A BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE WHOLE WORLD.  
WHEREIN Is particularly described all the Monarchies, Empires and Kingdoms of the same, with their Academies.  
AS ALSO, Their several Titles and Situations thereunto adjoining.  
Written by the Reverend Father in God, George Abbot, late Archbishop of Canterbury.  
The Fifth Eddition.  
LONDON, Printed for Margaret Sheares, at the Blue Bible in Bedford-Street in Coven-Garden, and John Play●…ere at the White-Beare in the upper Walk in the New-Exchange.  
1664.   

A Brief Description of the whole World.  
THe Globe of the Earth doth either show the Sea or Land. The Sea 
Of the seas.  general, is called by the name or Ocean, which coasteth all the World, and taketh his name in special, either of the place near 
The divers names given to the seas, and the reason why.  which it cometh, as Oceanus Britanicus, Mare Germanicum, Sinus Perficus, Mare Atlanticum, of the Hill Atlas, in the West part of Africa: or of the finder out, as Fretum Magellanicum; or of some other accident, as the Red Sea, because the sand is red, Mare Mediterraneum, because it runneth between the lands of Europe and Africa, Mare Icarium, because Icarus was drowned there, or the like. There be some few Seas which have no intercourse with the Ocean, as Mare Mortuum, near Palestina, Mare Caspium sive Hircanum, not far from Armenia: and such a one is said to be in the North part of America.  
The Straits or Narrow Seas, are 
Of the straits or Narrow Seas.  noted in the Latin by the name of Fretum, as Fretum Britannicum. The English Narrow Seas, Fretum Herculeum, the straits between, Barbary and Spain; Fretum Magellanicum, etc.  
The Earth is either Islands, 
Of the Earth.  which are those which are wholly compassed by the Sea, as Britannia, Sicilia, Corsica; or the Continent, which is called in the English, The firm Land, in the Latin, Continens.  
The old known firm Land was contained only in Asia, Europe, and Africa. Europe is divided from Africa by the Mediterranean Sea; from Asia by the River Tanais: whereby appeareth, that the North parts of Asia and Europe in old time were but little known and discovered.  
Africa is divided from Europe by the Mediterranean Sea; from Asia by the River Nilus: and so Asia by Tanais and Nilus, is severed from Europe and Africa.  

Of Spain.  
TO say nothing of England and Ireland, the most Western Country of Europe, 
How Spain is bounded.  is Spain, which is bounded on the South with the Mediterranean, on the West with the Atlantic, on the North with Oceanus Cantabricus, or the Spanish Seas, on the East with France, from which it is severed with certain Mountains, called Montes Pyrenei, or the Pyrenay hills.  
If we should inquire into the times that were before the coming of the Carthaginians and Romans into Spain, we shall find nothing but that which is either fabulous, or near to sables: here it 
The original name of the Country of Spain.  was first called Iberia, ab Ibero flumine, afterwards Hispania, ab Hispane, we may take as a tradition: but their Gargoris their Ha bis, their Geryon exceed belief of any, but those that will take all reports on trust. It is certain that the Syrians planted a Colony there in the Isle of Gades, corruptly now called Cadiz, or Cales: These troubled by their Neighbours desired aid of the Carthaginians, a flourishing neighbour Commonwealth, descended of the Syrians, as well as themselves, who sent first to defend the Gaditanes against their neighbours, afterwards heartened on by 
Carthaginians sent to defend the Gaditanes.  their success in their first Expedition; these Carthaginians success sively sent thither three Captains, Hamilcar, Hasdrubal, and Hannibal who for the most part subdued the Province and held it, till by Scipio's and the Romans Forces they were dispossessed of it: Yet for many years after the fortunes of the Romans stuck as it were in the subduing of that▪ Province, so that from the time of ●…he second Punick war, until the time of Augustus, they had business made them in that Country continually, nei●…her could they till then bring it peaceably into the form of a Province.  
It continued a Province of the 
Spain once a Province of the Roman Empire  Roman Empire until the time of Honorius the Emperor, in whose days the Vandals came into it, conquering and making it theirs; then the Goths (the Vandals either driven out, or called over into afric▪) entering erected there a Kingdom, which flourished for many years, till by the coming 
Sarazens and Moors erected it a Kingdom.  of the Saracens and Moors, their Kingdom was broken, who settling themselves in Spain, erected it a Kingdom, changed the names of many places and Rivers and gave them new names, such as they retain to this day, and continued for the space of some hundred of years mighty in that Country, till they were first subdued by Ferdinand: 
They were utterly expelled by Philip the T●…ird.  afterwards, and that now lately utterly expelled by Philip the Third.  
After the coming in of these Africans in this Country, there were many Kingdoms, as the Kingdom of Portugal toward the West; the Kingdom of Granado toward the South; the Kingdom of Navarre and Arragon toward the East; and the Kingdom of Castille in the middle of the Land: but the whole Dominion is now under the King of Spain.  
As Damalanus à Goes doth write in the Treatise entitled, Hispania, 
Spain in ●…ormer time twelve several Kingdoms.  there were in times past twelve several Kingdoms in Spain, which he nameth thus: Castellae antiquae & novae, Leonis, Aragoniae, Portugalliae, Navarrae, Granatae, Valentiae, Toleti, Galitiae, Algarbi●…rum, Murtiae, Cordubae: which is not to be wondered at, since in England, a far less Country, there were in the time of the Saxons seven several Kingdoms and Monarchies.  
In the best Maps of Spain, the Arms of these several Kingdoms do yet distinctly appear: where for the Arms of Leon's is given a Lion, which manifestly argueth, that whereas by some it is called Regnum Legionis, that name is false, for it is Leonis, surable thereunto: for the Arms of Castille is given a Castle, which was the cause that John of Gaunt, Son to Edward the Third, King of England, did quarter with the Arms of England, the Castle and the Lion, as having married Constance Daughter to Peter King of Castille; and at this day the first and chief Coat of the King of Spain is a Castle quartered with a Lion, in remembrance of the two Kingdoms of Castille and Leon's.  
In Corduba (as in times past it was called) standeth Andaluzia, near unto which the Island called properly Gades, but since; by depravation of the word Cadiz, and commonly Cales, which was lately surprised by the English. The Kingdom of Granada, which lieth 
Granada 700. years Possessed by the Moors Sarazens.  nearest to the Mediterranean, was by the space of seven hundred years possessed by the Moors and Saracens, who do profess the Re●…igion of Mahomet: the reason whereof Rodericus Toletanus in the third 
〈◊〉 〈◊〉.  book of history doth show to be this; that whereas the Saracens after Mahomet's time, had spread themselves all along Africa, even unto the Western part of Barbary, a King of Spain called Rodericus, employed (in an Embassage to them) one Julian, a Nobleman of his, who by his wise Demeanour, procured much Reputation amongst the Moors; but in the time of his service, the King Rodericus deflowered the Daughter of the said Julian; which the Father took in such indignation, that he procured those Saracens to come over into Spain, that so he might be revenged on his King; but when those barbarous people had once set foot in there, they could never be removed, until the time of Ferdinando and Elizabeth, King and Queen of Spain, about a hundred years since.  
The Author before named writeth, that before the coming of those Moors into Spain, the King Rodericus would needs open a part of a Palace which had been shut long before, and had by descent from hand to hand been forbidden to be entered by any: yet the King, supposing there had been great Treasure therein broke into it, but found nothing there, saving in a great Chest, the Pictures of Men, who resembled the proportion, Attire, and Armour of the Moors, 
A strange and unexpected prophecy.  and a Prophecy joined therewithal, that at that time, when the Palace should be entered, such a people as was there resembled, should invade and spoil Spain, which fell out accordingly.  
The Spaniards that now are, be a▪ very mixed people, descended of the Goths, which in former times possessed that Land, and of those Saracens and Jews, which are the basest people of the World. 
Portugal added to the Kingdom of Spain.   
The Kingdom of Portugal d●…d contain under it Regnum Algarbi●…rum, but both of them are now annexed unto Castille by the cun●…ing of the King of Spain, Philip he Second, who took the advantage after the death of Sebastian, who was slain in Barbary; in the year 1578. Then after him reigned Henry who sometimes was Cardinal, and Uncle to Sebastian; in whose time, although show was made that it should be lawfully debared, unto whom the Crown of Portugal did belong, yet Philip meaning to make sure work, did not so much respect the right, as by main force invaded, and since (to the great grief of the Portugals) hath kept it. The chief City of Portugal 
Lisbon the chief City of Portugal  is Lisbon, called in Latin Olysippo, from whence those Navigations were advanced, by which the Portugals discovered so much of their South part of afric, and of the East-Indies, possessed by them to this day. The City from whence the Castilians do set forth their 
Sevill.  ships to the West-Indies is Sevill, called in Latin Hispalis. Another 
Toledo.  great City in Spain is Toledo, where the Archbishopric is the richest spiritual dignity of Christendom, the Papacy only excepted. 
The Magnificent greatness of Spain and Portugal.   
In the time of Damianus à Goes, there were reckoned to be in Spain four Archbishoprics of great worth, three other inferior, and forty Bishoprics; as also in Portugal, three Archbishoprics, and eight Bishoprics. He reckoneth up also in Spain (besides the great Officers of the Crown) 17 Dukes, 41. Marquesses, 87. Earls or Counts, and 9 Viscount's: as also in Portugal (besides the Officers of the Crown) fix Dukes, four Marquesses, nineteen Earls, and one Viscount. In Spain he saith are seven Universities. The Country is but dry, and so consequently barren, in comparison of some other places. What commodities it doth yield, it may be seen in a Treatise of Damianus à Goes, which he calleth his Hispania.  
Not only this great and large Country heretofore divided into so many Kingdoms, is now under one absolute King, but that King also is Lord of many other Territories: as namely, of the Kingdom of Naples in Italy and the Duchy of Milan, of the Isles of Sicily, Sardinia, Majorque, Minorque, Evisa, in the midland sea; of the Islands of the Canaries in the Atlantic, besides divers strong Towns and goodly Havens in Barbary, within and without the Straits On the back side of afric he commands much on the Frontiery, besides the Islands adjoining to the main Land. In the Western Indies, he hath Mexico, Brasil, large Territories, with the Islands of the South, and the North Sea. And Philip the second getting Portugal as a Dowry to that so●…ct Marriage, got also all the dependences of that Crown in Africa the East-Indies, and the Atlantic Sea, the Towns of Barbary, and the East-Indies, willingly submitting themselves unto him, but the Terceras he won by force at the first and second Expedition: so if we consider the huge tract of ground that is 
The Empery of the Kingdom of Spain the greatest in the●…●…an world.  under the King's Dominion, we will say that the Empery of the King of Spain is, in that respect, the largest that now is, or ever was in the World.   

Of France.  
THe next Country is France 
France how bounded.  which is bounded on the west with the Pyrenay hills, on the North with the English Seas, on the East with Germany, on the Southeast with the Alpe-hils, on the South-west with the Mediterranean Sea.  
The Kingdom of France is for 
France one of the most absolute Kingdoms of the world.  one entire thing, one of the most rich and absolute Monarchies of the World, having both on the North and South side the Sea standing very convenient for profit of Navigation, and the Land itself being ordinarily very fruitful. The consideration whereof caused Francis the first King of France, to compare this Kingdom alone to all the Dominions and Signories of Charles the fifth Emperor; for when the Herald of the said Charles, bidding Defiance to the King Francis, did give his Majesty the title of Emperor of Germany, King of Castaile, Arragon, Naples, Sicily, etc. Francis commanded his Herald to call him so often King of France as the others had Titles by all his Countries; implying that France alone was of as much strength and worth as all the Countries which the other had.  
Concerning this Argument, see the warlike and politic Discourses of Monsieur de la Nove. He who writeth the Commentaries of Religion, and state of France, doth show, that when there had been of late in France, in the days of Francis the Second, and Charles' the Ninth, three Civil Wars, 
Civil wars in France.  which had much ruinated the glory and beauty of that Kingdom, when a little before the great Massacre, in the year One thousand five hundred seventy two, there had been peace in that Country scant full two years, yet so great is the riches and happiness of that Kingdom, that in that short time, all things were renewed and repaired again, as if there had never been any such desolation.  
The Revenue of the Crown of 
Revenue of the Crown of France exceeding great.  France is exceeding great, by reason of the Taxes and impositions, which through the whole Kingdom are laid upon the Subjects: for their Sizes and Toules do exceed all the Imposts and tributes of all the Princes of Christendom; in as much as there are few things there used, but the King hath a commodity issuing out of them; and not only for matters of Luxury, as in other states, but from such things as be of necessity, as Flesh, Wood, Salt, etc. It is supposed at this day, that there be in the Kingdom thirty thousand men, who are under-officers, and make a good part of their living by gathering of the King's tribute: This is much increased no doubt in these latter times: but yet of old it was in so great measure, which caused that speech of Maximilian the Emperor, as johannes Eventinus witnesseth, De Bello Turcico, who said, that the Emperor of Germany was Rex Regum, meaning that his Princes were so great men.  
The King of Spain was Rex Hominum, because his People would obey their Prince in any reasonable moderation.  
The King of England was Rex diabolorum, because the subjects had there divers times deprived their Kings of their Crowns and Dignity. But the King of France was R●…x asinorum, in as much as his people did bear very heavy B●…thens of Taxes and Impositions. In this Kingdom of France is one great Misery 
In France the Offices of Justice bought and sold.  to the Subjects, that the places and Officers of Justice are ordinarily bought and sold, the beginning whereof was this: Lewis the twelfth, who was called a Father of the Country began to pay the debts of his Predecessor, Charles the seventh, (which were very great) and intending to recover unto France the Dukedom of Milan, and minding not to burden his people further than was need, thought it a good course to set at sale all the Offices of the Crown; but with the places of Justice he did not meddle. But his successors after him took occasion also to make great profit of them, witness the Author contra Machiavelli. 
The Custom of France for mustering and pressing Soldiers.  l. 1. c. 1. By the customs of that Country, the King of France hath not that absolute power to muster and press out Soldiers as in England, and some other places of Christendom the Princes have: But the manner is, when the King will set forward any Military Service, he sendeth abroad his Edicts, or causeth in Cities and good Towns, the Drum to be strucken up, and whosoever will voluntarily follow, he is enroled. Notwithstanding he wanted few Soldiers, because the Noble and Gentlemen of France do hold it their duty, and highest honour, both to attend the King unto the wars, and to bear their own charges yearly for many months. The person of the King of France hath in former times been reputed so sacred, that Guicciardine saith of them, that their people have regarded them in that respect of devotion, as if they had been demigods. And Machiavelli in his Questions upon Livy, saith, that they doted so much upon their Kings, that they thought every thing did become them which they did, and that nothing could be more disgraceful, than to give any intimation, that such or such a thing was not well done by their King. But this opinion is much now decayed, the Princes of the blood are in the next rank under the King himself.  
There be many and very rich goodly Cities in France, but the chiefest of all is Paris, called Lutetia, 
Paris the chief City France.  quasi Luto sita, as some have merrily spoken: which place is especially honoured, first by the presence of the King, most commonly keeping Court and Residence there. Secondly, by the great store of goodly houses, whereof part belong to Noblemen, and part are houses of Religion. Thirdly, by the University which is incomparably the greatest, most ancient, and best filled of al●… France. Fourthly, in that it is the chief Parliament City of that Kingdom, without the Ratification of which Parliament at Paris, Edicts and Proclamations coming from the King are not held authentical. Fifthly, by the great Traffic of all kind of Merchandise which is used in that place.  
The Parliament Cities in France, are places where their Terms are kept, and in several Provinces are seven, unto which the causes of inferior Courts within their distinct Provinces. may be brought by appeal; but the Parliament of Paris hath that Prerogative, that appeals from all Courts of the Kingdom do lie there. That which we call our Parliament in England, is amongst them termed Conventus Ordinum, or the States.  
France in ancient time▪ (as Caesar reporteth in the first of his Commentaries) 
The Kingdom of France divided into three parts.  was divided into three parts; Aquitania, which was towards the West; Celtica towards the North and West; and Belgica which is towards the North. Belgium is sometime called Gallia inferior, and sometime Germania inforior, but we commonly call it the Low-Countries: the Government whereof at this day, is not at all under France, but Gallia Celtica, and Aquitania, are under the French King.  
The ancient Inhabitants of this 
Gauls, the ancient inhabitants of France.  Country, were the Gauls, who possessed not only all that we now call France, being the greatest part of that the Romans called Gallia Transalpina, but also a good part of Italy, which they call Gallia Cisalpina, a people whose beginnings are unknown: this of them is certain, that they were a Nation of valour●… for they not only sacked Rome, bu●… also carried their conquering arme●… into Greece, where they sat down●… and were called by the Name o●… Gallogrecians, or Galathians.  
Some report also, that they en●… tread into Spain, and subdued an●… inhabited that part which was cal●… led Lusitania, now Portugallia; bu●… howsoever their former victori●… and greatness, they were by Iuli●… Caesar subdued, and made a Provin●… of the people of Rome, and so co●… tinued under the Roman Empi●… till about four hundred years' after Christ, when in the ruin an dismembering of the Roman Empir●… the French invaded Gaul, and er●… cted a Monarchy, which hath co●… tinued to this day in the successio●… of sixty four Kings, of three sev●… ral races; that is to say, the Mer●… vingians, Carolovingians, and Cap●… vingians, about twelve hundre years, and now flourisheth unde●… Lewis the 13. the now reigning K●… of France.  
Although the French have done many things worthily out of their own Country, in the East against the Saracens, although they have ●…or a while held Sicily, the Kingdom of Naples, and the Duchy of Milan, yet it hath been observed of them, that they could never make good their footing beyond the Alps, or in other for reign Regions; Howbeit in itself, France is one of the strongest Kingdoms in all Europe at this day.  
That which we commonly call the Low-Countries, containeth seventeen several Provinces, whereof the most part have several titles and Governors, as the Dukedom of Brabant, the Earldom of Flanders, etc. Of which the inheritance at several times, did fall on Daughters, who being married unto the Heir of some of the other Provinces, did in the end bring the whole Country into one entire Government, which was commonly called by the name of the Dukedom of Burgundy; and yet so, that in the uniting of them together, it was by composition agreed, that the several Provinces should retain their several ancient Laws and Liberties, which is the reason yielded, why some of those Provinces in our age, think themselves freed from obedience unto the King of Spain, unto 
Note.  whom by inheritance they did descend, because he hath violated their liberties, to the keeping whereof, a●… the first composition, he was bound. When this whole Country did be▪ long unto the Crown of France, the▪ Dukedom of Burgundy was bestowed by Philip de Valois, K. of France, unto John de Valois, a younger So●… of his, from whom by descent i●… came at last to Charles the Bold, otherwise Proud Duke of Burgundy, who left one only Daughter, and she was married to Maximilian the Emperor, of the house of Austria, from, whom the inheritance descended unto Charles the fifth, Emperor, who yielding it over to his Son Philip the second, did charge him to entreat that people well; which he forgetting to do, under pretence of rooting out the profession of Religion did entangle himself, and all that Country with a very long, bloody, and wearisome war.  
There is no part of Europe, which 
The riches of the states in General.  for the quantity of the ground doth yield so much riches and commodities, as the Low-Countries do, besides their infinite store of shipping, wherein they exceed any Prince of Christendom. They were in time passed accounted a very heavy dull people; and unfit for the Wars, but their continual combating with the Spaniards, hath made them now very ingenious, full of action, and managers of great causes appertaining to fights, either by sea or land. The 17 Provinces are these; Brabant, Gelderland, 
The names of the 17 Provinces.  Artois, Valencois, Luxenburg Flanders, Henault, Lile, Namurce, Holland, Zealand, Tornabun, Tornacetium, Mechlin, Utrecht, and the East and West Freezeland.  
France hath many petty Governments that do border upon it; as the Dukedom of Savoy, the State of the Swissers, the Dukedom of Lorraine, the Burgundians, or Walloons, against all which, the King is forced to keep his frontier Towns.  
There is nothing more famous in this Kingdom than the Salic law, whereby it is provided, that no woman, nor the heir of her (as in her right) shall enjoy the Crown of France, but it goeth always to the Heir Male.  
The Author of the Commentaries against Machiavelli, reputeth it a great blessing of GOD, that they have the Salic Law in France, and that not so much (saith he) because Woman by the infirmity of their Sex, are unfit to govern, for therein many men, who have enjoyed Kingdoms, have been, and are very defective: but because by that means the Crown of France is never endangered by Marriage of a foreigner, to come under the subjection of a stranger. And this is the opinion of Philip de Comines, in the 8 Book of his Commentaries, This Law is very ancient among them, so that it cannot certainly be defined when it was Enacted, but 
By this Law Ed. the 3▪ K of England, was put by the Crown France.  by virtue thereof, Edward the 3. King of England, and his Heirs, were cut off from inheriting the Crown of France, whereunto by marriage of a Daughter, he was Heir in general. And by reason of this Law, Henry the fourth, late King of France, rather enjoyed that Dominion, than the Son of the Duke of Lorraigne, who-was nearer of blood by descending from the Elder Daughter of King Henry the second.  
The Swissers are a People called 
The Swissers Government.  in old time, Helvetii, who have no Noblemen, or Gentlemen among them, but only the Citizens of their Towns, the yearly Officers whereof, and their Council, do govern their State. 
23 Cities or Cantons in Switzerland.   
There are in Switzerland 23 Cities or Towns, which they call their Cantons; although some rather think that name properly doth signify the Rulers of those Towns, and of them some do retain to this day the Romish Religion, but some others have embraced the Gospel. The Country where they live, is not very fertile, and being far from any Seas, they have no vent for their people, but by sending them forth as hired soldiers, which for their pay do fight oftentimes in Italy and France, and sometimes in Germany. Near unto one part of them, standeth Geneva, which is challenged by 
Geneva:  the Duke of Savoy, to have heretofore belonged to his Dominion; but they pretend themselves to be a free City; and by the help of Protestant Princes, but especially by some of the Helvetians, do so maintain 
A rare and excellent Law.  it. In this place there is a rare Law, that if any Malefactor who hath fled out of his own Country, be convinced of any grievous crime he suffereth there, as if he were in his own Country: Which they are forced to do, because their Cities would be full of all sorts of Runagates, in as much as they stand on the confines of divers Princes and States.   

Of Germany.  
THE next Country unto France, on the East side, is Germany, which is bounded 
Germany how bounded.  on the West with France, and the Low-Countries; on the North with Denmark, and the Danish Seas, on the East with Prussia, Polonia, and Hungary; on the Southeast, with Istria and Illyricum; on the South with the Alpe-hils, and with Italy.  
The Governor General of this Country, is called the Emperor of 
The Emperor Governor of Germany. Who be the seven Electors.  Germany, who is chosen by three spiritual Princes; the Archbishop of Collen, called Coloniensis, the Archbishop of Ments, called Moguxtinus, and the Archbishop of Trevers, called Treverensis; and three temporal Princes, the Duke of Saxony, the marquis of Brandenburg, and the Count Palatine of Rhine; which if they cannot agree, as to make a major part in their election, than the King of Bohemia hath also a voice, whereof it cometh to be said, that there be seven Prince's Electors of the Empire. 
His manner of Election.   
The manner of the choice of the Emperor, was established by a Decree, which is commonly called Bulla Aurea, which was made by Charles the 4 Emperor of Germany, and King of Bohemia, wherein he doth set down all the circumstances of the Election of the Emperor, and appointeth the King of Bohemia to be Sacri Imperii Archipincerna, which is the Cupbearer.  
The 3 Bishops of Colen, Ments, and Trevers, to be the Arch-Chancellours, of the three several parts of the Empire; the Count Palatine of the Rhine, to be Sacri Imperii, Archidapifer, which should have the setting on of the first dish, the Duke of Saxony to be Sacri Imperii Archimariscallus, whose office is to bear the sword, and the marquis of Brandenburg to be Sacri Imperii Archi-Camerarius, or great Chamberlain; all which Offices they supply on the day of the Emperor's Coronation.  
It appears by all the Roman 
The Empire went sometimes by succession and sometimes by election.  Stories, that in times past, the Empire went sometimes by succession, as unto the Sons of Constantine and Theodosius, sometimes by Election, and that either of the Senate, or of the Soldiers, who oftentimes also in mutiny did elect men unworthy, yet such as fitted their purpose: But now of late, the Electors do choose some Prince of Christendom, who hath otherwise a Dominion of his own, which may help to back out the Empire, and therein of late hath appeared the great cunning of that which we call the house of Austria▪ whose greatest title within this 300 years, was to be a mean Count of a mean place, namely the County of Haspurg. But since that time, they have so planted and strengthened themselves, that there have been 7 or 8 Emperors lately of that family; but the Empire is not tied unto them, as may appear by the possibility, which the Duke of Saxony, and Francis the great King of France, had to ascend to that Dignity.  
When Charles the fifth was chosen Emperor, one of the means whereby the possession hath been continued to that house hath been the electing of some one to be Rex Romanorum, whilst another of his Family was Emperor, which Charles the fifth effected in his life time for his Brother Ferdinandus, 
Ferdin Em●…eror.  who after succeeded him; and that hath been the attempt of Albertus' late Cardinal, and now Archduke of Austria, that he might be established in the hope of the Empire, during the life of his brother 〈◊〉 the Second, now Emperor and King of Bohemia: Rex Romanorum is he, who is f●…rre already invested in title to the Empire, so that upon the death, resignation, or deposition of the then being Emperor, he is immediately to succeed.  
He who is, now Emperor of Germany, is called Caesar, or Romani Imperii 
Caesar, or Romani Imperii Imperator.  Imperator, but very improperly, in as much as the case is far different from that which was when the Roman Empire did flourish; for then the Territories thereof were very great, all under the Regiment of one man, unless it pleased him to associate to himself some other. But 
The Empire divided by Theodosius.  Theodosius did divide the Empire into two sovereignties, which were called the East and West Empires, & made Constantinople to be the chief seat of Arcadius, one of his sons, and Rome to be the principal City, of Honorius, the other; which Western Empire continued in his glory but a while; for the Goths and Lombard's, and other barbarous People, did both overrun it, and as good as extinguish it; in the which case it continued to the days of Charles the Great, who revived it again: but although there was some show of Dominion, belonging unto him in Italy, yet his principal residence was in France, and his successors after him, removed 
A great policy in the Bishops of Rome.  it into Germany; so that properly he is now to be called Imperator Germanorum. It was a great policy of the Bishops of Rome, that the Emperor was wrought to leave Italy, and keep himself in Germany; for the Popes did not like to have a strong Neighbour so near, who might at his pleasure chastise or depose them, if he saw good.  
And the eunning of those Popes was such also, that they weakened the state of the Emperor exceeding much in Germany, by giving great exemptions to the Princes thereof, insomuch, that Munster rightly 
Munster's complaint.  complaineth. The Emperor beareth the Spread Eagle with two heads, noting the East and West Empire; but (saith he) one of the heads is quite pulled off; and so be almost all the feathers, and in the other head, although life remaineth, yet there is little spirit or vigour.  
Surius in his Commentaries of the year 1530. reporteth, that to the Emperor of Germany belongeth three Crowns: The one of Silver, which intendeth the Kingdom of Germany: The second of Iron, which is for the Kingdom of Lombardy: And the third of Gold, which is for the Sacred Roman Empire.  
In Germany all are at a kind of 
Most of the Princes of Germany, take onthem as absolute Governors  commandment of the Emperor: but most of the Princes otherwise take on them as absolute Governors in their Dominions: so that they have liberty of Religion; they do make Laws, they do raise soldiers, they do stamp money with their own pictures, as absolute Princes? so doth the Duke of Saxony, the Archbishop of Colen, and the rest.  
The Princes of Germany came to that great strength of theirs, by means of a base and inferior man, who aspiring to the Empire (whereof 
How they came by a great strength.  he was unworthy) was content to release unto the Princes, almost all kind of their service and duty; so that their subjection since that time, is little more than titulary, yielding only very small maintenance to the Empire, either in tribute, soldiers, or otherwise: and albeit sometimes they refuse not to come by themselves, or their Agents to the Diets, and Parliaments, holden by the Emperor, yet that is as much for the safeguard of themselves from the invasion of the Turk, who is not far from them, as for any other respect; and the pay which they allow in such cases, is rather held by them to be a contribution, than any imposition to be admitted by duty: & yet there is extant a book where the particulars are mentioned, how the Princes and free Cities are bound to maintain upon their own charge, three thousand eight hundred forty two horses, and sixteen thousand two hundred foot, for the service of the Emperor, when he shall see cause; but how small a trifle is that, in respect of the strength of so huge a Country?  
The Princes themselves are so 
The strength of the Princes of Germany.  strong many of them, that they dare encounter with any who oppugn them, insomuch, that whereas Charles the fifth, was doubtless the greatest Emperor that had been from the days of Charles the Great, yet the Duke of Saxony, and the Lantsgrave of Hassia, with some few Cities which were confederate with them, did dare to oppose themselves against the said Charles: and entering the field with him did oftentimes put him to great inconveniences: yea, it is supposed by some, that howsoever he had a hand upon these two, yet his inability to match the ruffling of some of those Princes, was not the least cause, why he resigned the Empire to his brother Ferdinando. 
The titles of their Nobility.   
The manner of Germany is, that the Title of Nobility which is in the Father, commonly is imparted to all the Sons: so that every Son of a Duke of Saxony, is called Duke of Saxony; and every Child of the Count of Mansfield, is honoured by the name of Count or Countes●…e of Mansfield: but in the eldest House the chief Livelihood doth remain, for keeping upright the dignity of the Family. 
Free States and Cities▪   
There are also Free States and Cities, which have the same Authority, as Argentine, Frankford, and others.  
This is to be noted of the Germans; 
A Note worthy of observation.  that they may boast this above other more Westernly Nations of Europe, that they are an unmixed Nation: for whereas the Lombard's and Goths at several times, have set down in Italy, and mixed themselves with the people thereof, the Goths, Vandals, and Saracens in Spain, the Francs in Gaul or France, and the normans also; the Saxons, Angles, Danes and normans, in Great Britain; they have been free from such inundation and mixture; yea, many of the people that have afflicted and inhabited these other Nations, have come from thence, so that therein Germany hath an advantage of these other Nations that have been subject hereunto.   

