required the water of Holy Baptisme at his hands neyther would they suffer him to passe vntill hee had giuen it them so that to satisfie their desires hee was greatly stayed in his viage and was faine to carry water with him in certaine vesselles and salte and other prouision necessary for that action But I will leaue to report vnto you all the welcome and entertainment that was made vnto him in euery place where he came and the liuely ioy that generally and particularly was shewed for the comming of this Bishoppe And now I will tell you that hee arriued at the Cittie of Saint Sauiours where hee was met by the Priestes and by the king and by all the Court and so in procession entred into the Church after due thanks giuen to God hee was conducted to his lodging that was assigned vnto him by the king And then presently he beganne to reforme reduce to good order the Church it selfe and the Friers and Priestes that dwell therein ordayning the saide Church to bee the Cathedrall Church of Saint Crosses which at that time had belonging vnto it twentie and eyght Cannons with their Chaplens and a Mayster of the Chappell with Singers and Organs and Belles and all other furniture meete to execute diuine seruice But this Bishoppe who laboured in the Lords Vineyard sometimes in Congo and sometimes in the Isle of Saint Thomas going and comming continually by shippe the space of twentie daies and still leauing behinde him his Vicars in the place where he himselfe was absent at the last dyed was buried in the Island of S. Thomas After this Bishoppe succeeded another Bishoppe in Congo being a Negro and descended of the blood Royall who before had beene sent by King Alfonso first into Portingall and afterwardes to Rome where hee learned the Latine tongue and the Christian Religion but being returned into Portingall and landed out of his shippe to goe and enter vppon his Bishopricke of S. Sauiours hee dyed by the way wherevpon the kingdome remained without a Pastor for the space of diuers yeares Don Piedro also the King aforesaide dyed likewise without children and there succeeded him his brother called Don Francesco who in like manner lasted but a while and then was created the fift King named Don Diego who was next of all the race Royall A man of haughtie courage and magnificall and wittie of a very good disposition wise in counsell and aboue all other qualities a maintayner of Christian Faith and in briefe so great a warriour he was that in few yeares hee conquered all the countries adioyning He loued the Portingals very much so that he forsooke the vsuall garmentes of his owne naturall countrey attyred himselfe after the Portingall fashion He was very sumptuous aswell in his apparell as also in the ornaments and furniture of his pallace he was besides very courteous and liberall and woulde bestowe largely both vpon his owne subiectes and also vpon the Portingalles With great cost woulde hee prouide and buy such stuffe as pleased him and woulde often say that Rare thinges shoulde not bee in the handes of any but onely of Kinges He vsed to weare one suite of apparel but once or twice and then he would giue it away to his followers Wherevpon the Portingalles perceyuing that he did so greatly esteeme cloth of gold and Arras such other costly houshold stuffe they brought great store therof out of Portingall so that at that time Arras-hangings and cloth of gold and of silke and such like Lordly furniture beganne to bee of great estimation in that kingdome In the time of this King there was a thirde Bishop of Saint Thomas and Congo by nation a Portingall who with the vsuall ceremonies was entertayned both by the way and also in the Court at Saint Sauiours And nowe the Deuill the common enemie of Christian Religion being much grieued with the happie successe and promoting of the Catholike Faith beganne to sowe his Darnell of diuision betweene the Friers and Priestes and their new Bishoppe which sprung vp and arose from the long libertie wherein they had nowe liued so many yeares without a Pastor so that euery man esteemed himselfe not onely to be as good as the Bishoppe but also to be a farre better man then he was and therefore would yeeld no obedience to their Prelate in such sort that there was raysed among them so great a discord dissention as it wrought a grieuous scandale and wicked example among the people But the king like a good Catholike and a faithfull did alwayes maintaine the Bishops part and to cut of these troubles and stirres he sent some of these Priests to prison into Portingal and others into the Isle of Saint Thomas and some others went away with all their substaunce of their owne accorde and by these meanes the doctrine of these ministers in steede of encreasing did greatly diminish through their owne default Neyther was our common aduersaries herewithal contented but woulde needes proceed further by setting discorde betweene Kinges and subiectes For after the death of this King there started vp three Princes at once to challenge the succession The first was the Kinges sonne whom fewe of them fauoured because they desired to haue another so that he was slaine incontinently The two other that remayned were of the bloud Royall One of them was created King by his fauourites and followers with the good lyking of the greater parte of the people but vtterly against the mindes of the Portingalles and certayne of the Lordes who aymed and endeauoured to set vp the other Insomuch as the foresaide Lordes together with the Portingalles went into the Church to kill the King elected making this reckoning with themselues that if they slewe him the other must of necessitie bee made King But at that very selfe same time those of the contrary faction had slaine the King that was already made by the Portingalles perswading themselues assuredly that he being dead there would bee no difficultie for them to obtaine the state for their King because there was none other least that by law could challenge the Scepter Royall And thus in an houre and in two seuerall places were these two Kinges murthered at once In these conspiracies and slaughters when the people saw that there were no lawfull persons leaft to enioy the Royall Crowne they laide all the blame vpon the Portingals who were the causers of all these mischiefes and therevpon they turned themselues against them and slew as many of them as they could finde Onely they spared the Priests and would not touch them nor any other that dwelt in other places Seeing therefore as before is saide that there was none of the blood Royal leaft to be placed in the Gouernment they made choice of one Don Henrico Brother to Don Diego the King deceased And this Henrico going to warre against the Anzichi leaft behinde him in his
