THE HISTORY of RUSSIA OR The Goverment of the Emperoâ—â— OF MUSCOVIA with the manners fashions of the People of that Countrey by G. Fletcher sometime fellow of Kings Colledâ—â— in Cambridge and employed in the Embassie thitheâ— W. M. fecit 1643 The Contents of the severall Chapters Chap. 1 THe description of the Countrey of Russia with the breadth length and names of the Shires Fol. 1 Chap. 2 Of the Soyl and Climate Fol. 6 Chap. 3 The native commodities of the Countrey Fol. 14 Chap. 4 The chief Cities of Russia Fol. 28 Chap. 5 The house or stock of the Russe Emperour Fol. 34 Chap. 6 The manner of inauguratioÌ„ of the Russe Emperours Fol. 40 Chap. 7 The manner of their Government Fol. 47 Chap. 8 The manner of holding their Parliaments Fol. 52 Chap. 9 The Russe Nobilitie and by what means it is kept in an under proportion agreeable to that state Fol. 57 Chap. 10 The government of their Provinces or Shires Fol. 70 Chap. 11 The Emperours Privie Councel Fol. 82 Chap. 12 The Emperours customes and other Revenues with the Sophismes practised for the encrease of them Fol. 86 Chap. 13 The Russe Commonaltie and their condition Fol. 107 Chap. 14 Their publick justice and manner of proceeding therein Fol. 117 Chap. 15 The Emperours forces for his Warres with the Officers and their salaries Fol. 127 Chap. 16 Their manner of mustering armour and provision of victuall Fol. 137 Chap. 17 Their order in marching charging and their martiall discipline Fol. 141 Chap. 18 Their Colonies and policie in maintaining their purchases by conquest Fol. 146 Chap. 19 Their borderers with whom they have most to do in warre and peace Fol. 155 Chap. 20 Of the Permians Samoites and Lappes Fol. 180 Chap. 21 Their Ecclesiasticall state with their Church Offices Fol. 166 Chap. 22 Their Liturgie or form of Church-service with their manner of administring the Sacraments Fol. 218 Chap. â—3 The doctrine of the Russe Church Fol. 231 Chap. â—4 Their manner of solemnizing Marriages Fol. 240 Chap. â—5 The other Ceremonies of the Russe Church Fol. 246 Chap. 26 The Emperours domestick behaviour Fol. 256 Chap. 27 The Emperours houshold with the offices of his house Fol. 265 Chap. 28 The private behaviour and manner of the Russe people Fol. 268 CHAP. 1. The description of the Countrey of Russia with the breadth length and names of the Shires THe countrey of Russia was sometimes called Sarmatia It changed the name as some do suppose for â—hat it was parted into divers small and yet absolute governments not depending nor being subject the one â—o the other For Russe in that tongue doth signifie as much as to part or divide The Russe reporteth that foure â—â—ethren Truber Rurico Sinees and â—arivus divided among them the North parts of the countrey Likewise that the South parts were posessed by foure other Kio Scieâ—o â—horanus and their sister Libeda each â—alling his territorie after his own â—ame Of this partition it was calâ—d Russia about the yeare from Christ 860. As for the conjecture which I find in some Cosmographers that the Russe nation borrowed the name of the people called Râ—xellani and were the very same nation with them it is without all good probabilitie both in respect of the etymologie of the word which is very far fet and especially for the seat and dwelling of that people which was betwixt the two rivers of Tanais and Boristhenes as Strabo reporteh quite another way from the countrey of Russia When it bare the name of Sarmatia it was divided into two chief parts the White and the Black The White Sarmatia was all that part that lieth towards the North and on the side of Liefland as the Provinces now called Duyna Vagha Ustic Vologda Cargapolia Novogradia c. whereof Novograd velica was the Metropolis or chief citie Black Sarmatia was all that countrey that lieth Southward towards the Euxin or Black Sea as the dukedome of Volodemer of Mosko Rezan c. Some have thought that the name of Sarmatia was first taken from one Sarmates whom Moses and Josephus call Asarmathes sonne to Joktan and nephew to Heber of the posteritie of Sem. But this seemeth to be nothing but a conjecture taken out of the likenesse of the name Asarmathes For the dwelling of all Joktans posteritie is described by Moses to have been betwixt Mescha or Masius an hill of the Amonites and Sephace near to the river Euphrates Which maketh it very unlikely that Asarmathes should plant any colonies so farre off in the North Northwest countries It is bounded Northward by the Lappes and the North Ocean On the Southside by the Tartars called Chrims Eastward they have the Nagaian Tartar that possesseth all the countrey on the Eastside of Volgha towards the Caspian sea On the West and Southwest border lie Lituania Livonia and Polonia The whole countrey being now reduced under the government of one containeth these chief Provinces or Shires Volodemer which beareth the first place in the Emperours style because their house came of the Dukes of that countrey Mosko Nisnovogrod Plesko Smolensko Novogrod velica or Novogrod of the low countrey Rostove Yaruslave Bealozera Bezan Duyna Cargapolia Meschora Vagha Ustugâ— Ghaletsa These are the naturall shires pertaining to Russia but farre greater and larger then the shires of England though not so well peopled The other countreys or provinces which the Russe Emperours â—…ve gotten perforce added of late to â—…ir other dominion are these which â—…low Twerra Youghoria Permia 〈…〉 Boulghoria Chernigo Oudoâ—… Oâ—doria Condora with a great 〈◊〉 of Siberia where the people 〈…〉 they be not naturall Russes â—…ey the Emperour of Russia and â—…uled by the laws of his countrey 〈◊〉 customes and taxes as his â—…le do Besides these he hath undâ—…m the kingdomes of Cazan and â—…acan gotten by conquest not lonâ—… As for all his possession in 〈…〉 to the number of 30. greatâ—…ns and more with Narve and 〈…〉 in Livonia they are quite gone being surprised of late years by the kings of Poland and Sweden These Shires and Provinces are reduced all into foure Jurisdictions which they call Chetfyrds that is Tetrarchies or Fourth parts whereof we are to speak in the title or chapter concerning the Provinces and their manner of government The whole countrey is of great length and breadth From the North to the South if you measure from Cola to Astracan which bendeth somewhat Eastward it reacheth in length about 4260 verst or miles Not withstanding the Emperour of Russia haâ—… more territorie Northward farre beyond Cola unto the river of Tromschua that runneth a 1000. verst wel nigh beyond Pechinga near to ward house but not intire nor clearly limited by reason of the kings of Sweden and Denmark that have divers towns there as well as the Russe plotted together the one with the other every one of them claiming the whole of those North parts as his own right The breadth if you go from that part
very great bignesse more ugglie to behold then the Owls of this countrey with a broad face and ears much like unto a man For fresh-water fish besides the common sorts as Carp Pikes Pearch Tench Roach c. they have divers kinds very good delicate as the Bellouga or 〈◊〉 of 4. or 5. â—â—ns long the 〈◊〉 or Sturgeon the Severign and 〈…〉 somewhat in 〈…〉 like to the 〈◊〉 but not so thick 〈◊〉 long These 4. kinds of fish breed in the Volgha and are caught in great plenty and served thence into the whole Realm for a great food Of the roes of these foure kinds they make very great store of Icary or Caveary as was said before They have besides these that breed in the Volgha a fish called the Riba bela or white Salmon which they account more delicate then they do the red Salmon whereof also they have exceeding great plentie in the rivers Northward as in Duyna the river of Cola c. In the Ozera or lake near a town called Perislave not farre from the Mosko they have a small fish which they call the freshherring of the fashion and somewhat of the taste of a sea-herring Their chief towns for fish are Yaruslave Bealezera Nâ—vâ—grod Astracan and Cazan which all yield a large custome to the Emperour every year for their trades of fishing which they practise in summer but send it froâ—en in the winter-time into all parts of the Realm CHAP. IIII. The chief cities of Russia THe chief cities of Russia are Mosko Novograd Rostove Volodomer Plesko Smolensko Yaruslave Perislave Nisnovograd Vologda Ustiuck Golmigroe Cazan Astracan Cargapolia Columna The citie of Mosko is supposed to be of great