camels backs At this towne of Suez they haue no fresh water but all their water is brought them from a place sixe miles distant vpon camels backs being notwithstanding brackish and bitter The western shore of the Red sea is inhabited with people called in old time Troglodytae which at this present do all of them yeelde obedience to the great Turke who considering that the fleets of the Portugales entered very often into the Red sea and were there receiued by the subiects of Prete Gianni and did him great domage hath thereupon taken occasion not onely to conquer the Troglodytae but also to wast and subdue a great part of Barnagasso the most Northerlie prouince of the said Prete So that the audacious attempts of the Portugales in those partes haue bred two most dangerous and bad effects the one is that the Arabians haue most strongly fortified all their sea-townes which before lay naked and without fortification the other for that the Turke also hath bin occasioned thereby to make warre against the Prete Wherefore they ought not to haue vndertaken any such enterprise but with full resolution and sufficient forces to accomplish the same for lesser attempts serue to no other end but onely to rouze and arme the enimie which was before secure and quiet Neither is it heere to be omitted that in the foresaide sea a man can saile in no ships nor barks but only those of the great Turke or at least with his licence paying vnto him for tribute a good part of the fraight For this purpose he hath certaine Magazines or store-houses of timber which is brought partly from the gulfe of Satalia and partly from Nicomedia and other places vpon the Euxin sea vnto Rosetto and Alexandria from whence it is afterward transported to Cairo and thence to Suez This sea is called the Red sea not in regard that the waters thereofbe all red but as some thinke from certaine red rushes which growe vpon the shore and as others are of opinion from a kinde of red earth which in sundry places it hath at the bottome which earth dieth not the very substance of the water red but by transparence causeth it especially neere the shore to appeere of that colour Africa Troglodytica THat sandie barren and desert part of Africa which lieth betweene Nilus and the Red sea especially to the south of the tropike was in old times inhabited by the Troglodytae a people so called bicause of their dwelling in caues vnder the ground Along this westerne coast of the Red sea runneth a ridge of mountaines which being an occasion that the inland riuers can not fall into the saide sea they are forced to discharge themselues into Nilus The foresaide mountaines and sea coast are now inhabited by Mahumetans being partly Arabians and partly Turkes which not many yeeres ago haue attempted to saile that sea and to inuade the regions adioining The naturall inhabitants are a rude barbarous people and very poore and beggerly The chiefe places of habitation are Corondol a speciall good porte Alcosser a place well knowne bicause that neere vnto it the saide mountaines open themselues and giue passage to the bringing in of the fruits and commodities of Abassia Suachen esteemed one of the principall ports in all the streights and being made by an island Here resideth the Bassa of the great Turke which is called the gouernour of Abassia with three thousand soldiers or thereabout Next followeth Ercoco the onely hauen towne of the Prete lying ouer against the little isle of Mazua and heere the mountaines make an other opening or passage for transporting of victuals out of the lande of the saide Prete Ianni From hence almost to the very entrance of the Red sea the coast is at this present vninhabited forlorne and desert Likewise from Suachen to Mazua is a continuall woode the trees whereof are but of small woorth Iust within the saide entrance standeth the towne and port of Vela vnder the iurisdiction of the king of Dancali a Moore Vpon all this west shore of the Red sea as likewise vpon the contrary east shore scarcitie of water is the cause why there are so fewe and so small places of habitation and the people runne and flocke togither where they may finde any pit or fountaine of water Some curious reader might here expect because I haue nowe passed so neere the frontiers of Egypt that I should make an exact description of that most famous and fruitefull prouince and likewise of the great city of Alcair and of the inundation and decrease of Nilus all which because they are expressed in most orient liuelie colours by our author Iohn Leo I should shew my selfe both iniurious to him and tedious to all iudiciall readers in anticipating and forestalling that before the beginning of his booke which he so neere the end doth in such large and particular wise intreate of Now therefore let vs proceed to the vpper or inner Ethiopia beginning with the first and most northerly prouince thereof called Nubia Nubia PAssing therefore westward from the Island of Siene you enter into the prouince of Nubia bordering on the west vpon Gaoga eastward vpon the riuer Nilus towards the North vpon Egypt and southward vpon the desert of Goran The inhabitants thereof called by Strabo 〈◊〉 liue at this present as Francisco Aluarez reporteth a most miserable and wretched kinde of life for hauing lost the sinceritie and light of the gospel they do embrace infinite corruptions of the Iewish and Mahumetan religions At the same time when the foresaid Aluarez was in Abassia there came certaine messengers out of Nubia to make suit vnto the Prete that he would send them priests and such persons as might preach and administer the sacraments vnto them But he returned answere that he coulde not in regard of the scarcitie of great cler-giemen in his dominions The said messengers reported that the Nubians had sent often to Rome for a bishop but being afterward by the inuasions of the Moores and the calamitie of warre cut short of that assistance they fell for want of teachers and ministers into extreme ignorance of Christian religion and by little and little were infected with the impious and abominable sects of the Iewes and Mahumetans Some Portugals trauailing to those parts sawe many churches destroied by the handes of the Arabians and in some places the pictures of saints painted vpon the wals They are gouerned by women and call their Queene Gaua Their principall citie called Dangala and consisting of about ten thousand housholds is a place of great traffike bicause it is so neere vnto Egypt and the riuer Nilus All their other habitations are villages and base cottages Their houses are built of claie and couered with strawe The chiefe commodities of this region are rice stone-sugar sanders iuorie for they take many elephants as likewise abundance of ciuet and golde in great plentie The countrey is for the most part sandie howbeit there
are certaine mightie lakes by the benefite whereof a great part of Nubia is watred and made fruitfull The Isle of Meroe MEroe called at this time by the names of Guengare Amara and Nobe being the greatest and fairestisle which Nilus maketh and resembled by Herodotus to the shape of a target containeth in bredth a thousand and in length three thousand stadios or furlongs It aboundeth with golde siluer copper iron Eben-wood palme-trees and other such commodities as are in Nubia Some write that there growe canes or reeds of so huge a bignes that the people make botes of them Heere also you haue minerall salt and lions elephants and leopards This island is inhabited by Mahumetans who are confederate with the Moores against Prete Ianni Strabo affirmeth that in old time the authoritie of the priests of this island was so great that by a meane and ordinarie messenger they woulde command the king to murther himselfe and woulde substitute an other in his roome But at length one king hauing in a certaine temple put all the saide priests to death quite abolished that monstrous custome And heere as Nilus vnfoldeth himselfe into two branches to embrace this Islande he receiueth from the east the riuer of Abagni and from the west the riuer Sarabotto which haue likewise other smaller riuers falling into them The Abassins are of opinion that the Queene of Saba which trauelled so farre to heare the wisedome of Salomon was mistresse of this isle Paulus Ionius saith here are three kings one a Gentile the second a Moore and the third a Christian subiect vnto the Prete From Meroe to Siene it is accounted fifteene daies iourney by water Abassia or the empire of Prete Ianni THe Abassins are a people subiect to Prete Ianni whose empire if we consider the stile which he vseth in his letters hath most ample confines For he intituleth himselfe emperour of the great and higher Ethiopia king of Goiame which as Botero supposeth is situate betweene Nilus and Zaire of Vangue a kingdome beyond Zaire of Damut which confineth with the land of the Anzichi and towards the south he is called king of Cafate and Bagamidri two prouinces bordering vpon the first great lake which is the originall fountaine of Nilus as likewise of the kingdomes of Xoa Fatigar Angote Baru Baaliganze Adea Amara Ambea Vaguc Tigremahon Sabaim where the Queene of Saba gouerned and lastly of Barnagaes and lorde as farre as Nubia which bordereth vpon Egypt But at this present the center or midst of his Empire as Iohn Barros writeth is the lake of Barcena For it extendeth eastward towarde the Red sea as farre as Suaquen the space of two hundred twentie and two leagues Howbeit betweene the sea and his dominions runneth a ridge of mountaines inhabited by Moores who are masters of al the sea-coast along except the porte of Ercoco which belongeth to the Prete And likewise on the west his empire is restrained by another mountainous ridge stretching along the riuer of Nilus where are founde most rich mines of golde amongst which are the mines of Damut and of Sinassij wholie in the possession of Gentiles which pay tribute vnto the Prete Northward it is bounded by an imaginarie line supposed to be drawen from Suachen to the beginning of the isle Meroe aboue mentioned which line extendeth an hundred and fiue and twentie leagues From thence the Abassin borders trend south somewhat crookedly in manner of a bowe as farre as the kingdome of Adea from the mountaines whereof springeth a riuer called by Ptolemey Raptus which falleth into the sea about Melinde for the space of two hundred and fiftie nine leagues next vnto the which borders inhabite certaine Gentiles of blacke colour with curled haire And heere the 〈◊〉 empire is limited by the kingdome of Adel the head citie whereof called Arar standeth in the latitude nine degrees So that all this great empire may containe in compasse sixe hundred threescore and two leagues little more or lesse It is refreshed and watered by two mightie riuers which conuey their streames into Nilus called by Ptolemey Astaboras and Astapus and by the naturall inhabitants Abagni and Tagassi the first whereof taketh his originall from the lake of Barcena and the second from the lake of Colue Barcena lieth in seuen degrees of north latitude Colue vnder the verie Equinoctiall The first besides Abagni ingendereth also the riuer of Zeila and the second besides Tagassi giueth essence to the riuer of Quilimanci Between Abagni and the Red sea lieth the prouince of Barnagasso betweene Abagni and Tagassi are the kingdomes of Angote and Fatigar and more towards the bay of Barbarians the prouinces of Adea and of Baru and somewhat lower that of Amara In briefe beyond the riuer of Tagassi ly the regions of Bileguanzi and of Tigremahon The Abassins haue no great knowledge of Nilus by reason of the mountaines which deuide them from it for which cause they call Abagni the father of riuers Howbeit they say that vpon Nilus do inhabite two great and populous nations one of Iewes towards the west vnder the gouernment of a mighty king the other more southerly consisting of Amazones or warlike women whereof wee will speake more at large in our relation of Monomotapa Throughout all the dominion of the Prete there is not any one city of importance either for multitude of inhabitantes for magnificent buildings or for any other respect For the greatest townes there containe not aboue two thousand housholds the houses being cottage-like reared vp with clay and couered with straw or such like base matter Also Ptolemey intreating of these partes maketh mention but of three or foure cities onely which he appointeth to the south of the Isle Meroe Howbeit in some places vpon the frontiers of Abassia there are certaine townes verie fairely built and much frequented for traffique The Portugales in their trauailes throughout the empire haue often declared vnto the Abassins how much better it were for auoiding of the outragious iniuries and losses daily inflicted by the Moores and Mahumetans both vpon their goods and persons if the emperour would build cities and castles stronglie walled and fortified Whereunto they made answere that the power of their Neguz or emperour consisted not in stone-walles but in the armes of his people They vse not ordinarily any lime or stone but onely for the building of churches saying that so it becommeth vs to make a difference between the houses of men and churches dedicated to God and of their Beteneguz or houses of the emperour wherein the gouernours of prouinces are placed to execute iustice These Beteneguz stand continually open and yet in the gouernours absence no man dare enter into them vnder paine of being punished as a traytour Moreouer in the city of Axuma esteemed by them to haue beene the seate of the Queene of Saba stand certaine ruinous buildings like vnto pyramides which by reason of their greatnes
be seene to his subiects but onely vpon solemne dayes At other times it was held as a great fauour if he did shew but the halfe part of his feete to ambassadours and to his fauorites And no maruel for amongst the Ethiopians it hath beene an ancient custome as Strabo writeth To adore their kinges like gods who for the most part liue enclosed at home This so strange and stately kinde of gouernment did exceedingly abase his subiects whom the Prete vsed like slaues so that vpon the smallest occasions that might be he would depriue them of all honour and dignity were they neuer so great Abassia containeth many large plaines and very high mountaines all fruitfull In some places you shall haue most extreame coulde and frostie weather but not any snowe throughout the whole empire no not in the mountaines The Prete hath many moores in his dominions and vpon his borders but the most populous of all others are the Moores called Dobas who are bound by a law neuer to marry till they can bring most euident testimony that each of them hath slaine twelue Christians Wherefore the Abassin merchantspasse not by their country but with most strong guardes A particular and briefe relation of all the kingdomes and prouinces subiect to the Christian Emperour of Abassia commonly called Prete Ianni 〈◊〉 OF all the prouinces subiect vnto the Prete that of Barnagasso is best knowne vnto vs bicause it is so neere vnto the Red sea ouer against the shore whereof it stretcheth in length from Suachen almost as farre as the very mouth or entrance of the streight being as is before saide bounded on the south part with the mightie riuer of Abagni which runneth westward out of the lake of Barcena into Nilus Howbeit it hath no other port vpon the Red sea but onely Ercoco situate neere the Isle of Mazua neither hath the Prete any porte but this in all his dominions so that he is as it were on all sides land-locked which is one of the greatest defects in any empire kingdome or state that can be imagined This prouince is full of townes villages as likewise of riuers and pooles which make it exceeding fruitfull The Viceroy or gouernour hereof called also by the name of Barnagasso resideth in the citie of Beroa otherwise called Barua and by Ptolemey as Sanutus thinketh Coloue situate vpon a pleasant riuer abounding with fish Vnto him likewise are subiect the gouernments of Danfila and of Canfila neere vnto the borders of Egypt Certaine yeeres past the great Turkes forces haue mightily afflicted this prouince destroying the townes and leading the people captiue so that in the end Isaac the lorde Barnagasso was inforced to compound with the Turkes lieutenant bearing title The Bassa of Abassia and residing in Suachen for the yeerely tribute of a thousand ounces of golde Ouer and besides he paieth euery yeere vnto his soueraigne the Prete an hundred and fiftie excellent horses with cloth of silke and of cotton and other matters On the most westerly part of Barnagasso beginneth a mightie ridge of mountaines which for a good space waxing narrower and narrower at length in the kingdome of Angote dilateth 〈◊〉 selfe into a rounde forme enuironing with the steepe sides and impassable tops thereof many fruitefull and pleasant vallies for the space of fifteene daies iourney in compasse within which vallies as it were in walled castles all persons whatsoeuer both male and female of the Abassin bloud royall are vnder paine of most extreme punishment togither with their whole families limited to remaine Within this great roundell or enclosure of mountaines there is among many others contained one lesser which is begirt arounde with a mountainous wall so craggie steepe and vnscaleable that no man can come in or out but onely by a certaine basket drawne vp and downe vpon a rope neither is it possible to famish the parties within by a siege be it neuer so long for they haue fruitefull ground with houses a church a monasterie cesternes of water and all other necessaries for the continuall maintenance of fiue hundred persons Within this strong citadell of mountaines for the auoiding of all tumults and seditions are locked vp those great personages which come neerest in bloud to the Prete and are in possibilitie of the crowne and here must they all liue and die except a very few of them who attaine at length vnto the gouernment of the empire The Abassins haue a tradition that one Abraham an emperour of theirs being admonished in a dreame that he shoulde keepe his dominions in tranquillitie by the meanes aforesaid was the first that founde this mountaine and vsed it for the same purpose Tigremahon TIgremahon a very large kingdome lieth betweene the riuer Marabo Nilus the Red sea and the kingdome of Angote The gouernour heere of paieth for yeerely tribute vnto the Prete two hundred Arabian horsés a great quantitie of silke and cotton-cloth and very much golde Vnto this kingdome is subiect the prouince of Tigray wherein standes the citie of Caxumo sometimes the royall seate of the Queene of Saba which they say was called Maqueda of whom Salomon begat a sonne named Melich before mentioned which citie was the seate likewise of Queene Candace Also to the said kingdome of Tigremahon belong the prouinces of Sabaim Torrates Balgada and others Angote THis kingdome standing betweene the kingdomes of Tigremahon and Amara is full of mountaines and valleies and aboundeth mightilie with all kinde of corne and cattell The inhabitants eate but one meale in fower and twentie howers and that alwaies in the night their foode is most commonly rawe flesh with a kinde of sauce made of an oxegall In stead of money they vse salte and little balles of iron as is before saide Vnto this kingdome do belong the prouinces of Abuguna and Guanamora with other regions and places Amara THe kingdome of Amara bordering north vpon Angote east vpon Xoa south vpon Damut and extending west almost as farre as Nilus is for the most part a plaine region without mountaines very fertile and abounding with cattell Vpon the frontiers of this kingdome standeth the foresaide large high and 〈◊〉 mountaine wherein the sonnes brethren and kinsfolkes of the Prete are most warily kept and from whence after his decease the heire apparant is brought to be inuested in the empire The kingdome of Xoa situate betweene the kingdomes of Amara Damut and Fatigar containeth many deepe vallies and aboundeth with all kinde of corne and cattell In the kingdome of Goiame are two mightie lakes from which Nilus is saide to fetch his originall Heere is exceeding plentie of golde vnrefined the north part of this region is full of deserts and mountainous places Bagamidri one of the largest kingdomes in all the vpper Ethiopia extendeth in length by the riuer Nilus the space almost of six hundred miles and in 〈◊〉 kingdome are many mostrich siluer-mines The kingdome of Fatigar lying betweene
leaue his citie to the sacke and spoile of his enimies who found therein a good quantitie of gold siluer and pearle and likewise cloth of cotton of silke and of gold with great numbers of slaues such other commodities Howbeit they remained not there any long time but were inforced to abandon the place in regard of the most vnholesome and infectious aire This kingdome is tributarie to the great empire of Mohenemugi The kingdome of Quiloa situate in nine degrees towarde the pole Antarticke and like the last before mentioned taking the denomination thereof from a certaine isle and citie both called by the name of Quiloa may be accounted for the third portion of the lande of Zanguebar This island hath a very fresh and coole aire and is replenished with trees alwaies greene and with plentie of all kinde of victuals It is situate at the mouth of the great riuer Coauo which springeth out of the same lake from whence Nilus floweth and is called also by some Quiloa and by others Tahiua and runneth from the saide lake eastward for the space of sixe hundred miles till it approcheth neere the sea where the streame thereof is so forcible that at the very mouth or out-let dispersing it selfe into two branches it shapeth out a great island to the west where of vpon the coast you may behold the little isle and the citie of Quiloa being separated from the maine by a very narrow arme of the sea This isle as also the great isle before named is inhabited by Mahumetans who are of colour whitish Their women are comely and rich in their attire Their houses are fairely builte of lime and stone and haue within them very gallant and costly furniture and without they are enuironed with gardens and orchards full of sundry delicate fruits and herbes Of this island the whole kingdome as is aforesaide tooke the name which vpon the coast extendeth it selfe to Cabo Delgado or the slender Cape being the limite betweene Moçambique and this kingdome of Quiloa from thence it stretcheth vnto the foresaid riuer of Coauo In old time this kingdome of Quiloa was the chiefest of all the principalities there adioining for the Arabians which were masters thereof had inlarged their dominions for the space of nine hundred miles so that all the sea-coast and the islands as farre as Cabo de los Corrientes situate in fower and twentie degrees of southerly latitude were tributarie and subiect thereunto Whereupon when the Portugals arriued in those countries the king of this place trusted so much to himselfe that he thought he was able with his owne forces not onely to make a defensiue warre against them but also to driue them from those places which they had already surprized Howbeit quite contrarie to his expectation he was by the Portugals vtterly vanquished and put to flight Who seazing vpon the isle and citie enriched themselues with the great booties spoiles that they found therein Thus the mightie king of Quiloa who before the Portugals arriuall in those parts enioied also the chiefe commoditie of the rich gold mines of Sofala became atlength by a composition made with Don Pedro Cabral tributarie to the crowne of Portugall paying for tribute at the first fiue hundred and afterward fifteene hundred peeces of gold Vpon the foresaid isle the Portugals erected a fortresse which their king afterward commanded them to deface considering that there were other forts sufficient enough for that coast Betweene the two mightie riuers of Coauo and Cuama both which spring out of one lake with Nilus among the kingdomes of Mombara Mozimba Maeuas and Embeoe which are not as yet perfectly discouered lieth the kingdome of Moçambique so called of three small islets situate in the mouth of the riuer Meghincate in fowerteene and a halfe or fifteene degrees of southerly latitude which kingdome in ancient time by Ptolemey was called Promontorium 〈◊〉 In the principall of the three foresaide isles there is a very commodious and secure hauen capable of all kinde of vessels and there also the Portugals haue built a very strong forte where albeit in regard of the lownes and moisture of the soile being full of bogges and fens the aire be most vnholsome and in manner pestilent yet the oportunitie of the place and the plentie of victuals haue made it one of the most famous and frequented hauens in all that Ocean For which cause the fleetes which saile from Portugall to the east Indies when they are out of hope to performe their voiage in summer do vsually resort to spend the whole winter at Moçambique and those Portugale ships also which come from the Indies toward Europe must of necessitie touch at this place to furnish themselues with victuals Along these coasts do saile certaine Moores in vessels sowed or fastened togither with thongs of lether the sailes whereof they make of Palme-leaues and in stead of pitch and tallow they calke them with gumme which they gather in the woods Vnto this kingdome of Moçambique belongeth the prouince of Angoscia so called from certaine isles of that name lying directly ouer against it which prouince stretcheth to the riuer of Cuama It is inhabited by Mahumetans and Gentiles who are for the greatest part merchants and do trafficke along that coast with the same wares and commodities wherewith the people of Sofala do trade Sofala or Sefala the fift and last general part of Zanguebar is a small kingdome lying vpon the sea-coast between the riuers of Cuama and Magnice being so called after the name of a riuer running through it in which riuer lyeth an Island which is the head and principal place of the whole countrie On this Island the Portugales 〈◊〉 built a most strong forte by meanes whereof they are become Lordes of the richest trade in all those parts For to say nothing of the Iuorie Amber and slaues which are hither brought all the gold in a manner that is taken out of those manifolde and endlesse mines of Sofala and all the Inland-countries thereabouts is here exchanged vnto the Portugales for cotton-cloth silkes and other commodities of Cambaia all which is thought yeerely to amount vnto the summe of two millions of gold This golden trade was first in the power of the Moores of Magadazo and afterward it befell to them of Quiloa The inhabitants of Sofala are Mahumetans being gouerned by a king of the same sect who yeeldeth obedience to the crowne of Portugale because hee will not be subiect to the empire of Monomotapa Neither is it heere to bee omitted that in these parts vnder the name of Iuorie are bartered not onely elephants teeth but also the teeth of sea-horses which creatures are commonly found in the riuers of Nilus Niger Coauo Cuama Magnice and all other the great riuers of Africa The empire of Mohenemugi the third generall part of the lower Ethiopia THis mightie empire bordering south vpon the kingdome of Moçambique and the empire of
sope which hath double the force of ours For which cause it is forbidden by the Portugals who haue vpon that coast a little to the east of Cabo das tres puntas in the northerly latitude of fiue degrees a strong castle called San Georgio de lá Mina whereunto by way of traffike they draw all the gold and riches of the countries adioining Westward of these lieth the countrie of Ghinea inhabited by a people which the ancient writers called Autolatae and Ichthyophagi Ghinea is so named according to the chiefe citie thereof called Genni being situate vpon the riuer of Sanega The people of this countrie towards the sea-coast liue vpon fish and they of the inland sustaine themselues with Lizards and such like creatures in some places more temperate their food consisteth of herbes and milke They conuerse togither in great families and they fight oftentimes for water and for pastures neither haue they 〈◊〉 knowledge of learning or liberall arts So long as the sun continueth in our northren signes that is from the xj of March to the xiij of September this people in regard of extreme 〈◊〉 heat are constrained all the day time being ordinarily with them of 12. howers to retire themselues within their houses and to do all their busines in the night The countrey in most places is destitute of trees that beare fruite neither haue the greatest part of the inhabitants any haire on their bodies saue onely a thicke tuft growing vpon their heads they sell their children vnto strangers supposing that their estate cannot possiblie be impaired Vnto these naturall miseries of the place you may ad the insupportable mischiefes which are here done by the locustes for albeit these creatures do infinite harme likewise in all the inner parts of Africa yet seemeth it that this countrey of Ghinea is their most proper habitation whither they do often resort in such innumerable swarmes that like a mightie thicke cloud they come raking along in the skie and afterward falling downe they couer the face of the earth deuouring all things that they light vpon Their comming towards any place is known two or three daies before by the yellownes of the sunne But in most places where they haunt the poore people are reuenged of them by killing and driuing them in the aire for their foode which custome is commonly vsed by the Arabians and Ethiopians and the Portugals also haue found vessels full of them vpon the coast of Cambaia where they do the like mischiefes They which haue eaten of them affirme that they are of a good taste and that their flesh so much as it is is as white as that of a lobster These may seem to be al one with those grashoppers which God sent to plague Egypt and the same kind of locustes which the holy prophet Iohn Baptist fed vpon in the wildernes Moreouer along the coasts of Meleghete and Ghinea are diuers small riuers and freshets containing little water and running a slow pace which notwithstanding are the best and pleasantest things that are to be founde in these forlorne countries For wheresoeuer any little water springeth or runneth thither do the people resort partly for the watring of their scorched groūds partly to quench their own thirst Also vpō these coasts are diuers and sundry headlands which stretch into the sea as namely The faire cape The three-pointed cape The cape of Palmetrees Cabo da Verga Sierra Leona This cape last mentioned hath an exceeding high mountaine thereupon which causeth it to be seene a mightie distance off It seemeth to be the same promontorie which Hanno and Ptolemey call The chariot of the gods It is called by the name of a lyon in regard of the dreadfull thunders and lightnings which are continually heard from the top thereof howbeit neere vnto it are found apes munkeies and such other beasts as liue in temperate places Of Cabo verde Sanega and Gambra or Gambea NOrthward of Sierra Leona lieth Cabo verde or the greene cape called by Ptolemey Arsinarium and being one of the most famous headlands in all Africa It is enuironed with two riuers namely the riuer of Gambra or Gambea on the south and the riuer of Senaga on the north which last riuer is esteemed to be an arme of Ghir or Niger Gambea springeth out of the same fountaines assigned by Ptolemey vnto Niger which by all the ancient writers is placed heereabout and out of the lake of Libya It is larger and deeper then that other of Senaga and runneth a crooked course receiuing many lesser riuers thereinto One hundred and eightie leagues within the mouth of this riuer the Portugals haue a factorie or place of traffique called the factorie of Cantor Hither by exchange of sundry wares they draw the gold of all those countries In the midde way as it were vnto the said factorie there is a place called the isle of Elephants in regard of the huge numbers of those creatures The riuer of Senaga is thought to take his original out of the lakes called Chelonides It containeth certaine Isles which in regard of their rough and ragged shape are good for nothing but to breed adders and such like hurtfull things and these Isles in many places make the riuer vtterly innauigable About one hundred and fiftie leagues from the mouth thereof it falleth spouting-wise with such maine force from certaine high cliffes or rockes that a man may walke drie vnder the streame thereof The Negros in their language call this place a Bowe It is reported that Nilus doth the like at his Cataracts or ouerfals And Strabo writeth of certaine riuers of Hircania which from exceeding steepe and craggie rockes gush with such violence into the Caspian sea that whole 〈◊〉 may passe vnder them without danger of drowning Into this riuer of Senaga among many riuers vnknowne falleth one which passing through a red soile is it selfe also died red and whosoeuer drinketh of the waters first of the Red riuer and after of Senaga is constrained extremely to 〈◊〉 Along the bankes of this mightie riuer inhabite the blacke and barbarous nations of the Gialofi the Tucuroni the Caraguloni and the Bagani Finally it voideth into the sea at two mouths one of which mouthes is a mile broad And it is strange to consider how vpon the south side of this riuer the people are blacke and well proportioned and the soile pleasant and fertile whereas on the north side they are browne and of a small stature and do inhabite a barren and miserable countrie In both the said riuers of Gambra and Senaga do breed diuers strange kindes offishes and other creatures of the water as namely crocodiles sea-horses and winged serpents and hither come to drinke sundry sorts of wilde beafts The lands comprehended betweene them both by reason of their yeerely inundation for from the xv of Iune they increase fortie daies togither and are so long time decreasing after the manner
vsed amongst them weigheth almost an ounce No fruites take plentifully vpon their soile but onely figs grapes peaches and dates Neither oile nor oliues are here to be found except such as are brought from certaine mountaines of Maroco A measure of oile is sold at Sus for fifteene duckats which measure containeth an hundred and fiftie pounds Italian waight Their peeces of golde because they haue no certaine nor proportionable money doe weigh seuen of them one third part one ounce Their ounce is all one with the Italian ounce but their pound containeth eighteene ounces and is called in their language Rethl and an hundred Rethl make one such measure of oile as is aforesaid For carrying of merchandize from place to place their custome is to pay for a camels load that is for 700. pounds of Italiā waight 3. peeces of gold especially in the spring time for in sōmer they pay somtimes 5. somtimes 6. pieces of gold as the time requireth Here is that excellent leather dressed which is called leather of Maroco twelue hides where of are here sold for sixe duckats and at Fez for eight That part of this region which lieth toward Atlas hath many villages townes and hamlets but the south part thereof is vtterly destitute of inhabitants and subiect to the Arabians which border vpon it In the midst of this citie standeth a faire and stately temple which they call The greatest and the chiefest through the very midst whereof they haue caused a part of the foresaid riuer to runne The inhabitants are sterne and vnciuill being so continually exercised in warres that they haue not one day of quiet Each part of the citie hath a seuerall captaine and gouernour who all of them together doe rule the common-wealth but their authoritie continueth neuer aboue three moneths which being expired three other are chosen in their roume Their apparell is some what like vnto that of the people of Hea sauing that some of them make their shirtes and other of their garments of a certaine kinde of white stuffe A Canna which is a measure proper to this region containing two elles of course cloth is solde for halfe a peece of gold but fower and twentie elles of Portugall or Neatherlandish cloth if it be any thing fine is vsually sold there for fower peeces of their gold Likewise in this towne are many iudges and priests which are conuersant onely in matters of religion but in ciuill matters he that hath most friends obtaineth greatest fauour Whensoeuer any one is slaine all the friends of the slaine partie doe foorthwith conspire to kill the murtherer Which if they cannot bring to passe then is the malefactor by open proclamation banished out of the citie for seuen yeeres vnlesse he will in despight of all men continually defend himselfe by maine force They which returne from exile before the time prefixed are punished in such manner as we will hereafter declare in place conuenient But he that returnes after the seuen yeeres are once expired maketh a feast vnto the Burghmasters and so is restored againe to his former libertie In this citie dwell many Iewes and many notable artificers who are not compelled to pay any yeerely tribute or taxation at all except it be some small gratuitie vnto the principall citizens Of Tarodant a towne of Sus. THE 〈◊〉 of Tarodant built by the ancient Africans containeth about three thousand housholds It is distant from Atlas Southward about fower miles and fiue and thirtie miles Eastward of Teijeut For the fruitfulnes of the soyle and manners of the people it is all one with Teijeut sauing that the towne is somewhat lesser and the people somewhat more ciuill For when the family of Marin 〈◊〉 at Fez part of them also inhabited Sus and in those daies Sus was the seat of the King of 〈◊〉 his Vice-roy There is to be 〈◊〉 euen at this present a certaine rocke lying vpon the 〈◊〉 which was there placed by the foresaid king But the said family of Marin decaying the inhabitants recouered their former estate Their garments are made partly of linnen and partly of woollen and they haue manie artificers of all sorts All authoritie is committed vnto their noble or principall men who gouerne fower by fower sixe moneths onely They are wholy giuen to peace neither doe I read that euer they endamaged any of their neighbours Betweene this towne and Atlas are many villages and hamlets but to the south of this towne lye the 〈◊〉 desert The 〈◊〉 pay large yeerely tribute to the ende that merchants may haue safe and secure passage to and fro This towne in our time waged warre against the Arabians which that they might the more prosperously bring to 〈◊〉 they yeelded themselues vnto 〈◊〉 Lord the Seriffo in the yeere of the Hegeira 920. which was in the yeere of our Lord 1511. Of the castle of Gartguessem THE castle of Gartguessem is built vpon the top of Atlas in a most impregnable place oueragainst that part of the Ocean whereinto the riuer of Sus dischargeth his streames the soyle is most profitable and fruitfull This place about twentie yeeres sithens the Portugals surprised which caused the inhabitants of Hea and Sus foorth with to arme themselues to the end they might recouer the castle by maine force which was by force taken from them Wherfore leuying a mightie army as wel of home-bornes as of strangers they chose for their Captaine a certaine Mahumetan 〈◊〉 being a man descended of the family of Mahumet and so besieged the castle But they had vnhappie successe in this their enterprise for they which came to the siege seeing that they could not preuaile and that so many of their companie were slaine left the castle and returned home Except some few which remained with the Seriffo to the end they might maintaine warre against the Christians euen till the last hower The inhabitants of Sus not being desirous to liue in warfare allowed the Seriffo money for the maintenance of fiue hundred horses Who hauing with his money hyred a great number of souldiers and growing famous ouer all the region at last vsurped the gouernment thereof This I know for a certaintie that the Seriffo when I came from his court had aboue three thousand horsemen and such numbers of footemen and summes of money as were almost innumerable Of Tedsi a towne of Sus. TEdsi being a very great towne and built many yeeres agoe in a most pleasant and fertile place by the Africans containeth moe then fower thousand families it is distant from Tarodant Eastward thirtie miles from the Ocean sea sixtie miles and from Atlas twentie Heere groweth great abundance of corne of sugar and of wilde woad You shall finde in this citie many merchants which come out of the lande of Negros for trafiques sake The citizens are great louers of peace of all ciuilitie and they haue a flourishing common-wealth The whole citie is gouerned by sixe Magistrates
which are chosen by lots howbeit their gouernment lasteth for sixteene moneths onely The riuer of Sus is distant three miles from hence Here dwell many Iewes which are most cunning goldsmiths carpenters and such like artificers They haue a verie stately temple and many priests and doctors of the lawe which are maintained at the publike charge Euery munday great numbers of Arabians both of the plaines and of the mountaines come hither to market In the yeere of the Hegeira 920. this citie of their owne accord yeelded themselues into the hands of the Seriffo and here the common councell of the whole region was established Of the citie of Tagauost IN all Sus there is no citie comparable vnto that which is commonly called Tagauost for it containeth aboue eight thousand housholdes the wall thereof is builte of rough stones From the Ocean it is distant about threescore miles and about fiftie miles southward of Atlas and the report is that the Africans built this citie About ten miles from this place lieth the riuer of Sus here are great store of artificers and of shops and the people of Tagauost are diuided into three parts They haue continuall ciuill wars among themselues and one part haue the Arabians alwaies on their side who for better pay will take parte sometime with one side and sometime with the contrarie Of corne and cattell heere is great abundance but their wooll is exceeding course In this citie are made certaine kindes of apparell which are vsually carried for merchandize once a yeere to Tombuto to Gualata and to other places in the lande of Negros Their market is twise euery weeke their attire is somewhat decent and comely their women are beautifull but their men are of a tawnie and swart colour by reason they are descended of blacke fathers and white mothers In this citie such carrie the greatest authoritie and credit as are accounted the richest and the mightiest I my selfe remained heere thirteene daies with the Seriffo his 〈◊〉 chancellour who went thither of purpose to buie certaine 〈◊〉 for his Lord in the yeere of the Hegeira 919. which was in the yeere of our Lord 1510. Of the mountaine of Hanchisa THis mountaine beginneth westward from Atlas and from thence stretcheth almost fortie miles eastward At the foote of this mountaine standeth Messa with the residue of the region of Sus. The inhabitants of this mountaine are such valiant footmen that one of them will encounter two horsemen The soile will yeeld no corne at all but barly 〈◊〉 hony there is in great abundance With snowe they are almost at all times troubled but how patiently and strongly they can endure the colde a man may easily gesse for that the whole yeere throughout they weare one single garment onely This people my Lord the Seriffo attempted often to bring vnder his subiection howbeit he hath not as yet preuailed against them Of the mountaine of Ilalem THis mountaine beginneth westward from the mountaine aforesaid on the east it abutteth vpon the region of Guzula and southward vpon the plaines of Sus. The inhabitants are valiant hauing great store of horses They are at continuall warre among themselues for certaine siluer mines so that those which haue the better hande digge as much siluer as they can and distribute to euery man his portion vntill such time as they be restrained from digging by others The situation and estate of the region of Maroco THis region beginneth westward from the mountaine of Nefisa stretching eastward to the mountaine of Hadimei and northward euen to that place where the most famous riuers of Tensift and Asfinual meete togither that is to say vpon the east border of Hea. This region is in a manner three square being a most pleasant countrey and abounding with many droues and flockes of cattell it is greene euery where and most fertile of all things which serue for foode or which delight the senses of smelling or seeing It is altogither a plaine countrey not much vnlike to Lombardie The mountaines in this region are most colde and barren insomuch that they will bring foorth nought but barly Wherefore according to our former order beginning at the west part of this region we will proceed in our description eastward Of Elgihumuha a towne of Maroco VPon that plaine which is about seuen miles distant from Atlas and not farre from the riuer of Sesseua standeth a towne called by the inhabitants Elgihumuha which was built as they suppose by the Africans A while after it was brought vnder the subiection of certaine Arabians about that verie time when the family of Muachidin aforesaid began to reuolt from the kingdome And at this day the ruines and reliques of this towne can scarce be seene The Arabians which now dwel thereabout do sow so much ground onely as to supply their owne necessities and the residue they let lye vntilled and fruitles Howbeit when the countrey thereabout was in flourishing estate the inhabitants payed yeerely vnto the Prince for tribute 100000. ducates and then this towne contained aboue sixe thousand families Trauelling that way I was most friendly entertained by a certaine Arabian and had good experience of the peoples liberality sauing that I heard of some that they were most trecherous and deceitfull Of the castle of Imegiagen THe castle of Imegiagen is built vpon the top of a certaine hil of Atlas being so fortified by naturall situation that it neither hath nor needeth any wall It standeth southward of Elgihumuha as I take it 25. miles This castle was in times past vnder the iurisdiction of the noble men of that region vntill such time as it was taken by one Homar Essuef an apostata from the Mahumetan religion as we will afterward declare The said Homar vsed such monstrous tyrannie in that place that neither children nor women big with childe could escape his crueltie insomuch that he caused the vnborne infants to bee ripped out of their mothers wombes and to be murthered This was done in the yeere of the Hegeira 900 and so that place remained destitute of inhabitants In the yeere 920. of the Hegeira the said region began to be inhabited anew howbeit now there can but one side of the mountaine onely be tilled for the plaine vnderneath is so dangerous both by reason of the daily incursions of the Arabians and also of the Portugals that no man dare trauell that way Of the towne of Tenessa VPon a certaine hill of Atlas named Ghedmin standeth a towne which was built as some report by the ancient Africans and called by the name of Tenessa being a most strong and defensible place and being distant about eight miles eastward from the riuer of Asifinuall At the foote of the said hill lieth a most excellent plaine which were it not for the lewd 〈◊〉 Arabians would yeeld an incomparable crop And because the inhabitants of Tenessa are depriued of this 〈◊〉 commoditie they till onely that ground which is vpon the side of
the mountaine and which lieth betweene the towne and the riuer Neither doe they enioy that gratis for they yeerely pay vnto the Arabians for tribute the third part of their corne Of the new towne of Delgumuha VPon the top of a certaine high mountaine was built in our time a most large and impregnable forte being enuironed on all sides with diuers other mountaines and called by the inhabitants New Delgumuha Beneath the said mountaine springeth Asifinuall which word signifieth in the African toong the riuer of rumor because that breaking foorth by the side of the hill with a monstrous noise it maketh a most deepe gulfe much like vnto that which the Italians call Inferno di Tivoli The said forte containeth almost a thousand families It was sometime gouerned by a certaine tyrant which came thither out of the king of Maroco his court Here may you finde great store of soldiers both horsemen and fooremen They gather yeerely tribute of the people bordering vpon Atlas to the summe of a thousand crownes They haue alwaies had great league and familiaritie with the Arabians each of whom haue accustomed to salute and gratifie the other with mutuall gifts for which cause they haue oftentimes much prouoked the kings of Maroco against them They haue alwaies beene great louers of ciuilitie and haue worne neat and decent apparell neither shall you find any corner in the whole towne which is not well peopled In this towne are plentie of artificers for it is but fiftie miles from the citie of Maroco Vpon the said mountaine there are great store of gardens and orchards which yeeld the inhabitants abundancè offruit yeerely They reape likewise barlie hempe and cotton and their goates are almost innumerable Likewise they haue many priests and iudges but as touching their mindes they are ignorant froward and exceedingly addicted to ielousie In this towne I aboad certaine daies with a kinsman of mine who while he dwelt at Fez being impouerished with extreme studie of Alchimie was constrained to flee vnto this towne where in processe of time he became Secretarie vnto the gouernour Of the citie of Imizmizi VPon a certaine part of Atlas standeth a citie called Imizmizi Westward it is distant from new Delgumuha about fourteene miles and this citie the Arabians are reported to haue built Neere vnto this citie lieth the common high way to Guzula ouer the mountaines of Atlas being commonly called Burris that is A way strowed with feathers because snow falles often thereupon which a man would thinke rather to be feathers then snow Not far from this towne likewise there is a very faire and large plaine which extendeth for the space of thirtie miles euen to the territorie of Maroco This most fertile plaine yeeldeth such excellent corne as to my remembrance I neuer saw the like Sauing that the Arabians and soldiers of Maroco doe so much molest the said plaine countrie that the greater part thereof is destitute of inhabitants yea I haue heard of many citizens that haue forsaken the citie it selfe thinking it better to depart then to be daily oppressed with so many inconueniences They haue very little money but the scarcitie thereof is recompenced by their abundance of good ground and their plentie of corne In the time of my aboad with them I went vnto a certaine Hermite which they called Sidi Canon which famous and woorthie man gaue me such friendly entertainment as I cannot easily expresse Of the three townes of Tumelgast THese three townes called by the name of Tumelgast are situate vpon a plaine about thirtie miles from Maroco and fourteene miles northward of Atlas being replenished with palme-trees vines and all other trees that beare fruit Their fields are very large and fertill were they not continually wasted by the lewd Arabians So few are the inhabitants of these three townes that I thinke there are not in all aboue fifteene families all which are ioined in affinitie and kinred vnto the foresaid hermite for which cause they are permitted to till some part of that plaine without paying of any tribute vnto the Arabians Saue onely that they entertaine the Arabians when they trauell that way Their lowly and base habitations a man would take rather to be hogs-cotes then dwelling places for men hence it is that they are so continually vexed with fleas gnats and other such vermine Their water is exceeding salt This prouince also I perused in the companie of my deere friend Sidi 〈◊〉 who went thither to gather vp the tribute of the countrie on the behalfe of the king of Portugall This Sidi was appointed gouernour ouer all that circuit which is called by them Azafi Of the towne of Tesrast THis towne is situate vpon the banke of the riuer Asifelmel It standeth westward of Maroco fourteen miles about twētie miles from Atlas Round about this towne they haue diuers gardens enclosures abounding with dates and corne and the chiefe part of the inhabitants earne their liuing with gardening Howbeit sometimes the increase of their riuer is so great that it drowneth all their gardens and corne-fields And they are by so much the more miserable in regard that the Arabians all summer-time doe possesse the whole region deuouring all things which the poore husbandmen by their great care and industrie had prouided With these people I made no longer tarrying but onely till I could haue well baited my horse howbeit in that short time I hardly escaped with life and goods from certain Arabian theeues A most exact description of the great and famous citie of Maroco THis noble citie of Maroco in Africa is accounted to be one of the greatest cities in the whole world It is built vpon a most large field being about fourteene miles distant from Atlas One Ioseph the sonne of Tesfin and king of the tribe or people called Luntuna is reported to haue beene the founder of this citie at that very time when he conducted his troupes into the region of Maroco and setled himselfe not farre from the common high way which stretcheth from Agmet ouer the mountaines of Atlas to those deserts where the foresaid tribe or people doe vsually inhabite Here may you behold most stately and woonderfull workmanship for all their buildings are so cunningly and artificially contriued that a man cannot easily describe the same This huge and mighty citie at such time as it was gouerned by Hali the sonne of king Ioseph contained moe then 100000. families It had fower and twenty gates belonging thereto and a wall of great strength and thicknes which was built of white stone and lime From this citie the riuer of Tensift lieth about sixe miles distant Here may you behold great abundance of temples of colleges of bath-stoues and of innes all framed after the fashion and custome of that region Some were built by the king of the tribe of Luntuna and others by Elmunchidin his successor but the most curious and magnificent temple of all is that
christall water falling into a cesterne within the porch at each corner of the saide porch standeth the image of a leopard framed of white marble which is naturally adorned with certaine blacke spots this kinde of particoloured marble is no where to be founde but onely in a certaine place of Atlas which is about an hundreth fiftie miles distant from Maroco Not farre from the garden stands a certaine woode or parke walled round about And here I thinke no kinde of wilde beasts are wanting for heere you may behold elephants lions stagges roes and such like howbeit the lions are separated in a certaine place from other beasts which place euen to this day is called The lions den Wherefore such monuments of antiquity as are yet extant in Maroco albeit they are but few do not withstanding sufficiently argue what a noble citie it was in the time of Mansor At this present al the courts and lodgings before described lie vtterly voide and desolate except perhaps some of the kings ostlery which tend his mules and horses do lie in that court which we saide euen now was to lodge archers and crossebowe-men all the residue are left for the fowles of the aire to nestle in That garden which you might haue named a paradise in olde time is now become a place where the filth and dung of the whole citie is cast foorth Where the faire and stately librarie was of old at this present there is nothing else to be founde but hens dooues and other such like foules which builde their nests there Certaine it is that the foresaid Mansor whom we haue so often mentioned was a most puissant and mightie prince for it is well knowen that his dominion stretched from the towne of Messa to the kingdome of Tripolis in Barbary which is the most excellent region of Africa and so large that a man can hardly trauell the length therof in fourescore ten daies or the bredth in fifteene This Mansor likewise was in times past Lord of all the kingdome of Granada in Spaine Yea his dominion in Spaine extended from Tariffa to Aragon ouer a great part of Castilia and of Portugall Neither did this Iacob surnamed Mansor only possesse the foresaid dominiōs but also his grandfather Abdul Mumen his father Ioseph his sonne Mahumet Enasir who being vanquished in the kingdome of Valençia lost 60000. soldiers horsemen footemen howbeit himselfe escaped returned to Maroco The Christians being encouraged with this victorie refrained not from warre till within 30. yeeres space they had woon all the townes following to wit Valençia Denia Alcauro Murcia Cartagena Cordoua Siuillia Iaen and Vbeda After which vnhappie warre succeeded the decay of Maroco The said Mahumet deceasing left behinde him ten sonnes of a full and perfect age who contended much about the kingdome Hereupon it came to passe while the brethren were at discord and assailed each other with mutuall warres that the people of Fez called Marini and the inhabitants of other regions adiacent began to vsurpe the gouernment The people called Habdulvad enioyed Tremizen expelling the king of Tunis and ordaining some other whom they pleased in his stead Now haue you heard the end of Mansor his progenie and successors The kingdome therefore was translated vnto one Iacob the sonne of Habdulach who was the first king of the familie called Marin And at length the famous citie of Maroco it selfe by reason of the Arabians continuall outrages fell into most extreme calamitie so great is the inconstancie of all earthly things That which we haue here reported as touching Maroco partly we saw with our owne eies partly we read in the historie of one Ibnu 〈◊〉 Malich a most exact chronicler of the affaires of Maroco and partly we borrowed out of that treatise which our selues haue written concerning the law of Mahumet Of the towne of Agmet THE towne of Agmet built of old by the Africans vpon the top of a certaine hill which beginneth almost from Atlas is distant from Maroco about fower and twentie miles In times past when Muachidin was prince thereof it contained moe then sixe thousand families at what time the people were very ciuill and had such plentie and magnificence of all things that many would not sticke to compare this towne with the citie of Maroco It had on all sides most 〈◊〉 gardens and great store of vines whereof 〈◊〉 grew vpon the mountaine it selfe and others on the valley By the foote of this hill runneth a faire riuer which springing foorth of Atlas falleth at length into Tensift The field which lieth neere vnto this riuer is said to be so fruitfull that it yeeldeth euery yeere fiftie fold encrease The water of this riuer looketh alwaies white albeit if a man stedfastly behold the said riuer it may seeme vnto him in colour to resemble the soile of Narnia or the riuer Niger of Vmbria in Italie And 〈◊〉 there are which affirme that the very same riuer runneth vnder ground to Maroco and not to breake foorth of the earth till it come to a certaine place very neere vnto the said citie 〈◊〉 princes in times past being desirous to know the hidden and intricate passages of the said riuer sent certaine persons into the hollow caue who the better to discerne the same carried candles and torches with them But hauing proceeded a little way vnder ground there met them such a flaw of winde that blew out their lights and perforce draue them backe to the great hazard of their liues so that they said they neuer felt the like They affirme likewise that the riuer being full of rocks which the water driueth to and fro and by reason of the manifold chanels and streames their passage was altogether hindred Wherefore that secret remaineth vnknowne euen till this day neither is there any man so hardie as to attempt the same enterprise againe I remember that I read in some histories that king Ioseph which built Maroco being forewarned by the coniecture of a certaine astrologer that the whole region should perpetually be vexed with warre prouided by arte-magique that the passage of this riuer should alwaies bee vnknowen least if any enimie should afterward practise 〈◊〉 he might cut off the course thereof from the saide citie Neere vnto this riuer lies the common high way which crosseth ouer mount Atlas to Guzula aregion of Maroco Howbeit the citie of Agmet which I haue now described vnto you hath at this day no other inhabitants but woolues foxes deere and such other wilde beasts Except onely at my being there I found a certaine Hermite who was attended vpon by an hundred persons of his owne sect all of them were well-horsed and did their best endeuour to become gouernours and commanders but their forces were insufficient With this Hermite I staide as I remember for the space of tenne daies and founde one amongst his followers with whom I had old 〈◊〉 and familiaritie
proffered me not one farthing for my paines wherefore all the said gifts I bequeathed vnto mine oste for his woorthie entertaining of me And this was all the notable reward which I reaped in regarde of so great and intolerable paines All things being thus dispatched they sent fiftie horsemen to accompanie and guard me from theeues in that dangerous way Of the mountaine called Seusaua THis mountaine of Seusaua taketh his beginning where Semede endeth out of which springeth a certaine riuer hauing one name with the said mountaine from whence it proceedeth Neuer were the tops of this mountaine seene destitute of snowe The inhabitants leade a brutish and sauage life waging continuall warre with their next neighbours for which purpose they vse neither swords iauelins nor any other warlike instruments but onely certaine slings out of which they discharge stones after a strange and woonderfull manner Their victuals consist of barlie honie and goates-flesh In the same mountaine great multitudes of Iewes exercising handy-craftes doe inhabite likewise they make sope yron-hookes and horse-shooes Diuers masons are here to be found also They build their walles of no other matter but onely of rough stone and lime and the roofes of their houses they vse to couer with thatch neither haue they any other kind of lime or bricks They haue among them also abundance of learned men of skilful lawyers whose counsell they vse at all times Among whom I found some who had heretofore beene my fellow-students at Fez and for our old acquaintance sake gaue me most courteous entertainment and to the end I might escape the danger of theeues they conducted me a good part of my way Of the mountaine called Sesiua VPon this most lofty and cold mountaine there is nothing almost to be found but continuall snowe and woods The inhabitants weare white caps and the region in all places is full of springs and fountaines Out of the said mountaine springeth a riuer which in the discourse before-going we called Asifinuall All ouer this mountaine are most deepe and hollow caues wherein euerie yeere for the three cold moneths of Nouember Ianuarie and Februarie they vsually winter their cattell laying vp so much fodder namely hay and the leaues of certaine trees as they thinke will suffice them Most of their victuals are brought vnto them from the next mountaines because their owne soyle yeeldeth no come at all onely in the spring time and in sommer they haue good plentie of new cheese and butter Their old age they beare most lustily and stoutly sometime at ninetie and sometime at an hundred yeeres They giue attendance to their cattell all their life long neither doe they at any time or seldome see any strangers They weare no shooes at all but certaine sandals only to defend the soles of their feete and their legs they wrap in a certaine piece of cloath or list insteed of an hose to keepe themselues from the iniurie of the snow Of the mountaine called 〈◊〉 THis high and cold mountaine hath verie many inhabitants vpon the top whereof standeth a towne which is called by the name of the mountaine it selfe In this towne are great store of dwellers and a most stately and beautifull temple It hath likewise a most pleasant and 〈◊〉 riuer This towne is adorned with the monuments of Elmahdi who was in times past a most learned Mahumetan priest and of Abdul Mumen his disciple And albeit the inhabitants are accounted heretiques by all other Mahumetans yet is there no kinde of learning which they will not arrogate vnto themselues because perhaps they are well read in the workes of Elmahdi who was notwithstanding the ringleader of all the saide heretiques so that if any stranger come among them they presently chalenge him to dispute in matters of learning In their apparell they goe verie ragged and beggerly by reason that they haue no taylors in the whole towne Their common-wealth is gouerned after a wilde and sauage manner albeit they haue a certaine priest which vseth all the policie and meanes he can to bring it into good order Their victuals are barley-bread and oyle of oliues likewise they haue great store of nuts and of pine-trees Of the mountaine called Gedmeua GEdmeua beginneth at the West frontier of the foresaide mountaine of Semede and stretcheth Eastward almost fiue and twentie miles extending vnto the border of Mizmizi All the inhabitants are rude miserable and hunger-starued people being subiect to the Arabians for that they border vpon those fields which adioine vpon the mountaine of Temnella This hill of Gedmeua aboundeth with oliues barley wood and fountaines Of the mountaine called Hanteta NEuer did I see to my remembrance an higher mountaine then that which the Africans call Hanteta Westward it beginneth from Gedmeua and stretcheth fiue and fortie miles Eastward to the mountaine of Adimmei beforenamed The inhabitants are valiant and rich hauing great store of horses Heere likewise standeth a most strong and impregnable castle subiect vnto a certaine nobleman which is reported to be of alliance vnto the prince of Maroco howbeit they are at continuall warre for certaine landes situate within their dominions Many Iewes exercising diuers handie-crafts doe here inhabite and do yeerely pay vnto the gouernour of this mountaine great summes of money As concerning religion they follow them especially which are called Carrain The top of this mountaine is continually couered with snow When I first beheld this mountaine I thought it had bin clouds so great is the height therof The sides of this mountaine being altogether destitute of herbes and trees are in many places stored with excellent white marble which the people might dig and make a good commoditie thereof were they not so sluggish and so ignorant in hewing and polishing of the fame In this place are many pillars and arches which were most artificially and sumptuously built by those mightie princes whom we haue often before made mention of which pillers they would haue vsed for the building of water-conduits had they not beene hindred by the violence of warres To be briefe in the said mountaine I saw many notable things whereof I will here make no discourse at all partly because they are out of my remembrance and partly for auoiding tediousnes to the reader because I haue determined to passe ouer these small matters and to proceede vnto greater Of the mountaine called Adimmei FRom Hanteta beginneth another huge and high mountaine called by the inhabitants Adimmei extending eastward to the riuer of Teseut Vpon this mountaine standeth that citie the prince whereof as we said before was slaine in battell against the king of Fez. This mountaine is well stored with inhabitants and aboundeth with woods which bring foorth acornes oliues and quinces The people heere inhabiting are most valiant possessing beasts and cattell of all sorts their ayre being verie temperate and their soile exceeding fruitfull Springs they haue great plentie and also two riuers issuing foorth of the said mountaine
king of Maroco and vnto the Seriffo that the king of Fez his brother was presently to depart vnto Duccala for which cause they were requested to prouide soldiers for the better resistance of the Portugals armie Of the citie of Azamur AZamur a towne of Duccala was built by the Africans vpon that part of the Oceā sea shore where the riuer of Ommirabih disemboqueth being distant from Elmadina southward about thirtie miles Very large it is and well inhabited and containeth to the number of fiue thousand families Here doe the Portugall merchants continually reside The inhabitants are very ciuill and decently apparelled And albeit they are diuided into two parts yet haue they continuall peace among themselues Pulse and corne they haue great plentie though their gardens and orchards bring foorth nought else but figs. They haue such plentie of fishes that they receiue yeerely for them sometime sixe thousand and sometime seuen thousand duckats And their time of fishing dureth from October to the end of Aprill They vse to frie fishes in a certaine pan with oile whereby they gather an incredible quantitie of trane neither vse they any other oile to put into their lampes Once a yeere the Portugals make a voiage hither and doe carrie away so great abundance of fish that they onely doe disburse the summe of duckats aforesaid Hence it is that the king of Portugal being allured for gaine hath often sent most warlike fleetes to surprise this towne the first whereof in regarde of the Generals indiscretion was the greatest part dispersed and sunke vpon the sea Afterward the king sent another nauie of two hundred saile well furnished at the very sight whereof the citizens were so discomfited that they all betooke themselues to flight and the throng was so great at their entrance of the gates that moe then fowerscore citizens were slaine therein Yea a certaine prince which came to aide them was for his safetie constrained to let himselfe downe by a rope on the farther side of the citie The inhabitants were presently dispersed hither and thither some fleeing on horse-backe and others on foote Neither could you I know haue refrained from teares had you seene the weake women the silly old men and the tender children run away bare-footed and forlorne But before the Christians gaue any assault the Iewes which shortly after compounded with the king of Portugall to yeeld the citie to him on condition that they shoulde sustaine no iniurie with a generall consent opened the gates vnto them and so the Christians obtained the citie and the people went to dwell part of them to Sala and part to Fez. Neither doe I thinke that God for any other cause brought this calamitie vpon them but onely for the horrible vice of Sodomie whereunto the greatest part of the citizens were so notoriously addicted that they could scarce see any young stripling who escaped their lust Of the towne called Meramei THis towne was built by the Gothes vpon a plaine almost fourteene miles distant from Azafi and it containeth to the number of fower hundred families the soile thereabout aboundeth greatly with oliues and corne It was gouerned in times past by the prince of Azafi but afterward being surprised by the Portugals and the inhabitants being all put to flight it remained well nigh one whole yeere destitute of people Howbeit soone after making a league with the Portugals each man retired vnto his owne home And now I thinke it not amisse to report as concerning the mountaines of Duccala those things which may seeme woorthie of memorie Of the mountaine called Benimegher BEnimegher is distant from Azafi about twelue miles containing diuers artizans of all sortes euery one of which hath an house at Azafi This mountaine is so exceeding fruitful for oile and corne that a man would scarce beleeue it It was once in subiection vnto the prince of Azafi but the inhabitants of Azafi being put to flight as hath beene aforesaid had no other place for their refuge but onely this mountaine of Benimegher Afterward they paid tribute for certaine yeeres vnto the Portugals but when the king of Fez came thither with his army he caried with him part of them vnto Fez and the residue returned to Azafi for they were determined rather to indure any iniurie then to submit themselues to the Christians gouernment Of the greene mountaine THis mountaine is of an exceeding height beginning eastward from the riuer of Ommirabih and extending westward to the hils called in their language Hasara and it diuideth Duccala from some part of Tedles Likewise this mountaine is very rough and full of woods affoording great store of acornes and pine-apples and a certaine kinde of red fruit which the Italians commonly call Africano Many Hermites also doe inhabite vpon this mountaine liuing with no other kind of victuals but such as the woods yeeld vnto them For they are aboue fiue and twenty 〈◊〉 distant from all townes and cities Here are great store of fountaines and of altars built after the Mahumetan fashion and many auncient houses also erected by the Africans At the foot of this mountaine there is a notable lake very like vnto the lake of Bolsena in the Roman territorie In which lake are found infinite numbers of fishes as namely eeles pickrels and of diuers other sorts which to my remembrance I neuer saw in Italie but there is no man that goeth about to take any fish in this lake no maruell therefore though the number be so great Vpon a certaine time when Mahumet the king of Fez trauelled that way towards the kingdome of Maroco he encamped his armie eight daies vpon the side of this lake Some of his companie he licenced to fish the same amongst whom I saw certaine that tooke off their shirts and coats sowing vp their sleeues and collars and putting certaine hoops within them to keepe them from closing together and so vsed them in steed of nets wherewith notwithstanding they caught many thousand fishes but others which had nets indeed got more then they And all by reason that the fishes as we will now declare were perforce driuen into the nets For king Mahumet being there accompanied with fourteene thousand Arabian horsemen which brought a great many more camels with them and hauing fiue thousand horsemen vnder the conduct of his brother with an huge armie of fooremen caused them all at once to enter the lake insomuch that there was scarce water ynough to satisfie the camels thirst wherefore it was no maruell though the fishes came so fast into the nets Vpon the banks of this lake are many trees bearing leaues like vnto pine-leaues among the boughes whereof such abundance of turtles doe nestle that the inhabitants reape woonderfull commoditie by them Mahumet hauing refreshed himselfe eight daies by the foresaid lake was then desirous to view The greene mountaine aforesaid my selfe with a great number of courtiers and learned men attending vpon him So often as he
