about 4260 Verst a Verst being something more than 3 quarters of an English Mile and Northward beyond Cola are other Territories but the Extream Cold is there very Oppressive so that they are not much Fertil when their Coat of Snow is dissolv'd by the Sun in the Four Hot Summer Months The Breadth from that part which lyeth the farthest West from the Narve side to the part of Siberia Eastward is in a manner equal to the Length Moscovy is Water'd by many large Rivers most of them when the Weather is open being Navigable some by lesser and some by larger Vessels that procure a considerable Trade but in the Ridged Season they are frozen over so that Sleads and Carriages pass on them from place to place they abound in Fish and the Volga is famous for the great quantity of Sturgeon taken in it It is about 2800 Verst in length an English Mile in most places over and empties its Waters into the Caspian Sea running by Astracan and other Towns of Note to which it brings a considerable Trade The other Rivers of Note are the Boristhenes that divideth the Country from Lithuania and falleth into the Euxine Sea The Tanais or Don the Antient boundary between Europe and Asia falling into the great Lake of Moeotis by the City of Azou Duyna falling unto the Bay of St. Nicholas Northward and to be brief a great many more as Moscow running thorough the City of that Name and about ten others very large besides smaller Streams the least for length and breadth comparable to the River of Thames and from these proceed many Branches so that take the Country in general it is as well Watered as can be desired and accomodated with several good Ports and Havens The Soile of this Spacious Country cannot be reasonably expected no more than others Fertil in all places alike and in some parts particularly by reason of its Northern Situation lying from 33 to 69 degrees and some Minutes North Latititude Yet is it wonderful to see how God has ordered things here to the Advantage and for the Subsistance of the Inhabitants The Earth for the most part is of a slight Sandy Mould but not alike for producing such things as spring up Northwards towards St. Nicholas and Cola and North-East towards Siberia there is an indifferent Sterility the Country there being full of Desarts and vast Forrests by reason of the extreamety of the Climate in the colder Season but from the Volga which lyes almost 1700 verst from the Port of St. Nicholas down towards Moscow and so the Southern parts that border on the Crimee that contains near the like space the Country is very Fruitful in the proper Season yeilding Pasture Corn Flowers pleasant Fruits and Woods in great plenty and so it is between Rezan and Novogrod that lyes South-East from Moscow and other parts as between Moscow and Smolensko that lyes South-West towards Littuania insomuch that one would wonder to see the great alteration between Winter and Summer in Moscovy In the former the whole Country is cover'd by a continual falling Snow that is sometimes a yard or two in deepness in the Southern parts but more excessive in the North and the Cold is so extream that the Rivers and other Waters are Frozen to a vast thickness and this usually continues for five Months viz. from the beginning of November till towards the end of March at what time the Suns warm beams returning the Snow begins to melt away which makes the face of the Country look very frightful and the Ways on the Thaw for a time unpracticable But then as it were on a suddain the face of Nature is chang'd for though a little before Water thrown up in the Air would descend in Ice drops and any Mettal grasped fast in ones hand stick to the Skin and make it blister if taken abroad and many People venturing too far were frozen to death in the Streets and on their Jorneys in the Sleads Now the Woods that are mostly of Birch and Firr give a pleasing sight the Meddows and Pastures look green and grow apace variety of Flowers appear in the Fields and the Birds make a pleasing Harmony the Nightingals there in abundance have a clearer Note than with us and this suddain growth of things proceeds from the Benefit of the Snow which lying so long keeps off the Rigour of the Frost and disolving so thoroughly drenches and soaks the Earth that the Sun coming hot as it were on a suddain into a cold Climate the Plants and Herbs c. find such a Norishment that they sooner shoot forth than in warmer Countrys and indeed considering the past cold the heat is greater than usually with us in June July and August which produces store of Aples Pears Plums Cherrys Black and Red a Fruit like a Musk-Mellion but more pleasant in tast Cucumbers Gowrds Rasps Strawberrys Hurtle-berrys