shoulde returne vnto Lysborne whereas the king was at that instant and to giue him to vnderstand of the difficultie that was found in a meeting that the vizroy had caused to bee made of the most grauest personages of all that kingdome about the prosecuting of that ambassage With this resolution I departed from that kingdome and returned for Spaine and left the present in Mexico in the power of the kings officers till such time as order was giuen what shoulâ— be done therewith I found his maiestie in Lisborne whereas I did deliuer him the letters that were written touching the same matter and did declare vnto him my iudgement touching the meeting aforesaid who incontinent did take the â—harge vpon him to seeke occasion for to put in effect his most christâ—an intent and zâ—ale the which I doo beléeue he hath procured and will by al waies possible and that very shortly we shall sée in that kingdâ—me planted the Catholike faith and their false idolatrie banished And I hope in God it will bee very shortly for that there be within that kingdome religious men of the order of saint Augustine and barefoote friers of saint Francis and of the order of Iesus or Iesuits who are called there the fathers of Saint Paule of whom there is placâ—d fiue or sixe in the citie of Xauquin whereas the vizroy doth dwell and hath erected a couent in that citie euer since the yeare 1583. with a Church whereas they doo say masse ordinarily And it is said of a truth that they haue got license of the saide vizroy for to passe fréely thorough out all the whole kingdome of China But if it bee so you must thinke that hee did it after that he had consulted with the king and doone by his authoritie otherwise I am perswaded he durst not grant any such liceâ—se At this present dooth there go out of Spaine by the order and commandement of his maiestie and his royall counsell of the Indies a companie of religious men of the order of saint Dominicke for to aid and helpe the rest that are there to conclude this enterprise from whom can procéed nothing but that which tends to great effect by reason of their great zeale learning and the better if that they doo ioyâ—e togither in charitie as seruants to one Lord and master and as they which are boundâ— to doo all one worke By which meanes with the fauour and helpe of Almightie God putting to their diligence and industrie they shall easily conquest their hearts good willes shall frustrate the diuell from the possession that so long time he hath possessed in that kingdome and râ—duce them to their true Lord by creation and redemption It will not bee a small helpe the manie and euident tokens which the Chinos doo giue of desire of their saluation For as it is said that they haue read in their bookes that from the Occident shall come the true and perâ—ite law to diâ—ect them to heauen where they shalbe angelâ— And they séeing that those religious people which are câ—me into their kingdome doo come from the Occident they are perswaded without doubt that the law that they doo declare vnto them is the truth by which meanes shall redowne vnto them great goodnesse They are greatly affâ—ctioned vnto the commandements of the Catholike faith and vnto the catechisme which is translated into their language and is abrode in manie parts of that kingdome which is the occasion as the fathers of the companie that are in the citie Xuquien dooth write that many principal persons are conuerted vnto the catholike faith and others being holpen by the heauens and encited by the ensample of them doo demande the holy baptisme which is left vndone because they will not cause any vprore in the countrie And againe when they shall better conceiue thereof they may receiue it with more firme faith God for his mercie cause to go forwards and with his deuine fauour this good worke for his honour and glorie and exalting his holy faith and that so great and infinite a number of soules redéemed by his pretious blood might be saued and to put in the hart of christian kings to procéed forwards in that which he hath begun putting alwaies in their breasts a greater augmentation to the concluding of the same and to put apart from him all such perswasions as shoulde cause him to leaue it off which the diuell will procure by all the wayes and meanes that he may But against God and his diuine will there is neither power nor wisedome The end of the first part The second part of the historie of the mightie kingdome of China that is deuided into three parts The first containeth such thinges as the fathers frier Martin de Herrada prouinciall of the order of Saint Augustine in the Ilands Phlipinas and his companion fryer Geronimo Martin and other soldiers that went with them did see and had intelligence of in that kingdom The second containeth the miraculous voiage that was made by frier Pedro de Alfaro of the order of S. Francis and his companions vnto the said kingdome The third containeth a breefe declaration by the said frier and of frier Martin Ignacio that went out of Spaine vnto China and returned into Spaine againe by the Orientall India after that he had compassed the world Wherein is contained many notable things that hee did see and had intelligence of in the voiage The Argument of the first part Wherein is declared the cause that moued Frier Martin de Herrada and Frier Geronimo Martin and such souldiers as went in their companie for to passe from the Ilands Phillipinas vnto the kingdome of China in the yeare 1577 and of the entrie they made therein and what they did see there for the space of foure monethes and sixteeâ—e daies that they remained and of what they vnderstood of al things that happened vnto them till they returned againe vnto the Ilands from whence they went all the which are notable and strange CHAP. I. The Spaniardes departe from Mexico vnto the Ilandes Philippinas where they had intelligence of the mightie kingdome of China GOuerning in the kingdom of Mexico don Luys de Velasco who was viceroye and lieftenant in that place for the Catholike king don Phillip king of Spaine was coÌ„manded by his maiestie to prepare a great armie in the south sea and to leuie â—ouldiers necessarie for the same and to send them to discouer the Ilands of the west those which that famous captaine Magallanes did giue notice of when he did compasse the world in the ship called the Victorie The viceroy with great care and diligence did performe the kinges commandement This fléete and armie being prepared readie which was not without great cost hee caused them to depart out of the port at Christmas time in the yeare of 1564. and sent for general of the same fléete and for gouernour of that countrie which they should discouer the worthie Miguel
do beléeue will be pleasant to the reader and is intituled A Commentarie of the new world in the which is contayned many curious matters as you shall perceiue after the reading thereof and is declared in substance and effect by the relation of the father that did passe and sée them all who was named fryer Martin Ignacio a religious man of the order of S. Francis who after that he had compassed the whole worlde came hither to Rome with Martin Simion bishop of the Iland of Pepper in the orientall or east Indias with whom I haue had communication diuers times and is a Chalde borne and of the citie of Niniuie in Babylon and made bishop by the patriarke of Babylon The end of this booke A Commentarie or short discourse of all such notable thinges as be betwixt Spaine till you come vnto the kingdome of China and from China vnto Spaine returning by the Orientall or east Indias after that they had almost compassed the whole world Wherein is contayned all the rites ceremonies and customes of the people the riches fertilitie and strength of many kingdomes and the description of them Made and set forth by the Author of this book as well by that which he hath seene as also by true relation that he had of the religious and barefoot Fryers of the order of Saint Francis who trauailed the same the yeare 1584. CHAP. I. A Commentarie of the new world SAint Lucas de Barrameda and the Citie of Cadiz from whence ordinarily goeth foorth all such fléetes and shippes that go vnto the occident or west Indias are distant