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 marchaÌ„ts 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 câ—erke 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 â—aid 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 â—ayth 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 conuenâ—ent iust and reasonable satisfaction for all molestatious vniustly ofâ—â—red 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. coÌ„cerning the which there was sentence giuen in England by the coÌ„missioners 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 â—â—xe 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
right honorable William lord de Roos high treasurer of England both of them counsellers vnto the sayd soueraigne king on the one party and the right worshipfull Iohn Godeke and Henrie Moneke sent as messengers by the right reuerend and religious personage Frater Conradus de Iungingen Master generall of the Dutch knights of the Order of S. Mary on the other party it was at the request and instancie of the sayd messengers appoynted and mutually agreed vpon that all the liege people and subiects of the sayd soueraigne lord and king shall haue free licence and liberty vntill the feast of Easter next ensuing safely to trauel vnto the land of Prussia aforesayd there to remaine and thence with their ships marchandises other their goods whatsoeuer to returne vnto their owne home which on the other side all the subiects of the sayd Master general may within the terme prefixed likewise doe in the foresaid realme of England Prouided alwaies that after the time aboue limited neither the sayd marchants of the realme of England may in the land of Prussia nor the marchants of that land in the realme of England exercise any traffique at al vnles it be otherwise ordained by some composition betweene the foresaid king of England the said Master general in the meane time concluded In witnesse wherof one part of this present Indenture is to remaine in the custodie of the foresaid messengers Giuen in the Chapter-house of the Church of S. Paul at London the day and yere aboue written The letters of the chancelor and treasurer of England vnto Frater Conradus de Iungingen master generall of Prussia 1403. RIght reuerend and mighty lord your honorable messengers Iohn Godeke and Henry Moneke the bearers hereof comming of late before the presence of our most souereigne lord the king of England and of France and being welcomed by our said lord with a chearefull and fauourable countenance they presented certaine letters on your behalfe vnto the kings Maiestie with that reuerence which be seemed them expounding vnto his highnes sundry piracies molestations offered of late vpon the sea by his liege people subiects vnto yours contrary to the leagues of peace and amitie which hitherto by Gods grace haue bene maintained and continued on both parts In consideration of which piracies and molestations your messengers demanded full restitution and recompeâ—se to be made either vnto the damnified parties or vnto their procurators We therefore at that time especially being in the presence of our soueraigne who with his puissant army tooke his progresse towards the remote part of Wales being subiect vnto his dominion to see iustice executed vpon his people of those parts who very rashly haue presumed to rebell against him their souereigne contrary to their allegeance right well perceiued that it was his hignesse intention that euery one should haue due iustice faithfully administred vnto him especially your subiects and that with all fauour whom he hath alwayes in times past right graciously intreated as if they had bene his owne liege subiects and natiue countrey men whome also hee purposeth hereafter friendly to protect insomuch that betweene him and his subiects on the one party and betweene you and yours on the other party great abundance and perfection of mutuall amity may increase And therefore we offered vnto your foresayd messengers after they had particularly declared vnto vs such piracies and wrongs to sende the kings letters vnto them of whom complaint was made firmely inioyning them vnder grieuous penalties that without delay they restore or cause to bee restored vnto the parties damnified or vnto their procuratours all ships marchandises wares and goods by them taken or violently stolne from your subiects And that your said messengers may partly attaine their desire we haue commaunded certaine ships marchandises wares and goods found in certaine hauens to be deliuered vnto them Howbeit as touching other goods which are perhaps perished or wanting by infortunate dissipation or destruction and for the which the said messengers of yours demand satisfaction to be made vnto them within a certain time by vs limited may it please your honor to vnderstand that in the absence of our sayd souereigne lord the king being as yet farre distant from vs wee can in no wise limit or set downe any such terme of time Notwithstanding at the prosperous returne of our soueraigne we are determined to commune with him about this matter Of whose answere so soone as we be certified we purpose to signifie his intention vnto you by our letters Sithens also right reuerend and mighty lord your sayd messengers are contented for the present to accept of our offer aforesayde as indeede by all reason they ought thereat to rest content especially whereas by this meanes they shall the more speedily attaine vnto the effect of their purposes to the shorte and wished execution and performance of which offer we will by Gods helpe endeuour to the vtmost of our ability may it be your will and pleasure that as in the kingdome of England your marchants and subiects are courteously intreated euen so the marchants and liege people of our soueraigne lord the king and of his kingdomes peaceably frequenting your parts either in regard of traffique or of any other iust occasion may there in like manner friendly bee vsed and with your marchants and subiects suffered to communicate and to haue intercourse of traffique inioying the commodities of the ancient league By this also the feruent zeale and affection which you beare vnto the royall crowne of England shall vndoubtedly appeare albeit betweene the famous houses of England and of Prussia the bandes of vnfained loue and friendship haue bin successiuely confirmed and kept inuiolable in times past And thus right reuerend and mighty lord wishing vnto you increase of honour and prosperity wee take our leaues Written at London the fift of October in the yeare of our lord 1403 By the chancelor the treasurer and other lords of the hono counsell of the king of England and France being personally present at London The letters of king Henry the 4. vnto Conradus de Iungingen the master general of Prussia for mutual conuersation and intercourse of traffique to continue between the marchants of England and of Prussia for a certaine terme of time HEnry by the grace of God king of England France and lord of Ireland to the noble and mighty personage of sacred religion Frater Conradus de Iungingen Master generall of the Order of the Dutch knights of S. Marie c. our most deare and welbeloued friend greeting and continuall increase of our auncient and sincere amity By the grieuous complaynts of our liege subiects concerning traffique as it were circular wise too fro both our dominions we haue often bene aduertised that in regard of diuers iniuries and damages which as well our as your marchants who by their dealings in marchandise were woont peaceably to vse mutual conuersation together
the Whale 413. 113 The deposition of William Burrough to certeine Interrogatories mooued vnto him concerning the Narue and Kegor 414. 114 The reasons of M. William Burrough to disswade the vse of a trade to the Narue by the way through Sweden 416. 115 A remembrance of aduise giuen to the Moscouie merchants touching a voyage for Cola abouesaid 416. 116 An Epistle dedicatorie vnto the Queenes most excellent Maiestie written by M. William Burrough 417. 117 The Queenes Maiesties letters to Shaugh Thamas the great Sophy of Persia. 418. 118 The Latitudes and Meridian Altitudes of diuers places in Russia from the North to the South 431. 119 Directions giuen by M. Richard Hakluyt Esquire to Morgan Hubblethorne Dier sent into Persia. 432. 120 A Commission giuen by sir Rowland Heyward knight and George Barne Aldermen and gouernours of the Moscouie Companyâ— to Arthur Pet and Charles Iackman for the discouery by Sea towards Cathay 433. 121 Rules and orders giuen to be obserued by them in that Discouery 435. 122 Briefe aduises giuen by M. Iohn Dee to that purpose 437. 123 Instructions giuen them by Richard Hakluyt Esquire to that purpose also 437,438 124 The letter of Gerard. Mercator to Richard Hakluyt of Oxford touching that discouery 443. 125 Instructions giuen by the Moscouie Company vnto Richard Gibbs William Biggat Iohn Backhouseâ— c. Masters of their ships 453. 126 The opinion of M. William Burrough sent to a friend requiring his iudgement for the fittest time of the departure of our ships toward S. Nicolas in Russia 455. 127 The Queenes Maiesties Commission giuen to sir Ierome Bowes authorizing him her highnesse Ambassadour with the Emperour of Moscouie 455. 128 The Queenes Maiesties letters written to the Emperour by sir Ierome Bowes in his commendation 457. 129 The discourse of the Ambassage of sir Ierome Bowes to the aforesaid Emperour 458. 130 The maner of preferring suites in Russia 463. 131 A letter of M. Henry Lane to M. William Sanderson merchant of London conteyning a briefe discourse of all things passed in our Northren discoueries for the space of 33. yeeres 464. 132 The most solemne and magnificent Coronation of Pheodor Iuanowich Emperour of Russia set downe by M. Ierome Horsey 466. 133 The Priuileges graunted by the newe Emperour to the English merchants and obteined by the foresaid Ierom Horsey 470. 134 The Ambassage of M. Giles Fletcher Doctor of the Ciuil lawe from her Maiestie to the Emperour of Russia 473. 135 A notable description of Ruâ—â—ia 475 c. 136 A speciall note gathered by the excellent Venetian Cosmographer M. Iohn Baptista Ramusius concerning the Northeast passage 495. 137 The Lord Boris Pheodorowich his letter to the right honourable William Burghley Lord high Treasurer of England 498. 138 The Queenes Maiesties letter to Pheodor Iuanowich Emperour of Russia 499. 139 The Queenes Maiesties letters to the Lord Boris Pheodorowich 501. 140 The L. Treasurer sir William Cecil his letter to the Lord Boris Pheodorowich 502. 141 A letter of Pheodor Iuanowich to the Queenes Maiestie 502. 142 An other letter to the Queenes most excellent Maiestie from the Lord Boris Pheodorowich 503. 143 A second letter from the Lord Boris Pheodorowich to the L. William Burghley 504. 144 A most gracious letter of Priuileges giuen to the English merchants by Pheodor Iuanowich 505. 145 The contents of M. Garlands Commission vnto Thomas Simkinson for the bringing of M. Iohn Dee to the Emperour of Russia his Court. 508. 146 A letter to the right worsh. M. Iohn Dee Esquier conteyning the summe and effect of M. Garland his message 508. 147 A branch of a letter from Iohn Merick touching the death of Pheodor Iuanowich 509. 148 A learned Epistle written vnto the famous Cosmographer M. Gerardus Mercator concerning the Countreys Riuers and Seas towards the Northeast 510. 149 The honourable testimonies of diuers strangers touching the notable discoueries of the English made in the North-east parts 513. 150 A briefe Commentarie of the true state of Island 515. 550. 151 A letter written by the graue and learned Gudbrandus Thorlacius Bishop of Holen in Island concerning the ancient state of Island and Gronland 590. THE FIRST VOLVME OF THE principall Nauigations Voyages Traffiques and Discoueries of the English nation made to the North and Northeast quarters of the World with the directions letters priuiledges discourses and obseruations incident to the same Certeine testimonies concerning K. Arthur and his conquests of the North regions taken out of the historie of the Kings of Britaine written by Galfridus Monumetensis and newly printed at Heidelberge Anno 1587. Lib. 9. cap. 10. ANno Christi 517. Arthurus secundo regni sui anno subiugatis totius Hyberniae partibus claslem suam direxit in Islandiam eámque debellato populo subiugauit Exin diuulgato per caeteras insulas rumore quod eâ— nulla Prouincia resistere poterat Doldauius rex Gotlandiae Gunfacius râ—x Orcadum vltrò venerunt promissoque vectigali subiectionem feceiunt Emensa deinde hyeme reuersus est in Britanniam statúmque regni in firmam pacem renouans moram duodecim annis ibidem fecit The same in English IN the yere of Christ 517. king Arthur in the second yeere of his reigne hauing subdued all parts of Ireland sailed with his fleet into Island and brought it and the people thereof vnder his subiection The rumour afterwards being spread thorowout all the other Islands that no countrey was able to withstand him Doldauius the king of Gotland and Gunfacius the king of Orkney came voluntarily vnto him and yeelded him their obedience promising to pay him tribute The Winter being spent he returned into Britaine and establishing his kingdome in perfect peace he continued there for the space of twelue yeres Lib. 9 cap. 12. MIssis deinde in diuersa regna Legatis inuitantur tam ex Gallijs quà m ex collatetalibus Insulis Oceani qui ad curiam venire deberent c. Et paulò post Ex collateralibus autem Insulis Guillaumurius rex Hyberniae Maluasius rex Islandiae Doldauius rex Gotlandiae Gunnasius rex Orchadum Lot rex Noruegiae Aschilius rex Danorum The same in English AFter that king Arthur sending his messengers into diuers kingdomes he summoned such as were to come to his Court aswell out of France as out of the adiacent Islands of the sea c. and a little after From those adiacent Islands came Guillaumurius king of Ireland Maluasius king of Island Doldauius king of Gotland Gunnasius king of Orkney Lot the king of Norway and Aschilius the king of Denmarke Lib. 9 cap. 19. AT reges caeterarum Insularum quoniam non duxerant in morem equites habere pedites quot quisque debebat promittunt ita vt ex sex Insulis videlicet Hyberniae Islandiae Gotlandiae Orcadum Noruegiae atque Daciae sexies viginti millia essent annumerata The same in English BUt the kings of the other Islands because it was not their custome