and many other Berrys also Wheat Rye Barley Pease Buskway Psnytha tasting somewhat like Rice and sometimes they have such plenty that Wheat is sold at two English Pence a Bushel the Rye is sow'd before the Frost all other Grain for the most part the beginning of May but the Northern parts are usually served in a great degree by the Southern with Corn as being more Steril This Country above others is noted for Rich Furs which they get by hunting divers creatures as also Hides Tallow Wax Honey Flax Hemp Tar and other valuable Commoditys CHAP. II. Of the Cities and Towns of Moscovy their Situation Fortification Manner of Building The Discovery of the North-east Passage by the English their Factory Setled at Arch-Angel c. The Populousness of the Country considering the Wasts in it The Danger of Wild Beasts and the Disposition of the Natives OF the Creatures of this Country I shall Treat particularly in due place But now pursuing the Method I propose to lay down The next thing that offers is the Cities Towns and the like that Adorn and Beautify the Country and those of Note are Moscow the Metropolis from which the Country at present seems to take its Name as that City does from the River on whose Bounds it stands It is about 12 Miles in compass and may contain about 41500 Families Convents Churches and Chappels The Houses in general are built with VVood Plaister'd with Mortar and Straw done over with Lime brought from Smolensko c. and then covered over with Boards and Bark of Trees which renders them cooler in Summer and warmer in VVinter but subjects them more to Fire of which they have had many Fatal Experiments for An. 1571. The Tartars Burnt it and in it destroy'd about 80000 Persons Anno 1611. the Polanders Fir'd it Anno 1676. an Accidental Fire happen'd and sunk 5000 Houses in the Conflagration But since care has been taken to Rebuild those Devastations for the most part and at present 't is reckon'd among the Flourishing Cities of Europe and Guards are appointed to
prevent the Progress of that Raging Element as much as lies in them for the future preserving the Building The Churches and Houses of the Persons of Quality are Built with Stone and Brick some of the Principal Churches Cover'd with Guilt Copper or Tin and Adorn'd with many Large Globes of the same Mettal There is a Bell Raised on a Tower I conceive the Largest in the World for it is held to Weigh 176 Tun though it has been Clipped and some Tuns of Mettal taken from it to make it sound the better it is 24 Foot in height and the Clapper 21 Foot By pulling the Clapper and striking against the sides it is Rung on particular occasions The Form of this Great City is in a manner Round with Three Strong Walls Circling the one within the other the Streets lying between whereof the Inmost Inclosure in the Heart of the City is all accounted the CZAR or Great Duke's Castle and the River Accommodates it with a Sufficiency of Water store of Fish and other Provisions The Castle is Four-square Situate on a Hill Two Miles about with Brick-walls very high and a vast Thickness it has Sixteen Gates and as many Bulwarks The Chief Markets are kept here and on the River when it is Glaz'd with Ice this River encloses the Castle on the South-west-side and in it are Nine Fair Churches with Guilt Spires The next City of Note is Novograde but not so Stately as Moscow The Houses are Built with Timber Layed-in and Fasten'd with Dents or Notches and so fasten'd together holds well The Streets in stead of Paving are Planked with Firr and other Timber very neatly of which Providence has plentifully stor'd them so that a House may be Built for a very little matter as 20 or 30 Rubbles This City Boasts of the Fam'd Story of the Scythian Bondmen who Rebelling against their Masters and Seazing the City their Effects Wives c. in their Absence and Overthrowing them on their Return in a Bloody Battel were at length nevertheless Discomfited and brought under by their Masters coming upon them only with Horse-whips which put them in Mind of the Chain of Servitude they had so lately broken and consequently Terrifi'd them into Obedience and upon this Account they have a Coine bearing the Impression of a Horseman shaking a VVhip at a Flying Slave Currant all over Moscovy The other Citys of great note are Rostove Volodomar Smolensko Plesco Yaruslave Vologda Perislave Nisnovogrod Astracan Cargapolia Columna Vstiue Cazan Golmigreo and of these Astracan Yaruslave and Cazan have the precedency by reason of their convenient Situation on the borders so commodiously near the Volga Yaruslave exceeds the rest for besides the plenty of Pasture and Corn the Soile yeilds it has a great Trade by the