the one from the other onely fiue leagues and in thirtie seuen degrées of altitude from whence vnto the Ilandes called the Canarias is two hundred and thirtie leagues and alwayes doo Rut to the southwest and is ordinarily sailed in eight or ten dayes The seas are rough which causeth great waues for which cause it is called the gulfe of the Ieguas These Ilands which in ancient time were called Fortunadas are at this day called by the Spaniards y e Canarias which is deriued of Canes or dogs for that there was in them at such time as the Spaniardes did discouer them great quantitie of dogges very bigge fierce and braue There are of them seuen Ilands which are called Gran Canaria Tenerife Palma Gomera Yerro Lancarote and Forte Ventura and are in altitude twentie eight degrees lacking very little and haue in them many particular thinges of which I will declare some of them in briefe In the Iland of Tenerife at the farther part therof towards the north west there is a mountain called El Pico de Tereyra which vnto the iudgement of theÌ„ who haue séene it is the highest in all the worlde and is plainely seene before you come to it thrée score leagues so that a ship going from Spaine vnto those Ilandes doth discouer that mountaine first None can ascende or go vp that mountaine but in the moneths of Iuly August for that all other moneths of the yeare there is very much snow on it although in all those Ilandes it doth neuer snowe and to mount the height thereof is three daies worke on the top of the same there is a round plaine place and being thereon at such tune as it is faire weather and the seas calme and in quiet you may sée all the seuen Ilands and euerie one of them will séeme but a small thing in respect yet some of them are distant from that more than fiftie leagues it hath as much more in coÌ„passe as that In the two monethes aforesaid they do gather in the toppe thereof all the brimstone that is brought from that Iland vnto Spaine which is much in quantitie This mountaine belongeth to the duke of Maqueda by particular gift of the king In one of these seueÌ„ Ilands aforesaid called the Hierco there is a continuall woonder which in my iudgement is one of the greatest in all the worlde and worthie to be knowen amongest all meÌ„ wherby they may exalt the mightie prouidence of God and giue him thankes for the same This Iland being the greatest amongest the seuen is a countrie very asper and vnfruitfull and so drie that there is no water to be found in all the Iland but on the sea side and that in fewe places but very farre distant from the inhabitance of that Ilande But there naturall necessitie is remedied by the diuine prouidence of heauen as aforesaide and by a strange meanes which is there is a great and mightie trée vnknowen and the like hath not beene seene in any part of all the whole world whose leaues are narrowe and long and are continually gréene like Iuie vpon the which trée is séene continually a small cloud which neuer augmenteth nor diminisheth with the occasion that the leaues continually without ceasing doth distill drops of water very cleere and fine which doth fall into certaine sesâ—ernes which the inhabitantes of the townes haue made for the conseruation thereof to remedie their necessities and to sustaine thereby not onely themselues but also their cattell and beastes and is sufficient for them all yet doo they not knowe the originall and beginning of this continuall and strange miracle One hundreth leagues distant from these Ilandes towards the right hand there is an other thing of little lesse admiration then the other y t we haue spoken of which is that many times there is séen an Iland which they cal S. Borandon Many being lost at the sea haue chaunced vpon the same Iland do say that it is a very fresh and gallant Iland with great abundance of trées and sustinence inhabited with Christian people yet can they not say of what nation or language The Spaniards many times haue gone with intent to séeke it but neuer could finde it which is y e occasion that there be diuers opinions touching the same Some doo say that it is an inchanted Iland and is seene but certaine daies assigned or appointed others say that there is no other let or impediment for the finding therof but because it is so little and is continually couered with great cloudes that there runneth from it riuers which haue so great a current that it maketh it difficult to come vnto it My opinion is if it be any thing worth y t being true that which so many haue spoken of this Iland according vnto the common opinion which they haue in all the seuen Ilands of Canaria it can not be without some great mysterie for he which can cause it to be all in a cloud the swift current of the riuers to be an impediment to the finding therof can find remedie for the inhabitants to come forth if it be so for them y t be without at the sea not to go into it yet can it not be for theÌ„ within the Iland but at some time there should haue some come soorth by
die but be banished for euer out of the kingdome with precise band y t they their wiues children al that should come of them should for euer liue on those Ilands that are now called Iapon which were at y t time desert without people This sentence was executed the offenders did accept the same for mercie So they were caried to y e said Ilands wheras when they saw thēselues out of their naturall countrie without any possibility euer to returne againe they ordained their cōmon wealth as a thing to last for euer directing all their lawes which were for their conseruation gouernment contrarie vnto the Chinos from whence they came But in particular they made one wherin they did prohibite for euer their descendents to haue any frindship with the Chinos did admonish them to do them all the euill that was possible which is obserued kept vnto this day inuiolable shewing thēselues their contraries in all they may euen in their apparell spéech customes for the which there is no nation so abhorred of the Chinos as is the Iapones so that they are payd their hatred with the like And although at that time the said Iapones were subiectes and tributaries vnto the king of China and so continued long time after now at this day they are not but do all harme that may be vnto those of that kingdome They haue much siluer but not so fine as that is of our Indians likewise great abundance of rice and flesh and in some parts wheate although they haue all this with many fruits and herbes other things which be their ordinary victuals yet are they not so well prouided as are their cōfines or neighbors and no default in the lande for that it is verie good and fruitefull But that the naturall people do giue themselues verie little vnto the tilling and sowing thereof for that they are more affectioned vnto the warres then vnto that and this is the reason that many times they do lack prouision and victuals which is the verie same reason that the naturall people others do report of them There be in these Ilandes thrée score sixe kingdoms or prouinces and many kings although it may be better said rulers or principals such as the Spaniardes found in the Ilands of Luzō for which cause although they be called kings yet are they not neither in their cōtractation nor rent for they haue verie little in respect of the multitude of people The king Nobunanga who died in the yeare 1583. was the most principall and greatest Lord amongst them all as well of people as of riches who was slaine by a captaine of his and punished by God by this meanes for his luciferine pride for that it did farre excéede that of Nabuchadonozor and was come vnto that point that he would haue béene worshipped for a God for the which he commanded to make a sumptuous temple and to put in it thinges that did well declare and showe his follie of the which that you may sée how farre it did extend I will declare here onely that which he did promise vnto them that did visite his temple First the rich men that came vnto the saide temple and did worshippe his picture should be more richer and those that were poore should obtaine great riches and both the one and the other that had no successors to inherite their goods should also obtaine them and also long