Franco-Gallia:

OR, AN

ACCOUNT

OF THE

Ancient Free State

OF

FRANCE,

AND

Most other Parts of EUROPE,

before the Loss of their Liberties.

Written Originally in Latin by the Famous Civilian

FRANCIS HOTOMAN,

In the Year 1574.

And Translated into English by the Author ofthe

Account of DENMARK.

The SECOND EDITION, with Additions, and

a New Preface by the Translator.

LONDON:

Printed for Edward Valentine, at the Queen'sHead

against St. Dunstan's Church, Fleetstreet,1721.

Franco-Gallia

Translated by

The Author of the Account

of DENMARK.

The BOOKSELLER

TO THE

R E A D E R.

The following Translation of the Famous Hotoman'sFranco-Gallia was written in the Year 1705, and first publish'din the Year 1711. The Author was then at a great Distance fromLondon, and the Publisher of his Work, for Reasons needless torepeat, did not think fit to print the Prefatory Discourse sentalong with the Original. But this Piece being seasonable at allTimes for the Perusal of Englishmen and more particularly atthis Time, I wou'd no longer keep back from the Publick, what Imore than conjecture will be acceptable to all true Lovers of theirCountry.

THE

TRANSLATOR's

PREFACE.

Many Books and Papers have been publish'd since the lateRevolution, tending to justify the Proceedings of the Peopleof England at that happy juncture; by setting in a trueLight our just Rights and Liberties, together with the solidFoundations of our Constitution: Which, in truth, is notours only, but that of almost all Europe besides; so wiselyrestor'd and establish'd (if not introduced) by the Gothsand Franks, whose Descendants we are.

These Books have as constantly had some things, calledAnswers, written to them, by Persons of differentSentiments; who certainly either never seriously consider'd, thatthe were thereby endeavouring to destroy their own Happiness, andoverthrow her Majesty's Title to the Crown: or (if they knew whatthey did) presumed upon the Lenity of that Government theydecry'd; which (were there no better Reason) ought to haverecommended it to their Approbation, since it could patiently bearwith such, as were doing all they could to undermine it.

Not to mention the Railing, Virulency, or personal falseReflections in many of those Answers, (which were always the Signsof a weak Cause, or a feeble Champion) some of them asserted theDivine Right of an Hereditary Monarch, and theImpiety of Resistance upon any Terms whatever,notwithstanding any Authorities to the contrary.

Others (and those the more judicious) deny'd positively, thatsufficient Authorities could be produced to prove, that afree Peopl