probations vnder paine of perpetuall exclusion from the petition of those things which are contayned in the articles aboue mentioned Prouided alwayes that if at the last it shall be by lawfull proofes made manifest concerning the summes aboue written or any part or parcell thereof that due satisfaction hath beene made to him or them vnto whom it was due or that those goods of and for the which complaint hath bene made on the behalfe of your subiects haue pertained or doe appertaine vnto others or any other iust true and reasonable cause may lawfully bee alleaged why the payment of all the foresayd summes or any of them ought not to be performed that then so much only is to be cut off or deducted from the sayd summes as shall be found to be already payd or to pertaine vnto others or else vpon some true iust and reasonable cause as is aforesayd not to be due We therefore considering that the sayd friendly conference and the finall agreement ensuing thereupon are agreeable vnto reason and equitie doe for our part ratiâie and willingly accept the very same conference and agreement And forasmuch as it hath bene alwayes our desire and is as yet our intention that the league of amity and the integritie of loue which hath of olde time bene obserued betweene our and your subiects may in times to come perpetually remaine inuiolable and that your and our people may hereafter not onely for the good of our common weale but also for the commodity and peace of both parts according to their woonted maner assemble themselues and enioy the faithfull and mutuall conuersation one of another we will cause in our citie of London with the summe of 8957. nobles satisfaction to bee made vnto the Prussians and with the summe of 22496. nobles sixe pence halfe peny farthing recompense to be performed vnto the Liuonians in regard of the damages and iniuries which in very deede proceeded not of our consent by our subiects offered vnto them as it is aforesayd and within three yeares after the feast of Easter next ensuing the sayd summes of money to bee payed at three payments and by three equall portions Conditionally that vnto our subiects which be endamaged correspondent satisfaction be likewise on your part within the terme of the foresayd three yeeres performed with paying the summes of 766. nobles and of 4535. nobles demaunded on our behalfe and also with the payment of such summes as within one yeere immediately ensuing the feast of Easter aforesayd shal be found by sufficient delarations and proofes to be made on the behalfe of our subiects as is aforesayd to be due Euen as we in like maner will make satisfaction vnto your subiects within our citie aforesayd Now as touching the request of your ambassadors and of the Liuonians whereby we were required to procure some holesome remedy for the soules of certaine drowned persons as conscience and religion seemeth to chalenge in regard of whom we are moued with compassion and do for their sakes heartily condole their mishaps you are our entier friend of a certaintie to vnderstand that after we shall be by your letters aduertized of the number state and condition of the sayd parties drowned we will cause suffrages of prayers and diuers other holesome remedies profitable for the soules of the deceased and acceptable to God and men religiously to be ordained and prouided vpon condition that for the soules of our drowned countrey men there be the like remedie prouided by you The almighty grant vnto your selfe and vnto your whole Order that you may prosperously triumph ouer the enemies of Christ his crosse Giuen vnder our priuie seale at our palace of Westminster the 26. of March in the yere of our Lord 1408. and in the ninth yere of our reigne The letters of Fr Vlricus Master of Prussia directed vnto the king of England signifying that he is contented with the agreements concluded by his messengers at Hage To the most renowmed prince and mighty lord L Henrie king of England and France and lord of Ireland our most gracious lord VNto your highnes pleasure at all assaies humbly recommending my voluntarie seruice c. Most reuowmed king mighty prince and gracious lord we receiued of late with great reuerence as it be commeth vs by our welbeloued Arnold de Dassel the bearer of of these presents your Maiesties letters of late directed vnto vs making mention amongst other matters of certaine appointments first made and concluded between the noble and worthy personages William Esturmy knight Iohn Kington clerke and William Brampton citizen of London your ambassadours and messengers on the one parâe and our houorable and religious brethren namely Conradus Lichtensten great coÌmander Warnherus de Tettingen chiefe hospitalary commander in Elbing and Arnold de Hacken treasurer being the procuratours and commissioners of Fra. Conradus de Iungingen our last predecessour of famous memory on the other parte concerning the redressing reformation and amendement of vniust attempts committed on both sides at our castle of Marienburgh and also very lately at the towne of Hage in Holland namely the twenty eight of the moneth August in the yeare immediately past betweene your foresayde ambassadours William Esturmy knight and Iohn Kington clerke for your part and our trusty and welbeloued commissioners and procurators namely Arnold Hecht burgomaster of our citie of Dantzik and Iohn Crolow citizen of the same citie for our parte And for our more perfect knowlege in this behalfe our sayd commissioners made relation vnto vs and vnto our whole counsell that associating vnto themselues our messengers of Liuonia namely Tidman Myeul and Iohn Epenshâid together with your foresaid ambassadours and messengers they there finally appoynted and concluded of and about the aboue mentioned summes of money due on both partes of the which mention is made in your letters aforesayd With this speciall prouiso that in like manner satisfaction be made in all points both vnto other of our damnisâed subiects of Prussia namely such whose goods or the true value thereof haue bene finally adiudged by the iudges or professors of our lawes and vnto such who hauing brought their articles of complaints vnto the audience of the most dread and mighty prince and lorde our lord Rupertus king of the Romans alwayes most soueraigne were in conclusion to haue the estimations of their goods to be adiudged by the sentence of the sayd lord with the aduise of two of his counsellers and also vnto other of our subiects who haue brought in sufficient proofe of damages vniustly inflicted vpon them by your subiects ouer and besides the premisses So that in like maner satisfaction be made vnto the common societie of the Hans marchants and by the arbitrament set downe in the conferences had at Marienburgh of the which it was aboue prouided and enacted on their behalfe namely if they will rest contented with our subiects in the courses and meanes then concluded If not we intend not
marchandize to be vsed and continued by our subiects within his sayd dominions whereby we perceiue and finde that both many good actions haue beene done and performed and hereafter are likely continually to be done and performed for the peace of Christendome Namely by the reliefe and discharge of many Christians which haue beene and which hereafter may happen to be in thraldome and bondage vnder the sayde Grand Signor and his vassals or subiects And also good and profitable vent and vtterance of the commodities of our Realme and sundrie other great benefites to the aduancement of our honour and dignitie Royall the maintenance of our Nauie the encrease of our customes and the reuenues of our Crowne and generally the great wealth of our whole Realme And whereas we are enformed of the sayd Edward Osborne knight William Hareborne and Richard Staper that George Barne Richard Martine Iohn Harte knights and other marchants of our sayd Citie of London haue by the space of eight or nine yeeres past ioyned themselues in companie trade and traffike with them the sayd Edward Osborne knight William Hareborne and Richard Staper into the sayde dominions of the sayd great Turke to the furtherance thereof and the good of the Realme And whereas âurther it is made knowen vnto vs that within fewe yeeres now past our louing and good subiects Thomas Cordall Edward Holmeden William Garraway and Paul Banning and sundry other marchants of our said Citie of London haue likewise at their great costes and charges builded and furnished diuerse good and seruiceable shippes and therewith to their like costs and charges haue traded and frequented and from time to time doe trade and frequent and traffike by sea with the commodities of our Realme to Venice Zante Candie and Zephalonia and other the dominions of the Segniorie and State of Venice and thereby haue made and mainteyned and doe make and continually maintaine diuers good shippes with mariners skilfull and âitte and necessarie for our seruice and doe vent out of our Realme into those partes diuerse commodities of our Realme and returne hither into our sayde Realme many good and necessarie commodities for the common wealth thereof All which traffike as well inward as outward vntill it hath beene otherwise brought to passe by the sayde endeuours costs and charges of our sayde subiects was in effect by our subiectes wholy discontinued Knowe yee that hereupon we greatly tendring the wealth of our people and the encouragement of them and other our louing subiects in their good enterprises for the aduancement of lawfull traffike to the benefite of our common wealth haue of our speciall grace certaine knowledge and meere motion giuen and graunted and by these presents for vs our heyres and successours doe giue and grount vnto our sayd trustie and welbeloued subiectes Edwarde Osborne Knight George Barne Knight George Bonde knight Richard Martine knight Iohn Harte knight Iohn Hawkins knight William Massam Iohn Spencer Richard Saltonstall Nicholas Mosley Aldermen of our sayde Citie of London William Hareborne Edwarde Barton William Borrough Esquires Richard Staper Thomas Cordall Henrie Paruis Thomas Laurence Edwarde Holmeden William Garraway Robert Dowe Paul Banning Roger Clarke Henrie Anderson Robert Offley Philip Grimes Andrewe Banning Iames Staper Robert Sadler Leonarde Power George Salter Nicholas Leate Iohn Eldred William Shales Richard May William Wilkes Andrewe Fones Arthur Iackson Edmund Ansell Ralph Ashley Thomas Farrington Roberte Sandie Thomas Garraway Edwarde Lethlande Thomas Dalkins Thomas Norden Robert Baâe Edward Sadler Richard Darsall Richard Martine Iunior Ralph Fitch Nicholas Pearde Thomas Simons and Francis Dorrington that they and euery of them by the name of Gouernour and company of Marchants of the Leuant shall from hence foorth for the terme of twelue yeeres next ensuing the date hereof bee one bodie fellowshippe and companie of themselues both in deede and in name And them by the name of Gouernour and companie of marchantes of the Leuant wee doe ordayne incorporate name and declare by these presentes and that the same fellowshippe and companie from hence foorth shall and may haue one Gouernour And in consideration that the sayde Edwarde Osborne Knight hath beene of the chiefe setters foorth and actors in the opening and putting in practise of the sayde trade to the dominions of the sayde Gand Signor Wee doe therefore specially make ordaine and constitute the sayde Edwarde Osborne Knight to bee nowe Gouernour during the time of one whole yeere nowe next following if hee so long shall liue And after the expiration of the sayde yeere or decease of the sayde Edward Osborne the choyse of the next Gouernour and so of euery Gouernour from time to time during the sayde terme of twelue yeeres to be at the election of the sayde fellowshippe or companie of marchantes of the Leuant or the more part of them yeerely to be chosen and that they the sayde Sir Edwarde Osborne and all the residue of the sayde fellowshippe or companie of Marchantes of the Leuant and euerie of them and all the sonnes of them and of euery of them and all such their apprentises and seruants of them and of euery of them which haue beene or hereafter shall be imployed in the sayde trade by the space of foure yeeres or vpwardes by themselues their seruantes factors or deputies shall and may by the space of twelue yeeres from the day of the date of these our letters Patents freely traffike and vse the trade of Marchandize as well by sea as by lande into and from the dominions of the sayde Grand Signor and into and from Venice Zante Candie and Zephalonia and other the dominions of the Signiorie and State of Venice and also by lande through the Countries of the sayde Grand Signor into and from the East India lately discouered by Iohn Newberie Ralph Fitch William Leech and Iames Storie sent with our letters to that purpose at the proper costs and charge of the sayde Marchants or some of them and into and from euerie of them in such order manner forme libertie and condition to all intentes and purposes as shall be betweene them of the sayde fellowshippe or companie of Marchantes of the Leuant or the more part of them for the time being limited and agreed and not otherwise without any molestation impeachment or disturbance any lawe statute vsage or diuersitie of Religion or faith or any other cause or matter whatsoeuer to the contrarie notwithstanding And that the sayde Gouernour and companie of Marchantes of the Leuant or the greater part of them for the better gouernement of the sayde fellowshippe and companie shall and may within fortie dayes next and immediatly following after the date heereof and so from thence foorth yeerely during the continuance of this our graunt assemble themselues in some conuenient place and that they or the greater parte of them being so assembled shall and may elect ordaine nominate and appoint twelue discreete and honest persons of the sayde companie
and like marchants to buy sell together one of and vnto another euen as in times past namely in the yeere 1400. and before that time also they haue bin accustomed to exercise mutuall traffike and marchandiseâ and to buy and sell. Also the saide William and Iohn agreed and consented that they themselues or some other perhaps to be appointed in this behalfe by their saide lord the king in their stead shall vpon the first day of the moneth of May next to come with the continuation of the dayes following at the towne of Dordract in Holland or vpon any other terme or termes then perhaps to bee limited competently satisfie and performe conuenient recompence vnto the saide common societie citizens people and inhabitants of the cities aforesaide and also of other cities townes and villages of theâ Hans of and for all iniuries damages grieuances and drownings or manslaughters done and committed as they alleage against them deliuered and exhibited in written articles vnto the aboue named William and Iohn or els heereafter to bee deliuered and exhibited either by the same procurators or by some others which shall perhaps be authorized in their stead or by the messengers procurators and commissioners of other cities townes and places of the Hans in equall and like maner and forme euen as at the saide terme limited or then perhaps to be proroged there is appointed by the said William and Iohn reparation reformation and recompence vnto the inhabitants of Prussia and Liuonia for the iniuries damages and grieuances uniustly done and committed against them by the liege people and subiects of the saide soueraigne lord the king in the presence of the mightie lord the Master general of Prussia in his land of Prussia as in certain letters indented bearing date in the castle of Marienburgh in Prussia the eight day of the moneth of October in the yeere of our lord 1405. and being made and written about the reparation reformation and recompence of such like iniuries c. the tenour whereof ought here to be vnderstood as if it were inserted it is more manifestly contained It was furthermore promised by the said William and Iohn that they should not inforce nor compell the citizens people or inhabitants of the common society of the Hans or of the aboue named cities or of any other cities of the Hans aforesaid hauing receiued sufficient information of their dwelling and place of abode to more difficult or district proofes of their Articles of complaints alreadie exhibited and in the foresaide termes to come to bee exhibited then vnto the inhabitants of the lands of Prussia and Liuonia according to the forme of the Indentures aboue mentioned Moreouer the saide William and Iohn doe promise that so soone as they shall come into the kingdome of England and before the presence of their king they shall prouide that all and singular the priuiledges graunted vnto the marchants of the saide Hans by the renowmed kings of England and confirmed by the said Soueraigne lord the king that now is must according to al their contents be inuiolably obserued by the said soueraigne king and his subiects and also that from henceforth nothing is vniustly to be attempted vpon any occasion pretense or colour by the saide Soueraigne Prince and the inhabitants of the realme of England to the preiudice of the sayde priuiledges They shall prouide also that all things heretofore attempted and practised against the saide priuiledges shall by reasonable amendement and iust reformation vtterly be abolished But if after the date of these presents which God forfend within the space of the said one yere and seuen moneths prescribed any damages iniuries or grieuances in ships goods or persons should either by the English and the inhabitants of England be vniustly inflicted vpon the cities and marchants of the cities townes and places of the Hans aforesaid or by any marchants or others of the cities or townes of the saide Hans either vnto the English or vnto any of the inhabitants of that Realme vpon any fained pretense whatsoeuer all and singular the foresaide messengers commissioners ambassadours and procurators haue promised that all such damages iniuries and molestations so inflicted by them who shall offer and commit them must bee reformed and amended after the very same forme and manner that in the like case reformation reparation and amends of iniuries damages and molestations committed by the English against them of Prussia is to be performed according vnto a certaine clause contained in the letters aboue mentioned which beginneth Ceterum ne per c. In English Howbeit least that c. continuing vnto that clause Et vt praescripta omnia c. In English And that all the couenants aboue written c. It was also concluded betweene the foresaide messengers commissioners and procurators and with one generall consent agreed vpon that if from the first day of the moneth of May next to come within one whole yeere following some conuenient iust and reasonable reformation be not performed vnto the parties iniuried and damnified generally aboue mentioned in regard of their damages molestations and iniuries then within three moneths after the saide yeere bee expired the marchants of the Hans cities aforesaid are bound without any molestation perturbation and impediment whatsoeuer none other intimation or admonition being necessarie in this behalfe to auoyde and if no lawfull impediment shall hinder them to abstaine and depart from the Realmes and dominions of the said Soueraigne king of England with their marchandize and other goods bought or gotten within the space of the saide three moneths and also the English likewise in all respects shall auoide abstaine and depart from the territories and dominions of the Hans cities aforesaide Also it was promised by the saide William and Iohn that at the terme appointed namely vpon the first of May next following or at some other terme or termes then limited or to bee limited there must be made a due recompense and a proportionall satisfaction for all those persons of the land of Prussia Liuonia and of the cities townes and other places of the Hans who haue vniustly bene drowned and slaine by the English and that according to the tenour of a certain schedule written concerning a recompense to be had in regarde of the saide persons drowned and slaine and presented vnto them by Albertus Rode consul of the citie of Thoren and by the forenamed procurators and messengers of the cities aforesaid they must faithfully and effectually to the vtâost of their abilitie indeuour for the obtaining of the saide recompense and amends In witnesse whereof these letters of Indenture remaining in the possession of the saide William and Iohn the messengers procurators commissioners of England aforesaid and left in their custodie by the aboue named procurators and messengers Henrie Rimarus Thedericus Simon and Iohn Sotebotter of their certaine knowledge and assurance and for the full confirmation and testimonie of al the premisses the foresaid procurators
and messengers haue put to their seales Giuen in the towne of Dordract the 15. day of December in the yere of our Lord 1405. William Esturmy knight and Iohn Kington canon of Lincolne being in this behalfe sufficiently authorized and deputed as Ambassadours procurators messengers and commissioners by our said soueraigne lord the king namely in regard of the molestations iniuries and damages vniustly done and committed against the liege people and subiectes of the foresaide most excellent Prince and lord Lord Henry by the grace of God king of England France and Lord of Ireland by the commumalties of the cities of Wismer and Rostok vnderwritten their common couÌsel being assembled for the same purpose authorized also and as well closely as expresly maintained and ratified by the whole companie of the common society of the marchants of the Dutch Hans doe in this present diet at the towne of Hage situate in the countrey of Holland being appointed for the very same occasion demaund of you Syr Iohn de Aa knight and Hermannus Meyer deputies for the cities of Wismer and Rostok and sufficiently ordeined by authority requisite in this behalfe to be the procurators and messengers of the said cities that conuenient iust and reasonable satisfaction and recompense may certainely and effectually be done vnto the iniuried and endamaged parties who are specified in the articles vnder written Imprimis that about the feast of Easter in the yeere of our Lord 1394. Henry van Pomeren Godekin Michael Clays Sheld Hans Howfoote Peter Hawfoote Clays Boniface Rainbek and many others with them of Wismer and of Rostok being of the societie of the Hans tooke by maine force a ship of Newcastle vpon Tine called Godezere sailing vpon the Sea towards Prussia being of the burthen of two hundred tunnes and belonging vnto Roger de Thorneton Robert Gabiford Iohn Paulin and Thomas de Chester which ship together with the furnâture thereof amounteth vnto the value of foure hundred pounds also the woollen cloth the red wine the golde and the summes of money contained in the said ship amounted vnto the value of 200. marks of English money moreouer they vniustly slew Iohn Patanson and Iohn Russell in the surprising of the shippe and goods aforesaide and there they imprisoned the sayde parties taken and to their vtter vndoing detayned them in prison for the space of three whole yeeres Item that in the yeere of our Lorde 1394. certaine persons of Wismer and Rostok with others of the Hans their confederates robbed one Richard Horuse of Hull of diuers goods anyâ marchandizes in a ship called the Shipper Berline of Prussia beeing then valued at 160. nobles Item that in the yeere of our Lorde 1395. Hans van Wethemonkule Clays Scheld Godekin Mighel and one called Strotbeker by force of armes and by the assistance of the men of Wismer and Rostok and others of the Hans did vpon the Sea neere vnto Norway wickedly and vniustly take from Iohn Tutteburie fiue pieces of ware foure hundred of werke and halfe a last of osmundes and other goods to the value of foure hundred seuentie sixe nobles Item in the yeere of our Lorde 1396. one Iohn van Derlowe Hans van Gelder and other their complices of the Hans villainously and vniustly tooke a shippe of William Terry of Hul called the Cogge with thirtie wollen broad clothes and a thousand narrow clothes to the value of 200. pounds Item in the yeere of our Lorde 1398. one Iohn van Derlowe Wilmer Hans van Gelder Clays Scheld Euerade Pilgrimson and diuers others of the Hans did vpon the Sea neere vnto Norway villainously and vniustly take a shippe of Iohn Wisedome of Hull called the Trinitie with diuers goods and marchandizes namely oyle waxe and werke to the value of 300. pounds Item in the yeere of our Lord 1399. one Clays Scheld and others aboue written of Wismer and Rostok with certaine others of the Hans their confederates wickedly and vniustly took from one William Pound marâhant of Hull two cakes of waxe to the value of 18. poundes out of the ship called the Hawkin Derlin of Dantzik Item in the yeere of our Lord 1394. one Goddekin Mighel Clays Scheld Storbiker and diuers others of Wismer and Rostok and of the Hans wickedly and vniustly tooke out of a ship of Elbing the master whereof was called Henry Puys of the goods and marchandizes of Henrie Wyman Iohn Topeliffe aud Henry Lakenswither of Yorke namely in werke waxe osmunds and bowstaues to the value of 1060. nobles Item in the yeere of our Lorde 1394. certaine malefactors of Wismer and Rostok with others of the Hans their confederats wickedly vniustly took out of a ship of Holland the master whereof was called Hinkensman 140. woollen clothes the price of one of the which clothes was eight nobles from Thomas Thester of Yorke and a chest with armour siluer and golde of the foresaid Thomas to the value of 9. pounds Item in the yere of our Lord 1393. certaine malefactors of Wismer and Rostok and others their complices of the Hans wickedly and vniustly tooke from one Richard Abel of London woollen cloth greene cloth meale and fishes to the value of 133. li.6.s. Item in the yeere of our Lorde 1405. about the feast of S. Michael one Nicholas Femeer of Wismer marchant of the Hans with the assistance of other his complices of the Hans aforesaide wickedly and vniustly tooke from one Richard Morley citizen of London fiue lasts of herrings besides 32. pounds in the sea called Northsound Item in the yeere of our Lord 1398. about the moneth of September one Godekin Wisle and Gerard Sleyre of Wismer and Rostok with others of the Hans their confederats wickedly and vniustly took out of a ship of Prussia wherof the master was named Rorebek from Iohn Seburgh marchant of Colchester two packs of woollen cloth to the value of an 100. markes from Stephan Flispe and Iohn Plumer marchants of the same town two packs of woollen cloth to the value of 60. pounds from Robert Wight marchant of the same towne two packes of woollen cloth to the value of an 100. marks from William Munde marchant of the same town two fardels of woollen cloth worth 40 li from Iohn Dawe and Thomas Cornwaile marchants of the same towne three packs of woollen cloth worth 200. marks Moreouer they tooke and imprisoned certaine English men which were in the said ship namely William Fubborne seruant vnto Iohn Diere Thomas Mersh seruant vnto Robert Wight which Thomas paid for this ransome 20. nobles of English money William Munde marchant of the towne aforesaide which William by reason of the extremity of that imprisonment lost the sight of his eyes and Thomas Cornwaile marchant of the foresaide Towne which Thomas paide for his raunsome twentie nobles Item in the yeere of our Lorde 1394. certaine malefactors of Wismer and Rostok vpon the coastes of Denmarke and Norway
goods be customed By meanes of the which sealing the foresaide parties doe compell the marchants aboue-named vpon an vse and custome whereof themselues haue bene the authors to paye a certaine summe of money to the great hinderance of the sayde marchants and coâtrarie to iustice and to their charter Moreouer the saide customers haue ordained betweene themselues that the saide marchants shall put or make vp no cloâh iâto fardels to transport out of the realme vnlesse certaine mân appointed by them for the same purpose bee there present to see what maner of clothes they bee vnder paine of the forfâiture of the saide goods Also of late when the sayde marchants would haue made vp such fardels the foresayde parties assigned to be ouerseers refused to come vnlesse they might haue for their comming some certaine summe of money delaying and procrastinating from day to day so long as themselues listed to the great losse and vndoing of the foresaide marchants and contrarie to their liberties because the foresaide customers are bound by their office to doe this without any contribution therefore to bee paide vnto them by the saide marchants for that they doe enioy from our soueraigne Lorde the King their fees and commodities to the ende that they may serue him and euery marchant iustly and faithfully without any contribution by them to be imposed anewe vpon the sayde marchants of custome Item the said marchants doe alleage that the customers bailifs of the town of Southhampton do compel them to pay for euery last of herrings pitch sope ashes brought thither by theÌ 2 s more then the kings custome and for ech hundreth of bowstaues boords called Waghenscot 2. d. for euery hundreth of boords called Richolt 4.d for al other marchandize brought by the foresaid marchants vnto the same towne which contributions they neuer paid at any time heeretofore being greatly to their hinderance and contrary to the tânour of their Charter Item the foresaid marchants do alleage that one of their company called Albert Redewish of Prussia bringing diuers goods marchandizes vnto Newcastle vpon Tine there paying the vsual custom of 3.d in the pound for al his wares the bailifs of the saide towne against all reason exacted 7. pound sterling at his hands more then the custome whereupon the foresaide marchant got a briefe from the kings maiesty for the recouery of the said 7 li according to equity reason howbeit that at the comming of the said briefe the foresaid bailifes would do nothing on his behalfe but would haue slaine their foresaid associate contrary to their charter and priuiledges William Esturmy knight Iohn Kington canon of Lincolne being by y e most mighty prince lord L. Henry by Gods grace â of England France lord of Ireland sufficiently deputed and appointed to parle treate agree w t the common society of y e marchants of the Hans of Dutchland or Almain concerning about the redressing reformation of vniust atteÌpts happening between our said soueraign L. the king his liege people subiects on the one part between the coÌmon society aforesaid the cities towns particular persons therof on the other part do for the behalf of our said souraign L. the king with a mind intention to haue al singular y e things vnderwritten to come to the knowledge of the said common society intimate declare make known vnto you hono sirs Henr. Westhoff citizen deputy of the city of Lubec Henry Fredelaw Ioh. van Berk citizen of Colen Mainard Buxtehude citizen deputy of the city of Hamburgh M. SimoÌ Clawsten clerk sir Iohn de Aa knight deputie of the citie of Rostok Herman Meyer deputy of the citie of Wismar being as the procuratorsâ messengers commissioners of the foresaid cities assembled together at the town of Hage in Holland with y e forenamed Willâ Iohn in regard of the foresaid redres reformation that euen as our said soueraign L. the king his meaning is not to disturb or hinder such priuiledges as haue bin heretofore granted vouchsafed vnto the coÌmon society of the marchaÌts aforesaid by the renoumed kings of England the worthy progenitors of our L. the K. that now is by himself also vnder a certain form confirmed euen so he is determined without y e preiudice of forren lawes vpon iust mature and sober deliberation by his royall authoritie to withstand such priuiledges as by reason of the abuse thereofâ haue bene infinitely preââdiciall vnto himselfe and his subiects Inprimis the said ambassadours doe affirme as afore that whereas all and euery the Marchants of the said company as often as they would were both in the Realme of England and in other territories dominions subiect vnto our soueraigne lord the king admitted and suffered according to the tenor of the forenamed priuiledges granted vnto them freely friendly and securely to traffique and conuerse with any of his Maiesties liege people and subiects whatsoeuer or with other people of whatsoeuer nation liuing in the realme of England or in the dominions aforesaid the said common society of marchants by their publike deliberate common counsel did appoint ordain y t no society in any cities townes or places neither yet any particular man of any such society there being no lawfull or reasonable cause why shoulde in any wise admit any marchants of the realm of England resorting vnto their cities or other places for marchandise to enioy intercourse of traffike but that the saide English marchants should bee altogether excluded from all traffike and mutuall conuersation among them by denouncing and inflicting grieuous penalties of money as well vpon cities as other places and vpon particular marchants also of the foresaid societie practising the contrary Item that immediatly after the foresaid parties enacting and ordaining published their sayde statute and ordinance in all kingdomes prouinces partes cities and townes wherin any marchants of the said societie were conuersant Item that after that publication the statute and ordinance aforesaid by euery of the marchants of the forenamed society were inuiolably obserued Item that the said statute and ordinance hath bene so rigorously put in execution that whereas immediatly after certaine English marchants with their ships mariners and marchandize beeing in a cerâaine part of one of the principall cities of the foresaide societie vtterly destitute of meate drinke and money publikely offred to sell their wollen clothes of England onely to prouide themselues of necessary victuals yet the marchants of the saide citie sâoutely persisting in their statute and ordinance aforesaid straightly prohibited the buying of such clothes vnchristianly denying meate and drinke vnto the said English marchants Item the foresaid society decreed and ordained that no marchant of the saide company should in any place or countrey whatsoeuer buy any woollen clothes of the realme or dominion of England albeit offered by others and not by English men or hauing bought any should after
thankfull mind accept and by the tenour of the said letters of yours totally approue the concord of a certaine satisfaction to be performed with the payment of certaine summes of money howsoeuer due vnto your subiects as well of Prussia as of Liuonia expressed in our former letters within the termes prefixed by our consent and limited in our said letters aud also of other summes which within one whole yeare immediatly following the feast of Easter last past by sufficient proofes on their part to bee made before our chauncelour at our citie of London shall be found due vnto them conditionally that without inconuenience of delay and impediments the premisses be performed as they ought to be And that your selfe also will without fayle vpon the termes appoynted for the said payments procure satisfaction âo be made accordingly vnto our endamaged subiects with the summes due vnto them by reason of their losses whereof they haue sufficient information Wherefore in regard of those your friendly letters and your courteous auswere returned by them vnto vs as is aforesaid wee doe yeelde vnto you right vnfained thanks But because it will vndoubtedly be most acceptable and pleasing both vnto vs and vnto our people and vnto you and your subiects that the zeale and ferueâcie of loue which hath from auncient times growen and increased betweene our progenitours for them and their subiects and your predecessors and their subiects and which by the insolencie of of certayne lewde persons without any consent of the principall lords hath often bene violated betweene vs and you and mutually betweene the subiects of vs both may be put in perpetuall vre and obtaine full strength in time to come sithens hereupon by Gods assistance it is to be hoped that vnspeakeable commodity and quiet will redound vnto both parts may it seeme good vnto your discretion as it seemeth expedient vnto vs that some messengers of yours sufficiently authorised to parle agree and conclude with our deputy about the mutuall contraction of a perpetuall league and confirmation of friendship may with all conuenient speede be sent vnto our presence At whose arriuall not onely in this busines so profitable and behoouefull but also in certaine other affaires concerning the former treaties and conclusions they may yea and of necessitie must greatly auayle Wherefore our entirely beloued friend euen as vpon confidence of the premisses we haue thought good to grant vnto the marchants and subiects of our realme full authority to resort vnto your dominions so we doe in like maner graunt vnto your marchants and subiects free licence and liberty with their marchandises and goods securely to come into our realmes and dominions there to stay and at their pleasures thence to returne home Moreouer if Arnold Dassel who last of all presented your foresayd letters vnto vs shal thinke good in the meane season to make his abode here in our dominions as in very deede it is expedient he may both by serious consideration and deliberate consulting with our commissioners more conueniently and prosperously finde out wayes and meanes for the more speedy expedition of all the premisses Fare ye well in Christ. Giuen vnder our priuie seale at our palace of Westminster the seuenth of March in the yere of our lord 1408 according to the computation of the Church of England and in the tenth yere of our reigne A new concord concluded between king Henry the 4. and Vlricus de Iungingen Master generall of Prussia in the yeare of our Lord 1409. BY this indenture or letters indented be it euidently knowen for the perpetual memory of the matter vnto all faithfull Christians that the noble honourable personages Richard Merlowe Maior and citizen of London Master Iohn Kington clerke and William Askham citizen and Alderman of the same citie the commissioners of the most soueraigne prince and lord L. Henrie by the grace of God king of England and France and lord of Ireland and Tidericus de Longenthorpe knight Lefardus de Hereford burgomaster of Elbing and Iohn Crolowe citizen of the citie of Dantzik the procurators commissioners deputies and messengers of the right noble and religious personage Fr. Vlricus de Iungingen Master general of the order of the Dutch knights of S. Maries hospital of Ierusalem hauing in the names of the sayd king and Master by vertue of the power on both parts committed vnto them sufficient authority haue appointed and with one consent agreed vpon all and singular the things vnder written Imprimis for the conseruation of mutuall loue and wonted amiâie and for the tranquilitie of sweete amiable peace it is decreed and ordained that all and singular the liege people subiects of the Realme of England and the Marchants of the territories dominions of the said Realme and all other persons of what state or condition soeuer shall and may safely and securely as well by land as by water enter into the parts of Prussia and there mutually conuerse and freely after the maner of Marchants exercise traffique aswell with the Prussians as with others of what nation or qualitie soeuer there also make their abode and thence vnto their owne homes and dwelling places returne and depart vnto any place whither and so often as they shall thinke good as well by land as by water with their goods marchandize and wares whatsoeuer faithfully paying in the meane time all rights customes due in regard of their said wares and marchandize Reserued alwaies vnto the said Master and his successours all right and remedie ordained granted and vouchsafed in certaine obligations by our Lord the king whereof mention shall be made in the articles following Item it is ordained that all and singular the subiects of the said Master generall and of his order of what state and condition soeuer shall and may as well by water as by land enter into the kingdome of England and into the territories and dominions thereof and there mutually conuerse and freely after the maner of Marchants exercise traffique as well with all English people as with others of what nation or qualitie soeuer and there also make their abode and thence returne vnto their owne habitations and dwelling places and to depart whither they will and as oft as they shall thinke good as well by land as by water with their goods marchandize and wares whatsoeuer truely paying in the meane time all rights and customes due in regard of their said wares and Marchandize Reserued alwayes vnto the said soueraigne king his heires and successours all rights and remedies ordained and graunted vnto them in certaine obligations by the commissioners and procurators of the said Master generall aboue-named and in the name of the said Master generall Item it is with one consent agreed vpon promised and graunted that for all and singular damages grieuances and robberies howsoeuer done and committed before the date of these presents against the foresaid soueraigne Prince and his subiects whatsoeuer and all others which at the time
English knight against the Moores of Alger to Barbary and to Spaine 67 40 The voyage of Henrie Earle of Derby after Duke of Hereford and lastly Henry the fourth king of England with an army of Englishmen to Tunis in Barbary 69 41 The trauailes and memorable victories of Iohn Hawkwood Englishman in diuerse places of Italy in the reigne of Richard the second 70 42 The voyage of Lord Iohn of Holland Earle of Huntington brother by the mother to K. Richard the second to Ierusalem and S. Katherins mount Anno 1394. 70 43 The voyage of Thomas Lord Mowbrey duke of Norfolke to Ierusalem in the yeere of our Lord 1399. 70 44 The voyage of the bishop of Winchester to Ierusalem Anno 1417. 71 45 A voyage intended by king Henry the fourth to the holy land against the Saracens and Infidels Anno 1413. 71. 72 46 A voyage made with two ships called The holy Crosse and The Matthew Gunson to the Isles of Candia and Chio about the yeere 1534. 98 47 Another voyage vnto Candia and Chio made by the foresayd ship called The Matthewâ Gunson Anno 1535. 98 48 The voyage of the valiant Esquire M. Peter Read to Tunis in Barbarie 1538 recorded in his Epitaph 99 49 The voyage of Sir Thomas Chaloner to Alger with the Emperour Charles the fift Anno 1541. 99 50 The voyage of M. Roger Bodenâam with the great barke Aucher to Candia and Chio Anno 1550. 99 51 The voyage of M. Iohn Lok to Ierusalem Anno 1553. 101 52 The voyage of Iohn Foxe to the Streit of Gibraltar in a ship called The three halfe-moones Anno 1563. And his worthy enterprize in deliuering 266 Christians from the captiuitie of the Turkes at Alexandria Anno 1577. 131.132 53 The voyage of M. Laurence Aldersey to the cities of Ierusalem and Tripolis in the yeere 1581. 150 54 The voyage of The Susan of London to Constantinople wherein M. William Hareborne was sent first Ambassadour vnto Zuldan Murad Can the great Turke Anno 1582. 165 55 The voyage of a ship called The Iesus to Tripolis in Barbary Anno 1583. 184 56 The voyage of M. Henry Austel by Venice to Ragusa and thence ouer-land to Constantinople and from thence through Moldauia Polonia Silesia and Germany into England Anno 1586. 194 57 The voyage of Master Cesar Frederick into the east India and beyonde the Indies Anno 1563. 213 58 The long dangerous and memorable voyage of M. Ralph Fitch marchant of London by the way of Tripolis in Syria to Ormuz to Goa in the East India to Cambaia to the riuer of Ganges to Bengala to Bacola to Chonderi to Pegu to Siam c. begunne in the yeere 1583 and ended in the yeere 1591. 250 59 The voyage of M. Iohn Eldred to Tripolis in Syria by sea and from thence by land and riuer to Babylon and Balsara Anno 1583. 268 60 The voyage of M. Iohn Euesham by sea into AEgypt Anno 1586. 281 61 The voyage of M. Laurence Aldersey to the cities of Alexandria and Cairo in Aegypt Anno 1586. 282 62 The voyage of fiue marchants ships of London into Turkie and their valiant fight in their returne with 11 gallies and two frigats of the king of Spaine at Pantalarea within the Streits of Gibraltar Anno 1586. 285 63 The voyage of Master William Hareborne ouer-land from Constantinople to London Anno 1588. 289 64 A description of a voyage to Constantinople and Syria begun the 21 of March 1593 and ended the ninth of August 1595 wherein is shewed the manner of deliuering the second present by M. Edward Barton her Maiesties ambassadour which was sent from her Maiestie to Sultan Murad Can the Emperour of Turkie 33 The Ambassages Letters Priuileges Discourses Aduertisements and other obseruations depending vpon the Voyages contayned in the first part of this second Volume 1 A Testimony that the Britons were in Italy and Greece with the Cimbrians and Gauls before the incarnation of Christ. pag. 1 2 A testimony that certain Englishmen were of the guard of the Emperour of Constantinople in the time of Iohn the sonne of Alexius Comnenus 17 3 A great supply of money sent to the Holy land by King Henry the second 18 4 A letter written from Manuel the Emperour of Constantinople vnto Henry the second King of England Ann. 1177 wherein mention is made that certaine of king Henries noblemen and subiects were present with the sayd Emperour in a battel against the Soldan of Iconium 18 5 A note drawen out of a very auncient booke in the custodie of the right Wor. M. Thomas Tilney Esquire touching Sir Fredericke Tilney his ancester knighted for his valour at Acon in the Holyland by king Richard the first 29 6 A large contribution to the succour of the holy land made by king Iohn king of England Anno 1201. 30 7 The comming of Baldwin the Emperour of Constantinople into England An. 1247. 31 8 A testimony concerning Anthony Beck bishop of Duresme that he was elected Patriarke of Ierusalem and confirmed by Clement the 5 bishop of Rome Anno 1305. 39 9 The comming of Lyon king of Armenia into England Anno 1â86 to make a treaty of peace betweene Richard the second king of England and the French king 67 10 The comming of the Emperour of Constantinople into England to desire the ayde of king Henry the fourth against the Turkes Anno 1400. 70 11 A relation of the siege and taking of the citie of Rhodes by Sultan Soliman the great Turke Wherein honorable mention is made of diuers valiant English knights Anno 1522. 72 12 An ambassage from Don Ferdinando brother to the Emperour Charles the fift vnto King Henry the eight crauing his ayde against Soliman the great Turke An. 1527. 95 13 The antiquitie of the trade of English marchants vnto the remote parts of the Leuant seas Anno 1511 1512 c. 96 14 A letter of Henry the eight king of England to Iohn the third king of Portugale for a Portugale ship fraighted at Chio with the goods of Iohn Gresham William Lok and others and wrongfully vnladen in Portugale Anno 1531. 96 15 The maner of the entring of Soliman the great Turke with his army into Alepo in Syria as hee was marching toward Persia agaiâst the great Sophi Anno 1553. 112 16 A note of the presents that were giuen at the same time in Alepo to the Grand Signor and the names of the presenters 113 17 The safe conduct granted by Sultan Soliman the great Turke to M. Anthony Ienkinson at Alepo in Syria Anno 1553. 114 18 A discourse of the trade to Chio written by Gaspar Campion in the yeere 1569. 114 19 A letter of the sayd Gaspar Campion to M. William Winter in the yeare 1569. 116 20 A briefe description of the Isle of Cyprus 119 21 A report of the siege and taking of Famagusta the strongest citie in al Cyprus by Mustafa Bassa Generall of the great Turkes army Anno 1571. 121 22 The
English HVbert Walter bishop of Sarisburie a vertuous man and famous for his good wit and piety was one of the chiefest of them that followed king Richard into Syria going against the Saracens As he returned from Palaestina and came in his iourney into Sicilia he there heard of the ill fortune of the king being fallen into his enemies handes and thereupon leauing his iourney homewards he went presently and in all haste to the place where the king was captiued whom the king immediatly vpon his comming sent into England that by the authority of the councell a tribute might be collected for his redemption which this Hubert performed with great diligânce and deliuered the king After this he was made Archbishop of Canterburie and after the death of king Richard he shewed the like dueties of fidelitie and trust to his brother Iohn that succeeded him For by a long oration he perswaded the whole nation of the English men that he was a very circumspect man vertuous valiant borne of noble parentage and most woorthy of the crowne Whereupon he was so receiued of all the people and crowned king He wrote certaine books and died at the last with very great griefe of minde in the yeere 1205 hauing beene archbishop the space of 11 yeres 8 moneths and sixe dayes by reason of the ciuil discords abroad whereby all things went topsie turuy and in the reigne of king Iohn The trauailes of Robert Curson RObertus Curson ex nobili quodam Anglorum ortus genere disciplinis tum prophanis tum sacris studiosus incubuit idque quantum ex coniecturis colligo in celebratissima Oxonij Academia Praestantissimis illic institutoribus vsus ex summa circa ingenuas artes industria assiduo literarum labore famam sibi inter suos celeberrimam comparauit Ampliora deinde meditatus Parisiorum Lutetiam aâque Romam ipsam perijt illic Theologus Doctor hic verò Cardinalis effectus Vnde vterque Matthaeus Parisius ae Westmonasterius hoc de ipso testimonium adferunt hic libro 2. ille 8. suoâum Chronicorum Anno Domini 1218 inquiunt in captione Damiatae AEgypti vrbis sub Ioanne Brenno Hierosolymorum rege fuit cum Pelagio Albanensi Magister Robertus de Curson Anglus Clericus celebertimus genere nobilis ac Romanae Ecclesiae Cardinalis c Bostonus Buriensis in suo Catalogo Cursonum aliquos libros composuisle narrat Claruit anno superius numerato per praedictos testes in Anglia regnante Henrico tertio Ioannis regis filio fuÃtque hic diebus Honorij tertij Romani pontificis in Angliam Bostono teste legatus The same in English RObert Curson descended of a noble family of England vsed great diligence aswell in prophane as in diuine studies in the famous Uniuersity of Oxford as I coniecture He had there the best scholemasters that were to be gotten and was most industrious in the arts and continual exercises of learning by meanes whereof he grew to be of great renowne where he liued Afterward thinking of greater matters he went to Paris and thence to Rome it selfe and at Paris he proceeded doctor of Diuinity at Rome he was made cardinall whereupon both Matthew Paris Matthew of Westminster produce this testimony of him the one in his second booke the other in his eight booke of Chronicles In the yere of our Lord say they 1218 at the taking of Damiata a city of Egypt vnder Iohn Brenne king of Ierusalem M. Robert Curson an English man a most famous clearke of noble parentage and cardinall of the church of Rome was there with Pelagius Albanensis c. Boston of Burie in Suffolke in his catalogue reporteth that he wrote diuers books He flourished in the yeere aforesayd by the witnesses aforesayd Henry the third sonne of king Iohn being then king of England and by the further testimony of Boston this Curson was legate into England in the dayes of Honorius the third bishop of Rome The voyage of Ranulph earle of Chester of Saer Quincy earle of VVinchester William de Albanie earle of Arundel with diuers other noble men to the Holy land in the second yere of K. Henry the third Matth. Paris Holensh pag. 202. IN the yeere 1218 Ranulph earle of Chester was sent into the Holy land by king Henry the third with a goodly company of souldiers and men of warre to ayde the Christians there against the Infidels which at the same time had besieged the city of Damiata in Egypt In which enterprise the valiancy of the same earle after his comming thither was to his great praise most apparant There went with him in that iourney Saer de Quincy earle of Winchester William de Albanie earle of Arundel besides diuers barons as the lord Robert fitz Walter Iohn constable of Chester William de Harecourt and Oliuer fitz Roy sonne to the king of England and diuers others The voyage of Henry Bohun and Saer Quincy to the Holy land THis yere being the sixt yere of Henry the third deceased Henry de Bohun earle of Hereford and Saer de Quincy earle of Winchester in their iourney which they made to the Holy land Matth. Paris Holensh pag. 202. colâ 2. The trauailes of Ranulph Glanuile earle of Chester RAnulphus Glanuile Cestriae Comes vir nobilissimi generis vâroque iure eruditus in albo illustâium virorum à me meritò ponendus venit Ita probè omnes adolescentiae suae annos legibus tum humanis tum diuinis consecrauit vt non prius in hominem per aetatem euaserit quà m nomen decúsque ab insigni eruditione sibi comparauerit Cum profecti essent Francorum Heroes Ptolemaidem inito cum Ioanne Brenâo Hierosolymorum rege concilio Damiatam AEgypti vrbem obsidendam constituebant aâno salutis humanae 1218. Misitillùe Henricus rex ab Honorio 3 Rom. Pontifice rogatus cum magna armatorum manu Ranulphum ad rem Christian am iuuandam Cuius viâtus Polydoro teste in eo bello mitis omnium laudibus celebrata âuit Quo confecto negotio Ranulphus in patriam reuersus scripfit De legibus Angliae librum vnum Fertur praeterea alia quaedam scripsisse sed tempus edax rerum ea nobis abstulit Claruit anno à Seruatoris nostri natiuitate 1230 confectus senio dum Henricus terâius sub Antichristi tyrannide in Anglia regnaret The same in English RAnulph Glanuile earle of Chester a man of a very noble house and learned in both the Lawes deserues of duetie to be here placed by me in the catalogue of woorthy and notable men He applied so well all the yeeres of his youth to the study of humane and diuine Lawes that he came not so soone to the age of a man as he had purchased to himselfe by reason of his singular learning renowme and honour When the noble men of France went to Ptolomais vpon the counsell of Iohn Brenne king of Ierusalem they resolued to besiege Damiata a city
