Admiral President in the Councel of Admiralty and Assessor in that of State with Gabriel Ackelâ—ye Knudson Secretary to take the Oath of Allegiance to his Majesty of all the Inhabitants which was done by the Inhabitants of Feroe with what Solemnity that Country could afford in Thors-Haven the third of August in the year aforesaid as Jens Lauritson describes in his Norrigia Illustrata In the year 1662. the States of Denmark having chosen his said Majesty King Frederick the third and his Successors to be Soveraign Hereditary Lord of Denmark and Norway arrived the second time the 14 of August his aforesaid Excellency the Lord Rix Admiral Henry Bialke to take of the inhabitants of Feroe the Oath of their Hereditary Allegiance to his Majesty whose Hereditary Throne the King of Kings establish for ever and continue his seed till the end of the World which they presently with greatest devotion performed When it pleased the great Lord of Heaven to call the said high and mighty Prince Frederick the third first Soveraign Hereditary Lord and King of Denmark and Norway from this Temporary to his Eternal and Heavenly Kingdom in the year 1670. the 9. of Feb. and his beloved Son The great and Mighty Hereditary Prince Christian the Fifth sate on his late Fathers Royal Throne to be Soveraign King over Denmark and Norway and the Subjects and States of Denmark had sworn Loyal Fidelity and Obedience to his Majesties absolute Government his Majesty the same year the 23. of April graciously dispatch't his Commissary the Honourable Jens Rodsteen Hereditary Lord of Leer Beck his Majesties Vice Admiral and Assessor in the Councel of Admiralty to Island and Feroe with full power in the name of his Majesty to take the Oath of the subjects and Inhabitants thereof where the said Commissary Jens Rodsteen arrived from Island and put into Thors haven in Feroe on Tuesday the 16 of August and on Friday the 19. of the same moneth all the Deputies or Inhabitants of Feroe themselves were gathered together and after the Service of God was performed took their ready and submissive Oath first together in a body and afterwards every one particularly under his Hand and Seal according to every ones State and quality Neither must we here omit to his Royal Majesty our most Gracious Hereditary Lord and King King Christian the Fifth's Immortal Praise and Clory and to the subjects of the Land both that now live and will hereafter succeed their admonition and remembrance to keep exactly the Oath they have taken in all its points and clauses not out of compulsion and fear but by an humble free and loving devotion till Death that his Majesty was graciously pleased to prevent the Inhabitants in giving them notice by his Patent that whatsoever either the States or any private man for himself had to petition and sollicite his Majesty for they or he should deliver it to his Royal Commissary and he receive it to carry unto his Majesty with a most gracious assurance that his Royal Majesty with a particular care and favour would be concern'd in what could be judged beneficial to them according to the time and occasion The wise King Solomon in the 19. chap. 12. verse of the book of Proverbs compareth admirably such Royal grace to the Dew that falleth on-Grass for as Dew vivifieth withered and down-fallen Grass so that it riseth again and groweth bravely up so hath this his Royal Majesties Grace reviv'd the hearts of the Inhabitants of Feroe which were almost fainting away for one cause or another and therefore the Subjects both Ecclesiastical and Temporal delivered the said Royal Commissary several Petitions concerning some of their grievances wherewith the said Commissary on Sunday the 21 of August after the Service of God departed from Feroe for Denmark Thereupon in the year 16-2 three deputies were sent over with full power humbly to represent the Lands necessities and his Majesty was graciously pleased to give the Inhabitants a very profitable Ordinance to prevent and take away all damage and ruine from the Land Whilest the Inhabitants of Feroe were under the subjection of the Kings of Norway and Denmark or before that time one doth not find much that any have been famous for their valiant actions though they have been a hard nation from the beginning except two namely Sigismund Bretteson and Magnus Heirson whose Histories excepted the one out of Snore Sturleson and Mr. Peter Clauson's Writings the other out of Jens Lawritson's Norrigia illustrata and a credible Manuscript of Feroe are for the Readers sake worthy to be here inserted After Trund of Gote of whom we have made mention before had treacherously let murther his fellow Governours of Feroe and his Kinsmen Breste and Beine sâ—lling their Sons Sigismund Bresteson and Fâ—rgill Beinson privately out of the Country to perpetual Slavery it happened that he that bought them was bâ— stâ—rm and bad weather set from 〈◊〉 course with his Ship to the East of Norway there ran the two boyes away from him and got up into the Country â—ow there had been in the Country some time before a young mâ—n whose name was Torkild that waâ— an excellent Huntsman and Shooter and lay usually out on Snow and Ice in the night seeking to kill Wild Beasts caring neither for cold nor frost whence he got the name of Torkild endure Frost he fell in love with a considerable man's daughter called Ingeborrig whose Parents refusing to give her unto him he took her in the Wild Woods but her Father Brothers and Kinsmen sought her out and took her back again Torkild came to her the second time and she went away with him but considering that he could not be in quiet for her kindred on that side of Dorfields he went therefore over the Mountain and setled his habitation close at the North of it in a great Wilderness and savage Forrest where no body came through there being a great way from thence to Towns where people lived and his Servants went into the district of Trundhein to sell skins and hides of wild beasts buying therewith what he had need of and he lived there many years having changed his name Sigismund Bresteson and Torgild Beinson being fled from their Master as aforesaid went up into the Country intending to go into the North of the District of Trund heim but when they came on Dor fields they lost their way and wandered some days â—â—ill at last they came down to the place where Torkild Endure Frost liv'd and went in His Wife received them well giving them meat and desired them to tarry there the night over When Torkild came home from the Woods she went to meet him and told him there were come to them two beautiful Boyes desiring him that he would do them no harm he grew angry because he had forbidden her to receive any body in the house or shew any one the way from thence saying we shall doubtless be found out and taken
Rix Dollars in Specie and ordered that the said Capital of 100 Rix-Dollars should be left upon interest to the Provost of Feroe that should be inspector of the School one after another and thereof should be paid to poor Schol ars maintenance yearly at Easter the rent viz 6 Rix Dollars They ingaging their year of Grace for the Capital rent and other damage that it might incuire for which 200 Rix Dollars Mr. John Gabrielson Mittens for two years since bought two Fields in Suderoe that the yearly revenue of the School might be received without troubling the Provost he not being able to make use of the mony and it not being possible tâ— imploy them otherwise in that Countrey Since that School hath been so indowed by the Kings Munificiency wherefore the Merciful God be unto his Majesty as well as his said Excellency both dead in the Lord and in good Memory with men a great reward eternally there hath been a pretty conflux thither whereof is come no littel fruit for in the year 1660 in my time three Schollars were dismissed with Testimonies to the University of Copenhagen where they were approved and admitted There were afterwards several persons something grounded in Humanities sent to Copenhagen also where they obtained honestum locum and there are now thence as many Learned Persons of Feroe as could supply all the callings thereof four of them being alteady Priests in that Country but because it would be tedious to expect till all those callings were vacant that they might be provided with their own Countrymen some do seek preferment in Denmark wherefore his Majesty of Glorious Memory King Frederick the Third preferr'd two of those that were sent from that School to the holy office of Priest namely Mr. John Hanson Chaplain in Helsingor and Mr. Thomas Jacobson Parish Priest of St. Peters Church in Borringholme which are the first persons of Feroe that have been advanc'd to any Priests office in Denmark so that more Prophets could yet come from that poor Galilaea if their Parents would sanctifie them to the Lord from their youth CHAP. VIII Of Specters and Illusions of Satan in Feroe THough the Hearers are here free from false Doctrine and Heresie yet Satan doth not omit to trouble them in other manners that he might overcome them There are many examples related by people that live yet how he hath deluded their Parents in the darkness of Popery which we will altogether pass by