^i^h. 
 
 ^mim^^. 
 
 •iwW'.i'iWl 
 
 
 w ^'t 
 
 
 ▼iJ r f^ 
 
 uww.!Vi-W^*^' 
 
 SSmH 
 
 
 ./'fev 
 
 ^"^^i^v^VVl 
 
 
 ^.^-v^V^'V^. 
 
 /wvvV'^^', -^^*r^ 
 
 ;V^V.. 
 
 V.vvvV^^^V'V 
 
 '^-<^;;>^,;«,:,^,,,;,,... 
 
 ^^Ow'-^vv^V^ 
 
 
^■^m 
 
 
 
 
 "^^^^^ 
 
 '.W'T P ^' ti i^; ^ ^ 'il .''^ : ^' i 
 
 
 
 ^^^w^v 
 
 ;^^^^.^ 
 
 .'^y^?:^ «?¥,¥?; 
 
 simni^'- 
 
 mmmmmm 
 
 
 
 SS**^¥ 
 
 /W^Vu..... ^< 
 
 ^^--^iiiiite^^^^ 
 
 ^HMMa^iW>^W^:;Svd^vvy^ 
 
 fgy«^'« 
 
 '^^11^ 
 
 1^ wa 
 
 .i!^^MHyyi 
 
 'S^^^^^ 
 
 
I" 
 
 / 
 

 
 
AGATHYNIAN CLUB 
 
 1 ttMiatiottSi. 
 
 No. II. 
 
120 Copies Printed. 
 
 fo. 120 
 
 '/ 
 
 ^;3 
 
 
 Agathynian Press. 
 
INTRODUCTION 
 
 
 1 OLYDORUS VIRGILIUS, or Vergilius, 
 otherwife named de Caftello, was born at Urbino, in 
 Italy, toward the clofe of the fifteenth century. Of 
 his family and antecedents little is known. In 1498 
 he publijfhed a collection of proverbs in Latin, 
 ^^ Proverbiorum Libellus,'' and in 1499 the book D^ 
 Rerum InventoribuSy which has frequently been re- 
 publiflied, and of which the prefent iflue of the 
 Agathynian Club is a tranflation. Having taken 
 holy orders he was, about the year 1501, fent to 
 England by Pope Alexander VI., whofe Cham- 
 
 M182890 
 
vi INTRODUCTION, 
 
 berlain he then was, to collect the tax called Pe- 
 ter's pence. He was the laft perfon who held the 
 office of sub-coUedor of this tribute previous to 
 the feparation of the Englifh Church from the 
 Church of Rome in the reign of Henry VHI. 
 
 Soon after his arrival in England he was ap- 
 
 I pointed redor of Langton church, in Leicefter- 
 
 i fhire, and fubfequently by the King, Henry VH., 
 
 I archdeacon of Wells. Other benefices were alfo 
 
 beftowed upon him. 
 
 In 1 5 17 he republifhed in London his work 
 de Rerum Inventoribus, which he extended to eight 
 books. 
 
 In 1525 he iflued an edition of Gildas' Be Ca- 
 lamitate^ and in 1525 a treatife T)e Prodigiis in 
 which he attacks divination. 
 
 In 1533 he finlfhed his hiftory of England, be- 
 gun in 1507, in twenty- eight books, from the 
 earliefl times to the reign of Henry VIII. This 
 
INTRODUCTION. vii 
 
 work was undertaken at the requeft of Henry 
 VII., with whom Polydore appears to have been a 
 great favorite. Confidering the fad that the au- 
 thor was a foreigner, it is a fomewhat remarkable 
 produdion, though it has never been regarded as 
 of high authority in difputed points of Englifh 
 hiftory. 
 
 During the reign of Edward VI. , Polydore Vir- 
 gil left England and returned to his native city, 
 where he died in 1555, retaining till the laft, by 
 permifTion of the king, the archdeaconry and a 
 prebend in the cathedral of Hereford. 
 
 Several points in the hiflory of Polydore Virgil 
 have, as Sir Henry Ellis* declares in his edition 
 of Polydore's Englifh Hiftory, been fatisfactorily 
 
 . * Polydore Vergil's Englifh Hiftory, from an Early Tranflation 
 preferved among the MSS. of the old Royal Library in the 
 Britifh Mufeum. vol. i. containing the firft eight books comprifing 
 the period previous to the Norman Conqueft. London. Printed 
 for the Camden Society, 1846. Preface, p. v. 
 
vUi INTRODUCTION. 
 
 fettled. Thus from a letter written by Henry 
 VIII., to Pope Leo X., in 1513, it is expreffly 
 ftated that Polydore had been twelve years in Eng- 
 land, and from a pafTage in the Regifter of Bifli- 
 op Smith, of London, it appears that Sir Nicho- 
 las Griffin, Knight, in 1503, prefented him with 
 the rectorfhip of church Langton in Leicefterfhire. 
 Another incident is mentioned; in 1509 he 
 wrote a letter to James IV., of Scotland, requefting 
 that monarch to fend him a catalogue of the Scotch 
 kings, and memoirs of their moft remarkable ac- 
 tions. Ruddiman, who mentions this fact in his 
 preface to Gawin DouglaPs tranflation of Virgil, 
 fays that he met with but little encouragement 
 from the Scotch king, who looked upon the ap- 
 plication with sufpicion, and who defired that the 
 hiftory of Scotland should be written by one, more 
 in his intereft than was Polydore Virgil. Gawin 
 Douglas, Bifhop of Dunkeld, at a later day fup- 
 plied the defired information. In regard to this 
 point, Polydore,* in fpeaking of the difference be- 
 
 *Op. cit., p. 105. 
 
INTRODUCTION. ix 
 
 tween his ftatement relative to Reuda, and that of 
 the Scotch hiftorians, fays : " But peradventur 
 there will bee fomme which will not a littel bee 
 aggreeved at thefe thinges, for of late one Gawine 
 DowglaSj Bifhop of Dunchell, a Scottifche manne, 
 a manne as well noble in ligneage as vertewe, when 
 he underftoode that I was purpofed to write this 
 historie hee camme to commune with mee ; in 
 forthe with wee fell into friendfhippe, and often 
 he vehementlie requiered mee that in relation of 
 the Scotifche affaires I fhowlde in no wife follow 
 the prefident of an hiftorie of a certaine countri- 
 man of his, promilinge within a few dayfe to fende 
 mee of thofe matters not to be contemned, which 
 indeade hee perfourmed. * * * »» 
 
 During the reign of Henry VIII., Polydore was 
 imprifoned in confequence of charges made againft 
 him in an anonymous letter adreffed to Cardinal 
 Wolfey. This letter was afterward afcertained to 
 have been written by Andreas Ammonius, the 
 King's Latin Secretary, who, upon Polydore's 
 
M INTRODUCTION. 
 
 imprifonment, fucceeded him as colledor of 
 Peter's pence. How long he remained in prifon 
 is not certain, but in 15 17 he wrote to his brother 
 that he was at liberty and ease. 
 
 In 1550 he obtained permifTion from Edward 
 VI. to return to his native country, the infirmi- 
 ties of age requiring a warmer climate for him 
 than that of England. He does not appear to 
 have left till 1551. 
 
 His hiftory of England is the largeft and 
 moft complete work written by Polydore. Begun 
 in 1507 at the requeft of Henry VII., it was not 
 finished till 1533, in the reign of Henry VIII. 
 The firft edition was publifhed at Bafle, in 1534, 
 and was followed by feveral others in tolerably 
 quick fucceflion. That this hiftory is very valua- 
 ble there can be no doubt, and it bears upon its 
 face the impreffion of fairneff and a confcientious 
 defire to be full and explicit on all points. Never- 
 thelefs it has been roundly abufed as being partial, 
 
INTRODUCTION. xi 
 
 deficient in judgment, and as abfolutely falfe. 
 Doubtlefs a great deal of the prejudice againft 
 Polydore arofe from the two fads that he was a 
 foreigner, and that his attainments were far in ad- 
 vance of thofe of his contemporaries. In addi- 
 tion, his inveftigations had shown several of the 
 moft cherifhed legends of the British to be mere 
 fables. Sir Henry Ellis regards Polydore's work 
 as a very valuable addition to Englifh hiftory, 
 and as being remarkable for the terfenefs and 
 vigor of its language.* 
 
 The charges that he deftroyed many valuable 
 papers relating to Englifh Hiftory, and that he 
 fent others to Rome, appear to reft on no solid 
 foundation. 
 
 The little work, ^^ P rover biorum Libellus^'' was the 
 firft of its kind, being publiftied anteriorly to the fa- 
 
 * Three books of Polydore Vergirs Hiflory, etc. London : 
 Printed for the Camden Society, 1844. Preface. 
 
Mii INTRODUCTION. I 
 
 I 
 mous Adagia of Erafmus. The latter claimed this ] 
 
 honor for himfelf but Aibfequently renounced it \ 
 
 in favor of Polydore. This circumftance led to a \ 
 
 warm friendfhip between the two fcholars which j 
 
 lafted till the death of Erafmus, in 1536. i 
 
 A copy of the edition of the ^^ Proverhiorum Liber** \ 
 
 published at Argentoratum (Strasbourg) in 15 10, \ 
 
 is before me. As fpecimens of the flyle and con- : 
 
 tents of the book, I fubjoin Proverbs CXCII. and ; 
 
 ccxxv. 
 
 ] 
 "Fas nefas. \ 
 
 " Fas nefas, velis nolis fanda nefanda, digna in- ] 
 digna, hujus modi elocutiones passim proverbiales \ 
 inveniuntur apud scriptores." Auctor Donatus. ' 
 
 " Una Hirundo non facit Ver. \ 
 
 1 
 \ 
 
 *'Ventus Favonius ad. viii. calendas Martias ! 
 
 flare incipit, Hora. dicente. Soluit acris hyems | 
 
 grata vice veris et Favoni. quem chelidoniam ■ 
 
 vocant, ab hirundinis visu. Grece enim hirundo \ 
 
INTRODUCTION. xiii 
 
 'X^cXihuv appellatur et quonlam eo flare incipiente 
 hirundo avis advena ad nos traiecto ponte tranfu- 
 olet. Hinc efl: proverbium illud. Una hirundo 
 non facit ver." 
 
 The treatife De Rerum Invent oribus was first 
 ifliied at Venice in 1499, with the following title : 
 '^ Polydori Vergilli Urbinatis de Inventoribus 
 Rerum Libri tres." It was reprinted in 1503. 
 The edition printed at Basle, in 1521, was extended | 
 to eight books, and was followed by many flmilar 
 editions from the fame city. It was alfo pub- 
 liflied at Leyden and many other places, and an 
 edition was printed in 1651 by Daniel Elzevir. 
 Sir Henry Ellis mentions but two Italian editions 
 from a tranflation by Pietro Lanno, of Modena. 
 They were printed at Venice in 1543 and 1545. 
 An Italian edition, tranflated by Francefco Ban- 
 delli, and publiflied at Florence by Fillipo Giunti, 
 in 1592, was alfo iflued. A copy is contained in the 
 Aftor Library. This copy has written on the fly- 
 leaf " Edizione rara aflai," and the following efl:i- 
 
xiv INTRODUCTION. 
 
 mate of the author by one of the former pofTefTors 
 of the volume: 
 
 *' Virgillii duo sunt, alter Maro tu Polydore 
 alter ; tu mendax ille poeta fuit." 
 
 In the dedication to this volume, the tranflator 
 flates that he has purged it of feveral heretical 
 errors. 
 
 The firft Englifh edition appeared in 1546, 
 with the following title : 
 
 " An Abridgemente of the notable Woorke of 
 Polidore Vergile, containing the deuifers and 
 fyrfte finders oute as well of artes, ministeries, 
 Feactes and ciuill ordinaunces as of the Rites and 
 Ceremonies commonly ufed in the Churche ; and 
 the original beginnyng of the fame, compendioufly 
 gathered by Thomas Langley. Imprynted at 
 London by Richard Grafton, Printer to the 
 Princes Grace the XVI daie of Aprill, the yere of 
 our Lorde MDXLVI. Cum Privilegio ad im- 
 primendum folum." 
 
 This was a fquare i2mo. volume. The work 
 
INTRODUCTION. 
 
 XV 
 
 was printed again January 26, of the following 
 year, and again in 155 1. 
 
 A fourth edition was printed by John Tifdale. 
 This, according to Sir Henry Ellis, was the laft 
 edition of the abridgement, as no works from Tis- 
 dale's prefs are known of a date anterior to 1550. 
 
 As the original work contained many opinions 
 and ftatements not fuited to the orthodox mind, it 
 failed to meet with the approval of the inquifition. 
 An edition was however printed at Rome by per- 
 mifTion of Gregory XIII., in 1576, which was 
 purged of the obnoxious pafTages. 
 
 The edition of which the prefent iflue of the 
 Agathynian Club is a reprint, is rare, and was 
 apparently not known to Sir Henry Ellis, as he no- 
 where refers to it. I have not had the opportunity 
 of comparing it with any other Englifh edition, 
 and am not aware, therefore, in what refpects it 
 differs from them. It appears to be well tranf- 
 lated, but is evidently abridged in fome parts. 
 
 The work itfelf is learned and interefting, and 
 
 ^ 
 
INTRODUCTION. 
 
 is the refult of much careful refearch. Many of \ 
 the opinions and afTertions are erroneous, but not | 
 more fo than were thofe enunciated by other anti- \ 
 quaries of the day, whilft the general impreflion j 
 left upon the mind of the reader is favorable to ; 
 the candor and ability of the author. The arti- | 
 cles relating to ecclefiological matters are efpecially ! 
 valuable and correct. ] 
 
 No edition of the work, nor indeed of any j 
 other of Polydore Virgil's writings, has ever before j 
 been printed in the United States. I am very ; 
 fure, therefore, that the action of the Agathynian ' 
 Club in making the prefent iflue, will receive the i 
 cordial approval of all who value books both for ■ 
 their contents and their typographical appearance. ; 
 
 WILLIAM A. HAMMOND. \ 
 
 i 
 
 New York, Nov. 20, 1867. \ 
 
THE 
 
 WORKS 
 
 OF THE 
 
 Famous Antiquary, 
 
 Polidore Virgil. 
 
 Compendioufly 
 
 Englifli't by John' Langley^ late Mafter of Paul's School, 
 London, 
 
 CONTAI NI NG 
 The Original of all Arts, 
 
 Sciences^ Myjieries^ Orders^ Rites^ and Ceremonies^ both 
 Ecclesiajiical and Civil, 
 
 A Work Useful 
 
 For all Divines^ Historians^ 
 Lawyers^ and all Artificers, 
 
 LONDON, 
 
 Printed for Simon Miller^ at the Star in St. Paul's Church- 
 Yard, 1663. 
 
Polidore Virgil 
 
 "The Firji BOOK. 
 
 CHAP. I, 
 
 THE ORIGINALL OF THE HEATHEN GODS. 
 
 W 
 
 HEN the rpirits of the ayr (whom the 
 Scripture calleth, Rulers of this world) began to 
 give anfwers of Prophecy, out of Images, made to 
 refemble mortal men, and by their wicked fubtlety, 
 did pretend themfelves fometimes to be of the 
 number of good fpirits, fometimes gods celeftial, 
 and fometimes the fouls of valiant Lords: they 
 brought men into fuch errour and perplexity, that 
 in fhort fpace they did altogether alienate mens 
 hearts from the religion and reverence of the true 
 God. And for as much as their fpirituall nature 
 is fubtile, they ufurped the name of good Angels. 
 For according to the opinion of antiquity, not 
 
4 POLIDORE VIRGIL. Lib. i. 
 
 onely to every man, but alfo to every flngular place 
 and family, were allotted two Angels; Whereof the 
 one went about to endamage them ; the other with 
 all its endeavour, ftudied to profit them. Thefe 
 invaded particularly every houfe, conveyed them- 
 felves into mens bodies, and clofely in their en- 
 trails, imbezelled their health, procured difeafes, 
 illuded their hearts with phantafticall vifions and 
 dreams: and by such mifchief inforced men to 
 repair to them for help, and inquire their Oracles 
 and anfwers; which of purpofe had doubtful under- 
 ftandings, left their ignorance fhould be perceived. 
 By thefe deceitful means they were fo deified, that 
 fundry people after divers forts chofe them gods, 
 and with great reverence worfhipped them. For 
 fuch men as a Nation had attained any fpeciall 
 Commodity by, to the furtherance or garnifhing 
 of their living, or builders of Cities, or Ladies ex- 
 cellent in Chaftity, or men puiffant in Arms, 
 were honoured for gods ; as the Egyptians had Ifts; 
 the AfTyrians, Neptune; the Latines, F annus ; the 
 Romans, ^irine; Athens, Pallas : the Delphians, 
 Apollo; the Grecians, Jupiter; the AfTyrians, Belus^ 
 and many Countries had divers other gods; and 
 fome (which is a fhame to fpeak) worfhipped brute 
 beafts, and took them for gods ; by reafon where- 
 of, the Grecians had the opinion, That the gods 
 had their beginning of men. And thus when men 
 withdrew their phantafies from Images, to the 
 fpirits invifible, they were perfwaded that there 
 were many gods, and of no fmaller number than 
 mortal men. 
 
Lib. I. POLIDORE VIRGIL. 5 
 
 Of this variety of opinions, the Philofophers 
 (which layed afide all private and publique affairs, 
 employing all their fludy in fearching out the 
 truth) took occafion to difpute of the nature of 
 gods diverfly. Shales Milefius^ which firft fearched 
 fuch matters, faid. That God was an Underftanding^ 
 that made and fafhioned all things of the water, 
 as matter prejacent. Pythagoras called him, A 
 Lively Mind^ that pierced and paffed through all 
 things, of v/hom all living creatures received their 
 life. And Cleanthes defined God to be T'he Ayre.. 
 Anaxagoras efleemed him to be an Infinite Mind^ 
 which did move it felf. Chriftppus thought he was a 
 natural power, rndued with godly reafon. Some 
 were of the opinion, that there were no gods. 
 Diagoras and Tkeodorus affirmed plain. That there 
 was no God at all. Protagoras reported. That he 
 knew no certainty of the Gods ; wherefore the 
 Athenians banifhed him out of their Empire. Epi- 
 curus granted there was a God ; but one that was 
 neither liberal, bountifull, nor had any regard of 
 things : that is to fay, God is no God, but a cruel 
 and unkind Monfter. Anaximander fuppofed the 
 gods to be born, and not to dye, till after many 
 ages. The Egyptians, becaufe of the Anceftry of 
 their linage, feign the gods to have begun among 
 them, and that they were but two, and everlafting: 
 the Sun, whom they called Oftris ; and the Moon, 
 that was named Ifts. Notwithftanding La^lantius 
 writeth. That Saturnus was the firft Father of the 
 gods, which begat Jupiter, Juno, Neptune, Pluto, 
 and Glauca, by his Wife Ops. And for the benefits 
 
POLIDORE VIRGIL. Lib. i. 
 
 that they fhewed to their Subjeds, they were 
 deified. 
 
 But in fuch variety of opinions, it is a thing 
 difficult to determine the firft off-fpring of their 
 gods, both becaufe they be but vain, and alfo 
 fprung out of 'mortal humanity. And again, to 
 fpeak of God, as he is in his fupernatural efTence, 
 is a thing dangerous, becaufe we can neither be- 
 hold the refplendent brightnefle of his Majefty 
 with our corporall eyes, nor with any quickneffe of 
 wit, comprehend his infinite might, as the Poet 
 Symonides did declare very well: For when he was 
 required of King Hiero, to fhew him what thing, 
 and of what fort God was, he defired to have one 
 day refpite ; when he afked him the next day, he 
 prayed to have two dayes: and as often as the 
 King required of him an anfwer, he increafed the 
 number of the dayes of deliberation : the King 
 marvailing that he doubled fo many times the 
 dayes, inquired why he did fo? For the more 
 (faid he) that I confider the thing, and mufe on 
 it, the more obfcure and intricate it feemeth to i 
 mc. Which thing if the Philofophers (which like \ 
 to blind warriours, wandring in darknefTe) had | 
 done, they would not have devifed fo many lies : 
 to offend or difpleafe their Creator. For it is ; 
 better to be ignorant in the truth, than to teach \ 
 error. Therefore to conclude (as Macrobius writeth ; 
 There is but one God, fubjed to no mutability, ' 
 who is One Eternall Being, of all naturall things : ; 
 the caufe principall who faith by his Prophet ; 
 EJayy I am God, before me there was no other, j 
 
 h 
 \ 
 
Lib. I. POLIDORE VIRGIL. 7 
 
 neither fliall be after me, without beginning, onely 
 everlafling, of whom Virgil writeth thus. 
 
 Heaven and Earthy and the Water large, 
 'The bright circle of the heavenly fphere : 
 'The Spirit all foftereth : and hath full charge. 
 Faffing through all, to guide it every where. 
 
 And Flato faith. There is but one God, and 
 affirmeth that this world was created by him ; and 
 was called God, becaufe he giveth freely to men, all 
 things good and profitable, and is the principal 
 fountain of all goodnefle in this world. 
 
 CHAP. II. 
 
 THE PRINCIPLES OF NATURAL THINGS. 
 
 A 
 
 LTHOUGH it had been convenient to have 
 begun this prefent Treatife with declaring the priji- 
 ciples of natural creatures; and fo confequently 
 to have expounded the original of the gods, foraf- 
 much as they have their beginning of the fame 
 things : yet the reverence that I have to the true 
 God, which was before all other creatures, moveth 
 me to begin at him, as the cause principal of the 
 reft. Therefore as concerning the caufes of things, 
 I will ftiew firft the minds of the Philofophers that 
 be moft probable, untill I come to the truth it 
 felf. 'ThaleSy one of the feven wife men of Greece, 
 
POLIDORE VIRGIL. 
 
 Lib. I. 
 
 o'HP*' 
 
 *:» 
 
 hath an opinion, that water was the material caufe 
 of all things. Contrariwife, Heraclitus an Epheftan^ 
 and Hippafus fuppofe all to be procreated of fire. 
 Empedocles faith, the four Elements were the caufes 
 of things, as Lucretius writeth. 
 
 Of Water^ Earthy Ayre^ and fiery glede : 
 All things natural duely procede. 
 
 Anaximenes thinketh all things to have their 
 beginning of the Ayre. Metrodorus affirmeth the 
 univerfal World to be eternal, without beginning 
 or end. Epicurus one of Democritus difciples, put- 
 teth two caufes, Atomes, or Motes, and vacuity or 
 emptinefle, of thefe he faith, the four Elements 
 come. Thefe are the opinions of the Philofo- 
 phers, that were men without the knowledge of 
 God : but (as Mqfes and Jofephus record) the 
 Scripture concludeth that in the beginning, God 
 made all things of nothing ; as Saint John faith, 
 all things were made by him. And therefore (as 
 La^fantius writeth) let no man be curious in 
 fearching, of what materiall God made thefe great 
 and wonderfull works, for he formed them all of 
 nothing, by the power of his mighty word. For 
 as David the Prophet fingeth, he fpake the word 
 and they were made, he gave Commandement, 
 and they were created. Of the fame opinion is 
 PlatOy in his book called T'imeus. 
 
CHAP. III. 
 
 THE PROCREATION OF MAN, THE DIVERSITY OF 
 LANGUAGES, AND DIVISION OF NATIONS. 
 
 T 
 
 HE mofl famous writers of natural Hiftorles 
 (as Diodorus recordeth) fpake of two fundry man- 
 ners of birth, and firft flock of mankind. For 
 they which contend that the World was ungener- 
 ate, and without any danger of corruption, fay alfo 
 that man hath been in a certain perpetuity, with- 
 out beginning. Of this opinion, were Pythagoras, 
 Arc hit as, Xenocrates, and Ariftotle, with other 
 Peripateticks, affirming that all things in the eter- 
 nal world, which have been, or fhall hereafter come 
 to pafle, be by Generation endlefle, and without 
 beginning, and have onely a circuit and courfe of 
 Generations, wherein both the birth, and naturall 
 refolution of things may be perceived. Other that 
 fuppofe this world had both an Originall caufe of 
 being, and fhall alfo end by putrifadion, hold 
 opinion that man had a time of his Generation. 
 For this caufe the ^Egyptians report, that men 
 were firft born among them, as well by reafon of 
 the fruitful ranknefle of the foil, and feafonablenefs 
 of the Ayre, and becaufe of the River Nilus, which 
 for the lufty fatnefle of the flime, doth procreate 
 diverfe kinds of beads, and hath in it felf naturally a 
 1 
 
lo POLIDORE VIRGIL. Lib. i. 
 
 certain nutritive power. For in the Country of 7">6^- 
 bais Mice be engendred of the mud: wherefore men 
 in thofe part sftand in admiration when they even be- 
 hold the fore-parts of them to the breft, wallow and 
 move fenfibly in the mire, and the hinder partts not 
 yet fafhioned, and without fhape. Neverthelefle, 
 PJammaticus their King, deiiring to know In what 
 Countrey, men were firft begotten, devlfed this 
 means. He caufed two young Infants new born, 
 to be delivered to his herdmen, to be brought up 
 among his cattell, and commanded that no man 
 fhould fpeak any word to them, becaufe he would 
 know what word they would fpeak firft. Then 
 two years after, when the herdmen opened the door 
 where they were nourlfhed, they ftretched out 
 their hands, and cried Becos^ which in the Phry- 
 gians language, fignifieth bread. Thus it was 
 known that the Phrygians were the eldeft lineage, 
 and firft born. The Ethiopians do conjed:ure them- 
 felves to be the firft, becaufe no man would come 
 out of any other place into that Region, and they 
 of that be by a general confent, called home-bred, 
 and (as Diodorus faith) it is probable that thofe 
 under the Meridional Equator, ftiould be the 
 ancienteft of all. For feeing the heat of the Sun 
 drieth up the moyfture of the earth, and hath alfo 
 of it felf, a power to give and preferve the life of 
 things, it is like that the place which is fcituate 
 neareft to the Sun, ftiould bring forth the firft 
 living creatures. For that caufe Anaximander 
 taught, that men firft fprung of water and Earth, 
 warmed with lively heat. Empedocles in a manner 
 
Lib. I. POLIDORE VIRGIL. ii 
 
 confirmeth the fame, where he writeth that every 
 particular member was feverally made, and pro- 
 portioned of the Earth (as a mother) and fo to 
 have been compared, and conglutinated by heat 
 and moifture into the perfed figure and fhape of 
 a man. 
 
 Democritus thinketh men were firft made of 
 Water and Mudde, tempered together. Zeno ]\xdg- 
 eth the caufe of Mankind to have proceeded of 
 the New World. And men to be onely begotten by 
 the ayd and comfort of the divine fire, that is, the 
 providence of God. As for the Poets, fome feign, 
 how man was made out of foft clay by Prometheus. 
 Some fay, that they fprung of the hard ftones that 
 Deucalion and Pirrha call: And thus much is of 
 the vain opinions of the Gentiles. But to fpeak 
 the truth, (as Scripture teacheth) the beginning of 
 man was in Jewry. For God, when he had 
 finifhed the World, did create the firft man, Adam, 
 of the Earth of the field o^ Bamafcus, as fome think. 
 Thus Adam, made by God, marrying his Wife Eve, 
 was authour, and beginner of the whole Pofterity 
 and Linage. But for as much as God formed but 
 one man, and indued him with one kind of fpeech 
 onely, to utter and declare the things that he con- 
 tained in his mind : men perchance will marvail, 
 what the caufe ftiould be, that there be at this day 
 fo many diverfe languages, that according to the 
 variety of Countries, there be fundry fpeeches. 
 And therefore I thought it convenient to ftiew the 
 occafion of the fame. When Nimrod the fon of 
 Cham, that was fon to Noe, after the univerfal floud. 
 
12 POLIDORE VIRGIL. Lib. i. 
 
 went about to withdraw men (which feared the 
 danger of drowning) from the worfhip of God, 
 fuppofing all their hope to confift in their own 
 might and power, perfwaded them to build a 
 Tower of fuch altitude, that the water should not 
 be able to overflow it. Whileft they were thus 
 earnefl;ly occupied about their enterprife, God divi- 
 ded their fpeeches in fuch fort, that not one of 
 them could underfl:and another, by reafon of the 
 difcord and difagreeing of their languages. And 
 thus began the diverfity of tongues that we ufe 
 now. The fame was the occaflon that the pofl:eri- 
 ties of Noe were difperfed and fcattered abroad. 
 For when one could not underfland another's 
 language, it came to pafle, that every man departed 
 into fundry Provinces and Countries, and there 
 named places, whereof they had the government ; 
 and alfo Cities, which they builded, after their own 
 names, as Eufebius teftifieth. The fonnes of Noe 
 were Sem, Cham, and Japhet. The ifl"ue of Sem was 
 Elam, whereof the Elamites came. AJfur, of whom 
 the AfTyrians were named. Arphaxad was the 
 firfl: founder of the Arabians, and Lud of the Lid- 
 ians: the children of Cham were Chus, that named 
 the Ethiopians; and Me/re the beginner of the 
 Egyptians. Chanaan, of whom the Canaanites had 
 their name: the linage of Chus was Seba, whereof 
 the Sebees came; and Evila, of whom came the 
 Evelites. And femblably we mufl believe, that of 
 them came all other Nations and people of the 
 world, which be now in fo great number, that they 
 cannot eafily be numbred. 
 
CHAP. IV. 
 
 THE BEGINNING OF MARRIAGE, AND SUNDRY 
 RITES OF THE SAME. . 
 
 G 
 
 OD, after that he had fully accomplifhed, 
 and perfedly created the world, and when all the 
 creatures therein were in their kind confummate, 
 (as Mofes teacheth) he made man laft of all, to be 
 Lord and Sovereign of the whole body of the 
 world, as one to whom all his work fhould be fub- 
 jed, becaufe he was fafhioned after his own likenefle. 
 And left fo worthy a creature Ihould by death 
 perifh, or the world might want his governour and 
 ruler, it pleafed him to make woman out of the 
 body of man, and fo with the bond of Matrimony* 
 combined them together, that they fhould not live 
 after the manner of brute beafts : therefore hath 
 God joyned Adam and Eve in Marriage in Paradife, 
 before they knew fin, that by the congreffion and 
 company of thefe two fexes, and kinds, their iftue 
 might be enlarged, and fo replenifh the whole 
 World. In this fort was Matrimony inftituted, 
 albeit antiquity feigneth Cecrops King of the Athe- 
 nians to have ordeyned Matrimony, for which caufe, 
 he was reported to have had two faces. But all 
 
14 POLIDORE VIRGIL. Lib. i. 
 
 Countreyes did not enter like bond of Matrimony, 
 neither kept it after one fafhion. For the Numid- 
 ianSy Egyptians^ Indians^ Hebrews^ Perfians^ Par- 
 thianSy Thracians, and aim oft all the Barbarians ^ 
 every one according to his fubflance married Wives, 
 fome ten, fome more. The Scythian, the Stoicks, and 
 Athenians, ufed their children and wives in common, 
 and copulated with them abroad openly like beads. 
 The Mejfagites married every one a wife, but they 
 ufed them commonly. Among the Arabians it is 
 the manner, that all Kinfmen fhould have but one 
 wife, and he that came to meddle with her, fhould 
 fet his ftaff at the doore ; for their cuftome was to 
 bear a ftaff, albeit fhe lay every night by the eldeft, 
 by this means they were all brethren. An Adul- 
 terer was there condemned to death, which was 
 perceived by this, if he were of another family or 
 kindred. Where chanced on a time a ftrange thing, 
 worthy to be had in memory, there was a certain 
 Kings daughter of excellent beauty ; which had 
 fifteen brethern, that loved her all intirely well, 
 and ufed one after another, to refort to, and keep 
 company with her : fhe began by fuch daily dalli- 
 ance, to be weary of their wanton company, and 
 devifed this feat, fhe prepared flaves like her 
 brothers flaves, and by and by as one was gone, 
 fhe fet a flaffat the door like to his, and by that 
 deceit, the other, when they came to the door, 
 fuppofing one to be within, preffed no further, and 
 it fortuned on a day when they were all together 
 in the Court, one of them departed from the other, 
 and repaired to her houfe, and when he efpyed a 
 
Lib. I. POLIDORE VIRGIL 15 
 
 flaff at the gate, thinking it to be fome Adulterer, 
 for he was affured that he left his brethren in the 
 Court, he ran to his father and accufed his fifter 
 of Adultery ; but when the matter was known, it 
 was perceived that he had falfly ilandered her. 
 The AJJyrians and the Babylonians bought their 
 wives in open Market at a common price, which 
 cuftome among the Saracens and Arabians yet ftill 
 remaineth. When the Nazamones were firft mar- 
 ried, they ufed to fuifer their wives to lie the firft 
 night with all her guefts, in the worship of Venus ; 
 and from thenceforth they kept themfelves chafte, 
 and pure of living. A certain people of the 
 Carthaginians, which border on Mgypt, were wont 
 to offer fuch maidens as fhould be married, to the 
 King of that Region, to deflour whom it pleafed 
 him. In Scotland alfo the ufage was that the Lord 
 of the foyl fhould lye with the bride before her 
 husband : but for fo much as it was unfitting to be 
 frequented among Chriflians, their King Malcolme, 
 the third of that name, about the year of our 
 Lord, M. X C I X. did abolifh that beaflly abomi- 
 nation, and ordained that every maid fhould give 
 the Lord for the redemption of her maidenhead, a 
 Crown of Gold. Somepeople lived fingle, ascertain 
 Nations called Cm/^ and £^^w among the Hebrews, 
 which did abhor the calamities and troubles in mar- 
 riage. Wedlock was observed fincerely and rever- 
 ently of the i^d?;;/^^;?^^, till Divorcement began; which 
 although it be an occafion that Women fhould 
 more earneftly keep their chaftity, yet our Religion 
 doth scarcely permit it. One Spurius Servilius, the 
 
i6 POLIDORE VIRGIL. Lib. i. 
 
 year after the City was founded 522. {Marcus 
 PomponiuSy and Caius Papirius being Confuls) firft 
 fued a Divorce from his Wife, becaufe fhe was bar- 
 ren : for which fid, although he affirmed openly 
 before the Cenfors that he did it only becaufe 
 he would have iflue, yet he was evil fpoken of 
 among the common fort. This decree of divorc- 
 ing was taken out of the Laws of Mqfes, which 
 made the firft conftitution of that ftatute; yet was 
 there this difference. For by Mofes it was onely 
 lawfull for the Husband to forfake his Wife; but 
 the Romans decree gave them both like liberty, 
 manner was, that two children Ihould lead the Bride, 
 The Rites of Marriage were divers in Rome; the 
 and another bear a Torch before her of white-thorn, 
 in worfhip of Ceres: that like as fhe with fruits of 
 the earth doth nourifh men; fo the new bride like 
 an houfwife, Ihould bring up her children. Which 
 manner is ufed in England^ faving that inftead of 
 the Torch, there is born here a cup of Silver or 
 Gold before them. A Garland alfo of Corn-eares 
 was fet on her head ; or elfe fhe bare it in her hand, 
 or if that were not, when fhe came home, wheat 
 was fcatered abroad over her head in betokening of 
 plenty and fruitfullneffe. 
 
 Alfo before fhe came to bed to her Husband, 
 Fire and water were given her, which have power 
 to purify and cleanfe; fignifying thereby that fhe 
 fhould be chafte and honeft of her body. There 
 were befides thefe, divers Rites which I omit. The 
 maids of Greece and Rome {a.s it may appear by 
 Homer and Catullus) were ufually accuftomed to gird 
 
Lib. I. POLIDORE VIRGIL 17 
 
 their Privity with a lace, or fwathel, till the day of 
 their Marriage. The Bride anointed the pofts of 
 the doors with fwines greafe, becaufe fhe thought 
 by that means to drive away all misfortune, where- 
 of fhe had her name in Latine. Neither might fhe 
 flep over the threfhold, but mufl be born over, to 
 declare that fhe lofeth her Virginity unwillingly, 
 with many other fuperftitious ceremonies, which be 
 too long to rehearfe. 
 
 CHAP. V. 
 
 THE INSTITUTION OF RELIGION, AND WHO WORSHIP- | 
 
 PED GODS FIRST WITH SACRIFICE. | 
 
 I 
 
 T is no doubt but men which at the firfl without 
 any Governour, led a barbarous and rude manner 
 of life, did highly advance their firfl Kings honour 
 and prayfes ; and by the perfwafion of the Devil, 
 either for their wonderfull courage and vertue, or 
 to flatter the condition of their dignity, or for fome 
 fpecial benefit that they received by them, magnified 
 them as gods. Whereby it came to pafTe, that 
 Kings, being well-beloved of their people, left a 
 fervent memorial of themfelves among their fubjeds 
 and poflerity ; by reafon whereof men made Images 
 of them, to take a comfortable pleafure of the be- 
 holding of them : Afterward becaufe to encourage 
 
 3 
 
1 8 POLIDORE VIRGIL. Lib. i. 
 
 men to vertue and chevalry, they reverenced them 
 as gods, for every valiant courage would with more 
 alacrity enterprife dangerous adventures for the 
 common-weal, when they perceived the noble ad:s 
 of worthy and puifTant men, to be recompenfed 
 with honour and laud of the immortal Gods. Thus 
 Temples began firft to be builded, and fervice of 
 the gods to be performed, by the ordinance of 
 MeliJTus, in the time of Jupiter, or not long before. 
 Yet that the true and certain original may be 
 abfolutely known, let us appoint the cuftome of 
 idolatry, to have begun in the time of Belus King 
 of the AJJyrians, which reigned in the 3180 year of 
 the world whom the Babylonians firfl worfhipped for 
 a God, and fet up an Image of him: and therefore 
 they that think Idolatry hath endured from the 
 beginning of the World, are deceived. Herodotus 
 faith, that the Egyptians firft builded Altars, Tem- 
 ples, Images, and offered facrifice to the gods, and 
 after taught them to ftrangers : Some fuppofe that 
 Mercury ftiewed with what ceremonies gods ftiould 
 be honoured. Some fay, it was devifed by King 
 Numa Pompilius. 
 
 Diodorus thinketh that the Ethiopians did inftitute 
 the Rites of facrificing to the gods, which thing 
 Homer in his Iliad witnefleth, where he telleth how 
 Jupiter and the other gods went into Ethiopia to 
 the oblations that were cuftomably made there, 
 and alfo repaired thither to be cherifhed with the 
 fragrant odours, that perfumed the facrifices. And 
 the Ethiopians received this reward of their holinefle ; 
 that they ihould never be conquered, but ever live 
 
Lib. I. POLIDORE VIRGIL. 19 
 
 in liberty, without any bondage. LaElantius affirm- 
 eth, that Melijfus King of Greet did firft facrifice, 
 and ordeined other folemn rites in the ceremonies 
 of their gods. In Italy, Janus and his fon F annus 
 appointed facrifices to Saturn; and after them King 
 Numa fet up a new Religion. 
 
 Cadmus out of Venice, and Orpheus out of Thrace, 
 brought firft into Greece the myfteries, folemnities, 
 dedicating of Images, and Hymns of their gods. 
 
 Albeit, Herodotus faith that Gecrops King of 
 Athens tranfported all fuch conftitutions and ordi- 
 nances out of Egypt into Greece, and firft invocated 
 Jupiter, founded Images, fet up Altars, and offered 
 facrifices, that .were never feen before in Greece. 
 But to God Almighty, whom we Chriftians honour 
 and ferve. Gain and Abel firft offered; and Enos 
 firft called upon the name of the Lord. 
 
 CHAP VI. 
 
 WHO FOUND THE LETTERS, AND THE NUMBER 
 OF THEM. 
 
 L 
 
 ETTERS, wherein is conteined the treafure of 
 knowledg, and by whom things notable be pre- 
 ferved in frefh remembrance, after the opinion 
 of Diodorus, were found by Mercury in Egypt, yet 
 fome fay one Menon an Egyptian devifed them : but 
 
20 POLIDORE VIRGIL. Lib. i. 
 
 inftead of the letters they of Egypt ufed to fignify 
 and declare the intents and conceits of their minds 
 by the figures of beafls, Fifhes, Fowls, and Trees. 
 Pliny faith, he thought that the AJfyrians excogita- 
 ted the letters which Cadmus brought out of Phoe- 
 nice into Greece^ which were but i6 in number. 
 Abcdegilmnoprstv. to thefe Palamedes added 
 in the battel of Troy other four, viz. ^^cpv. Simon- 
 ides found as many, viz. \t,rico. Whofe power is 
 contained in our letters. Ariftotk faith there were 
 1 8, of the old, viz. a^yht^Lx'kfivonQGTVCf^ 
 and that Epicarmus put to the other two, Q and iv. 
 Hermolaus is fuppofed to have added y. Herodotus 
 writeth, how that the Phenicians that came with 
 Cadmus to inhabite Thebes, brought letters into 
 Greece, which were never feen in ufe there before- 
 time. Some think the Mthiopians invented them, 
 and then taught them to the Egyptians, that were 
 one of their Provinces. But Eumolphus telleth 
 unfainediy that the beginning of letters did pro- 
 ceed of Mojes, which reigning long before Cadmus 
 dayes, taught the Jews the letters, and thence the 
 Phoenicians received them, and the Greeks learned 
 of them. Which thing is conformable to the fay- 
 ing of Pliny before rehearfed : for Jury is a part of 
 Syria, and the Jews be Syrians. NeverthelefTe I 
 find by Jojephus that writing was before Noe s floud, 
 for the fons of Seth wrote in two Pillars, one of 
 brick and another of flone, the Science of Aftron- 
 omy; whereof that of flone, in the time of Jojephus 
 remained in Syria. Philo afcribeth the invention of 
 them to Abraham, which was elder than Mojes, 
 
Lib. I. POLIDORE VIRGIL. 21 
 
 albeit I had rather afTign to Seths children, the begin- 
 ning of writing. As for the Hebrew letters which 
 be now, according to Saint Jeromes opinion, were 
 but newly invented, and devifed by EJdras: for be- 
 fore that time the Hebrews and Samarites ufed all 
 one Chara6ters. 
 
 The old Greek letters were the fame that the 
 Romans ufe now, as P/Z/ry conjedureth by a certain 
 brafTe Table that came from Delphos^ which was 
 dedicated and hanged up in a Library in the Tem- 
 ple of Minerva at Rome in his time. They were 
 brought into Italy by Evander^ and the Arcadians 
 which came into Italy to inhabit there, as Ovid 
 telleth in his book Defaftis. 
 
 The Hetrurians had alfo a form of letters by 
 themfelves, wherein the youth of Rome was in- 
 ftrudted, as well as in the Greek letters, which one 
 Demeratus a Corinthian taught the Hetrurians. And 
 like as the Grecians had enlarged the number of 
 their letters, fo the Italians following their example, 
 put to theirs, f k q x y z h. which h is no letter, but 
 a fign of afpiration : / they received of the Molians^ 
 which both among the old Romanies and jEolians had 
 the fame found and pronuntiations that p. with an 
 afpiration hath, which we ufe in writing Greek 
 words. And afterward Claudius C^far, as ^in- 
 tilian writeth, appointed that it fhould be taken in 
 the place of v. confonant, 2ls fulgus for vulgus^fixit 
 for vixit; And even fo our Englijh men ufe to 
 fpeak in EJfex, for they fay Fineger for Vineger, 
 Feal for Veal, and contrariwife, a Vox for a Fox, 
 vour for four: And in procefTe of time it was ufed 
 
22 POLIDORE VIRGIL. Lib. i. 
 
 for ph. in Latin words, k. was borrowed of the 
 Greeks^ but no good Authour ufeth it in writing 
 Latine. q was added becaufe it hath a groffer found 
 than c. The letter x. we had alfo out of Greece, 
 although (as ^«/«//7/^« judgeth) we might well for- 
 bear it, for af much that they ufed for it either c s 
 or g s. Likewife y and z, were fent from the 
 Grecians y and be ufed of us onely to write Greek 
 words. 
 
 N 
 
 CHAP. VII. 
 
 THE INVENTION OF GRAMMER. 
 
 EXT the Letters, the invention of grammer 
 ordinarily fucceeds, both becaufe it is the foun- 
 dation and ground whereon all other Sciences reft: 
 and alfo forafmuch as it taketh the name of letters; 
 For Gramma in Greek fignifieth a Letter in Engli/h. 
 Grammar is an Art that doth confift in fpeaking 
 and writing without fault, fo that every word have 
 his due letters, and (as ^intilian fuppofeth, is 
 divided into two parts: the way to fpeak con- 
 gruoufly, and declaring of Poets. As Tully writeth, 
 there is required in Grammarians, the declaration of 
 Poets, the knowledg of Hiftories, expofition of 
 words, and a certain utterance of pronunciation. 
 It had the beginning of marking and obferving 
 
Lib. I. POLIDORE VIRGIL. z^ 
 
 what was moft fit or unfitting in communication, 
 which thing men counterfeiting in their fpeech, 
 made this Art, even as Rhetorick was perceived. 
 For it is the duty both of Grammarians, and 
 Oratours to have a regard and refped:, how to fpeak. 
 Hermippus faith that Epicurus firft taught the Art of 
 Grammer, and Plato efpyed and perceived firft the 
 commodity and profit of it. In Rome^ it was 
 nothing efteemed till one Crates Malotes was fent 
 by King Attains to the Senate to teach it between 
 the fecond and third battels of Punicks, a little be- 
 fore the death of Ennius the Poet. It is of all 
 other Sciences the moft fpecial, for it ftieweth a 
 means to attain all the reft of the liberall Sciences. 
 Neither can a man come or attain to any excellency 
 in any Art, unlefle he have firft his principles of 
 Grammer, perfectly known, and throughly per- 
 ceived. 
 
 Therefore in old time Grammarians were called 
 •judges and allowers of all other writers, and for 
 that caufe they were called Critici. 
 
 In this excelled Didymus, and Antonius Enipho, 
 whofe School Marcus Cicero reforted unto divers 
 times after his affairs of the Law were ended : Nigi- 
 dius Figulus, Marcus Varro, Marcus Valerius Probus, 
 and the arrogant Palemon, with many other of the 
 Greeks, Arijiarchus, Arijlotle, and Theodoces were 
 chief. 
 
CHAP. VIII. 
 
 OF POETRY, AND METER, AND SUNDRY KINDS 
 OF THE SAME. 
 
 X OETRY is a goodly Art: as well becaufe no 
 other difcipline can be perceived, except a man 
 ftudy it vehemently, for it comprehendeth all 
 other fciences : as for that, where other faculties 
 be devifed by the pregnance, of mans wit, this 
 art onely is given of nature by a divine infpiration, 
 without which Democritus affirmeth there could 
 never be excellent Poets : for it proceedeth not 
 of Arts and Precepts, but of a naturall infpira- 
 tion, and fpiritual power. And therefore Ennius 
 called Poets holy, becaufe they be by a fpecial 
 prerogative commended and praifed to us of God. 
 The beginning of this art is very ancient, and, as 
 Eujebius faith, it flourifhed firft among the Hebrews, 
 that were long before the Greeks. For Mofes the 
 great Captain of the Jews, what time he led them 
 out o^ JEgypt into the land of promife, pafTmg the 
 red Sea, which by the power of God gave place to 
 them, infpired by the holy Ghoft, made a fong of 
 Hexameter Verfes, to render thanks to God for 
 that benefit. 
 
Lib. I. POLIDORE VIRGIL. 25 
 
 And David the holy Prophet of God, after he 
 was difpatched of all his affairs in war, and efcaped 
 the aflaults and dangers of treafon, living in great 
 peace, devifed many pleafant tunable Hymns, for 
 the praife of God in fundry kinds of Meter. For 
 as Saint Jerome faith, the Pfalter of David goeth 
 in as good number and meafures, as either the 
 Greek Planudes, or the Latine Horatius : fome- 
 time in Alcaus number, fometime in the Metre 
 of Sappho^ fometime with half meafures. What is 
 goodlier then the fong of Mofes in Deuteronomy, 
 and of IJaiah ? more ancient then Solomon ? more 
 perfect then Job? We may worthily afcribe the 
 invention of it to the Hebrews : but indeed Or- 
 pheus and Linus, and after them. Homer and Heji- 
 odus did firft polifh and adorn the Art with all 
 kind of Furniture. The Romans received it not 
 till of latter time ; for Levius Andronicus (as T^ully 
 writeth) in the 513 year after the City was builded, 
 {Caius Claudius Cento, and Marcus T'uditanus being 
 Confuls) fet forth the firft enterlude or fable, a 
 year before Ennius was born. Before thofe dayes, 
 it was had in fuch defpite, that if one had profefled 
 himfelf to be a Poet, he was fuppofed to be as 
 bad as a murtherer. The beginner of Meter was 
 the true God, which proportioned the world ; 
 with all the contents of the fame, with a certain 
 order as it were a Meter : for there is none (as 
 Pythagoras taught) that doubteth, but that there 
 is in things Heavenly and Earthly, a kind of 
 harmony ; and unlefle it were governed with a 
 formal concord and defcribed-number, how could 
 
 5 
 
26 POLIDORE VIRGIL. Lib. i. 
 
 it long, continue ? All other inftruments, that we 
 occupy, be all falhoncd by a manner of meafure. 
 And Diodorus afligneth the invention of Meter, 
 which the Poets by a fpirituall influence ufed in 
 their works, to Jupiter^ as to Almighty God. 
 
 Of Meters there be divers kinds that have their 
 name, either of the thing that is defcribed therein, 
 (as heroical Meter is fo called of the Wars of 
 noble men that be conteined in it) wherein alfo 
 Apollo gave his Oracles, therefore Pliny faith we 
 have that Meter o{ Pythius Oracle; or of the in- 
 ventour as MJclepiadical; or of the quantity of 
 Jambus^ becaufe it flandeth of a fhort and a long, 
 which Archilocus found firft, of the number of feet, 
 as Hexameter and Pentameter^ which is alfo called 
 Elegiacal, the Ihepheards fong, Daphnis, the fon 
 of Mercury found": and other devifed other fongs, 
 which I let paffe, for my purpofe is onely to fpeak 
 of the Inventers of the Meter, and not to perfecute 
 the particulars. 
 
 CHAP. IX. 
 
 THE BEGINNING OF THE TRAGEDIES, 
 
 SATYRES, AND NEW COMEDIES. 
 