aforesaid in his kingdome of England it is concluded and agreed about the sayd 20. articles by the aforesaid ambassadors commissioners and procurators as in the acts pleas had and made before the sayd ambassadors commissioners and procurators and in the records made and written of and about the examination of such articles it is more at large contayned vnto the which the sayd ambassadors commissioners and messengers doe here in this place referre themselues of the which articles also some are receiued by the commissioners aforesayd and others are proroged vnto a certaine time vnder written euen as in the foresayd registers it is more fully contayned and put downe in writing As touching certaine other articles also exhibited a newe vnto the sayd English ambassadors in the land of Prussia being 16 in number whereof one is admitted the rest are proroged vntil a terme vnderwritten the same course is to be taken and obserued which was before appoynted and agreed vpon about the articles deliuered and exhibited vnto our foresayd souraigne lorde the king as is aforesayd Moreouer as touching the articles exhibited by the English ambassadours in the name and behalfe of their sayd soueraigne lord the king of England vnto the procuratours and commissioners of the foresayd lord the Master generall of the which some are declared already and the declaration of the rest is proroged vntill a certayne terme vndernamed euen as in the registers made of and vpon the examination of the sayd articles it is more manifestly prouided the same course is to be taken which must be obserued about the articles of the sayd lord the Master generall exhibited as well vnto the foresayd soueraigne prince in England as vnto his ambassadors in the land of Prussia euen as about the sayd articles it is before concluded And whereas on the behalfe of the citizens and marchants of the cities of Rij and Dorp and of other townes in the land of Liuonia many and great complaints haue beneâ— by way of articles exhibited and deliuered vnto the sayd English ambassadours in the land of Prussia which for diuers causes could not as then be ended therefore it is concluded and agreed vpon betweene the ambassadours and the commissioners aforesayd that the saide citizens and marchants may in the towne of Dordâ—act in Holland vpon the first day of the moneth of May next ensuing at the which time and place the continuation and prorogation of all other articles not fully declared in the partes of Prussia shall be put in vre by themselues or their lawfull procurators make their appearance for the obtayning of a conuenient iust and reasonable reformation of all iniuries attempted against them then or at some other times within one whole yere next following and not afterward being effectually set downe and limited at the place aforesaid by the consent of the ambassadours and commissioners of either parte all lawfull impediments ceasing Prouided alwayes that the value and price of all wares goods and marchandises whereof the said citizens and marchants of Liuonia in their articles receiued by the sayde English ambassadours as is aforesayd doe make mention shall be iustly esteemed prized and approoued not by any of England or of Prussia or of Liuonia but by some other indifferent marchants of good credite valuing them at the true rate of marchants which such like marchandise would haue amounted vnto if at the time when they were taken they had bene to be solde at the town of Bruges in Flanders Forasmuch also as diuers and sundry Prussians who exhibited manifolde Articles of complaints being receiued by the said English Ambassadours at their abode in Prussia made not their personall appearance before the saide English Ambassadours in the lande of Prussia aforesaide The prorogation aboue-mentioned was made vnto the first day of the moneth of May and also it was agreed vpon vy the saide Ambassadours Procurators and Commissioners that the saide parties which had not appeared before shall haue libertie graunted them lawfully to make their appearance vpon the first of May aforesaide at the towne of Dordract either by themselues or by their Procurators and also to bring with them the letters testimonial and patents sealed with the seale of the saide Lord the Master generall he hauing first of all receiued sound and sufficient information from the cities whereof the parties plaintife are citizens of the damages and grieuances any way vniustly inflicted vpon them or any of them by the English to the end that they may there by articles conueniently declare and proue before the Ambassadours Procurators messengers and Commissioners of both partes the rate and value of their saide goods and that in so doing they may obtaine conuenient iust and reasonable restitution for all acts vniustly attempted against them then or at some other times effectually to bee set downe and limited at the foresaid place by the consent of the Ambassadors and Commissioners of both parts euen as it was aboue promised vnto the marchants of Liuonia But if they of Prussia last aboue-mentioned shall not vpon the first of May and at the place appointed for some cause make their appearance that then it shal be lawfull for them at anytime within one whole yeere next following to repaire vnto the lord Chancelor of England at the citie of London and to insinuate and declare vnto him their complaints before exhibited vnto the saide English Ambassadours in the land of Prussia or which complaints should haue bene deliuered at the foresaid terme and place or els the which were not then and there fully finished and dispatched and also by articles as is aforesaide to declare and proue the true worth and estimation of all damages and grieuances any wayes vniustly offered by the English vnto them or any of them to the ende that they may as it is aboue mentioned effectually receiue and also speedily and easily obtaine conuenient iust and reasonable reformation and satisfaction for al acts vniustly attempted against them which are contained in the complaints not as yet fully declared and finished Moreouer it is appointed and agreed vpon betweene the foresaide Ambassadours and Commissioners that the forenamed souereign Lord the said lord the Master general are to send and set forward their Ambassadours messengers and Commissioners vpon the first of May vnto the place appointed to treate parle agree and conclude about those affaires which shal then and there happen to be treated of and handled among them Furthermore betweene the often mentioned Ambassadours Procurators and Commissioners it is enacted and concluded that vnto all and singular lawfull statutes ordinations and prohibitions framed made and ordained by the saide lorde the Master generall in his land of Prussia or by his Proconsuls and Consuls and his gouernours of cities townes villages and of other places in the land of Prussia vnto the obseruation whereof aswell the subiectes of the said Master general as foreners and strangers are tyed and bound vnto the very same
Elizabeth by the grace of God Queene of England France and Ireland defender of the faith hath written vnto vs her letters for her merchants who hath made sute that we should grant our goodnesse to the merchants which are of one Company and giue them free leaue to come to traffike in our kingdome to Colmogro and to the countrey of Dwina and to our great citie of Moscouia and to all the cities in our dominions and thorow our countrey to Boghar to Persia Casbin and Charday and to all other countreys 1 We Iohn Vasiliwich Emperour and great duke of all Russia for our sister Elizabeths sake Queene of England haue giuen and granted to the English merchants the Gouernours Consuls Assistants felloship sir Wil. Garrard Knight Rowland Haiward Alderman Ioh. Thamworth Esquire Iohn Riuers Alderman Henry Beecher Alderman Consuls Sir Wil. Chester Knight Edward Iackman Alderman Lionel Ducket Alderman Edward Gilbert Laurence Huse Francis Walsingham Clement Throgmorton Iohn Quarles Nicholas Wheeler Thomas Banister Iohn Harrison Francis Burnham Anthony Gamage Iohn Somers Richard Wilkinson Ioh. Sparke Richard Barne Robert Woolman Thomas Browne Thomas Smith Thomas Allen Thomas More William Bully Richard Yong Thomas Atkinson Assistants Iohn Mersh Esquire Geofrey Ducket Francis Robinson Matthew Field all the rest of their company and fellowship and to their successours and deputies to come with ships and other vessels into our Countrey at Colmogorod Dwina and to all the North parts now being ours or that hereafter shall at any time be in our possession by sea riuer or land euen to our great Citie of Mosco in all the townes of our Countrey to Cazan and Astracan to Nouogorod the great to Plesko Leifland Vriagorod to Narue and all other townes of Leifland 2 And to passe through our land to Boghar Persia Casbin Charday and other Countreyes And wheresoeuer they come there to be and abide freely and to barter and bargaine freely all wares of sale without custome of all people and Marchants strangers whatsoeuer And if so be they bring any fine wares out of Englande or any other Countrey from Boghar Persia Casbin or from any other place those their wares that come by the way of Narue or any other part into our Dominion to bring the same wares into our treasure and our Treasurers to view the same wares and to take into our Treasurie of the same such as shal be needfull for vs. And all such wares as we shal not need our Chancellour to redeliuer y e same And after the view of our Chancellours to barter it freely to whom they will not selling any of their wares needful for vs before our Chancellour haue seene the same And all other grosse and heauy wares that shall be needfull to our vse not being brought to Mosco to declare tell our Chancellour of the same wares And to giue a note thereof by name and how much they leaue there not brought to Mosco and then if we neede not the said wares the English Marchants their seruants Factors to conuey their wares the neerest way to Vstiug the great and so to Colmogorod or elsewhere at their pleasure thâ—re to barter and sell the same But those wares that shal be needfull for our Treasurie they shall not hide from vs in any case And when our Chauncellours shall send our aduenture with the said Marchants or their Factors they to take our aduentures with them and to sell to barter for such wares as shal be meete for our Treasurie and to returne it into our Treasurie And when we shall sende any aduenture into England then our Chauncellour to giue them a yeeres warning that their ships may be prouided thereafter that by taking in of our wares they leaue not their owne behind them And to take our aduenture yeerely when they goe into Persia. Neither shall the English marchants receiue or colour any of our peoples goods nor barter nor sell it in any wise likewise our people not to barter for the sayd English marchants or occupy for them 3 And when they shall come into our Empire of Casan and Astracan and other places of our Dominions thâ—n our Captaines of Casan and Astracan and our authorised people quietly to let them passe not taking any toll or custome of their wares nor once to make search thereof And when we shal send no aduenture with them yet to suffer them freely to passe not viewing their wares nor taking any kinde of custome And whatsoeuer English marchant will bargaine with our Marchants or Factors ware for ware to barter the same at their pleasure And whatsoeuer their Marchant or Factors will sell their wares at their house at Mosco which house I granted them at S. Maxims at the Mosco they to sel the ware to our people either strangers as they may best vtter it keeping within their house arshines measures and waights vnder seales 4 We haue granted them the saide house at S. Maxims in the halfe free and without standing renâ— as heretofore we did graunt it the said English Marchants sir Wil. Garrard and the Company maintayning in the said house one housekeeper a Russe and two Russe seruants or some of their owne countrey men and none other Russes besides the aforesayde And the said housekeepers that shal liue at their house with the English marchants neither to buy nor sel any wares for them but that the said marchants themselues or their factors shall buy sell and barter their owne wares And our Moscouie marchants not to take the said Englishmens wares to sell them in our townes nor to buy any wares for them neither the English marchant to colour any Russes wares at any towne 5 And whatsoeuer English marchant will sell his wares at Colmogorod Dwyna Vologda Yeraslaue Castran Nouogorod the lower Casan Astracan Nouogrod the great Vopsko the Narue Vriagorod or at any other townes they to sel their wares there at their pleasure And of all wares aswell of other countreis as of Russia no officer or other to take any custome neither in any place to stay them in any wise neither take any kinde of toll of them for their wares whatsoeuer 6 And whatsoeuer marchant shall bargaine or buy any wares of English marchants The said Russe not to returne those wares vpon the marchants hands againe but to giue ready money for the said wares otherwise they to craue the Iustice to giue right and to execute the lawe vpon the same with all expedition And when the English marchants or factors shal trauaile from Moscouie after the dispatch of their wares and businesse then to shew themselues vnto our Chancellours whatsoeuer wares of theirs shall goe from Mosco they not to shew the â—ame wares to any our officersâ— nor pay no custome nor toll in any place 7 If it so happen the English marchants haue any wracke and the shippes be brought to any port of our Dominions we to command the said goods to be enquired and
prouince is 35. thousand markes sterling being not the 5. part of his yerely reuenue Further he and his house be of such authoritie and power that in 40. dayes warning they are able to bring into the fielde 100. thousand Souldiers well furnished The conclusion of the Emperors Coronation was a peale of ordinance called a peale royall two miles without the citie being 170. great pieces of brasse of all sorts as faire as any can be made these pieces were all discharged with shot against bulwarkes made of purpose 20. thousand hargubusers standing in 8. rankes two miles in length appareled all in veluet coloured silke stammels discharged their shot also twise ouer in good order and so the Emperor accompanied with all his princes and nobles at the least 50. thousand horse departed through the City to his pallace This royall coronation would aske much time and many leaues of paper to be described particularly as it was performed it shal suffice to vnderstand that the like magnificence was neuer seene in Russia The coronation and other triumphes ended al the nobilitie officers and merchants according to an accustomed order euery one in his place and degree brought rich presents vnto the Emperor wishing him long life and ioy in his kingdome The sametime also Master Ierom Horsey aforesaid remayning as seruant in Russia for the Queenes most excellent Maiestie was called for to the Emperor as he sate in his imperiall seat and then also a famous Merchant of Netherland being newly come to Mosco who gaue him selfe out to be the king of Spaines subiect called Iohn de Wale was in like sort called for Some of the nobilitie would haue preferred this subiect of the Spaniard before Master Horsey seruant to the Queene of England whereunto Master Horsey would in no case agree saying he would haue his legges cut off by the knees before he would yeeld to such an indignitie offered to his Soueraigne the Queenes Maiesty of England to bring the Emperor a present in course after the King of Spaines subiect or any other whatsoeuer The Emperor and the Prince Boris Pheodorowich perceiuing the controuersie sent the Lord Treasorer Peter Iuanowich Galauyn and Vasili Shalkan both of the Counsell to them who deliuered the Emperor backe Master Horseys speech whereupon he was first in order as good reason admitted and presented the Emperor in the behalfe of the English Merchants trading thither a present wishing him ioy and long to raigne intranquilitie and so kissed the Emperors hand he accepting the present with good liking and auouching that for his sisters sake Queene Elizabeth of England he would be a gracious Lord to her Merchants in as ample maner as euer his father had ben and being dismissed he had the same day sent him 70. dishes of sundry kinds of meats with 3. carts laden with al sorts of drinks very bountifully After him was the foresayd subiect of the Spanish king admitted with his present whom the Emperor willed to be no lesse faithfull and seruiceable vnto him then the Queene of Englands subiects were had bene and then the king of Spaines subiects should receiue fauour accordingly All these things thus in order performed praises were sung in all the churches The Emperor and Empresse very deuoutly resorted on foote to many principal Churches in the Citie and vpon Trinitie Sunday betooke themselues to a progresse in order of procession to a famous monasterie called Sergius and the Trinitie 60. miles distant from the Citie of Mosco accompanied with a huge armie of Noblemen Gentlemen and others mounted vpon goodly horses with furniture accordingly The Empresse of deuotion tooke this iourney on foot all the way accompanied with her princesses and ladies no small number her guard and gunners were in number 20000. her chiefe counseller or attendant was a noble man of the blood Roial her vncle of great authoritie called Demetri Iuanowich Godonoua All this progresse ended both the Emperor and Empresse returned to Mosco shortly after the Emperor by the direction of the prince Boris Pheodorowich sent a power into the land of Siberia where all the rich Sables Furres are gotten This power conquered in one yeere and a halfe 1000. miles In the performance of this warre there was taken prisoner the Emperor of the countrey called Chare Sibersky and with him many other dukes and noble men which were brought to Mosko with a guard of