as a Fable though much of it may be true and here only insert how the said common enemy hath behaved himself towards many persons since the pure light of the Gospel doth shine amongst us in deluding seducing and leading them out of the right path of Gods word for we have here many Examples how he hath taken some away and carried away some restoring them afterwards though weakned in their understanding whereof I will only mention some certain Histories that are yet in the memory of man and some others that have happened whilest I was my self at Feroe I had not a mind to meddle with that matter it being of a very arcane and hidden nature that can scarce or not at all be comprehended by a mortal man but there being many of a weak faith that will not believe there are such Apparitions in nature though many wise and learned men maintain it in their writings and specially Ludovicus Lavaterus a famous Divine in a particular Treatise de Spectris and is so generally known in Feroe that almost every where in the Country where they have read no Books thereof nor heard any relation from other places know it so perfectly by the open works and apparitions of Satan that they are in no doubt at all of it yea that unquiet spirit hath lately plaid a trick in my Congregation and in the whole Country whereby he gave me enough to do though he was forced with shame by the vertue of God to creep away retire into his darkness therefore in spight of him to the destruction of his Kingdom to strengthen the believers and convince unbelievers I have made bold to insert here and put forth the following true Histories and matters of fact It happened about fifty years ago or above that there lived a Tenant called Simon Simonson in the antient Bishop-house of Kirkeloe whereunto belongeth a little Island under Sandoe called Hode or Troldboffred whereupon Oxen feed Winter and Summer There was found on the said Island an Oxe which did not belong to the Farmer nor to any man of the Country wherefore the Bayliff did chailenge the propriety of it in the Kings name and commanded the Farmer to bring him the said Oxe which he prepared todo having with all his folks a great deal of pains before they could overcome it and lay it bound in the Boat but being departed in good weather from the Isâ—and he was with all his folks and the Oxe carried away the Boat coming back safe and whole with all the Oars to land so that there was no sign at all the people could be perished in other manner Besides the Countrey-man had taken with him in the Boat three of his own Oxen that swam in the Sea near the Boat and were taken up This happened as is known to all understanding old people in the year 1617. It arrived for a short while ago namely in the year 1665. that the Tenants Daughter of Froldenesse Gaard in Kalsoe of Norderoe a marriageable maid went in the evening from her work and was lost so that she was never found since Neither is there any likelihood she should be perished the Sea being far from the house and she never having had any sad thoughts wherefore she should undo her self Our Danish Historian Saxo Grammatticus is much blamed by Forein Writers for having amongst other things inserted in his History such incongruous accidents with reason specially how King Hading was led away under the earth by a spirit in the figure of a woman and yet came back again It may also be that the ingenious Reader will blame me as one that filleth this Treatise with Fictions and Fables but I know certainly that what I write did happen so though we cannot comprehend it by reason It was not so strange that such happened in the darkness of Paganism Satan being then powerful amongst unbelievers as it is wonderful it should now come to pass God having implanted his true faith in the heart of the Children of men wherewith they might extinguish the eburning dart of Satan But these Histories being useful partly by their remembrance to draw men from the security of fin incite them to continual prayer and invocation partly that one may not so easily reject the Relations and Writings of the Antient though they do not agree with these times I will therefore proceed to relate some Examples of those that have been carried away and are returned as King Hading joyning thereunto my poor meaning and explication
their possessions to the King by committing Murthers and other misdeeds as one might prove by example almost within the remembrance of man some in the Popish times forfeited their estates to the Bishops for eating of flesh as many can yet relate for the Bishops forbad their hearers to eat flesh in Lent and they being us d thereunto and desiâ—ous to eat it as a meat that was plentiful in the Country could not observe such interdictions wherefore those that were discovered were forced to give their Estates as a Mulet except they would fall under Excommunication some also gave away their possessions willingly in that time of superstition for the saving of their souls to Bishops Sees and Churches and those Bishops being removed at the time of the Reformation all such goods came under the Crown so that now the King is Proprietor of most part of the Country What Lands the owners did keep have since been divided by their heirs in so many small parcels that they cannot live thereof so that it seems those that were in the beginning the richest and most powerful are now grown the poorest and most indigent of the Country for the Inhabitants born to Land as they call them or freeholders are the poorest people those that possess the Kings Lands being the principallest and richest men Here are nevertheless found some noble mens Lands as the Benckestockers the Resencranthel and the Lady Adeluzies whether they are come to them by inheritance of these Chiefetaines or they have purchased them is uncertain Here are also certain Lands called Rytter's Lands that were purchased here in the Country by one Mathias Rytter It seems nevertheless that some of the Nobles Lands are possessions bought of others there being some that reckon themselves born heirs thereunto The said chiefs of the Land enjoy'd the Government of Feroe till they were reduced by the Kings of Norway There is nothing found in History of their orderly succession the first that is read of being Trund of Gote who was an old Chiefetaine during the Reign of some Kings ruling over the North and Eastern Islands Those that were Rulers with him were Breste and Beine two Brothers and Kinsmen of Trund that governed other Islands It is possible they may have been the first Chiefs that have both taken the Land in possession and governed it or else their next successors since they liv'd in Harald Greybeards time for they liv'd then long in the Land as some do yet But the aforesaid Trund being an infamous bad and deceitful man caused his Cousins and Fellow Rulers Breaste and Berne to be treacherously kill'd that he alone might have the Supreme Government In the mean time he took to himself their Sons Sigismund Breaste's Son and Torgild Berne's Son under preteuce of breeding them up but sold them afterwards privately as two Slaves out of the Country of whose remarkable History we will hereafter make further mention and so he governed the Country alone till the time of King Oluff Tryggeson That Sigismund Breastes Son came again to Feroe to revenge his Fathers death and killed Trund of Gote remaining so only Chiefetain over Feroe a long time till he was murthered by Turgrine Ilde and his Sons in Suderoe after which the Son of Trund of Gote ruied over the Land being also called Trund like unto his Father in name and deeâ—s though he ruled but over the North and East Islands Leiff Asseâ—son being Chieftain over all the Southern lived in King Oluff Haraldson the Holy's time they also having then a Pâ—â—vincial Judge called Gilke see the Chronicle of Norway p. 269. It is not known who succeeded them afterwards though the Country hath a long time after had its own Governours Though the Inhabitants have not been very powerful to resist the mighty absolute King of Norway they kept nevertheless their liberties under these their chiefetains by reason of the great division and civil war between the Sons of Harald Pulchrycomus and their Successors specially between the Sons of Erick Softear and Hagan Jarle the good that reduc'd the whole Kingdom of Norway to his obedience till King Oluff Harald Son the Holy's time who took care not only to amplifie the Kingdom of Christ but also his own wherefore he undertook to reduce the Feroes under his obedience but he durst not venture to do it by force fearing it may be the courage of the Inhabitors as also the dangerous access of the places wherefore he endeavoured to do it by good deeds and made many friends in Feroe whereby they gave themselves under his power But putting afterwards burthens upon them whereunto they were not accustomed they fell off from him presently again wherefore the King sent a message to Feroe that the best men of the Land should come to him in Norway Gille the Provincial Judge Lieffe Asserson Torrulff of great Diemen and many other Countrymens Sons made themselves ready to go into Norway but that cunning Fox Trund of Gote pretended sickness and went not