to the saide fellowship and company nor to any of them to cary and transport or cause to be caried and transported any commodie of this Realme to their newe trade but onely in English ships and to be sailed for the most part with English Mariners nor also to bring into this Realme nor into Flanders from their saide new trade any merchandizes or other commodities but in English ships and sailed for the most part by the English Mariners on paine to forfeit for euery such offence two hundred pounds whereof the one moitie shall be to the Queenes Maiestie her heires and successors the other moitie to the head officers of any port towne hauing any hauen or harborough decayed by what name soeuer they bee incorporate to the reparation of such harborough that will sue for the same in any Court of Record by action bill plaint or information wherein no essoine protection or wager of lawe for the defendant shall be admitted or allowed Prouided also and be it enacted that no maner of person or persons shall from hence forth carrie or transport or cause to bee carried or transported out of this Realme of England any maner of clothes or karsies into any of the partes where the said fellowship and societie is priuiledged to trade by this Act before the same clothes and karsies shall be all dressed and for the most part died within this Realme vpon paine of forfeiture for euery such cloth and karsie otherwise caried and transported fiue pounds the one halfe thereof to the Queenes Maiestie her heires and successors the other halfe to the Master and Wardens of the Clothworkers in the Citie of London for the time being by what name soeuer they be incorporate that wil sue for the same Prouided also that whensoeuer the said societie or company shall willingly withdraw and discontinue wholy by the space of three yeeres in time of peace the discharging of their marchandizes at the road of S. Nicholas bay in Russia and doe not discharge their said merchandizes at some other port or roade lying on that North coast of Russia or other territorie nowe subiect to the saide mightie prince of Russia c. hitherto by the subiects of this realme not commonly frequented that then during the time of any such discontinuance and withdrawing as is aforesaid it shal be lawful to all the subiects of this realme to trade to the Narue onely in English bottoms any thing in this Act to the contrary notwithstanding Prouided also that euery of the Queenes Maiesties Subiects inhabiting within the Citie of Yorke the townes of Newcastle vpon Tine Hull and of Boston hauing continually traded the course of merchandize by the space of ten yeeres and which before the 25. of December that shal be in Anno D. 1567. shal contribute ioyne and put in stocke to with and amongst the said company such summe summes of money as any of the said company which hath throughly continued and contributed to the saide newe trade from the yeere 1552. hath done and before the saide 25. of December 1567. shall do for the furniture of one ordinary full and intire portion or share and do in all things behaue himselfe as others of the said societie be bound to doe and hereafter shall bee bound to do by the priuiledges ordinances and statutes of the saide company shall from the same 25. day of December 1567. be and be accompted free and as one of the saide societie and company and subiect to the priuiledges ordinances and statutes of the saide company reasonably made and to be made any thing in this present Act to the contrary notwithstanding A very briefe remembrance of a voyage made by M. Anthony Ienkinson from London to Moscouia sent from the Queenes Maiestie to the Emperour in the yeere 1566. THe fourth day of May in the yere aforesaid I imbarked my selfe at Grauesend in the good ship called the Harry of London and hauing had a prosperous voyage arriued at the bay of S. Nicholas in Russia the 10. day of Iuly following and immediatly I sent in post to the Emperor to aduertise of my comming and traueiling then thorowe the countrey I with my company came to the Mosco where the Emperour kept his court the 23. of August and foorthwith gaue the Secretarie to vâ—derstand of my arriuall who aduertised the Emperours Maiestie of it and the first day of September being a solemne feast among the Russes I came before the Emperours Maiestie sitting in his seate of honour and hauing kissed his hand and done the Queenes Maiesties commendations and deliuered her Graces letters and present he â—ad me to dinner which I accepted and had much honour done vnto me both then and all the time of my abode in Russia The Priuiledges graunted by the Emperour of Russia to the English merchants of that company obteined the 22. of September Anno 1567. by M. Anthony Ienkinson ONe onely strengthener of all things and God without beginning which was before the world the Father the Sonne and the holy Ghost our onely God in Trinitie and maker of all things whom we worship in all things and in all places the doer and fulfiller of all things which is the perfect knowledge giuer of the true God our Lorde Iesus Christ with the comforter the holy Spirit and thou which art the strengthener of our faith keepe vs together giue vs health to preserue our kingdome thou giuer of all good fruites and helper of all Christian beleeuers We great lord by the grace of God and great duke Iohn Vasiliwich of all Russia Volodimer Mosco Nouogrod Cazan Astracan Plesco Smolensko Tweria Yougorie Vadika Bulgar Sybier and others Emperour and great duke of Nouogrod of the lower land of Chernygo Rezan Polotski Rostoue Yereslaue Bealozera Oudoria Obdoria Condensa and lord of many other lands and of all the North parts commander and lord of Liffe-land Whereas our sister Queene Elizabeth by the grace of God Queene of England France and Ireland hath written to vs her letters that wee would graunt her merchants William Gerrard William Chester Rowland Heyward Lawrence Hussie Iohn Marsh Anthony Ienkinson William Rowly and their company of England to come in ships into this kingdome and those merchants William Gerrard and his company haue required of vs that we would graunt and licence them to come into our countrey of Dwina with all kind of wares at wil to our city of Mosco and to all our castles in our kingdomes we for our sisters sake Elizabeth by the grace of God Queene of England France and Ireland haue licenced her merchants William Gerrard and his company to passe in ships to our kingdome of Colmogro and to the land of Dwina and to all other our inheritances in the North parts with all kind of wares to our city of Mosco and to all castles and townes in our kingdome And sir William Garrard his company desired of vs that we would grant them licence to passe to
see all the solemnitie The Emperor comming out of his Pallace there went before him the Metropolitan Archbishops Bishops and chiefest Monkes and Clergie men with very rich Copes and Priestes garments vpon them carying pictures of our Ladie c. with the Emperours Angell banners censers and many other such ceremonious things singing all the way The Emperour with his nobilitie in order entred the Church named Blaueshina or Blessednes where prayers and seruice were vsed according to the maner of their Church that doâ—e they went thence to the Church called Michael the Archangell and there also vsed the like prayers and seruice and from thence to our Lady Church Prechista being their Cathedrall Church In the middest thereof was a chaire of maiestie placed wherein his Auncestors vsed to sit at such extraordinarie times his robes were then changed and most rich and vnualuable garments put on him being placed in this Princely seate his nobility standing round about him in their degres his imperiall Crowne was set vpon his head by the Metropolitane his Scepter globe in his right hand his sword of Iustice in his left of great riches his 6. Crownes also by which he holdeth his kingdomes were set before him and the Lord Boris Pheodorowich was placed at his right hand then the Metropolitan read openly a booke of a small volume with exhortations to the Emperour to minister true Iustice to inioy with tranquilitie the Crowne of his auncestors which God had giuen him and vsed these words following Through the will of the almighty 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 only God which enspireth euery one of vs his only children with his word to discerne God through our Lord Iesus Christ and the holy quickning spirit of life now in these perilous times establish vs to keep 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 the maintenance of vertue And so the Metropolitaâ— blessed and layd his crosse vpon him After this he was taken out of his chaire of Maiestie hauing vpon him an vpper robe adorned with precious stones of all sorts orient pearles of great quantitie but alwayes augmented in riches it was in waight two hundred pounds the