but whereupon this dissension of theirs should arise I cannot well determine Their gentlemens wiues neuer goe foorth of the doores but onely in the night season and then also they must be so vailed and muffeled that no man may see them so great is the ielousie of this people This towne is so durtie in the spring-time that it would irke a man to walke the streetes Of a towne called Gemiha Elchmen THis ancient towne standeth on a plaine neere vnto certaine baths being distant southward of Mecnase fifteene miles westard of Fez thirtie and from Atlas about ten miles By this towne lieth the common high way from Fez to Tedle The fielde of this towne was possessed by certaine Arabians and the towne it selfe vtterly destroied in the war of Sahid Howbeit in certaine places the walles are yet remaining and diuers towers and temples standing without roofes Of the towne called Cannis Metgara THis towne was built by certaine Africans in the field of Zuaga almost fifteene miles westward from Fez. Without this towne for two miles together were most pleasant and fruitfull gardens but by the cruell warre of Sahid all was laide waste and the place it selfe remained void of inhabitauts an hundred and twenty yeeres Howbeit when part of the people of Granada came ouer into Africa this region began to be inhabited anew And whereas the Granatines are great merchants of silke they caused for the breeding of silkewormes great store of white mulberrie trees to be brought hither Here likewise they planted abundance of sugar-canes which prosper not so well in this place as in the prouince of Andaluzia In times past the inhabitants of this place were very ciuill people but in our time they haue not beene so by reason that all of them exercise husbandrie Of the towne of Banibasil THis towne was built by the Africans vpon a certaine small riuer iust in the mid way betweene Mecnase and Fez being distant from Fez about eighteene miles westward Out of their fields many riuers take their originall which fieldes are by the Arabians sowen all ouer with barlie and hempe neither indeed will the soile yeeld any other commoditie both by reason of the barrennes and also for that it is for the most part ouerflowed with water Whatsoeuer commoditie ariseth out of this place redoundeth to the priestes of the principall Mahumetan temple in Fez and it amounteth almost yeerely to twenty thousand duckats Here also in times past were most large pleasant and fruitfull gardens as appeereth by the monuments and reliques thereof howbeit they were like other places laide waste by the war of Sahid The towne it selfe remained destitute of inhabitants an hundred and ten yeeres but as the king of Fez returned home from Duccala he commanded part of his people to inhabite the same albeit their inciuilitie made them loth so to doe Of Fez the principall citie of all Barbarie and of the founders thereof FEz was built in the time of one Aron a Mahumetan patriarke in the yeere of the Hegeira 185. and in the yeere of our Lord 786. by a certaine heretike against the religion of Mahumet But why it should so be called some are of opinion because when the first foundations thereof were digged there was found some quantitie of golde which mettall in the Arabian language is called Fez. Which etymologie seemeth to me not improbable albeit some would haue it so called from a certaine riuer of that name But howsoeuer it be we leaue that to be discussed by others affirming for an vndoubted truth that the founder of this citie was one Idris being the foresaid Aron his neere kinsman This Idris ought rather to haue beene Mahumetan patriarke because he was nephew vnto Hali the cozen-german of Mahumet who married Falerna Mahumets owne daughter so that Idris both by father and mother was of Mahumets linage but Aron being nephew vnto one Habbus the vncle of Mahumet was of kinred onely by the fathers side Howbeit both of them were excluded from the said patriarkship for certaine causes mentioned in the African chronicles although Aron vsurped the same by deceit For Arons vncle being a most cunning and craftie man and faining himselfe to beare greatest fauour vnto the familie of Hali and to bee most desirous that the patriarkship should light thereon sent his ambassadours almost throughout the whole world Whereupon the dignitie was translated from Vmeve to Habdulla Seffec the first patriarke Which Vmeve being informed of waged warre against the familie of Hali and so preuailed that some of them he chased into Asia and some into India Howbeit an ancient religious man of the same familie remained still aliue at Elmadina who being very olde no whit regarded the dignitie But this ancient sire left behinde him two sonnes who when they were come to mans estate grew into so great fauour with the people of Elmadin that they were chased thence by their enemies the one being taken hanged and the other whose name was Idris escaping into Mauritania This Idris dwelling vpon mount Zaron about thirtie miles from Fez gouerned not onely the commonwealth but matters of religion also and all the region adiacent paid him tribute At length Idris deceasing without lawfull issue left one of his maides big with childe which had beene turned from the Gothes religion to the Moores Being deliuered of her sonne they called him after his fathers name Idris This childe the inhabitants chusing for their prince caused him to be most carefully brought vp and as he grew in yeeres to the end they might traine him vp in feates of chiualrie they appointed one Rasid a most valiant and skilfull captaine to instruct him Insomuch that while he was but fifteene yeeres of age he grew famous for his valiant actes and stratagems and began woonderfully to inlarge his dominions Wherefore his troupes and familie increasing euery day more and more he set his minde vpon building of a citie and changing of his habitation And so he sent for cunning builders into all nations who hauing diligently perused all places in the region at last made choise of that where the citie of Fez now standeth For here they found great store of fountaines and a faire riuer which springing foorth of a plaine not far of runneth pleasantly almost eight miles amidst the little hils till at length it casteth itselfe vpon another plaine Southward of the place they found a wood which they knew would be right commodious for the towne Here therefore vpon the east banke of the said riuer they built a towne containing three thousand families neither omitted they ought at al which might be required in a flourishing commonwealth After the decease of Idris his sonne erected another towne directly ouer against the foresaid on the other side of the riuer But in processe of time either towne so encreased that there was but a small distance betweene them for the gouernours of each laboured might and maine to augment their owne
owne religion This Geber his works and all his precepts are full of allegories or darke borrowed speeches Likewise they haue another author that wrote an huge volume of the same arte intituled by the name of Attogrehi this man was secretarie vnto the Soldan of Bagaded of whom we haue written in the liues of the Arabian philosophers Also the songs or articles of the said science were written by one Mugairibi of Granada whereupon a most learned Mamaluch of Damasco wrote a commentarie yet so that a man may much more easily vnderstand the text then the exposition thereof Of Alchymistes here are two sorts whereof the one seeke for the Elissir that is the matter which coloureth brasse and other metals and the other are conuersant about multiplication of the quantities of metals whereby they may conueniently temper the same But their chiefest drift is to coine counterfeit money for which cause you shall see most of them in Fez with their hands cut off Of charmers andinchanters of snakes IN this citie likewise there is a great swarme of base people such as the Italians commonly call Ciurmatori these sing foolish songs and rimes in all the streets of the citie and broching meere trifles with the musicke of drums harpes and citterns they sell vnto the rude people certaine scroules or briefe charmes instead of preseruatiues Vnto these you may adde another kinde of reffuse people of one family and disposition with the former who carrie dauncing apes vp and downe and haue their neckes and armes all entwined with 〈◊〉 snakes These also professe Geomancie and perswade women that they can foretell them their 〈◊〉 Likewise they carrie stone-horses about with them which for a certaine fee they will let others haue to couer their mares I coulde heere reckon vp more sorts of people but let it suffice to haue admonished in this place that the greatest part of the forenamed are people of most base condition and such as beare little good will to strangers albeit there are but a fewe in this citie by reason it is distant more then an hundreth miles from the sea the way thither also being rough and dangerous Their gentle men are very stately and high minded and will haue little or no familiaritie at all with the citizens so likewise the doctors and iudges of principall account will admit but fewe vnto their acquaintance This citie it selfe is most beautifull and right commodiously situate where albeit in winter time the streetes are so mirie that you cannot walke in them without startups yet they let passe such abundance of water out of their conducts that all the filth is washed cleane away Where conducts are wanting they carry all the durt in carts vnto the next part of the riuer A description of the suburbes without the foresaid citie of Fez. WIthout the wals of this citie westward standeth a suburbe containing almost fiue hundreth families the houses whereof are but meane and the inhabitants base as namely driuers of camels water-bearers and cleauers of woode for the kings pallace Yet here you may finde diuers shops and all kinds of artificers Here likewise dwell all the charmers and roguish minstrels before named as also great swarmes of sluttish and filthie harlots In the principall streete of this suburbe you shall finde certaine caues most artificially hewen out of excellent marble wherein the noble men of Fez were woont to lay vp their corne but after that by reason of the warres it was often taken from thence they haue since vsually conueied their corne into new Fez and there stored it vp and from that time to this the marble-caues haue remained desolate It is a woonder to see howe wide and large these caues are for the least of them will containe more then a thousand measures of corne there being aboue an hundreth and fiftie of them in all but now they lie waste and open insomuch that diuers fall into them at vnawares for which cause their brimmes are enuironed with wals Here euery one may play the vintener and the baud so that this suburbe may iustly be called the sinke of Fez. From the twentith hower you shall see none at all in their shops for then euery man runs to the tauerne to disport to spend riotously and to bee drunken Another suburbe there is allotted vnto the lepers of whom there are two hundreth families these leprous persons haue a gouernour which gathereth certaine yeerely reuenues from the noble-men and taketh such care of the saide lepers that they want no necessarie thing He is bound by his office to discharge the citie of all leprous persons and to compell all such as he vnderstandes to be infected with that disease to depart into the foresaide suburbes If any leper chanceth to die without issue part of his goods are emploied to the common benefite of the lepers and part fall to the gouernours share but if he hath any children they enioy his goods Among the lepers also those are placed which are infected with white botches or with any other incurable maladie Next beyond standeth another suburbe inhabited onely with muleters plaisterers and wood-mongers which although it be but little yet containeth it about an hundreth and fiftie families Moreouer vpon the way leading westward from the citie there is another great suburbe of moe then fower hundreth houses howbeit they are low base and the inhabitants are beggerly which neither can nor will dwell among any other people By this suburbe there is a certaine broad plaine which leadeth to the riuer two miles off and extendeth westward almost three miles Vpon this plaine euery weeke there is an exceeding great market of cattell Likewise the shopkeepers of the citie resort hither and sell their wares in tents Also a certaine companie of gentlemen vse to come hither and to diuide a ramme among themselues leauing the head vnto the butcher for his fee but the feete and the skin they sell vnto the wooll-chapmen For those wares that are heere sold they pay so little tribute to the king that it is not woorth the mentioning But this one thing I must in no wise passe ouer in silence namely that I neuer sawe neither in Asia Africa nor Italy a market either more populous or better furnished with wares Not farre from Fez stand certaine high rockes enuironed with a ditch of two miles compasse out of which rockes certaine matter is hewed to make lime withall Neere vnto the saide ditch are many furnaces some whereof are so large that they will containe moe then sixe thousand measures of lime and this lime is made at the costes of the richest citizens in Fez. Westward without the wals of Fez by the riuers side stande about an hundred cottages which are onely inhabited by them that white linnen cloth Hither in the spring and in summer vse the citizens to bring their linnen cloth spreading it vpon the medowes and as often as they see it drie in the sunne casting
water thereupon which water they fetch either out of the riuer or out of some cesterne in certaine lether tankards made for the same purpose but at night each one carrieth his cloth into the foresaid cottages Neither are the medowes wherein they bleach their cloth euer destitute of grasse A most gallant prospect it is to beholde a farre off the white clothes dispersed ouer the greene medow and the christall streames of the riuer which seeme to be of an azure hue running along all which the Poets haue celebrated in their verses A description of the common place of buriall without the citie MAny fieldes there are without the citie which haue been giuen by certaine noblemen for the buriall of the dead Vpon their sepulchers for the most part they lay a long three-square stone When any noble man or any principall citizen deceaseth they lay one stone ouer his head and another ouer his feete whereon vseth to bee engrauen some epitaph with the day and yeere when the partie deceased I my selfe bestowed much labour in gathering of epitaphes which I sawe both about Fez and in other places of Barbary all which being set downe in a booke I gaue vnto the kings brother The matter of their epitaphes is diuers some tending to consolation and others to sorrow Of the sepulchres of the kings of Fez. NOrthward of the citie vpon a certaine high hill stands a palace wherein are the monuments of diuers Marin kings being most artificially hewen out of marble with epitaphes vpon them so that I cannot condignely expresse the maiestie and beautie thereof A description of their gardens WIthout the north east and south parts of the citie are great store of gardens replenished with all kinde of fruite and with stately trees Through the midst of these garden̄s they deriue some small vaine of the riuer some whereof are so full of trees that you woulde take them for groues rather then for gardens These gardens they manure not at all but only water them continually in the moneth of May whereupon they haue great abundance of fruit All their fruits saue their peaches onely are of a most delicate taste whereof so soone as they are ripe aboue fiue hundreth cart-loades are daily carried into the market besides grapes which here I do not mention But the saide fruits are carried vnto a certaine place in Fez where tribute being paide for them they are solde by criers vnto the fruiterers there present In the same place likewise after paying of tribute they sell certaine Negro-slaues Towards the east of Fez lieth a plaine fifteene miles broad and thirtie miles long this plaine is full of fountaines and freshets and is reserued for the vse of the great temple It is farmed out vnto gardiners who sowe thereupon such abundance of hemp melons turneps or nauewes radish and other such like rootes and herbes that euery summer there are saide to be gathered thereof aboue fifteene thousand cart-loads and as many in winter Howbeit the aire is verie vnholsome thereabout for the inhabitants are continually vexed with feuers and are of a yellowish colour Of that part of Fez which is called new Fez. NEW Fez beeing enuironed with an high and impregnable wall and situate on a most beautifull plaine not farre from the riuers side is almost a mile distant from old Fez and that vpon the east and south side thereof Betweene the wals of either towne to the northward entereth a certaine arme of the riuer where the foresaid milles do stande and the other part of the riuer is seuered into two branches one whereof runneth betweene new Fez and old Fez not farre from the edge of the rocke and the other passing through certaine vallies and gardens trendeth at length southward The other part of the riuer holdeth on his course by the rocke and so by the college of king Abutiman This citie of new Fez Iacob the sonne of Abdultach caused to 〈◊〉 built who was the first king of the Marin family and expelled the kings of Maroco and vsurped the kingdome vnto himselfe but the king of Telensin to the end he might make the people of Maroco beholding vnto him and might subuert the prosperous successe of the Marin family went about to hinder the king of Fez his attempts against Maroco wherefore king Iacob hauing finished the wars of Maroco determined to reuenge himselfe to the vttermost for the iniuries offered by them of Telensin But considering with himselfe that the strong townes of his owne kingdome were farre distant from Telensin he thought it a better course to builde this citie whereunto the seate roiall of all Maroco might be translated which being erected he called The white citie but it was afterward named by the inhabitants new Fez. This citie king Iacob the founder diuided into three parts whereof the first contained his roiall pallace and diuers noble mens houses vnto euery one of which he allotted a most pleasant garden Not farre from his pallace he built a most stately and sumptuous temple In another part of this citie he built a large and faire stable for the kings horses to stande in Then also he caused other palaces to be erected for his captaines and principall courtiers From the west gate to the east he appointed the market place the distance betweene which gates is a mile and an halfe and on both sides he placed artificers and merchants shops At the west gate he caused a faire portall to be set vp to harbour the watchmen and warders of the citie Not far from thence he erected two stables sufficient to containe three hundreth horses which he might vse for the protection of his owne palace The third part of the citie was appointed for the kinges guarde and attendants which were most of them borne eastwarde of Fez neither had they any other weapons but hand-bowes for crosse-bowes were not then vsed in that kingdome vnto which attendants the king allowed a large stipend but now the same place is full of beautifull temples and stoues Neere vnto the kings palace standes the mint hauing in the midst a fower-square court with certaine portals or cels rounde about it wherein the money-minters dwell Likewise there is another lodging in the midst of the same court where the gouernor of the mint with his scribes and notaries haue their aboad Here as well as in any other places whatsoeuer commoditie is raised redoundeth wholy to the king Neere vnto the mint stande the gold-smiths shops whose Consul or gouernour keepes the seale and stamps of the coine In Fez neither ring nor any other Iewell or commoditie can bee made of siluer or golde before the metall bee sealed for the offenders are most seuerely punished And the metall being sealed whatsoeuer is made thereof is weighed as if it were money The greatest part of goldsmiths dwelling in new Fez are Iewes who carrie their vessels of gold and siluer vnto a certaine place of old Fez neere vnto the grocers shops and
nothing but water in the said fountaines they returned backe againe the same way that they came and they had scarce gone halfe way but their other light also was blowen out with a sudden blast Afterward seeking earnestly vp and downe and being wearie of manie falles that they caught among the rockes they found that there was no hope of returne wherefore in this desperate case committing themselues with teares into the hands of God they vowed if they 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 this danger neuer to aduenture any more They that stood at the 〈◊〉 mouth being ignorant of their companions mishappe expected their 〈◊〉 and hauing staide ouer long at length they let downe themselues by the rope and began with lights to seeke their fellowes making a great noise and at length found them heauie and sad But the third who was wandring vp and downe those darke places they could by no meanes finde wherefore leauing him they returned foorth of the caue And he that was left behinde heard at length a noise like the barking of little dogs and shaping his course toward them he found immediately fower strange and as it should seeme new-borne beasts after which followed the damme being not much vnlike to a shee-woolfe sauing that she was bigger wherefore he began exceedingly to feare howbeit there was no danger for being about to flee the beast came towards him fawning gently vpon him with her taile And so at length after long seeking he found the holes mouth with great ioy and escaped the danger For within a while he saide that he began to see some glimmering of light as they do which haue long bin in the darke But after a certaine time this caue was filled with water vp to the top Of the mountaine of rauens called Cunaigel Gherben THis mountaine standeth verie neere the former and is full of woods and lions Here is no citie nor any other place of habitation perhaps by reason of the extreme coldnes of the place From this mountaine runneth a certaine little riuer and here is a rocke of an exceeding height whereupon keepe infinit swarmes of crowes and rauens which some thinke to haue beene the occasion of the name of this mountaine Sometime the terrible northerly windes bring such abundance of snow vpon this mountaine that such as trauell from Numidia towards Fez loose their liues thereby as hath beene signified in the first booke Euerie sommer the Arabians next inhabiting beeing called Beni Essen vsually resort vnto this mountaine in regard of the coole water and pleasant shadowes notwithstanding they knowe it to be haunted with great store of lions and leopards Of the towne of Tezerghe THis little towne was by the Africans built in manner of a fort vpon the side of a small riuer which runneth by the foote of the foresaid mountaine both the inhabitants and their houses are most base and destitute of all ciuilitie Their fields being enuironed with the mountaines adioyning bring foorth some small quantitie of barley and peaches The inhabitants are all subiect vnto certaine Arabians called Deuil Chusein Of the towne called Vmen Giunaibe THis auncient towne beeing destroyed by the Arabians was situate about twelue miles from Tezerghe vpon the south side of Atlas It is so dangerous a place by reason of the often inuasions of certaine Arabians that none almost dare trauell that way There lyeth a way neere this towne which a man may not passe without dauncing and leaping vnlesse he will fall into an ague the certaintie where of I haue heard many auouch Of mount Beni Merasen THe inhabitants of this exceeding high and colde mountaine haue great plentie of horses and asses here are store of mules likewise which carie wares vp and downe without either bridle or saddle Their houses are built not with walles of stone but of rushes The people are very rich and pay no tribute to the king perhaps in regard of the strong situation of their mountaine Of mount Mesettaza THis mountaine extendeth in length from east to west almost thirtie miles and twelue miles in bredth The west part thereof adioineth vpon the plaine of Edecsen which bordereth vpon Temesna It is like vnto the foresaid mountaine both in regard of the inhabitants and also for plentie of horses and mules At Fez there are great store of learned men which were borne in this mountaine they pay no tribute at all but onely send the king such gifts as themselues please Of the mountaines of Ziz. THese mountaines are thought to haue borrowed their name from a certaine riuer springing out of them Eastward they begin at Mesettaza and extend westward to the mountaines of Tedla and Dedis southward they border vpon that part of Numidia which is called Segelmesse and northward vpon the plaines of 〈◊〉 and Guregra in length they containe an hundred and in bredth almost fortie miles in number they are fifteene being extremely cold and difficult to ascend and sending foorth many streames of water The inhabitants are called Sanaga and are men most patient of all boisterous and cold weather They weare but one coate at all seasons of the yeere ouer which they cast a kinde of cloke or mantle their legs and 〈◊〉 they wrap in certaine clothes as it were in swathing bands and they goe at all times bare-headed In this mountaine are great store of mules asses and other cattell but very few deserts The inhabitants are a most lewd and villanous generation being wholy addicted to theft and robberie They are at continuall dissension with the Arabians and practise daily mischiefes and inconueniences against them and to the end they may prouoke them to greater furie they will sometimes throwe their camels downe headlong from the top of some high mountaine In these mountains there happeneth a certaine strange and incredible matter for there are serpents so familiar with men that at dinner-time they wil come like dogs cats and gather vp the crums vnder the table neither wil they hurt any body vnlesse they be offered some iniurie The walles of their houses are made of chalke and the roofes are couered with thatch There are also another kinde of inhabitants in these mountaines who possesse more droues of cattell then the former and dwell for the most part in cottages made of rushes And these carrie vnto Segelmese butter and wool to be sold but at that time only when the Arabians inhabite the deserts for it often falleth out that they are encoūtred by them spoiled of their goods These people are most valiant warriours for they will fight euen to the last gaspe rather then be taken of their enemies they carrie fower or fiue iauelins about with them wherewith they know right well how to defend themselues from the enemie They fight alwaies on foote neither can they be vanquished but with a great number of horsemen and they vse to carrie swords and daggers with them also In my time they obtained safe conduct of the Arabians and the Arabians of
almost an hundred yeers after which time it was reinhabited by certaine people of Granada which came thither with Mansor which Mansor repaired the towne to the end it might alwaies be a place of refuge for his soldiers After whose decease and the death of his sonne Mudaffir all the soldiers were expelled by the tribes or people of Zanhagia and Magraoa and this second desolation of that towne happened in the yeere of the Hegeira 410. Of the great citie of Telensin other wise called Tremizen TElensin is a great citie and the royall seate of the king but who were the first founders thereof it is vncertaine howbeit most certaine it is that this citie was very small at the beginning and began greatly to be augmented at the same time when Haresgol was laid waste For then a certaine family called Abdulguad bearing rule it increased so exceedingly that in the raigne of king Abu Tesfin it contained sixteene thousand families And then it was an honourable and well-gouerned citie howbeit Ioseph king of Fez continually molested it and with an huge armie besieged it for seuen yeeres together This Ioseph hauing built a fort vpon the east side of the towne put the besieged citizens to such distresse that they could no longer endure the extreme famine wherefore with one accord they all went vnto their king beseeching him to haue compassion vpon their want The king to make them acquainted with his daintie fare which he had to supper shewed them a dish of sodden horse-flesh and barlie And then they well perceiued how little the kings estate was better then the estate of the meanest citizen of them all Soone after the king hauing procured an assemblie perswaded his people that it was much more honourable to die in battel for the defence of their countrie then to liue so miserable a life Which words of the king so inflamed all their mindes to the battell that the day following they resolued to encounter the enemie and valiantly to fight it out But it fell out farre better for them then they expected for the same night king Ioseph was slaine by one of his owne people which newes being brought vnto the citizens with 〈◊〉 courage they marched all out of the towne easily vanquishing and killing the confused multitude of their enemies after which vnexpected victorie they found victuals sufficient in the enemies campe to relieue their long and tedious famine About fortie yeeres after the fourth king of Fez of the Marin-familie called Abulhesen built a towne within two miles westward of the citie of Telensin Then he besieged Telensin for thirty moneths together making daily and fierce assaults against it and euery night erecting some new fort so that at length the Fessan forces next vnto Telensin easily entred the citie and hauing conquered it caried home the king thereof captiue vnto Fez where he was by the king of Fez beheaded and his carcase was cast foorth among the filth of the citie and this was the second and the greater dammage that Telensin sustained After the decay of the Marin-familie 〈◊〉 began in many places to be repaired and replenished with new inhabitants insomuch that it increased to twelue thousand families Here each trade and occupation hath a peculiar place after the manner of Fez sauing that the buildings of Fez are somewhat more stately Here are also many and beautifull temples hauing their Mahumetan priestes and preachers Likewise here are fiue colleges most sumptuously built some by the king of Telensin and some by the king of Fez. Here also are store of goodly bathes and hot-houses albeit they haue not such plentie of water as is at Fez. Also here are very many innes built after the manner of Africa vnto two of which innes the merchants of Genoa and Venice doe vsually resort A great part of this citie is inhabited with Iewes who were in times past all of them exceeding rich vpon their heads they weare a Dulipan to distinguish them from other citizens but in the yeere of the Hegeira 923 vpon the death of king Abuhabdilla they were all so robbed and spoiled that they are now brought almost vnto beggerie Moreouer in this citie there are many conducts the fountaines whereof are not farre from the citie-walles so that they may easily be stopped by any forren enemie The citie-wall is very high and impregnable hauing fiue great gates vpon it at euery one of which there is placed a garde of soldiers and certaine receiuers of the kings custome On the south side of the citie standeth the kings palace enuironed with most high walles and containing many other palaces within it which are none of them destitute of their fountaines and pleasant gardens this royall palace hath two gates one leading into the fields and the other into the citie and at this gate standeth the captaine of the garde The territorie of Telensin containeth most pleasant habitations whither the citizens in summer-time vse to retire themselues for besides the beautifull pastures and cleere fountaines there is such abundance of all kinde of fruites to delight both the eies and the taste that to my remembrance I neuer sawe a more pleasant place their figs they vse to drie in the sunne and to keepe vntill winter and as for almonds peaches melons and pome-citrons they grow here in great plentie Three miles eastward of this citie are diuers mils vpon the riuer of Sefsif and some other there are also not far from the citie vpon the mountaine of Elcalha The south part of the citie is inhabited by Iewes lawyers and notaries here are also very many students and professours of diuers artes which haue maintenance allowed them out of the fiue forenamed colleges The citizens are of fower sorts to wit some artificers some merchants others schollers and doctors and all the residue soldiers The merchants are men most iust trustie liberall and most zealous of the common good who for the most part exercise traffique with the Negros The artificers liue a secure quiet and merrie life The kings soldiers being all of a comely personage and of great valour receiue very large and liberall pay for they are monethly allowed three peeces of the gold-coine of Telensin which are worth three Italian duckats and one second part All students before they attaine to the degree of a doctor liue a bare and miserable life but hauing attained thereunto they are made either professours or notaries or priestes The citizens and merchants of this citie are so neate and curious in their apparell that sometimes they excell the citizens of Fez in brauerie The artificers weare short garments carrying seldome a Dulipan vpon their heads and contenting themselues with plaine caps their shooes reach vp to their mid-leg Of all others the soldiers go woorst apparelled for wearing a shirt or iacket with wide sleeues they cast ouer it a large mantle made of cotton and thus they are clad both sommer and winter sauing that in winter they haue certaine
Constantina caused certaine faire houses to be built thereabouts for the said merchants of Genoa to repose themselues and their goodes therein and vpon a mountaine not farre off he built a strong 〈◊〉 for the securitie and defence of the said merchants from all enemies whatsoeuer From the said hauen to Constantina the high way is paued with certaine black stones such as are to be seene in some places of Italie being there called Le strade Romane which is a manifest argument that Sucaicada was built by the Romans Of the citie of Constantina NO man can denie the Romans to haue beene founders of this citie that shall consider the great strength height and antiquitie of the walles and how curiously they are beset and adorned with blacke stones This citie standeth vpon the south side of an exceeding high mountaine and is enuironed with steepe rocks vnder which rocks and within the compasse whereof runneth the riuer called Sufegmare so that the said deepe riuer with the rocks on either side serueth in stead of a towne-ditch to Constantina The north part is compassed with a wall of great thicknes and there are two extreme narrow passages onely to enter into the citie one on the east part and another on the west The citie-gates are very large and stately The citie it selfe containeth aboue eight thousand families Buildings it hath very sumptuous as namely the chiefe temple two colleges three or fower monasteries and other such like Here euery trade and occupation hath a seuerall place assigned and the inhabitants are right honest and valiant people Here is likewise a great companie of merchants whereof some sell cloth and wooll others send oile and silke into Numidia and the residue exchange linnen-cloth and other wares for slaues and dates Neither are dates so cheape in any region of all Barbarie besides The kings of Tunis vsually commit the gouernment of Constantina vnto their eldest sonnes and so he that is now king of Tunis bestowed Constantina vpon his eldest sonne in like sort who waging warre against the Arabians was slaine in the first battel Then fel the gouernment of Constantina vnto his second sonne whose intemperate life was the cause of his sudden and vntimely death After him succeeded the third and yoongest sonne who in regarde of his insolent and shamelesse behauiour was so hated of all the citizens that some had determined to kill him whereof his father hauing intelligence sent for him and kept him for certaine yeeres prisoner at Tunis Afterward he committed the gouernment of Constantina to a certaine Renegado that of a Christian became a Mahumetan this Renegado he trusted as his owne brother for he had made former triall of him who for many yeeres gouerned the place with great tranquillitie Vpon the north part of the citie standeth a certaine strong castle built at the same time when the citie it selfe was built which castle was more strongly fortified then before by one Elcaied Nabil the kings lieutenant and this castle greatly bridled both the citizens and all the bordering Arabians whose great captaine it held as prisoner and released him not till he had left his three sonnes for hostages At length the said Elcaied grew so hautie that he coined money to the great contempt of his king and soueraigne whom notwithstanding he endeuoured by many giftes and presents to appease But when men perceiued Elcaied to degenerate from his first forme of gouernment they that before loued him and had him in high regarde were presently of another minde and vtterly forsooke him So that laying siege vnto a certaine citie of Numidia called Pescara he perceiued some treason to be attempted against him and thereupon returning foorthwith to Constantina he found the citie-gates shut against him from whence he presently tooke his iourney to the king of Tunis and was by him cast into prison and not restored to libertie till he had paid an hundred thousand duckats Afterward by the kings aide he was restored to his former gouernment but when he began to tyrannize ouer some of the chiefe citizens he againe prouoked the whole citie vnto armes who besieged foorthwith the castle whereunto he fled which was such a corrasiue vnto Elcaied his minde that within few daies he died for sorrow And so the people after they were reconciled to their king would fromthencefoorth neuer admit any forren gouernour wherefore the king of Tunis was as is aforesaid againe constrained to send his owne sonnes thither The fields belonging to this citie are exceeding fertil And on either side the riuer which runneth through the plaines there are most commodious gardens if they were well husbanded Also without the citie stand many faire and ancient buildings About a mile and a halfe from the citie standeth a certaine triumphall arch like vnto the triumphall arches at Rome which the grosse common people thinke to haue beene a castle where innumerable diuels remained which they say were expelled by the Mahumetans when they came first to inhabite Constantina From the citie to the riuer they descend by certaine staires hewen out of the rocke and neere vnto the riuer standeth a little house so artificially cut out of the maine rocke that the roofe pillers and walles are all of one continued substance and here the women of Constantina wash their linnen Neere vnto the citie likewise there is a certaine bath of hot water dispersing it selfe among the rocks in this bath are great store of snailes which the fond women of the citie call Diuels and when any one falleth into a feuer or any other disease they suppose the snailes to be the authors thereof And the onely remedie that they can apply vpon such an occasion is this first they kill a white hen putting her into a platter with her feathers on and then verie solemnly with waxe-candles they carry her to the bathe and there leaue her and many good fellowes there are which so soone as the silly women haue set downe their hens at the bath wil come secretly thither and conuey away the hens to their owne kitchins Somewhat farther from the citie eastward there is a fountaine of extreme cold water and neere vnto it standeth a certaine building of marble adorned with sundrie Hieroglyphicall pictures or emblemes such as I haue seene at Rome and at many other places of Europe But the common people imagine that it was in times past a Grāmar-schoole because both the masters and schollers thereof were most vitious they were transformed say they into marble The inhabitants twise euerie yeere send great store of wares into Numidia and because as they trauell they are in danger of the Arabian theeues they hire certaine Turkish Harquebusiers for great wages to guard them The merchants of Constantina trauelling to Tunis pay no tribute at all but onely at their departure foorth of Constantina for the worth of euerie 100. ducates in merchandise they allow two ducates and a halfe Of the towne of Mela. THis
towne built by the Romans within twelue miles of Constantina and enuironed with most strong walles containeth almost three thousand families but at this present there are but few buildings by reason of the warres that haue happened Here are greatstore of artizans the most wherof are such weauers as make couerlets In the market place there is a most cleere fountaine The citizens are valiant though they bee of rude behauiour Here is abundance not onely offruits whereupon some thinke the name of the towne to be deriued but also of cattle and corne Vnto this towne the gouernonr of Constantina sendeth euery yeere a certaine Iudge to decide the townesmens controuersies and to receiue the yeerely tribute howbeit oftentimes the said Iudge is slaine by the people Of the ancient towne of Bona. THis towne built by the Romans vpon the Mediterran sea almost 120. miles more to the west was in auncient times called Hippo where the reuerend father Saint Augustine was once Bishop It was in processe of time subdued by the Gothes and was afterward surprised and burnt to ashes by Hutmen the third patriarke after Mahumet And many yeeres after they built a new town within two miles of the stones that were brought from the ruines of Bona which new towne they called Beld Elhuneb that is the citie of the fruit called Ziziphus or Iuiuba by reason of the great abundance of that fruit the which they vse to drie in the sunne and to keepe till winter It containeth almost three hundred families and all the houses and buildings thereof are verie base saue one onely temple which standeth next the sea The inhabitants are all of an ingenuous disposition some of them being merchants and the residue artizans Here is great store of linnen-cloath wouen the greatest part whereof is carried to Numidia The inhabitants of this towne hauing vpon a time slaine their gouernours were so bold as to threaten the king of Tunis and they had without all doubt betrayed the towne vnto the Christians had not the king of Tunis taken speciall heed thereunto In this towne are certaine lewd people and most beggerly apparelled which notwithstanding are highly reuerenced by the citizens Here are no fountaines nor yet any water at all but rainewater onely which is kept in cesterns On the east side of the towne standeth a strong castle built by the king of Tunis where the gouernour of the towne appointed by the king hath his aboad Vnto this towne adioyneth a most large plaine containing in length fortie and in bredth fiue and twentie miles verie commodious it is for corne and is inhabited by certaine Arabians called Merdez these Arabians haue great store of cattell and but little money and they bring good store of butter dayly vnto Bona. Vnto this towne the people of Tunis of the isle of Gerbi and of Genoa vse yeerely to resort and to buy great abundance of corne and butter Euerie friday they haue neere vnto the towne wals a market which is well frequented euen till night Not farre from hence there is a certaine place in the sea abounding with great store of corall and because the townesmen know not how to fish for the same the king of Tunis licenced certaine merchants of Genoa to fish for it who in regard of the continuall assaults of pirates because they could not speed of their purpose they obtained leaue also of the king to build a castle neere vnto the place but that the townesmen would in no case permit saying that the Genoueses in times past tooke their towne by such a wile and that it was afterward recouered againe by the king of Tunis Of the towne of Tefas THE towne of Tefas founded by the Africans vpon the side of a mountaine and standing almost an hundred and fiftie miles southward of Bona was in times past 〈◊〉 populous and full of braue buildings but it hath beene since destroyed by the Arabians Afterward being replanted with new inhabitants and remaining free from war for certaine moneths it was the second time destroyed by the Arabians Last of all because it was a place commodious for corne it was inhabited the third time by certaine Africans called Haoara and that by the ayde of a certaine prince brother vnto him which had slaine Enasir the king of Tunis his sonne but now all that remained of this towne was vtterly razed by the king of Tunis Of the citie of Tebessa THis great and strong citie built by the Romans neere vnto Numidia and being distant two hundred miles southward from the Mediterran sea is compassed with an high wall made of such stones as are to be seene vpon the Colosso at Rome neither saw I to my remembrance any such wals in all Africa or Europe and yet the houses and other buildings are verie base Through part of this citie runneth a great riuer and in the market and diuers other places stand certaine marble pillers hauing Epigrams and sentences with Latin letters engrauen vpon them there are also other square pillers of marble couered with roofs The plaines adiacent albeit verie drie yet are they most fruitfull for corne Fiue miles from hence grow such abundance of wall-nut-trees as you would take them to be some thicke forrest Neere vnto this towne standeth a certaine hill full of mighty caues wherein the common people say that giants inhabited of olde but it is most euident that those caues were digged by the Romans at the same time when they built the citie for certaine it is that the stones whereof the citie-walles consist were taken out of those rockes The inhabitants are people of a couetous inhumane and beastly disposition neither will they vouchsafe to looke vpon a stranger insomuch that Eldabag a famous Poet of the citie of Malaga in Granada hauing in his trauell this way receiued some discourtesie wrote in disgrace of Tebessa certaine satyricall verses which my selfe likewise haue thought good here to set downe in the dispraise thereof Within this place here 's nought of any worth Saue worthles nuts which Tebessa affourds Soft I mistake the marble walles are worth Your earnest view so are the Christall-fourds But hence are banisht vertues all diuine The place is hell the people woorse then swine This Eldabag was a most learned and elegant Poet in the Arabian toong and out of measure satyricall and bitter in his inuectiues But to returne to our former purpose these Tebessians haue alwaies rebelled against the king of Tunis and haue slaine all the gouernours that he hath sent Wherefore the king that now is trauelling vpon a time towards Numidia sent certaine ambassadours into the city to know how the citizens stood affected towards him vnto whom they instead of God saue the King made answere God saue our Citie-walles Whereat the king waxing wroth sacked the citie forthwith beheaded and hanged diuers of the inhabitants and made such hauock that euer since it hath remained desolate This was done in the yeere of the
linnen-drapers haue many shops and are accounted the wealthiest citizens in all Tunis here are also great store of grocers apothecaries taylors and of all other trades and occupations butchers here are verie many which sell mutton for the most part especially in the spring and in summer also here are abundance of all kinde of artificers euerie of which to describe would prooue tedious the apparell of their merchants priests and doctors is verie decent Vpon their heads they weare a Dulipan which is couered with a great linnen-cloth the courtiers likewise and the souldiers weare all of them Dulipans but not couered with linnen Rich men here are but few by reason of the exceeding scarcitie of all kinde of graine for a man cannot till a piece of ground be it neuer so neere the citie in regard of the manifold inuasions of the Arabians Corne is brought vnto them from other regions and cities as namely from Vrbs from Beggia and from Bona. Some of the citizens of Tunis haue certaine fields in the suburbs walled round about where they sowe some quantitie of barley and of other corne howbeit the soyle is marueluellous dry and standeth in need of much watring for which purpose euery man hath a pit whereout with a certaine wheele turned about by a mule or a camel and through certaine conueyances and passages made for the nonce they water all the vpper part of their ground now consider I pray you what great crop of corne can be reaped out of so little a field walled round about and watred by such cunning and industrie Bread they make verie excellent albeit they leaue the bran still among the flower they bake their loaues in certaine mortars such as the Egyptians vse to beat flaxe in The merchants and most part of the citizens vse for food a kinde of homely pulse or pappe called by them Besis being made of barley meale in forme of a dumpling whereupon they powre oyle or the broth of Pome-citrons And there is a certaine place in the citie where nothing but barley prepared in a readines to make the said pulse is to be sold. They vse also another kinde of foode almost as homely as the former for seething a quantitie of meale throughly in water and afterward braying it in another vessell with a pestill they powre oyle or flesh-pottage thereunto and so eat it and this meate they call Bezin but the richer sort feede themselues with more daintie meats All their milles except such as stand vpon a riuer not far from the citie are turned about either by the strength of mules or asses In this citie they haue no fountaines riuers nor welles of fresh water but they all vse raine-water taken out of cesterns sauing that there is a fountaine in the suburbs from whence certaine porters bring salt-water into the citie to sell which they thinke to be more holesome and fit for drinke then raine-water Other wels there are that affoorde most excellent water which is reserued onely for the king his courtiers In this citie there is one most stately temple furnished with sufficient number of priests and with rich reuenues Other temples there be also but not endowed with so ample reuenues here are colledges likewise and monasteries built after their maner al which are maintained vpon the common beneuolence of the citie There are certaine people in this citie whom a man would take to be distraught which goe bare-headed and bare-footed carrying stones about with them and these are reuerenced by the common people for men of singular holines Moreouer on the behalfe of one of these mad fellowes called Sidi el Dahi and for the residue of his fond societie the king of Tunis built one of the foresaid monasteries endowed the same with most ample reuenues All the houses of this citie are indifferently beautifull being built of excellent stones and adorned with much painting and caruing They haue verie artificiall pargettings or plaister-works which they beautifie with orient colours for wood to carue vpon is verie scarce at Tunis The floores of their chambers are paued with certaine shining and faire stones and most of their houses are but of one storie high and almost euerie house hath two gates or entrances one towards the street and another towards the kitchin and other backe-roumes between which gates they haue a faire court where they may walke and conferre with their friends The bath-stoues here are far more commodious then those at Fez though not so large and sumptuous In the suburbs are many pleasant gardens which yeeld fruit albeit not in great abundance yet verie excellent pome-citrons roses and other flowers here are great store especially in that place which they call Bardo where the king hath built a palace amidst those beautifull and sweete gardens On all sides of the citie within fower or fiue miles there growe such plentie of oliues that the oyle thereof sufficeth not onely the citie but is carried also in great quantitie into Egypt The wood of the oliue-trees which they cut downe they vse to burne and to make char-coales thereof neither do I thinke any place to be more destitute of wood then this Pouertie constraineth some of their women to lead an vnchast life they are decently apparelled and going foorth of the house they weare vailes or maskes before their faces like vnto the women of Fez for with one linnen-cloath they couer their foreheads and ioine thereto another which they call Setfari but about their heads they lap such fardels of linnen as they seeme comparable to the heads of Giants Most part of their substance and labour they bestow vpon perfumes and other such vanities They haue here a compound called Lhasis whereof whosoeuer eateth but one ounce falleth a laughing disporting and dallying as if he were halfe drunken and is by the said confection maruellously prouoked vnto lust Of the king of Tunis his court and of the rites and ceremonies there vsed SO soone as the king of Tunis hath by inheritance attained to his kingdome all his nobles doctors priestes and iudges binde themselues by solemne oth vnto him Immediately after any kings death his sonne and heire apparent succeedeth in the kingdome then the chiefe officer of the court called the Munafid because he is the kings vice-roy or high deputie presenteth himselfe foorthwith vnto the new king and giueth vp an account of all things which he did while the olde king liued and then at the kings appointment euerie of the nobles receiue offices from the Munafid according to their seuerall places of dignitie Another principall officer there is called the Mesuare that is the great commander and gouernour of the warlike forces who hath authoritie to increase or diminish the number of soldiers to giue them their pay to leuie armies and to conduct the same whither he thinketh good The third officer in dignitie is the Castellan who with his soldiers taketh charge of the castle and looketh to the
They feede their goates with the nuts or stones of their dates beaten to powder whereby they grow exceeding fat yeeld great quantitie of milke Their owne foode is the flesh of camels and goates being vnsanorie and displeasant in taste Likewise they kill and eate ostriches the flesh whereof tasteth not much vnlike to the flesh of a dunghill-cocke sauing that it is more tough and of a stronger smell especially the ostriches leg which consisteth of slimie flesh Their women are faire fat and courteous and they keepe diuers slaues which are brought out of the land of Negros Of the prouince of Segelmesse THis prouince called Segelmesse according to the name of the principall citie therein contained beginneth not farre from the towne of Gherseluin and stretcheth southward by the riuer of Ziz an hundred and twentie miles euen to the confines of the Libyan deserts The said prouince is inhabited by certaine barbarous people of the families of Zeneta Zanhagia and Haoara and was in times past subiect vnto a certaine prince which bare rule ouer the same prouince onely Afterward it fell into the possession of king Ioseph of the Luntune-family and then into the hands of one Muahidin and not long after it was enioied by the king of Fez his sonne But since that time the prince of this region was slaine in a rebellion and the citie of Segelmesse was destroied and till this day remaineth desolate Afterward the inhabitants built certaine castles whereof some are at libertie and others are subiect to the Arabians Of the prouince of Cheneg THis region extending it selfe by the riuer of Ziz vnto mount Atlas containeth many castles and bringeth forth great abundance of dates which dates are but of small value Their fields are barren and of little circuit saue onely betweene the riuer Ziz and the foote of mount Atlas where some store of barlie vseth to grow The inhabitants are some of them subiect to the Arabians others to the citie of Gherseluin and the residue liue at their owne libertie And vnto these the high way leading from Segelmesse to Fez is subiect and they exact great tribute of the merchants trauelling the same way Neere vnto the said high way stand three castles the first whereof being situate vpon an exceeding high rocke seemeth to touch the cloudes Vnder this castle there is a certaine house where a garde of soldiers continually stand who for the load of euery camell that passeth by demand one fourth part of a duckat The second castle being fifteene miles distant from the first standeth not vpon an hill but on a plaine and is farre more stately and rich then the former The thirde castle called Tammaracrost is situate vpon the common high way about twenty miles southward of the second There are certaine villages also and other castles of meaner account Corne is maruellous scarce among them but they haue goates great plentie which in winter they keepe in certaine large caues as in places of greatest safetie whereinto they enter by a most narrow passage Likewise the entrance into this region for the space of fortie miles is so narrow that two or three armed men onely may withstand mighty forces Of the region of Matgara THis region beginning southward from the region last described containeth many castles built vpon the riuer of Ziz the principall whereof is called Helel wherein remaineth the gouernour of the whole region being an Arabian by birth The soldiers of this Arabian gouernour dwell in tents vpon the plaines and he hath other soldiers attending vpon his owne person also who will suffer no man to passe but vnder safe conduct without depriuing him of all his goods Here are likewise diuers other villages and castles which not being woorthy the naming I haue of purpose omitted Of the territorie of Retel REtel bordering vpon the region last described extendeth also fiftie miles southward along the riuer of Ziz euen to the confines of Segelmesse It containeth many castles and yeeldeth plentie of dates The inhabitants are subiect vnto the Arabians being extremely couetous and so faint harted that an hundred of them dare scarce oppose themselues against ten Arabians they till the Arabians ground also as if they were their slaues The east part of Retel bordereth vpon a certaine desolate mountaine and the west part vpon a desert and sandie plaine whereunto the Arabians returning home from the wildernes do resort Of the territorie of Segelmesse THis territorie extending it selfe along the riuer of Ziz from north to south almost twenty miles containeth about three hundred and fiftie castles besides villages and hamlets three of which castles are more principall then the rest The first called Tenegent and consisting of a thousand and moe families standeth neere vnto the citie of Segelmesse and is inhabited with great store of artificers The second called Tebuhasan standeth about eight miles to the south of Tenegent being furnished also with greater numbers of inhabitants and so frequented with merchants that there is not in that respect the like place to be found in all the whole region besides The third called 〈◊〉 is resorted vnto by sundry merchants both Iewes and Moores These three castles haue three seuerall gouernours who are at great dissension among themselues They will oftentimes destroy one anothers chanels whereby their fieldes are watered which cannot without great cost be repaired againe They will stow the palme-trees also to the very stocks and vnto them a companie of lewd Arabians associate themselues They coine both siluer and gold-money but their gold is not very speciall Their siluer coine weigheth fower graines 〈◊〉 eightie of which peeces are esteemed to be woorth one peece of their gold-coine The Iewes and Arabians pay excessiue tribute here Some of their principall men are exceeding rich and vse great traffique vnto the land of Negros whither they transport wares of Barbarie exchanging the same for gold and slaues The greatest part of them liue vpon dates except it be in certaine places where some corne grow Here are infinite numbers of scorpions but no flies at all In summer-time this region is extremely hot and then are the riuers so destitute of water that the people are constrained to draw salt water out of certaine pits The said territorie containeth in circuit about eightie miles all which after the destruction of Segelmesse the inhabitants with small cost walled round about to the ende they might not be molested by continuall inrodes of horsemen While they liued all at vnitie and concord they retained their libertie but since they fell to mutuall debate their wall was razed and each faction inuited the Arabians to helpe them vnder whom by little and little they were brought in subiection Of the towne or citie of Segelmesse SOme are of opinion that this towne was built by a certaine Romaine captaine who hauing conducted his troupes foorth of Mauritania conquered all Numidia and marching westward built a towne and called it 〈◊〉 bicause it stoode
side towards the lake of Buchaira the third westward towards the desert of Barca and the fourth towards the Mediterran sea and the hauen whereat stand the searchers and customers which ransacke strangers euen to their verie shirts for they demaund custome not onely for wares and merchandize but also some allowance in the hundred for all kinde of money Neere vnto the citie-walles there are two other gates also being diuided asunder by a faire walke and a most impregnable castle which standeth vpon the strand or wharfe of the port commonly called Marsa el Bargi that is to say the port of the castle in which port ride the principall and best ships namely such as come from Venice Genoa Ragusa with other ships of Europe For hither resort the English the low Dutch the Biscaines the Portugals and men of all other nations in Europe for traffiques sake Howbeit this port is most vsually frequented by the 〈◊〉 of Appulia Sicilia and of Greece which are Turkish ships all which resort into this harbour to saue themselues from pirates and from tempestuous weather Another port there is also called Marsa Essil Sela that is to say the port of the chaine wherein the ships of Barbarie namely those of Tunis of the isle of Gerbi harbor themselues The Christians are constrained to pay about the 10. part for all wares that they bring in carie out but the Mahumetans pay but the 20. part and whatsoeuer wares are caried by land to Cairo pay no custom at all And at this present that part of the citie which is next vnto Cairo is the most famous and best furnished with merchandize brought by merchants from al places of the world The other parts of this city are destitute both of ciuilitie inhabitants for except one long street and that part of the citie next the hauen which is full of merchants shops inhabited by christians the residue is void and desolate Which desolation happened at that time when Lewis the fourth king of France being restored to libertie by the Soldan the king of Cyprus with a fleet partly of Venetians partly of Frenchmen suddenly assailed Alexandria and with great slaughter surprized and 〈◊〉 the same But the Soldan comming with an huge armie to rescue Alexandria so discouraged the Cyprians that they burnt downe the houses 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 themselues to flight Whereupon the Soldan repairing the 〈◊〉 and building a castle neere vnto the hauen the citie grew by 〈◊〉 and little into that estate wherein it standeth at this present In the citie of Alexandria there is a certaine high mount fashioned like vnto the place called Testaccio at Rome whereon although it hath no naturall situation are found diuers earthen vessels of great antiquitie Vpon the top of the said mount standeth a turret where a certaine officer is appointed to watch for such ships as direct their course towards the citie who for euery ship that he giueth notice of vnto the customers receiueth a certaine fee but if he chanceth to fall asleepe or to be out of the way at the arriuall of any ship whereof he certifieth not the customers he paieth double for his negligence into the Soldans exchequer Vnder each house of this citie there is a great vaulted cesterne built vpon mighty pillers and arches whereinto the water of Nilus at euery inundation is conueied vnder the walles of the citie by a certaine woonderfull and most artificiall sluce standing without the city itselfe But these cesternes growing sometime corrupt and fowle are often in summer the occasion of many diseases and infirmities This citie standeth in the midst of a sandie desert and is destitute of gardens and vines neither is the soile round about it apt to beare corne so that their corne is brought them from places fortie miles distant Howbeit neere the foresaid sluce whereby the water of Nilus is conueied into the citie are certaine little gardens the fruits whereof being growen to ripenes are so vnholesome that they breed feuers and other noisome diseases among the citizens Sixe miles westward of Alexandria among certaine ancient buildings standeth a piller of a woonderfull height and thicknes which the Arabians call Hemadussaoar that is to say the piller of trees Of this piller there is a fable reported that Ptolemey one of the kings of Alexandria built it vpon an extreme point of land stretching from the hauen whereby to the end he might defend the citie from the inuasion of forren enemies and make it inuincible he placed a certaine steele-glasse vpon the top thereof by the hidden vertue of which glasse as many ships as passed by while the glasse was vncouered should immediately be set on fire but the said glasse being broken by the Mahumetans the secret vertue thereof vanished and the great piller whereon it stood was remooued out of the place But this is a most ridiculous narration and fit for babes to giue credit vnto At this present there are amongst the ancient inhabitants of Alexandria many Christians called Iacobites being all of them artizans merchants these Iacobites haue a church of their own to resort vnto wherin the body of S. Mark the Euāgelist lay in times past interred which hath since beene priuily stolne by the Venetians carried vnto Venice And the said Iacobites pay tribute vnto the gouernour of Cairo Neither is it to be passed ouer in silence that in the midst of the ruinous monuments of Alexandria there remaineth as yet a certaine little house built in forme of a chappell and containing a sepulchre much honoured by the Mahumetans wherein they affirme out of the authoritie of their Alcaron that the bodie of the high prophet and king as they terme him Alexander the great lieth buried And thither resort yeerely great multitudes of pilgrimes from forren nations to adore and reuerence the said sepulchre and oftentimes to bestow large almes thereupon Other things woorthie the noting I purposely passe ouer least I should seeme too tedious vnto the reader Of the citie of Bochin THis ancient and small citie situate in times past vpon the Mediterran sea shore eight miles eastward of Alexandria lieth at this time vtterly desolate nought remaining thereof but certaine ruines of the walles It is now planted with date-trees wherewith the poore inhabitants dwelling in base and solitarie cottages sustaine themselues Neere vnto this citie standeth a towre vpon a certaine dangerous rocke against which many ships of Syria being driuen in the night doe suffer shipwracke because they cannot in the darke finde the right course to the port of Alexandria Round about this citie there are no fields but sandie deserts euen to the riuer of Nilus Of the citie of Rasid called by the Italians Rosetto THe citie of Rosetto was built by a slaue of a certaine Mahumetan patriarke and gouernour of Egypt vpon the easterne banke of Nilus three miles from the Mediterran sea not farre from the place where Nilus dischargeth
his streames into the said sea It containeth most beautifull houses and palaces built vpon the shore of Nilus and a faire market-place enuironed on all sides with shops of merchants and artizans with a stately and sumptuous temple also hauing some gates towards the market-place and others toward Nilus and certaine commodious staires to descend into the same riuer Neere vnto the temple there is a certaine harbour for the safetie of ships and barks of burthen that carrie wares vnto Cairo for the citie being vnwalled resembleth a village rather then a citie About this citie stand diuers cottages wherein they vse to thrash rice with certaine wooden instruments to make ready each moneth three thousand bushels thereof A little farther from this citie there is a place like vnto a village wherein great store of hackney-mules and asses are kept for trauellers to ride vpon vnto Alexandria neither neede the trauellers to guide the saide hackneyes but to let them run their ordinarie course for they will goe directly to the same house or inne where they ought to be left and their pace is so good that they will from sunne-rising to sunne-set carrie a man fortie miles they trauell alwaies so neere the sea-shore that sometimes the waues thereof beat vpon the hackneyes feete Neere vnto this citie are many fields of dates and grounds which yeeld aboundance of rice The inhabitants are of a cheerefull disposition and courteous to strangers especially to such as loue to spend their time in iollitie and disport Here is a stately bath-stoue also hauing fountaines both of cold and hot water belonging thereunto the like whereof for stately and commodious building is not to be found in all Egypt besides I my selfe was in this citie when Selim the great Turke returned this way from Alexandria who with his priuate and familiar friends beholding the said bath-stoue seemed to take great delight and contentment therein Of the citie called Anthius THis citie was built vpon the easterne banke of Nilus by the Romans as many Latin inscriptions engrauen in marble and remaining til this present do beare sufficient record It is a beautifull and well-gouerned citie and is furnished with men of all kinde of trades and occupations The fields adiacent abound with great plentie of rice corne and dates The inhabitants are of a cheerefull and gentle disposition and gaine much by rice which they transport vnto Cairo Of the citie of Barnabal THis citie was founded at the same time when the Christian religion began to take place in Egypt vpon the easterne banke of Nilus in a most pleasant and fruitfull place Here is such abundance of rice that in the citie there are more then fower hundred houses for the thrashing and trimming thereof But they that impose this taske vpon the inhabitants are men of forren countries and especially of Barbarie which are so lasciuiously and riotously giuen that almost all the harlots of Egypt resort hither vnto them who shaue off their haires to the very bones without any cizzers or rasors Of the citie of Thebe BY whom this ancient citie of Thebe standing vpon the westerne banke of Nilus should be built our African chroniclers are of sundry opinions Some affirme it to be built by the Egyptians some by the Romans and others by the Grecians because there are as yet to be seene most ancient monuments partly in Latine partly in Greeke and partly in Egyptian characters Howbeit at this present it containeth but three hundred families in all being most of them very stately and sumptuously built It aboundeth with corne rice and sugar and with certaine fruits of a most excellent taste called Muse. It is also furnished with great store of merchants and artificers but the most part of the inhabitants are husbandmen and if a man walke the streetes in the day-time he shall see none but trim and beautifull women The territorie adiacent aboundeth with date-trees which grow so thicke that a man cannot see the citie till he approcheth nigh vnto the walles Here grow likewise store of grapes figs and peaches which are carried in great plentie vnto Cairo Without the citie there are many ancient monuments as namely pillers inscriptions and walles of a great thicknes built of excellent stone and such a number of ruinous places that this citie seemeth in times past to haue beene very large Of the citie of Fuoa THis citie being distant about 45. miles southward from Rosetto was built by the Egyptians on the side of Nilus next vnto Asia The streetes there of are narrow being otherwise a well gouerned and populous citie and abounding with all necessarie commodities Heere are likewise very faire shops of merchants and artificers albeit the inhabitants are much addicted vnto their ease and pleasure The women of this towne liue in so great libertie that they may go whither they will all the day-time returning home at night without any controlement of their husbands The fieldes adiacent abounde greatly with dates and neere vnto them there is a certaine plaine which is very apt for sugar and corne howbeit the sugar canes there bring not foorth perfect sugar but in steede thereof a certaine kinde of honie like sope which they vse throughout all Egypt because there is but little other hony in the whole countrey Of Gezirat Eddeheb that is to say the golden Isle OVer against the foresaid city the riuer of Nilus maketh an Isle which being situate on an high place bringeth forth all kinde of fruitefull trees except Oliues Vpon this Island are many palaces and beautifull buildings which cannot be seene through the thicke and shadie woods The soile of this Island being apt for sugar and rice is manured by most of the inhabitants but the residue are imploied about carrying of their merchandize vnto Cairo Of the citie of Mechella THis citie builte by the Mahumetans in my time vpon the easterne shore of Nilus and enuironed with a lowe wall containeth great store of inhabitants the most part of whom being either weauers or husbandmen are voide of all curtesie and ciuilitie They bring vp great store of geese which they sell at Cairo and their fields bring foorth plentie of corne and flaxe Of the citie of Derotte WHen Egypt was subiect to the Romaine empire this towne was built also vpon the easterne banke of Nilus which as it is very populous so is it adorned with stately buildings and large streets hauing merchants shops on either side of them They haue a most beautifull temple and the citizens are exceeding rich for their grounde yeeldeth such abundance of sugar that they pay yeerely vnto the Soldan an hundred thousande peeces of golde called in their language Saraffi for their libertie of making and refining thereof In this citie standeth a certaine great house like 〈◊〉 a castle wherein are their presses and caldrons for the boiling and preparing of their sugar Neither did I euer in all my life see so many workemen emploied about
