as to the 〈◊〉 They did worship these three Viracocha the Sunne and Thunder after another manner then all the rest as Pâ—llo writes who had made triall thereof they did put as it were a Gantlet or Gloue vpon their hands when they did lift them vp to worship them They did worship the Earth which they called Pachaâ—aâ—a as the Ancients did the goddesse Tellus and the Sea likewise which they call Mamacocha as the Ancients worshipped Thetis or Neptune Moreouer they did worship the 〈…〉 which were the Armes and Blazons of the Ingua with two Snakes stretched out on either side Amongst the Starres they all did commonly worship that which they called Colâ—a and wee here Cabrille They did attribute diuers offices to diuers Starres and those which had neede of their fauour did worship them as the Shepherd did sacrifice to a Starre which they called Vrcuhillay which they hold to be a Sheepe of diuers colours hauing the care to preserue their Cattell and they imagine it is that which the Astronomers call Lyra. These Shepherds worship two other Starres which walke neere vnto them they call them Catuchillay and Vrcuchillay and they fayne them to be an Ewe and a Lambe Others worshipped a Starre which they called Machacuay to which they attribute the charge and power ouer Serpents and Snakes to keepe them from hurting of them They ascribe power to another Starre which they called Châ—gâ—iâ—chinchay which is as much as Tigre ouer Tigres Beares and Lions and they haue generally beleeued that of all the beasts of the earth there is one alone in heauen like vnto them the which hath care of their procreation and increase And so they did obserue and worship diuers Starres as those which they called Chacana Topatarca Mamâ—â—an Mirco Miquiquicay and many other So as it seemed they approched somwhat neere the propositions of Platoes Idees The Mexicans almost in the same manner after the supreme God worshipped the Sâ—nne And therefore they called Hâ—rnando Cortez as he hath written in a Letter sent vnto the Emperor Charles the fifth Sâ—nne of the Sunne for his care and courage to compasse the Earth But they made their greatest adoration to an Idoll called Vitzliputzli the which in all this Region they called the most puiffant and Lord of all things for this cause the Mexicans built him a Temple the greatest the fairest the highest and the most sumptuous of all other The situation and beautie thereof may well be conjectured by the ruines which yet remaine in the midst of the Citie of Mexico But here the Mexicans Idolatrie hath beene more pernicious and hurtfull then that of the Iâ—guas as wee shall see playner hereafter for that the greatest part of their adoration and Idolatrie was imployed to Idols and not to naturall things although they did attribute naturall effects to these Idols as Raine multiplication of Cattell Warre and Generation euen as the Greekes and Latines haue forged Idols of Phoebus Mercurie Iupiter Minerua and of Mars To conclude who so shall neerly looke into it shall finde this manner which the Deuill hath vsed to deceiue the Indians to be the same wherewith he hath deceiued the Greekes and Romans and other ancient Gentiles giuing them to vnderstand that these notable creatures the Sunne Moone Starres and Elements had power and authority to doe good or harme to men Their manner to pray to Viracocha to the Sunne the Starres and the rest of their Idols was to open their hands and to make a certaine sound with their mouthes like people that kissed and to aske that which euery one desired in offering his Sacrifices yet was there great difference betwixt the words they vsed in speaking to the great Ticiâ—iracocha to whom they did attribute the chiefe power and commandement ouer all things and those they vsed to others the which euery one did worshippe priuately in his house as Gods or particular Lords saying that they were their Intercessors to this great Ticciuiracocha This manner oof worship opening the hands and as it were kissing hath something like to that which Iob had in horrour as fit for Idolaters saying If I haue kissed my hands with my mouth beholding the Sunne when it shines or the Moone when it is light the which is a great iniquitie and to deny the most great God THe Deuill hath not beene contented to make these blinde Indians to worshippe the Sunne Moone Starres Earth and Sea and many other generall things in nature but he hash passed on further giuing them for God and making them subiect to base and abiect things and for the most part filthy and infamous for they worshipped Riuers Fountaines the mouthes of Riuers entries of Mountaines Rockes or great Stones Hils and the tops of Mountaines which they call Apachitas and they hold them for matters of great deuotion To conclude they did worship all things in nature which seemed to them remarkable and different from the rest as acknowledging some particular deitie These shewed me in Caxamalca of Nasca a little hill or great mount of Sand which was the chiefe Idoll or Guaca of the Ancients I demaunded of them what diuinity they found in it They answered that they did worship it for the wonder being a very high mount of Sand in the midst of very thicke Mountaines of Stone We had neede in the Citie of Kings of great store of great wood for the melting of a Bell and therefore they cut downe a great deformed Tree which for the greatnesse and antiquity thereof had beene a long time the Oratorie and Guaca of the Indians And they beleeued there was a certaine Diuinity in any thing that was extraordinary and strange in his kinde attributing the like vnto small Stones and Mettals yea vnto rootes and fruites of the earth as the rootes they call Papas There is a strange kinde which they call Lallahuas which they kissed and worshipped They did likewise worship Beares Lyons Tygres and Snakes to th end they should not hurt them and such as their gods be such are the things they offer vnto them in their worship They haue vsed as they goe by the way to caft in the crosse wayes on the hils and toppes of Mountaines which they call Apachittaâ— olde shooes Feathers and Coca chewed being an hearbe they vse much And when they haue nothing left they cast a Stone as an offring that they might passe freely and haue greater force the which they say increaseth by this meanes as it is reported in a prouinciall Counsell of Peru And therefore they finde in the hie-waies great heapes of Stones offred and such other things They vsed another offring no lesse pleasant and ridiculous pulling the haire from the eyebrowes to offer it to the Sunne Hils Apachittas to the Windes or to any other thing they feare Such is the miseries that many Indians haue liued in and doe to this day whom the Deuill doth abuse like very Babes with any foolish
the English and Spanish Fleets the Sea flight of the Spanish and miserable disasters in their returne Their lyes The Queenes religious triumph pag. 1895. Squadron of the Galeons of Portugall p. 1898. Don Alonso Peres de Gusman the good Duke of Medina Sidonia Countie of Nebla Marquesse of Casheshe in Africa Lord of the Citie of Saint Lucar Captaine Generall of the Occian Sea of the Coast of Andaluzia and of this Armie of his Maiestie and Knight of the honorable Order of the golden Fleece pag. 1902. The true relation of the successe of the Catholike Armie against their Enemies by the Letters of the Post-master of Logrono of the fourth of September and by Letters from Roan of the 31. of August and by Letters from Paris of the Kings Embassadour there wherein hee declareth the imprisonment of Francis Drake and other great Nobles of England and how the Queene is in the field with an Armie and of a certaine mutinie which was amongst the Queenes Armie with the successe of the said Catholike Armie since they entred in the Groyne till they came on the Coast of England with two Ballets compounded by Christouer Brauo a blinde man of Cordowa printed with licence by Gabriel Ramos Beiarano printer pag. 1913. CHAP. XII A discourse of the Portugall voyage Anno 1589. Sir Iohn Norris and Sir Francis Drake Generalls written as is thought by Colonell Antonie Wingfield imployed in the same voyage formerly published by his friend to whom it was written and here abbreuiated pag. 1914. CHAP. XIII A briefe and true report of the Honourable voyage vnto Cadiz 1596. of the ouerthrow of the Kings Fleet and of the winning of the Citie with other accidents gathered out of Meteranus Master Hackluyt and others pag. 1927. CHAP. XIIII The voyage to the Iles of Azores vnder the conduct of the Right Honorable Earle of Essex 1597. pag. 1935. § 1. The relation thereof by the said Earle and other Commissioners ibid. § 2. A larger relation of the said Iland voyage written by Sir Arthur Gorges Knight collected in the Queenes ship called the Wast Spite wherein he was then Captaine with Marine and Martiall discourses added according to the occurrences pag. 1938. The Conclusion of the Worke with some later aduertisements touching his Maiesties care for Virginia pag. 19â—0 Maps and Peeces cut in Brasse or VVood in the last ten Bookes AMerica p. 857 America Meridionalis p. 882 America Septentrionalis p. 853 Map of the Arctike Pole p. 625 Borussia or Prussia p. 626 Hondius his Map of China p. 361 Purchas his Map of China p. 402 Denmarke p. 622 England p. 1980 Florida p. 689 Great Britaine and Ireland p. 1981 Greenland p. 468 Vlphilas Gottick letters p. 658 Hispaniola p. 861 Island p. 644 Lithuania p. 629 Liuonia p. 627 Magellan Streight p. 900 Mexican hieroglyphic histor cut in 65. peeces p. 1067 c. to 1117. Moscouia p. 778 Norwegia p. 620 Polonia p. 630 Russia p. 220 Noua Scotia p. 1874 New Spaine p. 871 Tartaria p. 234 Taurica Chersonesus p. 632 Virginia p. 1692 PEREGRINATIONS AND DISCOVERIES IN THE REMOTEST NORTH AND EAST PARTS OF ASIA CALLED TARTARIA AND CHINA THE FIRST BOOKE CHAP. I. The Iournall of Frier WILLIAM DE RVBRVQVIS a French-man of the Order of the Minorite Friers vnto the East parts of the World Anno Dom. 1253. TO the most Excellent and most Christian Lord Lewis by Gods grace the Renowmed King of France Frier William de Rubruk the meanest of the Minorites Order wisheth health and continuall Triumph in Christ. It is written in the Booke of Ecclesiasticus concerning the Wiseman He shall trauell into forreine Countries and good and euill shall hee try in all things The very same Action my Lord and King haue I atchieued howbeit I wish that I haue done it like a wise man and not like a Foole. For many there bee that performe the same Action which a wise man doth not wisely but more vndiscreetly of which number I feare my selfe to bee one Notwithstanding howsoeuer I haue done it because you commanded mee when I departed from your Highnesse to write all things vnto you which I should see among the Tartars and you wished me also that I should not feare to write long Letters I haue done as your Maiestie enioyned me yet with feare and reuerence because I want words and Eloquence sufficient to write vnto so great a Maiestie Bee it knowne therefore vnto your Sacred Maiestie that in the yeare of our Lord 1253. about the Nones of May wee entred into the Sea of Pontus which the Bulgarians call the great Sea It contayneth in length as I learned of certayne Merchants one thousand and eight miles and is in a manner diuided into two parts About the midst thereof are two Prouinces one towards the North and another towards the South The South Prouince is called Synopolis and it is the Castle and Port of the Soldan of Turkie but the North Prouince is called of the Latines Gasaria of the Greekes which inhabit vpon the Sea shoare thereof it is called Cassaria that is to say Caesaria And there are certayne head-lands stretching forth into the Sea towards Synopolis Also there are three hundred miles of distance betweene Synopolis and Cassaria Insomuch that the distance from those points or places to Constantinople in length and breadth is about seuen hundred miles and seuen hundred miles also from thence to the East namely to the Countrey of Hiberia which is a Prouince of Georgia At the Prouince of Gasaria or Cassaria wee arriued which Prouince is in a manner three square hauing a Citie on the West part thereof called Kersoua wherein Saint Clement suffered Martyrdome And sayling before the said Citie wee saw an Iland in which a Church is said to be built by the hands of Angels But about the midst of the said Prouince toward the South as it were vpon a sharpe Angle or Point standeth a Citie called Soldaia directly against Synopolis And there doe all the Turkie Merchants which Traffique into the North Countries in their Iourney outward arriue and as they returne home-ward also from Russia and the said Northerne Regions into Turkie The foresaid Merchants transport thither Ermines and gray Furres with other rich and costly Skinnes Others carrie Clothes made of Cotton or Bombast and Silke and diuers kinds of Spices But vpon the East part of the said Prouince standeth a Citie called Matriga where the Riuer Tanais dischargeth his streames into the Sea of Pontus the mouth whereof is twelue miles in breadth For this Riuer before it entreth into the Sea of Pontus maketh a little Sea which hath in breadth and length seuen hundred miles and it it is in no place thereof aboue sixe paces deepe whereupon great Vessels cannot saile ouer it Howbeit the Merchants of Constantinople arriuing at the foresaid Citie of Materta send their Barkes vnto the Riuer of Tanais to buy dryed fishes Sturgeons Thosses Barbils
they call him who hath the Office of entertayning Ambassadours In the euening Coiat commanded vs to come vnto him Then our Guide began to enquire what wee would present him withall and was exceedingly offended when hee saw that wee had nothing ready to present We stood before him and he sate maiestically hauing musick and dancing in his presence Then I spake vnto him in the words before recited telling him for what purpose I was come vnto his Lord and requesting so much fauour at his hands as to bring our Letters vnto the sight of his Lord I excused my selfe also that I was a Monke not hauing nor receiuing nor vsing any gold or siluer or any other precious thing saue onely our Bookes and the Vestments wherein wee serued God and that this was the cause why I brought no present vnto him nor vnto his Lord. For I that had abandoned mine owne goods could not be a transporter of things for other men Then he answered very courteously that being a Monke and so doing I did well for so I should oâ—serue my vow neither did himselfe stand in need of ought that we had but rather was ready to bestow vpon vs such things as we our selues stood in need of and hee caused vs to sit downe and to drinke of his Milke And presently after hee requested vs to say our deuotions for him and wee did so Hee enquired also who was the greatest Prince among the Francks And I said the Emperour if he could enioy his owne Dominions in quiet No quoth hee but the King of France For hee had heard of your Hignesse by Lord Baldwine of Henault I found there also one of the Knights of the Temple who had beene in Cyprus and had made report of all things which he saw there Then returned we vnto our Lodging And on the morrow we sent him a flaggon of Muscadell Wine which had lasted verie well in so long a Iourney and a boxe full of Bisket which was most acceptable vnto him And hee kept our Seruants with him for that Euening The next morning hee commanded mee to come vnto the Court and to bring the Kings Letters and my Vestments and Bookes with mee because his Lord was desirous to see them Which we did accordingly lading one Cart with our Bookes and Vestments and another with Bisket Wine and Fruits Then hee caused all our Bookes and Vestments to bee layd forth And there stood round about vs many Tartars Christians and Saracens on Horse-backe At the sight whereof hee demanded whether I would bestow all those things vpon his Lord or no Which saying made mee to tremble and grieued mee full sore Howbeit dissembling our griefe as well as we could we shaped him this Answere Sir our humble request is that our Lord your Master would vouchsafe to accept our Bread Wine and Fruits not as a Present because it is too meane but as a Benediction least we should come with an emptie hand before him And hee shall see the Letters of my Souereigne Lord the King and by them hee shall vnderstand for what cause we are come vnto him and then both our selues and all that wee haue shall stand to his courtesie for our Vestments bee holy and it is vnlawfull for any but Priests to touch them Then he commanded vs to inuest our selues in the said Garments that we might goe before his Lord and we did so Then I my selfe putting on our most precious Ornaments tooke in mine armes a very faire Cushion and the Bible which your Maiestie gaue mee and a most beautifull Psalter which the Queenes Grace bestowed vpon mee wherein there were goodly Pictures Mine Associate tooke a Missall and a Crosse and the Clerke hauing put on his Surplice tooke a Censer in his hand And so we came vnto the presence of his Lord and they lifted vp the Felt hanging before his doore that hee might behold vs. Then they caused the Clerke and the Interpreter thrice to bow the knee but of vs they required no such submission And they diligently admonished vs to take heed that in going in and in comming out wee touched not the threshold of the house and requested vs to sing a Benediction for him Then we entred in singing Salue Regina And within the entrance of the doore stood a bench with Cosmos and drinking cups thereupon And all his Wiues were there assembled Also the Moals or rich Tartars thrusting in with vs pressed vs sore Then Coiat carryed vnto his Lord the Censer with Incense which hee beheld very diligently holding it in his hand Afterward he carryed the Psalter vnto him which he looked earnestly vpon and his Wife also that sate beside him After that he carryed the Bible then Sartach asked if the Gospell were contayned therein Yea said I and all the holy Scriptures besides He tooke the Crosse also in his hand and demanded concerning the Image whether it were the Image of Christ or no I said it was The Nestorians and the Armenians doe neuer make the figure of Christ vpon their Crosses Wherefore either they seeme not to thinke well of his Passion or else they are ashamed of it Then hee caused them that stood about vs to stand aside that hee might more fully behold our Ornaments Afterward I deliuered vnto him your Maiesties Letters with the Translation thereof into the Arabicke and Syriacke Languages For I caused them to bee translated at Acon into the Character and Dialect of both the said Tongues And there were certayne Armenian Priests which had skill in the Turkish and Arabian Languages The aforesaid Knight also of the Order of the Temple had knowledge in the Syriake Turkish and Arabian Tongues Then wee departed forth and put off our Vestments and there came vnto vs certayne Scribes together with the foresaid Coiat and caused our Letters to bee interpreted Which Letters being heard hee caused our Bread Wine and Fruits to bee receiued And hee permitted vs also to carrie our Vestments and Bookes vnto our owne Lodging This was done vpon the Feast of S. Peter ad vincula THe next morning betimes came vnto vs a certayne Priest who was brother vnto Coiat requesting to haue our boxe of Chrisme because Sartach as he said was desirous to see it and so we gaue it him About Euenty de Coiat sent for vs saying My Lord your King wrote good words vnto my Lord and Master Sartach Howbeit there are certayne matters of difficultie in them concerning which he dare not determine ought without the aduice and counsell of his Father And therefore of necessitie you must depart vnto his Father leauing behind you the two Carts which you brought hither yesterday with Vestments and Bookes in my custodie because my Lord is desirous to take more diligent view thereof I presently suspecting what mischiefe might ensue by his couetousnesse said vnto him Sir we will not onely leaue those with you but the two other Carts also which we haue in