life for to enioy the same with great peace and quietnesse The second that their life should be prolonged to 80. yeares The third that they should bee hole of all their infirmities and diseases and shall obtaine full accomplishment of all their desires with health and tranquillitie And the last he commanded that euery month they should celebrate a feast for his birth day and therein to visite his temple with certification that all those that did beléeue in him and in that which hee promised should without all doubt sée it accomplished and those which in this life were faultie and did not doo in effect his commaundement in the other they should goe the way to perdition And the better to accomplish this his will he commaunded to be put in this temple al the Idols in his kingdomes that were most worshipped such as to whom frequented most pilgrimes the which being done he presently forbad rhat not one of them all should be worshipped but he onely that was the true Fotoque and vniuersall God the author and creator of nature This foolishnesse did this proud king a little before his miserable death and many other more that I do leaue out for feare that I should be too tedious in this Itinerario There did succéed this proude king in the kingdome his sonne called Vozequixama who for that he is very yong at this day it is gouerned by a worthy captaine called Faxiuandono All men that are borne in this land are naturally inclined to warres and robberies and it is vsed ordinarily amongst themselues alwayes he that hath most power and strength doth carry away the best part and yet he doth inioy it with little securitie for that as the prouerbe saith he findeth a last for his shoo or the length of his foote is found and another commeth when he thinketh least off and carrieth away their spoile with victorie reuenging iniuries the one for the other without being requested thereunto which is the occasion that they are neuer without ciuill warres that séemeth to bée the influence of the clime of that land This and the continual exercise in armes and in robberies hath giuen them the name of warriers and do terrifie all their borderers and neighbors They vse many weapons but especially hargabusses swords and lances and are very expert in them On the firme land of China they haue done many suddaine robberies and thefts and haue gone thorough therewith at their pleasure and would haue done the like at the Ilands of Luzon vsed for the same all meanes possible but yet it fell out contrary vnto their meanings and returned their backes full euill against their wils with their hands vpon their owne heads On a time they came vnto the Illocos who with the fauour of the Spaniards whose vassals they are did desende themselues worthily that the Iapones thought it best to returne vnto their houses and to leaue their begun pretence with determination neuer to put themselues in the like perill for that they had lost many of their companie Not many yeares since there happened vnto them the like disgrace in China there went tenne thousande of them to robbe and steale and at their going on lande they did sacke a cittie with little hurt and smal resistance who with the content of that pray forgot themselues and did not preuent the harme that might chance vnto them the Chinos being offended did compasse them about in such sort that when the Iapones remembred themselues they were in
and very dangerous for ships that passe thorough it for very few times it is without stormes or some other greater danger as it happened vnto a verie great shippe in the mouth of the straight in the presence of Frier Martin Ignacio the which in verie little space was swallowed vp with the sea in it more theÌ„ thrée hundred thousand ducats in merchandice that was within her although the successe thereof our people did attribute it more vnto the iust iudgement of God than vnto the storme for that according as they were informed they had committed grieuous offences at the time when she sanke for being very nigh with his shippe in the which he went and many other more they felt not neither had any suspition of any danger From this straight to go vnto Malaca you coast alongest the sea fiue and twentie leagues all which coast is full of great mightie and thicke woods by reason whereof as also for that it is not inhabited there are many tygers elephants and mightie great lysards and other furious beastes The citie of Malaca in our pole articke is eleuated from the equinoctiall onely one degrée of ancient time it was the most principallest citie of all these kingdomes and resident therein a mightie king a Moore but after it was conquered by the Portingals who in these wars did wonderfull things of great force courage they did driue foorth all the Moores out of the same and out of all the borders and made of their Mezquita or temple which was a singular péece of worke a high church as it doth remaine vnto this day there are also thrée monasteries of religious men one of S. Dominicke an other of S. Francis and the third of the companie of Iesus or Iesuites It is a verie temperate countrie being so nigh the equinoctiall line the reason is for that euery wéeke ordinarily it rayneth thrée or foure times which is the greatest cause of health in all that countrie and thereby is made woonderfull fruitfull and with great abundance of prouision but particularly of fruites for there is great store and some sortes neuer séene in Europe amongst the which there is one y t is called in the Malaca tongue Durion and is so good that I haue heard it affirmed by manie that haue gone about the worlde that it doth excéede in sauour all others that euer they had séene or tasted it is in forme like vnto a mellon whose ryne is somewhat harde and hath vpon it little white prickes which séemeth like haire and within the fruite be partitions which be of the colour like vnto maniar blanco and of so good sauour and tast as it Some do say that haue séene it that it séemeth to be y t wherwith Adam did transgresse being carried away by the singular sauour The leaues which this trée yéeldeth are so bigge that a man may couer himselfe with one of them which mee thinketh is but coniecture or defining but there is Cannafistola for to lade fléetes very bigge and good and of a singular effect one of the notablest things in this kingdome is a maruellous trée of an admirable vertue the which putteth foorth so many rootes of so contrarie vertue that those which grow towards the orient be good against poyson agues and many infirmities that do war against humaine life those rootes that growe â—owards the west be ranke poyson in effect all cleane contrarie vnto the first So that it seemeth here to be founde two contraries in one subiect a thing which in philosophie they were woont to count impossible This citie is of great contractation for that there come thether all the kingdomes that we haue spoken of and from many other more that are nigh thereabouts but in particular a great number of great ships from the Indians Canton Chincheo and froÌ„ many other places likewise the Iapones carry thether their siluer to sell those of the kingdome of Syan carry many things very curious but especially cloues and pepper of the Iland Malucas and those of Burneo bring much sanders nutmegs and those of Iaba Pegu bring the wood of aguila and those from Cochinchina Cham bring great store of wrought silke drogges and spicerie and those of Samatra or Trapouana much golde and wrought things fine cloth of Vengalas Coromandel All these and other thinges make this citie famous and plentifull as also very much enlarged of the Portingals that go thether ordinarily euery yeare and traficke there CHAP. XXIII Of some kingdomes of the newe worlde and of particular things that haue beene seene in them and treateth of the citie and riuer of Ganies OUer against this famous citie of which so many thinges may be spoken of is that mightie kingdome and Iland of Samatra called by the ancieÌ„t cosmogrosers Trapouana which is as some say the Iland of Ophir whether y e fléet went which king Salomon sent of which there is particular mention made in the scripture in the third booke of the kings cap. 9. 