River being plesantly Situated on a high Bank overlooking it and from its Situation it seems to take its Name for that in the Russ Language signifies a fair Bank though they boast it from Vlademira Surnamed Yaruslave who Marry'd the Daughter of Harold King of England by the Mediation of Sueno the Dane An. 1067. To these of Note I may add Vobsko and Smolenâ—ko which in some measure stand in competition with them Vologda is a pretty large City taking its Name from the River that passes through it It has a Castle in it walled with Brick and Stone and many Churches but mostly built of Wood and whereas there are two for a Parish one is so contriv'd that it may be heated with Stoves in the Winter it is a Town of much Trade though lying far from any Sea port There are many considerable Towns as Colmogro standing on the River Duyna which is a great Town though without Walls the Building is somewhat scattering and near the Bay of St. Nicholas so called from an Abby seated there when the English made a discovery of this Country stands Arch-Angel where they have a Factory and convenient Buildings which lyes in about 64 degrees North-Latitude and on the Banks of the River Duyna stands the Castle the English have likewise Lands hereabouts asign'd them and in this Cold part so pleasant is the Country when the Snow is cleared which it is doing 2 Months and then the Ground in 14 days is dry the Grass is soon knee deep and in an Island in St. Nicholas Bay 7 or 8 Miles in Circuit called Rose Island grow Damask and Red Rose Violets Wild Rosemary and other pleasant things so that to be brief I cannot but conceive this Country as to its many Wasts and Barren places has been Misrepresented and perhaps by some envious Neighbours because the English had the Honour and Advantage first to discover the North-East Passage by Sea which was done by one Chancelour an Englishman Anno. 1553 Sir Hugh Willoughby and others miscarrying in that tedious and painful Search but since it has been easiy and Practicable not only to us but other Nations The English above others have found Encouragement upon the account of their being the first discoverers for before the trade lay thorough Poland and other Hostil Territories But not to make any long digression I shall proceed in my intended Brevetie This Country considering its largeness is well Peopled where the huge Lakes and Desarts take not up the spaces and Woods render it Impracticable yet these are advantageous to them in afoarding store of Fish Fowl and wild Beasts that yeild the Natives great advantage their Flesh for Food and their Skins Feathers Tallow c. for Merchandise the Lakes are very large most of them Navigable but not very commodious to live near by reason of great Fogs and Damps that arise from them and as for Towns and Villages near the great Forrests and Woods the Inhabitants must be in some apprehension of danger from the great number of Wolves and Bears that Rove about for Prey which Ravenous Creatures pinch'd in the excessive rigour of Winter with cold and hunger contemning the fear of Dogs or Fire-Arms will come out in Troops and make a fearful havock among the People and their Cattle The Natives of this Country are very industrious and Patient of Hunger yeilding a profound Homage and Respect to their Prince paying their Taxes with a willing and chearful obedience and run readily to the Wars on the first command or summons where it is strange to see what hardship they will endure for when the ground is cover'd with Snow frozen very thick the common Soldier will lye in the Field without a Tent or covering over his head only he hangs up his Mantle against that part from whence the Weather drives and kindling a little Fire lyes down before it his Food Oatmeal or Pulse and his Drink the cold Stream his Horse feeding on green Wood and Bark and yet do the Service of the War or Travel as well as those that are Pamper'd in Stables with more convenient Provender tho the Horse has no other Covering than the Canopy of Heaven and those