Of Italy.  
ON the South side of the 
Situation of Italy.  Alps and Germany, lieth Italy, stretching itself out at length toward the South and East. It hath on the South side, the Island of Sicilia; on the East that part of the Mediterranean which is called Mare Adriaticum, or Mare superum, which severeth Italy from Grecia: on the West side that part of the Mediterranean, which is called Mare Tyrrhenum, or Mare Inferum; and the upper or more Northern part of it near Liguria, Mare Ligusticum.  
This Country for the figure thereof, is by some likened unto a long leaf of a tree. It hath in the middle of it, which goeth all in length a mighty mountain, named Mons Apen●…inus, which is likened unto the Spina, or Ridge-bone of the back. Out of this Hill spring divers Rivers, which run on both sides of it, into the Adriaticke, and Tyrrhene, or Tuscan Seas.  
As in other Countries, so in Italy in times past, there were divers several people, and several Provinces, like our Shires in England, and so there be at this day: but the main 
Italy divided into four parts.  division of Italy, is properly into four parts, as in our age we do account it. The first Lombardy, which lieth to the North. The second Tuscan, which boundeth toward the Mediterranean Sea, which way Corsica the Island lieth. The third is the Land of the Church, which is the Territory of the Bishop of Rome, and containeth in it that which is called Romania. The fourth is Naples, and in this division, now is all Italy comprehended.  
The North part of this Italy, is that, which in ancient time was called Gallia Togata, or Gallia Cisalpina, inhabited then by French men. It is now called Longobardia, or Lombardia, wherein stand many rich Governments, as the Dukedom of Milan, of Mantua, of Florence, & others. It is for the pleasantness thereof, in respect of the soil, air▪ waters, and great variety of wines, and fruits, likened now by some to 
Lombardy the Garden of God.  Paradise, or the Garden of God.  
In this Italy, which was heretofore one entire Government, in the flourishing estate of the Romans, are now many absolute States and Princedoms, by the great policy o●… the Bishop of Rome, who thought 
The policy of the Bishop of Rome.  it the best way to make himself great, to weaken the Empire. So he hath not only driven the Emperor out of all Italy into Germany▪ but ●…ath diminished his Majesty in both by making so many petty Governments, which hold themselves sovereign Rulers, without relation to any other.  
As there are many States in Italy, 
The States of Venice.  so one of the chiefest are the Venetians, called Resp Venetorum, or the State of Venice, because they are not governed by any one, but by their Senate and Gentlemen, although whey have a Duke, with those stamp their money is coined, and in whose name all their executions of Justice are done. But this Duke is every way limited by the State.  
This City of Venice which joineth to a corner of Lombardy, standeth in Estuarium, or shallow of Earth, in the North part of the Adriaticke Sea, so safely, that it is held invincible. There is in it but one street of firm Land; into the other, the Sea doth flow at every tide. They have been a great and rich State, not only possessing much in Italy, as Padu●… their University, and other things which still they do, but a great part of Illyricum, and many rich Lands in the Mediterranean, as Candy called commonly Creta, Cyprus, Zazinthus, and others.  
But Cyprus was taken from them a little before that fight at sea, wherein Don John of Austria, together with the Venetians, had so renowned a victory against the Turk, at the fight near Lepanto.  
The impoverishing of their State, 
The Venetians impoverished.  hath partly been by the encroaching of the Turk, but especially by the decaying of that Traffic which they had to Alexandria in Egypt for their spices, and other riches of Persia, Arabia, and the East Indies since the course of the Portugals to those Eastern Countries hath been by Sea, by the backside of Africa.  
These Venetians, which in times past were great Warriors, do now altogether decline enmity or hostility with all other Princes adjoining, and therefore by all means do take up quarrels, and cease controversies, by wisdom and patience, temporizing with the Turk, the King of Spain, and the Emperor, who are most like to offend them.  
The manner of their Government 
The ex ●…llency of their Government.  and the excellent course which they have in choosing their Duke is written by Contarenus, and some others of their Countrymen. When they do make any wars, they seldom send forth any General of their own but entertain some Prince of Italy, who is renowned for the wars.  
In Lombardy standeth also the Dukedom of Milan, a most rich and pleasant thing, which sometime had been governed by a Duke of their own, but of late hath been possessed by the Spaniard & sometime by the French, and is now in the Government & possession of the K. of Spain. 
Tuscany. Florence.   
In Tuscany the Chief City, and Commander of all the rest, is Florence, where is supposed to be the best Language of Italy, called the vulgar Italian, and the most circumspect policy of all the Governments of Christendom, which hath much been increased since the time of Machiavelli, who was Secretary or Recorder to that State. This was in times past ●… free City, but of late by the policy of the Family of the Medici's, it is brought under the subjection of a Duke, which raig●…eth as an absolute Prince, and by little and little, hath so encroached on his own Citizens and Neighbours round about him, that he hath gotten to be called (and that not unworthily) Magnus Dux Hetruriae, or the great 
The great Duke of Tuscany.  Duke of Tuscany. A great part of the rising of the Family of the Medici's, which are now Dukes of Florence, may be ascribed to the cunning carriage of themselves; but it hath been much advanced forward by their felicity, in having two Popes together of that house, which were Leo the Tenth, and Clement the Seventh, who by all means laboured to establish the Governments of their Country, upon their Kindred▪ and it made not the least access thereunto, that affinity was contracted by them with the Kings of France, when K●…erine de Medic●…s Niece to Pope Clement the Seventh, was married to the younger Son foe Francis the first, whose Elder brother dying, that younger came to be King of France, by the name of Henry the 2d. for as in the time of her husband she laid the foundation of her aspiring, so after the death of the said husband, when she bore the name of the Queen Mother. This Queen Mother swayed all at her pleasure in France, during the successive reign of her three Sons, Francis the second, Charles the ninth, and Henry the third: in all which time no doubt, she promoted Florence, and the Florentines to her uttermost.  
A good part of Italy is under the 
A great part of Italy under the Bishop of Rome.  Bishop of Rome, which is commonly called, The land of the Church: where the Pope is a Prince absolute, not only Spiritual as elsewhere he claimeth, but also Temporal, making Laws requiring Tribute, raising Soldiers, and executing Justice as a Monarch.  
The Bishops of Rome do pretend, that Constantine the Great, did bestow upon them the City of Rome, together with divers other Cities and Towns, near adjoining and the Demeans of them all to be as the Patrimony of Saint Peter, as many times they do term it. But Laurentius, Valla, in his set Treatise of this Argument, hath displayed the falsehood of that pretence; and i●… truth, the Greatness of the Pope's 
The manner of the rising of the Pope's greatness.  hath risen first by Phocas, who killing his Master the Emperor of Rome, and being favoured by the Bishop of that Sea, and so aspiring himself to the Empire, did in recompense thereof, suffer the Bishop of Rome to be preclaimed Universal Bishop, and of likelihood gave unto him somewhat to maintain his Estate. And afterward King P●…pin o●… France, and Charles the Great his Son, getting (by means of the s●…d Bishop) the Kingdom of France, and the one of them to the Empire, did bestow good possessions upon the Papacy; and since that time the Popes have had so much wit, as by destruction of the Princes of Italy, by encroaching on the favour of others, the great Monarches of Europe and by their waries and other devices, to keep and increase that Land of the Church. which in our time is well enlarged by the policy of Clement the 8. late Pope▪ who hath procured that the Dukedom of Ferrara, is, or shall be shortly added to his Dominion.  
The chief residence of the Bishop of Rome, is Rome itself, which was first founded by R●…mulus, and afterward; so increased by others who succeeded him, that it was built upon▪ 7. hills, and hath had only reigning in it 7. Kings, and hath been ruled by 7. several sorts of Chief government: that is, Kings, Consuls, Dec●…m-viri, Tribunes of the People, Dictator's, Emperors and Popes.  
They first encroached on the neighbours about them in Italy, afterward; on all Italy, Sicily, & some of the ●…ands, till at length it proved to be the Lady and chief Mistress of the world: whose incredible wealth and greatness in men, treasure, shipping and armour, was so huge, that it did eve●… sink under the weight of itself. Whereupon after divers civil wars, as between Marius and Sylla, Pompey and Caesar, with o●…hers, it was at length revoked unto one absolute and Imperial Government. The Majesty whereof notwithstanding, was afterward somewhat impaired by the building of Constantinople, which was erected, or rather enlarged by Constantine the Great, and called Nova R●…ma. But when the division was made of the East and West Empire, it received a greater blow, yet the main overthrow of it was, when the Gothi and Vandals entered Italy, sacked it, and possessed it at their own pleasure; so that it was (for a time) almost quite forsaken and had no inhabitants, till the Bishops of Rom●… did make means to gather together some to people it again: and since those times, a good part of the old building upon the Hills, hath bee●… quite decayed and rui●…ated, and th●…t, Rome, which now may be called (in comparison of the old) new Rome is built on a lower ground, where the place was, which in times past was termed Campus Martius, very near unto Tiber the River, which too well appeareth by the sudden inundation of that Tiber; destroying and spoiling, Men, cattle and Houses, as very lately to their great loss was experimented.  
The Bishops of Rome, as sometimes for their pleasure or profit, they do withdraw themselves unto 〈◊〉, or some other Towns of Italy: so the time was when they removed their Court unto Avignon a City in France, standing near the Mediterranean sea, and not far from Mersiles in Province, where continuing for the space of seventy years, they so afflicted the City of Rome, for l●…cke of resort (which is very great when the Pope is there) that the Italians to this day, do remember that time by the name of the Captivity of Babylon, which continued (as appeareth by the Scripture) for seventy years. Who so looketh on the description laid down by the Holy Ghost in the Revelation, shall see that the Whore of Babylon there mentioned; can be understood of no place but the City of Rome.  
In the South part of Italy, lieth the Kingdom of Naples, which is a Country very rich, and full of all kind of pleasure, abundant in Nobility; whereof cometh to be said that Proverb▪ Naples for 〈◊〉, Rome for Religion, Milan for beauty, Florence for Policy, and Venice for Riches.  
This was heretofore ruled by a King of their own, till the time of Joan Queen of Naples, who by deed of gift, did first grant that Kingdom to the Kings of Arragon in Spain; and afterwards by will, with a Revocation of the former Grant, did bequeath it to the house of Anj●…u in France. Since which time the Kingdom of Naples hath sometimes been in the hands of the Spaniard, sometimes possessed by the French, and is now under the King of Spain: unto this is annexed also the Dakedome of Calabria.  
This Kingdom of Naples lieth so near to some part of Graecia, which is now in possession of the Turk, that i●… may justly be feared, lest at some time or other the said Turk, should make an invasion thereinto, as indeed he hath offered divers times, ●…nd sometimes hath landed men to the great terror of all Italy; but for the preventing of that mischief, the King of Spain is enforced to keep a good Fleet of Galleys continually at Otranto, where is the nearest passage f●…om Italy into Greece. This part of Italy was it, which in times past was named Magna Graecia, but in ●…ter ages it hath been unproperly called one of the Sicily's, which was reproved long since by Aeneus Silvius in his twelfth Epistle; and yet till of late time, the Kings of Spain have been termed Kings of bo●…h ●…he Sicili●…s▪  
There be moreover in Italy many other Princedoms and States, 〈◊〉 the Dukedom of Ferrara, the Dukedom of Mantua, the Dukedom of Urbine, the Dukedom of Parma and Placentia, the State of Luca, the State of Genua, commonly called the Genoese, which are 〈◊〉 by their Senate, but have a D●…ke, as they have at Venice. There be also s●…me others, by which means the gl●…ry and strength of Italy is decayed.   

Of Denmark, Sweden, and Norway.  
AS Italy lie●…h on the S●…uel 
Denmark's 〈◊〉.  side of Germany, so Denmark lieth on the North, i●…to the middle of which Land, the sea breake●…h in by a place called the Sound. The Impost of which pass●…ge 〈◊〉 g●…eat riches, as an ordinary Tribu●…e unto the Ki●…g of Denmark. This is a Kingdom, and ruled by an absolute Gove●…nour.  
O●… the North and East side of Denmark, lieth Suezia, commonly ca●…led Sw●…den or Swethe●…; which 
〈◊〉.  is also a Kingdom of itself: Where the King professeth himself to be Rex Suecorum, Gothorum & Vandalorum: whereby we may know that the G●…thes and Vandals, which in times past did waste Italy, and other Nations of Christendom, did come out of this Country.  
This whole Country which containeth in it, 〈◊〉 Su●…zia, and some part of Denmark is Peninsula, being very much compassed about with the Sea: and this is it, which in Ol●…s Magnus, & Joannes Magnus, is termed Archiepisco●… us Upsalensis; as also in some of the 〈◊〉 ancient Writers, is called S●…ādinavia: on the North a●…d We●…t side of Sweden, lieth Nor●…egia, or Norway, which is at this day under the Governme●…t of the King of Denmark, al●…hough heretofore it hath been a ●…ee Kingd●…me of itself.  
Beyond Norway toward Russia on the Northern sea, lieth ●…via, beyond that Biarmia, than Happia or Hapland, a poor and cold Countre●…, near Sin●…s B●…ddicus: whereof there is little to be spoken but that it is said to be subject to the great Kn●…z, or Duke of Moscovie. But of these afterwards.  
Within the Sound, on the East part of the Sea, lieth Dantzicke, about which are the Towns of the Haustmen, Confederates and Allies unto the King of Denmark.  
These are very rich Towns by reason of Merchandise, which down the Rivers they rece●…ve out of Polonia, and transport into other parts of Christe●…dome, through the Sound of the King of Denmark. They li●…e ●… f●…ee pe●…ple keeping amity and 〈◊〉 with the Kings of Sweden and Denmark, and with the Empe●…our of Germany: but within these late years, Stephen Bacour, the King of Polon, doth challenge them to be members of his Crown and Dignity, and by war●…e forc●…d them to cap●…tulate ●…ith him.  
There is no great thing to be noted in these Countries, but that from Denmark cometh much corn, to the supply of other parts of Christendom; and that from all these Countries, 〈◊〉 brought great furniture for war, or for shipping, as Masts, C●…bles, Steele, 
Riches of Denmark.  Saddles, Arm●…ur, Gunpowder, & the l●…ke: And that in the seas adjoining to these parts, there are fishes of much more monstrous shape than el●…e-where are to be found. The people of those Countries are by their 
Their Religion.  ●…rofession Lutherans for Religion.   

Of Russia, or Moscovia.  
ON the East side of Sweden, 
Russia s●…tuate.  beginne●…h the Dominion of the Em●…eror or R●…ssia, although Russia or Moscovia itself, do lie somewhat more into the East, which is a great and mighty Monarchy, extending itself even from Lapland, and Finmarke, m●…ny thousand miles in length, unto the Caspian sea: so that it containeth in it a great part of Europe, and much of Asia also.  
The Governor there, calleth 
Emperor of Russia.  himself Emperor of Russia, Great Duke ●…f M●…scovia, with many other Titles of Princedoms and Cities, whose Dominion was very mu●…h enlarged by the Emperor not long since dead, whom in Russia they ●…ll Ivan Vasiliwich, in the Latin, johannes Basilides, who reigning long, and being fortunate in war, did ve●…y much enlarge this mighty Dominion.  
This man, ●…s in his younger 〈◊〉 he was ve●…y fortunate, and added very much unto the Glory of his Ancestors, winning something from the Tartars, and something from the Christi●…ns in Livonia, and Litua●…ia, and o●…her confines of his Country: so in his latter age growing more unweld●…, and less beloved of his Subjects, he proved as unfo●…tunate, whereby it came to pass, that Stephen Bacour, King of 〈◊〉, had ●…very great hand of him, winning from him▪ large Provinces, which he before had conquered. Greg●…ry the thirteenth Bishop of Rome, thinking by his in●…reaty for peace, between those two Princes, to have won the whole Russian Monarchy, to the subjection and acknowledgement of the Papacy, sent Rober●…us 
Possevin. a jesuit sent by the Pope to the Emperor.  Possevi●…us, a Jesui●…e (but yet a great Statesman) as his Agent to take up Controve●…sies▪ between the Moscovit●…, and the King of Polone, who prevailed so far, as that ●…e d●…ew them to torlerable conditions, for both parties; but when he began to exhort him to the accepting o●… the Romish Faith, the 〈◊〉 being therefore informed by the English Ambassadors (who he very much favoured, for his Lady, and Mistress, Queen Elizabeth's sake) that the Bishop of Rome was ●… proud Pr●…late, and would exercise his pretended authority so far, as to make Kings▪ and Princes hold his stirrup, yea to kiss his very feet; he utterly and with much scorn rejected all obedience to him. Whereunto, when Possevinus did reply, 
A fine excuse for the Pope's pride  that the Princes of Europe indeed in acknowledgement of their sub●…ection to ●…im, as the Vi●…ar of Christ, & successor of S. Peter, did offer him that service, as to kiss his feet, but that the Pope remembering himself to be ●… mortal man, did not take that honour as due unto himself b●… did use to have on his Part●…phie the Caucifix, or Picture of Christ, hanging upon the Cross, and that in truth he would have the Reverence don●… thereunto; the Emperor 
●…he Emperor's rage 〈◊〉 the P●…pe.  did grow into an exceeding r●…ge, reputing h●…s pride to be so much th●… greater, when he would put th●… Cruci●…ix upon his shoe; in as much as the Russians do hold, that so h●…ly a thing as that is highly profaned, if any resemblance of it be worn above th●… girdle.  
Possevinus in a Treatise written of his Embassage into that Country where he discourseth this whole matter, confesseth that he was much 
Possevinus fear of the Emperor.  afraid, lest the Emperor would have strucken him, and beaten out his brains with a shrewd staff which then he had in his hands, and did ordinarily carry with him: & he had the more reason so to fe●…r, because that Prince was such a Tyrant, that he had not only ●…laire, and with cruel torture put to death very many of his subjects, and Nobility before, showing himself more brutishly cruel to them, than ever Nero and Caligulu were among the Romans; but he had with his own hands, and with the same staff, upon a small occasion of anger, ki●…led his eldest Son, who should have succeeded him in his whole Empire.  
The people of this Country are rude and unlearned, so that there i●… very little or no knowledge amongst them of any liberal or ingenious Art: yea, their very Priests & Monks (whereof they have many) are almost unlettered▪ so that they can hardly do any thing more than read their ordinary Service: And the rest of the People are, by reason of their ignorant Education, dull and uncapable of any high understanding; but very superstitious, having many Ceremonies, and Idolatrous Solemnities; as the consecrating of their rivers by their Patriarch at one time of the year, when they think themselves much sanctified by the receiving of those hallowed waters; yea, and they bathe their horses and cattle in them; and also the burying of most of their people with a pair of shoes on their feet, as supposing that they have a long journey to go, and a letter in their hand to St. Nicolas, whom they reverence as a special St. and think that he may give them entertainment, for their readier admission into heaven.  
The Moscovites generally have received the Christian Faith; but yet so, that rather they do hold of 
Difference between the Greek and Latin Church.  the Greek and the Eastern, then of the Western Roman Church.  
The doctrines wherein the Greek Church differs from the Latin, are these. First, they hold that the holy Ghost proceeds from the Father alone, and not from the Son. Secondly that the Bishop of Rome is not the universal Bishop. Thirdly, that there is no purgation. Fourthly, their Priests do marry: and fifthly, they do differ in divers of their Ceremonies, as in having 4 Lents in the year, whereof they do call one Lent, their great Lent.  
At the time of the Council of Florence, there was some show made by the Agents of the Greek Church, that they would have joined in opinion with the Latins: but when they returned home, their Countrymen would in no sort assent thereunto.  
In the Northern parts of the Dominion of the Emperor of Russia, which have lately been joined unto his Territories, as specially Lapland, 
The people of Lapland very heathenish.  Biarmia, and thereabouts, they are people so rude and heathenish, that (as Olaus Magnus writeth of them) look whatsoever living thing they do see in the morning at their going out of their doors, yea, if it be a bird, or a worm▪ or some such other creeping thing, they do yield a Divine W●…ship, and Reverence thereunto for all that day, as if it were some inferior God. Damianus à Goes h●…th written a pretty Treatise, describing the manner of those Lappians: The greatest part of the Country of Russia, is in the winter so exceeding cold, that both ●…he Rivers are frozen over, the land covered with snow, and such is the sharpness of the air, that if any go abroad bare-faced it causeth their flesh in a short time to rot, which befalleth to the fingers and toes of divers of them: therefore for a great part of winter, they live in stoves and hothouses, and if they be occasioned to go abroad, they use many furs, whereof there is great plenty in that Country, as also wood to make fire; but yet in the summer time, the face of the soil and the air is very strangely altered, insomuch, that the Country seemeth hot, the birds sing very merrily, and the trees, grass and co●…n, in a short sp●…ce do appear so cheerfully green, and pleasant, that it is scant to be believed, but of them which have seen it.  
Their building is most of wood, even in the chief City of Moscow, insomuch, that the Tartars (who lie in the North-east of them) breaking oft into their Countries, even unto the very Moscow, do set fire on their Cities, which by reason of their wooden buildings, are quickly destroyed.  
The manner of government which of late years hath been used in Russia is very barbarous, and little less than tyrannous: for the Emperor that last was, did suffer his people to be kept in great servility, and permitted the Rulers and chief Officers at their pleasures, to pill and ransack the common sort; but to no other end, but that himself might take occasion when he thought good to call them in question for their misdemeanour, and so fill his own coffers with fleecing of them: which was the same course the old Roman Empire did use, calling the Deputies of the Provinces, by the name of Sponges, whose property is to suck up water, but when it is full, than itself is crushed, and yi ldeth forth liquor for the behalf of another.  
The passage by Sea into this country, 
The passage by sea into this Country.  which was wont to be through the Sound, and so afterward by land, was first discovered by the English: who with great danger of the frozen Seas, did first adventure to sail so far North, as to compass Lapland, Finmark Scricfinia & Biarmia, and so passing to the East by Nova Zembla, half the way almost to Cathaio, have entered the River called Ob, by which they disperse themselves for Merchandise both by water and land, into the most parts of the dominion of the Emperor of Russia.  
The first attempt which was made 
The first attempt.  by the English, for the entrance of Moscovia, by the North seas, was in the days of King Edw. the sixth, at which time the Merchants of London procuring leave of the King, did send forth Sir Hugh Willoby, with shipping and men, who went so far toward the North, that he Coasted the corner of Scricfinia & Biarmia, and so turned toward the East: but the whether proved so extreme, the snowing so great, and the freezing of the water so vehement, that his ship was set fast in the ice; and there he & his people were frozen to death, and the next year some other coming from England, found both the ship, and their bodies in it, and a perfect Remembrance in writing of all things which they had done and does covered; where amongst the rest, mention was made of a land which they had touched, which to this day is known by the name of Sir Hugh 
Sir Hugh Willobies Land.  Willobies Land. The Merchants of London did not desist to pursue this discovery, but have so far prevailed, as that they have reached one half of the way toward the East part of China and Cathaio; but the whole passage is not yet opened.  
This Empire is at this day one of 
This Empire one of the greatest in the world.  the greatest dominions in the world, both for compass of ground, & for multitude of men; saving that it lieth far North, and so yieldeth not pleasure for good Traffic, with many other of the best situated nations.  
Among other things which do argue the magnificence of the Emperor of Russia, this one is recorded by many who have traveled into those parts, that when the great Duke is disposed to sit in his magnificence, besides great store of Jewels, and abundance of massy plate, both of Gold and Silver, which is openly showed in his Hall, there do sit as his Princes, and great Nobles, cloached in very rich and sumptuous attire, divers men, ancient for their years, very seemly of countenance, and grave, with white long beards, which is a goodly show, besides the rich state of the thing. But Olaus Magnus, a man well experienced in those Northern parts, doth say (how truly I cannot tell) that the manner of their sitting is a notable fraud and cunning of the Russian, in as much as they are not men of any worth, but ordinary Citizens of the gravest, and seemliest countenance, which against such a solemnity, are picked out of Moscow, and other places adjoining, and have robes put on them, which are not their own, but taken out of the Emperor's Wardrobe.   

Of Spruce and Poland.  
IN Europe, on the East and 
Prussia hue situated.  North corner of Germany lieth a Country called Prussia, in Latin most time's Borussia, in English, Pruthen, or Spruce, of whom little is famous, saving, that they were governed by one, in a kind of order of Religion, whom they call the Grand-Master: and that they are a means to keep the Moscovite, and the Turk from some other parts of Christened me.  
This Country is now grown to be a Dukedom, and the Duke thereof doth admit traffic with our English, who going beyond the Hance Towns, do touch upon his country; and amongst other things, do bring from thence a kind of leather, which was wont to be used i Jerkins, and called by the name 
Spruce Leather.  of Spruce-Leather-Jerkins.  
On the E●…t side ●… Germany, between Russia and Germany, ●…eth Polonia or Poland, which is a ●…gdome 
P●…lands sci tu●… ion.  diffe●…ing from others 〈◊〉 Europe; because the King there is ●…osen by Election out of some of the Princes near adjoining, as la●…ely Henry the third King of France. These Elections often●…mes do make great factions there, so that in taking parts, they grow often there into Civil war.  
The King of Polonia is almost continually in war, either with the Moscovite, who lieth in the East and North-East of him; or with the Turk, who li●…th on the South and South E●…st, and some●…imes also with the Princes of Germany; whereupon the Poles do commonly desire to chule warriors to their King.  
In this Country are none but 
Their two ves Reti gons.  Christians: but so, that liberty of ●…ll Religion is p●…rmitted, insomuch, ●…hat there be Papists, Coil●…dges of 〈◊〉, bo●…h 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 & 〈◊〉 i●… opinion, 〈◊〉, Are 〈◊〉, and di●…ers others  
But of 〈◊〉 years there 〈◊〉 been 
They hate the jesuits'  〈◊〉 ea nest m●…tions in their Par 〈◊〉, that their Colledges of J●…suites sh●…uld be dissolved, and they ban●…shed our of that K●…ngdome, as of la●…e they were from France. The ●…eason of i is, because that under colour of Religion, they do secretly deal in 〈◊〉 causes, and many times sow sedi ●…ons. and some of them have given cou●…sell to murder Princes: and ●…ever they be, they are the only in telligencers for the Pop●…, besides that, many of the Papi●…s, but especially their Friars and orders of Religion) do hate and envye them: first, for that they take upon them with such pride to be called Jesuits, as if none had to do with Jesus but they, and are more inward with Princes then the rest are. Secondly, because many of them are more learned than common Monks and Friars. And thirdly, because they profess more strictly and severely, than others do, the Capushins only accep●…ed.  
This is that Country, which in 
Th●…ir chief City. Cracovia.  times past was called Sarmatia, the chief City whereof is named Cracovia.   

Of Hungaria and Austria.  
ON the Southeast side of 
Hungary 〈◊〉.  Germany, lieth Hungaria, called in the Latin Pannonia, which hath been heretofore divided into Pannonia superior, & Pannonia inferior: it is an absolute Kingdom, and hath been heretofore rich and populous. The Christians that do live there, have among them divers sorts of Religion, as in Poland.  
This Kingdom hath been a great obstacle against the Turks coming into Christendom; but especially in the time of John Hunniades, who did mightily with many great victories repulse the Tu●…ks. Here standeth Bunda, which was 
Bunda.  heretofore a great Fortress of Christendom: but the glory of this Kingdom is almost utterly decayed, by reason that the Turk who partly by policy, & partly by force, doth now possess the greatest part of it; so that the people are fled from thence, and the Christians which remain there are in miserable servitude: Notwithstanding some part of Pannonia inferior doth ye●… belong to Christendom.  
The Turks for the space of these forty or fifty years' last passed, have kept continual garrisons, and many times great Armies in that place of Hungary, which yet remaineth Christened; yea, and sometimes th●… great Turks themselves have come thither in person with huge Hosts▪ accounting it a matter of their re ligion, not only to destroy as many Christians as they can, but also to win their land, by the revenue●… whereof, they may maintain some Religious house, which they think themselves in custom bound to erect: but so, that the maintaining thereof is by the sword, to be won out of the hands of some of those whom they hold enemie●… to them.  
Hungary is become the only Cockpit of the World, where the Turks do strive to gain, and the Christians at the charge of the Emperor of Germany (who entitleth himself King of Hungary) do labour to repulse them: and few summers do pass, but that something is either won or lost by e●…ther party.  
That corner of Germany which lieth nearest to Hungary or Pannonia 
Austria.  inferior, is called Austria, or Pannonia a superior, wh●…ch is an Archdukedome. From which house (being of late much sprung) come many of the Princ●…s of Germany, and of other parts of Europe: so that the Crown Imperial of Germany, hath lately oft besallen to some one of this house.  
In this Country standeth Vienna, 
Vienna.  that noble City, wh●…ch is now the principle Bulwark of Christendom against the Turk: from whence S●…liman was repelled by Ferdinandus King of Hungary, in the time of the Emperor Charles the fifth. It was in this Country, that Richard the first, King of England, in his return from the Holy Land, was taken prisoner by the Archduke of Austria, and so put to a grievous ransom.  
There were lately divers brothers of the Emperor Rodolphus the second, which were all called by the name of Arch-duke's of Austria 
Arch Duke's of Austria.  ●…ccording to the manner of the Germans, who give the titles of the Father's nobility to all the children. The names of them were Mathias, Ernestus, & the youngest Albertus, who for a good space held by dispensation from the Pope the Archbish oprick of Toledo in Spain, although he were no Priest, and had then also the title of Cardinal of Austria, and was employed for Viceroy of Portugal, by Philip the 2d. King of Spain: but after the death of the Duke of Parma, he was sent as Lieutenant general, & Governor of the Low-Ciuntries for the K. of Spain, where since he hath attained to the marriage of the Infanta Isabel Eugenia Clara, eldest daughter to K. Philip the second, and last King of Spain, and by her hath he the stile of Duke of Burgundy, although peaceably he cannot enjoy a great part of that Country.  
Thorough both Austria and Hungary, doth run the mighty River Danubius, as through Germany 
The River of 〈◊〉.  doth run the Rheinc: whereon groweth Vinum Rhenanum, come monly cal●…ed Rhenisir wine.   

Of Greece, Thracia, and the Countries near adjoining.  
ON the South side of Hungary, and Southeast, lieth a Country of Europe, called 
Scitu●…tion of Dacia Transylvania, Walachia Moldavia, Servia.  in old time Dacia, which is large and wide, comprehending in it Transylvania, Walachia, Moldavia, & Servia. Of which little is famous, save that the men are warlike, and can hardly be brought to obedience. They have lately been under the K of Hungary. These Countries of Transylvania, Walachia, and Moldavia, have certain Monarches of their own, whom they call by the name of V●…gnode, which do rule their Countries with indifferent mediocrity, while they have the sway in their own hands, but confining upon the Turk, they are many times oppressed and overcome by him, so that often they are his Tributaries: yet by the wildness of the country, and uncertain disposition of the Rulers and their people, he never hath any hand long over them, but sometimes they maintain war against him, and have slain down some of his Bassas, coming with a great Army against them; by which occasion it falleth out, that he is glad now and then to enter confederacy with them: so doubtful a kind of regiment is that, which now adays is in those Countries.  
The River Danubius doth divide this Dacia from Mysia, commonly called Bulgaria and Russia, which lieth on the South from Danubius, and is severed from Graecia, by the Mountain Haemus. 
The mountain Hamus   
This Mountain is that, whereof they reported in times past, though but falsely, that who so stood on the top thereof, might see the sea four several ways, to wit, East, West, North and South: under pretence of trying which conclusion (not Philip Alexander's Father, but a latter Philip King of Macedonia) did go up to that Hill, when in truth his meaning was secretly to meet with others there, with whom he might join himself against the Romans, which was shortly the overthrow of that Kingdom. It should seem, that about this mountain it is very cold, by reason of that jest which Athenaeus reported Stratonieus to have uttered concerning that Hill, when he said, that for eight months in the year it was very cold, and for the other four it was winter.  
From Haemus toward the South, 
Grecia bounded.  lieth Grecia, bounded on the West by the Ad iaticke sea, on the East 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Thracian●… sea, and Ma●…e A●…geum, on the South by the main Mediterranean sea. This contained an old time four special parts, Peloponnesus, Achaia, Macedonia, and Epirus.  
Adjoining whereunto was Illyricum, Peleponnesus, which is now called Moreah, in the south part of 
Moreah.  Grecia, being Peninsula, or almost an Island, for that it is joined by a little straight called Ist●…es, unto the rest of Graecia. Herein stood Sparta, 
Sparts.  and the ancient state of Lacedaemon; the laws thereof were made by Lycurgus; by the due observation of which, Tully could say in his time, that the title of Sparta in Lacedaemon, had continued in the same means and behaviour, for the space of 700. years.  
This Sparta was it which so often made war against the Athenians, and this and Athens were called the two edges of Grecia.  
Near the Isthmos, or Straits, stood t●…e famous City of Corinth, 
Corinth.  which was in old time called the Key of Greece, and whether St. Paul wrote two of his Epistles.  
Aereus Silvius in his Cosmograph call Treatise, De Europa, cap. 21 saith, that the straits which divide Moreah from the rest of Grecia, are in breadth but five miles; and that divers Kings and Princes did go about to dig away the earth, that they might make it to be an Island. He nameth King Demetrius, Julius Caesar, Caius Caligula, & Domitius Nero; of all whom he doth note, that they not only failed of their purpose: but that they came to violent and unnatural deaths.  
From the Isthmos, which is the end of Pelopennesus or Moreah, beginneth Achaia, and spreadeth it 
Achaia.  self Northwards but a little way, unto the Hill Othris, which is the bounds between Achaia and Macedonia: but East and West▪ much more largely, as Eastward even unto the Island Eu●…oea. with a great 
Euboea.  Promontory, and Westward bounding unto Epirus.  
The inhabitants of this place, were they which properly are called Achivi; which word is so oft used by Virgil. Here towards the East part stood Beotia, and upon the Sea-coast, 
Beotia.  looking southward towards Moreah, was Athens, which was famous 
Athens.  for the laws of Solon, for the wars against Sparta, and many other Cities of Grecia; and for an University of learned men, which long continued there.  
In this part of Greece, stood Parnassus 
Parnassus & Helicou.  and Helicon, so much talked of by Poets, and Phocis, and Thebes, and briefly all the Cities whereof Livy speaking, doth term by the name of Achai, or 〈◊〉 Archaeorum.  
The third Province of Graeci●…, 
Epirus.  c●…lled Epirus, lieth Westward from Achala, and ex●…en s itself for a good space that ●…av; but toward the North and South it is but narrow, lying along the sea-coast, and looking Sou●…hward on the Islands of Conegra and Cephalonia. This was be Coun●…ry wherein Olympias wife unto Philip of Maced●…nia, and Mother unto Alexander the g●…ea, was born. This also was the Kingdom of that noble Pyrrhus, which made such great wars against the Romans; and in our l●…tter age it was made re●…owned by the valiant Scanned rberg, who was so great a scou●…ge unto the Turk, whose life is so excellently written by Martinus Partesius. From the East part o●… Epiru●… Northward, lieth a Country, which was never noted by an●… famous name; but as it should seen was sometime under Epirus, from which it lieth Northward: some imes under Macedonia, from which it lieth Westward; and sometime●… under Illyris, or Dalmatia, from which it lieth Southward; and i may be that there was in old time divers free Cities there. Illyricum 
Illyricum▪  which confineth upon Graecia to●…ard the North and West, near un ●…o the top of the Adriatic sea, and not far from Venice, is for a good part of it at this day under the Vene i●…s.  
The so●…rth and greatest part o●… 
Macedonia.  ●…ld Grecia, was Maced●…nia, which is fa●…sty by the Maps of the R●…man Emp●…re, placed on the West side of G●…aecia; for in truth it ●…yeth on the East side, looking toward Asia the lesser, being bounded on the East side by the Sea called Mare Egeum on the South side by Achaia, and the Hill Othris, and part of Epirus: and on the West side, by certain great mountains: but on the North by the Hill Haemus.  
This was the Kingdom so famous in times passed for Philip and Alexander his son, who conquered the whole world, and caused the name of the third Empire to be attributed unto this place. Here stood the hill Athos, whereof part was digged down by the army of Xerxes the great King of Persia, who warred against the Grecians. Here was the Hill Olymp●…s, the City of Philipai, 〈◊〉 he e the Philippians dwelled, to whom Sr. Paul wrote. Here was Ampollonia, Amphipolis, Ed●…ssa, Pella, Thessalonica and B●…rea; yea, and the whole Cou●…try of Thessalia, lay on the South side of this part o●… Greece.  
In this Country of Grecia, were in ancient times many Kingdoms and States, as at this day there are in Italy: as the Maced●…nians, the Kingdom of Epirus, the State of Athens, the government of Sparta●…he ●…he City of Thebes, and very many other places; insomuch that almost every Town had a peculiar government: But now it is all under one●… Monarchy.  
From Grecia (in old time) did 
Many fam●…us things from Greece  almost all famous things come. These were they that made the wa●… against Troy; that resisted Xerxes the mighty King of Persia, that had the famous Lawmakers, as Solon 
Famcus Laws.  in Athens, and Lycurgus of Lacedaemon; that took away the Monarchy from the Persians, that brought forth the●… famous Captains, as 
Famous Captains.  Themistceles, Mil●…iades, Alexander, and many others that were the Authors of civility unto the Western Nations, and to some in the East; as Asia the less: that gave to Italy and to the Romans, the first light of learning: because from them 
The firstPoets.  arose the first Poets, as 〈◊〉 Hesiodus, Sophocles, and divers others. The great Ph●…losophers, Socrates, Pla●…o, Aristotle, and all the Sects of the Academics, Stoics, Peripatetics, Epicure●…ns, and almost all their 
The great Orators.  Scholars. The great Orators, Demosthenes, and Aeschines, and in one word (the Mathematics excepted, which came rather from the Chaldeans and the Egyp●…ians) the wh●…le flowers of Arts and good Learning. On the North-East part of Graecia standeth Thracia, which tho●… 
Thracia.  here●…ofore it hath been distinguished, yet now is accounted as the chief part of Greece. Here on the edge of the sea-coast very near unto Asia, st●…deth the City called Byzantium, but since Constantinople, be cause Constantine the Great did new build it, and made it an Imperial 
Constantinople.  City. This was the chief residence of the Emperor of Graecia, sometimes called New Rome, and the glory of the East; where the general Council was once assembled; and one of the seas of the Patriarches, who was called the Patriarch of Constantinople. But by the great discord of the Christians, all Graecia, and this City are fallen into the hands of the Turk, who now maketh it his place of imperial abode. It was won 〈◊〉 the time of Constantine the last Emperor; so that by Constantine it obtained his honour, and by Constantine it lost it. In this City lieth resident with the Turk, an Ambassador or Agent for the King of England.  
The Christians that do now live in Grecia, are in miserable servitude unto the Turk. They disagree in many things from the doctrine of the Church of Rome.   