with them When all these came to the King they were obliged to take their oath they would remain his subjects and promised they would send him a Tribute and that the Folks of the Land should be his Subjects And the King made them gifts and presents and dismissed them bountifully which the courteous Reader can find more largely exprest in the Chronicle of Norway pag. 246 247 248 c. But what loyalty the Inhabitants intended to have for King Oluff appeared in time presently afterwards see the Chronicle of Norway pag. 249. for when the King sent a Ship to Feroe to fetch his Tribute the Ship was lost so that he could never come certainly to know what was become of the Ship or men But having the next year had some relation that they were lost at Sea he sent again another Ship with men but it happened to them in the like manner and there were many opinions what might be become of the Kings Ships for in the Chronicle of Norway pag. 268. King Oluff keeping often his Court with his Chiefs in Sundmor gave out that he would send to fetch from Feroe the Tribute which they had promised him complaining for the men he had lost on that Voyage and named out some men that should Sail thither but they said all nay and refused to undertake the voyage Then rose up a great man well armed having a red Coat on a Helmet on his Head his Loins girt with a Sword and a great Halbert in his hand saying you have a good King but your selves are cowardly men that you dare refuse the voyage which he commands you having received so much honour and benefit of him I have not hitherto been the Kings Servant neither hath he been a gracious Lord unto me but I will now proffer my self to go to Feroe if there be no other remedy The King asked who he was and what was his name that answered him so undauntedly for he knew him not The
King Sigurt the Hierosolomites Brother being then but 5 year old went over with his Mother Gonild and his Father in Law Vnas to Bishop Roar in Feroe who was his Father in Laws Brother and stayed there till he should be ordained Priest But hearing then of his Mother that he was the â—on of King Sigurd Haroldson he said he would not change the Kingdom of Norway for a Priests living in Feroe and therewith threw aside his Gown and went to Norway to take in the Hereditary Kingdome of his Fore-fathers After this King Suerre a man of Feroe called Erling raised up himself giving out that he was this King Suerre's Son and went to Norway on the Ship of Hiner a districts man whereof see further the Chron. of Norway in the 589 page From which example it appeareth plainly that not only Bishops but also districts men that should take care of the Kings affairs and gather his contributions were constituted in Feroe by the Kings of Norway and therefore Feroe hath since that time been subject to the Kings of Norway with contributions and all other duties but it cannot be known in what year this begun neither is it much worth enquiring after For as this Bishop Roar is not found in the description of Norway amongst the Bishops of Feroe in the Catalogue and the Historian hath neither mentioned that this Bishop was the first nor when or by whom he was established so the Author hath neither cared for when Feroe was laid under the Crown of Norway as a thing which did not properly belong to the scope of his Treatise Feroe having ever since the time mentioned been a Province subject to the Kingdom of Norway it hath not only happened that the principal men thereof as Members of that Kingdom have been made use of in businesses of great importance as we read in the Chronicle of Norway pag 635. that in King Hagen Hagensens time who was King Suerres Grandchild Swerke Bishop of Feroe was with others in the Assembly of the States in the year of Christ 1223. when King Hagen Hagenson was by all the States sworn and judged to be the true Heir of the Kingdom of Norway but they have also as faithful subjects received Justice from the Kings of Norway in doubtful causes as appeareth by a particular Law called Soide-Breffvet or an ordinance about Sheep declaring how one must deal therewith that the one may not wrong the other There is a great errour in the date thereof mentioning it to be given at Opsloâ— in the year of Christ 1040. which time is but a short while after Charles the Tender was kill'd in Feroe whereas it hath been proved that Feroe was not then under the Kings of Norway And this error is not only proved hereby but also by these arguments First it is mentioned in the Sheep Ordinance that it was Hagen Duke of Norway King Magnus the Crowned Son that gave it out and there is found no King Magnas before then till the time of King Magnus Oluffson The first King Magnus that was Crowned was King Magnus Erlingson who reigned in the year of Christ 1164. and had one Son called Hagen neither did any of his Children rule in Norway being himself kill'd by Suerre and all his Progeny driven out and destroyed Secondly there is named in the Sheep-Ordinance Bishop Erlander who in the Catalogue of the Bishops of Feroe is the third after Suerquire of whom is said above that he was in the year 1223. in the general Assembly of the States whence it plainly appeareth that there is a great errour in the time it was given out But that we may come to some certainty about the date of this Sheep-Ordinance we find in History that King Magnus Hagenson Lagebetter who Reigned over Norway in the year 1263. had two Sons Erick and Hagen Erick became King after his Father and was called Erick Priesthater who reigned 19 years and died in the year 1299. In this King Ericks 19 years reign his Brother Hagen was as a Duke in Norway though History doth not speak plainly of it yet it can be easily concluded by the circumstances for antiently since the time of Harolds Pulchricomus the Kings of Norway's Sons were called Graves or Earls but Hagen Hagenson the Father of King Magnus the Crowned brought first the Title of Duke over into Norway making his Queen's Father who was before an Earl or Count to be a Duke After which the Title of Duke was ever given to the Kings Sons whence it appeareth that this Sheep Ordinance was given out in the 19 year of that Duke when his Brother Erick dyed and he became King that is in the year 1299. The circumstances of History does much confirm this opinion in other manner for as Duke Hagen calls himself for Honors sake the son of King Magnus the Crowned so there are none of the former Kings so remarkable by their Coronation as this King Magnus who was Crowned during his Fathers Life without any contradiction but rather with the desire of all which never happened before for which reason it may be he was called King Magnus the Crowned This King Magnus bettered the Law wherefore he was called Law-betterer He writ also a particular law for those of Island as also the Ordinance of Christianity which was sent over to those of Feroe whereupon it seems they found something to complain of as appeareth by the Proeme to the Sheep-Ordinance of which it seems those of Feroe took then occasion to desire of his Son that particular ordinance concerning Sheep much misdemeanour being used therein which had in that long space crept amongst the commonalty of which law we will further speak in the sixth Chapter when we treat of their Policy This ordinance concerning Sheep was confirmed by Christian the IV. King of Denmark of happy Memory and Printed upon the humble desires of the Inhabitants of Feroe though this fault was left uncorrected but this must be imputed to the simple negligence of the Inhabitants who have had a Copy of that Law kept by them during so long time the original having been robb'd away As they have received Laws and particular ordinances from the Kings of Norway so they have from time to time sworn Allegiance to the said Kings for one readeth in the Chronicle of Norway pag. 707. that in the year of Christ 1240. the Inhabitants of Norway Orkeny Hetland Feroe and Island swore Allegiance and Fidelity to young King Hagen Hagenson which custome may well have been followed as well in regard of the succeeding Kings of Norway as of those of Denmark though nothing of it be noted in the Annals The same duty being also performed in our days for in the year 1649. the high and mighty Prince Frederick the Third King of Denmark Norway of the Gothes and Vandalis now Deceased sent to Island and Feroe the Right Honourable Lord Henry Bialk Lord of Elling-Guard Knight Governour of Island his Majesties Rix
