooles of their time. The English I say are
more sumptuous then the Persians, because despising the
golden meane, they affect all extreamities. For either
they will be attired in plaine cloth and light stuffes,
(alwayes provided that every day without difference their
hats be of Bever, their shirts and bands of the finest linnen,
their daggers and swords guilded, their garters and shooe
roses of silke, with gold or silver lace, their stockings of
silke wrought in the seames with silke or gold, and their
cloakes in Summer of silke, in Winter at least all lined
with velvet), or else they daily weare sumptuous doublets
and breeches of silke or velvet, or cloth of gold or silver,
so laid over with lace of gold or silke, as the stuffes
(though of themselves rich) can hardly be seene. The
English and French have one peculiar fashion, which I
never observed in any other part, namely to weare
scabbards and sheaths of velvet upon their rapiers and
daggers: For in France very Notaries use them in the
Cities, and ride upon their footecloaths, or in Coaches
(both hired), and in England men of meane sort use them.
In the time of Qeene Elizabeth the Courtiers delighted
much in darke colours, both simple and mixt, and did often
OF THE APPAREL OF THE ENGLISH
weare plaine blacke stuffes ; yet that being a brave time
of warre, they, together with our Commanders, many
times wore light colours, richly laced and embrodered, but
the better sort of Gentlemen then esteemed simple light
colours to be lesse comely, as red and yellow, onely white
excepted, which was then much worne in Court. Now
in this time of King James his Reigne, those simple light
colours have beene much used.
If I should begin to set downe the variety of fashions
and forraign stuffes brought into England in these times,
I might seeme to number the starres of Heaven and sands
of the Sea. I will onely adde, that the English in great
excesse affect the wearing of Jewels and Diamond Rings,
scorning to weare plaine gold rings, or chaines of gold, the
men seldome or never wearing any chaines, and the better
sort of women commonly wearing rich chaines of pearle,
or else the light chaines of France, and all these Jewels
must be oriental and precious, it being disgracefull to
weare any that are counterfet. In like manner among the
better sort of Gentlemen and Merchants, few are found,
who have not cupbords of silver and gold plate, to the
value of two hundred pounds at the least. And if a feast
last longer then one day, they seldome use the same plate
of silver or guilded: yea, not only the great Lords, but
the better sort of Knights and Gentlemen, use to eate in
silver dishes. And whereas the French and Italians use
to drinke in glasses, and have few vessels, no pots or boles
of silver, and the Germans drink in peuter or stone pots,
having little or no plate; most of the housholders in
England of any reasonable condition, drinke in silver:
yet howsoever the Gentlemen are served with pots and
boles of silver, they rather delight to drinke in glasses of
Venice, onely the common sort using other kinds of
glasses.
In the generall pride of England there is no fit difference
made of degrees, for very Bankrouts, Players, and Cut-
purses, goe apparrelled like Gentlemen. Many good
Lawes have been made against this Babylonian confusion,
235
Jill.iv. 79.]
OF THE APPAREL OF THE ENGLISH
often ruffes, both starched, and chaines of pearle about
the necke, with their brests naked. The graver sort of
married women used to cover their head with a French-
hood of Velvet, set with a border of gold buttons and
pearles: but this fashion is now left, and they most
commonly weare a coyfe of linnen, and a little hat of
beaver or felt, with their haire somewhat raised at the
forehead. Young married Gentlewomen sometimes goe
bare headed, as virgins, decking their haire with Jewels,
and silke ribbens, but more commonly they use the fore-
said linnen coyfe and hats. All in generall, weare gownes
hanging loose at the backe, with a Kirtle and close upper-
body, of silke or light stuffe, but have lately left the
French sleeves borne out with hoopes of whalebone, and
the young married Gentlewomen no lesse then the
Virgins, shew their breasts naked.
The servants of Gentlemen were wont to weare blew
coates, with their Masters badge of silver on the left
sleeve : but now they most commonly weare clokes garded
with lace, all the servants of one family wearing the same
liverie for colour and ornament; and for the rest, are
apparrelled with no lesse pride and inconstancie of fashion
then other degrees.
The Husbandmen in Scotland, the servants, and almost
al in the Country did weare course cloth made at home, of
gray or skie colour, and flat blew caps very broad. The
Merchants in Cities were attired in English or French
cloth, of pale colour or mingled black and blew. The
Gentlemen did weare English cloth, or silke, or light
stuffes, little or nothing adorned with silke lace, much
lesse with lace of silver or gold, and all followed at this
time the French fashion, especially in Court. Gentle-
women married did weare close upper bodies, after the
German manner, with large whalebone sleeves after the
French manner, short cloakes like the Germans, French
hoods, and large falling bands about their neckes. The
unmarried of all sorts did goe bareheaded, and weare short
cloakes, with most close linnen sleeves on their armes, like
235
The English
Scotland.
[Ill.iv. I8o.]
Ireland.
FYNES MORYSON'S ITINERARY
the Virgins of Germany. The inferiour sort of Citizens
wives, and the women of the Countrey, did weare cloakes
made of a course stuffe, of two or three colours in Checker
worke, vulgarly called Plodan. To conclude, in generall
they would not at this time be attired after the English
fashion, in any sort, but the men, especially at Court,
follow the French fashion, and the women, both in Court
and City, as well in cloakes, as naked heads, and dose
sleeves on the armes, and all other garments, follow the
fashion of the women in Germany.
In Ireland the English and the English Irish are attired
after the English manner, for the most part, yet not with
such pride and inconstancy, perhaps for want of meanes:
yet the English Irish forgetting their owne Countrey, are
somewhat infected with the Irish rudenesse, and with them
are delighted in simple light colours, as red and yellow.
And in like sort the degenerated Citizens are somewhat
infected with the Irish filthinesse, as well in lowsie beds,
foule sheetes, and all linnen, as in many other particulars;
but as well in diet as apparrell, the Citizens of Dublyn
most of all other, and the Citizens of Waterford and
Galloway in some good measure, retaine the English
cleanlinesse. Touching the meere or wild Irish, it may
truely be said of them, which of old was spoken of the
Germans, namely, that they wander slovenly and naked,
and lodge in the same house (if it may be called a house,)
with their beasts. Among them the Gentlemen or Lords
of Countries, weare close breeches and stockings of the
same peece of cloth, of red or such light colour, and a
loose coate, and a cloake or three cornered mantle, com-
monly of course light stuffe made at home, and their
linnen is course and slovenly. I say slovenly, because
they seldome put off a shirt till it be worne: And these
shirts in our memory before the last Rebellion, were made
of some twenty or thirty elles, folded in wrinckles, and
coloured with saffron to avoid lowsinesse, incident to the
wearing of foule linnen. And let no man wonder, that
they are lowsie, for never any barbarous people were found
36
FYNES MORYSON'S ITINERARY
his best manner in the Latin tongue, desired him to put
off: his apparrel, which he thought to be a burthen to him,
and to sit naked by the tier with his naked company. But
the Barron when he came to himselfe after some astonish-
ment at this strange sight, professed that he was so inflamed
therewith, as for shame he durst not put off his apparrell.
These Rogues in Summer thus naked beare their armes,
girding their swords to them by a with in stead of a girdle.
To conclude, men and women, at night going to sleepe,
lie thus naked in a round circle about the tier, with their
feete towards it, and as I formerly said, treating of their
diet, they fold their heads and upper partes in their woollen
mantles, first steeped in water, to keepe them warme. For
they say that woollen cloth wetted, preserves heate, (as
linnen wetted preserves cold) when the smoke of their
bodies had warmed the woollen cloth.
TAe Aitoricall
introduction.
Chap. III.
Of the Germans, and Bohemians Commonwealth,
under which title I containe an Historicall
introduction ; the Princes pedegrees, and
Courts, the present state of things, the tributes
and revenews, the military state for Horse,
Foote, and Navy, the Courts of Justice, rare
Lawes, more specially the Lawes of inheri-
tance, and of womens Dowries, the capitall
Judgements, and the diversitie of degrees in
Family and Common-wealth.
Onstantine the great made gmperour about
the yeere 3o6, removed his seate from
Rome to Constantinople, and at his death
derided the Empire among his children.
And howsoever the Empire was after
sometimes united in the person of one
Prince for his reigne, yet it could never
bee againe established in one body, but was most com-
238
OF THE GERMAN COMMONWEALTH
monly devided into the Easterne and Westerne Empires.
In the time of Augustulus Emperour of the West, the
remote Countries of the Empire recovered their liberty by
the sword, and barbarous Nations in great armies, invaded
the Empire, till they possessed Italy, so as this Emperour
was forced to depose his Imperiall dignity about the yeere
476. And thus the Westerne Empire ceased, till Charles
the great, King of France, about the yeere 774 subdued
the Lombards, and was at Rome saluted Emperour of the
West by Pope Leo the third, and the Princes of Italy.
From which time the Empires of the East and West, of
old devided by inheritance among brothers and Kinsmen
had no more any mutuall right of succession, but began
to bee severally governed. Histories write that Charles
the great, King of France, was descended of the Germans,
and that all Gallia Transalpina (that is beyond the Alpes)
and upper Germany, as farre as Hungary, were by a
common name called France, onely devided into Easterne
and Westerne France. And the divers Nations of
Germany, formerly governed by their Kings and Dukes,
were at this time first united under this Charles the great
about the yeere 91 I. Conrade the first, son to the Duke
of Franconia (a large Province of Germany), was first out
of the race of Charles the great saluted Emperour of the
West, by the Princes of Germany, though Charles the
Simple, and others of the race of Charles the great, still
reigned in France to the yeere 98 8, yet with lesse reputation
then their progenitors had, and troubled with many con-
fusions. Thus Germany deviding it selfe from France,
drew to it selfe the Empire of the West, whereof in our
age it retaineth rather the shadow then the old glory.
Foure Dukes of Saxony succeeded Conrade in this
Empire, and in the time of Otho the third Duke of
Saxony and Emperour, contrary to the former custome,
whereby the Emperours succeeded by right of bloud, or
the last testament of the deceased Emperour, or by the
consent of the Princes of Germany, the election of the
Emperour was in the yeere 984 established hereditary to
239
6o5-7.
[III.iv. Sz.]
Netherland
and
Switzerland.
FYNES MORYSON'S ITINERARY
seven Princes of Germany, called Electors, by a law made
by the Emperour and the Pope. From that time the
Empire hath remained in Germany, with free election, yet
so as they most commonly therein respected the right of
bloud, in which respect the house of Austria hath long
continued in the possession of the Empire. And the
Emperours of Germany for many ages, by this right
governed Italy, and received their Crowne at Rome, till
wearied and worne out by the treacheries of the Popes,
and forced to beare the publike burthen upon their private
revenues, they were made unable to support their former
dignity. For these causes Rodulphus of Habsburg of the
house of Austria chosen Emperour in the yeere 1273 , first
laid aside all care of forraigne matters. Then the riches
of the Emperours daily decreasing, and the riches of
inferiour Princes no lesse increasing, the Emperours in
processe of time, for great summes of money, sold libertie
and absolute power to the Princes and Dukes of Italy and
Germany, yea, their very right of investing, to the Princes
of Italy.
Most of the Cities in Netherland, and all the Cantons
of the Sweitzers, were of old subject to the German
Emperours, till by the dissentions betweene them and the
Popes, they found meanes to gaine their liberties. Of old
nintie sixe greater Cities thus made free, still acknow-
ledged the Emperour in some sort: but after many of
them, leagued with the Sweitzers and Netherlanders, quite
forsooke the Emperour, many of the rest, and many lesse
Cities, either pawned to Princes for money borrowed, or
given to Princes for their good service to the Emperors
in their warres, became subject to divers Princes by the
Emperours consent ; so as at this day there bee onely sixty
Cities, all seated in Germany, which are called Free and
Imperiall Cities, having absolute power within themselves ;
and howsoever these in a sort acknowledge the Emperour
their chiefe Lord, yet they little or not at al feare or respect
his weake power.
Hitherto the Roman Bishops, not enduring a superiour
240
OF THE GERMAN COMMONWEALTH
Lord, first cast the Emperours of the East out of Italy,
and after by al meanes weakened their power, till
Mahumet the second Emperour of the Turkes, about the
yeere 1453, swallowed that Empire within his foule jawes.
Hitherto the said Bishops, that they might reigne alone,
sometimes bewitched the barbarous Kings, which had
destroyed the Empire of the West, and then reigned in
Italy, for Religions sake to promote the Church of Rome,
and at other times oppressed them with open treacheries,
till they had conferred the Kingdome of Lombardy and
the Empire of the West upon Charles the Great, King of
France. Hitherto the same Bishops, for the same causes,
had troubled the Empire of the West with Civill dissen-
tions, till at last Italy (as I said) having bought liberty of
the Emperours, and the said German Emperours contain-
ing themselves at home, (for no Emperour after the said
Rodulphus of Habsburg, but onely Lodwick the Bavarian,
did ever leade any Army into Italy), they now thought
good to rage no more against this dejected Empire, but
rather to cherrish it, converting themselves wholly to bring
all Christian Kings under their yoke. And now the
Turkish Emperours began to threaten ruine to the German
Empire, and in very Germany, the Popes stage, where
they had plaied their bloudy parts, by continuall raising
of civill warres, the reformation of Religion began freshly
to spring, and to pull the borrowed plumes of the Popes.
Therefore the Emperours from that time to this our age,
have been wholly busied in resisting the Turkes, and
composing the domesticall differences of Religion.
And from the same time forward, the Court of Rome
was continually distracted with the factions of France and
Spaine, till the Popes, skilfull to use the ambitious dis-
cussions of Princes to their owne profit and greatnesse,
made them all subject to the Romane yoke. And the
Kings on the contrary laboured nothing more, then to have
the Pope on their party, at whose beck all Christendome
was governed, to which end they gave large bribes to the
Cardinals, who had now assumed to themselves the
h IV 24x Q
6o5-7.
The Roman
Bihop.
[IlI. iv. 183. ]
6o5-7.
FYNES MORYSON'S ITINERARY
election of the Popes. To conclude, the Popes to make
their owne power transcendent, kept the power of the
Princes in equal ballance, by sowing dissentions among
them, and favouring now one now the other party, till for
feare of the reformed Religion now also springing in
France, they could no longer keepe this equality, but were
forced to forsake the Kings of France distracted with
civill warres, and to advance the Kings of Spaine, as pro-
tectors of the Church, whose Clients at last got the power
to governe all things in Rome at their pleasure : And the
Spaniard at this time distracted abroad with the French
and English warres, and besieged at home with the power
of the Jesuites and religious men, seemed lesse to bee
feared by the Romans in that respect, as likewise the Kings
of Spaine doubted not to maintaine the awfull authority
of the Popes, which they knew must alwayes be favourable
to their designes, as well for the protection which they
gave to the Roman Church, against the reformed Religion,
as for that the massy gold of Spaine, bore so great sway
in the Colledge of the Cardinals, that by strange successe,
the Popes lesse inclined to the Spanish faction, were soone
taken away by untimely death. To omit many other, I
will onely mention Pope Sixtus Q.gintus, who lived
happily in that Chaire, so long as he favoured Spaine, but
assoone as he was thought to decline from that faction,
and when he saw a white Mule presented him for the
tribute of the Neapolitane Kingdome, was said to weepe,
that so little a Mule should be given for so great a King-
dome: he lived not long after, but suddenly vanished
away. At Rome are two Images called Pasquin and
Marphorius, upon which libels use to be fixed: And of
late when the Pope by the mediation of the King of
France, had made peace with the Venetians, contrary to
the liking of the King of Spaine, a white sheete of paper
was fixed on Pasquin, and another demanding what that
paper ment was fixed on Marphorius, and a third paper
was fixed on Pasquin, answering, that the cleane paper was
for the Pope to make his last Will and Testamen b as if
242
OF THE HOUSE OF AUSTRIA
the new Emperour. And under their poore estate and
unwarlike mindes, the Empire at this day languisheth like
a sparke lapped in ashes: And the Popes held for Gods
upon earth, have no more feared the Emperors authority,
but rather supported it against the reformed religion, and
the invasions, of the Turks, the Emperors alwayes acknow-
ledging ths unprofitable servant of their Progenitors for
their Benefactor and spirituall Father. The Emperour
Rodolphus at this time living, is of the House of Austria,
whose pedigree I will set downe. The first Family of the
House of Austria gave many Emperours to Germany,
but that was extinguished in Conradine the sonne of
Fredericke, few yeeres before Rodolphus of Habspurg,
came to the Empire, who is the roote of this second
Family of Austria.
Emperour
pedegree.
45
[Rodulphus
FYNES MORYSON'S ITINERARY
' Rodulphus
Duke of Aus-
tria died in the
yeare I3O8.
Fredericke
made Duke of
Suevia and
Moravia by
the Emperours
gift, dyed in
thejteare ! 33 o.
Leopold
Duke of Aus-
tria.
Albert the
second, Count
of Tyroll by
the Marriage
of his Sonne to
the Niece of
the King of
Bohemia, died
in the yeare
1359.
r
a46
.F.
eo . Fredericke
. : the third,
: E Emperour.--
' died in the
E yeare ;493.
OF
THE
HOUSE OF AUSTRIA
By Jone his
concubine.
OF THE
HOUSE OF AUSTRIA
Ferdinand died a childe in the
'eare 15 5 2.
Rodulp 2 of that name, and the
:ighth Emperour of this Family,
chosen King of the Romans,
I575, Emperour I576. succeed-
ing King of Hungarie, 572,
King of Bohemia I575. Hee
was at this time Emperor, and
lived unmarried.
3. Sonne Ernestus governed
Netherland, and died unmarried.
4. Matthew, unmarried.
5. Maximilian, unmarried.
6. Albert surrendered his
Cardinals Hat, maried Isabel
daughter to the K. of Spaine,
and governes Netherland, but
hath no children.
7- Wenceslaus. 8. Fredericke.
9. Carolus, al three died yong.
Foure sisters, Anna, married to
the King of Spaine, anno 563,
died anno 158o. Elizabeth
married to Charles the 9, King
of France, anno 57 o. Mary &
Margaret died yong.
k
u49
I6O5-I 7.
6o- 7.
The houw of
.4utria.
[llI. iv. 87. ]
Te
Emperours
Dominions.
Bohemia.
FYNES MORYSON'S ITINERARY
Thus I have shewed, that besides the branch of the
House of Austria now raigning in Spaine, there remaine
three branches thereof in Germany, the first of the
Emperour Rodolphus and his brethren Ernestus (dying in
his life time) Mathias and Maximilianus and Albertus,
Whereof foure lived unmarried, the fifth named Albertus
hath long been married, but hath no child. The second
branch is that of Ferdinand of Ispruch, who married
Philippina the daughter of a Citizen in Augsburg, where-
upon his kinsmen disdaining that his ignoble Issue should
enherit with them, forced him to agree, that the County
of Tyroll should not descend upon his sonne, whereupon
his eldest sonne by her named Charles, possesseth onely
the City and territory of Burgh, (which was in his Fathers
power to give) with title of the Marquesse of Burgh,
and the said County at the Fathers death fell backe to the
Emperour. His second sonne Andrew Cardinal of Brixia,
besides the spirituall possessions of that County, hath also
the Bishopricke of Costnetz in Suevia: But Ferdinand,
of his second wife daughter to the Duke of Mantua, had
some daughters, but no heire male. The third branch is
of Charles of Graz, who besides his heires males, left
eight daughters, whereof one is now married to Sigismund
King of Poland by election, and of Suecia by inheritance,
the second to the Prince of Transilvania, the third to
Philip King of Spaine.
The Emperour by right of his owne inheritance, (not of
the. Empire) is Lord of many and large Provinces, namely,
King of Hungary, King of Bohemia, with the annexed
most fertile Provinces, of Moravia, Silesia, and Lusatia.
Also towards the Alpes he hath by Inheritance many large
Provinces, gotten by his Progenitors, (as appeares by his
Pedegree), namely, the Arch-Dukedome of Austria, the
Provinces of Styria, Carinthia, Carniola, Tyroll, and other
large territories in Suevia and Alsatia, besides great juris-
dictions among the Sweitzers called the Grysons.
Ferdinand the Emperour, brother to the Emperour
Charles the fifth, married the sister and heire of Lodovicus
5o
,6o5- 7.
Hungary.
[III.iv. 188.]
FYNES MORYSON'S ITINERARY
the keeping of the Kings Crowne, in a Castle called
Carlstein.
Touching Hungary, it had the name of the people
called the Hunns, who under their King Geysa, received
the Christian Religion: his sonne Stephen was chosen
King in the yeere lOO2, from whom in order many Kings
have beene chosen, so as due respect was alwayes had of
the eldest sonnes to the deceased, who sometimes refused,
did stirre up civill warres. King Andrew about the yeere
I-3o , first gave great priviledges to the Nobility, which
their Kings to this day have used to confirme, as soone
as they were elected. King Vladislaus in the yeere I49o ,
first joyned the Kingdomes of Bohemia and Hungary
together, whose sonne Lodovicus perished in the unhappy
battell against the Turkes in the yeere I56: At which
time Ferdinand of the House of Austria, brother to the
Emperor Charles the fifth, and successor to him in the
Empire, was chosen King of Hungary, as well by the
covenant which the Emperour Maximilian the first made
with Mathias Huniades, as by the right of his wife, being
sister and heire to the said Lodovicus, and he caused his
sonne Maximilian the second, to bee chosen King in his
life time, as his sonne Rodolphus at this time Emperour,
was chosen King while his Father lived : and under them,
through civill dissentions, and the fearefull neighbourhood
of the great Turke, great part of this Kingdome hath
beene subdued by that Tyrant, and for the rest, the
Emperor Rodolphus, to the great reproch of the Empire,
was forced to send yeerely tribute to Constantinople, till
the free Cities of Germany slacking to pay this tribute,
the Great Turke tooke that wished occasion to make warre
against the Christians, and finding none weaker to resist
him then the Emperour, hath in our age horribly wasted
Hungary, and subdued the greatest part of that King-
dome. The said tribute was said to be seven tunnes of
gold each three yeeres, as I have heard by grave and
learned men, but I know not how conversant in matters
of State.
252
OF THE HOUSE OF AUSTRIA
Rodolphus the Emperour was of a middle stature,
somewhat corpulent, with a ruddy but sower countenance,
a short thicke beard, and browne coloured haire : At that
time mourning for his dead sister, he wore blacke gar-
ments of small price: Hee was said to love solitarinesse,
and to exercise the Arts of Alchumy and Painting. Hee
was most easie of accesse, and very affable, so as every
man spake to him with small reverence, and in the
Chamber of Presence the Courtiers and strangers gave no
reverence to the Chaire of Estate, the Sword, and the
Scepter, but stood by with their heads covered, yea, laid
their hands or leaned upon the cushion, without any
ceremony of reverence. He was esteemed sparing of
speech, and liberall in his nature, so as he rewarded his
Courtiers honourably, though slowly, for want of money,
which made him not able to shew any magnificence.
Nothing was more common in every roans mouth, as well
German as Bohemian, then that hee was much addicted
to the warfare of Venus, bearing in his body strange
scarres and privy maimes thereof, but abhorred from the
warre of Mars.
At Vienna I did see Ernestus and Mathias, brothers to
the Emperour, eating at one Table together, for they
admit all subjects and strangers to come into the roome
where they eate, at the times of dinner and supper.
Before the Arch-Dukes came in, all stood with their heads
covered: Then the Carver making himselfe ready to
serve at the Table, laid his hat upon the Chaire of Estate,
contrary to our English manner, who give reverence to
that Chaire, though our Princes be absent. When the
Arch-Dukes sate downe at Table, all the standers by
bended their knees : They both sat on one side, with their
backes to the wall, and each had a Foole to stand by him,
one at the Tables end, another on the opposite side, to
whom with their owne hands they gave largely to eate,
which they greedily devoured. The two Arch-Dukes did
both together feede on spoonemeates: For other dishes
liking either of them, each called for them by a becke or
253
I6o5-I7.
The
Eraperour and
his Court.
16o5-I 7.
Jill. iv. ! 89. ]
FYNES MORYSON'S ITINERARY
dumbe signe, and so refused other: but if any one dish
liked them both, it was first set before Ernestus, and after
before Mathias. Both had one taster, but each had his
Cupbearer. They spake not a word one to the other, or
to any attending; and Ernestus did swallow his drinke,
Mathias did sip it. Ernestus was somewhat like the
Emperour his brother, save that his haire was blacker,
and his countenance more warlike. Mathias was very
slender with a more effeminate face, and a thinne or no
beard, and whitish haire: Their apparrell was nothing
lesse then sumptuous. These brothers of the Emperour,
had no possessions of inheritance allotted unto them, but
were content to have their expences borne by the
Emperour.
Many Pensioners lived in the Emperours Court, but
few had diet and lodging therein. The Emperour had
one hundred Hascheres, to whom hee gave for diet to each
twelve Rhenish Guldens by the moneth, and for apparrel
to each foure & twenty Guldens by the yeere. Hee had
one hundred for his Guard (called Trabantoes), of which
each one had eight Guldens by the moneth for his diet,
and if any one of them had served ten yeeres, to him the
Emperor used to give a pension above his wages, granted
for life, and to dispose them in Monasteries when they
grew olde and unfit for service. Ten Hascheres and
twelve Trabantoes attended each day, and watched the
night in the Court, who for that time had at the
Emperours charge plenty of bread and wine. Many
Gentlemen had pensions to keepe Horses, to the number
of some 1500, and for each Horse they were allowed ten
guldens by the moneth: but these stipends being paid
but once in two yeeres, and then not fully, they kept not
these Horses at all times in full number, but only when
they heard that the payment was like to be made, &
because they were so paid, the officers never mustred them
but at that time. Some few had diet and lodging in the
Court, as 6 Gentlemen of the Chamber, whereof each had
a pension of forty Guldens by the moneth, and sixe under
54
6o5-7.
The institution
of the Electors,
d dir,ers
constitutio, of
the Empire,
concerning the
Electors and
other OJ2ffcers,
and the
Emperor
himselfe.
FYNES MORYSON'S ITINERARY
established, about which time many tumults were at Rome
betweene the Emperours and the Roman Prince Cres-
centius, for the choise of the Pope, and the common
opinion is, that Pope Gregorie in the yeere 997 made this
Law of seven Electors to chuse the Emperour, and that
Pope Silvester restrained it to certaine Families. And
this Institution seemed to give great strength to the
Empire, since the former seditions were thereby taken
away, and it was likely these Princes would chuse a man
of the greatest vertues and power. But Charles the
fourth chosen Emperor, with condition not to meddle with
Italy, first obtained of the Electors to chuse his son to be
Cesar in his life time, and so made this Institution of no
effect, all Emp. after him chiefely laboring as much as
they could, to make the Empire hereditary by like
meanes. And the successor thus chosen in the life of
the Emp. was called King of the Romans, and after his
death receiving the Crowne, was stiled Emp.
Of the Electors, 3 are Churchmen and Arch-bishops,
3 are Lay-Princes of Germany, and least by faction of sixe
Churchmen and Laymen the voices should be equall, the
King of Bohemia was added for the seventh Elector.
The Archbishop of Trier, Chauncellor for France, sits
before the Emperour. The Archbishop of Mentz
Chansellor for Germany, sits at the Emperors right hand,
in all places but in the Diocesse of Colon, where he gives
place to the Archbishop therof. The Archbishop of
Colon Chancelor for Italy, sits on the Emperors right hand
in his own dioces, but on his left hand in al other places.
The K. of Bohemia Arch-butler of the Empire, sits
next the Archbishop of Mentz, on the right hand of the
Emperor. The D. of Saxony, the Marshal of the
Empire, carrying the sword before the Emperor, sits on
his left hand next the Archbishop of Colen. The Count
Palatine of the Rheine carries the first dish at the feast
of the Emp. coronation, and sits on his right hand next
the K. of Bohemia. And the Marquisse of Brandeburg
Great Chamberlaine, sits on the left hand of the Emp.
256
OF THE HOUSE OF AUSTRIA
next to the D. of Saxony. It is to be remembred that
for long time, the Emperor having been also King of
Bohemia, to the end that upon the death of the old
Emperour, there should not be wanting one to supply the
place of the King of Bohemia at the Election of the new
Emperour, the Bohemians have alwaies a Viceroy chosen
for life, who not onely supplies that place, but also
governes Bohemia, till the new Emperour be chosen, and
after received for King at Prage.
The Emperour Charles the fourth, made many Lawes
concerning the Emperour, and the Electors, which Lawes
are all collected together, and by the Germans called the
Golden Bulla, and it will not be impertinent to remember
some of them. It is decreed, that no Elector shall lie in
ambushment for another Elector, comming to chuse the
Emperour, neither shall denie him safe conduct through
his Country, under the paine of perjurie, and losse of his
Voyce for that Election. Under the same penalty, that
no man whosoever, lye in waite to intercept the person
or goods of any Elector : That the Arch-Bishop of Ments
shall appoint the day of the Election by letters Pattents,
so as the Electors, or their Deputies having full power,
may meete for that purpose at Franckfort upon the
Meyne, within three moneths, and if the Archbishop faile
to appoint the day, yet that the Electors uncalled, shall
meete there within that time. That no Elector nor
Depute shall enter the City attended with more then two
hundred horsemen, nor above fiftie of them armed. That
the Elector or Deputy called, and not comming, or depart-
ing before the Emperour be chosen, shall loose his Voyce
for that time. That the Citizens of Franckfort, if they
protect not those that come to the Election, shall be pro-
scribed, and deprived of their priviledges and goods.
That no man be admitted into the Citie, besides the
Electors and their Deputies, and the horsemen attending
them. That the next morning early after their entry,
Masse bee sung in the Church of Saint Bartholmew, and
that done, the Archbishop of Mentz at the Altar give an
. v 57
[III.iv. 9o.]
OF THE HOUSE OF AUSTRIA
yeares old, and that this Tutor for that time shall have
all his right, which he shall then restore to him, and for
want of heires males, that the Emperour shall give the
Electorship to whom hee will, excepting the King of
Bohemia, who is to bee chosen by the Bohemians. That
mines of mettals found in the Territories of any Elector,
shall bee proper to himselfe. That the subjects of the
Electors shall not bee bound to answere the Law out of
their owne Province, nor may appeale to any Court but
their Lords, except Justice bee denied, in which case they
shall onely appeale to the Chamber of the Empire. That
the Electors shall meete in some Citie once in the yeare,
where they shall have no feasting, to the end that the
causes may be heard with more expedition. That the
priviledges of Cities and Universities in any thing
derogating from the right of the Electors, shall be
revoked, and made voide, notwithstanding the Letters
Pattents may except all eminency of persons. That the
resignation of fees, except they be personally made, shall
make the vassals infamous in denouncing enmity to their
Lords. That conventicles of Cities, made to the prejudice
of their Lords, shall be punished with losse of fame,
goods, and priviledges. That no Citizens subjects to
Princes, and incorporating themselves in free Cities, shall
enjoy the priviledges thereof, except they dwell there,
under a great penalty to bee imposed on the City receiv-
ing them with any other condition. That the Fees of the
Electors or Officers of the Empire, shall not be devided
by their heires. That they who conspire the death of any
Elector, shall be guilty of treason, and their sonnes
deprived of their Inheritance even from the mothers side,
shall live infamous, and they shall be noted who make
intercession to restore them to grace; but that the
Daughters lesse daring for the weakenesse of the sexe,
shall have part of the inheritance, and that no enfranchise-
ment of sonnes, or alienation of goods, shall frustrate this
Law. That all accessaries shall be so punished, onely he
that bewrayes the conspiracy may bee held worthy of
259
[Ill.iv. I9. ]
OF THE HOUSE OF AUSTRIA
in order the rest, till all have performed their Offices, and
then all seven shall sit downe at one time. The Emperour
shall be chosen at Franckfort, crowned at Aquisgranum
(vuloarly called Ach), and shall hold his first Court at
Nurnberg, except there be some lawfull impediment.
The Deputy of an Elector absent, howsoever he hath his
voyce in chusing the Emperour, yet at the said feast shall
not sit at the Electors table. Princes receiving their fees,
shall pay sixtie markes to the Officers of the Court, except-
ing the Electors, who are not bound to give any thing,
but of free will, since the Officers are their Substitutes,
and the Horse upon which the Prince sits when hee is
invested in his fees, shall bee given to the Marshall, or
to the Vice-Marshall. The Electors are presumed to bee
Germans, and their sonnes at the age of seven yeares shall
bee taught the Grammer, and the Italian and Sclavonian
tongues, so as at 4 yeares of age they may be skilfull
therein, and be worthy Assessors to the Emperor. These
things for this purpose, taken out of the Golden Bulla,
shall suffice.
Touching the present generall estate of the Empire.
The Emperor & his brethren were not much esteemed
among their owne subjects, and had little or no authority
in the rest of the Empire. The Germans confesse, that
the House of Austria is most fit to beare the burthen of
the Empire, especially since no stranger may be Emperour,
the Law binding to choose a Prince borne in Germany;
and because the Empire hath no principality belonging to
it, nor any certaine revenues, but onely some accustomed
Subsidies, which upon some occasions were of old granted
by Parliament, & these occasions being taken away, the
subsidies for them have also in latter times beene discon-
tinued, so that the common affaires are to be administred
with the charge of the Emperours private inheritance.
And lastly, because they justly feare, if any other Prince
of Germany should be chosen Emperour, that the House
of Austria, having in a long line succeeded in the Empire,
and possessing large Dominions by inheritance, would
6o5-7-
[III.iv. ,9z.]
The genera#
etate of t]e
Empire.
16o5-I 7.
FYNES MORYSON'S ITINERARY
either altogether separate it selfe from the Empire,
or at least their inheritance in Hungary, Germany,
and Bohemia, through mutuall dissentions betweene
them and the Emperour, would be a prey to the
Turkish Tyrant, onely kept backe by the House of
Austria, according to the weake meanes it hath, from
invading Germany at this day: But when the Germans
doe particularly observe the persons of the Princes of the
I louse of Austria, they judge againe none more unfit to
.beare. up the Empire, and to defend it from the Turkes
invasions; and this common diffidence is infinitely
encreased, by the mutuall jealousies of Germany. There
want not jealousies in the House of Austria betweene
themselves, were they not forced to compound them by
feare of the Turkes. In generall, the Gcntlemen feare the
conspiracy of the common people, lest after the example
of the Sweitzers, they should roote out the Gentry, or at
least yeeld either none or voluntary obedience, at their
owne pleasure. The Princes feare the free Cities, so as
they dare not exact absolute obedience of the Cities
subject to them, least they should thereby be provoked,
to make leagues with the free Cities, and so make them-
selves free: And this cause alone makes the Princes lesse
able to give strong helpes to the Emperour, if they were
willing to doe it. Againe, the free Cities feare the
ambition of the neighbouring Princes: For as most of
the Cities of old subject to the Emperour, or to particular
Princes, got their freedome in civill warres, by assisting
one of the parties, or else by priviledges, granted by
favour, or bought for money, or else by open force of
armes, so they thinke it likely, that the Princes, upon the
change of the state of things, will omit no fit occasion
to bring them againe into subjection: And the said
Princes doe not onely feare the said free Cities, for combyn-
ing with their Subjects, but have also mutuall jealousies
among themselves, as well for inheritance, as for the
difference of Religion. Lastly all, and each of these
states, feare the power of the Emperour, least hee should
262
OF THE HOUSE OF AUSTRIA
breake the absolute power they have in their owne terri-
tories, or least hee should by force of armes make them
more obedient to himselfe, or least hee should oppresse
them in the cause of Religion, either of his owne motion,
or by the instigation of the Pope. Hence it is, that hee
who dares not make warre upon the Emperour, yet dares
denie to helpe him, and he that dares not deny helpe, yet
dares either fayle in performance, or by delayes make it
unprofitable. Besides that by nature, the decrees and
counsels of many heads, are carried with lesse secrecy, and
are seldome executed with convenient speed, and that for
which many care, each one neglects, as Plato saith, disput-
ing against community. Also the Emperours power is
many other wayes weakened: First that the Germans in
the very warre against the Turkes, slowly grant, or
plainely refuse any contributions or subsidies, and would
little rejoyce that the Emperour should have a great
victory against the Turkes, partly least hee should
turne his Forces upon the absolute Princes or Cities
of Germany, partly least the Emperour then being
(as they openly professed) should spend the money con-
tributed in his private lusts, not in the publike affayres,
and lastly, because the charge of the Warre should be
common, but the profit of the Conquest should onely be
to the advancement of the House of Austria : For which
causes the Princes and Cities used to denie contributions
of money towards the Turkish warres, and rather chose
to send and maintaine bands of Souldiers in Hungary,
under their owne pay for a set time: And these bands
were so commonly sent without order or mutuall consent,
and so slowly, as when some of the bands came to the
Army, other bands having served out the appointed time,
desired leave to returne home. Thus they seldome met
together to attempt any brave enterprise, & while part of
the forces was expected, the occasions of good adventures
were lost: Secondly, the Emperour is more weake;
because the meetings of Parliaments (which they call
Dyettaes) require the expectance of some moneths, besides
263
[Ill.iv. I93. ]
6o5-7.
TAe tate of
certaine
Princes.
Of Cities.
Of Bishops.
FYNES MORYSON'S ITINERARY
the delayes of Counsels after the meeting, and the con-
trariety of opinions, which must needes be great in mindes
so ill united. Thirdly; because the Germans unwisely
thinke, that the tyranny of the Turkes hanging over them,
yet is a lesse and more removed evill, then the jealousie
of their private estates, and feare to be oppressed in the
cause of Religion. Lastly, because the Germans thinke
it not equall, to be at publike charge, to recover the
private Cities of the House of Austria from the Turkes.
These things make the great power of Germany so weake,
that as the whole body pined away, while the hands denied
meate to the belly; so not onely the Empire, to the
generall shame of Christians, drawes the last breath under
the Turkish tyranny, while the disagreeing and sluggish
Christian Princes denie helpe in this case to the House
of Austria, and oppose the weaker branch of that House
to the most powerfull force of the Turkes; but also it
may justly be feared lest other Kingdomes and the very
name of Christians, should be utterly consumed in this
tier daily creeping and increasing upon us, which God in
his mercy forbid.
Next to the said vassals to the Emperour, a King, a
Palatine, a Duke, a Marquesse, and three Archbishops,
the seven Electors, of old were instituted foure Dukes of
the Empire, namely, the Dukes of Bavaria, of Bruns-
wicke, of Suevia and of Lorayne, and foure Langraves,
and of each degree foure, whereof some are at this day
extinguished, and many other have since beene created by
divers Emperours. In like sort of old were instituted
foure Metropolitan Cities of the Empire, namely, Augs-
burg, (called of the Vandals for difference), Aquisgranum
(vulgarly Ach), Mentz, and Lubecke. Bishops spirituall
Princes were of old twenty seven in number, whereof
some have secular Dominions, onely by habite distin-
guished from secular Princes: but the Churchmen know-
ing no meane, not content with tithes, but scarce leaving
that portion to the Laymen, have caused Princes first to
make Lawes against inordinate guifts to the Church, and
264
FYNES MORYSON'S ITINERARY
tat are refractory. And the very Princes are not constant
to their owne judgement, if you respect the iminent
dangers from the Turks, nor active in their owne motions
concerning the publike cause, but are diversly distracted
betweene feare to increase the suspected power of the
Emperour by helping him, or to stirre up Civill warres,
to the ruine of the dis-united State, by making open
opposition to his authority. In the meane time nothing
is more frequent with them, then boldly to refuse either
appearance in the Emperours Court, or obedience to any
other of his commandements, that are unpleasing to them.
And give me leave to say, that my selfe there observed,
that a great Prince of Germany (for good respect name-
lesse), to whom the Emperour had ingaged certaine Cities
for money borrowed of him, when the Emperour sending
the money by Ambassadors, desired restitution of the
townes, not onely refused to restore the same, but could
not bee induced to appeare at Prage by his Substitute, to
compound this difference; and it seemed more strange
to mee, that divers other Ambassadours comming to the
City the same time, had all audience before those from the
Emperour, who staid long before they were admitted to
speak with the said Prince.
The declining generositie of the Princes of Austria,
and the fearefull danger hanging over them from the
Turkes, nourish this confidence in the Princes of
Germany ; and indeede the Turkish warre doth so imploy,
or rather bind the hands of the Princes of Austria, as were
they never so valiant, yet they should be forced, rather to
suffer any thing from these Christian Princes, then by
opposing them, to be devoured by Infidels. Neither can
the private calamity of Germany, and the publike misery
of all Christians in this point, be sufficiently bewailed. I
say the private calamitie of Germany, because the members
being most strong, if they were united, yet are without
sinews thus disjoyned, and have no common force, though
in each part they be strong. I say the publike calamity
of Christians, because howsoever the private Princes of
266
FYNES MORYSON'S ITINERARY
each quarter of the yeare 60000 gold Guldens or Crownes ;
by which may bee conjectured what hee receives of his
other large Dominions. Yet Silesia yeelds more then any
one of the rest, in respect that of the twelve Dukedoms
therein contained, eight are fallen to the Emperour, for
want of heires males. The Bishop of Silesia is called the
Golden Bishop, and the same Province hath thirty Abbies,
being most rich in that and all other respects. At Prage,
subject to the Emperour, as King of Bohemia, I observed,
that every house paid him yeerely three Dollers ; but this
burthen equally imposed on thatched houses and stately
Pallaces, seeming unequally shared, the Citizens agreed
among themselves of a more equall division thereof; so
as I remember, that my Hosts house, purchased for three
hundred Dollers, paid yeerely to the Emperor nine
Dollers, besides other charges of maintaining poore
Scholers, of Watches, and the like, imposed upon each
Master of a Family, in each severall parish, for which he
also paid two Dollers yeerely. In the Dominions of the
Emperour, the Brewers of Beere for each brewing, paid
six dollers to the Emperour, which tribute in one City
of Prage, was said to passe five hundred Dollers weekely.
Also the Emperour exacted of his subjects, for each Tun
of Wine drawne, a Doller, and tenne Grosh; for each
bushell of Corne, bought in the Market (not the private
Corne of their owne, spent in their houses) one silver
Grosh. These and like tributes were at first granted for
certaine yeares, by consent of the three Estates: but
Princes know well to impose exactions, and know not how
to depose them. The Emperour gives a City to the
Jewes for their dwelling at Prage, (who are admitted in
no City of Germany, excepting onely at Franckfort, where
they have assigned to them a Streete for their dwelling),
of which Jewes upon all occasions hee borrowes money,
and many waies sheares those bloud-suckers of Christians.
The Germans impose great taxes upon all forraigne com-
lnodities brought into their Havens, and not onely upon
mens persons, and upon commodities laded on beasts to
268
OF THE REVENUES OF AUSTRIA
bee distracted from City to City, but even upon small
burthens to be carried on amans shoulder, as they passe
through their Forts or Cities, which they use to build
upon their confines to that purpose, and onely Scholers
of Universities are free from these frequent exactions, for
their bodies and goods.
Touching the revenews of the Empire it selfe, Boterus
rehtes, that it receives yeerely seven thousand thousand
Crownes, or gold Guldens; and this revenew is of small
moment for such great affaires, if hee containe all the
Princes of Germany under this taxation, since otherwise
a communication of treasure cannot bee expected from so
disunited mindes as they have. He addes, that the free
Cities of the Empire yeeld a small yeerely tribute to the
Emperour of fifteene thousand Guldens. It is wel
knowne that those Cities of old custome maintained
twenty thousand foote, and foure thousand Horses for the
Emperours Army, when he went to be crowned at Rome :
but this custome by long discontinuance is vanished, since
the Emperours for many ages have forborne this expedi-
tion. The matter of greatest moment is the contribution,
which for the doubtfull affaires of the Empire hath been
accustomed to be granted by the three Estates in Parlia-
ment. And these, such as they are, yet are more easily or
hardly obtained of that free Nation, as the Emperour hath
more or lesse reputation with them. But that it may
appeare, that the Empire wants not treasure, the sinew of
war, let us gather by one particular example, what may
generally be judged of this subsidie. In the time of the
Emperour Maximilian the first, the following subsidie
was granted in a Dyet or Parlament at Worms by consent
of the Estates, for the use of the Common-wealth, and
especially for the warre against the Turkes, which at that
time much lesse pressed Germany, then it doth in these
our daies. First, it was decreed, that for foure yeeres
next following, each person of any sex or quality howso-
ever possessing (through long and broad Germany), or
being worth by all meanes 5oo gold Guldens, should
269
I6O5=7.
I605-I 7.
[III. iv. ,96.]