confidently sweare that they are lyers and opposite to all auncient Philosophers But in a word I will answere herein with an Argument which Aristotle vseth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. Siquidem in vsu est hominibus mentiri id quod credibile existimare oportet contrarium Incredibilia multa hominibus contingere vera which for the better vnderstanding I must paraphrase in English If it be an vsuall thing among men that when a thing is reported which is very credible and like to be true yet afterwards it falleth out to be a starke lye Then must we needes thinke on the contrary That many Reports or things which are incredible do in the end fall out to be true In which case as Credulitie leaneth a little to Foolerie so Incredulitie smelleth somewhat of Atheisme Another Paradox is That the heate of the Sunne is not the cause of Whitenesse or Blacknesse in the Skinnes of men This Position in the Negatiue he may safely defend against all Philosophers by vertue of the reasons that he hath vouched in this Report which in deede do vtterly ouerthrow their Affirmatiue But because neither any auncient Writer before this age nor he himselfe hath euer been able to declare the true cause of these colours in humane bodies very honestly and modestly he leaueth it vndecided and referreth it to some secret of Nature which hitherto hath been knowne to God alone and neuer as yet reuealed to man And therefore I do wish that some sound Naturall Philosopher such as Fernelius that wrote De abditis rerum causis or as Leuinus Lemnius de Occultis Naturae miraculis or as Franciscus Valesius de Sacra Philosophia would enter into the Closet of Contemplation to finde out the true Naturall cause thereof In the meane while I hold still with my Author in the Negatiue The third Paradoxe touching the Amazones mentioned in this booke I do not see why it should be counted a Paradox to beleeue that there is such a Nation considering how many Authors both Greeke and Latine both Historiographers and Cosmographers both Diuine and Prophane haue acknowledged that Nation and the Countrey wherein it inhabited But our new Writers say that a little after King Alexanders death it was vtterly ouerthrowne and quite extinguished What Vsque ad vnam not one of them left aliue Certainely that depopulation must needes proceede either from the peculiar visitation of God almighties owne hand or else it was the strangest slaughter that euer was heard of that of a whole Nation being so populous as that was there should not remaine some few that escaped But yet suppose that some Hypsiphile or Penthesilea or Thalestris or some such other did wisely conueigh hir selfe away cum Dijs Penatibus cum Matre cum filia and being guided by some happie Venus arriued in a farre remote Region and there obserued the customes and fashions of their owne Natiue Countrey Might not these three together with some other women that were desirous of Rule and gouernment and allured by them to be of their Societie might not they I say in processe of time for it is a long time since Alexander died breede a New Nation of Amazones although we neuer heard in what Climate they remained Yea it may be for any thing that I know this latter generation might growe againe to be so populous that they could send foorth Colonies from them into other places and so plant themselues in diuers Countreys For I heare that there are of them about Guiana and heere in this Report I reade that some of them serue in the warres of the King of Monomotapa And I hope that in good time some good Guianian will make good proofe to our England that there are at this day both Amazones and Headlesse men And thus much for the Paradoxes The last exception which may be made against this booke is the discourse of the Conuersion of the Kingdome of Congo to Christianitie which is amplified and set out with such Miracles and Superstitious Vanities as though it had been plotted of purpose for the glorie and aduancement of the Pope and his Adherents Wherein because it doth concerne matter of Religion I will deale more warily and seriously to satisfie my Reader True it is that the Inhabitants of Congo were all Pagans and Heathens vntill they entertayned Traffike with the Portingales Among whome one Massing Priest became a meanes to conferre with a Noble Man of Congo concerning Christianitie who taking liking thereof as being a Man of good inclination and disposition was very desirous to be further instructed The Priest being wise tooke oportunitie to make way for his Countreymens traffike and also for planting of the Christian Faith in that Region It may be in hope to be preferred and aduanced in a new established Church as commonly our trauelling Priests vse to do that wanting maintenance or being vpon some occasion discontented at home do leape ouer sea into forreine partes not for the desier which they haue to gaine Christian Soules or to preach the Gospell but to procure to themselues either dignities or wealth But I do not say that this Priest was such a one for I neither haue reason nor authoritie so to say For he sent ouer into Portingall for some fellowes to helpe him who being come into Congo laboured so much that in time the King and his people consented to become Christians Then did the Portingall-Priests bestirre themselues nimbly in Baptising the King the Queene the Lordes and the Commons They built Churches they erected Altars they set vp Crosses and at last brought in a Bishop And all this was done I must needes confesse with all pompe and solemnitie after the Romish maner which in deede is so plausible as it is able to allure any simple Man or Woman euen with the very sight thereof Yet will I not denie but that these Priests had a good intent and for my part I do beleeue that they were in bona fide because they conuerted a great part of the People not to Poperie but to Christianitie the true foundation of all Religion And this Action which tendeth to the glory of God and may be a notable example to the World of doing the like shall it be concealed and not committed to memorie because it was performed by Popish Priests and Popish meanes God forbid S. Paule maketh mention of diuers that preached Christ Some of enuie and strife and not purely and Some of loue and good will What then Yet Christ is preached whether it be vnder pretence or sincerely and therein do I ioy So these Men are not to be regarded whether they preached Christ for vaineglory and for maintenance of Poperie or of a sincere minde but certaine it is that Christ was preached by them and therein ought we to ioy In Marke and in Luke S. Iohn saith to Christ Maister we sawe one casting out Deuils in thy Name but we forbad him because he followeth not
marchants shippe the Negroes goe forth with their boates to fetch them and to take the oyle out of them which being mingled with pitch they vse to trimme their vessels withall Vpon the ridges or backes of these creatures there growe many Shelfishes made like Snailes Cockles and Whelkes whereof Signor Odoardo affirmed that hee had seene great store He was also of opinion that Amber commeth not from these fishes For ouer all the coast of Congo where there is an infinite number of them you shal not finde either Ambregriz or any other Amber blacke or white in any place And yet if it should come from these creatures there must haue beene of necessity great store of it founde vpon these Shores The principall hauen of this Island hath his entrance towardes the North and on that side it is halfe a mile broade and of a very great depth Vpon the firme land directly ouer against the Island is a towne called villa di San Paulo altogether inhabited with Portingalles and their wiues which they brought with them out of Spaine and yet it is not fortified All this channell is very full of fish especially of Sardinaes and of Anchioues whereof there is so great store that in the winter time they will of themselues leape vp to land Other kindes of most excellent fishes there are as Soles and Sturgeons and Barbelles and all manner of dainty fish and great Crabbes in straunge aboundance and all very wholesome so that the greatest parte of the people that dwel about the banks there do liue vpon them Into this channell runneth the Riuer called Bengo which is a very great one nauigable vpwardes xxv miles This Riuer with that other of Coanza whereof I tolde you before doe make the Isle of Loanda because when their