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)
42.1. {1601L{The Duchy of}1601L} {1598F{TOVRAINE.
42.2. THis region is not very large, restrained as it is on every side by bordering Provinces. West of it lies Anjou and part of Poictou. From the first it is separated by the confines of the Saumure, and from the second by the river Creuse, on <the banks of which> stands the city of Chinon <which is> subjected to this Dukedom of Tourain. South also lies part of Poictou along the river Creuse, to La port de Pilense, which separates Guienne from Tourain. And Berry is in the same way from there separated by Chastillon situated on the river Indre {1601L, 1602G, 1603L, 1608/1612I & 1609/1612L have instead{Agneris}1601L, 1602G, 1603L, 1608/1612I & 1609/1612 instead}. East, not far from the Loire, the river Cher separates it from the province of Blois, and from part of Berry, and North it is separated from the territories of Maine and Verdosmois by the river Loire, upon which river the city of Tours was built, and it surrounds it at that part where the St. Lazarus suburbs are. This river also bends its course to the town of St. Anne and to the suburb called Riche. For East, West and South it touches the river Indre {1601L, 1602G, 1603L, 1608/1612I & 1609/1612L have instead{Agneris}1601L, 1602G, 1603L, 1608/1612I & 1609/1612L instead}, and North the whole region towards Anjou and Maine.
42.3. To the Dukedom and government of Tourain are subject the following cities: Chinon, Lodun, Touars, Langestz, Amboise, Loches, Chastillon upon Indre {1601L, 1602G, 1603L, 1608/1612I & 1609/1612L have instead{Agneris}1601L, 1602G, 1603L, 1608/1612I & 1609/1612L instead}, <and> Montrichard, next to other places and fortresses of Barons {1602S only{and Castilians}1602S only}. But the cities which I have named are best known, and as it were the principal members of the whole Dukedom. Concerning everyone of them I will speak in greater detail after having said something about the Metropole, to which belong one third of the Bishop towns which in former times were under the ancient jurisdiction of Lugdune. For in the third division of Dioceses ordained, belonging to the Primacy of Lugdune or Lyons are included Tours, La Mans, Angiers {1601L, 1602G, 1602S & 1609/1612/1641S have instead{Anyou}1601L, 1602G, 1602S & 1609/1612/1641S}, Rhenes, Nantes, Cornevaile, Vannes, {not in 1601L, 1602S, 1603L, 1608/1612I, 1609/1612/1641S & 1609/1612L{St. Poll de Leon}not in 1601L, 1602S, 1603L, 1608/1612I, 1609/1612/1641S & 1609/1612L}, Tregoir, Dol, St. Malo, <and> St. Breu. {not in 1602G{The Turones <are> therefore of great antiquity, and their city <is> the head of so many nations}not in 1602G}.
42.4. Iulius Cæsar ranks them first among the peoples of France, and so do other ancient Writers. Ptolemæus places them on {1601L, 1602S & 1609/1612/1641S only{some waters near}1601L, 1602S & 1609/1612/1641S only} the river Loire, and Ammianus Marcellinus in Secunda Lugdunensi. But in Cæsar they are mentioned more often, and that very clearly, especially at the end of his 2nd book <of> De bello Gallico. This done (he says) and all <of> France being quiet, such an opinion on this war surprised the Barbarians so much, that even those nations which lived beyond the Rhein sent delegates to Cæsar, promising to pledge <allegiance> to him, and to obey his commands. {1601L, 1602S, 1606E & 1608/1612I only{He therefore, having ended his wars and having put his legions in garrison among the Carnutes, Anjou and Turones which were cities in that area, departed for Italy}1601L, 1602S, 1606E & 1608/1612I only}.{not in 1601L, 1602S, 1606E & 1608/1612I{However, he put garrisons in the regions of Chattrain, Angeuin & Tourangeau, because they were neighbours of those against whom he waged war}not in 1601L, 1602S, 1606E & 1608/1612I}. From this you may conclude that they were not the enemies of the Romans, but rather Cæsar's followers. {not in 1601L & later{From this, you can understand better what Cæsar says in another place, where he says: Soon Cæsar assembled his troops and joined to his forces those of the Senonois, Parisiens, Poiteuins, Quercinois, Tourangeaux, Rouanois, Angeuins, Limosins, and all those who live along the ocean, who all made an agreement with their captain}not in 1601L & later}. Gregorius Turonensis often calls them Senatores Romanos <= Roman Senators> for they enjoyed the liberty of Free citizens, which was granted to no one except the Romans' dear friends, and they joined them into the most firm league. The Touranois are considered to be the richest people of all of France, both for the fruitfulness of their fields (which they deservedly call The Kings garden) as also for their excellent organisation of government, and the industriousness of their Citizens, who are especially attracted to trade, for which purpose their navigable river serves them very well.
42.5. They have also lately attempted to make silk of as good a quality as that of Italy. In the Eastern part of Tourain, on the river Loire lies Amboise, built on a most excellent choice location with a delicate, pure climate, so that it is to this place especially that the French Kings chose to retire and to enjoy themselves. The city of Montrichard, situated in a plain, is on one side fortified with Rocks and Woods, and hemmed in on the other side by Meadows and delightful Fields. Outside the city there are houses underground, with Gardens and Vineyards on top of them. Loches upon the river Indre {1601L, 1602G, 1603L, 1608/1612I & 1609/1612L have instead{Agneris}1601L, 1602G, 1603L, 1608/1612I & 1609/1612L instead} has a castle which is almost incomparable for pleasantness, size, building and location, for its location (I say) <is> both by Art and Nature unassaultable. Pautruy, Chastillon, Cormery, Beaulieu and other cities of this Dukedom are described by Belleforest, to whom I refer the Reader}1598F} © Marcel van den Broecke ©.