And yet not containing themselues within all that maine circumference they haue aduentured their persons shippes and goods homewards and outwards foureteene times ouer the vnknowen and dangerous Caspian sea that valiant wise and personable gentleman M. Anthonie Ienkinson being their first ring-leader who in Anno 1558. sailing from Astracan towards the East shore of the Caspian sea and there arriuing at the port of Mangusla trauelled thence by Vrgence and Shelisur and by the riuers of Oxus and Ardok 40. dayes iourney ouer desert and wast countreys to Boghar a principall citie of Bactria being there by the way friendly entertained dismissed and safely conducted by certaine Tartarian kings and Murses Then haue you a second Nauigation of his performance to the South shore of the foresayd Caspian sea together with his landing at Derbent his arriuall at Shabran his proceeding vnto Shamaky the great curtesie vouchsafed on him by Obdolowcan king of Hircan his iourney after of 30. dayes Southward by Yauate Ardouil and other townâs and cities to Casben being as then the seate imperiall of Shaugh Thamas the great Sophy of Persia with diuers other notable accidents in his going foorth in his abode there and in his returne home Immediately after you haue set downe in fiue seuerall voiages the successe of M. Ienkinsons laudable and well-begun enterprise vnder the foresayd Shaugh Thamas vnder Shally Murzey the new king of Hircan and lastly our traffique with Osman Basha the great Turkes lieutenant at Derbent Moreouer as in M. Ienkinsons trauel to Boghar the Tartars with their territories habitations maner of liuing apparell food armour c. are most liuely represented vnto you so likewise in the sixe Persian Iournals you may here and there obserue the state of that countrey of the great Shaugh and of his subiects together with their religion lawes customes maner of gouernment their coines weights and measures the distances of places the temperature of the climate and region and the natural commodities and discommodities of the same Furthermore in this first Volume all the Ambassages and Negotiations from her Maiestie to the Russian Emperor or from him vnto her Maiestie seemed by good right to chalenge their due places of Record As namely first that of M. Randolph 1568. then the emploiment of M. Ienkinson 1571. thirdly Sir Ierome Bowes his honorable commission and ambassage 1582. and last of all the Ambassage of M. Doct. Fletcher 1588. Neither do we forget the Emperours first Ambassador Osep Napea his arriuall in Scotland his most honourable entertainment and abode in England and his dismission into Russeland In the second place we doe make mention of Stephen Tuerdico and Pheodata Pogoâella thirdly of Andrea Sauin and lastly of Pheodor Andrewich Phisemski And to be briefe I haue not omitted the Commissions Letters Priuileges Instructions Obseruations or any other Particulars which might serue both in this age and with all posteritie either for presidents in such like princely and weightie actions to bee imitated or as woorthy monuments in no wise to bee buried in silence Finally that nothing should be wanting which might adde any grace or shew of perfection vnto this discourse of Russia I haue prefixed before the beginning thereof the petigree and genealogie of the Russian Emperors and Dukes gathered out of their owne Chronicles by a Polonian containing in briefe many notable antiquities and much knowledge of those partes as likewise about the conclusion I haue signified in the branch of a letter the last Emperour Pheodor Iuanowich his death and the inauguration of Boris Pheodorowich vnto the Empire But that no man should imagine that our forren trades of merchandise haue bene comprised within some few yeeres or at least wise haue not bene of any long continuance let vs now withdraw our selues from our affaires in Russia and ascending somewhat higher let vs take a sleight suruey of our traffiques and negotiations in former ages First therefore the Reader may haue recourse vnto the 124 page of this Volume there with great delight and admiration consider out of the iudicial Historiographer Cornelius Tacitus that the Citie of London fifteene hundred yeeres agoe in the time of Nero the Emperour was most famous for multitude of merchants and concourse of people In the pages folowing he may learne out of Venerable Beda that almost 900. yeeres past in the time of the Saxons the said citie of London was multorum emporium populorum a Mart-towne for many nations There he may behold out of William of Malmesburie a league concluded betweene the most renoumed and victorious Germane Emperour Carolus Magnus and the Saxon king Offa together with the sayd Charles his patronage and protection granted vnto all English merchants which in those dayes frequented his dominions There may bee plainly see in an auncient testimonie translated out of the Saxon tongue how our merchants were often woont for traffiques sake so many hundred yeeres since to crosse the wide Seas and how their industry in so doing was recompensed Yea there mayest thou obserue friendly Reader what priuileges the Danish king Canutus obtained at Rome of Pope Iohn of Conradus the Emperour and of king Rudolphus for our English merchants Aduenturers of those times Then if you shall thinke good to descend vnto the times and ages succeeding the conquest there may you partly see what our state of merchandise was in the time of king Stephen and of his predecessor and how the Citie of Bristol which may seeme somewhat strange was then greatly resorted vnto with ships from Norway and from Ireland There may you see the friendly league betweene king Henry the second and the famous Germane Emperour Friderick Barbarossa and the gracious authorizing of both their merchaÌts to traffique in either of their dominions And what need I to put you in mind of king Iohn his fauourable safe-conduct whereby all forren merchants were to haue the same priuileges here in England which our English merchants enioied abroad in their seuerall countreys Or what should I signifie vnto you the entercourse of league and of other curtesies betweene king Henry the third and Haquinus king of Norway and likewise of the free trade of merchandise between their subiects or tell you what fauours the citizens of Colen of Lubek and of all the Hanse-townes obtained of king Edward the first or to what high endes and purposes the generall large and stately Charter concerning all outlandish merchants whatsoeuer was by the same prince most graciously published You are of your owne industry sufficiently able to conceiue of the letters negotiatioÌs which passed between K. Edward the 2. Haquinus the Noruagian king of our English merchants and their goods detained vpon arrest at Bergen in Norway and also of the first ordination of a Staple or of one onely setled Mart-towne for the vttering of English woolls woollen fells instituted by the sayd K. Edward last before named All which Reader being throughly considered I referre you then
Russia to Boghar in Bactria Anno 1558. 324. 24 The voyage of M. Anthony Ienkinson through Russia and ouer the Caspian sea into Persia Anno 1561. 343. 25 The voyage of Thomas Alcock George Wrenne and Richard Cheyney seruants vnto the Company of Moscouy Merchants in London into Persia Anno 1563. 353. 26 The voyage of Richard Iohnson Alexander Kitchin and Arthur Edwards seruants to the foresaid company into Persia Anno 1565. 354. 27 The voyage of Thomas Southam and Iohn Sparke by land and riuer from Colmogro to Nouogrod in Russia Anno 1566. 365. 28 The voyage of M. Anthony Ienkinson into Russia the third time Anno 1566. 372. 29 The voyage of Arthur Edwards Agent for the Moscouy company Iohn Sparke Laurence Chapman Christopher Faucet and Richard Pingle seruants into Persia An. 1568. 389. 30 The voyage of Thomas Banister and Geffrey Ducket Agents for the Moscouy Company into Persia the fift time Anno 1569. 394. 31 The voyage of William Burrough Captaine of 13. English ships to the Narue in Liefland Anno 1570. 401. 32 The voyage of M. Anthony Ienkinson into Russia the fourth time Anno 1571. 402. 33 The voyage of Christopher Burrough into Persia the sixt time Anno 1579. 419. 34 The voyage of Arthur Pet and Charles Iackman sent to discouer the Northeast seas beyond the Iland of Vaigats Anno 1580. 445. 35 The voyage of Master Ierome Horsey ouer land from Mosco in Russia to England Anno 1584. 469,470 36 A voyage to the Northeast performed by certaine Russes and translated out of Sigismundus ab Herberstein 492. 37 A voyage to Sibier and the Riuer of Ob by land declared in a letter written to Gerardus Mercator 510,511 512. 38 The vanquishing of the Spanish Armada Anno 1588. 591. 39 The honourable voyage to Cadiz Anno 1596. 607. ¶ The Ambassages Treatises Priuiledges Letters and other obseruations depending vpon the Voyages of this first Volume 1 TWo testimonies of Galfridus Monumetensis in his history of the Kings of Brittaine concerning the conquests of King Arthur pagina 1. 2 A testimony of M. Lambard in his ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã touching the right and appendances of the Crowne of the kingdome of Britaine pag. 2. 3 A Chronicle of the Kings of Man taken out of M. Camdens Chorographie 10. 4 The ancient state of the shipping of the Cinque Ports 17. 5 Libellus historicus Iohannis de Plano Carpini 21. 6 Part of the great Charter graunted by King Edward the first to the Barons of the Cinque Ports 117. 7 The rolle of the huge Fleete of Edward the thirde before Caleis 118. 8 The summe of expences layde out in the siege of Caleis 121. 9 A note of Thomas Walsingham touching King Edward the thirde his huge Fleete of 1100. ships wherewith he passed ouer vnto Caleis Anno 1359. 121. 10 Certaine verses of Geffrey Chaucer concerning the long Voyages and valiant exploits of the English knights in his dayes 124. 11 A testimonie out of Cornelius Tacitus prouing London to haue bene a famous Mart-towne in the raigne of Nero the Emperour 124. 12 A testimony out of venerable Beda proouing London to haue bene a Citie of great traffique in his time 125. 13 The league betweene Carolus Magnus and Offa King of Mercia concerning the safe trade of English Merchants 125. 14 An ancient testimony translated out of the olde Saxon Lawes conteyning the aduancement of Merchants for their thrice crossing the wide seas 120. 15 A testimony of certaine Priuileges obteined for the English and Danish Merchants by Canutus the King of England 126. 16 The flourâshing state of Merchandise in the City of London in the dayes of Wilhelmus Malmesburiensis 227. 17 A testimony of the said Wil. of Malmesbury concerning traffique to Bristow in his time 127. 18 The league betweene Henry the second and Frederick Barbarossa Emperour of Germany partly touching trade of Merchandise 128. 19 A generall safe conduct granted by King Iohn to all forreine Merchants 129. 20 The letters of King Henry the thirdâ vnto Haquinus king of Norwey 129,130 21 A mandate for the king of Norway his ship called The Cog. 130. 22 A Charter granted for the behalfe of the Merchants of Colen in the 20. yeere of Henry the thirde 131. 23 The Charter of Lubeck granted for seuen yeeres in the time of Henry the third 131,132 24 A Charter of the Merchants of Almaine or the Stilyard-merchants 132. 25 A mandate of King Edward the first concerning outlandish Merchants 133. 26 King Edw. the first his great Charter granted to forreine Merchants Anno Dom. 1303. 133. 27 The letters of Edward the second vnto Haquinus King of Norway concerning certain English Merchants arrested in Norway 138. 28 Another letter of Edw. the second vnto the said Haquinus for the merchants aforesaid 139. 29 A third letter of King Edward the second to the said Haquinus in the behalfe of our English merchants 140. 30 An Ordinance for the Staple to be holden at one certaine place 142,143 31 A Catalogue of the great Masters of Prussia 144. 32 The Oration or speach of the Ambassadours sent from Conradus de Zolner Master generall of the land of Prussia vnto Richard the second king of England 148. 33 An agreement made by the Ambassadours of England and Prussia confirmed by king Richard the second 150. 34 The letters of Conradus de Iungingen Master generall of Prussia vnto Rich. the second 153. 35 A briefe relation of William Esturmy and Iohn Kington concerning their Ambassages into Prussia and to the Hans-townes 154. 36 Certaine Articles of complaint exhibited by the Liuonians 156. 37 Other complaints exhibited by the Cities of the Hans 156. 38 Compositions and Ordinances concluded betweene the Ambassadours of Prussia and the Chanceller and Treasurer of England Anno 1403. 157. 39 The letters of the Chanceller and Treasurer of England vnto Conradus de Iungingen master generall of Prussia 158. 40 The letters of king Henry the fourth vnto Conradus de Iungingen the master generall of Prussia for entercourse of traffique 159. 41 The letters of Conradus de Iungingen vnto king Henry the fourth 160. 42 An agreement made betweene king Henry the fourth and Conradus de Iungingen 161. 43 An agreement betweene king Henry the fourth and the Hans-townes 164. 44 A testimonie out of Albertus Krantzius concerning the surprise of Bergen in Norway wherein 21. houses of the English merchants were burnt 169. 45 The grieuances and offences whereat the merchants of the Hans found themselues agrieued 171. 46 A letter of Henry the fourth king of England vnto Conradus de Iungingen Master generall of Prussia 175. 47 A letter of Werneherus de Tettingen commander in Elbing vnto sir William Sturmy Ambassadour vnto king Henry the fourth Together with an other letter of king Henry the fourth vnto Vlricus de Iungingen master of Prussia 176. 48 The letters of Vlricus de Iungingen master generall of Prussia signifying vnto king Henry the 4. that he was contented
quem vt credo iam obsederunt per duodecem annos qui viriliter restiterunt multos Tartaros nobiles occiderunt Alia autem castra ciuitates quae talem siâum non habent debent fortiter vallari foueiâ profundis munitis muris bene praeparatis arcus sagittas sufficientes lapides ac fundas debent habere Et debent diligenter cauere quod non permittant Tartaros ponere machinas suas suis machinis debent eos repellere Et si forte aliquo ingenio vel arte eâigunt Tartari machinas suas debent eas destruere machinis suâs si posâunt Balistis etiam fundis machinis debentre sistere ne ciuitati appropinquent Alià s etiam debent esse parati vt superius dictum est De castris ciuitatibus quae sunt in fluminibus positae diligenter debent videre ne possint submergiâ Sed ad hoc scienduÌ est quod Tartari plus diligunt quod homines claudant se in ciuitatibus quà m quod pugnent cuÌ eis in campo Dicunt enim eos esse suos porcellos in hara conclusoâ Vnde ponunt eis custodes vt supradictuÌ est Si auteÌ aliqui Tartari de equis suis in bello proijciuntur statim sunt capiendi quia cum sunt in terra fortiter sagittant equos homines vulnerant occidunt Et si seruantur tales potest esse quod habeatur pro eis pax perpetua aut pecunia magna redimantur quoniaÌâe adinuicem satis diligunt Sed quomodo Tartari cognoscantur superius dictum est vbi forma eorum fuit expressa Tamen quando capiuntur si debent seruari ne fugiant diligens est custodia adhibenda Sunt etiaÌ aliae mulâe gentes cuÌ eis quae per formaÌ superius annotataÌ possunt ab ipsis cognosci Est etiam hoc sciendum quod multi in exercitu eorum sunt qui si viderent tempus habereÌt fiduciam quod nostri non occiderent eos ex omni parte exercitus sicut ipsimet nobis dixerunt pugnarent cuÌ eis plura mala facerent ipsis quà m alij qui sunt eorum aduersarij manifesti THe long and wonderful voyage of Frier Iohn de Plano Carpini sent ambassadour by Pope Innocentius the iiii An. Do. 1246. to the great CAN of Tartaria wherin he passed through Bohemia Polonia Russia and so to the citie of Kiow vpon Boristhenes and from thence rode continually post for the space of siâe moneths through Comania ouer the mighty and famous riuers of Tanais Volga and Iaic through the countries of the people called Kangittae Bisermini Kara-Kitay Naimani so to the natiue countrie of the Mongals or Tartars situate in the extreme Northeasterne partes of all Asia and thence backe againe the same way to Russia and Polonia and so to Rome spending in the whole voyage among the sayd Tartars one whole yeere aboue foure moneths Taken out of the 32. booke of Vincentius Beluacensis his Speculum historiale LIBRI XXXII De prima missione Fratrum Praedicatorum Minorum ad Tartaros Cap. 2. HOc etiam teÌpore misit Innocentius IIII. Papa Fr. AscelinuÌ de ordine PraedicatoruÌ cuÌ tribus alijs Fratribus auctoritate qua fungebantur de diuersis ordinis sui conuentibus sibi associatis cum literis Apostolicis ad exercituÌ TartaroruÌ in quibus hortabatur eos vt ab hominuÌ strage desisterent fidei veritateÌ reciperent Et ego quideÌ ab vno Fratrum PraedicatoruÌ videlicet à Fr. Simone de S. Quintino iam ab illo itinere regresso gesta TartaroruÌ accepi illa duntaxat quae superius per diuersa loca iuxta congruentiaÌ temporuÌ huic opeâi inserui SiquideÌ eo tempore quidaÌ Frater ordinis MinoruÌ videlicet Fr. Iohannes de Plano carpini cum quibusdam alijs missus fuit ad Tartaros qui etiam vt ipse testatur per annum quatuor menses amplius cum eis mansit inter eos ambulauit A summo namque Pontifice mandatuÌ vt omnia quae apud eos erant diligenter scrutaretur acceperat tam ipse quà m Fr. Benedictus Polonus eiusdem ordinis qui suae tribulationis particeps socius erat Et hic ergo Fr. Ioannes de âis quae apud Tartaros vel oculis proprijs vidit vel à Christianis fide dignis qui inter illos captiui erant audiuit libellum historialem conscripsit qui ipse ad manus nostras peruenit De quo etiam hîc quasi per epilogum inserere libet aliqua videlicet ad supplementum eorum quae de sunt in praedicta Fr. Simonis historia De situ qualitate terrae Tartarorum Cap. 3. Iohannes de Plano Carpini ESt in partibus Orientis terra quae Mongal siue Tartaria dicitur in ea scilicet parte sita in qua Oriens Aquiloni coniungi creditur Ab Oriente quidem habet terram Kythaorum etiam Solangorum à meridie verò terraÌ Sarracenorum Inter OrienteÌ meridiem terram Huynorum ab Occidente prouinciam Naymanorum ab Aquilone verò circundatur Oceano In parte aliqua nimium est montuosa in aliqua campestris sed tota ferè admixta glarea plurimum arenosa nec est in centesima parte fructuosa Nec enim potest fructum poâtare nisi aquis fluuialibus irrigetur que ibi sunt raâissime Vnde nec ville nec alique ciuitates ibideÌâeperiuntur excepta vna quae Cracuâm appellatur satis bona esse dicitur Nos quidem illam non vidimus sed ad dimidiam dietam prope fuimus cùm apud Syram ordam quae curia maior Imperatoris eorum est essemus Licet autem aliâs infructifera sit illa terra tamen alendis peâoribus est apta In aliqua eius parte sunt alique syluae modicae alia verò sine lignis est omninò Itaque tam Imperator quà m Principes omnes alij sedent cibaria sua decoquunt ad focum de boum equorum stercoribus factum Ipse quoque aer inordinatus est ebidem mirabiliter In media siquidem aestate ibi tonitrua magna fulgura fiunt ex quibus plurimi occiduntur homines eodem quoque tempore cadunt ibidem maxime niues Sunt ibi ventorum frigidissimorum tam maxime tempestates quòd aliquando vix posâunâ equitare homines Vnde cùm ante ordam essemus sic enim apud eos stationes Imperatoris Principum appellantur prae ventimagnitudine interra prostrati iacebamus videre propter pulueris magnitudineÌ minimè poteramus Nunquam ibi pluit in hyeme sed frequenter in aestate tam modicum vt vix posset aliquando puluerem radicem graminum madefacere Ibi quoque maxima grando cadit saepè Vnde cùm Imperator electus in sede regni debuit poni
Neither doth Bathy at any time drinke nor any other of the Tartarian princes especially being in a publique place but they haue singing and minstrilsie before them And alwaies when hee rides there is a canopie or small tent caried ouer his head vpon the point of a iaueline And so doe all the great princes of the Tartars their wiues also The sayd Bathy is courteous euough vnto his owne men and yet is hee had in great awe by them he is most cruel in fight he is exceedingly prudent and politique in warre because he hath now continued a long time in martiall affaires How departing from Bathy they passed through the land of Comania and of the Kangittae Chap. 23. MOreouer vpon Easter euen we were called vnto the tent and there came forth to meete vs the foresaid agent of Bathy saying on his masters behalfe that we should go into their land vnto the Emperor Cuyne deteining certaine of our company with this pretence that they would send them backe vnto the Pope to whom we gaue letters of al our affaires to deliuer vnto him But being come as farre as duke Montij aforesaid there they were kept vntill our returne Upon Easter day hauing said our praiers and taken a slender breakfast in the company of two Tartars which were assigned vnto vs by Corensa we departed with many teares not knowing whether we went to death or to life And we were so feeble in bodie that we were scarce able to ride For all that Lent through our meat was Millet onely with a little water and salte And so likewise vpon other fasting dayes Neither had we ought to drinke but snowe melted in a skillet And passing through Comania we rode most earnestly hauing change of horses fiue times or oftener in a day except when we went through deserts for then we were allowed better and stronger horses which could vndergoe the whole labour And thus farre had we trauailed from the beginning of Lent vntill eight dayes after Easter The land of Comania on the North side immediately after Russia hath the people called Morduyni Byleri that is Bulgaria magna the Bastarci that is Hungaria magna next vnto the Bastarci the Parositae and the Samogetae Next vnto the Samogetae are those people which are sayd to haue dogges faces inhabiting vpon the desert shores of the Ocean On the South side it hath the Alani the Circassi the Gazari Greece and Constantinople also the land of Iberia the Cathes the Brutaches who are said to be Iewes shauing their heads all ouer the landes also of Scythia of Georgia of Armenia of Turkie On the West side it hath Hungaria and Russia Also Comania is a most large and long countrey The inhabitantes whereof called Comani the Tartars slewe some notwithstanding fled from them and the rest were subdued vnder their bondage But most of them that fled are returned againe Afterward wee entred the lande of the Kangitâae which in many places hath great scarcetie of waters wherin there are but fewe inhabitants by reason of the foresayd defect of water For this cause diuers of the seruants of Ieroslaus duke of Russia as they were traueiling towards him into the land of Tartaria died for thirst in that desert As before in Comania so likewise in this countrey wee found many skulles and bones of dead men lying vpon the earth like a dunghill Through this countrey we were traueiling from the eight day after Easter vntill Ascension day The inhabitants therof were Pagans and neither they nor the Comanians vsed to till the ground but liued onely vpon cattell neither built they any houses but dwelled in tents These men also haue the Tartars rooted out and doe possesse and inhabite their countrey howbeit those that remained are reduced into their bondage How they came vnto the first court of the new Emperour Chap. 24. MOreouer out of the land of the Kangittae we entered into the countrey of y e Bisermini who speake the language of Comania but obserue the law of the Saracens In this countrey we found innumerable cities with castles ruined many towns left desolate The lord of this country was called Soldan Altâ who with al his progenie was destroyed by the Tartars This country hath most huge mountains On the South side it hath Ierusalem and Baldach and all the whole countrey of the Saracens In the next territories adioyning doe inhabite two carnall brothers dukes of the Tartars namely Burin and Cadan the sonnes of Thyaday who was the sonne of Chingis Can. On the North side thereof it hath the land of the blacke Kythayans and the Ocean In the same countrie Syban the brother of Bathy remaineth Through this countrie we were traueiling from the feast of Ascension vntil eight daies before the feast of S. Iohn Baptist. And then we entred into the land of the blacke Kythayans in which the Emperour built an house where we were called in to drinke Also the Emperours deputy in that place caused the chiefe men of the citie and his two sonnes to daunce before vs. Departing from hence wee founde a certaine small sea vpon the shore whereof stands a little mountaine In which mountaine is reported to be a hole from whence in winter time such vehement tempests of winds doe issue that traueilers can scarcely and with great danger passe by the same way In summer time the noise in deede of the winde is heard there but it proceedeth gently out of the hole Along the shores of the foresaid sea we trauailed for the space of many dayes which although it bee not very great yet hath it many islandes and wee passed by leauing it on our left hande In this lande dwelleth Ordu whome wee sayde to bee auncient vnto all the Tartarian dukes And it is the Orda or court of his faher which hee inhabiteth and one of his wiues beareth rule there For it is a custome among the Tartars that the Courts oâ Princes or oâ noble men are not dissolued but alwayes some women are appointed to keepe and gouerne them vpon whom certain gifts are bestowed in like sort as they are giuen vnto their Lords And so at length we arriued at the first court of the Emperour wherein one of his wiues dwelt Howe they came vnto Cuyne himselfe who was forthwith to be chosen Emperour Chap. 25. BUt because we had not as yet seene the Emperour they would not inuite vs nor admit vs into his Orda but caused good attendance and entertainement after the Tartars fashion to be giuen vnto vs in our owne tent and they caused vs to stay there and to refresh our selues with them one day Departing thence vpon the euen of Saint Peter and Saint Paul wee entered into the land of the Naymani who are Pagans But vpon the very feast day of the saide Apostles there fel a mightie snowe in that place and wee
English lawes that the people and the lawes were in reputation and then were the wisest of the people worship-worthy euery one after his degree Earle and Churle Thein and vnder-Thein And if a churle thriued so that hee had fully five hides of his owne land a Church and a Kitchin a Belhouse and a gate a seate and a seuerall office in the Kings hall then was he thenceforth the Theins right worthy And if a Thein so thriued that he serued the king and on his message rid in his houshold if he then had a Thein that followed him the which to the kings iourney fiue hides had and in the kings seate his Lord serued and thrise with his errand had gone to the king he might afterward with his forâoth his lords part play at any great neede And if a Thein did thriue so that he became an Earle then was he afterward an Earles right worthie And if a Marchant so thriued that he passed thrise ouer the wide seas of his owne craft he was thencefoorth a Theins right worthie And if a scholar so prospered thorow learning that he degree had and serued Christ he was then afterward of dignitie and peace so much worthie as thereunto belonged vnlesse he forfaited so that he the vse of his degree vse ne might A testimonie of certaine priuiledges obtained for the English and Danish Marchants of Conradus the Emperour and Iohn the Bishop of Rome by Canutus the King of England in his iourney to Rome extracted out of a letter of his written vnto the Cleargie of England SIt vobis notum quia magna congregatio nobilum in ipsa solemnitate Pascali Romae cum Domino Papa Ioanne imperatore Conrado erat scilicet omnes principes gentium a monte Gargano vsque ad iâtum proximum Marââ qui omnes me honorifice suscepere magnificis donis honorauere Maxime autem ab imperatore donis varijs muneribus pretiosis honoratus sum tam in vasis aureis argenteis quam in pallijs vestibus valde pretiosis Locutus sum igitur cum ipso imperatore Domino Papa principibus qui ibi erant de necessitatibus totius populi mei tam Angli quam Dani vt eis concederetur lex aequior pax securior in via RomaÌ adeundi ne tot clausuris per viam arcerentur propter iniustum teloneuÌ fatigarentur Annuitque postulatis Imperator Rodulphus Rex qui maxime ipsarum clausurarum dominatur cunctique principes edictis firmarunt vt homines mei tam Mercatores quà m alij orandi gratia viatores absque omni anguria clausurarum teloneaâiorum cum firma pace Romam eant redeant The same in English YOu are to vnderstand that at the feast of Easter there was a great company of Nobles with Pope Iohn and Conradus the Emperour assembled at Rome namely all the princes of the nations from mount Garganus vnto the West Ocean sea Who all of them honourably interteined me and welcomed mee with rich and magnificent gifts but especially the Emperour bestowed diuers costly presents and rewards vpon mee both in vessels of golde and siluer and also in cloakes and garments of great value Wherefore I conferred with the Emperour himselfe and the Pope and with the other Princes who were there present concerning the necessities of all my subiects both Englishmen and Danes that a more fauourable law secure peace in their way to Rome might bee graunted vnto them and that they might not bee hindered by so many stops impediments in their iourney and wearied by reason of iniust exactions And the Emperour condescended vnto my request and king Rodulphus also who hath greatest authoritie ouer the foresaid stops and streights and all the other princes confirmed by their Edicts that my subiects as well Marchants as others who trauailed for deuotions sake should without all hinderance and restraint of the foresaid stops and customers goe vnto Rome in peace and returne from thence in safetie The flourishing state of Marchandise in the Citie of London in the dayes of Willielmus Malmesburiensis which died in the yeere 1142. in the reigne of K. Stephen HAud longe a Rofa quasi viginti quinque milliarijs est Londonia Ciuitas nobilis opima ciuium diuitijs constipata negociatorum ex omni terra maxime ex Germania venientium commercijs Vnde fit vt cum vbique in Anglia caritas victualium pro sterili prouentu messium sit ibi necessaria distrahantur emantur minore quà m alibi vel vendentium compendio vel ementium dispendio Peregrinas inuehit merces Ciuitatis sinibus Tamesis fluuius famosus qui citra vrbem ad ' 80. milliaria fonticulo fusus vltra plus 70. nomen profert The same in English NOt farre from Rochester about the distance of fiue and twenty miles standeth the Noble Citie of London abounding with the riches of the inhabitants and being frequented with the traffique of Marchants resorting thither out of all nations and especially out of Germanie Whereupon it commeth to passe that when any generall dearth of victuals falleth out in England by reason of the scarcitie of corne things necessary may there be prouided and bought with lesse gaine vnto the sellers and with lesse hinderance and losse vnto the buyers then in any other place of the Realme Outlandish wares are conueighed into the same Citie by the famous riuer of Thames which riuer springing out of a fountaine 80. miles beyond the Citie is called by one and the selfe same name .70 miles beneath it The aforesaid William of Malmesburie writeth of traffike in his time to Bristowe in his fourth booke degestis pontificum Anglorum after this maner IN eadem valle est vicus celeberrimus Bristow nomine in quo est nauium portus ab Hibernia Norwegia caeteris transinarinis terris venientium receptaculum ne scilicet genitalibus diuitijs tam fortunata regio peregrinarum opum frauderetur commercio The same in English IN the same valley stands the famous Towne of Bristow with an Hauen belonging thereunto which is a commodious and safe receptacle for all ships directing their course for the same from Ireland Norway and other outlandish and foren countreys namely that a region so fortunate and blessed with the riches that nature hath vouchsafed thereupon should not bee destitute of the wealth and commodities of other lands The league betweene Henry the second and Fredericke Barbarossa Emperour of Germanie wherein is mention of friendly traffike betweene the Marchants of the Empire and England confirmed in the yeere of our Lord 1157. recorded in the first Booke and seuenteenth Chapter of Radeuicus Canonicus Frisingensis being an appendix to Otto Frisingensis IBidem tunc affuere etiam Henrici Regis Angliae missi varia preciosa donaria multo lepore verborum adornata praestantes Inter quae papilionem vnum quantitate maximum qualitate optimum perspeximus
Kingdome and buy and sell in the Citie of London Wherefore we will and firmely command for vs and our heires that the forenamed Marchants of Colen may enioy the liberties and free priuiledges aboue-mentioned throughout our whole kingdome of England as is aforesaid Witnesses the reuerend father Walter Bishop of Carlil William de Ferarijs Gilbert Basset Walter de Beau-champ Hugh Disspenser Walter Marescal Geofrie Disspensser Bartholomew Peach Bartholomew de Saukeuill and others Giuen by the hand of the reuerend father Ralph Bishop of Chichester and our Chauncellour at Dauintre the eight day of Nouember in the twentieth yeere of our reigne Carta Lubecensibus ad septennium concessa Anno 41. Henrici 3. HEnricus dei gracia Rex Angliae dominus Hiberniae dux Normanniae Aquitaniae Comes Andegauiae omnibus Balliuis suis salutem Sciatis nos ad instantiam dilecti fidelis fratris nostri Ricardi Comitis Cornubiae in Regem Romanorum electi suscepisse in protectionem defensionem nostram saluum securum conductum nostrum Burgenses de Lubek in Alemania cum omnibus rebus mercandisis quas in Regnum nostrum deferent vel facient deferri Et eis concessimus quod de omnibus rebus mercandisis suis nihil capiatur ad opus nostrum vel alterius contra voluntatem corundem sed libere vendant negocientur inde in Regno praedicto prout sibi viderint expedite Et ideo vobis mandamus quod dictis Burgensibus vel eorum nuncijs in veniendo in terram nostram cum rebus mercandisis suis ibidem morando inde recedendo nullum inseratis aut ab alijs inferri permittatis impedimentum aut grauamen Nec eos contra quietantiam praedictam vexetis aut ab alijs vexari permittatis In cuius rei testimonium has literas nostras fieri fecimus patentes per septennium durantes Dum tamen ijdem Burgenses interim bene fideliter se habuerint erga praefatum electum fratrem nostrum Teste meipso apud Westmonasterium vndecimo die Maij Anno Regni nostri quadragesimo primo Haec litera duplicata est pro Burgensibus mercatoribus Dacis Brunswig Lubek The same in English The charter of Lubek granted for seuen yeeres obtained in the one and fortieth yeere of Henry the third HEnry by the grace of God King of England Lord of Ireland Duke of Normandie and Aquitaine and Earle of Anjou to all his Bailifs sendeth greeting Know ye that at the instant request of our welbeloued and trusty brother Richard Earle of Cornewal being of late elected king of the Romanes we haue receiued vnder our protection and defence and vnder our safe and secure conduct the citizens of Lubek in Alemain with all their goods and wares which they shall bring or cause to be brought into our kingdome We haue also granted vnto them that of all their goods and merchandize nothing shal be seized vnto the vse of our selues or of any other without their owne consent but that they may freely sell and exercise traffike therewith according as they shall thinke expedient And therefore we straightly command you that neither your selues do offer nor that you permit any other to offer any impediment or molestation vnto the said Burgers or vnto their messengers either at their comming into our land with their goods and marchandize in the time of their abode there or at their departure from thence and that yee neither molest them your selues nor yet suffer them by others to be molested contrary to the aforesaid Charter In testimonie whereof we haue caused these our Letters to be made Patents during the space of seuen yeeres next following Prouided that the sayd Burghers doe in the meane time behaue themselues well and faithfully towards our foresaid elected brother Witnesse our selues at Westminster the eleuenth day of March in the one and fortieth yeere of our reigne This Letter was doubled namely for the Burghers and the Marchants of Denmarke of Brunswig and of Lubecke Carta pro Mercatoribus Alemanniae qui habent domum in London quae Gildhalla Teutonicorum vulgariter nuncupatur Anno 44. Henriciterty Anno primo 29. Edwardi primi renouata confirmata AD instantiam Serenissimi principis Richardi Romanorum Regis charissimi fratris nostri concedimus mercatoribus Alemanniae illis videlicet qui habent domum in Ciuitate nostra London quae Gildhalla Teutonicorum vulgariter nuncupatur quod eos vniuersos manutenebimus per totum RegnuÌ nostrum in omnibus ijsdem libertatibus liberis consuetudinibus quibus ipsi nostris progenitorum nostrorum temporibus vsi sunt gauisi Ipsosque extra huiâsinodi libertates liberas consuetudines non trahemus nec trahi aliquatenus permittemus In cuius rei testimonium has literas nostras fieri fecimus patentes The same in English A charter for the Marchants of Almaine who haue an house at London commonly called the Guildhall of the Dutch graunted in the 44. yeere of Henry the third renued and confirmed in the 1. 29. yeere of Edward the first AT the instant request of the most gracious Prince Richard king of the Romanes our most deare brother wee doe graunt vnto the Marchants of Alemain namely vnto those that haue an house in our citie of London commonly called the Guildhall of the Dutch Merchants that we will throughout our whole Realme maintaine all and euery of them in all those liberties and free customes which both in our times and in the times of our progenitors they haue vsed and enioyed Neither will we inforce them beyond these liberties and free customes nor in any wife permit them to be inforced In witnesse whereof wee haue caused these our letters to be made patents Mandatum regis Edwardi primi de mercatoribus alienigenis MErcatores extranei vendant mercimonia sua in ciuitate London c. infra quadraginta dies post ingressum suum anno 3. Edwardi primi The same in English A mandate of king Edward the first concerning outlandish marchants VVE will and command that outlandish marchants doe sel their wares in the citie of London c. within forty dayes of their arriuall The great Charter granted vnto forreine marchants by king Edward the first in the 31 yeare of his reigne commonly called Carta mercatoria Anno Domini 1303. EDwardus Dei gratia Rex Angliae Dominus Hiberniae dux Aquitaniae Archiepiscopis Episcopis Abbatibus Prioribus Comitibus Baronibus Iustitiarijs Vicecomitibus praepositis ministris omnibus balliuis fidelibus suis salutem Circa bonum statum omnium mercatorum subscriptorum regnorum terrarum prouinciatum videlicet Alemanniae Franciae Hispaniae Protugalliae Nauarrae Lombardiae Thusciae Prouincie Cataloniae ducatus nostri Aquitaniae Tholosanie Caturluni Flandriae Brabantie omnium aliarum terrarum locorum extraneorum quocunque nomine censeantur venientium in regnum nostrum Anglie ibidem
Giuen in our castle of Marienburg in the yeare of our Lord 1398 and vpon the 22. day of February Frater Conradus de Iungingen master generall of the Order of the Dutch knights of S. Maries hospital at Ierusalem A briefe relation of VVilliam Esturmy and Iohn Kington concerning their ambassages into Prussia and the Hans-townes IN primis that in the moueth of Iuly and in the yeare of our Lord 1403 and the fift yeare of the reigne of our souereigne Lord the king that nowe is there came into England the ambassadours of the mighty lord Fr Conradus de lungingen being then Master general of Prussia with his letters directed vnto our foresayd souereigne lord the king requiring amends and recompense for certaine iniuries vniustly offered by English men vnto the subiects of the sayd Master generall written in 20. articles which amounted vnto the summe of 19120. nobles and a halfe c. Item that the third day of the moneth of October in the yeare of our Lord aboue written and in the fift yere of the reigne of our soueraigne lord the king between the reuerend father in God Henrie then bishop of Lincolne lord chancelor and William lord de Roos high treasurer of England on the one party and the sayd ambassadours on the other party it was according to their petition amongst other things ordayned namely that the liege people of our soueraigne lord the king should freely he permitted vntill the feast of Easter then next after ensuing to remaine in the land of Prussia and from thence with their goods marchandises to returne vnto their own home and also that the subiects of the sayd Master generall in the kingdome of England should haue licence and liberty to doe the like Prouided alwayes that after the time aboue limitted neither the English marchants in the land of Prussia nor the Prussian marchaÌts in the realme of England should vse any traffique of marchandise at all vnlesse in the meane space it were otherwise agreed and concluded by the sayd king and the sayd Master general Item immediately after our sayd soueraigne lord the king sent his letters by Iohn Browne marchant of Lin vnto the foresayd Master generall for to haue mutuall conuersation and intercourse of dealing to continue some certain space betweene the marchants of England and of Prussia promising in the same letters that he would in the meane season send vnto the foresayd Master his ambassadors to intreat about the pretended iniuries aforesaid which letters the foresayd Master for diuers causes refused to yeelde vnto as in his letters sent vnto our lord the king bearing date the 16. day of the moneth of Iuly in the yeare of our lord 1404. more plainely appeareth Item that after the receit of the letters of the Master aforesaid which are next aboue mentioned our sayd king according to his promise sent William Esturmy knight M. Iohn Kington câerke and William Brampton citizen of London from his court of parliament holden at Couentrie very slightly informed as his ambassadours into Prussia Item before the arriuall of the sayd ambassadours in Prussia all intercourse of traffique betweene the English and the Prussians in the realme of England and in the land of Prussia was altogether restrained and prohibited and in the same land it was ordayned and put in practise that in whatsoeuer porte of the land of Prussia any English marchant had arriued with his goods he was not permitted to conueigh the sayd goods out of that porte vnto any other place of the land of Prussia either by water or by lande vnder the payne of the forfeiting of the same but was enioyned to sell them in the very same porte vnto the Prussians onely and to none other to the great preiudice of our English marchants Item that after the arriuall of the sayd English ambassadours in the land of Prussia it was ordayned that from the eight day of the moneth of October in the yeare of our lord 1405 all English marchants whatsoeuer should haue free liberty to arriue with all kindes of their marchandise in whatsoeuer port of the land of Prussia and to make sale of them in the said land as hath heretofore from auncient times bene accustomed Also sundry other commodious priuiledges vnto the realme of England were then ordayned and established as in the indentures made for this purpose it doth more manifestly appeare Item the said English ambassadours being arriued in the land of Prussia demanded of the âaid Master generall a reformation and amends for the damages and iniuries offered by the Prussians vnto the liege people of our souereigne lord and king written in fifteene articles which losses amounted vnto the summe of 4535. nobles Item the said Master generall besides the articles exhibited vnto our soueraigne lord the king as it is aboue mentioned deliuered vnto the sayd ambassadours diuers other articles of certaine iniuries offered as he âayth vniustly by English men vnto his subiects which amounted vnto the summe of 5100. nobles Item it was afterward concluded that vpon the first of May next then insuing namely in the yeere of our Lord 1406 or within the space of one yeare immediatly following there should bee made a conuenâent iust and reasonable satisfaction for all molestatious vniustly ofââred on both partes as well on the behalfe of our soueraigne lord the king as of the foresayd Master general Which satisfaction not being performed the Prussians with their goods marchandises within three moneths after the end of the sayd yere next following were without molestation or impediment enioined to depart out of the realme of England with their ships and goods and the English men likewise out of the territories and dominions of the said Master general both of them without any further admonition to abstaine separate themselues from both the countreis aforesayd For the performance of which premisses the ambassadors on both parts being sufficiently instructed were appointed to meete the first day of May at the towne of Dordract in Holland Item that the sayd William Esturmy and Iohn Kington in their returne homewards from Prussia towards England passed through the chiefe cities of the Hans and treated in such sorte with the Burgomasters of them that there were sent messengers and agents in the behalfe of the common society of the Hans marchants vnto the towne of Dordract to conferre with the ambassadors of England about the redressing of iniuries attempted on both parts where diuers agreements were set downe betweene the sayd ambassadors and messengers as in the indentures made for the same purpose it doth more manifestly appeare Item that the meeting appointed at the towne of Dordract vpon the first of May was by the letters of the foresayd ambassadors proroged vnto the first of August then next ensuing and afterward by vertue of the kings letters vnto the first day of March next following and there was another day of prorogation also Item that after the prorogations aforesayd
Liuonia doe demaund restitution namely waxe and furres redounded vnto the vse and commoditie of our soueraigne lord the king And also our said soueraigne lord the king gaue commandement by his letters that some of the sayd goods should be deliuered vnto others And a great part of them is as yet reserued in the towne of Newcastle One Benteld also hath the best of the sayd three ships in possession Also it is reported and thought to be true that certaine Furriers of London which will be detected in the end haue had a great part of the sayd goods namely of the Furres Now as concerning the cities of the Hans IN primis the Hamburgers exhibited nine articles wherein they demaunded restitution for certaine damages offered as they sayd by the English men the value of which losses amounted vnto the summe of 9117. nobles 20. pence For the which after due examination there was promised restitution to the summe of 416. nobles 5. shillings Besides the two articles propounded against theÌ of Scardeburg the summe wherof was 231. pounds 15. s. 8. d. coÌcerning the which there was sentence giuen in England by the coÌmissioners of our lord the king the execution wherof was promised vnto the said Hamburgers by the ambassadors of England leaue and licence being reserued vnto the sayd Hamburgers of declaring or explaning certaine obscure articles by them exhibited which declaration was to be made at the feast of Easter then next to come or within one yeare next ensuing the said feast vnto the chancelor of England for the time being and of proouing the sayd articles and others also which haue not as yet sufficiently bene proued Which being done they are to haue full complement and execution of iustice Also by the Hamburgers there are demaunded 445. nobles from certaine of the inhabitants of Linne in England Which summe if it shal be prooued to be due vnto any English men the Hamburgers are to rest contented with those goods which they haue already in their possessions Item they of Breme propounded ââxe articles wherein the summe conteined amounteth vnto 4414. nobles And there was no satisfaction promised vnto them But the same libertie and licence was reserued vnto them in like maner as before vnto the Hamburgers Item they of Stralessund propounded 23. articles wherof the summe amounted vnto 7415. nobles 20. d. for the which there was promised satisfaction of 253. nobles 3. q. Also here is a caueat to be obserued that they of Stralessund had of English mens goods a great summe particularly to be declared which will peraduenture suffice for a recompense And some of their articles are concerning iniuries offered before 20,22,23,24 yeres past Also their articles are so obscure that they will neuer or very hardly be able to declare or proue them Howbeit there is reserued the very same liberty vnto them that was before vnto the Hamburgers Item they of Lubec propounded 23. articles the summe whereof extended vnto 8690. nobles and an halfe whereupon it was agreed that they should haue paied vnto them 550. nobles There was reserued the same libertie vnto them which was vnto the men of Stralessund Item they of Gripeswold exhibited 5. articles the summe whereof amounted vnto 2092. nobles and an halfe For the which there was promised satisfaction of 153. nobles and an half And the said men of Gripeswold haue of the goods of English men in possession to the value of 22015. nobles 18. s as it is reported by them of Linne And the same libertie is reserued vnto them that was vnto the Hamburgers Item they of Campen propounded ten articles the summe whereof extended vnto 1405. nobles There is no satisfaction promised vnto them but the same liberty is reserued vnto them which was vnto the other abouementioned Item the ambassadors of England demanded of the citizens of Rostok Wismer for damages iniuries by them committed against the subiects of the foresayd souereigne king 32407. nobles 2. s. 10. d. And albeit euery of the foresayd cities sent one of their burgomasters vnto the towne of Hage in Holland to treat with the English ambassadours it was in the end found out that they had not any authority of negotiating or concluding ought at al. And therfore they made their faithfull promises that euery of the said cities should send vnto our soueraigne Lord the king one or two procurator or procurators sufficiently instructed to treat conclude with our said souereigne lord the king about the damages and iniuries aforesaid at the feast of the nauitie of Saint Iohn the Baptist. Compositions and ordinances concluded between the messengers of Frater Conradus de Iungingen master generall of Prussia and the chancelor and treasurer of the realme of England 1403. IN the yere of our Lord 1403 vpon the feast of S. Michael the Archangel the right hono Henrie bishop of Lincoln chancelor of England and the lord de Roos high treasurer of England the ambassadors of Prussia Iohn Godek of Dantzik Henry Monek of Elbing masters of the same cities haue at Westminster treated in maner of composition about the articles vnderwritten between the most souereigne lord the king of England and the right reuerend honorable Conradus de Iungingen Master general of Prussia as concerning the iniuries offered vnto the people of Prussia and Liuonia vpon the sea by the English First that all ships with their appurtenances the commodities of the mariners according vnto the condition of the things and all other goods taken away by the English which are actually vndiuided whole are incontinently with al speed to bee restored And if there bee any defect in ought the value of the said defect is to be accounted with other losses of goods to be restored at the terme of the restitution to be made and deliuered Item that all ships damages and goods as they are conteined in our bill of accusation which are not now immediately restored are to be restored and payd in the land of Prussia between this and the terme appointed with full execution and complement of iustice Item concerning the persons throwen ouer boord or slaine in the sea it shall remayne to bee determined at the will and pleasure of the most mighty prince the king of England and of the right reuerend the Master of Prussia Item betwene this and the terme appointed for the restoring of the goods taken away vntill there be due payment restitution of the said goods performed the marchants of England and of Prussia are in no wise to exercise any traffique of marchandise at all in the foresaid lands Memorandum that the third day of the moneth of October in the yere of our Lord 1403. and in the fift yere of the reigne of the most mighty prince and lord king Henrie the fourth by the grace of God king of England and France c. betweene the reuerend father Henrie bishop of Lincolâ chancelor and the