waters do meete together they leaue their sande and filth behind them and so increase the Island There runneth also into it another great Riuer called Dande which wil receiue vessels of an hundred tunne then another Riuer called Lemba which neither hath Hauen neyther do any Shippes enter into it Very neere vnto this there is also another Riuer called Ozone which issueth out of the same Lake whence Nilus likewise springeth and it hath a hauen Next to Ozone there is another called Loze without any hauen and then another great one with a hauen called Ambriz which runneth within foure leagues neere to the Royall Citty of Congo Last of all is the Riuer Lelunda which signifieth a Trowtfish and watereth the rootes of that great hil wheron the pallace of Congo standeth called by the Portingalles the Oteiro This Riuer Lelunda springeth out of the same Lake from whence Coanza issueth and taketh into it by the way another Riuer that commeth from the great Lake and when it doth not raine then you may passe ouer Lelunda on foote because it hath so little store of water in it Next vnto this is the Zaire a huge Riuer and a large and in deed the greatest in all the kingdome of Congo The original of this Riuer commeth out of three Lakes one is the great Lake from whence Nilus springeth the second is the little Lake aboue mentioned and the third is the second great Lake which Nilus engendreth And certainely when you will consider the aboundance of water that is in this Riuer you will say that there was no nede to haue any fewer or lesser springes to make so huge a streame as this carrieth For in the very mouth of it which is the onely entraunce into it the Riuer is 28. myles broad and when it is in the height of his increase he runneth fresh water 40. or 50. miles into the sea and sometimes 80. so that the passengers doe refresh themselues withal by the troublesomnes of the water they know the place where they are It is nauigable vpwardes with great barkes about 25. miles vntill you come to a certaine straite betweene the rockes where it falleth with such a horrible noise that it may be hearde almost 8. miles And this place is called by the Portingalles Cachiuera that is to say a Fall or a Cataracte like to the Cataractes of Nilus Betweene the mouth of this Riuer and the fall thereof there are diuers great Islands well inhabited with townes and Lordes obedient to the king of Congo which sometimes for the great enmitie that is among them doo warre one against another in certaine boates hollowed out of a stocke of a tree which is of an vnmesurable bignes these boats they call Lungo The greatest boates that they haue are made of a certaine tree called Licondo which is so great that sixe men cannot compasse it with their armes and is in length of proportion aunswerable to the thicknesse so that one of them will carrie about 200. persons They rowe these boates with their oares which are not tyed to any loopes but they holde them at libertie in their handes and moue the water therewith at pleasure Euery man hath his oare and his bowe and when they fight together they lay downe their oare and take their bowe Neyther do they vse any other Rudders to turne and gouerne their boates but onely their oares The first of these Islandes which is but a little one is called the Isle of Horses because there are bredde and brought vp in it great store of those creatures that the Greekes call Hippopotami that is to say Water-horses In a certaine village within this Islande doe the Portingals dwel hauing withdrawen themselues thether for their better securitie They haue their vesselles to transporte them ouer the water to the firme lande vpon the south banke of the Riuer which lande is called the hauen of Pinda where many shippes doe ryde that arriue therein In this Riuer there are liuing diuerse kinds of creatures and namely mighty great Crocodiles which the Countrey people there call Caiman and Water-horses aboue named And another kind of creature that hath as it were two hands and a taile like a Target which is called Ambize Angulo that is to say a Hogge-fishe because it it as fat as a Porke The flesh of it is very good and thereof they make Larde and so keepe it neyther hath it the sauour or taste of a fish although it bee a fishe It neuer goeth out from the fresh water but feedeth vpon the grasse that groweth on the banks hath a mouth like the mozell of an Oxe There are of these fishes that weigh 500. poundes a peece The fishermen vse to take them in their little boates by marking the places where they feed and then with their hookes and forkes striking and wounding them they drawe them dead forth of the water and when they haue cut them in peeces they carry them to the king For who soeuer doth not so encurreth the penaltie of death and so doe they likewise that
the Lorde of Batta already fighting with a formall Armie But at the arriual of the king the enemies yeelded and submitted themselues to the obedience which before they performed and so he returned in triumph to the Cittie of Congo and the Prince his son with him who presently was desirous to become a Christian and was christened by the name of the first Prince of Portingall called Alfonso and with him also were christened many gentlemen and Caualieros and other of his seruantes that came with him out of his Prouince But see the Deuill once againe the vtter enemy of Christian Religion howe hee prosecuted his former intent to hinder Christianitie among these people For when hee perceyued that hee preuayled nothing by these wars he incensed the mind of the Kings second Son that hee woulde not agree to receiue the new Keligion which his Father his Mother his Brother so many other Lords had imbraced sowing his Cockle Darnel not onely in him but also in many other Lordes that fauoured him who being addicted rather to the sensualitie of the flesh then the puritie of the minde resisted the Gospel which beganne now to be preached especially in that Commaundement wherein it is forbidden that a man should haue any mo wiues but one A matter that among them was more harde and difficult to be receyued then any other Commandement whatsoeuer because they were vsed to take as many wiues as they would And thus the two brethren being diuided betweene themselues eyther of them did stiffly maintaine his seuerall opinion The eldest brother Don Alfonso did with great feruencie defende Christianitie burned all the Idoles that were within his Prouince The second brother called Mani-Pango because he was Gouernour of the Countrey of Pango did resist it mightely and had gotten the greatest part of the principall Lordes of Pango to bee on his side For there were diuers of the newe christned Lordes whose Ladies seeing themselues seperated and forlorne of their Husbande-Lordes by force of the Christian Lawe did take it as a great iniury and scorne done vnto them and blasphemed and cursed this new Religion beyond all measure These Lords vnited themselues together with others and began to plot treachery against Don Alfonso hoping that if they could ridde him out of the world the Christian Faith would vtterly cease of it selfe And therefore Mani-Pango and his complices gaue intelligence to his Father that the Prince Don Alfonso fauoured the Christian faction onely to the end that vnder the colour of his countenance and fauour they might rayse an insurrection and rebellion against him and so driue him out of his kingdome The king gaue credite to their informations and depriued his sonne of the Gouernement wherein hee was placed But the prouidence of God which reserued him for a