commandement to handle discusse and finally to determine the foresaid busines and with letters of credence vnto the right reuerend lord and master generall aforesayd Which ambassadours together with Iohn Beuis of London their informer and the letters aforesaid and their ambassage the said right reuerend lord and Master generall at his castle of Marienburgh the 28. of Iuly in the yeare aforesaid reuerently and honourably receiued and enterteined and in his minde esteemed them worthy to treate and decide the causes aforesayd and so vnto the sayd ambassadouurs he ioyned in commission on his behalfe three of his owne counsellers namely the honourable and religious personages Conradus de Walrode great commander Seiffridus Walpode de Bassenheim chiefe hospitalary and commander in Elburg Wolricus Hachenberger treasurer being all of the order aforesaid Which ambassadors so entreating about the premisses and sundry conferences and consultations hauing passed between them friendly and with one consent concluded an agreement and concord in manner following That is to say First that all arrestments reprisals and impignorations of whatsoeuer goods and marchandises in England and Prussia made before the date of these presents are from henceforth quiet free and released without all fraud and dissimulation insomuch that the damages charges and expenses occasioned on both parts by reason of the foresayd goods arrested are in no case hereafter to be required or chalenged by any man but the demaunds of any man whatsoeuer propounded in this regard are and ought to be altogether frustrate and voide and all actions which may or shall be commenced by occasion of the sayd goods arrested are to be extinct and of none effect Moreouer it is secondly concluded and agreed that all and singuler Prussians pretending themselues to be iniuried by the English at the Porte of Swen or elsewhere howsoeuer and whensoeuer before the date of these presents hauing receiued the letters of the foresaide right reuerende lord and Master generall and of the cities of their abode are to repayre towards England vnto the sayd hon embassadours who are to assist them and to propound and exhibite their complaintes vnto the forenamed lord and king The most gracious prince is bounde to doe his indeuor that the parties damnified may haue restitution of their goods made vnto them or at least complete iustice and iudgement without delay Also in like maner all English men affirming themselues to haue bene endamaged by Prussians wheresoeuer howsoeuer and whensoeuer are to haue recourse vnto the often forenamed right reuerend lorde the Master generall with the letters of their king and of the cities of their aboad propounding their complaints and causes vnto him Who likewise is bound to doe his indeuour that the sayd losses and damages may be restored or at the least that speedie iudgement may be without all delayes executed This caueat being premised in each clause that it may and shall be freely granted and permitted vnto euery man that will ciuilly make his suite and complaint to doe it either by himselfe or by his procurator or procurators Also thirdly it is agreed that whosoeuer of Prussia is determined criminally to propound his criminal complaints in England namely that his brother or kinseman hath beene slaine wounded or maimed by English men the same partie is to repayre vnto the citie of London in England and vnto the sayd ambassadors bringing with him the letters of the sayd right reuerend lord the master generall and of the cities of their abode which ambassadors are to haue free and full authority according to the complaints of the men of Prussia and the answers of the English men to make and ordaine a friendly reconciliation or honest recompence betweene such parties which reconciliation the sayd parties reconciled are bound vndoubtedly without delay to obserue But if there be any English man found who shall rashly contradict or contâ—mne the composition of the foresayd ambassadors then the sayd ambassadours are to bring the forenamed Prussian plaintifes before the presence of the kings Maiestie and also to make supplication on the behalfe of such plaintifes that complete iustice and iudgment may without delayes bee administred according as those suites are commenced Moreouer whatsoeuer English man against whom anie one of Prussia would enter his action shall absent himselfe at the terme the sayd ambassadours are to summon and ascite the foresayd English man to appeare at the terme next insuing that the plaintifes of Prussia may in no wise seeme to depart or to returne home without iudgâ—ment or the assistance of lawe Nowe if the sayd English man being summoned shall be found stubborne or disobedient the forenamed ambassadours are to make their appeale and supplication in manner aforesayd And in like sorte in all respects shall the English plaintifes be dealt withall in Prussia namely in the citie of Daâ—tzik where the deputies of the sayd citie and of the citie of Elburg shal take vnto themselues two other head boroughs one of Dantzik and the other of Elburg which foure commissioners are to haue in al respects the very like authority of deciding discussing and determining all criminall complaints propounded criminally by English men against any Prussian or Prussians by friendly reconciliation or honest recompense if it be possible But if it cannot friendly be determined or if anie Prussian shall not yeeld obedience vnto any such order or composition but shal be found to contradict and to contemne the same from thenceforth the said foure deputies and headboroughs are to make their appeale and supplication vnto the Master generall of the land aforesayd that vnto the sayd English plaintifes speedy iudgement and complete iustice may be administred But if it shall so fall out that any of the principall offenders shall decease or already are deceased in either of the sayd countries that then it shall bee free and lawfull for the plaintife to prosecute his right against the goods or heires of the party deceased Also for the executing of the premisses the termes vnder written are appointed namely the first from the Sunday whereupon Quasi modo geniti is to be sung next ensuing vntill the seuenth day following The second vpon the feast oâ— the holy Trinitie next to come and for seuen dayes following The third vpon the eight day after Saint Iohn Baptist next to come for seuen daies following The fourth last and peremptory terme shall be vpon the feast of S. Michael next to come and vpon seuen dayes next following And from thenceforth all causes which concerne death or the mayming of a member with all actions proceeding from them are to remaine altogether voide and extinct And if peraduenture any one of the foresayd ambassadours shall in the meane season dye then the other two shall haue authoritie to chuse a third vnto them And if after the date of these presents any cause great or small doth arise or spring foorth it must bee decided in England and in Prussia as it hath
Item that euery bargaine made by the said marchants with any maner of persons of what places soeuer they be for any kind of marchaÌ„dise whatsoeuer shal be firme stable so that none of both the marchants shall shrinke or giue backe from that bargaine after that the earnest penie be once giuen and taken betweene the principall bargayners And if peraduenture any strife arise about the same bargaine the triall and inquirie thereof shall be made according to the vses and customes of the fayres and townes where it chanced that the said bargaine was made and contracted Item we promise the aforesaid marchants granting for euer for vs and our heires that from hence foorth we will not in any wise make nor cause to be made any stay or arrest or any delay by reason of arrest of their wares marchandises or other goods by our selues or by any other or others for any neede or accident against the will of the sayd marchants without present payment of such a price as the marchants would haue sold those marchandises for to other men or without making of them other satisfaction so that they shall hold themselues well contented and that no price or valuation shal be set vpon their wares marchandises goods by vs or by any officer of ours Item we will that all bayliffes and officers of fayres cities boroughs and market townes shall doe speedie iustice from day to day without delay according to the lawe of Marchants to the aforesayd marchants when they shall complaine before them touching all and singuler causes which may be determined by the same law And if default be found in any of the bayliffes or officers aforesayd where by the sayd marchants or any of them haue sustained or do sustaine any damage through delay though the marchant recouer his losses against the partie principall yet the bayliffe or other officer shall be punished to vs ward according to the qualitie of the default And wee doe grant this punishment in fauour of the aforesayd marchants in regard of the hastening of their iustice Item that in al maner of pleas sauing in case where punishmeÌ„t of death is to be inflicted where a marchant is impleaded or sueth another of what condition soeuer hee bee which is sued whether stranger or home borne in fayres cities or boroughs where sufficient numbers of marchants of the foresayd countreis are and where the triall ought to bee made let the one halfe of the Iurie be of the sayd marchants and the other halfe of good and lawfull men of the place where the suite shall fall out to bee and if sufficient number of marchants of the sayd countries cannot bee found those which shall be found fit in that place shall be put vpon the iurie and the rest shall be chosen of good and fit men of the places where such suit shall chance to be Item we will we ordaine aud wee appoint that in euery market towne and fayre of our realme aforesayd and elsewhere within our dominion our weight shall bee set in some certiane place and that before the weighing the balance shall bee seene emptie in the presence of the buyer and of the seller and that the skales bee equall and that afterward the weigher weigh in the equall balance And when hee hath set the balances euen let him straitghway remooue his hands so that the balance way remayne euen And that throughout all our kingdome and dominion there be one weight and one measure and that they be marked with the marke of our standard And that euery man may haue a weight of one quarter of an hundred and vnder where the same hath not bin contrary to the liberty of the lord of the place and contrary to the libertie granted by vs and our predecessors or contrary to the custome of townes and fayres which hath hitherto beene obserued Item we will and we grant that some certaine faythfull and discreete man resident in London be appointed to doe Iustice to the aforesayd marchants before whome they may haue their sutes decided and may speedilie recouer their debts if the Shiriffes and Maior should not from day to day giue them speedy iustice And hereof let a Commission be made which we grant vnto the aforesaid marchants besides this present Charter to wit of such things as betweene marchant and marchant are to be decided according to the lawe of marchants Item we ordayne and appoynt and wee will that this ordinance and statute shall firmely bee obserued for euer for vs and our heires that the aforesayd marchants shal not loose the aforesayd liberties nor any of them for any libertie whatsoeuer which wee or our heires hereafter shall grant And for the obtayning of the aforesayd liberties and free customes and for remission of our arresting of their goods the aforesayd marchants all and euery of them for themselues and all other of their parties with one accorde and one consent haue granted vnto vs that of euery tunne of wine which they shall bring or cause to be brought into our realme and dominion for which they shall bee bound to pay freight vnto the mariners besides the olde customes which are due and were woont to bee payd vnto vs they will pay vnto vs and to our heires in the name of a custome two shillings in money either out of hande or else within fortie dayes after the sayd wines shall bee brought on land out of the shippes Item for euery sacke of wooll which the sayd marchants or others in their name shall buy and carie out of the realme or cause to bee brought and caried out they will pay forty pence aboue the old custome of halfe a marke which was payed heretofore And for a last of hides to bee caryed out of our realme and dominion halfe a marke aboue that which heretofore was payed by the olde custome And like wise for three hundreth Felles with the wooll on them to bee transporâ—ed out of our realme and dominion fortie pence aboue that certaine rate which before was payed by the olde custome Also two shillings vpon euery scarlate and euery cloth died in graine Item eighteene pence for euery cloth wherein any kind of graine is mingled Item twelue pence vpon euery cloth dyed without graine Item twelue pence vpon euerie quintall of copper And whereas sundrie of the aforesayd marchants are woont to exercise other marchandises as of Huer de pois and other fine wares as sarâ—enets lawnes cindalles and silke and diuers other marchandises and to sell horses and other beastes corne and sundrie other things and marchandises which cannot easily bee reduced vnto a certaine custome the sayd marchants haue granted to giue vnto vs and to our heires of euery pound of siluer of the estemation and value of these kinde of goods and marchandises by what name soeuer they be called three pence in the pound in the bringing in of these goods into our realme and dominion aforesaid within twentie dayes after
beene accustomed in times past and from ancient times Also it is farther concluded and agreed vpon that all lawfull marchants of England whosoeuer shall haue free licence and authority with all kindes of shippes goods and marchandises to resorte vnto euery port of the land of Prussia and also to transport all such goods and marchandises vp farther vnto any other place in the sayde land of Prussia and there with all kindes of persons freely to bargaine and make sale as heretofore it hath from auncient times bene accustomed Which priuiledge is granted in all things and by all circumstances vnto the Prussians in England And if after the date of these presents betweene the sayd kingdome of England and land of Prussia any dissension or discorde which God forefend should arise then the foresayd souereigne prince and king of England and the sayd right reuerend lord the Master generall are mutually by their letters and messengers to giue certificate and intimation one vnto another concerning the matter and cause of such dissension and discord which intimation on the behalfe of the foresaid souereigne prince king of England shall be deliuered in the forenamed castle of Marienburg but on the behalfe of the sayd right reuerend lord the Master generall such intimation shall be giuen in the citie of London aforesayd vnto the Maior of the said city that then such a denunciation or intimation being made the marchants of England and the subiects of the land of Prussia may within the space of one yeere next following freely and safely returne home with al their goods marchandises if at the least in the mean while some composition friendly league betweene the two forâ—sayd countreis be not in some sorte concluded And that all the premisses may more firmely and faithfully be put in due practise aâ—d execution on both partes for the strong and inuiolable keeping of peace and tranquillity and also for the full confirmation and strengthening of all the sayde premisses the three foresayd honourable and religious personages being by the said right reuereÌ„d lord the Master general appointed as coÌ„missioners to deale in the aboue written ordination and composition haue caused their seales vnto these presents to be put and the sayd ordination also and letter in the same tenour word for word and in all points euen as it is inserted into these presents they haue mutually receiued froÌ„ the abouenamed three ambassadours of the right soueraigne king of England vnder their seales Giuen at the castle of Marienburg in the yeare of our lord aforesayd vpon the twentieth day of the moneth of August And we therefore doe accept approue ratifie and by the tenour of these presents doe confirme the composition ordination concorde and treaty aforesayd In testimony whereof we haue caused these our letters to be made patents Witnesse our selues a Westminster the 22. of October in the thirteenth yeare of our reigne By the king and his counsell Lincolne The letters of Conradus de Iungingen Master generall of Prussia written vnto Richard the second king of England in the yeere 1398 for the renouncing of a league and composition concluded betweene England and Prussia in regard of manifold iniuries offered vnto the Prussians OUr humble commendations with our earnest prayers vnto God for your Maiestie premised Most renowmed prince and mighty lord it is not we hope out of your Maiesties remembrance how our famous predecessour going immediately before vs sent certaine letters of his vnto your highnesse effectually contayning sundry complaints of grieuances iniuries and losses wherewith the marchants of his lande and Order being woont in times past to visite your kingdome with their goods and marchandises haue bene contrary to their liberties and priuiledges annoyed with manifold iniuries and wrongs Especially sithens they haue beene molested in your realme being contrary to the friendly composition made and celebrated by the hono personages master Nicholas Stocket Thomas Graa and Walter Sibil in the yeare 1388 with the assistance of their coarbiters on our part and contrary to God and all iustice oppressed with manifold damages losses and grieuances as in certaine articles exhibited vnto our predecessors aforesayd it doeth more manifestly appeare In consideration whereof being vehemently moued by the damnified parties he humbly besought your highnesse by his messengers and letters for complement and execution of iustice About the which affayres your Maiestie returned your letters of answere vnto our sayd predecessor signifying that the sayd businesse of articles concerned al the communalty of your realme and that your highnesse purposed after consultation had in your parliament to send a more deliberate auswere concerning the premisses vnto our predecessour aforesayd Howbeit he being by death translated out of this present world and our selues by the prouidence of God succeeding in his roome and also long time expecting an effectuall answere from your highnesse are not yet informed as we looked for albeit the complaints of iniuries and losses offered vnto our subiects doe continually increase But from hencefoorth to prouide a remedie and a caueat for the time to come the sayd complaynt doeth vpon great reasons mooue and inuite me Sithens therefore in regard of the sayd composition neither you nor your subiects may be iudged in the empire and sithens plaine reason requireth that the one be not inriched by the others losse as vndoubtedly our subiects should sustaine great damage by the composition aforesayd by vertue whereof your subiects doe enioy all commodities in our lande and contrariwise our subiects in your realme haue suffered as yet sundrie wayes do suffer manifold discommodities losses and iniuries Wherefore most soueraigne prince and mighty lord being reasonably mooued vpon the causes aforesayd we doe by the aduise of our counsellers reuoke and repeale the sayd composition concluded as is aboue written together with the effect thereof purely and simply renouncing the same by these prefents refusing hereafter to haue either our selues or our subiects in any respect to stand bound by the vertue of the sayd composition but from henceforth and for the times heretofore also bee it altogether voide and of none effect Prouided notwithstanding that from the time of the notice of this denunciation giuen vnto the hono Maior of your citie of London for the space of a yeare next ensuing it shall be lawfull for all marchants of your kingdome whatsoeuer with their goods and marchandises to returne home according to the forme in the foresayd compoâ—ition expressed conditionaly thaâ— our subiects may euen so in all respects be permitted to depart with the safety of their goods and liues out of your dominions this present renunâ—iation reuocation and retractation of the order and composition aforesayd notwithstanding Howbeit in any other affayres whatsoeuer deuoutly to submit our selues vnto your highnesse pleasure and command both our selues and our whole order are right willing and desirous and also to benefite and promote your subiects we wil indeuour to the vtmost of our ability
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
restaurations and amends of our said subiects the common marchants mariners or of their factors in the couÌ„treis aforesaid And that whensoeuer and as often as it shal please the said gouernor or his deputies they may in some conueuient and honest place within the said countreis make or cause to be made somon and hold in our name iurisdictions courts and assemblies and in our said name take administration and knowledge of causes as it is aforesaide and to hold and keepe pleas for and in our behalfe and to make agreements mediatours and vmpires to iudge to make decrees and to minister iustice to ordaine appoint censure and constraine our saide subiects to sweare and take all kind of oathes which order of iustice and custome râ—quire and affoorde and to enioy our authoritie and to vse execute and accomplish by way of equitie and iustice and to doe or cause to be done all execution and exercise of law and iustice and to ordain appoint establish sire sergeants or vnder to doe the executions arrests of our said court by the commandement of the said gouernour or of his deputies or at the request of the partie or otherwise according as the case shall require by their aduise and to discharge and displace the said sergeants as shall seeme good vnto him as often and whensoeuer as it shall please him and change them and appoint and set others in their roomes and to require returne and answere of the court whensoeuer need shal be of all causes quarels and businesses in regard of the said office belonging vnto vs and to our said subiects the common marchants and mariners at all times and as often as the case shall permit and require and generally and specially to doe as much for vs and in our stead in the cases before mentioned and which hereafter shal be declared as we could doe or cause to be done could say or require if we were there present in our owne person Moreouer wee will and by the tenour of these presents wee giue and graunt vnto the saide gouernour and to our saide subiects the common marchants and mariners that as oft and whensoeuer it please them they may meet and assemble in some honest and conuenient place and by the consent of the saide gouernour to choose and appoynt among them at their pleasure freely and without danger certaine sufficient and fit persons to the number of twelue or vnder which we wil haue to be named Iusticers vnto the which Iusticers so elected by the saide gouernour and our saide subiects as it is said and to euerie of them we giue and graunt especiall power and authoritie to sitte and assist in court with the said gouernour or his lieutenants for their aide and assistance and to heare the griefs complaints and demands of our said subiects their suites pleas and the state of their causes and quarels whatsoeuer moued or to be moued vnto the ende of their cause and at the request of the saide gouernour his lieutenants or any of them to say propound and plainely to expresse and declare their opinions according to right and conscience vpon the causes brought before them and by the parties vttered and declared and well lawfully and faithfully to counsell and aduise the saide gouernour or his lieutenants to order and censure iudge and determine and ende the same iustly and equally according as the case shall permit and require And furthermore we wil that all iust and reasonable statutes lawes ordinances decrees and constitutions made and established or to be made and established in the countreys aforesaide by the consent of the said gouernour and of the saie Iusticers shal be corrected amended and made as they shall see to bee expedient in this behalfe for the better gouernment of the estate of the common marchants and mariners our saide subiects and shal be held as ratified firme acceptable and approued and from henceforth we accept admit allow and approue them for ratified and confirmed there to be firmely and inuiolably obserued kept and obeyed And also of our farther fauour and grace wee will and we grant that by the consent of our said gouernour our said subiects the common marchants and mariners may make and set downe in the said countreis by their common consent as often as they shall thinke good for their better gouernment and estate such iust and reasonable lawes statutes ordinances decrees constitutions and customes as they shal thinke expedient in this behalfe which we coÌ„mand to be kept as ratified confirmed allowed approued auailable and established Prouided alwaies that they do not nor seeke any thing preiudicial to this present power and authoritie giuen and graunted by vs to the saide gouernour in any poynt or article heerein comprised by any meanes or way whatsoeuer in which case if they shoulde doe anything or ought should happen we wil that it shal take no place force vigour strength nor vertue neither that it shal be of any effect but it shal be abolished disanulled and vtterly frustrate and as abolished disanulled and vtterly frustrated from this time forward wee holde and take it and will hereafter hold and take the same And so to doe and put in execution in our name we haue and doe giue full and absolute power speciall authority to our said seruant William Obray to his said lieutenants And likewise to the end that y e course of marchandise may be kept in good estate and that by order of iustice a firme and constant rule may be set downe among those our said subiects and marchants we haue ordained and do ordaine haue consented doe consent and by these presents haue giuen do giueful power especiall authority to our said seruant Will. Obray gouernour aforesaid that at al time and times when he shal think good he may ordaine elect chuse and appoint in the countreis aforesaid such ministers officers and seruitours as hereafter shal be named and such others as he shal think necessary and to discharge them and to change them set others in their roomes at his good will and pleasure vnto such a number as he shall thinke good and reasonable for the time being to be employed as namely correctors or brokers as many as he shal thinke good to make and to witnes the bargaines which are made or to be made betweene our said subiects and others with whom they shal haue to do or to deale in the foresaid countreis and also as many alnagers to alner and measure al kinds of marchandises which they shal buy or sel by the yard and also as many weighers to weigh the marchandise which shal be sold or bought by weight and also so many folders to fold their clothes and so many packers to pack their packs and to make their fardels maunds and baskets and other things needefull for the defence preseruation of their marchandize Al which ministers officers and seruitors so chosen elected charged admitted and established