souldiers and gunners who were receiued into the citie in very honorable maner and do there remaine to this day Hereupon the corrupt officers Iudges Iustices captains and lieutenants through the whole kingdom were remooued and more honest men substituted in their places with expresse commandement vnder seuere punishment to surcease their old bribing extortion which they had vsed in the old Emperors time and now to execute true iustice without respect of persons and to the end that this might be the better done their lands and yeerly stipends were augmented the great taskes customes and duties which were before layd vpon the people in the old Emperors time were now abated and â—ome wholy remitted and no punishments commanded to be vsed without sufficient and due proofe although the crime were capitall deseruing death many Dukes and noble men of great houses that were vnder displeasure and imprisoned 20. yeeres by the old Emperor were now set at libertie and restored to their lands all prisoners were set at libertie and their trespasses forgiuen In summe a great alteration vniuersally in the gouernment folowed and yet all was done quietly ciuilly peaceably without trouble to the Prince or offence to the Subiect and this bred great assurance and honour to the kingdom and all was accomplished by the wisedom especially of Irenia the Empresse These things being reported and caried to the eares of the kings and princes that were borderers vpon Russia they grew so fearefull and terrible to them that the Monarch of all the Scythians called the Crimme Tartar or great Can himselfe named Sopheâ— Keri Alli came out of his owne countrey to the Emperor of Russia accompanied with a great number of his nobilitie well horsed although to them that were Christians they seemed rude yet they were personable men and valiant their comming was gratefull to the Emperor and their entertainment was honourableâ— the Tartar prince hauing brought with him his wiues also receiued of the Russe Emperor entertainment and princely welcome according to their estates Not long after 1200. Polish gentlemen valiant Souldiors and proper men came to Mosko offring their seruice to the Emperor who were all entertained and in like sort many Chirkasses and people of other natioâ—s came and offred seruice And assoone as the report of this new created Emperor was spred ouer other kingdoms of Europe there were sent to him sundry Ambassadors to wish him ioy and prosperitie in his kingdom thither came Ambassadors from the Turke from the Persian the Boghariaâ— the Crimme the Georgian and many other Tartar
his and their defence encounter expulse repell and resist as well by Sea as by land and by all other wayes whatsoeuer all and euery such person and persons whatsoeuer as without the speciall licence and liking of the sayd Sir Humfrey and of his heires and assignes shall attempt to inhabite within the sayd countreys or any of them or within the space of two hundreth leagues neere to the place or places within such countreys as aforesayd if they shall not bee before planted or inhabited within the limites aforesayd with the subiects of any Christian prince being in amitie with her Maiesty where the said sir Humfrey his heires or assignes or any of them or his or their or any of their associates or companies shall within sixe yeeres next ensuing make their dwellings and abidings or that shall enterprise or attempt at any time hereafter vnlawfully to annoy either by Sea or land the said sir Humfrey his heires or assignes or any of them or his or their or any of their companies giuing and graunting by these presents further power and authoritie to the sayd sir Humfrey his heires and assignes and euery of them from time to time and at all times for euer hereafter to take and surprise by all maner of meanes whatsoeuer all and euery person and persons with their shippes vessels and other goods and furniture which without the licence of the sayd sir Humfrey or his heires or assignes as aforesayd shall bee found traffiquing into any harborough or harboroughs creeke or creekes within the limites aforesayde the â—ubiects of our Realmes and dominions and all other persons in amitie with vs bring driuen by force of tempest or shipwracke onely excepted and those persons and euery of them with their ships vessels goods and furniture to detaine and possesse as of good and lawfull prize according to the discretion of him the sayd sir Humfrey his heires and assignes and of euery or any of them And for vniting in more perfect league and amitie of such countreys landes and territories so to bee possessed and inhabited as aforesayde with our Realmes of England and Ireland and for the better encouragement of men to this enterprise wee doe by these presents graunt and declare that all such countreys so hereafter to bee possessed and inhabited as aforesayd from thencefoorth shall bee of the allegiance of vs our heires and successours And wee doe graunt to the sayd sir Humfrey his heires and assignes and to all and euery of them and to all and euery other person and persons being of our allegiance whose names shall be noted or entred in some of our courts of Record within this our Realme of England and that with the assent of the sayd sir Humfrey his heires or assignes shall nowe in this iourney for discouerie or in the second iourney for conquest hereafter trauel to such lands countries and territories as aforesaid and to their and euery of their heires that they and euery or any of them being either borne within our sayd Realmes of England or Ireland or within any other place within our allegiance and which hereafter shall be inhabiting within any the lands countreys and territories with such licence as aforesayd shall and may haue and enioy all the priuileges of free denizens and persons natiue of England and within our allegiance any law custome or vsage to the contrary notwithstanding And forasmuch as vpon the finding out discouering and inhabiting of such remote lands countreys and territories as aforesayd it shall be necessarie for the safetie of all men that shall aduenture themselues in those iourneys or voiages to determine to liue together in Christian peace and ciuill quietnesse each with other whereby euery one may with more pleasure and profit enioy that whereunto they shall attaine with great paine and perill wee for vs our heires and successours are likewise pleased and contented and by these presents doe giue and graunt to the sayd sir Humfrey and his heires and assignes for euer that he and they and euery or any of them shall and may from time to time for euer hereafter within the sayd mentioned remote lands and countreys and in the way by the Seas thither and from thence haue full and meere power and authoritie to correct punish pardon gouerne and rule by their and euery or any of their good discretions and pollicies as well in causes capitall or criminall as ciuill both marine and other all such our subiects and others as shall from time to time hereafter aduenture themselues in the sayd iournâ—ys or voyages habitatiue or possessiue or that shall at any time hereafter inhabite any such lands countreys or territories as aforesayd or that shall abide within two hundred leagues of any the sayd place or places where the sayd sir Humfrey or his heires or assignes or any of them or any of his or their associats or companies shall inhabite within sixe yeeres next ensuing the date hereof according to such statutes lawes and ordinances as shall be by him the said sir Humfrey his heires and assignes or euery or any of them deuised or established for the better gouernement of the said people as aforesayd so alwayes that the sayd statutes lawes and ordinances may be as neere as conuâ—niently may agreeable to the forme of the lawes pollicy of England and also that they be not against the true Christian faith or religion now professed in the church of England nor in any wise to withdraw any of the subiects or people of those lands or places from the allegiance of vs our heires or successours as their immediate Soueraignes vnder God And further we doe by these presents for vs our heires and successours giue and graunt full power and authority to our trustie and welbeloued counseller sir William Cecill knight lord Burleigh our high treasurer of England and to the lord treasurer of England of vs for the time being and to the priuie counsell of vs our heires and successours or any foure of them for the time being that he they or any foure of them shall and may from time to time and at all times hereafter vnder his or their handes or seales by vertue of these presents authorize and licence the sayd sir Humfrey Gilbert his heires and assignes and euery or any of them by him and themselues or by their or any of their sufficient atturneys deputies officers ministers factors and seruants to imbarke and transport out of our Realmes of England and Ireland all or any of his or their goods and all or any the goods of his or their associates and companies and euery or any of them with such other necessaries and commodities of any our Realmes as to the said lord treasurer or foure of the priuie counsell of vs our heires or successours for the time being as aforesayd shall be from time to time by his or their wisedoms or discâ—etions thought meete and conuenient for the better reliefe and supportation of him the
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 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 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 flourâ—shing 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
the ambassadors of England and the messengers commissioners of Prussia met together at the towne of Hage in Holland the 28. day of August in the yere of our lord 1407. And there was a treaty between theÌ„ concerning the summe 25934. nobles and an halfe demanded on the behalfe of the sayd Master generall for amends and recompense in consideration of wrongs offered vnto himselfe and vnto his subiects of Prussia as is aforesayd Also the sayd Master and his Prussians besides the summe not yet declared in the articles which is very small are to rest contented and satisfied with the summe of 8957. nobles in lieu of al the damages aforesaid no times of paâ—ment being then assigned or limited but afterward to be reasonably limited and assigned by our sayd soueraigne lord the king Insomuch that our said soueraigne lord the king is to write his ful intention determination concerning this matter in his letters to be deliuered the 16. day of March vnto the aldermen of the marchants of the Hans residing at Bruges Otherwise that from thenceforth all league of friendship shall bee dissolued betweene the realme of England and the land of Prussia Also it is farther to be noted that in the appointment of the summe next before written to be disbursed out of England this condition was added in writing namely that if by lawful testimonies it may sufficiently and effectually be prooued concerning the chiefe articles aboue written or any part of them that satisfaction was made vnto any of those parties to whom it was due or that the goods of and for the which complaint was made on the the behalfe of Prussia in the sayd articles did or doe pertayne vnto others or that any other iust true or reasonable cause may lawfully be proued alledged why the foresaid sums or any of them ought not to be payed that theÌ„ in the summes contained in the articles abouementioned so much only must be cut off or stopped as shal be found either to haue bene payd already or to appertaine vnto others or by any true iust and reasonable cause alleaged not to be due Neither is it to be doubted but for the greater part of the summe due vnto the Prussians that not our lord the king but others which will in time be nominated are by all equity and iustice to be compelled to make satisfaction Also at the day and place aboue mentioned it was appointed and agreed vpon that our lord the king and his liege subiects for the said 4535. nobles demanded of the Engliâ—h in consideration of recompense to be made for iniuries offered vnto the Prussians are to discharge pay the summe of 764. nobles which are not as yet disbursed but they haue reserued a petition to them vnto whom the sayd summe is due or if they please there shal be made satisfaction which will be very hard and extreme dealing Item that in the last assembly of the sayd ambassadors of England and messengers of Prussia holden at Hage made as is aforesayd for the behalfe of England there were exhibited anew certaine articles of iniuries against the Prussians The value of which losses amounted vnto the summe of 1825. nobles and three shillings Item on the contrary part for the behalfe of the Prussians the summe of 1355. nobles eight shillings and sixe pence Item forasmuch as diuers articles propounded as well on the behalfe of England as of Prussia and of the cities of the Hans both heretofore and also at the last conuention holden at Hage were so obscure that in regard of their obscurity there could no resolute answere bee made vnto them and other of the sayd articles exhibited for want of sufficient proofes could not clearely be determined vpon it was appointed and concluded that all obscure articles giuen vp by any of the foresayd parties whatsoeuer ought before the end of Easter then next ensuing and within one whole yeare after to be declared before the Chancelour of England for the time being and other articles euidently exhibited but not sufficiently proued to be proued vnder paine of perpetuall exclusion Which being done accordingly complete iustice shall be administred on both parts Item as concerning the eleuenth article for the behalfe of the Prussians first exhibited which conteined losses amounting vnto the summe of 2445. nobles as touching the first article on the behalfe of England exhibited in the land of Prussia conteining losses which amouÌ„ted to the summe of 900. nobles after many things alleadged on both parts relation thereof shall be made in the audience of the king and of the Master generall so that they shall set downe ordaine and determine such an ende and conclusion of those matters as shall seeme most expedient vnto them Now concerning the Liuonians who are subiect vnto the great Master of Prussia IN primis that the Master of Prussia demaunded of the sayd English ambassadours at their being in Prussia on the behalfe of them of Liuonia who are the sayd Master his liege people to haue restitution of their losses vniustly as he sayth offered vnto them by the English namely for the robbing and rifling of three ships The value of which ships and of the goods contained in them according to the computation of the Liuonian marchants doeth amount vnto the summe of 8037. pound 12. shillings 7. pence Howbeit afterward the trueth being inquired by the sayd ambassadors of England the losse of the Liuonians exceedeth not the summe of 7498. pound 13. shillings 10. pence halfepeny farthing Item forasmuch as in the sayd ships on the behalfe of the sayd Master and of certaine cities of the Hans there are alleadged aboue 250. men very barbarously to be drowned of whome some were noble and others honourable personages and the rest common marchants mariners there was demaunded in the first dyet or conuention holden at Dordract a recompense at the handes of the sayd English ambassadors albeit this complaint was exhibited in the very latter end of al the negotiations informe of a scedule the tenor whereof is in writing at this present beginneth in maner following Cum vita hominum c. Howbeit in the last conuention holden at Hage as is aforesaid it was concluded betweene the ambassadours of England and the messengers and commissioners of the land of Prussia and of the cities of the Hans that our sayd soueraigne lord the king should of his great pietie vouchsafe effectually to deuise some conuenient and wholesome remedie for the soules of such persons as were drowned Item that our sayd soueraigne lord the king will signifie in writing his full purpose intention as touching this matter vnto the aldermen of the Hans marchants residing at Bruges vpon the sixteenth day of March next following Otherwise that from hencefoorth all amity and friendship betweene the realme of England and the land of Prussia shall be dissolued Neither is it to be doubted but that a great part of the sayd goods for the which they of