greater matter did relieue him by the good mediation and counsell of his frendes who entreated the King his Father that he would not be moued to anger before he had examined the answeres reasons of the Prince his sonne Wherein the Kinge was especially perswaded by Mani-Sogno who as we tolde you was before christened and called Don Emanuel and by good happe was in Court at that present This man being the auncientest Courtier and Lorde of that time singularly well beloued of the king and all his people did with sound reasons and dexterity of wit procure the king to reuoke the sentence that was giuen against the Prince Don Alfonso so that the Kinge being afterwardes throughly informed both of the honest mind and actions of his sonne perceiued that the accusations plotted against him were false and malicious and therevpon restored him againe to his former gouernement with a speciall charge that hee shoulde not proceed with such rigour against the Gentiles for the propagation exaltation of the christian Religion But he being full of feruent charity and godly spirit ceased not for all that to aduance the faith of the Gospell and to put the commandements of God in execution Chap. 3. Don Iohn the first Christian King being dead Don Alfonso his sonne succeeded Of his warres against his Brother Of certaine miracles that were wrought and of the Conuersion of those people NOw together with the death of the king there was also published the succession to the Crowne of Don Alfonso being then present who in his owne person did accompanie the corps of his deade Father to the buriall withall the Lords of the Court and all the Christian Portingalles which was solemnised after the manner of Christendome with seruice and prayers for the dead and all this with such funerall pompe as was neuer seene before among those people But they which heretofore were aduersaries to this newe King doubting of their owne safetie if they should remaine in the Court vnited themselues with Mani-Pango who was nowe departed into the Prouince of his owne Gouernment and while his father liued was wholly employed in fighting against the Mozombi and certaine other people that had rebelled against him When he heard of the death of his Father and vnderstoode that his brother was already placed in the Seate Royall he tooke truce with his enemies and gathering together a great armie beganne to go in armes against his Brother and lead with him almost all the whole Realme which in deed fauoured him to the number of two hundred thousande men King Alfonso awaited his comming at the Royall Cittie with a very small number sauing that he was directed aduised and assisted by the good auncient Lord Mani-Sogno who vniting himselfe vnto him in the strength and vertue of the holy Christian Faith and making a list of all those armed frends that he had to defend him against so great an enemy found by computation that they did not amount to the number of ten thousand among which there were but about one hundred Christians naturall of that Countrey besides some few Portingalles which by chance arriued there at that time All these people were indeed too few for such an encounter and therefore not very resolute to abide any attempt but became very doubtfull and timorous by reason of the great power that Mani-Pango brought with him But the king trusting confidently in his strong faith and in the Celestiall aide and assistance comforted and strengthened his souldiers by all the meanes he could and so did the good olde Lorde his vncle who ceased not both night and day with words and deeds to encourage that smal number which they had to expect and endure the assaults of their aduersaries with all manhoode and courage assuring them that God would bee their helpe and succour Thus while they attended the procedinges of their enemies Mani-Pango and his forces set forwardes to the besieging of the Cittie with so great a noise of warlicke instrumentes and cries and shoutinges and terrible threatninges that the poore fewe which were in the Cittie aswel Christians as others fainted in
had receiued the Water of Holy Baptisme and the knowledge of the liuing God Now the King hauing gathered together all these abhominable Images and put them into diuers houses within the Cittie and commanded that to the same place where a little before hee had fought and vanquished his brothers Armie euery man should bring a burthen of woode which grew to be a great heape when they had cast into it all the said Idoles pictures and whatsoeuer els the people afore that time held for a God he caused fire to be set vnto them and so vtterly consumed them When he had thus done he assembled all his people together and in steed of their Idoles which before they had in reuerence hee gaue them Crucifixes and Images of Saintes which the Portingalles had brought with them and enioyned euery Lord that euery one in the Cittie of his owne Gouernment and Regiment shoulde builde a Church and set vp Crosses as he had already shewed vnto them by his owne example And then he tolde them and the rest of his people that hee had dispatched an Embassadour into Portingall to fetch Priestes that should teach them Religion and administer the most holy and holesome Sacraments to euery one of them and bring with them diuers Images of Christ of the Virgin Mother and of other Saintes to distribute among them In the meane while hee willed them to bee of good comfort and to remaine constant in the faith But they had so liuely imprinted the same in their hartes that they neuer more remembred their former beliefe in false and lying Idoles He ordayned moreouer that there shoulde be three Churches builded One in reuerence of our Sauiour to giue him thanks for the victorie which he had granted vnto him wherein the Kinges of Congo doe lye buried and whereof the Cittie Royall tooke the name for as it was tolde you before it is called S. Sauiours The second Church was dedicated to the Blessed Virgin the Mother of God called Our Ladie of Helpe in memory of the succour which he had against his enemies And the thirde was consecrated to S. Iames in honour and remembraunce of the miracle which that Saint had wrought by sighting in the fauour of the Christians shewing himselfe on horsebacke in the heat of the battell Not long after this the shippes arriued from Portingall with many men that were skifull in the holy scriptures and diuers religious Friers of the orders of S. Frauncis and of Saint Dominike and of Saint Austine with sundry other Priestes who with great charitie and feruencie of spirite sowed and dispearsed the Catholike Faith ouer all the Countrey which was presently embraced by all the people of the kingdome who held the said Priests in so high reuerence that they worshipped them like Saintes by kneeling vnto them and kissing their hands and receiuing their blessing as often as they met them in the streetes These Priestes being arriued into their seueral Prouinces did instruct the people in the faith of Christ and taking vnto them certaine of the naturalles of the Countrey they taught them the true heauenly doctrine whereby they might the better declare the same to their owne Countreymen in their owne proper language So that in processe of time the Catholike Faith was rooted ouer all those Countreyes in such sorte as it perseuereth and continueth there euen till this day although it hath endured some small hinderance as in conuenient place we shall shew vnto you Chap. 4. The death of the King Don Alfonso and the succession of Don Piedro How the Islande of Saint Thomas was first inhabited and of the