FYNES MORYSON'S ITINERARY
yerely pay half a gold Gulden to this purpose, and each
one of lesse value should pay a quarter of a gold Gulden,
and all Jewes, as well men as women and children, should
pay yearely by the Pole one gold gulden. That Princes
& Barons for decency, yet of their free will should con-
tribute much more. And that this collection should
be made not onely in the private Dominions of the
Emperour, but in the privat Teritories of al Princes, and
the mony first delivered to the Superintendents or chiefe
Ministers of Gods word, and by them be conveied to
seven Treasurers residing at Franckfort (the first appointed
by the Emperour, the second by the Electors, the third
by other Princes, the fourth by the Prelates, the fifth by
the Earles and Barons, the sixth by the Knights, the
seventh by the free Cities), all which were to take their
oathes for the faithfull execution of this office. After it
was againe decreed in the Diet held at Nurnberg, that for
the Turkish warre, each 4o inhabitants (reckoning the
husband, wife and children for one person) should main-
taine one Footeman. That men and maid-servants should
give the sixth part of their yeerely wages, and each one
having no wages, should pay a shilling of Germany.
That spirituall persons, men and women (that is, Nunnes
as well as others) should for each forty Guldens value, pay
one gold Gulden, and in like sort the spirituall Orders of
Knights, and namely those of Saint John, and all Monas-
teries and Almes-houses, and whatsoever spirituall com-
munities, should give the like contribution, excepting the
foure Orders of Mendicant Friers, of which each five
Monasteries were to maintaine one Footeman. That
men and maid-servants of Spirituall persons, should pay
as much as those of the Layety. That no Elector or
Prince should maintaine lesse then five hundred Horses,
and each Earle should maintaine one Horseman. That
Knights should contribute according to their estates.
That the Jewes should pay by the Pole one gold Gulden
yearely, the rich paying for the poore. That all Preachers
should in the Pulpit exhort men willingly to give these
OF THE REVENUES OF AUSTRIA
contributions, giving hope that they shall bee deminished
according to the booties gotten by victories. And that
Bishops should make collection of this money, and deliver
it over to the Counsellers of the States. Twenty Noble
men were at that time chosen to have care of the Common-
wealth for matters of peace and warre, who in difficult
accidents were to call unto them the sixe Electors (the
King of Bohemia in the Emperours person not reckoned),
and certaine other Princes. And this must alwaies be
understood, that these collections are made in Germany
with great severity or strictnesse, where he that dis-
sembles his full wealth, shall be forced to repaire all the
domage the Commonwealth hath sustained thereby, and
shall bee also deepely fined, when the fraude is made
knowne, which at least will appeare at the death of each
private man, by his last will and testament. So as these
subsidies must needs be of great moment. But the
Germans in our daies, though ready to be devoured by
the Lawes of the Turkish Tyrant, yet for the above-
named causes, very unwillingly grant these contributions,
yea, for the very Turkish warre.
The Germans for the said mutuall jealosies, at this day
in the greatest Peace at home, yet live as in the time of a
Civill warre, at least in common feare of surprising, so as
almost in all Cities, they have victuals laid up in Store-
houses to beare a yeeres siege; and besides this publike
provision, all housholders are commanded to make their
private provisions before hand, of dried fishes, corne, and
like things to eate, of fewell to burne, and of all necessaries
to exercise their manuall trades. The Cities have Watch-
men continually dwelling with their families on the top
of high Steeples and Towers, who by sound of Trumpet,
and by hanging out flags of divers colours, one for horse-
men, another for footemen, continually give warning what
people approch to the Towne, and in what number, and
besides these Watchmen are injoyned to sound their
Trumpets at certaine howers of the day and night. The
very recreations of the Citizens are no other, then shoot-
Their eoarlile
proehion in
time (peace.
1605-I 7 .
[Ill. iv. 97-]
Their
'arfare of
old.
FYNES MORYSON'S ITINERARY
ing in Pieces and Crosebowes at markes in publike
houses, and thus they exercise themselves on Holidaies
and at all idle times, shooting for wagers, both private
and publike, and for like rewards and prises. So as they
must needes bee thereby much better trained up for warre.
Yet their footemen in warre doe not so much use the Piece
as the Pike, and their Horsemen contrarie to the custome
of other Nations, are generally armed with two short
Pistols, not at all with Lances. To conclude, if any man
in this time of peace, shoote off a piece within the wals
of a Citie, he shall no lesse then in a Towne of Garrison,
bee drawne by the Serjeants before the Magistrate, & be
sure to pay a mulct for his error.
Cesar reports, that the Scawaben (or people of Suevia,
a great Province in Germany, most part of upper Germany
having been so called of old) were most warlike, yet at
the first hearing, so feared the Romans, as some thought
to leave their dwellings, some made their last wils, and all
mourned and were sad. He reports also, that the halfe
part of this people was imployed and nourished in Armes,
and the other halfe gave themselves to Husbandry, and
that so by yeerely course they were one yeere Husband-
men, another yeere Souldiers. That none of them had
any private fields, nor dwelt in one place more then a
yeere. Lastly, that freedome in youth, and hunting after
they came to ripe yeeres, made them of huge stature.
Many witnesse, that the Germans of old, in feasting tooke
counsell of Peace and Warre, thinking the vigor of the
mind then to be most inlarged, when they were warmed
with Wine. They were wont to promise their neighbours
that they would overcome in fighting, or else die valiantly,
and so were led forth to the war with the peoples acclama-
tions, exhorting them to valour, and at their returne were
not praised, except they shewed scarres gotten in fighting.
It was infamous for any of them to lose his shield, so as
many for that cause hanged themselves; for it was not
lawfull for them to be present at their Sacrifices or
Counsels. Being ready to fight, they called upon
t6os-t 7.
Their
footcmtn at
this day.
Their
warfare in
generall at
this day.
[Ill. iv. 98.]
FYNES MORYSON'S ITINERARY
they may easily bee cast from their Horses, and have the
disadvantage, being assayled with Horsemen bearing
Lances.
Their Footemen are vulgarly called Lantzknechten, that
is, Servants with Lances, and the best of them are those
of Tyroll, Suevia, and Westphalia. Commonly they are
corpulent, and of a dull or lesse fiery spirit, yet are of
great strength in fighting a battell, by reason of their
.strong members, and the constant order they use in fight-
ing. And they are armed with Lances most fit for their
strength, rather then with Calivers, requiring nimblenesse
in charging and discharging.
In generall, the Germans willingly heare themselves
compared to Bulles: for as Bulles bearing their homes
on the ground, with firme foote attend the assault of the
Dogges; so the Germans, neither rush fiercely on their
enemies, nor can easily be broken by any charge. The
Provinces of Germany being populous, and the souldiers
being Mercenary, forraigne Princes commonly supply
their Armies with them. And for the faithfulnesse of the
Nation, and the strength of their bodies, the Princes of
France and Italy willingly entertaine them for the guard
of their persons. The Princes of Germany levie souldiers
by absolute command, in their owne warres, but onely
voluntary men are sent to forraigne warres, which they
willingly undertake, out of all mens generall affection to
the dissolute liberty of the warres, and because the
Germans have ever been mercenary, besides that the
pleasant wines of France and Italy draw them to those
warres. In our age, the French having had civill warres
betweene the Papists and Protestants, both parts have
often hired the Germans. And they being for the most
part Lutherans, and so hating both parts, as well the
Papists, as the Calvinists, (so I call them for distinction,
being so termed by their common enemies, though they
follow neither Calvin nor Luther further, then they agree
with the Word of God) ; I say that they hating the Papists,
and most of all the Calvinists, nearest to them in Religion
274
[III.iv. 99-]
FYNES MORYSON'S ITINERARY
strength of Horse, brag that they despise the force of the
Germans in open field, and the Turkish Horse, praised
for swiftnesse, seemes not to feare the heavy horses of
Germany.
Surely, though I doe not thinke the Germans to
degenerate from the valour of their old Progenitors, yet
I have read the Histories, and have heard the Gentlemen
of France in our time, much inveighing against them:
First, that being in neutrall or friends Countries, farre
distant from the enemy, they consumed wine and victuals,
as if they had been borne to no other end, and spoyled
all mens goods: but when the enemy drew neare, that
not content with their former spoyles, they would then
routine for pay, and refuse otherwise to fight, when the
Princes had no present meanes to satisfie them ; yea, and
for want of it, would threaten to leave their party, and
goe to the enemy, bearing no more affection to the one
then the other. Secondly, that in all Armies, wherein
their strength was predominant, and especially upon the
approch of the enemy, they were prone to threatnings and
seditious demeanour. Thirdly, that the horse having
given one assault without successe, could by no intreaty,
no reward, no hope of victory, be induced to give a
second charge. Fourthly, that once put out of order and
routed, they could never be gathered againe together.
Fiftly, that in the battell of Mountcontour, by confused
feare, they had almost exposed themselves and the whole
Armie to the sword; and that in the next battell, having
the victory, they spared neither man, woman, nor child,
but like Beares raged against their yeelding suppliants, stil
crying Mountcontour, Mountcontour, for the word of
revenge. Lastly, that the levies of them are an excessive
charge, that they consume abundance of victuals, and
especially wine, and cannot beare with any want of the
least of them, and are a great burthen to an Army with
their baggage. Touching victuals, I have heard the
Citizens of Vienna, being themselves. Germans, yet freely
professing, that when the Turkes made a shew to besiege
276
OF THE GERMAN WARFARE
them, and incamped on one side of the towne, they
suffered farre greater losse by the souldiers received into
the Towne to helpe them, then by the enemies spoiling all
abro,d. Touching their baggage, every footeman hath
his wench, that carries .on her backe a great packe, and a
brasse pan, while the souldier hims'elfe goes empty, carry-
ing nothing but his Armes. And at Strasburg I did see
certaine troopes of horse enter the Towne, sent from the
Marquis of Brandeburg, to aide the Citizens against the
Duke of Loraine, which horsemen had an unspeakeable
number of carts, to carry their Armes and other neces-
saries, and upon each cart sat a Cocke, which creature, as
most watchfull, the Germans have of most old custome
used to carry with them to the warres.
I cannot passe in silence the judgement of an Italian
well knowne, though by mee unnamed, who because the
Germans in our age have had some ill successes in the
warre, doth attribute the same to the impurity of the
reformed Religion professed by them, wherein he sophisti-
cally obtrudes the false cause for the true; not much
unlike the old man recorded in our Histories, who being
asked (for his age and experience) what he thought to
be the cause of Goodwyn sands, neare the mouth of the
Thames, answered, that hee thought the building of
Tenterton Steeple was the cause thereof, because no such
sands were seene, till the time when it was built. Nothing
is more manifest, then that the Germans of the reformed
Religion, nothing yeeld, or rather much excell, the
Germans continuing Papists, in all manuall Arts, Liberall
Sciences, and all indowments of Nature; which may
clearely be proved by one instance of the Norenbergers
and Sweitzers, professing the reformed Religion, who in
all Arts, and the military profession, passe all other
Germans whatsoever. Neither am I of the same Italians
opinion, who to make the Germans active in warre,
thinkes they must have an Italian, or some forraigne
Prince for their Generall, which none in the World can
lesse indure, since they not onely most willingly heare,
277
FYNES MORYSON'S ITINERARY
reade, and obey the Preachers, Authors, and Superiours of
their owne Country, but above all other Nations singular
in selfe-love, doe also despise all strangers compared with
themselves, (though otherwise they be not unhospitall
towards them.)
They have one commendable custome, proper to them
with the Sweitzers onely, namely, that after a yeeres or
longer warfare, they returne home uncorrupted with the
dissolute liberty of the warres, and settle themselves to
their manuall trades, and tillage of the ground. The
Emperour Charles the fifth did leade against the Turkes
an Army of ninety thousand foot, and thirty thousand
horse. And the Emperour Maximilian the second, did
leade against the Turkes an Army of one hundred
thousand foote, and thirty five thousand horse. And in
the Civill warre betweene the Emperour Charles the fifth,
and the Protestants, besides the Emperours Army, con-
sisting partly of Germans, partly of Italians and Spaniards,
the Protestant Princes had of their owne Country men an
Army of eighty thousand foot, and ten thousand horse.
And in all these Armies there was no complaint of any
the least want of victuals. So as by these examples it
appeares, that the Empire can leavie and nourish a most
powerfull Army.
And for better understanding of their warfare, I wil ad
the decree of the Emperor & the Electors in the Expedi-
tion against the Turks in the yeere 5cc. Albert Palatine
of the Rheine was confirmed Generall of the Empire, and
sixe Counsellors were chosen to assist him. And it was
further decreed, that the Generall should not make warre
upon any without direction from the Councell of the
Empire, then chosen and consisting of sixe spirituall, and
sixe temporall Princes, three Abbots, sixe chosen by the
people, and eight chosen by the free Cities. That the
souldiers should sweare obedience to the General, and he
give like oath to the Emperor and the Empire. That the
Generall should have the command of three hundreth
Horse, with eight Guldens by the moneth allowed for
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OF THE GERMAN WARFARE
each Horse. That the Generall should further have one
thousand three hundreth Guldens by the moneth, or more
by consent of the Councell. That each Horseman should
have eight Guldens by the moneth, and each Footman
foure Guldens. That the Generall should have twenty
foure for his guard, with five Guldens by the moneth for
each of them. That the Generall should have pay for
thirty two carts, each cart drawne with foure horses, and
allowed two Horsemenspay. That the Generall happen-
ing to bee taken by the fortune of the warre, the Empire
should readily pay his ransome and redeeme him. That
no peace should be made without the consent of the
Generall. Lastly, that the Generall should depose this
dignitie when hee should be directed so to doe by the
Councell, within three moneths if he were within the
Empire, or within sixe moneths, if he should then be out
of the confines of the Empire. To conclude, he that shall
particularly visit and behold the Armories and storehouses
for military provisions, as wel of the Princes as free Cities,
shall bee forced to wonder at the quantity, varietie and
goodnesse thereof, which if they were all under the com-
mand of one Prince, no two of the mightiest Kings of
Christendome might therein compare with him.
It remaines briefely to adde something of the Navall
power of the Germans. Almost all Germany being with-
in hnd, onely the Cities upon the Northerne Ocean, and
upon the Baltike sea, have any exercise of Navigation.
And I did never reade or heare that any of them did
ever undertake any long and dangerous voyage by sea,
nor can their Marriners be praised for their experience or
boldnesse, compared with the English and Netherlanders.
The City of Dantzk (which for agreement of tongue and
manners, I reckon among the Cities of Germany, though
it be in some sort annexed to Poland), howsoever it is
famous for concourse of Merchants, and rich commodities,
yet not using to export them in their owne ships, but
rather to sell them to strangers, or to lade their ships, &
especially those of the Hollanders, I could not understand,
279
Their Na,all
power at thi
I605- 7.
FYNES MORYSON'S ITINERARY
and to this day the Germans in most places so call their
Judges. The lower and upper Saxony hath a provinciall
Law, yet determines also many causes by the civill Law.
The Statutes of the Diots or Parliaments bind all, but the
Statutes of private Princes onely bind their owne subjects.
The greatest part of Germany is governed by the Civill
Law: And therefore the Doctors of the Civill Law are
much esteemed among them, and are Counsellors of
Estate aswell to the Emperour as to other Princes, which
place they thinke unfit to be conferred on any Doctors of
Divinity. Yea, the Princes of Germany have this peculiar
fashion, that no sonne useth his Fathers old counsellors,
but rather new chosen by himselfe. The said Doctors of
the Civill Law have priviledge by their degree, to weare
chaines of gold about their neckes, and feathers in their
hats.
There be in Germany foure kinds of Law giving, or
rather foure cheefe Courts of Justice. The first is that of
the Diots or Parliaments, vulgarly called Reichstagen,
that is; Dales of the King.dome, which meetings by the
Law should be made once in the yeere, and last no lesse
then a moneth at least, no man having liberty to depart
from them without leave of the Councell: Neither may
the Emperour or his sonne, or the elect King of the
Romans, make any warre or league, without consent of
the same. The second Court is called Landgericht, that
is, the Justice of the Land, wherein the cheefe men of each
Province are to be called together thrice in the yeere, and
are to sit three weekes, to determine the cheefe affaires of
the Province, as the Parliaments handle the cheefe affaires
of the Empire. The third Court is vulgarly called Cam-
ergericht, that is, the Justice of the Imperiall Chamber,
which is held at Spire foure times each yeere, each time
lasting forty dayes, to determine the generall causes of
the Empire. The fourth Court is the Burgraves right,
by which debts by specialty are recovered.
The Kingdome of Bohemia hath a provinciall Law,
derived from the Law of Saxony, and for that cause there
282
OF THE LAWS OF GERMANY
be few Students of the Civill Law: but because the
Emperour hath instituted three Chaunceries, one for the
Law of Saxony, (which Province lies upon the North side
of the Kingdome :) the second for the Law of Bohemia:
the third for the Civill Law, (in respect of the Emperours
subjects of Austria, lying on the South side of Bohemia,)
for this cause there be many Doctors of Civill Law, and
they also much esteemed in the Emperours Court. If a
Bohemian have a cause in any Court of the Germans, he
is tried by the Civill Law, or by the Law of Saxony ; and
if a German answer in the Court of the Bohemians, he is
tried by the provinciall Law of Bohemia, and the Defend-
ant drawes the cause to his owne Court. Moravia, a
Province incorporated to Bohemia, useth the Language
and Law of that Kingdome. In the old City of Prage,
howsoever almost all speake Dutch, yet the Law is given
in the Bohemian tongue, by a statute lately made. Silesia,
a Province incorporated to Bohemia, hath the manners
and language of Germany, and Justice is there adminis-
tred by the Law of Bohemia, derived from the Law of
Saxony; but for the greater part by the Civill Law.
Generally in Germany, if a cause be received into any
Court, and the defendant escape to another City, the
Magistrate of the place must send him backe, to answer
the Plaintife his accuser.
The causes of the Empire (as I formerly said) are
handled in the Imperiall Chamber at Spire. And there-
fore it will not be amisse to relate some Statutes made in
the Imperial meetings, which are collected into a Booke,
vulgarly called Reichs abscheidt, that is, the Epitome or
abstract of the Kingdome; but I will onely set downe
breefly some of the cheefe statutes. It was decreed in the
yeere 1556 , that no subjects of the Electors, nor any
Inhabitants, or Earles of their Provinces, should appeale
from them to this Court of the Imperiall Chamber. The
Emperour Fredericke the third, in the yeere 1442 , made
these statutes: That no Prince should by armes right
himselfe against another, before Justice have beene denied
283
6o5-I 7.
[III. iv. 2o2.]
The l mperiall
Chamber.
FYNES MORYSON'S ITINERARY
to him in this Imperiall Court. That the Judge of the
Chamber should be a Prince or Barron, and of these six-
teene Assessors, halfe should be Civill Lawyers, and halfe
of the Knightly Order. That the greater part should
carry the cause, and the voices being equall, the Judges
voyce should cast it. That the Judge should not be
absent without leave of the Assessors, nor they without
his leave, and that without some great cause, more then
foure of them should not be absent at one time : That in
absence they should have no voyce : That the cheefJudge
being sicke, shall substitute a Prince in his place, who
shall first take his oath. The Procters and Advocates
shall take no more of their Clients, then the Judges shal
appoint, and shall sweare to avoide slander and malice.
The Notaries shall execute the judgements in the name
of the Emperour. Appeales shall be of no force, except
they be made in order to the next superiour Court, and so
ascending. All that belong to this Chamber, shall be
free from all payments, but not one of them shall either
keepe an Inne, or trade as a Merchant. The Judge shall
deliver over to the Senate of the City, those that are guilty
of death. By the same decree, all fees for writing and
processes are set downe, so as the Clyent swearing poverty,
shall goe free, so as hee sweare to pay the fees when he
shall be able. Further it was decreed, that the seate of
this Chamber or Court, should not be changed but by
the consent of the Imperial diot or Parliament. That the
Defendants hiding themselves, the Princes or Citizens to
whom they are subject, shall sweare upon a set day, that
they are not privy to any of their actions, or else shall
satisfie all damages. That the Procters shall speake
nothing but to the purpose, and for jeasts or impertinent
things in word or writing, shal be punished by a mulct
in money, and by being put to silence in that cause. By
the Emperour Charles the fifth, in the Diot at Augsburg,
the yeere 58, two new Assessors were added, and it was
decreed, that Charles as Emperour, should appoint the
cheefe Judge, two Assessors of the Law, and two Gentle-
z84
OF THE LAWS OF GERMANY
men Assessors, and as heire to his patrimony, should
appoint two learned Assessors. That three Gentlemen
Assessors should be named by the three secular electors,
three learned by the three spiritual Electors, and three
Gentlemen with three learned, by the common consent of
the six Communities. (For the Empire was devided into
sixe Communities, vulgarly called Kreysen, for the collec-
tion of tributes and like duties, as other Kingdomes are
devided into Counties; ad since that time in the yeere
1522, for the same purposes, the Empire was devided into
ten Communities). Further it was decreed, that twenty
two persons should with like equality be named yeerely to
visit this Chamber or Court. That no appeale should be
admitted into this Court under the value of fiftie Guldens ;
and that the executions of judgements should be done by
the next Magistrates, and they not willing or not daring
to doe it, should be referred to the Emperour. At a
Parliament in the yeere i5 , it was decreed, That no
stranger should be appointed cheefe Judge: That for
absence the pensions should be abated, after the rate of
the time, and be distributed among the present: That
the Judges should sweare to take no guifts; not to
prolong causes, and to doe right without respect of
persons; and that the Procters should take no fees, but
such as are set downe by statutes. At the Parliament in
the yeere I555, it was decreed, that no Assessors should
be of any other Religion, then of the Roman, or the Con-
fession of the Protestants, made at Augsburg. That one
Assessor should not interrupt the speech of another, nor
should rise to conferre one with the other, and that all
speeches of ager should be punished, and all be sworne
to keep secret the Acts of the Councell : That Advocates
should not be more then foure and twenty in number:
That any man should be admitted to speake for himselfe,
first swearing to avoide slander: That this Chamber or
Court should be yeerely visited, upon the first of May,
by the Archbishop of Mentz, as substitute to the
Emperour; by three other, each chosen by one of the
285
[lll.iv. ao3. ]
FYNES MORYSON'S ITINERARY
Electors, by two Princes, one temporall, the other
spirituall, and by one Counsellor, chosen by each order,
(namely one by the Earles, and one by each free City)
to whom the complaints should be presented upon the first
of March. That no man should forbid his subjects to
appeale to this Court, except they should willingly
renounce the appeale; but that all froward appeales for
unjust causes should be punished, by paying charges, and
being fined; and that no appeale should bee admitted
under the value of fifty Guldens, excepting those who
have priviledge to appeale for lesse summes, and that no
appeale be made for corporal punishments: That the
Chamber should be held at Spire, till it be otherwise
decreed by Parliament, but that in time of famine or
plague, they may for the time choose another place : That
two brothers should not be the one an Assessor, the other
a Procter : That the Judges shall meete three dayes in the
weeke, and eight of them at the least shall be present:
That executiop, of judgement shall first be required by
letters of the Court, to which if the Defendant shal not
yeeld obedience, he shal be cited to appeare, and shall be
condemned in costs, and the Plaintife shall be put in
possession of his goods ; and the Defendant by the Popes
priviledge granted to this Court, shall be excommunicated,
and then execution shall be desired from the Magistrate
of the Community, or in case the defendant be powerful,
it shall be desired from the Emperour himselfe. Lastly,
that no appeale nor petition against the judgement of the
Chamber shall be admitted.
And thus much breefly written of the Imperiall
Chamber or Court, shall suffice. Onely I will adde, that
appeales were of old granted to the Electors subjects, and
at this day in some cases and above a certaine value, are
granted to the subjects of Princes and Cities ; and that in
difficult causes, the Germans often referre them, to be
judg.ed by the C. olledges of civill Lawyers in the Uni-
versity: but since Princes and Cities weekely hold
Courts of judgement, so as execution is done before
286
FYNES MORYSON'S ITINERARY
sparing not the Inhabitants more then strangers, yea, in
some cases favouring strangers more then the Inhabit-
ants, (as in debts, which a stranger cannot stay to recover
by long processe.) My selfe having a sute for money at
Lindaw, my advocate would by no meanes take any fee
of me, and the Judge gave mee right with great expedi-
tion. In criminaIl offences they never have any pardons
from Court, (which are common in forraigne Kingdomes),
but the punishment is knowne by the fact, so the male-
factor be apprehended. For all hope of safety is in flight,
yet I deny not that favour is often done in the pursute.
For since onely the Serjeants can apprehend, there is no
place, where more malefactors escape by flight. In the
Citie of Lubeck, most honoured for Justice, the common
report was, that the very Judges and Senators, had lately
wincked at a Gentlemans breaking of prison and flight
with his keeper, whom being imprisoned for a murther,
they could neither execute, without greatly offending the
King of Denmark, nor otherwise set free, without scandall
of Justice. A man suspected of any crime, or accused by
one witnesse, is drawne to torture, yet is never condemned
upon any probability, till himselfe confesse the fact, which
confession is easily extorted, because most men had rather
dye, then indure torment. So as many times innocent
men have been after knowne to have perished by their
owne confessions, as with us sometimes innocent men have
been knowne to dye, being found guilty by a Jurie of
twelve sworne men. And because it cannot be that the
judgements of men should not often erre ; hence it is that
the Civill Lawyers have a strange, yet good saying, that
a mischiefe is better then an inconveniency, namely, that
it is better one innocent man should dye by triall, then
many nocent persons should escape for want of triall. In
Germany not onely men but women also being accused,
are put to torture. And for divers great crimes, the Law
judgeth them to death with exquisite torments. And
because they can hardly bee indured with Christian
patience, lest the condemned should fall into despaire, the
288
OF THE LAWS OF GERMANY
very Preachers, when they have heard their confessions,
and settled their mindes in true faith, by rare example of
too great charitie, permit and advise, that they be made
drunken, to stupifie their sences, so as thus armed, they
come forth with more bold then holy mindes and lookes,
and seeme not to feele unsufferable torments of death.
Neare Lindaw I did see a malefactor hanging in Iron
chaines on the gallowes, with a Mastive Dogge hanging
on each side by the heeles, so as being starved, they might
eate the flesh of the malefactor before himselfe died by
famine. And at Franckford I did see the like spectacle
of a Jew hanged alive in chaines, after the same manner.
The condemned in Germany lose not their goods, but
onely in case of Treason against their absolute Lords.
But in Bohemia the goods of the condemned, fall to the
Emperour, as he is King of Bohemia, in the Territories
belonging to the King; and to the Princes and Gentle-
men, in the Territories whereof they are absolute Lords
(as they are all, in their owne lands.)
In Germany Courtiers and Students of Universities,
have their proper Judges and Prisons, so as by singular
priviledge they may not be tried in any other Court.
And of old the Students of many Universities had such
priviledges (at this day not fully allowed), a for murther
they could not be punished further, then with expulsion.
In Germany they have a custome to give a condemned
man to a Virgin that desires him for her husband, but
according to the circumstances of the crime, they grant or
denie the same.
The office of the hangman is hereditary, so as the sonne
cannot refuse to succeede his father: And of late the
hangmans sonne of Hamburg being a Student, and
learned if not a graduate, in the University of Basil, after
his Fathers death, was called home by the Senate of Ham-
.burg, and forced to doe his Fathers Office, which is most
Ignominious, but of great profit: For the Germans hold
it reprochfull to take off the skinne of any beast, dying of
it selfe, so as the hangman doing that Office, hath the
M. IV 289 T
[II I. iv. 2o5. ]
FYNES MORYSON'S ITINERARY
skinnes for his labour. The Germans are so supersticious,
as they thinke it a great reproch to touch the head or body
of any put to death, and thinke it most ridiculous for any
man to salute the hangman, or speake curteously to him,
and esteeme it a foule fault to eate or drinke with them,
or any of his Family. Therefore the Hang-man and
those of their Family, who helpe them in their Office (and
succeede them having no children) doe all weare a greene
cap, or some apparent marke, by which they may be
knowne, or at least are tied to professe their quality, when
they come into any company, lest any man should offend
in the former kindes. And in publike Tavernes they have
Tables proper to them, at which the basest body will not
sit for any reward. If they performe not their Office with
dexterity, they feare to be stoned by the people, whose
rage many times in that case they have hardly escaped;
but being expert in doing their Office, and having most
sharpe Swords, they commonly shew great dexterity in
beheading many at one time, and (as it were) in a
moment : They are commonly thirsty of blood, so as the
common report was, that the hangman of Torge beheaded
some of his companions with the Sword of Justice,
because they would not pledge him, when they were so
fully drunken, as they could no more; whereupon the
Sword was taken from him, and is to this day kept in the
Senate-house, and onely delivered to him at times of
execution: And that this rascall could not live a weeke
without drinking the blood of some Beast. Besides at
Breme not long before this time, forty freebooting
souldiers being beheaded at one time, and the hangman
having failed in giving a foule wound to the first man
executed, and having with much difficulty appeased the
peoples anger for the same, hee presently drunke some of
the marts blood that was dead, and after hee had fetched
a strike or two, beheaded all the rest with strange dexterity
(as it were) in a moment.
Of old among the Germans man-slaughter was punished
by a mulct of cattle, but no man escaped death for
9 o
OF THE LAWS OF GERMANY
adultery. At this day (as after will appeare) they punish
man-killers more severely, and adultery in most places is
death, and in no part of Germany free from severe punish-
ment. Not onely the free Cities of the Empire have the
priviledge of the Sword, or capitall Justice granted to
them by Emperours; but also many Cities subject to
inferiour Princes have that priviledge granted by some of
their Lords: and those Cities that have it not, yet upon
accidents of capitall offences, obtaine it for the time by
petitionary letters at Court, so as the Prince permits
Justice, the City gives sentence, and sees execution done
in the place where the crime was committed, and presently
after the fact, never using (as we doe) to send Judges from
County to County at set times of the yeere: For casuall
man-slaughter, or by chance medly (as we terme it), the
Civill Law gives arbitrary punishment; but the Law of
Saxony punisheth it with a certaine and expresse mulct,
namely of one Wehrgeld, and by the Civill Law not onely
the principall, but every one that is accessary, payes the
whole mulct, whereas by the Saxon Law, if it be not
knowne which of them killed him, all jointly pay but one
mulct. Kil!ing in sudden anger (which we call man-
slaughter) Is punished with beheading through all
Germany and Bohemia, and that without delay: for if
the offender be apprehended, he shall within few howers,
or next day be beheaded, and put in the same Coffin with
him that he killed, and so both are buried with one funerall
pompe, and in the same grave: and if upon escape, the
man-slayer live within the confines of the Empire, when-
soever his fact is knowne, he shall be sent backe to the
place where he committed it, contrary to the custome of
Italy, where the Princes cherrish, or at least give safe
aboade to the banished men of the next Countries : Onely
I must except the Lords and Gentlemen of Bohemia, who
upon capitall offences are not presently judged, but are
referred to the next Parliament. In free Cities I have
observed this forme of judgement and execution. The
Judge sits before the tribunall, covered with blacke cloth,
91
[III.iv.zo6.]
I605-I 7.
Punishment of
reall and
verball
injurie.
FYNES MORYSON'S ITINERARY
arbitrary, and as many wounds as are given, so many are
the punishments. But by the law of Saxony, he that strikes
another, so as he leeseth the use of a member, is punished
by a mulct of money uncertaine, which is given alwaies
to him that is maimed, and if he die not, a thousand
wounds or maimes are punished onely with one mulct,
except they bee done at divers times and places, in which
case severall mulcts are inflicted. Alwaies understand,
that these Judgements are given, where the offender is
civilly accused, for if these wounds be given of set malice,
and if he be capitally accused, he shall dye, according to
the circumstances, which the Germans much regard.
Thus at Lubeck a man was beheaded, for striking a
Citizen in his owne house. And in the way from Stoade
to Breme, I did see a sad monument, of a wicked sonne,
whose hand first, and then his head was cut off, for strik-
ing his father. He that killes a man of set malice, and
like hainous murtherers, have all their bones broken upon
a wheele, and in some cases their flesh is pinched off, with
hot burning pinsers, and they that kill by the high-way,
are in like sort punished. And many times for great
crimes, the malefactors some few dayes before the execu-
tion of judgement, are nailed by the eares to a post in
a publike place, that the people may see them. After the
execution, the bones and members of the malefactor are
gathered together, and laid upon the wheele, which is set
up in the place of execution (commonly where the crimes
were committed), for eternall memory of his wickednesse,
with so many bones hanging on the sides of the wheele,
as he committed murthers or like crimes; and my selfe
have numbred sometimes eighteene, often fourteene bones
thus hanging for memory of so many murthers, or like
crimes committed by one man. These markes long
remaining, and crosses set up in places where murthers
were committed, though the murtherer escaped by fligh.t,
make passengers thinke these crimes to be frequent ,n
Germany; yet the high-way is most safe, and the nature
of the people abhorring from such acts, which are never
294
OF THE LAWS OF GERMANY
committed by Gentlemen, but only by rascals against
footmen in the highway, and those that dwel in solitary
houses. Yet the severity of punishments, & the more
fierce nature of the Germans (retaining some kind of
fiercenes from their old progenitors) make such as are thus
en over to wickednes, to be more barbarous & unmerci-
, and when they have once done ill, to affect extremity
therin. To conclude, I have said, that the law of Saxony
condemns a man to death, who threatens to kil another,
though he never do the act. By the Civill law, difference
is made between a day & a night thiefe, because we may
not kil him that steales by day, but may kil him that robs
by night, if we cannot spare him without danger to our
selves. By the law of Saxony, he that by night steales so
much as a little wood, shall be hanged: but stealing that
or like goods by day, shal only be beaten with rods. In
the civil law, it is doubtful whether theft is to be
punished with death or no, & most commonly it
concludes, that only theft deserves not death, if it
be not accompanied with other crimes. But the law
of Saxony expressely condemnes a thiefe to be hanged,
if he steale above the value of five Hungarian Ducates
of gold, or under that value to bee beaten with rods,
and to be marked with a burning iron, in the eares
or cheekes and forehead, and so to be banished. And
howsoever generally a thiefe may not be hanged by the
Civill Law, yet in some cases it condemnes him to be
hanged. By the law of Saxony the thing stolen must be
restored to the owner, and may not be detained by the
Magistrate, and they who wittingly receive stolen goods,
or give any helpe to theeves, are subject no lesse then the
theeves to the punishment of hanging. In Germany
there be very few robberies done by the high-way, and
those onely upon footemen ; for they that passe by coach
or horse, carry long Pistols or Carbiners, and are well
accompanied. But if any robbers assaile, in respect of the
severe punishment, they commonly kill. In Germany
they who are hanged for simple theft, hang in iron chaines
295
[III. iv. zoS.]
FYNES MORYSON'S ITINERARY
upon the gallowes till they rot and consume to nothing,
but in Bohemia after three dayes they are cut downe and
buried. I did see one that had stolen lesse then five gold
guldens, whipped about the towne, one that consented
being led by his side for ignominy, but not whipped. I
did see another small offender led to the gallowes with
a condemned man, that he might beware by that example.
And I have seene others for stealing under the said value,
put in a basket, and thrise ducked in the river, for a warn-
ing upon the first fault. And I have often heard them tax
our English Justice, for hanging those that steale above
the value of thirten pence halfe-peny, which will hardly
buy a rope. By the Civill Law he that findes any thing,
and for gaine keeps it, is guilty of theft ; for he ought to
make it publikely knowne, and to restore it being owned,
or other wise if he be poor to keep it, if he be rich, to
distribute it among the poore.
By the Law of Saxony, it is a theevish thing not to
make publikely knowne any thing that is found ; but hee
that so doth, shall not suffer death or any corporall punish-
ment, because he did not of purpose take it away: but
if he that lost it, doe cry it in the Church or market-place,
then if it be more then the value of five shillings, hee is
thought worthy to be beaten with rods, or to indure such
arbitrary punishment, according to the value of the thing
found.
By the Civill Law, hee that cuts downe trees secretly,
shall pay the double value: but by the Law of Saxony,
the mulct is according to the value. By the Civil Law,
they that steale the necessaries belonging to husbandry,
shall restore foure fold, and also incurre infamy. But one
Law of Saxony condemnes them to have their bones
broken with wheeles ; and another Law makes the punish-
ment arbitrary. The Civill Law confiscates oods for
which custome is not payd, but the Law o1 Saxony
imposeth a Fyne aswell upon those which pay not
customes and duties, as upon those that passe not the
beaten way, where they are paied, but go some byway, to
296
OF THE LAWS OF GERMANY
defraud the Prince: By the Civill Law, sacrilegious
persons are beheaded: but by the Law of Saxony their
bones are broken upon the wheele, and markes are set up
according to the number of their offences in that kynd.
By the Civill Law, no offender may be burnt in the fore-
head, because the face may not be disfigured, as created to
the similitude of God: but in Saxony, those which are
beaten with rods, or banished, are also many times
marked, by being burnt in the hand, or by cutting off
their eares, or by pulling out their eyes, or by being burnt
in the cheekes, so as the haire may not cover the marke
but it may be manifest to strangers in forraine parts..
Yet the interpreters of that Law, thinke at this day, that
offenders can not be so punished by that Law, and that a
theefe ought not so to be marked. By the civil Law,
witches doing any act wherupon a man dies, are to be
beheaded, but by the Law of Saxony, they are to be burnt.
Yet by a late Statute of the Elector, they are sometimes
beheaded, (for you must understand that in all places, the
Provinciall Law is daily increased by new Statutes of
Princes). And by the Law of Saxony, a witch having
done no hurt by that art, is punished arbitrarily. And the
Germans credibly report, that there be many witches in
the Countries lying upon the Baltick sea, and especialy
upon the Northern side therof, as in Lapland, being part
of the kingdome of Suetia ; and that in those places they
have generall meetings, and Colledges of witches, who wil
tell any man what his fiends do at any time, in the
remotest parts, one of them falling downe as in extasie,
and when he comes to himselfe, relating the particulars
thereof, and that they ordinarily sell windes to the
Marriners to carry them out of the haven to the maine
sea.
In Germany those that set houses on tier, either hired
thereunto, or of their owne malice, and also witches use
to bee burnt, or if their crime be hainous, use to be put
to death with a burning iron or spit, thrust into their
hinder partes. Coiners of counterfeit mony, are by the
297
I6O5- 7.
[l[I.iv.zo.]
FYNES MORYSON'S ITINERARY
Law to dye in boiling lead. By the Civil Law the goods
of a banished man may be seased to repaire any losse, but
it is not lawfull for any man to kill him, neither is he
infamous. But by the Law of Saxony, he that is banished
by the Empire, may be killed; because he broke the
peace, and after a yeers banishment, he is infamous;
alwaies understanding, that he is lawfully banished. By
the Civill Law, a traitor to his country, is to be burned
to death ; but by the Law of Saxony, his bones are broken
upon the wheele, and by custome many torments are in
some crimes added to this punishment. By the Civill
Law, he that steales a virgin, widow, or Nunne, and all
that helpe him in that rape, are beheaded : but by the Law
of Saxony, besides the beheading of the offenders, the
places are to be laid waste where the force was offred, and
the beasts to be killed that helped to doe the force, as the
horses which carried them away ; yet this is not observed,
but in practise only he is put to death that offered the
force.
Of old the women of Germany, were wont to purge
themselves from suspition of adultery, by the combat of
champions, or by treading on shares of hot burning iron
with their naked feet, without taking any harme, and this
purgation should still be observed ; neither is it abrogated
in Saxony, but only is vanished by disusing. And the
Germans have not only of old been severe punishers of
breaches in wedlocke, so as it was lawfull for the husband
to expell his adulterous wife out of his house before all
his neighbours, with her body naked and her haire shorne,
and so to beat her with rods through the streets, but also
even to this day, the chastity of wives, through the
severity of the Law against the incontinent, is no where so
preserved, as in Germany. If a married person lie with
one that is unmarried, aswell on the man as the womans
side, the marled party is put to death, and the unmarried
is punished by the purse, and with ignominy, and if both
parties be married, both die. And our age hath seene two
notable examples of this Justice in Germany, one of a
298
OF THE LAWS OF GERMANY
Duchesse, who by authority of her husband and of her
owne brother, was for this crime forced to drinke poison
secretly, for preserving of all their honours. The other
of another Duchesse who was bricked up in a most narrow
roome, having an hole in the wall by which she received
her meat, to prolong her miserable life, while her husband
had another wife and lived with her in the same Castle, in
which she thus languished. In most places of Germany
this sinne is punished no lesse then with death; yet in
some places, and upon some circumstances, (as of a man
having an old and barren wife) the delinquent sometimes
escapes with a mulct of mony : and otherwhere the judg-
ment is drawne out with delaies of the suit, to spare the
parties without manifest breaches of the Law. In
Bohemia adultery is also punished with death. In
Germany I did see a poore knave hanging and rotting on
the gallowes, being condemned to that death for having
two wives at one time in two severall Cities, and I did see
another beheaded for lying with his wives sister.
In Civill causes, I observed these laudable customes in
Germany, namely that in many Courts, they that goe to
Law lay downe a caution or pledge, which he loseth, who
in the end of the triall, is found rashly and unjustly to
have sued the other. That the Fees of Lawyers are
limited, and that jeasts or impertinent speeches are
punished, and they are tied to speake nothing that is not
to the purpose.
Of old, no beauty, age, nor riches, helped a defloured
virgin, to get any husband at any time. And no doubt
virgins to this day are no where so carefull of their good
name as in Germany; no where virgins more modestly
behave themselves, no where virgins live to so ripe yeers
before they be married, as in Germany. At Wittenberg
I did see harlots punished by standing at the Altar with a
torch lighted in their hands, and by being whipped with
rods, while many drums were beaten, & basons tinckled
about them. At Heidelberg I did see an harlot put in a
basket, and so ducked into the river Neccar ; and because
z99
Civil
JudgementJ.
I6O5-I 7.
[III. iv. 2o.]
FYNES MORYSON'S ITINERARY
she whooped and hollowed as in triumph, when she rose
out of the water, she was for that impudency ducked the
second time. At Prage in Bohemia, howsoever harlots be
there as common as in Italy, and dwell in streets together,
(where they stand at the doores, and by wanton signes
allure passengers to them) yet I did see some men and
women of the common sort, who for simple fornication,
were yoked in carts, & therewith drew out of the City the
filth of the streets. But while the Bohemians thus chasten
the poorer sort, I feare the greater Flies escape their webs.
In Germany at the time of publike Faires, after the
sound of a bell, it is free for debtors, harlots, and banished
people to enter the Citie; but they must have care to be
out of the territories before the same bell sound againe
at the end of the Faire, they being otherwise subject then
to the Law. At Leipzig I did see an harlot taken after
this second sound of the bell, who had been formerly
banished, with two of her forefingers cut off; and shee,
not for incontinencie, but by the law of banishment, was
next day beheaded. Whiles I lived in the same Citie, it
happened that a virgin of the better sort being with child,
and cunningly concealing it, was surprised with the time
of birth in the Church upon a Sunday, and silently
brought forth the child in her pew or seat, covering it with
rushes being dead, which was unknowne to all in the
body of the Church, only some yong men sitting in a
roode or loft with the Musitians, perceived the fact, and
accused her for murthering the child : In the meane time,
shee went home from the Church, in the company of the
other virgins, without any shew of such weaknes, & after,
upon the said accusation being imprisoned, the report was
that shee should bee judged to death, after the old Law
mentioned by the Poet Propertius, namely, being sewed
in a sacke with a living cat (in steed of an Ape), and a
living Cocke, Snake, and Dog, and so drowned in the
river with them. But delay being used in the judgement,
and her honourable friends making intercession for her,
and the murther of her child being not prooved, when I
300
OF THE LAWS OF GERMANY A.I).
t6o5-7.
left the Citie after six moneths shee remained in prison,
and it was not knowne what would become of her.
Aswell in Germany as Bohemia, bastards are excluded
from publike profession of liberall or mechanical arts, only
they may exercise them in the houses of private Gentle--
men, (in which course of life as servants they commonly
live) but never in open shops. All graduates in Uni-
versities take an oath, that they were begotten in lawfull
matrimony. And if any man ignorantly should marry a
woman great with child, howsoever the child bee borne in
mariage, yet it shall inherit nothing from the husband.
Bastards cannot bee sureties for any imprisoned or delin-
quent man, nor injoy the extraordinary benefits of the law,
and are commonely named of the Citie or Towne where
they were borne, for a marke of ignominy, not after any
roans sirname. But the publike Notaries by priviledges
granted to them from Emperors and Popes, have power
to make their posterity legitimate.
In the lower part of Germany, which was all named Debtor.
Saxony of old, a debtor shall not be received into prison,
except the Creditor allow the Jaylor two pence by the day
to give him bread and water, and after a yeeres imprison-
ment, if the debtor take his oath that he is not able to
pay, he shal be set free, yet the creditor hath stil his right
reserved upon his yeerly wages for his labour, and upon
his gaines by any art or trade, and upon any goods whatso-
ever he shall after possesse. And before any debtor bee
imprisoned, the Magistrate gives him eighteen weeks time
to pay his debt, and commits him not till that time be
past. And in some places the debtor lives at his owne
expence, and shall be tied to pay his creditors charges, if
he be able to doe it.