house ministring there things necessary vnto him vntill his businesse be dispatched For if any stranger should trauell through that Countrey the Catttell would flie away at the very sent of him and so would become wilde Beyond Muc is great Cataya the Inhabitants whereof as I suppose were of old time called Seres For from them are brought most excellent stuffes of silke And this people is called Seres of a certaine Towne in the same Countrey I was credibly informed that in the said Countrey there is one Towne hauing Walls of siluer and Bulwarkes or Towers of gold There bee many Prouinces in that Land the greater part whereof are not as yet subdued vnto the Tartars And the Sea lyeth betweene them and India These Catayans are men of a little stature speaking much through the nose And this is generall that all they of the East haue small eyes They are excellent workemen in euery Art and their Physicians are well skilled in the Vertues of Herbs and iudge exactly of the Pulse But vse no Vrinals nor know any thing concerning Vrine This I saw for there are many of them at Caracarum And they are alwaies wont to bring vp all their children in the same trade whereof the father is And therefore they pay so much tribute for they giue the Moaellians euery day one thousand and fiue hundred Cessines or Iascots Iascot is a piece of siluer weighing ten Markes that is to say euery day fifteene thousand Markes beside silkes and certaine victuals which they receiue from thence and other seruices which they doe them All these Nations are betweene the Mountaynes of Caucasus on the North side of those Mountaines to the East Sea on the South part of Scythia which the Shepheards of Moal doe inhabit All which are tributarie vnto them and all giuen to Idolatry and report many fables of a multitude of gods and certaine Deified men and make a pedigree of the gods as our Poets doe The Nestorians are mingled among them as Strangers so are the Saracens as farre as Cathay The Nestorians inhabit fifteene Cities of Cathay and haue a Bishopricke there in a Citie called Segin But further they are meere Idolaters The Priests of the Idols of the said Nations haue all broad yellow hoods There are also among them as I vnderstood certaine Hermits liuing in the Woods and Mountaines of an austere and strange life The Nestorians there know nothing for they say their Seruice and haue holy Bookes in the Syrian tongue which they know not So that they sing as our Monkes doe who are ignorant of Grammar and hence it commeth that they are wholly corrupted They are great Vsurers and Drunkards and some of them also who liue among the Tartars haue many Wiues as the Tartars haue When they enter into the Church they wash their lower parts as the Saracens doe They eate flesh on Friday of the weeke and hold their Feasts that day after the manner of the Saracens The Bishop comes seldome into those Countries perchance scarse once in fiftie yeares Then they cause all their little Children which are Males to be made Priests euen in the Cradell so that all their men almost are Priests and after this they marrie Wiues which is directly against the decrees of the Fathers they are also Bigami for the Priests themselues their first Wife being dead marrie another They are all Simonists for they giue no holy thing freely They are very carefull for their Wiues and Children whereby they apply themselues to gaine and not to the spreading of the Faith Whence it commeth to passe while some of them bring vp some of the Nobilities children of Moal although they teach them the Gospell and the Articles of the Faith yet by their euill life and couetousnesse they driue them further from Christianitie Because the life of the Moallians and Tuinians who are Idolaters is more harmelesse then theirs WE departed from the foresaid Citie of Cailac on Saint Andrewes day And there wee found almost within three leagues a whole Castle or Village of Nestorians Entring into their Church we sang Salue Regina c. with ioy as loud as we could because it was long since we had seene a Church Departing thence in three daies we came to the entrance of that Prouince in the head of the foresaid Sea which seemed to vs as tempestuous as the Ocean and we saw a great Iland therein My Companions drew neere the shoare and wet a Linnen cloath therein to taste the Water which was somewhat salt but might bee drunke There went a certaine Valley ouer against it from betweene the great Mountaines betweene South and East and betweene the hils was another certaine great Sea and there ranne a Riuer through that Valley from the other Sea into this Where came such a continuall winde through the Valley that men passe with great danger least the wind carrie them into the Sea Therefore wee left the Valley and went towards the North to the great hilly Countries couered with deepe Snow which then lay vpon the Earth so that vpon Saint Nicholas day we beganne now to hasten our iourny much and because we found no people but the Iani themselues to wit men appointed from daies iourney to daies iourney together the Messengers together Because in many places in the hilly Countries the way is narrow and there are but few fields so that betweene day and night we met with two Iani whereupon of two daies iourneys we made one and trauelled more by night then by day It was extreame cold there so that they lent vs their Goats skins turning the haire outward The second Sunday of Aduent in the euening we passed by a certaine place betweene very terrible Rockes and our Guide sent vnto me intreating me to speake some good words wherewith the Deuils might be driuen away because in that passage the Deuils themselues were wont suddenly to carrie men away so that it was not knowne what became of them Sometimes they violently snatched a Horse and left the man sometimes they drew out a mans bowels and left the emptie carkasse vpon the Horse And many such things did often fall out there Then we sang with a loud voyce Credo in Deum c. And by the Grace of God wee passed through with all our company vnhurt After that they beganne to intreat me that I would write them Papers to carrie on their heads and I told them I would teach them a word which they should carrie in their hearts whereby their soules and bodies should be saued euerlastingly But alwaies when I would teach them I wanted an Interpreter Yet I wrote them the Creede and the Lords Prayer saying Heere it is written whatsoeuer a man ought to beleeue concerning God Here also is that prayer wherein we begge of God whatsoeuer is needfull for a man Whereupon beleeue firmely that which is written here although you cannot vnderstand
speedily to succour and defend the faithfull For we know for certayne that about the Octaues of Easter the Tartarian Nation will inuade cruelly and forcibly the Lands of the Bohemians and if not preuented will there perpetrate vnheard-of slaughter And because our next neighbours house is now on fire and the next Countrey â—ieth open to waste and some are alreadie wasted we earnestly and pitifully entreat the ayde and counsell of God and of our neighbour-brethren for the vniuersall Church And because delay is full of danger with all our hearts we beseech you that you make all possible speed to arme as well for your as our deliuerance making strong preparations of store of Souldiers diligently exciting the noble mightie and couragious with the people subiect to them that yee may haue them in readinesse when we shall next direct our Messengers to you And we by the ministerie of our Prelates Preachers and Minors cause the Crosse because the businesse belongs to him which was crucified to be generally preached fastâ— and prayers to be appointed and our Lands in common to be called to the warre of Iesus Christ. Hereto wee adde that a great part of that detestable Nation with an other Armie adioyned to them wasteth Hungaria with vnheard-of tyrannie insomuch that the King is said to haue retayned but a small part to himselfe And to speake much in few words the Church and People of the North is so oppressed and brought to such Straits as it neuer was so scourged since the World began Dated the yeere of grace 1241. on the day on which is sung Laetare Ierusalem And this was the Letters sent to the Bishop of Paris by the Duke of Brabant The like was written by the Arch-bishop of Cullen to the King of England Therefore for this grieuous tribulation and for the discord betwixt the Pope and the Emperour so hurtfull to the Church there are appointed fasts and prayers with larger Almes in diuers Regions that our Lord being pacified with his people who as a magnificent triumpher is as strong in a few as in many may destroy the pride of the Tartars The French Kings mother Queene Blanch with deepe sighs and plentifull teares spake hereof to her sonne What shall we doe my dearest sonne about this lamentable euent the terrible rumour whereof is comne to our Confines generall destruction of vs all and of holy Church hangs ouer our times by the impetuous inuasion of the Tartars The King with mournfull voice not without the Spirit of God answered The heauenly comfort Mother exalt vs and if they come on vs either we shall send againe those Tartarians to their Tartarean places whence they came or they shall exalt vs to Heauen THe Emperour certified hereof wrote to the Princes and especially to the King of England in this forme Frederike Emperour c. to the King of England greeting Wee cannot conceale though it somwhat lately came to our eares but giue you notice of a thing which concerneth the Roman Empire as prepared to the preaching of the Gospell all zealous Christian Kingdomâ— in the World threatning generall destruction to all Christendom A barbarous Nation hath lately come from the Southerne Region which had long layne hid vnder the torrid Zone and after towards the North by force possessing Regions long remayning is multiplied as the Canker worme called Tartars wee know not of what place or originall not without the fore-seene iudgement of God is reserued to these last times to the correction and chastisement of his people God grant not losse of all Christendom A publike destruction hath therefore followed the common desolation of Kingdomes and spoile of the fertile Land which that wicked people hath passed thorow not sparing sexe age or dignitie hoping to extinguish the rest of mankind whiles it alone goeth about to domineere and reigne euery where by their immense and incomparable power and number Now all things which they haue beene able to set eye on being put to death and spoyle leauing vniuersall desolation behind them these Tartarians yea Tartareans when they had come to the well peopled Colonie of the Cumani prodigall of their liues hauing Bowes their most familiar Armes with Darts and Arrowes which they continually vse and are stronger in the armes then other men they vtterly ouerthrew them and with bloudy sword killed all which escaped not by flight Whose neighbourhood scarcely warned the Rutheni not farre distant to take heed to themselues For they suddenly flie thither to prey and spoile as the wrath of God and lightning hurles it selfe and by their sudden assault and barbarous inuasion take Cleua the chiefe Citie of the Kingdome and all that noble Kingdome was wasted to desolation the Inhabitants being slayne Which yet the neighbouring Kingdome of the Hungarians who should haue taken warning neglected whose sluggish King too secure being required by the Tartars messengers and letters that if he desired that he and his should liue he should hasten their fauour by yeelding himselfe and his Kingdom yet was not hereby terrified and taught to fortify against their irruptions but they ignorant or insolent contemners of their enemies secure in their enemies approach trusting in the natiue fortification of the place vnexpectedly compassed and oppressed at vnawares by them entring like a whirlewind opposed their Tents against them And when the Tartars Tents were fiue miles from the Hungarian the Tartarian fore-runners in the dawning of the morning rushed suddenly and compassed the Hungarians and first slaying the Prelates and chiefe men killed an infinite number with such vnheard-of slaughter as scarcely is recorded euer to haue hapned in one battell The King hardly escaped by flight on a swift Horse which fled with a small companie to the brotherly portion of the Hyllirian Kingdome there to be protected the Enemie possessing the Tents and spoyles And now wasting the nobler and greater part of Hungarie beyond Danubius consuming all with fire and sword they threaten to confâ—und the rest as by the venerable Bishop Vâ—tienâ—is the Anbassadour of the said Hungarian King notâ—ce is giuen to our Court first as he passed being destined to the Roman Court Wee are also hereof fully certified by the Letters of our deare sonne Conrade elect King of Romans alway Augustus and heire of the Kingdome of Ierusalem and of the King of Bohemia the Dukes of Austria and Bauaria by the Messengers words also instructed experimentally of the Enemies neerenesse Nor could wee learne these things without great griefe Truly as the report goeth their vndetermined damnable Armie by our Lords sufferance hath proceeded diuided purposely in three parts For one being sent by the Pructeni and entring Poland the Prince and Duke of that Land were slayne by them and after that all the Region spoyled The second hath entred the bounds of Bohemia and being entred hath made stay the King manly opposing himselfe The third hath runne thorow Hungaria bounded by Austria