antiquitie though the first founder be unknown to the Russe It seemeth to have taken the name from the river that runneth on the one side of the town Berosus the Chaldean in his fifth book telleth that Nimrod whom other profane stories call Saturn sent Assyrius Medus Moscus and Magog into Asia to plant Colonies there and that Moscus planted both in Asia and Europe Which may make some probability that the citie or rather the river whereon it is built took the denomination from this Moscus the rather because of the climate or situation which is in the very furthest part and list of Europe bordering upon Asia The citie was much enlarged by one Evan or John sonne to Daniel that first changed his title of Duke into King though that honour continued not to his posteritie the rather because he was invested into it by the Popes Legate who at that time was Innocentius the fourth about the year 1246. which was very much misliked by the Russe people being then a part of the Eastern or Greek Church Since that time the name of this citie hath grown more famous and better known unto the world insomuch that not onely the province but the whole countrey of Russia is termed by some by the name of Moscovia the metropolite citie The form of this citie is in a manner round with three strong walls circuling the one within the other and streets lying between whereof the inmost wall and the buildings closed within it lying safest as the heart within the bodie fenced and watered with the river Moskua that runneth close by it is all accounted the Emperours castle The number of houses as I have heard through the whole citie being reckoned by the Emperour a little before it was fired by the Chrim was 41500. in all Since the Tartar besieged and fired the town which waâ— in the yeare 1571. there lieth waste of it a great breadth of ground which before was well set and planted with buildings specially that part on the Southside of Moskua built not long before by Basibius the Emperour for his garison of souldiers to whom he gave priviledge to drink Mead and Beer at the drie or prohibited times when other Russes may drink nothing but water and for that cause called this new citie by the name of Nalâ—t that is skinck or poure in So that now the citie of Mosko is not much bigger then the citie of London The next in greatnesse and in a manner as large is the citie Novograde where was committed as the Russe saith the memorable warre so much spoke of in Stories of the Scythian servants that took arms against their masters which they report in this sort viz. That the Boiarens or Gentlemen of Novograde and the territorie about which onely are souldiers after the discipline of those countreus had warre with the Tartars Which being well performed and ended by them they returned homewards Where they understood by the way that their Cholâ—pey or bondslaves whom they left at home had in their absence possessed their towns lands houses wives and all At which news being somewhat amazed and yet disdaining the villanie of their servants they made the more speed home and so not farre from Novograde met them in warlike manner marching against them Whereupon advising what was best to be done they agreed all to set upon them with no other shew of weapon but with their horse-whips which as their manner is every man rideth withall to put them in remembrance of their servile condition thereby to terrifie them and abate their courage And so marching on and lashing altogether with their whips in their hands they gave the onset which seemed so terrible in the ears of their villains and stroke such a sense into them of the smart of the whip which they had felt before that they fled altogether like sheep before the drivers In memorie of this victorie the Novogradians ever since have stamped their coin which they call a dingee Novogrod kâ—y currant through all Russia with the figure of a horseman shaking a whip aloft in his hand These two cities exceed the rest in greatnesse For strength their chief towns are Vobsko Smolensko Cazan and Astracan as lying upon the borders But for situation Jaruslave farre exceedeth the rest For besides the commodities that the soil yieldeth of pasture and corn it lieth upon the famous river Volgha and looketh over it from a high bank very fair and stately to behold whereof the town takeâ—h the name For Jaruslave in that tongue signifieth as much as a fair or famous bank In this town as may be guessed by the name dwelt the Russe king Ulademir sirnamed Jaruslave that married the daughter of Harald king of England by mediation of Sueno the Dane as is noted in the Danish storie about the year 1067. The other towns have nothing that is greatly memorable save many ruines within their walls Which sheweth the decrease of the Russe people under this government The streets of their cities and towns in stead of paving are planked with firre-trees plained and laid even close the one to the other Their houses are of wood without any lime or stone built very close and warm with firre-trees plained and piled one upon another They are fastened together with
of his territorie that lieth farthest Westward on the Narve side to the parts of Siberia eastward where the Emperour hath his garrisons is 4400. verst or thereabouts A verst by their reckoning is a 1000 paces yet lesse by one quarter then an English mile If the whole dominion of the Russe Emperour were all habitable and peopled in all places as it is in some he would either hardly hold it all within one regiment or be overmightie for all his neighbour Princes CHAP. II. of the Soil and Climate THe soil of the countrey for the most part is of a slight sandie mould yet very much different one place from another for the yield of such things as grow out of the earth The countrey Northwards towards the parts of S. Nicholas and Cola and Northeast towards Siberia is all very barren and full of desert woods by reason of the climate and extremitie of the cold in winter-time So likewise along the river Volgha betwixt the countreys of Cazan and Astracan where notwithstanding the soil is very fruitfull it is all unhabited saving that upon the river Volgha on the westside the Emperour hath some few castles with garisons in them This happeneth by means of the Chrim Tartar that will neither himself plant towns to dwell there living a wild and vagrant life nor suffer the Russe that is farre off with the strength of his countrey to people those parts From Vologda which lieth almost 1700. verst from the port of S. Nicholas down towards Mosko and so towards the south part that bordereth upon the Chrim which containeth the like space of 1700. verst or thereabouts is a very fruitfull and pleasant countrey yielding pasture and corn with woods and waters in very great plentie The like is betwixt Rezan that lieth Southeast from Mosko to Novograd and Vobsko that reacheth furthest towards the Northwest So betwixt Mosko and Smolensko that lieth Southwest towards Lituania is a very fruitfull and pleasant soil The whole countrey differeth ver◠〈…〉 from it self by reason of thâ— yeare so that a man would-marvel to see the great alteration and difference betwixt the winter and the summer Rusâ—…a The whole countrey in the winter lieth under snow which falleth continually and is sometime of a yard or two thick but greater towards the North. The rivers and other waters are frozen up a yard or more thick how swift or broad soever they be And this continueth commonly five moneths viz. from the beginning of November till towards the end of March what time the snow beginneth to melt So that it would breed a frost in a man to look abroad at that time and see the winter face of that countrey The sharpnesse of the aire you may judge of by this for that water dropped down or cast up into the aire congealeth into ice before it come to the ground In the extremitie of winter if you hold a pewter dish or pot in your hand or any other metall except in some chamber where their warm stoves be your fingers will frieze fast unto it and draw off the skinne at he parting When you passe out of a â—arm room into a cold you shall senâ—ibly feel your breath to wax stark and even stifling with the coldâ— as you draw it in and out Divers not onely that travel abroad but in the very markets and streets of their towns are mortally pinched and killed withall so that you shall see many drop down in the streets many travellers brought into the