In some places, especially at Lubecke, I have observed
that strangers being Creditors, have more favour then the
Creditors of the same City against a Citizen debtor,
because strangers by reason of their trafficke, and hast
homeward, cannot well expect the delay of sutes, in which
respect their debtors shall presently be imprisoned, where-
3oi
Privikdge of
coning
Money.
[III. iv. 21 I.]
FYNES MORYSON'S ITINERARY
as mutually among the Citizens, they give the foresaid or
like time of payment, before they will imprison them:
Debts without specialty are tried by Oath. In Bohemia
the debtors are imprisoned presently, and maintaine them-
selves, not being released till the creditors be satisfied.
In Germany, if any man draw other mens monies into
his hands, and being able, yet payes not his debts, he is
guilty of capital punishment ; but that ingenious and
honest Nation hath few or no such bankerouts. By the
Law of Saxony, he that deceives by false weights and
measures, is to be whipped with rods.
The Emperours of old granted the priviledge of coyn-
ing Money, to many Princes and free Cities; and the
Emperour in the Dyet or Parliament of the yeere i Soo ,
commanded all Princes, Persons, and Bodies so privi-
ledged, to send their Counsellors to him at Nurnberg, and
that in the meane time all Coyning should cease, under
the penalty to leese the priviledge of Coyning. In the
same place, the yeere t559, many Lawes were made for
coyning Monies, whereof I will relate some few. First
the weight and purity of the mettall was prescribed,
together with the Inscriptions to be set upon the Coynes.
Then it was decreed, that after sixe moneths no strange
Monies should bee currant, whereof many are particularly
named. That all forraigne Gold should after the same
time be forbidden, excepting the Spanish single and
double Duckets, the Portugall Crownes with the short
crosse, the Crownes of Burgundy, Netherland, France,
Spaine, and Italy, to each of which peeces a certaine value
was set. Moreover it was decreed, that counterfet coyn-
ing or melting, should be punished according to the
quality of the offence. That uncoyned gold and silver
should be delivered by each man into the Mints of his
owne Prince. That it should be lawfull to Goldsmiths
for exercise of their trade, (and no more) to melt gold and
silver, and to devide it into parts, so as they export none
of it. That no man should sell or pawne the priviledge
of Coyning, heretofore granted him from the Emperours,
302
OF THE LAWS OF GERMANY
and that like priviledges hereafter to be granted, should
be of no force, without certaine conditions there pre-
scribed. Other Lawes of Coyning I have formerly set
downe in the Chapter of Coynes.
Germany hath few or no beggars, the Nation being
generally industrious, excepting leprous men, who live in
Almes-houses, and standing frre off, beg of passengers
with the sound of a bell, or of a woodden clapper, but no
man denies almes to him that begs, they having small
brasse monies of little value. The Law forbids any to
beg, but those that are lame, and chargeth Magistrates to
bring up their children in manuall Arts. The Lawes
wisely" provide against all frauds in manuall Arts and in
Trades, and since no Trade can doe more hurt then the
Potecaries, for the preservation of health, or the lesse hurt
of the sicke, the Law provides that their shops be yeerly
visited, and purged of all corrupted drugges, which the
visiters see burned. The Germans freely permit usury to
th.e Jewes, who at Franckfort, at Prage, in the Province
of Moravia, and in many places under Princes of the
Papacy, have Cities, or at least streets to dwell in, where
they lived separated from Christians, and grinde the faces
of the poore with unsatiable avarice. For they take fifty in
the hundred by the yeere, with a pawne of gold or silver,
and one hundreth in the hundreth by the yeere, with a
pawne of apparell or houshold stuffe, never lending any
thing without a good pawne. But the Germans among
themselves cannot by the Law take more then five or six
in the hundreth for a yeeres use. Yet among Christians,
there want not some, who use both the name and helpe of
the Jewes, to put out their mony with greater gaine.
Of old among the Germans, without respect to last
Wils and Testaments, the sonnes lawfully begotten suc-
ceeded alone in the inheritance, and for want of them, first
brothers; then uncles. Cesar in his Commentaries
writes, that the fields were yeerely divided by the Magis-
trate, no man having fees or inheritance proper to him,
lest husbandry should take away their warlike disposition,
303
The Lawes of
l nl, eritance.
OF THE LAWS OF GERMANY
of Saxony, the succession depends uppon using it in
common, from which if they depart, they are judged to
have renounced the mutuall right of succession ; so as one
brother dying after the division, the other hath no right
to his part: therefore by custome one brother useth to
retaine the fee, and to satisfie his brethren in mony and
goods, commonly with condition that this money and
goods shall be bestowed in getting another fee. By the
Civill Law, if the vassall have built houses, or bestowed
mony in bettering the old houses, the Lord of the Fee
shall either satisfie the heire according to the estimation
of the expence, or shall suffer him to carry away the
houses. But by the Law of Saxony, the fee lies open to the
Lord, with all the houses built, one case excepted. By the
Civill Law, if the vassall die without heire male before
the moneth of March, the fruits of that yeere pertaine to
the Lord: but if hee die after the Calends of March,
before the Moneth of August, the fruits pertaine to the
heires. But by the Law of Saxony, if the vassall live past
the day when the rent is due, the heires shall inioy the
fruits of his labour. By the Civill Law, if the Fee upon
the death of the Lord, fall to all his sonnes, either equally
or otherwise, the investiture must be desired of all : but
by the Law of Saxony, it sufficeth to aske it of one sonne
of the dead Lord. By the Civill Law, a servant or a
clowne may be invested in a Fee; which done, the clowne
becomes a Gentleman, if the nature of the fee require it:
But by the Law of Saxony, onely hee that is borne of the
knightly order by father and mother is capeabl.e of a fee,
though custome prevaile to the contrary. By the Civill
Law, if the vassall leave an heire, he cannot refuse the
inheritance, and retaine the fee, but must hold or refuse
both: but by the Law of Saxony, he may retaine the fee,
leaving the inheritance, and in that case is not bound to
satisfie creditors. By the Civill Law, a man may give or
sell his land to a Prince or Prelate, and take it againe of
him in fee. But by the Law of Saxony, except the Prince
or any buyer whatsoever, retaine the land a yeere and a
. v 305 v
The Lau.es of
Succession.
The Ci,ill
Law and the
Law of
Saxony.
[III.iv.z 3.]
FYNES MORYSON'S ITINERARY
day, before he grants it backe in fee, hee that gave or sold
it, or his heire, hath right to recover the land. By the
Civill Law, if the vassall have lost his horse or armes in
warre, hee hath no remedy against the Lord, because he
is tied by duty to helpe him : but by the Law of Saxony,
the vassall is not tied to serve the Lord any longer, except
he repaire his losse, and the Lord is tied to pay a certaine
ransome for his captive Vassall. By the Civill Law, the
Lord, or the Father of the Vassall being dead, the Vassall
is bound to aske investiture within a yeere and a moneth :
but by the Law of Saxony, either of them being dead, he
must aske it without delay. By the Civill Law, the
Vassall must serve the Lord at his owne charge: but by
the Law of Saxony, he is onely tied to serve him sixe
weekes, and by custome the Lord must feede him and his
horse, or give him a competent allowance.
By the Civil law, the pupil is excused from the Lords
service : but by the law of Saxony, the Tutor must serve
in his place. By the Civill law, a Fee falling to a Monk,
belongs to the Monastery during his life : but by the law
of Sax.ony, it returnes to the Lord. And touching the
successlon of Monks in any inheritance whatsoever,
though by the Civil law they are accounted dead, yet the
same law admits them to succeed with the children of the
intestate father: but by the law of Saxony, they are not
capable of any inheritance; yet this Law seeming unjust
to the Popes, it was corrected, so as their succession was
given to the Monastery. But in our age, the Judges have
pronounced a Monke himself to be capeable of inherit-
ance, notwithstanding the Papall Law gives his inheritance
to the Monastery, and that because the Monkish Vowes
being against the word of God, the persons of Monkes are
free to take inheritance. By the Civill Law, the Vassall is
bound to accompany his Lord when he goes with the King
of the Romans, to take the Crowne of the Empire at
Rome: but by the Law of Saxony, he may redeeme this
service with paying the tenth part of his yeerely.rent;
and since, the golden Bulla hath restrained this service, to
3o6
OF THE LAWS OF GERMANY
twenty thousand foote, and foure thousand horse, and the
paiment of them hath since been equally divided through
Germany, allowing a horseman twelve Guldens, and a
footeman foure Guldens. By the Civill Law, he forfeites
his Fee, who cuts downe fruitfull trees, or puls up vines,
but by the Law of Saxony, it is free to the possessor, to
make the lands or houses of the Fee better or worse, at his
pleasure. By the Civill Law, if the Lord deny investiture,
it must be asked often and humbly: but by the Law of
Saxony, if the Vassall aske it thrice, and hath witnesses
that the Lord denied his service, afterwards, so he have
good witnesses thereof, hee and his heires shall possesse
the Fee, without any bond of service, and his heire is not
bound to aske investiture. By the Civill Law, if two
Lords of one Vassall shall both at one time require his
service, he is bound to serve the most ancient Lord: but
by the Law of Saxony, the person of the Vassall must
serve the Lord that first calles him, and he is to pay a
summe of money (as the tenth pound) to the other.
By the aforesaid Lawes and daily practise, it appeares,
that the Territories of Princes (according to the old Feud-
atory Lawes) either fall to the eldest son (who gives his
brothers yeerely Pensions, or according to his inheritance,
recompenceth them with money, or other lands), or else
are equally divided among the brothers. Yet some Fees
are also feminine, and fall to the daughters and their
husbands, and some may be given by testament: but
others, (as those of the Electors) for want of heires males
are in the Emperours power, who with the consent of the
Princes of the Empire, commonly gives them to the
husbands of the daughters, or to the next heires by
affinity, if there be none of consanguinity. I have heard
of credible men, that the Dukedome of Austria first fals
to the sons, then to the cousens, and for want of them
to the daughters. The Duke of Wineberg and the Duke
of Coburg (sonnes to Fredericke Duke of Saxony and
Elector, but deprived of his Electorship by the Emperor
Charles the fifth, for his Religion), did equally divide their
307
OF THE LAWS OF GERMANY
of Bishopricks as Administrators (being so called), besides
money, and pensions, and some lands of inheritance, and
otherwise for better maintenance followed the warres. In
this sort when the Elector Christian Duke of Saxony died,
his three sonnes being yet under age, injoyed three Bishop-
ricks, namely, those of Misen, Nauberg, and Mersberg,
though the Emperor and the Gentlemen of those parts in
a Provinciall meeting, were instant to have three Bishops
chosen, and the Emperour desired that dignity tor
one of his brothers. The same three Princes yet being
under age, I did see coynes of Gold and Silver bearing the
images of all three: but when they came to age, the
Electorship and the Inheritance belonging to it, fell to the
eldest sonne, the younger retaining the said Bishopricks
for life, and their part of other lands that might bee
divided, for inheritance to them and their children.
The Fees of Princes are given by the Emperour, and
the Fees of many Gentlemen and of some Earles are given
by Princes : but I returne to the Lawes of Succession.
By the Civil law, they that descend of the right line,
have the first place in succession, al which without respect
of sex or fatherly power, do succeede equally, the sons by
the Pole, the nephewes to their part, namely, to the part
which their father should have had, if he had been then
living; so as it seemes, that fower or more nephewes, the
sons of a third brother dead, dividing with two brothers
living, all the nephewes shall only have a third part,
belonging to their father being dead, and each of the two
living brothers shall have another third part. The Law
of Saxony changeth nothing touching the persons, but
differs in the succession of goods: For the daughters
shall by priviledge have their mothers apparrell, and other
ornaments, with all utensiles (or household stuffe), so as
they shall be valued to them in their due parts. And the
niece, borne of one of the sisters being dead, hath the
same right with the other sisters for her mothers part:
but none can have these utensiles, save the women on the
mothers side, (vulgarly called Spielmagen), for the
$o9
[lll.iv.z4. ]
x6o5-I 7.
Aen tAe
deceased AatA
no Aeire,.
FYNES MORYSON'S ITINERARY
brothers daughter hath no right to them. And I have
heard of learned men, that these utensiles cannot bee
alienated by the last testament, namely, vessels of brasse
(but not of pewter), linnen, beds (excepting the heires of
Inne-keepers, whose chiefe wealth commonly consists in
such furniture) also sheep, geese, jewels of gold, and like
ornaments of the mother, excepting the seale ring of gold,
and pearles, and other jewels, which men use to weare as
well as women. By a Law made in the Dukedome of
Meckelburg, because the women in the yeere 388
redeemed their captive Prince with their Jewels, many
priviledges of succession are ranted to women. By the
Law of Saxony, as the utensi]"es belong to the daughters,
so besides the decree of the Civill Law, in the Knightly
Order all goods of expedition (as Armes, and the like)
belong to the sonnes, and the sword is alwaies given to the
eldest sonne. But these things are not observed among
those of common or plebean ranck, except custome have
made them as Law, so as the Daughters by custome have
the utensiles, and the eldest sonne have the chiefe horse
for the plough. I have formerly said, that by the Law of
Saxony, the nephew is excluded from succeeding in a Fee
with his uncle on the fathers side (that is, his fathers
brother), but that in our daies the nephew is admitted
according to the Civill law. I have said, that in the
succession of moveable goods, the sonnes succeede the
father by the Pole: but the nephewes (or sonnes of
another sonne deceased) succeede their Grand-father onely
in the part belonging to their father. I have said, that the
Law of Saxony changeth nothing touching the persons,
but only differs in the succession to some goods, as the
utensiles. Now I adde further, that the nephewes succes-
sion and equall division with his fathers brothers, is
decreed by an Imperiall Law, abrogating all contrary
customes.
By the Civill Law, brothers on both sides, and together
with them, the children of their dead brothers and sisters,
are then first called to inheritance, when the deceased hath
OF THE LAWS OF GERMANY
no heires in the right line descending or ascending: but
without any respect to the Imperiall said Law, (as speak-
ing of custome, not written Law), or to the last Civill
Law, the Law of Saxony decrees, and of old custome it is
observed among the Saxons, that in the succession of
Collaterals, the living brother excludes the children of his
dead brother, (I say in freehold, not in fee) and the brother
on both sides excludes the brother on the one side onely
in the third degree, and the brother on both sides excludes
the children of his dead brother in the third degree. But
I have observed that this law is thus practised among the
Sa)ons, as imagining there be three brothers, Thomas,
John, and Andrew, and it happening, that Thomas first
dies leaving a sonne, and then John dies unmarried, or
without issue, the goods of John at his death shall not
fall to the sonne of Thomas his eldest brother, but to his
brother Andrew yet living; and Andrew dying last, as
well his owne as his brother Johns goods fall to his owne
sonne: but if he have no sonne, then they fall to the
sonne of Thomas. And againe putting the case, that
Thomas and John are both dead, and each of them hath
left a sonne or sonnes, if Andrew die without a sonne, the
sonne of Thomas succeedes him, without any respect to
the sonne of John. By the Civill law, the uncle of the
deceased by the fathers side, is not onely excluded by the
brother of the deceased, but also by the brothers children :
but by the Law of Saxony, since the right of representa-
tion simply hath no place, and these persons are in the
same degree, namely, in the third degree, they are called
together to the inheritance, yet the Scabines (or Judges) of
Leipzig, have pr.onounced the contrary to this judgement
of the Judges m the highest Court of the Duke of
Saxony, rather following the Civill Law, which preferres
the brothers sonne, before the uncle on the fathers
side. By the Civill Law in the successions of
Collaterals, the brothers of both sides are for a double
bond preferred to the brothers by one parent only, so as
the priviledge be not extended to things in Fee, but to
[IH.iv.z 5. ]
Bastards.
Posthumus
children.
FYNES MORYSON'S ITINERARY
things in free-hold; because in Fees the bond on the
mothers side is not regarded. By the Law of Saxon?" a
brother on both sides excludes a brother by one parent,
as nearer by one degree.
By the Civill law Bastards are admitted to the inF.erit-
ance of the mother, and the brother lawfully begotten is
called to the inheritance of a dead bastard brother by the
said mother, but by the Law of Saxony, as a bastard cannot
bee admitted to inherit with one lawfully begotten, so he
that is lawfully begotten, cannot succeede a bastard, that
is not legitimated, and by the law of Saxony a mother
having a bastard daughter, and dying without any other
child, cannot leave her utensile goods to that daughter.
Yet in all cases concerning bastards, the Judges leave the
law of Saxony as unequall, and judge after the Civill
so as in Saxony bastards both succeed, and are succeeded
unto, and alwaies part of the goods is given, if not by
law, yet by equitie, to maintaine the bastards, and the
Interpreters will have the law of Saxony understood of
those, that are borne in incest, who have not the benefit
of legitimation. By the Civill law he that is borne
in the seventh moneth after marriage, is reputed lawfully
begotten: but by the law of Saxony, hee is reputed a
bastard that is borne before the due time; yet because
Phisitians agree, that the seventh moneth may be called
due time, in custome and practise the law of Saxony
agrees with the Civill law.
By the Civill Law the Testament is broken by the birth
of a Posthumus, (that is, a sonne borne after his fathers
death), if it give no part to this child; so the birth be
proved by two witnesses: but by the Law of Saxony
foure men by hearesay, and two women by sight, must
testifie the birth. In the Civill Law it is controverted how
sonnes of brothers shall succeed the unkle by the fathers
side ; and the greater part saith, that they succeed to the
parts of the brothers: so as one child of a brother shall
have as much as two or more children of another brother :
but by the Law of Saxony when the inheritance fals to any
OF THE LAWS OF GERMANY
that are not brothers and sisters, they succeed by pole, so
as one brother having many children, each of them shall
have equall part with the onely child of another brother;
and if they be further off in degrees, those that are equall
in degree, have equall portions. But both these Lawes
are made to agree by a Statute of the Emperour Charles
the fifth in the yeere i539, whereby it is determined that
the sonnes of brothers shall not succeed to parts, but by
pole, to the Unkle by the Fathers side; notwithstanding
any Statute or custome to the contrary.
By the Civill Law the division of Inheritance must be
made by Lots, and if the parts be not so made equall, the
Judge must determine it; but by the Law of Saxony, if
there be onely two persons, the elder devideth, and the
yonger chuseth, and if there be more persons, then accord-
ing to the Civill Law, the inheritance is devided equally,
and they cast lots for their parts.
In this devision I have observed such equity among the
Saxons, as if one sonne of a Citizen, have beene brought
up in the University, or instructed in any Art or Science
at the Fathers charge, some thing shall be taken from his
part, and given to the other brothers wanting like educa-
tion, or being tender in yeeres: And the Germans being
lesse apt to disagreement, seldome goe to Law about
inheritance, and if any difference happen, an Arbiter is
appointed, and the Magistrate determines it with expedi-
tion. By the Civill Law the Sonne of a banished man is
deprived of his Fathers inheritance, but by the Law of
Saxony he shall enjoy it.
By the Civill Law the degrees of Consanguinity end
in the tenth degree, excepting Barrons and noble persons,
who dying without heires, the kinsmen succeede, though
it be in the hundreth degree; and if all the Family of a
King should die, and leave no man neerer then one of the
old blood removed a thousand degrees, yet hee should
succeed in the Kingdome. The degree of Consanguinity
by the Law of Saxony, ends in the seventh degree, for that
is the tenth by the Civill Law, the sonnes of two brothers
I6O5-I 7.
Division by
Lots.
[lll.iv.26.]
Degrees of
guinity.
Restraint of
him that is of
age.
FYNES MORYSON'S ITINERARY
being by the Law of Saxony in the first degree, who by the
Civill Law, are in the fourth degree. By the Civill Law
Cities howsoever priviledged, cannot possesse the vacant
goods of men dying without heires, but they fall to the
Emperour; but by the Law of Saxony Cities that have
absolute power, confiscate these goods by custome, so as
the goods of a stranger, or any dying without heires, are
brought to the Judges of the place, who keepe them for
one whole yeere : yea, they challenge unmoveable goods,
but with prescription of yeeres: And these goods use
to be converted to godly uses, and I have observed some
to be deepely fined, for fraudulent detaining these goods.
By the Civill Law he that is of age, so he be in his wits,
and no prodigall person, may freely sell, give, or by any
course alienate his goods: but by the Law of Saxony
this power is restrained, for no man without the consent
of the next heires can alienate unmoveable goods gotten
by his Progenitors, (vulgarly called Stamgfitter), but onely
for godly uses, or dowries given upon marriage, (for
contracts of dowry are of force f'or use and property with-
out consent of the heires, though made after the marriage,
if the guilt be confirmed by the givers death) : but if any
man will sell his Progenitors goods, first by the Civill Law
he must offer them to be bought to the next heires, and
they refusing to buy them, he may then freely sell them to
any man, and if they were never offered to the heires,
notwithstanding the possession is transferred, but the
heires have an action for their interest.
By the Civill Law, weakenesse (as of old age) doth not
make the guilt of lesse force : but by the Law of Saxony,
a man or woman sicke to death, cannot without the
consent of the heires, give any goods above the value of
five shillings, so as a certaine solemnity is required among
the sicke, and also those that are healthfull, in the gift of
any moveable or unmoveable goods: For among the
sicke or healthfull, he that will give any goods, if he be
of Knightly Order, hee must be of that strength, as armed
with his Sword and Target, he can upon a stone or block
3x4
OF THE LAWS OF GERMANY
an ell high mount his horse, and his servant is admitted
also to hold his stirrop. If he be a Citizen, he must be
able to walke in the way, to draw his Sword, and to stand
upright before the Judge, while the gift is made: And a
Clowne must be able to follow the Plow one morning.
Lastly, a woman must be of that strength, as shee can goe
to the Church of a certaine distance, and there stand so
long till the guilt be made: but these things are under-
stood of guifts. . among, the living, not of guift upon death.
By the C1vdl Law grafts are of force, though made out of
the place where the goods are seated: but by the Law of
Saxony for unmoveable goods the guilt must bee made in
the place, and before the Judge of the place, where the
goods are seated, onely some cases excepted.
By the Civill Law, the heire that makes no Inventory,
is tied to the Creditors, above the goods of Inheritance;
but by the Law of Saxony he is neither tied to make an
Inventory, nor to pay further then the goods of the
deceased extend. By the Civill Law, within ten dayes,
and by the Law of Saxony, within thirty dayes after the
death of him that dies, the heire may not be troubled by
the creditors. An Imperiall Statute decrees, that he who
makes a Testament, must be in his right mind, so as he
speakes to the purpose, and must have witnesses, who
have no profit by his Testament, and such as themselves
have power to make a Testament. Hee that disinherites
the next heire, is bound to give him a lawfull legacy
according to his goods. By the Civill Law leprous
persons and borne unperfect, are not excluded from inherit-
ing: but by the Law of Saxony, the lame, dumbe, blind,
leprous, and the like, are not capable of inheritance, or fee,
yet if any man after his succession shall become leprous,
he shall enioy the inheritance.
By the Law of Saxony, Tutorage belongs onely to the
Kinsmen, by the Fathers side, and not (as by the Civill
Law) to all in the same degree, but ever to the next, and
if many be in the same next degree, then to the eldest
of them only, yet so as the danger of Tutorage belongs
6o5-I7.
[III.iv.zt 7.]
7"utorage.
FYNES MORYSON'S ITINERARY
to all together. Thus Christian Duke of Saxony dying,
the Duke of Winberg only, (not the Duke of Coburg in
the same degree with him) was Tutor to his children,
though the Electorship was taken from their Grandfather,
and given to this Family with great and just envy by the
Emperour Charles the fifth. In common judgement,
especialy respecting such cases, the kinsmen on the
mothers side seeme more fit to be Tutors, who have no
profit, but rather losse by the death of the Pupill, whereas
the kinsmen on the Fathers side are heires to him. Yet
the common practise to the contrary, (as in this particular
example) produceth no tragicall events among the
Germans, being of a good and peaceable nature. By the
Civill Law, a Pupill is said to be in minority till he be
five and twenty yeeres old, and the tutorage ceaseth, and
the Pupil is capable of investiture at ripe age, namely the
Male at tbureteene, the female at twelve yeeres age: but
by the law of Saxony the Pupill is said to be in minority
till he be 2I yeers old, and the Male is capable to be
invested in his fee when he is 13 yeers & six weeks old:
for the Saxons make difference between these two things,
Binnen Jahren unnd binnen Tagen, that is, under yeeres,
and under dales: for the Pupill is held under yeers for
inheritance til he be foureteen yeers old, and for Fees till
he be thirteene yeeres and six weekes old : but he is held
under daies or in minority, till he be twenty one yeeres
old. The Imperial law of the golden Bulla notwithstand-
ing, makes the Electors sonnes to be of ripe age, and free
from Tutors at eighteene yeeres age. I have observed
that Tutors in Saxony allow the Pupils five in the
hundreth for all their money which they have in their
hands. Females are under Tutors till they marrie, and
they cannot marrie without their consent, but refusing to
give consent, they are bound to yeeld a reason thereof
before the Judges, lest they should fraudulently denie
consent. By the Civill Law the Tutor is not bound to
give account, till the Tutorage be ended, but the Adminis-
trator may yeerely be called to account, and the eldest
316
OF THE LAWS OF GERMANY
brother must give account to the younger, of the inherit-
ance which bee administreth undevided : but by the Law
of Saxony, if the Tutor be not heire to the Pupill, (as
the Kinsman by the Fathers side, while the Mother lives,
who excludes him from succession), he is tied yeerely to
give account, but if he be heire to the Pupill, he is not
bound to give account, which notwithstanding is restrained
to Parents and Brothers, who for reverence of the blood,
and naturall affection, are freed from suspition of fraud or
fault, especially where the administration is of goods,
which either they possesse with the Pupils undevided, or
in which they have right of succession. Also by the Law
of Saxony, the elder brother (when his brother hath no
mother living) as heire to his brother, is not tied to give
account to his brother, or to his joynt heire for the
administration of a common and undevided Inheritance.
In like sort by the Civill Law, the Tutor is bound to give
sureties or sufficient caution, for preserving the Pupils
goods; but by the Law of Saxony, (as formerly), if the
Tutor bee heire to the Pupill, or joint heire with him in
undevided Inheritance, bee is not tied thereunto. By the
Civil Law whatsoever fals to the sonne in the power of the
Father, of his mothers goods, either by Tes.tament of the
Mother, or from her dying intestate, the Father shall have
the use and full administration thereof for his life, and for
the confidence and reverence of a Father, hee is not tied
to give sureties or caution for using or restoring those
goods to his sonne, as others having like use thereof are
bound to doe, yet so as in regard of this use for life, the
Father is bound according to his power to give a gift in
marriage to his sonne leaving him: but the mother hath
no right to the use of her sonnes goods. By the Law of
Saxony, the use is so long granted to the Father, till his
children depart from him: but the Lawyers so interpret
this, if the Father be cause of the separation; for if the
Sonne will depart of his owne motion, except he be out of
minority, and will take upon him the care of a Family,
the Father shall retaine the use, and is bound after to
37
Jill.iv. z 8.]
FYNES MORYSON'S ITINERARY
restore these goods, except they perish by misfortune
without his fault. And the same Law, is for the Mother
also, touching the goods of her Sonne, when the Father
is dead: but the Law concerning the Father, must be
understood of the unmoveable goods falling unto the Son
from the Mother.
By the Civill Law the Father and Mother, or others in
the ascending line, succeed the Sonne or Daughter dying,
in equall portions with the Brothers and Sisters: but by
the Law of Saxony, the Parents of the Sonne dead, or if
they be dead, the Grandfather and Grandmother, or any
ascendants whatsoever, exclude brothers and sisters by
both Parents, and collaterals whatsoever; and indeed by
the Law the Father alone succeeds the dying Sonne or
Daughter, excluding the Mother, excepting the utensile
goods, in which the Mother is preferred : but by the late
Statute of the Electors, this Law is changed, so as the
Father and Mother succeed together: yet these things
must be understood of the goods in freehold; for in Fees
they of the ascendant line succeed not the descendants, but
as every stranger may succeed, by contract expressed in the
investiture. By the Civill Law the Father cannot make
a gift to the Sonne being under his power: but by the
Law of Saxony he may, yet the sonne receiving the gift,
is bound to acknowledge it when his Father dies, and to
abate so much of his portion in the division with his
brothers, if it be of any value, and not given to supply
his wants at that time: And by both Lawes the gift is
good from the Father to the Sonne going to warfare.
By the Civill Law the Wife in time of marriage, may
have goods, in which the Husband hath no right, either
to alienate or to administer them, as those goods which
shee brings to her Husband above her dowry, and never
gives them to him: but by the Law of Saxony the Man
and Wife have all goods in common, so as all are said to
be the Husbands, and the Wife can call nothing her owne,
and the Husband hath the use of all without exception,
even while they live together, for the burthens he beares
38
OF THE LAirS OF GERMANY
yet he hath not the property of these goods, onely they
both possesse them undevided so long as they live to-
gether. The Husband at marriage takes his wife and all
her goods into his tuition, but this tuition is onely under-
stood for the use, which ends when the wife dies, but the
wife hath not like use in her husbands goods: And the
husband in administring the goods of his wife, must deale
honestly, and neither sell nor ingage them, because he is
onely her Tutor. By the Civill Law the wife hath power,
without the presence or consent of her husband, to give
or alienate her moveable or unmoveable goods, onely dur-
ing the marriage shee cannot give away her dowry to the
prejudice of her husband, without his consent ; but by the
Law of Saxony, the wife cannot give her unmoveable
goods, nor sell or alienate any goods without her
husbands consent, because shee is under his power as
her Tutor. Yea, the wife cannot give her goods to
her husband, because hee being her Tutor, cannot bee
actor to his owne profit: but if before the Magis-
trate shee chuse another Tutor, by whose authority
the gift is made, then it is of force. For in all
cases in which a gift betweene man and wife is of force
by the Civill Law, in the same cases at this day by custome
it is of force among the Saxons, so as the former manner
be observed: But all these things of the Wives gift to
her Husband, and of alienating her goods by contract,
(which shee cannot make without the consent of the
Husband her Tutor), are not understood of the alienation
by her last Will and Testament. For by the Law of
Saxony it is controverted, whether the wife may give a
gift to her husband at her death, without the authority of
the foresaid Tutor chosen by her, and if it be given with-
out the same, whether after the death of the wife, (accord-
ing to the Civill Law) this gift be confirmed. And some
interpreters say, that the same authority of a chosen
Tutor, and the same solemnity is required, as in a gift
betweene the living, others determine that the gift at death
without a Tutor is of force, so it be made before the Judge,
3x9
6o5-7.
[III.iv.z 9. ]
FYNES MORYSON'S ITINERARY
because it is not a simple giving, but participates some
thing of the last Will and Testament, and for that cause
five witnesses are required to it, or that it be registred;
which done, the gift is of force, because favour is to be
given to the last Testament, which must not be captious,
but free. Also because he that is of ripe age, but in
nfinority, though hee cannot give or contract without the
authority of his Tutor, yet bee may give for death. And
so it is concluded, that in doubtfull cases the gift must be
favoured, that it may subsist, rather then be made voyd.
Lastly, the Law of Saxony in this, consents with the Civill
Law; that a wife may make a Will, and for death give
her unmovable goods to any other but her husband, with-
out the consent of the husband her Tutor. But by the
Statute of the Elector, the gift of utensile goods made to
the husband in prejudice of her next kinswoman, is of so
little force, as with death it is not confirmed, except it be
remuneratory. Yet among the living, this gift of stuffe
(as some restraine it, so it be not to the husband) is of
force, if it be made before a Notary, and with witnesses.
By the Civill Law, the husband may not have the care of
his wives goods, lest she upon affection shuld remit his ill
administration, and so shuld be in danger to loose the
goods of her dowry : but by the Law of Saxony, presently
upon mariage, the husband is lawful Tutor to his wife.
By the civil law the dowry of the wife given by her father,
upon the death of the wife, returnes to the father, except
it be covenanted to the contrary in the contract of the
dowry : but by the law of Saxony, the husband upon his
wives death, gaines all moveable goods, and so much of
the dowry as was in ready mony, except it be expressely
covenanted to the contrary in the contract of the dowry,
and all the goods of the wife above that shee brought in
dowry, fall to the husband, nothing excepted, but onely
the utensile goods, yet this Law is not extended to the
perpetuall and yeerely rents of the wife, which are reputed
unmoveable goods. By the Civill Law, if either the man
or the wife marry the second time, the party may in no
32o
OF THE LAWS OF GERMANY
case give more to the second husband or wife, then to the
children of the first marriage, but among the Saxons this
Law is abolished by contrary custome, so as not onely the
Stepmothers use to have much more of the husbands
goods, then the children of the first marriage, but on the
other side also, the second husbands upon the death of
the second wife, being to have all her moveable goods,
excepting the utensiles, commonly gaine more then her
children of her first marriage.
By the Civill Law, a Widdow retaines the dwelling
house, honour, and dignity of her Husband deceased, till
shee marry to another, and by the Law of Saxony the
dead Husband leaves his widdow the right of his Family
and blood, and custome so interprets this Law, as all
priviledges and dignities are thereby granted, as by the
Civil law. Widows & Virgins by the Law of Saxony, if
they be of such age as they have no Tutors, may give or
alienate their goods, which a wife cannot do, being under
the Tutorage of her husband: yet the interpreters
restraine this to movable goods, being otherwise in un-
movable goods, but by last wil & testament they may
dispose of both.
By the Civill Law, if there bee no Letters of Dowry or
Jointure, the Husband dying, the Wife must have the
fourth part of his goods: but in some parts of Saxony
the custome is, that the Wife being a Widdow, shal have
the third part of her Husbands goods, as it is in all
Misen : but in other parts, as in Thuring, the Civill Law
is observed, and shee hath.the fourth part, if the Husband
leave but 3 or foure children, but if he have more, then
the widdow hath onely an equall part with each of
them : But in Misen the wife hath not the utensile goods,
which use not to bee given to women having a third part.
And moreover the widdow is tied not onely to leave her
owne goods, but her part of goods gotten in marriage by
her husband, and whatsoever her friends gave to her in
the life of her husband, or shee any way gained, to their
children at her death, whether shee gave them to her
M. V 3 X
llqddows.
[IlI. iv.zzo.]
FYNES MORYSON'S ITINERARY
husband in time of his life, or no, for it is alwayes pre-
sumed that shee got these things out of her husbands
goods: And if in any place there be no custome to
determine this, then the widow besides her fourth, or
equall part, hath also the utensile goods. And in case the
husband leave no children, then the widow hath her choise,
whether shee will receive the third part, or renouncing the
same, will retaine utensile goods, and all other her owne
goods movable or unmovable, together with her dowry.
But if the husband leave children, the widow hath not this
choise, but must renounce all the rest, and sticke to her
third part. And by custome of the Country, her dowry
and gift for mariage is doubled; so as shee that brought
one thousand guldens for her dowry, shall have two
thousand guldens in the division of her husbands inherit-
ance. And the right which married parties by statute
have in one anothers goods, cannot be taken from them
by last Will and Testament. Discoursing with men of
experience, I heard that the widowes of Princes, whiles
they remaine widowes, possesse all their husbands estate
(excepting the Electorships, which the next kinsman by
the Fathers side administers by his right, during the
minority of the sonne) and injoy also the tutorage ottheir
children: but if they marry againe, the country frees it
selfe from them, with giving them a tun of gold for
Dowry. And that the Daughters of Princes have Dowries
from the subjects by subsidies collected, & use to sweare
before the Chancellor, that their husbands being dead, or
upon any accident whatsoever, they will not retourne to
burthen the Country. That the Daughters of Gentlemen
never marry to any of inferior degree then Gentlemen,
(which is constantly kept by both sexes) and are commonly
bestowed with a small Dowry: and since by the Law
they cannot succeed in fees, have at the parents death only
a part of their movable goods with the utensils proper to
them: and one sister dying, her portion goes not to the
brothers or their children: as also the married Sister
dying, and leaving no Daughter, her portion goes not to
OF THE LAWS OF GERMANY
her own sons, (except living & in health she bequeathed
it to them in her Testament) but to the Neece on the
Mothers side. Lastly, that in case the goods of a dead
woman are neither given by her last Testament, nor any
Kinswoman to her on the Mothers side can bee found, her
goods goe not to her owne Sonnes or male-Kinsmen, but
are confiscated to the Prince, or in free Cities to the
Commonwealth.
It is said that the Roman Emperor Caracalla was wont
to say, that only that Nation knew how to rule their wives,
which added the feminine article to the Sunne, and the
masculine to the Moone; as the Germans doe, saying;
Die Sonn unnd der Mone. And no doubt the Germans
are very churlish to their wives, and keep them servily at
home: so as my selfe in Saxony have seene many wives
of honest condition and good estate, to dresse meat in the
kitchen, and scarce once in the weeke to eate with their
husbands, but apart with the maides ; and after the meale,
to come and take away their husbands table; and if they
came to sit with him at table, yet to sit downe at the lower
end, at least under all the men. My selfe have seene
husbands of like quality to chide their wives bitterly, till
they wept abundantly, and the same wives (of good ranke)
very soone after to bring a chaire to the husband, and
serve him with a trencher and other necessaries. The
men being invited to friends houses, or any solemne feasts,
never goe in company with their wives, who goe alone
with their faces covered. It is no novelty for a husband
to give a box on the eare to his wife. And they scoffe at
the Law in Nurnberg, which fines the husband three or
foure Dollers for striking his wife, as a most unjust Law.
It is ridiculous to see the wives of German foote-soldiers
going to the warre, laded with burthens like she-Asses,
while the men carry not so much as their own clokes,
but cast them also upon the womens shoulders. And I
should hardly beleeve that the Germans can love their
wives, since love is gained by lovelinesse, as the Poet
saith :
323
I6O5-7.
[III. iv.zs.]
FYNES MORYSON'S ITINERARY
ut ameris amabilis esto.
He that for love doth thirst,
Let him be loving first.
But they while they commaund all things imperiously, in
the meane time neither for dulnes court them with any
pleasant speech, nor in curtesie grace them in publike, so
much as with a kisse. It is a common saying,
Dotem accepi, Imperium vendidi.
I tooke a Dowry with my Wife,
And lost the freedome of my life.
But howsoever the Germans have great Dowries in
marriage, and their Wives have power to make a Testa-
ment, for disposing their goods, with many like privi-
ledges; and howsoever they be also provoked with these
injuries, yet the men keep them within termes of duty.
May not we then justly marvell, that Englishmen having
great power over their Wives, so as they can neither give
any thing in life, nor have power to make a will at death,
nor can call any thing their owne, no not so much as
their garters, yea, the Law (I must confesse too severely)
permitting the Husband in some cases to beate his Wife,
and yet the Husbands notwithstanding all their privi-
ledges, using their Wives with all respect, and giving
them the cheefe seates with all honours and preheminences,
so as for the most part, they would carry burthens, goe
on foote, fast, and suffer any thing, so their Wives might
have ease, ride, feast, and suffer nothing, notwithstanding,
no people in the World, (that ever I did see) beare more
scornes, indignities, and injuries, from the pampered sort
of Women, then they doe. Surely either these our
Women want the modesty of the Wives, or else our Men
have not, I will not say the severity, (which I lesse
approve), but rather the gravity and constancy of the
Husbands in Germany.
But while the Germans thus use their Wives like
Servants, they behave themselves as Companions towards
324
I6o5-7.
Jill.iv. zzz.]
FYNES MORYSON'S ITINERARY
and never to ride without forty or fifty Horse to attend
him : But I cannot sufficiently marvell, that the Gentlemen,
howsoever sometimes learned, yet proudly despise Gradu-
ates of the University, no lesse or more then Merchants,
which I found, not onely by common practice, but also by
my private experience : For conversing with a Gentleman,
hee perceiving that I spake Latin better then hee thought
became a Gentleman, asked mee how long I did study in
the University; and when I said that I was Master of
Arts, (which degree our best Gentlemen disdaine not), I
found that hee did after esteeme mee as a Pedant, where-
upon finding by discourse with others, that Gentlemen
dispise these degrees, I forbore after to make this my
degree knowne to any: And it seemed more strange to
me, that Gentlemen first rising by learning, warfare, and
trafficke, they onely judge warfare worthy to raise and
continue Gentlemen : but indeed the trafficke of Germany
is poore, being cheefly of things wrought by manuall
Artists, which they have some pretence to disdaine,
whereas in Italy trafficke is the sinew of the Common-
wealth, which the most noble disdaine not: And it were
to be wished, that in England (where trafficke is no lesse
noble) the practice thereof were no staine to Gentry.
When I told an English Gentleman the pride of the
Gentlemen in Germany, despising degrees of Learning,
and he heard that the Gentlemen were vulgarly called
Edelmen, he pleasantly said, that they were so called of the
English words, Idle Men. The Gentlemen of Germany
beare the Armes of their Mother, though shee be no
Heire, as well as of their Father, and commonly they joine
to them, in steede of a mot or sentence, certaine great
letters, that signifie words, as D.H.I.M.T. signifying
Der herr Ist Mein Trost, that is ; The Lord is my comfort,
and likewise F.S.V. signifying Fide sed vide, that is,
Trust, but beware. Also Citizens and Artists, beare
Armes of their owne invention, and tricked out fully as
the Armes of Gentlemen, onely the helmet is close, which
Gentlemen beare open.
326
OF THE ORDERS OF KNIGHTS
Among the generall Orders of Knights, into which
Gentlemen of all nations are admitted, the Templaries in
the yeere x x 24, were confirmed by Pope Honorius, being
so called of the Temple at Jerusalem, in part whereof
they dwelt. Histories report that Pope Gregory the
ninth incited them to doe great domage by their treachery
to the Emperour Fredericke, making the holy warre in
Asia. At last the inducing of heathenish Religion, all
kinds of lust and intemperance, and the suspition of their
conspiring with the Turkes, or the feare of their too great
power, made Pope Clement the fifth, a Frenchman, and
residing at Avignon, first to extinguish the Order in
France, then in all Christendome, in the yeere x 3 2 ; The
second Order of the Johanites (or Saint John), was insti-
tuted by Balduine the second King of Jerusalem. Then
in the yeere 3o8, they tooke the Ile of Rhodes, and were
called the Knights of Rhodes, till they were expelled
thence by the Turkes, in the yeere 522, and then
possessing the Iland of Malta, they are to this day called
the Knights of Malta : And great part of the Templaries
rents, was given to this Order, into which of old none
but Gentlemen were admitted. The third Order of the
Teutonikes, that is, Germans, was instituted in the yeere
9 o, in the time of the Emperour Henry the sixth.
They were called Hospitals of the Hospitall which they
kept neere the Sepulcher of Christ, to entertaine
Pilgrimes: At last all Christians being driven out of
Palestine, they removed their seate to Venice, whence
being called by the Duke of Moscovy against the
Prussians, they seated themselves in Prussia, Livonia, and
Curlandia. They were all borne of noble Parents, and
did weare a white cloake, with a black crosse. The
Polonians in the yeere 4o, killed the Master of the
Order, and many thousands of the Knights. When
many Cities under the protection of the King of Poland,
sought their liberty in the yeere 45 o, and this Order had
wonne a battell against the King, at last because the
Citizens refused to pay the Souldiers, the Knights them-
327
6o5-7.
The generall
Orders of
Knights.
The Order
the German
Knights.
Upon the
dissoIution of
this Order,
the Duke of
Prussia vat
created.
[[II.iv. zz3.]
FYNES MORYSON'S ITINERARY
selves betraied their Cities to the Polonians, and after
much blood shed on both parts, at last in the yeere 466,
peace was made, with covenants, that the King of Poland
should have Pomerella with other Castles and Townes,
and that the Order should retaine Kingspurg.
And finally in the yeere 547, this Order was totally
extinguished, the Master thereof being (as they said)
forced to these conditions, namely that Albert Marquesse
of Brandeburg, (being of the Electors Family) then
Master of the Order, should become vassall to the King of
Poland, and should possesse Konigspurg with title of a
Duke, to him and his brethren of the same venter, and
their Heires Males for ever: (In which Dukedome were
fifty route Castles and eighty sixe Townes). Moreover
that the said Duke should take new Armes, and a Dukall
habit, and when hee came to doe his homage at Crakaw
in Poland, should have his seate by the Kings side, but
that upon Male Heires failing, the Dukedome should fall
to the Kingdome of Poland, which was to provide for the
Daughter and Heire according to her degree, and to
appoint no other Governour of the Province, then a
German having inheritance in Prussia. In the time of
my being at Dantzke, it was said, that Duke Albert was
growne into a Frensie, by a poysoned cup given him, at
his marriage with the Daughter of the Duke of Cleve:
and the common speech was, that the eldest sonne to the
Elector of Brandeburg was daily expected in the Dukes
Court, to marry the Daughter and Heire to the sickely
Duke, to whom himselfe was next of kinne by the Fathers
side, and Heire. And it was a common speech, that the
said sickely 'Duke had lately lent forty thousand Guldens
to the King of Poland, and that the Elector of Brande-
burg had offered seven Tunnes of gold to the King of
Poland, that his Grandchild might succeed in the Duke-
dome of Prussia, but that it was flatly refused by the
Senate of Poland: so as it was diversly thought, accord-
ing to mens divers judgements, what would become of the
Dukedome after the said sickly Dukes death, some judg-
328
OF 3"HE ORDERS OF KNIGHTS
ing that the King of Poland would keepe the Dukedome
falling to him, others that the powerfull Family of Brande-
burg, would extort the possession thereof, by force of
money, or of armes.