Of the Sea running between Europe and Asia.  
IF there were no other Argument, 
Northern parts were not discovered in times past.  that the Northern parts of the World were not discovered in times past, by any that traveled that way, yet this would sufficiently avouch 〈◊〉, that there was never thought upon an●… land between Asia and Europe, higher than the River Tanais; which doth not extend itself very fa●… into the North, but is short of the uttermost bounds that was by the space of four thousand miles; but this river which by the Tartarians is now called Don, where it doth run, it leaveth Asia on the Eastside, and Europe on the West, but going forward towards the South, it disburtheneth itself into a dead Lake or Fen (for so it seemeth) which is 
Meotis Palus justine Ovid.  called Meotis Palus, spoken of in the second book of Justine, and not forgotten by Ovid de Ponto: and at this day in the dead of winter, it is usually frozen, that the Scythians and Tartarians near adjoining, do both themselves and their cattle, yea, sometimes with sleads after them, pass over, as if it were dry land. On the Southern part of this Meotis is a narrow strait of the Sea, which is commonly called by the name of 
Bosphorus Cimmerius.  Bosphorus Cimmerius, because (as it is thought) sometime Oxen have ventured to swim cross there from Asia to Europe, or backward. When the water hath run for a pretty space i●… so narrow a passage, there beginneth ●… great and wide Sea, named Pontus Euxinus, whether (as 
Pontus Euxinus.  Josephus reporteth) the whale did carry the Prophet Ionas, and there did disburden himself of his carriage, by casting him upon the land. At the mouth of this Sea, is a very great strait, known by the name of Thracius Bosphorus, where the 
Thracius Bosphorus.  breadth of this sea is not above one mile, serving Asia and Europe. O●… the side of Europe standeth Constantinople. On the side of Asia, the City called Pera or Galatae, which for the nearness is by some, reckoned a part of Constantinople. When any 
A strange custom among the Turks.  of the Turks Janissaries have committed aught worthy of death, the custom is, is to send the same party in the night time over by boat from Constantinople to Pera, whereby the way he is thrown i●… to the water with a great stone about his neck, and then there is a piece of O●…dnance shot off, which is a token of some such execution. The Turk is forced to take this course, lest the rest of his Janissaries should mutiny when any of their fellows is put to death.  
By reason of the standing of Asia and Europe so near together, and the sea running between them, which serveth each place with all manner of commodities, it appeareth that Constantinople is marve●…lously, richly, and conveniently sea●…ed, a●…d therefore a fit place from whence ●…e Turk may offer to atc●…ieve att●…mps.  
After this st●…ait, the sea openeth itself more large toward he 〈◊〉, & ●…is called by the name o●… 〈◊〉 But than it groveth again into a ●…other stra●…t, which they write to be 〈◊〉 b●…ead 〈◊〉 two in 〈◊〉: This is called H●…ll sp●…ntus having on the one side 〈◊〉 in Asia, on the otherside S●…stus on the side of Eu●…pe. This is that place where 
Hellespon ●…us X●…rxes b●…idge.  ●…rxes the great King o●… Persia, d●…d ●…ike his bridge over the Sea, so mu●…h renowned in ancient history; which was not impossible, by reason of the narrowness, the foundation of his bridge being rested on ships. Here also may appear the reason of the story of Leander and Hero: which Leander is reported for the love of Hero, to have often times swum over the Sea, till at last he was drowned. From this stra●…●…outhward, the Sea groweth more wide, and is called afterwards by the name of Mare Aegeum, and so 
Mare Aegeum.  descendeth to the full Mediterranean.   

Of Asia, and first of Tartary.  
ON the South side of Asia, 〈◊〉 unto the Domini●… the Emperor of R●…ssia, is Tartary, in ancient 
Tartary b●…unded.  time 〈◊〉 Scy●…hia, the bou●…ds whereof did then extend them●…es into a good part of Europe; and therefore was called Scythia Europea: but the greatest part of ●…t lieth in Asia, a mighty large Country, extending itself on the North to the uttermost Sea, on the ●…ast to the Dominion of the Great Cham, or Prince of cathay; on the South down to Mare Caspium. The Tartarians which now inhabit it, are men of great stature, rude of behaviour, no Christians but Gentiles; neither 
Their Religion.  do they acknowledge Mahomet, They have few or no Cities among them, but after the manner of the old Scythians, do live in Wildernesses, lying under their Carts, and following their droves of cattle, by the milk whereof they do nourish themselves. They sow no corn at all, because they abide not long in any one place; but taking their direction from the North-pole-starre, they remove from one coast of their Country, unto another. The Country is populous, and the men are great warriors, fight always on horseback with their bow, arrows, and 
Their manner of wars  a short sword. They have amongst them infini●…e store of horses, whereof they sell many into the Countries near adjoining. Their ordinary food in their wars is horseflesh, which they use to eat raw, being chafed a little by hanging at their saddle.  
They have great wars with the Countries adjoining, but especially with the Moscovite, and sometimes with the Turk: from hence came Tamburlaine, who brought 700000. 
Tamburlaine the Great, ●… Tartarian.  of the Tartarians at once into the field, wherein he distressed and took prisoner Bajazet the great Turk, whom he afterward forced to feed as a dog under his table.  
They have now amongst them many Princes and Governors, as those have one, whom they call the Crim Tartars: and those have ano there, which are the Tartars of Ma gaiae, and so divers others.  
The English have laboured (to their great expenses) to find out the way by the North Seas of Tartary; to go into Cathay and China; but by reason of the frozen Seas, they have not yet prevailed: although it hath been reported, that the Flemings have discovered that passage: which would be (very likely) to the great benefit of the Northern parts of Christendom; yet that report doth not continue, and therefore it is to be thought; that the Flemings have not proceeded so far.   

Of cathay and China.  
NExt beyond Tartary, on the North-East part of Asia, lieth a great Country called cathay, the bounds whereof extend themselves 
Situation of cathay.  on the North and East, to the uttermost Seas; and on the South to China. The people are not much learned, but more civil than the Tartars; and have good and ordinary traffic with the Countries adjoining.  
This Country hath in it many Kings, which are tributaries, and do owe obedience unto one, whom they call the great Cham or Can of 
The great Can of cathay.  cathay, who is the chief governor of all the Land, and esteemed for multitude of people and largeness of dominion, to be one of the greatest Princes of the World: but his name is the less famous, for that he lieth so far distant from the best Nations, and the passage into this Country is so dangerous, either for the perils of the sea, or for the long space by Land. His 
Cambalu the chief City of China.  chief Imperial City is called Cambalu. On the South side of cathay, and East part of Asia, next to the Sea, lieth China: and the people thereof, Osorius describeth by the name of Sina, and called their Country Synarum Regio. This is a 
A very rich Country.  fruitful Country, and yieldeth as great store of rich commodities, as almost any Country in the World. It containeth in it very many several Kingdoms, which are absolute Princes in their Seats. The chief City in this Country is called Quinsay, and is described to be of 
Quinsay the ●…hiefe City.  incredible greatness, as were wont to be the ancient Cities in the East, as Babylon, Ninive, and others.  
This Country was first discovered by the late Navigation of the Portugals into the East Indies.  
The people of China are learned 
The people skilful in Ar●…s.  almost in all Arts, very skilful workmen in curious fine Works of all sorts, so that no Country yieldeth more precious Merchandise than the workmanship of them. They are great soldiers, very politic and crafty, and in respect thereof, contemning the wits of others using a Proverb, That all other Nations 
Their Proverb.  do see but with one eye; but they themselves have two.  
Petrus Maffaeus Historiographer to the King of Spain for the Eastern Indies, doth report of them, that they have had from very ancient time among them, these two things, which we hold to be the miracles of Christendom, and but lately invented: The one is the use 
Two rare wonders invented in Chinai, guns and printing.  of Guns for the wars, and the other is Printing; which they use not as we do, writing from the left hand unto the right; or as the Hebrews and Syrians, from the right hand unto the left: but directly downward, and so their lines at the top do begin again.   

Of the East Indies.  
ON the South side of China, toward the Molucco llands, and the Indian Sea, lieth the great Country of India, extending itself from the 
The situ●…tion of the Indies.  South part of the Continent, by the space of many thousand miles westward unto the River Indus, which is the greatest River●… in all the Country, except Ganges, one of the greatest Rivers in the World; which lieth in the East part of the same Indies.  
This is that Country so famous in ancient time, for the great riches thereof, for the multitude of people, for the conquest of Bacchus over it: for the passage thither for Alexander the Great, throughout all the length of Asia; for his adventuring to go into the South Ocean with so mighty a Navy, which ●…ew or none had ever attempted before him. And certainly thither it was that Solomon did send once in three years for his gold and other rich Merchandise: for the Scripture saith, that he sent his fleet from Ezion-geber, which stood upon the mouth of the Red Sea, and it was the directest passage which he had unto the Eastern Indies; whereas if his purpose had been to send to Peru, as some lately have imagined, his course had been thorough the Mediterranean Sea, and the Straits of G●…lbraltar.  
This Country had in ancient time, many absolute Kingdoms and Provinces: as in the time of Alexander, Porus, Taxiles, and divers 
In India are many Kingdoms  others. In it were many Philosophers, and men of great Learning, whom they called Gymnosophistae, of whom was Calanus, who burned himself before Alexander.  
The men of the South part of India are black, and therefore are called men of Ind. The cattle of all sorts that are bred there, are of 
Their Cattle v●…ry big.  incredible bigness, in respect of other Countries, as their Elephants, Ap●…s, Monkeys, Emmets, and others.  
The riches hereof have been very 
Their Richeses  great, with abundance of gold, insomuch that the Promontory, who is now called Malacha, was in times past named Aurea Chersonesus. The commodity of spice is exceeding great that comes from thence.  
The Portugals were the first, 
The Portugals first discovered the Indies.  which by their long Navigations beyond the Equinoctial, and the farthermost part of Africa, have of late years discovered these Countries to Christendom: as heretofore to the use of the King of Portugal, so now of the King of Spain, who is reputed owner of them.  
The Portugals did find divers 
Four Kingdoms by the Portugals discovered.  Kingdoms at their first arrival in those parts, as the Kingdom of Cal●…cut, the Kingdom of Cambaia, the Kingdom of Cananor, the Kingdom of Cochin, and very many other, with the Kings whereof they first entering League and Traffic, and having leave given to build Castles for their defence, they have since by policy encroached into their hands a great part of the Country, which lieth near unto the Sea-coast, and are mighty now, for the space of many thousand miles together. The K. of Spain hath there a Viceroy, whose residence is commonly in the Imperial City called Goa. They do every year send 
The City of Goa.  home great store of rich commodities into Spain.  
The people of the Country when the Portugals came first thither, were for the most part Gentiles, 
The Indians Religion.  believing in no one God: yea, at this day there are divers of them who do adore the Sun as their God, and every morning at the rising thereof, do use very superstitious Ceremonies, which our Mer chants, who do trade to Aleppo do oftentimes see; for divers o these Indians do come thither wit●… Merchandise But the Saracens wh●… reverence the Prophet Mahomet from the Bays or Gulfs of Persia, and Arabia, do traffic much thither, so that Mahomet was known among them: but in one Town called Granganor, they found certain Christians dissenting in many things from the Church of Rome, and rather agreeing with the Protestants, which Christians had received (by succession) their Religion from the time of Thomas the Apostle; by whom (as it is recorded in the ancient Ecclesiastical History) part of India was converted.  
In this Country of India, are many great and Potent Kings and Kingdoms, which had been alto gether unknown and unheard of in our part of the World, but that we were beholding to the Portugals for their discovery, and before their Navigation thither, by the back side of Africk●…, to some Relations that we had from the Venetians, who traded and traveled thither by land out of Turkey. The 〈◊〉 of these Kings and Kingdoms are these; The King of B●…arme, the great mogul, the King of Narsing, 
Six Kingdoms.  Pegu, Siam, the forenamed King of Calcutta, and others.   

Of Persia.  
THere be divers Countries between India and Persia; but there are not famous.  
Persia is a large Country, 
〈◊〉 of Persia.  which lieth far West from India: it hath on the North, Assyria and Media, on the West Syria and the Holy Land, but next unto it Mesopotamia: on the South the main Ocean, which entereth in notwithstanding by a Bay called Sinus Perficus.  
This is that Country, which in ancient time was renowned for the great riches, and Empire thereof. These were they that took from the Assyrians the Monarchy, and did set up in their Country the second great Empire, which began under Cyrus, and continued unto that Darius, who was overthrown by Alexander the Great. In this Country reigned the great Kings, 
The great and famous Kings of Persia.  Cyrus, Cambyses, Darius the Son of Histaspes, the great Xerrxes, Artaxerxes, and many others, which in profane writings are famous for their wars against the Scythians, Egyptians and Grecians, and in the Scripture, for the delivery of the Jews from Babylon by Cyrus, for the building of the 〈◊〉. Temple at Jerusalem, and for many things which are mentioned of them in the Prophency of Daniel,  
The 〈◊〉 of this Nation, although they were in former times very riotous, by reason of their great wealth; yet after they had lost their Monarchy by the Macedonians, they have grown great 
Persians great Soldiers.  Soldiers: and therefore as they did ever strongly defend themselves against the old Romans; so in the time of Constantine, and the other Emperors, they were fearful Neighbours to the Roman Government: and of late Time, they have strongly opposed themselves against the Turks, ever making their party good with them. And yet notwithstanding, in the days of Amurath the third, father to Mahomet the Turk now reigning, the Turk had a great hand upon the Persians; going so far with his Army, as that he took the strong City Taunus standing within the Persians Dominions, near unto the Caspian sea, but this loss was to be attributed partly to the great dissensions which were among the Persians themselves, and partly to the multitude of the Turk his Soldiers, who by fresh supply did overthrow the Persian, although he slew down many thousands of them.  
They fight commonly on horseback, 
Sophy of Persia.  and are governed as in time passed by a King, so now by an absolute Ruler, and a mighty Prince, whom they term the Shaw or Sophy of Persia. He hath many Countries and small Kings in Assyria and Media, and the Countries add joning, which are tributaries.  
Among other the Sophies of Persia, about a hundred years since, there was one of great power, called Ishmael the Persian, who procured unto himself great fame by his many and valorous attempts against the Turk Surius in his Commentaries, writing upon him, saith that upon some fond conceit, the Jews were strongly of opinion, that he was that Messias, whom unto this day they expect; and therefore hoped that he should have been their Deliverer and Advancer: But he addeth in his report that it fell out so clean contrary, that there was no man who more vexed and grieved them, than that Ismail did.  
The Persians▪ are all at this day 
Their Religion.  Sarazens in Religion, believing in Mahomet: but as Papists and Protestants do differ in opinion, concerning the same Christ, so do the Turks and Persians about their Mahomet: the one pursuing the other, as Herericks, with most deadly hatred, insomuch that there is, in this respect, almost comin●… all war between the Turk and the Persians.   

Of Parthia and Media.  
ON the North-East side of Persia; lieth that Country which in old time was called Parthia, but now 
Situation of Parth●…a.  named Arach; of whom, those great wars of the Romans with the Medians or Armenians, in Tacitus, and ancient Histories are true.  
This Country aboundeth on Media by the West, and it was in ancient time very full of people: whose fight as it was very much on horseback, 
Their manner of fight.  so the manner of them continually was for to give an Onset, and then to return their ways, even to return again like to the Wild-Irish, so that no man was sure when he had obtained any victory over them.  
These were the people that gave 
Great wars of the Perthians against the Romans.  the great Overthrow to that rich Marcus Crassus of Rome, who by reason of his covetousness (intending more to his getting of gold, than to the guiding of his Army) was slain himself, and many thousand of the Romans: The Parthians with exprobration of his thirst after money, poured molten gold into his mouth after he was dead. Against these, the great Lucullus fought many battles; but the Romans were never able to bring them quite to subjection.  
On the West side of Parthia, (having the Mare Caspium on the North, Armenia on the West, and Persia on the South) lieth that Country, which in time past was called Media, but now Shirvan or Sirvan; which is at this day governed by many inferior Kings and Princes, which are tributaries, and do owe subjection to the Sophi of Persia. So that he is the Sovereign Lord of all Media, as our English men have found, who passing through the Dominion of the Emperor of Russia; have crossed the Mare Caspium, and Merchandized with the Inhabitants of this Media.  
This Nation in former times was 
A famous Nation.  very famous; for the Medes were they that removed the Empire from the Assyrians unto them: which as in themselves it was not great, yet when by Cyrus it was joined to that of the Persians, it was very mighty, and was called by the name of the Empire of the Medes and Persians. Here it was that Astyages reigned, the Grandfather of Cyrus and Darius▪ of the M●…des.  
The chief▪ City of this Kingdom, was called Ecbatana, as the chief City of Persia was Babylon.  
It is to be observed of the Kings, of Media, that in the summer time they did use to retire themselves Northward unto Ecbatana, for avoiding of the heat; but in the winter time they came down, more South unto Susis, which as it seemeth was a warmer place: but by this means they were both taken for Imperial Cities, and chief residences of the King of Media; which being known, takes away some confusion in old stories. The like custom was afterward used also by the Kings of Persia.   

Of Armenia and Assyria.  
ON the West side of the 
Situation of Armenia.  Mare Caspium; and of Media, lieth a Country called by a general name, Armenia; which by some is distinctly divided into three parts. The 
Divided into three parts.  North part whereof being but little, is called Georgia; the middle part Turcomania; the third part, by the proper name of Armenia. By which a man may see the reason of difference in divers Writers; Some saying, that the Country whence the Turks first came, was Armenia, some saying Turcomania, and some Georgia; the truth being, that out of one or all these Countries they did descend. These Turks are supposed to be the issue of them whom Alexander the Great did shut up within certain mountains near to the Mare Caspium.  
There is this one thing memorable 
A memorable Note.  in Armenia, that after the great Flood, the Ark of Noah did ●…est itself on the Mountains of Armenia, where (as Josephus witnesseth) it is to be seen yet to this day, the hills whereon it resteth, ●…re called by some N●…ae Montes.  
The people of this Nation have retained amongst them the Chri●…tian faith, as it is thought from the ●…ime of the Apostles; but at this say it is spotted with many absurdities.  
Among other Errors which the 
Bathing of th●…ir children.  Church of Armenia hath been noted to hold, this is one, that they lid bathe their Children; waving them up and down in flames o●… fire, and repute that to be a necessary circumstance of Baptism: Which error ariseth by mistaking that place of John the Baptist, where he saith, That he that came after him (meaning Christ) should baptise them with the holy Ghost, and with fire. In which place the word doth not signify material fire, but expresseth the lively and purging operation of the Spirit, like to the nature of fire.  
On the South part of Armenia, bending towards the East, lieth the 
Assyria bounded.  Country of Assyria, which is bounded on the West with Mesopotamia. This Country was that Land wherein the first Monarchy was settled, which began under Ninus whom the Scripture calleth Nim rod, living not long after Noah's Flood, and it ended in Sardanapalus continuing a thousand and three hundred years.  
The King of this Country was Senacherib, of whom we read ●…n the book of the Kings; and 
Kings of Assyria.  here reigned Nabuchadnezzar, who took Jerusalem, and led the Jews away prisoners unto Babylon.  
In this Country, is the swift 
The swift River Tigris. The City Ninive.  River Tigris, near unto the which was Paradise. Upon this River stood the great City Ninive, called by profane Writers, Ninus; which was almost of incredible bigness, and exceeding▪ populous, by the nearness of the River, and marvellous fruitfulness of the soil; which, as Herodotus writeth, did return their Corn sometime two hundred, and sometimes three hundred fold, and did yield sufficiency for to maintain it. This City for a long time, was the Imperial Seat of the Monarchy; but being destroyed (as God foretold it should be by the Chaldeans) the residence of the King was afterwards removed unto Babylon, a great City in Chaldea, first built by Semiramis.   

Of Chaldea.  
NExt unto Assyria lye●…h 
Situation of Chaldea.  Chaldea, having on the East side Assyria; on the West, Syria, or Palestina; on the North, Armenia; on the South, the Desert of Arabia.  
This Country is often called by the name of Mesopotamia, which name it hath, because it lieth in the middle of two great Rivers, Tigris and Euphrates. It is called also by the name of Babylonia, which word of itself properly taken, doth signify only that part of the Country which standeth about Babylon.  
The chief City whereof was Babylon, 
Babylon be chief City of Chaldea.  whose ruins do remain unto this day. It was a rich and most pleasant City for all kind of Delight; and was in the latter time of that Monarchy, the Imperial City of the Assyrians, where Nabuchadnezzar, and other their great Kings did ●…ye.  
It was to this City that the children of Israel were carried captives, which thereof was called the Captivity of Babylon.  
The Kings of Persia also did keep ●…heir residence here, it was built upon the River Euphrates, some part of it standing on the one side, and some part on the other, having for its foundress, Semiramis, the wife of Ninus.  
Ammianus Marcellinus reporteth one thing of this Country, wherein the admirable power of God doth appear; for he writeth 
The admirab●… power of God in prese●…ving the pe●…ple.  that in these parts are a huge number of Lions, which were like enough to devour both men and beasts throughout the Country▪ but withal he saith, that by reason of the store of water and mud thereof, there do breed yearly an innumerable company of Gnats, whose property is to fly unto the eye of the Lion, as being a bright and orient thing; where biting and stinging the Lion, he ●…eareth so fiercely with his claws, that he putteth out his own eyes, and by that means many are drowned in the Rivers, others starve for want of prey, and many the more easily killed by the Inha bitants.  
It is supposed by Divines, that in this Mesopotamia, between the River Tigris and Euphrates, Paradise 
Note.  did stand. This was the Country wherein Abraham the Patriarch was born: unto which the Romans could very hardly extend their Dominion: For they had much to do to get the Government of any thing beyond the River Euphrates. From this people it is thought the wise men came which brought presents to Christ, by the guiding of the Star.  
For as in India, and all the Eastern parts, so especially in this Country, their Noblemen and Priests, and very many people, do give themselves to all Arts of Divination. Here were the great Soothsayers, Enchanters, and wise men, as they call them. Here were 
Here were the fi●…st A strologians.  the first Astrologians, which are so described and derided in the Scripture: and against the Inhabitants of Babylon and Chaldea were the Laws of the Romans made, which are against divining Mathematicians, who in Tully de Divinatione, & Cornelius Tacitus, as also in the Laws of the Emperors, are Ordinarily collected by the name o●… Chaldeans: and indeed from these and from the Egyptians, is supposed to have sprung the first knowledge of Astronomy.  
It is thought that a great reason whereof these Chaldeans were expert in the laudable knowledge of Astronomy, was partly because the Country is so plain, that being without hills, they might more fully and easily discover the whole face of the Heaven, and partly, because the old Fathers which lived so long not only before, but in some good part also after the flood of Noah, did dwell in, or near to these parts, and they by observation of their own, did find out and discover many things of the heavenly bodies, which they delivered as from hand to hand to their posterity: But as corruption doth stain the best things, so in process of time, the true Astronomy was defilled with superstitious Rules of Astrology (which caused the Prophets, Isaiah and jeremiah, so bitterly to inveigh against them.) And then, in their fabulosity they would report, that they had in their Records, Observations for five and twenty thousand years, which must needs be a very great untruth, unless we will qualify it as some have done, expounding their years not of the Revolution of the Sun but of the Moon, whose course is ended in the space of a month.   

Of Asia the less.  
ON the Northwest side of Mesopotamia, lieth that Country which is now called Anatolia, but in times past, Asia minor, having on the North side Pontus Euxinus, on the West, the Hellespont, and on the South, the main Mare Mediterraneum. In the ancient writings both of the Grecians, and of the Romans, this is oftentimes called by the single name of Asia, because it was best known unto them, and they were not so much acquainted with the farther places of Asia the Great.  
This Country in general, for the fruitfulness of the Land, standing in so temperate a Climate, and for the convenience of the Sea every way, and so many good Havens, hath been reputed always a very commodious and pleasurefull Country. It is wholly at this day under the Turk. The mountain Taurus goeth along from the West unto the East part of it.  
The greatness of this Country is such, that it hath comprehended many Kingdoms and large Provinces, besides Cities of great fame. On the Southeast part thereof, near to Palestina lieth Cilicia; 
Cilicia. The City Tarsus.  the chief City whereof is Tarsus, the Country of Saint Paul, the place whither Solomon sent for great store of his gold, and provision for the Temple, whither Ionas also fled, when he should have gone to Niniveh.  
In the straits of the Cilicia, near to the mountain Taurus, did Alexander 
Alexander's overthrow of Darius.  give a great overthrow in person to Darius, in the joining of their first battle.  
This place seems to have been very fortunate for great Fights; in as much as there also near unto the straits, was the ba●…ell fought out between Severus the Emperor and Niger; who being Governor of the Romans of Syria, would needs have aspired to the Empire, but in a battle which was very hardly fought out, he was overthrown in the straits of Cilicia.  
In the very corner where Cilicia is joined unto the upper part of Syria, is a little Bay, which in times past was named Sinus Isicus, near unto which Alexander built one of his Cities, which he called by his own name. But howsoever in times past it was named Alexandria, 
The City of Alexandria  it is now by the Venetians and other Christians, called Alexandretta; who should say, little Alexandria, in comparison of the other. In Egypt the Turks do call▪ it Scandarond, and it is a petty Haven, where our Merchants do land most of their goods, which are afterwards by Camels carried up to Aleppo. At this day the City is so decayed, that there be only a few houses there.  
Westward from Cilicia, lieth the Province called Pamphylia: wherein 
Pamphylia. ●…he City of Seleuchus.  stands the City Seleucia, built by Seleuchus, one of the four great successors of Alexander the Great.  
On the West of this Pamphylia, standeth Lycia, and more west from 
Lycia.  thence confining upon the I'll of Rhodes, is Caria; one of the Sea-Townes 
Caria.  whereof, is Halicarnassus, which was the Country of Herodotus, who is one of the most ancient Historians that is extant of the Gentiles, and who dedicated his nine books to the honour of the Muses.  
Here also was that Dionysius borne, who is called commonly Dionysius Halicarnassus, one of the Writers of the Roman Story, for the first three hundred years after Rome was built.  
The whole Country of Caria is sometimes signified by the name of this Halicarnassus, although it 
Halicarnassus.  was but one City; and thereupon Artemisia, who in the days of Xerxes, came to aid him against the Grecians, and behaved herself so manfully in a great fight at sea, when Xerxes stood by as a coward, is entitled by the name not of Queen of Caria, but of Halicarnassus. Also in the days of Alexander the Great, there was another Queen, named Ada; who also is honoured by the title of Queen of Halicarnassus.  
We have thus far described those Cities of Asia the less, which do lie from that part that joineth unto Syria, along the Sea coast Westward; but being indeed the Southern part of Asia minor.  
Now upwards towards the 
jonia.  North, standeth jonia, where those did dwell, who had like to have joined with Xerxes, in the great battle at sea, but that Themistocles by a policy, did win them from him, to take part with the Gr●…cians. Diodorus Siculus writeth, that the Athenians, who professed to be of kin to those jonians, were on a time marvellous importunate with them, that they should leave their own Country, and come and dwell with them: which when the jonians, hardly, but yet at length did accept, the Athenians had no place to put them in, and so they returned with great disgrace to them both.  
A little within the Land, lying North and East from jonium, was Lydia, which sometimes was the 
Lydia.  Kingdom of Croesus, who was reputed so rich a King; when he was in his prosperity, making best of his happiness, he was told by Solon, that no man could reckon upon felicity so long as he lived, because there might be great mutability of Fortune, which he after ward found true: For he was taken prisoner by Cyrus, who was once minded 
Croesus' overthrown by Cyrus.  to have put him to death, but hearing him report the advertisement of Solon formerly given to him, he was moved to think that it might be his own case, and so took pity on him, and spared his life.  
These Lydians being inhibited afterward by Cyrus, to use any Armour, and give themselves to Baths and Stews, and other such effeminate things.  
Upon the sea-coast in jonia standeth the City Ephesus, which was 
Ephesus.  one of the seven Cities, unto which John in his Revelation did write hi●… seven Epistles: and Saint Paul also directed his Epistle to the Ephesi ans, unto the Church which was in this place.  
This was one of the most renowned Cities of Asia the less, but the Fame thereof did most arise from 
The Temple of Diana.  the Temple of Diana, which was there built, and was reputed for the magnificence thereof, one of the seven wonders of the world. This Temple was said to be two hundred years in building, and was burnt seven several times, whereof the most part was by lightning, and the final destruction thereof came by a base person, called Herostratus; who to purchase himself some fame, did set it on fire.  
This was the place of which it is said in the Acts of the Apostles, that all Asia, and the whole World do worship this Diana.  
Tully reporteth, De natura Deorum, that Tin●…us being asked the reason, why the Temple of Diana was on fire that night when Alexander the Great was born, gave that jest thereof, that the mistress of it was from home; because she being the Goddess of Midwives, did that night wait upon Olympias the Mother of Alexander the Great, who was brought to bed in Macedonia.  
Another of the seven Cities unto which John did write, is Smyrna, 
City of Smyrna.  standing also in jonia, upon the Sea coast, but somewhat more North than Ephesus; which is the place where Polycarpus was Bishop, 
Polycarpus, Scholar to St John the Evangel st.  who sometimes had been Scholar unto john the Evangelist, and living till he was of great age, was at l●…st put to death for Christ's sake, when before he had been moved by the Governor of the Country to deny his Sa viour, and to burn Incense to an Idol: But he answered that ●…ourescore and six years he had served Christ Jesus, and in all that time he had never done him harm: and therefore now in his old age he would not begin to deny him.  
The third City unto which the Epistle is directed in the Apocalypse, is Sardis: which standeth 
City of Sardis.  within the land in Lydia, as is described by the best Writers; and it was a City both of great pleasure and profit unto the Kings in whose Dominion it stood: which may be gathered hereby, that when once the Grecians had won it, Durius Histaspis, or Xerxes, who were Kings of Persia, did give charge, that every day at dinner, one speaking aloud, should remember him, that the Grecians had taken Sardis, which intended, that he never was in quiet till it might be recovered again.  
There stood also in the Inland, Philadelphia, Thyatina, Laodicea, 
Four Cities of ●…ote.  and most of all to the North Pergamus: which were the other four Cities, unto which St John the Evangelist did direct his Epistle.  
Going upward from jonium to the North, there lieth on the Sea-coast 
Eolis.  a little Country called Eolis: and beyond that, although not upon the Sea, the two Provinces called 
Mysia major, &▪ Mysia minor.  Mysia Major, and Mysia Minor; which in times past, were so base and contemptible, that the people thereof were used in speech as a proverb, that if a man would describe one meaner than the meanest, it was said, he was Mysiorum postremus.  
On the West part of Mysia major, did lie the Country called Troas, wherein stood Ilium, and the City of Troy, against which as 
The City of Troy.  both Virgil and Homer have written, the Grecians did continue their siege for the space of ten years, by reason that Paris had stolen away Helena, the wife of Menelaus, who was King of Sparta.  
Eastward both from Troas and Mysia major, a good space within the land was the Country called Phrygia, where the Goddess 
Phrygia.  which was called Bona Dea, or Pessinuntia, or Cybele, the mother of the old gods, had her first abiding, and from thence (as Herodia●… wrteth) was brought to Rome, as implying that good fortune should follow her thither.  
In this Country lived that Gondius, who knit the ●…ot called for the intricateness thereof, Nodus, Gordianus; and when it 
Gordianus knot.  could not be untied, was cut in sunder by Alexander the Gre●…t, supposing▪ that it should be his fortune, for the losing of it so to be the Conqueror, and King of Asia, as by a prophecy of the same Gordius had been before spoken.  
Yet Northward from Phrygia, lieth the Country of Bythinia; 
Bythinia.  which was sometimes a Kingdom, where Perusias reigned, that had so much to do with the Romans.  
In this Country standeth the City Nicaea, where the first General 
Ci●…y of Nice.  Council was held against Arius the Heretic by Constantine the Great, thereof called the Nicene Council●…▪ Here standeth also Chalcedon, 
Chalcedon.  where the fourth General Council was held by the Emperor Marcianus, against the Heretic Nestorius.  
From Bythinia Eastward, on the North side of Asia the less, standeth the Country of Paphlagonia, 
Paphlagonia  where was the City built by Pompey the Great, called by his name, Pompeiopolis. On the South 
Pompciopolis.  of Paphlagonia, toward the Island of Asi●… minor, di●… stand the Country of Galatia, whereunto 
Galatia.  Saint Paul wrote his Epistle to the Galathians. And this also was one of those Countries where the jews were dispersed, unto which Saint Peter wrote his first Epistle; as also unto them which were in Pontus, Cappadocia, and Bythinia, from whence Southward lieth the Province termed Lyeaoni: And 
Lyeaonia.  from thence, yet more South, bordering upon Pamphylia, which touches the Mediterranean sea, lieth Pisidia, concerning which 
Pisidia.  Countries we find oftentimes mention made in such stories as do touch Asia the l●…sse.  
From these Sourthern parts, if we return back again unto the North and East of Asia major, lieth the Kingdom of Pontus, confining 
The Kingdom of Pontus.  upon that which is named Pontus Euxinus. In this Pontus did reign Mithridates, who in his younger 
Mithridates  days had traveled over the greatest part of Asia, and is reported to have been so skilful, that he could well speak more than twenty Languages. His hatred was ever great towards the Romans, against whom, when he meant first to put his malice in practice, he so combined with the Naturals of those parts, that in one night they slew more than threescore and ten thousand of the Romans, carrying their intendment so close, that it was revealed by none till the execution was done.  
Pompey the Great was the man 
Pompey brought Mithridates to distress.  who distressed this Mithridates, and brought him to that extremity, that he would gladly have poisoned himself, but could not; in as much as his stomach had been used so before unto that kind of Treacle (which by reason of his inventing of, unto this day is called Mithridate) which is made of a kind of poison allayed, that no venom would easily work upon him.  
Southward from this Pontus, standeth the old Kingdom of Cappadocia, 
Cappadocia.  which in times past was observed to have many men in it, but little money: Whence Horace saith, Mancipiis locuples eget aris Cappadocum Rex.  
Eastward from this Cappadocia, as also from Pontus, is Armenia minor, 
Armenia minor.  whereof the things memorable are described in the other Armenia. And thus much touching Asia the less.   

