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I just discovered that an English translation of the Nuremberg Chronicle is available online here
This is a rather amazing resource, a sophisticated perception of the world via Nuremberg in 1493. Anyone interested in Medieval History should find this very useful.
The actual site isn’t sharable directly, but try this and click on the first link https://tinyurl.com/4d7ahz4s
Here is an interesting passage on Frisia (I believe this is derived directly from Anneus Sylvio Piccolomini):
“FRIESLAND, situated on the sea, is bounded by Saxony on the east, Westphalia on the south, and Utrecht on the weSt. Some would have it that the inhabitants of Utrecht are Frisians, and among these I find Otto, bishop of the Church of Friesland, who, not without skill, wrote German history. Bishop Albert of Mainz, who erected the cloister at Fulda, and undertook to instruct the Frisians in the Christian faith, was slain by them and crowned with martyrdom. This is a liberty-loving people, skilled in arms, strong and erect in body, of a confident and fearless disposition, and pride themselves on their independence, although the duke of Burgundy calls himself a lord of this country. Nevertheless Friesland enjoys its own customs and usages, and will not submit to foreign domination. The Frisian does not hesitate to die for liberty. Knightly honors are not recognized by the people, and they will not tolerate a proud man who elevates himself above the reSt. They annually elect a council for the general welfare on terms of equality. They severely punish female wantonness. In order that the priests may not pollute the marriage-bed, they do not readily admit those who have no wives; for they believe it difficult for a man to restrain himself. Their entire wealth is in their cattle. The country is flat and maritime, and has extensive fields. Wood is scarce, and the people maintain their fires in clay vessels, using dried cow-dung for fuel. Cornelius Tacitus writes that in the time of the emperor Nero, two emissaries came to Rome from this country; and after they had entered the council chamber of Pompey, and there saw a number of foreigners sitting among the councillors, and were told that such honors were due to the representatives of people who excelled in Roman virtue and friendship, they came forward, and seating themselves among the Roman councillors, cried out that none excel the Germans in arms, fidelity and faith; for which reason Nero endowed them with a city.”
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