 T 
 
 X RAGEDIES and Comedies, had their begin- 
 ning of the oblations, (as Diodorus writeth) which 
 in old time men devoutly ofler'd for their fruits 
 
Lib. I. POLIDORE VIRGIL. 27 
 
 to Bacchus. For as the Altars were kindled with 
 fire, and the Goat layed on it, the Quire in honour 
 of Bacchus, ^^^% this Meter called a Tragedy. It 
 was named fo, either becaufe a Goat, which in 
 Greek is called Tragos, was the reward appointed 
 for him that was Author of the Song, or becaufe a 
 Goat, which is noyfome to the Vines, whereof 
 Bacchus was firfl: inventour, was Sacrificed to Liber: 
 Or of the grounds or dregs, which in Greek is 
 called Tryx, with the which ftage-players ufed to 
 paint their face, before that Efchylus devifed Vifards. 
 The beginner of them, after the mind of Horace, 
 was The/pis, albeit, ^intilianus faith, Efchylus fet 
 forth firft open Tragedies before any other, Sophocles 
 and Euripides did furnifh them more gallantly. In 
 Rome Livius Andronicus made the firft Tragedy, 
 wherein Accius, Paccuvius, Ouidius, and Seneca ex- 
 celled. The Comedies began what time (the 
 Athenians being not yet aflembled into the City) 
 the youth of that country, ufed to fing folemn 
 verfes at feafts, abroad in the Villages and High 
 wayes, for to get money: they were fo named of 
 the Greek word Comos, for a Banquetting, or Come 
 a ftreet, and Ode a fong. Yet it is uncertain among 
 the Grecians who found it firft. In this kind of 
 writing, Aristophanes, Eupolis, and Cratinus bare 
 the price : of the Romans, Livius Andronicus found 
 it firft. In a Tragedy noble perfonages, as Lords, 
 Dukes, Kings and Emperours be brought in, with 
 an high ftyle. In a Comedy, amorous dalliance, 
 matters of love, and deflouring of maidens be 
 conteined. Heavinefle is appropried unto a Tra- 
 
28 POLIDORE VIRGIL. Lib. i. 
 
 gedy, and therefore, when King Archelaus defired 
 Euripides^ to write a Tragedy of him, he denyed it, 
 wifhing that never fuch thing fhould chance to him, 
 as fhould be worthy of Tragedy; for it hath ever a 
 miferable end, and a Comedy hath a joyfull end. A 
 Satyre is a Poefy, rebuking vices fharply, not regard- 
 ing any perfons. There be two kinds of Satyres; 
 the one, which was both among the Greeks and Ro- 
 mans, of antient time ufed, for the diverfity of 
 Meters much like a Comedy, faving that it is more 
 wanton. Demetrius of Tharjus and one Menippus a 
 bondsman, whom Marcus Varro did counterfeit, were 
 writes in this kind. The fecond manner of Satyres 
 is very railing, onely ordeined to rebuke vice, and 
 devifed of the Romans, upon this occafion. When 
 the Poets, that wrote the old Comedies, ufed to 
 handle for their arguments not onely feigned mat- 
 ters, but alfo things done indeed, which although at 
 the firft, it was tollerable, yet afterwards it fortuned 
 by reafon that they inveighed fo liberally, and largely 
 at their pleafure, againft every man that there was a 
 law made, that no man fhould from thenceforth, re- 
 prehend a*ny man byname. Then the Romans in the 
 place of thofe Comedies, subftituted fuch Satyres, 
 as they had newly imagined. Then alfo began the 
 new Comedy, which concerneth generally all men 
 of mean eftate : and hath leffe bitterneffe and rail- 
 ing, but more pleafantnefTe and paftime for the 
 auditors. Of this Menander and Philemon were 
 Authors, which affwaged all the crabbednefTe of the 
 old writings. Of them Cicilius, Nevius; Plautus^ 
 and Terentius^ learned to compile Comedies, al- 
 
Lib. I. 
 
 POLIDORE VIRGIL. 
 
 29 
 
 though (as §uintilian faith) they never attained to 
 the leaft proportion of their Patrons, becaufe the 
 Latine Tongue is not fo fit to receive the orna- 
 ments of Eloquence, as the Greek Tongue is. The 
 Satyres had the name of Barbarian gods that were 
 rude, lafcivious, and wanton of behaviour. In this 
 form of writing Lucilius^ Horacius^ Perfius^ Juvenal^ 
 obtained great fame and praife. 
 
 CHAP. X. 
 
 H 
 
 THE DEVISERS OF HISTORIES, PROSE 
 AND RHETORICK. 
 
 ISTORIES, of all other Writings, be moft 
 commendable, becaufe it informeth all forts of 
 people, with notable examples of living, and doth 
 excite Noble-men to infue fuch adivity in enter- 
 prifes, as they read to have been done by their 
 Anceflors ; and alfo difcourageth and dehorteth 
 wicked perfons from attempting of any hainous 
 deeds or crime, knowing, that fuch ads fhall be 
 regiftred in perpetual memory, to the praife or 
 reproach of the doers, according to the defert of 
 their endeavours. Pliny writeth. That Cadmus 
 Milefius firft wrote Hiftories among the Grecians, 
 which contained the adions of Cyrus King of 
 Perfia. Albeit, Jofephus fuppofeth it to be made 
 
30 POLIDORE VIRGIL. Lib. i. 
 
 probable, that Hiftorles were begun by the old 
 Writers of the Hebrews; as in the time o^ MofeSy 
 which wrote the lives of many of the eldeft Hebrews, 
 and the creation of the World: or elfe to the Priefts 
 of Egypt and Babylon. For the Egyptians and 
 Babylonians, have been of longeft continuane very 
 diligent; in fetting forth things in writing; info- 
 much that their Priefts were appointed for that 
 purpofe, of putting in writing fuch things as were 
 worthy to be had in memory. As concerning the 
 firft writers of Profe, I cannot hold with Pliny^ 
 which faith, Pherefides, a Syrian, wrote firft Profe, 
 in the time of King Cyrus. For it is no doubt, 
 but he that wrote Iliftories, wrote alfo Profe firft ; 
 and Phereftdes was long after Mqfes^ which was 688 
 years before Joatham King of the Jews. In whofe 
 time the Olympiads began; and this Pherejides (as 
 Eusebius writeth) was but in the firft Olympiad. 
 Of the- Grecians, Xenophon, Thucydides, Herodotus, 
 ^heopompus, flourifhed moft in writing Hiftories. 
 Of the Romans ; 'Titus Livius, and Caius Crifpius 
 Salujiius, with divers other, were had in high 
 eftimation. Before that time they ufed Annals or 
 Chronicles, which contained onely the adions and 
 fads of every day feverally. The firft oflice of an 
 Hiftoriographer, is to write no lye. The fecond, 
 that he fhall conceal no truth for favour, difpleafure 
 or fear. The perfection of an Hiftory, refteth in 
 matter and words. The order of the matter re- 
 quireth obfervance of times, defcriptions of places, 
 the manners and lives of men, their behaviours, 
 purpofes, occafions, deeds, fayings, cafualties, at- 
 
Lib. I. POLIDORE VIRGIL. 31 
 
 chievings, and finifhing of things. The tenour of 
 the words afketh a brief perfpicuity and fincere 
 truth, with moderate and peaceable ornaments. 
 
 We may be fure, that by and by after men were 
 formed, they received of God the ufe of fpeech, 
 wherein when they perceived fome words to be 
 profitable, and fome hurtfull in uttering of them ; 
 they appointed and compiled an art of fpeech, or 
 communication, called Rhetorick. Which (as Dio- 
 dorus faith) was invented by Mercury : but Ariftotle 
 affirmeth, that Empedocles was firft author of the 
 Oratorial Art. In Rome, this feat of eloquence 
 was never forbidden, but in procefTe (as it was 
 perceived to be profitable and honeft) was had in 
 fuch eftimation ; and fo many, partly for their 
 defence, partly for glory and ambition, employed 
 their ftudies in it with fuch endeavour, that very 
 many of the Commonalty were promoted into the 
 degree of Senatours, and atchieved much worfhip 
 by it ; Corax and Thifias, being Sicilians, gave firft 
 precepts in writing of this Science. And their 
 Countryman Leontinus Gorgias fucceeded them, 
 Demofthenes was principel among the Grecians : 
 among the Romans, Tullius Cicero had no fellow. 
 Now as touching the effed and property of it, there 
 be in it (as Cicero writeth) five parts ; firft, to in- 
 vent matter to fpeak ; then, formally to order his 
 devices ; next, to polifti it, and furnifti it with ele- 
 gant terms, and choyfe words and to have it in 
 perfed memory : and laft of all, to utter it with a 
 comely gefture, .in fuch fort, that it delight: for 
 the convenient treatablenefle thereof, doth teach. 
 
^i POLIDORE VIRGIL. Lib. i. 
 
 and plainly declare the thing, and move affections 
 of pitty and favour, in the hearts of Judges; or if 
 the caufe permit, or time require, to excite a 
 chearfuU laughing, and abundant grave leverity. 
 In terms of this faculty, we have this difference; 
 we call him that defendeth matters, and pleadeth 
 caufes, an Oratour. A Rhetoritian, is he that 
 teacheth or profeffeth to be a Schoolmafter in that 
 Art. A Declamator, is he that is occupied in 
 feigned caufes, either for his own exercife, or to 
 inftruct others thereby. 
 
 CHAP. XI. 
 
 WHO INVENTED MUSICK ; AND WHAT EFFICACY 
 IT IS OF, IN HUMANE AFFAIRS. 
 
 M 
 
 USICK, by the teftimony of ancient Poets, 
 is very antient ; for Orpheus and Linus, both born 
 of the linage of the gods, were very excellent 
 Mufitians. And becaufe the one by the fweetnefle 
 of his Harmony, delighted and mollified the grofs 
 hearts, and rude minds of men, it was feigned, 
 that he made the wild beafts, as Lyons and Tygres, 
 to follow him : and the praifings of god's valiant 
 powers, and deeds of Arms of Lords, were ufed 
 to be fung with Lutes at the royall Feafts ; as 
 lompas in Virgil, and Demodocus in Homer bear 
 witnefle. 
 
Lib. I. POLIDORE VIRGIL. j3 
 
 The Finders of Mufick, as Fliny fuppofeth, 
 was Amphion the Ton of Jupiter by Ant tope. The 
 Grecians ascribe the finding of it to Diodorus, 
 Eufebius faith, That Zephus and Amphion, which were 
 in Cadmus' s dayes, invented Mufick. Solinus con- 
 tendeth, that the fl:udy of this Art came out of 
 Crete, and was perceived by the ringing and fiirill 
 found of Braffe, and fo brought and traduced into 
 numbers and meafures, Polybius aflirmeth. That 
 it came from the Arcadians, which have an exceed- 
 ing mind to that Science. And Diodorus writeth, 
 That Mercury found Concords of finging. Albeit, 
 it is like that thefe onley were the firft fetters out of 
 it in Greece of late time ; for Jofephus telleth. That 
 Tubulcain an Hebrew, the fon of Lamech, which 
 was many Ages before them, ufed much to fing 
 to the Pfaltery and Lute : notwithfl:anding, who 
 was firfl: procurer of it, and when it was found, it 
 is yet uncertain. For it feemeth to have been 
 given of nature to mankind at the beginning, for 
 a fpeciall remedy, to mitigate the cruell pains, 
 wherein man is plunged ; for a child new-born, 
 ceafeth its crying at the finging and lulling of his 
 Nurfe. In all kinds of labours, finging is comfort- 
 able, the Gally-man, the Plow-man, the Carter, 
 the Carrier, eafe the tedioufnefi!e of their labour 
 and journey, with carollings, and whiftling; yea, 
 the brute beafl:s be delighted with fongs and noifes, 
 as Mules with bells, Horfes with trumpets and 
 fiialmes, are of a fiercer fl:omack to their appointed 
 Minifl:ery. And of whom (think ye) learned the 
 Birds their diverfity of tunes ? Who taught the 
 
 5 
 
34 POLIDORE VIRGIL. Lib. i. 
 
 Nightingale fuch fundry notes? DoubtlefTe even 
 nature was of this agreeable Harmony, the onely 
 SchoolmiftrefTe. But the Egyptians did forbid 
 their young folks learning of Mufick, becaufe it 
 feduceth and maketh effeminate the hardy courage 
 of men. And Ephorus faith, It was ordained to 
 delude and deceive men. Neverthelefs, Socrates 
 was not afhamed in his old age, to learn to play on 
 the Harp. And Themijlocles^ becaufe he refufed 
 the Harp at a Banquet, was reckoned unlearned. 
 The Priefts of Mars in Rome, called Salii, fung 
 verfes about the City : And efpecially the great 
 Prophet David, which fung the Myfteries of God 
 in Meter, frequented fmging. 
 
 I 
 
 CHAP. XII. 
 
 WHO 
 
 BROUGHT THEM INTO ITALY. 
 
 T is faid, that Mercury found the Harp firfl. 
 For as he walked by the River Nilus after an ebbe, 
 he found a Tortoife all withered, and nothing re- 
 maining but the finews ; which as he fortuned to 
 ftrike on them, made a certain found : and after 
 the pattern of that, he fafhioned an Harp, and 
 according to the three times of the year. Summer, 
 Winter, and Spring, he put to it three ftrings, a 
 treble, a bafe, and a mean. This Inftrument he 
 
Lib. I. POLIDORE VIRGIL 35 
 
 gave to Apollo^ and Apollo delivered it to Orpheus: 
 feme think Amphion found it. I find, that the 
 Harp had feven firings, to refemble the {^Y^n 
 daughters of Atlas ^ whereof Maia, Mercury his 
 Mother, was one. And then after that, were two 
 other put to, to reprefent the nine Mufes. 
 
 Some refer the originall of the Harp and Pipe 
 to Apollo^ for his Image in Delos (as they fay) hath 
 in the right hand a bow, and in the left hand the 
 goddefles of favour. Whereof one hath a Harp, 
 another a Shalm, the third a Pipe. Shalms were 
 at the beginning made of Cranes legs, and after of 
 great reeds, Dardamus Trezemius ufed firft to play 
 and fing with them. Pan an heathenifh God, 
 found the Pipe of fmall Reed firft, to folace his 
 love. Eujebius faith, Cybele found it, and fome 
 fuppose it was Apollo. Ttmarias played on the 
 Harp or Lute firft, without Ditty, and Amphion 
 fung firft to the Lute, but the Harp was found 
 before by Tubal, and faftiioned like the Greek let- 
 ter A. 
 
 Hermophilus firft diftributed the pulfe, and beating 
 of the Veins, to certain meafures of Mufick. And 
 the Prophet David found divers inftruments, as 
 Regals and Nebles. The Troglodites found the 
 Dulcimers. Pijes Terrenes found the brazen Trumpet, 
 which the Terrenes footmen ufed in their warres : 
 fome think it was Tirreus, or Dirceus an Athenian. 
 For when the Lacedemonians made war againft the 
 Mejfenians, and the wars were long endured, they 
 had anfwer of Apollo, that if they would win the 
 field, they ftiould have a Captain of Athens. 
 
36 POLIDORE VIRGIL. Lib. i. 
 
 And the Athenians in defplte, fent to them one 
 DyrceuSy a lame and one ey'd fellow, and all out of 
 (hame, yet they received him, and ufed his counfell, 
 and he taught them to play on Trumpets, which 
 were fo fearfull to the Athenians^ by reafon of the 
 ftrangenefs of the noife, that they fled forthwith, 
 and fo they obtained Vidory. Mojes the valiant 
 Captain of the Hebrews found the Trumpet, and 
 made it of Silver. The Arcadians did firft bring 
 all Muficall Instruments into Italy ^ where before 
 that time they ufed onely Mountainous Pipes. 
 Thucidides writeth, that the Lacedemonians ufed firft 
 in war Shalms. Clarions, and Rebecks, to the 
 intent that when they were ready to the wars, by 
 fuch playing, they might better keep array. The 
 Romans footmen joyned, Drumflades, with Trum- 
 pets. Haliattes King of the Lidians had in the 
 battel), againft the Mile/tans Pipers and Fidlers, 
 playing together, the Grecians, as they went to war, 
 had Lutes going before them, to govern their pace, 
 all other Countries (as we do now) ufed trumpets 
 in battel. 
 
 T 
 
 CHAP. XIII. 
 
 THE BEGINNING OF PHILOSOPHY. 
 
 HE Science of Philofophy, which 'Tully call- 
 eth the Study of Wijdome, Searcher out of Vertue, 
 Expulfer of Vice, (according to divers opinions) 
 
Lib. I. POLIDORE VIRGIL. 37 
 
 was brought out of Barbary into Greece. For it *s 
 faidj That in Perfia the Magitians (for fo they 
 called their wife men) were excellent in knowledg ; 
 in AfTyria, the Chaldees ; in India, the Gymnofo- 
 phifts, having their name, becaufe they went naked, 
 had their part of wifdome; of which fadion one 
 Budas was chief. In France, the Druides : in 
 Phenice, Ochus: in Thrace, Xamolxis, and Orpheus : 
 in Libya, Atlas. 
 
 The Egyptians fay. That Vulcanus the fon of 
 Nilus found the firft principles of Philofophy. 
 Laertius writeth. That Philofophy began in Greece, 
 where Mujeus and Linus were firft learned men : 
 but Eujebius faith. That Philofophy, like as all 
 other Sciences, fprung among the Hebrews, and of 
 them the Greek Philofophers, which were a thou- 
 fand years after Mofes, learned all their knowledg. 
 The name of Philofophy was not ufed among 
 them, till the time of Pythagoras, for he called 
 himfelf a Philofopher ; and the ftudy of wifdom, 
 Philofophy: whereas formerly it was named Wif- 
 dome, and they that profefTed it, had the title of 
 Wife-men. There be three parts of it; one called 
 naturall, another moral, and the faculty of difput- 
 ing, called Logick: Naturall, treateth of theWorld, 
 and contents thereof, which Archelaus brought out of 
 Ionia unto Athens. Moral, informeth the life and 
 manners of men; this part Socrates traduced from 
 heavenly things, to the ufe of life, and to difcern 
 good and bad. Logick inventeth reafons on both 
 parts, and was found by Zeno Eliates : others divide 
 it into five parts, natural, fupernatural, moral, 
 
38 POLIDORE VIRGIL. Lib. i. 
 
 mathematical, and Logick. Dialogues were made 
 firft by Plato^ or at the leaft furnifhed with more 
 eloquence ; for Ariftotle faith, that they were 
 devifed by Alexamenus Scireus. 
 
 CHAP. XIV. 
 
 ASTROLOGY, THE COURSE OF THE STARS, SPHEAR, 
 NATURE OF THE WINDS. 
 
 1h 
 
 E Earth is moil fubjed to the influence and 
 operation of the Planets, and by the temperate 
 feafonablenefl^e of the Conftellations, it bringeth 
 forth abundance of fruits : and as Julius Firmicus 
 fuppofeth, the Stars have alfo a power in the birth 
 of men, to make them of one fafhion or other, 
 this or that complexion, of good or bad difpofl- 
 tion, according as the Afpeds, Conjundions or 
 Oppofltions do procure. And the Egyptians have 
 devifed and appointed to every night and day its 
 peculiar god, and what deftiny, or death fhall 
 chance to him that is borne on any fuch day. 
 And the Chaldees faid, that to atchieve any good 
 or hurtful thing, the Planets help much. 
 
 By this occafion, men, through diligent obferv- 
 ing of the celefliial bodies, invented Aflirology, 
 wherein the whole moveable courfe of the Heaven, 
 the riflng, going down, and order of the Planets be 
 
Lib. I. POLIDORE VIRGIL. ' 39 
 
 comprehended, which the Egyptians boaft them- 
 felves to have found ; though fome fay Mercury 
 was authour of it ; and Diodorus affirmeth it to be 
 Acinus the fon o^ Phcebus. NeverthelefTe, Jofephus 
 plainly declareth, that Abraham instruded them, 
 and the Chaldees in that Art, and thence it came 
 into Greece; for all the learned men of Greece, as 
 Pherecides, Pythagoras^ T hales ^ aknowledge, that 
 they were difciples to the Egyptians and Chaldees. 
 But Pliny writeth, that Atlas was the firft founder 
 of it, and therefore the Poets feign, that he 
 beareth Heaven on his back. Servius thinketh it 
 was Prometheus that found it. NeverthelefTe, all 
 thefe (as I fuppofe) were the beginners of this 
 faculty, every man in his own Countrey onely, where 
 he dwelled : for even from the beginning of the 
 World, the fons of Seth devifed firft the Science of 
 the Stars, and for as much as they feared left their 
 Art fhould perifh, before it came to the knowledg 
 of men, (for they had heard their grand-father 
 Adam fay, that all things fhould be deftroyed by 
 the univerfal floud) they made two Pillars, one of 
 ftone, the other of Brick, to the intent, that if the 
 Brick wafted with water or ftorms, yet the ftone 
 fhould preferve the letters whole and perfed, and 
 in thefe Pillars they graved all that concerned the 
 obfervance of the Stars. And therefore it is prob- 
 able, that the Egyptians and Chaldeans learned 
 Aftrology of the Hebrews, and fo confequently, it 
 fpread abroad in other Nations; and thus began 
 Aftronomy, conceived to feduce mens wits. Among 
 the Romans, Sulpitius Gallus ; in Greece, Inhales 
 
40 POLIDORE VIRGIL. Lib. i. 
 
 Mileftiis perceived the caufe of the Ecllpfe of the 
 Sun and Moon. Endimeon marked firft the courfe 
 of the Moon and her changing, as Pliny writeth. 
 Pythagoras (as fome fay) obferved the courfe of 
 VenuSy called, the Day-ftar ; but (as Laertius fup- 
 pofeth) it was Permenides. The Sphear was divifed 
 by Archimedes a Syracufian ; but Diogenes taketh it 
 to have been Mujeus ; and Pliny afcribeth it to 
 Anaximander, The winds were firft obferved by 
 Aeolus, as it is reported, upon this reafon ; The 
 Inhabitants of the Iflands about Sicily, Prognofti- 
 cate by the fmoke of the faid Ides three dayes 
 before, what wind they fhall have ; and for that 
 caufe they fay that Aeolus hath dominion over the 
 winds. The winds, as fome divide them, be four, 
 according to the four principal Regions of the ayr ; 
 they that be more curious, make eight. And ef 
 pecially one Andronicus Cereftes, which builded in 
 Athens a Turret, and fet on every fide of it, the 
 Image of the Winds, graven againft the Region 
 whence the winds came, and fet them on Pillars of 
 Marble, and in the middle he fet a brazen Image 
 of 'Triton, which he had made, fo that it would 
 turn with the wind, and ftand with his face toward 
 the wind that blew, and point with a rod to the 
 Image of the fame Wind; which manner is now 
 ufed in all Countries ; for they fet up Weather- 
 cocks or Fans, to fhew one of what Quarter the 
 Wind bloweth. 
 
CHAP. XV. 
 
 WHO INVENTED GEOMETRY, ARITHMETICK, 
 WITH OTHER THINGS. 
 
 N 
 
 ILUS, the moft famous River of the 
 World, from the time that the Sun is in Tropica 
 Cancri, untill it come to the Equinodial line in 
 Libra again, doth overflow all the Downs and 
 plain Countries of Egypt : by the altitude and 
 deepnefle of this flood, the Egyptians forefee the 
 plenty and fcarcity of fruits to com. For if it 
 increafe but unto the depth of twelve or thirteen 
 Cubits, it portendeth lack of fufliciency : if it pafle 
 fourteen, and fo to flxteen, it importeth great 
 plenty. In the time of Claudius C^ejar, it waxed 
 eighteen Cubits, which was the greatefl: tide. The 
 leaft was in the time of the battel at Pharfalia; 
 whereby it fignified, how it abhorred the murther 
 of the valiant Pompey. 
 
 When Nilus, with fuch inundations had partly 
 diminiflied, partly tranfpofed, the Meers and Land- 
 marks, whereby their portions of land were difor- 
 dered, they were compelled often to meafure their 
 bounds afrefli : for that caufe the Egyptians vaunt, 
 that Geometry was invented by them to meafure 
 Lands. As Arithmetick by the Phoenicians, the 
 6 
 
42 POLIDORE VIRGIL. Lib. i. 
 
 better to perform their Merchandife. But Jqfe- 
 phus feemeth to attribute both to the Jews, faying, 
 That God prolonged the time of their lives, 
 becaufe they were employed in ftudies to fearch 
 out Aftrology and Geometry ; and the Egyptians 
 were ignorant in Geometry and Arithmetick, untill 
 the time that Abraham taught them. Geometry 
 contained the defcription of lengths, breadths, 
 fhapes, and quantities. In this Strabo in Greece 
 excelled, in the time of Tiberius ; and Ptolomy, 
 under Trajanus and Antoninus: In Italy, Plinius 
 and Foninus. 
 
 Meafures and Weights were found by Sidonius, 
 (as Eutropius faith) the fame time that Procas 
 reigned in Albany ; Ahax in Judah ; and Jeerobo^m 
 in Hierufalem. Some write, that Af^rr^ry devifed 
 them in Greece ; Pliny afcribeth it to Phidon of 
 Argos ; Gellius, to Palamedes. Strabo to one Phidon 
 of Elis in Arcadie. Diogenes faith, that Pythagoras 
 taught the Greeks weights and meafures; but 
 Jofephus affirmeth, that Cain found them firft of 
 all. 
 
 Numbers, fpme fay, were invented by Pytha- 
 goras; fome, by Mercury: Livius fuppofeth, that 
 Pallas found them. The manner of counting 
 years in Greece, was by Olympiads, which con- 
 tained the fpace of five years, as the Romans did 
 Lujlra, which contained the fame number of years: 
 and sometimes by nails. For every year the Confull 
 or chief Judge called Praetor, in the Ides of Septem- 
 ber, faftned a nail in the wall of Jupiters Temple, 
 next joyning to the Temple o^ Pallas, to fignify the 
 
Lib. I. POLIDORE VIRGIL. 43 
 
 fpace of years. And we ufe to write our numbers 
 with thefe feven letters. C I D L M U X. or 
 with thefe Figures, i 23456789. which, be- 
 caufe they be in quotidian ufe, it needeth not to 
 declare. 
 
 CHAP XVI. 
 
 PHYSICK, AND THE PARTS THEREOF. 
 
 J7 HYSICK, which with remedies provided by 
 God, doth much comfort and cure men in their 
 maladies and difseafes, that break forth in their 
 bodies, is thought worthily to have been invented 
 of the Gods. For it is fuppofed that Mercury 
 found it among the Egyptians^ fome say it was 
 Apys their god ; or Arabus fon to Apollo : fome 
 refer it to Apollo himfelf, becaufe the moderate 
 heat of the Sun is banifher of all fickneffe. 
 Clement doth attribute the finding of it to the 
 Egyptians in general, and the amplifying and en- 
 larging of it to MJculapeus^ which, befide other 
 things, found the plucking out of Teeth. Not- 
 withftanding, whofoever found the notable know- 
 ledge of Medicines, it is no doubt but it was 
 perceived, by what things were wholefome, and 
 what unwholefome. And as they observed how 
 the (ick folks ufed their diet, and marked how fome 
 
44 POLIDORE VIRGIL. Lib. i. 
 
 for greedinefle did eat much, and fome forbare 
 their meat becaufe of faintneffe of their ftomach. 
 Whereby they learned that abftinence was a helper 
 and furtherer of health : and by fuch observance 
 other Precepts of Phyfick were gathered. 
 
 It hath three parts, one of Dieting, another of 
 Medicines, the third of Surgery, for by one of 
 thefe three wayes, are difeafes relieved. But foraf- 
 much as it changeth, it was very obfcure till Hippo- 
 crates did renew it : and whereas they had a cuftome, 
 that the Patient, being reflored to health, fhould 
 write in the Temple of the God that helped 
 him, both his name, and the manner of healing, 
 that the example might help the like difeafe: out 
 of all fuch precedences, he gathered Precepts of 
 Phyfick, and brought it first to a formall Art. 
 
 In Rome^ Archagathus, of Peloponnefus, was the 
 firft Phyfitian, in the five hundred thirty fifth year 
 of the City, {Lucius Emilius^ and Marcus Livius 
 being Confulls) and was made Freeman of the 
 City, which was firft made a Surgeon ; after, for 
 the fharpenefl"e of his cutting and fearing, he was 
 named a Butcher and Murtherer ; and afterward, 
 when the number began to encreafe, they were ex- 
 pulfed out of Rome, and baniftied by Marcus Cato, 
 as Pliny telleth in his thirty fixth Book. 
 
 In Egypt and Babylon, they ufed no Phyfitians, 
 but brought the fick perfons into the ftreets and 
 common places, that the men, which pafTed by, 
 might tell them what manner, diet or means, they 
 themfelves had ufed in the like difeafe to efcape it: 
 Neither was it lawfull for any man to pafTe by. 
 
Lib. I. POLIDORE VIRGIL. 
 
 45 
 
 till he had communed with the Patient. In the 
 latter dayes, the Egyptians diftributed the Art of 
 Medicines, in fuch fort, that every Difeafe had a 
 diverfe Phyfitian to minifter in it, as one for the 
 eyes, one for the head, others for the entrails; and 
 likewife, other for other ficknefles, and fo it came 
 to paffe, that all places were full of Phyfitians. In 
 this Art Cajfius, Calpitanus^ Aruntius^ Rubrius^ 
 Antonius^ Mufa, Galenus, Avicenna^ excelled. 
 
 CHAP. XVII. 
 
 THE INVENTOURS OF HERBS MEDICINABLE, WHAT 
 REMEDIES MEN LEARNED OF BEASTS. 
 
 N 
 
 ATURE doubtlefle, the Mother and Gover- 
 nefle of all things, did create hearbs, as may appear 
 by many examples, partly for the delegation, and 
 partly for the Health and prefervation of mens 
 bodies. ^ ox Xanthus 2iVv Hiftoriographer (as P//«)' 
 recordeth) telleth how a Dragon revived his young 
 Faun that was flain, by the vertue of an hearb called 
 Balin: and the Hechewall, if a wedge be driven 
 into the hole of her nefl (for fhe maketh her neft 
 in the hole of a Tree, that fhe worketh with her 
 beak) compelleth it to fall out, with an herb that 
 fhe knoweth : and fome of the Indians live onely 
 by hearbs. Appianus writeth, that the Parthians^ 
 
46 POLIDORE VIRGIL. Lib. i. 
 
 which Anthony put to flight, confl:rained by extream 
 famine, chanced to eat a certain hearb, whofe na- 
 ture was to make them that eat it, to forget all 
 other things, and onely dig up ftones, as if they 
 would do fome great matter; and after fuch extream 
 travail died. Of fuch Medicines made with Herbs, 
 Chiron fon to Saturnus, and Phillara was the finder, 
 and devifed alfo falves for wounds. Sores, Biles, 
 although fome think it was Apollo, and fome refer 
 it to his fon JEJculapius, whom Chiron brought up 
 to the Samothracians. But I fuppofe they attributed 
 the Invention of it to Chiron, becaufe he found the 
 Herb Century, wherewith he healed the wound 
 that he had by Hercules fhafts, falling on his foot, 
 as he was handling of his weapons: Notwithftand- 
 ing, Celjus faith that the Art of Phyfick is very 
 ancient, but he maketh no mention of the Author 
 of it, onely he faith, MJclepiades, which was an ex- 
 cellent Phyfitian, did abolifh the ufe of it forafmuch 
 as it annoyed the ftomack, and engendred evill 
 humours. Mercury found the ufe of Moly : Achilles, 
 Yarow, Efculapius, Panace; and fundry men found 
 fundry hearbs, Medicines of Honey, Sol, the fon of 
 Oceanus, invented: and beafts taught men certain 
 hearbs, neceffary, for Medicines. As the Hart 
 fl:ricken wthi an Arrow, driveth it out with 
 Dittany; and if he be fl:inged with a Spider he 
 healeth himfelf with eating Pills, or a certain hearb 
 named Cancer. Selandine, which is a foveraign 
 hearb for the fight, was perceived by the Swallows, 
 which healed the eyes of their young ones with it. 
 The Snail or Torteife, ready to fight with the 
 
Lib. 1. POLIDORE VIRGIL. 47 
 
 Serpent, armeth himfelf with Savery, or Marjoram. 
 The Boar in his ficknefTe, cureth himfelf with the 
 Ivy. Of the water Horfe in Nylus, men learned 
 to let bloud: For when he is weak and diftempered, 
 he feeketh by the River fide the fharpeft Reed- 
 ftalks, and ftriketh a Vein in his Leg againft it, 
 with great violence, and fo eafeth his body by fuch 
 means: and when he hath done, he covereth the 
 wound with the mud. 
 
 The Ibis, a bird much like the Stork of the 
 fame Country, taught Phyficians to Minifter Glif- 
 ters: For when fhe is full, fhe purgeth her felf, 
 with her crooked beak, at the Fundament. The 
 Wefil in chafing the Serpent, preferveth her felf 
 with Rue, and the Stork with Organy. In Greece, 
 Orpheus, Mufeus, Diofcorides ; In Rome, Marcus Cato, 
 Pompeius Lenius, wrote of the nature of Hearbs. 
 Pliny thinketh that this Art was firft received 
 among the Romans. 
 
 CHAP. XVIII. 
 
 THE BEGINNING OF MAGICK, DRIVING OUT OF 
 
 M 
 
 SUNDRY MANNERS. 
 
 AGICK had its beginning of Phyfick, and 
 was the mvtntiono^ Zoroajires King of the Ba£irians, 
 which reigned eight hundred years after the fiege 
 
48 POLIDORE VIRGIL. Lib. i. 
 
 of 1'roy^ the fame time that Abraham and Ninus 
 reigned, about three thoufand one hundred four- 
 fcore and ^wt years, after the Creation of the 
 World. La^antius and Eujebius think it was fet 
 forth among other devillifh fciences, by the evill 
 Spirits ; and Pliny calleth it of all Arts the moft 
 deceitful. It is compaded of Phyfick, Superfti- 
 tion, and the Mathematical Arts. The T'hejfalo- 
 nians efpecially were accufed, with the frequent ufe 
 of this pradife, the writer of this art was Hofthanes. 
 Pythagoras^ Empedocles, Democritus^ Plato with divers 
 others, failed into far Countries to learn it : where- 
 in Democritus was moft famous, three hundred years 
 after the City was builded, in which time, Hippo- 
 crates publifhed the Art of Phyfick. 
 
 The manner to drive out fpirits out of men that 
 were poftefled with them, and Charms to heal cor- 
 porall maladies. King Solomon taught, as Jojephus 
 witnefTeth: and he faw it done by Eleazar in his 
 time, before Vejpafianus then Emperour. The 
 manner to heal them was thus: He put to the nofe 
 of the poflefTed man a Ring, wherein was enclofed 
 a root that Solomon had fhewed, wherewith he drove 
 out the fpirit, and the man fell down : then he 
 conjured with fuch Orifons and Exorcifms, as were 
 appointed by Solomon to banifh the fpirit out of the 
 Demoniak. 
 
 The Sages or Wife-men of Perfta which in their 
 language be named Magi, being wholly addid to 
 the honouring of their falfe gods, came to fuch ex- 
 tream folly, that they profefled openly, that they 
 could not onely by the obfervation of the Stars 
 
Lib. I. POLIDORE VIRGIL. 
 
 49 
 
 know things to come, but alfo by other pretenfed 
 arts, and mumbling of fome words, they could do 
 and bring to pafle any thing that they would. 
 
 By them were invented thefe 6 kinds of Magick; 
 Necromancy, which is by raifing up of dead men; as 
 in Lucane, one raifed from death, told the adven- 
 tures of the battel of Pharfalus. 
 
 Piromancy, that telleth things by the fire and 
 lightning ; as TenaquiUa, the wife of Tarquinius 
 Prifcus, prophefied, that Servius Tullius fhould be 
 King of Rome, becaufe fhe faw the fire environ his 
 head. The finding of this, Pliny referreth to Am- 
 phiaraus. 
 
 Hieromancy, that is, a kind of prophecying by 
 the ayr, as by flying, feeding, fmging of birds, and 
 flrange tempefls of wind and hail. 
 
 Hidromancie, was prophefying by water : as Varro 
 writeth, that a Child did fee in the water the Image 
 o{ Mercury, which in 150 verfes told all the chance 
 War again ft Mithridates King of Pontus. 
 
 Geomancy, was a divination, by opening of the 
 earth. 
 
 Chiromancy, is a conjeduring by beholding the 
 lines, or wrincles of the hands, called commonly 
 Palmiftry, 
 
 Which vain illufions, and falfe perfwafions, it 
 becometh all true Chriftians to efchue and abhor. 
 
CHAP. XIX. 
 
 TWO KINDS OF DIVINATION, SOOTHSAYING, CASTING 
 LOTTS, AND INTERPRETING OF DREAMS. 
 
 C 
 
 ICERO maketh two kinds of divinations, 
 pne naturall, and another artificiall. Natural is 
 that, which proceedeth of a certain commotion of 
 the mind, that chanceth fometimes to men when 
 they be in dreams, or ileeping : fometimes when 
 they prophefie in manner of fury, and ravifhing of 
 mind ; as Sybilla and divers other religious perfons 
 did. Of this kind were Oracles o{ Apollo and Ju- 
 piter-Hammon. Albeit they were often falfe, be- 
 caufe they came of a devellifh policy, and man's 
 fubtlety : but fuch as come of the Holy Ghoft, 
 and not of a blafphemous madneffe, be true. 
 
 The artificiall confifteth in those things which 
 come of conjectures, old confiderations, and obferv- 
 ances of the entrails of beafts, flying of birds, cast- 
 ing of lots. 
 
 The regarding of the bowles of beafts began 
 among the Hetrufcians: For as it fortuned a man 
 that plowed, to raife up a deeper furrow than he 
 was wont to do ; one Tages fxiddenly arofe out of 
 
Lib. I. POLIDORE VIRGIL 51 
 
 the earth, that taught them all the feats of Sooth- 
 faying; but Pliny faith, one Delphus found it. 
 
 The divinations by looking on the feeding of 
 birds, Therejius a Theban, devifed. Caras firft 
 marked the chattering of them ; and Pythagoras 
 obferved their flying. 
 
 Orpheus added the divination by other beafts. 
 What ftore we ought to fet by fuch divinations, 
 Majfolanus a Jew teacheth us : When he was in the 
 wars, a certain Prophet commanded every man to 
 ftand, till he had taken a conjedure of the bird that 
 flew by: but Majfolanus took privily a bow and 
 fliaft, and killed the bird ; wherewith the Wifard, 
 and divers others were difpleafed: Then he faid to 
 them, Why dote ye fo ? can the bird, which know- 
 eth not of her own death, tell us the cafual adven- 
 tures of our Journey ? For if flie had any fore- 
 knowledge, flie would not have come hither to 
 have been killed of me. 
 
 Cafting of Lots, Numerius Suffuftus devifed firft 
 at Preneft. 
 
 The expounding of dreams, Pliny afcribeth to 
 Amphi£fion; but Trogus afligneth it to Jojephion to 
 Jacob. Clement faith, the Telmejfians found it. 
 But all thefe were invented to feduce men with fu- 
 perftitious errour, and for the commodity of them 
 that use it. 
 
 HERE ENDETH THE FIRST BOOK. 
 
Polidore Virgil. 
 
 The Second BOOK. 
 
 CHAP. I. 
 
 THE ORIGINAL OF LAWES ; AND WHO MADE THE 
 FIRST LAWES. 
 
 L 
 
 AW is a conftant and perpetual good thing, 
 without which, no houfe, no City, no Country, no 
 eftates of men, no naturall Creature, nor the 
 World it felf, can confift firm and ftable. For it 
 obeyeth GOD; and all other things, ayr, water, 
 land, and men, be in obedience to it. Chryfippus 
 calleth it a knowledg of all Divine and humane 
 matters, commanding equity, and expulfing wick- 
 ednefTe and wrong. 
 
 There be of Laws three kinds : one natural, 
 that is not onely appropried to man, but alfo it 
 concerneth all other lively things either in the 
 
Lib. 2. ' POLIDORE VIRGIL. 53 
 
 Earth, Sea, or Ayr. As we perceive in all kinds 
 of living creatures, naturally a certain familiarity 
 of male and female, procreation of iflue, and a 
 proclivity to nourifh the fame ; the which pro- 
 ceedeth of a natural law engraffed in the hearts 
 of every of them : Nature herfelf, that is, God, 
 was Author of this. 
 
 The fecond is named the Law that all men ufe 
 generally through all the World ; as to fhew a 
 man the way, to communicate to men the com- 
 modity of the Elements, Water and Ayr; to this 
 kind appertaineth the Law of Arms ; and it is 
 called in Latine, Jus gentium. 
 
 Civil Law, is the private Law of every Country 
 or City, as of the Romans, Lacedemonians, and 
 Athenians. This confifteth in decrees of Princes, 
 Statutes, and Proclamations. 
 
 The chief and principal lawes were promulgate 
 by God, confirmed after the moft pure and perfed 
 manner that naturall equity could devife or conceive, 
 and be in ftable conftance, and fubjed: to no 
 tranfmutation. After the example of thefe, man 
 hath invented Laws to defend and preferve good 
 men, and to punifh and keep evil perfons in office 
 and good order. 
 
 Such Laws Ceres made firft, as Diodorus fup- 
 pofeth : but others think it was Rhadamantus ; and 
 afterwards others in divers Countries devifed and 
 ordained Laws : as in Athens, Draco and Solon : 
 in Egypt, Mercury : in Crete, Minos : in Lace- 
 demonia, Lycurgus : in Tyre, Tharandus : in Argos, 
 Phoroneus : in ^om.^ Romulus in Italy Pythagoras ; 
 
54 
 
 POLIDORE VIRGIL. 
 
 Lib. 2. 
 
 
 or after the mind of Dionyftus, the Arcadians, that 
 were under Evander as their Soveraign Lord and 
 chief Captain. Notwithftanding, the very true 
 Authour of Lawes, was God, which firfl: planted 
 in us the Law of Nature ; and when it was cor- 
 rupted by Adam, and his pofterity, he gave the 
 written Law by Mofes to reduce us again to our 
 firfl ftate and true inftind of Nature ; which was 
 before all other, as Eujebius declareth. 
 
 CHAP. II 
 
 WHO ORDAINED THE FIRST GOVERNANCE OF A 
 
 COMINALTY, TYRANNY, WITH OTHER 
 
 CONSTITUTIONS. 
 
 T 
 
 X HE adminiftration of a Common-weal is after 
 three forts, as Plato divideth it ; Monarchy, where 
 one ruleth. Ariftocracy, when the beft men govern. 
 Democracy, or popular ftate, where the common 
 people have a ftroke in ruling the publike-weal. 
 Principality or a Kingdom was firft begun by the 
 Egyptians which could not long fubfift without a 
 King or Ruler : there reigned firft, as Herodotus 
 faith, Menes: and their manner was to choofe him 
 among the Priefts of their Religion : and if it 
 fortuned, that any ftranger obtained the Realm by 
 
Lib. 2. POLIDORE VIRGIL. 55 
 
 Conqueft, he was compelled to be confecrated 
 Prieft, and To was the eledion legitimate, when he 
 was King and Prieft. The Diadem, that was the 
 token of the Honour-royall, had its beginning by 
 Liber Bacchus. 
 
 The Athenians firft ordained the ftate of a 
 Common-wealth, that was governed by the whole 
 Commons, as Pliny thinketh ; albeit they had alfo 
 Kings, whereof Deer ops Diphyes^ which reigned in 
 Mojes s time, was the firft. For, as Juftine writeth. 
 Every City and Nation had at the beginning a 
 King for their chief Governour; which attained to 
 that dignity by no ambition or favour, but by a 
 fingular Wit, and fober modeftnefs, and reigned 
 with fuch loyalty, that feemed onely in title a King ; 
 indeed, a Subjed. 
 
 Ninius King of the AfTyrians, contrary to the 
 old rite and cuftome, of an ambitious defire that 
 he had to bear rule, firft arrogantly ufurped the 
 Empire of all Afia, except India. As concerning 
 the Inftitution of the Common-Wealth, where the 
 Commons do all things, notwithftanding the mind 
 o^ Pliny, I fuppofe it began among the Hebrews, 
 which were ruled by a popular State many years 
 before that Athens was built. 
 
 The form of Policy, which is governed by the 
 best, (as the Romans Common-wealth was) I 
 cannot well underftand when it had its original, 
 unlefle I ftiould aflign it to the Thebans, which 
 in the time oi Ninius ruled the Egyptians, whofe 
 rule, becaufe the valiant and noble bare the author- 
 ity, was called a power or potency, which was the 
 
56 POLIDORE VIRGIL. Lib. 2. 
 
 3185th year of the World. Pliny writeth, That 
 after Thefeus^ Phalax'is was the firft Tyrant ; where- 
 by it appeareth that he thinketh Thefeus^ was au- 
 thour of tyranny : but Nemroth of the linage of 
 Noah^ not long after the floud ufed tyranny. 
 
 Bondage (as Pliny fuppofeth) began in Lace- 
 demonia : yet I find that it began among the He- 
 brews, and had its original proceeding of Chanaan 
 the fon of Cham^ who, becaufe he had laughed his 
 father Noah to fcorn, as he lay deffolutely when he 
 was drunk, was punifhed in his fon Chanaan with 
 penalty of bondage and thraldome, a thing to 
 them very flrange ; and to his pofterity, grievous. 
 
 The order of manumiffion in old time was in 
 this manner: The Lord or Mafter took the bond- 
 men by the head, or fome other part of his 
 body faying, / will this fellow be free, and put him 
 forth of his hands. The Councel of the Areo- 
 pagites, (which were called fo of the court of Mars) 
 were inftituted by Solon to judge of life and death, 
 their cuftome was to ufe fuch Soveraignty, and 
 integrity in Judgment, that they heard all caufes 
 and matters in the night, and not in the day: to 
 the intent they fhould have no occafion to regard 
 the parties, but onely have their eye and resped: 
 earneftly to the thing that was brought before them. 
 Voyces which be ufed and occupied in Conful- 
 tations, Judgments, and Eledions were firft or- 
 dained by Palamedes. 
 
CHAP. III. 
 
 THE THREE MANNER OF REGIMENTS IN ROME, THE 
 
 OTHER MATTERS PERTAINING TO 
 A COMMON-WEALTH. 
 
 R 
 
 OME, which was the moft renowned City 
 of all the World, both for the Valour of Arms, 
 and Civill Policy whereby it was governed, had 
 three forms of Regiment. In the beginning it 
 had Kings; ^ov Romulus^ which was builder thereof, 
 reigned there; and after him, fix other, under 
 whom, the Principality lafted 244 years after the 
 City was builded. Then Tarquinius being banifh^d 
 for the notable crime and rape of Lucretia, com- 
 mitted by his fon, it was ordered by two Confuls, 
 Junius Brutus, and L. Tarquinius Collatinus. They 
 had the name and title of Confuls, of the conful- 
 tation and provifion which they made for the Com- 
 mon-wealth. They ruled the Empire, conduded 
 Armies ; and by thefe Officers, becaufe they were 
 annuall, the years were counted. Within 12 years 
 after the expulfing of the Kings, when 40 Cities 
 of the Latines, 05iavius Manilius, fon in law to 
 8 
 
58 POLIDORE VIRGIL. Lib. 
 
 2. 
 
 TarquimuSy being, their captain, made infurredion, 
 and confpired again ft the Romans, T. Largius was 
 created Didator or great Mafter; which office was 
 higheft in authority : and, as Dionyfms thinketh, it 
 was taken of the Greeks, among whom, E/ymnet^ 
 had the fame power that Didators had in Rome, 
 Livius referreth the original of them to the Albanes: 
 And the Carthaginians had alfo their Dictators. 
 This Magiftrate was never ufed faving in great 
 dangers of the Common-wealth, and it continued 
 but fix moneths : during that Office all other Ma- 
 giftrates were abrogated, except the Tribunate or 
 Provoftfhip of the Commons. The Conful's duty 
 was, to name and proclaim him, and that no time 
 but in the night : albeit what time the Veientes had 
 won the Romans Camp, A. Cornelius Cqfus, Marfhal 
 of the Army, need fo conftraining, denounced 
 Mamercus Aemelius for Didator, contrary to that 
 ftatute. About 300 years after the building of 
 Rome, the publike State was tranfferred from the 
 Confulftiip, unto the Rule of Ten, called 'Decern- 
 vim, which endured but three years ; for by reafon 
 of the outragious luft of Appius Claudius, againft 
 the Maid Virginea, they were depofed, and Confuls 
 were subftituted to fupply their room. Then, the 
 310th year of the City, in the place of Confuls, 
 were chofen Marfhals or Provofts of Armies, whom 
 they named Tribunes, Aulus Sempronius, Attacinus, 
 L. Attilius Longus, and T. Celicius Siculus. The 
 authority of the Commons became daily more fedi- 
 tious, and confederacies increafed. In fuch fort, 
 that C Cunuleius brought to paffe, that the Com- 
 
Lib. 2. POLIDORE VIRGIL. 59 
 
 minalty married with the Nobility, and the Tri- 
 bunes by their earned inftance and fuit, caufed that 
 the high Offices were permitted to them of the 
 common fort. At the 355th year of the building 
 of the City, P. Licinius Cahus was made Tribune 
 of the Army. The 389th year, L. Sextus Later- 
 anus attained the Confulfhip : the 399th year, C. 
 Martins Later anus was created Di6lator. 
 
 From this manner of Governance, it was by 
 Sylla and Marius brought to one Ruler or Prince 
 again. Thus hath Rome had all kinds of admini- 
 ftration of the Common-wealth. The Emperial 
 ornaments of the Kings of Ro?ne, as fardels of rods, 
 the ax, the garland of gold, the Chair of Ivory, 
 the Kyrtil or Cope, Chariot, trapped Horfes, 
 Rings, Coat-Armours, Robes, Mantles of Eftate, 
 Embroidered Gowns, with garments of Baudkyn 
 or Motley, with all other Royal Apparrell, began 
 among the Tujcanes^ which Tarquinius Prifcus fub- 
 dued, and ufed thefe firft by the permiffion and 
 licence of the Senate. The 12 Lidtours or 
 Sergeants, Romulus firil appointed after the manner 
 of the 12 Nations of the Hetrurians, whom he 
 conquered, which gave to every of their kinds, 
 when he was crowned, a Lidour or Sergeant ; 
 whofe duty was to wait on the Magiftrates, and 
 bear the Rods, and Axe of Execution. The rods 
 (as Pliny writeth) were of birch. The inftitution 
 of Taxes or num bring the people, Servius Tullius 
 King, began in Rome firft, but Mofes long before 
 that time numbred the IJraelites, and therefore the 
 firft Tax, Subfidy, or Tribute, was ordained by 
 
6o POLIDORE VIRGIL. Lib. 2. 
 
 Mofes among the Hebrews, and the counting of 
 the number of the people. 
 
 Prifons, Fetters, Stocks, Gyves, Staves, with 
 like inftruments to punifh malefadors, Ancus 
 Martius (as Livy faith) did firft appoint them to 
 keep men in fear and good order. 
 
 CHAP. IV. 
 
 WHO ORDERED THE YEAR, THE DIVERSITY OF IT, 
 
 MONETHS, NONES, IDES, KALENDS, 
 
 AND PRIME. 
 
