Text, scholarly version, translated from the 1573 Latin 1st Add, 1573 Latin (AB), 1574 Latin, 1575 Latin, 1579 Latin (AB), 1580/1589 German, 1584 Latin, 1588 Spanish, 1592 Latin, 1595 Latin, 1601 Latin, 1602 German, 1602 Spanish, 1603 Latin, 1606 English, 1608/1612 Italian, 1609/1612 Latin and 1609/1612/1641 Spanish editions:
158.1. {1573L1Add{LIVONIA.
158.2. Livonia, (as Lewenclaius writes) extends itself along the sea for more than 4000 stadia {1608/1612I only{or 500 Italian miles}1608/1612I only}, and where it is at its narrowest, it is 1300 stadia {1608/1612I only{or 162 of those miles}1608/1612I only}. The Prussians, Lithuanians and Russians live around it, the remainder is bordered by the Livonian Gulf. Livonia contains the CURONES, ESTHENI [and] LETTI, nations different both in manners and language. In the cities and towns they use the Saxon or rather the High German language. The country is full of woods, [and it is] flat without mountains, watered by rivers, mostly lying unfarmed, in spite of the fact that the soil is good and fertile.
158.3. For excepting wine and [olive] oil, and some other things which God provides to some countries that are situated in a more temperate climate (for these [commodities] only are imported), other things necessary for the maintenance of man are here found in such great quantities that they liberally export them to foreigners. They have great plenty of fish and game.
158.4. Münster states that the hares of this country every season change colour, for in winter they are white, and in summer they are grey. From here wax, honey, ash, flax, stone-pitch (pix arida), liquid pitch which we call tar and that kind of corn which the Romans call Secale, we call it Rogghe [rye] is yearly brought to us in great abundance.
158.5. It has certain cities [which are] very large and finely built. The chief one of them is RIGA, a settlement of the Germans of {1606E only{the bishopric of}1606E only} Bremen, commodiously situated on the river Duina. It is an excellent market town, and the metropolitan of the whole province. Then RIVALIA {1580/1589G, 1602G & 1606E only{(they commonly call it Revel,}1580/1589G, 1602G & 1606E only} the Rhuteni {1580/1589G & 1602G instead{Russians}1580/1589G & 1602G instead} call it Roliva, built by Waldemar, king of Denmark, [is] famous for its excellent harbour on a bay of the Baltic sea. This is for trading not less frequented or populous than Riga. The third, DORPATVM {1602G & 1606E instead{(Derpt),}1602G & 1606E instead} [lies] close to the Russians, who call it Iuryongorod.
158.6. The river Becke runs by the walls of this city, very commodious for trade with the Russians {1608/1612I only{or Moscovites}1608/1612I only}. This river is guided through a channel to the sea. It runs so violently with a great fall from steep rocks that it has the same effect on the people as Lewenclaius says, as the cataracts or falls of the river Nilus has on those living close to them {1606E instead{the Aegyptians}1606E instead}, who in the course of time gradually turn deaf. Next to these cities there are some towns of less importance, fortified with excellent, strong castles. [There is] VENDA, {1606E only{Wenden,}1606E} most honourable because the master of the military order keeps his court [here].
158.7. It is situated in the middle of the country. Then VELINVM, {1606E only{Welum}1606E only}, Pernovia on the sea, Wolmer, {not in 1573L(B)Veseburgum}not in 1573L(B)}, {1606E only{(I think they call it Yseborg),}1606E} Wittestein, Narva and others. Willichius and Cureus think that the Efflui and Limovij once lived in this area. About their form of government {1606E only{and the order in their common-wealth,}1606E only} which is subjected to knights of the German order {1606E only{of the Holy Cross}1606E only} read Ioannes Aubanus, Münster, Lewenclaius, {1592L, not in 1602G, 1602S & 1609/1612/1641S{Gaguine in his Sarmatica}1592L, not in 1602G, 1602S & 1609/1612/1641S} and Herberstein, from whom we have taken these details.
158.8. {1579L(B), not in 1580/1589G & 1602G{But also Crantzius' sixth book of his Wandalia should be read}1579L(B), not 1580/1589G}, {1595L, not in 1602G{with Oderborne's second book on the life of Basilidis, and particularly David Chytræus' Chronicle of Saxony}1595, not in 1602G} {1606E only{who has written about it with greater diligence than the others}1606E only}.
