the sicke singing and making an horrible noyse with their voyces These things being done they aske the possessed againe whether by these things the Idol be appeased If he answer No they presently prepare themselues to fulfill another command of his But if he answer that he is satisfied they sit downe at the Table and eate the flesh offered to the Idoll with great ioy and drinke the confections And dinner being ended and the Magicians payed euery one returneth to his owne home And when the sicke hath thus escaped the disease through the prouidence of God and hath beene restored to health they attribute it to the Idoll whom they sacrificed But if he die then they say the Idoll was defrauded and that some of the Sacrificers tasted thereof first This is not done to all but to the Richer the Deuill deluding their blindnesse §. VII Of the Prouince of Mien and Bengala how they were conquered to the Can Of Cangigu Amu Tholoman Cintigui and some other parts of Cataio And of the Conquest of Mangi ANno Dom. 1272. the Great Can sent an Armie into the Kingdome of Vociam and Carazan to guard it to the number of twelue thousand expert warriors vnder the conduct of Nestardin a wise Captaine As soone as the King of Mien and the King of Bengala heard of their comming assembling their forces they ioyned Horse and Foot together about threescore thousand and about a thousand Elephants beating Castles and in euery Castle twelue or sixteene armed men were placed With this Armie the King of Mien speedily marched towards the Citie Vociam where the Armie of the Tartars rested Nestardin comming forth with a manly courage to fight against the Enemie encamped against a certaine great Wood knowing that the Elephants with those Towres were not able to enter into the Wood. Then the King of Mien marcheth forth to meete them But the Tartarian Horses perceiuing the Elephants to be present which were placed in the first front of the battaile were terrified with so great feare that they could not by any violence or policy be prouoked against the Elephants The Tartars therefore were compelled to alight from their Horses and tying them to the Trees of the Wood they come to fight on foot against the Elephants In the front of the battaile all the Tartars purposely shot a multitude of Arrowes against the Elephants which not able to indure the strokes of the Arrowes speedily betooke themselues to flight and with swift course went all vnto the next Wood and brake their Castles and ouer-threw the armed men sitting in them which the Tartars seeing runne vnto their Horses and getting vp vpon them furiously fall vpon the Kings Armie with great violence and many of either Armie fell at length the King of Mien being put to flight left the victorie to the Tartars who hasten to the Wood and taking many Captiues vsed their helpe to take two hundred of these Elephants And euer since Great Can hath vsed Elephants in his Armies which before hee had not accustomed Hereupon also he vanquished the Countries of the King of Mien and Bengala and subiected them to his Empire Departing from the Prouince of Cardandan is a great descent which continueth two dayes and a halfe nor is there any habitation there but a very large Playne in the which three dayes in the weeke many men meete together for Trading Many descend from the great Mountaines of that Countrey bringing gold with them to change for siluer to wit giuing one ounce of gold for fiue ounces of siluer whereupon many Merchants from forraine Nations come thither who bringing siluer carrie away gold and bring thither merchandises to sell to those people For to those high Mountaines in which they who gather gold in that Countrey dwell no stranger can come seeing the way is vnpassable and intricate When you are past that Playne going toward the South Mien bordereth vpon India and the way lyeth fifteene dayes iourney in places not inhabited and wooddy in which innumerable Elephants Vnicornes and other wild beasts wander After that fifteene dayes is found Mien a great and noble Citie the head of the Kingdome and subiect to Great Can. The Inhabitants thereof haue a peculiar language and are Idolaters In this Citie there was a King who being readie to die commanded that neere to his Sepulchre there should be made two Towres in Pyramide fashion one at the head the other at the feete both of Marble of the heigth of ten fathom On the top was a round Ball. He caused one to bee couered all ouer with gold a finger thicke and the other with siluer And vpon the top round about the Balls many little golden and siluer Bells were hanged which at the blowing of the winde gaue a certaine sound The Moniment or Sepulchre was also couered with Plates partly of gold partly of siluer He commanded this to be made in honor of his Soule and that his memorie should neuer decay among men And when Great Can minded to subdue this Citie hee sent a valiant Captaine and the greatest part of his Armie were Iesters of which his Court is alway furnished These winning the Citie would not violate that Moniment without the Cans knowledge who hearing that the decessed had made it for the honor of his Soule would not suffer it to be stirred for the manner of the Tartars is not to violate those things which belong to the dead In this Prouince are many Elephants wild Oxen great and faire Stagges and Deere and other wild Beasts of diuers kindes The Prouince Bengala bordereth vpon India toward the South which Great Can subdued when Marco Polo liued in his Court The Countrey hath a proper King and peculiar language The Inhabitants thereof are all Idolaters they haue Masters which keepe Schooles and teach Idolatries and Inchantments a thing common to all the great Men of that Countrey They eate Flesh Rice and Milke they haue Cotton in great plentie and by reason thereof much and great trading is exercised there they abound also with Spike Galangal Ginger Sugar and diuers other Spices Huge Oxen also are there comparable with Elephants in height but not in thicknesse Many Eunuches are made in this Prouince which are afterwards sold vnto Merchants This Prouince continueth thirtie dayes iourney in the end whereof going Eastward is the Prouince of Cangigu Cangigu hath his proper King and peculâ—ar language The Inhabitants thereof worship Idols and are Tributaries to Great Can. Their King hath about three hundreth Wiues Much gold is found in this Prouince and many Spices but they cannot easily be transported seeing that countrey is farre distant from the Sea There are also many Elephants in it and much game of many wild Beasts The Inhabitants thereof liue with Flesh Milke and Rice They want Wine but they make good drinke of Rice and Spices Aswell the Men as the Women vse to embroider their Faces
