old Champions Ballad but they use not then to exercise themselves at any scandalous play Besides at their vacant hours they take great pleasure to play at Chess wherein many are very expert as well women as men They are by nature something inclin'd to Astronomy for they do not only know some Stars and take diligent notice of their course specially the Star Bâ—oetes which they call the Star of the day because in the heart of Winter they know by its course in the morning what a Clock it is and how long it is till day that they accordingly may row out on fishing or begin some other work at home they also understand in some manner the course of the Moon that is when it will be new Moon though not by reason of its motion but by the increasing and decreasing of the Sea which being governed by the Moon they know by the streams alteration as the effect of it on which day there is new Moon When there is no Almanack brough into the Ceuntry they understand their computum Ecclesiasticum and can direct the course of the year in the moveable and immovable Holy Days without any fault or error They speak the Language of Norway though in these times most Danish having nevertheless many Norway words There is also a great difference between the Northern Islands Dialects and those that live in the Southern Islands The Air being here as was said before pretty wholsome and the Inhabitants using always one diet here are also usually found very antient folks beyond other places so that not only they attain to the highest age of man whereof David speaketh namely 80 years but many also reach to 90 and 100 years of age and above There is a very remarkable Example of an old man of this Countrey that died not long since whose name was Erasmus Magnusson living in Harold Sound in the Northern Islands who was Magnus Heinesons natural Son of whom is spoken before This Erasmus was first married with an old woman with whom he lived many years and begot no children of her at last his said wife died he being then about 90 years old desiring nevertheless to leave an Heir of his body he married a young woman of whom he begot 5 Children and was 110 years old when he died his youngest Child being seven years of age which he begot when he was 103 years old That one might not think there might be some seandalous suspition in this the woman was an honest woman and of good reputation having left a very good name after her death His eldest Son doth now possess his house being a great and strong young man above many of the Land I have know his Father in his antient age who was a strong and courageous man This example is more admirable than thâ—â— of Abraham who thought strange in his time that he should beget children being 100 years old As the time for women to bear Children is well known to all understanding men so Physitians and Philosophers have designed the natural age for a man to beget Children to be under 65 or at most 70 years whereupon antient Historians do remark as rare aud strange Examples that some men as Alexander Masser pract Med. lib. 4. de sterilitate writes have begotten Children when they have been above 80 years of age much stranger and more worth writing is this Example of one that has begotten Children being above 100 years old and in this late and weak age of the world CHAP. VI. Of the Policie THe Policie of this Country may be divided into three parts namely Acmdministration of Justice Merchandize and providing for the Poor 1. Of the Administration of Justice The Reader may easily perceive by the Histories related above how this Country was govern'd in the beginning when the Common wealth thereof consisted in an Aristochracy and was govern'd by principal men or Chiesetains as also in some manner how when the Country came under the Kings of Norway there were constituted Bishops and Sheriffs over the Nation besides the Kings Bayliff that gathered Taxes and contributions Since the time of Reformation we know not that this land hath been reduced to a government or District wherewith the King of Denmark's Ministers have been intrâ—sted but their Majesties have ever had their own Bayliffs here that have governed the Land and received the Kings duties which have been paid to them that either by gratification or contract ought to have the same till in our time the high and mighty Prince our Soveraign and Hereditary Lord Frederick the III. of Glorious Memory hath therewith as with a Government gratiously gratified his Excelence the Right Honourable Christopher von Gabel his Majesties State-holder Privy Counsellour and Assessor in the Counsel of State not only with the receipt of the Revenues and the jurisdiction thereof but also with the liberty of establishing and ordaining there his own Bayliff or Deputy to dispose and dispence as he thought fit in matters of Commerce and his said Excellency hath since that time kept his own Bayliff or Deputy over the land to administer in his place having Sheriffs under him for the Land is divided into six divisions or districts namely Norderoe Osteroe Stromoe Waagoe Sandoe and Suderoe Which Sheriff each in his division doth judge of all small causes but they summon the others to the Sessions They receive the Kings Tythes and put in execution what is desired of them by the Kings Commissary Here are also besides Spiritual and Temporal Judges In the Ecclesiastical State though here be no Bishops Canons or other learned men that make up a Chapter in other places yet there is a Synod kept yearly as a Convent or Chapter of Priests The Provost and all the Priests Assembling themselves at Thors haven in Stremoe about Saint Olaus Tide the Sessions being then also kept in the same place and if there be any Chapter cause they are pleaded and judged in the Assembly wherein the Bayliff of the Land presides in the place of the Governour and there is also consulted what may be for the advantage of the Commonalty The Temporal Justice is twofold particular and general The particular is yearly rendred in every division and it is the same thing as the Districts court or first instance in Denmark and is called the Spring Sessions for there being not so many controversies amongst the Inhabitants here as in other places it is kept but once a year namely in the Spring whence it hath the name of Spring-Session where it is the charge of the Sheriff to preside and of the Sworn Recorder to judge what causes they cannot decide or do it wrongfully are appealed of to the law sessions which is the general Court and is as the Provincial in Denmark where his Majesties Bayliff doth preside and hath with him all the six Sheriffs who one after another exhibite to the Court what Law Suits they have either regarding his Majesty or Private