towns sitting dead and stiff in their fleds Divers lose their noses the tips of their ears and the balls of their cheeks their toes feet c. Many times when the Winter is very hard and extreme the bears and wolves issue by troups out of the woods driven by hunger and enter the villages tearing and ravening all they can find so that the inhabitants are fain to flee for safeguard of their lives And yet in the Summer-time you shall see such a new hue and face of a countrey the woods for the most part which are all of firre and birch so fresh and so sweet the pastures and medows so green and well grown and that upon the sudden such varietie of flowers such noise of birds specially of Nightingales that seem to be more loud and of a more variable note then in other countries that a man shall not lightly travell in a more pleasant countrie And this fresh and speedy growth of the spring there seemeth to proceed from the benefit of the snow which all the winter-time being spread over the whole countrey as a white robe and keeping it warm from the rigour of the frost in the spring time when the sunne waxeth warm and dissolveth it into water doth so throughly drench and soke the ground that is somewhat of a slight and sandie mould and then shineth so hotly upon it again that it draweth the herbs and plants forth in great plenty and varietie in a very short time As the winter exceedeth in cold so the summer inclineth to overmuch heat specially in the moneths of June July and August being much warmer then the summer-aire in England The countrie throughout is very well watered with springs rivers and ozeraes or lakes Wherein the providence of God is to be noted for that much of the countrey being so farre inland as that some part lieth a 1000. miles and more every way from any sea yet it is served with fair rivers and that in very great number that emptying themselves one into another run all into the sea Their lakes are many and large some of 60. 80. 100. and 200. miles long with breadth proportionate The cheif rivers are these 1. Volgha that hath his head or spring at the root of an Aldertree about 200. verst above Yaruslave and groweth so big by the encrease of other rivers by that time it cometh thither that it is broad an English mile and more and so runneth into the Caspian sea about 2800. verst or miles of length The next is Boristhenes now called Neper that divideth the countrey from Lituania and falleth into the Euxin sea The third Tanais or Don the ancient bounder betwixt Europe and Asia that taketh his head out of Rezan Ozera and so running through the countrey of the Chrim Tartar falleth into the great sea lake or mear called Maeotis by the Citie of Azou By this river as the Russe reporteth you may passe from their citie Mosko to Constantinople and so into all those parts of the world by water drawing your boat as their manner is over a little Isthmus or narrow slip of land a few versts overthwart Which was proved not long since by an Ambassadour sent to Constantinople who passed the river of Moskua and so into another called Ocka whence he drew his boat over into Tanais and thence passed the whole way by water The fourth is called Duyna many hundred miles long that falleth Northward into the Bay of Saint Nicholas and hath great
himself and are changed ordinarily at every years end except upon some speciall liking or suit the â—ime be prorogued for a year or two 〈◊〉 They are men of themselves of 〈◊〉 erodit nor favour with the people where they govern being neither 〈◊〉 nor brought up among them 〈◊〉 yet having inheritance of their own there or else where Onely oâ— the Emperour they have for that service an 100. marks a year he that hath most some fiftie some but thirtie Which maketh them more suspected and odious to the people because being so bare and coming fresh and hungrie upon them lightly every year they rack and spoil them with out all regard of justice or conscience Which is easily tolerated by the chief officers of the Chetfirds to the end they may rob them again and have a better bootie when they call them to account which commonly they do at the end of their service making an advantage of their injustice and oppression over the poore people There are few of them but they come to the Pudkey or whâ—… when their time is ended which themselves for the most part do makâ—… account of And therefore they furnish themselves with all the spâ—… they can for the time of their government that they may have for both turns aswell for the Emperour aâ—… Lord of the Chetfird as to resâ—… some good part for themselves They that are appointed to govern abroad are men of this qualitie save that in the foure border towns that are of greatest importance are set men of more speciall valour and trust two in every town Whereof one is ever of the Emperours privie Counsell These foure border towns are Smolensko Vobsko Novogrod and Cazan whereof three lie towards the Polonian and Sweden one bordereth farre off upon the Chrim Tartar These have larger commission then the other Dukes of the Provinces that I spake of before and may do execution in criminall matters Which is thought behoovefull for the Commonwealth for incident occasions that may happen upon the borders that are farre off and may not stay for direction about every occurrent and particular matter from the Emperour and his Counsell They are changed every year except as before and have for their stipend 700. rubbels a year he that hath most some have but 400. Many of these places that are of greatest importance and almost the whole countrey is managed at this time by the Godonoes and their clients The citie of Mosko that is the Emperours seat is governed altogether by the Emperours Counsell All matters there both civill criminall are heard determined in the several courts held by some of the said Counsell that reside there all the year long Onely for their ordinary matters as buildings reparations keeping of their streets decent and clean collections levying of taxes impositions and such like are appointed two Gentlemen and two Dyacks or Secretaries who hold a court together for the ordering of such matters This is called the Zempskey house If any townsman suspect his servant of these or like matter hither he may bring him to have him examined upon the Pudkey or other torture Besides these two Gentlemen and Secretaries that order the whole Citie there are Starusts or Aldâ—rmen for every severall companie The Alderman hath his Sotskey or Constable and the Constable hath certain Deoetskeis or Decurions under him which have the oversight of ten housholds apeice whereby every disorder is sooner spied and the common service hath the quicker dispatch The whole number of Citizens poore and rich are reduced into companies The cheif officers as the Dyacks and Gentlemen are appointed by the Emperour himself the Starust by the Gentlemen and Dyacks the Sotskey by the Starust or Alderman and the Dâ—…skois by the Constables This manner of government of their Provinces and towns if it were as well set for the giving of justice indifferently to all sorts as it is to prevent innovations by keeping of the Nobilitie within order and the Commons in subjection it might seem in that kind to be no bad nor unpolitick way for the containing of so large a Commonwealth of that breadth and length as is the kingdome of Russia But the oppression and flaverie is so open and so great that a man would marvell how the Nobilitie and people should suffer themselves to be brought under in while they had any means to avoid and repuÌ„lse it or being so strengthned as it is at this present how the Emperours themselves can be content to practise the same with so open injustice and oppressión of their Subjects being themselves of a Christian profession By this it appeareth how hard a matter it were to alter the state of the Russe government as now it standeth First because they have none of the Nobilitie able to make head As for the Lords of the foure Chetfirds or Tetrarchies they are men of no Nobilitie but Dyacks advanced by the Emperour depending on his favour and attending onely about his own person And for the Dukes that are appointed to govern under them they are but men of a titular dignitie as was said before of no power authoritie nor credit save that which they have out of the office for the time they injoy it Which doth purchase them no favour but rather hatred of the people for