I hope in God to vse things in such order that yeerly you shall haue returne of your goods from hence as you haue forth of Russeland and in those ships For if we may as I doubt not with diligence prouide to make sales in time and with speed receiue silke at the Shaughs hand and other mens that it may be sent from hence to be in Astracan at the beginning of Aprill from whence it may be sent to Colmogro in three moneths and lesse and there to be ready with the rest of your goods by the end of Iune for your ships to receiue that will be time inough This I doubt not to bring to passe within a yeere or two when we are throughly setled in these parts and better knowen Moreouer you shall vnderstand that at my last being in the presence of the Shaugh it was sayd to mee that M. Anthonie Ienkinson did proffer to take all the rawe silke in those parties deliuering cloth and other commodities for the same I assure you there is in those parts to be had three or foure thousand horses lading euery horse load being 50. or 60. batmans beside silke of Grosin Great abundance of silke at times is sent out of these parts to wit 4. or 5. hundred horse lodes at a time by the Turkes who bring great store of siluer to be coined to wit Dollars at ten shaughs the piece The Hungarie Ducket is at 12. shaughs And hauing money in readines at the time of the yeere they buy silke the better cheape when the countrey men bring it first to be sold. If your worships may bargaine with the Venetians to take silke at your hands or otherwise deale with them I doe not mistrust but to haue at the Shaughs hand sixe batmans of silke for two pieces and a halfe of karsies Your good aduise herein and in other matters I trust you will write with conuenient speed Master Antonie Ienkinson hath deserued great commendation at all your worships hands for the good report of his well and wise doings in those parts was oftentimes a comfort to me to heare thereof and some good helpe to me in my proceedings To this day I neuer heard from any of our merchants God graunt me in health to see your worships for I haue had a carefull trauell with many a sorowfull day and vnquiet sleepes Neither had I the company of one English person to whom sometimes I might haue â—ased my pensiue heart as God well knoweth who hath deliuered me from mine enemies Thus almightie God graunt you in health and wealth long to liue Your humble seruant at commandement during life Arthur Edwards Another letter of Arthur Edwards written in Astracan the 16. of Iune 1567â— at his returne in his first voiage out of Persia to the right worshipfull Companie trading into Russia Persia and other the North and Northeast partes IT may please your Worships that herein I haue written not onely certaine articles of your priuiledge but also the Gouernours names with the Consuls Assistants and generalitie Also such commodities as the Prince or Emperour of the Countrey hath written in one of his letters directed to your Worships to be sent him with other notes which I thought good to be remembred as may appeare hereafter following Your priuiledge is written graunted and giuen in the names of these sixe persons following to wit sir William Garrard sir William Chester gouernours sir Thomas Lodge master Anthony Ienkinson master Thomas Nicols and Arthur Edwards 1 First it is granted that you shall pay no maner of customes or tols any kinde of wayes now nor in time comming vnto his heires after him And that all English merchants such as you shall appoint now and hereafter shall and may passe and repasse into all places of his dominions and other countries adioining in the trade of merchandize to buy and sell all maner of commodities with all maner of persons 2 Item that in all places where any of our merchants shall haue their resort or abiding his chiefe Gouernours Rulers and Iustices shall take heed vnto vs being our aide defence against all euil persons punishing those that shall do vs any wrong 3 Item that for all such debts as shall be owing by any maner of person iustice shal be done on the partie and we paid at the day 4 Item that no maner of persons of whatsoeuer estate or degree they be of shall be so hardie as to take any kind of wares or any gifts without any leaue and good will 5 Item if by chance medley any of our merchants or seruants as God forbid should kill any of his subiects that no part of your goods shall be touched or medled withall neither any partie but the offendour and true iustice to bee ministred and being any of vs not to suffer without the Princes knowledge and aduise 6 Item that all such debts as are now owing or hereafter shall be are to be paied vnto any of vs in the absence of the other be the partie dead or aliue 7 Item that no person returne any kind of wares backe againe being once bought or sold. 8 Item that when God shall send your goods to shore presently his people shall helpe vs on land with them These articles before written I trust in God wil content your minds vntill your farther letters be hitherto written vnto the Prince who I am assured will graunt your farther reasonable requests which his maiestie hath promised For I moued the question declaring vnto him that I thought your Worships would write your letters of requests to craue his farther good will as should be thought meet for your better assurance in the trade of merchandize you will hardly beleeue what long and gracious talke he had with mee which I assure you continued two houres which was strange vnto the people other merchant strangers For betwixt euery question that his maiestie moued when I had answered him hee would talke with his Nobles and other his seruants hauing some knowledge of our Westerne parts commodities and then againe would demaund other questions He caused his Secretarie to write the articles before namedâ— in all of his foure letters giuen me whereof two as I required are in the Turkish tongue to be sent you On the backe side of one hee hath written what wares his Maiestie would haue you to send him He held me one houre within night before I departed from him These bee the names of the wares or commodities which on the backe side of one of his letters the Shaugh hath written to you to be sent him FIrst some cloth of Gold with cloth of Tissue and cloth of Botky as Ueluets wrought with gold Item good veluets to wit crimosins purples reds greenes and blackes These colours his maiestie requireth for they are most worne And though there be some of these wares made in his citie of Cassan yet nothing like in goodnes to those that you may procure for
and as wee haue at your request bene at great charges in sending these men so we pray you let vs haue lawful fauour in like courtesie to further all our causes And if any of our Mariners or passengers in any respect of displeasure against their company or in hope of preserment of mariage or otherwise would procure to tary and dwell there and leaue his charge and office that then you will bee a means to the Iustice that such fugitiues should bee sent abord the ship as prisoners for as you know without our men wee cannot bring home our ship Wee haue giuen order to our factours to vse your counsell and helpe in their affaires and to gratifie you for the same as to your courtesie and faithfull friendship shall appertaine to your good liking and in the meane time for a token of our good willes towards you we haue sent you a field-bed of walnut tree with the canopy valens curtaines and gilt knops And if there be any commoditie else that may pleasure you or your friends wee haue giuen order that they shall haue the refusing of it before any other giuing for it as it is worth And thus to conclude promising to performe all the foresaide things on our parts in euery condition we commit you to God whoeuer preserue you with all his blessings Your louing friends Christopher Hodsdon Anthonie Garrard Thomas Bramlie Iohn Bird. William Elkin Certaine notes of the voyage to Brasill with the Minion of London aforesaid in the yere 1580. written by Thomas Grigs Purser of the said ship THe thirde day of Nouember in the yeere abouesaid we departed in the Minioâ— of London from Harwich from which time no great thing worth the knowledge or regard of others happened vntil the 22. of December the next moneth which day for our owne learning vse wee obserued the setting of the Sunne which was Westsouthwest we then being vnder the line Equinoctiall where we found the aire very temperate and the winde for the most part Southeast and East southeast The same day we also obserued the rising of the moone being one day after the full which rose at East northeast The first land that wee fell with vpon the coast of Brasill was the yland of S. Sebastian where we arriued the 14. day of Ianuary in the yeere 1581. The 16. day Thomas Babington and others in our pinnesse went a shoare to Guaybea where they met with Iohn Whithall his father and mother in lawe who hauing receiued letters from thence to be deliuered at Santos came abord and then we weyed and set saile and the 28. day wee arriued at the yland of Santa Catelina neere the entrance of Santos Our course from S. Sebastian was Southwest and by West and betwixt the Southwest and by West and West southwest This yland of Santa Catelina seemeth at the first to be a part of the yland of Girybia Wee ankâ—red at nine fathome blacke osâ—e ground Upon the yland there grow many Palmito-trees but no fresh water is there to be found The third day of February we arriued before the towne of Santos and were there well receiued and intertained of the Captaine the kings officers and all the people The fourth day we tooke into our ship a beâ—fe aliue which serued for the victualling of the ship and the refreshing of our men and to make vs the merrier at Shrouetide The eight day we deliuered to M. Iohn Whithall a bedstead with the appurtenances which were sent to him from our marchants of London The 18. day the captaine of Santos came abord our ship by whom we had knowledge of foure great French ships of warre that had bene at the riuer of Ienero which there tooke three Canoas but were driuen from thence by their castles sorts and were looked for here at Santos Whereupon the Captaine requested vs to lend them some armour and artillery and we lent them twentie caliuers and two barrels of powder The 19. day our skiffe which we had sent to Alcatrarzas and had bene away sixe dayes came againe and brought good store of great and good fish and tolde vs that there was good store of fish to be taken there by the hooke and as much wood as we would haue of the Palmito-tree The 20. day at night Nicholas Gale one of our company fell ouer our shippes side and was drowned in the port of Santos before the towne where our ship rode at anker The 22. day two of the Canoas which the Frenchmen tooke in the riuer of Ienero returned to Santos and reported that the foure French ships were past to the southwards as they thought for the Straights of Magellan and so into the South sea The 23. day the aforesaide Nicholas Gale who fell ouerbord two dayes before was found againe and taken vp three miles from our ship and our company went to his buriall in the Church at Santos This day the Captaine and Iustices of Santos wished vs to tary in their road till the last of April for they had sent a barke of Santos to Baya at the kings charges to know whether we should haue trade or no and this barke could not returne before that time About this time there arriued at Feâ—nambuck a shippe from Portugall which brought newes that the Islands Indies and Portugall it selfe was molested and troubled by the Spaniâ—rds and that the Portugales had both English and Frenchmen to Lisbone to defend them against Spaine The 25. day wee sent two of our men namely Thomas Michael and Simon Thorne to Baya in a barke that went thither from Santos The two and twentie day of Aprill our Master and Thomas Babington hauing some talke and conference with the Padres of Santos they our men being ready to go to the Riuer of Ienero tolde them that they were sorry for our banishment from the Church and that the Ministrador had written from Rio de Ienero that forasmuch as these twentie yeres or more the English nation had denied the Church of Rome and her proceedings therefore the Ministrador commanded that none of vs should come to their Church the Padres willed vs herein to haue patience and to take it in good part and promised to stand our friends in their word and writing both to the Ministrador and to the bishop at Baya and further requested all our English company to haue no ill opinion of them The 28. of April we laded sugars into our ship The 21. of May we tooke in fresh victuals from Santos The 10. day of Iune wee gratified one Iosto Thorno dwelling in Santos with some of our English victuals and intertained him in good sort in our ship and this day wee were promised to haue a Pilot at Santos to cary vs to Baya The 11. day we went to fish to make prouision for our ship and men and from that time till the eighteenth day wee fet water and cut wâ—od for our fire and trimmed
with certeine agreements concluded by his messengers at Hage 178. 49 The letters of king Henry the fourth vnto Vlricus de Iungingen wherein he doth absolutely approue the foresaid conference holden at Hage 179. 50 A new concord betweene king Henry the fourth and Vlricus de Iungingen 180. 51 A Charter of king Henry the fourth graunted in the fifth yeere of his raigne vnto the English merchants resident in the parts of Prussia 185. 52 A note touching the mighty ships of king Henry the fift taken out of a Chronicle in the Trinitie Church of Winchester 185. 53 A branch of a Statute made in the eight yeere of Henry the 6. for the trade to Norway Sweueland Denmarke and Finmarke 186. 54 Another branch of a Statute made in the 10. yeere of king Henry the sixt concerning the state of English merchants in the dominions of the king of Denmarke 186. 55 Libellus de politia conseruatiua Maris Or The pollicy of keeping the Sea 187. 56 A large Charter granted by king Edward the fourth in the second yere of his raigne to the English merchants residing in the Netherland 208. 57 A perswasion of Robert Thorne merchant of Bristol and dwelling long in Siuil in Spaine to king Henry the eight of noble memory to set out and further Discoueries toward the North. 212. 58 The discourse of the foresaid Robert Thorne written to Doctour Leigh the Kings Ambassadour in Spaine touching that matter 214. 59 A briefe treatise of the Emperour of Moscouia his genealogie 221. 60 The excellent orders and instructions of Sebastian Cabot giuen to sir Hugh Willoughby and his Fleete in their voyage intended for Cathay 226. 61 The names of the twelue Counsellers appointed in sir Hugh Willoughbies voyage 230. 62 The letters of king Edward the sixt written at that time to all the Kings Princes and other Potentates of the Northeast 230. 63 The names of the Ships Captains Mariners and other officers of that first worthy enterprise 232. 64 The othe ministred to the Captaine of the Fleete 233. 65 The othe ministred to the Masters of the ships 234. 66 A testimonie of Richard Eden concerning Clement Adams his discourse of Richard Chancellers voyage 242. 67 The letters of the Emperour of Russia sent to king Edward the sixt by Richard Chanceller 255. 68 The coynes waights and measures vsed in Russia 256. 69 The letters of King Philip and Queene Mary to Iuan Vasiliuich the Emperor of Russia 258. 70 The Commission giuen to the merchants Agents resiant in Russia 259. 71 The othe ministred to the seruants of the Moscouie company 262. 72 The letter of George Killingworth the fiâ—st Agent in Russia written to the Company 263. 73 The first Priuileges graunted by the Emperour of Russia to the English merchants 265. 74 The Charter of the merchants of the Moscouie company granted by Queene Mary 267. 75 Instructions giuen to the Pursers of the Moscouie voyage 273. 76 The strange discourse of Richard Iohnson concerning the Samoeds 283. 77 A discourse of the honourable receiuing into England of the first Ambassadour froÌ„ the Emperour of Russia 285. 78 Instructions giuen to the Masters and Mariners of the ships of the Moscouie Company sayling towards the Bay of S. Nicolas Anno 1557. 295. 79 A letter of the Company of the Moscouie merchants vnto their Agents George Killingworth Richard Gray and Henry Lane in Russia 297. 80 A letter of M. Thomas Hawtree to the Moscouie Companies Agent M. Henry Lane at Colmogro 302. 81 A letter of M. Richard Gray one of the first Agents of the Moscouie Company to M. Henâ—y Lane at Mosco 303. 82 A letter of Thomas Alcock to M. Richard Gray and Henry Lane Agents in Moscouia from Tirwill in Poland 303. 83 A letter of M. Anthony Ienkinson vpon his returne from Boghat to M. Henry Lane resident in Vologda 305. 84 A letter of the Moscouie Company to their Agents in Russia M. Henry Lane Christopher Hudson and Thomas Glouer sent in their seuenth voyage to S. Nicolas 305. 85 Another letter to the aforesaid parties 308. 86 The maner of Iustice by lotts in Russia written by M. Henry Lane 309. 87 The description of Russia with the customes and maners of the inhabitants 315. 88 Notes and obseruations gathered by Richard Iohnson of the seuerall wayes from Russia to Cathay ouer-land 335. 89 A letter of Sigismund king of Polonia 1559. vnto the Queenes most excellent Maiestie 337. 90 The letters of the Queenes Maiestie written to the Emperour of Russia requesting licence and safe-conduct for Anthonie Ienkinson to passe through his dominions into Persia. 338. 91 The Queenes Maiesties letters to the great Sophie of Persia sent by M. Anth. Ienkinson 340. 92 Instructions giuen by the Gouernours and Assistants of the Moscouie Company vnto M. Anthonie Ienkinâ—on 341. 93 The priuileges giuen by Obdoloucan K. of Hircania to the Company of English merchants trading in Russia obteined by M. Anthony Ienkinson 352. 94 Certaine letters of Arthur Edwards written out of Russia Media and Persia to the Company of the Moscouie merchants in London 354,355,358,361 95 The distance of diuers places in Russia 363. 96 The way and distances from S. Nicolas in Russia to the Caspian sea 364. 97 An Acte for the corporation of merchants Aduenâ—urers for the discouering of newe tradesâ— made in the eighth yeere of the Queenes Maiestie 369. 98 The priuileges granted by the Emperour of Russia to the English merchants obteined by M. Anthony Ienkinson 373. 99 A letter of M. Henry Lane to M. Richard Hakluyt concerning the first Ambassage from the Ruâ—sian Emperour to our most gracious Queene Elizabeth 374. 100 A letter of her Maiestie sent by Stephen Twerdico and Pheodata Pogorella Messengers of the Emperour of Russia vnto their master 375. 101 The Ambassage of M. Thomas Randolfe Esquier from the Queenes Maiestie to the Emperour of Russia 376. 102 The priuileges graunted to the English merchants at M. Randolfe his sute 378. 103 A Commission granted by M. Randolfe for a discouery to the Northeast by sea 382. 104 Instructions giuen to the discouerers for that action 383. 105 Certaine letters in verse written out of Moscouia by M. George Turberuile Secretary to M. Randolfe touching the state of the Countrey and maners of the people 384. 106 Notes concerning the fourth English voyage into Persia. 392. 107 Obseruations of the Sophy of Persia and of the Religion of the Persians 397. 108 A letter of Richard Vscombe to M. Henry Lane touching the burning of the Citie of Mosco by the Crimme Tartar 402. 109 The Ambassage of M. Anthony Ienkinson from the Queenes Maiestie to the Emperour of Russia Anno 1571. 402. 110 A briefe rehearsall of all the trauailes of M. Anthony Ienkinson 411. 111 A letter of Iames Alday to M. Michael Locke Agent in London for the Moscouie Company touching a trade to be established in Lappia 412. 112 A note of all the necessary instruments and appurtenances belonging to the killing of