likewise many inhabitants of this suburbe maintaine families in the citie also Amongst all the buildings of this suburbe the principall is that stately college built by Soldan Hesen being of such a woonderfull height and great strength that oftentimes the colleges haue presumed to rebell against the Soldan and therein to fortifie themselues against the whole citie and to discharge ordinance against the Soldans castle which is but halfe a crosse-bowe shot distant Of the suburbe called Gemeh Tailon THis huge suburbe confining eastwarde vpon the foresaid suburbe of Beb Zuaila extendeth westward to certaine ruinous places neere vnto the olde citie Before the foundation of Cairo this suburbe was erected by one Tailon who was subiect vnto the Califa of Bagdet and gouernour of Egypt and was a most famous and prudent man This Tailon leauing the old citie inhabited this suburbe and adorned the same with a most admirable palace and sumptuous temple Heere dwell also great store of merchants and artificers especially such as are Moores of Barbarie Of the suburbe called Beb Elloch THis large suburbe being distant from the wals of Cairo about the space of a mile and containing almost three thousand families is inhabited by merchants and artizans of diuers sorts as well as the former Vpon a certaine large place of this suburbe standeth a great palace and a stately college built by a certaine Mammaluck called 〈◊〉 being counseller vnto the Soldan of those times and the place it selfe is called after his name Iazbachia Hither after Mahumetan sermons and deuotions the common people of Cairo togither with the baudes and harlots do vsually resort and many stage plaiers also and such as teach camels asses and dogs to daunce which dauncing is a thing very delightfull to behold and especially that of the asse who hauing frisked and daunced a while his master comes vnto him and tels him with a loude voice that the Soldan being about to builde some great palace must vse all the asses of Cairo to carrie morter stones and other necessarie prouision Then the asse falling presently to the ground and lying with his heeles vpward maketh his belly to swell and closeth his eies as if he were starke dead In the meane while his master lamenting the misfortune of the asse vnto the standers by earnestly craueth their friendly assistance and liberalitie to buie him a newe asse And hauing gathered of each one as much money as he can get you are much deceiued my masters quoth he that thinke mine asse to be dead for the hungrie iade knowing his masters necessity hath wrought this sleight to the end he might get some money to buie him prouender Then turning about to the asse he commandeth him with all speede to arise but the asse lyeth starke still though he command and beate him neuer so much whereupon turning againe to the people Be it knowen quoth he vnto you all that the Soldan hath published an edict or proclamation that to morrow next all the people shall go foorth of the citie to beholde a triumph and that all the honourable and beautifull ladies and gentlewomen shall ride vpon the most comely asses and shall giue them otes to eate and the christall water of Nilus to drinke Which words being scarce ended the asse suddenly starteth from the ground prancing leaping for ioy then his master prosecuting still his narration but saith he the warden of our streete hath borrowed this goodly asse of mine for his deformed and olde wife to ride vpon At these wordes the asse as though hee were indued with humaine reason coucheth his eares and limpeth with one of his legges as if it were quite out of ioint Then saith his master What sir Iade are you so in loue with faire women The asse nodding his head seemeth to say yea Come on therefore sirra quoth his master and let vs see among all these prettie damosels which pleaseth your fancie best Whereupon the asse going about the companie and espying some woman more comely and beautiful then the rest walketh directly vnto her and toucheth her with his head and then the beholders laugh and crie out amaine Lo the asses paramour the paramour of the asse Whereupon the fellow that shewed all this sport leaping vpon the backe of his asse rideth to some other place There is also another kinde of charmers or iuglers which keepe certaine little birdes in cages made after the fashion of cupboords which birds will reach vnto any man with their beaks certaine skroules contayning either his good or euill successe in time to come And whosoeuer desireth to know his fortune must giue the bird an halfepenie which shee taking in her bill carrieth into a little boxe and then comming foorth againe bringeth the said skroule in her beake I my selfe had once a skroule of ill fortune giuen me which although I little regarded yet had I more vnfortunate successe then was contained therein Also there are masters of defence playing at all kinde of weapons and others that sing songs of the battel 's fought betweene the Arabians and Egyptians when as the Arabians conquered Egypt with diuers others that sing such toyes and ballads vnto the people Of the suburb called Eulach THis large and ancient suburb of Cairo standing two miles distant from the walles of the citie vpon the banke of Nilus containeth fower thousand families Vpon the way lying betweene the suburb and this citie stand diuers houses and mils turned about by the strength of beasts In this suburb dwell many artificers and merchants especially such as sell corne oyle and sugar Moreouer it is full of stately temples palaces and colledges but the fairest buildings thereof stand along the riuer of Nilus for from thence there is a most beautifull prospect vpon the riuer and thither do the vessels and barkes of Nilus resort vnto the common stathe of Cairo being situate in this suburb at which place you shall see at some times and especially in the time of haruest aboue 1000. barkes And here the officers appointed to receiue custome for wares brought from Alexandria and Damiata haue their aboad albeit but little tribute be demaunded for the said wares because it was payd before at the port of their arriuall but those wares that come out of the firme land of Egypt allow entire custome Of the suburb called Charafa THE suburbe of Carafa built in manner of a towne and standing from mount Muccatim a stones cast and from the walles of the citie about two miles containeth almost two thousand housholds But at this day the greatest part thereof lyeth waste and destroyed Here are many sepulchres built with high and stately vaults and arches and adorned on the inner side with diuers emblemes and colours which the fond people adore as the sacred shrines monuments of saints spreading the pauement with sumptuous and rich carpets Hither euerie friday morning resort out of the citie it selfe and the suburbs great multitudes of people for deuotions sake
ware in this citie vnto the merchants and butchers of Cairo to the end they may auoide the trouble of passing ouer the riuer The temple and other principall buildings of this citie stand vpon the shore of Nilus On all sides of the citie there are gardens and grounds of dates Such as come hither in the morning 〈◊〉 Cairo to buy 〈◊〉 sell vse not to returne home againe till the euening This way they trauell ouer a sandie desert vnto the Pyramides and sepulchers of the ancient Egyptian kings in which place they affirme the stately citie of Memphis to haue stoode in times past And albeit the way thither be very troublesome in regard of the manifold lakes and pits made by the inundation of Nilus yet by the direction of a trustie and expert guide it may easily be trauailed Of the towne of Muhallaca THis little towne built vpon the banke of Nilus by the ancient Egyptians and standing three miles from the olde citie hath a most beautifull temple situate vpon the shore of Nilus and diuers other stately buildings therein It aboundeth with dates and with certaine fruites called Egyptian figs and the inhabitants vse the very same rites and customs that are obserued by the citizens of Cairo Of the citie of Chanca THe great citie of Chanca situate about sixe miles from Cairo at the verie entrance of the desert lying in the way to mount Sinai is replenished with most stately houses temples and colleges All the fields betweene Cairo and this citie abound with great plentie of dates but from Chanca to mount Sinai which is an hundred and fortie miles there are no places of habitation at all The inhabitants are but of meane wealth for when any carouan is to passe into Syria hither resort a company of people from Cairo to prouide things necessarie for their iourney bicause the villages adioining yeeld 〈◊〉 but dates Through this citie lie two maine roade 〈◊〉 the one leading to 〈◊〉 and the other to Arabia This citie hath 〈◊〉 other water but such as remaineth in certaine chanels after the inundation of Nilus which chanels being broken the water runneth foorth into the plaines and there maketh a number of small lakes from whence it is conueighed backe by certaine sluces into the cesterns of the citie Of the citie of Muhaisira THis little citie built vpon the riuer of Nilus miles eastward of Cairo aboundeth greatly with the graine or seed called Sesama and containeth sundrie milles to grinde oile out of the same seede The inhabitants are most of them husbandmen except a fewe that exercise trade of merchandise Of the towne of Benisuaif THis towne being situate on the west side of Nilus is distant from Cairo 120. miles The plaines adiacent abound exceedingly with flaxe and hempe which is so excellent that it is carried from thence as farre as Tunis in Barbarie And this towne furnisheth all Egypt with flaxe whereof they make very fine and strong cloth The fields of the same are continually worne diminished and especially at this present by the inundation of Nilus for now their date-groundes are halfe consumed The inhabitants for the most part are emploied about their flaxe And beyond this towne there are found Crocodiles that will eate mans flesh as we will declare in our historie of liuing creatures Of the citie of Munia VPon the same side of Nilus standeth the faire citie of Munia which was built in the time of the Mahumetans by one Chasib a lieutenant and courtier of the Califa of Bagdet vpon an high place Here are most excellent grapes and abundance of all kinde of fruite which albeit they are carried to Cairo yet can they not come thither fresh and newe by reason that this citie is distant from Cairo an hundred and fower-score miles It is adorned with most stately temples and other buildings and here are to be seene at this present sundry ruines of the ancient Egyptian buildings The inhabitants are rich for they trauaile for their gaine as farre as Gaoga a kingdome of the land of Negros Of the citie of El Fium THis ancient citie was founded by one of the Pharaos vpon a little branch of Nilus and on a high ground at the same time when the Israelites departed out of Egypt whom the said Pharao greatly oppressed with making of bricke and with other seruile occupations In this citie they say that Ioseph the sonne of Iacob was buried and that his bones were digged vp by Moses and the Israelites when they departed Fruits heere grow great plentie and especially oliues which are good to eate but vnprofitable to make oile of It is a well gouerned and populous citie and containeth many artificers especially weauers Of the citie of Manf Loth. THis great and ancient citie was built by the Egyptians destroied by the Romains and reedified by the Mahumetans but not in so stately manner as it was first built At this present there are found certaine huge and high pillers and porches whereon are verses engrauen in the Egyptian toong Neere vnto Nilus stand the ruines of a stately building which seemeth to haue beene a temple in times past among which ruines the citizens finde sometimes coine of siluer sometimes of gold and sometimes of lead hauing on the one side hiely graphick notes and on the other side the pictures of ancient kings The fields adiacent being very fruitefull are extremely scorched by the heate of the sunne and much haunted with Crocodiles which was the occasion as some thinke why the Romaines abandoned this citie The inhabitants are men of indifferent wealth for they exercise traffike in the land of Negros Of the citie of Azioth THis ancient city founded by the Egyptians vpon the banke of Nilus two hundred and fiftie miles from Cairo is most admirable in regard of the hugenes and of the varietie of old buildings and of epitaphes engrauen in Egyptian letters although at this present the greatest part therof lyeth desolate When the Mahumetans were first Lords of this city it was inhabited by honorable personages and continueth as yet famous in regard of the nobilitie and great wealth of the citizens There are in this citie almost an hundred families of christians three or fower churches still remaining and without the citie standeth a monasterie containing mo then an hundred monks who eate neither flesh nor fish but onely herbes bread and oliues And yet haue they daintie cates without any fatte among them This monasterie is very rich and giueth three daies entertainment to all strangers that resort thither for the welcomming of whom they bring vp great store of doues of chickens and of such like commodities Of the citie of Ichmin IChmin being the most ancient citie in all Egypt was built by Ichmin the son of Misraim the sonne of Chus which was the son of Hen vpon the banke of Nilus next vnto Asia and three hundred miles eastwarde from Cairo This citie the Mahumetans
when they first began to vsurpe ouer Egypt so wasted and destroied for certaine causes mentioned in histories that besides the foundations and rubbish they left nought remaining for transporting the pillers and principall stones vnto the other side of Nilus they built thereof the citie called Munsia euen as we will now declare Of the citie of Munsia MVnsia therefore founded on the otherside of Nilus by the lieutenant of a certaine Califa hath no shew of comelines or beautie by reason that all the streetes are so narrow And in sommer-time there riseth so much dust from the ground that a man can hardly walke the streetes It aboundeth notwithstanding with corne and cattell It was once subiect vnto a certaine African prince of Barbarie whose name was Haoara and whose predecessors were princes and gouernors of Haoara Which citie they say was giuen him in regarde of a singular benefite which hee did vnto the foresaide Dalmatian slaue that founded Cairo howbeit I cannot be perswaded that the gouernment remained so long a time vnto that familie But in our time Soliman the ninth Turkish emperour depriued them of the same gouernment Of the monasterie called Georgia THis was in times past a famous monasterie of Christians called after the name of Saint George and being sixe miles distant from Munsia It was inhabited by more then two hundred monkes who enioying large territories possessions and reuenues shewed themselues curteous and beneficiall vnto strangers and the ouerplus of their yeerely reuenues was sent vnto the patriarke of Cairo who caused the same to be distributed amongst poore Christians but about an hundred yeeres ago all the monks of this monasterie died of a pestilence which spred it selfe ouer all the land of Egypt Whereupon the prince of Munsia compassed the saide monasterie with a wall and erected diuers houses for artificers and merchants to dwell in And being allured by the pleasant gardens situate amidst the beautifull hils he himselfe went thither to inhabite but the patriarke of the Iacobites making his mone vnto the Soldan the Soldan caused another monasterie to be built in the same place where in times past the old citie stoode assigned so much allowance thereunto as might maintaine thirty monks Of the citie of Chian THis little citie of Chian was built in times past neere vnto Nilus by the Mahumetans which notwithstanding is not nowe inhabited by them but by the christiās called Iacobites who employ themselues either in husbandrie or in bringing vp of chickens geese and doues There remaine as yet certaine monasteries of Christians that giue entertainment to strangers But Mahumetans besides the gouernour and his family there are none at all Of the citie of Barbanda BArbanda founded by the Egyptians vpon Nilus about fowerhundred miles from Cairo was laide so waste by the Romaines that nothing but the ruines thereof remained most of which ruines were carried vnto Asna whereof we will foorthwith intreate Amongst the saide ruines are to be found many peeces of golde and siluer coine and sundrie fragments of Smaragds or emralds Of the citie of Cana. THe ancient citie of Cana built by the Egyptians vpon the banke of Nilus ouer against Barbanda and enuironed with wals of sunne-dried bricke is inhabited with people of base condition applying themselues vnto husbandrie by which meanes the citie aboundeth with corne Hither are the merchandise brought against the streame of Nilus which are sent from Cairo to Mecca for the distance from hence ouer the wildernes vnto the Red sea is at least 120. miles all which way there is no water at all to befounde And at the hauen of Chossir vpon the shore of the red sea are diuers cottages whereinto the saide merchandises are vnladen And ouer against Chossir on the side of Asia lieth Iambuh another hauen of the red sea whereat trauailers going on pilgrimage to see the tombe of Mahumet at Medina must make their rendezuous or generall meeting Morecuer Chana furnisheth Medina and Mecca with corne in which places they suffer great and continuall scarcitie Of the citie of Asna ASna in times past was called Siene which name was afterward changed by the Arabians in whose language the worde Siene signifieth a filthie or vncleane thing Wherefore they called it Asna that is to say faire and beautifull bicause it standeth in a pleasant situation vpon the westerne banke of Nilus which citie though it was brought almost to desolation by the Romaines yet was it so repaired againe in the Mahumetans time that the inhabitants grewe exceeding rich both in corne cattell and money for they transport their commodities partly vp the streame of Nilus and partly ouer the deserts into the kingdome of Nubia Round about this citie there are to be seene diuers huge buildings and admirable sepulchres togither with sundrie epitaphes engrauen both in Egyptian and Latine Letters Of the citie of Assuan THe great ancient and populous city of Assuan was built by the Egyptians vpon the riuer of Nilus about fower-score miles eastward from Asna The soile adiacent is most apt and fruitefull for corne And the citizens are exceedingly addicted vnto the trade of merchandise bicause they dwell so neere vnto the kingdome of Nubia vpon the confines whereof standeth their citie beyond which citie Nilus dispersing himselfe ouer the plaines through many small lakes becommeth innauigable Also the saide citie standeth neere vnto that desert ouer which they trauell vnto the port of Suachen vpon the red sea and it adioineth likewise vpon the frontiers of Ethiopia And heere in sommer time the inhabitants are extremely scorched with the heate of the sunne being of a swart or browne colour and being mingled with the people of Nubia and Ethiopia Heere are to be seene also many buildings of the ancient Egyptians and most high towers which they call in the language of that countrey Barba Beyond this place there is neither citie nor habitation of any account besides a fewe villages of blacke people whose speech is compounded of the Arabian Egyptian and Ethiopian languages These being subiect vnto the people called Bugiha liue in the fields after the Arabian manner being free from the Soldans iurisdiction for there his dominions are limited And thus much concerning the principall cities standing along the maine chanel of Nilus Some wherof I saw others I entred into and passed by the residue but I had most certaine intelligence of them all either by the inhabitants themselues or by the mariners which carried me by water from Cairo to Assuan with whom returning back vnto Chana I trauelled thence ouer the desert vnto the red sea ouer which sea I crossed vnto Iambuth and Ziddem two hauen-townes of Arabia deserta of which two townes because they belong vnto Asia I will not here discourse least I should seem to transgresse the limits of Africa But if it shall please god to vouchsafe me longer life I purpose to describe all the regions of Asia which I haue
trauelled to wit Arabia deserta Arabia felix Arabia Petrea the Asian part of Egypt Armenia and some part of Tartaria all which countries I saw and passed through in the time of my youth Likewise I will set downe my last voiages from Fez to Constantinople from Constantinople to Egypt and from thence into Italie in which Iourney I saw diuers and sundry Islands All which my trauels I meane by gods assistance being returned forth of Europe into mine owne countrie particularly to describe decyphering first the regions of Europe and Asia which I haue seen and thereunto annexing this my discourse of Africa to the end that I may promote the endeuours of such as are desirous to know the state of forren countries IOHN LEO HIS NINTH BOOKE OF the Historie of Africa and of the memorable things therein contained Wherein he entreateth of the principall riuers and of the strange liuing creatures plants and minerals of the same countrey Of the riuer of Tensist THe riuer of Tensist that we may begin in Barbarie from the westerne part of Africa springing foorth of the mountaines of Atlas which are next vnto the citie of Hanimmei to witte about the east part of the territorie of Maroco and continuing his course northwarde ouer the plaines receiueth many other riuers thereinto and at Azafi a towne of Duccala dischargeth his streames into the maine Ocean Into this mightie riuer of Tensist fall two other great riuers called Siffelmel and Niffis the one whereof springeth out of Hanteta a mountaine of Maroco and the other issuing foorth of mount Atlas neere vnto Maroco and winding it selfe along the plaines of that region disemboqueth at last into the saide mightie riuer And albeit the riuer Tensist be for the most part of an exceeding depth yet may it in diuers places be waded ouer where the water reacheth vnto the stirrups of an horseman but a footeman must strippe himselfe naked to passe ouer the same Neere vnto Maroco there is a bridge of fifteene arches builte by king Mansor vpon this riuer which bridge is accounted one of the most curious buildings in all Africa Three of the saide arches were demolished by Abu Dubus the last king and patriarke of Maroco to the ende he might hinder the passage of Iacob the first Fezsan king of the Marin familie but this attempt of his was to none effect as it sufficiently appeered by the successe thereof Of the two riuers called Teseuhin THe two riuers called by this one name springing each of them three miles asunder out of mount Gugideme and running through the plaines of Hascora exonerate themselues into the riuer called Lebich These two riuers as I haue said haue one onely name being either of them according to the African language called Teseut in the singular number and in the plural Teseuhin which signifieth listes or borders Of Quadelhabid that is to say the riuer of seruants QVadelhabid taking his original among the high and chill mountaines of Atlas and runniug through certaine narrow and vneeuen valleis holdeth on his course by the confines of Hascora and Tedle and then stretching northward ouer a certaine plaine falleth at length into the riuer of Ommirabih In Maie when the snow melteth this riuer increaseth to some bignes Of the riuer of Ommirabih THe mightie riuer of Ommirabih issuing also forth of the lofty mountaines of Atlas where the prouince of Tedle bordereth vpon the kingdome of Fez passeth through certain plaines called Adachsun and being afterward streitned among the narrow valleis it runneth vnder a stately bridge built by Ibulhasen the fourth king of the Marin family from thence trending southward it watereth the plaines situate between the regions of Duccala and Temesne and lastly disburdeneth it selfe vnder the wals of Azamor into the maine Ocean About the end of Maye they take great store of fishes in this riuer called by the Italians Lasche wherwith all Azamur being sufficiently stored they salt the said fishes and send many ships ful of them into Portugall Of the riuer of Buregrag BVregrag arising out of one of the mountaines of Atlas and continuing his course by sundrie vallies woods and hils proceedeth on ouer a certaine plaine and neere vnto the townes of Sala and Rabat being the vtmost frontiers of the Fezsan kingdome it falleth into the Ocean sea Neither haue the two foresaid townes any other port or harbour but within the mouth of the said riuer onely which is so difficult to enter that vnlesse the pilote be throughly acquainted with the place he is in great hazard of running his ship vpon the shoulds which shoulds serue instead of bulwarkes to defend either towne from the fleets of the Christians Of the riuer of Baht THis riuer issuing foorth of mount Atlas stretcheth northward by the woods and mountaines and running among certaine litle hils disperseth it selfe vpon the plaines of the prouince of Azgar and from thence it falleth into certaine fens lakes and moist valleies where they take great store of eeles and of the foresaid fishes called Lasche The inhabitants liue vpon cattell and fishing and by reason of the plentie of milke fish and butter which they eate they are much subiect vnto the disease called in Italian Morphia This riuer may continually be waded ouer except it be much increased by abundance of raine and melted snowe Of the riuer of Subu THe riuer of 〈◊〉 beginneth vpon mount Selilgo standing in Cheuz a prouince of the Fezsan kingdome And it springeth out of a great fountaine in the midst of a vaste and solitarie woode and runneth by diuers mountaines and hils from whence extending vpon the plaines it approcheth within sixe miles of Fez diuideth in sunder the regions of Habat and Azgar and at length about Mahmora a place not farre from Sala exonerateth it selfe into the Ocean sea Into this riuer fall diuers others two of which namely Guarga and Aodor spring out of the mountanes of Gumera and the residue from the mountaines of the territorie of Teza And although Subu be a large riuer yet may it in sundry places be waded ouer except in winter and the spring when as it cannot be crossed but in certaine dangerous and small boates The same riuer also which runneth through the citie of Fez called in the language of that countrey The riuer of perles entreth into the foresaid riuer of Subu This riuer of Subu aboundeth exceedingly with fish and especially with the foresaid fishes called Lasche which are there of no reckoning The mouth thereof neere vnto the Ocean sea being very deepe and broad is nauigable for ships of great burthen as the Portugals and Spaniards haue found by often experience and were not the inhabitants so slothfull it might vsually and commodiously be sailed vpon yea if the corne which is carried by the merchants of Fez ouer land through the region of Azgar were conueighed by water vp this riuer it might be solde at Fez for halfe the price Of the riuer of Luccus LVccus issuing
forth of the mountaines of Gumera and stretching westward ouer the plaines of Habat and Azgar passeth by the city of Casar Elcabir and neare vnto Harais a city of Azgar vpon the borders of Habat dischargeth it selfe into the main-Ocean in the mouth of this riuer lyeth the hauen of the foresaid city being very difficult to enter Of the riuer of Mulullo MVlullo arising out of mount Atlas betweene the cities of Teza and Dubdu runneth through the desert and barren plaines of Terrest and Tafrata and at length exonerateth it selfe into the riuer Muluia Of the riuer of Muluua THe famous riuer of Muluua taking his originall from that part of Atlas which is situate in the region of Cheuz about fiue and twentie miles from the citie of Gherseluin and passing ouer dishabited and drieplaines as also amidst the deserts of Angad and of Garet and by the foote of mount Beni Ieznaten falleth not farre from the towne of Chasasa into the Mediterran sea This riuer a man may wade ouer alwaies in sommer in the mouth whereof are caught most excellent fishes Of the riuer of Za. THis riuer springing out of mount Atlas runneth through a certaine plaine of the desert of Angad whereas the kingdomes of Fez and of Telensin confine one vpon an other which though it be exceeding deepe yet neuer did I see the water thereof thicke or muddie It aboundeth with fishes but the inhabitants being destitute of fit instruments can not take them neither indeed be the waters conuenient to fish vpon bicause they are so cleere Of the riuer of Tefne THe small riuer of Tefne issuing foorth of the mountaines bordering vpon Numidia and continuing a northerly course ouer the desert of Angad falleth into the Mediterran sea about fifteene miles from Telensin and it affourdeth nought but a fewe small fishes Of the riuer Mina THis riuer flowing out of certaine mountaines neere vnto Tegdent passeth through the fieldes of the citie of Batha and thence runneth northerly into the Mediterran sea Of the riuer Selef THis great riuer falling from the mountaines of Guanseris and descending through barren plaines to the confines of the kingdomes of Telensin and Tenez separateth Mezagran from Mustuganin and then entreth into the Mediterran sea in the mouth of which riuer are caught very excellent fishes of diuers kinds Of the riuer Sefsaia THis small riuer beginning from mount Atlas passeth ouer the plaine of Mettegia neere vnto Alger and not farre from the ancient towne of Temendefust dischargeth it selfe into the Mediterran sea Of that which is called The great riuer THis riuer ariseth out of the mountaines adioining vpon the region of Zeb from whence running along it disemboqueth into the Mediterran sea about three miles from Bugia It ouerfloweth not but in rainie and snowie weather neither vse the people of Bugia to fish therein hauing the sea so neere them Of the riuer called Sufgmare IT springeth out of the mountaines bordering vpon mount Auras and passeth on through the barren fields vnto the territorie of the citie Constantina and gliding along by the borders thereof it receiueth a small riuer and so holding a Northerly course it falleth into the Mediterran sea about the same place where it separateth the fields of Chollo from the fieldes of the castle called Iegel Of the riuer Iadog THis small riuer issuing foorth of the mountaines neere Constantina and stretching by the same mountaines towards the east disburdeneth it selfe into the sea not farre from the citie of Bona. Of the riuer called Guadilbarbar IT proceedeth out of certaine mountaines adioining vpon the fieldes of the citie called Vrbs and gliding by the hils and mountaines it runneth in such a crooked chanell that such as trauell from Bona to Tunis must crosse ouer it without either boates or bridges aboue twentie times And so at length it falleth into the sea not farre from the forsaken port of Tabraca and about fifteene miles from the citie of Bege Of the riuer of Megerada THe mightie riuer of Megerada springing foorth of the mountaines neere vnto the citie Tebessa vpon the borders of the prouince of Zeb continueth a northerly course vntill at a place called Gharel Meleh fortie miles distant from Tunis it exonerateth itselfe into the Mediterran sea In rainie weather it so increaseth that trauellers bicause there are neither boates nor bridges are constrained to staie two or three daies by the riuers side till it be decreased especially within sixe miles of Tunis And hereby you may see how the Africans of these times degenerate both in wit and courage from the ancient Africans who made the people of Rome to tremble so often at their valour Of the riuer of Capis IT proceedeth from a certaine southerne desert and passing through sandie plaines falleth into the sea by a towne of that very name The water thereof is salt and so hot that whosoeuer listeth to drinke of it must set it a cooling for the space of an hower Thus much concerning the principall riuers of Barbarie let vs nowe proceede on to describe the Numidian riuers Of the riuers of Numidia and first of the riuer called Sus. THe great riuer of Sus flowing out of the mountaines of Atlas that separate the two prouinces of Hea and Sus in sunder runneth southward among the saide mountaines stretching into the fields of the foresaid region and from thence trending westward vnto a place called Gurtuessen where it dischargeth itselfe into the maine Ocean In winter time it mightily ouerfloweth but in sommer it is verie shallow Of the riuer of Darha THis riuer taking his originall from mount Atlas about the confines of Hascora passeth southward to the prouince called Darha from whence proceeding through the deserts it is dispersed among certaine fieldes and pastures where bicause of the abundance of grasse the Arabians feede their camels In sommer it is so dried vp that a man shall not wet his shooes in going ouer it but it so increaseth in winter that it cannot be passed ouer in boats And by extreme heate of the sunne the waters thereof prooue bitter Of the riuer of Ziz. THis riuer springing out of the mountaines of Atlas inhabited by the people called Zanaga and running along by many other mountaines and by the city of Gherseluin holdeth on his course through the fields of Cheneg Metgara and Reteb and entreth the territorie of the city Segelmesse from whence it proceedeth by the desert castle of Sugaihila and beyond the said castle falleth into a lake amidst the sandie deserts where no inhabitants are to be found whither notwithstanding the Arabian hunters vsually resort for that they finde great store of game there Of the riuer of Ghir THe riuer of Ghir issuing also forth of mount Atlas stretcheth southward by certaine deserts and then passing through the region of Beni-gumi transformeth it selfe likewise into a lake in the very midst of the deserts Whereas in the beginning of this my discourse intreating of the
is recorded to be the brother of Chus and the sonne of Cham. Chibith The towne of Pharao The 〈◊〉 of Ioseph Extreme pestilence The French maladie most rife in Egypt The increase of Nilus Ancient traffique of the 〈◊〉 vnto Alexandria Alexandria surprised and sacked by the king of Cyprus The water of Nilus brought by a sluce into Alexandria Certaine Christians called Iacobites Iohn Leo was at Rasid the same time 〈◊〉 Selim the great Turke passed that way The fruits called Mose Sugar Great abundance of Sugar * 1526. Delicate drinks made of all kind of fruits 〈◊〉 Ghauri A stately 〈◊〉 These asses are somewhat like to Banks his curtall that plaid his prizes all England ouer Soothsaying birds Saint 〈◊〉 The place where balme groweth The manner of measuring the increase of Nilus This piller is called by Plinie Niloscopium The attire of the women of Cairo The libertie of the women of Cairo Birds hatched after a strange manner in Egypt The reward of new and ingenious deuises Fower seuer all sects of the Mahumetan religion permitted in the citie of Cairo An horrible kind of execution The nauel being cut is present death Women 〈◊〉 Iohn Leo was thrise in Egypt The 〈◊〉 The originall of the Mamaluks * There is such an officer in the court of England called The Maister of the Reuells The 〈◊〉 The citie of 〈◊〉 Egyptian 〈◊〉 Store of the graine called Sesama Most excellent hempe Crocodiles The place where Ioseph was buried * It is otherwise read in the x. chap. of Genesis verse 6. * Dubium Emralds Antonio Galuano maketh large mention of this citie The hauen of Chossir Suachen * Bugiha are those which in 〈◊〉 time were called Troglodytae The great trauels of Iohn Leo. * Or 〈◊〉 * Or Muluia A riuer of hot and salt water * Or Guartguessen Sundry opinions concerning 〈◊〉 The manner of taking elephants in 〈◊〉 * Here is a word wanting in the originall * In all parts of the world which the author at that 〈◊〉 knew The African 〈◊〉 are the best Three kinds of camels Camels of a woonderfull swiftnes otherwise called Dromedaries The camels great abstinence from drinke How the Camels of 〈◊〉 learne to dance Morses fedde with camels milke Targets made of a skin The manner of gathering ciuet Amber A medicine for the leprosie The craft of the Crocodile in taking both men and beasts Little birds flying into the crocodiles mouth to picke wormes from betweene their teeth The manner of taking the crocodile How the camelion killeth the serpent A strange narration A strange 〈◊〉 * Or fathomes * That is in Barbarie Numidia Libya the lande of Negros and Egypt * Of this mountaine read in the discourse before the beginning of Leo. 〈◊〉 most 〈◊〉 in gold The kings armes A 〈◊〉 course A recrely 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 fire from the 〈◊〉 to his 〈◊〉 princes * Described by Leo in his fifth booke vnder the name of Lharais * Or Miramonin The maner how the Xeriffos aspired to the kingdomes of Maroco Sus and Fez. * Or the kingdomes of Maroco and Fez. * Or Abnet * Or Azaphi Artillerie cast by French Renegados Caruuen the principall Mahumetan temple in Fez being a mile and an 〈◊〉 about Read Leo lib. 3. These are a militarie order like vnto them which hold land 〈◊〉 vs vnder the 〈◊〉 of knights seruice * Mine author heere much mistaketh the matter * Or Emina * Or Haly. G. B. B. Rel. vn part 1. lib. 2. dell ' Asia With this frier Ascelline was sent Iohannes de Plano Carpini whose voiage is put downe in the first volume of the 〈◊〉 voiages Or Olouchali * Or Coptitae * As the church in all the hither parts of Europe hath beene called the western and that of Greece and Asia the 〈◊〉 church * Whātsoeuer Dresserus think eth yet diuers other authors of good note do hold the dominions of Prete Ianni to be nothing so large * These Mores are called Dobas Acts of the Apost cap. 8. verse 26. Matthew the first ambassador sent from Aethiopia to Portugall * This ambassage was at the first vndertaken by Odoardo Galuano who dying at the isle of 〈◊〉 in the Red sea it was performed by Rodrigo de Lima. Zagazabo the second ambassador sent from AEthiopia to Portugall * Whereas the Iewes circumcised the males 〈◊〉 * Yet in the time of Pope Paule the 4. were sent certaine priests with a new created Patriarke and two 〈◊〉 who notwithstanding when they went 〈◊〉 about to bring in the 〈◊〉 religion and the supremacie of the Pope were crossed by the Emperour in all their proceedings The Emperour of Ethiopia wil by no meanes admit the supremacie and religion of the Romish church Adamas a new Emperour of Ethiopia Fartac a countrey of Arabia Felix the king whereof subdued the isle of Zocotera 1482. * So are the inhabitants of Congo called * So called by Osorius lib. 3. de Reb. Gest. Eman. But by Phil. Pigafetta lib. 2. Cap. 2. Mani-Pango * Osorius de Reb. Gest. Eman. lib. 3. * Called by Philippo Pigafetto 〈◊〉 Concerning these Giacchi otherwise called Agag read the discourse of Mohenemugi before the beginning of Iohn Leo. * Not Mazagan vpon the coast of Barbarie
inheritance Canons but priests sonnes haue no such priuilege vnlesse they be ordained by the Abuna They pay no tithes to any churches but the clergie are maintained by great possessions belonging to their churches and monasteries Also when any priest is cited he is conuented before a secular iudge Whereas I saide they sit not in their churches it is to bee vnderstoode that alwaies without the church doore stande a great number of woodden crutches such as lame men vse to goe vpon where euery man taketh his owne and leaneth thereupon all the time of their diuine seruice All their books which they haue in great numbers are written in parchment for paper they haue none and the language wherein they are written named Tigia is all one with the Abassin language but so it was called from the name of the first towne in all that empire which was conuerted to the Christian religion All their churches haue two curtaines one about their great altar with belles within which curtaine none may enter but onely priests also they haue another curtaine stretching through the midst of their church and within that may no man come but such as haue taken holy orders insomuch that many gentlemen and honorable persons take orders vpon them onely that they may haue accesse into their churches The greater part of their monasteries are built vpon high mountaines or in some deepe valley they haue great reuenues and iurisdictions and in many of them they eate no flesh all the yeere long Neither do they spende any store of fish bicause they know not how to take it Vpon the wals of all their churches are painted the pictures of Christ of the blessed virgine Marie of the apostles prophets and angels and in euery one the picture of Saint George a horseback They haue no Roodes neither will they suffer Christ crucified to be painted bicause they say they are not woorthy to behold him in that passion All their priests friers and noblemen continually carrie crosses in their hands but the meaner sort of people carrie them about their neckes Their mooueable feasts namely Easter the feast of Ascension Whitsontide they obserue at the verie same daies and times that we do Likewise as concerning the feasts of Christmas the Circumcision the Epiphanie and other the feasts of the saints they agree whollie with vs though in some other things they varie They haue great store of leprous persons who are not put apart from the rest of the people but liue in company with them and many there are who for charitie and deuotions sake do wash them and heale their wounds They haue a kinde of trumpets but not of the best and likewise certaine drums of brasse which are brought from Cairo and of woode also couered with leather at both endes and cimbals like vnto ours and certaine great basons whereon they make a noise There are flutes in like sort and a kinde of square instruments with strings not much vnlike to an harpe which they call Dauid Mozan that is to say the harpe of Dauid and with these harpes they sounde before the Prete but some what rudely Their horses of the countrey-breed are in number infinite but such small hackney-iades that they doe them little seruice howbeit those that are brought out of Arabia and Egypt are most excellent and beautifull horses and the great horse-masters also in Abassia haue certaine breeds or races of them which being new foled they suffer not to sucke the damme aboue three daies if they be such as they meane to backe betimes but separating them from their dammes they suckle them with kine and by that meanes they prooue most sightly and gallant horses Hitherto Aluarez Thus much I hope may suffice to haue bin spoken concerning the vpper or Inner Ethiopia which containeth the empire of Prete Ianni now sithens we are so far proceeded let vs take also a cursory and briefe surueie of the lower or extreme Ethiopia extending it selfe in forme of a speares point or a wedge as far as thirtie fiue degrees of southerly latitude Of the lower or extreme Ethiopia THis parte of Africa being vtterly vnknowne to Ptolemey and all the ancient writers but in these later times throughly discouered by the Portugales especially along the coast beginneth to the Northwest about the great riuer of Zaire not far from the Equinoctial from whence stretching southward to thirtie fiue degrees and then Northward along the sea-coast on the backside of Africa as far as the very mouth or enterance of the Arabian gulfe it limiteth the south and east frontiers of the Abassin Empire last before described In this part also are many particulars very memorable as namely besides sundry great empires kingdomes The famous mountaines of the moon the mightie riuers of Magnice Cuama and Coauo springing out of the lake Zembre the renowmed cape of good hope and other matters whereof we will intreate in their due places This portion of Africa is diuided into sixe principall partes namely The land of Aian the land of Zanguebar the empire of Mohenemugi the empire of Monomotapa the region of Cafraria the kingdome of Congo Aian the first generall part of Ethiopia the lower THe land of Aian is accounted by the Arabians to be that region which lyeth betweene the narrow entrance into the Red sea and the riuer of Quilimanci being vpon the sea-coast for the most part inhabited by the said Arabians but the inland-partes thereof are peopled with a black nation which are Idolaters It comprehendeth two kingdomes Adel and Adea Adel is a very large kingdome and extendeth from the mouth of the Arabian gulfe to the cape of Guardafu called of olde by Ptolemey Aromata promontorium South and west it bordereth vpon the dominions of Prete Ianni about the kingdome of Fatigar The king of this countrie being a Moore is accounted amongst the Mahumetans a most holy man and very much reuerenced by them because he wageth continuall war with the Christians taking captiue many of the Abassins and sending them to the great Turke and the princes of Arabia of whome he receiueth greate ayde for the maintenance of his warres both of horse and foote The people of Adel are of the colour of an oliue being very warlike notwithstanding that the greatest part of them want weapons Their principall city is called Anar as some are of opinion Vnto this kingdome is subiect the citie of Zeila inhabited by Mooes situate on a sandie and low soile which some suppose to be built in the very same place without the enterance of the Red sea where Ptolemey placed the ancient mart-towne of Aualites This citie is a place of great traffike for hither they bring out of India cloth elephants teeth frankincense pepper golde and other rich merchandize The territorie adioining yeeldeth abundance of honie waxe and great quantitie of oile which they make not of oliues but of a kinde of daintie plums it affourdeth likewise such
plentie of 〈◊〉 of cattell and of fruits differing from ours that they are transported by shipping to other nations Barbora likewise a citie of the Moores standeth in this kingdome of Adel and hath a commodious hauen whereunto resort many ships laden with merchandize from Aden in Arabia and from Cambaya vpon the riuer of Indus The citizens are blacke people and their wealth consisteth most of all in flesh In the yeere 1541. Gradaameth the king of this place after manie mischiefes which he had done to Claudius the emperour of Abassia being vanquished by Christopher de Gama the Indian Viceroy of Iohn the third king of Portugale hee did by meanes of the souldiers and warlike prouisions which were sent him from the Sheque or gouernour of Zebit ouercome the Portugals the Abassins Howbeit afterward hauing sent the said forces backe againe to Zebit himselfe was slaine and his whole armie ouerthrowne by king Claudius aforesaide But certaine yeeres after the successour of Gradaameth hauing in a warlike encounter subdued the Prete rode in triumph vpon a little asse signifying thereby that he ascribed not the victorie to his owne forces but to the power of God Adea the second kingdome of the land of Aian situate vpon the easterne Ocean is confined northward by the kingdome of Adel westward by the Abassin empire It is exceeding fruitful one part thereof mightily aboundeth with woods the residue being sufficiently stored with cattell corne The inhabitants being Moores by religion and paying tribute to the emperour of Abassia are as they of Adel before-named originally descended of the Arabians who many hundred yeeres agoe partly by their rich traffike and especially by force of armes became lords not onely of Aian but of all the sea-coast along as farre as Cabo de los corrientes standing in the southerly latitude of fower and twentie degrees In all which space the cities standing vpon the sea-coast before the Portugals discouered the east Indies lay open and vnfortified to the sea bicause the Arabians themselues were absolute lords thereof but were strongly walled toward the lande for feare of the Cafri or lawlesse wilde Negros who were deadly enimies to the Arabians and vtterly misliked their so neere neighbourhood Howbeit since the Portugals taking of Magadazo and diuers other townes vpon the coast they haue applied themselues very much to fortification But to returne to the matter where we left vnto the foresaid kingdome of Adea belongeth the kingdome of Magadazo so called of the principall citie therein which is a most strong beautifull and rich place and is subiect to the kingly gouernment of a Moore The territorie adiacent is exceeding fruitfull abounding with sheepe kine horses wheate barly and other kindes of graine It hath also an excellent hauen and much frequented by the ships of Aden and Cambaya which come thither laden with sundrie kindes of cloth with spices and other merchandize and from hence they carrie elephants teeth golde slaues honie and waxe The inhabitants are of an oliue-colour and some of them blacke like vnto the nations adioining and they go naked from the girdle-stead vpward and speak the Arabian toong They are but meanely weaponed which causeth them to shoote poisoned arrowes This citie was in times past head of all the townes and cities of the Moores standing along this coast for a great distance Zanguebar or Zanzibar the second generall part of the lower Ethiopia ZAnzibar or Zanguebar so called by the Arabians and Persians is that tract of lande which runneth along some parte of the dominions of Prete Ianni and from thence extendeth it selfe by the east of Mohenemugi til it ioyneth with the frontiers of Monomotapa Howbeit some there are who vnder the name of Zanzibar will haue all the south part of Africa to be vnderstood euen as far as Cabo Negro which stretcheth into the western Ocean about 18. degrees of southerly latitude so that they comprehend therein the empires of Mohenemugi and Monomotapa and all the land of Cafraria But in this controuersie wee rather chuse to follow the opinion of Sanutus affirming with him that the said maritime tract of Zanguebar as it is by vs before limited is alowe fennie and woodie countrie with many greate and small riuers running through it which extremity of moisture in those hot climates causeth the ayer to be most vnholesome and pestilent The inhabitants are for the most part black with curled haire being Idolaters and much addicted to sorcery and witchcraft They go naked all the vpper part of their bodies couering their nether partes with clothes of diuers colours and with beasts skins And this tract of lande stretching along the sea-coast from the riuer Quilimanci to the riuer of Magnice containeth the kingdomes and territories of Melinde Mombaza Quiloa Moçambique Sofala and others Melinde the most Northerly kingdome of Zanguebar situate in two degrees and an halfe of southerly latitude and stretching from the coast vp into the main for the space of an hundred miles hath a strong and stately city of the same name being seuentie miles distant from Mombaça It aboundeth with Rice Millet flesh limons citrons and all kinds of fruites but as for corne it is brought hither out of Cambaya The inhabitants especially on the sea coast are Moores and Mahumetans who build their houses very sumptuously after the manner of Europe They are of a colour inclining to white and some blacke people they haue also among them which are for the greatest part Idolaters howbeit all of them pretend a kinde of ciuilitie both in their apparell and in the decencie and furniture of their houses The women are white and sumptuously attired after the Arabian fashion with cloth of silke Likewise they adorne their neckes armes hands and feete with bracelets and iewels of golde and siluer When they go abroad out of their houses they couer themselues with a vaile of taffata so that they are not knowne but when they themselues list Vpon this coast of Melinde you haue a very safe harborough wherunto the ships that saile those seas do vsually resort In briefe the inhabitants are a kind true-harted trustie people courteous to strangers They haue alwaies beene in league with the Portugals giuing them most friendly entertainmēt reposing much cōfidence in them neither haue they euer done them any iniury The kingdome of Mombaça being the second generall part of Zanguebar and situate in three degrees and an halfe beyond the Equinoctiall line bordering to the north vpon Melinde and to the south vpon Quiloa is so called after the name of a certaine isle and citie vpon the coast both which are named Mombaça and are peopled with Mahumetans their houses are of many stories high and beautified with pictures both grauen and painted Their kings are Mahumetans and most deadly enimies to the Christians one of the which taking vpon him to resist the Portugals was himselfe quite vanquished and ouerthrowen and constrained to
Monomotapa to the riuer Coauo and beyond west with the riuer Nilus North vpon the dominions of Prete Ianni and east vpon the kingdomes of Melinde Mombaça and Quiloa hath not many yeeres ago bin discouered or at least heard of by the Portugales vpon occasion perhaps of the warres which with vnfortunate successe they haue waged against Monomotapa The emperour of this country holdeth a continuall league with the princes of Melinde Mombaça and Quiloa towards the sea for traffiques sake for they prouide his dominions with cloth of cotton cloth of silke and sundrie other commodities brought from Arabia Persia Cambaya and India which are very well esteemed in those parts but among the rest they bring especially certaine little balles of a red colour and in substance like vnto glasse being made in Cambaya of a kinde of Bitumen or clammie claie which balles they vse to weare like beades about their necks They serue also to them in stead of money for gold they make none account of Likewise with the silkes that are brought vnto them they apparel themselues from the girdle downward In exchange of all the foresaide wares and commodities they giue gold siluer copper and iuorie Howbeit vpon his Inland frontiers to the south and southwest he maintaineth continuall and bloudie warres against the emperour of Monomotapa his principall and greatest forces consisting of a most barbarous and fierce nation called by the people of Congo Giachi but by themselues Agag who inhabite from the first great lake which is the fountaine of Nilus for a certaine space vpon both sides of the said riuer and then afterward on the westerne banke as farre as the second great lake from whence Zaire hath his chiefe original thence euen to the confines of Prete Ianni They are a wilde and lawles people liuing after the manner of the ancient Scythians and Nomades and like the Tartars and Baduin-Arabians of these times a vagrant kind of life vnder cabbins and cottages in the open forrests They are of stature tall and of countenance most terrible making lines vpon their cheekes with certaine iron-instruments and turning their eie-lids backward whereby they cast vpon their enimies a most dreadfull and astonishing aspect They are man-eaters and couragious in battaile For their armour of defence they vse certaine Pauises or great targets wherwith they couer their whole bodies being otherwise naked and their offensiue weapons are dartes and daggers It is not many yeeres since these cruel sauages ranging westward from Nilus inuaded the kingdome of Congo vanquished the inhabitants in sundrie battels tooke the head citie and forced the king Don Aluaro to flee for succour and safetie vnto the isle of horses in the mouth of the great riuer Zaire being one of the extreme frontiers of his dominions Where the king himselfe was taken with an incurable dropsie and his people in great numbers died of famine who to relieue their extreme necessities sold their wiues their children and their owne selues for slaues vnto the Portugals Howbeit these warlike Giacchi notwithstanding their hautie courage and great exploits are no whit feared but rather most boldly encountered and sometimes vanquished by the Amazones or women warriers of Monomotapa Which two nations what by warlike stratagems and what by open and maine force do often fight the most desperate and doubtfull battailes that are performed in all those southern parts The empire of Monomotapa the fourth generall part of the lower Ethiopia BEnomotapa Benomotaxa or Monomotapa is a large empire so called after the name of the prince thereof who in religion is a Gentile and for extension of dominions and military forces a renowmed and mightie emperour in the language of whose subiects an emperour is signified by this word Monomotapa This empire of his lyeth as it were in an Island which containeth in compasse seuen hundred and fiftie or as some thinke one thousand leagues being limited on the north-west by the great lake whereout Nilus springeth on the south by the riuer Magnice and the tributarie kingdome of Butua or Toroa on the east it hath the sea-coast and the kingdome of Sofala which in very deed is a member thereof and the North part abutteth vpon the riuer of Cuama and the empire of Mohenemugi That part of this great Island which lyeth betweene the mouth of Cuama and the cape de los Corrientes is a very pleasant holesome and fruitfull country And from the said cape to the riuer of Magnice the whole region aboundeth with beasts both great and small but it is cold by reason of the sharp brizes which come off the sea and so destitute of wood that the people for fewel are constrained to vse the dung of beasts and they apparel themselues in their skinnes Along the banke of the riuer Cuama are diuers hilles and downes couered with trees and vallies likewise watered with riuers being pleasantly situate and well peopled Here are such plenty of Elephants as it seemeth by the great quantitie of their teeth that there are yeerely slaine betweene foure and fiue thousand Their elephants are nine cubites high and fiue cubites in thicknes They haue long and broad eares little eyes shorte tailes and great bellies and some are of opinion that Ethiopia yeeldeth as many elephants as Europe doth oxen The townes and villages of this empire are very few and their buildings are of wood and clay couered with thatch None may haue doores to their houses but onely great personages Their principal cities are Zimbas and Benamataza the first whereof is one and twentie and the second fifteene daies iourney from Sofala They serue this emperour at the table vpon their knees to sit before him is all one as with vs for a man to stand vpon his feete neither may any presume to stand in his presence but onely great lords He is tasted vnto not before but after he hath eaten and drunke For his armes he hath a spade and two dartes Tribute he taketh none but onely certaine daies seruice and giftes presented vnto him without which there is no appearing in his sight Hee carrieth whithersoeuer he go foure hundred dogs as a most sure and trustie guard Hee keepeth all the heires of his tributary princes as vassals and as pledges of their fathers loialtie There are no prisons in al his empire for sufficient testimonie being brought of the commission of any crime iustice is executed out of hand and of all offences none are punished with greater seueritie and rigour then witchcraft theft and adulterie His people are of a meane 〈◊〉 blacke and well proportioned They are Gentiles in religion hauing no idols but worshipping one onely God whom they call Mozimo They go apparelled in cloth of cotton either made by themselues or brought from other countries howbeit the king will in no case weare any forrein cloth for feare of poison or such like trecherie and the meaner sort of his subiects are clad in beasts skins Among all the armies and
December Ianuarie and Februarie such as are borne in Europe can very hardly walke or mooue themselues for faintnes and all the rest of the yeere once in eight or ten daies they seeme to be taken with an hot and a cold fit of an ague which continueth vpon them for tow howers togither They are thrice or oftner let bloud euerie yeere and few of them liue aboue fiftie yeeres but their Negros remaine more then an hundred yeers aliue They which newly arriue there are commonly surprized with a most dangerous feauer which holdeth them for twentie daies togither And these are let bloud without any reckoning of ounces Heereblow no windes at all but onely from the southeast south and southwest which windes stirre not in the moneths of December Ianuarie and Februarie and therefore these moneths are most extremely hot But in Iune Iuly and August they blow a fresh gale In this isle the French euill and the scuruies are verie rife The soile is of a meane colour betweene red and yellow being clammie like claie and by reason of the continuall nightly dewes as soft and pliable as waxe and of incredible fertility Besides diuers other good ports it hath one principall among the rest belonging to the chiefe towne or citie called Pauoasan consisting of aboue seuen hundred families and inhabited by Portugals and into the saide port runneth a little riuer of excellent water To euery of the Ingenios or sugar-houses which in all may amount to the number of seuentie do belong Negro-slaues for the planting of their canes and the dressing of their sugars to some two hundred and to others three hundred a piece who liue vpon Maiz or Ghiny-wheat the number of which slaues is so great that oftentimes they rebell to the great domage of the Portugals They haue good sustenance also by meanes of a root called there Igname but in the west Indies Batata Wheat that is heere sowen groweth not to any ripenes or graine but is resolued altogether into grasse They make wine of the Palme-tree Vines prosper nothing kindely in this place except it be heere and there one planted by an house-side and attended with great diligence They bring forth clusters at the same time some ripe some greene and some blossomes onely and they beare fruit twice in the yeere as doe the fig-trees likewise They haue sugar-canes ripe all the yeere long but melons onely in Iune Iuly and August No tree that beareth fruit with a stone or kernell will fructifie or prosper in this place 〈◊〉 are found all ouer the Isle certaine crabs or creuises like vnto them of the sea heere be likewise gray parots and infinite other birds of diuers sortes and in the sea are mightie store of whales especially toward the firme land The principall riches of this isle consist in sugars whereof there groweth great abundance The sugar-canes are planted and cut euery moneth and in fiue months they grow to ripenes but by reason of the moistnes of the ayer they neither prooue hard nor white but are of a reddish colour The tenths which belong to the king amount to the number of 12. or 14. thousand Arrouas euery Arroua being one and thirtie Italian pound-weight In times past there were fortie ships yeerely laden therewith but now of late certaine wormes which eat the roots of the canes or as others think white antes or mise haue so mightily impaired the growth of this commodity that now there are not aboue sixe ships laden therewith The sugar-canes after they be once ground they giue vnto their hogges wherewith they prooue fat and their flesh is very sauory For returne of sugars the merchants of Europe carry thither meale wine swordes oile cheese hides drinking-glasses and certaine shels which there and in the countries adioining they vse insteed of mony Of the coniunction betweene the men of Europe and the Negro women are bred a generation of browne or tawnie people This Isle of Saint Thomas together with the principal towne and castle was in October 1599 taken by part of the same fleet of Hollanders which not fullie foure moneths before had sacked the isles castles and townes of Gran Canaria and Gomera Of the Isle del principe and that of Fernando Po. THe Isle del principe or of the prince situate in three degrees of Northerly latitude and one hundred twentie miles on this side the isle of Sant Thomas is little in quantitie but excellent in qualitie for which cause it is throughly tilled and manured The reuenues thereof which consist the greatest part in sugars were in times past allowed vnto the prince of Portugale whereupon it was named The isle of the prince This Isle was in the yeere 1598 taken by certaine ships of war sent forth vnder the conduct of Iulianus Clerehagen at the charges of Balthasar Musheron of Camphere in Zeland merchant who had the conquest thereof giuen him by patent from Prince Maurice and the States generall of the vnited prouinces That of Fernando Po hath no other matter of speciall note saue onely a certaine lake which is the originall of sundry freshets of sweete and holesome water which make the island to be most pleasant It seemed so beautifull to the first discouerer thereof that he termed it Ilha fermosa or The faire isle To the west of these two isles are situate the isle of Sant Matthew and that of Santa Cruz and afterward hauing passed the Equinoctial you come to the isle of Sant Paule and the isle of conception both which were discouered by Pedro Aluarez Cabral in the yeere 1501. Of the isles of Cabo verde NExt vnto Cape verde it selfe stand The Barbacene which are seuen small isles replenished with greene trees and full of strange birds vnknowne to vs and yet are they vtterly voide of inhabitants But those that are called the isles of Cape verde which by ancient authors are thought to haue bin named Gorgones or Gorgades or Hesperides are nine in number and are fituate betweene Cabo verde and Cabo blanco They were first discouered by Antonio di Nolli a Genoway and began in like sort to be peopled in the yeere of our Lord 1440. Albeit there are none of them now inhabited but onely the isle of Sant Iago and Isla del fo go or The burning isle The principall of them all is Sant Iago being seuentie miles long whereon the Portugals haue a faire and strong towne called Ribera grande with a riuer running through it and a commodious and secure hauen it is very strongly seated betweene two mountaines and consisteth of fiue hundred families at the least The riuer which springeth two leagues from the city is beautified vpon the bankes thereof with Cedars Orenge-trees and diuers other plants amongst which the Palme tree of India that beareth nuts prospereth exceeding well The hearbes of Europe grow here as naturally as in their original soile howbeit the seeds thereof must euery yeere be brought out of Spaine The isle is
are two opinions the first is this namely because this part of the worlde is diuided from Europa by the Mediterran sea and from Asia by the riuer of Nilus Others are of opinion that this name Africa was deriued from one Ifricus the king of Arabia Foelix who is saide to haue beene the first that euer inhabited these partes This Ifricus waging warre against the king of Aslyria and being at length by him driuen out of his kingdome passed with his whole armie ouer Nilus and so conducting his troupes westward made no delay till he was come vnto the region lying about Carthage Hence it is that the Arabians do imagine the countrie about Carthage onely and the regions lying westward thereof to comprehende all Africa The borders of Africa AFRICA if we may giue credite vnto the writers of that nation being men of learning and most skilfull Cosmographers beginneth southward at certaine riuers issuing foorth of a lake in the desert of Gaoga Eastward it bordereth vpon the riuer Nilus It extendeth northward to that part of Egypt where Nilus at seuen mouthes dischargeth his streames into the Mediterran sea from whence it stretcheth westward as farre as the streites of Gibraltar and is bounded on that part with the vtmost sea-towne of all Libya called Nun. Likewise the south part thereof abutteth vpon the Ocean sea which compasseth Africa almost as farre as the deserts of Gaoga The 〈◊〉 of Africa OVR authors affirme that Africa is 〈◊〉 into fower partes that is to say Barbaria Numidia Libya and the lande of Negros Barbaria taketh beginning from the hill called Meies which is the extreme part of all the mountaines of Atlas being distant from Alexandria almost three hundred miles It is bounded on the North side with the Mediterran sea stretching thence to mount-Meies aforesaid and from mount-Meies extending itselfe to the streites of Gibraltar Westward it is limited with the said streites from whence winding it selfe out of the Mediterran sea into the maine Ocean it is inclosed with the most westerly point of Atlas namely at that Westerne cape which is next vnto the towne called Messa And southward it is bounded with that side of Atlas which lieth towards the Mediterran sea This is the most noble and worthie region of all Africa the inhabitants whereof are of a browne or tawnie colour being a ciuill people and prescribe wholsome lawes and constitutions vnto themselues The second part of Africa is called of the Latines Numidia but of the Arabians Biledulgerid this region bringeth foorth dates in great abundance It beginneth eastward at the citie of Eloacat which is an hundred miles distant from Egypt extendeth west as far as the towne of Nun standing vpon the Ocean sea Northward it is inclosed with the south side of Atlas And the south part thereof bordereth vpon the sandie deserts of Libya All the Arabians doe vsually call it The land of dates because this onely region of Africa beareth dates The third part called of the Latines Libya and of the Arabians Sarra which word signifieth a desert beginneth eastward at that part of Nilus which is next vnto the citie of Eloacat and from thence runneth westward as far as the Ocean sea Northwarde it is bounded with Numidia southward it abutteth vpon the land of Negros eastward it taketh beginning at the kingdome of Gaoga and stretcheth westwarde euen to the land of Gualata which bordereth vpon the Ocean sea The fourth part of Africa which is called the land of Negros beginneth eastward at the kingdome of Gaoga from whence it extendeth west as far as Gualata The north part thereof is inclosed with the desert of Libya and the south part which is vnknowen vnto vs with the Ocean sea howbeit the merchants which daily come from thence to the kingdome of Tombuto haue sufficiently described the situation of that countrie vnto vs. This lande of Negros hath a mightie riuer which taking his name of the region is called Niger this riuer taketh his originall from the east out of a certaine desert called by the foresaide Negros Seu. Others will haue this riuer to spring out of a certaine lake and so to run westward till it exonerateth itselfe into the Ocean sea Our Cosmographers affirme that the said riuer of Niger is deriued out of Nilus which they imagine for some certaine space to be swallowed vp of the earth and yet at last to burst foorth into such a lake as is before mentioned Some others are of opinion that this riuer beginneth westward to spring out of a certaine mountaine and so running east to make at length a huge lake which verily is not like to be true for they vsually saile westward from Tombuto to the kingdome of Ginea yea and to the land of Melli also both which in respect of Tombuto are situate to the west neither hath the said land of Negros any kingdomes comparable for beautifull and pleasant soile vnto those which adioine vnto the bankes of Niger And here it is to be noted that according to the opinion of our Cosmographers that land of Negros by which Nilus is said to run namely that part of the world which stretcheth eastward euen to the Indian sea some northerly parcell whereof abutteth vpon the red sea to wit the countrie which lieth without the gulfe of Arabia is not to be called any member or portion of Africa and that for many reasons which are to be found in the processe of this historie set downe more at large The said countrie is called by the Latines Aethiopia From thence come certaine religious Friers seared or branded on the face with an hot iron who are to be seene almost ouer all Europe and specially at Rome These people haue an Emperour which they call Prete Gianni the greater part of that land being inhabited with Christians Howbeit there is also a certaine Mahumetan among them which is said to possesse a great dominion A diuision of the fower forenamed partes of Africa BArbarie is distinguished into fower kingdomes the first whereof is the kingdome of Maroco which is likewise diuided into seuen regions or prouinces namely Hea Sus Guzula the territorie of Maroco Duccala Hazcora Tedles The second kingdome of Barbarie called Fez comprehendèth in like sort seuen regions within the bounds thereof to wit Temesne the territorie of Fez Azgara Elabat Errif Garet and Elcauz The third kingdome is called Telensin and hath three regions vnder it namely the mountaines Tenez and Algezer The fourth kingdome of Barbarie is named Tunis vnder which are comprized fower regions that is to say Bugia Constantina Tripolis in Barbarie and Ezzaba which is a good part of Numidia Bugia hath alwaies beene turmoiled with continuall warres because sometimes it was subiect vnto the king of Tunis and sometimes againe vnto the king of Tremizen Certaine it is that euen vntill these our daies this Bugia was a kingdome of it selfe and so continued till
