THE Description of the Low countries and of the Provinces thereof, gathered into an Epitome out of the History of Lodovico Guicchardini.  
Imprinted at London by Peter Short for Thomas Chard. 1593.   

 
Siciliam membrant Romanae antiquitus urbis,  
Fruge laborantem restituissè penum  
Sic iam Cecilij merges foecunda Britann●s  
Vbere consilij dexterioris alit  
Sic vigeat vivax, seros videatque nepotes  
Siciliam superans Ceciliana seges.   

To the Right Honourable my especial good Lord the Lord Burghley, high Treasurer of England. Knight of the most Noble order of the Garter, and Master of her majesties Court of Wards and Liucri●s.  
IF the Poet Horace (Right Honourable) found fault● with the multitude of Pamphletes published in his time, when he said, Scribimus indocti doctic poemata passim: how much more would he have reproved the vain glory of these days, of the which we may justly say as the learned Petrarch writeth of his age. Omnes assidue libros 〈…〉 neque ulla aetat● tanta 〈…〉 & disserentium copia, tanta scientium atque eloquentium fuit in opia. The authority of which two grave authors together with mine own opinion concurring with their judgement in this point, caused me a long time to forbear the publishing of this Epitome of mine. But on the other side when I considered, first that the subject of this book containeth matter of state and government, which as saith Aristotle Eth. 2. Principatum tenet in omnibus artibus. secondarily, that I should but fight under the shield of another man as Homer writeth of Teucer, Iliad. 8. And thirdly; that the original published by the author himself, is by the judgement of all the Politics of this age esteemed as a pearl of pe●reles price. I began to conceive well of my travail, and to hope that the wise and learned allowing so well of the book at large, would not disallow of my pains in the abbreviation thereof. At the lest thus much I am well assured of, that if I have failed in the publishing: yet have I not erred in the apt adressing and dedication thereof, having (with all humility) presented it to the protection of your most Honourable name, being as all foreign nations confess the greatest politic of this age, and as all England with great joy acknowledgeth, the sole pillar and only Atlas as it were under her most excellent Majesty of this most flourishing common wealth, & lastly in regard of mine own particular the only patron to whom I own even by descent a peculiar hand of all duty and devotion. Wherefore as I hope that the world will pardon the former fault (if it be any) in consideration of the amendss that is made thereof by the later fact: so doubt I not but that your Honourable L. according to your accustomed clemency will accept of this my poor endeavour and protect this my attempt, with the shield of your honourable authority and judgement: whereby your L. shall not only stop the mouths of barking Mastiffs, who think other men's reproofs their own praise, but also thereby greatly increase the private band of my duty and service. And thus no whit doubting but that your L. will pardon my brevity, which I have the rather used to the end my Epistle may be answerable as well to your L. leisure as to the work itself being but an Epitome, most humbly I take my leave, beseeching the Almighty to the great good of this land and the advancement of her majesties affairs, that as he hath endued you with Nestor's wisdom and eloquence, so also that he will continued the course of your life till you have attained to Nestor's years, and after this life to receive you into the eternal joys of his celestial Paradise.  
Your honours most humble and obedient, Tho. Danett.   

A Table how to found readily all the Provinces of these low Countries, in the same order that they be described in this Book.  

All these five are in truth comprehended within the precincts of Brabant. 

1 Lothier. fol. 22  
2 Brabant fol. 22  
3 Marquisat of the sacred Empire, fol. 42  
4 Lembourg, fol. 48  
5 Malines, fol. 50    
6 gelders, fol. 52  
7 Zutphen, 54  
8 Ouerissel, 56  
9 Frise, 57  
10 Groeninghen, 59  
11 Holland, 60  
12 Vtrecht, fol. 71. By some mistaking of the printer Vtrecht is not set under the Title of a Province as in truth it aught to be, whereof I thought good to admonish the Reader in this place.  
13 Zelande, 73  
14 Flaunders, 78  
15 Artoys, 96  
16 Haynault, 101  
17 Luxembourg, 109  
18 Namur, 112  
The Bishopric of Liege, 114. Though this be none of the Provinces of the Low countries, yet because Guicciardin describeth it & Aquisgrane (for the reasons alleged by himself) among them, I have thought it meet to place them and quote them in order as they stand.    

An Epitome of Lodovico Guicciardinis description of the Low Countries.  
THe Author describeth first in general the qualities of the Country, and of the inhabitants thereof, comprehending also there in the general government of the prince.  
secondarily in particular, the division of each province, & of every thing worthy of memory contained therein.  
These Low countries are comprehended within the ancient Gaul, the which is divided by Caesar into three parts: namely, Belgica, (the which is contained within the Rivers of Marne, Seine, Rhine, and the ocean Sea) Celtica and Aquitanica.  
Farther in that part called Belgic, are these Territories subject to K. Philip (which we now purpose to describe) comprehended, & embrace the one half thereof: yea the best, the Noblest, 〈…〉 number of goodly villages (all exceeding well peopled) contained therein in such ●ort, that it may be compared with the greatest and mightiest kingdom of Christendom. The other half is subject to the King of France: namely, Picardy, champaign, and Normandy (though these two last provinces be not wholly in B●lgica) to the Dukes of ●●●raine, Cleves and juliers: to the Archbishops of Tr●ues, Mentz, & C●lin, and to the bishops of Cambray and Liege.  
Of all these three parts of Gaul, the Noblest ● Belgic, and that for three reasons. First, by the authority of Caesar, Strabo, & other approved Authors.  
secondarily, for the nobility and excellency of the people of the Country. thirdly, for the greatness and worthiness of those things that have been invented there, and the accidents that there have happened.  
The principal of the noble inventions of the Belgeoys are these. Printing, first invented at Mentz, or as some writ at Harlem in Holland 2. The restoring of Music and the invention of divers musical instruments. 3. The invention of the Chariot used in the wars, called in 〈◊〉 Essedum: whereof all our Coaches and Wagons took their first pattern. 4. The laying of painting with oil, first devised at Bruges 5. The working of glass in colours. 6. The making of tapistry, Says, Searges, Wusteds, Russels, Friezeadoes, and divers sorts of linen cloth, and divers other small trifles. 7. The names of the Winds. 8. All sorts of clocks and Dial's, used in these parts, and the Mariners Compass, (as some writ) 9 divers sorts of Household stuff, and of instruments fit to make any thing fine and handsome.  
In Belgica are 320. Walled Towns, divers of the which are very stately and magnificent: Namely, Bruxelles, Andwerp, Boysleduc, Gant, Bruges, Ipre, Malines, Cambray, Arras, Tournay, Mons, Maestricht, Luxembourg, Valenciennes, Lass, Calais, Bouloyn, Amiens, S. Quentin, Liege, Namur, Reins, Treues, Metz, Nancy, Toul, Verdun, Strausbourg, Metz, Aix, Couloyn, Cleves, juliers, Niemeghe, Vtrecht, Amsterdan, Middlebourg, Leewaerden, Groinenghen, all the which are famous and goodly Cities. The greatest part of Paris is also in Belgic: namely, all that is on this side the river of Seyne.  
All Titles of Honour, are in Belgica: namely, Emperor, King, Duke, Archbishop, Marquis, etc.  
Farther, in Belgica are 230. Towns, having privilege of walled Towns. And 12000. villages with Parish Churches.  
The principal Rivers of Belgica are the Rhin the Mensae, Seyne, Schelde.  
The principal forests are, The forest of Ardenne, Charbonniere, Nonneu, Ea●gne, Sonien.  
Many mines are also in the Country and Quarreis of excellent good stone.  
In Belgica also, are three of the seven Electors of the Empire: namely, the archbishoprics of Treues, Mentz, and Coloyn, and a good part of the Country of the Count Palatin. And likewise, seven of the twelve peers of France: namely, Normandy, Flaunders, champaign, Reinss, Laon, Beawois in Picardy, and Noion.  
At Aix is the Emperor sacred, and at Reinss the king of France.  
The Emperor Charles had an intention, to erect the Low Countries into a Kingdom, but the difficulty consisted herein, that every of these Provinces being governed by proper Laws, prerogatives, and peculiar ancient privileges, would never have yielded to one Royal Law common to all, especially those that had the largest privileges, for the which cause he gave over his enterprise.  

The Situation of the Low countries is such as here followeth.  
North. Holland and Friesland have the Ocean sea.  
South. Luxembourg and Ha●●ault are bounded with Lorraine, champaign and Picardy.  
East Gu●lderland is bounded with the Rhi●e, and Brabant with the .  
West. Flanders is bounded with the Sea, and with that part of Artoys, that bordereth upon Picardy.  
The whole country is contained almost in one Climate & a half, namely, from the half of the 7. called Diaboristhenes, unto the 8. (esteemed inhabitable by Ptolemy) named by the Modern Cosmographers Diaripheos.  
The Low Countries have of Longitude 7. degrees and a half: namely, from 22. & a half, to 30. And of Latitude, just 4. degrees: namely, from 50. to 54. the which space, allowing half an hour for a Climate, maketh the artificial day to differ about three quarters of an hour.  
The middle of the Country is Andwerp, which standeth in the Longitude of 26. degrees, and 42 minutes, & in the Latitude of 51. degrees and a half, so that the highest that the Sun mounteth above the Orison the longest day of the year as for example, The 12. day of june is about 63. degrees and a half, & that day it showeth itself above the Orison, or near about it 16. hours & a half. But because the Sun entering in the morning into our Hemisphere, & at night passing into the other, abideth long (as the Sphere plainly showeth) about the said Orison, and giveth great light to us, though we see it not. We may say truly that the day on the said xii. of june is xx. hours long, in such sort that a man may easily read a letter all that space. On the other side, the lowe●● that the 〈◊〉 ●●ounteth above the Orison, being the 10. day of December, is about 26. degrees and a half, and is seen that day above the Orison, or about it 7. hours and a half, giving small light to us, either in the morning before it enter into our Hemisphere; or in the Evening when it entereth into the other, because it riseth and setteth very perpendicularly.  
The Country is seated very commodiously for all the Provinces of Europe: for Northward it is but 〈◊〉 or 〈◊〉 days journey by Sea from Denmark. Southward, it confineth with France and Lorraine. Eastward, with Almaigne. Westward, with England, Scotland, and Ireland. It is also commodious for Norway and Sweden: for a Ship that departed out of Holland, arrived in Norway in 〈…〉 and two nights. Likewise from 〈…〉 journey is made in 10. days and less, and out of Spain in eight, ten, twelve, or fifteen, according to the Haven where you embark.  
The circuit of the Country is about the fift par● of Italy, and somewhat more: namely, about a thousand Italian miles, or 340 flemish leagues.  
The Leagues of the Country are of two ●orts, the one Flemish, the other French. The Flemish leagues are also of divers sorts: for in some countries they contain three Italian miles: namely, almost throughout all Brabant, in a part of Holland, In Flanders Flamengante, in Zeeland, Liege Namurs. But in the Duchy of Luxembourg they are greater, and yet greater in a great part of Guelderland, and in Friesland they are as great as the Almaigne leagues: namely, five or six Italian miles long and better. The French leagues contain two Italian miles, and these are used all over Flanders, Gallicante, Artoys, and the greatest part of Haynault.  
In that part of Belgic that obeyeth K. Philip, there are walled Towns, 208.  
Towns privileged as walled towns 150.  
Villages with Parish churches, above 6300.  
Besides a great number of other villages, & hamlets, and Seniories infinite. Farther, there are 60. strong places with garrisons and particular Governors.  
The Air within these 25. or 30. years is become much more wholesome and temperate than it was in times past: whether it be by reason of the great increase of the Inhabitants, or of the industry of the people, who purge it sundry ways, or of some other superior cause, I know not.  
The Country though it be not very propitious for the produsing of simples, yet by industry is it made commodious enough for them, considering that near to Andwerpe, at the village of Bourguerhaut. Peter de Couberg apothecary hath a garden, wherein are growing above four hundredth sorts of strange simples. Likewise, about a League and a half from Bruges, in the Seniorye of Moerkercke, Charles of S. Omer a Gentleman singularly well qualified, hath a wonderful rare Garden.  
The beeves of Friesland and Holland are very great, and weigh some of them 1600 pound, of xuj. ounces the pound, which are more than 2000 pounds Italian. Yea one was given (being an Ox of Friesland) to the Earl of Hochstraet, at Malines, which weighed 2528. pounds, of the Country weight.  
The Ewes in Holland, Friesland, and some part of Flanders, bring forth three and four lambs at a time, and the kine often two Calves at once, and give commonly in Summer viii. or x. Lots of milk in a day. A Lot is a measure somewhat greater than the half Quart or Flacon of Florence.  
The Country bringeth forth great quantity of Mather, wherewith a great part of Europe is furnished. It produceth also very perfect woad but no great store: but of Flax and Hemp great abundance. But the commodities that the country yieldeth, together with the fruitfulness of the So●le, is here omitted of purpose: because it is largely mentioned in the particular description of every Province.  
Five principal Rivers there are in the Country, the which discharge themselves into the Sea: namely, the Rhine, the , the Schelde Ha', Ems, besides divers other, which shall be described hereafter in order.  
The Rhine riseth out of the Mount Adula, (commonly called the Mountain of S. Gedart,) with two fountains. And out of the same mountain rise also, the Rivers of Rosne, Tesin, & Rus. So that within the Compass of less than ten Italian miles, you shall see (not without great admiration) four famous Rivers to arise, the which in the form of a Cross, take their ways and course diversly, toward the four parts of the world.  
The two Fountains of the Rhine, unite themselves together, four leagues above the city of Cur in Switzerland. But at Lobie in Guelderland, the Rhine parteth itself again into two streams, the greater of the which, namely, the left stream, taketh his course to the West, and from thenceforth is called Wael. With the which at Heruerden meeteth the , and suddenly they part again, neither river losing his name: and in this sort take their course apart, till they come to Lowestain, where again they join, and there the Wael loseth his name, as in the description of the  shall be declared more at large.  
The lesser branch of the Rhine: namely the right, near to Arnem in Guelderland, divideth it self again in twain. The one of the which namely, that on the right hand, runneth a small space towards the East, and after towards the North, & is called of the Latins Fossa drusiana, but of the common sort New Ysel, because Drusus Nero, seeing no great distance to be between this right branch of the Rhine & the River Yssel, which ariseth in Westphalia, cut a large Fosse near to Arnem, all the way between Arnem and Daesburg, into the which he received part of the water of this right branch of the Rhine, the which conveying by this Fosse to Doesburg, he there joined with the River Ysel, to convey there by the easilier the Roman army out of the Rhin, into the Septentrional Sea. This Fosse being joined with Ysel, at Campen entereth into the Gulf of Zuiderzee: And you shall understand that the said River Ysel, before it meeteth with these waters of the Rhine, is called old Yssel, but after their meeting, they are both named New Yssel: because of the great increase of their waters. And thus the Rhine, which before that time had but two branches, is now divided into three namely, the Wael, which we have already described: this here now described called Yssel, & the third which now shall be described called Leck.  
The right branch of the River of Rhine: after the great loss of his waters received into Fossa Drusiana, as before is declared, pursueth his course Westward from Arnem, till it come unto wick: where about the year of our Lord 860. or as others writ 1170. it broke into the little River Leck, and leaving his old course which was by Vtrecht, Voerden and Leyden, into the Ocean Sea, by reason that extreme tempests had stopped up that course with sands, and also losing ever since his own proper name; it hath born the name of the little river that it broke into, and is called Leck and near to Grimpen entereth into the Merwe, which is a name common to the  and the Wael after their second conjunction, namely, after they have made the little I'll of Bom●lerwert. But you shall understand that notwithstanding that the Rhine have left his old course, yet have the Inhabitants, with di●ches & channels drawn waters into that old course, the which retaineth the ancient name of Rhine, and passing by Vtrecht, Voerden, and Leyden, entereth into the Sea near to Catwick, or rather is swallowed up of the Sands, near to the said Catwick, and the Fort Britannique, where was in times past the ancient mouth of the River of Rhine.  
The  riseth in the mount Vogesus, not far from the fountains of the two noble Rivers, Seine and Marne. At Heruerden, it meeteth with the Wael, and suddenly they disjoin again, neither river losing his name, and so apart each taketh his course to Lowestaine, where (having first made the little Isle of Bomler●●●,) they join together again, & so jointly taking the name of Merwe, they come to Dordrecht, where (having made the Isle of Iselmont) the  resumeth his name, and with such a fury entereth the Sea, that it maintaineth his course & keepeth his water fresh a great space, not without great commodity and profit to the country, for by that means it openeth the way to divers fishes, especially to sturgeons, the which finding in the Sea this sweet water, and being beyond measure desirous thereof, enter so far there into, that in the end coming into the shallow waters, they become a prey to those that lie in weight for them. The like effect work also the rivers, of Pau, Tibre, Rosne, Garonne, and every other River that entereth the Sea with a violent course But the Seine, Hebre, and the Thamis, entering gently into the Sea, soon loose both their course and their fresh water, and therefore work no such effect as the  and the other Rivers above mentioned do.  
The Sturgeous of  are so great, that some of them weigh four hundred, and some four hundred and twenty pound, & are twelve foot long of Andwerp measure, which is as much as six brasses of Florence.  
The time that the Sturgeon is in season, beginneth in April, and endureth more than three months, these sturgeons are sent into divers Provinces, especially into England.  
Besides sturgeons the  veeldeth also great store of Salmon and Salmon trout, lampreys, Shads, 
Viva draco marinus.  Congers, Mulets, Vives and divers other sorts of Fishes, all the which are lean in the Sea, but after they are entered into the fresh water, they become fat and excellent good.  
The Schelde ●iseth in Picardy, out of the self-same mountain that the Rivers of Somme and Sombre, four leagues beneath Andwerp, the Schelde divideth himself into two branches, the one of the which turneth Westward and is called Hont, and having run about xii. leagues, between Scluse and the isle of Valachry entereth in to the Sea. The other turneth towards the north, and environeth the North part of Zealand, & having received at Berghen the little river of Zoom again, he parteth himself in twain, one of the which called Vosmeer, passeth by Tolen, and about a league from thence, dischargeth itself ●nto the Merwe, and this seemeth to have been the ancient mouth of the River of Schelde. The other branch separateth the Isles of Zealand with divers streams, but principally where the course of the River is largest and deepest: It divideth these Isles into two principal parts: namely, East and West Zealand, through the which conveying itself into the Sea, it endeth his course and looseth his name, between Scowe and Valachry, receiving flood and Ebb as far as Gant, which is above 30. leagues from the mouth of the River.  
Into this River, by reason of the vicinity that it hath with the mouth of the , come out of the Sea divers sorts of fishes: namlye, Sturgeons, Salmon, and Salmon-trouts, lampreys, Turbots, Congers, Shads, Mulets. Vives, Soles, etc. Besides a number of other sorts of fishes that run into this River out of the Sea, as well to feed as to spawn (so commodious is the water for that purpose) in such sort, that by the space of two or three months in the Spring and in Summer (besides the great fish) such a deal of young fry is taken in this River, that an infinite number of people relieve themselves therewith.  
Into this River run also out of the Sea, the dog fish or Sea-calf, and the excellent Porpeses, called in Latin Tursii, which two kinds of Fish spawn not, but engender as landlord Beasts, and bring forth their young perfect and accomplished. And the Dogfish not only bringeth forth her young upon the land, but also there suckleth them with her own milk, till they be grown to some reasonable greatness, twelve days as Pliny writeth. They have hear like a Dog, and engender as dogs, they have a horrible voice and their blood is hot, and all these fishes run out of the Sea.  
But the Fish that the River itself breedeth, are Pikes, Barbels, Tench, carp, some weighing twenty pound, Gugins, Eels, Crabs, Crevices, and divers other small fish excellent good, and some oysters also (though in truth they come out of the Sea) whereof in times past great store were taken in this River, but within this 25. or thirty years, the extreme colds and Frosts, have caused them to retire into the depth of the Sea, possibly they may return again, but in the mean time, every month that hath R. in it, Oysters are brought out of England.  
Haa, near to Terrouanne, hath his fountain, and taking his course towards the North, passeth by S. Omer, and at Gravellinghe entereth into the Sea.  
Ems in Latin Amasius, riseth in Westphalia, and at Emden entereth the Sea.  
Moselle riseth in Lorraine and at Confluens entereth the Rhine. From this River of Moselle in the time of Nero the Emperor, Lucius vetus a Roman Captain determined to have cut a large Channel, which at ten leagues end should have entered the River of Soane, by means whereof he would have conveyed the Roman Army from the Levant Seas into the Rhosne, thence into the Soane, and so through this Channel into the Moselle, and from thence by the Rhine into the Ocean Sea. But Helius Gracilis envying this noble invention, overthrew his enterprise.  
La Lise riseth by Lisburg in Artoys, whereof it taketh the name. At Gant it entereth into the Schelde.  
The Sambre in Latin Sabis, riseth by Nou●● in Hainault, and not far from Namurs entereth into the .  
deal riseth in Brabant, near to Tile, it passeth by Louuaine, and Malines, and a great league from thence, it meeteth with the river Kethe, at a village called Rumpst, where both of them losing their own names, and taking the name of Rup●le, two leagues thence: nan●y, at Rupelmonde, they enter jointly into the Schelde.  
Seine or Sine, riseth by Soigny in Haynault, and a little from Malines entereth into Deal.  
Dieze riseth by Per, in the Country of Liege, a League from Bolduc, it entereth into the .  
Demere riseth by Tongres, in the Country of Liege, not far from Arschot, it entereth Deal.  
Neth riseth by Rethi, At Rumst it joineth with Deal, and both losing their names are called Rupel, and at Rupelmonde enter into the Schelde.  
Rueur, riseth by Bulinghe in Liegeland, and at Ruermonde entereth .  
Berkel, riseth by Coes felt in Westphalia, and at Zutphen entereth Issel.  
Niers, riseth near to S. Anthony's in Lieg●land, and a little from Genappe, entereth the .  
Vidre, riseth in Westphalia, and entereth Zuiderzee. In Dutch it is called Veghte.  
Scarpe hath two fountains in Artoys, one riseth out of Mont S. Eloy, and the other not far off. But being joined together near to Mortaigne in entereth the Schelde.  
Denre, in Latin Teuera, riseth by Conde in Haynault, and Denremonde entereth the Schelde.  
Hayne, giveth the name to the Country of Haynault. It riseth by Hanuiere in Haynault, & near to Conde entereth Schelde.  
Chiers, riseth in Lorraine, a league beneath juoy, it entereth .  
Besides these Rivers, divers Channels there are in the Country, cut out and made navigable by man's hand, the principal whereof, are at Bruxelles, at Gant, at Bruges, at Middlebourg.  
The Country hath not many fountains of running water, save in the mountain countries: but Lakes, Pools, and Marshes many, which both fortify the Country, and furnish it of Fish.   

A Discourse of the Sea.  
THe Sea may well be termed, not only a neighbour but also a member of thes low Countries, as well for the great benefit that it bringeth to them: as also for the harm that it doth them when it rageth. Wherefore a word or two must be spoken thereof.  
The Sea in his fury upon the coast of Holla●● and Zeeland, casteth up great mountains of sa●●, very dangerous for Ships. The like danger also, and for the like cause, is at the mouth of the havens, especially from the mouth of the Scheld to Andwerpe. But Pilots are appointed by every Town, to accompany the Ships and to set marks in every dangerous place.  
The winds that most vex and trouble the sea are the Northwest, west, south-west.  
As touching the order of the Tide this it is. At full and new moon the spring tides are highest and the sea most furious. Farther, as soon as the Moon cometh forth from under our Orison the sea beginneth to swell, and floweth towards the east (as it were to bear the Moon company) till she come to the line Meridian, but after she is past the line Meridian, till she come to the west, the sea abateth. Again when the moon leaving us entereth under the Orison of the Antipodes, the sea beginneth again to swell, till she come to the line of the midnight; from the which the Moon returning towards our Hemisphere the sea as though the Moon released her, returneth to her place again: so that in the space of 25 hours we have twice flood & ebb. At the new Moon, it is full sea, at three of the clock in the morning, and three at afternoon, & low water at nine in the morning, and nine at night.  
From the new moon till the first quarter, the tide decreaseth, from the first quarter till the full Moon it springeth, from the full Moon till the last quarter it nepeth, and from the last quarter till the new Moon it springeth again.  
Farther the Tide because of the natural and accidental course of the Moon changeth every day one hour, and 10. minutes, as if to day it be at 7. tomorrow it will be at 8. and 10. minutes.  
The Sea riseth at Calais in Flaunders, Zeeland and Holland, eighteen foot, but where it is pressed into a strait as at Bristol, it riseth 66. scot. At S. Malo and Mont S. Michael in Normandy 80. foot.  

The depth of the Sea is between Calais and Dover, 24. fathom,  
Every fathom of six foot.  
Between Zeeland and England 23  
Between Wight and Normandy. 28.  
And so through all the channel of England.  
near to the Isles Sorlingues or Silly of England, 60  
And so the nearer the main Sea the deeper.    

Commodities of Fish, namely of Herryngs, Cod, and Salmon, that the Sea yieldeth to the Low Countries. And first of Herrings.  
HErrings are only in thes Septentrional Seas, but neither in any River, nor in the Meridional Sea, nor in the Spanish Seas.  
They come out of the extremest parts of the Septentrional Sea, and approaching near to the land in marvelous and incredible multitudes, they show themselves in these our Seas about Autumn (viz) in August, September, October, and mid-november. But the best are taken, from mid-September, till the end of October. And note, that the sooner the cold beginneth, the sooner come they into our Seas, and in the greater numbers. Whereby it is conjectured, that they come hither, to eschew the cold of the Glaciale Sea. They spawn in these Seas, and tarry here till the end of December.  
Their course is, to compass once the isle of Brettaine, & so to pass into the main Ocean.  
It seemeth that they be sent of God for man's sustenance, for their course is hard by the Sea shore, and they swim gazing where they see any light, fire, or human Creatures: as it were saying; Come take me.  
They have Kings among them as Bees have, marked with a sign on their head like a Crown, and are somewhat ruddy, especially on the head.  
Their kings going before them, are followed with an infinite multitude, which seem like lightning a far off in the night, by reason that their eyes are bright like fire.  
The Herring feedeth (contrary to the Nature of all other Fish) of water only, and as soon as he is out of the water and feeleth the air, immediately he dieth.  
The best Herrings are taken, from mid-September till the end of October, at the which time, upon the Coast of Scotland is the best Fishing.  
The nearer the Herrings approach to the south, be it by reason of weariness, or of the nature of the water, or of the bottom of the Sea, the leaner they be and the less favourous.  

Frieseland, Holland, Zeeland, and Flaunders, sand Fisher-boats to the Sea in the Herring time, commonly called Busces, to the number of 700.  
These boats go thrice yearly to the Hearing fishing, and bring one with another, at one time and other, every one Lasts. 70.  
Which amounteth in the whole, to lasts, 49000.  
One Last containeth Barrels, 12.  
Every barrel containeth herrings 900. or 1000  
every last is worth French Crowns,  
So that the whole amounteth to,  
490000 pound Flemisn.  
1470000. crowns French.  
441000. pound starling, reckoning the French Crown at vi. s. and the flemish pound at xviii. shillings.    

The second principal Fish commodious to the Low countries is God, in Flemish Cabiliau, in French Morüe, in Latin Asellus Maior, differing from Merlus called Asellus Minor.  
THis Fish is so great, that some of them have been found of more than 50. pound weight.  
It is good as well fresh as salt.  
It is taken in the same months that the Herrings are, but most abundantly in the Seas near unto us, and principally in the Seas of Friesland, in the three Winter months.  

It is salted at all times in such abundance, that it yieldeth yearly to the Country, more than of French Crowns, 500000.  
Which is of starling money, 150000 li.    

The third principal Fish of commoditieto the Low Country is Salmon.  
SAlmon is excellent good both fresh and salt. It is taken at all times of the year in Holland and Zeeland, but principally in April, May and june. So great plenty of it is salted, that it yieldeth yearly to the Country much more than to the value of 200000. Crowns. which is of Starling money. 60000. li.  
These three kinds of Fish only yieldeth yearly to the Country (the Salt deducted) more than 2000000. crowns, which is 600000 li. starling.  
The continual riches then that groweth to the Country of other sorts of Fish taken all the year is infinite, so that it were but time lost to go about to value it.   

The Forests and Woods of the Country, are these following.  
FIrst the Forest of Ardenne which in Caesar's time, reached from the Banks of the Rhine to the country of Tournesey one way, and to champaign another way, & contained in length above 500 miles. It is still the greatest of all Gaul, yet now it extendeth itself but from Theonville to Liege, which is xxx. leagues, though not all wood, because of great tillage in many places. The town of S. Hubert, is in the just midst thereof.  
Normault, is a Forest in Haynault, beginning near to Quesnoy, in the which are many Coals made, for the which cause, some have held it for part of the ancient Forest, called La Charbonniere. But others hold, that the Forest called the Harchie, with a village and Castle of the same name (which is the place of residence of the Lords of Barlaymont) is a part of the ancient Charbonniere.  
Le Boys S. Aman, is likewise in Haynault, and is also called the Forest of Rayme. It beginneth in Flanders Gallicant, near to the village of S. Aman, whereof it beareth name, and reacheth to Valenciennes. This Forest of Rayme, appertaineth to Monsieur d'Emery, by means whereof he is Grand veneur of Haynault, which office is annexed to this Forest, & is the same that the justice of Van air (which were more properly termed justice of Vennerye) is in England.  
Le Boys de Feign, beginneth by Auenner in Haynault, and extendeth to Meziers in France more than xuj. Leagues.  
Somen in Brabant, reacheth from Brussels to Brain, Aleud, and Brain le Chasteau, three Leagues in length. It is full of Towns, Abbeys Villages and Monasteries, whither in Summer many Gentlemen and Burgesses resort, to disport themselves. This Forest is in circuit more than seven leagues, and containeth 8000. Arpents of ground: every Arpent containing 400. measures, and every measure xx. feet. Every year a 100 Arpents of this Wood is cut, which yieldeth to the king 25000. Crowns French.  
Meerdael, is a pleasant Forest near to Louuaine, full of game to hunt, and free for all men.  
Saventerloo, is between Louuame Brux●lles, & Viluorden, not far from the village Zaventher.  
Grotenhout is in Brabant, a little above Turnboult, (the Queen of Hungary's place of pleasure) in the which Wood ariseth the little River Ade, which runneth into the river Nethe.  
Marlaigne, beginneth by Namur, and reacheth to Philippeville.  
Niepe, is the principal Wood of Flaunders, standing near to the River Liz, and within two leagues of Cassels and Bailleu, in it is a Castle very strongly seated.  
Nonnen, is also in Flaunders near to Ypre: it is full of villages, and some Abbeys.  
Poodsberg, is in the Confines between Flaunders and Haynault, near to Montgerard: This Wood is great and of figure round.  
Boys Guillaume is in Artoys, near to Renty, where half a Battle was fought, between the Emperor Charles the fifth, and Henry the second King of France, An. 1554.  
Echterwalt, is in Guelderland near to Arnem. Septforrez is in Friselande, near to Over-Yssel, and are seven great woods near together, giving the name to one of the four estates of Friesland, which thereof is called Sevenwolden. Thes woods are full of divers sorts of beasts namely, Hart, Fallowe-deere, Goat, Wilde-boare, Hare, Conie, Grey or Badger, Brock, Field-rats and mice, Hedgehogs, Wolves, Foxes, Feigns. In these woods are also excellent good Dogs to hunt these wild Beasts withal, but the English dogs are the best.  
Farther in these Low countries, are also some martyrs, Otters many, and store of feschaux or putoys, the fur whereof is sent all over Europe.  
In these Low countries are also a kind of Dogs named Bracques whereof Silius Italicus maketh mention, very excellent both in following and recovering game being hurt. And an other excellent kind of water Spaniels is in Holland.  
The foul of the country is, Partridge, pheasant turtle-dove, Quail great plenty, Black-byrd, Thrush, Ouzel, Lark, and to conclude all kind of foul that is in England both Land foul and Water foul, especially Water foul in Holland. In these countries breed also Peacocks, Swans, Herons, storks, Geese, Ducks, Poulets of Ind, Pigeons, etc.  
The Hawks that breed in the country are Eagles, Goshaukes, Faulkon, Sparow-haukes, Merlianes, but the best come out of Norway, from whence cometh also the noble Gerfalcon the which notwithstanding some writ to come only out of Candia.   