promontories height and hinderance of the Airs free passage happened that the Priest coming that way towards Sumboe Horse there came a strong Whirlewind that took away the Priest and Horse together and carried him beyond the edge of the Promontory and another whirlewind coming directly against it threw him again on the Land without any hurt Though this seems incredible to many it is nevertheless told for a truth by many worthy of belief I have my self been at and visited the place according to the Scituation whereof it seems that it might naturally happen a stronger whirlwind having overcome that coming from the Land it may then according to the nature of a whirlewind have driven both the weaker wind and the man to Land again which I do not only grant might naturally be but believe also that God by his Omnipotency and the Protection of his Angels hath contributed thereunto others may believe hereof what best pleaseth them Otherwise the ordinary winds that blow here are for the most part West and South West specially in the Spring and Harvest these Winds being very moist and it happeneth usually that on the side of the Land where the wind bloweth there is Rain and bad weather whilest on the other side it is fair and clear which cometh by reason of the Lands great height Here being no very hot Summer neither is there any thunder heard during that season but only in Winter when there is a great Storm and there falleth Rain which is the more terrible all being then turbulent By reason of the Premises there flowing almost by every mans house a running stream washing away all impurities that might infect the air and the salt vapour of the Sea keeping it from corruption as salt keepeth bodies from rotting and though finally some poisenous vapours might ascend into it it is nevertheless continually cleansed by the perpetual Strong Wind and Thunder that happeneth usually in Autumn Winter and Spring there is usually in Feroe a wholesome Air free from Pestilence Infection and Contagious Diseases which do never range here except they be brought in by other sick people Neither are any here troubled with Agues but it is experimented that they who had it and could not be quit of it in other places by the use of Medicaments have been freed of it coming hither by the Lands nature without using any other Medicine whence it comes that the people live longer here then usually in other places Neither are children here plagued with the Small Pox as else where this sickness not being known here except it be brought from Forreign parts and then here is seen a great misery Men and Women Children and Servants old and young lying then at once in bed of that sickness so that none of them can help the other and the Sound shunning the Infected as death it self In the Year 1651. when I arrived first into this Countrey there came a young man the same Summer from Denmark to Thors-Haven who had been sick of the Small Pox and had brought along with him the Shirt he lay in unwashed which he gave a Woman to wash that was straight ways infected by the damp of the said Shirt and by her again others that did not know the Disease at first wherefore when I came to that place there was a great calamity almost every one both old and young lying a bed of the Small Pox it being a great misery not only by reason of the Disease it self that took away old and young but also because the Sound shunned the sick and refused to bury the dead the Peasants durst not come to Thors-Haven to buy their necessaries and though they all so much shunned the sickness they were nevertheless Infected with it till it had spread it self over the whoâ—e Countrey even over Suderoe that lyeth most out of the way Though the Air as aforesaid be wholesome the land nevertheless is not therefore free from Sickness but this Country as well as other hath its particular Diseases for the air being first cold and moist whereby Flegme is dayly augmented the Inhabitants are almost all troubled twice a year with a strong Rhume which they call Kriim in the Spring and after Harvest for it falleth at once on the Nose and Lungs with a strong Cough and Spitting head ach and pain in the Limbs so that many must lye a long time in bed and some dye of it Against this Sickness they drink sower Whey as hot as they can suffer it but this sickness is a wholesome Sickness to them for nature in its fittest time doth purge the body of all impurity contracted by the cold moisture of the Air which might otherwise cause many and great Diseases Secondly of this cold moisture is caused though not every year a hot sickness called Landfarsoett because it bareth over the Land not unlike to the hot Sickness which Souldiers are taken with in cold and moist Leaguers in Winter for that disease is very hot with accute pain of the Head and Distractions with Flux of the Belly in Summer and doth not cease till it hath consumed the very Marrow of the Bones but they dye thereof Though the greatest part are Healed by the Providence of God having no other Remedy against it In the third place this cold and moist Temperature together with their dwelling on the Sea side causeth especially in Flegmatick Folks that do not much stir themselves this dangerous Sickness the Scurvy that sort of people not being here able to preserve themselves easily from it they Cure themselves usually with new Milk wherein hath boiled Scurvy-grass and many with new Milk alone For the Fourth the said Aire giving the Scurvy to some causeth also in some few according to their Complexion and Dyet that Incurable Disease the Leprosie for Scorbutus and Lepra according to the opinion of Physicians being as Brother and Sister it followeth that they have either a Father or Mother together Of which Leprosie and its Causes and Quallities we will make further mention in a fitter place CHAP. II. Of the Lands Fertility OTher Countryes are justly esteemed for their great riches namely several Mettals Minerals Pretious Stones Pearles Wine and Corn but God and Nature have denyed all this to these Islands here might possibly be found some Copper and Iron Mines which might be concluded by reason of some small Rivolets running down the Hills in Summer which are found to grow Green in dry weather as Verdigrease but I dare not undertake to affirm any thing about it amongst Mineralls here is found Talke in the North Islands but in very little quantity I have found here two sorts of Salt-Peter stones whereof Salt-Peter can be prepared though not in great quantity On the Sand near the Sea-side there are found in some places a kind of Pellucide-stones so hard that one can Write on Glass with them they are white or of a blewish white calour some of them yellow some of them are so