though corruptly which I suppose came first hereupon to passe for that the said people haue had long acquaintance and conuersation with the Arabians The Negros haue diuers languages among themselues among which they call one Sungai and the same is current in many regions as namely in Gualata Tombuto Ghinea Melli and Gago Another language there is among the Negros which they cal Guber this is rife among the people of Guber of Cano of Casena of Perzegreg of Guangra Likewise the kingdom of Borno hath a peculiar kinde of speech altogether like vnto that which is vsed in Gaoga And the kingdome of Nube hath a language of great affinitie with the Chaldean Arabian Egyptian toongs But all the sea-towns of Africa frō the Mediterran sea to the mountains of Atlas speake broken Arabian Except the kingdome and towne of Maroco the inland Numidians bordering vpon Maroco Fez Tremizen all which vse the Barbarian toong Howbeit they which dwel ouer against Tunis Tripoli speake indeede the Arabian language albeit most corruptly Of the Arabians inhabiting the citie of Africa OF that armie which was sent by Califa Otmen the third in the fower hundred yeere of the Hegeira there came into Africa fowerscore thousand gentlemen and others who hauing subdued sundrie prouinces at length arriued in Africa and there the Generall of the whole armie called Hucha 〈◊〉 Nafich remained This man built that great citie which is called of vs Alcair For he stood in feare of the people of Tunis least they should betray him misdoubting also that they would procure aide out of Sicily and so giue him the encounter Wherefore with all his treasure which he had got he trauelled to the desert firme ground distant from Carthage about one hundred and twentie miles and there is he said to haue built the citie of Alcair The remnant of his soldiers he commanded to keepe those places which were most secure and fit for their defence and willed them to build where no rocke nor fortification was Which being done the Arabians began to inhabit Africa and to disperse themselues among the Africans who because they had beene for certaine yeeres subiect vnto the Romans or Italians vsed to speake their language and hence it is that the naturall and mother-toong of the Arabians which hath great affinitie with the African toong grewe by little and little to be corrupted and so they report that these two nations at length conioined themselues in one Howbeit the Arabians vsually doe blaze their petigree in daily and triuiall songs which custome as yet is common both to vs and to the people of Barbarie also For no man there is be he neuer so base which will not to his owne name adde the name of his nation as for example Arabian Barbarian or such like Of the Arabians which dwell in tents THE Mahumetan priestes alwaies forbad the Arabians to passe ouer Nilus with their armies and tents How beit in the fower hundred yeere of the Hegeira we reade that they were permitted so to doe by a certaine factious and schismaticall Califa because one of his nobles had rebelled against him vsurping the citie of Cairaoan and the greatest part of Barbarie After the death of which rebell that kingdome remained for some yeeres vnto his posteritie and familie whose iurisdiction as the African chronicles report grew so large and strong in the time of Elcain the Mahumetan Califa and patriark of Arabia that he sent vnto them one Gehoar whom of a slaue he had made his counsellour with an huge armie This Gehoar conducting his armie westward recouered all Numidia and Barbarie Insomuch that he pierced vnto the region of Sus and there claimed most ample tribute all which being done he returned backe vnto his Calipha and most faithfully surrendred vnto him whatsoeuer he had gained from the enemie The Calipha seeing his prosperous successe began to aspire vnto greater exploites And Gehoar most firmely promised that as he had recouered that westerne dominion vnto his Lord so would he likewise by force of warre most certainly restore vnto him the countries of the East to wit Egypt Syria and all Arabia and protested moreouer that with the greatest hazard of his life he would be auenged of all the iniuries offered by the familie of Labhus vnto his Lords predecessors and would reuest him in the royall seate of his most famous grandfathers great-grandfathers and progenitors The Calipha liking well his audacious promise caused an armie of fower-score thousand soldiers with an infinite summe of money and other things necessarie for the warres to be deliuered vnto him And so this valiant and stout chieftaine being prouided for warfare conducted his troupes through the deserts of Aegypt Barbarie hauing first 〈◊〉 to flight the vice-Califa of Aegypt who fled vnto Eluir the Califa of Bagdet in short time he subdued very easily all the prouinces of Aegypt and Syria Howbeit he could not as yet hold himselfe secure fearing least the Califa of Bagdet would assaile him with an armie out of Asia and least the garrisons which he had left to keepe Barbarie should be constrained to forsake those conquered prouinces Wherefore hee built 〈◊〉 and caused it to be walled round about In which citie he left one of his most trustie captaines with a great part of the armie and this citie he called by the name of Alchair which afterward by others was named Cairo This Alchair is saide daily so to haue increased that no citie of the world for buildings and inhabitants was any way comparable thereunto Now when Gehoar perceiued that the Calipha of Bagdet made no preparation for warre he foorthwith wrote vnto his Lord that all the conquered cities yeelded due honour vnto him and that all things were in quiet and tranquillitie and therefore that himselfe if he thought good should come ouer into Aegypt and thereby with his onely presence should preuaile more to recouer the remnant of his dominions then with neuer so huge an armie for he was in good hope that the Calipha of Bagdet hearing of his expedition woulde leaue his kingdome and prelacie and would betake himselfe to flight This notable and ioyfull message no sooner came to the eares of Califa Elcain but he being by his good fortune much more encouraged then before and not forethinking himselfe what mischiefe might ensue leuied a great armie appointing for vice-roy of all Barbarie one of the familie of Sanagia aforesaid finding him afterward not to be his trustie friend Moreouer Califa Elcain arriuing at Alchair and being most honorably entertained by his seruant Gehoar began to thinke vpon great affaires and hauing gathered an huge armie resolued to wage battell against the Califa of Bagdet In the meane season he that was appointed vice-roy of Barbarie compacting with the Calipha of Bagdet yeelded himselfe and all Barbarie into his hands Which the Califa most kindly accepted and ordained him
in the midst thereof most cleere and coole fountaines This towne is enuironed on all sides with rockes and mightie woods In the said towne are Iewes of all occupations and so me there are which affirme that the first inhabitants of this towne came by naturall descent from King Dauid but so soone as the Mahumetan religion had infected that place their owne lawe and religion ceased Heere are great store of most cunning lawyers which are perfectly well seene in the lawes and constitutions of that nation for I remember that I my selfe sawe a very aged man who could most readily repeate a whole volume written in their language called by them Elmudevuana that is to say the body of the whole lawe The said volume is diuided into three tomes wherein all difficult questions are dissolued together with certaine counsels or commentaries of a famous author which they call 〈◊〉 They haue a kinde of tribunall or iudgement-hall wherein all contentions happening betweene the citizens of this place and their neighbour-neighbour-cities are presently decided and set through Neither doe the said lawyers deale onely in common-wealth matters but also in cases pertaining to religion albeit in criminall cases the people doe not so greatly credit them for indeede their learning little serueth them for that purpose Being amongst them it was my hap to soiourne in the house of a certaine lawyer who was a man of great learning This lawyer to the end he might giue me more solemne entertainmēt would needs inuite diuers learned men of his owne profession to beare vs companie at supper After supper we had many questions propounded and amongst the residue this was one namely Whether any man might iustly sell that person for a bondflaue who is nourished by any commoditie of the people There was in companie at the same time a certaine aged Sire hauing a graue beard and a reuerend countenance vnto whom each one of them ascribed much honour him they called in their owne language Hegazzare Which name when I had heard thrice or fower times repeated I demanded of some that were in presence what was the true signification thereof They told me that it signified a butcher for say they as a butcher knoweth right well the true anatomy of euery part of a beast euen so can this aged Sire most learnedly dissolue all difficult questions doubts of lawe This people leadeth a most miserable and distressed life their foode is barlie bread oile arganicke and goates-flesh They know no vse of any other graine but barlie Their women are very beautifull and of a louely hue their men be strong and lustie hauing haire growing vpon their brestes and being very liberall and exceeding iealous Of Culeihat Elmuridin that is to say The rocke of disciples a castle of Hea. THis Culeihat Elmuridin is a castle built vpon the top of a certaine high mountaine hauing round about it diuers other mountaines of a like heighth which are enuironed with craggie rocks and huge woods There is no passage vnto this castle but onely a certaine narrow path vpon one side of the mountaine By the one side thereof stands a rocke and vpon the other side the mountaine of Tesegdelt is within halfe a mile and it is distant from Eitdeuet almost eighteene miles This castle was built euen in our time by a certaine apostata or renouncer of the Mahumetan religion called by them Homar Seijef who being first a Mahumetan preacher vnto the people propounded vnto a great number of disciples and sectaries whom he had drawen to be of his opinion certaine new points of religion This fellow seeing that he preuailed so with his disciples that they esteemed him for some petie-god became of a false preacher a most cruell tyrant and his gouernment lasted for twelue yeeres He was the chiefe cause of the destruction and ruine of the whole prouince At length he was slaine by his owne wife because he had vnlawfully lien with her daughter which she had by her former husband And then was his peruerse and lewd dealing laide open vnto all men for he is reported to haue beene vtterly ignorant of the lawes and of all good knowledge Wherefore not long after his decease all the inhabitants of the region gathering their forces togither slew euerie one of his disciples and false sectaries Howbeit the nephew of the said apostata was left aliue who afterward in the same castle endured a whole yeeres siege of his aduersaries and repelled them insomuch that they were constrained to depart Yea euen vntill this day he molesteth the people of Hea and those which inhabite neere vnto him with continuall warre liuing vpon robberie and spoile for which purpose he hath certaine horsemen which are appointed to watch and to pursue trauellers sometimes taking cattel and sometimes men captiues He hath likewise certaine gunners who although trauellers be a good distance off for the common high way standeth almost a mile from the castle will put them in great feare Howbeit all people doe so deadly hate him that they will not suffer him to till one foote of ground or to beare any dominion without the said mountaine This man hath caused his grandfathers body to be honorably buried in his castle suffering him to be adored of his people as if he were a god Passing by that way vpon a certain time I escaped their very bullets narrowly The life religion manners of the foresaid Homar Seijef I perfectly learned by a disciple of his hauing at large declared the same in a certaine briefe treatise which I haue written concerning the Mahumetan religion Of Igilingigil a towne of Hea. MOreouer the Africans in olde time built a certaine towne vpon an hill called by the inhabitants Igilingigil being distant from Eitdeuet about six miles southward and containing almost fower hundred families In this towne are sundry artificers employing themselues onely about things necessarie to the ende they may make their best gaine aduantage thereby Their ground is most fertile for barlie as likewise they haue great abundance of honie and of oile Arganicke The passage or way vnto this citie is very narrow lying onely vpon one side of the hill And it is so hard and difficult that horses cannot without great labour and perill goe vpon it The inhabitants are most valiant people and wel exercised in armes maintaining continuall warre against the Arabians and that for the most part with very prosperous successe by reason of the naturall and strong situation of the 〈◊〉 A more liberall people then this you shall hardly find They generally exercise themselues in making of earthen pots and vessels which I thinke none of their neighhours thereabout can doe Of Tefethne a port and most famous mart-towne of Hea. NEere vnto the Ocean sea standeth a citie most strong both for situation and building commonly called Tefethne being westward of Ingilingigil about fortie miles They say that this towne was built by certaine Africans and that it
the kings brother will make a truce Which the Portugals no sooner yeelded vnto but the sauage and merciles Moores put them euery one to the sword sauing three or fower onely who were saued at the request of a captaine in the Moores campe The Portugals Generall being sore dismaied with this slaughter for thereby he had lost all his principal soldiers craued aide of a certaine other captaine which by chance arriued there with a mightie fleete being accompanied with a great number of noblemen and gentlemen Howbeit he was so hindred by the Moores who daily did him all the villanie they could and sunke diuers of his ships that he was not able to performe that which he desired In the meane space newes was published among the Portugals of the king of Spaines death whereupon diuers ships were prouided and many Portugals were sent into Spaine Likewise the captaine of the said new forte seeing himselfe destitute of all succour leauing the forte embarked himselfe in those ships which then lay vpon the riuer But the greatest part of the fleete were cast away at their setting foorth and the residue to escape the Moores shot ran themselues a-ground on the flats and shouldes of the riuer and were there miserably slaine by the Moores Many of their ships were here burnt and their ordinance sunke in the sea So many Christians were then slaine some say to the number of ten thousand that the sea-water in that place continued red with their blood for three daies after Soone after the Moores tooke vp fower hundred great peeces of brasse out of the sea This huge calamitie befell the Portugals for two causes first because they would with such a small number make so rash an assault vpon the Moores whom they knew to be so strong and secondly whereas the Portugall-king might at his owne cost haue sent another fleete for a new supply he would by no meanes ioine his owne people and Castilians together For by reason of the diuersitie of counsels and of people there is nothing more pernicious then for an armie to consist of two nations yea the Moores certainly expect the vpper hand when they are to fight with such an armie I my selfe was present in the foresaid warre and sawe each particular accident a little before my voyage to Constantinople Of the towne called Tefelfelt THis towne is situate vpon a sandie plaine fifteene miles eastward of Mahmora and almost twelue miles from the Ocean sea Not far from this towne runneth a certaine riuer on both sides whereof are thicke woods haunted with more fierce and cruell lions then the last before mentioned which greatly endanger those trauellers that haue occasion to lodge thereabout Without this towne vpon the high way to Fez standeth an olde cottage with a plancherd chamber therein here the mulettiers and carriers are said to take vp their lodging but the doore of the said cottage they stop as sure as they can with boughes and thornes Some affirme that this rotten cottage while the towne was inhabited was a most stately inne But it was defaced in the foresaid war of Sahid A description of Mecnase THis towne was so called after the name of the Mecnasites who were the founders thereof From Fez it is 36. miles about fiftie from Sella and from Atlas almost 15. miles distant It is exceeding rich and containeth families to the number of six thousand The inhabitants hereof while they dwelt in the fields liued a most peaceable life howbeit at length they fell to dissension among themselues and the weaker part hauing all their cattell taken from them and hauing nothing in the fields to maintaine their estaste agreed among themselues to build this citie of Mecnase in a most beautifull plaine Neere vnto this towne runneth a little riuer and within three miles thereof are most pleasant gardens replenished with all manner of fruits Quinces there are of great bignes and of a most fragrant smell and pomegranates likewise which being very great and most pleasant in taste haue no stones within them and yet they are sold exceeding cheape Likewise here are plentie of damascens of white plums and of the fruite called Iujuba which being dried in the sunne they eate in the spring and carrie a great number of them to Fez. They haue likewise great store of figs and grapes which are not to be eaten but while they are greene new for their figs being dried become so brittle that they waste all to powder and their grapes when they are made raisins prooue vnsauorie Peaches and oranges they haue in so great quantitie that they make no store of them but their limons are waterish and vnpleasant Oliues are sold among them for a duckat and a halfe the Cantharo which measure containeth a hundred pounds Italian Moreouer their fields yeeld them great plentie of hempe and flaxe which they sell at Fez and Sela. In this towne are most stately and beautifull temples three colleges and ten bath-stoues Euery monday they haue a great market without the towne-walles whereunto the bordering Arabians doe vsually resort Here are oxen sheepe and other such beastes to be sold butter and wooll are here plentifull and at an easie rate In my time the king bestowed this towne vpon a certaine noble man of his where as much fruits are reaped as in the third part of the whole kingdome of Fez. This towne hath beene so afflicted by warres that the yeerely tribute thereof hath beene diminished sometime fortie thousand and fiftie thousand duckats and somtimes more and I haue red that it hath beene besieged for sixe or seuen yeeres together In my time the gouernour thereof the king of Fez his cozen relying vpon the fauour of the people rebelled against his kinsman and soueraigne Whereupon the Fessan king with a great armie besieged the towne two moneths together and because it would not yeeld so wasted and destroied all the countrie thereabout that the gouernour lost by that means fiue and twentie thousand duckats of yeerely reuenue What then shall we thinke of the sixe and seuen yeeres siege before mentioned At length those citizens which fauoured the king of Fez opened the gates and stoutly resisting the contrarie faction gaue the king and his soldiers entrance Thus by their meanes the king wan the citie carrying home to Fez the rebellious gouernour captiue who within fewe daies escaped from him This most strong and beautifull citie hath many faire streetes whereinto by conducts from a fountaine three miles distant is conueied most sweet and holesome water which serueth all the whole citie The mils are two miles distant from the towne The inhabitants are most valiant warlike liberall and ciuill people but their wits are not so refined as others some of them are merchants some artificers and the residue gentlemen They count it vnseemely for any man to send an horse-lode of seede to his husbandman or farmer They are at continuall iarre with the citizens of Fez
iurisdictions An hundred and fowerscore yeeres after there fell out great dissension and ciuill warre betweene these two cities which by report continued an hundred yeeres together At length Ioseph king of Maroco of the Luntune-familie conducting an huge armie against both these princes tooke them prisoners carried them home vnto his dominions and put them to a most cruell death And he so vanquished the citizens that there were slaine of them thirtie thousand Then determined king Ioseph to reduce those two townes into firme vnitie and concord for which cause making a bridge ouer the riuer and beating downe the walles of either towne right against it he vnited both into one which afterward he diuided into twelue regions or wardes Now let vs make report of all such memorable things as are there to be seene at this day A most exact description of the citie of Fez. A World it is to see how large how populous how well-fortified and walled this citie is The most part thereof standeth vpon great and little hils neither is there any plaine ground but onely in the midst of the citie The riuer entreth the towne in two places for it is diuided into a double branch one whereof runneth by new Fez that is by the south side of the towne and another commeth in at the west side And so almost infinitely dispersing it selfe into the citie it is deriued by certaine conducts and chanels vnto euery temple college inne hospitall and almost to euery priuate house Vnto the temples are certaine square conducts adioined hauing celles and receptacles round about them each one of which hath a cocke whereby water is conueied through the wall into a trough of marble From whence flowing into the sinks and gutters it carrieth away all the filth of the citie into the riuer In the midst of each square conduct standeth a lowe cesterne being three cubites in depth fower in bredth and twelue in length and the water is conueied by certaine pipes into the foresaid square conducts which are almost an hundred and fiftie in number The most part of the houses are built of fine bricks and stones curiously painted Likewise their bay-windowes and portals are made of partie-coloured bricke like vnto the stones of Majorica The roofes of their houses they adorne with golde azure and other excellent colours which roofes are made of wood and plaine on the top to the end that in summer-time carpets may be spred vpon them for here they vse to lodge by reason of the exceeding heate of that countrie Some houses are of two and some of three stories high whereunto they make fine staires by which they passe from one roome to another vnder the same roofe for the middle part of the house is alwaies open or vncouered hauing some chambers built on the one side and some on the other The chamber-doores are very high and wide which in rich mens houses are framed of excellent and carued wood Each chamber hath a presse curiously painted and varnished belonging thereunto being as long as the chamber it selfe is broad some will haue it very high and others but sixe handfuls in height that they may set it on the tester of a bed All the portals of their houses are supported with bricke-pillers finely plaistered ouer except some which stand vpon pillers of marble The beames and transoms vpholding their chambers are most curiously painted and carued To some houses likewise belong certaine square cesternes containing in bredth sixe or seuen cubites in length ten or twelue and in height but sixe or seuen handfuls being all vncouered and built of bricks trimly plaistered ouer Along the sides of these cesternes are certaine cocks which conuey the water into marbletroughes as I haue seene in many places of Europe When the foresaide conducts are full of water that which floweth ouer runneth by certaine secret pipes and conueiances into the cesternes and that which ouerfloweth the cesternes is carried likewise by other passages into the common sinks and gutters and so into the riuer The said cesternes are alwaies kept sweete and cleane neither are they 〈◊〉 but onely in summer 〈◊〉 when men women and children bathe themselues therein Moreouer on the tops of their houses they vsually build a turret with many pleasant roomes therein whither the women for recreations sake when they are wearie of working retire themselues from whence they may see well-nigh all the citie ouer Of Mahumetan temples and oratories there are almost seuen hundred in this towne fiftie whereof are most stately and sumptuously built hauing their conducts made of marble and other excellent stones vnknowen to the Italians and the chapiters of their pillers be artificially adorned with painting and caruing The tops of these temples after the fashion of Christian churches in Europe are made of ioises and planks but the pauement is couered with mats which are so cunningly sowed together that a man cannot see the bredth of a finger vncouered The walles likewise on the inner side are lined a mans height with such mats Moreouer each temple hath a turret or steeple from whence certaine are appointed with a lowd voice to call the people at their set-time of praier Euery temple hath one onely priest to say seruice therin who hath the bestowing of all reuenues belōging to his owne temple as occasion requireth for thereby are maintained lampes to burne in the night and porters to keepe the doores are paid their wages out of it and so likewise are they that call the people to ordinarie praiers in the night season for those which crie from the said towers in the day-time haue no wages but are onely released from all tributes and exactions The chiefe Mahumetan temple in this towne is called Caruven being of so incredible a bignes that the circuit thereof and of the buildings longing vnto it is a good mile and a halfe about This temple hath one and thirtie gates or portals of a woonderfull greatnes and height The roofe of this temple is in length 150. and in bredth about fowerscore Florentine cubites The turret or steeple from whence they crie amaine to assemble the people togither is exceedingly high the bredth whereof is supported with twentie and the length with thirtie pillers On the east west and north sides it hath certaine walkes or galleries fortie cubites in length and thirtie in bredth Vnder which galleries there is a cell or storehouse wherein oile candles mats and other such necessaries for the temple are laid vp Euery night in this temple are burnt nine hundred lightes for euery arch hath a seuerall lampe especially those which extend through the mid-quire Some arches there are that haue 120. candles apeece there are likewise certaine brasse-candlestickes so great and with so many sockets as they will holde each one fifteene hundred candles and these candlestickes are reported to haue beene made of bels which the king of Fez in times past tooke from Christians About the wals of the
about thirtie shops Next them are 150. shops of tailors And next the tailors are those that make leather-shieldes such as I haue often seene brought into Europe Then follow twenty shops of laundresses or washers being people of a base condition to whom the citizens that haue not maids of their owne carrie their shirtes and other fowle linnen which after few daies are restored vnto them so cleane and white as it is woonderfull These laundresses haue diuers shops adioining together in the same place but here and there throughout the citie are aboue two hundred families of such persons Next vnto the laundresses are those that make trees for saddles who dwell likewise in great numbers eastwarde right in the way to the college founded by king Abuhinan Vpon these adioine about fortie shops of such as work stirrops spurres and bridles so artificially as I thinke the like are not to be seene in Europe Next standeth their street that first rudely make the said stirrops bridles and spurres From thence you may go into the street of sadlers which couer the saddles before mentioned threefold with most excellent leather the best leather they lay vppermost and the woorst beneath and that with notable workmanship as may be seene in most places of Italie And of them there are moe then an hundred shops Then follow their long shops that make pikes and launces Next standeth a rocke or mount hauing two walks thereupon the one whereof leadeth to the east gate and the other to one of the kings pallaces where the kings sisters or some other of his kinred are vsually kept But this is by the way to be noted that all the foresaid shops or market begin at the great temple howbeit that I might not inuert my set-order I haue onely described those places that are round about the said temple minding last of all to speake of the merchants station or burse Of the station or burse of merchants in Fez. THis burse you may well call a citie which being walled round about hath twelue gates before euery gate an iron chaine to keepe horses cartes from comming in The said burse is diuided into 12. seuerall wards or partes two whereof are allotted vnto such shoomakers as make shooes onely for noblemen and gentlemen and two also to silke-merchants or haberdashers that sell ribands garters skarfes and such other like ornaments and of these there are about fiftie shops Others there are that sell silke onely for the embrodering of shirts cushions and other such furniture made of cloth possessing almost as many shops as the former Then follow those that make womens girdles of course wooll which some make of silke but very grossely for I thinke they are 〈◊〉 then two fingers thicke so that they may serue almost for cables to a ship Next vnto these girdlers are such as sell woollen and linnen cloth brought out of Europe which haue also silke-stuffes caps and other like commodities to sell. Hauing passed these you come to them that sel mats mattresses cushions and other things made of leather Next adioineth the customers office for their cloth is sent about by certaine criers to be solde who before they can passe must goe to the customers to haue the said cloth sealed and to pay toll vnto the customers Criers here are to the number of sixtie which for the crying of euery cloth haue one Liardo allowed them Next of all dwell the tailors and that in three seuerall streetes Then come you to the linnen-drapers which sell smocks and other apparell for women and these are accounted the richest merchants in all Fez for their wares are the most gainful of all others Next vnto these are certaine woollen garments to be sold made of such cloth as is brought thither out of Europe Euery afternoone cloth is sold in this place by the criers which is lawfull for any man to doe when necessarie occasion vrgeth him Last of all is that place where they vse to sell wrought shirts towels and other embrodered works as also where carpets beds and blankets are to be sold. The reason why this part of the citie was called Caesaria THe foresaid burse or station of merchants was in times past called Caesaria according to the name of that renowmed conquerour 〈◊〉 Caesar the reason whereof some affirme to be because all the cities of Barbarie were in those daies first subiect to the Romans and then to the Goths And each citie alwaies had either Romans or Goths to receiue and take charge of the tribute Howbeit because the people often made ciuill wars and assaults vpon them their determination was in euery citie to build some strong walled place where both the tribute and the principall goods of the citizens might remaine in safetie hoping by this meanes that the citizens would be as carefull of the princes goods as of their owne Which course had the Italians imitated they had neuer beene spoiled so often of their goods For in ciuill wars it many times befalleth that the greedie soldiers not being satisfied with the enimies goods will prey vpon the wealth of their friendes Of the grocers apothecaries and other tradesmen and 〈◊〉 of Fez. NExt vnto the said burse on the north side in a streight lane stand an hundred and fiftie grocers and apothecaries shops which are fortified on both sides with two strong gates These shops are garded in the night season by certaine hired and armed watchmen which keepe their station with lanternes and mastiues The said apothecaries can make neither 〈◊〉 ointments nor electuaries but such things are made at home by the phisitions and are of them to be bought The phisitions houses adioine for the most part vnto the apothecaries howbeitvery few of the people knowe either the phisition or the vse of his phisicke The shops here are so artificially built and adorned that the like I thinke are no where else to be found Being in Tauris a citie of Persia I remember that I saw diuers stately shops curiously built 〈◊〉 certaine galleries but very darke so that in my iudgement they be far inferiour vnto the shops of Fez. Next the apothecaries are certaine artificers that make combes of boxe and other wood Eastward of the apothecaries dwell the needle-makers possessing to the number of fiftie shops Then follow those that turne iuorie and such other matter who because their craft is practised by some other artizans are but few in number Vnto the turners adioine certaine that sell meale sope brooms who dwelling next vnto the threed-market beforementioned are scarce twenty shops in all for the residue are dispersed in other places of the citie as we will hereafter declare Amongst the cotton-merchants are certaine that sell ornaments for tents and beds Next of all stand the fowlers who though they be but few yet are they stored with all kinde of choise and daintie fowles whereupon the place is called the fowlers market Then come you to their shops that
sell cords and ropes of hempe and then to such as make high corke slippers for noblemen and gentlemen to walke the streetes in when it is fowle weather these corke-slippers are finely trimmed with much silke and most excellent vpper leathers so that the cheapest will cost a duckat 〈◊〉 some there are of ten duckats and some of fiue and twentie duckats price Such slippers as are accounted most fine and costly are made of blacke and white mulberie-tree of blacke walnut-tree and of the Iujubatree albeit the corke-slippers are the most durable and strong Vnto these adioine ten shops of Spanish Moores which make crosse-bowes as also those that make broomes of a certaine wilde palme-tree such as are daily brought out of 〈◊〉 to Rome These broomes they cartie about the citie in a great basket either selling them or exchanging them for bran ashes or olde shooes the bran they sell againe to shepherds the ashes to such as white threed the old shooes to coblers Next vnto them are smithes that make nailes coopers which make certaine great vessels in forme of a bucket hauing corne-measures to sell also which measures when the officer appointed for the same purpose hath made triall of he is to receiue a farthing apeece for his fee. Then follow the wooll-chapmen who hauing bought wooll of the butchers put it foorth vnto others to be scowred and washed the sheepe-skins they themselues dresse but as for oxe-hides they belong to another occupation and are tanned in another place Vnto these adioine such as make certaine langols or wit hs which the Africans put vpon their horses feete Next of all are the braziers then such as make weights and measures and those likewise that make instruments to carde wooll or flaxe At length you descend into a long streete where men of diuers occupations dwell together some of which doe polish and enamell stirrops spurres and other such commodities as they receiue from the smithes roughly and rudely hammered Next whom dwell certaine cart-wrights plow-wrights mill-wrights and of other like occupations Diers haue their aboad by the riuers side and haue each of them a most cleere fountaine or cesterne to wash their silke-stuffes in Ouer against the diers dwell makers of bulwarkes or trenches in a very large place which being planted with shadie mulberie-trees is exceeding pleasant in the summer-time Next them are a companie offarriers that shooe mules and horses and then those that make the iron-worke of crosse-bowes Then followe smithes that make horse-shooes and last of all those that white linnen-cloth and here the west part of the citie endeth which in times past as is aforesaid was a citie by it selfe and was built after the citie on the east side of the riuer A description of the second part of Fez. THe second part of Fez situate eastward is beautified with most stately palaces temples houses and colleges albeit there are not so many trades and occupations as in the part before described For here are neither merchants tailors shoomakers c. but of the meaner sort Here are notwithstanding thirtie shops of grocers Neere vnto the walles dwell certaine bricke-burners and potters and not far from thence is a great market of white earthen vessels platters cups and dishes Next of all standes the corne-market wherein are diuers granaries to lay vp corne Ouer against the great temple there is a broad street paued with brick round about which diuers handy-crafts and occupations are exercised There are likewise many other trades diuersly dispersed ouer this east part of the citie The drapers and grocers haue certaine peculiar places allotted vnto them In this east part of Fez likewise there are fiue hundred and twenty weauers houses very stately and sumptuously built hauing in each of them many worke-houses and loomes which yeeld great rent vnto the owners 〈◊〉 there are by report in this citie twenty thousand and as many millers Moreouer in this part of Fez are an hundred shops for the whiting of threed the principall whereof being situate vpon the riuer are exceedingly well furnished with kettles cauldrons and other such vessels here are likewise many great houses to saw wood in which worke is performed by Christian captiues and whatsoeuer wages they earne redoundeth vnto their Lordes and masters These Christian captiues are not suffered to rest from their labours but only vpon fridaies and vpon eight seuerall daies of the yeere besides whereon the Moores feastes are solemnized Here also are the common stewes for harlots which are fauoured by great men and sometime by the cheefe gouernours of the citie Likewise there are certaine vintners who are freely permitted to keepe harlots and to take filthie hire for them Here are also moe then sixe hundred cleere fountaines walled round about and most charily kept euery one of which is seuerally conueied by certaine pipes vnto each house temple college and hospitall and this fountaine-water is accounted the best for that which commeth out of the riuer is in summer oftentimes dried vp as likewise when the conducts are to be cleansed the course of the riuer must of necessitie be turned out of the citie Wherefore euery familie vseth to fetch water out of the said fountaines and albeit in summer-time the chiefe gentlemen vse riuer-water yet they will often call for fountaine-water because it is more coole and pleasant in taste But in the spring-time it is nothing so These fountaines haue their originall for the most part from the west and south for the north part is all full of mountains and marble-rocks containing certaine caues or cels wherein corne may be kept for many yeeres of which caues some are so large that they will holde two hundred bushels of corne The citizens dwelling neere those caues and such as possesse them do sufficiently maintaine themselues in taking yeerely euery hundred bushell for rent The south part of east Fez is almost halfe destitute of inhabitants howbeit the gardens abound with fruites and flowers of all sortes Euery garden hath an house belonging thereunto and a christall-fountaine enuironed with roses and other odoriferous flowers and herbes so that in the spring-time a man may both satisfie his eies and solace his minde in visiting this part of the citie and well it may be called a Paradise sithence the noblemen doe here reside from the moneth of April till the end of September Westward that is toward the kings palace standeth a castle built by a king of the Luntune-familie resembling in bignes an whole towne wherein the kings of Fez before the said palace was built kept their royal residence But after new Fez began to be built by the Marinkings the said castle was left onely to the gouernour of the citie Within this castle standes a stately temple built as aforesaid what time it was inhabited by princes and nobles many places being afterward defaced and turned into gardens howbeit certaine houses were left vnto the gouernour partly to dwell in and partly for the
of the house which is for the most part on the seuenth day after the mariage he buieth great plentie of fishes which he causeth his mother or some other woman to cast vpon his wiues feete and this they from an ancient superstitious custome take for a good boading Likewise at the bridegroomes fathers they vse to make two other feasts the one vpon the day before the bride is married and so that night they spend in dauncing and disport The morrow after a companie of women goe to dresse the bride to combe her locks and to paint her cheekes with vermillion her hands and her feete they die blacke but all this painting presently looseth the fresh hew and this day they haue another banket The bride they place in the highest roome that she may be seene of all and then those that dressed the bride are condignely entertained Being come to the bridegroomes house his parents salute the new bride with certaine great cups full of new wine and cakes with other iuncats which wee wil here passe ouer in silence all which are bestowed vpon the bridegroomes companions The same night which we said was spent in dauncing there are present at the bridall-house certaine minstrels and singers which by turnes sometimes vse their instruments and sometimes voice-musicke they daunce alwaies one by one and at the end of each galliard they bestow a largesse vpon the musitions If any one wil honour the dancer he bids him kneele downe before him and hauing fastened peeces of money all ouer his face the musitions presently take it off for their fee. The women daunce alone without any men at the noise of their owne musitions All these things vse to be performed when the bride is a maide But the mariages of widowes are concluded with lesse adoe Their cheere is boiled beefe and mutton and stued hens with diuers iuncating dishes among In stead of trenchers the guestes being ten or twelue in number haue so many great round platters of wood set before them And this is the common custome of gentlemen and merchants The meaner sort present their guestes with certaine sops or bruesse of bread like vnto a pan-cake which being dipped in flesh-pottage they eate out of a great platter not with spoones but with their fingers onely and round about each great platter stand to the number of ten or twelue persons Likewise they make a solemne feast at the circumcision of their male children which is vpon the seuenth day after their birth and at this feast the circumciser together with all their friends and kinsfolks is present which being done each one according to his abilitie bestoweth a gift vpon the circumciser in manner following Euery man laies his money vpon a lads face which the circumciser brought with him Whereupon the lad calling euery one by his name giueth them thanks in particular and then the infant being circumcised they spend that day with as great iollitie as a day of mariage But at the birth of a daughter they shew not so much alacritie Of their rites obserued vpon festiuall dates and their manner of mourning for the dead AMong the people of Fez there haue remained certaine reliques of festiuall daies instituted of olde by the Christians whereupon they vse certaine ceremonies which themselues vnderstande not Vpon Christmas euen they eate a sallet made of diuers herbs they seeth likewise that night all kind of pulse which they feede vpon for great dainties Vpon New-yeeres day the children goe with maskes and vizards on their faces to the houses of gentlemen and merchants and haue fruits giuen them for singing certaine carols or songs When as the feast of Saint Iohn Baptist is hallowed among Christians you shall here see all about great store of fires made with straw And when their childrens teeth begin to grow they make another feast called according to the Latines Dentilla They haue also many other rites and customes of diuining or soothsaying the like wherof I haue seene at Rome and in other cities of Italie As touching their feasts prescribed by the Mahumetan lawe they are at large set downe in that briefe treatise which we haue written concerning the same law The women hauing by death lost their husbands fathers or any other of their deere friends assemble foorthwith a great multitude of their own sexe together who stripping themselues out of their owne attire put on most vile sackcloth and defile their faces with much durt then call they certaine men clad in womens attire bringing great fower-square drums with them at the noise of which drums the women-mourners sing a funerall song tending as much as may be to the commendation of the partie deceased and at the end of euery verse the said womē vtter most hideous shrikes outcries tearing their haire with much lamentation beating their cheekes breasts till they be all-imbrued with blood and so these heathenish superstitions continue for seuen whole daies together At which seuen daies ende they surcease their mourning for the space of 40. daies then they begin anew to torment thēselues for three daies togither in maner aforesaid howbeit these kinds of obsequies are obserued onely by the baser people but the gentlemen and better sort behaue themselues more modestly At this time all the widowes friends come about her to comfort her and send diuers kinds of meats vnto her for in the mourning house they may dresse no meate at all till the dead corpes be carried foorth The woman her selfe that looseth her husband father or brother neuer goeth foorth with the funerall But how they wash and burie the dead corpes and what superstitions they vse thereabout you shall finde recorded in my little treatise aboue mentioned Of their doue-houses DIuers there are in this citie that take much pleasure in keeping of doues which are here in great plentie of all colours These doues they keepe in certaine cages or lockers on the tops of their houses which lockers they set open twise a day to wit morning and euening delighting greatly to see them flie for those that out-flie the residue are accounted the best Oftentimes it falleth out that neighbours doues will be mingled together for which cause you shall see the owners goe together by the eares Some haue a certaine net bound vnto two long canes wherewith they vse to take their neighbours doues as they come flying foorth of their louers Amongst the colliers you shall find seuen or eight shops onely of those that sel doues Their manner of gaming at Fez. THe citizens vse most of all to play at chesse and that from ancient times Other games there are also but very rude and vsed onely by the common people At certaine times of the yeere the boies of one street wil fight with clubs against the boies of another street and that sometimes with so great furie that they 〈◊〉 themselues to other weapons and slay one another especially vpon their festiuall daies what
family of Idris decaying it became a pray vnto the enemie At this present the ruines of the wals are onely to be seene and certaine forlorne gardens which because the ground is not manured bring foorth naught but wilde fruits Of the towne called Homar THis towne was built by one Hali a disciple of the foresaid Mahumet vpon a little hill and by a riuers side being situate about fourteene miles to the north of Casar and sixteen miles to the south of Arzilla which although it be but a small towne yet is it well fortified and fairely built and enuironed with fruitfull fieldes vineyardes and gardens replenished with woonderfull varietie of fruits The inhabitants being most of them linnen-weauers gather and prouide great store of flaxe But euer since the Portugals woon Arzilla this towne hath remained desolate A description of the 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 THe great citie of Arzilla called by the Africans Azella was built by the Romans vpon the Ocean sea shore about seuentie miles from the streits of Gibraltar and an hundred and fortie miles from Fez. It was in times past subiect vnto the prince of Septa or Ceuta who was tributarie to the Romans and was afterward taken by the Goths who established the said prince in his former gouernment but the Mahumetans wan it in the yeere of the Hegeira 94. and helde the same for two hundred and twenty yeeres till such time as the English at the persuasion of the Goths besieged it with an huge armie and albeit the Goths were enemies to the English because themselues were Christians and the English worshippers of idols yet the Goths 〈◊〉 them to this attempt hoping by that meanes to draw the Mahumetans out of Europe The English hauing good successe tooke the citie and so wasted it with fire and sword that scarce one citizen escaped so that it remained almost thirtie yeeres voide of inhabitants But afterward when the Mahumetan patriarks of Cordoua were lords of Mauritania it was againe reedified and by all meanes augmented enriched and fortified The inhabitants were rich learned and valiant The fields adiacent yeeld graine and pulse of all sorts in great abundance but because the towne standeth almost ten miles from the mountaines it sustaineth great want of wood howbeit they haue coales brought them from Harais as is aforesaid In the yeere of the Hegeira 882. this citie was suddenly surprised and taken by the Portugalles and all the inhabitants carried prisoners into Portugall amongst whom was Mahumet the king of Fez that now is who together with his sister being both children of seuen yeeres old were taken and led captiue For the father of this Mahumet seeing the prouince of Habatreuolt from him went and dwelt at Arzilla the very same time when Esserif a great citizen of Fez hauing slaine Habdulac the last king of the Marin-familie was by the fauour of the people aduanced vnto the Fessan kingdome Afterward one Saic Abra being pricked forward with ambition went about to conquer the citie of Fez and to make himselfe king howbeit Esserif by the aduise of a certaine counsellour of his being couzin vnto Saic vanquished and put to flight the saide Saic to his great disgrace Moreouer while Esserif had sent his said counsellour to Temesna to pacifie the people of that prouince being about to rebell Saic returned and hauing for one whole yeere besieged new Fez with eight thousand men at length by treason of the townesmen he easily wan it and compelled Esserif with all his familie to flee vnto the kingdome of Tunis The same time therefore that Saic besieged Fez the king of Portugall as is aforesaid sending a fleete into Africa tooke Arzilla and then was the king of Fez that now is with his yoong sister caried captiue into Portugall where he remained seuen yeeres in which space he learned the Portugall-language most exactly At length with a great summe of money his father ransomed him out of Portugall who afterward being aduanced to the kingdome was by reason of his long continuance in Portugall called king Mahumet the Portugall This king afterward attempted very often to be auenged of the Portugals and to recouer Arzilla Wherefore suddenly encountring the said citie he beat down a great part of the wall and entring the breach set all the captiue-Moores at libertie The Christians retired into the castle promising within two daies to yeeld vnto the king But Pedro Nauarro comming in the meane season with a great fleet they compelled the king with continuall discharging of their ordinance not onely to relinquish the citie but also to depart quite away with his whole armie afterward it was so fortified on all sides by the Portugals that the said king attempting often the recouerie thereof had alwaies the repulse I my selfe seruing the king in the foresaid expedition could find but fiue hundred of our companie slaine But the warre against Arzilla continued from the yeere of the Hegeira 914. to the yeere 921. Of the citie of Tangia THe great and ancient citie of Tangia called by the Portugals Tangiara according to the fond opinion of some historiographers was founded by one Sedded the sonne of Had who as they say was emperour ouer the whole world This man say they determined to build a citie which for beautie might match the earthly paradise Wherefore he compassed the same with walles of brasse and the roofes of the houses he couered with gold and siluer for the building whereof he exacted great tributes of all the cities in the world But the classicall and approoued authors affirme that it was built by the Romanes vpon the Ocean sea shore at the same time when they subdued the kingdome of Granada From the streites of Gibraltar it is distant almost thirtie and from Fez an hundred and fiftie miles And from the time that the Goths were first lordes of Granada this citie was subiect vnto Septa or Ceuta vntill it and Arzilla were woon by the Mahumetans It hath alwaies beene a ciuill famous and well-peopled towne and very stately and sumptuously built The field thereto belonging is not very fertill nor apt for tilth howbeit not far off are certaine vallies continually watred with fountaines which furnish the said citie with all kinde of fruits in abundance Without the citie also growe certaine vines albeit vpon a sandie soile It was well stored with inhabitants till such time as Arzilla was surprized by the Portugals for then the inhabitants being dismaied with rumours of warres tooke vp their bag and baggage and fled vnto Fez. Whereupon the king of Portugall his deputie at Arzilla sent one of his captaines thither who kept it so long vnder the obedience of the king till the king of Fez sent one of his kinsmen also to defend a region of great importance neere vnto the mountaines of Gumera being enemie to the Christians Twentie fiue yeeres before the Portugall king wan this citie he sent foorth an armada against it hoping
that the citie being destitute of aide 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 king of Fez was in warres against the rebels of Mecnase would soone yeeld it selfe But contrarie to the Portugals expectation the Fessan king concluding a sudden truce with them of Mecnase sent his counsellour with an armie who encountring the Portugals made a great slaughter of them and amongst the rest slue their generall whom he caused to be caried in a case or sacke vnto new Fez and there to be set vpon an high place where all men might behold him Afterward the king of Portugall sent a new supply who suddenly assailing the citie in the night were most of them slaine and the residue enforced to flee But that which the Portugall-king could not bring to passe with those two Armadas he atchieued at length as is aforesaid with small forces and little disaduantage In my time 〈◊〉 king of Fez left no meanes vnattempted for the recouerie of this citie but so great alwaies was the valour of the Portugals that he had euer ill successe These things were done in the yeere of the Hegeira 917 which was in the yeere of our Lord 1508. Of the towne called Casar Ezzaghir that is the little palace THis towne was built by Mansor the king and Patriarke of Maroco vpon the Ocean sea shore about twelue miles from Tangia and from Septa eighteene miles It was built they say by Mansor because euerie yeere when he passed into the Prouince of Granada hee was constrained with his whole armie to march ouer the rough and ragged mountaines of Septa before he could come vnto the sea shore It standeth in an open and pleasant place ouer against the coast of Granada It was well peopled in times past part of the inhabitants beeing weauers and merchants and the rest mariners that vsed to transport the wares of 〈◊〉 into Europe This towne the king of Portugall tooke by a sudden surprise And the Fessan king hath laboured by all meanes to recouer it but euer with ill successe These things were done in the yeere of the Hegeira 863. Of the great citie of Septa SEpta called by the Latines Ciuitas and by the Portugals Seupta was according to our most approoued Authors built by the Romanes vpon the streits of Gibraltar being in olde time the head citie of all Mauritania wherefore the Romanes made great account thereof insomuch that it became verie ciuill and was throughly inhabited Afterward it was woone by the Gothes who appointed a gouernour there and it continued in their possession 〈◊〉 the Mahumetans inuading Mauritania surprised it also The occasion whereof was one Iulian Earle of Septa who being greatly iniuried by Roderigo king of the Gothes and of Spaine ioyned with the infidels conducted them into Granada and caused Roderigo to loose both his life and his kingdome The Mahumetans therefore hauing taken Septa kept possession thereof on the behalfe of one Elgualid sonne of Habdulmalic their Patriarke who then was resident at Damasco in the yeere of the Hegeira 92. From thencefoorth till within these fewe yeeres this citie grew so ciuill and so well stored with inhabitants that it prooued the most worthie and famous citie of all Mauritania It contained many temples and colledges of students with great numbers of artizans and men of learning and of high spirite Their artizans excelled especially in workes of brasse as namely in making of candlesticks basons standishes and such like commodities which were as pleasant to the eie as if they had beene made of siluer or gold The Italians haue great cunning in making of the like but their workmanship is nothing comparable to theirs of Septa Without the citie are diuers faire villages and granges especially in that place which for the abundance of vines is called The vineyards howbeit the fields are verie barren and fruitles for which cause their corne is exceeding deere Both without and within the citie there is a pleasant and beautifull prospect to the shore of Granada vpon the streits of Gibraltar from whence you may discerne liuing creatures the distance being but 12. miles Howbeit this famous citie not many yeeres since was greatly afflicted by Habdulmumen the king and patriarke who hauing surprised it razed the buildings and banished the principal inhabitants thereof And not long after it sustained as great damage by the king of Granada who besides the foresaide harmes carried the nobles and chiefe citizens captiues into Granada And lastly in the yeere of Mahumet his Hegeira 818. being taken by a Portugall-armada all the citizens did abandon it Abu Sahid being then king of Fez. and a man of no valour neglected the recouerie thereof but in the midst of his dauncing and disport being aduertised that it was lost he would not so much as interrupt his vaine pastime wherefore by gods iust iudgement both himselfe and his sixe sonnes were all slaine in one night by his Secretarie in whom he reposed singular trust because hee would haue defloured the said Secretaries wife These things came to passe in the yeere of the Hegeira 824. Afterward the kingdome of Fez being eight yeeres destitute of a king a sonne of the murthered king whom he begot of a Christian woman and who the same night that his father was slaine fled vnto Tunis succeeded in the gouernment this was Habdulac the last king of the Marin family who likewise as is aforesaide was slaine by the people Of the towne of Tetteguin now called Tetuan THis towne being built by the ancient Africans eighteene miles from the streits of Gibraltar and sixe miles from the maine Ocean was taken by the Mahumetans at the same time when they woon Septa from the Gothes It is reported that the Gothes bestowed the gouernment of this towne vpon a woman with one eie who weekly repairing thither to receiue tribute the inhabitants named the towne 〈◊〉 which signifieth in their language an eie Afterward being often assayled and encountered by the Portugals the inhabitants forsooke it and it remained fowerscore and fifteene yeeres desolate which time being expired it was reedified and replanted a new with inhabitants by a certaine captaine of Granada who together with his king being expelled thence by Ferdinando king of Castile departed vnto Fez. This famous captaine that shewed himselfe so valiant in the warres of Granada was called by the Portugals Almandali Who hauing obtained the gouernment of this towne and gotten licence to repaire it enuironed the same with new wals and built an impregnable castle therein compassed with a deepe ditch Afterward making continuall warre against the Portugals he extremely molested and endamaged their townes of Septa Casar and Tangia for with three hundred valiant horsemen of Granada he made daily incursions and inroades vpon the Christians and those that he tooke he put to continuall labour and toile about the building of his forts Vpon a time I my selfe trauelling this way saw three thousand Christian captiues who being clad in
Melulo and bordereth eastward vpon the riuer Muluia southward it is enclosed with the mountaines next vnto the Numidian desert and northward it extendeth to the Mediterran sea The bredth of this region along the sea shore stretcheth from the riuer Nocor to the foresaide riuer of Muluia the southern bredth is bounded with the riuer Melulo westward with the mountaines of Chauz The length of this Prouince is fiftie and the bredth fortie miles The soyle is rough vntilled and barren not much vnlike to the deserts of Numidia The greater part hath beene destitute of inhabitants especially euer since the Spaniards tooke two of the principall townes in all the Prouince as we will in due place record Of the towne of Melela in Garet THis great and ancient towne built by the Africans vpon a certaine bay or hauen of the Mediterran sea containeth almost two thousand families It was in times past well stored with inhabitants as being the head-citie of the whole prouince It had a great iurisdiction or territorie belonging thereto and collected great abundance of yron and honie whereupon the towne it selfe was called Mellela which word in their language signifieth honie In the hauen of this towne they fish for pearles and get great store of oisters wherein pearles doe breed This towne was once subiect vnto the Goths but fell afterward into the Mahumetans possession The Goths being chased thence fled ouer to Granada which citie is almost an hundred miles distant to wit so farre as the bredth of the sea is ouer In my time the king of Spaine sent a great armie against this towne before the arriuall whereof the townesmen sent vnto the king of Fez for aide who making warre as then against the people of Temesna could send but small forces to succour them Which the townesmen being aduertised of and fearing least their small forces would prooue too weake for the Spanyards great armada they tooke all the bag and baggage that they could carrie and fled vnto the mountains of Buthoia Howbeit the captaine of the Fessan soldiers both to be reuenged vpon the townesmens cowardice and also to leaue nothing for the Spanyards to inioy burnt downe all the houses temples and 〈◊〉 This was done in the yeere of the Hegeira 896 which was in the yeere of our Lord 1487. But the Spanyards for all they found the citie so wasted would not depart thereupon but first built a strong castle and afterward by little and little repaired the towne-walles and by that meanes haue kept possession thereof euen till this day Of the towne of Chasasa THis towne is from Mellela aboue twenty miles distant It hath beene a famous towne and strongly walled with a royall hauen belonging thereunto which was yeerely frequented by Venetian ships The townesmen haue alwaies had great traffique with the people of Fez to the exceeding commoditie of them both At length while the king of Fez was seriously imployed in the warres Don Ferdinando king of Spaine came with great forces against it and wan it very easily for the inhabitants being aduertised of the Spanyards approch betooke themselues wholy to flight Of the towne of 〈◊〉 IT standeth vpon an high grauelly hill almost fifteene miles from Chasasa and hath but a narrow passage to ascend vp vnto it Within the towne they haue no water but onely out of one cesterne The founders hereof are reported to haue beene some of the familie of Beni Marin before they attained vnto great dominions and in this towne they laid vp their corne and other of their commodities At that time were all the deserts of the region adiacent void of danger for the Arabians were not as yet possessed of Garet 〈◊〉 after the familie of Beni-Marin began to flourish they left this towne and all the region of Garet vnto their neighbours and went to inhabit better prouinces Howbeit in the meane season Ioseph the sonne of king Iacob of the Marin-familie I know not vpon what occasion in a manner vtterly destroied Tezzota but after the Christians were 〈◊〉 of Chasasa one of the king of Fez his captaines being a valiant man and borne in Granada got licence of his prince to reedifie it againe The inhabitants of this reedified towne are Moores and are at continuall warre with the Christians of Chasasan Of the towne of Meggeo THis little towne standeth vpon the top of an exceeding high mountaine being westward from Tezzota ten miles almost 6. miles southward of the Mediterran sea Founded it was by the Africans and is inhabited with people of a noble and liberall disposition At the foote of this mountaine there are most fruitfull corne-fields Likewise great store of iron is digged out of the mountaines adioining The gouernment of this towne was committed vnto one of the blood-royall namely of the familie of 〈◊〉 whose father was not very rich but being a weauer he taught his sonne the same occupation Afterward the valiant yoong man being aduertised of the estate and nobilitie of his ancestors left his loome and went to serue the king at Bedis where he continued an horseman for a certaine time but because he was an excellent musitian the king loued him most intirely for his skill in musick A while after the gouernour of Tezzota requiring the kings aide against the Christians this woorthie yoong gentleman with three hundred horsemen was sent to succour him who as he had valiantly behaued himselfe oftentimes before so now also he appeered to be a most resolute commander Howbeit the king regarded not his valour so much as his excellent skill in musicke which the yoong gallant disdaining went at length to Garet vnto certaine gentlemen of his acquaintance there who ioining fiftie horsemen vnto him appointed him gouernour of the castle of Meggeo and afterward he was so wel beloued by all the inhabitants of the next mountaines that each man according to his abilitie pleasured and gratified him At length the gouernour of Bedis hauing assembled an armie of three hundred horsemen and a thousand footmen went about to expell the foresaid yoong gouernour out of Meggeo who presently with that small troupe which he had so valiantly encountred his enemies that he put them to flight and so growing famous in regarde of his manifolde victories the king of Fez bestowed very large reuenues vpon him which he had giuen before-time vnto the gouernours of Bedis to the ende he might wholy indeuour himselfe to expell the Spanyards out of that region And of this noble gouernour the Moores learned great skill in warlike affaires The king of Fez hath now doubled his yeerely allowance so that at this present he hath two hundred horsemen at command who are of greater force then two thousand soldiers of any other captaines there about Of mount Echebdeuon THis mountaine extendeth from Chasasa eastward as farre as the riuer Muluia and from the Mediterran sea southward it stretcheth vnto the desert of Garet The inhabitants are exceeding rich
and valiant and the mountaine it selfe aboundeth with honie barlie and all kinde of cattel Here are likewise great store of pleasant and greene pastures But since that Chasasa was taken by the Spanyards the people of this mountaine seeing that for want of soldiers they were not able to withstande the violence of their enemies abandoned their owne mountaine burnt their houses and fled vnto the mountaines next adioining Of mount Beni Sahid WEstward this mountaine extendeth almost to the riuer Nocor for the space of fower and twentie miles The inhabitants are rich valiant and liberal and entertaine all strangers with great courtesie and bountie They haue abundance of iron and of barlie and their pastures are very commodious abounding with store of cattell and yet in those pastures are their iron-mines where they sometime lacke water neither pay they any tribute at all Their houses that dig the iron are not farre distant from the iron-mines This iron the merchants sell at Fez in rude lumpes because they vse not to frame it into barres neither indeede haue they the cunning so to frame it Also they make culters spades and such like tooles of husbandrie and yet their iron hath no steele at all in it Of mount Azgangan THis mountaine beginning southward from Chasasa is inhabited with most rich and valiant people for besides the great plentie of all things in the mountaine it selfe it hath the desert of Garet adioining vpon it The inhabitants of which desert haue great familiaritie and traffique with the people of the said mountaine howbeit this mountaine also hath remained void of inhabitants euer since the taking of Chasasa Of mount Beni Teuzin THe south part of this mountaine bordereth vpon the mountaine last mentioned the length whereof from the desert of Garet to the riuer Nocor is almost ten miles and on the one side thereof lie most beautifull pleasant plaines The inhabitants are all free paying no tribute at all and that perhaps because they haue more soldiers then Tezzota Meggeo and Bedis can affoord Moreouer they are thought in times past so to haue assisted the gouernour of Meggeo that by their aide he attained vnto that gouernment They haue alwaies been great friends with the people of Fez by reason of that ancient familiaritie which they had before Fez was gouerned by a king Afterward a certaine lawyer dwelling at Fez who was borne in this mountaine so represented vnto the king the said ancient familiaritie that he obtained freedome for his countrie-men At length also they were greatly beloued by the Marin-familie perhaps bicause the mother of 〈◊〉 sahid the third king of the saide familie was borne of noble parentage in the foresaide mountaine Of mount Guardan THe north part of this mountaine ioineth vnto the former and it stretcheth in length toward the Mediterran sea twelue miles and in bredth to the riuer of Nocor almost eight miles The inhabitants are valiant rich Euery saturday they haue a great market vpon the banke of a certaine riuer and hither resort many people from the mountaines of Garet and diuers merchants of Fez who exchange iron and bridles for oile for in these mountaines grow great plentie of oliues They haue little or no wine at all notwithstanding they are so neere vnto mount Arif where the people carouse wine in abundance They were for a certaine time tributarie to the gouernour of Bedis but afterward by the meanes of a learned Mahumetan preacher the king granted them fauour to pay each man so much tribute as themselues pleased So that sending yeerely to the king some certaine sum of money with certaine horses and slaues they are put to no further charge Of the extreme part of the desert of Garet THe prouince of Garet is diuided into three parts the first whereof containeth the cities and townes the second the foresaide mountaines the inhabitants whereof are called Bottoia and the thirde comprehendeth the deserts which beginning northwarde at the Mediterran sea and extending south to the desert of Chauz are bounded westward with the foresaide mountaines and eastward with the riuer of Muluia The length of these deserts is 60. miles and the bredth thirty They are vnpleasant and dry hauing no water but that of the riuer Muluia There are many kinds of beasts in this desert such as are in the Lybian desert next vnto Numidia In sommer time many Arabians take vp their abode neere vnto the riuer Muluia and so do another kinde of fierce people called Batalisa who possesse great abundance of horses camels and other cattell and maintaine continuall warre against the Arabians that border vpon them A description of Chauz the seuenth prouince of the kingdome of Fez. THis prouince is thought to comprehend the thirde part of the kingdome of Fez. It beginneth at the riuer Zha from the east extendeth westward to the riuer Guruigara so that the length thereof is an hundred fowerscore and tenne and the bredth an hundred threescore and ten miles for all that part of mount Atlas which lieth ouer against Mauritania ioineth vpon the bredth of this region Likewise it containeth a good part of the plaines and mountaines bordering vpon Lybia At the same time when Habdulach the first king of the Marin-family began to beare rule ouer Mauritania and those other regions his kinred began also to inhabite this region This king left fower sonnes behinde him whereof the first was called Abubdar the second Abuichia the third Abusahid and the fourth Iacob this Iacob was afterward chosen king bicause he had vanquished Muachidin the king of Maroco had conquered the city of Maroco it selfe the other three brethren died in their nonage howbeit before Iacob had woon Maroco the old king assigned vnto each of them three one region a peece The other three parts were diuided into seuen which were distributed among the fower kinreds of the Marin-family and two other tribes or families that were growen in great league with the same family insomuch that this region was accounted for three regions They which possessed the kingdome were ten in number and the regions onely seuen The foresaid king Habdulach was author of the saide partition who left the region of Chauz after his decease in such estate as we will foorthwith orderly describe Of the towne of Teurerto THis ancient towne was built vpon a mountaine by the Africans not farre from the riuer Zha The fields hereof not being very large but exceeding fruitfull adioine vpon a certaine dry and barren desert The north part of the same bordereth vpon the desert of Garet and the south vpon the desert of Adurha eastward thereof lieth the desert of Anghad which is neere vnto the kingdome of Telensin and westward it is enclosed with the desert of Tafrata which bordereth likewise vpon the towne of Tezza This Teurerto was in times past a most populous and rich towne and contained about three thousand families heere also are stately palaces temples and other such