The Customs and manner of living of the People of thes Low countries, are these that follow.  
FIrst, as touching the stature both of men and Women it is very beautiful, their parsonage very tall, and all their members in very good proportion, especially their legs, but their stature is not so tall as in Caesar's time, either because of their mixture with strangers, or of the quality of their meats and manner of living altered from that age.  
They were the first people in France or Germany, that received Christ.  
They are valiant as writeth Caesar in these words Horum omnium fortissimi sunt Belgae.  
They are very skilful mariners and their Hoys are excellent good to brook the Seas, by reason whereof they dispatch their voyages sooner than any other nation.  
They all have some smackering of their Grammar, and every one, yea every husbandman can writ and read.  
An infinite number yea of those that never were out of the Country, besides their own language, speak French, and many Allemaine, Italian, English, Spanish.  
They are skilful in Merchandise, and excel in all Arts, namely, making of , Tapistrey, Bayes, Wusteds, Russels, Linen, Fustian, and other Merchandises and small Mercery wares of all sorts and prizes, which are sent into the whole World: Now also they make Silks and wrought V●●●●ts, after the manner of the people of the Levant.  
They invented the Art of painting, and the making of Linen and  Cloth: yea they taught the Englishmen the Art of making  clothes and of dying, about the year of our Lord 1404. who till that time were utterly ignorant thereof, and came into Flaunders where they learned it.  
They are naturally Musicians, and restored Music to her perfection.  
They are not ambitious, but they are great builders, and great jesters: They are covetous, credulous, and easy to be abused, Beneficiorum simul & iniuriarum immemores.  
The Women govern all, both within the doors and without, and make all bargains, which joined with the natural desire that Women have to bear rule, maketh them too too imperious and troublesome.  
The eldest Daughter is of the greatest reputation, yet hath no larger portion than the rest.  
They marry their children into strange towns, yea and Foreign Countries, and marry Noble with ignoble, young with old, master and servant, which is not commendable.   

The Government of the Prince, and first of the Regent.  
THere is one Regent who is also Governor of the County of Burgundy, and hath his Council continually attending upon him.  
Under the Emperor Maximilian and Philip his Son, Georg Duke of Saxony was Regent.  
Under Charles the fift, first Margaret his aunt, after Mary Queen of Hungary his Sister, from the year 1531. till the year 1555. when Charles resigned his crown and Empire.  
Than his son Philip, now king of Spain gave the government with title of Lieutenant General, to Emanuel Philibert Duke of Savoy his cousin German, both borne of the daughters of Emanuel King of Portugal. But in the year 1559. the Duke returning into his own Country of Savoy than restored to him: King Philip gave the government to his sister Margaret, wife to Octavian Farnese, Duke of Parma and Plaisance, with Provision of 36000. crowns a year and other duties. Bu●●n the year 1567. was the Duke of Alva made governor. And in the year 1573. Don Lovis de Requezens who died Anno 1576. To him succeeded Don john base son to the Emperor Charles the 5. who died An. 1578. and to him succeeded the Prince of Parma, Governor at this present.  
The Regent's authority is in generality as great as the Princes, save that all matters of moment pass under the Prince's name, and all officers to whom is committed the general Government, govern in the Prince's name, and are placed by the Prince alone: namely, the Chancellor, Precedents, Councelors of the state, abbots etc. Likewise all Laws, Decrees, Sentences and Negotiations, are dispatched in the Prince's name.  
As touching the Counsels it is to be understood, that the Council of estate not long agone, was all one with the Privy Council, but now because of the great abundance of businesses and affairs, the burden is committed to two Counsels which before was sustained by one so that the Counsel is now divided into the Council of Estate, and the Privy Counsel.  
The Council of State is ever resident with the Governor, the number of these Councillors is uncertain, They have a precedent among them. With this Council the Governor consulteth of matters appartaining to the state of the Prince and commonwealth: namely of peace & war, and of the general government of the Country, of advertisements that come from all places of ●ntelligences with foreign Princes and neighbours, of cassing of Colonels and Captains, offortifications, munitions, and provisions of Armour, and of sending and receiving of Ambassadors. Farther, to this Council all matters of great difficulty are referred by the other inferior counsels. To conclude, this Council hath the charge and superintendance of all things, concerning the government and defence of the Country as well at home as abroad. Notwithstanding if extraordirie matters of importance happen, the knights of the order, & sometime some other governors and officers of the K. are called to assist this council. And there are four Secretaries attending on it.  
The privy or secret Council is also assistant to the Regent. It consisteth ordinarily of x. or xii. councillors being Doctors and licenciate, & Gentlemen elected for their service to the prince to that place. It hath a Precedent, who is also keeper of the great Seal. It hath the charge of justice, Laws, and the policy of the Country. It overlooketh the other provincial Counsels, whereof we will speak hereafter. It hath authority to give privileges, pardons, grants to make laws, ordinances, statutes and edicts: for the which cause the Councillors of this Co●●cell are also called masters of the Requests. This Council judgeth and determineth controversies of bounds, limits, and Confines of countries, and likewise of the superiority, authority, and sovereignty of the Prince, and of the Noble men and others that follow the Court. To conclude, this Council is the rampire of justice, judging of all matters without appeal. Notwithstanding matters of great moment, it communicateth with the Prince, or his Lieutenant in his absence, and likewise sometime with the Counsel of Estate, if the matters of state and matters of justice concur together in one.  
The Counsel of finances resideth at the Court, their number are these. First, three sage Seniors of the Country called Chiefs or Surm●end●us des Finances, Then a Treasurer, a Receiver General, and three other men of quality and acquainted with matters of the receipt, called Con●is: Besides Scribes and other officers. This Council hath the charge of the Prince's patrimony and revenues, of aids and Subsidies ordinary and extraordinary. Of receivers and other officers dealing with the Prince's Treasure. It levieth Imposts and taxations, giveth order for assuing forth of mines that serve for payment of all ●●●●tters, concerning aswell peace as war: namely ●●●●cifications, Munitions, Provisions, expenses ordinary and extraordinary, concerning the maintenance of the Common wealth. It letteth to farm the Prince's lands, commandeth moderations and restraints contained in their ordinances. To conclude, it hath the government of all the Prince's money, goods, and revenues, for the which cause it may justly be called the Prince's Bank or Treasur.  
These Counsels above rehearsed always follow the Court.  
There is also the Provost of the Court, who always followeth the Co●●t to do justice upon offenders. He hath born before him a long ragged read rod, and is therefore called Vergerouge. This Officer may enter into any Province in the absence of the Provost martial, or of the Drossart in Brabant, and do justice upon offenders without appeal, but not without form of judgement, yea and where the martial can not come out of his own Province, nor the Drossart out of Brabant, this Vergerouge goeth over all the Provinces as occasion of service doth require.  
The Council of the Chamber of Accounts resideth at Brussels, & is a member of the Council of Finances. The number is one Precedent & seven. Masters of accounts: to this Court all Treasurers, Receivers, and other Officers that manage the King's Treasure in Brabant, and the Countries of the contribution of Brabant, and likewise in the Duchy of Luxembourg come and yield their accounts, and from this Court receive their acquittances.  
There are besides this, three other Chambers of Accounts, one in Flaunders, one in Guelderland, and one in Holland, which all yield their accounts to the Council of Finances, as superintendant over them.  
All these four Counsels above rehearsed are ordinarily resident with the Regent in the name of the Prince.  
But besides these, there is a particular Governor in every Province, to whom also as to the king's Lieutenant all the affairs of that Province especially matters of war are referred, and he for his part is obedient to the general Regent.  
Likewise in most of the king's Provinces is a particular Council held in the king's name commonly called Parliament, and in Brabant and some other places Chancery, the which consisteth of vi. x. xii. or xviii. Counsellors, Doctors of the Law, or Licentiate with a Precedent or Chancellor for their head, where also the king's Advocate and his Procurer general are resident with Secretaries, Registers, and other officers accordingly; all chosen by the Regent, and all in manner receiving pension of the Prince.  
This Court dealeth in all causes civil and criminal within that Province save in Mortmaineses which are referred to the Court Ecclesiastical.  
To these Courts of Parliament resort for justice not only the subjects but also the prince himself, for whom his Advocate & Procurer make answer, and all men have right there, even against the prince, as of late it happened in Guelderland, that the king having lost a suit of great importance against the Lord of A●holt, and no Officer being found that would excecute the sentence, the king himself gave commandment that it should effectually be executed, which was done accordingly.  
To these provincial Courts are brought all the appeals of all other inferior Courts in that Province. The provincial Courts of Malines, Haynalt, gelders, Brabant, & Friesland, judge dif●natiuely without appeal. But they have a for me of Revision in Civil causes, which is a new examination of the process by other judges, but of the same Province, being half the number of those that pronounced the sentence: but seldom doth the party any good that demaundet●● this Revision. Farther in this Revision they judge by Suffrages.  
They use in all these Cou●●es & through all the Country both the Civil Cannon & common laws, but without prejudice of the Municipal Laws & particular Constitutions of priveleged places which are many, & also without prejudice of the Princes Decrees called Mandemen, the which (the privileges not prejudiced) are preferred before all other Law. But these Mandemen are deliberately advised off by the said Courts before they be published or receive any authority, who first consider of them whether they be agreeable to the reason of the common Law, that is to say the Civil Law.  
Besides these Courts above mentioned, the Regent yearly sendeth out Commissioners in the king's name to receive the accounts of the receipts & expenses in all matters that concern the prince, of all the principal towns through the whole Country (which is called Fair la Seigneurie, or la nowelle loy) and in Brabant the accounts also of Churches, Monasteries, & Hospitals: For the the prince hath a peculiar authority over the Clergy to visit them, and to see whether they be well governed or not, and if they be not, to reform the abuses. And note that all officers from the highest to the lowest, aswell of the long as short rob, swear fealty to the prince.  
As touching provision for the wars, the prince entertaineth no bands of footmen after the Italian guise, but garrisons of footmen, and of some horsemen only in 26. places.  
Notwithstanding the Emperor Charles the v. in the year 1547. appointed 600. ordinary Lances, every lance having for his retinue one man of arms, and four light horsemen as in France he hath five, which amount in the whole to 3000. horse.  
These are divided into 14. companies called Les bands de ordinance, the greatest is of 50. lances, the lest of 30. They are delivered to the government of the noblest men of the Country with good provinsion & goodly order, so that these companies never die but are continually supplied with a number of valiant gentlemen, and soldiers ready at all times to do any exploit they shallbe called unto.  
Those that governed these Companies in the year 1566. were these following.  

1. The D. of Arschot.  
2. The Prince of Orange  
3. The Counted Eguemont.  
4. The Marquis of Bergues.  
5. Conte de Horn.  
6. The Conte de Azenberghe.  
7. The Conte de Mansfelt.  
8. The Conte de Meghem.  
9 The Conte de Reux.  
10. The Conte de Bossur.  
11. The Conte de Hochstrat.  
12. The Sr. de Brederode.  
13. The Sr. de Montignie.  
14. The Baron of Barlaymont.   
All these Captains have their several officers.  
There is also a Treasurer of the wars that payeth these bands, he is always a man of reputation, and is called Art Molckman.  
The king hath no army upon the Sea, for that were needles considering that at all times he takes up both of his own subjects, & of strange nations what ships soever he findeth in his por●● when he hath need, notwithstanding an Admiral there is with a small number of ships, & those very evil appointed: but when the king taketh any strange ships he furnisheth them with his own munitions, & payeth them honourably for their service.  
The Admiral is judge of all Sea causes, Captain of the Sea armies, Governor of all Sea charges, and hath his part in all prizes taken on the Sea in time of war.  
He hath a Custom called Dache of every tun of ambergris that by the king's safe conduct cometh from, or goeth into the enemy's Country by Sea, to the which safe conduits of the kings, the Admiral must also give his consent by writing, the which writing is called Attach, because it is annexed to the kings safe conduct, and without that all merchandises by Sea are confiscate, as also without the Attaches of the Governors of the Countries or Towns through the which any merchandise passeth by land into, or out of the enemy's Country, the said merchandise is also confiscate notwithstanding the king's safe conduct, if the governors safe conduct be wan●ing to it, which privilege the king hath granted them to the end himself be not deceived.  
The king hath great provision for the wars of all sorts of furniture, all the which lieth at Mali●es, save that which is abroad for the furniture of the stronger places & the Frontiers. Of this furniture is Captain the great master of the Artillirie. Farther there is almost no good town nor Castle in the Country, but that the towns men besides the king's furniture have of their own, great provision of Artillery & munition necessary for the wars.   

Certain statutes made by the prince for the preservation of the State.  
NO Subject of the Low Countries may go to serve in the wars any foreign prince whosoever without the express licence of the king.  
No man in time of war may traffic with the enemy without the prin●cs licence.  
No horse above seven. foot high may be conveyed out of the Country, nor no Mare at all without licence of the prince.  
No grain may be conveyed out of the country. No provision of war, no armour, no gold, nor silver may be carried out of the Country coined nor uncoined, whole nor broken, save only for necessary journeying expenses.  
Not quick silver, no copper, no brass may be carried forth, but money and favour do all things every where.  
All merchandises are suffered to be brought into the Country, and all coin is currant there according to the value thereof.  
The Sea is free for all men to fish in, Hawking, Hunting, & fishing in rivers & fresh waters appertaineth to the prince & to noble men & gentlemen in their several jurisdictions & territories, but in Brabant the king hath reserved to himself only these v. woods wherein none other may hunt: namely Sonien, Saventerloo, Groetenhout, Grootenheist, & Meeredale. The rest are free for every man to hunt in, save with nets & cords.  
The revenues of the prince consist in domains, wood-sale, imposts upon merchandise going & coming by land & by Sea, certain rents in divers towns, as for example in Andwerpe the prince hath part of all confiscations, he hath the mint, the public prisons, the weighing of merchandise, all that which be ever let to farm. The prince hath likewise the measuring of grain which is farmed in Andwerp for 100000. crowns in ready coin.  
The prince's revenues are equal with the king of England's, setting aside that which the Crown of England receiveth of the Church.   

The manner of assembling the states of of the Low Countries is this.  
THe states at the day appointed are summoned by the princes letters to appear ordenarily at Brussels, partly, because the Court ordinarily resideth there, & partly because the Brabancons consult of no matter out of the precincts of their own Country.  
These Countries sand Deputies, namely, Brabant, Flanders, Artoys, Hainault, Valenciennes, L'Isle Dovay, Orchies, Holland, Vtrecht, Zeeland, Namurs, Tournay, Tournesis, Malines.  
The other countries, namely, gelders, Ouerissel, Frise, Luxembourg, assemble each in their own country under the Governor thereof for the Prince, and cannot be called to the general assembly such are their privileges.   

The States of each Province are these.  
First, the Clergy. Secondly, the Nobility. Thirdly, the people and the principal towns.  
The States assemble not altogether, but one province after another, to whom the Precedent or one of the Counsel of State proposeth in the prince's name that which he demandeth, for without their consent the Prince can obtain nothing that is propounded.  
If but one town oppose itself when all the rest have consented, all that the others have done is of no effect, because nothing is granted by the deputies but conditionally (viz) of all the States Vnanimi consensu do agreed thereunto.  
There is also an agreement between the Pope and the Prince, which standeth upon these conditions following.  
The Prince giveth the Clergy livings, & the Pope confirmeth them.  
No prelate or Lay person may be adjourned out of the country, but the Pope must sand his commissioners into the country.  
The pope cannot give a benefice, not a pardon, nor sand a bull into the country without the Princes Placet.  
The Clergy can buy no lands or immovable goods, without the express permission of the Prince.   

The Particular Description of every Province of the Low countries.  
THere are in the Low countries xviii. titles that the Prince beareth, and xvii. Provinces (viz) Lothier, which is a bore title of a Duchy without land. Brabant, Lemburg, Luxemburg, gelders, which are provinces & duchies. Flaunders, Artoys, Hainault, Holland, Zeeland. Namur, Zutphen, which are Provinces & Earldons. The Marquisat of the sacred Empire Friesland, Malines, Vtrecht, Ouer-issel, Greninghan, which are Provinces and Seniories.  
Note that the County of Burgundy, is not described in this discourse, belike because it 〈◊〉 so far up in the high countries, near to Suitx●rland and Savioe.   

Now followeth the particular description of every one of thes Provinces, and first of Lothier or Lothrie.  
THis is a bore Title, for the land remaineth in Lorraine: yet the Duke of Brabant yetayneth the name also, because Barbant was a part of the ancient Lorrame, and was called base Lorraine. And yet at this day, there is a court of causes civil and criminal, at Genappe in Brabant Wallon, called La Court de Lorraine. But all the Country at this day is comprehended in Brabant Wallon.  

Brabant.  
Brabant is bounded North with the , which severeth it from Guelderland & Holland, South, with Haynault, Namurs, Liege. East, with the , which severeth it from another part of Guelderland. West, with the Schelde, which severeth it from Flaunders and the principality of Alost.  
The air is very wholesome and good, through all the country, & the soil fruitful, save in Kempland, which being naturally unfruitful, is made fruitful by keeping of cattle and soiling the ground.  
The length of Brabant from South to North, (viz.) from Gemblours to S. Ghertrudenberg, is 22 Leagues.  
The breadth from East to West, (viz) from Helmont to Berghes, 20 Leagues.  
The circuit 80. Leagues.  
Note here, that when you read of any leagues, you must accounted the length of them according to the use of the country that is described.  
The principal Rivers of Brabant, are the Meus● and the Schelde.  
The principal Forests of the country, are Sonien, Zaventerloo, Grotenhout, Grotenheist, Meerdale.  
Towns walled there, are 26. whereof Lowain, Bruxelles, Andwerpe, Bosleduc, are the 4. principal, and being joined together make one of the three Estates of Brabant. Farther, Tilmond, Leeuwe and Nivelle, are named among the Capital towns, notwithstanding that they be but small. The rest of the walled towns are Arshcot, Berghe, Meghen, Breda, Diest, Maestricht, which are all beautified with Titles of Honour. After follow, Steenberg, Lyre, Viluorden, Gemblours, joudoigne, Hannut, Landen, Haver or Halem Sichenen, Herentales, Eindoven, Helmont, Grave.  
The dignities in Brabant are these: The Marquisat of th● Empire, The Duchy of Arschot, The Marquisat of Berghen, The Counties of Hochstraet and of Meghen, The Seniories of Breda, Diest, Grimberghen. The state of M●●stricht and the Seniory of Ravastain (though this be a member apart) besides Baronies nineteen. comprehending Grimberghen for two.  
Small towns in Brabant though unwalled, yet market towns, fair built, and enjoying the privileges of walled towns, and some of them adorned with titles of Honour are xviii. described hereafter by themselves.  
Villages with parish churches (divers of them having also titles of Honour) there are 700. the principal whereof are hereafter described.  
Farther the Duchy of Lembourg, the State of Walkenburg, the Earldom of Dalem and the state of Rode-le-duc with all their appendances, lands and jurisdictions, resort to the Chancery of Brabant.  
The three estates of Brabant consist of the clergy, the Nobility, and the four capital towns.  
The Duke of Brabant is ancient protector and advocate of the country of Liege, and was wont to be so also (as it is said) of the noble City of Aix or Aquisgrane, which is now under the tutele of the Duke of Cleves and juliers. Now followeth the description of the four capital towns, namely, Lowain, Bruxelles, Andwerp & Bosleduc.   

Lowain.  
Lowain, is so called of Loven which is a dutch word, and signifieth to praise or Honour, because the Idol Mars was there honoured. It standeth by the river of Deal, the air there is so temperate, that Vines grow both within and without the town.  
The greatness of Lowain is four mile's compass within the walls and six without. The buildings are beautiful, The Temples, Monasteries, the church of S. Peter, and the public Palace are very sumptuously built. The figure of Lowain is round.  
The town is nothing close built, by means whereof, there are within it many goodly Gardens, valleys, mountains, meadows, vines & springs Lowain is one of the four towns of the Marquisate of the sacred Empire.  
The University was founded by john the iiii. of that name, Duke of Brabant, in the year 1426 In it are above xx. colleges, the principal whereof are five, Lilium, Castrum, Porcus, Falco, ●●rilingue.  
Lowain is the principal and mother of all the towns of Brabant, and maketh the first member of the third estate of that Province.  
Lowain is the first town that receiveth and giveth Oath to the Prince. It was sometime an Earldom, and commanded over the greatest part of Brabant.  
Under the jurisdiction of Lowain are these: towns following: Tilmont, Leeuwe, Gemblours, Diest, Halen, Sichenen joudoigne, Hanut, Landen, etc.  
In the Low countries are only two Universities, one here at Lowain, and the other at Do●ay, lately erected by king Philip.   

Bruxelles.  
Bruxelles, standeth upon the little River Sin, ●ouuain and it are of one greatness. There are two walls about Bruxelles, between the which towards the East, the court is resident.  
It is seated for all commodities, both of pleasure and profit, no town in the world better.  
There is a goodly channel made by Art from Bruxelles into the River of Deal, and thence into the Schelde. There are also five notable scluses for the backwater. The charge of this channel and seluses amounted to 500000 crowns.  
In Bruxelles are seven gates, seven churches, seven noble houses, and seven esche●ins of the Town.  
Bruxelles is also one of the four towns of the Marquesat of the sacred Empire.  
The buildings of Bruxelles are very sumptuous.  
There are in Bruxelles 52. Occupations divided into nine members, called the nine nations.  
In Bruxelles is made great store of Armour, and excellent Arras clotheses of all sorts, both of silk and also of gold and silver.  
Under the jurisdiction of Bruxelles, are Nivelle and Viluorden.  
Bruxelles is not a viscounty (though it be so taken) but there is a certain dignity in 〈…〉 of that name, as is also in Andwerp, 〈…〉 and other Towns, having only belonging 〈◊〉 certain ancient pre-eminences, 〈◊〉 and prerogatives but no land, and he that now is Viscount of Bruxelles, is Charles Hannart Sr of Liod● church, who hath only certain pre-eminences in the town, but no other jurisdiction: such as the Boregrave hath in Andwerp, who is the self same officer there, that the Viscount is at Bruxelles. This office seemeth to be much like the office of our Sheriffs in England, who are also called Vicicomites.  
The Chancery of Brabant is ordinarily resident at Bruxelles, to the which resort the Duchy of Lembourg, the states of Walkenbourg, Dalem and other Seniories beyond the .  
At Bruelles is also resident, the Court Feudale of Brabant.  
There is also held the spiritual court of the Bishop of Cambray, because the Brabancons may not be called out of their own country, to answer any matter whatsoever.  
The Bishop of Liege hath also a court there, because part of Brabant is in his diocese.  
Bruxelles, is also the ordinary place of residence of the king's court.  
This town is the second capital town of Brabant, and maketh the second member of the third estate thereof. Their principal wealth consisteth in their lands and revenues.  
Three leagues from Bruxelles is the Abbey of Afflighem, the Abbot whereof is the first, and hath the first suffrage of all the twelve abbeys of the States of Brabant.  
In this Abbey is one of the principal Libraries of Brabant, whereof there are 4. more, namely, at Tongherloo, Gemblours, Grunendale, and at the priory of the seven fountains.   

Andwerp.  
Andwerp standeth in a goodly plain, the River of Schelde parting it from Flanders. The River before the town is broad 600. Flemish else & better, deep 22. else, the tide riseth ordinarily xii. foot. Note that every Flemish elle maketh three quarters of an English yard.  
Andwerp hath been thrice walled.  
The Sea is by land xiii. leagues from the town, by water xvii. leagues.  
There are about it ten bulwarks, and 7. gates built of goodly stone.  
The walls are fortified with large ditches, which with engines that they have, may be filled with water at all times.  
The circuit of Andwerp is about four Italian miles.  
There are eight principal channels within the town, the greatest whereof joining to the Palace of the Easterlings, is of receipt for 100 great ships, all these channels are cut out of the River.  
There are in the town of Briges 〈…〉 above 74.  
Streets 212. the greatest part being 〈…〉 large, and very even and strait built.  
The Burse of Andwerp took the name of the Burse of Bruges, which was so called because it was near to the house of the family of la 〈◊〉 as appeareth by their arms yet remaining upon the said house, being three purses. This name of Burse hath gained so great credit in the world, that all places where Merchants are to assemble together, are called Burse: yea the Exchange in England retaineth yet that name, notwithst●● the alteration made by the Queen.  
There are in Andwerp but five parish churches, the principal whereof is our Lady church, being a very goodly one. The rest of the Author's discourse in this place, is only of orders and societies belonging to the church, a matter unnecessary for us to rehearse.  
here also the Author runneth out into a long discourse of the order of the golde● fleece, rehearsing all the knights that have been of that order, a thing not necessary for us to spend time in: notwithstanding we will here for the better satisfaction of the Readers, rehearse all the principal orders of Knighthood in Christendom.  
1. The Annunciade, which is the most ancient, was instituted by Am the xi. Earl of Savoy about the year of our Lord. 1342.  
2. The garter by K. Edward the iii, An. 1350.  
3. The golden fleece, by Philip Duke of Burgundy, Anno. 1429.  
4. S. Michael by Lewis the xi. An. 1470.  
5. S. Stephen by Cosmus Duke of Florence. Anno 1561.  
6. The Holy ghost, by Henry the third king of France, Anno.  
There are in Andwerp 13500 houses, & place appointed for 1500 more.  
Houses are dearer let in Andwerp than in any other place in Christendom, Lisbonne in Portugal excepted.  
It is forbidden to build or repair any house of wood, or to make any wall less than a foot thick above the ground.  
Many goodly buildings there are in Andwerp, as well private as public, but the public especially are very sumptuous, namely, the place where Arras is sold, the Butchery, the Waigh-house, the English house, many sumptuous ware houses built for the English men, the new lodging for the discharging of Merchandise that cometh to the town by land, but the Esterlings lodging passeth all these in greatness and magnificense, yet is that as far surmounted by the townhouse, the building whereof, costalmost 100000. crowns.  
Andwerp is an imperial town, and Metropolitan of the Marquisat of the Empire, yet payest nothing to the Emperor. It is marvelously well furnished both out of their own country and out of foreign countries, of all kind of victuals and dainties, both for the necessary use of man, and also for wantonness.  
In Andwerp is such a dignity as is above mentioned in Bruxelles, which in dutch is called Boar grave, and in other language's Viscount. This dignity is now in the Prince of Orange, by exchange made by his ancestors of Nassau with the Duke of Cleves, who held it as lord of Diest: It is an office of honour but of small commodity.  
Andwerp is the third capital town of Brabant, and maketh the third member of the third estate thereof.  
Under the jurisdiction thereof are comprehended, Berghen, Breda, Lyre, Herentals, Steenberghen, and divers other towns and villages, part of the which in civil causes, resort rather to Andwerp than to the Chancery of Brabant.    

The causes of the great wealth that Andwerp is grown to, are three.  
THe first the two Martes that are in Andwerp, the one whereof, beginneth 15. days before Whitsuntide, and is thereof called La foire de P●●tecoste, The other is called La foire de S. 〈◊〉. or de S. Bauon, because it beginneth the Second sunday after our Lady day in August, which is of equal distance from either of the said Feasts. Each of these Martes endure six weeks, all the which time, no man is subject to any arrest for debt: the payments of these Marts are the 10. of August and the 10 of November. The payments also of the two fairs that were wont to be made at Berghes, namely, of the cold fair, & of Easter fair, are now made at Andwerp, the one on the x. of February, and the other the x. of May.  
There are also at Andwerp besides these Marts, two great Horse fairs: the one at Whitsuntide, the other at our Lady day in September, & likewise two of Leather and skins of all sorts, which follow immediately after the horse fairs.  
The second cause of the wealth of Andwerp is this. In the year 1503. the Portugals began to bring spices out of their India's, and from Calicut into Portugal, & from thence to Andwerp, which before that time were wont to be brought by the ●ed sea to Barnt & thence to Alexandria, & so to Venice, which (before the Portugals voyage into the India's) furnished all Christendom ofspices. But the king of Portugal, having partly by love, partly by force, drawn all the traffic of spices in Calicut and the Isles adjacent thereunto into his own hands, and having brought them to Lisbonne, sent his factor with spice to Andwerp, by which means it drew all Nations thither to buy spices of the said Factor. Thus 〈◊〉 by this occasion beginning to be greatly freque●●ted: Afterward in the year 1516. divers Merchants strangers, Spaniards and Italians, depainted from Bruges to go and devil at Andwerp, & after them others, and so by little and little all strangers (a few excepted) left Bruges and went to Andwerp, with no less commodity to this ditty, than discommodity to that.  
The third cause of the wealth of Andwerp, was the course that Monsieur de Longuevale & Martin van Rossem made with a mighty army, An. 1542. into the Low countries, meaning indened to have spoiled Andwerp: by occasion whereof the Citizens of Audwerp to avoid the like peril hereafter, have since the time marvelously fortified their town, for the safety both of it & of all Merchants trafficking to it: so that it is now free from all danger and thought impregnable. By mean●● whereof, a great multitude of Noblemen and Gentlemen come to devil in the town. Farther because the Suburbs were at that time 〈◊〉, and that restraint hath been made sithence, 〈◊〉 to build within 3500. feet of the town wall; a great number of wealth men that before dwelled without the town, have been since and daily are constrained to build and devil within the town, by means whereof sithence that time 〈◊〉 is increased by 3000 houses.  
The charge of the Citizens of 〈…〉 the strangers in the town, at the entry of K. Philip as prince, amounted to above 130000. crowns  
The provision for the poor in Andwerp, amounteth yearly to more than 30000. ducats, by means whereof, none beg in the town, save at certain feasts, and certain hours.  
Besides this provision above rehearsed, they nourish in the town to a certain age 8000, poor children of both sexes, & teach them good occupations.   

The Revenues of Andwerp are these.  
THe assize of wine yearly 60000 Ducats.  
The assize of beer yearly 80000 Ducats.  
They receive also an impost of corn, and of all cloven footed beasts, serving for man's sustenance, the which is paid by the paul.  
Likewise the revenue of the town consisteth in the sale of certain small offices, and of letters of freedom: for you shall understand that who so will exercise any occupation in the town, must have letters from the townhouse to licence him so to do.  
lastly the town receiveth a good revenue of houses and lands, which they let to farm, so that the whole revenues of the town with the imposts of wine and beer are esteemed 250000. Crowns.  
The town payeth nothing to the 〈…〉 ordinary, but sometime aideth him with money and sometime granteth him imposts extraord●rie to gratify him with.   

The Prince's revenues in Andwerp.  
THough the town of Andwerp itself pay nothing to the prince: yet hath the king an impost upon wine, bee●e, and beasts sold there for man's sustenance, besides the above mentioned impost of the town upon these things.  
Farther the K. as Duke of Brabant, hath an impost levied upon such merchandises as go & 〈◊〉 by Sea to the town, the which is called the 〈◊〉 of Brabant, farmed yearly for 20000 ducats.  
Again the king as earl of Zeeland, hath the like impost upon all merchandises going and coming by Sea to Andwerp, called the toll of Zeeland, farmed likewise yearly at 20000. ducats or better.  
This toll was wont to be paid in Zeeland, but now for ease of the Merchants, this and all other levied upon any merchandises going and coming by sea to the town, is paid in Andwerp. Notwithstanding the toll levied by the prince upon any merchandises going & coming by and is still paid in Zeeland & not in Andwerp.  
Moore than these small toules neither Prince, nor town can levy any thing upon any merchandises coming to the haven by Sea, or going out of the town by Land.  
The prince receiveth farther in Andwerpe part of all confiscations, he hath also by inheritance the profit of the Mint, and of the common gail, which he letteth to farm both in Andwerpe and through the whole Country of Brabant.   

The policy of Andwerpe in the administration of justice Criminal.  
IN causes Criminal the prisoner is allowed his Advocate whom himself will make choice off, yeathough he lack money. If the case be not heinous, the prisoner is bailed, & if there be no ground of the accusation, the Officer that followeth the process answereth the charges.  
If the case be heinous the Mark grave desirerh to have the prisoner put on the Rack, whereto though the judges agreed, yet can nothing be done before the Bourgeoisie being informed of the fact agreed also thereto, & then is the party disfranchised before he be put to the Rack, otherwise he cannot be racked.  
The Mark grave cannot Rack him but in the presence of two of the Eschevins not 〈◊〉 him longer thereon than pleaseth them.  
After the prisoner hath sentence passed upon him (which cannot be done before the judges be all agreed) he must within 24. hours be executed at the Prince's charge.  
But here is to be noted, that before the Sentence be pronounced, the Marckgrave may compound with the Prisoner (if the case be no● heinous) for money, of the which, two parts come to the Prince, and the third to the Marckgraite.  
The bodies of those that be executed are not buried unless it be obtained by special grace, or for money.  
All their goods are confiscated.  
Churches and Cloisters are Sanctuaries for prisoners, except the case be heinous.   