away all the filth of the Citie and so runneth into that Lake thence continuing his course to the Ocean which causeth a good ayre and commodious passage both by land and by these channels There may goe both Carts and Barkes to carrie necessaries and the report is that there are twelue thousand Bridges great and small and those on the chiefe channels are so high that a ship without her Mast may passe vnder and aboue Chariots and Horses On the other side the Citie is a Ditch about fortie miles long which encloseth it on that side large and full of water from the Riuer made by the antient Kings of that Prouince both to receiue the ouerflowings of the water and to fortifie the Citie the earth which was taken out being layd within as a banke or hill encompassing There are ten chiefe Market-places besides infinite others along the streets which are square halfe a mile in each square And from the forepart of them is a principall street fortie paces wide running right from one end of the Citie to the other with many Bridges trauersing it And euery foure miles is found such a Market-place two miles as is said in compasse There is also one large channell which runnes against the said street behind the Market-places on the next banke whereof are erected great Store-houses of stone where the Merchants from India and other parts lay vp their Merchandise at hand and commodious to the Market-places In each of these Market-places is a concourse three dayes in the weeke of persons betwixt fortie and fiftie thousand which bring thither all things that can be desired for mans life of all beasts of game and fowles that Lake yeelding such commodiousnesse to bring them vp that for a Venetian groat you may haue two Geese and foure Duckes for as much Then follow the Butcher-rowes of Veale Beefe Kid and Lambe which the great and rich men eat for the poore eat vncleane meats without respect There are all sorts of herbs and fruits continually and amongst the rest huge Peares weighing ten pounds a piece white within like paste and very fragrant Peaches yellow and white very delicate Grapes grow not there but are brought from other places dried very good and Wine also but not so esteemed in those parts that of Rice and Spices contenting them Euery day from the Ocean is brought vp the Riuer which is the space of fiue and twentie miles great quantitie of fish besides that of the Lake so much as a man would thinke would neuer be bought and yet in a few houres is gone All those Market-places are encompassed with high houses and vnderneath are shops of Artificers and all sort of Merchandises Spiceries Iewels Pearles and in some onely Rice-wine Many streets answere one another in the said Market-places In some of them are many Baths of cold waters accommodated with attendants of both sexes a thing which from children they vse themselues vnto There are chambers also in the said Baths with hot waters for strangers which are not accustomed to the cold waters They wash euery day neither doe they eat before they haue washed In other streets are mercenarie Prostitutes in such number that I dare not report it and not onely neere the Market-places where they haue their places appointed but thorow all the Citie they stand very pompously with great odours many seruants and their houses adorned These are very practike in making sports and daliances and sweetest pleasures rauishing fooles forth of themselues In other streets are the Physicians the Astrologers they which teach to reade and write and infinite other Trades At each end of euery Market-place is a Palace where Lords and Gouernours are appointed by the King to deternine difficulties which happen betwixt Merchants or others as also to looke to the Guards on the Bridges punishing the negligent Alongst the principall Street whereof wee spake on both sides are great Palaces with Gardens and neere them houses of Artificers and such multitudes of people continually going to and fro that a man would wonder whence such multitudes should bee prouided of victuals And Master Marco learned of an officer of the Custome-house in Quinsai that by reckonings appeared the daily expence of Pepper in Quinsai to be three and fortie Some and euery Soma is two hundred twentie three pounds Hence may be ghessed the quantitie of Victuals Flesh Wine Spiceries were there spent The Inhabitants are Idolaters spend Paper money are white and faire complexion apparelled for the most part in Silke which growes in all that Territorie abundantly besides that which is brought from other places There are twelue principall mysteries each of which haue one thousand shops and in each shop or standing are ten men fifteene or twentie at worke and in some fortie vnder one Master The rich Masters doe no worke with their hands but stand ciuilly adorned or rather pompously especially their wiues with Iewels inualuable And although the antient Kings ordayned that the child should bee of the fathers Trade yet the rich are permitted not to worke but to keepe shop and men working in the same Trade Their Houses are well ordered and wrought richly adorned with Pictures and other stupendious costs The Natiues are peaceable know not to manage Armes nor keepe them in their Houses nor is there strife and debate amongst them They make their workes with great sinceritie They loue in such amitie that one Street seemes as one House without jealousies of their Wiues which they hold in great respect and it would be reputed great disgrace to speake a dishonest word to a married Woman They entertayne Merchant-strangers kindly both in their houses and with best aduice for their affaires But they are loth to see Souldiers and the Guards of the Grand Can as by whom they are bereft of their naturall Lords and Kings About the Lake are built faire Buildings and great Palaces of the chiefe men and Temples of their Idols with Monasteries of many Monkes In the midst of the Lake are two Ilands vpon each of which is a Palace with incredible numbers of Roomes whither they resort vpon occasions of Marriages or other Feasts where Prouisions of Vessels Naperie and other things are maintayned in common for such purposes one hundred sometime accommodated at once in seuerall Roomes In the Lake also are Boates and Barges for pleasure adorned with faire Seates and Tables and other prouisions for Bankets couered aboue and plaine vpon which men stand with Poles to make the Boat goe the Lake being but shallow Within they are painted without are windowes to open and shut at pleasure Nor can any thing in the World seeme more pleasant then in this Lake to haue such an obiect the Citie so fully presenting it selfe to the eye with so many Temples Monasteries Palaces Gardens with high Trees on the Waters Barges People for their custome is to worke one part of the day and to dispense
neerest townes vpon the borders I haue forgotten to declare that this Lord who had the charge to conduct fiftie thousand men vnto the frontiers at such time as they which were there had need thereof was soone in a readinesse and came to oppose himselfe against the Princes Armie which entred and being skilfull in the wayes of the countrey troubled much the Armie for a great number of his men were on horsebacke The Prince determined to beate downe all the wals the better to assure his returne as also all the fortresses which were there vpon all the passages all of them hauing yeelded themselues after his victorie shewing himselfe very courteous vnto the people of these mountaines he gaue vnto this Lord a small portion of land wherein there be seuen or eight good townes Archij Ymulij Faliquien Fulij Cohensen Qualij Pulij Quianlu who came and deliuered vp their keyes vnto him being neighbours vnto this Lord and gaue him the gouernment of the frontier prouince of Xianxij shewing himselfe to be a Prince of his word and acknowledging the notable seruices the which this Lord had done him He referred the honouring of his brother vntill he had meanes to doe the same the Prince had receiued newes how that the King of China assembled his forces marched forwards and that he was there in his owne person that he strengthened also his Cities which are sufficiently fortified and vpon these doubts hee thought good to haue the aduice of his Captaines and after sundry opinions his resolution was to leaue nothing behind him and to assault some famous Citie and take it by meanes whereof he may nourish his Armie and secondarily call the enemie vnto battell The which the conqueror should alwaies seeke the defender the latest he can hazard the same For that it is a very doubtfull thing to commit themselues vnto a battell his dutie being rather to delay vndermining the conqueror by lengt hand by wearinesse and light skirmishes then to fight in open field It was concluded and the aduice of euery one was to conquer the Countrey by little and little so as their enterprise was to draw directly vnto Paguinfou which as it was a great Citie and one of the chiefest so is it also strongly fortified and well replenished with people Then he dispatched Odmar with fourteene thousand Horse to aduance forward and summon the same as for to hinder victuals from being conuayed thereinto out of the champaine Countrey to the end that the Cattell remayning in the fields should be a meanes to maintayne and nourish his Armie I had forgotten to tell you that for the acknowledging of the Lord Axalla his seruices the Prince had made him Captaine generall of all his Foot-men which was one of the principall honours of the Armie Hee caused the said Lord Axalla to march after Odmar with all the Foot-men which was very neere a hundred and fifty thousand men well trayned vp in the warres and good expert fighters He marched himselfe immediatly after with all his Horsemen Artilleries Engines and other munitions belonging vnto warre directly vnto Paguinfou Odmar did ride twentie French leagues this day so as he arriued there contrary to their expectation looking rather for the King then for the Enemie and hauing taken much Cattell wherewith the Countrey greatly aboundeth he pitched his Tents leauing the Citie betweene him and vs and stayed for his footmen who marched forwards in the meane space sending continually vnto the warre for to wearie the Enemie This endured three or foure dayes vntill our footmen led by this braue Christian Genuois shewed themselues in the Playne of Paguinfou Then the Citie was summoned to yeeld obedience vnto the Emperour or else they should receiue the Law of the Conquerour They made answere that they were determined to liue and die in the seruice of their Prince Now you must vnderstand that it was fortie yeeres or thereabouts since the Father of the King which raigneth at this present ouer the Chinois had conquered it from the Empire of the Tartarians and hauing driuen out all the Inhabitants they had planted therein new Colonies so thorowly that there were but few of the first remembrance but only they of the flat Countrey and small walled Townes who came from all parts and brought their Keyes most willingly submitting themselues vnto the obedience of the Prince so as there was great abundance of victuals within our Armie and if wee had beene within our owne Countrey there could not haue come greater store a thing which made our Prince hope for a happie successe there being no other difficulty which for the most part can ouerthrow a great Armie as ours was and withdraw them from their enterprise And thus the Citie of Paguinfou is besieged and our footmen camped round about within an Arrowes shot of the walls They within the Citie did vse great endeuour for their defence and our Prince omitted nothing for their offence Axalla hauing viewed a great and strong Suburbe which was in length almost halfe a league supposed that those of the Citie kept no watch there that this must needs bee for that they would not make him obstinate he had a determiâ—ation to winne it in the night and hauing imparted it vnto the Prince vpon the first watch all his men were ready all of them hauing made prouision of Ladders and of such things as are necessary for winning thereof with hand-blowes and hauing assaulted it on sundry parts after the fight had continued two houres Axalla remayned the Conquerour and cut in pieces eight thousand men at the least which were within the same the spoyle was great there were many of Axalla his men slayne of one side which was that by the which they doubted to be assaulted But on the other side by the which it was taken there was scarce any one slayne The taking of this Suburbe did greatly astonish those of the Citie who had marked the lustinesse of our men and beganne to enter into doubt of their safety which vnto this day they accounted as most assured Now you must vnderstand that the situation of the Citie was of hard accesse being seated vpon a Playne the which was enuironed round about with Mountaines one of them onely approaching the Citie which ouerlooked it on front vpon the North side where was a Valley by the which they pâ—ssed and there did runne a Riuer on this side was the Suburbe situated which had been taken so as the meanes to succour the Citie was stopped our Souldiers keeping the passages of these Mountaines the which were in the old time the borders of the Kingdome for Paguinfou was once gouerned by the Tartarians which kept it for a defence against the Chinois but had lost the same and these Mountaines were the limits of China against the aforesaid Tartarians who gouerned Paguinfou at that time so as these Mountaines were of hard accesse and there
Calibes with the Scythians were in the Auantguard and had the commandement of thirtie thousand horse who should receiue him at such time as he did draw on the Enemie as he was commanded It was diuided into three troupes each one consisting of ten thousand Odmar had also thirtie thousand horse who should assist him The Prince remayned in the Arier-ward at the one of the wings of his footmen which held one of his principall forces his purpose was to suffer the threescore and six thousand horse to maintayne the fight against the Barbarians being led by two good Captaines and if any of them remayned the Emperor hoped after of them to haue a good market by causing his footmen to march forward and himselfe with whom there abode twentie thousand of the best horse which were sufficient without hazarding his Person for to giue a new battaile if so be that any disfauour should happen vnto them for hee had vnderstood that this was the custome of the Kings of China to enclose themselues within the middest of their Chariots with their footmen and not to hazard themselues but vpon the extremitie So the Enemie fayled nothing at all to march directly vnto Calibes and all the Armie marched after following of him and setting vpon him and hee euen as the Scythians are alwayes accustomed to doe with his six thousand horse in retyring gaue many charges killing some of them and they likewise killing some of his men It was a beautifull sight to see this great Armie march for it seemed to bee twise as great as ours therein being an infinite number of armed Chariots wherein he put his principall trust against the furie of our Souldiers so many gildings of gold and siluer as well in the trappings of their Horses as on their Armour that it glittered and was of vs all much admired The Prince who with a troupe of horse did see the Armie march after Calibes commended greatly the manner of casting their men out of the rankes for to compell this troupe vnto fight and did see this Armie come in good order and he tryed with his eye to note the place where the Kings Person was hauing neere him the Chinois Lord to instruct him who knew well their manner of fighting Now they had neither Auantguard nor battaile but onely an Arier-ward commanded by the King and inclosed as I haue said with his Chariots the which being shewed vnto him by this Lord the Prince turned himselfe vnto vs and in our language said Yet must wee this day disperse this cloud here so gilded and the King of China and my selfe must make a partition thereof Now hauing seene the Enemie sufficiently aduanced and iudging that he had had seene them march a good league he thought it not conuenient to suffer them for to take breath nor for to put themselues againe into their order he sent vnto Calibes for to will him to set forward the fight and that if those whom he had led with him should be weary they should come vnto him but it was not in Calibes power to haue this commandement ouer them For as soone as they heard this word of fighting vttered they required the first charge with a young Lord who commanded ouer them called Zioctabanes who made appeare vnto the Chinois to what end their flight was charging very stiffely vpon the foremost of the Enemies the which was an occasion to begin the first fight And I assure you there could not be seene a more furious thing nor any for to fight with more desire to manifest the valour of his Nation and for to procure honour vnto his Prince Now this endured a long houre before the Chinois had ouerthrowne Calibes The Prince did see all patiently saying alwayes that the great multitude how confused soeuer it were would carry it away from the order and valour of his Souldiers you could not yet perceiue any alteration in the Princes countenance Aduersitie and Prosperitie were so indifferent vnto him His thirty thousand Horse were all Scythians who obserue not the same order the Parthians doe Now before the Prince retyred with his men hee did see the first charge giuen Calibes being wounded retyred himselfe neere vnto the Prince hauing with him two thousand horse ioyned together againe and many more ioyning themselues together neere vnto the Prince who commanded that they should cure Calibes viewing the place of his wound hee caused him to bee conducted behind his footmen and the other which were hurt with him also Now Calibes was not able to pierce through this Armie being beaten back but Odmar with almost all the Parthian horse-men did handle them more roughly for hee ranne cleane thorow them and returned by one of the right wings of the Armie where hee fought most valiantly and hauing beaten them back euen within the Kings Chariots he thought that he should not doe wisely to goe about to breake such forces The King of China comming forward and the horse-men which had beene broken by Odmar ioyning themselues together for his ayde Odmar onely remayning in the battaile sent vnto the Prince for the footmen and for to set forward the Artillerie and that hee should assure himselfe of the victorie The Prince who had already set forward kept aloofe off and sent vnto him fiftie thousand footmen with a part of the Artillery giuing charge thereof vnto Axalla who forthwith set forward hauing commandement to set vpon the Chariots and to make an entrance he set forward the Artillery before him the which did greatly astonish the enemies for the Gouernours of the horses belonging to the Kings Chariots could not hold them it made also a great spoyle As soone as he perceiued this disorder hee set forward and came to hand-blowes there were a hundred and fiftie thousand men as yet about the Kings person Axalla full of courage fought so valiantly that they neuer beheld any doe more brauely Odmar during this fight charged againe the Horsemen who were retyred vnto the Kings ayde whom he put to flight Then the Prince aduanced forward with the rest of his Foot-men gaue ayde vnto Axalla and came euen vnto the person of the King of China who was as yet enclosed within a second ranke of Chariots with thirty or forty thousand men and after hee had fought two or three houres the Horse-men assisting the Foot-men and they principally whom the Prince had reserued the King remayned wounded within the power of the Prince the battaile being wonne and all the Enemies Campe forced the fight endured eight houres and it was euen night which saued the liues of many of the Enemies There were slaine two Kings the Allyes of the King of China and one taken Prisoner there was inestimable riches gotten as well in golden Vessell as precious stones and the most rich and faire Chariots that could be seene The Prince would not see the captiued King vntill the next day beeing mounted on Horse-backe and passing through