traine and parts thereof borne vp by 6. Dukes his chiefe imperiall Crowne vpon his head very precious his staffe imperiall in his right hand of an vnicornes horne of three foot and a halfe in length beset with rich stones bought of Merchants of Ausburge by the old Emperour in An. 1581. and cost him 7000. Markes sterling This Iewel M. Horsey kept sometimes before the Emperor had it His scepter globe was caried before him by the prince Boris Pheodorowich his rich cap beset with rich stones and pearles was caried before him by a Duke his 6. Crownes also were caried by Demetrius Iuanowich Godonoua the Emperors vncle Mekita Romanowich the Emperors vncle Stephan Vasiliwich Gregory Vasiliwich Iuan Vasiliwich brothers of the blood royal Thus at last the Emperor came to the great Church doore and the people cried God saue our Emperour Pheodor Iuanowich of al 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 150. fadome in length three maner of waies three foote 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 Emperour returned out of the Churches they were spred vnder foot with cloth of gold the porches of the Churches with red velvet the bridges with scarlet and stammell cloth from one church to another and as soone as the Emperor was passed by the cloth of gold veluet and scarlet was cut and taken of those that could come by it euery man desirous to haue a piece to reserue it for a monument siluer and gold coyne then mynted 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 al sorts of precious stones In like rich maner were appareled 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 robe horse and furniture was in register found worth one hundred thousand markes sterling being of great antiquitie The Empresse 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 pearle 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 6. crownes were set before him vpon a table the basin and ewer 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 Kindâ—y with scepters and battle axes of gold in their hands the Princes and nobilitie were all placed according to their degrees all in their rich roabs The Emperour after a short oration permitted euery man in order to kisse his hande 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 golde and siluer round from the ground vp to the vaâ—ts oâ—e vpon the other among which plate were many barrels of siluer and golde 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 dignitie as the Prince Boris Pheodorowich was made chiefe Counseller to the Emperor Master of the horse had the charge of his person Liuetenant of the Empire and Warlike engins Gouernor or Liuetenant of the Empire of Cazan and Astracan and others to this dignitie were by Parliament and gift of the Emperor giuen him many reuenues and rich lands as there was giuen him and his for euer to inherite a prouince called Vaga of 300. English miles in length and 250. in bredth with many townes and great villages populous and wealthy his yeerely reuenue out of that
princes There came also Ambassadors from the Emperor of Almaine the Pole the Swethen the Dane c. And since his coronation no enemie of his hath preuailed in his attempts It fell out not long after that the Emperor was desirous to send a message to the most excellent Queene of England for which seruice he thought no man fitter than M. Ierome Horsey supposing that one of the Queenes owne men and subiects would be the more acceptable to her The summe of which message was that the Emperor desired a continuance of that league friendship amitie and intercourse of traffique which was betweene his father and the Queens maiestie and her subiects with other priuate affaires besides which are not to be made common Master Horsey hauing receiued the letters and requests of the Emperour prouided for his iourney ouer land and departed from Mosco the fift day of September thence vnto Otuer to Torshook to great Nouogrod to Vobsky and thence to Nyhouse in Liuonia to Wenden and so to Riga where he was beset and brought foorthwith before a Cardinall called Rageuil but yet suffred to passe in the end From thence to Mito to Golden and Libou in Curland to Memel to Koningsburgh in Prussia to Elbing to Dantzike to Stetine in Pomerland to Rostock to Lubeck to Hamborough to Breme to Emden and by sea to London Being arriued at her maiesties roiall court and hauing deliuered the Emperors letters with good fauour and gracious acceptance he was foorthwith againe commaunded to repasse into Ruffia with other letters from her maiestie to the Emperor and prince Boris Pheodorowich answering the Emperors letters and withall requesting the fauour and friendship which his father had yeelded to the English merchants and hereunto was he earnestly also solicited by the merchants of London themselues of that company to deale in their behalfe Being thus dispatched from London by sea he arriued in Mosco the 20. of April 1586. and was very honorably welcommed And for y t merchants behoofe obtained all his requests being therein specially fauoured by y e noble prince Boris Pheodorowich who alwayes affected M. Horsey with speciall liking And hauing obtained priuiledges for the merchants he was recommended from the Emperor againe to the Queene of England his mistresse by whom the prince Boris in token of his honorable and good opinion of the Queens maiestie sent her highnesse a roiall present of Sables Luzarns cloth of gold and other rich things So that the Companie of English merchants next to their thankfulnes to her maiestie are to account M. Horseis paines their speciall benefit who obtained for them those priuileges which in twentie yeeres before would not be granted The maner of M. Horseis last dispatch from the Emperor because it was very honorable I thought good to record He was freely allowed post horses for him and his seruants victuals and all other necessaries for his long iourney at euery towne that he came vnto from Mosco to Vologda which is by land fiue hundred miles he receiued the like free and bountifull allowances at the Emperors charge New victuall and prouision were giuen him vpon the riuer Dwina at euery towne by the kings officers being one thousand miles in length When he came to the new castle called Archangel he was receiued of the Duke Knez Vasili Andrewich Isuenogorodsky by the Emperors commission into the Castle gunners being set in rankes after their vse where he was sumptuously feasted from thence hee was dispatched with bonntifull prouision and allowance in the Dukes boat with one hundred men to rowe him and one hundred Gunners in other boats to conduct him with a gentleman captaine of the Gunners Comming to the road where the English Dutch and French ships rode the gunners discharged and the ships shot in like maner 46. pieces of their ordinance so he was brought to his lodging at the English house vpon Rose Island And that which was the full and complete conclusion of the fauour of the Emperor and Boris Pheodorowich toward M. Horsey there were the next day sent him for his further prouision vpon the fea by a gentleman and a captaine the things folowing 16. liue oxen 70. sheepe 600. hens 25. fâ—itches of Bacon 80. bushels of meale 600. loaues of bread 2000. egs 10. geese 2. cranes 2. swans 65. gallons of mead 40. gallons of Aquauitae 60. gallons of beere 3. yong beares 4. hawkes Store of onions and garlike 10. fresh salmons A wild bore All these things were brought him downe by a Gentleman of the Emperors and another of prince Boris Pheodorowich were receiued in order by Iohn Frefe seruant to M. Horsey together with an honorable present and reward from the prince Boris sent him by M. Francis Cherry an Englishman which present was a whole very rich piece of cloth of gold a faire paire of Sables This Gentleman hath obserued many other rare things concerning those partes which hereafter God willing at more conuenient time and laisure shall come to light Pheodor Iuanowich the new Emperors gracious letter of priuilege to the English Merchants word for word obtained by M Ierome Horsey 1586. THrough the wil of the almightie and without beginning God which was before this world whom we glorifie in y e Trinitie one only 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 workingâ— he both loueth and giueth life to man That our onely God which inspireth euery 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 perilous times Establish vs to keep the right Scepter and suffer vs of our selues to raigne to the good profite of the land and to the subduing of the people together with the enemies and to the maintenance of vertue We Pheodor the ofspring of Iohn the great Lord Emperor king and great prince of all Russia of Volodemeria Moscouia and Nouogrod king of Cazan king of Astracan Lord of Plesko and great prince of Smolensko of Tuer Yougoria Permia Viatsko of Bolghar and others lord and great prince of the land of the lower Nouogrod Chernigo Rezan Polotsko Rostow Yeraslaue the White lake Liefland Oudor Condensa and Ruler of all Siberia and all the North-side and lord of many other countries I haue gratified the merchants of England to wit sir Rowland Haiward and Richard Maâ—tin Aldermen sir George Barnes Thomas Smith esquire Ierome Horsey Richard Saltonstall with their fellowes I haue licensed them to saile with their shippes into our dominion the land of Dwina with all kind of commodities to trade freely and vnto our kingdom and the citie of Mosco and to all the cities of our empire of Moscouia And the english merchants sir Rowland Haiward his societie desired vs that we would gratifie them to trade into our kingdom of Moscouia and into our