not vnto vs but vnto our forenamed knight an answere in writing what your will and determination is Neither let it seeme strange vnto you that we haue not at this present sent our forenamed Iohn Kington clerke together with the sayd William for the cause of his abode with vs is that he may in the meane season employ his care and diligence about those matters which must be preparatiues for the finall conclusion of the foresayd busines Honorable sir and most deare friend we doe most heartily with increase of prosperity and ioy vnto your person Giuen in our palace of Westminster the 14. day of Feb. in the yeare of our Lord 1407. To the right noble and valiant knight Sir VVilliam Sturmy sent at this present by the most souereigne King of England c as his ambassadour vnto Dordract his most sincere friend HOnorable sir our most entier friend wee receiued the royall letters of the most mighty prince and lord our lord the king of England and France and lord of Ireland sent vnto vs vnder the date of the 14. day of February which we receiued at our castle of Marienburgh the 11. of April containing amongst other matters that his Maiesties purpose was once againe to sende one of his ambassadors namely your selfe our very sincere friend vnto Dordract giuing you in charge that you would make haste thither there slay vntill some of our subiects might at our commandemeÌ„t in conuenient time repaire vnto the same place there by Gods assistance to bring our matters vnto a happy conclusion And then he requested that wee should without delay write our determination vnto you as the conclusion of the said letter importeth Howbeit our most deare friend the treaties conferences about the redresse or reformation of vniust attempts committed by the subiects of our sayd lord the king our subiects one against another are both on our behalfe and on the behalfe of the common societie of the Hans marchants hitherto had made and continued common And so our commissioners vpon our full and absolute commandement shal for the managing of these and of other affaires of the foresaid societie many waies vrgent and difficult vpon the feast of our Lords Ascension next to come meet with the said societie at Lubec there to giue notice what they haue determined to conclude in this present busines in others for their owne behalfe For we wil giue our ambassadours which are there to appeare streightly in charge that according to the kings request aforesayde they doe without delay procure an answere to be written vnto your honour concerning the determination of the foresayd societie Giuen at the place and vpon the day aboue named in the yeare of our Lord 1407 Fr. Wernherus de Tettingen commander in Elbingâ— general vice-master and lieutenant in the roome of the Master generall of the Dutch knights of the Order of S. Marie c. of late deceased The letters of Henry the 4. king of England c vnto Vlricus de Iungingen Master generall of Prussia 1408. wherein he doth ratifie and accept the last agreement made at Hage in Holland HEnry c. vnto the honourable and religious personage Fr. Vlricus de Iungingen Master generall of the Dutch knights of S. Marie c. our most deare friend greeting and dayly increase of our accustomed amity and friendship We doe by these presents giue your houour to vnderstand that our faithfull welbeloued William Esturmy knight and Master Iohn Kington clerke our ambassadors and messengers sent of late on our behalfe vnto the presence of your predecessour for the redressing of certaine grieuances and damages being contrary to iustice offered against vs and our liege subiects by the people subiects of your predecessors against them also by our subiects as it is aforesayd in friendly maner to be procured of late returning out of the parts of Alemain made relation vnto vs and to our counsell that hauing conferred with your forenamed predecessour about the foresayd affayres the particulars following were at length concluded namely first of all that at a certaine day and place they should meete in Holland with his ambassadors and messengers to hold a friendly conference between them about the redressing and reformation of the grieuances and damages aforesayd and that they should by the equall waight of diligent examination ponder in the balance of iustice discusse define al singular the foresaid grieuances damages inflicted on both parts Howbeit at length after sundry prorogations then made continued on this behalfe our ambassadors messengers aforesaid vpon the 28. of August last past assembling themselues for our part at the towne of Hage in Holland the hon discreete personages Arnold Heket burgomaster of the towne of Dantzik Iohn Crolowe for the behalf of your subiects of Prussia and Tidman de Meule Iohn Epenscheid for the behalfe of Liuonia being assembled as messengers and commissioners about the redresse and reformation aforesayd did then and there demaund in certaine articles of our ambassadours and messengers abouenamed 25034. nobles half a noble for the grieuances damages offered as it was theÌ„â—aid to your subiects of Prussia and 24082. nobles 12 s.8.d in recompense of the damages offered vnto those your subiects of Liuonia And when the substance of those articles about the grieuances losses aforesayd was by the sayd ambassadours and messengers througâ—ly examined and discussed by their generall consent it was finally agreed that your subiects in consideration of all and singular the foresayd grieuances and damages offered vnto them by our people should within three yeares after the feast of Easter next ensuing at three equall payments receiue from vs namely they of Prussia 8957. nobles and they of Liuonia 22496. nobles sixe pence halfe peny farthing and no more so that we our selues thought good to condescend thereunto Howbeit forasmuch as certaine other articles of your subiects of Prussia and also certaine articles in the behalfe of our subiects containing grieuous complaints in them being propounded before the ambassadors messengers aforesaid for the attaining of reformation in regard of the damages grieuances offered on both parts could not as theÌ„ for the great obscurity of diuers of the sayd articles and also for want of sufficieÌ„t proofe at the last meeting appointed and held by the foresayd ambassadors at the towne of Hage in Holland sufficiently to be examined discussed and defined it was agreed vpon by the ambassadors and messengers of both partes that from the 15. day of October then last expired vnto the feast of Easter now next ensuing and from thenceforth within one whole yere immediatly following the plaintifes of both parts should throughly declare before our chancelour of England for the time being the foresayd obscurities coÌ„cerning the substance of their articles and that they should for the obtaining of execution and complement of iustice at our sayd chancelours hands peremptorily minister necessary
Duâ—furth Master of the Considentia 10 Roger Wilson Masters mates 11 Iohn Buckland Masters mates 12 Richard Ingram Masters mates Exemplar Epistolae seu literarum Missiuarum quas illustrissimus Princeps Eduardus eius nominis Sextus Angliae Franciae Hiberniae Rex misit ad Principes Septentrionalem ac Orientalem mundi plagam inhabitantes iuxta mare glaciale nec non Indiam Orientalem Anno Domini 1553 Regni sui anno septimo vltimo EDuardus sextus Angliae Franciae Hiberniae Rex c. Omnibus Regibus principibus ac dominis cunctis Iudicibus terrae Ducibus eius quibuscunque est excellens aliqua dignitas in ea cunctis in locis quae sunt sub vniuerso coelo Pax tranquillitas honor vobis terris regionibus vestris quae imperio vestro subiacent cuique vestrum quemadmodum conuenit ei Proptereà quòd indidit Deus Opt. Max. hominibus prae cunctis alijâ— viuentibus cor desiderium tale vt appetat quisque cum aliis societatem inire amare vicissim amari beneficijs afficere mutua accipere beneficia studeat ideò cuique pro facultate sua hoc desiderium in omnibus quidem hominibus beneficijs fouere consetuare conuenit in illis autem maximè qui hoc desiderio adducti à remotis etiam regionibus ad eos veniunt Quo enim longius iter eius rei gratia ingressi sunt eò ardentius in eis hoc desiderium fuisse declararunt Insuper etiam ad hoc nos patrum maiorumque nostrorum exempla inuitant qui semper humanissimè susceperunt benignissimè tractauerunt illos qui tum à locis propinquis tâ—â—â—â—à remotis cosamicè adibant eorum se protectioni commendantes Quod si omnibus id praestare aequum est certè mercatoribus imprimis praestari debet qui per vniuersum orbem discurrunt mare circumlustrantes aridam vt res bonas vtiles que Dei beneficio in regione eorum inueniuntur ad remotissimas regiones regna adferant atque inde vicissim referant quòd suae regioni vtile ibi repeterint vt populi ad quos eunt non destituantur commodis quae non profert illis terra eorum ipsi sint participes rerum quibus illi abundant Nam Deus coeli terrae humano generi maximè consulens noluit vt omnia in quauis regione inueniâ—entur quò regio ope alterius regionis indigeret gens ab alia gente commodum aliquod expectaret ac ita stabiliretur amicitia inter omnes singulique omnibus benefacere quaererent Hoc ita que ineundae ac stabiliendae amicitiae desiderio moti viri quidam regni nostri iter in remotas maritimas regiones instituerunt vt inter nostros illos populos viam mercibus inferendis efferendis aperirent nosque rogauerunt vt id illis concederemus Qui petitioni illorum annuentes concessimus viro honorabili forti Hugoni Wilibâ—o alijs qui cum eo sunt seruis nostris fidis charis vt pro sua voluntate in regiones eis priùs incognitas eant quaesituri ea quibus nos caremus adducant illis ex nostris terris id quo illi carent Atque ita illis nobis commodum inde accedat sitque amicitia perpetua foedus indissolubile inter illos nos dum permittent illi nos accipere de rebus quibus superabundant in regnis suis nos concedemus illis ex regnis nostris res quibus destituuntur Rogamus itaque vos Reges Principes omnes quibus aliqua est potestas in terra vt viris istis nostris transitum permittatis per regiones vestras Non enâ—m tangent quicquam â—x rebus vestris inuitis vobis Cogitate quòd homines ipsi sunt Et si qua re caruerint oramus pro vestra beneficentia eam vos illis tribuatis accipientes vicissim ab eis quod poterunt rependere vobis Ita vos gerite erga cos quemadmodum cuperetis vt nos subditi nostri nos gereremus erga seruos vestros si quando transierint per regiones nostras Atque promittimus vobis per Deum omnium quae coelo terra mari continentur perque vitam nostram tranquillitatem regnorum nostrorum nos pari benignitate seruos vestros accepturos si ad regna nostra aliquando venerint Atque à nobis subditis nostris ac si nati fuissent in regnis nostris ita benignè tractabuntur vt rependamus vobis benignitatem quam nostris exhibueritis Postquam vos Reges Principes c. rogauimus vt humanitate beneficentia omni prosequamini seruos nostros nobis charos oramus omnipotentem Deum nostrum vt vobis diuturnam vitam largiatur pacem quae nullam habeat finem Scriptum Londini quae ciuitas est primaria regni nostri Anno 5515. à creato mundo mense Iiar 14. die mensis anno septimo regni nostri The copie of the letters missiue which the right noble Prince Edward the sixt sent to the Kings Princes and other Potentates inhabiting the Northeast partes of the worlde toward the mighty Empire of Cathay at such time as Sir Hugh Willoughby knight and Richard Chancelor with their company attempted their voyage thither in the yeere of Christ 1553. and the seuenth and last yeere of his raigneâ— EDward the sixt by the grace of God King of England France and Ireland c. To all Kings Princes Rulers Iudges and Gouernours of the earth and all other hauing any excellent dignitie on the same in all places vnder the vniuersall heauen peaceâ— tranquillitie and honour be vnto you and your lands and regions which are vnder your dominions and to euery of you as is conuenient Forasmuch as the great and Almightie God hath giuen vnto mankinde aboue all other liuing creatures such an heart and desire that euery man desireth to ioine friendship with other to loue and be loued also to giue and receiue mutuall benefites it is therefore the duety of all men according to their power to maintaine and increase this desire in euery man with well deseruing to all men and especially to shew this good affection to such as being moued with this desire come vnto them from farre countreis For how much the longer voyage they haue attempted for this intent so much the more doe they thereby declare that this desire hath bene ardent in them Furthermore also the examples of our fathers and predecessors doe inuite vs hereunto forasmuch as they haue euer gently and louingly intreated such as of friendly mind came to them aswell from Countries neare hand as farre remote commending themselues to their protection And if it be right and equity to shew such humanitie toward all men doubtlesse the same ought chiefly to be shewed to marchants who wandering about the world search both the land and the sea to carry
or 24 at the most There are many other trifles in Russia as sope mats c. but I thinke there will bee no great account made of them The letters of king Philip and Queene Marie to Iuan Vasiliuich the Emperour of Russia written the first of April 1555 and in the second voyage PHilip and Marie by the grace of God King and Queene of England France Naples Ierusalem and Ireland defenders of the faith Princes of Spaine and Sicilie Archdukes of Austrich Dukes of Burgundie Millaine and Brabant Countries of Haspurge Flanders and Tiroll To the right High right Mightie and right excellent Prince garnished with all gifts of nature by Gods graâ—e Iohn Vaâ—iliuich Emperour of all Russia great Duke of Volodemer Mosco and Nouogrod King of Cazan King of Astracan Lord of Plesco and great Duke of Smolensko of Tueria Ioughoria Permia Vadska Bulghoria and others Lorde and great Duke of Nouogrod of the lowe Countrey of Chernigo Rezan Polotskay Rostoue Yeraslaue Bealozera Liefland Oudoria Obdoria and Condensa Commander of all Siberia and of the North partes and lord of many other countreys greeting Whereas by the consent and licence of our most deare and entirely beleued late brother King Edward the sixt whose soule God pardon sundrie of our subiects marchants of the citie of London within this our realme of England did at their owne proper costs and aduenture furnish three shippes to discouer serch and find lands Islands regions and territories before this aduenture not knowen ne commonly hâ—unted and frequented by seas The one of the which three shippes named the Edward Bonauenture whereof our right welbeloued Richard Chancelour was then gouernour and great Captaine chanced by the grace of God and the good conduct of the sayd Chancelour to arriue and winter in the North part of your Empire of Russia Forasmuch as we be credibly informed by the report of our trustie and welbeloued subiect that your Maiestie did not onely call him and certaine of his company to your emperiall presence and speech entertayned and banqueted them with all humanitie and gentlenes but also being thereunto requested partly by the letters of our said brother partly by request of the sayd Richard Chancelour haue by your letters patents vnder your seale among other things granted That all such marchants as shall come forth of anie of our realms of England or Ireland withal maner of wares if they wil trauel or occupie within your dominions The same marchants with their marchandises in al your lordship may freely at their libertie trauaile out and in without hinderance or any maner of losse And of your farther ample goodnesse haue promised that our ambassadours if wee send any shall with free good will passe to and from you without any hinderance or losse with such message as shall come vnto you and to returne the same to our kingdomes well answered as by the same your letters written in your lordly Palace and Castle of Mosco in the yeere 7063 the moneth of Februarie more at large appeareth Like as wee cannot but much commend your princely