I omit the military Orders of Knights in England,
France, and Netherland, to be mentioned in their due
place.
Among the Germans I could not observe any ordinary
degree of Knights, conferred in honour upon such as
deserve well in civill and warlike affaires, such as the
Kings of England give to their Subjects, with the title
of Sir to distinguish them from inferiour Gentlemen:
But in our age we have seene Master Arundell an English
Gentleman, created Earle of the Empire for his acceptable
services to the Emperour. Christian Elector of Saxony
deceased, did institute a military Order of Knights, like
to the Teutonike Order, save that it is no Religious
Order; and he called it, Die gulden geselschaft, that is,
the Golden Fellowship, by which bond hee tied his neerest
friends to him : And the badge of the Order, was a Jewell,
hanging in a chaine of gold, having on each side of the
Jewell engraven a Heart pierced with a Sword and a Shaft,
and upon one side neere the Heart, was the Image of
Faith holding a Crucifix, with these words graven about
the Heart; Virtutis amore, that is, for love of Vertue,
upon the other side neere the Heart was the Image of
Constancie holding an Anker, with these words graven
about the Heart, Q.qi per sever at adfinem, salvus erit,
that is: He that perseveres to the end shall be saved.
Lastly, about the circle of the Jewell, these great letters
were engraven: F.S.V. : that is, Fide, sed vide, namely
in English, Trust, but beware.
The Provinces of the reformed Religion, have no
Bishops, but the revenues of the Bishoprickes are either
converted to godly uses, or possessed by the Princes,
under the title of Administrators: And in like manner
the revenues of Monasteries for the most part are
emploied to maintaine Preachers, and to other godly uses ;
3z9
The ordinary
degree of
Knighthood in
Germany.
Bhhops.
Hubandrnen.
[IIl. iv. 224. ]
FYNES MORYSON'S ITINERARY
but in some places they still permit Monkes and Nunnes,
(I meane persons living single, but not tied with Papisti-
call vowes), for the education of their children, and the
nourishing of the poore. In each City, and each Church
of the City, many Ministers or Preachers serve, who have
no tythes, but onely live upon Pensions, commonly small,
and not much unequall: For Ministers commonly have
one or two hundreth Guldens, and the Superintendants
one or two thousand Guldens by the yeere, besides wood
for tier, and Corne, and some like necessaries for food.
These Superintendants are instead of Bishops, to oversee
the Cleargy, but are not distinguished in habite or title
of dignity from the other Ministers: yet to them as
cheefe in vertue and learning, as well the Ministers as all
other degrees yeeld due reverence, and in all Ecclesiasticall
causes they have great authority : But otherwise Germany
hath many rich and potent Bishops, of whom generall
mention is made in the Chapter of Proverbs, and par-
ticularly in this Chapter, much hath beene said of the
three spirituall Electors.
The Husbandmen in Germany are not so base as the
French and Italians, or the slaves of other Kingdomes,
but much more miserable and poore then the English
Husbandmen: yet those of Prussia, a fat and fertile
Country, come neerest to the English in riches and good
fare. The other being hired by Gentlemen to plough
their grounds, give their services at low rates, and pay so
great rent, to their Lords, as they have scarcely meanes
to cover nakednes with poore clothes, and to feed them-
selves with ill smelling coleworts and like meate. In
Moravia incorporated to Bohemia, and lying betweene it
and Polonia, the husbandmen are meere slaves. And at
my being there I heard that the Barron of Promnetz
having been lately in Italy, did make free a slave of his,
who was there a Potecary, and gave him a present. Also
I understood by discourse, that the Marquesse of Anspach
in Germany, hath many meere slaves for his husbandmen.
But all other in Germany are free, howsoever without
330
OF THE HUSBANDMEN
doubt they be greatly oppressed not only by the Gentry,
but also by the Churchmen, so as wee find in late histories,
that the Bawren (or clownes) in the yeare 5cz made a
rebellion, perhaps with the mind after the example of the
Sweitzers to get liberty by the sword, but yet pretending
only revenge upon Bishops and Churchmen, proverbially
saying that they would not suffer them to draw breath.
And it is probable that the neibourhood of the Sweitzers,
who rooted out their Noblemen, & got liberty by the
sword, makes the Gentlemen of Germany lesse cruell
towards the poore clownes. For either upon that cause,
or for the fertility of the Country, no doubt the clownes
in Suevia and places neare Sweitzerland, live much better
then in any other parts; as likewise in places neere Den-
marke and Poland, admittin slaves generally, the poore
people are more oppressed men any where else through
Germany.
In Bohemia the highest degree is that of Barons, and
the Gentlemen have the same priviledges with them; all
other in townes and fields are meere slaves, excepting
Cities immediatly subject to the Emperor as King of
Bohemia, where many are either emancipated for mony, or
find more clemency under the yoke of a German Prince.
For in lands belonging to the Barons and Gentlemen, the
King hath no tribute, but all is subject to the Lord, with
absolute power of life and death; as likewise the King
hath his lands, and some thirty Cities in like sort subject
to him. And howsoever the Gentlemen doe not com-
monly exercise this power against the people, lest the
Germans should repute them tyrants, yet with wonder I
did heare at Prage; that a Baron had lately hanged one
of his slaves, for stealing of a fish. It is free for a Gentle-
man to hang any of his slaves for going into strange
Countries without being made free, if-he can apprehend
him. Many times they give them leave to goe into
forraigne parts, to learne manuary arts, but they call them
home at pleasure, and when they come back, make them
worke for the Lords behoofe. They take their Daughters
33I
The degrees in
Bohemia.
6o5-7.
[III. iv.22.]
FYNES MORYSON'S ITINERARY
for mayd servants, and Sonnes for houshold servants at
pleasure. And these poore slaves can leave their children
nothing by last Will and Testament, but all their goods,
in life and at death, belong to the Lords; and they will
find them, be they never so secretly hidden. In the
Province of Moravia, incorporated to Bohemia, I have
formerly said that the Gentlemen have like priviledges, and
absolute power over their subjects, being all born slaves.
And in Germany that the Marquis of Anspach hath like
born slaves. And I shal in due place shew, that in Den-
mark and Poland, the people are meere slaves, so as the
Gentlemen and Lords recken not their estates by yearly
rents, but by the number of their Bawren (or clownes)
who are all slaves. In Bohemia the goods of condemned
persons fall to the Lord of the fee. Among the Barons,
the Baron of Rosenburg was cheefe, who for life was
chosen Viceroy, and dwelt upon the confines of Austria,
being said to have the yearly rents of eighty thousand
Dollers ; but in respect he had no Sonne to succeede him,
he was lesse esteemed, especially himselfe being decrepite,
.and his brother also old and without probable hope of
issue. The second family of the Barons, was that of the
Popels, having many branches, and plenty of heires. One
of them was at that time in great grace with the Emperor
Rodulphus ; And the whole family for the issue was much
estemed of the people and States of the Kingdome. In
Bohemia (as in Pola.nd) Gentlemen cannot be judged, but
at fower meetings in the yeare, and then are tried by
Gentlemen ; so as the accusers being wearied with dehies,
the offenders are commonly freed, but men of inferior
condition, are daily judged and suddenly tried. The
Bohemians give greater titles to Gentlemen by writing
and in saluting, then the Germans, where notwithstanding
(as appeares in the due place) there is great and undecent
flattery by words among all degrees. I did not observe
or reade that the Bohemians, have any military or civill
order or degree of Knightes, as the English have. The
Hussites having changed nothing in religion, save onely
332
OF DEGREES IN BOHEMIA
the communicating of the Lords Supper in both kinds,
with some other small matters, yet I did not heare that
they have any Bishops, and I am sure that the Bishopricke
of Prage had then been long void. They and all of the
reformed Religion in Bohemia, send their Ministers to
Wittenberg an University in Saxony for receiving of
Orders with imposition of hands, from the Lutheran
Superintendant and the Ministers of that place.
Chap. IIII.
Of the particular Common-wealths, as well of the
Princes of Germany, as of the Free Cities, such
of both, as have absolute power of life and
death.
'T remaineth to adde something of privat
Princes Courts, and the Governement of
the free Cities. And since I have formerly
said, that these Princes and Cities, having
absolute power of life and death, are
many in number, and that according to
the number of the Princes, the places also
where taxes and impositions are exacted, are no lesse
frequent, as well for subjects as strangers passing by, both
for persons and for wares. And that they who deceive the
Prince in any such kind, never escape unpunished. Now
to avoid tediousnesse, I will onely mention the chiefe
Princes and Cities, by which, conjecture may be made
of the rest; and this I will doe briefely, without any
repetition of things formerly set downe. Touching the
Electors, I have formerly related the principall lawes of
the golden Bulla. The Duke of Saxony is one of these
Electors, many waies powerfull, and he derives his
pedegree from Witikind, a famous Duke of the Germans,
in the time of the Emperour Charles the Great, who forced
him to lay aside the name of King, permitting him the
title of a Duke, and to become Christian in the yeere 805.
333
The Prince of
the Ernpire
and Jree
Cities.
The Duke of
Saxony
Elector.
6o5-I 7.
FYNES
MORYSON'S
"Bruno.
334
ITINERARY
FYNES MORYSON'S
George of Leipzig, called
the Popish, was Duke of
Saxonie, and died in the
yeare *539.
Henrie, Duke of Saxonie,.__.
made Governour of Fries-
land by his father, was
there in danger to be put
to death, had not his father
come to deliver him; he
died in the yeere I54-
ITINERARY
The first Elector
of this branch.
Mauritius made
Elector by the
Emperor Charles
the 5, was borne
I52I , died I553.
Augustus Elec-
tor marled Anne
daughter to the K.--
of Denmarke, and
died 1586.
The Elector Frederike
the %Vise, who put the
Empire from himself, &
chose Charles the fifth. Hee
did found the Universitie at
W ittenberg, and died 1525.
John Elector exhibited /
the reformed Confession at ---
Augsburg, and died 1533.
336
The last Elector
of this branch.
OF THE PRINCES OF THE EMPIRE
Eight Boyes and
:hree Girles died.
Christian the
.lector married the
daughter to the
Elector of Brande-
burg and died 1591.
Elizabeth married
to Casimire Ad-
aainistrator to the
Electorship of the
Palatinate.
Three young daughters.
Christian the second Elec-
tor, but then a Pupill borne
I583, the five and twentieth
of September, at three of the
i clocke in the morning.
John George, borne 585,
the fifth of March, at ten of
'the clock in the night.
, Dorothy, married
'to the Duke of
Brunswick ; and
Anne to John
Casimire Duke of
oburg.
John Frederike
proscribed by the
Empire, and prose-
cuted by Augustus
Elector of Saxonie
in the Emperours--
name, was taken
prisoner by him at
thetaking and razing
of Gotha.
John William I--
served the King of I
France in those---'
Civill warres, and
died 573.
Augustus borne the seventh
.of September, 1589.
AiD.
I605-I 7.
f John Casimire borne of his)
! fathers second wife Elizabeth,/
daughter of Fredenke Elector]
Palatine. He was borne I564,1
and married Anna, daughter to'
Augustus Elector of Saxonie.
John Ernest, then un-
married, borne in the yeere
I566.
Will. Frederik borne of
nother daughter to l'rederike
Elector Palatine I562 he
buried the daughter to the
Duke of Wittenberg, and
married the daughter of Philip
Lodowick Prince Palatine
I59. He was Tutor to the
sonnes of Christian Elector,
preferred to the Duke of Co-
burg, because his father was
proscribed, and never restored.
John borne 57o then un--
'married.
. v 337 v
[III. iv. tS.]
FYNES MORYSON'S ITINERARY
The Princes borne of these three Families, are Dukes
of upper Saxony (for there bee also poore Dukes of lower
Saxonie, as one residing at Angria). While I lived at
Leipzig, Christian the Elector of Saxonie died
whose Uncle by the Fathers side Mauritius, was the first
Elector of that Family. For the Emperour Charles the
fifth making warre against John Frederike then Duke and
Elector of Saxonie, and against the Langrave of Hessen,
as Rebels to the Empire; but indeede with purpose to
suppresse these chiefe defenders of the Reformed Religion,
and to bring the free Empire of Germany under the
Spanish yoke, he cunningly warned Mauritius, as next
heire, to sease the lands of John Frederike, or otherwise
they should fall to him that tooke possession of them.
Whereupon Mauritius, though he professed the Reformed
Religion, which now had great need of his helpe, yet
invaded his kinsmans lands, under a faire pretext, that he
tooke them, least the Emperour should alienate them to
strangers, professing that he would restore them to his
kinseman, when he should be reconciled to the Emperour.
But such is the power of ambition, as in the end he did
nothing lesse, but further received the title of Elector,
taken from John Frederike and his children, and conferred
upon him and his heires males, by the Emperour. The
report was, that Luther seeing Mauritius brought up in
the Court of the Elector John Frederike, foretold the
Elector that he should one day confesse, hee had nourished
a Serpent in his bosome. True it is, that Mauritius
shortly after restored the cause of Religion, in like sort
deceiving the Emperours hope, by making a league with
the King of France. But ever since, the posteritie of
Mauritius hath been jealous of the heires to John
Frederike, and hath gladly taken all occasions to suppresse
them. Whereupon Augustus succeeding his brother
Mauritius, was easily induced, by vertue of" his OfFice, as
Arch Marshall of the Empire, to prosecute with fire and
sword John Frederike, the eldest sonne of the said John
Frederike, whom the Empire had proscribed. At which
338
[lll.iv.zzg. ]
FYNES MORYSON'S ITINERARY
to hunting, to be prone to anger, not to be sollicited by
petition, but at some fit times; to affect solitarinesse, and
little to be seene of the people, hardly to admit strangers
to his presence at any time, much lesse when he sat at
the table to eate, (contrary to the use of the Princes of the
house of Austria), to have skill in the Art of Gold-
Smithes, and to spare no charge in keeping brave Horses.
And no doubt hee was so carried away with this last
delight, as he would take in gift from his very enemies,
any beautifull thing belonging to the Stable. And while
I was at Wittenberg, a Scholer having spoken some words,
that he loved Horses better then Scholers, was sent to
Dresden, and there whipped about the streetes. Beyond
measure he was given to large drinking, (in plaine termes
to drunkennesse), and that of the most strong Wines, so
as this intemperance was thought the cause of his untimely
death. And for these drinking games, he had certaine
faire chambers over his Stable, something distant from his
lodgings of his Court, which were appropriated to festivall
solaces. As soone as he was made Elector, he presently
ordained the new Judges for the Saxon Law, vulgarly
called Schoppenstuel, and the Consistories. In the yeere
i586 hee had a meeting at Lubeck, with the King of
Denmarke, and the Elector of Brandeburg. In the yeere
i589, at Naumberg he renewed the hereditarie league,
betweene his Familie, and the neighbour Princes, namely,
the Elector of Brandeburg, his eldest sonne Joachim
Frederike, then called the Administrator of Hall, the three
brothers a William, Lodwike, and George, Langraves of
Hessen, Frederike William Duke of Saxony, (for one man
hath often times two names in Baptisme), John Duke of
Saxony, (for the title is common to younger brothers and
houses of one Family with the elder), John Casimire
(Tutor to his Nephew the Elector Palatine), John Ernest
Duke of Saxony, Christian Prince of Anhalt, Wolfing
and Phillip Dukes of Grubenhagen. And to knit his
friends love more firmely to him, I have said that he did
institute an Order of Knighthood, called the Golden
340
OF THE PRINCES OF THE EMPIRE
Fellowship. He had for his Counsell, his Officers of
Court, and some Doctors of the Civill Law, and among
them, Crellius Doctor of the Civill Law, and the Master of
his Game or hunting (whose name I have forgotten), were
in speciall grace with him; for the Princes of Germany
admit no Phisitions nor Divines to their Counsel_l, as
having care of the body and soule, not of the worldly
estate. Neither doth any young Princes keep their
Fathers Counsellors, but such as served them in their
Fathers life time. Mysen, Voitland, and part of Thuring,
Provinces subject to the Elector, have firtill fieldes,
fi'equent Cities, many Castles proper to the Elector,
innumerable Villages, and neare Friburg rich Mines of
Silver, (as I have shewed in the first volume or part, where
I treate of my journey through these parts). But howso-
ever these Provinces excell in these things; yet because
they are of no great circuit, the Elector is not so power-
full in the number of vassals, as in yeerely revenewes.
So as at a publike meeting, he had no more then some two
thousand vassalls, when the Elector of Brandeburg had
eight thousand, who notwithstanding is farre inferiour to
him in treasure and warlike power. He then fortified the
City of Dresden, as a Fort, and so strongly, as it was
thought impregnable by force, and all the Citizens were
bound to have Corne and all necessaries for the food of
their families, for sixe moneths alwaies laid up in store.
And in time of that secure peace, yet the walles were
furnished with Artillery, as if an Army had line before the
Citie. And in times of Divine service, the streetes were
chained, and guards of souldiers were set in the Market
place, and other parts of the City, so as nothing could bee
added in time of the greatest warre. The Elector had in
the Citie three hundreth Garrison souldiers, whereof those
that were Citizens had three Guldens, and the old
souldiers sixe Guldens by the moneth. The Captaine had
the pay for eight and the Lieutenant for two horses, each
horse at twelve Guldens by the moneth. The Ensigne
had sixteene Guldens by the moneth, foure Corporals or
34
1605-I 7.
The Dnke
State.
[Ill.iv. 230. ]
FYNES MORYSON'S ITINERARY
Campe-Masters had each ten Guldens, the Scout-Master
ten Guldens, and the quarter-Master eight Guldens. He
gave honourable stipends to foure great Captaines, who
lived at home, but were bound to serve him when he
should cal them. His Court was no lesse magnificall,
wherein he had three Dukes for his Pensioners, namely
Christian Prince of Anhah, John D. of Winbrooke (both
yonger brothers), and the Duke of Desh, whose Duke-
dome lies upon the confines of Hungary. And to each of
these he gave the pay of twenty Horse, each Horse at
twelve Guldens the moneth. He had also in his Court
three Earles, Bastian Stick a Bohemian, Phillip Count of
Hollock, and one of the Counts of Mansfield, and to
each of them hee gave the like pay for twelve Horses.
He had also in his Court five Barrons, namely, two
Cousens Barrons of Zantzke in Bohemia, the Barron of
Ausse, the Barron of Shinck, and the Barron of Done,
and to the fower first he gave like pay for ten, and to
the last for twelve Horses. He had in his Court twenty
young Gentlemen, who carried his Launce and Helmet,
vulgarly called Spissyongen (Youths of the Speare), to
whom he gave yeerely coates of Velvet, and all necessaries,
and to each of them he gave a chaine of gold to weare.
Hee had twelve Gentlemen of his chamber, and to each
of them he gave a chaine of gold, his diet in Court, and
like pay for ten horses. He had sixteene youths of his
Chamber, and to sixe of the eldest (yet not bearing Armes)
he gave each like pay for two Horses, and the other ten
he maintained with all necessaries. He had fiftie Pen-
sioners to waite at his table, vulgarly called Druckses, and
these did ride before him, and to each of them he gave
his diet in the Court, and like pay for three horses. He
had twelve Sexhsruss, and to each of them he gave like
pay for sixe horses. He had fifty Audlepursen, so called
of a short piece they carried (in English we call them
Calbiners), and to each of them he gave the pay of one
Horse, apparrell twice in the yeere, and two hundred
Guldens yeerely stipend. These (as all other degrees) had
345
OF THE PRINCES OF THE EMPIRE
their Captaines and Liefetenants, and each third night by
turnes, they did watch at the doore of the Electors
Chamber, having no diet in Court, but onely the night of
their watch, both living otherwise, and lying in the City.
He had fifty Einspauners with a Captaine and Liefetenant,
who did ride as Scouts farre before the Elector, and looked
to the safety of the wayes, each of which had pay for one
Horse. He had sixteene Trumpeters, whereof three did
ride alwaies with the Elector, and two Drummes beating
a Drumme of brasse, vulgarly called, Kettell Drummern,
and each riding, had sixteene Guldens by the moneth, out
of which they kept each Man his Horse, and each staying
at home, had ten Guldens monethly stipend, and all of
them at solemne Feasts were apparrelled by the Elector.
Hee had of his Guard one hundred, (vulgarly called
Trabantoes), whereof the Gentlemen had eight, the rest
sixe guldens mon.ethly; and the Gentlemen kept watch
at the doore of the Electors Chamber, carrying Holbeards,
and the rest kept watch at the gates of the Court, armed
with Muskets, and yeerely they were apparrelled. He
had three Chaplaines, whereof one was alwaies to be at the
side of the Elector. He had sixteene Singingmen,
whereof ten being Men, had each of them 400 Dollers
stip.end, & six being boyes, had some oo dollers for
maintenance. He had x8 Musicians of divers Nations,
whereof each had some x4o dollers yeerely stipend. He
had two Tumblers or Vaulters, one an English man, the
other an Italian, with the like, or somewhat greater
stipend. He had eight French and two Dutch Lacqueis,
to runne by his stirrop, or the side of his Coach, whereof
each had some oo Dollers stipend, & apparrell, besides
extraordinary gifts.
The Dukes Stable may not be omitted, being more
magnificall, then any I did ever see in the World, (whereof
! have at large spoken in the first Part, writing of my
journey through Dresden): for therein I did see one
hundred thirty sixe forraigne Horses of the bravest races,
(besides two hundred Horses kept in other Stables for
343
I605-I 7.
The Dukes
Stable.
16o5-I 7.
The Duket
4rmoury.
FYNES MORYSON'S ITINERARY
drawing of Coaches and like uses); and in this cheefe
Stable a boy and a man were kept to attend each horse,
the men having for diet thirty grosh weekely, the boyes
twenty foure grosh, (that is, a Doller), and the men for
yeerely wages had also sixteen dollers, besides apparrell
twice in the yeere, and boots both to Men and Boyes. It
cannot bee expressed, at least this is not the fit place to
write, how sumptuously and curiously all things were
prepared for the Horses and their Keepers. A Gentle-
man of speciall account was overseer of this Stable, and
had a great stipend for his care thereof. He had eight
Leibknechlen, (that is, Servants for the body), who did
leade the Horses for the Electors saddle, whereof each
had the monethly pay for two Horses, and three hundred
Guldens yeerely stipend. He had foure Riders, whereof
each had two hundred Dollers yeerely stipend, and appar-
rell. One chiefe and two inferiour Horse-leeches and
Smiths, foure Armourers (to pollish the Armes for Tilt-
ing), three Sadlers, two Cutlers (to pollish the Swords),
two Feathermakers, and two Porters of the Stable, had
each of them one hundred Guldens yeerely stipend, and
apparell twice in the yeere.
Besides, the Elector Christian had a Kingly Armoury,
or Arsonall for Artillery and Munitions of warre, which
they said had furniture for an Army of eighty thousand
Men, overseene by a Captaine or Master of the Ordin-
ance, his Liefetenant, and three Captaines of the watch,
who had no small stipends; besides fifty Gunners, who
had each of them sixe guldens by the moneth, with yeerely
apparrell: But when I was at Dresden, this Armory was
much unfurnished by aides newly sent into France to King
Henry the fourth, at the instance of his Ambassadour the
Earle of Turine. These aides, though sent with the
consent of the foresaid Princes confederate, yet were
levied as at the charge of the King of France, and as
voluntary men, because the Princes are bound upon paine
to leese their fees, and by the covenants of the peace given
to the confession of Augsburg, not to undertake any warre
344
OF THE PRINCES OF THE EMP|RE
without the Emperours knowledge, which bonds are often
broken, the Princes of Germany administring all as
absolute Princes, onely with consent of their confederates :
But I passe over this, and returne to the matter in hand.
The foresaid so many and so great stipends, were most
readily paid without delay out of the Exchequer, called
the Silver Chamber, monethly or yeerely, as they did
grow due. And all the Pensioners aforesaid, did keepe
the horses in the city, for which they had pay, to which
if you adde the 3 6 horses of the chiefe stable, and the
zoo kept by the D. in other stables, you shal find, that
Dresden was never without a xooo horses of service, for
any sudden event. And the number was not lesse of the
horses which the Elector kept in his Castles not farre from
the Citie; so as he had ever (as it were in a moment)
ready zooo horses for all occasions. This Christian
Elector of Saxony, was said to impose most heavy
exactions upon his subjects (no lesse then the Italian
Princes, who place all their confidence in their treasure,
none at al in the love of their subjects, or then
the Netherlanders, who for feare to become slaves to
the Spaniard, beare untollerable exactions.) The Country
people about Dresden cried, that they were no lesse
oppressed then the Jewes in Egypt, being daily
forced to labour at their owne charge in fortifying
the City. And many complained, that the Red Deare,
wilde Boares, and like beasts destroied their fields
(for I said that the Duke was much delighted in hunting,
which is also forbidden to all, even the best Gentlemen)
no man daring so much as to drive the beasts out of their
pasture and corne, he that sets a Dog on them, being
subject to great penalty, and he that killes one of them,
being guilty of death. But nothing did more cause the
Duke to be maligned, then that he had left the positions
of Luther an religion, and carefully endevoured to
establish those of Calvin, as shal be shewed in due place.
His subjects were wont to pay for severall goods, as a
sheepe, a cow, and the like, a yeerely tribute ; but of late
345
[III.iv. z3.]
Tribute.
FYNES MORYSON'S ITINERARY
it had been decreed by the 3 States, that after the value
of goods, each man for 6o grosh should pay two fennings
yeerely, I meane as well moveable goods (namely, wares
and ready money), as houses lands, and all unmoveable
goods, and that not according to the yeerely value, but
yeerely according to the value at which they were (or
might be) bought or sold. Neither could any man
dissemble his wealth, since that deceit will appeare at least
upon the last Will and Testament, and once found useth
to be punished with repairing the losse, and a great fine.
This tribut was at first granted only for 6 yeres, but those
ended, the terme was renewed, and so it continueth for
ever. And this tribute alone was said to yeeld yeerely
600000 guldens: but the chiefe revenue of the Elector
was by the imposition upon Beare, which (as I have
formerly said) that people drinkes in great excesse. And
they said, that this tribute also at first was imposed only
for certaine yeeres. But the Elector meaning nothing
lesse then to ease them of this burthen, of late there had
bin a paper set by some merry lad upon the Court gates,
containing these words in the Dutch tongue : Ich wound-
schihm fang leben; und kein gutten tag darneben: und
darnoch den hellisch fewr: der hatt auffgehebt dab bear
stewer." Undergeschreiben. Das wort Gottes und das
berestewer, wheren in ewigkeit. That is."
I wish long life may him befall,
And not one good day therewithall:
And Hell-tier after his life here,
Who first did raise this Taxe of Beare.
Post-script. The Word of God, and the Tax of Beare
last for ever and ever.
The Brewers pay tribute according to the value of the
brewing, not according to the gaine they make, namely,
some eighth part for one kind of Beare, some fifth part
for another kind in most places. At Wittenberg !
observed, that for one brewing of some 48 bushels o
f
Mault, worth some 48 guldens, the Dukes Treasurer
346
OF THE TRIBUTE OF THE EMPIRE
received 8 guldens. This Treasurer doth foure times
yeerely view the brewing vessels, and number the Students
of Wittenberg, to prevent any defrauding of Tribute.
For howsoever in all these parts they drinke largely, yet
at Wittenberg, in respect of the great number of Students,
and at Leipzig, for the same cause, and in respect of a
great Faire, this tribute growes to an higher rate, then in
other cities; yet the Citie Torge, though lesse in circuit
then these, only exceeds these and all other, in yeelding
this tribute, because the beare therof is so famously good,
as it is in great quantitie transported to other Cities of these
Provinces, where the better sort most commonly drink
it and no other; so as that Citie alone yeelds one yeere
with another seventeene thousand gold Guldens for
tribute of Beare. The same Citie makes yeerely seven
thousand wollen clothes, each cloth thirty two elles long,
and worth some fourteene Dollers ; yet for each cloth they
pay onely one silver Grosh, whereby it appeares, that the
tribute of cloth and like commodities, is lightly esteemed,
as of lesse importance, then the transcendent traffique of
Beare. Torge likewise yeerely paies to the Elector 5oo
Dollers for the fishing of a Lake neare the City, which
once in 3 yeeres was said to yeeld 5ooo Dollars to the
City: One sole Province, yet much inhabited, and very
fertill, namely Misen, was said one yeere with another to
yeeld I8OOooo Dollers for all tributes, and halfe part
thereof onely for Beare. The Mines of Silver are of
great importance, which by the Law belong to the Electors
in their Provinces, not to the Emperour. And this
Elector hath many of these Mines---namely, those of
Friburg, those of Scheneberg, those of Anneberg, and
those of the valey of Joachim, of al which I have written
at large in the Geographicall description. And no doubt
this Elector is potent in treasure, so as howsoever he be
inferiour in dignity to the Elector Palatine, yet he is most
powerfull of all the Electors.
Among the walled Cities subject to him (not to speake
of the Townes, Castles, and pleasant Villages), Leipzig
347
I6O5-I 7.
[Ill. iv. z3z.]
OF THE COUNT PALATINE
Emperour in the yeere x I8o. From his younger brother
descend the Counts of Salmes now living. But from the
said Otho the elder brother, are descended, both the
Pahtines Electors, and the Dukes of Bavaria now living.
Lodwicke Duke of Bavaria, who died in the yeere I23 I,
received the Palatinate of the Rheine in fee from the
Emperour Fredericke the second. Otho the fourth,
succeeded him in the Dukedome of Bavaria, and the
Palatinate of the Rheine, and was the first Elector of this
Family, who died in the yeere i253. His sonne Lod-
wicke the severe, Elector Pallatine and Duke of Bavaria,
made Rodolphus of Habsburg Emperour, who was the
first Emperour of the House of Austria. He married
this Emperours Daughter, & died in the yeere I294,
leaving two sonnes, who divided the inheritance, as
followeth.
349
[Rodolphus
OF THE COUNT PALATINE
Albert the 5,
built 3 Colledges
for the Jesuites.
HemarriedAnna,
daughter to the
Emperor Ferdin-
land, and died in--
i the yeere 1579-
William made
warre against the
Duke of Wirte-
berg, and died in
the yeere I577.
Sibill married
to Lodwick the
fourth, Elector
Palatine, died in
the yeere 151 I.
Sabina married
to Ulrich Duke
of Wirteberg,
died in the yeere
1564.
Sidonia married
to Philibert Mar-
quis of Baden.
353
William
borne 1 54 8,
married Rin-
ata, Daughter
to Francis
Duke of Lor-
ayne in the
'yeere 1568.
Ferdinand
borne in the
yeere I55o.
Ernestus
Bishop of
Liege, after--'
Arch bishop
and Elector of
Colon, borne
in the yere
I554.
Maria Maxi-
milian borne
I552.
Maria borne
I553, and ma-
ried to Charles
Arch-Duke of
Austria, 1572.
,Maximilian
D. of Ba-
varia.
Phillip Bi-
shopofRat-
isbona.
Ferdinand
a Preposi-
tusofColen,
and Charm-
on of Trier.
One Sis-
ter, Maxi-
miliana.
The Elector
Palatine of
the Rheine.
FYNES MORYSON'S ITINERARY
It was covenanted, and stands agreed betweene the
House of the Electors Pallatines, and the house of the
Dukes of Bavaria, that upon want of heires males, one of
them should succeede the other; and when the Daughter
to the Duke of Bavaria, in the time of the Emper0ur
Maximilian, opposed her selfe to this contract, she was
forced to yeeld to it by the Emperour.
I returne to the Electors Palatines. The foresaid
Frederick the fourth, Pallatine and Elector, being under
age, had Duke John Casimire his fathers brother for his
Tutor, who at his brothers death besieged the Citie of
Colen, in the name of the Bishop, whom they had driven
out for being married. This Casimire, in his brothers
life-time had a noble inheritance beyond the Rheine, to
him and his heires, and then hearing of his brothers death,
hasted to Heidleberg, where he brought the people to
obedience, who would not have him Administrator,
because he professed the Reformed Religion after Calvins
doctrine, not after that of Luther. And he presently sent
backe the Emperours Ambassadours, who were come
thither about that controversie, refusing to yeeld his right
in the Tutorage of his Nephew, which he defended in the
Imperiall Chamber at Spire. After he brought up his
Nephew wisely and religiously, appointing him his diet
alzart with his Teachers and the Steward of his Court, to
whose table one Professour of the University was daily
invited, who had charge to propound a question to
the Prince, out of the Histories, and controversies 0f
Religion. And the Prince did not presently make
answere, except it were in a common subject, but asked
time to consider of it, and consulting apart with his
Teachers, after some halle houer returned to give his
answere. Thus by daily practise the chiefe accidents
of Histories, and controversies of Religion were made
familiar to him. The Citie Heidelberg, somtimes held
in Fee from the Bishop of Wormz, was in time beutified
with buildings and an University, and became the seate
of the Electors. The said Elector Frederike the fourth,
354
OF THE COUNT PALATINE
being a pupill, was after the foresaid manner brought up
in the Reformed religion, according to the doctrine of
Calvine: but in the meane time Richard the Duke of
Hunnesruck his next heire, if hee should die without
issue male, did obstinately follow the reformed doctrine
of Luther, and so did the rest of his kinsmen, the Dukes
of Rweybruck (their towne being so called of the two
Bridges) excepting the second brother of them, who con-
sented in Religion with the Elector. This Elector
Frederick the fourth, married the daughter to the Prince
of Orange, by his wife of the French family de Chastillion.
His Court was not great, nor any way comparable to that
of the Elector of Saxony. For he had scarce thirtie
Gentlemen to attend him, and to them he gave no more
then some twenty five Guldens for stipend, which they
spent upon their servants that attended them and kept
their horses. And he had no more then eight Yeomen for
the Guard of his body. Wine was sparingly drawne, and
all expences made with great frugalitie. But the fame of
this Electors wisedome and affabilitie, made him much
esteemed of strangers, and while he conversed with his
Citizens often comming to the publike place for exercise
of the Peece and Crosse-bow, and being easie of accesse,
yet carried himselfe like a grave and noble Prince, bee
became deare to his subjects. Of whom bee exacted
moderate tribute for their lands, houses, money, and
goods, and some two small fennings for each Mosse or
measure of wine. In five places upon the Rheine he
exacted impositions or taxes, which one yeere with another
yeelded some twelve or sixteene thousand French
Crownes, and they said, that hee received yeerely some
fifty or sixty thousand Crownes by the silver Mines of
Anneberg, besides extraordinarie subsidies, which his
subjects use to grant him upon occasion of war, or like
necessities of the Commonwealth. And I remember,
when the Citizens of Strasburg his neighbours made warre
with the brother of the Duke of Loraine, about their
Bishopricke, so as the Palatine was forced to levy souldiers
355
6o5-7.
[Ill.iv. 236. ]
I6O5- 7.
FYNES MORYSON'S
ITINERARY
OF THE MARGRAVE OF BRANDENBURG
6o5-7.
John, Marquis of
Brandeburg, at his fa-
thers Commandement,
yeelded the Electorship
to his second brother,
and died in the yeere
464.
Frederick Marquisse
and Elector going into
Palestine, did yeeld the
Electorship to his bro-
ther Albert, and died in
the yeere x47o.
Albert, Marquisse
and Elector, called the
Achilles of Germany,
overcame the Citizens
of Nurnberg in eight
battels, and in the ninth
being overcome, pro-
mised them peace. He--
first made league with
the Elector of Saxony
and the Langrave of
Hessen, and died sud-
denly in a Bath in the
yeere x486.
357
FYNES MORYSON'S ITINERARY
Tke Spirituall
Elector.
Hitherto I have spoken of the Temporall Electors.
The second among the Spirituall Electors is the Arch-
bishop of Mentz, which Seate, when I passed through
Germany, was possessed by Wolfgang of the noble Family
of Dalberg, and all his Kinsmen, dwelling neare Heidel-
berg, were of the Reformed Religion after the doctrine of
Luther, and therefore lesse esteemed him, who nothwith-
standing was thought no enemie to the Reformed
Religion, but rather willing to permit it, did he not feare
the opposition of the Chapter. For Gebhard Truchsesse
Arch-bishop of Colen and Elector, had lately bin deposed,
and another placed in that Seate, because he marled Agnes
Countesse of Mansfield, with whom at that time he lived,
being made a Cannon at Strasburg, (for that citie having
abolished the Roman Religion, yet kept the places of
Cannons without any bond of superstition, and used to
bestow them onely upon Princes and Gentlemen of the
Reformed Religion), and in this citie he then lived a quiet
life, after he had in vaine tried by force of Armes to
regaine that Arch-Bishoprick. The third Spirituall
Elector, but first by institution, is the Arch-Bishop of
Trier, a Citie seated beyond the Rheine, upon the confines
of France, which Seate, when I passed through Germany,
was possessed by John (if I mistake not his name) of the
Noble Family of Schonburg. And whereas the other
Electors dwell in the cities whereof they are named for the
most part, his continuall abode was at the castle Erbrot-
steine, seated neare the Rheine, some halle daies journey
360
I6O5-I 7.
FYNES MORYSON'S ITINERARY
The foresaid William Langrave of Hessen, of his
chiefe City called the Langrave of Cassiles, had in division
with his brethren halle his Fathers inheritance, the other
halle being divided betweene his two brothers. And
since that time I heard, that his brother Lodwick of Mar-
purg was dead without issue; and that his fourth part
of this inheritance was returned to Mauritius, eldest sonne
to William. Yet because Mauritius was addicted to the
reformed Religion, after the doctrine of Calvin, which hee
and his Courtiers with many subjects professed, howso-
ever bee had not yet made any generall alteration, whereas
his Uncle Lodwick persisted in the doctrine of Luther,
I remember the common speech in the land of Hessen,
that Lodwick had threatned his Nephew Mauritius to
disinherit him, and give his lands to the children of his
brother George of Dormstatt, if he made any generall
alteration in Religion.
I have formerly said, that the dignity of the Empire
decaying, many Principalities were given in Fee, and the
Lords thereof became absolute Princes. At that time
many great Cities were immediately sub'ectj to the Empire,
whereof man were at sundrie times after in a ed for
Y gg
money to the said Princes. At last the power of the
Empire being more fallen by many Civill warres raised
by the Popes, to confirme their usurped power over the
36
Margrave of
,4 ntpac h.
FYNES MORYSON'S ITINERARY
about the yeere 1414, sold that his right, and the Castle of
Nurnberg to the Citizens thereof. Albert his sonne,
called the Achilles of Germany, for some duety denied to
him, made warre upon the City, drawing seventeene
Princes to take his part, as the other flee Cities assisted
Nurnberg. At this day the Margrave of Anspach, being
of that Family, cals himselfe Burgrave of Nurnberg, but
hath onely the bare title, without any command in the
City: yet because his lands lie on some sides under the
very wals thereof, the Citizens repute him a dangerous
neighbour. The common report was, that this Margrave
had lately sold to the City a great wood, growing very
neere the walles thereof, and that shortly after hee was at
variance with them, as if hee had sold onely the wood, and
not the soyle, so as (if vulgar speech may be beleeved)
they were forced againe to buy the ground : And yet he
hath not renounced his right of hunting therein, which he
challengeth proper to himselfe. Give me leave to digresse
so much from my purpose, as to say, that the neighbour-
hood of this Margrave, is no lesse suspected by the
free City Wasenburg, not farre distant, where upon a
mountaine in his owne ground, hanging over the City, he
hath built a strong Castle. And because all the streetes
of that little City lie open to it, the Citizens when first
he beganne to build, complained to the Emperour of that
wrong, and obtained letters to command the Margrave to
build no further, but he not onely disobeyed those letters,
but built the same with more speed and strength. Now
I returne to Nurnberg, the Common-wealth whereof is
Aristocraticall. The great Counsell hath no set number,
but commonly consists of some three hundred persons,
whereof many are Patricians, living honourably upon their
rents, as Gentlemen, others are Merchants, and some few
Artisans, of the best and richest workemen. The Senate
referres to this Counsell, the impositions of tributes, and
the decrees of peace and warre, which Subjects of Counsel
being rare, this Counsell is seldome called together, but
the authority of them is so great, as the seales of any two
364
OF THE CITY COMMONWEALTHS
of them, set to any last Testament, serves in steed of seaven
witnesses required by the Civill Law. Out of this great
Counsell, the new Senate is yeerely chosen, and when the
time of Election is at hand, this great Counsel names a
Consull and a Scabine, of the Gentlemen called ancient,
or out of the cheefe of the next Order; and in like sort
the old Senate of the yeere past, names three of the
ancient Gentlemen. These five are called the Electors of
the new Senate, and as soone as they are chosen, all
Magistracy ceaseth. Then these Electors being sworne,
are shut up into a Chamber, whence they come not forth,
till they have chosen twenty six Consuls and Scabines, of
each thirteen. Then they chuse the rest of the new
Senate, and assoone as they are chosen, they name among
themselves those that are called ancient, which are com-
monly the same men, except some bee put in the place of
them that are dead, for it is a disgrace to be put from
that dignity. This Election is made in one day, and the
Senate consists of forty persons, whereof thirty foure are
Patricians or Gentlemen, and so the governement is
especially in the hands of the Gentlemen, as a thing
whereof they hold the common people to be uncapable.
Of these Gentlemen are held the seven Men, and the
Senate of the ancient, as also the Captaines and Treasurers.
To be a Doctor of the Civill Law, makes a Gentleman,
or any other, to be uncapeable of a Senators place. But
when in dificult cases they neede the advise of Doctors,
they send two Senators to consult with them, who relate
their judgment to the Senate. For this cause, and
because all judgments are according to equity, not after
the strict Law, there be fewe Doctors in that Citty, neither
have they many Advocates; the Senate giving stipend
only to foure, who plead all causes. Yet the Citty inter-
taines some Doctors, to advise them, as I formerly said,
& to assist them in judgment, exhibiting the cause in
writing, as also to be Ambassadors. To the said 34
Gentlemen, 8 Plebeans are added, which make the said
Senate, and these Plebeans have free voyces, but are
365
The Doctors
of the
Civill Law.
[Ill.iv. z4. ]
FYNES MORYSON'S ITINERARY
removed from secret Counsels, and having liberty to be
absent, seldome meete with the Senate, except they be
called. So as the common people have little or no
authoritie, and are kept under, in so much as meetings
(excepting funerals and like ceremonies) and walkings by
night are forbidden, yet they have their priviledges in-
violably kept, and live in great libertie, under a most
equall governement. Of these Gentlemen governing the
Citie, they have (as I have heard) twenty eight honourable
Families or there about. And of the said thirty foure
Gentlemen of the Senate, eight are called the Ancient,
who like old soldiers are freed from service, the other
twentie sixe diligently attending the publike affaires, with
capitall and Civill judgements, and one of them is chosen,
to intertaine passengers worthy of Honor, by presenting
wine to them in name of the Senate, and also to call the
Senate together, to propound the causes upon which they
deliberate ; to aske their Voyces, and to doe many like
duties. These twenty sixe Gentlemen are divided into
thirteene Consuls, and thirteene Scabines, and these
Scabines judge capitall causes (first examined by the whole
Senate) as the Consuls judge Civill causes. And they so
divide the yeere betweene them, as each of them for a
moneth is Consull or Scabine. Out of them are chosen
seven men, who have the greatest authority, and deter-
mine all secrets of State, and to them the Treasurers make
account. And howsoever two of one Family may be
Senators, yet two of one Family cannot be of these seven
men. Three of these seven are chosen Captaines, who
have the keeping of the Armory, and the keyes of the
Gates, and upon any tumult all die to them, and yeeld
them obedience. Two of these Captaines are Treasurers,
whereof the chiefe hath the first place in all Assemblies.
To these Treasurers one of the Plebeans is added, to
oversee the expence of the treasure, and two of the best
sort of the Plebeans are Clerkes of the Exchequer, but
onely the two chiefe Treasurers disburse and lay up all
moneys. They have in all publike Counsels two
366
OF THE CITY COMMONWEALTHS
Chauncellors, whereof one alwaies attends the Counsell of
seven men, and these Chauncellors write the Decrees of
Counsell, receive and reade, write and send, all letters,
being as Secretaries, and they have sixe Clerkes to write
under them. All the Senators have their severall stipends
out of the common Treasure. Each of the seven men
hath yeerely five hundred Guldens, besides gainefull
Offices, as the keeping of the Seales, and each Treasurer
hath eight hundred Guldens, and each Chauncellor two
hundred Guldens yeerely. In Judgements they doe not
much use the pleadings of Proctors or Advocates, but use
to judge summarily upon oath, or to appoint Arbiters to
compound controversies.