King Sigurt the Hierosolomites Brother being then but 5 year old went over with his Mother Gonild and his Father in Law Vnas to Bishop Roar in Feroe who was his Father in Laws Brother and stayed there till he should be ordained Priest But hearing then of his Mother that he was the â—on of King Sigurd Haroldson he said he would not change the Kingdom of Norway for a Priests living in Feroe and therewith threw aside his Gown and went to Norway to take in the Hereditary Kingdome of his Fore-fathers After this King Suerre a man of Feroe called Erling raised up himself giving out that he was this King Suerre's Son and went to Norway on the Ship of Hiner a districts man whereof see further the Chron. of Norway in the 589 page From which example it appeareth plainly that not only Bishops but also districts men that should take care of the Kings affairs and gather his contributions were constituted in Feroe by the Kings of Norway and therefore Feroe hath since that time been subject to the Kings of Norway with contributions and all other duties but it cannot be known in what year this begun neither is it much worth enquiring after For as this Bishop Roar is not found in the description of Norway amongst the Bishops of Feroe in the Catalogue and the Historian hath neither mentioned that this Bishop was the first nor when or by whom he was established so the Author hath neither cared for when Feroe was laid under the Crown of Norway as a thing which did not properly belong to the scope of his Treatise Feroe having ever since the time mentioned been a Province subject to the Kingdom of Norway it hath not only happened that the principal men thereof as Members of that Kingdom have been made use of in businesses of great importance as we read in the Chronicle of Norway pag 635. that in King Hagen Hagensens time who was King Suerres Grandchild Swerke Bishop of Feroe was with others in the Assembly of the States in the year of Christ 1223. when King Hagen Hagenson was by all the States sworn and judged to be the true Heir of the Kingdom of Norway but they have also as faithful subjects received Justice from the Kings of Norway in doubtful causes as appeareth by a particular Law called Soide-Breffvet or an ordinance about Sheep declaring how one must deal therewith that the one may not wrong the other There is a great errour in the date thereof mentioning it to be given at Opsloâ— in the year of Christ 1040. which time is but a short while after Charles the Tender was kill'd in Feroe whereas it hath been proved that Feroe was not then under the Kings of Norway And this error is not only proved hereby but also by these arguments First it is mentioned in the Sheep Ordinance that it was Hagen Duke of Norway King Magnus the Crowned Son that gave it out and there is found no King Magnas before then till the time of King Magnus Oluffson The first King Magnus that was Crowned was King Magnus Erlingson who reigned in the year of Christ 1164. and had one Son called Hagen neither did any of his Children rule in Norway being himself kill'd by Suerre and all his Progeny driven out and destroyed Secondly there is named in the Sheep-Ordinance Bishop Erlander who in the Catalogue of the Bishops of Feroe is the third after Suerquire of whom is said above that he was in the year 1223. in the general Assembly of the States whence it plainly appeareth that there is a great errour in the time it was given out But that we may come to some certainty about the date of this Sheep-Ordinance we find in History that King Magnus Hagenson Lagebetter who Reigned over Norway in the year 1263. had two Sons Erick and Hagen Erick became King after his Father and was called Erick Priesthater who reigned 19 years and died in the year 1299. In this King Ericks 19 years reign his Brother Hagen was as a Duke in Norway though History doth not speak plainly of it yet it can be easily concluded by the circumstances for antiently since the time of Harolds Pulchricomus the Kings of Norway's Sons were called Graves or Earls but Hagen Hagenson the Father of King Magnus the Crowned brought first the Title of Duke over into Norway making his Queen's Father who was before an Earl or Count to be a Duke After which the Title of Duke was ever given to the Kings Sons whence it appeareth that this Sheep Ordinance was given out in the 19 year of that Duke when his Brother Erick dyed and he became King that is in the year 1299. The circumstances of History does much confirm this opinion in other manner for as Duke Hagen calls himself for Honors sake the son of King Magnus the Crowned so there are none of the former Kings so remarkable by their Coronation as this King Magnus who was Crowned during his Fathers Life without any contradiction but rather with the desire of all which never happened before for which reason it may be he was called King Magnus the Crowned This King Magnus bettered the Law wherefore he was called Law-betterer He writ also a particular law for those of Island as also the Ordinance of Christianity which was sent over to those of Feroe whereupon it seems they found something to complain of as appeareth by the Proeme to the Sheep-Ordinance of which it seems those of Feroe took then occasion to desire of his Son that particular ordinance concerning Sheep much misdemeanour being used therein which had in that long space crept amongst the commonalty of which law we will further speak in the sixth Chapter when we treat of their Policy This ordinance concerning Sheep was confirmed by Christian the IV. King of Denmark of happy Memory and Printed upon the humble desires of the Inhabitants of Feroe though this fault was left uncorrected but this must be imputed to the simple negligence of the Inhabitants who have had a Copy of that Law kept by them during so long time the original having been robb'd away As they have received Laws and particular ordinances from the Kings of Norway so they have from time to time sworn Allegiance to the said Kings for one readeth in the Chronicle of Norway pag. 707. that in the year of Christ 1240. the Inhabitants of Norway Orkeny Hetland Feroe and Island swore Allegiance and Fidelity to young King Hagen Hagenson which custome may well have been followed as well in regard of the succeeding Kings of Norway as of those of Denmark though nothing of it be noted in the Annals The same duty being also performed in our days for in the year 1649. the high and mighty Prince Frederick the Third King of Denmark Norway of the Gothes and Vandalis now Deceased sent to Island and Feroe the Right Honourable Lord Henry Bialk Lord of Elling-Guard Knight Governour of Island his Majesties Rix