as much as they see that they are set over them not so much for any care to do them right and justice as to keep them under in a miserable subjection and to take the fliece from them not once in the year as the owner from his shâ—ep but to poll and clip them all the year long Besides the authority and rule which they bear is rent and divided into many small pieces being divers of them in every great Shire limited besides with a very short time which giveth them no scope to make any strength nor to contrive such an enterprise if happely they intended any matter of innovation As for the common people as may better appear in the description of their state and qualitie afterwards set down besides their want of armour and practise of warre which they are kept from of purpose they are robbed continually both of their hearts and money besides other means sometime by pretence of some service to be done for the common defence sometimes without any shew at all of any necessitie of Common-wealth or Prince So that there is no means either for Nobilitie or people to attempt any innovation so long as the militarie forces of the Emperour which are the number of 8000. ac the least in continuall pay hold themselves fast and sure unto him and to the present state Which needs they must do being of the qualitie of Souldiers and enjoying withall that free libertie of wronging and spoiling of the commons at their preasure which is permitted them of purpose to make them have a liking of the present state As for the agreement of the souldiers and commons it is a thing not
three bushels English or little lesse The Podat is an ordinary rent of money imposed upon every Soak or Hundred within the whole Realm This Tagla and Podat bring in yearly to the Offices of the Chetfirds a great summe of money as may appear by the particulars here set down The town and Province of Vobsko pay yearly for Tagla and Pâ—dat about 18000 rubbels Novogrâ—d 35000. rubbels Torshock and Oâ—sâ— 8000. rubbels Razan 30000. rubbels Morum 12000. rubbels ColmigroÌ„e and Duyna 8000. rubbels Vologda 12000. rubbels Cazan 18000. rubbels Vsting 30000. rubbels Rostove 50000. The citie of Mosko 40000. rubbels Sibierskoy 20000. rubbels Castrome 12000. rubbels The totall amounteth to 400000. rubbels or marks a year which is brought in yearly the first day of September that is reckoned by them the first day of the year The third that is called the Bulsha Prechod or great Income receiveth all the customes that are gathered out of all the principall towns and cities within the whole Realm besides the fees and other duties which rise out of divers smaller Offices which are all brought into this office of Bulsha Prechod The towns of most trade that do yield greatest customes are these here set down Mosko Smolensko Vobsko Novogrod Velica Strararouse Torshock Otfer Yaruslave castrome Nesna Novogrod Cazan Vologda This custome out of the great towns is therefore most certain and easie to be reckoned because it iâ— set and rated precisely what they â—…ll pay for the custome of the year Which needs must be paid into the said office though they receive not so much If it fall out to be more it runneth all into the Emperours advantage The custome at Mosko for every year is 12000. rubbels The custome of Smolensko 8000. Vobsko 12000 rubbels Novogrod velica 6000. rubbels Strararouse by salt and other commodities 18000. rubbels Torshâ—ck 800. rubbels Otfer 700. rubbels Yaruslave 1200. rubbels Castrome 1800. rubbels Nesna Novogrod 7000. rubbels Cazan 11000. rubbels Vologda 2000. rubbels The custome of the rest that are towns of 〈◊〉 is sometimes more sometimes leâ—â—â— as their traffick and dealings with commodities to and fro falleth out for the year This may be said for certain that the three tables of receits belonging to this office of Bulsha Prechod when they receive least account for thus much viz. The first table 160000. rubbels The second table 90000. rubbels The third 70000. rubbels So that there cometh into the office of Bulsha Prechod at the least reckoning as appeareth by their books of customes out of these and other towns and maketh the summe of 340000. rubbels a year Besides this custome out of the towns of trade there is received by this office of Bulsha Prechod the yearly rent of the common Bathstoves and Cabacks or Drinkinghouses which pertain to the Emperour Which though it be uncertain for the just summe yet because it is certain and an ordinary matter that the Russe will bathe himself aswell within as without yieldeth a large rent to the Emperours treasurie There is besides a certain mulct or penaltie that groweth to the Emperour out of every judgement or sentence that passeth in any of his courts of Record in all civill matters This penaltie or mulct is 20. Dingoes or pence upon every rubble or mark and so ten in the hundred which is paid by the partie that is convict by law He hath besides for every name contained in the writs that passe out of these courts five Alteens An Alteen is five pence sterling or thereabouts This is made good out of the office whence the writ is taken forth Thence it goeth to the office that keepeth the lesser seal where it payeth as much more to the Emperours use This riseth commonly to 3000. rubbels a year or thereabouts Further also out of the office of Roisbonia where all fellonies are tried is received for the Emperour the half part of fellons goods the other half goeth the one part to the informer the other to the officers All this is brought into the office of Bulsha Prechod or great income Besides the overplus or remainder that is saved out of the land-rents allotted to divers other offices as namely to the office called Roserade which hath lands and rents assigned unto it to pay the yearly salaries of the souldiers or horsmen that are kept still in pay Which in time of peace when they rest at home not employed in any service is commonly cut off and paid them by halfs sometimes not the half so that the remainder out of the Roserade office that is laid into the Emperours treasurie cometh for the most part every year to 250000. rubbels In like sort though not so much is brought in the surplus out of the Strelletskoy offices which hath proper lands for the paiment of the Strelsey men or gunners aswell those at Mosko that are of the Emperours guard 12000. in ordinary as on the borthers and other garison towns and castles Likewise out of the office of Prechase Shifivoy Nemshoy which hath set allowance of lands to maintain the forein mercenarie souldiers as Poles Swedens Dutches Scots c. So out of the office of Pusharskoy which hath lande and rents allowed for the provision of munition great Ordiâ—…ce Powder Sâ—â—t Sâ—ltpeâ—…r Brimstone 〈◊〉 and such like there is left somewhat at the years end that runneth into the treasurie All these bring into the office of Bulsha Prechod that which remaineth in their hand at the years end Whence 〈◊〉 is delivered into the Emperours treasurie So that the whole summe that groweth to this office of Bulsha Prechod or the great income as appeareth by the books of the said office amounteth to 800000. rubbels a year or thereabouts All these offices to wit the office of the Steward the foure Chetsirds and the Bulsha Prechod deliver in their receits to the head treasurie that lieth within the Emperours house or castle at the Mosko Where lie all his moneys jewels crowns sceptres plate and such like the chests hutches and bags being signed by the Emperours themselves with their own seal Though at this time the L. Borris Federowich Godonoe his seal and oversight supplieth for the Emperour as in all other things The under-officer at this time is one Stephen Vasilowich Godonoe Cousin germane to the said Borris who hath two Clerks allowed to serve under him in the office The summe that groweth to the Emperours treasurie in money onely for every year 1. Out of the Stewards office above the expense of his house 230000 rubbels 2. Out of the foure Chetfirds for soak and head-money 400000. rubbels 3. Out of the Bulsha Prechod Office or great income for custome and other rents 800000. rubbels Summe 1430000. rubbles clear besides all charges for his house and ordinary salaries of his souldiers otherwise discharged But besides this revenue that is paid all in money to the Emperours treasurie he receiveth yearly in furres and other duties to a great value out of Siberia Pechora Permia and