But among the Courts of Judgements, one is of five
men, from whom there is no appeale, yet they referre the
greatest causes to the Senate. The second Court is of eight
men, and hath two Tribunals, where the causes of citizens
are determined, which exceede not the value of thirtie
two Crownes, and these two Tribunals in greater causes
are united, and have three of foure Doctors appointed by
the Senate to advise them; for onely the Scabines judge,
and from these Tribunals appeale is granted to the Senate,
if the cause exceede the value of five hundred Crownes.
These chuse a Judge to see their Decrees put in execution,
and to see capitall offenders executed. They appoint a
Judge for the Villages and territories subject to the City,
for whose assistance the Senate chuseth some out of the
great Counsell. These weekely give the Law to the
Villages and Country people, and by the exercise of this
Office, the Judges are inabled for the Office of Scabines.
Also they chuse a Judge to have care of the Faires and
Markets, who sets the price of Bread, Flesh, and all things
there sold, and he hath foure Senators to assist him in
weekely inquiring after the workes of Artificers, that they
sell no unperfect workes, nor use any fraude. Of the
Senators, three are chosen supreme Tutors for pupils and
widowes, who divide inheritances, see that all Testaments
be performed, and appoint new Tutors, in case the old bee
367
TAe Courts of
Judgements.
[lII.v. z4z. ]
lugsburg.
FYNES MORYSON'S ITINERARY
dead, suspected, or absent. These supreme Tutors pro-
vide, that the moneis of pupils be put forth to use, and
that the profit returnes to the pupills. They receive the
accompts of the Tutors, and provide that the Pupils be
religiously and honestly brought up. One Senator is set
over each Church, Monastery, and Alines house, to see
the revenues well administred, and to promote the causes
thereunto belonging. Five Governors are set over the
Territory without the walls, among which, the Chancelor
hath yearly one hundreth Crownes, each of the rest twenty
five Crownes for stipend. In time of warre, they chuse
seven Senators, who take upon them the care to provide
all necessaries for the same. I understoode there, that not
long before, they had numbred in the City twenty two
thousand Artificers, servants, and people of inferior rank,
and that the last subsidy imposed in time of warre, was
one Gold Gulden in the hundreth, of every mans movable
and unmovable goods, and one gold Gulden by the Pole,
for all such as had neither inheritance nor Art to live upon.
Augsburg is one of the Imperiall Cities (vulgarly Ein
Reichs statt) and in the yeare I364. the Senate consisted
of two Patritian Consuls, and of ten Marchants, and
seaven Artisans, with power of Tribunes, all yearly
chosen. The Emperor Charles the 4 gave the City new
priviliges, & confirmed the old, because the Citizens swore
obedience to his Sonne. And the Emperor Sigismund
confirmed and increased the same. When the Emperour
Charles the fifth held a Parliament in this Citty, (as many
Parliaments have beene held there) the old honour was
restored to the Patritians, & the Plebean Tribunes were
taken away, two Advocates being set in their roomes.
Two Gentlemen Consuls, at this day governe the City,
with six Judges for criminall causes, whereof three are
Gentlemen, two Citizens, one Plebean. These are chosen
by the great Senate, consisting of those three Orders : but
in causes of Religion, the City is subject to the jurisdiction
of the Bishop of Tilling. This City hath many noble
and rich Merchants, whereof many have priviledges of
368
OF THE CITY COMMONWEALTHS
chosen Emperours keepe their coronation Feast in this
City, with great magnificence, which was lastly kept (as
they said) by Maximilian the second, at which time among
other solemnities, they roasted an Oxe in the middest of
the field for the people, and when the Marshal of the
Court had cut a peece as for the Emperor, the rest of the
Oxe was in a moment rent in peeces by the common
people.
I must make at least some mention of the Cities lying
upon the Sea of Germany towards the North, whereof
most are not onely called free, because they are Imperiall
Cities, but by the same name, though in divers significa-
tion, are called Hans steten, that is, Free Cities, in respect
of the priviledges of trafficke granted to them of old in
the neighbour Countries.
Among these Lubecke is the chiefe of the neighbor
Cities joined in league for common defence, whither the
Senators of all the other Cities come once in the yeere, to
consult of publike affaires. The territory of the City
reacheth not above a German mile, but after some few
miles distance, there is a certaine Towne which belongs
to Lubecke and Hamburg, by common right, being
ingaged to them for money by the Duke of Lower Saxony,
of whom they after bought the rest of his Inheritance.
This Towne for sixe yeeres space was wont to be kept by
those of Lubecke, appointing the Governour, and receiv-
ing the rents ; which time ended, those of Hamburg were
wont to have it in like sort for sixe yeeres, and
so by turnes they were wont to enjoy it. Lubecke
of old had a Duke, till it was subjected to the
Empire by the Emperour Fredericke the first, after
whose death it became subject to their Duke againe,
and after five yeeres became subiect to the Danes,
but by the helpe of Fredericke the scond it freed it selfe
from the Dane in the yeere 226, and after by favour of
the Emperours obtained freedome and absolute power:
Both Lubecke and Hamburg are said of old to have
acknowledged the Kings of Denmarke, but at last expel-
37
Lubeck.
[llI.iv. z44. ]
FYNES MORYSON'S ITINERARY
ling the Kings Proctors, they became free, and submitted
themselves to the defence of the Empire: For which
cause to this day they warily observe the actions of the
Kings of Denmarke, and live in feare and suspition of
their attempts, and howsoever they have freedome and
absolute power, yet they are carefull to have the favour
of the Kings of Denmarke, because they have power to
hinder their trafficke in the Baltike Sea: yet sometimes
leagued with the neighbour cities (which in the common
cause of freedome are easily drawne to give mutual] aide),
they have made warres against the Kings of I)enmarke
with good successe. Lubecke is commended for just
OVernment, (not to speake of their hospitality, very
ire and uniforme buildings, and the very pleasant seate
of the Towne). It is governed by the civil] Law, and by
statutes made by the Senate; as also some made by the
consent of the confederate cities. No appeale to Uni-
versities or to the Chamber of the Empire is admitted,
except the cause be above the value of five hundred
dollers. They lately made sumptuary Lawes, restraining
the number of guests and dishes in Feasts, with penalties
according to the excesse. The Citizens yeerely chuse
twenty new Senators, and this Senator chuseth of their
number route Consuls, with a Judge skilfull in the civill
Lawes. These Magistrates define all civill and criminal
causes, the whole Senate first examining them, and iudge-
merits are given by common consent with the doores shut:
but when any capitall iudgement is to be executed, at the
day appointed to the Malefactor, and the very houre he is
to die, the hangman pronounceth the sentence in the
market place. The consuls take the highest place by
turnes, one in the morning, the other in the afternoone,
at which times they also by turnes heare Ambassadours,
and receive complaints. Many Offices are devided among
the Senators, two gather the rents, others have care of the
wines, (which are sold in a publike house to publike use,
no private man being allowed to make that gaine), others
oversee the buildings, that they be uniforme and strongly
OF THE CITY COMMONWEALTHS
built, and free from danger of tier, and likewise the
fortifications of the City. Foure Serjeants attired in red
gownes, attend the Senate, and summon men to appeare,
(besides twelve inferiour Serjeants), and they neither carry
Sword nor any Mace before the Magistrates, but follow
them in the streetes like Servants. They doe not
imprison any debtor or light offender, but onely summon
such to appeare before the Magistrate, and declare to them
the fines imposed for not appearing : but they apprehend
capitall offenders, and prevent their escape by flight. It
is not lawfull for a creditor to put his debtor in prison,
but after a set time and with cautions, prescribed in the
Law of Saxony, wherein notwithstanding, they of
Lubecke so favour strangers, as they onely have right in
this kind with expedition, and have a proper tribunall (or
seate of judgement) for themselves onely: yet herein
they seeme not favourable to strangers, in that they permit
them not to dwell in the City, otherwise they doe as the
common use is, to keepe all commodities in the hands
of Citizens, not to be sold to strangers, but by a Citizen,
especially since without the helpe of strangers they have
their owne ships to bring in and carry out all commodities.
Hamburg is in like sort governed, but I cannot so much
commend them for hospitality, being rude to all strangers,
and malicious to Englishmen above others, for no other
cause then for that our Merchants leaving that City, seated
themselves at Stoade: so as it was not safe for any
stranger, much lesse for an Englishman, to walke abroade
after dinner, when the common people are generally heated
with drinke : And the very Justice was herein commonly
taxed, not that they punished whoredom (which no good
man will disallow) but that they permitted whores in great
multitudes, and yet favoured the knavery of the Sergeants,
who combining with the whores, intrapped men in their
houses, so as not onely the whores & Sergeants made
profit thereby, but the very Magistrates were justly
suspected, to approve this course for their owne gaine.
Brunswick an Imperiall City, worthily to be numbred
373
Hamburg.
Brunswicke.
[llI. iv. z45.]
The Dukes of
Brumwick
and of
Luneburg.
FYNES MORYSON'S ITINERARY
among the cheefe, & so called as the Village of Bruno, is
not farre distant from Hamburg, and seated in the center
of Saxony, was of old (as they say) the Metropolitan City
therof. It consists of five Cities gathered into one,
wherof each hath his severall priviledges, and they are
thus seated, Alstatt is the part on the West side, Newstatt
on the North side, Imsacke the part towards the East,
Imhagen, & Altweg (built first of all the rest) are the part
towards the South. And howsoever all these have each
their severall Senators and priviledges, yet all of them
jointly making the city of Brunswick, live under one
common Law and government, the Senators of each by
yerely courses governing the whole body of that common-
wealth. For howsoever term Consuls be yeerly chosen,
two of each City, yet to the two Consuls of that City
which by course is to govern for the yeere, the other eight
as inferiour, and much more all the Senators of the five
Cities, yeelde for the time great reverence in the Senate
and all meetings, and great obedience in all things com-
manded. One Senate house is common to all the five
Cities, yet each of them hath also a private Senate-house.
The forme of the publike governement is Democraticall
(or popular.) They live in such feare of the Duke of
Brunswick, lest he should take away their liberty, as they
have not onely fortified the Towne very strongly against
assaults or sieges, but also willingly imploy their Citizens
in forraigne warres as hired souldiers, insomuch as no man
is made free who hath not first served one or two yeeres
in the warres.
The Dukes of Brunswick & of Luneburg, derive their
pedegree from one root, namely, from the old family of
the Dukes of Bavaria: for Henrie called the Lion, D.
of Bavaria, (who was Duke and Elector of Saxony also,
commanding a most ample Territory), being proscribed
.by the Emperour, and for a time living as a banished man
m Ep.gland, the Dukedome of Bavaria was by the
Emperour given in Fee to the Palatines of the Rheine,
and so passed to a new Family. This Henrie the Lion
374
Bernard after--
the killing of
his brother
yeelded the D.
of Brunswick
to his Nephew
William, & re-
taining the D.
of Luneburg,
died x434.
Henrie died--
before his bro-
k ther Frederick.
FYNES MORYSON'S ITINERARY
From Bernard
descend Otho, who
exhibited the Re-
formed Confession
at Augsburg and
died *549.
And Ernest, who
reformed Religion,
and died ,546, -
buried at Celia.
Francis of the re-
formed religion, left
two daughters no
heires males, and
,died *549.
William the Vic-
torious, at the death
of his Uncle Fred-
erick possessed the--
DukedomeofBruns-
wick, which his
Uncle Bernard did
yeeld to him. Hee
died 1482.
Otho Lord of Harburg,
had to his first wife the
daughter to the Earle
| of Schwartzenburg ; and
|with the second Wife,
| Daughter to the Earle of-----
|Emden, bee then lived
--- when I passed though
Germany.
[Anne borne ,526.
Henry marled the
daughter of the D. of the--
lower Saxony, dwelling
at Angria.
William in the yere
156I , married Dorothy,.__
Daughter to Christian
King of Denmarke.
376
FYNES MORYSON'S ITINERARY
Dukes
of
wick.
OF THE
DUKES OF BRUNSWICK
Three brothers, Philip
Sigismond Bishop of Verden,
borne 1568. Joachim Car-
olus borne 1573- Julius
Augustus borne 1578 .
Henrie Julius borne 1562
Administrator of two Bishop-
ricks of Halberstat and Mind,
first married Dorothy Daugh-
ter to Augustus Elector of
Saxony, then Elizabeth
daughter to Frederike King--.
of Denmark yet living.
Five sisters, Sophia married
to Ernest Duke of Pomern.
Mary to Francis D. of lower
Saxony I582. Elizabeth to
the Count of Schaumberg.
Dorothy borne I577. Hed-
vigis 158o.
379
Emden.
FYNES MORYSON'S ITINERARY
governed by the Senators and the Lawes of the City, yet not
numbered among the Imperiall Cities, because it in some
sort acknowledgeth the King of Poland, and paies some
covenanted tributes to his Minister residing in the City.
In the time of Stephen Bathory Prince of Transilvania and
King of Poland, this City was by him besieged, and forced
to pay these tributes. Wherupon the Citizens to pay
them without their own prejudice, doubled all Impositions
upon strangers trading there. The Consul of the City
there, (as in all Germany) is vulgarly called Burgomaster,
& he judgeth all civill & criminal causes, but appeales are
ranted from him to the Colledge of civil Lawyers, &
trom them to the Senate of the City, and in some causes,
from the Senate to the King of Poland. This City con-
sists of three Cities, vulgarly called Reichstat, Furstat, &
Altstatt (that is, the City of the Kingdome, the fore City,
and the old City), and each hath his gates, and his Senate,
and the Consull may be chosen out of either Senate, so
as for the time of his Office, he reside in the cheefe City,
called Reichstatt. Here be the furthest limits of the
Empire towards the North and the East.
And from hence towards the West Iles the shore of the
Balticke Sea, and of the German Ocean, upon which are
seated Stetinum, Meckleburg, Lubecke, Hamburg, and
Breame, Imperiall Cities, and free, as well for privi-
ledges of trafficke in neighbour Kingdomes, as for absolute
governement at home : And in East-Freesland (for West-
Freesland belongs to Netherland) the furthest limits of the
Empire towards the West and North, end in the City of
Emden.
This City hath his Count, bearing title of the City, and
of late he kept his Court therein: but the Citizens pro-
fessing the reformed Doctrine of Calvin, and the Count
attempting to force them to the profession of Luthers
Doctrine, not long before I passed that way, the Citizens
expelled the Count, and gave oath to the Senators of the
City, to obey them, to be ready in armes for the defence
of the City, and not to remove their dwellings from thence
382
I605-I 7.
FYNES MORYSON'S ITINERARY
Cesar overcome them, and contained them at home. And
from that time to the dales of Charles the Great, and so
long as his race possessed the renewed Empire of the
West, they were still esteemed Galles: but when that
imperiall dignity fell to the Germans, they became subjects
to those Emperours, and were numbred among the
Germans, having the same manners, lawes, and customes
with them, as at this day they have. The Emperours
governed this Nation, by Governours vulgarly called
Reichsvogt, till at last the Commonwealth of the Sweitzers
was severed from that of the Germans, and made a free
state, which in the age before ours, hath gotten great
reputation: And here it is worthy to be observed, that
the ambition of Popes, and their divellish tyranny over
the Emperours, not onely (after some eight hundred
yeeres from Christ) caused almost all the Garboyles of
States, whereof we have heard, or read, or which with
our owne eyes wee have seene, but in particular were the
chiefe, yea, sole causes, of rending this strong member
from the body of the Empire. Sweitzerland about that
time, abounded with noble Families, and them the Gover-
hours favoured, to increase their owne power, whereupon
they oppressed the common people, and provoked their
extreame hatred, so as they were forced to combine them-
selves in mutuall league against this oppression: yet the
common people had never dared to oppose themselves to
the Gentry, if the Empire had enioied peace: But when
the Bishops of Rome, often cast out their spirituall
thunderbolts (I meane excommunications) against the
Emperours, and aswell absolved all subiects from the Oath
of Allegiance, as heartned ambitious Traitors to be com-
petitors against the Emperours, yea, stirred up their
Kinsmen and their very Children to make civill warre with
them: in this confused Anarchy, a Patron was not want-
in to the most wicked person, to defend him, so he would
follow his party. Hence it came, that when the Emperour
Fredericke the second, in the yeere z4o, received the
common people of Sweitzerland into his protection against
384
OF THE SWISS COMMONWEALTH
the Gentlemen, they likewise, as the Clients of Monas-
teries, followed the Popes party, whereupon the people of
Zurech, the Urii and Suitii, (of whom the whole Nation
is called Sweitzers) being three Communities, first in the
yeere 1251, made a league for three yeeres against the
Gentlemen, lying in waite to intrap them; and after by
litde and little, they made more firme and perpetuall
leagues for defence of absolute liberty : and serving divers
Emperours in the Papall tumults, from time to time
obtained great priviledges. Then they drew other Com-
munities and neighbour Cities to be partners of their
leagues. Finally, after they had rooted out the Families of
Gendemen, and had by conspiracy cast out the Gover-
nours of the Arch-Dukes of Austria (to whom the Lord-
ship of Sweitzerland was fallen), they in processe of time
attained this absolute State, which we see them enjoy at
this day: For the foresaid strife continuing betweene the
Emperours and the Popes, and Lodwick of Bavaria con-
tending for the Empire with Fredericke of the House of
Austria, the Sweitzers tooke part with Lodwicke, who
expresly ratified the freedome or liberty of their Common-
wealth.
And that consists of three parts, the communities
(vulgarly called Cantons) the fellowes or confederates, and
the stipendary Cities, or governements, to which Semler
addeth the forraigne leagues for a fourth part.
The communities are vulgarly called Orts, and by the
Italians Cantons of the Sweitzers, (as we will hereafter call
them), and they are thirteene in number. Among these
Cantons, the Urii (comming from the Taurisci) the Suitii
(comming from the Cimbri) the Undervaldii (of the race
of banished Romans) about the yeere 13o8 , made a
mutuall league for ten yeeres, and having overcome in
battell Leopold Arch-Duke of Austria, in the yeere 1315,
made this league perpetuall. Lucerna the fourth Canton,
being much wronged, while it was under the Patronage
of the House of Austria, to avoide tyranny in that con-
fusion of the Empire, did in the yeere 1332 , joine it selfe
. v 385
I605-I 7.
[III.iv.zSo.]
Foure partt of
the
Common-
wealth.
Thirteene
Cantons.
FYNES MORYSON'S ITINERARY
in perpetuall league. Zurech a free City of the Empire,
was in like sort received for the 5 Cantons. When these
cantons made war upon Glarona, to have the possession
of a country most commodious for the common good, all
the people so hated the Governors appointed by the House
of Austria, and so desired freedome, as they yeelded up
themselves to the Cantons, and so Glarona the foresaid
yeere became the sixth Canton: Likewise when the
Canton Zurech made warre upon Zug, a Towne (possessed
by gentlemen subject to the House of Austria) whence
they were much annoied, the Citizens being forsaken by
the Gentlemen, yeelded themselves, and being received
into the league, became the seventh Canton. Berne a free
city of the Empire, and under the power of the Governours,
having found the faithfull love of the Cantons, in the said
confusion of the Empire, did in the yeer ,352, make a
perpetuall league with the three first named Cantons,
wherein notwithstanding Zurech and Lucerna are con-
tained, the three Cantons being bound to those two, for
the succour of Bern, and being bound to Bern, for the
succour of the two Cantons, and so Bern became the eight
Canton. The Towne Friburg, subject to the House of
Austria, being many wales oppressed in the said confusion
of the Empire, made league with Bern, and when the
House of Austria, upon pretence to visit them, did for
that cause, spoile them of their goods, they in the yeere
I48 I, after the end of the Burgundian warre, became the
ninth Canton. Solothurn a free City of the Empire, had
made a perpetuall league with Berne in the yeere I35I,
and after in the yeere I48I, was received for the tenth
Canton. Bazil a free City of the Empire, had in the yeare
,327 made a perpetuall league with the 3 first Cantons,
& after provoked by many injuries of the house of
Austria, did in the yeare ,5oi make a perpetuall league
with all the Cantons, and so was received for the Eleventh
Canton. Scaphusen an Imperiall city, first sold or ingaged
to the house of Austria, and againe united to the Empire,
when the Duke of Austria was proscribed in the Councel
386
6o5-7.
FYNES MORYSON'S ITINERARY
The second, in respect of the Bishoprick of Chur, is called
the league of the house of God, consisting of nineteene
communities, (wherof two use the Language of Germany,
the rest the Language of the country, being corrupt
Italian), which the yeare following joined in league with
the cantons. The third league called the tenne judg-
ments, (or jurisdictions) & consisting of tenne com-
munities joined in the league with the Cantons in the
yeare 498, and at the same time the house of Austria
preparing war against the Rhetians, they all jointly made
a perpetuall league of fellowship with all the Cantons.
In the fourth place the seaven tenths of the Valesians,
and the Bishop of Sedune Earle of Valesia, for the con-
troversies of religion in our time, made a perpetuall league
of fellowship with seaven Cantons of the Roman Religion,
Lucerna, Uria, Suitia, Undervaldia, Tugium, (vulgarly
Zug), Friburg, and Solodurum, (vulgarly Solothurne).
The Towne Rotevilla in the fifth place, made a per-
petuall league of fellowship with all the Cantons, in the
yeere x519; but because it is seated in Germany, out of
the confines of the mountainous Sweitzerland, caution
was made that without the consent of the Cantons, they
shall make no warre, nor give any aides, and if warre be
made upon them, in case the enemy consent, they shall
rest in the judgement which the Cantons shall hold just
and equall : And that they shall make no league without
the consent of the Cantons, and in time of civill warre
shall follow the greatest part of them.
In the sixth place Mulhusium of old an Imperiall City,
was incorporated to the City of Bazill in the yeere 5o6,
and after nine yeeres, made a perpetuall league of fellow-
ship with all the Cantons.
In the seventh place, the Towne Bienna (or Bipennium)
enjoying all priviledges under the Bishop of Bazell in the
yeere x3c3, made a more firme league with Bern in the
yeere 3 5z-
In the eighth place is Geneva, which gave all rights,
and kept all olde covenants with the Bishop thereof, till
388
OF THE SWISS COMMONWEALTH
sudenly into their country, and being dismissed without
pay, they ceased not with many threatnings to storm
against the Pope. Yet in the yeer 15 the same Pope
Julius being overcome by the French, he called the
Sweitzers again to his aide, who sent him an Army of
2ccoo foote, at which time the Sweitzers being offended
with the French, cast them out of Milan, wherupon Pope
Julius gave to this commonwealth the title of the
Defender of the Church, & divers Banners charged with
divers Images, and a Cap for signe of liberty, with a
sword. Also Maximilianus Sfortia by their aide being
then put into the possession of the Dukedome of Milan,
made league with the Sweitzers, and gave them the fore-
saide Governments in Italy. Also Pope Leo the tenth in
the yeere x55, ]oyned himselfe to the league, made
betweene the Emperour Maximilian, and Sfortia Duke of
Milan, and the Sweitzers, against the King of France.
Lastly, Pope Clement the eight, sitting in the chaire of
Rome when I passed through Italy, had also league with
the Sweitzers.
But I must come to the hereditary forraigne leagues,
which onely, and no other, can truly be called part of
the Commonwealth.
Among the cheefe of them, is that of Milan : And not
to speake of the ancient leagues, which some of the
Cantons had with the Insubres, old inhabitants of Lom-
hardy, Galeacius Duke of Milan in the yeere 466, made
a league with eight Cantons, (wherein mention is made of
the said leagues with the Insubres), and he granted to
the Urii, that they should possesse the Lepontian Valley,
for which they were to send unto the Duke yeerely foure
Hawkes and a Crosse-bow: Moreover he granted to the
eight Cantons, that in his Dukedome they should bee
free from all impositions and taxes. Afterwards these and
other heads of that league, were confirmed and renewed
by the Duke his successours: And Ferdinand Gonzaga
in the name of the Emperour Charles the fifth, confirmed
the same in the yeere I55I. And among other heads of
39 x
Forraigne
hereditary
leagues, as
that of Milan.
[III. iv. 253.]
OF THE SWISS COMMONWEALTH
Also the Emperor Frederick of the House of Austria,
leading an Army against the said Duke, did stirre up the
Sweitzers to assaile him. But when they had with good
successe pierced into Burgundy, the Emperour made
peace with the said Duke, wherein the Sweitzers were not
contained, so as the Duke turned all his Forces upon them,
and not to speake of light skirmishes and fights, the
maine busines was tried betweene them in three battels,
wherein the Duke himselfe was in person. First at the
town Granson, where the Sweitzers had the victory, but
they having no horse, (which could not so soone be sent to
them from their confederates), and the horse of the Duke
defending the foot in their flight, few of the Burgundians
were killed there. Secondly, they fought at Morat;
where they write that 26ooo of the Burgundians were
slaine. And to this day huge heapes of dead bones lie
in that place, to witnes that great overthrow. The third
battel was at Nancy, a City of Lorain; where Charles
Duke of Burgundy besieged Renatus Duke of Loraine,
confederate with the Sweitzers, and then 8ccc Sweitzers
& 3000 of their confederates sent to helpe them, overcame
the Duke of Burgundy, and himselfe being killed in flight,
his death gave an end to that warre in the yeere 477-
After the house of Austria had made many wars &
leagues for yeers with the Sweitzers, at last Sigismund
Duke of Austria, before the Burgundian warre, made an
hereditary league with them, Lewis the French King
mediating the same, that hee might draw the Sweitzers to
make warre with Charles the proud Duke of Burgundy.
By this league it was agreed, that any controversies falling,
they should be put to Arbiters, both parts binding them-
selves to stand to their judgement. That al old leagues
alwaies preserved, they should serve the Duke of Austria
in his wars, upon the same pay they have at home serving
the State. On the other side, that the possessors should
hold all places, without calling into question for them.
That neither part shold joine in league the subjects of
the other, or make them free of their Cities. That neither
393
OF THE SWISS COMMONWEALTH
refused to pay. By this League they are mutually bound
to aide each other with one thousand two hundred foote :
and the King of Spaine promised yeerely Pensions in
generall to the Cantons, and in particular to divers chiefe
men and Captaines. For the Sweitzers use to make no
League without profit, since the Neighbour Princes grew
of opinion, that they could not make warre, except their
Armies were strengthened with a firme body of Sweitzers.
Not onely Solothurn renounced the said League, but also
the Cantons of the reformed religion, partly not to do any
thing against their League with France, partly lest they
should take part with a King, whom they judged most
ambitious, and a great enemy to the Reformed Religion,
howsoever he covered that hatred; and partly lest they
should advance the House of Austria, justly suspected
by them, whose victories might turne to their ruine.
And at the same time the Cantons and Fellowes in
League, being of the Reformed Religion after the
doctrine of Calvine, made a League for defence of
religion among themselves, and with Strasburg, a neigh-
bour free city of Germany, being of the Reformed
Religion after the doctrine of Luther.
The Duke of Savoy had his Ambassadour residing at
Lucerna, (where the Popes Ambassadours also reside, of
whose Leagues for yeeres we formerly spake.) The old
Allobroges, now called Savoyans, had old Leagues with
the Cantons of Bern, Friburg, and Solothurn : but Charles
Duke of Savoy in the yeere i512 , made a League for
twenty five yeeres with all the Cantons, by which, among
other things, it was covenanted, that the Duke should aide
the Sweitzers with sixe hundred or more horse at his owne
charge, so bee were not distracted with warres at home,
and that .the Sweitzers should aide the Duke with sixe
thousand foot for any warre in his owne Countrie, to
whom the Duke should pay each man sixe Frankes by the
moneth. But bee should not imploy them to fight at sea,
nor leade them beyond the sea, but onely to defend
his owne Countrie, and the confines thereof. And
395
The League of
Savoy.
Jill.iv. 255.]
The Frcnch
leogue.
FYNES MORYSON'S ITINERARY
it was covenanted, that during this League the Duke
should yeerely pay at Bern two hundred gold crownes
to each Canton. When this League was expired,
Duke Charles put out of his Dukedome by the French
King Francis the first, followed the Emperour Charles the
fifth, and the renewing of this League was intermitted.
But the King of France restoring Philebert his sonne to
the Dukedome, this Duke in the y.eere I56o made a new
and perpetuall League with slxe Cantons, namely,
Lucerna, Suitia, Uria, Undervaldia, Zug, and Solothurne.
And after, the rest of the Cantons upon like conditions,
renewed the old league with this Duke, onely in this last
league no mention is made of mutuall aides covenanted by
the former league.
The French Ambassadour resided at Solothurn, (who
of old used to reside at Bazil) and the league of the French
Kings with the Sweitzers, is of farre greater moment then
any of the rest. The first of the French that made warre
with the Sweitzers, was Lewis the French Kings sonne
(after the eleventh King of that name) who leading an
Army to assist Pope Eugenius in dissolving the Councell
at Bazill, was perswaded by the Emperour Fredericke to
assaile the Sweitzers, but a small number of them possess-
ing straight passages, did so annoy his Army, as he soone
retired. He made peace with the Sweitzers in the yeere
I45 o, and having tried their strength, made league with
them for ten yeeres. His son Charles the eighth in the
yeere 483, renewed this league, and used the Sweitzers in
his warres with the Duke of Britany, and for the King-
dome of Naples. Lewis the twelfth, after the league for
yeers was expire.d, renounced the payment of all publike
or private pensmns, wherwith the Sweitzers were so
greatly offended, as after they refused to renew that league
with him, and joined in league with the Pope and the
Duke of Milan against him, so as by their aide he was in
the yeere 512, cast out of the Dukedome of Milan. The
French King Francis the first, fought with the Sweitzers,
joined against him in league with the Emperour Maxi-
396
OF THE SWISS COMMONWEALTH
milian, Pope Leo the tenth, and Sfortia Duke of Milan.
For howsoever the Sweitzers suspected the proceeding of
their confederates, and purposed to returne home, yet the
Pretorian Sweitzers of the Duke of Milan, assailing the
French, the rest of the Sweitzers, though called home, yet
lest they should seeme to forsake their companions, joined
with the Pretorian Sweitzers, and so by art and cunning
drawne to fight, gave the French a notable overthrow, at
which time the Sweitzers had the greatest Army they ever
brought into the field, being 3ooo foot: but the French
King Francis, the next day fighting again with the
Sweitzers, overthrew them, yet so as the retreit (as they
write) was nothing like a flight : And so the King casting
Sfortia out of the Dukedome of Milan, recovered the
same.
After this prosperous successe, the French King sought
nothing more then to be reconciled and joined in league
with the Sweitzers bee had overcome, which bee did, the
league consisting of 13 heads. I. They covenanted fo.r
taking away all injuries & controversies. 2. For freeing of
captives. 3- How the Sweitzers may plead any cause in
judgement against the King. 4-- That al should enjoy the
benefit therof, being borne within the confines.of Sweitzer-
land, & speaking the Dutch tongue. 5- Priviledges are
confirmed to the Merchants of Sweitzerland. 6. For
charges in the siege of Dyiune and in Italy, the King
covenants to pay them a great sum of mony by yeerly
portions. 7- It is agreed that all controversies shall be
determined by courses there set downe, not by warre. 8.
That neither part shall give passage to the enemies of the
other. 9. That Merchants & all subjects on both parts,
shall freely passe, not offended with reproches, or
oppressed with impositions. IO. That the King shall
yeerly pay to each Canton 2000 Franks, and to the Abbot
of S. Gallus and his subjects, and to those of Toggenburg
6cx Frankes, and to the City of S. Gallus 4-00, to the
Mulhusians 4-00, to the Gruerians 600, to the Valesians
2ocx, and to the Grisons the pensions given by Lewis
397
I6O5-X 7.
[lll.iv.z6.]
FYNES MORYSON'S ITINERARY
the 2: and moreover yeerly 2ooo Franks (but howso-
ever the Rhetians or Grisons by this league serve the King
in his warres with the Sweitzers: yet Semler witnesseth,
that they serve severally under their owne Captaines). In
the x Article all immunities in the Dukedome of Milan
are confirmed to the Bilitionenses, the Inhabitants of the
middle Valley, the Luganenses, & the Locarnenses.
Choice is given to the Sweitzers to retaine the Castles they
had, or to take mony for them. Lastly, it is agreed &
covenanted, that the league shall be perpetuall, & not be
broken upon any fraudulent pretence. In this League the
King excepts all his confederates, & the Sweitzers except
Pope Leo the o, the Emperor Maximilian, the Empire,
and the House of Austria ; and all old leagues : so as if
the King should make war upon any of these in their own
countries, it may be free to the Sweitzers to observe their
leagues with them, but if any of them assaile the King in
his own Kingdome, the Sweitzers shal not permit any of
their subjects to serve them, but shall call them home.
This League was made at Friburg, in the yeere 56, the
moneth of November, and upon the day of Saint Andrew.
And the King rested not, till after five yeeres since this
Peace was made, he leagued himselfe more strictly at
Lucerna with all the Cantons (that of Zurech only
excepted) and with all their fellowes in league ; of which
league I will briefly relate some heads added to the former:
namely, that if any man should make warre upon the King
in France, or in the Dukedome of Milan, the King at his
pleasure might leavy in Sweitzerland an Army of sixe
thousand at the least, or sixteene thousand foote at the
most (except the Senate should grant a greater number.)
That the King might chuse the Captaines, and the Senate
without delay should permit them to march within tenne
dayes, and not recall them till the warre should bee ended,
if the King shall please so long to use them. That by the
same right, and under the same conditions, the King
making warre upon any, may freely leavy souldiers, but
with this caution, that the Sweitzers troubled with warre
398
OF THE SWISS COMMONVEALTH
at home, should be free from these covenants. It was
further cautioned, that the King should not divide the
Army of the Sweitzers into divers places or Forts, but
should keepe it united in one body. That he should not
use it for any fight at Sea. That they should receive pay
the same day they should march out of their country, and
were they never so soone sent backe, yet three months
pay, should be presently due unto them, and that the first
moneths pay should be given them within the confines of
Sweitzerland. That the King to aide the Sweitzers
having any warre, should send them two hundred armed
horse, and twelve great pieces of Ordinance with all
furniture (namely, six battering pieces, and sixe middle
pieces) and besides towards the charge of their warre,
should each three moneths pay a certaine summe of mony
at Lyons, and if the Sweitzers shall chuse rather to have
mony in stead of the armed horse, the King should further
pay them two thousand crownes each three moneths.
That if in time of warre, the Sweitzers shall be forbidden
to buy Salt in other places, they may buy and bring Salt
out of France. That neither part shall make the subjects
of the other free of their Cities, or receive them into
patronage. That the King.., to declare his good will
towards the Sweitzers, shall besides the two thousand
Franckes promised by the former League to each Canton,
pay yeerely one thousand Franckes more to each of them
during this League; and moreover shal besides the
former Pensions, give to their Confederates yeerely halfe
as much more. In this League the King excepts Pope
Leo the tenth, the Emperour, the Kings of England, Scot-
land and Denmark, with other Princes ; and the Sweitzers
except the Pope, the Emperor, the House of Austria, the
house of Medici, the D. of Savoy, and some others. But
if these so excepted should make war upon either part,
within their territories, that aides should be sent mutually
without any respect. This League was made to last three
yeeres after the death of the French King Francis the first,
and was renewed by his son Henrie the second at Solo-
399
6o5-7.
[IIl.iv. 7-]
FYNES MORYSON'S ITINERARY
thurn, in the yeere 1549, & by all the Cantons (excepting
Zurech and Bern), and was after renewed by Charles the
ninth, and the succeeding Kings. But in the leagues
made with the successors of Francis the first, caution is
inserted, that the Sweitzers shal not serve the King in any
warre for the recovery of any part of the Dukedome of
Milan: but if the King shall recover it with any other
Army, then they shall aide him to defend his possession,
as formerly.
And whereas the Cantons of Zurech and Bern refused
to joyne in the Leagues made with Francis the first, and
Henrie the second, these reasons thereof were then alleaged.
First, because the Canton of Zurech was then alienated
from the French by the Cardinall of Sedun. Secondly,
because Zwinglius a notable Preacher of the Reformed
Religion, did in many Sermons sharpely inveigh against
mercenary warfare. Thirdly, because this League much
displeased the military men of Sweitzerland, in that the
Senate had no liberty to looke into the cause of the warre ;
in that the Souldiers and Captaines were not to be chosen
by the Sweitzers, but by the King at his pleasure ; in that
the large profits of the League redounded to few; in that
the armed horse to bee sent by the King, were of no use
to the Sweitzers warres, commonly made in mountainous
places and craggy passages. Lastly, because it seemed a
point of great inconstancy, that the Sweitzers, who lately
when the French King Francis, and Charles the deceased
Emperors grandchild, were competitors for the Empire,
had written to the Electors, that they would yield no
obedience to the French King, in case he were chosen,
should so suddenly change their minds, and make a more
strict league with the French: but the /zreater part was
of a contrary judgement, because Souldiers were not
bound curiously to enquire after the causes of warre, for
which onely the King in his conscience was bound to give
accompt. And because their barren Countrey being also
populous, was most fit for a mercenary warre, and that
military experience was thereby to be retained and gained;
4oo
OF THE SWISS COMMONWEALTH
by which and like reasons, they perswaded the necessity
of this league.
Thus have I (according to the description of Sembler)
briefly shewed, that the Sweitzers Commonwealth consists
of three parts at home, (not to speake of the forraigne
leagues), namely of the Cantons, of the Fellowes in league ;
and of the stxpendlary cataes and prefectures or govern-
ments. Each community is vulgarly called Ort, and the
Italians call them Cantons, whereof (I have said) that there
be thirteene in number, namely, Suitia, (vulgarly Schweis,
whereof the rest have the name of Sweitzers), Uria,
Undervaldia, Lucerna, Tigurum, (vulgarly Zurech), Glar-
ona, Tugium, (vulgarly Zug) Berna, Friburgum, Solo-
dorum, (vulgarly Solothurn), Basilea (vulgarly Bazill),
Scaphusium, (vulgarly Shafhusen), and Abbatiscella (vul-
garly Apenzill). I have said that the Fellowes in league,
are the Abbot and Towne of Saint Gallus, the Rhetians
or Grisons, the Bishop of Sedun, the Valesians, and the
Townes Rotavile, Mulhusium, and Bipenne: And the
governements are Turgea, that of Baden, of the Rhegusci,
of the Sarunetes, of the free Province, the Lugani, the
Locarnenses, the Inhabitants of the middle Valley, and the
Bilitionenses. That of Turgea is subject to the seven old
Cantons, yet Bern, Friburg, and Solothurn, have also their
rights in capitall causes. That of Baden, the Sarunetes,
the Rhegusci, and the free Province, are subject likewise
to the seven old Cantons, onely Bern hath beene admitted
partner in that of Baden, and Apenzill in that of the
Rhegusci. The foure Italian governements are equally
subject to all the Cantons, excepting Apenzill: and the
Bilitionenses are subject to the three old Cantons. All
these joined, have these Cities and Townes, Zurech,
Bern, Lucern, Zug, Bazill, Friburg, Solothurn, Schaf-
husen, the Towne of S. Gallus, Chur of the Grisons,
Sedun of the Valesians, Rotevil, Mulhuse, & Bipenne,
all the rest dwell in Villages. Among the cantons,
Bazill of the Rauraci, Schafhusen of Germany, Glarona
in part of the Grisons, Uria in part of the Lepontii,
M. IV 40I 2 C
Of the
8weitzers
Common-
u'ealth in
general/.
6o5-i 7.
[III.iv.258.]
FYNES MORYSON'S ITINERARY
are seated out of the old confines of Sweitzerland;
and so are all the fellowes in league, excepting the
Abbot, and Towne of S. Gallus, and the Towne Bipenne.
Among these, the old Nation of the Rhetians, now called
Grisons, were of old called Valesiani, Viberi, Seduni, and
Veragri : And Rotevile is a city of Germany, and Mul-
huse of the Sequavi in France. Among the governe-
ments, the Rhegusci and the Sarunetes, are of the old
Rhetians, and the Luganenses, the Locarnenses, the Men-
drisii, and the Inhabitants of the middle Valley, and the
Bilitionii, are of the Lepontii, an Italian Nation, which
tongue they speake. Many doubt to number these con-
federates among common-wealths, since each of them is
no otherwise tied to the decrees of the other, then by free
consent, as all private societies are, whereas in a common-
wealth the greater part binds all: yet because they have
one common councell, and most of the Provinces are ruled
thereby, because warre and peace :.s made by common
consent, and they live almost under the same lawes and
customes, and are united strictly in perpetuall league,
Sembler concludes, that this society comes neerest to the
forme of a common-wealth : for whereas some hating the
nation, object Anarchy to them, and say they got freedome
by killing the Gentlemen ; and others interpreting it more
mildly, and confessing the oppression of the Gentlemen,
yet judge the revenge to have exceeded all measure, the
truth thereof will appeare by the History of Semler and
others, shewing that great part of the Gentry was
extinguished by the House of Austria. Therefore it must
be a mixt commonwealth, (if such it may be called) being
neither a Monarchy (of one just King) Aristocraty (of just
great men) nor Democrity (a popular state) much lesse
any of the corrupt commonwealths, called Tyranny,
Oligarchy, and Anarchy, (that is, the tyranny of a King,
or of noble men, or a confused State), the equity of the
government shewing that it much differs from them. The
Urii, Suitii, Undervaldii, the Glaronenses dwelling
scattered, and Zug, (though it be a Towne), governe all
4oz
I605-I 7.
FYNES MORY'SON'S ITINERARY
at their owne cost, without any pay. Between Bern and
the three old Cantons it is decreed, that if the aides be
sent beyond certaine bounds, then they which called them
shall give them pay, and in like sort certaine bounds of
sending aides are limited between all the rest of the
Cantons, in their severall leagues, with all conditions
expressed. In any siege, the Canton which causeth it, is
bound to find many necessaries, but if the cause be
publike, all provisions are made at the publike charge.
The foure old cantons and Glarona, cannot make any new
league, which is free to the rest, alwayes preserving the old
league, which they also may encrease or diminish by
common consent. It is decreed, that every five or ten
yeeres, this league shall be renewed by word or writing,
or (if need be) by oath. Zurech, Bern, Uria, Suitla, and
Undervaldia, in this league except the rights of the Roman
Empire. Lucerna and Zug the rights of the Dukes of
Austria, Glarona the rights of their lawfull Magistrates,
and each Canton the rights of old leagues.
When the said eight Cantons received the other five
into their number, besides the foresaid heads, it was
decreed among other things in their league, that the five
last cantons howsoever wronged, should make no warre
without the consent of the eight old Cantons, and in like
sort that they should make no league without their con-
sent, neither in time of warre should refuse good con-
ditions of peace. And lastly it was decreed, that without
great cause, no warre should be made in places out of
the mountaines and difficult passages of that Province,
where they could not fight with advantage.
The thirteene Cantons have that priviledge, that they
deliberate and determine the affaires of the common-
wealth in publike meetings, by voices, and governe by
equall right the governments gotten jointly by them, and
have equal part in all booties. The greatest Senate is
when all the Ambassadours (that is, chosen Burgesses of
the cantons, and Fellowes in league) are called together,
which is seldom done, but in the causes of" making warre
404
OF THE SWISS COMMONWEALTH
or peace, onely the Ambassadors of the thirteene Cantons
being commonly called to counsell : AI Ambassadors have
equal right in giving voices, but two or more being sent
from one Canton, have but one voice. In causes con-
cerning the governements belonging to seven or eight or [llI.iv.z59. ]
2 Cantons, onely the Ambassadours (or Burgesses, or
States) of those Cantons meet, to whom the governement
belongs, and so the Burgesses of all other severally for
things belonging to themselves: but where the cause
concernes the publike State, the full Senate of all the
Cantons is called to the meeting. Since the late differ-
ences of Religion, new and particular meetings have
beene instituted. The Cantons of the Roman Religion,
Uria, Suitia, Undervaldia, Lucerna, and Zug, joined
in a more strict league; doe often meete together,
& when any man names the five Cantons simply,
they meane them, not the five old cantons, howsoever
naming the three, seven, or eight Cantons, they are taken
according to the time of their entring into league. And
sometimes the Cantons of Friburg and Solothurn, being
also of the Roman Religion, come to the meetings of the
said five Cantons: Greatest part of the Citizens of
Glarona and Apenzill, are of the reformed Religion, and
the foure Cities chiefe of the Cantons, namely Zurech,
Bern, Bazill, & Schafhusen, have altogether cast off the
Roman Religion, & have particular meetings, but not
often: yet when I passed through this Province, I under-
stood that Glarona was altogether of the reformed
Religion, and that Apenzill was numbred among the
Cantons of the Roman Religion. The great Senate
determines of warre, peace, & leagues, (each having free-
dome to refuse a.ny. league), likewise of making Lawes,
of sending, recelvlng, & answering Ambassadors, of
governments, of distributing gainefull Offices, of difficult
causes referred to the Senate by Governors, & of
appeales made from Governours to the Senate. Am-
bassadours (or Burgesses in place of Judges) are sent
about the moneth of June, to heare the causes of
405
FYNES MORYSON'S ITINERARY
the Italian governments, from whom they may appeale
to the Senate, and these appeales (as all other)are
determined by the Senate in the meetings at Baden,
where also they deliberate of customes & imposi-
tions, & the revenues, and if need be of punishing the
Governours, or displacing them, (in which case the
Canton which sent that Governour, appoints another.)