 H 
 
 ERODOTUS writeth that the Egyptians 
 firft found out the year by the courfe of the Planets, 
 and devided it into twelve Moneths. Diodorus 
 afligneth it to the Thebanes, which ftandeth with 
 the opinion of Herodotus, becaufe the Thebanes be 
 a nation of Egypt, and Egypt was fometime 
 named Thebe, Servius faith that Eudoxus found it 
 firft, and after him Hipparchus. Laertius afcribes 
 it to Thales a Mile/tan, which (as he teftifieth) firft 
 perceived the feasons and times of the year, and 
 parted it into 2^S dayes, but that was onely among 
 the Grecians. Jo/ephus witnefleth that the year was 
 devifed by the Hebrews in Mgypt, before Noahs 
 floud. There be divers fafhions of dividing the 
 year; The Archadians finiftied their year in three 
 
.Lib. 2. POLIDORE VIRGIL. 6i 
 
 Moneths, the Carians and Acarnans in fix Moneths; 
 there was a year that confifled in 30. dayes, which 
 was counted by the change of the Moon, there 
 was alfo the great year that ended, when all the 
 Planets returned into one point or Line, and after 
 the mind of Cicero^ it conteined 12954. years of 
 the Sun. Jofephus in his Antiquity faith it con- 
 tained but six hundred years. The other Grecians 
 numbred the full year with 2 S3 ^^J^^- Romulus 
 firft divided the year into ten Moneths, whereof 
 March, that he named of his father, was firft. 
 April the fecond had that name of Venus, because 
 fhe was born of the froth of the Sea, which is 
 called Aphros : May of the Antient men : June of 
 the young men : the other he named in their order, 
 number, at ^intilis, Sextilis, September, October, 
 November, December. Albeit afterward, ^intilis 
 was called Julius in honour of Julius Ctejar, and 
 Sextilis was changed into Auguftus, for the memoriall 
 of the Emperour Auguftus C^Jar. Notwithftanding, 
 forafmuch as this year which Romulus ordered, did 
 neither agree to the courfe of the Sun, nor changes 
 of the adding Moon; Numa applyed it to the 
 courfe of the Moon by adding i^G. dayes, whereof 
 he made two Moneths, the one he named January 
 of Janus, the firft king of the Latins, the other 
 February of their god Februus. Afterward, Numa, 
 fuppofing God to be delighted with odd numbers, 
 gave to January, Aprill, June, Auguft, September, 
 November, December, twenty nine dayes. To March, 
 May, ^intilis, and Sextilis, that is July and October, 
 thirty one dayes, and to February twenty eight 
 
62 POLIDORE VIRGIL. Lib. 2. 
 
 dayes. Laft of all, Julius Cajar put to the whole 
 year, ten dayes and fix hours, whereof he added to 
 thefe Moneths, January, Auguft, and December, 
 every of them two dayes: and to April, June, 
 September, and November, he gave to each of 
 them one day. In this manner Julius Cajar ac- 
 complifhed the year perfedly, according to the 
 courfe of the Sun : and the fix hours every four 
 years amounteth to one day, which caufeth I.eap- 
 Year (as we call it) in Latine it is named Bijfextus, 
 becaufe every fourth year we count twice fixth 
 Calends of March. 
 
 The Moneths have their name becaufe they 
 meafure the courfe of the Moon. Thus the year 
 hath twelve Moneths, whereof Aprill, June, Sep- 
 tember, and November have thirty dayes, all the 
 reft hath one and thirty dayes, faving February, 
 which hath but twenty eight. In the year be 52 
 weeks and a day. There be 2^^ dayes and fix 
 hours. The Calends, Nones, Ides, have their 
 appellations of the manner of the reckonning of 
 the Romans. The firft dayes were named Kalends, 
 from ;€uXco, to call: for at every change of the 
 Moon, the chief Ruler of the Sacrifices (called 
 Rex Jacrijiculus^ affembled all them of the Country 
 o^ Rome, in the Capitall, and ftiewed them their 
 Feftivall dayes, and what it was lawfuU to do that 
 Moneth. The Nones had that name ; becaufe 
 they were the ninth day from the Ides, which Ides, 
 be the middaves of every Moneth, and had their 
 appellation of the Hetrujians Term iduare, that 
 fignifieth to devide in the middle. This faftiion 
 
Lib. 2. POLIDORE VIRGIL. 63 
 
 of counting the Moneths, endured to the 450 year 
 of the City, and was kept fecret among the Bifhops 
 of their Religion till the time that C. Flavius, P. 
 Sulpitius Avario, and P. Sempronicus Sophilongus, then 
 being Confulls, againft the mind of the Senators, dif 
 clofed all their folemn feaft, publifhed them in a 
 Table that every one might have perfeverance of 
 them. The Prime, whereby we find the Conjunc- 
 tion of the Moon, and all moveable Feafls, as 
 Lent, Eafter, Whitfonday, and fuch like, was in- 
 vented by the great Clark Saint Bernard, or of 
 Julius C^far, as appeareth in the tenth book De 
 divinis ofEciis. 
 
 CHAP. V. 
 
 WHO ORDEYNED THE HOURS, DYALS, AND CLOCKS, 
 DEVIDING THE DAY AND NIGHT. 
 
 H 
 
 OURS, which being in number 24, accom- 
 plifh the fpace of a day and night, were fo named 
 of the Sun, which in the Egyptians language is 
 called Horus. They at the firft were appointed but 
 12. For Hermes Trifmegiftus, perceiving a certain 
 beaft confecrated to their god Ser apis, to make water 
 or pifle twelve times in the day, at equall diftance, 
 
64 POLIDORE VIRGIL. Lib. 2. 
 
 fuppofed that the day ought to be devided into 
 twelve hours. 
 
 This number did continue long, but afterward 
 the day was divided into 24 hours. Anaximenes a 
 Milefian found in Lacedemonia the firft Dial, that 
 declared the hours by the fhadow of the Gnomon. 
 It was long before they were ufed in Rome, for (as 
 Pliny writeth) in the 12 Tables, there was onely 
 rehearfed the rifing and going down of the Sun : 
 and a few years after, Noon or Midday was added, 
 which the Beadle or common Crier did denounce. 
 This was onely on clear dayes, when they might 
 perceive the courfe and altitude of the Sun. The 
 firft Diall was fet up on a Pillar openly, which 
 ftood behind the common Pulpit, or bar called 
 rojira, at the coft of M. Valerius Mejjala^ then Con; 
 ful in the firft Punick battel. The water-Dial was 
 ufed firft in Rome by P. Scipio Naftca, the 900th 
 year of the City, to divide the hours of the day 
 and night. Albeit it was invented by Crefibius of 
 Alexandria. Afterwards Clocks made of Metall 
 were invented by fubtil wits, and fand-Dials were 
 made; whofe Authors be yet unknown. In fome 
 places the Clocks ftrike 24 hours by order ; in 
 other fome, as in the Weft parts of the World, it 
 fmiteth twice in the day. In fuch order tKat the 
 1 2th hour is at noon, and at midnight. The dayes 
 which be reckoned diverfly in feveral nations, be- 
 gan in Egypt^ where the year and Moneths were 
 alfo devifed, they take all the fpace from midnight 
 to midnight for one day, and the Romans ufed the 
 fame manner. For the Sunrifing is the beginning 
 
Lib. 2. POLIDORE VIRGIL. 65 
 
 of all affairs, and functions, the night is a time of 
 Counfelling : they had alfo afTigned to every hour 
 a fundry Miniftry, as Martial in his Epigram 
 declareth. 
 
 The day was devided in fundry wife. 
 
 That every hour had a feveral office^ 
 
 The two firji ferved for falutation^ 
 
 The third for Lawyers alteration^ 
 
 Two next were fpent in labour diverfy^ 
 
 The ftxt men might themf elves reji quietly. 
 
 The feventh^ of Works was a refolution^ 
 
 The Eighth was for wrejilers ; and in Conclufion. 
 
 The ninth was limited for Mens repaji^ 
 
 And fo for the other ^ of time was made no wajle. 
 
 The Babylonians called the fpace between the 
 Sun rifings, a day : the Athenians named all that 
 was between the going down, a day. The Um- 
 brians count their day from noon to noon : but 
 commonly from morning till night is called a day. 
 The night was devided into four watches, whereof 
 every one (as Hierome witnefleth) contained three 
 hours. 
 
 CHAP VI 
 
 WHO SET FORTH BOOKS FIRST, OR MADE A 
 
 LIBRARY, PRINTING, PAPER, PARCHMENT, 
 
 OR ART OF MEMORY. 
 
 B 
 
 OOKS which contain the Monuments of in- 
 genious wits, and a Regifter of all Valiant prowefle, 
 
 9 
 
66 POLIDORE VIRGIL. Lib. 2. 
 
 as Laertius thinketh, were firft publifhed in Greece, 
 Gellius faith it was Pifijiratus that made the firft 
 book, and exhibited it to be read openly. Yttjqfe- 
 phus declareth that t\\Q. Hebrews and Priefts o^ Egypt 
 and Chaldee fet forth Books firft. 
 
 The Athenians multiplyed the number of Books, 
 which Xerxes carryed from thence into Perfta^ and 
 Seleucus king of Macedony caufed them (many years 
 after) to be conveighed to Athens again. After 
 that, Ptolomeus King of Egypt gathered together 
 700000 books, which were all burnt at the battell 
 of Alexandria. Nevertheleffe, Straho recordeth that 
 Ariftotle did inftitute the firft Library, and left it 
 to T'heophrajlus his Difciple, and taught the Kings 
 of AEgypt how they f hould order their Library : 
 T'heophraftus left it to Melus, and of him Scepjis 
 received it. There was alfo a very antient Library 
 at Pergamus. 
 
 In Rome, Afinius Pollio had the firft Library, which 
 was the occafion that good wits employed great 
 ftudy in learning, to the ample furtherance and 
 commodity of that Common-wealth. There be 
 at this day many in Italy, but the moft famous, 
 is the Library which Frederick Feltrius Duke of 
 Urbine did caufe to be edified. Truely the com- 
 modity of Libraries is very profitable and neceftary; 
 but in comparifon of the Art of Printing, it is 
 nothing; both becaufe one man may Print more in 
 one day, then many men in many years could write : 
 And alfo it preferveth both Greek and Latine 
 Authors from the danger of corruption. It was 
 found in Germany at Mogunce by one J. Cuthem- 
 
Lib. 2. . POLIDORE VIRGIL. 67 
 
 bergus a Knight; he found moreover the Ink by 
 his devife that Printers ufe, fixteen years after 
 Printing was found, which was the year of our 
 Lord, 1458, one Conradus an Almain brought it 
 into RomCy and Nicholas John/on a Frenchman, did 
 greatly polifh and garnifh it: And now it is dif- 
 perfed through moil parts of the World. 
 
 Before the ufe of Paper, men ufed to write in 
 leaves of Date-Trees, and fometimes on the bark 
 of Trees. Afterward they wrote the publique 
 writings in plates or fheets of Lead, and their 
 private matters in Tables and wax, for tables (as 
 Homer teftifieth) were before the fiege of 'Troy. 
 Paper was devifed by King Alexander, as Varro 
 affirmeth ; it was made of a kind of fenny Rufhes, 
 that grew in the marifh grounds of Egypt. But 
 Pliny faith, it was ufed in the time of King Numa, 
 that reigned 300 years before Alexander, and his 
 books, which were found in a cheft of Hone in a 
 field, by L. Pitilius a Scribe, were written in Paper. 
 In procefTe of time, paper, that we ufe now, was 
 invented; it is made of linnen cloath, beaten 
 together in Mills for that ufe. 
 
 Parchment, as Varro witnefTeth, was found in 
 Pergamus: albeit, Jewifh Hiftorians (as Jojephus 
 fheweth) ufed Parchment: they wrote alfo in Goat- 
 skins and fheep-skins in old time, as Herodotus 
 declareth. 
 
 There be divers manner of Papers, as Paper- 
 royall. Paper-demy, blotting paper, marchants 
 paper. 
 
 The ufage of writing by charaders, is very an- 
 
♦^ 68 POLIDORE VIRGIL. Lib. 2. 
 
 cient, and was found by Tyrotullius Freman^ (as 
 Eufebius fuppofeth), and Julius C^Jar ufed it much 
 in fecret and privy Counfels. 
 
 The Art of Memory was found by Simonides in 
 Theffaly: For when he was invited to a banquet at 
 a Nobleman's houfe, called Scopa, it chanced that 
 he was sent for to fpeak with two young men at 
 the gate, and ftraightway the Banquetting-houfe 
 fell, and deftroyed all the guefts. Then he, be- 
 caufe he remembred in what order and place every 
 one fate, delivered every man his friend to be 
 buried. By that fad, both he perceived the order 
 of the Art of Memory, and what commodity came 
 to the remembrance of man by fuch an Art. 
 Cyrus, king of Perfia, excelled in Memory, which 
 could call every man in his Army by name. Cyneas 
 the EmbafTadour of Pyrrhus the day after he came 
 to Rome, faluted every order of Nobles by their 
 proper names. Mithridates could fpeak 11 lan- 
 guages. Julius C^sar could write, read, endite, 
 and hear a tale, all at once. Adrianus the Em- 
 perour could do the same. 
 
 kV 
 
 CHAP. VII, 
 
 THE BEGINNING OF WAR, WITH OTHER THINGS 
 CONCERNING THE SAME. 
 
 yiK^V^- I V^ H I VALRY, wherein is declared the manly 
 
 ^^»^ I courage of noble Captains, was devifed (as Tully 
 
 
 \^ 
 
Lib. 2. POLIDORE VIRGIL. 69 . 
 
 saith) by Pallas : the manner of War (as Diodorus \ j 
 thinketh) was invented by Mars. But Jqfephus [ 
 telleth, that Tuhalcain^ which was before the floud, 
 did firft pradice feats of Arms : whereby it ap- 
 peareth, that the ufe of Wars is of great antiquity ; 
 but it is uncertain who was the firft Warriour. 
 Before the finding out of Weapons, men ufed to 
 fight with their fifts, feet, and biting. And thus { 
 began battel, as Lucretius writeth : 
 
 Hands and feet ^ tooth nail^ 
 Were firft Weapons in hattail. 
 
 Afterward they began to fight with Staves and i 
 Clubs. And therefore they alTign to Hercules 3. ; 
 ftafF and a Lyons skin. For men in the beginning 
 ufed ftaves to revenge their injuries and quarrels, 
 and covered their bodies with skins of wild beafts 
 inftead of Armour. Palamedes ordered and fet men 
 firft in array, appointed Watches and Warding to 
 be kept, and Watch-words in the battle of Troy. 
 At the fame time Sinon found out Beacons and 
 Fires. Pliny faith, that the Phenicians invented 
 firft the Policies of War. Diodorus aflirmeth, that 
 Mars forged firft weapons, and armed Souldiers 
 with them, and therefore the finding out of them, 
 is attributed to him : but the inftruments of War 
 were found by divers men at fundry times. 
 
 Helmets, Swords, and Spears, the Lacedemonians 
 found : yet Herodotus fuppofeth the Targets and 
 Salettes to be the invention of the Egyptians, and 
 fo to have come into Greece. 
 
70 POLIDORE VIRGIL. Lib. 2. 
 
 The Habergeon was devifed by Midias Mejfenius^ 
 fhields by Pretus and Acrifius^ as they fought to- 
 gether. 
 
 Leg harnefs and crefts of Salettes were invented 
 by the Carians, Javelins and Darts with thongs or 
 ftrings by Etolas fon to Mars; Bills by the Thra- 
 cians ; Jufting Spears and More-Spikes, by Tyrr- 
 henus ; they were ufed firft in the fiege of Capua, 
 that Fulgius Flaccus layed to it. Penthefilia ima- 
 gined Poleaxes, and Pylces., hunting ftaves : bowe, 
 Shafts, and Sythes, Jupiter s fon invented : although 
 Diodorus afcribeth the invention of them to Apollo, 
 Artabanus^ whom Eufebius reciteth, faith, that the 
 invention of Armour, began by Mojes ; which 
 being very young, atchieved the firft hardy enter- 
 prise againft the Ethiopians. Of all Engines of 
 war, the Cretians found firft the Crofs-bows; the 
 Syrians^ Quarelles or Bolts : and the Phcenicians 
 found Brakes and Slings. Howbeit, Vegetius hold- 
 eth opinion, that Baleares^ a people which dwell in 
 the Spanifti Seas, ordained Slings. Cranes, or 
 Vernes, to wind up great weights, were the device 
 of Ctefiphon. The Ramme, called in Latine, Aries ^ 
 wherewith walls be overthrown, was made by Epeus 
 at Troy. Artemo Clazemonius inftituted the Sough 
 or Tertife, called in Latine, Tejludo^ to undermine 
 Walls. But of all other that ever were devifed to 
 the deftruction of man, the Guns be moft devilifti, 
 which was invented by a certain Almain^ whofe 
 name is not known : After this fort; It chanced, 
 that he had in a Morter, Powder of Brimftone that 
 he had beaten for a medicine, and covered it with 
 
Lib. 2. POLIDORE VIRGIL. 71 
 
 a ftone, and as he ftroke fire, it fortuned a fpark to 
 fall into the powder : fuddenly there arofe a great 
 flame out of the Morter, and lifted up the ftone 
 wherewith it was covered, a great heighth : And after 
 he had perceived that, he made a Pipe of Iron, and 
 tempered the powder, and fo finiflied this deadly 
 Engine, and taught the Venetians the ufe of it; 
 when they warred at Claudius Dyke againft the 
 Genuates, which was in the year of our Lord, 1380. 
 For this Invention he received this benefit, that 
 his name was never known, left he might for this 
 abominable devife, have been cursed and evill 
 fpoken of whileft the world ftandeth. 
 
 Bellerophon (according to the judgment o( Pliny) 
 taught firft to manage and ride Horfes: which 
 rode the fwift Pegafus into a Mountain of Lybia, 
 called Chimera, as Biodorus fuppofeth it was Nep- 
 tune, that not onely taught to ride horfes, but alfo 
 (as Lucane fuppofeth) brought to light the firft 
 horfe. Bridles, bits, horfe-harnefs, or trappers, 
 the Peletronians, a Nation of Theflaly, found ; 
 and as fome think, the way to break and tame 
 horfes, was learned of them ; which alfo taught 
 fiiooing of horfes. Alfo the Numidians rode their 
 horfes without faddles. Carts with two horfes, and 
 Waggons, the Phrygians firfl: ufed. Chariots, 
 Erichtho7iius devifed firfl: in Greece. Fighting on 
 horfeback, the Centaures found in TheJJ'aly. Not- 
 withftanding, all the Commodities of fuch beafts, 
 as Horfes, Mules, Afl!es, and all other bearing and 
 drawing beafts were at the beginning. For it is 
 manifeft, that the Egyptians and Hebrews, Afly- 
 
?i t^oUDORE VlkGlL. Lib. i. 
 
 rians and Arabians ufed them : but the glorious 
 Grecians ufurp all to their own glory and ambitious 
 praife and commendation. 
 
 CHAP. VIII. 
 
 THE INSTITUTION OF OLYMPIADS, WITH OTHER 
 SHEWS AND GAMES. 
 
 T 
 
 HERE were four Principal Playes or Shews 
 in Greece ; whereof the moft principal was Olym- 
 piads: which were kept every fifth year in the 
 Mount Olympus, and ordained by Hercules^ one 
 of the five brethren, named /^^/ DaByli, in honour 
 and remembrance of Jupiter. In this game, Cori- 
 lus an Arcadian wan firft the prife (as Eujebius 
 faith). Pliny affirmeth, that Hercules^ fon oi Alcu- 
 menay obtained the vidory there firft. There was 
 wraftling, running with horfes, and on foot, turny- 
 ing, leaping, courfing with Chariots ; contention 
 of Poets, Rhetoricians, Mufitians, and difputa- 
 tions of Philofophers. The manner was then to 
 proclaim wars, or enter leagues of peace: the 
 reward of the victorious, was a garland of Olive, 
 which Tree grew there befide. By this they counted 
 their years, as the Romans did by Luftra and their 
 Councels. 
 
Lib. 2. POLIDORE VIRGIL. 
 
 73 
 
 The fecond Shew was Pythii^ which were in 
 honour of Apollo, and made by Apollo himfelf, in 
 memorial of his adivity, in vanquifhing the great 
 Dragon Python, that was fent by Juno, to perfecute 
 his Mother Latona. 
 
 The third Game was Ifthmii, devifed by Thejeus, 
 in the worfhip of his father Neptunus, as Hercules 
 had done by Jupiter: they had the name IJihmii, of 
 the narrow place in Greece, that Corinth flood in, 
 where the Playes were celebrated, befide an old 
 Temple of Neptune, environed with a dark Wood 
 of Peche-trees. They that wan the maftery, had 
 a garland of Pine-tree. 
 
 The fourth game was Nemei, named of the 
 Forreft Nemea. Thefe Feafts the Argivans kept in 
 reverence of Hercules, that flew their mighty Lion, 
 whofe skin he ware for his Armour. Pyrrhus 
 dance was that wherein the Lacedemonians pradifed 
 their youth, from 5 years of age, as a preparative 
 to greater affairs of war. It was firfl inftituted in 
 Creet by one Pyrrhus, that was one of the Cibeles 
 Priefts. They danced it in armour, and with 
 weapons on horfeback, as Solinus teftifieth. 
 
 Naked games were firft invented by Lycaon; 
 Funeral playes by Araftus; wreftling by Mercury ; 
 Dice, Tables, Tennis, and Cards, were found of 
 the Lydians, a people of Afia, and begun not for 
 any Lucre or pleafure, but for a Common-wealth. 
 For when their Countrey had great fcarfeneffe and 
 want of Corn, infomuch that it was not able to 
 fuffice the people, they mitigated and fwaged their 
 hunger and fcarcity, by taking their meat moder- 
 10 
 
74 POLIDORE VIRGIL. Lib. i. 
 
 ately one day, and by applying fuch fports and 
 paftimes the next day, to drive away the tediouf- 
 nefle of their famine and hunger. The Chefle 
 were invented the year of the world 3635. by a 
 certain Wife man called Xerxes, to declare to a 
 Tyrant, that Majefty or Authority without ftrength, 
 affiftance, and help of his fubjeds, was cafual, feeble, 
 and fubjed to many calamities of fortune; his in- 
 tent was to break the fierce cruelty of his heart, by 
 fear of fuch dangers as might come to pafTe in the 
 life of man. There is a game alfo that is played 
 with the poftern bone, in the hinder foot of a fheep, 
 Oxe, Goat, Fallow or red Dear, which in Latine 
 is called Talus, It hath four chances, the ace-point 
 (that is named Canis, or Caniculd) was one of the 
 fides, he that caft it, layed down a penny, or fo 
 much as the games were agreed on, the other fide 
 was called Venus, that fignifieth 7. he that caft the 
 chance, wan fix, and all that was layed down, for 
 the cafting of Canis. The two other fides were 
 called Chius and Senio: He that did throw Chius 
 wan, 3. And he that caft Senio, gained 4. This 
 game (as I take it) is ufed of children in Norfolk, 
 and they call it the chance-bone; they play with 
 three or four of thofe bones together: It is either 
 the fame, or very like to it. 
 
 There was a game at the Dice called Vulturju, 
 and Hercules Bqfilicus, that Plautus maketh mention 
 of: but the inventours of thofe games be yet un- 
 known, albeit, it feemeth to be a device of the 
 Romans; and likewife the Author of the game. 
 
Lib. 2. POLIDORE VIRGIL. 75 
 
 named odd or even, and holding up of hands or 
 fingers is uncertain. 
 
 There be fome that refer the finding of the 
 Cards and ChefTe to the noble Palamedes, 
 
 L 
 
 CHAP. IX. 
 
 CERTAIN PLAYES OF THE ROMANES. 
 
 UPERCAL was a Cave at the foot of the 
 mount Palatine, hallowed to Pan a Myfticall god 
 of the Arcadians^ where the cuftome was to facrifice 
 a dog, becaufe he fhould keep the Wolf from their 
 folds. 
 
 The oblation was made in February, after this 
 rite and faihion. The young men all naked, ran 
 and courfed about wantonly and lafcivioufly, in 
 honour of Pan, with whips and fcourges, in their 
 hands : and the Women offered themfelves, to be 
 beaten with their fcourges, fuppofing that it helped 
 to the fruitfullneffe of Children : This paftime was 
 inftituted by Evander^ that came out o^ Arcadia, 
 Marcus Antonius, in this play being naked, fet the 
 Diadem on Julius C^Jars head. 
 
 There was alfo another Shew called Circenjis, 
 which were celebrated in a place walled about, 
 named Circus, where was ufed fighting, and Cour- 
 fing of Horfes, and running with Charets. 
 
1(^ 
 
 POLIDORE VIRGIL. 
 
 Lib. 2. 
 
 ^ 
 
 voW 
 
 
 The Circus that we name Lifles or Tiltes, were 
 of great length, and had barres where the race 
 fhould begin, and at the other end was the Wager 
 fet, that they ran for : there was ufed in the fame 
 place tournying : Thefe were long ufed among the 
 Romans^ and had the title of great playes or games. 
 
 The third kind of Playes were Saturnalia^ which 
 continued five dayes in December, and were kept 
 very coftly and fumptuoufly with great fport and 
 gladneffe, and continual feafts, and ufually pre- 
 fented one another with gifts. 
 
 It was alfo the manner in thofe Feftivall dayes, 
 that fervants fhould have equall power in things, 
 and like authority, and fit at the Table with their 
 Mafl:ers, becaufe in Saturns time, all things were 
 ufed in common. Janus ordained them in honour 
 of Saturnus (as Macrobius declareth) and fome fay 
 they began in Athens. 
 
 There was alfo another game of Sword-players 
 unarmed : the occafion of this begininng was be- 
 caufe the Romans when they went to war, fhould 
 fee Fighting, Wounds, and Swords, to the intent 
 they fhould be the lefTe afraid of their enemies 
 armed, or be difcouraged, when they faw the 
 bloudy Wounds in the Field, therefore the Chief 
 Captain or Lievtenant of the Hoft, fhould exhibite 
 to the people, a Game of Fencing of Sword-players. 
 
CHAP. X. 
 
 WHO FOUND TRUCE, LEAGUES, SUNDRY KINDS 
 OF MAKING TRIUMPHS AND OVATIONS. 
 
 T 
 
 RUCE (that is called a Covenant of Peace 
 for a feafon) was inftituted by Lycaon; it was taken 
 fometimes for years, as the Romans took truce with 
 the Veientes for fourty years ; with the Cerites for 
 an hundred: fometimes Truce was made for hours, 
 as Cuius Pontius, a Samnite, required of the Dic- 
 tator of Rome, truce for fix hours. Leagues of 
 peace, Thefeus did ordain in Greece ; but Biodorus 
 afligneth it to Mercury. Neverthelefle, they were 
 in frequent ufe long before that time in AfTyria 
 and Egypt, and namely among the Hebrews. For 
 Jacob made a league with Laban. And Mojes 
 offered conditions of peace to the Princes of the 
 Countries, by whom he paffed: and after him, Jojhua 
 confirmed a bond of peace with the Gibeonites. 
 Therefore it is a great difficulty to know the in- 
 ventor of it. There were divers fafhions of making 
 Leagues, as the Romans manner was thus ; The 
 Herauld of Arms at commandement of the King, 
 
78 POLIDORE VIRGIL. Lib. 2. 
 
 took a hogg appointed for that purpofe, and fmote 
 him, faying; So let Jupiter fmite him, that dis- 
 annulleth this holy league. But Polybius writeth, 
 that the Herauld took a (lone in. his hand, and 
 faid ; If I perform and ftand to the Covenant of 
 this league, without guile or fraud, the gods give 
 me all things profperous. If 1 either do or think 
 the contrary, I pray God that I alone be deftroyed 
 and caft away, as I caft this ftone from me ; and 
 forthwith he threw down the ftone. When the 
 Arabians made a league of peace, there ftood 
 one between the two parties, that did cut it with a 
 fharp ftone, the hollow of the hand of the confede- 
 rates, and with the blood that i flu ed out, he anointed 
 feven ftones that ftand between them, with raggs 
 taken out of their garments, and invoketh Dionyjius 
 ?LndUrania their gods: then the Solliciter giveth 
 furety for the ftranger or Citizen that was of his 
 part. The like order was ufed in Amities made 
 among friends. 
 
 The Scythians made Leagues after this manner : 
 They filled a bowl of Wine, and mingled it with 
 the bloud of him that fliould enter the bond of 
 peace, and then they wet their Arrows, Axes, Hal- 
 berds and Darts in the Bowl : that done, they with 
 many words vowed and curfed themfelves, and fo 
 drunk the Wine, both they, and all the Nobles 
 prefent. The fame ufe was among traytors in their 
 Confpiracies at Rome. 
 
 The Barceans confented on their leagues thus : 
 they made their day of Confederacy, over a cave 
 very privy, and fo long as the earth continued, fo 
 
Lib. 1. POLIDORE VIRGIL. 79 
 
 the pad endured. Bionyftus, which was replenifhed 
 with the fpoyls of many Countries, led the firft 
 Triumph; and afterward, it was received of fun- 
 dry Nations, as the Captains of Carthage, when 
 they fped well, triumphed. In Rome, Romulus, 
 after he had conquered Aeron King of Cenineus 
 crowned with Laurell and carryed in a Chariot with 
 four horfes, entred into the City triumphantly. 
 And dedicated his prey and fpoyls to Jupiter, as 
 Dionyftus writeth. Albeit, Eutropius faith, that 
 Tarquinius Prifcus firft triumphed of the conquest 
 of the Sabines, CamtUusXtd. the firft folemn triumph 
 with white horfes, a gilded Chariot, and a Garland 
 of gold, with all the Captains following the 
 Chariot, with chains and Fetters about their necks. 
 And the Senate going before into the Capitol of 
 Jupiter s Temple, where they offered a white Bull, 
 and then returned. It was lawful for none to 
 triumph, but fuch as were Dictator, Conful, or 
 Pretor. Albeit, Cneius Pompeius, being but of the 
 Order of Knights, triumphed, as Cicero telleth. 
 
 Ovation is a lefTe Royalty then Triumphs, and 
 was the worftiip of fuch, as had ended any battel, 
 or atchieved any Feat without blood-ftiedding; or 
 when the battel lacked any of the due circumftan- 
 ces of appointing. They that came into the city 
 with that pomp, were crowned with a garland of 
 Myrtill ; And went on foot into the Capitol, 
 all the Senate following him, and there offered a 
 llieep. The firft that had any Ovation, was 
 Pojlhumius Tubertus. The Lacedemonians when 
 they vanquifhed their enemies by craft, policy, or 
 
do POLIDORE VIRGIL. Lib. 2. 
 
 deceit, offered a Bull: when they did valiantly 
 fubdue them by force of Arms, they facrificed a 
 Cock, according to their manner of triumph: Read 
 Appianus Livius, or Julius Capitolinus. 
 
 CHAP. XI 
 
 GARLANDS OR CROWNS, THE DIVERSITY OF THEM, 
 AND OF OYNTMENTS. 
 
 jL liny teftifieth, that Bacchus did firft invent 
 and wear a garland made of Ivy on his head : and 
 after it was taken in a cuftome, that when they 
 facrificed to any of the gods, they were to be 
 crowned with a garland, and the oblation likewife. 
 Notwithftanding, I find that the ufe of Garlands 
 or Crowns, is of more antiquity than Bacchus. 
 For Mqfes, that was many years before him, made 
 many Crowns and Garlands of gold. At the firft, 
 the manner was, in all Playes and Sacrifices, to 
 make Garlands of boughs of Trees. And after they 
 were garnifhed with variety of flowers among the 
 Sictonians by Pqfias, and G lie era his leman. Not 
 long after. Winter Garlands, that be called Egyp- 
 tian, which are made of wood or Ivory, did with 
 many colours, began to be had in ufe. And in 
 procefs, they made Crowns of brafen plates gilt or 
 
Lib. 2. POLIDORE VIRGIL. 8i 
 
 covered with filver, called for ther thinnefs, gar- 
 lands. Laftly, Crajfus the Rich did firft fet forth, 
 in his Games and Shews, Crowns with filver and 
 golden leaves. And confequently there were in- 
 vented many manner of Crowns. As the trium- 
 phant Crown, that the Emperour or grand Captain 
 ware in his triumph ; this was firft made of Olive, 
 and afterward of gold. The murall or wall crown, 
 that was given to him that fcaled firft the Walls. 
 The Camp-Crown, that was the reward of him 
 that entred firft in Arms, into the Camp of his 
 enemies. Naval or Sea-Crown, which was fet on 
 his head, that firft boarded his enemies fhip. And 
 all thefe were of gold. The Obfidionall Crown, 
 that was worn of him that delivered a City be- 
 fieged, and was made of GrafTe. There was alfo 
 a Civill Crown, which was a Sovereignty that a 
 Citizen gave to him, that had valiantly preferved 
 him from his enemies; this was made of Oaken 
 branches. And this manner of Crown the Athe- 
 nians did firft devife, and gave it to Pericles. There 
 were moreover Crowns of Pearls, Trench Crowns 
 and Garlands, compofed of the ears of Corn, which 
 as Pliny witneffeth, was firft in ufe among the 
 Romans. But Garlands made of Cynamon, woven 
 and imboffed with gold, Vefpaftanus did firft con- 
 fecrate in the Capitol, in the Temple of Peace. 
 
 In fome fpace of years, the excefie of Crowns 
 was fuch, that the Grecians in their Banquets, 
 crowned both their heads and Cups alfo, whereof 
 the lonians were authors. By this fort of Crowns, 
 Cleopatra empoifoned Antonie, as Pliny writeth. 
 II 
 
82 POLIDORE VIRGIL. Lib. 2. 
 
 And Artaxerxes ufed Crowns of Garlands in his 
 Feafts: to this ^/rg-/// alluded in his ^Eneides, 
 
 They Jet forth their golden goblettes^ 
 And crowned them with frefh chaplettes, 
 
 Oyntments (as Jofephus writeth) (though Pliny 
 faith the contrary) were ufed long before the battel 
 of Troy; for Jacob fent to his fon Jofeph in Egypt 
 oyntments: and Mojes^ that was three hundred and 
 fifty year before the fiege of Troy^ maketh mention 
 of Oyntments, concerning the fanctification of the 
 Tabernacle, and Priefts of the Old Teftament: 
 Albeit, it is not known, who was the firft devifer 
 of them. Pliny and Solinus report, that Alexander^ 
 when he wan the Camp of Darius^ found among 
 other Jewels and fpoyls a casket of oyntments, 
 that much pleafed him. But Herodotus doth de- 
 clare, that it was in frequent ufe before Darius^ s 
 time. For Cambyfes, fon to Cyrus^ fent EmbafTa- 
 dours to Mthiopus King of the Macrobians, with 
 great prefents, whereof a box of Oyntments was a 
 parcel. When the King had learned the manner 
 of the confedion of it, he contemned and negleded 
 it, as a thing of no value. It is not certain when 
 they came into Rome: but I find in Pliny, that the 
 565th year of the City, Antiochus being vanquifhed, 
 and Afta fubdued and conquered, P. Licinius Crajfus^ 
 and Julius C^/ar, then Cenfors, commanded that 
 no forraign nor flrange Confedion of oyntments 
 fhould be fold in the City. 
 
CHAP. XII. 
 
 WHO FOUND OUT METALS, SMITHS, COALS, FIRE, 
 CANDLES, AND BELLOWS. 
 
 O 
 
 F all Metall wherein worldly fubflance 
 confifteth. Gold, that all men forely Covet to have, 
 is the moft precious. For the defire hereof, they 
 have digged in the deep bottomelefTe Abyfle of the 
 Earth, and at the length (as Phalerius faid) they will 
 dig Pluto out of hell for it. And Diogenes when 
 he was asked why Gold looked fo pale, anfvvered 
 very well, faying; Becaufe it hath many that lye in 
 wait for it. Cadmus^ as Pliny affirmeth, found it in 
 the Mount Pangeus in Thrace or as fome think, it 
 was Thoas, and Eaclis that invented it in Panchaia. 
 Silver, Erichthonius of Athens or Ceacus found out. 
 They report that Gold was found in Pageus, 
 becaufe there is great plenty in that hill, as Herodotus 
 doth write. The five brethren named Idei DaElyli^ 
 found Iron in Greet. Midacritus brought lead out 
 of the I (lands againft Spain, called Cajfitrides, as 
 Strabo declareth, Brafle was found by Cinirs, in 
 the I fie of Cyprus; and Solinus faith it was found 
 
84 POLIDORE VIRGIL. Lib. 2. 
 
 in Creet^ Ciniras alfo devifed the Tongs, File, and 
 Lever. Notwithstanding Clement faith, that Selemen- 
 tes and Damnameneus^ two Jews, found Iron firft 
 in Cyprus, and the Pannonians BrafTe. Ariftotle 
 holdeth opinion, that Lydus a Scythian firft taught 
 to melt and work BrafTe, Theophrajius thinketh it 
 was De/aSy a Phrygian. Strabo writeth that a certain 
 people named Thelchines, wrought Iron and BrafTs 
 firft, and they made a Sword named Harp, which 
 they gave to Saturn, 
 
 The Smiths Forge fome think the Calyhians 
 found, and fome fuppose it were the Cyclopes, which 
 firft ufed the Smiths craft. 
 
 Biodorus holdeth an opinion, that Idei Da5lyli 
 and Vulcanas were Authors of Iron, BrafTe, Silver, 
 Gold, and all mettals that are wrought with the 
 fire. 
 
 Sothering of Iron, Glaucus found; and Cadmus, 
 melting of Gold. But I take it that all thefe before 
 named found the ufe of fuch things in their own 
 Countries. For the ufe of all fuch mettall was per- 
 ceived in the beginning of the World by Tubulcain, 
 which was fon to La?nech and occupied Smith-craft. 
 Clement referreth the tempering of Iron to Delas. 
 
 Fire is fuppofed to be the invention of Vulcanus : 
 ViBruvius faith that the Trees tofTed and fhaken 
 with Winds, by beating together of their boughs 
 excited fire. But it had been more convenient to 
 have afcribed it to the gift of God, which gave it 
 to man to be a remedy againft the danger of cold. 
 
 Pirodes firft ftroke fire out of Flint; Prometheus 
 taught firft to keep it in Matches. 
 
Lib. 2. POLIDORE VIRGIL. 85 
 
 Pliny telleth how the Spies in Armies and Camps, 
 or elfe the Shepheards devifed to fmite fire by rub- 
 bing of two pieces of Wood together. Laurel and 
 Ivy be beft for that ufe. Bellows were found by 
 Anacharfis as ^S'/r^i'^ witnefleth ; Candles the Egyp- 
 tians invented. 
 
 CHAP. XIIL 
 
 WHO ORDEYNED COYNES, LOOKING GLASSES, RINGS, 
 WITH PRECIOUS STONES. 
 
 C 
 
 OYN, of what mettal foever it was made, 
 (as it appears by Jofephus) is very antient; For 
 Cain, Adams fon was very greedy, in gathering to- 
 gether of money: Herodotus writeth that the 
 Lydians firfl coyned Silver and Gold to buy and 
 fell with. For before the fiege of 'Troy, as Homer 
 witnefleth, men ufed to change one commodity for 
 another. Yet in the time of Abraham, there was 
 Money currant, for he bought the Cave to bury his 
 Wife Sarah, of the Hittite, Ephron, for 400 Shekels 
 of Silver, which was before the fiege of Troy many 
 years. 
 
 In Rome the firft coyn of Gold was made in 
 the 547th year of the City, and it was named a 
 Duckat and after, it began to be ufed in many 
 
86 POLIDORE VIRGIL. Lib. 2. 
 
 places at fundry times. Phedon began Silver coin 
 in the I fie Egina, It was minted in Rome, in 
 the 484th year after the City was builded : the print 
 of it was a Chariot with two horfes, and fome with 
 four. Janus did caufe BrafTe to be coyned, with a 
 face on the one fide, and a fhip on the other fide, 
 to the intent to gratify SatU7'nus {^^hAzh. arrived there 
 in a fhip) by fetting forth his memory to their pof- 
 terity and fucceflburs. Servius Tullius firft coyned 
 Brafie with an Image of a fheep and an Oxe. Look- 
 ing GlafTes of Silver were devifed by Praxiteles in 
 the time of Pompeius Magnus: There were alfo in- 
 vented looking GlafTes of Steel, Lead, Chryflal- 
 GlafTe, and mingled flufFe, wherein we behold our 
 vifages. Though it is uncertain who did firft find 
 them, yet Pliny faith that one Sidon invented them 
 of Glafte. Rings with a piece of ftone wrought in 
 them, be reported of Pliny to have been made of 
 Jupiter, to keep in memory the punifhment of Pro- 
 metheus, for that he deluded the gods of the Ele- 
 ment of fire and did traduce it to mans ufe, but 
 that is a fable not to be credited. The ufe of Rings 
 and precious flones is of great antiquity, for I read 
 in Genefts that Judah gave his daughter in Law Tha- 
 mar a Ring, and broches, as pledges of his promife. 
 And Mojes, who was 300 years before the battel of 
 Troy, fpeaketh of Rings and precious ftones for 
 making of the Ark and veflures oi Aaron, as Oriches 
 and Smaragdus, or Emrode. In Rome at the firft 
 they ufed Rings of Iron every man faving the Tri- 
 bunes. It was long before the Senatours had any 
 Rings of Gold, and as Macrobius writeth, they 
 
Lib. 2. POLIDORE VIRGIL. 87 
 
 ufed them, not fo much for trimming and decking 
 of themfelves, as to feal letters with them; info- 
 much that it was not permitted to any man to have 
 more than one, and that was allowed to none but 
 Freemen. Afterwards they began to grave Seals in 
 precious ftones. And leaft they jfhould be broken 
 with ftreffe, they ware them on the finger of the left 
 hand, that is next the little finger, becaufe the left 
 hand is not put to fo much labour as the right hand, 
 or elfe (as Macrobius faith) becaufe there goeth a 
 Vein from that finger to the Heart. Rings alfo 
 were ufed and worn of the Knights in Rome, that 
 by them they might be diftinguifhed and known 
 from the common fort of people. 
 
 CHAP. XIV. 
 
 I 
 
 THE ORIGINAL OF GLASSE, AMBER, VERMILION, 
 MIRRHE, AND CRYSTALL. 
 
 N Phcenice, which is a part of Syria, at the foot 
 of the Mount Carmel, there is a Pool called Candebea^ 
 whereof the River Belus fpringeth, in the which, 
 Glaffe, as Fliny writeth, is ingendred. For it is 
 reported that on a time when a Merchants Ship, 
 that was fraighted with Salt-peeter (for fo fome 
 expound nitrum) arrived there ; and as they pre- 
 pared their meat on the fands and Seabanks : It 
 
88 POLIDORE VIRGIL. Lib. 2. 
 
 fortuned that becaufe they had no ftore of ftones to 
 bear up their Veflels, wherein they fod their meat, 
 they took great pieces of Nitre out of their Ship to 
 fet their Viduals on, which after they chanced to 
 be on fire, and mingled with the fand, there ran 
 bright flakes of this precious Liquor. By this 
 River is Menons Tomb, and as Jqfephus writeth, 
 the nature of that water is to turn and transform 
 other metals into glaffe. Amber, as Diodorus wit- 
 nefTeth, was found in the Ifle Baftlia, which lyeth 
 againft Scythia, above Galatia, in the great Ocean, 
 Avhere it was firft caft up, and was never feen nor 
 found in any other place before. Vermilion or 
 Red Lead was found in Ephefus, by Gallius an 
 Athenian. And it was in Rome counted and taken 
 for holy, infomuch that on their Feaftival dayes, 
 they painted the face of Jupiter s Image with it, and 
 the bodies of them that triumphed ; and Camillus 
 triumphed fo, as Pliny witnefleth. Myrrh, which is 
 an humour congealed and conftipated together with 
 heat, Cometh out of the East parts, and namely out of 
 Carmania : Pompeius in his triumph of the Pyrates 
 and Robbers on the Sea, brought it firft into Rome. 
 Cryftal is a ftone that is congealed of pure water, 
 not with cold, but by a power of divine heat, where- 
 by it retaineth its hardnefTe, and never relenteth or 
 melteth, and receiveth divers colours, and this is 
 the opinion o^ Diodorus. But Pliny fuppofeth that 
 it commeth of the Ice, extreamly Frozen. Never- 
 theleffe it is uncertain who found it. 
 
c 
 
 CHAP. XV. 
 
 the beginning of imagery; and of 
 Alexander's image. 
 
 ONCERNING the ufe of making Images, 
 from whence it came, Authors differ and vary. 
 For Macrobius citeth one Epicardus^ that faith, it 
 began of a superftition of Hercules, who, according 
 to the number of his companions, whom he loft in 
 his Voyage into far Countries, when he came home 
 into Italy, made Images of them, and caft them 
 down at the Bridge Sublicius, into Tyber, to the 
 intent they fhould be carried into their natural 
 Countries, thinking that to be a juft Funeral. 
 Nevertheleffe, he taketh it, that they came rather 
 of the cuftome of the Arcadians, which, as Diodorus 
 writeth, in their wandring abroad, repaired into 
 Italy, and builded a Chappel to Pluto, and an Altar 
 to Saturnus ; where they pacified Pluto with the 
 heads of men and burned the bodies to Saturn, 
 For fo they expounded their Oracle, 
 
 Et capita inferno, et patri tranfmittite lumen. 
 
 Give heads to Pluto the God infernal. 
 And Saturn his father the fire luftral. 
 12 
 
90 POLIDORE VIRGIL. Lib. 2. 
 
 The facrifices that were offeredto Saturn, were 
 named Saturnalia. After, Hercules as he pafTed 
 through Italy, when he had conquered and fubdued 
 Gerion, advertifed them to change that unlucky 
 facrifice into fortunate oblations, and taught them 
 to make Images of heads of men to Pluto: And 
 to light Tapers of Wax in honour of Saturn. 
 Lactantius faith, Prometheus made firft Images of 
 foft Clay, and taught the way to make ftatues ; 
 Some fay, as Diodorus writeth, that the Ethiopians 
 found the firft ufe of Images, and of them the 
 Egyptians learned. 
 
 Notwithstanding I find that Images were long 
 before that time ; For Rachel, when her Husband 
 fled out of Mefcpotamia, from Laban his Father in 
 Law, did fteal away her fathers gods. And fome 
 think that men took occafion from God to make 
 Images, who willing to fhew to the grofle wits of 
 men, fome representation of himself, took on him 
 the fhape of man ; fo Abraham and Jacob faw him. 
 And the Scripture feemeth in fundry places to 
 attribute to him hands, feet, eyes, and ears, which 
 be parts and members of men. And by this means 
 men received the manner of making Images of God, 
 becaufe to keep him in frefh memory. And this 
 is the true Original of Imagery. Spurius Cajfiuss 
 made in Rome the Image of Ceres in brafle. After- 
 wards ftatues of men were made, to excite and 
 encourage valiant hearts to high enterprifes. And 
 for that caufe the Athenians fet up the Images of 
 Hermodius and Ariftogiton, that flew and expulfed 
 the Tyrants. Leontinus Gorgias, made himfelf an 
 
Lib. 2. POLIDORE VIRGIL. 91 
 
 Image of pure Gold, not hollow, firft ; and fet it 
 in Delphos the 78th Olympiad. Pharnaces caufed 
 one to be made of Silver like himfelf, which 
 Pompey in his Triumph removed. In Italy ^ M. 
 Attilius Glabrio, made the firft ftatue of Gold on 
 horfeback in remembrance of his Father : There 
 were alfo Images made of BrafTe, Ivory, Wood, 
 and Marble, 
 
 The manner of the Romans was to fet up their 
 Images covered, but the Grecians ufed to form them 
 naked, and the Romans alfo had a Rite to burn in- 
 cenfe, and light Tapers before them. In this Art 
 many were very expert, as Pliny rehearfeth. But 
 Phidias of Athens paffed them all. In Rome, the 
 kindred and family of the Macrians were accuftomed 
 to wear on them the Image of Alexander the great. 
 Graven: as, men in Gold or Silver, Women in 
 Kails and Rings: becaufe it was reported that he 
 fhould atchieve well in all affairs, which did bear 
 on him Alexanders Image, either in Gold or Silver. 
 
 And therefore Augustus Cajar used long the 
 Image of him, in fealing his letters. 
 
 CHAP. XVI. 
 
 PAINTING, AND POTTERS CRAFT, OR WORKING IN 
 EARTH. 
 
 G 
 
 YGES a Lydian, as Pliny thinketh, did firfl 
 invent and devife portraiture in Egypt, In Greece, 
 
92 POLIDORE VIRGIL. Lib. 2. 
 
 Pyrrhus, the Coufin of DadoluSy according to Arif- 
 totle 5 mind. But Theophrafius faith, that Polygnotus 
 an Athenian found it: yet Pliny agreeth neither 
 with Theophrajius, nor yet with himfelf : for in his 
 35th book, he faith, that Polygnotus a Thalian, did 
 firft paint women in fingle apparell, and trimmed 
 their heads with Kails of fundry Colours, and fet 
 forth Pidlures to fhow more decent, in opening 
 their mouths, and made their Teeth to be feen, and 
 the Vifages more favourable to behold ; but who 
 found it, it is uncertain. For the Egyptians fay 
 they had that art 600 years before it came to Greece : 
 And they of Greece affirm it was begun by the 
 Sicionians, and fome of the Corinthians, Albeit, all 
 confefle it began of the drawing of a man with 
 lines. In procefle of time it waxed more fumptuous 
 with colours. Drawing pidures with lines or 
 fhadows Philocles an Egyptian, or Cleanthes a Corin- 
 thian, devifed. Thelephanes a Sicionian, and Ardices 
 of Corinthus found this Art firft, without Colours, 
 and Cleophantes of the fame Country invented 
 Colours: Appollodorus obtained much praife with 
 the Penfil. In this excelled Timagoras, Pithius 
 Polygnotus, Aglaophon,vf\th. others that Pliny reciteth 
 in the 12th Book. And Raphael San^us, an Urbi- 
 nate, is very excellent in exprefling of lively Images 
 of men in this faculty. The potters occupation 
 thatworketh all things in Clay and Earth, Chotebus 
 an Athenian found; as Pliny in his feventh book 
 telleth. In his 35th book he affcribeth the Origi- 
 nal of it to Dibutades at Corinth: which by the 
 help of his Daughter invented this craft. For 
 
Lib. 2. 
 
 POLIDORE VIRGIL. 
 