statutes ordinations and prohibitions al English marchants whatsoeuer resorting vnto the land of Prussia must be firmely bounden and subiect Also it is ordained that whatsoeuer sale-clothes are already transported or at any time hereafter to bee transported out of England into Prussia by the English marchants and shall there be offered to bee solde whether they be whole cloathes or halfe cloathes they must containe both their endes Lastly that the matters aboue-mentioned fall not short and voyde of their wished effect the treaty and conference about all and singular damages and grieuances whereof there is not as yet done but there must be by the vertue of these presents performed a reformation and amendment must be continued and proroged vntill the first of May next ensuing as by these presents they are continued and proroged with the continuation of the dayes then immediately following at the towne of Dordract aforesaide at the which time and place or at other times and places in the meane space as occasion shall serue by both parties to be limited and assigned or else within oue yeere after the said first day of the moneth of May next ensuing bee expired the hurt and damaged parties generally before-mentioned shall haue performed vuto them a conuenient iust and reasonable reformation on both partes Prouided alwayes if within the terme of the saide yeere some conuenient iust and reasonable reformation bee not performed vnto the parties iniuried and endamaged which are generally aboue mentioned that then within three whole moneths after the foresaid yere shall expired the Prussians shall depart out of the realmes and dominions of the saide Soueraigne Lorde the king of England together with their marchandize and with other goods which they shal haue gotten or bought within the space of the foresaide three moneths and that the English men also are likewise in all respects bounden to auoid and no lawfull impediment hindering them to withdrawe themselues and to depart out of the territories and dominions of the saide Master generall without all molestationâ perturbation and impediment whatsoeuer none other intimation or admonition being necessarie in this regard Howbeit least that by the robberies and piracies of some insolent and peruerse people matter should be ministred vnto the said lord the Master generall of swaruing from the faithfull obseruation of the foresaide agreements or which God forbid any occasion bee giuen him of not obseruing them it is also decreed by the often aboue mentioned Ambassadours and messengers that if the goods and marchandize of any of the saide lorde Master generall his subiectes whatsoeuer shall be from hencefoorth vniustly taken vpon the Sea by any English Pirates and shal be caried into the realme of England and there receiued that the Gouernours and keepers of portes and of other places with whatsoeuer names they be called at the which portes and places such marchandises and goods shall chaunce to arriue beeing onely informed of the saide goods and marchandises by sole report or other proofes wanting by probable suspition are bound to arrest and to keep them in safe custodie fauourably to be restored vnto the owners therof whensoeuer they shall be lawfully demaunded which if they shall omit or deny to performe from thenceforth the saide gouernours and keepers are bound to make vnto the parties endamaged a recompease of their losses And for fault of iustice to be executed by the said gouernours and keepers our soueraign lord the king aboue named after he shall conueniently be requested by the parties damnified is bound within three moneths next ensuing all lawfull impediments being excepted to make correspondent iust and reasonable satisfaction vnto the saide parties endamaged Otherwise that it shal be right lawfull for the saide lorde the Master generall to arrest and after the arrest to keepe in safe custodie the goods of the English marchants being in the land of Prussia to the condigne satisfaction of such iniuries as haue bene offered vnto his subiects vntill his said subiects be iustly and reasonably contented Likewise also in all respects the same iustice is to be done vnto the English by the said Lord the Master generall and his subiects in Prussia euen as it hath bene enacted and decreed in the aboue written clause beginning Caeterum ne per c. In English Howbeit least that c. for the said Master general and his subiects by the foresaide ambassadors of England and the commissioners of the said lord the Master generall that in like cases iustice ought to be administred on the behalfe of himselfe and of his subiects in the realme of England And that all and singular the couenants aboue written may in time to come by the parties whom they concerne firmly and inuiolably be obserued the forenamed ambassadors messengers and commissioners all and euery of them for the full credite probation and testimonie of all the premisses haue vnto these present Indentures made for the same purpose caused euerie one of their seales with their owne hands to be put One part of the which indentures remaineth in the custodie of the English ambassadors and the other part in the hands of the commissioners of Prussia Giuen at the castle of Marienburgh in Prussia in the yeere of our Lorde 1405. vpon the 8. day of the moneth of October An agreement made betweene King Henrie the fourth and the common societie of the Marchants of the Hans THis Indenture made betweene the honourable Sir William Esturmy knight and Iohn Kington clearke procurators messengers and commissioners sufficiently deputed and authorized by the most mighty Prince Lord Henry by the grace of God king of England France and lord of Ireland for the performation of y e things vnder written on the one part the hon personages M. Henry Vredeland M. Riman Salum chief notaries Thederic Knesuolt secretary M. SimoÌ Clouesten chief notary and Iohn Zotebotter citizen being sufficiently made and ordained procurators and messengers on the behalfe of the cities of Lubec Bremen Hamburg Sund and Gripeswold for the demanding obtaining seuerally of due reformation and recompense at the hands of our saide souereigne lord the king and of his messengers and commissioners aforesayde for all iniuries damages grieuances and manslaughters any wayes vniustly done and offred seuerally by the liege people and subiects of our soueraigne lord the king vnto the common societie of the marchants of the Hans and vnto any of the Citizens people and inhabitants of the cities aforesaide whatsoeuer on the other part Witnesseth That betweene all and euery of the saide Procurators messengers and Commissioners by vertue of the authoritie committed vnto them it hath bene and is appointed concluded and decreed that the liege marchants and subiects of our said soueraigne lord the king and the marchants of the common societie of the Dutch Hans aforesaide from hencefoorth for one whole yeere and seuen moneths immediately next ensuing and following shal be permitted and licenced friendly freely and securely to exercise mutual traffike
vnto y e foresaid Matthew Ludekinson Item by Nicholas Scot of Caleis the sonne of Tutbury and Hilg of Hull 256. nobles which are due vnto the foresayd Arnold de Aschen Item by the inhabitants of Scardeburgh Blakeney and Crowmer who had one Iohn Iolly of Blakeney for their captaine 156. nobles which are due vnto Henrie Culeman aforesayd Item by the inhabitants of Bayon Whose Capitaine was one Pideuille 125. nobles which are due vnto the said Iohn Vnkeltop Item by the inhabitants of Plymmouth and Dertmouth whose Captaines were Henry Pay and William Gadeling 600. nobles which are due vnto the foresayde Iohn Halewater in respect of his goods by them violently taken away Item 334. nobles to be payed by the selfe same parties being due vnto the sayde Iohn Halewater by reason that they detained his ship from him three moneths and more which ship was of the burthen of three hundreth tonnes of wine and had in it all the foresayde time fiue and fourtie seruants maintained at the expenses of the sayde Iohn Halewater Item that Sir William de Ethingham knight who was Uice-admirall for the sea must bee summoned to alleage a reasonable cause for that the sayd Sir William with his seruants expelled the said Iohn Halewater out of his ship for the space of fifteene dayes together and tooke of the goods and victuals of the said Iohn to the summe of 114. nobles why he ought not to pay the said summe of 114. nobles vnto Iohn Halewater aforesaid which if hee shall not bee willing nor able to alleage before the first of April next ensuing that then by the kings authoritie hee must be compelled to pay vnto the foresaid Iohn the said 114 nobles Item by the inhabitants of Caleis whose captaines were Michael Scot Bishop and William Horneby 1900. nobles which are due vnto the foresayde Eggard Scoff because the saide soueraigne king hath giuen them in charge by the said Michael Scot and the rest concerning the payment of the summe aforesaid Item by Iohn Bilis neere vnto Crowmer 68. nobles which are due vnto Nicholas Wolmersten of Elbing Which summes of nobles must by the kings authoritie bee leuied at the hands of his subiects aboue-mentioned betweene the time that nowe is and the feast of the Purification of the blessed virgine which shall fall in the yeere of our Lord 1411. effectually to bee deliuered and payed vnto the sayd Master generall or his lawfull procurator or vnto his successours or their lawfull procuratours at the Citie of London vpon the feast aforesaid Item it is couenanted that besides the summes specified in the foresayde letters obligatorie made in the behalfe of the said soueraigne prince there are due to be paied vnto one Iohn Marion of Wersingham lately deceased being in his life-time the liege subiect of the foresaid soueraigne prince 200. nobles of English money in regard of certaine iniuries and robberies done and committed before the date of these presents against the foresayde Iohn by one Eghard Scoff subiect vnto the said Master generall for the full satisfaction of the saide damages and robberies to bee made vnto the said deceased Iohn his wife children heires or exceutors by the said Egghard his heâres or by the administrators of his goods at the time and place aboue-mentioned Item it is couenanted confirmed and promised that for all the iniuries and robberies done and committed against one Iohn Dordewant of Elbing being in his life time subiect vnto the sayd Master generall by the liege people and subiects of the said soueraigne king the inhabitants of Scardeburgh before the date of these presents for the full recompense of all such iniuries and robberies there must bee payed vnto one Iohn Gruk of Dantzik eight hundred nobles of English money vpon the feast of Easter next following in the Citie of London by them of Scardeburgh being guiltie and culpable in this behalfe who are by definitiue sentence condemned vnto the said Iohn in the summe of 800. nobles by reason of the iniuries and robberies aforesaid Except the lawfull expenses in this behalfe layed out they are also taxed in due time for the issue And therefore the foresayde condemned parties whose names are in the sentence against them pronounced in this behalfe more expresly contained must in the meane season by the kings authoritie be compelled and constrained really and actually to obey the foresaid sentence namely by deliuering and paying vnto Iohn Gruk the summe of 800. nobles at the time and place aboue mentioned with reasonable expences wherein also the said parties stand condemned their lawfull taxation being reserued Item it is couenanted and granted that the heires of Lord Henrie de Percy the yonger after they shall come vnto lawfull age and shall haue attained vnto the possessions and goods of their inheritance must be compelled by the kings authoritie iustice going before to make satisfaction vnto the great procurator of Marienburgh with the summe of 838. nobles in lieu of certaine corne and graine which the foresaid Lord Henrie in the yeere 1403 bought and receiued of the said great procuratour for the vse of the castle of Zutberwik In testimonie and confirmation of all the which premisses the said Tedericus Lefardus and Iohn Crolow of their certaine knowledges haue put tâeir seales vnto these present letters indented in the presence of the aboue-named Richard Merlow Iohn Kington and William Askam commissioners for the behalfe of England Giuen at the Citie of London in England the fourth day of December in the yeere of our Lord 1409. Carta Henrici quarti Anno quinto regni sui concesâa mercatoribus Angliae in partibus Prussiae Daciae Norwegiae Swethiae Germaniae de gubernatore inter ipsos ibidem constituendo HEnricus Dei gratia Rex Angliae Franciae Dominus Hiberniae omnibus ad quos praesentes literae peruenerint salutem Sâiatis quod cum vt accepimus ob defectum boni sani regiminis gubernationis diuersa damna dissensiones grauamina angustiae inter mercatores Regni nostri Angliae in partibus Pruciae Daciae Norwegiae Hansae Swethiae commorântes saepius ante haec tempora mota fuissent perpetrata ac maiora exinde quod absit futuris temporibus verisimiliter euenire formidantur nisi pro meliori gubernatione inter eosdem mercatores mutuò habenda manus nostras adiutrices apponamus Nos damnis periculis in hac parte imminentibus praecauere eosdem Mercatores alios de dicto regno nostro ad partes praedictas venturos iuste fideliter regi pertractari intime desiderantes volumus tenore praesentium concedimus eisdem mercatoribus quod ipsi quoties quando eis placuerit in quodam loco competenti honesto vbi sibi placuerit se congregare vnire certas personas sufficientes idoneas in gubernatores suos in eisdem pattibus inter se ad eorum libitum eligere obtinere valeant libere impune
Citie of London William Garret Alderman of our saide Citie Athonie Husie and Iohn Suthcot to be the first and present 4. Consuls of the said felowship and communalty by these presents to haue and enioy the said offices of Consuls to them the said George Barnes William Garret Anthony Husie Iohn Suthcot for terme of one whole yere next after y e date of these our letters patents And we doe likewise make ordeine and constitute Sir Iohn Gresham knight Sir Andrew Iudde knight Sir Thomas White knight Sir Iohn Yorke knight Thomas Offley the elder Thomas Lodge Henry Herdson Iohn Hopkins William Watson Will. Clifton Richard Pointer Richard Chamberlaine William Mallorie Thomas Pallie the elder William Allen Henry Becher Geffrey Walkenden Richard Fowles Rowland Heyward George Eaton Iohn Ellot Iohn Sparke Blase Sanders Miles Mording to be the first and present 24. Assistants to the saide Gouernour or gouernours and Consuls and to the said fellowship and communaltie by these presents to haue and enioy the said offices of assistants to them for terme of one whole yere next after the date of these our letters patents And further we for vs our heires and successors as much as in vs is wil graunt by these presents vnto the saide Gouernour Consuls assistans fellowship company of Marchants aduenturers aforesaid to their successors that the said gouernour or gouernours 4. Consuls 24. assistants that now by these patents are nominated and appointed or that hereafter by the saide fellowship communaltie of marchants aduenturers or the more part of them which shal be then present so from time to time to be chosen so that there be 15. at the least wholy agreed therof the said Gouernour or gouernors or one of them and 2. of the said Consuls shal be there and 12. of the residue of the said number of 15. shall be of the saide assistants and in the absence of such Gouernour that then 3. of the said Consuls and 12. of the saide assistants at the least for the time being shal may haue vse and exercise ful power and authority to rule and gouerne all and singuler the Marchants of the said fellowship and communaltie and to execute and doe full and speedie iustice to them and euery of them in all their causes differences variances controuersies quarrels and complaints within any our realmes dominions iurisdictions onely moued and to be moued touching their marchandise traffikes and occupiers aforesaid or the good order or rule of them or any of them Also wee for vs our heires and successours so much as in vs is doe likewise by these presents graunt that the said Gouernour Consuls assistants fellowship and communaltie and their successors shall and may haue perpetuall succession and a common Seale which shall perpetually serue for the affaires and businesse of the saide fellowship and communaltie And that they and their successours shall and may bee for euer able persons and capaâ in the lawe for to purchase and possesse in fee and perpetuitie and for terme of life or liues or for terme of yeeres or otherwise lands tenements rents reuersions and other possessions and hereditaments whatsoeuer they bee by the name of the Gouernour Consuls assistants fellowship and communaltie of the Marchants aduenturers by Seas and Nauigations for the discouerie of landes territories Iles Dominions and Seigniories vnknoweâ and before the saide last aduenture or enterprise by seas not frequented as before is specified and by the same names shall and may lawfully alien graunt let and set the same or any part thereof to any person or persons able in the lawe to take and receiue the same So that they doe not graunt nor alien the same or any part thereof into mortmaine without speciall licence of vs our heires or successours first had and obtained Also wee for vs our heires and successours haue graunted and by these presents doe graunt vnto the saide Gouernours Consuls assistants fellowship and communaltie of the saide Marchants and to their successours that they and their successours shall and may lawfully purchase vnto them and their successors for euer landes tenements and hereditaments whatsoeuer of the cleare yeerely value of threescore sixe âounds thirteene shillings foure pence of lawful money of England and not aboue as well of such lands tenements and hereditaments as bee holden or shall be holden of vs our heires or successours as of any other person or persons the statutes prouided against alienations into mortmaine or any of them or any article or clause in them or any of them contained or any other lawe custome statute or prouision to the contrary in any wise notwithanding And that they by the name of the Gouernour Consuls assistants fellowship and communaltie of Marchants aduenturers for the discouerie of lands territories Isles dominions and Seigniories vnknowen by the Seas and Nauigations and not before the said late aduenture or enterprise by seas frequented as aforesaid shall and may be able in the law to implead and be impleaded to answere and to be answered to defende and to be defended before whatsoeuer Iudge or Iustice temporall or spirituall or other persons whatsoeuer in whatsoeuer court or courts and in all actions personall reall and mixt and in euery of them and in all plaints of nouel disseison and also in all plaints suites quarels affaires businesses and demaunds whatsoeuer they bee touching and concerning the saide fellowship and communaltie and the affaires and businesse of the same onely in as ample manner and forme as any other corporation of this our Realme may doe Moreouer wee for vs our heires and successours haue giuen and graunted and by these presents doe giue and graunt vnto the said Gouernour Consuls assistants fellowshippe and communaltie of Marchants aduenturers aforesaide and to their successours that the saide Gouernour or Gouernours Consuls and assistants and their successors in maner forme and number afore rehearsed shall haue full power and authoritie from time to time hereafter to make ordein establish and erect all such statutes actes and ordinaunces for the gouernement good condition and laudable rule of the saide fellowship and communaltie of Marchants aduenturers aforesaid as to them shall bee thought good meete conueuient and necessarie and also to admit vnto the saide Corporation and fellowship to be free of the same such and as many persons as to them shal bee thought good meete conuenient and necessarie And that euery such person or persons as shall fortune heereafter to bee admitted into the saide fellowshippe communaltie and corporation shal from the time of his or their admittance be free of the same And also wee will and by these presents graunt for vs our heires and successours vnto the saide Gouernours Consuls assistants fellowship communaltie of Marchants aduenturers aforesaid and to their successours that the Gouernour or gouernors Consuls and assistants of the same in maner forme and number afore rehearsed and their successours for the time being shall and may
England receiued and conducted there intertained vsed honoured and finally in good safetie towards his returne and repaire furnished and with much liberalitie and franke handling friendly dismissed to the intent that the trueth of the premisses may bee to the most mightie Emperour of Russia sincerely signified in eschewment of all euents and misfortunes that may chance in this voyage which God defend to the Ambassadours person traine and goods this present memoriall is written and autentikely made and by the sayde Ambassadour his seruants whose names be vnderwritten and traine in presence of the Notarie and witnesses vndernamed recognized and acknowledged Giuen the day moneth and yeere vnderwritten of which instrument into euery of the sayde Shippes one testimoniall is deliuered and the first remaineth with the sayde Companie in London Giftes sent to the King and Queenes Maiesties of England by the Emperour of Russia by the report of the Ambassadour and spoyled by the Scots after the Shipwracke 1 First sixe timber of Sables rich in colour and haire 2 Item twentie entire Sables exceeding beautifull with teeth eares and clawes 3 Item foure liuing Sables with chaines and collars 4 Item thirtie Lusarnes large and beautifull 5 Item sixe large and great skinnes very rich and rare worne onely by the Emperour for woorthinesse 6 Item a large and faire white Ierfawcon for the wilde Swanne Crane Goose and other great Fowles together with a drumme of siluer the hoopes gilt vsed for a lure to call the sayd Hawke Giftes sent to the Emperour of Russia by the King and Queenes Maiesties of England 1 First two rich pieces of cloth of Tissue 2 Item one fine piece of Scarlet 3 Item one fine Uiolet in graine 4 Item one fine Azur cloth 5 Item a notable paire of Brigandines with a Murrian couered with Crimson veluet and gilt nailes 6 Item a Male and Female Lions Giftes giuen to the Ambassadour at his departure ouer and aboue such as were deliuered vnto him at his first arriuall 1 First a chaine of golde of one hundred pound 2 Item a large Bason and Ewer siluer and gilt 3 Item a paire of pottle pots gilt 4 Item a paire of flaggons gift The names of all such Russies as were attendant vpon the Ambassadour at and before his departure out of England Isaak Fwesschencke Demetre Gorbolones Symonde Yeroffia Stephen Lowca Andria Foma Memorandum the day and yeere of our Lord aboue mentioned in the house of the worshipfull Iohn Dimmocke Citizen and Draper of London situate within the famous Citie of London in the Realme of England the aboue named honourable Osep Gregorywich Napea Ambassadour and Orator aboue mentioned personally constituted and present hauing declared vnto him by the mouth of the right worshipfull master Anthonie Hussie Esquire the effect of the causes and contents of and in this booke at the interpretation of Robert Best his interpreter sworne recognized and knowledged in presence of me the Notarie personages vnder written the contents of this booke to be true aswell for his owne person as for his seruants aboue named who did not subscribe their names as is aboue mentioned but onely recognized the same In witnesse whereof I Iohn Incent Notarie Publike at the request of the said Master Anthonie Hussie and other of the Marchants haue to these presents vnderwritten set my accustomed signe with the Subscription of my name the day and yeere aboue written being present the right Worshipfull Aldermen of London Knights Andrew Iudde George Barne William Chester Rafe Greeneaway Iohn Mersh Esquier Iohn Dimmock Blase Sanders Hubert Hussie and Robert Best aboue mentioned The voyage of the foresaid M. Stephen Burrough An. 1557. from Colmogro to Wardhouse which was sent to seeke the Bona Esperanza the Bona Confidentia and the Philip and Mary which were not heard of the yeere before May. VPon Sunday the 23. of May I departed with the Searchthrift from Colmogro the latitude whereof is 64. degrees 25. minutes and the variation of the compasse 5. degrees 10. minutes from the North to the East Wednesday we came to the Island called Pozanka which Island is within foure leagues of the barre Berozoua It floweth here at an East and by South Moone full sea Saturday in the morning we departed from Pozanka and plied to the barre of Berôzoua Gooba whereupon wee came to anker at a lowe water and sounded the said Barre with our two Skiffes and found in the best vpon the shoaldest of the barre 13. foote water by the rule It highâth vpon this barre in spring streames 3. foote water and an East Moone maketh a full sea vpon this barre Sunday in the morning wee departed from the barre of Berozoua and plied along by the shoalds in fiue fadome vntill I had sight of S. Nicholas roade and then wee cast about to the Northwards and went with a hommocke which is halfe a mile to the Eastwards of Coya Reca which hommocke and S. Nicholas abbey lye Southsouthwest and Northnortheast and betweene them are 11. leagues Coia Reca is halfe a mile to the Eastwards of Coscaynos Coscaynos the middes of the Island called Mondeustoua ostroue which is thwart of the barre of Berozoua lieth South and by East North and by West and betweene them are 4. leagues or as you may say from the Seaboord part of the barre to Coscaynos are 3. leagues and a halfe Munday at a Northeast and by East sunne we were thwart of Coscaynos Dogs nose lieth from Coscaynos Northnorthwest and betweene them are eight leagues and Dogs nose sheweth like a Gurnerds head if you be inwardly on both sides of it on the lowe point of Dogs nose there standeth a crosse alone Iune FRom Dogs nose to Foxenose are three leagues North and by West The 2. day of Iune I went on shoare 2. miles to the Northwards of Dogs nose and had the latitude of that place in 65. degrees 47. minutes It floweth a shoare at this place at an East Moone full sea and the shippe lay thwart to wende a floodâ in the off at a Southsoutheast moone So that it is to be vnderstoode that when it is a full sea on the shoare it is two points to ebbe before it be a lowe water in the off The variation of the Compasse at this place is 4. degrees from the North to the East This day the Northnorthwest winde put vs backe againe with Dogs nose where a ship may ride thwart of a salt house in 4. fadome or 4. fadome and a halfe of water and haue Landfange for a North and by West winde which Salt house is halfe a mile to the Southwards of Dogs nose Friday at a Southsouthwest Sunne wee departed from this Salt house It is to be noted that foure miles to the Northwards of Dogs nose there growe no trees on the banke by the water side and the bankes consist of fullers earth Ouer the cliffes there growe some trees so that Dogs nose is the better to be
in length is so imploied and as much in breadth this is vpon a flat soile The hempe groweth about Smolensko vpon the Polish border 300. miles in compasse much of the soile is so imploied Of this hempe they bring in Winter to Vologda and Colmogro and we set in worke in making of cables aboue 100. men The Russians do spin and hachell it and the English tarre it in threed and lay the cable And one table of those is woorth two of Danzick because the Danzickers put in old cable and rottân stuffe which in fowle weather is found of no strength Sosnoua a tree that cureth the wolfe with the shauings of the wood groweth in these parts and of the barks they make ropes as big as a mans arme for their boats The Samoeds lacking linnen make handkerchiefs and towels of the very wood of this tree The wood of this tree is as heauie as hollie and the shauings tough Rose Island in S. Nicholas Baie is full of Roses damaske and red of violets and wild Rosemarie This Island is neere 7. or 8. miles about and good pasture and hath the name of the roses The snow here about the midst of May is cleared hauing bin two moneths in melting then the ground is made dry within 14. dayes after and then the grasse is knee high within a moneth TheÌ after September the frost commeth in the snow is a yard deepe vpon plaine ground The Island hath Firre and Birch and a faire fresh spring neere the house built there by the English The way discouered by water by vs Thomas Southam Iohn Sparke from the towne of Colmogro by the Westerne bottome of the Baie of S. Nicholas vnto the citie of Nouogrod in Russia containing many particulars of the way and distance of miles as hereafter foloweth Anno 1566. WE departed from Colmogro about 10â of the clocke afore noone iu a Lodia or Barke which we hired to bring vs along the coast to a place called Soroka in the sayd barke we hired 6. mariners and a boy to conduct vs to the place before rehearsed The Lodia or barke was of the burden of 25. tunnes or thereabout wherewith we valed downe the riuer of Dwina the winde being then calme vnto a monasterie called S. Michael where we were constrained to anker because of a contrary wind which there met vs. From Colmogro to this monasterie are 50. versts or miles of Russia at which place we caried till the 21. day in the morning and then hauing the wind some what faire we set saile and departed thence 21 We departed from the monasterie of S. Michael hauing the wind somwhat faire and arriued at Rose Island ouer and against the monasterie of S. Nicholas the 22. day at 2. of the clocke in the morning which is 35. miles distant from the monasterie of S. Michael By reason of contrary wind and tide we were constrained to tary there all that day 23 We departed from the monasterie of S. Nicholas at 7. of the clocke in the euening came to an anker at the Beacons continued there vntil halfe an houre past 10. of the clocke and then set from thence the wind being South our course was West vntil 5. of the clock in the morning when as we came to an anker against Newnox towne where we continued vntil the 25. day The sayd towne of Newnox is from the monasterie of S. Nicholas 35. miles 25 We departed froÌ Newnox hauen at one of the clocke in the after noone the wind at South and Southeast and our course Northwest and by West The point of Tolstick which is the headland before the entrance of Newnox hauen and the headland of Seusemski lie next Southeast and by South Northwest and by North. We came to an anker there this day at 4. of the clock in y e afternoone being from Newnox hauen 15. miles where we continued in harbour til the 27. day of the moneth by reason of contrary winds 27 We departed from Seusemski in the morning at 5. of the clocke the wind next at East and by North and our course Northwest and by West The said land of Seusemski the headland going into Owna riuer lieth East and by South west and by North and between them is 25. miles This day at Sunne set we came to an Island called Sogisney passing betwixt it the maine with the wind at South and by East our course was West and by South being 85. miles from Owna riuer Being past the said Island 10. miles the wind came contrary whereupon we returned to the Island of Sogisney where we remained vntil the 29. day 29 The 29. day we departed from Sogisney aforesayd at 5. of the clocke in the afternoone the wind at East northeast our course was Southwest by west passing by an Island called Anger being 30. miles from Sogisney and keeping on our course we came by the headland of an Island called Abdon being from the Island of Anger 15. miles where we found many rocks and if the great prouidence of God had not preserued vs wee had there perished being fallen amongst them in the night time and our pilot none of the perfectest which was contrary to his profession as we found it But whosoeuer will trauell that way must either keepe hard aboord the shore for that there is a chanell which goeth along the coast within the rocks or els giue the headland a birth of 6. miles at the least and so goe a seaboord all for there are ledges of rocks that lie fiue miles from the headland We gaue the headland a birth of 3. miles notwithstanding there lay two rockes two miles to sea boord of vs so that we were inclosed with them and sate vpon the highest of them but it pleased God to make it calme and giue vs the day also or els we had miscaried 30 We departed from the headland of the Island of Abdon at 4. of the clocke in the morning directing our course West and at 10. of the clocke before noone we arriued at a monasterie named Solosky which is 15. miles from Abdon At this monasterie we continued vntâll the 31. day of this moneth We had here deliuered vs by the chiefe monkes of the monasterie their letter and house seale and a seruant of theirs to conduct vs safely through the dangerous riuer of Owiga The people of all those parts are wild and speake another kind of language are for the most part all tenants to the monasterie The effect of the letter was that they should be ready to helpe and assist vs in all dangerous places and carie our boats and goods ouer land in places needfull as in deed they did as hereafter shall appeare Note that at our being at the monasterie there was no Abbot for the place as then chosen for 15. dayes before our arriual there the Abbot was sent for by the Emperour and made Metropolitane of the realme as he
the 16. day of this moneth 16 We departed from Salasalma at 8. of the clocke in the morning and came to an Island the 17. day in the morning named Vorronia where wee continued by reason of contrary winds vntill the 21. day of the said moneth and it is 60. miles from Salasalma 21 We departed from Vorronia Island two houres before day and arriued at S. Clements Monasterie at 2. of the clocke in the after noone being from Vorronia 48. miles 22 We departed from S. Clements Monasterie at the breake of the day hauing a faire wind all a long the lake we sailed without striking of saile vntil two houres within night and then entred into a riuer called Swire at a Monasterie called Vosnessino Christo fiue miles from the entrance of the riuer where we taried al night It is from S. Clements Monastery 160. miles the streame of that riuer went with vs. 23 Wee departed from Vosnessino Christo before Sunne rising and valed downe the riuer sometime sailing and sometime rowing so that this day wee went 90. miles and lay at night at a place called Vassian 24 Wee departed from Vassian at the breake of the day and came to a place called Selucax where we lay all night and is 10. miles from Vassian 25 We departed from Selucaxe at 4. of the clocke in the morning and entred vpon the Lake of Ladiskaie the winde being calme al that day sauing 3. houres and then it was with vs so that we sailed and rowed that day 10. miles along vpon the said lake and entred into the riuer of Volhuski which riuer hath his beginning 20. miles aboue Nouogrod and runneth through the midst of the Citie and so falleth into this lake which is farre longer then the lake of Onega but it is not so broad This lake falleth into the sea that commeth from the Sound where any vessel or boat hauing a good pilot may goe through the Sound into England As soone as we were entred into the riuer we came to a Monasterie called S. Nicholas Medued where we lay all that night 26 Wee departed from S. Nicholas Medued at fiue of the clocke in the morning rowing and drawing our boates all day and came at night to another Monasterie called Gosnopoli which is 30. miles from S. Nicholas Medued where we lay all that night 27 We departed from Gosnopoli at 6. of the clocke in the morning and at euening came to a place called Moislaue where we lay all night being 46. miles from the Monasterie of Gosnopoli 28 We departed from Moislaue and the saide day at night came to a place called Grussina 35. miles from Moislaue where we lodged 29 Wee departed from Grussina in the morning and the same day at euening came to a place called Petroe Suetoe where we lay all night being 40. miles from Grussina 30 We departed from Petroe Suetoe in the morning and at two of the clock in the afternoone we arriued at the Citie of Nouogrod being twentie miles from Petroe Suetoe Here we found William Rowlie Agent to the company who was there stayed with all his company and was not licenced to depart thence for the Mosco by reason that the plague was then in the Citie of Nouogrod Unto him we deliuered all the wares that wee brought from Colmogro for by the way we sold not a peny worth the people of the countrey euery where be so miserable The right way to bring and transport wares from Nouogrod to Rose Island into S. Nicholas bay where our Ships yeerely lade with the distance of miles from place to place is âs followeth 20 Miles from Nouogrod to Petroe Suetoe 40 Miles from thence to Grusina 35 Miles from thence to Moislaue 46 Miles from thence to the Monasterie Gosnopoli 15 Miles from thence to Ladega towne 15 Miles from thence to Selunaz ouer the lake of Ladega albeit there be many villages all along the lake 180 Miles from Ladega towne vp the riuer of Swire vnto the Monasterie of Vosnessino Christo albeit there are many villages vpon the riuer for within euery fiue or sixe miles you shall haue villages or small townes 160 Miles from Vosnessino Christo to S. Clements Monastery albeit there be many villages all along the lake of Onega 48 Miles from thence to Voronia 67 Miles from thence to Toluo towne and there are diuers villages al along the lake where the carriers may lie and haue mente for man and horse 50 Miles from thence to Pouensa where Onega lake endeth The way from Pouensa to Some towne is this 30 Miles from Pouensa to Mastelina 10 Miles from thence to Tellekina 30 Miles from thence to Toluich 35 Miles from thence to Carraich 20 Miles from thence to Varnich 10 Miles from thence to Ostrouo 15 Miles from thence to Lapina 20 Miles from thence to Some it selfe Note that from the Citie of Nouogrod vnto the towne of Some is 936. miles and from the towne of Some vnto the Monasâerie of S. Nicholas or Rose Island ouer and against where our Ships do ride is iust as many miles as is Soroka village from S. Nicholas as the Russes doe accompt it as also we do iudge it namely 325. miles So that from Nouogrod to S. Nicholas roâd is by our accompt 1261. miles or versts Furthermoreâ it is to be noted that all such wares as shall be bought at Nouogrod and sent to Some towne must be sent by sled way in the Winter for if any ware should be sent from Nouogrod by water in the spring of the yeere after the yâe is gone then must the said wares remaine at Pouensa towne al that Summer by reason that in the Summer there is no way to goe from Pouensa vnto Some towne At Pouensa there are many warehouses to be hired so that if there were as much goods as ten ships could cary away you might haue warehouses to put it in but if there should remaine much ware all the Summer to be caried in the Winter to Some towne then horses are not easily to be gotten at that place to cary it thither so that your wares once bought at Nouogrod you must haue cariers there to cary it to the towne of Some by Sleds whereof you may there haue 2000. if you will by the report of the Russes For from Nouogrod yerely there go many Sleds in the Winter to fetche salt from Some with carriers and emptie Sleds there to buy it and to bring it to Nouogrod to sell it in the market or otherwise From Nouogrod vnto Some towne you may haue a pâod of wares carried for eight pence or nine pence but in any wise your wares must bee sent from Nouogrod by the sixt of Ianuary so that the wares may bee at Some by Candlemas or soone after for if your wares should tary by the way vntill the 15. of February when the Sunne is of some power then is it dangerâus for the
to the saide fellowship and company nor to any of them to cary and transport or cause to be caried and transported any commodie of this Realme to their newe trade but onely in English ships and to be sailed for the most part with English Mariners nor also to bring into this Realme nor into Flanders from their saide new trade any merchandizes or other commodities but in English ships and sailed for the most part by the English Mariners on paine to forfeit for euery such offence two hundred pounds whereof the one moitie shall be to the Queenes Maiestie her heires and successors the other moitie to the head officers of any port towne hauing any hauen or harborough decayed by what name soeuer they bee incorporate to the reparation of such harborough that will sue for the same in any Court of Record by action bill plaint or information wherein no essoine protection or wager of lawe for the defendant shall be admitted or allowed Prouided also and be it enacted that no maner of person or persons shall from hence forth carrie or transport or cause to bee carried or transported out of this Realme of England any maner of clothes or karsies into any of the partes where the said fellowship and societie is priuiledged to trade by this Act before the same clothes and karsies shall be all dressed and for the most part died within this Realme vpon paine of forfeiture for euery such cloth and karsie otherwise caried and transported fiue pounds the one halfe thereof to the Queenes Maiestie her heires and successors the other halfe to the Master and Wardens of the Clothworkers in the Citie of London for the time being by what name soeuer they be incorporate that wil sue for the same Prouided also that whensoeuer the said societie or company shall willingly withdraw and discontinue wholy by the space of three yeeres in time of peace the discharging of their marchandizes at the road of S. Nicholas bay in Russia and doe not discharge their said merchandizes at some other port or roade lying on that North coast of Russia or other territorie nowe subiect to the saide mightie prince of Russia c. hitherto by the subiects of this realme not commonly frequented that then during the time of any such discontinuance and withdrawing as is aforesaid it shal be lawful to all the subiects of this realme to trade to the Narue onely in English bottoms any thing in this Act to the contrary notwithstanding Prouided also that euery of the Queenes Maiesties Subiects inhabiting within the Citie of Yorke the townes of Newcastle vpon Tine Hull and of Boston hauing continually traded the course of merchandize by the space of ten yeeres and which before the 25. of December that shal be in Anno D. 1567. shal contribute ioyne and put in stocke to with and amongst the said company such summe summes of money as any of the said company which hath throughly continued and contributed to the saide newe trade from the yeere 1552. hath done and before the saide 25. of December 1567. shall do for the furniture of one ordinary full and intire portion or share and do in all things behaue himselfe as others of the said societie be bound to doe and hereafter shall bee bound to do by the priuiledges ordinances and statutes of the saide company shall from the same 25. day of December 1567. be and be accompted free and as one of the saide societie and company and subiect to the priuiledges ordinances and statutes of the saide company reasonably made and to be made any thing in this present Act to the contrary notwithstanding A very briefe remembrance of a voyage made by M. Anthony Ienkinson from London to Moscouia sent from the Queenes Maiestie to the Emperour in the yeere 1566. THe fourth day of May in the yere aforesaid I imbarked my selfe at Grauesend in the good ship called the Harry of London and hauing had a prosperous voyage arriued at the bay of S. Nicholas in Russia the 10. day of Iuly following and immediatly I sent in post to the Emperor to aduertise of my comming and traueiling then thorowe the countrey I with my company came to the Mosco where the Emperour kept his court the 23. of August and foorthwith gaue the Secretarie to vâderstand of my arriuall who aduertised the Emperours Maiestie of it and the first day of September being a solemne feast among the Russes I came before the Emperours Maiestie sitting in his seate of honour and hauing kissed his hand and done the Queenes Maiesties commendations and deliuered her Graces letters and present he âad me to dinner which I accepted and had much honour done vnto me both then and all the time of my abode in Russia The Priuiledges graunted by the Emperour of Russia to the English merchants of that company obteined the 22. of September Anno 1567. by M. Anthony Ienkinson ONe onely strengthener of all things and God without beginning which was before the world the Father the Sonne and the holy Ghost our onely God in Trinitie and maker of all things whom we worship in all things and in all places the doer and fulfiller of all things which is the perfect knowledge giuer of the true God our Lorde Iesus Christ with the comforter the holy Spirit and thou which art the strengthener of our faith keepe vs together giue vs health to preserue our kingdome thou giuer of all good fruites and helper of all Christian beleeuers We great lord by the grace of God and great duke Iohn Vasiliwich of all Russia Volodimer Mosco Nouogrod Cazan Astracan Plesco Smolensko Tweria Yougorie Vadika Bulgar Sybier and others Emperour and great duke of Nouogrod of the lower land of Chernygo Rezan Polotski Rostoue Yereslaue Bealozera Oudoria Obdoria Condensa and lord of many other lands and of all the North parts commander and lord of Liffe-land Whereas our sister Queene Elizabeth by the grace of God Queene of England France and Ireland hath written to vs her letters that wee would graunt her merchants William Gerrard William Chester Rowland Heyward Lawrence Hussie Iohn Marsh Anthony Ienkinson William Rowly and their company of England to come in ships into this kingdome and those merchants William Gerrard and his company haue required of vs that we would graunt and licence them to come into our countrey of Dwina with all kind of wares at wil to our city of Mosco and to all our castles in our kingdomes we for our sisters sake Elizabeth by the grace of God Queene of England France and Ireland haue licenced her merchants William Gerrard and his company to passe in ships to our kingdome of Colmogro and to the land of Dwina and to all other our inheritances in the North parts with all kind of wares to our city of Mosco and to all castles and townes in our kingdome And sir William Garrard his company desired of vs that we would grant them licence to passe to
not need to buy woad so deare to the enriching of our enemies 13 Enquire of the price of leckar and all other things belonging to dying 14 In any wise set downe in writing a true note from whence euery of them doe come and where and in what countrey ech of them doth grow I meane where the naturall place of ech of them is as how neere to such a city or to such a sea or to such a portable riuer in Russia Persia or elsewhere 15 If before you returne you could procure a singular good workeman in the arte of Turkish carpet making you should bring the arte into this Realme and also thereby increase worke to your company Commission giuen by sir Rowland Hayward knight and George Barne Aldermen and gouernours of the company of English Merchants for discouery of new trades vnto Arthur Pet and Charles Iackman for a voyage by them to be made for discouery of Cathay 1580. in forme following IN the Name of God Almightie and euerlasting Amen This writing for commission Tripartite made the twentieth day of May Anno Dom. 1580. and in the 22. yeere of the reigne of our Souereigne Lady Elizabeth by the grace of God Queene of England France and Ireland defender of the faith c. Betweene sir Rowland Hayward knight and George Barne Aldermen of the Citie of London and gouernours of the company of English Merchants for discouery of new trades for the behoofe and in the name of the said company on the first partie and Arthur Pet of Ratcliffe in the Countie Middlesex Captaine Master and chiefe ruler of the good barke called the George of London of the burthen of 40 tunnes or thereabouts on the second partie and Charles Iackman of Popler in the said Countie of Middlesex Captaine Master and ruler of the good barke called the William of London of the burthen of 20. tunnes or thereabouts which backes are now riding at anker in the riuer of Thames against Limehouse on the third partie witnesseth that the said Gouernours and company haue hired the saide Arthur Pet to serue in the said barke called the George with nine men and a boy And likewise the said Charles Iackman to serue in the said barke called the William with fiue men and a boy for a voyage by them to be made by Gods grace for search and discoueries of a passage by sea from hence by Boroughs streights and the Island Vaigats Eastwards to the countreis or dominions of the mightie Prince the Emperour of Cathay and in the same vnto the Cities of Cambalu and Quinsay or to either of them The which passage vpon authoritie of writers and great reason is conceiued to bee from the Vaigats Eastwards according to the description in plat of spirall âines made by master William Burrough whereof either of the saide Arthur Pet and Charles Iackman haue one deliuered vnto them and also one other sailing carde and a blanke plat for either of them But if it should not be in all points according to that description yet we hope that the continent or firme land of Asia doth not stretch it selfe so farre Northwards but that there may be found a sea passeable by it betweene the latitude of 70. and 80. degrees And therefore we haue appointed you with these two barkes to make triall of the same wishing you both to ioyne in friendship together as most deere friends and brothers to all purposes and effects to the furtherance and orderly performing of the same voyage And likewise order your companies that they of the one barke may haue such loue and care to helpe and succour them of the other as most deere friends and brothers would doe so as it may appeare that though they be two barkes and two companies which is so appointed for your greater comfort and assurance yet that you are wholy of one minde and bend your selues to the vttermost of your powers to performe the thing that you are both employed for Doe you obserue good order in your dayly seruice and pray vnto God so shall you prosper the better We would haue you to meete often together to talke conferre consult and agree how and by what meanes you may best performe this purposed voyage according to our intents And at such meeting we thinke it requisite that you call vnto you your mates and also Nicholas Chanceler whom wee doe appoint as merchant to keepe accompt of the merchandize you shall buy or sell barter or change to the ende that whatsoeuer God should dispose of either of you yet they may haue some instructions and knowledge howe to deale in your place or places And of all your assemblies and consultations together and the substance of matter you shal at euery time agree vpon we would haue you to note them in the paper bookes that wee giue you for that purpose vnto each barke one We do appoint Arthur Pet in the George as Admiral to weare the flagge in the maine top and Charles Iackman in the William as Uiceadmirall For good orders to be taken for your good and orderly keeping of company together which we wish may be such as you should neuer lose sight the one of the other except by both your consents to discouer about an Island or in some riuer when and where you may certainly appoint to meete together againe wee referre the same to your discretions And now for your good direction in this voyage we would haue you with the next good winde and weather that God shall send thereunto meete and conuenient after the 22. day of this present moneth of May saile from this riuer of Thames to the coast of Finmarke to the North Cape there or to the Wardhouse and from thence direct your course to haue sight of Willoughbies land and from it passe alongst to the Noua Zemla keeping the same landes alwayes in your sight on your larbcord sides it conueniently you may to the ende you may discouer whether the same Willoughbies land be continent and firme land with Noua Zembla or not notwithstanding we would not haue you to entangle your selues in any Bay or otherwise so that it might hinder your speedy proceeding to the Island Vaigats And when you come to Vaigats we would haue you to get sight of the maine land of Samoeda which is ouer against the South part of the same Island and from thence with Gods permission to passe Eastwards alongst the same coast keeping it alwayes in your sight if conueniently you may vntill you come to the mouth of the riuer Ob and when you come vnto it passe ouer the said riuers mouth vnto the border of land on the Eastside of the same without any stay to bee made for searching inwardly in the same riuer and being in sight of the same Easterly land doe you in Gods name proceed alongst by it from thence Eastwards keeping the same alwayes on your starboordside in sight if you may and follow the tract of it