wood Wherof the prouidēce of God hath giuen them such store as that you may build a faire house for 20. or 30. rubbles or litle more where wood is most scant The greatest inconuenience of their wodden building is the aptnesse for firing which happeneth very oft in very fearful sort by reason of the drinesse and fatnes of the fir that being once fired burneth like a torch is hardly quenched til all be burnt vp Of the maner of Crowning or Inauguration of the Russe Emperours THe solemnities vsed at y e Russe Emperors coronation are on this maner In the great church of Precheste or our Lady within the Emperors castle is erected a stage whereon standeth a scrine that beareth vpon it the Imperial cap robe of very rich stuffe When the day of the Inauguratiō is come there resort thither first the Patriarch w t the Metropolitanes archbishops bishops abbots and priors al richly clad in their pontificalibus Then enter the Deacons with the quier of singers Who so soone as the Emperor setteth foot into y e church begin to sing Many yeres may liue noble Theodore Iuanowich c Whereunto the patriarch and Metropolite with the rest of the cleargy answere with a certaine hymne in forme of a praier singing it altogether with a great noise The hymne being ended the patriarch with the Emperor mount vp the stage where standeth a seat ready for the Emperor Whereupon the patriarch willeth him to sit downe then placing himself by him vpō another seat prouided for y e purpose boweth downe his head towards y e ground and saith this prayer Oh Lord God king of kings Lord of lords which by thy prophet Samuel didst chose thy seruant Dauid annoynt him for King ouer thy people Israel heare now our prayer looke frō thy sanctuary vpon this thy seruant Theodore whom thou hast chosen and exalted for king ouer these thy holy natiōs anoint him with the oile of gladnes protect by thy power put vpon his head a crowne of gold precious stones giue him length of dayes place him in the seat of Iustice strēgthen his arme make subiect vnto him all the barbarous nations Let thy feare be in his whole heart turne him from an euill faith and all errour and shewe him the saluation of thy holy and vniuersal Church that he may iudge thy people with Iustice protect the children of the poore finally atteine euerlasting life This prayer he speaketh with a low voice then pronounceth aloud Al praise and power to God the Father the Sonne and the holy Ghost The prayer being ended he commandeth certaine Abbots to reach the imperiall roabe cap which is done very decently and with great solemnitie the Patriarch withal pronouncing aloud Peace be vnto all And so he beginneth another prayer to this effect Bow your selues together with vs and pray to him that reigneth ouerall Preserue him oh Lord vnder thy holy protection keepe him that hee may doe good and holy things let Iustice shine forth in his dayes that we may liue quietly without strife and malice This is pronounced somewhat softly by the Patriarch whereto hee addeth againe aloud Thou art the king of the whole world and the sauiour of our soules to thee the Father Sonne and Holy ghost be al praise for euer and euer Amen Then putting on the roabe and the cap he blesseth the Emperour with the signe of the crosse saying withall In the name of the Father the Sonne and the Holy ghost The like is done by the Metropolites Archbishops and Bishops who all in their order come to the chaire and one after another blesse the Emperour with their two forefingers Then is sayd by the Patriarch another prayer that beginneth O most holy virgin mother of God c. After which a Deacon pronounceth with a loude voice Many yeres to noble Theodore good honourable beloued of God great Duke of Volodemer of Mosco Emperour and Monarch of all Russia c. Whereto the other Priests and Deacons that stand somewhat farre of by the altar or table answere singing Many yeres many yeres to the noble Theodore The same note is taken vp by the Priests and Deacons that are placed at the right and left side of the Church and then altogether they chaunt and thunder out singing Many yeares to the noble Theodore good honourable beloued of God great Duke of Volodomer Mosco Emperour of all Russia c. These solemnities being ended first commeth the Patriarch with the Metropolites Archbishops and Bishops then the Nobility and the whole company in their order to doe homage to the Emperour bending downe their heads and knocking them at his feete to the very ground The stile wherewith he is inuested at his Coronation runneth after this maner THeodore Iuanowich by the grace of God great Lord and Emperour of all Russia great Duke of Volodemer Mosco and Nouogrod King of Cazan King of Astracan Lord of Plesco and great duke of Smolensco of Twerria Ioughoria Permia Vadska Bulghoria and others Lord and great Duke of Nouogrod of the Low countrey of Chernigo Rezan Polotskoy Rostoue Yaruslaueley Bealozera Leifland Oudoria Obdoria and Condensa Commander of all Siberia and of the North parts and Lord of many other Countries c. This stile conteineth in it all the Emperours Prouinces and setteth foorth his greatnesse And therefore they haue a great delight and pride in it forcing not onely their owne people but also strangers that haue any matter to deliuer to the Emperour by speech or writing to repeate the whole forme from the beginning to the end Which breedeth much cauill and sometimes quarell betwixt them and the Tartar and Poland Ambassadours who refuse to call him Czar that is Emperor and to repeate the other parts of his long stile My selfe when I had audience of the Emperour thought good to salute him only with thus much vz. Emperour of all Russia great Duke of Volodomer Mosco and Nouogrod King of Cazan King of Astracan The rest I omitted of purpose because I knew they gloried to haue their stile appeare to be of a larger volume then the Queenes of England But this was taken in so ill part that the Chancelour who then attended the Emperour with the rest of the nobility with aloude chasing voice called still vpon me to say out the rest Whereto I answered that the Emperors stile was very long and could not so well be remembred by strangers that I had repeated so much of it as might shew that I gaue honour to the rest c. But all would not serue till I commanded my interpreter to say it all out Their forces for the wars with the chief officers and their salaries THe Souldiers of Russia are called Sinaboyarskey or the sons of Gentlemen because they are all of that degree by vertue of their military profession For euery souldier in Russia is a gentleman and none are gentlemen but only the souldiers that take it
all other will receiue no colour notwithstanding there is some such thing reported by Theophrastus namely that there is a riuer in Macedonia which maketh blacke sheepe white Also that Norway pamphlet called the Roiall looking-glasse which I mentioned before doth attribute these fountains to Ireland which is also called Hybernia and not to Island Which peraduenture deceiued the Reader reading in a strange language S in stead of R. That likewise deserueth no better credite which another Author writeth That there is a certaine great stone in Island which runneth vp and downe the crags and clifs of mountaines by no outward force but by the owne proper and naturall motion Hee that will beleeue this what will he not beleeue For it is such a rare deuise that the Epicures themselues who yet seemed to Lucian to haue fained many incredible things I am sure neuer inuented the like vnlesse perhaps the sayd Author doeth imagine that a man who is called of the Islanders by the proper name of Stein should compasse about and clime vp certaine rockes which although it be ridiculous to put into a story of wonders namely that a man should mooue or walke yet is it so to bee supposed to saue the credite of the Author that we may not more seuerely condemne that fable which is so sencelesse of it selfe and not woorthy to be read They are guiltie of the same crime also who haue found out rauens pies hares and vultures all white in Island for it is wel knowen that vultures come very seldome together with the