A New and Exact DESCRIPTION OF MOSCOVY 1. Containing its State Antient and Modern Situation Extent Latitude Division into Provinces Rivers Soile Sterility and Fertility with the Commoditys and Observations on the Extreamitys of Weather Hot and Cold. 2. Of the Citys and Towns Fortification and manner of Building The first Discovery made by the English Populousness of the Country Wild Beasts and Disposition of the Natives 3. Of their Religion Marriages Obedience of the Womeâ— to their Husbands Divorce Burials and other Cerimonies Their Diet Liquors Stoves Hot-houses Habits c. 4. Of the Government of the Provinces and Shires their Courts of Justice holding Parliaments c. 5. Their Millitary Affairs Degrees and Order in it Arms Discipline with other matters 6. The Revenues of the CZAR Coins Weights Measurs Tradeing and of the Raritys of Moscovy 7. The Succession of the Royal House of Moscovy to the present CZAR being a Historical â—ccount of all the Material Transactions happening for 1600 years The manner of the CZAR's Coronation Arms of Moscovy and Degrees of the Nobility c. The whole containing all thâ—t is necessary to be known concerning that VAST EMPIRE LONDON Printed for R. Baldwin and Sold by moâ—â— Booksellers 1698. THE PREFACE Reader THe following Sheets will Accomodate you with the Pleasure of surveying the Fam'd and Spacious Dominions of the Renowned CZAR of Moscovy in which you may rightly Inform your self of all that is Rare or Admirable in that Northern Track which for many Ages has been the Theatre of great Actions and undergone divers notable Revolutions a Country every where spoken of by Travellers and a Trade or Commerce sought with it eagerly by distant Nations Here you have the State of things so Compact and Lively represented that these few Sheets cannot miss of their end in being exceeding Satisfactory because I may be bold to say I have not omitted whatever can be reasonably requir'd in such an undertaking even in the Minutest matters the Curious searchers after the Knowledge of Remote Regions are apt to pry into and thereby satiate their Curiosity with variety I shall not trouble you with my Reasons as many too formally do on the like occasions for this undertaking but rather leave you to your own Conjectures yet one thing I cannot pass over in silence which is that it may not prove only pleasant in Reading but very profitable and advantageous to such as Trade or may happen to Travel in so large a part of the World because it contains something of History as well as discription interweaving Antiquity with Modern speculation costing no small pains to produce so fair a birth when such slender accounts were to be had from those that have resided there to form it It is true many Splendid Embassyes have been sent and return'd in precedent Reigns The understanding Men of our Nation have Travell'd there and seen the face of that Earth Glaz'd with Snow in Winter and in Summer found it Fruitful to Admiration yet their enquiry has been but little into the State of Affairs or the Produce of divers kinds as not being sufficiently Sedulous to inform themselves and others But here you will find the curtain drawn and what lay long in obscurity presented by a larger Industry than what has before been undertaken and so banishing all Scruples that may arise to prejudice yours or my Expation in the Success of this Book I am Your Friend and Servant The Author A New and Exact DESCRIPTION OF Moscovy c. CHAP. I. Of Moscovy Antient and Modern Its Situation Extent Division into Provinces Rivers Soile Latitude Sterility and Fertility of the Fruits Corn and other Commodities it produces with Observations on the Extream Cold and Heat Incident to this spacious Country c. WE find by Experience that God in his Infinite Wisdom has Framed and Posited the Globe of Earth and Waters with the Dependant Elements so Admirable in every part that Man cannot but be surpriz'd with wonder when he considers the Harmony in all the spacious Mass and his Curiosity would be tired with a too tedious search into every particular Let it suffice then that Modern Discoveries have brought to light what former Ages knew little or were altogether Ignorant of I shall not insist on the American or New World so termed by many That but a few Ages past all Europe and I may with reason say the then two other Divisions of the Suppos'd Total Universe were strangers to for my business at present not lying that way I shall bend it on the vast Northern Track of Country antiently hinted at and now so well discover'd by the Name of Russia but more properly to follow the Modern Writers Mâ—scovy as the far nobler and most accepted Name of that part of Earth producing great advantages to such as Trade with it and an Improvement of Knowledge to those that Travel its Spacious Limits The Famed Country of Muscovy or as some will have it Russia is bounded on the East with the River Ob or Oby and the Negayan Tartars on the West with Lithuania Livonia and Poand on the North with Lapland and the Ocean on the South with a part of Tartary called the Crimee It was formerly called Sarmatia and as most suppose changed its Name because it was divided into divers small but Absolute Governments to that of Russia for in their Language the Word signifies a Parting or Dividing VVhen this Country was called Sarmatia it was divided