Ilands de los Reyes thence to make for the Philippinas After eight dayes the ship called Saint Luke was missing the Captayne whereof was Alfonsus de Arellano suspected to haue maliciously with-drawne himselfe The Fleet continuing their course in nine and ten degrees after fiftie dayes had sight of an Iland of Fishermen and many other small Ilands not inhabited which they passed by It was agreed that they should heighthen their course to thirteene degrees in which way they came on Monday the seuenteenth of Ianuary 1566. to one of the Ilands of Theeues called Goean and sayling toward it sixe miles off fiftie or sixtie Paraos swift sayling Barkes with eight or ten men quite naked met them and inuited them to their Habitations where at night they anchored The next morning sixe hundred of their Paraos came about them with victuals to sell Rice Honey Sugar-canes Plantans Fruits of diuers kinds and Ginger whereof there groweth great store naturally Their principall desire in barter was Iron Nailes giuing a large sacke of Rice for a Naile their sackes deceitfully filled with grauell and chaffe with Rice in the top These people are well proportioned and strong They fought with the Spaniards which were watering and in the time of fight would be trucking with the ships as senslesse of their danger A Mariner which stayd behind was slaine whose death they reuenged with many of the Sauages slaine in the night one of them being taken and sent into New Spaine Their name fits their Theeuish disposition Eleuen dayes after the fleet renewed their Voyage and course in thirteene degrees eleuen dayes longer and then had sight of the Philippinas hauing sailed from the Port of Natiuitie eight thousand miles They anchored in a faire Bay called Baia de Sibabas and there rode seuen dayes whiles two Boats went to discouer one to the North the other Southward A Gentleman of one of them was slaine by an Indian rashly leaping on shoare These Indians haue Iron Launces with a head or tongue a handfull and halfe long They haue also shields Bowes and Arrowes In making peace each man takes two or three drops of bloud of his arme or brest and mixe both in some Vessell together which is drunke with Wine and Water Many Paraos came to the Spaniards with a white flag in the Prow in token of peace and the Admiral erected the like in her Poope to signifie their leaue to enter These Indians are clothed but barefoot The Spaniards demanded prouision which the other promised but gaue only to the Captayne a sucking Pigge and an Egge These people are very timorous perfidious and therefore suspicious The Ilands beare Hogges Goats Hennes Rice Millet Potatoes Pome-citrons Frisoles Cocos Plantans and many sorts of Fruits They weare Bracelets and Earings and Gold Chaines and whithersoeuer the Fleet went was shew of Gold in the Land whereof they digge but for necessary vses the Land is their Money bagge The Fleet departed hence and two dayes after came to the Port of the I le Tandoia where a small Riuer enters vp which they went in Boats and came to a Towne called Camungo There they were well entertayned and had victualls set them which whiles they were eating an Indian spake some Spanish words and asked for Antonie Baptista Villalobos and Captaine Cabeça de Vaca for which the Lord of the place was angrie with him and hee appeared no more The next day the Spaniards returning found them armed threatning them if they came on shoare They minding not to deale cruelly Martin de Goyte was sent to discouer some conuenient harbour who saw the Citie Tandaya and other Townes of other neere Ilands and hauing gone sixtie miles found the great Bay where was Cabalia a Towne well inhabited Thither went the Fleet and the Inhabitants fled Onely Camatuan the sonne of Malataque a blind man chiefe of that place came to them whom they detayned thinking thereby to get some prouision but in vaine He sent forth Souldiers which brought him fiue and fortie Hogs leauing in lieu somwhat for exchange and dismissing Camatuan who had taught the Captaine the names of the neighbouring Iles and of their Gouernours Hee brought them to Mesagua two and thirtie miles off and then was sent away apparelled and ioyfull The Iland Masagua hath beene frequent but then had but twentie Inhabitants which would not see the Spaniards They went to another Iland where the people were fled with their goods Then went they to Butuan which is subiect to the I le Vindena or the Ilands Corrientes The winde draue them to Bohol where they anchored The next day they saw a Iunke and sent a Boat to it which wounded some of their men They had Arrowes and Lances and a Base and two brasse Peeces They cryed to the Spaniards abordo abordo The Spaniards sent out another Boat better fitted which tooke eight the rest were slaine or fled hauing fought valiantly In the Iunke they found white sheets painted Silke Almayzarez Callicos Iron Tin Brasse and some Gold The Iunke was of Borneo and so were these Moores All was restored their intent being to get friends and the Burneois satisfied The Captaine sent the Saint Iohn to discouer the Coast of Butuan and learne where the Cinamon was gathered and to find some good Port in fit place to build The Burneois told the Captaine the cause of the Indians flight that about two yeeres before some Portugals bearing themselues for Spaniards had comne thither from the Molucas and hauing made peace with them set on them and slue aboue a thousand Indians the cause of that depopulation This the Portugals did to make the Spaniards odious that if they came thither they might not be admitted The Captaine sent a well furnished ship to search the Coast which came to a place where the Borneo Gouernour said he had friends and leaping on shoare hee was slaine of the Indians The Saint Iohn returned from Buthuan which said they had seene the King and two Iunkes of Moores in the Riuer at anker and that the Iland was great and rich and exchanged with them fine Gold for Testons one for six in equall weight They bought Wax of the Moores but had Earth inclosed in the Cakes they also incensed the Indians against the Castilians which would haue made purchase of them but were forbidden by the King They said they had there seene Wax Cinamon Gold and other precious things On Easter Euen the other ship returned to their great ioy which had thought her lost hauing staid twentie dayes longer then her limited time They had sailed about the Iland Igla the space of six hundred miles and in their returne came to Subo a well peopled Iland and plentifull of all things The Captaine determined to goe thither to buy prouision or else to force them For Magelane had beene there and the King and most of the Inhabitants were baptised
their dead fiue hundred being ouerwhelmed and fifteene or twenty Temples called on their Amida and some ranne to Fuscimo Taicos new Citie for him and his Nobles whereof the best part was ruined and much harme happened in many other places Taicos Palace at Fuscimo fell downe and oppressed seuenty women himselfe escaped into the Kitchin vntouched and the relations of that Earth-quake would yeeld a booke alone Taico yet would seeme to dominere ouer Nature and leuell a very huge Hill with the Valley to erect new Palaces And because hee could not entertayne at Fuscimo the China Embassadours he receiued them at Ozaca The solemne state and pompe I omit They had audience the twentieth of October The Kings Letter was written in a plate of Gold very great and ponderous inclosed in a golden Coffer wherein also was the Vest and royall Crowne for Taico and in another was a Crown for Mandocorasama his Wife with title of Queene Hee sent also twenty Vests of Quingui with title and dignity of China for twenty Lords the first of which was Augustine by him named and as many for those whom Taico should name In the Epistle of the King were these words Futatabi cioscen vocasu cotonacare that is Thou shalt not returne againe into Corai and if thou returnest thy dignitie shall no longer aduantage thee words importing their vassallage to the Chinois The Embassadour and Taico were equall in sitting on the Tatamis the chiefe Lords of Iapon were present and after the taste of their Chia Taico receiued the Epistle or golden plate and layd it on his head and the Vests going in to put them on At his returne the Chinois adored him and a feast followed with pompous plenty which was continued other dayes But when the Legates moued him to pull downe his Forts in Corai and to pardon the Coraians hee brake into exceeding furie and commanded them backe to Corai and extruded them in great haste out of the Countrey with inhumane vsage About this time Peter Martines first Bishop of Iapon came thither Taico died Sept. 16. 1598. hauing taken politike order for the State and as foolish for himselfe to be made a God prescribing the forme of his Temple One was crucified for speaking of his death Word was sent by the Gouernours which Taico had appointed as protectors for his Sonne to the Iaponian Lords in Corai to returne and so after seuen yeeres that warre had end What euents followed after in Iapon you may see in my Pilgrimage and somewhat also before in Captayne Saris and Master Cocks relations Taicosamas posteritie rooted out and Ogasha Sama seizing the Soueraigntie to himselfe So much harder is it to be a Man then a God and easier to bequeaâ—h a Temple and tytle of Camus and diuine worship as to a new Faciman or Mars all which his Exâ—cutors performed and caused to be effected his body not burned after the wont but as he had prescribed put in a Câ—est and translated to that sumptuous Temple where he is worshâ—pped as the principall of all the Cami with an Image erected to him seene by Cap. Saris then to bequeath long life to himselfe accomplishment to his Coraian designes or sure succession to his posteritie in all which hee fayled But we will with our persecuted Iesuites leaue Iapon and ship our selues for China §. III. RVGGERIVS enters againe into China with RICIVS and is forced backe to Amacao thence sent for againe by the Vice-roy Sande and Almeida are sent to them and enter the Countrey as farre as Cequion and returne to Sciauchin IT is a custome in China that of all Charters granted by the Magistrates a copie is kept in the Registrie and the execution or what hath therein beene done subscribed at the end The succeeding Vice-roy finding the copie of that Charter granted to the Iesuites at their departure without such subscription because nothing had beene done therein wrote to Canton to the Aitao he which then was absent to the Ansam or Hiam-xan the Gouernour of the Citie and he being ignorant thereof to the Port-gouernours at Amacao They went to the Bishop and by him were sent to our Colledge where they were shewed the sealed Charter but there being then Melchior Carnerus Patriarch of Ethiopia which expedition was dissolued Capralis Gomez Pasius and other principall Iesuites it was thought fit that it should not be deliuered to the Souldiers but carried by two Iesuites to the Aitao and Ruggerius with Ricius were therein employed the China Captaines also consenting that they should goe to Ansan thence by the Ci-hien or Gouernour to be sent to Canton This Ci-hien when they came thither would haue sent it and not them which they refused whereupon he grew angry cast it on the ground and commanded them to returne backe saying that a deposed Vice-royes grant could no way benefit them They went to their Inne and there consulted to goe without his leaue deceiuing a Ship-master with sight of the said Charter who tooke them into his ship but terrified by others cast them out againe with their goods At this time came a message to the Ci-hien of his Fathers death whereupon according to the China Custome he lost his office and returned home during his three yeereâ— mourning They by this occasion and a weightier cause money giuen to the Successour and the Notaries subtiltie in a seeming seruice to the Common-wealth were sent in manner as prisoners to Canton as strangers found there The Aitao notwithstanding gaue them kinde entertaynment They petitioned shewing that they were Religious men which had passed so many Seas allured by the fame of China there to spend their dayes and desired nothing but a small piece of ground to raise thereon a little house to the Lord of Heauen and they would be further burthensome to none but procure liuelihood of their owne mens beneuolence They mentioned nothing of Christian Religion lest it might cause suspicion and bee a let to them the Chinois thinking too well of themselues that strangers should teach them any thing which they haue not already more complete in their owne Bookes Rebellions haue also begunne vnder colour of new Sects The Aitao or high Admirall commended their desires but said it belonged to higher Magistrates and could onely bee granted by the Ciai-yuen the Visitour of the Prouince or the Vice-roy They desired that hee would at least let them stay there in the Palace of the King of Siams Legates till the Portugals Mart came and in meane time they would trye what they could doe with the Visitour or Vice-roy This hee granted but the same day repeated professing that he feared the Visitor if out of Mart-time he should finde stâ—angers there whose censure is dreadfull to euery Magistrate He therefore commanded them presently to packe for Amacao They were comne backe to Ansan and found things in worse case then before For at the gates of the Citie they found an
preferred the Father some suspected that hee had liued some Ages which they vse to affirme of Strangers differing in countenance from them and would not let it be knowne The Chinois haue one day solemne to Confutius the Prince of the Learned in which they make a kind of Sacrifice to him not as to their God but their Master They call it a Sacrifice but in larger extent of the word Musike was prepared against that day at the triall whereof Father Ricius was present The Priests of the Learned called Tansu ordered the Musike and in the Kings Hall or Temple rather dedicated to the Lord of Heauen this triall was made The Priests came forth in precious vestures as if they would sacrifice who after their wonted rites to the President fell to their Musike in which were small brasse Bells Basons other as it were Tabors others of stone stringed Instruments Pipes Organs blowed with the mouth not with Bellowes others resembled Beasts out of the hollow bellie yeelding a sound all these sounded together with such discording discord as you may imagine the Chinois themselues confessing the concord and harmoniacall consent to bee lost onely the Instruments remayning from their Ancestors That Temple was great and magnificent built neere the Citie in a Pine-groue compassed with walls twelue miles about The wall of the Temple was of bricke the other parts of timber it is diuided into fiue Iles the Pillars were round of huge timbers as great as two men could fathome the heigth proportionable to that thicknesse the roofe is excellently carued and all gilded and although it be two hundred yeeres since it was built and the King resides not at Nanquin nor sacrificeth there yet is it little decayed from the first splendour In the midst of the Temple is a more eminent place of most precious marble in which is a double Throne both of marble the one for the King when he sitteth to sacrifice the other is left for him to â—it by to whom the sacrifice is made The Cloisters without are beautified with most elegant windings and lest the Birds should defile all the windowes are all netted with Iron wyers which is vsuall thorow all the Palace all the gates of the Temple are couered with Brasse plates gilded and wrought with neat Visages of the same metall Without the Temple were many Altars of red marble which represented the Sunne Moone Starres and Hills of China Lakes and Seas intimating that that God which is there worshipped made the rest which are placed without lest they might be worshipped for Deities It is prohibited by grieuous penalties to cut the trees of that Groue or any bough thereof whence they are great and old In the circuit of the Temple are many Cells which are said to haue beene Baths for the Kings to wash in when they were to sacrifice The Father vsed the Habit of the Learned as is said of those especially which professe themselues Preachers of the Law the Habit modest and the Cap not vnlike ours in Crosse fashion also He confuted both the Sects of Idolaters and commended that of the Learned praysing Confutius which was rather silent then would deuise any thing touching the next life and taught good Rules for the Life Family and Republike A great man flourished at Nanquin then which had some thousands of Disciples in opinion of Vertue and Learning and had set dayes in