Of Syria, and Palestina, or the Holy Land.  
SOuthward from Cilicia and 
Sy●…ia bounded.  As●…a the less, lieth Syria; a part whereof was called Palestina: having on the East Mesopotamia, on the South Arabia, on the west, Tyre and Sidon, and the end of the Mediterranean Sea.  
The people of this Syria were 
Their ●…ient ●…ames.  in times past called the Ardmites. In their language is the transl●…ion of the New Testament, called Syriac.  
In this Country standed An●…, 
Ci●…y of 〈◊〉.  which was sometimes one of the ancient 〈◊〉 See, and is a City of reckoning unto this day. Here also standeth now the City of 
Al●…ppo.  Aleppo, which is a famous M●…rt Town for the Merchandizing o●… the Persians, and others of the E●…st, and for the Turks, and such Countries as be adjoining. Here standeth ●…th also Tripoli. 
Tripoli.   
The South part of Syria, lying down toward Egypt▪ and Arabia, was the place where the Children of Israel did dwell, being a Country of small quantity, not 200. Italian miles in length: it was so fruitful flowing with Milk and Honey, (as the Scripture calleth it) that it did maintain above thirty Kings 
Thirty Kings.  and their people, before the coming of the children of Israel out of Egypt, and was sufficient afterwards to relieve the incredible number of the twelve Tribes of Israel.  
It is noted of this Country, 
Note.  that whereas by the goodness of the Climate wherein it stood, and the fertility of the soil (but especially by the blessing of God) it was the most fruitful L●…nd that was in the World: Now ou●… Travellers by experience do find the Country, in respect of the fruitfulness, to be changed, G●…d cursing the Land together with the jews, the Inhabitants of it. It is observed also for all the Eastern parts, that they are not so fertile as they have been in former Ages, the Earth (as it were) growing old, which is an Argument of the Dessolution to come by the day of Judgement.  
Through this Country doth 
The River jordan.  run the River Jordan, which hath heretofore been famous for the fruitfulness of the trees standing thereupon, and for the mildness of the Air, so that (as Josephus writeth) when snow hath been in other places of the Land, about the River it hath been so calm, that men did go in single thin linen garments.  
In this Country standeth the Lake, called Lacus Asphaltites, because 
Asphaltites  of a kind of slime called Bitumen, or Asphaltum, which daily it doth cast up, being of force to join stones exceeding fast in building: And into this Lake doth the River Jordan run.  
This Lake is it which is called 
Mare mornum.  Mare Mortuum, a Sea because it is salt; and Mortuum, or Dead, for that no living thing is therein. The water thereof is so thick, that few things will sink therein, in so much, that Josephus faith, that an Ox having all his legs bound will not sink into that water.  
The nature of this Lake (as it was supposed) was turned into this quality, when God did destroy Sodom and Gomorrah, and the Cities adjoining, with fire and brimstone from Heaven: for Sodom and the other Cities did stand near unto Jordan, and to this Mare Mortuum: for the destruction of whom, all that Coast to this day is a witness, the Earth smelling of brimstone, being desolate, and yielding no fruit saving apples, which grow, with a fair show to the eye, like other fruit; but as soon as they are touched, do turn presently to soot, or ashes, as besides Josephus, Solinus doth witness in his 48 Chapter.  
The Land of Palestina had for 
Twelve Tribes of Israel.  i●…s Inhabitants, all the Twelve Tribes of Israel, which were under one Kingdom, till the time Rehoboam the Son of Solomon; But than were they divided into two Kingdoms, ten Tribes being called Israel, and two judah, whose chief City was called jerusalem. 
jerusalem.   
The ten Tribes after much Idolatry, 
Twelve Tribes divided.  were carried prisoners unto Assyria, and the Kingdom dissolved, other people being placed in their room in Samaria, and the Country adjoining.  
The other two Tribes were 
The jews.  properly called the jews, and their Land judea; which continued long after in jerusalem, a●…d thereabout, till the Captivity of Babylon, where they l●…ved for seventy-ye●…es. They were afterward restored, but lived without glory, till the coming of Christ: But since that time for a curse upon them and their children, for putting Christ to death they are scattered upon the face of the earth, as Runagates, without certain Country, King, Priest, or Prophet.  
In their chief City jerusalem, was the Temple of God, first most gloriously built by Solomon; and 
jerusalem destroyed.  afterward destroyed by Nabuchadnezzar. By the commandment of Cyrus' King of Persia, was a second Temple built▪ much more base than the former. For besides the poverty, and smallness of it, the●…e wanted five things which were is the former, as the Jews write. 
Note.  First, the Ark of the Covenant: Secondly, the pot of Manna: Thirdly, the Rod of Aaron: Fourthly, the two Tables of the Law, written by the finger of God: And fifthly, the fire of the Sacrifice, which came down from Heaven. Herod the Great, an Edomite stranger, having gotten the Kingdom, contrary to the Law of Moses, and knowing the people to be offended therewithal, to procure their favour, he built a third Temple, wherein our Saviour Jesus Christ and his Apostles did teach.  
The City of Jerusalem was 
Jerusalem twice destroyed. 1 By Nabuchadnezzar. 2. By Vespasian.  twice taken, and utterly laid desolate; first by Nabuchadnezzar at the Captivity of Babylon: and secondly, after the death of Christ, by Vespasian the Roman (who first began the Wars) and by his son Titus, who was afterward Emperor of Rome, who brought such horrible desolation on that City, and the people thereof, by fire, sword and famine, that the like hath not been read in any History. He did afterwards put thousands of them (on one some day) to be devoured of the Beasts, which was a cruel custom of the Romans Magnificence.  
Although Numbers and Times be not superstitiously to be observed (as many foolish imagine) yet it is a matter in this place, not unworthy the noting, which Josephus reporteth in his seventh book and tenth Chapter, de bello Judaico, that the very same day whereon the Temple was set on fire by the Babylonians, was the day whereon the second Temple was set on fire by the Romans, and that was upon the tenth day of August.  
After this destruction, the Land of judea, and the ruins of Jerusalem. were possessed by some of the people adjoining, till that about six hundred years since, the Saracens did invade it: for expelling of whom from thence, divers French men and other Christians, under the leading of Godfrey of Bullen, did assemble themselves, thinking it a great shame, that the Holy Land (as they called it) the City of Jerusalem, and the place of the Sepulchre of Christ, should be in the hands of Infidels.  
This Godfrey ruled in Jerusalem by the name of a Duke: but his successors after him, for the space of 87. years, called themselves Kings of Jerusalem: About which time, Saladine (who called himself King of Egypt and Asia the less) did win it from the Christians. For the recovery whereof, Richard the first, King of England, together with the French King, and the King of Sicilia, did go in person with their Armies, to jerusalem; but although they won many things from the Infidels, yet the end was, that the Saracens did retain the HOLY LAND.  
Roger Hoveden, in the Life of Henry the second King of England, doth give this memorable note, that at that time when the City of jerusalem and Antioch, were taken out of the hands of the Pagans, by the means of Godfrey of Bullen, and others of his Company, the Pope of Rome that then was, was called Urbanus; the Patriach of jerusalem, Heraclius; and the Roman Emperor Frederick; and at the same time when the said jerusalem was recovered again by Saladine, the Pope's name was Urbanus; the Patriarch jerusalem, Heraclius, and the Roman Emperor Frederick.  
The whole Country and City of 
Jerusalem in the Turks dominion.  Jerusalem, are now in the dominion of the Turk, who notwithstanding for a great tribute doth suffer many Christians to abide there.  
There are now therefore two or more Monasteries and Religious houses, where Friars do abide, and make a good commodity of showing the Sepulchre of Christ, and other Monuments, unto such Christian Pilgrims as do use superstitiously to go in pilgrimage to the Holy Land.  
The King of Spain was wont to call himself King of Jerusalem.   

Of Arabia.  
NExt unto the Holy Land, 
Arabia bounded.  lieth the great Country of Arabia, having on the North part, Palestina, and Mesopotamia; on the East side the Gulf of Persia; on the South, the main Ocean of India, or Ethiopia: on the West Egypt, and the great Bay, called Sinus Arabicus, or the Red Sea.  
This Country is divided into three parts: North part whereof is called Arabia Deserta, the 
Arabia divided into three parts.  South part, which is the greatest is named Arabia Foelix: and the middle between both, that (which for the abundance of Rocks and stones) is called Arabia Petrea, or Petrosa.  
The Desert of Arabia, is that 
Of the Desert of Arabia.  place in the which God after the deliverance of the Israelites from Egypt, by passing thorough the Red Sea, did keep his people under Moses, for forty years, because of their rebellion; feeding them in the mean time with Manna from Heaven; and sometimes with water miraculously drawn out of dry Rocks: for the Country hath very little water, almost no trees, and is utterly unfit for tillage or corn.  
There are no Towns nor inhabitants of this Desert: in Arabia Petrosa are some, but not many.  
Arabia Foelix, for fruitfulness of ground, and convenience standing every way toward the Sea, is one of the best Countries of the world: and the principal cause why it is called Foelix, is, for that it yieldeth many things in abundance, which in other parts of the world are not to be had; as Frankincense especially, the most precious Balms, Myrrh, and many other both Fruits and Spices, and yieldeth withal, store of some precious stones.  
When Alexander the great was young, after the manner of the Macedonians, he was to put incense upon an Altar; pouring on great store of Frankincense one of the Nobility of his Country told him, that he was too prodigal of that sweet perfume; and that he should make spare, until he had conquered the Land wherein the Frankincense did grow. But when Alexander afterward had taken Arabia, and had possession thereof, he sent a ship load of Frankincense to the Noble man, and bade him serve the gods plentifully, and not offer incense miserably.  
This is that country wherein 
Mahomet born in Arabia.  Mahomet was borne, who being of mean parentage, was brought up in his youth in the trade of Merchandise; but afterward joining himself with thiefs and robbers, his life was to rob such Merchants as passed thorough Arabia; and to this purpose having gotten together many of his own Countrymen, he had afterward a whole legion or more of the Roman Soldiers, who being offended with Heraclius the Roman Emperor, for want of their pay, joined themselves to him; so that at length he had a great Army, wherewith he spoilt the Country's adjoining: And this was about the year of Christ 600.  
To maintain his credit and authority with his own men, he feigned that he had conference with the Holy Ghost, at such times as he was troubled with the falling sickness: and accordingly he ordained a new religion, consisting partly of Jewish Ceremonies, and partly of Christian Doctrine, and some other things of his own invention, that he might inveigle both Jews and Christians, and yet by his own fancy distinguish his own followers from both.  
The Book of his Religion is 
The Turks Koran.  called the Koran. The people which are Sectaries (whereas indeed they came of Hagar, the Handmaid of Sarah, Abraham's wife, and therefore should of her be called Ishmaelites or Hagarens) because they would not seem to come of a bondwoman, and from him whom they suppose a bastard; they term themselves Saracens, as coming from Sarah; they are called by some Writers, Arabians instead of Saracens, their name being drawn from their first Country.  
Mahomet did take something of 
The Turks Religion.  his doctrine both from the Jews and Christians: as that there is but one God; that there is a life eternal in another world; and the ten Commandments, which they do admit and believe; but from the Jews alone, the false Prophet did borrow divers things, as that all his males should be circumcised, that they should eat no swine's flesh; that they should oftentimes bathe, purge and wash themselves; which divers of their people, which are more religious than the ordinary sort, do five times in the day, and therefore they have near to their Churches and Houses of Devotion divers Baths; whereinto when they have entered and washed themselves, they do persuade themselves that they are as clear from sin, as they were the first day they were born.  
In this Country of Arabia standeth a City called Mecha, where is 
The City Mecha.  the place where Mahomet was buried, and in remembrance of him there is builded a great Temple, unto which the Turks and Saracens yearly go on pilgrimage, (as some Christians do to the Holy Land) For they account Mahomet to be the greatest Prophet that ever came into the world; saying that there were three great Prophets, Moses, Christ, and Mahomet: and as the doctrine of Moses was better by Christ, so the doctrine of Christ is amended by Mahomet: In this respect as we reckon the computation of our years from the incarnation of Christ, so the Saracens account theirs from the time of Mahomet.  
The Turks, whose fame began now about 3000 years since, have embraced the opinions and religion of the Saracens, concerning Mahomet. Some of our Christians do report, that Medina a City, standing three day's journey from Mecha, is the place where Mahomet was buried, and that by order from himself, his body was put into an Iron Coffin, which being carried into a Temple, the roof or vault whereof was made of Adamant, or perhaps of the Loadstone, is attracted unto the top of the vault, and there hangeth, being supported by nothing. But there is no certainty of this Narration.  
This false Prophet (as Lodovicus Vives, de veritate fidei, doth write) being desirous in some sort to imitate Christ Jesus, who foretold that he should rise again within the space of 3. days, did give out that himself should rise again; but he appointed a larger time, that was after 800. years, and yet that time 
The blasphemous prophecy of Mahomet.  also is expired, but we hear no news of the resurrection of Mahomet. As the Deviil hath ever some device to blind the eyes of unbelievers, so he hath suffered it to be reported and credited among the Turks, that as Moses did allude to the coming of Christ, so Christ did foretell somewhat of the appearing of Mahomet. Whereupon it is ordinarily received among them, that when Christ, in St John's Gospel, did say, That although he departed, he would send them a Comforter, it was added in the Text, and that shall be Mahomet: But that the Christians in malice to them, have razed out those words.  
Their own books do mention that. Mahomet (while he lived) was much given to lasciviousness, 
Mahomet a lascivious person.  and all uncleanness of body, even with very beasts; and his followers are so senseless, that in imitation of him, they think no such wickedness to be unlawful: For they are utterly unlearned, and most receive whatsoever is delivered unto them out of the Koran, Mahomet having made it a matter of death to dispute, sift, or call in question any thing which is written in his Law.  
On the West side of Arabia, between that and Egypt, lieth the Gulf called of the Country, Sinus Arabicus; by some, Mare Erithraeum, but commonly the Red sea, 
The red sea  not from the redness of the water, but because the land and banks thereabout, are (in colour) red. This is the Sea, through the which (by Moses the people of Israel were led, when they fled out of Egypt from Pharaoh, God causing by his power, the waters to stand on both sides of them, that they passed through as on dry land.  
This is that Sea, through which the spices of the East Indies were in times past brought to Alexandria in Egypt, and from thence dispersed into Christendom by the Venetians: which spices, and Apothecaries drugs, are found to be far worse than before time they were, by reason of the great moisture which they take on the water, by reason of the long navigation of the Portugals, by the back parts of Africa.  
This is the sea, through the which Solomon did send for his gold, and other precious Merchandise unto the East Indies, and not to the West-Indies, as some lately have disputed. Whereout the vanity of that opinion may appear that America, and the West Indies, were known in the time of Solomon. For if he had sent thither, his course had been along the Mediterranean, and through the straits of Gibraltar, commonly called Fretum Herculium, between Spain & Barbary: But the Scripture telleth, that the Navy which Solomon sent forth, was built at Ezion Geber, which is there also said to stand on the Red Sea. So his course might be Eastward or southward, and not Westward.  
In the Desert of Arabia, is the 
Mount Horeb.  Mount Horeb, which by some is supposed to be the same that is called Mount Sinai, where they think it was that Abraham should have offered up his son Isaac. But this is certain, that it is the place where God in the wilderness did give unto the people of Israel his Law of the ten Commandments, in thundering, lightning, and great earth quake, in most fearful manner.   

Of Africa and Egypt.  
FRom Arabia and Palestina, 
Situation of Africa.  toward the West 〈◊〉 A fricke, having on the North side, from the one end of it to the other, the Mediterranean sea. The greatest p rt of which Count try, although it hath been guessed at by Writers in former time, yet because of the great heat of it, lying for the most part of it under the Zona Torrida, and or the Wildernesses therein it was in former time supposed by many, not to be much inhabited: but of certainty by all, to be very little discovered, till the Portugals of late began their navigation on the back side of Africa to the East Indies. So exact a description is therefore not to be looked for, as hath been of Asia and Europe.  
Joining to the Holy Land, by a little Istmos, in the Country of Egypt, 
The Country of Egypt.  which is a land as fruitful as any almost in the world, although in these days it doth not answer to the fertilty of former times.  
This is that which in the time of Joseph did relieve Canaan, with corn, and the family of Jacob, which did so multiply in the land of Egypt, that they were grown to a huge multitude, when God by Moses did deliver them thence.  
This Country did yield exceeding 
In fertility.  abundance of corn unto the City of Rome, whereupon Egypt as well as Sicilia, was commonly called Horreum populi Romani.  
It is observed from all antiquity, that almost never any rain did fall in the land of Egypt. Whereupon the raining with thunder and lightning, and fire running on the ground was so much more strange when God plagued Phara●…h in the days of Moses: But the flowing of the River Nilus over all the Country, their Cities only, and some few hills excepted, doth so water the Earth, that it bringeth forth fruit abundantly.  
The flowing of which river yearly, 
The flowing of Nilus.  is one of the greatest miracles of the world, no man being able to yield a sufficient and assured reason thereof; although in Herodotus and Diodorus Siculus, many probable causes and opinions are assigned thereof.  
That there doth not use any rain to fall in Egypt, besides other heathen testimonies, and experiences of Travellers, may be gathered out of the Scripture, for in the 10 Chapter of Deuteronomy, God doth make an Antithesis between the Land of Canaan, and Egypt, saying that Egypt was watered as a man would water a garden of herbs, that is to say, by the hand: But they should come into a Land which had hills and mountains▪ and which was watered with the rain of Heaven: and yet some have written, that ever now and then▪ there is mists in Egypt, which yield, though not rain, yet a pretty dew.  
It is noted of this River, that if in ordinary places it do flow under the height of fifteen cubits, that then for want of moisture, the earth is not fruitful, and if it do flow above seventeen cubits, that there is like to be a dearth, by reason of the abundance of moisture, the water lying longer on the Land than the inhabitants do desire.  
It is most probably conjectured, that the falling and melting of snow from those hills which be called Lunae Montes, do make the increase of the River Nilus. And the custom of the people in the Southern parts of Arabia is, that they do receive into ponds and dams, the water that doth hastily fall, and the same they let out with sluices, some after some, which causeth it ordinarily to come down into the plains of Egypt.  
For the keeping up of these Dams, the Country of Egypt hath time out of mind paid a great tribute to Prester-John▪ Which when of late it was denied by the Turk, Prester John caused all the sluices to be let go on the sudden; whereby he marveliously annoyed, and drowned up a great part of the Country of Egypt.  
In Egypt learning hath been very 
Learning very ancient in Egypt.  ancient, but especially the knowledge of Astronomy and Mathematics, whereof before the time of Tully, their Priests would report, that they had the descent of 1500 years exactly recorded with observations Astrological; which as it is a fable, unless they do reckon their years by the Moon, as some suppose they did every month for a year, so it doth argue knowledge to have been among them very ancient.  
Their Priests had among them a kind of writing and describing of things by picture, which they did call their Hieroglyphica.  
This in times past was a Kingdom, 
Their Pyramids one of the wonders of the world.  and by the Kings thereof were built those great Pyramids, which were held to be one of the seven wonders of the world, being mighty huge buildings, erected of exceeding height, for to show the magnificence of their founders.  
There is part of two or three of them remaining unto this day.  
Divers learned men are at this day of opinion, that when the children of Israel were in Egypt, and so oppressed by Pharaoh, as is mentioned in the beginning of the book of Exodus, their labour in burning of brick, was partly employed to the erecting of some of those Pyramids, but the scripture doth only mention walling of Cities.  
The founders of these Pyramids were commonly buried in, or under them: and it is not unfit to remember, that the Kings, and great men of Egypt, had much cost bestowed upon them after they were dead.  
For in as much as Arabia was near unto them, whence they had most precious balms, and other costly Spices, they did with charge embalm their dead, and that with such curious art, that the flesh thereof and the skin, will remain unputrified for divers hundred years: and all learned men think thousands of years: Whereof experiments are plentifully at this day, by the whole bodies, hands, or other parts, which by Merchants are now brought from thence, and doth make the Mummia which the Apothecary's use: the colour being very black, and the flesh clung unto the bones.  
Moses doth speak of this, when he saith, that Jacob was embalmed by the Physicians; after the manner of embalming of the Egyptians. But this manner of embalming is ceased long since in Egypt.  
In Egypt did stand the great City 
The City Memphis.  Memphis, which at this day is called Cairo, one of the famous Cities of the East.  
Here did Alexander build that City, which unto this day is of his name, ca led Alexandria: being now the greatest City of Merchandized in all Egypt: of which Ammianus Marcellinus doth observe, that there was never any, or almost have ever been, but that once in the day the Sun hath been ever seen to shine over Alexandria. This City was one of the four patriarchal seas. which were appointed in the first Ni●…ene Council.  
This Country was governed by 
Good Laws made by the King of Egypt.  a King, as long ago as almost any Country in the World. Here reigned Amasis, who made those good Laws spoken of by Herodotus, and Diodorus Sioulus: in whose writings the ancient customs of the Egyptians are worthy to be read.  
After Alexander's time, Ptolomeus one of his Captains, had this Kingdom, of whom all his successors were called Ptolomeis, as before time all their Kings were called Pharaohs, they continued long friends, and in league with the people of Rome, till the time of Julius Caesar, but after wards they were subjects to the Romans, till the Empire did decay.  
When they had withdrawn themselves from the Romans government, they set up a Prince of their own, whom they termed the Sultan or Sultan of Egypt; of whom, about 400 years since, Saladine was one. But when the race of these were out, the Mamabucks (who were the guard of the Sultaine, as the Janissaries be to the Turk) appointed a Prince at their pleasure, till that now, about an 100 years ago or less, the Turk Solimus possessed himself with the sole government of the Country: so that at this day Egypt is wholly under the Turk.  
There be Christians that now live in Egypt, paying their tribute unto the Turk, as others do now also in Graecia.  
Aeneas Silvius doth report in his History, de mundo universo, cap 60. that divers did go about to dig through that little Istmos or straight, which at the top of the Red Sea, doth join Egypt to some part either of Arabia, or of the Holy Land; imagining the labour not to be great, in as much as they conceived the space of ground to be no more than one thousand five hundred furlongs. Sesostris the King of Egypt (as he saith) did first attempt this. Secondly, Darius, the great Monarch of the Persians. Thirdly Ptolemy, one of the Kings of Egypt, who drew a ditch a 100 foot broad, 30. foot deep, and 37. miles and a half long; but when he intended to go forward, he was forced to cease, for fear of inundaiton, and overflowing the whole land of Egypt; the Red Sea being found to be higher (by three Cubits) than the ordinary plain of Egypt was. But Pliny affirmeth, that the digging was given over, lest the Sea being let in, should mar the water of Nilus, which alone doth yield drink to the Egyptians.  
Pet. Maffaeus in his Indian story, doth tell, that there was a Portugal also, that of late years, had a conceit to have had this work finished, that so he might have made the third part of the old known world Africa, to have been an Island compassed round with the Sea.  
Men commonly in the description of Egypt, do report that whole Country to stand in afric, but if we will speak exactly, and repute Nilus to be the bound between Asia and Africa, we must then acknowledge that the Eastern part of Egypt, from Nilus, and so forward to the Red Sea, doth lie in Asia; which is observed by Peter Martyr in that pretty Treatise of his Delegatione Babylonica.  
Although this Country of Egypt doth stand in the self same Climate that Mauritania doth, yet the inhabitants there are not black, but rather done, or tawny. Of which colour Cleopatra was observed to be; who by enticement, so won the love of Julius Caesar, and Antony. And of that colour do those runagates (by devices make themselves to be) who go up and down the world under the name of Egyptians, being indeed but counterfeits and the refuse of rascality of many Nations.   

Of Cyrene, and Africa the less.  
ON the West side of Egypt, 
The Country of Cyrene.  lying along the Mediterranean, is a Country which was called in old time Cyrene, wherein did stand that Oracle which was so famous in the time of Alexander the Great, called by the name of the Temple or Oracle of Jupiter Hammon, whither when Alexander did repair, as to take counsel of himself, and his success, the Priests being before taught what they should say, did flatteringly confess him to be the Son of God, and that he was to be adored: so that as the Oracle of Delphos, and some other, were plain delusions of Satan, who did reign in that dark time of ignorance: so this of Jupiter Hammon, may be well supposed to be nothing else but a cozenage of the Priests.  
In this Country, and all near about where the Oracle stood, are very great wildernesses: where did appear to Alexander for four day's journey, neither Grass, Tree, Water, Man, Bird, nor Beast, but only a deep kind of Sand: so that he was enforced to carry water with him for himself and his company (and all other provision) on Camels backs.  
At this day, this Country hath lost his old name, and is reckoned as a part of Egypt, and lieth under the Turk.  
In dry Countries, as in Africa, and the Wilderness of Arabia, they have much use of Camels. First, because they can carry a huge burden of water and other provision. Secondly, because that themselves will go a long time without drink travelling (as Solinus writeth) four days together without it, but then drinking excessively, and that especially of muddy and puddle water: And thirdly, because that in an extremity, those that travel with them do let them blood in a vein, and suck out the blood; whereby as the owner is much relieved, so the Camel is little the worse.  
Westward from this Country, along the Mediterranean, lieth that which in ancient time was called Africa minor: for as in Asia one part above another, was by an ex cellencie called Asia or Asta the less, so this part of Africa, was termed by the Romans, sometimes Africa simply, some Afrique the less.  
In this Country did stand that place so famous mentioned by Sallust, under the name of Philionorum aroe; which was the bound in that time, between Africa and Cyrene.  
On the North and East part, hereof, in the Sea near unto the shore, was the Quicksand, which in times past did destroy so many ships, and was called Syrtis magna as also on the North and West part, was the other sand called Sir 'tis parva. Some part of this Country was heretofore under the Sultan of Egypt, whose Dominion did extend itself so far to the West, and there was divided from the Kingdom of Tunis: but it is now wholly under the Turk, and is commonly reputed as a part of Barbary. For now, by a general name, from the confines of Cyrene unto the West, as far as Hercules' Pillar, is called Barbary▪ though it contain in it divers Kingdoms, as Tunis, Fessa and Morocco.   

Of Mauritania and Caesariensis.  
A Part of that Country, which by a general name is called at this day Barbary, hath in old time been called Mauritania, which was divided into two parts: The East part whereof next to Africa minor, was called by the Romans, Mauritania Caesariensis, as the other was called Mauritania Tingitania. In Mauritania Caesariensis was the Country of Numidia, the people whereof were used in the wars of the Carthaginians, as Light-horse-men, and for all nimble services were very active.  
In the East part of this Country standing in the sea, was that famous City of Carthage, supposed to 
Carthage a famous City  be built by Dido, who came from Ty●…us.  
This City was it, which for the space of some hundred years contended with Rome for the Empire of the world. In the Roman histories are recorded the great wars which the people of Rome had with the City of Carthage.  
In the first war of the three, the contention 〈◊〉 the Isles of Sicilia, Corsica, and Sardinia: when the victory fell to the Romans, and the Carthaginians were glad to redeem their peace with the leaving of those Lands.  
The second war was begun by Hannibal, who broke the league, and after he had taken same part of Spain from the Romans, and sacked Sagantum, a City of their friends, came first over the Pyrena hills to France, then over the Alps to Italy, where he overthrew the Romans in three great battles, and much endangered their estate; he continued in Italy with his Army, sixteen years, till Scipio attempting on Carthage, forced Hannibal to return to rescue his own Country. There was Hannibal overthrown, and his City put to a great pension by Scipio, who for his victory there, was named Africanus.  
In the third war (because the people of Carthage still broke the league) their City was razed to the very ground by the earnest and continual counsel of Cato the elder, fearing evermore so dangerous a Neighbour, though Scipio Nasica counselled to the contrary; fearing lest if the dread of that enemy were taken away, the Romans would grow either to idleness, or civil dissension; which after they did. It is reported of Cato, that he never spoke his judgement of any thing in the Senate, but his conclusion was thus: Thus I think for this matter, and withal, that Carthage is to be razed down. And Scipio Nasica would reply in his conclusion: Thus I think for this matter, and withal that Carthage is not to be razed down.  
Livy reporteth, that the way whereby Cato prevailed that Carthage should be razed down, was this; while the question was very hot, he bringeth into the Senate-house green Figs, and let the Senators understand, that the same day three weeks, those figs were growing in Carthage Town: whereby he made mannifest unto them, that it was possible that an Army might be conveied from Carthage to Rome in so short a time, as that they would not be able (on a sudden, to resist, and so Rome might be surprised: whereby they all concluded, that it was no safety for their City, to have so bad a neighbour so near unto them.  
In this Country toward the West, not far from Carthage stood Utica, whereof the younger Cato was termed Cato Uticensis, because he killed himself there in the Civil wars betwixt Caesar and Pompey, because he would not come within the hands of his enemy Caesar.  
Not far from thence Westward standeth Hippo, which was the City where S. Augustine was B shop.  
This whole Country (at this day) is called the Kingdom of Tunis; the King whereof, is a kind of stipendiary unto the Turk: the people that inhabit there, are generally Saracens, and do profess Mahomet.  
Some do write that Tunis standeth in the very place where old Carthage was; which is not so, but is si●…ua ed very near unto the old ruins of the other. Against the King of Tunis, Charles the fifth had some of his wars by Sea.   