them at the Emperours price whether they will or no. This last year of 1589. was engrossed all the wax of the countrey so that none might deal with that commoditie but the Emperour onely 6. To take up and engrosse in like sort sometime forein commodities as silks cloth lead pearl c. brought into his realm by Turkish merchants Armenians Bougharians Potes English and other and then to force his merchants to buy them of his officers at his own price 7. To make a Monopolie for the time of such commodities as are paid him for rent or custome and to inhanse the price of them as furres corn wood c. what time none must sell of the same kind of commoditie till the Emperours be all sold. By this means he maketh of his rent-corn and other provision of victuall as before was said about 200000. rubbels or marks a year Of his rent-wood hay c. 30000. rubbels or thereabouts 8. In every great town of his Realm he hath a Caback or drinking-house where is sold aquavitae which they call Russe wine mead beer c. Out of these he receiveth rent that amounteth to a great summe of money Some yield 800. some 900. some a 1000. some 2000. or 3000. rubbels a year Wherein besides the base and dishonourable means to encrease his treasurie many foul faults are committed The poore labouring man and artificer many times spendeth all from his wife and children Some use to lay in twentie thirtie fourtie rubbels or more into the Caback and vow themselves to the pot till all that be spent And this as he will say for the honour of Hospodare or the Emperour You shall have many there that have drunk all away to the very skin and so walk naked whom they call Naga While they are in the Caback none may call them forth whatsoever cause there be because he hindereth the Emperours revenue 9. To cause some of his Boiarens or Nobles of his court whom he useth upon trust that have houses in the Mosko to fain themselves robbed then to send for the Zemskey men or Aldermen of the citie and to command them to find out the robberie In default of not finding it to prave or seize the citie for their misgovernment in 8000. 9000. or 10000 rubbels at a time This is many times practised 10. In these exactions to shew their sovereigntie sometime they use very plain and yet strange cavillations As was that of Juan Vasilowich father to this Emperour after this sort He sent into Permia for certain loads of Cedar wood whereof he knew that none grew in that Countrey The inhabitants returned answer they could find none there Whereupon he seassed their Countrey in 12000. rubbels as if they concealed the commoditie of purpose Again he sent to the citie of Mosko to provide for him a Colpack or measure full of live fleas for a medicine They returned answer that the thing was impossible and if they could get them yet they could not measure them for leaping out Whereupon he praved or beat out of their shins 7000. rubbels for a mulct By like cavillation he extorted from his Nobilitie 30000. rubbels because he missed of his game when he went a hunting for the Hare as if their hunting and murdering of hares had been the cause of it Which the Nobilitie as the manner is praved presently again upon the Mousicks or common people of the Countrey This may seem a strange kind of extortion by such pleasant cavils to fliece his poore subjects in good sadnesse but that it agreeth with the qualitie of those Emperours and the miserable subjection of that poore Countrey These and such like means are practised by the Emperours of Russia to encrease their Treasurie CHAP. XIII Of the state of the Commonaltie or vulgar sort of people in the countrey of Russia THe condition of the Commons and vulgar sort of people may partly be understood by that which already hath been said concerning the manner of their government and the state of the Nobilitie with the ordering of their Provinces and chief towns of the land And first touching their libertie how it standeth with them it may appear by this that they are reckoned in no degree at all nor have any suffrage nor place in their Zabore or High court of Parliament where their laws and publick orders are concluded upon which commonly tend to the oppression of the commons For the other two degrees viz. of the Nobilitie and Clergie which have a vote in the Parliaments though farre from that libertie that ought to be in common consultations for the publick benefit according to the measure and proportion of their degrees are well contented that the whole burden shall light upon the Commons so they may ease their own shoulders by laying all upon them Again into what servile condition their libertie is brought not onely to the Prince but to the Nobles and Gentlemen of the Countrey who themselves also are but servile specially of late years it may further appear by their own acknowledgements in their supplications and other writings to any of the Nobles or chief officers of the Emperours wherein they name and subscribe themselves Kolophey that is their villains or bondslaves as they of the Nobilitie do unto the Emperour This may truly be said of them that there is no servant nor bondslave more awed by his Master nor kept down in a more servile subjection then the poore people are and that universally not onely by the Emperour but by his Nobilitie chief officers and souldiers So that when a poore Mousick meeteth with any of them upon the high way he must turn himself about as not daring to look him on the face and fall down with knocking of his head to the very ground as he doth unto his Idol Secondly concerning the lands goods and other possessions of the commons they answer the name and lie common indeed without any fense against the rapine and spoil not onely of the highest but of his Nobilitie officers and souldiers Besides the taxes customes seizures and other publick exactions done upon them by the Emperour they are so racked and pulled by the Nobles officers messengers sent abroad by the Emperour in his publick affairs specially in the Yammes as they call them and through fare towns that you shall have many villages and towns of half a mile and a mile long stand all unhabited the people being fled all into other places by reason of the extreme usage and exactions done upon them So that in the way towards Mosko betwixt Vologda and Yaruslaveley which is two nineties after their reckoning little more then an hundred miles English there are in sight fiftie Darieunes or villages at the least some half a miâ—e some a mile long that stand vacant and desolate without any inhabitant The like is in all other places of the realm as is said by those that have better travelled the countrey then my self had time or occasion
horsemen that are ever in a readinesse and in continuall pay are 80000 a few more or lesse If he have need of a greater number which seldome falleth out then he entertaineth of those Sinaboiar skey that are out of pay so many as he needeth and if yet he want of his number he giveth charge to his Noblemen that hold lands of him 〈◊〉 bring into the field every man a proportionable number of his servants called Kolophey such as till his lands with their furniture according to the just number that he intendeth to make Which the service being done presently lay in their weapons and return to their servile occupations again Of footmen that are in continuall pay he hath to the number of 12000. all Gunners called Strelsey Whereof 5000. are to attend about the Citie of Mosko or any other place where the Emperour shall abide and 2000. which are called Stremaney Strelsey or Gunners at the stirrop about his own person at the very Court or house where himself lodgeth The rest are placed in his garison Towns till there be occasion to have them in the field and receive for their salarie or stipend every man seven rubbels a year besides twelve measures apiece of Rie and Oats Of mercenarie Souldiers that are strangers whom they call Nimschey they have at this time 4300. of Polonians of Chirchasses that are under the Polonians about 4000. whereof 3500. are abroad in his garisons of Dutches and Scots about 150. of Greeks Turks Danes and Swedens all in one band an 100. or thereabouts But these they use onely upon the Tartar side and against the Siberians as they do the Tartar souldiers whom they hire sometimes but onely for the present on the other side against the Polonian and Sweden thinking it best policie so to use their service upon the contrary border The chief