earth where it is kept above 100 loads and this hath always been lookt upon as the greatest riches of Feroe For when Sheep dye such Tallow is very necessary in the Land the longer it is kept being so much the better and forreign Pyrates having little desire to rob it from them It may therefore not unreasonably be termed a hidden treasure which rust doth not consume nor Thieves steal away The poorer sort that have not this Tallow use instead of it Whales sat as is said before With that plain dyet the people of Feroe have lived from the beginning and are so much the more to be praised for it that they rather agree therein with the ancient simple frugality then with the delicate abundancy and curiosity of these times whereby almost all other Nations know nothing of their Predecessours course dyet and it may be would not be able to endure it by reason of their natures delicate custome For what hath Daniel and his Comerades Porridge been but a kind of meal broth wherewith they were dyeted in their Fathers Countrey though they descended from the most honourable Families there whereby is also manifested the plain dyet of the Israelites what was the Greeks 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and the Romans Alica whereof Pliny writeth but as a meals broth wherewith these two mighty and renowned Nations did maintain themselves in their first simplicity though the manner of preparing it was different whereof the Author also speaketh And as long as these two Potent Nations lived with that frugality and were free from covetousness they were invincible but as soon as they grew partakers of the Asians and Persians riches and pleasures they partaked also of their effeminate courage whence the said Pliny doth not a little blame this their delicateness in comparison of their antient frugality thinking always on delicate Viâ—nds so that they loved better a Stork then a Crane wherefore Horatius lib. 2. sal 2. is angry at them and gives them this touch writing of them as followeth Tutus erat Rhombus tutoque ciconâ— a â—ido Donec Vos anctor dâ—cuit Praetorius The Turbot in the Flouds and the Stork in her Nest Lay safe till Praetorius his Palate both opprest Historians are of opinion that Asillius Praetor some others that Sempronius Praetor took pleasure therein and that the Stork being esteemed sacred amongst the Heathen Sempronius was forced to lose his life for it This manner did since eat it self through Italy into Germany and from thence was brought over into Denmark in King Inges's time whereof our Danish Historian speaks plainly After which it hath from time to time so taken the upper hand that subjects will therein be equal to Kings and great Lords between whom there ought nevertheless to be as much difference as between the glory of King Solomon and his Subjects This frugality of Feâ—oe is not therefore prefer'd to our Danish dyet but all Mediocrity in the fear of God is praise worthy and every thing whereunto a man is accustomed is wholesomâ—st and more convenient for him but intemperancy is every where worthy of blame They are prudent in their house-keeping for they according to the antient manner give a certain portien or measure of meat to every one of their people every meal a man servant having then twice as much as a Maid and as they have their measure of meat so they deal also their work for they weigh every morning to every Man and Maid as much Wool as they must spin and knit that day that is to say two pounds of Wool to spinâ— and two pounds spun to knit thereof a pair of Stockings in a day and when they have done they weigh them again at night when they receive the work from them The Inhabitants have from antient time observed a Mediocrity in and one fashion of cloathes The men dress themselves in Flannel those that are able men putting on holy days or when they go to market or other publick meetings sine Flannel their Coats are short and wide so that they fly about them when they go They weare seldome any linnen but woollen Shirts Womens Clothes are made alike both for the rich and the poor the Bodies and Petticoat being sowed together without any skirts their Petticoats are wrinkled in small folds as mourning Mantles in other places their cloathes in general being of course Flannel but on Holy-days they have them of cloath and love very particular colours in their cloaths specially a dark blew and some red their facings are Fringes at the end of their sleeves with 3 yards of black Velvet sowed on red cloth having besides no other trimming on the whole suit They have great Stomachers before their Breasts which they endeavour much to adorn with silk Fringes above and some knots of Ribbon or Lace on the upper part of the Stomacher they have a little oblong â—oursquare Ornament of silver gilt with Buckles whereon hang some Gilt gingling thin plates fastening it under their chin through the Stomacher The common and poorer sort make also use of the like ornament but of Copper they have all a Copper Girdle about their bodies Maids going barehead with their hair pâ—eated in a plain manner Married Women weare all red knitted caps without rolls they hide but a half part of the head being circle round arising directly as the head like antient Bonnets or Scotch caps They are purposely made in Holland and are not much worn in other places Their Shooes are of Sheep skins but the men's of neats Leather tann'd with the root of Tormentill they have but one sole only a little sowed together about the Toes and Heels they fasten them with Shooestrings at the Heels and tye it about the leg above the ankle Their Bedding is even as plain for they lie on nothing but Hay with a piece of flannel spread over it This people is not unfit for Handicrafts for they sow their own clothes themselves some of them apply themselves to build houses and to Joyners work some employ themselves in building of Boats framing very handsom light and convenient ones to sail with in these dangerous Seas so that the Boats of Norway are not comparable to these of Feroe others exercise themselves by their own industry in Smiths-work making all what can be desired of Iron The women besides their course flannels weave also a great deal of fine bed-cloth of several colours they knit also fine stockings and woollen waste-coats though not many which in sâ—neness do not come behind the English They prepare themselves several colours green yellow and red the red is almost chestnut coour and they call it cork colour which cannot be imitated in other places by Dyers They are not inclined to any unprofitable pastimes but delight themselves most in singing of Psalms on holy days except in their Weddings and at Christmass that they recreate themselves with a plain Dance holding one another by the hand and singing some
old Champions Ballad but they use not then to exercise themselves at any scandalous play Besides at their vacant hours they take great pleasure to play at Chess wherein many are very expert as well women as men They are by nature something inclin'd to Astronomy for they do not only know some Stars and take diligent notice of their course specially the Star Bâ—oetes which they call the Star of the day because in the heart of Winter they know by its course in the morning what a Clock it is and how long it is till day that they accordingly may row out on fishing or begin some other work at home they also understand in some manner the course of the Moon that is when it will be new Moon though not by reason of its motion but by the increasing and decreasing of the Sea which being governed by the Moon they know by the streams alteration as the effect of it on which day there is new Moon When there is no Almanack brough into the Ceuntry they understand their computum Ecclesiasticum and can direct the course of the year in the moveable and immovable Holy Days without any fault or error They speak the Language of Norway though in these times most Danish having nevertheless many Norway words There is also a great difference between the Northern Islands Dialects and those that live in the Southern Islands The Air being here as was said before pretty wholsome and the Inhabitants using always one diet here are also usually found very antient folks beyond other places so that not only they attain to the highest age of man whereof David speaketh namely 80 years but many also reach to 90 and 100 years of age and above There is a very remarkable Example of an old man of this Countrey that died not long since whose name was Erasmus Magnusson living in Harold Sound in the Northern Islands who was Magnus Heinesons natural Son of whom is spoken before This Erasmus was first married with an old woman with whom he lived many years and begot no children of her at last his said wife died he being then about 90 years old desiring nevertheless to leave an Heir of his body he married a young woman of whom he begot 5 Children and was 110 years old when he died his youngest Child being seven years of age which he begot when he was 103 years old That one might not think there might be some seandalous suspition in this the woman was an honest woman and of good reputation having left a very good name after her death His eldest Son doth now possess his house being a great and strong young man above many of the Land I have know his Father in his antient age who was a strong and courageous man This example is more admirable than thâ—â— of Abraham who thought strange in his time that he should beget children being 100 years old As the time for women to bear Children is well known to all understanding men so Physitians and Philosophers have designed the natural age for a man to beget Children to be under 65 or at most 70 years whereupon antient Historians do remark as rare aud strange Examples that some men as Alexander Masser pract Med. lib. 4. de sterilitate writes have begotten Children when they have been above 80 years of age much stranger and more worth