10. and in the Paralipomenon cap. 9. that went returned againe ladeÌ„ with gold rich tymber for to adorne the temple of Ierusalem and of many other curious things whose memorie doth remain vnto this day amongst the naturall people although diffusedly But not so much as those that haue it out of the holy scripture neither so true This Iland is vnder the equinoctial line so that the one halfe doth extend vnto the pole artick the other halfe vnto the poole antarticke It hath in longitude 230. leagues and in latitude three score seuen leagues and is so nigh vnto Malaca that in some parts it is lesse than ten leagues In this kingdom there are many lords rulers yet he y t hath the greatest part thereof is a Moore and is called Achan it is one of the richest Ilands in al the world for y t it hath many mynes of fine golde of the which although there is a law y t they cannot take out of theÌ„ more than is necessarie yet there is great abundance carried from thence to Malaca Turkie and many other places There is gathered vpon this Iland great abundance of pepper and beniewyn of Boninas in great quantity out of whose trées whereof there is great woods there come foorth so swéet a smel that it seemeth an earthly paradice and was wont to be smelled twenty leagues at sea for which respect the ships that saile that way do come so nigh the lande as they may to haue the comfort of that smell There is also much Camphora and all kinde of spices by reason wherof there commeth vnto this kingdome to traficke many Turkes that come in ships and foystes out of the red sea Also there doth traficke thether those of the kingdom of Sunda Iaua the great and Ambayno and others that are there nigh vnto them Unto this Iland came certaine Portingals to buy and sell whereas they were
and 6. men may walke side by side on them they are garnished with many bulworks and towers a small distance the one from the other with their battlements faire galleries where as many times their vizroyes dooth goe to recreate themselues with the gallant sight of the mountaines and riuers with their fields so odoriferous There is betwixt the wals of their cities the mote of the same a broade space that six horsemen may ride together the like space is within betwixt the walles and the houses whereas they may walke without impediment Their wals are kept in such good reparation by reason of their great care and diligence that they séeme to be but new made yet in some cities there is founde mention of two thousand yeeres since the first foundation In euery citie the king doth ordaine a Iustice and giueth him great rents onely to visit them and make them to be renewed and repaired where as is requisite and is done vpon the kings cost for out of his rents in such cities townes is giuen them all that is néedfull to be asked The high waies in all this kingdome are made kept plaine with great care diligence and the entering into the cities and townes are very sumptuous and with great maiestie they haue thrée or foure gates bound with yron very strong Their streetes verie well paued and so broad that 15. horsemen may ride together in them and so straight that although they be very long yet you may discouer the end On both the sides are portals vnder which be their shops full of all sorts of merchandises very curious and of all occupations that you will desire In the streets a good space the one from the other are made manie triumphall arkes of extreme bewtie They are made of masons worke verie curiously painted after the fashion of the old antiquitie of Rome All their houses ordinarily haue three doores that in the middest is great the other be lesser but of a maruellous gallant propotion The king is alwayes resident in the citie of Suntien which in their language is as much to say the citie of heauen Of which citie the Chinos do declare many things which séemeth to be true for that if you do talke with many of them and at sundrie times and places yet doo they not varie the one from the other and according to their report it should be greatest in all the worlde in these dayes They who do make it to be least do affirme that to goe from gate to gate leauing the suburbs had néed of a summers day and a good horse to do it it is also called Quinsay as Marcus Paulus doth call it CHAP. IX Of the wonderfull buildings in this kingdome and of mightie wall or circuit in the same of 500. leagues long IN this kingdome in al places there be men excellent in architecture and the necessaries that they haue to build with is the best that is in the world For as it is said in the chapter past they haue a kinde of white earth of the which they make brickes of so great hardnesse and strength that for to breake them you must haue pickaxes and vse much strength and this is the cause that in all the kingdome there is mightie buildings and verie curious Putting apart the kings pallace where hee is resident in Taybin for of that you shall haue a particular chapter in all such cities that bee the heads of the prouinces is resident a vizroy or gouernour and dwelleth in the house that in euery such citie the king hath ordeined on his proper cost all the which to conclude are superbious and admirable and wrought by marueilous art and are as bigge as a great village by reason that they haue within them great gardens water ponds woods compassed about in the which as it is declared in the 4. chapter is great quantitie of hunt and flying foules Their houses commonly be verie gallant and after the manner of Rome and generallie at the doores and gates of them are planted trées in gallant order the which maketh a gallant shadow and séemeth well in the stréets All these houses are within as white as milke in such sort that it séemeth to bee burnished paper The floares are paued with square stones verie broad and smooth their seelings are of an excellent kind of timber verie well wrought and painted that it séemeth like damaske and of the colour of gold that sheweth verie well euerie one of them hath three courts and gardens full of flowers and herbes for their recreation And there is none of them but hath his fish poole furnished although it bee but small The one side of their courts is wrought verie gallant like as it is in counting houses vpon the which they haue many idols carued and wrought of diuers kinds ofmettals the other thrée parts or angles of their courts are painted with diuers things of verie great curiositie But aboue all things they are marueilous cleane not onely in their houses but also in their stréetes in the which commonly they haue thrée or foure necessarie or common places of ease verie curiously ordained and placed for that the people being troubled with their common necessitie shall not foule the streetes and therefore they haue this prouision the like is vsed in all wayes throughout the kingdome Some cities there be whose streets be nauigable as in Bruxels in Flanders Mexico in the Indians and as in Venice in Italie which is the occasion that they are better serued and prouided for that their barkes and boates doo enter laden with all kinde of victuals harde to their doores The highwayes throughout all this kingdome are the best and gallantest paued that euer hath béene discouered they are verie plaine yea vnto the mountaines and they are cut by force of labour and pickaxes and maintained with bricke and stone the which by report of them which hath séene it is one of the worthiest things that is in all the realme There are many mightie bridges and of a wonderfull making some wrought vpon boats as it is in Syuill but in especiall vpon such riuers as are broad and déepe In the citie of Fucheo there is a towre right against the house of the kings chiefe receiuer it is affirmed by those that haue séene it to surmount any building that hath béene amongst the Romanes the which is raised and founded vppon fortie pillars and euerie pillar is of one stone so bigge and so high that it is strange to tell them and doubtfull to the hearers to beléeue it for which cause I thinke it best not to declare it in particular as I do in all things where as I doo finde it difficult to be beléeued and where I haue no certaine author to verifie the truth There is in this kingdome a defence or wall that is fiue hundred leagues long and beginneth at the citie Ochyoy which is vppon the high mountaines and