vnto his nobles I thinke said the king it hath beene sufficiently protested and affirmed sithence I haue bound it with a solemne oath in the presence of these fower for heere stande my chiefe secretarie the generall of my forces my father in lawe and the chiefe iudge and patriarke of Fez the testimonie of which fower may well satisfie you Whereupon Mahumet humblie falling at the kings feete 〈◊〉 heere the man quoth he that submissely acknowledgeth his fault and craueth the kings gratious pardon With that the king himselfe lifted him from the ground embraced him and saluted him with friendly speeches Then caused he both his daughters to be called which he bestowed vpon Mahumets sonnes all which being done he remooued his armie from that mountaine and returned conquerour vnto Fez. This was done in the yeere of the Hegeira 904. which was in the yeere of our Lord 1495. And in the yeere of the Hegeira 921. I my selfe was at the citie of Dubdu where I was most curteously entertained by the foresaid Mahumet in regard of certaine letters of commendation which I brought from the king of Fez and his brother Neither would he cease enquiring how all things passed at the king of Fez his court Of the citie of Teza or Tezza THis great noble and rich citie of Tezza was built by the Africans fiue miles from mount Atlas being distant from Fez fiftie from the Ocean an hundred and thirtie and from the Mediterran sea seuen miles and standing in the way from Garet to Chasasan It contained in times past about fiue thousand families the buildings of this towne are not very stately except noblemens palaces colleges and temples which are somewhat beautifull Out of Atlas springeth a little riuer which runneth through the chiefe temple of this citie and sometimes it falleth out that certaine people bordering vpon the citie vpon some quarrell with the citizens will cut off this riuer from the citie and turne the course thereof some other way which breedeth great inconueniences vnto the citizens for then they can neither builde houses nor get any water to drinke but onely corrupt water which they take out of certaine cesterns for which cause they are often constrained to make a league with those borderers This citie both for wealth ciuilitie and abundance of people is the thirde citie of all the kingdome and hath a greater temple then that at Fez heere are likewise three colleges with diuers bath-stoues and a great number of hospitals Each trade and occupation hath a seuerall place in this citie like as they haue in Fez the inhabitants are of a more valiant and liberall disposition then they of Fez heere are also great store of learned and rich men and the fieldes adiacent are exceeding fruitfull Without the citie wals are verie large plaines and many pleasant streames that serue to water their gardens which are replenished with all kinde of fruits heere are abundance of vines also yeelding verie sweete grapes whereof the Iewes being fiue hundreth families make excellent wine such as I thinke all Africa scarce affoordeth better In this towne standeth a faire castle where the gouernour hath his abode The king of Fez assigned the gouerment of this towne vnto his second sonne being rather a meete place for the kings owne residence in regard of the wholefome aire both in sommer and winter heere were the nobles of the Marin-family woont to remaine all summer both in respect of the holesomenes of the place and also that they might defend those regions from the Arabians dwelling in the deserts which Arabians resorted yeerely to Tezza to the end they might there furnish themselues with victuals and other necessaries and brought dates thither from Segelmese to exchange for come the citizens also receiued of the Arabians for corne great summes of money whereupon all of them in a manner grow exceeding rich neither are they annoied so much with any inconuenience as with durtie streetes in winter I my selfe was acquainted in this citie with a certaine aged sire whom the townesmen adored as if he had beene a god he was maruelous rich both in fruits grounds and other commodities which the people bestowed vpon him in great abundance The citizens of Fez vsed to come fiftie miles for so farre is Fez distant onely to visite the saide olde man My selfe conceiued some great opinion of this aged sire but after I had seene him I could finde no such superexcellencie in him saue onely that he deluded the fonde people with strange deuises The iurisdiction of this citie is very large containing diuers mountaines vnder it as we will foorthwith declare in order Of mount Matgara THis mountaine is very high difficult to ascend both by reason of the vast deserts the narrow passages and it is distant from Teza almost fiue miles the top of this hill is most fruitefull grounde and full of cleere fountaines the inhabitants being burthened with no exactions gather yeerely great store of corne flaxe and oile they haue likewise abundance of cattell and especially of goates neither doe they any whit regard princes Hauing vpon a day vanquished the king of Fez in battell they carried a certaine captaine of Fez taken prisoner vnto the toppe of the hill where in the kings owne presence they put him to a most cruell and miserable death whereupon the saide inhabitants haue beene at continuall discord with the people of Fez they haue almost a thousand soldiers and their mountaine containeth about fiftie villages and hamlets Of mount Gauata THis mountaine being as difficult to ascende as the former standeth westward of Fez almost fifteene miles both the sides and top of this mountaine are very fruitefull for barly and flaxe it is extended in length from east to west eight miles and in bredth about fiue miles manie deserts here are haunted with apes and leopards The greater part of the inhabitants are linnen-weauers people they are of a franke disposition neither can they till the fields adioining to their mountaine by reason of their continuall dissension with the king of Fez vnto whom they will pay no tribute nor custome at all perhaps because of the strong situation of their mountaine for that it aboundeth with all things necessarie for mans sustenance so that albeit this mountaine were besieged ten yeeres together yet could it by no meanes be woon neither is it euer destitute of water for thereupon are two huge fountaines which running downe into the plaine become the heads of two riuers Of mount Megesa THis mountaine also is somewhat difficult to ascend it is rough and full of woods and yeeldeth little corne but great plentie of oliues The inhabitants being most part weauers for their soile yeeldeth good store of flaxe are in the warres right valiant both on foote and horsebacke Their faces are white and that perhaps for the coldnes of the mountaine neither doe these pay any tribute at all Here also the exiles of Fez and Teza haue safe aboad
of this towne vse to paint a blacke crosse vpon their cheeke and two other blacke crosses vpon the palmes of their hands and the like custome is obserued by all the inhabitants of the mountaines of Alger and Bugia the occasion whereof is thought to be this namely that the Gothes when they first began to inuade these regions released all those from paying of tribute as our African historiographers affirme that would imbrace the Christian religion But so often as any tribute was demanded euery man to eschew the payment thereof would not sticke to professe himselfe a Christian wherefore it was then determined that such as were Christians indeed should be distinguished from others by the foresaid crosses At length the Gothes being expelled they all reuolted vnto the Mahumetan religion howbeit this custome of painting crosses remained still amongthem neither doe they know the reason thereof Likewise the meaner sort of people in Mauritania vse to make such crosses vpon their faces as we see vsed by some people of Europe This towne aboundeth greatly with figs and the fields thereof are exceeding fruitfull for flaxe and barley The townesmen haue continued in firme league and friendship with the people of the mountaines adioyning by whose fauour they liued an hundred yeeres togither without paying of any tribute at all but Barbarossa the Turke hauing woon the kingdome of Telensin put them to great distresse From hence they vse to transport by sea great store of figs and flaxe vnto Alger Tunis and Bugia wherby they gaine great store of money Here also you may as yet behold diuers monuments of the Romans ancient buildings Of the towne of Sersell THis great and ancient towne built by the Romanes vpon the Mediterran sea was afterward taken by the Gothes and lastly by the Mahumetans The wall of this towne is exceeding high strong and stately built and containeth about eight miles in circuit In that part of the towne next vnto the Mediterran sea standeth a most beautifull and magnificent temple built by the Romans the inward part whereof consisteth of marble They had also in times past an impregnable for t standing vpon a rock by the Mediterran sea Their fields are most fruitfull and albe it this towne was much oppressed by the Gothes yet the Mahumetans enioyed a great part thereof for the space almost of fiue hundred yeeres And then after the warre of Telensin it remained voide of inhabitants almost three hundred yeeres At length when Granada was woon by the Christians diuers Moores of Granada fled hither which repaired the houses and a good part of the castle afterward they began to build ships wherewith they transported their merchantable commodities into other regions and they increased so by little and little that now they are growne to twelue hundred families They were subiect not long since vnto Barbarossa the Turke vnto whom they paide but three hundred ducates for yeerely tribute Of the citie of Meliana THis great and ancient citie commonly called now by the corrupt name of Magnana and built by the Romanes vpon the top of a certaine hill is distant from the Mediterran sea almost fortie miles Vpon this mountaine are many springs and woods abounding with walnuts The citie it selfe is enuironed with most ancient and high wals One side thereof is fortified with impregnable rockes and the other side dependeth so vpon the mountaine as Narma doth which is a citie neere Rome it containeth verie stately houses euerie one of which houses hath a fountaine The inhabitants are almost all weauers and there are diuers turners also which make fine cups dishes and such like vessels Many of them likewise are husbandmen They continued many yeeres free from all tribute and exaction till they were at length made tributarie by Barbarossa Of the towne of Tenez THis ancient towne built by the Africans vpon the side of an hill not far from the Mediterran sea is enuironed with faire walles and inhabited with many people The inhabitants are exceeding rusticall and vnciuill and haue alwaies beene subiect to the king of Telensin King Mahumet that was grandfather vnto the king which now raigneth left three sonnes behinde him the eldest being called Abuabdilla the second Abuzeuen and the third Iahia Abuabdilla succeeded his father whom his brethren being ayded by the citizens went about to murther But afterward the treason being discouered Abuzeuen was apprehended and put in prison Howbeit king Abuchemmeu being after that expelled out of his kingdome by the people Abuzeuen was not onely restored to his former libertie but was also chosen king and enioyed the kingdome so long till as is before-mentioned he was slaine by Barbarossa Iahia fled vnto the king of Fez who being at length proclaimed king by the people of Tenez raigned for certaine yeeres And his yoong sonne that he left behinde him being vanquished by Barbarossa fled vnto Charles who was then onely king of Spaine But when as the ayde promised by Charles the Emperour stayed long and the Prince of Tenez was too long absent a rumour was spread abroad that hee and his brother were turned Christians whereupon the gouernment of Tenez fell immedially to the brother of Barbarossa Their fields indeed yeeld abundance of corne but of other commodities they haue great want Of the towne of Mazuna THis towne as some report was built by the Romanes and standeth about fortie miles from the Mediterran sea It hath fruitfull fields strong walles but most base and deformed houses Their temple indeed is somewhat beautiful for it was in times past a most stately towne but being often sacked sometime by the king of Telensin and sometime by his rebels and at length falling into the hands of the Arabians it was brought vnto extreme miserie so that at this present there are but few inhabitants remaining all being either weauers or husbandmen and most grieuously oppressed by the Arabians Their fields abound plentifully with all kinde of corne Neere vnto this towne there haue beene in times past many houses streets and villages which may probably be coniectured by the letters engrauen vpon marble stones The names of which villages are not to bee found in any of our histories or Chronicles Of Gezeir otherwise called Alger GEzeir in the Moores language signifieth an island which name is thought to haue beene giuen vnto this citie because it lieth neere vnto the isles of Maiorica Minorica and Ieuiza howbeit the Spanyards call it Alger It was founded by the Africans of the familie of Mesgana wherefore in old time it was called by the name of Mesgana It is a large towne containing families to the number of fower thousand and is enuironed with most stately and impregnable walles The buildings thereof are very artificiall and sumptuous and euery trade and occupation hath here a seuerall place Innes bath-stoues and temples here are very beautifull but the stateliest temple of all standeth vpon the sea-shore Next vnto the sea there is a most pleasant walke vpon that
the inhabitants are either weauers or graziers of cattell or such as turne wooden vessels wherewith they furnish the whole kingdome of Tunis When the Mahumetans first woon that prouince this towne was the seate of the vice-roy whose palace is as yet remaining A most stately towne it is enuironed with strong walles and situate vpon a most beautifull plaine It was in times past well stored with inhabitants and with faire buildings whereof some together with a goodly temple are as yet extant But now it containeth very few people and but fiue shops in all by reason of the kings continuall exactions I my selfe was constrained to stay in this towne for fower daies in regarde of the danger of the time Of the towne of Monaster THe ancient towne of Monaster built by the Romans vpon the Mediterran sea and distant almost twelue miles from Susa is enuironed with most impregnable and stately walles and containeth very faire buildings but the inhabitants are most miserable and beggerly people and weare shooes made of sea-rushes most of them are either weauers or fishers their fare is barlie bread and a kinde of foode mingled with oile which we called before Bezzin which is vsed in all the townes thereabout the soile will yeeld no other corne but barlie The territorie adiacent aboundeth with oranges peares figs pomegranates and oliues sauing that it is continually wasted by the inuasion of the enemie Of the towne of Tobulba THis towne built also by the Romaines vpon the Mediterran sea standeth about twelue miles eastward of Monaster For certaine yeeres it was very populous and greatly abounded with oliues but afterwarde it was so wasted by the Arabians that now there are but fewe houses remaining which are inhabited by certaine religious men these religious men maintaine a faire hospitall for strangers trauelling that way where they courteously entertaine euen the Arabians themselues Of the towne of El Mahdia otherwise called Africa EL Mahdia founded in our time by Mahdi the first patriarke of Cairaoan vpon the Mediterran sea and fortified with strong wals towers and gates hath a most noble hauen belonging thereto Mahdi when hee first entred into this region fained himselfe in an vnknowne habite to be 〈◊〉 of the linage of 〈◊〉 whereby growing into great fauour of the people he was by their assistance made prince of Cairaoan and was called El Mahdi Califa afterward trauelling fortie daies iourney westwarde into Numidia to receiue tribute due vnto him he was taken by the prince of Segelmesse and put in prison howbeit the saide prince of Segelmese being presently mooued with compassion toward him restored him to his former libertie and was for his good will not long after slaine by him Afterwarde tyrannizing ouer the people and perceiuing some to conspire against him he erected this towne of Mahdia to the end he might there finde safe refuge when neede required At length one Beiezid a Mahumetan prelate whom they called the cauallier or knight of the asse bicause that riding continually vpon an asse he conducted an armie of fortie thousand men came vnto Cairaoan but Mahdi fledde vnto his new towne where with thirtie saile of ships sent him by a Mahumetan prince of Cordoua he so valiantly encountered the enimie that Beiezid and his sonne were both slaine in that battaile afterward returning to Cairaoan he grew in league and amitie with the citizens and so the gouernment remained vnto his posteritie for many yeeres But an hundred and thirtie yeeres past this towne was taken by the Christians and was after recouered by a certaine Mahumetan patriarke of Maroco called Abdul Mumen but nowe it is subiect vnto the king of Tunis by whom it is continually oppressed with most grieuous exactions The inhabitants exercise traffike with forraine nations and they are at so great dissention with the Arabians that they are scarce permitted to till their grounds Not many yeeres ago Pedro de Nauarra assailing this towne onely with nine ships was defeated of his purpose and constrained to returne with great losse of his men This hapned in the yeere of our Lord 1519. Of the towne of Asfachus THis towne was built by the Africans vpon the Mediterran sea at such time as they waged warre against the Romaines It is compassed with most high and strong wals and was in times past very populous but now it containeth but three or fower hundreth families at the most and but a fewe shops Oppressed it is both by the Arabians and by the king of Tunis All the inhabitants are either weauers marriners or fishermen They take great store of fishes called by them Spares which worde signifieth nought in the Arabian and Barbarian much lesse in the Latine toong This people liue also vpon barly bread and Bezin their apparell is base and some of them traffike in Egypt and Turkie Of the great citie of Cairaoan THE famous citie of Cairaoan otherwise called Caroen was founded by Hucba who was sent generall of an armie out of Arabia deserta by Hutmen the thirde Mahumetan Califa From the Mediterran sea this citie is distant sixe and thirtie and from Tunis almost an hundred miles neither was it built they say for any other purpose but onely that the Arabian armie might securely rest therein with all such spoiles as they woone from the Barbarians and the Numidians He enuironed it with most impregnable walles and built therein a sumptuous temple supported with stately pillers The saide Hucba after the death of Hutmen was ordained prince of Muchauia and gouerned the same till the time of Qualid Califa the sonne of Habdul Malic who as then raigned in Damasco this Qualid sent a certaine captaine called Muse the sonne of Nosair with an huge armie vnto Cairaoan who hauing staied a fewe daies with his armie not farre from Cairaoan marched westward sacking and spoiling townes and cities till he came to the Ocean sea shore and then he returned towards Cairaoan againe From whence he sent as his deputie a certaine captaine into Mauritania who there also conquered many regions and cities Insomuch that Muse being mooued with a iealous emulation commanded him to staie till himselfe came His said Deputie therefore called Tarich encamped himselfe not far from Andaluzia whither Muse within 4. months came vnto him with an huge armie From whence both of them with their armies crossing the seas arriued in Granada and so marched by lande against the Goths Against whom Theodoricus the king of Goths opposing himselfe in battaile was miserablie vanquished Then the foresaide two captaines with all good successe proceeded euen to Castilia and sacked the citie of Toledo where amongst much other treasure they founde many reliques of the saints and the very same table whereat Christ sate with his blessed Apostles which being couered with pure gold and adorned with great store of precious stones was esteemed to be woorth halfe a million of ducates and this table Muse carrying with him as if it had beene all the treasure in
Spaine returned with his armie ouer the sea and bent his course towarde Cairaoan And being in the meane space sent for by the letters of Qualid Califa he sailed into Egypt but arriuing at Alexandria it was tolde him by one Hescian brother vnto the saide Califa that the Califa his brother was fallen into a most dangerous disease wherefore he wished him not to goe presently vnto Damasco for feare least if the Califa died in the meane season those rich and sumptuous spoiles should be wasted and dispersed to no ende But Muse little regarding this counsell proceeded on to Damasco and presented all his spoiles to the Califa who within fiue daies after deceased After whom his brother succeeding Califa depriued Muse of his dignitie and substituted one Iezul into his roome whose sonne brother and nephewes succeeding gouerned the citie of Cairaoan till such time as the familie of Qualid was depriued of that dignitie and one Elagleb was appointed lieutenant who gouerned not the towne as a Califa from that time the Mahumetan Califas leauing Damasco remooued vnto Bagaded as we find recorded in a certaine Chronicle After the decease of Elagleb succeeded his sonne and the gouernment remained vnto his posteritie for an hundred threescore and ten yeeres till such time as they were depriued thereof by one Mahdi Califa But at the same time when Elagleb was gouernour the citie of Cairaoan was so increased both with inhabitants and buildings that a towne called Recheda was built next vnto it where the prince with his nobles vsed to remaine In his time also the Isle of Sicilia was woone for Elagleb sent thither a certaine captaine called Halcama who built vpon the said Island a towne in stead of a forte calling it according to his owne name Halcama which name is vsed by the Sicilians euen till this present Afterward this new towne was besieged by certaine people that came to aide the Sicilians Whereupon one Ased was sent with an armie so the Moores forces being augmented they conquered the residue of Sicilia by which meanes the dominions of Cairaoan began woonderfully to increase The citie of Cairaoan standeth vpon a sandie and desert plaine which beareth no trees nor yet any corne at all Corne is brought thither from Susa from Monaster and from Mahdia all which townes are within the space of forty miles About twelue miles from Cairaoan standeth a certaine mountaine called Gueslet where some of the Romaines buildings are as yet extant this mountaine aboundeth with springs of water and carobs which springs runne downe to Cairaoan where otherwise they shoulde haue no water but such as is kept in cesternes Without the wals of this citie raine water is to be found in certaine cesternes onely till the beginning of Iune In sommer time the Arabians vse to resort vnto the plaines adioining vpon this towne who bring great dearth of corne and water but exceeding plentie of dates and flesh with them and that out of Numidia which region is almost an hundred threescore and ten miles distant In this citie for certaine yeeres the studie of the Mahumetan lawe mightily flourished so that heere were the most famous lawyers in all Africa It was at length destroied and replanted againe with newe inhabitants but it coulde neuer attaine vnto the former estate At this present it is inhabited by none but leather-dressers who sende their leather vnto the cities of Numidia and exchange it also for cloth of Europe Howbeit they are so continually oppressed by the king of Tunis that now they are brought vnto extreme miserie Of the citie of Capes THis ancient citie built by the Romaines vpon the Mediterran sea was fortified with most high and stately walles and with a strong castle Iust by it runneth a certaine riuer of hot and salt water It hath continually beene so molested by the Arabians that the inhabitants abandoning their citie resorted vnto certaine plaines replenished with great abundance of dates which by a certaine arte are preserued all the yeere long Heere is also digged out of the grounde a kinde of fruite about the bignes of a beane and in taste resembling an almond This fruite being ordinarie ouer all the kingdome of Tunis is called by the Arabians Habhaziz The inhabitants of the foresaide plaine are blacke people being all of them either fishers or husbandmen Of the towne called El Hamma THis most ancient towne founded also by the Romans and being distant from Capes almost fifteene miles is enuironed with most stately and strong walles and vpon certaine marble stones therein are engrauen diuers monuments of antiquitie The streets and buildings of this towne are verie base and the inhabitants miserable and addicted to robberie Their fields are barren and vnprofitable and will bring foorth nought but certaine vnsauorie dates A mile and a halfe to the south of this towne beginneth a certaine riuer of hot water to spring which being brought thorough the midst of the citie by certaine chanels is so deepe that it will reach vp to a mans nauell howbeit by reason of the extreme heat of the water there are but few that will enter thereinto And yet the inhabitants vse it for drinke hauing set it a cooling almost an whole day At length this riuer not far from the towne maketh a certaine lake which is called the lake of leapers for it is of woonderfull force to heale the disease of leprosie and to cure leprous sores wherefore neere vnto it are diuers cottages of lepers some of whom are restored to their health The saide water tasteth in a manner like brimstone so that it will nothing at all quench a mans thirst whereof I my selfe haue had often triall Of the castle of Machres THe castle of Machres was built by the Africans in my time vpon the entrance of the gulfe of Capes to defend the same region from the inuasion of the enemie It is almost fiue hundred miles distant from the isle of Gerbi All the inhabitants are either weauers shipwrights or fishermen and haue traffick recourse ouer all the foresaid isle They haue al the same language that the people of the isle of Gerbi vse but because they want grounds and possessions al of them saue the weauers liue only vpon theft robbery Of the isle of Gerbior Zerbi where Iohn Leo the Author of this Historie was taken by Italian pirates and carried thence to Rome THis isle being neere vnto the firme land of Africa and consisting of a plaine and sandie ground aboundeth exceedingly with dates vines oliues and other fruits and containeth about eighteen miles in compasse It hath also certaine farmes and granges which are so farre distant asunder that you shall scarce finde two or three in one village Their ground is drie and barren which though it be neuer so well tilled will yeeld but a little barlie And here corne and flesh is alwaies at an 〈◊〉 rate At the sea shore standeth a strong castle wherin the gouernour
Ioseph had their aboade because they suppose the towne of Pharao to haue stood in that part of Africa where Nilus stretcheth out one of his armes westward towards Africa and where the Pyramides are as yet to be seene which the holy Scripture also seemeth to auouch in the booke of Genesis where it is said that the Iewes in Moses time were employed about the building of the towne of Aphthun which was founded by Pharao namely in that place where Nilus trendeth towards Africa being about fiftie miles southward of Cairo and neere vnto the most westerly arme or branch of Nilus They alleage also another probabilitie that the towne of Pharao was built in the same place because that at the verie head or confluence of the branches of Nilus there standeth a building of maruellous antiquitie called the sepulchre of Ioseph wherein the dead bodie of Ioseph lay till it was by the Iewes transported vnto the sepulchre of their fathers To be briefe neither Cairo nor any place neere vnto it can by any likelyhood chalenge that they were at any time inhabited by the ancient Pharaos But heere it is to be noted that the nobilitie of the ancient Egyptians dwelt in times past in the region of Sahid beyond Cairo in the cities of Fium of Manfichmin and in other such famous cities Howbeit after Egypt was conquered by the Romans the Egyptian nobilitie planted themselues in the region of Errif vpon the sea shore thereof namely about the cities of Alexandria Rosetto and other famous townes retayning as yet the Latine names Also when the Roman Empire was translated into Greece the said nobilitie still inhabited vpon the sea-shore the Emperors lieutenant residing at Alexandria but after the Mahumetans got the dominion of Egypt the foresaide nobilitie retired themselues into the inland hoping thereby to reape a double commoditie namely first in that they might be a meanes to pacifie the kingdome on both sides of them and secondly that they might be free from the inuasions of the Christians whereof they should haue beene in danger had they remained any longer vpon the sea coast Of the qualitie and temperature of the ayre in Egypt THE ayre of this countrey is hot and vnholesome and it raineth here verie seldome or neuer And raine is the cause of many diseases in Egypt for in rainie weather some of the Egyptians are subiect vnto dangerous rheumes and feuers and others vnto a strange kinde of swelling in their priuie members which swelling the Phisicians impute vnto salt-cheese and beefe which are the common diet of the Egyptians In sommer time this countrey is most extremely hot for a remedie of which heat they build in euerie towne certaine high towers hauing one doore aloft and another beneath right ouer against the houses through the tops whereof the winde passing downard doth somewhat coole and refresh the ayre otherwise in regard of the intollerable heat of the sun it were impossible for any man to liue there Sometime the pestilence is so hot among them especially at Cairo that almost euery day there die twelue thousand persons thereof But with the French poxe I thinke that no other countrey vnder heauen is so molested nor that containeth so many people infected therewith About the beginning of Aprill they reape their corne and hauing reaped it they presently thrash the same neither shall you see one eare of their corne standing till the twentith of May. The inundation or ouerflow of Nilus beginneth about the middest of Iune increasing afterward for the space of fortie daies and for the space of other fortie daies also decreasing during which time all the cities and townes of Egypt are like vnto Ilands which none can come vnto but by boates and barges At this time also Nilus is verie fit to be sayled vpon with vessels of burthen some whereof are so big that they will containe sixe thousand bushels of corne and an hundreth head-cattell and in these vessels they sayle onely downe the streame for against the streame it were impossible for them to passe emptie The Egyptians according to the increase of Nilus doe foresee the plentie or dearth of the yeere following as we will more at large declare when we come to speake of the island of Nilus ouer against the olde citie where the inundation of Nilus is measured Neither is it our purpose in this place particularly to describe all the cities of Egypt because our African writers are of diuers opinions thereabout for some would haue Egypt to be a part of Africa but others are of a contrarie minde Diuers there are that affirme that part of Egypt adioyning vpon the deserts of Barbarie Numidia and Libya to belong vnto Africa Some others ascribe vnto Africa all those places that border vpon the principall and maine chanel of Nilus but as for other places as namely Manf Fium Semenud Damanhore Berelles Tenesse and Damiata they thinke them not to be situate in Africa which opinion I my selfe also vpon many and great reasons take to be true Wherefore my purpose is to describe none other cities but such as stand neere the maine and principall chanell of Nilus Of the citie of Bosiri THe ancient citie of Bosiri built by the Egyptians vpon the Mediterran sea and standing twenty miles westward from Alexandria was in times past enuironed with most strong walles and adorned with most beautifull and stately buildings At this present it is compassed with many possessions or grounds bearing dates whereof no man taketh charge nor reapeth any commoditie for when Alexandria was woon by the Christians the inhabitants abandoned this citie and fled towards the lake called Buchaira Of the great citie of Alexandria in Egypt THe great citie of Alexandria in Egypt founded by Alexander the great not without the aduise of most famous and skilfull architects vpon a beautifull point of land stretching into the Mediterran sea and being distant 40. miles westward of Nilus was in times past till it grew subiect vnto the Mahumetans most sumptuously and strongly built as diuers and sundry authors beare record Afterward this citie decaying many yéeres together was depriued of the ancient renowme and honour and rémained in manner desolate because no merchants of Greece nor of any other part of Europe exercised any longer traffique therein Howbeit a certaine craftie Mahumetan patriarke made the rude people 〈◊〉 that by the prophecie of Mahumet most ample indulgences were granted vnto all such as would inhabite the citie or garde it for certaine daies and would bestow some almes for a publike benefite by which wilie stratagem the citie was in short time 〈◊〉 with forren people which from all places resorted thereunto by whom were built many houses neere vnto the citie-walles and many colleges of students and diuers monasteries for the reliefe of pilgrims The citie it selfe is fower square and hath fower gates to enter in at one standing on the east side towards Nilus another on the south
who bestow liberall and large almes Of the old citie called 〈◊〉 THis citie being the first that was built in Egypt in the time of the Mahumetans was founded by Hamre captaine generall ouer the forces of Homar the second Mahumetan patriarke vpon the banke of Nilus 〈◊〉 a suburb because it is vnwalled and containing to the number of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 It is adorned especially by the riuer Nilus with 〈◊〉 palaces and houses of noblemen and also with the famous temple of 〈◊〉 being of an huge bignes and most stately built It is also 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of trades men and 〈◊〉 And here standeth the famous sepulchre of a woman reputed most holy by the 〈◊〉 and called by them Saint Nafissa which was the daughter of one called 〈◊〉 being the sonne of Husein the son of 〈◊〉 who was consin german vnto 〈◊〉 The said 〈◊〉 seeing all of her family to be depriued of the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 left Cufa a citie of Arabia Felix and came and dwelt in this citie vnto whom partly because she was of the linage of 〈◊〉 and partly for that she liued an innocent and blamelesse life the people after her death ascribed diuine honours canonizing her for a Saint Wherefore the schismaticall 〈◊〉 of her kinred hauing got the vpper hand in Egypt began to build for Nafissa a most beautifull shrine or 〈◊〉 which they adorned also with siluer-lamps with carpets of 〈◊〉 and such like precious ornaments So great is the renowne of this 〈◊〉 that there commeth no Mahumetan either by sea or land vnto Cairo but hee adoreth this sepulchre and bringeth his offering thereunto as likewise doe all the 〈◊〉 inhabiting there about 〈◊〉 that the yeerely oblations and almes offered at this sepulchre partly for the 〈◊〉 of the poore kinsfolkes of Mahumet and partly for the maintenance of the priests which keepe the saide sepulchre amount vnto 100000. 〈◊〉 which priests by fained and 〈◊〉 miracles do dayly delude the mindes of the simple to the ende they may the more 〈◊〉 thir blinde deuotion and may stirre them to greater liberalitie When 〈◊〉 the great Turke woon the citie of Cairo his Ianizaries rifling this sepulchre found there the summe of 500000. 〈◊〉 in readie money besides the siluer lampes the chaines and carpets but 〈◊〉 tooke away a great part of that treasure from them Such as write the liues of the Mahumetan saints making very honourable mention of this Nafissa say that she was 〈◊〉 of the noble family of Heli and that she was most famous for her vertuous and chast life but the fonde people and the 〈◊〉 of that execrable sepulchre haue deuised many fained and superstitious 〈◊〉 In this suburbe also heere vnto the riuer of Nilus is the customers office for such wares as are brought out of the Prouince of Sahid Without the walled citie stand the 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 sepulchres of the Soldans built with admirable and huge arches But in my time a certaine Soldan caused a walke to be built between two high wals from the gate of the citie to the place of the aforesaid sepulchres and at the endes of both wals caused two turrets of an exceeding height to be erected for 〈◊〉 and directions 〈◊〉 such merchants as came thither from the port of mount 〈◊〉 About a 〈◊〉 and an halfe from the saide sepulchres in a certaine 〈◊〉 called 〈◊〉 there is a garden containing the onely balme 〈◊〉 for in the whole world besides there is not any other tree that beareth true balme which balme-tree growing in the midst of a large fountaine and hauing a short stocke or bodie beareth leaues like vnto vine-leaues but that they are not so long and this tree they say would vtterly wither and decay if the water of the fountaine should chance to be deminished The garden is enuironed with a strong wall where into no man may enter without the speciall fauour and licence of the gouernor In the midst of Nilus ouer against the old citie standeth the isle called Michias that is to say The isle of measure in which isle according to the inundation of Nilus they haue a kinde of deuise inuented by the ancient Egyptians whereby they most certainely foresee the plentie or scarcitie of the yeere following thoroughout all the land of Egypt This island is well inhabited and containeth about 1500. families vpon the extreme point or ende where of standeth a most beautifull palace built in my remembrance by a Soldan and a large temple also which is verie pleasant in regard of the coole streames of Nilus Vpon another side of the Island standeth an house alone by it selfe in the midst whereof there is a fouresquare cestern or chanell of eighteene cubits deepe whereinto the water of Nilus is conueied by a certaine sluce vnder the ground And in the midst of the cestern there is erected a certaine piller which is marked and diuided into so many cubits as the cesterne it selfe containeth in depth And vpon the seuenteenth of Iune when Nilus beginneth to ouerflow the water thereof conueied by the said sluce into the chanell increaseth daily sometimes two and sometimes three fingers and sometimes halfe a cubite in height Vnto this place there dayly resort certaine officers appointed by the Senate who viewing and obseruing the increase of Nilus declare vnto certaine children how much it hath increased which children wearing yellow skarffes vpon their heads doe publish the saide increase of Nilus in euerie streete of the citie and the suburbs and receiue gifts euerie day of the merchants artificers and women so long as Nilus increaseth The foresaid deuise or experiment of the increase of Nilus is this that followeth If the water reacheth onely to the fifteenth cubit of the foresaide piller they hope for a fruitfull yeere following but if it stayeth betweene the twelfth cubit and the fifteenth then the increase of the yeere will prooue but meane if it resteth betweene the tenth and twelfth cubits then is it a signe that corne will bee solde tenne ducates the bushell But if it ariseth to the eighteenth cubite there is like to follow great scarcitie in regarde of too much moisture and if the eighteenth cubite be surmounted all Egypt is in danger to be swallowed vp by the inundation of Nilus The officers therefore declare vnto the children the height of the riuer and the children publish the same in all streetes of the citie charging the people to feare God and telling them how high Nilus is increased And the people being astonied at the woonderfull increase of Nilus wholy exercise themselues in praiers and giuing of almes And thus Nilus continueth fortie daies increasing and fortie daies decreasing all which time corne is sold very deere because while the innundation lasteth euery man may sell at his owne pleasure but when the eightith day is once past the clerke of the market appointeth the price of all victuals and especially of corne according as he knoweth by the foresaid experiment that
riuer springing out of the great lake which being so they must quite separate Monomotapa from the same lake * This place both in regard of the name and situation may seeme to haue been Agysimba mentioned by Ptolemey * Mine author here setteth downe too great a number G. B. B. Rel. vn dell Afr. Part. 1. lib. 2. Os Picos fragosos The kingdome of Matama Angola The siluer-mines of Cabambe Quizama Bahia das 〈◊〉 or the baye of Cowes The six prouinces of Congo S. Saluador the chiefe citie of Congo The great 〈◊〉 of Zaire Crocodiles Water-horses The Zabra The elephant The isle and hauen of Loanda Loango Anzichi Of this long pepper read Ramusius vol. 1. fol. 115. pag. 2. The prouinces of Temian Dauma and 〈◊〉 Grana Paradisi The 〈◊〉 of Mina * Pliny calleth them 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Sierra 〈◊〉 A factorie of the Portugals The isle of elephants A mightie cataract or fall of Senaga 〈◊〉 vol. 1. fol. 99. 〈◊〉 The isle of Camaran Dalaqua Mua 〈◊〉 The isle hauen and citie of Suaquen * Or vermillion Two townes of the Portugales in Socotora The two sisters Isles which are not inhabited Concerning the isles of Mōbaça Quiloa Moçambique read more at large in the discourse of Zanguebar before set downe whereas 〈◊〉 thought it 〈◊〉 to intreat of them being as it were certaine fragments of the maine hauing large territories therof subiect vnto them Plentie of Ambergrise The isles of Ascension * Concerning this isle read more at large in the description of Congo * Or perhaps Pouaçaon which as I coniecture may be all one with Poblacion in Spanish which signifieth a Colonie or towne Seuentie Ingenios in San Tomé This towne was taken by sir Francis Drake 1585. and by sir 〈◊〉 Sherley 1596. * This isle with the principall towne and castles was sacked by the Hollanders in 〈◊〉 Anno 1599. The Pike of Tenerif Madera in Spanish signifieth wood or timber Puerto santo the principall 〈◊〉 whereof was taken by sir Amias Preston 1596. The 〈◊〉 increase of one shee 〈◊〉 * Others diuide it from Asia by the red sea * Non. * 〈◊〉 The 〈◊〉 of Niger * Aethiopia * Habat * Chauz * Tremizen * Iohn 〈◊〉 ouer 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of the 〈◊〉 of Negros * Cairo * About the yeere 1526. * Fortè Asia minor * Genesis the 10. v. the 6. Mezraim is accounted the 〈◊〉 of Chus * Gen. 10. 7. * Guadalhabit Tremizen called by the ancient Cosmographers Caesaria or Mauritania Caesariensis Who were the founders of Maroco Aquel Amarig * 〈◊〉 * 〈◊〉 * Cairaoan * Tunis * 〈◊〉 * The Moores of Granada * A 〈◊〉 patriarke Gehoar a slaue by condition conquered all Barbarie Numidia Egypt and Syria Gehoar the first 〈◊〉 of Cairo Ten tribes of Arabians 〈◊〉 Africa 〈◊〉 Rachu a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 1526. * 〈◊〉 Traffique to Tombuto * Alger * The Arabians called 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 descended from Ismael the base sonne of Abraham The Arabians called 〈◊〉 descended of Saba The people of Numidia Wooll growing vpon the Palme tree 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 vsed 〈◊〉 victuals Where the Barbarie horses are bred Arabian poems and verses The Arabians offer themselues slaues to any that would releeue their extreme hunger The Arabians of Barca lay their sonnes to pawne vnto the Sicilians for corne The 〈◊〉 and death of the Ring of Tunis his sonne * Trenizen * Maroco and Fez A booke written by Iohn Leo concerning the Mahumetan religion The Africans vsed in times past none other kind of letters but the Roman letters * Perhaps he meaneth the histories of Salust 〈◊〉 Liuius and others The Mahumetan Calisas caused all the bookes of the Persians to be burned The mountaines of Atlas exceeding cold Most woonderfull and terrible snowes The extreme danger of snow which Iohn Leo himselfe escaped * Agadez A strange remedie vsed by the African merchants to quench their thirst A merchant constrained by extreme thirst gaue ten thousand duckats for a cup of water The fruit called Goron Cocos 〈◊〉 Onions The oliues of Africa Raine signifying plentie or 〈◊〉 The pesants and vnlearned people of Africa cunning in Astrologie The yeere of the Arabians and Africans The yeere diuided into two seasons onély vpon the mounain es of Atlas The increase of the riuers of Niger Nilu The French disease When and by what meanes the French 〈◊〉 was brought into Africa Hernia or the disease called 〈◊〉 or the rupture Earth of 〈◊〉 The Moores are a people of great fidelitie The author of this worke his Apologie for the former relation The fruit 〈◊〉 Arga. 〈◊〉 Cauterizing Their manner of entertaining strangers at Tednest Tednest left desolate 〈◊〉 Teculeth destroyed by the Portugals 1514. Hadecchis sacked by the Portugals 1513. Teijeut destroyed by the Portugals The curtesie of the citizens of Tesegdelt towards strangers 〈◊〉 A pestiferous Mahumetan preacher A treatise written by 〈◊〉 Leo concerning the Mahumetan religion A punishment of murther 〈◊〉 of yron Dates which will last but one yeere Great store of whales A whales rib of incredible greatnes Amber Store of sugar Cordouan leather of Maroco Good sale for cloth Gartguessem surprised by the Portugals Store of sugar and of woad Mines of siluer The 〈◊〉 of Homar Essuef * Sidi signifieth a Saint in the Arabian toong The first founder of Maroco Maroco in times past contained aboue 100000. families Mansor the king of Maroco * Obscurum Great store of bookes in olde time to be sold in Maroco The miserable death of Abraham king of Maroco and of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Three golden sphears A great college Excellent spotted marble This king called Mansor was he vnto whom Rasis that famous 〈◊〉 dedicated his Booke The huge dominions of king Mansor The Christians happie 〈◊〉 against the Moores Ibnu Abdul Abdul Malich Ariuer running vnder the ground to Maroco The desolation of Agmet Iohn Leo student at Fez. The 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 Iohn Leo constrained to play the iudge * Or Elmaheli 〈◊〉 and copper 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 wars 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Free entertainment for merchants The occasion of the prince of Azafilin his death The prince of Azafi slaine as he was hearing of a Mahumetan sermon 〈◊〉 woon by the Portugals Iohn Leo ten yeeres old at the winning of 〈◊〉 The citie of Tit tributarie vnto the King of Portugall Elmedina left desolate Corne preserued 100. yeers * Or 〈◊〉 Azamur woon by the Portugals The fruit called by the Italians Frutto Africano Great plentic of fish Iohn Leo sent ambassadour from the King of Fez vnto Maroco By what means the townes of Elmadin and 〈◊〉 became subiect vnto the King of Fez. Grapes of maruellous bignes White honey The vncle of 〈◊〉 Leo sent ambassadour to the king of Tombuto The excellent wit towardlinesse of Iohn Leo at 16. yeers of age A most stately and rich present * Read of this Abraham before in the description of the citie of Maroco Ilbernus A notable and effectuall practise to wring more money out of
A GEOGRAPHICAL HISTORIE of AFRICA Written in Arabicke and Italian by IOHN LEO a More borne in Granada and brought vp in Barbarie Wherein he hath at large described not onely the qualities situations and true distances of the regions cities townes mountaines riuers and other places throughout all the north and principall partes of Africa but also the descents and families of their kings the causes and euents of their warres with their manners customes religions and ciuile gouernment and many other memorable matters gathered partly out of his owne diligent obseruations and partly out of the ancient records and Chronicles of the Arabians and Mores Before which out of the best ancient and moderne writers is prefixed a generall description of Africa and also a particular treatise of all the maine lands and Isles vndescribed by Iohn Leo. And after the same is annexed a relation of the great Princes and the manifold religions in that part of the world Translated and collected by IOHN PORY lately of Goneuill and Caius College in Cambridge LONDINI Impensis Georg. Bishop 1600 TO THE RIGHT HONORAble sir ROBERT CECIL Knight principall Secretarie to her Maiestie Master of the Court of Wardes and Liueries and one of her Highnes most Honorable priuie Counsell LO heere the first fruits or rather the tender buddes and blossomes of my labours Which least in this their winterly sprouting they might perhaps by some bitter blasts of censure be frost-nipped I humbly recommend to your Honorable protection Most due they are onely to your selfe being for the greatest part nothing else but a large illustration of certaine southern voiages of the English alreadie dedicated to your Honour And at this time especially I thought they would prooue the more acceptable in that the Marocan ambassadour whose Kings dominions are heere most amplie and particularly described hath so lately treated with your Honour concerning matters of that estate Vouchsafe therefore right Honorable according to your accustomed humanitie towards learning to accept of this Geographicall historie in like manner as it pleased your Honour not long since most fauourablie to take in good part those commendable indeuours of my reuerend friend M. Richard Hakluyt who out of his mature iudgement in these studies knowing the excellencie of this storie aboue all others in the same kinde was the onely man that mooued me to translate it At London this three and fortieth most ioifull Coronation-day of her sacred Maiestie 1600. Your Honors alwaies most readie to be commanded IOHN PORY To the Reader GIue me leaue gentle Readers if not to present vnto your knowledge bicause some perhaps may aswel be informed as my selfe yet to call to your remembrance some fewe particulars concerning this Geographicall Historie and Iohn Leo the auther thereof Who albeit by birth a More and by religion for many yeeres a Mahumetan yet if you consider his Parentage Witte Education Learning Emploiments Trauels and his conuersion to Christianitie you shall finde him not altogither vnfit to vndertake such an enterprize nor vnwoorthy to be regarded First therefore his Parentage seemeth not to haue bin ignoble seeing as in his second booke himselfe testifieth an Vncle of his was so Honorable a person and so excellent an Oratour and Poet that he was sent as a principall Ambassadour from the king of Fez to the king of Tombuto And whether this our Author were borne at Granada in Spaine as it is most likely or in some part of Africa certaine it is that in naturall sharpenes and 〈◊〉 of Wit he most liuely resembled those great and classicall authours Pomponius Mela Iustinus Historicus Columella Seneca Quintilian Orosius Prudentius Martial Iuuenal Auicen c. reputed all for Spanish writers as likewise Terentius After Tertullian Saint Augustine Victor Optatus c. knowen to be writers of Africa But amongst great varietie which are to be found in the processe of this not able discourse I will heere lay before your view one onely patterne of his surpassing wit In his second booke therefore if you peruse the description of Mount Tenueues you shall there finde the learned and sweete Arabian verses of Iohn Leo not being then fully sixteene yeeres of age so highly esteemed by the Prince of the same mountaine that in recompence thereof after bountifull entertainment he dismissed him with gifts of great value Neither wanted he the best Education that all Barbarie could affoord For being euen from his tender yeeres trained vp at the Vniuersitie of Fez in Grammar Poetrie Rhetorick Philosophie Historie Cabala Astronomie and other ingenuous sciences and hauing so great acquaintance and conuersation in the kings court how could he choose but prooue in his kinde a most accomplished and absolute man So as I may iustly say if the comparison be tolerable that as Moses was learned in all the wisedome of the Egyptians so likewise was Leo in that of the Arabians and Mores And that he was not meanely but extraordinarily learned let me keepe silence that the admirable fruits of his rare Learning and this Geographicall Historie among the rest may beare record Besides which he wrote an Arabian Grammar highly commended by a great Linguist of Italie who had the sight and examination thereof as likewise a booke of the liues of the Arabian Philosophers and a discourse of the religion of Mahumet with diuers excellent Poems and other monuments of his industrie which are not come to light Now as concerning his Emploiments were they not such as might well beseeme a man of good woorth For to omit how many courts and campes of princes he had frequented did not he as himselfe in his third booke witnesseth personally serue king Mahumet of Fez in his wars against Arzilla And was he not at another time as appeereth out of his second Booke in seruice and honorable place vnder the same king of Fez and sent ambassadour by him to the king of Maroco Yea how often in regard of his singular knowledge and iudgement in the lawes of those countries was he appointed and sometimes constrained at diuers strange cities and townes through which he trauelled to become a iudge and arbiter in matters of greatest moment Moreouer as touching his exceeding great Trauels had he not at the first beene a More and a Mahumetan in religion and most skilfull in the languages and customes of the Arabians and Africans and for the most part trauelled in Carouans or vnder the authoritie safe conduct and commendation of great princes I maruell much how euer he should haue escaped so manie thousands of imminent dangers And all the former notwithstanding I maruel much more how euer he escaped them For how many desolate cold mountaines and huge drie and barren deserts passed he How often was he in hazard to haue beene captiued or to 〈◊〉 had his throte cut by the prouling Arabians and wilde Mores And how hardly manie times escaped he the Lyons greedie mouth and the deuouring iawes of the Crocodile But if you will needes haue a
briefe iournall of his trauels you may see in the end of his eight booke what he writeth for himselfe Wherefore saith he if it shall please God to vouchsafe me longer life I purpose to describe all the regions of Asia which I haue trauelled to wit Arabia Deserta Arabia Petrea Arabia Felix the Asian part of Egypt Armenia and some part of Tartaria all which countries I sawe and passed through in the time of my youth Likewise I will describe my last voiages from Constantinople to Egypt and from thence vnto Italy c. Besides all which places he had also beene at Tauris in Persia and of his owne countrey and other African regions adioining and remote he was so diligent a traueller that there was no kingdome prouince signorie or citie nor scarcelie any towne village mountaine valley riuer or forrest c. which he left vnuisited And so much the more credite and commendation descrueth this woorthy Historie of his in that it is except the antiquities and certaine other incidents nothing else but a large Itinerarium or Iournal of his African voiages neither describeth he almost any one particular place where himselfe had not sometime beene an eie-witnes But not to forget His conuersion to Christianitie amidst all these his busie and dangerous trauels it pleased the diuine prouidence for the discouery and manifestation of Gods woonderfull works and of his dreadfull and iust iudgements performed in Africa which before the time of Iohn Leo were either vtterly concealed or vnperfectly and fabulously reported both by ancient and late writers to deliuer this author of ours and this present Geographicall Historie into the hands of certaine Italian Pirates about the isle of Gerbi situate in the gulfe of Capes betweene the cities of Tunis and Tripolis in Barbarie Being thus taken the Pirates presented him and his Booke vnto Pope Leo the tenth who esteeming of him as of a most rich and inualuable prize greatly reioiced at his arriuall and gaue him most kinde entertainement and liberall maintenance till such time as he had woone him to be baptized in the name of Christ and to be called Iohn Leo after the Popes owne name And so during his abode in Italy learning the Italian toong he translated this booke thereinto being before written in Arabick Thus much of Iohn Leo. Now let vs acquaint you with the Historie it selfe First therefore from so woorthy an author how could an historie proceed but of speciall woorth and consequence For proofe whereof I appeale vnto the translations thereof into Latine Italian Spanish French English and if I be not deceiued into some other languages which argue a generall 〈◊〉 of the same I appeale also to the grand and most iudiciall Cosmographer Master Iohn Baptista Ramusius sometime Secretarie to the state of Venice who in the Preface to his first volume of voiages so highly commendeth it to learned Fracastoro and placeth it euery word in the very forefront of his discourses as the principal most praise-woorthy of thē all And were renoumed Ortelius aliue I would vnder correction report me to him whether his map of Barbarie and Biledulgerid as also in his last Additament that of the kingdomes of Maroco and Fez were not particularly and from point to point framed out of this present relation which he also in two places at the least preferreth farre before all other histories written of Africa But to leaue the testimonies of others and to come neerer to the matter it selfe like as our prime and peerelesse English Antiquarie master William Camden in his learned Britannia 〈◊〉 exactly described England Scotland Ireland and the isles adiacent the which by Leander for 〈◊〉 by Damianus a Goez briefly for Spaine by Belforest for France by Munster for vpper Germanie by Guiccardini for the Netherlandes and by others for other countries hath beene performed so likewise this our author Iohn Leo in the historie ensuing hath so largely particularly and methodically deciphered the countries of Barbarie Numidia Libya The land of Negros and the hither part of Egypt as I take it neuer any writer either before or since his time hath done For if you shall throughly consider him what kingdome prouince citie towne village mountaine vallie riuer yea what temple college hospitall bath-stoue Inne or what other memorable matter doth he omit So doth he most iudicially describe the temperature of the climate and the nature of the soile as also the dispositions manners rites customes and most ancient pedigrees of the inhabitants togither with the alterations of religion and estate the conquests and ouerthrowes of the Romaines Goths and Arabians and other things by the way right woorthie the obseruation So that the Africans may iustly say to him and the English to master Camden as the prince of Roman oratours did vnto Marcus Varro the learnedst of his nation Nos in patria nostra peregrinantes errantesque tanquam hospites tui libri quasi domum deduxerunt vt possemus aliquando qui vbi essemus agnoscere Tuaetatem patriae tu descriptiones temporum tu sacrorum iura tu domesticam tu bellicam disciplinam tu sedem regionum locorum c. Which may thus be rudely 〈◊〉 Wandring vp and downe like Pilgrimes in our owne natiue soile thy bookes haue as it were led vs the right way home that we might at length acknowledge both who and where we are Thou hast reuealed the antiquitie of our nation the order of times the rites of our religion our manner of gouernment both in peace and warre yea thou hast described the situations of countries and places c. Now as concerning the additions before and after this Geographicall Historie hauing had some spare-howers since it came first vnder the presse I thought good both for the Readers satisfaction and that Iohn Leo might not appeere too solitarie vpon the stage to bestowe a part of them in collecting and digesting the same The chiefe scope of this my enterprize is to make a briefe and cursorie description of all those maine lands and isles of Africa which mine author in his nine bookes hath omitted For he in very deed leaueth vntouched all those parts of the African continent which lie to the south of the fifteene kingdomes of Negros and to the east of Nilus For the manifestation whereof I haue as truely as I could coniecture in the mappe adioined to this booke caused a list or border of small prickes to be engrauen which running westward from the mouth of Nilus to The streights of Gibraltar and from thence southward to the coast of Guinie and then eastward to the banks of Nilus and so northward to the place where it began doth with aduantage include all places treated of by Leo and excludeth the residue which by way of Preface we haue described before the beginning of his African historie Likewise at the latter end I haue put downe certaine relations of the great Princes of Africa and of the Christian
remaine euen til this present notwithstanding their many yeeres antiquitie Likewise there are in this countrie diuers churches and oratories hewen out of the hard rocke consisting but of one onely stone some sixtie some fortie and some thirtie fathomes long being full of windowes and engrauen with strange and vnknowne characters Three such churches there are of twelue fathomes broade and eightie in length The Abassins which are subiect to the Prete hold opinion that their prince deriueth his petigree from 〈◊〉 the sonne of Salomon which as they say he begot of the Queene of Saba and that themselues are descended from the officers and attendants which Salomon appointed vnto this his sonne when he sent him home vnto his mother which seemeth not altogether vnlikely if you consider the Iewish ceremonies of circumcision obseruing of the sabaoth such like which they vse vntill this present likewise they abhorre swines flesh and certaine other meates which they call vncleane The Prete absolutely gouerneth in all matters except it be in administring of the sacraments and ordaining of priests Hee giueth and taketh away benefices at his pleasure and in punishing offenders maketh no difference betweene his clergie and laitie The administration of their sacraments is wholie referred to the Abuna or Patriarke The Prete is lorde and owner of all the lands and possessions in his empire except those of the church which are in number infinite for the monasteries of saint Antonie besides which there are none of any other order and the colleges of the Canons and of the Hermites togither with the parishes are innumerable They are all prouided by the king both of reuenewes and of ornaments They haue two winters and two summers which they discerne not by colde and heate but by rainie and faire weather They begin their yeere vpon the 26. of August and diuide it into twelue moneths each moneth containing thirtie daies whereunto they adde euery common yeere fiue daies and in the leape yeere sixe which odde daies they call Pagomen that is The end of the yeere Their ordinarie iourneies in trauelling are twelue miles a day The common harlots dwell without their townes and haue wages allowed them out of the common purse neither may they enter into any cities nor apparell themselues but only in yellow The soile of Abassia aboundeth generally with graine and in especiall with 〈◊〉 and all kindes of Pulse but not so much with wheate they haue 〈◊〉 likewise not knowing how to refine it and hony and cotton-wooll orenges cedars and limons grow naturally there They haue neither melons citrons nor rape-roots but many plants herbes different from ours Their drinke is made of barley and millet neither haue they any wine made of grapes but onely in the houses of the emperour and the Abuna They are not destitute of Elephants mules lions tygres ounces and deere Their owne countrey horses are but of a small size how beit they haue also of the Arabian and Egyptian breed the coltes whereof within fower daies after they be foled they vse to suckle with kine They haue great and terribles apes and infinite sorts of birds but neither cuckowes nor Pies so farre as euer could bee learned Heere are likewise great store of mines of gold siluer iron and copper but they know not how to digge and refine the same for the people of this countrey are so rude and ignorant that they haue no knowledge nor vse of any arte or occupation Insomuch as they esteeme the carpenters or smithes craft for an vnlawfull and diabolicall kinde of science and such as exercise the same liue among them like infamous persons neither are they permitted to enter into any of their churches In the kingdome of Bagamidri are founde most excellent mines of siluer which they knowe none other way how to take from the ore but onely by melting it with fire into thinne plates Goiame aboundeth with base gold In the kingdome of Damut they digge and refine it somewhat better They haue neither the arte of making cloth for which cause the greater part of them go clad in beasts skins nor yet the manner of hauking fowling or hunting so that their countries swarme with partridges quailes fesants cranes geese hens hares deere and other like creatures neither knowe they how to make any full vse or benefite of the fruitefulnes of their countrey nor of the commoditie of riuers They sowe mill for the most parte sometimes in one place and sometimes in another according as the raine giueth them opportunitie In summe they shew no wit nor dexterity in any thing so much as in robbery and warre vnto both which they haue a kind of naturall inclination Which is occasioned as I suppose by the continuall voiages made by the Prete and by their vsuall liuing in the wide fields and that in diuers and sundry places For to trauaile continually and remaine in the fields without any stable or firme habitation compelleth men as it were of necessitie to lay holde on all that comes next to hande be it their owne or belonging to others They are not much subiect to tempests but to an inconuenience far more intollerable namely to innumerable swarmes of locusts which bring such desolation vpon them as is most dreadfull to consider for they consume whole prouinces leauing them quite destitute of succour both for man and beast They vse no stamped coine in all this empire but insteede thereof certaine rude pieces of golde and little balles of iron especially in Angote as likewise salt and pepper which are the greatest riches that they can enioy Hence it is that the tributes which are payed to the prince consist onely of such things as his owne dominions do naturally afforde as namely of salt gold siluer corne hides elephants teeth the horne of the Rhinoceros with slaues and such like Which forme of tribute being most agreeable to nature is vsed also in other parts of Africa Their salt is taken out of a certaine great mountaine in the prouince of Balgada and is made into square pieces The most populous place in all Abassia is the court of the Prete wheresoeuer it resideth and there are erected fiue or sixe thousand tents of cotton of diuers colours with so notable a distinction of streetes lanes market-places and Tribunals that euen in a moment euery man knoweth his owne station and the place where he is to doe his busines A man may coniecture the greatnes of this courte if he doe but consider that according to the report of some who haue there bin personally present besides the camels which carry the tents the mules of carriage exceede the number of fiftie thousand Their mules serue them to carry burthens and to ride vpon but their horses are onely for the warres The Mahumetans haue now brought this prince to great extremity but heretofore while he was in his flourishing estate he liued so maiestically that he neuer spake but by an interpreter nor would