which to heare and to be heard euery moneth Chiutaiso brought the Father and this Father together and in some reasoning Ricius wrung from him that some corruptions were in the Idoll Sects which he followed not holding that only he sayd which was good It being a fashion that Learned men met in their Societies to conferre of Morall Vertues in one of those meetings this man learnedly confuted Confutius which another Magistrate tooke haynously and cryed out it was intolerable that the Sect of Idols brought out of other Countreyes should bee preferred before Confutius whom the Learned Ricius also admireth refelling the Idol-follies He answered he had spoken with the man but he was not yet well acquainted with China businesse and he would instruct him better Soone after he inuited him to a Feast for the Chinois vsually in such meetings determine Controuersies and there hee met Sanhoi a famous Idol-Priest a Learned Philosopher Orator Poet and well skilled in others Sects also When they were set this Priest and the Father together the Priest began shewing his desire to conferre of Religion Ricius first asked what he thought of the first beginning of Heauen and Earth and the Creatour of things whom we call the Lord of Heauen I deny not sayd he that there is such an one but he hath no Majesty nor Deity but I am equall to him and so are all others Canst thou saith Ricius make those things which he hath done he granted Make then such a Chasing-dish one stood before him this sayd the other was an vnworthy demand Thou sayth he art an Astronomer and makest new Sunnes in thy minde when thou reasonest thereof That sayth Ricius is but an Image or likenesse which the minde from things seene conceiueth as in reflexion of a Glasse whereon the Sunne shineth yet doth not the Glasse create a Sunne The Hoast for feare of further quarrell parted them At Dinner the Chinois disputed of a Question of humane nature how it came bad they want Logicke and cannot well distinguish betwixt morall and naturall good and neuer heard of originall sinne they discoursed thereof a whole houre after which Ricius repeating what had beene sayd entred into dispute with Sanhoi who laughed at his and their Reasons and answered all with a Tale of I know not what Floud according to his Sect but he straitned him with Arguments so that he and this Disputation grew famous They conceiue that God and the Creatures are all of one substance and that God is as a great Soule of the Vniuerse which opinion from the Idol-sects hath infected the Learned Ricius writ a summary of that point which gaue men good satisfaction and his Law seemed not so barbarous as they imagined The Kings Treasure was exhaust by the Corayan Warre whereupon contrary to the Lawes he caused the ancient Mines which were sayd to be stopped to bee sought and opened and imposed new Tributes that in all Prouinces Merchandizes should pay two of a hundreth which had beene tolerable if gathered by Magistrates but his Eunuches sent to euery Prouince without shame or mercie exacted on the people and raysed a worse combustion then that of Coray So many Impostors Counterfeits Theeues were euery-where if a man dwelt in a good House they would digge it vp to search for a Myne to force composition from the owner Some whole Cities and Prouinces compounded with these Caterpillers to free themselues from their vexations the money so gotten they gaue the King as taken out of their Mynes This caused Dearth
being ended the Bridegroome taketh the Bride by the hand and so they goe on together with their friends after them towards the Church porch Where meet them certaine with pots and cups in their hands with Mead and Russe Wine Whereof the Bridegroome taketh first a Charke or little cup full in his hand and drinketh to the Bride who opening her Hood or Vale below and putting the Cup to her mouth vnderneath it for being seene of the Bridegroome pledgeth him againe Thus returning all together from the Church the Bridegroome goeth not home to his owne but to his Fathers house and shee likewise to hers where either entertayne their friends apart At the entring into the House they vse to fling Corne out of the windowes vpon the Bridegroome and Bride in token of plentie and fruitfulnesse to bee with them euer after When the Euening is come the Bride is brought to the Bridegroomes Fathers house and there lodgeth that night with her Vayle or couer still ouer her head All that night she may not speake one word for that charge shee receiueth by tradition from her Mother and other Matrons her friends that the Bridegroome must neither heare nor see her till the day after the marriage Neither three dayes after may she bee heard to speake saue certaine few words at the Table in a set forme with great manners and reuerence to the Bridegroome If shee behaue herselfe otherwise it is a great prejudice to her credit and life euer after and will highly bee disliked of the Bridegroome himselfe After the third day they depart to their owne and make a Feast to both their friends together The marriage day and the whole time of their festiuall the Bridegroome hath the honour to be called Moloday Knez or young Duke and the Bride Moloday Knezay or young Dutchesse In liuing with their wiues they shew themselues to be but of a barbarous condition vsing them as seruants rather then wiues Except the Noble-women which are or seeme to bee of more estimation with their husbands then the rest of meaner sort They haue this foule abuse contrary to good order and the Word of God it selfe that vpon dislike of his wife or other cause whatsoeuer the man may goe into a Monasterie and shire himselfe a Frier by pretence of deuotion and so leaue his wife to shift for her selfe so well as shee can THe other Ceremonies of their Church are many in number especially the abuse about the signe of the Crosse which they set vp in their high wayes in the tops of their Churches and in euery doore of their houses signing themselues continually with it on their foreheads breasts with great deuotion as they will seeme by their outward gesture Which were lesse offence if they gaue not withall that religious reuerence and worship vnto it which is due to God onely and vsed the dumbe shew and signing of it instead of thanksgiuing and of all other duties which they owe vnto God When they rise in the morning they goe commonly in the sight of some steeple that hath a Crosse on the top and so bowing themselues towards the Crosse signe themselues withall on their foreheads and breasts And this is their thanksgiuing to God for their nights rest without any word speaking except peraduenture they say Aspody Pomeluy or Lord haue mercie vpon vs. When they sit downe to meat and rise againe from it the thanksgiuing to God is the crossing of their foreheads and brests Except it be some few that adde peraduenture a word or two of some ordinary prayer impertinent to that purpose When they are to giue an oath for the deciding of any controuersie at Law they doe it by swearing by the Crosse and kissing the feet of it making it as God whose name onely is to bee vsed in such triall of Iustice. When they enter into any house where euer there is an Idoll hanging on the wall they signe themselues with the Crosse and bow themselues to it When they begin any worke bee it little or much they arme themselues first with the signe of the Crosse. And this commonly is all their prayer to God for good speed of their businesse And thus they serue God with crosses after a crosse and vaine manner notwithstanding what the Crosse of Christ is nor the power of it And yet they thinke all strangers Christians to be no better then Turkes in comparison of themselues and so they will say because they bow not themselues when they meet with the Crosse nor signe themselues with it as the Russe manner is They haue Holy-water in like vse and estimation as the Popish Church hath But heerein they exceed them in that they doe not onely hollow their Holy-water stockes and tubs full of water but all the Riuers of the Countrey once euery yeere At Mosko it is done with great pompe and solemnitie the Emperour himselfe being present at it with all his Nobilitie marching through the streets towards the Riuer of Moskua in manner of Procession in this order as followeth First goe two Deacons with banners in their hands the one of Precheste or our Lady the other of Saint Michael fighting with his Dragon Then follow after the rest of the Deacons and the Priests of Mosko two and two in a ranke with Coaps on their backes and their Idols at their brests carried with girdles or slings made fast about their necks Next the Priests come their Bishops in their Pontificalibus then the Friers Monkes and Abbots and after the Patriarches in very rich attire with a Ball or Sphere on the top of his Myter to signifie his vniuersalitie ouer that Church Last commeth the Emperour with all his Nobilitie The whole traine is of a mile long or more When they are come to the Riuer a great hole is made in the Ice where the Market is kept of a road and a halfe broad with a stage round about it to keepe off the presse Then beginneth the Patriarch to say certaine prayers and coniureth the Deuill to come out of the water and so casting in Salt and censing it with Frankincense maketh the whole Riuer to become Holy-water The morning before all the people of Mosko vse to make crosses of chaulke ouer euery doore and window of their houses least the Deuill being coniured out of the water should flye into their houses When the Ceremonies are ended you shal see the black Guard of the Emperors house then the rest of the Towne with their pailes and buckets to take off the hallowed water for drinke and other vses You shall also see the women dip in their children ouer head and eares and many men and women leape into it some naked some with their clothes on when some man would thinke his finger would freeze off if he should but dip it into the water When the men haue done they bring their horse to the Riuer to drinke of the sanctified water and
words following Through the will of the almightie and without beginning God which was before this world whom we glorifie in the Trinitie one onely God the Father the Sonne and the holy Ghost maker of all things worker of all in all euery where fulfiller of all things by which will and working he both liueth and giueth life to man that our onely God which enspireth euerie one of vs his onely children with his word to discerne God through our Lord Iesus Christ and the holy quickning spirit of life now in these perillous times established vs to keepe the right Scepter and suffer vs to raigne of our selues to the good profit of the land to the subduing of the people together with the enemies and the maintenance of vertue And so the Metropolitan blessed and laid his crosse vpon him After this he was taken out of his chaire of Maiesty hauing vpon him an vpper roabe adorned with precious stones of all sorts orient pearles of great quantity but alwayes augmented in riches it was in weight two hundred pounds the traine and parts thereof borne vp by six Dukes his chiefe imperiall Crowne vpon his head very precious his staffe imperiall in his right hand of an Vnicornes horne of three foote and a halfe in length beset with rich stones bought of Merchants of Ausburge by the old Emperour in Anno 1581. and cost him 7000. Markes sterling This Iewel Master Horsey kept sometimes before the Emperour had it His Scepter globe was carried before him by the Prince Boris Pheodorowich his rich cap beset with rich stones and pearles was carried before him by a Duke his sixe Crownes also were carried by Demetrius Iuanowich Godonoua the Emperours vnckle Mekita Romanowich thâ— Emperors vnckle Stephen Vasiliwich Gregorie Vasiliwich Iuan Vasiliwich brothers of the bloud royall Thus at last the Emperour came to the great Churchdoore and the people cried God saue our Emperour Pheodor Iuanowich of all Russia His Horse was there ready most richly adorned with a couering of imbrodered pearle and precious stones saddle and all furniture agreeable to it reported to be worth 300000. markes sterling There was a bridge made of a hundred fiftie fadomes in length three manner of waies three foot aboue ground and two fadome broad for him to goe from one Church to the other with his Princes and nobles from the presse of the people which were in number infinite and some at that time pressed to death with the throng As the Emperor returned out of the Churches they were spred vnder foot with cloth of Gold the porches of the Churches with red Veluet the Bridges with Scarlet stammelled cloth from one Church to another and as soone as the Emperor was passed by the cloth of gold veluet and scarlet was cut taken of those that could come by it euery man desirous to haue a piece to reserue it for a monument siluer and gold coine then minted of purpose was cast among the people in great quantitie The Lord Boris Pheodorowich was sumptuously and richly attired with his garments decked with great orient pearle beset with all sorts of precious stones In like rich manner were apparelled all the family of the Godonouaes in their degrees with the rest of the Princes and nobilitie whereof one named Knez Iuan Michalowich Glynsky whose roabe horse and furniture was in register found worth one hundred thousand markes sterling being of great antiquitie The Embresse being in her Pallace was placed in her chaire of Maiesty also before a great open window most precious and rich were her robes and shining to behold with rich stones and orient Pearles beset her crowne was placed vpon her head accompanied with her Princesses and Ladies of estate then cried out the people God preserue our noble Empresse Irenia After all this the Emperour came into the Parliament house which was richly decked there he was placed in his royall seat adorned as before his sixe crownes were set before him vpon a Table the Bason and Ewre royall of gold held by his knight of gard with his men standing two on each side in white apparell of cloth of siluer called Kindry with scepters and battle-axes of gold in their hands the Princes and nobility were all placed according to their degrees all in their rich roabes The Emperour after a short Oration permitted euery man in order to kisse his hand which being done he remoued to a princely seate prepared for him at the table where he was serued by his Nobles in very princely order The three out roomes being very great and large were beset with plate of gold and siluer round from the ground vp to the vauts one vpon the other among which plate were many barrels of siluer and gold this solemnitie and triumph lasted a whole weeke wherein many royall pastimes were shewed and vsed after which the chiefest men of the Nobilitie were elected to their places of office and dignitie as the Prince Boris Pheodorowich was made chiefe Counsellour to the Emperour Master of the Horse had the charge of his person Lieutenant of the Empire and warlike engins Gouernor or Lieutenant of the Empire of Cazan and Astracan and others to this dignitie were by Parliament and gift of the Emperour giuen him many reuenewes and rich lands as there was giuen him and his for euer to inherite a Prouince called Vaga of three hundred English miles in length and two hundred and fiftie in bredth with many Townes and great Villages populous and wealthy his yearely Reuenew out of that Prouince is fiue and thirtie thousand Markes sterling being not the fifth part of his yeare Reuenue Further he and his house be of such authoritie and power that in forty dayes warning they are able to bring into the field a hundred thousand Souldiours well furnished The conclusion of the Emperours Coronation was a peale of Ordnance called a Peale royall two miles without the Citie being a hundred and seuenty great pieces of brasse of all sorts as faire as any can be made these pieces were all discharged with shot against bulwarkes made of purpose twentie thousand hargubusers standing in eight ranks two miles in length apparelled all in veluet coloured silke and stammels discharged their shot also twise ouer in good order and so the Emperour accompanied with all his Princes and Nobles at the least fiftie thousand horse departed through the Citie to his palace This royall coronation would aske much time and many leaues of paper to be described particularly as it was performed it shall suffice to vnderstand that the like magnificence was neuer seene in Russia The Coronation and other triumphs ended all the Nobilitie officers and Merchants according to an accustomed order euery one in his place and degree brought rich presents vnto the Emperour wishing him long life and ioy in his kingdome The same time also Master Ierom Horsey aforesaid remaining as seruant in Russia for the Queens most excellent Maiestie was called for to the Emperour