Policy in justice Civil.  
NO Citizen nor stranger dwelling in Andwerpe may be arrested for debt, nor his goods seized before he have been convented before the magistrate.  
The order of conventing them before the magistrate is this. The debtor is warned by a Sergeant to come before the Magistrate, and there he is examined of the debt. If the Creditor prove the debt, the debtor hath a short day given him to pay it, and in the mean time men are appointed to look to his house that nothing be conveyed away. After x. or xii. days expired and the debt not paid, an Inventory is taken of the goods, which are forthwith sold, and if they will not answer the debt, the debtor's lands are sold, and if they all suffice not, than his body is apprehended, but till it be found that he hath no means to pay the debt, the body of a Citizen may not be seized on. The like order is used to a stranger dwelling in Andwerpe, but if he have no dwelling there he may be arrested at all times, notwithstanding at three days end he may be bailed.  
Likewise a Citizen or Inhabitant of Andwerpe can not arrest the body or goods of an other Citizen, unless he be a Vagabond, or a Spendthrift.  
Ifa Citizen of Andwerpe be bankrupt, the wife is first answered her Dowry, and if she be dead, then is it answered to her children, who represent the place of their mother, next to her is the Prince answered, than the Town, & lastly the Creditors equally.  
The Sons & Daughters inherit after their Father equally, save in Lands of noble Tenure, called Fiefs, of the which the principal house together with two parts of the land descendeth to the eldest Son, the other third part is equally divided among the other sons, but the 〈…〉 have nothing to do with the Fiefs.  
A Bastard legitimated by the Prince may dispose of all that he hath, and if he make no will his next of kin succeed him, otherwise if he be not legitimated, all that he hath cometh to the prince by the Law de Aubeine.  
Yet a Bastard legitimated shall have no partage with his brethren & sisters, but that only which his Father giveth him.  
A Bastard of a woman, maid, or widow, not being begootten by a married man, nor a religious man shall have his Partage, and inherit from his mother with his brethren & sisters as fully as if he had been borne in lawful matrimony.  
No Land may be bought or mortgaged, but by writings made before one of the Eschevins at the lest, and one Secretary of the town, who enroll it in the public Registers, where all men may see it. And after fourteen or sixten months expired, no man may quarrel it.   

Their Marriages.  
WHen a man marrieth his daughter and giveth her money to her dower, that barreth her not from her Father's Inheritance. But when the Lands and goods (the 〈◊〉 where with the Daughters meddle not excepted) are divided equally among the children the sum given in marriage is abated.  
In all towns save Andwerpe the Husband ●s bound to his wives debt, and the Women to ●heir Husbands. But in Andwerpe except the Woman trade Merchandise she is not bound to the husbands debts, but the man is bound to the wives debts, whether they were due before the Marriage or after: And the reason is because no Woman after she is Married (setting those aside that trade Merchandise) can bind herself, but by her husbands leave.  
If a Citizen marry out of Andwerpe without leave of the Bourgue-mayster he looseth his freedom.  
If a man and his wife continued together 50. years, at the end of 50. years they celebrated with great joy their marriage a new: so do the Priests also if they live 50. years after they have sung their first Mass.  
A Citizen married, if he bid● out of the Banlieu of Andwerpe but six Weeks without leave of the Bourgue-mayster looseth his freedom, but a Citizen unmarried may go whither him listeth, and tarry as long as pleaseth him without any leave ask.  
If a Citizen go to devil out of the town of Andwerp with his wife & children he loseth his freedom unless he declare himself to be of the Citizens without, for you must understand that there are two sorts of Citizens, those within, and those without, the which all enjoy the self same privileges. But he that declareth himself a Burgess without (so that he devil not out of the quarter of Andwerpe, or the Marquisate of the Empire) is bound to take his oath to the town once a year, and to pay half a Crown to the public Treasury, & so he may enjoy his freedom and privileges without any prejudice.  
A Citizen or one borne in the Country (this reacheth not to strangers which are made free) that hath remained one year out of Andwerp, if he departed to go to devil in any other Town of Brahant must pay to the public Treasury 5. in the hundredth of all his immovable goods, & if he go to devil out of Brahant he payeth 10. in the hundred, unless he go to devil in some place privileged from these pains, as Lyre, Bergh, Breda, Middlebourg in Zelande, and such other Towns.  
No stranger may exercise any Art in Andwerpe before he be made free.  
There are not in Andwerp above 15000. able men for the wars, reckoning between the age of 18. and 60. because the number of Women, Churchmen, and Children is exceeding great there.   

A brief rehearsal of all the notable things in Andwerpe.  
1. THe Town walls and Bulwarks with divers secret Issues in & out of the town.  
2. The Gates of the town being seven.  
3. The Bridges, which are six.  
4. The Castle a rare piece of work, but now razed.  
5. The new town.  
6. The Haven.  
7. The tower of our Lady Church.  
8. The new Burse.  
9 The Mint.  
10. The hauls of occupations.  
11. The Bucherie and Fishmarket.  
12. The town-house.  
13. The Esterlings-house.  
14. The English and Portugal houses.  
15. The Glas-house.  
16. Plantine the Printers shop, where there is daily spent in printing 150. Crowns.   

The noble houses in Andwerp.  
FIrst you must understand that the Nobility here cannot exercise merchandise, as in Italy they do, for that the Nobility here devil in Castles ●●oade and but few in the towns, notwithstanding in Andwerpe are as many nob●● houses resident as suffice for the government of the Town. The names of the which here followeth.  
1. Lyre. 2. Berchem. 3. Imerfell, which is issued out of the house of Lyre.  
4. Vrsel. 5. Schoonhouen descended of the house of Arschot. 6. Werne. 7. Halm 〈◊〉. 8. Roccox. 9 Sterck. 10. Stralen. 11. Schetz. 12. Vander-heyden.   

A notable discourse of the traffic & Commerce of Andwerpe with strange and foreign Nations.  
IN Andwerpe are 7. strange nations that traffic there. French who in time of peace only come thither. Alemans, Danes, & Ost●rlings together, Italians Spaniards, English, Portugals. Of the which these 6. Nation's last rehearsed make above the number of 1000 Merchants.  
There are more Spaniards in Andwerpe tha● of any other Nation, because divers of them 〈◊〉 married & devil there.  
Anthony one of the Fouguers of Ausburge died not long sithence, and left by his testament to his Heirs above 6. millions of Crowns.   

A discourse of the Exchange.  
THe places where the Exchange runneth are for Italy, Room, Venice, Milan, Florence, Genes. For Allemaine, Ausbourg, Norenberg, Frank ford. For Spain, Medinadel Campo at 2. Fairs, Villano at 1. Fair, Medina de Rio Secco at one Fair, Borgos, Calais, Sevill, Lisbonne. For France, Lions, Paris, Roven. For England, London. For Burgundy, Besanzon.  
The Exchange consisteth in giving or receiving in one place, as for example in Andwerp, as much money as amounteth to a Crown, a Ducat, or an Angel, to receive or deliver in Italy, or in an other Province as much in value, which is a goodly commodity for traffic.  
But rich Merchants moved with desire of unsatiable gain, having gathered together great Masses of money, do either by giving forth to interest when there is need of money, or taking up when there is no need, make money either scarce or plentiful at there own pleasure & to their own gain particular, but to the 〈◊〉 pre●●idice of the commonwealth.   

A rehearsal of such ambergris as cometh out of divers Countries to Andwerpe and is sent into those Countries from Andwerp, & first of Italy.  

Room.  
NO thing is brought from Room to Andwerpe 〈◊〉 there is sent from Andwerpe thither  of divers sorts, Sarges or Says, Wosteds; Demiwosteds or Russels, Li●en cloth, Arras and tapistry.   

Ancona.  
From Ancona come Chamlets watered and unwatred, Grograins, Spice, Drugs, Silks, Co●ton, Felts, tapistry, Spanish leather, Indian colour, Wrought Velvets & Satin of divers sorts.  
To Ancona are sent store of English clothes & Carisies, Flemish clothes especially clothes of Armentiers, being mingled of 4. colours, Sarges, Wosteds', Linen cloth, Arras clotheses, but not great store, and of Cuchenille (which comme●● out of Spain) great quantity.   

Bouloigne.  
From Bouloigne come Satins & Velvets, Silk twisted and raw, Cloth of Gold & Silver, Caps, Gold, Pearl, Cypress for bands  
To Bouloigne are sent Sarges, Russels, tapistry, Linen, Small mercery wares, & some cloth.   

Venice.  
From Venice come Spices, as Cloves, Cinnamon, Nutmegs, Ginger, Drugs also, as Rhubarb, Aloe, Cassia, Agaric, Dragon's blood, Momie, Seeneleaves, Coliquintida, Scamonee, Tutie, Methredat, Triakle. From Venice come also excellent Satins, Silk raw and wrought, Chamlets, Grograines, Wrought Velvets, tapistry of Turkey, Samis excellent good which is a kind of silk like to Satin, excellent Scarlets, Cotton, Coming, Ebenus, mercery wares of silk, Indian colour called Azure & divers other colours to paint & to die withal.  
To Venice are sent jewels, pearls, English cloth & will, Low country  of divers sorts, Says, Wosteds, Russels, Linen cloth, tapistry, Cuchenille great quantity, divers small wares, furniture for houses, Sugars, & sometime some Pepper.   

Naples.  
From the Realm of Naples come Satins, Silk wrought & raw, fine Furs, Saffron of Aquila, Manna excellent good.  
Thither are sent  of the Low countries, & english clothes, infinite linen cloth, Says, wosteds, Russels, Arras, & many works of metal.   

Sicily.  
Out of Sicily come Galls, Commin, Oranges, Cotton, Silks, Wines, namely Malmsey & such like.  
Thither are sent clotheses both  & linen, Says; Arras, many works of metal.   

Milan  
Thence cometh gold & silver thread, Satins, cloth of gold of divers sorts, Fustian, Skarletts, stamels & other fine clotheses, rise, armours excellent good, divers sorts of small wares, Parmesan cheese.  
Thither is sent pepper, jewels, sugar, musk & other odours, English & Flemish clotheses, Says of all sorts, wosteds, Russels, infinite quantity of Linen cloth, tapistry, Cochenelle, English & Spanish wols.   

Florence.  
Thence cometh cloth of gold & silver friezed & unfrized, Satins wrought with gold called Brocatz, and other Satins rich & good, gold and silver thread, Rash's very good & durable, Satin● called Capitons, fine Furs of Marterns & Feigns and divers other fine & curious works.  
Thither go Sales, Russels, Linen clotheses and Flax, English rugs, Frizes & wols, notwithstanding that the greatest part come by Sea out of England itself.   

Genes,  
Thence come Velvets and Satins, the best that are made, & divers other kinds of silks, Coral, Mithridate, Triakle, all very excellent good.  
Thither go English & Flemish clotheses, Says, Russels, Linen cloth, Arras, divers small wares, all kind of household stuff.   

Mantova.  
Thence come Satins, silk wrought & raw, Caps great store, & divers other merchandises.  
Thither are sent such wares of these Countries as before are rehearsed.   

Luques.  
Thence come clotheses of gold & silver sometime, but of silks of divers forts great quantity though very thin and selender.  
Thither is sent as before is rehearsed.  
The like & divers other sorts of merchandises also come out of divers other towns of Italy, namely Cremona, Veronna, Bressa, Vicenza, Modena.  
Farther out Italy are brought by Sea, divers other merchandises, as Alums of Civita Vecchia, Oils of Poville, Genes, and Pisa, Gauls, divers sorts of Gums, Cotten, Commin, Seen leaves, Irias called of the Florentines Diaggivolo, Brimstone, Orpigment.  
And thither is carried by Sea, Tin, Led, Madder, Brasill, wax, Leather, Flax, Soap, powdered 〈◊〉, and divers sorts of fine and very beautiful wood to work in, & sometime corn, as wheat, Rye, beans, & other Lenton corn called of the Italian Legummi. And thus much of Italy.   

Allmaigne.  
Thence cometh Silver in Bullion or Lingots, quicksilver, Copper fined & unfined an infinite quatitie, wols of Hassia very fine, & good glass Fustians great store, Oade, Madder, Saffron, & divers things for Dyer's, Saltpetre, small wares great quantity, household stuff of all forts excellent fair & finely wrought, of all sorts of metals and Armour a wondered quantity, & likewise Rhenish wines to a great value.  
Thither are s●t jewels, pre●ious stones, Pearls, Spice, Drugs, Saffron, Sugars, English & Flemish clothes great store, Says, Wosteds, Russels, Tapestry, great quantity of Linen cloth and other Merchandise of all sorts.   

Denmarcke, Osterland, Livonie, Norway, Sweden, Poland, & other Septentrional provinces.  
Thence cometh Wheat, Rye, Copper, Latin, Brass, Saltpetre, Oade, Vitriol, Copresse, Madder, excellent wols of Austria, Flax, Home, Wax, Brimstone, pitch Soap ashes, excellent fine Furs of all forts, Leather & Skins of all sorts of Beasts, especially Buff & Bear Skins to be used in the wars, yea divers sorts of Fish Skins, likewise Timber for ships, wood excellent fair & ●fit for all kind of works, Waineschot, Dealebord, Beer, powdered flesh, fish powdered & dried with the smoke, the sun, the wind, yea & with the cold, besides divers other merchandises too long to rehearse, but especially great quantity of yellow Amber & to great value.  
Thither are sent Spices, Drugs, Saffron, Sugar, Salt, great store of English & Flemish clothes, Says, Wosteds, Russels, Fustians, Linen cloth, Precious stones, Silks, Cloth of gold, Chamlets, Grograins, tapistry, Sacks of Spain, and other wines, Alum, Brasill, small wares, & all movables of household    

A discourse of Amber which cometh out of the Septentrional Provinces above rehearsed.  
Amber is a juice not of a tree, but of a stone which groweth like Coral in a Mountain in the north Sea clean covered with water and shunned by all Mariners at the lest three Leagues for fear of wrack. The mountain is reasonable large, and about 50. English yards high, and when any tempest ariseth in the North sea especially in September and December this Liquor by the violence of the Sea is rend from 〈◊〉 rock & cast into divers Havens, & upon diverse Sea coasts both near & far from this rich rock where the people gather it, to the great commodity of divers princes, namely the king of Sweden, the Duke of Pomerania, but especially the Duke of Prussia in whose Country the most of it is taken up. The people of the Country when the Sea rageth most, all naked leap into the Sea, upony which first appeareth great store of weed, & after the Amber, which being taken out of the water hardeneth like to Coral, neither is this Amber found else where, but in those Seas only.  
Besides the beauty thereof it hath many Virtues, it burneth like Piche, it draweth to it not only Straws and such light things, but also Iron like to the Adamant. It is excellent good against all agues, especially the quartern, to stop blood both above & beneath, against the plague and all kind of poison, the dropsy, falling-sickness, stone, cholique, headache, weakness of the stomach, and the yellow jaundice. And thus much of this precious Gomm● or stone.  

France by Sea.  
Thence is brought salt of Brovages, Oade of Tolouse, Canvas & such like clothes of Br●●taigne & Normandy, wines white & claret, oils, saffron grains of Province Melage●. or Melassi, Turpentine, Pitch, writing paper, Glasses, Prunes, Brasill,   

France by land.  
Thence are brought divers works finely guilded, fine  clotheses of Paris and Roven, stamels of Tovars, Bourats of champaign, Thread, yarn and hemp of Lions, Verdegris of Montpellier, and divers other merchandises being small wares.  
Thither are sent jewels, precious stones, pearls, silver in bullion or mass, quicksilver, Led, Tin, Vermilion, Copper, Brass, Latin wrought and unwrought, Azure to dye with, Cuchenille, Brimstone, saltpeter, Vitriol and Coperes, Chamblets, Grograines, Turky-works, English clothes, Frises, Cottons, great store of Flemish clothes friezed and unfrised, fine linen cloth, Says and Sarges of all sorts, Wosteds, Russels, tapistry, wools of Ostrich, Leather, Furs, wax, Mader, Hops, Soap, powdered flesh and powdered fish great plenty.   

England.  
Thence come clothes and carsayes of all sorts, and of them great abundance, both fine and course, Frises, fine wool, excellent Saffron, but no great quantity, Tin, Led, Sheep skins, Coney skins, and divers sorts offine furs, leather, Beer, Cheese and other victuals, and malmsey brought out of Candia into England.  
Thither are sent jewels, Pearls and precious stones, silver unwrought, Quicksilver, clothes of gold and silver, Silks, gold and silver thread, Chamlets, Grograines, Turky-workes, Spices, Drugs, Sugar, Cotten, Coming, Gauls, Linen clothes of all sorts fine and course, Says, Russels, tapistry, Madder, Hops, Glass, powdered fish, all sorts of small wares, as well of metal as of other stuff, Armour, all kind of munition for the wars, and implements of house.   

Scotland.  
Thence are brought Sheep skins, Coney skins, divers other fine furs of divers small beasts, especially martyrs, the best that may be found, Leather, wool, clothes but evil wrought, pearl fair and great, but not comparable neither in beauty nor price to the oriental pearl.  
Thither are sent Spices, Madder, Sugar, some Silks, Chamlets of all sorts, Sarges of all kinds, linen, and some small wares. But the things sent thither are to no great value: partly because the Scots are poor, and partly because they furnish themselves out of England and France.   

Ireland.  
Thence are brought raw and dry hides, divers sorts of Beasts namely, Oxen, kine, sheep, fine Furs, some clothes but of small value, and certain other gross wares, but of small prize.  
Thither are sent such wares as are carried into Scotland, but for the most part they are furnished out of England.   

Spain.  
Thence come precious stones, Pearls very good, but inferior to the oriental Pearls and stones, gold, silver, Cuchenille, Salsaparille, guaiacum wood, Saffron, Drugs, Grains, Scarlet, raw silk, Silks of all sorts, especially Velue●● & Ta●fitaes of Toledo, Salt, Aluin of Mazzeron, Or●ille of Canaria, which is an herb to die with, cal●ed of the Florentines Raspe, fine wool, Iron, Leather, wines of diverse sorts, Oils of all sorts, both for meat and for drapery, Vinegar, honey. Melassi, gums of Arabia, Soap, Fruits of all sorts, both fresh and dried, as Oranges, Lemons, citrons, pomgrannets, Olives, Melons, Capers, Dates, Figs, Raisins, Almonds, etc., Cantarie wines, Canary Sugars.  
Thither are sent, Quicksilver, copper, brass, and Latin wrought and unwrought, Tin, Led, clotheses both Flemish and English, Says, Wusteds, Russels, Grogranes, tapistry, linen cloth of all sorts, chamlets, Flax, Thread, wax, pitch, Mader, Soap, Brimstone, and sometime wheat and Rye, powdered flesh and fish, butter, cheese, all wares made of metal, silks, silver plate, things wrought and silvered over, Armour, all munition for the wars, all kind of household stuff, all things made with hand of Artificers, for the Spa-Spaniards even of base condition hate to●… to the death.   

Portugal.  
Thence come precious stones and pearls oriental perfect good, fine gold beaten in mass, Spices, drugs, amber, musk, civet, elephants tooth, Rhubarb, Aloes, Azure or Indian colour called of the Portugals Anil, Cotton, the root of China, Sugars of S. Thomas I'll, Brasill, Maleguette and other drugs that come out of Quyne, sugars and wines of Madera, salt, wine, Oade, oil, grain, being the grain of the herb wherewith they die scarlet, called thereof Crimosin in grain, Orcil-le called Raspe, being an herb to die with & divers other simples, and good fruits green, dry and preserved.  
Thither is sent silver in mass, quicksilver, vermilion, copper, brass, Latin wrought and unwrought, Led, Tin, Armour, Artillery and all munition for the wars, gold and silver thread, and such other Merchandises as are sent into Spain.   

Barbary.  
Thence are brought sugars, Anil, Azure, otherwise called Indian colour to dye with, gums, coloquintida, leather, furs, feathers of all sorts.  
Thither are sent cloth, both  and linen, says, small wares both of metal and of all other things.    

A brief abstract of the value of the principal Merchandises brought yearly to Andwerp and the Low countries, out of each of these Provinces above rehearsed.  

Italy, ●000000 Crowns. 

The cloth of gold, Silks, gold & silver thread or wire, Chamlets, Grograines, silk wrought & unwrought setting aside the other merchandise brought out of Italy to Andwerpe, amount yearly to 3. millions of Crowns    
Alemain 2100000 Crowns. 

Fustians, 600000, Crowns. Rhenish wine 40000, tons of six Alms of Andwerp to the turn, every Alme containing 3. barrels of Florence, and every tun prised at 36. Crowns amounteth to 1. Millian and a half of Crowns.    
Denmark. Osterlande. Livonie, Norway. Sweden. Poland, & the other 〈◊〉 prouin●● 1680000. Crowns. 

Sand yearly into Holland, 60000. Lasts of grain, especially Rye: every last prized at 40. florins, every florens at 56. gross, which amounteth to 560000 pounds Flemish, which each pound esteemed at 3. Crow● amount to 1. million and six hundred and four score thousand Crowns.    
France 1480000 Crowns. 

Sendeth yearly 40000 tuns of wine, of the above mentioned measure, each tun valued at 25. Crowns, which amounteth to 1. Million of Crowns.  
Oade or pastell for Dyer's 40000. bales, which esteemed at seven. crowns and a half the bale, amount to 300000. Crowns.  
Salt of Brovages six thousand hundreds, every hundred containing a hundred tun, prised between 225. and 230. livres of the country for the tun more or less, according to the cleanness or foulness of the salt, which six thousand hundreds prized at 30. Crowns the hundred amount to 180000. crowns.    
Spain, 625000. Crowns. 

Was wont to sand yearly to Bruges 40000 sacks of wool, but because the Spaniards themselves, of late make great store of clotheses at home, they sand not so much now, so that in the year 1560. they sent but 25000 sacks, which at 25. crowns the sack, amount to 625000. Crowns. But the wines that come out of Spain are of much greater prize than the Wools.    
England, 5●50000 Crowns. 

Sendeth yearly 1200. Sarplers of wools which amounteth to more than 250000. Crowns.  
clothes, Carseys, and other small clothes reduced to whole clothes, amount yearly to more than 200000 clotheses, which esteemed one cloth with another, at the lest at twenty & five Crowns the cloth, amounteth to 5. Millions of Crowns.     
Which treasure of cloth and wool together with that that the English men receive besides for a number of other good things that they bring out of England, they employ here in the Low countries upon such Merchandise as I have before rehearsed which they carry home with th● into England.  
So that the traffic between England and the Low countries, of that which is reciproq●ly bought & sold between these two Nations, amounteth yearly to above twelve Millions of crowns, in such sort that hardly can they live the one nation without the other.  
Of Scotland, Ireland, & Barbary, no mention is made, because that which they bring or carry away is of no great moment.  
here is to be noted, that Merchants to avoid the hazard of too great loss, assure one another at a certain price (whereof they agreed among themselves) of a good part of their merchandises that pass by Sea, to the end that if they miscarry, all the loss fall not upon one man, which is both a wise and an honest course.  
here is also to be noted, that the whole gross sum of all the merchandise brought into the Low countries by all the Nations here above rehearsed, amounteth to xiiii. millions, one hundred and thirty five thousand crowns.  
Whereof England alone bringeth to the value of five millions and two hundred & fifty thousand crowns, which is more than a third part of the whole by 807500. crowns.  

Bolduc.  
Bolduc signifieth as much as Boisleduc, be●●se in times past, there was a pleasant Wood in that place, appertaining to the Duke of Bra●●ant.  
The Town standeth upon the little river of D●ese but 2. leagues from the . It is a great town, strong, well peopled, rich and well built. The Cathedral Church is dedicated to S. john, which is a very goodly one, and hath the goodliest Dial that may be seen.  
The people are very warlike.  
There are made yearly in the town, above twenty thousand clothes, worth two hundred thousand crowns.  
The water there is excellent good to white l●nnen cloth, excellent good knives and pins are made there.  
This is the fourth principal town of Br●bant, and maketh the fourth member or quarter in the assembly of the states.  
Under the jurisdiction thereof a●e four count●eys, called the four members, namely.  

Kempenlande.  
Peelande.  
Maeslande.  
The strait of Osterwick  
In the which Countries are contained these towns.  
Helmont.  
Emdoven.  
Meghen.  
Ravestein.  
Grave, and divers other villages.   
Now follow the three small capital town●● of Braban●, and first  
Tilmont standeth upon the little River 〈◊〉, the town is decayed, for before the decay thereof, it was the fourth town of Brabant, but now Bolduc is come in place thereof.  
Leewe standeth upon the little brook Cheaf. It is strong and well furnished of all things necessary for the wars, because it serveth for ●● frontier town against the country of Liege. In this town is the goodly priory of S. Augustine, the prior whereof is one of the twelve prel●s of Brabant. Farther in this town is excellent good beer brewed.  
Nivelle. In this town are excellent fine linen clothes made. The soil about it is very fruitful and full of quarreyes of excellent good stone. This is one of the four towns of the marquisat of the sacred Empire. In this Town is buried Pepin the first son of Carloman.  
In this town also is the famous nunnery consisting of 42. Nuns all of noble race, the which Nuns in the morning are appareled in 〈◊〉 religious attire, and at after dinner in their secular garments like Ladies. They may go abroad to feasts and banquets, and may marry if they think good. They have an Abbess over them who hath jurisdiction spiritual and temporal over the town and country about it. Th●●e three towns last described, are the three small capital Towns of Brabant. Now follow the ●cignities that are in Brabant and first.    

The Marquisat of the sacred Empire.  
SOme writ this Marquisat to have been erected by justinian, some by the children of Constantinus Magnus. But Paulus Aemilius most truly writeth, that it was erected by the Emperor Ottho the second, Anno. 973. for the dowry of his Aunt Gerberge mother to Lothaire king of France, and that it comprehendeth these four Towns, Nivelle, Lowain, Bruxelles and Andwerp, which last is the Metropolitan town of this Marquisat.  

The Duchy of Arschot.  
THe town of Arschot standeth upon the little river Demere. It was first a barony, than a Marquisat, and lastly the Emperor Charles erected it into a Duchy. It appertaineth to the house of Croy, which came out of France into these countries.  
The gentlemen & nobles of Brabant are tied to the king & the K. to them reciproquely as the lord and tenant holding in Fief, with the which conditions they are under his protection and serve him in his wars. But other wise they live in freedom, and govern their territories according to the laws and Customs thereof, which they cannot altar though the prince would permit them, without the consent of their Vassals and subjects.   

The Marquisat of Bergh●.  
BErghe commonly called Berthen up Loom, 〈…〉 erected 〈…〉 the Emperor 〈…〉 1533. It is seated upon 〈…〉 and upon the little river of Loom, the which a●s●●g not far off passeth through the town, and but half a league thence runnet into the Scheld, The town is hard by the Sea in the extreme well part of Brabant. It hath a reasonable good 〈◊〉.  
The Marquis is of great revenues, he is governor of Haynault and Grandveneur of Brabant, his brother is Bishop of Liege, and 〈…〉 milian his cousin Bishop and Duke 〈…〉 of   

The County of Hoochstrat▪  
HOochstrat was erected into 〈◊〉 Earldom by Charles the 〈◊〉 It is not environed with any wall. The Earl thereof hath a goodly Castle upon the 〈◊〉 the River of Mercke, where he is ordinarily resident. He hath under him many Villages, and a large signory, & a goodly state. He is of the Noble house of Lalain. He hath also a very goodly library.  
A League from Hoochstrat is the goodly Village of Loenhont, where the great Mathematician johannes studius was borne.   

The County of Meghen.  
MEghen standeth upon the River of Meuze. It is an ancient Earldom, and hath signory and jurisdiction. The Earl's name is Charles of Bri●●eu Governor of Guelderland.    

The Barony of Breda.  
THis Town standeth upon the River Mercke, three leagues from Hoochstrat.  
It is a good and a pleasant town, and in it is a sumptuous Castle with a double Ditch full of water.  
The revenues thereof are very great, for it hath under it many great Bourgs and rich Villages, & to it are annexed the town and territory of Steenbergh, the Franchise of Rosondale & the signory of Osterhout. This town is the place of residence of the Prince of Orange Earl of Nassau.   

How the principaut of Orange came to the house of Nassau, a discourse somewhat out of the Description of the Low countries.  
THE principality of Orange lieth between Province and Dauphin. The chief Town is named Orange, seven leagues from avignon the Pope's town.  
This princedom is so noble and ancient that it acknowledgeth no other sovereign but God alone.  
The said princedom was long in the noble house of Chalons one of the four principal houses of the French County, & came to the house of Nassau by the marriage of Henry of Nassau, (uncle to William late prince of Orange) with the heir of Chalons.   

The pedigree of the Prince of Orange, showing how Orange came to the house of Nassau.  

Orange 

john prince of Orange of the house of Chalons.    
john 

Englebert of Nassau did great services to the Emperor Maximilian.    
Nassau. 

john of Nassau brother and heir of Englebert.     

Philibert of Chalons prince of Orange slain before Floremce 1530.  
Sister and heir of Philibert.  
Henry of Nassau married the heir of Orange.  
William of Nassau.   

Rene succeeded his uncle Philibert in the principaute of Orange by his last testament, who dying gave Orange to William of Nassau his cousin german.  
Lodonic of Nassau.  
William late prince of Orange by his cousin Renes testament. Slain suddenly with a pistol 1584.    

The revenues of William late Prince of Orange.  
FIrst he held the principaultie of Orange, many Seniories in Burgundy, many Seniories in France, The County of Nassau in Allemaine, In the Low countries, the Baronies of Breda and Deist, together with the towns of Sichenen, Steen berghe and Grave. Farther he was governor of Holland, 〈◊〉, and Zeeland.  

The Barony of Diest.  
Diest standeth upon the river D●mere. It is a good town and hath a large territory and jurisdiction. Many clothes are made in it. Farther in the town are two colleges of Canons, and this was the birth place of Nicholas Cleonard.  
Diest is an ancient barony, and the lord thereof by an ancient privilege and custom, is Borkgrau● of Andwerpe.  
This barony is now the Prince of Oranges whose ancestors of Nassau had it in exchange for Hensberg, of the Duke of Cleves.  
near to this town is the commaunderie of Bechenmort, which appertaineth to the crossed knights Teutons. Farther in this country groweth reasonable good wine.   

The Barony of Grimberghen.  
This is an ancient Barony, and hath a large territory and jurisdiction, and many villages under it. This barony descendeth ever to the youngest son, as do also all the lands in the Territory thereof.  
This Barony is now divided into twain, one part being the prince of Oranges, the other appertaining to the house of Glimes, which beareth the Title of Grimberghen, notwithstanding since this partage, it is accounted two Baronies.   

Mastricht  
Is in Latin called Traiectum Mosae or Traiectum superius, for a difference of Virecht in Holland, called Traiectum inferius.  
The town standeth upon the Meuze. It hath a goodly Bridge of stone built over the River. It is a goodly town and a fair, four Leagues from Liege.  
There are in it two Colleges of Cannons, in one of the which the Duke of Brabant is a Cannon.  
This town was sometime a bishopric, but after the See was translated to Liege, for what cause is set down in the Description of Liege.  
In this town is also a goodly house, appertaining to the commanders Teutons.  
This town hath two Lords, namely 〈◊〉 Duke of Brahant and the Bishop of Liege their signory not being destinguished but only in this sort. The children are always subject to the Prince that their mother was subject to, without any regard of the father's subjection. And if a strasnger come into the town he must declare which of the Prince's subjects he willbe. And he shall be received and maintained accordingly. Yet is 〈◊〉 Duke of Brahant Sovereign of the Town●, so●● only coineth money and graunt●●● p●●dons ●o offenders.  
Half a league from Mastricht is a hill the upper part whereof aboundeth with all sorts of grain and fruits: yet within it is a quarry of very good though soft stone.  
Now follow the walled Towns in Br●bant that have no title of honour, and first.   

Steenberghe.  
Steenberghe is now decayed but was sometime a town of great power and importance with a goodly haven. It standeth upon the S●a and belongeth to the Prince of Orange.   

Lyre.  
standeth upon the little river Nethe. It very strongue town both by nature and by art.  
In this town is a fair of Oxen every week from Midsummer till Saint Martin's day in November, there are now many clotheses, and divers small wares made in the Town.   

viluorden.  
Standeth upon the river Sin upon the which river Bruxelles also standeth. The town is strong by nature: And in it is a Castle being agaile of prisoners whom only the Prince and his Council may judge.  
In this Castle are also kept the privileges given to the people by their Prince, and to the Prince by the Popes, Emperors, and other great Princes, and likewise the contracts and transactions passed between the Duke and other Lords and potentates.   

Gemblours.  
The Abbot hereof hath the first place in the general estates of the country among the nobles, and the last place among the prelates, because Gemblours was sometime a County, and the Abbot is both temporal and spiritual lord of the Town.  
In this abbey is a famous library of books never printed as yet.   

joudoigne  
Here they say the Dukes of Brabant wear wont to bring up their children.   