euerie where he louingly vsed and be preferred to the gouernment of Castles and Cities and the Saracens held vnder streight subiection Haloon had also a Wife called Doncoscaro discended of those Kings that came from the East being guided by the Starre of the Natiuitie of our Lord which Ladie being a most deuout Christian was a great meanes of destroying the Temples of the Saracens and prohibiting the Solemnities and Ceremonies of Mahomet and finally rased their Temples to the ground and brought the Saracens in such subiection that they durst not shew their heads 28. After that Haoloon had rested a yeare he sent to the King of Armenia to meete him at the Citie Robays in the Kingdome of Mesopotamia because he entended to goe towards the Holy Land that hee might restore it to the Christians whereupon the King Haython of famous memorie tooke his Iourney accompanied with a great Armie both of Horsemen and Footmen for at that time the Kingdome of Armenia was in so good estate that it could raâ—se a power of twelue thousand Horse and threescore thousand Footmen whereof beeing an Eye witnesse my selfe I can will giue testimonie thereof when the King of Armenia was come according to this appointment of Haplan and had conference with him touching the Enterprize of the Holy Land he aduised him that because the Soldan of Halappi ruled ouer all the Kingdome of Syria in which the Citie of Ierusalem was seated the way to get the Holy Land was first to besiege the Citie of Halappi being the chiefe Citie of Syria which when he had wonne it would not be difficult for him to subdue all the rest of that Countrey which aduise Haloon liked well and besieged the Citie of Halappi or Aleppo which he found to be of great strength being well walled and inhabited therefore with Mines vnder ground with Slings and other Engines hee begirt it so straightly and assaulted it so manfully on euery side that albeit it seemed impregnable yet in the space of nine dayes he obtayned it In this Citie they found such incredible store of wealth as would hardly be beleeued yet there was a Castle in the midst of the Citie that held out eleuen dayes after the Citie was taken which at length was wonne by vndermining So the Citie Halappi and afterwards the Kingdome of Syria was taken by Haolono in the yeare of our Lord 1240. 29. But when the Soldan of Halappi named Melechnaser being then in the Citie of Damascus vnderstood that the Citie of Halappi with his Wife and Children in it was taken being vtterly destitute of Counsell hee came and cast himselfe at the feet of Haloon hoping thereby that his Wife and Children with some part of his Dominions would bee restored him But the Soldan found himselfe therein deceiued for Haloon sent him with his Wife and Children into Persia that thereby he might enioy the Kingdome of Syria the more securely These things thus disposed Haloon gaue to the King of Armenia a great part of the spoile of Halappi and of the Lands which he had inuaded whereby the King of Armenia was strengthened with many Castles bordering on his Kingdome which he fortified as he thought good and after that Haoloon had setled the affaires of those Cities and Countries which he had wonne intending to goe to Ierusalem to free the Holy Land from Pagans and to restore it to the Christians There came to him a Messenger the third day who brought newes that the Tartarian Empire was vacant by the death of his Brother Mango Can and that his comming was earnestly expected to bee his Successor therein which report made him very sorrowfull In regard whereof hee could now proceed no further in person but left ten thousand Tartars to keepe the Kingdome of Syria vnder the command of a Captayne called Guiboga to whom he gaue order that hee should conquer the Holy Land and restore it to the Christians And so leauing his Sonne at Tauris hee hastened Eastward himselfe by great Iourneyes §. III. Of COBILA CAN the fift Emperour of the Tartarians Of the Warre with BARCHA and Tartarian quarrell with the Christians HAOLAONS death Acts of the Soldan of Egypt Of ABAYA and other Sonnes and Successors of HALOON BVt before he could come to the Kingdom of Persia he heard that the Nobles Princes had placed his Brother Cobila Can in the Imperial Seat of the Tartars which he heard whilst he was at Tauris where he vnderstood that Barcat or Barcha was marching thither with a great Armie purposing to make himselfe Emperour Haoloon therefore assembled his people and met with his Enemies on a certayne Riuer which was frozen where beganne a very great Battaile But the Ice being broken by the great multitude of Horses and Men there was drowned on the one side and on the other thirtie thousand Tartars Insomuch that the Armies on each side returned But Guiboga whom Haoloon had left in the Kingdome of Syria and the Prouince of Palestina held those Countreyes peaceably and loued the Christians well for he was of the Progenie of the three Kings which went to worship the Natiuitie of our Lord. But when he had laboured earnestly to reduce the Holy Land againe vnder the power of the Christians the Deuill sowed the seed of scandall and discord betwixt him and the Christians of those parts which hapned on this manner In the Land of Belforte which is of the Territory of the Citie of Sidon there were sundry Townes and Villages inhabited by Saracens which paid certayne Tribute to the Tartars