Bishop that was sent thether Other great accidents that happened by occasion of Religion The death of two Kings by the conspiracie of the Portingalles the Lordes of Congo How the Kinges linage was quite extinguished The banishment of the Portingalles WHile these matters were thus in working for the seruice of God that Christianitie was nowe begun and encreased with so happy successe it pleased God to call away to himselfe the King Don Alfonso who at the time of his death yeelded great signes which beautified and exalted his former life For he dyed in great faith declaring that his hower was now come and discoursed of the Christian Religion with so great confidence and charitie as it euidently appeered that the Crosse and Passion the true beliefe in our Sauiour Iesus Christ was imprinted in the roote of his heart To Don Piedro his sonne successour he did especially principally recommend the Christian doctrine which in deed following the example of his father he did maintain and vphold accordingly In his time there began to sayle into these quarters a great number of vessels and the Islande of S. Thomas was inhabited with Portingalles by the Kinges commandment For before those dayes it was all waste and desert within lande and inhabited onely vpon the shore by a few saylers that came from the countries adioyning But when this Islande in processe of time was well peopled with Portingalles and other nations that came thether by licence of the King and became to be of great trafficke and was tilled and sowed the king sent thether a Bishoppe to gouerne the Christians that were in that Islande and those also that were in Congo which the said Bishoppe did accomplish presently vpon his arriuall and afterwardes in Congo where hee tooke possession of his Pastorall charge When he was come into the kingdome of Congo it was a thing incredible to see with howe great ioy hee was entertained by the Kinge and all his people For from the sea side euen vnto the Cittie being the space of a hundred and fiftie miles he caused the streetes to bee made smooth and trimme and to be couered all ouer with Mattes commanding the people that for a certaine space seuerally appointed vnto them they shoulde prepare the wayes in such sort that the Bishoppe shoulde not set his foote vpon any part of the grounde which was not adorned But it was a farre greater wonder to behold all the countrey thereaboutes and all the trees and all the places that were higher then the rest swarming with men and weomen that ran forth to see the Bishop as a man that was holy and sent from God offering vnto him some of them lambes some kiddes some chickins some Partriches some venison and some fish and other kindes of victuailes in such aboundance that hee knew not what to do withall but leaft it behind him whereby he might well know the great zeale and obedience of these new Christians And aboue all other thinges it is to be noted for a memorable matter that the Bishoppe going on his way there met him an innumerable multitude of men weomen and girles and boyes and persons of fourescore yeares of age and aboue that crossed him in the streetes and with singular tokens of true beliefe
no mans life so that hauing diuided themselues into seuerall armies they ruled and gouerned sometimes in one Prouince and sometimes in another ouer all the kingdome With this persecution did God generally afflict and chastize all the inhabitantes of the saide Kingdome of Congo the King himselfe the Lordes the people the Portingalles and their Clergie euery one in their degree and calling As for the poore people they went wandring like vagabondes ouer all the Countrey and perished for hunger and want of necessaries And for the Kinge with those that followed him and had saued themselues in the Islande they also because the Isle was very little and the multitude great were oppressed with so terrible a scarsitie of victuailes that the most part of them dyed by famine and pestilence For this dearth so increased and meate arose to so excessiue a rate that for a very small pittance God wot they were faine to giue the price of a slaue whome they were wont to sell for tenne Crownes at the least So that the Father was of necessitie constrayned to sell his owne sonne and the brother his brother and so euery man to prouide his victuailes by all manner of wickednesse The persons that were solde for the satisfying of other mens hunger were bought by the Portingal Marchants that came from S. Thomas with their ships laden with victuailes Those that sold them said they were slaues and those that were solde iustified and confirmed the same because they were desirous to be ridde of their greedie torment And by this occasion there was no small quantity of slaues that were borne in Congo solde vpon this necessitie and sent to the Isle of S. Thomas to Portingall among whome there were some of the bloud Royall and some others principall Lordes By this affliction the King did manifestly learne know that all these great miseries and aduersities abounded for his misdeedes and although he was not much punished with hunger because hee was a King yet he did not escape the cruel infirmitie of the Dropsie that made his legges to swell exceedingly which disease was engendred partely by the ayre and very ill diet and partely by the moystnesse of the Islande and so it accompanied him euen vntill his death But in the meane while being stricken to the hart with these misfortunes and calamities he conuerted and turned to God requiring pardon for his offences and doing pennance for his sinnes and then was counselled and aduised by the Portingalles that he shoulde sende to request succours of the King of Portingall by certayne Embassadours that might recount vnto him all the mischiefes which had lighted vpon him This Embassage was accordingly performed at the same time that the K. Don Sebastiano began his raign who with great speed and kindnesse sent him succours by a Captaine called Francesco di Gouea a man well exercised in diuers wars both in India and also in Africa who lead with him sixe hundred Souldiers and many Gentlemen Aduenturers that did accompany him Chap. 6. The King of Portingall sendeth aide and an Embassadour to the King of Congo The knowledge of the Mettall mines which abound in Congo is denyed the King of Portingall At the same time the King of Congo dispatcheth Embassadours to the King of Spaine to request Priestes of him what befell vnto them He sendeth diuers proofes of the Mettalles The vow of Odoardo Lopes THis Captayne Francesco di Gouea carried with him a commandement from his Kinge that the Islande of Saint Thomas shoulde prouide him ships and victuails and whatsoeuer els was requisite for this enterprise And with this prouision hee arriued at the last in the Isle of Horse where the King of Congo was resident In whose company the Portingalles departing from thence gathering together all the men of warre in that Countrey with all speed possible put themselues onwardes against their aduersaries and fought with them sundry times in plaine battell so that at the ende of one yeare and a halfe they restored the King into his former estate Which victory they atchieued in deede by the noyse and force of their Arcubuses for the Giachi are exceedingly afraid of that weapon rather then by the valour and strength of their souldiers And so they were in spight of their teeth driuen out of the Realme of Congo but few of them there were that returned home againe to see their frendes But the Portingall Captaine stayed there for the space of foure yeares to settle the King in his