 93 
 
 after fhe underftood that a young man her lover 
 fhould depart into a ftrange Nation for the tender 
 love that fhe bare to him, fhe drew his Image on 
 a Wall after the pattern of his fhadow by Candle- 
 light, which her father filled and fafhioned with 
 Clay, and made it into a figure and refemblance of 
 his body, and dried it with the Fire, and fet it in 
 the common Hot-houfe where the maids and 
 Women kept Baths: And there it remained till 
 Mummius deflroyed Corinth. Some fay it was found 
 by Rhenus^ and Theodorus in the I fie of Samos, 
 And Demeratus father to Tarquinins Prifcus King 
 of the Romans, brought it into Italy, and after him 
 Euchiras, and Eugranias amplified the Science more 
 copioufly. Liftftratus a Sicionian invented making 
 of moulds, and the way to work Images in them. 
 The Potters Wheel or frame, (as Ephorus faith) 
 Anarcharfis a Philofopher of the Country of Scythia, 
 found: Some fay it was Talus, D^dalus fiflers Son. 
 The fpecial Workmen in this Art were Demo- 
 philus, and Gorgofus. 
 
 THE END OF THE ABRIDGMENT OF THE SECOND 
 BOOK. 
 
Polidore Virgil. 
 
 The Third BOOK. 
 CHAP. I. 
 
 THE INVENTION ^. ... .., „ , 
 
 THINGS CONCERNING THE SAME. | 
 
 ifX USBAl^DRYortillingthe ground, Z)/W(?r«j 
 faith, was excogitated by Bionyftus among the Egyp- 
 tians ; In Greece and Afta, by Triptolemus, (as Juftine 
 writeth) ; in Italy ^ by Saturnus: but Firgil witntfC- 
 eth, that Ceres firft devifed it. NeverthelefTe Jo/e- 
 phus declareth that it was found by Cain, Adam, 
 eldeft fon. In the beginning, men lived by Acorns, 
 and other fruits of the Earth till Ceres (as Pliny tel- 
 leth) taught them of Athens, Italy, and Sicily to fow 
 Corn, which before grew among other hearbs. Dio- 
 dorus referreth the invention of it to Ifts, Albeit, 
 Juftine affirmeth that 1'riptolemus found it in the 
 
Lib. 3. POLIDORE VIRGIL. 95 
 
 time of Erichtheus King of Athens: but T)iodorus 
 faith he learned it of Ceres^ and had Command- 
 ment to teach it abroad. In Italy y Saturn inftitu- 
 ted fowing, Macrobius teftifieth, Pitumnus taught 
 men firft to muck and compafTe their land, and his 
 brother Pilumnus taught men to bake and grind, Pliny 
 faith, that Augeas a King in Greece taught men to 
 dung their lands in the time of Horner^ and Hercules 
 afterwards publifhed it in Italy, Diodorus witnefleth 
 that Dionyfius the fecond, yoked Oxen to the plough 
 firft, where as before it was laboured by hand. Briges 
 an Athenian, or as fome report Triptolemus; and 
 fome fay, one OJiris found the plough: Tragus faith 
 that it was Habis King of Spain that taught firft to 
 plow and fow. Inftruments of Husbandry, as Vir- 
 gil fuppofeth, Ceres found out, but we muft take it, 
 that thefe men before rehearfed, did teach it, in fun- 
 dry places : for it is manifeft, that before their time 
 the Hebrews and Egyptains had knowledge of this 
 Science. As Jacob, when there was a great dearth 
 of Corn in Canaan, fent his fons in Egypt to buy 
 grain. And therefore without doubt, the Hebrews 
 did firft find out the way of tilling the earth, grind- 
 ing, with other rufticall inftruments. Sakres of hair 
 were found in France, as Pliny telleth; and Boulters 
 of Linnen, in Spain.' In Egypt they were made of 
 Fenne rufties, and Bull-ruihes. 
 
CHAP. II. 
 
 WINE, OYL, HONEY, CHEESE, AND STRANGE TREES 
 BROUGHT INTO ITALY. 
 
 D 
 
 lODORUS faith, that Dionyftus did firft per- 
 ceive the nature of the Vine, and taught men of 
 Greece to plant it, and to prefTe wine out of the 
 Grape, as Saturnus did in Italy. Some fay it was 
 IcariuSj father of Penelope, that found it in Athens. 
 And was afterwards flain by the Husband-men, 
 when they were drunk. Atheneus in one place writeth, 
 that Orejieus, fon to Deucalion, iirfl found the Vine 
 about the Mount A£.tna in Sicily. In another place 
 he faith, that it was found at the City Plinthina in 
 Egypt. Aruntes a Tirrhene, banifhed out of his 
 Country by Lucinon, whom he brought up of a child, 
 carried firft Wine into France. Seculus the fon of 
 Ventus, invented the firft food of men, of the Trees; 
 and Eumolphus an Athenian, taught the manner of 
 ordering of them. But before all thefe, Noah was 
 the firft that either tilled the land, or planted the 
 Vineyard. And when he had drunk of the fruit of 
 the grape, he was drunk. 
 
Lib. 3. POLIDORE VIRGIL. 97 
 
 Wine-Taverns were fet up firft by the Lydians, 
 a people of Afia^ which ^alfo found divers games. 
 Staphylus (as Pliny faith) allayed wine firft. Drink 
 that is made of Barley, which we call Ale, and 
 was the common drink of the Egyptians, was de- 
 vifedby Bacchus: and he taught it to fuch Nations, 
 as had no grapes growing. And for that caufe, 
 England^ Scotland^ Ireland^ France^ and Germany^ and 
 all that border on the Weft and North Seas, ufe 
 this drink. Albeit, the Germans put Hops in it, 
 and call it Beer. In Greece^ as Diodorus affirmeth, 
 Pallas ftievv'ed the Olive, and the way to make Oyl. 
 And Arifteus gathered the cruddes of milk, and 
 made Cheefe firft. And the Oyl-Mill as Pliny 
 witnefteth, notwithstanding the Olive was before 
 Noah's floud: and Mqfes fpake of Oyl, that was 
 ufed in facrifices, whereby it may be perceived, that 
 the Jews invented Oyl, Jujiine faith, Gargorus, King 
 of CureUs, found the faftiion of gathering Honey, 
 he dwelt in the Forreft of Carchefia in Spain. 
 There grew no Olive in Italy, Spain, nor Africk, 
 in the time of Tarquinius Pri/cus, the 174th year of 
 the City. 
 
 And afterward, the 440th year of the City, there 
 were fome, howbeit, they were near the Sea. But 
 indeed honey was gathered firft by the Hebrews 
 ftiepherds. The Cherry-trees, L. Lucullus brought 
 out of Pontus, the year of the City 680. Zizipha 
 and Tuber es, two kinds of Apple-trees, S. Papinius 
 conveyed out of Syria and Africk, into Italy, in 
 the time of Auguftus C^Jar, The Plane-tree, the 
 Laurel-tree, the Figg-tree, and Apple-trees, with 
 
 13 
 
98 
 
 POLIDORE VIRGIL. 
 
 Lib. 3. 
 
 other, which Is not needfull to rehearfe, were 
 brought in by divers men, whose names are not 
 fpoken of by any Authors. 
 
 CHAP. III. 
 
 <r 
 
 
 WHO NAMED BEASTS, INSTITUTED SACRIFICES, 
 HUNTING, SALT, POULTRIES. 
 
 B 
 
 EASTS, after they were all created in their 
 kind were named by Adam, with the same names, 
 that they be now called. Hiperbius, Mars, killed 
 them firft ; but I refer rather that to Abel, Adams 
 fon ; for he did firft offer to God the firft begotten 
 I of his flock; and from him it fpread abroad among 
 I the Hebrews, and alfo other Countries. Of all 
 other. Swine were the firft that were facrificed of 
 the Gentiles, in the Sacrifices of Ceres, Goddefs of 
 Corn: as Varro witnefleth, in Leagues of peace, and 
 in Marriages. At length, they come to fuchoutra- 
 gious cruelty, that they facrificed men. Flefh was 
 not ufed to be eaten, until the time oi Noah; and 
 then God permitted it: but many Countries long 
 after that, forbare and kept great abftinence from 
 flefh : as^ in the golden World under Saturn, men 
 onely lived by fruits of the earth. The Priefts of 
 AE.gypt refrained from flefh, Eggs, and milk, be- 
 
Lib. 3. POLIDORE VIRGIL. 99 
 
 caufe, as they thought. Eggs were but tender and 
 foft flefh, and milk was bloud, faving that the 
 colour was turned. And the EJfenes in Jury, and 
 Jupiter s Priefts in Greet, never eat flefh. Banquet- 
 ting difhes and delicates were made in lona, and 
 then that evill cuftome was taken up by other 
 Countries: albeit, there were laws made in Lace- 
 demonia by Lycurgus and in Rome by Fannius, for the 
 abolifhing of fuch exceffive feaftings. I would 
 fome good man would now prefcribe a Law, to be 
 precifely obferved of all men. For I think there 
 was never fuch riot in feafting as there is in thefe 
 times. Hunting and fifhing, the Phoenicians found. 
 Salt and Thufe thereof was perceived by Mijor 
 Salech. In Rome, ^. Hortenftus, did firft fet forth 
 a Pecock, at the Augurs feafts. Poulteries of all 
 kind of fouls, were inftituted by Marcus Lalius 
 Straha, a Knight of Brundufium. And Alexander 
 Emperour, had alfo fuch Poultries. Warrens and 
 Parks were made firft by Fulvius Hirpinus. And 
 they be every were ufed, but moft commonly in 
 England, to the great damage of good pafliures, 
 that might feed other Cattle. The Wolf, the 
 Minotaur, the Horfe, the Boar were cognifance of 
 the Romans Armyes : And Caius Marius in his 
 fecond Confulfliip, appointed the Eagle for a badge 
 of his Army and Legion, with many other now 
 adayes, which be in Coats of Arms of Noble 
 Men. 
 
CHAP. IV. 
 
 WHO FOUND FLAX, AND WOOL, WITH SUCH INSTRU- 
 MENTS AND ARTS AS BELONG TO THE 
 SAME, AND SILK. 
 
 L 
 
 INNEN or Flax, as Pliny faith, was found 
 by the beautiful Lady Arachne of Lydia^ and fhe 
 taught alfo the way of knitting Nets to take 
 Beafts, Fifh and Fouls. Minerva instructed the 
 people of Athens first, in fpinning and weaving 
 Wool: but in one place, Pliny feemeth to afcribe 
 the feat of Weaving to the Egyptians. 
 
 The Walkers or Fullers craft, was invented by 
 Nicias, a Megarian : the Lydians in Sardis dyed 
 Wool firft. 
 
 Spindles for Wool, were firft invented by Clojier; 
 fon to Arachne. Hangings of Arras, which be ufed 
 in Halls or Chambers, Attains King of Afia de- 
 vifed ; and Pallas taught the ufe of clothing or ap- 
 parel, as Diodorus wnteth: and Eufebius faith, one 
 Ufo a Sicilian born, made firft cloathing and Ap- 
 parrel for men, of beafts skins: but indeed Adam, 
 whom God did firft create, made the firft Leather 
 Coats for himfelf, and his Wife Eve, our old 
 
Lib. 3. POLIDORE VIRGIL. loi 
 
 Mother, leaving thereby a pattern to all his pos- 
 terity, of that craft. 
 
 The Shoo-makers Art, one 5^^Mo/z^.r found. Attains 
 taught men firft to Weave Gold in Cloaths. And 
 the Phrygians invented broidring. The Greeks de- 
 vifed the Mantle, and the H'etrurians found the 
 Robes of eftate. And mingling of divers colours 
 in Apparel, was the invention of the Babylonians. 
 Silk, which in all Countries is occaiion of much 
 diflblute behaviour in Apparel, was found of the 
 Cerites, growing on their Trees, and with wetting 
 they comb it off, and make it fit for their ufes. 
 
 Spinning and weaving of Silk, that commeth of 
 Worms, Pamphila the daughter of Platis^ devifed 
 it in the Ifle Coos. Purple colour was found, as 
 Pollux witnefTeth, upon this occafion ; As Hercules, 
 being in love with a beautiful Lady, named Tiro, 
 walked on the Sea-Cliffs, his grey-Hound chanced 
 to find a fhell-fifh, called a Purple ; and when he 
 had eaten it, the orient colour of the bloud re- 
 mained on his fnowt: which frefh colour, the Lady 
 efpying, threatned Hercules, that he fhould never 
 be admitted to her prefence, unlefTe he brought her 
 a cloath dyed with that pretious colour. Then 
 Hercules, willing to accomplifh his Ladies will, 
 fought the purple Fifh, and carried the blood to 
 his Soveraign Lady. And thus began the Purple- 
 colour among the Tyrians. 
 
CHAP. V. 
 
 BUILDINGS MADE OF CLAY, BRICK, STONE, WITH 
 OTHER LIKE MATTERS. 
 
 M 
 
 EN at the firft lived like wild beafts, in caves, 
 and alfo fed on fruits and roots of the earth: but 
 after they perceived the commodity of fire, and 
 felt thereby a great comfort, againll the vehemency 
 of cold: fome began to edify Cottages of boughes 
 of Trees, and fome digged Caves in the Moun- 
 tains, and by often experiencing of fuch means, 
 they attained to a greater perfedion in building. 
 And afterward (as wits of men be inventive) they 
 learned to fafhion building with walls, that they fet 
 up with long props. And did wind them about 
 with fmall rods, and fo daubed them; and to keep 
 out the ftorms, they covered them with reeds, 
 boughs, or Fen-fedges. Thus in procefTe of time, 
 they came to the Art of building, which as Diodo- 
 rus faith, is afcribed to Pallas: but I rather think, 
 that either Cain^ or elfe Jobal^ fon of Lantech, 
 found out this art. 
 
 Houfes of clay, Doxius, fon of Gellus, did firft 
 invent and fet up, taking example at the swallow's 
 neft. Brick-buildings were invented by Eurialus 
 
Lib. 3. POLIDORE VIRGIL. 163 
 
 and Hyperbius, two brethren of Athens, as Pliny 
 judgeth; albeit Diodorus, referreth it to Vesta^ 
 daughter of Saturnus. Epimenides of Crete firft 
 ufed to hallow his houfe and fields, with expia- 
 tions. Tyle and Slate to cover houfes, were the 
 invention of Siniras, fon of Agriopa, in the I fie of 
 Cypres. 
 
 Stone-delves or quarells were found by Cadmus 
 in Thebes, or (as Theophraft writeth) in Phcenice, 
 Yet I think the Invention of fuch Arts may more 
 juftly be afcribed to Cain, or the poflerity of Seth-: 
 which did make two Pillars, one of Brick, and 
 another of Stone, and wrote in them all the Art of 
 Aftronomy; at which time, I fuppofe, Pillars and 
 Brick were firft made, whereby it appeareth, that 
 the feat of building hath been from the beginning 
 of the World. NeverthelefTe, I deny not, but 
 thefe afore named, did begin edifying in fundry 
 Countries. 
 
 Marble was ufed in building at Rome, of rich 
 men, to fhew their fumptuous magnificence. As 
 M. Scaurus, being jEdilis, caufed 360 Pillars of 
 Marble to be carried to the making of a Stage, 
 whereon an enterlude fhould be played: but L, 
 Crajfus was the firft that had Pillars of Marble. 
 M. Lepidus made the Gates of his houfe with 
 Marble of Numidia. He was Conful, the year of 
 the City 676. Mamurra, a Knight, that was 
 Mafter of Julius Cajar s Works in France, pinned 
 firft the Walls of his houfe with broken Marble. 
 In graving Marble, Dipcenus Scilus, born in Crete, 
 flourifhed firft ; before King Cyrus reigned in Perfia. 
 
CHAP. VI. 
 
 WHO MADE THE FIRST CITY, TENTS, TEMPLES, 
 AND PITTS. 
 
 W 
 
 HEN men were fomewhat reclaimed from 
 their brutifh behavior, by reafon that they were re- 
 frefhed from their extream cold, by fire, and fuch 
 houfes as they had devifed ; they gathered them 
 fubftance and goods, to the fuftentation of their 
 houfholds and families. But after they preceived 
 that mighty and ftrong men did invade and difpoyl 
 them of fuch ftuiFe as they had, they knit them- 
 selves together in a company, and dwelled in one 
 circuit, which they walled about, and named it a 
 City. Notwithftanding there is much diverfity of 
 opinions among Writers, which was firft. For 
 Pliny faith, Cecrops builded the firft City, and called 
 it by his own name, Cecropia, which was afterward 
 called Athens, Strabo writeth, that Phoroneus firft 
 builded Argos: the Egyptians fay, that Diqfpolis in 
 their Country was long before: which is credible to 
 be fo, becaufe they be a very ancient Nation. Tra- 
 Jon firft made Walls, Towers, (as Ariftotle faith) 
 
Lib. 3. POLIDORE VIRGIL. 105 
 
 the Cyclopians edifyed: but Theophrajius thinketh 
 the Phcenicians builded them. 
 
 And Virgil referreth that feat to Pallas. But 
 to fay the truth, Cain (as Jqfephus declareth) made 
 the firft City, and named it Enochia, after his fonne 
 Enoch. And the young men that came of Noah 
 his linage, by the advice of Nimroth, builded the 
 firft Tower, of an exceeding height, which was 
 called afterward Babylon. 
 
 Tents, Jobal (on of Lantech invented; notwith- 
 standing that the Phoenicians affirm, that the 
 Nephews of Seculus found them. 
 
 Temples, as Diogenes fuppofeth, were found by 
 Epimenides in Crete. But Vi5lruvius affirmeth, that 
 one Pithius a Carpenter, made the firft Temple in 
 Priene, in the honour of Pallas. Herodotus faith, 
 that the Egyptians inftituted Temples firft. In 
 Rome, Romulus builded the firft Temple, to the 
 worfhip of Jupiter Feretrius. To Almighty God, 
 Solomon, King of the Hebrews, builded the firft 
 Temple (3102 years after the Creation of Adam') 
 in Jerufalem. Pits or wells Danaus digged firft, as 
 Pliny teacheth, after he came out of Egypt into 
 Argos, a Country of Greece. Neverthelefi^e, to 
 tell the very originall of them, Ifaac his ftiepherds 
 digged the firft Pitts, as appeareth in Genefis. And 
 Mojes caufed Pitts to be digged in the Wildernefle, 
 when he did condu6l the Israelites out of Egypt, 
 which was i^^)!^ years, before t\vxtT)anaus came into 
 Argos; neither was \t Danaus, but his daughters, 
 that digged the Pit at Argos. 
 
 H 
 
CHAP. VII. 
 
 THE LAByRINTHS, TURRETS, SUNDRY FASHIONS OF 
 BURIALS. 
 
 L 
 
 ABYRINTHS, which we may call Mazes, 
 were certain intricate and winding works, with 
 many entries and doors, in fuch fort, that if a man 
 were once entered, he could not iflue out, without 
 he had either a perfed guide, or elfe a clew of 
 thred to be his condudl. There were four of them 
 m*oft notable, as it is reported : the first was in 
 Egypt^ and was called of fome the Palace of King 
 Motherudes^ of fome the Sepulchre of Mexes : but 
 there be other that fay, it was builded in honour 
 of the Sun, by King Petefucus^ or Tithoes : albeit, 
 Herodotus faith. It was the common Tomb of the 
 Kings of Mgypt ; this flood a little from the Pool 
 of Mirios. The fecond was made in Greet, by 
 D^dalus, at the Commandment of King Minos, 
 wherein Thefeus of Athens flew the Minotaure. The 
 third was wrought in the Ifle Lemnos by Smilus, 
 Rhodus, and Theodorus, Carpenters of the fame Coun- 
 trey. The fourth, Porfenna, King of the Hetrurians, 
 
Lib. 3. POLIDORE VIRGIL. 107 
 
 caufed to be made and fet up in Italy for his Sepul- 
 chre, it was all of Free-ftone, and vaulted. The 
 high Steeples or Turrets, that the JEgyptians call 
 Py ram ides, were between Memphis and Delta two 
 Cities of Mgyptj of fuch height, that it was marvel 
 how the ftone and morter fhould be carried fo high. 
 One of them that was greateft, was the work of 
 3040 men, in 20 years at the coft of King Chemis, 
 whom Herodotus nameth Cheopis. Chabreus bro- 
 ther to the fame King, made the fecond Turret, 
 not equal in height. The third. King Micerenus 
 caufed to be wrought, 20 foot fhorter then his 
 fathers was. The occafion that they were made, as 
 Fliny telleth, was, left the people ftiould be idle: 
 and Jojephus faith, the Egyptians enforced the 
 Hebrews to build thofe Pyr amides, becaufe they 
 fhould be in fubjedion to them, and that they 
 might be made (laves and drudges: or elfe, left the 
 Kings ftiould leave fo much Treafure to their Suc- 
 ceflburs, that it might move them to Sedition or 
 Treafon. Maujoleum that was the Tomb o^ Man- 
 Joins King of Caria^ his wife Artemesia builded 
 moft fumptuoufly, and for that faithfuU love that 
 fhe bare to him, ftie remained a Widow all her life 
 time. 
 
 The manner of burial in divers countries, is of 
 fundryfafhions : as the M^d-^^/^j and D^r^/^/^j, judge 
 them that dye in ficknefte very wretches; and there- 
 fore when their Parents and kinffolk wax aged, they 
 ftrangle them and eat them, fuppofing it better that 
 they ftiould eat them, than the Worms. The Al- 
 banes, that dwelled by the Mount Caucajus take it to 
 
io8 
 
 POLIDORE VIRGIL. 
 
 Lib. 3. 
 
 >\ 
 
 
 be a mortal crime if they regard, or once name them 
 that be dead. The T/iracians kept folemnly the 
 Funerals of the dead Corps of men, with great joy 
 and folace : becaufe they be difcharged by death 
 from humane miferies, and reft in eternal felicity; 
 and contrarywife at the birth of their Children they 
 made great forrow and lamentation, becaufe of the 
 calamities that they muft fuftain in this miferable 
 life. The Women in India, take it for a great 
 honefty and Triumph, if they be buried with their 
 Hufbands : for it is granted to her that loved him 
 beft. There be other diverfe manners of burying 
 among the Pagans, and Heathen people, which for- 
 afmuch as they exceed the bounds of humanity, 
 and have in them no hope of Refurredlion, which I 
 fhall at this prefent omit, and over-pafte them. 
 The Romans, becaufe the dead corps, that died 
 in battel, were after their burial digged out of 
 the ground, inftituted the manner of burning 
 the carcafes of men departed, which Rite was ex- 
 ecuted on Sylla, chief of all the houfe and kindred 
 of the Cornelians, which feared left he fhould be 
 ferved as he had ufed Marius. They had alfo in 
 Rome, a manner of deifying, or hallowing their 
 Emperours dead bodies, after this fort. When the 
 Emperour was dead, and his body reverently buried, 
 with great exequies, they formed an Image of the 
 Emperour, pale as though he were fick, and layed 
 it at the Gate of the Pallace, in a bed of Ivory: 
 and the Phyficians reforted thither to the bed fix 
 dayes continually; the Lords of the Senate, and 
 Noble Ladies and Matrons ftanding on every fide 
 
Lib. 3. POLIDORE VIRGIL. 109 
 
 of the bed. The feventh day, the young Lords 
 and Nobility, bare him on their fhoulders in the 
 bed, firft into the old place of judgments called 
 Forum Fetus, and then into the field named Campus 
 Martins, where they chofe their Magiffrates and 
 high Officers, where they layed him in a tent 
 builded for the purpose like a Tower, and 
 filled it with dry wood, and fweet Oyntments, 
 and after they had finifhed the Rites and Cere- 
 monies of their Law, he that fhould fucceed in the 
 Empire, put a Fire-brand to the Tent, and then 
 others did the like. And after all was burned, 
 they let fly an Eagle out of the top of the Turret, 
 which, as they fuppofed, carried the Soul of the 
 Emperour to heaven, and from thenceforth they 
 honoured him as a god. Commendations to the 
 worfhip of the dead bodies at Funerals, Valerius 
 Publicola^ firft made in the praife of Brutus, and 
 that was long before the Greeks had any, notwith- 
 flanding Gellius writeth that Solon ordained that 
 law in Athens \n the time o^l'arquinius Prifcus. The 
 Romanes ufed to praife the Women at their burialls, 
 becaufe on a time they were contented to give their 
 Golden Jewels to make a boul to fend to Belphos, 
 to the god Apollo. 
 
CHAP. VIII. 
 
 WHO MADE SPIRES CALLED OBELISCI, THE MARKS 
 
 OF THE BREACHES, THE EGYPTIANS 
 
 LETTERS, FIRST SANCTUARY. 
 
 O 
 
 BELISCI, which may be called long broches 
 or Spires, were great and huge ftones in Egypt, 
 made by Mafons, from the bottome fmaller and 
 fmaller, of a large length, and were confecrated to 
 the Sun, becaufe they be long, much like to the 
 beams of the Sun. The firft of thtm was infti- 
 tuted by Mitres, which reigned in Heliopolis, being 
 commanded by a Vifion to make it, and fo was it 
 recorded and written in the fame. King Bochis fet 
 up four that were every of them 48 Cubits long: 
 Ramejes (in whofe time Troy was destroyed) reared up 
 one, fourty Cubits of length, and another of 819 
 foot, and every fide was four Cubits broad. 
 
 Ptolomeus Philadelphus made one at Alexandria of 
 four Cubits. 
 
 And Pheron fet two in the Temple of the Sun, 
 of an hundred Cubits length a piece, and four 
 Cubits broad, on this occafion: It fortuned that 
 this King, for a great crime that he had committed, 
 was ftricken blind, and continued fo ten years. 
 
lib. 3- POLIDORE VIRGIL. Ill 
 
 and after by Revelation at the City Bucis, it was 
 told him that he fhould receive his fight, if he 
 wafhed his eyes with the water of a woman, that 
 was never defiled with any ftrange man, but was 
 always content with her Hufband. Firft he tried 
 his own wife, and afterwards many other, till at the 
 laft he received his fight, and married her by whofe 
 Urine he was healed, and recovered his fight, and 
 all the other, with his firfl: wife, he caufed to be 
 burnt at once. Then for a remembrance he made 
 his oblation with the two forefaid Spires in he 
 Temple of the Sun. Auguftus Cajar brought two 
 of thefe Broches into Rome, and fet one in the 
 great Tilt-yard or Liflies, if I may call Circus in 
 thofe terms; the other he fet in the field called 
 Campus Martius: In thefe broaches for the mofi: 
 part were written Images of beafts, whereby their 
 pofl:erity and fucceflburs, might perceive the re- 
 nown of fuch Princes, and the manner of their 
 vows and oblations. 
 
 For the Egyptians ufed the Images of beafl:s in 
 the fliead of letters, and as Cornelius writeth, they 
 declared their minds by the figures and fiiapes of 
 beafi:s : as by the Bee they fignihed a King ruling his 
 Commons with great moderation and gentlenefi^e; 
 by the Gof-Hauk, they meant fpeedy performance 
 of their afi^airs. 
 
 Sanduary (as Stacius writeth) was made firfl: by 
 Hercules Nephews in Athens, and was called the 
 Temple of Mercy. From thence it was not law- 
 full to take any man violently, that repaired thither 
 for aid and comfort: notwithfl:anding Mojes which 
 
Hi 
 
 POLIDORE VIRGIL. 
 
 Lib. 3. 
 
 was long before Hercules, did in flit ute three fran- 
 chised Towns, whither it was permitted for them 
 to go, that had done any Murther unawares; or by 
 chance-medly. 
 
 Next after him, Romulus ordained a Sanduary in 
 Rome, to encreafe his Citizens, and to have more 
 number to build the City. There was a Sanduary 
 in the I fie Caharia, dedicated to Neptune; and 
 another in Egypt, at Campus, confecrated to Her- 
 cules; and another to Oftris ; and in Syria; one 
 hallowed to Apollo. And there be many at this 
 day in Chriftendome, and namely in England: but 
 now the liberty and number of them is diminifhed, 
 becaufe they were occafion of great crimes and en- 
 ormities. 
 
 CHAP. IX. 
 
 OF THEATRES, AMPHITHEATRES, AND BATHS. 
 
 T 
 
 HEATRES, were certain places, as Scaf- 
 folds with Pentifes, wherein the people of Athens 
 flood to behold the enterludes that were fhewed: 
 and they were made like half a Circle, with benches 
 one above another, that they might without any 
 impediment fee the Playes; Dionyjius did firfl infli- 
 tute them in Athens: in the middefl of the Scaf- 
 
Lib. 3. POLIDORE VIRGIL. 113 
 
 fold or Theatre flood the Stage, wherein Comedies, 
 Tragedies, with other fhews, were exhibited to the 
 common fort. Of them the Romans took example, 
 to make fuch Scaffolds: which ^intus Carulus 
 caufed to be covered with linnen cloaths, and 
 hanged it with filk; whereas before they had no 
 vault to bear off the Sun or Rain. But Marcus 
 Scaurus being Aidil^ that is, having the overfight 
 of all publike and private buildings, made the 
 firfl in Rome, that endured for the fpace of thirty 
 dayes, it was made up with Fillers of Marble. Cuius 
 Curio, at his father's buriall, builded two Theatres 
 of Timber after fuch a fafhion, that they might in 
 time of enterludes fland one contrary to another, 
 in fuch wife, that neither Play fhould difturb other: 
 and when it liked him, he turned them together, 
 and made an Amphitheatre, which was a round 
 Scaffold full of benches of divers heights : wherein 
 he fet forth a game of Sword-players. Pompeius 
 Magnus made the firfl flanding Theatre of free- 
 flone, after the pattern that he faw at Mitylene, 
 when he had fubdued Mithridates King of Pontus. 
 Caius Julius Cajar builded the firfl Amphitheatre 
 in the Field confecrated to Mars, In this were fet 
 forth Shews of wild beafts, and Sword-players; for 
 the manner was, that fuch as were condemned to 
 death, or taken prifoners in war, fhould be caft 
 there to the wild beafts to be devoured and flain. 
 It was ftrewed with fand, left the bloud of thofe 
 that v/ere flain, fhould defile them that fought, or 
 difcourage, their hearts : and therefore, there were 
 certain appointed to toffe and ftrew the fand. The 
 
 15 
 
114 POLIDORE VIRGIL. Lib. 3. 
 
 place called Circus^ that we may call Lifts or Tyle-' 
 yards, were walled about with ftone of a great 
 length, wherein was ufed Courfing and Jufting, 
 and Tourneying on horfeback and on foot by 
 Champions and Challengers: they were firft made 
 in the reign of Tarquinius Prijcus, and that was 
 called the greateft. After that, two other were 
 made, one by Flaminius^ and the other by Nero. 
 
 The firft Courfing, jufting, and running, with 
 other exercifes in the Lifts, were, when Spurius 
 Pofthumius Albinus, and ^intus Martins PhilippuSy 
 were Confuls, the year of the City 567. 
 
 Hot Baths were ufed firft privately of all men, 
 according to their degree and ability, becaufe of the 
 prefervation of health as they pretended: but in 
 procefs they buildcd common Baths and Hothoufes 
 to fweat in: and the Nobles did bathe and wafti 
 with the Commons; and finally, men and women 
 were permitted moft lafciviousfly to bathe together. 
 Moft notable baths were they that Agrippa, and 
 NerOy and Titus Vespaftan, with other Emperours, 
 made, as Julius Capitolinus writeth: they were both 
 great, and alfo gorgeoufly drefl!ed like Cities and 
 bigg Towns, with all places of opportunity, to 
 maintain exceftive riot in all forts of men. 
 
CHAP. X. 
 
 WHO FOUND THE CARPENTERS CRAFT, AND INSTRU- 
 MENTS OF THE SAME ; VESSELS OF DIVERS 
 MEASURES. 
 
 D 
 
 AEDALUS, after the mind of Pliny, firft in- 
 vented the Art of Carpentry, with thefe Inftru- 
 ments following, the Saw, Chip-Ax, and Plomline, 
 whereby the evennelTe of the Squares be tryed, 
 whether they batter or hang over, the Augore or 
 Wimble, and Glew, to joyn boards together. The 
 Squire, the Lyne, the Shave, the Pricker or Punch, 
 were devifed by Theodore a Samian. Notwithftand- 
 ing, Ovid writeth, that Talus, Daedalus' s fifters fon, 
 invented the Compafs, and fafhioned the Saw 
 after the pattern of the back-bone of a Fifh: 
 or as Diodorus faith, by the example of the jaw- 
 bone of a Serpent; he found alfo the Shave: 
 and for fuch benefits as he did fhew and beftow to 
 the ufe and profit of men, he was highly commen- 
 ded: But D^dalus envying that a boy, being but 
 his Apprentife, fhould excell his Mafter, caft him 
 down out of a Tower (as Ow'^ witnefleth) and flew 
 him. Pythagoras a Samian, devifed another manner 
 
Ii6 POLIDORE VIRGIL. Lib. 3. 
 
 of rule or Squire, then this that we ufe commonly, 
 fit for all manner of buildings, as V'Mruvius de- 
 clareth in the ninth book. Pentheftl^a Queen of 
 Amazons is reported to have found the Axe. 
 Albeit, I think the invention of this Art is more 
 worthy to be referred either to the Hebrews, which 
 occupied fuch Arts before Dedalus time and fpecially 
 in making of the Tabernacle which was curioufly 
 wrought; or elfe to the Tyrians, that were in that 
 faculty far above the Hebrews. For which caufe 
 Solomon wrote to the King of Tyre for workmen to 
 build the Temple. Speufippus invented making of 
 hollow Veflels, as Barrels or Hogs-heads. VelTels 
 of Ofiar or Wicker, as Bafkets, or Hampers, with 
 fuch like, Ceres did firft devife, as Servius writeth. 
 
 CHAP. XI. 
 
 WHO RULED FIRST ON THE SEA, FOUND SHIPS, MER- 
 CHANDISE. 
 
 S 
 
 TRABO writeth that Minos King of Greet had 
 the firft rule of the Sea: but Diodorus faith that 
 Neptunus had the Empire of it before him, for he 
 invented the feat of Rowing in boats, and made a 
 Navy, and was made Admiral of it by his father 
 Saturnus. And Pliny reporteth that King Erichthras 
 
Lib. 3. POLIDORE VIRGIL. 117 
 
 devifed Boats firft, and rowed in them in the Red 
 Sea: feme fay they were ordained by the Trojans in 
 the Narrow Seas called Hellefpontus; Tome think 
 they were invented in the Engli/h Sea. and covered 
 with Leather and Hides of beafts. Banaus was 
 the firft that ufed any fhip when he failed out of 
 Egypt into Greece, as Pliny recordeth, although 
 fome fuppofe it to be the Samothracians, and fome 
 Atlas that found it. But, to fpeak the truth, 
 Noah was the firft that made the Ship wherein he 
 preferved from danger of the Water, all the living 
 creatures that were faved to multiply the World, 
 and that was the pattern that all other made their 
 ftiips after. J(^Jon firft made a Galley, which 
 Sejoftrias King of Egypt ufed after him, and Eytheiis , 
 made the Barge with two order of Oars on a fide, 
 Amocles of Corinth, that with three courfe of Oars 
 on a fide: the Carthaginians, that with four; and 
 Nejichthon of Salamis, that with five Oars on a fide, 
 which the Romans made in the firft Punick battel, 
 Zinagoras a Syracufan devifed that with fix rows of 
 Oars. Hippius a Tyrian conceived the making of the 
 Lighter, or Merchants fiiip. The Cirenians invent- 
 ed the Hoy or Gallion. Phoenicians the Keel of 
 Demy Bark. The Rhodians the Brigantine. Cy- 
 prians the Bark. Germans the boats of one piece. 
 Illyrians the Cock-boat or Lighters. Rudders 
 were found by the Copians, and the broad Oars the 
 Plateans devifed. Sails Icarus ^o\xn^, albeit, Diodo- 
 rus faith it was Molus. Badalus found the Maft, 
 and the crofi!e piece whereunto the Sail is faftned. 
 Ferry Boats the Athenians or the Salaminians found : 
 
ii8 POLIDORE VIRGIL. Lib. 3. 
 
 clofe Galleys were found by the Thafians, The 
 Tyrrhenes devifed the Anchors, and Eupalamas 
 made it with points of Teeth; but fome refer it to 
 Anacharfis^ who also invented the Graplesor Tackle 
 of a fhip. The ftem of the fhip Pifeus imagined. 
 Tiphis found the ftern after the example of the 
 Kite, which in her flying turneth all her body with 
 the turning of her tail. 
 
 Minos made the firfl: battel on the Sea. Mer- 
 chandife was firft inftituted to furnifh men with 
 neceflaries, by way of exchange: but after, when 
 Money was coined, it was occupied more for mens 
 private wealth, then for any common profit, and 
 for that caufe, Cicero calleth it a vile and fervile 
 craft. Albeit, Plutarch witnefl^eth that Thales, Solon, 
 Hippocrates, and Plato frequented this Art. The 
 Carthaginians found it, as Pliny writeth in the 7th 
 book, but Diodorus faith it was Mercury that found 
 it. And Pliny in his tenth Book, faith that lAber 
 otherwife called Dionyfius, invented the Trade of 
 Merchandife, and therefore it is to be thought that 
 the Carthaginians learned the Trade of Merchan- 
 dife of Dionyftus. But the Hebrews, (as Jofephus 
 witnefTeth) ufed buying and felling in the time of 
 Noah : and Jo/eph was fold to Merchants, and car- 
 ried into Egypt:. The Lydians were firft Mercers, 
 and carriers abroad of ftuff, as Fadors, Pedlers, 
 and Brokers do with us. 
 
CHAP. XII. 
 
 WHO INSTITUTED STEWS, DYING OF HAIR, BARBERS, 
 WITH OTHER THINGS. 
 
 V 
 
 ENUS, which was begotten of the froth of 
 the Sea, (as Poets feign) was a common Harlot, 
 and brothel of her body, and had many Children by 
 fundry men; as by Mars, fhe had Harmonia; by 
 Mercury, Hermaphroditus ; by Jupiter, Cupido: by 
 Anchijes, Aineas. And becaufe fhe alone would not 
 feem to be a whore, fhe ordained in Cyprus, that 
 women fhould proftitute themfelves for money to 
 all that came. And Juftine telleth, that the man- 
 ner of the Maids of Cyprus, was to get their mar- 
 riage dower, by fuch filthy baudry. And to help 
 further the matter, one Melampus brought out of 
 Egypt into Greece, the rites of Bacchus :> facrifices, 
 wherein men ufe to company diflblutely with 
 women in the night, in fuch wife, that it is a fhame 
 for Chriftian men to fpeak of: much like our 
 Shews or Dances, called Masks, in England, and 
 Bone-fires, as they be ufed in fome parts of the 
 Realm. But Spu. Pojlhumius, Albinus, and ^ 
 Martius, aboliihed thofe Feafts; I would all Masks 
 
120 POLIDORE VIRGIL. Lib. 2. 
 
 and Bone-fires were likewife banifhed from among 
 us Chriftians. Yet common Women were long be- 
 fore Venus' s time. For it appears in Genefts^ that 
 Judah, fon to Jacob, medled with Thamar his 
 daughter in law, becaufe he fuppofed fhe had been 
 a whore by reafon of her apparrel. But to let that 
 pafs, yet it is pity to fee among Chriftian men, 
 Stews and baudry maintained, as though it were for 
 a common-weal: and honourable Matrimony fo 
 negledled and polluted without any fear of God. 
 This is a dodrine of the Devil, if there be any. 
 In Mofes laws, an advoutrer was ftoned to death ; 
 and in Greece, in Rome, and in Arabia, and divers 
 other Countries, he was punifbed by death ; yet 
 among Chriftians it reigneth unpunished: God 
 will ftrike once for all, therefore let the Minifters 
 of the Law provide a godly remedy. I would 
 wifti that women would follow the Pagan Lucretia, 
 or Hebrew Sufanna; and men, Jofeph. 
 
 Medea found the dying and colouring of hair; 
 and our women of England have not forgotten it, 
 with other enormities, wherein fome of the Phy- 
 fitians be greatly too blame, that teach fuch things 
 to that frail creature. They be aftiamed of Gods 
 Creation and handy-work in themfelves, or elfe 
 they would not amend it. 
 
 Barbers, to ftiave and round, were inftituted by 
 the Abantes, becaufe their enemies in war fhould 
 have no occafion to pluck them by the hair. P. 
 Ticinius Mena brought them into Rome the 354th 
 year after the building of the City: before, they 
 were unftiaven. Afrkanus was wont to be shaven 
 
Lib. 3. 
 
 POLIDORE VIRGIL. 
 
 21 
 
 every day. There be many other things, whofe 
 Authors for Antiquity cannot be known; and 
 fome, becaufe of the negligence of men, that will 
 not write fuch things. No man can tell who 
 began Clocks, Bells, the Ship=-man's Compafs, 
 Gowns, Stirrops, Caps or Bonnets, for that is but 
 newly invented: becaufe in old time, men went 
 bare-headed. Water-Mills, Organs, and Claricym- 
 bals, Tallow-Candles, reclaiming of Hawks, Rings, 
 with many others, which for the antienty, or over- 
 fight of men, be in extream oblivion. 
 
 Atheneus in his fourth book, faith. That Ctefibius, 
 a Barber of Alexandria, found out the Organs, 
 and bringeth the teftimony of Aristotle. 
 
 THE END OF THE THIRD BOOK. 
 
 16 
 
Polidore Virgil 
 
 The Fourth BOOK, 
 
 CHAP. I. 
 
 THE BEGINNING AND ENCREASE OF CHRISTIAN 
 RELIGION. 
 
 T 
 
 HE Chriftian Religion, wherein onely refteth 
 the whole hope of our falvation, began of the 
 Hebrews, who were fo named of Heber^ and lived 
 very devoutly, before there was any law written ; 
 onely by a natural inclination, excited to perform 
 juftice and truth. 
 
 The firft that called on the name of God, was 
 Enos, then Enochs and Noe^ after them Abraham^ 
 IJaac^ and Jacob^ who because he had feen God, 
 was named Ifrael, and of him the Hebrews were 
 furnamed IJraelites. Of the ifTue and Lineage of 
 
Lib 4. POLIDORE VIRGIL. 123 
 
 his twelve Sons, there came twelve Tribes or Gen- 
 erations of Jews, every Tribe bearing the name of 
 one of them : Job alfo was a perfed godly man, 
 and Jofeph was a mirrour of chaftity. To thefe 
 men the Will, Promifes and Revelations of God 
 were fhewed firft. Notwithftanding they did not 
 long perfevere in that perfed innocency of living, 
 but partly for their corruptible nature, prone to 
 vice, and partly by reafon of the acquaintance that 
 they had with the Egyptians, a kind of people very 
 superftitious, and much given to Idolatry, they fell 
 from their purity into fuch extream blindnelTe of 
 heart, ignorance of God, and idolatry, that they 
 differed in nothing from the Gentiles and Heathen. 
 But God as he is mercifull and long fuffering, 205 
 years after that Ifrael came into Egypt, and 430 
 years after Abraham going thither, delivered them 
 out of their thraldome and bondage that they were 
 in, by the valiant Captain Mofes ; and brought 
 them through the red Sea, and Wilderneffe, into 
 the land of promife, the fruitful! land of Canaan ; 
 yet they unkindly forgat all thofe benefits, and re- 
 turned to their old wretchednefTe, and" finfull 
 abominations. Laft of all, God confidering that 
 neither law of nature, nor Law written, nor his 
 great benefits, nor preaching of his fundry Pro- 
 phets, (whom they most cruelly murthered) could 
 turn them from their ftif-necked and ftubborn ob- 
 flinacy : To fhew all kindnefTe pofiible, fent his 
 onely begotten Son, equal to him in effential pow- 
 er, to be incarnate of a pure maid, that at the laft, 
 they might by this example and Preaching, have 
 
124 POLIDORE VIRGIL. Lib. 4.- 
 
 an obedient heart towards their Creatour, which 
 was born (the year of the World 4997, and the 
 41 year of the reign of Auguftus Cajar) of the 
 Virgin Mary, to be our Saviour, and interceflbr 
 for us before the Judgement Seat of the Father, 
 as his name Jefus doth portend unto us. 
 
 He, by his example, teaching, and miracles, 
 fhewed the path of falvation ; but they envioufly 
 did perfecute him to the vile death of the Crofle: 
 neverthelefle, by his divine power he arofe the third 
 day, in the i8th year of Tiberius the Emperour his 
 reign, and after 40 dayes he afcended to the right 
 hand of God, leaving power and Authority with 
 his Apoftles, to eftablifh the Common-wealth and 
 Religion of Chriftians; and the loth day after his 
 Afcention, he fent the Holy Ghoft into their 
 hearts, to ftrengthen and teach them all truth. 
 This was 33 years and 3 moneths after his In- 
 carnation. Thus our Religion had its original, 
 and the Apoftles by their preaching, amplified and 
 enlarged it very much. For Peter firft preaching 
 to the Jews in Jerufalem of the cruel murther that 
 they had committed againft Chrift Jefus, conver- 
 ted and baptifed in one day 3000 men and Wo- 
 men. And by the miracle of healing the lame man 
 at the beautiful gate of the Temple, he ftayed and 
 confirmed them ftrongly in the Faith, albeit he 
 fuffered perfecution greatly for the fame : And 
 Stephen for his faithfuU teftimony, was ftoned to 
 death. Philip converted and baptifed the Samari- 
 taneSy and a certain Eunuch of Candaces, Queen of 
 Ethiopia; the Eunuch turned the Queen with her 
 
Lib. 4. POLIDORE VIRGIL. 125 
 
 family, and a great part of that Countrey to the 
 faith of Chrift. After in Antioch, the faithfull 
 named themfelves Chriftians. 
 
 Thomas preached to the Parthians, Matthew in 
 Ethiopia J Bartholomew in India, Andrew in Scythia, 
 John in Afta, Peter in Galatia, Pont us, Cappadocia, 
 Peter was born in Bethfaida, a City of Galilee and 
 brother to Andrew. He was Bifhop of Antioch 
 feven years, and converted many people of Afia: 
 and after went to Rome, in the time of Claudius, 
 and there preached the Gofpel with great increafe. 
 At the fame time Mary the Virgin, and Mother 
 of our Saviour Jefus Chrift, did change her life, 
 which was the year of our falvation 47. Not long 
 after, Paul being converted from his phantafticall 
 Traditions, to a Preacher of Chrifl's Gofpel, was 
 brought to Rome where he preached boldly the 
 Gofpel, notwithftanding the great perfecutlons that 
 he fuifered for it, and afterward fuffered death by 
 the way of beheading, at the commandment of 
 Nero, the fame day that Peter was crucified on a 
 CrofTe. Thus daily the Congregation of Chriftians 
 encreafed more and more, as the Acts of the 
 Apoftles, and other Hiftories do declare it fully. 
 Albeit there was great trouble and perfecution in 
 every place, yet God by his power, contrary to 
 their expedation, turned their cruelty to the 
 furtherance of his Word, confirmation of the 
 faithfull, and confufion of them that ufed tyranny. 
 
CHAP. II. 
 
 THE INSTITUTION OF CIRCUMCISION AND 
 BAPTISM. 
 
 G 
 
 OD, which had made promife to Abraham^ 
 that he fhould be father of many Nations, and 
 that all the world fhould be blefTed in his feed (that is 
 Chrift) willing to ftay his faith in the fame promise, 
 appointed the Covenant of Circumcifion between 
 him and Abraham^ faying, Every male /hall be cir- 
 cumcifed, and the fle/h of his fore-skin /hall be cut 
 round about, for afi^n of the League and Confederacy 
 that I make with thee. Upon this Commande- 
 ment, Abraham then being <^(^ years of age, did 
 cut his foreskin ; and his fon IfmaeV s,\i€\r\g then 
 12 years old, whom he begat of Hagar his bond- 
 maid ; and all his fervants : For this caufe (as 
 Cyprian faith) that he might have the firft fruits of 
 the blood, which fhould afterward fhed his holy blood 
 for the redemption of many ; yea of all that be- 
 lieve in him. The fafhion of it was, to cut the 
 fore-skin of a man's yard with a knife of ftone, as 
 God commanded Jo/hua^ that he fhould make 
 knives of flone, to circumcife all the Ifraelites 
 the fecond time ; and Mofes did circumcife his 
 
Lib. 4. POLIDORE VIRGIL. 127 
 
 children 'with a fharp ftone. Chryjqftome called 
 Circumcifion the firft and moft ancient Com- 
 mandement ; for there is no Nation, that gave 
 any precepts or rules to live by, before Abraham 
 or Mofes ; and therefore it is to be fuppofed, that 
 other Countries took example at the Hebrews, to 
 circumcife their Children, as the Phoenicians^ and 
 Arabians^ the Saracens^ the Ethiopians^ the Egyp- 
 tians^ and the Colchians. 
 
 This Circumcilion of the flesh, was a figure to 
 us of the circumcifion of the heart, and cafting 
 away of all fuperfluous lufts, carnal defires, and 
 importeth a moderation and mortifying of the 
 affects and concupifcences of the old Adam, I 
 mean the finful body : he that had not this fign, 
 was baniilied out of the number of the people of 
 God, and had no part in the promifes made to 
 Abraham. 
 
 Baptifm, wherein is left to us a fignification 
 both of the mortification of the flefh, and dying 
 to the World, that we may walk in a new life, and 
 alfo of the wafhing away of our sins by Chrift's 
 blood, and is the token that we be of the body of 
 the Congregation of the faithful, was inftituted by 
 Saint John, fon of Zachary, the 15th year of the 
 Emperour Tiberius his reign, in the Wildernefs, 
 befide the famous River of Jordan, where he bap- 
 tized much people. This baptifm and wafhing, 
 was in the water, to fignifie the wafhing away of 
 our fins that fhould- be by Chrift, which baptized 
 in the Holy Ghoft and fire. There were figns of 
 Baptifm in the old Law, as the Cloud, the Red- 
 
128 POLIDORE VIRGIL. Lib. 4. 
 
 Sea, the River of Jordan. The firft that was 
 chriftened of the Heathen, was Cornelius of Caefa- 
 ria, and the Eunuch of Queen Candaces, 
 
 Chriftening of Infants was inftltuted among us, 
 as Circumcifion of children was of the Jews cele- 
 brated the eighth day. Iginius Bifhop of Rome 
 ordained firft that children, which fhould be Chrif- 
 tened, fhould have a godfather, and a godmother, 
 for to be witnefTe of the Sacrament that it was re- 
 ceived. And ViBor Bishop there, did inftitute, 
 the one might be chriftened either by a layman or 
 woman in time of neceiTity, because Infants were 
 often in danger. There be three manner of Bap- 
 tifms, (as Cyprian divideth it.) One in water, 
 whereof John was author ; another in the Holy 
 Ghoft and fire, whereof Chrift was Inftitutor; the 
 third, m blood, wherein the children that Herod 
 flew, were chriftened. It was alfo the manner in 
 old time, that they which were grown in age 
 fliould be baptized in white apparrel, and that 
 was wont to be at Eafter or Whit-funday ; onely 
 neceflity conftrained otherwife. In the meantime, 
 till thofe dayes came, they were taught the myfter- 
 ies of the Religion of Chrift, which they fliould 
 profefl!e. Of that cuftome I fuppofe the yth Sun- 
 day after Eafter, is called, the White-Sunday. 
 