158.9. POMERANIA {1606E only{or POMERLAND}1606E only}.
158.10. Petrus Artopus describes this country, his native soil, in Münster thus: POMERANIA, he says, situated on the Baltic sea was by its first inhabitants in their native language, that is in the Wandal tongue, called PAMORZI. It is still under the rule of its first inhabitants, governed by their own princes, and was never subdued to any foreign jurisdiction. It is everywhere very fertile, well watered by rivers, brooks, lakes, creeks and inlets from the sea. It has many good ports, rich pastures and good corn grounds.
158.11. It produces plenty of apples, cattle, deer, fish, fowl, corn, butter, cheese, honey, wax and [other] such commodities. It has many {1606E only{rich mountains,}1606E only} populous cities, towns, castles and villages. There is no wasted ground here, except that occupied by lakes or mountains. Before Christianity was adopted here, they spoke the Wandal language, {not in 1580/1589G & 1602G{and followed their [own] manners of life}not in 1580/1589G & 1602G}, until they were subdued under the command of the Roman Catholic emperors, for then, together with religion, they adopted the Saxon tongue, which they retain to this day. So far Artopus.
158.12. Pomerye in the Wandal language, which is also a Slavonic tongue, means nothing but near to the sea or sea coast, as Herberstein says. The dike of this country has been so strongly fortified with ramparts that there is no fear that the sea breaks in to overflow it. The more famous cities on this coast, next to some others that are situated further inland, are Stettin, Neugard, Stargard &c. STETTIN was once only a small village, inhabited by a few poor fishermen, but after Christianity had been established here, [and after] Vineta had been utterly destroyed, and the market was moved to this place, it immediately began to flourish to such an extent that it has now become the metropolis of the whole country.
158.13. It is most pleasantly situated on the bank of the river Oder from which it rises up gradually against a hill. It is enclosed by strong walls and deep trenches. GRYPSWALD is a town in the dukedom of Wolgast, which others call the dukedom of Bard. This town was for a long time much afflicted and impaired by civil wars. But in the year 1456, by establishing a university there, it gradually began to uplift its head. [Then there is] JULINVM, a town once not inferior to the excellent cities {1606E only{of Europe,}1606E only} whether with respect to the wealth of its citizens or its stately buildings.
158.14. This was once a famous market town of the Wandals. Such a multitude of merchants flocked to this place from Russia, {not in 1606E{Denmark,}not in 1606E} Saxony, {1606E has instead{Laussnitz,}1606E} {1606E only{Meisen}1606E only}, Sorben and all parts of Wandal-land in such groups that in all of Europe, except for Constantinople, there was hardly another market [of such significance] to be found. But it was so shaken by the violent wars of the kings of the Danes that it was at last reduced to nothing. Such is the fickleness of inconstant fortune {1606E only{always delighted in change}1606E only}. Now they call it Wollin. Then there is] STRALSUND on the sea shore. It had once its own prince, viz. the duke of Bard.
158.15. It is a very populous city, much visited by merchants. VINETA was once also a city of good reputation, now called Archon or Julinum {1606E only{(or Wollin)}1606E only}. For the cities of Wandal-land had various names, according to the diversity of its various nations. That which the Wandals called Stargard was by the Saxons called Aldenborg, and by the Danes Brannesia, as Crantzius reports. {1584L, but not in 1602G{{But I think it worthwhile to mention the description of this country which the singularly learned man Peter Edling sent me from Colberg which is this. Pomerland now has forty cities, enclosed by walls and ditches, next to excellent castles and monasteries}not in 1602G}.
158.16. Among which these are the chief ones: Stralsund, Stettin, Grypswald, Stargard, Colberg and Anglame. {not in 1588S{Five hundred years ago}not in 1588S}, before the adoption of Christianity, which took place in the year 1124, when they abandoned the Slavonic language, Pomerland was larger, and not much inferior to a kingdom. For Bugslaus the first, brother of Wartislaus the first, son of Swantibore who died as a pagan, when his nephews left the country because of the change in language, joined Pomerel to Prussia. POMEREL, which the Poles now call Casubian corner (Cassubia) is no very small province.