be liueth and giueth life vnto Man Our onely God which inspireth euery one of vs his Children with his holy Word through our Lord Iesus Christ the Spirit of Life now in this latter times establish vs to hold the right Scepter and suffer vs of our selues to reigne for the good of the Land and the happinesse of the People together with our Enemies and to the doing of good We the great Lord Emperour and great Duke Boris Pheodorowich of all Russia sole Commander of Volodemer Mosco Nouogrod Emperour of Cazan King of Astracan Lord of Vobsko and great Duke of Smolensko of Twersko Vhorskoy Permskoy Vatskoy Bolharskay and of others Lord and great Duke of Nouagrod in the low Country of Chernego Rezan Polotskay Rostouskoy Yeraslauskoy Belozerskoy Leeflanskoy Owdorskoy Obdorskoy Condinskoy and all Siberia and the North parts Lord and Commander of Euerskoy Land and Cabardinskoy Country and of Cherces and Igarskoy Land as also of many others Lord and Commander with our Sonne Prince Phedar Borisowich of all Russia We haue bestowed on the Merchants of England viz. Sir Iohn Hart Knight Sir William Webb Knight Richard Saltanitall Alderman Nicolas Moshley Alderman Robert Doue William Garaway Iohn Harbey Robert Chamberlin Henrie Anderson Iohn Audwart Francis Cherie Iohn Merick Anthony Marlar Wee haue granted and licenced them to come with their ships into our Dominion the Country of Dwina with all manner of Commodities to trade freely from the Sea side and within our Dominions to the Citie of our Empire of Mosco Also there made sute vnto vs Sir Iohn Hart Knight and his Companie to gratifie them to trade to our Citie of Mosco and to our Heritage of great Nouogrod and Vobsko and to all parts of our Empire with their Commodities and to Trade freely without custome vpon which Wee the great Lord Emperour and great Duke Boris Pheodorowich of all Russia with our Sonne Prince Pheodor Borisowich of all Russia haue granted vnto the English Merchants Sir Iohn Hart Knight and his fellowes for our Sisters sake Queene Elizabeth free passage to come into our Kingdome of Mosco and into all the rest of our Dominions with all manner of Commodities to trade and traffick freely at their pleasure Also we haue commanded not to take any kinde of Custome for their goods nor any other Customes whatsoeuer viz. for passing by any place by Land nor for passing by any place by Water nor for Custome of their Boats or Head money nor for passing ouer Bridges and Ferries nor for any entrie of Wares as also all manner of other Customes or Duties whatsoeuer wee command shall not bee taken of them But they shall not bring other mens goods into our Dominions nor likewise recarry out of our Kingdome any other mens goods as their owne nor to sell or barter for other men Neither shall our Subiects buy and sell for them or from them neither shall they keepe any of our peoples goods or pawnes by them to owne or colour them Likewise they shall not send any of our Subiects to any Towne or Citie to buy Commodities But what Citie they come into themselues they shall sell their owne Commodities and buy our Commodities And when they shall come to our Heritage to great Vobsko and Nouagrod or to any other Citie within our Dominions with their Commodities that then our Gentlemen and Gouernours and all other officers shall suffer and let them passe according to this our Letter and to take no manner of Custome of them whatsoeuer for any of their Commodities for passing by nor for passage ouer any Bridges neither shall they take any other Custom whatsoeuer in all our Dominions And wheresoeuer they happen to come and doe proceed to buy and sell as also wheresoeuer they shall passe through with goods not buying of any Commoditie nor selling their owne then in those Cities they shall take of them no manner of Custome whatsoeuer as aforesaid and wee haue gratified and giuen them leaue to trade in all parts of our Dominions with their goods freely without Custome And likewise whensoeuer the English Merchants shall bee desirous to buy or sell or barter their wares with our Merchants wares for wares then shall they sell their wares whole sale and not by retaile Cloth by the pack and by Clothes and by remnants and Damasks and Veluets by the Piece and not by the Yard or asheene and such Commodities as is to be sold by waight not to sell them by the small waights that is to say by the Zolotnick Also they shall sell Wines by the Pipe and the Hogshead but by the Gallon Quart or Pot or Charke they shall not sell moreouer they shall buy sell and exchange their owne Commodities themselues and the Russe Merchants shall not sell or exchange for them or from them their Commodities neither shall they carry any mans goods to no manner of place vnder colour of their owne and which of the English Merchants would at any time sell his Commodities at Colmogro on the Dwina or at Vologda and at Yeraslauly they may and of all their Commodities throughout all our Cities and Dominion our Gentlemen Gouernours and all other Officers shall take no manner of Custome according to this our Imperiall Letter of fauour Also through all our Dominions Cities and Townes they shall hire Carriers Boats and men to labour or rowe in the said Boats at their owne cost Likewise when as the English Merchants shall desire to goe out of our Dominion into any other Kingdome or into their owne Land and that we thinke it good for them to take with them from our Treasure any Commodities to sell or exchange them for vs for such Commodities as shall be sitting to our Kingdome and to deliuer them to our Treasurer and with those their and our goods our Gentlemen and Gouernours shall suffer them to passe through all Cities and Townes within our Dominions without Custome as before And when they haue ended their Market and doe desire to goe from the Mosko then they shall appeare in the Chancerie to the Keeper of our Seale the Secretarie Vassily Yacolowich Schellcalou Likewise if there happen to the English Merchants any extremitie by Sea or that a ship be broken and that it be neere any place of our Kingdome then we command that all those goods shall bee brought out iustly and bee giuen to the English people that shall at that time bee in our Land or if they be not here then to lay them vp all together in one place and when the Englishmen come into our Land then to deliuer those goods to them Also wee haue bestowed on the English Merchants the House of Yourya in the Mosko by a Church of Saint Maxims neere the Marget to dwell in it as in former time keeping one House-keeper a Russe or one of their owne strangers but other Russe folkes they shall not keepe any Likewise these Merchants haue Houses in diuers our Cities as followeth A House
supreme Councell the King Don Philip the third our Lord in imitation of his Catholike and Godly Predecessors for the greater good of his subiects hath instituted a Priuie Councell where all the businesses of spirituall and temporall warrants fauours and rewards may bee conferred and dispatched and besides this there are two Halls instituted where on dayes appointed they may intreat of matters of warre with the President and three Counsellors of the Indies and two or three of the Counsell of warre and other dayes of the matters of the goods by the President and Counsellors of Indies and two of the Counsell of the goods Atturney and Secretarie of the Counsell of the Indies the President naming those that he shall thinke best for it And as these Catholike Kings doe alwayes looke to the benefit of the people of that Orbe considering that the propagation of the holy Gospell in no part of it could goe more prosperously by any other hands then his nor bee attended for his preseruation and to haue the Conquerours and Inhabiters of those parts more satisfied seeing all were his Subiects and borne in these Kingdomes declared by their Royall warrants dated the yeere 1520. in Valladolid and in the yeere 1523. in Pamplona that their Maiesties nor any of their Heires in no time shall alienate from the Crowne Royall of Castile and Lion the Ilands and Prouinces of the Indies Towne or any part of them and so they promised it and gaue their Royall word The Presidents Counsellors Secretaries and Atturneys which vnto this present day haue serued and doe serue in the Supreme Councell of the Indies from their first Discouerie PRESIDENTS IOhn Rodriguez of Fonseca brother to the Lord of Coca and Alaejos Archbishop of Rosano and Bishop of Burgos being Deane of Siuil gouerned that which appertayned to the dispatching of the Fleets and Armies of the Indies till the Catholike King Don Fernando V. called him to the end that in his Court hee might take charge of the Indian affaires and he did it till the Emperor came to reigne which commanded that the Doctor Mercurino Gatinara his great Chancellor should be Superintendent of all the Councels and all the dispatches passed through his hands and intermedled in all the Assemblies that were made Friar Garcia of Loaysa Generall of the Order of Saint Dominicke the Emperours Confessor Bishop of Osma which was Archbishop of Siuil and Cardinall Don Garcia Manrique Earle of Osâ—rno which being Assistant of Siuil did gouerne till the Cardinall came from Rome Don Lewis Hurtado of Mendoça Marques of Mondejar which after was President of the Royall and supreme Councell of Castile The Licenciate Don Franciscus Tello of Sandoual which hauing beene of the Councell of the Indies went for President of the Royall Chancerie of Granada and from thence came to gouerne in the Councell of Indies The Licenciate Don Iohn Sarmiento was also of the Councell of the Indies and after went to gouerne in the Royal Chancerie of Granada from whence he returned to be President of the Royall and supreme Councell of the Indies Lewis Quixada Lord of Villagarcia and of the Councell of Warre The Licenciate Iohn of Obando of the supreme Councell of the holy Inquisition did preside in the Councell of the Indies and of the goods Royall The Licenciate Don Antonio de Padilla of the Royal and supreme Counsell of Castile passed to be President of the Councell of the Orders and after to the supreme Councell of the Indies The Licenciate Hernando of Vega and Fonseca of the supreme Councell of the holy and generall Inquisition passed to the Councell of the goods Royall and from it to the Royall and supreme Councell of the Indies The Licenciate Don Pedro de Moya of Contreras the first Inquisitor that went to Mexico for to seate the holy Office in that Citie Hee was Archbishop of that Citie and President of the supreme Councell of the Indies The Licenciate Paul of Laguna of the Royall and supreme Councell of Castile and of the holy and generall Inquisition passed to gouerne in the Councell of the goods Royall and Tribunals of it and was after President of the supreme Councell of the Indies and in his time began the Royall Councell of the House-hold COVNSELLORS HErnando of Vega Lord of Grajal which was chiefe Knight of Lion and President of the Councell of Orders Licenciate Lewis Zapata Licenciate Moxica Doctor S. Iames. Doctor Palacios Penbios Doctor Gonçalo Maldonado which was Bishop of the citie Rodrigo Master Lewis Vaca Bishop of Canarie Doctor Aguirre Doctor Mota Bishop of Badajoz Doctor Sosa Doctor Peter Martyr of Angleria Abbot of Iamayca Mosiur of Lassao of the Emperours Chamber and of the Councell of Estate Licenciate Garcia of Padilla of the habit of Calatrana Doctor Beltran Doctor Galindez of Caruajal Doctor Bernal Licenciate Peter Manuel Licenciate Rodrick of the Court. Licenciate Montoya Licenciate Mercado Licenciate Antonie of Aguilera Licenciate Don Hernando of Salas. Licenciate Iohn Thomas Doctor Villafanye Licenciate Bottelbâ— Maldonado Licenciate Otalora Licenciate Iames Gasâ—a of Salazar Licenciate Gamboa Doctor Gomez of Santillana Licenciate Espadero Licenciate Don Iames of Zunnigo Licenciate Lopez of Sarria Licenciate Enao Doctor Lope of Bayllo Licenciate Gedeon of Ynojosa of the habit of Saint Iames. Licenciate Villafanne Doctor Antonie Gonçalez Licenciate Franciscus Balcazar Licenciate Medina of Sarauz Licenciate Don Lewis of Mercado Doctor Peter Gutierrez Flores Licenciate Peter Dayes of Tudança Licenciate Benitte Rodriguez Valtodano Licenciate Austine Aluarez of Toledo and of the Chamber Doctor Don Roderick Zapata Licenciate Pâ—â—er Brano of Sotomayor Licenciate Molina of Medrano of the habit of Saint Iames of the Chamber Commissioner of this Historie Licenciate Iames of Armenteros Licenciate Alonso Perez of Salazar Licenciate Gonçalo of Aponte and of the Chamber Licenciate Don Iohn of Ocon of the habit of Calatrana Licenciate Hernando of Saanedra Licenciate Don Thomas Ximenez Ortiz Licenciate Eugenius of Salazar Licenciate Don Franciscus Arias Maldonado Licenciate Andrew of Ayala Licenciate Benauente of Benauides Licenciate Roocke of Villagutierre Chumazero SECRETARIES IOhan Colona Michael Perez of Almazan Gaspar of Gricio The Knight Lope of Conchillos Franciscus of the Cobos chiefe Commander of Leon. Iohn of Samano The Commander Franciscus of Eraso Antonie of Eraso The Commander Iohn of Ybarra ATTVRNEYS or SOLLICITORS THe Licenciate Franciscus of Vargas Licenciate Prado Licenciate Martin Ruyz of Agreda Doctor Franciscus Hernandez of Liebana Licenciate Ierome of Vlloa Licenciate Gamboa Licenciate Lopez of Sarria Licenciate Seipion Antolâ—â—ez Licenciate Negroâ— Doctor Valençuela Doctor Marcus Caro. Licenciate Bennet Rodriguez of Valtodano Licenciate Alonso Perez of Salazar Licenciate Roâ—cke of Villagutierre Chumazero The Gouernours and Vice-royes which haue gouerned vntill this time the Kingdomes of New Spaine and of Piru In New Spaine DOn Fernando Cortes Marques of the Valley Gouernour chiefe Iustice and Captaine generall The Licenciate Lewis Pance of the House of the Duke of Arcos Iudge of
their Neighbours Stone Timber Lime in exchange of Fish Frogs and young Kids and for Ducks Water-hens Courlieus and diuers other kindes of Sea fowles All which things they did fish and hunt for in this Lake whereof there is great abundance They went with these things to the Markets of the Townes and Cities of the Tapanecans and of them of Tescuco their neighbours and with policy they gathered together by little and little what was necessarie for the building of their Citie so as they built a better Chappell for their Idoll of lime and stone and laboured to fill vp a great part of the Lake with rubbish This done the Idoll spake one night to one of his Priests in these termes Say vnto the Mexicans that the Noblemen diuide themselues euery one with their Kinsfolks and Friends and that they diuide themselues into foure principall quarters about the house which you haue built for my rest and let euery quarter build in his quarter at his pleasure The which was put in execution and those be the foure principall quarters of Mexico which are called at this day Saint Iean Saint Mary the round Saint Paul and Saint Sebastian After this the Mexicans being thus diuided into these foure quarters their god commanded them to diuide amongst them the gods he should name to them and that they should giue notice to euery quarter principall of the other foure particall quarters where their gods should bee worshipped So as vnder euery one of these foure principall quarters there vvere many lesse comprehended according to the number of the Idols which their god commanded them to worship which they called Calpultetco which is as much to say as God of the quarters In this manner the Citie of Mexico Tenoxtiltan was founded and grew great This diuision being made as aforesaid some old Men and Ancients held opinion that in the diuision they had not respected them as they deserued for this cause they and their Kinsfolke did mutinie and went to seeke another residence and as they went through the Lake they found a small piece of Ground or Terrasse which they call Tloteloli where they inhabited calling it Tlatellulco which signifies Place of a Terrasse This was the third diuision of the Mexicans since they left their Country That of Mechonacan being the first and that of Malinalco the second Those which separated themselues and went to Tlatellulco were famous men but of bad disposition and therefore they practised against the Mexicans their neighbours all the ill neighbourhood they could They had alwayes quarrels against them and to this day continues their hatred and old leagues They of Tenoxtiltan seeing them of Tlatellulco thus opposite vnto them and that they multiplyed feared that in time they might surmount them hereupon they assembled in counsell where they thought it good to choose a King whom they should obey and strike terrour into their Enemies that by this meanes they should bee more vnited and stronger among themselues and their Enemies not presume too much against them Being thus resolued to choose a King they tooke another aduice very profitable and assured to choose none among themselues for the auoyding of dissentions and to gayne by their new King some other neighbour Nations by whom they were inuironed being destitute of all succours All well considered both to pacifie the King of Culhuacan whom they had greatly offended hauing slaine and slayed the daughter of his predecessor and done him so great a scorne as also to haue a King of the Mexican blood of which generation there were many in Culhuacan which continued there since the time they liued in peace amongst them they resolued to choose for their King a young man called Acamapixtli sonne to a great Mexican Prince and of a Lady daughter to the King of Calhuacan Presently they sent Ambassadors with a great Present to demand this man who deliuered their Ambassage in these termes Great Lord wee your Vassals and Seruants placed and shut vp in the Weedes and Reedes of the Lake alone and abandoned of an the Nations of the World led onely and guided by our god to the place where wee are which falls in the iurisdiction of your limits of Ascapusalco and of Tescuco Although you haue suffered vs to liue and remayne there yet will wee not neither is it reason to liue without a Head and Lord to command correct and gouerne vs instructing vs in the course of our life and defending vs from our Enemies Therefore wee come to you knowing that in your Court and House there are Children of our generation linckt and allied with yours issued from our entrailes and yours of our bloud and yours among the which wee haue knowledge of a Grand-child of yours and ours called Acamapixth Wee beseech you therefore to giue him vs for Lord wee will esteeme him as hee deserues seeing hee is of the Linage of the Lords of Mexico and the Kings of Culhuacan The King hauing consulted vpon this point and finding it nothing inconuenient to bee allied to the Mexicans who were valiant men made them answere That they should take his grand-child in good time adding thereunto that if he had beene a woman hee would not haue giuen her noting the foule fact before spoken of ending his discourse with these wordes Let my grand-child goe to serue your god and be his Lieutenant to rule and gouerne his Creatures by whom we liue who is the Lord of Night Day and Windes Let him goe and be Lord of the Water and Land and possesse the Mexican Nation take him in good time and vse him as my sonne and grand-child The Mexicans gaue him thankes all ioyntly desiring him to marry him with his owne hand so as hee gaue him to wife one of the noblest Ladies amongst them They conducted the new King and Queene with all honor possible and made him a solemne reception going all in generall forth to see the King whom they led into Palaces which were then but meane and hauing seated them in Royall Thrones presently one of the Ancients and an Orator much esteemed amongst them did rise vp speaking in this manner My sonne our Lord and King thou art welcome to this poore House and Citie amongst these weeds and mud where thy poore fathers Grand-fathers and Kinsfolks endure what it pleaseth the Lord of things created Remember Lord thou commest hither to be the defence and support of the Mexican Nation and to be the resemblance of our god Vitzliputzli whereupon the charge and gouernment is giuen thee Thou knowest wee are not is our Country seeing the Land we possesse at this day is anothers neither know we what shall become of vs to morrow or another day Consider therefore that thou commest not to rest or recreate thy selfe but rather to indure a new charge vnder so heauy a burden wherein thou must continually labour being slaue to this multitude which is fallen to thy lot and to all this