Of Mauritanian Tingitania.  
THE other part of Barbary that lieth along the Mediterranean, farthest into the West, was called in old time Mauritana Tingitana. The people of which Country were those which almost in all the old histories were called by the name of Mauri; Those of the other Mauritania being rather termed Numidia.  
Into the Northwest part thereof did Hercules come, and there set up one of his Pillars, which answereth to the other in Spain, they both being at the straits of Gilbralter, in times past called Fretum Herculeum On the South part thereof, lay the Kingdom of Bocchus, which in the 
The Kingdom of Bocchus.  tia●… of Marius had so much to do with the Romans. In the west part of this Mauritania standeth on the hill called Atlas minor; and on the 
Atlas' minor Atlas' major.  South part is the great hill called Atlas major; whereof the main Ocean which lieth between Mauritania and America is called Mare Atlantum. This hill is so high, that unto those who stood on the bottom of it, it seemed to touch heaven with his shoulders.  
This Country hath been long inhabited by the Saracens; who from thence finding it to be but a short passage into Spain, did go over (now seven hundred years ago) and possessed there the kingdom of Granado, on the South side of Spain, till they were thence expelled by Ferdinandus, and Elizabeth, or Isabella, King and Queen of Castille. In this Country since that time, have the Spaniards taken some Cities and Holds; and so also have the Portugals: which by the divers event of victory, have often been lost and won by them.  
Here it was that the Emperor Charles the fifth, had divers of his great wars against the Moors, as well as in the Kingdom of Tunis: For the assistance of one who claimed to be King of a part of this Country, did Sebastian the King of Portugal, go with all his power into Africa, in the year 1578. where unadvisedly bearing himself, he was slain, together with two other the same day, who claimed to be Kings; so that there it was that true battle was fought, whereof it was said, that three Kings died in one day: which battle is called the battle of Alcazar, and was the ruin of the Kingdom of Portugal, and the cau●…e of the uniting it to the Crown of Spain Astrologers did purpose, that the blazing Star which appeared the ●…eare before, did signify that i●…l e●…ent.  
This whole Country doth mais●…aine in it, besides some Imperia●… government, two absolute Kingdoms: the one of Fezza or Fez, which lieth on the North part toward the Mediterranean and Spain: the other is the Kingdom of Morocco, which lieth from above 
The Kingdom of Morocco.  the hill Atlas minor▪ to the South and West part of Mauritania. These are both Saracens, as be also their people; holding true league with the Turk, and with some other Christian Princes; a league only for Traffic and Merchandise.  
It may be doubted whether it was in this Mauritana Tingitana, or rather but near unto it, in Mauritania Caesoriens●…, that which Saint Augustine in his book De doctrina Christiana, doth of his own knowledge report, that in a City of that Country was this brutish custom, 
A brutish custom●…uled in this coun●….  that once in the year (for certain days) the Inhabitants of the place did assemble themselves into wide and large fields, and there divided themselves each from other, so that perhaps the Fathers were on one side, and the children or brother on the other; and did throw stones with such violence that many were hurt, and divers killed with the fury of that assault.  
But S. Augustine relleth, that he de●…esting the brutishness thereof, d●…d make a most eloquent and elaborate O●…ation, or Sermon unto them; whereby he did prevail with those of the City where he was, that the●… give over that foolish and rude exercise: Yet Leo Ass●…icanus, who lived about a hundred years since, and in his own person traveled over the great part of Africa, doth write in his description of Africa, that in one place of the Kingdom of Fez, this barba ●…us custom is yet retained.   

Of the other Countries of Africa, lying near the Sea.  
FRom beyond the hill Atlas major, unto the South of Africa, is nothing (almost it. Antiquity) worthy the readiag: and those things which are written for the most part, are fables: For towards the South par●… of Africa, as well as towards the North part of Europe and Asia, be supposed to be men of strange shapes, as some with Dogs heads, some without heads, and some with one foot alone, which was very huge, and such like: which that counterfeit Friar (who write that book which is counted Saint Augustine's, ad fraetres in Eremo; and who would gladly father upon Saint Augustine, the erecting of the Augustine Friars) doth say, that he saw travelling down from Hippo, Southward in Africa: But as the Ass in Aesop, which was clothed in the Lion's skin, did by his long ears show himself to be an Ass, and not a Lion; so this foolish fellow, by his lying, doth show himself to be a counterfeit, and not Saint Augustine.  
In the new Writers there are some few things to be observed: as first, that all the people in general to the South, lying with the Zona Torrida, are not only blackish like the Moor, but are exceeding black. And therefore as in old time by an excellency, some of them are called Nigritae, so at this day they are named Negroes, as than whom no men are blacker.  
Secondly, the Inhabitants of all these parts which border on the Sea coast, even u●…to Caput bonae spei, have been Gentiles, adoring 
Their Religion. The Portu galls have there settled themselves.  Images and foolish shapes for their Gods, neither bearing of Christ, nor believing on Mahomet, till such time as the Portugals coming among them, having professed Christ for themselves, but have won few of the people to embrace their Religion.  
Thirdly, that the Portugals passing along Africa to the East Indies, have settled themselves in many places of those Countries, building Castles and Towns for their own safety, and to keep the people in subjection, to their great commodities.  
One of the first Countries famous 
The Country of Guinea.  beyond Morocco, is Guinea, which we call Guinea, within the compass whereof, lieth the Cape, called the Cape Verde, and the other, the Cape of the three points; and the Town and Castle named Si●…rta Li●…na, at which place (as commonly all Travellers do touch, that do p●…sse that way for fresh ●…er and ●…ther sh●…p-provision ●…ur English men have found tra●… 
Their Commodities for Trade.  icke into the parts of this Country, where th' i●… greatest comm●…dity is Gold, and Elephants teeth; of both which there is good store.  
Beyond that, toward the South, not ●…arre from the Equinoctial, lieth 
The Kingdom of Congo.  the K●…gdome of Congo, come monly called Manicongo. Where the Portugals at their first arrival finding the people to be Heathens without G●…d, did induce them to a profession of Christ, and to be baptised in great abundance, allowing of the principles of Religion, until such time as the Priest did▪ teach them to lead their lives 
 according to their profession; which the most part of them in no case enduring, they returned back again to their Gentilism. 
Their Religion   
Beyond Manicongo so fare to the South, as almost ten degrees beyond the Tropic of Capricorn, lieth the Land's end; which is a promontory, now called Caput bonae spei, which Vascus Gama the Portug●…l did discover, and so called it, because he had there good hope that the Land did turn to the North; and that following the course th●…reof he might be brought to Arabia and Persia, but es●…ecially to Calcutta in India. Which course, when himself and other o●… his Countrymen after him did follow, th●…y fou●…d on the coast up towards Arabia, the Kingdom of Mosambique, Melinda, Magadazo, and others? whose people were all Gentiles, and now are in league with the Portugals, who have built divers holds for their safety. Of which Countries, and manners of the people, he that listeth to read, may find much in the History of Oso 〈◊〉▪ and Petrus Maffaeus; but there is no matter of any great importance.  
Beyond the Cape toward the North, before you come to Mosumbique, between the Rivers of Cuama, and Sancto Spirito, lies the 
The Kingdom of Monomotapa.  Kingdom of Monomotapa, where the Portugals also have arrived, and so much was done there by the preaching of Gonsalvo de Silua, a Jesuit, that the King and Queen of that Country with many others were converted from Gentilism 
Their Religion.  to Christiani●…y, and baptised: But certain Mahumetans incensing the King thereof afterwards against the Portugals, made him to revolt from his Religion, and to put to death this Jesuit and divers others. Which fact of his the Portugals assavi●…g to revenge with an Army sent for out of Portugal, they profited little against him, but were themselves▪ consumed by the discommodities of the Country, and the distemperature of the a●…e.  
There are also other Kingdom's sin this part of Africa, of whom we know little besides their names 
The Kingdom of Adel, etc.  and site in general, as Adel, Monomugi, Angola, and therefore it shall be sufficient to have named them in a word.   

Of Abyssines, and the Empire of Prester John.  
IN the Inland of Africa, lieth 
The Situation of the Empire of Prester John.  a very large Country, extending itself on the East, to some part of the Red Sea, on the South to the Kingdom of Molinda, and a great way farther, on the North to Egypt; on the West to Manicongo. The people whereof are called Abissini, and itself the dominion of him, whom we commonly call in English Prester John; but in Latin some term him Prestiosus Johannes, but the most part Presbyter Johannes, 
One of the greatest in the world.  writing of him. As he is a Prince absolute, so he hath also a Priestlike or patriarchal function and jurisdiction among them. This is a very mighty Pr●…nce, and reputed to be one of the greatest Emperors in the world.  
What was known of this Country in former time, was known under the name of Ethi●…pia, but the voyages of the Portugals in these late days, have best described it. The people therefore are Christians, as is also the Prince, but differing in many things from the West Church; and in no sort acknowledging any supreme Prerogative of the Bishop of Rome. It is thought that they have retained Christianity even from the time of our Saviour, being supposed to be converted by the Chamberlain of Candace the Queen of Ethiopia, who was instructed concerning Christ, by Philip the Evangelist in the Acts of the Apostles. Eusebius 〈◊〉 his Ecclesiastical story doth make mention of this. But they do to this da●… retain Circumcision: whereof the reason may be, that the 〈◊〉 (their Converter) not having any fu●…ther conference with the Apostle, nor any else with him, did receive the ceremonies of the Church imperfectly, retaining Circumcision: which among the Jews was not aboli shed, when he had conference with Philip.  
Within the dominion of Prester John, are the mountains commonly 
Lunae Montes.  called Lunae montes: where is the first wellspring and rising of the river Nilus: yet there are that fetch the head of this River out of a certain great Lake toward the South, called Zembre: out of which toward the West, runs the River of Zaire, into the Kingdom of Manicongo; The R●…ver of Zuama or Cuama, towards the South, to the Kingdom of Monomo●…apa, or Benomotapa, as the River Nilus towards the North, through the Kingdom of the Abyssines to Egypt, which River running violently along this Country, and sometimes hastily increasing by the melting of much snow from the Mountains, would over-runne and drown a great part of Egypt, but that it is slaked by many ponds, dams and sluices, which are within the Dominion of Prester John. And in respect hereof, for the maintenance of these the Princes of Egypt, have paid upto the Governor of the Abyssines, a great Tribute time out of mind: which of late the great Turk supposing it to be a custom needless, did deny; till the people of the 
The Abyssines drowned Egypt.  Abyssines by commandment of their Prince, did break down their dams, and drowning Egypt, did enforce the Turk to continue his pay, and to give much money for the making of them, very earnestly to his great charge, desiring a peace.  
In this Country also of Prester John, is the rising of the famous River Nigar, supposed to have in 
The River Nigar.  it the most and the best precious stones of any River in the World, which rising likewise out of a great L●…ke out of that Mount, after it hath run a good space hideth it self for the space of 60. miles under ground, then appearing again after it hath run somewhat further, makes a great Lake, and again after a great tract, another; and at last after a long course, falls at Cape Verde, into the Atlantic sea.  
Ortelius in his larger Maps, describes it falling into the Sea, like Nilus in Egypt, with seven streams or Ostia: but those that travel these parts say, that there are only some Bays, but there is no River in those parts running into the Sea, but 〈◊〉.  
There be other Countries in Africa, as Ag●…simba, Libya interior, Nubia, and others, of whom nothing is famous: but this may be said of Africa in general, that it bringeth forth store of all sorts of wild Beasts, as Elephants, Lions, Panthers, Tigers, and the like: yea, according to the Proverb, Africa semper aliquid oportet novi; Oftentimes, new and strange shapes of wild Beasts are brought forth there; the reason whereof is, that the Country being very hot, a d full of Wildernesses, which have in them little water, the Beasts of all sorts being enforced to meet at those few watering places that be, where oftentimes contrary kinds have conjunction the one with the other: so that there arifeth a new kind of Species which taketh part of bo h. Such a one is the Leopard, begotten of the Lion, and the Beast called Pardus, and somewhat resembling ei her of them. A d thus far of Africa.   

Of the Northern Lands.  
THE Lands that do lie in the North, a●…e in number almost infinite: the chief of them only shall be briefly touched. Very far to the North in the same Climate also with Sweden, that is, under the circle Arctic, lieth an Island called in old time Thule, which was then supposed to be the farthest part of the world North ward, and therefore is called by Virgil, Utima Thule. The Country is cold, the people barbarous, and yield h●… li●…tle 
Their commodities.  commodity, saving Hawks; in some part of the year there is no night at all. Unto this land divers of our English Nation do yearly travel, and do bring from thence good store of fish, but especially our deepest and thickest Ling, which are therefore called Isl and ●…ings.  
It hath pleased God, that in these 
Their Religion.  latter times, the Gospel is there preached, and the people are instracted in Christianity, having also the knowledge of good Learning, which is brought about by the means of the King of Sweden, unto whom that Island is now subject.  
There is lately written by one of that Nation, a pretty Treatise in Latin, which describeth the manner of that Country; and it is to be seen in the first Tome of Master Hackluits Voyage.  
Southward from thence, lieth Frizeland, called in Latin Frizlandia; 
Frizeland.  whereas the Frizeland joining to Germany, is in Latin called Frizia.  
On the coast of Germany, one of the seventeen Provinces, is called 
Zealand, in it standeth Flushen & Middleburge.  Zealand, which continueth in it divers Lands; in whom little is famous, saving that in one of them is Flishen o●… Flushen, a Town of war, and Middleburge is another, a place ●…f good Mart.  
Livinus Limnius, and some of the low Germans, be of opinion, ●…hat this City was fi●…t built by Metellus the Roman; and that which now is called Middl●…burge, was at the first termed Metolli Burgum.  
The States of the Low-Countries, do hold this Province against the King of Spain These Lands have been much troubled of late with inundation of water.  
The Island that lieth most West of any Fame is Ireland, which had 
Ireland.  in it heretofore many Kings of their own; but the whole land is now annexed to the Crown of England. The people naturally are rude and superstitious; the Country good and fruitful, but that for want of tillage in divers places, they suffer it to grow into bogs and deserts. 
* A rare & admirable Note.  It is true of this Country (which Solinus writeth of some other) that Serpents and Adders do not breed there; and in the Irish timber, of certain experience, no Spider's web is ever found.  
The most renowned Island in 
Of Britain  the world is Albion, or Britania, which hath heretofore contained in it many several Kingdoms; but especially in the time of the Saxons. It hath now in it two Kingdoms, England and Scotland, wherein 
Four languages there spoken.  are four several languages; that is, the English, (which the civil Scots do barbarously speak) the Welsh tongue (which is the language of the old Britain's;) the Cornish (which is the proper speech of Cornwall;) and the Irish (which is spoken by those Scots which live on the West part of Scotland) near unto Ireland. The commodities and pleasures of England are well known unto us, and many of them are expressed in this verse:  Anglia, Mons, Pons, Fons, Ecclesia, Foemina, Lana. 

England is stored with Bridges, Hills, and Wool;  
With Churches, Wells, and Women beautiful.   
The ancient inhabitants of this land, were the Britain's, which 
Their original.  were afterward driven into a corner of the Country, now called Wales; and it is not to be doubted, but at first this Country was peopled from the continent of France, or thereabout, when the sons of Noah had spread themselves from the East to the West part of the world. It is not strange to see why the people of that Nation do labour to fetch their pedigree from one Brutus, whom they report to come from Troy; because the original of that truth began by Galfridus Monumentensis, above 500 years agone, and his book containeth great show of truth, but was noted by Nubringensis, or some author of his time, to be merely fabulous: Besides that, many of our English Nation have taxed the saying of them, who would attribute the name of Brittannia unto Brutus, and Cornubia to Corynaeus: Aeneas Silvius. Epist. 1. 3. hath thought good to confirm it, saying; The English people (saith he) do report, that after Troy was overthrown, one Brutus came unto them, from whom their Kings do fetch their pedigrees: Which matter there are no more Historians that deliver, besides a certain English man, which had some learning in him, who willing to equal the blood of those Iflanders unto the Roman stock and generosity, did affirm and say, that concerning Brutus, which Livy and Sallust (being both deceived) did report of Aeneas.  
We do find in ancient Records and Stories of this Island, that since the first possessions which the 
The Bri●…taines five times conquered. First by t●…e Romans.  Britain's had here, it was overrun and conquered five several times. The Romans were the first that did attempt upon it, under the conduct of Julius Caesar, who did only discover it, and frighted the inhabitants with the name of the Romans, but was not able to far to prevail upon it, as any way to possess it; yet his successors afterwards did by little and little, so gain on the Country, that they had almost all of it; which is now called England; and did make a great ditch or trench, from the East to the West sea, between their dominion here, and Scotland. Divers of the Emperors were here in person, as Alexander, Severus, who is reputed to be buried at York. Here also was Constantius, father unto Constantine the Great, who from hence married Helena a woman of this Land, who was afterward mother to the renowned Constantine. But when the Romans had their Empire much weakened, partly by their own discords, and partly by that decay which the eruptions of the Goths and Vandals, and such like invaders did bring upon them, they were forced to retire their legions from thence, and so leaving the Country naked, the Scots, and certain people called the picts, did break in, who most miserably wasted and spoiled the Country. Then were the Inhabitants (as some of our Authors write) put to that choice, that either they must stand it out and be slain, or give ground, till they came to the sea, and so be drowned.  
Of these picts, who were the 
Secondly, the picts who used to paint, or pounse their faces.  second over-runners of this Land; some do write, that they did use to cut and pounse their flesh, and lay on colours, which did make them the more terrible to be seen with the cuts of their flesh. But certain it is, that they had their name for painting themselves, which was a common thing in Britain in Caesar's time, as he reporteth in his Commentaries, the men colouring their faces with Glastone or Ode, that they might seem the more dreadful, when they were to join battle.  
To meet with the cruelty and oppression of these Barbers, the 
Thirdly▪ the Saxons.  Saxons were in the third place by some of the Land called in, who finding the sweetness of the soil and commodiousness of the Country every way, did repair hither by great troops, and so seated themselves here, that there were at once of them seven several Kingdoms, and Kings within the Compass of England.  
These Saxons did bear themselves with much more temperance and placability towards those few of the Country that remained, than the picts, had done: but yet growing to contention, one of their Kings with another, partly about the bounds of their territories, and partly about other quarrels, they had many great battles each with other.  
In the time of these, Religion 
Their religion and devotion.  and Devotion, was much embraced, and divers Monasteries, and rich Religious houses were founded by them partly for penance which they would do, and partly otherwise; because they thought it too meritorious: insomuch, that King Edgar alone, is recorded to have built above four several Monasteries. And some other of their Kings were in their ignorance so devoted, that they gave over their Crowns, and in superstition did go to Rome, there to lead the lives of private men.  
These seven Kingdoms in the end, did grow all into one; and then the fourth and most grievous scourge and conquest of this Kingdom, came in the Danes; who 
Fourthly the Danes.  Lording it here divers years, were at last expelled; and than William Duke of Normandy, pretending that he had right thereunto by the promise of adoption, or some other conveyance from Harald, did with his Normans pass over into this Land, and obtained a great victory in Sussex, at a place which he caused in remembrance thereof to be called Battle, and built an Abbey there, by the name of Battle Abby. He took on him to win the whole by conquest, and did bear himself indeed like a Conqueror: For he seized all into his hands, gave out Barons, Lordships, and Manors from himself: reversed the former Laws, and Customs, and instituted here the manners and orders of his own Country; which have proceeded on and been by little and little bettered; so that the honourable government is established which we now see at this day.  
It is supposed, that the faith of Christ was first brought into this land in the days of the Apostles by Joseph of Arimathea, Simon, Zelotes, and some other of that time: but without doubt not long after it was found here; which appeareth by the testimony of Tertullian, who lived within less than 200. years after Christ; And there are records to show, that in the days of Eleutherius, one of the ancient B shops 
King Lucius the first that here received Baptism & the Gospel.  of Rome, King Lucius received here both Baptism and the Gospel; insomuch that it is fabulous vanity to say, that Austin the Monk was the first that here planted the Christian Faith; for he lived 600. years after Christ, in the time of Gregory the great Bishop of Rome: before which time Gildas is (upon great reason) thought to have lived here; of whom there is no doubt, but that he was a learned Christian: Yea, and that may be perceived by that which Beda hath in his Ecclesiastical story, concerning the coming in of Austin the Monk, that the Christian Religion had been planted here before, but that the purity of it in many places was much decayed; and also that many people in the Island were yet Infidels: For the conversion of whom, as also for the reforming of the other, Austin was sent hither, where he behaved himself so proudly, that the best of the Christians which were here, did mislike him. In him was erected the Archbishopric of Canterbury, which amongst old writers, is still termed Dorobarnia: The Archbishops do reckon their succession by number from this Austin.  
The reason whereof Gregory 
Note.  the great is reported to have such care for the conversion of the Ethnics in Britain, was because certain boys which were brought him out of this Country; which being very goodly of countenance (as our Country children are therein inferior to no Nation in the world) he asked them what countrymen they were; and it was replied that they were Angli; he said they were not unfitly so called, for they were Angli tanquam▪ Angeli, nam vultum habent Angelorum. And demanding further, of what Province they were in this Island; it was returned that they were called Deires: which caused him again to repeat that word, & to say that it was great pity, but that by being taught the Gospel they should be saved de ira Dei.  
England hath since the time of the Conquest, grown more and more in riches; insomuch that now more than 300. years since, in the time of King Henry the third, it was an ordinary speech, that for wealth, this Country was Puteus inexhaustus, a 
No Country like England.  Well that could not be drawn dry. Which conceit the King himself, as Matthew Paris writeth, did often suggest un●…o the Pope; who there upon took advantage, abusing the simplicity of the King, to suck out inellimable sums of money, to the intolerable grievance of both the Clergy & Temporalty. And among other things to bring about his purpose, the Pope did persuade the King, that he would invest his young son in the Kingdom of Apulia▪ which did contain a great part of all Naples; and for that purpose had from thence many thousands, besides infinite sums which the King was forced to pay for interest to the Pope's Italian Usurers.  
Since that time it hath pleased God more and more to bless this Land, but never more plentifully then in the days of our late, and now reigning Sovereign, whose reign continuing long in peace, hath peopled the Land with abundance of inhabitants: hath stored 
The riches of the country.  it with Shipping, Armour, and Munition, hath fortified it many ways, hath increased the traffic with the Turk and Muscovite, and many parts of the earth far distant from us, hath much bettered it with building, and enriched it with Gold and Silver, that it is now (by wise men) supposed, that there is more Plate within the Kingdom, than there was Silver when her Majesty came to the Crown. Some Writers of former times, yea, and those of our own Country too, have reported that in England have been Ours of Gold, or at the least some gold taken out of other Ours: which report hath in it no credit, in as much as the Country standeth too cold, neither hath it sufficient force of the Sun to concoct and digest that metal. But truth it is that our Chronicles do witness, that some silver hath been taken up in the Southern parts, as in the Tin-mines of Devonshire and Cornwall, and such is sometimes found now; but the virtue thereof is so thin, that by that time it is tried and perfectly fined it doth hardly quit the cost: notwithstanding, Led, Iron, and such base's metals, be here in good plenty  
The same reason which hindereth gold o'er from being in these parts, that is to say, the cold of the climate, doth also hinder that there is no wine, whose grapes grow here. For although we have grapes, which in the hotter and warm summers do prove good, but yet many times are nipped in the frost before they be ripe, yet notwithstanding they never come to that concocted maturity as to make sweet and pleasant wine; yet some have laboured to bring this about, and therefore have planted vineyards, to their great cost and trouble, helping and aiding the soil by the uttermost diligence they could; but in the end it hath proved to very little purpose.  
The most rich commodity which our Land hath naturally growing, is Wool, for the which it is renowned 
The rich commodity of wool.  over a great part of the Earth. For our Clothes are sent into Turkey, Venice, Italy, Barbary, yea as far as China of late, besires Moscovie, Denmark, and other Northern Nations: for the which we have exchange of much other Merchandise necessary for us here▪ besides that, the use of this Wool doth in several labours set many thousands of our people in work at home, which might otherwise be idle.  
Amongst the Commendations 
Bridges.  of England, as appeareth in the place before named, is the store of good Bridges: whereof the most famous are London Bridge, and that at Rochester. In divers places here, there be also Rivers of good 
Rivers.  Name, but the greatest glory doth rest in three: the Thames, called in Latin of Tame and Isis, Tamesis: Servene called Sabrina: and Trent, which is commonly reputed to have his name of trente the French word, signifying thirty, which some have expounded to be so given, because thirty several Rivers do run into the same: And some other do take it to be so called, because there be thirty several sorts of fishes in that water to be found, the names whereof do appear in certain old verses recited by Master Camden, in his book of the Description of England.  
One of the honourable commendations which are reputed to be in this Realm, is the fairness of our 
Fair and large Churches.  greater and larger Churches, which as it doth yet appear in those which we call Cathedral Churches, many of them being of very goodly and sumptuous buildings; so in times past it was more to be seen, when the Abbeys, and those which were called religious houses, did flourish; whereof there were a very great number in this Kingdom, which did eat up much of the wealth of the Land; but especially those which lived there, giving themselves to much filthiness, and divers sorts of uncleanness, did so draw down the vengeance of God upon those places, that they were not only dissolved, but almost utterly defaced by King Henry the eighth. There are two Archbishoprics, and 24 other Bishoprics 
2. Archbishoprics, and 24. other Bishoprics.  within England and Wales.  
It was a tradition among old writers, that Britain did breed no Wolves in it, neither would they live here; but the report was fabulous, in as much as our Chronicles do write▪ that there were here such store of them, that the Kings were enforced to lay it as an imposition upon the Kings of Wales, who were not able to pay much money for tribute, that they should yearly bring in certain hundreds of Wolves; by which means they were at the length quite rid from Wolves.  
The Country of Wales had in times past a King of itself; yea, and sometimes two, the one of North-Wales, and the other of South-Wales, between which people at this day there is no great good affection: But the Kings of England did by little and little so gain upon them, that they subdued the whole Country unto themselves; and in the end King Henry the 8. intending thereby to benefit this Realm and them, did divide the Country into Shires, appointed there his Judices Itinerantes, or Judges of the circuit to ride; and by Act of Parliament, made them capable of any preferment in England, as well as other Subjects. When the first news was brought to Rome, that Julius Caesar had attempted upon Britain, True in the elegance of his wit (as appeareth in one of his Epistles) did make a flout at it, saying, That there was no gain to be gotten by it. For gold here was none, nor any other commodity to be had, unless it were by slaves, whom he thought that his friend to whom he wrote, would not look to be brought up in learning or Music. But if Tully were 
Note.  alive at this day, he would say, that the case is much altered, in as much as in our Nation is sweetness of behaviour, abundance of learning, Music, & all the liberal Acts, goodly, buildings sumptuous apparel, rich fare, and whatsoever else may be truly boasted to be in any Country near ad joining.  
The Northern part of Britain is 
Of Scotland.  Scotland, which is a Kingdom of itself, and hath been so from very ancient time, without any such conquest, or main transmutation of State, as hath been in other Countries. It is compassed about with the sea on all sides, saving where it joineth upon England: and it is generally divided into two parts, the one whereof is called the Highland, and the other the Low-land.  
The Low-land is the most civil part of the Realm, wherein religion is more orderly established, and yieldeth reasonable subjection unto the King, but the other part called the High-land, which lieth further 〈◊〉 the North, or else bendeth towards Ireland, is more rude and savage, and whither the King hath not so good access, by reason of Rocks and mountains, as to bring the Noblemen, which inhabit there to such due conformity of Religion, or otherwise, as he would.  
This Country generally is more 
Scotland very poor in formertimes▪  poor than England, or the most part of the Kingdoms of Europe: but yet of late years the wealth thereof is much increased by reason of their great traffic to all the parts of Christendom; yea unto Spain itself, which hath of late years been denied to the English, and some other Nations: and yet unto this day they have not any ships but for Merchandise; neither hath the King in his whole Dominion any vessel called A man of war. Some that have traveled into the Northern parts of Scotland, do report, that in the Solstitium aestivele, they have scant any night, and that which is, is not above two hours, being rather a d mnesse then a darkness. The language of the Country is in the Lowland a kind of barbarous English. But towards Ireland side, they speak Irish: which is the true reason 
The reason why it is said that in Britain are four languages.  whereof it is reported, that in Britain there are four languages spoken that is, Irish in part of Scotland, English for the greatest part, Welch in Wales, Cornish in Cornwall.  
In the confines between the two Kingdoms of England and Scotland, which are commonly called the Borders, there lie divers outlaws and unruly people; which being 
Borderers great robbers and stealers.  subject to neither Prince by their good wits, but so far as they list; do exercise great robberies and stealing of cattle from them that dwell thereabout: and yet the Princes of both Realms, for the better preservation of Peace and Justice, do appoint certain Warders on each side, who have power even by Martial Law to repress all enormities.  
The Queen of England had on 
Lord Warden of the Marches.  her side three: whereof one is called the Lord Warden of the East Marches, the other of the west Marches, the third, the Warden of the middle Marches, who with all their power cannot so order things, but that by reason of the outrages thereabouts committed, the borders are much unpeopled; whiles such as desire to be civil, do not like to live in so dangerous a place.  
It hath been wondered at by many that are wise, how it could be, that whereas so many Countries, having in them divers Kingdoms and Regiments, did all in the end come to the dominion of one (as appeareth at this day in Spain, where were wont to be divers Kings, and so in times passed in England, where the seven Kingdoms of the Saxons did 
Note.  grow all into one) yet that England and Scotland, being continuate within one Island, could never till now be reduced to one Monarchy; whereof in reason the French may be thought to have been the greatest hindrance. For they having felt so much smart by the Arms of England alone; insomuch that sometimes all that whole Country almost hath been over run and possessed by the English, have thought that it would be impossible that they should resist the force of them, if both their Kingdoms were united & joined into one.  
The Custom theresore of the Kings of France in former times was, that by their gold, they did bird unto them the Kings and Nobility of Scotland, and by that means the Kings of England were no sooner attempting any thing upon France, but the Scots by and by would envade England: Whereupon the Proverb amongst our people grew, That he who will France win, must 
A Proverb  with Scotland first begin.  
And these Frenchmen continuing 
The policy of the French.  their policy▪ did with infinite rewards break off the Marriage which was intended and agreed upon between King Edward the sixth, and Mary the late unfortunate Queen of Scotland, drawing her rather to be married with the Dolphin of France, who was son to King Henry the second: and afterward himself reigned by the name of King Francis the second: But this was so ill taken by the English, that they sought revenge upon Scotland, and 〈◊〉 them a great overthrow in that 〈◊〉 which was called Musselborough 
Musselborough field. The barbarousness of the Scots in former times  field.  
The people of this Country were in times past 〈◊〉 barbarous, that they did not refuse 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 flesh: which, as S. Hierom doth 〈◊〉 of them, he himsel●… saw some of 〈◊〉 to do in France, and the 〈◊〉 hereof went so far, that chrysostom in one place doth allude to such a matter.  
There be many little Islands adjoining unto the great Island Bri tain: as at the very North point of 
The Orcadeses the people barbarous.  Scotland the Orcadeses, which are in number above thirty, the chief whereof is named Orkney, whereof the people are barbarous.  
On the West side of Scotland towards Ireland, lie the Islands called Hebrides, in number 4. where inhabit the people ordinarily called the Redshanks. Not far from 
The Redshankeses.  thence is the Isle Mona, commonly is called the Isle of Man, the peculiar 
The Isle of Man.  jurisdiction of the Earls of Derby, with homage notwithstanding reserved to the Crown of England.  
On the North part of Wales, is the Island of Anglisey, which is reputed 
The Isle of Anglisey.  a distinct Shire.  
Towards France side, on the South part of England, is the Isle of Wight, 
The Isle of Wight.  in Latin called Victis: which is a good hold in the narrow seas against the French. More near France are the Isles of Gernsey and Jernsey, 
The Isles of Gernsey & Jernsey.  where they speak French, and are under the Crown of England. There are also many other, but of small account: As the Isles of Thanet and Sheppy, on the side of Kent, the Sorlings or Sull●…y, at the end of Cornwall, in number (as it is said) 145. Caldey, Lunday, and the Flatholns', with others in the mouth of 
Divers other Island  Severn: Holy-farn, Cocket, Lands on the side of Northumberland. And thus much of Great Britain, and the Islands thereunto adjoining.   