quod adducent vel adduci facient infra regnum potestatem nostram vnde marinarijs fretum soluere tenebuntur soluent nobis haeredibus nostris nomine Custumae duos solidos vltra antiquas custumas debitas in denarijs solui consuetas nobis aut alias infra quadraginta dies postquam extra naues ad terram posita fuerint dicta vina Item de quolibet sacco lanarum quem dicti mercatores aut alij nomine ipsorum ement è regno educeÌ„t aut emi educi facient soluent quadraginta denarios de incremeÌ„to vltra custumam antiquam dimidie marce quae prius fuerat persoluta Et pro lasta coriorum extra regnum potestatem nostram vehendorum dimidiam marcam supra id quod ex antiqua custuma ante soluebatur Et similiter de trecentis pellibus lanitis extra regnum potestatem nostram ducendis quadraginta denarios vltra certum illud quod de antiqua custuma â—uerat prius datum Item duos â—olidos de quolâ—bet scarlato panno tincto in grano Item decem octo denarios de quolibet panno in quo pars grani fuerit intermixta Item duodecem denaâ—ios de quolibet panno alâ—o sine grano Item doudecem denarios de qualibet aeris quintalla Cumque de praefatis mercatoribus nonnulli eorum alias exercere soleant mercandisas vt de Auerio ponderis de alijs rebus subtilibus sicut de pannis Tarsensibus de setico cindallis de sera alijs diuersis mercibus de equis etiam alijs animalibus blado alijs rebus mercandisis multimodis que ad certam custumam facile poni non poterunt ijdem mercatores concesserunt dare nobis heredibus nostris de qualiber libra argenti estimationis seu valoris rerum mercandisarum huiusmodi quocunque nomine censeantor â—â—es denarios de libra in introitu rerum mercandisarum ipsarum in regnum potestatem nostram praedictâ—m infra viginti dies postquam huiusmodi res mercandisae in regnum potestatem nostram adductae etiam ibidem exoneratae seu venditae fuerint Et similiter tres denarios de qualibet libra argenti in eductione quarum cunque reâ—um mercandisarum huiusmodi emptarum in regno potestate nostris praedictis vltra custumas nobis aut alijs ante datas Et super valore estimatione rerum mercandisarum huiusmodi de quibus tres denarij de qualibet libra argenti sicut praedicitur sunt soluendi credatur eis per literas quas de Dominis aut socijs suis ostendere poterunt Et si literas non habeant stetur in hac parte praedictorum mercatorum si presentes fuerint vel valetorum suorum in corundem mercantorum absentia iuramentis Liceat insuper socijs de societate predictorum mercatorum infra regnum potestatem nostram praedictas lanas vendere alijs suis socijs similiter emere ab ijsdem absque cusâ—uma soluenda Ita tamen quod dictae lane ad tales manus non deueniant quod de custuma nobis debita defraudemur Et praeterea est sciendum quod postquam supra dicti mercatores semel in vnoloco infra regnum potestatem nostram custumam nobis concessam â—uperius pro mercandisis suis in forma soluerint supradicta suum habeant inâ—e warantum siue huiusmodimercandisae infra regâ—um potestarem nostram remaneant siue exterius deferantur exceptis vinis quae de regno potestate nostris praedictis sine voluntaâ—e licentia nostra sicut praedictuÌ„ est nullatenus educantur Volumus ac pro nobis ac haere dibus nostris concedimus quod nulla exactio prisa vel praestatio aut aliquod onus super personas mercatoruÌ„ predictorum mercandisas seu bona eorundem aliquatenus imponatur contra formam expressam superius concessam His testibus veracibus principalibus Roberto Contuariensi Archiepiscopo totius Angliae primate Waltero Couentriae Lichfildie episcopo Henrico de Lacy Lincolniense Humfredo de Bohum comite Herfordiense Essexie Constabulo magno Anglie Adomaro de Valentia Galfrido de Gaymal Hugone de Lespensor Waltero de Bello campo senescallo hospitij nostri Roberto de Burijs alijs Datum per manum nostraÌ„ apud Windesore primo die Februarij anno regni nostri xxxj The aforesaid generall Charter in English EDward by the grace of God king of England lord of Ireland duke of Aquitaine to Archbishops Bishops Abbots Priors Earles Barons Iustices Uicounts gouernours officers and all bayliffes and his faithfull people sendeth greeting Wee haue speciall care for the good estate of all marchants of the kingdomes lands and countreis following to wit of Almaine France Spaine Portugal Nauarre Lombardie Florence Prouence Catalonia of our duchie of Aquitaine Tholosa Caturlune Flanders Brabant and of all other forreine countreis and places by what name soeuer they be called which come into our kingdome of Englandâ— and there remayne that the sayd marchants may liue in quiet and full securitie vnder our dominion in time to come Wherefore that their hearts desires may bee more readily inclined to our seruice and the seruice of our kingdome wee fauourably agreeing to their petitions for the fuller asring of their estate haue thought good to graunt to the sayd marchants for vs and our heires for euer these priuiledges vnder written ordaining in forme as followeth First that all marchants of the sayd kingdomes and countreys may come into our kingdome of England and any where else into our dominion with their marchandises whatsoeuer safely and securely vnder our defence and protection without paying wharfage pontage or pannage And that in Cities Boroughs and market townes of the sayd kingdome and dominion they may traffique onely by the great as well with the naturall subiects and inhabitantes of our aforesayde kingdome and dominion as with forreiners straungers or priuate persons Yet so that marchandises which are commonly called mercerie wares and spices may be sold by the small as heretofore hath bin accustomed And that all the aforesaid marchants may cary or cause to be caried whither they will as well within our realme or dominion as out of the same sauing vnto the countreis of the manifest and knowne enemies of our kingdome those marchandises which they shall bring into our foresayd realme and dominion or buy or otherwise purchase in our sayd realme and dominion paying such customes as they ought to doe except onely wines which it shall not be any wayes lawfull for them to cary out of our sayd realme and dominion without our speciall fauour and licence after they be once brought into our realme and dominion Item that the aforesayd marchants may at their pleásure lodge remaine with their goods in the cities boroughs and townes aforesaid with the good liking of those which are owners of their lodgings
hauing sent certaine of their factors and seruants with three shippes into your dominions there to exercise traffique and the sayd ships being laden in the hauen of your towne of Tonnesbergh with Herrings and other commodities to a great value and also the said mariners men and seruants of the foresayd shippes being licenced by vertue of the safe conduct which you had granted them freely to returne from your kingdome vnto the parts of England with their ships and goods aforesayd but afterward not being able to depart out of your hauen by reason of contrary windes certaine of your bayliffes vpon occasion of the slaughter of a knight being himselfe also of late your bayliffe of Vikia committed by malefactors and Pirates vpon the sea whilest the sayd shippes remained in the hauen aforesayd did at your commandement as they say arrest and for along season also deâ—eiâ—ed vnder that arrest the foresaid ships with all the men and goods that were in them namely vntill such time as the men and mariners aforesaide beeing driuen perforce and constrained thereunto should lay in sufficient securitie for the payment of fortie pounds sterling vpon a certain day appointed vnto your vse for euery of the foresaide ships and also vntill they had moreouer deliuered three pledges for the bringing of the saide ships and men backe againe into the foresaid hauen before the feast of the natiuitie of S. Iohn the Baptist next ensuing then and there to stand vnto your fauour and curtesie as touching the said persons and those ships of theirs which dealing the parties themselues take very grieuously yea and all others that heare thereof thinke it to be a strange and vnwonted course And because it is most vndoubtedly contrary to all reason equitie iustice and lawe that the faults or demerits of offenders should in any sort be punished in such persons or in their goods as neither haue bene accessory nor partakers in the crime nor haue had any society with the saide offenders we doe heartily intreat and request your Highnes that weighing and pondering the matter in the balance of iustice you would of your loue and friendship command the foresaid pledges to be set at libertie and the said securitie vtterly to bee released and acquited And know you this for a certaintie that if the foresaide malefactors who as it is reported slewe your Knight aforesaide shall any where within our realme and dominions be found we wil cause iustice and iudgement to bee executed vpon them according to the Lawe and custome of our sayde Realme For we cannot in these times conueniently and well indure that the ships aforesaide or any other ships of our kingdome which ought alwayes to be in a readinesse for our seruice should without speciall licence depart out of our saide kingdome vnto forreine dominions Nowe what you shall think good at this our request to performe in the premisses may it please you by the bearer of these presents to returne an answere vnto vs. Geuen at Windsore the 16. of April Another Letter of Edward the second to Haquinus King of Norway in the behalfe of certaine English Marchants MAgnifico Principi Dom. Haquino Dei gratia regi Norwegiae illustri amico suo charissimo Edwardus eadem Dei gratia Rex Angliae dominus Hyberniae dux Aquitaniae salutem cum dilectione sincera Querelam dilectorum Mercatorum nostroâ—um Thomae de Swyn de Waynfleâ—te Simonis filij Alani de eadem recepimus continentem Quod cùm ipsi nuper quosdam seruientes suos infrà regnum vestrum pro suis ibidem exercendis mercimonijs transmisissent Thesaurarius vester bona mercimonia praedictorum Thomae Simonis ad valenciam quadraginta librarum quae seruientes praedicti in villa de Northberne in sua custodia habuerunt die Sancti Michaelis vltimò praeterita fecit absque causa rationabili arestari ea adhuc taliter arestata detinet iniustè in ipsorum Thomae Simonis damnum non modicum depauperationem manifestam Et quia eisdem mercatoribus nostris subuenire volumus quatenus suadente iustitia poterimus in hac parte vestram amicitiam requirimus cum affectu quatenus audita querela praedictorum Thomae Simonis vel ipsorum atturnatorum super restitutione bonorum mercimoniorum praedictorum impendere velitis eisdem celeris iustitiae complementum Iâ—a quod pro defectu exhibitions iustitiae super arestatione praedicta non oporteat nos pro mercatoribus nostris praedictis de alio remedio prouidere Nobis autem quid ad hanc nostram instantiam duxeritis faciendum rescribere velitis per presentium portitorem Datae vt suprà The same in English TO the mightie Prince Lord Haquinus by the grace of God the famous King of Norway his most deare friend Edward by the same grace of God king of England Lorde of Ireland and Duke of Aquitaine greeting and sincere loue Wee receiued the complaint of our welâ—elo-Merchants Thomas de Swyn of Waynfleet and Simon the sonne of Alanus of the same towne the contents whereof are that whereas of late the saide parties sent certaine of their seruants to traffike in your kingdome your Treasurer vpon the feast of S. Michael last past without any iust or reasonable occasion caused the goods and merchandise of the foresaide Thomas and Simon to the value of fortie pound which their said seruants had vnder their custodie at the towne of Northberne to be arrested and as yet also iniuriously deteineth the same vnder the same arrest to the great damage and impouerishing of the sayd Thomas and Simon And for asmuch as our desire is to succour these our marchants so far foorth as we can Iustice requiring no lesse in this behalfe wee doe right earnestly request you that hauing hearde the complaint and supplication of the foresayde Thomas and Simon or of their Atturneyes you woulde of your loue and friendship vouchsafe them speedie administration of Iustice about the restitution of their goods and merchandise aforesaide least that for want of the exhibiting of Iustice about the foresaid arrest we be constrained to prouide some other remedie for our marchants aforesaid Our request is that you would by the bearer of these presents returne an answere vnto vs what you are determined to doe at this our instant motion Giuen as aboue A third letter of King Edward the second to Haquinus King of Norway in the behalfe of certaine English Marchants MAgnifico Principi Domino Haquino Dei gratia Regi Norwegiae illustri amico suo charissimo Edwardus eadem Dei gratia Rex Angliae dominus Hyberniae dux Aquitaniae salutem cum dilectione sincera Pro mercatoribus nostris Lennae partium vicinarum quos Balliuus Officiarij vestri ciuitatis vestrae Bergen dudum ceperunt stricto carceri manciparunt quorum multi vt iam intelleximus propter alimentorum subtractionem duritiam ac asperitatem carceris perierunt vt ipsorum bonorum
forasmuch as the foresaid Master general and our Order do know no iust occasion wherby they haue deserued your maiesties indignation but are firmely and most vndoubtedly perswaded to finde all curtesie fauour and friendship at your Highnesse according to your wonted clemencie the said Master generall therefore maketh no doubt that al the aboue writtenâ—damages molestations being in such sort against God and iustice offred vnto his subiects by yours be altogether vnknown vnto your magnificence committed against your mind wherfore presently vpon the foresaid arrest of your marchants goods he dispatched his messengers vnto your roial maiesty Wherof one deceased by the way namely in the territory of Holland the other remained sick in those parts for a long season so that ambassage took none effect Wherfore the said master general was desirous to send vs now y e second time also vnto your Highnes We do make our humble sute therfore in the name behalf of our Master and Order aforesaid vnto your kingly supremacy that hauing God and iustice before your eies and also the dutifull and obsequious demeanor of the said master and order towards you you would vouchsafe to extend your gracious clemency for the redresse of the premisses wherby the foresaid losses may be restored and repaied vnto our subiects All which notwithstanding that it would please you of your wisedome prouidence to procure so absolute a remedy by meanes whereof in time to come such dealings and inconueniences may be auoided on both parts finally that your marchants may quietly be possessed of their goods arrested in Prussia and our marchants may be admitted vnto the possession of their commodities attached in England to conuert apply them vnto such vses as to themselues shal seem most conuenient Howbeit most gracious prince and lord we are to sollicite your Highnesse not onely about the articles to be propounded concerning the losses aforesaide but more principally for certain sinister reports and superstitious slanders wherwith certaine of your subiects not seeking for peace haue falsly informed your maiesty your most honorable discreete CouÌ„cel affirming that at the time of y e aforesaid arrest your marchants were barbarously intreated that they were cast into lothsom prisons brenched in myre and water vp to y e neck restrained from al conference and company of men and also that their meat was thrown vnto them as a bone to a dog with many other enormities which they haue most slanderously deuised concerning the master general aforesaid and his people and haue published them in these dominions vpon the occasion of which falshoods certain marchants of our parts and of other regions of Alemain who of your special beneuolence were indued with certaine priuileges and fauours in your citie of London and in other places were as malefactors apprehended and caried to prison vntil such time as the trueth was more apparant Whereupon the foresaide master generall propoundeth his humble sute vnto your maiestie that such enemies of trueth and concord your Maiesty woulde vouchsafe in such sort to chastise that they may be an example vnto others presuming to doe the like Moreouer high and mighty Prince and lord it was reported vnto our Master general that his former Legats required of your maiesty safe conduct freely to come into your highnesse Realme Which when hee heard he was exceedingly offended therat sithence vndoubtedly they did not this at his commaundement or direction We therefore humbly beseech your Grace as touching this ouersight to holde the Master generall excused because there is no need of safeconduct between so speciall friends Furthermore sundry damages and complaints of the foresaid general Master and his subiects are briefly exhibited and put downe in the billes following Also all and singular damnified persons besides other proofes were compelled to verifie their losses by their formall othes taken vpon the holy Bible Lastly we doe make our humble suite and petition vnto the prouidence and discretion of your Highnes and of your honorable Councell that concerning the premisses and all other matters propounded or to be propounded vnto your Maiesty we may obtaine a speedy answere and an effectuall end For it would redound vnto our great charges and losse to make any long delayes An agreement made by the Ambassadors of England and Prussia confirmed by king Richard the second RIchard by the grace of God king of England and France and lorde of Ireland To all vnto whom these present letters shall come greeting We haue seene and considered the composition ordination concord and treatie betweene our welbeloued clearke master Nicholas Stocket licentiat in both lawes Walter Sibel and Thomas Graa citizens of our cities of London York our messengers and ambassassadors on the one part and the honourable and religious personages Conradus de Walrode great commander Sifridus Walpode de Bassenheim chiefe hospitalary commander in Elburg and Vlricus Hachenberg Treasurer the messengers and ambassadors of the right reuerend and religious lord lord Conradus Zolner de Rothenstein master generall of the knightly order of the Dutch hospital of Saint Mary at Ierusalem on the other part lately concluded and agreed vpon in these words In the name of the supreame and indiuisible Trinitie the Father the Sonne and the holy Ghost Amen Forasmuch as the author of peace will haue peace-makers to be the sons of blessednes and the execrable enemie of peace to be expelled out of the dominions of Christians therefore for the perpetuall memorie of the thing be it knowen vnto all men who shall see or heare the tenour of these presents that there being matter of dissension and discord bred betweene the most renowmed prince and king Richard by the grace of God king of England and France and lord of Ireland and his subiects on the one part and the right reuerend and religious lord lord Conradus Zolner de Rothinstein Master generall of the knightly order of the Dutch hospitall of S. Marie at Ierusalem and his land of Prussia and his subiects also on the other part the foresaid lord and generall master vpon mature counsell and deliberation had sent his honourable ambassadours towards England vnto the forenamed most soueraigne prince and king to propound and make their complaint vnto him of violence and iniuries offered as it is sayd by the English vnto the Prussians in consideration whereof certaine goods of the marchants of England were arrested in the land of Prussia Whose complaint the foresayd most gracious prince did courteously and friendly admit receiue and accept and after many speeches vttered in this treaty louingly dismissed them vnto their owne countrey againe promising by his letters vnto the foresayd reuerend Master generall that hee would dispatch his ambassadours vnto the land of Prussia Whereupon in the yeere 1388. he sent hono and reuerend personages Master Nicholas Stocket licentiate of both lawes Thomas Graa and Walter Sibill citizens of London and Yorke with sufficient authority and full
whereupon very many commodities are knowen to haue proceeded haue by occasion of pirates rouing vp and downe the sea sometimes heretofore sustayned both the sayd marchants of our of your dominions do abstaine themselues froÌ„ their wonted mutual coÌ„uersation traffique as they haue likewise carefully abstained at sometimes heretofore and especially from that time wherein at the instant request of your messengers being of late before our presence the free accesse of our marchants vnto your territories and dominions of your marchants vnto our realmes hath bene forbidden Sithens therefore our most deare friend such iniuries if any as haue bene attempted against your subiects were neuer committed by our will and consent as we thinke that your selfe on the other side haue done the like sithens also so much as in vs lieth wee are ready to exhibit full iustice with fauour vnto any of your people being desirous to make complaint so that accordingly iustice may equally be done vnto our marchants by you your subiects which marchants haue in like sort bene iniuried wishing with all our heart that the ancient friendship loue which hath continued a long time between our realme and your territories and dominions may perseuere in time to come and that sweet and acceptable peace which is to be embraced of al Christians may according to the good pleasure of the author of peace be nourished mayntained we do most heartily require the sayd friendship exhorting you in the Lord that you would on your behalf consent ordain euen as if you shall so do we for our part wil consent likewise that from this present vntil the feast of Easter next insuing al molestatioÌ„s iniuries which may be offred ceasing on both parts our subiects by your territories dominions your subiects by our realms may peaceably securely trauel that according to their wonted maner they may friendly coÌ„uerse exercise mutual traffick together because we are determined to send vnto you your counsel in the mean time some of our ambassadors friendly to intreat about the foresaid preteÌ„ded iniuries so far forth as they shal coÌ„cerne our subiects At whose ariual we stand in good hope that by the due administration of iustice on both parts such order by Gods assistance shal be taken that mutual peace and tranquillity may be established between vs in times to come Also our desire is in particular that our marchants liege subiects may haue more free passage granted them vnto the parts of Sconia for the prouiding of herrings and of other fishes there that they may there remayne and from thence also may more securely returne vnto their owne home and we beseech you in consideration of our owne selues that you would haue our marchants and liege subiects especially recommended vnto you safely protecting them if need shall require vnder the shadow of your defence euen as you would haue vs to deale in the like case with your own subiects Moreouer whatsoeuer you shall thinke good to put in practise in this behalfe may it please you of your friendship by our faythfull subiect Iohn Browne the bearer herâ—of to giue vs to vnderstand In the sonne of the glorious virgine fare ye well with continuall prosperity and felicity according to your owne hearts desire Giuen vnder our priuie seale at our palace of Westminster the fift day of Iune and in the fift yere of our reigne Postscriptum RIght reuerend and our most deare friend albeit our welbeloued Arnold de Dassele the procurator of your foresaid messengers being desirous at this time to make his final returne vnto your parts by reason of the affayres for which he hath remained in our realme of England cannot as yet obtaine his wished expedition notwithstanding you of your sincere affection ought not to maruel or any whit to be grieued thereat because troubles of wars arising which in some sort concerned our selues and especially in regard of the continuall assaults of the French men Britons against vs and our kingdome for the offence of whom and our owne defence our liege subiects especially they of whom your subiects damnified haue made their complaints haue armed themselues to combate vpon the sea we could not grant vnto the foresayd Arnold such and so speedy an expedition as he earnestly desired to haue Unto the which Arnold your procurator we haue offered in as short time as may be to administer complete iustice with fauour to y e end that for this cause he might dispose himselfe to remaine in our realme of England yet notwithstanding wee would do the very same euen in the absence of the sayd procurator Giuen as aboue To the most renowmed prince and mighty Lord Henrie king of England c. our gracious Lord. OUr humble recommendations with our most instant and continuall prayers for you being graciously by your Maiestie taken in good part c. Most soueraigne king mighty prince gratious lord and vnto vs most vnfaynedly beloued we receiued of late your gracious letters by your Maiesties liege subiect Iohn Brown the contents whereof seemed to be these following first that of long time heretofore there haue bene between the marchants of your realm of our lands not only quiet peaceable accesse one vnto another but also mutual participation common traffique of their wares being right coÌ„modious auaileable for them both howbeit that now the foresaid profitable conuersation by reason of certain notorious robberies committed vpon the sea by pyrates against both parts the wonted accesse also of your subiects vnto our dominions were altogether forbidden Moreouer you call to remembrance the ancient amity friendship betweene both our lands with the inualuable commodity of sweet amiable peace which are by al faithful Christians to the vtmost of their endeuour to be imbraced Wherupon you of your exceeding clemency do offer your Maiesties ful consent that the foresaid prohibition being released vntil the feast of Easter next ensuing the said marchants of your dominions may in our territories and our marchants likewise may in your realms al molestations ceasing exercise their woonted traffique especially sithens in the mean season your royall wisdome hath determined to direct vnto vs your hono ambassadors in friendly sort to treat and parle with vs as touching the pretended iniuries so far forth as they may concerne your subiects Adding moreouer in particular that when your people shall repayre vnto the parts of Sconia to fish for herrings hauing consideration regard vnto your maiestie we would haue them especially recommended vnto our protection c. Most soueraigne lord king gracious prince wee doe with vnfained and hearty affection embrace the oracles of your maiesties most courteous acceptable offer wherein you haue vsed most diligent effectuall perswasions that coÌ„plement of iustice should be done vnto the parties iniuried that peace friendship should take place making no doubt of your own royall person nor of