at last losing our lives for such thy foolish humanity He was nevertheless perswaded and received friendly the two Children entertaining them some years and loving them dearly he taught them to Shoot to Fence and Swim and all other exercises specially those that are serviceable in war and Sigismund surpassed always his Cozen in all things When they were at last grown to mens stature he forbad them going any time in the Forrest that lay North of the house and they wondered wherefore he did so once as Torkild was gone on Shooting Sigismund took an Ax in his hand and went with his Cozen into the Forrest at North where they presently perceived a terrible great Bear that came right against them Torgild ran away but Sigismund retired behind a Tree and when the Bear came up to him he struck at him with his Ax and cleft his head Afterwards they took the Bear and raised him with props against the Tree and so returned home presently came their Foster-father towards them coming with his Bow and Arrows to seek them out for he was afraid the Bears would have hurt them He was very glad when he found them and they incited him to go with them against the Bear though they told him not that it was dead Torkild shot an arrow into the Bear which not falling he wondered very much at it and being ready to shoot again Sigismund began to laugh and said it was no wonder he was so afraid of Bears when they lived since he feared this now being dead Torkild rejoyced and perceived well what man Sigismund would be therefore he sent him to Hagen Lade Jave the Rich or Good who was Earl of the District of Trund heim ruling then over all Norway and he 〈◊〉 iâ— great favour with Count Hagen 〈◊〉 peace for Torkild from Hagan and all the Kinsmen of Ingeboâ—ig Afterwards Sigismund Married the Daughter of Torkild called Thone He was with Count Hagan and Erick in the Battle of Jornsviking which the Champions and Chieftains of Julin and other Danish Lords gave them and it is writien that Sigismund Bresteson out off with a back blow both hands â—n the joynts oâ— Boedigree who presently put the stumps in two Chests of his and cast himself therewith over-board Sigismund was afterwards converted to the Christian Religion by King Oluff Tryggeson and by his command went to Feroe and caused all the Folks of Hâ—tland and Feroe to be Baptized as also those that were not yet Christned in Orekney Sigismund was a great while on that voyage and revenged the death of his Father by killing Trund of Gote here is sung in Feroe an old Song of the actions of Sigismund wherein it is said that Sigismund found much difficulty and was in great danger ere he could take Land in Feroe For Trund of Gote by Sorcery and Witchcraft had raised great Storms against him King Oluff Tryggeson gave Sigismund all Feroe to rule over but after his death it came again under the Son of Trund of Gote that was also called Trund whereof is made mention before in the History of St. Oluff Sigismund Bresteson sailed back to King Oluff to Trund heim after he had caused all these people to be Baptized and practiced all exercises with the â—ing for Oluff Tryggeson was very expert in Swimming and Shooting either with a Bow or Hand-dart he could run about on the brinks of a Ship he Fenced equally well with both hands and could play with three hand-shears at once they were short Weapons to dart with so that there were always two in the air he could cast two darts at once and could climb upon a hill before any other none being able to follow the King so near as Sigismund Bresteson See the Chronicle of Norway pag. 166. and 167. It happened as Sigismund would return again to Feroe and spoke with the King that he had a thick Gold Ring on his Finger which Count Hagen had given him the King would try how much Sigismund loved the Earle and therefore desired the Ring of him but Sigismund said that he would not give it him for Count Hagans sake The King grew angry at it and prophesied him that this Ring would be the cause of his death Sigismund was afterwards murthered in Feroe in Sandvijgge in the Island of Suderoe by Torgrim Ilde and his Sons for that Rings sake Sigismund being then weary and weakned by Swimming for he had then swum about a League over an arm of the Sea Thus far Mr. Peter Clauson and Snore Sturleson This Sigismund must have been a very strong man for those of Feroe say that he swam over from Skuoe to Suderoe as far as Porckeroe which is above two Leagues off the Sea where there are several streams and currents Sandviig is not in Suderoe but according to old Tradition he swimm'd to Porcheroe where Torgrim which those of Feroe call Thore dog lived and when he came thither he lay on the Sea Weeds for weakness when Thore and his Sons came to him and seeing the Golden Ring he bad give it him and that then he would help him but as Sigismund would not do it Thore out of couetousness for the Gold killed him and because he had no Weapon he bit out his Throat wherefore he was ever since ealled Thorre-dog The other Champion of Feroe was Magnus Heinsen of whom Jens Lawritson writes that he was born in Norway It seems that as the Subjects of Haldâ—n the Black disputed to know where his dead body should be buried and not being able to agree about it divided his Corps into four parts each taking his and burying them in four places of Norway so those of Norway and Feroe dispute after the death of Magnus Heinson whose Country man he was All those of Feroe unanimously maintain that he was born in that Country his Father having lived there and his Brothers and Sisters having liv'd and being dead there also his Cozens and Kinsmen living there to this day his half brother Jonas Heinson dwelling in Lammehaufve was Provincial Judge of Feroe Magnus had also a natural Son living here in the Country dead not long since whose name was Erasmus Magnusson his Fathers Name was Mr. Hoine Hauffregster Curate of Osteroe of whom it is truly related that Heine with six other Students were in a Boat about their pleasure in Norway when a contrary wind drove them from the Land carrying them far at Sea out of sight thereof and at last drove them under Feroe the six Students returned straight to Norway by the first Ship Heire alone remaining who was first the Bishop of Feroes Servitor and afterwards Parish Priest of Osteroe he married a Woman of Feroe which being dead he went into Norway and Married a Norway Woman named Gery with whom he lived a good while here in Feroe begetting of her Magnus Heineson It is said besides that the said Mr. Heine returned into Norway where he got another living by reason
