Page:Ludovico Guicciardini - Description of the Low Countries.djvu/124

 this Countrie so many Forests neere adjoyning together.

Groeninghen is a member apart, severed from the rest of the bodie of Friesland, and therefore shall be described by itself.

All these three Estates or Counties above mentioned being joyned together, containe walled townes, & other enjoying privileges of walled townes being rampared with trenches & diches to the number oeleuen, namely Leewarden, Doccum, Franicker, Bolswaerde, Sneck, Ilst, Slote, Harlinghen, where is a Castell, & therein a Garrison, Workum, Hindelopen, Staveren.

There are in this counttie of west Friselande comprehending Groeninghen in Frieseland villages 490. divers of the which because of their wealth and greatnes have obtained goodlie privileges of the prince. The States of Frieselande consists of Prelates, Nobles, & Adherents.

Leewarden is seated two Leagues from Doccum, it is a good and a great Towne, and a strong Castell is in it.

It is the Capitall towne of the whole Countrie viz. of all the three Counties aboue mentioned.

In it are resident the Counsell & Chauncerie of Friesland, from which no appeale lieth.

Doccum was the Countrie of Gemma-frisius. Francker is a good towne where manie Gentlemen make there aboad, the other townes are not greatlye