The City Zurech chiefe of the Cantons, hath the first place,
not by antiquity, but dignity, and of old custome hath the
highest authority to call the Senate together, signifying
to each canton by letters the cause & the time of each
meeting : yet if any canton thinke it for the publike good,
to have an extraordinary meeting, they write to Zurech
to appoint the same, or if the cause admit no delay, they
meet uncalled. Most commonly the generall meetings
are at Lucern, Zurech, Bremogart, and Baden; but more
commonly in these dales & almost continually they are
at Baden, in respect of the commodity of the houses and
Innes, the pleasant situation & famous medicinall Baths;
and because it is seated in the center of Sweitzerland, and
is subject to the 8 old cantons. The cantons of the
Roman religion, commonly have their particular meetings
at Lucerna, sometimes at Bockenried of the Urii, or Brame
of the Suitii, & are called together by the canton of
Lucern: and the cantons of the reformed religion have
their particular meetings commonly at Arowike under
Bern, somtimes at Bazil, & are called together by the
canton of Zurech. Forrain Ambassadors require of
Zurech to have audience in the Senate: but the peculiar
meetings for French causes are called by the French
Ambassador as often as he wil at Solothurn where he
resideth, or at Lucern: & other Ambassadors shold not
be denied extraordinary meetings, so they pay the
expences, as the French Ambassador cloth. The ful Senate
yeerly meets about September at Baden, about which time
I said that Burgesses in place of Judges are sent to heare
the causes of the Italian governments: And in this first
meeting, the greatest causes are not determined, either
4o6
OF THE SWISS COMMONWEALTH
because the Ambassadours (or Burgesses, or States), have
not full power, or for other causes, but another meeting
is there appointed, and howsoever this Senate is onely
called for publike causes, yet those being ended, they use
to heare private causes also. Assoone as the said
Burgesses or States at the appointed day come to the City,
the Burgesse of Zurech sends the Vice-governor of Baden
to salute them, & to acquaint them with the time of meet-
ing. Then they sit downe in the Court, first the Burgesses
of Zurech in a place raised higher then the rest : 2. Those
of Bern : Thirdly, Those of Lucerna, as chief, though not
in antiquity, yet in dignity; and after the rest, according
to the antiquity of their Cantons. The Burgesse of
Zurech first makes an Oration, and propounds the causes
upon which they are to consult adding what his Canton
hath commanded him in each particulars, and then the rest
speake in order, according to the directions given them
at home. The under Governour of Baden, of what
Canton soever he be, askes and numbers the voices. The
peculiar meetings of particular Cantons, and those for
French affaires, have no set times.
Each Canton hath publike Magistrates, vulgarly called
Umbgelten, who administer the Impositions upon wine
and corne, and gather them by their deputies. They pay
tribute only for that wine which is sold in Taverns, and
for that corne which is exported or used by Bakers, for
otherwise the Citizens pay not for wine and corne brought
into their private houses, and spent therein. And I have
observed that they pay in some places the value of 24
measures tribute, for a vessell of wine containing ninety
six measures: The salt which is brought in, is onely sold
by the Senate of each Citie or Canton : and I understood
by discourse, that the Citizens may not buy salt, or take
it of gift out of the Citie. Particularly at Schafhusen the
Customes are great, especially for salt, in respect that the
water of the Rheine hath a great fall from a rocke, so as all
ships must be unladed before they can passe by that Citie.
In generall, the Sweitzers especially want wine, come, and
407
I6O5-I 7.
[Ill.iv. 260.]
The Tbutet.
The Lawc.
FYNES MORYSON'S ITINERARY
salt, as may appeare by the covenants of their forraigne
leagues, and otherwise the tributes are small, which can
bee imposed upon such a free Nation.
Concerning their Lawes, I have formerly said that the
severall Cantons are not bound one to the decrees of the
other, except they freely consent thereunto; yet that they
all have one Common Counsell, and almost all have the
same common Lawes and customes, which they inviolably
keepe. They long suffered the Governours of the
Empire to bee over them in capitall causes, though with
prejudice to their freedome, till at last in the Suevian
warre, about the yeere I499, the judgement of capitall
causes was granted to them by the Emperor, among the
conditions of peace. Whereupon the ten oldest Cantons
who made this warre, have equal right of capitall judge-
ment in the stipendary Cities and governments, with the
Cantons to whom they are subject, though gotten before
they entred into the common league, howsoever they have
no right in the Civill causes, nor any other commaund
over them. In the old leagues, besides the Articles con-
cerning union, many Lawes for the publike good are con-
tained and established. Such is that of the old league
between the eight first Cantons, wherin they set downe
cautions for peaceable determining of publike contro-
versies, betwene the Cantons, and therby, two Cantons
being at strife, are to chuse two honest men, who give
their othes, to make an equall composition between them,
and the rest of the Cantons are to adde one Arbiter to
them; and in case one of the Cantons consenteth, the
other refuseth to stand to their judgement, all the rest are
to helpe the Canton consenting thereunto. And in the
league of the five last Cantons, as in al other, they justly
give curious cautions for taking away all controversies,
and espetially labour to effect, that they breake not out
into Civill war, in which case they should be diversly
distracted, according to their divers combinations and
leagues among themselves. Therefore of old, when the
Abbot of Saint Gallus attempted to remove the teade of
408
OF THE SWISS LAWS
AoDo
6o5-7.
409
clothing, and the holy reliques (the superstitious worship
whereof brought great profit) from Apenzill, to Rosake
(where the Abbot had absolute commaund) and this
matter drew them to Armes, wherin the Abbot called the
foure Cantons his confederates, and Apenzill the six
Cantons with whome it had league, to give them aide,
according to their mutuall leagues, the saide Cantons thus
called to aide both parts, earnestly endevored to make
peace, wherby they preserved the common-welth. For if
they should not alwaies carefully so doe in like occasions,
many times the dissention of one or two Cantons, might
draw all the rest into a pernicious Civill warre. In the
foresaid league betweene the eight oldest Cantons, and in
the Stantian Transaction in the yeere I48I Lawes were
established. That he who killed any confederate (vulgarly
called Eidgenossen, that is injoiers of the oath) should be
beheaded, except he had sufficient witnesses that he did
it to save his life, and in case of flight, he being banished
by one Canton, should also be banished by all the rest,
and that he should be judged guilty of the crime, who
should helpe him; and that sentence should be given [IXI.iv. z6.]
upon him in the Canton where the Crime was committed.
That there should be no generall meetings of the people
without consent of the Magistrate. That none of the
Cantons should support any disobedient subject of another
Canton, but should force them to obedience. That a lay
person shall not use the helpe of an Ecclesiasticall Judge,
but in causes of matrimony and manifest usury, which are
referred to Ecclesiasticall judgement. That pledges or
gages be not taken at private mens pleasures, but with con-
sent of the Judge. That causes be judged in the Canton,
wherein the act was done, and sentence be given without
fraud or deceit, and that every man bee content and rest
satisfied in the Judgements Lawes and customes of another
Canton. That all booties in warre be divided among the
Cantons, according to the number of Souldiers which each
of them sent, but that Townes, Tributes, and like things
gained by warre, shal be under the common command of
t6o5-t 7.
Dud&
FYNES MORYSON'S ITINERARY
all the Cantons, of which commodities, the subjects of
stipendary Cities and fellowes in league, shall have no
part, though their Forces bee joined in the same warre
with Forces of the Cantons, howsoever they are to have
part in the devision of all other booties.
In like sort the league of Schafhusen with the Cantons
of the Sweitzers, determineth how debts are to be
recovered, and what law is to be used in such suites, and
that no leagues be made by one without the privity and
against the will of the rest, and that the oldest leagues be
ever most respected.
The Common-wealth is administred with great equity,
yet with no lesse severity of Justice, then the Germans
use: And howsoever all the Country lies within moun-
taines & woods, yet the high way for passengers is no
where more safe from theeves, so as it is there proverbially
said, that you may carry gold in the palmes of your hands:
For all crimes are severely punished without all respect of
persons. The scope and but whereat all their leagues
aime, is that every man may peaceably enjoy his owne, and
that the best men among them, may in publike counsell
examine the causes of warre, that they be just and lawfull,
to the end they may never rashly make warre upon any:
And because the common people being burthened with
debt, is more prone to seditions, curious orders are set
downe in their leagues, for the manner of exacting debts,
and taking pledges, neither giving liberty of oppression to
the creditors, nor permitting fraud to the debtors.
Also because military men, and such as drinke in
excesse, are prone to brawling and blowes, most heavy
penalties are thereby inflicted upon such as are Authours
of injuries, and the leagues make not more frequent
mention of any other thing, then of reproaches, for which
they prescribe such good remedies and reall satisfactions,
not passing over the least injury of the poorest man, as
among the very Souldiers, yea, halle drunken, there very
seldome hapeneth any murther: Wherein I could wish
that our inferiour Magistrates would apply themselves,
41o
FYNES MORYSON'S ITINERARY
Citizens, who are absolved in that case from their oath
given to their owne Canton, and then they are sworne,
that they will consider of the controversie, according to
that which seemes good and equall, and that they will
faithfully indevour to compose it, at least so as it shall bee
decided by Law, not by Armes. And in the old leagues
certaine places are appointed, in which these Judgements
are handled. The 7 Cantons commonly meete for them
in the Monastery of the Heremites within their owne
confines, and so other leagues in other appointed places.
The Judges and Burgesses of those Cantons, with which
those that have controversies have more strict league
determine these causes, if the first arbiters cannot compose
them, and both parts are bound to rest in the judgement
of the greater part; and if the Voices be equall on each
part, as many times it falleth out, a new Judge or Arbiter
is chosen, who doth not give a new Judgement of his
owne, but approveth one of the Judgements given by the
equall Voices of the said Burgesses. And this Arbiter is
chosen by those Burgesses, and so he be a Citizen of any
one Canton, it is not required, that he should be of either
of the Cantons, to whom the cause belongeth. Thus if
Bern be plaintiffe against the 3 Cantons, x6 men are
chosen by the Cantons, out of which Bern chuseth one to
be Arbiter : but if the Cantons be plaintiffes against Bern,
they chuse an Arbiter out of the lesser Senate of Bern.
Likewise in controversies betweene Zurech, and Bern, the
plaintiffe chuseth an Arbiter out of the Senate of the other
Citie. To conclude, in all Judgements publike and
private, they use such integrity, as this simplicitie of their
Judgements, disallowed by subtill polititians, happily
succeeds in all occasions, and so they retaine their old
vertue, is like ever so to succeede. In most of the
Cantons, namely, at Zurech, Basil, and Schafhusen, no
Bastard may beare publike office, nor be a Senator, or
Judge, which Law is common to the Sweitzers with the
Germans, first instituted to restraine fornication, and to
preserve the dignity of marriage. In some places, he
412
OF THE SrISS JUDGEMENTS
must have been a Citizen ten yeres, in other places twenty
yeres, who is chosen to be of the common Counsell; and
at Zurech no stranger is ever chosen to be a Senator or
Judge; and by Common law, no Homicide, Adulterer or
infamous person for any crime, may be of the Senate.
In all the Cantons, they are no lesse carefull to prevent
damages by tier, then to keepe out their enemies ; for
which cause they hire watchmen to walke the streetes by
night, and Belmen to tell the howers, and in some places,
as the Towne of Saint Gallus, they have nightly thirty
two Watchmen, and chuse Citizens to visit the chimnies
and ovens, that they be free from danger of tier. In other
Cantons they have publike Officers, who in any such
chance, see that all things be done in order, and that no
tumult be raised upon such occasions, to which end they
appoint some to quench the tier, and draw others in armes
to defend the walles and the gates. And at Zurech able
youn men are yeerely chosen, to be ready for the quench-
ing or any such casuall tier.
In Lucerna the Law of Retribution (an arme for an
arme, a leg for a leg) is in many cases observed, where he
that killes a Citizen, bee the cause never so just, as
repelling force by force, shal die if he be taken, or be
perpetually banished, if he escape by flight, yet when he
hath satisfied the Kinsmen of him hee killed, hee is
permitted to returne from banishment. And in all the
Cantons where they dwell in Villages, he that kills a man
in his defence, shal be banished, and his owne Senate
cannot permit his returne, which can onely be obtained
from the great and publike Senate. And in the same
Cantons, no lands may be ingaged to any stranger, neither
may any stranger buy any possessions, but onely a house
and a Garden for herbes.
And if any man often offend in Drunkennes, he is
imprisoned, and may drink no Wine for a yere, till he have
procured pardon of the publike Senate (which me thinks
should easily be granted him, by Judges guilty of the
same fault, except they meane quarrels and like offences,
413
[III.iv. z63.]
FYNES MORYSON'S ITINERARY
not simple drinking, which I thinke probable, because
generally the Sweitzers drinke as stiffely, as those of the
upper part of Germany.
In the same Cantons, Matrimoniall causes are referred
to the Consistory of the Bishop of Costnetz: but all
adulteries are punished by the Senate at home, commonly
with the losse of goods, sometimes with a fine of ten
pounds, that is ten Dollers with them.
The publike Edicts are yeerely in these Cantons con-
firmed or abrogated by the Voices of the common people.
And in the Towne of Friburg and the Territory, if a
debter pay not his debt, the Creditor sends certaine
servants and horses to the publike Inne, the charge
whereof is paid by the debter, till he satisfie his Creditor.
Besides in any controversie, if sureties be thrise demanded
of any man, and he bring not in surety (or caution), he is
punished with banishment, and the same punishment is
inflicted on them, who violate the command of keeping
the peace, and who without just cause take part with
either of them that are at variance. In generall, for the
Gentry of the whole Province, mention hath been, and is
after to be made, that the same is extinguished, so as it
were in vaine to seeke for any Knightly order among these
men, who howsoever they be military men, yet universally
are Cittizens, or of common Plebean ranck. They take to
themselves coates of Armes devised by themselves, and
tricked after their owne fancies, yet not with open
Helmets, as Gentlemen beare them, but with closed
Helmets, after the manner used by the Citizens in
Germany. And their Lawes of inheritance and the
dowries of wives, doe come neerest to those of Germany,
the Civill law, (if I be not deceived) passing with
them into Provinciall lawes and customes (by which
they are governed) upon the old and long continued use
of them. In one particular example I observed, that the
younger brother, in the division of his fathers inheritance,
first chose his part, and had libertie to buy the parts of his
brethren if he would, and not otherwise. But I shall have
4x4
1605=I 7.
FYNES MORYSON'S ITINERARY
out against the Duke of Burgundy upon their confines, till
the yeer I477, when in the third battaile the Duke of
Burgundy was slaine, and so that warre ended. At which
time only eight Cantons were united in perpetuall league,
the other five Cantons being after united at severall times,
fi'om the yeere 48I to the yeere I53, when the 13 and
last Canton was united to the rest in perpetuall league.
Touching their forraigne warres, the first league they
made for yeeres, was in the yeere 478, and the second
in the yeere 151o , with two Popes. The first perpetuall
lorraine league they made, was with the Duke of Milan,
in the yeere 1466; wherin mention is made of former
leagues with the Insubres; but we reade no effects of
warre produced by them. And the first perpetuall league
they had with France was in the yeere 483, when Charles
the eight made warre in Italy for the kingdome of Naples,
about which time the Sweitzers Armes began to be
knowne in lorraine parts. Guicciardine the famous writer
of those Italian warres, among the Actions of the yeere
500, saith, that the Sweitzers hired by Lodwick Sforza
Duke of Milan, fought wel on his side at the taking of
Novara; but after, that their Captaines were corrupted
to betray him, by the Captaines of other Sweitzers serving
the French king, whereupon they provoked the multitude
to Mutiny for pay; but the Duke appeasing them by
loving words, by present pay in good part, and promise of
the rest upon the coming of mony from Milan dayly
expected; that the Captaines of the Dukes Sweitzers
conspired with the Sweitzers of the French king, to make
the French presently draw to Novara, which done, the
Duke prepared to fight, but the Captains of his Sweitzers
answered him, that without speciall authority from their
Magistrates, they would not fight against their Kinsmen
and Countrimen on the French side, and that so the
Sweitzers serving the Duke, upon their Captaines instiga-
tion, mingled themselves with the Sweitzers on the French
side, as if they had been both of one Army, saying they
would depart home. And that the Duke could with no
416
OF THE SWISS WARFARE
praiers nor promises move their barbarous treachery, to
stand with him in this distresse, nor so much as to conduct
him to a safe place, onely granting him to march in their
bands on foote disguised like a Sweitzer, in which disguise
taken of force, he with some of his chiefe friends were
taken by the French, moving compassion of all men
towards him, and detestation of their treachery. And this
Author leaves it in doubt, whether they were found out
in this disguise by the French spies, or rather vilely
betraied. Semler a famous writer of the Sweitzers Nation,
thinks that souldiers in generall might be excused, who
being in a towne unfortified, and having other just causes
(as disability to withstand the Enemy) should make peace
and returne home, but granting this fact to be unexcusable ;
yet whether it were done by the Captaines, or by the
common souldiers, or by both, and that on both sides, bee
thinks it a great wrong to impute the same to the whole
nation, especially those Soldiers being levied secretly, and
without leave of the Magistrates.
The foresaid Author Guicciardine in the Actions of the
yeere i SiI, writes of the Sweitzers to this effect; The
Sweitzers of old called Helvetians, inhabit the high places
of the Mountaine Jura, men fierce by nature, clownes, and
by reason of the barren soile, rather Grasiers then Plough-
men. Of old they were subject to the Princes of Austria,
but casting off their yoke, have long been free, living after
their owne Lawes, and yeelding no signe of obedience to
the Emperours or any other Princes, divided into thirteen
Cantons, wherof each is governed by their owne Magis-
Wates, Lawes & customes. The name of this so wilde and
uncivill Nation, hath gotten honour by concord and the
glory of Armes. For being fierce by nature, and trained
in warlike discipline, and keeping their Orders (or rankes)
they have not only with valour defended their Country,
but in lorraine parts have exercised Armes with high
praise, which no doubt had beene greater, if they had
fought to inlarge their owne Empire, & not for wages to
inlarge the Empire of others; & if nobly they had pro-
M. iv 417 2 I
I605-I 7.
[III.iv.265.]
FYNES MORYSON'S ITINERARY
pounded to themselves other ends then the gaine of mony,
by the love wherof being made abject, they have lost
the occasion to become fearefull to all Italy : for since they
never come out of their confines, but as mercenary men,
they have had no publike fruit of their victory but by
covetousnesse have become intollerable in exactions where
they overcome, and in demands with other men; yea, at
home froward and obstinat in traffick, and in following
their Commands, under whose pay they serve in war.
Their chiefe men have pensions of Princes to favour them
in their publike meetings, and so publike Counsels being
referred to private profit, they are apt to be corrupted, and
by degrees fall at discord among themselves, with great
lessning of the reputation they had gotten among
strangers. He addes, that the Sweitzers, at the Popes
instigation, armed against the French in Milan, as if it
were onely the act of Suitia and Friburg, who pretended
offence against the French, for a messenger of theirs killed
by them. And that the French King for sparing a small
addition to their Pensions, neglected to reconcile himselfe
to them, and so lost their friendship, which after hee would
have redeemed with great treasure, hoping that either they
would not arme against him, or if they did, that having
no horse nor artillery, they could do him small hurt.
The same Guicciardine in the actions of the yere 15I 3
witnesseth, that the Sweitzers had then gotten great
reputation by the terrour of their Armes, and that it
seemed then, that their States or Burgesses, and souldiers,
began to carry themselves no more as grasers or mercenary
men, but as Senatours and subjects of a well ordered
Common-wealth, and that they now swaied all affaires,
almost al Christian Princes having their Ambassadours
with them, by pensions and great rewards seeking to have
league with them, and to be served by them in their
warres. But that hereupon they grew proud, and remem-
bring that by their Armes the French King Charles the
eighth had got the Kingdome of Naples, and Lewis the
twelfth the Dukedome of Milan, with the City and State
418
[IlI. iv. z66.]
FYNES MORYSON'S ITINERARY
should recall their men from serving the French, which
feare after increased, when they saw two thousand of them
already returned home, and doubted that the rest would
follow.
Also in the actions of the yeere 526, he writes, that the
French King made request to have a great leavy of
Sweitzers, hoping they would readily serve him, the rather
to blot out their ignominy in the battell of Pavia: but
that this Nation which not long before by their fierce
nature had opportunity much to increase their State, had
now no more either desire of glory, or care of the
Common-wealth, but with incredible covetousnesse, made
it their last end to returne home laded with.money,
managing the warre like Merchants, and using the
necessitie of Princes to their profit, like mercenary corrupt
men doing all things to that end in their publike meetings.
And that the private Captaines, according to the necessity
of Princes, stood upon high termes, making most
impudent and intollerable demaunds. That the French
King requiring aides of them, according to his league,
they after their accustomed manner made long consulta-
tions, and in the ende answered, that they would send no
aides, except the King first paid them all pensions due in
areare, being a great summe, and not suddenly to bee pro-
vided, which their delay was very hurtfull to the King,
making his Army long time lie idle.
By the premises we may gather, that the Sweitzers
Armes were first made knowne to forraine parts about the
yere 483 ; that they increased in reputation to the yere
53, when they attained to the height of their glory,
which fel in few yeres, by the foresaid jealousies, and
covetous practises. And no marvell; for their leagues
and levies are made with huge expences. Their Bands
are great consumers of victuals, and wasters of the
Countries they passe. They make frequent and great
mutinies for pay. They have league with the Emperour,
as possessing the Arch-Dukedome of Austria; with the
Kings of Spaine as Arch-Dukes of Austria by title, as
420
OF THE SWISS WARFARE
heires to the Duke of Burgundy, and Conquerors of the
Dukedome of Milan, and with the Kings of France upon
ample Pensions. Now all the warres of those times
having been managed by these Princes, and the Sweitzers
by league serving on all sides, since they will not fight
against their Countrimen, small trust can be placed in
their auxiliary Bands. If any man speake of the King of
England, he did not in those times leade any army into
the continent, but associated with one of the Kings of
Spaine or France, or with the Emperour, in which case the
Sweitzers served upon the same condition on both sides.
And if any of their confederates should make warre with
the King of England at home, they shall have no use of
Sweitzers, who condition in their leagues not to bee sent
beyond the Seaes, nor to be imploied in Navall fights. If
any man speake of the warres in Netherland, the Sweitzers
wil be found no lesse unprofitable to their confederates,
those wars consisting in taking and defending strong places,
and the Sweitzers cove.nanting in their leagues, not to have
their bodies divided, nor to serve in that kind. And in
truth since all the rage of late warres commonly lies in
defending and assailing Forts, and set battels are rarely
fought, it may seeme strange they should thus divide
themselves from the common dangers of the Armies in
which they serve. And all these things considered, I find
not what use their confederates can make of them, but only
in civill warres against their owne subjects, with whom the
Sweitzers have no league. For the rest, as we reade of
some Indians, who light one candle to the Divell, lest hee
should hurt them, and another to God that he may doe
them good; so I thinke Princes still intertaine their
expensive leagues, rather lest their enemies should be
stxengthened by their entire aides, then for any profit
themselves can reape thereby.
The Sweitzers have no horse, which are of no use in
the Mountaines and craggie places of their Country : but
when they make their owne warre out of their owne
confines, their confederates are by league bound to supply
I605-I 7.
[lll.iv. 267.]
FYNES MORYSON'S ITINERARY
them therewith ; and if the warre be not their owne, their
confederates only expect auxiliary Bands of foot from
them. The Roman Boterus writes, that in his judgement
the Sweitzers can make six score thousand foote for the
defence of their owne Country. No doubt that Nation
is very populous: but the greatest Army we ever reade
them to have carried out of Sweitzerland, was that of
thirty one thousand, when they joyned with the Pope Leo
the tenth, the Emperour Maximilian, and Sfortia Duke of
Milan, being confederates against the King of France.
Nature and necessity have framed them to the warre ; for
a Mountanous Region, and Woody (as of old it was, being
stil somewhat barren and labourious to the Husbandman)
breedes a rude people, patient of hardnesse, and of warlike
disposition, and as taller trees and larger cattle, so stronger
bodies of men, so as they seeme to be borne souldiers.
Necessity likewise forced them to Armes, when the
Gentlemen and Princes oppressed them, and they had no
meanes of liberty, but Armes, wherein long use hath made
them expert. And their very lawes and customes are
fitted to the warres. All Citizens and Plebeans use and
are commanded continually to weare their swords. All
their severall exercises have a reference to the war, as
shooting with muskets at Butts (which they practise for
wagers both in Cities and Villages), leaping, casting of
stones, wrastling, fencing, swimming, continuall hunting,
wherein they pursue Beares, wild Boares, and Linces (a
kind of Wolfe), the shooting of the boyes in bowes, the
use of Drummes in stead of musick, even at feasts of
marriages, where the Bridegroome is thought most
honoured, who is met by his friends with most shot and
Pikes. All private men are bound to have their Armes fit
for war, and therewith are commonly armed, though many
times the worst furnished are supplied out of the Armories
of the Cities. Their kinds of Armes are muskets,
caleivers, ashen pikes 18 foote long, halbards, long two-
handed swords (which they carry on their shoulders, and
with them they defeated the Burgundians comming to
422
OF THE SWISS WARFARE
hand strokes with them), and another long sword girt to
their side, with a dagger very heavy, the ha-ftes of silver or
guilded, and armor of solid steele for brest and backe:
but the poorer sort have only helmets of iron, and thick
leather pelts in stead of armor; and some in stead of
armor, weare coats of quilted taffety, wrought with aglet-
holes. They who will appeare braver then the rest, carry
feathers, white, or of some other colour, commonly neere
the colour of their owne Banner. Each weare a right
cornerd crosse upon his Armes, which is the military badge
of the Sweitzers. All follow the Colors and Banners of
their owne Canton, & use drums, trumpets and bagpipes,
& a man can hardly distinguish betweene the beating of the
drums of the Sweitzers, and Germans, save that the former
march is more grave and slow, and not so tumultuous
as that of the Germans. The Urii blow a horne of a wild
Hart, which they call the Bul. The Undervaldii have the
like, but those of Lucerna use a horne of brasse. No
man that can weare Armes, is excused from warre at home,
and no doubt their foot are of great force to fight within
their mountaines, and keepe themselves from tyranny of
strangers, howsoever they have not so much strength,
when with the snaile they come out of their house. Men
chosen in peace are trained for the warres, but in forraigne
expeditions one man chuseth another, that being
acquainted and friends, they may sticke closer together,
and when they are to march, the Law commands them to
lay aside all private quarrels, so as they may more truly
be called brothers, then the Landtznechts or foot of
Germany, who calling themselves brothers, yet bring home
more wounds and scarres from their private quarrels, then
from the Enemy. It is a capitall crime with the Sweitzers,
to fall to the spoile, before the Enemy be fully overcome.
The publike spoile, as Artillery, Castles, Countries, and
tributes, or any revenues, belong equally to all the Cantons,
though some of them set forth five times more men then
others, yet extraordinarie rewards are given to the best
deserving Cantons and private men. They justly give all
423
Particular
Common-
wealtAs.
3 Cantons in
three formes.
[III.iv. z68.]
Townes and
Killages of the
first forme.
FYNES MORYSON'S ITINERARY
protection to those that bring victuals to the Campe.
They have an old Law alwaies to spare holy places, and the
sex of women, excepting such women as give weapons to
their Enemy, or by casting downe stones, and like helps,
doe hurt unto their Army. They boast that their foure-
squared body of foote, is the best forme of battel to resist
horsemen, & that thereby they having no horse, did over-
throw the French horse at Novaria ; and when for want of
artillery, and by the great number of the French, they were
beaten by them at Marignano, yet that they retired in a
close body & good array to Milan, so as they could not
be justly said to flie.
It remaines to speak somthing, but briefly of the
government of the particular Cantons, because they have
absolut power within themselves. Among them such as
have no townes, but dwel in villages, cal the heads of their
Counsels Ammans, & the chiefe power is in the common
people. Such are Urania, Suitia, Undervaldia, Tugium,
Glarona, Abatiscella. Again, some have towns or Cities
which command the Cantons, and the same especially those
that were built by Princes, or were subject to them, are
governed Aristocratically by chief men (namely, a Senat
chosen out of al the citizens) & cal their chiefe Magistrate
Scultet, (vulgarly Schuldte Hessen) such are Bern,
Lucerna, Friburg, Solothurn. Thirdly, other townes or
cities are divided into tribes or companies, and the Senators
are chosen out of these Tribes by the voices of the people,
wherof the chiefe is called Burgomeister. Such are
Zurech, Basill, and Schafhusen.
Among those of the first forme dwelling in Villagos, I
named Glarona, Abatiscella, (vulgarly Apenzill) and
Tugium (vulgarly Zug), for howsoever they have Townes,
yet the territory or Canton is not commanded by the
Townes, having onely equall right with all the Inhabitants
of the Country. All Townes and Villages of this forme
(whereof I named sixe) have a President of their Counsels,
called Amman, that is, Amptman, signifying a man of
Office. The Urii are derided into ten parts, called
4z4
[III. iv. z69. ]
FYNES MORYSON'S ITINERARY
Scribes or Clarkes, and other Officers in order: And this
is peculiar to these Cantons, in the seeking of any publike
Office, that they who seeke it, are themselves present at
the giving of voices, and themselves, their Parents and
children, give voices in their election, which are given by
lifting up the hand from an high place, and in case of
doubt, are numbered by the Pole. The Senators are not
chosen by the whole Assembly, but each by the Inhabitants
of his owne convent or part: Besides this publike meet-
ing, other meetings use to be appointed upon extra-
ordinary occasions, namely, when Ambassadours are to be
sent, or any decree is to be made of league, peace, or
warre : Besides the two counsels, of all the people, and of
chosen Senators, most of the cantons have a privy counsell
of few men : Thus the Suitii have a privy counsell of one
Senator, and one Amman chosen of each convent or part,
and this counsel governes the publike rents and expences.
They have two courts of Judgment, one of nine men, in
which the Amman is President, and that determines the
weighty causes of inheritance, of defamation, and injuries.
The other of seven men ; in which the Ammans Deputy is
President, and that determines civill causes of debts and
contracts. The Urii (or canton of Urania) have the same
course, where the Court of fifteene men, in which the
Amman is President, determines civill controversies of
greatest moment, and the court of seven men, in which the
Ammans Deputy is President, judgeth of debts under the
value of threescore pound. The Undervaldii have one
court of judgement at Stantium, and another at Sarna, and
each hath an Amman for President. The towne or city of
Zug, besides the publike counsels of the Canton, hath his
proper Senate and Magistrates or Judges. In the canton
of Glarona, the judiciall court of nine men, determines of
inheritance, defamation, and injuries: And that of five
men judgeth debts, but onely in the two moneths of May
and September, Judgements are exercised by the Judges
yeerely chosen at the generall meeting of the Canton.
The Canton of Apenzill hath two Courts of Judgement,
426
OF THE SWISS CANTONS
one of twenty foure men (two of each convent or part),
wherein fines are imposed, and defamations and injuries
are judged. The other of twelve men called the sworne
Court of .Judgement, because it judgeth of doubtfull
controversies, and such as are tried upon oath, and this also
observes the breaches of Statutes, and determine what
causes are to be propounded before the Senate, and this
Office is perpetuall. Of Consistories, and Matrimoniall,
and Spirituall causes, handled in other Courts, I shall
speake hereafter in the Chapter of Religion. Capitall
causes almost in all these Cantons are judged by the
Senate, or publike Counsell, and that commonly doubled,
the Amman of the Canton, or his Deputy being President.
At Zug Assessors out of each Convent or part are associ-
ated to the Senate, and they sit in a publike place, where
all men may behold the Judges, and heare their sentences :
For the Courts of Judgements in the prefectures or
governements, commonly a Deputy Governor, and
Assessors, are chosen of the Inhabitants, to joyne with the
Governour, and they determine as well of civill as
criminall causes, and these Governours in some places are
chosen for three yeeres. Some Villages have municipall
rights under the Cantons, and there they chuse Magis-
trates out of their owne Village, yet they yerely crave this
priviledge at the publike meeting, and it is granted them
as a singular favour. And some of these Villages have
also their peculiar Banners and Ensignes; but they beare
them not where the great and common Banner of the
Canton is displaied.
In the second place are the Cantons (as formerly is
shewed) over which the Townes commaund not divided
into Tribes or Companies, namely, Bern, Lucern, Friburg
and Solothurn, in which it is forbidden by the Law that
they should be divided into Tribes. But the Artisans
have their Colledges (or Halles) not for the chusing of
Magistrates, but for orders of the Art, and these they call
Geselscafften, that is, Societies or Fellowships, not Tribes
or Companies, which are vulgarly called Zunfften. In
427
of the second
Forme.
OF THE SWISS CANTONS
duties, and they execute this place foure yeeres, though
for forme they yeerely resigne their Banners up to the
Senate; and if in the meane time any one of them die,
another is set in his place, to fulfill the rest of the yeeres,
as deputy to his Predecessor and then exercise the place
foure yeeres more for himselfe.
In all the Cities of Sweitzerland, the Treasurers or
Tribunes of the Exchequer, are of great reputation, who
exercise that Office not for any set time, but so long as
the Senate will, and themselves like. At Bern the
Consuls, the Ensignes, and the Treasurers, adding one
Senator of the Counsel of o_oo, make the Privy Counsell,
to which all secrets are first brought. In these Cantons
(as I said) the Magistrates are chosen by publike voices,
and so are the officers, but the places of lesse dignity, as
Serjeants & watchmen, are bestowed by the lesser
counsell. It is peculiar to those of Bern, that they admit
no man into the lesser counsel, who was not borne in the
City, and of old they admitted not the very sonnes of
Senators into that Counsell, if they were borne out of
the City: but in these daies for the publike good, the
Sonnes of the absent are as if they were borne in the
City: but into the greater Counsell they admit those that
are borne out of the City, so they be the children of
Sweitzers or any confederates, for strangers are also
excluded from being of the Senate of oo. All bastards
or infamous persons are excluded from being of any Senate
at all.
The Canton of Bern hath three Courts of Judgement,
the Judges of them being chosen by the Ensignes and
Treasurers, and confirmed by the lesser counsell. The
first is called the outward Court, in which the Consull is
President, but almost continually the chiefe Appariter or
Sergeant supplies his place, and he hath twelve Assessors
or Assistants, whereof one is the last chosen Ensigne, and
another is chosen of the lesser Counsell, the rest being
ten, are chosen out of the greater counsell, or Senate, and
to them be added one Clarke and two Appariters. This
49
[llI.iv. z7o.]
FYNES MORYSON'S ITINERARY
this is common to al these Cities, that each Tribe hath
two Masters, chosen for half or a whole yeere, which time
ended, others succeede in that place, yet commonly he
that was Master the last halle yeere is chosen againe,
except there be some impediment. The lesser Senate is
divided into new and old, and that is called the old,
whereof the Senators have served halfe a yeere, and these
are not alwaies called to the meetings, for some businesse
only belongs to the new Senate. At Zurech the two
Senates are changed each halle yeere, and the old Senate
at the halfe yeeres end chuseth the new. But at Basil and
Schafhusen, they remaine in Office a whole yeere. And
the Masters of the Tribes are chosen by their owne Tribes,
and confirmed by the greater Senate, but they are con-
firmed by the old Senate at Basil. The voices are openly
taken at Zurech, but secretly at Schafhusen (for certaine
men are set over the elections, in whose eares they give
their Voyces softly whispering.) The lesser Counsell or
Senate meetes commonly thrice or foure times each weeke.
The Consull is President of both Senates, and is chosen
by the greater Senate for halfe a yeere, and in some places
for a yeere. The Tribunes are joyned with the Consuls
for Heads and Presidents of the Senates ; and at Basil nine
other are joyned to them, who make the Counsell of
thirteene, to whom the more weighty affaires are referred,
to consider of them before they be propounded to the
whole Senate. Zurech hath a peculiar Counsell, which
may be called the Exchequer Court consisting of eight
men, chosen foure out of each Senate, and to them all
Exchequer accounts are referred. Two Clerkes or Secre-
taries are present at publike Counsels, with assistants
joyned to them if neede require; and the Office of these
Secretaries, especially of the chiefe, is honourable and
gainefull, and not easily conferred on any but a Patritian,
because they must have full knowledge of the Lawes, Cus-
tomes, Priviledges, and all secrets oi the Commonwealth.
Zurech hath two publike Courts of Judgement or
Justice, one of eight Judges chosen out of the lesser
434
OF THE CITY GOVERNMENTS
Counsell or Senate, who determine Civill causes, Debts,
and the like, and from them there is no appeale: but
themselves referre the most difficult matters to the Senate.
The other determines the causes of the Revenue. Basil
hath two Courts of Justice in the great Towne, and a
third in the lesser Towne. The greater Court consists of
ten Judges, who are partly taken out of the Senate, partly
out of the people, and they determine Civill and Criminall
causes: but the Burgomaster (or Maior) is President for
Civill causes, and the Advocate of the Empire for
Criminall, and three men called the Capitall Triumviri of
Senators degree, pleade and prove inditements against
malefactors. But at Zurech and Schafhusen, the new
Senate judgeth capitall causes, yet the Consull or Burgo-
master is not then President as at other times: but the
Advocate of the Empire, whom the Senate by speciall
priviledge chuseth yeerely out of their owne body. And
at Basil capitall Judgements are given in a publike place :
but at Zurech in a close private Court with the doores
shut, and at Schafhusen, the accusation and defence are
made in open Court: but all are excluded when the
Senate gives judgement. The lesser Court of the great
Towne at Basil, doth onely determine small controversies
not exceeding the value of ten pounds. The Court of
Justice in the lesser Towne of Basill, hath his owne Burgo-
master or Consull; and determines all causes except
criminall. At Schafhusen the Cities Court of Justice,
determines of debts, contracts, and the like: but if the
summe of the controversie exceed the value of one
hundred gold Guldens, the Senate judgeth it. And this
Cities Court hath twenty Assessors, namely one of each
Tribe, and eight other chosen by the Senate. It hath
another Court of Justice for the Mulcts or Fines, con-
sisting of twelve men, and the Advocate of the Empire
is President thereof, and this Court imposeth Fines, and
iu.dgeth the criminall causes of lesse weight, as small
re, juries and vulgar reproches, for the Senate determines
ot the greater.
435
Jill. iv. 273. ]
OF THE SWISS LEAGUES
instituted an high Court of Justice, to which appeales are
made from the lesser Courts, and besides he hath Officers
of all kinds, after the manner of Princes. The Towne
(as likewise that of Mulhuse and Rotevil) is numbered
among the Cities of the Empire, and it (as the other two)
hath the forme of a Commonwealth formerly described,
saving that this Towne of Saint Gallus hath some peculiar
things. It hath sixe Tribes, whereof one is of Gentlemen.
It hath two Senates, the greater and the lesser, in which
lesser Senate are foure and twenty Senators, namely three
Consuls, nine Senators, and twelve Masters of the Tribes,
(for each Tribe hath three Masters chosen by the Tribes,
and confirmed by the lesser Counsell or Senate, and one
of them yeerely by course governes each Tribe, being
sixe in number, the other two are of the Senate, and make
twelve) : And twice every yeere, is the choice made of the
Senate and Magistrates. The first of the three Consuls
exerciseth that Office for the present yeere, the second did
exercise it the yeere before, and the third is Judge of
capitall crimes: And the Consull is yeerely chosen by the
whole assembly of the people. The greater Senate con-
sists of sixty sixe men. This Towne hath also an inferiour
Consull, or (as I may say) a Deputy Consull. The lesser
Senate judgeth civill causes. The greater meeteth five
times in the yeere, and judgeth of appeales, and of taking
new inhabitants, and the like, and extraordinarily it is
called oftner, as for judging capital causes, at which time
the Advocate of the Empire (whom I said to be the third
consul) is President of the counsel. The whole people is
called together thrice in the yeere, first when the Consuls
are chosen, z. when oath is given to the newe Consul,
thirdly when the Ordination of Tributes is read before the
people: & the Lawes devided into three Parts, are read
before the people at these three meetings. The first
Court of Justice, is of five men, which judgeth of debts,
of wages or hires, of victuals, of injuries, and fines, with-
out appeale. The court of Justice for the City, is of
twelve men, changed twice each yeere; & from it apeale
[III.iv. z74. ]
FYNES MORYSON'S ITINERARY
is admitted, to the lesser Senate, so the cause be above the
value of five pounds; but if he that appeales lose the
cause, he pales a fine to the Judges. The common people
of the towne and country, lives by making woollen cloth,
whereupon strict Lawes are made for the same, that the
web undressed be viewed by three skillfull men, and be
marked according to the goodnes, and if it be faulty, be
rent in the middest through the breadth, or be burnt,
where any great fault is found, and that publikely, besides
a fine imposed upon the weaver. After, sworne men
measure and marke the cloth, besides other officers, who
curiously and particularly view each cloth. I said before
in the History of this towne, that it made warre upon the
Abbot, when he sought to remove from it to another
towne, more absolutely in his power, not only the gainefull
trade of cloth-working, but also the holy reliques, whereby
in those dales great gaine came to them.
Among the Rhetians or Grisons, each convent or meet-
ing or community hath his Amman, and chiefe Magis-
trates, yeerely chosen, and a generall Governor of the
whole leage, called Landtrichter, that is, Justice of the
land, yeerly chosen at the publike meeting. They have
many convents or meetings, but only three leagues. The
head of the second league, called the house of God, is the
City of Chur, which hath a Cathedrall Church, and the
common-wealth thereof is not unlike that of Zurech. The
three leagues have but one common-wealth ; for howso-
ever most places have their owne Magistrates, and Lawes,
or rather customes, and Courts of Justice aswell for Civill
as criminall causes, yet the chiefe power is in the common
or publike Senate of the three leagues, consisting of the
Burgesses of the severall convents, not unlike the generall
Senate of the Sweitzers, and the meeting of all the people
is seldome called. But they have another Counsell or
Senate of the chiefe men, namely the Provinciall Judge of
the upper league, the Consull of Chur for the league of
the house of God, & the Amman of the third league of the
ten Jurisdictions, with other chosen men joined to them,
438
OF THE SWISS LEAGUES
but this Counsel] hath not full power, for the acts thereof
are referred to the communities of the leagues, & that
stands in force which the greater part of them doth
confirme, and the judgments of such causes as are referred
to the severall communities, are registred in a written
booke. They determine controversies and give Judge-
ments, as the Sweitzers doe. Among their Statutes, it is
decreed by common consent, that the Bishop of Chur, or
any Ecclesiasticall person, shall not appoint any Civill
Magistrates, but that they shall be chosen by the voices
of the people. The three leagues have their prefectures
or governments under them, & the governor of their
Italian prefectures (as of those under the Sweitzers) is
vulgarly called I1 Podesta, from whom the subiects may
appeale. The three leagues by course appoint these
Governors for two yeeres, and the conventes or com-
munities by course in their owne league, name the said
Governors for two yeeres.
Touching the Valesians. The convents of upper
Valesia are seven, and of the lower are six. The Bishop
of Sedune is the Prince of the Country or region, who is
named the Earle and Governor of the same, and he is
chosen by the Cannons of the Church at Sedune, and by
the Burgesses sent from the seven convents of upper
Valesia. The Captaine of the Country is next to the
Bishop, and is chosen by the Bishop and the said Burgesses
for two yeeres, and confirmed by the publike consent of
the severall convents, and to him all Civill causes are
referred. Each convent hath a chiefe Magistrate or
Maior, or Castellan, who with the Senate of that convent
judgeth Civil] and capitall causes, and under him is the
Amman, (which is the highest officer in the Cantons dwell-
ing in villages). Appeales are admitted from all the severall
convents to the publike Senate of Valesia, consisting of
Burgesses chosen by the convents, and this Senate meetes
at Sedune twise every yere, and the Bishop sits in that
Counsell, and the Baily takes the Voyces. By this Senate
the Common-wealth is governed, the governours, and
439
I6O5-I 7.
Of the
Falesians.
[III.iv. z75.]
Of the Towne
of Bipenne.
FYNES MORYSON'S ITINERARY
publike Officers are chosen, and it is called the highest
Court, from which there is no appeale. The Lords of
Chiurone, of old were of great authority, and are the
Marshalls of the Bishopricke of Sedune, Vicounts of
Sedune, and Seneschalls (or Stewards) of Valesia. The
Valesians have a peculiar Statute to represse the violence
of mighty men. The Common-wealth is governed by the
Bishop and the seven Convents of upper Valesia, whom
lower Valesia obeyeth, being distributed into sixe prefec-
tures or governments, and three other prefectures out of
Valesia, taken or subdued in the Savoian warre, are also
subject to them.