in the Countrey taking away without exception whosoever came before them It happened the same time that the Priest of that place called Mr. Paul Erasmuson fled upon a Rock with a little child the Turks pursued him and took first the Child which he had laid down and afterwards pursued the Priest wherefore he leaped down from a very high promontory under which many people had hidden themselves from the enemy and God made it come to pass so wonderfully that he stopped upon a Turffe of Earth that was soft and well overgrown with Grass there being round about nothing but Clifts and Stones yet though his body was not endamaged his mind was nevertheless very much distracted by that high fall Wherefore his Majesty of Denmark King Christian the IV. rig'd out a Ship commanded by the Honourable George Daa who likewise did his utmost to destroy such a company of Thieves Amongst other he surpriz'd an Irish Pyrate in Westmans-haven in Stremoe A part of the Pyrates crew run presently over the Land and took one of the Inhabitants Boats wherewith they fled from Feroe to Hetland those that were left behind were taken and hanged After the said Daa his said Majesty commanded other Ships to cruise under Feroe which harboured usually in Skaale fiord in Osteroe whence it is that the harbour hath gotten the name of Kings haven But there going more charges yearly to fit out such Ships then the revenue which the King received of the Land could import King Christian the IV. was pleased to cause to build a Fort in Thors-haven against the unexpected invasion of all enemies There being not only kept the Kings contributions but also all Merchandize for the maintenance of the whole Country which was done after the Turks falling into Suderoe and since that time they have in some manner been free from such Sea-robbers except when there hath been war between Denmark and the neighbouring Kingdoms for tâ—â—n as is probable they have often been disturb'd by neighbouring enemies It is not heard or read of any civil war or inward tumult in Feroe as in Island though there be an old tale of some troubles in the Country and there hath been shewed me a valley in Calsoe above the village of Migledal where two armies of the Inhabitants have fought together and two hills under which they say the dead are buried though they know not the true ground thereof I am almost of opinion that this happened in the time of King Ingi Baard's son in the year of Christ 1211. by Erling Suerrison of whom the Hystory of Norway pag. 581. maketh mention in this manner There was a man in Feroe called Erling that gave himself out for King Suerreson his Mother was Astride Rois Daughter He march'd about in the Islands with some gathered men doing great violence and oppression he had 7 Children and went since for Norway in the Ship of Einar the Sheriff ren â—ring himself to Philip and the Lady Christina she received him very well and acknowledged him for her Brother he dyed some years after of an effusion of blood after blood letting It may be that he as an heir to the Crown of Norway would reduce Feroe to obedience but that he was discomsited and forc'd to go out of the Country to seek the assistance of his Sister Christina and that his design vanished by his death Here is also spoken of another uproar that happened for a good while since by some few that gathered themselves together and would possess themselves of Feroe putting to death all those that would not be of their Faction which company they call to this day the Flock men from their thus flocking and being gathered together The Inhabitants of Feroe having thus continually been as well free from civil as from foreign wars except what oppression the Sea-robbers and those of their party did them they have during their long tranquility taken great care to cultivate the ground having not only till'd Planted aud built the places that are now inhabited but other places besides that are now left untill'd and are seldome renewed They devide the ground which they till into acres the acre being subdivided into ells so that by an acre of ground is understood 320 Hamborough Ells four square whereunto belongeth also a part of the ground that is without the Inclosure yet there is a great difference in the greatness of the divisions though every acre of Land be reckoned for 320 ells And the Acres consisting in that sort of measure the poor free-holders know to divide it after their deceased Parents in many small parts namely in 80 60 40 20 and 10 ells and an acre of ground costing according to the ancient price of Land sixteen Gylders of Feroe they call usually such small parts a Gylder namely 80 Ells about 4 Gylders 40 Ells 2 Gylders and so forth till it comes to be so little that it amounteth but to five Skins of earth which is Land for 10 pence This division being very damageable to the Country for it maketh many poor people they do not plow their ground but dig it making deep furrows laing the earth which they dig out of them on the ground close together the dung being laid under it before Neither is each Field above 3 ells broad usually with a ridge on the one side that water may always have its fall into the furrow and continually flow away there falling here very much rain afterwards they break the Earth that was laid over with a spade instead of harrowing it and when they have sowed their Seed they clap the earth over with flat pieces of Wood instead of rowling it over So that they have a great deal of labour and pain in the Tillage of their ground which cannot otherwise be because of the Lands propriety The ground which they thus Till they let rest 8 or 10 years for it will not bear fruit every year but in the mean time it yields excellent Grass for Hay which they only mow and not that which groweth in Moorish grounds as they do in other Countreys As they have a great deal of labour in the Tillage of their ground so they have no less about their Corn for they cut it off with an ordinary Knife and puck every Ear from the Straw drying them afterwards in a Kilne the Corn not coming here to perfect Maturity Afterwards instead of Thrashing Women tread the Ears of Corn with their bare feet all this labour about their Corn taking up a great deal of time almost unprofitably which might well be remedied but they are so minded in general that they will not change their old customes no more in this then in many other things CHAP. V. Of the Qualities of the Inhabitants IT is so ordered in nature alas that Tares will commonly grow amongst Wheat It is here even as in other places where there are bad and good and since the bad ones cannot be much praised for their vertue we