Hannut.  
Was sometime a County called Dabor whereof a measure in the town yet beareth the name.   

Landen.  
This is the ancientest town of Brabant. It appealeth to Bolduc, from whence notwithstanding it is much farther distant than from Lovam or Tilmont.  
near to this town is the village of Hougard●● where excellent good Beer is made.   

Halen.  
Standeth upon the little river of Geetes near to Liege.   

Sichenen.  
Standeth upon the river Demere. It is the prince of Oranges town.   

Herentals.  
Standeth upon the river Nethe.   

Eindoven.  
Standeth upon the brook Dommele. It is the principal Town of the Country called Campigne or Kempenlande. It is the County of Burens town.   

Helmont.  
Standeth upon the river Ade, in this town is a fair Castle, the Lord whereof, and also of the Town is of the noble house of Cortenback, who is also Borgrave or Viscounte of Weren & Duisbourg.   

Grave.  
Standeth on the Meuze. It is now the prince of Oranges Town bought of the kings Demaines, but with consent of the states, otherwise the sale were void, because the Duke of Brabant without his estates can alien none of his Domains.    

Market towns called frank, though not walled, yet enjoying the privilege of walled towns are these 18. following.  
OSterwick where very many Clotheses are made, Oirschot Tournhout, a place of pleasure and hunting where the queen of Hungary used much to solace herself, & here also many clothes are made. Hochstraet which is described before among the dignities of Brabant. Duffele which is a barony of great revenues & jurisdiction. Walem where is a fair bridge and many clothes made. Merchten, Asche, Weren which is a viscounty and a place where the Dukes of Brabant used much to solace themselves, and at this place are three Dukes of Brabant buried, and here also are Games held every year between Lowain and Bruxelles. Duisbourg, which is a viscounty. Ouerische, Hulpenwdure, where is a rich Priory and yearly a solemn Procession. Briene Alleu which took the name of Brennus, one League from this Brienne near to the Lordship of Clabeck are found Diamonds called Diamonds of Clabeck, of colour and figure so like a Diamant that they are forbidden to be set in gold, but so wonderful soft, th● they serve only to deceive the world with the outward show, notwithstanding of late, better are found not far from the village called H●ng● Genappe, where in an ancient castle is kept the court called Lothier, which in some cases judgeth without appeal. here resided Lewy● the eleventh king of France during the time of his father's displeasure which continuedly 〈◊〉 death.  
Ghele, Arendonc, Dormal.   

divers Villages of name in Brabant.  
SAint oidenroy, the Dean whereof is one of though richest Prelates in Brabant. Bochstell is a Barony. Roosendale a goodly village. Huckele, Heer● was sometime a court of justice, which notwithstanding that it be translated to Bruxelles is yet called Banc de Huckele. Lillo is a goodly signory appertaining to the Lord Paul Van dale, a man of great wealth. Grimberghen is described before among the dignities of Brabant. Gaesb●ck is a noble 〈◊〉 r●e and hath under it 17. Villages. R●ue ● also a barony. Leefdale is the ancientest bar●●●e of Brabant. Wesemale is the Barony of Gasper Schetz thereby marshal of Brabant. Perues ●s a great barony, so mighty that in times past the Baron thereof alone hath maintained war against the Bishop of Liege. It appertaineth now to the Lord of Merode, who is also Baron of Duffele and lord of Walom, etc. Waelhein is a village as great as a Town, with a Castle and so large a Territory that it beareth the Title of a County. Cantecroy hath a fair and a strong Castle and great jurisdiction, and commandeth over eight villages, King Philip hath erected it into an Earldom, and it appertaineth to the Cardinal of Granuelle. Rosselar is a barony of such reputation, that the Baron thereof is great Chamberlain of Brabant. Moll is a fair village. Santhoven is one of the ancientest courts of justice in Brabant. Put, here is held another court of justice called the Court of Beffere. Rumpst is an ancient and noble signory and of goodly jurisdiction. Bierbeeck, Cranendonc, Cuick, Boutersem, jauce, Sombref, are all goodly baronies. Goseli● is a fair village like a town. Hiluerenbeeck is also a fair Village. Welwick is tied with a long street to Besoien in Holland, so that these two Villages seem a great Town, here twice every year are excellent fairs of horses, postel standeth in the midst of the Desert Country of Kempenlande, here is a rich and sumptuous Hospital bound to receive all passengers & wayfare●… cording to their degree.   

The signory of Ravestein.  
THe signory of Ravestein is comprehended in Brabat but is: ●●ber separated from it, and is therefore here described particularly by itself. The town of Ravestein standeth upon the left side of the river of Maze. It is a good little town, & hath high & mean jurisdiction. In it is a good Castle, but the walls of the Town are ruinous, for they were beaten down by composition when the wars ended between the Emperor Charles the 5. and the Duke of Cleves. The Town is the Duke of Cleves, who holdeth it of the Duke of Brabant.   

The Duchy of Lembourg.  
LEmbourg standeth upon the 〈◊〉 of Wester beyond the Meuin● Leagues from A●xla Chappell●, & of it the whole Do high beareth name, half a League from Lembourg is a mine of the stone called of Plin. lib. 34 Cap. 10. Lapis aerosus or Cadmia in english Copres, which being incorporated with brass maketh Latin, and increaseth the brass by one 〈◊〉 part, Pliny writeth thus of it: Lapit ●rosus id 〈◊〉 m●●lu●m aeris habens & ex quo fuso fit ●●.  
In this country is also much iron and some Lead. It was erected into a Duchy by the Emperor Frederic barbarossa, An. 1172. & was annexed to the Duchy of Lorraine. But after the death of Henry the last Duke of Lembourgh, who died without heirs males: john the first of that name Duke of Brabant succeeded him. Anno, 1293. having both bought Lembourg, and also conquered it from the Earl of gelders, who had usurped it: since the which time it hath remained under the Duke of Brabant. Of the Dukes of Lembourg and Lorraine are the kings of Portugal descended.   

Walckembourg, Dalem, Rhodele-Duc and Carpen.  
WAlkembourg, called in French Fauquemont, is a reasonable town, having a large territory and jurisdiction. It is two little leagues from Maestricht. It was conquered by john the third, Duke of Brabant, from Rainot lord of Walekembourg.  
Dalem is a little town with a Castle. It is erected into an Earldom, and hath territory & jurisdiction beyond the river of Maze. It was conquered by Henry the second of that name Duke of Brabant.  
Rhode-le-duck, is a little ancient town with an old castle half a league from Walkembourg, This is the fourth signory beyond the Maze, that hath sovereign jurisdiction, but yet subject to the appeal of the Chancery of Brabant.  
Carpen, is between Gulic and Colyn. It is a village as great as a little town, with a collegiall church, and hath market and fair, and near unto it is a strong castle, so that altogether make a good signory. It hath a governor apart with a good garrison for defence of the place.  
As well the Duchy of Lembourg as the other States above mentioned, beyond the River of Maze, consist of three members (viz) 1. Prelates. 2. Nobles and Gentlemen. 3. High justices and seats of judgement.  
In Brabant is a grand veneur, who hath charge of the king's game of hunting, and a Gruyer, who hath charge of Hawking and fishing, and of waters and forests for the king.   

The most important privileges of Brabant.  
THe Emperor Charles the fourth, Anno. 1349. granted that no Brabander or any borne in any of the countries above described being members of Brabant, should be arrested in person in any part of the Empire, or his goods seized.   

Seven principal privileges granted to the Brabanders by their own Princes.  
1. THat the Prince may give nothing to the Clergy, without the consent of the capital towns of that quarter where the goods or lands lie.  
2. The prince can pursue none of his Subjects nor strangers inhabiting in this country, in any cause civil or criminal, but by ordinary course of justice frank and free, where the defendant may have his advocate, and opeulie before all the people, justify and defend his cause.  
3 The Prince can levy no subsides nor make any innovation, without the consent of the states of the Country.  
4 The Prince may place no stranger in any office, save in the Chancery of Brabant he may place two strangers, being of the Flemish language: also the Chancellor may be a stranger if he be of the flemish language, and have sometime held signory, Domain, or Barony i● Brabant.  
5 Every Brabander or subject to the Duke of Brabant, may dispose of his lands or goods at his own pleasure, without licence of the prince, and hath power to hunt or hawk at his pleasure, save in the five royal woods before mentioned.  
6. When the Prince will assemble the Estates he must come into Brabant, for the Brabanters are forbidden by their Laws, to deliberate out of their own country of any matter.  
7. If the Prince by violence & wrong break any of these graces and priuilege●, the Brabanters after their due protestations and 〈◊〉ations made, are absolved from their oath of obedience, and may choose a new Duke where they think good.   

The signory of Malines.  
MAlines, standeth upon the River of Deal, which ebbeth & floweth to the town and a league above it. The river passeth through the Town, & maketh a number of small Islands in the town, both to the great ornament & commodity thereof.  
It standeth in the heart of Brabant, equally distant four leagues space from Lowain, Bruxelles and Andwerp,. But it is a signory apart, for the which cause many Women at the time of their childbirth leave Malines, and go to be deliverred in Brabant, to the end their children may enjoy the privileges of Brabant.  
It is a goodly strong town, the rather because i● may be drowned almost on all sides.  
There are in it seven parish churches.  
At Malines are a great number of Coryers, there are also many excellent good clothes made, excellent good Linen, painted works excellent good, Artillery of Brass great plenty, Bells and many other things of metal, Barks & ships of all sorts.  
At Malines is the storehouse of all the Prince's ammunition and furniture for the wars.  
At Malines also resideth the king's great council, instituted by Charles the last Duke of Burgundy, who above all his subjects loved them of Malines.  
To the great council of Malines resort the appeals of all the country of Malines, of Flanders, Artoys, Holland, Middlebourg in Zeeland, Namur, Luzembourg, Valenciennes, and divers others little towns besides west Fricsland, & the seniory of Vtrecht.  
At Malines is a Monastery of Nuns, like to that of Nivelle, in the which are 1500. and sometime 1600. Nuns, the which are governed by four chosen among themselves, and pass the time in honest exercises, and may at their pleasure leave their Cloister and marry husbands.  
Malines, was first belonging to the Noble family of the Bertholds, which failing, it fell one half to the Bishop of Liege, the other to the Earl of gelders, who in the year 1333, sold it to Lewis of Nevers Earl of Flaunders.  
Two Leagues from Malines, and in the signory thereof, is the Village called Heyst, set on a high hill, and having seven boroughs about and at the foot of the Hill, all appertaining to the said Village, which is a goodly signory, and enjoyeth the same customs, rights and Privileges, that the town of Malines doth.   

The County of Horn.  
Horn, is Fief Imperial (that is to say a noble tenure of the Empire) but mediate not immediate, for it is held of the ancient county of Lotz in the territory of Liege: Notwithstanding because it is so near adjoining to Brabant, and because the Earl thereof for other Seniories which he holdeth is king Philip's subject, and hath put himself under his safeguarde and protection: I have thought good here to describe it.  
Horn is a Castle near to the , not far from Ruermonde, the which is erected into a county, and hath under it a goodly signory and jurisdiction, whereunto the Castle giveth name.  
In this signory is Wiert, a town beautified with a goodly castle and a signory apart, where the Earl of Horn keepeth his residence.  
The Earls of Horn are descended of the house of Mommorencie in France.   

GVELDRES.  
GVeldres is bounded North with Frieseland, and the Zuiderzee, South with the  (which severeth it from Brabant) and with Gelder land, East with the Rhine and Cleveland, the Rhine dividing the country into two parts (though unequal.) West, with Holland, and the bishopric of Vtrecht.  
The country is flat, having few hills in it, but many pleasant and commodious woods, especially that called Echterwalt.  
Likewise both of corn and cattle it is very fruitful.  
Gueldres comprehendeth under it the county of Zutphen and other Seniories.  

It hath 22. walled towns, whereof the Capital namely, those which make the 4. quarters of the country, are  
Nimegue.  
Ruermonde.  
Zutphen.  
Arnem.  
The which 4. Towns are situate upon four divers rivers, & are in four divers dioceses.   
The other walled towns are these: Hatten, Elburch. Harderwick, Wagheninghen, Tiel, Bomel, Bronchorst, Doesburg, Doetecum Tsheerenberg, Lochem, Grol, Brederuoerde, Ghelder, which giveth the name to the whole country, Stralen, Venloo, Wachtendonck, Erkelens.  
Towns unwalled in part or altogether, yet enjoying the privileges of walled towns, are Keppel. Burg, Ghent, Batemburg, Montfort, Echt, with divers others that hereafter shall be described as occasion serveth.  
There are in it above 300. villages having parish churches.  
The Estates of this Duchy consist of three members, (viz) Barons, Nobles, and the four Capital towns, without any mention of the Clergy, who notwithstanding in most Provinces of these Low countries, have their place allowed them among the States.  
Nimegue beareth the title of a kingdom and is called the foot of the Empire, because Charles the great made it one of the three sieges of the Empire in those Countries. The 2. and most respected he established at Aix la Chapelle, and the 3. at Theonuile.  
It standeth upon that branch of the Rhine that is called Whael, where it is large and deep.  
It is a fair town strong mighty, rich and well peopled, given now to merchandise and study, but heretofore only to arms. It hath a very fair and an ancient Castle with so goodly a prospect, that from it you may behold all the Country round about it.  
It is a viscounty, and Fief of the Empire, and a free town, and stampeth money as other Imperial towns do, and the appeals of this town go not to the Chancery of gelders, but strait ●o Aix la Chapelle.  
The subjection and service that it oweth to the Empire is only this, that once in a year the town must sand to Aix la Chapelle a man of purpose with a glove full of pepper, which is there only Tenure. King Philip as Duke of Gueldres hath his jurisdiction and sovereignty in the town, & stampeth money there with his own arms, as in the other towns under his obedience.  
The town is in the Diocese of Colyn, it is the first Capital town of the whole Duchy, and chief of the first quarter under the 〈◊〉 thereof are Tiel, which is a strong town, Bo●● also a strong place, & Ghent, to it resort besides ●● towns above mentioned, the viscounty of Nie●●hen, Bomelwert, the Towns of high and lo●e Batavie, (commonly called Betenue) and all the Country that lieth between the two Rivers of Whael and Meuze.  
It was a concluded about the time of the second Printing of this Book, that a Channel should be cut from Niemeghen, to, within a quarter of a League of Arnem, that is from to one stream of the river Rhine to the other, which will be two Leagues long, and to the great benefit of both these Towns, and of all the Country adjacent.   

Ruermonde.  
Ruermonde standeth upon the very poi●e of the River Ruer, where it and Maze meet, it is called Ruermonde of the said River Ruer, and Monde which signifieth the mouth of any thing.  
It is a beautiful, well peopled, and a strong City, both by nature and art, the Country about it is very fruitful, the Town is lately erected into a Bishopric.  
It is the second Capital town of Guelderland, and chief of the second quarter.  
Under the jurisdiction thereof are these towne● following, Venloo which is a strong Town Gelder, Stralen, Wachtendonck, and Erkelens which are all walled towns, Montfort, Echt, and Niewerstat which are Boroughs built like Towns, and farther Kessell, Midler, and Crie●●beeck. Both it and all the Quarter belonging 〈◊〉 it, is under the jurisdiction of the Bishop of Liege.  
A League from Ruermonde is the goodly Village Kessel with a strong Castle in it, of the which Village the country about beareth name, ●nd is called the Country of Kessel, and is of the kings domains.   

Zutphen.  
●s so named, because it is low and standeth in a Fen, it is situate upon that branch of the Rhine, that is called Issel, and through it runneth the River Berkel, which there dischargeth itself into Issel.  
The Town is well built as well for private houses, as public places.  
Zutphen is a County, and the King among his other Titles beareth the name of Earl of Zutphen.  
It is the third principal town of Guelderland, & chief of the third quarter.  
Under the jurisdiction thereof are Doesbourg, Doetecum, Lochem, Grol, Brederuoerde, and Bronkhurst, all walled Towns (notwithstanding Bronkhorst holdeth itself for a County apart) under the jurisdiction of Zutphen is also comprehended the Town and County of Tsheerenbergus.  
Zutphen is under the Diocese of Munster.   

Arnem.  
Standeth upon the Rhine half a League beneath the place where it divideth itself into two streams, the one whereof is called Leck, and the other Issell.  
The town is well built, fair and large, it is the chief town of the fourth quarter of the Duchy of gelders, and likewise of the state and signory of Veluwe.  
This Country of Veluwe is little, but exceeding fruitful, and especially abounding with Fish, because it is compassed about with Zuiderze●, Rhine, and Isell. It aboundeth also with all kind of Venison.  
Under the jurisdiction of Arnem are Wageninghen, Hattem which is a strong town, Harderwikce and Elbourg all towns walled, with divers Villages.  
Arnem is of the Diocese of Vtricht, in this Town is resident the Governor of the Country of gelders, the Chancery & Counsel of gelders, and Zutphen, and also the Chamber of Accounts, and it was wont to be the Ancient residence of the Dukes of gelders.  
The other walled towns are these following, first   

Hattem.  
Which standeth upon Isell, and is a great and a strong town.   

Elbourg.  
Standeth upon Zuiderzee.   

Harderwick.  
Standeth also upon Zuiderzee, this town An. 1●03. was burned to the ground, but since hath been reedefied, & is now very strong & fair.   

Wagheninghen.  
Standeth upon the Rhine.   

Tiell.  
Standeth upon Whaal, it is a strong town and ●ath jurisdiction over the Country called Tiel●rwerdt.   

Bomell.  
Standeth upon Whaal, it is a fair and a strong place, and the principal town of the Isle Bomne●wert (now called the estate of Bommelwert) ●n the which are many fair villages, and among the rest Rossem, the Country of the valiant Captain Martin Van Rossem.   

Brouchorst.  
Standeth upon Issell: it is a County, and hath a particular Governor that commandeth over it.   

Do●sbourg.  
Standeth at the entry of Fossa Brus●●a into the River Issel, it is a good Town and well peopled.   

Doetecum.  
Standeth upon the old Issel.   

Iserenberghe.  
It is a County, & a good town, having justice and signory.   

Locchem.  
Standeth upon Berkel.   

Groel, Bredernoerde,  
Gelder. giveth the name to the whole Cour●● of Gelder.   

Straelem,  
Verloo standeth upon the Meuze, it is a good & 〈◊〉 strong town, & in it the Duke of Cleves yielded 〈◊〉 himself to the Emperor Charles the 5. An. 1543.   

Wachtendonck.  
Standeth upon the River Niers.   

Erkelens'.  
Is a reasonable good town, & these abo●● mentioned are all the walled towns in Guelderl●●d.  
The Towns unwalled, first.   

Keppel & Bourke.  
Stand both upon the old Issel.   

Ghendt.  
Standeth near to the Whaal.   

Battembourg.  
Standeth upon the Meuze, this is a place of 〈◊〉 antiquity, for the people of the Country affi●●● that this was the first Castle that was built by Batton, of whom Holland was in times past called Battavia, this place appertaineth to Wi●am of Bronkhorst, a Lord of great Nobility.   

Montfort.  
Is a strong Castle and a place of some importance.  
Echt of this Village the pleasant wood Echter●●lt beareth name.   

Culembourg.  
Is a good Town standing upon the Leck, & a Fief of gelders, yet is it doubted whether it be within the Country of gelders, or not, it was erected into a County by king Philip because i● hath a great jurisdiction and signory.   

Buren.  
Is neither Fief nor within the Country of gelders, but a Country apart, though environed round about with Guelderland. It is an Earldom, & hath in it a strong castle, & under the jurisdiction thereof is a great country, & many villages, it standeth near to the ri●er Linghe, it appertaineth to the prince of Orange in the right of his first wife, being daughter & heir to the valiant Maximilian de Eghmont Earl of Buren, who died in the year 1549. The heir of this place is Philip William the princ of Oranges son by the Lady above mentioned, who is now prisoner in Spain.   

Ouerissel.  
Is bounded on the north with West Frise, and Groninghen. South with the Country of Zu●phen, East with Westphalia, West, with the Zuiderzee, and the River Issel.  
It is divided into three jurisdictions, namely Isselandt, Drent, & Tuent▪  
The country is very plain & without hills, very fruitful & abounding with grain.  
The river Vidre called in Dutch Vecht Passeth through it.  
It hath 8. walled towns namely, 〈◊〉 Swol, Campen, Vellenhove, Steenwick, Hasselt, ●●marse, Oldezeel.  
It hath of other Towns of importance 〈◊〉 though unwalled, yet enjoying goodly privilege▪ namely, Meppel, Theelmuyden, Coevorden, H●demberghe, Omme, Almeloe, Goer, Diepneh●●, Delden, and Euscede.  
There are in it above 100 Villages.  
The states of this Country consist of two members, the first the officers of the prince & the Nobility, and the second the three Capital tow●●, but because Deventer is the chief of the whole Province, we will first speak thereof.   

Deventer.  
Standeth upon the River Issel, it is a ve●●e strong and a well fortified place, large, fair, 〈◊〉 built, and well peopled. It is chief and Metropolitan of the whole Country.   

Swol.  
Standeth upon a little River that runneth 〈◊〉 the Vidre, it is a very strong town fortified 〈◊〉 a double dich and strong rampires, so that if an● fear of war or other accident happen in the Country, the Governor and the Counsel residing ordinarily in Vullenhove, retire themselves to Swol.   

Campen.  
Standeth at the entrance of Issel into the Zuiderzee, and is comprehended in the country of Ouerissel, though in truth it stand on the other side of the river, it is a very fair & a large town, & in it Albertus Pighius was borne.  
Vollenhove standeth upon the Zuiderzee, it is a good town & very well served with all sorts of victuals, for the which cause the counsel & parliament of the country, & likewise the Governor reside ordinarily there, & if any fear of danger arise, than they all retire to Swol.  
The other Towns and Villages are not worthy the mentioning, save only Ghelmuyden which standeth upon the very mouth of the Vidre, and hath in it a strong Castle wherein there is always a good Garrison for the King.  
This Country of Ouerissil appertained in times passed to the Bishop of Vtrecht, but in the year 1527. Henry of Bauiere Bishop of Vtrecht yielded it up into the hands of the Emperor Charles▪ for the same reasons that moved him to yield up his temporal signory of Vtrecht, and in the year 1549. king Philip was received as their future prince, and beareth the Title of Ouerissel.   

FRISE.  
FRise was sometime a kingdom & reached from the mouth of the Rhine to Denmark, but that part which we here describe is West- Frise being in subjection to king Philip, the ●●ther towards the river Visurgis is called East- Frise, which we purpose not to describe, because it is not subject to the king, notwithstanding 〈◊〉 possesseth also therein beyond the River of 〈◊〉 the town of Linghen, & certain other 〈◊〉 as hereafter shallbe declared.  
West- Frise hath North and West the 〈◊〉 Sea, South- Zuiderzee and the Country of O●issel, East East- Friesland.  
Under the signory thereof are many Isle's nee● adjoining unto it, the principal whereof, ●e Schelinck, and Ameland, in the which are divers Villages.  
rivers there are none in the Country, save only Ems and Lauwers, but Issel & Vidre are very near adjoining to it.  
Farther, there are great Channels, & of them ● great number throughout the Country, which are made aswell for transportation, as also to dreyn & void the waters, 〈◊〉 otherwise would be too too abundant, & 〈◊〉 ●ow all the Land.  
This is a marish 〈◊〉 ●●at, & full of waters, the River of Ems 〈…〉 from Westphalia.  
Small store of 〈◊〉 ●●it, for all the World 〈◊〉 is like our Fen●● 〈◊〉, for they have grea● numbers of cattle in the Country, and Turfe● their Fuel which is digged in the Fens, a● which they call Veen●n as we in England 〈◊〉 them Fens.  
Wines there are none of the country growth, the greatest part also of the country wanteth wood, but in steed thereof they burn Turf, which they call Torf or Turf as we do, whereof they dig so great abundance, that they serve not only for the provision of their own country, but also are sold abroad into other Countries to a great sum of money.  
The poor people of Frise burn for their fuel Cow dung dried with the sun.  
There is a place in Friselande along by Zuiderzee called Io●kermeer which is now a Lake, but was sometime a place of Turf, but sire by chance taking into the Turf consumed all the earth apt for Turf, and the water then entering into the empty place hath ever since made a Lake thereof.  
In this Country of Frise is great plenty of beeves both great and excellent sweet, yea the best in Europe, setting the English beeves aside.  
Many of their keen bring two Calves at a calving, & their sheep two or three Lambs at a fall, yea sometime four.  
There is also great plenty of good horses in this Country apt for the wars.  
This Country is divided into three principal Estates or Counties, viz. the County of Ostergoe, the County of Westergoe, and the County of the seven Forests, so named, because there are in this Country so many Forests near adioy●●●● together.  
Groeninghen is a member a part, severed from the rest of the body of Friesland, and therefore shallbe described by itself.  
All these three Estates or Counties above ●●●●tioned being joined together, contain walle● towns, & other enjoying the privileges of w●ll●● towns being rampared with trenches & 〈◊〉 to the number of eleven, namely Leewardly Doccum, Franicker, Bolswaerde, Sneck▪ Ilst, Slot●, Harlinghen, where is a Castle, & therein a Garrison, Workum, Hindelopen, Staueren.  
There are in this Country of west Friseland● comprehending Groeninghen in Friesland villages 490. divers of the which because of their wealth and greatness have obtained goodly privileges of the prince.  
The States of Friselande consist of Prelat●●● Nobles, & Adherents.  
Leewarden is seated two Leagues from Do●●cum, it is a good and a great Town, and a strong Castle is in it.  
It is the Capital town of the whole Count●●● viz. of all the three Counties above mentioned.  
In it are resident the Counsel & Chancery of Friselande, from the which no appeal lieth.  
Doccum was the Country of Gem●●-fr●●s●●t▪  
Francker is a good town where many ●●●●emen make there abode, the other towns ●●e no● greatly worthy the writing of.   

The Isle of Schellinck.  
THis is an Island in the which are some villages abounding with excellent good pastures, great plenty of cattle and excellent good fish, especialle Dogfish, the taking whereof is very strange and ridiculous, for you shall understand that the Island men disguise themselves like Beasts, and in that attire go to the Sea side at such times as they know that these fishes will come forth of the Sea to take the air for their recreation upon the shore, than these disguised men fall a dancing and leaping, with the which sport the fishes being greatly delighted are by that means drawn far from the Sea, while in the mean time nets are pitched between the Sea and them, which being done, the dancers throw off there disguised apparel and discover themselves, wherewith the fishes being astonished, fly towards the Sea and are taken in the nets.   

GROENINGHEN.  
GRoeninghen is a state apart, but so annexed to Friesland that some hold it as a member thereof.  
The City is very rich, Great, and very fair built, it is under the Diocese of the Bishop of Munster.  
It hath a great and a large jurisdiction both within the town and without, it judgeth without appeal in causes both Civil and criminal. In causes Civil the king hath his Lieutenant there, but in causes oriminall the Town is Sovereign, and granteth pardons as Sovereigns do▪ all that the Town payeth to the Prince for all duties is but 12000. Floreins Carolus, that is 6000. Crowns.  
Through this Town pass divers Rivers, and in it are also divers Channels, some made by nature & some by Art which maketh the town very strong.  
This town with the Magistrates thereof, is the principal town of the first member of the state of Groeninghen.  
The second member is the Region called Omme Lands, which consisteth of Prelates, Nobles, & Confederates.  
In Groeninghen, Rodolphus●Agricola was borne.  
The king hath of Groeninghen a title apart. The Country was sometime under the Bishops of Vtrecht, by whose negligence in defending them they submitted themselves to the Dukes of gelders, and after in the year 153●▪ to the Emperor Charles the 5. but with reservation of all their privileges & liberties.  
The king hath besides this Country of West- Friesland which is altogether under his subjection, in East Friesland a quarter of a League beyond the River of Ems the town of Linghen above mentioned, where there is a great Fortress and a strong Garrison, he hath also sovereignty over divers Fiefs beyond the Rivers of Ems and Visurgis, namely the States of jeverem, Essens, Vittemont, & divers others.  
He hath also some pre-eminence over the County of Emden, which is a good little Town standing upon the sea, & one of the goodliest havens in Europe.  
Also the king as Lord of the Low Countries is Viceregent and Vicar of the Empire over all the Country of Friesland even to Dietmarshe, which is in the Confines of Denmark, the which dignity Maximilian the Emperor bought of his Father the Emperor Frederic for him & his heirs for ever.  
The Frisons hate no vice more than adultery, which was the cause that their priests had sense to marry.  
The Frisons have in times past been great Soldiers, but now are become Merchants, Mariners, & Fishers, whereby they gain ordinalie great sums of money.  
They are also great defenders of their liberty, they were first brought under the subjection of the Romans by Drusus Germanicus, them they lived under the French, whose yoke after they had shaked off, they created a magistrate among themselves, sometime 〈◊〉 the ●●●le of Duke, & 〈…〉 they were subdued by 〈…〉 than Carolus Cal●us erecting Holl●●● 〈…〉 Earldom, gave this country or the greatest part thereof to the Earl of Holland, against, wh● the Frisons often rebelled, but in the end they fell with the said county of Holland to the hous● of Burgundy, and so to the house of Ostrich.   