the Queenes most excellent Maiestie from the Lord Boris Pheodorouich Godonoua BY the grace of God great Lord and great Duke Theodore Iuanouich gouernour of Russia Volodimer Mosco and Nouogrod King of Cazan and Astracan Lord of Vobsko and great Duke of Smolensco Otuer Vghori Perme Viatsky Bulgary and other regions Lord and great Duke of Nouogrod in the low countrey of Chernigo of Rezan Polotsko Rostoue Ieroslaue Bealozera and of Lifland of Vdorsky Obdorsky Condinsky and all the countrey of Sibery and commander of all the North parts and Lord ouer the countrey of Iuersky and King of Grusinsky and of the countrey of Kabardinsky Cherchasky and duke of Igorsky Lord and ruler of many countreys more c. Most resplendent Queene Elizabeth of England France and Ireland c. his princely Maiesties seruant Lord and Master of his horses and high Steward of his house and President of the territories of Cazan and Astracan Boris Pheodorouich Godonoua vnto your most excellent Maiesty great Ladie Queene Elizabeth send my humble commendations It hath pleased your Maiestie to write vnto me your gracious and princely letter by your seruant Thomas Lind which letter I receiued with all humblenesse During the time of the abode of your Messenger Thomas Lind here in the Mosco it pleased God of his mercifulnesse and our Lady the mother of God and holy Saints by the prayers of our lord and king his Maiestie Theodore Iuanouich ouer all Russia gouernour the right beleeuer and louer of Christ to send our Queene and gracious Lady Irene a yoong Princesse to the great ioy and comfort of our kingdome named Pheodocine Wherefore we giue all honour and glory to the almightie God vnspeakeable whose giftes had beene manifolde with mercie vnto vs for which all wee Christians laud and praise God After all this your seruant was occasioned to stay vntill the comming of your merchants from the sea port Touching the letters which you haue receiued from your louing brother our Lord and Master by your ambassadour therein you perceiue sufficiently my good meaning in trauailing for the continuance of amitie and friendship betwixt you mighty great princes in the which I will continue mine endeuour Also your merchants I haue taken into my protection for to defend them for the loue I beare to your Maiestie As heeretofore I haue done it willingly and with great care of their good so I meane to continue so farre as God will giue me leaue to the end that brotherly loue be holden betweene you Princes without disturbance As I haue beene to your merchants in times past so now by the permission and commandement of our Lord and Master I will be their defendour in all causes and will cause all our authorised people to fauour them and to defend them and to giue them free liberty to buy and sell at their pleasure The merchants doe not certifie your princely Maiestie of all our friendship and fauour shewed vnto them from time to time And whereas your Maiestie hath now written to our Lord and Master for the debts which your merchants ought to haue of William Turnebull lately disceased I hauing perused your Maiesties letter whereby I am requested to be a meane for the recouerie and obtaining of their sayd debts I haue moued it to our Lord and King his Maiestie that order may be giuen therein and that his kinseman Rainold Kitchin with three persons more may be sent ouer together with the sayd Turnebulles stuffe and other things as billes books and writings All which shall be deliuered to your merchants Agent and his fellowes and in money 600 rubbles of the sayd Turnebulles And touching your merchants I will haue a great care ouer them and protect them whereby they shall suffer no damages in their trade and all kinde of trafficke in merchandise shall be at their libertie Written in our Lord and Kings Maiestie royall citie of Mosco in the yeere from the beginning of the world 7101 in the moneth of Ianuarie A letter from the Lord Boris Pheodorowich to the right honourable Lord William Burghley Lord high Treasurer of England BY the grace of God great Lord King and great Duke Theodor Iuanouich gouernour of Russia Volodimer Mosco and Nouogrod King of Cazan and Astracan Lord of Vobsco and great Duke of Smolensco Otuer Vghory Perme Viatsky Bulgary and other regions Lord and great Duke of all Nouogrod in the low countreys of Chernigo of Liffeland of Vdorsky Obdorsky Condinsky and all the countrey of Sibery and commaunder of all the North parts and Lord ouer the countrey of Iuersky and King of Grosinsky and of the countreys of Kabardinsky Cherchasky and Duke of Igorsky Lord and ruler of many Countreys more c. His princely Maiesties seruant Lord and Master of his horses and high Steward of his house President of the territories of Cazan and Astracan Boris Pheodorowich Godonoua to the most honourable Counseller of the most resplendent mightie great Lady Elizabeth Queene of England France and Ireland William Burghley Lord and Knight of the Garter high Treasurour of England sendeth greeting I perceiue by your letter that your merchants last shippes came home in sastie and that you haue receiued the letters sent by them by the hands of Francis Cherie one from our Lord and great King of all Russia his Maiesty vnto your Queenes most excellent Maiesty and one from me to her Highnesse and one from my selfe to you and the contents thereof you haue caused to be read and well vnderstood at large And whatsoeuer is therein written concerning Ierome Horsey you haue sought out the ground thereof and that he is in great displeasure And her Highnesse hath written in her letter concerning her Maiesties merchants that whereas I haue taken them into protection she taketh it very louingly and kindely that for her sake they haue receiued so great kindnesse And touching the damages and hinderances which your merchaunts haue sustained by meanes of the Emperours authorised people and officers and that they were not permitted to trafficke at libertie at the Sea port in the yeere 1589 for the space of three weekes it hath beene against the Emperours Maiesties will and pleasure as also against mine Where you desire and wish that betweene our Emperours Maiestie and your Queenes Maiestie their loue and amitie may not bee seperated at any time but to continue and you request mee that I should be good vnto the English merchants and to defend them from all such damages hereafter your honours louing letter I haue therein throughly considered and as I haue bene heretofore so I will still continue to be a meane betwixt our Lorde and kings Maiestie and your great Lady the Queene her highnesse for the mainteyning of brotherly loue and amitie most ioyfully and willingly as God knoweth aswel hereafter as I haue bene heretofore praying you to doe the like also Mine onely desire is for your most excellent Princesse sake to do all that lyeth in mâe
for the ayding helping and protecting of her Maiesties merchants by the order and commaundement of our Lord and king his Maiestie And to that ende I haue giuen order to all our authorised people to bee carefull ouerthem and to defende them in all causes and to giue them free libertie to trafficke at their owne willes and pleasures It may bee that your merchants doe not certifie you the trueth of all things nor make knowen vnto your honour my readinesse to protect them And howe my Letters and Commissions are sent to all authorised people for them that they shoulde ayde and assist them according to the tenour of my Letters to all others that bee in authoritie vnder the said Officers or otherwise Also your honour writeth of the debarring of your merchants at the Sea port from their accustomed libertie of enterchangeable trafficke and bartar Touching which complaint search and inquisition hath bene made and commaundement giuen that your Queenes Maiesties merchants at the Seaside and in all places where the trade is doe not sustaine any domage or hinderance hereafter but that they shal be at libertie without any hindering or letting either in the Mosco the Treasurehouse or else where by any of our authorised people but absolutely to bee at free libertie at their owne will and pleasure And also I will continue to be their protectour and defendour in all causes by our Lorde and kings Maiesties order and commaundement as it shal be knowen and certified you by your people resident here in the Mosco Written in our Kings Maiesties royall citie of Mosco from the beginning of the world 7101â yeere in the moneth of Ianuary A most gracious Letter giuen to the English Merchants Sir Iohn Hart and his company by Theodore Iuanowich the King Lord and great duke of all Russia the onely vpholder thereof THe onely God omnipotent before all eternitie his will be done without ende the Father Sonne and holy Ghost we glorifie in Trinitie Our onely God the maker of all things and worker of all in all euery where with plentifull increase for which cause he hath giuen life to man to loue him and to trust in him Our onely God which inspireth euery one of vs his holy children with his word to discerne good through our Lord Iesus Christ and the holy quickning spirit of life now in these perilous times establish vs to keepe the right sâepter and suffer vs to reigne of our selues to the good profit of the land and to the subduing of the people together with the enemies and to the mainteinance of vertue We the great Lord king and great duke Theodore Iuanouich of all Russia the onely vpholder of Volodimer Mosco and Nouogrod King of Casan and king of Astracan Lord of Vobsco and great duke of Smolensko of Otuer Vghorie Permia Viatski Bulgari and other regions great duke also of Nouogrod in the lowe Countrey of Chernigo of Rezan Polotski Rostoue Yaruslaue Bealozero and of Liefland of Vdorski Obdorski Condenski and commaunâer of all the Countrey of Siberi and of the North parts and Lord ouer the Countrey of Iuerski Grusinski and King ouer the Countrey of Igorski and ruler ouer many other kingdomes and Lordships more Our princely Maiestie at the request of our brother in lawe Boâis Feodorowich Godenoua our seruant and Master of our horses generall Comptroller of our house and gouernour of the Lordships and kingdomes of Casan and Astracan vnto the English merchants Sir Iohn Hart knight sir William Webbe knight Richard Salkenstow Alderman Nicholas Moseley alderman Robert Doue Wilâ Garrowe Iohn Harbey Robert Chamberlaine Henry Anderson Iohn Woodworth FraÌcis Cherry Iohn Merrick Christopher Holmes hath graciously giuen leaue to come go with their ships into our kingdome territories of Duina with all kind of commodities at their pleasures to trafficke froÌ the seaside to our roial city of Mosco in al other cities townes countries and territories of our whole kingdom of Mosco vpon the humble petition and sute of the saide English merchants sir Iohn Hart and his company wee haue giuen them leaue to passe and trafficke into all parts of our dominions and territories of Mosco and to our inheritance of Nouogrod and Plesco with their wares and commodities without paying any custome or dueties We the great Lord king and great duke Theodore Iuanowich of all Russia haue firmely giuen and graunted vnto the aforesaide English merchants sir Iohn Hart and his company for the loue we beare to our deare sister Queene Elizabeth we I say of our gracious goodnes haue giuen leaue to trauel and passe to our royal seat of Mosco and to all the parts of our kingdome with all kinde of commodities and to trafficke with all kinde of wares at their owne pleasure without paying any custome of their said wares To you our Customers we wil and command not to take any maner of custome of the said merchants and their company neither for entering weying nor passing by or through any place of our territories nor for custome of iudgement by Lawe or for their person or persons nor any duties ouer bridges or for certificats or processes or for conducting ouer any streames or waters or for any other customes or dueties that may be named we wil and straitly commaund you not to take any of them in any wise Prouided alwayes that the saide merchants shall not colour any strangers wares nor bring them into our countrey nor fauour them colourably nor sel for any stranger To you our subiects also we coÌmand not to meddle or deale with any wares of strangers colourably nor to haue them by you in keeping nor to offer to sel their coÌmodities but themselues to sel their owne coÌmodities in change or otherwise as they may or can And in al townes cities countreys or any part of our dominions and territories it shal be lawful for the foresaid merchants and their company to sell or barter away their owne commodities in change or otherwise for or at their pleasure as they will And whensoeuer the said merchants or any of them come into our territories of great Nouogrod or Plesco or to any other parts of our kingdome with their wares by vertue of these our Maiesties letters we straitly charge and command you our Captaines generals and all other that be authorised or in office to suffer the aforesaid merchants to passe and repasse and to take no kinde of custome or dutie of them or any of their goods howsoeuer it may haue name nor in no place else where they shal come in all our kingdome Likewise if they sell not nor buy no wares you shall take no custome but suffer them quietly to passe where they will with their goods Of our gratious goodnes and meere goodwill we haue giuen the said merchants leaue to trafficke throughout all our kingdomes and in all townes and cities with all maner of wares and commodities without paying any custome or dutie Wheresoeuer they shal
commodities 3 5 The commodities and wares that are most desired in Guinea betwixt Sierra Leona and the furthest place of the Mina 52 6 Certaine articles of remembrance deliuered to M. Iohn Lok touching a voyage to Guinea Anno 1561. 52 7 A letter of M. Iohn Lok to the worshipfull company of marchants aduenturers of Guinea Anno 1561. 53 8 The relation of one William Rutter concerning a voyage set out to Guinea Anno 1562. Described also in verse by Robert Baker 54 9 A meeting at Sir William Gerards house for the setting foorth of a voyage to Guinea with the Minion of the Queenes The Iohn Baptist of London and the Merline of M. Gorson Anno 1564. 55 10 A relation of the successe of the same voyage taken out of a voyage of Sir Iohn Haukins to the West Indies 56 11 Certaine reports of the mighty kingdome of China deliuered by Portugales which were there imprisoned 68 12 A discourse of the Isle of Iapan and of other Isles in the East Ocean c. 80 13 An excellent description of the kingdome of China and of the estate and gouernement thereof pag. 88 14 A briefe relation of the great magnificence and rich trafficke of the kingdom of Pegu beyond the East India 102 15 Certaine remembrances of a voyage intended to Brasil and to the riuer of Plate but miserably ouer throwen neere Rio grande in Guinea in the yeere 1583. 110,111 16 The escape of the Primrose a ship of London from before the towne of Bilbao in Biscay and the taking of the Corrigidor Anno 1585. 112 17 The king of Spaines Commission for the generall imbargment or arrest of the English c. Anno 1585. 114 18 The Letters patents granted by her Maiestie to certaine noblemen and merchants of London for a trade to Barbary Anno 1585. 114 19 An edict from the Emperour of Maâocco in fauour of all Englishmen trading throughout his dominions Anno 1587. 118 20 A letter of the sayd emperour written to the Erle of Leicester in the yeare 1587. 118 21 A letter of the Queenes Maiestie written to the emperour of Marocco in the yere 1587. 119 22 A patent graunted to certaine merchants of Exceter and others of the VVest parts and of London for a trade to the riuers of Senega and Gambra in Guinea Anno 1588. 123 23 A relation concerning a voyage set foorth by M. Iohn Newton and M. Iohn Bird merchants of London to the kingdome and citie of Benin written by Antony Ingram An. 1588. 129 24 An aduertisement to king Philip the 2. of Spaine from Angola touching the state of the same countrey An. 1591. 133 25 A particular note of the VVest Indian fleete expected to haue arriued in Spaine An. 1592 with the number of ships of the same fleete that perished and suffered shipshrack c. 175 26 A large testimony of Iohn Huighen van Linâchoten concerning the worthy exploits atchieued by the right hon the erle of Cumberland by Sir Martin Frobisher Sir Richard Grinuile and diuers other English Captains about the Isles of the Açores and vpon the coastes of Spaine and Portugale in the yeares 1589,1590,1591 178 27 A relation concerning the estate of the Island and Castle of Arguin and touching the rich and secret trade from the inland of Africa thither written in the yere 1491. 188 28 Two briefe relations concerning the Cities and Prouinces of Tombuto and Gago and concerning the exceeding great riches of the sayd Prouinces and the conquest thereof by the king of Marocco and of the huge masse of gold which he yerely receiueth thence for tribute VVritten Anno 1594. 192 29 A briefe extract of a patent granted to M. Thomas Gregory of Tanton and others for traffick betweene the riuer of Nonnia and the riuers of Madrabumba and Sierra Leona on the coast of Guinea An. 1592. 193 30 A report of the casting away of the Tobie a ship of London neere Cape Espartel on the coast of Barbary without the Streight of Gibraltar in the yere of our Lord 1593. 201 31 The letters of the Queens Maiestie sent by Laurence Aldersey vnto the Emperour of Ethiopia Anno 1597. 203 THE SECOND VOLVME OF THE principall Nauigations Voyages Traffiques and Discoueries of the English nation made to the South and Southeast quarters of the world within the Straight of Gibraltar with the Directions Letters Priuiledges Discourses and Obseruations incident to the same That the Brittons were in Italie and Greece with the Cimbrians and Gaules before the incarnation of Christ. M. Wil. Camden pag. 33. BRitannos autem cum Cimbris Gallis permistos fuisse in expeditionibus illis in Italiam Graeciam videtur Nam praeter nomen commune in Britannico Triadum libro vetustissimo vbi tres maximi exercitus qui è Britannis conscripti erant memorantur proditum est exterum quendam ducem longè maximum exercitum hinc contraxisse qui populata magna Europae parte tandem ad Graecum mare forsitan Gallatiam innuit confederit Britomarum item ducem inter illos militarem cuius meminit Florus Appianus Britonem fuisse nomeÌ euincit quod Britonem magnum significat Nec torquebo illud Strabonis qui Brennum natione Praâsum fuisse scribit vt natione Britonem faciam The same in English IT is not vnlike that the Britons accompanied the Cimbrians and Gaules in those expeditions to Italy and Greece For besides the common name it is recorded in that most ancient British booke called Liber Triadum wherein also mention is made of three huge armies that were leuied out of Britaine that a certaine outlandish Captaine gathered from hence a mightie armie who hauing wasted a great part of Europe at length tooke vp his abode perhaps the Author meaneth in Gallatia neere vnto the sea of Greece Likewise that the warrelike captaine Britomarus of whom Florus and Appian doe make report was himselfe a Briton his very name doeth testifie which signiâieth A great Briton Neither will I wrest that testimonie of Strabo who reporteth Brennus to haue bene a Prause by birth that I may prooue him also to haue bene a Briton borne ¶ The trauaile of Helena HElena Flauia Augusta serenissimi Coelâ Britannici Regis Haeres vnica filia Magni Constantini Caesaris mater incomparabili decôre fide religione bonitate ac magnificentiâ piâ Eusebio etiam teste per totum resplenduit orbem Inter omnes aetatis suae soeminas nulla inueniebatur eà in liberalibus artibus doctior nulla in instrumentis musicis peritior aut in linguis nationum copiosior Innatam habebat ingenij clariâudinem oris facundiam ac morum ornatissimam compositionem Hebraicè Graecè Latinè erudita Caruerat pater alia sobole inquit Virumnius quae Regni solio potiretur Illam propterea his instrui fecit per optimos preceptores vt eò commodius Regni tractaret negotia Vnde ob incredibilem eius pulchritudinem atque alias eximias animi
was buried by his brother after Christian maner Chap. 6. AFter the lamentable burials of these so famous Princes the King taking occasion of the death of these principall men of his armic agreed making none priuie thereto to receiue the money which was offered him for his differring off the siege of the citie of Sagiâta yet dissembling to make peace with the Saracens but that he ment to go through with the worke that he had begunne Whereupon sending a message vnto Iaphet hee aduised the English souldiers to come downe to Acres with their fleete and to conferre and consult with him touching the besieging and assaulting of the citie of Sagitta which rising immediatly vpon the kings commaundement and foorthwith hoysing vp the sayles of their shippes aloft with pendants and stremers of purple and diuerse other glorious colours with their flagges of scarlet colour and silke came thither and casting their ancres rode hard by the citie The king the next day calling vnto him such as were priuie acquainted with his dealings opened his griefe vnto the chiefe Captaines of the English men and Danes touching the slaughter of Hugh and the death of his brother and what great confidence he reposed in them concerning these warres and that nowe therefore they being departed and dead he must of necessity differre the besieging of Sagitta for this time dismisse the armie assembled This resolution of the king being spred among the people the armie was dissolued and the Englishmen Danes and Flemings with sailes and oares going aboard their fleete saluted the king and returned home vnto their natiue countries The trauailes of one Athelard an Englishman recorded by master Bale Centur. 2. AThelardus Bathoniensis Coenobij monachus naturalium rerum mysteria causas omnes diligentâââ tam vndecun que exquisitá perserutatus est vt cum aliquibus veteris seculi philoâophis non indignè conferâi possit Hic olim spectatae indolis Adolescens vt virente adhuc aetate iuuenile ingenium foecundaret atque adres magnas pararet relicta dulci patria longin quas petijt regiones Cum verò AEgyptum Arabiam peragrans plura inuenisset quae eius desiderabat animus cum magno laborum ac literarum lucro in Angliam tum demùm reuertebatur Claruit anno virginei partus 1130. Henrico primo regnante The same in English AThelard a Monke of the Abbie of Bathe was so diligent a searcher of the secrets and causes of naturall things that he deserueth worthely to be compared with some of the auncient Philosophers This man although young yet being of a good wit and being desirous to increase and enrich the same with the best things and to prepare himselfe as it were for greater matters left his Countrey for a time and trauailed into forreine Regions He went through Egypt and Arabia and found out many things which he desired to his owne priuate contentment and the profite of good letters generally and so being satisfied returned againe into his Countrey he flourished in the yeere 1130. Henry the first being then king of England ¶ The life and trauailes of one VVilliam of Tyre an Englishman Centur. 13. GVlielmus Ecclesiae Dominici sepulchri Hierosolymae Regularium Canonicorum prior natione Anglicus vir vita moribus coÌmendabilis Anno Dom. 1128. postquam Tyrorum Ciuitas fidei Christianae restituta est a Guimundo Hierosolymorum patriarcha eidem vrbi primus Archiepiscopus praeficiebatur Est autem Tyrus ciuitas antiquissima Phoeniciae vniuersae Metropolis quae inter Syriae prouincias bonorum omnium penè commoditate incolarum frequentia primum semper obtinuit locum post conscripta quaedam opuscula Epistolas ad Domânum migrauit Anâ Christi 1130. quum duobus tantum sedisset annis in Tyrensi Ecclesia sepelitur The same in English VVIlliam the Prior of the Canons Regular in the Church of Ierusalem called the Lords Sepulchre was an Englishman borne and of a vertuous and good behauiour After that the Citie of Tyre was restored againe to the Christian faith Guimunde the Patriarke of Ierusalem made him the first Archbishop of Tyre in the yeere 1128. Which Tyre is a very ancient Citie the Metropolis of all Phoenicia and hath bene accompted the chiefest Prouince of Syria both for fruitful commodities and multitude of inhabitants This William hauing in his life written many Bookes and Epistles died at last in the yeere 1130. hauing bene Archbishop the space of two yeeres and was buried in the Church of Tyre The trauailes of Robertus Ketenensis RObertus Ketenensis natione cognomine Anglus degusâatis primum per Anglorum gymnasia humanarum artium elementis literarijs vltramarinas statim visitare prouincias in animo constituit Peragratis ergò Gallijs Italia Dalmatia Graecia tum demum peruenit in Asiam vbi non paruo labore ac vitae suae periculo inter Saracenos truculentissimum hominum genus Arabicam linguam ad amussim didicit In Hispaniam postea nauigio traductus circa fluuium Hibetum Astrologicae artis studio cum Hermanno quodam Dalmata magni sui itineris comite se totum dedit Claruit anno seruatoris nostri 1143 Stephano regnante Pampilonaâ sepelitur The same in English THis Robert Ketenensis was called an Englishman by surname as he was by birth who after some time spent in the foundations of humanitie and in the elements of good Artes in the Uniuersities of England determined to trauaile to the partes beyond sea and so trauailed through France Italie Dalmatia and Greece and came at last into Asia where he liued in great danger of his life among the cruell Saracens but yet learned perfectly the Arabian tongue Afterwardes he returned by sea into Spaine and there about the riuer Iberus gaue him selfe wholy to the studie of Astrologie with one Hermannus a Dalmatian who had accompanied him in his long voyage He flourished in the yeere 1143. Steuen being then King of England and was buried at Pampilona A voyage of certaine English men vnder the conduct of Lewes king of France vnto the Holy land TAntae expeditionis explicito apparatu vterque princeps iter arripuit exercitu separtito Imperator enim Conradus praecedebat itinere aliquot dierum cum Italorum Germanorum aliarúmque gentium amplissimis copijs Rex vero Lodouicus sequebatur Francorum Flandrensium Normannorum Britonum Anglorum Burgundionum Prouincialium Aquitanorum equestri simul pedestri agmine comitatus Gulielmus Neobrigensis fol. 371. The same in English BOth the princes prouision being made for so great an expedition they seuering their armies entered on their iourney For the Emperour Conradus went before certaine dayes iourney with very great power of Italians Germans and other countreys And king Lewes followed after accompanied with a band of horsemen and footmen of French men Flemmings Normans Britons English men Burgundions men of Prouence and Gascoins The voyage of Iohn Lacy to Ierusalem ANno
of Egypt in the yeere 1218. And then Henry the king vpon the motion of Honorius the third bishop of Rome sent thither this earle Ranulph with a great power of armed souldiers to further the enterprise of the Christians whose valure in that warre by the testimonie of Polidor Virgil was marueilously commended of all men After the end of which businesse he being returned into his countrey wrote a booke of the lawes of England It is also reported that he wrote other books but time the destroyer of many memorials hath taken them from vs. He flourished in the yeere after the natiuity of Christ 1230 being very aged and in the reigne of K. Henry the third The voyage of Petrus de Rupibus bishop of VVinchester to Ierusalem in the yere of grace 1231 and in the 15 of Henry the third ANno gratiae 1231 mense verò Iulio Petrus Wintoniensis episcopus completo in terra sancta iam sere per quinquennium magnificè peregrinationis voto reuersus est in Angliam Kalendis Augusti Wintoniam veniens susceptus est cum processione solenni in sua ecclesia cathedrali The same in English IN the yere of grace 1231 and in the moneth of Iuly Peter bishop of Winchester hauing spent almost fiue whole yeres in fulfilling his vow of pilgrimage in the Holy land with great pompe returned into England about the Kalends of August and comming vnto Winchester was receiued with solemne procession into his cathedrall church The honourable and prosperous voyage of Richard earle of Cornewall brother to king Henry the third accompanied with William Longespee earle of Sarisburie and many other noble men into Syria IN the 24 yeere of king Henry the third Richard earle of Cornwall the kings brother with a nauy of ships sailed into Syria where in the warres against the Saracens he greatly aduanced the part of the Christians There went ouer with him the earle of Sarisburie William Longspee and William Basset Iohn Beauchampe Geoffrey de Lucie Iohn Neuel Geoffrey Beauchampe Peter de Brense and William Furniuall Simon Montfort earle of Leicester went ouer also the same time but whereas the earle of Cornwall tooke the sea at Marseils the earle of Leicester passed thorow Italy and tooke shipping at Brindize in Apulia and with him went these persons of name Thomas de Furniual with his brother Gerard de Furniuall Hugh Wake Almerike de S. Aumond Wiscard Ledet Punchard de Dewin and William de Dewin that were brethren Gerard Pesmes Fouke de Baugie and Peter de Chauntenay Shortly after also Iohn earle of Albemarle William Fortis and Peter de Mallow a Poictouin men for their valiancy greatly renowmed went thither leading with them a great number of Christian souldiers Matth. Paris Matth. West Holensh pag. 225. col 2. The comming of the Emperour of Constantinople called Baldwine into England in the yere 1247 out of Matthâ Paris Holensh pag. 239. vol. 2. ABout the same time Baldwine naming himselfe emperour of Constantinople came againe into England to procure some new ayd of the king towards the recouery of his empire out of the which he was expelled by the Greeks The voyage of VVilliam Longespee Earle of Sarisburie into Asia in the yeere 1248 and in the 32 yeere of the reigne of Henry the third king of England LEwis the French king being recouered of his sickenesse which he fell into in the yere 1234 vowed thereupon for a free will sacriâice to God that he if the Councell of his realme would suffer him would in his owne person visit the Holy land which matter was opened and debated in the Parliament of France held in the yeere 1247. Where at length it was concluded that the king according to his vow should take his iourney into Asia and the time thereof was also prefixed which should be after the feast of S. Iohn Baptist the next yeere ensuing At which time William Longespee a worthie warrior with the bishop of Worcester and certaine other great men in the Realme of England mooued with the example of the Frenchmen prepared themselues likewise to the same iourney It fell out in this enterprise that about the beginning of October the French king assaulted and tooke Damiata being the principall fort or hold of the Saracens in all Egypt Anno 1249. and hauing fortified the Citie with an able garrison left with the Duke of Burgundie he remooued his tents from thence to goe Eastward In whose armie followed William Longespee accompanied with a piked number of English warriors retaining vnto him But such was the disdaine of the Frenchmen against this William Longespee and the Englishmen that they could not abide them but flouted them after an opprobrious maner with English tailes insomuch that the French king himselfe had much adoe to keepe peace betweene them The originall cause of this grudge betweene them began thus There was not farre from Alexandria in Egypt a strong fort or castle replenished with great Ladies and rich treasure of the Saracens which hold it chanced the sayd William Longespee with his company of English soldiers to get more by politique dexteritie then by open force of armes wherwith he his retinue were greatly enriched When the ârenchmen had knowledge hereof they not being made priuie hereto began to conceiue an heart burning against the English souldiers could not speake well of them after that It hapned againe not long after that the sayd William had intelligence of a company of rich merchants among the Saracens going to a certaine Faire about the parts of Alexandria hauing their camels asses and mules richly loden with silkes precious iewels spices gold siluer with cart loades of other wares beside victuall and other furniture whereof the souldiers then stood in great need he hauing secret knowledge hereof gathered all the power of Englishmen vnto him that he could and so by night falling vpon the merchants some he slew with their guides and conducters some hee tooke some hee put to flight the carts with the driuers and with the oxen camels asses and mules with the whole cariage and victuals he tooke brought with him loosing in all the skirmish but one souldier and eight of his seruitors of whom notwithstanding some he brought home wounded to be cured This being knowen in the Campe foorth came the Frenchmen which all this while loytered in their pauillions and meeting this cariage by the way tooke all the foresayd praie whole to themselues rating the said William and the Englishmen for aduenturing and issuing out of the Campe without leaue or knowledge of their Generall contrary to the discipline of warre William said againe he had done nothing but he would answere to it whose purpose was to haue the spoyle deuided to the behoofe of the whole armie When this would not serue hee being sore grieued in his minde so cowardly to be spoyled of that which he so aduenturously had trauailed for went to the
I was testifieth those things which I saw to be true Many other things I haue omitted because I beheld them not with mine owne eyes Howbeit from day to day I purpose with my selfe to trauell countreyes or lands in which action I dispose my selfe to die or to liue as it shall please my God Of the death of frier Odoricus IN the yeere therefore of our Lord 1331 the foresayd frier Odoricus preparing himselfe for the performance of his intended iourney that his trauell and labour might be to greater purpose he determined to present himselfe vnto pope Iohn the two and twentieth whose benediction and obedience being receiued he with a certaine number of friers willing to beare him company might conuey himselfe vnto all the countreyes of infidels And as he was trauelling towards the pope and not farre distant from the city of Pisa there meets him by the way a certaine olde man in the habit and attire of a pilgrime saluting him by name and saying All haile frier Odoricus And when the frier demaunded how he had knowledge of him he answered Whilest you were in India I knew you full well yea and I knew your holy purpose also but see that you returne immediatly vnto the couen from whence you came for tenne dayes hence you shall depart out of this present world Wherefore being astonished and amazed at these wordes especially the olde man vanishing out of his sight presently after he had spoken them he determined to returne And so he returned in perfect health feeling no crazednesse nor infirmity of body And being in his rouen at Vdene in the prouince of Padua the tenth day after the foresayd vision hauing receiued the Communion and preparing himselfe vnto God yea being strong and sound of body hee happily rested in the Lord whose sacred departure was signified vnto the Pope aforesaid vnder the hand of the publique notary in these words following In the yeere of our Lord 1331 the 14. day of Ianuarie Beatus Odoricus a Frier minorite deceased in Christ at whose prayers God shewed many and sundry miracles which I Guetelus publique notarie of Vtina sonne of M. Damianus de Porto Gruaro at the commandement and direction of the honorable Conradus of the Borough of Gastaldion and one of the Councell of Vtina haue written as faithfully as I could and haue deliuered a copie thereof vnto the Friers minorites howbeit not of all because they are innumerable and too difficult for me to write The voyage of Matthew Gourney a most valiant English Knight against the Moores of Algier in Barbarie and Spaine M. Camden pag. 159. NEctacendum Matthaeum Gourney in oppido quodam vulgarilingua Stoke vnder Hamden in comitatu Somersetensi appellato sepultum esâe virum bellico sissimum regnante Edwardo tertio qui 96. aetatis anno diem obiuit cum vt ex inscriptione videre licuit obsidioni d'Algizer contra Saracenos praelijs Benamazin Sclusensi Cressiaco Ingenos Pictauiensi Nazarano in Hispania dimicasset The same in English IT is by no meanes to be passed ouer in silence that Matthew Gourney being a most valiant warriour in the reigne of Edward the third lyeth buried at a certaine towne in the countie of Somerset commonly called Stoke vnder Hamden who deceased in the 96. yeare of his age and that as it is manifest by the inscription of his monument after he had valiantly behaued himselfe at the siege of Algizer against the Sarazens and at the battailes of Benamazin of Sluce of Cressie of Ingenos of Poictou and of Nazaran in Spaine The comming of Lyon King of Armenia into England in the yeere 1386 and in the ninth yeere of Richard the second in trust to finde some meanes of peace or good agreement betweene the King of England and the French king Iohn Froyssart lib. 3. cap. 56. THus in abiding for the Duke of Berrie and for the âââstable who were behind then king Lyon of Armenia who was in Franââ and had assigned him by the king sixe thousande frankes by the yeare to maintaine his estate tooke vpon him for a good intent to goe into England to speake with the king there and his Councell to see if he might finde any matter of peace to be had betweene the two Reaâmes England and France And so he departed from his lodging of Saint Albeyne beside Saint Denice alonely with his owne company and with no great apparell So he rode to Boloine and there he tooke a shippe and so sayled foorth till he came to Douer and there he found the Earle of Cambridge and the Earle of Buckingham and moe then a hundreth men of armes and a two thousand Archers who lay there to keepe that passage for the brute ran that the Frenchmen should lande there or at Sandwich and the king lay at London and part of his Councell with him and daily heard tydings from all the Portes of England When the king of Armenia was arriued at Douer he had there good cheere because he was a stranger and so he came to the kings Uncles there who sweetly receiued him and at a time conuenient they demaunded of him from whence he came and whither he would The king answered and sayd that in trust of goodnesse he was come thither to see the king of England and his Councell to treate of peace betweene England and France for he saide that he thought the warre was not meete for he sayd by reason of warre betweene these two Realmes which hath indured so long the Saracens Iewes Turkes are waxed proude for there is none that make them any warre and by occasion thereof I haue lost my land and Realme and am not like to recouer them againe without there were firme peace in all Christendome I would gladly shew the matter that toucheth all Christendome to the king of England and to his Councell as I haue done to the French king Then the kings Uncles demaunded of him if the French king sent him thither or no he answered and sayd no there is no man that sent mee but I am come hither by mine owne motion to see if the king of England his Councel would any thing leane to any treaty of peace then was he demaunded where the French king was he answered I beleeue he be at Sluce I sawe not him sithence I tooke my leaue of him at Senlize Then he was demaunded howe he could make any treatie of peace and had no charge so to doe and Sir if yee be conueyed to the King our Nephew and to his Counsell and the French king in the meane season enter with his puissance into England yee may happe thereby to receiue great blame and your person to be in great ieoperdy with them of the Countrey Then the King answered and said I am in suretie of the French king for I haue sent to him desiring him till I returne againe not to remoue from Sluce and I repute him so noble and so well aduised that he
ships as gallies galliasses and fusts and passed one after another before the towne and hauen of Rhodes three miles off and came to shore in a place nigh to land called Perambolin sixe miles from the towne In the which place the sayd hoste abode from that time to the end of that vnhappy siege The number and names of the vessels that came to besiege Rhodes THe number of the ships were these 30 galliasses 103 gallies aswell bastards as subtill mahonnets 15 taffours 20 fusts 64 great ships sixe or seuen gallions 30 galleres beside the nauy that waited for Christian men if any came to succour vs. These were the vessels that came at the first to lay the siege And sith that the sayd host came out of Perambolin there came from Syria 20 other sailes aswell gallies as fusts And many other ships came sith and ioyned with the sayd army in the time of the sayd siege And it was sayd that there were 400 sailes and moe The same day that part of the host came to the sayd place the reuerend lord great master ordeined a great brigandine to send into the West to certifie our holy father the pope and the Christian princes how the Turks army was afore Rhodes And in the sayd vessell he sent two knights one a French man named Sir Claude dansoyuille called Villiers and Sir Loys de Sidonia a Spaniard and they went to the pope and to the emperour After the comming of the Turks nauy into the sayd place it was 14 or 15 dayes or they set any ordinance on land great or small or any quantity of men came on shore whereof we marueiled And it was tolde vs by some that came out of the campe and also by the spies that the lord great master had sent abroad arayed as Turks that they abode the commandement of their great lord vntill the hoste by land were come into the campe Howbeit there came some number for to view the towne but they went pâiuily for the ordinance of the towne shot without cease All this while the gallies and galliasses went and came to land bringing vitaile and people At the which ships passing nigh the town were shot many strokes with bombards which made some slaughter of our enemies and when the most part of them was past they began to set ordinance on the land with great diligence Then the lord great master departed from his palace and lodged him nigh a church called The victory because that place was most to be doubted and also that at the other siege the great businesse and assault was there How the lord great master made his petition before the image of S. Iohn and offered him the keyes of the towne THe day before were made many predications and sermons and the last was in the church of S. Iohn Baptist. When the sermon was done a pontificall Masse was celebrate with all solemnities and all the reliques taken downe and the lord great master and all his knights with great deuotions and reuerence heard it And when the Masse was ended the lord great master made a pitious oration or prayer before Saint Iohn Baptist his protectour and aboue all other words which were too long to tell he besought him meekly that it would please him to take the keyes of that miserable city The which keyes he presented and layed vpon the altar before the image beseeching S. Iohn to take the keeping and protection thereof and of all the religion as by his grace he had giuen to him vnworthy the gouerning vnto that day and by his holy grace to defend them from the great power of the enemies that had besieged them How the women slaues would haue set fire in the towne THe eight day of Iuly it was knowen that the Turkish women being slaues and seruaunts in many houses of the towne had appointed to set fire in their masters houses at the first assault that should be made to the end that the men should leaue their posterns defenses to go and saue their houses and goods And it was found that a woman of Marchopora being a slaue was first moouer thereof the which was taken and put to execution The same day some of our men went out for to skirmish with the Turkes and many of them were slaine with shot of our artillerie and of our men but one How the Turkes layd their artillerie about the towne and of the maner and quantitie of their pieces and gunshot THe 18. day of Iuly for the beginning and first day they set vp a mantellet vnder the which they put three or foure meane pieces as sacres wherâwith they shot against the posterns of England and Prouence But the mantellet was soone broken and cast downe and their pieces destroyed with the shot of the wall and they that shot them were most part slaine As this first mantellet was broken by the great and innumerable people that they had they set all their ordinance on land and caried it to the places where it should be bent or nigh thereby And the 29. day of the same moneth they set vp two other mantellets One beside a church of saine Cosme and Damian and another toward the West And from these mantellets they shot great pieces as Culuerings double gunnes and great bombards agaynst the wals of England and Spaine to the which mantellets the ordinance of the towne gaue many great strokes and often brake them And the more to grieue the towne and to feare vs they set vp many other mantellets in diuers places almost round about the towne and they were reckoned foure score the which number was well lessened by the great quantitie of strokes of artillerie shot out of the towne from many places The artillerie of the Turkes was such as followeth FIrst there were sixe great gunnes cannons perriers of brasse that shot a stone of three foote and a halfe also there were 15. pieces of iron that shot stones of fiue or sixe spannes about Also there were 14. great bombards that shot stones of eleuen spans about Also there were twelue basiliskes whereof they shot but with 8. that is to weet foure shot agaynst the posterns of England and Spaine and two against the gate of Italy the other two shot sometime against Saint Nicholas tower Also there were 15. double gunnes casting bullets as basiliskes The meane shot as sacres and pasuolans were in great number The handgunshot was innumerable and incredible Also there were twelue potgunnes of brasse that shot vpward where of eight were set behind the church of S. Cosme and Damian and two at saint Iohn de la Fonâaine toward the port of Italy and the other two afore the gate of Auuergne the which were shot night and day and there were three sorts of them whereof the greatest were of sixe or seuen spannes about And the sayd stones were cast into the towne to make murder of people which is a thing very inhumane and fearefull which
and the Turke is growen mighty whereby our ships doe not trade as they were woont I finde that the Uenetians doe bring those commodities hither and doe sell them for double the value that we our selues were accustomed to fetch them Wherefore as I am informed by the aboue named men that there is none so fit to furnish this voyage as your selfe my request is that there may be a shippe of conuenient burthen prepared for this voyage and then I will satisfie you at large what is to be done therein And because the Turke as I sayd before is waxen strong and hath put out the Christian rulers and placed his owne subiects we may doubt whether we may so peacealy trade thither as we were woont therefore I dare vndertake to obtaine a safeconduct if my charges may be borne to goe and come Of the way how this may be done M. Locke can satisfie you at large Moreouer I can informe you more of the trade of that countrey then any other for that I haue bene in those parts these thirty yeeres and haue bene married in the very towne of Chio full foure and twenty yeres Furthermore when one of our ships commeth thither they bring at the least sixe or eight thousand carsies so that the custome thereof is profitable for the prince and the returne of them is profitable to the common people for in barter of our wares we tooke the commodities which the poore of that towne made in their houses so that one of our shippes brought the prince and countrey more gaines then sixe ships of other nations The want of this our trade thither was the onely cause why the Christian rulers were displaced for when they payd not their yerely tribute they were put out by force Touching the ship that must go she must obserue this order she must be a ship of countenance and she must not touch in any part of Spaine for the times are dangerous nor take in any lading there but she must lade in England either goods of our owne or els of strangers and go to Genoa or Legorno where we may be wel intreated and from thence she must make her money to buy wines by exchange to Candia for there both custome exchange are reasonable and not do as the Math. Gonson other ships did in time past who made sale of their wares at Messina for the lading of their wines and payed for turning their white money into golde after foure and fiue in the hundreth and also did hazzard the losse of shippe and goods by carying away their money Thus by the aforesayd course we shall trade quietly and not be subiect to these dangers Also from Legorno to Castilla de la mar which is but 16 miles from Naples and the ready way to Candia you may lade hoopes which will cost carolins of Naples 27 and a halfe the thousand which is ducats two and a halfe of Spaine And in Candia for euery thousand of hoops you shall haue a but of Malmesey cleare of all charges Insomuch that a ship of the burden of the Mathew Gonson will cary foure hundreth thousand hoops so that one thousand ducats will lade her and this is an vsual trade to Candia as M. Michael Locke can testifie Furthermore it is not vnknowen to you that the oiles which we do spend in England for our cloth are brought out of Spaine and that very deare and in England we cannot sell them vnder 28 pound and 30 pound the tunne I say we may haue good oile and better cheape in diuers places within the streights Wherefore if you thinke good to take this voyage in hand I will informe you more particularly when you please In the meane time I rest your worships to command Yours at your pleasure Iasper Campion The true report of the siege and taking of Famagusta of the antique writers called Tamassus a city in Cyprus 1571. In the which the whole order of all the skirmishes batteries mines and assaults giuen to the sayd fortresse may plainly appeare Englished out of Italian by William Malim To the right honourable and his singular good Lord and onely Patron the Earle of Leicester Baron of Denbigh Knight of the honourable order of the Garter one of the Queenes Maiesties most honourable priuy Councell c. William Malim wisheth long health with increase of honour IT hath bene a naturall instinct right honourable and mine especiall good lord ingraffed in noble personages hearts much approued and confirmed also by custome for them to seeke from time to time by some meanes in their life by the which they after their death might deliuer ouer their name to their posteritie least otherwise with their body their fame also altogether might perchance be buried Vpon the which consideration we reade many notable and famous things to haue bene erected in time past of noble personages hauing had wealth at will in such sort that not onely certaine ruines of the same sumptuous works builded so many hundred yeres past do still remaine but also the most part of those princes the authours of them do continually by them dwell in our memories As the Pyramides made at Memphis or neere the famous riuer of Nilus by the great expenses of the kings of Egypt the tower called Pharia made in the Iland of Pharos by king Ptolomee the walles of Babylon made or at the least reedified by queene Semiramis Dianas church at Ephesus builded by all the noble persons of Asia Mausolus toome or sepulchre made by his wife queene of Caria Colossus Solis placed at Rhodes I remember not by what Princes charge but made by the hands of Cares Lindius scholar to Lysippus and the image of Iupiter made of Yuory by the hands of the skilfull workman Phydias The which monuments made of barbarous and heathen Princes to redeeme themselues from obliuion deserued both for the magnificence and perfect workmanship of the same to be accounted in those dayes as the seuen woonders of the world Since the which time an easier readier and lighâer way being also of more continuance then the former hath bene found out namely Letters which were first inuented by the Caldies and Egyptians as we reade and augmented since by others to our great benefit and now last of all no long time past the same to haue bene committed to Printers presses to the greatest perfection of the same men being first inforced to write their actes and monuments in beasts skinnes dried in barkes of trees or otherwise perchance as vnreadily By the which benefit of letters now reduced into print we see how easie a thing it is and hath bene for noble persons to liue foreuer by the helpe of learned men For the memory of those two woorthy and valiant captaines Scipio and Hannibal had bene long before this present quite forgotten except Titus Liuiâs or âome such learned Historiographer had written of them in time And Alexander Magnus himselfe that great conquerour had nothing