fauour and goodnesse and in like manner thanke you for the aboundant grace extended to the sayd Richard Chancelour and others our subiects marchants Euen so these are to pray and request you to continue the same beneuolence toward them and other our marchants and subiects which doe or heereafter shall resorte to your countrey And for the more assurance and incouragement to trade and exercise the feate of marchandise with your subiects and all other marchants within your dominions that it may please you at this our contemplation to assigne and authorise such Commissaries as you shall thinke meete to trade and conferre with our welbeloued subiects and marchants the sayd Richard Chancelour George Killing worth Richard Graie bearers of these our letters who are by vs authoriseâ— for that purpose and to confirme and graunt such other liberties and priuiledges vnto the Gouernour Consuls Assistants and Communaltie of the fellowship of the saide Marchants as the said bearers in their name propone and require by you to be granted for their safe conduct good gouernment and order to bee erected and continued among them in your saide dominions And this with such your clemencie and expedition as wee vpon the next arriuall of the saide Richard Chancelour may bee enformed of your gracious disposition and answere Which your beneuolences so to bee extended wee bee minded to requite towards any your subiects Marchants that shal frequent this our realme at your contemplation therefore to be made Thus right high right Excellent and right mightie Almightie God the Father the Sonne and the holy Ghost haue you in his blessed keeping Giuen vnder our seale at our Palace of Westminster the first of April in the yere from the blessed incarnation of our Sauiour Iesus Christ 1555. and in the first and second yeeres of our reignes Articles conceiued and determined for the Commission of the Merchants of this company resiant in Russia and at the VVarhouse for the second voyage 1555. the first of May as followeth FIrst the Gouernour Consuls Assistants and whole company assembled this day in open court committeth and authorizeth Richard Gray and George Killing worth iointly and seuerally to be Agents Factors and Atturneis generall and speciall for the whole body of this companie to buy sel trucke change and permute al and euery kind and kindes of wares marchandizes and goods to the said company appertaining now laden shipped in the good ship called the Edward Bonauenture appointed for Russia the same â—o vtter and sell to the best commoditie profit and aduantage of the said corporation be it for ready money wares marchandises or truck presently or for time as occasion benefit of the company shal require and all such wares as they or either of them shal buy trucke or prouide or cause to be bought for the company to lade theÌ„ homeward in good order and condition as by prudent course of marchandises shall and ought to appertaine which article extendeth also to Iohn Brooke for the Wardhouse as in the 17. and 18. articles of this commission appeareth 2 Item it is also committed as aboue to the said Agents to binde charge the said company by debt for wares vpon credit as good opportunitie and occasion shal serue with power to charge and bind the said company and their successors for the paiments of such things as shal be taken vp for credite and the said Agents to be relieued ab opere satis dandi 3 Item full authoritie and power is committed to the said first named factors together with Richard Chancelor grand Pilot of this fleete to repaire to the Emperors court there to present the king and Queenes Maiesties letters written in Greeke Polish and Italian and to giue and exhibite the marchants presents at such time and place as shal be thought most expedient they or one of them to demand and humbly desire of y
Westsouthwest sunne we set our maine sayle and lay close by the winde the winde being at Northwest and by North making but little way because the billow went so high at midnight wee cast about and the shippe caped Northnortheast making little way Friday at noone we had the latitude in 70 degrees 8 minutes and we sounded and had 29 fadomes sand and in maner stremy ground At a West sunne we cast about to the Westwards and a little after the wind came vp at West Saturday was calme the latitude this day at noone was 70 degrees and a terce we sounded heere and had nine and forty fadomes and oze which oze signified that we drew towards Noua Zembla And thus we being out of al hope to discouer any more to the Eastward this yeere wee thought it best to returne and that for three causes The first the continuall Northeast and Northerly winds which haue more power after a man is past to the Eastwards of Caninoze then in any place that I doe know in these Northerly regions Second because of great and terrible abundance of ice which we saw with our eies and we doubt greater store abideth in those parts I aduentured already somewhat too farre in it but I thanke God for my safe deliuerance from it Third because the nights waxed darke and the winter began to draw on with his stormes and therefore I resolued to take the first best wind that God should send and plie towards the bay of S. Nicholas and to see if we might do any good there if God would permitt it This present Saturday we saw very much ice and were within two or three leagues of it it shewed vnto vs as though it had beene a firme land as farre as we might see from Northwest off vs to the Eastwards and this afternoone the Lord sent vs a little gale of wind at South so that we bare cleere off the Westermost part of it thanks be to God And then against night it waxeâ— calme againe and the winde was at Southwest we made our way vntil Sunday noone Northwest and by West and then we had the latitude in 70 degrees and a halfe the winde at Southwest there was a billow so that we could not discerne to take the latitude exactly but by a reasonable gesse Munday there was a pretie gale of wind at South so that wee went West and by South the latitude this day at noone was 70 degrees 10 minutes wee had little-winde all day at a Westnorthwest sunne we sounded and had 29 fadoms blacke sandie oze then we were Northeast 5 leagues from the Northeast part of the Island Colgoieue Tuesday the wind all Westerly we plyed to the wind wards Wednesday the wind was all Westerly and calme wee had the latitude this day in 70 degrees 10 minutes we being within three leagues of the North part of the Island Colgoieue Thursday we went roome about the Westermost part of the Island seeking where we might finde a place to ride in for a Northwest wind but could find none and then we cast about againe to the seawards and the winde came at Westsouthwest and this morning we had plenty of snow Friday the winde being at Southwest and by West we plied to the windewards Saturday the winde being at South we plyed to the Westwards and at afternoone the mist brake vp and then we might see the land seuen or eight leagues to the Eastwards of Caninoz we sounded a litle before and had 35. fadoms and oze And a while after wee sounded againe and had 19. fadome and sand then we were within three leagues and a halfe of the shore and towards night there came downe so much winde that we were faine to bring our ship a trie and laide her head to the Westwards Sunday the winde became more calme and then it waxed verie mystie At noone wee cast about to the Eastwards the winde beeing at South and ranne eight houres on that boorde and then we cast about and caped West southwest we sounded and had 32. fathomes and tough oaze like clay Munday we doubled about Caninoze and came at an anker there to the intent that we might kill some fish if God would permit it and there we gace a great Nuse which Nuses were there so plentie that they would scarcely suffer any other fish to come neere the hookes the said Nuses caried away sundrie of our hookes and leads A litle after at a West Sunne the winde began to blow stormie at West southwest so that we were faine to wey and forsake our fishing ground and went close by the winde Southwest and Southwest and by West making our way South southwest September TUesday at a West Sunne we sounded and had 20. fathoms and broken Wâ—â—keshels I reckoned Canonize to be 24. leagues Northnortheast from vs. The eleuenth day we arriued at Colmogro and there we wintered expecting the approch of the next Sommer to proceede farther in our intended discouerie for the Ob which by reason of our imploiments to Wardhouse the next spring for the search of some English ships was not accordingly performed Certaine notes vnperfectly written by Richard Iohnson seruant to Master Richard Chancelour which was in the discouerie of Vaigatz and Noua Zembla with Steuen Burrowe in the Serchthrift 1556. and afterwarde â—â—ong the Samoedes whose deuilish rites hee describeth FIrst after we departed out of England we fell with Norway and on that coste lieth Northbern or Northbergen and this people are vnder the King of Denmarke But they differ in their speech from the Daâ—es for they speake Norsh And North of Northbern lie the Isles of Roste and Lofoot and these Islands pertaine vnto Finmarke and they keepe the lawes and speake the language of the Islanders And at the Eastermost part of that land is a castle which is called the Ward house and the King of Denmarke doeth fortifie it with men of warre and the Russes may not goe to the Westward of that castle And East Southeast from that castle is a lande called Lappia in which lande be two maner of people that is to say the Lappians and the Scrickfinnes which Scrickfinnes are a wilde people which neither know God nor yet good order and these people liue intents made of Deares skinnes and they haue no certaine habitations but continue in heards and companies by one hundred and two hundreds And they are a people of small stature and are clothed in Deares skinnes and drinke nothing but water and eate no bread but flesh all raw And the Lappians bee a people adioyning to them be much like to them in al conditions but the Emperour of Russia hath of late ouercome manie of them and they are in subiection to him And this people will say that they beleeue in the Russes God And they liue in tents as the other doe And Southeast and by South from Lappia lyeth a prouince called Corelia
of their red egs not onely vpon Easter day but also three or foure dayes after and gentlemen and gentlewomen haue egs gilded which they cary in like maner They vse it as they say for a great loue and in token of the resurrection whereof they reioyce For when two friends meete during the Easter holy dayes they come take one another by the hand the one of them sayth the Lord or Christ is risen the other answereth it is so of a truth and then they kisse and exchange their egs both men and women continuing in kissing 4 dayes together The 12 of Aprill being Tuesday in the Easter weeke master Ienkinson and master Graie and certayne other of vs English mâ—n dined with the Emperor where we were serued as we had bin before time And after diner the Emperours maiestie gaue vnto master Ienkinson and vnto M. Gray and so orderly vnto euery one of vs a cup of Mead according to his accustomed maner which when euery man had receiued and giuen thanks M. Ienkinson stepped into the midst of the chamber before the Emperours maiestie and gaue thankes to his highnesse for his goodnesse vnto him extended desâ—â—ing his grace to licence him to depart and in like maner did Master Gray His maiestie did not onely licence them to depâ—rt but also graunted vnto master Ienkinson his letters vnder his great seale vnto all princes through whose dominions master Ienkinson should haue occasion to passe that he might the sooner and quietlâ—er passe by meanes thereof Which being granted master Ienkinson and Gray lowly submitted themselues thâ—nking his maiestie So the Emperour gaue vnto either of them a cuppe of mead to drinke and willed them to depart at their pleasure in Gods peace The 14. of Aprill in the morning when M. Gray and I were ready to depart towards Enggland the Chancellors sene vnto vs and willed vs to come to their office in the Chancerie where at our comming they shewed vs a great number of the Emperors iewels and rich robes willing vs to marke and beholde them well to the end that at our arriuall into England we might make report what we had seene there The chiefest was his maiesties crowne being close vnder the top very faire wrought in mine opinion the workmanship of so much gold few men can amend It was adorned and decked with rich and precious stones abundantly among the which one was a rubie which stood a handfull higher then the top of the crown vpon a small wier it was as big as a good beane the same crown was lined with a faire blacke Sable worth by report 4â— robles Wee sawe all his maiesties robes which were very richly set with stones they shewed vs manie other great stories of diuers kindes but the most part of them were vneuen in maner as they came out of the worke for they doe more esteeme the greatnesse of stones then the proportion of them We saw two goodly gownes which were as heauie as a man could easily carrie all set with pearles ouer and ouer the gards or borders round about them were garnished with saphires and other good stones abundantly One of the same gownes was very rich for the pearles were very large round and orient as for the rest of his gownes and garments they were of rich tissue and cloth of gold and all furred with very blacke Sables When we had sufficiently perused all these things they willed master Gray at his arriuall in England to prouide if he could such iewels and rich clothes as he had seene there and better if he could declaring that the Emperour would gladly bestow his money vpon such things So we tooke our leaue the same time and departed towards Vologda immediatly The maners vsages and ceremonies of the Russes Of the Emperour THe Emperours name in their tonâ—ue is Iuan Vasiliuich that is as much to say as Iohn the sonne of Vasilie and by his princely state hee is called Otesara as his predecessors haue bene before which to interprete is a king that giueth not tribute to any man And this word Otesara his maiesties interpreters haue of late dayes interpreted to be Emperour so that now hee is called Emperour and great Duke of all Russia c. Before his father they were â—either called Emperours nor kings but onely Ruese Velike that is to say great Duke And as this Emperor which now is Iuan Vasiliuich doeth exceede his predecessors in name that is from a Duke to an Emperour euen so much by report he doeth exceede them in stoutnesse of courage and valiantnesse and a great deale more for he is no more afraid of his enemies which are not few then the Hobbie of the larks His enemies with whom he hath warres for the most part are these Liâ—to Poland Sweden Denmarke Lifland the Crimmes Nagaians and the whole nation of the Cartarians which are a stoute and a hardie people as any vnder the Sunne This Emperour vseth great familiaritie as wel vnto all his nobles and subiects as also vnto strangers which serue him either in his warres or in occupations for his pleasure is that they shall dine oftentimes in the yeere in his presence and besides that he is oftentimes abroad either at one Church or another and walking with his noble men abroad And by this meanâ—s he is nor onely beloued of his nobles and commons but aslo had in great dread and feare through all his dominions so that I thinke no prince in Christendome is more feared of his owne then he is nor yet better belouedâ— For if he bid any of his Dukes goe they will runne if he giue any euil or angrie worde to any of them the partie will not come into his maiesties presence againe of a long time if he be not sent for but will faine him to be very sickeâ— and will let the haire of his head grow very long without either cutting or shauing which is an euident token that hee is in the Emperors displeasure for when they be in their prosperity they account it a shame to weare long haire in consideration whereof they vse to haue their heads shauen His maiesty heareth all complain is himselfe and with his owne mouth giueth sentence and iudgement of all matters and that with expedition but religious matters he medleth not withall but referreth them wholly vnto the Metropolitane His maiestie retaineth and well rewardeth all strangers that come to serue him and especially men of warre Hee delighteth not greatly in hawking hunting or any other pastime nor in hearing instruments or musicke but setteth all his whole delight vpon two things First to serue God as vndoubtedly he is very deuoute in his religion and the second howe to subdue and conquere his enemies He hath abundance of gold and siluer in his owne handes or treasurie but the most part of his know not a crowne from a counter nor gold from copper they are so much cumbred therewithall and he