HOLLAND.  
HOlland is as much to say, as a hollow land, 〈◊〉 the very foundation of it standeth upon water, so that if you go or ride, the ground will tremble underneath you.  
Holland is bounded North and west with the Sea, South with  and Brabant, East with Zu●derzee and Guelderland.  
Through it run many arms of the Rhine & , besides a number of channels made by Art, almost between every village of moment.  
It hath in it a number of Isles made by the Sea, the Rhine and the , and those of divers names, yet all comprehended under the name of Holland.  
The ground lieth so low, that they are forced to fence it with dikes and ramparts, aswell against the Sea, as against all the rivers almost & 〈◊〉 where the Sea●ebbes and flows, so that jermany places you shall see the Sea far above the land, ●et repulsed by these banks.  
The country hath in it few trees, because the ground is so waterish and soft, that it is not able to bear the weight of a tree, and yet less quantity of fruit & grain for the same reason is growing in it. But they are furnished with wonderful plenty of grain, as well from the Easterlings, as also out of Denmark, in such sort, that they have not only sufficient for their own provision, but also to impart liberally to other countries.  
Wine they have none of their own growth, and yet receive such plenty of Rhenish wine out of Allemaine, that they consume more than is drunk in the country where it groweth.  
Likewise Flax there is none growing in the country: yet is more linen cloth made there, than in any other country of the world. Their Flax is brought them out of Flaunders, Liege and Osterland.  
wool likewise, they have none of their own breed, yet make infinite numbers of clothes. Their wool cometh to them out of England, Scotland and Spain.  
Lastly, they have no timber at all growing, and yet spend more timber in building of ships and fencing their dikes and rampires, than any other country doth. Their timber cometh to them out of Osterland.  
Their principal home commodities consist in breeding and feeding of horses, beeves and 〈◊〉 in their fat pastures and meadows, and likew●●● in turfs, whereof they cell an infinite quantity into other countries.  
Their horses are very strong but heavy, notwithstanding now their race is much amended, partly by Genets that they get out of Spain, & partly by breeding their colts in Friesland, because the Friesland pastures make them stronger, fairer and lighter than their own, notwithstanding that the Friesland horse be in none of these respects comparable to the Hollander, which is a strange wonder.  
The butter and cheese made in a year in Holland, amounteth to as much as the spice that is yearly brought into the Low countries out of Portugal, which is above a million of crowns.  
Five villages in Holland, namely, Assendel●t, Oostsane, Westsane, Cromeine & Cromenierd●●●k▪ yield as much butter and cheese yearly, as amounteth to the value of the Rhenish wine that is yearly brought to Dordrecht, which is a marvelous quantity, for there is the Staple of the Rhenish wine.  
The turf growing in Holland that is yearly sold out of the Country, amounteth to a marvelous mass of money: for the kings custom thereof that is received in Goude only, ariseth yearly to three thousand ducats, notwithstanding that the custom of every measure of tu●●e be very small, consider than what it groweth to that passeth elsewhere out of the country, and is consumed in the country.  
But of all other commodities that they have, their fishing together with their Navigation, yieldeth them a marvelous gain, for they have above eight hundredth good ships, between two hundredth and seven hundredth tun, and above 600. boats called Busts to Fish with, be●ing between 100 & 200. Tun and upwards.  
Holland is not above 60. Leagues in circuit, and where it is broadest a man may ride over it in six hours, yet are there in it xxix. Walled towns, namely, Dordrecht. Haerlem, Delft, Leyden, Goude, Amsterdam, (which are the six Capital towns of the Province) Einchusen, Horn, Alkemar, Purmerenden, Eedam, Monichedam, Wesp, Naerden, Woerden, Oudewater, Schoonhoven, Helstein, Vianen, Leerdam, Asperen, Hueckelem, Gorichom, Workum, Huesden, Rotterdam, Schiedam, S. Gertrudenberg, Sevenberghen.  
Over and above these, there are divers little towns, (viz.) Medemblick, Beverwick▪ Muiden. Niuport, Vlaerdinghen, Gravisande, which in times past were all walled, and enjoy yet the privileges of walled towns, notwithstanding that now they be unwalled.  
There are besides in Holland above 400. villages, some of the which setting walls aside, may be accounted fair towns, and enjoy the priuile●●ges of walled towns, namely, the Bourg la H●y, etc.  
Holland hath under the jurisdiction thereof divers Isles: the principal whereof are V●eland●, Texele, W●ringham so named of an herb called Wir, where with they maintain their dikes, Vr●● and Ens, wherein are some villages, and farther the Isles of Voorn, Goerode, Somersdick, called also Vooru, Corendick, Pierschille.  
The states of Holland are compounded of the body of the Nobility and the six capital towns▪ but we will now come to the particular description of all the towns, etc.  
Dordrecht standeth on the Merune, which is a river compounded of the Rhine, the M●use, and the Linge.  
Dordrecht before the year 1421. was firm● land and joined to Brabant, but that year the Sea drowned 72. good villages, and rend, Do●●●drecht from the firm land and made it an isle, ●o● four ways there are how new Isles are mad●● 1. An earthquake in the Sea, often casteth up much ground, which in time becometh habitable. 2. Great rivers at their entry into the Sea, often train with them great quantity of sand, which in time becometh an isle. 3. Sometime the Sea leaveth a place which groweth to an Island, and is made habitable. 4. Sometime by force of the Sea, a piece of ground is rend from the continent, and is made an Island, as Sicily from Italy, Cyprus from Syria, Euboea from Boeotia, & this town of Dordrecht from the firm land of Br●bant.  
Dordrecht is the Staple of Rhenish wine, and likewise of grain which cometh thither out of Guelderland, Cleves, and juliers.  
It is a great, rich, mighty, fair, & a well peopled town.  
A Staple is a French word, derived of Stabulun, and is a place appointed for Merchants to bring their goods unto, and there to stay with them a certain space, before they may carry them to any other place, which time being expired, and the goods there unbought, they may then carry them whether they think good.  
Arras is the Staple of wines brought out of France into the Low countries by land.  
Middlebourg in Zeeland, is the Staple of French, Spanish, Portugalysh, & wines of other Provinces brought into the Low countries by Sea, in such sort, that all merchants and mariners bringing any of those wines, must of necessity come to Middlebourg, and there discharge their wines and pay all duties, before they can pass with their wines to any other place.  
At Dordrecht, all merchants coming down the Rhine or  with any merchandise whatsoever, must land and there discharge their merchandise into the town ships, or compound with the town for it, and pay all other 〈◊〉 before they can departed.  
Haerlem. In Haerlem are yearly made above 12000. clothes.  
Haerlem is a town very well built, and beautified with goodly meadows both within and without, but especially with a most pleasant forest, and environed with many goodly villages, castles and fortresses, and is seated in a most 〈◊〉 some air. It is the greatest town in all Holland, & second in dignity among the 6 capital towns.  
At Haerlem printing was first invented, and after brought to perfection at Mentz, for the which cause, some attribute the first invention thereof to that town and not to this.  
¶ here the Author entereth into a discourse of Seamen and Sea-women being fishes, yet proportioned in all parts like man and wom●●, whereof one being a female, was taken up at Haerlem, An. 1403. and the other being a ma●●, in Friesland, but within this 50. years, both the which lived many years, and fell to eat as w●e do, and were brought to civility, and taught to do many works and services: as for example the woman to spin, but they remained alwa●●● dumb. Which strange accidents, though impertinent to our discourse of the Low 〈…〉 yet thought I goo● briefly to touch, 〈…〉 cau●e Gui●ci●rdin● himself discourse 〈…〉 as also because the like is written by 〈…〉 approved authors.  
Delft, is a goodly large town well built thrugho●t, with broad and pleasant streets, and beautified with sumptuous and stately churches.  
At Delft are made great quantity of clothes, and excellent good beer is there brewed.  
About this town and in the town, are great ●umbers of Storks, the which in a fire that happened in the town 1536. showed a wonderful affection to their young ones: first in seeking to save them from the fire, and afterwards in dying with them when they perceived that they could not save them.  
This is one of the six capital towns of Holland.  
In this town was borne that monstrous heretic, David George.  
near to Delft is a noble monastery of ladies called Conincksfeelde, who before they be entered into profession may marry at their pleasure. The monastery hath jurisdiction both temporal and spiritual.  
Leyden is one of the six capital towns of Holland▪ & chief of Rhineland. It hath under it 49. borougs & villages, the most part whereof once a week, bring all their good victuals to cell in the town, which causeth it to abound with all things arising of the earth. It hath also great plenty of fish, both sea fish and fresh water fish, and of water foul, beyond all measure.  
In Leyden is a castle said to be built by Hengist, returning from the conquest of 〈◊〉 and therein is a notable well, whereof the ancient family of Wa●senar taketh name.  
This town is situate in a flat and low country full of ditches and channels, and is beawtified with pleasant meadows, gardens, arbours and walks round about it.  
Within it are enclosed 31. islands, from one of the which to the other, men go by boats, and over and above these, there are nine or ten other islands, from the one of the which to the other, bridges are built to pass over, so that in this town are 145. briges, whereof 104. are of stone and the rest of wood.  
In this town are yearly made above 12000. clothes.  
The women are excellent fair, and the air passing wholesome.  
But a little league from Leyden, is the famous Abbey of Reinsbourg, consisting of Nuns all of Noble houses, the Abbess whereof hath jurisdiction spiritual and temporal, and the Abbey is endowed with so great revenues, that every day above two thousand persons come thither to receive relief.  
Another such like Abbey of Ladies is also near to Leyden called Terlee.  
In all these Monasteries of Ladies and gentlewomen, they may till they be entered into profession, come forth and marry, and 〈◊〉 they live there many years before they profess themselves, observing notwithstanding in the mean time their rules and orders very duly, soberly and religiously.  
Goude, is also one of the six capital towns of Holland. It standeth upon the river Issel, not the Issel above described▪ but another different from that: for this Issel ariseth at Isselstein in Holland, and passing by Montfort, Oudewater, & Goude at Isselmonde entereth into the Leck, holding his course continually from his rising to his fall, between the old Rhine that cometh from Vtrecht and the said river of Leck, and being as it were hemmed in between these two rivers.  
Goude is a strong, rich, and a well fortified town.  
Amsterdam, standeth upon the gulf T●e.  
It is one of the goodliest havens in the world, for you shall have sometimes at one instant 500 sail of ships riding in the port.  
The town is so rich, that though a fleet of 300. sail, laden with all kind of Merchandise arrive there, the Citizens within five of six days will buy up all their wares, so that the ●leete may return home.  
In this town are built yearly many ships, and above 12000. clothes made.  
Amsterdam is built upon piles under the ground as Venice is, so that the buildings of the towns are more chargeable under the ground than above, notwithstanding that the houses above the ground be very sumptuous and fair.  
This town is very strong and held imprenable, by reason that it may be environed at pleasure with water, and is almost in all points like unto Venice, and little inferior to it in any, and may justly be called the Venice of these parts.  
This is the sixth Capital town of Holland, but in wealth the first: for next to Andwerp, it is the greatest town of traffic in all these parts.  
Einchuysen standeth upon the very point of the gulf Zuiderzee that fronteth Friesland, from whence it is distant not above two leagues. It is a good town, and in it are many ships built.  
Hoorn standeth also upon the Zuiderzee. It is a fair, rich, and a reasonable great town, and hath a good haven, and is of so great strength by reason of the multitude of channels round about it, that it seemeth almost imprenable.  
In this town there is kept year lie in May, a mart of butter and Cheese, whereof there is so great quantity brought unto this fair, that it is almost incredible, for it furnisheth not only the countries, but also Spain and Portugal.  
Alcmair is a very rich town, by reason that the country round about it, yieldeth more plenty of butter and cheese, than any other place in Holland whatsoever.  
Purmerenden, is a town with a good Castle appertaining to the Count de Eghemont.  
Edam standeth near the Zuiderzee. This town is famous for the great number of ships of all burdens that are built in it, and the inaumerable multitude of excellent good chiefs that are made in the country round about it.  
Monickedam, Wesp, These are two good little towns, with great store of good meadows and pastures about them for feeding of cattle, and likewise great abundance of fish.  

Naerden.  
Woerden hath a strong castle, this town appertaineth to the Duke of Brumswick.  
Owdewater standeth upon the Issel. near to this town and Woerden, is great plenty of hemp growing, of the which almost all the Cables, cords and nets, that the Fishermen and Mariners of Holland & Zeeland use are made, by the which merchandise, many both of this Town and of Woerden, grow very rich.  
Schoonhouen standeth upon the Leck. It is a fair Town and a commodious Haven, and here is so great abundance and plenty of Salmon taken, that the Staple of Salmon is kept here.  
Iselstein appertaineth to Philip son to the prince of Orange, as heir to Maximilian Earl of Buren, about this town is great controversy whether it appertain to Holland or to the signory of Ver●cht.  
Vianen. Though Vianen be said to be a signory apart, yet is it enclosed within Holland. It standeth upon the River Leck. It appertaineth to the Lord of Brederoede, who pretendeth that it oweth no Superiority to the king.  
Leardam standeth upon the River Linge. It appertaineth to the Count de Buren.  
Asperen standeth also upon the river Linge, which passeth through it with a pleasant murmuring course. This town was sacked by Charles Duke of Gueldres, An. 1516.  
Hueclelen standeth likewise upon the Linge, here is an ancient Castle, said to be built by Hercules the German.  
Gorichom standeth upon the Whaal, where it meeteth with the Linge, It is a good town & hath in it a strong Castle. From the church steeple of this town, you may behold xxii. Walled Towns under the kings subjection, and an infinite number of villages, which is a most pleasant sight to behold. Every day there is a Market in this town of butter, cheese, and other victuals, of an incredible quantity brought into this haven, and from thence transported to Andwerp and to other places, which causeth the Inhabitants of this town to become very rich, the rather, for that they themselves are Merchants, Mariners and pilots, for the conveying of their merchandises to other places. near to Gorichom, is the place where men hold opinion that Hercules the German planted his camp, for the which cause all the country thereabout, is called Hercules' country, in Dutch Dat landt van Arckell.  
Workum standeth upon the Waal. It appertaineth to the Count de Horn.  
Huesden. In this town is a fair Castle, and many villages are under the jurisdiction thereof.  
In this Country is digged great plenty of Turfs.  
Rotterdam standeth upon the Channel Rotter, near to the . It is a strong, a fair, and a populous town. This was the place of Nativity, of the renowned Erasmus Roterodamus. In this town were burnt above nine hundred houses at the time that the Author was writing this book, but all repaired and new built again in one year.  
S. Gertruidenberghe standeth upon the Merwe, it is the prince of Oranges town. The Hollanders and Brabanders are in controversy, to whither country this town belongeth. In this town are taken great store of shades, sometime 18000. in a day, which are sent abroad into divers parts of the world in great numbers, both fresh and salt. here are also taken great plenty of Sturgeons and Salmon. As far as this town the Hollanders used to atted upon their prince going into Haynault as Earl thereof, and here they were accustomed to receive him when he came out of Haynault into Holland.  
Sevenberghen standeth upon the Meruu●. It is a good town and appertaineth to the Earl of Aremberg.    

Towns unwalled in Holland, yet enioving the privileges of walled towns.  
MEdemblick standeth upon the North sea of Holland, and in the best country of Holland for feeding of cattle. It hath in it a good & a strong castle.  

Beverwick.  
Muyden standeth by the gulf of Zuiderzee, upon the little river of Weight. It is a good town, with a strong castle on the contrary side of the river and a bridge to pass over the river from the castle to the town.   

Nieuport.  
Vlaerdinghen standeth near to the mouth of the Meus●. It is one of the ancientest towns in Holland.  
Gravesande standeth also upon the mouth of the Meus●. It is an ancient town, & was sometime not only walled, but also a stately town and the place of residence of the ordinary counsel of Holland, till William king of Romans' removed it to Haghen. About this town is the best corn country in Holland, and here also be the excellent brave sand cheeses made.    

The principal villages of Holland.  
HAghon or la hay, standeth near to the west sea. It is the fairest, the richest and the greatest village of Europe, containing two thousand houses, and among them divers very sumptuous, especially the beautiful and large royal palace, built like a castle, and environed with strong and large ditches, founded by William king of Romans', who here also caused the counsel to reside, which before was resident at Gravesand. This council hath appeal to Malives.  
In this palace is also a college of Cannons, with a very beautiful chapel in it.  
At Haghen is also resident the king's chamber of accounts for Holland, Vtrecht, Zeeland, Frise and Ouer-issel.  
Farther in the Palace above mentioned, is the king's library, being a very goodly one, gathered by john Harry Cannon of Haghon, and given by him to the emperor Charles the fift.  
The Inhabitants of Haghen, will by no means wall their village, accounting it more honour to inhabit the fairest and mightiest village of Europe, than a city which being walled should be surpassed of many. But this their glory cost them full dear: for by reason that Haghen was unwalled, Martin van Roseeth miserably spoiled and sacked the town.  
At La Hay is a goodly wood, replenished with all kind of Venison, & beautified with many antiquities and medals graven in fine marble, and worthy to be remembered.  
Half a league from Haghen, is the Abbey of Losdune, in the which is the tomb of Margaret Countess of H●nnenberg, and sister to William king of Romans, with an Epitaph thereon, wherein is mentioned, that the said Countess brought forth as many children at one burden, as there be days in the year.  
Schaghen, is situate in the uttermost North part of Holland. It is a fair and a large village with a goodly Castle.  
Iselmont standeth upon the mouth of the Mor●●●. It appertaineth to the lord of Merode, it is a good village with a fair Castle.  
Eghemont standeth near the west Sea. It is a brave village with a goodly monastery, and appertaineth to the Earl of Eghemont, who hereof beareth his title.  
Brederode is a castle, whereof the noble family of Brederode beareth name. Three noble houses there are in Holland most famous. Wassenar the ancient, Brederode the Noble, Eghemont the rich.  
Walckembourg is a small borough, yet an earldom. here every September is a notable fair of horses. This place appertaineth to the Earl of Linge as Lord of Wassenar.  
Catwiick standeth on the Sea, where the ancient mouth of the Rhine that came from Vtrecht was wont to enter into the Sea. It was built by the Cattis a people of Allemaine, and hath been in times past a stately town, but now hardly the relics thereof remain.  
The fort called Britannia was built by the Romans, namely, by the Emperor Caligula, to pass from thence their forces into England. But after the ruin of the Roman Empire, it was swallowed up by the sea, and so remained covered with water many years, in such sort, that no memorial remained thereof. Notwithstanding by the departing of the Sea, in the years 1520. 1552. and 1562. It was discovered many days together, and many goodly stones taken up out of the ruins thereof, and carried to lafoy Hay to the lord of Wassenars house: there was also bricks taken up, as fair and as sound as when the foundation was first laid.  
Petten standeth in the extremity of the North part of Holland upon the downs, which are hills of sand that defend Holland on that side from the Sea, & near to this villige where the down●● fall is begun a rampart upon the charge of the Country to defend it from the rage thereof, on that coast, which rampart is called Hontbosc, & is daily very painfully wrought upon because if the Sea should pierce the said rampart, it is f●●red that the greatest part of Holland should be swallowed up, notwithstanding Nicholas Nicholai having recovered a great Country upon that Coast from the Sea, and fortified it with wonderful strong ramparts & dikes: the said rampart Houtbose is now not thought so necessary, neither is so chargeable as before: it was, besides that, the Country that the said Nicholas hath recovered is, so fruitful that for one quarter of grain sowed there they reap a hundred, which so much the more recommendeth the said Nicholas invention and industry.   

The Isles that be of the jurisdiction of Holland.  

Voorn.  
IN the Isle Voorn is the Briel which is a good 〈◊〉 strong town, & the first that revolted from the Spaniard in the year 1572 and after it Vlissinghe● and Einchusen.  
In the Isle of Voorn is also the town called Gerulit, which hath divers villages under the jurisdiction there of, though the town itself be but small. The Soil of this Island is very fat & fruitful, & bringeth forth great abundance of divers sorts of grain, & likewise of the herb called Hellem like to broom, the great roots whereof is the principal strength of the Sea banks & dikes of Holland, & Zealand, which otherwise being very sandy would easily be borne away with the wind.  
Goerede the 2. Island, In it is a town of the same name, being reasonable fair and great.  
Somersdeiick the 3. Island called also Voorn, because it lieth directly against Holland, for Voorn signifieth as much as before, or in old English bevorne.  
In it are divers villages, but the principal is Somersdiick whereof the whole Island taketh name, the which was sometime a Town of great account, & this only village among all the rest of the isle is under the jurisdiction of Zealand.  
Gorendiick the 4. & Pierschelle the 5. Isle.  
The Soil of these two Islands is excellent good, and diverse villages are in them, but no other thing worthy of memory.  
All these Isles are called Voorn, & be in deed Zeelandish isles, and were in times passed under the jurisdiction of Zealand, but about 50. years passed for a certain sum of money that was to be divided between the Earls of Holland and Zelande, the Inhabitants of thes Isles by accords submitted themselves to the jurisdiction of Holland, and have so remained ever since.  
This Country of Holland is wonderfully peopled, and the people are tall, well proportioned, cheerful and valiant, and very courteous & evil, their towns are well built, their houses wonderfully well furnished, & their furniture exceeding fine and neete above all Countries in the world.  
Their shops, buildings, ships, dikes, ramparts, channels, devices to maintain their banks, and to preserve the meadows and pastures by passing the water from one channel into another, and so into the Sea, and all other works that they take in hand are so exquisitely and skilfully done that it is wonderful to behold them, yea a man may there learn a thousand things very worthy to be known, that he shall not see all his life time in any other place.  
The women of Holland are very fair, wise, painful, and so practised in affairs of the world, that they occupy themselves in most part of men's exercises, especially in merchandise.  
The Gentlemen of the Country being nothing so many now as under their natural Earls they were (because since that time they have given themselves to traffic) live upon their revenues, & divers of them profess Letters, the rest of the common people live by merchandise, by nourishing sheep and cattle, by shipping, and fishing, out of the which they draw great wealth, so that this little province is wonderful rich, and no one foot of it but bringeth forth something, insomuch that even the very Downs being nothing but sand hills, breed great abundance of Coneys, and the very sea rocks great store of eggs and infinite numbers of foul, the which are sold into divers Countries, but especially to Andwerpe both raw & baked, fresh and salt, yea and that with so great commodity to the sellers, that divers Gentlemen have established the greatest part of there revenues in the gain that ariseth of the sale of these fowls.  
To conclude, considering the great wealth that groweth to this Country by cheese, butter, flesh, fish, foul, chickens, eggs, cattle, linen cloth,  cloth, turf, and shipping, it may be called the Treasure house of all good things.  
The prince of Orange William of Nassau was in his life time Governor and Lieutenant of Holland, Zealand, & Vtrecht, for the king.  
Vtrecht hath North, West, and South Holland, East, Guelderland, this Country is a neighbour near adjoining to Holland, yet a state apart, containing the Vtrecht City itself & 4. other walled towns namely Wick at Duerstede, Rhenen, Amersfort, & Montfort.  
Under the jurisdiction thereof are above 70. Villages.  
The Country is very fruitful & much 〈◊〉 than Holland, and therefore better for grain.  
This Town was first called Antonina of one of the Anthony's of Room, but Dagobert King of France gave it the name of Traiectum, because there was at that time the common Fe●●e over the Rhine.  
It standeth upon the ancient stream of the Rhine, which before it broke into the River of Leck had his course this way into the Sea.  
This town is seated in a country so miraculously well inhabited, that in one day you may go from Vtrecht to 50. walled towns standing from thence in equal distance, and all under the King of Spain's obedience. Farther, you may depart out of Vtrecht in the morning and dine at whether you will of 26. walled towns, and return again to supper at Vtrecht in your own house.  
In this Town the Emperor Charles built a goodly & a strong Castle called Vredenbourg, (that is to say) the Castle of peace.  
The Town is large, mighty and very stately and sumptuously Built, and full of goodly cellars and Caves, vaulted with wonderful art and skill.  
There are in it many goodly Churches, of the which 5. are the principal, being all Colleg●● Churches of Cannons.  
In Vtrecht are also two Commaunderies. 〈◊〉 Churches, and houses very stately and magnificent & goodly possessions in divers parts of these Low countries, wherewith they entertain a great & honourable estate.  
In Vtrecht also are two famous Monasteries of Noble women and Ladies called Damoyselles, such as before in divers places we have described and without the town are three other Monasteries of the same nature, besides many Abbeys, & houses of Religion of sundry professions.  
In Vtrecht is likewise a court iuridicial whither all the appeals of this Country are brought.  
In this Town is an Episcopal Sea founded by Dagobert king of France, that which also was once in Archchiepiscopall Sea, but the town being ruinated by the Normans the Archiepiscopallyte was translated to Colin.  
The state of this City consisteth of the 5. Collegial churches, of the Nobles who are chosen by the Prince, and of the Syndiques, and Deputies of the 5. towns of this Province.  
Towns of the jurisdiction of Vtrecht, whereof the first is Weck at Duersteede  
Which is a town well built standing upon the Leck with a good Castle in it.  
Rhenen standeth also upon the Leck, about this town is excellent good ground for turf, & near to it is a village called Venendale, built within these 25. years for the commodity of making turf the which village daily greatly increaseth.  
Amesfort standeth upon the little river of 〈◊〉 In the year 1534. this Town was taken by Martin van Rossem, it is a fair town and well peopled.  
Montfort standeth upon the Issel, it is apleasant place and a strong, having been in times past a Frontier town against the Hollanders.  
Vtrecht was not long since as well an Earldom, as a Bishopric, so that the Bishop had as well the temporal as the spiritual sword, which was often cause of great wars between the Bishops of the place, and the Earls of Holland. Farther, in times past the state of Vtrecht was so mighty that it was able to put 40000. men into the field, and it was thus governed by the Bishops of the place 900. years & better, but of late years Henry of Bauiere Bishop of Vtrecht being extremely distressed with wars both by the Gueldroys and by the rebellion of his ow● people, who received Martin Van Rossem 〈◊〉 to the town, alienated all the temporalties of his Bishopric to the Emperor Charles the 5. in the year 1527. and in the year 1528. the Imperialists by one of the factions of Vtre●h were received into the Town, and the 〈◊〉 year all the states of the Country confirmed the Bishop's alienation madeto the Emperor, as did also afterward Pope Clement the 7.  
Vtrecht with the Country is a Fief of the ●●●pire, for the which cause the Emper●●● Charles was also invested into this country by the Empire.   

ZEALAND.  
Is as much to say, as a Land won out of the Sea, under the which name are contained 15. or 16. Islands, the which being united together make one body, & have the title of a County▪  
Zealand is severed southward from Flanders with the left arm of the Schelde called Hont, Eastward from Brabant with the right arm of the said river, which retaineth the ancient name of Schelde, North it is severed from Holland with the Gulf of the Sea called slack, West it hath the Sea toward England.  
The principal Isles of Zelande are 7. which are divided by an Arm of the Schelde near to the entrance thereof into the Sea into two parts (viz.) oriental and Occidental. The oriental Isles are Schouwe, Duelandt & Tolen. The Occidental are Walkeren, Zuidbevelandt, Northevelandt, Wolfersduck.  
Towards the Sea these Isles are defended with hills of sand called the Downs thrown up by the surges of the Sea.  
Towards the the South they be defended with ramparts & banks made & painfully & chargeably maintained by the country to the height of ten flemish else, and large at the bottom 25. flemish else, these ramparts are made of the hardest clay that may be gotten, within they are thick built with wood & stone, and covered without 〈…〉 wrought.  
Zealand is a very fruitful Courtrie, & 〈…〉 pure and bright co●●e, 〈…〉 Coriander, & the bay tree with the 〈…〉, which groweth not in any other 〈…〉 the Low Countries. I● bringeth forth 〈…〉 dance of excellent good Madd●● where 〈◊〉 great part of Europe is furnisheth and 〈…〉 more than 〈◊〉 other province of 〈…〉 Country's, by reason that the sea water 〈…〉 both the coldness of the air and of the 〈…〉 the Winter, and the heat thereof in the 〈…〉.  
In Zelande is also great store of carfe, but forbidden to be digged near the Sea Coast, because the ●ou●hnes of that kind of earth is a great strength to the Sea banks against the rage thereof.  
In Zealand is also great abundance of excellent good pasturage for cattle, & no less plenty 〈…〉 of fi●●.  
Farther in this Country are 8. walled tow●● (viz) Middlebourg, Siri●●ce, Canfere Vlissing●● Tolle● S. Martin's duck, Romer suale, 〈…〉 are also divers other small places of 〈…〉 not walled, and 102. villages.  
The states of this 〈◊〉 consisted of 〈…〉 & one 〈◊〉, the 〈…〉 Towns.    

The Description of the Isles, & first of Schouwe, the principal of the Oriental Isles, called in Latin S●aldia.  
THis I'll is much diminished by the violence of the Sea, yet hath it at this present 7. Leagues in circuit. It was in times passed so near adjoining to Northevelandt, that the Inhabitants might common together from the one shore to the other, but now they are greatly distant a sunder.  
This I'll containeth these towns following:  
Sirixzee this is the ancient town of all Zealand. It had sometime a very commodious Haven and well frequented with merchants though now choked up with beach thrown in by the sea to the great decay of the town, yet notwithstanding the town is walled & reasonable fair, & is the second in degree among the towns of Zealand.  
The whole Traffic of the town is now salt and mather, whereof there is great abundance in this isle of Schouwe.  
near to this town a few years past were taker certain monstrous fishes like wild boars, but twice as great & more horrible to behold, part of the which fishes were carried to Andwerp and there sold & found very good meat. 〈◊〉 such like Monstrous Fishes are often taken 〈◊〉 the Coast of Holland and Zelande, but they are commonly better for Oil, than for any other use, notwithstanding how profitable soever they be that way: yet do they the Country much more harm than good, because they chase, devour, & fray away with their horrible and hideous shape the other ordinary fishes of the sSeas.  
In this town was borne the famous physician & philosopher Levinus Lennius, who hath written divers learned works.  
Browershaven is but a fisher town, notwithstanding in this Isle of Schouwe are divers Castles and villages appertaining to divers gentlemen.  

The second oriental Isle.  
Dwelandt hath the name of the great abou● dance of Doves that breed therein, this Isle hath 4. Leagues of circuit, but because it is subject to the inundations of the sea, there is never a good town in it, butmany villages & gentlemen's farms.  
This Isle was surrounded by the Sea in the year 1530. with great loss both of Ca●tell ●nd men, but by the diligence & industry of 〈◊〉 of Burgundy father to Maximilian Lord● of Beveres in Flaunders it was recovered ●g●ine though with excessive charge.   

The third oriental Isle.  
Tolen the which is now joined with that part of this Isle that S. Martins Diick standeth in, ●●is severed from it only by a little channel half full of water. In times past it is thought they were 2. Isles though now they be but one. In this Isle are these 2. little walled towns following, the first:  
Tolen which giveth the name to the whole Isle, & is so called because the Earls Towle was wont to bepayde there.   

The secondwalled Town of this Isle is,  
S. Martins Diick which is a very little town, notwithstanding in this isle are many good y villages.  
The other small islands lying towards the East, are not worth the mentioning being in a manner all disinhabited.    

The Occidental Isles whereof the first is Walckeren called in Latin Valachria.  
THis is the principal of all the Isles of Zelande not for the greatness thereof (for it is but 10. Leagues in circuit) but for the strength, surety of seat, fruitfulness of soil, number of people and great wealth that it possesseth.  

In this Island are these towns following.  
Middlebourg so named, because it standeth in the midst of the Isle, it is a very strong town well fortified and well walled & 〈◊〉 the streets large, and the houses, churches, and monasteries very fair built.  
In the goodly Abbey of S. Nicholas in this town lieth buried William king of Romans; Earle of Holland and Zealand with Isabellee his wife.  
In this Abbey is also a goodly Library.  
The Abbot of this place is the only prelate that alone at the Assembly of the States representeth all the Clergy of Zealand.  
The Staple of French, Spanish, & Portugale ●ines coming by Sea into the low Countries is held at Middlebourg, besides that, it is a 〈◊〉 great Town of traffic of all kind of Merchandise. And it is the principal Town of all Z●lande.  
This town standeth not upon the Sea, but upon two channels which discharge themselves into the sea near to Ramue, one of the which viz. the old channel because of the narrowness & crookedness 〈◊〉 of serveth to no great use, but the new one 〈◊〉 lately cut, is straight a line, large & dee● 〈◊〉 such sort that a ship of a 100 tun may 〈◊〉 from the port of Rami●e even up to the 〈…〉 of Middelbourg by this new channel.  
V●●r● or Ca●fer is the set 〈…〉 this Isle of Waloker●● standing upon the 〈◊〉 coast. To this town repair all the 〈◊〉 chants. It is a Marquisate, & the Mark 〈◊〉 alone representeth in the assembly of the states all the Nobility of Zealand.  
In this town is a goodly Arsenal, where the king's artillery, and all other furniture for his wars by sea is kept.  
Vlussinghen is the third walled town of Walckeren. It was walled 40. years agone by the above named Adolphus de Burgundy.  
It is the key of the sea of these Low countries, because all ships that go up to Andwerp must of necessity pass by this town.   

The villages of Walkeren Sautland,  
Westcapelle this village enjoyeth the privileges of a walled town, because in times past it was a good town, & the best haven of Walkeren but about 100 years past it was drowned by the sea.  
Dombourg near to it is the royal palace of Westhoven with a garden therein belonging to the Abbot of Middlebourg. All these 3. villages stand upon the sandhils of the west & northwest sea towards Canfer  
Rameken between Vlissinghen & Ramue is the point called Rameken towards the south-west, upon the which standeth the fort of Zeerbourg built by Charles the Emperor to assure the entrance into the river on that side.  
Ramue or Armuyden, this is the last town of the State of the Isle of Walkeren. It is a Village unwalled, but the goodliest Haven not of the Low Countries only but of all Christendom: For all ships that come into Flanders repair to this port in such sort that you shall sometime see there 400 or 500 fail of ship● 〈…〉 〈◊〉 all parts of the world, 〈…〉 built there.  
Sudbourg is a village between 〈◊〉 & Vlussi●he● where 〈◊〉 Emperor 〈…〉 stayed a long time for ●●inde to carry him his 〈◊〉 journey into Spain●. A great number also of 〈◊〉 goodly villages are in this 〈◊〉 of Walc●●●n, which for brevity 〈…〉.   

The second Occident all Isle.  
Zuidbeueland● so named, because before it was rampared with banks & dikes it tre 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 if the foundation thereof had not be one 〈◊〉.  
It is the greatest of all the Isls of Zealand. It 〈◊〉 in times past 20. Leagues in circuit, but now● by the inundations of the Sea and of the river it is diminished by the half.  
In times passed there were in this Isle 〈…〉 towns, the principal whereof was Borsul●.  
But this town withal the country about 〈◊〉 led the signory of Borsule, was swallowed up by the sea in the year 153●.   

The second walled Town●.  
Romersual is now the principal of all the 〈◊〉 of 〈…〉, it is seated upon the 〈◊〉 towards 〈◊〉: but in the same year● 〈◊〉 the in●●●●d 〈◊〉 severed it from 〈…〉 made it an Island by itself, so that it is now forced to defend itself both 〈◊〉 extreme diligently and ch●●ge from the 〈◊〉 all rage of the Sea. In this town the Earl of Zeeland taketh his oath at his entrance into the state. The third walled town of this isle is   

Goes or Tergoes.  
This town standeth upon the North coast. It is the only town of all the three walled towns of Zuidebevelandt, that is remained whole and safe from the inundations of the Sea. It is a good little town and enjoyeth very good privileges profitable for itself.  
In this Island are also many good villages and Seniories, and among the rest Barland, which is the country of Adriane surnamed Barlandus, that hath written the History of Bra●ant, and divers other small volumes.  
In this isle are many goodly woods and pleasant thickets, full of foul and wild beasts, to hawk and hunt.    