writing is this Example of one that has begotten Children being above 100 years old and in this late and weak age of the world CHAP. VI. Of the Policie THe Policie of this Country may be divided into three parts namely Acmdministration of Justice Merchandize and providing for the Poor 1. Of the Administration of Justice The Reader may easily perceive by the Histories related above how this Country was govern'd in the beginning when the Common wealth thereof consisted in an Aristochracy and was govern'd by principal men or Chiesetains as also in some manner how when the Country came under the Kings of Norway there were constituted Bishops and Sheriffs over the Nation besides the Kings Bayliff that gathered Taxes and contributions Since the time of Reformation we know not that this land hath been reduced to a government or District wherewith the King of Denmark's Ministers have been intrâ—sted but their Majesties have ever had their own Bayliffs here that have governed the Land and received the Kings duties which have been paid to them that either by gratification or contract ought to have the same till in our time the high and mighty Prince our Soveraign and Hereditary Lord Frederick the III. of Glorious Memory hath therewith as with a Government gratiously gratified his Excelence the Right Honourable Christopher von Gabel his Majesties State-holder Privy Counsellour and Assessor in the Counsel of State not only with the receipt of the Revenues and the jurisdiction thereof but also with the liberty of establishing and ordaining there his own Bayliff or Deputy to dispose and dispence as he thought fit in matters of Commerce and his said Excellency hath since that time kept his own Bayliff or Deputy over the land to administer in his place having Sheriffs under him for the Land is divided into six divisions or districts namely Norderoe Osteroe Stromoe Waagoe Sandoe and Suderoe Which Sheriff each in his division doth judge of all small causes but they summon the others to the Sessions They receive the Kings Tythes and put in execution what is desired of them by the Kings Commissary Here are also besides Spiritual and Temporal Judges In the Ecclesiastical State though here be no Bishops Canons or other learned men that make up a Chapter in other places yet there is a Synod kept yearly as a Convent or Chapter of Priests The Provost and all the Priests Assembling themselves at Thors haven in Stremoe about Saint Olaus Tide the Sessions being then also kept in the same place and if there be any Chapter cause they are pleaded and judged in the Assembly wherein the Bayliff of the Land presides in the place of the Governour and there is also consulted what may be for the advantage of the Commonalty The Temporal Justice is twofold particular and general The particular is yearly rendred in every division and it is the same thing as the Districts court or first instance in Denmark and is called the Spring Sessions for there being not so many controversies amongst the Inhabitants here as in other places it is kept but once a year namely in the Spring whence it hath the name of Spring-Session where it is the charge of the Sheriff to preside and of the Sworn Recorder to judge what causes they cannot decide or do it wrongfully are appealed of to the law sessions which is the general Court and is as the Provincial in Denmark where his Majesties Bayliff doth preside and hath with him all the six Sheriffs who one after another exhibite to the Court what Law Suits they have either regarding his Majesty or Private
Persons The Provincial Judge giveth the sentence having under him 36 men established by Law six for every division and the sworn Recorder that Registreth what is done and judged as long as the Court is kept all the Clergy being there also the Service of God is celebrated every day in the forenoon with Preaching and Singing in the Church and in the afternoon when the Bell rings the Court is kept The first day they sit all the Priests are called together and when the Court is sate there is only considered that day of what concerns the common good in general and all causes and other controversies being the other days brought to an end and the Court being then ready to be dissolv'd the Clergy is called again into the Court to know if any general matter is yet to be considered of and when all things are come to an end the Provost of the Churches doth declare on which day St. Michael's days of Prayers begin to be observ'd as also if there be any other particular day of prayers appointed by his Majesty as also what space there is between Christmas and Shrovetide After all this the Provincial Judge ariseth and dismisseth the Court pronouncing peace upon all them that go from the Court to their houses declaring also a peaceable possession of all proprieties and freeholds in the Land promising our Gracious Lord and King Tribute as antiently and then for a sign of consent every boby that is present clap their hands the Bell being afterwards rung that every body may know the Court is dissolv'd The same day in the evening both Ecclesiastical and Civil gather themselves in the Sessions-house to Feast and be merry together where according to an antient custome they drink the healths of his Majesty of the Queen and of the Prince the Counsels their Governours and other principal healths with the following particular Ceremony and Speech First one of the eldest Priests begins a verse of a Psalm which they sing out together after which the same Priest alone sings it in Latine according to the antient manner and the guests answer singing in Latine as followeth The Priest sings 1. Omnis Speritus 2. Benedicamus Dominâ— 3. Benedicite The people answers 1. Laudet Dominum 2. Deo gratias 3. Domino Afterwards the Elder of the company ariseth and mentions the health that is to be drunk with the following Speech which being old Language and very remarkable the Interpreter hath thought fit to put it here both in Danish and English Gud vere med vor allernaadigsie Nerre oc Ronning Presium oc Alerctum Leigum oc Lerdum for sin Blessen-Sang oc fauffver formaale baade her oc huert â—itne Ner er Nederligt Minde begyndt som er vor allernaadigsie Nerris oc Ronnings c. Stuble veer saa fare med samme Minde som det sommer oc se der allumgodum Mannum veer stullum helle aâ—munne dricte giore vel oc icte biude dem som stiencte for end vel er affdructen den stal veere Gud fierisi som meest driâ—â—er oc mindst sparer See! det er Billie min Nerre Rongis At Biâ—â—â—n Jogden Laugmaâ—d Presier â—ldermend Gild-Brodre oc Gild-Sostre Gicster oc Neime-mend sâ—ulle alle vere Gud oc velâ—ommene Thus Englished God be with our most Gracious Lord and King Priests and Clerks Layes and Learned for his blessed sake and fair promise now and for ever Here is begun an honourable health which is that of our most Gracious Lord and King c. one must proceed as far with the said health as suits and becomes every good-man every one must 〈◊〉 it to his mouth drink 〈…〉 give it again to him 〈…〉 till it be drunk out he â—hall â—e best beloved of God that drinketh most and spareth teast behold it is the will of the King my Master that the Bishop the Bayliff the provincial Judge the Aldermen the Brothers and Sisters of the Feast the Guests and Hosts should be all welcome thereupon they all arise and drink the health of one another This ceremony is used at every remarkable health that is drunk when every one is satisfied with drink they return to their Lodgings and the next day to their houses not seeing one another together again till the same time the next year They have no particular law as in Island but govern themselves after the law of Norway Those of Feroe have a particular Law that determines how one must deal with sheep called Soid-Brevet or Sheep Ordinance and having made some mention of it above to the Histories better explanation for the satisfaction of the curious Reader and profit of the Inhabitants I have thought fit to insert here the said Ordinance word by word which is thus CHristian the Fourth by the Grace of God King of Deamark and Norway of the Vandals and Gothes Duke of Sleswig Holstein Stormarn and Dytmersk Count of Oldenburgh and Delmanhorst c. Be it known unto all men That whereas many of our beloved Subjects of our Land of Feroe have humbly desired that we would graciously confirm and ratifie unto them an Ordinance concerning their sheep which the late King of Norway gave them the tenor of which is word for word as followeth HAgen by the Grace of God Duke of Norway Son to King Magnus Crowned sends all men that shall see or hear this Patent the blessing of God and also our spiritual and dear friend Mr. Eliender Bishop of Feroe and Mr. Sifvort Provincial Judge of Hetland which we have sent you to end the Controversie amongst the commonalty about the Points which they wanted in the Ordinance for profitable Houskeeping and therefore we have let stitch together these four leaves concerning the Affair and the Sheep business which we have with the counsel of our Principal men prepared as we know shall be most profitable for the Commonalty But for the Ordinance of Christianity we cannot for the present alter it but it must remain as our Lord and Father the Crowned caused it to be collected and delivered it in the hands of Mr. Ellender the Bishop as the Country Records themselves do manifest It is our absclute Command and true will that every one do exactly and well observe this Ordinance about sheep that neither we nor our Successors come in disrespect for it till with the counsel of our principal men we make another Ordinance which God grant may be for the best advantage of the Commonalty In witnesâ— whereof we have sealed this Ordinance Given in Opslo on Saturday next after St. John's week last past from the hour of Jesus Christ's birth One Thousand and Forty Winters that is in the year 1040. and of our Dukedom the 19th Lord Achis the Chancellor sealed Sr. Theyter dictated this Law and Baardue Peterson the Notary writ the Patent ARTICLE I. To know Sheep WE have been informed of a bad custom that hath been in the Land more than it should about sheep neither ought we to have suffered it so but