their weapons as thicke as hailestones against vs slew diuers of our men and horses Hereupon the slaughter of our people still encreasing our maiestie imperiall deemed it requisite to stay behind and to succour our bands in the rereward and so expecting them we sustained the fierce encounter of many thousand Persians What exploits out Imperiall person atchieued in the same skirmish I hold it needlesse at this time to recount your maiestie may perhaps vnderstand more of this matter by them which were there present Howbeit our Imperiall highnesse being in the middest of this conflict and enduring the fight with so great danger all our hindermost troups both Greekes Latines and other nations retiring themselues close together and not being able to suffer the violence of their enemies weapons pressed on so hard and were caried with such maine force that hastening to ascend the next hill for their better safegard they vrged on them which went before whether they would or no. Whereupon much dust being raised which stopped our eyes and vtterly depriued vs of sight and our mē and horses pressing so sore one vpon the necke of another plunged themselues on the sudden into such a steepe and dangerous valley that treading one vpon another they quelled to death not onely a multitude of the common souldiours but diuers most honourable personages some of our neere kinsmen For who could restraine the irresistable throng of so huge a multitude Howbeit our Imperiall highnesse being enuironed with such swarmes of Infidels and giuing and receiuing wounds insomuch that the miscreants were greatly dismaied at our constancie we gaue not ouer but by Gods assistance wonne the field Neither did we permit the enemie to ascend vnto that place from whence we skirmished with him Neither yet spurred wee on our horse any faster for all their assaults But marshalling all our troupes together and deliuering them out of danger we disposed them about our Imperial person and so we ouertooke the foremost and marched in good order with our whole army Nowe the Soldan perceiuing that notwithstanding the great damages which we had sustained our Imperial highnes prouided to giue him a fresh encounter humbly submitting himselfe vnto vs and vsing submisse speaches made suite to haue peace at our hands and promised to fulfill the pleasure of our maiestie Imperiall to doe vs seruice against all commers to release all our subiects which were captiues in his realme and to rest wholy at our commaund Here therefore we remained two dayes with great authoritie and considering that wee could attempt nought against the citie of Iconium hauing lost all our warrelike engines both for defence and for batterie for that the oxen which drew them were slaine with the enemies weapons falling as thicke as hailestones and also for because all our beasts in a maner were most grieuously diseased our maiestie Imperial accepted of the Soldans petition league and oath being made and taken vnder our ensignes and granted our peace vnto him Then returned we into our owne dominions being greatly grieued for the losse of our deere kinsmen and yeelding vnto God most humble thanks who of his goodnesse had euen now giuen vs the victory We are right glad likewise that some of your maiesties princes and nobles accompanied vs in this action who are able to report vnto you all things which haue happened And albeit we were exceedingly grieued for the losse of our people yet thought it we expedient to signifie vnto you the successe of our affaires as vnto our welbeloued friend one who is very neerly allied vnto our highnesse Imperial by reason of the consanguinitie of our children Farewell Giuen in the moneth of Nouember and vpon the tenth Indiction ¶ The woorthy voiage of Richard the first K. of England into Asia for the recouerie of Ierusalem out of the hands of the Saracens drawen out of the booke of Acts and Monuments of the Church of England written by M. Iohn Foxe KIng Richard the first of that name for his great valure surnamed Ceur de Lion the sonne of Henry the second after the death of his father remembring the rebellions that he had vndutifully raised against him sought for absolution of his trespasse and in part of satisfaction for the same agreed with Philip the French king to take his voiage with him for the recouerie of Christes patrimonie which they called the Holy land whereupon the sayd king Richard immediately after his Coronation to prepare himselfe the better towards his iourney vsed diuers meanes to take vp summes of money and exacted a tenth of the whole Realme the Christians to make threescore and ten thousand pounds and the Iewes which then dwelt in the Realme threescore thousand Hauing thus gotten sufficient money for the exploite he sent certaine Earles and Barons to Philip the French king in the time of his Parliament at S. Denis to put him in mind of his promise made for the recouerie of Christs holy patrimonie out of the Saracens hands To whom he sent word againe in the moneth of December that he had bound himselfe by solemne othe deposing vpon the Euangelists that he the yeere next following about the time of Easler had certainly prefixed to addresse himselfe toward that iourney requiring him likewise not to faile but to bee ready at the terme aboue limited appointing also the place where both the Kings should meéte together In the yeere therfore 1190. King Richard hauing committed the gouernment of this realme in his absence to the bishop of Ely then Chancellor of England aduanced forward his iourney and came to Turon to meet with Philip the French king after that went to Vizeliac where the French king he ioyning together for the more continuance of their iourney assured themselues by solemne othe swearing fidelitie one to the other the forme of whose oth was this That either of them should defend and maintaine the honour of the other and beare true fidelitie vnto him of life members worldly honor and that neither of them should faile one the other in their affaires but the French King should aide the King of England in defending his land and dominions as he would himselfe defend his owne Citie of Paris if it were besieged and that Richard king of England likewise should aide the French king in defending his land and Dominions no otherwise then he would defend his owne Citie of Roan if it were besieged c. Concerning the lawes and ordinances appointed by K. Richard for his Nauie the forme therof was this 1. That who so killed any person on shipboord should be tied with him that was slaine and throwen into the sea 2. And if he killed him on the land he should in like maner be tied with the partie slaine and be buried with him in the earth 3. He that shal be conuicted by lawfull witnes to draw out his knife or weapon to the intent to strike any man or that hath
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 Sâ—uill 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 huâ—kes 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 diâ—tinct 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 coÌ„sideration 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 Açoâ—es 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 râ—sistance 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 minâ—sters 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 coÌ„sidering 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
euery or any of them with such other necessaries and commodities of any our Realmes as to the sayde Lorde Treasurer or foure or more of the priuie Counsaile of vs our heires and successors for the time being as aforesaid shal be from time to time by his or their wisedomes or discretions thought meete and conuenient for the better reliefe and supportation of him the sayde Walter Ralegh his heires and assignes and euery or any of them and of his or their or any of their associats and companies any act statute law or any thing to the contrary in any wise notwithstanding Prouided alwayes and our wil and pleasure is and we do hereby declare to all Christian kings princes and states that if the sayde Walter Ralegh his heires or assignes or any of them or any other by their licâ—nce or appointment shall at any time or times hereafter robbe or spoile by sea or by land or doe any acte of vniust or vnlawfull hostilitie to any of the subiects of vs our heires or successors or to any of the subiects of any the kings princes rulers Gouerâ—ours or estates being then in perfect league and amitie with vs our heires and successours and that vpon such iniurie or vpon iust complaint of any such Prince Ruler Gouernour or estate or their subiects wee our heires and successors shall make open Proclamation within any the portes of our Realme of England that the saide Walter Ralegh his heires and assignes and adherents or any to whom these our Letters patâ—nts may extende shall within the termes to bee limited by such Proclamation make full restitution and satiffaction of all such iniuries done so as both we and the said Princes or other so complaining may hold vs and themselues fully contented And that if the said Walter Ralegh his heires and assignes shall not make or cause to be made satisfaction accordingly within such time so to be limitted that then it shal be lawful to vs our heires and successors to put the sayde Walter Ralegh his heires and assignes and adherents and all the inhabitants of the saide places to be discouered as is aforesaid or any of them out of our allegeance and protection and that from and after such time of putting out of protection of the saide Walter Ralegh his heires assignes and adherents and others so to be put out and the said places within their habitation possession and rule shall be out of our allegeance and protection and free for all Princes and others to pursue with hostilitie as bring not our subiects nor by vs any way to be auouched maintained or defended nor to be holden as any of ours nor to our protection or dominion or allegeance any way belonging for that expresse mention of the cleere yeerely value of the certaintie of the premissesâ— or any part thereof or of any other gift or grant by vs or any our progenitors or predecessors to the said Walter Ralegh before this time made in these presents bee not expressed or any oâ—her grant ordinance prouision proclamation or restraint to the contary thereof before this â—imeâ— giuen ordained or prouided or any other thing cause or matter whatsoeuer in any wise notwithstanding In witnesse whereof wee haue caused these our letters to be made Patents Witnesse our selues at Westminster the fiue and twentie day of March in the sixe and twentith yeere of our Raigne The first voyage made to the coasts of America with two barks where in were Captaines M. Philip Amadas and M. Arthur Barlowe who discouered part of the Countrey now called Virginia Anno 1584. Written by one of the said Captaines and sent to sir Walter Ralegh knight at whose charge and direction the said voyage was set forth THe 27 day of Aprill in the yeere of our redemption 1584 we departed the West of England with two barkes well furnished with men and victuals hauing receiued our last and perfect directions by your letters confirming the former instructions and commandements deliuered by your selfe at our leauing the riuer of Thames And I thinke it a matter both vnnecessary for the manifest discouerie of the Countrey as also for tediousnesse sake to remember vnto you the diuâ—nall of our course sayling thither and returning onely I haue presumed to present vnto you this briefe discourse by which you may iudge how profitable this land is likely to succeede as well to your selfe by whose direction and charge and by whose seruantes this our discouerie hath beene performed as also to her Highnesse and the Common wealth in which we hope your wisedome wil be satified considering that as much by vs hath bene brought to light as by those smal meanes and number of men we had could any way haue bene expected or hoped for The tenth of May we arriued at the Canaries and the tenth of Iune in this present yeere we were fallen with the Islands of the West Indies keeping a more Southeasterly course then was needefull because wee doubted that the current of the Bay of Mexcio disbogging betweene the Cape of Florida and Hauana had bene of greater force then afterwardes we found it to bee At which Islands we found the ayre very vnwholsome and our men grew for the most part ill disposed so that hauing refreshed our selues with sweet water fresh victuall we departed the twelfth day of our arriuall there These Islands with the rest adioyning are so well knowen to your selfe and to many others as I will not trouble you with the remembrance of them The second of Iuly we found shole water wher we smelt so sweet and so strong a smel as if we had bene in the midst of some delicate garden abounding with all kinde of odoriferous flowers by which we were assured that the land could not be farre distant and keeping good watch and bearing but slacke saile the fourth of the same moneth we arriued vpon the coast which we supposed to be a continent and firme lande and we sayled along the same a hundred and twentie English miles before we could finde any entrance or riuer issuing into the Sea The first that appeared vnto vs we entred though not without some difficultie cast anker about three harquebuz-shot within the hauens mouth on the left hand of the same and after thankes giuen to God for our safe arriuall thither we manned our boats and went to view the land next adioyning and to take possession of the same in the right of the Queenes most excellent Maiestie as rightfull Queene and Princesse of the same and after deliuered the same ouer to your vse according to her Maiesties grant and letters patents vnder her Highnesse great Seale Which being performed according to the ceremonies vsed in such enterprises we viewed the land about vs being whereas we first landed very sandie and low towards the waters side but so full of grapes as the very beating and surge of the Sea ouerflowed them of which we found such plentie