on whom some of Sidon and Belforte made diuers rodes and spoyles killing sundry of the Saracens and carrying others away Captiue with a great droue of Cattle A Nephew of Guiboga remayning neere thereabouts followed speedily after those Christians that had committed those out-rages to tell them on the behalfe of his Vncle that they should dismisse their bootie But some of them vnwilling to large their prey they had taken ranne vpon him and slue him with diuers other Tartarians that accompanyed him Guiboga hearing that the Christians had slaine his Nephew rode presently and tooke the Citie of Sidon dismanteled the walls thereof and slue some few Christians the rest sauing themselues in an Iland And neuer after would the Tartars trust the Christians of Syria neither durst they put confidence in the Tartars who were afterwards driuen out of the Kingdome of Syria by the Saracens as shall be declared 31. Whiles Haoloon was busie in the warre with Barcat as hath beene said the Soldan of Egypt assembling his Armie came to the Prouince of Palestina and in a place called Hamalech he ioyned battaile with Guiboga and his Tartars where Guiboga was slaine and his Armie defeated The Tartars which escaped went into Armenia and by this meanes the Kingdome of Syria was wholly subdued by the Saracens sauing certayne Cities of the Christians which were seated neere the Sea
against him but were his faithful and obedient sâ—biects but they armed themselus because they would not be gouerned by the Parthians their ancient enemies Thus Calix thought greatly to trouble him when he rose in Armes against him and did thinke that he had already assaulted the Wall which the King of China had made against the Tartarians As soone then as the Prince was aduertized of the pretences of Calix thus discouered hee marched one dayes Iourney forward to the end he might approach vnto Calibes and impart the same vnto him what face soeuer Calibes set on the matter he harkened what would become of Calix that hee might likewise make some commotion there was left with him to command ouer the Parthians the Prince of Thanais without whom he could not doe any thing for that hee led the Auantgard Thus was the Army deuided in two parts the King of China remayning long before he was aduertized of all this and thought he had all the forces both of the Tartarians and Parthians vpon his Armes so as this was of no small importance to fauour our Affaires for Tamerlan had especially giuen commandement that the passages which are easily gotten might as diligently bee kept to the end that the King of China should not be aduertized of the tumult Then Tamerlan set forward his Auantgard vnder the leading of Odmar hee promised vnto himselfe shortly a happie successe in his Affaires and aduertized the Emperour of all but it came vnto him when he was sicke And surely it was high time for Tamerlan to march forward or else all had beene reuolted so leauing his Footmen he made great Iournies Now during the time that he had bin aduertized and made his abode to consult which was the space of two moneths Calix hauing presented himselfe with a hundred thousand fighting men before Cambalu a very great Citie and chiefe of the Prouince of Catayo the Inhabitants thereof came out to meete him and did also receiue him with all the joy that might be Now whilst our Army marched towards Caindu and from thence vnto Calatia whether our Army went easily looking for the Forces of his Natiue Countrey of Zachetay to come and joyne with him he did not yet forget to send forward daily of our Souldiers towards Cambalu so as they supposed all our Forces to be on the necke of them already which gaue great terrour vnto the people Calix perceiuing that the people did repent hee thought best to withdraw himselfe out of Cambalu determining to oppose himselfe against Tamerlan and sent for his power from all places putting all vpon the euent and hazard of a battell He drew out of Cambalu full fiftie thousand men as well Burgesses as Souldiers which were there in Garrison hauing wonne all the Captaynes which the old Emperour had placed there in Garrison amounting to the number of thirty thousand men and him that commanded ouer them who had consented vnto the reuolt of this great Citie To make it short hauing assembled all his Forces he had fourescore thousand Horse and a hundred thousand Footmen the which hee had gathered together from all parts Our Army then marched with all diligence in such sort as certayne Scouts which were two thousand Horse had newes of the Armie of Calix the which came forwards directly towards vs whereof they caused the Emperour to be certified speedily who sent thither two thousand Horses more to the end they should keepe the passage of a Riuer called Brore by the which our victuals were conueyed vnto the Armie and also for to winne alwayes time the Prince knowing right well that the motions of Ciuill Warres bee furious at the beginning and that it is the best to resist them slowly drawing them alwayes out at length if it be possible For the people in the end acknowledging their faults their meanes and money fayling them and oftentimes victuals also On the contrary side in a Royall Army none of all this doth happen where all things are fauourable and the Souldiers well disciplined obedience and order beeing wisely obserued Then had the Emperour the guiding of his owne purposes for he had receiued commandement from the Emperour his Vncle to hazard therein all for all deliuering vp into his hands the safegard of his life and estate that he might thereby end his dayes in peace willing him likewise to punish this arrogant fellow and his partakers By this meanes came forces from all parts vnto Tamerlan but on the contrary part the Enemies Army was then in his chiefest force and began to feele the want of victuals Calix was of the age of fortie he was a Captayne renowmed with the great Cham hee was one of the chiefest in dignitie and place and they had alwayes respected him within Tartarie as a person most worthy of the Empire if the glory of