The Towne of Bipenne having league with the three
Cantons, for civill causes acknowledgeth the Bishop of
Basil, and for Ecclesiasticall jurisdiction is under the
Bishop of Losanna, but hath cast off the yoke of the
Papacy, and obtained immunitie from the Bishop of
Losanna, when that Bishoprick and Citie were taken and
made subject to the Canton of Bern. The Bishop of
Basil appoints the Maior, out of the Senate of the Towne,
and the Maior taketh an oath from the Citizens, and they
likewise an oath from him, and he with the Senate judgeth
criminall causes, and is President for capitall Judgements.
The Bishop hath halle of all fines above three pound, and
certaine tythes with some other revenewes, but the
Customes Impositions and Tributes belong to the Citie.
The Citizens serve the Bishop of Basil in warre, but no
further from the Towne, then they may returne home the
same day: but if he will use them further, he must hire
them with pay. The same priviledges were granted to
this Towne by the Bishop, in the yeere 382, which he
granted to the lesser Towne of Basil. The publike
Senates, as well the greater as the lesser, are yeerely chosen
by all the Citizens, and the Master of the Citizens, or
Burgomaster is next in authority to the Maior, and is
chosen by both the Senats, and when they consult of the
Common-wealth, the Maior and the Officers of the Bishop
goe out of the Counsell. The Consull, Tribunes, Judges,
440
OF THE SWISS LEAGUES
and other Officers are chosen by both the Senates, onely
the Ensigne is chosen by all the people, and he with the
Consull hath the care of Pupils. This Towne hath some
subjects, and their Convents without any Governour
exercise Judgements : but the greatest matters are referred
to the Senate of the Towne.
The Stipendiary Townes or Cities of the Cantons, have
two Counsels or Senates, and he that is President of the
publike Counsell is called Schuldthess (as set over debts)
and at Baden he is chosen by both the Senates. Also they
have their Officers, their Exchequers and Tributes belong-
ing to each City: but at Baden the customes at the gate
belong to the Towne: but the impositions upon Mer-
chandise belong to the Cantons, to which the Towne is
subject. Lastly, they have Jurisdiction in Civill criminall
and capitall causes. Among them the Towne of Frawen-
feld redeemed it selfe from the servitude of the Monastery
of Augia, for no small part of the Citizens were Ecclesi-
asticall slaves to that Monastery. At this day it gives an
oath to the Lord of Augia, the priviledges alwaies pre-
served, and that Monastery is incorporated to the Bishop-
rick of Constantia (vulgarly called Costnetz.) The
City Judges hav also power to judge and punish
capitally.
Touching the prefectures or governements under the
Cantons, the Governours are sent by course from the
Cantons for two yeeres, who judge according to the lawes
of the severall people, and for those beyond the Alpes, the
Governour hath assistants of the Country chosen and
joyned with him to judge of capitall and more weighty
causes, but in Civill causes he judgeth alone, though some-
times he calles some of the wiser inhabitants to advise him
therein. The Governours about the Solstice of the yeere,
yeeld account before the Senate of Sweitzerland, which
then judgeth the appeales made by the subjects. They
serve the Cantons in warre, to which they are subject, and
they follow the standard of that canton, which for the
present yeere gives them a Governor, and in civill warre
44
I6O5-I 7.
Of te
tiendimy
Cities.
Of t,e
Go,ernt-
merits.
6o5- 7.
[lI. iv. z77. ]
Te House f
Xutria.
FYNES MORYSON'S ITINERARY
Provinces were erected to Dukedomes, did obstinately
retaine their owne degree, least they should disgrace their
antiquitie, with the newnesse of any Ducall or other title.
And it is manifest, that this Earle was the first Peere of
France, having the prerogative to carry the sword before
the King of France at his Coronation, and to gird the same
to his side, being not bound to appeare in Judgement
before his Compeeres, except some controversie were about
the property of his Earledome, or he should deny justice
to his subjects: and finally having the badges of Sover-
aigne Majesty, to raise an Army, to make Warre and
Peace, to yeeld no tributes or subjection to the King of
France, to punish or pardon his subjects, to make Statutes,
to grant priviledges, to coine mony, and to write himself
by the Grace of God Earle, which no other Prince of
France might do, but only the Duke of Britany. Baldwyn
Earle of Flaunders in the yeere 12o2, became Emperour
of Constantinople, and held that dignity sixty yeeres, after
which time the Empire returned to the Greekes. Earle
Lodwick died in the yeere I383, and Margaret his
daughter and heire was married to Phillip Duke of
Burgundy, who by her right became Earle of Flaunders.
Charles Duke of Burgundy died in the yeere 477, and
Marie his daughter and heire was married to the Emperour
Maximillian, and so Flaunders became subject to the
House of Austria.
For Phillip, sonne to Maximillian, died before his
father, and left two sons, whereof Charles the eldest was
Emperour the fifth of that name, and heire to his Grand-
father Maximillian. And Charles the Emperour taking
the King of France, Francis the first, prisoner, in the
battell of Pavia, in the yeere 525, forced him to renounce
all Soveraigne power over Flaunders and Artois, and to
yeeld the Rightes of the House of An'ouj to the Kingdome
of Naples, and of the House of Orleans to the Dukedome
of Milan, and of Genoa. Charles died, and his younger
brother Ferdinand succeeded him in the Empire, being
long before designed his successor, by being chosen King
444
T HE NETHERLAND COMMONVEALTH
of the Romans: but he left al his States of inheritance
to his eldest son Phillip King of Spaine. The rest of the
Provinces by like right of marriage became subject to
Maximillian, and so fell to Charles, and lastly to the
King of Spaine, excepting Utrecht and the Transisolan
Dominion, which by the yeelding of the Bishop (reserving
his spiritual rights) and of the States of those Provinces,
were joyned to the rest, and so finally fell to Phillip King
of Spaine.
Histories witnesse, that some of these Provinces did
owe homage to the Empire, and the rest to the King of
France, till they fell into the hands of the powerfull Dukes
of Burgundy, who by divers transactions tooke all rights
from the Kings of France, and because the Empire hath
been ever since in the House of Austria, it cannot seeme
strange, the Kings of Spaine being of the same House,
that these Provinces have been freed of the homage due
to the Empire. The Emperour Charles the fifth happily
governed these Provinces with great judgement, handling
the people gently, who had alwaies been held under a
gentle yoke by their Princes, injoying great priviledges
inviolably kept to them, never used to absolute governe-
ment, but having often taken Armes, when their Princes
imposed exactions upon them, or broke any of their
priviledges, and so bringing their Princes to just and
equall termes. But his son Phillip K. of Spaine, and
many other Kingdomes, straying from his Fathers example
in the governement of Netherland, and obstinately despis-
ing his counsell, which at his death as it were by his last
Testament he gave him to handle this people gently, and
not induring their voluntarie and free subjection, hath
caused the greater, or at least the richer part of these
Provinces to fall from him and his heires. For upon the
first dissention about Religion, Pope Pius the fourth
induced Phillip King of Spaine to publish a Decree in
Netherland, for the establishing of the infamous Inquisi-
tion (first invented in Spaine of late to punish the Jewes
and Saracens, who being Christians yet retained their owne
445
I605-I 7.
The united
Provinces.
[III. iv. 78.]
The united
Starer.
FYNES MORYSON'S ITINERARY
rites), and also for the execution of the Decrees made in
the Councell of Trent; which done, more then 400
Gentlemen made petition to the King to abolish this
decree, and joyning the intercession of the Emperor, sent
this petition to the King by the hands of divers Lords and
Gentlemen, whereof the Prince of Egmond was one, who
had done the King very great service in the battell of
Saint Q.gintens. These petitioners were despised by the
Spaniards, and called Geuses (that is beggers or poore
slaves), and the King sent them backe unregarded, and
sent the Duke of Alva to govern Netherland, who cruelly
raged against the Professors of the reformed religion, &
beheaded the Prince of Egmond and the Earle of Horn,
both Knights of the golden fleece, and on all sides pro-
ceeded butcherly. In the meane time the Prince of
Orange, (who formerly had in vaine perswaded the Prince
of Egmond to fly) foreseing this tiranny, with other
banished Gentlemen, was gone out of Netherland, and fled
to the Prince of Condy in Fraunce. At last the Duke of
Alva, having brought all in subjection, reformed the
policy, and imposed an exaction of the tenth penny, was
recalled into Spaine. whither he retourned with much
treasure he had extorted, and Don Juan of Austria
succeeded in that Government, in whose time the fatall
Civill warre began in Flaunders, and shortly after
mutinous troopes called Malecontents joined together,
neither acknowledging the King nor the States of the
Provinces, and while Don Juan pursued them, he died in
the Camp in the yeere 1578. Then Alexander Farnese
Duke of Parma, was made Governor of Netherland, and
the King persisting in his purpose to bring that people to
absolute subjection, and the Professors of the reformed
religion being grievously persecuted, and all the people
being mutinously affected for the newe and tirannicall
exaction of the tenth penny without consent of the generall
States, and troubles still continuing in Haunders, at last
some few Provinces, having the Prince of Orange for their
Generall in the warre, strictly combined themselves in
446
THE NETHERLAND COMMONWEALTH
league for mutual defence. So Flaunders and the firme
land was left under the Spanish yoke, but the con-
federate Provinces firmly resolving to cast off all sub-
jection to the King of Spaine, instituted a new forme
of common wealth; For the Prince of Orange wisely and
valiantly procuring the publike good, was in the yeere
158 4 traiterously slaine with a bullet by a desperate
Roague, whereupon the cities of Flaunders lay open to the
Duke of Parma.
But the foresaid united Provinces cast themselves into
the protection of the Qeene of England; and if my
memory faile not, they are thus named, Holland, Zealand,
Utrecht, Groning, west Freesland, besides many townes
for Gelderland, some fortes and strong cities of Brabant,
and Ostend in Flaunders, a towne for neerenes fit to annoy
the Enemy. And the foresaid fortes and strong cities, for
the most part lying upon the coast of the sea within land,
& upon the mouth of the Rheine where it fals into the sea,
gave free traffick by sea to the united Provinces, & forbad
the same to the cities within land, and besides yeelded this
commodity; that as the Spanish soldiers from their forts
send freybooters to spoile the united countries of Gelder-
land, Groning & Friesland, so the soldiers of the states
might from thence make incursions upon the countries
subject to the King of Spaine, wherby the country people
were forced to pay large yeerly contributions, to be free
from this spoile. The few inhabitants of these small
Provinces, whome men will judge but a breakefast to the
Spanish Army, notwithstanding have not only bene able
to this day to keepe out these powerfull forces from entring
their territories; but may justly brag, that they have
wonne many strong forts and townes from the Spaniard,
and carried their Army into Flaunders, where in a field
fought at Newport, they obtained a glorious victory
aainst the Spaniardes. And so much in small progresse
ot time have their just and moderate Counsells increased
their common-wealth, governed with great equity and
equality, as at last forsaken (as it were) by the King of
447
16o5-17.
The Prince
Orange
killed.
England
protects them.
THE NETHERLAND COMMONWEALTH
and sent him into Spaine, and she bore him likewise a
daughter, which was married to Count Hollock, a German
well respected by the States for his warlike reputation and
good services done to them, and he with his wife lived in
Holland, when I passed through these parts. His second
wife was the sister to the Elector of Saxony, by whom he
had the foresaid Count Maurice, who yet being young,
succeeded his father in the generall conduct of the States
Army, and about this time whereof I write, had taken
two strong Cities in Brabant, the inheritance of the Prince
of Orange, namely, Bredaw and Getrudenberg; and
because they were part of the Earledome of Buren, some
difference was then about them, betweene the said Count
Maurice and his said sister by the fathers side, wherein
it was generally said, that the States favoured the Count.
Also the Prince had by this wife a daughter, after married
to the Governour of Friesland. His third wife was sister
to the Duke of Mompensier in France, which had been a
Nun, and by her hee had sixe daughters. Lewis married
to the Palatine of the Rhein, Marie then living at Hage,
the third living then in France, the fourth with the Count
of Schwarthenburg, and Francis also then living at Hage,
and a sixth then brought up in the County of Nassaw.
His fourth wife was a French Lady of the Family of
Chastillon, famous in that worthy Admirall of France
killed in the Parisian Massacre. And this wife after the
Prince was slaine lived then at Hage, with her onely sonne
by him, who being borne at Delph in Holland, was there-
fore, and for many respects much regarded by the
Hollanders, and yet being a childe, was honoured with
military commands, and a large stipend for his mainten-
ance, and shortly after had the title of Colonell of Holland,
with no small addition to his meanes.
Being now to speake of the Magistrates, Lawes and
degrees of Orders in this Commonwealth, it will not be
amisse, first for conjecture of the generall estate of Nether-
land, to write some few things out of Marchantius a
Flemming, and other approved Authours, particularly of
M. v 449 2 F
THE NETHERLAND COMMONVEALTH
if these Lords impose any tribute upon their subjects,
except it bee with the consent of the Earle of Flaunders.
There bee some of these that are called vassals, whereof
some are clients of an higher, some of a lower degree.
And the Earle of Flanders hath about seventeene feud-
atory Courts, and the number is very great of Clients in
Fee, depending immediately upon one or other of the
said Courts, whereby the Earle hath many pecuniary
profits and other services, upon fines and alienations of
inheritance.
In the third rancke of Gentlemen are they, who hold
inheritance in Fee, whereof some are tied to the Jurisdic-
tion and Counsell of the Earle, as the Chancelor (so called
of correcting or cancelling writings ill drawne with blotting
out lines), which dignitie is tied to the Prepositure of
Bruges Church, and before the Counsell of Flaunders was
erected, this Office was of greater authoritie then now it
is. Others of this kind are Burgraves or Castellanes or
high Sheriffes, who are set Judges over Townes and
Castles, with prerogative to have a proportion of the
mulcts or fines, which dignity belongs to certaine Families,
and may be alienated to others by sale, or for dowrie in
marriage, and all have not the like but divers jurisdiction
and preheminence. The Burgrave of Dixmud hath the
Lordship or command of the Towne (which no other
Burgrave hath), the ruling of the weights in the Market,
the customes at the Gate, capitall Judgement, the fines
that are under three pounds of Paris, and a part with the
Earle of the greater fines, and the power to appoint the
Baily, Scabins and Burgomaster, and a third part of the
goods of bastards dying without children. Also the Bur-
grave of Ypre takes an oath to himselfe of the Officers
of that Towne as well as to the Earle, and he hath the
fines, and power to appoint Magistrates. Others of this
third rancke of Gentlemen have warlike Offices by inherit-
ance, as the Constable (so called of Coninc and stapel, as
the stay and upholding of the King), who hath the highest
command in the warres; and the Admirall (so called of
45
16o5-7.
[III. iv. 281 .]
FYNES MORYSON'S ITINERARY
a Greeke word), who hath the chiefe command in Navall
affaires. Then two Marshals (so called as skilfull in
horsmanship, for the old Dutch called an Horse mar, and
now a mare is by them called meri, and schalc signifies
cunning.) Also the Steward of the house. And the
militarie titles still remaine hereditary to divers families,
but the exercise of the Office is taken from them. Other
Gentlemen of this third ranck, are by inheritance Officers
to oversee the Revenues, and to take accounts; such are
the Treasurers and receivers for the Princes Rents, for
perpetuall Tributes of land, and these honours still remaine
to certaine Families, though these Rents are now brought
in ready money into the Exchequer. Other Gentlemen
of this third ranck, have Offices in Court, as the Master of
the household, Chamberlaine, Cup.-bearer, which offices are
proper by inheritance to certalne Families: but the
Master of the game, as well for hunting as hawking, and
the \,ater-Graves, (overseeing Lakes and Rivers for
Swannes, fishing, and other like things), are offices given at
the Princes pleasure, and not proper to any Familie.
The fourth rancke of Gentlemen is of those, who are
adorned with the Knightly girdle, and they are called
guilded Knights, of their golden spurres and other orna-
ments, which honour the Princes give for great services,
creating them, with laying a drawne sword on their left
shoulder, and with certaine solemnity of words, & those
who have this title, be they never so meane, are made
Gentlemen with their posteritie; and if they be Gentle-
men, yet it addes dignities to them. And because I have
made this mention of Knights, give mee leave to adde a
word of the Knightly order of the Golden Fleece, insti-
tuted by the Duke of Burgundy, Phillip the Good, in the
yeere 14z9, upon the very day of his mariage with
Elizabeth of Portugall, in imitation of Gedions Fleece,
and of the Golden Fleece fetcht by the Argonauts of
Greece. He received into this Order, Gentlemen un-
blameable for life and valour in Armes, whereof the Prince
and his successours are the Head or chiefe President, and
THE NETHERLAND COMMON'VEALTH
hee gave each of them a Scarlet gowne of woollen cloth
(which his son Charles changed into a red Velvet Gowne)
and a gold chaine, with his fathers Emblem, of a steele
striking fire out of a flint, upon which chaine hangs the
Golden Fleece, and upon the death of any Knight this
badge is sent backe, to be bestowed upon some other
Gentleman of merit. At first the number of these Knights
with the Prince their head was twenty five: but within
five yeeres they were increased to thirty five. And the
Emperour Charles the fifth in the yeere 56, made the
number fifty one. At the first institution, this order had
foure Officers, a Chancelor, a Treasurer, a King at Armes,
and a Secretary; and in the Court of this Order, the
unlawfull flying of any Knight out of the field, and all
other crimes, and the dissentions among them, are judged
without appeale. The feast of the Order hath been kept
in divers places, according to the Princes pleasure, but the
Armes of the Knights are set up in the Chancell of the
chiefe Church at Bruges, where the feast thereof was kept
at the first institution. In generall, Flaunders hath a
great number of Lords and Gentlemen (as likewise the
Dukedome of Luxenburg, and adjoyning Provinces), and
they exercise themselves in feeding of Cattle and tillage,
but ju,d,g,.ing ignoble all trade of Merchants, and profession
of manuall arts. They have no immunities (as in Artois,
Henault, and all France), but beare the same burthen of
tributes with the people, to keepe them from sedition,
while the Gentlemen, hated by them, beare the same
burthen as they doe.
Having spoken of the two States of the Clergy and
Gentlemen, it remaines to adde something of the third
State, namely, the foure members, which have the place
of the common people in other Kingdomes ; and they are
Ghant, Bruges, Ypre, and Terra Franca, that is, the Free
land, which foure Territories have the chiefe, or rather all
authoritie in Flaunders. Each of these members is
exempted from all confiscation of goods by old priviledge,
confirmed by the Emperour Charles the fifth, in the yeere
453
[III.iv. zSz.]
FYNES MORYSON'S ITINERARY
I549. Other Cities, howsoever they have their Magis-
trates, Lawes and Revenewes to themselves, yet in the
common Counsell or Parliament for imposing tributes, or
leavying of souldiers, they follow the foure members, and
all Flaunders is bound to their Decree in this generall
meeting of the States, the Clergie, Gentlemen, Lords and
Burgesses of other Cities consulting with the foure
members: but they challenging all authoritie to decree,
and solely representing the whole bodie of Flaunders in
the generall meetings of all Netherland. John Duke of
Burgundie removed from Lile to Ghant the Senate, called
the Counsell of Flaunders, and giving the Law to all
Flaunders. Bruges, a most pleasant Citie is the second
member, having this priviledge above all other Cities, that
bee who is free of the same by birth, gift, buying, or
marriage, is freed from all confiscation of any goods where-
soever found, no crime or case excepted; whereas the
priviledges of other Cities alwaies except violence offered
to the persons of the Prince, his Wife, and Children.
Also Bruges hath a stately Mint-house, with priviledge to
coyne money. Ypre is the third member, which City I
passe over, for feare to be tedious. The fourth member
is Terra Franca, added to the rest (being but three at the
first institution), by Phillip the Good, in the yeere 437,
with intent to bridle the power of Bruges, which Citie
then much repined at the same, and never ceased to raise
tumults, till Marie, wife to the Emperour Maximilian
abolished this fourth member, which Charles the fifth their
Grand-child shortly after restored to that dignitie.
Among the Magistrates some of them doe properly
belong to the Princes affaires, namely, the Legall Chamber,
consisting of the Princes Counsellers, and being (as it
were) the head of other Courts, the meeting and number
whereof is at the Princes pleasure, but commonly the
meeting is at Ghant, and they consult of waighty affaires,
(which since have beene referred to the Princes Privy
Counsell, or to the counsell of Flaunders, seated at Ghant).
And to the same are referred all controversies touching
454
THE NETHERLAND COMMONVEALTH
fees, and appeales from feoditary Courts, which are judged
without appeall, in the presence of the Earle or his Baily,
there being a chaire, cushion, and Sword of estate. Also
the chamber Hastredeninga, that is, the supreme court
of accounts, consisting of hereditary treasurers, yeerly
meeting at Lile for three daies, who judge without appeale
all things touching Receivers, with personall and reall
actions belonging to the Princes patrimony, and give
oathes to new Treasurers and Feodaries. The third court
of accounts, established at Lile, consists of a President,
foure Masters, five helpers, and two clarkes. It examines
the accompts of revenues by rents of lands, woods,
customes at gates, confiscations, Fines, goods left to the
Prince, as by shipwracks and Bastards dying without
children, by homages, Pensions, and like profits, and all
hereditary treasurers, and the two generall Receivers, give
accompt in this court. Phillip the bold gave this court
great authority, but John his sonne, removed the
counsellers thereof to the oPfice of Justice in Ghant, and
left the court at Lile to register the Princes edicts, and
Priviledges granted by him. Fourthly the court called
the Counsell of Flaunders, which I said was removed from
Lile to Ghant, and seems chiefe in dignity ; first instituted,
partly by litle & litle to draw Flaunders from the jurisdic-
tion of Paris, in imitation of Brabant, Hennault, and
Holland; for which howsoever the Princes did homage
to the Emperor, yet they belonged not to the jurisdiction
of the Empire, homage and jurisdiction by nature and in
themselves being much different. But the chiefe cause
of the institution, was the long absence of Phillip the bold
in France, during the infirmity of the French King, in
whose time this court formerly kept in divers places at the
Princes pleasure, was setled at Ghant, and to this court are
referred all things belonging to the Princes right and
authority, & the controversies of Coiners, of the Church,
of the Province and of Cities among themselves and with
others, and appeales from Magistrates, and ratifying the
Princes pardons for crimes. The Counsell consists of a
455
6o5-I7.
'6o5-7.
FYNES MORYSON'S ITINERARY
President (of a Knightly degree by vertue of his office)
eight Counsellors (having yeerly stipends) foure Com-
missaries (having part of the profit by informations) and
for Assessors, the Procurator & the Advocate of the Prince,
the Treasurer of the revenues, a Secretary and a Notary.
Besides these courts and this said Counsell, Marchantius
mentioneth a court of Justice highest and without appeale
over all Netherland, instituted by Charles last Duke of
Burgundy in the yeere I473 at Mechlin, (as being in the
Center of Netherland) and it judgeth after that is equall
and good, in imitation of the Parliament of Paris; so as
suiters ,leeded not to follow the Earles Court. And the
Prince was chiefe head of this Counsell, or in his absence
the Chancellor, he being not present, the Bishop of
Tornay, with two Presidents, ten Lay and nine Clergy
Counsellors, six Masters of Requests (who were com-
manded to ride on horseback to the Senate, clad in Purple.)
But Mary the daughter of the said Charles, fearing the
French and Civill war, commanded the ceasing of judge-
ment in this Court, which Phillip her son restored, and in
the yeere 493 reestablished that court at Mechlin, but
lesse a,d more weake, as it still remaines.
And this shall suffice of the Magistrates belonging to
the Princes affaires. Others belong to the subjects in
severall Countries and Cities. Such are the Scabines and
the Bailies. Scabines are so called of a German word
Schaffen (that is to dispatch, or of an Hebrew word (as
the Germans say.) These defend the rights and privi-
ledges of the people, determine controversies by the
Statutes and municipall customes, or for want of them, by
the written Law, and are present when any are tortured,
and judge capitall causes, the pardoning whereof is rather
permitted to the Prince, then much used by him. And
these Magistrates are diversly named in divers places, as
Voegte (Tutor) Portmeister, (Officer of the Port or
Haven), Lanthouder, (that is, Keeper of the Land,)
Kourcher (that is, chosen Lord), and Burgerrnaster (that is,
Master of the Citizens). Under them are the Treasurers
456
THE NETHERLAND COMMONWEALTH
or Receivers in each City, and aswell they as the Scabines,
are chosen by the Commissaries of the Prince. Next are
the Baylies, so called of a French word, as Tutors and
Keepers; and they are diversly called in divers places,
namely Schuldheten, as Judges of debts : and they differ
from the Scabines, in that the Scabines Judge, the Bailies
execute their Judgements and the Princes Edicts; they
have stipend, these are paid out of the Fines; they are
changed after one or two yeeres, these continue long in
Office; lastly, they respect the rights of the people, these
of the Prince. In the Villages they have Officers called
Ammans, who proclaime the Edicts of the Magistrate, and
warne Debters to make payment, and upon longer delay
then is permitted by the Municipall Lawes, sell their goods
at the outcry. They have a supreme Judge of capitall
causes, whom they call Soveraigne Baily, instituted in the
yeere 374, to apprehend murtherers and banished men,
and to put them to death, or otherwise punish them, with
the assistance of two Gentlemen having fees, or being
Feodatory Clients to the Prince. And to this Officer
authority was lately given & confirmed by the Emperor
Charles the fifth, to release banishment, and for theeves
and manslayers by chance, or upon their owne defence,
and like offenders, upon satisfaction made to the next
Kinsman of the man-killer, and to him that was robbed:
not onely to give them safe conduct to passe for forty
dales, but also to pardon their crimes, so as the Mulcts
or Fines be gathered for the Prince, not to his behoofe;
and the Counsell of Flanders approve the confessions of
the offender to be true. But in case the Magistrate of
the place where the offender dwelt, require him to be there
tried, it cannot be withstood. And this Office is of such
dignity, as Knights for long time have executed the same.
Many Tributes were of old granted to the Prince, as
perpetuall Tributes of the Fields, of Corne, Oates, Cheese,
and Larde ; which things for foode, have long time beene
redeemed with money, the price being yeerely set diversly
by the Counsell of accounts seated at Lile. And no
457
[IlI.iv.z83.]
wealth of the
united
Pro,inces,
protected by
the Queene of
England.
FYNES MORYSON'S ITINERARY
doubt through troubles and civill warres, from the begin-
ning to this day, all like burthens are greatly increased
both in number and measure, which may more easily bee
conjectured, by that which shal be said of this subject, in
the discourse of the united Provinces.
Flanders is most ruled by municipall Lawes and
customes of Townes and Cities, and for want of them by
the Civill Lawes. The Lawes of Flanders forbid any man
to give in Legacies by his last Will and Testament, more
then the thirds of his goods, (wherein are comprehended
Lands in Fee); or that any stranger should beare the
office of Magistracy: yet strangers may there inherite
their Kinsmens goods, contrary to the custome of France,
England, and Scotland, where the Kings have the goods of
all strangers dying intestate, and having there no children.
In Flanders no man is deprived of his mothers inheritance
for bastardy, no not the children of a noble woman being
a concubine, except some municipall Statute made by the
Princes, doe in some places prejudice them. The Citizens
of Curtrac about the yeere 557, and those of Ghant some
sixe yeeres after, have excluded those who are borne in
adultery or incest from their mothers inheritance : but the
provinciall Counsell of Flanders in the yeere I532 , gave
sentence, that a Bastard should succeed in the fee of his
mother, with priviledge of age and sex, even where the
Parents leave Children lawfully begotten.
I returne to the foresaid Provinces, which I said to be
united in mutuall league for their defence against the
Spaniards. The said Provinces, at the first breaking out
of the civill warre, when Antwerp was besieged, humbly
and instantly besought Elizabeth Qeene of England, to
undertake their patronage and defence, and to encourage
and give her more power, offered her the Soveraignety of
those Provinces; but the most wise Qeene with grave
counsell, and for weighty reasons, refused to take them for
Subjects. Perhaps (among other reasons of greater
weight) fearing lest undertaking that warre as Qeene of
the Provinces, most part of the burthen thereof should
458
THE NETHERLAID COMMONVEALTH
fall upon her English subjects, thinking it probable, that
the Netherlanders, being a people which had often taken
Armes against their Prince, of all other things least bearing
new taxes and impositions, (which they professed, next the
persecution for Religion, to be the chiefe cause of this
warre), would alwaies be apt to stir up sedition when her
Majesty as their Prince should impose but half the
tributes & customes, which themselves by general consent,
& for love of liberty have imposed & born with incredible
patience, during this warre. And howsoever her Majesty
desired their liberty should be preserved, yet the peace
betweene England and Spaine, howsoever shaken by many
injuries on both sides, provoking desire of revenge, not-
withstanding was not yet fully broken. And it seemes
probable to me (not knowing those counsels but by con-
jecture), that her Majesty being a woman, the King of
Spaine being powerfull, and some of her Subjects being
alienated from her for the reformation of Religion,
thought it more wisdome to suffer warre for her just
defence, then her selfe openly to beginne the same: yet
would shee not altogether neglect the afflicted people of
those Provinces, but resolved with the States thereof, that
they should make Count Maurice sonne to the Prince of
Orange, Generall of their Army, governing their owne
affaires, and her Majesty should professe the defence of
that afflicted people, with whom England alwaies had strict
league of trade and amity, till meanes might be used for
restoring them to the King of Spaines favour. Where-
upon at the instant suite of the States, the tenth of August
in the yeere 585, her Majesty granted them an aide of
five thousand Foot, and a thousand Horse, to whom her
Majesty was to give pay during the warre, yet so as the
Provinces were bound to make restitution of all her
expences, when the warre should be composed; and for
pledge of performance, should give into her Majesties
hands the Towne of Vlishing in Zealand, with the adjoin-
ing Castle of Rammekins, to be kept with a Garrison of
seaven hundred English foote, and the Towne of Brill
459
I605-I 7.
[llI.iv. z84. ]
FYNES MORYSON'S ITINERARY
with some adjoining Forts, to be kept with a Garrison of
45c) English Foot, the said Provinces being bound (as I
said) to make reall satisfaction to her Majesty at the end
of the warre, for all expences, aswel of the said Forces, as
of these Garrisons, which amounted yeerly to the summe
of one hundred twenty six thousand pounds sterling. And
her Majesty (or the safety of her neighbours bore this
intollerable burthen, till the yeere 1594, at which time Sir
Thomas Bodley Knight, her Maiesties Ambassadour for
those Provinces, by a new transaction diminished those
great expences, the wealth of those Provinces being then
much increased, aswell by the concourse of Merchants
leaving desolate Flanders to dwell in that flourishing State,
as because they had brought many Countries by right of
warre to yeeld them contributions, namely, all the Sea
Coast of Brabant, some part of Flanders, with the Countries
vulgarly called, Ommelands, Drent, Twent, Linghen,
Limbrough, and Walkenbrough, and had greatly increased
their tributes, aswel in Holland, Zeland, Freesland, and
Utrecht, as in Guelderland, Zutphan, I)landt over Ysell,
and lastly, had taken many strong Townes of no small
moment, namely, I)eventer, Zutphan, Nimmenghen, Ston-
wicke, Bredaw, Hulst, Steneberg, and Groninghen. The
state of those Provinces being (as I said) thus increased,
and her Majesty being (orced for many yeeres to keepe
a strong army at home, to subdue the Irish Rebels, her
Majesties Ambassadour at the (oresaid time made a new
transaction with the States, for diminishing the charge of
the English Forces serving them. And this helpe so long
given by her Majesty to the united Provinces, cannot
seeme of smal moment: For howsoever the Q.een did
not alwaies keepe the full number of the said Forces, and
sometimes called home, or cashiered part of them, yet shee
did alwaies maintaine the greatest part, decreasing or
increasing the same according to the necessity of the
present affaires, and imploied the Forces called home,
onely in voiages by Sea, profitable aswell to the united
Provinces, as to England, and that for a short time of
460
wealths of
particular
Cities.
FYNES MORYSON'S ITINERARY
any other; but the wheele of the publike State is turned
by the Senate of the generall States residing at Hage, yet
so, as they doe not take upon them to determine difficult
matters, without some diffidence, till they have the consent
of their particular Cities and Provinces, except they be
made confident by the concurring of eminent men, who
can draw or leade the people to approve of their doings,
or in such cases as by long practice they fully know not
unpleasing to the people. So wary are they, notwith-
standing the Provinciall States from their Communities,
and the generall States at Hage from them, have most
ample power and absolute commission, in expresse words,
to doe any thing they judge profitable for the Common-
wealth. And it is a remarkeable thing, to observe their
Art, when in difficult cases they desire to protract time, or
delude Agents, how the generall States answere, that they
must first consult with the provinciall States, and
they againe answere, that they must first know the
pleasure of their Communities, before they can deter-
mine, and each of them hath nothing, more in his
mouth, then the consent of his superlours, (for so
they call them). Whereas if businesse were so to be
dispatched, no doubt great difficulty would arise in all
particular actions. In the Senate of the generall States,
besides the States themselves, Count Maurice hath (as I
thinke) a double voice, yet I never observed him to be
present at their assemblies. The Ambassadour of England
hath likewise his voice, and Count Solms (as I heard)
because he married the widdow of Count Egmond, and
for his good deserts in the service of the united Provinces,
hath for himselfe and his heires the like priviledge. Thus
the Commonwealth in generall is Aristocraticall, (that is,
of the best Men), save that the people chuseth the great
Senate, which rules all.
Touching the Commonwealths of particular Cities.
Amsterdam is the chiefe City of Holland, where the great
Senate consists of thirty sixe chiefe Citizens, whereof one
dying, another is chosen into his place; and this Senate
462
OF THE NETHERLAND TRIBUTES
yeerely chuseth foure Consuls, who judge civill causes;
and have power to appoint ten Judges of criminall causes
(vulgarly called Skout), though they be not of that Senate.
The other Cities are in like sort governed, but according
to the greatnesse of the City or Towne, they have greater
or lesser number of Senators.
The Tributes, Taxes, and Customes, of all kinds
imposed by mutuall consent, (so great is the love of liberty
or freedome) are very burthensome, and they willingly
beare them, though for much lesse exactions imposed by
the King of Spaine (as they hold) contrary to right, and
without consent of his Subjects, they had the boldnesse
to make warre against a Prince of such great power. Yet
in respect of the unequal proportioning of all contribu-
tions, they are somewhat at ods among themselves, & many
times jarre, so as it seemed no difficult thing to breake
their concord, had not the common Enemy & the eminent
danger of Spanish revenge, together with the sweetnesse
of freedome once tasted, forced them to constant unity.
This I dare say, that when they humbly offered them-
selves vassals to the Qeene of England, in the first infancy
of their Common-wealth, if her Majesty, or any other
Prince whosoever, undertaking their protection, had
burthened them with halle the exactions they now beare,
it is more then probable, that they would thereby have
beene so exasperated, as they would have beene more ready
to have returned under the obedience of the King of
Spaine, whose anger they had highly provoked, then to
endure the yoke of such a Protector : For each Tunne of
Beere (which they largely swallow), they pay into the
Exchequer sixe Flemmish shillings (each shilling being
sixe stivers), I meane of Beere sold abroad, for they pay
onely foure shillings for such Beere, as men brew for the
use of their private families, which frugality few or none
use, except perhaps some brew small Beere for their
Families, and indeed I doubt they would find small
frugality in brewing other Beere for themselves, if the
Cellar lay open to their servants. And howsoever the
463
[Ill.iv. 286.]
FYNES MORYSON'S ITINERARY
Tunnes be of divers prices, according to the goodnesse.of
the Beere, namely of two, three, route, five, or slxe
Guldens, the Tunne (though at Leyden onely the Brewers
may not sell Beere of divers prices, for feare of fraud in
mixing them), yet there is no difference of the Tribute.
They have excellent fat pastures, whereof each Aker is
worth forty pound, or more to be purchased, and they
pay tribute for every head of cattle feeding therein, as two
stivers weekely for each Cow for the Paile, the great
number whereof may be conjectured, by the plenty of
cheese exported out of Holland, and the infinite quantity
of cheese and butter they spend at home, being the most
common food of all the people: For Oxen, Horses,
Sheepe, and other Beasts sold in market, the twelfth part at
least of the price is paid for tribute, and be they never so
often by the yeere sold to and fro, the new Masters still
pay as much. They pay five stivers for every bushel of
their owne wheate, which they use to grind in publike
Mils: And since they give tribute of halfe in halfe for
foode and most necessary things, commonly paying as
much for tribute as the price of the thing sold, the imposi-
tion must needs be thought greater, laid upon forraigne
commodities, serving for pleasure, pride, and luxury:
besides that, these tributes are ordinary, and no doubt
upon any necessity of the Commonwealth, would be
increased. French wines at Middleburg the Staple
thereof, and Rhenish wines at Dort the Staple thereof, are
sold by priviledge without any imposition, but in all other
places men pay as much for the Impost, as for the wine:
Onely in the Campe all things for food are sold without
any imposition laid upon them: And some, but very few
eminent men, have the priviledge to pay no imposition
for like things of food. Each Student in the Universitie,
hath eighty measures of wine (vulgarly called Stoup)
allowed him free from imposition, and for six barrels of
Beere, onely payes one Gulden and a quarter, that is, two
shillings six pence English, being altogether free from all
other tributes, which priviledge the Citizens enjoy in the
464
I6o5-7.
FYNES MORYSON'S ITINERARY
Armes of the sea within land, passing by their cities, the
innumerable waters (though for the most part standing, or
little moving), which by made ditches carry boats and
barkes to all their Cities, (being there more frequent then
in any other part of the World), and to all their Villages,
and compasse almost all their pastures, yeeld no small
commodity to their Common-wealth. For they having
little of their owne to export, and wanting Corne, Wood,
or Coales, and many necessaries for their use, yet by this
onely benefit, and their singular industry, not only most
abundantly injoy all commodities of all Nations for their
owne use, but by transporting them from place to place
with their owne ships (whereof they have an unspeakable
number), make very great gaine, being delighted in
Navigation by nature (as borne and bred in the midst
of Seas and waters), and having by warre, heating their
Flegmaticke humours, attained to such skill therein, as for
trafficke they saile to the most remote coasts of the world,
and in processe of time being growne so bold sea-men,
as they will scarcely yeeld in this Art, to the English for
many former yeeres excelling therein. So as their tributes
imposed on Merchants commodities, must needs be of
exceeding great moment.
And not to weary nay selfe with the curious search
thereof, I will onely adde for conjecture of the generall,
one particular related to me by credible men. That in
time when Italy suffered dearth, and was supplied with
corne from these parts, the tributes of one Citie Amster-
dam, in one weeke, exceeded the summe of ten thousand
pounds sterling, whence the revenew of all tributes in
all the Havens and Cities, may bee conjectured to be
excessively great. So as adding the impositions upon
domesticall things, and the great contributions paid by the
enemies subjects upon the confines in time ot warre (to
purchase the safety of their persons and goods, with free-
dome to till their grounds from the rapine of freybooting
souldiers), a man may well say, that the united Provinces are
no lesse able, then they have been daring, to doe great things.
466
OF THE LAWS OF THE NETHERLANDS
This Common-wealth is governed by particular lawes
and customes of divers places, and by the publike edicts
upon divers new occasions made by the States of the
Provinces, and these wanting, by the Civill law. The
particular Cities are governed after the manner above
named. And particularly at Leyden, my selfe have
observed the inhabitants of Villages, called by writings set
upon posts in the publike streets, to have their contro-
versies judged by the Magistrates of the city, not at any
set time of the yeere, but according to the occasions of
other affaires, at the Judges pleasure. High injuries and
maimes of any member, are punished by the law, which
passeth over lighter injuries, not giving such ample satis-
factions to the wronged even by word, as the constitutions
of the Sweitzers give; so as with them no lesse then in
England, quarrels and brawlings are frequent, and often
breake out into man-slaughters, wherein those who will
revenge themselves by force, first agree betweene them-
selves, whether they will strike or stab ; and then drawing
out long knives, which they ordinarily weare, they wound
one another by course, according to their agreement, either
by slashes or stabs (which they call schneiden and stecken.)
They commonly allow mony to be put out to use, and to
the end poore men upon pawnes may borrow small summes
for a short time, they admit an Italian or Lumbard
(vulgarly so called) in each Citie, who taking a pawne,
lends a gulden for a brasse coine called a doigt by the
weeke. But this Lumbard in the French Church
there, is not admitted to receive the Communion.
The pawne useth to bee worth a third part more then
the mony lent, and one yeer & a day being past after
the mony is due, the usurer hath the pawne to himselfe :
but before that time, the debter at his pleasure may at any
time have his pawne, first paying the borowed mony, with
the use to the day of paiment. And the common report
then was, that the States would take this as a publike
Office into their owne hands, to help the poore not able
to pay, by selling the pawnes to the owners best profit.
467
I605- 7.
The Lawes.
[III. iv. z88.]
OF THE NETHERLAND WOMEN
by authority, but onely for the defence of the City or
Towne wherein they dwell: except these reasons thereof
may bee approved, that the watery Provinces breed
flegmaticke humors, which together with the mens
excessive drinking, may disable them to beget Males; or
that the Women (as I have heard some Hollanders con-
fesse) not easily finding a Husband, in respect of this
disparity of the Sexes in number, commonly live
unmarried till they be thirty yeeres old, and as commonly
take Husbands of twenty yeeres age, which must needs
make the Women more powerfull in generation. And the
Women not onely take young Men to their Husbands,
but those also which are most simple and tractable: so
as by the foresaid priviledge of Wives to dispose goods
by their last will, and by the contracts in respect of their
Dowry, (which to the same end use to be warily drawne,)
they keepe their Husbands in a kind of awe, and almost
alone, without their Husbands intermedling, not onely
keepe their shops at home, but exercise trafficke abroade.
My selfe have heard a Wife make answere to one asking
for her Husband, that he was not at home, but had newly
asked her leave to goe abroade. Nothing is more fre-
quent, then for little girles to insult over their brothers
much bigger then they, reproving their doings, and call-
ing them great lubbers, whereof when I talked with some
Schollers my companions, as a fashion seeming strange to
mee, they were so farre from wondering thereat, as they
told me, it was a common thing for Wives to drive their
Husbands and their friends out of the doores with scolding,
as if they consumed the goods wherein they had a property
with their Husbands. I should be too credulous, if I
should thinke all Families to be sicke of this disease; and
I must confesse, that in few other Nations all Families are
altogether free from like accidents : but I may boldly say,
that the Women of these parts, are above all other truly
taxed with this unnatural dominering over their Husbands.
The Nobility or Gentry hath long been rooted out by
the people (as Junius witnesseth, and experience shewes)
469
[III.iv.z89. ]
OF THE NETHERLAND JUDGEMENTS
in the same coffin with the man he killed; and if perhaps
he cannot bee apprehended, but escape into some forraigne
parts, he may perhaps, but very rarely, obtaine pardon, if
he can first bee reconciled with the friends of the man
shine by him : but in case he be apprehended, they cannot,
or at least use not, to scandall Justice by pardons. But
wilfull murtherers, according to the circumstances of the
person killed, or of the more or lesse wicked manner of
the act, are put to death with more or lesse torment, and
hang in iron chaines till the bodies rot, for terror to others.
Coiners of money have their bones broken upon the
wheele, a death more usuall in Germany for hainous
crimes: but in all torments they commonly mitigate the
severity of the Law, more then the Germans doe; for
I have seene some executed in this manner, who were
first hanged, and so had no feeling of the paine. Hee
that burnes private (and much more publike) houses, and
bee that purposeth or threatneth to burne them, though
hee never doe the act, is himselfe burned by tier, with a
marke upon his head if the act were done ; upon his breast
if it were onely purposed ; or upon his mouth, if it were
onely threatned. An offender escaped by flight, howso-
ever hee live long in forraine parts, yet if hee ever returne,
bee the distance of time never so great, he escapeth not
unpunished. My selfe have seene a man-slayer, who
having lived six yeeres in forraigne parts, and then for
love of his Country returning home, was then beheaded,
as if the crime had been newly committed. No man will
apprehend any malefactor, nor hinder his flight, but rather
thinke it a point of humanity to helpe him, only the
hangman and base fellowes appointed for that office, lay
hold upon capitall offenders, so as very many escape by
flight. Neither can any so base or poore man be found,
excepting the hangman and his said companions, who for
any reward will bee hired to do the Office of an execu-
tioner, both these actions being infamous here, as in
Germany. Among the apprehenders, the chiefe are called
Provosts, and they of old had power to hang vagabonds,
471
AoDo
I6O5-I 7.
Jill.iv. 9o.]
Of their
warfare in
generall.
FYNES MORYSON'S ITINERARY
till abusing it to revenge and rapine, it was taken from
them. Upon the rumour of any crime committed, these
men with their servants armed, are sent out into the
country, to apprehend the malefactors.