CHAP. III. 
 
 OF THE PRIESTHOOD OF THE HEBREWS, AND 
 DEGREES OF THE SAME. 
 
 L 
 
 IKE as in the Chrifthood Commonwealth 
 there be two forts of men, one called the Laytie, 
 to whom appertaineth the miniftration of the 
 publike weal, and all temporal affairs: the other is 
 the Clergy, to whom belongeth the cure and charge 
 of miniflring the Word of God, Sacraments, and 
 other decent ceremonies: fo in the old Law of the 
 Hebrews, there were two jurifdidlions, one of them 
 was Captains and Governours of the Commons: 
 the other was the Priefthood, that did oifer up the 
 facrifices, and other oblations. Of this degree of 
 Priefts, Aaron and his fons were the firfl, ordained 
 and confecrated by Mqfes at the Commandement 
 of God. 
 
 The manner and fafhion of hallowing: of them 
 and their Veftures, is declared at large in the book 
 of Exodus, As for Noahy which made the firfl 
 Altar, Melchifedechy Abraham, Ifaac, and Jacob^ did 
 make their offering rather of a natural devotion, 
 than any Prieflly authority. 
 
 ^7 
 
I30 POLIDORE VIRGIL. Lib. 4. 
 
 After that, the Levites, whom we ufe to call 
 Deacons, were created by Mqfes to minifter and 
 ferve Aaron in all the Sacrifices, to bear the Ark 
 and Tabernacle, the holy VefTels, and pitch the 
 Camp, and were difcharged of all terrene affairs. 
 
 Next them were chofen the Minifters, which did 
 make ready the facrifice, as Calves, Oxen, Sheep, 
 with fuch other things, at the commandement of 
 the Levites, thefe we may call Sub-Deacons. 
 Certain other were elected to light the Tapers and 
 Lamps, named Accolites. 
 
 The Sextons or Porters were appointed to keep 
 out all prophane and unclean people. And Read- 
 ers to preach and read the Law and Prophets on 
 their Sabbath dayes. 
 
 There were moreover Chaunters and Singers to 
 fing the Pfalms in the Temple, whom David and 
 AJaph did inftitute. 
 
 Conjurers were ordained by Solomon to drive evil 
 fpirits out of men. 
 
 All thefe Offices went by Succeffion, neither was 
 one promoted from one to another. Thus was 
 the Levitical Priefthood appointed, which was but 
 a fign and fhadow of things to come, that is Chrift, 
 in whom refteth the perfection and compleat ful- 
 filling of the Law. 
 
CHAP. IV. 
 
 OF OUR PRIESTHOOD, HOW IT IS DOUBLE: WHAT 
 LAYING ON OF HANDS MEANETH. 
 
 C 
 
 HRIST JESUS our Saviour, which was 
 King and Prieft after the order of Melchifedech, in 
 the New Teftament hath inftituted among us a 
 Priefthood to offer and do the fundions of the 
 new Law: and it is of two kinds or forts. 
 
 The one is a fpiritual Priefthood to offer 
 fpiritual facrifices. In this kind Chrift offered and 
 gave up himfelf a confummate oblation for the fins 
 of the whole world, as Peter faith, Chrift died once 
 for our fins, he being righteous, for us unrighteous, 
 that he might give us up to God; mortified as 
 touching the flefh by living in the fpirit. 
 
 Of this Priefthood be all Chriflian men, which 
 after the example of Chrift mufl offer our prayers, 
 thankfgiving, and our bodies mortified: we be all 
 of the degree of this Kingly Prieflhood as Peter 
 and alfo John in the Apocalyps do bear witneffe. 
 
 The fecond Prieflhood is a Miniflery that Chrifl 
 did ordain following the order of the Law, that we 
 might have our teachers to inflrud us in the 
 
13* POLIDORE VIRGIL. Lib. 4. 
 
 Gofpel, as the Jews had their Schoolmafters in the 
 Law. 
 
 He did eledl twelve Bifhops, whom he called by 
 a new name Apoftles, becaufe they were appointed 
 to be EmbaiTadours into all parts of the World, 
 with the mighty word of his power to carry the 
 glad Tydings of his Gofpel. 
 
 He affigned alfo 70 Difciples, to whom he gave 
 the charge and office of Preaching and teaching, 
 which in ftead of Aarons Sons, fhould be among us 
 inferiour Priefts, and Seniours of Congregations: 
 and thefe began the order of our Priefts, as our 
 Bifhops had their original of the Apoftles. 
 
 As the Apoftles and 70 Difciples, which were 
 Minifters and difpofcrs of the Myfteries of God, 
 had no other manner of confecrating, but onely 
 the vocation and eledion of Chrift into the Office, 
 and fo was Matthias chofen in the A^s^ into the 
 room of Judas: So were the feven Deacons chofen 
 to Minifter to the poor people of the Congrega- 
 tion. And Titus did choofe in every Town and 
 City of Creet^ Priefts by the laying on of hands, 
 which was a manner of admiffion without any 
 further Ceremonies, whereby Authority was given 
 them over the Congregation, and boldneffe to 
 execute earneftly his office with the affiftance of the 
 Holy Ghoft. 
 
 And therefore in the beginning of the Church, 
 when a Bifhop was confecrated, there was ufed no 
 other Rites or Ceremonies, but onely the people 
 to whom the Eledion of the Bifhop belonged, 
 ihould pray ; and after the Seniours or Priefts by 
 
Lib. 4- POLIDORE VIRGIL. 133 
 
 laying on their hands, admitted him to that degree. 
 Of thefe Peter was called chief, and firft, becaufe 
 both of his ancientry, and alfo forafmuch as he 
 was the firft Eleded. 
 
 A Bifhops room is not fo much in honour, as 
 it is in heavy burden, not fo much a laud, as a 
 load. For his duty is not onely to wear a Mitre 
 and Crofier, but alfo to watch over the flock of the 
 Lord vigilantly, to teach with the Word diligently, 
 with example honeflily, and in all things to go be- 
 fore them uprightly, and lead them in the way of 
 Truth, that they may follow the pattern of his 
 godly living, and there as it were in a Mirrour, be- 
 hold how they ought to reform and conform their 
 lives. And this office of the Bifhoprick and 
 Deacons was infliituted by the Scripture onely ; 
 for Priefts in the Primitive Church and Bifliops 
 were all one. 
 
 But the Bifliops of Rome following the fliadows 
 of the old abrogate law of the Hebrews, have 
 ordained a fwarm of divers other orders, as Por- 
 ters or Sextons, Readers, Exorcifts, Accolites, 
 Sub-deacons, Deacons, Priefts, Bifliops, Arch- 
 bifhops, as a certain degree one above another, 
 whereby they should afcend to the highefl: dignity. 
 Caius Bifliop of Rome did begin the Orders firfl: ; 
 yet fome fay, Iginius did ordain thofe degrees long 
 before Caius his time. And I grant well that 
 Iginius might be the firfl devifer of them, and after- 
 ward Caius accompliflied the work, and brought it 
 to a finall confummation. 
 
 The office of a Prieft (as Chrift ordained it) 
 
134 POLIDORE VIRGIL. Lib. 4. 
 
 was to teach, Baptize, and Minifter the Sacrament 
 of the Altar, and thankfgiving, bind and loofe, and 
 judge of Dodrines. 
 
 Therefore let them take heed that admit fuch 
 to be Priefts, as cannot perform the duty of that 
 miniftery. For many fuppose if they can mum- 
 ble up a pair of Matins, and fay MafTe, they be 
 perfed Priefts. 
 
 CHAP V. 
 
 THE MANNER OF SHAVING PRIESTS CROWNS, WHO 
 
 MAY NOT BE PRIEST, WHAT AGE 
 
 HE MUST BE OF. 
 
 T 
 
 HE common and general badge of all 
 Priefts is the fhaven Crown, whereby the Clergy 
 is diflevered from the Laity, and be put in remem- 
 brance by it, how they ought altogether to relin- 
 quifh and defpife all carnal pleafure, and worldly 
 treafure, and enfue after heavenly things, which be 
 eternal. This as Beda writeth, grew into a cuf- 
 tome, and was decreed by a conftitution, to the 
 intent that the thing which was before opprobrious, 
 might grow to honour and comelinefTe. For 
 Peter when he preached at Antioch, was fcorned 
 and mocked becaufe of his bald head, or fhaven 
 crown, and it was a contumelious thing, both 
 
Lib. 4. POLIDORE VIRGIL. 13$ 
 
 among the Romans and Lombards to be fhaven. I 
 think the original caufe of it did proceed of the 
 Ceremonies of the Nazarens, which when they had 
 lived long time (as Jofephus telleth) very devoutly, 
 they fhaved their heads, and facrificed the hair in 
 the fire to God, whereby they fignified that they 
 did dedicate themfelves wholly to live in Godly 
 perfedion. Samuel was a Nazaren^ and Sampjon 
 alfo. I fuppofe that this Rite of the Nazarens 
 came out o{ Mgypt^ where the Priefts were cuftom- 
 ably fhaven, in token of forrow and heavinefle, for 
 the death of their God Apis. And they were alfo 
 fhaven daily, becaufe they fhould be without filth, 
 in their quotidian Sacrifice. 
 
 The fignification of the Priefl:s crouns, is to de- 
 clare, that they ought to reject terrene and Earthly 
 fubftance, referving to themfelves onely a compe- 
 tent fufficiency. Anacletus firft forbad Priefts to 
 have beards, or long hair. 
 
 Siricus decreed, that all thofe men that were 
 twife married, or wedded a Widow, fhould be no 
 Priefts. 
 
 Anaftafius commanded, that none that was lame 
 or maimed, fhould be admitted to be a Prieft. 
 
 Bonifacius inftituted, that no man could be a 
 Prieft, before he were 30 years old ; for that was 
 the age of Priefts in the old Law. But the Coun- 
 cil of Later ane thought it fufficient, if he were 25 
 years old, after the example of the Levites, which 
 at that age miniftered in the Tabernacle. 
 
 Anacletus alfo appointed, that every Biftiop 
 fhould be inftalled and confecrated of other ancient 
 Biftiops. 
 
CHAP. VI. 
 
 WHO DEVISED PARISHES, AND DIOCESSES, THE 
 ORDER OF CARDINALS, NOTARIES, AND 
 CHAMBERLAINS. 
 
 A 
 
 FTER that the Prieflhoodwas ordained, both 
 left the cure fhould be over-great, and alfo that 
 every man might know what his charge was, and 
 how far his Office extended ; Dionyftus^ the year of 
 our Lord 267, divided, both in Rome and other 
 places. Churches, Church-yards, and Parifhes, to 
 Curates ; and DiocefTes to Bifhops, and commanded 
 every man fhould be contented, with his prefcript 
 bounds. But before that, Euarijtus appointed 
 titles of Cures to the Priefts in Rome, whofe duty 
 was to chriften all that were converted from Pagan- 
 ifm to Chriftian Religion, and reforted thither to 
 receive the faith, and to bury the dead. And after- 
 ward Marcellus decreed, that there fhould be 25 in 
 number. 
 
 Thefe, becaufe they were the chief Priefts in 
 Rome, and had the prerogative before the reft, were 
 named Cardinals ; and of them without doubt, the 
 order of Cardinals sprung firft, which for as much 
 
Lib. 4. POLIDORE VIRGIL. 137 
 
 as they were in daily prefence with the Biiliop of 
 Rome, that then had the primacy of Chriftendome, 
 were had in great reputation and reverence. And 
 Innocentius the fourth of that name, (which was 
 about the year of our Lord, 1254,) willing to aug- 
 ment and advance their dignity, commanded by 
 Decree, that from thenceforth they fhould ride 
 when they came to the Bilhop's Palace, and wear 
 a red hat, whereby was meant, that they ought to 
 be in readinefle, to adventure themfelves for the 
 love of Religion, and fpend their blood in Chrift's 
 Caufe : and PauluSy Bifhop, ordained, that they 
 fhould have Scarlet Robes or Kittells. This order 
 ftandeth of three forts, for fome be Bifhhops, and 
 be in number fix. The Cardinals o{ Hqftia, Sabine, 
 Portua, Tufculane, Preneftine, and Albane. The 
 other were either Priefts, or Deacons, albeit in no 
 certain or fpecial number. But there is another. 
 Order in Rome of Notaries, which were appointed 
 by Julius the firft of that name, to write the Ads 
 of all godly Martyrs and ConfefTors, and regifter 
 them for a perpetual example, of constant and ver- 
 tuous living. Albeit, I think it rather to be the 
 invention and device of Clement, which ordained 
 feven Notaries, to inroUthe notable deeds of Mar- 
 tyrs. And Antherius after, did more firmly ratifie 
 it. Alfo Leo the firil, a godly and well difposed 
 man, feeing the people repair thither from all parts 
 of the world for pardon, appointed certain Officers 
 of the Priefls, whom he named Chamberlains, to 
 keep the Tombs and Sepulchres of the Apoftles 
 and Martyrs, that they perceiving the holy rever- 
 18 
 
138 POLIDORE VIRGIL. Lib. 4. 
 
 ence about the Apoftles graves, might be more en- 
 flamed with devotion. But all fuch Offices be now 
 perverted, and turned from that godly purpofe, to 
 a vain worldly oftentation and pomp, and be ready 
 Merchandife in Rome ; the promotions be fo great. 
 
 CHAP. VII. 
 
 THE PREROGATIVES OF THE BISHOP OF ROME, AND 
 HIS ELECTION. 
 
 O 
 
 NE fpecial Prerogative and Priviledg of the 
 Bifhop of Rome, is, that he may change his name, 
 if it feem to him not very pleafant to his ears. 
 As to fpeak merrily if he be a malefadour, he may 
 call his name Bonifacius : if he be a coward, he may 
 be called Leo: for a Carter, Urbanus: and for a 
 cruel man, Clemens: if nocent, Innocentius : if 
 ungodly, Pius. This was the ordinance of Sergius\ 
 and they fay, they do it after the example of Chrift, 
 which changed Simoyi Barjona\\\s name into Peter: 
 and of this it came to pafle, that every Bifhop 
 when he was eleded, chofe the name of one of 
 his predecefTours. 
 
 The Bifhop of Rome is alfo born on mens 
 fhoulders: which cuftome came of the eledion of 
 Stephanus the fecond, whom the people for his 
 great vertue and godlineffe, with much joy of the 
 eledion, bare on their fhoulders. The manner of 
 the pomp of bearing was admitted, but the imitat- 
 ing and following of his vertue and fincere living. 
 
Lib. 4. POLIDORE VIRGIL. 139 
 
 was omitted. Albeit, it might fpring of a gentile 
 cuftome that was among the Romans, that every 
 rich man or high Potentate, .fhould be born of his 
 fervants in a bed. 
 
 The authority to choofe the Bifhop of Rome, 
 belonged firft to the Emperour of Conjiantinop/e, and 
 the Deputy of Italy, till the time of the Emperour 
 Conftantine, which licenced the Cardinals and the 
 people of Rome, to eledhim. This was about the 
 year of Chrift 685. A few years after, Gregory the 
 third, with other his SuccelTours, when they were 
 vexed by the Lombards, feeing they could not have 
 ready help of the Emperour of Confiantinople, requi- 
 red ayd of Charles Martelle, Pippin, and Charles 
 the Great, King of France. For which benefits, 
 Leo the third made and denounced Charlemain, 
 Emperour, and gave him authority to ratifie and 
 confirm the eledion of the Bifhop of Rome : but 
 Nicholas the fecond, reftrained the eledion onely 
 to the Cardinals; which cuftome remaineth at this 
 day. 
 
 The great pofleffions that the Bifhops of Rome 
 have, contrary to the example of Chrift (whofe 
 Vicars they name themfelves), and Peter s poverty, 
 their predecefTor, were given them by Charls and 
 Lewis, Emperours. And yet notwithftanding all 
 that large benignity and kindneffe fhewed to him 
 and his Aunceftors, John the 12th made Otho, King 
 of Germany, Emperour; and afterward Gregory the 
 third, a German born, for to gratifie the Emperour 
 his Countryman, Decreed, that the Bifhops of 
 Mogunce, Treverence, and Collen, the Marquefs 
 
HO POLIDORE VIRGIL. Lib. 4. 
 
 of Brandenhurgh^ the County Palatine^ Duke of 
 Saxony, and King of Bohemia, fhould have full power 
 to choofe the Emperour, about the year of our 
 Lord, 1,002. 
 
 Thus the Bifhops of Rome have been Inhanced 
 in worldly power, that they think themfelves equal 
 with Princes, Kings, and Emperours. But, as it was 
 falfly Ufurped, fo fhall it by the Word of God, be 
 rooted out and extirpated, as an unprofitable Tree. 
 
 CHAP. VIII. 
 
 THE DIVIDING OF PRIESTS INTO SUNDRY DEGREES ; 
 
 A MANNER OF SWEARING, AND 
 
 EXCOMMUNICATION. 
 
 G 
 
 REGORY, firnamed the Great, where be- 
 foretime, Priefts and chief Priefts were onely ufed 
 in the Congregation, firft divided them into Patri- 
 archs and Archbifhops. Patriarchs at the firft were 
 of Rome, Antioch, Alexandria, Jerujalem, and Con- 
 ftantinople ; Archbifhops had their title to be called 
 Metropolitans, becaufe their See was in the Mo- 
 ther-City of the Province. Clement the firft or- 
 dained, that all Patriarchs and Archbifhops fhould 
 wear a Pall, which doth fignifie Meeknefs and Juf- 
 tice, wherewith they fhould efpecially be garnifhed. 
 Then alfo the inferiour Orders began to be divided, 
 
Lib. 4- POLIDORE VIRGIL. 141 
 
 as that the Arch-Deacon fhould be above a Dea- 
 con, and Arch-Prieft above the Prieft, and over 
 them the Deans ; and then were ordained Canons, 
 that fing in Cathedral Churches." Antherius per- 
 mitted, that a Bifhop might change his Bifhoprick 
 for another, upon an honeft cause, if he were 
 thought fufficient to difcharge a greater, for his 
 learning and godlinefle. Caius firft made a Statute, 
 that a Prieft might not be Convented before a 
 Temporal Judge : but left any man fhould be cir- 
 cumvented by fraud or guile, Eutichianus inftituted, 
 That the accufation fhould be put in writing be- 
 fore the Judge. Likewife Cornelius decreed, that a 
 man fhould not take or require an oath of a Prieft, 
 but onely in matters concerning Religion and 
 Faith. 
 
 The manner of Swearing, was in old time of this 
 fort: He that fhould fwear, took a Stone in his 
 hand, and faid ; If I deceive you that I know, 
 Jupiter banifh me out of all good mens company, 
 preferving the reft of the City, as I caft away this 
 ftone from me. And (as Pliny doth write) it was 
 not lawfuU for any man to bear an Office five dayes, 
 unlefs he were fworn. In like manner our Bifhops, 
 Kings, Priefts, or other Officers fwear, before they 
 be admitted to the Office. 
 
 Justinianus, Emperour, appointed firft that men 
 ihould fwear by the Gospel : and now adayes, all 
 that fwear, lay their hand on the book and kiffe 
 it, faying. So help me God, and the holy Gofpel : 
 becaufe as the Gofpel of our Religion and Faith, 
 may for no caufe be violated ; fo an Oath in no 
 cafe may be broken. 
 
142 POLIDORE VIRGIL. Lib. 4. 
 
 The fafhion of excommunicating men that be 
 obftinate and difobedient to the Officers, or com- 
 mon tranfgreflbrs, came (as fome think) out of the 
 Rites of the Jews, which banifhed out of their 
 Synagogue, all thofe that ran in obftinacy againft 
 their Traditions. 
 
 And fome fuppofe it fprung of the Religious 
 folk in France, named Bruides, which (as C^far 
 recordeth) if either a private man or officer, were 
 not conformably ordered after their Ceremonies, 
 excluded him out of their company. 
 
 CHAP. IX. 
 
 CONSECRATING NUNS, TAKING OFF OUR CAPS, 
 
 KISSING THE POPES FEET, AND WASHING 
 
 OF FEET. 
 
 T 
 
 X HE cuftome to confecrate Virgins, making a 
 vow of chaftity, was found by Pius the firft, which 
 instituted alfo that none fhould be made, before 
 fhe were 25 years old ; and that they might be 
 confecrated at no time, but in the Epiphany or 
 Twelf-day, Eafter Eaven, and on the Feafts of the 
 Apoftles, unlefs it were when any profelTed, were 
 in point to dye. And Sotherus caufed that a 
 Decree was made that no fuch ProfefTed, fhould 
 touch Cope^ or put Incenfe into the Cenfors the 
 
Lib. 4. POLIDORE VIRGIL. 14^ 
 
 year of our Lord God 175. It feemeth to have 
 begun of the Apoftles, which is proved by Pauls 
 words, where he faith, let no Widow be chofen, 
 before fhe be threefcorc years of age, with divers 
 like fayings. 
 
 Lynus Bifhop of Rome, commanded that no 
 woman fhould enter into the Congregation or 
 Temple, with her head bare, which appeareth to 
 have been taken of the Hebrews: for the Bifhop 
 in the old Law might not uncover his head, and in 
 Arabia and Carthage, it was taken for an unhoneft 
 and unreverent thing, if a Woman fhould uncov- 
 er her head, and go bare. The taking off of our 
 caps to our Superiours, fignifieth that we fhould 
 difclofe, and fhew them all fuch things, as we have 
 in our cuftody. 
 
 The Rite diabolick, of Kifling the Bifhop ot 
 Romes feet, took its original of the manner of the 
 Romans, which in their Paganifm, ufed to kiff the 
 feet of the people and other nobles, in token of 
 obedience: as Seneca telleth how Caius C^Jar 
 ftretched out his left foot, that Pompeius a Cartha- 
 ginian might kiffe it. 
 
 Pomponius L^tus writeth, that the Emperours 
 ufed to give their hands to be kifled of the Nobles, 
 and then to take them up, to kifle their mouths, 
 and the Commons kiffed their knees: but Caius 
 Caligula, and Dioclefianus, made them to ftoop to 
 their feet. This Pagan example, our Chriftian 
 Bifhop and Gods Vicar, full uncomely, and ungod- 
 ly, doth counterfeit. All other Bifhops ufed to 
 deliver their right hand, to be kifled of fuch as 
 
144 POLIDORE VIRCIL. Lib. 4. 
 
 came to falute them: For the Right hand, as Pliny 
 faith in the nth book, hath in itfelf a certain 
 Religion, and therefore, we make all Covenants 
 and Promifes with it. The manner of faluting 
 with kifTes, is very ancient, for it was the manner 
 of the Hebrews to kifle ftrangers at their firft meet- 
 ing, as Jacob kifled Rachel, before he broke unto 
 her, that he was of kindred: and Laban, after he 
 knew him to be his fifters fon, embraced him with 
 his Arms, and kifled him. And the Romans cuftome 
 was to kifle their kinsfolk, but afterwards it was 
 extended to further familiarity, and is now frequen- 
 ted very lafcivioufly. Albeit, in Rome it was an 
 Ordinance, that Women f hould kifs their kinsfolk, 
 becaufe that if f he had drunk any Wine, contrary 
 to the Law made againft the Women, for drinking 
 of Wine, by fuch means fhe might be efpied. 
 
 Wafhing of feet, on Maunday-Thurfday, that 
 the Priefts ufe among themfelves, and Nobles to 
 inferiour perfons, is a counterfeit of the inftitute 
 of Chrift, who to fhew them a pattern of humil- 
 ity and meeknefs, wafhed the Apoftles feet. The 
 Kings and Queens of England that day, wafh the 
 feet of fo many poor men and women, as they be 
 years old, and give to every of them, fo many 
 pence, with a Gown, and an ordinary Alms of 
 meat, and kifl!e their feet, and afterwards give their 
 gowns on backs to them that they fee moft need 
 of all the number. It is a godly inftitute, I 
 would there were more fuch Ceremonies to help the 
 poor. For they be now neglected, and not re- 
 garded, but lie dead often in the ftreets, for lack of 
 fuftenance. 
 
CHAP. X. 
 
 WITH OTHER RELIGIONS OF THE ROMANES. 
 
 N 
 
 UMA POMPILIUS, the fecond King of 
 Rome, willing to reclaim that fierce Nation from 
 war and Chivalry, to the regard of Juftice, and 
 keeping of Peace, ordained to the High God 
 Jupiter, a facred perfon called Flamen Dialis, that 
 is, Jupiters Prieft. 
 
 And to advance the order, he fet him in a Cha- 
 riot of Ivory, and a coftly robe : but fo foon as his 
 Wife was deceafed, he was difcharged, and gave 
 over his Office. 
 
 He never road out, nor might not lye one night 
 out of the City, left any facrifices fhould be neg- 
 lected by fuch abfence. 
 
 Swearing was clean forbidden him, becaufe an 
 Oath is a manner of punifhment to any free-born 
 man, and namely to a Prieft, which hath charge of 
 all divine obfervances : For his word fhould have 
 the weight of an Oath. 
 
 I could wilh that our Bifhops would mark and 
 follow both thofe properties of thefe Heathen Re- 
 19 
 
146 POLIDORE VIRGIL. Lib. 4. 
 
 ligions, for then the ftate of our Religion fhould 
 be better cafe then it is, and others would not en- 
 force fo lightly, a Prieft to the neceffity of an oath, 
 which fhould have no other terms, but yea and 
 nay, to confirm or deny their faying. 
 
 Befide this Elamin, that was called Dialis becaufe 
 he was confecrated to Jupiter^ there were by the 
 fame Nurna ordained two other, one to Mars, ano- 
 ther to purine ; albeit Plutarch faith it was Romu- 
 lus that inftituted Priefts to Jupiter and Mars. 
 
 Virgins Veftall, were of his bringing in alfo, and 
 founded in honour of Vejla, daughter to Saturnus. 
 The firft that ever was chofen into that Religion, 
 was called Arnata, and of her all were named like- 
 wife. A maid might not be under lix years of age, 
 nor above ten, if fhe were created of this Religion. 
 Thefe continued in their profeffion thirty years, 
 where of the firft ten they fpent in learning the 
 Rites, the other ten they miniftred, and the last of 
 their years, they taught other Novices, and when 
 her term of years was expired, fhe might marry or 
 tarry in that Religion ftill. They were found at 
 the charges of the common cheft : and if any of 
 them committed any carnal ad with any man, fhe 
 was born in the fight of all the people out of the 
 City, and at the gate named Callina, was buried 
 quick. They rode in a Wagon, and other Magif- 
 trates rode to them, and if they came by in time of 
 execution, the condemned was quite delivered. 
 This Religion began at Alba by the inftitution of 
 Afcanius, and was renued in Rome by King Numa, 
 A high Bifhop was inftituted alfo by him, to have 
 
Lib. 4. POLIDORE VIRGIL. 147 
 
 the chief ftroke in all ceremonies of Sacrificing, and 
 he prefcribed the dayes and places of Sacrifices, and 
 in what form they fhould be done. He ordained 
 alfo to Gradivus Mars, twelve Priefts named Salii ; 
 becaufe they danced in a folemn manner, and went 
 about the city with fongs. They ware an embroid- 
 ered coat, with a Brazen Breaftplate, and a round 
 Tergate. It feemeth that Numa took this Rite 
 from the Hebrews ; for David went before the Ark 
 of the Lord dancing. 
 
 Heraulds of Arms which were called Feciales 
 Sacerdotes, were ordained by him, to provide that no 
 battle were unjuftly taken in hand: they alfo made 
 leagues, eftablifhed Peace, or if it were not duely 
 made, they might break it, and offer oblation for 
 the oflfence of the Captain, and the whole Army. 
 Pater Patratus was an Officer that made all leagues 
 or Bonds, and was created by the Heraulds, as 
 Marcus Valerius firft Herauld, ordained Spurius 
 Fufius firft in the office of Pater Patratus. After 
 the expulfing of Kings, an office called Rex Sacrii- 
 culus was appointed, which ffiould do all fuch cuf- 
 tomable obfervances, as the Kings ffiould do ; Al- 
 beit, it was under the High Prieft or Bifhop, the 
 firft that did bear that office, was Marcus Papirius, 
 
 Epulones had the office of appointing feafts, and 
 folemn Bankers to Jupiter and the other gods, 
 thefe were alfo called Sodales Titii, which were 
 ordained by Romulus after he joyned fellowfhip 
 with Titus Tatius, 
 
 THE END OF THE FOURTH BOOK. 
 
Polidore Virgil. 
 
 The Fifth BOOK, 
 CHAP. I. 
 
 OF THE DECKING OF CHURCHES ON HOLY-DAYES; 
 
 OFFERING OF IMAGES OF WAX, AND TABLES OF 
 
 miracles; SOLEMNIZING FIRST MASSES 
 
 OF PRIESTS. 
 
 T 
 
 HERE be many fuperftitious Cuftoms crept 
 in among Chriftian Congregations, which came 
 of an Ethnick opinion: and becaufe they could not 
 altogether be abolifhed and extirpated, yet they 
 were tranfpofed to a better ufe, and removed from 
 Idolatry, to the garnifhing of Churches and Tem- 
 ples of the faithfull people. As trimming of the 
 Temples with hangings, flowrs, boughes and gar- 
 lands, was taken of the Heathen people, which 
 
Lib. 5. POLIDORE VIRGIL. . 149 
 
 decked their Idols and houfes with fuch array. In 
 like manner it is to be thought, of the rite of 
 hanging up Images of Wax, and Tapers before 
 Saints, or as often as any member is difeafed, to 
 offer the fame in wax, as leggs, arms, feet, Paps, 
 Oxen, Horfe, or fheep, which were hanged up in 
 the Church, before that Saint, by whom (as they 
 believed) they had obtained health, of the faid 
 member or beaft: for this came of an old Heathe- 
 nifh fafhion of facrifices, that the Pagans offered 
 to Saturnus and Pluto, in I fie of Italy, named 
 Cotillia, whereof I fpake before. I think the bear- 
 ing of Candles, that we ufe on the Feafh of the 
 Purification of our Lady, called Candlemas-d^yj 
 came of this Gentile rite alfo, that in burning them, 
 we might worfhip the Saints, as they honoured 
 their falfe god Saturn. It feemeth that Lamps and 
 hanging lights began of the Candles, that Mofes 
 fet up to burn in the Tabernacles. The fafhening 
 np of Tables, wherein the Miracles are written, 
 for a Monument and teftimony to the pofterity, 
 came of a cuftome, as Strabo writeth, that is ufed 
 in Greece, where the manner is that whofoever was 
 relieved of any fickneffe or malady, fhould hang 
 up a Table, containing the recovery of his health, 
 in the Temple of that God, that had preferved 
 him, and efpecially there were many fet up in 
 MJculapius sT ^my^\^ at Epidaurus. The ufe of feaft- 
 ing on holy-dayes, and at the firft Maffe of Priefts, 
 was borrowed alfo of the Gentiles, which honoured 
 the day of confecrating their Religious as folemnly, 
 as the day of their Nativity, with devout and re- 
 
I50 • POLIDORE VIRGIL. Lib. 5. 
 
 ligious breakfafts and feafts, calling it, the Native 
 day of their facred perfonages: whereof Apuleius 
 maketh mention. And it is a good ufage, becaufe 
 the day of the birth bringth but onely life, the day 
 of confecrating a Prieft bringeth, or elfe ought to 
 procure a good and godly life. Albeit on Maundy- 
 Thurfday, hath been the manner from the begin- 
 ning of the Church, to have a general drinking, as 
 appeareth by S. Paur s writing to the Corinthians, 
 and Tertullian to his Wife. 
 
 CHAP. II 
 
 THE MANNER OF CASTING MONEY TO THE PEOPLE, 
 NEW-YEARS GIFTS, DANCING, MAYING, CHRISTMAS 
 LORDS. 
 
 I 
 
 T fmelleth alfo of Gentility that the Bifhop 
 of Rome^ Emperours, and Kings at their Corona- 
 tion, are wont to fcatter money among the Com- 
 mons, and make Royal feafting, which is a pretence 
 or fign of the beneficence or liberality, that is to come 
 afterwards. For the old Romans ufed the fame or- 
 der and inftitution, in their Triumphs, Games, and 
 Funerals, as Suetonius recordeth. 
 
 Prefenting of New-years gifts had its original 
 thence likewife ; for Suetonius Tranquillus reporteth 
 that the Knights of Rome gave yearly on the 
 
Lib 5. POLIDORE VIRGIL. 151 
 
 Kalends of January^ a prefent to Auguftus C^efar, 
 although he were abfent. Which cuftome remaineth 
 in England; for the Subjeds fend to their Superiours, 
 and the Noble perfonages give to the Kings fome 
 great gifts ; and to gratify their kindneffe, he doth 
 liberally reward them with fome thing again. 
 
 But I commend more the manner of the Ital- 
 ians : for there the richeft and moft noble, give to 
 the poor inferiours; it is a fignification of good 
 and profperous fortune of all the whole year fol- 
 lowing. 
 
 The ufe of Dancing (as Livy faith) came from 
 the Hetrufcans to Rome, which we exercife much on 
 HolidayeSj as they did: not without {lander of our 
 Religion, and hurt and damage of chaftity. 
 
 As for Masks, they be fo devillifh, that no 
 honefty can be pretended to colour them ; Zacharias 
 Bifhop of Rome, made a decree againft it, but that 
 availeth nothing. 
 
 At the Kalends of May, the Youth, as well men 
 as women, are wont to go a Maying in the fields, 
 bring home boughs and flowers to garnifh their 
 houfes and gates, and in fome places the Churches: 
 which fafhion is derived of the Romans that ufe 
 the fame to honour their Goddefs Flora, with fuch 
 Ceremonies, whom they named Goddefs of fruits. 
 
 The Chriftmas Lords that be commonly made, 
 at the Nativity of the Lord, to whom all the 
 houfhold and family, with the Mafter himfelf, 
 muft be obedient, began of the equality, that the 
 fervants had with their Mafters in Saturnus Feafts 
 that were called Saturnalia: wherein the Servants 
 
1S2 POLIDORE VIRGIL. Lib. 5. 
 
 have like Authority with their Mafters, during the 
 time of the faid feafts. 
 
 And this furnifhing of our bellies with delicates 
 that we use on Faftingham Tuefday, what time 
 fome eat till they be enforced to forbear all again, 
 fprung of Bacchus feafts, that were celebrated in 
 Rome, with great joy and delicious fare. 
 
 And our Midfummer bone-fires, may feem to 
 have come of the Sacrifices of Ceres, Goddefs of 
 Corn, that men did folemnife with fires, trufting 
 thereby to have more plenty and abundance of 
 Corn. 
 
 Difguifing and Mumming that is ufed in Chrift- 
 mas time in the North parts, came out of the Feaft 
 of Pallas, that were done with Vizors, and painted 
 Vifages, named ^inquatria of the Romans. 
 
 CHAP. Ill 
 
 THE MANNER OF ANOINTING 
 
 THEM THAT BE CHRISTNED, CONFIRMED, OR 
 SORE SICK. 
 
 W 
 
 HEN Mofes had builded the Tabernacle, 
 he was commanded to make a confedion of holy 
 Ointment, wherewith both the Work, the VefTels, 
 Priefts,and alfo Kings, which be called to that office 
 or dignity, ought to be anointed : fo that it came 
 
Lib. 5. POLIDORE VIRGIL. 153 
 
 to pafTe, that the anointing was the very token and 
 difference, whereby Kings were known among the 
 Hebrews, as the Emperours in Rome were known 
 by their Purple Roabs. Aaron and his Sons, were 
 the firft anointed Priefts, and Samuel anointed Saul 
 firft King over Ifrael, and To confequently it grew 
 into a cuftome, that Priefts and Kings were anoint- 
 ed. By which thing is fignified, that they be fpe- 
 cially favoured of God, and like as Oyl lyeth aloft 
 on the water, or other liquor, fo the office of a 
 Prieft, and dignity of a Prince, furmounteth all 
 other degrees of Minifters, both in the adtive and 
 alfo contemplative life. 
 
 Silvefter Bifhop of Rome ordained firft, that all 
 that were Chriftened, Churches, and Chalices, fhould 
 be anointed with Oyl. Our oyl that is now ufed, is 
 made of Oyl Olive, and natural Balm, Fabianus 
 commanded that it fhould be renewed every Mun- 
 day and Thurfday. 
 
 Clement the firft ordained, that all Children and 
 other that were Chriftened, fhould be anointed 
 again with Crifme, and he instituted alfo the Sacra- 
 ment of Confirmation, fuppofing that no man 
 were a perfed Chriftian, if that Rite and Ceremony 
 were by negligence omitted. For this caufe that 
 the Holy Ghoft might more plentifully be given 
 to them by the hands of the Bifhop. 
 
 This thing began of the example of the Apof- 
 tles, which fent Peter and John into Samaria, to lay 
 their hands on them, that they might receive the 
 Holy Ghoft. It is onely miniftred by a Bifhop 
 in this wife: firft he asketh the name of the child, 
 20 
 
154 POLIDORE VIRGIL. Lib. 5. 
 
 and then maketh the fign of the CrofTe in his fore- 
 head, with the Chrifme, saying : Iftgn thee with the 
 token of the Croffe, and confirm thee with the Chrijme 
 of Salvation^ In the name of the Father^ the Son, and 
 the Holy Ghost y that thou may he replenifhed with the 
 Holy Spirit, and have everlafiing life ; So be it. And 
 then he fmiteth the cheek of the Child foftly ; but 
 if he be of a great age, he giveth a fharp stroke, 
 that he may remember that myftery, faying. Peace 
 be with thee. 
 
 Felix the fourth did inftitute, That fuch as were 
 in extreams f hould be anointed, following the ex- 
 ample of the Apoftles, which, as Mark witnefleth, 
 cured many difeafes by anointing them, and St. 
 James fpeaketh of a like thing in his Epiftle. 
 
 CHAP IV 
 
 IT WAS FORBIDDEN ; WITH OTHER LAWS 
 TOUCHING MARRIAGE. 
 
 M 
 
 OSES the Minifter of God among the 
 Ifraelites, which were defirous to augment and am- 
 plifie their ifTue, ordained, that all men indiffer- 
 ently, as well Priefts as Lay-people fhould take 
 wives, left the debarring them from matrimony, 
 might be occafion of greater enormity, and incon- 
 
Lib. 5. POLIDORE VIRGIL. 155 
 
 venience among them. Albeit, becaufe of the dig- 
 nity of the order of Priefthood, he made reftraint, 
 that they fhould marry none that was taken pri- 
 foner, bond-woman, or divorced from their former 
 hufband ; and the Bif hops might not be married 
 but to Maids. As concerning our Priefthood, 
 Sylvefter the firft, after the Text of St. Paiil^ com- 
 manded that a Prieft fhould marry but one wife, 
 and after to live fole alone; as Paul had a wife, as 
 may appear in his Epiftles to the Philipians and 
 Corinthians. And Clement Bif hop of Alexandria^ 
 and Ignatius^ which was in Paul's time, witnefle 
 the fame. 
 
 Peter and Philip had wifes and daughters, whom 
 they beftowed honeftly in marriage to hufbands. 
 And St, Peter feeing his Wife led to death, for the 
 profeffion of Chrift, with great joy of her con- 
 stancy, faid ; Wife, remember the Lord. This 
 order the Greeks, and all the Eaft parts of 
 Chriftendome do ufe, which would not confent to 
 the Councel of Neece, wherein it was propounded 
 That the Priefts fhould forfake their Wives : And 
 namely, Paphnutius^ the holy and chafte Bifhop, 
 that came out of the borders of Egypt, withftood 
 that Decree very earneftly. Stiricius the firft for- 
 bade the Priefts of the Weft parties, and Deacons 
 to marry, the year of our Lord 337. He inftitu- 
 ted alfo. That he that either wedded a Widow, or 
 took a fecond wife, could not be made Prieft. 
 Pelagius the fecond enforced the Sub-deacons to 
 forfake their wifes. And Gregorius, becaufe he 
 thought it violent to divorce them, ordained, That 
 
156 POLIDORE VIRGIL. Lib. 5. 
 
 from his time, none fhould be Sub-deacon, unlefTe 
 he vowed Chaftity before. Notwlthftanding, the 
 Lawes before made took no efFed among the 
 Priefts of the Weft parts, untill the time of 
 Gregory the feventh, which was the year of our 
 Lord, 1074. 
 
 And here Polidore protefteth. That the fingle 
 life of Priefts doth more harm to the Religion, 
 fhame to the Order, and grief to honeft men, then 
 their conftrained chaftity profiteth: If they were 
 reftored to the liberty and choice, it were no pre- 
 judice to the Chriftian Commonwealth, and honefty 
 for the Order. In the beginning men married their 
 fifters and kinfwomen; but Mqfes reftrained them 
 of the Hebrews from the firft and fecond degrees: 
 and Fabianus forbade the third and fourth ; which 
 Cuftome ftandeth now in effed, Theo'dorus did 
 inhibit firft. That a man might not marry that 
 Maid, to whom his father was a God-father. It 
 was confirmed firft by Gregory^ and after by Alexan- 
 der the third. That no man ftiould marry his bro- 
 ther's wife, left it fhould be thought to be a coun- 
 terfeit of the Hebrews. Lantech was the firft that 
 ever had two wives whofe example many others en- 
 fued afterwards. 
 
 The cuftome of purifying of women, was taken 
 of the Hebrews, but there is no day or time ap- 
 pointed for it. Neverthelefs, for an honeft order, 
 they ufe commonly not to be purified before the 
 moneth day, and then with a few honeft Matrons, 
 fhe commeth accompanied to the Church, and 
 ofFereth a wax Taper, and the Chrifome. 
 
CHAP. V. 
 
 OF THE TEMPLES, CHURCH-YARDS ; WHEN THE 
 CROSSE WAS FIRST HAD IN REVERENCE. 
 
 I 
 
 N the OldTeftament, Mojes fet up a Tabernacle, 
 curioully edified to God, wherein Supplication and 
 Interceffion was made to him for the fins of the 
 people. And in that he made the Ark of Con- 
 venant, in the which he put the town Tables of 
 ftone, containing' the Law of Ten Commande- 
 ments, Aaron s rod, and the pot of Manna. After 
 him, Solomon^ King of the Hebrews, made at 
 Hierufalem a Temple of coftly array, and fumptu- 
 oufly wrought. I cannot (to fay truth) perfedly 
 tell, where the firft Church of Chriftians was 
 builded, but by all conjedure, it feemeth that it 
 was made of the Apoftles, either in Ethiopia, where 
 Matthew preached; or in Lower India, where Bar- 
 tholomew taught; or in Scythia, where Andrew 
 fhewed the Word of God. Where they doubt- 
 lefTe, either caufe new Churches to be edified, or 
 elfe tranfpofed the Idol's Temples, to ferve the 
 Chriftians ufe, abolifhing Superftition, and plan- 
 ting the true Religion of Chrift. Albeit, it were 
 not againft reafon, to fuppofe there was a Temple 
 
158 POLIDORE VIRGIL. Lib. 5. 
 
 or houfe of prayer, appointed by James at Jerufa- 
 lem. In Rome the firft that I read of, was con- 
 fecrated by Pius Bifhop of Rome, in the ftreet call- 
 ed PatriciuSy at Novatus Baths, in honour of the 
 Virgin Prudentia, at the requeft and fuit of Praredis 
 her fifter. And after Califtus made a Temple to 
 the Virgin Mary, in a place beyond Tiberis, and 
 inftituted a Church-yard in Apius s ftreet, and call- 
 ed it after his own name. But Abraham was the 
 firft that made any place of burial in Hebron, 
 where he bought of Ephron an Hittite, the double 
 Cave for 300 f hekels of filver,with the ground about 
 it; and there, was Sarah his wife, and he himfelf 
 buried. 
 
 Noah builded the firft Altar, and offered upon it 
 a burned Sacrifice to the Lord. And Bonifacius the 
 third, caufed that they were covered with linnen 
 cloaths. Conftantinus when he had won the battail 
 againft Maxentius, by reafon of a vifion that he 
 faw of the crofie the day of the battle, ordained, 
 that from thenceforth, no man fhould fuffer death 
 on the crofTe. And fo in procefTe of time, it was 
 had in much reverence and worfhip. And Theodo- 
 Jius made a law. That there fhould no Image of 
 the crofie be graven in ftone, marble, or in earth, 
 left men fhould tread on it. Hellen, Conftantine s 
 Mother, a very vertuous woman, repaired to Jeru- 
 Jalem, to feek the Crofle of our Lord, where with 
 great labour and diligence, fhe found it, and with 
 it the other two, whereon the Theeves were hanged : 
 but it was eafie to preceive Chrift's Crofle by the 
 Title, which then did remain, albeit fore wafted 
 and corrupted with Antiquity. 
 
CHAP. VI. 
 
 OF THE ANCIENT RITE OR SACRIFICING; FEAST- 
 DAYES, DEDICATING TEMPLES; THE MYSTERY 
 
 C 
 
 AIN and Abel^ two fons of our firft Father 
 Adam offered in facrifice to God the firft fruits of 
 their goods. Jbel\i\^ oblation was a Lamb ; Cain 
 his gift was Corn. Afterward, when the Prieft- 
 hood was ordained, Aaron and his fons offered 
 divers things with fundry Ceremonies, which he 
 fhewed at large in book of Leviticus. 
 
 The Gentiles almoft all facrificed to the Idols 
 men or women after fundry rites, as appeareth in 
 the Hiftories of Gentile-Authors. And if it 
 fortuned, that they omitted any fuch abominable 
 idolatry, they had great punifhment, deftrudion 
 of their fruit, corruption of their water, infedion 
 of the Ayr, death of Cattel, great droughts, 
 women had evil deliverance, with many fuch 
 plagues, as T)ionyfius Halicarnajfeus witnefTeth, which 
 the fpirits of the ayr procured to delude and feduce 
 men, and confirm them in their error. 
 
 The holy-dayes among the Jews, were divers, as 
 
i6o POLIDORE VIRGIL. Lib. 5. 
 
 the Sabbath-day, the Feaft of the new Moon, the 
 Pafleover, the Feaft of unleavened bread, Pente- 
 coft, the Feaft of Tabernacles, the Dedication day: 
 which be all fhewed largely in the Old Teftament. 
 
 The ufe of dedicating Churches, is of great an- 
 tiquity; for Mojes did fan<5lifie the Tabernacle; and 
 Solomon confecrated the Temple that he builded at 
 Jerufalem. And EJdras after, when they returned 
 from the Captivity of Babylon, hallowed the 
 Temple new again. Of them we receive our Rite 
 of hallowing of Churches, albeit we have more 
 ceremonies then they had. 
 
 Fire was kept continually on the Altar by the 
 Priefts; for without it and fait, could no facrifice 
 be duly made, or ordinarily offered; and we in our 
 Maffes have ever a Taper of Wax burning. And 
 the Emperours of Rome had Fire born before 
 them, and the Veftals had ever perpetual Fire in 
 the Temple where they ferved Vejia. 
 
 The fpirits of the ayr, that gave doubtfull 
 anfwers to them that enquired any queftion of 
 them, were at the coming of Chrift all deftroyed. 
 For when he was carried into Egypt, which is a 
 Country full of fuperftition and Idolatry, all the 
 Idols of that Region were overthrown, and fell to 
 the ground at his coming thither. And in the 
 time of Adrian the Emperour, both the wicked 
 facrifices were abolifhed, and alfo the Oracles of 
 Apollo at Delphos^ Jupiter-Hammon in Egypt, with 
 like vanities were fubverted by the power of God 
 through his Son Jefus Chrift. 
 
 Holy Water was ordained by Alexander t\iQ ^r(t. 
 
Lib 5. POLIDORE VIRGIL. 161 
 
 to be confecrated to drive away Spirits, and was 
 commanded, that it fhould be kept as well in 
 Churches, as in private houfes for the fame ufe: 
 whereof are grown among the common people 
 many fuperftitious errours, contrary to the Word 
 of God. 
 
 CHAP. VII. 
 
 WHO ORDAYNED PRAYING. WHY WE LOOK 
 
 EASTWARD, MINISTRING THE SACRAMENT 
 
 OF THE ALTAR. 
 
 r ORASMUCH as we are created of God, 
 after his own Image, for the intent to honour and 
 ferve him, and fo finally to enjoy the eternal in- 
 heritance of Heaven, which we muft attain to by 
 Prayer, acknowledging our own infirmities, and 
 referring us to the mercy of our moft loving 
 Father. It fhall therefore be convenient to declare 
 the inflitution of Prayer. 
 
 Prayer therefore was from the beginning, as 
 y4ifel prayed, Noak, Abraham^ Ifaac, Jacob, with 
 other Patriarks, prayed to God in all their doubt- 
 full affairs, and gave thanks for the good atchiev- 
 ing of them. Mqfes and Aaron, with other, as 
 Anna the wife of Helcanah fhewed us an example 
 of Prayer. But Chrifl is the firfl that did fhew us 
 any fpecial form of Prayer, as appeareth in the 
 21 
 
i62 POLIDORE VIRGIL. Lib. 5. 
 
 Gofpell of Matthew. Afterwards when men began 
 to count their Prayers, as though God were in our 
 debt for often begging of him, there were devifed 
 by one Petrus Her emit a a Frenchman of the City of 
 Amiens^ Bedes, to fay Lady Pfalters on, the year 
 of our Lord 1090. The fame Petrus was occafion 
 that Pope Urbane ftirred the Chriftians to make a 
 Voyage into Afta, at which time Jerufalem was 
 recovered. 
 
 The manner of turning our faces, into the 
 Eaft, when we pray, is taken of the old Heathens, 
 which as Apuleius remembreth, ufed to look Eaft- 
 ward, and falute the Sun ; we take it in a cuftome to 
 put us in remembrance that Chrift is the Sun of 
 RighteoufnelTe, that difclofeth all fecrets. But that 
 was not lawfull for the Hebrews^ as may feem to 
 us by the fetting of the Tabernacle, and they muft 
 ever look toward the Temple as the flory of Daniel 
 declareth. Mqfes when he had received the ten 
 Commandements, aflembling the people together, 
 fhewed them the will of God, and that was the firfl 
 Sermon or Preaching: and the Prophets had 
 without doubt open collations: And afterward 
 John Baptiji in the WildernefTe of Jury Preached, 
 and fo did Chrift himfelf, and gave Authority to 
 the Apoftles and Difciples by fpecial Commande- 
 ment to do the fame. 
 