Tamerlan and his reputation had not so far excelled The Armies began to be viewed the one of the other about eight of the clock in the morning where there were very many skirmishes before they came vnto the mayne Battayle according to the fights of these Nations it was a great Plaine wherein they met at that time with like aduantage on eyther part Odmar led the Auantgard wherein there was fortie thousand Horse and threescore thousand Foot-men he made three Squadrons whereof hee set forward one before him that began the Battayle Tamerlan marched in the same order but his Squadrons were much stronger the Foot-men both of the Auantgard and of the Battayle were on the right and left wings Tamerlan had drawne out sixe thousand Parthian Horse and two thousand Tartarian for the Arier-ward and had committed the charge thereof vnto a faithfull Seruant of his called Axalla a Genuois borne a man of great judgement his vnderstanding being good and quicke and a Captayne in great estimation amongst the Souldiers although hee worshipped God in another manner then wee did and was a Christian. And hee had many of them with him whom he caused to come from the Georgians and from Pont Euxin who fought with great agilitie this day did hee shew his great fidelitie and courage vnto his Prince Calix on the other-side who was a well spoken man was encouraging his Souldiers to fauour his fortune and the libertie of his Nation he had diuided his troupes into three mayne Battayles onely his Foot-men vpon the right hand his owne person was in the middest of the mayne Battayle with many Foot-men which compassed him round about according as wee vse to fight In the end valiantly fighting he fell into Axallas hands which with one voyce he proclaymed through all his Campe which ouerthrew the courage of all his Souldiers Hee was kept vntill the next day and was iudged by all the Counsell worthy of punishment whereupon Tamerlan caused his head to bee smitten off the which hee sent to bee presented vnto the Inhabitants of Cambalu he caused the like to be done vnto all the
chiefe Leaders not for crueltie but for necessitie knowing very well that the meanes to cut off the Foot of ciuill warres is to punish the Heads of the same for they be Hydras which grow vp too fast §. II. Cataio Cambalu TAMERLANS expedition into China entring the Wall conquering the King and disposing of the Countrey and returne to Cataio AFter this the Armie marched into the Kingdome of Cataio a Countrey rich in grasse and in all kinds of pastures abounding with great quantitie of Beasts and People which knew not what warre meant The Prince gaue commandement that these people should not be accounted as Enemies but his good Subjects that hee would vse all the Cities well as Cangi Sochgi Gonzae Tagni Togara Congu which had reuolted and were come to sue for pardon at his hands in humbling themselues before him the which he granted vnto them enjoyning them onely to prouide sufficient victuals for his Armie which was of no small importance for the appeasing of others who had put all their hope in extremitie which is in losing their owne liues to make others doe the like and especially the Inhabitants of Cambalu had taken this resolution but being informed of the Emperours clemency changed their opinions In the meane while our Armie daily approched and at such time as we came neerest the more did the feare of all the Citie increase insomuch as the Prince was aduertised daily from those which fauoured his side of all things within the Citie and he was assured that euery one determined to obey the Conqueror and to doe whatsoeuer he commanded The which being knowne vnto the Prince he left all his Armie at Gonsa and himselfe went directly vnto the Citie of Cambalu where all things were made quiet by the meanes of thirtie thousand Souldiers being the ordinarie Garrison whom hee caused to enter thereinto before him and two houres after entred into the same himselfe being receiued with great magnificence not yeelding as yet to pronounce the word of pardon referring all vnto the Emperour and to the ordinarie course of Iustice. He stayed for the returne of one of his Fauourites whom he had sent vnto the Emperour to carry him newes of the victorie and of the death of Calix and that the chiefe of this Faction remayned prisoners with him also to know what Iustice the Emperour would appoint to bee inflicted on those Citizens which were the first beginners of the reuolt of this Citie for the Prince being desirous to be esteemed mercifull and to win loue within this great Citie would not execute justice of himselfe nor in his owne name but by the Emperour his Vncle whom hee did gratifie herein leauing the authoritie wholly vnto himselfe and by this meanes hee was not esteemed cruell Thus the Prince after hee had remayned here eight dayes departed He was not many dayes iourney from the Citie before he receiued tydings how the great Cham his Vncle willed that justice should bee executed on them which were the first Moouers of this reuolt the which was executed accordingly in the name of the Emperour and by his speciall ministers in such sort that as the people accused the crueltie of the Emperour they commended the mercy of Tamerlan Thus was this warre brought vnto an end to the great honour and reputation of Tamerlan As soone as our Prince was returned vnto his Army where hee found Odmar who there attended his comming hee was receiued of his Souldiers and with a loud voyce called by all his Captaines and Souldiers Most great Emperour and most victorious as they are accustomed to doe amongst the Tartarians The Prince after he had long discoursed with his Captaines both of the beautie and greatnesse of the Citie of Cambalu hee arriued at his Tent where after hee had declared vnto Odmar in what sort all things had passed at Cambalu he asked his aduice whether hee should goe and visit the Emperour his Vncle. Odmar well perceiued that the Prince desired it and called vnto his remembrance the honour which hee had receiued when hee was at Quinzai and that hee would