Captains or leaders of these forces according to their names and degrees are these which follow First the Voyavodey Bulshaia that is the Great Captain or Lieutenant generall under the Emperour This commonly is one of the foure houses of the chief Nobilitie of the land but so chosen otherwise as that he is of small valour or practice in martiall matters being-thought to serve that turn so much the better if he bring no other parts with him save the countenance of his Nobilitie to be liked of by the souldiers for that and nothing else For in this point they are very warie that these two to wit nobilitie and power meet not both in one specially if they see wisdome withall or aptnesse for policie These great Voiavod or Generall at this present in their warres is commonly one of these foure Knez Theodor Juanowich Methisloskey Knez Juan Michailowich Glinskoy cherechaskoy and Trowbetskoy all of great Nobilitie but of very simple qualitie otherwise though in Glinskoy as they say there is somewhat more then in the rest To make up this defect in the Voiavod or Generall there is some other joyned with him as Lieutenant Generall of farre lesse nobilitie but of more valour and experience in the warres then he who ordereth all things that the other countenanceth At this time their principall man and most used in their warres is one Knez Demetrie Juanowith Forestine an ancient and expert captain and one that hath done great service as they say against the Tartar and Polonian Next under the Voiavod and his Lieutenant generall are foure other that have the marshalling of the whole army divided among them and may be called the Marshalls of the field Every man hath his quarter or fourth part under him Whereof the first is called the Prava Polskoy or right wing the second is the Levey Polskoy or left wing the third is Rusnoy Polskoy or the broken band because out of this there are chosen to send abroad upon any sudden exploit or to make a rescue or supplie as occasion doth require the fourth Storeshovoy Polskoy or the warding band Every one of these foure Marshalls have two other under them eight in all that twice every week at the least must muster and train their severall wings or bands and hold and give justice for all faults disorders committed in the camp And these eight are commonly chosen out of the 110. which I spake of before that receive and deliver the pay to the souldiers Under these eight are divers other Captains as the Gulavoy Captains of thousands five hundreds and 100. the Petyde Setskoy or Captains of fifties and the Decetskies or Captains of tens Besides the Voiavoda or generall of the Armie spoken of before they have two other that bear the name of Voiavoda whereof one is the Master of the great Ordinance called Naradna Voiavoda who hath divers under Officers necessary for that service the other is called the Voiavoda gulavoy or the walking Captain that hath allowed him 1000. good horsemen of principall choice to range and spie abroad and hath the charge of the running Castle which we are to speak of in the Chapter following All these Captains and men of charge must once every day resort to the Bulsha Voiavoda or Generall of the Armie to know his pleasure and to inform him if there be any requisite matter pertaining to their office CHAP. XVI Of their mustering and levying of forces manner of armour and provision of victuall for the warres WHen wars are towards which they fail not of lightly every year with the Tartar and many times with the Polonian and Sweden the foure Lords of the Chetfirds send forth their summons in the Emperours name to all the Dukes and Dyacks of the Provinces to be proclaimed in the head Towns of every Shire that all the Sinaboiarskey or sonnes of gentlemen make their repair to such a border where the service is to be done at such a place and by such a day and there present themselves to such and such Captains When they come to the place assigned them in the summons or proclamation their names are taken by certain Officers that have Commission for that purpose from the Reserade or high Constable as Clerks of the Bands If any make default and fall at the day he is mulcted and punished very severely As for the Generall and other chief Captains they are sent thither from the Emperours own hand with such Commission and charge as he thinketh behovefull for the present service When the souldiers are assembled they are reduced into their Bands and Companies under their severall Captains of tennes fifties hundreds thousands c. and these Bands into foure Polskois or Legions but of farre greater numbers then Romane Legions were under their foure great Leaders which also have the authoritie of Marshals of the field as was said before Concerning their armour they are but slightly appointed The common horseman hath nothing else but his bow in his case under his right arm and his quiver and sword hanging on the left side except some few that bear a case of dagges or a javelin
nor money being taxed and pilled so often as he thinketh good without any means to shake off that yoke or to relieve themselves In Siberia where he goeth on in pursuing his conquest he hath divers castles and garrisons to the number of six thousand souldiers of Russes and Polonians and sendeth many new supplies thither to plant and to inhabite as he winneth ground At this time besides he hath gotten the kings brother of Siberia allured by certain of his Captâ—â—ns to leave his own countrey by offers of great entertainment and pleasanter life with the Russe Emperour then he had in Siberia He was brought in this last year and is now with the Emperour at Mosko well entertained This may be said of the Russe practise wheresoever he ruleth either by right of inheritance or by conquest First he bereaveth the countrey of armour and other means of defence which he permitteth to none but to his Boiarskeis onely Secondly he robbeth them continually of their money and dommodities and leaveth them hare with nothing but their bodies and lives within certain years compasse Thirdly he renteth and divideth his territories into many small pieces by severall governments so that none hath much under him to make any strength though he had other oportunities Fourthly he governeth his countreys by men of small reputation and no power of themselves and strangers in those places where their government lieth Fiftly he changeth his governours once a year ordinarily that there grow no great liking nor intirenesse betwixt the people and them nor acquaintance with the enemy if they lie towards the borders Sixthly he appointeth in one and the same place adversary governours the one to be as controller of the other as the Dukes and Diacks where by means of their envies and emulations there is lesse hurt to be feared by their agreement and himself is better informed what is done amisse Seventhly he sendeth many times into every Province secret messengers of speciall trust about him as intelligencers to pâ—iâ— and hearken out what is doing and what is amisse there And this is ordinary though it be sudden and unknown what time they will come CHAP. XIX Of the Tartars and other borderers to the Countrey of Russia with whom they have most to do in warre and peace THeir neighbours with whom they have greatest dealings and intercourse both in peace and warre are first the Tartar Secondly the Polonian whom the Russe calleth Laches noting the first authour or founder of the Nation who was called Laches or Leches where unto is added Po which signifieth People and so is made Polaches that is the People or posteritie of Laches which the Latines after their manner of writing call Polanos The third are the Swedens The Polonians and Swedens are herter known to these parts of Europe then are the Tartars that are further off from us as being of Asia and divided into many tribes different both in name and government one from another The greatest and mightiest of them is the Chrim Tartar whom some call the Great Cham that lieth South and Southeastward from Russia and doth most annoy the Countrey by often invasions commonly once every year sometimes entring very farre within the inland parts In the year 1571. he came as farre as the citie of Mosko with an armie of 200000. men without any battel or resistance at all for that the Russe Emperour then Juan Vasilowich leading forth his armie to encounter with him marched a wrong way but as it was thought of