Kingdome and then returned into Portingall with letters of request to his King that hee woulde sende ouer some moe Priestes to vpholde and maintaine the Christian Religion Howbeit a number of Portingalles that came by shippe with him remained behinde him in these Countries and are at this daye become very rich and wealthie men And the King being thus established in his former degree and the Kingdome all in quyet and peace became a very good Christian and married the Ladie Catarina who is yet aliue by whom he had fower daughters and by certaine Maide-seruants which he kept two sonnes and one daughter And because in those regions the weomen doe not succeede there remayned as heyre of his kingdome his elder sonne called also Don Aluaro who liueth at this day During the time that the foresaide Captaine stayed in Congo the King of Portingall Don Sebastiano vnderstanding that there were in that Kingdome diuers Caues and Mines of Siluer of Golde other Mettalles sent thether two persons that were cunning and skilful in that Arte for therein they had serued the Castilians in the West to make search for them and to drawe some profite thereof But the King of Congo was by a certaine Portingall called Francesco Barbuto that was his Confessour and great familiar perswaded to the contrary that he should not in any case suffer those Mines to be discouered signifying vnto him that thereby peraduenture the free enioying and possession of his Kingdome might by little and little be taken quite from him and therefore aduised him that he woulde cause these skilfull Maisters to bee ledde and guided by some other wayes where hee knewe there were no Mettall-Mynes to be founde which he did accordingly But assuredly it grew afterwardes to a great mischiefe that the King would not suffer this Arte of digging and melting of mettalles so greatly esteemed ouer all Europe to be exercised in Congo For therevpon beganne the great trade and trafficke in that Countrey to cease and the Portingall Marchants did not greatly care for venturing thether or dwelling there any more and so consequently very few Priestes resorted among them So that aswell vpon these occasions as also for other such causes afore rehearsed the Christian Religion waxed so colde in Congo that it wanted verye little of being vtterly extinguished But the King Don Aluaro as it hath beene tolde you after all these mighty afflictions laid
his Commissions But diuers great accidentes there happened many difficulties that crossed him and altogether hindered the course of those affaires which hee had to accomplish in the name of the King of Congo For first hee hearde the dolorous newes of the Kinges death that sent him on this message and then the King Don Philip was wholly busied about the conquest of England so that this busines went nothing forwardes but was delayed from time to time neyther did he see any meanes of dispatch but rather hee was giuen to vnderstand that for that time they could not intende to harken vnto him Now the foresaide Odoardo being afflicted with so many aduersities began to call to mind the innumerable perilles that he had passed and the deadly infirmitie wherewith he was plagued after that long horrible nauigation He saw that he was sometimes cast downe and sometimes exalted and knew that in this worlde there was none other rest or quiet but in God Almightie He was greatly oppressed with hart griefe which he did dayly and continually endure because he could not relieue the necessities wherewith the people of Congo were vexed and troubled and manifestly perceyued that those poore soules incurred the extreame daunger of falling into the vtter darkenesse of hell He considered the great expenses that euery day must be defrayed at the Court for the maintenance of himselfe and his familie Lastly he was wholly depriued of all hope that he should euer be able to bring that matter to effect which the king of Congo had imposed vpon him And therefore he made choice of another course that was not onely profitable for him but also most wholesome for his soule For the good Angell had touched his harte and caused him with a manly courage to abandon the Sword and to take the Crosse vpon him and therevpon hee renounced the worlde with all the deceitfull pompe and glorie thereof and in Madrill apparelled himselfe in a graye course habite and so went to Rome to declare to Sixtus Quintus the Pope the tenor and Commission of his Embassage because he would not altogether neglect the good intent and meaning of the King that had sent him although he were now descended into a better life He was kindly welcomed and receiued by his Holines to whom hee discoursed the miserable estate wherein the Christian people of the Realme of Congo did stand for want of the worship and seruice of God and also the small number of Priestes that were there to instruct them in the doctrine of the Gospel and to deliuer vnto them the Sacraments of the Church especially the multitude in that countrey being as it were innumerable that euery day resorted together to bee baptised instructed confessed and communicated Moreouer he made a vowe and resolued in his minde that with such store of wealth as God had blessed him withall in Congo which was not very small he would builde a house wherein for the seruice of God there should dwell certaine learned men and sundrie Priests to instruct the youth of those Countries in all good languages and in the arts liberal and in the doctrine of the Gospell and in the misteries of our saluation Out of which house as it were out of a holy Schoole there might come forth from time to time many learned men and well studied in the law of God that shoulde be able in their owne naturall Countrey tongue to awaken and raise againe the Faith of Christ which was now asleepe and dried vp in those Regions and thereby in processe of time there woulde spring vp many fruits of blessing vigilant soules in the Christian Faith Herevnto he ment also to adde an Hospitall that might be a recourse and harbor for Gods poore which coming and sayling out of strange Countries should haue reliefe and entertainment in that Hostelry and there be cured and restored of their infirmities and necessities With this purpose therefore he went to Rome to obteyne of his holynes a licence to erect this Seminary and Hospitall and to beseech him also that he would graunt him Iubilies Indulgences and other Dispensations that for such Christian and wholsom works are requisite especially to the vse benefit of those Countries which are so remote from Christendome He presented himselfe to the Pope deliuered vnto him his letters of credence and then declared vnto him at large the tenor of his Commissions wherein he had a gracious audience But when the Pope did vnderstand that the kingdome of Congo belonged to the king of Spaine he remitted that matter wholly vnto him Chap. 7. Of the Court of the King of Congo Of the apparell of that people before they became Christians and after Of the Kinges table and manner of his Court. HEtherto we haue manifestly discouered the beginning of Christian Religion in Congo consequently the strange accidents that happened therein And now it is time to discourse lay open the manners and fashions of that Court other customes and conditions appertayning to that Realme In auncient time this King and his Courtiers were apparelled with certaine cloath made of the Palme-Tree as we haue tolde you before wherewith they couered themselues from the girdlesteed downewardes and girded the same streyght vnto them with certaine girdles made of the same stuffe