haue beene very willing to spend the Winter with the Empresse staying for the Spring for to returne vnto the enterprise of China with a long speech disswaded him The Emperour answered him that he had euer knowne his fidelitie and loue and that the cause of his sadnesse was for that hee did not find in himselfe abilitie to recompence the same and that when he thought to giue himselfe some ease then was the time hee must in stead of the delicacies and pleasures of Quinzay make the Desarts of Cipribit the resting place from the trauailes of his new victorie that it was ended and his purposes determined I haue also heard the Prince say that Odmar did not speake vnto him like an earthly but diuine man and that he verily beleeued that God by his meanes did call him back from some misse-hap which would haue light vpon him to make his glorie increase the more Now the rumour was alreadie spread ouer all that the Princes determination was to goe and visit the Emperour his Vncle the which tickled euery man with desire to returne into his Countrey hoping to inioy the sweetnesse of his natiue soyle When as commandement was giuen for a generall reuiew of the whole Armie where the Emperour spake vnto his Souldiers in this manner Wee haue begunne my faithfull Souldiers an enterprise to goe and assault the King of China who hath of late repulsed euen beyond the Mountaynes the Tartarian name but wee were hindered to our great griefe by the foolish rashnesse of Calix and were driuen to turne the bridle for to punish him wherein you haue all assisted mee It grieueth mee that I cannot as well bragge of the fresh spoyles of a stranger as I may vaunt by the meanes of your weapons of those our vnfaithfull Citizens and in times past with your owne selues making tryall of my first Armes against the boldnesse of the fierce Moscouite although for this last ciuill victorie I am further indebted vnto you for your greater endeuour and the hazarding of your persons being much greater so were they our owne people who would not acknowledge vs whereof I cannot speake without shedding of teares desiring rather to burie such a victorie what glorie and honour soeuer wee haue gotten thereby Neither doe I recount these things vnto you but for to manifest that I forget not your faithfulnesse and the great trauaile you haue endured with mee Wee must not therefore bee wearie but must turne our weapons against those which thinke that wee are greatly troubled whereas wee are victorious Wee haue left our Companions who haue temporized to heare the euent and successe of our affaires all our munitions bee there wee must in that place my Souldiers and friendly Followers passe ouer the rest of Winter our Companions looke for vs. The Enemie is secure and looketh not for vs at this
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
nor Siluer And therefore I besought the King that he would punish this deceiuer Tioneg that the good iustice that is vsed in China might be knowne In the time of the former Vice-roy and Capado Tioneg and his companion Yanlion deliuered this vntruth I afterward besought the King that hee would cause all the Papers of the cause of Tioneg to be coppied out and that he would send for the said Tioneg with his processes before himselfe And I my selfe saw the said Papers and caused it to appeare that all was but lyes which the said Tioneg had said I wrote vnto the King saying That by reason of the lyes which Tioneg had made the Castillians suspected that wee sought to make warre vpon them and that therefore they had slayne aboue thirtie thousand Chineses in Luzon The King did that which I besought him And so he chastised the said Yanlion commanding him to bee put to death And hee commanded Tionegs head to be cut off and to be put in a Cage The people of China which were slayne in Luzon were in no fault And I with others negotiated this businesse with the King that I might know his pleasure in this affaire and in another matter which was this That there came two English ships to these coasts of Chincheo a thing very dangerous for China That the King might consider what was to bee done in these two matters of so great importance Likewise wee wrote vnto the King that he would command the two Sangleys to be punished which shewed the Hauen to the Englishmen And after wee had written these things aforesaid to the King he answered vs thâ—t wee should learne wherefore the English ships came vnto China whether they came to robbe or no That they should dispatch from thence a Messenger immediatly to Luzon and that they should signifie to them of Luzon that they should not giue credite to the base and lying people of China And that forthwith they should put to death those two Sangleyes which shewed the Hauen to the Englishmen And touching the rest that wee wrote vnto him wee should doe as wee thought best After wee had receiued this order the Vice-roy the Capado and I sent this message to the Gouernour of Luzon That his Lordship might know the greatnesse of the King of China Seeing hee is so mightie that hee gouerneth all that the Moone and Sunne doe shine vpon And also that the Gouernour of Luzon may know the great wisedome wherewith this mighty Kingdome is gouerned Which Kingdome this long while none durst attempt to offend And albeit the Iaponians haue pretended to disquiet Corea which is vnder the Gouernment of China yet they could not obtayne their purpose but they were driuen out of it And Corea hath remayned in great peace and safety as at this day they of Luzon doe well vnderstand The Answer of Don PEDRO DE ACANNA Gouernour of the Philippinas to the Visitour of Chincheo in China THe Gouernour answered these Letters by the same Messengers that brought them vsing termes full of courtesie and authoritie Hee rehearsed the rebellion of the Sangleyes from the beginning Hee iustified the defense of the Spaniards and the punishment that was executed vpon the Offenders Hee said that no Common-wealth can be gouerned without chastising the bad nor without rewarding the good And therefore that he did not repent