The third occident all I'll is Northeveland.  
THis I'll in times paste was the paradise of Zeeland, but the Sea Anno. 1532. in the general deluge (as it were) of this country of Zeeland, swallowed it clean up, so that now nothing of the town named Chortcheen (which was a proper walled town in this Island) remaineth, but only the church steeple which is yet to be seen, as are also the speeres of the churches of divers other vill●●● the rabouts swallowed up 〈…〉 by the Sea. True it is that in divers parts of 〈◊〉 I'll, the earth cast up by the sea riseth above the water, so that there is good hope in time to recover the whole or the greatest part thereof again.  

The fourth and last occidental I'll is.  
●Wolfer●iick, which is the smallest of all the occidental Isles, having only two villages in it, but great abundance of pasture for cattle.    

The government of Zeeland.  
ZEeland is governed by 〈◊〉 governors, named R●●●maisters, who be the ki●● lieutenants in these islands and have all the authority under him. One resideth in Middle●●● for the 〈◊〉 islands, & the other in Sirix●●● for the 〈◊〉 islands.  
The Zeelanders trade is fishing▪ 〈◊〉, grazing & Tillage. They also refine 〈◊〉 salt, 〈◊〉 only refine it making it white as snow, but with sea water & 〈◊〉 of fire gr●●tly increase it, 〈◊〉 the Spanish salt forty 〈◊〉 in a hundr●th, The Portugal salt thirty five, and the French 〈◊〉 t●enty five. In the which trade of life 〈◊〉 thousand persons employ their times, because of the great commodity arising thereof. And it is above 400 years past, since this Art began first to be practised there.  
Thus much of Zeeland. And now we will enter into the description of the noble province of Flanders.   

FLANDERS.  
IT is very uncertain whereof Flanders first took that name. Flanders in Caesar's time at the lest the greatest part thereof was inhabited by the people called Morini (which name the Romans' gave them, because they dwelled in moors or low grounds) and it was almost nothing but Forest, woods and bushes.  
It was erected into a county by Charles, surnamed Le Chauue, who gave it to Baldovin bras de far together with his daughter judith, in the year of our Lord 877. It is held of the Crown of France.  
Flanders in times past was bounded with the Sea, and the rivers of Somme and Schelde, and comprehended 7. principal towns, namely: Arras, Gaunt, Bruges, Ypre, S. Omer, Lisle, Dovay, but by marriages often made between the houses of France and Flanders, the bounds are altered, and divers Seniories dismembered from it, whereof the Earldom of Artoys was first erected. So that it is now bounded North with the ocean Sea, & that branch of the Schelde that is called Hont. South with Artoys, Hainault and Vermandols'. East with the ancient Shield and a piece of Hainault. West, partly with the ocean Sea towards England, and partly with the river Aa, and that part of Artoys that bordereth upon Calais and Boulogne.  
The length of Flanders from Andwerp to the new Fosse is 33. leagues, the breadth from N●… to Gravelinghe 30 leagues.  
The air is very wholesome, especially Southward, the country flat, the 〈◊〉 fruitful, but especially towards the Sea and towards France.  
The country breedeth great store of cattle, especially goodly horses and mares, very apt for the wars, and of as great agility (though of much greater bone) as the bastard Jennet of Spain.  
Flanders hath divers Rivers running through it, namely, Schelde, Lis, Tender, and many other small streams, the rest is supplied by Channels made by hand to receive in the Sea.  
In this country are also many forests, the principal whereof are N●●pe and Nonnen.  
Mountain of moment there is none in the cooutrey, but pleasant hills many, especially in Flanders Gallicane.  
In Flanders are 28. walled towns, whereof the three Capital are Gaunt, Bruges, Hypre, the rest are Lisle, Dovay, Tournay, Courtray, Oudenaade, Alost, Hulst, Taermonde, Bieruliet, Nieuport, Scluse, Dunckerck, graveling, Bourbourg, Dam, Dixmude, Vuerne, Ardembourg, Ninove, Berghe de S. Winoc, Montgerarde or Grammont, Cassel, Deinse, Orchies, Lannoy: all the which are fair towns and of good importance.  
Towns unwalled though in times passed walled, and even at this present rich, well peopled, fair built, and therefore enjoying the privileges of walled towns, there are above thirty: the principal whereof, are ostend (though this town since the beginning of the present troubles, be fortified with ramparts and ditches) Oudembourg, Messine, bell, Poperinghe, Torove, Ostbourg, Axsele, Middlebourg, Loo, Weruick, Blanchberghe, Houcke, Rossellar, Tielt, Ghistelle, Eeclo, Lombartzide, Steechen, Honscot, Munchereede, Mardycke, Meenen, Hallewin, Wastene, Steeghers, Merghen, Haesbrouck, Armentiers.  
Farther in Flanders are 1154. villages, many of the which are as great, rich, and populous, as any in all Europe, and some of them honoured with titles of dignity.  
There are farther in it many Castles, fortresses, Seniories, and noble men's and gentlemen's houses, very beautiful to behold.  
There are 48. Abbeys and Nun●i●s, and an 〈◊〉 finite number of pri●●●●●, Ca●onit all colleged, & 〈…〉 dispersed through the whole 〈◊〉 ●ince in such sort, that the Spaniards at their first coming into the country, seeing such a multitude of towns, villages, monasteries and buildings, said that all Flanders was but one City.  
There be five ancient Viscounties, namely, G●●nt, Hypre, Werne, Bergh de S. Winoc, and Haerlebeck.  
There are also in this Province three principalities, Steenhuise, Gaure, Espinoy.  
In it are also four principal ports of the Sea, Scluse, Nieuport, Duncerck, ostend.  
In times passed there were in it 31. courts of justice, having pre-eminence of bailiwicks o● Prouos●ships, called in French Chastelenies, the which are as it were principal courts, having authority every one apart by itself over the whole country of Fla●ders.  
There are likewise in it four principal Baronies, bearing their name of four of the ancientest Seniories in the country, which all give the 〈◊〉 for their Arms, but with divers banne●, namely Pamele, Cisoin, Heine, Boulaer.  
There be now 18. other Baronies, but 〈◊〉 erected than the other four: yet neither the● no● the other 4. are very ancient as it shoul●● 〈◊〉 ●●●●ise not many years since (as 〈◊〉 Flemings themselves affirm) there was no Baron in Flanders, but the Earl himself alone.  
In this country are also xii. Peers, after the imitation of the Crown of France.  
Officers of Honour under the Earl of Flanders are these following: one Constable, two Marshals, a great Veneur, a Chancellor, a chamberlain, four Receivers, besides divers other ministers and officers of the Prince, who all by reason of their degrees and offices, have Seniories of inheritance in Flanders annexed to those estates and offices.  
The States of Flanders consist of 4. members: (viz) Prelates, Nobles, Towns and Chasteleines. But the Cities of Ga●nt, Bruges, Hypre and L● Franc, are called the four members of the body of estate, because they have the principal authority, and because very seldom all the 4. estates above mentioned, meet at the public assemblies, because the rest have no voice there.  
This country is divided into 3. parts though of quantity unequal, namely, Flanders Flamād● or Flamingante, so named because in it the Flemish language is used, and this is the principal part of the country and the most respected. The second is Flanders Gallicane, so called, because the wallon language which is a bastard French is their mothertoong. And the third is Flanders Imperial, so named because many years it was under the obedience of the Empire.   

Flanders Flamingant.  
THis country is bounded North with the Sea, South with the River Li● and Flanders Gallicane, East with Schelde and Flanders Imperial, well with the new Fosse and with Artoys.  
The Soil of this country is all sand and ●●ught for wheat, but bringeth forth plenty ●●●rie, Oats, beans, peason, fiches, boucoy, and of Flax and hemp great abundance, and verie good fruit and of divers sorts.  
In this part of Flanders are the three Capital towns (viz) Gaunt, Bruges, Hypre, & likewise the 4▪ members of Flanders (viz) these 3. town● last mentioned, and le Franc, which being jointed with them maketh the fourth.  
In it are also the 4. ports of the Sea, the Senior●● of B●rghe de S. Winoc, and many towns walled and unwalled, but let us begin with the principal town, which is:   

GAUNT.  
THe founder of this City, is said to be julius Caes●r, not only by the voice of the people, but also by the Historiographers, the writ thereof.  
It is built about 4. leagues from the Sea upon three rivers. Schelde, Lis and Lieve, besides the which, there are a number of brooks and fine springs and fountains that come into the City, some by natural course, some by Art, all the which at their issue out of the town being received into great ditches made by hand pass into the sea through the Nieuvaert, to the great commodity of navigation. This Nieuvaert is a great channel lately repaired anew & augmented and carried with infinite pains and charges by the space of 4. great leagues into the sea of Zeeland, near to the gulf called Sasse.  
Farther, of late they have opened a certain little Island which before stopped the course of their ships, so that through this channel called Nieuvart, not only the waters above mentioned have passage, but also a reasonable boat may pass from the Sea even to Gaunt with inestimable profit to the town and country adjoining to it.  
Gaunt is very strong both by Nature and Art, and very beautiful, and one of the greatest Cities in christendom. It hath marvelous great suburbs, the walls within are seven miles in Circuit, and without more than x miles, but it hath many waste places within it.  
There is a citadelle built by the Emperou● Charles, where the abbey of S. Ba●on was.  
The buildings of Gaunt are very stately and magnifical.  
Within the walls of Gaunt are 26. 〈…〉 by the rivers and channels above mentioned 〈◊〉 pass through the town.  
There are 98. great bridges, and an inf●●●● number of small, under the which great boats pass laden with victuals and merchandise.  
There are six principal water mills, and abou● 100 wind mills, and of hand and horse mills a● infinite number.  
Church's great and small, monasteries, hospitals, and other places of Devotion there are in Gaunt 55. among the which are the houses of the four orders of Friars.  
In Gaunt are many goodly libraries, and it is divided into seven parishes.  
Gaunt is a viscounty, and it is the first member of Flanders.  
In Gaunt are divers schools for the bringing up of poor children upon the towns charge.  
There is in Gaunt an ordinary Count of 〈◊〉 governed by the gentlemen and the great Bailiff of the town.  
Gaunt was the place of the Natividad of the Emperor Charles the fifth.  
In Gaunt are 52. mysteries or 〈…〉 occupations, and over and above these 〈…〉 of weavers containing 27. 〈…〉 g●●es, so that it is not only one of the 〈…〉 of the town, but for their great number & 〈◊〉 one of the three estates thereof, the greatest thing that they weave being Linen cloth fine & course, whereof as well in this Town as in divers other places of Flanders, so great abundance is made that it is accounted among the principal riches of the Country, the rather because the Stuff whereof they make their linen groweth in the Country itself. Farther, this mystery of Weavers not only in this town but also throughout the whole Country of Flanders, hath the greatest estimation above all other occupations, by reason of the linen and  clothes, Sarges, tapistry, Fustian, Bucheram, worsted, and such other stuff made in this Province.  
At Gaunt resideth the ordinary Council and Court of Flanders, established there Ann. 1409 by john Duke of Burgundy and Earl of Flanders, but appeals lie from this Court to Malines.  
In Gaunt is also resident the Chamber of the Fiefs of Flanders called La Court Legitime.  
Four Leagues from Gaunt are now in our time, discovered ancient ruins of walls, Cellars, and deep Welles, with many medailes of ancient Emperors, and idols of brass found there, where should seem to have been in times past some ancient town or fortress of the Romans'.   

BRUGES.  
BRuges is so named of the multitude of goodly bridges about the town as some writ, or rather of a bridge called Brugstock, which stood near to this place between G●denbourg▪ and Ardembourg, which were towns of great traffic standing upon the Sea, but destroyed by the Darles and Normans, of the ruin●● whereof about 800. years sithence, the castle of Bruges was built.  
Bruges standeth in a goodly plain ●●leagues from the Sea.  
There is no river that naturally cometh to it, but a great channel there is made by Art called Reye, so large and deep, and such plenty of waters drawn out of the bowels of the earth, & brooks about the town by ditches derived together into it, that it seemeth a great, large, deep and natural river. It is divided into 〈…〉 ●●ches, which being ●●●●lgable pass through 〈◊〉 parts of the town, and at their issue 〈…〉 town being all united together, pass to 〈…〉 and from thence to Scluse, where this 〈…〉 waters dischargeth itself into the Sea.  
But because this river could not be maintained in depth sufficient to bear ships of great burden which was the thing that the city principally desired, they have not long since with infinite charge and marvelous industry begun another channel near to the former, but in place more convenient, and so deep and large, that at full Sea a ship of four hundred muids that is one hundred Tun, may pass from the Sea up to the very town. At the mouth of the which channel, they have made an engine like that at Dam, to stay the fresh water from passing into the Sea, and to hold out the sea from passing any more water into the channel than is convenient. At full Sea, when the sea is as high without this engine (made to open and shut like a gate) as the fresh water is within, than open they the gate with instruments made for that purpose and receive the ships into the channel, and when they be entered, shut out the sea again. Neither can the rage of the sea hurt this gate, because the height of the fresh water within backeth it, and so fortifieth it, that no force can move it or shake it.  
Bruges is a rich, fair, and a mighty town, the circuit of the Walls within is four Italian miles and a quarter. The town is wonderfully peopled, and the buildings passing sumptuous, the streets large and strait, and it hath in it many goodly places, especially the market place, from the which the six principal streets pass strait to the six principal gates of the town, which is a very pleasant and delightful sight to behold.  
Bruges was first walled by Baldwin surnamed Le Chauue An. 890.  
In this town are above threescore churches, the principal whereof is 8. Donat, where there is a College of Canons, the head whereof is called the Provost of S. Donat, whose charge is to assemble the Clergy of the College, he is also precedent of the spiritual court, and chancellor by inheritance of Flanders.  
In this Church of S. Donat is buried Lodovicus Vives.  
Bruges is divided into six quarters, and nine parishes, comprehending in the number S. Croix and S. Katherine's, which are without the town but yet part of their parish within the town.  
In one place in Bruges, namely in the Castle, is justice done upon malefactors in the name of six Lords, and sentence pronounced by six divers magistrates, and sometime execution done in one day in divers parts of the Castle in the name of every one of these Lords. The Lords are these: 1. The body of the town. 2. The Franc. 3. The court Feudale. 4. The Provest of S. Donat. 5. The Lord of Ziszeel●. 6. The Lord of Mandaesche.  
At Bruges is a goodly place called the lodging of the water, wherein is a wonderful engine turned with a horse, drawing up water and dispersing it by pipes into the town, a wonderful and a pleasant thing to behold.  
Bruges is the second member of Flanders, & in times past had the same course of traffic that Andwerpe hath now, which it lost Anno. 1516. as in the description of Andwerp is already showed.  
Notwithstanding the staple of Spanish wools is still at Bruges, and after the loss of Calais An. 1558. the staple of English wools was also translated thither.  
Besides the traffic of merchandise, there are in Bruges a great number of Artisans of diverse occupations, especially such as make Fustians, Sarges, sargets or Says, Boucherams,  cloth, tapistry, & now also they begin to work great abundance of silks there.  
There are in Bruges 68 mysteries or companies of occupations, the principal and most ancient of the which are, the Butchers, Fishmongers, Brokers, and mariners.  
In Bruges An. 1478. was borne Philip son to Maximilian the Emperor, and father to the Emperor Charles the fifth.  
The Citizens of Bruges are courteous, civil, and great politics in all matters, but especially in the due administration of justice. The women are fair, gracious, very civil, and no less sober in their behaviour.  
In Bruges most commonly is 〈…〉 ●ailife of Flaunders, who exerciseth the same office there, that the Drossart doth in Brab●●, but his dignity, power, and authority, far surmounteth the Drossarts.  
In Bruges resideth also the magnifical co●●, called du Frano which we will now describe.   

The Chamber or court called du Franc.  
THe Court called le Fran● is so named, because 〈◊〉 freed itself from the signory of Bruges.  
This magistrate, Court, and signory is of such power and authority, that it maketh the fourth member of Flaunders.  
It was instituted upon this occasi●● In tim● past ●●●nt, Bruges, and Hypre, made the 〈◊〉 estate of Flaunders. But because Bruges ●●●ming of their great power, pre●●●●inence 〈◊〉 wealth, grew so proud and insolent, that 〈…〉 made head not only against Gaunt and Hyp●● but also against all the States yea even against the prince himself. Upon a time when victuals were very scarce & dear in the town, the villages subject to the town (being almost infinite in number) relieved the City both with victuals and money, but with this condition that in causes of justice they should appear from thenceforth before the Chastelaine who then in name of the Earl resided within the Castle of Bruges, & not before the Senate and ordinary justice of the town.  
The villages having obtained this privilege, and their heads that had the administration of justice, increasing daily for their due administering of justice, in number, credit, & reputation, they obtained of Philip of Elsace Earl of Flaunders jurisdiction and a Court of justice apart by themselves and to be held in their own name, which the Earl the rather granted thereby to abate the Brugians insolency and pride.  
This privilege being obtained, these Villages forthwith by permission of the prince, erected a Court of justice of great authority, containing 27. Eschevins' chosen out of the body of their own Nobility, and who hold their offices during life. Farther, they established yearly four Bourguemaysters, three chosen out of the 27. Eschevins, & the 4. of the people of their own jurisdiction, and with them a Bailiff as a Provost of justice, and this Court the said Philip of Elsace ordained to be held in the Castle of Bruges (though now they may hold it where they think good themselves within the precincts of their own iurisdictio) and that the 〈…〉 Governor of the castle for the prince should 〈◊〉 precedent for the said Court.  
But in the year 1224. I●ne Countess of Fla●ders (having bought of john Lord of Ne●ke the dignity of Chastelaine of Bruges, and presidenc●e of this Court) set the Franconats in absolute liberty, and gave to their Eschevins the whole government of the Seniori● without Bruges, leaving to the town of Bruges the administration of justice only within the Town.  
Again An. 1436. the good Duke philipp made them the 4. member of Flaunders, save that in time of war they march under the Banner of Bruges.  
These Franconats command over a great Country 7. Leagues round about Bruges, and over an infinite number of Vassals and villages, but as well they as the City of Bruges appeal to the provincial Counsel resident in Gaunt.  

Hipre.  
Taketh name of the brook Hipre running through the midst of the town.  
It is strongly seated & hardly may be be seiged: it is also greatly fortified by art, and made almost inexpugnable.  
It is a fair and a reasonable rich town & well built, notwithstanding that most of the houses be of timber and of small appearance without.  
In this town are such a multitude of leaden pipes to convey the water from the river, and the Channels in the Town almost into every private house of the town, that it is commonly said in Flaunders that the foundation of Hipre is all Lead.  
The Hall appointed for the sale of clothes in Hipre is a building very ancient and worthy of as great admiration as any is in all the Low Countries.  
This is a reasonable town of traffic, because of the great quantity of clothes, Sarges, Says, and such like stuff made there, the Mart whereof in the town is in Lent.  
Besides the ordinary justice of the town house of Hipre, there is a Court called the Hall of Hipre under the jurisdiction whereof are 7. Chastellenies, one of the which alone namely cassel hath under it 24. Virescales, that is Courts of justice depending of it.  
Hipre is the third member of Flaunders & hath the title of a viscounty, and the Lord of Ogines is now viscounty thereof.  
The jurisdiction and signory of this town is very great, and extendeth over the Country round about it, which is the best and the frut-fullest part of all Flaunders Flamingante. The people of this town are of very civil and quiet conversation:    

The 4. principal Ports of 〈…〉 whereof the first is  
SCluse which was 〈…〉 a rich Town, but the ●●●tentiō that it had with 〈…〉 undid it, so that 〈…〉 end it became subject 〈◊〉 Bruges who bought 〈…〉 the prince, & now 〈◊〉 it and favour it greatly, because it is one of the goodliest Havens in Europe, and is of receipt 〈◊〉 500 ships.  
The Town is strong being double 〈◊〉 and may be made a place imprenable. It hath to it a strong Castle but severed from the Town, which was the prison of the Duke of Buillon, 〈◊〉 the Admiral of France Chastillon taken 〈◊〉 in the wars, and in this Castle is a garrison for the king.  
Over against Scluse is the little Isle called 〈◊〉 where many a battle in times past hath been fought, and which sometime was as great 〈◊〉 as now it is, and had in it a fair town and 〈◊〉 boroughs and Villages very rich, 〈…〉 hath but one village of the same 〈…〉 the isle itself is.  
This was the birth place of George Cassa●der. ●ostende, this town is not walled (but since these last troubles ditched and trenched) yet is it reasonable great and populous and the port reasonable good.  
near to this town sometime are Whales taken, as for example 8. An. 1404. but not so great as those that are taken in the spanish Seas or in the North Sea towards Moscovia, yet were some of th●se 74. foot of length.  
In this haven was also taken An. 1426. a Sea-hogge twice as great as a land hogg, but of shape body and taste, so like ●o a Land hogg that he was sold for flesh to the Butcher's of Tournay.  
Nieuport, this is a good little town with a Castle of reasonable force, the Haven is good and well frequented. A League and a half from this Town is the fair and famous Abbey of S. Bernard built upon the Downs, which hath an excellent Library in it of all sorts of Books, and of all Languages.  

The 4. principal port of Flaunders is  
Dunkirk, this town was sacked & burnt by Mounsiour de Termes An. 1558. but is now repaired again and well forrefied.  
It is the inheritance of the Duke of Vendosme now king of France & Navarre, as are also Gravelinghe, Bourbourg, and divers other places in Flaunders, and Enghien in Haynault, all the which are come to the house of Bourbon by 〈◊〉, and the which the 〈…〉 of peace enjoyeth, but in time of 〈…〉 King of Spain (who is Lord 〈…〉 those places) 〈◊〉 the fruits 〈…〉 compence the Lords of the Low 〈…〉 whose Lands during the wars are 〈…〉 France namely the prince of Orange the 〈◊〉 Arshcott, the Earl of Eghemont, and 〈…〉.  
In this Country of Flaunders Flaming●●● 〈◊〉 also Bieruliet, which is a Town and an 〈◊〉 where salting of Herrings was first invented & where also the inventor thereof named Willi●● 〈◊〉 in the year 1397. died, the 〈◊〉 of this town is reasonable good & commodious    

The signory and viscounty of Berghe of S. Winoc.  
THis Town is so named of 〈◊〉 goodly rich Abbey 〈◊〉 upon a Hill together 〈◊〉 the town, to the 〈…〉 S. Winoc an english 〈…〉 holy life. The 〈…〉 viscounty & 〈…〉 with a number of good villages under it. 〈…〉 about it is very fruitful, in this town 〈…〉 clothes & 〈…〉 number of Sarges the 〈◊〉 finest in all Flanders. This Town was also ●acked & destroyed by the French An. 1558. but is now reedefied much fairer & gallanter than before, but I will proceed in the description of the residue of the walled towns of Flanders flamnigante, & will first begin with Dam.  
By this Town passeth the ancient channel that cometh from Bruges, & here dischargeth itself into the Sea. Dam was sometime a haven town by reason that the sea flowed hard to the walls thereof & made it mighty & rich, but sithence that having been often destroyed by the Normans & also by them of Bruges it is at this present in very poor estate, & is exposed to the discretion & will of them of Bruges. Here in May is yearly a goodly Fair of horses kept.  
Dixmude is a pretty fine little town, in the which every year in julie is a goodly Fair of horses, as also of all other sorts of merchandise.  
Werne is a good fair town and hath the title of a viscounty.  
Bourbourg is a fine and a strong little town appertaining to Henry of Bourbon king of France, & Navarre.  
Gravelinghe standeth upon the river of Aa near to the Sea. In times past it was a place famous because of the commodious haven thereof, but the Normans often destroy it.  
Notwithstanding since the recovery of Calais by the French it is made the strongest fort of the low 〈…〉 are made and 〈◊〉 by the 〈…〉 and the fift 〈…〉 and by the prince the other part.  
This town appertaineth also to the 〈…〉 of France.  
near to 〈…〉 was the 〈…〉 between the French and the 〈…〉 1558. in the which the Earl of 〈…〉 the French, and took Prisoner 〈◊〉 the Terms their leader.  
Cassel was sometime a mighty and 〈…〉 town. It is now in reasonable good estate, and hath d●●●ts marks of great antiquity, but 〈…〉 very small town▪ I● this town is yearly a 〈◊〉 fair, in the months of januarie and August.  
〈◊〉 standeth upon the Lis. It is a strong 〈◊〉 ancient little Town.  
Courtray standeth also upon the Lis, when passeth through the midst thereof. It is one of the ancientest towns in Flanders; and is now a good town and well built, and hath a 〈◊〉 castle.  
It is also now fortified and made 〈…〉. In this town is made great 〈…〉 and of 〈…〉 clothes, napkins, and such like 〈◊〉 stuff. near to this to 〈◊〉 were the 〈…〉 and the Earl of 〈◊〉 the year 1301. for the which 〈…〉 was called the sepulchre of the French.  
Oudenarde standeth upon the Schelde, it is a fair town, of good traffic and strong. In it is made great store of tapistry, & infinite quantity of Linen. In this town was Margaret Duchess of Parma base sister to the king of Spain borne. Oudenarde is joined by a bridge to Pamele a little town, but one of the 4. ancient Baronies of the Bears of Flaunders, the Baron whereof is Philip of Locquinghen by the title of his mother Anne Ʋander Gracht Heir of the Noble House of Ioigny.  
Ardembourg called in times past Rodembourg, was sometime the principal Town of that part of this province that is properly called Flaunders. It is now a good little Town, the Church is one of the fairest in Flaunders, every year in june here is a Mart of horses held. These be all the walled towns that were in Flanders flamingante in the year 1560. Now we come to those unwalled.  

Oestbourg.  
Middlebourg was sometime walled, as the ruins of the walls yet declare & it is yet environed with trenches, banks, and ramparts. This place appertaineth in the right of his wife to Mounsir de Ognies Viscount of Hipre, and great Bailiff of Bruges & du Franc.   

Muncherede, Blancheberghe, Honcke,  
Oudembourg. At Oudembourg yearly in januarie is a mart of horses & of other merchandises.  
Ghistelle is a good little town & a noble 〈◊〉 for Ghistelle and Hallewine are two of the most ancientest Houses in Flaunders. In this Town are made clothes, Sarges and such like things.   

Lombartzide.  
Torout. At Torout yearly in june and julie is a Horse mart. The Town now appertaineth to the Duke of Cleves.  
Loo was sometime a walled town & famous. It hath yet one gate and a pane of a wall very ancient. It is reasonably well inhabited & built, though a very small town.  
Honschot is a good & a fine little town, in it are many Sarges made and those excellent good, the which are sold abroad into all parts of the world to the number yearly of 100000. pieces.  
Mardicke was sometime a rich & famous town but now on lie a few scattered houses.  
Poperinghe is a little but a very good Town with excellent fair Churches, and a mart of all merchandises in April. In this town are clotheses & other merchandises of divers sorts made. The town was burnt by casualty of fire An. 1563. & the like fire happened there the self same day 50. years before.  
bell in French Bailleul is a very fine little town where a great number of clothes are made, & every year in September there is a Fair held he●●of clothes and other merchandise. This was 〈◊〉 native Country of jacobus Meyer the Historiographer of Flaunders.  
Messine is a little town, yet many clothes are made in it. The Town is rich, and in it is a Nunnery very fair and rich, the Abbess whereof hath jurisdiction both temporal and spiritual, as have the Ladies of Mouth and of Nivelle, and therefore she is called the Lady of Messine, but the Nuns being entered into Religion here cannot come out and marry as may the Nuns of Nivelle.  
Comines standeth upon the river of Lis, where is a fair Castle and a goodly and a rare Library gathered by George Lord of Hallewyn and Comines. This was the Country, race and Family of Philip de Comines Lord of Arg●nton who wrote the story of his time with great judgement wisdom and sincerity, for the which cause great account is made of his work, and the authors of this age do often allege him with great honour.  
Wervick standeth upon the Lis, it is now a thing of small moment, save that there is a goodly fair Church in it. In this place was borne Martin Chastelin, who notwithstanding that he were borne blind, yet maketh all sorts of Tools and instruments of Music, and playeth well on them, and all this of himself without any Master or Instructor, a thing very miraculous.  
Merim standeth upon the Lis. It is a good town well ditched, & with a draw bridge, & is now of late made a very strong▪ Fort and well furnished of all provisions belonging to a Town of war. In this town are made a great number of clothes sold into divers parts of Europe, but especially into Spain. Excellent good Beer is also brewed here which is sold almost into all parts of Flaunders. The Capons of this Town are far greater and fatter than those of Bruges, that is to say twice as great as common Capons.  
Hallewin is a little town but very ancient, & where great store of cloth is also made.  
waste in French Warnetton standeth upon the Lies here are also many clotheses made, this town is a Chastelenie, & hath jurisdiction over a large Country, & many goodly villages.   

Steeghers, Marghem.  
Haesbrouck is a reasonable good little town where Linen cloth is sold by retail at the market, for great quantity of linen is made thereabouts.  
Roussellar in French Roullers the town is reasonable good, & in it is a weekly market where are sold by retail all sorts of merchandise, but especially Linen cloth. This town appertaineth to the Duke of Cleves, as doth also Torout & the noble village of Winendale, & divers other lande● whereunto he hath succeeded as heir to Philip Lord of Ravestein.  
Tiel is a proper little town where is made  & Linen cloth, & Buckram.  
Eeclo is a little, but a fine & a rich town with a weekly Market, whither repair great store of Marchanchts' as well to buy as to cell Linen clothes.  
Steken is a good town and a great thorough Fair, near to this Town is the rich Abbey of Baudelo.  
Harlebeeck standeth upon the Lis. It is a goodly & a pleasant place, & the ancientest town of all Flaunders. The town is a viscounty and in it is a College of Cannons. This was the place of Nativity of Lideric of Engheram etc. Andacker of Harlebeeck the first Lords, Governors, and Foresters of Flaunders, for so were they called before this Country was erected into a County by the king of France.   

FLANDERS GALLICANT.  
Hath on the north Flaunders Flamingante, on the south the country of Cambresy, east the Schelde, west Lis and the Earldom of Artoys.  
This Country is very small but the soil thereof very good, fat, and fruitful of all things especially of wheat, it produceth also mather and excellent good oade, though no great quantity, but of goodly pastures for cattle great plenty are in it.  
The states of this Country consist of 4. members which they call high justicers.  
In this part of Flanders are contained the fair Towns of Le Isle, Dovay, and Orchies. The mighty signory of Tournay, and the country of Tournesy, with divers other places worthy of memory. We will first describe the principal Towns, and than of the rest that which is worthiest to be observed.   

L' Isle in latin Insula.  
Is so called, because in times past the country about it was nothing but ponds, pools, and Marshes, though now by industry dried up and made firm Land.  
Round about the walls of the Town and of the Castle passeth a small brook, which riseth at Lens, and at the village of Deullesmont entereth into the Lis.  
In this town was borne the Earl of Flaunders called Baldovin de l' Isle, whose father Baldovin le Barbu built the town An. 1007. & the Son walled it An. 1066.  
In this town the said Baldovin de l' Isle built the Church of S. Peter, and gave it Lands to maintain a certain number of Canons, of the which number he appointed the Bishops of Ca●●ray & Terovenne to be.  
There is now at L' Isle a good strong Castle and the ruins are yet there to be seen of the ancient Castle called Bucq, which was the manor & first place where the ancient Guardians of this Country for the king of France called Forestiers, used to reside.  
It is a very good and a rich town, well built and well inhabited by many Gentlemen, but in greater number by merchants of great trade, and by very cunning artificers the which work divers sorts of merchandise, especially Sarges, woasteds and Grograines after the manner of the East Countries in such sort that it is accounted the best town of traffic next to Andwerp and Amsterdam in all the Low Countries.  
At l' Isle resideth the chamber of Accounts of Flaunders being like to that of Bruxelles, but this of l' Isle hath far greater authority and pre-eminence, for to it resort not only Flaunders, but also Artoys, Haynault, Valenciennes, Tournay, Tournesis, Namur & the signory of Malines, so did also the French County till a Chamber of Accounts was erected there. In this Chamber of Accounts are kept the Records and Privileges granted to the Country by the Prince.  
L' Isle is a Chastelaine & hath under it a goodly jurisdiction and signory, and it is the principal town of Flaunders Gallicane.   

