Text, scholarly version, translated from the 1579/1580 Latin 2nd Add, 1579 Latin (AB), 1584 Latin, 1592 Latin, 1595 Latin, 1601 Latin, 1602 German, 1606 English, 1608/1612 Italian and 1609/1612 Latin editions:
51.1. {1579/1580L2Add{The duchy of Burgundy.
51.2. There are two Burgundies, the lower called Regia {1580G2Add & 1602G only{or the royal one}1580G2Add & 1602G only}, which has the title of a duchy and which was once the country of the Ædui. And the higher, also named Imperatoria {1580G2Add & 1602G only{or the imperial one}1580G2Add & 1602G only}, adorned with the title of a countship {1606E only{or Earldom}1606E only}{1592L and later but not in 1602G{commonly called LA FRANCHE COMTÉ, that is to say, the free county}1592L and later but not in 1602G}. This of old was inhabited by the Sequani. It is represented on this map. In the North it borders on Lorraine and upper Germany, {1606E only{in the South Savoy and Bresse}1606E only}, in the West lower Burgundy and in the East Switzerland {not in 1606E{and in the South on the Allobroges & Secusianos}not in 1606E}{1608/1612I only{where there is the land of Geneva, Savoy and Brescia}1608/1612I only}. It is now divided into three dioceses or governments, the upper, the lower and that of Dole. The cities of upper Burgundy are Gray, one of the principal [cities] of the whole government, situated on the river {1608/1612I only{which Cæsar calls}1608/1612I only}Araris {1606E & 1608/1612I only{or Saône}1606E & 1608/1612I only}, rich in various kinds of merchandise and splendidly built. On one side it is endowed with large and fruitful fields. Vesoul has strong walls, beautiful houses and fair vineyards. Momboson, Jussey and Palma lie on the river Dubis {1606E only{or Doux}1606E only}. Port-sur-Saône on the river Araris {1606E & 1608/1612I only{or Saône}1606E & 1608/1612I only}, with Cromaray, Montgustin and Faucogney.
51.3. The cities of lower Burgundy are Salindres, a large city thus named in connection with a certain salt and high fountains, for here excellent white salt is made, which is carried in carts from here to neighbouring countries, and brings great revenue to this region. Scodinga is situated in a long, straight valley, extending longitudinally between a double ridge of high mountains, which bear vines in those places which are most open to the sun. It is exceedingly strong, being fortified with two castles and various lofty turrets.
51.4. Arbois [is] located on most pleasant soil, and abounds with all necessities, especially with excellent and durable wine. It has large suburbs on all sides. It is surrounded by ditches but such as they make gardens upon. Around it are mountains with a most beautiful view, watered by clear springs, and covered with fruitful vines, and splendid woods. It is called Arbois after Arboribus [trees], because it is planted with trees. Poligny [is] a fair town, fortified by stately walls and towers.
51.5. The castle called Grimonia lies within it. On one side it has mountains with woods, on the other side hills covered with vines, the wine of which is excellent. Pontarlier [is] situated in a low valley between two mountains on the bank of the river Dubis [Doux]. Not far from there stands the strong castle of Iura {1606E only{or Joux}1606E only}, on the top of a very high hill, so that for its location it cannot be attacked.
51.6. Nozeroy has been established on an open hill, in the very heart and middle of the region. All the houses are in one way or another built of stone. The prince of the country has a castle here, called the leaden castle, because it is covered with lead. A fair is held here four times a year. In former times, before it was walled, it was named Nucillon, after the abundance of hazelnuts that grow around here, for it lies in the middle of hazelnut trees.
51.7. Châtel Chalons [was] built and named by Charlemaigne {1608/1612I has instead{Emperor Charles the Fifth}1608/1612I instead}, {not in 1606E{and was therefore also named Magno [the great]}not in 1606E}, both pleasantly and strongly situated. Montmort [lies] on a {not in 1606E{not so}not in 1606E} steep mountain planted with vines. Orgelet abounds with merchandise. The inhabitants are industrious and exert themselves to make clothing. Their fields are barren, for they are full of hills and craggy rocks.
51.8. From this comes a common proverb saying that Orgelet has fields without grass, rivers without fish and mountains without woods or groves. The cities of Dole {1608/1612I only{the third diocese,}1608/1612I only} are firstly Dole itself, the main city of the province, a source of all learning, and especially of civil law. It is most pleasantly situated on the river Dubis [Doux], [and] adorned with bridges, walls and invincible forts. The houses, churches and schools, both in size and interesting architecture are most delightful to behold.