him of that execution because it was done for repressing of them that thought to destroy vs. That the Visitour should bee Iudge what hee would doe if the like case should happen in China That the griefe that he had was that he could not saue certaine Sangleyes Merchants Anhayes which died among the offenders But that this was vnpossible to be remedied because the furie of warre doth not giue leaue to kill some and to saue others especially being not knowne of the Souldiers in the heate of battell That vsing mercy to those that remayned aliue condemned them to rowe in the Galleyes which is the punishment which is ordayned among the Castillians for those that haue deserued death Yet if it seeme in China that it ought to be moderated hee would grant them libertie But let it be considered said Don Pedro that this may be a cause that in not chastising so great an offence they may hereafter fall againe into the same A thing that would shut vp all accesse vnto fauour That the goods of the Chineses that were slayne are in safe custodie And that it may be seene that no other affection moueth mee then that of iustice I will shortly send them to be deliuered to the right Heires or vnto such persons as of right they belong vnto None other respect moueth mee to any of these things but that of reason Whereas you tell mee That if I will not set at libertie those prisoners licence will be granted in China to the kinsfolke of those which died in the Rebellion to come with an Armie to Manila it breedeth no feare in mee For I hold the Chineses to be so wise that they will not be moued to such things vpon so weake a ground especially none occasion thereof being giuen them on our part And in case they should be of another minde wee Spaniards are a People which know very well how to defend our Right Religion and Territories And let not the Chineses thinke that they are Lords of all the World as they would haue vs thinke For wee Castillians which haue measured the World with spannes know perfectly the Countreyes of China Wherefore they shall doe well to take knowledge that the King of Spaine hath continuall warres with as mighty Kings as theirs is and doth suppresse them and putteth them to great troubles And it is no new case that when our enemies thinke that they haue vanquished vs they finde vs marching and destroying the Confines of their Land and not to cease vntill wee haue cast them out of their Thrones and taken their Scepters from them I would be much grieued with the change of the commerce But I beleeue also that the Chineses would not willingly lose it since that thereby they obtayne so great profit carrying to their Kingdome our Siluer which neuer faileth in trucke of their merchandise which are slight things and soone worne out The ships of the Englishmen which arriued on the coast of China it was determined not to receiue because they be no Spaniards but rather their enemies and Pirats Wherefore if they come to Manila they shall be punished Finally bâ—causâ— wee Spaniards doe alwaies iustifie our causes and doe boast our selues that it cannot bee said in the world that wee vsurpe other mens possessions nor inuade our friends that shall be fulfilled which is here promised And from hence forward let them know in China that wee neuer doe any thing for feare nor for threats of our enemies Don Pedro concludeth offering continuance of amitie by new bonds of peace with the Kingdomes of
compelled to digge vp Snow and with stones redde hot to melt in tubbes and then to drinke it This affection continued about twelue or foureteene dayes till we came into Russia Vpon our very first entrance into which Kingdome we marched ouer an arme of the Sea that was eight leagues ouer many of vs staruing to death in that passage by the cold freezing windes that blew the same day In which frosty iourney I saw so much bread as a man might buy for twelue pence sold away in little bits for the value of fortie shillings But this misery ended the next day at our setting foot into Russia where we found plenty both of corne and cattle onely the people of the Countrey ranne away leauing all their goods behinde them but so cunningly hidden that the best pollicie of ours could hardly finde them out By this meanes of the peoples running away we were glad to play the Millers and to grinde all our corne our selues to bake our bread and to dresse our owne victuals Then marched wee vp to Nouogrod a chiefe Citie in Russia where wee were to receiue all our meanes that rested behinde vnpayed but our Captaines beguiled vs and kept it for themselues yet to stoppe our mouthes they told vs wee should goe into Muscouy and there all reckonings should be made euen Wee had scarce marched aboue three dayes towards Muscouy but that newes came how a certaine number of our enemies lay in a sconce by the way the strength of them was not perfectly knowne but it was thought they were not aboue seuen hundred and that we must vse some stratagem to expell them from thence vpon which relation our Captaines drew forth to the number of three hundred English horsemen and two hundred French horsemen so that in all we were about fiue hundred that were appointed to set vpon the supposed seuen hundred Polanders our enemies that so lay insconsed vpon whom we went Our chiefe Commander in that seruice was Monsier la Veite a French man who so valiantly led vs on that the enemy hearing of our comming fled ouer a water that was by the sconce yet not with such speede but that wee slue to the number of foure hundred of their side and lost onely three men of our owne but we tooke the sconce About the sconce stood a faire Towne called Arioua with a riuer called the Volga running through the middle but no bridge ouer it onely a few Boates and Sloates made and cut out of trees were there to carry the people ouer from the one halfe of the Towne to the other This sconce furnished vs not onely with great store of riches but also with a number of Polish Horses and as many armes as serued to arme fiue hundred men our want of that commoditie being as much as of