be knowne as we shall see hereafter It chanced thâ—t Motâ—çuma hauing reigned many yeeres in great prosperitie and so puft vp in his conceit as he caused himselfe to be serued and feared yea to be worshipped as a God that the Almighty Lord began to chastice him and also to admonish him suffering euen the very Deuils whom he worshipped to tell him these heauy tydings of the ruine of his Kingdome and to torment him by Visions which had neuer beene seene wherewith hee remayned so melancholy and troubled as he was void of judgement The Idoll of those of Châ—lolâ— which they called Quetzacoalt declared that a strange people came to possesse his Kingdomes The King of Tescuco who was a great Magitian and had conference with the Deuill came one day at an extraordinary houre to visit Moteçuma assuring him that his Gods had told him that there were great losses preparing for him and for his whole Realme many Witches and Sorcerers went and declared as much amongst which there was one did very particulary foretell him what should happen and as hee was with him hee told him that the pulses of his feete and hands failed him Moteçuma troubled with these newes commanded all those Sorcerers to be apprehended but they vanished presently in the Prison wherewith he grew into such a rage that he might not kill them as hee put their wiues and children to death destroying their Houses and Families Seeing himselfe importuned and troubled with these aduertisements hee sought to appease the anger of his Gods and for that cause hee laboured to bring a huge stone thereon to make great Sacrifices For the effecting whereof hee sent a great number of people with Engins and Instruments to bring it which they could by no meanes mooue although being obstinate they had broken many Instruments But as they stroue still to raise it they heard a voyce joyning to the stone which said they laboured in vaine and that they should not raise it for that the Lord of things created would no more suffer those things to be done there Moteçuma vnderstanding this commanded the Sacrifice to be performed in that place and they say the voyce spake againe Haue I not told you that it is not the pleasure of the Lord of things created that it should bee done and that you may well know that it is so I will suffer my selfe to bee transported a little then after you shall not mooue mee Which happened so indeed for presently they carried it a small distance with great facilitie then afterwards they could not mooue it till that after many Prayers it suffered it selfe to bee transported to the entry of the Citie of Mexico where suddenly it fell into the Lake where seeking for it they could not find it but it was afterwards found in the same place from whence they had remooued it wherewith they remayned amazed and confounded At the same time there appeared in the Element a great flame of fire very bright in the forme of a Pyramide which beganne to appeare at midnight and went still mounting vntill the Sunne rising in the morning where it stayed at the South and then vanished away It shewed it selfe in this sort the space of a whole yeere and euer as it appeared the people cast forth great cryes as they were accustomed beleeuing it was a presage of great misfortune It happened also that fire tooke the Temple when as no body was within it nor neere vnto it neyther did there fall any lightning or thunder whereupon the Guards crying out a number of people ranne with water but nothing could helpe so as it was all consumed and they say the fire seemed to come forth of pieces of timber which kindled more by the water that was cast vpon it There was a Comet seene in the day time running from the West to the East casting an infinite number of sparkles and they say the forme was like to a long tayle hauing three heads The great Lake betwixt Mexico and Tescuco without any winde earthquake or any other apparant signe began sudainly to swell and the waues grew in such sort as all the buildings neere vnto it fell downe to the ground They say at that time they heard many voices as of a woman in paine which said sometimes O my children the time of your destruction is come and otherwhiles it said O my children whither shall I carry you that you perish not vtterly There appeared likewise many Monsters with two heads which being carried before the King sudainly vanished There were two that exceeded all other Monsters being very strange the one was the Fishers of the Lake tooke a Bird as bigge as a Crane and of the same colour but of a strange and vnseene forme They carried it to Moteçuma who at that time was in the pallace of teares and mourning which was all hanged with blacke for as he had many Pallaces for his recreation so had he also others for times of affliction wherewith he was then heauily charged and tormented by reason of the threatnings his gods had giuen him by these sorrowfull aduertisements The Fishers came about noone setting this Bird before him which had on the top of his head a thing bright and transparent in forme of a Looking-glasse wherein he did behold a warlike Nation comming from the East armed fighting and killing He called his Diuines and Astronomers whereof there was a great number who hauing seene these things and not able to yeelde any reason of what was demanded of them the Bird vanished away so as it was neuer more seene whereupon Moteçuma remained very heauy and sorrowfull The other which happened was a Laborer who had the report of a very honest man he came vnto him telling him that being the day before at his worke a great Eagle flew towards him and tooke him vp in his talents without hurting him carrying him into a certaine Caue where it left him The Eagle pronouncing these words Most mighty Lord I haue brought him whom thou hast commanded me This Indian Laborer looked aboue on euery side to whom he spake but he saw no man Then he heard a voyce which said vnto him Doost thou not know this man whom thou seest lying vpon the ground and looking thereon he perceiued a man to lye very heauy asleepe with royall ensignes flowers in his hand and a staffe of perfumes burning as they are accustomed to vse in that Country whom the Labourer beholding knew it was the great King Moteçuma and answered presently Great Lord this resembles our King Motezuma The voice said againe Thou sayest true behold what he is and how hee lies asleepe carelesse of the great miseries and afflictions prepared for him It is now time that he pay the great number of offences he hath done to God and that he receiue the punishment of his tyrannies and great pride and yet thou seest how carelesse he lyes blinde in his owne miseries and without any
did see in some battailes the Image of our Lady from whom the Christians haue receiued in those parts incomparable fauours and benefits c. And therefore we ought not to condemne all these things of the first Conquerors of the Indies as some religious and learned men haue done doubtlesse with a good zeale but too much affected For although for the most part they were couetous men cruell and very ignorant in the course that was to be obserued with the Infidels who had neuer offended the Christians yet can we not denie but on their part there was much malice against God and our Men which forced them to vse rigour and chastisement Euery one may vnderstand by the Relation and Discourse I haue written in these Bookes as well at Peru as in New Spaine when as the Christians first set footing that these Kingdomes and Monarchies were come to the height and period of their power The Inguas of Peru possessing from the Realme of Chille beyond Quitto which are a thousand leagues being most abundant in gold siluer sumptuous seruices and other things as also in Mexico Moteçuma commanded from the North Ocean Sea vnto the South being feared and worshipped not as a man but rather as a god Then was it that the most high Lord had determined that that stone of Daniel which dissolued the Realmes and Kingdomes of the World should also dissolue those of this new World And as the Law of Christ came when as the Roman Monarchie was at her greatnesse so did it happen at the West Indies wherein wee see the iust prouidence of our Lord For being then in the World I meane in Europe but one head and temporall Lord as the holy Doctors doe note whereby the Gospell might more easily bee imparted to so many People and Nations Euen so hath it happened at the Indies where hauing giuen the knowledge of Christ to the Monarchs of so many Kingdomes it was a meanes that afterwards the knowledge of the Gospell was imparted to all the people yea there is herein a speciall thing to be obserued that as the Lords of Cusco and Mexico conquered new Lands so they brought in their owne language for although there were as at this day great diuersitie of tongues yet the Courtly speech of Cusco did and doth at this day runne aboue a thousand leagues and that of Mexico did not extend farre lesse which hath not beene of small importance but hath much profited in making the preaching easie at such a time when as the Preachers had not the gift of many tongues as in old times He that would know what a helpe it hath beene for the conuersion of this people in these two great Empires and the great difficultie they haue found to reduce those Indians to Chrisâ— which acknowledge no Soueraigne Lord let him goe to Florida Bresil the Andes and many other places where they haue not preuayled so much by their preaching in fiftie yeeres as they haue done in Peru and new Spaine in lesse then fiue If they will impute the cause to the riches of the Country I will not altogether denie it Yet were it impossible to haue so great wealth and to be able to preserue it if there had not beene a Monarchie This is also a worke of God in this age when as the Preachers of the Gospell are so cold and without zeale and Merchants with the heat of couetousnesse and desire of command search and discouer new people whither we passe with our commodities for as Saint Augusâ—â—ne saith the prophesie of Esay is fulfilled in that the Church of Christ is extended not onely to the right hand but also to the left which is as hee declareth by humane and earthly meanes which they seeke more commonly then Iesus Christ. It was also a great prouidence of our Lord that when as the first Spaniards arriued there they found aide from the Indians themselues by reason of their partialities and great diuisions This is well knowne in Peru that the diuision betwixt the two brothers Atahualpa and Guasca the great King Guanacapa their father being newly dead gaue entrie to the Marquesse Don Francis Pizarre and to the Spaniards for that either of them desired his alliance being busied in warre one against the other The like experience hath beene in new Spaine that the aide of those of the Prouince of Tlascalla by reason of their continuall hatred against the Mexicans gaue the victorie and siegniorie of Mexico to the Mâ—rquesse Fernando Cortes and his men and without them it had beene impossible to haue wonne it yea to haue maintayned themselues within the Country They are much deceiued that so little esteeme the Indians and iudge that by the aduantage the Spaniards haue ouer them in their Persons Horses and Armes both offensiue and defensiue they might easily conquer any Land or Nation of the Indies Chille stands yet or to say better Arauco and Tuecapel which are two Cities where our Spaniards could not yet win one foot of ground although they haue made warre there aboue fiue and twentie yeeres without sparing of any cost For this barbarous Nation hauing once lost the apprehension of horse and shot and knowing that the Spaniards fall as well as other men with the blow of a stone or of a dart they hazard themselues desperately entring the Pikes vpon any enterprise How many yeeres haue they leuied men in new Spaine to send against the Chychymequos which are a small number of naked Indians armed only with bowes and arrowes yet to this day they could not be vâ—â—quished but contrariwise from day to day they grow more desperate and resolute But what shall we say of the Chucos of the Chiraguanas of the Piscocones and all the other people of the Andes Hath not all the flower of Peru beene there bringing with them so great prouision of Armes and Men as we haue seene What did they With what victories returned they Surely they returned very happy in sauing of their liues hauing lost their baggage and almost all their horses Let no man thinke speaking of the Indians that they are men of nothing but if they thinke so let them goe and make triall Wee must then attribute the glorie to whom it appertaynes that is principally to God and to his admirable disposition for if Moteçuma in Mexico and the Ingua in Peru had beene resolute to resist the Spaniards and to stop their entrie Cortes and Pizarre had preuayled little in their landing although they were excellent Captaines It hath also beene a great helpe to induce the Indians to receiue the Law of Christ the subiection they were in to their Kings and Lords and also the seruitude and slauerie they were held in by the Deuils tyrannies and insupportable yoke This was an excellent disposition of the diuine Wisedome the which drawes profit from ill to a good end and receiues his good from an others ill which it hath not sowen It is most certaine