them at all times when they shalbe demaunded of him by the iudges or vizroies They are shakled and manakled and put in wards that do answere into the court whereas the officers of the prison do make them to lie with their face downewarde vppon a floore made of bords for the same purpose and do draw ouer them iron chaines drawne through great iron rings that are placed betwixt prisoner and prisoner wherewith they are so strait crushed that they cannot moue nor turne them from one side to another also they doo lay on them a certaine couering of timber wherein remaineth no more space of hollownesse then their bodies doth make thus are they vsed that are condemned to death This prison is so painefull and grieuous that many doo dispaire and kill themselues because they cannot suffer it In the day time they do take them forth and take off their manacles that they may worke for to sustaine themselues all such as haue nothing to maintaine themselues nor any other that wil help them them the king dooth giue a pittance of rice to sustaine them Likewise they do worke what they may to better the same There is neuer no execution done vpon such as are condemned to die but at the comming of the visiters or iudges of residence whom they do call Chenes and Leuchis the which do◠make their visitation in secret as you doo vnderstande in the chapter where I spake of them These doe visite the prisoners and demaund a note of the names of all them that are condemned and the cause wherefore and although that some of their sentences are confirmed by the king and his counsell yet they will sée them againe in the presence of these iudges that did condemne them or such as did gouerne in their absence for to be informed of them the faults of euerie one whereby he may sée and vnderstand whether his sentence of condemnation bee done with iustice or not This diligence being done they doo choose out among them fiftie condemned men such whose faults are most odious and commande the iayler to put all things in order for to doo execution on them the which being done they do examine them a new and looke vpon the causes and faults to see if by any meanes they can saue them And if they do finde in any of them any iot of discharge they do apart them from the rest and straightwayes command three pieces of ordinance to be shot off which is to giue warning to bring forth them that shalbe executed Then againe when they doo bring them forth they doo a new enter in counsell to sée if they can saue any of them and when not they command other three péeces of ordinance to be shot off to cause them to be brought out into the fielde and yet before they do breake vp their counsell they doo turne and sée once againe all their faults to sée if that by any meanes possible there might bee some remedie to saue them If they do finde any or any suspect of indicion they do returne out of the field that person and sende him againe to the prison Some doo returne with an euill will for that they had rather die at once then for to suffer the straightnes and crueltie of the prison In the meane time while they are perusing their causes and concluding the same they do cause these condemned prisoners to sit vpon heaps of ashes and do giue them to eate So when all y t these diligences are concluded and they can finde no remedy to saue any of them according vnto iustice they doo commande thrée péeces of artilery more bee shot off then do they execute iustice according vnto their sentence giuen them The deathes that they do execute is hanging setting vppon stakes quartering and burning but there is none that is burned but such as are traitors to the king When the last thrée of artilerie is shot off then the belles do ring and a great rumor is in the cittie for that this execution is done but seldome The day of execution all their shops are shut in and there is none that doth worke vntill sun be set which is after that the executed men are buried the which is done with the companie of much people The next day after this is done the visitors do make the second visitation which is of the théeues a thing verie much abhorred amongst them and such as they doo finde culpable hee is whipped throughout the common stréetes with great shame with a borde hanging about his necke as aforesaide whereon is written his fault and therewith they are carried throughout the stréetes thrée or foure dayes They do beate them on the calues of their legges with a broade and thicke cane of foure fingers broad and as thicke as a mans finger the which they do lay in water before the more for to torment them they are bound with their hands behind them and their faces downewards to the earth two hangmen do execute this whipping of them the one at one legge and the other at the other and it is done with so great crueltie that after they haue giuen sixe blowes they cannot stande vppon their féete and many times it chanceth that with fiftie blowes they die The most part of these théeues do die in the punishments and many times there is whipped togither of théeues two hundred So that with these and others that are punished in the prisons is of a verie truth that there do die euerie yeare in one of these principall cities of the prouince more then sixe thousande persons At these punishments the iudges are alwaies in presence and for that they should not be mooued to compassion in the meane time that execution is done they do occupie themselues in banquettings or other pastimes Adulteries are death and such as do consent to be coockoldes which is neuer founde but amongst them of the basest sort are punished with exemplar punishments ordained for the same CHAP. XIII Of the characters and letters that the Chinos do vse and of the colleges and scholes that are in this kingdome and of other curious things The king hath in euerie citie colledges or schooles at his owne cost in the which they doo learne to write read count as well as to studie naturall or morall philosophie Astrologie lawes of the countrie or any other curious science They that doo teach in these schooles be such persons as excell in euerie facultie such as may be found none better but speciallie in writing and reading for that there is none although he be neuer so poore but dooth learne to write and read because amongst them he is accounted infamous that cannot doo both Unto higher studies come a great number of students and doo trauaile all they may possiblie to profite for that it is the best course and surest way to obtaine the name of a Loytia or gentleman or other dignitie as more plainelie shall bée shewed you in the chapter
And for to haue the fruition of this benefite all the yeare in the winter they must vse an artificiall helpe to giue a little warmenes vnto the doong for the bringing forth of their egs they do vse thē an other inuentiō as ingenious as the first that is this they take a great number of canes tied one by another whereon they do laye the doong then vppon that they doo lay their egges and do couer them verie well with the same this being done they put vnder the canes straw or some other like thing and set it on fire but in such sort that it dooth not burne but kéepeth a naturall heat all the time till they thinke that they are readie to be taken out Then doo they take and breake them as aforesaide so that their pultrie dooth increase in such number as though they were antes Then doo they put thē into an other cage for the same purpose wheras be old duckes brought vp for no other purpose but to couer the little ones vnder their winges and kéepe them warme and there they doo féede them euery day till such time as they can féede themselues and go abroad into the fieldes to profit themselues in the companie of the olde duckes Many times they haue in number aboue twentie thousand yet do they maintain them with a small-cost and it is in this order euerie morning they do giue them a small quantitie of boyled rice then do they open a doore of the cage which is towardes the riuer and doo put a bridge of canes that doth reach vnto the water then doo they come foorth with so great haste one vpon an other that it is a pastime to sée them All the day after they