 The bleffed Sacrament of the Altar was inftitu- 
 ted by our Saviour Jefus Chrift, a little before his 
 PafTion in Jerufalem at his Supper, when he had en- 
 ded the Pafchal lamb, in this wife : He took 
 bread, and after he had given thanks, he brake it, 
 
Lib. 5. POLIDORE VIRGIL. 163 
 
 and gave it to his Difciples, faying, Take and eat^ 
 This is my body that Jhall be given for you ; So tak- 
 ing the Cup, he gave thanks likewife, and deliv- 
 ered it to them. Saying, Drink ye all of this Cup^for 
 this is my bloud of the Nezv Tejiament, which is Jhed 
 for the remijfon of fins. Thus under the form of 
 bread and Wine, he gave to them particularly his 
 body and bloud fandified in and by the Word. And 
 gave commandement that like Sacrifice fhould be 
 made in remembrance of him. 
 
 Alexander the Bifhop of Rome did ordain that this 
 oblation fhould be made of fweet bread, where 
 before it was Leavened bread. And he commanded 
 that water fhould be mixt with Wine in the Cup. 
 
 CHAP. VIII 
 
 AND INCREASED THE PARTS OF THE MASSE. 
 
 A .^VERY thing at the firft in the Miniftery of 
 the Lords Supper, was plain, fincere, and without 
 any mixture of Ceremonies, containing more vertue 
 then Solemnity. For it is manifefh that Peter, 
 which either firft of all, or elfe with the reft of the 
 Apoftles, did confecrate often times after the Rite 
 that he had received of Chrift, and by and by, 
 after the Confecration joyned to the Lords Prayer 
 
i64 POLIDORE VIRGIL. Lib. 5. 
 
 or Pater ISIoJler: And I fuppofe it was not much 
 differing from the Maffe that is ufed in the Church 
 on Good Friday. Ccelejiinus ordained the prayers 
 that the Prieft faith when he revefteth himfelf to 
 Maffe, or at putting on his cloaths that beginneth 
 Judica me Deus, &c. Albeit it feemeth by the 
 words of Chryjoftome in the nth Homily on 
 Matthew that it was taken of the Churches of 
 Greece and Afia^ which ufed to fing Pfalms while 
 the people affembled together. Datna/us inftituted 
 the confeffion at the beginning of Maffe, and 
 fome refer it to Pontianus. Kyrie eleefon was fre- 
 quented in Greece firft, and Gregorius caufed it to 
 be faid nine times in the Latine Church. Gloria in 
 excelfts is afcribed of fome to Telejphorus, of fome 
 to Hilarius, of fome to Symmachus ; and the Councel 
 of Toletane thinketh that the Doftors of the 
 Church made it. Colled: Gelafius and Gregory 
 gathered. And the Grail was appointed by them 
 alfo. Alleluya was tranflated from Jerujalem to the 
 Latine Church in the time of Damajus. The 
 Trad, Durandus faith was devifed by Telefphorus and 
 Sequences were invented firft by one Nothgerus an 
 Abbot. The Epiflles and Gofpel were (as Hierom 
 writeth) ufed in the Eaft Churches of very ancient 
 time, wherefore I fuppofe we had the manner to 
 read the Epiftle and Gofpell of thofe Churches; 
 Yet fome fay Telefphorus ordained them, and fome 
 fuppofe that Jerome at the requeft of Damajus did 
 devide them, as we read them now at this day. 
 Anajlafius commanded that we ffiould ftand at the 
 Gofpel in token that men fhould be in a readinefs 
 
Lib. 5. POLIDORE VIRGIL. 165 
 
 to defend the dodrine of the Gofpel. The firft part 
 of the Creed Marcus ordained to be read after it was 
 made by the Councel of Nicene ; and the fecond 
 part, Et Spiritum Jan^um, that the Counfel of Con- 
 Jlantinople compofed Damajus caufed to be read in 
 the Church, Eutichianus inftituted the Offertory to 
 be fung whilft the people offered fuch things as 
 went to the relief and comfort of the poor: The 
 Offertory remaineth, but the poor are forgotten; as 
 though they had no part in Chrifl, and were vile 
 abjeds of the World. 
 
 Gelafius made the Prefaces, howbeit in the 
 beginning they ufed but one Preface. And Secius 
 added the SanElus out of the Prophet EJay, 
 Wafhing of hands began either of the old Tefla- 
 ment, where they did nothing with unwafhed hands, 
 or elfe of the Gentiles, which before their Sacrifices 
 ufed to wafh their hands, as Hefiodus witnefTeth. 
 
 Burning of Incenfe, that was occupied in the 
 old Teftament by Aaron and of the Panims in their 
 fuperftitious Rites, Leo the third ordained to be 
 had in the Latine Church. The Privity of the MafTe 
 called the Canon was made by divers perfons, as 
 Gelafius made Teigtiur. Setitius added Communicantes^ 
 and Alexander the firft, that was long before them, 
 made ^ipridie, and that was the beginning of the 
 Canon before that time. For Alexander was 340 
 years and more before Gelafius. Hancigitur^ Leo 
 joyned; and Gregory annexed three petitions in the 
 fame, Dies que noftros, and fo forth. Innocencius the 
 firft inftituted, that Priefts in the upper part of 
 the Church, called the Chancel or Quire, fhould 
 
i66 POLIDORE VIRGIL. Lib. 5. 
 
 klfle one another, and that Pax fhould be born to 
 the people. BlefTing with hands and Chalices, 
 came out of the Hebrews Ceremonies : For Aaron 
 after he had facrificed, blefled the people. And 
 Chrift at his Afcention blefled his Difciples. Ser- 
 gius ordained the Agnus dei, feven hundred years 
 after Chrift, to be fung of the Clergy at the time 
 of the Communion. The often turning of the 
 Prieft to the Altar, when he faith Dominus Vobif- 
 cum or Orates fratres, came of the Hebrews rites; 
 where, in facrifice time, the Prieft turneth him to 
 caft the bloud of the Sacrifice on the people, and 
 the Heathens ufed the fame fafhion in their fuper- 
 ftitions, and therefore doubtlefle we had thofe Cere- 
 monies of them. 
 
 CHAP. IX. 
 
 WHY WE SAY, ITE MISSA EST, WHEREOF THE 
 
 WORD MASSE AND CEREMONY CAME; 
 
 THE FIRST MANNER OF TAKING 
 
 THE SACRAMENT. 
 
 W 
 
 HEN Mafle is ended, the Deacon turning 
 to the people, faith, Ite, miffa eft; which words are 
 borrowed of the rites of the Pagans; and fignifieth, 
 that then the company may be difmifled. It was 
 ufed in the facrifices of Ifis^ that when the 
 
Lib. 5. POLIDORE VIRGIL. 167 
 
 obfervances were duly and fully performed and 
 accomplifhed, then a Minifter of the Religion 
 fhould give warning or a watch-word, what time 
 they might lawfully depart: And of this fprung 
 our cuftome of Singing, Ite, mijfa efi, for a 
 certain fignification, that the full fervice was 
 finifhed. 
 
 Maffe^ is an Hebrew word, (as Reucline faith) 
 and fignifieth an oblation or facrifice, with all cir- 
 cumftances concerning the fame. 
 
 The Romans called all fuch fervice, as appertained to 
 their gods, in one general name. Ceremonies, becaufe 
 a certain people named Cerites, received the reliques 
 and other obfervances of the Romans Religions 
 devoutly, and perferved them ; for when the 
 Frenchmen by the valiantnefs of their Captain, 
 Brennus (that was a Brittain of this Land) 
 had won the City, for that benefit all the 
 rites of their gods univerfally were named Cere- 
 monies. 
 
 Alexander inhibited Priefls, that they fhould not 
 facrifice but once in a day; and Telejphorus per- 
 mitted them to fay three MafTes on Chri{1:mafs day: 
 Firft, at mid-night, what time Chrifl was born: 
 the fecond, in the morning, when fhepherds vifited 
 him: The third, at further of the day, where 
 afore-time it was not lawfull to celebrate before the 
 third hour of the day. 
 
 Felix the firfl decreed. That no Mafs might be 
 faid but in places confecrated, faving in the time of 
 necefTity, and that none but Priefls admitted fhould 
 
i68 POLIDORE VIRGIL. Lib. $. 
 
 intermeddle with the myflerles of confecratlon, 
 becaufe that authority was onely given to the 
 Apoflles at the beginning, by whom Priefts be 
 meant and underftood. 
 
 Anacletus ordained, That no Mafle fhould be 
 done, but in the prefence of two at the leaft, 
 left the Prieft fhould fay in vain to the walls, 
 Dominus Vobifcum, when none were prefent ; 
 and therefore they do evill, that confecrate in 
 corners alone. Albeit, Gratianus referreth that 
 fo Soterus^ which perchance did renew that con- 
 ttitution. 
 
 The Sacrament was ufed of our predeceflburs in 
 the Primitive Church every day, as Luke witnefleth 
 in the A^s of the Apoftles : and Anacletus caufed it 
 to be renewed by a Decree, upon pain of Excom- 
 munication. And Vi^or denounced, That thofe 
 fhould be interdided from all fervices, that (when 
 they fliould receive the Sacrament) would not be 
 reconciled to their Neighbours of all grudges, 
 hatreds, and difpleafures. 
 
 Zepherinus, an hundred years after Anacletus^ 
 commanded. That all that profefled Chrift, or bare 
 the name of Chriftians, being of the age of 12 or 
 14 years, fhould at the leaft once in the year, at 
 Eafter, receive the blefled Sacrament. Fabianus 
 decreed, that they fhould receive it three times in 
 the year. 
 
 Innocentius the third decreed. That the Sacra- 
 ment fhould be kept in the churches, to the intent 
 to be in a readinefle at all times, left they that were 
 
Lib. 5. 
 
 POLIDORE VIRGIL. 
 
 169 
 
 fick, fhould want the fpiritual comfort in that 
 troublefome time of death ; and Honorius the third 
 confirmed the fame. 
 
 THE END OF THE FIFTH BOOK. 
 
 22 
 
Polidore Virgil 
 
 The Sixth BOOK, 
 CHAP. I. 
 
 AURICULAR CONFESSION. 
 
 A 
 
 LBEIT Man, redeemed with the precious 
 bloud of Jesus Chrift, is fully reconciled to GOD, 
 and all the heavineffe of his difpleafurebe appeafed : 
 yet the poyfoned nature of man is fuch, the occa- 
 (ions of fin be fo many and fo great, that in this 
 flippery way of worldly life, we muft needs (our 
 infirmity enforcing us thereto) fall into the fnares 
 of the Devil and fin. But God, as he is all mercy, 
 willing the death of no finner, but that he convert 
 and live, hath left us the comfortable falve of re- 
 pentance, as a prefent remedy againft all fuch incur- 
 iions of our enemy, of fragility of body, whereby we 
 may with a good hope call to our Heavenly Father 
 for the forgivenefTe of our offences and trefpaffes. 
 
Lib. 6. POLIDORE VIRGIL. 171 
 
 For (as the Prophet ^z^/^/V/ recordeth) What hour 
 foever the finner doth lament, and is repentart for 
 his finSj God (for his Son Jefus fake) will no 
 longer bear them in remembrance. Therefore 
 whofoever with concupifcence vanquifhed, or by 
 luft inforced, by errour deceived, or by force con- 
 ftrained, doth fall to any kind of injuftice, let him 
 not defpair in his own confcience, or miftruft the 
 bottomlefle mercy of God ; but with good courage 
 repair to this medicine, repentance and contrition 
 of heart: Confequently it fhould be the Peni- 
 tent's office and duty, after fuch heavinefs taken, 
 as it were by a vomit, to fpue out of his confcience 
 all fuch unwholfome things as might remain ftill, 
 engender defperation, or imbezell his hope in the 
 promifes of God. For this caufe, ConfefTion, 
 named Auricular, that is made to the Prieft, was 
 at the beginning inftituted; that men might there- 
 in open their hearts to their Curates, and receive at 
 their hands the oyl of the Gofpel ,of Chrift, to 
 fupple their raw and young fores. It was the in- 
 ftitution of Innocentius the third, that fo many as 
 were by age fubjed, or in danger to commit fin, 
 fhould at the leaft once in the year be confefTed to 
 their Curates, to whom it concerneth to know the 
 behaviour of his Parifhioners, for as much as he 
 muft render a ftraight account of his cure. And 
 therefore it is evill in mine opinion, to have thefe 
 common Penitentiaries, which be the occafion, that 
 Curates give not their counfel where need is, and 
 men thereby be more bold to fin, feeing they fhall 
 not be rebuked by fuch common ConfefTors, but 
 
172 POLIDORE VIRGIL. Lib. 6. 
 
 for their money have ready abfolution, with fmall 
 exhortation, to amend their fmfulnefs. This Con- 
 feflion is proved in the Text of'S. JameSy where 
 he faith, Confejfe your fins one to another ^ and one 
 pray for another. And alfo in the 20 Chapter of 
 John^ where Chrift faith, Receive the Holy Ghoji : 
 Whofe fins foever you remits they are forgiven them ; 
 and whofe fins foever you retain, they are retained. 
 
 CHAP. II. 
 
 MATTINS, SINGING OF PSALMS BY COURSE, 
 LEGENDS OF SAINTS. 
 
 M 
 
 ATTINS with Prime and Hours, were 
 appointed firft by Hierome, for one Eufebius of 
 Cremona, and divers others, that lived with him, to 
 fing in the Churches. And the Fathers and old 
 Governours of Congregations, received them fol- 
 lowing the Verfe o^ David in the 119 Pfalm. 
 Seven times in the day have I given andfung prafe to 
 thee. Cyprian writeth that the prime and other 
 hours took their original of Daniel. Which after 
 the cuftome of his Countrey, thrice in the day. 
 Morning, Noon, and Evening, on his knees ufed 
 to pray. It was alfo the Rite of the Heathen, to 
 have morning Prayers, for Apuleius faith, that they 
 fung falutations of the new light, and fhewed that 
 
Lib. 6. POLIDORE VIRGIL. 173 
 
 it was prime of the day: where he meaneth by 
 falutation, the morning fongs that we call Mattins, 
 and there declareth how the hours of the day were 
 forted, and devided for Sacrifices and Prayers. 
 Pelagius the fecond was the firft that commanded 
 Priefts to fay them dayly, that like as the juft man 
 falleth feven times on the day, fo by inftant and 
 continuall prayer, he might as often rife and 
 amend. 
 
 Urbanus the fecond, ordained the Lady Mattins 
 to be faid daily, and confirmed them in the Coun- 
 cel, which he had at Mount e Clare in France. 
 
 The divifion of Davids Pfalter into feven parts 
 called Nodurns, according to the feven dayes in 
 the week, was the Work of Hierojne, at the requeft 
 of Damajus Bifhop of Rome^ which alfo gave Com- 
 mandement that it fhould be read alfo in the 
 Churches, and added Gloria Patri to the end of 
 every Pfalm. 
 
 'Damajus alfo inftituted that the Pfalms fhould 
 be fung and faid by courfe. Though fome fay 
 Ignatius did devife that before his time, which thing 
 was learned of David or AJaph: for in the old 
 Synagogue, they ufed to fing their Pfalms after that 
 fort but our finging is far from their manner. For 
 our fingers cry outfo loud, that we hear nothing fave 
 a noife, and thofe that be prefent, cannot be edified 
 with the word. It were great furtherance to 
 Religion, If thofe fingers were either banifhed 
 out of the Temples, or elfe their finging were more 
 moderated, that the words might be underftood, 
 to the edifying of the Laity, which is fore blinded 
 
174 POLIDORE VIRGIL. Lib. 6. 
 
 with finglng and found of Inftruments, that be not 
 fit to edify, but to delight the Ears. This modeft 
 finging was ufed by the holy Athanaftus Bifhop of 
 Alexandria^ through all his Province and Diocefs, 
 as Auftin witnefTeth. Darnafus commanded that 
 the common Creed fhould be faid every hour. 
 Vttalianus invented the decent tunes, wherein the 
 Hymns be fung and joyned the Organs to them. 
 Legends of Saints, were made the year of our 
 Lord 800 by Paulus Diaconus and IJuardus a Monk, 
 at the defire of Char Is the Great. And for as 
 much as the Perfecutions were fo great, that in the 
 time o{ Dioclefian the Emperour, there died 17000 
 Chriftians, within 30 days fpace, they could not 
 particularly write all their lives, but made certain 
 general Legends of Martyrs, ConfefTours, Virgins, 
 which we now call the Common; and the Fathers 
 commanded thofe to be read in the Church on fuch 
 Saints dayes. Afterward many thinking that they 
 fhould be heard, rather for their much babling 
 fake, devifed fundry manners of praying, and divers 
 ufes: as Bennet's Monks had one ufe; Bernard's 
 another, and Dominicks brethren had one order by 
 themfelves, and every Provincial Bifhop, made a 
 feveral Ufe in his Diocefs, and all were confirmed 
 by the Bifhops of Rome. 
 
CHAP. III. 
 
 * 
 
 THE BEGINNING OF FASTING, ALMS, ADVENT, LENT, 
 EMBRING DAYS. 
 
 F 
 
 ASTING and Alms-deeds be (as Sl Augufiine 
 faith) the two wings of prayer, wherewith it is made 
 ftronger, and lighter to fly into the prefenceof God, 
 and be more acceptable in his fight. Fading hath 
 been ufed from the beginning of the World, when 
 the Fruit of the Tree of knowing good and evil, 
 was forbidden to our firft Parents in Paradife, 
 becaufe by fuch abllinence they might obtain and 
 enjoy everlafting felicity. 
 
 Alms, in like manner, fprung of the infirmity and 
 needinefs of the nature of men : for as they felt hun- 
 ger, cold, nakednefs, and fuch other calamities, as 
 be in our mortal life, they were conftrained todefire 
 ayd and fuccour of other men, as of alms. Albeit 
 Mqfes was the firft that ever prefcribed any law of 
 giving alms, as appeareth in the book o( Deutero- 
 nomy, Charitable alms muft be fo freely given, 
 that we exempt none from the ufe and part-taking 
 of it ; and, as the Scripture faith, without refpect 
 ofpersons. 
 
176 POLIDORE VIRGIL. Lib. 6. 
 
 As for Fading, of that original proceeded further, 
 for the use of Flesh and Wine, from Adam, till the 
 time of Noah was unknown. And Mqfes forbare 
 meat fourty days ; and Elias did likewife : Our 
 Saviour Christ fafted the fame fpace. And God 
 pardoned the Ninivites of their crimes, becaufe they 
 fafted with repentance. 
 
 The Jews alfo in their law, fo oft as they either 
 asked any benefit of God, or would pacifie his wrath, 
 or render thanks for his benefits, or kept any folemn 
 Feafts, ufed commonly to fail. And certainly he 
 keepeth not the true faft, which forbeareth flesh, or 
 foregoeth his Supper, but he that diminifheth his 
 aflfedions, abateth his anger, aflVageth his Pride, 
 moderateth his defires, mortifiethhis lulls, fuffereth 
 patiently all adverfities ; that man is the true fafl:er. 
 Albeit the other is a coadjutor to that thing, and 
 helpeth much that purpose. 
 
 Therefore, to the intent we might reclaim fuch 
 corruptions, of our old Adam. 
 
 The Apofl:les did ordain the Fafl: of Lent, as 
 Hierome in an Epiflle to Mercella doth plainly de- 
 clare. 
 
 Wherefore they that refer it to Telefphorus, be 
 deceived, for he did not infliitute it firfl:, but ap- 
 pointed that it fliould be kept before Eafter. And 
 added another Week to it, which we call ^inqua- 
 gefima. 
 
 This week he commanded Priefls to faft more 
 than the Laity, becaufe that they, which ought to 
 be Holier than the reft, ftiould in this ordinary 
 Fast, ftiew more abftinence then other. 
 
Lib. 6. POLIDORE VIRGIL. 177 
 
 The Apoftles alfo inftituted that there fhould be 
 a folemn Faft for three Weeks before the Nativity 
 of our Lord, named Chriftmas : which conftitution 
 was a while kept univerfally, but afterwards it was 
 refigned to the Monks and Religious perfons. 
 
 Califius, or as fome think, Urbanus^ did begin the 
 Embring dayes quarterly, for the prefervation and 
 amplification of fruits, ordained for the fuftenance 
 of men and beafts. Albeit, I rather take it to be 
 an imitation of the old Roman feafts, which thrice 
 in the year had facrifices for the profperous fuccefle 
 of their Corn. One Vinalia, for their Wines. The 
 other Robigalia, for all their grain, left it fhould be 
 mildewed. The third Floralia^ for all their fruits. 
 
 Thefe vain fuperftitions the old Bifhops of 
 Rome turned to a Godly ufe, and tranfported their 
 Feafting into Fafting, that they might the rather, 
 at the contemplation of our Prayers and Fafting, 
 God might profper the increafe of all fruits to the 
 fuftentation of his Creatures. 
 
 CHAP. IV 
 
 WATCHES WERE TURNED INTO FASTS ; FASTING ON 
 
 FRIDAYES AND WEDNESDAYES; NAMING THE 
 
 DAYES OF THE WEEK IN SUNDRY WISE. 
 
 I 
 
 T was the manner, from the beginning of our 
 Chriftian Faith, that forafmuch as our Saviour was 
 born in the night, Priefts did rife in the night fea- 
 23 
 
178 POLIDORE VIRGIL. Lib. 6. 
 
 fon, and fung the hours Canonlcall, otherwife named 
 the Mattins: and the Lay people was accuftomed 
 on those Saints Eves, that were any folemn Feafts, 
 to watch at the Tombs of Martyrs, Praying, and 
 finging holy Pfalms. Which thing the Teftimony 
 of Pliny doth approve, where he writeth in an 
 Epiftle to Trajane, how much number of people 
 was flain, in whom he could never efpy any fault, 
 faving that before day, at certain times and Feafts, 
 they arofe and fung the commendation of Chrift 
 whom they called God. But as time is the cor- 
 rupter of all worldly things. So devotion began to 
 abate, and inftead of Hymns, they fung difTolute 
 ballads, and prayer was turned into wanton dal- 
 liance. The youth went about light amorous 
 company, the eldeft perfons practifed baudry, 
 women were not afhamed to give themfelves to be 
 corrupted, in all kind of whoredome. Upon this 
 occafion the old fathers fearing left it fhould grow 
 to a further inconvenience, turned the Vigils into 
 Fafting dayes. 
 
 Notwithftanding, the Priefts ufed their ordinary 
 times of Service, as they were wont to do, and 
 fuch Feafts were called by the name of Vigills, and 
 obferved with no lefle reverence then the Faft of 
 Lent. This remedy was provided after Sl Hier- 
 omes time, which dyed the year of our Lord 422, 
 when Bonif actus the fecond was Biftiop of the See 
 of Rome, 
 
 The like cuftome was alfo obferved among the 
 JEgyptians^ which on the Evens of their high feafts 
 fafted, and after they had flept, they offered a Cow, 
 
Lib. 6. * POLIDORE VIRGIL. 179 
 
 all fuch night Sacrifices, and obfervances for like 
 caufes, were by a perpetuall Law in Greece abro- 
 gated, by Diagundas a Thehane, The Fail of Wed- 
 nefday and Friday, was commanded by the Fathers 
 becaufe on the one day Chrift was Crucified, and 
 on the Wednefday, Judas purpofed in his mind to 
 bewray him, as Apollonius the Eloquent Oratour 
 fuppofed. Silvejier the firft, Bifhop of Rome^ ab- 
 horring the memorial of the vain Gentile gods, 
 decreed that the dayes of the Week, which had 
 before the names and Titles of the Sun, Moon, 
 Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, and Saturn, 
 fhould be called the firft, fecond, third, fourth, 
 fifth, fixth, and Seventh Ferie ; as the Jews count- 
 ed their dayes from the Sabbath day. He did alfo 
 call the firft Ferie, Dominicus Dies, that we name 
 Sunday, and called Saturday Sahbatum of the old 
 holy day, and reft of the Hebrews : all thefe things 
 were done at the Suit of Constantine then Emper- 
 our. Albeit, the Jpojlles before that time, had 
 confecrated the Sunday to the Lord, becaufe that 
 day he rofe from death, and the Jews Sabbath was 
 turned into it, as may appear by the decree of 
 Pius, that ordained the Eafter to be kept on the 
 Sunday : and therefore I think Silvejier did but 
 onely renew the fame A61 of the Sunday. It was 
 the invention of the Egyptians that the dayes were 
 firft named after the 7 Planets, as Diodorus record- 
 eth. Saint Gregory was the Author, that neither 
 flefti, nor any thing that hath affinity with it, as 
 Cheefe, Milk, Butter, Eggs, fiiould be eaten on 
 fuch days as were fafted. We have alfo a manner 
 
i8o POLIDORE VIRGIL. Lib. 6. 
 
 and ufage of hallowing the Table and meat, before 
 we be fet, that began of the imitation of Chrift, 
 which ufed the fame fafhion over the five loave^in 
 the WildernefTe, and at Emaus alfo, he did like- 
 wife confecrate the Table, in the prefence of his 
 Difciples : fo was the form of faying Grace after 
 Supper, taken likewife of the Cuftome that Chrift 
 commonly kept at his Suppers. 
 
 The manner to read a part of the Bible at din- 
 ner time, hath been of long continuance, and did 
 proceed of the Godly dodrine, that Chrift in- 
 ftruded his Difciples in, at all times, but namely 
 at his laft Supper, wherein he treated of the perfec- 
 tion of all the Myfteries of our Religion. And 
 thus our fathers, to keep in memory fuch an 
 wholefome inftitution, did bring in this manner of 
 reading the Scripture at meat or meal-time. 
 
 CHAP. V. 
 
 THE ORIGINAL OF HOLY-DAYES, PASCHAL CANDLES, 
 BIRTH-DAYES. 
 
 L 
 
 rIKE as the Jews had in their Law, (which 
 was but onely a ftiadow of things to come) holy- 
 dayes appointed for the execution of the myfte- 
 ries of their Religion, whom they in one general 
 term, named Sabbath-dayes, of the reft and vaca- 
 
Lib. 6. POLIDORE VIRGIL. i8i 
 
 tion that they had from bodily labours : femblably 
 our fathers have ordained Feaftival dayes, in the 
 New Teftament, wherein Chriftian men (all pro- 
 phane bufinefles, and evil matters laid apart) might 
 wholly apply themfelves to godly and fpiritual 
 meditations. As the perufing and reading of Scrip- 
 tures, hearing of devout Sermons, rendring honour 
 to God by facrificing, praying, and well doing, be 
 works fit and convenient for the holy-day, and alfo 
 reverencing the memorial of Saints on fuch days as 
 be affigned to that purpofe, is on the holy day 
 laudable. For Oblation is onely due to God ; 
 as Paul and Barnabas did openly teftifie al Liftra, 
 For when he had commanded, by the power of the 
 Word of God, that the man, which was lame from 
 his Mother's womb, fhould arife and walk ; the 
 people for wonder and marvail of the Miracle, 
 would have done facrifice to them ; but they rent- 
 ing their cloathes, departed out of the prefs, and 
 with fharp words rebuked their enterprife, as a 
 thing unmeet to be done to any mortal man, or 
 worldly creature. " 
 
 Firft of all, the Feaft of Eafter was inftituted by 
 the Apoftles, and Prefcribed by Pius the Firft, to 
 be folemnized on the Sunday. Afterward Vi^or 
 that was Biftiop of Rome, (about the 196th year 
 of our Lord) decreed. That it ftiould be kept, and 
 celebrated on the Sunday, from the fourteenth day 
 of the firft moneth, that was March ; until the 22 
 of the fame, left our order and account, ftiould 
 agree with the Jews, which kept it fomewhat fooner 
 then that appointment fpeaketh of: albeit many 
 
1 82 POLIDORE VIRGIL. Lib. 6 
 
 forraign BIfhops at the firft, refufed that Conftitu- 
 tion, becaufe they thought it not amlfs to keep 
 the Feaft after the prefident of Saint John the 
 Apoftle, who renewed the Rite of the Jews, in the 
 Feaft of Eafter. 
 
 The cuftome of hallowing Pafchall Candles on 
 Eafter Eve, was commanded by Zozinus^ to be 
 frequented in every Church. 
 
 The manner of keeping holy the birth-day of 
 every man, was much ufed in Rome ; albeit the 
 Perfians had that ufage before them. For there it 
 is the fafhion, that every man after his ability, 
 fhould with obfervance of dainty feafts, worfhip 
 the day of their birth; and of them the Romans 
 received that superftition. 
 
 CHAP. VI 
 
 OF THE INSTITUTION OF HOLY-DAYES, AND 
 CANONIZING. 
 
 A 
 
 ,S you have heard that Saint John the Apoftle 
 did celebrate the Feaft of Eafter, even fo the other 
 Apoftles (as it is faid) were authours not onely of 
 the fame Eafter-Feaft; butalfo ordained, Thatthofe 
 dayes wherein our Saviour had done any myftery, 
 concerning our falvation or information, fhould be 
 kept holy: and to the intent they might be more 
 reverenced of their pofterity, they themfelves kept 
 
Lib. 6. POLIDORE VIRGIL. i8j 
 
 them, during their lives, very devoutly; as the 
 Sundayes, Advent, the Nativity, Circumcifion, and 
 Epiphany of our Lord, the Purification of our 
 Lady called Candlemas, Lent, Palm-Sunday, 
 Maunday-Thurfday, when Chrift, after Supper, 
 wafhed his Difciples Feet; Good-Friday, Eafter, 
 the Afcenfion, and Whitfunday, the Feaft of Pen- 
 tecoft was before ufed of the Hebrews : For fifty 
 dayes after that the Lamb was facrificed in Egypt, 
 the Law written by the hands of God, was given 
 by Mqfes in the Mount Oreb, in the wildernefs of 
 Sinai, And 50 dayes after the death of Chrift, who 
 like a Lamb was offered of the Jews for our 
 Pafchal, the Apoftles received the law of the Spi- 
 rit. The Feaft of tranffiguration came alfo of the 
 Jews: for like as Mofes his face was tranfpofed into 
 a perfed brightnefs, after he had communed with 
 God in the Mount; fo now after the fhadow and 
 vail were taken away by Chrift his coming, it pleafed 
 God to fliew to his difciples his transfiguration, as 
 a declaration of the ftiadow paft, and a figure or 
 fignification of the Immortality to come. In con- 
 fideration whereof, the holy fathers perceiving the 
 ufe of fuch holy-dayes, confirmed and ratified them 
 by a Decree made in the Council had at Lions in 
 France: and furthermore commanded, that fuch 
 dayes, as either the holy Saints departed this life, 
 or elfe wrought any miracle, or did any notable 
 deed to the encreafe of our Religion, ftiould be 
 kept holy, becaufe Chriftians might have more 
 opportunity to hear the Word of God, and more 
 devoutly ferve him in an uniform order. 
 
184 POLIDORE VIRGIL. Lib. 6. 
 
 Then were inftituted the Feafts of Saint Stephen^ 
 Innocents^ Sylvefter^ John, Baptift, the Apoftles dayes, 
 Corverfion of Paul, our Lady-dayes. Laurence, 
 Michael, Marline, and generally of All Saints, 
 which was the conftitution of Bonifacius the fourth. 
 For he caufed that the Temple which Marcus Agrip- 
 pa did edifie in honour of all the Romans Idols, as 
 the name Pantheon doth pretend, was by the licenfe 
 of Phocas, then Emperour, turned into the Church 
 of All-hallows, and confecrated the 12th day of 
 May ; and Gregory the fourth afterward willed it to 
 be kept the iirfl day of November, 
 
 The Feafts of the Invention and Exaltation of 
 the Crofs, and Corpus Chrifti day, were dedicated 
 by Urban the fourth, and pronounced for holy- 
 dayes. Syhejler at the fuit and inftance of the 
 Emperour Conftantine, affigned the day of ad 
 vincula San5li Petri, called commonly Lammas, in 
 memorial of P^/^r'j pains, perfecution, andpunifh- 
 ment that he fuffered for Religion. Felix the firft, 
 to magnifie the glorious commendation of Martyrs, 
 made a Statute, that a yearly oblation fhould be 
 had in memorial of them: and Gregory would, that 
 Mafle ihould be faid over their bodies ; which thing, 
 Vigilantius thought worthy to be rejeded and re- 
 fufed; albeit the report goeth, that Anacletus was, 
 of this conftitution, the firft Authour. The fame 
 Felix inftituted firft. That the day whereon any 
 Temple was dedicated, ftiould be hallowed of that 
 Village or Town; and made alfo a law that fuch 
 Churches as men doubted of, whether they were 
 confecrated or no, fliould be hallowed again. And 
 
Lib. 6. POLIDORE VIRGIL. 185 
 
 Felix the fourth did ordain, That Bifhops onely 
 fhould dedicate them, and that the fame dedicated 
 day fhould be kept holy yearly afterward. 
 
 The fafhion to deify men that had done any 
 benefits to the Commonwealth, is one of the moft 
 ancient ufages, that I read of. For antiquity even 
 from the beginning was accuftomed to make gods 
 of their Kings ; which either by abundance of 
 benefits, or notable qualities, and prowefs, had 
 won the hearts of their Commons. And fpecially 
 the Romans did that with great pomp and many 
 obfervances, as I did declare before in the third 
 book out of Herodian. Of them our Bifhops 
 learned, as by a pattern, their rite of canonizing 
 Saints: by the yearly facrifices, that Gregory and 
 Felix appointed, concerned nothing elfe but to de- 
 clare, that thofe Martyrs were Saints, and of the 
 houfhold of God. Lafh of all, Alexander the third 
 ordained. That no fuch divine folemnity fhould 
 be given to any man openly, without he were 
 canonized, and admitted to be a Saint by the 
 Bifhop o^ Rome his Bull, becaufe no man fhould 
 choofe himfelf any private Saint, or commit any 
 peculiar Idolatry. 
 
 24 
 
i86 POLIDORE VIRGIL. Lib. 6. 
 
 CHAP. VII. 
 
 INSTITUTION OF YEARS, DAYES, OR OBITES, AND 
 THE MANNER OF MOURNING. 
 
 F 
 
 UNERAL exequies that be done over dead 
 bodies, were the inftitution of Pelagius, Albeit, 
 Ifidorus afcribeth the original of it to the Apoftles, 
 and he himfelf did augment the Rites, that we use 
 in this time. Ambrqfe fuppofeth that it proceeded 
 of the cuftome of the Hebrews^ which lamented 
 Jacob fourty dayes, and Mqfes the space of 
 thirty dayes, for that time is fufficient for 
 the wife to weep in. It was alfo the ufage of an- 
 tient Romanes to mourn. For Numa Pompilius 
 afTigned Oblations to the infernal gods for the 
 dead, and did inhibite that a child under the age 
 of three years fhould be bewailed, and that the 
 elder fort fhould be mourned no more Moneths 
 than he had lived years. But commonly the 
 longed time of a Widows mourning was but ten 
 Months, and if any were married within the space 
 again, it was counted a great reproach : wherefore 
 Numa ordained that such as had mourned up be- 
 fore the day limited, fhould offer a Cow that was 
 
Lib. 6. POLIDORE VIRGIL. 187 
 
 great with Calf for an expiation. Neverthelefle if 
 that rite were ufed now a dayes, and namely in 
 England, we ihould have fmall ftore of Veals, there 
 be fo many that marry within the time prefcribed. 
 Plutarch writeth that the Women in their mourn- 
 ing layed a part all Purple, Gold, and fumptuous 
 apparel, and were cloathed both they and their 
 Kinsfolk in white apparel, like as then the dead 
 body was wrapped in white cloths. 
 
 The white colour was thought iitteft for the 
 dead, because it is clear, pure and fincere, and leaft 
 defiled, and when the time of their weeping was 
 expired, they put on their other veftures. Of this 
 Ceremony, (as I take it,) the French Queens took 
 occafion, after the death of their Hufbands the 
 Kings to wear onely white cloathing, and if there 
 be any fuch Widdow, fhe is commonly called the 
 white Queen. The Jews ended their mourning 
 after thirty days, and Englijhmen keep the fame 
 Rite. Their mourning garments for the mofl part 
 be altogether of black colour, and they ufe to wear 
 them a whole year continually unlefle it be becaufe 
 of a generall Triumph or rejoycing, or new Magif 
 trate choofing, or elfe when they be towards Mar- 
 riage. But the cuftome of mourning is no other 
 thing than meer fuperftition, fpecially if women 
 or men have a louring look, and a laughing heart. 
 For all fuch lamentation helpeth nothing the dead 
 Corps or Soul of the deceafed, and difquieteth fore 
 the living. 
 
 The manner of wafhing dead bodies and fpecially 
 of Noble men, and anointing them, was received 
 
1 88 POLIDORE VIRGIL. Lib. 6. 
 
 of our Anceflry which ufed to wafh the bodies? of 
 the dead, and it was the office of them that were 
 neareft of his Kinred, to do it. 
 
 Soul-Majfe day, that is the fecond day of No- 
 vember, was begun by Odilo that was Provoft or 
 Provincial! of the Monks of Cluniacenfes order, 
 upon the occafion that he heard about ^tna the 
 burning mountain of Sicily oftentimes great weep- 
 ing, lamentation, and crying: which he fupposed 
 to be the yelling of evill fpirits, that bewailed be- 
 caufe the fouls of dead men were taken from them 
 by the petitions, and facrifices of well difpofed 
 Chriftians, therefore he perfwaded his covent in 
 the time of John Bifhop of Rome, to make a gen- 
 eral obite of all Souls the day next after the Feaft 
 of all Saints. About the year of our Lord 1002, 
 our fathers received it as a godly inftitution full of 
 pitiful charity : and thus by procefTe of this Monks 
 fuppofition, fprung much vain fuperftition. 
 
 CHAP. VIIL 
 
 OF THE SEVENTH DAY, THIRTIETH DAY, OLD 
 
 MANNER OF BURIAL, HALLOWING 
 
 CHALICES, PRIESTS GARMENTS, 
 
 WITH OTHER THINGS. 
 
 JTxORATIUS the Poet, and Servius, write, 
 that the Romans ufed cuflomably the ninth day 
 after the burial, to renew the facrifices and folemn 
 
Lib 6. POLIDORE VIRGIL. 189 
 
 rites of the funeral, which they named in Latine, 
 Novem-diales : of this, we in our Religion have 
 gathered the fafhion of keeping the feventh day 
 with Exfequies, and other ordinary oblations. And 
 in England the cuftome is to keep the 30th day or 
 moneth-end with like Obites, as were done on the 
 burial dayes. Or elfe it might feem, that this 
 keeping of the feventh day, was brought up after 
 the fame fort among us ; as in marriages they ufed 
 in old time to renew their vows the yth day. For 
 like as that day was the folemn beginning of en- 
 creafing the ifTue of mankind; fo the fame day of 
 burial is or fhould be the compleat finifhing and 
 end of every thing. The Maffilians in France 
 palfed and fpent the dayes of their burials, with 
 private oblations, and feafting of their kinsfolk, 
 without any manner of lamentation or forrow, 
 which thing the Englifh-men at this day ufe com- 
 monly to do. In burials the old rite was, that the 
 dead corpfe was born before, and the people followed 
 after, as one fhould fay. We fhall dye, and follow 
 after him, as their laft words to the Coarfe did pre- 
 tend. For they ufed to fay, when it was buried, 
 on this wife. Farewell^ we come after thee: and of the 
 following of the multitude, they were called Ex- 
 Jequies. Albeit they ufed at Kings, and Noblemens 
 Funerals, to go before with Tapers ; which cuftome 
 we keep ftill. 
 
 Chalices, wherein the blood of Chrift is confe- 
 crated, were at the firft of wood, and that was the 
 inftitution of the Apoftles, which would prevent 
 all occafton of avarice in Priefts; but Zepherinus 
 
I90 POLIDORE VIRGIL. Lib. 6. 
 
 afterward commanded that they fhould confecrate 
 in a veflel of glafs. Notwithftanding in procefs, 
 that cuftome was broken. And Gratianus decreed, 
 that they fhould fay Mafle, confecrate with Chalices 
 of filver or gold ; or elfe if thofe might not be 
 gotten, in Chalices of Tinne; albeit fome refer this 
 to Urban the Firft. Sextus the Firft commanded, 
 that corporaces fhould be of Linnen cloath onely, 
 and that of the fineft, and pureft: and he forbade, 
 that any Lay- man fhould handle the hallowed 
 vefTels, and namely women were inhibited. The 
 hallowing of Priefls veftures, and altar cloaths, with 
 other ornaments of the Church, and the diverfity 
 of veftures of fundry orders was taken out of the 
 Hebrews Priefthood, and ufed in our Church firft 
 by Stephen Bifhop of Rome, firft of that name. 
 For at the beginning, Priefts in their Mafting ufed 
 rather inward vertues of foul, then outward appar- 
 rel of the body, which is rather a glorious fhew, 
 then any godly edifying. Sabinianus decreed firft, 
 that the people fhould be aflembled together to 
 hear fervice at certain hours of the day, by ringing 
 of bells : And John the 22 ordained. That bells 
 fhould be tolled every day three times in the even- 
 ing, and that then every man fhould fay three times 
 the Ave-Maria. 
 
 The ufe of Bells came firft of the Hebrews, 
 where the high Prieft or Bifhop had in the skirts 
 of his uppermoft veftures little bells to ring, when 
 he was in the holy place within the vail. And even 
 the Vail, Hangings, Candlefticks, with other Veftels 
 that we ufe in the Church, came alfo of their 
 
Lib: 6. POLIDORE VIRGIL. i^t 
 
 Ceremonies. The banners that be hanged abroad 
 in Eafter time, are ufed to declare the triumph of 
 Chrift over death, the devill, and hell, and were 
 taken of the Heathen, which in their Victories did 
 bear banners to declare and fignifie the conqueft of 
 their enemies. 
 
 CHAP. IX. 
 
 OF VOWES, GOING BARE-FOOT, LETANIES, PRAYING 
 
 FOR THEM THAT SNEESE, CROSSING THE MOUTH 
 
 WHEN MEN YAWN. 
 
 W 
 
 HEN we be brought into any extream 
 calamity, or dangerous adventure, that can by no 
 mans power or provifion be relieved, the urgent 
 neceffity conftrainingus, we fall to prayers, and vows- 
 making, as when we promife to fet up Candles, Images 
 of wax, or filver, with other like, fuppofing thereby 
 to obtain remedy of our grief. This cuftome 
 was borrowed of the Hebrews, which ufed to make 
 fuch vowes to God, and divers other Countries of 
 the Gentiles ufed that rite to their falfe gods. In 
 like manner, going bare-foot was taken up of the 
 Jews fafhion: which in their ficknefs and other 
 misfortunes were wont to pray continually 30 dayes, 
 forbear wine, fhave their hair, and after go bare- 
 foot to the Temple, and make oblation. This 
 
192 POLIDORE VIRGIL. Lib. 6. 
 
 manner of Vow was fo earneftly ufed in the time 
 of the Emperour Nero (when Florus was Prefident 
 of Jewry) that Bernice, fifter to King Agrippa, 
 went her felf bare-foot to the Temple of Hierufa- 
 lem, to obtain fome gentlenefle for her Countrey- 
 men at Florus his hands; but all in vain, for his 
 avarice was fo unfatiable, that no lowlinefs could 
 pacifie it. Even fo we in any of our afflidions, 
 ficknefs, or other heavinefs make vowes to God 
 and his Saints, and perform them, going to the 
 place bare-foot in like manner as the Jews did. 
 Supplications were ordained in a great Earthquake 
 by Mamercus^ Bifhop of Vienna, in the time of 
 Leo the Firft. Thefe be called of the Greek word, 
 Letanies; and are commonly named Proceffions, 
 becaufe the people proceed forth along in array, two 
 and two together, and go from place to place pray- 
 ing loud. They be called the lefs Letanies. And 
 Agapetus, as it is reported, firft appointed them to 
 be fung every Sunday in or about the Church; 
 although it feems by Tertullian s words, that they 
 have been ufed from the beginning of the Church; 
 and therefore it may be fuppofed, that Mamercus 
 did onely renew the cuftome. Afterward Gregory 
 ordained the great Letanies, called Jeptiformis 
 Letania the fame time that much people in Rome 
 perifhed through a great Plague of fwelling of the 
 privy members, which came of a corrupt ayr, that 
 was poyfoned with Adders and. Snakes, that were 
 caft out of Tyber at a marvellous high Tide. 
 
 There was another Plague, whereby many as 
 they fneefed dyed fuddenly; whereof it grew a 
 
Lib. 6. ' POLIDORE VIRGIL. 193 
 
 cuftome, that they that were prefent when any man 
 fneefed, fhould fay, God help you. 
 
 A like deadly Plague was fometime in yawning; 
 wherefore men ufed to fence themfelves with the 
 fign of the Crofs: both which cuftomes we retain 
 ftill at this day. In all other extern affairs that we 
 go about, we ufe to fign our felves with the token 
 of the Crofle. And this hath been the ufage from 
 the begining of the Church. 
 
 CHAP. X. 
 
 OF IMAGES, TYTHES; AND WHO PERMITTED THE 
 CLERGY TO HAVE POSSESSIONS. 
 
 A' 
 
 T the firft there was no Imagery nor Pictures 
 in the Churches, but all occafions of Idolatry were 
 withdrawn according to the commandment of the 
 old Law. Notwithftanding, it crept in among 
 Chriftians by little and little, and men made Images 
 of Chrift on the Crofle, after the example of Mofes 
 which fet up brazen Serpent, and Abagarus Duke 
 oi Edijfenians, a Nation beyond the "Ray tr Euphrates y 
 fent a Painter to draw the Image of our Saviour 
 Jefus : but for as much as he could not behold the 
 brightnefs of his face, Chrift laid a napkin on his 
 face, wherein he by his divine power printed the 
 refemblance of his vifage, and fent it by the Painter 
 to the Duke. A little napkin was given by him 
 
 25 
 
194 POLIDORE VIRGIL. Lib. 6. 
 
 (as it is faid) to a woman, that had the bloody flux, 
 whofe name, new Writers fay, was Veronica ; and 
 Luke the Evangelift had the Image o^ Mary the 
 Virgin in a Table painted. And in the Sixth 
 Council held at Conjiantinople by the command- 
 ment of Conjiantine, and Jujiinian the fecond his 
 Ton, it was decreed. That Images fhould be re- 
 ceived into the Churches, and worfhipped with 
 great reverence, as a thing whereby the Laity might 
 be inftruded, as inftead of Scripture, and that 
 Incenfe might be burned, and Tapers lighted be- 
 fore them. This was about the year of our Lord 
 630; or as fome take it, about the 703 year of our 
 Lord, when Agatus was Bifhop of Rome. After- 
 ward Conftantine^ Bifhop there, confirmed that 
 Decree, and caufed Images in the Church of Saint 
 Peter, and pronounced Philip the Emperour an 
 Heretick, becaufe be had f haven and fcraped away 
 the Imagery that was in 6*. Sophie's Temple. Not 
 long after, they were ratified and eftablifhed in the 
 Council of Nice^ where were aflembled by the 
 procurement of Eirene, Mother of Conftantine the 
 6th, 350 Bifhops. 
 
 The great Prophet of God, Mofes, and his 
 Succeflbur Jo/hua, divided the Land of Canaan* 
 among the Ifraelities, afligning no part thereof to 
 the Tribe of Levi, becaufe they were the Lord's 
 portion, faving that he gave them habitations in 
 every Tribe, and a little pafture for their Neat, 
 Sheep, and other Cattle. Therefore, becaufe they 
 miniftred in the Tabernacle of the Lord, and 
 executed fuch ceremonies, as appertained to their 
 
Lib. 6. POLIDORE VIRGIL. 195 
 
 Religion, he appointed for them the firft-fruits and 
 tenths to live on. And after this fort began the 
 paying of Tythes, by the Inftitution oi Mojes. 
 
 And Origen on the book of Numbers affirmeth, 
 that this commandement is to be obferved of us 
 after the letter, without any allegory or myftical 
 interpretation. And it appeareth by Chrift's 
 words, that he alloweth the literal fenfe of the old 
 Law, where he faith in the Gofpel, IVo be unto you 
 Scribes and Pharifees, ye that tythe Mint and Rue, 
 and all manner of herbs, and pajfe over judgment and 
 the Law of God, thefe ought to have been done, and 
 not to leave the other undone : where you may perceive 
 how that as he commandeth one, fo he would not 
 have the other omitted, that he fignified there 
 litterally. Eutychianus (becaufe in the Old 
 Teftament, the firft fruits were offered to the Lord) 
 ordained, that Corn fhould be confecrated on the 
 Altar: as Oyl and Incenfe was burned in the He- 
 brews Synagogue, and that Decree remaineth ftill In 
 effed in fome places. But the Priefts vertue is fo 
 old, and mens devotion waxeth fo cold, that in- 
 ftead of the firft-fruits, now adayes the people ufe 
 to bring, on the Sundayes, a few loaves of bread ; 
 in fome places two or three, as they be difpofed, 
 and thofe the Prieft confecrateth and parteth by 
 pieces among the people ; that whereas in time paft, 
 they ufed to receive the Sacrament on thofe dayes, 
 now they eat this bread hallowed in memorial of it. 
 And this they do after the pattern of Chrift, which 
 was ever wont to hallow bread, before he cither eat 
 it, or gave it to his Difciples. 
 
196 
 
 POLIDORE VIRGIL. 
 
 Lib. 6. 
 
 Other Nations alfo ufed to offer their firft-fruits 
 and Tythes, as the Romans offered to Hercules^ and 
 Bacchus to Jupiter ; Mars gave to Jupiter the tenth 
 of his prey of Lydia. Urbanus^ a man of godly 
 living, and fingular learning, about the year of our 
 Lord 222 decreed, That it was lawful for Priefls 
 to receive fuch Rents or Lands, as were given 
 them ; albeit there was nothing private to any man, 
 but common to all. And thus by little and little, 
 the fpirituall poffeffions were enlarged, and Bifhops 
 of Rome were greatly enriched. Lucina an holy 
 Maid of Rome, made Marcellus Bishop there, her 
 Heir and Executor ; and afterward Conftantine did 
 largely endow the fame Bifhop. 
 
 THE END OF THE SIXTH BOOK. 
 
Polidore Virgil. 
 
 The Seventh BOOK. 
 
 CHAP. I. 
 
 THE BEGINNING OF THE SOLITARY LIFE OF 
 RELIGIOUS PERSONS. 
 
 T 
 
 X HE matter hath been long in controverfy, 
 who firft began to inhabite Wildernefles, for fome 
 (as Saint Jerome witnesseth) that have ransacked 
 the uttermoft, fay that Helias and John Baptift^ were 
 Authors of the life folitary : but as the one was 
 more than a Prophet, fo the other was above the 
 ftate and condition of Monks. Some affign the 
 original of it to Anthony^ others refer it to one Paul 
 a Thehane furnamed Heremite, But (forafmuch as 
 every man may fpeak his fancy in a thing doubtful) 
 I think the infcitution of this Monaftical life to 
 have proceeded of the EfTees, a Religious brother- 
 hood among the Hebrews^ that lived after a greater 
 perfedion, then Monks did in their Superftitious 
 
198 POLIDORE VIRGIL. Lib. 7. 
 
 and Fantaftlcal Traditions, as appeareth by the 
 Eighth book of Eusebius, De preparatione Evan- 
 gelica. 
 