into Two Principal Parts the VVhite and Black The first of these contain'd all that lyeth towards the North and on the part of Liefland viz. as now the Provinces are nam'd Vagha Duyna Vologda Vstio Carga Polia Novogrodia and some others of lesser note As for the Black Sarmatia of the Antients It comprehended the Southern part toward the Euxine or Black Sea viz. The Dukedomes of Mosco Volodemar Rezan and some others Since this it has been enlarg'd by Addition and Conquest and is at present under a single Government notwithstanding all the Efforts the Tartars and other bordering Countrys have made to hinder the flourishing of it and to share the Frontires amongst them to which end they have made Cruel Wars and Inroads shedding much Blood Plundering Burning and committing many othet Outrages The Principal Provinces of Moscovy for so I must properly call it are Volodemar Moscow Plesco Nisnovogrod Smolensco Novogrod-velica or Novogrod of the Lower Country Moschora Rostove Ghaletsa Vstuga Vagha Cargapolia Yaruslave Bealo Zera Bezan and Duyna These with their Dependancies are very Large far exceeding our Shires in England and though they are termed the Natural Provinces there yet remain others gained by Enlarging their Borders viz. Twerra Youghoria Condora Permia Abdoria Vedska Boulghoria Cheringo Oudoria comprehending Siberia Cazan and Astracan with some others now Dependant on the Government of Moscovy So that this spacious Country from North to South Measur'd from Cola to Astracan which bends somewhat Eastward is in Length
not exceeding our Small Beer which many Drink The Women are mostly of Gross Bodies and not so comely as in many European Countrys Wherefore knowing their Natural Defect to be the more Bâ—lov'd of their Husbands they use Art to mend their Coâ—â—â—exions but their Paint and Washes are easily discern'd bu◠〈◊〉 being the Fashion it is rather Commended than Reprov'd â—â—d the Husbands Allow their Wives and Daughters a compâ—â—â—â—â— to buy Red and White Colours to this purpose but thâ—◠〈◊〉 the heat of their Stoves which are almost in every House much drys and wrinkles them making them look old before they arrive to it and for their Health or rather to preserve it they use Bath-stoves or Hot-Houses commonly twice a week Their Houses by heating their Peaches which are made like German Bath-stoves and their Potlads like Ovens are never without a considerable heat though many times they will come out of them Sweating and sometimes plundge into the Water when they are foaming-hot which would certainly kill any but those that have Innur'd their Bodies to the two extreameties of Heat and Cold which few or no other Nations do equal to them As for their Habits they are generally after the Greek Fashion The better sort go decently and very Richly clad and their Habit in some measure shows a distinction of degrees by some or other little variation They shave their heads close unless fallen under the Princes displeasure and then let the hair grow as a Mark of dejectedness or Sorrow so to have offended as to be out of favour but their Garments differ in Stuffs though little in fashion the Women affect Rich ones as well as the Men as Cloath Rich Furs Silks Cloath of Gold or Interwoven with it and usually down to their Ancles or Heels though their Summer Garments are much lighter than those they wear in Winter the latter being always well lin'd with costly Furs as Black Fox Ermin Martin Grey Squirel c. of which Creatures and many others yeilding Furs they have abundance in the several Provinces But the Mousic and his Wife go meanly clad yet will not be out of Court Fashion as near as may be their upper Garments are Course Cloath and their under ones perhaps Sheeps Skin with the Wool on though so dress'd that they are very warm and plyable but this is for Winter for in the Summer the Man goes in his Shirt and the Woman in a Linnen Garment called two Shirts Thus as I hope having given a Satisfatory account of this matter I proceed to others CHAP. IV. Of the Goverment of the Provinces and Shires The Courts of Judicature Their Jurisdictions and the manner of Proceeding in them Of the Chief Assembly or Parliament Their Justice c. HAving proceeded thus far in Generals and Particulars Relateing to Moscovy I now come more closely to the latter as to what remains more Materialy to be discover'd and first of the Government of the Provinces and Shires of this large Dominion They are properly divided into four parts which they call Chetfirds or Tetrearchies every part contains divers Shires and is anex'd to the several Offices from whence it derives the Name The First beareth the name of Pososkoy Chetfird or the Jurisdiction