Cartographica Neerlandica Map Text for Ortelius Map No. 041


Text (translated from the 1598 French, 1601 Latin, 1602 German, 1602 Spanish, 1603 Latin, 1606 English, 1608/1612 Italian, 1609/1612/1641 Spanish and 1609/1612 Latin edition)

41.1. {1601 Latin, 1602G, 1602S, 1606E & 1608/1612I only{The territory of PARIS: commonly called}1601L, 1602G, 1602S, 1606E & 1608/1612I only} {1598F{THE ISLE OF France

41.2. In a certain Journal on The Roads of France I read this description of the territory of Paris. The Isle of France stretches from the town of Saint Denis to as far as Roissy and Montmorency. And so it comprises all the land within the winding turns of the Seine, towards Normandia one way, and towards Picardia the other way {not in 1601L, 1602G, 1603L & later{but what one calls the Land of France comprises specifically next to the Isle the Land of Goelle}not in 1601L, 1602G, 1603L & later}. The origin of its name <is to be found>, (as Andreas Thevet reports) in the Franks, who, coming from Germany settled first here, and <it was also> here <that> their Captains assumed the title of Kings. And also because the rivers Marne, Seine & Oise in a way surround it.
41.3. Yet, not the entire region comprised within these three rivers refers to the Isle mentioned, but only that part which is close to Paris. My opinion is that this division was made when the sons of Clovis, dividing the whole Kingdom, limited and included within these bounds the dominions of him who ruled Paris, and <that> was <the> only <one> called the King of France. Whatever the case may be, this division is no longer observed now, seeing that certain cities of Picardia, Brie and other provinces are included in it.
41.4. But let us hear the opinion of Belleforestius as well: After the death of the great King Clovis, France was divided in a new manner. For out of one King came many, and only the one who governed Paris was called The King of France, for which reason the Isle of France is the true and ancient jurisdiction of our Kings, although Pipin's descendants began to neglect it. And afterwards the Parisian territory came to those who enjoyed the Crown of all of France by inheritance}1598F} © Marcel van den Broecke ©.

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