Dovay.  
The second town of this country is Dovay which standeth upon the river Scarpe. It is a good and a strong town having many fountains, & fair (though ancient) buildings, and a great number of churches.  
Gaguin that wrote the French history was borne in this town.  
At Dovay is a staple of corn, brought thither out of divers countries, whereof as also of divers other merchandises there is great Traffic in this town.  
Dovay is a Chastelenie, having jurisdiction over a good Country, and a great number of villages.  
At Dovay was an University erected, like to that of Lowain, at the same time that the author was writing this description of the Low countries.  
Orchies is a good pleasant town, in the which many Sarges and such like stuff is made.  
This is the third town that maketh the estate of Flanders Gallicant.  
Lannoy is a strong place where are made many pieces of Linen and Velvet.  
Of this town the Noble house of Lannoy taketh name, to the which the town together with the whole jurisdiction was wont to appertain, but by marriages this inheritance is now fallen to the Lord of Buren, the prince of Oranges son. Of this house was Charles of Lannoy, General of the Arm● Imperial at the battle of Pa●●y where the French king was taken.  
Espinoy is a fair and famous village, having the title of a Principaute, the prince whereof is at this present, Charles of Melun Connestable of Flanders.  
Armentiers. This is so mighty and rich a village and so well peopled, that it is privileged as a walled town.  
In this town are made yearly in time of peace, above 25000 pieces of cloth, especially of mingled clothes of sour colours, which are sent into Italy and from thence to Constantinople.  
In this town is also fair yearly of excellent good Cheeses, by reason that the Staple of cheeses is held here. The town appertaineth to the Earl of Eghemont.  
Between Armentiers and Steegheers is the excellent, fruitful, and pleasant little Country called Lafoy Love, having in it four great villages, the chief whereof is Leventis, being privileged as a walled town. This country of Love is also a Provostship, exempted from all subsidies & payments to the Prince whatsoever. It was once granted by the Earl of Flanders to the Pope, but since I know not how, it is returned to the Earl again.  
Tournay standeth upon the Shield which runneth through it. It is a fair, great, rich, mighty, and a strong town with a strong for't. The houses are fine and comely built, the monasteries, churches and convents, very stately and magnificent.  
It is a great town of traffic and replenished with an infinite number of Artisans, makers of Sarges and other mercery stuff, so that in all there are 72. companies.  
Tournay is a very ancient Bishopric. In the wars that happened An. 1213. between Ferdinand Earl of Flanders, and Philip August K. of France, the Earl reconquered the town from the French, and they again from him. But in the year 1513. it was taken by Henry the eighth K. of England, to whom they paid 100000 Ducats for their ransom. King Henry built the Castle and Fort that is now in the Town. But in the year 1518. the said king delivered the Town over again to the French for money▪ from whom afterwards the Emperor Charles conquered it and restored it to the body of Flanders, in such estate as it was before the wars. Yet notwithstanding it is a member apart, and is called the state and signory of Tournesis, having a goodly jurisdiction over the Country round about it. Their states consist of three members (viz) the Clergy, the Nobility, and four high justicers. They swear fidelity to the king of Spain, and he to them. In the year 1549. His oath is to maintain all their privileges and immunities, laws, Franchises, liberties, rights, and customs, etc.  
Mortaigne standeth in the Country of Tournesis, and upon the river of Schelde. It was once a town of great importance, but ruinated by the wars. Now it is a village, and not long since had a fort for the defence thereof, but the Emperor Charles when he recovered the town of Tournay razed the Fort. The Town appertaineth to Philip Ʋander Gracht lord of Messine, here also the Schelde and also the Scarpe meet.  
S. Amond is also in the country of Tournesis. It is a goodly village standing upon the Scarpe with gates and ditches like a town. In this village is one of the richest Abbeys in Flanders, the Abbot whereof is lord both spiritual and temporal of the town and of the country round about it.    

Flanders Imperial.  
FLanders imperial is so named, because it was long under the obedience of the Empire. The country is very small, being contained between the Rivers of Schelde and Dender, all along upon the frontiers of Brabant.  
This little province was sometime called Bracant of a castle of that name destroyed by Baldovin le debonair. It is now called the County of Alost of the principal town thereof, It is also called Seigneurie, because all Flanders was in times past divided into Comte, Seigneurie, and Domain or Proper. The Comte was subject to the Crown of France and is already described: The Seigneurie was under the obedience of the Empire, and the Domain or Proper appertained to the Earl of Flaunders, and was held in sovereignty of him alone.  
To the Seigneurie besides the county of Alost appertained the four offices, the country of Waes, and a certain Territory and some villages beyond the Schelde, called Oucrschelde. But we will first describe the Seigneurie and the principal town thereof named Alost.  
Alost standeth upon the Dender or Denre. It is a good and a very strong town, and there is yearly in it a great fair of hops, to the great benefit of the whole country.  
Under the Seigneurie or county of Alost is also contained the good town of Ninove, which notwithstanding hath jurisdiction apart.  
Alost hath under it 170 villages, and the jurisdiction and bounds thereof extend to the walls of Gaunt, to the gates of Oudenarde, and within a league of Tenremonde.  
To this County of Alost is also annexed the little country of Waes, and divers villages together with the four offices, which are four towns so termed, one of the which is walled & three unwalled, the names whereof here follow:  
Hulst which is walled, and is the principal of the four,  
Axsele which is not walled altogether.  
Bouchout.  
Assenede. The which four towns have divers villages under their jurisdiction, and because they are near the Sea, re●ine bay salt as they do in Zeeland.  
Under this country of Alost are also two principautes, namely Steenhuyse, which is a very good village having a particular lord by itself, and the great Bourg of Gaure with a strong castle in it, whereof the Earl of Eghemont taketh his first title of Prince of Gaure. Farther under the County of Alost are divers baronies, namely Lickercke, Sotteghem, and many other.  
This state of Alost and the four offices was conquered by Baldovin le debonair in the reign of the Emperor Henry the fourth.   

The proper or Domain of the county of Flanders.  
THe proper or Domain of Flaunders, containeth the Towns of Tenremonde, Montgherard and Bornhem, with many villages.  
Tenremonde standeth upon the mouth of the river Denre, where it entereth into the Schelde. The town is very rich & strong both by nature and by Art.  
In this town is made great plenty of Fustian and weekly a great market is here of Flax, whither infinite numbers of people resort.  
A like market of Flax is also weekelye held in the Country of Waes, at the good village of S. Nicholas. And in troth almost through all the Low Countries there is a market granted to every Town for the benefit thereof, to some of one particular merchandise, and to some of all in general.  
Tenremonde with the jurisdiction thereof is a signory apart, but incorporated into the Earldom of Flanders, by the marriage of Lewis of Malain with Margaret of Brabant.  
Montgherard in French Grandmont standeth upon the Denre. It is a pretty, fine, & a pleasant town.  
Bornhem is a good village with a good Castle, and a pretty country and divers bourgs subject to it, in such sort that the country about it is entitled the country of Bornhem.  
Rupelmonde standeth upon the mouth of the river Rupel, where it entereth into the Schelde. It is an ancient Castle often mentioned in the histories of Flanders, because in times passed it was a place of great importance, but now known only because in it are kept for the Prince, the originals of the privileges of the Earldom of Flanders, and because it is a Jail for certain Prisoners. Besides the Castle there is a fair and a great village, which was the place of the Nativity of Gerardus Mercator the excellent Cosmographer.  
Through all Flanders save in the Gallicant, the Flemish tongue is their mother language.  
The soil through all Flanders imperial is excellent good and fruitful, but especially it produceth great plenty of excellent good madder.  
Flanders is the mightiest County in Christendom, as Milan is the mightiest Dutchye, and France the mightiest realm.   

ARTOYS.  
IN Caesar's time the people of this country were named Atrebates, of the principal town Atrabatum, now called Arras.  
Artoys is bordered North, with the river Lis, and the new Fosse, which separateth it from Flanders. South with Dourlans, which is the frontier of Picardy. East with Flaunders Gallicante, and the country of Cambresis, West towards Monstrueil upon the Sea, it bordereth again upon Picardy.  
The soil of A●toys is 〈…〉 wholesome, the country 〈…〉 but only 〈…〉 rather 〈…〉 of industry in the people, who fort● 〈◊〉 plant Vines, because their country front 〈◊〉 France, and by that means is subicet to the spoil of the wars, th●● through the 〈◊〉 either of the air or of the ground.  
The corn of this country furnisheth a great part of Flanders Flan●ngente, a part of 〈◊〉 especially the City of Andwerpe, (the country about the which beareth no corn but Ri●) and the country of Ma●●es.  
In Artoys are twelve walled towns, comprehending therein Renty, which in truth is rather a Fort than a town. There are also in it 854. villages, but some of them ruinated by the wars.  
Artoys hath likewise in 〈…〉 with divers Abbeys, 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉.  
The principal towns are these, 〈…〉 Betune, air, Bapaumas. The lesser town 〈◊〉 Hedinsfort, Renty, S. Pol, Perus, 〈…〉 Basset, Lens. Be sides these are to be 〈…〉 of the strong Forts of Hesdin and 〈◊〉.  
The States of Artoys consist of 〈…〉 ●●mely Prelat●, Chapters of 〈…〉 and the 〈…〉 hunger 〈◊〉 the particular description of the 〈◊〉, begning with Arras.  
Arras standeth within a bow shot of the Scarp It is a very great town, but devied into two parts, each part having a several wall, the one named the city and appertaineth to the Bishop, the other the town & appertaineth to the prince.  
The City is very little, but fair and marvelous strongly fortified. In it is the sumptuous cathedral church of the virgin Mary, in the which is a goodly and a rare library.  
The Bishop of Arras is Lord spiritual and temporal thereof, and giveth Laws and judges to the people of the City, but yet ever acknowledging the Earl for his Sovereign, for the Earl nameth the Bishop, and the Pope confirmeth him.  
The revenue of the Bishopric of Arras is four, five or six, thousand Crowns, according as the year is plentiful or scarce of ●raine.  
The town is very large, and so wonderful strong both by nature and Art, that it is accounted imprenable. The streets are fair & broad, and the market place the goodliest that may be seen.  
In the town is also the Abbey of S. Vast, the revenues whereof are to the yearly value of 20000. Ducats.  
Farther in the town, are a great number of goodly Cellars and Vaults, very artificially vaunted and paved, to withdraw their families into, if a siege happen to come before the town.  
In Arras resideth the chamber of the Council of Artoys, which appealeth to Malines.  
In Arras are made divers sorts of ambergris, especially sarges excellent good & famous through all Europe.  
Arras was the metropolitan town of all Flanders, but after Artoys was erected into a county and severed from the rest of Flaunders, it remained chief of Artoys as now it is, ha●ing under it many Fiefs, and a great jurisdiction.  
S. Omer is so named of S. Omer, who first built the church in the Town of that name, and through his holy life drew so many people thither, that the town was built by them.  
One of his companions was S. Bertin, who built the excellent beautiful church in S. Omer of that name, and the Abbey which is a very goodly building, and of as great revenues as any Abbey in all Flaunders,  
S. Omer is a frontier town against France, & standeth upon the river Aa. It is a very strong Town and well peopled, and hath the Title of a ●hastelenie, and a Country of very great importance under it, and jurisdiction over many Villages.  
near to S. Omer is a goodly lake of Fresh water, in the which are many little ●andes (yet not so little but that you may put a good number of cattle to feed in many of them) the which are movable, and may be drawn with a chord fastened to the bushes that grow in them which way you will, and under them greater abundance of Fishes harbour both Winter and Summer, to defend themselves from the Weather, a thing which is no less true, than it is wonderful.  
Upon this lake besides divers other goodly buildings, standeth the Abbey of Clermaretz, being a very large and an excellent fair house.  
Betune Is a good and a strong town, where is made great plenty of excellent good cheese, sold both in the Low countries and in other regions abroad.  
This town with the signory and jurisdiction thereof, together with Tenremond above described, fell to Guy of Dampiere Earl of Flanders, by the right of his wife Maud, daughter & heir to Daniel Lord of these places.  
air standeth upon the Lis. It is a good and a strong town, with a Castle of great antiquity. The houses in this town are very well and orderly built.  
Bapaulme is a little but a strong town, because it cannot be besieged for want of freshwater, which is not to be had within three Leagues thereof. It hath also a very strong Castle, and a large country and a goodly jurisdiction under it.  
Renty is but a castle with a good village standing upon a little brook. It is a very strong place, in the rescue whereof, the Emperor & the 〈◊〉 fought a battle An. 1554. and the French were forced to levy their siege. Renty is a Marquisat, and the Marquis thereof is William of Crony brother to the Duke of Arschot.  
Hesdinfert is built of the ruins of Hesdin which stood upon the river Canche four leagues from S. Pol. Hesdin was a good town with a strong castle, and a large territory and jurisdiction, and it was the place of residence of the ancient Earls of Flanders and Artoys, but it was not fortified after the manner of these days, & therefore unable to abide a battery, so that it was often taken in these late wars, now by the Imperials, now by the French. But in the year 1553. the Duke of Savoy general of the emperors Army took it, and by the Emperor's commandment razed it, and withal the village adjoining to it, and in place thereof built this town of Hesdinfert, which is marvelously well 〈◊〉 upon the Ca●ehe a little league farther into France then Hesdin was, for to the town of Hisdinfert cometh also another little river called Blangis, of a Village thereby of that name, where it ariseth, and which there runneth into the Canth. So that Hesdinfert is one of the strongest●● most defenceable places of all the Lo●e 〈◊〉 treys, and having succeeded into the Seniori● privileges, and Franchises of old Hesdin, and farther having obtained divers other of the Prince, it is now become a very fair town and well peopled, and leaving the new name of Hesdinfert retaineth and holdeth the ancient name of Hesdin.  
S. Pol hath of long time been honoured with the title of an Earldom, and hath a goodly signory and jurisdiction over a large Country and a great revenue. This place appertaineth to Madame de Touteville, but both the kings of France and Spain pretend title of sovereignty to it.  
Perne is under the jurisdiction of the Earldom of S. Pol, and is a place of good importance. Lilliers is a reasonable passable town.  

Bassee.  
Lens is but a little town, yet hath a large territory and jurisdiction. It was destroyed by the French An. 1557. but is now built and repaired again.  
Terrovenne is now destroyed, but was sometime the principal town of the people called by Caesar Morini. It was held for a fort imprenable, notwithstanding the Imperials took it by force from the French An. 1553. and razed it by the Emperor's commandment. But by the treaty of peace concluded between France & Spain, An. 1558. it was being thus destroyed, restored to the French again, but with condition no more to wall it nor fortifieit. The Bishopric of T●●rouanne was divided into three parts, one half went to Boloin, the other half was divided between two new Bishops erected in Flaunders, one at Hypre for the Flemings Flamingants, and the other at S. Omer, for the Gallicants.  
Nearer to Terovenne, Air, and S. Omer, is a great channel called the new Fosse or dike, made as some hold opinion by men's hands, in the time of Baldovin le debonair, to stop the courses of the Enemies. Others say that it was made for a boundary between Flanders and Artoys. But in truth this channel being of a great length though narrow, seemeth rather to have been an arm or gulf of the Sea, though now it be almost landed up with earth throughout. And some are of opinion, that in times passed the Sea came thither, though now it be 8. leagues from it, for anchors and cables are many times taken up there, which maketh their opinion the more probable.    

The Description of the villages of Artoys.  
THe villages of Artoys that be of any importance are those that have privilege of market & fair, which are these following. Avennes le Comte, Aschicourt, S. Venant, couriers, Blangys', Ligny, Auchy, Pas, all the which stand upon the Frontier of France.  
The Artessans speak gross French, but of all other people most hate the French, they are now altogether become soldiers of Merchants, and are valiant men both on horseback & on foot.  
Artoys was in the first beginning incorporated with the body of Flanders as a member thereof, and so continued till the time of Philip of Elsace, who marrying his niece Isabelle with Philip youngest son of Lewis the seventh king of France: gave with hic in marriage all west Flanders (viz) from the new Fosse (where is the first entrance into Artoys) even to Picardy. Which grant made by the Earl alone without his Estates, bred many bloody wars between the Flemings and the French. But Anno. 1198. Philip August king of France, gave all this country of Artoys to Lovis his son, Father to K. saint Lovis, and erected it into an Earldom. And Anno 1382. it was again united to the body of Flanders, by the succession of Lovis of Malain to his mother Margaret of France after it had been severed from it 184. years. But Anno. 1477. Lewis the eleventh king of France seized this Country into his hands, after the death of Charles duke of Burgundy: yet notwithstanding it was restored again to duke Philip, son to the Emperor Maximilian by king Charles the 8. An. 1493. ever since the which time in 〈◊〉 remained under the obedience of the house of Anstrich.  

Cambray.  
Standeth upon the Schelde, which runneth through the midst thereof.  
It is a great, a goodly, and a mighty Town, having in it a fair and a strong castle, built by Charles the fift. The private buildings of this town are very fury, but the public much sayrer, namely the churches and monasteries, but especially our Lady church is a most ancient and a most wonderful sumptuous temple, being the cathedral and Episcopal church of the town.  
The Diocese and jurisdiction of the Bishop is very great, and extendeth itself over many countries.  
The town is rich, full of people, and of good Merchants & Artisans, which work divers good merchandises, especially great quantity of excellent fine linen cloth, commonly called Cambric.  
Cambray is a Chastelenie and hath under it a goodly signory and jurisdiction called Cambresis, in the which are divers villages and places of importance, and among the rest the castle of Cambresy six leagues from the city, in the which the peace between the chief princes of Christendom was concluded An. 1559.  
The bishop of Cambray is Lord both spiritual and temporal, and hath the title of a Duke and is a Prince of the Empire.  
This City was first comprehended in Hainault, but afterwards the Emperors of Allemaine made it a free Imperial city, and lastly the Emperor Henry the 5. ordained the Earl of Flanders to be protector of Cambray, the which pre-eminence was after confirmed to all the Earls of Flanders, by the Emperor Frederick An. 1164. yet notwithstanding the French pretend title to it, and often have held it and valiantly defended it. But in the time of Maximilian, the Citizens being evil entreated by the French, chased them out of the town. Lewis the xi. them reigning in France, and received in the Imperials, yet notwithstanding the town is Neuter & liveth according to their own laws.  
This town is a place destinated as it were, because it is neutral to treaties of peace.  
In this town Charles the fift An. 1543. built a citadelle, pretending that he did it for the defence of the town against the enemy, but in truth it was for the assurance of his own estate. Yet notwithstanding this citadelle, he left the Citizens in their ancient estate, liberty and freedom.    

HAYNAULT.  
HAynault is so named of the river Hayne, which runneth through the country.  
It is bordered North with Brabant and Flanders. South with champaign & Fiea●die, East with the 〈◊〉 of Namur, & part of the country of Liege, west with the S●●alde & part of Flanders Gallica●e.  
It is 20. League's long and 16. broad, 〈◊〉 air is wholesome and the soil excellent good by reason that the Country is watered with many rivers, namely the Schelde, the Sambre, the Te● der, and many other small streams. There are also in it many lakes, marshes, ponds, pools, clear fountaies and goodly woods and pleasant Forests, the principal whereof are the Forests of Normault and S. Amande which already are described.  
Haynault aboundeth with sweet meadows & pastures for all kind of cattle, with good fruits and profitable trees, but especially with great plenty of good Corne. In divers parts also thereof are many Mines of good iron, and of reasonable good lead, and excellent quarries of stone for all kind of building, yea of touchstone. Great store there is also of excellent white Lime to furnish not only themselves, but also many of their Neighbours about them, and likewise of Sea-coal, but the Coal is not so sweet as that of Liege.  
In Haynault are 24. walled towns, namely Montz, Valenciennes (though this be accounted a signory apart) Bouchain, Quesnoy, Connat, Landresy, Anesnes, Chimay, Mariembourg, Phillipps, Ville, Bea●●ount, Ma●berge, Bou●●s, 〈…〉 Segny, Brain le comte, Eughien, Halle, Lessme, Cheure, Ath, S. Guislein, Leuze.  
Farther, there are in it better than 950. villages with many Castles & Seniories, among the which villages a good number are great & fair, having honourable titles annexed to them, namely Pequicourt, fountain, Laling, Montigny, Antoing, Bies, Brifueil, Ligne, Bossu, Barlomont, Telaion, Eschochinne, Trelon, Sorlechasteau, Barbanzon, Aimeries, & divers other, so many in number that it were too long to rehease them all.  
In Haynault are also many goodly dignities, namely one Principaute, 10. Earldoms, 12. Pecredomes, 22. Baronies, 26. Abbeys, one Lord Martial, one Lord Steward, one Granduenuer, one Lord Chamberlain, & other officers of the prince, which descend by inheritance to divers principal Lords of the province.  
The States of Haynault consist of five members, namely the 12. Peers, the Prelates, Colleges, or Chapters of the Clergy, the Nobility, the ordinary Officers of the Country, & the Commonalty of the towns. But now let us proceed to the description of the towns, & first of Montz.  

Montz.  
Hath the little river Trulle running through it, the which at the issue thereof our of Montz falleth into the river Hayne.  
This is a very strong town both by nature and Art, and may be environed with water at pleasure. The w●ll thereof is very strong, besides that it is fortified with 3. large and deep 〈◊〉 & with an ancient Castle.  
The town is great and fair, & beautified with sumptuous buildings both private and public, & with goodly fountains clear as Crystal. It is a rich town & replenished with merchants, and artisans that exercise divers arts, especially making of Sarges of divers sorts.  
Montz, is a Chastelenie, and the Chastelaine thereof is Charles Philip of Crovy, Marquis of Hauretz, Brother to the Duke of Arschot.  
In Montz resideth the Counsel royal of all the Country (save of the signory of Valenciennes) from the which no appeal lieth.  
The Bailiff of Haynault is the princes Lieutevant both in causes civil and criminal, & without his preasence no definative sentence may be given.  
In this town is the noble order or chapter of Canonesses of the Abbey of S. Waltrude being in all respects like to that of Nivelle, for they must be Gentle women of Noble houses, in the morning they are appareled in white like Nuns, but at after dinner they are attayred like Gentlewomen, they may marry if it please them, their Abbess hath spiritual and temporal jurisdiction both within Montz and in the Country round about it, and putteth with herowne hands the Earl of Haynault in possession of the Country & receiveth his oath at his entrance into the state, for the Earl is secular Abbot, protector, and defender of this noble order, and of all that appertaineth unto it, & holdeth divers Lands in Fief of the Abbess.  
Montz is the principal town of Haynault and was erected by Charlemagne into an Earldom apart in such sort that the Earls of H●ynault were long time called Earls of Montz, but in the end they returned again to the ancient title of Earls of Haynault.   

Valenciennes.  
Standeth upon the Schelde and the little river Rovelle, the which besides that they make many goodly and strong Isles in the town, pass almost under every particular man's house to the great beauty and commodity of the town.  
The seat of this town is so strong (besides the fortification by art) that it may at pleasure be drowned with water on one side, and is so defended by hills on the other side that it can hardly be besieged without two Camps, and is therefore held for a town imprenable, especially by a stranger. In the town there is a storehouse where great provision of munition and Artillery for the defence of the town is kept.  
It is a very goodly, large, & a beautiful town as well in private buildings as in public, namely Churches, Monasteries, etc. especially our Lady Church is passing fair being built after the 〈…〉 with three 〈…〉 〈◊〉 Arches, & with goodly Fil●●ers of marble and Porphyre. S. john's Church is also a very go●dly building.  
The Convent of S. Francis in Valenciennes 〈◊〉 the Sepulchre of the Earls of Haynault.  
At the jacobins is the Tomb of john of 〈◊〉 nephew to Baldovin Earl of Flaunders & Emperor of Constantinople, being a rare piece of work.  
In this town is also a Palace sometime called the Imperial Hall, and now the Earls Hal, being a building of great antiquity and of excellent work manship, here the Earls of Haynault and Lords of Valencien●es were wont to reside, but this palace with some part of the town next adjoining to it is exempted from the jurisdiction of the town, & appertaineth to the rest of Haynault as a member thereof.  
But the townhouse called La Halle far passeth all these buildings above mentioned in stateliness & magnificency, being all of square stone curiously wrought, and of such greatness and representation of antiquititie, that it alone were a sufficient 〈◊〉 to the whole town.  
But for a farther beauty to this place, on the left side their of 〈◊〉 excellent building and of a great height in the which there is a clock and 〈◊〉 dial showing not only the hours of the day● and night, but also the course of the 〈◊〉 & of all 〈◊〉 planets, & likewise of the months and seasons of the year, and divers other conclusions worthy to be understood.  
Under this Clockhouse and so under covert is the corn market being great & large, and above in the hall is a place to cell will, & another to cell cloth. There are besides in it sense schools, & places for all the public courts, magistrates & officers of the town, & the gail & common prison, so that in one building you may see as it were compact together all offices secuing for the commodity & necessary use of a town.  
In this town are also divers Monasteries, hospitals and other places of Religion endued with goodly revenues. There is also in it a goodly College, and many schools to bring up youth in good learning, and houses for the education of Orphelins and poor children, where they be taught divers arts & occupations.  
This town was the place of nativity of Henry the 7. Emperor, & D. of Luxembourg of Marie heir of these low Countries, wife to the Emperor Maximilian, and of Froisart the great Historiographer.  
In this town are made clotheses, wosteds, linen as fine as any Cambric, changeable taffitas and almost all sorts of mercery ware, and all other things necessary for a town.  
Valenciennes is a Chastelenie of a great jurisdiction, and with larger privileges & Franchises 〈◊〉 any 〈…〉 of the Low 〈…〉  
Here is the stapl● of French Wines hold that be brought out of France into 〈…〉 H●ynault.  
The states of this town and signory consist of the Prelates, Nobility, and Commonalties of the towns.  
This town also was wont to have a particular Earl apart by itself, & even now it is, and of long time hath been a signory apart, and is governed by Laws different from all the rest of Haynault, as are also all the towns thereunto bel●●gn●g, namely 〈◊〉, Quesn●y, Coud●, besides 132. villages, and all their appeals go strait to the great Counsel of Mal●nes, but in matters 〈◊〉 this town● and Country are subiecte● to the Bishop of C●mbray.  
A League from Valenci●nnes is the fair and rich Abbey of 〈◊〉 where is a rare and exquisite Library of all Sciences and faculties, between 〈…〉 & 〈◊〉 is the village called 〈◊〉 about the which is digged excellent whit ston● 〈◊〉 for building, called white stone of Avesnes, the which is as fair as white marble, and 〈…〉 to be wrought, for the which cause many goodly 〈◊〉 are made thereof both plain and graved, but because it is 〈…〉 harm by rain, wind, and frost, the 〈◊〉 have found a wa●e to fortify it and 〈…〉 〈◊〉 all such violences with 〈…〉 other mixtions which make it very hard, durable, & strong.  
Bouchain standeth upon the Schelde, the Town is strong and the Castle almost imprenable. It is the principal town of the County of Osternand, so named of the Ostrogoths to whom the said County was assigned for an habitation, & the which was wont to be the state of the Earl of Haynaults eldest son.  
Quesnoy is a strong town, in the which are made Wosteds, & great store of linen, by means whereof there is good traffic of merchandise in the Town. This place was wont to be the dower of the Earl of Haynaults wife, as Bins was after this country fell to the Dukes of Burgundy.  
Conde standeth upon the Schelde. It is a good little town, the one half sometimes appertaining to the Earl of Rockendorf, & the other half to the Duke of Mont pensier, who sold both this and Leuze for his ransom, being taken prisoner at the battle of S. Quentins.  
The town now appertaineth to the Earl of Lalaings' widow wife to the Earl of Mansfeld & shall descend to her son Hugh of Lalaing.  
Landrecy standeth upon the Sambre, the place is little, but strong, & the more famous for the resistance that it made A. 1543. to the siege of the Emperor Charles, the next year after the which by the treaty of Crespy it was delivered by the French to the Duke of Arschot who was owner of it, & who afterwards exchanged it with the Emperor for other lands.  
Avesnes standeth upon the river Hipre. It is a good & a strong town having the title of an Earldom, this place also king philip had by exchange of the Duke of Arschot.  
Chimay standeth in a Forest upon the little river Blanch. It is well built with a fair palace for the prince, a goodly garden and a labyrinth. It hath the Title of a principality, and the Duke of Arschot is Prince thereof, this town was often afflicted and razed in these late wars, but now is fairer and stronger than ever before.  
Mariembourg was built by Marie Queen of Hungary sister to the Emperor Charles An. 1542. soon after Longueval & Martin Van Rossem were passed with the French army towards the town of Luxembourg.  
This town standeth between the rivers of Blanch & near or Noire. It is a very strong town with 4. strong bulwarks, it was yielded to the French through cowardice or treason of the Captain An. 1554. but restored to king Philip by the last treaty of peace An. 1559.  
Philippeville was builded by king Philip An. 1555. to bridle Mariembourg held then by the French, and so fortified that it is held now for a place imprenable.  
Beaumond is a fine little Town standing upon the knap of a goodly hill whereof it beareth name. It appertaineth to the Duke of Arschot, & was wont to be the partage of the second son of Haynault, wherefore it was erected into an Earldom, & of late the Duke of Arschot hath ordinarily resided here.  
Maubeuge standeth upon the Sambre which passeth through it. It is a good Town of merchandise, and in it is held a market every Saterdaie of  yarn whereof Sarges and Demiwosteds' are made, which is there a merchandise of great traffic & importance.  
In this town is a noble house of Nuns, such as are described before to be at Nivelle and Montz, the Abbess whereof hath the government both spiritual & temporal, civil & criminal as well of the town as of the country about it.  
This Nunnery hath a privilege yearly to coin a certain sum of small money called Mites, made of Lead with the image of S. Algond (the Foundress of this Nunnery) stamped upon them, 12. of the which make a flemish denier or groat, & this money is currant through Haynault even to Brussels, & no man may refuse to take it.  
Bauays Vallone is a very small town. It is said by some to be the Town that Caesar named Belgium, which Guicciardin by reasons proveth to have been the name of a particular town as well as of the whole Country, but Beauuays in Piccardie called by name of Bellovacum to have been Belgium & not this Bavais. This town was often destroyed in the late wars, but is now repaired fairer than ever it was before. This name of Vallone is added to it for a difference from the other Bauuays that is in Picardy.  
Bins commonly called Binche standeth upon a Branch of the River Hayne. It was the Paradise of the Lady Marie queen of Hungary, to whom it was given by her brother the Emperor Charles, but in the year 1554. the French king burned the town, and utterly destroyed all the Queen of Hungary's pleasures therein, in despite of Solembray a place of pleasure of the said Kings and other places in Picardy which most cruelly she had burned before. The said King burned likewise another place of pleasure thereby called Marimont built also by the said Queen of Hungary like a Castle with exquisite delights and excessive charges. Notwithstanding Bins as touching the particular buildings of the same Town is now likewise reedefied again.  
Reux was erected into a County by the Emperor Charles. It is a little town but a very pleasant one, & hath a good jurisdiction, & many villages under it, & standeth in a fruitful soil. The Earl thereof is of the house of Crovy.  
Soigny standeth upon the little River Seine, near to this town is the Forest of Soigny before described. The town & confines thereof are subject to the jurisdiction of the College of S. Vincent being a College of Cannons within the town, this place is particularly destinated to the breeding of excellent good Musicians.  
Brain le Comte was built by the ancient Captain Brennus, as appeareth by an old Tower yet remaining of the buildings of the said Brennus, as the people of the Country report.  
Enghien is a good little town wherein great store of tapistry of all sorts and prizes is made. Here was the Constable of France Mommorency held prisoner a certain space. The town appertaineth to Henry the 4. now king of France & Navarre, and Duke of Vendosme.  
Halle standeth upon the Seine which runneth through it. This is a place of great pilgrimage, and here died An. 1404. Philip the hardy Duke of Burg undie.  
Lessnie, through 〈◊〉 passeth the Denre and here is great plenty of linen made.  
Cheure standeth upon the little river named Hunell. It is a pleasant little town belonging to William of Crovy marquis of Renty.  
Ath, through it runneth the Denre. It is a little but a very fair, pleasant, and a rich Town by reason that great plenty of Linen is made in it, and because the Staple of Linen made in all the Country round about it is held here, so that yearly there is sold in this Town Linen Cloth to the vale we of better than 200000● Crowns, by means whereof all the clothes made thereabouts are called the clothes of Ath.  
S. Guislem taketh the name of the Abbey within the town, the Abbot whereof is Lord spiritual & temporal of the town, and this is the chief and principal Abbey of all Haynault, through this town runneth the river Hayne.  
Leuse, This town was burnt a few years passed in the last wars, but it is now repaired again. It was sometime the town of Gerarde of Roussillon so famous in the Histories. It now appertaineth to Florent of Mommorency Lord of Montigny in Osteruant, by purchase from the Duke of Montpensier.    