Ise of the sea vnto vs as heares also but they seldomer then vultures and a certaine kind of crowes called by the Islanders Isakrakur But as for white pies hares and rauens Island neuer had any And these in a maner be the things which in regard of our daily busines we were able at this present to affoord as touching the former part of our treatise which were penned by me for this purpose as in the beginning I did protest that the errors of Authors concerning an vnknowen land and the affected vanitie also of some men might be disclosed for I am not desirous to diminish any mans good name but because I consecrated these my labours to trueth and to my countrey I could not chuse but shew that those things which hitherto haue bene reported by many concerning our Iland deserue very litle credite and so to addresse my selfe vnto the matters folowing concerning the Inhabitants Here endeth the first part of the Commentarie Of Island the second part concerning the Inhabitants HAuing hitherto finished the miracles of Island with certaine other particulars belonging to the first part the which while writers doe wonder at and diuersly extoll as it were the fountains of Agamemnon yea as things besides and against all nature they haue bene very carelesse both of trueth it selfe of their owne credite Now the course of the present speach doeth admonish mee to make haste vnto the other part of the treatise concerning the Inhabitants wherein what I should first say or where I should begin I am altogether ignorant For there be such monstrous and so many mocks reproches skoffes and taunts of certaine men against vs poore Islanders dwelling in the vtmost parts of the world and amongst these also some things of theirs who take vpon them to professe most simple trueth namely Historiographers insomuch that to reckon vp the particulars were nothing els but to tell the drops of the Icarian sea But as I said in the beginning we will not deale alike seuerely with all For although Krantius Munsterus Frisius others haue written many things too boldly of our nation yet hauing otherwise deserued wel of learning by their monuments they shal be still in y e same reputation w t vs that they are worthy of Howbeit in the meane time although a man would free theÌ„ from the marke of slanderers yet is it no small matter that they should broch certaine sencelesse impossible ridiculous things such as those are which we haue hitherto laid downe as also that they should record in histories prophane and horrible vntrueths some of which kind shal now immediately be discussed As for others whatsoeuer they be who vpbraid the nation of Islanders with daily reproches they are to haue that answere in a readinesse which such men deserue In the number of whom that scoffer is to be accounted who by a company of rimes publisheâ— in the Germane tongue to the disgrace of our countrey hath brought his name into â—uerlasting ignominiâ— Wherefore as our present businesse requireth while we are in hand with the writings of Authors concerning this matter although we meet with some things containing litle reproch notwithstanding we will examine most of them noting the errors as hitherto wee haue done In the meane time also when they shall alleage any trueth we will in no case dissemble it And after this maner first we will heare Munster Krantzius and Frisius and others also if there be any more what they haue to say reiecting that Parot and his Dutch rimes infected with fell slander â—â—â—e is woorthy vnto the last place First therefore the sayd Authors write concerning the faith or religion of the Islanders and secondly of their Maners Customes and course of life in maner folowing The first Section Adalbert Metropolitane of Hamburg in the yeere of Christ 1070. saw the Islanders conuerted vnto Christianitie albeit before the receiuing of Christian faith they liued according to the lawe of nature and did not much differ from our lawe therefore at their humble request he appointed a certaine holy man named Islief to be their first Bishop KRantzius in these words and Munster other where doe seeme to attribute vnto the Islanders the prerogatiue of Christian faith and they should deale both beseeming themselues and the trueth if they did not in other places depriue vs of the same For to speake of Krantzius anone that which Munster before reported concerning our faith or opinion about the place and situation of hell is very farre from Christian pietie namely to be desirous to prie into those secrets which God hath kept close vnto himselfe alone and which his pleasure is should exceed our capacitie for there is not any thing found in the holy Scriptures of this matter where the place and situation of hell or of eternall fire prepared for the deuill and his angels and so for all damned soules is bounded or compassed about The holy Bible I say assigneth no locall or badily situation beneath the earth or vpon the earth or in any other place of this world to that prison of the damned but it affirmeth that this earth shall perish and that a new earth and new heauens shall be created for the habitation of iust and holy men Reuel 2.2 Pet. 3. and Esay 65. wherefore a Christian man willingly giueth ouer to search into such hidden secrets and he accounteth it vnlawful to
instructed him in the faith of Christ although hee made much of all men that were learned in the Greeke and Latine tongues yet he yeelded speciall honor to those that spent their time in the studie of Diuinitie which he called Christian Philosophie so that beginning at the furthest part of the Ocean sea which then was taken to be his owne natiue soyle of Britaine and trusting in the assistance of God when the darkenes of superstition was most thicke then hee vndertooke a care of Religion stirring vp innumerable nations from the West as farre as India it selfe to the hope of eternall life Hee passed many nightes without sleepe hauing his minde occupied in diuine studies and whensoeuer his laisure from greater affaires did permit him his vacant times should be spent in the vse of writing and other good exercises assuring himselfe that his kingdomes and Empire were â—o be continued and strengthened to him by prayer and holy workes and oftentimes taking vpon him as it were the person of a notable preacher of Christian discipline he would teach his children and nobilitie that godlinesse was to be preferred before riches yea before the Monarchie of all the world He â—uerthrew the false gods of the heathens and by many lawes often reuiued he abrogated the worshipping of Images in all the countries of Greece AEgypt Persia Asia and the whole Romane Empire commanding Christ onely by his Edicts to be worshipped the sacred Gospell to be preached the Ministers thereof to be honoured and relieued and the temples of Idoles euery where to be destroyed Whithersoeuer he went hee caused the booke of the Gospell of Christ to be still caried before him that thereby it might appeare to be a forme of faith to all men and to appertaine generally to all nations He was the first that appointed an Imperiall Diademe or Crowne to the Kings of Britaine He was most beneficiall to all Churches bestowing vpon them lands and fields and vpon the poore sicke persons widowes and orphanes corne and wood being as carefull of them as if hee had bene their naturall father He vsed learned men most familiarly as Eusebius Lactantius and others and they are witnesses that this was his vsuall prayer to God O Lord we know thee to be the onely God we are sure that thou art the onely King and we call vpon thee as our helper through thee we haue gotten the victorie and by thee we haue ouerthrowen the enemie Sextus Aurelius reporteth that it was his greatest delight to imbrace the studie of learning to fauour good Arts to read write and meditate and that he composed many bookes and Epistles both in the Greeke and Latine tongues He died at Nicomedia being then 66. yeres of age in the 32. yere of his reigne and in the 339. yeere after the Incarnation of Christ and was buried at Constantinople Octauius being then King of Britaine whose life Eusebius bishop of Caesarea hath written in Greeke in 4. bookes which afterwards were translated into the Latine tongue by Iohn Porâ—es a Frenchman ¶ The life and trauailes of Pelagius borne in Wales PElagius Cambrius ex ea Britanniae parte oriun dus famati illius Collegij Bannochorensis a Cestria non procul praepositus erat in quo Christianorum pâ—ilosophorum duo millia ac centum ad plebis in Christo commoditatem militabant manuum suarum laboribus iuxta Pauli doctrinam victitantes Post quam plures exhibitos pro Christiana Repub. labores vir cruditione insignis tum Graecè tum Latinè peritus vt Tertullianus alter quorundam Clericorum la cessitus iniurijs grauatim tulit ac tandem a fide defecit Peragratis igitur deinceps Gallijs in Aegyptum Syriam aliásque orientis Regiones