that no people of the West Indies haue beene more apt to receiue the Gospell then those which were most subiect to their Lords and which haue beene charged with the heauiest burthens as well of Tributes and Seruices as of Customes and bloudie Practises All that which the Mexican Kings and those of Peru did possesse is at this day most planted with Christian Religion and where there is least difficultie in the Gouernment and Ecclesiasticall Discipline The Indians were so wearied with the heauy and insupportable yoke of Satans lawes his sacrifices and ceremonies whereof wee haue formerly spoken that they consulted among themselues to seeke out a new Law and an other God to serue And therefore the Law of Christ seemed vnto them and doth at this day seeme iust sweet cleane good and full of happinesse And that which is difficult in our Law to beleeue so high and soueraigne Mysteries hath beene easie among them for that the Deuill had made them comprehend things of greater difficultie and the selfe-same things which hee had stolen from our Euangelicall Law as their manner of Communion and Confession their adoration of Three in One and such other like the which against the will of the Enemie haue holpen for the easie receiuing of the Truth by those who before had embraced Lyes God is wise and admirable in all his workes vanquishing the Aduersarie euen with his owne weapon hee takes him in his owne snare and kills him with his owne sword Finally our God who had created this People and who seemed to haue thus long forgot them when the houre was come hee would haue the same Deuils enemies to mankinde whom they falsly held for gods should giue a testimonie against their will of the true Law the power of Christ and the triumph of the Crosse as it plainly appeares by the presages prophesies signes and prodigies here before mentioned with many others happened in diuers parts and that the same ministers of Satan Sorcerers Magicians and other Indians haue confessed it And wee cannot denie it being most euident and knowne to all the World that the Deuill dareth not hisse and that the Practises Oracles Answers and visible Apparitions which were so ordinarie throughout all this Infidelitie haue ceased whereas the Crosse of Christ hath beene planted where there are Churches and where the Name of Christ hath beene confessed And if there be at this day any cursed minister of his that doth participate thereof it is in Caues and on the tops of Mountaines and in secret places farre from the name and communion of Christians The Soueraigne Lord be blessed for his great mercies and for the glorie of his holy Name And in truth if they did gouerne this people temporally and spiritually in such sort as the Law of Iesus Christ hath set it downe with a milde yoke and light burthen and that they would impose no more vpon them then they can well beare as the Letters Patents of the good Emperour of happy memorie doe command and that they would imploy halfe the care they haue to make profit of these poore mens sweats and labours for the health of their soules it were the most peaceable and happy Christian part of all the World c. CHAP. V. Of the ancient superstitions of the Mexicans and Indians of America gathered out of the fifth Booke of IOSEPHVS ACOSTA FIrst although the darknesse of Infidelitie holdeth these Nations in blindnesse yet in many things the light of Truth and Reason workes somewhat in them And they commonly acknowledge a supreme Lord and Author of all things which they of Peru called Vnachocha and gaue him names of great excellence as Pachacamac or Pachayachachic which is the Creator of Heauen and Earth and Vsapu which is admirable and other like names Him they did worship as the chiefest of all whom they did honor in beholding the Heauen The like wee see amongst them of Mexico and China and all other Infidels Which accordeth well with that which is said of Saint Paul in the Acts of the Apostles where he did see the Inscription of an Altar Ignoto Deo to the vnknowne God Whereupon the Apostle tooke occasion to preach vnto them saying Hee whom you worship without knowing him doe I preach vnto you In like sort those which at this day doe preach the Gospell to the Indians finde no great difficultie to perswade them that there is a High God and Lord ouer all and that this is the Christians God and the true God And yet it hath caused great admiration in mee that although they had this knowledge yet had they no proper Name for God if wee shall seeke into the Indian tongue for a word to answere to this Name of God as in Latin Deâ—s in Greeke Theos in Hebrew El in Arabike Alla but we shall not finde any in the 〈◊〉 or Mexican tongues So as such as preach or write to the Indians vse our Spanish name Dios fitting it to the accent or pronunciation of the Indian tongues the which differ much whereby appeares the small knowledge they had of God seeing they cannot so much as name him if it be not by our very name yet in truth they had some little knowledge and therefore in Pâ—ru they made him a rich Temple which they called Pachacamac which was the principall Sanctuarie oâ— the Realme And as it hath beene said this word of Pachacamac is as much to say as the Creator yet in this Temple they vsed their Idolatries worshipping the Deuill and Figures They likewise made Sacrifices and Offerings to Viracocha which held the chiefe place amongst the worships which the Kiâ—gâ— Iuguâ—â— made Hereof they called the Spaniards Virâ—cochas for that they hold opinion they are the 〈◊〉 of Hâ—auen and diuiâ—e eâ—en as others did attribute a Deitie to Paul and 〈◊〉 calling the one Iupiter and the other Mercurie so would they offer sacrifices vnto them as vnto gods and as the Barbarians of Mâ—litâ— which is Maltè seeing that the Viper did not huâ—â— the Apostle they called him God NExt to Viracocha or their supreme God that which most commonly they haue and doe adore amongst the Infidels is the Sunne and after those things which are most remarkâ—able in the celestiall or â—lementarie nature as the Moâ—ne Starres Sea and Land The Guiâ—cas or Oratories which the Iâ—guas Lords of Peru had in greatest reuerence next to Viracocha and the Sunne was the Thunder which they called by three diuers names Châ—â—â—â—illa Catuillâ— and Iâ—tiillapa supposing it to be a man in heauen with a Sling and a Mace and that it is in his power to cause Raine Haile Thunder and all the rest that appertaines to the Region of the Aire where the Cloudes engender It was a Guacâ— for so they called their Oratories generall to all the Indians of Peru offering vnto him many sacrifices and in Câ—scâ— which is the Court and Metropolitan Citie they did sacrifice children vnto him
sister for these Kings held it an honour to marrie their Sisters And although they had other Wiues and Concubines yet the succession of the Kingdome appertayned to the Sonne of Coya It is true that when the King had a legitimate Brother he succeeded before the Sonne and after him his Nephew and Sonne to the first The Curacas and Noblemen held the same order of succession in their goods and Offices And after their manner they made excessiue Ceremonies and obsequies for the dead Being dead they presently held him for a God making Sacrifices vnto him Images and such like By this meanes there was infinite Treasure in Peru for euery one of the Inguas had laboured to haue his Oratorie and Treasure surpasse that of his Predecessors The marke or ensigne whereby they tooke possession of the Realme was a red roll of Wooll more then fine silke the which hung in the middest of his forehead and none but the Ingua alone might weare it for that it was as a Crowne and Royall Diademe yet they might lawfully weare a Roll hanging on the one side neere vnto the eare as some Noblemen did but onely the Ingua might carrie it in the middest of his forehead At such time as they tooke this Roll or Wâ—eathe they made solemne Feasts and many Sacrifices with a great quantitie of vessell of Gold and Siluer a great number of small formes or Images of sheepe made of Gold and Siluer great abundance of the stuffes of Cumby well wrought both fine and courser many shels of the Sea of all sorts many feathers and a thousand sheepe which must bee of diuers colours Then the chiefe Priest tooke a young Childe in his hands of the age of sixe or eight yeeres pronouncing these words with the other Ministers speaking to the Image of Viracocha Lord we offer this vnto thee that thou mayest mayntayne vs in quiet and helpe vs in our warres mayntaine our Lord the Ingua in his greatnesse and estate that hee may alwayes increase giuing him much knowledge to gouerne vs. There were present at this Ceremonie and Oath men of all parts of the Realme and of all Guacas and Sanctuaries And without doubt the affection and reuerence which this people bare to their Kings Inguas was very great for it is neuer found that any one of his subjects committed Treason against him for that they proceeded in their gouernments not only with an absolute power but also with good order and Iustice suffering no man to bee oppressed The Ingua placed Gouernours in diuers Prouinces amongst the which some were Superiours and did acknowledge none but himselfe others were of lesse command and others more particular with so goodly an order and such grauitie as no man durst be drunke nor take an eare of Mays from his Neighbour These Inguas held it for a Maxime that it was necessary to keepe the Indians alwayes in action and therefore we see it to this day long cawsâ—es and workes of great labour the which they say were made to exercise the Indians lest they should remayne idle When hee conquered any new Prouince hee was accustomed presently to send the greatest part and the chieâ—e of that Countrey into other Prouinces or else to his Court and they call them at this day in Peru Mitimas and in their places he sent others of the Nation of Cusco especially the Oâ—eiones which were as Knights of an ancient house They punished faults rigorously And therefore such as haue any vnderstanding hereof hold opinion that there can be no better gouernment for the Indians nor more assured then that of the Inguas TO relate more particularly what I haue spoken before you must vnderstand that the distribution which the Inguas made of their vassals was so exact and distinct as hee might gouerne them all with great facilitie although his Realme were a thousand leagues long for hauing conquered a Prouince he presently reduced the Indians into Townes and Comminaltieâ— the which he diuided into bands he appointed one to haue the charge ouer euery ten Indians ouer euery hundred another ouer euery thousand another and ouer ten thousand another whom they called Humo the which was one of the greatest charges Yet aboue all in euery Prouince there was a Gouernour of the house of the Inguas whom all the rest obeyed giuing vnto him euery yeere particular account of what had passed that is of such as were borne of those that were dead and of their troupes and graine The Gouernours went euery yeere out of Cusco where they remayned and returned to the great Feast of Rayme at the which they brought the tribute of the whole Realme to the Court neither might they enter but with this condition All the Kingdome was diuided into foure parts which they called Tahuantinsuyo that is Chinchasuyo Collasuyo Andâ—suyo and Condesuyo according to the foure wayes which went from Cusco where the Court was resident and where the generall assemblies of the Realme were made These waies and Prouinces being answerable vnto them were towards the foure quarters of the world Collasuyo to the South Chinchasuyo to the North Condesuyo to the West and Andesuyo to the East In euery Towne and Village there were two sorts of people which were of Hanansaya and Vrinsaya which is as much to say as those aboue and those below When they commanded any worke to be done or to furnish any thing to the Ingua the Officers knew presently how much euery Prouince Towne and Family ought to furnish so as the diuision was not made by equall portions but by Cottization according to the qualities and wealth of the Countrey So as for example if they were to gather a hundred thousand Fanegues of Mays they knew presently how much euery Prouince was to contribute were it a tenth a seuenth or a fift part The like was of Townes and Villages Aillosâ— or Linages The Quipocamayos which were the Officers and Intendants kept the account of all with their strings and knottes without fayling setting downe what euery one had payed euen to a Henne or a burthen of wood and in a moment they did see by diuers Registers what euery one ought to pay THe Edifices and Buildings which the Inguas made in Temples Fortresses wayes Countrey houses and such like were many in number and of an excessiue labour as doth appeare at this day by their ruines and remaynders both in Cusco Tyaguanaco Tambo and other places where there are stones of an vnmeasurable greatnesse as 〈◊〉 cannot conceiue how they were cut brought and set in their places There came great numbers of people from all Prouinces to worke in these Buildings and Fortresses which the Ingua caused to bee made in Cusco or other parts of the Realme As these Workes were strange and to amaze the beholders wherein they vsed no Morter nor Ciment neither any Iron or Steele to cut and set the stones in worke They had no Engines or
Spaine is your naturall Lord whom yee haue expected hee is the onely heire from whence your Linage doth proceed and as touching the offer of your Highnesse treasure I do most heartily thanke you After all this communication Mutezuma demanded whether the bearded men which came with him were either his vassals or his slaues because hee would entertayne each one according to his estate Cortes answered that they were all his brethren friends and fellowes except some that were his seruants Then he departed and went home to his Palace and there informed himselfe particularly who were Gentlemen and who were not and according thereunto sent euery one particular gift or present To the Gentlemen he sent his reward by his Comptroller and to the Mariners and other Seruitors by a Page of his houshold Mutezuma was a man of a small stature and leane his colour tawnie as all the Indians are Hee had long haire on his head sixe little haires vpon him as though they had beene put in with a Bodkin His thinne beard was blacke Hee was a man of a faire condition and a doer of Iustice well spoken graue and wise beloued and feared among his subjects Mutezuma doth signifie Sadnesse To the proper names of Kings and Lords they doe adde this syllable Cin which is for courtesie and dignitie as we vse Lord. The Turke vseth Zultan The Moore or Barbarian calleth his Lord Mulley and so the Indians say Mutezumazin His people had him in such reuerence that hee permitted none to sit in his sight nor yet in his presence to weare shooes nor looke him in the face except very few Princes Hee was glad of the conuersation of the Spaniards and would not suffer them to stand on foote for the great estimation hee had of them and if hee liked any of the Spaniards garments hee would exchange his apparell for theirs He changed his owne apparell foure times euery day and hee neuer clothed himselfe againe with the Garments which hee had once worne but all such were kept in his Guardrobe for to giue in Presents to his Seruants and Ambassadours and vnto valiant Souldiers which had taken any enemy Prisoner and that was esteemed a great reward and a title of priuiledge The costly Mantles whereof had beene diuers sent to Cortes were of the same Guardrobe Mutezuma went alwayes very neate and fine in his attyre Hee bathed him in his Hot-house foure times euery day Hee went seldome out of his Chamber but when hee went to his meate Hee eate alwayes alone but solemnely and with great abundance His Table was a Pillow or else a couple of coloured Skinnes His Chaire was a foure-footed stoole made of one piece and hollow in the middest well wrought and painted His Table-clothes Napkins and Towels were made of Cotton-wooll very white and new for hee was neuer serued but once with that Naperie Foure hundred Pages brought in his meate all sonnes of great Lords and placed it vpon a Table in his great Hall The meate being brought in then came Mutezuma to behold the Dishes and appointed those Dishes that liked him best and Chafing-dishes were prepared to keepe that meate warme and seldome would he eate of any other Dish except the Lord Steward or Comptroller should highly commend any other Dish Before hee sate downe came twentie of his Wiues of the fairest and best esteemed or else those that serued weekly by turne brought in the Bason and Ewre with great humblenesse This done hee sate him downe and then came the Lord Steward and drew a woodden Nette before him because none should come nigh his Table And this Noble man alone placed the Dishes and also tooke them away for the Pages who brought in the meate came not neere the Table nor yet spake any worde nor no man else While the Lord Mutezuma was at his meate except some Ieaster they all serued him bare-footed There assisted alwayes somewhat a farre off sixe ancient and Noblemen vnto whom he vsed to giue of the Dish that best liked him who receiued the same at his hand with great reuerence and eate it incontinent without looking in his face which was the greatest humilitie that they could vse before him Hee had musicke of Fiddle Flute and of a Snaile-shell and a Cauldron couered with a skinne and such other strange Instruments They had very euill voyces to sing Alwayes at dinner time he had Dwarfes crooke-backes and other deformed counterfeits all for maiestie and to laugh at who had their meate in the Hall among the Iesters and Idiots which were fed with part of the meate that came from Mutezuma his table all the rest of the meate was giuen to three thousand of the guard who attended ordinarily in the yard or Court and therefore they say that there was brought for his Table three thousand dishes and as many pots of wine such as they vse and that continually the Buttrey and Pantrey stood open which was a wonder to see what was in them The platters dishes and cups were all of earth whereof the King was serued but once and so from meale to meale new He had likewise his seruice of Gold and Plate very rich but hee vsed not to bee serued with it they say because hee would not bee serued twice therewith the which hee thought a base thing Some affirme that young children were slaine and dressed in diuers kinde of dishes for Mutezuma his table but it was not so onely of mans flesh sacrificed he fed now and then The table being taken vp then came againe the Gentlewomen to bring water for his hands with the like reuerence as they vsed at the first and then went they to dinner with the other wiues so that then the Gentlemen and Pages waited as their course fell When his table was taken vp and his Seruitors gone to meate Mutezuma sate still then came in the suiters that had any affaires to deale with him bare-footed for all the persons did vse that reuerence except some Princes his Kinsmen as the Lords of Tescuco and Tlacopan and a few others and beeing cold weather they vsed to weare olde ragged clothes vpon their rich garments All suiters vsed to make three or foure courtesies not looking toward his face and speaking vnto him their heads dowwards and in that order retyred backe againe Mutezuma answered his suiters very grauely with low voyce and in few words and not to all suiters for others his Secretaries or Counsellers that stood by answered for him and hauing their answere they returned backwards not turning their tailes to the Prince After these businesses done he vsed some recreation hearing Iesters or Songs wherein he delighted much or else to looke vpon the Players who play with their feet as we doe with our hands These haue a cudgell like vnto a Pastlers rowler which they tosse high and low as it were a ball in the Ayre strange