of the Office of Ambassages and the standing Salary to the Officer is yearly 100 Rubbles or Marks beside great advantages accruing The Second is called Roseradney Chetfird because it is proper to the Roserade or High Constable who has a like Sallary with the former The Third is Pomeslenoy Chetfird as appartaining to that Office and here is kept a Register of all the Lands given by the Prince for service to his Noblemen Gentlemen and others This Office giveth out and taketh in all the Assurances for them and the Chief Officer has 500 Rubbles per Annum The Fourth is called Cassanskoy-deworets as being apropriated to the Office which has the Jurisdiction of the Kingdoms of Astracan and Cazan with the Cities and Towns lying on the Volga and is stipen'd at 150 Rubbles per Annum and from the Jurisdiction of thâ—â—â— Offices but a very few places are priveledg'd or exempted except the CZAR's Inheritance or Vochin as they call it for that it pertained from antient time to the House of Beala This standeth of 36 Towns with their Bounds or Teritories and some other particular Royaltie These great Officers reside at Court and carry their Offices with them where-ever they go They receive all Complaints and Actions that are brought out of the several Chetfirds and Quarters to exhibit them to the CZAR's Council and send back and to send direction to those that officiate under them in the Provinces for all matters given in charge by the Prince or his Council to be done or put in Execution within their precincts and each of the Dukes of lower Nobility in head Towns hath in Commission with him a Dyack or Secretary to assist and advise him the better to Regulate and order matters as they fall out and are directed and their Commission is to this Effect viz. 1. To Hear and determine all Civil matters between Man and Man and to that purpose have under them many Substitute Officers 2. They have Cognizance of all Criminal matters as Theft Murther Treason c. but there lyes an Appeal from them to the CZAR's Council and though they take the Evidence in this case they must draw up the Evidence and Information of the cause and send it ready digested to the Officer of the Chetfird whereunto the Province belongs by whom it is prefered and propounded to the Council for they are not to determine Criminal matters or do Execution on the offender without the Councils order 3. If within the Province there be any publick Service requir'd as the Publishing of a Law or Common Order by way of Proclamation Mustering Soldiers Collecting Taxes or Impositions c. it is proper to them These Dukes and Dyacks are appointed by the CZAR but for a year and then at his pleasure he may change them which is usually done unless by Merrit or Intercession any are continu'd Longer and though their highest Sallary is but 100 Rubbles per Annum yet coming bare into these places in one year they very much inrich themselves For ordinary matters there are many other â—fficers that hold Inferiour Courts and otherways look after â—â—e affair not much differing in the main from what is practic'd in England so that the Provinces are carefully regarded and known Bribery is severly punished As for the Courts of Civil Justice in Moscovy for matters of Contract and others of like sort beside the former they are of three kinds and by way of Appeal one is subjected to the other the lowest of these appointed for the Ease of the Subject is the Office of the Gubnoy Starust which signifies in their Language an Alderman and of the Solsky Starust or Baylif of the Soak or Hundred these have power to determine matters within their Soaks
in Battel He left behind him 3 Sons to wit Teropolehus Olega and Volodimir The latter supplanted the two first and took the whole Government upon him and Marry'd Anna Sister to Basilius the Eastern Emperour and with all his People in the year 988. was Baptiz'd as Historians say upon a Miracle perform'd by a Greek Bishop viz. his throwing the Book of the Gospel into the Fire and its remaining there a considerable time untouch'd by the force of that consuming Element Volodimir left behind him 11 Sons among whom he divided his Dominions but Jaroslaus one of them by reason of a division among them got the sole Government into his hands and Volodimir his Son succeeded him holding his Court at Kiow on the River Boristhenes and had great Wars much enlargeing his Borders and was the first that had the Title of CZAR or Caesar confer'd on him by Constan the Greek Emperour who sent him many Rich Gifts After him in descent were Vuszevolodus George Demetrius Then George his Son who in the year 1237 by Bathy a Tartar Prince brought Moscovy under his Subjection making