our selues or of any appertayning vnto vs but that our inclinations and desires in this regarde are all one and the same neither would we lightly transgresse the limits of your perswasions without some iust weighty reasonable cause forasmuch as the matters perswaded are in very deede most happy preseruatiues of a common weale yea of nature it selfe Moreouer whereas your highnes hath farther requested vs that the prohibition of your subiects accesse vnto our dominions might vntill the feast of Easter next ensuing be released we answere vnder correction of your maiesties more deliberate counsell that it is farre more expedient for both parts to haue the sayd prohibition continued then released vntil such time as satisfaction be performed on both sides vnto the parties endamaged not in words only but actually really in deeds or by some course of law or friendly composition For there is no equall nor indifferent kinde of consort or trade between the impouerished party and him that is inriched betweene the partie which hath obtayned iustice and him that hath obtayned none between the offender and the party offended because they are not mooued with like affections For the remeÌ„brance of iniuries easily stirreth vp inconsiderate motions of anger Also such a kind of temperature or permixtion as it were by way of contrariety breedeth more bitternes then sweetnes more hate then loue whereupon more grieuous complaints aswel vnto your highnes as vnto our selues might be occasioned The lord knoweth that euen now we are too much wearied and disquieted with the importunate and instant complaints of our subiects insomuch that wee cannot at this present by any conuenient meanes release or dissolue the sayd prohibition before wee be sufficiently informed by your maiesties ambassadors of the satisfaction of our endamaged subiects Furthermore whereas your maiesties request concerning your subiects that shal come vnto the parts of Sconia is that we would defend them vnder our protection be it knowen vnto your highnes that for diuers considerations vs reasonably mouing being prouoked by the queene of Denmarke and her people being also vrged thereunto full sore against our wils for the repelling and auoiding of iniuries we haue sent forth our armie against them Howbeit for a certaine time a â—ruce is concluded on both parts so that our people are actually returned home Farre be it from vs also that our subiects being occupied in warres should in any sort willingly molest or reproch any strangers of what landes or nations soeuer not being our professed enemies For this should be to oppresse the innocent in stead of the guilty to condemne the iust for the vniust then which nothing can be more cruel nor a reuenge of greater impietie In very deede most gracious prince and lorde we are mouâ—d with right hearty sympathy and compassion for any inconuenience which might happen in your regiment wishing from the bottome of our hearts that all affayres may right prosperously and happily succeede about the royall person and regiment of your most excellent Maiestie and that continually The like whereof wee hope from you most humbly commending our selues and our whole Order vnto your highnes Giuen at our castle of Marienburgh the 16. day the moneth of Iuly in the yere of our Lord 1404. An agreement made betweene king Henry the fourth and Conradus de Iungingen Master generall of the land of Prussia THis Indentnre made between Sir William Esturmy knight Iohn Kington clerke and William Brampton citizen of London the ambassadors commissioners messengers of the most mighty prince and lord our souereigne lord Henrie by the grace of God king of England and France and lorde of Ireland for the repayring reformaâ—ion and amâ—nds of whatsoeuer damages grieuances excesses violences and iniuries in any sort vniustly attempted done or offered by our sayd soueraigne lord the king and his liege people and subiects vnto the great and mighty lord Conradus de Iungingen Master general of the order of the Dutch knights of S. Maries hospitall of Ierusalem or his subiects and for the requiring demanding and receiuing of such like reparations reformations amends by the foresayd lord the Master generall for the behalfe of himselfe or any of his subiects whatsoeuer from in the name of our soueraign lord the king his subiects vnto the sayd Master general into his land of Prussia by our souereigne lord the king appointed as ambassadors on the one party And betweene the hono Lords and religious personages Conradus de Lichtenstein great commander Warnherus de Tetâ—ingen chiefe hospitalary commaÌ„der in Elbing Arnold de Hacken treasurer the procurators commissioners of the great mighty lord the Master general being in like equal sort and in all respects as the ambassadours of England are authorized on the contrary side by the authoritie and power of the sayd Master general on the other part witnesseth That diuers treaties conferences being holden between the said ambassadors messengers procurators or coÌ„missioners of concerning the reparations reformations amends of certaine damages grieuances excesses violences iniuries offered and attempted aswel by the Prussians against the English as by the English against the Prussians and of other actes vniustly committed on both parts in conclusion after the sayd treatise the foresayd ambassadours procurators and commissioners by vertue of the authority committed vnto them appoynted and with one consent agreed vnto the articles vnder written Inprimis that for the consideration of mutuall loue and woonted friendship and of peace and tranquillity hereafter to be continued and maintained and also that the articles vnderwritten may more prosperously be brought vnto a wished effect between our said soueraign lord the king his liege people subiects the subiects people inhabitants of the territories and dominions of the foresayd lord the Master generall it is agreed and concluded that all liege marchants of England whatsoeuer shall haue free licence and libertie to arriue with their shippes goods and marchandises whatsoeuer at any Porte of the land of Prussia and also the sayd goods and marchandises farther vnto any place of the sayd land of Prussia to transport and there with any person or persons freely to contract and bargaine euen as heretofore and from auncient times it hath bene accustomed Which liberty in all respects is granted vnto the Prussians in England Item it is farther agreed betweene the sayd ambassadours procurators and commissioners that whereas of late namely in the yeare of our lord 1403 the sayd Master general by his discreet subiects Iohn Godek of Dantzik and Henry Monek of Elbing his ambassadors messengers for this purpose hath caused certain articles namely 20 in number containing in them matters of damages molestations violences and iniuries committed and offered against the said Master generall his subiects by our sayd soueraigne lord the king his subiects liege people to be exhibited giuen vp and deliuered vnto our lord the king
statutes ordinations and prohibitions al English marchants whatsoeuer resorting vnto the land of Prussia must be firmely bounden and subiect Also it is ordained that whatsoeuer sale-clothes are already transported or at any time hereafter to bee transported out of England into Prussia by the English marchants and shall there be offered to bee solde whether they be whole cloathes or halfe cloathes they must containe both their endes Lastly that the matters aboue-mentioned fall not short and voyde of their wished effect the treaty and conference about all and singular damages and grieuances whereof there is not as yet done but there must be by the vertue of these presents performed a reformation and amendment must be continued and proroged vntill the first of May next ensuing as by these presents they are continued and proroged with the continuation of the dayes then immediately following at the towne of Dordract aforesaide at the which time and place or at other times and places in the meane space as occasion shall serue by both parties to be limited and assigned or else within oue yeere after the said first day of the moneth of May next ensuing bee expired the hurt and damaged parties generally before-mentioned shall haue performed vuto them a conuenient iust and reasonable reformation on both partes Prouided alwayes if within the terme of the saide yeere some conuenient iust and reasonable reformation bee not performed vnto the parties iniuried and endamaged which are generally aboue mentioned that then within three whole moneths after the foresaid yere shall expired the Prussians shall depart out of the realmes and dominions of the saide Soueraigne Lorde the king of England together with their marchandize and with other goods which they shal haue gotten or bought within the space of the foresaide three moneths and that the English men also are likewise in all respects bounden to auoid and no lawfull impediment hindering them to withdrawe themselues and to depart out of the territories and dominions of the saide Master generall without all molestation◠perturbation and impediment whatsoeuer none other intimation or admonition being necessarie in this regard Howbeit least that by the robberies and piracies of some insolent and peruerse people matter should be ministred vnto the said lord the Master generall of swaruing from the faithfull obseruation of the foresaide agreements or which God forbid any occasion bee giuen him of not obseruing them it is also decreed by the often aboue mentioned Ambassadours and messengers that if the goods and marchandize of any of the saide lorde Master generall his subiectes whatsoeuer shall be from hencefoorth vniustly taken vpon the Sea by any English Pirates and shal be caried into the realme of England and there receiued that the Gouernours and keepers of portes and of other places with whatsoeuer names they be called at the which portes and places such marchandises and goods shall chaunce to arriue beeing onely informed of the saide goods and marchandises by sole report or other proofes wanting by probable suspition are bound to arrest and to keep them in safe custodie fauourably to be restored vnto the owners therof whensoeuer they shall be lawfully demaunded which if they shall omit or deny to performe from thenceforth the saide gouernours and keepers are bound to make vnto the parties endamaged a recompease of their losses And for fault of iustice to be executed by the said gouernours and keepers our soueraign lord the king aboue named after he shall conueniently be requested by the parties damnified is bound within three moneths next ensuing all lawfull impediments being excepted to make correspondent iust and reasonable satisfaction vnto the saide parties endamaged Otherwise that it shal be right lawfull for the saide lorde the Master generall to arrest and after the arrest to keepe in safe custodie the goods of the English marchants being in the land of Prussia to the condigne satisfaction of such iniuries as haue bene offered vnto his subiects vntill his said subiects be iustly and reasonably contented Likewise also in all respects the same iustice is to be done vnto the English by the said Lord the Master generall and his subiects in Prussia euen as it hath bene enacted and decreed in the aboue written clause beginning Caeterum ne per c. In English Howbeit least that c. for the said Master general and his subiects by the foresaide ambassadors of England and the commissioners of the said lord the Master generall that in like cases iustice ought to be administred on the behalfe of himselfe and of his subiects in the realme of England And that all and singular the couenants aboue written may in time to come by the parties whom they concerne firmly and inuiolably be obserued the forenamed ambassadors messengers and commissioners all and euery of them for the full credite probation and testimonie of all the premisses haue vnto these present Indentures made for the same purpose caused euerie one of their seales with their owne hands to be put One part of the which indentures remaineth in the custodie of the English ambassadors and the other part in the hands of the commissioners of Prussia Giuen at the castle of Marienburgh in Prussia in the yeere of our Lorde 1405. vpon the 8. day of the moneth of October An agreement made betweene King Henrie the fourth and the common societie of the Marchants of the Hans THis Indenture made betweene the honourable Sir William Esturmy knight and Iohn Kington clearke procurators messengers and commissioners sufficiently deputed and authorized by the most mighty Prince Lord Henry by the grace of God king of England France and lord of Ireland for the performation of y e things vnder written on the one part the hon personages M. Henry Vredeland M. Riman Salum chief notaries Thederic Knesuolt secretary M. Simō Clouesten chief notary and Iohn Zotebotter citizen being sufficiently made and ordained procurators and messengers on the behalfe of the cities of Lubec Bremen Hamburg Sund and Gripeswold for the demanding obtaining seuerally of due reformation and recompense at the hands of our saide souereigne lord the king and of his messengers and commissioners aforesayde for all iniuries damages grieuances and manslaughters any wayes vniustly done and offred seuerally by the liege people and subiects of our soueraigne lord the king vnto the common societie of the marchants of the Hans and vnto any of the Citizens people and inhabitants of the cities aforesaide whatsoeuer on the other part Witnesseth That betweene all and euery of the saide Procurators messengers and Commissioners by vertue of the authoritie committed vnto them it hath bene and is appointed concluded and decreed that the liege marchants and subiects of our said soueraigne lord the king and the marchants of the common societie of the Dutch Hans aforesaide from hencefoorth for one whole yeere and seuen moneths immediately next ensuing and following shal be permitted and licenced friendly freely and securely to exercise mutual traffike
Dante 's vlterius concedentes huiusmodi gubernatoribus per praedictos Mercatores sic eligendis quantum in nobis est potestatem authoritatem speciales omnes singulos mercatores Anglicos ad partes praedictas de caetero venientes declinantes per se vel sufficientes loca sua tenentes regendi gubernandi ac eis eorum cuilibet in suis causis querelis quibuscunque inter eos in partibus praedictis motis vel mouendis plenam celerem iusticiam faciendi quascunque quaestiones contentiones discordias debatas inter ipsos mercatores Anglicos partium praedictarum motas seu mouendas reformandi reformationemque petendi redigendi sedandi pacificandi quascunque transgressiones damna mesprisiones excessus vio lencias iniurias mercatoribus partium praedictarum per praedictos mercatores Anglicos factas seu faciendas redigendi reparandi restaurandi emendandi consimilesque restitutiones reparationes restaurationes emendationes de ipsis mercatoribus partium praedictarum seu deputatis suis requirendi petendi recipiendi Ac de communi assensu mercatorum Anglicorum praedictorum statuta ordinationes consuetudines prout pro meliori gubernatione status eorundem mercatorum Anglicorum in hac parte videbitur expedire faciendi stabiliendi omnes singulos mercatores Anglicos praefatis gubernatoribus sic eligendis vel eorum loca tenentibus seu eorum alicui aut alicui statutorum ordinationum consuetudinum praedictarum contrarios rebelles vel inobedientes iuxta quantitatem delicti sui in hac parte rationabiliter puniendi Volentes insuper omnia iusta rationabilia statuta ordinationes consuetudines per dictos gubernatores sic eligendos in forma praedicta facienda stabilienda nec non omnes iustas rationabiles ordinationes per nuper gubernatores praedictorum mercatorum Anglicorum de communi assensu eorundem mercatorum pro huiusmodi gubernatione sua in partibus praedictis iuxta priuilegia authoritates sibi per magistrum Pruciae seu alios dominos partium praedictarum concessa factas stabilitas seu per praedictos gubernatores nunc vt praemittitur eligendos iuxta priuilegia praedicta seu alia priuilegia eisdem mercatoribus Anglicis per praedictos magistrum dominos in posterum concedenda facienda stabilienda rata firma accepta haberi pro ratis firmis acceptis ibidem firmiter inuiolabiliter obseruari Damus autem vniuersis singulis mercatoribus Anglicis praedictis tenore praesentium firmiter in mandatis quod eisdem gubernatoribus sic eligendis eorum loca tenentibus in praemissis omnibus singulis acâ—alijs gubernationem regimen in hac parte qualitercunque concernentibus intendentes sint consulentes obedientes auxiliantes prout decet Data in palatio nostro Westmonasterij sub magni sigilli nostri testimonio sexto die Iunij Anno regni nostri quinto A Charter of King Henry the fourth graunted in the fift yeere of his reigne to the English Marchants resident in the partes of Prussia Denmarke Norway Sweden and Germanie for the chusing of Gouernours among themselues HEnry by the grace of God king of England and of France and Lord of Ireland to all to whom these present letters shall come sendeth greeting Know ye that whereas according as we are informed through want of good and discreete rule and gouernement sundry damages strifes oppressions and wrongs oftentimes heretofore haue bene moued and committed among the Marchants of our kingdome of England remaining in the parties of Prussia Denmarke Norway the Hans steeds and Sweden and greater hereafter which God forbid are feared to be like to fall out vnlesse we put to our helping hands for the procuring of better gouernement to be maintained among the said Marchants wee heartily desiring to preuent the perrils and dangers which are like to fall out in this case and that the sayde Marchants and others which shall trauaile out of our said Realme into the partes aforesaid may iustly and faithfully be ruled and intreated we will and graunt by the tenour of these presents to the said Marchants that they may freely and without danger assemble and meete together as often and whensoeuer they please in some conuenient and honest place where they shall thinke good and that they may choose among themselues certaine sufficient and fit persons for their gouernours in those parts at their good liking And furthermore we giue and graunt to the said Gouernours which are in such sort to be chosen by the aforesaid Marchants as much as in vs lieth speciall power and authoritie to rule and gouerne all and singular the English Marchants which hereafter shall come or repayre to the parts aforesaid by themselues or their sufficient Deputies and to minister vnto them and euery of them in their causes and quarels whatsoeuer which are sprung vp or shall hereafter fall out among them in the parts aforesaid full and speedie iustice and to reforme all maner of questions contentâ—ous discords and debates moued or to be moued betweene the English Marchants remayning in those parts and to seeke reformation to redresse appease and compound the same And further to redresse restore repayre and satisfie all transgressions damages misprisions outrages violences and iniuries done or to be done by the aforesaid English Marchants against the Marchants of those parts And to require demaund and receiue the like restitutions reparations satisfactions and amends of the Marchants of those parts or of their deputies And by the common consent of the aforesaid English Marchants to make and establish statutes ordinances and customes as shall seeme expedient in that behalfe for the better gouernement of the state of the said English Marchants and to punish with reason according to the quantitie of their fault in that behalfe all and singular the English Marchants which shall withstand resist or disobey the aforesaid gouernours so to be chosen or their deputiâ—s or any of them or any of the aforesaid statutes ordinances or customes Moreouer we doe ratifie confirme and approoue and as ratified confirmed and approoued wee command firmely and inuiolably there to be obserued all iust and reasonable statutes ordinances and customes which shal be made and established by the said gouernors so to be chosen in forme aforesaid and also all iust and reasonable ordinances made established by the late gouernours of the aforesaid English Marchants with the common consent of the sayd Marchants for this their gouernement in the parts aforesayd according to the priuileges and authorities now granted vnto them by the Master of Prussia or other Lords of the partes aforesayd or which shall be made and established by the aforesayd gouernours now as is mentioned to be chosen according to the aforesaid priuileges heretofore graunted or other priuileges hereafter to bee granted to the sayde English Marchants by the aforesayde Master and lords of the Countrey And furthermore