very faire and well wrought They vsed also to hang before them like an apron certaine delicate and dainty skinnes of little Tygres of Ciuet-Cattes of Sabelles of Marternes and of such like creatures for an ornament and for a more glorious pompe and shew they did weare vpon their shoulders a certaine cape like a Whoode Vpon their bare skinne they had a certaine rounde garment like a Rotchet which they call Incutto reaching downe to their knees made after the manner of a net but the stuffe of it was very fine cloth of the said Palme-Tree at the skirtes there hung a number of threede-tasselles that made a very gallant shew These Rotchets were turned vp againe tucked vpon their right shoulder that they might be the more at libertie on that hande Vpon that shoulder also they had the taile of a Zebra fastned with a handle which they vsed for a kinde of brauery according to the most auncient custome of those partes On their heades they wore cappes of yellow and redde colour square aboue and very little so that they scarcely couered the toppes of their heads and worne rather for a pompe and a vanitie then to keepe them eyther from the ayre or from the Sunne The most part of them went vnshodde but the King and some of the great Lords did weare certaine shooes of the olde fashion such as are to be seene in the ancient Images of the Romanes and these were made also of the woode of the Palme-Tree The poorer sorte and the common people were apparelled from their middle downewardes after the same manner but the cloath was courser and
to such an excessiue compasse and widenes that it is a wonder as may be seene in the discourse touching the Cape of Good-Hope and all these kingdomes of Congo and the Countreyes there adioyning where there are Lakes of so extraordinarie a bignesse that in the languages of those Regions they are not called Lakes but Seas And thus you see how the Riuer Nilus in the times and seasons before mentioned on the one side doeth runne most furiously from those Countries into the North to water Aegypt and the Riuer Zaire and the Riuer Nigir on the other side Westwarde and Eastwarde and towardes the South other huge and monstrous Riuers which at certaine determined and limited times doo neuer faile to encrease as Nilus doeth And this is the effect of them which is ordinarily seene euery yeare especially in Cairo and ouer all Aegypt where Nilus beginneth to ryse about the ende of Iune and continueth his rising till the twentith of September as I haue seene my selfe But the occasion and cause of this encrease hath beene vntill this present time very secret and obscure and although the ancient writers beginning euen at Homere haue after a sorte and in generall tearmes leaft in writing that Nilus doeth increase by raine yet haue they not so distinctly and plainely discoursed thereof as Signor Odoardo hath done and testified the same by his owne view and knowledge For some there were that haue assigned the cause of this ouerflowing to bee the raine that commeth from the Mountaines of the Moone Others haue attributed it to the snowes that are melted in those Mountaines yet Nilus doth not swell or ryse any thing neere to the Mountaines of the Moone but a great way from them towards the North and besides that the season of winter doeth rather breed Snow then yeeld any heate to melt it And now that I haue with good diligence enquired of Signor Odoardo these matters aboue written vpon such pointes as I had before plotted to my selfe and hee also propounding the rest vnto mee of his owne meere motion like a man of high conceite as in truth he is and satisfying me with such aunsweres as are set downe in this discourse yet I doo assure my selfe that euery man will not rest fully contented and satisfyed herewith especially such as are curious and practised in matters of the worlde and skilfull in the Sciences The Geographer woulde peraduenture desire to vnderstand more and the Phisician and the maister of Mineralles and the Historiographer and the Marchaunt and the Marriner and the Preacher and some others that are different from these in respect of their profession But Signor Odoardo hath promised with as much speed as possible he may to returne to Rome from Congo whether he sayled presently after he had finished this treatise which was in May 1589. with very ample informations and further instructions for the supplying of that which here wanteth touching Nilus and his originall and such other matter In the meane time that little which is contayned in these few leaues is not very little But yet if perhaps there be any thing found therein that may be eyther profitable or straunge or delightfull or fit to passe away the time and to driue away Melancholie let it bee wholly ascribed to the right noble and Reuerend Father my Lorde Antonie Migliore Bishop of San Marco and Commendador of Santo Spirito who was the authour of this worke to be published for the common benefit FINIS A TABLE OF THE CHAPTERS CONtayned in the first Booke of The Report of the Kingdome of Congo THe iourney by Sea from Lisbone to the Kingdome of Congo Chap. I. fol. 1. Of the temperature of the ayre of the kingdome of Congo and whether it bee very colde or hot whether the men bee white or blacke Whether are more or lesse blacke they that dwell in the hilles or those that dwell in the plaines Of the winds and the raines and the snowes in those quarters and of what stature and semblaunce the men of that Countrey are Chapter II. fol. 13. Whether the children which are begotten by Portingalles being of a white skinne and borne in those Countries by the women of Congo be blacke or white or tawney like a wilde Oliue whom the Portingalles call Mulati Chap. III. fol 18. Of the circuite of the kingdome of Congo and of the borders and confines thereof And first of the Westerne Coast. Chap. IIII. fol. 20. Of the North coast of the Kingdome of Congo and the confines thereof Chap. V. fol. 30. Of the East coast of the Kingdome of Congo and the Confines thereof Chap. VI. fol. 38 Of the Confines of the Kingdome of Congo towardes the South Chap. VII fol. 43. Of the circuite of the Kingdome of Congo possessed by the King that now is according to the foure borders aboue described Chap. VIII fol. 58. The sixe Prouinces of the Kingdome of Congo and first of the Prouince of Bamba Chap. IX fol. 60. Of the Prouince of Sogno which is the Countrey of the Riuer Zaire and Loango Chap. X. fol. 94. Of the third Prouince ealled Sundi Chap. XI fol. 96. Of the fourth Prouince called Pango Chap. XII fol. 99. Of the fifth Prouince called Batta Chap. XIII fol. 100. Of the sixt and last Prouince called Pemba Chap. XIIII fol. 104 A Table of the Chapters contayned in the seconde Booke OF the situation of the Royall Cittie of the Kingdome of Congo Chap. 1. fol. 107 Of the Originall beginning of Christendome in the Kingdome of Congo and how the Portingalles obtayned this trafficke Chap. II. fol. 118. Don Iohn the first Christian King being dead Don Alfonso his sonne succeeded Of his warres against his brother Of certaine miracles that were wrought and of the conuersion of those people Chap. III. fol. 133. The death of King Don Alfonso and the succession of Don Piedro How the Island of S. Thomas was first inhabited of the Bishop that was sent thether Other great accidentes that happened by occasion of Religion The death of two Kinges by the conspiracie of the Portingalles and the Lords of Congo How the Kings lineage was quite extinguished The banishment of the Portingals Chap. IIII. fol. 150. The incursions of the people challed Giachas in the Kingdome of Congo Their conditions and weapons And the taking of the Royall Cittie Chap. V. fol. 159. The King of Portingall sendeth ayde and an Embassadour to the King of Congo The knowledge of the Mettall Mines which abound in Congo is denyed the King of Portingall At the same time the King of Congo dispatcheth Embassadours to the King of Spaine to request Priestes of him and what befell vnto them He sendeth diuers proofes of the mettalles The vowe of Odoardo Lopes Chap. VI. fol. 163 Of the Court of the King of Congo Of the apparell of that people before they became Christians and after Of the Kinges Table and manner of his Court Chap. VII fol. 177 Of the