it Tributary to him and the Russ say this Bathy was Father to Tamerlain whom they call Temirkutla Then succeeded Iaroslaus Brother of George and to him Alexander his Son Then Daniel his Son who first made Moscow his Royal Seat builded the Castle and took on him the Title of great Duke and was succeeded by John his Son Sirnam'd Kaleta or Scrip as the word signifies because he usually carryed one about him and dealt his Alms out of it to the poor He left the Government to John his Brother and John left it to Demetrius his Son who had two Sons Basilius and George The first Reigning had a Son but doubting his Legitimacy by reason of his Wives Incontinency he left his Brother to succeed him But George dying prefered his Nephew whose Name was Basilius before his own Sons Andrew and Demetrius which occasion'd much disturbance in the State for they wared on their Couzen took him and put out his Eyes yet the Nobles kept their Allegiance and John Vasilwich his Son succeeded him This was he who by his Prudence and Valour first brought the Name of his Country out of obscurity and made it Renown'd in Europe and Asia Stileing himself great Duke of Volodimir Moscovy Novogrod and CZAR of all Russia he won Plosco the then only Wall'd City in all Moscovy and shook off the Tartar Yoke doing many other brave Exploits so that the Poles and bordering Nations on either side courted his Friendship Gabriel his Son succeeded him who changed his Name to Basilius he recover'd a great part of Moscovy from Vitoldus Duke of Lithuania won Smolensko and many other Citys Anno. 1514. Iuan Vasiliwich his Son a Child succeeded him but growing up he stript the Tartars out of the Kingdoms of Cazan and Astracan and took the Princes Captive he made vigorous Wars in Livonia pretending a Right to that Country by Inheritance and did many other admirable things but enclining much to oppress his Nobles they conspir'd and call'd in the Cri n Tartars who committed great Outrages Besieged and burnt the City of Moscow and in it about 80000 people perish'd mostly by the Flames This Prince Reign'd 54 years he had 3 Sons in his Reign the English came the first time by Sea into the North parts of Russia his Eldest Son dyed before him Pheodor his Second Son succeeding he was being a Minor left under the Tuition of Boris Brother to the Empress and Boris by the Deceased's Will adopted third Son to him and here once for all it will not be amiss to give a brief account of the Ceremony in Crowning this great CZAR Forty days Mourning for his Father expir'd he came from his Pallace attended by his Clergy and Nobility to the Church of Blaueshin or Blessedness and hearing Service there proceeded to the Church of St Michael then to that of our Lady being the Cathedral There he was plac'd in a Chair of State his Robe of Gold-Smiths Work all Gold set with Pretious Stones and Pearl The Imperial Crown was then plac'd on his head by the Metropolitan who in doing it Read Exhortations to him of Justice and Peaceable Government Then rising he was Invested with another Robe much Richer than the former his Train born up by 6 Dukes the Staff he held was of a Vnicorns-horn 3 foot and a half long curiously Polish'd and set with Precious Stones a Globe and 6 Crowns were carry'd before him by Princes of the Blood His Horse waited at the Church door covered with an Embrodery of Pearl and the Saddle suitable to the value of 3000 Rubbles There was a kind of Bridge made 3 ways 150 Fathom in length 3 foot high and 2 Fathom broad whereon the CZAR with his Train passed from one Church to another above the vast throng of People The Churches were spread with Cloath of Gold and the Porches with Red Velvet The Bridges with Scarlet and Flannel Cloath which the People got among them when the CZAR had passed and a great many new Coins of Gold and Silver were thrown among them from the Church the Cerimony ended he return'd to the Parliament-House where a stately Banquet after the Russ manner was served up by Noblemen in Plate of Gold and Silver 2 standing on either side his Chair with Battle Axes of Gold This Triumph lasted a Week with many Shows and Pastimes after which Election was made of the Nobles to new Offices and Dignities and all concluded with a peal of 170 Brass Ordinance and 20000 Harquibusses twice discharged as he pass'd with a Train of about 50000 to his Pallace This CZAR Conquer'd the large Country of Siberia and took the King Prisoner overawing the Tartars and doing many other great matters But Boris his Guardian aspiring to the Throne by Treatchery first made away Demetrius the CZAR's Brother and then the CZAR himself and usurp'd the Royal Seat But a Counterfit Demetrius set up by