for the praise of our Ancestours ought neither to be put in oblivion though it may be the number of new Psalms hath brought this in contempt and driven it into the Land of forgetfulness Let us therefore hear what good they know and have 〈◊〉 instead thereof It having 〈◊〉 God to kindle a great light for these Inhabitants by the true Exposition of the Gospel they have since so prospered in the knowledge of the true God and of their Salvation that one may truly affirm the like in the knowledge of Religion are not found in Denmark For having so seldom the conveniency to hear the Word of God by the voice of their Teachers the hearers do exercise themselves in reading having their Danish Postills where in the absence of their Priests they read the Explication of the Gospel having besides other spiritual Books as well as that of the holy Scriptures which they read diligently whence they are so well grounded in the word of God that they know in good manner how to confer with their teachers in their meetings about several points of Religion and other passages that are remarkable in the Word of God For all their household sitting for the most part at home in 〈…〉 they exercise themselves contâ—â—ually in Singing of Psalms so that they know more of them without Book then can here be credibly related Wherefore when the Congregation doth meâ—t with the Priest in the Church to serve God they have no need of a Reader to direct their singing but the Priest beginneth and all the hearers sing of themselves after him how difficult soever the Psalm may be for they not only sing without book but almost all the men have their Psalm books with them and antient hearers being so well informed teach also their children whereunto they are continually admonished by their Priests and the Provost in their Visitations Wherefore many of the young ones that are not above 10 or 12 years old know not only the Catechism of Luther with its plain explication but also Doctor Jasper Brockmans Sentences collected out of the Holy Scriptures upon every article of Religion So that this poor people is richly fill'd with all sort of wisdom and intelligence in the Lord God grant them all to dispose their lives according to his true fear least they do bring upon themselves a greater punishment that Servant that knows the will of his Master and doth it not being worthy of many stripes Of the School WHen the Roman Catholick Bishops lived in their house of Kirkeboe they had their Monks with them that were learned in the word of God and in the Latine Tongue according to the rudeness of that age whom they ordained Priests in the Country as is seen by the aforesaid History of King Suerre Since the Reformation the Bishoprick being reduc'd to a Provostship the above-mentioned pious King Christian the III. ordered that the Parish Priest of Thors-haven should also be Schoolmaster there and inform such youths as were put to School where his said Majesty appointing 100 Gilders of Feroe to be paid the School-master by his Majesties Bayliff of Feroe whereof the School-master takes 70 Gilders for his Sallary the rest being imployed to the benefit of the School and Schollars Besides which the Schollars of Feroe are priviledged when they become Students to have their dyet in the Royal University of Copenhagen but that imployment having been hither to a great but then to the Priest there there is little or no fruit proceeded of it in a long time only such youths as were sent to School have been informed in their first elements that there might not grow a general barbarism in the Country which could hardly be otherwise a Teacher having enough to do with his Priesthood if he will attend it as he ought Besides there are often other hinderances in one manner or other and finally a man groweth old weary and weak by reason of which the School must at last lye vacant neither can the School-mastership be taken from the Priest his benefice being very meau in it self except the Supreme Magistrate would be graciously pleased to appoint the place something else instead thereof Nevertheless there are some of the Natives though few in so long time that have been sent from that School to other places to be further informed who at last have been Priests in Feroe namely the following Mr. David in Quivig Mr. Paul Rasmusson in Suderoe Mr. Gabriel Tolleson in Osteroe Mr. John Gabrielson Mittens in Norderoe Mr. John Rassmusson in Thors haven Mr. Jonas Michelson in Koldefiord Which though it had not been yet the School hath done this profit that those persons who have gone to School and have learned to read and write are spread about in the Country of whom many of the Inhabitants have learned to read in Books and others a little to write whereby most part of the men of the Country can read in books But the Inhabitants being here so poor that they are not able to keep their Children to School whereupon they usually excuse themselves My late Predecessor Mr. John Rasmusson represented most humbly their indigency to his Majesty of Glorious Memory King Christian the IV. petitioning for some maintenance for these poor Schollars which his said Majesty received graciously and by his Royal Liberality in the year 1647 the 27 of March gave in perpetuity for the maintenance of poor and indigent Scholiars in Feroe a Vicarage then vacant in Roeskilde called Bonaaltar is Wilhelmi with all the Rents and Revenues of it in such manner that the Bishop of Zealand shall have the inspection and surveigh of the said Vicarage that all things be regulated according to the Statutes of the Chapter and the certain and uncertain revenue thereof be yearly paid and delivered in time to the Bayliff of the Country who is to take care that it be presently put in the hands of the School-Master to be afterwards by his and the Eldest Districts mans consent equally distributed and divided as they Intend to answer for it so that every Scholar that hath need of it and hath wit and inclination to learning as far as the said revenue can reach may receive about the sum of 10 currant Dollars or 10 Gilders of Feroe yearly and the Bishop is to cause the said School-Master to give him an account how this mony is given out and as far as is possible look that those that have means themselves do not enjoy this mony least the poor should suffer need by missing it in regard it hath been graciously appointed by his Royal Majesty out of a Godly and Charitable intention for the relief of the poor only Besides this his said Majesty gave the same year to the School of Feroe 50 Rix Dollars in Specie and the right Honourable the Lord Nicholas Trolle of Trolholme then Councellor of State in Denmark Governour of Roskill and Vice-Admiral of the Kingdom likewise gave of his own Liberality 50