158.17. It extends from the borders of Pomerland to the river Weichsel and contains these cities: Gdansk, Putzka, Dirsow, Stargard, Nauburg, Smecha, Tauchel, Nakel, Hamerstein, Baldeburg, Frideland, Conitz, Schoneg, Slochow &c. which cities for the most part have castles belonging to them. Besides which there are the castles of Mosevantz, Talkenborch, Subitz, Lauterberg and these monasteries: Polpelin, Sukow, Tzernitz and Oliva where the princes of Pomerel used to be buried, as late as Mestewin, the last one of that line, who died at Gdansk and was buried at Oliva in the year 1295. {not in 1588S & 1592{Read more about Pomerland in the Saxon Chronicle of David Chytræus}1584L, but not in 1588S, 1592L & 1602G}. This map we have taken from Münsters Cosmography.
158.18. The dukedoms of OSWIECZ and ZATOR.
158.19. This dukedom is part of the kingdom of Poland where it touches Silesia. Once it did not belong to this kingdom. The territory of OSWIECZIM {1579L(B), not in 1580/1589G & 1602G{(the Germans in their language call it AUSCHWITZ)}1579L(B), not in 1580/1589G & 1602G} fell to the kings of Poland in the time of Cazimir the third in the year 1454. {not in 1602S, 1603L & 1609/1612L{After having been separated from Poland for almost 400 years}not in 1602S, 1603L & 1609/1612L}, ZATOR, during the reign of Sigismund the first, was subjected to the crown of Poland and was united with it in the year of Christ 1548, as Cromerus records in his Chronicle of Poland}1573L1Add, 1573L(AB), 1574L, 1575L. 1579L(AB), 1580/1589G, 1584L, 1588S, 1592L, 1595L, 1601L, 1602G, 1602S, 1603L, 1606E, 1608/1612I, 1609/1612L & 1609/1612/1641S end here}.
Vernacular text version, translated from 1573 Dutch 1st Add/1573 Dutch, 1573 German 1st Add/1573 German, 1572 French 1st Add/1574 French, 1581 French, 1587 French, 1598 French and 1598/1610/1613 Dutch editions is presented:
158.20. {1573D1Add/1573D{LIVONIA.
158.21. Livonia, (as Lewenclaius writes) extends itself along the sea for more than 4000 furlongs, and where it is at its narrowest, it is 1200 {1573G1Add/1573G instead{1300}1573G1Add/1573G instead}{1574F1Add/1574F, 1581F, 1587F & 1598F have instead{2300}1574F1Add/1574F, 1581F, 1587F & 1598F instead} furlongs broad. The Prussians, Lithuanians and Russians live around it, the remainder is bordered by the Livonian Gulf. Livonia contains the CURONES, ESTHENI [and] LETTI, nations different both in manners and language. In the cities and towns they use the Saxon or High German language. The country is full of woods, [and it is] flat and plain without mountains, watered by rivers, mostly lying unfarmed, in spite of the fact that the soil is good and fertile.
158.22. For excepting wine and [olive] oil, and some other things which God provides to some countries that are situated in a more temperate climate (for these [commodities] only are imported), other things necessary for the maintenance of man are here found in such great quantities that they liberally export them to foreigners. They have great plenty of fish and game.
158.23. Münster states that the hares of this country every season change colour, for in winter they are white, and in summer they are grey. From here wax, honey, ash, pitch and tar, {not in 1572F1Add/1574F, 1581F, 1587F & 1598F{and also rye}not in 1572F1Add/1574F, 1581F, 1587F & 1598F} comes to us each year.
158.24. It has certain cities [which are] very large and finely built. The chief one of them is RIGA, a settlement of the Germans of Bremen, commodiously situated on the river Duina. It is an excellent market town, and the metropolitan of the whole province. Then Revel, the Russians call it Rolivan, built by Waldemar, king of Denmark, [is] famous for its excellent harbour on a bay of the Baltic sea. This is for trading not less frequented than Riga. The third, Derpt, [lies] close to the Russians, who call it Iuryongorod.
158.25. The river Becke runs by the walls of this city, very commodious for trade with the Russians. This river is guided through a channel to the sea. It runs so violently with a great fall from steep rocks that it has the same effect on the people close to it, as Lewenclaius says, as the cataracts or falls of the river Nilus has on those who live close to it, who in the course of time gradually turn somewhat deaf. Next to these cities there are some towns of less importance, fortified with excellent, strong castles. [There is] WENDA, most honourable because of the captain of the order of the Germans, who keeps his court in the middle of the country.