Of the Lands in the Mediterranean Sea.  
THere be many Lands in the Mediterranean, renowned in all the old Writers; but the chief of them only shall be touched. From the Pillars of Hercules going Eastward, are two Islands not fa●…re from Spain, which in times past were called Insulae Baleares, for that the people of 
Insulae Baleares.  them did use (both for their delight and armour) s●…ings▪ which they continually (almost) carried about with them: and whereunto, as Pliny writeth, they did train up their Children from their youngest years, not giving them any meat, till they had from some post or beam cast it down with a s●…ing. Of these were those Fonditors, or Sling-casters, which the Carthaginians and Spaniards did use in their wars against the Romans. The lesser of these, which lieth most West, was called in the old time Minorica; The bigger, which lieth more East, was called Majorica; and now Minorica and Majorica are both under the domi●…ion of the King of Spain.  
More Eastward in the Sea, called Mare inferum, or Tyrrhenum, ●…ieth 
The Island of Corsica.  the Island of Corsica, over against Genua: and direct Southward from thence lieth the great ●…sland Sardinia, 
The Island of Sardinia  for the quiet possession of which two, the wars were oftentimes revived between the old Carthaginians and the Romans: for these two Islands lie in the middle very fitly.  
The Island of Corsica is subject to the state of Genua; whither the Genoes' do transport things out of the Main; and are ruled by their Governors, as the Venetians do Candy.  
This Island is but barren, either in respect of some other that lie near unto it, or of the Country of Italy; but yet yieldeth profit, ease, and honour unto the States of G●… nua, which hath little land besid●… it.  
The Island of Sardinia also is n●… way so fruitful as Sicily, but it is under the government of the King of Spain, and was the same which was promised to Anthony the King of 
Note.  Navarre, father to Henry the fourth King of France, in recompense of 〈◊〉▪ and the rest of the Kingdom of Navarre, then and now detained from him and his heirs by the Spaniard. But this was the device only of the Cardinal of Lorain, who intending to draw him to Papistry, and to order his politic purposes, did make show of this, which was no way meant by the Spaniard.  
Further to the East, at the very point of the South p●…rt of Italy, lieth 
The Island of Si●…lia.  the great Island Sicilia, which some have supposed to have been heretosore a part of the continent: but by an earthquake and inundation of water, to have been rend off, and so made an Island. The figure of this Country is Triquetra, triangle, or three square.  
Justin in his 4 Book doth seem to suspect that Sicily was in times past fastened unto Italy. But Seneca in consolation ad Martian, cap 97. doth say plainly, that it was sometimes a piece of the continent.  
There was also a great contention for this Country between the Carthaginians and the Romans: but the Romans obtained it, and had from thence exceeding store of Corn yearly: whereupon Sicily was called Horreum Pope Rome. Here stood the goodly City called Siracusa, which 
The City Siracusa.  was destroyed and sac●…ed by Marcellus the Roman. When, as Livy writeth of him, he being resolved 
Note.  to set on fire that City, which was then one of the goodliest places of the world, could not choose but break forth into tears, to see how vain and transitory the glory of worldly things is here.  
At that time lived Archimedes, 
Arthimides' the famous Engine-maker.  who was a most admirable ingenious Engine-maker, for all kind of fortifications: of whom it is said that by burning glasses which he made, he did set on fire divers ships which the Romans had lying in the Haven. When the City was taken, he was making plots, and drawing figures on the ground, for to prevent the assaults of the Romans, and being unknown, he was slain by some of the Soldiers which did break in upon him. Some think that it was he, and not Architas, which made the dove, of which it is written, that it was so equally poised, that being thrown up into the air, it would hover or flutter there, and in a good space not fall down.  
This was in times past a Kingdom, 
Sicily once a Kingdom▪ two famous Tyrants in it.  where the two Tyrants, the elder and the younger Dyonisius did reign; where Gelo also, that great friend to the Romans, did remain.  
It was afterward made a province, and gover●…ed by a Praetor, or Deputy of the Romans: whereof Verres was one, who was so inveighed against by Tully.  
It grew afterward to be a Kingdom again, in so much that Tancredus was King of Sicily, which entertained our Richard the first, when with Philip the King of France, he went to the conquest of the Holy Land. Here was likewise Phalaris 
The tyrant. Phalaris.  the Tyrant so famous, King of Agragentum.  
The tyrannies which were used in 
The tyrannies of Sicily were very famous.  Sicily, were in times passed so famous, that they grew into a Proverb; as, Invidi â Siculinon invenêre Tyranni tormentum majus; but they who were the causes of all, did oftentimes speed very ill themselves; as appear by the elder Dionysius, who being driven out of his Dominion, did flee into Italy, and was glad there to teach children, that so he might supply his necessity. His son grew more tyrannous than the father, and stood so far in fear of his own people, that many times he caused himself to be shut up in a Tower, and his guard to keep the door, that nobody might come at him; He durst not trust his barber to shave or clip him, for fear of cutting of his 
Note that cruelty is always attended with scar.  throat; but that which was done he caused his Daughters to do, who with the thin innet skin of walnuts being set on fire, are said to have taken off the hair of his face.  
This was he, whose felicity when Damocles a flatterer did seem marvelousty 
Damocles the flatterer  to admire, he caused him to be set one day at dinner in his royal seat, with dainty fare before him; Plate, rich Hangings, Music, and all other matters of delight; but withal, a naked sword, which was only tied with a single hair of a horses mane, to be hanged directly over him; the fear whereof did so fear the flatterer left it should fall upon him, that he continually looked upwards, and about him, and took no joy of that which was before him: whereby Dyonisius did evidently teach him, that the state of some Princes, howsoever it seem glorious unto others, yet it doth bring little contentment unto themselves, by reason of the continual dangers which hang over them.  
It is reported of this man, that when all the people of this Country did for his cruelty continually curse him, there was one woman which daily did go to the Churches, and prayed the gods to lengthen his life; where withal when Dionysius was acquainted, marveling himself at the reason of it, he sent for her, and asked what good thing he had done unto her, that she was so 
Note how the poor woman prayed for this Tyrant.  careful evermore to pray for him? But the woman answered, that it was not for love, but for fear, that she begged these things of the gods: For (said she) I am an old woman, I do remember when your Grandfather lived, who being very hard unto his people, was much maligned by them, and they prayed that they might be rid of him: which falling our, afterward your father came in place, and he was worse than the former: which when the subjects could not endure, they prayed also that he might die, hoping that the next would be better: Then came yourself in place, who have much exceeded the cruelty of your father: And whereas others wish that you were gone also trusting for amendment in the next, I that have lived so long, and see that things grow worse and worse, do pray that you may continue▪ because that if we should have one that should succeed you, if he walk in the steps of his predecessors, he must needs be as bad as the Devil himself; for none else in tyranny can go beyond you.  
Phalaris of Agrigentum was he who proposed rewards unto him who invented new torments: which caused Perillus to make a Bull of Brass, into the which if offender's should be put, and fire should be set under, than it would make them roar like a Bull: But when upon the 
A good note for all inventors of tortures & cruelty, and likewise for time flatterers.  terror thereof none would so offend as to deserve that torment, Phalaris took Perillas, the Author thereof, and to try the experience, put him into it, whereby Perillus lost his life.  
This Country is now also under the King of Spain, who among other titles was wont to call himself King of both Sicily's, reckoning this Island for one, and that part of Italy for another, which is now called Calabria, and was in the Roman H stories named Magna Graecia.  
There is nothing more renowned▪ in all Sicilia, either with new or old Writers, than the mountain Aetna: which being on the outside oft covered 
The mountian Aetna  with snow, yet by a sulphurous or brimstony matter, doth continually burn within: yea, so that whereas it was supposed in the ages last before us, that the matter being consumed, the fire had ceased, twice in our age it hath broke forth again, to the incredible loss of all the country adjoining, the ashes thereof destroying vines and fruits, which were within the compass of many m●…les about.  
Agatheas in his History doth tell, that in his one time there was an incredible deal of ashes which did fall about Constantinople, and the places near adjoining, insomuch that the ground was covered with the same: which he reputeth to have been brought from the hill in Sicily: But B●…din in his Method. Hist. doth reprove this as a fable, which can have no show of truth, by reason of the great distance of the place: notwithstanding it is certain, that sometimes when it doth strongly break out, the fields and vineyards, and all the fruits within the compass of some miles, àre much hurt therewithal.  
The reason of this Fire was laid 
The reason of the fire in the mountain Aeina▪  down by Justine in his 4. Books; and is since approved both by Historians and Philosophers: which is, that within the ground there is great ●…ore of Sulphu●…e & brimstony matter, which having once fire in it, is apt to keep it. And whereas all the whole Country is full of chinks and chaps, and hollowness within the ground, the matter which entereth there, doth minister substance to the continuance of that ●…me: as we see that water cast on coals in the Smith's Forge, doth make them burn more servently: and then into the Chin●…es▪ and Ch●…ps the wind doth also enter, which by blowing and 〈◊〉, d●…th both cause the fire never to extinguish; and sometimes (according unto the strength of the blast) doth make flames break out either more or less.  
There are in the Hill Aetna, two principal places which are like unto two Furnaces with Tunnels on the top of them, where divers times (but especially in the Evening and night) the flame doth appear, mounting upwards; and it is so strong, that oftentimes it brings up with it burned & scorching stones & pieces of hard substances, which seem to be rend out of some rock, to the great terror and danger of any that do come near.  
This is that place whither Empedocles 
Note.  threw hims●…lf, that he might be reported a god.  
This was it whereof Virgil doth make his Tract called Aetna: which the Poets did report to be the shop of Vulcan, where Cyclopes did frame the Thunderbolts for Jupiter.  
And to conclude, that is it which some of our gross Papists have not feared to imagine to be the place of Purgatory: As they have been so foolish to think, that there is also another place, called the Mount Vidu in Iseland, where souls have another Purgatory to be punished in, but there by cold, which Surius in his Commentaries is so absurdly gross as to report an ●…allow.  
The Papists have show for their 
The Papists Purgatory is the fiery Aeana  Purgatory in Aetna, out of that Book which is commonly called by the name of the Dialogues of Gregory the Great; For in that Book there are divers things to that purpose. But our best Writers of late have discovered that that same Treatise is a counterfeit, being made by a later Pope Gregory, and not by the first of that name, ordinarily called Gregorius Magnus: who although he have in his Works divers things tending to superstition; yet he was never so absurd as to write things so unprobable, foolish, and grounded upon so bare reports as these were.  
Such another Hill as the Mountain of Aetna is, was in time past. Vesuvius, a Hill in Campania, which is part of Italy; but this never had the like continuance as that of Aetna, although in the time of Pliny the fire did break forth there, and so strongly, as that the elder Pliny, who spent all his time in discovering the secrets of Nature, pressing near to behold it, was stifled with the flame, smoke, ashes or that he died 
The death of Pliny the elder.  in the place, as is most excellently described in the Book of his Epistle 〈◊〉 his Nephew the younger Pliny.  
Not far from Sicily on the ●…outh lieth the little Isle called in old ●…ime Melita: whence those dogs come which are so much desired under the names of Canes Melitenses.  
This was the place where S. Paul 
Note.  was cast up after his shipwreck in his journey to Rome, where the Viper hanged on his hand, and did not hurt him.  
This Country is now called Malta, 
Malta the only place for repelling the Turks.  and is one of the places most renowned in the world for repelling of the Turks: When Soliman the Emperor of them did send against it a most mighty arm; it was then defended by them, who are called the Knights of Malta, which by sea do great spoil to the Galleys of the Turk that pass that way▪  
There were in times past diver●… Orders of Knights, and men that ●…ad vowed themselves to adventure their lives and whole state, for the maintenance of Christ's Religion and some places of the earth, against the Infidels and Saracens.  
The most ancient of all those 
The society of the Knight's Templars.  were called the Templars, who were a great corporation or society, consisting of divers Gentlemen younger. brothers for the most part, out of all the Realms of Christendom: Their chiefe charge was to defe●…d the City of Jerusalem, and the Relics or remainder of the Temple there, and Sepulchre of Christ: for the preservation of which places, together with the rest of the Holy Land, they had given unto them▪ and purchased for their money, very rich and ample possessions, in England, France, Spain, Italy, and other places of Europe; insomuch that in the days of Matthew Paris, he reporteth that they had under them many thousands of Manors.  
They had also in every Kingdom where their Order was permitted a great and ample house, where some chief of their company did lie, who received the Rents within that Kingdom. and caused the money to be transported into the Holy Land, and other Ordinances to be made and executed belonging unto their Order: of which Houses the Temple, that is now in London was a chief one, which had in former times belonged to the Jews, but was afterwards translated to that use, when the Holy Land was quite taken by Saladine, and could never be recovered into the hands of the Christians since the society of these Templars ceased: the Pope and the King 
The Pope & the King of France. conspiring their ruin.  of France conspiring their ruins, and their Land, were dispersed into divers men's hands.  
In the same time when the Timplers were in their strength, there was another sort called the Hospitallers, 
Hospitallers  whose condition and in ployment was very like unto the other; both of them fight for the preservation of Palestina,  
We read that sometimes these two companies had great jars between themselves, whereby grew much hindrance to the wars against the Infidels.  
All these were accounted as Orders of Religion, and therefore it was forbidden them at any time to marry, without dispensation from the Pope; because not being entangled to Wife and Children, they might be more resolute to adventure their lives.  
After them grew up the Order of▪ 
The Knights of Rhodes.  the Knights of Rhodes, who since they could not live in the Holy Land, yet would abide as near unto it as possibly they might: and therefore partly to preserve Pilgrims which should go to visit the Sepulchre of christ, and partly to infest the Turk and Saracens; but especially to keep the enemies of Christ's faith from encroaching further upon Christendom, which most earnestly they did, and do desire, they placed themselves in the Island of Rhodes, where daily doing great f●…th to the Turk Soliman the great Warrior could not endure them, but with a mighty Army so ove l●…id them, that he won the Island from them.  
After the loss of Rhodes, the Island of Malta was given unto these Knights by Charles the 5. Emperor; whereupon they are now called the Knights of Malta: for the 
The Knights of Malta.  great Master after he came from Rhodes went into Candy, and from thence into Sicily, and so into Italy, from thence he made a voyage into England and then into France, and hastily in●…o Savoy, from whence he departed with the Religion into this Island, and there they continue and behave themselves as in the former Island; and offering no violence unto Christians; they much hinder the courses of the Turks from Graecia and Asia, and of the other Saracens from Fez and Morocco. They are very valiant men, fit to do great service, either by Land or Sea, as appeared when Soliman did think to have surprised them and their Island; the description of which war is dilipently laid down by Caelius s●…undus Curio, in a Treatise dedicated to Elizabeth Queen of England.  
There have been divers other Orders of Knights, yea, and some of them reputed to be a kind of Religion, in Portugal, France, England Burgundy, and some other places of Christendom; but because their service hath not been employed purposely, as these, which are before mentioned, we do not touch them in this place.  
Near unto Graecia and Peloponnsus, on the West side towards Italy, is the Isle of Corcyra, now termed 
The Isle Corsu. Cephalenia. Zon.  Corfu: and not far South from that, is Cophalenia; & from thence South is Zon, called by Virgil Nemerosa Zacynthus: all which Lands are at this day under the Venetians.  
The greatest commodity which 
The commodities of the Country.  that Country doth yield, are Corans, which are gathered of a kind of small Grapes; and for the making whereof, they commonly one time every summer, for the space of three weeks, have a continual drought day and night, in which time the Currants are laid abroad in the open air, and may not be taken in; insomuch that if the season do continue hot and dry, their merchandise is very good; but if there fall any rain until the time be expired of their full drying, the Currants are not good, but do mould and change their colour to be somewhat white like meal. The State of Venice, under whom this Island is, doth make a great commodity of the impost, or taxation, which is laid upon this Merchandise, calling the Tribute which is paid for them, the Revenue of Saint Mark: for unto 
The Impost laid on this Island, called, the Revenue of St Mark.  that Saint is the City of Venice dedicated, and they hold him for their Patron.  
In this Island (besides the Merchants who repair thither) are divers Italians, who be there in Garrison for the Venetians, in one special Castle, which commandeth the whole Island.  
There are also divers Friars of that Nation, who perform nnto their Country men such exercises of Religion as are convenient.  
They will not suffer any of our Merchants to have Christian burial among them, unless at his death he be confessed after the Romish fashion: whereupon some have been forced to convey over some of their dead bodies into Morea, (which is not far distant) to be buried there among the greeks, and after their fashion.  
The natural Inhabitants of Zant 
Zant the Inhabitants Greeks.  are Greeks, both by Language and Religion, and observe all fashions of the Greekish Church: in whose words (being now much corrupted & depraved) there may yet be found some tokens and remainders of the old, pure, and uncorrupted Greek.  
There are in this Country great store of Swine kept, whereof the Inhabitants do feed, and carry them into Morea: but the Turks there (by their Mahumetane profession) will taste no Swine's flesh.  
In Zacynthus our English Merchants have an house of abode for their Traffic. Southeast from Moreah, lieth the great Island Creta, 
Creta▪  where Minos sometimes did reign, so famous for his severity.  
This Country was then called Hec●…tompolis, as having in it a hundred Towns and Cities.  
Here stood the labyri●…th which 
The labyrinth of De dalus.  was the work of Dedalus, who conveyed the house so by the manifold turnings, infiniteness of Pillars and Doors that it was impossible to find the way; yet Theseus (by the help of Ariadne the Daughter of King Minos) taking a bottom of thread, and ●…ing the one end at the first door, did enter and sl●…y the Minotaur which was kept there, and afterwards returned safe out again.  
The ancient Inhabitants of this Country were such noted liars, that 
The most noted liars.  (beside the Proverbs which were made of them, as, Crettenscmendacium, & Cretisandum est cum Cretensibus) the Apostle Paul in his Epistle to Titus, who was left there by him as Bishop of that Island, doth cite a verse out of the Heathen Poet Epimenides, that the Cretians are ever liars, evil beasts, & slow bellies.  
This Island is in our days called 
The Island Candy.  Candy, being the place from whence our Sugar of Candy is brought. It is under the Venetians, and repute a part of their Seignory; although the Turks, when they had taken Cyprus, did think also to have surprised it, but that it pleased God by the means of Don John of Austria, in the behalf of his brother the King of Spain, and the Venetians to give the Turk that great overthrow at sea, in the sight near unto Lepanto. Yet since that time (no doubt) the Turks have a greedy eye upon the sland of Canay. 
Cythera, where was the siue Temple of Venus.   
Between Creta and Peloponnesus lieth Cythera: There was the fine Temple of Venus; who thereof by the Poets is called Cytherea. The Islands, are many which lie in the Sea called Mare Aegeum, from the bottom of Greece, unto the top of the Hellespont, as all the Cycladeses, Euboia, and the great Island Samos, and Chios; so Seyres, where Achilles was born, and was King of that 
Divers small Islands.  Country; There is also Lesbos, and Cemnos, Mytilene, and Ithaca, (where Ulysses was King, and Andnos, whither Themistocles was sent by the Athenians for Tribute, as Plutarch layeth down the History: 
Note.  Themistocles did tell them, that he came to demand Tribute, or some great imposition upon them, being ' accompanied with two godd●…sses; the one was Eloquence, to persuade them; and the other, Violence, to enforce them. Whereunto the Andr●…ans made answer, that they had on their side two goddesses as strong; whereof the one was Necessity, whereby they had it not; and the other was Impossibility, whereby they could not part with that which they never possessed. Of these places something may be read in the old History of the greeks. Divers of these did strive that Homer was borne in them; but of certain many of those Kings which Homer saith came with Agamemnon to the siege of Troy, were Kings but of those small Lands.  
Eastward from thence, not far from some part of Anatolia, or Asia the lesser, is the Island of Rhodes, the 
The Island of Rhodes.  friendship of the inhabitants, whereof was in ancient time very much desired by the Princes that had to do that way: so that Alexander first, and the Romans afterwards, did embrace their league.  
Here was that huge and mighty Image of the Sun, which was called Colossus Rhodius.  
This Country was long defended by those who were called the Knights of Rhodes, against the power of the Turk; and it was a great bulwark to defend Christendom, till that in the year one thousand five hundred twenty and one, Soly●…an the Great Turk did win it from the Christians by force.  
From thence Southward is the Isle Carpathus: but in the farthest 
The Isle Carpathus. The Isle Cyprus.  end of the East part of the Mediterranean is Cyprus, which about 300. years since was a Kingdom, and did afford great aid unto the Christians▪ that went to conquer the Holy Land; but it is now under the Turk. The chief City thereof is 
The City ●…amogusta.  ●…amogusta, which is an Archbishop's sea: for Christians for their tribute do yet live there. In this Country in old time was Venus much honoured, and therefore she was called Cypria▪ as also Paphia, because she had a temple in a City 
The City Paphos. The Island Tyrus.  there called Paphos.  
Near unto Syria stood the Island Tyrus; against the pride whereof the Prophets doth much speak: this was a rich City for Merchandise and Navigation in old time; and is the place from whence Dido and the builders of Carthage did come.  
The destruction of it is most famous by Alexander the great. Of the rest of the small Islands we do say nothing.   

Of the Islands in the Indian Sea.  
THe Islands are very many that do lie in the Sea adjoining to the East Indies▪ but the most famous among them shall only be touched. Among old writers, as especially appeareth by Solinus, was well known that which was then called T●…probana, which lieth near the Equinoctial Line. It was in that time a Monarchy, where the Kings reigned not by succession, but by election: and if any of them did grow intolerable, he was deposed and enforced to die, by withdrawing from 
The Island of Sumatra  him all things necessary. This is now called Sumatra, and hath in it divers Kings.  
Not far from thence l●…e Eastward 
Two Island java major and java minor.  the two Islands called Java major and Java minor; which were also known to the old Writers, as in general may be noted, that all the East part, either in the Continent, or in the Lands have very many small Kings and Kingdoms.  
From whence yet more East lieth 
The Islands of Molucco's  a great number of ●…les, which are now called the Molucco's, which are places as rich for their quantity 
The great richeses which the King of Spain receives from hence yearly  as any in the World: from these it is that the Spaniards have yearly so great quantity of all kinds of spice; neither is there any place of all the East-Indies, that doth more richly furnish home their Carracts, than do these Molucco's.  
The Islands which are called by that name, are by some of our writers accounted to be at least four & twenty or five and twenty; and some of them which are the bigger, have in them two or three Kings apiece▪ and some of them which are less, are either the several Dominions of several Kings, or else two or three of them do belong to some one Prince. When Sir Francis Drake did 
Note.  compass the whole World, he came near unto these, but did not touch at any of them; but Master Candish taking as large a journey, was in one or more of them, where he found the people to be intelligent and subtle, and the Kings of the Country to take upon them as great state as might be convenient for such petty Princes.  
Some of these Islands the Spaniards in right of the Portugals have got into their own possession; with the Kings of some other they have leagued; and a third sort utterly detest them. More Northward, over against China, lieth a Country consisting of a great many Islands 
The Island of japan.  called Japona, of Japan; the people whereof are much of the same nature with the men of China: This Country was first discovered by the ●…esuites, who in a blind zeal have traveled into the farthest parts of the world, to win men to their Religion. This Island is thought to be very rich.  
About the parts of Japan there are di●…ers people, whose most ordinary habitation is at the Sea, and do never come into the Land, but only for their necessities, or to furnish themselves with new vessels, wherein they may abide, but lying not far from the Land they have ducks, and other fowls swimming about them, which sometimes they take into their Boats and Ships, & in such sort do breed them, to the maintenance of them and their Children.  
Into this japan of late days have our English also sailed, as into other parts of the East Indies, and there erected a Factory.  
The rest that be either near unto Asia or Africa, because there is little written of them, we pass over, only naming them: as the Philipin●…, Borneo, Banda●…a: as also on the side of Africa, the Island of Saint Laurence, called by the 
Diverssmal Lands only named.  inhabitants Madagas●…ar, 〈◊〉 and others of less note: And yet we do find in Solinus and Pliny, but especially in Pomponius Mela, that it was known in old time that there were many Islands near unto the East-Indies, which as it might be first discovered by the trafficking of the Islanders into the continent; so no doubt that Navy which Alexander sent out to India, to des●…ry and coast thorough the Eastern seas, did give much light thereunto, partly by that which themselves did see, and partly by those things which they heard in such places, and of such persons as they met with in their travel.   

Of the Islands in the Atlantic Sea.  
THere be many Islands which he Westward from Africa, and from Europe: as those which are called the Gorgades, that lie in the same 
The Lands of Gorgades  climate with Guinea, which are four in number, not inhabited by men▪ but they are full of Goats. Peter Martyr in his first Decade, the sixth Book, saith that the Admiral Colonus, in the year of Christ 1498 sailing to Hispaniola with eight ships, came to the Isle of Madera, 
The Isle Madera.  from whence sending directly the rest of his ships to the East Indies, he in one ship with decks and two Carayels, sailed to the Equinoctial between which and the Isle Madera, in the midst way lie 13. Islands of the portugals, in old time called Hesperides, now Cabonerde, 
Hesperideses.  two days sailing distant from the inner parts of Ethiope: one whereof is called Bonavista. Northward 
Bonavista.  from thence, in the same climate with the South part of Morocco, lie those which are called Canari●…, or the fortunate Islands, which are seven 
Canary Lands.  in number, being most fruitful, and very pleasant, and therefore called by that name, Fortunate Insulae, This is famous in them, that it hath pleased all Cosmographers to make their Meridian to be their first point where they do begin to reckon the computation of their Longitude; and unto them, after three hundred and threescore Degrees to return again.  
From these Islands it is, that those 
From hence she best Canary Sacks.  strong and pleasant Sacks, which are called Canary Wings are brought; and from thence are fetched those that they call Canary Birds. These Islands are under the Crown of Spain: The heat of the Country is very great and therefore fitter for concoction; but besides that, the sail of itself is accommodated thereunto, and by reason of them, both these Islands do bring forth a Grape, which is sweeter in taste then any other Grape, and hath that property with it, that the Wine which is made thereof, doth not ●…ume into the head, like other Sack, but doth help the stomach, and exercise the force of it there. The slips of their Vines have been brought into Spain, and some other places of Europe, but they have not sorted to the same purpose as they do in their native Country ...  
There do grow also in these Isles 
From hence great store of Sugarcanes.  good store of Sugarcanes, which yieldeth plentifully that kind of commodity unto Spain, either for Marmelets (wherein they much delight) or for other uses.  
Peter Martyr in the beginning of his Decades which he hath written the Orb novo; doth particularly touch the names, and some other things of these Islands.  
On the backside of Africa also, just under the Equinoctial; is the Isle▪ of Saint Thomas, inhabited by the 
The Isle of St. Thomas.  Portugals; which Island was taken in the later time of Queen Elizabeth by the Dutch: it is reported that in the midst of this Island is an Hill; and over that a continual cloud; where with the whole Island is watered, (such a like thing as this is reported 
The Isle of Cloves.  of the Isle of Cloves:) The air of this Island is unwholesome, and there is hardly seen any Portugal or stranger that comes to dwell there, which lives till he be above forty years of age.  
More Northward from Africa▪ lie those Islands which are called Azores Insulae, being six or seven 
The Lands of Azores.  in number; of which Tercera is one of the chief: of whom, the rest by some are called Terceras, which are far inferior in fruitfulness unto the Canaries. These were first under the Crown of Portugal, and one of them was the last which was kept out from the King of Spain, by the Prior Don Antonio, who afterward called himself King of Portugal, but the Spaniard at last took this Terrera from him, and doth possess all these Islands, together with the rest of the Dominion, which did belong to the Portugal.  
He who list to see the unadvised 
Note the unadvisedness of Don Antonio.  proceedings of Don Antonio, both in parting with Lisbon, and the rest of Portugal, as also in losing these Islands which last of all held out for him, let him read Conestagio of the union of Portugal to the Crown of Castille. But these Azores have in times past yielded much Oade, which thereupon in England was called Island Oade; but now they are the place where the Spaniards do commonly touch▪ and take in fresh water, both going and coming to and from America, finding that to pass directly without turning on either hand towards America is very hard, by reason of the strong current of the water from the gulf of Mexico, and so forward to the East: and therefore they are enforced either to go lower to the South, and so to water in some part of Guinea, or thereabout, or else to keep up as high as these Islands.   