Lord Jesu saith Blessed motte they bee That maken peace that is tranquillitee For peace makers as Matthew writeth aright Should be called the sonnes of God almight God giue vs grace the weyes for to keepe Of his precepts and slugly not to sleepe In shame of sinne that our verry foo Might be to vs conuers and turned so For in the Prouerbs is a text to this purpose Plaine inough without any glose When mens weyes please vnto our Lord It shall conuert and bring to accord Mans enemies vnto peace verray In vnitie to liue to Goddis pay With vnitie peace rest and charitie Hee that was here cladde in humonitie That came from heauen and styed vp with our nature Or hee ascended he yaue to vs cure And left with vs peace ageyne striffe and debate Moâ—e giue vs peace so well irradicate Here in this world that after all this selfe Wee may haue peace in the land of beheste Ierusalem which of peace is the sight With his brightnes of eternall light There glorified in rest with his tuition The Deitie to see with full fruâ—â—ion Bee second person in diuinenesse is Who vs assume and bring vs to the blis Amen Here endeth the true processe of the Libel of English policie exhorting all England to keepe the sea enuiron shewing what profit and saluation with worship commeth thereof to the reigne of England GOe furth Libelle and meekely shew thy face Appearing euer with humble countenance And pray my Lords to take in grace In opposaile and cherishing the aduance To hardines if that not variance Thou hast fro trought by full experience Authors and reasons if ought faile in substance Remit to hâ—m that yafe thee this science That seth it is soth in verray fayth That the wise Lord Baron of Hungerford Hath thee ouerseene and verely he saith That thou art true and thus hee doeth record Next the Gospel God wotte it was his worde When hee thee redde all ouer in a night Goe forth trew booke and Christ defend thy right Explicit libellus de Politia conseruatiua maris A large Charter granted by K. Edward the 4. in the second yere of his reigne to the marchants of England resident especially in the Netherland for their chusing of a master and gouernor among themselues which gouernement was first appointed vnto one William Obray with expresse mention what authoritie he should haue EDward by the grace of God king of France of England lord of Ireland to al those which shal see or heare these letters sendeth greeting good wil. Know ye that whereas we haue vnderstood as well by the report of our louing and faithfull Counsellors as by the common complaint and report of all men that many vexations griefs debates discords annoyes dissentions damages haue heretofore bene done moued committedâ—â—nd happened and do daily fal out and happen among the common marchants mariners our subiects of our realmes of France England our lordships of Ireland and Wales of other our dominions seigneuries and territories because that good discretion and authority hath not bin obserued among our saide subiects which abide frequent conuerse remain inhabit passe aswel by sea as by land into y e parts of Brabant Flanders Henault Holland Zeland and diuers other countreis seigneuries belonging aswell to the high and mighty prince our most deere and louing cousin y e Duke of Burgoine of Brabant carle of Flanders c. as being in the obedience dominion of other lords which are in friendship alliance good wil with vs and that it is to be doubted that through the saide inconuenience and occasion many discommodities may ensue fal out in time to come which God forbid vnles we should prouide conuenient remedie in this behalfe for our subiects aforesaid wherefore we desiring most effectually and heartily to auoide the mischiefe of the saide inconueniences to prouide conuenient remedy for the same to the end that the said common marchants and mariners and others our subiects of our said realms dominions which at this present hereafter shal haunt and frequent y e said countreis may be iustly lawfully ruled gouerned and intreated by right equity in the countreis aforesaid and that equity reason iustice may be ministred vnto them and euery of them according as the cases shal require we being wel assured and hauing ful confidence in the discretion faithfulnes wisdome experience good diligence of our most deare welbeloued subiect Will. Obray our seruant in regard of the good faithfull and acceptable seruices which he hath done vs in our realm among our subiects in times past hoping that he wil do also hereafter we haue made ordained constituted committed and established and by the tenour of these presents of our special grace ful power authority royall we ordaine appoint commit and establish during our pleasure to be gouernor iudge warden of iustice and the appurtenances appendances therof which we haue or may haue ouer our said common subiects the marchants trauailing hereafter as wel by sea as by land and abiding in the said countries of Brabant Flanders Henault Holland Zeland and other countreis beyond the sea as is aforesaide together with the wages rights profits and emoluments heretofore accustomed as the said Will. Obray at other times hath had and receiued of our said subiects when he had vsed and exercised the said office of gouernor also with other such rights and profits as hereafter shal more plainly be declared And furthermore for our parts we haue giuen him and by these presents do giue him as much as in vs lieth during our pleasure ful power authority and special commandement to gouerne rule and cause to be gouerned and ruled with good iustice by himselfe or by his sufficient lieuetenants or deputies all aâ—d euery our foresaid subiects the common marchants mariners comming remaining frequenting passing repairing from henceforth into the said countreis of Brabant Flanders Henault Holland Zeland and other countreyes beyond the sea as it is said and to keep and cause to be kept to exercise and maintein for vs and in our place the said office of gouernour and to doe all such things which a faithfull gouernour ought to do and to take knowledge and administration of the causes of the said common marchants and mariners our subiects and of euery of them and of their causes and quarels moued or hereafter to be moued in the countreis aforesaid or within the limits borders therof and to doe them full speedy iustice And to reforme cause reformation gouerne appease and pacifie all contentions discords questions or debates between those our said subiects moued or to moued and to right redresse repaire restore and amend all transgressions domages enterprises outrages violences and iniuries committed or to be coÌ„mitted and like wise to require to aske demand and receiue restitutions reparations
be at his Princes pleasure and commandement Oh that our sturdie rebels were had in the like subiection to knowe their duety towarde their Princes They may not say as some snudges in England say I would find the Queene a man to serue in my place or make his friends tarrie at home if money haue the vpper hand No no it is not so in this countrey for hee shall make humble sute to serue the Duke And whom he sendeth most to the warres he thinketh he is most in his fauour and yet as I before haue sayde hee giueth no wages If they knewe their strength no man were able to make match with them nor they that dwel neere them should haue any rest of them But I thinke it is not Gods will For I may compare them to a young horse that knoweth not his strength whome a little childe ruleth and guideth with a bridle for all his great strength for if hee did neither childe nor man could rule him Their warres are holden against the Crimme Tartarians and the Nagaiâ—â—â— I will stand no longer in the rehearsall of their power and warres For it were too tedious to the reader But I will in part declare their lawes and punishments and the execution of iustice And first I will begin with the commons of the countrey which the gentlemen haue rule on And that is that euery gentleman hath rule and iustice vpon his owne tenants And if it so fall out that two gentlemens seruants or tenaunts doe disagree the two gentlemen examine the matter and haue the parties before them and soe giue the sentence And yet cannot they make the ende betwixt them of the controuersie but either of the gentlemen must bring his seruant or tenant before the high iudge or iustice of that countrey and there present them and declare the matter and case The plaintife sayth I require the law which is graunted then commeth an officer and arresteth the party defendant and vseth him contrarie to the lawes of England For when they attach any man they beate him about the legges vntill such time as he findeth suerties to answere the matter And if not his handes and necke are bound together and he is led about the towne and beaten about the legges with other extreme punishments till he come to his answere And the Iustice demaundeth if it be for debt and sayth O west thou this man any such debt He will perhaps say nay Then sayth the Iudge art thou able to denie it Let vs heare how By othe sayth the defendant Then he commandeth to leaue beating him till further triall be had Their order in one point is commendable They haue no man of Lawe to pleade their causes in any court but euery man pleadeth his owne cause and giueth bill and answere in writing contrarie to the order in England The complaint is in maner of a supplication made to the Dukes Grace and deliuered him into his owne hand requiring to haue iustice as in his complaint is alleaged The duke giueth sentence himselfe vpon all matters in the Law Which is very coÌ„mendable that such a Prince wil take paines to see ministration of iustice Yet notwithstanding it is wonderfully abused and thereby the Duke is much deceiued But if it fall out that the officers be espied in cloking the trueth they haue most condigne punishment And if the plaintâ—fe can nothing prooue then the defendant must take his oth vpon the crucifixe whether he bee in the right or no. Then is demanded if the plaintife be any thing able further to make proofe if hee bee not then sometimes he will say I am able to prooue it by my body and hands or by my champions body so requiring the Campe. After the other hath his othe it is graunted aswell to the one as to the other So when they goe to the field they sweare vpon the Crucifixe that they bee both in the right and that the one shall make the other to confesse the trueth before they depart foorth of the field and so they goe both to the battell armed with such weapons as they vse in that countrey they fight all on foote seldome the parties themselues do fight except they be Gentlemen for they stand much vpon their reputation for they wil not fight but with such as are come of as good an house as themselues So that if either partie require the combate it is granted vnto them and no champion is to serue iu their roome wherein is no deceit but otherwise by champions there is For although they take great othes vpon them to doe the battell truely yet is the contrary often seene because the common champions haue none other liuing And assoone as the one party hath gotten the victorie hee demandeth the debt and the other is carried to prison and there is shamefully vsed till he take order There is also another order in the lawe that the plaintife may sweare in some causes of debt And if the partie defendant be poore he shal be set vnder the Crucifixe and the partie plaintife must sweare ouer his head and when hee hath taken his othe the Duke taketh the partie defendant home to his house and vseth him as his bond-man and putteth him to labour or letteth him for hier to any such as neede him vntill such time as his friends make prouision for his redemption or else hee remaineth in bondage all the dayes of his life Againe there are many that will sell themselues to Gentlemen or Marchants to bee their bond-men to haue during their life meate drinke and cloth and at their comming to haue a piece of mony yea and some will sell their wiues and children to bee bawdes and drudges to the byer Also they haue a Lawe for Fellons and pickers contrary to the Lawes of England For by their law they can hang no man for his first offence but may keepe him long in prison and oftentimes beate him with whips and other punishment and there he shall remaine vntill his friends be able to bayle him If he be a picker or a cut-purse as there be very many the second time he is taken he hath a piece of his Nose cut off and is burned in the forehead and kept in prison till hee finde sureties for his good behauiour And if he be taken the third time he is hanged And at the first time he is extremely punished and not released except hee haue very good friends or that some Gentleman require to haue him to the warres And in so doing he shall enter into great bonds for him by which meanes the countrey is brought into good quietnesse But they be naturally giuen to great deceit except extreme beating did bridle them They be naturally giuen to hard liuing aswell in fare as in lodging I heard a Russian say that is was a great deale merrier liuing in prison then foorth but for the great beating For they haue meate and drinke without any labour
places at their pleasure and liberty by sea land or fresh waters may depart and exercise all kinde of merchandizes in our empire and dominions and euery part thereof freely and quietly without any restraint impeachment price exaction prest straight custome â—oll imposition or subsidie to be demanded taxed or paid or at any time hereafter to be demaÌ„ded taxed set leuied or inferred vpon them or any of them or vpon their goods ships wares marchandizes and things of for or vpon any part or parcell thereof or vpon the goods ships wares merchandizes and things of any of them so that they shall not need any other safe conduct or licence generall ne speciall of vs our heires or successours neither shall be bound to aske any safe conduct or licence in any of the aforesaid places subiect vnto vs. 2 Item we giue and graunt to the said marchants this power and liberty that they ne any of them ne their goods wares marchandizes or things ne any part thereof shal be by any meanes within our dominions landes countreyes castles townes villages or other place or places of our iurisdiction aâ— any time heereafter attached staied arrested ne disturbed for anie debt duetie or other thing for the which they be not principall debters or sureties ne also for any offence or trespasse committed or that shall be committed but onely for such as they or any of them shall actually commit and the same offences if any such happen shall bee by vs onely heard and determined 3 Item we giue and graunt that the said Marchants shal and may haue free libertie power and authoritie to name choose and assigne brokers shippers packers weighers measurers wagoners and all other meet and necessary laborers for to serue them in their feat of marchandises and minister and giue vnto them and euery of them a corporall othe to serue them well and truely in their offices and finding them or any of them doing contrary to his or their othe may punish and dismisse them and from time to time choose sweare and admit other in their place or places without contradiction let vexation or disturbance either of vs our heires or successors or of any other our Iustices officers ministers or subiects whatsoeuer 4 Item we giue and graunt vnto the saide Marchants and their successours that such person as is or shal be commended vnto vs our heires or successors by the Gouernour Consuls and assistants of the said fellowship restant within the citie of London within the realme of England to be their chiefe Factor within this our empire and dominions may and shal haue ful power and authoritie to gouerne and rule all Englishmen that haue had or shall haue accesse or repaire in or to this said Empire and iurisdictions or any part thereof and shal and may minister vnto them and euery of them good iustice in all their causes plaints quarrels and disorders betweene them moued and to be moued and assemble deliberate consult conclude define determine and make such actes and ordinancesâ— as he so commended with his Assistants shall thinke good and meete for the good order gouernment and rule of the said Marchants and all other Englishmen repairing to this our saide empire and dominions or any part thereof and to set and leuie vpon all and euery Englishmenâ— offender or offenders of such their acts and ordinances made and to be made penalties and mulâ—ts by fine or imprisonment 5 Item if it happen that any of the saide Marchants or other Englishman as one or more doe rebell against such chiefe Factor or Factors or his or their deputies and will not dispose him or themselues to obey them and euery of them as shall appertaine if the saide Rebels or disobedients doe come and bee founde in our saide Empire and iurisdictions or any part and place thereof then wee promise and graunt that all and euery our officers ministers and subiects shall effectually ayde and assist the saide chiefe Factour or Factours and their deputies and for their power shall really woorke to bring such rebell or disobedient rebels or disobedients to due obedience And to that intent shall lende vnto the same Factour or Factours and their deputies vpon request therefore to be made prisons and instruments for punishments â—rom time to time 6 Item we promise vnto the saide Marchants and their successours vpon their request to exhibite and doe vnto them good exact and fauourable iustice with expedition in all their causes and that when they or any of them shall haue accesse or come to or before any of our Iustices for any their plaints mooued and to bee mooued betweene any our subiects or other stranger and them or any of them that then they shal be first and forthwith heard as soon as the party whâ—ch they shal find before our Iustices shal be depeached which party being heard forthwith and assoone as may be the said English marchants shall be ridde and dispatched And if any action shall be moued by or against any of the said Marchants being absent out of our saide empire and dominions then such Marchants may substitute an â—tturney in all and singular his causes to be followed as need shall require and as shall seeme to him expedient 7 Item wee graunt and promise to the saide Marchants and to their successours that if the same Marchants or â—ny of them shall bee wounded or which God forbid slaine in any part or place of our Empire or dominions then good information thereof giuen Wee and our Iustices and other officers shall execute due correction and punishment without delay according to the exigence of the case so that it shall bee an example to all other not to commit the like And if it shall chaunce the factors seruants or ministers of the saide Marchants or any of them to trespasse or offende whereby they or any of them shall incurre the danger of death or punishment the goods wares marchandizes and things of their Masters shall not therefoore bee forfaited confiscated spoiled ne seised by any meanes by vs our heires or successours or by any our officers ministers or subiects but shall remaine to their vse franke free and discharged from all punishment and losse 8 Item we graunt that if any of the English nation be arrested for any debt he shal not be laid in prison so farre as he can put in sufficient suretie and pawne neither shall any sergeant or officer leade them or any of them to prison before he shall haue knowen whether the chiefe Factor or factors or their deputies shal be sureties or bring in pawne for such arrested then the officers shal release the partie and shall set hâ—m or them at libertie 9 Moreouer wee giue graunt and promise to the saide Marchants that if any of their ships or other vessels shall bee spoyled robbed or damnified in sayling anckoring or returning to or from our saide Empires and Dominions or any part thereof by any Pirats Marchants or other person
Citie of London William Garret Alderman of our saide Citie Athonie Husie and Iohn Suthcot to be the first and present 4. Consuls of the said felowship and communalty by these presents to haue and enioy the said offices of Consuls to them the said George Barnes William Garret Anthony Husie Iohn Suthcot for terme of one whole yere next after y e date of these our letters patents And we doe likewise make ordeine and constitute Sir Iohn Gresham knight Sir Andrew Iudde knight Sir Thomas White knight Sir Iohn Yorke knight Thomas Offley the elder Thomas Lodge Henry Herdson Iohn Hopkins William Watson Will. Clifton Richard Pointer Richard Chamberlaine William Mallorie Thomas Pallie the elder William Allen Henry Becher Geffrey Walkenden Richard Fowles Rowland Heyward George Eaton Iohn Ellot Iohn Sparke Blase Sanders Miles Mording to be the first and present 24. Assistants to the saide Gouernour or gouernours and Consuls and to the said fellowship and communaltie by these presents to haue and enioy the said offices of assistants to them for terme of one whole yere next after the date of these our letters patents And further we for vs our heires and successors as much as in vs is wil graunt by these presents vnto the saide Gouernour Consuls assistans fellowship company of Marchants aduenturers aforesaid to their successors that the said gouernour or gouernours 4. Consuls 24. assistants that now by these patents are nominated and appointed or that hereafter by the saide fellowship communaltie of marchants aduenturers or the more part of them which shal be then present so from time to time to be chosen so that there be 15. at the least wholy agreed therof the said Gouernour or gouernors or one of them and 2. of the said Consuls shal be there and 12. of the residue of the said number of 15. shall be of the saide assistants and in the absence of such Gouernour that then 3. of the said Consuls and 12. of the saide assistants at the least for the time being shal may haue vse and exercise ful power and authority to rule and gouerne all and singuler the Marchants of the said fellowship and communaltie and to execute and doe full and speedie iustice to them and euery of them in all their causes differences variances controuersies quarrels and complaints within any our realmes dominions iurisdictions onely moued and to be moued touching their marchandise traffikes and occupiers aforesaid or the good order or rule of them or any of them Also wee for vs our heires and successours so much as in vs is doe likewise by these presents graunt that the said Gouernour Consuls assistants fellowship and communaltie and their successors shall and may haue perpetuall succession and a common Seale which shall perpetually serue for the affaires and businesse of the saide fellowship and communaltie And that they and their successours shall and may bee for euer able persons and capaâ— in the lawe for to purchase and possesse in fee and perpetuitie and for terme of life or liues or for terme of yeeres or otherwise lands tenements rents reuersions and other possessions and hereditaments whatsoeuer they bee by the name of the Gouernour Consuls assistants fellowship and communaltie of the Marchants aduenturers by Seas and Nauigations for the discouerie of landes territories Iles Dominions and Seigniories vnknoweâ— and before the saide last aduenture or enterprise by seas not frequented as before is specified and by the same names shall and may lawfully alien graunt let and set the same or any part thereof to any person or persons able in the lawe to take and receiue the same So that they doe not graunt nor alien the same or any part thereof into mortmaine without speciall licence of vs our heires or successours first had and obtained Also wee for vs our heires and successours haue graunted and by these presents doe graunt vnto the saide Gouernours Consuls assistants fellowship and communaltie of the saide Marchants and to their successours that they and their successours shall and may lawfully purchase vnto them and their successors for euer landes tenements and hereditaments whatsoeuer of the cleare yeerely value of threescore sixe â—ounds thirteene shillings foure pence of lawful money of England and not aboue as well of such lands tenements and hereditaments as bee holden or shall be holden of vs our heires or successours as of any other person or persons the statutes prouided against alienations into mortmaine or any of them or any article or clause in them or any of them contained or any other lawe custome statute or prouision to the contrary in any wise notwithanding And that they by the name of the Gouernour Consuls assistants fellowship and communaltie of Marchants aduenturers for the discouerie of lands territories Isles dominions and Seigniories vnknowen by the Seas and Nauigations and not before the said late aduenture or enterprise by seas frequented as aforesaid shall and may be able in the law to implead and be impleaded to answere and to be answered to defende and to be defended before whatsoeuer Iudge or Iustice temporall or spirituall or other persons whatsoeuer in whatsoeuer court or courts and in all actions personall reall and mixt and in euery of them and in all plaints of nouel disseison and also in all plaints suites quarels affaires businesses and demaunds whatsoeuer they bee touching and concerning the saide fellowship and communaltie and the affaires and businesse of the same onely in as ample manner and forme as any other corporation of this our Realme may doe Moreouer wee for vs our heires and successours haue giuen and graunted and by these presents doe giue and graunt vnto the said Gouernour Consuls assistants fellowshippe and communaltie of Marchants aduenturers aforesaide and to their successours that the saide Gouernour or Gouernours Consuls and assistants and their successors in maner forme and number afore rehearsed shall haue full power and authoritie from time to time hereafter to make ordein establish and erect all such statutes actes and ordinaunces for the gouernement good condition and laudable rule of the saide fellowship and communaltie of Marchants aduenturers aforesaid as to them shall bee thought good meete conueuient and necessarie and also to admit vnto the saide Corporation and fellowship to be free of the same such and as many persons as to them shal bee thought good meete conuenient and necessarie And that euery such person or persons as shall fortune heereafter to bee admitted into the saide fellowshippe communaltie and corporation shal from the time of his or their admittance be free of the same And also wee will and by these presents graunt for vs our heires and successours vnto the saide Gouernours Consuls assistants fellowship communaltie of Marchants aduenturers aforesaid and to their successours that the Gouernour or gouernors Consuls and assistants of the same in maner forme and number afore rehearsed and their successours for the time being shall and may