his Sheep though he would yet in that case the proprietary of the Close shall be paid for it That Sheep is close fast where she brings a Lamb and continueth the Winter over VIII How one must goe into a Close If the Closes or Fields are â—lying together and the ones Sheep go into the others Close let him that will go to divide the Fields warn the other to meet him or go together with him following so together if the one will not come or go let him that warned him go into his own close and not in the others but if he goeth to divide Fields and in anothers Close let him answer the other in Law for it as if he had not warned him But if he hath not given him warning and goeth nevertheless let him answer in Law the other that was at home since he doeth him wrong and pay all the damage that is done that day by reason of his going as also the adversaries Mulct and 3 Ortes of Silver to the King IX How to tame Sheep If any have a Close or Field together wherein are wild Sheep and some will make the Sheep tame and others will not let them chuse that will tame the Sheep and will bargain for his Cattle and not they that will play for them both or let those that will not make tame bear all the damage that can come thereof except there hath been great calamity Therefore we have consented and ordered that the ordinance above written in all its points and articles shall be ratified and coufirmed forbidding all and every one to hinder or obstruct in any manner therein the said Inhabitants of Feroe under pain of our displeasure Given in our Palace of Anderskouff the 24 of February 1637. The Reader may take notice of the fault that is found in the date of this Sheep Ordinance in our 4th Chapter there seems also to be a great errour in the 5th article where it is said that he shall be declared a dishonest man that marketh Sheep less worth then an Orte For one would think according to the Law of Nature he ought to be a dishonest man that marketh Sheep worth more then an Orte for the greater a fault is so much the greater ought to be the punishment but this errour is proceeded from the long kept Sheep Ordinance in writing that was put out in Print without being altered Concerning Mulcts or Fines they are much greater in regard of the worth in Feroe then in other Countreys or Provinces lying under the Crowns of Denmark and Norway the highest Mulct in the law of Denmark being but 40 marks King Hagen Hagenson of Norway mitigated his Law and gave away the two parts of these 40 marks whence it comes that the greatest Mulct namely 8 Ones and 13 marks in the Law of Norway is but a third part of 40 Marks A Marks Mulct in Denmark is expounded in the Danish Law-Glossary for a Rix-mark but the Honourable Jens Biclke in the explication of the Glossery of Norway counteth 8 Ortugs and 13 marks of Silver to be worth 8 Rix Dollars yet in Feroe one is fin'd for a mark of silver 2 Gilders and 8 Skins which maketh 2 Rix-Dollars and for 8 Ortugs 16 Skins that is 4 Danish marks so that one gives in Mulct for 8 Ortugs and 13 marks of Silver 32 Gilders of Feroe amounting in mony to 26 Rix-Dollars and 4 marks Neither doth any body know whence it comes that the worth of those Mulcts is risen so high in Feroe above what it is in Norway since they enjoy a common Law that hath been mitigated by the Supream Magistrate and on the other side there is found no particular ordinance of any King for augmenting the said Mulcts Whether this be the just worth of an antient mark of silver I leave to more skilful persons to judge II. Of Merchandise One may perceive by the Chronicle of Norway as is said before in the History of Trund of Gote that the Inhabitants from the beginning have had Yatchts and small Barks wherewith they have themselves transported their Wares into other places and there put them off neither is it long ago as many old people can witness that the Inhabitants had yet Ships wherewith they brought themselves over their necessaries from other Countreys for which there are yet found priviledges given them by King Frederick the Second of Glorious Memory but those that had procured them having no skill in Merchandise and the Commonalty not being provided with what they had need of and no stranger furnishing the Countrey with necessary things the said King Frederick was graciously pleased to establish and confirm a certain Company that should furnish the Country with all Merchandises and that the Inhabitants should only trade with the Merchants thereof The old people of the land say that the Hamburgers have first by Priviledge from the King had their Staple in Feroe After them the Burgers of Bergen have had a priviledged commerce there since that time the Priviledge thereof was granted the antient Company of Island established at Copenhagen which being dissolv'd in the year 1662. his Excellency the Right Honorable the Lord Statholder Christopher von Gabell by vertue of the Authority granted him over the Country transported that Commerce to Mr. Jonas Trâ—llund of whom the traffick hath almost ever since depended And that Commerce might might be the better improv'd and the poor people provided with all necessary things King Christian the Fourth of Glorious Memory was graciously pleased to grant the Company certain Priviledges upon all Merchandises transported to and transported from Island and Feroe granting them besides the Revenue of Feroe for a moderate price namely a load of fish for every Gilder of Feroe and besides obliged them to transport all necessaries thither and reciprocally forbad the Inhabitants to traffick with strangers The Priests and all Officers under pain of losing their employments and the Peasants of forfeiting their houses And that this Monopoly might not be prejudicial to the Inhabitants there was a certain Tax laid upon all Merchandise usually brought hither and sold namely a Tun of Barley for two Gilders of Malt 3 Gilders of Rye 2 Gilders and a half of Meal 3 Gilders and in that manner all Merchandises that are transported hither have their certain price And here being no traffick with silver mony but all Trade being Ware for Ware there is also a certain price put upon the Commodities of Feroe as are Skins Feathers Tallow Train-Oyl Fish and Stockings viz. a Bundle of Skins consisting of 40 for 2 Gilders a Load of Feathers and fish for a Gilder a Tun of Tallow and Butter 10 Gilders a Tun of Trane-Oyl 6 Gilders a pair of Stockings 4 Skins formerly Wool was sold instead of Stockings few of them being made here though the price of those that were made was 5 Skins But fishing having continually failed for 50 years since the Inhabitants have been forced to work the
have been clean or no. I have also an example that the Father hath been unclean and yet the Children healthful It has also been taken notice of that two living together in Marriage though the one be found infected they live together as before as long as one doth but murmur of it till the Magistrate doth separate them and yet the sound remaineth uninfected whereas another is often taken with the Disease by a very little conversation Here are examples yet before our eyes that poor Cripples clean but helpless have been put among the sick in the Hospital eat with them converse dayly with them and are not infected in the whole time of their lives what is this but that God confirms the truth of his word taking pleasure in them that live in a just Wedlock and wander in Lawful ways putting their hopes in him that neither fire nor Water contagious disease nor dangerous Pestilence shall hurt them CHAP. VII Of Religion And first of Teachers SOmething above 100 years after Feroe was inhabited with people it pleased God out of his Grace according to his Divine Providence and Promise in the 66th of Isaiah I will send some of them that are delivered to the Heathens a long the Sea and far out to the Islands where none hath heard of me nor seen my glory c. to settle his Domicil and build his Tabernacle here in Feroe For King Oluff Trygeson in the fourth year of his Reign and in the 1000 year of Grace when the word of God was Preached in Denmark did send Sigismund Brosteson a man of Feroâ— of whom is said before that the King caused him to be Baptized to Feroe who Baptized all the