Giambelat Bey the Sangiaccho of Tripolis the Begliarbei of Greece the Bassa of Sciuassi and of Marasco Ferca Framburaro the Sangiaccho of Antipo Soliman Bey three Sangiacchos of Arabia Mustafa Bey generall of the Uenturers Fergat gouernour of Malathia the Framburaro of Diuerie the Sangiaccho of Arabia and other Sangiacchos of lesser credite with the number of fourescore thousand persons besides as by the muster made by his Commission might well appeare The Framburaro which was at Rhodes was appointed and left gouernour at Famagusta and the report was that there should bee left in all the Island of Cyprus twentie thousand persons with two thousand horses many of the which I saw being very leane and euill appoynted for seruice It seemeth also a thing not impertinent to the matter to signifie to you how I by the especiall grace of God was deliuered out of their cruel hands I hauing paied within two fortie dayes all the which time I was slaue fiue hundred Zechins for my ransome to him whose prisoner I was by the meanes of the Consul for the French merchants a ligier then at Tripolis who a litle before came from Tripolis in Syria vnto Cyprus into the Turkes campe Yet for all that I had paied this summe of money to him hee would not so set me at libertie but fed mee vp still with faire wordes and promised mee that hee would first bring mee vnto his gouernement which abutted vpon a piece of the famous riuer of Euphrates and afterward dismisse me The which malice and falsehood of his I perceiuing determined with my selfe to giue him the slip and to flee so I waiting my time and repairing often to the Citie at length met with a small Fisher boate of the which a poore Grecian was Owner and master with whom in one night with two onely dares and a small saile made of two shirts I passed ouer from Cyprus vnto Tripolis being a very great danger of drowning whereas I remained in couert in the house of certaine Christians vntill the fiue and twentie of September at what time I departed from thence in a little French shippe called Santa Victor which came into these partes and as wee rode wee touched at a part of Cyprus Westward called Capo delle Garte where as I came on land and talking with certaine of the inhabitants of the Uillages who were then by chaunce a Hauking demaunded of them how they were intreated of the Turkes and after what sort the Island was tilled to the which they answered that they could not possiblie bee in worse pickle then they were at that present not enioying that quietly which was their owne being made villaines and slaues and almost alwayes carying away the Bastonados so that now they sayd they knew by triall too perfectly the pleasant and peaceable gouernment of the Christians wishing and praying God that they might shortly returne And concerning the tillage of the Island they made answere moreouer that no part of it was plowed or laboured sauing onely that mountaine which was towards the West and that because they were litle troubled with the crueltie of the Turkes but as for the plaine and East part of the Island there was small seede sowen therein but became in a maner desert there being left but few inhabitants and lesse store of cattell there Afterward wee departing from thence arriued in Candia I for my part being clothed in sackecloth whereas soone after by the great curtesie of the right honourable Signior Latino Orsino I was new apparelled accordingly friendly welcommed and my necessitie relieued From whence I shortly after sayling in a Cypriottes ship thankes be to almightie God arriued in this Citie in health and âm safely come home now at the honorable feete of your highnesse The Captains of the Christians slaine in Famagusta THe lord Estor Baglione The lord Aluigi Martinengo The lord Federico Baglione The knight of Asta Uicegouernor The capitaine Dauid Noce Master of the Campe. The capitaine Meani of Perugia Serieant Maior The earle Sigismond of Casoldo The earle Francesco of Lobi of Cremona The captaine Francesco Troncauilla The captaine Hannibal Adamo of Fermo The captaine Scipio of the citie of Castello The captaine Charles Ragonasco of Cremona The captaine Francesco Siraco The captaine Roberto Maluezzo The captaine Caesar of Aduersa The captaine Bernardin of Agubio The captaine Francesco Bugon of Verona The captaine Iames of Fabiano The captaine Sebastian del Sole of Florence The captaine Hector of Brescia the successour to the captaine Caesar of Aduersa The captaine Flaminio of Florence successor vnto Sebastian del Sole The captaine Erasmus of Fermo successor to the captaine of Cernole The captaine Bartholomew of Cernole The captaine Iohn Battista of Riuarole The captaine Iohn Francesco of Venice The names of Christians made slaues THe Earle Herocles Martinengo with Iulius Caesar Ghelfo a Souldiour of Bressa The earle Nestor Martinengo which fled The captaine Marco Criuellatore The lord Herocles Malatesta The captaine Peter Conte of Montalberto The captaine Horatio of Veletri The captaine Aluigi Pezano The Conte Iames of Corbara The captaine Iohn of Istria The captaine Soldatelli of Agubio The captaine Iohn of Ascoli The captaine Antonie of the same towne The captaine Sebastian of the same towne The captaine Salgano of the citie of Castello The captaine Marcheso of Fermo The captaine Iohn Antonio of Piacenza The captaine Carletto Naldo The captaine Lorenzo Fornaretti The captaine Barnardo of Brescia The captaine Barnardino Coco The captaine Simon Bagnese successour to the captaine Dauid Noce The captaine Tiberio Ceruto successor vnto Conte Sigismond The captaine Ioseph of Lanciano successour vnto captaine Francesco Troncauilla The captaine Morgante successor to captain Hannibal The Lieutenant successour vnto the captaine Scipio The Standerdbearer successour to captaine Roberto The captaine Ottauio of Rimini successour to the captaine Francesco Bugon The captaine Mario de Fabiano successour to captaine Iacomo The captaine Francesco of Venice successour vnto captaine Antonio The captaine Matteo of Capua The captaine Iohn Maria of Verona The captaine Mancino The Fortifiers Iohn Marmori slaine The knight Maggio slaue Turkish Captaines at Famagusta MVstafa Generall The Bassa of Aleppo The Bassa of Natolia slaine Musafer Bassa of Nicosia The Bassa of Caramania The Aga of the Giannizers Giambelat Bey The Sangiaccho of Tripolis slaine The Begliarbei of Greece The Bassa of Sciuassi and Marasco Ferca Framburaro The Sangiaccho of Antipo slaine Soliman Bey slaine Three Sangiacchos of Arabia slaine Mustafa Bey General of the Venturers slain Fergat ruler of Malathia slaine The Framburaro of Diuerie slaine The woorthy enterprise of Iohn Foxe an English man in deliuering 266. Christians out of the captiuitie of the Turkes at Alexandria the 3. of Ianuarie 1577. AMong our merchants here in England it is a common voiage to traffike into Spaine whereunto a ship being called The three halfe Moones manned with 38. men and well fensed with munitions
that way that they were now in a newe maze thinking that God had forsaken them and left them to a greater danger And forasmuch as there were no victuals now left in the gally it might haue beene a cause to them if they had beene the Israelites to haue murmured against their God but they knew how that their God who had deliuered them out of AEgypt was such a louing and mercifull God as that hee would not suffer them to be conformded in whom he had wrought so great a wonder but what calamitie soeuer they sustained they knew it was but for their further triall and also in putting them in mind of their farther miserie to cause them not to triumph and glory in themselues therefore Hauing I say no victuals in the gally it might seeme that one miserie continually fel vpon an others neck but to be briefe the famine grew to be so great that in 28 dayes wherein they were on the sea there died eight persons to the astonishment of all the rest So it fell out that vpon the 29 day after they set from Alexandria they fell on the Isle of Candie and landed at Gallipoli where they were made much of by the Abbot and Monks there who caused them to stay there while they were well refreshed and eased They kept there the sworde wherewith Iohn Fox had killed the keeper esteeming it as a most precious iewell and hung it vp for a monument When they thought good hauing leaue to depart from thence they sayled along the coast till they arriued at Tarento where they solde their gallie and deuided it euery man hauing a part thereof The Turkes receiuing so shamefull a foile at their hand pursued the Christians and scoured the seas where they could imagine that they had bent their course And the Christians had departed from thence on the one day in the morning and seuen gallies of the Turkes came thither that night as it was certified by those who followed Fox and his companie fearing least they should haue bene met with And then they came a foote to Naples where they departed a sunder euery man taking him to his next way home From whence Iohn Fox tooke his iourney vnto Rome where he was well entertayned of an Englishman who presented his worthy deede vnto the Pope who rewarded him liberally and gaue him his letters vnto the king of Spaine where he was very well entertained of him there who for this his most worthy enterprise gaue him in fee twentie pence a day From whence being desirous to come into his owne countrie he came thither at such time as he conueniently could which was in the yeere of our Lorde God 1579. Who being come into England went vnto the Court and shewed all his trauell vnto the Councell who considering of the state of this man in that hee had spent and lost a great part of his youth in thraldome and bondage extended to him their liberalitie to helpe to maintaine him now in age to their right honour and to the incouragement of all true hearted Christians The copie of the certificate for Iohn Fox and his companie made by the Prior and the brethren of Gallipoli where they first landed VVE the Prior and Fathers of the Couent of the Amerciates of the city of Gallipoli of the order of Preachers doe testifie that vpon the 29 of Ianuary last past 1577 there came in to the said citie a certaine gally from Alexandria taken from the Turkes with two hundreth fiftie and eight Christians whereof was principal Master Iohn Fox an Englishman a gunner and one of the chiefest that did accomplish that great worke whereby so many Christians haue recouered their liberties In token and remembrance whereof vpon our earnest request to the same Iohn Fox he hath left here an olde sworde wherewith he slewe the keeper of the prison which sword we doe as a monument and memoriall of so worthy a deede hang vp in the chiefe place of our Couent house And for because all things aforesaid are such as we will testifie to be true as they are orderly passed and haue therefore good credite that so much as is aboue expressed is true and for the more faith thereof we the Prior and Fathers aforesaide haue ratified and subscribed these presents Geuen in Gallipoly the third of Februarie 1577. I Frier Vincent Barba Prior of the same place confirme the premisses as they are aboue written I Frier Albert Damaro of Gallipoly Subprior confirme as much I Frier Anthony Celleler of Gallipoly confirme as aforesaid I Frier Bartlemew of Gallipoly confirme as aboue said I Frier Francis of Gallipoly confirme as much The Bishop of Rome his letters in the behalfe of Iohn Fox BE it knowen vnto all men to whom this writing shall come that the bringer hereof Iohn Fox Englishman a Gunner after he had serued captiue in the Turkes gallies by the space of foureteene yeeres at length thorough God his helpe taking good oportunitie the third of Ianuarie last past slew the keeper of the prison whom he first stroke on the face together with foure and twentie other Turkes by the assistance of his fellow prisoners and with 266. Christians of whose libertie he was the author launched from Alexandria and from thence arriued first at Gallipoly in Candie and afterwardes at Tarento in Apulia the written testimony and credite of which things as also of others the same Iohn Fox hath in publike tables from Naples Vpon Easter eue he came to Rome and is now determined to take his iourney to the Spanish Court hoping there to obtaine some reliefe toward his liuing wherefore the poore distressed man humbly beseecheth and we in his behalfe do in the bowels of Christ desire you that taking compassion of his former captiuitie and present penurie you doe not onely suffer him freely to passe throughout all your cities and townes but also succour him with your charitable almes the reward whereof you shall hereafter most assuredly receiue which we hope you will afford to him whom with tender affection of pitie wee commende vnto you At Rome the 20 of Aprill 1577. Thomas Grolos Englishman Bishop of Astraphen Richard Silleum Prior Angliae Andreas Ludouicus Register to our Soueraigne Lord the Pope which for the greater credit of the premises haue set my seale to these presents At Rome the day and yeere aboue written Mauricius Clement the gouernour and keeper of the English Hospitall in the citie The King of Spaine his letters to the Lieutenant for the placing of Iohn Fox in the office of a Gunner TO the illustrious Prince Vespasian Gonsaga Colonna our Lieutenant and Captaine Generall of our Realme of Valentia Hauing consideration that Iohn Fox Englishman hath serued vs and was one of the most principall which tooke away from the Turkes a certaine gallie which they haue brought to Tarento wherein were two hundred fiftie and eight Christian captiues we licence him to practise and giue him
and durst doe nothing which was to our cost Being come within sight of Ierusalem the maner is to kneele downe and giue God thankes that it hath pleased him to bring vs to that holy place where he himselfe had beene and there we leaue our horses and go on foote to the towne and being come to the gates there they tooke our names and our fathers names and so we were permitted to go to our lodgings The gouernor of the house met vs a mile out of the towne and very curteously bade vs all welcome and brought vs to the monasterie The gates of the citie are all couered with yron the entrance into the house of the Christians is a very low narrow doore barred or plated with yron and then come we into a very darke entry the place is a monastery there we lay dieted of free cost we fared reasonable well the bread and wine was excellent good the chambers cleane all the meat well serued in with cleane linnen We lay at the monasterie two dayes friday and saturday and then we went to Bethlem with two or three of the friers of the house with vs in the way thither we saw many monuments as The mountaine where the Angell tooke vp Abacuck by the haire and brought him to Daniel in the Lions denne The fountaine of the prophet Ieremie The place where the wise men met that went to Bethlem to worship Christ where is a fountaine of stone Being come to Bethlem we sawe the place where Christ was borne which is now a chappell with two altars whereupon they say masse the place is built with gray marble and hath bene beautifull but now it is partly decayed Neere thereto is the sepulchre of the innocents slaine by Herod the sepulchres of Paul of Ierome and of Eusebius Also a litle from this monasterie is a place vnder the ground where the virgine Mary abode with Christ when Herod sought him to destroy him We stayed at Bethlem that night and the next day we went from thence to the mountaines of Iudea which are about eight miles from Ierusalem where are the ruines of an olde monasterie In the mid way from the monasterie to Ierusalem is the place where Iohn Baptist was borne being now an olde monasterie and cattell kept in it Also a mile from Ierusalem is a place called Inuentio sanctae crucis where the wood was found that made the crosse In the citie of Ierusalem we saw the hall where Pilat sate in iudgement when Christ was condemned the staires whereof are at Rome as they told vs. A litle from thence is the house where the virgin Mary was borne There is also the piscina or fishpoole where the sicke folkes were healed which is by the wals of Ierusalem But the poole is now dry The mount of Caluaria is a great church and within the doore therof which is litle and barred with yron and fiue great holes in it to looke in like the holes of tauerne doores in London they sit that are appointed to receiue our money with a carpet vnder them vpon a banke of stone their legs a crosse like tailors hauing paid our money we are permitted to go into the church right against the church doore is the graue where Christ was buried with a great long stone of white marble ouer it and rayled about the outside of the sepulchre is very foule by meanes that euery man scrapes his name and marke vpon it and is ill kept Within the sepulchre is a partition in the further part thereof is a place like an altar where they say masse and at the doore thereof is the stone whereupon the Angell sate when he sayde to Marie He is risen which stone was also rowled to the doore of the sepulchre The altar stone within the sepulchre is of white marble the place able to conteine but foure persons right ouer the sepulchre is a deuise or lanterne for light and ouer that a great louer such as are in England in ancient houses There is also the chappell of the sepulchre and in the mids thereof is a canopie as it were of a bed with a great sort of Estridge egges hanging at it with tassels of silke and lampes Behinde the sepulchre is a litle chappell for the Chaldeans and Syrians Upon the right hand comming into the church is the tombe of Baldwine king of France and of his sonne and in the same place the tombe of Melchisedech There is a chappell also in the same church erected to S. Helen through which we go vp to the place where Christ was crucified the stayres are fiftie steps high there are two altars in it before the high altar is the place where the crosse stood the hole whereof is trimmed about with siluer and the depth of it is halfe a mans arme deepe the rent also of the mountaine is there to be seene in the creuis wherein a man may put his arme Upon the other side of the mount of Caluarie is the place where Abraham would haue sacrificed his sonne Where also is a chapell and the place paued with stones of diuers colours There is also the house of Annas the high Priest and the Oliue tree whereunto Christ was bound when he was whipt Also the house of Caiphas and by it the prison where Christ was kept which is but the roome of one man and hath no light but the opening of the doore Without Ierusalem in the vally of Iosaphat is a church vnder the ground like to the shrouds in Pauls where the sepulchre of the virgin Mary is the staires be very broad and vpon the staires going downe are two sepulchres vpon the left hand lieth Iosaphat and vpon the right hand lieth Ioachim and Anna the father and mother of the virgin Mary Going out of the valley of Iosaphat we came to mount Oliuet where Christ praied vnto his father before his death and there is to be seene as they tolde me the water blood that fell from the eyes of Christ. A litle higher vpon the same mount is the place where the Apostles âept and watched not At the foot of the mount is the place where Christ was imprisoned Upon the mountaine also is the place where Christ stood when he wept ouer Ierusalem and where he ascended into heauen Now hauing seene all these monuments I with my company set from Ierusalem the 20 day of August and came againe to Ioppa the 22 of the same moneth where wee tooke shipping presently for Tripolis and in foure dayes we came to Mecina the place where the ships lie that come for Tripolis The citie of Tripolis is a mile and a halfe within the land so that no ship can come further then Mecina so that night I came thither where I lay nine daies for passage and at last we imbarked our selues in a good ship of Venice called the new Naue Ragasona We entred the ship the second of September the
loro per il tempo che restarano qua siportorno da fideli Catholici Christiani che sua sanctita habbia trouato bono il saluo condutto del gran Turko a loro concesso per il timor della armata Tuâkesca di altri vaselli de mimici inherendo alla volonta di sua sanctitá massime per che hauera de andare passare per diuersi lochi tanto lontani come Ingilterra Flandra tutti parti di ponente in altroue a noi ha parso farle le presente nostre lettere patente come fidele conuersatore nostro accio piu securamente sensa obstaculo possa andare ritornare quando li parera con detta naue o con alire a loro bennista Per tanto donque tutti ciascun di voi sudetti affectuosamente pregamo che per qual si voglia de vostra iurisditione alla quale detto magnifico Giouani Keale Dauid Filly a nome quo supra con la naue marinari de detti loro principali o altricaschera nauigare passare venire sicuramente alla libera sensa alcuno disturbo o altro impedimento li lasciate facciate lasciare stare passare tornare quando li parera partire talmente che per amore contemplatione nostra il detto magnifico Giouanni Keale a nome quo supra con le naue marinari mercantia non habbi difficulta fastidio ritentione alcuna anzi se gli dia ogni agintâ fauore cosa degnadi voi giusta a noi gratissima de recompensaruila con vguale maggior seruitio quando dall ' occasione ne saremo rechiesti Et finalmente commandammo a tutti qual si voglia relligiosi frati de nostra relligione di qual si voglia coÌditione grado stato che siano a tutti riceuitori procuratori nostri in tutti qual si voglia priorati nostri deputati deputandi in vertu di santa obedientia atutti nostri vassalli alla giurisditione di nostra relligione soggetti che in tale per tale tenghino reputino il detto magnifico Giouanni Keale a nome vt supra naue marinari mercantia sensa permittere che nel detto suo viaggio o in alcun altro luogo sia molestato o in qual si voglia manera impedito anzi tutte lecose sue negotij loro sian da voi agâoutati continuamente fauoriti In cuius rei testimonium Bâlla nostra magistralis in cera nigra praesentibus est impressa Datae Melitae in conuentu nostro die duodecimo Mensis Iulij 1582. The same in English FRier Hugo of Loubeux Verdala by the grace of God master of the holy house the hospital of S. Iohn at Ierusalem and an humble keeper of the poore of Iesus Christ to all euery prince ecclesiastical secular archbishops bishops Dukes Marqueses Barons Capteines Uicelords Maiors Castellanes Admirals and whatsoeuer patrons of Gallies or other greater shippes and gouernors of cities potentates and magistrates and other officers and persons whatsoeuer of what dignitie degree state and condition soeuer they be dwelling in all places and landes greeting We make it knowne and in the word of truth do witnesse that in the moneth of May last past our gallies came on the voyage from Barbarie where hauing commandement to succour a little ship of the Christians which was driuen ouer into that part being arriued vpon this Iland on the West part they found one English ship vnder the charge of the worshipfull Iohn Keele and Dauid Fillie master and our men willing to know what ship it was they seemed to put themselues in order for their defence doubting that the said our gallies were of the enemies therefore one mariner attempted contrary to the will of the worshipfull Iohn Keele and Dauid Fillie maister and had shot off a piece of artillerie against one of the said gallies and because she would not strike amaine her sayle according to the will of the saide worshipfull Iohn Keele and Dauid Fillie master the said ship was brought backe againe vnto the present port of Malta according to the order of the reuerend generall of the said gallies and in being there maister Inquisitor staid it by authoritie of the holy office and in that behalfe by the holinesse of our Lord pope Gregorie the thirteenth in the end was licenced to depart on her voyage They therefore the said worshipfull Iohn Keele and Dauid Fillie in the name and behalfe of the worshipfull master Eward Osborne Alderman and Richard Staper English marchants of the noble citie of London haue humbly besought together with Thomas Wilkinson the purser pilots master and mariners that we would giue our letters patents and safe conducts that they might goe and returne when they shall see opportunitie with their goods and merchandizes at their pleasure whereupon the thing seeming vnto vs iust and that it might be for the prosite of our religion and of these strangers by the tenor of these presents we haue granted the same to them yet with the conditions here under written viz. That euery time the said marchants of the said ship or with any other shall not bring such marchandize as is forbidden and that by sufficient proofe and letters testâmoniall it appeareth that they are free from the infections of the plague they may victuall themselues with all necessarie victuals and traffike with vs and in this Iland and dominion and afterwarde may depart and follow their voyage whither they will into the Leuant or else where as all other vessels and especially of France and other nations do and sell and buy whatsoeuer marchandize they shal thinke good Item that they may bring powder for cannon and harquebush saltpeâter cole of Newcastle plates of lattin tinne steele yron coÌmon karsies white course canuas to make saile for the gallies balies of yron for shot fine milstones trees masts for gallies litle and others and in conclusion hauing seene that they for the time of their abode here did behaue themselues like faithfull and catholike Christians that his holines hath allowed the safeconduct of the great Turke to them granted for feare of the Turkish armie and other vessels of the enemie submitting our selues to the pleasures of his holinesse and especially because our people haue occasion to passe by diuers places so farre off as England Flanders and all parts Westwards and in other places we haue vouchsafed to make these our letters patents as our faithfull assistant so as more surely and without let they may go and returne when they shall thinke good with the said ship or with others at their pleasure We therefore pray all and euery of your subiects effectually that by what part soeuer of your iurisdiction vnto the which the said worshipfull Iohn Keele and Dauid Fillie by name abouesaid with the ship and mariners of the said principall place or
pidimos a Dios omnipotente prospere y accrescente con toda felicitad y honra De la ciudad de Londres a los veynte dias de Iulio del mil y quinientos y ochenta y quatro annos Al seruitio de vuestra Alteza per y en nombre de todos les tratantes en Turquia Io el Mayor de Londres Edward Osborne The same in English RIght high and mightie king May it please your highnesse to vnderstand that the most high and most mightie maiestie of the Grand Signor hath confirmed certaine articles of priuileges with the most excellent maiestie of our Queene of England that her subiects may freely go and come and traffike by sea and land in the dominions of his most mighty maiesty as appeareth more at large by y e said articles whereof we haue sent the copy vnto M. Ioh. Tipton our Commissarie to shew the same vnto your highnes Against the tenor of which articles one of our ships which came from Patras which is in Morea laden with corants and other merchandizes which were bought in those parts was sunke by 2. gallies of your citie of Alger and the greatest number of the men thereof were slain and drowned in the sea the residue being detained as slaues An acte very contrary to the meaning of the aforesaid articles and priuileges which is the occasioÌ that by these presents we beseech your highnesse very humbly that since it hath pleased the most mightie maiestie of the Grand Signor to fauour vs with the sayd priuileges it would please your Highnesse in like maner to assist vs in the same graunting vs by your authoritie your ayde and fauour according as our hope is that these poore men so detained in captiuitie as is aforesaid may be set at libertie returne into their countrey And likewise that your highnesse would send to giue order to the captaines masters and people of your gallies that from hencefoorth they would suffer vs to vse our traffique with sixe ships yerely into Turkie vnto the dominions of the Grand Signor in peace and safetie that they do not withstand those our said priuileges euery one of our foresaid ships carying with them a passeport of his most high and most mightie maiestie to be knowen by And for that your so singular fauour and curtesie which in so doing we shall receiue we on our part with all bounden duetie vnto your highnesse will seeke to honour you in that behalfe according as the sayd master Iohn Tipton to whom wee referre our selues touching all other circumstances shall more at large enforme your highnesse whose most excellent person and estate we pray and beseech almightie God to prosper and increase with all felicitie and honour From the Citie of London the 20. of Iuly 1584. At the seruice of your highnesse for and in the name of our whole company trading into Turkie I Maior of London Edward Osburne Notes concerning the trade of Alger THe money that is coined in Alger is a piece of gold called Asiano Doublaes and two Doublaes make an Asiano but the Doubla is most vsed for all things be sold by Doublaes which Doubla is fiftie of their Aspers there The Asper there is not so good by halfe more as that in Constantinople for the Chekin of gold of the Turkes made at Constantinople is at Alger worth an 150. Aspers and at Constantinople it is but 66. Aspers The pistolet and roials of plate are most currant there The said pistolet goeth for 130. Aspers there the piece of 4. roials goeth for 40. Aspers but oftentimes is sold for more as men need them to cary vp into Turkie Their Asianos and Doublaes are pieces of course gold worth here but 40. s. the ounce so the same is currant in no place of Turkie out of the kingdom of Alger neither the Aspers for that they be lesse then others be for they coine them in Alger The custome to the king is inward 10. per centum to the Turke to be paid of the commoditie it selfe or as it shall be rated There is another custome to the Ermine of one an halfe per centum which is to the Iustice of the Christians the goods for this custome are rated as they are for the kings custome Hauing paid custome inwards you pay none outwards for any commoditie that you doe lade more then a reward to the gate keepers The waight there is called a Cantare for fine wares as mettals refined and spices c. which is here 120. li. subtil Mettall not refined as lead iron and such grosse wares are sold by a great Cantare which is halfe as big againe so it is 180. li. subtil of ours here The measure of corne is by a measure called a Curtia which is about 4. bushels of our measure and corne is plentiful there and good cheape except when there hapneth a very dry yeere The surest lodging for a Christian there is in a Iewes house for if he haue any hurt the Iew and his goods shall make it good so the Iew taketh great care of the Christian and his goods that lieth in his house for feare of punishment An Englishman called Thomas Williams which is M. Iohn Tiptons man lieth about trade of merchandize in the streete called The Soca of the Iewes Notes concerning the trade in Alexandria ALexandria in Egypt is a free port and when a man commeth within the castles presently the Ermyn sends aboord to haue one come and speake with him to know what goods are aboord and then hee will set guards aboord the ship to see all the goods discharged And then from the Ermin you goe to the Bye onely for that he will inquire newes of you and so from thence to the Consuls house where you lie The Uenetians haue a Consul themselues But all other nations goe to the French nations Consul who will giue you a chamber for your selues apart if you will so haue it The customs inward of all commodities are ten in the hundred the custome is paid in wares also that you buy for the same wares in barter you pay also ten in the hundred at the lading of the wares But if you sell for mony you pay no more custome but the ten aforesaid and one and a half in the hundred which is for the custome of the goods you lade for the sayd mony for more custome you pay not But for all the money you bring thither you pay nothing for the custome of the same And if you sell your wares for mony and with the same money buy wares you pay but two in the hundred for the custome thereof And if you steale any custome if it be taken you pay double custome for that you steale The weight of Alexandria is called Pois Forforeine which is a kintal in that place which maketh at Marseils 109. li. of Marseils waight at 15 ounces the pound which is
fortè nescientibus malè habiti fuerint immaniter diuexati Cesaream vestram Maiestatem beneuolè rogamus vt per Legatum nostrum eorum causam cognoscas postremò earum prouinciarum proregibus ac praefectis imperes vt nostri liberè in illis locis sine vi autiniuria deinceps versari negotia gerere possint Et nos omni opera vicissim studebimus ea omnia praestare quae Imperatoriae vestrae Maiestati vllo pacto grata fore intelligemus quam Deus vnicus mundi conditor optimus maximus diutissime incolumem florentem seruet Daâae in palatio nostro Londini quinto dâe Mensis Septembris anno IESV CHRISTI Seruatoris nostri 1584. Regni verò nostri vicessimo sexto The same in English ELizabeth by the grace of the most high God and onely maker of heauen and earth of England France and Ireland Queene and of the Christian faith against all the Idolaters and false professors of the Name of CHRIST dwelling among the Christians most inuincible and puissant defender to the most valiant and inuincible Prince Zultan Murad Can the most mightie ruler of the kingdome of Musulman and of the East Empire the onely and highest Monarch aboue all health and many happy and fortunate yeres with great aboundance of the best things Most noble and puissant Emperour about two yeeres nowe passed wee wrote vnto your Imperiall Maiestie that our welbeloued seruant William Harâborne a man of great reputation and honour might be receiued vnder your high authoritie for our Ambassadour in Constantinople and other places vnder the obedience of your Empire of Musulman And also that the Englishmen being our Subiects might exercise entercourse and marchandize in all those Prouinces no lesse freely then the French Polonians Venetians Germanes and other your confederats which traueile through diuers of the East parts endeuouring that by mutuall trafique the East may be ioyned and knit to the West Which priuileges when as your most puissant Maiestie by your letters and vnder your dispensation most liberally and fauourably granted to our Subiects of England wee could no lesse doe but in that respect giue you as great thankes as our heart could conceiue trusting that it wil come to passe that this order of trafique so well ordeined will bring with it selfe most great profits and commodities to both sides as well to the parties subiect to your Empire as to the Prouinces of our kingdome Which thing that it may be done in plaine and effectuall maner whereas some of our Subiects of late at Tripolis in Barbarie and at Argier were by the inhabitants of those places being perhaps ignorant of your pleasure euill intreated and grieuously vexed wee doe friendly and louingly desire your Imperiall Maiestie that you will vnderstand their causes by our Ambassadour and afterward giue commaundement to the Lieutenants and Presidents of those Prouinces that our people may henceforth freely without any violence or iniurie traueile and do their businesse in those places And we againe with all endeuour shall studie to performe all those things which we shall in any wise vnderstand to be acceptable to your Imperiall Maiestie which God the onely maker of the world most best and most great long keepe in health and flourishing Giuen in our pallace at London the fift day of the moneth of September in the yeere of IESVS CHRIST our Sauiour 1584. And of our raigne the 26. The Turkes letter to the King of Tripolis in Barbarie commanding the restitution of an English ship called the Iesus with the men and goods sent from Constantinople by Mahomet Beg a Iustice of the Great Turkes and an English Gentlemen called Master Edward Barton Anno 1584. HOnourable and worthy Bassa Romadan Beglerbeg most wise and prudent Iudge of the West Tripolis wee wish the ende of all thy enterprises happie and prosperous By these our highnesse letters wee certifie thee that the right honourable William Hareborne Ambassadour in our most famous Porch for the most excellent Queenes Maiestie of England in person and by letters hath certified our highnesse that a certaine shippe with all her furniture and artillerie worth two thousand and duckets arriuing in the port of Tripolis and discharged of her lading and marchandize paide our custome according to order and againe the marchants laded their shippe with oyle which by constraint they were inforced to buy of you hauing answered in like maner the custome for the same determined to depart a Frenchman assistant to the Marchant vnknowen to the Englishmen caried away with him another Frenchman indebted to a certaine Moore in foure hundred duckets and by force caused the Englishmen and shippe to depart who neither suspecting fraude nor deceite hoised sailes In the meane time this man whose debter the Frenchman had stollen away went to the Bassa with the supplication by whose meanes and force of the Castle the Englishmen were constrained to returne into the port where the Frenchman author of the euill with the Master of the ship an Englishman innocent of the crime were hanged and sixe and twentie Englishmen cast into prison of whom through famine thrist and stinke of the prison eleuen died and the rest like to die Further it was signified to our Maiestie also that the marchandise and other goods with the shippe were worth 7600. duckets which things if they be so this is our commandement which was granted and giuen by our Maiestie that the English shippe and all the marchandize and whatsoeuer else taken away bee wholy restored and that the Englishmen be let goe free and suffered to returne into their Countrey Wherefore when this our commaundement shall come vnto thâe wee straightly commaund that the foresaid businesse be diligently looked vnto and discharged And if it be so that a Frenchman and no Englishman hath done this craft and wickednesse vnknowen to the Englishmen and as authour of the wickednesse is punished and that the Englishmen committed nothing against the peace and league or their articles also if they payd custome according to order it is against law custome of Countreys and their priuilege to hinder or hurt them Neither is it meete their shippe marchandise and all their goods taken should be withholden Wee will therefore that the English shippe marchandize and all other their goods without excepââon be restored to the Englishmen also that the men bee let goe free and if they will let none hinder them to returne peaceably into their Countrey do not commit that they another time complaine of this matter and how this businesse is dispatched certifie vs at our famous porche Dated in the Citie of Constantinople in the 992. yeere of Mahomet and in the ende of the moneth of October and in the yeere of IESVS 1584. A letter of Master VVilliam Hareborne the English Amâassadour Ligier in Constantinople to the Bassa Romadan the Beglerbeg of Tripolis in Barbarie for the restoring of an English shippe called the Iesus with the goods and men detained
We found it here very hote The winter beginneth here about the last of May. In these partes is a porte or hauen called Masulipatan which standeth eight dayes iourney from hence toward the gulfe of Bengala whether come many shippes out of India Pegu and Sumatra very richly laden with Pepper spices and other commodities The countrie is very good and fruitfull From thence I went to Seruidore which is a fine countrey and the king is called the king of Bread The houses here bee all thâtched and made of lome Here be many Moores and Gentiles but there is small religion among them From thence I went to Bellapore and so to Barrampore which is in the country of Zelabdim Echebar In this place their money is made of a kind of siluer round and thicke to the value of twentie pence which is very good siluer It is marueilous great and a populous countrey In their winter which is in Iune Iuly and August there is no passing in the streetes but with horses the waters be so high The houses are made of lome and thatched Here is great store of cotton cloth made and painted clothes of cotton wooll here groweth great store of corne and Rice We found mariages great store both in townes and villages in many places where wee passed of boyes of eight or ten yeeres and girles of fiue or six yeeres old They both do ride vpon one horse very trimly decked and are caried through the towne with great piping and playing and so returne home and eate of a banket made of Rice and fruits and there they daunce the most part of the night and so make an ende of the marriage They lie not together vntill they be ten yeeres old They say they marry their children so yoong because it is an order that when the man dieth the woman must be burned with him so that if the father die yet they may haue a father in lawe to helpe to bring vp the children which bee maried and also that they will not leaue their sonnes without wiues nor their daughters without husbands From thence we went to Mandoway which is a very strong towne It was besieged twelue yeeres by Zelabdim Echebar before hee could winne it It standeth vpon a very great high rocke as the most part of of their castles doe and was of a very great circuite From hence wee went to Vgini and Serringe where wee ouertooke the ambassadour of Zelabdim Echebar with a marueilous great company of men elephants and camels Here is great trade of cotton and cloth made of cotton and great store of drugs From thence we went to Agra passing many riuers which by reason of the raine were so swollen that wee waded and swamme oftentimes for our liues Agra is a very great citie and populous built with stone hauing faire and large streetes with a faire riuer running by it which falleth into the gulfe of Bengala It hath a faire castle and a strong with a very faire ditch Here bee many Moores and Gentiles the king is called Zelabdim Echebar the people for the most part call him The great Mogor From thence wee went for Fatepore which is the place where the king kept his court The towne is greater then Agra but the houses and streetes be not so faire Here dwell many people both Moores and Gentiles The king hath in Agra and Fatepore as they doe crâdibly report 1000. elephants thirtie thousand horses 1400. tame Deere 800. concubines such store of Ounces Tigera Buffles Cocks Haukes that is very strange to see He keepeth a great court which they call Dericcan Agra and Fatepore are two very great cities either of them much greater then London and very populous Betweene Agra and Fatepore are 12. miles and all the way is a market of victuals other things as full as though a man were still in a towne and so many people as if a man were in a market They haue many fine cartes and many of them carued and gilded with gold with two wheeles which be drawen with two litle Buls about the bignesse of our great dogs in England and they will runne with any horse and carie two or three men in one of these cartes they are couerâd with silke or very fine cloth and be vsed here as our Coches be in England Hither is great resort of marchants from Persia and out of India and very much marchandise of silke and cloth and of precious stones both Rubies Diamants and Pearles The king is apparelled in a white Cabie made like a shirt tied with strings on the one side and a litle cloth on his head coloured oftentimes with red or yealow None come into his house but his eunuches âhich keepe his women Here in Fatepore we staied all three vntill the 28. of September 1585. and then master Iohn Newberie tooke his iourney toward the citie of Lahor determining from thence to goe for Persia and then for Aleppo or Constantinople whether hee could get soonest passage vnto and directed me to goe for Bengala and for Pegu and did promise me if it pleased God to meete me in Bengala within two yeeres with a shippe out of England I left William Leades the ieweller in seruice with the king Zelabdim Echebar in Fatepore who did entertaine him very well and gaue him an house and fiue slaues an horse and euery day sixe S. S. in money I went from Agra to Satagam in Bengala in the companie of one hundred and fourescore boates laden with Salt Opium Hinge Lead Carpets and diuers other commodities downe the riuer Iemena The chiefe marchants are Moores and Gentiles In these countries they haue many strange ceremonies The Bramanes which are their priests come to the water and haue a string about their necks made with great ceremonies and lade vp water with both their hands and turne the string first with both their hands within and then one arme after the other out Though it be neuer so cold they will wash themselues in cold water or in warme These Gentiles will eate no flesh nor kill any thing They liue with rice butter milke and fruits They pray in the water naked and dresse their meat eate it naked and for their penance they lie flat vpon the earth and rise vp and turne themselues about 30. or 40. times and vse to heaue vp their hands to the sunne to kisse the earth with their armes and legs stretched along out and their right leg alwayes before the left Euery time they lie downe they make a score on the ground with their finger to know when their stint is finished The Bramanes marke themselues in the foreheads eares and throates with a kind of yellow geare which they grind euery morning they do it And they haue some old men which go in the streetes with a boxe of yellow pouder and marke men on their heads necks as they meet them And
as bigge as salmons like barbils We landed at Felugia the eight and twentieth of Iune where we made our abode seuen dayes for lacke of camels to cary our goods to Babylon the heat at that time of the yere is such in those parts that men are ââch to let out their camels to trauell This Felugia is a village of some hundred houses and a place appointed for discharging of such goods as come downe the riuer the inhabitants are Arabians Not finding camels here we were constrained to vnlade our goods and hired an hundred asses to cary our English marchandises onely to New Babylon ouer a short desert in crossing whereof we spent eighteene houres trauelling by night and part of the morning to auoid the great heat In this place which we crossed ouer stood the olde mighty city of Babylon many olde ruines wherof are easily to be seene by day-light which I Iohn Eldred haue often beheld at my good leasure hauing made three voyages betweene the new city of Babylon and Aleppo ouer this desert Here also are yet standing the ruines of the olde tower of Babel which being vpon a plaine grouÌd seemeth a farre off very great but the nerer you come to it the lesser and lesser it appeareth sundry times I haue gone thither to see it and found the remnants yet standing aboue a quarter of a mile in compasse and almost as high as the stone-worke of Pauls steeple in London but it sheweth much bigger The bricks remaining in this most ancient monument be halfe a yard thicke and three quarters of a yard long being dried in the Sunne onely and betweene euery course of bricks there lieth a course of mattes made of canes which remaine sound and not perished as though they had beene layed within one yeere The city of New Babylon ioyneth vpon the aforsayd small desert where the Olde city was and the riuer of Tigris runneth close vnder the wall and they may if they will open a sâuce and let the water of the same runne round about the towne It is aboue two English miles in compasse and the inhabitants generally speake three languages to wit the Persian Arabian and Turkish tongues the people are of the Spaniards complexion and the women generally weare in one of the grisâles of their noses a ring like a wedding ring but somewhat greater with a pearle and a Turkish stone set therein and this they do be they neuer so poore This is a place of very great traffique and a very great thorowfare from the East Indies to Aleppo The towne is very well furnished with victuals which come downe the riuer of Tigris from Mosul which was called Niniue in olde time They bring these victuals and diuers sorts of marchandises vpon rafts borne vpon goats skins blowen vp ful of wind in maner of bladders And when they haue discharged their goods they sel the rafts for sixe and let the wind out of their goats skins and cary them home againe vpon their asses by land to make other voyages downe the riuer The building here is most of bricke dried in the Sun and very litle or no stone is to be found their houses are all flat-roofed and low They haue no raine for eight moneths together nor almost any clouds in the skie night nor day Their Winter is in Nouember December Ianuary and February which is as warme as our Summer in England in a maner This I know by good experience because my abode at seuerall times in this city of Babylon hath bene at the least the space of two yeres As we come to the city we passe ouer the riuer of Tigris on a great bridge made with boats chained together with two mighty chaines of yron From thence we departed in flat bottomed barks more strong greater then those of Euphrates and were eight and twenty dayes also in passing downe this riuer to Balsara but we might haue done it in eighteene or lesse if the water had bene higher Upon the waters side stand by the way diuers townes resembling much the names of the olde prophets the first towne they call Ozeah another Zecchiah Before we come to Balsara by one dayes iourney the two riuers of Tigris and Euphrates meet and there standeth a castle called Cuma kept by the Turks where all marchants pay a small custome Here the two riuers ioyned together begin to be eight or nine miles broad here also it beginneth to ebbe and flow and the water ouerflowing maketh the countrey all about very fertile of corne rice pulse and dates The towne of Balsara is a mile and an halfe in circuit all the buildings castle and wals are made of bricke dried in the Sun The Turke hath here fiue hundred Ianisaries besides other souldiers continually in garison and pay but his chiefe strength is of gallies which are about fiue and twenty or thirty very faire and furnished with goodly ordinance To this port of Balsara come monethly diuers ships from Ormuz laden with all sorts of Indian marchandise as spices drugs Indico and Calecut cloth These ships are vsually from forty to threescore tunnes hauing their planks sowed together with corde made of the barke of Date trees and in stead of Occam they vse the shiuerings of the barke of the sayd trees and of the same they also make their tackling They haue no kinde of yron worke belonging to these vessels saue only their ankers From this place six dayes sailing downe the gulfe they go to a place called Baharem in the mid way to Ormus there they fish for pearles foure moneths in the yere to wit in Iune Iuly August and September My abode in Balsara was iust sixe moneths during which time I receiued diuers letters from M. Iohn Newbery from Ormus who as he passed that way with her Maiesties letters to Zelabdim Echebar king of Cambaia vnto the mighty emperour of China was traiterously there arrested and all his company by the Portugals and afterward sent prisoner to Goa where after a long and cruell imprisonment he and his companions were deliuered vpon sureties not to depart the towne without leaue at the sute of one father Thomas Steuens an English religious man which they found there but shortly after three of them escaped whereof one to wit M. Ralph Fitch is since come into England The fourth which was a painter called Iohn Story became religious in the college of S. Paul in Goa as we vnderstood by their letters I and my companion William Shales hauing dispatched our businesse at Balsara imbarked our selues in company of seuenty barks all laden with marchandise hauing euery barke 14 men to draw them like our Westerne bargemen on the Thames and we were forty foure dayes comming vp against the streame to Babylon where arriuing and paying our custome we with all other sorts of marchants bought vs camels hired vs men to lade and driue them furnished