demum peruenit Vbi ex earum partiuÌ„ Monacho praesul ordinatus sui nominis haeresim fabricabat asserens hominem sine peccato nasci ac solo voluntaâ—is imperio sine gratia saluari posse vt ita nefarius baptismum acfidem tolleret Cum his consimilibus impostricâ—s doctrinae foecibus in patriam suam reuersus omnem illam Regionem Iuliano Caelestino Pseudoepiâ—copis fautoribus conspurcabat Verum ante lap sum suum studia tractabat honestissima vt post Gennadium Bedam Honorium alij ferunt authores composuÃtque multos libros ad Christianam vtilitatem At postquam est Hereticus publicatus multo plures edidâ—t haeresi succurrentes ex diametro cum vera pietate pugnantes vnde erat a suis Britannis in exilium pulsus vt in Epistola ad Martinum 5. Valdenus habet Claruit anno post Christum incarnatum 390. sub Maximo Britannorum Rege ¶ The same in English PElagius borne in that part of Britaine which is called Wales was head or gouernour of the famous Colledge of Bangor not farre from Chester whâ—rein liued a Societie of 2100. Diuines or Students of Christian philosophie applying themselues to the profite of the Christian people and liuing by the labours of their owne handes according to Pauls doctrine He was a man excellently learned and skilfull both in the Greeke and Latine tongues and as it were another Tertullian after his long and great trauailes for the good of the Christian common wealth seeing himselfe abused and iniuriously dealt withall by some of the Clergie of that time he tooke the matter so grieuously that at the last he relapsed from the faith Whereupon he left Wales and went into France and hauing gone through France hee went therehence into Egypt Syria ther Countries of the East and being made Priest by a certaine Monke of those partes he there hatched his heresie which according to his name was called the heresie of the Pelagians which was that man was borne without sinne and might be saued by the power of his owne will without grace that so the miserable man might take away faith and baptisme With this and the like dregges of false doctrine hee returned againe into Wales and there by the meanes of the two false Prelates Iulian and Celestine who fauoured hâ—s heresie hee infected the whole Countrey with it But before his fall and Apostasie from the faith he exercised himselfe in the best studies as Gennadius Beda Honorius and other authors doe report of him and wrote many bookes seruing not a litle to Christian vtilitie but being once fallen into his heresie hee wrote many more erroneous bookes then he did before honest and sincere whereupon at the last his owne Countreymen banished him as Walden testifieth in his Epistle to Pope Martine the fift He flourished in the yere after the Incarnation 390. Maximus being then King of Britaine ¶ Certaine Englishmen sent to Constantinople by the French King to Iustinian the Emperor about the yeere of Christ 500. out of the fourth booke of Procopius de Bello Gothico BRitanniam insulam tres numerosissimae gentes incolunt Quorum vnicuique suus Rex imperat Nominantur hae gentes Angili Frisones qui eiusdem
die vnder the said filthy idol mo then 500. persons whose carkases are burned and their ashes are kept for reliques because they died in that sort for their god Moreouer they haue another detestable ceremony For when any man offers to die in the seruice of his false god his parents all his friends assemble themselues together with a consort of musicians making him a great solemne feast which feast being ended they hang 5. sharpe kniues about his neck carying him before the idol so soone as he is come thither he taketh one of his kniues crying with a loud voice For the worship of my god do I cut this my flesh and then he casteth the morsel which is cut at y e face of his idâ—l but at the very last wound wherewith he murthereth himselfe he vtterth these words Now do I yeeld my self to death in the behalfe of my god and being dead his body is burned is esteemed by al men to be holy The king of the said region is most rich in gold siluer and precious stones there be the fairest vnions in al the world Traueling from thence by the Ocean sea 50. daies iourney southward I came vnto a certain land named Lammori where in regard of extreeme heat the people both men and women go stark-naked from top to toe who seeing me apparelled scoffed at me saying that God made Adam Eue naked In this countrey al women are common so that no man can say this my wife Also when any of the said women beareth a son or a daughter she bestowes it vpon any one that hath lieâ— with her whoÌ„ she pleaseth Likewise al the land of that region is possessed in coÌ„mon so that there is not mine thine or any propriety of possession in the diuision of lands howbeit euery man hath is owne house peculiar vnto himselfe Mans flesh if it be fat is eaten as ordinarily there as beefe in our country And albeit the people are most lewd yet the couÌ„try is exceeding good abounding with al coÌ„modities as flesh corne rise siluer gold wood of aloes Campheir and many other things Marchants comming vnto this region for traffique do vsually bring w t them fat men selling them vnto the inhabitants as we sel hogs who immediatly kil eat them In this island towards the south there is another kingdome called Simoltra where both men and women marke themselues with red-hot yron in 12. sundry spots of their faces and this nation is at coÌ„tinual warre with certaine naked people in another region Then I traueled further vnto another island called Iaua the compasse whereof by sea is 3000. miles The king of this Iland hath 7. other crowned kings vnder his iurisdiction The said Island is throughly inhabited is thought to be one of the principall Ilands of y e whole world In the same Iland there groweth great plenty of cloues cuâ—ibez and nutmegs and in a word all kinds of spices are there to be had and great abundance of all victuals except wine The king of the said land of Iaua hath a most braue and sumptuous pallace the most loftily built that euer I saw any it hath most high greeses stayers to ascend vp to the roomes therin contained one stayre being of siluer another of gold throughout the whole building Also the lower roomes were paued all ouer with one squarâ— plate of siluer another of gold All the wals vpon the inner side were seeled ouer with plates of beaten gold wherupon were ingrauen y e pictures of knights hauing about their temples ech of them a wreath of golde adorned with precious stones The roofe of the palace was of pure gold With this king of Iaua the great Can of Catay hath had many conflictes in war whom notwithstanding the said king hath alwayes ouercome vanquished Of certaine trees yeelding meale hony and poyson NEere vnto the said Iland is another countrey called Panten or Tathalamasin And the king of the same country hath many Ilands vnder his dominion In this land there are trees yeelding meale hony wine the most deadly poison in all y e whole world for against it there is but one only remedy that is this if any man hath taken of y t poyson would be deliuered from the danger therof let him temper the dung of a man in water so drinke a good quantity thereof it expels the poyson immediatly making it to auoid at the fundement Meale is produced out of the said trees after this maner They be mighty huge trees and when they are cut with an axe by the ground there issueth out of the stocke a certain licour like vnto gumme which they take and put into bags made of leaues laying them for 15 daies together abroad in the sun at the end of those 15 dayes when the said licour is throughly parched it becoÌ„meth meale Then they steâ—pe it first in sea water washing it afterward with fresh water and so it is made very good sauorie paste wherof they make either meat or bread as they thinke good Of which bread I my selfe did eate it is fayrer without somewhat browne within By this countrey is the sea called Mare mortuuÌ„ which runneth continually Southward into y e which whosoeuer falleth is neuer seene after In this countrey also are found canes for an incredible length namely of 60 paces high or more they are as bigge as trees Other canes there be also called Cassan which ouerspread the earth like grasse out of euery knot of them spring foorth certaine branches which are continued vpon the ground almost for the space of a mile In the sayd canes there are found certaine stones one of which stones whosoeuer carryeth about with him cannot be wounded with any yron therefore the men of that countrey for the most part carry such stones with them whithersoeuer they goe Many also cause one of the armes of their children while they are yong to be launced putting one of the said stones into the wound healing also and closing vp the said wound with the powder of a certaine fish the name whereof I do dot know which powder doth immediatly consolidate and cure the said wound And by the vertue of these stones the people aforesaid doe for the most part triumph both on sea and land Howbeit there is one kind of stratageme which the enemies of this nation knowing the vertue of the sayd stones doe practice against them namely they prouide themselues armour of yron or steele against their arrowes weapons also poisoned with the poyson of trees they carry in their hands wooden stakes most sharpe hard-pointed as if they were yron likewise they shoot arrowes without yron heads and so they confound slay some of their vnarmed foes trusting too securely vnto the vertue of their stones Also of the foresayd canes called Cassan they make