do passe the time vpon the water and in the fieldes of rice vpon the land wheras they do féede the owners of the rice doo giue vnto the owners of the duckes somewhat to let their duckes go into their fields for that they do destroy all the grasse and other wéeds in it And hurt nothing of the rice When that the euening draweth on then they of the barke do make a sound with a taber or such like y t which being heard of his duckes they throwe thēselues with great spéede into the water and swimme straight vnto their owne barke whereas their bridge is readie put for them and euerie flocke doth know his owne barke by the sounde without missing at any time although there be many flockes together For euerie barke doth vse a different sound the one from the other to the which the duckes are vsed and their eares full thereof so that they neuer fayle their owne barke This manner of liuing is greatly vsed in all that countrie and verie profitable for that it is a victuall most vsed amongst them and is esteemed as a thing of great sustentation and of small price by reason that at al times there is bréeding of them and of small cost Likewise in this Countrey they doo vse a kinde of fishing that is of no lesse industrie then the bringing vppe of these duckes and a thing to be séene The king hath in euerie Citie founded vppon the riuers houses wherein euerie yeare is brought vp many Cormorantes or sea Rauens with whome they doo fishe in those monethes that the fish dooth spawne and that is in this maner following They take the Cormorantes out of their cages and carrie them vnto the riuer side whereas they haue many barkes ordeyned for their fishing and they are halfe full of water Then they take their Cormorantes and with a corde they doo binde their mawes in such sort that no fish can fall into it then they do cast them into the riuer to fish the which they do with such good will and couetousnesse that it is a woonder to sée they throwe themselues into the water with great swiftnesse and diue whereas they do fill their throate with fish Then they come foorth and with the like hast they go vnto the barkes that are halfe ful of water and the fish which they haue taken they put in that water which is put there for that purpose that the fish may not die the which being done they returne againe vnto their fishing as they did before In this order they do indure their fishing foure houres together in such sort that the one doth not trouble the other and when y t their boates with water are ful of fish then do they vnbind them and turne them againe into the riuer for to fish for themselues for they haue neede thereof for that alwayes the day before that they will fish they kéepe thē from their ordinarie victualles which is a litle Millio that they may y e better do their office So after a while that they haue filled their bellies and recreated themselues they take them out of the water and carrie them vnto the ordinarie places whereas they art kept and euerie third day during the time of this fishing they doo take them forth for the same exercise which for them is so great pastime that they would it should indure all the yeare In these thrée monethes they do take so much fish that they do prouide the whole kingdome for all the yeare as in the chapter past it hath béene tolde you which is the occasion that they are as well prouided of fish as of any other thing so that if they please they may eate euerie day fresh fish although they are farre from the sea CHAP. XXIII Of the curtesie that the king of this mightie kingdome doth vnto the Ambassadors that come to him from anie other king prince or comonaltie WE should in the chapter following intreate of the ambassage that king Philip of Spaine with the Christian zeale that he had to sende vnto the king of this kingdome who being mooued by certaine causes and reasons did referre it till a better occasion and we do beléeue that it will be offered shortly Therefore now it shall not be from our purpose to declare in this chapter the honour and curtesie that this king doth vnto the ambassadours of kings princes or any other prouince that doth come vnto him in what sort so euer it be and for that it is of great curiositie it shall be necessarie to declare it with the circumstance wherewith it is done All such as doo enter into this kingdome with the title of ambassadour be it from a king that is a friend or enimie they are respected intreated and made of with so great care and diligence as though they came themselues in person that doo send them Unto whome besides the obseruing the law of nations which is obserued kept among all kings in the worlde in especiall that their persons shall not receiue neither incurre any danger although their ambassage bringeth discontent or harme vnto the king besides all the which there is granted vnto them great and particular priuiledges When that he doth enter into the kingdome by any of
they woulde liue amongst them although it were to serue them as slaues for that if they would returne vnto the Ilande of Luzon or by another name called Manilla they could not for that they knewe not the way neither had they anie Pilot to conduct them The Iudge had pittie on them and commanded that such thinges as they had in their shippe should bée brought on land for that hee woulde sée them amongst the which the thing which caused him most to maruell at was when hée sawe the Images and Ara or Alter stone of blacke Iasper stone of the which we haue made large mention hee requested of the Spaniards that they woulde giue them two Images which when they had giuen them they made shew to estéeme greatly of the present for that they were thinges that they haue not amongst them He talked with them very friendly caused them to arise from the ground whereas they did knéele and to shewe them the more fauour he caused to be giuen them to drinke in his presence a certaine beurage which they do vse made of certaine hearbs and vse it for a comfortable thing for the heart is commonly vsed amongst theÌ„ although they are not dry and amongst the Chinos is a shew of particular fauour This Iudge did more vnderstande the intent of the Spaniards then any of the other past for their interpreter had tolde vnto him that they woulde remaine in the countrie for to cure sicke persons and to bury the dead the which they could do excellent well When the Iudge heard these wordes hee gaue with his hande a great stroke vppon the table that was before him and said with showes of great wonder vnto other inferior Iudges that were with him Oh what good people are these as it séemeth it would be vnto mee a great ioy if that I coulde of mine owne authoritie accomplish that which they do desire but our lawes do forbid the same and that with great rigour All this did their interpreter tel them afterward At this time there entred into the place of audience whereas they were a man of China one of the common sort al imbrewed with blood crying out and making a great noise without any consort who prostrating himselfe vpon the ground did complaine of other Chinos with whom he had fallen out and was beaten and buffeted in cruell sort The Iudge when he saw him did straight wayes command his officers to bring the offenders before him the which was done with a trice they returned with the plaintife bringing thrée other Chinos bound togither by the armes and as it séemed they were men of base sort The Iudge incontinent made information wholly of all that passed and condemned them without writing any letter in twenty sotes or strokes a peece the officers forthwith tooke theÌ„ with so great cruelty as though they had bin diuels threwe them vpon the ground with their bellies downwards to execute the sentence giuen by the Iudge and when they had pulled off their hose they began to whippe them vpon the calues of their legges with a sot made of canes in manner as hath béene told you before The religious people who were present all this while and taking pitie on these condemned men fell downe at the féete of the Iudge and by signes and tokens did craue of him for the loue of God that his sentence might not be executed who straightwayes commanded the executioners to cease condiscending vnto the petition of the