very purpose as not daring to adventure the field by reason that he doubted his Nobilitie and chief Captains of a meaning to betray him to the Tartar The citie he took not but fired the Suburbs which by reason of the buildings which is all of wood without any stone brick or lime save certain outrooms kindled so quickly and went on with such rage as that it consumed the greatest part of the citie almost within the space of foure houres being of 30. miles or more of compasse Then might you have seen a lamentable spectacle besides the huge and mighty flame of the citie all on light fire the people burning in their houses and streets but most of all of such as laboured to passe out of the gates furthest from the enemie where meeting together in a mighty throng and so pressing every man to prevent another wedged themselves so fast within the gate and streets near unto it as that three ranks walked one upon the others head the uppermost treading down those that were lower so that there perished at that time as was said by the fire and the presse the number of 800000. people or more The Chrim thus having fired the Citie and fed his eyes with the sight of it all on a light flame returned with his armie and sent to the Russe Emperour a knife as was said to stick himself withall upbraiding thiâ— lesse and his desperate case as not daring either to meet his enemie in the field nor to trust his friends or subjects at home The prnicipall cause of this continuall quarrel betwixt the Russe and the Chrim is for the right of certain border parts claimed by the Tartar but possessed by the Russe The Tartar alledgeth that besides Astracan Cazan that are the ancient possession of the East Tartar the whole countrey from his bounds North and Westward so farre as the citie of Mosko and Mosko it self pertaineth to his right Which seemeth to have been true by the report of the Russes themselves that tell of a certain homage that was done by the Russe Emperour every year to the Great Chrim or Cham the Russe Emperour standing on foot and feeding the Chrims horse himself sitting on his back with oats out of his own cap in stead of a bowl or manger and that within the castle of Mosko And this homage they say was done till the time of Basileus grandfather to this man Who surprising the Chrim Emperour by a stratagem done by one of his Nobilitie called Juan Demetrowich Belschey was content with this ransome viz. with the changing of this homage into a tribute of furres which afterwards also was denied to be paied by this Emperours father Hereupon they continue the quarrel the Russe defending his countrey and that which he hath wonne the Chrim Tartar invading him once or twice every year sometime about Whitsuntide but oftner in Harvest What time if the great Cham or Chrim come in his own person he bringeth with him a great armie of 100000. or 200000. men Otherwise they make short and sudden roads into the countrey with lesser numbers funning about the list of the border as wild geese flie invading and retiring where they see advantage Their common practice being very populous is to make divers armies and so drawing the Russe to one or two places of the frontiers to invade at some other place that is left without defence Their manner of fight or ordering of their forces is
much after the Russe manner spoken of before save that they are all horsemen and carrie nothing else but a bow a sheaf of arrows and a falcon sword after the Turkish fashion They are very expert horsemen and use to shoot as readily backward as forward Some will have a horsemans staff like to a bore spear besides their other weapons The common souldier hath no other armour then his ordinary apparel viz. a black sheeps skin with the wool side outward in the day-time and inward in the night-time with a cap of the same But their Marseys or Noblemen imitate the Turk both in apparel and armour When they are to passe over a river with their armie they tie three or foure horses together and taking long poles or pieces of wood bind them fast to the tails of their horse so sitting on the poles they drive their horse over At handie strokes when they come to joyn battel they are accounted farre better men then the Russe people fierce by nature but more hardie and bloudie by continuall practice of warre as men knowing no arts of peace nor any civil practice Yet their subtiltie is more then may seem to agree with their barbarous condition By reason they are practised to invade continually and to robbe their neighbours that border about them they are very pregnant and ready-witted to devise stratagems upon the sudden for their better advantage As in their warre against Beala the fourth king of Hungarie whom they invaded with 500000. men and obtained against him a great victorie Where among other having slain his Chancellour called Nicholas Schinick they found about him the Kings privie seal Whereupon they devised presenâ—ly to counterfeit letters in the Kings name to the cities and towns next about the place where the field was fought with charge that in no case they should convey themselves and their goods out of their dwellings where they might abide safely without all fear of danger and not leave the countrey desolate to the possession of so vile and barbarous an enemie as was the Tartar nation terming themselves in all reprochfull manner For notwithstanding he had lost his carriages with some few straglers that had marched disorderly yet he doubted not but to recover that lossé with the accesse of a notable victorie if the savage Tartar durst abide him in the field To this purpose having written their letters in the Polish character by certain young men whom they took in the field and signed them with the Kings seal they dispatched them forth to all the quarters of Hungarie that lay near about the place Whereupon the Ungarians that were now flying away with their goods wives and children upon the rumour of the Kings overthrow taking comfort of these counter feit letters stayed at home And so were made a prey being surprised on the sudden by this huge number of these Tartars that had compassed them about before they were aware When they besiege a town or fort they offer much parley and send many flattering messages to perswade a surrendrie promising all things that the inhabitants will require but being once possessed of the place they use all manner of hostilitie and crueltie This they do upon a rule they have viz. that Justice is to be practised but towards their own They encounter not lightly but they have some ambush whereunto having once shewed themselves and made some short conflict they retire as repulsed for fear and so draw the enemie into it if they can But the Russe being well acquainted with their practice is more warie of them When they come a roving with some small number they set on horseback counterfeit shapes of men that their number may seem greater When they make any onset their manner is to make a great-shout crying all out together Olla Billa Olla Billa God help us God help us They contemne death so much as that they choose rather to die then to yield to their enemie and are seen when they are slain to bite the very weapon when they are past striking or helping of themselves Wherein appeareth how different the Tartar is in his desperate courage from the Russe and Turk For the Russe Souldier if he begin once to retire putteth all his safetie in his speedie flight and if once he be taken by his enemie he neither defendeth himself nor intreateth for his life as reckoning straight to die The Turk commonly when he is past hope of escaping falleth to intreatie and casteth away his weapon offereth both his hands and holdeth them up as it were to be tied hoping to save his life by offering himself bondslave The chief bootie the Tartars seek for in all their warres is to get store of captives specially young boyes and girls whom they sell to the Turks or other their neighbours To this purpose they take with them great baskets made like bakers panniers to carrie them tenderly and if any of them happen to tire or to be sick on the way they dash him against the ground or some tree and so leave him dead The souldiers are not troubled with keeping the captives and the other bootie for hindering the execution of their warres but they have certain bands that intend nothing else appointed of purpose to receive and keep the captives and the other prey The Russe