people there Though the Inhabitants of Feroe did not after the Death of Sigismund break the contract of their Baptisme with Christ as is perceived and concluded by the History of King Olaus the Holy who not only acquired friends in Feroe but also called them to him and made them take their oath which he had not done if they had not confessed themselves to be Christians having continual work with those of Island that came to him to be converted to the Christian Faith as the Chronicle of Norway plainly teacheth Nevertheless one may well perceive that the beginnings of Religion were very mean the Inhabitants in a long time refusing to acknowledge the Kings of Norway for their Soveraigns Whence we find also that it was long before they got any Bishops in the Country for Bishop Sarquir that is the fifth in the Catalogue of Bishops which Mr. Peter Clauson reckoneth lived 200 years after Sigismund Bresteson for he was Bishop in the time of King Hagen Hagenson in the year 1223. as is said before in the 4th chapter Wherefore if the Preaching of the Gospel had continued without interruption there would needs have been more then four Bishops in two ages though there may be an errour in the Catalogue since we find that there has been a Bishop in Feroe in the time of King Magnus Erlingson in the year 1277. whose name was Roar by whom King Suere was brought up whose name though the most renowned amongst them is left out of the Bishops Catalogue it might therefore more probably be that some of their names are left out of whom we find nothing in History yet howsoever it be all beginnings being difficult specially the light of the word being obstructed by the Prince of darkness it may very well have been so in matters of Religion here in Feroe till at last there came Bishops into the Country but we cannot find when that was possible in King Sigurd the Hierosolumites time in the age 1100. when the Kings of Norway were well setled wherewith the Catalogue of Bishops doth best agree When the said Bishops came first higher they had their residence at Kircke boe in Stremoe where there hath been formerly many stone buildings that are now ruin'd there only remaining a stone house with a great Parlour of Timber built after the antient fashion The Church which they had then in that place is yet standing and is made use of it is built of free-stone but of a very poor and low structure There stands besides another new Church-wall which one of the last Bishops called Hillarius did build it is a curious Edifice of even stone and the frames of the Windows are of Stone purposely cut for that use The Wall is yet in some manner unhurt and one might yet build a Church of it if the hearers would not spare their pains The Bishops in those days here as in other places have had great revenues of the Country but the Priests have fared very meanly It is not certainly known how many Bishops have been in Feroe Mr. Peter Clauson in his Description of Norway reckoneth up the following Sudmunds Mathias Kroll Suein or Swerke Peter Gauti Serquir Erland or Ellendar Loden Sigvar Giaffvard Hanard besides these there is found Bishop Roar in the History of King Suerre who it seems should be the third in order and besides the said Bishop Hillarius that built the new Church wall Arrild Huitfield in the Chronicle of King Frederick the I. in the year 1532. writes that Amund Oluffson was chosen Bishop of Feroe being a Canon of Bergen and gave the King 1000 Gilders of Feroe for his confirmation for Kings took then that pretended due which the Popes of Rome received of Bishops pro pallio or the Investiture having at last better discovered the covetousness of the Pope This Amund was the last Roman Catholick Bishop of Feroe King Fredâ—rick dying the year after his Son Christian the III. as soon as he was settled in his Kingdom removed all his Lord Bishops in all his Kingdoms and Provinces Since which time here hath been but one Evangelical Bishop called Mr. Jens Riber that lived here during some years till at last he was several times rob'd by French Pyrates and being an antient man he returned from hence to Copenhagen from whence he was sent to Stawanger in Norway and was there Bishop in the year 1556. after whom his Majesty of happy Memory King Christian the third Ordained that there should always be a Provost over the Churches there who was under the Bishops of Bergen as long as the Trade of Feroe was established there afterwards he was subjected to the Bishop of Copenhagen when the Comerce of Feroe was removed from Bergen to the Burghers of that City which the conveniency for travelling by Sea hath been the cause of His Majesty hath been Graciously pleased to grant a Mannor in Andesâ—â—rd in Osteroe called Gaard Hodcle to the said place of Provost the first whereof was Mr. Heine Haugregster as we have said above in the History of Magnus Heineson after whom was Provost Mr. Oiden in Osteroe Mr. Tolle Priest of Feroe in Osteroe Mr. Christian Marsing Parish Priest of Thors haven Mr. Jens Skrwe Parish Priest of Sundoe Mr. John Rasmussâ—n Feroe Parish Priest of
Thors-haven Mr. John Gabrielson Milens Feroe Parish priest of Norderoe Besides this his Majesty did divide all the Congregations of Feroe in seven Church-Corporations and therewith gave every Priest a free house where they do reside till this day The said Church-Corporations are something large there being in each of them many that is to say 4 5 6 or 7 Parish Churches The Church Corporation of Norderoe Wederoe is the Chief Church where the Priest liveth his annexed Churches are six viz. The Churches lye remote from the Priest Leagues 1. Fugloe 1 2. Suinoe 1 and half 3. Bordoe 3 4. Kunoe 2 and half 5. Megledal 1 and half 6. Hasum 3 and half Osteroes Corporation The Parish of Ness is the chief where the Priest liveth The Annexed Churches are six viz. The Churches lye remote from the Priest Leagues 1. Siow half 2. Gote 1 h alf 3. Fugle-fiord 2 4. Ande-fiord 2 half 5. Funding 3 half 6. Eide 4 half Stromoe on the South-east end is Thors haven where the Chief Church is and the Priest liveth The Annexed Churches are three viz. Remote from the Priests Leagues 1. Nolsoe 3 quar 2. Kalback 4 quar 3. Kirkâ—boe 1 Stromoe on the North-west end is Kolde-siord the chief Church where the Priest hath his habitation The annexed Churches are four viz. Remote from the Priest Leagues 1 Quidâ—vyg 1 2 Westmanshaven 2 3 Qualvyg 1 4 Tiornoeyg 3 Wagoe The Church of Midvaag is the chief Church where the Priest liveth The annexed Churches are four Remote from the Priest Leagues 1 Sandevag 1 quarter 2 Sydervaaaeg 3 quarters 3 Boe 1 and a quart 4 Myggeness 3 Sandoe Sand-Church is the principal Church where the Priest liveth The annexed Churches are four viz. Remote from the Priest Leagues 1 Skaalevyg 1 and half 2 Husevyg 1 and half 3 Skuoe 1 and half 4 Store-Diemen 1 half Suderoe Qualboe-Church is the principal Church where the Priest keepeth house The annexed Churches are five viz. Remote from the Priest Leagues 1 Frodeby 1 and half 2 Porcker 2 and half 3 Vaag 3 and half 4 Sumboe 4 5 Famoien 1 and half Thus there is in Feroe 39 Parish-Churches the said Churches are but little according to the meanness of the Congregations they are built with deals and without covered with stones except the Church of Thors haven which is pretty great being built of whole beams with a steeple thereby whereunto King Christian the Fourth of happy Memory gave Timber and caused it to be built in the year 1609. And the Congregations lying so wide scattered from each other the Priests have a great deal of pains and undergo great dangers in Winter in visiting them often besides some lie a great way from their houses and the Churches that are far remote on the little Islands cannot always be attended because of storm and bad weather And when one comes there the Service of God must be regulated according to the Tides which if neglected one must tarry there six hours longer and in the mean time the wind may change so that storm and bad weather keepeth one there a whole fortnight When the Priest will visit great Dimen they must draw him up and let him down with a rope neither can he come to them but in the Summer They do not visit their Congregations every Sunday but every 5th 6th or 7th week as the season of the year will permit The Priests Revenue is this They have of every one of their hearers that receiveth the Sacrament one skin that is four Danish shillings instead for their offering the three great Feasts of the year which may ameunt to the sum of thirty Gilders in some placestwenty Gilders or less 2ly they have for Tythes the 4th part of Corn wool butter and fish In the Southern Inlets where the Land is most fruitful their Tythes may amount in Corn to eight or ten tuns In the North Inlets to four or six Tuns In the Northern Inlets they have in the greatest Corporations 10 or fifteen Loads of washed wool in the lesser Corporations 4 6 or 8 Loads according as God maketh sheep prosper and thus some years more and some years less In the Northern Inlets namely in Sandoe and Suderoe where sheeps wool is short and of several colours they get little or no Tythes thereof They have a Tun or something more of butter in the best