Of America, or the new World.  
ALthough some do dispute out of Plato and the old Writers, that there was not only a guess, but a kind of knowledge in ancient time, that besides Europe, Asia and Africa there was another large Country lying to the West, yet he that shall advisedly peruse the conjectures made thereupon, may see that there is nothing of sufficiency to enforce any such knowledge, but that all antiquity was utterly ignorant of the new found Countries towards the West. Whereunto this one Argument most forcible, may give credit▪ 
The people of America utterly void of all manner of knowledge of God▪ or goodness.  that at the first arriving of the Spaniards there they found in those places, nothing showing Traffic, or knowledge of any other Nation; but the people naked, uncivil, some of them devourers of men's flesh▪ ignorant of shipping, without all kind of learning, having no remembrance of History or writing, among them; never having heard of any such Religion as in other places of the world is known, but being utterly ignorant of Scripture, or Christ, or Moses, or any God, neither having among them any token of Cross, Church, Temple, o●… Devotion, agreeing with other Nations. The reasons which are gathered 
The reasons conjectual of a new found World.  by some late Writers out of Plato, Seneca, and some other of the Ancient, are rather conjectural, that it was likely that there should be some such place, than any way demonstrative, or concluding by experience; that therewas any such country: and the greatest inducement which they had to persuade themselves, that therewas any more Land towards the West then that which was formerly known, was grounded upon this, that all Asia, Europe and Africa, concerning the longitude of the World, did contain in them but 180, degrees: and therefore it was most probable, that in the other 180. which filleth up the whole course of the Sun to the number of 360 degrees, God would not suffer the water only to possess all, but would leave a place for the habitation of men, beasts, flying and creeping creatures.  
I am not ignorant that some; who make too much of vain shows out of the British Antiquities, have given out to the world, and written something to that purpose, that Arthur sometimes King of Britain, had both knowledge of these parts, and some Dominion in them: for they find (as some report) that King Arthur had under his government many Islands, and great Countries towards the North and West: which one of some special note hath interpreted to signify America, and the Northern parts thereof, and thereupon have 
Some have entitled the Queen of England Sovereign of these Provinces.  gone about to entitle the Queen of England to be Sovereign of those Provinces, by right of descent from King Arthur▪ But the wisdom of our State hath been such, as to neglect that opinion, imagining it to be grounded upon fabulous foundations, as many things are which are now reported of King Arthur; only this doth carry some show with it, that now some hundreds of years since, there was a Knight of Wales; who with shipping and some pretty company did go to discover those parts: whereof as there is some record of reasonable credit amongst the Monuments of Wales, so there is this one thing which giveth pregnant show thereunto; that in the late Navigation of some of our men to Norumbega, and some other Northern parts of America, they find some tokens of civility and Christian Religion; but especially they do meet with some words of the Welsh language; as that a Bird with a whitehead should be called Pengwiun, & other such like: yet because we have no invincible certainty hereof, and if any thing were done, it was only in the Northern and worse parts: and the intercourse betwixt Wales and those parts, in the space of divers hundred years, was not continued, but quite silenced: we may go forward with that opinion, that these Western Indies were no way known to former ages.  
God therefore remembering the prophecy of his Son, that the Gospel of the Kingdom should before the day of judgement be preached in all coasts and quarters of the world, and in his mercy intending to free the people; or at the least some few of them, from the bondage of Satan (who did detain them in blockish ignorance) and from their Idolatrous service unto certain vile spirits, 
Their Religion.  (whom they call their Zemes, & most obsequiously did adore them.) raised up the spirit of a man worthy of perpetual memory (one Christopherus 
Columbus▪ the first discoverer of America.  Columbus, born at Genua in Italy) to set his mind to the discovery of a new World; who finding by that compass of the old known World, that there must needs be a much more mighty space (to the which the Sun by his daily motion did compass about) then that which was already known and discovered; and conceiving that this huge quantity might as well be Land 〈◊〉 Sea, he could never satisfy himself till he might attempt to make proof of the verity thereof.  
Being therefore himself a private man, and of more virtue than Nobility, after his reasons and demonstrations laid down, whereby he might induce men that it was no vain thing which he went about, he went unto many of the Princes of Christendom, and among others to Henry the seventh, King of England, desiring to be furnished with shipping and men fit for such a Navigation: but these men refusing him, partly because they gave no credit to his Narration; and partly lest they should be derided by their Neighbour Princes, if by this Genoe-stranger they should be cozened; but especially, for that they were unwilling to sustain the charges of shipping: At last he betook himself unto the Court of Ferdinandus and Elizabeth, King and Queen of Castille, where also at the first he found but small entertainment; yet persisting in his purpose without weariness, & with great importunity, it pleased God to move the mind of Elizabeth the Queen to deal with her husband to furnish forth to ships, for the discovery only, and not for conquest: whereupon Columbus in the year thousand four hundred ninety and two, accompanied with his brother 
In the year 1492. America discovered by Columbus.  Bartholomeus Columbus, and many Spaniards, sailed far to the West, for the space of three score days and more, with the great indignation & often mutinies of his company, fearing that by reason of their long distance from home, they should never return again; insomuch that the General, after many persuasions of them to go forward, was at length enforced to crave but three days, wherein if they saw not the Island; he promised to return; and God did so bless him; to the end that his Voyage might not prove in vain, that in that space one of his Company did espy Fire, which was a certain Argument that they were near to the Land: as it fell out indeed.  
The first Land whereunto they came, was an Island▪ called by the 
The Island Haity.  Inhabitants Haity, but in remembrance of Spain from whence he came, he termed it Hispaniola: and 
The richeses of the country:  finding it to be a Country full of pleasure, and having in it abundance of Gold and Pearl, he proceeded further▪ and discovered another big Isle, which is called Cuba: of the which being very glad, with 
The Island Cuba.  great treasure he returned unto Spain, bringing joyful news of his happy success.  
When Columbus did adventure to restrain the time of their expectation within the compass of three days, engaging himself to return, if in that space they saw no Land; there be some write, that he limited himself not at all adventures, but that he did by his eye discern a difference in the colour, of the clouds which did arise out of the west, from those which formerly he had seen: which clouds did argue by the clearness of them, that they did not arise immediately out of the Sea, but that they had passed over some good space of the Land, and thereby grew clearer and clearer, not having in them any new or late risen vapours: but this is but conjectural.  
The Spaniards, who are by nature a people proud; have since the death of Columbus, laboured to obscure his fame, envying that an Italian or stranger should be reported to be the first discoverer of those parts.  
And therefore have in their writings since given forth, that there was a Spaniard which had first been there; and that Columbus meeting 
The pride of the Spaniard, labouring to obscure the fame of Columbus.  with his Cards and descriptions, did but pursue his enterprise, and assume the glory to himself.  
But this fable of theirs doth savour of the same spirit wherewithal many of them in his life time did reproach him, that it was no matter of importance to find out these Countries, but that, if that he had not done it, many other might, and would. Which being spoken to Columbus it a solemn dinner, he called for an Egg, and willed all the guests one after another to set it up on end. Which when they could not do, he gently bruising the one end of it, did make it flat, and so set it up, by imitation whereof each of the other did the same: whereby he mildly did reprove their envy towards him, and showed how easy it was to do that which a man had seen done before.  
To go forward therefore: Columbus being returned to Castille, after his welcome to the Princes, was made Great Admiral of Spain, and with a new Fleet of more Ships was sent to search further: which he accordingly did, and quickly found the main Land, not far from the Tropic of Cancer.  
Which part of the Country, in honour of Spain, he called Hispania 
Hispania nova.  nova, in respect whereof at this day the King of Spain doth entitle himself Hispaniarum Rex.  
Some there be which write, that Columbus did not discover further than the Islands; and that he spent the greatest part of his former labours in coasting Cuba and Hispaniola, to see whether they were▪ Islands, or a Continent; and that some other in the mean time did thrust themselves forward and descried the firm Land: among whom Americus Vespucius the chief, of 
Of whom this Country had its name.  whose name a great part of the Country is called at this day America.  
They found the people both of the 
Manner of the people.  main Lands and Islands very many in number, naked, without clothes or Armour; sowing no Corn, but making their Bread of a kind of Root, which they call Maiz. Men most ignorant of all kind▪ of Learning, admiring at the Christians, as if they had been sent down from Heaven, and thinking them to be immortal, wondering at their Ships, and the tackle thereof; for they had no Ships of their own, but big troughs, which they call their Canoes, being made hollow (or the ●…ody of a Tree) with the sharp bones of, Fishes: for iron and such like Instruments they have none.  
Although it do appear, that by the Wars of one of their petty Princes, or Kings, whom they call Cassickes, had against another, many thousands of the Inhabitants of those Countries were continually wasted and spoiled: yet the number of them was so great in every part of the West-Indies, that in Hispaniola alone there were supposed to be by computation of the Spaniards first arriving there, not so few as 2000000. which yet by the cruelty 
The cruèlty of the Spaniards▪  of the Spaniards were so murdered, and other ways made away, that within fifty years after (as their Writers report) there were scant any thousands in that Island remaining of them.  
The like is to be said of the populousness of other Coasts and quarters there.  
The Armour which those people 
Their Armour.  did wear when they entered into the Wars, was nothing but some sleight covering, either made of Wood, or S●…els of Fishes, or of cotton-wool, or some such foolish matter. For thèy had no use at all of Iron or Steel, but the most part of them came without any kind of clothing, or covering, yet armed with Bows and Arrows, which were made sharp at the end with the scraping of Fish-bones, or with Fish-bones themselves put on the end; like an Arrow-head; and that oftentimes they dipped in a kind of most venomous poison: Some other of them had for their Weapons great clubs, wherewith they did use to beat out the brains of those with whom they did combat.  
They had amongst them no good 
Note their bread.  or wholesome food, for even that Maiz whereof they made their bread, had in the root thereof a most venomous kind of liquor, which is no better than deadly poison; but they crush out that juice, and afterward do prepare the roo●…, so that it maketh them a kind of Bread.  
There was no sort of good Literature 
No good literature amongst them  to be found among them: nay, they could not so much as distinguish any times the one from the other, but by a blockish kind of observation of the course of the Moon, according to which they made their computation, but without any kind of certainty, saving for some few Months which were lately passed: but for the set calcula●…ing of aught which was done divers years before, they could do nothing therein, but only grossly aim at it.  
But that in all Ages it hath appeared, that Satan hath used ignorance a●… one of the chiefest means whereby to increase Idolatry, and consequently to enlarge his kingdom▪ it were other wise incredible, that any who have in them reason, and the shape of men, should be so brutishly ignorant of all kind of true Religion, devotion, and understanding.  
For the adoration which they do give, was only unto certain foul spirits, which they call b●… the name of their Zemes. In remembrance of whom, divers of them did keep in their houses certain things made of cotton wool, in the manner of puppets, or like children's babies, and to these they did yield a reverence, supposing some Divine Nature to be 
Note how the Devil did strangely delude these people.  in them, because sometimes in the Evening; and in the night time they had such illusions offered unto them, as that they saw these their Puppets to move and stir up and down in their houses, and sometimes to utter voices, and give divers s●…gnifications of such things as they would have to be done, or not to be done: Yea, and that with such effect from the devil also, that if their wills and commandments we●…e not fulfilled, there was some vengeance orpunishments executed upon them or their Children, the more to keep them in awe & servility, to the great enemy of mankind.  
Not long after the Spaniards entered those parts, there were in divers of the Islands, and some parts of the Main, such incredible tempests, and disturbances of the Air, by wind and rain, thunder and lightning, as that the like had never been seen nor heard of in the memory of man: which are ordinarily interpreted to be the special work of the Devil: who not unfitly is termed by Saint Paul the Prince of the Air, as having a liberty given him of God there sometimes to do strange executions: and of likelihood, he did make these stirs, either grieving that the name of Christ was at all brought 
Note the malice of Satan.  into those parts, or else seeking to fright the Inhabitants from associating themselves with those who brought (although but superstitiously) the knowledge of God, and the Redeemer, being desirous that they should look for more such distemperatures and vexations, if they would confederate themselves with them.  
The people were so ignorant of all humane and civil conversation, and trafficking into those parts, at the first coming of the Christians thther, that they thought they could never sufficiently admire their persons, their shipping, or any other 
The admiration of the people at the approach of the men and shipping.  thing which they brought with them: Whereupon they without ceasing gazed on the manner of their Ships, seeing them to be so great, and consisting of divers Planc●…es: But they were never satisfied with staring upon their Masts, Sails, Cables, and other Ropes and Tackle, whereunto they had never beheld any thing like before: and yet nature and necessity had taught them to make unto themselves certain Vessels for the Sea, of some one tree, which they did use to get down, not with cutting, but with fire: and when it lay along upon the ground, they did use also fire, either to burn away that which was tough and unfit without, or to make it hollow within: although they have also the shells and bones of Fishes, whereby they made smooth▪  
But some of these Troughes or Canoes were so great, that sometimes above twenty men have been found rowing in one.  
The Trees of America, but especially 
The mighty bigness of the trees of Brasile.  in Brasilia, being so huge, that it is reported of them, that several fam●…les have lived in several arms of one Tree, to such a number as are in some petty Villages, or Parish in Christendom.  
Among other strange opinions 
They conceiv●…d them to be some gods.  which they conceived of the Spaniards this was one, that they were the sons of some god, and not born of mortal seed, but sent down from Heaven unto them: and this conceit was the stronger in them, because at the first, in such conflicts as they had with them, they could kill few or none of them: the reason whereof was, partly the armour of the Spaniards, and partly the want of Iron and Steel upon the Arrows which the Americans did shoot: but they were not very long of that opinion, that they were immortal, but reform that error, both by seeing the dead corpse of some of the Christians, and by trying an experiment upon some of them also: for they took of them, and put their heads under the water, and held them till they were choked; by which they knew them to be of the same nature as other men.  
Among other points which did 
They admired and feared a Letter.  show the great ignorance and unlettered stupidity of these Indians, this was one, that they could not conceive the force of writing of Letters; insomuch that when one Spaniard would send unto another, being distant in place, in India with any provision, and would write a Letter by him, what the fellow had received from him; the poor Indian would marvel how it should be possible that he to whom he came should be able to know all things which either himself brought or the sender directed: And thereupon divers of them did think that there was some kind of spirit in the paper, and marvellously stood in fear of such a thing as a Letter was.  
This Country yields great abundance of strange Herbs, the like whereof are not to be found in other parts of the World: as also some very rare beasts, as one among the 
Some very rare Beasts.  rest, who by Peter Martyrs description, hath some part like an Elephant, some part like an Horse, and divers other parts like divers other Beasts; Nature having studied to express a great many several creatures in one. 
The S●…a Crocodiles.   
There are also found at the Sea or within some Rivers, Crocodiles, but not of that hugeness as those that breed in Egypt in the River Nilus, whereof some are described by Pliny to be at the least 24. Cubits in length; which argues the Crocodile to be the greatest creature in the world that comes of an Egg. 
Some rare stones.   
There are also thereabout some extraordinary Stones growing in the Land; as above others the Blood stones, whereof there are great store: but especially there is one thing of great beauty and worth, that is, the abundance of Pearls, which are taken in shell-fish, and are of a great quantity, as any that be in the Seas near to the East-Indies: ●…o that the true cause of the plenty of Pearl in Europe, in this our Age, beyond that incomparably which hath been in the days of our forefathers, is to be ascribed to the discovery of these Newfound Lands  
There are also here divers Trees 
Divers tree not elsewhere found.  which are not to be found elsewhere: and many Roots, which serve for divers purpose●….  
Among other things (whereof 
The abun dance of Kin and Bulls.  there is great plenty in those Western parts) is the abundance of Kine and Bulls: whereof they report, that there is such store in Guba and Hispaniola, that there are killed ●…own divers thousands every year, whereof the Spaniard maketh no other use, but to take the Tallow, or the Hide; which serveth them in their shipping, and for divers other purposes; but the flesh, or the most part of them, they suffer for to putrify, as making little account of it: partly because of the heat of the Country, wherein they eat little flesh, and partly because they have store of Hens, and other more dainty meat, whereupon, together with fish, they do very much feed  
It may seem a kind of miracle, unto him who looketh no higher than the ordinary rules of Nature, and doth not expect the extraordinary and unlimited power of God, that whereas a great part of America doth lie in the Zona Torrida, in the self same climate with Aethiopia, and the hottest parts of the East-Indies, where the inhabitants are not only tawny, as all be in Egypt, and in Mauritania, but also coal-black and very Negroes; here there should be no man whose colour is black, except it be those which are brought out of Africa, but that the people should be o●… a reasonable fair complexion; which is to be ascribed only unto Gods peculiar will, and not to that which some foolishly have imagined, that the generative seed of those people should be whi●…e, and that other of the Aethiopians black; for that is untrue▪ in as much as the Aethiopians case doth not differ from the quality of other men.  
The Spaniards did find the people 
The condition of the people of America.  to be here most simple, without fraud, giving them kind entertainment, according to their best manner; exchanging for knives and Glasses, and such like toys, great abundance of Gold and Pearl.  
It is certain, that by the very light of Nature, and by the ordinary course of humane shape, there were among this people very many good things, as affability in their kind, hospitality towards strangers, which had not offended them, according to their ability, and open and plain behaviour, yea and in some parts of these West Indies, 
The Religion.  there was an opinion in gross, that the soul was immortal, and that there was life after this life: where beyond certain hills (they know not where) those which died in defence of their Country, should after their departure from this life, remain in much blessedness: which opinion caused them to bear themselves very valiantly in their fights, either striving to conquer their enemies, or with very good contentment, enduring death (if it were their hap to be taken, or slain) in as much as they promised themselves a b●…tter reward elsewhere: But 
Yet many grievous sins by them committed.  withal, as it could not choose but be so, there were many other grievous sins amongst them: as adoration of Devils, Sodomy, Incest, and all kind of Adultery; Ambition in very high measure; a deadly hatred each of other: which proceeded all from the fountain of ignorance wherewith Satan had blinded their eyes: yet there were among them some, which by a kind of blind witchcraft had to evil purpose, acquaintance, and intercourse with foul spirits.  
The manner of their attire, or 
Their attire  beautifying themselves, which divers of these people had severally in several parts, did seem very strange unto them who came first into that country. For some of them did adorn themselves with the shells of fishes, some did wear Feathers about their heads, some had whole garments made of Feathers, and those very curiously wrought, and placed together of divers colours: to which purpose they did most use the feathers of Peacocks or Parrots, or such other birds, whose colouring was of divers colours. Yea, in very many places they had their lower lips bored thorough with a great hole, and something put into them, as also into the upper parts of their ears, being pierced in like manner: which as it seemed to themselves to be a point of beauty, so it made them appear to other men to be wonderful ugly.  
The quantity of gold and silver 
Infinite 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 gold and silver in America.  which was found in those parts was incredible, which is the true reason wherefore all things in Christendom (as Bodin de Rep. observeth) do serve to be sold at a higher rate than they were in the days of our forefathers, when indeed they had not so: for as he noteth, it is the plenty of gold & silver which is brought from this America, that maketh money to be in greater store, and so may more easily be given, than it could be in the days of our Predecessors. 
Precious mines.   
But for the thing itself, it is testified by all writers, that there were in those▪ parts very great mines of the most precious metals, that in the banks of rivers, with the washing of the water, there was divers ●…i mesfretted out very good and big pieces of gold, which without melting and trying; was of reasonable perfection; and the like was to be found in many places of the Land, when the people did dig for their husbandry, or for any other use.  
This made the inhabitants there (for the commonness of it) to account gold and silver but as a vile thing; and yet by the reason of the colour of it, for variety sake, to be mingled with the Pearl, divers of them did wear it about their necks and about their arms. And yet we do find, that in some part of the west Indies, the Kings did make some reckoning of gold, and by sire did try it out to the best perfection; as 
Attabaliba his ransom  may appear by Attabaliba, who had a great house piled upon the sides with great wedges of gold ready tried, which he gave to the Spaniards for a ransom of his life; and yet they most perfidiouslie did take his life from him.  
But the mean account ordinarily 
The Country people exchanged it for babl●…  which the people had of gold, did cause them very readily to bring unto the Spaniards at their first arrival great store of that metal, which they very readily exchanged for the meanest trifies and gewgaws which the other could bring, even such things as wherewith children do use to play: But there was nothing more acceptable unto them then Axes and Hammers, Knives, & all tools of Iron, whereof they rather make account to cut down their timber to frame it, and to do other such necessaries to their convenient use belonging, then to fight, or to do hurt each to other: and therein may appear the great variety of God's disposition of his creatures here and there; when in all that main Continent of America, but especially in that which lieth between or near the Tropics, there is no Iron or Steel to be found; which without doubt gave great way to the conquest of the strongest places there; as of Mexico by name, when armed men with Guns, and other instruments of war, were to fight against them which were little better than naked; and it was rightly upbraided by one of his Countrymen to Ferdinandus Cortesius upon one of his returns from America, having made exceeding boast of his great victories in those parts, and coming afterwards in service into afric, where he being hardly laid unto by the Moors, and showing ●…o valour at all, it was remembered unto him, that it was an easy thing for him to do all those exploits which he craked so much of in the West-Indies, in as much as the people there had nothing to resist.  
There was nothing more dreadful to those unarmed men, than the 
They dreaded men on horseback.  fight of Horses and men riding upon them, whereof a very few did quickly over-bear many thousands of them, even almost in the beginning of the discovery of those parts.  
Ferdinandus and Elizabeth, than King and Queen of Castille, and after them Charles the fifth the Emperor, who succeeded in their right, partly to stir up their subjects to action, and partly to procure unto themselves the more treasure with less expense and trouble of their own, did give leave unto divers of their subjects, that by special commission they might pass into those parts, and there have several Quarters and Countries allotted unto them, where they might dig and try out Gold and Silver, on condition, that they did allow clear unto 
The King had the fist part for his tribute.  the King, the fifth part of such commodities as did arise unto them; and therefore near unto every Mine and Furnace; the King had his special Officers, which did daily attend and take up his Tribute. And to the end that all things might the better be ordered, both there, and in Spain (concerning the affairs of those Countries) the King caused a Council and Council 
A Council at Seville for the government of America.  house to be newly erected at Seville, where all things should be handled that did grow to any controversy: and where the intelligences and advertisments might be laid up as in a place of record, which should from time to time be brought out of America: Of this Council Peter Martyr (who wrote the Decades) was one, and continued there till he was very old; and therefore might upon the surest instructions set down these things which he committed to story.  
The desire of gain caused the 
Note the Spaniards cruelty.  Spaniards to seek further into the Countries: but the tyranny and the covetousness of the Spaniards was such, in taking from them their goods, in deflowing their Wives and Daughters; but especially, in forcing them to labour in their, Gold Mines without measure, as if they had been Beasts, that the people detesting them, and the name of Christians for their sakes, did some of them kill themselves, and the mothers destroyed their children in their bellies, that they might not be born to serve so hate full a Nation: and some of them did in war conspire against them; so that by slaughter and otherwise the people of the Country are almost all wasted nowwithin a hundred years, being before many millions: and those which remain are as Slaves, and the Spaniards almost only inhabit those parts.  
It is not unknown to all the parts 
His insolency and tyrannising pride.  of Europe, that the insolency of the Spaniards is very great, even over Christians, tyrannising and playing all outrages wheresoever they get men in subjection; and this maketh them so hateful to the Portugals at home, to the Italian in Milluin and Naples, but especially to the Low-Countrey-men, who have therefore much desire to shake off the yoke 
Their beastly bassness.  of their Governor. Besides tha●…, they are men immoderately given to the lust of the Flesh, making no conscience (even at home) even to get Bastards in their young days, and reputeth it no infamy unto them to frequent Harlots and Brothel-houses: but when they are abroad, especially in warlike services, they are very outragous', impudently and openly deflowering men's Wives and Daughters. It may easily then be guessed, what disorder they kept in the West-Indies, where the Countries are hot, and the women were not able to resist their insolences; and how they did tyrannize over the poor unarmed people, making them to drudge for them, not only like slaves, but bruit beasts: which gross oversight of theirs was at the first so apparent, that all of good minds did complain thereof, as appeareth by Peter Martyr himself, who in his writing to the Pope, and other Princes, doth much deplore the ill usage of them who in name were Christians, towards those simple Infidels. And certainly it caused many of them to blaspheme the name 
Note their inhnmanity  of God, and of Christ, and to renounce their Baptism, whereunto they were either forced or entreated, when they measured the God of the Christians by the actions of his servants, whom they sound to be blasphemers and swearers, riotous and great Drunkards, ravenous tyrannous, and oppressors, unsatisfied, covetous, fornicators, beyond measure given to incredible wantonness, and exercising even among themselves, all kind of envy, contention, murders, poison, and all sort of inhuman behaviour.  
Not long after the arrival of the 
The Friar's complaint of their cruelty  Spaniards there, there were certain Friars and religious men, who moved with some zeal to draw the people there to the Christian faith, did travel into those parts, that so they might spread abroad the Gospel of Christ, and when they came there, beholding the intemperance of their Countrymen, which turned many away from the profession of Religion, they were much moved in their hearts, and some of them by writings, and some other of them by travelling personally back again into Spain, did inform the King and his Court, how dishonourable a thing it was to the name of Christ, that the poor people should be so abused: and how improbable it was that those courses being continued, any of them would hardly embraced the faith.  
The earnest Petition of these, caused Charles the fifth, the Emperor and King of Spain, by his Edict and open Proclamation published in the West-Indies, to give liberty unto the Inhabitants and Naturals of the place, that they should be in state of freemen, and not of bond: but his 
Note.  subjects were so enured proudly to domineer over them, that this did little amend the condition of the people.  
Since these days notwithstanding the blind zeal of the Spaniards hath been such, as that the Kings have been at some cost, and other men also have been at a great charge to erect divers Monasteries and religious Houses there, and many have taken the pains to go out of Europe (as they think for Christ's sake) to reside as Monks and Friars, in America.  
There be established some Bi●… shopricks there, and other Governments Ecclesiastical, and the Mass is there published, and Latin service, according to the custom of the Church of Rome, labouring to root out their infidelity, but mingling the Christian Religion with much Popish superstition. 
Mexico described.   
By reason that the Country is exceeding rich and fruitful, the Spaniards with great desire did spread themselves towards the North, where they found some more resistance, although nothing incomparison of Warriors: but the greatest of their labour was to conquer the Kingdom of Mexico; which Mexico is a City very great, and as populous almost as any in the the world; standing in the midst of a great Marsh or Fen. The conqueror of this, was Ferdinandus Cortesius, so much renowned in Spain unto this day.  
If there were any thing at all in these West-Indies which might savour of civility, or any orderly kind of government, it was in the Kingdom of Mexico: where it appeared unto the Spaniards, that there is a certain settled state, which was kept within compass by some degrees and customs of their own: and which was able to make some resistance (as it may be termed) if it be compared with the other inhabitants of America; although little, if it be conferred with the courses of Christendom: But the policy of the Spaniards was, that by private means they came to understand of a King that confined near upon Mexico, who as he was of good strength, so was he of exceeding malice towards these his borderers, and by his forces and intelligence, Ferdinandus Cortesius and his company came to have their will upon Mexico.  
In this Country there standeth 
A great Lake.  a very great Lake, which at the one end is very large, and almost round; but towards the other end doth contract itself again into a narrow room, and then spreadeth wide again and round, only about the third part of the compass of the greate●… end. In the lesser of the two, their are set some houses in four or five several places, which represent our Villages: but in the greatest pan of the Lake standeth Mexico itself, being a City built of brick, to ●… good and elegant proportion, where the water issueth into divers streets of it, as it is in Venice, and from some part whereof there are diver Bridges unto the main Land, mad also of brick, but from the other ●…des, men do come by boats, where of there is abundant store continually going in that Lake.  
The Writers do record, tha●… there is to be found in this City, a abundance of all kind of provision, but especially fruits, and other delightful things, which are brought in from other parts of the Country.  
This was the chief City of all 
Mexico the chief City of all those quarters.  those quarters, before the arrival of the Spaniards there, and in subjection thereunto were many large Provinces, extending themselves every way: so that the King of this place was a Prince of great estate. And accordingly thereunto, the Spaniards at this day have made it their chief and royal City, where the King keeps his Viceroy of Mexico for the West-Indies, as he hath his Viceroy at Goa for the East-Indies: and from thence have all the parts of America (but especially that which they call Hispania nova) their directions; and hence they fetch their Laws, Ordinances, and determinations, unless it be such great causes as are thought fit to be referred to the Council of Spain.  
The Sea which confineth nearest 
The Gulf of Mexico.  unto this City is called the Gulf of Mexico; where, as in divers other Bays or Gulfs, the stream or current is such, that ships cannot pass directly to and fro, but especially out of the Gulf, that they are forced to take their course either high to the North, or low to the South.  
In and near unto this Gulf are divers Island, conquered and inhabited by the Spaniards; as the forenamed Cuba and Hispaniola, where 
Divers Islands in the gulf of Mexico.  the Spaniards were visited by our English, in the time of Queen Elizabeth, and their Towns of Sancto Domingo, and Saint Jago taken by Sir Francis Drake; as also Jarvaica and Boriquen, otherwise called the Island of Saint Phu, where the Earl of Cumberland took the Town of Porto-Ricco, and many other Islands of less note.  
In the Sea coasts of all this Nova Hispania, the King of Spain have built many Towns and Castles, and therein have erected divers Furnaces and Forges, for the Trying and Fining of their Gold.  
They that do write of the discovery of the West-Indies, do report, that when Columbus at the first went thitherward, in their greatest distraction and doubtfulness of mind, whether to go forward or backward; and Columbus had begged only two or three day's respite, there was one of his company, who after the Sea manner going up to discover the Land, did espy some fire: for the which being so happy and lucky a token, he did hope to receive at the hands of the King of Spain, some bountiful reward: but when he returned home, there was nothing at all given unto him, 
Note.  which he took with that malecontentednesse and disdain, that he fled over into Africa, and there among the Moors did apostate and renounce the Christian faith▪ so that he became a Saracen.   

Of the parts of America towards the North.  
THE rumour of the discovery of these parts being blown over Christendom, and the great quantity of the Land, together with the fruitfulness thereof, being reported abroad, some other Nations did enterprise to set foot therein: as namely, the Frenchmen, who sent certain ships to a part of this Country, lying North from Hispania nova, some few degrees without the Tropic of Cancer; into which when they had arrived, because of the continual greenness of the ground and trees, (as if it had been a perpetual spring) they called it Florida: where after some few of 
And named it Florida.  them had for a time settled themselves, the Spaniards took notice of it, and being unwilling to endure any such neighbours, they came suddenly on them, and most cruelly slew them all, without taking any ransom. And the French in revenge of this deed of the Spaniards, came in again afterwards into this Country, and slew those that were the slaiers of their country men: yet the Syaniards for want of men, are not able to inhabit that Country, but leave it to the old people.  
The French had built in Florida, 
The river Mayo.  upon the River of Mayo, where they were visited by our Sir John Hawkins, a Fort which they called Fort Carolin, and had reasonably assured themselves for their defence against the Natives: but some malicious spirits amongst them fled to the Spaniards, with whom they return again into Florida▪ to the murder and overthrow of their own Countrymen.  
He who list to see both the attempt of the Frenchmen for the inhabiting of that part, and the usage of the Spaniards towards them, let him read the Expedition into Florida, which is the end of Benzo's story, concerning the New found World; and there he shall find both the covetous and infatiable nature of the Spaniards; who would not endure the French near unto them, although there was land sufficient, and much to spare for both of them; also their perfidiousness 
Note the Spaniards unchistian cruelty.  in breaking of Oaths, and promises, and their unchristian cruelty, whereby they massacred all.  
The Spaniards also to the number of three hundred foot, and two hundred horse, under the conduct of Ferdinando de Sota, entered Florida, about the year of our Lord, 1550. and there conquered a thousand miles wide and large, and after four or five years' continuance in that Country, betook themselves again from thence, and went to new Spain, landing at Panuc in Ships and Vessels that they had built in Florida. And in all that time notwithstanding many conflicts with the natives, and divers discommodities▪ and wants which they sustained in the Country, they lost but two hundred men.  
After this departure of the Spaniards out of Florida, brought thither by Ferdinando de Sota, who died in the Country; after the defeat of the French, and their revenge again taken on the Spaniards, the King of Spain sent thither some small forces to take possession of the Country, and sit down there; for no other end, as it is thought, but to keep out other Nations from entering there: the one half whereof set down on the River of Saint Augustine, and the other, half a dozen leagues from thence, to the Northward, at a place by them called Saint Helena.  
In the year 1586. as Sir Francis Drake came coasting along from 
Sir Francis Drakes Voyage.  Cartagena, a City in the main land to which he put over, and took it, after he departed from Sancto Domingo, when the mortality that was amongst our English, had made them to give over their enterpri●…e, to go with Nombre de Dios, and so over land to Panama, there to have stricken the stroke for the Treasure: he was on the coast of Florida in the height of thirty, our men descried on the shore, a place built like a Beacon, which was made for men to discover to Seaward: so coming to the shore, they marched along the River's side, till they came to a Fort built all of whole trees, which the Spaniards called the Fort of Saint John, where the King entertained half his Forces that he then had in the Country, which were an hundred and fifty Soldiers; the like number being at Saint Helena, all of them under the government of Petro Melendez, Nephew to the admiral Melendez, that fifteen or sixteen years before had been to bring with onr English in the B●…y of Mexico; this Fort our English ●…ook, and not far from thence the Town also of Saint Augustine upon the same river, where resolving to umdertake also the enterprise of Saint Helena, when they came to the Havens mouth where they should enter they durst not for the dangerous shoals: wherefore they sorsooke the place, coasting along to Virginia, where they took in Mr. Ralph Lane and his company, and so came into England▪ as you shall hear when we speak of Virginia.  
In these Northern parts of America, but especially within the main Continent, some have written (but how truly I cannot tell) that there is a sea which hath no enter course at all with the Ocean: so that if there be any third place beside the Mare Caspium, and the Mare Mortuum in Palestina, which retained in itself great saltness, and yet mingleth not with the other sea, it is in these Countries.  
There is also in new Spain a great salt Lake, as big or bigger than the dead sea of Palestine, in the midst of which stands▪ the great City of Tenustitan, or Mexico, the Mistress cr●…imperiall City of those parts: and on the Banks or sides▪ of that Lake many other Cities also beside, which though they are but little in comparison of the greatness of Tenustitan, yet of themselves are geeat. This Tenustitan is supposed to consist of 60 thousand houses, as you may read in the third Chap. of the fifth of the Decades: and this City standing in the midst and centre of this salt Lake, go which way you will from the Continent to the ●…ity, it is at least a League and an half, or two Leagues on the Lake unto it: some of the other Cities are said to be thirty, some of forty thousand Houses; the names of these are, Mesiquail●…ingo, Coluacana, 
Four cities 〈◊〉 in America.  Wiohilabasco, Iztapalapa, and others: the Lake, though it be in the midst of the Land, hath his fluxus and refluxus, his ebbing and flowing, like the Sea, and yet seventy leagues distant from the Sea.  
But certain it is, that towards the South of these parts, which is the Northern part of Hispania nova, above Mexico, there is a burning 
The burning hill in Americs.  hill, which often times breaketh out into flames, as Vesuvius in Campania, did in the days of the elder Pliny, and as Aetna hath done many ages since and before.  
Peter Martyr his his fifth of his Decades, saith, that eight leagues from Tenustitan or Mexico, as Ferdinando Cortes went thither from the Chiurute Calez, where is a Hill called of the Inhabitants Popecatepeque, as much as to say, A smoky mountain, at the top whereof there is a hole of a league and a half wide, out of which are cast fire, and 
A strange fire.  stones with whitl-winds; and that the thickness of the ashes lying about the Hill is very great. It is reported also elsewhere of this hill, that the flames and the ashes thereof oft times destroy the fields and Gardens thereabouts. When Cortes, went by it, he sent ten Spaniards, with Guides of the Country, to see and make report thereof unto him; two of which ten venturing further than the rest, saw the mouth of this fiery gulf at the hills top: and had they not happily soon returned towards their fellows, and sheltered themselves under a rock on the side of the hill, such a multitude of stones were cast out with the flame, that by no means they could have escaped.  
The Englishmen also desirous by 
Of Virginia the first plantation.  Navigation to add something unto their own Country, as before time they had traveled toward the farthest North part of America, so lately finding that part which lieth between Florida and Nova Francia, was not inhabited by any Christians, and was a Land fruitful and fit to plant in, they sent thither two several times, two several companies, as Colonies to inhabit that part, which in remembrance of the Virginity of their Queen they called Virginia. But this voyage being enterprised upon by private men, and being not throughly followed by the State, the possession of this Virginia for that time was discontinued, and the Country left to the old inhabitants.  
There were some English people, 
The second planta ion.  who after they had understood the calmness of the Climate, and goodness of the soil, did upon the instigation of some Gentlemen of England, voluntarily offer themselves, even with their Wives and Children, to go into those parts to inhabit; but when the most of them came there (upon some occasions) they returned home again the first time: which caused that the second year there was a great company transported thither, who were provided of many necessaries, and continued there over a whole winter, under the guiding of M. Lane: but not finding any sustenance in the Country (which could well brook wi●…h their nature, and being too meanly provided of Corn and Victuals from England) they had like to have perished with famine; and therefore thought themselves happy when Sir Francis Drake, coming that way from the Western- Indieses, would take them into his ships, and bring them home into their native Country. Yet some there were of those English, which being left behind, ranged up and down the Country (and hover about the sea-coast) made means at last (after their enduring much misery) by some Christian ships to be brought back again into England.  
While they were there inhabiting, there were some children born and baptised in those parts, and they might well have endured the Country, if they might have had such strength as to keep off the inhabitants from troubling them in tilling the ground, and reaping such corn as they would have sowed.  
Again in the days of our now 
The third plantation.  reigning Sovereign, in the year of our Lord 1606. the English planted themselves in Virginia, under the degrees 37, 38, 39 where they do to this day continue, and have built three Towns and Forts, as namely James-town and Henrico, Fort Henrick, & Fort Charles, with others, which they hold & inhabit; sure retreats for them against the force of the natives, and reasonable secured places against any power that may come against them by Sea.  
In the same height, but a good distance 
Of the summer Lands  from the coast of Virginia, lieth the Island called by the Spaniards La Barmuda, but by our English the Summer Lands, which of late is inhabited also by our Country men.  
Northward from them on the coast lieth N●…rumbega, which is the south part of that which the French men did without disturbance of any Christian for a time possess. For the Frenchmen did discover a large part of America, towards the Circle Arctic, and did build there some Towns, and named it of their own Country Nova Francia.  
As our English men have adventured very far for the discovery of newfound lands: so with very great labour and diligence they attempted to open something higher than Nova Francia: and therefore with some Ships they did pass thither, and entered upon the Land, from whence they brought some of the people, whose countenance was very tawny and dusky; which cometh not by any heat, but the great cold of the Climate, chilling and pricking them: but the digestion and stomach of these people is very good, insomuch that like unto the Tartars, and some other Norther nations, their feeding was (for the most part) upon raw meat, their manners otherwise being barbarous and suitable to their diet.  
They had little leathern Boats, wherein they would fish near the brinks of the Sea, and at their pleasure would carry them from place to place on their backs.  
Notwithstanding all their pains there taken, it was a great error and ignorance in our men, when they supposed that they should find good store of Gold-mines in those quarters: for the country is so cold, that it is not possible to find there any full concoction of the sun, to breed and work such a metal within the ground; and therefore howsoe ver they brought home some store of earth, which they supsed to be o'er, and of shining stones; yet when it came to the trial it proved to be nothing worth, but verified the Proverb, All is not Gold that glisters.  
In very many parts of these Northern Countries of America, there is very fit and opportune fishing some pretty way within the sea, and therefore divers Nations of Europe, do yearly send fishers thither, with shipping and great store of salt: where when they have taken fish; and dried it, and salted it at the land, they bring it home into Christendom, and utter it commonly by 
The fish of New found, land.  the name of New found-land-fish.  
The English about the year 1570 did adventure far for to open the North parts of America, and sailed as far as the very Circle Arctic, hoping to have found a passage-by the North to the Moluccoes, and to China, which hitherto neither by the North of Asia, nor by the North of America, could be effefected by them, by reason of the very great cold and ice in the climate.  
The rest of the Island (being a huge space of earth,) hath not hither to by any Christian to any purpose been discovered; but by those near the sea coast it may be gathered, that they all which do there inhabit, are men rude and uncivil, without the knowledge of God. Yet on the north west part of America, some of our English men going through the straits of Magellane, and passing towards the North by Hispania nova, have touched on a Country, where they have found good entertainment, and the King thereof yielded himself to the subjection of the Queen of England: whereupon 
Nova Al bion.  they termed it Nova Albion.  
Sir Francis Drake, who touched upon that Country and for some pretty time had his abode there, doth report in his Voyage, that the country is very good, yielding much store of divers fruits delightful, both to the eye and taste: and that the people are apt enough by hospitality to yield favour & entertainment to strangers: but it is added withal, that they are marvellously addicted to witchcraft, and adoration of Devils; from which they could not be persuaded to abstain even in the very presence of our Countrymen.   