I was testifieth those things which I saw to be true Many other things I haue omitted because I beheld them not with mine owne eyes Howbeit from day to day I purpose with my selfe to trauell countreyes or lands in which action I dispose my selfe to die or to liue as it shall please my God Of the death of frier Odoricus IN the yeere therefore of our Lord 1331 the foresayd frier Odoricus preparing himselfe for the performance of his intended iourney that his trauell and labour might be to greater purpose he determined to present himselfe vnto pope Iohn the two and twentieth whose benediction and obedience being receiued he with a certaine number of friers willing to beare him company might conuey himselfe vnto all the countreyes of infidels And as he was trauelling towards the pope and not farre distant from the city of Pisa there meets him by the way a certaine olde man in the habit and attire of a pilgrime saluting him by name and saying All haile frier Odoricus And when the frier demaunded how he had knowledge of him he answered Whilest you were in India I knew you full well yea and I knew your holy purpose also but see that you returne immediatly vnto the couen from whence you came for tenne dayes hence you shall depart out of this present world Wherefore being astonished and amazed at these wordes especially the olde man vanishing out of his sight presently after he had spoken them he determined to returne And so he returned in perfect health feeling no crazednesse nor infirmity of body And being in his rouen at Vdene in the prouince of Padua the tenth day after the foresayd vision hauing receiued the Communion and preparing himselfe vnto God yea being strong and sound of body hee happily rested in the Lord whose sacred departure was signified vnto the Pope aforesaid vnder the hand of the publique notary in these words following In the yeere of our Lord 1331 the 14. day of Ianuarie Beatus Odoricus a Frier minorite deceased in Christ at whose prayers God shewed many and sundry miracles which I Guetelus publique notarie of Vtina sonne of M. Damianus de Porto Gruaro at the commandement and direction of the honorable Conradus of the Borough of Gastaldion and one of the Councell of Vtina haue written as faithfully as I could and haue deliuered a copie thereof vnto the Friers minorites howbeit not of all because they are innumerable and too difficult for me to write The voyage of Matthew Gourney a most valiant English Knight against the Moores of Algier in Barbarie and Spaine M. Camden pag. 159. NEctacendum Matthaeum Gourney in oppido quodam vulgarilingua Stoke vnder Hamden in comitatu Somersetensi appellato sepultum esâ—e virum bellico sissimum regnante Edwardo tertio qui 96. aetatis anno diem obiuit cum vt ex inscriptione videre licuit obsidioni d'Algizer contra Saracenos praelijs Benamazin Sclusensi Cressiaco Ingenos Pictauiensi Nazarano in Hispania dimicasset The same in English IT is by no meanes to be passed ouer in silence that Matthew Gourney being a most valiant warriour in the reigne of Edward the third lyeth buried at a certaine towne in the countie of Somerset commonly called Stoke vnder Hamden who deceased in the 96. yeare of his age and that as it is manifest by the inscription of his monument after he had valiantly behaued himselfe at the siege of Algizer against the Sarazens and at the battailes of Benamazin of Sluce of Cressie of Ingenos of Poictou and of Nazaran in Spaine The comming of Lyon King of Armenia into England in the yeere 1386 and in the ninth yeere of Richard the second in trust to finde some meanes of peace or good agreement betweene the King of England and the French king Iohn Froyssart lib. 3. cap. 56. THus in abiding for the Duke of Berrie and for the â—â—â—stable who were behind then king Lyon of Armenia who was in Franâ—â— and had assigned him by the king sixe thousande frankes by the yeare to maintaine his estate tooke vpon him for a good intent to goe into England to speake with the king there and his Councell to see if he might finde any matter of peace to be had betweene the two Reaâ—mes England and France And so he departed from his lodging of Saint Albeyne beside Saint Denice alonely with his owne company and with no great apparell So he rode to Boloine and there he tooke a shippe and so sayled foorth till he came to Douer and there he found the Earle of Cambridge and the Earle of Buckingham and moe then a hundreth men of armes and a two thousand Archers who lay there to keepe that passage for the brute ran that the Frenchmen should lande there or at Sandwich and the king lay at London and part of his Councell with him and daily heard tydings from all the Portes of England When the king of Armenia was arriued at Douer he had there good cheere because he was a stranger and so he came to the kings Uncles there who sweetly receiued him and at a time conuenient they demaunded of him from whence he came and whither he would The king answered and sayd that in trust of goodnesse he was come thither to see the king of England and his Councell to treate of peace betweene England and France for he saide that he thought the warre was not meete for he sayd by reason of warre betweene these two Realmes which hath indured so long the Saracens Iewes Turkes are waxed proude for there is none that make them any warre and by occasion thereof I haue lost my land and Realme and am not like to recouer them againe without there were firme peace in all Christendome I would gladly shew the matter that toucheth all Christendome to the king of England and to his Councell as I haue done to the French king Then the kings Uncles demaunded of him if the French king sent him thither or no he answered and sayd no there is no man that sent mee but I am come hither by mine owne motion to see if the king of England his Councel would any thing leane to any treaty of peace then was he demaunded where the French king was he answered I beleeue he be at Sluce I sawe not him sithence I tooke my leaue of him at Senlize Then he was demaunded howe he could make any treatie of peace and had no charge so to doe and Sir if yee be conueyed to the King our Nephew and to his Counsell and the French king in the meane season enter with his puissance into England yee may happe thereby to receiue great blame and your person to be in great ieoperdy with them of the Countrey Then the King answered and said I am in suretie of the French king for I haue sent to him desiring him till I returne againe not to remoue from Sluce and I repute him so noble and so well aduised that he
illius si sine testamento moreretur consul eorum cuicúnque sociorum mortui hominis dixerit debere dari illi dentur bona mortui hominis 10 Item si Angli ad Angliam pertinentium locorum mercatores interpretes in vendendis emendis mercibus fideiussionibus rebus aliquid negocij habuerint ad iudicem veniant in librum inscribi faciant negotium si voluerint literas quóque accepiant à iudice propterea quòd si aliquid inciderit videant librum literas secundùm tenorem eorum perficiantur negocia eorum suspecta si autem néque in librum inscriberentur néque literas haberent iudex falsa testimonia non admittat sed secundùm iustitiam legem administrans non sinat illos impediri 11 Item si aliquis diceret quod isti Christiani nostrae fidei Muzulmanicae maledixerint eam vituperijs affecerint in hoc negotio etiam alijs testes falsi minimè admittantur 12 Item si aliquis eorum aliquod facinus patraret fugiens non possit inueniri nullus nisi esset fideiussor pro alterius facto retineatur 13 Item si aliquod mancipium Anglicum inueniretur consul eoruÌ„ peteret illud examinetur diligenter mancipium si inuentum fuerit Anglicum accipiatur reddatur Anglis 14 Item si aliquis ex Anglis huc venerit habitandi aut mercandi gratiâ siue sit vxoratus siue sit sine vxore non soluat censum 15 Item si in Alexandria in Damasco in Samia in Tunis in Tripoli occidentali in Aegypti portubus in alijs omnibus locis vbicúnque voluerint facere Consules faciant Et iterum si voluerint eos mutare in loco prioruÌ„ consulum alios locare liberè faciant nemo illis resistat 16 Item si illorum interpres in arduis negotijs occupatus abesset donec veniret interpres expectetur interim nemo illos impediat 17 Item