It was credibly told me, that the Emperor Charles the
fifth, having suddenly commanded a man to be hanged,
who after, by an others confession of the fact, was found
guiltles, upon this error made a decree, that no hangman
should ever live at the Hage, or neerer the court then
Harlam, to the end, he being not at hand, the Magistrate
might lesse offend in deliberate or protracted judgments.
For as in upper Germany, so in Netherland, there is litle
or no distance of time, betweene the offence committed,
and the execution of judgment; whereas in England,
these judgments are exercised at London once in six weeks,
& for the Country, at two or foure set times in the yeere.
No man is put to death without confession of the fact,
neither doe they as in Germany, force confession by
torture, but they condemne upon one withes, where
probable conjectures concur to prove the malefactor
guilty.
I thinke (saving the judgment of the better experienced
in these affaires) that the military discipline of the States
Army is very commendable: For since those cornmon-
wealthes are most happy, where rewardes and punishments
are most justly given, surely the States neither detaine nor
delay the paiments due to the soldiers, nor leave un-
punished their insolencies, nor yet their wanton injuries,
either towardes the subjects, or the Enemy yeelding upon
conditions. In the camp all things for food are free from
all impositions, so as a man may there live more plentifully
or more frugally then in any of their Cities. And besides
the soldiers pay duly given them, all sick & wounded
persons are sent to their Hospitals, vulgarly called Gast-
hausen (that is, houses for Guests) where all things for
health, food, and clenlines of the body, are phisically,
plentifully, and neately ministred to them ; of which kinde
of houses fairely & stately built, they have one in each
47
6o5-7.
Of their
navall power.
[llI. iv. z9. ]
FYNES MORYSON'S ITINERARY
use of Horse, which makes them commonly sell these
Horses in forraigne parts, using onely Mares to draw their
Waggons and for other services of peace, which Mares
are very beautifull and good.
The Inhabitants of these Provinces, by nature, educa-
tion, and art, are most fit for Navigation; & as in the
exercise of all Arts, they are no lesse witty then
industrious, so particularly they have great skill in casting
great Ordinance, in making gunpowder, cables, ankers,
and in building ships, of all which things and whatsoever
is necessary to navall warre, they have great abundance,
the matter being bought in forraigne parts, but wrought
by their owne men at home: So as they are most power-
full at Sea, neither hath any King a Navy superior or
equall to theirs, excepting onely the King of England.
And for conjecture of their generall power at Sea, I will
be bold to adde what I have credibly heard: That one
City of Amsterdam at this time had some hundred shippes
for the warre, (or men of warre), and some foure hundred
ships of Merchants well armed for defence, besides (as
they said) some ten thousand Barkes, or without all doubt
an uncredible number.
Therefore if perhaps the united Provinces forgetting
their old league with England, and our late merit in
defending their liberty, shall at any time resolve to have
warre with England, (which for the good of both Nations
God forbid), then are such bloody fights at Sea like to
happen as former Ages never knew. Yet the course of
those times whereof I write, gave small probability of any
such event like to happen, fbr many reasons combining
our minds together. First the happy amity that hath
beene time out of mind betweene our Nations. Next the
bond of love on our part, towards those wee have pre-
served from bondage, and the like bond of their thanke-
fulnesse towards us, which howsoever ambition may
neglect or despise, yet never any Nation was more obliged
to another in that kind, and so long as the memory
thereof can live, it must needs quench all malice betweene
474
OF THE NETHERLAND WARFARE
us. Besides, that they being not able to raise an Army
of their owne men by Land, aswell for want of men, as
because it must consist altogether of voluntaries, no man
being bound to serve in the warre, except his Towne be
besieged, and his owne Magistrate leade him to the walles ;
they have hitherto happily used, and may ever so use,
our men for souldiers, (wherein Britany aboundeth above
all other Nations, neither doe they by much so esteeme
the auxiliary bands of any other Nation as of ours).
Lastly, in that they wanting many necessaries of their
owne, and yet abounding in all things by trafficke, cannot
long subsist without the freedome thereof; and nothing
is so powerfull to diminish their wealth, and to raise civill
discords among them, as the barring of this freedome,
which then seemed more easie or lesse difficult to the King
of England, then to any other neighbour Prince, or (I will
boldly say) to all other neighbour Princes joined together
against them, (they having strength of their owne to
maintaine that freedome by Sea, and being able with the
onely support of Britany, to defend themselves by land
against all other Enemies). For they had onely three
passages to Sea, one by Vlishing in Zeland, another by
Brill, upon the South-west Coast of Holland, and a third
narrow passage by the Iland Fly, to the Tassell, on the
North-east side of Holland, whereof the two first were
guarded by the said two strong Cities, with the Forts
belonging to them, all kept by Garrisons of English
Souldiers, and the stopping or restraining of the third,
seemed lesse difficult to the Navy of Britany, then to the
power of any other Enemy. At this time when I passed
through these parts (of which time I write) the united
Provinces much complained of the English for taking
their goods at Sea, & hindering their free traffick : wherein
they should have considered, that they caused the warre
with Spaine, which we bore onely to second them. And
if our Merchants were forced to leave the trafficke of
Spaine, where they had great freedome and amitie onely
for their sakes, how could they thinke it just and equal,
475
I6O5-t 7.
[III.iv. 292. ]
FYNES MORYSON'S ITINERARY
that they should freelie supplie Spaine with food and
necessaries for warre? so as the very commodities of
England could not then be vented into Spaine, but onely
by Flemmish (and some few Scottish) ships and Martinets,
except they desired to make the warre Eternal_l, by which
they onely grew rich, in which case our project was more
just, who for a time made war, that we might after live
in peace. And whereas they then complained that not
only prohibited wares carried to prohibited places, but also
other their commodities carried to friends, were spoiled
by our men of war, (which perhaps through the insolency
of Captaines and Souldiers, might sometimes happen) ; no
doubt these injuries were rare, and never borne with by
the Q.geene or inferiour Magistrates; and they could not
bee ignorant how hardly the insolency of Souldiers can be
restrained by land, & much more by sea. For all good
Englishmen I may professe; that they abstaining from
prohibited traffick, no good Englishmen wished .go.od
successe or impunity to any English ships exercising
piracy, especially against so neare confederates. These
complaints I well remember to have been at that time
frequent in those parts, I know not how since appeased or
continuing. And because the Q. of England had dis-
bursed much treasure for their safety, which they were
bound to repay at the end of the warre, and threatned to
deduct these spoiles out of the same, many then feared,
lest this difference might in processe of time breed discord
between England and those Provinces. Also because the
Townes and Forts given to the Q.geene as pledges for
money disbursed, were then kept with weake Garrisons,
over-topped in number by the very Citizens, it was then
thought, that the States might take them by force, if our
Governours had not watchfull eye upon their dessignes,
and changes of counsell. In generall, good men on both
sides are to wish the continuance of Peace betweene
England and these Provinces, by which both Common-
wealths have long had, and may still have unspeakable
benefit, and that the rather, because we never yet had
476
OF THE NETHERLAND VARFARE
warre but perpetual amity together, neither can any war
prove more bloudy or mischievous to either part, then that
betweene our selves. To conclude, happie be the makers,
cursed the breakers of our peace.
FINIS.
ERRATA
white, p. 5, 1. 36, r. marto, p. 64,1.4, r. for the. P-74,1. 7, r-
Vindelicia. p. 8o, 1. 7, r. they buy, and 1. 35, r. pay them, and 1. 53,
r. linnen clothes, p. 85, 1. 54, r. sip one. p. 88, |. I4, r. meate if it be.
p. 9 I, 1. Io, r. hath these, p. o5, 1. 4-7, r. Spoleto, and 1. 5o, r.
Lavoro. p. o, 1. 3, r. of Isthmus, or neck of land. p. i4 , 1. I7, r.
exporting, p. 149, 1. 35, r. taske me. p. 58, 1. 3, r. Shannon.
x56, 1. 43, r. humiditie, p. 6o, 1. 55, r. large Havens. p. 6, 1.4 ,
r. for part. p. 164, 1. , r. Cowes. p. 68, 1. 48, r. Noblewomen.
p. I7O, |- -}-5, r. trouses, and 1. 49, r. collers, p. I77, 1. 4 z, r. broad.
p. 78, 1. , r. stuffes. P- 79,1. iz, r. Likeis. p. 81,1.47, r. in
France. p. 84, 1. 5, r. borne the. P. 93, 1. 9, r. Dietaes, and 1.
r. Dietaes. P. 97, 1. , r. Schwaben. p. I98 , 1. 5, r. French at. p.
99, 1. 53, r. consisting, p. o, I. 3, r. of sixteene, p. o8, 1. 45,
r. Coiners. P. 3, 1. 37, r. das. p. 4 o, I. 47, are chosen the. p. 4,
1. , r. sixe Plebeans. P- 44, 1. 4, r. this Senate.
INDEX
464; at Kinsale (I6OI) III.
(Sergeant-Major) his skirmish with
the Spaniards, 51 ; death of (16o2)
i78; Sir John, governor of Con-
naught 0600) 11. 348; and Tyrrel's
men (i6oi) 412; his victory over
rebels, 4x2; commander in the
North, 445-
Barkshire, see Berkshire.
Barnewell, Sir Patricke (i6oo)
328.
Barton, Edvard, English ambassa-
dor at Constantinople (1597) n. 91 ;
his kindness to Fynes Moryson,
IOI,
Barxvick, see Berxvick.
Basle (Basel, Bazell, Bazil), Fynes
Moryson at, his journey from
Schaffhausen to (592) I. 51; de-
scription of, 56; etymolqgy of, 57;
university at, 58; death of Eras-
mus at (153I) lol ; Fynes Moryson
at (595) 394; Canton of, iv. 386,
4o ; government of, 432 ; division
in tribes, 433 ; courts of justice, 435-
Bastile, built in i369, in Paris,
L 407 .
Bathe, Tyrone's agent, sent to Scot-
land (I6ol) lI. 462.
Baths, at Baden, I. 54; near Naples,
243; Caracalla's, Rome, 285
Diocletian's, 293; of Julian the
Apostate in Paris, 42.
Bavaria, former name of, Iv. 8.
Bavaria, family of the Dukes of,
Iv. 349; pedigree of, 350-353 .
Bedfordshire, description of, iv. 149.
Beds in Scotland, IV. 184.; in Ire-
land, i98 , 202.
Beer, trade of, in Germany, iv. 21,
40; English, 62; in Ireland, 2oo;
tax on, in Saxony, 346; tax on, in
Netherlands, 463.
Beere haven, see Berehaven.
Beggars, few, in Germany, iv. 3o3.
Bellarmine, Cardinal, Fynes Mory-
son and (1594) L 3o3, m. 413 .
Bell, of the Cathedral of Paris, i.
414 .
Bembus, and Dante's epitaph, I. 207 ;
epitaph by, 24i.
Berehaven, given over to the Eng-
lish (16o0 III. IO4; fort built at
by the Spanish, I13; taken by Sir
George Carew (16o2) 188, 193.
Bergamo, description of, I. 381.
Bergen-op-Zoon, description of (5q3)
I. o 3.
Berkshire, description of, iv. I46.
Berne, description of, I. 391 ; Canton
of, iv. 386, 4Ol; government of,
427; courts of judgment at, 429 .
Berry, Sir Benjamin, at Carlingford
(16OO) lI. 34o; sent to Cork (I6OI)
464; Mountjoy's lieutenant (6o2)
IlL I67.
Berwick, Fynes Moryson at (1598)
II. 116.
Bethany, Fynes Moryson at, m 15.
Bethlehem, monastery of, n. 20, 2i.
Bethphage, historical interest of,
II. 18.
Beza, Theodore, Fynes Moryson's
meeting with 05%) I. 390.
Bible written by Esdras, kept at
Bologna (1594) I. 202.
Bienna town, league of, Iv. 388;
government of, 44o.
Billingarry, Castle of (I6O3) Ill. 312.
Billings, Captain, at Carlingford
(I6OO) II. 34 o.
Bills due to soldiers, the nev coin
and (16o2) III. 228; abuses of the,
24o.
Bills of exchange, II. I27.
Bingham, Sir Richard, governor of
Connaught (1589) Ii. 8I; return
home of (I596) 2OI; as Marshall
of Ireland (1598) 2i 7 .
Bingley, Captain Ralph (1598) Ii.
218.
Bishop, Boleslaus, King of Poland,
and the, i. 144.
Bishoprics on the Rhine, In. 453-
483
FYNES MORYSON'S ITINERARY
Canary Islands, IV. I I 9.
Candia, Fynes Moryson at (1596) 1.
457; II. 72; description of, 79;
fertility of, 83; Venetian money
used at, i59.
Canterbury, Archbishop of, and Lord
Essex's trial (I6OO) II. 3II.
Cantyre, in Scotland, IV. 179.
Cantons, of Switzerland, IV. 385,
4oi ; situations of the, 4Ol; cities
of the, 441.
Capitol, in Rome, I. 297; statues
in, 298.
Capitolinus, Mount, description of,
I. 267.
Cappadocia, description of, IV. io8.
Caravan, description of a, II. 53.
Carbery, revolt of (16o2) m. 286;
Florence MacCarty and Captain
Flower at (16oo) I. 36i.
Cardiganshire, description of,
156.
Cardinal, title given by churches in
Rome, I. 283 ft.
Carew (Carey), Sir Gorge, Earl of
Totnes, Lord President of Munster
(i599) H. 280; treachery plotted
against (16oo) 3o0; at Waterford,
360; Mountjoy's letter to
427; letter from the Queen to
(16ol) 449; his portrait, m. I88;
and MacDermott's escape and sub-
mission (16o2) 223 ; going to Eng-
land, 272, 28o, 289; treasurer at
wars in Ireland (I6o3) 31o; Lord
Deputy in Mountjoy's absence, 335-
Carickfergus, Sir Arthur Chichester,
governor of (16oo) II. 307, 326;
forces sent to (i6oi) 431; officers
left at (6oi) hi. iI; forces at
(I602) I50 ; foot at (16o3) 340-
Carinthia, wens common in, i. I44;
description of, iv. 7-
Carlingford, fight at (i6oo) n. 339-
Carlow, Mountjoy at 06o0 lI. 448;
county of, iv. I87.
Carrara quarries, I. 354.
Cashel, religious troubles at (i6o3)
iiI. 334-
Cashiering of soldiers, danger of
(6o2) m. 258.
Castle, meaning of the word in
Italy, I. 205.
Castle Haven, Spanish ships sent to
(I6o0 m. 55; Spanish ships sunk
at, 58; O'Donnell at, 61 ; given
over to the English, Io4; occupied
by Captain Harry, i25.
Castles or forts in Turkey, IL 97;
names of, Io5.
Catacombs, I. 278.
Catnesse, see Caithness.
Cat of the Mountain, scented, I. 321.
Cats, hunters of serpents at Cyprus,
I. 460.
Catterlogh, see Carlow.
Cattle, in Netherlands, IV. 54; in
Italy, 83 ; in Syria, I21 ; in France,
136; in England, i68.
Cavallo Monte, description of, [. 292.
Cave-dwellers, iv. i18.
Cave of the Dog, poisonous grotto
near Naples, I. 242.
Cavan county, IV. i9o.
Cecil, Sir Robert, Queen's secretary
(I6OI) II. 412; Mountjoy's letter
to, 423, 429, 442 , 454, 459, 462;
Spanish news sent to Mountjoy
by, m. 27; his letter to Mountjoy
(I6o2) i72, 189; philosophy of,
I91 ; his letter to Mountoy, 2o2.
Cedron, Brook, description of the,
II. I2.
Celius, Mount, description of, L 268.
Cephalonia Island, Fynes Moryson
at (I596) I. 455-
Chairs, used instead of vehicles in
Naples 0594) L 239; in Genoa, 36o.
Chair of the Oneales, stone, broken
by Mountjoy 06o2) m. 205.
Chalcedon, Council of, IV. lO8.
Chaldea, province of Asia, xv. i13.
Chalons, Fynes Moryson at 0595)
I. 4oo; description of, 4oi.
486
INDEX
history of the building of, 97;
moneys used at, i6I.
Consuls, election of, in Switzerland,
Iv. 437-
Contarini family, inscription con-
cerning the, I. 145.
Contreres, Juan Hortesse del, taken
prisoner at Kinsale (16o0 In. 17.
Conway, Captain Foulke (i598) m
218.
Cooke, Richard, Mountjoy's envoy
to Court 06o3) IlL 3IO.
Copenhagen, Fynes Moryson at
(I593) I. I2I.
Corfu Island, Fvnes Moryson near
(I596) I. 455; strength and fertility
of, II. IIO.
Cork, Kingdom of, Henry l I. and
(169) n. i66; forces gathered
at (160I) 464 ; necessity of
strengthening, ili. i36 ; troubles
in (I6O3) 313; religious troubles
in, 316, 326; Mountjoy's letter to
the Mayor of, 318, 325, 327;
letter from the Mayor of, 323;
Mountjoy at (I6O3) 332; foot in
(I6O3) 339; county of, IV. I86.
Cormock, Tyrone's nephew, taken
prisoner 06oo) H. 349; sent to
Dublin (16oI) 379; character of,
38I.
Cornari, Anthony, epitaph of, at
Venice, . 175.
Cornaro, Ii, Island, dangers of, m
II2.
Cornwall, description of, IV. I43;
tin mines of, 164 .
Coronation, Day of the, of Queen
Elizabeth (i6ol) Ill. 38; ceremonies
of the, in Austria, iv. 26o.
Costi, sect of the, at Jerusalem, H.
32 .
Costnetz (Constance), John Hus's
death at (i414) I. 48; Jerom de
Prage's death at, 49.
Cotton, quality of, in Tripoli, It. 5 I.
Council of Trent, see Trent.
Council of Flanders, governing
body, Iv. 454-
Courcy, John de, rebellion of (I2O4)
. 67.
Courts, Four, in Irelnnd (598)
22 s.
Cows, Irish,
Cracow, description of (593) I. I30.
Cranmer, George, Mountjoy's secre-
tary, killed (t6oo) ii. 34 i, 344-
Crawfield, Captain (i6o2) m. 66.
Creditors, and the laws of inheri-
tance, in Germany, v. 315 .
Cremera brook, I. 3o5.
Crcmona, Fyncs Moryson at (594)
. 368.
Crete, see Candia.
('romarty (Cromer), v. o.
Crossing the English Channel, cost
of (5o5) L 422.
Cross of Christ, made of the ood
of the bridge of Cedron, 1I. 12;
made from a tree, 24 .
Crown of feathers, sent to Tyrone by
the Pope (i599) I1. 259.
Cruelty, of northern and southern
people, m. 429 .
Cumn, antiquity of, I. 255.
Cumrlnnd, Lord, and Lord Essex's
trial (16oo) II. 3Ix ; spch of, 323 .
Cumberland, description of, IV. I6O.
Curiosity, danger of, while travel-
ling, IIL 400.
Currant trade, in Cephalonia, I. 456.
Cilicia, situation of, IV. lO 9.
Cypher for use in Ireland (16Ol) II.
389; used by Mountjoy and Sir
Henry Dockwra, 398.
Cyprus, Fynes Moryson at 0596) I.
458; description of, 459; money
used in, II. I59.
Dacia, or Transilvania, description
of, IV. IO 7.
Damascena, in Syria, IV. iii.
Dams, use of, in Holland, L 94-
Denmark, Fynes Moryson's journey
489
INDEX
Dogs, English, iv. 69.
Dolphiny, see Dauphiny.
Donati, Nicolao, Fynes Moryson's
letter to 0596) IX. 76; his letter
to Fynes Moryson, 77-
Donboy (Dunboy), castle of 06o2) m.
i82, x94; surprised by O'Swillivan
Beare, 284; captured by the Eng-
lish, 285 .
Donegal, forces at (16o2) m. I5o;
county, Iv. x9o.
Done, Master (16oo) I. 269, 341.
Dorington, George, English consul
at Aleppo (596) tx. 59.
Dorses, Island of (i6o2) m. 285.
Dorsetshire, description of, xv. x44-
Dort, Fynes Moryson at (I593) x.
Dort, Staple of Rhenish, iv. 464 .
Doves, used as letter-carriers in
Egypt, tx. 52.
Down, county, Iv. I9o.
Down Patrick, taken by Sir R.
Moryson (I6m) IX. 399.
Dowry, laws concerning, in Ger-
many, Iv. 32i ; of a princess, 322.
Drake, Sir Francis, glory of, Iv. 144-
Dresden, description of, . i8; the
four gates of, x9; Fynes Moryson
leaves (I59I) 28; fortified by
Christian, elector of Saxony,
339, 34-
Drinking, habits in Germany,
29 ff', 35, 2o5; in Switzerland,
45; customs in Friesland, 62 ; in
Denmark, 67; in Poland, 73; of
Turkey, 129 ; in England, I76; in
Scotland, 185; in Ireland, 97.
Drogheda, Mountjoy at 06o3)
297; Tyrone's submission at, 3o8.
Druids in Anglesey, iv. 6.
Drunkenness punished in Sxvitzer-
land, v. 413 .
Dublin, Essex lands at (x599) IX. 229 ;
Mountjoy returns to (i6oo) 332;
rebels near, 349; headquarters for
army ammunitions, 447; county
Of, IV, I8 7.
49 t
Ducking, punishment for theft in
Germany, v. 298; for mis-
behaviour, 299.
Duels forbidden in Switzerland,
41o.
Dulness, advantages of, m. 423 .
Dunagali, see Donegal.
Dunaiong, English forces at (6o)
Ix. 389.
Dundalk, Sir Richard Moryson, gov-
ernor of 06oo) II. 328; muster of
the English army at, 334-336 ; foot
at (16o2) 11I. I48.
Dungannon (6o) I. 423; Sir. R.
Moryson at (6o2) m. I66.
Dunkellin, Lord, loyalty of (t6oo) .
297; resignation of, 3o.
Dunkirk, pirates of (593) . 15-
Dunsany, Lord of (6o0 II. 437-
Durham, bishopric of, Iv. 59-
Dyngen, see Phillipstowne.
Earthquakes at Basel (346, 356) x.
57; prophesied at Vienna, I4I ; in
Italy (i538) 248.
Edinburgh (Edenborough), descrip-
tion of (1598), m 117; houses of,
III. 497, xv. 177.
Egerton, Captain Charles (I598) n.
218.
Egmond, Earl of, beheaded by the
Duke of Alva, iv. 446-
Egypt, fertility of, i i6.
Election, of Emperors of Germany,
Iv. 255 ; of consuls of Switzerland,
437-
Electors, of Emperors of Germany,
IV. 256, 264 .
Elizabeth, Queen, her picture at
Florence, I. 322; letter to Essex
(t599) tI. 248-253 ; letter to Mount-
joy, a83, 356; proclamation con-
cerning mixed moneys (16oi) 382;
letter to Sir George Carew (i6m)
449; letter to Mountjoy (x6o0 m.
20, I22 ; commendation of Clan-
rickard and Thomond, i24 ; letter
FYNES MORYSON'S ITINERARY
famine in, 208; state of (I6O2)
273 ; state of (I613) 343 ; buildings
of, 498; situation of, Iv. i85;
climate of, I9I ; apparel of, 236.
Iron, crown of, at Milan, L 366.
lschia, I. 256.
Island or city of Paris, description
of, I. 4o3 .
Islands of England, IV. 161; of
Scotland, 8o.
lsola, 1', description of, I. 262.
lstria, description of, Iv. 8o.
Italy, Fynes Moryson's journey to
(I593) i. I37; Fynes Moryson in,
I45 ; moneys of, II. I54, I55 f.
miles of, t62; cities of, proverbial
speeches on, m. 455; different
nations of, 456, 45q ; travelling in,
472; bridges, 487; cities and
houses of, 492; situation of, IV.
74 ; climate of, 8o ; fertility of,
84; wines of, lO2; apparel of,
218.
lvie, Paul, engineer (16oi) m. lO 5.
Jackals (Jagales) at Scanderoon, II.
65.
Jacob, Hans, captain of Freebooters
(592) L 84.
James I., accession of (6o3) I11. 3o2 ;
his proclamation in Dublin, 3o3;
in Ireland, 311.
Janiculus, Mount, description of, I.
269 .
Jealousy of northern people, 1II. 433-
Jehosaphat, meaning of, II. 12.
Jephson, Captain John (i598) . 218,
(1599) 245.
Jerom of Prage, death of, at Con-
stance (1414) I. 49-
Jersey, IV. I64.
Jerusalem, Fynes Moryson starts for
(I595) I. 429; he arrives at (1596)
467 ; description of, I. I-I 5 ; Fynes
Moryson leaves (1596) 47 ; moneys
used at, i6o.
Jews, privileges of, in Mantua (1594)
I. 37I; costume of, in Turkey,
Joachim, Abbot John, I. 7 I.
Joan, Pope (854-856) I. 349.
Job's house and city, H. 54-
John, Laurance, inventor of the first
printing press, x. 96.
John Baptist, cave of, II. 23.
John Baptist, the, Fynes Moryson on
(I596) II. 7 I.
Joppa, description of I. 462, 463.
Jordan, river, n. 7-
Jordane, a warder (I6Ol) II. 400.
Jordanus hill, description of, L 269.
Judea, mountains of, II. 40; descrip-
tion of, IV. I IO.
Judgments, capital, in Germany, v.
287 ; civil, 299 ; in Switzerland,
41 , 429, 434 ; in Netherlands, 47o.
Juliacum, duchy of, description of,
IV. I2.
Justice, example of Roman (1594) I.
334; palace of, in Paris, 415.
Kardiganshire, see Cardiganshire.
Keating, rebel (I6OO) II. 33.
Kells, army at (I602) III. I48.
Kent, description of, IV. 47-
Kerne, Irish, pay of 0598) II. 228.
Kerry, Sir Charles Wilmot, governor
of (6oo) II. 364; and the rebels
(i6o2) ni. 286; castle of, 32I.
Kerry, county of, Iv. I86.
Kildare, county of, v. 87; fertility
of, I88.
Kilkenny, Mountjoy at (I6OI) II. 446;
Council held at (I6OI) lIl. I40 ;
army at (I6o2) I48 ; religious
troubles at (16o3) 313 ; Mountjoy's
letter to the Sovereign of, 317;
county of, IV. 187 ; fertility of,
Kings, first, of Rome, I. 272.
King's County, IV. 187 .
Kingsfeld, monastery of (I592) I. 56.
Kinsale, Spanish fleet landed at
(I601) II. 451; taken by the
Spaniards, 458; siege of (16oi) m.
498
FYNES MORYSON'S ITINERARY
Mac Rory, submission of (16o)
4oo.
Mac Swine Bone, submission of
(16Of) II. 380.
Mac Swine Fannaght, submission of
(I601) lI. 380.
Mac Swinedoe, Owen Oge, submis-
sion of (I6OI) II. 380.
Madagascar, products of, iv. II 9.
Madness of southern people, m. 434 ;
of Italians, 456.
Magdeburg, siege of, i.
Magistrates, names of, in Nether-
lands, IV. 456.
Mahumet II. (I453) iv. 241.
Malta, knights of, iv. 327 .
Man, Isle of, products of, IV. i62;
history of, 62.
Manners, good and bad, on the Lesse
Lyon (i595) I. 448; foreign, IIl.
422; table, in Germany, iv. 30;
in Italy, 98; in Scotland, i83; of
Irish at meal time, 200.
Mansfield, mines at, i. 436.
Mantua, Fvnes Moryson at (1594) I.
369; birthplace of Virgil, 37 o.
Map of Europe, price of, in Holland,
I. 120.
Marble in Ireland, v. I94.
Marburg, university of, iv. 36I.
Marchantius, quotation from, IV. 449.
Marforio, statue of, I. 288, 297.
Margaret, Queen of Denmark, and
Albrecht, King of Suetia, I.
Marie of Burgundy and Bruges
(I437) iv. 454; and Mechline, 456.
Market place at Rome, L 289; of
Rialto in Venice, 19o ; of Florence,
320; in Paris, 405.
Market prices in Italy, iv. 97-
Markham, Francis, letter from
Fynes Moryson to (I592) I. 76-
Marline, the, and the Spanish ships
in Ireland 06oi) hi. 58.
Marmarica, province of, IV.
Maronites, sect of the, at Jerusalem,
Ii. 34.
Marphorius, see Pasquin.
Marriage, latvs of, in Germany, tv.
318; ranks considered in, 325; in
Netherlands, 469 .
Martyrs, Mountain of the, legend
of, I. 417 .
Mass, Roman, L 368.
Massovia, description of, iv. 68.
Masterton, Captain Henrie 0598) IL
22 ; wounded (I6oo) 329 .
Mauritania Cesariensis, in Africa,
IV. 1I S.
Mauritania Tingitana, in Africa, iv.
Mauritius, elector of Saxony, iv. 243 '
33o; religion of, 362.
Maximilian, Emperor, lost in a
wood, i. 441.
Meade, the Recorder, imprisoned
(16o3) IlL 333-
Meals, in Germany, length of, IV.
27 .
Measures of miles in different parts
of the world, II. 162.
Meath, kingdom of, Henry II. and
(II69) H. 167; divisions of, iv. 89.
Mechlenburg, duchy of, iv.
Mechlin, Dominion of, iv. 443; court
of justice at 0473) 456.
Meinow Island, L 49"
Meissen, described 059 i) I. 17.
Melancthon, Philip, I. 15.
Mellifant 0603) llI. 298.
Melvin, Port of, Fynes Moryson at
(1593) I. I29.
Men, famous, of Padua, L I56; of
Venice, 95 ; seen by Fynes Mory-
son, III. 372.
Mentz, Archbishop of, iv. 256, 360.
Merchants at Bruges, v. 56.
Meridian, description of, IV. i.
Merionethshire, description of, v.
56.
Mesoptamia, in Syria, iv.
Metz, description of, I. 396-
Michael Angelo, sepulchre of, at
Florence, I. 326.
5o2
INDEX
illness of (602) 42; recovery of,
ISI ; a short account of his
generalship in Ireland, i52 ff. ; his
letter to Queen Elizabeth, 198 ;
his letter to Lord Cecil, 2oo, 21i;
takes the field, 2o2 ; his kindness,
214 ; his letter to Sir Oliver Lam-
bert, 214; a letter to, from the
lords in England, 217, 239, 267;
his journey to Connaught, 235 ;
his letter to Lord Cecil, 29o ; his
letters to the heads of the Irish
provinces (16o3) 314-325 ; his letter
to Sir Ch. Wilmot, 32I; his
interview with Dr. White at
Waterford, 329; at Cork, 332;
Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland, 335;
rewards of, 336; death of (16o6)
337; work of, in Ireland, 337-
Mountjoy fort (16o2) IU. 167; lands
grant to, 302.
Mount Norreys fort (16oo) u. 338;
forces left at (16ol) 4o2; forces
sent to, 432; army left at (I6O2)
m. 49 ; Captain Atherton at, 224.
Moyrye, fight of the (t6oo) u. 3o5;
fort built at (I6Ol) 399; army at
(I6O2) IlL I48 ; fort built at (6Ol)
I58.
Mulberry trees in Florence, I. 316.
Mulct for murder in Germany, v.
29o ; for loss of one or more limbs,
294 ; court of justice for, in Swit-
zerland, 435-
Mulhusium, league of, IV. 388.
Munster, rebellion in, instigated by
Tyrone (t598) Ii. 218; pay of the
Queen's officers in, 227, (I599)
278; rebellion in (599) 235; Sir
George Carew, president of, 28o;
affairs of (x6oo) 3oo; pardon for
the rebels of, 353; submission of,
365; peace in (i6oI) 377; martial
law recalled in, 4o5; affairs of
(I6OI) 448; Tyrone in (I6o)
o 3; rebellion in, xo5; army in
(x6o2) I47 ; Spaniards expected in,
i81; horse wanted for, 94; Cap-
tain Tyrell, rebel, leaves, 255 ;
affairs of, 284, 289; Mountjoy's
letter to the Commissioners of
(I6O3) 32I ; horse in, 338; foot in,
339; divisions of, iv. i86.
Murano Island, Venice, glass-mak-
ing at, . 93-
Murder, punishment of, in Germany,
IV. 29o ff.; of a child, 3oo;
punishment of, in Switzerland,
4o9, 413; in Netherlands, 47o-
Murrey Frith, see lIoray.
Mussendine, Faith, IX. I65.
Muster of the army at Dundalk
(i6oo) n. 334-336.
Musters, Commissaries of, pay of
(I598) II. 228, (599) 279, (I6OO)
295 ; fraud of the, uI. 24 I.
Names of English officers in Ireland
(1598) II. 218, 221, (1599) 253,
(I6OO) 290 ; of Commissioners of
Lord Essex's trial, 31i; of rebel
officers in Tyrone's command,
422 ; of officers in the army in
Ireland (i6ox) Im 1, (x6o2) 46;
at Kinsale, 4o; sent to Ireland,
4 ; superfluous, in the army in
Ireland, 226; names of, in the
army (t6o2) 249 ; names oI general,
provincial, etc., 345-
Namur, county of, description of,
v. 5o; county of, 443.
Nancy, Fynes Moryson at (1595) .
395 ; victory of Switzerland, over
Charles of Burgundy 0477) v. 393-
Naples, kingdom and city of, Fynes
Moryson at (1594) I. 223; at
Naples city, 232 ; haven of, 236 ;
names of, 238.
Narbonensis, divisions of, v. i34.
Narni, peculiarity of the soil of, .
220.
Nassau, William, Count of, gover-
nor of Friesland (1592) I. 9 o.
Naumberg, league of (i589) v. 34 o.
505
FYNES MORYSON'S ITINERARY
proclainled rebel, 197 ; his promises
(I596) 200; execution of 0597) 207.
Ostend besieged by the Spaniards
(i6Ol) m 42o; Sir Edward Nor-
reys, and the garrison of, iv. 47.
Ostia, Fynes Moryson at (1594) I.
302.
O'Swillivan Beare, Donboy castle
surprised by (6o2) nl. 284.
Otho llI., Duke of Saxony and
Emperor (984) IV. 239.
O'Tooles, the, rebel family (i6oo) H.
349; submission of the (6Ol) 379-
Owen, Richard (6o0 m. 1 4.
Oxfordshire, description of, IV. 48.
Oyster Haven, English forces landed
at (o) uI. 5-
Pacuvius, epitaph of, at Padua, I.
53-
Padua, Fynes Moryson at 0593) I.
47; history and government of,
i5o; shape of, 5; epitaphs in,
53; university in, 56; Fynes
Moryson at (x504) 373-
Palace, of the dukes at Venice, I.
189; of the popes, at Rome, 279;
of the Cardinal de Medicis, 29 ;
of the Cardinal Farnese, 3oo; di
Pitti, Florence, 319; of the kings
of France, 4o9, 414; of Fontaine-
bleau, 4t9; of Caiphas at Jerusa-
lem, it. 7; of King Herod, io; of
Lazarus, i6; of the Greek Turk
at Constantinople, 93-
Palatine, Count, of the Rhine, elec-
tor, v. 256, 348; pedigree of the
counts and electors, 35o-353;
Frederick, 354-
Palatinus, Mount, description of, I.
268.
Pale, complaints of the, iI. 332;
ol'ficers left in the (i6oi) III. i2.
Palestine, provinces in, v. io;
climate of, **9-
Pamphilia, chimera mountain in, IV.
Io 9 .
5o8
Pantheon, become a Christian
church, I. 288.
Paper used for windows, at Bologna,
I. 203.
Paphlagonia, IV. lO8.
Paradox, v. 94-
Parallels, description of, v. 2.
Pardon, conditions of, for Tyrone
0598) H. 24; for Munster rebels
(16oo) 353; granted to many
rebels (6o0 377; granted to
Munster rebels, 39o; conditions of
Tyrone's 06o0 m. 4; condi-
tions of, for rebels 06o2) 69;
conditions of, for MacGuyre, 8o;
Queen Elizabeth refuses Tyrone's,
230.
Paris, Fynes Moryson's journey
wards (i595) i. 397 ; name of, 4o2 ;
increase of, 4o4; description of,
4o6-4i 9; IV. I33.
Parishes, government of, in Switzer-
land, v. 442.
Parma, Alexander Farnese, Duke of,
governor of Netherlands, xv. 446.
Pasquin, statue of, . 288; and the
criticisms of the Pope's politics,
IV. 242.
Pass, soldiers to be discharged by
a (I02) III. 242.
Passage, under the Pausilippo moun-
tain, . 24o.
Passports against infectious ill-
nesses used in Italy (1593) L I45,
58; reform concerning(16o2) III. 222.
Patmos lsland, II. 86.
Pavia, description of, I. 362.
Pawnbroker's shop, see Mountain of
piety.
Pawning in Netherlands, iv. 467 .
Pay, of the officers in Ireland (I598)
I. 222 ; of the officers of the four
courts, 225; of the officers at
Leinster and Munster, etc., 227;
of the officers in Ireland (1599)
276, (I60o) 360, (I6OX) 369; of the
soldiers 06o0 m. 99; of Irish
INDEX
soldiers, 146 ; former rate of, re-
sumed (1602) 162; full, twice a
year, I63; full, after war-time,
248; of the elector of Saxony's
soldiers, iv. 341 ; of his pensioners,
etc., 342.
Peace, conference for, requested by
Don Jean d'Aguyla 06Ol) 11I. 89;
articles of the, signed (1602) 93;
Mountjoy's reasons for composing
with the Spaniards, Io9; possible,
between England and Spain, i39.
Pearcy, Sir Charles, colonel in Ire-
land (1598) I1. 22i; at the Moyrye
(i6oo) 3o6.
Pearl fishing in the Arabian Gulf,
iv. 113.
Pedigree, of Emperor Rodolphus,
IV. 246-249; of the dukes of
Saxony, 334 ; of the dukes of Bav-
aria and Counts Palatines, 35o ; of
the Marquises of Brandenburg,
356; of the Landgraves of Hesse,
36I; of the dukes of Brunswick
and Luneburg, 374.
Peloponesus, Fynes Moryson at
(I596) I. 457-
Pembroke, William, Earl of, Dedi-
cation of Itinerary to, I. xvli.
Pembrokeshire, IV. I56.
Pensioners, in Ireland, pay of (15o8)
II. 228, (I599) 279, (I6OI) 372.
Penthesilea, Castle of, iI. 69.
Percy, Sir Richard, Spaniards re-
pulsed by, at Kinsale (16Ol) m.
16 ; strength of his regiment, 75-
Perfidiousness of northern people,
m. 43 I.
Perian, Lord, and Lord Essex's trial
(I600) II. 3II.
Perkins, YVilliam, III. 416.
Perrot, Sir John, Lord Deputy (I589)
II. I80.
Peterhouse, in Cambridge, Fynes
Moryson at (c. 1591 ) I. 1; his
gratitude to the master and fellows
Of (16OO) II. 343.
Petition of Fynes Moryson at Lindau
(1592) I. 46.
Petrarch, Francis, monument of, at
Arqua, I. 374; house of, 375-
Pewter ship, kept at Hamburg, I.
5-
Phenicia, IV. I I I.
Philip, king of Spain, possessions
of, Iv. 445-
Phiilipstown, fort, victualled (6oo)
II. 3o3 -
Phoenix, IV. 113.
Picardy, description of, IV. 133.
Piccenum, description of, IV. 78.
Pictland, in Scotland, Iv. 177.
Pikeman, Captain, phenomenon ob-
served by (I6OI) III. 76.
Pilgrims, from Venice to Jerusalem,
It. 35-
Pincius Hill, description of, i. 260.
Pirates, of Dunkirk (i593) I. 115;
Turkish, 1I. Io8; Turkish, and
Italian ships, Iv. 9 I.
Pisa, description of, I. 3ii.
Pistoia, description of, I. 3o9-
Plus II., Pope, University of Basel
founded by (1459) I. 58.
Plus IV., Pope, and the Inquisition,
IV. 445-
Plague, hospital for, at Milan, I.
367.
Planting of Ireland, nI. 279.
Pledges, promised by Aguyla (I6OI)
Ill. 133, 134.
Plot, mismanaged, for Tyrone's
head (16oo) II. 354; against the
Earl of Desmond's brother, 362;
and the Earl of Desmond, 363;
against Tirrel (i6oi) 445.
Podolia, description of, IV. 69.
Poland, Fynes Moryson in (i593) i.
i33 ; moneys of, II. t53 ; miles of,
I64; travelling in, hi. 47I; cities
and houses of, 492; situation of,
iv. 67; climate of, 69; products
of, 69; food in, 7o; drinking in,
73 ; apparel of, 215.
509
INDEX
Vaticanus, Mount, description of, I.
269 .
Veils worn in Netherlands, IV. 2i 3.
Venice, description of (1594) I. 16o;
past history of (42i) 16I; govern-
ment of, i62; various names of,
162 ; churches in, 165; nunneries
in, I77; schools in, I84; library
of, I87 ; mint house of, 188 ; duke's
palace, 189; glass making in,
I93; population of, I94; Fynes
Moryson again at (1595) 444; rate
of exchange at, n. 131 ; moneys
of, 155 ; Rialto bridge at, III. 487 ;
trade of, Iv. 123 ; apparel worn in,
218o
Vere, Sir Francis, in Ostend (16Ol)
II. 420.
Verona, description of, I. 376; his-
tory of, 377-
Verses written in praise of astro-
nomers at Wheen Island, I. 126.
Vesuvius, Mount, description of, I.
233, IV. 77-
Vetturine, description of a, I. 212.
Vicenza, description of, I. 376-
Victuals, abuses of, in Ireland (16o2)
III. I86, 217 f. ; perishable, to be
sold to the poor, 22o; commis-
saries of, 243; expenses of, 244;
possible miscarriage of, 246.
Vienna, description of (I593) I. 14o.
Villages swallowed by the sea in
Brabant, I. lO 3.
Villamont, on the Loretto Chapel, I.
214 ft., 249; on the pope's licence
for a journey to the Holy Land,
447; on the French miles, IL 163.
Viminalis, Mount, description of, I.
268.
Vindelicia, description of, IV. 7-
Vines, growth of, in Venice, L I97.
Virgil, quotation from, I. 221; tomb
of, at Naples, 24i ; quotations
from, 25o ; Mantua, birth-place of,
370.
Virgin's sepulchre, XL 13.
Viishing, see Flushing.
Volhinia, description of, Iv. 08.
Vuovo, Castel' del', at Naples, !. 237.
"Vages, payment of, by the Emperor
Rodolphus, IV. 255.
XValkenburg, county of, Iv. 443-
,Valmesley, and Lord Essex's trial
06oo) H. 3I; speech of, 32.
Walsh, Sir Nicholas (i6oi) II. 455-
Warbeck, Perkin, rebellion of,
169 .
Ward, see Constable.
Ward, Captain, at Kinsale (6oi) m.
39-
Wards, minority of, in Germany, v.
316.
Warders, pay of (I598) L 228, (1599)
279, (6o) 371 ; names of, in Ire-
land (c. 1613) m. 346 .
Warfare, in Germany, IV. 272, 274 ;
in Switzerland, 415 ; in the Nether-
lands, 472 .
Wars, Irish, cost of (I598-6o3) m.
341 ; Swiss, v. 393 ; spoil of, 423,
416 ft.
lVarspite, the (I6OI) II. 58.
War-tax in Germany, v. 27o.
Warwickshire, description of,
I52.
Watch in German towns, Iv. 271.
Water, laid in Lubeck (i59i) I. 7, 8;
conduit of, in Dantzic, 13I ; fresh,
near the sea at Venice, 183 ; medi-
cinal, near Bologna, 2o 4 .
Waterford, Sir George Carew at
(I6OO) ii. 36o; reinforcements
landed at (i6oi) nI. 52; religious
troubles at (16o3) 312 ; Mountjoy's
letter to the citizens of, 314
Mountjoy's letter to the Mayor of
(I6o3) 324; Mountjoy at, 328; ex-
amination of the men of, 33o; fort
at (i6o3) 339; county of, iv. 186.
Weights, English money, II. I34,
136; Scottish money, 136; Ger-
man money, 143.
INDEX
Year, Italian, begins in January,
I. 158.
Yorke, Captain (16oi) Ill. 43-
Yorkshire, description of, iv. 58.
Ypres, privileged city, iv. 454-
Zacharias' house, historical interest
of, II. z3.
Zante, Fynes Moryson at (596) I.
457; English residents at (57)
1. to7; Fynes Moryson driven
back to, io; Venetian money
used at, 59-
Zeland, description of, Iv. 48 ; county
of, 443-
Ziska, buried at Chassel, i. 33.
Zones or girdles, description of,
3,4-
Zouch, Lord, and Lord Essex's trial
(6oo) it. 3 tI; speech of, 323 .
Zug, Canton of, iv. 386, 4oi; gov-
ernment of, 424, 425.
Zurich, Fynes Moryson at (592) I.
53, (505) 386; Canton of, v. 386,
4o ; government of, 432 ; tribes
of, 433; courts of judgment, 434-
Zutland, description of, Iv. 65.
Zutphan, county of, IV. 443; joined
to the Netherlands (159I) IV. 50.
Zwinglius, against mercenary war-
fare, Iv. 4oo.
THE END.
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