no Englishmen there but then my guide brought mee aboord a ship of Alderman Martins called the Tyger of London where I was well receiued of the Master of the said ship whose name was Thomas Rickman and of all the company The said Master hauing made me good cheere and made me also to drinke of the water of Nilus hauing the keyes of the English house went thither with me himselfe appointed mee a faire chamber and left a man with me to prouide me all things that I needed and euery day came himselfe to me and caried me into the City and shewed me the monuments thereof which be these He brought mee first to Pompey his pillar which is a mighty thing of gray marble and all of one stone in height by estimation aboue 52. yards and the compasse about sixe fadome The City hath three gates one called the gate of Barbaria the other of Merina and the thirde of Rossetto He brought me to a stone in the streete of the Citie whereupon S. Marke was beheaded to the place where S. Katherine died hauing there hid herselfe because she would not marry also to the Bath of S. Katherine I saw there also Pharaos needle which is a thing in height almost equall with Pompeys pillar and is in compasse fiue fadome and a halfe and all of one stone I was brought also to a most braue and daintie Bath where we washed our selues the Bath being of marble and of very curious workemanship The Citie standeth vpon great arches or vawtes like vnto Churches with mightie pillars of marble to holde vp the foundation which arches are built to receiue the water of the riuer of Nilus which is for the vse of the Citie It hath three Castles and a hundred Churches but the part that is destroyed of it is siâe times more then that part which standeth The last day of Iuly I departed from Alexandria towards Cayro in a passage boate wherein first I went to Rossetto standing by the riuer side hauing 13. or 14. great churches in it their building there is of stone and bricke but as for lodging there is litle except we bring it with vs. From Rossetto wee passed along the riuer of Nilus which is so famous in the world twise as broad as the Thames at London on both sides grow date trees in great abundance The people be rude insomuch that a man cannot traueile without a Ianizary to conduct him The time that I stayed in AEgypt was the Turkes and Moores Lent in all which time they burne lamps in their churches as many as may hang in them their Lent endureth 40. dayes and they haue three Lents in the yere during which time they neither eate nor drink in the day time but all the night they do nothing else Betwixt Rossetto and Cayro there are along the water side three hundred cities and townes and the length of the way is not aboue three hundred miles To this famous Citie of Cayro I came the fift day of August where I found M. William Alday and William Caesar who intertained me in very good sort M. Caesar brought me to see the Pyramides which are three in number one whereof king Pharao made for his owne tombe the tombe it selfe is almost in the top of it the monuments bee high and in forme 4. square and euery of the squares is as long as a man may shoote a rouing arrowe and as high as a Church I sawe also the ruines of the Citie of Memphis hard by those Pyramides The house of Ioseph is yet standing in Cayro which is a sumptuous thing hauing a place to walke in of 56. mighty pillars all gilt with gold but I saw it not being then lame The 11. day of August the lande was cut at Cayro to let in the water of the riuer of Nilus which was done with great ioy and triumph The 12. of August I set from Cayro towards Alexandria againe and came thither the 14. of August The 26. day there was kept a great feast of the Turkes and Moores which lasted two dayes and for a day they neuer ceased shooting off of great Ordinance From Alexandria I sailed to Argier where I lay with M. Typton Consull of the English nation who vsed me most kindly and at his owne charge Hee brought mee to the kings Court and into the presence of the King to see him and the maners of the Court the King doeth onely beare the name of a King but the greatest gouernment is in the hands of the souldiers The king of Potanca is prisoner in Argier who comming to Constantinople to acknowledge a duety to the great Turke was betrayed by his owne nephew who wrote to the Turke that hee went onely as a spy by that meanes to get his kingdome I heard at Argier of seuen Gallies that were at that time cast away at a towne called Formentera three of them were of Argier the other foure were the Christians We found here also 13. Englishmen which were by force of weather put into the bay of Tunis where they were very ill vsed by the Moores who forced them to leaue their barke whereupon they went to the Councell of Argier to require a redresse and remedy for the iniurie They were all belonging to the shippe called the Golden Noble of London whereof Master Birde is owner The Master was Stephen Haselwood and the Captaine Edmond Bence The thirde day of December the pinnesse called the Mooneshine of London came to Argier with a prize which they tooke vpon the coast of Spaine laden with sugar hides and ginger the pinnesse also belonging to the Golden Noble and at Argier they made sale both of shippe and goods where wee left them at our comming away which was the seuenth day of Ianuarie and the first day of February I landed at Dartmouth and the seuenth day came to London with humble thankes to Almightie God for my safe arriuall A true report of a worthy fight performed in the voyage from Turkie by fiue Ships of London against 11. Gallies and two Frigats of the King of Spaines at Pantalarea within the Streights Anno 1586. Written by Philip Iones THe Marchants of London being of the incorporation of the Turky trade hauing receiued intelligences and aduertisements from time to time that the King of Spaine grudging at the prosperitie of this kingdome had not onely of late arrested al English ships bodies and goods in Spaine but also maligning the quiet trafique which they vsed to and in the dominions and prouinces vnder the obedience of the Great Turke had giuen order to the Captaines of his gallies in the Leuant to hinder the passage of all English ships and to endeuour by their best meanes to intercept take and spoile them their persons and goods they hereupon thought it their best course to set out their fleete for Turkie in such strength and abilitie for their defence that the purpose of their Spanish enemie might
quae omnes supplices exaudite dignata est supplicatione Regis Polonie non accepta iterùm in regem Polonie exercitum suum mittere Creatoris omnipotentis auxilio regnum eius subuertere constituerat Verum Legato Serenitatis vestre in porta beata fulgida Caesareae celsitudinis residente sese interponente Et quòd Serenitati vestre ex partibus Poloniae fruges puluis arbores nauiuÌ tormenta alia necessaria suppeditarentur significante pacem pro regno rege Poloniae petente neuâ regnum Poloniae ex parte Caesareae celsitudinis turbaretur vel infestaretur intercedente Serenitatisque vestrae hane singularem esse voluntatem exponente Legati serenitatis vestrae significatio intercessio cùm Caesaree celsitudini âignificata fuisset In âauorem serenitatis vestrae cui omnis honos gratia debetur iuxta modum predictum vt Cosacifacinorosi exquirantur poena perfecta puniantur aut ratione muneris aliquantuli eorum delicta coÌdonentur hac inquam conditione literae Cesareae celsitudinis ad Regem Poloniae sunt datae Si autem ex parte Serenitatis vestre foedus pax sollicitata non fuisset nulla ratione Caesarea celsitudo foedus cum regno Polonie inijsset In fauorem autem Serenitatis vestrae regno Regi Poloniae singularem gratiam Caesarea celsitudo exhibuit Quod tà m Serenitas vestra quà m etiam Rex regnum Polonie sibi certò persuadere debent Serenitatem vestram benè foelicissiméque valere cupimus Datum Constantinopoli in fine mensis Sabaum nuncupati Anno prophetae nostri sacrati Maâumedi nongentesimo nonagesimo octauo IESV vero Anno millesimo quingentesimo nonagesimo die duodecimo mensis Iunij The same in English MOst glorious and the most resplendent of women most select Princesse most gratious Elizabeth Queene of the valiant followers of Iesus in the famous kingdom of England most wise gouernesse of all the affaires and businesses of the people and family of the Nazarens most sweet fountaine of brightnesse and glory most acceptable cloud of raine inheritresse Ladie of the blessednesse and glory of the renowmed kingdome of England to whom in humble wise all men offer their petitions wishing of the almightie Creator most happie increase and prosperous successe vnto all your Maiesties affaires and actions and offering vp mutuall perpetuall vowes worthy of our familiarity with eternall prayses In most friendly manner we signifie vnto your princely Highnesse that certaine yeeres past the most mightie Cesarlike maiestie of the Grand Signor waged vnspeakeable warres with Casul-bas the Prince of the Persians in regarde of which warres he would not goe in battell against any other places and for that cause certaine theeues in the partes of Polonia called Cosacks and other notorious persons liuing in the same partes ceased not to trouble and molest the subiects of our most mightie Emperour But now hauing finished and brought to some good issue his affaires in Persia determining to punish the saide malefactors of Poland and for that purpose committing an army vnto the Beglerbeg of Grecia and the yeere last past sending his imperiall commaundement vnto the Prince of the Tartars he hath forraged molested and layed waste some part of the kingdome of Poland and the Cosacks and other notorious offenders haue receiued condigue punishment Which the king of Poland perceiuing sent two Embassadours to his imperiall Highnesse signifying that he would hunt out the said malefactors and inflict most seuere punishments vpon them and also that he would better his gift which he hath for many yeeres heretofore ordinarily sent vnto the porch of his imperiall Highnesse Howbeit his imperiall maiestie vpon whom the almightie creator hath bestowed so great power and who vouchsafeth to giue eare vnto all humble suppliants reiecting the supplication of the King of Poland determined againe to send his armie against the said king and by the helpe of the Almightie creator vtterly to subuert and ouerthrowe his kingdome But your Maiesties Embassadour resident in the blessed and glorious porch of his imperiall Highnesse interposing himselfe as a mediatour signifying that from the partes of Poland you were furnished with corne gun-powder mastes of ships guns and other necessaries and crauing peace on the behalfe of the kingdome and king of Poland and making intercession that the said king might not be molested nor troubled by the meanes of the Grand Signor declaring that this was your Maiesties most earnest desire so soone as the report and intercession of your Maiesties Embassadour was signified vnto the Grand Signor for your sake vnto whom all honour and fauourable regard is due vpon the condition aforesaid namely that the wicked Cosacks might be sought out and grieuously punished or that their offences might be remitted for the value of some small gift vpon this condition I say the letters of his imperiall Highnesse were sent vnto the king of Poland Howbeit had not this conclusion of league and amitie beene sollicited on the behalfe of your Maiestie his imperiall Highnesse would neuer haue vouchsafed the same vnto the kingdome of Poland But for your Maiesties sake his imperiall Highnesse hath exhibited this so singular a fauour vnto the said king and kingdome of Poland And hereof your Maiestie and the king of Poland ought certainely to be perswaded We wish your Maiestie most happily and well to fare Giuen at Constantinople in the ende of the moneth called SabauÌ in the yeare of our sacred prophet Mahomet 998 and in the yeere of Iesus 1590 the 12 of Iune The second letters Patents graunted by the Queenes Maiestie to the Right worshipfull companie of the English Marchants for the Leuant the seuenth of Ianuarie 1592. ELizabeth by the grace of God Queene of England France and Irelande defender of the faith c. To all our Officers ministers and subiects and to all other people aswell within this our Realme of England as else where vnder our obeysance and iurisdiction or otherwise vnto whom these our letters shal be seene shewed or read greeting Where our welbeloued subiects Edward Osborne knight Alderman of our citie of London William Hareborne Esquire and Richard Staper of our saide citie Marchant haue by great aduenture and industrie with their great cost and charges by the space of sundry late yeeres trauelled and caused trauell to be taken aswell by secrete and good meanes as by daungerous wayes and passages both by lande and sea to finde out and set open a trade of marchandize and traffike into the landes Ilandes Dominions and territories of the great Turke commonly called the Grand Signor not before that time in the memorie of any man now liuing knowen to be commonly vsed and frequented by way of marchandize by any the marâhantes or other subiectes of vs or our progenitors And also haue by their like good meanes and industrie and great charges procured of the sayde Grand Signor in our name amitie safetie and freedome for trade and traffike of
sword and he tooke their city which was very mighty seated vpon the sea which is called Ceuta in their language Confirmatio treugarum inter Regem Angliae Eduardum quartum Ioannem secundum Regem Portugalliae datarum in oppido montis Maioris 8 Februarij apud Westmonasterium 12 Septembris 1482 anno regni 22 Regis Eduardi quarti lingua Lusitanica ex opere sequenti excerpta Libro das obras de Garcia de Resende que tracta da vida è feitos del Rey dom Ioham secundo Embaixada que el Rey mandou à el Rey d' Inglaterra cap. 33. EDa qui de Monte Mor mandou el Rey por embaixadores à el rey dom Duarte de Inglaterra Ruy de Sousa pessoa principal è de muyto bon saber é credito de que el Rey muyto confiaua é ho doutor Ioam d' Eluas é Fernam de Pina por secretario E for am por mar muy honradamente com may boa companhia hos quaes foram en nome del Rey confirmar as ligas antiquas com Inglaterra que polla condisan dellus ho nouo Rey de hum reyno é do outro era obrigado à mandar confirmar é tambien pera mostrarem ho titolo que el rey tinha no senhorio de Guinee pera que depois de visto el rey d'Inglaterra defendesse em todos seus reynos que ninguen armassenem podesse mandar à Guinee é assi mandasse desfazer huna armada que pera laa faziam per mandado do Duque de Medina Sidonia hum Ioam Tintam é bum Guilherme Fabiam Ingreses Com ha qual embaixada el rey d' Inglaterra mostrou receber grande contentamento é foy delle com muyta honra recebida é em tudo fez inteiramente ho que pellos embaixadores Ibe foy requerido De que elles trouxeran autenticas escrituras das diligencias que con pubricos pregones fizeram é assi as prouisones das aprouasones que eran necessarias é com tudo muyto ben acabado é ha vontade del rey se vieram The Ambassage which king Iohn the second king of Portugall sent to Edward the fourth king of England which in part was to stay one Iohn Tintam and one William Fabian English men from proceeding in a voyage which they were preparing for Guinea 1481 taken out of the booke of the workes of Gracias de Resende which intreateth of the life and acts of Don Iohn the second king of Portugall Chap. 33. ANd afterwards the king sent as Ambassadours from the towne of Monte maior to king Edward the fourth of England Ruy de Sonsa a principall person and a man of great wisedome and estimation and in whom the king reposed great trust with doctor Iohn d'Eluas and Ferdinand de Pina as secretarie And they made their voyage by sea very honourably being very well accompanied These men were sent on the behalfe of their king to confirme the ancient leagues with England wherein it was conditioned that the new king of the one and of the other kingdome should be bound to send to confirme the olde leagues And likewise they had order to shew and make him acquainted with the title which the king held in the segneury of Ginnee to the intent that after the king of England had seene the same he should giue charge thorow all his kingdomes that no man should arme or set foorth ships to Ginnee and also to request him that it would please him to giue commandement to dissolue a certaine fleet which one Iohn Tintam and one William Fabian English men were making by commandement of the duke of Medina Sidonia to goe to the aforesayd parts of Ginnee With which ambassage the king of England seemed to be very well pleased and they were receiued of him with very great honour and he condescended vnto all that the ambassadours required of him at whose hands they receiued authenticall writings of the diligence which they had performed with publication thereof by the heralds and also prouisoes of those confirmations which were necessary And hauing dispatched all things well and with the kings good will they returned home into their countrey A briefe note concerning an ancient trade of the English Marchants to the Canarie-ilands gathered out of an olde ligier booke of M. Nicolas Thorne the elder a worshipfull marchant of the city of Bristoll IT appeareth euidently out of a certaine note or letter of remembrance in the custody of me Richard Hakluyt written by M. Nicolas Thorne the elder a principall marchant of Bristoll to his friend and factour Thomas Midnall and his owne seruant William Ballard at that time resident at S. Lucar in Andeluzia that in the yeere of our Lord 1526 and by all circumstances and probabilities long before certaine English marchants and among the rest himselfe with one Thomas Spacheford exercised vsuall and ordinary trade of marchandise vnto the Canarie Ilands For by the sayd letter notice was giuen to Thomas Midnall and William Ballard aforesayd that a certaine ship called The Christopher of Cadiz bound for the West Indies had taken in certaine fardels of cloth both course and fine broad and narrow of diuers sorts and colours some arouas of packthreed sixe cerons or bagges of sope with other goods of M. Nicolas Thorne to be deliuered at Santa Cruz the chiefe towne in Tenerifa one of the seuen Canary-ilands All which commodities the sayd Thomas and William were authorised by the owner in the letter before mentioned to barter sell away at Santa Cruz. And in lieu of such mony as should arise of the sale of those goods they were appointed to returne backe into England good store of Orchell which is a certaine kinde of mosse growing vpon high rocks in those dayes much vsed to die withall some quantity of sugar and certaine hundreds of kid-skinnes For the procuring of which and of other commodities at the best and first hand the sayd Thomas and William were to make their abode at Santa Cruz and to remaine there as factours for the abouesayd M. Nicolas Thorne And here also I thought good to signifie that in the sayd letters mention is made of one Thomas Tison an English man who before the foresayd yere 1526 had found the way to the West Indies and was there resident vnto whom the sayd M. Nicolas Thorne sent certaine armour and other commodities specified in the letter aforesayd A description of the fortunate Ilands otherwise called the Ilands of Canaria with their strange fruits and commodities composed by Thomas Nicols English man who remained there the space of seuen yeeres together MIne intent is particularly to speake of the Canaria Ilands which are seuen in number wherein I dwelt the space of seuen yeres and more because I finde such variety in sundry writers and especially great vntruths in a booke called The New found world Antarctike set out by a French man called Andrew Theuet the which
the Queenes Maiestie my Mistresse and that hee had sent them to attend vpon me it being his pleasure that I should tarie there on shoare fiue or sixe dayes for my refreshing So being mounted vpon the Iennet they conducted mee through the Towne into a faire fielde vpon the Sea-side where was a tent prouided for mee and all the ground spread wâth Turkie carpets and the Castle discharged a peale of ordinance and all things necessarie were brought into my tent where I both tooâe my table and lodging and had other conuenient tents for my seruants The souldiers enuironed the tents and watched about vs day and night as long as I lay there although I sought my speedier dispatch On the Wednesday towards night I tooke my horse and traueiled ten miles to the first place of water that we could finde and there pitched our tents till the next morning and so traueiled till ten of the clocke and then pitched our tents till foure and so traueiled as long as day light would suffer about 26 miles that day The next day being Friday I traueiled in like order but eight and twentie miles at the most and by a Riuer being about sixe miles within sight of the Citie of Marocco we pitched our tents Immediatly after came all our English marchants and the French on horsebacke to meete me and before night there came an Alcayde from the king with fiftie men diuers mules laden with victuall and banker for my supperâ declaring vnto me how glad the king shewed himsâlfe to heare of the Queenes Maiestie and that his pleasure was I should be receiued into his countrey as neuer any Christian the like and desired to knowe what time the next day I would come into his citie because he would that all the Christians as also his nobilitie should meete me and willed Iohn Bampton to be with him early in the morning which he did About seuen of the clocke being accompanied with the French and English marchants and a great number of souldiers I passâd towards the citie and by that time I had traueiled 2 miles there met me all the Christians of the Spaniards and Portugals to receiue me which I knowe was more by the kings commandement then of any good wils of themselues for some of them although they speake me faire hung downe their heads like dogs and especially the Portugales and I countenanced them accordingly So I passed on till I came within two English miles of the Citie and then Iohn Bampton returned shewing me that the king was so glad of my comming that hee could not deuise to doe too much to shewe the good will that hee did owe to the Queenes Maiestie and her Realme His counsellers met me without the gates and at the entrie of the gates his footmen guard were placed on both sides of my horse and so brought me to the kings palace The king sate in his chaire with his Counsell about him as well the Moores as the Elchies and according to his order giuen vnto me before I there declared my message in Spanish and made deliuerie of the Queenes Maiesties letters and all that I spake at that present in Spanish hee caused one of his Elâhies to declare the same to the Moores present in the Larbe tongue Which done he answered me againe in Spanish yeelding to the Queenes Maiestie great thankes and offering himselfe and his countrey to bee at her Graces commaundâment and then commaunded certaine of his Counsellers to conduct mee to my lodging not being farre from the Court. The house was faire after the fashion of that countrey being daily well furnished with al kind of victuall at the kings charge The same night he sent for mee to the Court and I had conference with him about the space of two houres where I throughly declared the charge committed vnto mee from her Maiestie finding him conformable willing to pleasure and not to vrge her Maiestie with any demaundes more then conueniently shee might willingly consent vnto hee knowing that out of his countrey the Realme of England might be better serued with lackes then hee in comparison from vs. Further he gaue me to vnderstand that the king of Spaine had sent vnto him for a licence that an Ambassadour of his might come into his countrey and had made great meanes that if the Queenes maiesty of England sent any vnto him that he would not giue him any credit or intertainment albeit said he I know what the king of Spaine is and what the Queene of England and her Realme is for I neither like of him nor of his religion being so gouerned by the Inquisition that he can doe nothing of himselfe Therefore when he commeth vpon the licence which I haue granted he shall well see how litle account I will make of him and Spaine and how greatly I will extoll you for the Queenes maiestie of England He shall not come to my presence as you haue done and shall dayly for I minde to accept of you as my companion and one of my house whereas he shall attend twentie dayes after he hath done his message After the end of this speech I deliuered Sir Thomas Greshams letters when as he tooke me by the hand and led me downe a long court to a palace where there ranne a faire fountaine of water and there sitting himselfe in a chaire he commanded me to sit downe in another and there called for such simple Musicians as he had Then I presented him with a great base Lute which he most thankfully accepted and then he was desirous to heare of the Musicians and I tolde him that there was great care had to prouide them and that I did not doubt but vpon my returne they should come with the first ship He is willing to giue them good intertainment with prouision of victuall and to let them liue according to their law and conscience wherein he vrgeth none to the contrary I finde him to be one that liâeth greatly in the feare of God being well exercised in the Scriptures as well in the olde Testament as also in the New and he beareth a greater affection to our Nation then to others because of our religion which forbiddeth worship of Idols and the Moores called him the Christian king The same night being the first of Iune I continued with him till twelue of the clocke and he seemed to haue so good liking of me that he tooke from his girdle a short dagger being set with 200 stones rubies and turkies and did bestow it vpon me and so I being conducted returned to my lodging for that time The next day because he knew it to be Sunday our Sabboth day he did let me rest But on the munday in the afternoone he sent for me and I had conference with him againe and musicke Likewise on the tuesday by three of the clocke he sent for me into his garden finding him layd vpon a
they saw it was in vaine for them to stay and therefore set vp sayles and by Gods prouidence auoyded all danger brought home the rest of their goods and came thence with all expedition and God be thanked arriued safely in England neere London on Wednesday being the 8 day of Iune 1585. In which their returne to England the Spaniards that they brought with them offered fiue hundred crownes to be set on shore in any place which seeing the Maister would not doe they were coutent to be ruled by him and his companie and craued mercie at their hands And after Master Foster demaunded why they came in such sort to betray and destroy them the Corrigidor answered that it was not done onely of themselues but by the commandement of the king himselfe and calling for his hose which were wet did plucke foorth the kings Commission by which he was authorized to doe all that he did The Copie whereof followeth being translated out of Spanish The Spanish kings commission for the generall imbargment or arrest of the English c. LIcentiat de Escober my Corigidor of my Signorie of Biskay I haue caused a great fleete to be put in readinesse in the hauen of Lisbone and the riuer of Sâuill There is required for the Souldiers armour victuals and munition that are to bee imployed in the same great store of shipping of all sortes against the time of seruice and to the end there may be choise made of the best vpon knowledge of their burden and goodnesse I doe therefore require you that presently vpon the arriuall of this carrier and with as much dissimulation as may be that the matter may not be knowen vntill it be put in execution you take order for the staying and arresting with great foresight of all the shipping that may be found vpon the coast and in the portes of the sayd Signorie excepting none of Holand Zeland Easterland Germanie England and other Prouinces that are in rebellion against mee sauing those of France which being litle and of small burden and weake are thought vnfit to serue the turne And the stay being thus made you shall haue a speciall care that such marchandize as the sayd shippes or huâkes haue brought whether they be all or part vnladen may bee taken out and that the armour munition tackels sayles and victuals may be safely bestowed as also that it may be well foreseene that none of the shippes or men may escape away Which things being thus executed you shall aduertise me by an expresse messenger of your proceeding therein And send me a plaine and diâtinct declaration of the number of ships that you shall haue so stayed in that coast and partes whence euery one of them is which belong to my Rebels what burthen goods there are and what number of men is in euery of them and what quantitie they haue of armour ordinance munition victuals tacklings and other necessaries to the end that vpon sight hereof hauing made choise of such as shall be fit for the seruice we may further direct you what ye shall do In the meane time you shall presently see this my commandement put in execution and if there come thither any more ships you shall also cause them to be stayed and arrested after the same order vsing therein such care and diligence as may answere the trust that I repose in you wherein you shall doe me great seruice Dated at Barcelona the 29 of May. 1585. And thus haue you heard the trueth and manner thereof wherein is to be noted the great courage of the maister and the louing hearts of the seruants to saue their master from the daunger of death yea and the care which the master had to saue so much of the owners goods as hee might although by the same the greatest is his owne losse in that he may neuer trauell to those parts any more without the losse of his owne life nor yet any of his seruantes for if hereafter they should being knowen they are like to taste of the sharpe torments which are there accustomed in their Holy-house And as for their terming English shippes to be in rebellion against them it is sufficiently knowen by themselues and their owne consciences can not denie it but that with loue vnitie and concord our shippes haue euer beene fauourable vnto them and as willing to pleasure their King as his subiectes any way willing to pleasure English passengers The Letters patents or priuiledges granted by her Maiestie to certaine Noble men and Marchants of London for a trade to Barbarie in the yeere 1585. ELizabeth by the grace of God Queene of England France and Ireland defender of the faith c. to the Treasurer Barons of our Eschequer and to al Maiors shirifs constables customers collectors of our customes and subsidies controllers searchers and keepers of our hauens and creekes ports and passages within this our realme of England and the dominions of the same and to al our officers ministers and subiects and to all other whosoeuer to whom it shall or may appertaine and to euery of them greeting Whereas it is made euidently and apparantly knowen vnto vs that of late yeeres our right trustie and right welbeloued councellors Ambrose Erle of Warwike and Robert Erle of Leicester and also our louing and naturall subiects Thomas Starkie of our citie of London Alderman Ierard Gore the elder and all his sonnes Thomas Gore the elder Arthur Atie gentleman Alexander Auenon Richard Staper William Iennings Arthur Dawbeney William Sherington Thomas Bramlie Anthony Garrard Robert How Henry Colthirst Edward Holmden Iohn Swinnerton Robert Walkaden Simon Lawrence Nicholas Stile Oliuer Stile William Bond Henrie Farrington Iohn Tedcastle Walter Williams William Brune Iohn Suzan Iohn Newton Thomas Owen Roger Afield Robert Washborne Reinold Guy Thomas Hitchcocke George Lydiat Iohn Cartwright Henry Paiton Iohn Boldroe Robert Bowyer Anthonie Dassell Augustine Lane Robert Lion and Thomas Dod all of London Marchants now trading into the Countrey of Barbary in the parts of Africa vnder the gouernment of Muly Hammet Sheriffe Emperor of Marocco and king of Fesse and Sus haue sustained great and grieuous losses and are like to sustaine greater if it should not be preuented In tender coÌsideration whereof and for that diuers Marchandize of the same Countries are very necessary and conuenient for the vse and defence of this our Realme of England and for diuers other causes vs specially mouing minding the reliefe and benefite of our said subiects and the quiet trafique and good gouernment to be had and vsed among them in their said trade of our speciall grace certaine knowledge and meere motion haue giuen and granted and by these presents for vs our heires and successors doe giue and grant vnto the saide Earles of Warwike and Leicester Thomas Starkie Ierard Gore the elder Arthur Atie gentleman Alexander Auenon Richard Staper William Iennings Arthur Dawbenie William Sherington Thomas Bramlie Anthonie Gerrard Robert Howe Henry
and cary away his barks and Carauels was content to suffer vs there quietly to tary and likewise to depart and neuer charged vs with one Canon-shot And when our Generall sent him worde that hee was there ready to exchange certaine bullets with him the marques refused his chalenge sending him word that he was not then ready for him nor had any such Commission from his King Our Generall thus refused by the Marques and seeing no more good to be done in this place thought it conuenient to spend no longer time vpon this coast and therefore with consent of the chiefe of his Company he shaped his course toward the Isles of the Açoâes and passing towards the Isle of Saint Michael within 20. or 30. leagues thereof it was his good fortune to meete with a Portugale Carak called Sant Philip being the same shippe which in the voyage outward had caried the 3. Princes of Iapan that were in Europe into the Indies This Carak without any great râsistance hee tooke bestowing the people thereof in certaine vessels well furnished with victuals and sending them courteously home into their Countrey and this was the first Carak that euer was taken comming foorth of the East Indies which the Portugals tooke for an euil signe because the ship bare the Kings owne name The riches of this prize seemed so great vnto the whole Company as in trueth it was that they assured themselues euery man to haue a sufficient reward for his trauel and thereupon they all resolued to returne home for England which they happily did and arriued in Plimouth the same Sommer with their whole Fleete and this rich booty to their owne profite and due commendation and to the great admiration of the whole kingdome And here by the way it is to be noted that the taking of this Carak wrought two extraordinary effects in England first that it taught others that Caracks were no such bugs but that they might be taken as since indeed it hath fallen out in the taking of the Madre de Dios and fyreing and sinking of others and secondly in acquainting the English Nation more generally with the particularities of the exceeding riches and wealth of the East Indies whereby themselues and their neighbours of Holland haue bene incouraged being men as skilfull in Nauigation and of no lesse courage then the Portugals to share with them in the East Indies where their strength is nothing so great as heretofore hath bene supposed A Patent granted to certaine Marchants of Exeter and others of the West parts and of London for a trade to the Riuer of Senega and Gambra in Guinea 1588. ELlizabeth by the grace of God Queene of England France and Ireland defender of the faith c. To our Treasurer and Admirall of England our Treasurer and Barons of our Exchequer and all and euery our Officers minâsters and subiects whatsoeuer greeting Whereas our welbeloued subiects William Brayley Gilbert Smith Nicolas Spicer and Iohn Doricot of our City of Exeter marchants Iohn Yong of Coliton in our country of Deuon marchant Richard Doderige of Barnestable in our saide Countie of Deuon Marchant Anthonie Dassell and Nicolas Turner of our Citie of London Marchants haue bene perswaded and earnestly moued by certaine Portugals resident within our Dominions to vndertake and set forward a voyage to certaine places on the coast of Guinea Videlicet from the Northermost part of the Riuer commonly called by the name of the Riuer of Senega and from and within that Riuer all along that coast vnto the Southermost part of another Riuer commonly called by the name of Gambra and within that Riuer which as we are informed they haue already once performed accordingly And for that we are credibly giuen to vnderstand that the further prosecuting of the same voyage and the due and orderly establishing of an orderly trafique and trade of marchandize into those Countreis wil not only in time be very beneficial to these our Realmes and dominions but also be a great succour and reliefe vnto the present distressed estate of those Portugals who by our princely fauour liue and continue here vnder our protection And coÌsidering that the aduenturing and enterprising of a newe trade cannot be a matter of small charge and hazard to the aduenturers in the beginning we haue therefore thought it conuenient that our said louing subiects William Brayley Gilbert Smith Nicholas Spicer Iohn Doricot Iohn Yong Richard Doderige Anthonie Dassell and Nicholas Turner for the better incouragement to proceede in their saide aduenture and trade in the said Countreis shal haue the sole vse and exercise thereof for a certaine time In consideration whereof and for other waightie reasons and considerations vs specially moouing of our speciall grace certaine knowledge and meere motion we haue giuen and graunted and by these presents for vs our heires and successors doe giue and graunt vnto the said William Brayley Gilbert Smith Nicholas Spicer Iohn Doricot Iohn Young Richard Doderide Anthony Dassell and Nicholas Turner and to euery of them and to such other our Subiects as they or the most part of them shall thinke conuenient to receiue into their Company and society to be the traders with them into the said Countreis that they and euery of them by themselues or by their seruants or Factors and none others shall and may for and during the full space and terme of tenne yeeres next ensuing the date of these presents haue and enioy the free and whole trafique trade and feat of marchandise to and from the said Northermost part of the said Riuer commonly called by the name of the Riuer of Senega and from and within that Riuer all along the coast of Guinea vnto the Southermost part of the said Riuer commonly called by the name of the Riuer of Gambra and within that Riuer also And that they the said William Brayley Gilbert Smith Nicholas Spicer Iohn Doricot Iohn Yong Richard Doderige Anthony Dassel and Nicholas Turner euery of them by themselues or by their seruants or Factors such as they or the most part of them shall receiue into their Company and societie to be traders with them into the sayd Countreis as is aforesaid and none others shall and may for and during the said space and terme of 10. yeres haue and enioy the sole whole trafique or trade of marchandize into and from the said places afore limitted and described for the buying selling bartering and changing of and with any goods wares and marchandizes whatsoeuer to be vented had or found at or within any the cities townes or places situated or being in the countries parts coastes of Guinea before limitted any law statute or graunt matter custome or priuileges to the contrary in any wise notwithstanding And for the better ordering establishing gouerning of the said societie and Company in the said trade and trafique of marchandizes the quiet orderly lawfull exercise of the same We for vs our
de monte The 17 a darke drowsie day this was the first night that I tooke the North starre The 26 a temperate day with litle winde and we were in 12 degrees and 13 minutes of latitude The 30 we met a great sea out of the Northwest The 6 of Iune we found it as temperate as if we had beene in England yet we were within the height of the sunne for it was declined 23 degrees and 26 minuts to the Northward and we had 15 degrees of latitude The 8 faire and temperate as in England here we met with a counter sea out of the Southborde The 15 a faire temperate day the winde variable here we had 18 degrees and fiftie nine minutes The 12 of Iuly in 30 degrees of latitude we met with great store of rockweed which did stick together like clusters of grapes and this continued with vs vntill the 17 of the said moneth and then we saw no more at which 17 day we were in two and thirtie degrees sixe and fortie minutes of latitude The 25 at sixe of the clocke in the morning we had sight of the Isle of Pike it bare North and by East from vs we being 15 leagues off The 27 we spake with the poste of London and she told vs good newes of England The nine and twentieth we had sight of the Island of Cueruo and the 30 we saw the Island of Flores The 27 of August in 41 degrees of latitude we saw 9 saile of Britons and three of them followed vs vntill noone and then gaue vs ouer The 30 we had sight of Cape âinisterre The eight of September at night wee put into Plimouth sound and road in Causon bay all night The 9 we put into Catwater and there stayed vntill the 28 of September by reason of want of men and sicknesse The nine and twentieth we set sayle from Plimouth and arriued at London the second of October 1589. The commodities that we caried in this voyage were cloth both linnen wollen yron worke of sundry sorts Manillios or bracelets of copper glasse beades and corrall The commodities that we brought home were pepper and Elephants teeth oyle of palme cloth made of Cotton wooll very curiously wouen and cloth made of the barke of palme trees Their money is pretie white shels for golde and siluer we saw none They haue also great store of cotton growing their bread is a kind of roots they call it Inamia and when it is well sodden I would leaue our bread to eat of it it is pleasant in eating and light of digestion the roote thereof is as bigge as a mans arme Our men vpon fish-dayes had rather eate the rootes with oyle and vineger then to eate good stockfish There are great store of palme trees out of the which they gather great store of wine which wine is white and very pleasant we should buy two gallons of it for 20 shels They haue good store of sope and it smelleth like beaten violets Also many pretie fine mats and baskets that they make and spoones of Elephants teeth very curiously wrought with diuers proportions of foules and beasts made vpon them There is vpon the coast wonderfull great lightning and thunder in so much as I neuer hard the like in no Countrey for it would make the decke or hatches tremble vnder our feete and before we were well acquainted with it we were fearefull but God be thanked we had no harme The people are very gentle and louing and they goe naked both men and women vntill they be married and then they goe couered from the middle downe to the knees They would bring our men earthen pottes of the quantitie of two gallons full of hony and hony combes for 100 shelles They would also bring great store of Oranges and Plantans which is a fruit that groweth vpon a tree and is very like vnto a Cucumber but very pleasant in eating It hath pleased God of his merceifull goodnesse to giue me the knowledge how to preserue fresh water with little cost which did serue vs sixe moneths at the sea when we came into Plimmouth it was much wondered at of the principal men of the towne who said that there was not sweeter water in any spring in Plimouth Thus both God prouide for his creatures vnto whom be praise now and for euermore Amen The voiage set forth by M. Iohn Newton and M. Iohn Bird marchants of London to the kindome and Citie of Benin in Africa with a ship called the Richard of Arundell and a pinnesse in the yere 1588. briefely set downe in this letter following written by the chiefe Factor in the voyage to the foresaid Marchants at the time of the ships first arriuall at Plimouth WOrshipful Sirs the discourse of our whole proceeding in this voyage wil aske more time and a person in better health then I am at this present so that I trust you will pardon me till my comming vp to you in the meane time let this suffice Whereas we departed in the moneth of December from the coast of England with your good ship the Richard of Arundell and the pinnesse we held on our direct course towards our appointed port and the 14 day of Februarie following we arriued in the hauen of Benin where we found not water enough to carry the ship ouer the barre so that we left her without in the road and with the pinnesse ship boat into which we had put the chiefest of our marchaÌdise we went vp the riuer to a place called Goto where we arriued the 20 of February the foresaid Goto being the neerest place that we could come to by water to go for Benin From thence we presently sent Negroes to the king to certifie him of our arriuall and of the cause of our comming thither who returned to vs againe the 22 day with a noble man in their company to bring vs vp to the Citie and with 200 Negroes to carrie out commodities hereupon the 23 day we deliuered our marchandize to the kings Factor the 25 day we came to the great Citie of Benin where we were well intertained The sixe twenty day we went to the Court to haue spoken with the king which by reason of a solemne feast then kept amongst them we could not doe but yet we spake with his Veadore or chiefe man that hath the dealing with the Christians and we conferred with him concerning our trading who answered vs that we should haue all things to our desire both in pepper and Elephants teeth The first of March we were admitted to the kings presence and he made vs the like courteous answere for our traffike the next day we went againe to the Court where the foresaid Veadore shewed vs one basket of greene pepper and another of dry in the stalkes wee desired to haue it plucked from the stalks and made cleane who answered that it would aske time but yet in
the men in the said shippe the one of them being the Masters mate Ten other persons were hurt by meanes of splinters which the Spaniards shotte yea in the ende when their prouision was almost spent they were constrained to shoote at them hammers and the chaines from their slaues and yet God bee thanked they receiued no more domage but by spoyling and ouerwearying of the Spaniards the Englishmen constrained them to vngrapple themselues and get them going and sure if there had bene any other fresh shippe or succour to haue relieued and assisted the Centurion they had slaine suncke or taken all those Gallies and their Souldiers The Dolphin lay a loofe off and durst not come neere while the other two small shippes fledde away so that one of the Gallies went from the Centurion and set vpon the Dolphin which shippe immediatly was set on fire with their owne powder whereby both men and shippe perished but whether it was with their good wills or no that was not knowen vnto the Centurion but sure if it had come forward and bene an aide vnto the Centurion it is to bee supposed that it had not perished Fiue houres and a halfe this fight continued in which time both were glad to depart onely to breath themselues but when the Spaniards were gone they neuer durst returne to fight yet the next day sixe other Gallies came and looked at them but durst not at any hand meddle with them Thus God deliuered them from the handes of their enemies and gaue them the victory for which they heartily praised him and not long after safely arriued in London â There were present at this fight Master Iohn Hawes Marchant and sundry other of good accompt A report of the trueth of the fight about the Isles of Açores the last of August 1591. betwixt the Reuenge one of her Maiesties shippes and an Armada of the king of Spaine Penned by the honourable Sir Water Ralegh knight BEcause the rumours are diuersly spred as well in England as in the Lowe countreis and elsewhere of this late encounter betweene her Maiesties ships and the Armada of Spaine and that the Spaniards according to their vsuall maner fill the world with their vaine-glorious vaunts making great appârance of victories when on the contrary themselues are most commonly and shamefully beaten and dishonoured thereby hoping to possesse the ignorant multitude by anticipating forerunning false reports It is agreeable with all good reason for manifestation of the truth to ouercome falshood and vntrueth that the beginning continuance and successe of this late honourable encounter of Sir Richard Greenuil and other her Maiesties Captaines with the Armada of Spaine should be truely set downe and published without partialitie or false imaginations And it is no marueâle that the Spaniard should seeke by false and slanderous pamphlets aduisoes and Letters to couer their owne losse and to derogate from others their due honors especially in this fight being performed far off seeing they were not ashamed in the yeere 1588. when they purposed the inuasion of this land to publish in sundry languages in print great victories in wordes which they pleaded to haue obteined against this Realme and spred the same in a most false sort ouer all parts of France Italy and elsewhere When shortly after it was happily manifested in very deed to al Nations how their Nauy which they termed inuincible consisting of 140. saile of shippes not onely of their owne kingdome but strengthened with the greatest Argosies Portugal Caracks Florentines and huge huâks of other Countreis were by 30. of her Maiesties owne ships of war and a few of our owne Marchants by the wise valiant and aduantagious conduct of the L. Charles Howard high Admirall of England beaten and shuffled together euen from the Lizard in Cornwall first to Portland where they shamefully left Don Pedro de Valdes with his mighty ship from Portland to Cales where they lost Hugo de Moncado with the Gallias of which he was Captaine and from Cales driuen with squibs from their anchors where thased out of the sight of England round about Scotland and Ireland Where for the sympathie of their barbarous religion hoping to finde succour and assistance a great part of them were crusht against the rocks and those other that landed being very many in number were notwithstanding broken slaine and taken and so sent from village to village coupled in halters to be shipped into England Where her Maiestie of her Princely and inuincible disposition disdaining to put them to death and scorning either to retaine or entertaine them they were all sent backe againe to their countreys to witnes and recount the worthy achieuements of their inuincible and dreadfull Nauy Of which the number of Souldiers the fearefull burthen of their shippes the commanders names of euery squadron with all other their magasines of prouisions were put in print as an Army and Nauy vnresistable and disdaining preuention With all which so great and terrible an ostentation they did not in all their sailing round about England so much as sinke or take one shippe Barke Pinnesse or Cockbote of ours or euer burnt so much as one sheepecote of this land Whenas on the contrarie Sir Francis Drake with onely 800. souldiers not long before landed in their Indies and forced Sant-Iago Santo Domingo Cartagena and the forts of Florida And after that Sir Iohn Norris marched from Peniche in Portugall with a handfull of souldiers to the gates of Lisbone being aboue 40 English miles Where the Earle of Essex himselfe and other valiant Gentlemen braued the Citie of Lisbone encamped at the very gates from whence after many dayes abode finding neither promised partie nor prouision to batter they made retrait by land in despight of all their Garrisons both of horse foote In this sort I haue a little digressed from my first purpose onely by the necessarie comparison of theirs and our actions the one couetous of honour without vaunt of ostentation the other so greedy to purchase the opinion of their owne affaires and by false rumors to resist the blasts of their owne dishonours as they will not onely not blush to spread all manner of vntruthes but euen for the least aduantage be it but for the taking of one poore aduenturer of the English will celebrate the victory with bonefires in euery towne alwayes spending more in faggots then the purchase was worth they obtained When as we neuer thought it worth the consumption of two billets when we haue taken eight or ten of their Indian shippes at one time and twentie of the Brasill fleete Such is the difference betweene true valure and ostentation and betweene honorable actions and friuolous vaine glorious vaunts But now to returne to my purpose The L. Thomas Howard with sixe of her Maiesties shippes sixe victualers of London the Barke Ralegh two or three other Pinnases riding at anker neere vnto Flores one of the Westerly Ilands of the Azores the last
himselfe taken and beheaded by a souldier of his owne nation and his land giuen by a Parliament to her Maiestie and possessed by the English His other cosen Sir Iohn of Desmond taken by Master Iohn Zouch and his body hanged ouer the gates of his natiue Citie to be deuoured by rauens the thirde brother Sir Iames hanged drawne and quartered in the same place If hee had withall vaunted of his successe of his owne house no doubt the argument would haue mooued much and wrought great effect which because hee for that present forgot I thought it good to remember in his behalfe For matter of Religion it would require a particuler volume if I should set downe how irreligiously they couer their greedy and ambicious pretenses with that veile of pietie But sure I am that there is no kingdome or common-wealth in all Europe but if they be reformed they then inuade it for religion sake if it bee as they terme Catholique they pretend title as if the Kings of Castile were the naturall heires of all the world and so betweene both no kingdome is vnsought Where they dare not with their owne forces to inuade they basely entertaine the traitours and vacabonds of all Nations seeking by those and by their runnagate Iesuits to winne parts and haue by that meane ruined many Noble houses and others in this lande and haue extinguished both their liues and families What good honour or fortune euer man yet by them atchieued is yet vnheard of or vnwritten And if our English Papists doe but looke into Portugall against which they haue no pretence of Religion how the Nobilitie are put to death imprisoned their rich men made a praye and all sorts of people captiued they shall finde that the obedience euen of the Turke is easie and a libertie in respect of the slauerie and tyrannie of Spaine What haue they done in Sicill in Naples Millaine and in the Low countreis who hath there bene spared for Religion at all And it commeth to my remembrance of a certaine Burger of Antwerpe whose house being entred by a company of Spanish souldiers when they first sacked the Citie hee besought them to spare him and his goods being a good Catholique and one of their owne partie and faction The Spaniards answered that they knew him to be of a good conscience for himselfe but his money plate iewels and goods were all hereticall and therefore good prize So they abused and tormented the foolish Fleming who hoped that an Agnus Dei had bene a sufficient target against all force of that holy and charitable nation Neither haue they at any time as they protest inuaded the kingdomes of the Indies and Peru and elsewhere but onely led thereunto rather to reduce the people to Christianitie then for either gold or Emperie When as in one onely Island called Hispaniola they haue wasted thirtie hundred thousand of the naturall people besides many millions else in other places of the Indies a poore and harmelesse people created of God and might haue bene wonne to his knowledge as many of them were and almost as many as euer were perswaded thereunto The storie whereof is at large written by a Bishop of their owne nation called Bartholomew de las Casas and translated into English and many other languages intituled The Spanish cruelties Who would therefore repose trust in such a nation of rauenous strangers and especially in those Spaniards which more greedily thirst after English blood then after the liues of any other people of Europe for the many ouerthrowes and dishonours they haue receiued at our hands whose weakenesse wee haue discouered to the world and whose forces at home abroad in Europe in India by sea and land wee haue euen with handfulles of men and shippes ouerthrowen and dishonoured Let not therefore any English man of what religion soeuer haue other opnion of the Spaniards but that those whom hee seeketh to winne of our Nation he esteemeth base and trayterous vnworthy persons or vnconstant fooles and that he vseth his pretence of religion for no other purpose but to bewitch vs from the obedience of our naturall Prince thereby hoping in time to bring vs to slauery and subiection and then none shall be vnto them so odious and disdayned as the traitours themselues who haue solde their Countrey to a stranger and forsaken their faith and obediânce contrarie to nature religion and contrarie to that humane and generall honour not onely of Christians but of heathen and irreligious nations who haue alwayes sustayned what labour soeuer and embraced euen death it selfe for their countrey Prince or common-wealth To conclude it hath euer to this day pleased God to prosper and defend her Maiestie to breake the purposes of malicious enemies of forsworne traytors and of iniust practises and inuasions She hath euer beene honoured of the worthiest kings serued by faithfull subiects and shall by the fauour of God resist repell and confound all whatsoeuer attempts against her sacred person or kingdome In the meane time let the Spaniard and traytour vaunt of their successe and wee her true and obedient vassals guided by the shining light of her vertues shall alwayes loue her serue her and obey her to the end of our liues A particular note of the Indian fleet expected to haue come into Spaine this present yeere of 1591. with the number of shippes that are perished of the same according to the examination of certaine Spaniards lately taken and brought into England by the ships of London THe fleete of Noua Hispania at their first gathering together and setting foorth were two and fiftie sailes The Admirall was of sixe hundred tunnes and the Uice Admirall of the same burthen Foure or fiue of the shippes were of nine hundred and 1000 tunnes a peece some fiue hundred and some foure hundred and the least of two hundred tuns Of this fleet 19 were cast away and in them 2600 men by estimation which was done along the coast of Noua Hispania so that of the same fleet there came to the Hauana but 33 sailes The fleete of Terra Firma were at their first departure from Spaine fiftie sailes which were bound for Nombre de Dios where they did discharge their lading and thence returned to Cartagena for their healths sake vntill the time the treasure was readie they should take in at the said Nombre de Dios. But before this fleete departed some were gone by one or two at a time so that onely 23 sayles of this fleete arriued in the Hauana At the Hauana there met 33 sailes of Noua Hispania 23 sailes of Terra Firma 12 sailes of San Domingo 9 sailes of the Hunduras The whole 77 shippes ioyned and set sailes all together at the Hauana the 17 of Iuly according to our account and kept together vntill they came into the height of thirtie fiue degrees which was about the tenth of August where they found the winde at Southwest chaunged suddenly to the North so that