desiring never theless the courteous Reader to take all in the best meaning and not judge or condemn before he understands it perfectly It happened for a good while since when the Burgers of Bergen had the commerce of Feroe that there was a man in this Country in Servaag called Jonas Soideman who was kept by spirits in a mountain during the space of seven years and at last came out but lived afterwards in great distress and fear lest they should again take him away wherefore people were obliged to watch over him in the night and at last for fear of that he returned from hence to Bergen in Norway Whilest Mr. Taalle was Priest in Osteroe it happened that one of his Hearers was carried away and though returned again at last the said young man being to be married and every thing prepared and the Priest being arrived the Saturday before at the Parish the Bridegroom was carried away wherefore they sent folks to look after him but he could not be found the Priest desired his friends to have good courage and that he would come again which he did at last and related that the spirit that led him away was in the shape of a most beautiful woman and very richly cloathed who desired him to forsake her whom he was now to marry and consider how ugly his Mistress was in comparison of her and what fine apparel she had he said also that he saw the men that sought after him and that they went close by him but could not see him and that he heard their calling and yet could not answer them but that when he would not be perswaded he was again left at liberty Mr. Erasmus Ganting Parish-Priest in Waagoe whose Son Mr. John Erasmussan was my Predecessor in Thors-haven his daughter called Christine being young went once in Summer in the absence of her Father to play in the fields with her other young Brothers and Sisters and as they were playing there came to them a Duck running in the grass fluttering with her wings and the Children running after the Duck this Girl ran before them and coming behind a house after the Duck they saw her no more and knew not what became of her Whereupon her father being come home and hearing this was very much troubled and seeking after the child but could find her no where At last he sought the assistance of God by prayers and invocation and going once into the field did seek as far as he could and it being eight days after her loss he found her unhurt and warm sleeping and wrapt with her head-cloth about her head lying on a high rock above a hundred fathoms high just at the brink of it He took her so home along with him but the child could relate nothing of the business saying that a great man carried her away whom she thought had been her Father When she came to years she was of a weak understanding and was nevertheless married in the Country having many children she died a few years since her Mother and three sisters being yet living For thirty years since it happened that a woman of Westmans-haven in Stremoe was carried away and by common prayers in the congregation was found again on the eighth day but dead and yet warm lying in the midd'st of a high way In the year 1668 the second of August Domin 2. Trinit the daughter of Olluff Hanson of Velberstat was mist on the way as she was returning from Church having the same day received the Sacrament of me whereupon in the evening as well as two days after they sought for her every where but could not find her at last her father complained unto me and the next Sunday being the 9th of August in the Congregation of Kalbach which I then visited I earnestly admonish'd them to fall down with me before God for the deliverance of that poor creature The Lord also heard our prayers and intercession for the next day at three a clock in the afternoon she was found by some Milk-maids in the next Hamlet to Volberstat namely â—uderdal lying between two stones at the higher part of the close having her cloth wrapt abaut her head she would speak to no body that went by neither durst the Milk-maids speak to her but went and discovered it to the man of the house who went and spoke to her desiring her to rise which she did then first speaking to him and the man asking her how she was come thither she shewed him beyond them a pretty high clift whence she had glided down though the man assures it was impossible for any man to come down from thence without hurt besides her linnen and clothes were as clean and her shoes as new as the day she was miss'd though there had been during some days and nights great storms and rainy weather neither did she according to her own confession eat any thing during these nine days and yet being come home was well disposed to receive and digest whatsoever meat they gave her I have endeavoured by all means to make her confess 〈◊〉 whole business unto me but in vain for she said always that she lost her self in the mountain which cannot be the ground lying high and being but a League broad from the top whereof one may see the Sea on both sides whereby one may easily find the r ght way and from Kirkeboe to Velberstat the way is along the Sea-side and over the high mountain so that a Beast cannot lose it self much less a reasonable creature except one does it put posely and yet it would be great labour to climb up that great mountain but I have found also by other Examples that would be too prolix to insert that most of such people are not only seduced in their bodies but also in their minds so that they will by no means discover that business and there are others that do not know well themselves how it was nevertheless if there has been a natural wandering by the fancie of that simple Creature as the Reader will possibly imagine I doubt whether the party could live nine days without the least hurt or damage of nature Hippocrates telling us 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 That is a man cannot live above seven days without meat whereunto all Physitians and Naturalists do agree it being dayly confirmed by experience Levinus Lemnius writes that a man can live seven or nine days without meat but then nature is already indammaged and the forces of the body weakned Arild Heuitfield writes upon the relation of others in the History of King Erick Menveds that Duke Woldemur who with Duke Erick his Brother was east in the Tower of New Kiobing by their Brother King Byrge of Sueden that they might dye of hunger lived 11 days without meat or drink and his Brother but 3 days But this seems to be guess'd by the discourse of the common people and giveth no certainty for the History sayes that the Tower was well