Of Peru and Brasile.  
When the Portugals had first 
The Portugals discovery of Brasile.  begun their Navigation by afric into the East-Indies, some of them intending to have held their course Eastward unto Catut bonae spei, were driven so far Westward by tempest, that they landed in a large and great Country, which by a general name is called Brasilia, where they began to enter traffic, and with Towns and Castles to plant themselves, before that the Spaniard had discovered Peru, which is the South part of America. So that at this day whatsoever▪ the King of Spain hath in Brasilia, it is in the right of the Crown of Portugal.  
We may read in Guicciardine, how when the Spaniards towards the West, and the Portugals towards the East, had descried many new-found-lands, there grew great contention between them, what should be appropriated unto the one, and what might be seized on by the other: therefore for the better establishing of peace amongst them, they had both recourse unto Alexander the sixth, who was Pope in the year 1492, and somewhat before and after: and he taking on him (after the proud manner of the Bishops of Rome) to dispose of it, which belonged not unto him, did set down an order between them; which was that all the degrees of longitude, being 360. in the Globe being divided into two parts, the Spaniards should take one, and the Portugals the other: so that in this division they were to begin in those degrees, under which some of Peru standeth; from the which they counting forwards towards the East, did allow Brasilia, and 180 degrees to the Portugals Eastward, and so from Brasilia Westward to the Spaniards as many: so that he had in his portion all America accept Brasilia. 
A large Country, and much inhabited.   
This Country is large, having in it many people, and several Kingdoms, which are not all possessed by the Portugals; but so, that other Christians, as namely the Frenchmen being driven out of their Country for Religion, have set foot in there, though afterwards again they have abandoned it.  
What the Portugal do at this day in Brasilia, I know not: but it is likely now, that whatsoever there is held by the Christians is reputed to be under the Spaniards, as many other parts of Brasile promiscuously are: yet certain it is, that now almost forty years since some of the Frenchmen, which professed sincere religion, and could not then be suffered quietly to live in France, did provide certain shipping, and under the conduct of one Villagagno a 
Note.  Knight of Malta, but their own countrymen did go thither & continued there the space of one year, having Ministers and Preachers among them, and the exercise of the Word and Sacraments: but after by the evil counsel of some of the chief Rulers in France, which were addicted unto the Pope, the heart of Villagagno was drawn away, insomuch that he contumeliously using the Pastors, and chief of that company, did force them to retire into France: so that the habitation there was then utterly relinquished, and hath not si●…ce been continued by any of the French.  
There is a learned man one Johannes Lyreus, who was in their voyage, and hath written a Tract called Navigatio in Brasiliam, which is very well worth the reading, not only to see what did befall him and his company, but what the manners of that people, with whom they did converse. The inhabitants here are men also utterly unlearned; but men more ingenious than the common sort of the Americans; goodly of body, and strait of proportion going always naked; reasonable good Warriors after their country fashion, using to fat such enemies as they take in the wars, that afterwards they may devour them, which they do with great pleasure. For divers of the People of those quarters, as the Caribees, and the Cannibals, and almost all, are eaters of man's flesh.  
In this Country groweth abundance 
The abundance of Brasile wood.  of that wood, which since is brought into Europe, to die red colours, and is of the place whence it cometh called Brasil wood; the trees whereof are exceeding great.  
The people of Brasil, where Lyrius and his fellows lived, are called by the name of Tauvaupinambaltii, by description of whose qualities, many things may be learned concerning the rest of the inhabitants near thereobout.  
First then, they have no letters among them, and yet seem to be very capable of any good understanding: as appeared by the speech of some of them, reproving the Frenchmen for their great greediness and cove●…ousness of gain, when they would take so much pains, as to come from another end of the world to get commodities there. Their computation is only by the Sun and Moon, whom they hold to be of a Divine nature: and although they 
Their Religion.  know nothing truly concerning God, yet they have a dark opinion that the soul doth live after the separation from the body.  
The men and women throughout the whole Country do go stark 
Their apparel.  naked, even very few of them having any thing on to cover their privities; only some of them do pull some kind of ornaments thorough their ears, and the most of them have their lower lip boared thorough with a great hole, therein putting some device or other. 
The proportion of the Inhabitants   
They look very disguisedly, but they are wonderful strait of limb and proportion, insomuch that the Author writeth that in all the time wherein he lived among them, he saw not one crooked backed or misshapen in any part: whereof seeking to give a reason, he ascribeth it to this; that their children are never swathed, or bound about, with any thing when they are first born, but are put naked into the bed, with their parents to lie: which beds are devised of Cotton wool, and hung up between two trees not far from the ground, in the which flagging down in the middle, men and their wives and their children do lie together.  
But whether this be the true reason of the straightness of their bodies, it may be doubted, from the authority of S. Hierom, who in one of his treatises mentioning that the children of the noblest and▪ greatest Romans in his time were very crooked, when other which were breed of meaner parents were not so, imputeth it to this cause, that the Gentlewomen of Rome, in a kind of wantonness did not suffer their infants to be so long swathed as poorer people did, and that thereby their joints and members not being tied and restrained within compass, did fly out of proportion.  
Certainly, howsoever there may be some reasons naturally given of these things, it is much to be ascribed to the immediate will of God, who giveth and taketh away beauty at his pleasure.  
The men of these parts are very 
Note.  strong, and able of body, and therefore either give sound strokes with their clubs where with they fight, or else shoot strong shoots with their bows, whereof they have plenty: & if any of them be taken in the wars (after they have been cramed of pur pose to be eaten of their enemies) they are brought forth to execution, wherein marvellous willingly they do yield themselves to death, as supposing that nothing can be more honourable unto them, then to be taken, and to die for their Country. He therefore who is to kill the other, doth with very much insolency and pride insult, over him which is to be slain; saying, thou art he which wouldst have spoilt and destroyed us and ours, but now I am to recompense thee for thy pains: and the other without all fear replies, Yea, I am he that would have done it, and would have made no spare, if I had prospered in mine intent; and other such suitable words, showing their resolution to conquer, or willingly to die in the common cause of themselves and their people. It is strange 
The Cannibals or man eiters, which is the country custom.  to see the inhuman and unatural custom, which many of the people of the West- Indieses have; for there are whole Islands full of such Cannibals as do eat man's flesh; and amongst the rest these 〈◊〉 are famous that way; who when they are disposed to have any great meeting, or to have any solemn feast, they kill some of their adversaries, whom they keep in store for that purpose, & cutting him out into collops, which they call Boucan, they will lay them upon the coals, and for divers days together make great mirth in devouring them: wherein they have this fashion, very strange, that so long as they are in their eating banquet, although it continue divers days, they do never drink at all, but afterwards, when they are disposed to fall to drinking of a certain liquor which they have amongst them, they will continue bousing at it for two or three days, and in the mean time never eat. In many parts both of Hispania nova, and Peru, as also in the Islands near adjoining, 
Their great use of Tobacco.  they have an herb whereof they make great use; of which some is brought into divers parts of Europe, under the name of Tobacco, Paetum, or Nicosiana, although we have also much counterfeit of the same: the people of those parts do use it as Physic, to purge themselves of humours, and they apply it also to the filling of themselves, the smoke of it being received through a leaf, or some such hollow thing▪ into the nostrils, head, and stomach, and causing the party which receiveth it, to lie as if he were drunk or, dead for a space, needing no food or nourishment in the mean while. Whereof it cannot be denied, but that it is possible that by prescript of Physic it may by serviceable for some purposes among us; although that also it be very disputable, in as much as they who speak most highly of it, must and do confess that the force of it is obstup●…factive, and no other, whereby it produceth his own effects, and wise men should be wary & sparing in receiving of such a thing. But when we 
Note.  do consider the vain and wanton use which many of our Countrymen have of late taken up, in receiving of this Tobacco, not only many times in in a day, but even at meat, and by the way▪ to the great waste both of their purse and of their bodies, we may well deplore the vanity of the nation, who thereby purpose themselves as ridiculous to the French, and other our neighbours. And certainly, if it were possible that our worthy, warlike, and valiant Progenitors might behold their manners (who do most delight therein) they would wonder what a generation had succeeded in their rooms, who addict themselves to so fond, and worse than effeminate passion.  
Benzo, who lived among them of the West- Indies doth call the smell of it a Tartarus and hellish savour: And whatsoever looketh into those Books, which our Christians travelling thither have written concerning 
Note this ye Tobacconists▪  those West- Indieses, shall find that the inhabitants there do use it most as a remedy against that which is called Lues venerea, whereunto many of them are subject, being unclean in their conversation; and that not only in fornication and adultery with women, but also their detestable and execrable sin of Sodomy.  
After that the Spaniards had for a time possessed Hispania nova, for the desire of Gold and Pearl, some of them traveled towards the South, and as by water they found the Sea westward from Peru, which is always very calm, and is by them called the South sea, as the other wherein Cuba standeth standeth is termed the North sea, so by land they found that huge and mighty Country; which is called Peru, wherein the people are (for the most part) very barbarous, 
A description of the people of Peru.  and without God; men of great stature, yea, some of them far higher than the ordinary sort of men in Europe; using to shoot strongly with bows made of Fish-bones, and most cruel people to their enemies.  
Our English people who have traveled that way, do in their writings confess that they saw upon the South of Peru very huge & tall men, who attempting upon them when they put to land for fresh water, were much frighted with their Guns, or else doubtless had offered violence unto them; which our men fearing, got them away as speedily as they could.  
There was one Petrus de Cieca, a Spaniard, who when he had traveled two and twenty years, returned back again into Europe, and wrote an excellent Book of the Discovery of that whole Country. And he amongst other things doth record, that there are found in some parts of Peru, very huge and mighty bones of men that had been Giants, who dwelled and were buried there.  
Amongst these the Spaniards 
The riches of the Country of Peru.  (partly by force, but especially by perfidious treason) did get infinite sums of Gold and Pearls, wherewith being alured, they hoped for more, by reason that a great part thereof hath under the Zona torrida, and that caused them to spread themselves here and there, as far as they durst in the country, where in some places they digged Gold out of the ●…rth; and in some other they found it ready digged and tried unto their hands, by the people of the Country, which had used that Trade before their coming thither.  
Amongst other creatures which are 
A strange story of the beast Cincia.  very famous in this Peru, there is a little beast called Cincia, which is no bigger than a Fox, the tale whereof is long, the feet short, and the head like a very Fox, which hath a bag hanging under her belly, whereinto she doth use to put her young, when she seeth them in danger of any hunter or passenger.  
That Petrus de Cieca (of whom mention was made before) telleth that himself saw one of them, which had no less than seven young ones lying about her: but as soon as she perceived that a man was coming near unto her, she presently got them into her bag, and ran away with such incredible swiftness as one would not have imagined.  
After the Spaniards had conquered Mexico, they discovered Peru, travelling towards the south, and as they prevailed against the Mexicans, taking part with an enemy neighbour; so finding two brothers striving in Peru, Guas●…ar & Atabaliba, they so demeaned themselves in their difference that they ruined both, and got their incredible store of Gold.  
The first that attempted against 
the first attempters against the Peruvians.  the Peruvians, and destroyed their Kings, were James of Almagra and the two brothers of Pizarres: but dealing treacherously and cruelly with the Peruvians, they long enjoyed not their victory, but all of them died a violent death.  
The people of Peru are in many places much wiser than those of Cuba, Hispaniola, and some others parts of the Continent where the Spaniards first landed, and therefore they have some orders and solemn customs among them; as among the rest, they do bury their dead with observable ceremonies, laying up their bodies with great solemnity into a large house prepared for that purpose.  
They have also in one Province there a custom of carrying news & messages veryspeedily, to the end the King and Governor of the Country may presently take advertisement of any thing which falleth out, and this is not on horseback, or by the Dromedary or Else, as they use in other places, but only men who pass over Rocks and thorough Bushes the next way, and in 〈◊〉 set places there be always fresh Posts, to carry tha●… further which is brought unto them by the other.  
The Spaniards have here and there scatteringly upon the seacoasts, set up some Towns and Castles, but are not able to possess almost any thing of the land: neither have they as yet discovered the inward parts thereof ●…hough daily they spread themselves more and more: insomuch th●…t it is supposed, that within these seven years last passed they have gotten into Guiana, where in former time no ●…ranger of that Nation hath been.  
Guiana is a country which lie●…h to 
Guiana.  ●…he North sea in the same height, as Peru to the South (as it is described) ●…bout five degrees from the Aequin●…ctial, and that (as I take it) toward the South.  
The Country is supposed to be 
The richness an●… 〈◊〉 os the▪ country.  exceeding rich & to have in it many mines of gold (which have not yet been touched, or at least but very l●…tely, & to be exceeding fertile, and delightful otherwise, although it lie i●… the heat of Zona torrida: but there is such store of rivers & fresh waters i●… every part thereof, and the soil itself hath such correspondency thereunto, that it is reported to be as green and pleasant to the eye, as any place in the world.  
Some of our Englishmen did with great labour and danger pass by water into the heart of the country, & earnestly desire that some forces of ●…he English might be sent thither, & a Colony erected there: by reason of the distance of the place, & the great hazard, that if it should not succeed well, it might prove dishonourable to our nation; and withal, because the Spaniards have great companies and strength, although not in it, ye many ways about it, that intendment was discontinued.  
In divers parts of this Peru, and near unto Guiana; there are very many great rivers, which as they are fi●… for any navigation that should be attempted to go up within the land, so otherwise they must needs yield health and fruitfulness to those that i●…habit there. The greatest of these rivers is that which some call Oregliana, 
The river of the Amazon.  or the river of the Amazons. And next is the river Maragnone & down towards. Magellane straits Rio de la Plata: and our English men do speak of the river Orinoque▪ in the greatest of which this is famous; that for a good spece after they have run into the main sea, yea, some write 20. or 30. Miles, they keep themselves unmixed with the salt water, so that a very great way wi●…hin the sea. men may take up as fresh water, as if they were near the Land.  
The first o●… our Nation that sailed 
●…ir Walter ●…. leigh lid first 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 it to the Engl●…sh.  to Guiana, and made report thereof unto us, was S. Walter Raleigh, who ●…ravelled far up into the country upon the river Orinoque: after him, one or two voyages thither did captain Kemish make, and now lately▪ captain H●…recourt, with others, have visited ●…hat Country,▪ where our men con●…inued the space of 3. or 4. year●…▪ being kindly entreated of the natives, who much desired them to come and make some plantation amongst them hoping by them to be defended: against 
They: ha●…e he▪ Spani●…rds, and ●…ove the English.  the Spaniards, whom they greatly hate and fear▪ When Sir Walter Raleigh come to Guiana, ●…he overthrew the Spaniards that were in Trinidado, and took Bereo their Captain or General prisoner: he loosed and set at▪ liberty four or five Kings of the people of that country, that Bereo kept in chains, and sent th●…m▪ home to their own: which de●…d of his did win him the hearts of the people, them and make much to favour our English at this day.  
Divers also of that country, which ●…mongst them are men of note, have been brought over into England, & here living many years▪ are by our men brought home to theirown country, whose reports and knowledge of our Nation is a cause that they have been well entreated of these Guiancans, and much desired to plant themselves amongst them.  
Our men that traveled to Guiana, 
A strange story.  amongst other things most memorable, did report, and in writing delivered to the world, that near unto Guiana, and not far from those place; where themselves were, there were men without heads; which seemed to maintain the opinion to be true which in old time was conceived by the Historians and Philosophers, that there were Acephali, whose eyes were in their breasts, and the rest of their face there also situated: and this our English travellers have reported to be so ordinarily, and 〈◊〉 mentioned unto them in those parts where they were, that no sober man should any way doubt of the truth thereof.  
Now because it may appear that the matter is but fabulous, in respect of the truth of Gods creating of them, and that the opinion of such strange shapes and monsters as were said to be in old time, that is▪ men with heads like Dogs, some with ears down to their ankles, others with one huge foot alone, whereupon they did hop from place to place, was not worthy to be credited although Sir John Mandevile of late age fond hath seemed to give credit and authority thereunto; yea, and long since he who took upon him the name of S. Augustine, in writing that counterfeit Book Admetus▪ frates in Ermo: It is fit that the cerainty of the matter concerning these in Peru should be known: & that is that in Quinbaia, 
Note.  and some other parts of Peru, the men are borne as in other places, & yet by devises which they have, after▪ the birth of Children, when their bones and gristles, and other parts are yet tender, and fit to be fashioned, they do crush down the heads of the children unto the breasts and shoulders, and do with frames of wood, & other such devices keep them there, that in time they grew continuate to the upper part of the trunk of the body, and so seem to have no necks or heads. And again, some other of them thinking that the shape of the head is very decent, if it be long and erect after the fashion of a Sugar-loaf, do frame some other to that form by such wooden instruments, as they have for that purpose, and by binding and swathing them to keep them so afterwards▪ And that this is▪ the custom of those people, and that there is no other matter in it, Petrus de Cieca, who traveled almost all over Peru, and is a grave and sober writer, in his description of those Countries▪ doth report.  
There be in some parts of Peru, 
Their strange devises to take fowls.  people which have a strange device for the catching of divers sorts of fowls, wherein they especially desire to take such as have their feathers of p●…ed, orient, and various colours, and that not so much for the flesh of them, which they may eat, as for their feathers, whereof they make garments; either short, as Cloaks, or as Gowns, long to the ground, and those their greatest Nobles do wear, being curiously wrought, and by order, as appear by some of them being brought into England.  
And here by this mention of feathers it is not 〈◊〉 to specify, that in the sea, which is the Ocean lying 
Divers flying fishes.  betwixt Europe & America, there be divers flying fishes yet whose wings are not feathers, but a thin kind of skin, like the wings of a Bat or Rearmouse: and these living sometimes in the water, and flying sometimes in the air, are well accepted in neither place: for below, either ravenous fishes are ready to devourt them: or above the sea-fowls are continually beating at them.  
Some of the Spaniards, desirous to see how far this Land of Peru did go towards the South, traveled down, till at length they found the Lands end, and a little strait or narrow Sea, which did run from the main Ocean toward afric into the South-sea. 
Magellanus straits.  One Magellanus was he that found this straight, and although it be dangerous, passed through it, so that of his name it is called Fretum Magellanicum, or Magellans' straits.  
And this is the way whereby the Spaniards do pass to the backside of Peru and Hispania nova, and whosoever will compass the whole world (as some of our English men have done) he must of necessity (for any thing that is yet known) pass through this narrow strait. Ferdinandus Magellanus having a great mind to travel, and being very desi rous to go unto the Molucco Islands by some other way than by the back side of afric, if it might be, did in the year 1520▪ set forth from Seville in Spain with five ships, and traveled toward the West- Indieses, & went so far towards the South, as that he came to the lands end, where he holding his course, in a narrow passage towards the West, for the space of divers days, did at the length peaceably pass through the straits, and came into a great sea, which some after his name do call Mare Magellanicum, some others Mare pacaficus, because of the great calmness and quietness of the waters there; but most commonly it is termed the South 
The South Sea.  sea; the length whereof he passed in the space of three months and 20. 
The Moluccoes.  days, and came unto the Moluccoes, where being set upon by the East Indian people himself and many of his company were slain: & yet one of his ships (as the Spaniards do write) called Victoria▪ did get away from those Moluccoes, and returning by the Cape Bonae spei on the South side of afric came safe into Spain▪  
So that it may be truly said, that if not Megellanus, yet some of his 
Magellane the first that evercompased the world.  company were the first that did ever compass the World, through all the degrees of longitude.  
Johannes Lyrius, in the end of his Book De navigatione in Brasiliam, doth tell that Sir Francis Drake of England, when he passed through Magellane straits, and so to the Molucco Lands, and then homeward from the East by afric, did in a device give the Globe of the earth, with this word or Motto, Primus m●…●…ricumdedisti: which is not simple to be understood that never any had gone round the world before him, but that never any of fame; for Magellane himself was slain (as before is noted:) or else he did doubt of the truth of that narration, that the Ship called Fictoria did return with safety into Spain.  
The Maps which were made at first concerning America and Peru did so describe the western part of Peru, as if when a man had passed. Magellane straits, and did intend to come upward towards nova Hispania, on the further side, he must have born West, by reason that the land did shoot out with a very great Promontory, and bending that way.  
But our English men which went with S. Francis Drake, did by their own experience certainly find that the land from the uttermost end of the Straits on Peru side, did go up towards the South directly, without bending to the West, and that is the cause whereof all the new Maps and Globes, especially made by the English, or by the Dutch, who have taken their directions from our men, are reform according to this new observation.  
When the Spaniards had once found an ordinary passage from the South Sea towards the Moluccoes, they never ceased to travel that way, and discovered more and more, and by that means they had found out divers Islands not known in former ages; as two for example sake: a good distance from the Molucco's, which because they be inhabited by men which do steal not only each from other, but do pilfer away all things that they can from such strangers as do land there abouts, they 
Insulae Latornum.  are called Insulae Latronum.  
They have also descried some other nearer unto the East- Indieses, which 
Insulae Salomonis  they now term Insulae Salomonis. But the most renowned of all are those to whom the name is given Philippinae, in remembrance of Philip 
Philippinae.  the second King of Spain, at whose cost they were discovered.  
These Philippinae are very rich, and 
Their Riches.  from thence is brought abundance of costly Spices, and some other rich merchandise, yea, and Gold too.  
There were also some other Islands descried by Magellanus himself, 
Infulas infortunatas.  which he called Insulas Infortunatas, as being of quality contrary to the Canaries, which are termed the Fortunate Islands: For when he passing through the South sea, and meaning to come to the Moluccoes, (where he was slain) did land in these Islands, thinking there to have furnished himself with victuals and fresh water, he found the whole place to be Barren and not Inhabited.   

Of the Countries that lie about the two Poles.  
HAving laid down in some measure the description of the old known world, Asia Africa, and Europe, with the Islands adjoining unto them; & also of Americk▪ which by some hath the title of New found World: it shall not be amiss briefly to say some thing of a fifth and sixth part of the Earth: the one lying near the South Pole, and the other near the North: which are places that in former times were not known, nor though of.  
When Magellanus came down to 
Regio M●…gellanica.  the Southern end of Peru, he found on the further side of the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 main and hugh Land lying towards the South Pole, which some have of his name called since Regio Magellanica, and that so much the rather, because he touched upon it again before he came to the Moluccoes.  
Since his time the Portugals trading towards Calec●… and the East Indies, there hath some of them been driven by tempest so far as to that which many now call the South Continent; and so divers of sundry Nations have there by occasion touched upon it.  
It is found therefore by experience, for to go along all the degrees of longitude, and as in some places it is certainly discovered to come up so high towards the North, as to the Tropic of Capricorn; so it is conjectured, that towards the South it goeth as far as to the Pole. The ground whereof is, that never any man did perceive the Sea did pass through any part thereof, nay, there is not any great river which hath yet been described to come out o●… i●… into the Ocean: whereupon it is concluded, that since somewhat must fill up the Globe of the Earth, from the first appearing of this land unto the very Pole: and that cannot be any Sea, unless it should be such a one as hath no intercourse with the Ocean (which to imagine is uncertain) therefore it is supposed that it cometh whole out into the land to the Antarctic Pole: which if it should be granted, it must needs be acknowledged withal, that this space of earth is so huge, as that it equalleth in greatness not only Asia, Europe, and Africa, but almost America being joined unto them.  
Things memorable in this country, are reported to be very few: only in the East part of it, over against the Moluccoes, some have written that there be very waste Countries & wildernesses; but we find not so much as mention whether any do inhabit there or no. And over against the Promontory of afric; which is called Caput bonae spei, there is a country which the Portugals called P sittacorum 
Psittacorum regio.  regio, because of the abundant store of Parrots, which they found there.  
Near to the Magellane straits, in this south part of the world, is that land the Spaniards call Terra delfuego: 
Terra del fuego.  those also which have touched at it in other places, have given to some parts of it these names, Beach, Lucath, & Maletur, but we have no perfect description of it, nor any knowledge how or by whom it is inhabited.  
About this place the said Portugals 
A description of the people.  did at one time sail along for the space of 2000 miles, and yet found no end in the land. And in this place they reported that they saw inhabitants, which were very fair and fat people, and did go naked: which is the more to be observed, because we scant read in any writer, that there hath been seen any▪ people at all upon the South coast.  
More towards the East, not far from the Muluccoes, there is one part of this Country, as some suppose, although some doubt whether that be an Island or no, which cometh up so high▪ towards the North, as the very Aequinoctial line, and this 
Mov●… Guinea.  is commonly called Nova Guinea, because it lieth in the same Climate, and is of no other temperature than Guinea in afric is.  
I have heard a great Mathematitian in England find fault both with Ortelius and Mercator, and all our late makers of Maps, because in describing this Continent, they make no mention of any Cities, Kingdoms, or Commonwealth which are seated and placed there: whereof he seemed in confidence of words to avouch that there be a great many, and that it is as good a Country as 
Note.  almost any in the world: But the arguments why he gathered it to be so he did not deliver; and yet notwithstanding it may be most probably conjectured, that the Creator of the world would not have framed so huge a mass of Earth, but that he would in his wisdom appoint some reasonable creatures to have their habitation there.  
Concerning those places which may be supposed to lie near unto the Northern Pole, there hath in times past something been written, which for the particularity thereof might carry some show of truth, if it be not throughly looked into. It is therefore by an old tradition delivered, and by some written also, that there was a Friar of Oxford, who took on him to travel into those parts which are under the very Pole: which he did partly by Negromancy (wherein he was much skilled) and partly again by taking advantage of the frozen times, by means whereof he might travel upon the Ice even so as himself pleased: It is said therefore of him, thàt he was directly under the Pole, and that there he found a very huge and blackrock, which is commonly 
Nigra Rupes.  called Nigra rupes, and that the said rock being divers miles in circuit, is compassed round about with the Sea; which Sea being the breadth of some miles over, doth run out into the more large Ocean by four several Currents, which is as much to say, as that a good pretty way distant from the Nigra Rupes, there are four several lands of reasonable quantity: and being situated round about the rock, although with some good distance, are severed each from other by the sea running between them, and making them all four to be Islands almost of equal bigness. But there is no certainty of this report, and therefore our best Mathematicians in this latter age have omitted it.  
Our travellers of later years have adventured so far, to their great danger in those cold and frozen countries, that they have descried Groinland, 
Groinland  which lieth as far, or beyond the circle Arctic: but whether it go so far out as unto the Pole, they cannot say: which is also to be afirmed of the Northern parts of America, called by some Estote-land; for the opening whereof our Englishmen have taken great pains, as may easily appear by the ●…ew ●…lobes and Maps, in which all the Capes, Sounds and Furlongs, are called by English names. Their purpose was in attempting this voyage, to have found out a passage to China and Cathaio, by the North parts of America: but by the snows which fell in August and September, as also by the incredible Ice there, after many hazards of their lives, they were forc●…d to return, not knowing whether there be any current in the Sea, that might lead to the East-Indies, or how far the Land doth reach Northward.  
In like sor●…, some of our English Merchants, to their great charges, set forth ●…eets to descry the Seas towards the East: yet going by the North, and there have found many unknown countries; as Nova Zembla, 
Nova Zembla, S Hugh Willonghbies' land.  Sir Hugh Willoughbies' land, and other m●…re: but of certain what is very near unto the Pole they could never find. They have also so far prevailed, as to reach one half of the way toward Cathaio by the North, going Eastward: insomuch that by the River Ob, and by the Bay of St. Nicholas they bring the Merchandise downwards into Russia: But whether the sea do go throughout, even to the fatherest Eastern parts; or whether some great Promontory do stretch out of the main Continent unto the very Pole, they cannot yet attain to know. These things therefore must be left uncertain, to further discoveries in feature ages.   

UNIVERSITIES.  

In England.  
1 Oxford  
2 Cambridge.   

Universities in Spain.  
1 Toledo, latitude 40. 10. longitude 16. 40.  
2 Seville, at ●…7. ●…0. long. 14. 20  
3 Valencia at 39 55. long. 21. 10  
4 Granada, lat, 37. ●…0 long. 17. 1●…  
5 S Jago▪ lat. ●…0. 5 long. 15. 40.  
6 Valindolid, at ●…2 5. long 15. 45.  
7 Alcalade Henaros, lat. 40. 55. long. 17. 30  
8 Salamanca, lat. 14. 10. long. 24 4  
9 Caragoca, lat, 4●… 22 long. 22. 20  
10 Signenc●…, lat, ●…4. 35. 20. long. 18. ●…0.  
11 Lerida, lat. 42 20 long 18. 10  
12 Huesca, lat. 12 50. long. 2●…. 20  
13 Lisbon lat. 38. 50. long 0 50  
14 Coimbra, lat 40. long. 11. 2●….  
15 Ebora, lat. 37, 38 long. 20   

In the Isle Majorica.  
1 Majorica.   

In Polonia.  
1 C●…acovia.  
2 Posne.   

In Prussia.  
1 Koningsberg   

In Lituania.  
1 Wild   

In France.  
1 Paris, at 48. ●…0. long ●…3  
2 Poitiers, lat. 46. 10 long 1●…. 1●….  
3 Lions, lat. 44. 30 long. ●…5. 40  
4 Angers, lat. 47. 25. long 18. 10  
5 Avignon, lat. 42. 30 long. 25 50  
6 Orleans, lat. 47. 10 long. ●…2  
7 〈◊〉 lat. 46. 20 long. 22. 10  
8 Cacn, at 40. 45. long 1●…. 20  
9 Reims, at 48, 30 long. 25, 25  
10 Bordeaux, at 44, 30, long 17. 50  
11 Tolouse, at 43, 5, long 20 30.  
12 Nismo, lat 42, 30, long, 25  
13 Montpelie●…. lat. 42, long 24, 30  
14 Bisant●…n. lat. 46, 3●…, long. 27, 48  
15 Lole, lat, 46, 10, long 27   

In Italy.  
1 Rome, at 41, 20, long, 38  
2 Venice, lat, 44, 50, long, 37  
3 Padna, lat, 44, 45, long, 32, 10  
4 Bononia, lat, 43, 33, long, 35, 50  
5 Ferrara, lat, 44, long, ●…6  
6 Milan, at 44, 40, long, 33  
7 Pavia lat, 44, long. 33, 5  
8 Turin, lat, 43, 45, long, 31 30  
9 Florence, lat, 42 35, long, 35, 50  
10 Pisa, lat, 42, 40, long, 35  
11 Sienna, lat, 42, 20, long, 36, 15  
12 Modena, lat, 13, 50, long, 35, 40   

In Bohe●…a.  
1 Prague   

In Germany.  
1 Collen, lat. 51, long. 30  
2 Basil, lat. 47, 40, long. 31  
3 Alents, at 50 long. 31  
4 Witzburg, lat. 50  
5 Triers, lat. 49, 50  
6 Heidelberg, at 49. 25, long 33  
7 Tubinge, lat. 49, 50  
8 Ingolsted, at 49, ●…0  
9 Erfurt, lat. 50  
10 Leistgige, lat 51, 10  
11 Wittenberg. lat. 51, 50  
12 Frankford in Oder. 51, 10  
13 Rostoch, at 53 40  
14 Grislwald lat 53, 10  
15 Friburg. lat. 48  
16 Marburg, lat. 50, 40  
17 Viena, lat 43 40  
18 Diling in Suitzerland neat D●…yaw.   

In Germania Inferiori.  
1 Louvain, lat. 50, long. 23  
2 Douai, at 50, 30, long. 29  
3 Liege, at 50 30, long 29  
4 Leiden, lat 5●…, 10, long. 27, 20   

In Denmark.  
Copenhagen, lat. 56, 50, long 34, 30   

In Moravi●….  
1 Olmues   

In Scotland.  
1 Saint Andrews  
2 Abe●…don   

Of England.  In England are contained S●…ires 52 Bishoprics 26 Castles 186 Rivers 555 Chases. 13 Forests 68 Parks 781 Clties 25 Parish-Churches 9725 Bridges. 956   
FINIS.