Friers and did pardon the offenders fiftéene sottes or strokes of the twentie wherein they were condemned The Iudge did very much woonder at the pouertie of these religious men and at the sharpe and asper apparell that they weare but the chiefest thing that he did maruell at was when that he vnderstoode howe they had passed the fleete of ships that were put in the straight for to defende and keepe the coast and were neuer seene which séemed vnto him a thing impossible except it were by permission of the heauen So when this examination and talke was finished he commandeâ—â—hem to returne vnto thâ—ir shippe promising them for to write vnto the vizroy who was thirtie leagues from that place and to giue him to vnderstand that they were men without any suspection and that he might wel giue them licence for to come to his presence vpon which relation hée woulde commaunde what shoulde bee doone either to tarrie or to go vnto him Within few dayes after they vnderstood that the Iudge had accomplished his promise for that the vizroy had committed the matter vnto another Iudge called Aytao whose office is for to examine and inquire the causes of strangers the wordes of the commission were as followeth I am written vnto from Canton howe that there are come thither certaine men apparelled very sharpe and asper after the fashion of our religious men in the wildernesse who bringe no weapons neither any other thing that might séeme to pretend any euill intent and for that they are thy charge examine them with care and diligence and prouide to doo therein that which shall be most requisite and conuenient giuing vs to vnderstand the large and true relation of that which shall happen The verie same day of Saint Iohn the Spaniards being verie merry and vnmindfull of any thing for that they had all that day receiued the Sacrament there came vnto them abord their shippe or frigat the interpreters and did euidently declare their euill purpose and intent saying that it was apparent what they had done for them and in what perill they did euery day put themselues in for their matters and that it was reason that they shoulde pay them for the same and if not they would not helpe theÌ„ any more neither interpret or take paines in their businesse certifying them that if they did faile to satisfie them that they should not finde any that would doo it with so great good will and diligence as they should finde by experience and how that they had béene put in prison if they had not béene for entring into that kingdome without licence and for that they enterpreted for them with great curtesie and fauour they had also béene commaunded to returne backe againe from whence they came which by their meanes was the cause that the Iudges did intreate them so friendly as they did The Father Costodio when he vnderstoode their intent and did euidently see that it was wholly grounded vppon gaine considering also the vrgent necessitie that they had of them and not satisfying them it was difficult to finde any for to helpe them in that their necessitie of two euils he chose the best and deliuered vnto them a pawne for their contentment one of the two Challices they brought with them giuing them great charge to vse and kéepe it as a sacred thing and dedicated for to consecrate the blood of Christ. The principall interpreter did take it with great content and
language as they sayd for to shew instruct them the way vnto heauen The Spaniards hauing heard this if made them very much to maruaile frō that time forwards they had good hope to prosecute that which they did pretend So with this with great spirituall corporal ioy they tooke their leaue of the Iudge and went vnto their lodging wheras they gaue thanks vnto God for the good directing of their busines did pray vnto him to helpe thē that they might sée a finall conclusion of their desire All this falsenes that the interpreter did vse was by the diuine permission as afterwards they did gather when that by himselfe they were put out of all doubt and did declare what he did pretend by the way order he tooke For without all doubt if that the Iudges had plainly vnderstood that they would haue there remained they would not haue suffered them to haue entred and séene the countrie And the viceroy being aduertised thereof would haue caused them to depart in that troublesome wether whereas possible they should haue béene all drowned for that the moneths of Iuly August and September in that countrie are ordinarily full of stormes and tempestes CHAP. IX The Spaniards remained certaine daies in Aucheo they go to visite the beautie of that citie but in especiall the captaine generall of the sea who was so affectioned vnto the Ara of blacke stone they brought that hee did with all care and diligence procure it of gift ALl the time that they remained in Aucheo they did occupie thēselues in visiting of the principals of y t court amōgst whom he that did most reioice to see them was the captaine generall of the men of war of that prouince who after that he had intreated them very friendly and louingly he desired them that they would returne the next day to visite him to bring with them the Ara of blacke stone which they had shewed vnto the viceroy that he might sée it for that he had praised it very much and to bring also of their painted Images They did obey his commandement and came vnto him when that he was at dinner with great maiestie Then so soone as he had dined he commanded that they should enter into the hal there where he was The interpreter when he drew nigh vnto him did knéele down and made signes vnto the Spaniards to follow him and do the like but the captaine commanded them to arise to couer their heads did very much behold the Ara or altar stone making a showe of great admiration to beholde it hee demanded of the Fryers many things of great curiositie and asked them if they would sell him that stone and he would giue them for it what they would demande The father Costodio answered saying that they solde nothing and much lesse that for that it was consecrated and dedicated to the diuine colto or sacrifice The Captaine replied and saide that if they would not sell it that they should giue it him and hee would be gratefull vnto them in some other thing that they should thinke well of The father Costodio answered that by no maner of meanes he could not do it for that vpon the same they did celebrate and say masse at such time as they did sacrifice vnto the true God At that instant the captaine did put his handes vppon it to féele it and the father Costodio made signes vnto him to take away his handes for that he sinned greatly therein Then he séeing that they would not giue it him he tooke his leaue saying that they should leaue it there with him for that hee would looke vppon it more at leasure promising to returne it them againe afterwardes The father Costodio did consent thereunto but first he requested him not to touch it with his handes So after that he had satisfied himselfe in the beholding of it his affection was then much more to remaine therewith and for to accomplish the same not fayling of his word and promise that he had made hee deuised with himselfe a certaine slight and policie and sent for the father Costodio who came vnto him with great content thinking verily that he would haue returned their Ara. When he came vnto him he did intertaine him verie ioyfully and said that he was vpon his iorney to certain warres by the commandement of the king that amongst those seruants that he carried with him for his seruice there were two christened Chinos which had beene captiues vnto the Portugales of the citie of Machao from whence they ran away of whom he had had vnderstanding in all thinges of the ceremonies of the Christians and that their comming thether was to baptise such as would receiue the same and hee being fully certified in many thinges touching the same he liked well thereof and gaue great content and hoped to be one of them that first should receiue the faith when the king should grant licence for the same All this as it séemed was that they should let him haue the Ara vnto the which he was so affectioned as aforesaid But the father Costodio vsed the matter in such sort that