51.9. Quingey is a very ancient town, situated on the bank of the river Loue. Ornans also stands among high mountains by the river Loue {not in 1606E{rich with fish}not in 1606E}. La Loye is a most ample village. Rochefort is a pretty little town. Vercelles has ruinous and deformed walls. In this county lies Besançon, an imperial and metropolitan city of both Burgundies, a description of which I cannot provide adequately on this page, but [this] has been done exactly by Gilbert Cognatus, Paradinus and Georg Braun in their volume on cities, [so] I will stop to speak of it here. For since their books are easily obtained, I refer all students to them. To these you may also add Robert Cœnalis.
51.10. It were to be wished that Cognatus had not frustrated the hope of students, for he promised in a book to restore and bring to light ancient Burgundy, together with a specific map, with the old and new place names. But so far we have waited in vain [for it]}1579/1580L2Add, 1579L(AB), 1580G2Add, 1580/1589G, 1584L, 1592L & 1602G end here}. {1595L{Whatever the case may be, not long ago Ludovicus Gollusius published a large and specific volume on this countship in French}1595L, 1606E, 1608/1612I & 1609/1612L end here}.
Text, vernacular version, translated from the 1581 French, 1587 French and 1598 French editions:
51.11. {1581F{The duchy of Burgundy.
51.12. There are two Burgundies, the lower, which is royal, has the title of a duchy, and was once the country of the Ædui. And the higher named Imperial, adorned with the title of a countship. This of old was inhabited by the Sequani. It is represented on this map. In the North it borders on Lorraine and upper Germany, in the West on lower Burgundy and in the East part of Switzerland, and in the South on the Savoyens & Secusianos. It is now divided into three dioceses or governments, the upper, the lower and that of Dole. The cities of the upper are Gray, one of the principal [cities] of this part of Burgundy, situated on the river Saône, rich in various kinds of merchandise and strongly built. On one side it is endowed with large and fruitful fields. Vesoul has strong walls, beautiful houses and fair vineyards. Momboson, Jussey and Palma lie on the river Doux. [Then there are] Port-sur-Saône, with Cromaray, Montgustin and Faucogny.
51.13. The cities of lower Burgundy are Salindres, a large city thus named in connection with a certain salt and high fountains, for here excellent white salt is made, which is carried in carts from here to neighbouring countries, and brings great revenue to this region. Scodinga, situated in a long, straight valley, extending longitudinally between a ridge of high mountains, which bear vines in those places which are most protected. It is exceedingly strong, being fortified with two castles and various lofty turrets.
51.14. Arbois [is] located on most pleasant soil, and abounds with all necessities, especially with excellent and durable wine. It has large suburbs on all sides. It is surrounded by ditches but such as they make gardens upon. Around it are mountains with a most beautiful view, watered by clear springs, and covered with fruitful vines, and splendid woods. It is called Arbois after Arboribus [trees], because it is planted with trees. Poligny [is] a fair town, fortified by stately walls and towers.
51.15. The castle called Grimonia lies within it. On one side it has mountains with woods, on the other side hills covered with vines, the wine of which is excellent. Pontarlier [is] situated in a low valley between two mountains on the bank of the river Doux. Not far from there stands the strong castle of Iura, on the top of a very high hill, so that for its location it cannot be attacked.
51.16. Nozeroy has been established on an open hill, in the very heart and middle of the region. All the houses are in one way or another built of stone. The prince of the country has a castle here, called the leaden castle, because it is covered with lead. A fair is kept here four times a year. In former times, before it was walled, it was named Nucillon, after the abundance of hazelnuts that grow around here, for it lies in the middle of hazelnut trees.
51.17. Châtel Chalons [was] built and named by Charlemaigne, both pleasantly and strongly situated. Monmort [lies] on a hill planted with vines. Orgelet abounds with merchandise. The inhabitants are industrious and exert themselves to make clothing. Their fields are barren, for they are full of hills and craggy rocks.
51.18. As a result, there is nothing more miserable than fields without grass, rivers without fish and mountains without woods or groves. The cities of Dole are firstly Dole itself, the main city of the province, a source of all learning, and especially of civil law. It is most pleasantly situated on the river Doux, [and] adorned with bridges, walls and invincible forts. The houses, churches and schools, both in size and interesting architecture are most delightful to behold.
51.19. Quingey is a very ancient town, situated on the bank of the Loue. Ornans also stands among high mountains by the river Loue, rich with fish. La Loy is a most ample village. Rochefort is a pretty little town. Vercelles has ruinous and deformed walls. In this county lies Besançon, an imperial and metropolitan city of both Burgundies, a description of which I cannot provide adequately on this page, but [this] has been done exactly by Gilbert Cognatus, Paradinus and Georg Braun in their volumes on cities, [so] I will stop to speak of it here. For since their books are easily obtained, I refer all students to them. To these you may also add Robert Cœnalis.
51.20. It were to be wished that Cognatus had not frustrated the hope of students, for he promised in a book to restore and bring to light ancient Burgundy, together with a specific map, with the old and new place names. But so far we have waited in vain [for it]}1581F, 1587F & 1598F end here}.