description therof PaÌ„go the chief town of this Prouince Don Francisco chiefe Gouernour of Pango The fift Prouince Batta the description thereof Batta the chiefe towne of all Batta The Preeminence of the Gouernour of Batta Don Pedro chiefe Gouernour of Batta The K. of CoÌ„go wil not suffer any natural borne subiect in Congo to haue an Arcubuse The reason why the K. of Congo permitteth Mani-Batta to haue Arcubusiers in his Prouince The Giacâ—â—â— The conditions of the people of Batta Their traffick The sixt Prouince Pemba and the situation thereof Don Antonio cheife Gouernor of Pemba The chiefe Cittie of all Congo is situate in this prouince of PeÌ„ba The Courtiers c. dwel for the most part in Pemba Conclusion of this booke The contents of the seconde booke The Territory of the chiefest Cittie in all Congo contayneth in compasse 20. miles about The chief Citty called San-Saluadore The situation of the Citty The mountaine wherevpon it standeth The soile the ayre the waters and the cattell The Otheiro The reason why they built in this place Fiue miles froÌ„ the bottome of the hill to the toppe A riuer at the hill foote The particucular situation of the Cittie A seuerall place for the Portingalles The principall Church and market place Good store of water The plaine very fruitfull Seuerall sortes of graine Luco White Milles called the Mazza of Congo Maiz Diuers kinds of trees bearing fruit Banana Diuers kindes of Palme-trees The oyle of Palme The bread of Palme The fruit of the Palme The wine and Vineger of Palme Great store of stone to build with all Lime timber and cattel to carry and draw Want of workmen to build Stuffe for building ships housing Hearbs and fruites The first trafficke of the Portingalles into Congo Mani Sogno the K. vncle entertaineth the Portingals Mani-Sogno conuerted become a Christian. The King of Congo promiseth to becom a Christian. The K. of Portingall sendeth Priestes to the K. of Congo to instruct him Mani-Sogno promoteth the Christian Religion The ships returne from Portingall 1491. Mani-Sogno his traine entertayneth the Portingals Mani-Sogno buildeth a Church Mani Sogno his sonne baptized What names the people of Congo had before they were christened A sermon coÌ„tayning the summe of Christian Religion Mani Sogno rehearseth the Sermon to his people The Portingals go to the Court to baptise the king The Courtiers of Congo meet the Portingals The king him selfe recceyueth them The Portingal Embassadour declareth his Embassage The K. reioyceth at the Embassage The people reioyce at it The K. vieweth the Presents sent vnto him by the K. of Portingall Consultation among the Portingals for the Christening of the K. for the building of a Church An insurrection raised by the Deuill to hinder the progresse of Christian Religion Mani-Sundi goeth against the rebelles The K. buildeth in haste a Church of timber The K. Q. of Congo Christened The Church of S. Saviours The Latine historie of the Indies doth report amisse of this rebellion Diuers Lordes baptised The K. goeth in person against the rebels and discomfiteth theÌ„ Mani-Sundi christened and many other with him Mani-Pango resisteth the Gospell Mani-Pango and his complices accuse Mani-Sundi to his father The K. depriueth Mani-Sundi of his gouernment Mani-Sogno maketh intercession for his brother Mani-Sundi restored The funerall of K. Iohn celebrated by K. Alfonso Mani-Pango rebelleth against his brother The Kinges power both slender and timorous The king to his souldiers The Kinges Souldiers depart from him Mani-Sogno meeteth with them The Fugitiues returne and aske the King forgiuenes The K. giueth thankes to God The King erecteth a Crosse of a great length A vision appeared to him The Armes of the King of Congo The proude message of Mani-Pango to the King The Kinges answere The King rewardeth his followers Certain timorous fugitiues runne to the Campe of Mani-Pango A stratagem of Mani-PaÌ„go Mani-Pango assaulteth the Cittie Mani-Pango discomfited without any fight Mani-Pango the seconde time discomfited in like manner Mani-Pango assaulteth the Cittieon both sides at once The stratagem of Mani-Pango turneth to his owne destruction The death of Mani-Pango The Rebelles yeeld to the kings mercie The building of the Church called Saint Crosses K. Alfonso dispatcheth the Portingal Embassadour mother of his owne into Portingall The K. commandeth all Idolles to be brought in all other things that are contrary to Christian Religion Their deuout worshipping of Idols Witches The K. burned all the Idols The king commandeth euery Lorde to build a Church in the Cittie of his owne gouernment The K. buildeth 3. Churches One to Saint Sauiour The second to our Ladie of Helpe The third to S. Iames The ships returne from Portingall with Friers Priestes King Alfonso dyeth Don Piedro succeedeth him The Isle of S. Thomas beginneth to be inhabited The King of Portingall sendeth one to be Bishop of the Isle of S. Thomas and of Congo The entertainment of the Bishop in Congo The Bishoppe foundeth the Cathedrall Church of S. Crosses The Bishop dyeth The second B. dyeth The K. Don Piedro dyeth Don Francesco succeedeth dyeth Don Diego the fift King The K. Diego very sumptuous The third B. of S. Thomas of Congo Dissention betweene the Friers and Priests the new Bishop After the death of K. Diego three Princes at once challenge the Kingdom and all three slaine The Portingalles slaine dispearsed Don Henrico created king K. Henrico dieth Don Aluaro succeedeth and so the stocke of of the ancient Kings of Congo ceased K. Aluaro restoreth the Portingals The B. of S. Thomas returneth into Congo The B. of S. Thomas dieth K. Aluaro liueth licentiously Francesco Bulla Matare an ill companion counsellour to the King Bullamatare dyeth What people the Giachas are Their conditions weapons The Giachas spoile the prouince of Batta The Giachas come to the Royall Cittie of Congo K. Aluaro flieth into the Isle of Horses The Giachas surprise the Cittie and rule ouer all the kingdom The King those that followed him plagued with an extreame famine Many of the bloud Royall sold for slaues to the Portingalles King Aluaro falleth into a Dropsie K. Aluaro sendeth to the K. of Portingall for succor Don Sebastian the King of Portingal sendeth succour vnto him Francesco di Gouea restoreth the King and driueth the Giachas out of Congo Francesco di Gouea after foure yeares returneth into Portingal with letters for mo Priestes The K. becommeth a good Christian marieth The K. of Portingal sendeth to make search in Congo for mettal Mines Francesco Barbuto disswadeth the King from making the search auoydeth it by pollicy The inconuenience of not suffering the mettall mines to be digged melted The K. sendeth new Embassadours into Portingall for mo priests The Portingal K. delayeth to send mo Priestes The King of Congo sendeth Don Sebastiano Aluarez to entreat for Priestes to redeeme certaine of his nobilitie that were in