the principall citie of that region was at the commandement of Ferdinando the king of Castile taken by one Peter of Nauarre The diuision of Numidia THis is the basest part of all Africa neither will our Cosmographers vouchsafe it the name of a kingdome by reason that the inhabitants thereof are so far distant asunder which you may easily coniecture by that which followeth Tesset a citie of Numidia containeth about fower hundred families and is in regard of the Libyan desert seuered from all places of habitation almost three hundred miles wherefore this second part is thought by diuers not to be woorthie the name of a kingdome Howbeit we will make some relation of the habitable partes of Numidia some whereof may not vnfitly bee compared with other regions of Africa as for example that of Segelmess which territorie of Numidia lieth ouer against Barbarie likewise Zeb which is situate against Bugia and the signiorie of Biledulgerid which extendeth vnto the kingdome of Tunis Reseruing therefore many particulars for the second part of this historie we wil make our entrie and beginning at those places which lie vpon the west of Numidia the names whereof be these Tesset Guaden Ifren Hacca Dare Tebelbelt Todga Fercale Segelmess Benigumi Fighig Tegua Tsabit Tegorarin Mesab Tegort and Guarghela The region of Zeb containeth fiue townes to wit Pescara Elborgh Nesta Taolac and Deusin so many cities likewise hath the territorie of Biledulgerid namely Teozar Caphesa Nefreoa Elchamid and Chalbis and from hence eastward are found the isles of Gerbe Garion Mesellata Mestrata Teoirraga Gademis Fizza Augela Birdeoa and Eloacat These are the names of the most famous places of all Numidia being bounded as is said before westward vpon the Ocean sea and eastward with the riuer of Nilus A description of the Libyan deserts which lie betweene Numidia and the 〈◊〉 of Negros THese deserts haue not as yet any certaine name amongst vs 〈◊〉 they be diuided into fiue partes and receiue all their denomination from the inhabitants which dwell vpon them that is to say from the Numidians who are in like sort themselues diuided into fiue partes also to wit the people or tribes called Zanega Ganziga Terga Leuta and Berdeoa There bee likewise certaine places which take some proper and particular name from the goodnes and badnes of the soile as namely the desert of Azaohad so called for the drought and vnfruitfulnes of that place likewise Hair albeit a desert yet so called for the goodnes and temperature of the aire A diuision of the land of Negros into seuerall kingdomes MOreouer the land of Negros is diuided into many kingdomes whereof albeit a great part be vnknowen vnto vs and remooued farre out of our trade we will notwithstanding make relation of those places where we our selues haue aboad and which by long experience are growne very familiar vnto vs as likewise of some other places from whence merchants vsed to trauell vnto the same cities wherein my selfe was then resident from whom I learned right 〈◊〉 the state of their countries I my selfe saw fifteene kingdoms of the Negros howbeit there are many more which although I saw not with mine owne eies yet are they by the Negros sufficiently knowen and frequented Their names therefore beginning from the west and so proceeding Eastward and Southward are these following Gualata Ghinea Melli Tombuto Gago Guber Agadez Cano Casena Zegzeg Zanfara Guangara Burno Gaoga Nube These fifteene kingdomes are for the most part situate vpon the riuer Niger through the which merchants vsually trauell from Gualata to the citie of Alcair in Egypt The iourney indeede is very long but yet secure and voide of danger All the said kingdomes adioine one vpon another ten whereof are separated either by the riuer Niger or by some sandie desert and in times past each one of the fifteene had a seueral king but now at this present they are all in a manner subiect vnto three kings onely namely to the king of Tombuto who is Lord of the greatest part to the king of Borno who gouerneth the least part and the residue is in subiection vnto the king of Gaoga howbeit he that possesseth the kingdome of Ducala hath a very small traine attending vpon him Likewise these kingdomes haue many other kingdomes bordering vpon the South frontiers of them to wit Bito Temiam Dauma Medra and Gorhan the gouernors and inhabitants whereof are most rich and industrious people great louers of iustice and equitie albeit some lead a brutish kinde of life Of the habitations of Africa and of the signification of this word Barbar OVr Cosmographers and historiographers affirme that in times past Africa was altogether disinhabited except that part which is now called the land of Negros and most certaine it is that Barbarie and Numidia were for many ages destitute of inhabitants The tawnie people of the said region were called by the name of Barbar being deriued of the verbe Barbara which in their toong signifieth to murmur because the African toong soundeth in the eares of the Arabians no otherwise then the voice of beasts which vtter their sounds without any accents Others will haue Barbar to be one word twise repeated forsomuch as Bar in the Arabian toong signifieth a desert For say they when king Iphricus being by the Assyrians or Aethiopians driuen out of his owne kingdome trauelled towards Aegypt and seeing himselfe so oppressed with his enimies that he knew not what should become of him and his followers he asked his people how or which way it was possible to escape who answered him Bar-Bar that is to the desert to the desert giuing him to vnderstand by this speech that he could haue no safer refuge then to crosse ouer Nilus and to flee vnto the desert of Africa And this reason seemeth to agree with them which affirme the Africans to be descended from the people of Arabia foelix The originall of the people of Africa ABout the originall of the Africans our historiographers doe much disagree For some will haue them to be deriued from the inhabitants of Palaestina because as they say being expelled out of their owne countrie by the Assyrians they came at length into Africa seeing the fruitfulnes of the soile chose it to be their place of habitation Others are of opinion that they tooke their originall from the Sabeans a people of Arabia foelix and that before such time as they were put to flight by the Assyrians or Aethiopians as hath beene aforesaid Some others report that the Africans descended from certaine people of Asia who being chased thence by reason of warres which were waged against them fled into Greece which at the same time had no inhabitants at all Howbeit the enimie still pursuing them they were forced to crosse the sea of Morea and being arriued in Africa to settle themselues there but their enimies aboad still in Greece All which opinions and reportes are to bee vnderstood onely
of the originall of the tawnie people that is to say of the Numidians and Barbarians For all the Negros or blacke Moores take their descent from Chus the sonne of Cham who was the sonne of Noë But whatsoeuer difference there be betweene the Negros and the tawnie Moores certaine it is that they had all one beginning For the Negros are descended of the Philistims and the Philistims of Mesraim the sonne of Chus but the tawnie Moores fetch their petigree from the Sabeans and it is euident that Saba was begotten of Rama which was the eldest sonne of Chus Diuers other opinions there be as touching this matter which because they seeme not so necessarie wee haue purposely omitted A diuision of the tawnie Moores into sundrie tribes or nations THE tawnie Moores are diuided into fiue seuerall people or tribes to wit the tribes called Zanhagi Musmudi Zeneti Hacari and Gumeri The tribe of Musmudi inhabite the westerne part of mount Atlas from the prouince of Hea to the riuer of Seruan Likewise they dwell vpon the south part of the said mountaine and vpon all the inward plaines of that region These Musmudae haue fower prouinces vnder them namely Hea Sus Guzula and the territorie of Marocco The tribe of Gumeri possesse certaine mountaines of Barbarie dwelling on the sides of those mountaines which lie ouer against the Mediterran sea as likewise they are Lords of all the riuer called in their language Rif. This riuer hath his fountaine neere vnto the streites of Gibraltar and thence runneth eastwards to the kingdome of Tremizen called by the Latines Caesaria These two tribes or people haue seuerall habitations by themselues the other three are dispersed confusiuely ouer all Africa howbeit they are like strangers discerned one from another by certaine properties or tokens maintaining continuall warre among themselues especially they of Numidia These I say are those very people as some report who had no other places then tents and wide fields to repose themselues in and it is reported that in times past they had great conflicts together and that the vanquished were sent to inhabit townes and cities but the conquerors held the champions and fieldes vnto themselues and there setled their aboad Neither is it altogether vnlikely because the inhabitants of cities haue all one and the same language with the countrie people For the Zeneti whether they dwell in the citie or in the countrie speake all one kinde of language which is likewise to be vnderstood of the rest The tribes of Zeneti Haoari and Sanhagi inhabit the countrie of Temesne sometimes they liue peaceably and sometimes againe calling to minde their ancient quarrels they breake foorth into cruell warres and manslaughters Some of these people beare rule ouer all Africa as namely the Zeneti who in times past vanquished the familie called Idris from which some affirme the true and naturall Dukes of Fez and the founders of the same citie to deriue their petigree their progenie likewise was called Mecnasa There came afterward out of Numidia another familie of the Zeneti called Magraoa this Magraoa chased the familie of Mecnasa with all their Dukes and chieftaines out of their dominions Not long after the said tribe of Magraoa was expelled in like sort by certaine others of the race of the Sanhagij called by the name of Luntuna which came also out of the desert of Numidia By this familie was the countrie of Temesna in processe of time vtterly spoiled and wasted and all the inhabitants thereof slaine except those which were of their owne tribe and kindred of Luntuna vnto whom was allotted the region of Ducala to inhabit and by them was built the citie commonly called Maroco It fell out afterwards by the inconstancie of fortune that one Elmahdi the principall 〈◊〉 preacher among them conspiring with the Hargij these Hargij were of the familie of Musmuda expelled the whole race of the Luntuna and vsurped that kingdome vnto himselfe After this mans decease succeeded in his place one of his disciples called Habdul Mumen a Banigueriaghel of the kindred of the Sanhagij The kingdome remained vnto this family about an 120. yeeres whereunto all Africa in a manner was subiect At length being deposed by the Banimarini a generation of the Zeneti the said familie was put to flight which Banimarini are said to haue raigned afterward for the space of 170. yeeres The Banimarini which descended of the Sanhagij and of Magroa waged continuall warre against Banizeijan the king of Telensin likewise the progenie of Hafasa and of Musmuda are at variance and dissension with the king of Tunis So that you see what stirres and tumults haue at all times beene occasioned in those regions by the foresaid fiue families Certaine it is that neither the Gumeri nor the Haoari haue at this present any iurisdiction at all albeit heretofore as we reade in their chronicles they had some certaine dominion before such time as they were infected with the Mahumetan lawe Out of all which it is euident that in times past all the foresaid people had their habitations and tents in the plaine fields euery one of which fauoured their owne faction and exercised all labours necessarie for mans life as common among them The gouernours of the countrie attended their droues and flockes and the citizens applied themselues vnto some manuall art or to husbandrie The said people are diuided into fiue hundred seuerall families as appeereth by the genealogies of the Africans author whereof is one Ibnu Rachu whom I haue oftentimes read and perused Some writers are of opinion that the king of Tombuto the king of Melli and the king of Agadez fetch their originall from the people of Zanaga to wit from them which inhabite the desert The agreement or varietie of the African lauguage THe foresaid fiue families or people 〈◊〉 diuided into hundreds of progenies and hauing innumerable habitations doe notwithstanding vse all one kinde of language called by them Aquel Amarig that is the noble toong the Arabians which inhabite Africa call it a barbarous toong and this is the true and naturall language of the Africans Howbeit it is altogether different from other languages although it hath diuers words common with the Arabian toong whereupon some would inferre that the Africans as is aboue said came by lineall descent from the Sabeans a people of Arabia foelix Others say that these words were euen then inuented when the Arabians came first into Africa and began to take possession thereof but these authors were so rude and grosse-witted that they left no writings behinde them which might be alleaged either for or against Moreouer they haue among them another diuersitie not onely of 〈◊〉 but of significant words also as namely they which dwell neere vnto the Arabians and exercise much traffique with them doe for the greater part vse their language Yea all the Gumeri in a manner and most of the Haoari speake Arabian
vnto them and being a very vnciuill and barbarous people The people called Enedri are seated in the plaine of Heah but the whole region of Heah maintaineth almost fower thousand horsemen which notwithstanding are vnfit for the warres The people of Garfa haue sundrie mansions neither haue they any king or gouernour They are dispersed among other generations and especially among the kindreds of Manebbi and Hemram These conuay dates from Segelmessa to the kingdome of Fez and carrie backe againe from thence such things as are necessarie for Segelmess Of the tribe of Machil THE people called Ruche who are thought to be descended from Mastar doe possesse that desert which lieth next vnto Dedes and Farcala They haue very small dominions for which cause they are accounted no whit rich howbeit they are most valiant soldiers and exceeding swift of foote insomuch that they esteeme it a great disgrace if one of their footemen be vanquished by two horsemen And you shall finde scarce any one man among them which will not outgoe a very swift horse be the iourney neuer so long They haue about fiue hundred horsemen but most warlike footemen to the number of eight thousand Selim inhabite vpon the riuer of Dara from whence they range vp and downe the deserts They are endowed with great riches carrying euery yeere merchandize vnto the kingdome of Tombuto and are thought to be in high fauour with the king himselfe A large iurisdiction they haue in Darha and great plentie of camels and for all oportunities of warre they haue euer in a readines three thousande horsemen The tribe of Elhasis dwelleth vpon the sea-coast neere vnto Messa They doe arme about fiue hundred horsemen and are a nation altogether rude and vnacquainted in the warres Some part of them inhabiteth Azgara Those which dwell about Messa are free from the yoke of superioritie but the others which remaine in Azgar are subiect to the king of Fez. The kindred of Chinan are dispersed among them which before were called Elcaluth and these also are subiect vnto the king of Fez. Very warlike people they are and are able to set foorth two thousand horsemen The people of Deuihessen are diuided into the kindreds of Duleim Burbun Vode Deuimansor and Deuihubaidulla Duleim are conuersant in the deserts of Libya with the African people called Zanhaga They haue neither dominion nor yet any stipend wherefore they are very poore and giuen to robberie they trauell vnto Dara and exchange cattell for dates with the inhabitants there All brauerie comelines of apparell they vtterly neglect and their number of fighting menis ten thousand fower thousand being horsemen and the residue footmen The people called Burbun possesse that part of the Libyan desert which adioyneth vnto Sus. They are a huge multitude neither haue they any riches beside camels Vnto them is subiect the citie of Tesset which scarce sufficeth them for the maintenance of their horses being but a few The people of Vode enioyeth that desert which is situate betweene Guaden and Gualata They beare rule ouer the Guadenites and of the Duke of Gualata they receiue yeerely tribute and their number is growen almost infinite For by report they are of abilitie to bring into the field almost threescore thousand most skilful soldiers notwithstanding they haue great want of horses The tribe of Racmen occupie that desert which is next vnto Hacha They haue very large possessions and doe in the spring-time vsually trauell vnto Tesset for then alwaies they haue somewhat to doe with the inhabitants there Their people fit for armes are to the number of twelue thousand albeit they haue very few horsemen The nation of Hamrum inhabit the deserts of Tagauost exacting some tribute of the inhabitants there and with daily incursions likewise molesting the people of Nun. Their number of soldiers is almost eight thousand The people descended of Deuimansor THE generation of Dehemrum which are saide to deriue their petigree from Deuimansor inhabite the desert ouer against Segellmess who continually wander by the Libyan deserts as farre as Ighid They haue tributarie vnto them the people of Segelmesse of Todgatan of Tebelbelt and of Dara Their soile yeeldeth such abundance of dates that the yeerely increase thereof is sufficient to maintaine them although they had nothing else to liue on They are of great fame in other nations being able to furnish for the warres about three thousand horsemen There dwell likewise among these certaine other Arabians of more base condition called in their language Garfa Esgeh which notwithstanding haue great abundance of horses and of all other cattell A certaine part also of the people Hemrun obtaineth many and large possessions among the 〈◊〉 from whence they haue a notable yeerely reuenue brought them in this part of Hemrun maketh often excursions towards the deserts of Fighig In summer they disperse themselues all ouer the prouince of Garet possessing the east part of Mauritania They are noble and honest persons and endued with all kinde of humanitie and ciuilitie insomuch that all the kings of Fez in a manner do vsually chuse them wiues out of the same tribe needes therefore must there be great friendship and familiaritie among them The people of Menebbe doe almost inhabite the very same desert hauing two prouinces of Numidia vnder them to wit Matgara and Retebbe These also are a most valiant nation being in pay vnder the prouince of Segelmess and being able to make about two thousand horsemen The kindred of Husein which are thought to be descended of Deuimansor are seated vpon the mountaines of Atlas They haue in the said mountaines a large iurisdiction namely diuers castles euery where and many most rich and flourishing cities all which they thinke were giuen them in olde time by the vice-royes of the Marini for so soone as they had woon that kingdome the kindred of Husein affoorded them great aide and seruice Their dominion is now subiect vnto the kings of Fez and of Segelmess They haue a captaine which for the most part resideth at the citie commonly called Garseluin Likewise they are alwaies in a manner trauersing of that desert which in their language is called Eddara They are taken to be a most rich and honest people being of abilitie to furnish for the warres about sixe thousande horsemen Among these you shall oftentimes finde many Arabians of another sort whom they vse onely to be their seruants The tribe of Abulhusein doe inhabite part of the foresaid desert of Eddara howbeit a very smal part the greatest number of whom are brought vnto such extreme miserie that they haue not in those their wilde tents sufficient sustenance to liue vpon True it is that they haue built them certaine habitations vpon the Libyan deserts but yet they are cruelly pinched with famine and with extreme penurie of all things and that there might be no end of their miserie they are constrained to pay yeerely tribute vnto their kindred and parents The ofspring
mattresse some of which beds are ten elles in length some more and some lesse yea some you shall finde of twenty elles long but none longer one part of these mattresses they lye vpon insteed of a couch and with the residue they couer their bodies as it were with 〈◊〉 and couerlets In the Spring-time alwaies they lay the hairie side next vnto their bodies because it is somewhat warmer but in Sommer-time not regarding that side they turne the smooth side vpwarde and thereon they rest themselues Likewise of such base and harsh stuffe they make their cushions being much like vnto the stuffe which is brought hither out of Albania and Turkie to serue for horse-cloathes The women of Hea goe commonly with their faces vncouered vsing for their huswifery turned vessels and cups of wood their platters dishes and other their kitchin-vessels be for the most part of earth You may easily discerne which of them is married and who is not for an vnmarried man must alwaies keepe his beard shauen which after hee be once married hee suffereth to grow at length The saide region bringeth foorth no great plentie of horses but those that it doth bring foorth are so nimble and full of mettall that they will climbe like cats ouer the steepe and craggie mountaines These horses are alwaies vnshod and the people of this region vse to till their ground with no other cattell but onely with horses and asses You shall here finde great store of deere of wilde goats and of hares Howbeit the people are no whit delighted in hunting Which is the cause as I thinke why the said beasts do so multiply And it is somwhat strange that so many riuers running through the countrey they should haue such scarsitie of water-mils but the reason is because euerie houshold almost haue a woodden mill of their owne whereat their women vsually grinde with their hands No good learning nor liberall artes are heere to be found except it bee a little skill in the lawes which some few chalenge vnto themselues otherwise you shall finde not so much as any shadow of vertue among them They haue neither Phisition nor Surgeon of any learning or account But if a disease or infirmitie befall any of them they presently seare or cauterize the sicke partie with red hot yrons euen as the Italians vse their horses Howbeit some chirurgians there are among them whose duty and occupation consisteth onely in circumcising of their male children They make no sope in all the countrey but instead thereof they vse to wash with lee made of ashes They are at continuall warre but it is ciuill and among themselues insomuch that they haue no leisure to fight against other nations Whosoeuer will trauell into a 〈◊〉 countrey must take either a harlot or a wife or a religious man of the contrarie part to beare him companie They haue no regard at all of iustice especially in those mountaines which are destitute of gouernours or princes yea euen the principall men of this verie region of Hea which dwell within townes and cities dare scarce prescribe any law or good order vnto the people so great is their insolencie in all places The cities of Hea are few in number but they haue great store of villages townes and most strong castles whereof God willing we will hereafter speake more at large Of Tednest one of the cities of Hea. THE auncient citie of Tednest was built by the Africans vpon a most beautiful and large plaine which they inuironed with a loftie wall built of bricke and lime Likewise a certaine riuer running foorth of the citie serueth to fill vp the wall ditch In this citie are certaine merchants that sell cloath wherein the people of the same place are clad Here is likewise vttered a kinde of cloth which is brought thither out of Portugall howbeit they will admit no artificers but taylors botchers carpenters and a few gold-smithes which are Iewes In this citie there are no innes stoues nor wine-tauerns so that whatsoeuer merchant goes thither must seeke out some of his acquaintance to remaine withall but if he hath no friends 〈◊〉 acquaintance in the town then the principall inhabitants there cast lots who should entertaine the strange merchant insomuch that no stranger be he neuer so meane shall want friendly entertainment but is alwaies sumptuously and honourably accepted of But whosoeuer is receiued as a guest must at his departure bestow some gift vpon his host in token of thankfulnes to the ende he may be more welcome at his next returne Howbeit if the saide stranger bee no merchant he may chuse what great mans house he will to lodge in beeing bound at his departure to no recompence nor gift To be short if any begger or poore pilgrim passé the same way he hath some 〈◊〉 prouided for him in a certaine hospitall which was founded onely for the reliefe of poore people and is maintained at the common charge of the citie In the middest of the citie stands an auncient temple beeing most sumptuously built and of an huge bignes which was thought to bee founded at the verie same time when as the King of Maroco bare rule in those places This temple hath a great cestern standing in the midst thereof and it hath many priests and such kinde of people which giue attendance thereunto and store it with things necessarie In this citie likewise are diuers other temples which 〈◊〉 they are but little yet be they most cleanly and decently kept There are in this citie about an hundred families of Iewes who pay no yeerely tribute at all but only bestow each of them some gratuitie vpon this or that nobleman whom they thinke to fauour them most to the ende they may enioy their fauour still and the greatest part of the said citie is inhabited with Iewes These Iewes haue certaine minting-houses wherein they stampe siluer coine of which 170. Aspers as they call them doe weigh one ounce beeing like vnto the common coine of Hungarie sauing that this Asper is square and the Hungarian coine is round The inhabitants of Tednest are free from al tributes yeerely taxations howbeit if any summe of money be wanting for the erection of a publique building or for any other common vse the people is foorthwith assembled and each man must giue according to his abilitie This citie was left desolate in the yeere 918. of the Hegeira At what time all the citizens thereof fled vnto the mountaines and from thence to Maroco The reason they say was because the inhabitants were informed that their next neighbours the Arabians ioyned in league with the Portugall Captaines who as then held the towne of Azaphi and promised to deliuer Tednest into the hands of the Christians which thing so danted the citizens that they presently sought to saue themselues by flight My selfe I remember sawe this citie vtterly ruined and defaced the walles thereof beeing laide euen with the ground the houses
him For saith he there is some recompence due vnto me sithens ten of my people haue beene slaine and but eight of this my neighbours Whereunto the other replied that the saide ten persons were iustly slaine because they went about by violence to dispossesse him of a certaine piece of ground which his father had left him by inheritance but that his eight were murthered onely for vniust reuenge against all equitie and lawe With these and such like friuolous allegations we spent that whole day neither could we decide any one controuersie About midnight we sawe a great throng of people meet in the market-place who made there such a bloodie and horrible conflict that the sight thereof would haue affrighted any man were he neuer so hard harted Wherefore the saide Seriffo fearing least those lewd varlets would make some trecherous conspiracie against him and thinking it better to depart thence immediately then to expect the conclusion of that fraye wee tooke our iourney from that place to a towne called Aghilinghighil Of the towne of Teijeut in Hea. MOreouer the tower of Teijeut standing vpon a plaine ten miles Westward of Ileusugaghen containeth about three hundred housholdes The houses and wall of this towne are built of bricke The townesmen exercise husbandrie for their ground is most fertile for barley albeit it will scarcely yeeld any other graine They haue pleasant and large gardens stored with vines fig-trees and peach-trees also they haue great abundance of goates About this towne are many lyons whereby the townesmen are not a little endamaged for they pray continually vpon their goats and vpon other of their cattell Certaine of vs vpon time comming into these parts for want of a lodging were cōstrained to repayre vnto a little cottage which we escried being so olde that it was in danger of falling hauing prouided our horses of prouender we stopped vp all the doores and passages of the said cottage with thornes and wood as circumspectly as possibly we could these things happened in the moneth of Aprill at what time they haue extreme heat in the same countrey Wherefore we our selues got vp to the top of the house to the end that in our sleep we might be neere vnto the open ayer About midnight we espied two monstrous lyons who were drawen thither by the sent of our horses and endeuored to breake downe that fence of thornes which we had made Whereupon the horses being put in feare kept such a neighing and such a stirre that we misdoubted least the rotten cottage would haue fallen and least our selues should haue become a pray vnto the lyons But so soone as we perceiued the day begin to breake we foorthwith sadled our horses and hyed vs vnto that place where we knew the Prince and his armie lay Not long after followed the destruction of this towne For the greater part of the townesmen being slaine the rest were taken by the Portugals and were carried as captiues into Portugall This was done in the yeere of the Hegeira 920 and in the yeere of our Lord 1513. Of Tesegdelt a towne of Hea. THe towne of Tesegdelt being situate vpon the top of a certaine high mountaine and naturally enuironed with an high rocke in steade of a wall containeth more then eight hundreth families It is distant from Teijeut southward about twelue miles and it hath a riuer running by it the name whereof I haue forgotten About this towne of Tesegdelt are most pleasant gardens and orchards replenished with all kinde of trees and especially with walnut-trees The inhabitants are wealthie hauing great abundance of horses neither are they constrained to pay any tribute vnto the Arabians There are continuall warres betweene the Arabians and them and that with great bloudshed and manslaughter on both parts The villages lying neere vnto Tesegdelt do vsually carry all their graine thither least they should be depriued thereof by the enimie who maketh daily inrodes and inuasions vpon them The inhabitants of the foresaid towne are much 〈◊〉 vnto curtesie and ciuilitie and for liberalitie and bountie vnto strangers they will suffer themselues to be inferiour to none other At euery gate of Tesegdelt stande certaine watchmen or warders which do most louingly receiue all incommers enquiring of them whether they haue any friends and acquaintaine in the towne or no If they haue none then are they conducted to one of the best Innes of the towne and hauing had entertainment there according to their degree and place they are friendly dismissed and whatsoeuer his expences come to the stranger paies nought at all but his charges are defraied out of the common purse This people of Tesegdelt are subiect also vnto iealousie howbeit they are most faithfull keepers of their promise In the very middest of the towne standes a most beautifull and stately temple whereunto belong a certaine number of Mahumetan priests And to the ende that iustice may be most duly administred among them they haue a very learned iudge who decideth all matters in the common wealth except criminall causes onely Their fieldes where they vse to sowe their corne are for the greater part vpon the mountaines Vnto this verie towne I trauelled with the foresaide Seriffo in the 〈◊〉 of the Hegeira 919. that is to say in the yeere of our Lord 1510. A description of the citie of Tagtess THE most ancient citie of Tagtess is built rounde and standeth vpon the toppe of an hill on the sides whereof are certaine winding steps hewen out of the hard rocke It is about foureteene miles distant from Tesegdelt By the foote of the saide hill runnes a riuer whereout the women of Tagtess draw their water neither haue the citizens any other drinke and although this riuer be almost sixe miles from Tagtess yet a man would thinke looking downe from the citie vpon it that it were but halfe a mile distant The way leading vnto the said riuer being cut out of the rocke in forme of a payre of stayres is verie narrow The citizens of Tagtess are addicted vnto theft and robberie and are at continuall warre with their neighbours They haue no corne-fields nor any cattell but onely vpon the said mountaine they haue great store of bores but such scarcitie of horses that there is not one almost to bee found in the whole citie The way through their region is so difficult that they will suffer none to passe by without a publique testimoniall While I was in that countrey there came such a swarme of Locusts that they deuoured the greatest part of their cornes which were as then ripe insomuch that all the vpper part of the ground was couered with Locusts Which was in the yeere of the Hegeira 919. that is in the yeere of our Lord 1510. The towne of Eitdeuet FIfteene miles Southward from Tagtess stands another towne called Eitdeuet being built vpon a plaine and yet vpon the higher ground thereof It containeth to the number of seuen hundred families and hath
containeth more then sixe hundred housholds Here ships of meane burthen may safely harbour themselues and hither the Portugall merchants resort to buy goats-skins and waxe Corne-fields they haue none but onely certaine hils which yeeld great increase of barlie Neere vnto this towne runs a certaine riuer whereinto the ships put themselues in tempestuous weather The towne-wall is built of white hewen stone and of bricke They gather their yeerely customes and subsidies all the whole summe whereof is equally distributed among such citizens as are meete for the warres In this towne are great plentie of Mahumetan priests and of iudges howbeit for the inquirie of murther and such like crimes these iudges haue no authoritie For if any kinsman of the slaine or wounded partie meeteth with him that did the fact he is presently without any iudgement to haue Legem talionis that is like for like inflicted vpon him but if he escape that he is banished seuen yeeres out of the citie at the end of which seuen yeeres the malefactor hauing paide a certaine summe of money to the friends of the wounded or slaine partie is afterward receiued into fauour and accounted among the number of citizens All the inhabitants of Tefethne are of a most white colour being so addicted vnto friendship and hospitalitie that they fauour strangers more then their owne citizens They haue a most stately and rich hospitall howbeit those which are there placed may for the most part remaine in citizens houses My selfe being in companie with the Seriffo or Mahumetan prelate continued for the space of three daies among this people which three daies seemed three yeeres vnto me both for the incredible number of fleas and also for the most lothsome and intolerable stench of pisse and of goates dung For each citizen hath a flocke of goates which they driue in the day-time to pasture and at night they house them at home in their owne habitations yea euen before their chamber-doores Of the people called Ideuacal who inhabite the beginning of mount Atlas HAuing hitherto made report of al the cities of Hea which are worthie of memorie I thought good in this place to the end that nothing should be wanting in this our discourse which might delight the reader to describe the inhabited mountaines also Wherefore the greatest part of the people of Headwelleth vpon mountaines some where of being called Ideuacal for so are they named inhabite vpon that part of Atlas which stretcheth it selfe from the Ocean sea eastward as farre as Igilingigil and this ridge of mountaines diuideth Hea from Sus. The bredth of this mountaine is three daies iourney For Tefethne whereat this mountaine beginneth from the north is distant from the towne of Messa where it endeth southward as farre as I coulde conueniently ride in three daies Whosoeuer knoweth this region as well as my selfe can sufficiently beare me witnes howe it is replenished with inhabitants and countrey-villages Their ordinary food is barly goates-flesh and hony Shirts they weare none at all nor yet any other garments which are sowen togither for there is no man among them which knoweth how to vse the needle but such apparell as they haue hangeth by a knot vpon their shoulders Their women weare siluer rings vpon their eares some three and some more They haue siluer buttons of so great a scantling that each one weigheth an ounce wherewith they fasten their apparell vpon their shoulders to the end it may not fall off The nobler and richer sort of people among them weare siluer rings vpon their fingers and legs but such as are poore weare ringes onely of iron or of copper There are likewise certaine horses in this region being so small of stature and so swift as it is woonderfull Heere may you finde great plentie of wilde goats hares and deere and yet none of the people are delighted in hunting Many fountaines are heere to be founde and great aboundance of trees but especially of walnut-trees The greater part of this people liueth after the Arabians manner often changing their places of habitation A kinde of daggers they vse whieh are broad and crooked like a wood-knife and their swords are as thicke as sithes wherewith they mowe haie When they go to the warres they carrie three or fower hunting toiles with them In al the said mountaine are neither iudges priestes nor temples to be founde So ignorant they are of learning that not one among them either loueth or embraceth the same They are all most lewd and wicked people and applie their mindes vnto all kinde of villanie It was tolde the Seriffo in my presence that the foresaide mountaine was able to affoord twentie thousand soldiers for a neede Of the mountaine called Demensera THis mountaine also is a part of Atlas beginning from the mountaine last before mentioned and extending it selfe eastward for the space of about fiftie miles as farre as the mountaine of Nifif in the territorie of Maroco And it diuideth a good part of Hea from the region of Sus before named It aboundeth with inhabitants which are of a most barbarous and sauage disposition Horses they haue great plenty they go to warre oftentimes with the Arabians which border vpon them neither will they permit any of the saide Arabians to come within their dominions There are no townes nor castles vpon all this mountaine howbeit they haue certaine villages and cottages wherein the better sort do hide their heads Great store of noble men or gouernors they haue in all places vnto whom the residue are very obedient Their grounde yeeldeth barly and mill in abundance They haue euery where many fountaines which being dispersed ouer the whole prouince do at length issue into that riuer which is called in their language Siffaia Their apparell is somewhat decent also they possesse great quantitie of iron which is from thence transported into other places and these people are well giuen to thrift and good husbandry Great numbers of Iewes remaine in this region which liue as stipendarie soldiers vnder diuers princes are continually in armes and they are reputed and called by other Iewes in Africa Carraum that is to say heretiques They haue store of boxe of mastick and of high walnut trees Vnto their Argans for so they call a kinde of oliues which they haue they put nuts out of which two simples they expresse very bitter oile vsing it for a sauce to some of their meates and powring it into their lampes I heard diuers of their principall men auouch that they were able to bring into the field siue and twentie thousand most expert soldiers In my returne from Sus they did me exceeding honour in regard of certaine letters which I deliuered vnto them from my Lord the Seriffo and to manifest their good will towardes the said Seriffo they 〈◊〉 me with most ample gifts and gratuities This was done in the 920. yeere of the Hegeira that is to say in the yeere of our Lord 1520. Of the
in the midst of the citie which was built by Hali the first king of Maroco and the son of Ioseph aforesaid being commonly called the temple of Hali ben Ioseph Howbeit one Abdul-Mumen which succeeded him to the ende he might vtterly abolish the name of Hali and might make himselfe onely famous with posteritie caused this stately temple of Maroco to be razed and to bee reedified somewhat more sumptuously then before Howbeit he lost not onely his expences but failed of his purpose also for the common people euen till this day doe call the said Temple by the first and auncientest name Likewise in this citie not farre from a certaine rocke was built a Temple by him that was the seconde vsurper ouer the kingdome of Maroco after whose death his nephew Mansor enlarged the saide Temple fiftie cubites on all sides and adorned the same with manye pillars which he commanded to be brought out of Spaine for that purpose Vnder this temple he made a cesterne or vault as bigge as the temple it selfe the roofe of the saide temple he couered with lead and at euery corner he made leaden pipes to conueigh raine water into the cesterne vnderneath the temple The turret or steeple is built of most hard and well framed stone like vnto Vespasian his Amphitheatrum at Rome containing in compasse moe then an hundreth elles and in height exceeding the steeple of Bononia The staires of the said turret or steeple are each of them nine handfuls in bredth the vtmost side of the wall is ten and the thicknes of the turret is fiue The saide turret hath seauen lofts vnto which the staires ascending are very lightsome for there are great store of windowes which to the ende they may giue more light are made broader within then without Vpon the top of this turret is built a certaine spire or pinnacle rising sharpe in forme of a sugar-loafe and containing fiue and twentie elles in compasse but in height being not much more then two speares length the saide spire hath three lofts one aboue another vnto euerie of which they ascend with woodden ladders Likewise on the top of this spire standeth a golden halfe moone vpon a barre of iron with three spheares of golde vnder it which golden spheares are so fastened vnto the saide iron barre that the greatest is lowest and the least highest It woulde make a man giddie to looke downe from the top of the turret for men walking on the grounde be they neuer so tall seeme no bigger then a childe of one yeere old From hence likewise may you plainly escrie the promontorie of Azaphi which notwithstanding is an hundreth and thirtie miles distant But mountaines you will say by reason of their huge bignes may easily be seene a farre off howbeit from this turret a man may in cleere weather most easily see fiftie miles into the plaine countries The inner part of the saide temple is not very beautifull But the roofe is most cunningly and artificially vaulted the timbers being framed and set togither with singular workmanship so that I haue not seene many fairer temples in all Italy And albeit you shall hardly finde any temple in the whole worlde greater then this yet is it very meanly frequented for the people do neuer assemble there but onely vpon fridaies Yea a great part of this citie especially about the foresaid temple lieth so desolate and void of inhabitants that a man cannot without great difficultie passe by reason of the ruines of many houses lying in the way Vnder the porch of this temple it is reported that in old time there were almost an hundreth shops of sale-bookes and as many on the other side ouer against them but at this time I thinke there is not one booke-seller in all the whole citie to be founde And scarcely is the third part of this citie inhabited Within the wals of Maroco are vines palme-trees great gardens and most fruitefull corne-fields for without their wals they can till no ground by reason of the Arabians often inrodes Know yee this for a certaintie that the saide citie is growen to vntimely decay and old age for scarcely fiue hundreth sixe yeeres are past since the first building thereof forasmuch as the foundations thereof were laide in the time of Ioseph the sonne of Tesfin that is to say in the 424. yeere of the Hegeira Which decay I can impute to none other cause but to the iniurie of continuall warres and to the often alterations of magistrates and of the common wealth After king Ioseph succeeded his sonne Hali and the sonne of Hali was ordained gouernour after his fathers decease In whose time sprung vp a factious crue by the meanes of a certaine Mahumetan preacher named Elmaheli being a man both borne brought vp in the mountaines The saide Elmaheli hauing leuied a great army waged warre against Abraham his soueraigne Lord. Whereupon king Abraham conducting another armie against him had marueilous ill successe and after the battaile ended his passage into the citie of Maroco was so stopped and restrained that he was forced with a fewe soldiers which remained yet aliue to flee eastward to the mountains of Atlas But Elmaheli not being satisfied with expelling his true soueraigne out of his owne kingdome commaunded one of his captaines called Abdul Mumen with the one halfe of his armie to pursue the distressed king while himselfe with the other halfe laide siege to Maroco The king with his followers came at length vnto Oran hoping there to haue renued his forces But Abdul Mumen and his great armie pursued the saide king so narrowly that the citizens of Oran told him in plaine termes that they would not hazard themselues for him Wherefore this vnhappie king beeing vtterly driuen to dispayre set his Queene on horsebacke behinde him and so in the night time road foorth of the citie But perceiuing that he was descried and knowen by his enimies he fled foorthwith vnto a certaine rocke standing vpon the sea-shore where setting spurs to his horse-side he cast himselfe his most deere spouse and his horse downe headlong and was within a while after found slaine among the rockes and stones by certaine which dwelt neere vnto the place Wherefore Abdul Mumen hauing gotten the victorie returned in triumphant manner toward Maroco where the foresaide Elmaheli was deceased before his comming in whose place Abdul was chosen King and Mahumetan prelate ouer the fortie disciples and tooke tenne persons to be of his priuie councell which was a new inuention in the law of Mahumet This Abdul Mumen hauing besieged the citie of Maroco for the space of an whole yeere at last ouercame it and killing Isaac the onely sonne of King Abraham with his owne hand he commaunded all the soldiers and a good part of the citizens to be slaine This mans posteritie raigned from the fiue hundred sixteenth to the sixe hundred sixtie eight yeere of the Hegeira and at length they were
dispossessed of the kingdome by a certaine king of the Tribe called Marin Now attend I beseech you and marke what changes and alterations of estates befell afterwards The family of Marin after the said kings decease bare rule till the yeere of the Hegeira 785. At length the kingdome of Maroco decreasing dayly more and more was gouerned by kings which came out of the next mountaine Howbeit neuer had Maroco any gouernours which did so tyrannize ouer it as they of the family called 〈◊〉 The principall court of this family was holden for the most part at Fez but ouer Maroco were appointed Vice-royes and deputies insomuch that Fez was continually the head and Metropolitan citie of all Mauritania and of all the Western dominion euen as God willing we will declare more at large in our briefe treatise concerning the law and religion of Mahumet But now hauing made a sufficient digression let vs resume the matter subiect where we left In the said citie of Maroco is a most impregnable castle which if you consider the bignes the walles the towers and the gates built all of perfect marble you may well thinke to be a citie rather then a castle Within this castle there is a stately temple 〈◊〉 a most 〈◊〉 and high steeple on the top where of standeth an halfe moone 〈◊〉 vnder the halfe moone are three golden spheares one bigger then another which all of them togither weigh 130000. ducates Some kings there were who being allured with the value went about to take downe the saide golden sphears but they had alwaies some great misfortune or other which hindered their attempt insomuch that the common people thinke it verie dangerous if a man doth but offer to touch the said sphears with his hand Some affirme that they are there placed by so forcible an influence of the planets that they cannot be remooued from thence by any cunning or 〈◊〉 Some others report that a certaine spirite is adiured by 〈◊〉 magique to defend those sphears from al assaults and iniuries whatsoeuer In our time the king of Maroco neglecting the vulgar opinion would haue taken down the said sphears to vse them for treasure against the Portugals who as then prepared themselues to battell against him Howbeit his counsellours would not suffer him so to doe for that they esteemed them as the principall monuments of all Maroco I remember that I read in a certaine historiographer that the wife of King Mansor to the ende she might be famous in time to come caused those three sphears to be made of the princely and pretious iewels which her husband Mansor bestowed vpon her and to be placed vpon the temple which he built Likewise the said castle containeth a most noble college which hath thirtie hals belonging thereunto In the midst whereof is one hall of a maruellous greatnes wherein publique 〈◊〉 were most solemnely read while the studie of learning flourished among them Such as were admitted into this college had their victuals and 〈◊〉 freely giuen them Of their professours some were yeerely allowed an hundred and some two hundred ducates according to the qualitie of their profession neither would they admit any to heare them read but such as perfectly vnderstood what belonged to those Arts which they professed The walles of this 〈◊〉 hall are most stately adorned with painting and caruing especially of 〈◊〉 hall where lectures were woont publiquely to be read All their porches and vaulted roofes are made of painted and glittering stones called in their language 〈◊〉 such as are yet vsed in Spaine In the midst of the said building is a most pleasant and cleare fountaine the wall whereof is of white and polished 〈◊〉 albeit low-built as in Africa for the most 〈◊〉 such wals are I haue heard that in old time here was great abundance of students but at my beeing there I found but fiue in all and they haue now a most 〈◊〉 professour and one that is quite voide of all humanitie In the time of mine abode at Maroco I grew 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 acquaintance with a certaine Iewe who 〈◊〉 his skill in the law was but meane was 〈◊〉 exceeding rich and well 〈◊〉 in histories This Iewe in regard of many singular duties which he performed to his prince found the kings bountie and liberalitie extended vnto him All others which beare any publike office are in mine opinion men of no high reach Moreouer the foresaide castell as I remember hath twelue courts most curiously and artificially built by one Mansor In the first lodged about fiue hundreth Christians which carried crosse-bowes before the king whither soeuer he went Not farre from thence is the lodging of the Lord Chancellour and of the kings priuie counsell which house is called by them The house of affaires The third is called The court of victorie wherein all the armour and munition of the citie is laide vp The fourth belongeth to the great Master of the kings horse Vpon this court three stables adioine each one of which stables will containe two hundreth horses Likewise there are two other 〈◊〉 wherof one is for mules and the other for an hundreth of the kings horses onely Next vnto the stables were two barnes or garners adioining in two seuerall places in the lower of which barnes was laide straw and barly in the other There is also another most large place to laye vp corne in euerie roume whereof will containe moe then three hundreth bushels The couer of the saide roume hath a certaine hole whereunto they ascend by staires made of stone Whither the beasts laden with corne being come they powre the saide corne into the hole And so when they woulde take any corne from thence they do but open certaine holes below suffring so much corne to come foorth as may serue their turnes and that without any labour at all There is likewise a certaine other hall where the kings sonne and the sonnes of noble men are instructed in learning Then may you beholde a certaine fower-square building containing diuers galleries with faire glasse windowes in which galleries are many histories most curiously painted heere likewise the glittering and gilt armour is to be seene Next vnto this building is another wherein certaine of the kings guard are lodged then followes that wherein state-matters are discussed whereunto adioineth also another which is appointed for ambassadours to conferre with the kings priuie counsell in Likewise the kings concubines and other ladies of honour haue a most conuenient place assigned them next vnto which standeth the lodging of the kings sonnes Not farre from the castell wall on that side which is next vnto the fields may you behold a most pleasant and large garden containing almost all kinde of trees that can be named Moreouer there is a sumptuous and stately porch built of most excellent square marble in the midst whereof standeth a piller with a lion very artificially made of marble out of the mouth of which lion issueth most cleere and
for we were certaine yeeres fellow-students together at Fez where being of one standing and seniority we heard that booke of the Mahumetan religion expounded which is commonly called the epistle of Nensefi Of the towne of Hannimei VPon that side of Atlas which lieth towards the plaine countrey standeth a certain towne called by the inhabitants Hannimei being about 40. miles eastward of Maroco by which towne on the same side of Atlas lieth the direct way to Fez. From the said towne the riuer of Agmet is almost fifteene miles distant and the fielde lying betweene the saide riuer and towne is a most fruitefull soile like vnto the fielde adioining vpon the citie of Agmet before mentioned All the region betweene Maroco and the foresaid riuer is in subiection vnto the gouernour of Maroco but from the riuer vnto Hannimei the townes-men of Hannimei beare rule This towne had a famous yoong captaine who maintained continuall warre against the gouernor of Maroco and somtimes against the Arabians also He had likewise a most ample dominion vpon the mountaines of Atlas by naturall disposition he was right liberal valiant and hauing scarce attained to sixeteene yeeres of age he slue his owne vncle and vsurped his gouernment Whereof so soone as the Arabians had intelligence ioining three hundreth Christian horsemen which came out of Portugale vnto their great forces they marched on the sodaine euen to the very gates of the towne And the foresaide captaine with his armie containing scarce an hundreth horsemen with a very fewe footemen met the Arabians and gaue them such a valiant onset that the greater part of them was slaine and the Christians were so discomfited that as I suppose not one of them returned home into Portugale which they say came to passe both by reason that the Christians were ignorant of the place and vnskilfull of the Africans manner of warfare These things were done in the 920. yeere of the Hegeira and in the yeere of our Lorde 1511. Afterward being wearied by the king of Fez his warres which king demaunded tribute of the townes men of Hannimei he was slaine with a bullet whereupon the towne remained tributarie to the king of Fez. Yea the deceased captaines wife deliuered as prisoners certaine burgesses of the towne vnto the king himselfe And the king so soone as he had placed a lieutenant ouer Hannimei departed from the same towne in the 921. yeere of the Hegeira and in the yeere of our Lord 1512. Of the mountaine of Nififa HAuing before described all the cities and townes of Maroco it now remaineth that we briefly declare the situation and qualitie of the mountaines there Wherefore we will begin with the mountaine of Nififa from whence the region of Maroco it selfe beginneth westward and is thereby diuided from the prouince of Hea. The said mountaine hath great store of inhabitants and albeit the tops thereof are continually couered with snowe yet doth it yeerely affoorde marueilous increase and abundance of barley The rude people there are so destitute of all humanitie and ciuill behauiour that they do admire not onely all strangers but also do euen gaze and woonder at their apparell I my selfe remained two daies among them in which space all the people of the towne came flocking about me greatly woondring at the white garment which I wore being such as the learned men of our countrey are vsually clad in so that euery one being desirous to handle and view this garment of mine in two daies it was turned from white to blacke and became all greasie and filthie Here one of the townes-men being allured with the strangenes and noueltie of my sworde which I bought at Fez for halfe a ducate woulde neuer leaue intreating of me till I had exchanged it with him for an horse which cost as himselfe affirmed aboue ten ducates The reason of which fonde and childish behauiour I thinke to be because they neuer trauaile vnto Fez nor to any other cities And were they neuer so desirous to trauaile yet dare they not aduenture vpon the common high waies in regard of the great number of robbers and theeues Of honie goates and oile Arganick they haue woonderfull store for in this mountaine beginneth the saide oile to be put in vse Of the mountaine called Semede AT the bounds of Nififa a certaine other mountaine called by the inhabitants Semede taketh his originall and these two mountaines are separated by the riuer of Sefsaua Semede extendeth eastward almost 20. miles the inhabitants whereof are most base witlesse people Great store of springs fountaines are here to be found the snowe is perpetuall all good lawes ciuilitie and honestie are quite banished from hence except perhaps the people be mooued thereunto by the aduise of some stranger whom they finde to be of a modest and sober disposition Here being entertained by a certaine religious man of the same place who was had in great reputation by the people I was constrained to eate of such grosse meats as the saide people are accustomed vnto to wit of barlie meale mingled with water and of goats-flesh which was extremely tough and hard by reason of the stalenes and long continuance After supper we had no other bed but the bare ground to lie vpon The next morning being ready to take horse and desirous to depart fiftie of the people came about me laying open each man their causes and suites vnto me as our people vse to doe before a iudge Vnto whom I answered that I had neuer in all my life either knowen or heard of the manners and customes of that region Foorthwith comes one of the chiefe men amongst them affirming that it was their custome neuer to dismisse any stranger till he had both heard and throughly decided all the quarrels and controuersies of the inhabitants Which words he had no sooner vttered but immediately my horse was taken from me Wherefore I was constrained for nine daies and so many nights longer to abide the penurie and miserie of that region Moreouer my trouble was the greater for that in such abundance of suites and affaires there was not one man present which could set downe so much as a word in writing wherefore I my selfe was faine to play both the iudge and the notarie Vpon the eight day they all of them promised to bestowe some great rewarde vpon me Wherefore the night following seemed vnto me a yeere long for I was in good hope the next morrow to haue receiued a masse of golde from my clients So soone as the next day began to dawne they placed me in a certaine church-porch whither after an vsuall and short praier ended each man full reuerently presented his gift vnto me Here some offered me a cocke others brought me nuts and onions and some others bestowed a handfull of garlicke vpon me The principall and head-men amongst them presented me with a goat and so by reason that there was no money in all the said mountaine they
there sell them For in old Fez neither gold nor siluer is coined nor any Mahumetans are suffered to be goldsmiths bicause they haue vsurers among them which will sell any peece of wrought siluer or golde deerer then the weight requireth albeit the same priuilege is by the gouernours of the citie granted vnto the Iewes Some there are also that onely make plate for the citizens who are paied hire onely for their worke That part of the citie which the kings attendants or guard once possessed is now inhabited by Iewes for now a daies the kings vse no such guard The Iewes indeed first dwelt in old Fez but vpon the death of a certaine king they were all robbed by the Moores whereupon king Abusabid caused them to remooue into new Fez and by that meanes doubled their yeerely tribute They therefore euen till this day doe occupie a long street in the said new citie wherin they haue their shops and synagogues and their number is maruellously encreased euer since they were driuen out of Spaine These Iewes are had in great contempt by all men neither are any of them permitted to weare shooes but they make them certaine socks of sea-rushes On their heads they weare a blacke dulipan and if any will goe in a cap he must fasten a red cloth thereunto They pay vnto the king of Fez monethly fower hundred duckats At length within the space of an hundred and forty yeeres this new citie was enuironed with most impregnable walles and adorned with temples colleges palaces and other such buildings as serue to beautifie a citie so that I thinke there was more bestowed in garnishing of the citie then in building of the walles Without the citie-walles are built many huge wheeles or engins for the conueying of riuer-water ouer the said walles into cesternes from whence it is conueied in certaine chanels and pipes vnto the temples gardens palaces The said wheeles were built not fully an hundred yeeres past before which time water was brought vnto the citie by a certaine conduct from a fountaine ten miles distant Of which artificiall conduct a certaine Genouese beeing then in great fauour with the king is reported to haue been the author but the wheeles they say were inuented by a Spaniard and in them there is maruellous cunning workmanship for to the conueiance of so huge a quantitie of water each wheele is turned about but fower and twentie times onely in a day and a night To conclude here are but few gentlemen in this citie except such as attend vpon the court for the residue are base and mechanicall people but such as carie any shew of honestie doe so hate and disdaine the kings courtiers and gentlemen that they will by no meanes vouchsafe to marie their daughters vnto them Of the fashions and customes vsed in the kings court AMongst all the princes of Africa I neuer red of any that was created by the common suffrages and consent of the people vnto his kingdome or princedome or that was called from any strange prouince or citie to beare rule Also by the law of Mahumet no man may beare any secular authoritie which may be called lawfull saue onely the Mahumetan patriarkes and prelates howbeit the saide patriarkes authoritie decreasing daily more and more the ringleaders of such people as ranged vp and downe the deserts began to inuade places inhabited ciuilized and by force of armes against Mahumets lawe and maugre his prelates to ordaine sundrie princes As for example in the East whereas the Turkes Cordians and Tartars haue vsurped dominion ouer such as were not able to repell them So likewise in the west parts first the families of Zeneta and Luntuna then the seditious Mahumetan preachers and afterward the family of Marin got the vpper hand Howbeit the family of Luntuna is reported to haue aided the western regions to haue released them from the furie of the seditious heretiques wherein they shewed themselues friends and not enimies but afterward their tyrannie began to shew it selfe And this is the reason why they do not now a daies attaine vnto gouernment by hereditarie sućcession or by election of the people or of the nobilitie But the prince himselfe when he feeles death seazing vpon him calleth about him all his peeres and nobles and bindeth them by oath to establish his sonne brother or anie other whom he most fauoureth in his kingdome But they after the princes decease neglecting their oath will chuse any other whom they list And this is ordinarily the election of the king of Fez who so soone as he is proclaimed king chuseth foorthwith some one of his nobles to be his chiefe counsellour and on him he bestoweth the thirde part of all his kingly reuenues Then chuseth another to be his secretarie treasurer and high steward of his houshold Then is created the captaine of the horsemen appointed for the kings guard and these horsemen with their horses liue most commonly in the fieldes Lastly he appointeth a new gouernour ouer euery citie vnto whom all the tributes and reuenues of the same place redound with condition that as often as any warres betide he shall maintaine a certaine companie of horses to the kings seruice After a while also he placeth certaine deputies and commissioners ouer his people inhabiting the mountaines and ouer the Arabians subiect vnto him The gouernours of cities diuersly administer iustice according to the custome of the place Some there are also appointed by the king to collect all the tributes and reuenues of his kingdome and duly to paie the same vnto him Likewise there are others chosen whom they call in their language keepers or guardians and vnto euery one of these the king giueth some castle or village whereby he may procure his owne maintenance and be able to serue the king in time of warre Moreouer the king of Fez maintaineth a troupe of light horsemen who so long as they serue the king in his campe haue their diet allowed them out of the kings prouision but in time of peace he findeth them corne butter and pouldered flesh for the whole yeere but money they haue very seldome Once a yeere they are apparelled at the kings cost neither do they prouide for their horses either within the citie or without for the king furnisheth them with all necessaries Those that giue attendance to their horses are Christian captiues which go shackled in great chaines and fetters But when the armie remooueth any whither the saide Christians are carried vpon camels backes Another officer there is that giueth attendance onely to the camels assigning certaine pastures vnto the heards-men and diuiding fields among them and making such prouision for the kings camels as himselfe shall thinke expedient Each camel-driuer hath two camels which are laden with the kings furniture according to the appointment of the gouernour Likewise the king hath a certaine purueiour or steward whose office is to prouide keepe and distribute corne
change the ignominious name of the place which when the king had condescended vnto they caused according to their custome a companie of rams to be slaine and certaine bladders and vessels to be filled with milke to serue for the kings breakfast the morrow after But because the said vessels were very large 〈◊〉 consulted together to put in halfe milke and halfe water hoping that 〈◊〉 king should neuer perceiue it The day following albeit the king was not very hastie of his breakfast yet his seruants vrging him thereunto he perceiued the milke to be halfe water whereat smiling he said Friends that which nature hath giuen no man can 〈◊〉 away And with that saying he departed Now this castle is razed to the ground vtterly destroied but the territorie thereof is occupied by certaine miserable Arabians Of the region of Beni Guariten THe region of Beni Guariten lieth eastward of 〈◊〉 about eighteene miles It is altogether hillie and mountainous abounding with all kind of pulse and with store of good pasture and medow-ground and containing almost two hundred villages Their houses are in all places rudely built and the inhabitants are base people neither haue they any vineyards or gardens nor any tree that beareth fruit This region the king of Fez vsually diuideth among his youngest brothers and sisters The inhabitants haue great store of corne and wooll and albeit they are passing rich yet go they very meanly attired they ride onely vpon asses for which cause they are had in great derision by their neighbours Of the region called Aseis THis region is distant to the west of Fez almost twentie miles and is by the inhabitants called Aseis it consisteth of a perpetuall plaine wherupon some coniecture that it hath had in olde time many villages and castles whereof now there is no mention at all nor so much as a signe of any building onely the names of places yet remaine This region extendeth westward eighteene and southward almost twenty miles The soile is most fertile and bringeth foorth blacke and small graines Wels and fountaines are here very rare It was woont to be subiect vnto certaine Arabian husbandmen but now it is assigned by the king vnto the gouernor of that citie Of mount Togat THis mountaine standeth almost seuen miles westward of Fez being very high and but of small bredth Eastward it extendeth to the riuer Bunafe being about fiue miles distant All that side which looketh towards Fez and the top thereof and that part which lieth ouer against Essich are woonderfully replenished with vines and with all kinde of graine Vpon the top of this mountaine are diuers caues and hollow places where the searchers of treasure suppose that the Romans hid vp their wealth as we haue before signified The said treasure-searchers so soone as the vintage is past vse to take great paines in digging of the rocke and albeit they finde nothing yet will they not giue ouer All the fruits of this mountaine are most vnpleasant both to the 〈◊〉 and to the taste and yet they are sooner ripe then the fruits of other places thereabout Of mount Guraigura THis mountaine being neer vnto Atlas is almost fortie miles distant from Fez. From hence springeth a certaine riuer which running westward falleth into the riuer Bath This mountaine standeth betweene two most large and spatious plaines whereof the one to Fez ward is as we haue before said called Aseis and the other lying southward is named Adecsen Which Adecsen is most fertile both for corne and pasture And they are possessed by certaine Arabians called Zuhair being vassals vnto the king of Fez but the king assigneth for the most part this plaine vnto his brother or some other of his kinsfolkes out of which they yeerely gather ten thousand duckats The foresaid Arabians are continually molested by certaine other Arabians called Elhusein which liue in the deserts for in summer-time they vsually inuade the plaines wherefore the king of Fez for the defence of this region maintaineth a certaine number of horsemen and of crossebowes This plaine is watered with christall-fountaines and pleasant riuers Neere vnto the said plaine are diuers woods and forrests where lions keepe which are so gentle and tame that any man may driue them away with a staffe neither doe they any harme at all Now let vs proceede vnto the description of Azgara A description of Azgara one of the seuen principall regions belonging to the kingdome of Fez. THis region bordereth northward vpon the Ocean-sea westward vpon the riuer of Buragrag eastward vpon the mountaines partly of Gumera partly of Zarhon and partly of Zalag and southward it is inclosed with the riuer of Bunasar This region consisteth altogether of plaine ground being a most fertile soile and in olde time very populous and adorned with many townes and castles which are now so defaced and ruined by reason of wars that small villages onely are left for the inhabitants to hide their heads in The length of this region is about fowerscore and the bredth almost three score miles Through the midst thereof runneth the riuer of Subu The Arabian inhabitants are called Elculoth being descended from the familie of Muntafic they are subiect to the king of Fez and pay vnto him large tributes howbeit they are rich and curious in their apparell and are such valiant soldiers that the king of Fez leuieth his whole armie of them onely when he hath any warres of great moment to atchieue This region abundantly furnisheth not onely Fez but all the mountaines of Gumera with victuals horses and other cattell and here the king of Fez vsually remaineth all winter and the spring by reason of the temperature and holesomnes of the aire Here is great plentie of roes and hares and yet very few woods Of Giumha a towne in Azgara THis towne the Africans built in our time by a riuers side vpon that plaine ouer which the way lieth from Fez to the citie of Harais and it is distant from Fez about thirtie miles It was in times past very populous but now it lieth so desolate by reason of the war of Sahid that it serueth onely for caues and receptacles for the Arabians to lay vp their corne in for the sauegard whereof they pitch certaine tents neere vnto the place Of the towne of Harais THis towne was founded by the ancient Africans vpon the Ocean sea shore neere vnto the mouth of the riuer Luccus one side thereof adioining vpon the said riuer and the other side vpon the maine Ocean When the Moores were lords of Arzilla and Tangia this towne was well inhabited but those two townes being woon by the Christians Harais remained destitute of inhabitants almost twentie yeeres together howbeit afterward the king of Fez his sonne fearing the Portugals inuasion caused it strongly to bee fortified and kept with a perpetuall garrison The passage vnto this towne by the riuers mouth is very dangerous and difficult Likewise the kings sonne caused a castle