si Angli inter se aliquam litem haberent vellent ad suos consules ire nemo resistat illis sed liberè veniant ad Consules suos vt secundùm mores eorum finiatur lis orta 18 Item si post tempus aut datum huius priuilegij piratae aâ—t alij aliqui liberi gubernatores nauium per mare vagantes aliquem ex Anglis ceperint trans mare vel cis mare venderint secundùm iustitiam examinetur si Anglus inuentus fuerit religionem Muzulmanicam assumpserit liberè dimittatur si autem adhuc esset Christianus Anglis reddatur emptores suam pecuniam ab illo petant à quo emerant 19 Item si nostrae Caesareae Celsitudinis naues armatae exiuerint ad mare ibi inuenerint naues Anglicas merces portantes nemo impediat illas imò amicè tractentur nullum damnum faciant illis Quemadmodum Gallis Venetis caeteris nobiscum confoederatis regibus principibus priuilegium articulos priuilegijs dedimus concessimus simili modo his quòque Anglis priuilegium articulos priuilegijs dedimus concessimus contra legem diuinam hoc priuilegium nemo vnquam aliquid audeat facere 20 Item si naues magnae paruae in itinere loco vbi stant detinebuntur nemo illos audeat impedire sed poâ—ius auxilio sint illis 21 Item si latrones fures vi raperent naues illorum nauiúmque merces magna diligentia quaerantur latrones fures seuerissimè puniantur 22 Ad extremum Beglerbegij Zanziacbegi Capitanei nostri Mancipia per mare nauigantes serui Capitaneorum Iudices Teloniatores Gubernatores nauium Reiz dicti liberi Reiz omnes isti praefati secundùm tenorem huius priuilegij tenorémue articulorum eius omnia facere teneantur debeant Et donec hoe in priuilegio descriptum foedus pax illius Maiestatis ex parte sanctè seruabitur custodietur ex parte etiam nostra Caesarea custodiri obseruari mandamus Datum constantinopoli anno nostri prophetae Sanctissimi 988 in principio mensis Iunij anno autem Iesu 1580. The interpretation of the letters or priuilege of the most mightie and Musumanlike Emperour Zuldan Murad Can granted at the request of Elizabeth by the grace of the most mightie God and only Creator of heauen and earth of England France and Ireland Queene confirming a peace and league betwixt both the said Princes and their subiects WE most sacred Musulmanlike Emperour by the infinite and exceeding great power by the euerlasting and wonderfull clemencie by the vnspeakable helpe of the most mighty most holy God creator of all things to be worshipped and feared with all purenesse of minde and reuerence of speech The prince of these present times the onely Monarch of this age able to giue scepters to the potentates of the whole world the shadow of the diuine mercy and grace the distributer of many kingdoms prouinces townes and cities Prince and most sacred Emperour of Mecca that is to say of Gods house of Medina of the most glorious and blessed Ierusalem of the most fertile Egypt Iemen and Iouan Eden and Canaan of Samos the peaceable and of Hebes of Iabza and Pazra of Zeruzub and Halepia of Caramaria and Diabekiruan of Dulkadiria of Babylon and of all the three Arabias of the Euzians and Georgians of Cyprus the rich and of the kingdomes of Asia of Ozakior of the tracts of the white and blacke Sea of Grecia and Mesopotamia of Africa and Goleta of Alger and of Tripolis in the West of the most choise and principall Europe of Buda and Temeswar and of the kingdomes beyond the Alpes and many others such like most mightie Murad Can the sonne of the Emperour Zelim Can which was the sonne of Zoleiman Can which was the sonne of Zelim Can which was the sonne of Paiizid Can which was the sonne of Mehemed Can c. We most mightie prince Murad Can in token of our Imperiall friendship doe signifie and declare that now of late Elizabeth Queene of England France and Ireland the most honourable Queene of Christendom to whose marchants we wish happy successe sent her letters by her worthy seruant William Hareborne vnto our stately and most magnificent Porch replenished with iustice which is a refuge and Sanctuary to all the princes of the world by which letters her Maiestie signified that whereas heretofore certaine of her subiects had repaired to our saide stately Porche and had shewed their obedience to the same and for that cause had desired that leaue and libertie might also be granted vnto them to come and goe for traffiques sake too and from our dominions and that our Imperial commandement might be giuen that no man should presume to hurt of hinder them in any of their abodes or passages by sea or land and whereas shee requested that we would graunt to all her subiects in generall this our fauour which before
as slaues Anno 1585. MOlto magnifico Signor Not ha stato significato per diuerse lettere di quanto ha passato circa divnanaue nostra chiamata Iesus sopra il quale in agiuto di Ricciardo Skegs vno de gli nostri mercanti di essagia morto veniua vn certo Franceseper sopra cargo chiamato Romano Sonings il quale per non esser ben portato secondo che douena volendo importar seco vn altro Francese debitore a certi vostri sensa pagarcene per giusticia era appiccato col patron Inglese Andre Dier che come simplice credendo al detto Francese senza auedercene de la sua ria malitia non restornaua quando da vostra magnifica Signoria gli era mandato La morte del detto tristo Francese approaimo como cosa benfatta Ma al contrario doue let ha confiscato la detta naue e mercantia en essa fatto sciaui li marinari como cosa molto contraria a li priuilegij dal Gran Signor quattro anni passati concessi da noi confirmati di parte de la Serenissima Magesta d'Ingiltetra nostra patrona e molto contraria a la liga del detto Gran Signor il quale essendo dal sopra detto a pieno informato noi ha conceduto il suo regale mandamento di restitutione la qual mandiamo a vostra magnifica Signoria col presente portator Edoardo Barton nostro Secretario Mahumed Beg. droguemano di sua porta excelsa con altre lettere del excellentissimo Vizir inuictissimo capitan di mar chiedendo tanto di parte del Gran Signor quanto di sua Serenissima Magesta di V. S. M. che gli huomini oglij naue col fornimento danari tutti altri beni qualconque da lei per vestro ordine da gli nostri tolti siano resi à questo mio Secretario liberamente senza empacho alâ—uno como il Gran Signor da sua gratta noi ha conceduto specialmente per esser detti oglij comprati per ordine di sua Serenissima Magestà per prouisione della Corte sua Il qual non facendo protestiamo per questa nostra al incontra di esso tutti futuri danni che puono succedere per questa cagione como authore di quelli contrario à la Santa liga giurata de li dnoi Rei patroni nostri como per li priuilegij che lei mostrerà il nostro constra per obseruatione de gli quali noâ—stramo dâ— fermo en questa excelsa Porta Et cosi responderete nel altro mondo al solo Iddio quà al Gran Signor questo massimo peccato commesso da lei al incontra di tanti poueracchi che per quest a crudeltà sono in parte morti in parte retenuti da esso en duro cattiuerio Al contrario piacendo lei euitar questo incommodo restarcene en gratia del Signor Iddio li nostri patroni amicheuolmente como conuien à par vostro di mostrarsi prudente gouernatore fidel seruitor al patrono adimpirete questa nostra giustissima domanda per poter resultarui à grand honore commodo per la tratta di marchantia che faronno a laduenire li nostri in quella vostra prouincia Li quali generalmente tanto quelli como tutti altri che nelmar riscontrarete siano secondo che manda il Grand Signor de vostra Signoria magnifica amicheuolmente recolti receunti Et noâ— non mancharemo al debito di ottimo amico en qualconche occurrenza vostra piacendo lei amicitia nostra como desideramo Il Signor Iddio lei conceda adimpiendo questa nostra giusta rechiesta per caâ—ar noi dâ— piu futura fatica in questo negocio lei di disgratia ogni vera felicitá supremo honore Data in palazzonostro che fu da Rapamat appresso Pera di 15. di Genero 1585 Il Ambassiatore de la Majesta Serenissima d'Ingilterra amico de vostra Signoria magnifica piacendo lei The same in English RIght honourable Lord it hath bene signified vnto vs by diuers letters what hath fallen out concerning a certaine shippe of ours called the Iesus into which for the helpe of Richard Skegs one of our Marchants in the same nowe deceased there was admitted a certaine Frenchman called Romaine Sonnings which for his ill behauiour according to his deserts seeking to cary away with him another Frenchman which was indebted to certaine of your people without paying his creditours was hanged by sentence of iustice together with Andrew Dier the Master of the said ship who simply and without fraude giuing credite to the said Frenchman without any knowledge of his euil fact did not returne when hee was commaunded by your honourable Lordship The death of the said lewde Frenchman we approoue as a thing well done but contrarywise whereas your Lordship hath confiscated the said ship with