Published online by Cambridge University Press: 12 February 2009
PhilipJulius, Duke of Pomerania-Wolgast, born in the year 1584, was the only son of Ernst Ludwig, of Pomerania, and Sophia Hedwig, of Brunswick. For the purpose of finishing his education before taking up the government of his country, he was sent on a grand tour through the principal States of Europe, sixteen gentlemen and servants forming his suite.
page 5 note 1 This was the title also of that branch of the ducal family which reigned in Pomerania-Wolgast, at present called Vorpommern, whilst the present Hinterpommern equals nearly at least the former duchy of Stettin-Pomerania.
page 5 note 2 Three times the travellers had been delayed from sailing by contrary wind. The Duke, however, suspected the sailors to be acting in agreement with the innkeeper.
page 5 note 3 It is not stated in the Diary whether German or English miles are here neant in this case, but probably the former are understood.
page 7 note 1 Stuhlweissenburg in Hungary was taken by the German army in the year 1570, lost by them three years later, and not retaken till 1601.
page 9 note 1 The travellers would have entered the city from the south, by way of Gracechurch Street and Bibhopsgate Street. It is probable that these are meant here.
page 9 note 2 Literally coat.
page 13 note 1 Literally storming helmet, probably used to protect the head from molten lead, hot pitch, &c, used to prevent injury during assaults. French, bassinet.
page 13 note 2 In the Diary of the journey through France.
page 13 note 3 Breach-loader.
page 15 note 1 I.e. charcoal.
page 15 note 2 Probably repouss work.
page 17 note 1 One ortsthaler equals the fourth part of a thaler, in value of about 80 pfennings, or about 9d.
page 17 note 2 Sir John Gerrard was realty Lord Mayor in the preceding year.
page 19 note 1 Spaces between the timbers in the wall, panels.
page 19 note 2 John Leland, librarian of Henry VIII., was born in London, studied in Oxford, Cambridge, and Paris. After his return from abroad he took Holy Orders, and was sent out to study the libraries of all the churches, abbeys, and monasteries of England, collecting everything he could find about the former state of the kingdom. He died April 18, 1552, leaving behind him a great many manuscripts, only part of which have been printed.
page 21 note 1 Literally, field stone,i.e. a rough stone.
page 23 note 1 For the game of rackets.
page 29 note 1 One Pomeranian or Stralsund shilling is equal to about ld. of present English money.
page 29 note 2 According to the calendar of Julius Csar, otherwise the 19th of September would have been Thursday.
page 31 note 1 This word has no meaning, and must be a mistake of the copyist, who perhaps mistook it for Einfiihrung, an unusual term for entry or access. The reading probably should be einschliessende Thrme, meaning turreted entrances.
page 33 note 1 This may be compared with a curious story told by Playford in his Introduction to Music. When travelling some years since, he writes, I met on the road near Royston a herd of about twenty bucks following a bagpipe and a violin; while the music played they went forward, when it ceased they all stood still, and in this manner they were brought out of Yorkshire into Hamptun Court.
page 35 note 1 Quadrangles.
page 39 note 1 The manuscript has Hochmeister, which was the title given to the highest dignitary of the Order of S. John; it is more likely that the original had Hofmeister, i.e. governor as well as steward.
page 41 note 1 Three shillings.
page 41 note 2 The author seems to hare introduced here the legend of Friar Bacon's artificial head.
page 43 note 1 The travellers reached Nimes on February 8, 1603, but the Diary makes no mention of any inscription of that kind there.
page 47 note 1 Par force (French).
page 47 note 2 Probably signifying as a warning.
page 47 note 3 Verlipped is either a mistake of the copyist or a word which has been lost, and therefore omitted in the translation.
page 49 note 1 It is difficult to understand the real meaning of this passage, but it is likely that it refers to one stone forming the arc of the arch.
page 49 note 2 It is doubtful whether by this term is meant English money; no German coin ever bore the name of pfund or Ib.
page 55 note 1 Kataya, a region in Tartary; cf. Cathay.
page 61 note 1 The name Paludanus (in German, Van den Broeck) occurs frequently among the learned men of the sixteenth century. Here reference is made to Bernard Paludanus, a Dutch physician, born 1550, died 1633, after having performed extensive travels through the various States of Europe and parts of Asia and Africa.
page 63 note 1 Johann Friedrich, Duke of Pomerania-Stettin, born 1542, died 1600, uncle of the young Duke Philip Julius; Ernst Ludwig, Duke of Pomerania-Wolgast, born 1545, died 1592, younger brother of the former, and father of Philip Julius.
page 63 note 2 This passage is very obscure.