from Mexico the 30 of May 1590 to Francis Hernandez of Siuil concerning the speedy building of two strong forts in S. Iuan de Vllua and Vera Cruz as also touching the notable new and rich discouery of Cibola or New Mexico 400 leagues Northwest of Mexico pag. 396 Certeine voyages made for the discouery of the gulfe of California and of the sea-coast on the Northwest or backside of America THe voyage of the right worshipfull knight Francisco de Vlloa with 3 ships set forth at the charges of the right noble Fernando Cortez by the coasts of Nueua Galicia Culiacan into the gulfe of California called El mar vermejo as also on the backside of Cape California as far as 30 degrees begun froÌ Acapulco the 8 of Iuly 1539. p. 397 The voyage and discouery of Fernando Alarchon made by the order of the R. H. Don Antonio de Mendoça viceroy of New Spaine to the very bottome of the gulfe of California and 85 leagues vp the riuer of Buena Guia begun the 9 of May 1540. pag. 425 The voyage and course which sir Francis Drake held from the hauen of Guatulco on the backside of Nueua Espanna to the Northwest of California as far as 43 degrees from thence backe againe to 38 degrees where in a very good harbour he graued his shippe entrenched himselfe on land called the countrey by the name of Noua Albion and tooke possession thereof on the behalfe of her Maiestie pag. 440 The memorable voyage of Francis Gualle a Spanish captaine and pilot vndertaken at the appointment of the viceroy of New Spaine from the hauen of Acapulco in the sayd prouince to the islands of the Luçones or the Philippinas vnto the hauen of Manilla and from thence to the hauen of Macao in China and from Macao by the Lequeos the isles of Iapan and other isles to the East of Iapan and likewise by the Northwest part of America in 37 degrees and ½ bâcke againe to Acapulco begun the 10 of March 1582 ended 1584. Out of which voyage besides gâeat probabilities of a North Northwest or Northeast passage may euidântly be gathered that the sea betweene Iapan and America is by mâny hundred leagues broader and the land betweene Cape Mendoçino and Cape California is many hundred leagues narrower then we âinde them to be in the ordinary maps and relations pag. 442 An extract of a Spanish letter written from Pueblo de los Angeles in Nueua Espanna in October 1597 touching the discouery of the rich islands of California being distant eight dayes sailing from the maine pag. 439 A catalogue of diuers voyages made by English men to the famous city of Mexico and to all or most part of the other principall prouinces cities townes and places thorowout the great and âarge kingdome of New Spaine euen as farre as Nicaragna and Panamá and from thence to Perú c. THe voyage of Robert Tomson merchant into New Spaine in the yere 1555. pa. 447 The voyage of M. Roger Bodenham to Sant Iuan de Vllua in the bay of Mexico and from thence to the city of Mexico Anno 1564. pag. 447 The memorable voyage of M. Iohn Chilton to all the principall parts of Nueua Espanna and to diuers places in Perú begun ârom Cadiz in Andaluzia in March 1568. pa. 455 The voyage of Henrie Hawks merchant to Nueua Espanna in which countrey he trauelled for the space of fiue yeres and obserued many notable things written at the request of M. Richard Hakluyt of Eyton in the county of Hereford esquire 1572. pag. 462 The voyage of Miles Philips one of the company put on shore by sir Iohn Hawkins 1568 a little to the North of Panuco from whence he trauelled to Mexico and afterward to sundry other places hauing remained in the countrey 15 or 16 yeeres together noted many things most worthy the obseruation pag. 469 The trauels of Iob Hortop set on land by sir Iohn Hawkins 1586 in the bay of Mexico somewhat to the North of Panuco before mentioned pag. 487 A relation of the hauen of Tecuanapa a most conuenient place for building of ships situate vpon the South sea not farrâ from Nicaragua pag. 495 A catalogue of the principall English voyages to all the isles called Las Antillas and to the foure greaâer islands of Sant Iuan de Puerto âico Hespaniola Iamaica and Cuba and Northward thorow the Lucayos as also along the coasts of Tierra firma Nombre de dios Veragua the Honduras the coast of Iucatan to the poât of Sanâ Iuan de Vllua and the coast of Panuâo c. THe voyage of sir Thomas Pert and Sebastian Cabot in the yere 1516 to Brasil Santo Domingo and Sant Iuan de Puerto rico pag. 498 The voyage of Thomas Tison an English man to the West Indies before the yere 1526. pag. 500 The first voyage of the right worshipfull and valiant knight sir Iohn Hawkins sometimes treasurer of her Maiesties nauy royall made to the West Indies in the yere 1562. pag. 500 The second voyage made by the R. W. sir Iohn Hawkins knight with the Iesus of Lubec one of her Maiesties ships and the Salomon and two barks to the coast of Guinie from thence to the isle of Dominica all along the coast of Tierra firma so homewards about the cape of S. Anton vpon the West end of Cuba thorow the chanel of Bahama Begun 1564. pag. 501 The third âroublesome voyage of the right worshipfull sir Iohn Hawkins with the Iesus of Lubec the Minion and foure other ships to the parts of Guinea and the coasts of Tierra firma and Nueua Espanna Anno 1567 1568. pag. 521 The first voyage attempted and set foorth by the valiant and expert captaine M. Francis Drake with a ship called The Dragon and another ship a pinnesse to Nombre de Dios and Dariene about the yere 1572. pag. 525 The voyage of Iohn Oxnam of Plimmouth to the West India and ouer the streight of Dariene into the South sea Anno 1575. pag. 526 The voyage of M. Andrew Barker of Bristoll with two shippes the one called The Ragged staffe and the other The Beare to the coast of Tierra firma and the bay of the Honduras in the West Indies Anno 1576. pag. 528 The famous expedition of sir Francis Drake to the West Indies wherein were tâken the cities of saint Iago saint Domingo Cartagena with the Fort and towne of saint Augustin in Florida in the yeers 1585 and 1586. pag. 5â4 The voyage of William Michelson and William Mace of Ratcliffe master of a ship called The Dog made to the bay of Mexico anno 1589. pag. 557 The voyage and valiant fight of The Content a ship of the right honourable sir George Carey knight L. Hunsdon L. Chamberlaine Captaine of the honourable band of her Maiestiâs Pensioners and Gouernour of the Isle of Wight c. 1591. pag. 555 The voyage of M. Christopher Newport with a fleete of
the Patents Discourses and Aduertisements thereto belonging The Letters patents of King Henry the seuenth granted vnto Iohn Cabot and his three sonnes Lewis Sebastian and Sancius for the discouerie of new and vnknowen lands HEnricus Dei gratia rex Angliae Franciae Dominus Hiberniae omnibus ad quos praesentes literae nostrae peruenerint salutem Notum sit manifestum quod dedimus concessimus ac per praesentes damus concedimus pro nobis haeredibus nostris dilectis nobis Ioanni Caboto ciui Veneâiarum Lodouico Sebastiano Sancio filijs dicti Ioannis eorum ac cuiusâ bet eorum haeredibus deputatis plenam ac liberam authoritatem facultatem potestatem nauigandi ad omnes partes regiones sinus maris orientalis occidentalis septentrionalis sub banneris vexillis insignijs nostris cum quinque nauibus siue nauigijs cuiuscúnque portiturae qualitatis existant cum tot tantis nautis hominibus quot quantos in dictis nauibus secum ducere voluetint suis eorum proprijs sumptibus expensis ad inueniendum discooperiendum inuestigandum quascun que insulas patrias regiones siue prouincias gentilium infidelium quorumcúnque in quacunque parte mundi positas quae Christianis omnibus ante haec tempora fuerint incognitae Concessimus etiam eisdem eorum cuilibet eorúmque cuiuslibet eorum haeredibus deputatis ac licentiam dedimus ad affigendum praedictas banneras nostras insignia in quacunque villa oppido castro insula seu terra firma à se nouiter inuentis Et quòd praenominatus Ioannes filij eiusdem seu haeredes eorum deputati quascunque huiusmodi villas castra oppida insulas à se inuentas quae fubiugari occupari possideri possint subiugare occupare possidere valeant tanquam vasalli nostri gubernatores locatenentes deputati eorundem dominium titulum iurisdictionem earundem villarum castrorum oppidorum insularum ac terrae firmae sic inuentorum nobis ac quirendo Ita tamen vt ex omnibus fructibus proficuis emolumentis commodis lucris obuentionibus ex huiusmodi nauigatione prouenientibus praeâatus Iohannes filij ac haeredes eorum deputati teneantur sint obligati nobis pro omni viagio suo toties quoties ad portum nostrum Bristolliae applicuerint ad quem omnino applicare teneantur sint astricti deductis omnibus sumptibus impensis necessarijs per eosdem factis quintam partem capitalis lucri facti siue in mercibus siue in pecunijs persoluere Dante 's nos concedentes eisdem suisque haeredibus deputatis vt ab omni solutione custumarum omnium singulorum bonorum mercium quas secum reportarint ab illis locis sic nouiter inuentis liberi sint immunes Et insuper dedimus concessimus eisdem ac suis haeredibus deputatis quòd terrae omnes firmae insulae villae oppida castra loca quaecunque a se inuenta quotquot ab eis inueniri contigem âon possint ab alijs quibusuis nostris subditis frequentari seu visitari absque licentia praedictorum Ioannis eius filiorum suorúmque deputatorum sub poena amissioâs tam nauium quà m bonerum omnium quorumcun que ad ea locasic inuenta nauigare praesumentium Volentes strictissimè mandantes omnibus singulis nostris subditis tam in terra quà m in mari constitutis vâ praesato Ioanni eius filijs ac deputatis bonam assistentiam faciant tam in armandis nauibus seâ nauigijs quà m in prouisione commeatus victualium pro sua pecunia emendorum atque aliaâum omnium rerum sibi prouidendarum pro dicta nauigatione sumenda suos omnes fauores auxilia impertiant In ouius rei âestimonium has literas nostras fieri fecimus patentes Teste meipso apud Westmonasterium quinto die Martij anno regni nostri vndecimo The same in English HEnry by the grace of God king of England and France and lord of Ireland to all to whom these presents shall come Greeting Be it knowen that we haue giuen and granted and by these presents do giue and grant for vs and our heires to our wel beloued Iohn Cabot citizen of Venice to Lewis Sebastian and Santius sonnes of the sayd Iohn and to the heires of them and euery of them and their deputies full and free authority leaue and power to saile to all parts countreys and seas of the East of the West and of the North vnder our banners and ensignes with fiue ships of what burthen or quantity soeuer they be and as many mariners or men as they will haue with them in the sayd ships vpon their owne proper costs and charges to seeke out discouer and finde whatsoeuer isâes countreys regions or prouinces of the heathen and infidels whatsoeuer they be and in what part of the world soeuer they beâ which before this time haue bene vnknowen to all Christians we haue granted to them and also to euery of them the heires of them and euery of them and their deputies and haue giuen them licence to set vp our banners and ensignes in euery village towne castle isle or maineland of them newly found And that the aforesayd Iohn and his sonnes or their heires and assignes may subdue occupy and possesse all such townes cities castles and isles of them found which they can subdue occupy and possesse as our vassals and lieutenants getting vnto vs the rule title and iurisdiction of the same villages townes castles firme land so found Yet so that the aforesayd Iohn and his sonnes and heires and their deputies be holden and bounden of all the fruits profits gaines and commodities growing of such nauigation for euery their voyage as often as they shall arriue at our port of Bristoll at the which port they shall be bound and holden onely to arriue all maner of necessary costs and charges by them made being deducted to pay vnto vs in wares or money the fift part of the capitall gaine so gotten We giuing and granting vnto them and to their heires and deputies that they shall be free from all paying of customes of all and singular such merchandize as they shall bring with them from those places so newly found And moreouer we haue giuen and granted to them their heires and deputies that all the firme lands isles villages townes castles and places whatsoeuer they be that they shall chance to finde may not of any other of our subiects be frequented or visited without the licence of the foresayd Iohn and his sonnes and their deputies vnder paine of forfeiture aswell of their shippes as of all and singuler goods of all them that shall presume to saile to those places so found Willing aud most straightly commanding all and singuler our subiects aswell on land as on sea to giue good
and that but at the latter ende thereof and vpon none of the aforesaide causes For all foure especially three were feeble weake and sickly persons before euer they came thither and those that knew them much marueled that they liued so long being in that case or had aduentured to trauaile Seeing therefore the aire there is so temperate and holsome the soyle so fertile and yeelding such commodities as I haue before mentioned the voyage also thither to and fro being sufficiently experimented to be perfourmed twise a yeere with ease and at any season thereof And the dealing of Sir Walter Ralegh so liberail in large giuing and granting lande there as is already knowen with many helpes and furâherances else The least that he hath granted hath bene fiue hundreth acres to a man onely for the aduenture of his person I hope there remaines no cause whereby the action should be misliked If that those which shall thither trauaile to inhabite and plant bee but reasonably prouided for the first yeere as those are which were transported the last and being there doe vse but that diligence and care that is requisit and as they may with ease There is no doubt but for the time following they may haue victuals that are excellent good and plentie ynough some more English sorts of cattell also hereafter as some haue bene before and are there yet remayning may and shall be God willing thither transported So likewise our kinde of fruites rootes and hearbes may be there planted and sowed as some haue bene already and proue well And in short time also they may raise so much of those sorts of commodities which I haue spoken of as shall both enrich themselues as also others that shall deale with them And this is all the fruit of our labours that I haue thought necessary to aduertise you of at this present What else concerneth the nature and maners of the inhabitants of Virginia the number with the particularities of the voyages thither made and of the actions of such as haue bene by Sir Walter Ralegh therein and there imployed many worthy to be remembred as of the first discouerers of the Countrey of our Generall for the time Sir Richard Grinuâl and after his departure of our Gouernour there Master Ralph Lane with diuers other direcâed and imployed vnder their gouernment Of the Captaines and Masters of the voyages made since for transportation of the Gouernour and assistants of those already transported as of many persons accidents and things els I haue ready in a discourse by it selfe in maner of a Chronicle according to the course of times which when time shall be thought conuenient shall be also published Thus referring my relation to your fauourable constructions expecting good successe of the action from him which is to be acknowledged the authour and gouernour not onely of this but of all things els I take my leaue of you this moneth of February 1587. The fourth voyage made to Virginia with three ships in the yere 1587. Wherein was transported the second Colonie IN the yeere of our Lord 1587. Sir Walter Ralegh intending to perseuere in the planting of his Countrey of Virginia prepared a newe Colonie of one hundred and fiftie men to be sent thither vnder the charge of Iohn White whom hee appointed Gouernour and also appointed vnto him twelue Assistants vnto whom hee gaue a Charter and incorporated them by the name of Gouernour and Assistants of the Citie of Ralegh in Virginia April OUr Fleete being in number three saile viz. the Admirall a shippe of one hundred and twentie Tunnes a Flie-boate and a Pinnesse departed the sixe and twentieth of April from Portesmouth and the same day came to an ancker at the Cowes in the Isle of Wight where wee stayed eight dayes May. THe fift of May at nine of the clocke at night we came to Plimmouth where we remained the space of two dayes The 8 we weyed anker at Plimmouth and departed thence for Virginia The 16 Simon Ferdinando Master of our Admiral lewdly forsooke our Fly-boate leauing her distressed in the Bay of Portugal Iune THe 19 we fell with Dominica and the same eneâing we sayled betweene it and Guadalupe the 21 the Fly-boat also fell with Dominica The 22 we came to an anker at an Island called Santa Cruz where all the planters were set on land staying there till the 25 of the same moneth At our first landing on this Island some of our women and men by eating a small fruit like greene Apples were fearefully troubled with a sudden burning in their mouthes and swelling of their tongues so bigge that some of them could not speake Also a child by sucking one of those womens breasts had at that instant his mouth set on such a burning that it was strange to see how the infant was tormented for the time but after 24 houres it ware away of it selfe Also the first night of our being on this Island we tooke fiue great Torteses some of them of such bignes that sixteene of our strongest men were tired with carying of one of them but from the sea side to our cabbins In this Island we found no watring place but a standing ponde the water whereof was so euill that many of our company fell sicke with drinking thereof and as many as did but wash their faces with that water in the morning before the Sunne had drawen away the corruption their faces did so burne and swell that their eyes were shut vp and could not see in fiue or sixe dayes or longer The second day of our abode there we sent forth some of our men to search the Island for fresh water three one way and two another way The Gouernour also with sixe others went vp to the top of an high hill to viewe the Island but could perceiue no signe of any men or beastes nor any goodnes but Parots and trees of Guiacum Returning backe to our cabbins another way he found in the discent of a hill certaine potsheards of sauage making made of the earth of that Island whereupon it was iudged that this Island was inhabited with Sauages though Fernando had told vs for certaine the contrary The same day at night the rest of our company very late returned to the Gouernour The one company affirmed that they had seene in a valley eleuen Sauages and diuers houses halfe a mile distant from the steepe or toppe of the hill where they stayed The other company had found running out of a high rocke a very fayre spring of water whereof they brâught three bottels to the company for before that time wee drank the stânking water of the pond The same second day at night Captaine Stafford with the Pinnesse departed from our fleete riding at Santa Cruz to an Island called Beake lying neere S. Iohn bring so directed by Ferdinando who assured him he should there find great plenty of sheepe The next day at night our planters left Santa Cruz and
way of an hundred and thirtie leagues being twentie leagues on the way we had the hauen of Natiuidad that is of the birth of the Uirgin Mary and other eight leagues further the hauen of Saint Iago or Saint Iames and sixe leagues further the sea Stâand called La Playa de Colima that is the Strand of Colima All this coast from California to the hauen of Acapulco is inhabited by people that haue peace and traffique with the Spaniards and are of condition and qualities like the people of the other places of new Spaine The conclusion of the Author of this last voyage ALl this description and nauigation haue I my selfe seene prooued and well noted in my voyage made ended in the yeere of our Lord 1584. from great China out of the hauen and riuer of Canton as I will more at large set it downe vnto your honour with the longitudes and latitudes thereof as God shall permit mee time and leysure whom I beseech to send you long and happie dayes And the same was truely translated out of Spanish into lowe Dutch verbatim out of the Originall copie wich was sent vnto the Uiceroy of the Portugall Indies by Iohn Huyghen Van Linschoten DIVERS VOYAGES MADE BY ENGLISHmen to the famous Citie of Mexico and to all or most part of the other principall prouinces cities townes and places throughout the great and large kingdom of New Spaine euen as farre as Nicaragua and Panama thence to Peru together with a description of the Spaniards forme of gouernment there and sundry pleasant relations of the maners and customes of the natural inhabitants and of the manifold rich commodities strange raricies found in those partes of the continent other matters most worthy the obseruation The voyage of Robert Tomson Marchant into Noua Hispania in the yeere 1555. with diuers obseruations concerning the state of the Countrey And certaine accidents touching himselfe RObert Tomson borne in the towne of Andouer in Hampshire began his trauaile out of Englaâd in An. 1553. in the moneth of March who depaâting out of the citie of Bristoll in a good ship called The barkeyong in companie of other Marchants of the sayde citie within 8. dayes after arriued at Lisbone in Portugall where the sayd Robert Tomson remainedâ 5. dayes at the end of which he shipped himselfe for Spaine in the sayd shippâ and within 4. dayes arriued in the bay of Cadiz in Andalusiaâ which is vnder the kingdom of Spaine from thence went vp to the citie of Siuil by land which is 20. leagues and there hee repaired to one Iohn Fieldâ house an English Marchant who had dwelt in the said city of Siuil 18. or 20. yeres maried with wife and children In whose house the said Tomson remained by the space of one whole yeere or thereabout for two causes The one to learne the Castillian tongue the other to see the orders of the countrey and the customes of the people At the end of which time hauing seene the fleetes of shippes come out of the Indies to that citie with such great quantitie of gold siluer pearles precious stones suger hides ginger and diuers other rich commodities he did determine with himselfe to seeke meanes and opportunitie to passe ouer to see that rich countrey from whence such great quantitie of rich commodities came And it fell out that within short time after the sayd Iohn Field where the sayd Tomson was lodged did determine to passe ouer into the West Indies himselfe with his wife children and familie and at the request of the sayde Tomson he purchased a licence of the King of passe into the Indies for himselfe his wife and children and among them also for the sayde Tomson to passe with them so that presently they made preparation of victuall and other necessarie prouision for the voyage But the shippes which were prepared to perfourme the voyage being all ready to depart vpon certaine considerations by the kings commandement were stayed and arrested till further should bee knowen of the Kings pleasure Whereupon the said Iohn Field with Robert Tomson departed out of Siuil and came down to S. Lucar 15. leagues off and seeing the stay made vpon the ships of the said fleet being not assured when they would depart determined to ship themselues for the Iles of the Canaties which are 250. leagues from S. Lucar and there to stay till the said fleet should come thither for that is continually their port to make stay at 6. or 8. daies to take in fresh water bread flesh other necessaries So that in the moneth of February in An. 1555 the sayde Robert Tomson with the said Iohn Field and his companie shipped themselues out of the towne of S. Lucar in caruel of the citie of Cadiz and within 6. dayes they arriued at the port of the Grand Canaria where at our comming the ships that rode in the said port began to cry out of all measure with loud voyces in so much that the castle which stood fast by began to shoot at vs and shot 6. or 7. shot at vs and strooke downe our maine maste before we could hoise out our boat to goe on land to know what the cause of the shooting was seeing that we were Spanish ships and were comming into his countrey So that being on lande and complaining of the wrong and damage done vnto vs they answered that they had thought we had bene French rouers that had come into the said port to do some harme to the ships that were there For that 8. dayes past there went out of the said port a caruell much like vnto ours laden wit sugers and other marchandise for Spaine and on the other side of the point of the sayd Iland met with a Frenchman of warre who tooke the said caruell vnladed out of her into the said French ship both men goods And being demanded of the said Spaniards what other ships remained in the port whence they came they answered that there remained diuers other ships one laden with sugers as they were ready to depart for Spaine vpon the which newes the Frenchmen put 30. tall men of their ship well appointed into the said caruel which they had taken and sent her backe againe to the said port from whence she had departed the day before And somewhat late towards the euening came into the port not shewing past 3. or 4. men and so came to an anker hard by the other ships that were in the said port and being seene by the castle and by the said ships they made no reconing of her because they knew her thinking that she had found contrary windes at the sea or had forgot something behinde them they had returned backe againe for the same and so made no accompt of her but let her alone riding quietly among the other ships in the said port So that about midnight the said caruel with the Frenchmen in her went aboord the
other ship that lay hard by laden with sugers and droue the Spaniards that were in her vnder hatches presently let slip her cables and ankers and set saile carried her cleane away and after this sort deceiued them And they thinking or fearing that we were the like did shoote at vs as they did This being past the next day after our arriuall in the sayd port wee did vnbarke our selues and went on lande vp to the citie or head towne of the great Canaria where we remained 18. or 20. dayes and there found certaine Englishmen marchants seruants of one Anthony Hickman and Edward Castelin marchants of the citie of London that lay there in traffique of whom wee receiued great courtesie and much good cheere After the which 20. dayes being past in the which we had seene the countrey the people and the disposition thereof wee departed from thence and passed to the next I le of the Canaries 18. leagues off called Teneriffe and being come on land went vp to the citie called La Laguna where we remained 7. moneths attending the comming of the whole fleete which in the ende came and there hauing taken that which they had neede of wee shipped our selues in ship of Cadiz being one of the saide fleete which was belonging to an Englishman maried in the citie of Cadiz in Spaine whose name was Iohn Sweeting and there came in the sayd ship for captain also an Englishman maried in Cadiz and sonne in law to the sayde Iohn Sweeting whose name was Leonard Chilton there came also in the said ship another Englishman which had bene a marchant of the citie of Exeter one of 50. yeeres or thereabout whose name was Ralph Sarre So that wee departed from the sayd Ilands in the moneth of October the foresayd yeere 8. ships in our companie and so directed our course towards the bay of Mexico and by the way towardes the Iland of S. Domingo otherwise called Hispaniola So that within 32. dayes after we departed from the Iles of Canaries wee arriued with our ship at the port of S. Domingo and went in ouer the baâre where our ship knocked her keele at her entrie and there our ship rid before the towne where wee went on land refreshed our selues 16. dayes where we found no bread made of wheat but biscuit brought out of Spaine and out of the bay of Mexico for the countrey it selfe doeth yeelde no kinde of bread to make graine withall But the bread they make there is certaine cakes made of rootes called Cassaui which is something substantiall but it hath but an vnsauorie taste in the eating thereof Flesh of beefe and mutton they haue great store for there are men that haue 10000. head of cattell of oxen bulles and kine which they doe keepe onely for the hides for the quantitie of flesh is so great that they are not able to spend the hundreth part Hogs flesh is there good store very sweete and sauorie and so holsome that they giue it to sick folkes to eat in stead of hennes and capons although they haue good store of poultrie of that sort as also of Guinycocks Guinyhens At the time of our being there the citie of S. Domingo was not of aboue 500. housholds of Spaniards but of the Indians dwelling in the suburbs there were more The couÌtry is most part of the yere very hot very ful of a kind of flies orgnats with long bils which do pricke moâest the people very much in the night when they are asleepe in pricking their faces and hands and other parts of their bodies that lie vncouered make them to swel wonderfully Also there is another kind of small worme which creepeth into the soles of mens feet especially of the black Moores and children which vse to go barefoot maketh their feet to grow as big as a mans head doth so âke that it would make one run mad They haue no remedy for the same but to open the flesh sometimes 3. or 4. inches so dig them out The countrey yeeldeth great store of suger hides of oxen buls and kine ginger Cana fistula Salsa perillia mines of siluer gold there are none but in some riuers there is found some smal quantitie of gold The principal coine that they do trafique withal in that place is blacke money made of copper brasse and this they say they do vse not for that they lacke money of gold and siluer to trade withall out of the other parts of India but because if they should haue good money the marchants that deale with them in trade would cary away their gold and siluer and let the countrey commodities lie still And thus much for S. Domingo So we were comming from the yles of Canaries to S. Domingo there staying vntil the moneth of December which was 3. moneths About the beginning of Ianuary we departed thence towards the bay of Mexico new Spaine toward which we set our course and so sailed 24. dayes till we came within 15. leagues of S. Iohn de Vllua which was the port of Mexico of our right discharge And being so neere our said port there rose a storme of Northerly windes which came off from Terra Florida which caused vs to cast about into the sea againe for feare least that night we should be cast vpon the shoare before day did breake and so put our selues in danger of casting away the winde and sea grew so foule and strong that within two houres after the storme began eight ships that were together were so dispersed that we could not see one another One of the ships of our company being of the burthen of 500. tun called the hulke of Carion would not cast about to sea as we did but went that night with the land thinking in the morning to purchase the port of S. Iohn de Vllua but missing the port went with the shoare and was cast away There were drowned of that ship 75. persons men women and children and 64. were saued that could swim and had meanes to saue themselues among those that perished in that ship was a gentleman who had bene present the yere before in S. Domingo his wife and 4. daughters with the rest of his seruants houshold We with the other 7. ships cast about into the sea the storme during 10. dayes with great might boisterous winds fogs raine our ship being old and weake was so tossed that she opened at the sterne a fadome vnder water and the best remedy we had was to stop it with beds and pilobiers and for feare of sinking we threw and lightned into the sea all the goods we had or could come by but that would not serue Then we cut our maine mast and threw all our Ordinance into the sea sauing one piece which early in a morning when wee thought wee should haue sunke we shot off and as pleased God there was one of the ships of our
company neere vnto vs which we saw not by meanes of the great fogge which hearing the sound of the piece vnderstanding some of the company to be in great extremitie began to make towards vs and when they came within hearing of vs we desired them for the loue of God to helpe to saue vs for that we were all like to perish They willed vs to hoise our foresaile as much as we could make towards them for they would do their best to saue vs and so we did And we had no sooner hoised our foresaile but there came a gale of winde a piece of a sea strooke in the foresaile and caried saile maste all ouerboord so that then we thought there was no hope of life And then we began to imbrace one another euery man his friend euery wife her husband and the children their fathers and mothers committing our soules to Almighty God thinking neuer to escape aliue yet it pleased God in the time of most need when all hope was past to aide vs with his helping hand and caused the winde a little to cease so that within two houres after the other ship was able to come aboord vs tooke into her with her boat man woman and child naked without hose or shoe vpon many of our fecte I do remember that the last person that came out of the ship into the boat was a woman blacke Moore who leaping out of the ship into the boat with a yong sucking child in her armes lept too short and fell into the sea and was a good while vnder the water before the boat could come to rescue her and with the spreading of her clothes rose aboue water againe and was caught by the coat pulled into the boate hauing still her childe vnder her arme both of them halfe drowned and yet her naturall loue towards her child would not let her let the childe goe And when she came aboord the boate she helde her childe so fast vnder her arme still that two men were scant able to get it out So we departed out of our ship left it in the sea it was worth foure hundreth thousand ducats ship goods when we left it And within three dayes after we arriued at our port of S. Iohn de Vllua in New Spaine I do remember that in the great and boysterous storme of this foule weather in the night there came vpon the toppe of our maine yarde and maine maste a certaine little light much like vnto the light of a little candle which the Spaniards called the Cuerpo santo and saide it was S. Elmo whom they take to bee the aduocate of Sailers At the which fight the Spaniards fell downe vpon their knees and worshipped it praying God and S. Elmo to cease the torment and saue them from the perill that they were in with promising him that at their comming on land they would repaire vnto his Chappell and there cause Masses to be saide and other ceremonies to be done The friers cast reliques into the sea to cause the sea to be still and likewise said Gospels with other crossings and ceremonies vpon the sea to make the storme to cease which as they said did much good to weaken the furie of the storme But I could not perceiue it nor gaue no credite to it till it pleased God to send vs the remedie deliuered vs from the rage of the âame His Name be praised therefore This light continued aboord our ship about three houres flying from maste to maste from top to top and sometime it would be in two or three places at once I informed my selfe of learned men afterward what that light should be and they said that it was but a congelation of the winde and vapours of the Sea congealed with the extremitie of the weather which flying in the winde many times doeth chance to hit on the masts and shrowds of the ships that are at sea in foule weather And in trueth I do take it to be so for that I haue seene the like in other ships at sea and in sundry ships at once By this men may see how the Papists are giuen to beleeue and worship such vaine things and toyes as God to whom all honour doth appertaine and in their neede and necessities do let to call vpon the liuing God who is the giuer of all good things The 16. of April in Anno 1556. we arriued at the port of S. Iohn de Vllua in new Spaine very naked and distressed of apparell and all other things by meanes of the losse of our foresaid ship and goods and from thence we went to the new Towne called Vera Cruzâ fiue leagues from the said port of S. Iohn de Vllua marching still by the sea side where wee found lying vpon the sands great quantitie of mightie great trees with rootes and all some of them of foure fiue and sixe cart load by our estimation which as the people tolde vs were in the great stormy weather which we indured at sea rooted out of the ground in Terra Florida which is three hundreth leagues ouer by Sea and brought thither So we came to the saide Towne of Vera cruz where wee remained a moneth and there the said Iohn Field chanced to meete with an olde friend of his acquaintance in Spaine called Gonçalo Ruiz de Cordoua a very rich man of the saide Towne of Vera cruz Who hearing of his comming thither with his wife and family and of hiâ misfortune by Sea came vnto him and receiued him and all his houshold into his house and kept vs there a whole moneth making vs very good cheere and giuing vs good intertainement and also gaue vs that were in all eight persons of the said Iohn Fields house double apparell new out of the shop of very good cloth coates cloakes hose shirts smocks gownes for the women hose shooes and al other necessary apparel and for our way vp to the Citie of Mexico horses moiles and men and money in our purses for the expences by the way which by our accompt might amount vnto the summe of 400. Crownes And after wee were entred two dayes iourney into the Countrey I the saide Robert Tomson fell so sicke of an ague that the next day I was not able to sit on my horse but was faine to be caried vpon Indians backes from thence to Mexico And when wee came within halfe a dayes iourney of the Citie of Mexico the saide Iohn Field also fell sicke and within three dayes after we arriued at the said Citie hee died And presently sickened one of his children and two more of his houshold people and within eight dayes died So that within tenne dayes after we arriued at the Citie of Mexico of eight persons that were of vs of the saide company there remained but foure aliue and I the said Tomson was at the point of death of the sicknes that I got vpon the way which
house as much as he will without the cost of any thing but of the letting in Also there is a great caue or ditch of water that commeth through the Citie euen vnto the high place where come euery morning at the break of the day twentie or thirtie Canoas or troughes of the Indians which bring in them all maner of prouision for the citie which is made and groweth in the Countrey which is a very good commoditie for the inhabitants of that place And as for victuals in the said Citie of beefe mutton and hennes capons quailes Guiny-cockes and such like all are very good cheape To say the whole quarter of an oxe as much as a slaue can carry away from the Butchers for fiue Tomynes that is fiue Royals of plate which is iust two shillings and sixe pence and a fat sheepe at the Butchers for three Royals which is 18. pence and no more Bread is as good cheape as in Spaine and all other kinde of fruites as apples peares pomegranats and quinces at a reasonable rate The Citie goeth wonderfully forwards in building of Frieries and Nunneries and Chappels and is like in time to come to be the most populous Citie in the world as it may be supposed The weather is there alwayes very temperate the day differeth but one houre of length all the yere long The fields and the woods are alwayes greene The woods full of popiniayes and many other kinde of birdes that make such an harmonie of singing and crying that any man will reioyce to heare it In the fields are such odoriferous smels of flowers and hearbs that it giueth great cement to the senses About the Citie of Mexico two three or foure leagues off are diuers townes of Indians some of 4000. or 6000. housholds which doe stand in such a goodly soyle that if Christians had the inhabitation thereof it would be put to a farther benefite In my time were dwelling and aliue in Mexico many ancient men that were of the conquerours at the first conquest with Hernando Cortes for then it was about 36. yeeres agoe that the said Countrey was conquered About Mexico there are diuers Mines of siluer and also in other places there about but the principall Mines that are in all New Spaine are in Sacatecas 80. leagues from Mexico and the Mines of S. Martin thirtie leagues both to the Northwestward of Mexico where is great store of gold and siluer Also there is a place called the Misteca fiftie leagues to the Northwest which doth yeeld great store of very good silke and Cochinilla Wine and oyle there is none growing in the Countrey but what commeth out of Spaine Also there are many goodly fruits in that Countrey whereof we haue none such as Plantanos Guyaues Sapotes Tunas and in the wildernes great store of blacke cheries and other wholsome fruites The Cochinilla is not a worme or a flye as some say it is but a berrie that groweth vpon certaine bushes in the wilde field which is gathered in time of the yeere when it is ripe Also the Indico that doeth come from thence to die blâw is a certaine heathe that groweth in the wilde fieldes and is gathered at one time of the yeere and burnt and of the ashes thereof with other confections put thereunto the saide Indico is made Balme Salsa perilla Cana fistula sugâr oxe hides and many other good and seruiceable things the Countrey doeth yeeld which are yeerely brought into Spaine and there solde and distributed to many nations ROBERT TOMSON A voyage made by M. Roger Bodenham to S. Iohn de Vllua in the bay of Mexico in the yeere 1564. I Roger Bodenham hauing a long time liued in the city of Siuil in Spaine being there married and by occasion thereof vsing trade and traffique to the parts of Barbary grew at length to great losse and hindrance by that new trade begun by me in the city of Fez whereupon being returned into Spaine I began to call my wits about mee and to consider with my selfe by what meanes I might recouer and renew my state and in conclusion by the ayde of my friends I procured a ship called The Barke Fox pertâining to London of the burden of eight or nine score tunnes and with the same I made a voyage to the West India hauing obteined good fauour with the Spanish merchants by reason of my long abode and marriage in the countrey My voyage was in the company of the Generall Don Pedro Melendes for Noua Hispania who being himselfe appointed Generall for Terra Firma and Peru made his sonne Generall for New Spaine although Pedro Melendes himselfe was the principall man and directer in both fleets We all departed from Cadiz together the last day of May in the yere 1564 and I with my ship being vnder the conduct of the sonne of Don Pedro aforesayd arriued with him in Noua Hispania where immediatly I tooke order for the discharge of my merchandise at the port of Vera Cruz otherwise called Villa Rica to be transported theâce to the city of Mexico which is sixty and odde leagues distant from the sayd port of Villa Rica In the way are many good townes as namely Pueblo de los Angeles and another called Tlaxcalan The city of Mexico hath three great causeyes to bring men to it compassed with a lake so that it needeth no walles being so defended by the water It is a city plentifull of all necessary things hauing many faire houses churches and monasteries I hauing continued in the countrey the space of nine moneths returned againe for Spaine with the Spanish fleet and deliuered the merchandise and siluer which I had in the ship into the Contractation house and there receiued my fraight which amounted outwards and homewards to the value of 13000 ducats and more I obserued many things in the time of my abode in Noua Hispania aswell touching the commodities of the countrey as the maners of the people both Spanâards and Indians but because the Spanish histories are full of those obseruations I omit them and referre the readers to the same onely this I say that the commodity of Cochinilla groweth in greatest abundance about the towne of Pueblo de los Angeles and is not there woorth aboue forty pence the pound A notable discourse of M. Iohn Chilton touching the people maners mines cities riches forces and other memorable things of New Spaine and other prouinces in the West Indies seene and noted by himselfe in the time of his trauels continued in those parts the space of seuenteene or eighteene yeeres IN the yeere of our Lord 1561 in the moneth of Iuly I Iohn Chilton went out of this city of London into Spaine where I remained for the space of seuen yeres from thence I sailed into Noua Hispania and so trauelled there and by the South sea vnto Peru the space of seuenteene or eighteene yeeres and after that time expired I returned into Spaine and
Biscay where I solde my merchandise for exchange of siluer for there were there certaine rich mines discouered by the aforesayd Biskaine Going from Mexico I directed my voyage somewhat toward the Southwest to certaine mines called Tamascaltepec and so trauelled forward the space of twenty dayes thorow desert places vnhabited till I came to the valley of S. Bartholomew which ioyneth to the prouince of New Biscay In all these places the Indians for the most part go naked and are wilde people Their common armour is bowes and arrowes they vse to eate vp such Christians as they come by From hence departing I came to another prouince named Xalisco and from thence to the port of Nauidad which is 120 leagues from Mexico in which port arriue alwayes in the moneth of April all the ships that come out of the South sea from China and the Philippinas and there they lay their merchandise ashore The most part whereof is mantles made of Cotton wooll Waxe and fine platters gilded made of earth and much golde The next Summer following being in the yeere 1570 which was the first yeere that the Popes Buls were brought into the Indies I vndertooke another voyage towards the prouince of Sonsonate which is in the kingdome of Guatimala whither I caried diuers merchandize of Spaine all by land on mules backs The way thitherward from Mexico is to the city of the Angels and from thence to another city of Christians 80 leagues off called Guaxaca in which there dwelt about 50 Spanyards and many Indiaâs All the Indians of this prouince pay their tribute in mantles of Cotton wooll and Cochinilla whereof there groweth abundance thorowout this countrey Neere to this place there lieth a port in the South sea called Aguatulco in the which there dwell not aboue three or foure Spanyards with certaine Negroes which the king mainteineth there in which place Sir Francis Drake arriued in the yeere 1579 in the moneth of April where I lost with his being there aboue a thousand duckets which he tooke away with much other goods of other merchants of Mexico from one Francisco Gomes Rangifa factour there for all the Spanish merchants that then traded in the South sea for from this port they vse to imbarke all their goods that goe for Peru and to the kingdome of Honduras From Guaxaca I came to a towne named Nixapa which standeth vpon certaine very high hilles in the prouince of Sapotecas wherein inhabit about the number of twenty Spanyards by the King of Spaines commandement to keepe that country in peace for the Indians are very rebellious and for this purpose hee bestoweth on them the townes cities that be within that prouince From hence I went to a city called Tecoantepec which is the farthest towne to the Eastward in all Noua Hispania which sometime did belong to the Marques de Valle and because it is a very fit port standing in the South sea the king of Spaine vpon a rebellion made by the sayd Marques against him tooke it from him and doth now possesse it as his owne Heere in the yeere 1572 I saw a piece of ordinance of brasse called a Demy culuerin which came out of a ship called the Iesus of Lubec which captaine Hawkins left in S. Iohn de Vllua being in fight with the Spanyards in the yeere 1568 which piece they afterwards caried 100 leagues by land ouer mighty mountaines to the sayd city to be embarked there for the Philippinas Leauing Tecoantepec I went still along by the South sea about 150 leagues in the desolate prouince of Soconusco in which prouince there groweth cacao which the Christians cary from thence into Noua Hispania for that it will not grow in any colde countrey The Indians of this countrey pay the king their tribute in cacao giuing him foure hundred cargas and euery carga is 24000 almonds which carga is woorth in Mexico thirty pieces of reals of plate They are men of great riches and withall very proud and in all this prouince thorowout there dwell not twenty Christians I trauelled thorow another prouince called Suchetepec and thence to the prouince of Guasacapan in both which prouinces are very few people the biggest towne therein hauing not aboue two hundred Indians The chiefest merchandise there is cacao Hence I went to the city of Guatimala which is the chiefe city of all this kingdome in this city doe inhabit about 80 Spanyards and here the king hath his gouernors councell to whom all the people of the kingdome repaire for iustice This city standeth from the coast of the South sea 14 leagues within the land and is very rich by reason of the golde that they fetch out of the coast of Veragua From this city to the Eastward 60 leagues lieth the prouince Sonsonate where I solde the merchandize I caried out of Noua Hispania The chiefest city of this prouince is called S. Saluador which lieth 7 leagues from the coast of the South sea and hath a port lying by the sea coast called Acaxutla where the ships arriue with the merchandize they bring from Noua Hispania and from thence lade backe againe the cacao there dwell heere to the number of threescore Spanyards From Sonsonate I trauelled to Nicoia which is in the kingdome of Nicaragua in which port the king buildeth all the shipping that trauell out of the Indies to the Malucos I went forward from thence to Costa rica where the Indians both men and women go all naked and the land lieth betweene Panama and the kingdome of Guatimala and for that the Indians there liue as warriers I durst not passe by land so that here in a towne called S. Saluador I bestowed that which I caried in annile which is a kinde of thing to die blew withall which I caried with me to the port of Cauallos lying in the kingdome of Honduras which port is a mighty huge gulfe and at the comming in on the one side of it there lieth a towne of little force without ordinance or any other strength hauing in it houses of straw at which towne the Spanyards vse yeerely in the moneth of August to vnlade foure ships which come out of Spaine laden with rich merchandise and receiue in heere againe their lading of a kinde of merchandise called Annile and Cochinilla although it be not of such value as that of Noua Hispania and siluer of the mines of Tomaangua and golde of Nicaragua and hides and Salsa perilla the best in all the Indies all which merchandize they returne and depart from thence alwayes in the moneth of April following taking their course by the Island of Iamaica in which Island there dwell on the West side of it certeine Spanyards of no great number From this place they go to the cape of S. Anthony which is the vttermost part of the Westward of the Island of