 Of their proceedings Anthony^ and "Paul the 
 Thehane^ took example of ordering the Rules and 
 Precepts of their Religious Schollers. Albeit, it 
 is right to afcribe the original of it to Anthony^ 
 which although he were not the firft, yet he did 
 much incourage the indeavours of all other, to 
 lead that life, and Authorifed the Difcipline of 
 Monks in /Egypt^ and aftQrwa.vd Bafilius in Greece, 
 and Hilarion in Syria, did much augment and am- 
 plify that purpose. For this Hilarion a man of 
 great vertue, by calling on the name of Jefus, 
 healed at the City of Gaza, the fons of a Noble 
 Woman : whereupon the brute of him was fo noif- 
 ed, that many out of Syria and Mgypt, repaired 
 unto him, and he founded Abbeys in Palejiine, and 
 inftructed them with rules of living. As for An- 
 thony he lived in the Wildernefle of Thebais in 
 Egypt, and builded there an Abbey, where he him- 
 felf, with Sarmatas, Amatas, and Macarius his Dif- 
 ciples, lived in fo earnefl contemplation and Prayer, 
 that they lived onely with bread and water, his 
 holinefTe was fuch that Helena, mother oiConftantine 
 did commend her felf and her fon, to his Prayers. 
 He died in the WildernefTe when he was an hundred 
 years old, the year of our Salvation 341, his Dif- 
 ciples Amatas and Macarius increafed much the 
 Religion after his death, and Sarmatus^^iS {lain by 
 the Saracens, The inftitution of this ftate of living 
 came, I grant, of a good zeal to godlinefTe, but 
 
Lib. 7. POLIDORE VIRGIL. 199 
 
 the Devil, perverter of all good things, did fo im- 
 poyfon the hearts of men, that they had more truft 
 in their works, then Faith in Chrifts bloud, and 
 then every man began new rules of works to be 
 their own Saviours, which was abominable in the 
 fight of God. 
 
 CHAP. II. 
 
 THE DIVISION OF MONASTICAL LIFE INTO SUNDRY 
 SECTS AND FACTIONS 
 
 I 
 
 N the year 166, after the death o^ Anthony, Ben- 
 net an Italian, born at Narji in Umbria, when he 
 had lived long in folitarinefle, reforted to a City of 
 Italy, named Sabblaque, a City of the Latines, fourty 
 miles from Rome. And becaufe he was greatly 
 delighted with a folitary life, and alfo the people 
 prelled to fee and hear his preachings, he departed 
 thence to Cajfine. And in the time of John the 
 firft, in the year of our Lord 524, he builded there 
 an Abbey, and aflembled the Monks, that were dif- 
 perfed alone in divers places, into one covent, and 
 ordered them with inftrudions of manner and rules 
 of living, confirmed with three vows, that is, chaf- 
 tity, willful! poverty, and obedience, becaufe they 
 fhould all together mortify their own will and lufts. 
 Thefe three forenamed Vows, Baftlius, Bifhop of 
 Cajaria did firfl inftitute and publifh, in the year 
 
200 POLIDORE VIRGIL. Lib. 7. 
 
 of our Lord, 383. And alfo afTign the year of pro- 
 bation or Trial, that Religious perfons had before 
 they were profefTed. 
 
 The order of CluniacenfeSy were ordained by one 
 Odon an Abbot ?it Majlicenfe, a Village of Burgundy. 
 And William DukQ of A qui ^anega.vQ them an Houfe, 
 the year of our Lord 916, in the time of Sergius 
 the third. Not long after, the Religion of Gamal- 
 dimenfes was begun by Romoaldus of Ravenna^ in the 
 Mount Apenninus^ the year of our Lord 850. They 
 kept perpetual filence, every Wednefday, and Friday 
 they faft, they eat bread and water, they go bare-foot, 
 and lye on the ground. In a part of the fame 
 Mountain called Vallis Umbrqfay or the fhadowed 
 Valley, in the year of Chrifts incarnation 1040, 
 under Gregory the fixth, John Gualbert began a new 
 fe(5l of Monks, and named them of the place where 
 the Abbey flood, the Shadow ed-V alley Order. 
 
 The Monks of Olivet fprung up as a fruit of 
 diforder, the fame year that the variance was among 
 the three Bifhops, and were inftituted by Barnardus 
 Piolomeus, the year of Christ 1407, under Gregory 
 the 1 2th. The Fadion of Grandimonienjers, began 
 by Steven of Avern^ in Aquitane or Guyen, the year 
 of our Lord 1076, under Alexander the fecond, and 
 had their Title of the Mountain where their Abbey 
 flood. A little after the fame time, Robert Abbot 
 of Molijme^ in Cifterftum a Forrefl in Burgundy^ did 
 inflitute the order of Cijiercians; albeit fome afcribe 
 this to one Ordingus a Monk, that perfwaded Robert 
 to the fame, about the year of our Lord 1098, 
 under Urbane the fecond; Of this Religion was 
 that great Clerk St. Bernard. 
 
Lib. 7. POLIDORE VIRGIL. 201 
 
 Almoft an hundred years after this in the year 
 of our Lord 11 66. The order of Humiliates was 
 devifed by certain persons, exiled by Fredericus Bar- 
 baruffa, which when they were reftored to their Coun- 
 trey, apparelled themfelves in white, and lived by a 
 kind of VoWj in Prayers, Penury, and working 
 wool, and were admitted by Innocentius the third, 
 and other his fucceflburs. 
 
 Celejiines were founded by Celejlinus the fifth of 
 that name, Bifhop oi Rome, in the year of our Lord, 
 1 198. In England Sdint Gilbert at Tiring t on y and 
 Sempringham, began an order called after him Gil- 
 ber tines, in the time of Eugenius the fourth, the year 
 of Chrifts Incarnation 1148. 
 
 The Jujiinians were invented by Lewis Barbus, a 
 Religious man of Venice, in the Abbey of Saint 
 Juftine at Padua, the year of our Salvation 141 2, in 
 the dayes of John the 24th. There were alfo 
 Orders of Nuns devifed after the same Rules of 
 Superftition, as the other be. 
 
 26 
 
CHAP. III. 
 
 OF THE HIERONYMIANS, CANONS, CHARTER- 
 HOUSE-MONKS, WHITE-FRYERS, CROUCH- 
 FRIERS, WITH OTHERS. 
 
 H 
 
 lERONYMIANS had their beginning of 
 Saint Hierome; which leaving his Native Country, 
 went into Jewry ^ and there not far from Bethlehem^ 
 builded him an houfe, where he lived very devoute- 
 ly, the latter end of his life, in the time of Inno- 
 centius the feventh, the year of our Lord, 1405. 
 After his example, other counterfeited a refem- 
 blance of perfection, naming themfelves Hierony- 
 mians, wearing their clothes of white, and a cope 
 plaited above over their Coat, girt with a lether 
 girdle. 
 
 There were alfo certain Hermites called Hierony- 
 mianSy of the Foundation of one Charls Granel of 
 Florence y which made himfelf an Hermite of the 
 fame Religion, in the Mountains of Fejfulus, 
 Others there be, that fay one Redo^ Earl of Mount 
 Granely did inftitute them in Fejulus, in the time 
 
Lib. 7. POLIDORE VIRGIL. 203 
 
 of Gregory the twelfth. Yet there be fome that 
 fay, that the original of this brother-hood, was in- 
 ftituted of Hierome in a Defart, and that Eufebius 
 of Cremona, with other devout and holy men, 
 which kept converfation with him, did enlarge and 
 augment the family of that profeflion. 
 
 As concerning the Channons Reguler, there be 
 two opinions: for fome fay that y^^^/^7?/;/^ by and 
 by, after he was created Bifhop, brought his Chan- 
 nons in this rule and form of living, wherein they 
 have been fo long trained and nulled up: other 
 fome brag, and make their vaunt, that it was de- 
 vifed of the Apoftles, and of this opinion was 
 Thomas Aquinas: ^mV Auguftine was doubtleffe, 
 either the inventour of the Sed, or renewer of 
 it, and therefore may bejuftly taken for an Author 
 of that Fadion, and fo was he likewife of Auguftine 
 Hermites. 
 
 The Channons cloathingwas a white Coat, and a 
 linnen rochet under a black cope, with a Scapular 
 to cover their head and fhoulders : The Hermites 
 have a contrary vefture, a black coat with a fcapular, 
 and another coat of white, and a Lether Girdle. 
 Of thefe there were divers other orders. As the 
 order of St. Saviour of the Scopettines, which were 
 ordained by Steven and James, two men of Scenes, 
 in the time of Urbane the fifth, the year of Chrift, 
 1370. And Gregory t\it nth, by his confent, con- 
 firmed them in their Hypocrify. 
 
 The Frifonaries is another Order, which began 
 among the Hetrurians, in the County of Luces, 
 that be otherwife called Lateranenjes, by the device 
 
204 POLIDORE VIRGIL. Lib. 7. 
 
 of James Brixian, in the time of John the 24th, the 
 year of Chrift 141 2, and they were amplified and 
 increafed by Eugenius the 4th. 
 
 The third Order is titled the brethren of St. 
 Gregory de Alga, This was ordained at Venice by 
 Laurence Juftinian^ in the time of Innocentius the 
 feventh, in the year of our Lord, 1407, with divers 
 other Orders; which forafmuch as they rofe fud- 
 denly, I will omit. 
 
 Bruno of Collen^ that fometime read the Philof- 
 ophy Lefture at Paris, did inftitute the Charter- 
 houfe Monks, in the DiocefTe of Gracionopolis, at 
 a place named Carthufia, in the year of our Lord 
 one thousand and eighty, under Gregory the feventh. 
 Their life was outwardly full of painted holinefle, in 
 forbearing Flefh, Fafting, bread and water every 
 Friday, full of folitarineffe, much filence, ever pin- 
 ned in, and women were banifhed out of the houfe, 
 with other femblable Ceremonies. 
 
 The Carmelites or white Friers, were as fome fay, 
 begun in Mount Carmelus, after the example of 
 Elias the Prophet, which lived there long folitary, 
 that they were firft aflembled together by Almericus 
 Bifhop of Antioch, the year of our Lord, one thou- 
 fand one hundred and seventy, in the time oi Alex- 
 ander the third, and they were alfo called our Lady 
 Friers, of a Chappel of our Lady, that was in 
 the Hill Carmelus, Neverthelefle about four 
 hundred years after, in the time of Innocentius 
 the third, they were reformed by Alhertus Bifhop 
 of Hierujalem, according to the rule of Bafilius 
 and the colour of their coat was turned into 
 
Lib. 7. POLIDORE VIRGIL. 205 
 
 white by Honorius the third, where before it was 
 RufTet. 
 
 The other of Premonftratenfes was inftituted in 
 the Diocefle of Laudune, by Northbergus a Prieft: 
 and the Precepts of that covent, were gathered out 
 of St. Auguftines rules, and admitted for good by 
 Calixtus the fecond, in the year of our Lord 1 1 20. 
 
 The Crouch, by CrofTe Friers began about the 
 year of our Lord, 121 5, by the device of Syracus 
 Bifhop of Jerufalem, which fhewed Helen mother 
 of Conjiantine, where the CrofTe lay hid, and in 
 memorial of the Crofs, he caufed this brotherhood 
 and CoUedge of Friers to bear the Crofs ; and yet 
 they never knew what the Crofs weighed in their 
 bodies or in their hearts, and forafmuch as they 
 were fore wafted, Innocentius the third renewed the 
 Religion. 
 
 CHAP. IV. 
 
 BLACK AND GREY-FRYERS, THE TRINITY-ORDER, 
 
 BRIGIDIANS, JESUITS, NEW HERMITES, 
 
 AND BONHOMES. 
 
 A 
 
 BOUT the time of Innocentius the third, 
 arofe two famous founders, of two fuperftitious 
 Seds, I mean Dominick the Spaniard, and Francis 
 
2o6 POLIDORE VIRGIL. Lib. 7. 
 
 the Italian, of the Country of Umbria. Dominicky 
 at the firft was a Canon; but becaufe he could not 
 fuffer to have a fuperiour, and was alfo weary of 
 the Cloyfter, he invented a new fraternity, named 
 Dominicans, Black-Fryers, or Fryers-Preachers, be- 
 caufe they had the charge to preach the Gofpel, 
 without mixture of any Pharifaical leven. The 
 new guife of their Vefture, made innocent Innocen- 
 tius to wonder. 
 
 But Honorius the third by his Bull honourably 
 admitted them, the year of our Lord 1220; and 
 Gregory the 9th put the matter all out of doubt, 
 canonized Dominick, and by his Bull under Lead, 
 allowed him for a Saint. 
 
 Frances, that was firft of the Friers Augujiines, 
 thinking that fecfl not to be fufficiently furnifhed 
 with Hypocrifie, began a new trade of living, in 
 the Mount Appenninus^ in a place named commonly 
 Laverna; doubtlefs a ground worthy for fuch a 
 foundation, as was befide the Word of God; it 
 was fet up in the time of Honorius aforefaid. They 
 were named Minorihes, of the humility, and low- 
 linefs of heart, that they fhould have; but that was 
 fmally regarded, and fartheft from their ftudy. 
 Two years after the year of our Lord God, 1229, 
 Francis was fandified by Gregory, and made a Saint. 
 Francijcans afterward fell at contention for the rules 
 of their profefTion. They that failed fomewhat of 
 the unperfed perfection of them, retained the 
 name of Minorites ftill ; the other entituled 
 themfelves Objervants, more worthy to be called 
 Obftinate. 
 
Lib. 7. POLIDORE VIRGIL. 207 
 
 The latter fellows were brought into England by- 
 King Edward the 4th, and were greatly inhanced 
 by the famous Prince, King Henry the 7th. 
 
 At the fame time was Clara the Virgin, Countrey- 
 woman to Saint Francis^ which was a great Found- 
 refs of Nuns, of the fame Rule that Francis gave 
 his Covent : of them fprung the baftard Penitencers 
 in the dayes of John the 22, and the year of our 
 Lord 13 1 5. 
 
 The Order of the Trinity under Innocentius^ was 
 begun by John Matta^^indFelix Anachorita in France 
 in the County of Meldine. Then alfo was founded, 
 or elfe not long after, in the time of Martin the 
 fourth, the Religion of Virgins or Servants, by one 
 Philip of Florencia, a Phyfitian ; and Benedict the 
 nth, confirmed it, in the year of our Lord, 385. 
 
 The Order of Brigidians, was inftituted by Brigi- 
 dia a Widow, that was Princefs of Sueta under 
 Url^an the 5th, in the year of our Lord 1370, it 
 was as well of men as women, albeit they dwelt 
 feverally by themfelves. 
 
 The Family of Jefuits, was the Invention of Jo- 
 hannes Columbinus^ in the City of Senes^ in the time 
 of the fame Urban^ the year of our Lord 1368; 
 they were no Priefts, nor confecrated perfons, but 
 were men of the lay fort, given and addided to 
 prayer, and had the name of Jefuits, becaufe that 
 name of Jefus, fhould be often in their mouth; 
 they be much like to our Beads-men in England. 
 
 The Sed of new Hermites began in Urbin, a 
 City in Italy, in the Countrey of Umbria, where 
 Polidore Virgil was born ; and was the device of one 
 
2o8 POLIDORE VIRGIL. Lib. 7. 
 
 Petrus an Hetrurian, and they had in the fame City 
 a goodly Hofpitall or Guild-HalL 
 
 The Bonhomes were inftituted in England by Ed- 
 mund fon of Richard Earl of Cornwall, which was 
 brother to Henry the third, and was eledted King of 
 the Romans, and heir apparent to the Empire, by 
 the principal Electors about the year of our Lord 
 1257. The fpeciall head place of that Religion was 
 AJirige, where the noble King Henry the eighth 
 hath now a goodly Palace. This Edmund brought 
 the blood of our Saviour, as it was faid, into the 
 Realm. 
 
 CHAP. V. 
 
 THE ORIGINAL OF SACRED KNIGHTS, AND WHITE 
 
 SECT. 
 
 W 
 
 HILST the City of Jerufalem, before our 
 Chriftian men had conquered it, in the year of our 
 Lord, 1099, was in fubje^lion to the Saracens, the 
 Latine Chriftians, that lived there tributaries, 
 purchased: a licence to build near unto the Holy 
 Sepulchre dwelling houfes, and among other they 
 made an Hofpital of our Lady to receive the 
 ftrange Pilgrims, and appointed a Provoft to enter- 
 tain them. 
 
 This was in Silvejter the firft his time, the year 
 of our Lord three hundred twenty and four ; and 
 
Lib. 7. POLIDORE VIRGIL. 209 
 
 renewed, the year of Chrift one thoufand three 
 hundred ninety and feven, in the time of Celeftine 
 the third, Bifhop of Rome, 
 
 After the pattern of this houfe, was devifed a 
 like houfe of Virgins in memorial of Mary Mag- 
 dalen^ to receive the Women that reforted thither. 
 It began in the 2d Urbanes dayes, the year of our 
 Lord 1099. Notwithftanding becaufe the multi- 
 tude of Latine Pilgrimes waxed very great, they 
 builded three Hofpitals of Saint John Baptift^ as 
 fome fay; Albeit, fome think it was of John 
 Eleemoftnarius, that was the Patriarch of Alexandria, 
 in the reign of the Emperour Phocas. This Se6t 
 one Geradus adorned with a white Crofs in a black 
 vefture : grand Captain of thefe Knights was 
 RamunduSj when Clement the fifth had the See of 
 Rome, about the year of our Lord 13 10, yet fome 
 affirm that the beginning of them was in the 3d 
 Alexanders dayes, the year of Chrift one thoufand one 
 hundred feventy and nine: and they be called of the 
 order o^SdXnt John, or Knights of the Rhodes, becaufe 
 they won the Rhodes from the Ttirks^ which after- 
 wards they loft again in January, in the year of 
 our Salvation, one thousand five hundred twenty 
 three, albeit, they did long defend it manfully. 
 
 The Temples order was begun in Gelajius the 
 fecond his dayes, in the year of Chrifts Incarna- 
 tion, one thoufand one hundred twenty and eight, 
 by Hugo Paganus, and Gaufridus de Jancto Alexan- 
 dra : they were named Templers, becaufe they kept 
 in a part of the buildings near to the Temple, 
 they kept Bernardus rule in their living. But 
 28 
 
2IO POLIDORE VIRGIL. Lib. 7. 
 
 Clement the fifth depofed them, partly for that 
 they renounced the Faith, and confpired with the 
 Turks, and partly for other notable crimes. 
 
 The order of Teutonicks, or Dutch Lords, began 
 in Jerujalem by a Dutch man whofe name is not 
 known ; Their office was to fight againft the 
 enemies of Chrifts Crofs, it began in the dayes of 
 Clement the third, the year of Chrifts incarnation 
 1 190. Petrus Ferdinandus a Spaniard began the 
 order of Saint James Knights, that lived after St. 
 Aujlins rule, under Alexander the third, and in the 
 year of our Lord, one thoufand one hundred and 
 fixty, in the fame Bifhops dayes. 
 
 San^fius a King, ordained the Fadion of Cala- 
 tranean Knights, which profefled the rule of the 
 Ciftercienjes. 
 
 Of the fame profefTion be they of the Order of 
 Jefus Chrifts Knights, which were inftituted by 
 John the 22th Bifhop of that name, in Portugall 
 to refift the Saracens. 
 
 Alexandrians brotherhood of Knights in the Realm 
 of Cafiile, that began in Gregory the ninths time, 
 about the year of our Salvation 1240, but who was 
 Author of them is uncertain. James King of 
 Arragon did found two feds of Knights, one named 
 of S. Mary, de Mercede : the office of thofe was to 
 ranfome fuch as were taken Prifoners in wars by 
 the Turks, the other Sed is called Montaftan 
 Knights, and they wear a Red Crofs. Both thefe 
 Orders Gregory the nth did allow in the year of 
 our Lord, 1000. 
 
 The order of Minimes or leaft-brethren, were 
 
Lib 7. POLIDORE VIRGIL. 211 
 
 founded by one Francifcus Poula a Sicilian^ after the 
 example oi Frauncis his Minorites. 
 
 The Apoftolike brethren began in the year of 
 our Lord 1260, by the inftitution of Gerardus 
 Sagarelus, in the town named Perma in Lombardy 
 in the time of Alexander the fourth. 
 
 The white fed fprung up in the Alps, and de- 
 fcended into Italy having a Prieft for their Captain. 
 But Bonifacius perceiving they (hould do no good to 
 his honourable eftate if they continued, caufed their 
 Captain to be beheaded at Viterhium^ as attainted of 
 fome Herefy, the year of our Lord 1400. They 
 were a great number, and did no other thing but 
 lament the ftate of Mankind, and bewail the fins 
 of the people. There was of this fafhion both 
 men and Women, and were called the white i^di^ 
 becaufe they ware white cloathing. 
 
CHAP. VI. 
 
 THE NINIVITES, ASSYRIANS, ANTONIANS, AND 
 
 CEREMONIES. 
 
 N 
 
 O lefTe fuperftition is in the fraternity of the 
 Ninivites, although they avant themfelves to have 
 received their manner of living from the Apoftles : 
 for the end of their doings is to work their own 
 Salvation by deeds fatisfadory to God, where in 
 deed they derogate the effed and power of Chrifts 
 bloud. The Rites be fpecified with outward holi- 
 nefs : as often affembling to prayer, hyring of Chaun- 
 try priests, fupporting poverty, and be cloathed in 
 fackcloath, and fcourge one another with whips. 
 
 Of this painted pennance they call themfelves 
 Ninevites, as though they appeafed Gods wrath in 
 the fame wife, as they of Nineveh did, where in 
 deed they had hearty contrition for their offences : 
 thefe have but pretenfed holinefs and penitence. 
 They began under Clement the third, the year of 
 our Lord, one thoufand, 285. 
 
 The manner of their whipping came of the 
 Romane facrifices, and Lupercalia, whereof I fpake 
 before ; for they ufed the fame cuftome of a fuper- 
 
Lib. 7. POLIDORE VIRGIL. 213 
 
 ftitious opinion: or, if a man would be curious in 
 bolting out of the original of their beating, it may- 
 appear to have proceeded of an obfervance of the 
 Egyptians, For the ufage was there, that whileft 
 they offered a Cow with many Ceremonies to their 
 great Idol, as Herodotus witneffeth, during the 
 burning thereof, they fhould beat one another mif- 
 erably with wands or rods. 
 
 The title of their fraternity came of the Romans, 
 which had divers fellowfhips, as Sodales Titii, and 
 Fratres Arvales that facrificed to Ceres, goddefs of 
 Corn. Another fort there is, not onely idle, but 
 alfo theevifh, and they be called AJJyrians, the fame 
 that we name commonly Egyptians. Thefe, as all 
 men have heard, and many have by experience 
 proved, be fo light fingered, that they will find 
 two things, before they lofe one. 
 
 The men by fuch pilfery, theft, and plain fl:eal- 
 ing, and Women by Palmeftry, bleffmgs, with like 
 other forcery, and witchcraft, furnifhed with lyes, 
 feduce and deceive a great number of fimple people 
 in every Countrey and Region. 
 
 And becaufe they fhould have more liberty to 
 fpeed their purpofes, they fay. It is their vow, and 
 penance is given them to go in continual pilgrim- 
 age. 
 
 The occafion that thefe vagabonds fi:ray thus 
 abroad, came of an old Idol that they worfhippedin 
 their -Paganifm, named the Goddefs of Syria, 
 wherewith they ufed to gad from place to place to 
 beg money, wine, milk, cheefe, corn, and other 
 fluff, as Apuleius writeth. 
 
214 POLIDORE VIRGIL. Lib. 7. 
 
 The fame people now they be chriftened, play 
 their parts in like manner with fundry fubtilties: 
 and what they get by lying, picking, ftealing, brib- 
 ing, they make money of; and fo return home, 
 laughing to fcorn all thofe fimple perfons that they 
 have thus deceived. 
 
 Seeing all other fuperftitions be abolifhed and 
 rooted up, it is pity that this fhould take ftill 
 effedt, and be unpunifhed. The Antonians were a 
 counterfeit of Anthony s perfedion; but they dif- 
 fer as much from his holinefs, as white from black; 
 they have a T. on their breaft, that meaneth Tolle^ 
 teaching them to take what they can get, be it Cow, 
 Ox, Calf, or Pigg; for they offer Swine to him, as 
 they did facrifice fheep to Bell in Babylon; they 
 were inftituted in the year of Chrift 324. 
 
 The Ceretanes began in Ceretum^ a City of 
 Umbria, and they ever ufed to go a begging at the 
 latter end of Harveft, when the Barns were ftufF'd 
 with corn; and fo like drones devour that which 
 others have gotten with the fweat of their browes. 
 
 Of thefe valiant beggers, there be in every place 
 a great many; but I cannot tell what time they 
 were inftituted; and how foon they be put down, 
 it skilleth not. 
 

 CHAP. VI L 
 
 THE ORIGINALL OF MAHOMET S SECT. 
 
 O 
 
 F all thefe fuperftitlous Seds before rehearfed, 
 there is not one fo diabolical, as the Se6l of 
 Mahometans, as well for the filthinefs of all unlaw- 
 full lufts, as other outragious naughtinefTe, that 
 they occupied daily, to the great endamaging of 
 Chriftendome, and encreafe of their own infidelity. 
 Of this unreverent religion, Mahomet a Noble-1 
 man, born in Arabia, or as fome report, m^T'erfta, 
 was authour: his father was an Heathen Idolater, 
 and his Mother an Ifmaelite : wherefore fhe had 
 more perceivance of the Hebrewes law. This 
 wicked plant, brought up and foftered under his 
 Parents, and inftrufted like a mungrell in either of 
 their lawes, became expert, and of a ready wit: And 
 after the death of his father and mother, he was in 
 houfhold with one Abdemonaples, an Ifmaelite, 
 which put him in truft with his merchandife, and 
 other affairs; and after his deceafe, he married his 
 Miftrefs, a Widow. There he fell in acquaintance 
 ywTtli the Monk Sergius, an heretick of Nejiorius's 
 
 iM-t ^^ 
 
 ^.- 
 
 k.*^ 
 
 tj4fi"^ 
 
 
 
 Ui 
 
 rii 
 
 
 (M 
 
 ':Jii9^..' 
 
 
 *-^U/ 
 
2l6 
 
 POLIDORE VIRGIL. 
 
 Lib. 7. 
 
 
 nl/ 
 
 -^^^ 
 
 
 t^^S> 
 
 iT'"^" 
 
 01 
 
 fed, that fled from Byzance into Arabia; and by 
 his counfell and advice, this Mahomet^ about the 
 year of our Lord five hundred and twenty ; and 
 the twelfth year of the reign of the Emperour Her- 
 aclius ; began in Arabia to found a new fed, and 
 by feditious Sermons feduced much and many 
 Countries. He conquered by help of the Arabians 
 divers Lands, and fubdued them as Tributaries, 
 and compelled them to live after the tradition of 
 his laws, that he gathered out of the New and Old 
 Teftaments, and divers herefies of Nicolaites, Man- 
 icheeSy and Sabellians, He dyed the _^oth_year_of^ 
 his age, and his body was carried by the Saracens 
 
 to a City of Perfia, called Mejcha, and laid in a 
 Coffin of Iron. - ;• ' ''^ -Jh ^l^fi{ ^M ^ 
 
 Caliphas fucceeded Mahomet; but ne was aepoied' 
 for his fuperftition, and another of the fame name 
 was fubftituted in his room. 
 
 Homar was the third that reigned ; and he, after 
 the conqueft of the Perfians, wan Hierufalem, and 
 all Syria, the year of our Lord 680, in the time of 
 Agathon Bifhop of Rome, and Constantine the 4th, 
 Emperour. This Sed waxeth daily bigger and 
 bigger, partly through the difcord of Chriftian 
 Princes ; and partly by reafon of our flnfull living, 
 that daily groweth to greater enormities, that de- 
 ferve the heavy hand of God over us. 
 
 THE END OF THE SEVENTH BOOK. 
 
Polidore Virp-il 
 
 The Eighth BOOK. 
 
 CHAP. I. 
 
 OF RELIQUES, STATIONS, THE YEAR OF JUBILEE, 
 PzVRDONS. 
 
 N 
 
 OT long after the Martyrdom o£ Peter and 
 Pauly both many, and that of divers forts, as well 
 men as women, by the example of their conftancy, 
 were encouraged to fuffer fundry kinds of torments 
 in feveral parts of the World, for the maintaining 
 of Chriftian Religion. But namely in Rome, 
 much murther of innocent blood was committed 
 of Tyrants by many manner of punishments, and 
 a great number dyed in Chrift's cause : among 
 others, certain Bifliops, to the number of thirty 
 and two, were flain by extreme perfecution, unlefs 
 28* 
 
2x8 POLIDORE VIRGIL. Lib. 8. 
 
 it were feven of them, which by death were pre- 
 vented before they attained the Crown of Martyrs. 
 Therefore confidering that much Martyrs blood 
 was fpent and that fpecially in Rome, and 
 many from other places were conveyed thither; 
 Cletus 2ind Anacletus, Bifhops there, did ferioufly go 
 about to reverence them. For the one appointed a 
 place where Martyrs fhould feverally have their Se- 
 pulchres apart from the lay people ; and the other 
 by decree, denounced him accurfed as facrlleglous, 
 that by word or deed hindred mens devotion from 
 vifiting the tombs of the Apoftles. 
 
 Upon this occasion, Califtus the FIrft, builded, 
 beyond Tyber^ a Church, in honour of our Lady : 
 and Conjlantine, Emperour, edified to Peter, Paul, 
 and Laurence, Temples. This matter was by 
 Gregory the Saint fet forward, to the encreafe of 
 fuperflitlous devotion ; For he appointed the 
 Letanles of Saints, with Ora pro nobis, to be sung 
 with Mafles in certain folemn dayes in the chief 
 Temples of the City, promlfing them that repaired 
 thither at fuch folemn Feafts, clean remiffion of 
 fins by his pardon. And he named the pompous 
 facrlfices. Stations, becaufe they were celebrated on 
 certain dayes limited and prescribed by Statute. 
 Bonifacius the eighth, in the year of our Lord 
 1300, appointed the year of Jubilee, or grace, to 
 be kept every hundred year with clean remlfTion a 
 pcena et culpa, to all them that vlfited the Temples 
 of the Apoftles Peter and Paul. And this was 
 taken up of the example of the Hebrews, albeit 
 they did keep it every 50 years ; or elfe, as fome 
 
Lib. 8'. POLIDORE VIRGIL. 219 
 
 think, he affigned the years according to the old 
 Feafts of Apollo and Diana, which the Romans 
 Heathen folemnized every hundred year ; and of 
 that they were called Ludi Jeculares. About fifty 
 years after, Clement the fixth decreed. That it 
 fhould be celebrated every fifty years, as the 
 Hebrews rite was, because no man was able to attain 
 the old Jubilee of an hundred years. Laft of all, 
 Sextus the fourth reftrained the year of grace to the 
 25th year, and he himfelf kept it at that day, 
 which was in the year of Gods grace fhewed by his 
 Son Jefus Chrift to the World, a thoufand four 
 hundred threefcore and fifteen. About the fame 
 time, Pardons were much ufed, but who was the 
 firft author of them, I have not read in any 
 Writer, faving that Saint Gregory (as I faid before) 
 proclaimed Pardons as a reward for them, that came 
 to his Stations. This feed fown by Gregory, grew 
 to a ripe Harveft in the time of Bonifacius the 9th, 
 who reaped much money for that chaff. After this, 
 Alexander the fixth, that was in the year of our 
 Lord 1500, affigned the Jubilee and Stations to be 
 had in fundry Provinces and Countries, to the 
 intent, that leffe throng of people and more thrift 
 of money might come to Rome, and so the people 
 fhould onely lofe their money, and save their 
 labour. But Mojes was the firft author of the 
 Jubilee, as appeareth by Jojephus in the Old Tefl:a- 
 ment. 
 
CHAP. II. 
 
 THE BISHOP OF ROMES TITLES, COLLEDGES OF SCRIBES, 
 SEALING BULLS WITH LEAD, ANNATES. 
 
 r ORASMUCH as nothing is fo decent for a 
 Prieft as gentlenefle, nothing fo fit as lowlinefie, 
 nothing more comely then humblenefs, according 
 to the faying of our Saviour, Learn of me, for I am 
 meek and lowly in heart, nor nothing more againft 
 their order than pride and arrogancy, Gregory the S, 
 Bifhop of Rome, named himself Servus fervorumDei, 
 which thing he did not onely ufurp in Title, but 
 alfo exprefs in deed. This name and preface was 
 received and ufed of his Successours, but his 
 hearty meeknefs was refufed, as a thing -that 
 diminifhed their Pontifical eflate. Cletus added to 
 Salutem et Apoflolicam benedi^ionem, as a Salutation 
 condigne and appertaining to vertue and godlinefs, 
 and a resemblant to Chrifts greeting, which was 
 Peace be with you; or of the Hebrews, that ufed 
 to fay in their meetings Peace be with thee: And 
 this all our Bifhops have referved to themfelves 
 as a peculiar faluting. 
 
Lib. 8. POLIDORE VIRGIL. 221 
 
 As concerning the Scribes that ufed to write the 
 letters -Apoilolical, where before time they were 
 wont to write for nothing, or elfe alked very little; 
 John the 22th, defirous to encreafe and enlarge his 
 fubftance, founded a CoUedge of Scribes that 
 fhould write and endite letters of their own device, 
 and do other offices, but they muft be chofen out 
 of his own Clerks, and muft pay and be difmifTed 
 of money, before they could be admitted to the 
 room. He did alfo pay, (to thofe which had be- 
 nefices of his gift and prefentation) all fuch things, 
 as belong to the Apoftolical penitencers. Bennet 
 the 1 2th devifed firft, and determined the price of 
 Writs, and Bulls. The cuftome of fealing the 
 Bifhop of Romes Bulls with lead, was taken up by 
 Steven the third, and Hadrian the firft ; to the intent 
 they fhould endurelonger, where before time the ufage 
 was, to Seal in wax with a Ring. And this was 
 the year of our Lord 772, at which time Hadrian 
 was Bifhop : before thofe days I find no mention 
 of fealing with Lead as before Carolus Magnus^ none 
 of the Roman Emperours fealed letters with Gold; 
 Pins the fecond did create Breviators, and fet them 
 in an Order, which Paul depofed ; but Sextus after- 
 ward renewed them, and alfo inftituted a new 
 Colledge of Solicitors, and Prodors, by whofe 
 Counfell and advice, all Bulls and grants were made 
 and ratified. He alfo ordained 9 notaries of the 
 Treafure Apoftolical, and affigned to every of them 
 certain fees and profits, that he might have fpeedy 
 utterance of the rooms. Innocentius that succeeded 
 next Sextus, devised the Colledge of Secretaries, 
 
222 POLIDORE VIRGIL. Lib. 8. 
 
 and Alexander the fixth increased the number of 
 writers of his Briefs, to the number of eighty and 
 above. 
 
 The fummoners and catch-poles, that were 
 hangers unto thofe Breviatours, were by Nicolas 
 the third put out of office, left all the poor fheep 
 ftiould be flay'd to the quick. But all this filled 
 not fo much the Popes Coffers in 7 years, as his 
 Annates did in one. Annates he called the yearly 
 revenues or half part of the fruits, of a Benefice or 
 fpiritual promotion, that he received of the new 
 incumbents. Thefe began first at his own Bene- 
 fices, whereof he was a patron. And Clement the fifth 
 generally decreed it, in the year of our Lord, 1305, 
 Bonifiacius the ninth, and John the 22th renewed 
 the Decree for fear of forgetting, becaufe it helpeth 
 much the purfe. 
 
 CHAP. III. 
 
 OF THE SECT OF SIMONIAKES, HERETICKS, AND 
 SCHISMS. 
 
 J7 HILIP the Deacon, when he had by his 
 preaching, converted them of Samaria to Chrifts 
 Religion, among many other, he turned one Simon 
 a Magician and inchanter, and Baptifed him. In 
 fhort fpace after, Peter and John were fent thither, 
 to confirm them in the Faith, by giving them the 
 
Lib. 8. POLIDORE VIRGIL. 223 
 
 Holy Ghost, through laying on of hands, this 
 Simon perceiving the feat of Peter ^ that he could by 
 laying on of hands, give the Holy Ghoft, profered 
 to give a large fum of money to have that pov/er 
 taught him, whereas he fhould rather have obtained 
 it by Faith and godlinelTe. Peter m.oved at thofe 
 words, with anger faid, Thy jnoney fnall turn to thy 
 deftruction, becauje thou Juppof eft the gift of God to be 
 bought with money ; neither fnalt thou have any portion 
 or doal of this charge^ for thy heart is not upright 
 before God. Thus rejefted of his fuit, he became a 
 great enemy to Peter, and in Rome feduced by 
 his Magick much people, infomuch that he was 
 taken and proclaimed by Heroes Charter a god, 
 with this title, Simon deusfanSfus. 
 
 But Peter with the fword of Gods word, after 
 long conflid of words, and contention of miracles, 
 between the Capitol or Councel-chamber, and the 
 Mount A V en tine caufed that, as he was by his 
 Magical exorcifms lifted up, and flying in the 
 Ayre, he had fuch a fall that he brake his Leg, and 
 it cofl: him his life in Aretia^ where he lay at Surgery 
 for the healing of his leg. 
 
 Of him, all that buy and fell the gifts of the 
 Holy Ghoft, and fay the World was not of the 
 creation of God, but proceeded of a power above, 
 were named Simoyiiakes : and fome call them that 
 buy or fell Benefices, and fpiritual promotions, 
 which thing (although it be often ufed) is plainly 
 forbidden by the Scriptures. Next Simon fucceeded 
 his Difciple Menander, a Samaritane born, which 
 called himfelfa Saviour sent from heaven to preferve 
 
224 POLIDORE VIRGIL. Lib. 8. 
 
 and fave men; and prpmifed them that received his 
 Baptifm, fliould live immortally : he did more 
 harm, and perverted more than his Mailer Simon 
 had done. 
 
 In the fame year the herefy of the Nlcolaitans 
 began, which taught that Wives fhould be ufed in 
 common, as the Anabaptifts do now at this time. 
 
 Then also Corinthus enterprifed, to mix the new 
 Law with the old, affirming, Circumcifion ought to 
 be obferved and kept ; and that after the Refurrec- 
 tion, men fhould live a thoufand years in carnal 
 lufts and pleafures. In thofe dayes Ebion his 
 herefie brake out, which faid, That Chrift was not 
 before his Mother. Againft this fellow, John wrote 
 his Gofpel, laft of all the Evangelifts. About that 
 time were other divers hereticks ; as Bafilides, that 
 affirmed, there were two beginnings, principal 
 caufes of things contrary: and his Scholler Marcion 
 a Stoician, that denyed Chrift to be the Son of 
 God : and Valentian^ that faid, Chrift took no flefh 
 of the Virgins body, but paffed thorow her, as it 
 were, through a Pipe or Conduit. Then alfo 
 Montanus named himfelf, the Comforter, or Holy 
 Ghoft. Apelles was then alfo, which faid, Chrift 
 was but a phantafte in the fight of men : and 
 Sabellius, that faid, the Father, the Son, and the 
 Holy Ghoft, were but one Person : and Paulus 
 SamqfatenuSy which denyed the two Natures to be in 
 Chrift, and that he began but of his Mother, and 
 that fhe had after him more children by Jojeph, 
 And thus began Hereticks firft to fpring up. As 
 for Schifms, which fprung of fuch herefies and 
 
Lib. 8. POLIDORE VIRGIL. 225 
 
 erronious opinions, Novatianus a Prieft of Rome 
 was the firft author, in the year of our Lord 255, 
 in the time of Cornelius Bifhop of Rome: He 
 named his difciples Mundi^ that is, pure and clean ; 
 and he affirmed, that offenders ought not to be 
 admitted, but rejeded, although they were peni- 
 tent for their fins: Which opinion, the Anabap- 
 tifts now maintain. He was condemned by Cor- 
 nelius Bifhop of Rome, as an heretick, with all his 
 adherents. About 80 years after, in the reign of 
 Conftantine the Great, Arrius?i Prieft of Alexandria^ 
 was the beginner of a Se6t and Schifm, that denyed 
 the Son to be of the fubftance of God the Father; 
 but this was convidt in the Council of Nicene, 
 albeit not extind. 
 
 The third Schifm was, when Damafus was Bifhop 
 of Rome, wherein they contended, not only with 
 voyces and words, but alfo with violence and 
 weapons, by reafon of the ambition of the Bifhops 
 there affembled. Other Schifms have fprung in 
 our time, to the great difquietnefs and confufion of 
 Chriftian Religion, and deftrudion of Common- 
 wealths, which I pray God may be redreffed and 
 ftayed, to the honour of Him to the confirmation 
 of the faithful, to the fubverfion of hypocrifie, to 
 the advancement of Gods Word, to the mitigating 
 of the trouble of publike weals, to the eftablifh- 
 ment of perpetual unity of heart, and continual 
 peace, all diffention and war extinguifhed. 
 
 29 
 
CHAP IV. 
 
 WHEN THE FIRST GENERAL COUNCIL WAS KEPT 
 AND WHICH WERE ALLOWED BY THE FATHERS. 
 
 T 
 
 HE custome of affembling Councils, to take 
 deliberation of things doubtfull, of matters ferious, 
 is of great ancientry, as well among the Hebrews, 
 as other Nations ; And by fuch a manner of 
 Council, was Matthias furrogated and subftituted in 
 the stead of Judas ^ into the number of the Apoftles. 
 And by a Council holden at Jerufalem the Apof- 
 tles difcharged the Gentiles of Mofes law. 
 
 Cornelius was the firft, as plainly appeareth, that 
 called together any council ; and that was in Rome, 
 of 600 Bifhops, and as many Priefts, with a great 
 multitude of Deacons. In this Council, the here- 
 fie of the Novatians was convided. And at the 
 fame time fate alfo a Council at Carthage^ where 
 Saint Cyprian was Bifhop. Eujebius writeth also. 
 That once in the dayes of Dionyfius, and likewise in 
 
Lib. 8. POLIDORE VIRGIL. 227 
 
 the time of Felix^ the Fathers fummoned another 
 Council at Antioch, to condemn Paul Samqfatene^ 
 which denyed the two Natures of Chrift, as is 
 aforesaid. 
 
 Five other Councils were celebrated in the reign 
 of Const antine the Emperour, and all were in Greece ; 
 One at Nicea, a City of Bithine, where were 
 gathered 318 Bifhops to confnte Arrius and his 
 Sed. This was the year of Chrift 324, the fame 
 time that Sylvester the Firft was Bifhop of Rome. 
 
 The fecond was at Conftantinople, when Damafus 
 was Bifhop of Rome, wherein Macedonius and 
 Eudoxas were condemned, becaufe they did deny 
 the Holy Ghoft to be God. 
 
 The third was at Ephefus^ Celeftine the firft then 
 occupying the See of Rome. There was Nejiors 
 herefie abolifhed, that faid, Mary the Virgin was 
 Mother of Chrift a man, but not as he was of God; 
 and that the Perfon of the Godhead and his Man- 
 hood were two fundry Perfons. 
 
 The fourth was at Chalcedonie, under Leo the 
 Firft, where Eutyches an heretick was condemned : 
 Thefe four. Saint Gregory thought worthy to be 
 admitted and allowed to the eftablishing of our 
 Religion. 
 
 The fifth was solemnly kept at Bizance, at the 
 Commandment of Vigilius Bifhop of Rome: and 
 in this was Theodorus reafoned with, which affirmed, 
 that Mary did bear onely a man, and not God and 
 man; for that cause the Council there then decreed. 
 That Chrift's Mother fhould be called Theotocos^ or 
 Deipara^ that is. Bearer of God : and the Ads of 
 this Council were received by Gregory. 
 
228 POLIDORE VIRGIL. Lib. 8. 
 
 The fixth Council, Conftantine the fourth, at the 
 requeft and fuit of Agathon^ called also at Bizance, 
 where 200 Bifhops condemned Macarius of Anti- 
 och. This Council was accepted by Hadrian the 
 Firft. That no Council might be legitimate, or 
 lawfully aflembled without the Bifhop of Rome's 
 confent and affent, was the constitution and decree 
 of Marcelliis the First ; and afterward Julius Dama- 
 fus^ and Gregory^ ratified the fame. 
 
 Martin the Fifth made a Law, That every tenth 
 year the Bifhop of Rome, and all Chriftian Prin- 
 ces fhould meet together, to consult of matters 
 concerning our Religion and Chriftian Faith. It 
 was decreed at the Council of Nicene, That every 
 Bifhop fhould twice yearly have a Synod or Senes 
 general within his Diocefs, to corre6t and reform 
 fuch things as were out of order. But now the 
 matter is fo handled, that Senes, be onely Courts 
 to gather their Senage and Proxy; with a Proceffion, 
 and a Sermon that the half underftand not; and 
 other corredion I hear of none. 
 
CHAP. V. 
 
 OF THE FIRST PERSECUTORS OF CHRISTIANS ; AND 
 FIRST MARTYRS. 
 
 C 
 
 HRIST, which came into this World, and 
 was Incarnate, to bear witness unto the truth, had 
 for his true teftimony great envy of the Jews; 
 infomuch that they perfecuted him to the vile 
 death of the Crofs, for his earneft record and 
 report of the truth ; and they did no lefTe pur- 
 fue the Apoftles and MefTengers of the truth. For 
 when they, following the example of their Mafter, 
 did openly declare the Word of truth, and namely 
 Peter did forely rebuke the wickednefse of the Jewes, 
 in putting to death Chrift the author of life, ad- 
 vertifing them to repent and amend : the Jewes 
 were fo furious, that firft they murthered Stephen^ 
 as the A5is of the Apoftles testifie, becaufe he was a 
 vehement witnefle of the truth. This Stephen did 
 two years continually, after Chrift's death, difpute 
 with all the Learned men of Alexandria, Cyrene, 
 
230 POLIDORE VIRGIL. Lib. 8. 
 
 Cilicia and Afta^ and by heavenly wifdome, confound- 
 ed their worldly ^reafons, and humane learning. 
 Wherefore they were fo fore vexed with hate and 
 malice againft him, that they violently thruft him 
 out of the City, and then cruelly ftoned him to 
 death. Thus Stephen was the firft open maintainer 
 and defender of our Chriftian Religion. After- 
 ward, as Luke telleth, fo bitter and fharp perfecu- 
 tion did burft out againft the Chriftians that were 
 in Jerufalem,t\\2it they were enforced to ftray abroad, 
 and were fcattered throughout all Jewry and Sama- 
 ria, faving that the Apoftles remained and fojourned 
 ftill at Jerujalem. Notwithftanding, this perfecution 
 was the occafion of great furtherance of the Gofpel, 
 by reafon they ceafed not, but preached ftill the 
 word everywhere, with great increafe, and augment- 
 ing of the faithful number. 
 
 Among the Heathen Nations, Nero was the 
 firft Prince that perfecuted our religion univerfally; 
 and put Peter and Paul to death, and confequently 
 many other innocents were (lain cruelly. For 
 when of a devillifh mind that he had, he could not 
 fpare even his Country ; but either for difpleasure of 
 the ruinous houfes, which grieved him to behold, or 
 elfe defirous to fee a refemblance of the burning of 
 Troy, he fet on fire the moft part of the City of 
 Rome, with fo huge a flame, that it burned six 
 dayes, and fix nights continually, to the impover- 
 ifhing of many thoufands of rich Citizens. Then 
 to mitigate the fhamefuU and abominable deed, 
 and to flint the bruit and flanderous report, that 
 went on him for that flagitious fad there were 
 
Lib. 8. POLIDORE VIRGIL. 231 
 
 forged falfe witnefles, to fay, the Christian men did 
 this ad; and fo, many {imple innocents fmarted 
 for that Tyrant's pleafure : and to obdurate him- 
 felf in mischief, he proclaimed an open Perfecution 
 againft all that profefTed the Name of Chrift. Not 
 long after, Domitian renewed another afllidion of 
 the Chriftians : and Trajanus raifed the fourth. 
 Marcus Antonius, and Lucius Aurelius Commodus 
 ftirred up the fifth Perfecution. Mlius Pertinax 
 moved the fixth. Maximinus procured the feventh. 
 DeciuSy the eighth. Valerianus the ninth. Aureli- 
 anus caufed the tenth. And Dioclejianus began the 
 eleventh, which was foreft, f harpeft, and of longer 
 continuance then any of all the reft: in fuch fort, 
 that Scripture-books were burned, and Churches 
 plucked down, Chriftian Magiftrates that did bear 
 any office, were depofed, Souldiers were enforced 
 to deny their faith ; or else forego their goods, and 
 forbear their lifes, by a general proclamation. 
 Neither were the three cruel Tyrants Maxentius, 
 Licinius, and Maximianus behind with their parts, 
 but were as bufie as the beft, to procure trouble to 
 the Christian people. 
 
 Conftantinus born in England^ then called Britain^ 
 was the firft Chriftian Emperour, that advanced 
 and defended the caufes of our Religion, and pre- 
 ferved Chriftian men in peace and quietnefte. 
 
 In all thefe Perfecutions, many did fuffer Mar- 
 ty rdome, as divers Hiftories record ; but Stephen 
 was the firft Martyr of the New Teftament. For 
 John Baptiji died before the confummation of the 
 old Law. After this example many other enfued. 
 
232 
 
 POLIDORE VIRGIL. 
 
 Lib. 8. 
 
 and fuftained like crofles for the truth fake ; which 
 all now reign with God. To whom alone be all 
 glory, honour, and praife, world without end. So 
 be it. 
 
 THE END OF THE EIGHTH BOOK. 
 
Polidore Virgil. 
 
 The Ninth BOOK, 
 CHAP. I. 
 
 OF BUTTONS, AND OTHER GARMENTS OF THE 
 
 T 
 
 ANCIENTS. 
 
 HE Invention of a Button is a thing worthy 
 of confideration, wherewith the Antients did faften 
 their Coats together, or fometimes their Girdles. 
 In its loweft part it had the biggeft circumference, 
 and fo went fmaller towards the top like a Pyra- 
 mide ; it was made and joyned to the raymentwith 
 a Golden or Brazen thred, that it might without 
 difficulty be moved backwards and foreward. 
 