letters This was the fleete wherein Cabot discouered the riuer of Plate 1526 Note The Newe found Islands discouered by the English A Mappe of the world To know the latitudes To know the longitudes Now called the straight of Magelane Note Doctor Leys demand The Pope reprehended The longitudes hard to be found out New found land discouered by the Englishmen Note To saile by the Pole Or the straites of Magelane Note Benefite to England Obiection Answere A true opinioÌ„ A voyage of discouery by the Pole M. Therne and M. Eliot discouerers of New found land The cause why the West Indies were not ours which also Sebastian Gabot writeth in an Epistle to Baptista Ramusius Russia became ciuill in y e yere of our Lord 572. Kiow 1237. These ambassadours were Iohan de â— lano Carpini Frier Benedict of Polonian The citie of Mosco first made the seaâ—e of the great Duke Iuan Vasilowich The name of the Moscouites first aduanced The yoke of the Tartars shaken off Basilius â—â—an Vasilowich Theodore The commodities of traâ—â—ike and of nauigation A minister in the voyage King Edwardâ— corporation Reason voide of experience Iiar I would reade Mair that is in the Sarasen language mirt of Turkish and Aegyptian Februarie interpreted by them the moneth to see ships to the sea The first ship The second ship Iohn Stafford Minister M. William Burrough nowe comptroller of her Maiesties nauie The third ship May. Iune Iuly In this land dwellt Octher as it seemeth Rost Islands Stanfew harbor Lofootâ— August Seyman in 70 degrees Willoughbiâ— his land iâ— 72 degrees September In this hauen they died ‖ Or Ellons Here endeth Sir Hugh Willoughbie his note which was written with his owne hand ‖ Duyna Note Upon what occasions and by whom this voyage was set out and of the discouerie of Moscouie by the North. 3. Ships furnished for the discouerie Prouision of victuaâ—s for 18. moneths Choise of Captaines and Pilots Sir Hugh Willoughbie Master Henry Sidney his Oration They departed from Raâ—eliffe the 20. of May 1553. They returne the next yeere not knowing what was become of the other 2. ships They arriue in the Bay of Saint Nicholas The discouerie of Russia The Emperours courteous letters to M. Chanceler The mightie lake of Bealozera The sharpnes of the winter in Moscouie Their manner of building King Edwards letters deliuered The maners of the Flemmings against our men ‖ Dr Dwina Note Aurea vetulâ— oâ— â—â—loâ—ibaba Iuan Vasiliuich that is to say Iohn the forme of Basilius ‖ That is come into our presence No coinâ—s of gold in Russia but all of siluer The weights in Russia The weight of Wardhouse The Russia measures The measure of Wardhouse in cloth is the measure of Danske The Turkes and Armenians pay custome The Emperors beame The Dutch nation lost their priuilâ—dges renued them with a great summe The commodities of Russia Vologda and the state thereof The Emperor of Moscouie is a marchant himselfe Two sorts of â—â—axe Note Inquiâ—ie for the way to Catbaya The Philip and Maâ—y Note Note Note Queene Maries letters to the Emperour of Russia The Italians counsell to our people The diuersitie of weights meaâ—ures in Russiâ— Colmogro Vologda Nouogrode The Russian secretary his name The discouerie principally intended for Gods glory Sebastian Cabota first gouernour of the Moscouie companie Sir George Barnes William Garret Anthony Husie Ioh. Suâ—hcot the first 4. Consulâ— K. Philip and Queene Mary hereby â—o disanull Pope Alexanders diuision Conquest permitted ‖ Anno 1554. The Moscotutes priuiledges vnto the English The largâ—nes of the priuiledge of the Moscouite companie Anno 1555. April 23. Note May 15. Kedelwike chappell The North cape so named by Steuen Burrowe The latitude of Cola. â— Russe Lodia Lodias hauing 24 men a pâ—â—ce From Cola to Pechora is but 7 or 8 dayes sayling The â—â—â—â—esse of one Gabriel A good necessarie note Twentie eight Lodias belonging to Cola. The latitude of Cape S. Iohn 66 degrees 50 minutes Earth swimming aboue water like wood The latitude 68 degrees and a halfe Morgiouets an harbour Drift wood A Samoed Dolgoieue an Island Pechora The variation of the Compas Ice The lat 70 degrees 11 min. S Iames Island The variation of the Compas 7 degrees and a halfe The relation of Loshak The way to the riuer of Ob. A mighty hill in Noua Zembla Loshak The Islands of Uagaits Samoeds The maners of the Samoeds The Samoeds of the Ob very hurtfull and shrewd people Naramzay The latitude The variation of the compas They land vpon Vaigats The vncerâ—entie of â—â—bing flowing They were within 15 leagues of Pechora They returne the 22 of August 1556 Norway Roste Lofoot Finmarke Wardhouse Lappia The Scricfinnes The Lappians Corelia Nouogardia The Russes Tartaria Lampas a mart or faire of the Russes Tartars and Samoeds The Samoeds countrey Or. Pechoraâ— Vaegatz Noua Zembla Store of foule White Foxes White beares The maner of the Samoeds sacrifices about the riuer of Pechere Foure ships The Edward Bonauenture arriued in Scotlandâ— in the Bay of Pettislego Nouemb 7. 1556. Rich. Chancelor drowned His departure from Scotland towards England 1557. Febr. 27. His honourable receiuing into the citie of London A league and articles of amitte concluded and confirmed vnder the great seale of England Foure goodly ships of the merchants prouided for Russia 1557. The King and Queens secoÌ„d letters to the Emperour of Russia Coia Reca Coscaynos Dogs nose The variation of the Compasse 4. degrees Foxe nose Poynt Pentecost Crosse Island Cape good fortune Cape grace Cape Race Frost in Iune Tri Ostroue Ice The variation Corpus Christi poynt Cape Gallant Iuana Creos S. Georges Islands Cape comfort S. Peters Islands S. Pauls Islands Cape Sower beere Kildina Cape Bonauenture â—egor Domshaff Wardhouse ‖ Which were the Bona Esperanza the Bona confidentia and the Philip and Marie Whereof the two first were lost ‖ Or â—rondon The Philip and Marie The bona Confidentia cast away A gainefull trade of fishing at Kegor Commodities fit for Kegor 1557. Wares sent into Russia out of England The Arshinâ— is a Russie measure 7. Ropemakers sent into Russia Cables and Ropes a principall commoditie Danske the old chiefe place for Cables Commodities not bearing the charges of long fraight Furres most vendible Steele Copper Wollen cloth of Rie and Reuel of Poland and Lettowe Russian lether Things goodâ— to die withall Ten yong men sent into Russia Henry Lane Agent The fourth voyage The olde traffike of Russia to Rei Reuel and Poland turned to Saint Nicholâ—â— The articles of their first Commission giuen 1555. Leonard Brian sent to search out Yewe in the North parts of Russia 2. Coopers sent into Russia The marchaÌ„ts letters ouer land written in cyphers The voyag of Steuen Burrowe for the discouerie of the riuer of Ob. M. Anthonie Ienkinson his first trauaile inteÌ„ded for Cathay by the Caspian sea and Boghar Good caske made in Russia 1557 Iohn
Sedgewick at Noâ—ogrode Masts of 30. yards An Arshine is 3. quarters of a yard or more A rope house â—râ—ted at Colmogro A tarre house Robert Austen 1558 Lampas a great mate for the Samoeds in the North. What quantitie of â—empe workmen will worke in a peere White hawks white beares prohibited without licence Master Grayes iourney to Lampas 1558 Doctor Standish the Emperours Phisition An attempt to hinder our trade to Moscouia by the Hans townes Easterlings 1559 Master Ienkensons voyage intended for Cathay The discouery of its Caspian sea Passage to and from Moscouia by Sweden This was a yong Tartar girle which he gaue to the Queene afterward Tallowe Waxe Traine oyles Sables Woluerings Luserns Lett es Ermines Squirels Flaxe Cables and ropes A proclamion against soâ—rnâ— Furres 3000. podes of Tallow a yere 500. Losh hides Note Hope of trade to be found by master Antonie Ienkinson Seale skinnes tawed Small cables best besidible Masts of all sorts to be prepared Astracan no great good marte Christopher Hodson and Thomas Glouer appointed Agents 1560. Stockholme Iohn Luck taken prisoner in Lieflando The Swallow The Philip and Marie The Iesus Nicholas Chancelour The salt of Russia is not so good as Bay salte Fore skinnes white blacke and russet vendible in England May 5. 1560. Triall by combat or loâ— Iune Heilick IslaÌ„ds in 66 degrees 40 minutes Rost Islands Malestrand a strange whirle poole Zenam Island Kettelwike Island Inger sound The North Cape Wardhouse Cattell fed with fish The Monastery of Pechinchow Arzina reca the riuer where sir Hugh Willoughbie was frozen The Lappians couered all sauing their eies The current at Cape Grace The entering of the Bay of S. Nicholas is seuen leagues broad at the least August Pinego riuer The towne of Yemps Vstiug The description of their Nassades Good counsell for trauellers December Presents vsed in Russia are all for the most part of victualâ— The citie of Boghar They arriued at Mosco M. Standish doctor of Phisicke Long dinners Ordinance in Russia A yerely triumph The hallowing of the riuer of Mosco The Russes Lent The Emperor leadeth y e Metropolitanâ— horse in procession Kissing vsed in the Greeke church With these letters M. Ienkinson tooke his voyage the same Apâ—il to Boghar The Emperours wardrobe “ Or Basilius Note The hospitalitie of their monasteries Want of preachers cause of great ignoâ—aÌ„ce and idolaâ—â—y Al their seruice to in their mother tonguâ— The women of Russia paint their faces Bâ—â—ad made of straw The vnmercifulnesse of the Russeâ— toward the poore Stooues 〈◊〉 baths vsuall with the Mascouites Reported by Thomas Bulley Cazan The Island of marchants The riuer of Cama Nagay Tartars Hords The Crimme Tartars The riuer of Samar Licoris in great plentie Astracan Store of Sturgions The length of the Island of Astracan They enter into the Caspian sea Baughleata being 74. leagues from Volga Iaic riuer Serachick The Countrie of Colmack The port of Manguslaue They goe on land The countrey of Manguslaue 20. dayes trauaile in the wildernesse with scarcitie of water Another gulfe of the Caspian sea Will de Rubricis describeth this riuer of Ardok cap. 4. Sellizure or Shayzure Letters of safe-conduct Vrgence The countrey of Turkeman The riuer of Ardock falleth into the lake of Kitay The castle of Kait Diutuation by forcerie Handguns very profitable Bussarmans Caphar The riuer of Oxus A wildernes of sande Boghar a citie of Bactria A strange worme in mens legs The coyne of Boghar Marchandise of India Marchandise of Persia. Marchandise of Russia Marchandise of Cathay Taskent Cascar He returneth the eight of March 1552. Vrgence The king of Baâ—ke oâ— Balgâ— The English flag in the Caspian sea A notable description of the Caspian sea His arriual at Mosco the 2. of September * â—râ— Vrgeâ—â—â— Angrim Mandeuille speaketh hereof Oâ—â—itay Small people Pechora but six dayes iourney by land or water from Ob. Trauelling on dogs harts 1559 The trade to Narue forbidden by the â—â— of Poland The ancient couenants of trafficke betweene England Prussia The olde libertie of trafficke The meanes of increase of the power of the Moscouite This letter was also written in Hebrew and Italian The passage of Noua Zembla Waights and drugs deliuered to M. Ienkinson The maine sea within thirtie dayes Eastward of Colmogro 1561 The Queâ—nes letters to the Emperour of Russia Request to passe into Persia thorow Moscouie Osep Napea Ambassadour from the Emperor of Russia to Q. Mary An ambassador of Persia. Astracan M. Ienkinsons voyage to Boghar He passeth the Caspian sea The countreâ— of Tumen The Island of Chatalet The land of Shiâ—uansha Derbent A mighty wall Or Tiphlis Fortie one degrees Shabran Alcan Murcy the gouernour King Obdolowcan The maiesty attire of king Obdolowcan The Queenes letters to the Sophy Casbin Multitude of concubines The description of Hircania Danger by diuersâ—tie in religion Barbarous crueltie The citie of Arrash or Erex The commodities of thiâ— countreâ— The strong castle of Gullistone defaced The towne of Yauate The city of Ardouil The city Tebâ—iâ— or Tauris M. Ienkinsons arriuall at the Sophies court 2. Nouember 1562. The Turkes Ambassadour to the Sophy The Turkes merchauntâ— withstand M. Ienkinson Shaw Thomas the Sophies name The Queeneâ— letters deliuered The Sophies questions The curtesâ—e of Shally Murzey Warres intended against the Portingalsâ— The king of Hircans sâ—cond letters in M. Ienkinsonâ— behalfe Conference with Indian Merchants M. Ienkinsons returne Priuiledges obtained of Obdolowcan which are hereafter annexed An Armenian sent to M. Ienkinson from the king of Georgia Teneruk king of Chircassi The description of Persia. The chiefe Cities of Persia. The difference of religion The 30. of May 1563. New priuileges obtained hereafter following 28. Sâ—ptemb 1564. A rubble is a marke English Casbin Leuuacta A Boserman to a Renegado Thomas Alcocke slaine in the way betweene Leuuacta and Shammaki Keselbash or Ieselbash Gillan in Persia 1565. Ieraslaue a towne vpon the riuer of Volga Richard Iohnson chiefe of the third voyage into Persia. A barke of 30. tunnes made at Ieraslaue 1564. to passe the Caspian seas 1566 They departed from Astracan the 30. of Iuly 1565. September Presents to the king Obdolowcan A hoâ—se giuen our men in Shamaki by the king The death of Abdollocan the 2. of October 1565. Mursay the new king of Media The death of Alexander Kitchin the 23. of October 1565. The Caspiaâ— sea very shoald in diuers places The murthering of Thomas Alcock Cozamomet a noble man that fauoured our nation The value of a tumen What a batman is Varas a great mart for silke Gilan 7. dayes sailing from Astracanâ— Alom Gilan 4. dayes iourney from Casbin From Casbin to Ormus a moneths trauel with camels The secret doings of the Moscouie company Orient reds of Venice die A shaugh is 6. d. English His arriual at Casbin the 25. of May. Conference demands of the Shaugh All sorts of cloth to be sent specially Westerne
and get the charitie of well disposed people But being at libertie they get nothing The poore is very innumerable and liue most miserably for I haue seene them eate the pickle of Hearring and other stinking fish nor the fish cannot be so stinking nor rotten but they will eate it and praise it to be more wholesome then other fish or fresh meate In mine opinion there be no such people vnder the sunne for their hardnesse of liuing Well I will leaue them in this poynt and will in part declare their Religion They doe obserue the lawe of the Greekes with such excesse of superstition as the like hath not bene heard of They haue no grauen images in their Churches but all painted to the intent they will not breake the commandement but to their painted images they vse such idolatrie that the like was neuer heard of in England They will neither worship nor honour any image that is made forth of their owne countrey For their owne images say they haue pictures to declare what they be and howe they be of God and so be not ours They say Looke how the Painter of Caruer hath made them so we doe worship them and they worship none before they be Christened They say we be but halfe Christians because we obserue not part of the olde law with the Turks Therefore they call themselues more holy then vs. They haue none other learning but their mother tongue nor will suffer no other in their countrey among them All their seruice in Churches is in their mother tongue They haue the olde and newe Testament which are daily read among them and yet their superstition is no lesse For when the Priests doe reade they haue such tricks in their reading that no man can vnderstand them nor no man giueth eare to them For all the while the Priest readeth the people sit downe and one talke with another But when the Priest is at seruice no man sitteth but gagle and ducke like so many Geese And as for their prayers they haue but little skill but vse to say As bodi pomele As much to say Lord haue mercy vpon me For the tenth man within the land cannot say the Pater noster And as for the Creede no man may be so bolde as to meddle therewith but in the Church for they say it shoulde not bee spoken of but in the Churches Speake to them of the Cōmandements and they wil say they were giuen to Moses in the law which Christ hath nowe abrogated by his precious death and passion therefore say they we obserue little or none thereof And I doe beleeue them For if they were examined of their Lawe and Commaundements together they shoulde agree but in fewe poynts They haue the Sacrament of the Lords Supper in both kindes and more ceremonies then wee haue They present them in a dish in both kindes together and carrie them rounde about the Church vpon the Priestes head and so doe minister at all such times as any shall require They bee great offerers of Candles and sometimes of money which wee call in England Soule pense with more ceremonies then I am able to declare They haue foure Lents in the yeere whereof our Lent is the greatest Looke as we doe begin on the Wednesday so they doe on the Munday before And the weeke before that they call The Butter weeke And in that weeke they eate nothing but Butter and milke Howbeit I beleeue there bee in no other countrey the like people for drunkennesse The next Lent is called Saint Peters Lent and beginneth alwayes the Munday next after Trinitie sunday and endeth on Saint Peters euen If they should breake that fast their beliefe is that they should not come in at heauen gates And when any of them die they haue a testimoniall with them in the Coffin that when the soule commeth to heauen gates it may deliuer the same to Saint Peter which declareth that the partie is a true and holy Russian The third Lent beginneth fifteene dayes before the later Lady day and endeth on our Lady Eeuen The fourth Lent beginneth on Saint Martins day and endeth on