are farre more fruitfull This towne is distant from Fez almost threescore and ten miles and containeth to the number of fiue hundred families out of the territorie whereof there is the summe of tenne thousand ducates yeerely gathered for tribute with which tribute the gouernour of the same towne is bound to maintaine on the kings behalfe fower hundred horsemen for the defence of the whole region For they are often molested with inuasions of the Portugals who proceed wasting and spoiling the countrey sometimes fortie and sometimes fiftie miles Here is but little ciuility to be found neither are the people but homely apparelled though they be verie rich They haue a priuilege granted them by the ancient kings of Fez to drinke wine which is otherwise forbidden by the law of Mahumet and yet none of them all will abstaine from drinking it Of the towne called Bani Teude THis ancient towne was built also by the Africans on a large plaine by the riuer of Guarga fiue and fortie miles from the citie of Fez. In the prosperitie thereof it contained to the number of eight thousand families but afterward it was so destroied by the wars of the 〈◊〉 of Cairaoan that now the towne wall is only remaining At my being there I sawe diuers monuments and sepulchres of noblemen and certaine conducts curiously built of excellent marble From this towne mount Gumera is almost fowerteene miles distant the fieldes adiacent being good arable and very fruitfull Of the towne of Mergo MErgo standing vpon the toppe of a mountaine is from Bani Teude about ten miles distant Some thinke that the Romans were founders of this towne bicause there are found vpon the ancient ruines certaine Latine letters ingrauen But now it is quite destitute of inhabitants howbeit vpon the side of the same mountaine standeth another small towne inhabited with weauers of course cloth from whence you may behold the riuer Subu to the south and the riuer Guarga to the north from which riuers the saide towne is fiue miles distant The inhabitants loue to bee accounted gentlemen albeit they are couetous ignorant and destitute of all goodnes Of the towne of Tansor TAnsor standeth vpon a little hill almost ten miles from Mergo and containeth three hundreth families but very fewe artificers The inhabitants are rude and barbarous people hauing neither vineyardes nor gardens but onely exercising husbandry and possessing abundance of cattle This towne standeth in the midde way between Fez and mount Gumera which I thinke is the occasion that the inhabitants are so couetous and void of humanitie Of the towne of Agla THis ancient towne was built by the Africans vpon the banke of the riuer Guarga The fruitfull fields thereof are manured by the Arabians but the towne it selfe hath beene so wasted with warre that nowe there is nothing to be seene but in a few places the ruines of houses wals certaine pits In the suburbes there is euery weeke a great market wherunto the next Arabians vsually resort and so do some merchants of Fez likewise to buie oxe-hides wooll and waxe which are the principall commodities of that place Hereabouts keepe great store of lions but they are by nature so fearefull that they will flee at the voice of a childe hence com meth the prouerbe so rife in Fez A lion of Agla which they applie vnto such a one as maketh great brags and is but a meere dastard Of the castle of Narangia THe castle of Narangia built by the Africans vpon a little hill not farre from the riuer Luccus is almost ten miles distant from Ezaggen It hath most fruitfull corn-fields but no plaines belonging vnto it Along the riuers side are huge deserts wherein grow great store of wilde fruits especially cherries such as the Italians call Ciriegie marine This castle was surprised and sacked by the Portugals in the yeere of the Hegeira 895. which was in the yeere of our Lord 1486. Of the Isle of Gesira THe Isle of Gesira lying not farre from the mouth of the riuer Luccus is distant from the sea about ten and from Fez about an hundreth miles There was in times past a little ancient towne vpon this Island which was abandoned when the Portugals first made warres vpon Barbarie About the saide riuer are many deserts but very fewe corn-fields In the yeere of the Hegeira 894. the king of Portugall sent hither a great armie which being landed on the Isle the generall of the field built a strong fort thereupon by meanes whereof he hoped to be free from the enimies inuasion and to enioy the fields adiacent But the king of Fez namely his father that nowe reigneth foreseeing the damage that he shoulde sustaine if he permitted the saide fort to be finished leuied a mightie armie to withstand the Portugals proceedings Howbeit so great was the force of their ordinance that the Moores durst not approch within two miles of the Portugal campe Wherefore the Fessan king being almost out of hope was perswaded by some that were about him to stoppe vp the riuer with postes and raftes two miles from the Island by which meanes the Moores being defended and hauing cut downe all the woodes adioining the Portugals perceiued the passage of the riuer in short time to be choaked and stopped vp with great trees and that there was no possibilitie for them to depart Then the king hoping easily to ouercome the Portugales determined to assaile their fort but considering he could not do it without great slaughter of his people he couenanted with the Portugall generall that besides a great summe of money paide vnto him the saide generall shoulde obtaine of the Portugall king to haue certaine daughters of the king of Fez his gouernour which were at that time prisoners in Portugall to be restored and that then he would freely dismisse him and his companie which being done the Portugall armie returned home Of the towne of Basra THis towne containing almost two thousand families was built by Mahumet the sonne of Idris which was the founder of Fez vpon a certaine plaine betweene two mountaines being distant from Fez about fowerscore and from Casar southward almost twentie miles And it was named Basra for the memorie of a citie in Arabia Foelix called by that name where Hali the fourth Mahumetan patriarke after Mahumet and great grandfather vnto Idris was slaine It was in times past enuironed with most high and impregnable wals and so long as it was gouerned by the posteritie of Idris the people were verie ciuill for Idris his successours vsed alwaies to remaine there in sommer time by reason of the pleasant situation of the place the hils and valleies being beautified with sweete gardens and yeelding corne in abundance and that both by reason of the vicinitie of the towne and of the neighbour-hood of the riuer Luccus Moreouer in old time this towne was verie populous being adorned with many faire temples and inhabited with most ciuill people but the
the attempts of the Spaniards or Portugals Of the 〈◊〉 of Tegassa THis towne though it be but little is well stored with inhabitants and standeth vpon a riuers side about two miles from the Mediterran sea Families it containeth to the number of fiue hundreth the buildings thereof being very rude and homely all the inhabitants are fishers and sea-faring men who from thence carrie victuals vnto other cities for their own towne being 〈◊〉 with mountaines and woods they haue no corne at all Howbeit certaine vines there are and very fruitfull trees without which the whole region were in a miserable case Besides barly-bread the inhabitants haue nought to liue on sauing a fewe little fishes and onions I my selfe coulde hardly for one day endure the extreme stinking smell of their fishes which stinch miserablie infecteth the whole prouince Of the towne of Gebha GEbha is a little towne walled round about and built by the Africans vpon the Mediterran sea shore From Bedis it is aboue fower and twentie miles distant Sometimes it hath inhabitants and sometimes none according to the custome of that region All the fields adiacent are vnfitte for corne being full of fountaines and woods Here also are certaine vines and other fruits but no buildings of any account Of the towne of Mezemme IT is a very large sea-towne standing vpon a certaine hill which bordereth vpon the prouince of Garet Neere vnto this towne lieth a verie large plaine the length whereof stretching southward is eight and twentie and the breadth almost ten miles and through the midst of it runneth the riuer called Nocore which diuideth the region of Errif from that of Garet This plaine is occupied by certaine Arabian husbandmen who reape such plentie of corne there that they are constrained to pay about fiue thousand bushels a yeere vnto the gouernour of Bedis This citie was woont in times past to be well peopled and was the metropolitan of the whole region although it were continually molested with inconueniences For first it was almost vtterly destroied by the patriarke of Cairaoan who bicause the townesmen refused to pay him his woonted tribute burnt it downe and beheaded the gouernour thereof whose head was carried to Cairaoan vpon the pike of a iaueline This was done in the yeere of the Hegeira 318. From thencefoorth for fifteene yeeres after it remained destitute of inhabitants and then vnder the same patriarke the foresaide towne was by certaine noblemen inhabited a newe Lastly it was taken by a certaine great man of Cordoua He seeing this citie stande within fower-score miles of his confines for so broad is the sea betweene Malaga in Granada and this part of Barbarie began to demaund tribute of the citizens which when they refused to pay he tooke their towne with a small number of men for the patriark coulde not in so short space succour it by reason that Cairaoan is distant from thence aboue three and twentie hundreth miles Wherefore this towne being taken and vtterly razed the gouernour thereof was sent captiue vnto Cordoua where he spent the residue of his daies in prison And now the wals of this towne are onely to be seene This was done in the yeere of the Hegeira 892. Now let vs speake somewhat of the mountaines of Errif Of mount Benigarir THis mountaine is inhabited by certaine people which came first from the mountaines of Gumera It standeth neere vnto Terga and is ten miles long and almost fower miles broad Vpon this mountaine are great stóre of woods as likewise abundance of vines and oliues The inhabitants are miserable and poore people Cattell are very scarce among them they vse to make much wine and sodden must Neither haue they any store of barly growing vpon this mountaine Of mount Beni Mansor THis mountaine containeth in length fifteene and in bredth almost fiue miles Vpon this mountaine are great store of woods and fountaines All the inhabitants are most valiant and yet poore and miserable people for the whole mountaine yeeldeth nothing but vines they haue indeed some small number of goats Euery weeke they haue a market whereunto is brought nothing but garlike onions raisins salt fishes called before Sardelli togither with some 〈◊〉 and panicke whereof they make bread This hill is subiect to the gouernour of Bedis Of mount Bucchuia THis mountaine is fowerteene miles long and almost eight miles broad The inhabitants are richer and somewhat better apparelled then they of other mountaines possesse great store of horses Corne it yeeldeth in abundance neither are the people constrained to pay any great tribute by reason of a certaine holy man buried at Bedis and borne vpon this mountaine Of mount Beni Chelid BY this mountaine lieth the high way from Bedis to Fez. It is a verie cold place and containeth great store of wood and fountaines It yeeldeth no corne but vines onely The inhabitants being subiect to the gouernour of Bedis are by reason of continuall exactions so impouerished that they are faine to rob and steale for their liuing Of mount Beni Mansor THis mountaine extendeth eight miles standing an equall distance from the sea with the mountaines 〈◊〉 The inhabitants are valiant and stout people but too much addicted to drunkennes Wine they haue great store and but little corne Their women keepe goates and spinne vpon the distaffe both at one time the greater part of whom will not refuse the dishonest company of any man Of mount Beni Ioseph THE length of this mountaine is twelue miles and the bredth about eight miles The inhabitants are poore and basely apparelled neither haue they any corne but panicke whereof they make blacke and most vnsauorie bread They liue also vpon onions and garlike Their fountaines are very muddie They haue great store of goates the milke whereof they keepe as a most precious thing Of mount Beni Zaruol VPon this mountaine 〈◊〉 great store of vines oliues and other fruites The inhabitants are poore miserable people being subiect to the gouernour of Seusaoen who exacteth so great tribute at their handes that all which they can scrape and get out of the mountaine will hardly maintaine them Euery weeke they haue a market wherein nothing is to be solde but onely dried figs raisins and oile Likewise they vse to kill their hee and shee goats whose flesh is so vnsauorie that it cannot be eaten vnlesse it be fried Of mount Beni Razin THis mountaine bordereth vpon the Mediterran sea not farre from Terga The inhabitants liue a secure and pleasant life for the mountaine is impregnable and aboundeth with all kinde of graine neither are they constrained to pay any tribute at all They haue likewise good plentie of oliues and wine and their ground is exceeding fruitfull especially vpon the side of the mountaine Their women partly keepe goates and partly till the ground Of mount Seusaoen THere is no mountaine in all Africa for pleasant situation comparable to this hereon standeth a towne inhabited with all kinde
them likewise which was a cause that the merchants of both partes trauelled more securely Of the towne of Gerseluin THis ancient towne was built by the Africans at the foote of one of the foresaid mountaines not farre from the riuer of Ziz. It is enuironed with an impregnable and stately wall the founder whereof was a certaine king of the Marin-familie In regard of the walles and bulwarks it is a most beautifull towne But being once entred thereinto you shall see most base and beggerly houses and scarce any inhabitants dwelling in them and that by the iniurie of certaine Arabians who when they reuolted from the Marin-familie tooke this towne and grieuously oppressed the citizens Their drie and barren fields lie open to the north Vpon the riuer are diuers mils and by the side thereof are many gardens replenished with grapes and peaches which they vse to drie in the sunne and to keepe an whole yeere They haue great scarcitie of cattell which causeth them to liue a most 〈◊〉 life This towne was built by the familie of Zeneta in stead of a fort to the end it might be a place of refuge onely in their iournie to Numidia but afterward it was surprised and vtterly destroied by the familie of Luntuna Here also are great store of such domesticall serpents as we reported to be in the mountaines of Ziz. Here endeth the third booke IOHN LEO HIS FOVRTH BOOKE OF the Historie of Africa and of the memorable things contained therein A description of the kingdome of Telensin THis kingdome beginneth westward from the riuers of Zha Muluia eastward it bordereth vpon The great riuer southward vpon the desert of Numidia and northward vpon the Mediterran sea This region was called by the Romanes Caesaria and was by them inhabited howbeit after the Romanes were expelled it was fullie possessed by the ancient gouernours thereof called Beni Habdulguad and being a generation of the familie of Magraua And it remained vnto them and their successors three hundred yeeres vntill such time as a certaine mightie man called Ghamrazen the sonne of Zeijen tooke possession thereof His posteritie changing at length their ancient name were called Beni Zeijen that is the sonnes of Zeijen and they enioied this kingdome for the space almost of 380. yeeres At length the kings of Fez of the Marin-familie greatly molested them so that those ten kings which succeeded Zeijen were some of them vnfortunate in battell some slaine some taken captiue and others expelled their kingdome and chased to the next mountaines Neither were they free from vexation of the kings of Tunis howbeit the kingdome of Telensin remained still to this familie and they continued in peace for almost an hundred and twentie yeeres being endammaged by no forren power sauing that one Abu Feris king of Tunis and his sonne Hutmen made them to pay tribute for certaine yeeres vnto Tunis till the decease of the said Hutmen This kingdome stretcheth in length from east to west 380. miles but in bredth from north to south that is from the Mediterran sea to the deserts of Numidia not aboue fiue and twentie miles which is the occasion that it is so often oppressed by the Arabians inhabiting the Numidian deserts The kings of Telensin haue alwaies endeuoured by great gifts to gaine the good will and friendship of the Numidians but they could neuer satisfie their insatiable couetice A man shall seldome trauell safely through this kingdome howbeit here are great store of merchants perhaps either because it adioineth to Numidia or else for that the way to the land of Negros lieth through it It hath two most famous frequented hauen-townes the one called Horam and the other Marsa Elcabir whither vse to resort great store of Genoueses and Venetians But afterward both these townes were taken by Don Ferdinando the Catholike king to the great inconuenience of all this kingdome for which cause the king then raigning called Abuchemmeu was expelled his kingdome and put to flight by his owne subiects afterward Abuzeijen was restored to the kingdome who had for certaine yeeres been imprisoned by his nephew Abuchemmeu howbeit he enioied the kingdome but a very short space For he was at length miserably slaine by Barbarossa the Turke who conquered the kingdome of Tremizen by force of war Whereof Abuchemmeu that was expelled by his owne subiects hauing intelligence sent to craue aide of the emperour Charles the fift whereby he hoped to recouer his kingdome Which request being granted he leuied a puissant armie and made warre against Barbarossa and hauing driuen him out he recouered his kingdome and seuerely punished them that had conspired his banishment And then he gaue the Spanish soldiers their pay sent the captaines home with great rewardes and allowed Charles the emperour a large yeerely reuenue so long as he liued After his decease succeeded his brother Habdulla who neglecting the league made before betweene the emperour and his brother and relying vpon Soliman the great Turke refused to pay any more tribute vnto the emperour Charles and hath kept possession of the kingdome till this present The greater part of this region is vntilled drie and barren especially towards the south Howbeit the sea coast is somewhat more fertill The territorie adiacent to the citie of Telensin is full of woods sauing that the westerne part towardes the sea is mountainous Likewise the regions of Tenez and Alger containe mountaines abounding with all kinde of commodities In this part ate but few cities and castles howbeit it is a most fruitfull and blessed place as we will hereafter declare in particular Of the desert of Angad THis barren drie and vntilled desert being vtterly destitute of water and wood is situate vpon the westerne frontire of the kingdome of Telensin and extendeth in length fowerscore and in bredth almost fiftie miles Here are great store of roes deere and ostriches Such merchants as trauell from Fez to Telensin passe ouer this desert not without great danger by reason of certaine Arabians which liue onely vpon theft aud robberie especially in winter when as the soldiers appointed to defend the said desert from those lewd vagabonds doe vsually retire themselues into Numidia Many shepherds there are in this desert who are daily vexed with multitudes of fierce lions which sometime seaze not onely vpon cartell but also vpon men Of the castle of Temzegzet THis castle standing in the same place where the foresaid desert adioineth vnto the territorie of Telensin and built by the Africans vpon a rocke was in times past very strong and often annoied by the people ofFez for it standeth in the high way from Fez to Telensin Through the fields adiacent runneth a certaine riuer called in their language Tefme The said fields adiacent sufficiently abound with all things necessarie for the sustenance of the inhabitants Heretofore being subiect vnto the kings of Telensin it well deserued the name of a citie but since the Arabians got
possession thereof it hath prooued more like to a stable for here they keepe their corne onely and the naturall inhabitants are quite expelled by reason of their bad demeanour Of the castle of Izli THis ancient castle of Izli built by the Africans vpon a certaine plaine bordering vpon the foresaid desert hath some fieldes adioining vnto it apt only for barlie and punicke It was in times past well stored with inhabitants and enuironed with stately walles but afterward by the iniurie of warre it was razed to the ground and the inhabitants expelled Howbeit a few yeeres after it began to be inhabited anew by certaine religious persons had in great reuerence both by the kings of Telensin and by all the Arabians These religious persons with great courtesie and liberalitie giue entertainment for three daies vnto all strangers that passe by and then dismisse them without paying of ought All their houses are very base and low built their walles being of claye and the roofes of straw Not far from this castle runneth a riuer out of which they water all their fields for this region is so hot and dry that vnlesse the fields were continually watered they would yeeld no fruit at all Of the towne of Guagida THis ancient towne built by the Africans vpon a large plaine standeth southward of the Mediterran sea fortie miles and about the same distance from the citie of Telensin The southwest part of the said plaine bordereth vpon the desert of Angad and it containeth most fruitfull fields and pleasant gardens exceedingly replenished with figs and grapes Through the midst of this towne runneth a certaine riuer which affoordeth good water to drinke and to seeth meate withall In times past the towne-walles and all the buildings were most sumptuous and stately and the inhabitants exceeding rich ciuill and valiant but afterward by reason of certaine warres waged by the king of Fez against the king of Telensin this towne was left desolate and the inhabitants all put to flight but the said warres being ended new inhabitants reedified it and dwelt therein howbeit they could not reduce it to the former state neither doth it now containe aboue fifteene hundred families The townesmen lead now a miserable life being constrained to pay tribute both to the king of Telensin and also to the Arabians of Angad and wearing most base apparell asses and mules they haue great store whereof they make round summes of money They speake after the ancient manner of the Arabians neither is their language so corrupt as the language of the people round about them Of the citie called Ned Roma THis ancient towne built by the Romans while they were lords of Africa standeth vpon a large plaine almost two miles from a certaine mountaine and about twelue miles from the Mediterran sea and neere vnto it runneth a little riuer The historiographers of those times report that this towne was in all respects built after the fashion of Rome whereupon they say it borrowed the name For Ned in the Arabian toong signifieth like The wall of this towne is as yet to be seene but all the ancient buildings of the Romans are so destroied that now there scarcely remaine any ruines thereof It began in some places to be repaired and reedified anew but nothing comparable to the former buildings The fieldes adiacent are exceeding fruitfull and containe many gardens replenished with such trees as beare Carobs being a fruit like vnto Cassia fistula which in the suburbes they vse for foode This towne is indifferently well inhabited especially with weauers who make great store of cotton-cloth and are free from all tribute The gouernours of the towne are chosen onely at their assignement and that they may haue more free traffique with the people of Telensin they sende many gifts vnto the king Of the towne of Tebecrit THis little towne built by the Africans vpon a certaine rocke neere vnto the Mediterran sea is almost twelue miles distant from the former All the next mountaines are exceeding high and barren and yet well stored with inhabitants In this towne dwell great store of weauers and here they haue abundance of Carobs and honie Being in continuall feare of the Christians they keepe euery night most diligent watch and ward for they are not of sufficient abilitie to maintaine a garrison of soldiers Their fields are no lesse barren then vntilled and yeelde onely very small quantitie of barlie and panicke The townesmen are most basely apparelled and vtterly destitute of humanitie Of the towne of Hunain THis towne being founded by the Africans and being famous both for stately building and ciuill inhabitants hath a little hauen belonging thereunto well fortified with two turrets standing one on the one side and another on the other side The towne-wall also is very high and beautifull especially on that side which standeth next vnto the sea Hither doe the Venetians yeerely bring great store of merchandize and doe traffique with the merchants of Telensin for the citie of Telensin is but fourteene miles from hence Since the time that Oran was surprized by the Christians the Venetians would no longer frequent Oran searing least the Spanyards hauing it in possession should worke them some mischiefe wherfore then they began to repaire vnto this port The townesmen in times past were most ciuill people the greatest part being weauers of cotton and of linnen Their houses are most stately built and haue euery one fountaines belonging vnto them likewise here are many vines running pleasantly vpon bowers or arbours Their houses are paued with mats of diuers colours and their chambers and vaults are curiously painted and carued Howbeit so soone as the inhabitants were aduertised of the losse of Oran they fled from Hunain and left it void of inhabitants sauing that the king of Telensin maintaineth here a garison of footemen who giue notice when any merchants ships approch Their fields abound with cherries peaches figs oliues and other fruites howbeit they reape but little commoditie thereby I my selfe passing this way could not but bewaile the extreme calamitie whereinto the inhabitants of this towne were fallen at the same time there arriued a certaine ship of Genoa which one ship brought commodities sufficient to serue Telensin for fiue yeeres the tenth part whereof amounting to fifteene thousand duckats was paid for tribute to the king Of the towne of Haresgol THe great and ancient towne of Haresgol was built vpon a rocke enuironed on all sides with the Mediterran sea sauing on the south where lieth a way from the firme land to the towne It standeth northward of Telensin fourteene miles and was in times past well stored with inhabitants The gouernour thereof was one Idris vncle vnto that Idris that was the founder of Fez the posteritie of whom enioied the same gouernment for the space of an hundred yeeres At length there came a certaine king and patriarke of Cairaoan who vtterly destroied this towne so that it remained voide of inhabitants
sea and the gulfe of Tunis on the 〈◊〉 and south parts it ioyneth to the plaines of Bensart But now this citie is fallen into extreme decay miserie merchants shops there are not aboue twenty or fiue and twenty at the most and all the houses of the towne being scarce fiue hundred are most base and beggerly In my time here was a stately 〈◊〉 and a faire college also but no students were therein The townesmen though very miserable yet are they exceeding proud withall and seeme to pretend a great shew of religion And the greater part of them are either gardiners or husbandmen and are greeuously oppressed with the kings daily exactions A description of the mightie citie of Tunis THis citie is called by the Latines Tunetum and by the Arabians Tunus which name they thinke to be corrupt because it signifieth nought in their language but in olde time it was called Tarsis after the name of a citie in Asia At the first it was a small towne built by the Africans vpon a certaine lake about twelue miles distant from the Mediterran sea And vpon the decay of Carthage Tunis began to increase both in buildings and inhabitants For the inhabitants of Carthage were loth to remaine any longer in their owne towne fearing least some armie would haue beene sent out of Europe wherefore they repaired vnto Tunis and greatly enlarged the buildings thereof Afterward came thither one Hucba Vtmen the fourth Mahumetan patriarke who perswaded the citizens that no armie or garrison ought to remaine in any sea-townes wherefore he built another citie called Cairaoan being distant from the Mediterran sea thirtie and from Tunis almost an hundred miles vnto which citie the armie marched from Tunis and in the roome thereof other people were sent to inhabite About an hundred and fiftie yeeres after Cairaoan being sacked by the Arabians the prince therof was expelled and became gouernour of the kingdome of Bugia howbeit he left certaine kinsmen of his at Tunis who gouerned that citie And ten yeeres after Bugia was taken by Ioseph the sonne of Tesfin who seeing the humanitie of the foresaid prince would not expel him out of his kingdome but so long as it remained to the said prince and his posteritie Ioseph caused it to be free from all molestation Afterward Abdul Mumen king of Maroco hauing recouered Mahdia from the Christians marched toward Tunis and got possession thereof also And so Tunis remained peaceably vnder the dominion of the kings of Maroco so long as the kingdome was gouerned by the said Abdul and his sonne Ioseph and their successors Iacob and Mansor But after the decease of Mansor his sonne Mahumet Ennasir made war against the king of Spaine by whom being vanquished he fled to Maroco and there within few yeeres ended his life After him succeeded his brother Ioseph who was slaine by certaine soldiers of the king of Telensin And so vpon the death of Mahumet and of his brother Ioseph the Arabians began to inhabite the territorie of Tunis and to make often sieges and assaults against the citie it selfe whereupon the gouernour of Tunis aduertised the king of Maroco that vnlesse present aide were sent he must be coustrained to yeeld Tunis vnto the Arabians The king therefore sent a certaine valiant captaine called Habduluahidi and borne in Siuill a citie of Granada with a fleete of twentie sailes vnto Tunis which he found halfe destroied by the Arabians but so great was his eloquence and wisedome that he restored all things to their former estate and receiued the yeerely tribute After Habduluahidi succeeded his sonne Abu 〈◊〉 who in learning and dexteritie of wit excelled his father This Abu built a castle vpon a certaine high place of the west part of Tunis which he adorned with faire buildings and with a most beautifull temple Afterward taking his iourney vnto the kingdome of Tripolis and returning home by the southerne regions he gathered tribute in all those places so that after his decease he left great treasure vnto his sonne And after Abu succeeded his sonne who grew so insolent that he would not be subiect to the king of Maroco because he perceiued his kingdome to decay at the same time also had the Marin-familie gotten possession of the kingdome of Fez and so was the familie of Beni Zeijen possessed of the kingdomes of Telensin and Granada And so while all those regions were at mutuall dissension the dominions of Tunis began mightily to encrease Insomuch that the king of Tunis marched vnto Telensin and demanded tribute of the inhabitants Wherefore the king of Fez who as then laid siege against Maroco craued by his ambassadours the king of Tunis his friendship and with great giftes obtained the same Then the king of Tunis returning home conquerour from Telensin was receiued with great triumph and was saluted king of all Africa because indeed there was no prince of Africa at the same time comparable vnto him Wherefore he began to ordaine a roiall court and to choose Secretaries counsellers captaines and other officers appertaining to a king after the very same manner that was vsed in the court of Maroco And from the time of this king euen till our times the kingdome of Tunis hath so prospered that now it is accounted the richest kingdome in all Africa The said kings sonne raigning after his fathers death enlarged the suburbes of Tunis with most stately buildings Without the gate called Bed Suvaica he built a streete containing to the number of three hundred families and he built another streete at the gate called Bed el Manera consisting of more then a thousand families In both of these streetes dwell great store of artificers in the street last mentioned all the Christians of Tunis which are of the kings garde haue their aboad Likewise there is a third streete built at the gate next vnto the sea called Beb el Bahar and being but halfe a mile distant from the gulfe of Tunis Hither doe the Genoueses Venetians and all other Christian merchants resort and here they repose themselues out of the tumult and concourse of the Moores and this street is of so great bignes that it containeth three hundred families of Christians and Moores but the houses are verie low and of small receit The families of the citie togither with them of the suburbs amount almost to the number of ten thousand ' This stately and populous citie hath a peculiar place assigned for each trade and occupation Heere dwell great store of linnen-weauers and the linnen that they weaue is exceeding fine sold at a great price ouer al Africa The women of this towne vse a strange kinde of spinning for 〈◊〉 vpon an high place or on the vpper part of the house they let downe their spindles at a window or through a hole of the plancher into a lower roume so that the weight of the spindle makes the thread verie equall and euen And here the
vnto Tunis standeth another high and colde mountaine called Zagoan inhabitants heere are none at all but a fewe that tende the Bee-hiues and gather some quantitie of barly Vpon the toppe of this mountaine the Romaines built certaine forts the ruines whereof are yet to be seene hauing 〈◊〉 engrauen vpon them in Latine letters From this mountaine vnto Carthage water is conueighed by certaine passages vnder the ground Of the mountaines of Beni Tefren and Nufusa THese high and colde mountaines are distant from the desert from Gerbi and from Asfacus almost thirtie miles and yeelde very small store of barly The inhabitants being valiant and renouncing the law of Mahumet do follow the doctrine of the patriarke of Cairaoan in most points neither is there any other nation among the Arabians that obserue the same doctrine In Tunis and other cities these people earne their liuing by most base occupations neither dare they openly professe their religion Of mount Garian THis high and cold mountaine containing in length fortie in bredth fifteene miles and being separated from other mountaines by a sandie desert is distant from Tripolis almost fiftie miles It yeeldeth great plentie of barly and of dates which vnlesse they be spent while they are new will soone prooue rotten Heere are likewise abundance of oliues Wherefore from this mountaine vnto Alexandria and other cities there is much oile conueighed There is not better saffron to be found in any part of the worlde besides which in regard of the goodnesse is solde very deere For yeerely tribute there is gathered out of this mountaine threescore thousand ducates and as much saffron as fifteene mules can carrie They are continually oppressed with the exactions of the Arabians and of the king of Tunis They haue certaine base villages vpon this mountaine Of mount Beni Guarid THis mountaine being almost an hundred miles distant from Tripolis is inhabited with most valiant stout people which liue at their owne libertie and are at continual war with the people of the next mountaines of the Numidian desert Of the castle called Casr Acmed THis castle builte vpon the Mediterran sea by a captaine which came with an armie into Africa standeth not farre from Tripolis and was at the last laide waste by the Arabians Of the castle of 〈◊〉 THe castle of Subeica erected about the same time when the Mahumetans came into Africa was in times past wel furnished with inhabitants being afterward destroied by the Arabians and nowe it 〈◊〉 a fewe fishers onely Of the Castle called Casr Hessin THis castle was founded by the Mahumetans vpon the Mediterran sea and was afterward destroyed by the Arabians Here endeth the fifth booke IOHN LEO HIS SIXTH BOOKE OF the Historie of Africa and of the memorable things contained therein Of the village called Gar. HAuing hitherto intreated of the mountaines it now remaineth that we say somewhat as touching 〈◊〉 villages hamlets and territories and afterward we will describe in order the cities of Numidia And first the village of Gar situate vpon the Mediterran sea and abounding with dates offereth it selfe the fields thereto belonging are drie and barren and yet bring they foorth some quantitie of barley for the sustenance of the inhabitants Of Garell Gare. IT is a certaine little territorie or Grange containing caues of a maruellous depth whence they say the stones were taken wherewith olde Tripolis was built because it is not far distant from that citie Of the village of Sarman THis large village standing not farre from old Tripolis aboundeth with dates but no corne will grow there Of the village called Zauiat Ben Iarbuh THis village being situate neer vnto the Mediterran sea yeeldeth great plentie of dates but no corne at all and is inhabited by certaine religious persons Of the village of Zanzor THis village also standing neere vnto the Mediterran sea within twelue miles of Tripolis is inhabited by sundrie artificers and aboundeth with great store of dates pomegranats and peaches The inhabitants haue beene verie miserable euer since Tripolis was taken by the Christians and yet they traffique with the citizens of Tripolis and carrie dates thither to sell. Of the village of Hamrozo IT standeth sixe miles from Tripolis and the gardens there of bring forth great plentie of dates and of all other kinde of fruits Of the plaine of Taiora THis plaine standing two miles eastward of Tripolis containeth many granges exceedingly replenished with dates and other fruits The surprise of Tripolis was verie profitable for this place for then many principall citizens fled hither for refuge The inhabitants being ignorant and rude people and altogither addicted to theft and robberie build their cottages with the boughes of palme-trees Their food is barley bread and Bezin before described all round about are subiect vnto the king of Tunis and the Arabians saue those onely that inhabit vpon this plaine Of the Prouince of Mesellata THis Prouince standing vpon the Mediterran sea about fiue and thirtie miles from Tripolis and being fraught with rich villages castles and inhabitants aboundeth also with great plentie of oliues and dates The inhabitants being free from all forren authoritie haue a Captaine among themselues which gouerneth their common-wealth and fighteth their battles against the Arabians and the soldiers of this Prouince are about 5000. Of the Prouince of Mesrata THis Prouince being situate also vpon the Mediterran sea about an hundreth miles from Tripolis hath manie villages both vpon the plaines and mountaines The inhabitants are rich and pay no tribute at all and exercise traffique with the Venetians resorting to this Prouince with their galleies carrying the Venetian wares to Numidia and there exchanging the same for slaues muske and ciuet which is brought thither out of Ethiopia Of the desert of Barca THis desert beginning at the vtmost frontire of Mesrata and extending eastward as farre as the confines of Alexandria containeth in length a thousand and three hundreth and in bredth about 200. miles It is a rough and vnpleasant place being almost vtterly destitute of water and corne Before the Arabians inuaded Africa this region was void of inhabitants but now certaine Arabians lead here a miserable and hungrie life being a great way distant from all places of habitation neither haue they any corne growing at all But corne and other necessaries are brought vnto them by sea from Sicilia which that euerie of them may purchase they are constrained to lay their sonnes to gage and then goe rob and rifle trauellers to redeeme them againe Neuer did you heare of more cruell and bloodie theeues for after they haue robbed merchants of all their goods and apparell they powre warme milke downe their throats hanging them vp by the heeles vpon some tree and forcing them to cast their gorge wherein the lewd varlets search diligently for gold suspecting that the merchants swallowed vp all their crownes before they entred that dangerous desert Of the citie of Tesset in Numidia IN the
Numidian desert two hundred and fiftie miles eastward of Segelmesse and an hundred miles from mount Atlas hath fower castles within the precincts thereof and many villages also which stand vpon the confines of Lybia neer vnto the high way that leadeth from Fez and Telensin to the kingdome of Agadez and to the land of Negros The inhabitants are not very rich for all their wealth consisteth in dates and some small quantitie of corne The men of this place are black but the women are somewhat fairer and yet they are of a swart and browne hue Of the region of Tegorarin THis great and large region of the Numidian desert standing about an hundred and twentie miles eastward of Tesebit containeth fiftie castles and aboue an hundred villages and yeeldeth great plentie of dates The inhabitants are rich and haue ordinarie traffique to the land of Negros Their fields are very apt for corne and yet by reason of their extreme drouth they stand in neede of continuall watering and dunging They allow vnto strangers houses to dwell in requiring no money for rent but onely their dung which they keepe most charily yea they take it in ill part if any stranger easeth himselfe without the doores Flesh is very scarce among them for their soile is so drie that it will scarce nourish any cattell at all they keepe a few goates indeede for their milks sake but the flesh that they eate is of camels which the Arabians bring vnto their markets to sell they mingle their meate with salt tallow which is brought into this region from Fez Tremizen There were in times past many rich Iewes in this region who by the meanes of a certaine Mahumetan preacher were at length expelled and a great part of them slaine by the seditious people and that in the very same yeere when the Iewes were expelled out of Spaine and Sicily The inhabitants of this region hauing one onely gouernour of their owne nation are notwithstanding often subiect to ciuill contentions and yet they do not molest other nations howbeit they pay certaine tribute vnto the next Arabians Of the region of Meszab THis region being situate vpon the Numidian desert 300. miles eastward from Tegorarin and 300. miles also from the Mediterran sea containeth sixe castles and many villages the inhabitants being rich and vsing traffike to the land of Negros Likewise the Negro-merchants togither with them of Bugia and Ghir make resort vnto this region Subiect they are and pay tribute vnto the Arabians Of the towne of Techort THe ancient towne of Techort was built by the Numidians vpon a certaine hill by the foote whereof runneth a riuer vpon which riuer standeth a draw-bridge The wall of this towne was made of free stone and lime but that part which is next vnto the mountaine 〈◊〉 instead of a wall an impregnable rocke opposite against it this towne is distant 〈◊〉 hundred miles southward from the Mediterran sea and 〈◊〉 300. miles from 〈◊〉 Families it containeth to the number of fiue and twentie hundred all the houses are built of sunne-dried brickes except their temple which is somewhat more stately Heere dwell great store both of gentlemen and artificers and bicause they haue great abundance of dates and are destitute of corne the merchants of Constantina exchange corne with them for their dates All strangers they fauour exceedingly and friendly dismisse them without paying of ought They had rather match their daughters vnto strangers then to their owne citizens and for a dowry they giue some certaine portion of lande as it is accustomed in some places of Europe So great and surpassing is their liberalitie that they will heape many gifts vpon strangers albeit they are sure neuer to see them againe At the first they were subiect to the king of Maroco afterward to the king of Telensin and now to the king of Tunis vnto whom they pay fiftie thousand ducats for yeerely tribute vpon condition that the king himselfe come personally to receiue it The king of Tunis that now is demanded a second tribute of them Many castles and villages and some territories there be also which are all subiect vnto the prince of this towne who collecteth an hundred and thirtie thousand ducates of yeerely reuenues and hath alwaies a mightie garrison of soldiers attending vpon him vnto whom he alloweth very large paie The gouernour at this present called Habdulla is a valiant and liberall yoong prince and most curteous vnto strangers whereof I my selfe conuersing with him for certaine daies had good experience Of the citie of Guargala THis ancient citie founded by the Numidians and enuironed with strong wals vpon the Numidian desert is built very sumptuously and aboundeth exceedingly with dates It hath some castles and a great number of villages belonging thereunto The inhabitants are rich bicause they are neere vnto the kingdome of Agadez Heere are diuers merchants of Tunis and Constantina which transport wares of Barbarie vnto the lande of Negros And bicause flesh and corne is very scarce among them they liue vpon the flesh of Ostriches and camels They are all of a blacke colour and haue blacke slaues and are people of a courteous and liberall disposition and most friendly and bountifull vnto strangers A gouernour they haue whom they reuerence as if he were a king which gouernour hath about two thousand horsemen alwaies attending vpon him and collecteth almost fifteene thousand ducates for yeerely reuenue Of the prouince of Zeb ZEb a prouince situate also vpon the Numidian desert beginneth westward from Mesila northward from the mountaines of Bugia eastward from the region of dates ouer against Tunis and southward it bordereth vpon a certaine desert ouer which they trauaile from Guargala to Techort This region is extremely hot sandie and destitute both of water and corne which wants are partly supplied by their abundance of dates It containeth to the number of fiue townes and many villages all which we purpose in order to describe Of the towne of Pescara THis ancient towne built by the Romans while they were lords of Mauritania and afterward destroied by the Mahumetans at their first enterance into Africa is now reedified stored with new inhabitants and enuironed with faire and stately wals And albeit the townesmen are not rich yet are they louers of ciuilitie Their soile yeeldeth nought but dates They haue beene gouerned by diuers princes for they were a while subiect vnto the kings of Tunis and that to the death of king Hutmen after whom succeeded a Mahumetan priest neither coulde the kings of Tunis euer since that time recouer the dominion of Pescara Here are great abundance of scorpions and it is present death to be stung by them wherefore all the townesmen in a manner depart into the countrey in sommer time where they remaine till the moneth of Nouember Of the citie of Borgi ANother towne there is also called Borgi which standeth about fowerteene miles eastward of Pescara Heere are a great many of
artificers but more husbandmen And bicause water is very scarce in this region and yet their fieldes stand in neede of continuall watering euery man may conueigh water into his field by a certaine sluce for the space of an hower or two according to the bredth or length of his ground and after one hath done watering his ground his next neighbour beginneth which oftentimes breedeth great contention and bloudshed Of the towne of Nefta NEfta is the name of the towne it selfe and also of the territorie adiacent which territorie containeth three castles the greatest whereof seemeth by the manner of building to haue beene founded by the Romains Inhabitants heere are great store being very rusticall and vnciuill people In times past they were exceeding rich for they dwell neere vnto Lybia in the very way to the land of Negros howbeit by reason of their perpetuall hostilitie with the kings of Tunis the king of Tunis that now is destroied their towne and themselues he partly slue and partly put to flight Likewise he so defaced the wals and other buildings that now a man woulde esteeme it to be but a base village Not farre from hence runneth a certaine riuer of hot water which serueth them both to drinke and to water their fields withall Of the towne of Teolacha IT was built by the Numidians and compassed with slender wals and hath a riuer of hot water also running thereby The fields adiacent yeeld plentie of dates but great scarcitie of corne The miserable inhabitants are oppressed with continual exactions both by the Arabians and also by the king of Tunis Yet are they extremely couetous and proud and disdainfull vnto strangers Of the towne of Deusen DEusen a very ancient towne founded by the Romains in the same place where the kingdome of Bugia ioineth to Numidia was destroied by the Mahumetans at their first entrance into Africa bicause of a certaine Romaine captaine which endured the Saracens siege for a whole yeere togither the towne being at length taken this captaine and all the men of the towne were put to the sword but the women and children were carried away captiue Howbeit after the towne was sacked the wall thereof remained entire by reason it was built of most hard stone and that a woonderfull thicknes though in some places it seemeth to be ruined which I thinke might be caused by an earthquake Not farre from this towne are diuers monuments of antiquitie like vnto sepulchers wherein are founde sundrie peeces of siluer coine adorned with certaine letters and hieroglyphicall figures the interpretation whereof I could neuer finde out Of the prouince of Biledulgerio FRom the territorie of Pescara this prouince extendeth it selfe vnto the Isle of Gerbi and one part thereof in which Cafsa and Teusar are situate is almost three hundred miles distant from the Mediterran sea It is an extreme hot and drie place bringing foorth no corne at all but great plenty of dates which bicause they are speciall good are transported vnto the kingdome of Tunis Here are diuers townes and cities which we will describe in their due place Of the towne of Teusar THis ancient towne built by the Romans vpon the Numidian desert neere vnto a certaine riuer springing foorth of the southren mountaines was enuironed with most stately impregnable wals and had an ample territorie thereunto belonging but it was since so destroied by the Mahumetans that now instead of the woonted sumptuous palaces thereof it containeth nought but base cottages The inhabitants are exceeding rich both in wares and money for they haue many faires euerie yeere whereunto resort great numbers of merchants from Numidia and Barbarie The foresaid riuer diuideth the towne into two parts one whereof being inhabited by the principall gentlemen and burgo-masters is called Fatnasa and in the other called Merdes dwell certaine Arabians which haue remained there euer since the towne was destroyed by the Mahumetans They are at continuall ciuill wars among themselues and will performe but little obedience to the king of Tunis for which cause he dealeth alwaies most rigorously with him Of the towne of Caphsa THE ancient towne of Caphsa built also by the Romans had for certaine yeeres a gouernour of their owne but afterward being sacked by one Hucba a Captaine of Hutmen Califa the walles thereof were razed to the ground but the castle as yet remaineth and is of great force for the wall thereof being fiue and twentie cubits high and fiue cubits thick is made of excellent stones like vnto the stones of Vespasians Amphitheatre at Rome Afterward the towne-walles were reedified and were destroyed againe by Mansor who hauing slaine the Gouernour of the towne and all the inhabitants appointed a new Gouernour ouer the same place Now this towne is verie populous all the houses thereof except the temple and a few other buildings being verie deformed and base and the streets are paued with blacke stones like vnto the streets of Naples and Florence The poore inhabitants are continually oppressed with the exactions of the king of Tunis In the middest of the towne are certaine square large and deepe fountaines walled round about the water whereof is hot and vnfit to bee drunke vnlesse it be set an hower or two a cooling The ayre of this place is verie vnholesome insomuch that the greatest part of the inhabitants are continually sicke of feuers People they are of a rude and illiberall disposition and vnkinde vnto strangers wherefore they are had in great contempt by all other Africans Not far from this towne are fields abounding with dates oliues and pome-citrons and the dates and oliues there are the best in all the whole prouince here is likewise most excellent oyle The inhabitants make themselues shooes of buckes leather Of the castles of Nefzaoa THree castles there are of this name being well stored with inhabitants but verie homely built and oppressed with the king of Tunis his continuall exactions And they are distant from the Mediterran sea about fiftie miles Of the region of Teorregu THis little territory belonging to the kingdome of Tripolis bordering vpon the desert of Barca containeth three castles of the same name which abound greatly with dates but haue no corne at all The inhabitants being farre distant from other townes and cities lead a most miserable life Of the territorie of Iasliten IT lieth vpon the Mediterran sea and containeth many villages abounding with dates The inhabitants because they dwell so neere the sea haue great traffique with the people of Sicilie and Egypt Of the region of Gademes THis large region hauing many castles villages therin standeth southward of the Mediterran sea almost three hundred miles The inhabitants being rich in dates and all other kinde of merchandise and trafficking into the land of Negros pay tribute vnto the Arabians albeit for a certaine time they were subiect vnto the king of Tunis and the Prince of Tripolis Corne and flesh are maruellous scarce here Of the region of Fezzen THis
the flesh of such beasts as are taken in those deserts Sometimes they receiue tribute of the gouernour of Suachen and sometimes of the gouernors of Dangala They had once a rich towne situate vpon the red sea called Zibid whereunto belonged a commodious hauen being opposite vnto the hauen of Zidem which is fortie miles distant from Mecca But an hundred yeeres since it was destroied by the Soldan bicause the inhabitants receiued certaine wares which should haue beene carried to Mecca and at the same time the famous port of Zibid was destroied from whence notwithstanding was gathered a great yeerely tribute The inhabitants being chased from thence fledde vnto Dangala and Suachin and at length being ouercome in battaile by the gouernour of Suachin there were in one day slaine of them aboue fower thousand and a thousand were carried captiue vnto Suachin who were massacred by the women and children of the citie And thus much friendly reader as concerning the lande of Negros the fifteene kingdomes whereof agreeing much in rites and customes are subiect vnto fower princes onely Let vs now proceed vnto the description of Egypt Here endeth the seuenth booke IOHN LEO HIS EIGHT BOOKE OF the Historie of Africa and of the memorable things contained therein Of Egypt THe most noble and famous prouince of Egypt bordering westward vpon the deserts of Barca Numidia and Libya eastward vpon the deserts lying betweene Egypt it selfe and the red sea and northward vpon the Mediterran sea is inclosed southward with the land of the foresaid people called Bugiha and with the riuer of Nilus It stretcheth in length from the 〈◊〉 sea to the land of the people called Bugiha about fower hundred and fiftie miles but in bredth it is very narrow so that it containeth nought but a small distance betweene both the banks of Nilus and the barren mountaines bordering vpon the foresaid deserts being inhabited onely in that place where Nilus is separate from the saide mountaines albeit towards the Mediterran sea it extendeth it selfe somewhat broader For Nilus about fower-score miles from the great citie of Cairo is diuided into two branches one whereof 〈◊〉 in his chanell westward returneth at length into the maine streame from whence he tooke his originall and hauing passed about threescore miles beyond Cairo it diuideth it selfe into two other branches whereof the one runneth to Damiata and the other to Rosetto And 〈◊〉 of that which trendeth to Damiata issueth another branch which discharging it selfe into a lake passeth through a certaine gullet or streit into the Mediterran sea vpon the banke whereof standeth the most ancient citie of Tenesse and this diuision of Nilus into so many streames and branches causeth Egypt as I haue beforesaid to be so narrow All this prouince is plaine and is most fruitfull for all kind of graine and pulse There are most pleasant and greene medowes and great store of geese and other fowles The countrey people are of a swart and browne colour but the citizens are white Garments they weare which are streite downe to their wastes and broad beneath and the sleeues likewise are streight They couer their heads with a round and high habite called by the Italians a Dulipan Their shooes are made according to the ancient fashion In sommer they weare garments of particoloured cotton but in winter they vse a certaine garment lined with cotton which they call Chebre but the chiefe citizens and merchants are apparelled in cloth of Europe The inhabitants are of an honest cheereful and liberall disposition For their victuals they vse a kinde of newe and extreme salt cheeses and sowre milke also artificially congealed which fare albeit they account very daintie yet cannot strangers digest it and into euerie dish almost they put sower milke A diuision of Egypt SInce the Mahumetans were Lords of Egypt it hath beene diuided into three parts For the region from Cairo to Rosetto is called the shore of Errif and from Cairo to the lande of Bugiha it is called Sahid that is to say The firme land but the region adioining vpon that branch of Nilus which runneth towardes Damiata and Tenesse they call by the name of Bechria or Maremma All Egypt is exceeding fertile but the prouince of Sahid excelleth the two other parts for abundance of corne cattle fowles and flaxe and Maremma aboundeth with cotton and sugar Howbeit the inhabitants of Marremma and Errif are farre more ciuill then the people of Sahid bicause those two prouinces lie neerer vnto the sea and are more frequented by European Barbarian and Assirian merchants but the people of Sahid haue no conuersation with strangers except it be with a fewe Ethiopians Of the ancient pedigree and originall of the Egyptians THe Egyptians as Moses writeth fetch their originall from Mesraim the sonne of Chus the sonne of Cham the sonne of Noe and the Hebrewes call both the countrie and the inhabitants of Egypt by the name of Mesraim The Arabians call Egypt it selfe Mesre but the inhabitants Chibith And Chibith they say was the man that first tooke vpon him the gouernment of this region and began first to builde houses thereon Also the inhabitants call themselues by the same name neither are there left any true Egyptians besides a fewe Christians which are at this present remaining The residue embracing the Mahumetan religion haue mingled themselues amongst the Arabians the Moores This kingdome was gouerned many yeeres by the Egyptians themselues as namely by the kings that were called Pharao who by their monuments and admirable buildings seeme to haue beene mightie princes and also by the kings called Ptolomaei Afterward being subdued vnto the Romaine Empire this kingdome since the comming of Christ was conuerted vnto the Christian religion vnder the saide Romaine gouernment since the decay of which Empire it fell into the possession of the Emperours of Constantinople who being very carefull to maintaine this kingdome were at length depriued thereof by the Mahumetans vnder the conduct of Hamrus the sonne of Hasi being appointed captaine generall ouer the Arabian armie of Homar the second Califa or Mahumetan patriarke of that name who permitting all men to haue their owne religion required nought but tribute at their hands The said captaine built vpon the banke of Nilus a certaine towne called by the Arabians Fustato which word signifieth in their language a tabernacle for when he first vndertooke this expedition he marched through wilde and desert places voide of inhabitants so that his armie was constrained to lye in tents The common people call this towne Mesre Hatichi that is to say the auncient citie which notwithstanding in comparison of Cairo may not vnfitly be called the New citie And as concerning the situation of this towne many excellent men both Christians Iewes and Mahumetans haue in these our times beene deceiued For they thinke Mesre to be situate in the same place where king Pharao in the time of Moses and king Pharao in the time of
that busines whose daily wages as I vnderstood by a certaine publike officer amounted to two hundred Saraffi Of the citie called Mechellat Chais THe Mahumetans hauing conquered Egypt built this citie vpon an high hill standing by the westerne banke of Nilus The fields of this citie being high ground are apt for to plant vines vpon bicause the waters of Nilus cannot ouerflow them This towne affoordeth new grapes vnto Cairo almost for halfe the yeere long but the inhabitants are 〈◊〉 people being most of them watermen and bargemen A description of the huge and admirable citie of Cairo CAiro is commonly reputed to be one of the greatest and most famous cities in al the whole world But leauing the common reports opinions thereof I will exactly describe the forme and estate wherin it now standeth And that I may begin with the Etymology or deriuation of the name Cairo is an Arabian word corruptly pronounced by the people of Europe for the true Arabian worde is El Chahira which signifieth an enforcing or imperious mistresse This citie built in ancient times by one Gehoar Chetib a Dalmatian slaue as I haue before signified in the beginning of my discourse containeth within the wals not aboue eight thousand families being inhabited by noblemen gentlemen and merchants that sell wares brought from all other places The famous temple of Cairo commonly called Gemih Hashare that is to say the glorious temple was built also by the foresaide slaue whom we affirmed to be the founder of the citie and whose surname was Hashare that is to say famous being giuen him by the Mahumetan patriarke that was his prince This city standeth vpon a most beautifull plaine neere vnto a certaine mountaine called Mucatun about two miles distant from Nilus and is enuironed with stately wals and fortified with iron gates the principall of which gates is called Babe Nansre that is the gate of victory which standeth eastward towards the desert of the red sea and the gate called Beb Zuaila being next vnto the old citie and to Nilus and also Bebel Futuh that is to say the gate of triumph standing towards the lake and the fieldes And albeit Cairo aboundeth euerie where with all kinde of merchants and artificers yet that is the principall streete of the whole citie which stretcheth from the gate of Nansre to the gate of Zuaila for in it are builte most stately and admirable palaces and colleges and most sumptuous temples among which is the temple of Gemith Elhechim the third schismaticall Califa of Cairo Other temples there are of a maruellous bignes which to describe in particular I thinke it superfluous Heere are many bath-stoues also very artificially built Next of all is the streete called Beinel Casrain containing to the number of threescore cooks or victualers shops furnished with vessels of tinne there are 〈◊〉 other shops also wherein are to be solde delicate waters or drinkes made of all kinds of fruits being for noblemen to drinke of and these waters they keepe most charily in fine vessels partly of glasse and partly of tinne next vnto these are shops where diuers confections of hony sugar vnlike vnto the confections of Europe are to be sold then follow the fruiterers shops who bring outlandish fruits out of Syria to wit quinces pomegranates and other fruits which grow not in Egypt next vnto them are the shops of such as sell egges cheese and pancakes fried with oile And next of all there is a streete of the principall artificers shops Beyond which streete standeth a college built by the Soldan called Ghauri who was slaine in a battaile against Selim the great Turke And next vnto the college are diuers rankes of drapers shops In the first ranke there is most excellent outlandish linnen cloth to be sold as namely fine cloth of cotton brought from Balabach and cloth called Mosall brought from Ninou of a maruellous bredth and finenesse whereof noblemen and others of account haue shirts made them scarffes to weare vpon their Dulipans Besides these there are certaine mercers shops where the rich stuffes of Italy namely silke damaske veluet cloth of golde and such like are to be bought vnto which stuffes I neuer sawe anie comparable to my remembrāce in Italy where they vse to be made Next vnto the mercers are the woollen drapers which bring cloth out of Europe as namely from Florence Venice Flanders and other places Next of all there are chamblets to be sold and from thence the way lieth to the gate of Zuaila at which gate dwell great store of artificers Neere vnto the saide way standeth the famous Burse called Canel Halili wherin the Persian merchants dwell It is built very stately in maner of a kings palace and is of three stories high beneath it are certaine conuenient roomes whither merchants for the exchange of rich and costly wares do resort for heere do the principall and most wealthie merchants abide whose wares are spices precious stones cloth of India and such like Next vnto the Burse standeth a streete of shops where all kinde of perfumes namely ciuet muske amber and such like are to be solde which commodities are heere in so great plentie that if you aske for twentie pounds of muske they will presently shewe you an hundred Next followeth the streete of the paper-merchants where you may buie most excellent and smooth paper heere also are to be sold iewels and precious stones of great value which the brokers carrie from one shop to another Then come you to the goldsmiths streete being inhabited for the most part by Iewes who deale for riches of great importance And next vnto the goldsmiths are certaine streetes of vpholsters or brokers who sell the apparell and rich furniture of noblemen and other citizens at the second hande which are not cloakes coates napery or such like but things of exceeding price and value amongst which I my selfe once sawe a beautifull pauilion embrodered with needle-worke and beset with pearles that weighed fortie pounds which pearles being taken out of it were solde for ten thousand Saraffi In this citie also there is a most stately hospitall builte by Piperis the first Soldan of the Mamalucks race the yeerely reuenues whereof amount vnto two hundred thousand Saraffi Hither may any impotent or diseased persons resort and be well prouided of phisitions and of all things necessarie for those that are sicke who if they chance to die heere all their goods are due vnto the hospitall Of the suburb called Beb Zuaila THis great suburbe belonging vnto Cairo and containing about twelue thousand families beginneth at the gate of Zuaila and extendeth westward almost a mile a halfe southward it bordereth vpon the palace of the Soldan stretcheth northward for the space of a mile vnto the suburbe called Beb Elloch Heere dwell as many noble men and gentlemen almost as within the citie it selfe and the citizens haue shops both heere and in the citie as
such particulars as I know to be most certaine true concerning the court of the Soldan Vnto this high dignitie was woont to be chosen some one of the most noble Mamaluks These Mamaluks being all Christians at the first and stolne in their childhoode by the Tartars out of the prouince of Circassia which bordereth vpon the Euxin sea and being solde at Caffa a towne of Taurica Chersonesus were brought from thence by certaine merchants vnto the citie of Cairo and were there bought by the Soldan who constraining them foorthwith to abiure and renounce their baptisme caused them to be instructed in the Arabian and Turkish languages and to be trained vp in militarie discipline to the end they might ascend from one degree of honour to another till at last they were aduanced vnto the high dignitie of the Soldan But this custome whereby it was enacted that the Soldan shoulde be chosen out of the number of such as were Mamaluks and slaues by their condition began about 250. yeeres sithens whenas the family of the valiant Saladin whose name was so terrible vnto Christians being supported but by a fewe of the kinred fell to vtter decay and ruine At the same time when the last king of Ierusalem was determined to sacke the citie of Cairo which also in regard of the sloth and cowardize of the Mahumetan Califa then raigning ouer it intended to make it selfe tributary vnto the same king the iudges and lawyers of the citie with the consent of the Califa sent for a certaine prince of Asia called Azedudin of the nation of Curdu the people whereof liue in tents like the Arabians which Azedudin togither with his sonne Saladin came with an armie of fiftie thousand horsemen And albeit Saladin was inferiour in age vnto his father yet in regard of his redoubted valour and singular knowledge in militarie affaires they created him generall of the field and gaue him free libertie to bestow all the tributes and reuenues of Egypt as himselfe shoulde thinke expedient And so marching at length against the Christians he got the victorie of them without any bloudshed and draue them out of Ierusalem and out of all Syria Then Saladin returning backe with triumph vnto Cairo had an intent to vsurpe the gouernment thereof where upon hauing slaine the Califa his guard who bare principall swaie ouer the Egyptians he procured the death also of the Califa himselfe being thus bereft of his guard with a poisoned cup and then foorthwith submitted himselfe vnto the patronage of the Califa of Bagdet who was the true lawful Mahumetan prelate of Cairo Thus the iurisdiction of the Califas of Cairo who had continued lords of that citie by perpetuall succession for the space of two hundred and thirty yeeres surceased and returned againe vnto the Califa of Bagdet who was the true lawfull gouernour thereof And so the schismaticall Califas and patriarks being suppressed there grew a contention between Saladin and the Soldan of Bagdet Saladin made himselfe a soueraigne of Cairo bicause the saide Soldan of Bagdet being in times past prince of the prouinces of Mazandran and Euarizin situate vpon the riuer of Ganges and being borne in a certaine countrey of Asia laide claime notwithstanding vnto the dominion of Cairo and intending to wage warre against Saladine he was restrained by the Tartars of Corasan who made inuasions and inrodes vpon him Saladin on the other side fearing least the Christians in reuenge of the foresaid iniury would make an expedition into Syria and considering that his forces were partly slaine in the former warres and partly consumed by pestilence except a few which remained for the defence and sauegard of his kingdome began to employ himselfe 〈◊〉 buying of slaues that came from Circassia whom the king of Armenia by those daies tooke and sent vnto Cairo to be sold which slaues he caused to abiure the Christian faith and to be trained vp in feats of warre and in the Turkish language as being the proper language of Saladin himselfe and so the saide slaues within a while increased so exceedingly both in valour and number that they became not onely valiant souldiers and skilfull commaunders but also gouernours of the whole kingdome After the decease of Saladin the dominion remained vnto his family 150. yeeres and all his successours obserued the custome of buying slaues of Circassia but the family of Saladin growing at length to decay the slaues by a generall consent elected one Piperis a valiant Mamaluk of their owne companie to be their soueraigne Lord and Soldan which custome they afterward so inuiolably kept that not the Soldans owne sonne nor any other Mamaluk could attaine vnto that high dignitie vnlesse first he had beene a Christian and had abiured his faith and had learned also exactly to speake the Circassian and Turkish languages Insomuch that many Soldans sent their sonnes in their childhood into Circassia that by learning the language and fashions of the countrey they might prooue in processe of time fit to beare soueraigne authoritie but by the dissension of the Mamalukes they were alwaies defeated of their purpose And thus much briefly concerning the gouernment of the Mamalukes and of their Princes called euen till this present by a word of their owne mother 〈◊〉 by the names of Soldans let vs now speake of the honourable degrees and dignities inferiour to the Soldanship Of the principall Peere next vnder the Soldan called Eddaguadare THis man being in dignitie second vnto the Soldan and beeing as it were his viceroy or lieutenant had authoritie to place or displace any magistrates or officers and maintained a family almost as great as the family of the Soldan himselfe Of the Soldans officer called Amir Cabir THis man hauing the third place of honour was Lord generall ouer the Soldans militarie forces who was by office bound to leauie armies against the forraine enemie especially against the next Arabians and to furnish the castles cities with 〈◊〉 garisons and also had authoritie to dispend the Soldans treasure vpon such necessarie affaires as hee thought good Of Nai Bessan THE fourth in dignitie after the Soldan called Nai Bessan beeing the Soldan his lieutenant in Syria and gathering vp all the tributes of Assiria bestowed them at his owne discretion yet the Soldan himselfe was to place garrisons in the castles and forts of those prouinces This Nai Bessan was bound yeerly to pay certaine thousands of Saraffi vnto the Soldan Of the Ostadar THE fift magistrate called the Ostadar was the great master or steward of the palace whose duetie was to prouide apparell for the Soldan with victuals and other necessaries for his whole family And vnto this dignitie the Soldan vsed to aduance some one of his most ancient honourable and vertuous nobles vnder whose tuition himselfe had in times past beene trained vp Of the Amiri Achor THE sixt called the Amiri Achor was master of the horse and camels and distributed them vnto