any thing besides for of those fiue hundred men that went vpon the seruice there were not three hundred fixed armes yet through the hand of him that deales victories or ouerthrowes as it pleaseth him best the day was ours Ouer this riuer Volga the enemies were neuer driuen before either by the Emperor of Russia or by the King of Swethland for which cause as afterward wee heard the next day when they departed from the other side of the Riuer they burnt that halfe of the Towne on which side they were themselues and in most bloudy barbarous and cruell manner made hauocke both of men women and children albeit not aboue halfe a yeare before the Inhabitants on that side had reuolted from their owne Emperour and turned to them In which tyrannicall vprore their custome was to fill a house full of people and then the doores being locked vpon them that none might issue forth the house was fired about their eares and oftentimes were yong children taken by the heeles and cast into the middest of the flames This inhumane tyrannie being practised not onely by the Poles that were our enemies but euen by those Russes that were traitors to their owne Emperour and serued vnder the Poles and were called Cossakes whose cruelty farre exceeded the Polish The Towne being thus burnt to the earth all the sixe thousand which as I said before fled ouer the Riuer out of the sconce and were by vs supposed to be but seuen hundred came downe in full battalion to the Riuers side with such fiercenesse as if presently they and their horses would haue swom ouer to fight with vs which being perceiued our poore fiue hundred stood ready to resist them But whether they feared our numbers to be greater then they were and that wee had some other secret forces I know not but away they marched the selfe same day in which they came downe in that braueâ—y not doing any thing of which wee for our parts were not much sorry because if the battailes had ioyned wee knew our selues farre vnable to withstand them And this was the seruice of the most noate that wee went vpon HONDIVS his Map of Muscouia MOSCOVIA Our Generall whose name was Euerâ—orâ—e was a Fynlander and with a company of Fynland blades as they tearme them well appointed on Horsebacke was by the King of Sweueland sent after vs as our Conuoy vntill wee should come to Pontus le Guard who was chiefe Generall ouer the whole armie of strangers that came into the Land so that according as he was sent and charged by the King hee ouertooke vs before we came to Arioâ—a By the intreatie therefore of this Fynlander and the flattering promises of our owne Captaines we were contented to goe vpon this seruice and to deliuer the Russes or to dye our selues in the action Yet with condition that as they promised to vs we should by the way meete our chiefe Generall Pontus le Guard who with certaine numbers of English French and Dutch which the yeare before were come into the Land was vpon a march out of Muscouy not onely to meete vs but to ioyne with vs and pay vs all our money which remained good to vs prouided likewise that so soone as euer wee should release the seuen thousand Russes our money should be payed downe On these conditions I say wee yeelded to goe vpon the businesse At length Pontus le Guard met vs according to the promise and with him was money brought to pay vs and his word giuen that presently wee should receiue it But the lamentable estate in which the poore besiedged Russes were within the sconce being at the point of death for want of foode required rather speedy execution then deliberation so that the necessities of their hard fortunes crauing haste on wee went hauing about ninteene or twenty thousand Russes that were people of the same Countrey ioyned to our Armie to aide them in this enterprize But as we all were vpon a march the enemy hauing receiued Intelligence of our approaching set forward to the number of eight thousand Lanciers and more to intercept vs
gouernment shall I say or confusion Neither were Hydras heads monstrously multiplying two for each cut off like this for besides so many Wor's after the first and second Demetrius which might make vp that comparison each limbe nay almost each haire of this Hydra not the Nobles alone but the basest which had nothing but themselues and were nothing but Numbers became so many prodigious Heads they also like Pharaohs leane kine deuouring the fat and vpon light pretences beheading themselues in cutting off the heads and nobler Persons amongst them When they had thus made away almost all the Grandes and left the South parts to the spoile of the Poles which once againe were drawing neere to Mosco to besiege it the Poles also suffered some disaster their Souldiers mutinying for want of pay and banding themselues to returne into Poland there inuaded the Mints and Custome-houses and some gouernments detayning them for their pay sending also threatning Letters to diuers Cities and Townes forced diuers Nobles and Plebeians to composition The Turkes and Tartars brake likewise into Walachia Moldauia and Polonia so that Zolkiewsky or Sulcosky the Generall was forced to goe against them of whom he made so great a slaughter that the Great Turke committed the Polake Embassadour at Constantinople to Ward and threatned the Poles with inuasion These mutinous Souldiers continued meane while that and the next yeere to spoile Poland doing much damage to the King and the Bishops challenging many millions due as they said for pay Yea they passed further into Prussia and made spoile in euery place on the eight of Nouember 1613. passing with a great prey to Thorn being parted into three Bands the Sapians the Sborouians and Smolenskians Another companie of them terrified Silesia The Tartars likewise made impression and committed great spoile in Podolia Thus an Armie diuided could not conquer nor so vtterly exterminate Russia as otherwise opportunity was offered the Pole Souldiers being herein like angry Elephants which sometime recoyle vpon their owne troupes and doe more spoyle then the enemy could either haue effected