the goods therein and hath made slaues of the Mariners as a thing altogether contrary to the priuileges of the Grand Signior granted foure yeeres since and confirmed by vs on the behalfe of the most excellent the Queenes Maiestie of England our Mystresse and altogether contrary to the league of the saide Grand Signior who being fully informed of the aforesaid cause hath granted vnto vs his royall commandement of restitution which we send vnto your honourable Lordship by the present bearer Edward Barron our Secretarie and Mahomet Beg one of the Iustices of his stately Court with other letters of the most excellent Admirall and most valiant Captaine of the Sea requiring your honourable Lordship as well on the behalfe of the Grand Signior as of the Queenes most excellent Maiestie my Mystresse that the men oyles shippe furniture money and all other goods whatsoâ—uer by your Lordship and your order taken from our men be restored vnto this my Secretary freely without delay as the Grand Signior of his goodnesse hath graunted vnto vs especially in regard that the same oyles were bought by the commaundement of our Queenes most excellent Maiestie for the prouision of her Court. Which if you performe not wee protest by these our leters against you that you are the cause of all the inconueniences which may ensue vpon this occasion as the authour thereof contrary to the holy league sworne by both our Princes as by the priuileges which this our seruant will shewe you may appeare For the seeing of which league performed wee remaine here as Ligier in this stately Court And by this meanes you shall answere in another world vnto God alone and in this world vnto the Grand Signior for this hainous sinne committed by you against so many poore soules which by this your cruelty are in part dead and in part detained by you in most miserable captiuitie Contrarywise if it shall please you to auoyd this mischiefe and to remaine in the fauour of
their enemies subdue them take possession of their Townes Cities or Uillages and in auoyding murtherous tyrannie to vse the Law of Armes as in like case among all Nations at this day is vsed and most especially to the ende they may with securitie holde their lawfull possession lest happily after the departure of the Christians such Sauages as haue bene conuerted should afterwards through compulsion and enforcement of their wicked Rulers returne to their horrible idolatrie as did the children of Israel after the decease of Ioshua and continue their wicked custome of most vnnaturall sacrificing of humane creatures And in so doing doubtlesse the Christians shall no whit at all transgresse the bonds of equitie or ciuilitie forasmuch as in former ages yea before the incarnation of Christ the like hath bene done by sundry Kings and Princes Gouernours of the children of Israel chiefly in respect to begin their planting for the establishment of Gods worde as also since the Natiuitie of Christ mightie and puissant Emperours and Kings haue performed the like I say to plant possesse and subdue For proofe whereof I will alledge you examples of both kindes Wee reade in the olde Testament how that after Noes flood was ceased restauration of mankinde began onely of those fewe of Noes children and familie as were by God preelected to bee saued in the Arke with him whose sâ—ede in processe of time was multiplyed to infinite numbers of Nations which in diuers sortes diuided themselues to sundry quarters of the earth And forasmuch as all their posteritie being mightâ—ly encreased followed not the perfect life of Noe their predecessour God chose out of the multitude a peculiar people to himselfe to whom afterwardes being vnder the gouernment of Moyses in Mount Sinay hee made a graunt to inherite the Land of Canaan called the Land of promise with all the other rich and fertile Countries next adioyning thereunto Neuerthelesse before they came to possession thereof hauing bene afflicted with many grieuous punishments and plagues for their sinnes they fell in despayre to enioy the same But being encouraged and comforted by their Rulers men of God they proceeded arming themselues with all patience to suffer whatsoeuer it should please God to send and at last attaining to the Land they were encountered with great numbers of strong people and mighty Kings Notwithstanding Iosua their Leader replenished with the Spirite of God being assured of the iustnesse of his quarell gathered the chiefe strength of the children of Israel together to the number of 40000. with whom he safely passed huge riuer Iordan and hauing before sent priuie spies for the discouerie of the famous citie Ierico to vnderstand the certaintie of the Citizens estate he forthwith came thither and enuironed it round about with his whole power the space of seuen dayes In which respite perceiuing none of the Gentiles disposed to yeeld or call for mercie he then commanded as God before had appointed that both the citie Ierico should be burned yea and all the inhabitants as well olde as young with all their cattell should be destroyed onely excepted Rahab her kindred and familie because shee before had hid secretly the messengers of Iosua that were sent thither as spies As for all their golde siluer precious stones or vessels of brasse they were reserued and consecrated to the Lords treasurie In like maner he burned the citie Hay slew the inhabitants thereof and hanged vp their King But for so much as the Gebionites fearing the like euent sent Ambassadours vnto Iosua to intreate for grace sauour and peace hee commaunded that all their liues should bee saued and that they should be admitted to the company of the children of Israel Yet vnderstanding afterwards they wrought this by a policie he vsed them as drudges to hewe wood and to carie water and other necessaries for his people Thus beganne this valiant Captaine his conquest which he pursued and neuer left till hee had subdued all the Hethites Amorites Cananites Peresites Heuites and Iebusites with all their princes and Kings being thirtie and one in number diuers other strange nations besides whose lands dominions he wholy diuided among Gods people After that Iosua was deceased Iuda was constituted Lord ouer the armie who receiuing like charge from God pursued the proceedings of the holy captaine Iosua and vtterly vanquished many Gentiles Idolaters and aduersaries to the children of Israel with all such Rulers or Kings as withstoode him and namely Adonibezek the most cruell tyrant whose thumbes and great toes he caused to be cut off for so much as hee had done the like before vnto seuentie Kings whom being his prisoners he forced to gather vp their victuals vnderneath his table In this God shewed his iustice to reuenge tyrannie We reade likewise that Gedeon a most puissant and noble warriour so behaued himselfe in following the worthy acts of Iosua and Iuda that in short time he not only deliuered the children of Israel from the hands of the multitude of the fierce Madianites but also sâ—bdued them and their Tyrants whose landes he caused Gods people to possesse and inherite I could recite diuers other places out of the Scripture which aptly may be applyed hereunto were it not I doe indeuour my selfe by all meanes to be briefe Now in like maner will I alledge some fewe Inductions out of the autenticall writings of the Ecclesiasticall Historiographers all tending to the like argument And first to begin withall we doe trade That after our Sauiour Iesus Christ had suffered his passion the Apostles being inspired with the holy Ghost and the knowledge of all strange languages did immediatly disperse themselues to sundry parts of the world to the preaching of the Gospel Yet not in so generall a maner but that there remayned some farre remote Countries vnvisited by them among the which it is reported that India the great called the vttermost India as yet had receiued no light of the word But it came to passe that one Metrodorus a very learned and wise Philosopher in that age being desirous to search our vnknowen lanâ—s did first discouer the same finding it wonderfull populous and rich which vpon his returne being published and for certaine vnderstood there was another graue Philosopher of Tyrus called Meropius being a Christian who did resolue himselfe following the example of Metrodorus to trauaile thither and in a short time assisted but with a fewe in a small Uessel arriued there hauing in his company two yong youths Edesius and Frumentius whom being his schollers he had throughly instructed both in liberall Sciences and christian Religion Now after that Meropius some while staying there had as hee thought sufficient vnderstanding of the Indians whose estate He determined to depart and to bring notice thereof vnto the Emperour whom he meant to exhort to the conquest of the same But by misfortune he was preuented for being in the middest of his course