sought out and to be giuen to the English merchants being here abiding at that time in our Countrey the factors seruants or deputies of the Company aforesayd to whom we haue granted this our gratious letter And if there happen none of the English merchants factors seruants or deputies to be in our Countreis at such time then we wil all the said goods to be sought out and bestowed in some conuenient place and when any of the Company aforewritten bringing these our letters shall come for their goods we to command their goods to be restored vnto them 8 Likewise wee haue graunted leaue to the English merchants their Gouernours Consuls and assistantsâ— namely sir William Garrard knight Rowland Hayward and to the Companie to builde houses at Vologda Colmogro and the seaside at Inangorod at Cherell and in all other places of our Dominions as shall be needefull for their trade And they to keepe at the said house one housekeeper a Russe and two or three men to keepe their wares at the said houses making sale thereof to whom they will they their Factors or deputies the said housekeeper not to buy or sell for them 9 Also we haue giuen and graunted to the English Merchants their house which they haue by our goodnesse at S. Maximes in the Zenopski and other their houses in the towne of Zenopski made for the better assurance of their goods and all such as they shall set vp hereafter shal be of the Opressini and will make them knowen to all them of Opressini 10 And whereas by our goodnes we haue graunted them a Ropehouse at Vologda being farre from the English Merchants house now we haue giuen them to build a house for that vse by the said English house and haue giuen and graunted them of our goodnesse ground one hundreth and fourescore fadome long and fiftie fadomes in breadth according to their owne request 11 Also we haue of our goodnesse giuen and graunted to the English Merchants leaue to buy them a house at Wichida and there to search out mines of yron And where they shal happily find it there to set vp houses for the making of the same yron and to make the same of our goodnesse haue graunted them woods fiue or sixe miles compasse about the sayd houses to the making of the sayd yron and not to exceede these bounds and limits And where they shall cut the sayde wood not to set vp any village or farme there bringing the artificers for making of their yron out of their owne Countrey and to learne our people that arte and so freely occupying the said yron in these our Dominions transporting also of the same home into Englande allowing for euery pound one dingo or halfe penie 12 And if any of the said yron shal be needfull for our workes then we to take of the said yron to our worke vpon agreement of price paying money out of our Treasurie for the same And when the said English Merchants or Factors shal send their owne people out of our Realme into their Countrey ouer land through any Countrey whatsoeuer freely to send the same with our words 13 Also we of our goodnesse haue graunted that if any man misuse the said English the Factors or seruants or the saide English Merchants their Factors or seruants abuse any other at Moscouie or any other out townes whatsoeuer within our Dominions in trade of Marchandise or otherwise then they to haue vpright iustice in all such matters of our counsaile the Opressini without all let or delay But if our Iustice may not agree the parties then lots to be made and to whose lotte it shall fall to him the right to be giuen and that only our counsaile at Moscouie and none of our Captaines or authorised people or officers in any other our townes giue iudgement vpon the said English Merchants for any thing 14 Also if any stranger shall haue matter of controuersie with any English Merchant Factor or seruant abiding within these our Realmes or coâ—trariwise any English Merchant Factor or seruant against any other stranger in all those causes our Counsaile of the Opressini to giue them Iustice and to make an agreement end betweene the parties without all delay And none to deale therein saue our Counsaile of the Opressini 15 And if any man haue action against any English Merchant being absent that then in his absence it shal be lawful for any other Englishman at his assignation to answere his cause 16 If any Englishman happen to be wounded or beaten to death or any Russe or stranger slaine or beaten 17 Or any â—â—ollen goods to be found in the said English houses then our Counsellers to cause the guiltie persons to be sought out and to doe right and Iustice in the cause and the partie that is guiltie if he deserue punishment to be corrected accordingly after his offence That the said English Merchants factors and seruant sustaine thereby no hinderance or damage 18 And whatsoeuer English Marchant Factor seruant or deputie shal be guiltie or any fault deseruing our displeasure then our Counsellers to cause the guiltie partie to goe vnder suerâ—es and their goods to be sealed and kept vntill our pleasure be further knowen and our Counsaile to examine their offence and so to report it vnto vs that we may command what shall be done therein and none other to be arrested or haue their goods sealed which are not guiltie of that offence nor to stay or apprehend them in any of our Dominions for the same 19 If any English Marchant Factor or seruant shall offend it shal be lawfull for their Agent to doe iustice vpon the said partie or to send him home into England at his pleasure 20 If any English Marchant Factor or seruant haue lent or hereafter shall lende money to any of our people or credite them with wares and so depart into any forreigne Countrey or die before the debt be due to be payde then our people and Marchants to paye the sayde debt to whom soeuer shall be appointed to the sayd roome or charge and the saide English Marchant factorâ— or seruant to bring his bill of debt to our Counsell to shewe them what is due and what money is owing them for any wares and thus to doe truly not adding any whit to the debt and our Counsel to command the debt to be discharged vnto the English Marchant factor or seruant without delay 21 And whatsoeuer English Marchant shall be arrested for debt then our Counsell to command the partie vnder arrest to be deliuered to the Agent and if he haue no suertiâ— to binde the Agent with him for the better force of the bond And if any Englishman be endebted we will the Creditor not to cast him in prison or to deliuer him to the Sergeant left the officer lose him but to take ware in pawne of the debt 22 Also of our goodnes we haue granted the English Marchants to send our Commission to
or giue order whereby they be not deceiued by them So likewise I haue gratified them with their house at the sea hauen at the mouth of Podezemsky we haue commanded that they shal not cary their goods from thence to the new caâ—tle S. Michael the archangel but shall ariue and doe as they haue done heretofore with their wares at that their house and shall vnlade their commodities out of their ships and shal lade them againe with Russe commodities euen there at that their house without interruption onely they shal permit our officers of Colmogro sworn men to write vp those commodities both the commodities of England and those of Russeland what the merchants shal declare themselues no otherwise but they shal not ouerlooke their commodities neither shal they vnbind any of their packs And when the English merchants are disposed to send into their owne countrey to wit any of their owne people on land through any other kingdom whatsoeuer they shall not send their people without our kingly knowledge and commandement and which of their people so euer they do meane to send out of our kingdom into their owne countrey then they shal send those their people not without our kingly maiesties knowledge to wit those that go of pleasure without carying any commodities with them and they shall haue a letter of passe giuen vnto them out of the office where the Ambassadors haue alwayes their dispatch And whosoeuer hath any thing to doe with them in matters of controuersie either concerning merchandize or iniuries then they are to be iudged by our treasurers and Secretarie of the Ambassadors office to do iustice between both parties to seek out the trueth of matters in al things and whatsoeuer cannot be found out by the Law shal be tried by othe and lots whose lot soeuer is taken foorth him to haue right And in what place of all our kingdom in what citie soeuer they or their people shall bee and that there happen any matter of controuersie either concerning merchandise iniuries or otherwise that they haue occasion of set vpon any man by lawe or that any seeke vpon them concerning what matter soeuer in all our kingdom and cities then our lieutenants captains and our officers shall giue them Iustice and shall minister all true iustice betweene them seeking out the trueth and what cannot be truly sought by law shal be sought out by othe and lot whose lot soeuer is taken out him to haue right accordingly as before and the Iudges or Iuâ—tices shall take of them no kind of dutie for matters of law no where throughout all our realmes This letter is giuen in our princely palace within the citie of Mosco in the yeere from the foundation of the world seuen thousand fourescore and fifteene in the moneth of February The Ambassage of M. Giles Fletcher Doctor of the Ciuil Law sent from her Maiestie to Theodor the Emperor of Russia Anno 1588. IN the yeere 1588. was sent Ambassador from her highnesse into the countrey of Russia Giles Fletcher Doctor of the Ciuil Lawe as well to treat with the new Emperor Pheodor Iuanowich about league and amitie in like maner as was before with his father Iuan Vasilowich as also for the reestablishing and reducing into order the decaied trade of our Englishmen there Who notwithstanding at his first arriuall at the Mosco found some parts of hard entertainment by meanes of certaine rumors concerning the late nauall victory which was there reported to haue fallen on the Spanish side as also for some dislike conceiued against the priuileged trade of our English merchaÌ„ts Yet in the end he obtained of the Emperour many good equall conditions and was curteously and honourably dismissed by him The principall points which he entreated of and were granted vnto him by the said Emperor were these 1 A continuation of league and amitie betweene her Highnesse and the sayd Emperour Pheodor Iuanowich in like maner as was before with his father Iuan Vasilowich 2 A confirmation and reestablishment of the former priuileges of the Companie of our English merchants which were infringed and annulled in the principal points with diuers necessary additions to the same for the better ordering of their trade in those countreys hereafter viz. That the state of the priuilege granted before in the names of some priuate and particular men be altered in that point and the same granted by the name and stile of their incorporation viz. To the felowship of English merchants for the discouerie of new trades 3 That vpon euery surmise and light quarel the said priuilege be not reuoked and annulled as before time it hath bene 4 That iustice shall be administred to the said Companie and their Agent without delay vpon such as shal offer them any despite or iniurie or shal exact or impose vpon them any paiment taxation or imposition whatsoeuer contrary to the freedome of the said grant 5 That the goods commodities of the said Companie be not forcibly taken as before time they had bene by the Emperors officers or people of authoritie either for the vse of the said Emperor or of his officers But in case they haue need of the said commodities the same to be taken at reasonable prices and for ready money 6 That the said Companie be not charged hereafter with the answering of such debts as are made by any Englishman not being of the societie 7 That the Emperors authorized people shall not hereafter repute any Englishman resiant in that countrey to be any factor seruant or dealer in the said Companies affaires but such as the Agent shall inregister by name within the offices where custome is entered in all such places of the land where the sayd Companie haue residencies to traffike 8 That the names of such as shall so be inregistred be no longer continued in record nor themselues reputed as factors or dealers for the said Companie then the Agent shall thinke good But in case the said Agent in his discretion shall thinke meet to strike out of the Register any name of such as haue bene imploied in the Companies seruice the said person to be held as priuate whose acte in bargaining or otherwise shall not charge the said Companie 9 That if any English man within the countrey of Russia be suspected for any notorious crime as felony treason c. the same be not straightwaies set vpoÌ„ the Pudkey nor otherwise tormented till such time as he shall be conuicted by plaine and euident proofes which being done the whole proceeding to be sent ouer to the Queene of England 10 That the said priuilege with the additions shall be published in all townes and partes of the Emperors dominions where the said Companie haue traffike 11 That the said Companie shall be permitted to vse a sole trade through the Emperours countries by the riuer Volga into Media Persia Bogharia and the other the East countries 12 Whereas there was claimed
happen to sel or barter away any of their commodities to our subiects they are to barter or sell by whole sale and not by retaile as by the yard or by the ounce in their houses or elsewhere but by the packe or whole clothes veluets damasks taffaties by the piece and not by the yard and al other wares that are to be sold by weight they are to be sold not by the ounce but by great sale Your wines shal be sold by hogs heads pipes or buttes but not by quartes nor pintes The said English mâ—rchants are to sel or barter away their owne coÌ„modities themselues and not to suffer any Russes to buy or sell for them nor to carry or transport any wares of strangers in stead of their owne in no wise And if the saide English merchants shall be desirous to sell any of their commodities at Colmogro or vpon the Riuer of Duina or at Vologhda or at Yeraslaue when as the saide merchants haue solde in any of the saide Towues Cities or territories then you our officers and authorised people by vertue of this our gratious letter wee will and straitly commaund not to take any custome of the aforesaid merchants howsoeuer it may be named Also whensoeuer the saide English merchants or any of their factours shal be desirous to hire carriers to carry their wares to any place of our dominions or Cities it shal be at their châ—yse and pleasure to hier them the best they can and where they will either water men to rowe or vessels Also when any of the said merchants themselues or any of theirs are desirous to trauel into any part of our dominions or into any other kingdomes or into their owne kingdome if any of our treasure be deliuered to them they to take it with them and to sel it in bartar or otherwise for such wares as are most requisit and necessary to be brought into our kingdome and to be deliuered into our treasury You our nobilitie generals al others in authority suffer them to passe through al our cities townes countries without taking any custome of them And when the said merchants haue done their traffick in any place come to the Mosco they shal make it knowen at their arriual at the house of Chancery and secretariship to Vasili Shalkan And further when there come any English merchants with their ships or vessels by sea that by mishap shal be cast away vpon any of our shoars or cosâ—es we wil and command you to ayde helpe them and to seeke for their goods so perished by any casualtie and to be restored againe to the saide English merchants or their assignes without any prolonging or detayning As also if any of the aforesaide meâ—chants goods be found in any part of our coastes or streames and they not present themselues let the said goods be taken and layd vp in safetie in some place or other and be deliuered to the aforesaid merchants or their factors vnder penaltie of our displeasure Furthermore we King Lord and great duke of all Russia of our gracious goodnesse giue vnto the English merchants and their company their â—ouse in the Citie of Mosco lying â—ard by the Church of S. Marke behinde the market place which they shall keepe and remaine therein after their old accustomed vse Prouided alwayes that they shall keepe one Russe porter or one of their owne people may keepe any other Russe seruant at their discretion Also their houses in sundry places as at Ieraslaue Vologhda Colmogro and at S. Michael Archangel all these houses they shall keepe and vse at their owne pleasure according to our former letters patents without paying any dutie rent or custome Nor you the communaltie of the said townes shal take any thing of them or theirs for any duetie that should belong to you especially of the houses aforesaid but the said English merchants shal enioy them peaceably for themselues and their families but shall not suffer any other strangers Russes or others to vse the aforesaid houses Also you shall suffer them to lay their wares and commodities in their warehouses and to sell their commodities to whom they please without let or hinderance by vertue of this our gratious letter Their housekeeper being a Russe shall not vndertake to meddle or sell any of their wares without they themselues be present nor to buy any thing for them Also it shal be lawfull for the said merchants when they shal arriue at their port to lade and vnlade their merchandises as in times past they haue done at their pleasure And when they lade their ships with Russe commodities or vnlade them it shal be lawfull for them to hire any of our subiects to helpe them for the present time and for them to carry their goods to and fro with their owne vessels to S. Michael Archangel or elsewhere Also we command you our authorized people at the sea side as wel Customers as others to take of the foresaid merchants a note or remembrance what goods they bring in and ship out whereby it may be knowen what goods come in and go out But in no wise shall you open or vnpacke any of their wares or merchandises In like maner when as they ship or sende away any of their countrey commodities from S. Michael Archangel to any other place or to our royall Citie of Mosco yee shall not hinder nor let them any maner of wise for the shipping of their merchandises in or out by vertue of these our gratious letters of priuiledge giuen them And whensoeuer any of the said English merchants haue any occasion to send ouer land out of our dominions into their own countrey any of their seruants or factors by vertue of this our gratious letter we command you to giue them their passeport out of the office of our Secretariship And whensoeuer any of our subiects hath any thing to do with any of the foresaid merchants by way of contentions or that they be damnified or hindered by any of our subiects then we appoint and ordeine our Chanceller and Secretary Vasili Shalcan to heare their causes and finally to determine on both sides according to equitie and iustice and that he shall search the trueth betweene both parties And when the trueth cannot be proued or found out then to cast lots by order of the foresaide Iudge and he to whom the lot shall fall to take his othe Furthermore whensoeuer any of the English merchants or their factors shall come into any parts of our dominions or Cities and shal be wronged any kinde of wayes in trading or otherwise by any abused or haue any occasion of contention with any by way of trade in merchandise or otherwayes we straitly charge and commaund you our gouernours and authorised subiects within all our Realme and territories of the same to minister iustice vnto the aforesaide merchants or to their deputies and to search the trueth of the contention And for want of sufficient
neighbours as they doe in time of yeere prouide all things necessary for housholde so especially those things which belong to fires and bathes notwithstanding there be certaine among them of the basest sort of people who because they want those things at home and are not able to prouide them from other places are constrained to vse straw for the dressing of their meat But when the sharpe rigor of snowy Winter commeth on these poore people be take them to their ore stalles there setting vp sheds doing their necessary businesse in the day time when they are not able to make fires they borrow heat from their oxen as it hath beene reported to mee by others And so they onely being verie fewe in number doe not willingly enioye but are constrayned to vse the same common house with their oxen But for their liuelihoode and state it is farre otherwise with them then with their oxen of which thing I haue entreated before This is the lot pouertie of certaine men in those pettie parishes the condition whereof is therefore made a common by-worde of the people amongst vs though somewhat iniuriously Where I would willingly demaund with what honestie men can impute that vnto the whole nation which is hard and skantly true of these fewe poore men I am wearie to stay any longer in this matter onely because I haue to doe with Diuines let that of Salomon suffice Prouerbs 17. verse 5. Hee that mocketh the poore reprocheth him that made him And in very deede becauseâ— this our nation is nowe and heretofore hath beene poore and needie and as it were a begger amongest many rich men it hath susteined so many taunts and scoffes of strangers But let them take heede whom they vpbraide Uerely if there were nothing else common vnto vs with them yet we both consist of the same elements and haue all one father and God The fourth section They leade their liues in holy simplicitie not seeking any more then nature doeth afforde A happie Nation whose pouertie no man doth enuie But the English and Danish merchants suffer not the nation to be at rest who frequenting that countrey to transport fishing haue conueighed thither our vices together with their manifolde wares For nowe they haue learned to brew their water with corne and beginne to despise and loath the drinking of faire water Now they couet golde and siluer like vnto our men SImplicitie c. I am exceedingly glad that the commendation of holy simplicitie is giuen vnto vs. But it grieueth vs that there is found so great a decay of iustice and good lawes and so great want of gouernement amongst vs which is the cause of many thousande haynous offences which all honest and godly men doe continually bewayle This inconuenience doth not happen through the negligence of the highest Magistrate that is of our most gracious King but rather by our owne fault who doe not present these thinges vnto his Maiestie which are disorderly committed without his knowledge and which are wanting in the inferiour Magistrate Merchants Moreouer Merchants not onely of England and Denmarke but especially of Germanie as at this time so heretofore frequenting our countrey not to transport fishing but fishes taught not Islanders the arte of brewing corne with water For y e Norvagians themselues the first to our knowledge that inhabited this Iland froÌ„ whom y â— Islanders are lineally descended brought with them out of Norway that arte as also golde and siluer coine so that in old time there was no lesse vse of siluer and golde with vs then there is at this day And it is certaine that before the often nauigations of Danes Germans and English men vnto vs our land was much more fertile then nowe it is feeling the inconueniences of the ages and decayed worlde both from heauen and earth and brought foorth in certaine choyse places corne in abundance The fift section The King of Denmarke and Norway sendeth euery yeere a Lieutenant into the Countrey IN the yeere of our Lord eight hundred fortie and sixe Harald Harfagre which is to say golden haires or faire clockes was borne Who afterward in the yeere eight hundred fiftie and eight being chosen king of Norway when he was growen to age and full strength chaunged the forme of the Noruagian gouernment For whereas before it was deuided into pettie Prouinces which they called Fylki and the pettie kings that gouerned them Fylkis konga he reduced it by force of armes vnto a Monarchie But when some inhabitants of the countrie being mightie and descended of good parentages could not well brooke this hard dealing they chose rather to be banished their countrey then not to shake off the yoke of tyranny Whereupon they in the yeere aboue named eight hundred seuentie and foure transported colonies into Isâ—and being before discouered by some men and found out but vnpeopled as yet And so being the first founders of our nation they called themselues Islanders which name their posteritie reâ—eineth vnto this day And therefore the Islanders liued a long time namely three hundred eightie and sixe yeeres more or lesse acknowledging no submission to any other Nation And although Haquinus that crowned King of Norway who reigned longest of any Noruagian king namely aboue sixtie sixe yeares did oftentimes attempt by Ambassadours to make the Islanders become tributaries vnto him notwithstanding at all times they constantly withstoode him till at length about the yeere of our Lord 1260â— they performed homage vnto him And afterward continued alwayes in their promised loyaltie being subiects to the king of Norway But now at this day since the Empire of the Noruagians was translated by Margaret Queene of Denmarke Suedeland and Norway vnto the Danes they doe honour as their soueraigne Lord and King the most gracious king of Denmarke The sixt section All things are common among them except their wiues HEre Krantzius in the first place beginneth with such agybe There be many notable things in their manners c. Moreouer your wit being too hastie in affirming things vnknowen doth here also deminish your credite The experience as well of all things as of persons and times proueth your ouer greedie desire of noueltie of fame and vaine-glorie and argueth your great negligence in maintaining the truth O worthy writers But whether the aforesayde things bee true or no wee call the lawes of our Countrey to witnesse which the Islanders from the beginning haue vsed all one with the Norwayes of the King and his subiects of the seate of iustice and of law-cases which come to be decided there of inheritances of adoptions marriages theft extortions lending bargaines and the rest all which to what purpose should they be enioyned vnto them with whom all things are common We call to witnesse so many broyles and contentions in our courts and places of iudgement in Island concerning goods mooueable and immooueable we call to witnesse our kings now of