The description of the principal villages of Haynault.  
PEquicourt is parcel of the possessions of the Abbey of Anchim. It was before the wars a walled town but is now unwalled & in poor estate, yet enjoyeth the privileges of a walled town.  
Fontaine, It is doubtful whether this town be in Haynault or of the bishopric of Liege. It is a little town within a little League of the Sambray.  
Lalaing standeth upon the Scarpe. It is a goodly village with a castle and a large jurisdiction, and hath the title of an Earldom whereof the Earls of Lalaing and Hocstrat, bear their name.  
Montigny Is a fine Village with a castle & a signory and is erected into a Barony, and appertaineth to Florent of Mommorency, Brother to the county of Horn.  
Antoin standeth upon the Schelde. It is a fair borough with a goodly & a stately castle, here the Princes of Espinoy ordinarlye reside. It is said to have been built by M. Antonius Triumuir.  
Buy appertaineth to the Seneschal of Haynault. It hath a marvelous strong castle, it now appertaineth to Hugh of Melun by marriage with one of the daughters of Peter of Werehin, to whom this town is descended with the said seneschalship, the other daughter married the Earl of Bossut.  
Briffeul hath a great & an ancient castle, the Country holdeth opinion that it is thus named of janus bifrons, though the name be here corrupted & altered. near to the town is a great valley with many villages called the vale of Briffeul, this place appertaineth to the Lord of Moreaulme who ordinarily resideth at a goodly large Castle that he hath at the village of Hasurheure between the Sambray & the Muse.  
Lign●s is a goodly, Village and in 〈◊〉 with a fair Castle, appertaining to Philip ●arl● of Fauckenbergh and lord of Wassenar in Holland.  
B●ssu is a good village with the goodliest Castle in all the Low countries. It hath also the ●●tle of an Earldom, given it by Charles the Emperor. The Earl thereof is named Maximilia●● of Henninlietart.  
Barlemont is a great village upon the Sanbr●, having a Castle, and the title first of a barony, & than erected into an Earldom by king Philip.  
Glaion is a goodly village with a strong Castle. It hath the title of a barony and appertaineth to Philip Stavele.  
Trasegnie is a good village with a goodly castle, very famous for the antiquity of the lords thereof, whose race hath commanded and continued there above 600. years.  
Escochinne is a great village with two castles, one appertaining to the Earl of Lalaing, the other to Monsieur de Bioures, descended of the noble family of Rubempre, about this village is digged a goodly grey stone to build with, where with the whole country is furnished.  
Terlon is a fair village, with a goodly Castall and a strong, newly reedified and fortified since the last wars, wherein it was often destroyed. It appertaineth to Lewis of Bloys master of the Artillery to the king.  
Sorle Chasteau is the most important Village in Haynault, with a marvelous strong & an ancient castle. It now appertaineth to the Marquis of Berghe, by marriage with the daughter and heir of Monsieur de Molembais.  
Barbanzon standeth near a wood full of yughe trees. It is a rich village with a goodly Castle and the title of a barony. In this town (as also in divers places of Haynault) are many Glasses made, much fairer than those of Roven, Lorraine, or Hesse. This place now appertaineth in the right of his wife, to john de Lignes Earl of Arembergh.  
Aimeries' standeth upon the Sambre. It is a great village with a goodly castle, and an ancient and a noble signory. It was sometime parcel of the possessions of the Earl of Flaunders, but was given in marriage with jolande daughter of Robert Earl of Flanders, to Rene Earl of Bar, of whom descended Rene of Anjou, who gave it to his Chancellor Roulin, whose race yet possesseth it, and is lord also of Raime & grand Veneur of Haynault.  
Tovin and Covines, These two towns are in Haynault, but because they appertain to the Bishopric of Liege, no mention is made of them here.  
Valencourt is also in Haynault, but under the signory of the county of Namur, wherefore mention is made of it there.  
Haynault aboundeth in Nobility and good 〈◊〉 both 〈…〉 and footmen, they 〈◊〉 corrupt French named wallon.   

LUXEMBOURG.  
LVxembourg was erected into a Duchy as it is thought by the Emperor Henry the feventh Earl of Luxembourg.  
It beareth the name of the principal town thereof. It is bounded North with the Country of Liege and Namur. South with Lorraine. East with the Moselle and the Bishopric of Treues. West with part of the Moselle, and part of the forest of Ardenne.  
This country is replevished with mountains and forests, and embraceth the greatest part of the forest of Ardenne.  
It is divided into two parts, the one called fam●●ne, which is fruitful of corn and of all good things, and hath in it Rome Mines, & divers sorts of goodly stone, among the which are those whereof excellent good lime is made. It yieldeth also some wine. The other part of the country is called Ardenne which is barren, and produceth no corn save a little Rye & Lent come, but of all sorts of venison, as Hart, Hind, Goat, Hare, Cony, and also fowl wonderful 〈◊〉 especially one kind of fowl called 〈◊〉 to our Quails but much sweeter. This fowl is of divers colours, and hath read eyes and feet, the flesh passing white and delicate. There are also in this part of the country wild hens of two sorts, one as great as Turkey cocks, called Lymoges, the other of the greatness of our common hens called Bruiers, of both the which sorts is wondered abundance wild in the woods & fields.  
This country being a frontier against France, hath often been miserably afflicted in the wars, and divers towns yea the principal itself often sacked and destroyed. By this Country run many rivers especially the Moselle.  
This Duchy containeth in circuit about 70. leagues, and in it are 20 walled towns, namely, Luxembourg, the principal of the whole country, Arlon, Rodemarck, Theonuille, Gravemakre, Coningmakre, Dickrich, Vireton, Esteruerck, Vandalen, Bastonae, Mommedi, Neufchasteau, Danuillers, Maruil, Laroche en Ardenne, Durby. S. Vite, March Salme.  
Other towns there are sometime Walled, but now unwalled, either by the fury of the wars, or by treaty of peace, as juois, Chini, Laferte. Also divers castles there are very ancient and noble, like to little towns, as S. john & Mandreschet, having both of them the title of Earldoms. Likewise Bidburg, Sawachi, Pambrug, Clearueau, & Hoffalis, are all very good castles.  
There are likewise in this duchy 1169. villages, divers of the which are fair and great, namely, La Roch●tte, Auio, and S. 〈…〉 town of debate, because many time's 〈◊〉 with the Liegeoys hath been about it.  
In this Duchy are seven. Earldoms, many b●mnies, and other Seniories infinite.  
The states of this country consist of 3. members (viz) Prelates, Nobles and Towns.   

The City of Luxembourg.  
THrough it passeth the river Elz●. It is called Luxembourg because it was dedicated to the sun as it were Lucis Burgum. So Arlon was dedicated to the Moon and is so called Quasi ara Lunae, because Diana was worshipped there. juois one letter being ●ansposed, beareth the name of jupiter. Mars in famennes of the god Mars, and Merourt (a good village standing between Chasteau de soy and Bastoigne) of Mercury. So Theonuille is as it were Pantheon, because it was dedicated to all the Gods, a word compounded of Greek & French. Besides divers other places in this country bea●ing their names though very corruptly of the Pagan gods or planets.  
Luxembourg is large and very strongly seated yet but reasonably built, because in the 〈◊〉 it hath often been destroyed, in such sort 〈…〉 citizens being very poor by reason of the wa●● have not only been careless in repairing it, but many of them have also clean abandoned it.  
In the convent of the order of S. Francis in this town, lieth buried john King of Boheme, (son to the Emperor Henry the 7. and father to Charles the fourth, slain at the battle of Crecy by the English. An. 1348.  
In Luxembourg vesideth the council of the whole province, which appealeth to Malines.  
In the said council they pled both in dutch and French, because some of the country use the Dutch tongue, as Luxembourg itself, Arlon, Rodemarck, Theonuille, and divers other towns, and some the French, as juois, Monmedi, Maruil, Danuilliers, but let us proceed to the other towns.  
Ar●n is desolated by the wars, but now they begin to repair it again.  
Rodemarck is a good little town with a strong Castle.  
Theonuille standeth upon the Moselle, having a goodly bridge over the river. The common opinion is that Charles the great established this town for one of the three seats of the Empire in these parts. This town is marvelous strong, yet was it taken by the French, under the leading of Francis Duke of Guyze An. 1558. and at the assault thereof was Peter Strozzi, one of the four Marshals of France slain, but it was by the last treaty restored to king Philip again.  
〈◊〉 and Conink 〈…〉 both upon the Moselle.  
Dickrick, Vierton, Echternach, Nihil. Vandalen or Vlanden, hath the title of an Earldom.  
Bastonack is a good little town and is commonly called Paris en Ardenne, because in it is held a market of cattle and grain and all other victuals, whither all the country resorteth, which greatly enricheth this place. In divers villages about this town, is the blasphemous Spanish, or rather he athonish custom of women, in be wailing their dead husbands used, who follow them to the church with miserable cries, howl, and lamentations, beating, tormenting, tearing and scratching themselves, by the way as they go most shamefully with their 〈◊〉. True it is that the women here are much more modest than the Spanish women, for these are silent when they come into the church, but the Spanish women are most out of order in the church, to the great trouble of the whole company.  
Mommed● standeth upon a high hill, at the foot where of runneth the river Chiers. It is ● strong town yet often taken in the last wars by the French, but by the last treaty restored again to the king of Spain.  
Neufchastel is a strong town now, but neither so strong nor so great as in times past.  
Danuilliers. This town was sacked by the Duke of Orleans, Anno. 1542. and again by Henry the second king of France An. 1552. but it was restored to king Philip by the last treaty, and is now fairer and stronger than ever before.  
Maruil standeth upon the Chiers, the one half of this town is king philip's, and the other half the Duke of Lorraines, for the which cause it is called Ville common.  
La Roche en Ardenne and Durby are both erected into Earldoms.  
S. Vite is a little but a very pleasant and a fine town.  
Salme is a proper rich town, erected also into an Earldom.  
March, Marses or Mars, was heretofore dedicated to Mars. But now let us speak a word or two of these towns that are destroyed or disfigured by the wars, whereof the principal is juoy.  
juoy which standeth upon the Chiers. It was sometime a good town and a strong, but hath often been sacked in these last wars, especially by Henry king of France An. 1552. It was restored to king Philip An. 1558. by the last treaty, but with condition that it should no more be walled nor fortified.  
Chiny hath been so often spoiled in the wars that it remaineth yet unwalled, notwithstanding now they begin to repair it again. It is an Earldom and hath large signory and jurisdiction over divers towns.  
Laferte standeth upon the Chiers. It is also unwalled and part of the castle ruinated.  
No province in all the Low countries is so replenished with Nobility as this duchy of Luxembourg, who also govern their subjects & Tenants like Peasants of France, or rather like slaves, contrary to the liberty of the rest of the Provinces of these low countries. Otherwise the Nobility of this duchy are full of all virtue, truth, faith to their prince, constancy, courtesy, hospitality and love one to another, and often frequent together and very frankly and liberally entertain one another in their Castles and houses of pleasure. And above all other people hate law and lawyers, and end their controversies among them s●lues without process. The chief exercise of the Nobility is Arms and hunting. This was the first title that the Emperor Charles bore at his christening.   

The Earldom of Namur.  
NAmur is bounded with Brahant, Haynault, Luxembourg & Liege. The country is very small yet abounding with all graces & riches, it is replenished with people, and those very industrious, true, and faithful to their prince. The Nobility is valiant, flourisheth in all military discipline, and is given to all exercises fit for their degree. The air is very wholesome, & the country is watered with many Rivers and brooks especially the  and the Sambre, which besides the commodity of portage, furnish the country with great plenty of excellent good fish.  
Namur is a country replenished with woods and Forests, the greatest whereof is called Marlaigne, abounding ye a crawling as it were with all kind of Venison and soul.  
The Valleys are very fruitful of all sorts of corn and grain, the hills full of goodly woods, excellent clear fountains, rich mines of Iron, and some of Lead, quarreyes of fine stone to build with, and of Marble of all sorts & colours, as black, Tawnye, porphire or jasper, which is read streaked with white, blue marble but mingled with white which perfecteth the beauty. Besides divers other sorts of fine stone to build with, and lime to make cement, and sea-coal to burn as in Haynault, and in Liege, whereunto I add great quantity of Saltpetre made in this country of Namur, but especially the forges of Iron in this little Province are so innumerable, that the whole country seemeth to be Vulcan's forge, all the which things put together, do not only keep the people from idleness by their continual travel and exercise, but also more enrich them than the best tilled and fruitfullest fields that may be found.  
In the country of Namur at this day are four walled towns (viz) Namur the principal town, & which giveth name to the whole country, Bouines, Charlemont & Valencourt.  
There are farther in it 182. Villages, and many goodly and rich Abbeys.  
The states of this country are compounded of the clergy, the nobility, and the heads of the good towns, but now we will come to the particular description of the places of this signory.   

The City of Namur  
Standeth between two hills upon the , and through it passeth the Sambre which there entereth into the .  
It is a fair and a rich town with a strong castle, and about it are 7. hermitages.  
It hath been an Earldom with a goodly signory and a large jurisdiction of long time.  
Here resideth the council of the Country which appealeth to Malines, & of late Namur hath obtained a bishop, whose cathedral church is the church of S. Albin.  
The N●…cians are very good soldiers, & very affectionate to their prince, they speak French which is their mother tongue. In the town are some artificers but not many, and likewise few merchants, but great store of nobility, some descended of great princes though the most part by bastardy.  
Between Namur and Ho●…y is the rich village of Audenne, in the which is a nunnery of ladies like to that of Nivelle. Such another like Nunnery is also but two leagues from Namur, at a village called Monstier upon the Sambre, at both the which Nunneries are daily great alms bestowed upon the poor.  
Bouines standeth upon the , this hath been heretofore a town of good importance, but it hath often been sacked, and lastly by Henry the second king of France, An. 1554. but is now repaired again and fortified.  
Charlemont is a Town of wonderful force, and of exquisite fortification though but small. It was built by Charles the fift to make head against the French, after they had taken Mariem bourg which was in the year 1555.  
Valencourt standeth in a goodly fruitful country, and is a good little town, the principal villages of this country are,  
Daue which is a goodly village with a strong Castle standing upon the . It hath also a great jurisdiction and is honoured with the title of a viscounty. Farther among the villages of this country are divers because of their beauty and greatness, worthy to be mentioned, namely Floren, Vascie, & Sanson.  
These before described are all the low country Provinces subject to the king of Spain. Notwithstanding because the bishopric of Liege and the town of Aquisgrane, are not only neighbours and friends, but also 〈◊〉 co●●tinual and indissolubleamitie with these fe Low countries, we will speak a wor●● or 〈…〉 them.   

The Bishopric of Liege.  
THis Country is bordered North and west with Brabant, East with the Mouse & Namur, south with Luxembourg.  
The air is very wholesome, the country pleasant, and abounding with all kind of grain & fruits, in such sort, that through the whole country wine groweth, though small & of no great quantity. But as touching flesh, fish, 〈◊〉 and foul of all sorts there is great abundance and that of cast excellent good.  
Mines there are also of iron reasonable store and some of lead and veins of Br●●nstone, ye● and a few of Gold and that excellent good, quarreyes also there are of excellent ston● 〈…〉 Alblaster mingled with black, and of all 〈…〉 of Marble as before is described in 〈…〉 sides wonderful great plenty of 〈…〉 sea-coal digged wonderful deep, 〈…〉 time even underneath the very 〈…〉 the Mouse, and that in such abundance, that the country within the compass of a league about Liege, not only furnisheth the Town, but selleth also forth abroad yearly though at very small prices, to the value of 100000. ducats. The coal of this country is much sweeter and casteth a far greater heat than the coal of Hay nault or Namur, as doth also the Turf of this Country (which is used in some places thereof) far surmount the turf of Flanders & Brabant. For the which cause the Liegeoys vaunt and that most truly, that they have in their country 3. things passing all other countries (viz) bread better than bread, iron harder than iron, & fire hotter than fire. This coal is kindled with water and quenched with oil, and the strong savour thereof is taken away by casting salt into the fire.  
In this Country is also made great abundance of Saltpetre. To conclude this country is so pleasantly seated, the air so wholesome, the soil so fruitful of all things serving for the use and delight of man, whereunto also may be added the great liberty that the people live in there, that it is called the Paradise of priests. In such sort that john Mandeville an English gentleman and a famous Doctor of Physic, after his long travail round about the world, chose this for the Paradise of all the world, where he would both live and end his life, as also he did in the year 1372.  
Under the Bishopric of Liege is contained a goodly & large estate, signory and jurisdiction, of Towns, castles, bourgs and villages, namely the Duchy of Buillon, the Marquisate of Francymont, & the counties of Lotz & Hasbain, There are also under it many baronies, the principal whereof are 52. and many rich Abbeys  
To conclude, there are under the jurisdiction of the Bishop (besides the half of Maestricht) 24. walled towns, namely Liege the principal and metropolitan town, Buillon, Francimont, Lootz, Borckworm, Tongres, Hoey, Asselt, Dinant, Masetck, Stochem, Bilsen, S. Truiden, Tuin, Viset, Varem, Beringhe, Herck, Bree, Per, Hamont, Siney, Fosse, Covines.  
There are moreover under the Bishop, 1800. Villages with parish churches, besides Hamlets, baronies and castles of noble men a great number. But now to the particular description, and first of the Metropolitan City itself, and than of the rest.   

The City of Liege.  
LIege standeth in a pleasant Valley upon the , being environed with hills on all sides, the M●us● entereth into it with two branches, and maketh many pleasant Isles within the town all the which are inhabited.  
The rivers that pass through this City, are first the , than the little river called Liege or Liege, whereof it is thought the town taketh name, and lastly three little brooks, Vte, Vese, and Ambluar, all 3. abounding with excellent good fish, but especially Vte hath one sort of excellent delicate fish above all the rest, called Vtins  
Farther in this town are many clear springs and fountains, and that in such abundance that some houses are furnished with two or three.  
This city is very great and large, comprehending hills, valleys, rivers, & many vine grounds, so that the Lord of Argenton compareth it in greatness to Roven, accounting it to comprehend in circuit four Italian miles.  
The buildings of this town are very fair, being all of stone, but above all the rest the bishop's palace is very stately and sumptuous, though unfinished as yet.  
But in number of churches, and beauty and riches of those churches, in monasteries and convents this town passeth all the towns, either of France or of high and low Allemaine. For there are in it 8. collegial churches of canons, that which canons are very rich & of great reputation, especially those of S. Lambert the patron of the town, who join with the Bishop in the government of the state, & in the which church none can be admitted a canon, except he be a gentleman or a doctor or licenciate, & the canons of this church may give over their place and go forth and marry till they have taken the order of Pries● hood.  
In this church of S. Lambert, among diuc●● other rich jewels and relics, is to be seen a great image of S. George on horse back all of pure gold, which Charles Duke of Burgundy gave for amendss of his hard handling of this City, when he took it by force.  
There are in this town four rich Abbeys, having every one a goodly library, the principal whereof is the Abbey of S. Laurence. There are three Nunneries, and all the four orders of Fri●●, some of the which have two Convented. There are 32. parish churches, and so many other churches, monasteries and hospitals, within and without the town that the churches are accounted in all above 100  
Farther, there are 32. companies in this City which have so great authority in the government of the state, that without their consent, nothing can be concluded nor agreed on.  
The city is replenished with people, but those very idle, yet fierce and naturally inclined to arms.  
This town hath also produced many learned men.  
The Liegeoys language is French, but very corrupt.  
This city is Imperial, but their tenure is only 〈◊〉 furnish the Emperor of a few men in his wars against the Turk.  
The Bishop is lord spiritual and temporal both of the town and country, but the people have so large privileges, that they live almost in perfect liberty and freedom.  
Their appeals spiritual go to Colin, who is their primate, and from thence to Rome. Their temporal appeals to the Imperial chamber at Spire.  
This city flourished more in times past than now it doth, for Hubert Thomas writeth that at one time were students here, nine kings children, 24 Dukes children, 29 Earls children, besides a number of Barons and gentlemen's children: the greatest part of the which wear Cannons of the rich College of S. Lambert above mentioned.  
This city was first destroyed by the Danes and Normans, and lastly by Charles Duke of Burgundy, An. 1468. yet now it is re-edified again and much enlarged.  
Buillon is a good castle standing wonderful artificially upon the point of a hill, with a great bourg under it, which sometime was a fair town. The castle is large and well fortified, & so strong both by art and nature, that it was held for imprenable: notwithstanding it hath been taken four times, and lastly by the French, An. 1552.  
This castle hath the title of a Duchy, & hath under it a great country and a large jurisdiction. It was the inheritance of the valiant Godfrey, who did so many worthy exploits against the Turks, and was the first Christian king of jerusalem, after the Christians last conquest thereof. He sold this duchy to the bishop of Liege, to furnish him when he took his journey into the holy land, so that the duchy is now the bishop of Liege's, yet the Lord of Sedan as heir of the house of La March pretendeth Title to it, but by the last treaty, Anno 1559. it was restored to the bishop of Liege, but without prejudice of the said Lord of Sedans claim thereunto.  
Francimont is a Marquisat, having justice & signory. It was sometime a walled town, now but a Village, yet hath it a strong fort, built by Erard Cardinal and Bishop of Liege. near to this place is a Village called Thou, where are many leaden mines of very good metal, and quarries of excellent black marble, such as is described in Namur.  
Lootz in Dutch Borchloon, is a county with a large territory and jurisdiction under it, and was a county in Charlemaine's time, bearing the title of the County of Diostein, of some earl that had possessed it being of that name. It was given to Oger the Dane so famous in Ariosto. It is now but a pretty little town.  
Borckworm standeth upon the jecker. It is a pretty town well peopled, and the principal town of the County of Hasbain.  
Tongres standeth also upon the jecker which at Maestricht entereth into the Mauze. Out of this town issued the ancestors of Charlemagne It was the first town that received Christian religion 101. years after Christ's death. This town was sometime great and mighty, and the Metropolitan of all the towns that the people of Germany called Tongres conquered in these parts. It was also an Episcopal sea, but the sea was first transported to Maestricht and after to Liege. This city was destroyed by Attila K. of the Huns, who also destroyed in it 100 churches, so large and fair was the city than: but now it is a very small town not worthy to be mentioned, save only for the ruins, which make show of the ancient magnificence thereof.  
At Tongres is a marvelous causey, heretofore all paved with goodly stone, as also yet it is in many places, and raised up of wondered height between two walls, & reacheth from this town to Paris, which is above 200. Italian miles. The thing is so wonderful and seemeth so far above the power of man, that the people of the country have devised that the Devil built it in three days and three nights, but in truth it was some ancient work of the Romans, who throughout their empire employed their subjects in buildings, to keep them from idleness which is the mother of sedition and civil war.  
At Tongres is also a church sometime dedicated to Hercules where his statue is yet to see, which is 〈◊〉 argument of the great antiquity of this town.  
In this town is also weekly a goodly 〈◊〉 market, whither many horses come to be sold, 〈◊〉 well out of All●●ai●● as out of these low conveys.  
Hubert Thomas w●●teth that the Sea came sometime to this tow●●, but Guicciardin by many strong reasons disproveth his opinion as impossible to be true.  
Eight Leagues from Tongres and five from L●ege, is the village of Spa, within half a league where of is the fountain, so famous through the world for the vor●ues that it hath to 〈◊〉 the tertion ague, the dropsy, the stone, the exulceration of the lungs, the Sciatique, and all diseases of the stomach and liver. Pliny. lib. 31. cap. 2. writeth this fountain to have been at Tongres belike because the magnificence of Tongres being than a stately town and the head of that quarter, gave the name to the whole country that was subject to it: for Tungricivitas as Pli●i● termeth it, is the name aswell of the whole country as of the town. This village of Spa is in a fair wood, being part of the Forest of Ardannes. The fou●●taine most commended (for there are divers in the country of Liege and the Marquisat of Francim●nt, of divers properties) is called La fontaine d● Saueni●●, the water whereof tasteth of iron, belike because all the earth through the which the water passes, i● full o● Iron mines. In july the water is of most virtue, because that is the hottest time of the year, and in the greatest heat the water is of most effica●ye.  
Hoey was sometime a famous city. It beareth the name of a surious river that here runneth into the . The  passeth through the midst of the town, and parteth it in twain, having built over it a wondered goodly bridge. The town is now in reasonable good estate, having a strong fortress built in it, by the above named Erarde Cardinal of Liege. The country about it aboundeth with iron ours and cattle.  
Hasselt standeth upon the river Demere. It is a reasonable good town and well built. near to this is the fair Village of Curi●ghen, where the above named Cardinal hath built a stately palace, whither the Bishop with his train goeth often to solace and refresh himself, so pleasant and delectable is the place.  
Dinan standeth upon the Meuze. It was once a famous town and of good traffic, but Charles the last Duke of Burgundy utterly destroyed it, and being repaired again, Henry the second king of France, An. 1554. took it again, and sacked it and destroyed the Castle. Yet now it is re-edified and the Castle also, for it is seated in a very good country, abounding with black Marble and mines of iron, and quarreyes of other goodly stone to build with, so that the Merchants of the town are veryrich and trade abroad in the world even into England.  
Maeseick is a reasonable good town standing upon the Meuze. A league from this town is the fair place and Nunnery of Thoren, into the which none can be received but noble men's daughters and gentlemen's of noble and ancient houses, like to the Nunnery of Montz. These Nuns may marry all save the Abbess, who hath jurisdiction both spiritual and temporal over a great country and is under the protection of the Empire. This monastery hath a goodly revenue, & such pre-eminence that it coineth money both of silver and gold.  
Stockem is a proper little town standing upon the , repaired by the foresaid Cardinal De la March Bishop of Liege.  
Bilsen Is a very little town, a quarter of a league from the which is a village in the Territory of Liege, standing upon the Demer called Munster Bilsen, where is such a num●ic of Gentlewomen that may marry, as hath often been described before, and the Abbess thereof having such jurisdiction, as is before said of the abbess of Thoren. This monastery is very fair & large, & the church of wonderful architecture. In this convent is a whole unicorns horn, said to be brought thither by a Nun of the place, daughter to a Duke of Britain. The horn is 6. foot and a half long.  
Near to this place is lately marked out a channel, to join the Demere and the Meuze together at a place called Smermase, somewhat beneath Maestricht. This channel shallbe two leagues in length, by the which with singular ease and commodity botes may pass from the Meuze into the Demer, from thence into the Deal, and so into the Rupel, than into the Scheld and so into the sea.  
S. Truden or Centron is a fair town, their language is Flemish though they be subject to the bishop of Liege. In this town is the abbey of S. Truden, whereof the town taketh name, which is a very rich abbey, the Abbot being Lord of one half of the town, and the Bishop of the other. near to this town is also the noble and rich commandry of Bernsem.  
Tuin or Tovin standeth in Haynault, but is subject to the bishop of Liege. It is a reasonable good town, near to the which in the jurisdiction of Liege, are two goodly and rich abbeys, namely Asue and Lobbe.  
Viset, Varem, Beringhem, Herck, Bree, Per, Hamont, Siney, Fosse, Covines, are all reasonable towns and of some account.  

Description of the Villages.  
Florene was sometime a pretty town but destroyed by the French in the last wars, and remaineth still in that estate.  
Cerey is now a goodly fortress, 〈…〉 by the said Cardinal de la M●●che.  
〈◊〉 is thought to haut been the principal town in 〈◊〉 paste of the people 〈◊〉, though now but a village. In this place are 〈…〉 of very good brimstone.  
H●●stal or Heristel. Of this village Pepin the 〈◊〉 took his surname, and in this place and 〈◊〉 another here to it called I●pili●, are goodly stately palaces to be seen, whither th●s princ●● 〈◊〉 and Charles the great often resorted to solace themselves, because the Country 〈◊〉 out is the hol●●m●st, the fruitst●●est and the pleasantest, for air, rivers, wood●, hills, valleys, Vines, Fruitery, Venison, Fish, Foule, and all kind of princely sports that may be seen.  
This Bishopric of L●ege was first erected by Hubert son to Be●t●●nde Duke of Aquicain●, who being at Rome was made by the Pope bishop of M●estrich● in place of saint Lambert, whom his people of Maestricht had ma●tyred 〈◊〉. 710. But he being come to M●●stricht so much detested the people for the foresaid murder, that he transported his Episcopal Sea to L●●ge, and there built the church of S. L●mbert and the College afore mentioned, an● all this with the Pope Constantins consent, Anno. 713. and here at Liege he died and was 〈◊〉 a 〈…〉 numbered 57 Bishop● of Liege.  
The Bishop is chosen by the chapter of saint Lambert, confirmed by the people, and lastly approved by the Pope. He is not only a bishop, but also a prince of the Empire. Duke of Buillon Marquis of Francimont, and earl of Lootz and Hasbain.  
The revenues of this Bishopric are above 30000. ducats, besides the benevolence of his subjects (which is a great matter if he use them well) and his spiritual jurisdiction and an infinite number of Prebends, benefices and offices which he bestoweth at his pleasure.    

A Discourse of the great difference between the Country and people of Liege, and the Country and Citizens of Aix, notwithstanding that they be but six Leagues distant, and both under one climate.  
LIege is subject, Aix liveth in liberty, but both under the protection of the Empire. At Liege they speak French, at Aix dutch. The Liegeois are pleasant and companable, they of Aix melancholy and unsociable. To conclude they differ in every point as much as the French and the Dutch which is very much. Yea the very air and soil 〈◊〉 the same difference though they be both under one climate. For it is summer at Liege when it is Winter at Aix, fruits and corn are ripe at Liege when they be very unripe at Aix: yea oftentimes such difference there is of the season & disposition of the air that it is Ice and snow at Aix when no such thing is seen at Liege.   

Description of Aix in Latin Aquisgranum.  
AIx is situated between the duchies of Brabant, Limbourg, juliers, and the bishopric of Liege.  
The Citizens of Aix hold Charlemagne for their founder. The said Charlemagne ordained Aix to be the chief seat of the Empire and realm of France on this side the mountains, and that the king of Romans' should receive the ●●on crown at Aix, of the Archbishop of Colin who is metropolitan thereof, the silver Crown at Milan, and the Imperial crown of Gold at Rome.  
At this town of Aix died Charlemagne, an. 813. and lieth buried in our Lady church.  
Ai● is a good town and the country abou● 〈◊〉 very fruitful and pleasant, but the buildings of the town are nothing answerable to the fame of the place, save the hot baths which are very fair built, and very wholesome for many diseases.  
Aix is an imperial town, but payeth small tribute to the Empire, otherwise liveth in freedom and hath the Duke of Cleves for protector, next neighbour and perpetual confederate.  
All the rest of the Author's discourse of Aix concerneth the translation of the Empire to the Germans, and the form of the election and coronation of the Emperor, which because it is impertinent to this discourse of the Low countries and may be read more at large in other good Authors, I pass over in silence.  
FINIS.    

Corrections of Faults escaped. in the printing.  
Read  
〈…〉 fol. 6, pa. 1, lin. 14. come. fol. 7. pa. 2. li, 8. 16. 27. and 〈…〉. 1. li. 4. Mormault, fol. 12. pa. 2. li, 1. rampart. so. 16 〈…〉 moneys. fol. 16, pa. 2. li. 27. Aremberghe. fol. 19 pa. 1. li. ●5. Lieutenant's and other officers. fol. 19 pa. ●. li. 24. use. fol. 25. pa. 2. li. 11. Baru●. fo. 27. pa. 1. li. 22. also. fol. 30. pa. 1. line. 8. our of▪ fol. 35. page. 1. li●. 22. Guyne, fo. 38. pa. 2. li. 10. Hulpen. 〈◊〉, fol. 47. pag. 1. li●e. 21. Gheelmuyden. fol. 56. pag. 2. li. 7. Iselstein, so. 64. pa. 1. line. 19 Gravesand, fo. 68 pa. 1. li. 5. 〈◊〉. fo. 69. pa. 1. li. 15. wear, fol. 69, pa, 1. li. 26, Vtrecht the fol. ●1. pa, 1. li, 26. Du●●lande. fo. 73, pa. 1. li. 18. ancientest. fo. 74, pa. 1. li. 14. of, fo. 95, pa, 2. li. 3. Ne●le, fo. 95, pa, 2. li. 5. many clothes. fol, 87. pa. 2. vlt. Montz, fol. 90. pa, 1. li. 7. Menin. fol. 〈◊〉. pag. ●. li. 1. A●rebat●m. fo. 96. pa. 1. li, 19 Artesians, fol. 100 pa. 1. li. 4. Mormault. fo, 101. pa. 2. li. 12. Conde, fol. 100L. pag. 2. li. 28. Maubeuge, fo. 101. pa. 2. li. 30. Bavais, fo. 101, page. 2, vlt S●igny, foe, 102, pa. 1. li. 1. Lalaign, fo. 102, pa, 1. li. 7. Glaion, fol▪ 1●2. pa. 1. li. 8. and immediately after that read Trasegnie, quit● left out. many reasons, fol. 106. 〈◊〉 1, 27, Folemmbray, fol. 106. pa, 2, li, 14. Lassine, fo. 107, p. 1. li. 20. Mommedy, fo. 111. p, 1. l. 14▪