the Poles Invading Moscovy and every where prevailing Boris as 't is thought Poisoned himself for after a full Meal he dyed suddainly in his Pallace and his Wife drinking Poison made her Son and Daughter pledge her of which she and the former dyed but the latter only lightly sipping recover'd Demetrius Evonowich hereupon was Proclaim'd and Crown'd and kept about him Polish-Guards for his securety but had a short and troublesome Reign for being suspected an Imposture the Moscovites Conspired against him rushed into his Pallace before break of day draged him out of his Bed and Slew him with many of his Guards and Favorits To him Succeeded Vasily Evanowich Shusky who had been mainly Instrumental in his destruction and had not long before been at the Block for reporting to have seen the True Demetrius Bury'd but he was recall'd by him he depos'd and advanc'd to be the Instrument of his Ruin It 's reported the Impostor's True Name was Gryfcha the Son
of a mean Gentleman Nor did the New CZAR long hold the Throne for the Poles raised up another Demetrius who Besieg'd him in the Castle of Moscow and wrought him Great Troubles so that being hardly press'd he betook him to a Monastery and so the Polish Army became Master of the City who having got the Spoil Quarrel'd with their Upstart Demetrius and he flying to seek Shelter was slain by a Tartar 's Shusk who was carry'd into Poland and there died miserably in Prison Yet the Poles were soon after Starved and driven out of all the places they had Garrison'd in Moscovy and much Confusion happen'd in this Interregnum till at length taking Advice to settle matters Michalowich or Michael Pheodorowich was Chosen CZAR a Youth whom Shusky much feared and had put several of the Name to Death upon a Presage one of that Name should Succeed him and having been Raised by the Valour of Pozarsky and Boris Licin he made them the Generals of his Forces and Joyn'd with them another Great Commander of the Cossacks who had very much Assisted him and rais'd to Honour many other of his Friends so that soon after a Peace was Concluded between the Muscovites and Poles partly by the Mediation of King James the First of England he was Elected Anno 1615. and Manag'd his Dominions in a more constant way of Peace with the Turks Tartars Polanders and Swedes than any of his Predecessors had done before him Feodor Alexowitz or Alexis Succeeded him who did many brave Actions and secur'd his Borders against Invaders and Reign'd to the Year 1682. Who then dying left Two Sons behind John and Peter who were Joynt CZARS of Muscovy till the first dying the Whole Government devolved on the Latter who now Reigns Successfully and Victoriously being a Wise and Judicious Prince of a sound discerning Judgement Curteous and Affable having Enlarg'd his Territories by the taking Asoph and giving the Turks and Tartars many Overthrows his Understanding Refin'd and much Improv'd by Learning and Travel The Delight of Princes and the Joy and Safety of his own People THIS Princes Style is very Magnificent viz. CZAR and Great DVKE of all the Great and Lesser White Russia Moscovy Kiovia Volodomir Novogrod CZAR of Casan CZAR of Astracan CZAR of Siberia LORD of Plesko Great DUKE of Smolensko T wer Inhor Permo Westquia Bulgaria and others LORD and Great DUKE of the Inferiour Novogrod of Tzerni Kiovia Resens Rostof Jeroslaw Bielejezorvedor Obdor Condomir and of all the Northern Part LORD of Iberia CZAR of Cartalania Garsinea DUKE of Cababadin DUKE of the Dukes of Circassia and Georgia and of several other Oriental Septentrional and Occidental Lordships and Estates PATERNAL Great PATERNAL Heir SUCCESSOR LORD aad RULER The Great Seal of Moscovy is an Eagle displayed Sable in a Field Or bearing on its Breast a Shield the Field being Gules Charged with a St. George Argent holding a Lance piercing a Dragon between the Heads of the Eagle are 3 Crowns placed one over another which are said to signifie Moscovy and the two Kingdoms of Cazan and Astracan The Nobility of Moscovy are of different Ranks those of the Antient Nobility and such as have been raised by Favour or otherways for their Noble Attchievements viz. of four sorts The Chief for Birth Authority and Revenue are call'd Vdelney Knazey that is the Exempt or Priveledged Dukes The second the Bojarens Rais'd to Honour by the CZAR beside their Nobility with the Title of Counselers The Third are the Voyavodey such as have been Generals of Armys under their Prince The Fourth are such as bear the Name of Knazey or Dukes but come of the younger Brothers of the Chief Houses through many descents And thus I doubt not but I have given a Satisfactory Account of this Fam'd Country FINIS