 The most noble and rich men had their Buttons 
 made of Gold. The mean fort of people ufed Sil- 
 ver. The pooreft Brafle or Iron. Souldiers did 
 wear Silver Buttons. But Aurelianus at firft al- 
 lowed them to be made of Gold for his Souldiers 
 30 
 
234 POLIDORE VIRGIL. Lib. 9. 
 
 (as Vopifcus teftifies). Empcrours had thefummity 
 or top of their Buttons made of Jewels, and fome- 
 tlmes the whole Button itfelf. The Emperor Leo 
 commanded that fouldiers fhould ufe fuch Buttons 
 as were onely precious for Gold, and rare workman- 
 fliip, but not such as were enriched with jewels, be- 
 caufe thofe did belong to the ufe and ornament of 
 the Emperour onely. Commanders among other 
 rewards, were wont to give a Golden Button to 
 thofe Souldiers that had fought with a generous 
 and ftout courage, as Livy often mentioneth. 
 
 The Antients ufed to wear a fhort Coat under 
 their Gowns, fuch as Deacons, and Sub Deacons 
 ufe, and all did gird them except the Senatours, who 
 did wear a purple Coat called Latus-CIavus. For 
 they faftened the fides of it together, with Golden 
 Buttons, which were called in Latine^ Latos Clavos^ 
 and therefore they did not gird their Coats. This 
 kind of Garment was the token of Senatours. 
 
 When it was cold, they did wear a Cloak under 
 their Gowns which was fringed, and Knights moft 
 commonly ufed it, as Ifidore declareth. 
 
 In Rainy weather, (as Martial faith) they did 
 put on a Cloak made of Leather or skins, which 
 they did wear above their Coat. They went v/ith- 
 out Hose to cover their legs, and for that caufe 
 when the duft remained on them, they wafhed them 
 every day (as ^intilian alTerts). Po^npey having a 
 fwelling upon his fhin, covered it with a binding 
 of linnen, and a Bracelet, fo that a certain m.an faid 
 in fport, that he ware that on his leg, which Kings 
 did bear on their heads. Footmen did wear hofe 
 
Lib 9. POLIDORE VIRGIL. 235 
 
 or leg-harnefle, which the Latines called Caliga^ 
 whence the Souldiers were called Callgati, Likewife 
 they had short Cloaks or Caflbcks, which faftned 
 under their Chin, and when they were ready to 
 fight, they caft it upon both their fhoulders ; and, 
 that they might be nimbler to refift their enemies, 
 they girded it about them, (as Flutarch doth recite). 
 
 Noble-men and horfemen, did put on Boots 
 made of Hides, that came up to their knees; and 
 from thence upwards, they were armed with Iron. 
 
 There is a great doubt rifen, whether the An- 
 cients ufed a covering for their heads or no : feeing 
 that it is neither manifested in ancient coins nor 
 ftatutes. Certainly they ufed not a Hat, which re- 
 presented the one half of an Egg fhell, when it 
 was cut in the middeft, for that was given to fuch 
 that were manumitted from their servitude. 
 Moreover, Suetonius relates, that Julius Cajar hav- 
 ing found that the deformity of baldnefle was ob- 
 noxious, becaufe of the jeers of detradors, he ac- 
 cuftomed to turn back the hair which grew behind 
 his Crown to cover the baldnefTe of his head : but 
 when he could not hide it fufficiently by this means, 
 he ufurped the cuftome of wearing a Crown of 
 Laurell continually; which care had been fuper- 
 fluous, if any covering for the head had been in 
 ufe. 
 
 But this may be faid that the invention of Hats 
 was ufed to defend the people against the Sun. 
 And on the contrary Plutarch writes that Sylla did 
 rife to no man, nor uncovered his head, but when 
 Pompey came. Varro affirms, that according to the 
 
236 POLIDORE VIRGIL. Lib. 9. 
 
 inftitutions of the Ancients, every one was to un- 
 cover his head to any Magiftrate pafTing by, and 
 that more for health than honour : which Contro- 
 verfy I will not determine, but leave this field to 
 others, wherein they may exercife themfelves. 
 
 It plainly appears, that in the year one thoufand 
 one hundred and feventy, there was a certain fort 
 of Hats, that was black, and afcended smaller to- 
 wards the top like a Pyr amide. And Nicetas, in 
 the life o^ Alexius Comnenus^ writeth, that when the 
 Emperour Andronicus Comnenus was created, a cer- 
 tain Hat which he had, being taken off, in the place 
 thereof there was a Purple or Red Mitre put upon 
 his head. 
 
 CHAP. HI. 
 
 OF THE BEZOAR STONE. 
 
 T 
 
 HE Bezoar-^tow^ was unknown in former 
 ages. Some fuppose it to be the tears of a Hart, 
 which having devoured a Serpent, and cafting itfelf 
 into the water to expell the poyfon, is wont to 
 weep exceedingly : and then the teats being hard- 
 ened, and fallen upon the Land, are faid to be 
 Bezoar. But that is false. Yet it is true, that thofe 
 tears have that virtue, though it be not the right 
 Bezoar, which is bread in Mauritania, and hath 
 wonderfuU effeds against any poyfon. 
 
Lib. 9. POLIDORE VIRGIL. 237 
 
 If you take twelve grains of it in wine, it utterly 
 expels all forts of poyfon prefently. It hath the fame 
 efFeds, if you lay it upon the bite of a Serpent: 
 and it defends a man's perfon, fo that no poyfon 
 can hurt him. It is good againft the Plague, and 
 peftilential Feavers, and its ufe is wonderfull in 
 many difeafes and infirmities. The Arabians had 
 the knowledg of it first, as Rhafis faith, who writ 
 of it, and lived in the reign o^ Al~ManJor^ the great 
 King of Mauritania. The Latines and Grascians 
 never knew this precious ftone. 
 
 CHAP. III. 
 
 OF ALCHYMY. 
 
 A 
 
 LCHYMIA, fignifieth hifufion or Sleeping^ 
 For Chymia, in Greek, denotes Infufio in Latine ; 
 and yf/, is an Arabian Article, fignifying Hie. 
 
 There is a great controverfie when Alchymy was 
 invented. For neither Pliny (though he was other- 
 wife a mofl: diligent author) nor any Greek, or 
 Latine Writer make any mention of it. But I 
 believe that it is very ancient; for Suidas writeth, 
 that the Art of Alchymy endured till the time of 
 the Argonauts^ when Jajon went to take away the 
 golden Fleece; which was nothing elfe then a cer- 
 
238 POLIDORE VIRGIL. Lib. 9. 
 
 tain book, that taught to turn other Mettals into 
 Gold: For thofe that invented that ftory, conceal- 
 ing its name, called it, the Golden Fleece. 
 
 The Egyptians profefled that Art very much, 
 in the reign of the Emperour Diocleftan-. who, hat- 
 ing them, because they made an infurredion, burned 
 their writings concerning their diftilling of Gold 
 and Silver, left being made rich by this Art, and 
 having gotten plenty of money, they fhould rebell 
 again. The Emperour Diocleftan was created in 
 the year 287; fo that this Art was rather renewed, 
 than new. 
 
 Many things were ingeniouflly invented in this 
 our Age, which were totally in former times un- 
 known. 
 
 Among which Latten, which is called Lato, may 
 be recorded; which is made bright with fome cer- 
 tain powder which is mixed with it, and maketh 
 the fhining of the Mettal, which is not reall; 
 Becaufe if a Spoon of the fame Latten be dipped 
 in the fame powder, the pure brafs, as it was at 
 firft, will return to the fight; for the duft being 
 confumed, it lofeth the counterfeit brightneffe. 
 
 The Artifts of Alchymy have invented a means 
 to make a Saphyr white, fo that it may seem to be 
 Adamant: And fo it is wont to be faftned in Rings, 
 that no man, though never fo skillfull, can difcern 
 it to be a Saphyr. I faw a tryal of it amongft the 
 Lapidaries o^ Venice \ for a difpute being rifen, and 
 a wager laid. Whether the ftone which was put in 
 the Ring, were a Saphir or an Adamant; the anfwer 
 was, it was an Adamant; and fuch as were skillfull 
 
Lib. 9. POLIDORE VIRGIL. 239 
 
 in this Art, faid that that Saphir could not be 
 diftinguifhed from an Adamant. 
 
 Alchymists alfo produce a certain kind of Tin, 
 which you would think were true Silver, which 
 being ftruck with a Hammer, remains firm and 
 conftant the same, but not in a Veflel, which is cal- 
 led Lacopella^ or Cupella : and they have many other 
 notable inventions. 
 
 Likewife they have found out ftrong waters, 
 wherewith they feparate BraiTe from Silver and 
 Gold, which could not be done in ancient times, 
 (as Ulpianus the Lawyer affirms in lib. 5. § 3. jfi Be 
 ret vindicat. Where he faith, that if BralTe were 
 mixed with Gold, it could not be deduded. Those 
 ftrong waters do wonderfully trouble the fight,when 
 they feparate Gold from Silver. For the Silver 
 may be feen to afcend through the middle, as if it 
 were fome certain Column; and it is changed into 
 green, red and other colours, and at laft it is fcat- 
 tered in the v/ater fo that the Silver can be feen no 
 more, but all is full of v/ater, the Gold remaining 
 in the Bottom. 
 
 The Cupella was latelv found; that admirable 
 veflel is made of a bone of an Oxe. In this. Gold 
 and Silver is put to be polifhed and purged of ail 
 fpots and blemiilies, wherein nothing but even the 
 very pure refined Gold remaines. The Gold or 
 Silver being involved in a thin leaf of Lead, is caft 
 into that little Vefiel, which is put on the fire, and 
 then the Cupella or little Vefiel confumes all the 
 other mettal which is in it, but leaves the true Gold 
 or Silver, which lyeth in the bottome without any 
 mixture, untouched. 
 
240 POLIDORE VIRGIL. Lib. 9. 
 
 But there is a doubt whether Alchymy be law- 
 full or no .? And truly the interpreters, as well of 
 the Civill, as fpiritual or Canon Lav/, affirm with one 
 confent; that though at the firft fight it may feem 
 to be concluded negatively, forafmuch as it belongs 
 to God alone to change one fubftance into another, 
 becaufe no man though of never fo great fame, 
 can perform that; And therefore the Devill when 
 he tempted Chrift, as if he were in doubt, whether 
 he were the Son of God, or no ; faid. If thou art the 
 Son of God J cauje that thefe ft ones may be made bread^ 
 that is, Do Jome thing which only belongs to God to do. 
 Yet they concluded at laft, that Alchymy was lawfull. 
 And upon this Argument, viz. becaufe all mettals 
 proceed out of Sulphur and Quick-filver, which the 
 Alchymifts call Mercury,vjh\ch if they receive Ayre, 
 Water, and Heat sufficient, are turned into Gold, 
 but if they want a fit temper, that they cannot be 
 brought to that perfedion, then they make Silver, 
 Tin, Lead, or BrafTe, according to the influence 
 anddifpofition of the Elements. Therefore humane 
 Art doth not turn one fubftance into another, but 
 heat and temperament ; Sulphur and Quicksilver 
 having the force and power to turn into Gold, and 
 if it cannot be done by reafon of fome defed, then 
 the Alchymifts do fupply that heat and tempera- 
 ment by their Art, which will bring the Sulphur 
 into the fubftance of Gold, as well as if it had been 
 natural. John Andrea, a noted interpreter of the 
 Pontifical Law ; writeth, that Arnoldus de villa nova, 
 turned Brafs into little Rods of Gold, in the Ro- 
 man Court, many Cardinals being prefent ;' and 
 
Lib. 9. POLIDORE VIRGIL. 141 
 
 prefently departing, he left it to any fort of trial. 
 The Art may be true, but I believe that there are 
 very few, yea, fcarce one that is expert in it. For 
 thofe that profefle it, are either Fools, or much 
 inclined to poverty. Therefore it is an ancient 
 Proverb, / never Jaw a rich Alchymift, 
 
 CHAP. IV. 
 
 OF DISTILLATION. 
 
 D 
 
 ISTILLATION was invented after that the 
 Roman Empire was eftablifhed. It is credible, that 
 it was found at the fame time, in the exercife of 
 Alchymy. Some fay, that a certain Phyfitian, hav- 
 ing a difh upon the Table full of hearbs, being fud- 
 denly called to vifit a fick perfon, covered that difh 
 with another, and then went away : but being return- 
 ed, he found the uppermoft difh moiftned : and 
 hence confidering that he might eafily extract juices, 
 he bent his wit fo far, that thence he made the 
 beginning of Diftillation. Others having imitated 
 him, by pradiiing that Art, have made it perfed. 
 31 
 
24 2 
 
 POLIDORE VIRGIL. 
 
 Lib. 9. 
 
 That Art is profitable, becaufe out of it came Aqua- 
 vitae, Oyl of Cinnamon, and innumerable other 
 Liquors, which are of very great effed. By this 
 means it happens that all thofe waters out of Suc- 
 cocory. Capers, and other hearbs, which are wont to 
 be adminiftred to fick perfons, are nov/ diftilled: 
 whereas formerly they were onely boyled, and the 
 Decodion given to the Patients. 
 
 FINIS. 
 
A Table, containing moft 
 
 of the fpecial Matters or 
 
 Sentences in this 
 
 Book. 
 
 A. 
 
 
 Alhallow-day, 
 
 184 
 
 A ARON and Saul 
 "^^ firft anointed, 
 Abell, 
 Aborigines, 
 
 
 Alms, 
 Amber, 
 
 '11 
 
 152 
 
 10 
 
 Amphion, 
 Amphitheaters, 
 Anacletus forbade 
 
 34 
 
 no 
 
 Abraham, 
 
 39 
 
 Priefts to have beards, 
 
 ^35 
 
 He taught the contents 
 
 
 Anaxagoras, 
 
 3 
 
 of Geometry to the 
 
 
 Anaximander, 
 
 5,8 
 
 Egyptians, 
 
 42 
 
 Anchors, 
 
 83 
 
 He is circumcifed. 
 
 126 
 
 Andronicus, 
 
 41 
 
 ordained the firft 
 
 
 Annates, 
 
 222 
 
 place of buriall, 
 Adam the firft man, 
 II, he named beafts, 
 
 158 
 
 Anointing is the token 
 
 of Kings, 
 Anointing of Children, 
 
 152 
 ^53 
 
 98. He made the 
 
 
 Antioch, 
 
 154 
 
 firft Coat of Lether, 
 
 lOI 
 
 Antonius Enipho, a 
 
 
 Advent, 
 
 176 
 
 Schoolmafter, 
 
 23 
 
 Advoutry, 
 
 iEoLUS obferved the 
 
 119 
 
 Apollo, 
 
 Apollo, god of Medi- 
 
 3 
 
 winds, 
 Aeromancy, 
 iEthiopus defpifed oynt- 
 
 ments, 
 Ayre, 
 Alchymy, 
 
 40 
 49 
 
 79 
 8 
 
 237 
 
 cines, 
 Apoftles, 
 Apparrel, 
 
 Apparrell in Mourning, 
 April, 
 Apuleius de afino aureo, 
 
 34 
 132 
 
 lOI 
 
 108 
 61 
 
 ^73 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 Arabians, 14 
 
 Arcadians, 33 
 Archagathus the firfl- 
 
 Phyfitian in Rome, 44 
 Archbilhops, 140 
 Arch-Deacons, 141 
 Archelaus, 28 
 Archilocus found Iam- 
 bus, 25 
 Archimedes devifed 
 
 the Sphear, 40 
 Ariopagites judged in 
 
 the night, 56 
 
 Arras Cloath, 100 
 
 Ariftocracy, 133 
 Aristotle had the firft 
 
 Library, 66 
 
 Arithmetick, 42 
 
 Ark, 152 
 
 Art of Memory, 68 
 AscLEPiADES abolifhed 
 
 Phyfic, 46 
 Affinius Pollo had 
 
 the firft Library in 
 
 Rome, 66 
 
 Aftrology, 59 
 
 Athanasius, 173 
 Athens made many 
 
 books, 66 
 
 Atlas, 39 
 
 Atomes or Motes, 8 
 Authors of the names 
 
 of Countries, 12 
 
 Augustus's Seal, 91 
 
 Auricular Confeflion, 170 
 
 Axe, 116 
 
 B. 
 
 nABYLON, 
 ^ Bacchus, 
 
 12 
 
 80 
 
 Baking, 
 Balm, an herb. 
 
 95 
 
 45 
 
 Banners, 
 
 190 
 
 Banquetes, 
 
 Baptifm, 
 
 Barbers, 
 
 97 
 127 
 120 
 
 Barchian league. 
 Barges, 
 Barques, 
 Balket, 
 
 78 
 117 
 
 116 
 
 Baths, 
 
 114 
 
 Battel on the Sea, 
 
 118 
 
 Beads, 
 
 162 
 
 Beafts that be badges, 99 
 Beadel denounced noon, 60 
 Beholding the bowels 
 
 of beafts, 50 
 
 Bells, 190 
 
 Bellows, 85 
 
 Belus, 3, 18 
 
 Bennet's ufe, 174 
 
 Bezoars stone, 236 
 
 Bible, 180 
 
 Buying of Wives, 115 
 
 Birds, 51 
 
 Birth-dayes, 182 
 
 Bissextus, 62 
 
 Biftiops, 125 
 
 Biftiops of Rome may 
 
 change their names, 138 
 Biftiops married Maids, 155 
 
Biftiops of Rome be 
 
 carried on mens' 
 
 {houlders, 
 Blood-letting, 
 Boats, 
 Bolts, 
 
 Bone-fires, I2f 
 
 Bondage, 56 
 
 Books, 65 
 
 Bow and fhafts, 70 
 
 Bracks and Slings, 70 
 
 Brazen Trump, 35 
 
 BrafTe, 83 
 
 Brick-work, 102 
 
 Bridle-bits, 71 
 
 Brigantine, 117 
 
 Broches, no 
 
 Building, 102 
 
 Bulls of Lead, 221 
 
 Burial is the end of all 
 
 things, 189 
 
 Burying, 107 
 
 Burying of an Emper- 
 
 our, 109 
 
 Burning dead bodies, 108 
 Buttons, 233 
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
 
 iii 
 
 : Cain, 
 
 Calends, 
 
 
 19. 94 
 62 
 
 138 Camillus, 
 47 Cancer, 
 117 Candles, 
 70 Candlemas- 
 5,155 Canis, 
 
 -day. 
 
 79 
 
 47 
 
 85 
 
 149 
 
 74 
 
 r^ADMUS, 
 
 19, 20 
 
 Cadmus wrote the first 
 
 ftory of Cyrus, 29 
 
 Cadmus found gold, 83 
 
 Cain and Abel facrifi- 
 
 ced firfl. 
 
 ^59 
 
 Canonizing of Saints, 185 
 
 Caps, 142 
 
 Cardinals,^ 137 
 
 Carpenter's Art, 115 
 Carthagenians were 
 
 firft Merchants, 118 
 
 Cafting Lots, 51 
 
 Cafting money abroad, 150 
 Cecrops, 14, 29 
 Centauri was found by 
 
 Chiron, 46 
 
 Ceres, 54 
 
 Cere's Image, 91 
 Ceremonies, why they 
 
 were fo named, 166 
 Chaldees, 37, 38 
 
 Chalices of Wood, 189 
 Chalices of filver and 
 
 gold, ^ 190 
 
 Chamberlains, 137 
 
 Chariots, 72 
 
 Charms, 48 
 
 Chances, 74 
 
 Chanters, 153 
 
 Chattering of birds, 51 
 
 Cherry-Trees, 97 
 
 Cheefe making, 97 
 
 Chefle, 74 
 
 Chip- Axe, 115 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 Chiromancy, 49 
 Chiron, authour of 
 
 Salves, 46 
 
 Chius, 74 
 
 Chrysippus, 4 
 
 Chrifm, 153 
 Christ, authour of our 
 
 Priefthood, 154 
 Cryftal, -; . 88 
 Chriftmas Lords, 152 
 Chriftening of Infants, 128 
 Churches and Church- 
 yards, 157 
 Cicero, 31 
 Circenses, 75 
 Circumcifion, 126 
 Civil Crown, 81 
 Civil Law, 53 
 Cleanthes, 3 
 Cleophantus invented 
 
 colours, 92 
 
 Clergy, 129 
 
 Clocks, 64 
 
 Cock-boat, 117 
 
 Coyning, 86 
 
 Comedies, 27 
 Commendations to dead 
 
 bodies, no 
 
 Common-wealth, 55 
 
 Common-women, 120 
 
 Communion, 168 
 
 Compafle, 115 
 
 Confellion, 170 
 Constantine forbade 
 putting to death on 
 
 the CrofTe, 162 
 
 Confirmation, 153 
 
 Conjurers, 130 
 Constantine born in 
 
 England, first 
 
 Chriftian Emperour, 231 
 
 Consuls of Rome, 58 
 CoRAX gave rules of 
 
 Rhetorick, 31 
 
 Corn-fowing, 95 
 
 Corona triumphalis, 81 
 
 Corporaces, 190 
 
 Corpus-Christi day, 106 
 
 Covering of Scaffolds, in 
 
 Councils, 226 
 
 Counting by nails, 42 
 
 Cranes or Vernes, 70 
 Cratus taught the 
 
 Grammer in Rome, 23 
 
 Cries, 77 
 
 CrofTe-bowes, 70 
 
 CrofTe-dayes, 184 
 Croffe forbidden to be 
 
 made, 158 
 
 Crowns of Brazen plate, 80 
 
 Crowns of divers forts, 81 
 
 Cups were crowned, 81 
 
 D. 
 
 TAAYES of every 
 ^^ moneth, 62 
 
 Dayes turned into Fe- 
 
 ries, 179 
 
 Dayes named of the 
 
 Planets, 180 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 Daphnis found the 
 
 Shepherd's Carolls, 26 
 
 Dardanus Trezeni- 
 
 us, 35 
 
 Darts, 69 
 
 David sung in Meter, 
 
 24,33 
 Decking of Churches, 149 
 Declamator, 31 
 Decrees, 58 
 Dead bodies, 108, 188 
 D^DALUS flew his Ne- 
 phew, 115 
 Dedication-dayes, 184 
 DedicatingofChurches, 160 
 Degrees of kindred in- 
 hibited to marry, 156 
 Deifying of the Empe- 
 
 rour, 109 
 Delaying of Wines, 96 
 Demaratus taught the 
 Hetrurians Let- 
 ters, 22 
 Demaratus, 90 
 Democrafie began in 
 
 Rome, 58 
 Democrafie, 54 
 Democritus, II 
 Demosthenes, 31 
 Denouncing the Dicta- 
 tor, 56 
 Detany, 47 
 Divifion of Nations, 13 
 Divorcement, 18 
 
 DiAGORAS, 4 
 
 Dialogues, 37 
 
 Debutades, 90 
 
 Dice, 73 
 Dictators firfl: in Rome, 58 
 
 Dictator's Office, 58 
 
 Dying of Wooll, lOO 
 
 Dying of hair, 1 19 
 
 Diocefl^es, 137 
 
 DiOCLESIAN, 231 
 
 DiODORUS, 20 
 
 DioNYsius, 3'? 94 
 
 Diriges or Exequies, 186 
 
 Difguifing, 152 
 Divers Diviflons of the 
 
 year, 61 
 Divers divifions of the 
 
 day, 63 
 Divers kinds of meter, 25 
 Divers manner of Pa- 
 per, 67 
 Diverfity of fpeeches, 11 
 Divifions of the night, 65 
 Dreams, 51 
 Drinking on Maundy- 
 
 Thurfday, 149 
 
 Druides, 37 
 
 Drumflades in Warr, 36 
 
 Dulcimers, 35 
 
 Dunging land, 95 
 
 182 
 
 Dialls, 
 
 64 
 
 PIASTER, 
 
 Eafl:er appointed to be 
 kept on the Sunday, 179 
 
71 
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
 Eafter inftituted by the 
 Apoftles, i8i 
 
 Eafter to be kept in 
 March, i8i 
 
 Eating of flefh, 98 
 
 Echpfe of the Sun and 
 Moon, 40 
 
 Eggs, 99 
 
 Egyptians, 39 
 
 Egyptians are fuperfti- 
 tious, 123 
 
 Egyptian letters, 
 
 Egyptians found Geo- 
 metry, 41 
 
 Egyptians found the 
 
 year. 
 
 60 
 
 Election of the Biftiop 
 
 of Rome, 139 
 
 Electors of the Empe- 
 
 rour, 139 
 
 Eleazer driveth out 
 
 Spirits, 48 
 
 Embring-dayes, 77 
 
 Embroidering, 100 
 
 Ennius called the 
 
 Poets holy, 24 
 
 Empedocles, 31 
 
 Endymion perceived 
 
 the courfe of the 
 
 Moon, 40 
 
 Enos, 20 
 
 Epicarmus, 20 
 
 Epicurus, 4 
 
 Epicurus taught the 
 
 Grammer firft, 23 
 
 Epulones, 69 
 
 Ethiopians, 19 
 Ethiopians opinion of 
 
 man, 19 
 EvANDER brought let- 
 ters into Italy, 21 
 Even and odde, 75 
 Eumolphus, 20 
 Excommunication, 142 
 Exercifes, 72 
 
 Extream Unction, 
 
 154 
 
 pAMOUS 
 
 tians. 
 Fanes, 
 
 Phyfi- 
 
 45 
 41 
 
 Fafting, 
 Faunus, 
 
 
 175 
 3 
 
 Feafts inftituted by the 
 
 Apoftles, 183 
 
 Feafts inftituted at the 
 
 Council of Lyons, 184 
 February, 6 1 
 
 Faeciales Sacerdotes, 147 
 Feeding of Birds, 51 
 
 Ferry-Boats, 118 
 
 Fetters, 60 
 
 F. was taken of the 
 
 Cohans, 21 
 
 F. for V. confonant, 21 
 
 Fidlers and Pipers, 36 
 
 Fighting on horfeback, 72 
 Figures of Arithmetick, 42 
 Fire, 7, 82 
 
 Fire and Water given 
 
 in token of chaftity, 17 
 

 CONTENTS. 
 
 vii 
 
 Firft Mafle of Priefls, 
 
 149 
 
 God-father and God- 
 
 
 Firft Church of the 
 
 
 mother, 
 
 127 
 
 Chriftians, 
 
 157 
 
 God-brother and God- 
 
 
 Firft Church in Rome, 
 
 157 
 
 fifter. 
 
 156 
 
 Fifliing, 
 
 99 
 
 Gold, 8^ 
 
 ;,86 
 
 Flefti was not eaten be- 
 
 
 Good Angels, 
 
 2 
 
 fore Noah, 
 
 176 
 
 GOSHAUKE, 
 
 120 
 
 Flying of Birds, 
 
 51 
 
 Grace at meat, 
 
 180 
 
 Five parts of Philofo- 
 
 
 Grammer, two parts. 
 
 26 
 
 phy, 
 
 37 
 
 Gravers in Marble, 
 
 104 
 
 Fore-heads, 
 
 120 
 
 Grecians learned in 
 
 
 Frederick Feltrius's 
 
 
 Egypt, 
 
 39 
 
 Library, 
 
 66 
 
 Gregory eftablifhed 
 
 
 Fullers craft, 
 
 100 
 
 the fingle life of 
 
 
 Funerals, 
 
 107 
 
 Priefts, 
 
 156 
 
 Funeral Playes, 
 
 73 
 
 Greek Letters, 
 
 22 
 
 
 
 Greek ftories. 
 
 30 
 
 G. 
 
 
 Grinding, 
 
 Guns, and when they 
 
 95 
 
 rjALEY, 
 ^^ Games, 
 
 117 
 
 were firft made, 
 
 70 
 
 71 
 
 
 
 Garlands, 
 
 80 
 
 
 
 Gates of Marble, 
 
 103 
 
 H. 
 
 
 Geomancy, 
 
 49 
 
 
 
 Gymnofophifts, 
 
 37 
 
 TTABERGEON, 
 -■^ Hallowing of the 
 
 69 
 
 Glafles to look in, 
 
 86 
 
 
 Glaffe, 
 
 87 
 
 Priefts Veftures, 
 
 190 
 
 Glew, 
 
 115 
 
 Hangings, 
 
 100 
 
 God's Nature, 
 
 5 
 
 Harnefs, 
 
 69 
 
 God made man. 
 
 12 
 
 Harp, 
 
 84 
 
 God, what he is. 
 
 6 
 
 Harp, who found it. 
 
 34 
 
 God was the author of 
 
 
 Hebrew letters. 
 
 22 
 
 Lawes, 
 
 54 
 
 Hebrews were authours 
 
 
 God is made man. 
 
 124 
 
 of Poetry, 
 
 24 
 
 God's mercy. 
 
 124 
 
 Hebrews were authours 
 
 
 Goddefles of favour, 
 
 34 
 
 of Philosophy, 
 
 37 
 
 32 
 
 
 
 
Till 
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
 Hebrews after Jose- 
 PHUS found Geome- 
 try, 41 
 Hebrews ordained De- 
 
 mocrafie, 55 
 
 Hechwall, 45 
 Hellen found the Crofs,i58 
 
 Helmets, 69 
 
 Herb called Balin, 45 
 Herbs were created for 
 
 man, 45 
 
 Hercules, 75 
 
 Hereticks, 289 
 
 Heroical Verfe, 25 
 
 HiPERBIUS, 98 
 
 Hippocrates, 43 
 
 Hiftorles, 29 
 
 Hoye, 117 
 
 Holy bread, 194 
 
 Holy-dayes, 160 
 
 Holy-water, 160 
 
 Honey, 97 
 
 Horfes, 71 
 Hostanes wrote books 
 
 of Magick, 48 
 
 Hours, 63 
 
 Houfes, 102 
 
 Hunting, 99 
 
 Hunting-ftaves, 70 
 
 Hufbandry, 94 
 
 JACOB made a 
 league, ^-J 
 
 January, 61 
 
 Janus, 19 
 
 Janus coyns of braffe, 86 
 Javelins, 69 
 
 IcARius, 124 
 
 Id^i dactyli, 84 
 
 Ides, 62 
 
 Idolatry, 17 
 
 Jehosuah, 77 
 
 Iginius made firft or 
 
 ders, 134 
 
 John Baptist. 163 
 
 John Guthenbergus 
 
 found Printing, 66 
 
 Images, 89,194 
 
 Images of Kings, 17 
 
 Images of Wax, 49 
 
 Inftitution of wedlock, 14 
 Inftruments of huf- 
 bandry, 95 
 Inftruments of Phyfick, 45 
 Job, 25, 122 
 Joseph, 25, 122 
 Iron, 83 
 Isaac digged pits, 136 
 Isis, 18 
 Jubilee, 281 
 Julius C^sar made the 
 
 year perfect, 61 
 
 Jupiter, 3 
 
 Juftes in Rome, 149 
 
 Jufting-Spears, 69 
 
 K. 
 T7-EELE, 117 
 
 -^^ Keeping the Sacra- 
 ment in Churches, 169 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 IX 
 
 Kingdomes began in 
 
 Egypt, 54 
 
 Kings, how they behav- 
 ed themfelves, 55 
 Kings of Rome, 57 
 Kings and Queens of 
 
 England, 144 
 
 Kings and Priests were 
 
 anointed, 153 
 
 Kindred inhibited to 
 
 marry, 156 
 
 Kifling the Bifhop of 
 
 Rome's feet, 143 
 
 Knights wear Rings for 
 
 difference, 87 
 
 Knights of the Rhodes, 210 
 Knights of St. James, 211 
 Knights of Jefus Chrift, 211 
 Knitting nets, 100 
 
 L. 
 
 T ABYRINTHS, 105 
 -^ Labourers pafs the 
 
 time with Songs, 21 
 
 Lacedemonians man- 
 ner of War, 36 
 Lacedemonians offer- 
 ings, 79 
 Laity, 128 
 Lamech had 2 Wives, 156 
 Lame men may not be 
 
 Priefls, 135 
 
 Lammas-day, 184 
 
 Lamps, 149 
 
 Latine stories, 30 
 
 Law, 52 
 Law for drinking of 
 
 wine, 144 
 
 Law-makers, 54 
 
 Lawes of mourning, 186 
 
 Lawes natural, 52 
 
 Lead, 83 
 
 Leagues, 77 
 
 Leap-year, 62 
 
 Legends, 174 
 
 Leg-harnefs, 69 
 
 Lent, 176 
 Leontinus Gorgias's 
 
 Image, 90 
 
 Letanies, 192 
 
 Letters, 20 
 Letters to accompt with- 
 
 all, 42 
 
 Letting of blood, 47 
 
 Lever, 84 
 
 Levites, 52 
 Liberty of the old Sa- 
 
 tyres, 25 
 
 Libraries, 66 
 
 LiciNius Calvus, 60 
 
 Lycurgus, ^ 53 
 
 l vidians, 86 
 
 Lighter, 117 
 
 Line, 115 
 
 Linnen, 100 
 
 Linus, 24 
 Livius Andronicus, 24 
 
 Looking-glafTes, 86 
 
 Lots, 51 
 
 LUCRETIA, 120 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 LUPERCALIA, 
 
 75 
 
 M. 
 
 MAGITIANS, 37 
 
 Magi, 48 
 
 Magick, 48 
 
 Mahomet's Sect, 276 
 
 Maids of Cypres, 119 
 Maids of Rome and 
 
 Greece, 19 
 
 Maying, 150 
 
 Marjoram, 47 
 Malcolm, King of 
 
 Scots, 17 
 Manner of divers Na- 
 tions in Marriages, 15 
 Manner of reckoning 
 
 years, 41 
 
 Mantil, 100 
 
 Manumiffion, 56 
 
 Marble, 103 
 
 March, 61 
 Marcus Cato banifhed 
 Phyfitians out of 
 
 Rome, 44 
 Marcus Valerius or- 
 dained a Diall in 
 
 Rome, 64 
 
 Mary the Virgin dyed, 125 
 Marriage began in Pa- 
 
 radife, 15 
 Marriage of divers Na- 
 tions, 15 
 Marriage of Priefts, 154 
 Marius, 59 
 
 Mars, author of Chi- 
 valry, 68 
 Martyrs, 294 
 Mafques, 120, 151 
 Meflagetes, 15 
 Mafle, the parts there- 
 of, 1 66 
 Mafts, 118 
 Matches, 84 
 Mattins, Prime and 
 
 Hours, 165 
 
 Meafures and Weights, 42 
 Meats forbidden on 
 
 Fasting-dayes, 180 
 
 Melissus, 18 
 
 Melting brafs, 84 
 
 Memory of Martyrs, 184 
 
 Menander, 28 
 Men deified, 2,184 
 
 Men lived by Acorns, 95 
 
 Men of great memory, 67 
 Men v^ere firft called 
 Chriftians in Anti- 
 
 OCH. 125 
 Men w^ere facrificed by 
 
 the Gentiles, 159 
 
 Men vi^rote in plates, 86 
 
 Menon, 20 
 Mercury, 3i> 3^,54 
 Mercury found the 
 
 Concordes, 32 
 Mercury found the 
 
 Harp, 34 
 Mercurius Trisme- 
 GiSTUS appointed 12 
 
 hours in the day, 63 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 XI 
 
 kinds 
 
 the 
 
 Mettals, 
 Meter, divers 
 
 thereof, 
 Mice engender of 
 
 Mudd, 
 Milk, 
 Minifter, 
 Minos, 
 Minos had the firft rule 
 
 on the Sea, 
 Myrrhe, 
 Moly, 
 Monarchy, 
 Moneths, 
 Money, 
 Monks, 
 Morifpikes, 
 Moses, 
 Moses did 
 
 83 
 25 
 
 10 
 
 99 
 130 
 
 54 
 
 117 
 
 88 
 46 
 
 54 
 
 61 
 
 105 
 
 200 
 
 69 
 
 23,79 
 promulgate 
 
 21. 
 
 the firft Laws, 
 
 Moses did write the 
 firft ftory, 
 
 Moses found the trump, 
 
 Moses ordained divorce- 
 ments. 
 
 Motleys 
 
 Moulds, 
 
 Mourning, 
 
 Mourning is fuperfti- 
 tious Hypocrifie, 
 
 Mummies deftroyed 
 Corinth, 
 
 Murall crown, 
 
 Mufick, 
 
 Mufick maketh a man 
 effeminate, 
 
 54 
 
 29 
 36 
 
 18 
 
 100 
 
 93 
 186 
 
 187 
 
 93 
 54 
 31 
 
 33 
 
 N. 
 
 ISJABLES, 
 
 -'-^ Naked games, 
 
 Nafamones, 
 
 Nature gave mufick to 
 men. 
 
 Nature of Oyl, 
 
 Navall Crown, 
 
 Necromancie, 
 
 Nemi, 
 
 Neptunus, had the em- 
 pire of the Sea, 
 
 Nero firft perfecutor, 
 
 Netts, 
 
 New-Year's gifts. 
 
 Night facrifices are 
 aboliftied, 
 
 NiLUS doth overflow 
 
 Ninus did enlarge his 
 
 Empire, 
 Noah made the 
 
 Altar, 
 Noah planter of 
 
 Vine, 
 Noon, 
 Nonas, 
 Notaries, 
 NuMA added to 
 
 35 
 
 73 
 17 
 
 31 
 
 '53 
 81 
 
 49 
 73 
 
 116 
 230 
 
 100 
 150 
 
 178 
 
 firft 
 
 the 
 
 the 
 
 year. 
 Numbers, 
 Nunnes, 
 
 O. 
 
 40 
 
 55 
 129 
 
 96 
 
 64 
 
 63 
 
 137 
 
 61 
 
 41 
 142 
 
 OBELISCI, no 
 
 Obferving of dayes, 38 
 
Zll 
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
 Obferving of dyet, was 
 
 beginning of Phyfick, 42 
 
 Obfidional Crown, 81 
 
 Occafion of Idolatry, 17 
 
 Ochus, 37 
 
 Odde and even, 75 
 
 Offering, 49 
 
 Office fold in Rome, 138 
 
 Oyl, 153 
 
 Oyntments, 81 
 
 Olympiades, 72 
 
 Olive-Oyl, 97 
 
 OneGod, 6 
 
 Opinion of Philofophers, 3 
 Opinion of the birth of 
 
 man, 9 
 
 Oracle, 89 
 
 Oracles doubtfull, 2 
 
 Oracles ceafed at 
 
 Chrift's coming, 160 
 
 Orator, 31 
 
 Order of Cardinals, 137 
 
 Order of ManumilTion, 56 
 Oresteus, 96 
 
 Organies, 47 
 
 Orpheus, 19,24,31, 45 
 Original of Heathen 
 
 Gods, I 
 
 Otho, a German, made 
 
 Emperour, 140 
 
 pAINTING, 91 
 
 ^ Palamedes array, 69 
 
 Pallas, 3 
 
 Pamphilia, loo 
 
 Panafe, 41 
 
 Pancias, 80 
 
 Paper, 67 
 
 Parchment, 67 
 
 Pardons, 219 
 
 Parifhes, 135 
 
 Parts of Rhetorick, 31 
 
 Parts of the night, 65 
 
 Parthians, 45 
 
 Pafchal candles, 182 
 
 Patriarchs, 14 1 
 
 Paul is converted, 125 
 
 Peacock, 99 
 
 Pelagius caufed Sub- 
 deacons to forfake 
 their Wives, 156 
 
 Penitencers, 207 
 
 Penfil, 92 
 
 Pentecoft, 183 
 
 Perfecutors, 297 
 
 Peter and Philip had 
 
 Wives, 155 
 
 Peter crucified, 125 
 
 Peter converted three 
 
 thoufand, 125 
 
 Phedon, 85 
 
 Pherecides, 30 
 
 Phidias, 91 
 
 Philip, Emperour, pro- 
 claimed an heretick, 194 
 Philosophy, 37 
 
 Philosophy in three 
 parts, 37 
 

 CONTENTS. 
 
 ziii 
 
 Pyrrhus dance, 
 
 73 
 
 Potters frame, 
 
 93 
 
 Phyfitians famous, 
 
 45 
 
 Prayer, 
 
 161 
 
 Phyfick, 
 
 42 
 
 Preaching, 
 
 162 
 
 Phonoreus, 
 
 54 
 
 Price of Writs, 
 
 221 
 
 Pillars, 
 
 103 
 
 Priefts age. 
 
 135 
 
 PiRODES ftruck fire 
 
 out 
 
 Priefts, 
 
 132 
 
 of flint, 
 
 84 
 
 Prieft's firft Maffe, 
 
 149 
 
 Piromancy, 
 
 49 
 
 Priefts of Egypt, 
 
 99 
 
 PisiSTRATUS, made the 
 
 first book, 66 
 Pythagoras called 
 himself a Philoso- 
 pher, 37 
 Pythagoras observed 
 
 the Day-ftar, 40 
 
 Pits, who digged them, 105 
 
 Playes, or Shews, 72 
 
 Plato, 8 
 
 Pliny, 20 
 
 Plough, 95 
 
 Plucking out of Teeth, 43 
 
 Poets, 87 
 Poets be called holy, of 
 
 i^NEAS, 24 
 
 Poetry, 24 
 
 Pole-axes, 69 
 
 PoLiGNOTUS, 91 
 Punishment for Adul- 
 tery, 16, 120 
 Puniftimentfor omitting 
 
 Oblations, 159 
 
 PONTIFEX MaXIMUS, 1 4.6 
 
 Poffeflions permitted to 
 
 the Clergy, 196 
 
 PosTHUMius, 79 
 
 Potters craft, 93 
 
 Priefts of Egypt wrote 
 
 ftories, 30 
 
 Priefthood, 129 
 
 Primitive Church, 133 
 
 Prime, 63 
 
 Prince electours, 138 
 
 Printing, 66 
 
 Prifons, 60 
 
 Prognoftications, 41 
 
 Prometheus, 86 
 
 Prophefying, 50 
 
 Profe, 22 
 
 Protagoras, 4 
 
 Pfalter of David, 24 
 
 Psammeticus, 10 
 Ptolemeus's Libraries, 66 
 
 Pultries, 99 
 Purification of women, 156 
 
 Purple colour, loi 
 
 Purple robe, 153 
 
 Q 
 
 Q. 
 
 THE LETTER, 
 
 Quarrels, 
 
 R. 
 
 T> AMMERS, 
 -*^ Readers, 
 
 21 
 
 70 
 
 70 
 130 
 
ziT 
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
 Reading the Bible at 
 
 meat, i8o 
 Riding of horfes, 71 
 Reckonings, 41 
 Reconciliation of Chur- 
 ches, 184 
 Regals, 35 
 Religion, 13, 122 
 Reliques, 217 
 Repentance, a remedy 
 
 for fin, 170 
 
 Rhetorick, 31 
 
 Right hand, 143 
 
 Ringing to Service, 191 
 
 Rites of burying, 107 
 
 Rites of Marriage, 18 
 
 Royal Ornaments, 59 
 Romans burned their 
 
 dead bodies, 108 
 
 Romans League, 77 
 
 Rome made orders, 131 
 
 Romulus, 57 
 Romulus ordered the 
 
 year, 61 
 Rowing in Boats, 117,118 
 Rudders, 117,118 
 Rue, 47 
 Ruling the Common- 
 wealth, 54 
 S. 
 
 CABBATH-DAYES 
 ^ of the Jews, 181 
 
 Sacrament of the Altar, 169 
 Sacrifices, 177 
 
 Sailes, 117 
 
 Solomon, 105 
 
 Solomon made the firft 
 
 Temple, 157 
 
 Salt, 99 
 
 Saluting with kifles, 144 
 
 Sanctuaries, ill, 156 
 
 Sand-Diall, 64 
 
 Satyres, 27 
 
 Saturnalia games, 76 
 
 Saturnus, Father of 
 
 the gods, 4 
 
 Savery, 47 
 
 Saw, 116 
 
 Scaffolds, III 
 
 Scarlet robesj 135 
 
 Schifms, 225 
 
 Scythians League, 78 
 
 Scribes, 221 
 
 Selandine, 47 
 
 Senio, 74 
 
 Servius Tullius, 86 
 
 Secretaries, 221 
 
 Seth's pofterity, 39 
 
 Sextons, 130 
 
 Shafts, 70 
 
 Shalmes, 35 
 
 Shaven Crowns, 135 
 
 Ships, 117 
 
 Shoo-makers craft, lOi 
 
 Silk, loi 
 
 Sylla, 59 
 
 Silver, 83 
 
 Silver coyned in Egina, 85 
 Silvester commanded. 
 
 That a Prieft fhould 
 
 have but one Wife, 155 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 XV 
 
 Simony, 223 
 
 Simonides, 5 
 
 Singing Pfalmes by courfe, 1 73 
 Singing to the Lute, 35 
 
 Single-livers, 17 
 
 Sithes, 70 
 
 Slings, 70 
 
 Smith's Forge, 84 
 
 Socrates, 33 
 
 Solicitors, 221 
 
 Sol, 63 
 
 Soul-mafle day, 188 
 
 Somners, 220 
 
 Sons of Noah, 13 
 
 Sons of Seth found the 
 
 Letters, 21 
 
 Sodering of Iron, 84 
 
 Spears, 69 
 
 Speaking of the Nature 
 
 of God is dangerous, 5 
 Spindles, 100 
 
 Spinning, 100 
 
 Spirits, 48 
 
 Spurius Carilius, 18 
 
 Squire, 115 
 
 Stations, 218 
 
 StalHng a Bifhop, 135 
 
 Staves, 68 
 
 Steeples, 106, 108 
 
 Stephen is martyred, 123 
 Stars, of vi^hat power 
 
 they be, 38 
 
 Stew^s, 119, 230 
 
 Stocks, 55 
 
 Story of a King's daugh- 
 ter, I 
 
 Striking of the Clock, 64 
 
 Subfidies and taxes, 59 
 Succeilion of Prieft- 
 
 hood, 130 
 Superftition turned into 
 
 Religion, 177 
 
 Supplications, 192 
 
 Susanna, 120 
 
 Swearing, 141 
 Swine commended in 
 
 facrifices, 97 
 
 Swords, 69 
 
 Sword-players, 76 
 
 npABLES, 73 
 
 ^ Talus, 74 
 
 Tapers, 149 
 
 Targets, 69 
 
 Taxes or fubfidy that 
 they pay, which have 
 benefices, 221 
 
 Telesphorus did ap- 
 point Lent to be 
 kept before Easter, 176 
 Tennis, 73 
 
 Tents, 105 
 
 Texts proving Confef- 
 
 fion, 172 
 
 Thales, 3, 61 
 
 Theatres, 1 1 1 
 
 Themistocles, 33 
 
 Theodosius command- 
 ed. That no Crofle 
 fhould be graven on 
 the ground, 158 
 
XVI 
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
 Theseus, firft Tyrant, 56 
 Thessaly ufed Ma- 
 
 glck, 48 
 
 Thracians fafliion of 
 
 burying, 108 
 
 Three llrings in the 
 
 Harp, 42 
 
 Three Mafles on Chrift- 
 
 mas-day, 167 
 
 Tile and Slate, 102 
 
 Tyrians were cunning 
 
 Carpenters, 116 
 
 TisiAS gave rules of 
 
 Rhetorick, 31 
 
 Tithes, 195 
 
 Titles of Biftiops of 
 
 Rome, 220 
 
 Tongues, 84 
 
 Towers, 105 
 
 Tragedies, 26 
 
 Tragos, 26 
 
 Tranffigurations, 183 
 
 Tribunes, 58 
 
 Triumphs, 79 
 
 Trix, 26 
 
 True Faft, 176 
 
 Truce for years, 77 
 
 1 ubal-Cain, 33, 69, 84 
 Turning our faces Eaft- 
 
 ward. 162 
 
 V. 
 
 ■ENUS, 
 
 ^ Venus, a common 
 
 woman, 
 VermiHon, 
 
 74 
 
 119 
 88 
 
 Vigils, 178 
 Vizzards were found by 
 
 ECHILLES, 26 
 
 Voyces, 56 
 
 Vowes, 192 
 
 Ufe of Scotland, 17 
 
 Ufe in the Service, 175 
 
 Vulcanus, 84 
 
 Vulturfii, 75 
 
 Uxor ab ungendo, 19 
 
 W 
 
 W. 
 
 AGGONS, 72 
 
 Walls of houfes, 105 
 Waftiing of feet on 
 
 Maundy-Thurfday, 144 
 Wafhing dead bodies, 188 
 Watch-words, 188 
 Water is caufe material, 7 
 Water-Dial, 64 
 Weights and Meafures, 42 
 Weaving, 100 
 Weather-cocks, 40 
 Whit-Sunday, 128 
 Wimble, 115 
 Winds, 40 
 Wine, 96 
 Wine-Taverns, 96 
 Winter-garlands, 80 
 Wooll, 100 
 Women had commend- 
 ations in Rome, iio 
 Women may not bare 
 their heads in the 
 
 Church, 
 
 142 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 Women of India, 
 
 
 io8 
 
 Xerxes, 
 
 74 
 
 Works due on the Holy- 
 
 
 
 / ~ 
 
 dayes, 
 
 
 1 80 
 
 Y. 
 
 
 World made of nou 
 
 'ght, 
 
 8 
 
 
 
 World was made 
 
 by 
 
 
 yAWNING, 
 
 Year, who found it. 
 
 193 
 
 Meter, 
 
 
 25 
 
 61 
 
 Wreftling, 
 
 
 73 
 
 Yoking Oxen, 
 
 95 
 
 Writing in Egypt, 
 
 
 III 
 
 
 
 Writing Tables, 
 
 
 149 
 
 Z. 
 
 
 X. 
 
 
 
 z-^Lr- 
 
 39 
 II 
 
 V THE LETTER, 22 Zoroastes found Ma- 
 ■^^ XamolxIs, 37 gick, 48 
 
wwwi,. 
 
 
 ^/'y^^^ry: 
 
 'mm 
 
 Kr'-^'.; 
 
 
 "® sub/ea to immediate recall. 
 
 WiiB^ 
 
 mmm 
 
 ^^^^j^^^^^lJUl 8 2005" 
 
 ■N DEPT: 
 
 ■^ fnMx 4?3-i 
 
 i^Wl b b 
 
 
 1 
 
 
 1 
 
 
 1 
 
 
 i^l^^Wi^^ 
 
 ^AJ«^ 
 
 LOAN 
 
 '.".f^ 1 -i 1974 
 7 
 
 ^D2lA-60m-3,*70 
 (N5382sl0)47^A.32 
 
 . General Library 
 
 University of California 
 
 Berkeley 
 
 
 ?yv,, "^wwwM 
 
 ^ym 
 
 yyyyyyyyy^y-i 
 
 Jyy^y0^ 
 
 !4 lyUikuu;^i':.';(•7As^i 
 

 
 ^m. 
 
 y'yyww-^^- 
 
 
 
 
 
 Ml8289() 
 
 773 
 
 'S66 
 Co s I B 
 
 THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA UBRARY 
 
 
 ■■;0r'''- 
 
 
 
 vWP' 
 
 
 
 ^s;^??yg. 
 
 ^yur^y^^ 
 
 1 v*^.