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CONSTANCE

Volume 6 · 240 words · 1810 Edition

strong town of Germany, in the circle of Swabia, with a bishop's see, whose bishop is a prince of the empire. It has a handsome bridge, and several fine structures, as well sacred as profane. It carries on a great trade, and is well fortified: and though it pretends to be an imperial town, the Austrians keep a garrison here. It is famous for a council held here in 1514, when there were three popes; but they were all deposed, and Martin V. was elected in their room. The council caused Jerom of Prague and John Hus to be burnt, though the emperor Sigismund had given them a safe conduct; in pursuance of this maxim, "that no faith is to be kept with heretics." They likewise condemned the doctrine of Wickliff, and ordered his bones to be burned 40 years after he was dead. However, the inhabitants now are Protestants. It is seated on a lake of the same name. E. Long. 9. 10. N. Lat. 47. 38.

of the most considerable and beautiful lakes of Switzerland, which separates it from Swabia, except that part where the city of Constance is seated on its side. It is divided into three parts; the upper or largest part is called Boden see, the middle Bodmer see, and the lower part Zeller see. The first is 37 miles long, and its greatest breadth 15 miles. It is deeper in summer than in winter.