Parishes and 10 or 30 Loads of fish some years very little according as God blesseth their fishing though it be there now very little esteemed The Priests have ever from the beginning had a house which his Majesty was pleased to givet hem whereof if the rent were to be paid it would amount according to the Book of Rents to a matter of 20 Gilders Fishing having now failed this many years so that the Priests could hardly subsist and there being no means to assist Priests Widows that did not marry the Successour his Majesty King Christian the Fourth wherefore the Lord reward him cternally upon their humble Petition gratiously granted every Priest of this Country yet another free house namely in the year 1632 the 23 th of April the Revenue whereof may amount to 20 Gilders by which Grant the condition of Priests is pretty well bettered According to the premisses the Revenue of a Priest put together in the best Corporation may amount to a great 100 of Gilders where with noue can maintain himself and his wife and Children but as in Denmark the Priests have pretty good Revenue of their own tillage in their free houses likewise here home bred sheep and kine do continually feed the Family but wool must contribute most to houskeeping the best and clearest money proceeding from thence Wherefore a Priest in Feroe when his duty doth not take him up must not only be a good Husbandman but also a good Tradesman that is a Hose-knitter for he and his wife must diligently look to it that his people do spin and knit stockings that may be merchants ware which if they do not they fall to ruine And that Houskeeping requiring many people one must have at least 5 or 6 Serving. men and as many Maids for working the wool and doing other services of the house which great Houskeeping doth very much eat up it self Besides a Priest here does not know how to provide for his Sons but must needs keep them in other places to learn something wherewith to get their living in time which puts them to pretty great expences Wherefore that they may satisfie every body honestly and well they farm also some of other mens grounds as they find most convenient specially that field which lies in their free close that they may enjoy their own in liberty for themselves a common enclosure producing usually Quarrels in that Country That we are able thus to live we have specially to thank most humbly after God first those deceased Godly Kings that have granted us those Priviledges the Lord let
their Souls be bound in the bundle of the living and be their precious reward in the Resurrection of the Just Secondly our most Gracious Sovereign now reigning King Christian the Fifth who not only lets us enjoy the same free houses but also out of his innate mildness hath proffered us other favourable Graces The great King of Heaven give peace unto him with a long peaceable and happy reign the Lord give him victory over his enemies and cover him under the shadow of his wings let no evil come near his domicil let his holy Angels ever pitch their tents about him whithersoever he goeth satiate him Lord with a long life and let him ever see thy salvation And although the Parishioners which yet ought not to be govern themselves according to the antient Ordinance of Christianity and do not after the Church-ordinance of Denmark after the three great Holy-days of the year except in Thors-haven which I cannot here omit but will record to the eternal praise of my Parishioners who for some years ago in the time of my Predecessor without being required have willingly begun to offer on the said three principal Holy-days of the year which they have not only continued in my time but also augmented it both those able strangers that reside here as also the poor native Parishioners God grant them and all pious Hearers that they may offer unto God their hearts as a living holy and pleasant sacrifice the Lord receive their prayers as a perfume and the lifting up of their hands as an evening offering I say although they offer not we seek not our right or power therein but rather according to the Example of St. Paul maintain our selves by our own tillage of what his Majesty hath granted us that we may not seem to seek more the Corinthians means than the Corinthians But there being but little wool in the South Inlets in the Corporations of Sandoe and Suderoe and no Tythes thereof being paid the Priests cannot maintain themselves with their calling alone though they as well as others have a Tenement of augmentation except fishing be more abundant As the Christian Magistrate hath provided for the office of Priesthood here so God hath furnished these remote Islands with able Preachers who teach the pure word of God according to the true Confession of Ausbourgh and though they cannot as in other places constantly visite their Congregations they perform nevertheless the service of God every Sunday and day of Prayer in the principal Parish In the mean time they oblige their hearers to have their meetings in houses on Holydays and to read an Homily and sing Psalms to the Praise of God obliging also Parents to instruct their Children since one cannot inform them every Sunday which if they are not able to doe they are admonished to appoint one in every Parish that readeth best to teach them for a reasonable sallary and besides the Provosts General examining in his Visitation every one heareth his own according as time and opportunity will permit They do not only observe all Saboths Holydays and new Moons Prayer days as in other places but also twice a year three certain general days of Prayer namely 3 days in the Week of the Ascension of Christ from the Sunday to the Ascention and 3 days in Michaelmas week The 3 days in the week of the Ascention were established 469 years after the birth of Christ by Manertus Claudius Bishop of Vienne in France by reason that during his time in the Bishoprick there happened not only a great deal of terrible Thunder and Lightning with fearful Earth-quakes but Wolves also did run about and not only tore Cattle to pieces in the Field but ran into Towns and did the like with men Wherefore to appease Gods anger he ordained these three Prayer days to be kept in all his Bishoprick which Godly Ordinance the other Christians elsewhere took up of themselves whereof read Mantuanus lib. 4. Fastorum And they were afterwards confirmed and ordered to be kept through all Christendome by Pope Leo the III. in the time of the Emperour Charlemain in the year 816. The 3 Prayer days about Michaelmas are also established by the Popes of Rome who have yet ordered more Litanies but by which of them it was done I could not perceive by their acts Religion being resormed in Feroe the Teachers and Hearers have out of Godly intention kept these 2 sorts of days of Prayer doubtless to the end that in the Spring they might pray to God for his blessings upon the Land with good Fishing increase of Corn and augmentation of Cattel and in the Autumn thank God for his blessings and benefits which custome being pious it is continued to this day The Lord accept of all to the Glory of his Name Of the Hearers THough the Popish Doctrine be much mix'd with humane Superstition and Figments whereby the pure word of God hath been much obscur'd and the simple not able to understand the true ground of their Salvation which doth consist in Christ alone and thereby did put their trust and hope in their own and dead Saints good works nevertheless I find that merciful God hâ—th preserved this poor people in the midst of Popish darkness with the true knowledge of their Salvation though some part may have been spoil'd with old errors and Superstitious Injunctions as the remâ—anâ—s thereof do witness in some But that they have kept the right ground of their Salvation by an uncorrupted Faith in Jesus Christ sheweth a very antient Spiritual Psalm which they in their antient language call Kiomer wherein are contained the four States of Mankind namely their Perfection Corruption Regeneration and perfect Redemption to eternal Life Wherein is also comprehended the Birth Passion and Death of Christ It seems to have been made in Island there being many words of that Language in it Loimer is as much in Danish as Light or Splendour for the Suns beams are yet called in the language of Feroe the Liom of the Sun Wherefore the word of God being compared in the Scripture to a light splendour or shining they have called the said Psalm Liomer as the best splendour and light of Gods word they had I have enquired after it but what I could gather thereof is very imperfect This I must blame in our people of Feroe that almost all of them know the most part of the old Gyants Ballads not only those that are Printed in the Danish Book of Ballads but also many more of the Champions of Norway that may be are forgotten elsewhere here in fresh Memory being usually Sung in their Dances But they have so absolutely forgotten that gracious and useful Song of the true Champion of Israel Jesus Christ that I could not amongst many of them find one person that knew it wholly If our Countrymen of Feroe had as carefully preserved it as they have kept their Gyants Ballads they had not been much to blame for the last