158.26. Then VELIN, Pernovia on the sea, Wolmer, Veseburgum, Wittestein, Narva and others. Willichius and Cureus think that the Efflui and Limouij once lived in this area. About their form of government which is subjected to the knights of the order of the Germans, read Ioannes Aubanus, Münster, Lewenclaius and Herberstein, from whom we have taken these details.
158.27. POMERANIA.
158.28. Petrus Artopus a native, describes this country in Münster thus: POMERANIA, he says, situated on the Baltic {1573G1Add/1573G{or East}1573G1Add/1573G} sea was by its first inhabitants in their native language, that is in the Wandal tongue, called PAMORZI. It is still under the rule of its first inhabitants, governed by their own princes, not subject to foreigners. It is everywhere very fertile, well watered by standing and flowing waters, rich pastures and good corn grounds.
158.29. It produces plenty of apples, woods, brooks, hunting, cattle, fish, corn, butter, honey, wax and [other] such commodities. It has many cities, towns, castles and villages. There is no void or wasted ground here, except that occupied by lakes or mountains. Before Christianity was adopted here, they spoke the Wandal language, and followed their [own] manners of life, until they were subdued under the command of the Roman Catholic emperors, for then, together with religion, they adopted the Saxon tongue, which they retain to this day. So far Artopus.
158.30. Pomerye in the Wandal language, which is also a Slavonic tongue, means nothing but near to the sea or sea coast, as Herberstein says. The dike or sea wall of this country has been so strongly fortified with a sturdy ramparts that there is no fear that the sea breaks in to overflow it. The more famous cities on this coast, next to some others that are situated further inland, are Stettin, Neugard, Stargard &c. STETTIN was once only a small village, inhabited by a few poor fishermen, {1573G only{located at the river Oder}1573G only} but after Christianity had been established here, [and after] Vineta had been utterly destroyed, and the market was moved to this place, it immediately began to flourish to such an extent that it has now become the metropolis of the whole country.
158.31. It is most pleasantly situated on the bank of the river Oder from which it rises up gradually against a hill. It is enclosed by a strong wall and a deep trench. GRYPSWALD is a town in the dukedom of Wolgast {1573G1Add/1573G{by others called Barden}1573G1Add/1573G}. This town was for a long time much afflicted by civil wars. But in the year 1456, by establishing a university there, it gradually began to uplift its head. [Then there is] JULIN, a town once not inferior to other excellent cities whether with respect to the wealth of its citizens or its stately buildings.
158.32. This was once a famous market town of the Wandals. Such a multitude of merchants flocked to this place from Russia, Denmark, {not in 1573G1Add/1573G{Saxony, Sorben and all parts of Wandal-land}not in 1573G1Add/1573G} in such groups that in all of Europe, except for Constantinople, there was hardly another market [of such significance] to be found. {1573G1Add/1573G only{Then came the Russians, Danes, Sorbs, Saxons and Wandals}1573G1Add/1573G only}. But it was so shaken by the violent wars of the kings of the Danes that it was at last reduced to nothing. Such is the fickleness of fortune. Now they call it Wollin. Then there is] STRALSUND on the sea shore. It had once its own prince, namely the duke of Bard.
158.33. It is a very populous city, much visited by merchants. VINETA was once also a city of good reputation, now called Archon or Julinum. For the cities of Wandal-land had various names, according to the diversity of languages of its various nations. That which the Wandals called Stargard was by the Saxons called Aldenburg, and by the Danes Brannesia, as Crantzius reports. This map we have taken from Münsters Cosmography.
158.34. The dukedoms of OSWIECZ and ZATOR.
158.35. This is part of the kingdom of Poland where it touches Silesia. Once it did not belong to this kingdom. The territory of OZWIECZIM fell to the kings of Poland in the time of Cazimir the third in the year 1454. ZATOR, during the reign of Sigismund the first, was subjected to the crown of Poland and was united with it in the year of Christ 1548, {not in 1573G1Add{after it had been it had been separated from Poland for almost 400 years}not in 1573G1Add/1573G}, as Cromerus records in his Chronicle of Poland}1573D1Add/1573D, 1573G1Add/1573G, 1572F1Add/1574F, 1581F, 1587F, 1598F & 1598/1610/1613D end here}.