each man in court according to his degree Of the Amiralf THE seuenth office was performed by certaine principall Mamalukes being like vnto the Colonels of Europe euerie of whom was captaine of a thousand inferiour Mamaluks and their office was to conduct the Soldans forces against the enemie to take charge of his armour Of the Amirmia THE eight degree of honour was allotted vnto certaine centurions ouer the Mamalukes who were continually to attend vpon the Soldan either when he road any whither or when he exercised himselfe in armes Of the Chazendare THE ninth person was the treasurer who made an account vnto the Soldan of all the tributes and customes of his kingdome disbursing money for the daily and necessarie expenses of the Soldans household and laying vp the rest in the Soldans castle Of the Amirsileh THE tenth called the Amirsileh had the armour of the Soldan committed to his charge which being contained in a great armorie was to be scoured furbushed and renued at his direction for which purpose he had sundrie Mamaluks placed vnder him Of the Testecana THe eleuenth called the Testecana was master of the Soldans wardrobe and tooke charge of all such robes and apparell as were deliuered vnto him by the Ostadar or high steward of the houshold which robes he distributed according to the appointment of the Soldan for whomsoeuer the Soldan promoted vnto any dignitie him he apparelled also All the said garments were of cloth of gold of veluet or of silke and whither soeuer the Testecana went he was attended vpon by a great number of Mamalukes Certaine other officers there were also as namely the Serbedare whose duetie was to prouide delicate drinke for the Soldan and to haue alwaies in a readines most excellent compound waters tempered both with sugar and with spices Moreouer there were other officers called Farrasin that is diuers chamberlaines who furnished the place of the Soldan with rich hangings and carpets and made prouision also of torches and tapers of waxe mixed with amber which serued both to shew light and to yeeld most fragrant and odoriferous smels Others there were also called Sebabathia to wit the footemen of the Soldan and certaine others called Taburchania which were the Soldans Halbardiers who attended vpon his person when he road foorth or fate in publique audience Adauia were those that tooke charge of the Soldans carriages whithersoeuer he trauelled out of which number there was a master-hangman or executioner chosen and so often as any malefactors were to be punished all his companions stood by him to learne his bloodie occupation namely of flaying and skinning men aliue and of putting them to the torture to make them confesse their crimes And Esuha were the Soldans foote-postes that carried letters from Cairo into Syria and trauelled on foote threescore miles a day because that betweene Egypt and Syria there is neither mountainous nor mirie way but a continuall sandie plaine howbeit such as carried letters of serious weightie matters road vpon camels Of the Soldans militarie forces OF soldiers or martiall men the Soldan had fower degrees The first called Caschia were certaine horsemen were most valiant and expert warriours out of which number the Soldan chose gouernours ouer his cities and castles Some of these were allowed their stipend in readie money out of the Soldans treasurie and others out of the tributes of townes and castles The second called Eseifia were a companie of footmen bearing no armes but swords only who likewise had their pay allowed them out of the Soldans treasurie The third called Charanisa being voluntaries or such as serued gratìs had no other pay but onely their victuals allowed them but when any Mamaluke deceased that was well prouided for some one of them supplied his roume The fourth and last of al called Galeb were the yoong and new-come Mamaluks being as yet ignorant of the Turkish and Egyptian languages and such as had shewed no experiment of their valour Of certaine other great officers and magistrates in the Soldans common-wealth Of the magistrate called the Nadheasse HE was as it were the Soldans chiefe receiuer for all the tributes and customes of the whole kingdome came through his hands and were paid from him vnto the treasurer Also he was customer of Cairo by which office he gained infinite summes of mony neither could any man attaine vnto this office vnlesse he first paid vnto the Soldan an hundred thousand Saraffi which he recouered againe within sixe moneths following Of the Chetebeessere THis man being the Soldans secretarie and writing letters and making answere on the Soldans behalfe did besides his secretariship take notice and account of all the land-tributes in Egypt and receiued the particular summes from the collectors thereof Of the Muachih THis was a secretarie also but inferiour to the former and yet more trustie vnto the Soldan His office was to reuiew the letters and briefes penned by the former and to examine whether they were agreeable vnto the Soldans minde and also in the name of the Soldan to subscribe vnto them But the other hath so many cunning and expert scribes about him that the Muachih seldome cancelleth any of his writings Of the Mutesib THis mans office was to set a price vpon corne and all other victuals which price partly according to the increase of Nilus and partly also according to the resort of ships and other vessels out of the prouinces of Errif and Sahid he either diminished or inhaunsed and vpon the offenders imposed such penalties as the Soldan thought good to appoint Being at Cairo I vnderstood that the said Mutesib got daily by his office about a thousand Saraffi hauing his ministers and substitutes not onely in Cairo but in all other cities and places of Egypt Of the Amir el Cheggi THe office of the Amir el Cheggi being of no lesse charge then dignitie was imposed by the Soldan vpon one of his most sufficient and wealthie Mamaluks vnto whom was committed the conduct of the carouan which went euery yeere from Cairo to 〈◊〉 Which dutie he could not performe without great expences of his owne purse for being garded with a companie of Mamalukes he must trauell with maiesticall pompe and costly diet expecting no recompence for his exceeding charges either at the hands of the Soldan or of the passengers which he conducted Other offices and dignities there are which I thinke needlesse to rehearse Of the citie of Geza THe citie of Geza being situate vpon the banke of Nilus ouer against the old citie before mentioned and being separated therefrom by the foresaide Island of Nilus is a very populus and ciuile place and is adorned with many sumptuous palaces built by the Mamaluks whither they vse to retire themselues out of the throng and multitude of Cairo Here are likewise great store of artificers and merchants especially such as buie cattell brought from the mountaines of Barca the drouers of which cattell being Arabians do sell their
euen to the women of Africa Of the root called Surnag THis roote growing also vpon the westerne part of mount Atlas is said to be verie comfortable and preseruatiue vnto the priuie parts of man being drunk in an electuarie to stir vp venereal lust c. Neither must I here omit that which the inhabitants of mount Atlas do commonly report that many of those damosels which keepe cattel vpon the said mountaines haue lost their virginity by none other occasion but by making water vpon the said roote vnto whom I would in merriment answere that I belceued all which experience had taught concerning the secret vertue of the same roote Yea they affirmed moreouer that some of their maidens were so infected with this roote that they were not only deflowred of their virginitie but had also their whole bodies puffed vp and swolne THese are the things memorable and woorthie of knowledge seene and obserued by me Iohn Leo throughout al Africa which countrey I haue in all places traueiled quite ouer wherein whatsoeuer I sawe woorthy the obseruation I presently committed to writing and those things which I sawe not I procured to be at large declared vnto me by most credible and substantiall persons which were themselues eie-witnesses of the same and so hauing gotten a fitte oportunitie I thought good to reduce these my trauels and studies into this one volume Written at Rome in the yeere of Christ 1526. and vpon the tenth of March. Heere endeth the description of Africa written by Iohn Leo borne in Granada and brought vp in Barbarie A briefe relation concerning the dominions reuenues forces and maner of gouernment of sundry the greatest princes either inhabiting within the bounds of Africa or at least possessing some parts thereof translated for the most part out of Italian AFricke hath euer beene the least knowen and haunted parte in the world chiefly by reason of the situation thereof vnder the torride Zone which the ancients thought to be vnhabitable Whose opinion although in very deede it is not true bicause we knowe that betweene the two Tropickes there are most fruitefull countries as namely Abassia and the kingdomes of Angola Congo with all India new Spaine and Brasile yet neither is it altogither false For no part of the world hath greater deserts nor vaster wildernes then this of Africa These deserts which extend themselues from the Atlanticke Ocean euen vnto the borders of Egypt for more then a thousand miles and runne out sometimes two hundred and otherwhiles 300. miles in bredth diuide Africke into two parts whereof the southerly part was neuer throughly knowne to the people of Europe as also Atlas which diuideth Numidia from Africa the lesse is some impediment to the same And towards the east it seemeth that nature also ment to conceale the same by those deserts that lye bewixt the Red sea and the lande of Egypt In the first times after the floud we finde mention very often made of the kingdomes of Egypt and Ethopia and as for Ethiopia the notice we had thereof was but obscure and confused But Egypt by reason of the commodious situation thereof betweene the Mediterran and the Red seas hath alwaies beene renowmed and famous yea king Sesostris that Egyptian monarch enlarged his empire from the Atlantick Ocean euen to the Euxine sea Afterwards the kings of Numidia Mauritania the Carthaginians flourished in those prouinces which are bounded by the Meditterran sea In our times wherein all Africke hath beene and is daily enuironed there is sufficient knowledge had of the Marine parts thereof but for the inland prouinces there is not so much knowne as might be rather through want of writers then for default of discouerie trade Now therfore leauing those parts of Africa which are possessed by the Turke and the king of Spaine to a briefe narration in the last place we haue reduced al the residue of our relations to three princes that is to Prete Ianni the Monomotapa and the Xeriffo who is king of Maroco and Fez for the rest referring you to Iohn Leo and the discourse prefixed before him the Xeriffo raigneth betweene Atlas and the Atlanticke Ocean Prete Ianni about the center of Africke and the Monomotapa hath his Empire towards the Sinus Barbaricus or the Barbarian gulphe The Empire of Prete Ianni THe Empire of Prete Ianni answereth not certainly in effect although it be very large vnto the fame and opinion which the common sort and most writers haue of it For lateliest of any other Hor atio Malugucci in a certaine discourse of his touching the greatnes of states at this day would needes haue his dominion to be greater then any other princes but the king of Spaine I confesse indeede that in times past his state had most ample and large confines as may be iudged by the multitude of kingdomes with which he adorneth and setteth foorth his stile for he entitleth himselfe king of Goiame a kingdome seated beyond Nilus and of Vangue and Damut situate beyond Zaire and yet it is at this day euidently knowne that his Empire scarcely reacheth vnto Nilus yea and Iohn Barros writeth that the Abassins haue little notice of that riuer by reason of the mountaines lying betweene them and it The hart or center of his state is the lake Barcena for on the east it extendeth from Suaquen as farre as the entrance of the Red sea for the space of an hundred and two and twentie leagues howbeit betwixt the Red sea and it there thwarteth a long ranke of mountaines inhabited by the Moores who also commaund the sea-coast On the west it hath another ridge of mountaines along the channell of Nilus enhabited by the Gentiles who pay tribute vnto the Prete On the north it consineth with an imaginarie line drawne from Suaquen to the furthest part of the isle of Meroe which is an hundred and fiue and twentie leagues long From hence it maketh as it were a bow but not very crooked towards the south euen to the kingdome of Adel from the mountaines whereof springeth that riuer which Ptolemey calleth Raptus and placeth to the south of Melinde for the space of two hundred and thirtie leagues all which distance is bordered vpon by the Gentiles from whence it turneth and endeth eastward at the kingdome of Adel whose head citie is Arar in the northerly latitude of nine degrees So that this whole empire little more or lesse amounteth to sixe hundred threescore and twelue leagues in circuite The countrie which is distinguished with ample plaines pleasant hils and high mountaines most of them manurable and well inhabited bringeth foorth barley and myll for it aboundeth not greatly with other sortes of graine and likewise Taffo da guza another good and durable seede But there is mill and Zaburro which we call the graine of India or Ginnie wheate great plenty with al sorts of our pulse and some also vnknowen to vs. Some of them weare clothes of cotton
AMong all the princes of Africa I suppose that there is not anie one who in richnes of state or greatnes of power may be preferred before the Xeriffo In that his dominion which comprehendeth all that part of Mauritania called by the Romaines Tingitana extendeth it selfe north south from Capo Boiador euen to Tanger and east and west from the Atlanticke Ocean as farre as the riuer Muluia and somewhat further also in which space is comprehended the fairest fruitfullest best inhabited and most ciuill part of all Africk and among other the states the most famous kingdomes of Maroco and Fez. With the particular description whereof and of all the prouinces cities townes riuers mountaines c. therein contained the Reader may satisfie himselfe to the full in the second and third bookes of the historie of Iohn Leo before set downe These kingdomes besides their natural fertilitie are very traffickable for though the king of Fez hath no hauen of importance vpon the Mediterranean sea neuerthelesse the English French and other nations traffick much to his ports vpon the Ocean especially to Larache Santa Cruz Cabo de Guer and in other places perteining partly to the kingdome of Fez and partly to Maroco and they bring thither copper and brasse with armes and diuers commodities of Europe for which among other things they returne sugar But because these kingdomes of Maroco and Fez and diuers other Signiories and Principalities at first separate and deuided were vnited not long sithence vnder one Prince who is called the Xeriffo it will not be much from our purpose because among the accidents of our times I think there is not any one more notable or wonderfull then this to set downe here how the matter passed About the yeere of our Lord 1508 a certaine Alchaide borne in Tigumedet a towne of Dara whose name was Mahumet Benametto and who caused himselfe to be called Xeriffo being a subtile man and of a minde no lesse ambitious then learned in those sciences whereunto the Mahumetans are most addicted began to grow famous in the townes of Numidia This man vaunting himselfe to be descended of Mahumets progenie was possessed with an imagination trusting in the deuision of the States of Affricke wherein then the Portugals bore great sway of taking into his owne hands all Mauritania Tingitana For performance of this he first sent his three 〈◊〉 Abdel Abnet and Mahumet in pilgrimage to Mecca and Medina there to visit do reuerence to the sepulchre of their Seductor Mahumet The yoong men performed this voyage with so great fame and reputation of sanctitie and religion if these words may be vsed in declaring of such an impietie that in their returne the people came out to meete them kissed their garments and reuerenced them as saints They fayning themselues to be rauished into deepe contemplation went vp and downe the streetes sighing and crying out in words interrupted with lamentation yerning Alá Alá and they liued of nothing but almes Their father hauing taken them home with great mirth and ioy but yet not minding to suffer this sudden applause credit which they had obtayned by such a pilgrimage to freeze and wax cold he sent two of them which were Amet and Mahumet to Fez where being courteously receiued by the king one of them became a Reader in the Amodoraccia a most famous colledge of that citie and the the yoongest was made tutor to the same kings yoong sonnes These two seeing themselues so entirely beloued of the king and in so great fauour with the people being aduised by their father and taking occasion vpon the damage which the Arabians Moores did to those of their owne law sect vnder the ensignes of the Portugals in whose paie they serued They demaunded leaue of the king to display a 〈◊〉 against the Christians putting him in hope as indeed it fell out that they would easily draw those Moores vnto him who were followers of the crowne of Portugall and by this meanes secure the prouinces of Sus Hea Ducala Maroco with others molested euilly entreated by the Portugals This request was contradicted by Mullei Nazer brother to the king for said he if these men vnder pretence of holines and defence of their law shall haue some prosperous proceedings with armes in hand it will not afterwards be in thy power O king to bridle or bring them downe for armes make men couragious by victories they prooue insolent the rout of ambitious people are alwaies desirous of innouation But the king who had a great opinion of their sanctitie making small account of the reasons his brother alleaged vnto him gaue them a banner and drumslade and twentie horse to accompanie them with letters of recommendation to the Arabians the princes and the cities of Barbarie With these beginnings many people running headlong after their fame they ouercame Ducala and the countrey of Saphia and went forward euen as farre as Cabo de Guer which places then were subiect to the Portugals and finding themselues strong both in retinue and credite they demanded of the people who at that time liued for the most part freely and came in to none but such as they liked of themselues that seeing they now tooke vp armes for the Mahumetane law against the Christians they should aide them with their tenthes due vnto God the which were presently yeelded vnto them by the people of Dara and so they seazed by little and little vpon Tarodant where their father was made gouernour and likewise of Sus Hea Ducala and other places adioining They first planted themselues in Tednest and then in Tesarote and in a conflict 〈◊〉 Lopes Barriga a famous captaine amongst the Portugals but so they lost their owne elder brother therein And afterwards by faire words entring into the 〈◊〉 of Maroco they poisoned the king and in his stead made Amet Xeriffo to be proclaimed king of Maroco In the meane while the Arabians of Ducala Xarquia came to hand blowes with those of Garbia each partie holding themselues in the Xeriffoes fauour but the Xeriffos perceiuing the skirmish to grow hot and that many both of the one and of the other party went to wrack turned their armes against them both and enriched themselues with their spoiles In former times they vsed to send vnto the king of Fez the fift of all those booties which they got but after this victory making no reckoning of their said custom they presented him only with six horses and six camels those but silly ones wherat being mooued he sent to demand of them the fift part of their spoiles and the tribute that the king of Maroco paied him threatning otherwise warre vpon them But in the meane while this man dying Amet his sonne who was scholler to the yoonger Xeriffo was not onely content but further confirmed Amet in the Signiorie of Maroco so that in some small matter he would
greeue at nothing but you Christians who haue abandoned me In that the knights of Malta onely sent him small succour of powder and shot These Morabites affirme to declare some of their fooleries that when Allé fought he killed ten thousand Christians with one blow of a sworde and that this sword was an hundred cubits long Then there is the foolish and 〈◊〉 sect of Cobtini One of these shewed himselfe not many yeeres sithence in the market places and quarters of Algier mounted on a reed with a bridle and raines of leather giuing the multitude to vnderstand that vpon that horse in one night he rid an hundred leagues and he was for this greatly honored and reuerenced In tract of time there grew amongst the Mahumetans through the vanitie of their law and the incredible variety and difference of opinions great disorders For their sect being not onely wicked and treacherous as we haue declared but also grosse and foolish those that made profession thereof to defend and maintaine it were enforced to make a thousand interpretations and constructions far sometimes from reason and otherwhiles from the expresse words of Mahumet him selfe The Califas endeuoured mightily to reforme this but their prouisions of greatest importance were two For first Moauia this man florished about the yeere of our Lord 770 called an assembly of learned and iudiciall men to establish that which in their sect should be beleeued and to this end he caused all the bookes of Mahumet and his successors to be gathered together But they not agreeing amongst themselues he chose out of them sixe of the most learned and shutting them within an house with the said writings he commaunded them that euery one should make choise of that which seemed best vnto him These men reduced the Mahumetan doctrine into sixe books setting downe the pennaltie of losse of life to them that should otherwise speake or write of the law But because the Arabians gaue their mindes to Philosophie in the vniuersities of Bagdet Fez Maroco and Cordoua and being of piercing and subtile wits they could not but looke into the fopperies of their sect There was added vnto this another prouiso which was a statute that forbad them the studie of Philosophie by meanes of which statute their Vniuersities before most flourishing haue within these fower hundred yeeres daily declined At this day the sects of Mahumetan impietie are distinguished more through the might and power of those nations that follow them then of themselues and the principall nations are fower that is to say Arabians Persians Tartars and Turks The Arabians are most superstitious and zealous The Persians stand more vpon reason and nature The Tartars hold much gentilisine and simplicitie and the Turkes especially in Europe are most of them Libertines and Martialistes The Arabians as they that esteeme it for great glorie that Mahumet was of their nation and buried in Mecca or as others thinke in Medina Talnabi haue laboured with all arte and yet procure to spread their sect ouer the whole world In India they first preuailed with preaching and afterwards with armes Considering that seuen hundred yeeres sithence king Perimal reigning in Malabar they began there to sow this cockle and to bring the Gentiles more easily within their net they tooke and at this daie take their daughters to wife a matter greatly esteemed of them by reason of these mens wealth By this policie and the traffike of spices which yeelded them infinite profite they quickly set foote and fastned it in India They built townes and planted colonies and the first place where they grew to a bodie was Calicut which of a small thing by their concourse and traffike became a mightie citie They drew king Perimal to their sect who at their perswasion resolued to go and end his daies at Mecca and for that purpose he put himselfe onward on the voiage with certaine ships laden with pepper and other precious commodities but a terrible tempest met him in the midst of his course and drowned him in the sea They inhabite in Malabar where two sorts of Arabians or Moores as we may terme them haue more exceedingly increased and preuailed then in any other part of the Indies one is of strangers that arriue there by reason of the traffike of Arabia Cambaia and Persia and the other be those that dayly are borne of a 〈◊〉 father and a mother Gentile or both of father and mother Moores and these who are called Nateani and differ from the other people in person customes and habit make as it were a fourth part of the inhabitants of that countrey From Malabar they went to the Maldiue and Zeilan Here they began to take vpon them the managing of the customs and impositions of cities and townes and by making them greater then in times past they attained to the grace and fauour of the Princes and Lords together with great reputation and authority yea preeminence and superiority ouer the common people and fauouring those who embraced their sect daylie preached and diuulged by the Papassi but holding their hands heauie ouer such as shewed themselues repugnant they incredibly aduanced mahumetisme Afterwards perceiuing themselues strong and mightie both in richesse and followers they seazed on the townes and cities So that at this day they commaund a good part of the Maldiuae and the ports of the most noble iland of Zeilan except that of Columbo where the Portugals haue a fortresse By like stratagem are they become masters of the west part of 〈◊〉 within little 〈◊〉 then these two hundred yeeres first preuailing by trade and commerce then by marriage and affinitie and last of all by armes From hence going forwarde they haue taken into their hands the greatest part of the ports of that large Archipelago of the Luçones Malucos Iauas c. They are Lords of the citie of Sunda in the greater Iaua they enioy the greatest part of the Ilands of Banda and Maluco they raigne in Burneo Gilolo They came once as far as Luçon a most noble Iland and one of the Philippinas had planted therein three colonies On the other side they conquered vpon the firme land first the rich kingdome of Cambaia there established their sect as they did the like in all the places adioining from hence they went to Bengala and became Lords thereof They cut off by little and little from the crowne of Siam the state of Malaca which the Portugals holde at this day as likewise those of Ior and Pam and more then two hundred leagues along the coast Finallie they are entred into the most ample kingdome of China and haue built Moscheas in the same and if the Portugals in India and the Malucos and afterwards the Spaniards in the Philippinas had not met them on the way and with the gospell and armes interrupted their course they would at this instant haue possessed infinite kingdomes of the east yea in this they are so industrious and bould to
the arguments and signes of the grace and fauour of God they easily fell into Apostasie whereunto the impietie of Arrius and other heretikes opened the way who for long tract of time estranging themselues more and more from the Euangelicall truth fell in the end into Atheisme as we see hath fallen out in the course of some moderne enormities But to returne from whence we haue digressed in progresse of time there grew great differences betweene the Mahumetans for their sect being no lesse sottish and foolish then wicked and perfidious the mainteiners of it were driuen to fetch reasons farre off for defence of the same But the Arabians not contented in Africa to haue subiugated with armes and with false doctrine to haue pestered Barbarie Numidia Libya and the countrey of Negroes they further on the other side assailed the lower Ethiopia both by sea and land By lande entred thereinto in the yeere 1067. Faiaia the sonne of Abubequer and by meanes of certaine Alsachi he dispersed that pestilence into Nubia and the neighbour prouinces On the other side passing the Red sea they first tooke knowledge of the coast of Ethiopia euen to Cabo de los corrientes by their continuall traffike thither and afterwards being encouraged by the weakenes of the naturall inhabitants they erected the kingdomes of Magadazo Melinde Mombazza Quiloa Mozambique and seazed on some ports of the island of Saint Laurence and gathering force by little and little they enlarged their empire within the land and established therein the kingdomes of Dangali and Adel. So that on the one side they haue spred their sect from the Red sea to the Atlantike Ocean and from the Mediterran sea to the riuer Niger and farther and on the other haue taken into their hands all the easterne coast of Africk from Suez to Cape Guardafú and from this euen to that De los corrientes and the adioining islands In which places though the people be not altogither Mahumetans yet haue the Mahumetans the weapons dominion in their hands the which how much it importeth for the bringing in of sects we may easily conceiue To conclude they haue often assailed the Prete Ianni sometimes the Turkes who haue taken from him the ports of the Red sea and otherwhiles the Moores vnder the conduct of the king of Adel who hath and doth molest them greatly leading into captituitie a great number of Abassins where they become for the most part Mahumetans Of the Christians of Africa NOw that we haue declared the miseries and darknes of Affrick it remaineth that we set downe that little light of true religion which there is the which I can not passe ouer without exceeding glorie to the Portugall nation In that they with inestimable charge and infinite trauaile haue first sought to open the way to Ethiopia and to bring the great Negus of Abassia called by vs Prete Ianni to the vnion of the christian church of Europe performing whatsoeuer after this for the conuersion of the princes of Guinia and Meleghette to the faith and yet more happily of the king of Congo and the Princes of Angola and likewise with diuers colonies sent to the ilands of the Atlantick Ocean they haue no lesse aduāced the honor of their owne nation then the propagating of the christian faith And finally passing beyond Cabo de buena esperança they haue resisted the Mahumetan sect which had now extended it selfe on the backside of Africa as far as Cabo de los corrientes Of the Christians in Egypt THe Christians of Egypt are partly strangers partlie home-borne in the country strangers come thither in regarde of traffick which there flourisheth aboue measure especiallie in the cities of Alexandria and Cairo by reason that this kingdome being most commodiously situate betweene the Red and Mediterran seas vniteth the west parts of the world with the east by meane of an infinite traffick and therefore is it as it were a ladder whereby the wealth of India and of the Eoan Ocean passeth into the lesser Asia into Africke and Europe Whereupon not onely the Venetians Florentines and Ragusians come thither in great numbers but also the French and English The naturall Christians of Egypt remaining after the spoiles and hauock of the Barbarians and the crueltie of the Saracens Mamalucks and Turkes exceed not the number of fiftie thousand persons and these dwell dispersed here and there but principallie in the cities of Cairo Messia Monfalatto Bucco and Elchiasa all placed vpon the bankes of Nilus There are also many in the prouince of Minia in which quarter appeare diuers monasteries But among the monasteries of Egypt those of Saint Anthonie Saint Paul and Saint Macarius are the principal The first lieth in Troglodytica right ouer against Sa it vpon a hill where Saint Anthony was said to be beaten by diuels the second is seated not far from this in the middest of a desert the third standeth in the wildernes to the west of Bulac This is the monasterie which in some histories is called Nitria as I thinke bicause in that quarter the waters of Nilus being thickned by the heate of the sun in low places are conuerted into salt and niter Georgia stood vpon Nilus six miles from the city of Munsia a rich and magnificent Conuent so called after the name of Saint George There were in the same more then two hundred monkes to the notable benefite and ease of pilgrimes strangers who were there curteously lodged But they dying all of the plague about some hundred and fiftie yeeres sithence the place was abandoned Now to deliuer somewhat concerning the estates of these Christians They are called by some Cofti and by others Christians from the girdle vpward for albeit they be baptized as we are yet do they circumcise themselues like to the Iewes so as a man may say their Christianitie comes no lower then the girdle-stead But that which is woorse they haue for these 1000. yeers followed the heresie of Eutiches which alloweth but of one nature in Christ by which heresie they also separate and dismember themselues from the vnion of the Church of Europe The occasion of this separation and 〈◊〉 was the Ephesine councell assembled by Dioscorus in defence of Eutiches who was now condemned in the Calcedon counsell by sixe hundred and thirtie fathers congregated togither by the authoritie of Leo the first For the Cofti fearing that to attribute two natures vnto Christ might be all one as if they had assigned him two hypostases or persons to auoid the heresie of the Nestorians they became Eutichians They say their diuine seruice in the Chaldean toong oftentimes repeating Alleluia They read the Gospell first in Chaldean and then in Arabick When the priest saieth Pax vobis the yoongest amongst them laieth his hand vpon all the people that are present After consecration they giue a simple peece of bread to the standers by a ceremonie vsed also in Greece They exercise their function in the
also to embrace it In times past Ethiopia was gouerned by Queenes onely Whereupon we reade in the history of the old testament that the Queene of the south came to King Salomon from Saba to heare his admirable wisedome about the yeere of the world 2954. The name of this Queen as the Ethiopians report was Maqueda who from the head-head-city of Ethiopia called Saba which like an Isle is enuironed on all sides by the riuer Nilus trauelled by Egypt and the Red sea to Ierusalem And she brought vnto Salomon an hundred twenty talents of gold which amount to 720000. golden ducates of Hungarie that is seuen tunnes of gold and 20000 Hungarian ducates besides This mightie sum of gold with other things of great value she presented vnto Salomon who likewise requited her with most princely giftes She contended with him also in propounding of sage questions obscure riddles Amongst other matters as it is reported by Cedrenus she brought before him certaine damosels and yoong men in maides attire asking the king how he could discerne one sexe from another He answered that he would finde them out by the washing of their faces And foorthwith he commanded all their faces to be washed and they which washed themselues strongly were found to be males but the residue by their tender washing bewraied themselues to be damosels The Ethiopian kings suppose that they are descended from the linage of Dauid and from the family of Salomon And therefore they vse to terme themselues the sonnes of Dauid and of Salomon and of the holy patriarkes also as being sprung from their progenie For Queene Maqueda say they had a sonne by Salomon whome they named Meilech But afterward he was called Dauid This Meilech as they report being growen to twentie yeeres of age was sent backe by his mother vnto his father and instructor Salomon that he might learne of him wisedome and vnderstanding Which so soone as the said Meilech or Dauid had attained by the permission of Salomon taking with him many priests and nobles out of all the twelue tribes he returned to his kingdome of Ethiopia and tooke vpon him the gouernment thereof As likewise he carried home with him the law of God and the rite of circumcision These were the beginnings of the Iewish religion in Ethiopia And it is reported that euen till this present none are admitted into any ministry or canonship in the court but such as are descended of their race that came first out of Iury. By these therfore the doctrine of God in Ethiopia was first planted which afterward tooke such deepe root as it hath since remained to all succeeding ages For the Ethiopians did both retaine the bookes of the Prophets and trauailed also to Ierusalem that they might there worship the true God reuealed in the kingdome of Israel Which manifestly appeereth out of the Historie of the Ethiopian Eunuch whose name was Indich which was a principall gouernour vnder Queene Candaces properly called Iudith For he about the tenth yeere after the death and resurrection of our blessed Sauiour trauailed for the space of two hundred and fortie miles to Ierusalem Where hauing performed due worship vnto God returning homeward as he sate in his chariot he read the prophet Esaias And by the commandement of the holy Spirit Philip one of Christ his disciples was sent vnto him And when they were both come to the citie Bethzur three miles distant from Ierusalem the Eunuch at the foote of a mountaine espied a certaine water wherein he was baptized by Philip. And being returned into Ethiopia this Eunuch baptized the Queene and a great part of her family and people From which time the Ethiopians began to be Christians who since that haue continually professed the Christian faith They beleeue also that Philip sent into Ethiopia a disciple of his called Lycanon who as they suppose ordained the verie forme of religion which they now holde Now these beginnings aswel of the Iewish as the christian religion among the Ethiopians being thus declared we are next to intreat of the doctrine religion it selfe togither with the rites ceremonies vsed at this present in the Ethiopicke church so far foorth as we can gather out of the ambassages which haue bin performed from these parts thither backe againe Besides which there is no historie nor discourse of any worth to be found which entreateth of the religion maners and customes of the Ethiopians So as it is a matter very strange that for so many hundred yeeres togither Ethiopia was so barred from our knowledge that we had not so much as any report thereof Vntill about the yeere of our Lord 1440. certaine ambassadours sent from thence to Pope Eugenius returned backe with his letters and Papall benediction to their king Which letters are most charily kept among the records of this Ethiopian king and are preserued for perpetuall monuments From which time also as though Ethiopia had beene againe quire debarred from the knowledge and conuersation of our men there were not any Europeans that went into Ethiopia nor any Ethiopians that came into Europe till the yeere of our Lord 1486. what time Iohn the second king of Portugall sent Pedro de Couilham and Alonço de Paiua to search out Ethiopia This Pedro was a man very learned eloquent skilfull in sundrie languages painfull in his endeuors fortunate in his attempts and most desirous to finde out new countries and people both by sea and land He therefore in the yeere aboue mentioned togither with his companion Alonço de 〈◊〉 who died in the voiage trauailed first to Alexandria and Cairo in Egypt from whence in the companie of certaine Mores of Fez and Tremizen he proceeded on to El Tor an hauen towne vpon the Arabian shore of the Red sea and thence to Aden situate without the entrance of the Arabian gulfe Where hauing embarqued himselfe in a ship of Mores he trauailed to Calicut Goa and other places of the east Indies and being fully informed of the state of the Spiceries he crossed ouer the maine Ocean to çofala sailed thence to Ormuz and then returned backe to Cairo From whence hauing dispatched letters vnto his king in the company of Rabbi Ioseph a Iew he made a second voiage to Ormuz and in his returne he tooke his iourney towards Ethiopia the Emperour whereof at that time was called Alexander Vnto whom when he had deliuered a letter and a mappe of the world sent from king Iohn he was most kindly entertained and rewarded with many rich gifts And albeit he most earnestly desired to returne into his owne countrey yet could he neuer obtaine leaue but had wealth honour and a wife of a noble family bestowed vpon him to asswage his desire of returning home Wherefore in the yeere 1526. which was fortie yeeres after his departure out of Portugall hee was left by Rodrigo de Lima the Portugall ambassadour still remaining in the court of Prete Ianni In all this meane
the aire and vnusuall heat which consumed them were also euilly entreated by the Moci-Congi For although they shewed themselues docible and tractable enough while they were instructed onely about ceremonies and diuine mysteries because they thought that the higher those matters were aboue humaine capacity the more they sorted and were agreable to the maiestie of God neuerthelesse when they began to entreate seriously of Temperance continence restitution of other mens goods forgiuing of iniuries and other heades of Christian pietie they found not onely great hinderance and difficultie but euen plaine resistance and opposition The king himselfe who had from the beginning shewed notable zeale was now somewhat cooled who because he was loth to abandon his soothsaiers and fortune tellers but aboue all the multitude of his concubines this being a generall difficultie among the Barbarians would by no meanes giue eare vnto the Preachers Also the women who were now reiected one after another not enduring so suddenly to be banished from their husbandes brought the court and roiall citie of Saint Saluador into a great vproare Paulo Aquitino second sonne to the king put tow to this fire who would by no meanes be baptized for which cause there grew great enmity betwixt him and Alonso his elder brother who with all his power furthered the proceedings and maintained the grouth of the Christian religion During these troubles the old king died and the two brothers fought a battell which had this successe that Alonso the true heire with sixe and thirtie soldiers calling vpon the name of Iesus discomfited the huge armie of his heathenish brother who was himselfe also taken aliue and died prisoner in this his rebellion God fauoured Alonso in this warre with manifest miracles For first they affirme that being readie to enter into battaile he saw a light so cleere and resplendent that he and his companie which beheld it remained for a good while with their eies declined and their mindes so full and replenished with ioy and a kind of tender affection that cannot easily be expressed And then lifting vp their eies vnto heauen they sawe fiue shining swords which the king tooke afterwards for his armes and his successors vse the same at this day Hauing obteined this victorie he assembled all his nobles and streightly enioined them to bring all the idols of his countrey to an appointed place and so vpon an high hill he caused them all to be burned This Alonso raigned prosperously for fiftie yeeres togither in which space he exceedingly furthered by authoritie and example as also by preaching and doctrine the new-planted Christianitie Neither did Don Emanuell the King of Portugall giue ouer this enterprise for he sent from thence to Congo twelue of those Fryers which the Portugals call Azzurri of whom Fryer Iohn Mariano was head with architects and smiths for the building and seruice of Churches and with rich furniture for the same After king Alonso succeeded Don Pedro his sonne in whose time there was a Bishop appointed ouer the isle of Saint Thomas who had also committed vnto him the administration of Congo Where at the citie of Saint Saluador was instituted a colledge of eight and twentie Canons in the Church of Santa Cruz. The second bishop was of the bloud roiall of Congo who trauailed to Rome and died in his returne homeward Don Francisco succeeded Don Pedro who continued but a small space Don Diego his neere kinsman was after his decease aduanced to the crowne In whose time Iohn the third king of Portugall vnderstanding that neither the king himselfe cared greatly for religion and that the merchants and priests of Europe furthered not but rather with their bad life scandalized the people new conuerted he sent thither fower Iesuits to renew and reestablish matters of religion These men arriuing first at the isle of Saint Thomas and then at Congo were courteously receiued by the king and presently going about the busines they came for one of them tooke vpon him to teach sixe hundred yoong children the principles of christian religion and the other dispersed themselues ouer the whole countrie to preach But all of them one after another falling into tedious and long diseases they were enforced to returne into Europe At this time there was appointed ouer Congo a third bishop of the Portugall nation who through the contumacie of the Canons and clergie found trouble enough In the meane while Don Diego dying there arose great tumults touching the succession by meanes whereof all the Portugals in a manner that were in Saint Saluador except priests were slaine In the end Henrie brother to Don Diego obteined the crowne and after him for he quicklie died in the warres of the Anzichi Don Aluaro his son in law This man reconciled vnto himselfe the Portugall nation caused all the religious and lay sort dispersed heere and there throughout the kingdome to be gathered togither and wrote for his discharge to the king and to the Bishop of Saint Thomas The bishop hauing perused the letters passed himselfe into Congo and giuing some order for the discipline of the clergie he returned to Saint Thomas where hee ended his daies It so fell out that what for the absence and what for the want of Bishoppes the progression of religion was much hindred For one Don Francisco a man for bloud and wealth of no small authoritie began freely to say that it was a vaine thing to cleaue to one wife onely and afterwardes in the end he fell altogither from the faith and was an occasion that the king grew woonderfully cold They affirme that this Francisco dying and being buried in the church of Santa Cruz the diuels vncouered a part of that churches roofe and with terrible noise drew his dead carcase out of the tombe and carried it quite away a matter that made the king exceedingly amazed but yet another accident that ensued withall strooke him neerer to the hart For the Giacchi leauing their owne habitations entred like Locusts into the kingdome of Congo and comming to battaile against Don Aluaro the king put him to flight who not being secure in the head citie abandoned his kingdome and togither with the Portugall priests and his owne princes retired himselfe vnto an island of the riuer Zaire called The isle of horses Thus seeing himselfe brought to such extremitie for besides the losse of his kingdome his people died of famine and miserie and for maintenance of life sold themselues one to another and to the Portugals also at a base price for reparation of his state and religion he had recourse to Don Sebastian king of Portugall and obteined of him sixe hundred soldiers by whose valour he draue his enimies out of the kingdome and within a yeere and an halfe reestablished himselfe in his throne In his time Antonio di Glioun à Spaniard was made bishop of Saint Thomas who after much molestation procured him by the captaine of that island went at
the 〈◊〉 purses * Or 〈◊〉 being a kinde of garment * Ilbernus These people liue like the Tartars * Or Salt-peter * Habat * Chauz or Cheuz A dangerous seducer The horrible desolation of Temesne English traffique Anfa destroied by the Portugals Iron-mines Why king Mansor built the towne of Rebat vpon the seashore Where king Mansor was buried Iron-mines Lyons and leopards * Or Sidi * Or 〈◊〉 English traffique Sela woon by a captaine of Castilia and recouered forthwith by the king of Fez. A merchant of Genoa The occasion of the bloody wars mooued by Sahid The citie of Fez besieged for seuen yeeres together * This number as I take it should rather be 819. Most cruell and 〈◊〉 lions The Portugals attempting to build a forte within the mouth of the riuer Subu defeated of their purpose and slaine A lamentable slaughter Iohn Leo his 〈◊〉 to 〈◊〉 Fierce lions Mecnase reduced vnder 〈◊〉 by the king of Fez. Idris the first founder of Fe Idris his 〈◊〉 valour at fifteene yeeres of age * 1526. The number and 〈◊〉 of the Mahumetan 〈◊〉 in Fez. The principall temple of Fez 〈◊〉 Caruven The reuenues of the great temple and how they are bestowed The 〈◊〉 of learning and learned men a principall cause of disorderly base gouernment Iohn Leo in his youth a notarie of an hospitall for two yeeres together * Like vnto our horse-mils The porters of Fez. * 〈◊〉 in his Italian 〈◊〉 calleth it Baioco The gouernour of the shambles in Fez. * In the Italian copie they are called Baiochi * Or 〈◊〉 A 〈◊〉 vsed in Africa how to keepe the princes tribute and merchants goods in securitie Iohn Leo was at Tauris in Persia. The punishment of malefactors in Fez. * Or Baiochi * Or 〈◊〉 A kinde of 〈◊〉 called Cuscusu The marriage of widowes The circumcision of their children 〈◊〉 Christian ceremonies 〈◊〉 among the 〈◊〉 Their funerals Rewards for poets in Fez. Three sorts of diuiners in Fez. An Arabian grammar written by Iohn Leo. Diuination and soothsaying forbidden by the lawe of 〈◊〉 Diuers Mahumetan sects 〈◊〉 sacked by the Tartars 72. principall sectes in the religion of Mahumet A booke written by Iohn 〈◊〉 of the liues of the Arabian philosophers The habitation of lepers in Fez and their gouernour * Or Aburinan The founder of new Fez. * Orturbant Engins for the conueiance of water The manner of choosing officers in the court of Fez. The king of Fez his guard How the king of Fez rideth on progresse * Or kines folkes The king of Fez his 〈◊〉 of warfare A 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Hunting of lions vsed by the king of Fez. Tame 〈◊〉 Tame lions A pleasant discourse how king Mansor was entertained by a fisher Read Osorius lib. 2. de rebus gestis Eman. 〈◊〉 this towne The 〈◊〉 of a prouerbe An attempt and defeate of the Portugals * 1562. The taking of Arzilla by the English Arzilla taken by the Portugals Habdulac the last king of the Marin family Read Osorius lib. 5. de rebus gestis Eman. Iohn Leo serued the king of Fez in his wars against Arzilla * Or Boetica Casar Ezzaghir taken by the king of Portugall The entrance of the Moores into Granada * Or çeuta The streits of Gibraltar from Septa but 12. miles broad Septa taken by the Portugals Abu Sahid king of Fez and his sixe sonnes slaine all in one night Threescore thousand Moores slaine * Here seemeth to be an error in the originall Zibibbo A caue or hole that perpetually casteth vp fire Wine that will last fifteene yeeres 〈◊〉 enioyed and reedified by the Spaniards Chasasa taken by the Spaniards Yron-mines * Or Tremisen The great curtesie of Mahumet toward strangers * 1526. Iron-mines Lions leopards and apes A woonderful bridge Porcellan * The beast called Dabah 〈◊〉 and tame serpents * Or Tremizen * Or Oran * Or Mersalcabir 〈◊〉 king of Tremizen restored to his kingdome by the emperour Charles the fift * 1526 Great store of ostriches A ship of great 〈◊〉 The king of Telensin taken prisoner and beheaded * Or Turbant A passage from Europe to Acthiopia through the kingdome of Tremizen Mines of 〈◊〉 A 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Oran taken by the Spaniards Mersalcabir surprised by the Spaniards * Perhaps 〈◊〉 Alger become tributarie to the king of Spaine A voyage performed by Iohn 〈◊〉 The citie of Bugia taken by Pedro de Nauarra The hard successe of the king of Tunis his three sonnes Hot baths A fond and senseles 〈◊〉 S. Augustine in times past bishop of Hippo. Great store of corall The fish called 〈◊〉 or 〈◊〉 * 1526 The building of Cairaoan Tunis subiect vnto Abdul-Mumen and other kings of Maroco * Or perhaps Andaluzia A strange kind of spinning Doble Sugar-Canes * El Mahdia The isle of Sicilie subdued by the gouernour 〈◊〉 The fruit called Habhaziz A riuer 〈◊〉 hot water The lake of lepers The armie of don Ferdinando defeated Gerbi made tributarie vnto Charles the fift by meanes of a knight of the Rhodes Plentie of dates 〈◊〉 taken by a fleete of 〈◊〉 Tripolis surprized by Pedro de Nauarra Iron-mines Most 〈◊〉 saffron The Arabians of Barca most cruell and bloodie theeues * Error The beast called 〈◊〉 The port of Gart 〈◊〉 Copper-mines The strange propertie of the palme or date-tree Indico The flesh of the Ostrich Infinit numbers of Scorpions Mines of lead and antimonie An iron-mine Deadly scorpions Great store of Manna 〈◊〉 mines A whole carouan conducted by a blinde guide who lead them by sent onely as at 〈◊〉 present the Carouans of Maroco are conducted ouer the Libyan deserts to Tombuto The Negros subiect vnto Ioseph king of Maroco Abuacre Izchia This round and white pulse is called Maiz in the west Indies The naturall commodities of Ghinea The Prince of Ghinea kept prisoner by Izchia The prince of Mâ—lli subdued by Izchia Tombuto was conquered by the king of Maroco 1589. from whencâ— he hath for yeerly tribute mightie summes of gold The king of Tombuto his daughters married vnto two rich merchants * 1526. Great scarcitie of salt in Tombuto which commoditie might be supplied by our English merchants to their vnspeakable gaine Reuerence vsed before the king of Tombuto Poysoned arrowes Shels vsed for coine like as in the kingdome of Congo Rich sale for cloth Their maner of sowing 〈◊〉 at the 〈◊〉 of Niger The 〈◊〉 of Guber slaine by Izchia Zingani Agadez tributarie to the king of Tombuto The kings of Zegzeg of Casena and of Cano subdued by Izchia the king of Tombuto Izchia Izchia The king of Zanfara slaine by Izchia and the people made tributarie Gold Izchia The desert of Seu. Fifteene or twentie 〈◊〉 exchanged for one horse A Negro-slaue who hauing slaine his Lord grew to great might and authoritie The riuer of Nilus not naeuigable betweene Nubia and Egypt The rich commodities of Nubia Most strong poyson Zingani Prete 〈◊〉 Bugiha 〈◊〉 450. miles long Gen. 10. 6. * Mesraim
of riding First and foremost go the standard-bearers next the drummers then followeth the chiefe groome of the stable with his seruants and family after him comes the kings pensioners his guard his master of ceremonies his secretaries his treasurer and last of all his chiefe Iudge and his captaine generall at length comes the king accompanied with his principall counseller or with some other great peere Before the king also ride certaine officers belonging to his person whereof one carries his sword-royall another his shield and the third his crosse-bowe On each side of him march his footemen one carrying a payer of stirrups another the kings partizan the third a couering for his saddle and the fourth a halter for his horse And so soone as the king is dismounted they foorthwith couer his saddle and put the foresaide halter vpon his horse-head Likewise there is another footeman that carrieth the kings pantofles most artificially wrought After the king followeth the captaine of the footemen then the eunuches the kings family the light horsemen and last of all the crosse-bowes and Harquebusiers The apparell of the king is then verie moderate and plaine insomuch that if a man knew him not he would thinke him to be absent for the attendants be far more sumptuously attired Moreouer no Mahumetan king or prince may weare a crowne diademe or any such like ornament vpon his head for that is forbidden by the law of Mahumet When the king lyeth with his armie in the fields first his owne great tent is pitched in a fower square forme like vnto a castle each side of the saide square being fiftie elles in length At euerie of the fower corners standeth a little sharpe turret made of cloth with a gallant spheare on the top which glistereth like gold This royall pauilion hath fower gates euerie one of which is kept by eunuches Within the said pauilion are contained diuers other tents among which is the kings lodging being framed in such wise that it may easily be remooued from place to place Next vnto it stand the tents of the noblemen and of such as are most in the kings fauour then the lodgings of the principall guard beeing made of goates-skinnes after the Arabian fashion and in the middest of all stands the kings kitchin and his pantrie Not farre from hence the light horsemen haue their aboade who all of them are victualled out of the kings storehouse notwithstanding their attire be verie base Next of all are the stables wherein their horses are maruellous well tended Without this circuit keepe such as carrie the tents and the kings furniture from place to place Here are also butchers victuallers and such like All merchants artificers that resort hither take vp their aboad next vnto the tent-carriers so that the kings pauilion is pitched like a strong citie for it is so enuironed with the lodgings of the guarde and with other tents adioining that there is very difficult passage to the king Round about the saide roiall pauilion there are certaine appointed to watch and ward all night long howbeit they are base and vnarmed people In like sort there is a watch kept about the stables but sometimes so negligently that not onely some horses haue beene stolne but there haue beene founde enimies in the kings owne pauilion that came to murther him The king liueth the greatest part of the yeere in the fieldes both for the safegard of his kingdome and also that he may keepe his Arabian subiects in obedience and sometimes he recreateth himselfe with hunting and sometime with playing at chesse I know right well how tedious I haue beene in the description of this citie but bicause it is the metropolitan not onely of Barbary but of all Africa I thought good most particularly to decypher euerie parcell and member thereof Of the towne of Macarmeda THis towne standeth almost twentie miles eastward of Fez and was built by the familie of Zeneta vpon the banke of a most beautifull riuer It had in times past a large territorie and great store of inhabitants On both sides of the saide riuer are many gardens and vineyards The kings of Fez were woont to assigne this towne vnto the gouernour of their camels but in the warre of Sahid it was so destroied and wasted that at this day scarce is there any mention of wals to be found But the fields thereof are now in the possession of certaine gentlemen of Fez and of the pesants Of the castle of Hubbed THis castle standeth vpon the side of an hill about sixe miles from Fez and from hence you may beholde the citie of Fez and all the territorie adiacent It was founded by a certaine hermite of Fez being reputed for a man of singular holines The fields thereto belonging are not verie large bicause the houses being demolished it is vtterly destitute of inhabitants the wals onely and the temple as yet remaining In this castle I liued fower summers bicause it standeth in a most pleasant aire being separate from concurse of people and a solitarie place fitte for a man to studie in for my father had got a lease of the ground adioining to this castle from the gouernour of the temple for many yeeres Of the towne of Zauia THe towne of Zauia was founded by Ioseph the second king of the Marin-family and is distant from Fez about fowerteene miles Heere king Ioseph built a stately hospitall and commanded that his corps shoulde be interred in this towne But it was not his fortune heere to be buried for he was slaine in the warres against Tremizen From thencefoorth Zauia fell to decay and grew destitute of inhabitants wherein at this present the hospitall onely remaineth The reuenues of this place were giuen vnto the great temple of Fez but the fielde thereof was tilled by certaine Arabians dwelling in the region of Fez. Of the castle of Chaulan THe ancient castle of Chaulan is built vpon the riuer Sebu eight miles southward of Fez. Not farre from this castle there is a certaine hot bath whereunto Abulhezen the fourth king of the Marin-family added a faire building vnto this bath once a yeere in the moneth of Aprill the gentlemen of Fez vsually resort remaining there fower or fiue daies together There is no ciuilitie to be found in this castle for the inhabitants are base people and exceeding couetous Of the mountaine of Zelag THis mountaine beginneth eastward from the riuer of Sebu extending thence almost fowerteene miles westward and the highest part thereof to the north is seuen miles distant from Fez. The south part of this mountaine is vtterly destitute of inhabitants but the north side is exceeding fertile and planted with great store of castles and townes Most of their fields are imployed about vineyards the grapes whereof are the sweetest that euer I tasted and so likewise are their oliues and other fruits The inhabitants being verie rich haue most of them houses in the citie of Fez. And so likewise
most part of the gentlemen of Fez haue vineyards vpon the saide mountaine At the north foote of this mountaine the fields are replenished with all kinde of graine and fruits For all that plaine is watered southward with the riuer Sebu and here the gardiners with certaine artificiall wheeles and engines draw water out of the riuer to moisten their gardens In this plaine are wel-nigh two hundreth acres of ground the reuenues whereof are giuen vnto the kings master of ceremonies howbeit he maketh thereof not aboue fiue hundreth ducates a yeere the tenth part of all which reuenues amounting to three thousand bushels of corne belongeth to the kings prouision Of mount Zarhon THis mountaine beginneth from the plaine of Esais lying ten miles distant from the citie of Fez westward it extendeth thirtie miles and is almost ten miles broad This mountaine is all couered with waste and desert woods being otherwise well stored with oliues In this mountaine there are of sheepe-foldes and castles to the number of fiftie and the inhabitants are very wealthy for it standeth betweene two flourishing cities that is to say Fez on the east and Mecnase on the west The women weaue woollen cloth according to the custome of that place and are adorned with many siluer rings and bracelets The men of this mountaine are most valiant and are much giuen to pursue and take lions whereof they send great store vnto the king of Fez. And the king hunteth the said lions in manner following in a large field there are certaine little cels made being so high that a man may stand vpright in them each one of these cels is shut fast with a little doore and containe within euery of them an armed man who opening the doore presents himselfe to the view of the lion then the lion 〈◊〉 the doores open comes running toward them with great furie but the doores being shut againe he waxeth more furious then before then bring they foorth a bull to combate with the lion who enter a fierce and bloudie conflict wherein if the bull kill the lion that daies sport is at an end but if the lion get the victorie then all the armed men being ordinarily twelue leape foorth of their cels and inuade the lion each one of them hauing a iauelin with a pike of a cubite and an halfe long And if these armed men seeme to bee too hard for the lion the king causeth their number to be diminished but perceiuing them too weake the king with his companie from a certaine high place where he standeth to behold the sport kill the lion with their crossebowes And oftentimes it falleth out that before the lion be slaine some one of the men dies for it the residue being sore wounded The reward of those that encounter the lion is ten duckats apeece and a new garment neither are any admitted vnto this combat but men of redoubted valour and such as come from mount Zelagi but those that take the lions first are inhabitants of mount Zarhon Of Gualili a towne of mount Zarhon THis towne was built by the Romanes vpon the top of the foresaide mountaine what time they were lordes of Granada in south Spaine It is enuironed around with mighty thicke walles made of smoothe and hewen stones The gates are large and high and the fields are manured for the space of sixe miles about howbeit this towne was long sithence destroied by the Africans But afterward when the schismatike Idris came into this region he began to repaire this desolate towne and to replant it so with inhabitants that within short time it grew very populous howbeit after his decease it was neglected by his sonne being wholy addicted as is beforesaid vnto the building of Fez. And yet Idris lieth buried in this towne whose sepulchre is visited with great reuerence almost by all the people of Barbarie for he is as highly esteemed as if he had been some patriarke because he was of the linage of Mahumet At this present there are but two or three houses in all the towne which were there built for the honour and maintenance of the sepulchre The fields adiacent are exceedingly well husbanded and their gardens are most pleasant by reason of two sweet freshets running through them the which diuersly winding themselues about the little hils and vallies doe water all that plaine Of a certaine towne called the palace of Pharao THis towne was founded by the Romans vpon the top of an hill about eight miles distant from Gualili The people of this said mountaine together with some historiographers are most certainly perswaded that this towne was built by Pharao king of Egypt in the time of Moses and tooke the name from the first founder which notwithstanding I thinke to be otherwise for I can read in no approoued author that either Pharao or any other Egyptians euer inhabited these regions But I suppose that this fond opinion was taken out of that booke which one Elcabi wrote concerning the words of Mahumet For the said booke affirmeth from the authoritie of Mahumet that there were fower kings onely that gouerned the whole world two whereof were faithfull and the other two ethnikes the faithfull he 〈◊〉 were Alexander the great and Salomon the sonne of Dauid and the ethnikes were Nimrod and Pharao But I am rather of opinion by the Latine letters which are there engrauen in the walles that the Romanes built this towne About this towne run two small riuers on either side thereof The little hils and vallies adiacent doe greatly abound with oliues Not far from hence are certaine wilde deserts frequented with lions and leopards Of the towne called Pietra Rossa or The red rocke PIetra Rossa is a small towne built by the Romans vpon the side of the foresaid mountaine being so neere the forrest that the lions will come daily into the towne and gather vp bones in the streets yea they are so tame and familiar that neither women nor children are afeard of them The wals of this towne are built very high and of great stones but now they are ruined in many places and the whole towne is diminished into one streete Their fields being ioyned vnto the plaines of Azgara abound with oliues and all kinde of pulse Of the towne of Maghilla MAghilla is a little towne founded of old by the Romans vpon that side of the foresaid hill which looketh toward Fez. About this towne are most fertill fields and greatly enriched with oliues there is a plaine likewise containing many fresh fountaines and well stored with hempe and flaxe Of the castle of Shame THis ancient castle is built at the foote of the said mountaine neer vnto the high way from Fez to Mecnase and it was called by this name because the inhabitants are most shamefully addicted to couetise like vnto all the people thereabouts In old time it is reported that a certaine king passed by whom the inhabitants of the castle inuited to dinner requesting him to
redeeme first all the religious and priests and after them those of the yoonger sort first the king of Spaines subiects and then others They alwaies leaue one religious man in Alger and another in Fez who informe themselues of the state qualitie of the slaues with their necessitie to make the better way for their libertie the yeere following The king of Spaine whom it most concerneth furthereth this so charitable a worke with a bountifull and liberall hand For ordinarily he giueth as much more as the foresaid orders haue gathered and collected by way of almes For this is so good an enterprise that by the ancient canons no other is so much fauoured and allowed of Yea S. Ambrose and other holy men haue pawned for the deliuerie of Christian captiues the chalices and siluer vessels of their churches And Saint Paulinus for the same end and purpose solde his owne selfe For all other actions of charitie are some spirituall and others corporall but this in a very eminent degree is both spirituall and corporall togither For among corporall miseries the seruitude of infidels is most grieuous among spirituall calamities the danger of apostasie is of all others the greatest but those slaues so redeemed are set free both from the one and from the other Whereupon there are very few borne in Spain who dying leaue not some almes behinde them for the ransoming of slaues The 〈◊〉 of redemption haue gone also many times to Constantinople where in the yeere 1583. by the order of Pope Gregorie the thirteenth they redeemed fiue hundred persons The brotherhood also of the Confalone in Rome labour verie diligently in this point who in Sixtus Quintus time redeemed a great number of captiues Of whom many also vrged partly by the hardnes of seruitude partly by the sweetenes of libertie free themselues either by that which they gaine ouer aboue their masters due or by their good demeanour or else by flight And they flie awaie sometimes by repairing speedily to such fortresses as the king of Spaine hath in Africke and in Barbarie and otherwhiles they seaze on some shipping or on the selfe same galleies wherein they are chained Many also retire themselues to the Princes of Brisch c. who willingly receiue and arme them vsing their assistance in the warre which they continually make with the Turkes of Alger FINIS * Read pag. 58. of places vndescribed by Iohn Leo. Tull. Acad quaest lib. The varietie of this emperours names read in a marginall note Pag. 12. of places vndescribed by Iohn Leo. * Or Xeriso or Serifo Africa otherwise called Libya The greater part of Africa vnknowen in 〈◊〉 ages When Africa was sailed round about * And since also by the English French and Dutch * 〈◊〉 Dias doubled the cape besore but returned fearefuily without proceeding any farther The 〈◊〉 or 〈◊〉 of this worde Africa Why 〈◊〉 was called Libya The situation and shape of Africa A comparison betweene Africa and Europe The causes why Africa is so slenderly inhabited Sandie seas in Africa The position of Africa according to the heauens The boundes of Africa The mountaines of Africa Mount Atlas * The prouinces of 〈◊〉 Alger Bugia Constantina and Tunis Extreme cold fountaines Mountaines called Os Picos 〈◊〉 that is to say sharpe pointed Iohn 〈◊〉 Dec. 1. lib. 8. cap. 4. Lunae montes The lake of Zembre which by some others is placed vnder the Equinoctiall The riuers of Africa Nilus Niger These two riuers of Senaga and Gambra are not certainly known whether they be maine riuers of themselues or branches and mouthes of Niger The isle of Elephants These two riuers of Cuama and Magnice according to Philippo Pigafetta spring both out of the great lake and are not branches of one riuer The promontories or capes of Africa Cabo de buena esperanza Cabo 〈◊〉 Cabo de los corrientes The inhabitants of Africa The diuersitie of religions in Africa The ancient diuision of Africa by Ptolemey and a comparison of the ancient with the moderne names Mauritania Tingitana being all one with the kingdomes of Maroco and Fez. Mauritania Caesariensis called at this present Tremizen and Aiger Numidia the ancient contayning Bugia Constantina Bona Mezzab c. Africa 〈◊〉 all one with the kingdome of Tunis Cyrene now called Mesrata Marmarica comprehended in the desert of Barcha Libya propria called Sarra AEthiopia now called Abassia This isle I take to be Babelmandel Suez called of olde Heroum ciuitas and Hazion Geber Arsenale signifieth a store-house for munition and for all necessaries to build repaire and furnish a fleete Troglodytae were a people that liued in caues vnder the earth to auoide the extrem heat being deriued 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 A great part of Barnagasso subdued by the Turke Dangala the head citie of Nubia * Or AEthiopia the higher * Commonly called in Latine writers Presbiter Iohannes by the Moores Asiclabassi and by the Abassins his owne subiects Acegue that is Emperour Neguz which importeth a king and Belul also being all one with Encoe in the Chaldean toong both which wordes signifie pretious or high * Or Barnagasso Most rich gold-mines * And by the late writers 〈◊〉 * Sinus Barbaricus a mightie gulfe on the backeside of Africa stretching as some will haue it from 4. degrees of northerly to 17. of southerly latitude Of these Beteneguz read Francis Aluarez cap. 42. * Or yardes for Braccia signifieth both * Or yardes for Braccia signifieth both Of Melich read more at large in Francisco Aluarez cap. 37. and cap. 138. * Or 〈◊〉 The Moores called Dobas * Barnagaez Out of this lake also the riuer of Zeila runneth eastward into the Red sea * 〈◊〉 in the Abassin toong signifieth the Sea and Neguz a king so that Barnagaez or Barnagasso is as much as king of the sea or Lord high admirall All persons of the Abassin blood royall enclosed within a mightie roundel of mountaines Francis Aluarez cap. 57 58 59 60 61 c. The mountaine of death Of these Amazones read more in the discourse of Monomotapa following This stile is taken out of a letter written by Dauid the Emperour of AEthiopia 1524. * 1526. Philippo 〈◊〉 will haue 〈◊〉 to spring out of one great lake onely which is to the south of Goiame The true cause of the increase of Nilus Oyle strayned out of an herbe Their manner of Iustice. Their maner of swearing The ceremonies 〈◊〉 in their Churches Their musicall instruments The riuer of Quilimanci in nine degrees of northerly latitude Adel the first generall part of Aian * Or Arar Ptol. geog lib. 4. cap. 7. Adea the second part of Aian The kingdome and citie of Magadazo Melinde the first part of Zanguebar Mombaza the second portion of Zanguebar Quiloathe third part of 〈◊〉 Mozambique the fourth part of Zanguebar * Or Moghincats Angoscia Sofala the fift part of Zanguebar Some will haue Magnice and Cuama to be two branches of one mightie