man answered my name is not considerable though I think you have heard it named before I am called Charles the Tender The King answared it is true Charles that I have heard thy name before and a time hath been that if we had met thou shouldst not have carried the news of it abroad but I will pardon thee altogether since thou wilt undertake this voyage for me and thou shalt be my guest to day that we may speak further about it This Charles see the Chronicle of Norway pag. 269 had been a cruell Robber by Sea and Land and the King had often sent out his men to kill him but he escaped always he was of a great Family and very couragious valiant and expert in all things he made himself ready for his Voyage to Feroe and had about 20 men with him he got a good wind and when he came to Feroe he arrived at Thors haven in Stremoe and let summon all the people to a Court. There came Trund of Gote with many Folks as also Leiff Aserson and Gille the Provincial Judge the Kings sworn men with many people When they had pitched their Tents they came to Charles and embraced him Charles saluted them from the King and expounded then his friendly commands to raise and pay in the Tribute shewing them a token from the King they promised to promote his errand amongst the people and to give him their best assistance Then came Trund of Gote that base Traitor and Saluted Charles inviting him to a winters meal Charles excus'd himself because he had taken his lodgings by Leiff Aserson but he desired that Trund would gather the Tribute of the East and Northern Islands Trund promised he would do so In the winter Leiff raised the Tribute of the South Islands of Feroe The next Spring Trund grew very sick and amongst other diseases was much troubled with pain in his eyes he came nevertheless to the Assembly as he was wont and incamped under a black Tent and when Leiff and Charles came to him to receive what Tribute he had gathered he could not come out to them by reason of the weakness of his sight wherefore Leiff went into him in his black Tent and Trund gave him a bag with mony which he carried out to Charles and cast the mony in his Shield stirring them about and Leiff ask'd Charles what he thought of it who answered I believe that all the false mony that could be found in the Northern Islands is come hither Trund heard this and asked Leiff if it was not good Silver Leiff said it was false mony Trund put the fault upon his Servant that had gathered the Tribute whilest he was himself sick Leiff went in and took another purse of mony from him for Charles and when they viewed them they were neither so good that Leiff would receive them for the Kings Tribute Trund's Cousin Gautt the Red arose on the Bench whereon he laid and said it is an old Proverb The older a man grows the worse he is It is now so with thee Trund that sufferest Charles the Tender to search in thy mony so often this day Trund sprung up and was angry at Gaute's words and bad Leiff come in and take another bag saying my own Tenants have brought me this though I can see little yet the Shirt is nearer then the Doublet and he desired Leiff to go out to Charles and weigh the mony for him for he could not be present himself Leiff and Charles went out into the Fields and all their Folks were in arms as if they had gone to a war Charles took his Helmet from his head and cast the mony in it and they found 't was good Silver but as they were sitting they saw a man coming to them that had a Pole Ax in his hand this was Gaute the Red he stuck his Pole Ax in the ground and said have a care thou Tender Charles thou doest not get a mischief to day of my Pole Ax there came at the very same time a man running calling to Leiff Aserson and desiring him to come straight ways to Gills the Provincial Judges Tent for there had rushed in Siugurt Tolakson Trunds Kinsman and had deadly wounded one of the Judges men Lieff went presently thither and all his folks with him and Charles remained sitting with his people standing round about him Then came Gaute the Red and Thoer the Short and Gaute struck over a mans Shoulder and hit Charles on the head though it hurted him not much but Thoer struck presently with the Pole Ax that stood in the ground so that the Ax struck in his Brains and there came many people out of Trunds Tent. Trund shewed as if this action had much displeased him and paid the mulct for his Cozen but Leiff and Gille banished Sigurt for the Judges man whom he had killed and Gaute and Thoer for Charles whose men return'd to King Oluff and told him the news The King grew very angry and protested he would revenge it but he was hindered of it by the wars which were made against him and there were great disputes between Trund and Leiff ever since that day Thus far Snow Sturleson Thus Charles the Tender got to know what men were those of Feroe whereby they shewed sufficiently what was become of the two other Ships though it may be also they perished King Oluff Haroldson the Holy having thus been hindered by the defection of his Subjects and the oppression of Canulus the Great King of Denmark that took the Kingdom from him those of Feroe were for a time their own Masters not only under King Canuius the Great that had more weighty affairs to think on but also under King Magnus the Son of Oluff the Holy that was disturb'd with wars in Denmark against King Swenoe Estredson till the day of his death as also during the time of King Harold Redhair who during his Reign was troubled with foreign wars till he was discomfited in England His son King Kyrre lived in quiet and was contented with what he had but his son King Magnus Barefoot sought much forreign Countreys and thereby lost his Life in Ireland It seems also that he did not then forget Feroe though History maketh no mention of it and Feroe having not been reduced by him because he made many forreign wars and reigned but ten years it seems it was put under the Crown of Norway in King Sigurd the Hierosolomite's time or in the Century of years 1100. since in this Century there were not only Bishops constituted in Feroe but districts men that had the power of these Chieftains For it is related in the Chronicle of N way p ag 500. that when Erling Shack with his Son King Magnus Erlingson who ruled 30 years after Kiug Sigurt the Hierosolomite's death in the year of Christs Nativity 1163. did endeavour to destroy all the Kings line Male Suerre Sigurtson who was the Grand child of Harold Gilde