be examined according to iustice and if the partie shal be found to be English and shall receiue the holy religion then let him freely be discharged but if he wil still remaine a Christian let him then be restored to the Englishmen and the buyers shall demaund their money againe of them who solde the man 19 Item if the ships of warre of our Imperiall highnesse shal at any time goe forth to Sea and shall finde any English ships laden with marchandise no man shall hinder thâ—m but rather shall vse them friendly and doe them no wrong euen as wee haue giuen and granted articles and priuâ—leges to the French Venetians and other Kings and princes our confederats so also wee haue giuen the like to the English and contrary to this our diuine lawe and priuilege let no man presume to doe any thing 20 Item if either their great or small ships shall in the course of their voyage or in any place to which they come bee stayed or arrested let no man continue the same arrest but rather helpe and assist them 21 Item if any theeues and robbers shall by force take away any of their ships and marchandise let the same theeues and robbers be sought and searched for with all diligence and let them be punished most seuerely 22 Last of all the Beglerbegs and Zanziacbegs our Captaines our slaues and seruants of Captaines vsing the sea and our Iudges customers and gouernours of ships called Reiz and free Reâ—z all these according to the tenor of this priuilege and articles shal be bound to doe accordingly and as long as the Queene of England on her part shall duely keepe and obserue this league and holy peace expressed in this priuilege we also for our Imperial part do charge and commaund the same so long to be straightly kept and obserued Giuen at Constantinople in the 988. yeere of our most holy prophet in the beginning of the moneth of Iune And in the yeere of IESVS 1580. Her Maiesties letter to the Turke or Grand Signior 1581. promising redresse of the disorders of Peter Baker of Ratcliffe committed in the Leuant ELizabeth by the diuine grace of the eternall God of England France and Ireland most sacred Queene and of the most Christian faith against all the prophaners of his most holy Name the zealous and mightie defâ—ndourâ— c. To the most renowned and Emperious Caesar Sultan Murad Can Emperour of all the dominions of Turkie and of all the East Monarchie châ—efe aboue all others whosoeuer most fortunate yeeres with the suâ—cesse of al â—rue happinesse As with very great desire we wish and embrace the loue and amitie of forreine Princes and in the same by al good dueties and meanes we seâ—ke to be confirmed so to vs there may bee nothing more grieuous and disliking then that any thing should happen through the default of our Subiects which any way might bring our faith and fidelitie into suspition Although wee are not ignorant how many good princes by the like misaduenture be abused where the doings of the Subiects are imputed to the want of good gouernment But such matters of importance and so well approued we may not omit such is to vs the sacred estimation of our honour and of our Christian profession as we would the same should appeare aswell in the concluding of our promises and agreements as in the faithfull performing of the same The matter which by these our letters wee specially beholde is a most iniurious and grieuous wrong which of late came vnto our vnderstanding that should be done vnto certaine of your subiects by certaine of our Subiects as yet not apprehended but with all seueritie vpon their apprehension they are to be awarded for the same And as the deede in it selfe is most wicked so is it much more intollerable by how much it doeth infringe the credit of our faith violate the force of our authoritie and impeach the estimation of our word faithfully giuen vnto your Imperiall dignitie In which so great a disorder if wee should not manifest our hatred towardes so wicked and euil disposed persons we might not onely most iustly be reproued in the iudgement of all such as truely fauour Iustice but also of all Princes the patrones of right and equitie might no lesse be condemned That therefore considered which of our parts is ordained in this cause which may be to the good liking of your highnesse we are most especially to request of your Imperiall Maiestie that through the default and disorder of a sort of euill and wicked disposed persons you wil not withdraw your gratious fauour from vs neither to hinder the trafique of our Subiects which by vertue of your highnesse sufferance and power of your licence are permitted to trade into your dominions countreys or that either in their persons or goods they be preiudiced in their traueyling by land or by water promising vnto your greatnesse most faithfully that the goods whereof your subiects by great wrong and violence haue bene spoyled shall wholy againe be restored if either by the liues or possessions of the robbers it may any way be brought to passe And that hereafter as now being taught by this euill example wee will haue speciall care that none vnder the title of our authoritie shall be suffered to commit any the like wrongs or iniuries Neither they which haue committed these euil parts had any power vnder your highnesse safe-conduct graunted vnto our subiects but from some other safeconduct whether it were true or fained we knowe not or whether they bought it of any person within tâ—e gouernment of Marseils but vnder the colour thereof they haue done that which the trueth of our dealing doeth vtterly abhorre Notwithstanding howsoeuer it be wee will surely measure their euill proceedings with most sharpe and iust correction and that it shall repent them of the impeachment of our honours as also it shal be an example of our indignation that others may dread at all times to commit the like offence Wherefore that our amitie might be continued as if this vnfortunate hap had neuer chanced and that the singuler affection of our Subiects towardes your Imperiall Maiesâ—ie vowed and dayly more and more desired might be conserued and defended we thereunto do make our humble suite vnto your greatnesse And for so great goodnesse towardes vs and our people granted doe most humbly pray vnto the Almightie creatour of heauen and earth euer to maintaine and keepe your most renowmed Maiestie in all happinesse and prosperitie Dated at our palace of Greenewich the 26. of Iune Anno 1581. The letters patents or priuileges graunted by her Maiestie to Sir Edward Osborne Master Richard Staper and certaine other Marchants of London for their trade into the dominions of the great Turke in the yeere 1581. ELizabeth by the grace of God Queene of England France and Ireland defender of the faith c. To all our Officers ministers and Subiects and to all
as slaues Anno 1585. MOlto magnifico Signor Not ha stato significato per diuerse lettere di quanto ha passato circa divnanaue nostra chiamata Iesus sopra il quale in agiuto di Ricciardo Skegs vno de gli nostri mercanti di essagia morto veniua vn certo Franceseper sopra cargo chiamato Romano Sonings il quale per non esser ben portato secondo che douena volendo importar seco vn altro Francese debitore a certi vostri sensa pagarcene per giusticia era appiccato col patron Inglese Andre Dier che come simplice credendo al detto Francese senza auedercene de la sua ria malitia non restornaua quando da vostra magnifica Signoria gli era mandato La morte del detto tristo Francese approaimo como cosa benfatta Ma al contrario doue let ha confiscato la detta naue e mercantia en essa fatto sciaui li marinari como cosa molto contraria a li priuilegij dal Gran Signor quattro anni passati concessi da noi confirmati di parte de la Serenissima Magesta d'Ingiltetra nostra patrona e molto contraria a la liga del detto Gran Signor il quale essendo dal sopra detto a pieno informato noi ha conceduto il suo regale mandamento di restitutione la qual mandiamo a vostra magnifica Signoria col presente portator Edoardo Barton nostro Secretario Mahumed Beg. droguemano di sua porta excelsa con altre lettere del excellentissimo Vizir inuictissimo capitan di mar chiedendo tanto di parte del Gran Signor quanto di sua Serenissima Magesta di V. S. M. che gli huomini oglij naue col fornimento danari tutti altri beni qualconque da lei per vestro ordine da gli nostri tolti siano resi à questo mio Secretario liberamente senza empacho alâ—uno como il Gran Signor da sua gratta noi ha conceduto specialmente per esser detti oglij comprati per ordine di sua Serenissima Magestà per prouisione della Corte sua Il qual non facendo protestiamo per questa nostra al incontra di esso tutti futuri danni che puono succedere per questa cagione como authore di quelli contrario à la Santa liga giurata de li dnoi Rei patroni nostri como per li priuilegij che lei mostrerà il nostro constra per obseruatione de gli quali noâ—stramo dâ— fermo en questa excelsa Porta Et cosi responderete nel altro mondo al solo Iddio quà al Gran Signor questo massimo peccato commesso da lei al incontra di tanti poueracchi che per quest a crudeltà sono in parte morti in parte retenuti da esso en duro cattiuerio Al contrario piacendo lei euitar questo incommodo restarcene en gratia del Signor Iddio li nostri patroni amicheuolmente como conuien à par vostro di mostrarsi prudente gouernatore fidel seruitor al patrono adimpirete questa nostra giustissima domanda per poter resultarui à grand honore commodo per la tratta di marchantia che faronno a laduenire li nostri in quella vostra prouincia Li quali generalmente tanto quelli como tutti altri che nelmar riscontrarete siano secondo che manda il Grand Signor de vostra Signoria magnifica amicheuolmente recolti receunti Et noâ— non mancharemo al debito di ottimo amico en qualconche occurrenza vostra piacendo lei amicitia nostra como desideramo Il Signor Iddio lei conceda adimpiendo questa nostra giusta rechiesta per caâ—ar noi dâ— piu futura fatica in questo negocio lei di disgratia ogni vera felicitá supremo honore Data in palazzonostro che fu da Rapamat appresso Pera di 15. di Genero 1585 Il Ambassiatore de la Majesta Serenissima d'Ingilterra amico de vostra Signoria magnifica piacendo lei The same in English RIght honourable Lord it hath bene signified vnto vs by diuers letters what hath fallen out concerning a certaine shippe of ours called the Iesus into which for the helpe of Richard Skegs one of our Marchants in the same nowe deceased there was admitted a certaine Frenchman called Romaine Sonnings which for his ill behauiour according to his deserts seeking to cary away with him another Frenchman which was indebted to certaine of your people without paying his creditours was hanged by sentence of iustice together with Andrew Dier the Master of the said ship who simply and without fraude giuing credite to the said Frenchman without any knowledge of his euil fact did not returne when hee was commaunded by your honourable Lordship The death of the said lewde Frenchman we approoue as a thing well done but contrarywise whereas your Lordship hath confiscated the said ship with the goods therein and hath made slaues of the Mariners as a thing altogether contrary to the priuileges of the Grand Signior granted foure yeeres since and confirmed by vs on the behalfe of the most excellent the Queenes Maiestie of England our Mystresse and altogether contrary to the league of the saide Grand Signior who being fully informed of the aforesaid cause hath granted vnto vs his royall commandement of restitution which we send vnto your honourable Lordship by the present bearer Edward Barron our Secretarie and Mahomet Beg one of the Iustices of his stately Court with other letters of the most excellent Admirall and most valiant Captaine of the Sea requiring your honourable Lordship as well on the behalfe of the Grand Signior as of the Queenes most excellent Maiestie my Mystresse that the men oyles shippe furniture money and all other goods whatsoâ—uer by your Lordship and your order taken from our men be restored vnto this my Secretary freely without delay as the Grand Signior of his goodnesse hath graunted vnto vs especially in regard that the same oyles were bought by the commaundement of our Queenes most excellent Maiestie for the prouision of her Court. Which if you performe not wee protest by these our leters against you that you are the cause of all the inconueniences which may ensue vpon this occasion as the authour thereof contrary to the holy league sworne by both our Princes as by the priuileges which this our seruant will shewe you may appeare For the seeing of which league performed wee remaine here as Ligier in this stately Court And by this meanes you shall answere in another world vnto God alone and in this world vnto the Grand Signior for this hainous sinne committed by you against so many poore soules which by this your cruelty are in part dead and in part detained by you in most miserable captiuitie Contrarywise if it shall please you to auoyd this mischiefe and to remaine in the fauour of
burned both townes and Countreys without the losse of fortie men in any such attempt Did our kings in former times reward some with the greatest titles of honour for ouerthrowing a number of poore Scots who after one battell lost were neuer able to reenforce themselues against him and shall they in this time who haue ouerthrowen our mightie enemie in battell and taken his roiall Standerd in the field besieged the marquesse of Saralba 15 dayes together that should haue bene the Generall of the Armie against vs brought away so much of his artillarie as I haue before declared be vnwoorthily esteemed of Is it possible that some in some times should receiue their reward for looking vpon an enemie and ours in this time not receiue so much as thanks for hauing beaten an enemie at handie strokes But it is true that no man shall bee a prophet in his Countrey and for my owne part I will lay aside my Armes till that profession shal haue more reputation and liue with my friends in the countrey attending either some more fortunate time to vse them or some other good occasion â—o make me forget them But what shall the blind opinion of this monster a beast of many heads for so hath the generalitie of old bene termed cause me to neglect the profession from whence I chalenge some reputation or diminish my loue to my countrey which hitherto hath nourished me No it was for her sake I first tooke armes and for her sake I will handle them so long as I shall bee able to vse them not regarding how some men in priuate conuenticles do measure mens estimations by their owne humors nor how euery popular person doeth giue sentence on euery mans actions by the worst accidents But attending the gracious aspect of our dread Soueraigne who neuer yet left vertue vnrewarded and depending vpon the iustice of her most rare and graue aduisors who by their heedie looking into euery mans worth do giue encouragement to the vertuous to exceed others in vertue and assuring you that there shall neuer any thing happen more pleasing vnto me then that I may once againe bee a partie in some honorable iourney against the Spaniard in his owne countrey I will cease my complaint and with them that deserue beyond me patiently endure the vnaduised censure of our malicious reproouers If I haue seemed in the beginning hereof troublesome vnto you in the discouering of those impediments and answering the slanders which by the vulgar malicious and mutinous sort are laid as blemishes vpon the iourney and reproches vpon the Generals hauing indeed proceeded from other heads let the necessitie of conseruing the reputation of the action in generall the honors of our Generals in particular bee my sufficient excuse the one hauing by the vertue of the other made our country more dreaded renowmed then any act that euer England vndertooke before Or if you haue thought my perswasible discourse long in the latter end let the affectionate desire of my countreys good be therein answerable for me And such as it is I pray you accept it as only recommended to your selfe and not to be deliuered to the publique view of the world least any man take offence thereat which some particular men may seeme iustly to do in that hauing deserued very well I should not herein giue them their due commendations whereas my purpose in this priuate discourse hath bene onely to gratifie you with a touch of those principall matters that haue passed wherein I haue onely taken notes of those men who either commaunded euery seruice or were of chiefest marke if therefore you shall impart the same to one and he to another and so it passe through my hands I know not what constructions would be made thereof to my preiudice for that the Hares eares may happily be taken for hornes Howbeit I hold it very nenessary I must confesse that there should be some true manifestation made of these things but be it far from mâ— to be the author thereof as very vnfit to deliuer my censure of any matter in publique most vnwilling to haue my weaknesse discouered in priuate And so I doe leaue you to the happy successe of your accustomed good exercises earnestly wishing that there may be some better acceptance made of the fruits of your studies then there hath bene of our hazards in the wars From London the 30 of August 1589. The voiage of the right honorable George Erle of Cumberland to the Azores c. Written by the excellent Mathematician and Enginier master Edward Wright THe right honorable the Erle of Cumberland hauing at his owne charges prepared his small Fleet of foure Sailes onely viz. The Victorie one of the Queenes ships royall the Meg and Margaret small ships one of which also he was forced soone after to send home againe finding her not able to endure the Sea and a small Carauell and hauing assembled together about 400 men or fewer of gentlemen souldiers and saylers embarked himself and them and set saile from the Sound of Plimmouth in Deuonshire the 18 day of Iune 1589. being accompanied with these captaines and gentlemen which hereafter folow Captaine Christopher Lister a man of great resolution captaine Edward Carelesse aliâ—s Wright who in sir Francis Drakes West-Indian voyage to S. Domingo and Carthagena was captaine of the Hope Captaine Boswell M. Meruin M. Henry Long M. Partridge M. Norton M. William Mounson captaine of the Meg and his viceadmirall now sir William Mounson M. Pigeon captaine of the Carauell About 3 dayes after our departure from Plimmouth we met with 3 French ships whereof one was of Newhauen another of S. Malos and so finding them to be Leaguers lawful Prises we tooke them and sent two of them for England with all their loding which was fish for the most part from New-found-land sauing that there was part thereof distributed amongst our small Fleet as we could find Stowage for the same and in the third all their men were sent home into France The same day the day folowing we met with some other ships whom when after some conference had with them we perceiued plainly to bee of Roterodam and Emden bound for Rochell we dismissed The 28 and 29 dayes we met diuers of our English ships returning from the Portugall voiage which my lord relieued with victuals The 13 day of Iuly being Sonday in the morning we espied 11 ships without sight of y e coast of Spaine in the height of 39 degrees whom wee presently prepared for prouided to meet them hauing first set forth captaine Mounson in the Meg before vs to descry whence they were The Meg approching neere there passed some shot betwixt them whereby as also by their Admiral and Uiceadmirall putting foorth their flags we perceiued that some fight was likely to follow Hauing therefore fitted our selues for them we made what hast we could towards them with regard alwayes to get the wind of