borders being used to their invasions lightly every year in the summer keep few other cattel on the border parts save swine onely which the Tartar will not touch nor drive away with him for that he is of the Turkish religion and will eat no swines flesh Of Christ our Saviour they confesse as much as doth the Turk in his Alcoran viz. that he came of the Angel Gabriel and the Virgin Marie that he was a great Prophet and shall be the Judge of the world at the last day In other matters likewise they are much ordered after the manner and direction of the Turk having felt the Turkish forces when he wonne from them Azou and Caffa with some other towns about the Euxine or Black sea that were before tributaries to the Chrim Tartar So that now the Emperour of the Chrims for the most part is chosen some one of the Nobilitie whom the Turk doth commend whereby it is brought now to that passe that the Chrim Tartar giveth to the Turk the tenth part of the spoil which he getteth in his warres against the Christians Herein they differ from the Turkish religion for that they have certain idole puppets made of silk or like stuff of the fashion of a man which they fasten to the doore of their walking houses to be as Janusses or keepers of the house And these idoles are made not by all but by certain religious women which they have among them for that and like uses They have besides the image of their King or great Cham of an huge bignesse which they erect at every stage when the armie marcheth and this every one must bend and bow unto
have the same full authoritie and jurisdiction that pertained before to the Patriarch of Constantinople or Sin And that it might be done with more order and solemnitie the 25. of Januarie 1588. the Greek Patriarch accompanied with the Russe Clergie went to the great Church of Precheste or our Ladie within the Emperours castle having first wandred through the whole citie in manner of a procession and blessing the people with his two fingers where he made an Oration and delivered his resignation in an instrument of writing and so layed down his Patriarchicall staff which was presently received by the Metropolite of Mosko and divers other ceremonies used about the inauguration of this new Patriarch The day was holden very solemn by the people of the citie who were commanded to forbear their works and to attend this solemnitie The great Patriarch that day was honoured with rich presents sent him from the Emperour and Empresse of plate cloth of gold furres c. carried with great pomp through the streets of Mosko and at his departing received many gifts more both from the Emperour Nobilitie and Clergie Thus the Patriarchship of Constantinople or Sio which hath continued since the Councel of Nice is now translated to Mosko or they made believe that they have a Patriarch with the same right and authoritie that the other had Wherein the subtil Greek hath made good advantage of their superstition and is now gone away with a rich bootie into Poland whether their Patriarchship be currant or not The matter is not unlike to make some schisme betwixt the Greek and Russe Church if the Russe hold this Patriarchship that he hath so well payed for and the Greeks elect another withall as likely they will whether this man were banished by the Turk or deprived by order of his own Clergie Which might happen to give advantage to the Pope and to bring over the Russe Church to the Sea of Rome to which end peradventure he devised this stratagem and cast in this matter of schisme among them but that the Emperours of Russia know well enough by the example of other Christian Princes what inconvenience would grow to their state and countrey by subjecting themselves to the Romish Sea To which end the late Emperour Juan Vasilowich was very inquisitive of the Popes authoritie over the Princes of Christendome and sent one of very purpose to Rome to behold the order and behaviour of his Court. With this Patriarch Hieronimo was driven out at the same time by the great Turk one Demetrio Archbishop of Larissa who is now in England and pretendeth the same cause of their banishment by the Turk to wit their not admitting of the Popes new Kalender for the alteration of the year Which how unlikely it is may appear by these circumstances First because there is no such affection nor friendly respect betwixt the Pope and the Turk as that he should banish a subject for not obeying the Popes ordinance specially in a matter of some sequele for the alteration of times within his own countreys Secondly for that he maketh no such scruple in deducting of times and keeping of a just and precise account from the incarnation of Christ whom he doth not acknowledge otherwise then I noted before Thirdly for that the said Patriarch is now at Naples in Italie where it may be ghessed he would not have gone within the Popes reach and so near to his nose if he had been banished for opposing himself against the Popes decree This office of Patriarchship now translated to Mosko beareth a superiour authoritie over all the Churches not onely of Russia and other the Emperours dominions but throughout all the Churches of Christendome that were before under the Patriarch of Constantinople or Sio or at least the Russe Patriarch imagineth himself to have the same authoritie He hath under him as his proper diocesse the Province of Mosko besides other peculiars His court or office is kept at the Mosko Before the creation of this new Patriarch they had but one Metropolite that was called the Metropolite of Mosko Now for more state to their Church and new Patriarch they have two Metropolites the one of Novogrod velica the other of Rostove Their office is to receive of the Patriarch such Ecclesiasticall orders as he thinketh good and to deliver the charge of them over to the Archbishops besides the ordering of their own diocesse Their Archbishops are foure of Smolensko Cazan Vobsko and Vologda The parts of their office is all one with the Metropolites save that they have an under jurisdiction as Suffragans to the Metropolites and superiours to the Bishops The next are the Uladikeis or Bishops that are but six in all of Crutiska of Rezan of Otfer and Torshock of Collomenska of Volodemer of Susdalla These have every one a very large diocesse as dividing the rest of the whole countrey among them The matters pertaining to the Ecclesiasticall jurisdiction of the Metropolites Archbishops and Bishops are the same in a manner that are used by the Clergie in other parts of Christendome For besides their authoritie over the Clergie and ordering such matters as are mere Ecclesiasticall their jurisdiction extendeth to all testamentarie causes matters of marriage and divorcements some pleas of injuries c. To which purpose also they have their Officials or Commissaries which they call Boiaren Uladitskey that are Laymen of the degree of Dukes or Gentlemen that keep their Courts and execute their jurisdiction Which besides their other oppressions over the common people reigne over the Priests as the Dukes and Diacks do over the poore people within their precincts As for the Archbishop or Bishop himself he beareth no sway in deciding those causes that are brought into his Court But if he would moderate any matter he must do it by intreatie with his Gentleman Officiall The reason is because these Boiarskey or Gentlemen Officials are not appointed by the Bishops but by the Emperour himself or his Councel and are to give account of their doings to none but to them If the Bishop can intreat at his admission to have the choice of his own Officiall it is accounted for a speciall great favour But to speak it as it is the Clergie of Russia as well concerning their lands and revenues as their authoritie and jurisdiction are altogether ordered and overruled by the Emperour and his Councel and have so much and no more of both as their pleasure doth permit them They have also their assistants or severall Councels as they call them of certain Priests that are of their diocesse residing within their cathedrall cities to the number of foure and twentie a piece These advise with them about the speciall and necessarie matters belonging to their charge Concerning their rents and revenues to maintain their dignities it is somewhat large The Patriarchs yearly rents out of his lands besides other fees is about 3000. rubbels or marks The Metropolites and Archbishops about 2500. The Bishops