hee got it out of his fingers which was no small matter Within a few dayes after the Captaine being readie to imbarke himselfe for to make his iourney he sent vnto the Spaniardes that two of them should come vnto him and that they should bring with them the blacke stone for there were certaine friendes of his that would sée it The father Costodio did straightwayes accomplish his commandement and carried with him the Ara or altar stone for that he durst not do otherwise yet they did beléeue that in giuing him some pretie or curious thing they should content him and quiet his mind they carried also with them the Image of Marie Magdalen made of feathers which was more woorthie than the Ara setting a part the consecration So whē the religious fathers came wheras he was he went foorth to méete them more then tenne paces with signification of great ioy and carrying them aside he saide vnto them once againe that the captiues had told him so many things of their vertuous maner of liuing of other things touching the heauen that he had great affection vnto them desired that they might remaine in the countrie for to baptise the inhabitants therof that he wold be the first but the cause wherfore he did delay the time is for to eschew the paines y t is pronounced against all those that do receiue any law or strange ceremonie without particular licence of the king And for that he went in hast to go inhabite a certaine prouince that he was ready to depart in y e which so soone as it was possible he would do so much y t al they should become Christians for as much as he tolde him that the blacke stone vnto the which he was affectioned was consecrated that he would let him haue
of which shal be spoken more at large hereafter This kingdome towards the Orient dooth ioyne vnto the country of Peru and so running by the North sea and reacheth vnto Nombre de Dios which is a port of the saide kingdome and from thence vnto Acapulco which is a port in the kingdome of Mexico and in the South sea it reacheth vnto Panama a port of the said Peru and in the same sea it extendeth nigh vnto the straights of Magellanes and not farre from the riuer of Plata and Brasill To conclude this kingdome is so great that vnto this day they cannot find the end therof but euery day doth discouer new countries whereas all the Indians that they do finde are verie easie to bee reduced vnto the Catholike faith for that they are people very docible ingenious and of a good vnderstanding There is amongst them diuers languages and verie different climes although all generally doo vnderstande the Mexican tongue which is most common There are many prouinces inhabited by Indians and Spaniards that euery one of them is as bigge as a reasonable kingdome yet the greatest and most principall is that of Mexico whereas are many Indians and Spaniards which doo excéed all the rest in number the names of them are Honduras Guatimala Campeche Chiapa Guaiaca Mechuacan Nueua galicia Nueua Viscaya Guadiana and others mo which I leaue out because I woulde not be tedious in all the which they haue either a royall audience and gouernors or other Iustices all Spaniards The naturall people whereof neuer since they were conuerted haue béene found in any heresie nor in any thing contrarie vnto the Romish faith All these prouinces are subiect and doo acknowledge that of Mexico as the principall there whereas his maiestie hath his vizroy an inquisition an archbishop and a royall audience or court of Chancerie This Cittie of Mexico is one of the best that is in all the whole world and is situated vpon water after the manner and fashion of Uenice in Italie in all this kingdome almost you cannot know when it is winter or when it is summer for that in al the whole yeare there is smal difference betwixt the daies and the nights by reason of the temperature of the countrie the fieldes are gréene almost all the whole yeare and trées beare fruit also almost all the whole yeare for when it is winter in Europa then doo their fall dewes from heauen which dooth cause all things to budde and flowre and in the summer it doth ordinarily raine but especially in the monethes of Iune Iuly August and September in the which monethes it is a maruel when it raineth not euery day and it is to bee wondred at for that almost it neuer rayneth but from noone forwards and neuer passeth midnight so that it neuer troubleth them that doo trauell by the way for that they may beginne their iourney at midnight and trauell vntill the next day at noone It raineth vnreasonably and with so great furie and force that the time that it dooth indure it is requisite to flie from the showers for that many times they are so hurtfull that one sole shower taketh away the life of a man Almost all the whole yeare in this kingdome they do sowe and gather as wel wheaâ—e wherof they haue great abundance as Maiz which is the ordinary sustentation of al the Indians blacke moores horse of the which they haue great abundance very gallant good both to y e eye indéed as in any kingdom in al the whole world that is knowne vnto this day The brood of them was carried out of Spaine thither when first they did discouer that country for that effect were chosen the best that could bee found and for that they doo eate all the whole yeare greene grasse Maiz which is wheat of y e Indians is the occasion that they do deserue to haue the praise aboue all other In fine this kingdome is one of y e fertilest of victuals of al that euer we haue heard off and of riches for that there is in it an infinite number of siluer mines out of the which is taken great abundance as it is to be séene euery yeare when as the shippes doo come vnto Syuell It is vnder the Torrida Zona yet notwithstanding it is of the temperature as I haue said contrarie vnto the opinion of ancient Philosophers who said that it was not inhabited But now to excuse them it shal not be from our purpose to declare the cause wherefore they were deceiued and is that in the foure monethes aforesaide wherein the sunne hath his most force it doth continually rayne which is the occasion that the country is so temperate and besides this God doth prouide that it is visited with fresh windes which come both out from the South and North sea and is so ordinarie a thing that it is a maruell to see it calme by reason whereof the whole kingdome is of that propertie and although the sunne be very strong and causeth great heate yet putting himselfe vnder any shadowe although it bee but little they straightwayes feele a fresh and comfortable winde by reason of the temperature of the heauen in the manner aforesaid The inhabitants of this kingdome throughout al the whole yeare néede not to augment nor diminish their apparell neither their beddes Also the aire and clime is so holesome that you may lie and sléepe in the fieldes without any thing vppon you as in any house be it neuer so well hanged and close All that is discouered of this kingdome except it be the lande of the Chichimecos which is a kind of Indians that liueth as the Alarbes do in Africa without any house or towne all the rest I say are in peace and quietnes baptised and doctrined and furnished with many monasteries of diuers orders of religious men as of the order of S. Dominicke of S. Francis of S. Austen of Iesuits besides a great number of priests that are reparted in al parts of that kingdome so that the one and the other are continually occupied in doctrining of the naturall people and other Spaniards that are in that kingdome of whome although they be but a few in respect of the Indians yet do they surmount in number more then fiftie thousand In the principall citie of this kingdome which is that of Mexico as aforesaid there is a vniuersitie and in it be many schooles whereas is red any facultie as is in Salamanca that by men of great sufficiencie whose trauel is gratified with great rentes honor There bee also in it many great hospitals as well of Spaniards as of Indians wheras the sicke men are cured with great charitie comfort for that euery one of them haue great rents and reuenues I do not intreat of the Churches and monasteries both of Friers and Nunnes which are in that cittie nor of other particular thinges for that thereof