Christmas Eeuen which Lent is fasted for Saint Philip Saint Peter Saint Nicholas and Saint Clement For they foure be the principall and greatest Saints in that countrey In these Lents they eate neither Butter Egges Milke nor Cheese but they are very straitely kept with Fish Cabbages and Rootes And out of their Lents they obserue truely the Wednesdayes and Fridayes throughout the yeere and on the Saturday they doe eate flesh Furthermore they haue a great number of Religious men which are blacke Monks and they eate no flesh throughout the yeere but fish milke and Butter By their order they should eate no fresh-fish and in their Lents they eate nothing but Coleworts Cabbages salt Cowcumbers with other rootes as Radish and such like Their drinke is like our peny Ale and is called Quass They haue seruice daily in their Churches and vse to goe to seruice two houres before day and that is ended by day light At nine of the clocke they goe to Masse that ended to dinner and after that to seruice againe and then to supper You shall vnderstand that at euery dinner and supper they haue declared the exposition of the Gospel that day but howe they wrest and twine the Scripture and that together by report it is wonderfull As for whoredome and drunkennesse there be none such liuing and for extortion they be the most abhominable vnder the sunne Nowe iudge of their holinesse They haue twise as much land as the Duke himselfe hath but yet hee is reasonable eeuen with them as thus When they take bribes of any of the poore and simple he hath it by an order When the Abbot of any of of their houses dieth then the Duke hath all his goods moueable and vnmoueable so that the successour buieth all at the Dukes hands and by this meane they be the best Fermers the Duke hath Thus with their Religion I make an ende trusting hereafter to know it better To the right worshipfull and my singular good Vncle Master Christopher Frothingham giue these Sir Reade and correct For great is the defect The Testimonie of M. Richard Eden in his Decades concerning the Booke following AND whereas saith he I haue before made mention howe Moscouie was in our time discouered by Richard Chanceler in his voyage toward Cathay by the direction and information of M. Sebastian Cabota who long before had this secret in his minde I shall not neede here to describe that voyage forasmuch as the same is largely and faithfully written in the Latine tongue by that learned yong man Clement Adams schoolemaster to the Queenes henshmen as he receiued it at the mouth of the said Richard Chanceler The newe Nauigation and discouerie of the kingdome of Moscouia by the Northeast in the yeere 1553 Enterprised by Sir Hugh Willoughbie knight and perfourmed by Richard Chancelor
Pilot maior of the voyage Written in Latine by Clement Adams AT what time our Marchants perceiued the commodities and wares of England to bee in small request with the countreys and people about vs and neere vnto vs and that those Marchandizes which strangers in the time and memorie of our auncesters did earnestly seeke and desire were nowe neglected and the price thereof abated although by vs carried to their owne portes and all forreine Marchandises in great accompt and their prises wonderfully raised certaine graue Citizens of London and men of great wisedome and carefull for the good of their Countrey began to thinke with themselues howe this mischiefe might bee remedied Neither was a remedie as it then appeared wanting to their desires for the auoyding of so great an inconuenience for seeing that the wealth of the Spaniards and Portingales by the discouerie and search of newe trades and Countreys was marueilously increased supposing the same to be a course and meane for them also to obteine the like they thereupon resolued vpon a newe and strange Nauigation And whereas at the same time one Sebastian Cabota a man in those dayes very renowmed happened to bee in London they began first of all to deale and consult diligently with him and after much speech and conference together it was at last concluded that three shippes should bee prepared and furnished out for the search and discouerie of the Northerne part of the world to open a way and passage to our men for trauaile to newe and vnknowen kingdomes And whereas many things seemed necessary to bee regarded in this so hard and diffâ—cult a matter they first make choyse of certaine graue and wise persons in maner of a Senate or companie which should lay their heads together and giue their iudgements and prouide things requisite and profitable for all occasions by this companie it was thought expedient that a certaine summe of money should publiquely bee collected to serue for the furnishing of so many shippes And left any priuate man should bee too much oppressed and charged a course was taken that euery man willing to be of the societie should disburse the portion of twentie and fiue pounds a piece so that in short time by this meanes the summe of sixe thousand pounds being gathered the three shippes were bought the most part whereof they prouided to be newly built and trimmed But in this action I wote not whether I may more admire the care of the Marchants or the diligence of the Shipwrights for the Marchants they get very strong and well seasoned plankes for the building the Shippewrights they with daily trauaile and their greatest skill doe fitte them for the dispatch of the shippes they calke them pitch them and among the rest they make one most stanch and firme by an excellent and ingenious inuention For they had heard that in certaine parts of the Ocean a kinde of wormes is bredde which many times pearceth and eateth through the strongest oake that is and therfore that the Mariners and the rest to bee imployed in this voyage might bee free and safe from this danger they couer a piece of the keele of the shippe with thinne sheetes of leade and hauing thus built the ships and furnished them with armour and artillerie then followed a second care no lesse troublesome and necessarie then the former namely the prouision of victuals which was to be made according to the time and length of the voyage And whereas they afore determined to haue the East part of the world sayled vnto and yet that the sea towards the same was not open except they kept the Northren tract whereas yet it was doubtfull whether there were any passage yea or no they resolued to victuall the ships for eighteene moneths which they did for this reason For our men being to passe that huge and colde part of the world they wisely foreseeing it allowe them sixe moneths victuall to saile to the place so much more to remaine there if the extremitie of the winter hindered their returne and so much more also for the time of their comming home Nowe this prouision being made and caried aboord with armour and munition of all sorts sufficient Captaines and gouernours of so great an enterprise were as yet wanting to which office and place although many men and some voyde of experience offered themselues yet one Sir Hugh Willoughbie a most valiant Gentleman and well borneâ— very earnestly requested to haue that care and charge committed vnto him of whom before all others both by reason of his goodly personage for he was a tall stature as also for his singular skill in the seruices of warre the company of the Marchants made greatest accompt so that at the last they concluded and made choyce of him for the Generall of this voyage and appoynted to him the Admirall with authoritie and commaund ouer all the rest And for the gouernement of other ships although diuers men seemed willing and made offers of themselues thereunto yet by a common consent one Richard Chanceler a man of great estimation for many good partes of wit in him was elected in whom alone great hope for the performance of this businesse rested This man was brought vp by one master Henry Sidney a noble yong Gentleman and very much beloued of King Edward who at this time comming to the place where the Marchants were gathered together beganne a very eloquent speech or Oration and spake to them after this maner following My very worshipfull friends I cannot but greatly commend your present godly and vertuous intention in the serious enterprising for the singular loue you beare to your Countrey a matter which I hope will prooue profitable for this nation and honourable to this our land Which intention of yours wee also of the Nobilitie are ready to our power to helpe and further neither doe wee holde any thing so deare and precious vnto vs which wee will not willingly forgoe and lay out in so commendable a cause But principally I reioyce in my selfe that I haue nourished and maintained that witte which is like by some meanes and in some measure to profite and steede you in this worthy action But yet I would not haue you ignorant of this one thing that I doe now part with Chanceler not because I make little reckoning of the man or that his maintenance is burdenous and chargeable vnto mee but that you might conceiue and vnderstand my good will and promptitude for the furtherance of this businesse and that the authoritie and estimation which hee deserueth may be giuen him You know the man by report I by experience you by wordes I by deedes you by speech and companie but I by the daily triall of his life haue a full and perfect knowledge of him And you are also to remember into howe many perils for your sakes and his countreys loue he is nowe to runne whereof it is requisite that wee be
euery of them that he and they and euery or any of them shall and may from time to time and at all times for euer hereafter for his and their defence encounter and expulse repell and resist aswell by sea as by lande and by all other wayes whatsoeuer all and euery such person and persons whatsoeuer as without the especiall liking and license of the sayd Walter Ralegh and of his heires and assignes shall attempt to inhabite within the sayde Countryes or any of them or within the space of two hundreth leagues neere to the place or places within such Countryes as aforesayde if they shall not bee before planted or inhabited within the limits as aforesayd with the subiects of any Christian Prince being in amitie with vs where the sayd Walter Ralegh his heires or assignes or any of them or his or their or any of their associats or company shall within sixe yeeres next ensuing make their dwellings or abidings or that shall eâ—terprise or attempt at any time hereafter vnlawfully to annoy eyther by Sea or Lande the sayde Walter Ralegh his heires or assignes or any of them or his or their or any of his or their companies giuing and graunting by these presents further power and authoritie to the sayd Walter Ralegh his heires and assignes and euery of them from time to time and at all times for euer hereafter to take and surprise by all maner of meanes whatsoeuer all and euery those person or persons with their Shippes Uessels and other goods and furniture which without the licence of the sayde Walter Ralegh or his heires or assignes as aforesayd shal be found traffiquing into any Harbour or Harbours Creeke or Creekes within the limits aforesayd the subiects of our Realmes and Dominions and all other persons in amitie with vs trading to the Newfound lands for fishing as heretofore they haue commonly vsed or being driuen by force of a tempest or shipwracke onely excepted and those persons and euery of them with their shippes vessels goods and furniture to deteine and possesse as of good and lawfull prize according to the discretion of him the sayd Walter Ralegh his heires and assignes and euery or any of them And for vniting in more perfect league and amitie of such Countryes landes and territories so to be possessed and inhabited as aforesayd with our Realmes of England and Ireland and the better incouragement of men to these enterprises we doe by these presents graunt and declare that all such Countries so hereafter to be possessed and inhabited as is aforesayd from thencefoorth shall be of the allegiance of vs our heires and successours And wee doe graunt to the sayd Walter Ralegh his heires and assignes and to all and euery of them and to all and euery other person and persons being of our allegiance whose names shall be noted or entred in some of our Courts of recorde within our Realme of England that with the assent of the sayd Walter Ralegh his heires or assignes shall in his iourneis for discouerie or in the iourneis for conquest hereafter trauaile to such lands countreis and territories as aforesayd and to their and to euery of their heires that they and euery or any of them being eyther borne within our sayde Realmes of England or Irelande or in any other place within our allegiance and which hereafter shall be inhabiting within any the Lands Countryes and Territories with such licence as aforesayd shall and may haue all the priuiledges of free Denizens and persons natiue of England and within our allegiance in such like ample maner and forme as if they were borne and personally resident within our said Realme of Eâ—gland any law custome or vsage to the contrary notwithstanding And for asmuch as vpon the finding out discouering or iâ—habiting of such remote lands countries and territories as aforesaid it shal be necessary for the safety of all men that shall aduenture themselues in those iourneyes or voyages to determine to liue together in Christian peace and ciuill quietnesse eche with other whereby euery one may with more pleasure and profit enioy that whereunto they shall atteine with great paine and perill wee for vs our heires and successors are likewise pleased and contented and by these presents doe giue grant to the said Walter Ralegh his heires and assignes for euer that he and they and euery or any of them shall and may from time to time for euer hereafter within the said mentioned remote lands and countries in the way by the seas thither and from thence haue full and meere power and authoritie to correct punish pardon gouerne and rule by their and euery or any of their good discretions and policies aswell in causes capitall or criminall as ciuil both marine and other all such our subiects as shal from time to time aduenture themselues in the said iourneis or voyages or that shall at any time hereafter inhabite any such lands countreis or territories as aforesayd or that shall abide within 200. leagues of any of the sayde place or places where the sayde Walter Ralegh his heires or assignes or any of them or any of his or their associats or companies shall inhabite within 6. yeeres next ensuing the date hereof according to such statutes lawes and ordinances as shall be by him the sayd Walter Ralegh his heires and assignes and euery or any of them deuised or established for the better gouernment of the said people as aforesaid So alwayes as the said statutes lawes and ordinances may be as nere as conueniently may bee agreeable to the forme of the lawes statutes gouernement or pollicie of England and also so as they be not against the true Christian faith nowe professed in the Church of England nor in any wise to withdrawe any of the subiectes or people of those lands or places from the alleageance of vs our heires and successours as their immediate Soueraigne vnder God And further we doe by these presents for vs our heires and successors giue and grant ful power and authoritie to our trustie and wâ—lbeloued Counsailour Sir William Cecill knight Lorde Burghleyâ— our high Treasourer of England and to the Lorde Treasourer of England for vs our heires and successors for the time beingâ— and to the priuie Cousaile of vs our heires and successors or any foure or more of them for the time being that he they or any foure or more of them shall and may from time to time and at all times hereafter vnder his or their handes or Seales by vertue of these presents authorise and licence the saide Walter Ralegh his heires and assignes and euery or any of them by him by themselues or by their or any of their sufficient Atturneis Deputies Officers Ministers Factors and seruants to imbarke transport out of our Realme of England and Ireland and the Dominions thereof all or any of his or their goods and all or any the goods of his and their associats and companies and