for exchange but in the lesser there were three Spanyards who hauing heard of the defeat of their gouernour in Trinidad and that we purposed to enter Guiana came away in those canaos one of them was a cauallero as the captaine of the Arwacas after tolde vs another a souldier and the third a refiner In the meane time nothing on the earth could haue bene more wâ—lcome to vs next vnto gold then the great store of very excellent bread which we found in these canoas for now â—ur men tried Let vs goe on we care not how farre After that captaine Giffoâ—d had brought the two canoas to the galâ—ey I tooke my barge and went to the banks side with a dozen shot wâ—ere the canoas first ranne themselues ashore and landed there sending out captaine Gifford and captaine Thyn on one hand and captaine Calfield on the other to follow those that were flâ—d into the woodâ— and as I was creeping thorow the bushes I sawe an Indian baskâ—t hidden which was the refiners basket for I â—ound in it his quick-siluer salt-peter and diuers things â—or the triall of metals and also â—he dust oâ— such ore as he had refined but in those canoas which escapâ—d thâ—re was a good quantity of ore and gold I then landed more men and offered fiue hundred pound to what souldier soeuâ—r could â—ake one of those three Spanyards that we thought wâ—re landâ—d But our labours were in vaine in that behalfe for they put themselues into one of the small canoas and so whâ—le the gâ—eater canoas were in taking they escaped But seeking after â—he Spanyards we found the Arwacas â—idden in the woods which wâ—râ— pilots for the Spanyards and râ—wed their canoas of which I kept the chiefâ—st for a pilot and caried him with me to Guiana by whom I vnderstood where aâ—d in what countreyes the Spanyards had laboured for golde though I made not the sâ—me knoâ—en to all for when the springs began to breake and the riuers to raise themselues so suddâ—â—ly as by no meanes wee could abide the digging of any mine especially for that the richest are decended wâ—th rocks of hard stones which wee call the White spar and that it required both time men and instruments fit for such a worke I thought it best not to houer thereabouts least if the same had beene perceiued by the company there would haue bâ—ene by this time many barks and shippes set out and perchance other nations would also hâ—ue gotten of ours for pilots so as both our selues might haue beene preuented and all our care taken for good vsage of the people bene vttâ—rly lost by those that onely respect present profit and such violence or insolence offered as the nations which are borderers would haue changed thâ—ir desire of our loue and defence into hatred and violence And for any longer stay to haue brought a more quantity which I â—eare hath beene often obiected whosoeuer had seene or prooued the fuâ—y of that riuer after it beganne to arise and had bene a moneth and odde dayes as we were from hearing ought from our shippes leauing thâ—m meanly manned 400 miles off would perchance haue turned somewhat sooner then we did if all the mountaines had bene golde or rich stones And to say the trueth all the branches and small riuers which fell into Orenoque were raised with such speed as if we waded them ouer the shooes in the morning outward we were couered to the shoulders homeward the very same day and to stay to digge out gold with our nailes had bene Opus laboris but not Ingenij such a quantitie as would haue serued our turnes we could not haue had but a discouery of the Mines to our infinite disaduantage wee had made and that could haue bene the best profite of farther search or stay for those Mines are not easily broken nor opened in hast and I could haue returned a good quantitie of gold ready cast if I had not shot at another marke then present profit This Arwacan Pilot with the rest feared that wee would haue eaten them or otherwise haue put them to some cruel death for the Spaniards to the end that none of the people in the passage towards Guiana or in Guâ—ana it selfe might come to speach with vs perswadâ—d all the nations that we were men-eaters and Canibals but when the poore men and women had seene vs and that wee gaue them meate and to euery one something or other which was rare and strange to them they beganne to conceiue the deceit and purpose of the Spaniards who indeed as they conâ—essed tooke from them both their wiues and daughters dayly and vsed them for the satisfying of their owne lusts especially such as they tooke in this maner by strength But I protest before the Maiestie of the liuing God that I neither know nor beleeue that any of our company one or â—thâ—r by violence or othâ—rwise euer knew any of their women and yet we saw many hundreds and had many in our power and of those very yong and excellently fauoured which came among vs without deceit starke naked Nothâ—ng got vs more loue amongst them then this vsage for I suffered not any man to take from any of the nations so much as a Pina or a Potato roote without giuing them conâ—entment nor any man so much as to offer to touch any of their wiues or daughters which course so contrary to the Spaniards who tyrannize ouer them in all things drewe them to admire her Maiestie whose commaundement I tolde them it was and also wonderfully to honâ—ur our nation But I confesse it was a very impatient worke to keâ—pe the meaner sort from spoyle and stealing when wee came to thâ—ir houses which because in all I coulde not preuent I caused my Indian interpreter at euery place when wee departed to knowe of the losse or wrong done and if ought were stolen or takâ—n by violâ—nce either the same was restored and the partie punished in their sight or â—lse was payâ—d for to their vttermost demand They also much wondered at vs after they heard that we had slaine the Spaniards at Trinidadâ— for theâ— were before resolued that no nation of Christians durst abide their presâ—nce and they wondered more when I hâ—d made them know of the great ouerthrow that her Maiesties armie and Fleete had giuen them of late yeeres in their owne Countreys After we had taken in this supply of bread with diuers baskets of rootes which were excellâ—nt meate I gaue one oâ— the Canoas to the Arwacas which belonged to the Spaniards that were escaped and when I had dismissed all but the Captaine who by the Spaniards was christened Martin I sent backe in the same Canoa the olde Ciawan and Ferdinando my first Pilot and gauâ— them both such things as they desired with sufficient victuall to cary them backe and by them wrote a letter to the ships which they promised to dâ—liuer and performâ—d it and
haue it by and by whâ—reat the captaine being angry becâ—use they put to small trust in his word would not suffer his saylers to carrie it but said he would get Negros to serue his turne and so these wâ—re the Negros aforesaid whom he had brought to carry away the golde and siluer but by the way he met with the fiue Englishmen which fled from the pinnesse who told him of the Spaniards and then he made friends with all his men and got the Negros to take his part but hauing the ouerthrow and his best men being slaine and taken prisoners he thought to haue returned to his ship and so to haue gone for England The Spanish captaine hauing heard this discourse of the English prisoners buried the dead bodies embarking all things and with the Englishmen and their pinnesse returned backe vnto Panamá Thus was the Engliâ—hmens voyage ouerthrowen Now so soone as the the foure barkes and the pinnesse were arriued at Panamá the Gouernour of that place sent a messenger ouerland to Nombre de Dios to aduertise the townesmen where the Englishmens shiplay whereupon they of Nombre de Dios manned out foure ships and went into the bay of Dariene where the Englishmen had left their ship which they tooke away with them to Nombre de Dios with all her ordinance so that the poore Englishmen were left in the mountaines very naked and destitute of all comfort for the Spaniards had taken out of the foresaid house of boughes all their tooles other necessaries so that they could by no meanes haue any succour whereas oâ—herwise they might haue builded another pinnesse and prouided better for themselues to haue returned for their owne countrey These newes comming to the earâ—s of the Uâ—ceroy of Peru he thought it not conuenient to suffer those fiftie Englishmen which were yet aliue to continue in the mountaines among the said Negros Wherefore he sent a seruant of his called Diego de Frees with 150 shot to seeke them who at length found them making of Canoas to take some one small barke or other that sayled to and againe in the North sea whereby they might the better shift for themselues but before they had finished their pretended worke the Spanish souldiers set vpon them and tooke fifteene of them that were sicke but the rest fled whom the Spaniards pursued among the mountaines and in the end the Negros betraied them and they were all taken and carried to Panamá Where the Iustice asked the English captaine whither he had the Queenes license or the license of any other Prince or Lord And he answered that he had noâ—e but that he came of his owne proper motion Which being knowen to the Iusâ—ice the Captaine and his companie were condemned and were all put to death at Panamá sauing the Captaine himselfe the Master and the Pilot and fiue boyes which were caried to Lima where the Captaine and the two other men were executed but the boyes are yet liuing The king of Spaine hauing intelligence of these matters sent 300 men of warre against those Negros who had assisted the Englishmen which Negros before were slaues vnto the Spaniards and as is aforesaide fled from their masters into those mountaines and so ioyned themselues to the Englishmen thinking by that meanes to be reuenged of the Spaniards crueltie At the first comming of these three hundred souldiers they tooke many of the Negros and did great iustice on them according to the qualitie of their offences But after a season the Negros grew wise and wary and preuented the Spaniards so that none of them could be taken Whereof the king being aduertised by his Captaines as also how the countrey was full of mountaines and riuers and very vnhealthfull insomuch that his souldiers died he wrote vnto his said Captaines to make an agreement with those Negros to the ende the countrey might be in quiet And so they came to agreement with the Captaines of the Negros and all was appeased Afterward the Negros inhabiting two places which the Spaniardes allotted vnto them the kings pardon was proclaimed vnto all those which before the day of the proclamation thereof had runne from their Masters vpon condition that from that day forward whatsoeuer other fugitiue Negros should resort vnto them they should returne them home either dead or aliue if not that they should pâ—y for them Upon these conditions and to make all quiet in the mountaines all things were concluded and agreed vpon So that now the Negros dwell in great townes where they haue Spaniardes for their teachers and a Spaniard for their Iudge and with this they holde themselues very well contented and are obedient vnto their rulers The Spaniards since they conquered those parts haue seene many Frenchmen on that coast but neuer any Englishmen in that place saue those two onely which I haue before mentioned And although the Frenchmen haue come strong yet durst they neuer put foot on shore as the English did But the king of Spaine hearing that Englishmen as well as Frenchmen beganne to haunt that coast caused two gallies to be made and well appointed to keepe the coast The first yeere that they were made they tooke sixe or seuen French ships So soone as this was knowen there vsed fewe English or Frenchmen of warre to come on the coast vntill this yeere 1586. when as the aforesaid Francis Drake came with a strong fleete of about foure and twentie ships and did such harme as is well knowen vnto all Christendome But God sparing the king of Spaine life hee will sufficiently prouide to keepe his subiectes from the inuasions of other Nations Now to go forward with our begunne discourse the next towne vpon this coast beyond Nombre de Dios is Cartagena it standeth in a more healthfull place and is a greater towne then the other bordering vpon a better countrey which aboundeth with plentie of victuals and hauing a very good port for the harbour of ships and it is called Cartagena because it resembleth very much the citie of Cartagena in Spaine I containeth aboue foure hundred housholds It is very rich by reason of the ships staying there when they goe or come from Spaine And if the ships chance to winter before they goe home into Spaine then they lie at Cartagena Also it is greatly enriched by the marchandize which is there discharged to be carryed to the new kingdome of Granada from which kingdome much golde is brought vnto Cartagena This new kingdome of Granada is two hundred leagues within the land neither can they trauel from Cartagena to this kingdome by land because of the mountaines and standing waters which lie in the way so that they are faine to carry their goods vp a riuer called The great riuer of Magdalen They can goe with tâ—eir barkes but two hundred leagues vp this riuer for although it be large and very deepe yet there runneth so swift a current that the
suorum deliberationem praecipere curaretis vestrae serenitati Regiae nostras nuper transmisimus literas speciales Sed vos retentis adhuc in carcere nostris mercatoribus sicut prius nobis perâ— literas vestras quas audiuimus intelleximus diligenter inter caetera rescripsistis quod quidam mercatores de regno vestro de iniurijs violentijs arrestationibus quibus in regno nostro his diebus sunt vt asserunt contra iustitiam aggrauati multipliciter conqueruntur adijciendo in vestris literis memoratis quod quidam iniquitatis silij in villa Lennae ad piscandum vt dicebant halecia venientes quendam militem Balhuum vestrum in Vikia vnà cum decem alijs subditis vestris in vestris regni vestri negorijs existentibus crudeliter occiderunt Super quibus mens nostra grauatur quà m plurimum turbatur praesertim quum nunquam nostrae fuerit voluntatis quod iniuriae violentiae seu arrestationes aliquae mercatoribus vel alijs de regno vestro per aliquos de regno potestate nostris fierent indebitè vel iniustè nec adhuc intelligere possumus quod mercatoribus vestris per aliquem vel aliquos de subditis nostris huc vsque aliter factum fuerit Scientes pro certo quod si nobis per inquisitiones legitimas constare poterit huiusmodi grauamina subditis vestris infra regnum nostrum illata fuisse nos sufficientes emendas satisfactiones debitas super illis celerÃsque iustitiae complementum fieri faciemus Et insuper sâ—malefactores praedicti qui praefatum militem alios secum existentes vt praemiâ—titur occiâ—erunt de regno seu potestate nostra sint vel infrà idem regnum vel potestatem poterunt inueniri de ipsis iudicium iustitiam fieri praecâ—piemus secundùm Leges consuetudines regni nostri Et quia inter nos vos nostrósque vestros subditos hinc inde foueri desideramus mutuam concordiam amorem ita quod mercatores nostri vestri mercandisas suas in nostris vestris regnis dominijs liberè absque impedimento valeant exercere prout temporibus progenitorum nostrorum fieri consueuit ex dictarum literarum vestrarum seâ—ie collegimus euidenter vos promptos esse similiter paratos ad omnia singula quae pro vobis vestris subditis super discordijs contentionibus aut grauaminibus inter nostros vestros subditos qualitercunque suscitatis pro bono pacis iustitiae fuerint aeqâ—animiter facienda Nos consimilia pro nobis nostris quantum ad nos ad ipsos attinet illius amore qui pacis author fore dinoscitur pro quiete commodo populi vtriusque regnorum nostrorum quatenus ius ratio dictitauerint promittimus nos facturos Vestram amicitiam requirentes obnixius roganâ—â—s quatenus mercatores nostros praedictos qui adhuc superstites relinquuntur quos etiam tempore quo dicta felonia committi dicebatur interclusos tenebat custodia carceralis iubere velitis nostri contemplatione zelóque iustitiae ab huiusmodi custodia liberari bona ab ipsis capta eis prout iustum fuerit restitui faciendo Et vt deliberatio mercatorum nostrorum praedictorum bonorum suorum eò facilius concedatur place at vobis cum diligentia debira ponderare quod Galfridus Drewe quidam alij mercatores nostri de Lenne quibusdam mercatoribus de regno vestro occasione eiusdem grauaminis ipsis mercatoribus vestris ad sectam Tideman ni Lippe infrà regnum noâ—trum vt dicebatur illati centum libras sterlingorum perâ—oluerunt sicut in quodam scripto indentato inter Ingelramum Lende de Thorenden quosdam alios mercatores vestros ex parte vna praefatum Galfridum quosdam alios de regno nostro similiter ex altera confecto vidimus contineri Si qui verò de subditis vestris de aliquibus subditis nostris de aliqua iniuria ipsis facta querelas in curia nostra deponere voluerint prosequi cum effectu ipsorum subditorum vestrorum petitiones admitti eis super querelis huiusmodi plenam celerem iustitiaÌ„ fieri faciemus Ita quod ijdem subditi vestri exinde reputare debebunt meritò se contentos Et interim de excessibus grauaminibus subditis vestris infrà regnum nostrum qualitercunque illatis inquiti faciemus cum diligentia veritatem Vestrae igitur voluntatis beneplacitum in premissis nobis rescribere velitis per presentium portitorem Datae apud Westminster tertio die Aprilis The same in English TO the mightie Prince king Haquinus by the grace of God the famous king of Norway his most deare friend Edward by the same grace of God king of England lord of Ireland Duke of Aquitaine greeting and sincere loue We sent of late vnto your royall maiestie our special letters for the behalfe of our late marchants of Lenne and of the coast adioyning whome your baily and officers of the citie of Bergen lately apprehended committing them to close prison many of whome as we vnderstand are for want of due nourishment and by reason of the extremitie loathsomnesse of the prison quite perished that you would cause them and their goods to bee released Howbeit you reteining as yet our marchants in durance as before in your letters which we haue diligently heard and throughly vnderstood haue amongst other matters returned this answere vnto vs that certaine marchants of your kingdome doe make sundrie complaints of iniuries violences and arrests whereby they haue lately as themselues auouch contrary to iustice bene aggrieued and oppressed in our dominions adding moreouer in your sayde letters that certaine sonnes of iniquitie of the towne of Lenne comming as they saide to fish for herrings cruelly murthered a certaine Knight who was in times past your bayliffe of Vikia together with ten others of your subiects being imployed about the affaires of your kingdome In consideration whereof our minde is exceedingly and aboue measure grieued and troubled especially sithence it was neuer any part of our intent that any iniuries violences or arrests should vniustly be inflicted vpon any marchants or any others of your realme by any of our kingdomes neither can we as yet haue any intelligence that any such hard measure hath bene offered vnto any of your marchants by any one or moe of our subiects giuing you for a certaintie to vnderstand that if vpon lawfull inquisition we shal be aduertised of any such grieuances which haue bene offered vnto your subiects within our realme we will cause speedie iustice to be administred and sufficient recompence and due satisfaction to be made in regarde thereof And moreouer if the saide malefactors which as it is aforesaid slewe the forenamed Knight and others of his companie either be appertaining vnto our kingdome and dominion or may at any time be found within our saide kingdome or
dominion we will command iustice and iudgement to be executed vpon them according to the lawes and customes of our realme And forasmuch as our desire is that mutuall concord and amitie should be mainteined and cherished between your and our subiects on both parts so that our and your marchants may in both our Realmes and dominions freely and without impediment exercise their traffique as in the times of our progenitors it hath bene accustomed Whereas also we euidently gathered out of the contents of your letter that you are in like sort readie and willing to put all things in practise which are by you and your subiects for the taking away of discords contentions and molestations howsoeuer occasioned and sprung vp betweene your and our subiects louingly to be performed we also doe promise for ourselues and our subiects so much as in vs and them lieth for his sake who is knowen to be the author of peace and for the benefite tranquilitie of both our Realmes as iustice and reason shall moue vs to doe the like Desiring and earnestly requesting at your hands that of your loue and friendship hauing regard of vs and consideration of iustice you would commaund that our foresaide marchants who as yet remaine aliue and who also at the time of the saide felonie committed were shut vp in close prison be deliuered out of the saide thraldome causing their goods which haue bene taken from them to bee according vnto iustice restored to them again And that the deliuerie of our foresaide marchants and goods may be the more easily yeelded vnto may it please you with diligent obseruation to consider that Gefferey Drew and certaine other of our marchants of Lenne vpon occasion of the greiuances offered vnto your marchants within our Realme as the report goeth at the suite of Tidman Lippe paide vnto the same your marchants an hundreth pound sterling euen as in a certain Indenture made betweene Ingelram Lende of Thorenden and some other of your marchants on the one part and betweene the foresaide Geffrey and certaine of our marchants on the other part wee sawe conteined Moreouer if any of your subiects be minded to exhibite and effectually to prosecute their complaints in our Court concerning any of our subiects or of any iniury done vnto them we will cause the petitions of those your subiects to be admitted and also full and speedie iustice to be administred vpon any such like complaints of theirs Insomuch that those your subiects shal thinke themselues right well and sufficiently contented therewithall And in the meane space we will cause diligent inquisition of the trueth to be made of all excesses and grieuances howsoeuer offered vnto your subiects within our dominions May it please you therfore by the bearer of these presents to returne an answere vnto vs what you are determined to doe in the premisses Giuen at Westminster the third day of April De Stapula tenenda in certo loco ordinatio Anno 13. Edwardi secundi REx collectoribus custumae lanarum pellium lanutarum in portu London salutem Cùm nos vicesimo die Maij anno regni nostri sexto attendentes damna grauamina quae mercatoribus de regno nostro diuersimoâ—è euenerunt ex eo quod mercatores tam indigenae quam alienigenae lanas pelles lanutas infrà regnum potestatem nostram ementes se cum eisdem lanis pellibus ad vendendum eas ad diuersa loca infrà terras Brabantiae Flandriae de Artoys eorum libito voluntatis transtulerint volentes etiam huiusmodi damnis grauaminibus quatenus bono modo possemus prouidere de consilio nostro ordinauerimus quod mercatores indigenae alienigenae lanas pelles huiusmodi infrà regnum potestatem praedictam ementes ad terras praedictas ibidem vendendas ducere volentes lanas illas pelles ad certam stapulam infrà aliquam earundem terrarum per Maiorem Communitatem eorundem mercatoâ—um de regno nostro ordinandam assignari ac prout quando expedire viderint muâ—andum non ad alia loca in terris illis ducant seu duci faciant vllo modo inter caetera concesterimus mercatoribus de regno nostro supradicto pro nobis haeredibus nostris quòd ipsi Maior consilium dictorum mercatorum qui pro tempore fuerint quibuscunque mercatoribus indigenis seu alienigenis qui contra dictam ordinationem venerint modo rationabili conuicti â—uerint certas pecuniae summas pro delictis illis imponant quod illae huiusmodi summae de bonis mercimonijs mercatorum sic delinquentium vbicunque ea infrà regnum potestatem predictam inueniri contigerit per ministros nostros ad opus nostrum leuentur prout in Charta nostra inde confecta plenius continetur quam quidem Chartam per singulos comitatus regni nostri super costeras maris fecimus publicari firmiter inhiberi ne qui mercatores indigene seu alienigenae contra tenorem Charte predicte sub poenis contentis in eadem venerint vllo modo Ac postmodum dato nobis intelligi quod quà mplures mercatores tam indigenae quà m alienigenae lanas pelles lanutas infrà regnum potestatem praedictas ementes se cum eisdem lanis pellibus ad vendendum eas ad alia loca in dictis terris quà m ad Stapulam iuxta concessionem nostram predictam per Maiorem coÌ„munitatem dictorum mercatorum de regno nostro in aliqua terrarum illarum ordinatam assignatam transtulerint in nostri contemptum contra Chartam ordinationis publicationis inhibitionis praedictarum assignauerimus quosdam fideles nostros in diuersis partibus regni ad inquirendum de lanis pellibus lanutis ad dictas terras alibi quà m ad Stapulam illam ductis ita quod emendae inde ad nos pertinentes ad opus nostrum leuentur etiam intellexerimus quod quasi omnes mercatores tam indigenae quà m alienigenae huiusmodi mercimonia in dicto regno nostro exercentes sunt culpabiles de praemissis quod plures inde indictati ac alij timentes inde indictari lanas suas ac pelles lanutas sub nominibus aliorum non culpabilium faciunt aduocari extra regnum nostrum transmitti quibusdam alienigenis sic culpabilibus in dictum regnum forsitan non reâ—ersuris vt sic forisfacturas praedictas effugiant nos de emenda ad nos sic pertinente illudant quae si permitterentur sic transire â—n nostri damnum non modicum redundarent Nos volentes huiusmodi fraudibus obuiare nostris damnis quatenus bono modo poterimus praecauere vobis praecipimus firmiter iniungentes quod à singulis mercatoribus lanas seu pelles lanutas per portum praedictum ad partes exâ—eras ducere volentibus corporale sacramentum ad sancta Dei Euangelia