or trafique nor yet suffer vs to take in fresh water by meanes whereof our Generall for the auoyding of famine and thirst about the beginning of Iune was enforced to land two hundreth of our men and so by maine force and strength to obtaine that which by no faire meanes hee could procure And so recouering the Towne with the losse of two of our men there was a secret and peaceable trade admitted and the Spaniards came in by night and bought of our Negroes to the number of 200. and vpwards and of our other marchandize also From thence we departed for Carthagena where the Gouernour was so straight that wee could not obteine any trafique there and so for that our trade was neere finished our Generall thought it best to depart from thence the rather for the auoyding of certaine dangerous stormes called the Huricanos which accustomed to begin there about that time of the yere so the 24. of Iuly 1568. we departed froÌ thence directing our course North and leauing the yland of Cuba vpon our right hand to the Castward of vs and so sayling toward Florida vpon the 12. of August an extreeme tempest arose which dured for the space of 8. dayes in which our ships were most dangerously tossed and beaten hither thither so that we were in continuall feare to be drowned by reason of the shallownes of the coast and in the end we were constrained to flee for succour to the port of S. Iohn de Vllua or Vera Cruz situated in 19. degrees of latitude and in 279. degrees of longitude which is the port that serueth for the Citie of Mexico in our seeking to recouer this port our Generall met by the way three small ships that caried passengers which hee tooke with him and so the sixtenth of September 1568. wee entered the saide port of S. Iohn de Vllua The Spaniards there supposing vs to haue bene the King of Spaines Fleete the chiefe officers of the Countrey thereabouts came presently aboord our Generall where perceiuing themselues to haue made an vnwise aduenture they were in great feare to haue bene taken and stayed howbeit our Generall did vse them all very courteously In the said port there were twelue ships which by report had in them in treasure to the value of two hundreth thousand pound all which being in our Generall his power and at his deuotion he did freely set at libertie as also the passengers which he had âefore stayed not taking from any of them all the value of one groat onely hee stayed two men of credite and accompt the one named Don Laurenzo de Alua and the other Don Pedro de Riuera and presently our Generall sent to the Uiceroy to Mexico which was threescore leagues off certifying him of our arriuall there by force of weather desiâing that for âsmuch as our Queene his Soueraigne was the kiâg of Spaine his louiâg sister and friend that thereforâ hee would considering our necessities and wants furnish vs with victuals for our Nauie and quietly suffer vs to repaire and amend our ships And furthermore that at the arriual of âhe Spanish Fleet which was there dayly expected and looked for to the ende that there might no quarell arise betweene them and our Generall and his company for the breach of amitie he humbly requested of his exeâllencie that there mighâ in thââ 3 behalfe some special order be taken This message was sent away the 16. of September 1568. it being the very day of our arriuall there The next morning being the seuententh of the same moneth wee descried 13. saile of great shippes and after thât âur Generall vnderstood that it was the king of Spâines fleete thân looked for he presently sent to aduertise the Generall hereof of our being in the said port and giuing him further to vndeâstand that before he should enter there into that harbour it was requisite that there should passe betweene the two Generals some orders and conditions to bee obseâued on either part for the better contriuing of peace betweene them and theirs according to our Generals request made vnto the Uiceroy And at âhis instant our Generall was in a great perplexitie of minde considering wiâh himselfe that if hee should keepe out that Fleete from enâring into the port a thing which hee was very weâll able to doe with the helpe of God then should that Fleete be in danger of present ship wracke aâd losse of all their substance which amounted vnto the value of one million and eight hundreth thââsand pounds Againe he saw that if he suffered them to enter hee was assured that they would practise by all maner of meanes to betray hâm and his and on the other side the hauen was so little that the other Fleete entring the shippes were to ride one hard aboord of another Also hee saw that if their Fleete should perish by his keeping of them out as of âecessitie they must if he should haue done so then stood hee in great feare of the Queene our Soueraignes displeasure in so waightie a cause therefore did he choose the least euill which was to suffer them to enter vnder assurance and so to stand vpon his guard and to defend himselfe and his from their treasons which we were well assured they would practise and so the messenger being returned from Don Martin de Henriques the newe Uiceroy who came in the same Fleete and had sufficient authoritie to command in all cases both by Sea and by lande in this prouince of Mexico or new Spaine did certifie our Generall that for the better maintenance of amitie betweene the king of Spaine and our Soueraigne all our requests should bee both fauourably granted and faithfully perfourmed signifying further that he heard and vnderstood of the honest and friendly dealing of our Generall toward the king of Spaines subiects in all places where he had bene as also in the said port so that to bee briefe our requests were articled and sât downe in writing Viz. 1 The first was that wee might haue victuals for our money and license to sell as much wares as might suffice to furnish our wants 2 The second that we might be suffered peaceably to repaire our ships 3 The thirde that the yland might bee in our possession during the time of our abode there In which yland our Generall for the better safetie of him and his had alreadie planted and placed certaine Ordinance which were eleuen pieces of brasse therefore he required that the same might so continue and that no Spaniards should come to lande in the saide yland hauing or wearing any kinde of weapon about him 4 The fourth and the last that for the better and more sure performance and maintenance of peace and of all the conditions there might twelue gentlemen of credite bee deliuered of either part of hostages These conditions were concluded and agreed vpon in writing by the Uiceroy and signed with his hand and sealed with his seale
into Italian by that excellent and famous man Baptista Ramusius Nel 1517. Vn Corsaro Inglese sotto colore di venire á discoprire se ne venne con vna gran naue alla volta del Brasil nella costiera di Terra ferma indi attrauerso á questa isola Spagnuola giunse presso la bocca del porto di questa città di S. Domenico mando in terra il suo battello pieno di gente chiese licentia dipotere qui entrare dicendo che venia con mercantie a negotiare Ma in in quello instante il castellano Francesco di Tapia fece tirare alla uaue vn âiro d' artiglieria da questo castello perche ella se ne veniua diritta al porto Quando gli ânglesâ viddero questo si ritirarâno fuori quelli del battello tosto si raccolsero in naue Et nel vero il Castellan fece errore perche se ben fossenaue entrata nel porto non sar ebbono le genti potuto smontare à terra senza volontâ della città del castello La naue adunque veggendo come vi era riceââta âââò la volta dell isola di San Gionanni entrata nel porto di San Germano parlarono gli Inglesi con quelli della terra dimandarono vettouaglie fornimenti per la naue si lamentarono di quelli di questa città dicendo che essi non veniuano per fare dispiacere maper contrattare negotiare con sââi danari mercantie Hora quiui hebbero alcune vettouaglie in compensa essi diedero pagarono in certi stagni lauorati altre cose Et poi si partirono alla volta d' Europa doue si crede che non gungessero perche non se ne seppe piu nuoua mai This extract importeth thus much in English to wit That in the yeere 1517. an English Rouer vnder the colour of trauelling to discouer came with a great shippe vnto the parts of Brasill on the coast of the firme land and from thence he crossed ouer vnto this Iland of Hispaniola and arriued neere vnto the mouth of the hauen of this citie of S. Domingo and sent his shipboate full of men on shoare and demaunded leaue to enter into this hauen saying that hee came with marchandise to traffique But at that very instant the gouernour of the castle Francis de Tapia caused a tire of ordinance to be shot from the castle at the ship for she bare in directly with the hauen When the Englishmen sawe this they withdrew themselues out and those that were in the shipboate got themselues with all speede on shipboord And in trueth the warden of the castle committed an ouersight for if the shippe had entred into the hauen the men thereof could not haue come on lande without leaue both of the citie and of the castle Therefore the people of the ship seeing how they were receiued sayled toward the Iland of S. Iohn and entring into the port of S. Germaine the English men parled with those of the towne requiring victuals and things needefull to furnish their ship and complained of the inhabitants of the city of S. Domingo saying that they came not to doe any harme but to trade and traffique for their money and merchandise In this place they had certaine victuals and for recompence they gaue and paid them with certain vessell of wrought tinne and other things And afterward they departed toward Europe where it is thought they arriued not for wee neuer heard any more newes of them Thus farre procâedeth Gonsaluo de Ouiedo who though it please him to call the captain of this great English ship a rouer yet it appeareth by the Englishmens owne words that they came to discouer and by their traffique for pewter vessell and other wares at the towne of S. Germaine in the Iland of S. Iohn de puerto rico it cannot bee denied but that they were furnished with wares for honest traffique and exchange But whosoeuer is conuersant in reading the Portugall and Spanish writers of the East and West Indies shall commonly finde that they account all other nations for pirats rouers and theeues which visite any heathen coast that they haue once sayled by or looked on Howbeit their passionate and ambitious reckoning ought not to bee preiudiciall to other mens chargeable and painefull enterprises and honourable trauels in discouerie A briefe note concerning a voyage of one Thomas Tiâon an English man made before the yeere 1526. to the West Indies of his abode there in maner of a secret factor for some English marchants which vnder hand had trade thither in those dayes taken out of an olde ligâer-booke of M. Nicolas Thorne the elder a worshipfull marchant of Bristol IT appeareth out of a certaine note or letter of remembrance in the custodie of mee Richard Hakluyr written 1526. by master Nicolas Thorne the elder a principall marchant of Bristol vnto his friend and factour Thomas Midnall and his seruant William Ballard at that time remaining at S. Lucar in Andaluzia that before the sayd yeere one Thomas Tison an Englishman had found the way to the West Indies and was there resident vnto whom the aforesayd M. Nicolas Thorne sent armour and other commodities specified in the letter aforesayd This Thomas Tison so farre as I can coniecture may seeme to haue bene some secret factour for M. Thorne and other English marchants in those remote partes wherereby it is probable that some of our marchants had a kinde of trade to the West Indies euen in those ancient times and before also neither doe I see any reason why the Spaniards should debarre vs from it at this present The first voyage of the right worshipfull and valiant knight sir Iohn Hawkins sometimes treasurer of her Maiesties nauie Roial made to the West Indies 1562. MAster Iohn Haukins hauing made diuers voyages to the Iles of the Canaries and there by his good and vpright dealing being growen in loue and fauour with the people informed himselfe amongst them by diligent inquisition of the state of the West India whereof hee had receiued some knowledge by the instructions of his father but increased the same by the aduertisments and reports of that people And being amongst other particulars asâured that Negros were very good marchandise in Hispaniola and that store of Negros might easily bee had vpon the coast of Guinea resolued with himselfe to make âriall thereof and communicated that deuise with his worshipfull friendes of London namely with Sir Lionell Ducket sir Thomas Lodge M. Gunson his father in law sir William Winter M. Bromfield and others All which persons liked so well of his intention that they became liberall contributers and aduenturers in the action For which purpose there were three good ships immediatly prouided The one called the Salomon of the burthen of 120. tunneâ wherein M. Haukins himselfe went as Generall The second the
times with all their ships yet would they not set againe vpon vs and those of our men which were farthest off cryâd to them âmaine being both within shot of artillerie muskets and caliuers whereby they receiued euident hurt by vs They plyed their great ordinance according to their manner and especially their Uâceadmirall and seeing our resolution how sharpe we were bent towards them they with all expedition and speedâ possible prepared to flieâ way hoysing sailes and leâuing their boates for haite in the sea but I followed them with nine ships all the night following and with foure more the next day till I made thâm double the Cape of S. Antonie and to take the course towards the Câanell of Bahama according to the instructions from his Maiestie It little auailed vs to be seene with lesse number of ships neither yet all the diligence we could vse could câuse them to stay or come neere vs nor to shoot off one harquebuze or peece of artillerie for they fled away as fast as they could and their shippes wâre halfe diminished and that the best part of them the cost they repaired in Puerto Bello whereas they were about fortie dayes and so by that meanes they were all wâll repayred and our shippes were very soule because the time would not peâmit vs to ârim them I haue sayled 2 moneths and a halfe in the Admirall since we departed from Cartagena we haue not repaired their pumpes nor clensed them and the same day I departed tâenâe there câme vnto me a small Pinnesse in the like distresse our Uiceadmirall and the rest of our ships haue the like impediment but no great hinderance vnto vs for ought I could perceiue by our enemies It is manifest what aduantage they had of vs and by no meanes was it possible for vs to take them vnlesseâ we could haue come to haue found them at an anker Neuerthelesse they left vs one good shippe behinde for our share well manned which tolde me that Drake died in Nombre de Dios and that they haue made for Generall of the English fleete the Colonel Quebraran and also by meanes of the small time being straightly followed by vs they had no opportunitie to take either water wood or flesh and they are also in such bad case that I know not how they will be able to arriue in England The number of men we haue taken are about an hundred and fortie and fifteene noble captaines of their best sort and some of them rich as well may appeare by their behauiour I haue no other thing to write at this time Our Lord keepe you who best can and as I desire From Hauaua the 30 of March 1596. DON BERNALDINO DELGADILLO DE AVELLANEDA THe Licenciat Don Iohn Bermudes of Figueroa Lieutenant of the Assistants of the citie of Siuill and the Prouince thereof who doth supply the office of the Assistant in the absence of the Right honourable the Earle of Priego giueth licence to Roderigo de Cabriera to imprint the Relation of the death of Francis Drake which onely he may do for two moneths and no other to imprint the same within the said terme vpon paine of tenne thousand Marauedis for his Maiesties chamber Giuen in Siuill the 15 of May 1596. The Licenciat Don Iohn Bermudes of Figueroa By his Assigne Gregorie Gutierez Notarie THis letter of the Generall Don Bernaldino sent into Spaine declaring the death of Sir Francis Drake and their supposed victorie was altogether receiued for an vndoubted trueth and so pleasing was this newes vnto the Spaniarde that there was present commandement giuen to publish the letter in print that all the people of Spaine might be pertakers of this common ioy the which letter printed in Siuill bearing date the 15 of May 1596 came to the hands of Henrie Sauile Esquire who being employed in that seruice for the West Indies and Captaine of her Maiesties good shippe the Aduenture vnder the conduct of sir Francis Drake and sir Iohn Hawkins hath caused the said printed letter to be translated into English And that the impudencie of the Spanish Generall may the more plainely appeare the sayde Henrie Sauile doth answere particularly to euery vntrueth in the same letter contayned as hereafter followeth The answere to the Spanish letter First the Generall doth say that Francis Drake died at Nombre de Dios as he had intelligence by an Indian THe Generall sent this newes into his countrey confirmed with his hand and seale of Armes It is the first newes in his letter and it was the best newes that he could send into Spaine For it did ease the stomackes of the timorous Spaniards greatly to heare of the death of him whose life was a scourge and continuall plague vnto them But it was a point of great simplicitie and scarcely befeeming a Generall to tie the credite of his report locally to any place vpon the report of a silly Indian slaue For it had bene sufficient to haue sayd that Francis Drake was certainly dead without publishing the lie in print by naming Nombre de Dios for it is most certaine sir Francis Drake died twixt the Iland of Escudo and Puerto Bello but the Generall being rauished with the suddaine ioy of this report as a man that hath escaped a great danger of the enemie doth breake out into an insolent kinde of bragging of his valour at Sea and heaping one lie vpon another doth not cease vntill he hath drawen them into sequences and so doth commende them vnto Peter the Doctor as censor of his learned worke Secondly The Generall doth write vnto the Doctor that Francis Drake died for very griefe that he had lost so many barkes and men A Thing very strange that the Generall or the Indian whom hee doth vouch for his lie should haue such speculation in the bodie of him whom they neuer saw as to deliuer for truth vnto his countrie the very cause or disease whereof hee died and this second report of his is more grosse then the first For admit the mistaking of the place might be tollerable notwithstanding this precise affirming the cause of his death doth manifestly prooue that the Generall doth make no conscience to lie And as concerning the losse of any Barkes or men in our Nauie by the valour of the Spaniard before Sir Francis Drake his death we had none one small Pinnesse excepted which we assuredly know was taken by chance falling single into a fleete of fiue Frigates of which was Generall Don Pedro Telio neere vnto the Iland of Dominica and not by the valour Don Bernaldino the which fiue Frigates of the kings afterwardes had but ill successe for one of them we burnt in the harbour of S. Iuan de Puerto rico and one other was sunke in the same harbour and the other three were burnt amongst many other shippes at the taking of Cadiz This I thinke in wise mens iudgements will seeme a silly cause to make
and came dâwne the riuer Three dayes after I hired a ware-house by my selfe and landâd my commodities And now I am selling them as fast as I can and sell them very well and to great profit for I haue solde all our hats I would I had brought forty or fifty dozen by reason of the great vtterance of them vp into Peru and into the new kingdome of Granada by the way of the riuer of Plate For here is passage euery three or foure moneths with barks of thirty and forty tunnes a piece watch are laden with sugars rice taffataes hats and other kindes of commodities of this countâey which are caried vp the sayd riuer of Plate in the sayd barks and thence are conueyed vp into Peru. And these barks are but tenne or twelue dayes going vp the sayd riuer to Peru. And within foure and fiue monâths after the sayd barkes come downe this riuer againe laden with reals of plate and bring downe from those places no other commodities but treasure It is a woonderfull thing to beholde the great gaine and profit which is gotten in this riuer and in this countrey I am ashamed to write it fearing that I shall not be beleeâed For the imployment of one hundred ducats in Spaine being brought hither will yeeld twâlue hundred and fifteene hunâred ducats profit This trade hath beene vsed but within tâis yeere For wee can goe vp to the mines of Potosi which are the best and the richâst mines in all Peru. If the merchants of Spaine and Portugall did know this trade they would not send nor venture so much merchandise to Cartagena as they doe For vp this riuer is a great deale the neerer way and the easier to go to Peru. For the Peruleâos or merchants of Peru which dwell there câme downe to this harbour and riuer of Ienero and bring with them fifteene thousand and twentie thousand ducats in reals of plate and gold and imploy it heere in this riuer in commodities and when heere are no commodities to be had for money in this place then these merchants of Peru are constrained to go to Baia and Fernambue and there to imploy thâir money I would I had brought good store of silks and not these hinde of commodities which I did bring For heere is more profit to be had a great deale then in the voyage of Angola For heere with fiue hundred ducats in fiue moneths space a man may get siâe thousand ducats And this is no fable but most true and a great deale more then I can expresse For a rapier which doeth cost in Spaine foure and twenty and siâe and twenty reals is solde heere for forty and fifty ducats a bridle for a horse is solde for fifteene ducats a locke of â doore and the key is solde for ten ducats a pound of beniamin is solde for fifteene ducats a yard of veluet is solde for twenty and fiue and twenty ducats taffataes are solde for sixe and seuen ducats the vare an ownce of muske is solde for forty ducatsâ and all kinde of commodities after this rate So one thousand ducats of Spanish commodities will gaine tenne thousand ducats Thus I hope in God to make more profit and gaine this voyage then in two voyages to Angola for I haue solde most of my hats for two duckets and a halfe and for three ducats The rest I will cary to Angola to helpe to sell the rest of my commodities which I cannot sell in this riuer And I haue solde an hundred cubits of broad cloth for fiue hundred and fiue hundred and fifty and siâe hundred reys the cubit If I would haue solde all my cloth for ready money tolde downe for foure hundred and fifty and fiue hundred reyes the merchants would haue bought it all of me but I would sell no more because I meant to exchange it in Angola for Negros Howbeit with ready money in hand in Angola a man shall buy better Negros and better cheape The captaine of our ship solde all his cloth for ready money for foure hundred fifty reys the cubit and thought that he had made a good market but he hath deceiued himselfe I solde sir broad clothes for fiue hundred and fifty reys the cubit and I was offered thirty thousand reys for a cloth Uineger is solde for two and thirty and sixe and thirty and forty reals a tarre by reason theâe is great store of limmons and orenges in the countrey but in Angola it is more woorth Oliues are solde for halfe a reall a piece wherefore I hope to sell the hogâhead for twenty thousand ââys In taffataes and veluets there will be gotten two hundred and fifty and thrâe hundred for one hundred Iâ I had brought great store I could haue solde it all at this rate I haue already gotten good store of reals of plate for it is tolde mee that money is a good commodity in Angola But I must imploy some in meale which is in the grinding All the rest of my money I will send you by biâles of exchange and some part I will imploy in sugars for I haue sent order to Baia for that purpose For from this place there is no shipping that doth go that way So these letters I do send by the way of Fernambuc and haue directed them to my cousin for I do determine to settle my selâe here in this countrey There is come downe from Peru by this riuer of Plate a merchant called Alonso Ramires and he hath brought downe with him ten or twelue thousand ducats in âeals of plate and is come downe to this place to build him a ship to returne into Spaine and there is come in his company a bishop And thus Iesus Christ send you long health Your louing brother Francis Suares The well gouerned and prosperous voyage of M. Iames Lancaster begun with three ships and a galley-frigat from London in October 1594 and intended for Fernambuck the port-towne of Olinda in Brasil In which voyage besides the taking of nine and twenty ships and frigaâs he surprized the sayd poât-towne being strongly fortified and mannâd and held possession thereof thiâty dayes together notwithstanding many bolde assaults of âhe enemy both by land and water and also prouidently defeated their dangerous and almost ineuitable fire-works Heere he found the cargazon or freight of a âich East Indian carack which together with great abundance of sugars Brasil-wood and cotton he brought from thence lading therewith fifteene sailes of tall ships and barks IN September 1594 the worshipfull M. Iohn Wats alderman M. Paul Banning alderman others of worship in the city of London victualled three good ships to wit The Consent of the burthen of 240 tunnes or there about The Salomon of 170 tunnes and The Virgin of 60 tunnes and appointed or commanders in this voyage M. Iames Lancaster of London gentleman aâmiralâ of the fleet M. Edmund Barker of London viceadmirall
Merkit Moal paupeâriâi homines Taâtaroâum sââes Cyngis Mangu-can Mancherule Berta vel Berca Exacta maâis Caspij descriptio Canglae populi vel Cangitââe Frater Andreas Reprehenditur Isidori error de mari Caspio Oceanus Aquilonariâ Isidorus Oceanus Aquilonaris Descendit naui per flumen Volga Nota. 30 diete à Porta ferâea Astracan Decscriptio cuâiae Baatu Horda sonât medium Misit rex Franciae ad Kencham nuncios Iohannes de Plano carpini Liâerae Regis Francorum Quinque septimanas iuxta Etiliam descendebant Quidam Huâgaâi Comanus Iter quatuor mensium à Voâga Ingens friguâ 16. Septemb. Cangle populi Maior Bâlgaria Iagag flumen 12. dieâis à Volga Pascatir âerra vel Bascinloâum terra vel Zibier Hungari à Pascatir âriundi Nota. Deut. 32.21 â Qui fuerunt isti fratres Cangle planicies ingens Defectus materie ignis Aliqua flumina Vasta solitudo â Nota diligenter Iter versus meridiem octo dieâum Asini velocissimââ Montes altissimi Terrae cultae Kenchat villa Saracenorum Septimo die Nouembris ibant super glaciem Ciuitas valdè parua Magnus fluuius Mulâae paludes Vites Casale Montes Caucasi contiguantur maâi Oâientali Talas vel Chincitalas ciuitas Frater Andreas Casale Bolac villa Aurisodinae Intrat ditionem Mangu cham Alpes in quibus habitabant Cara-catay Magnus fluuiuâ Terra culta Equius villa bona Longissimè à Perside Lacus quindecem dietaâum circââtu Cailac magna villa plena mercatoribus Contomanni Iugures populi Idolatrae Cailac Iugures seâta diuisa ab alijs Idololatris suiâ apud Caracarum frateâ Wilhelmus Tyare cartaceae Chinenses ita etiam scribâââ Sortilegi Bombustio mortuorum Patria Presbiteri Iohannis Tangut populi fortissimi Boues pilosis caudisâ his similes sunt in Quiâera Americae septentrionalis prouincia Tebet populi Auri abundantia Tangut homines magnised âuâci Langa Solanga Solangi âimiles Hââpanis âusci Tabula de dente elephantino Muc populi Magna Cathaya Ecclus. 39. ver 4. Gasariââ Soldaiaâ The citie of Matriga â Matriga Zikia Frier Bartholomeus de Cremona The necke of Taurica Cheâsonesus The Tartars The benefite of a painter in strange countreis They vse the like custome in Florida Drying of flesh in the wind Our falconers vse the left fist Another straÌge custome which I leaue to be scanned by falconers themseluâs Great expense of wooll A caââat right worthy the noting * Or Akas Cloth is the chiefe marchaÌdise in Tartarie Salt pits Ten dayes iourney The length of Comania Russia Prussia Extreme heate in Sommer Tanais The breadth of Tanais He is much deceiued About the beginning of August the Tartars returne Southward The people of Moxel are Pagans The people called Merdui being Saracens The circuite of the Caspian sea Kergis or Aas The Saracens called Lesgi He returneth by Deâbent Coâat the Nestorian No good consequence They are come as farre as Volga The Tartars wil be called Moal This history of Presbiâer Iohn in the Northeast is alleadged at large by Gerarduâ Mercator in his generall mappe From whence tâe Turkeâ first sprang An Ocean sea Nayman Presbiter Iohâ The place of Ken Kan his aââade Vut Can or Vâe Can. The village of Cara Carum Crit and Merkit Moal in olde time a beggerly people The place of the Tartars Cyngis Mangu-Cân Maâcherule Oâ Bercâ Changlae Frier Andâew The North Ocean The North Ocean We descendeth downe the riuer Volga in a barke Aâtracan The description of Baatu his court Horda signifieth the midsâ Iohn de Plano Carpini The letters of the French king They trauell fiue weekes by the banke of Etilia Hungarians A Comanian A iourney of 4. moneths from Volga The 16. of September 46. dayes Or Kangitrae Or Iaic Iaic twelue dayes iourney from Volga Pascatir The Hungarians descended from the Bascirdes Valachians Deut. 32. v. 21. Rom. 10. v. 19. Cangle Aââ huge plaine countrey Certaine riuers Eight dayes iourney southward Asses swift of foote High mountaines Manured grounds Kenchat a village of the Saracens The 7. day of Nouember A great riuer Many lakes Wines A cottage The mouÌtains of Caucasus are extended vnto the Easterne Sea The citie of Talas or Chincitaiâ Frier Andrew The village of Bolac He entreth into the territories of Mangu-Can Certain Alpes wherein the Cara Catayans inhabited A mighty riuer Ground tilled Equius A lake fifteene dayes iourney in compasse Cailac a great citie and full of merchants Contomanni The people called Iugures idolaters Frier William was at Caracarum Bookes Paper So do the people of China vse to write drawing their lines perpeÌdicularly downward not as we doe from the right hand to the lefte The countrey of Presbiter Iohn Tangut Strange oxen The people of Tebet Abundance of golde The stature of the people of Tangut and of the Iugures Langa Solanga The people of Solanga resemble Spaniards A table of elephants tooth The people called Muâ Great Cathaya The fishing at great Yarmouth Henry the third Edward the confessoâ 57 Ships of the Cinque Portes bound to serue the king 15. dayes at their owne costs Thomas Walsingham writeth y t he had once 1100. strong shippes | Or Motue | Or Foy â Or Sâford â Or Padâlow Stockhith â¡ Or Linne Or Yermouth Nâw Brickelsey The words of Gerardus Mârcator in the foote of his generall Map vpon the description of the North partes There is a notable whirlepoole on the coast of Norway called Malestrande about the latitude of 68. Inâentio Fortunata An. 2. 4. 31. Eââardi tertij An. Dom. 1390. â Aââas Vilna â Filius natu minimus Edwardi 3. Redituââ âong trauaile Alexandria Lettowe Ruce Algezer in Granado âayas in Armenia Froysart lib. 3. cap. 40. Satalie in the mayne of Asâa neere Rhods Tremisen is in Barbarie â Or Pallce Froysart lib. 3. cap. 40. Turkie The time when Chaucer wrote is thus mentioned in the end of his letter of Cupide Beda Ecclesiasticae histoâââ Gentis Anglorum lib. 2. cap. 3. Malââbuâ de gestis Regum Angloâum lib. 1. cap. 4. Nauigatio Interdicta Negociatorum Anglicanorum patrocinium Traffique prohibited Nauigation forbidden A league betweene Carol. Mag. and K. Offa. Protection of the English Marchants William of Malmâb lib. â cap 9. de gestis Regum Anglorum Garganus a mountaine of Apulia in Italie Guliel Malmesb. de gestis ponâ Anglorum lib. â Germanie Norway Commercia inter Germanos Anglos â 1199. Solitae meâcatorum consuetudines The ancient customes of Marchants â 1216. â Antiqua consucrudo Gildhalle Colonienââââ Londini The ancient custome of the Coloners Gild-hall in London Ricardus Comes Cornubiae Rex Romanorum Carta conditionalis â Nota antiquitatem â¡ The Stiliard Note the antiquitie Exceptio contra notorios regni hosâes Lex mercatoria Lex mercatoria quââ Antiquae Cusâumae An exception for traficking with y e known enemies of the kingdome Where is this law now become Villa de Tonnesbergh The towne of Tonesbergh Northbernae
These seeme to be the mountains of Imaus called by the people Cumao The apparel of the Tartarie marchants Cowe tailes in great request Bacolâ Serrepore Sinâergan Sundâua Island Nâgraiâ Cosmin Ladders vsed to auoyd the danger of wild beasts Dwelling in boats Medon Dela Cirionâ Maââo Coches caried on mens shoulders Pegu. Foure white elephants The king of the white elephants Odia a city ââ Siam This maner of cariage on mens shoulders is vsed in Peru and in Florida Paper of the leaues of a tree An excellent colour with a root called Saia Woollen clotâ and scarletâ sâlde in Pegu. The money of Pegu. The seuerall merchandiseâ of Pegu. The forme of their Temples or âarellaes The Tallipoies or Priests of Pegu. The apparell of their priests Obseruation of new moones Iamahey fiâes twenty dayes iourny Northeastward from Pegu. They burne their dead Caplan in the place where the rubies and other precious stones are found Anthony Colâano writeth of these baâs The people of Pegu we are no beards Malacca The voyage to Iapan Eight hundred thousand cruâadors in siluer imployed âerely by the Portugals in Câina The writinâ of the people of China c. Laban Diamants Iambâ Golde Bima He returneth from Malacca Bengala Ceylon Blacke people Caâe de Comori Coulam Cochin People with swâllân legges menâioned also by Ioh. âidâgen âow pâpper groweth Blacke people â Or Calicut or Cananor Goâ Chaul Ormâs The pepper tree Ginger Cloues Nutmegs maces Camphora Lignum Aloeâ Long peppeâ Muske Amber Rubies saphires and spinels Diamants Spodium Basora Babylon Mosul Merdin Orfa Bir. Aleppo Tripolis Iohn Newbery had beene in Ormus before Anno. 1581. The Arabian tongue generall in the East The description of Tripolis in Syria Store of white silke The city of Hammah Cotton wooll Gall trees Aleppo Birrah Euphrates shallow Eight twenty dayes iourney by riuer Arabians vpon the riuer of Euphrates The Arabian women weare golde rings in their nostrels Euphrates described Felugia The ruines of olde Babylon New Babylon The riuer Tigris âafts borne vpon bladders of goats skins Seldome rain Eight twenty dayes iourney more by riuer from Babylon to Balsara Cuma castle Balsara Ships made without yron in the Persian gulfe Zelabdim Echebar king of Cambaia He returneth from Balsara to Aleppo Their prouision of victuals A Carauan of foure thousand Camels William Barret Consul in Aleppo M. Wil. Barret Two voiages more made to Babylon What a rotilâ is Note that 4 roâes make a quintall Muske of Tartaria by y â way of China * Or by the Camels burden Note Marchandize good for Pegu. Note Note Note Tunis The description of Alexandria Cayro Carthage Argier Goleta Malta Zante Patras Striualia Candie May. The Islands of Milo in olde time called Sporades Sio Singonina âichiâri The English house in Alexanââiâ The monuments of Alexandria Rosâetto The Turkeâ Lent Câyro The English Consul aâ Aâgier A fight of fiue houres The second Spaniâh fleete lying in waite for the English The letters of the Prince of Moldauia to the Quâene Letters of the Chanceler of Poland to the Queene The marchaÌts aboue named be made a felââwship and coâpanie âor 12 âââres by ãâã naâe of tâe Gouâânor aâd âompanie of ââe marchants of the ââuant Sir Edward Osborne appointed the first Gouernour A priuiledge for the East Indies Candie The Ascension arriued at the 7 towers The ship saluteth the grand Signior The cause of staying the Present An Arz to the grand Signior The great hall of âustice Reconciliation with the Uizir âade The ambassador goeth to the court witâ the present The Ambassâ came to the Seraglio * All these are captaines of hundreds and of fifties The ambassador receiued by the Vizir with all kindnesse Diuer brought in Diner taken away Gownes of cloth of gold for the ambassador and his gentlemen The Present The Present viewed The ambassador kisseth the grand Signioâ hanâ The ambassadors demands granted The Sultanas present The Sultanas present to the Queene Letters sent for England The other Vizirs presented The Ascension departeth Great preparation for the Hungarian warres Santa Sophia Pompeys pillar Gallipoly Troy Zio Patmos Cos. Rhodes Sidon Ezek. 26.5 Antioch Aleppo Nicosia A great iudgement of God vpon the noble men of Cyprus Indians skilfull in Astronomy The seuen precepts of Baniânes This Sultana is mother to Mehemet which now reigneth as Emperor Ann. Dom. 1594. Madera first discouered by one Macham an Englishman Macham made there a chapel naming it Iesus chapell | These writings are in the Tower The first cause of this ambassage The second cause The third cause The English had an ordinary trade to the Canaries 1526. English men at the first conquest of the Canaries Ciuitas Palmarum The planting and growth of sugar canes The making of sugar Wine Plantano Lime Orchel good for dying Santa Cruz. The only vineyard in Hierro planted by Ioh. Hill of Tauoton Asafi Santa Cruz. The English were at Santa Cruz the yeere before being 1551. Tunis Bugia Tripoli Numidia Ilands of Tunis Malta The desers of Lybia Barbarie Mauritania The kingdom of Fes Marocco Tremisen Oram Mersalquiber Sala Azamor The Ilands of Canaria Guinea Aethiopians Marocco Fes Tremisen Guinea Africa y e great Africa the lesse Carthage Prester Iohn Cape de Bona Speranza Alcair Amacaiz From whence the Queene of Saba came The earthly Paradise The trees of the Sunne and the Moone Pinteado Brasile Guinea The Ilands of Madera The castle of Mina The Ilands of Canarie The Iland of S. Nicholas The riuer of Sesto Graines The thirst of gold The castle of Mina The quantitie of gold Furie admitteth no counsel The Rossia Rotting heat Benin Francisco Nich. Lambart The king of Benin his court Reuerence toward the king The communication between the king of Benin and our men Pepper The kings gentlenes towards our men The death of Windam Pinteado euill vsed of the mariners This Lambert was a Londiner boâne whose father had but Lord Maior of London The death of Pinteado Pinteado first perswaded our men to the voiage of Guinea Seuen hundred reis are ten shillings Alcayre is halfe a bushell Robert Gâinâh was master of the Iohâ Euangelist The I le of Madera The I le of Palmes Teneriffaâ The Canariesâ From Madera to the Isle of Palmes Gran Canariâ Foâteuentura The âland of Gomera Teneriffa Snow The coast of Barbarie Cape Blanke The riuer del Oro. The croâsâers or crosse stars Rio Grandeâ Cape MeÌsurado The riuer of Sesto The riuer of Sesto Rio Dulce Cape de Monte. Cape de las Palmas The land of Cakeado Shauo Croke S. Vincents harborow The riuer Dulce Cape de las Palmas The coast of Guinea The castle of Arra The towne of Samma The pledge was sir Iohn Yorke his Nephew Cape Corea The castle of Mina perteining to the king of Portugall Perecow Perecow grand Monte Rodondo The currants From Mina homeward Rio de los Potos Iuory Cabo de las Palmas
esperanza in 19 degrees Cabo del Enganno in 30 degrees a halfe The hauen of Saint Iago The hauen of Aguaiaual These shoalds are the bottoms of maâ ãâã or the Bay of California The bottom of the Bay of California Theâ got vp thee ãâã of ãâ¦ã the 26. of August We carried an interpreter with him A very good course taken to appease vnknowen Sauages Good forâcast Indians besmoutched with cole Pipes and bagges of Tobacco Shels and beades A notable policie Swarmes oââeoplâ An exceeding great current of the riuer A wisâ deâise Newes of bearded and white men The Sunne worshipped as God Certaine warlike people behind a mountaine These people are greatly incâined to learne the Christian faith The riuer in diuers places full of shelfes Another olde man Their ancesters told them tâat there were bearded and white men in the world Another nation People of 23. languages dwelling along this riuer Acuco as Gomara writteth is on a strong mountaine Great houses of stone Round ãâã Dancing and singing at mariages of the Sauages They burne their dead Pipes to ãâã Tabacco with Maiz gourds Miâl Grindestones earthen pots good fish This riuer ouerfloweth his banks at certaine seasons Colde and raine Ceuola 40 days iourney from thence by the riuer Turqueses in Ceuola This was the Negro that went with Frier Marco de Niza Quicoma Coama Conies and yucas Cotton A mountaine Ceuola a goodly thing Gold and siluer in a mountainâ neere Ceuola A mighty riuer This riuer seemeth to vââ Noâthward by the colde The Negro that went with Frier Marco de Niâa sâaine The cause wherefore Stephan Dorantez the Negro was slaine They of Ceuola haue 14. or 15. lords their enemies An olde woââ called Guâââââcâ in a lake greaâly woâshipped Antonio d'Esâeâo spraketh of such a great lake 200 limâes oâ people This might be the âtooke âaked oââ oâ ãâã The sea side The Sauageâââeasonâ to âe taken heede of Certaine newes of the Spanyardâ at Ceuola Ceuola tenne dayes diâtant ârom this place A desert of tâââ dayes iouâney Oxen of Ceuola A desert Cumana He returneth in 2. dayes and an halfe to his ships Maâke âhat ãâã âhe Spaniardes caââ with tââm in newe deââoueâiâs Rio de buena Guia. Parrats in these parâs Two moones to Ceuola Another booke wâitten of the particulars of that countrey Quicama Coama Cumana Treason of the sauages An Inchanter This Riuer ran ââch farther vp than âe had tâaââlled He sayled 85 leagues vp the Riuer The port of Colima The Portugal Pilote set on land Sir Francis Drake sayled on the backe ââde of America to 43 degrees of Northerly latitude 38 degrees A description of the people and Countrey of Noua Albion These are like chaines of âsurnây in Canada and Hochelage The king resignes his crowne and kingdome to Sir Francis Drake Great riches in Noua Albion Great heards of Deere Abundance of strange conies Noua Albion Golde and siluer in the âarâd of Noua Albion The Isle ââ Masbate The Bay of Manilla in 14. degrees and one quarter Canton 22â degrees The Iland of Macao Ilha Branca As Ilhas fermosasâ Lequeosâ Mines of gold Firando Other Ilands Eastward of Iapon Iapon 900. leagues distant from the coast of America in 37 degrees and an halfe Seuen and thirty deg and an halfe Read Francis Vllaâ chap. 16. Cabo de San Lucas in 22. deg Hauens lately found out Acapulco English factors in the Grand Canaria Iohn Sweeting Englishman married in Cadiz sendeth a ship of his owne into the West Indies vnder the conduct of his sonne in laws Leonard Chilton Ralph Saâre Many of one men died of these wormes at the taking of Puerto rico Cuerpo Santo His arriuall at Vera Cruz. Florida 300. leagues from San Iuan de Vllua Mexico Sant Iuan de Vllua The way and distance from San Iuan de âllua to Vera Cruz is fiuâ leagues Venta de Riâconado Pueblo de los Angeles Mââiâ Don Luis de Velasco This is to be vnderstood of his second comming into Spaine Mexico conquered Anno 1519. and 1520. Cochinilla is not a worme nor a flie but a berry A new trade begun in the city of Fez by Roger Bodenham The place where Cochinilla groweth and the pâââ thereof 1568. Cadiz San Iuan de Vllua Vera Cruz. Xalapa Sixteene leagues Perota seuen leagues Fuentes de Ozumba nine leagues Pueblo de los Angeles eight leagues Tlaxcalla foure leagues northward from los Angeles Vulcan is a hill that continually burneth with fire Cochinilla Pueblo de los Angeles 20 leagues from Mexico His voyage from Mexico to Nueua Biscaiâ New Biscay The Siluer mines of Tamaâcaltepec The valley of S. Bartholomew The hauen where y e shipe of China the Philippinas arriue Guaxaca Aguatulco Nixapa Sapotecas Tecoantepec Soconusco Suchetepec Guasacapan Guatimala Sonsonate San Saluador Acaxutla Nicoia a port where y e ships which goe to the Philippinas are diuided Pueââo de Câuallos a rich place The description of Hauana at large The smal force of Haâana The commodities of Cuba Nombre de Dios. Panama Potossi Cusco Paitâ Vera Paz. Chiapa 300 leagues from Mexico Ecatepec an hill nine leagues high Tecoaâtepecâ His iourney to Panucâ Mestitlan Clanchinoltepeâ Guâxutlâ Guastecân Tancuylabo Salt a principall merchandize Tampice a port towne Panuco ââallapa Sant Iago de los âalles Mighty mules Don Henrico Manriques viceroy of Mexico Rio de laâ Palmas The mines of Sacatecas The valley of S. Michael Pueblo nueuo Mechuacan Copper mines Campeche Merida Rio de Tabasâo Iucatan The greatnesse of the king of Spaines tribute out of the West Indies The quintaâ The marke of siluer is 64 reals of plate The reuenue of the kings buls and pardons came yerely to three millions Rebellions in Noua Hispania by too great exactions The reasons which mooue the kings of Spaine to forbid forren traffiâe in the West Indies Mâgueis S. Iohn de Villua Spirits ãâã Cruâ Musquitâ Popiniayâ Monkeys Wheat twise in a yeere Tlaxcalla a free city Mexico A way to drowne Mexico Crocodiles Nauigation to China from Puerto de Acapulco The Northwest streight The more Northward the richer siluer mines Painting earth Golde mines Mesquiquez Seuen cities by witchcraft not found of the seckers Pedro Morales Nicolas Burgignon write the like of Copalla The strange oxen of Cibola Cibola abandoned A great riuer nere Cibolâ Water congealed to salt Dogs of India described Cacao a fruit currant as money Fruits Hot springs Hares and conies Sea fish Burning mountaines Manna Wilde hogs lions and tigres Mines discouered not sound againe The authom fiue yeeres in Nueua Espanna Sugar conserues Description of the Indians person and maners The people of Nueua Espanna great cowarde The Indians ignorance froÌ whence they came The Sun and Moone honored Score of cotrâ The wilde Indians Friers in reuerence Copper mines The pompe of owners of mines Things necessary to mines of siluer and golde The plenty of cattell Sheepe Wooll Cloth Woad Alum
fragrant sepulture all honour is performed He which is emperour of the seuen climats and of the foure parts of the world the inuincible king of Graecia Agiamia Hungaria Tartaria Valachia Rossia Turchia Arabia Bagdet Caramania Abessis Giouasir Siruan Barbaria Alger Franchia Coruacia Belgrade c. alwayes most happy and possessour of the crowne from twelue of his ancestours and of the seed of Adam at this present emperour the sonne of an emperour preserued by the diuine prouidence a king woorthy of all glory and honour Sultan Murad whose forces the Lord God alwayes increase and father of him to whom the imperiall crowne is to descend the paradise and woonderfull call cypresse worthy of the royall throne and true heire of the imperiall authority most woorthy Mehemet Can the sonne of Sultan Murad Can whose enterprises God vouchsafe to accomplish and to prolong his happy dayes on the behalfe of whose mother this present letter is written to the most gracious and most glorious the wisest among women and chosen among those which triumph vnder the standard of Iesus Christ the most mighty and most rich gouernour and most rare among womankinde in the world the most gracious Queene of England which follow the steps of the virgine Mary whose end be prosperous and perfect according to your hearts desire I send your Maiesty so honorable and sweet a salutation of peace that al the flocke of Nightingales with their melody cannot attaine to y e like much lesse this simple letter of mine The singular loue which we haue conceiued one toward the other is like to a garden of pleasant birds and the Lord God vouchsafe to saue and keepe you and send your Maiesty an happy end both in this world and in the world to come After the arriuall of your honourable presents from the Court of your Maiesty your Highnesse shall vnderstand that they came in such a season that euery minute ministred occasion of long coÌsolation by reason of the comming of your Maiesties Ambassadour to the triumphant Court of the Emperour to our so great contentment as we could possibly wish who brought a letter from your Maiesty which with great honour was presented vnto vs by our eunuks the paper whereof did smell most fragrantly of camfor and ambargriese and the incke of perfect muske the contents whereof we haue heard very attentiuely from point to point I thinke it therefore expedient that according to our mutuall affection in any thing whatsoeuer may concerne the countreys which are subiect to your Maiesty I neuer faile hauing information giuen vnto me in whatsoeuer occasion shall be ministred to gratiue your Maiesty to my power in any reasonable and conuenient matter that all your subiects businesses and affaires may haue a wished and happy end For I will alwayes be a sollicitour to the most mighty Emperour for your Maiesties afaires that your Maiesty at all times may be fully satisfied Peace be to your Maiesty and to all such as follow rightly the way of God Written the first day of the Moone of Rabie Liuol in the yere of the Prophet 1002. THE SECOND PART OF THIS Second volume containing the principall Nauigations Voyages Traffiques and Discoueries of the English nation made to the South and Southeast quarters of the world without the Straights of Gibraltar namely to the Ilands of Madera and of the Canaries to the kingdome of Barbarie to the Iles of Capo Verde to the riuer of Senega to the coast of Ghinea and Benin about the cape of Buona Esperansa and so to Goa in the East Indies and likewise beyond cape Comori to the Iles of Nicubar to Sumatra to the chanell of Sincapura ouer against the city of Malacca and to diuers other places The voyage of Macham an English man wherein he first of any man discouered the Iland of Madera recorded verbatim in the Portugall history written by Antonio Galuano IN the yeere 1344 King Peter the fourth of that name reigning in Aragon the Chronicles of his age write that about this time the Iland of Madera standing in 32 degrees was discouered by an English man which was named Macham who sailing out of England into Spaine with a woman that he had stollen arriued by tempest in that Iland and did cast anker in that hauen or bay which now is called Machico after the name of Macham And because his louer was sea-sicke he went on land with some of his company and the shippe with a good winde made saile away and the woman died for thought Macham which loued her dearely built a chapell or hermitage to bury her in calling it by the name of Iesus and caused his name and hers to be written or grauen vpon the stone of her tombe and the occasion of their arriuall there And afterward he ordeined a boat made of one tree for there be trees of a great compasse about and went to sea in it with those men that he had and were left behinde with him and came vpon the coast of Afrike without saile or oare And the Moores which saw it tooke it to be a maruellous thing and presented him vnto the king of that countrey for a woonder and that king also sent him and his companions for a miracle vnto the king of Castile In the yeere 1395 King Henry the third of that name reigning in Castile the information which Macham gaue of this Iland and also the ship of his company mooued many of France and Castile to go and discouer it and also the great Canaria c. In the yeere 1417 King Iohn the second reigning in Castile and his mother Lady Katherine being Regent one Monsieur Ruben of Bracamont which was Admirall of France demanding the conquest of the Ilands of the Canaries with the title of King for a kinsman of his named Monsieur Iohn Betancourt after that the Queene had giuen him them and holpen him he departed from Siuil with a good army And they affirme also that the principall cause which moued him to this was to discouer the Iland of Madera which Macham had found c. ibidem pag. 2. of Anthonio Galuano This note following concerning the ayde and assistance of the English Marchants giuen to King Iohn the first of Portugall for the winning of Ceuta in Barbarie which was the first occasion of all the Portugall discoueries is taken out of Thomas Walsingham his Latine Chronicle Anno 1415. HOc anno Ioannes primus Rex Portugalliae fretus auxilio Mercatorum Angliae quà m maximè Alemannorum vicit Agarenos in terra Regis Betinarinorum multis eorum millibus ad generum Cereris destinatis cepÃtque ciuitatem eorum quà m amplissimam supra mare sitam vocatam Ceut eorum lingua The same in English THis yere Iohn the first king of Portugall being principally assisted by the helpe of the English Marchants and Almaines ouercame the Moores in the dominion of the king of Barbary putting many thousands of them to the