or expected But whiles the Inuaders were thus inuaded the Russes were forward to worke those executions on themselues which their enemies could haue wished to them till at last awakened with the horrour of their owne euils some began to thinke of a better course In the North about the Dwina a bold fellow a Butcher rayling at the Nobilities basenesse and the Officers corruptions said if they would choose a good Treasurer and pay Souldiers well they might haue those which would fight and expell the Poles their Enemies prouided that they would first choose a worthy Generall for which place he recommended to them a poore maymed Gentleman called Pozarsky who had done good seruice but being neglected now had retyred himselfe not farre off The multitude approued the Butchers counsell and chose Pozarsky for their Leader and that Butcher for a Treasurer deliuering into his hands what money they had which he so faithfully disbursed Pozarsky also discharging so well the trust reposed that a great Army was gathered and the siege of Musco thereby raysed And joyning with Knes Demetry Mastroukswich a kind of Tartar which commanded an Army of Cossaks in seruice of the Russe they â—ell in consultation with Boris Liciu the third Great Souldier of that Countrey vpon choice of an Emperour Their mindes herein disagreeing some naming one some another some named Mastroukswich himselfe other for further securitie against the Poles and to recompence the sufferings and imprisonment of the Russian Chancellor in Poland named his young Sonne Micallowich vnder whose Empire hauing a good Councell appointed they might liue happily This was first approued by the Cossaks and then by the other Armies the Butcher also was taken to become a Counsellor and those three Leaders aforesaid were made Militarie Commanders for the present Emperour against the Poles Embassadours also were sent to diuers Princes to mediate betwixt them and the Pole and betwixt them and the Sweden and by his Majestie of Great Brittaine whom God long preserue to reigne ouer vs his countenance and intercession there hath beene some agreement and the young Emperour hath setled his Dommâ—ons in peace making at last a truce for fourteene yeeres with the Poles obtayning also in that Treatie his Father the Chancellour his libertie and returne out of Poland who since is consecrated Patriarke of Russia His Embassadour to the Emperour came to Lintz in December 1613. and thence was conueighed by the Emperours Officers to the Court where hee had solemne audience where after rich presents of Furres and his Letters he deliuered his speech that Michael Phedorowich was now by vnanimous consent aduanced to the Russian Empire and willing to entertayne and continue the ancient confederacie betwixt both Empires desiring the Imperiall Majestie to dehort the Pole from his vniust attempts to deliuer the Russe Captiues and not againe to infest the recouered Musco but to enter into peace and abstayne from Christian bloudshed Likewise to send an Embassadour to his Court c. This mediation Caesar promised and gaue the Embassadour liberall entertainment and gentle dispatch Not long after in May 1614. the Russian Embassadour had audience with the States of the Vnited Prouinces at Hage and before that in England I was present both at his arriuall at Grauesend and his honourable entertaynment into London and saw him also presently after the running at Tilt and White-hall the foure and twentieth of March admitted to his Maiesties presence performing that Russian Rite of bowing with his face downe to or neere the ground c. Anno 1615. The Turkish Embassador treated with the Caesarean Majestie about the mediation betwixt the Pole and the Muscouite who employed to that purpose Erasmus Heidel and the Baron of Dohn The Pole notwithstanding sent an Army in his Sonnes challenge who was shortly to follow to Smolensko into Muscouia Pontus Tellagard the Sweden Commander infesting also the Russians at the same time But the next yeere 1616. Sir Iohn Merike Knight a man of great experience in those Northerne parts was employed his Majesties Embassadour to negotiate betwixt those two Great Princes the Moscouite and the Sweden the Articles of whose composition I obtayned by the mediation of Sir Thomas Smith my ancient Benefactor in this kind and haue here communicated to thee but in another Chapiter as being now past our Tragicke Thunders as also the following Russe-China Newes that you may see not only the face of Russia washed from her bloudy pollutions but her hands further then euer extended fortunate in treaty of Commerce as far as China likewise the Russe Patent to the English Sweet is the name of Peace and the thing it selfe a Heauen vpon Earth BLESSED ARE THE PEACEMAKERS His Maiesties word else-where here his deed for they shall be called said the only begotten Son the Children of God euen the God of peace will
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
the Mountaine Altai to bee buried the Souldiers accompanying the funerall are reported to haue slayne aboue ten thousand men vpon the foresaid occasion The Tartarean women are most faithfull to their husbands Adulterie is a great shame with them yet it is accounted lawfull and honest that euery one may marrie as many wiues as he is able to maintayne although the first be iudged to be more principall and honorable then the rest These liue together in the same house without one ill word in admirable concord make their merchandises buy and sell and chaffer all things necessarie to their husbands and housholds the men medling with nothing but their hunting hawking and things pertayning to Armes They haue the best Falcons in the World and so they haue of Dogs They liue onely of Flesh and Milke and what they take in hunting They eat Horses Camels Dogs if fat and drinke Mares milke called Chemurs so vsed that it is like white Wine If the father dies the sonne may haue all his wiues except his owne mother and sisters So the brother being dead it is lawfull for the brother who remayneth aliue to marrie the widdow of the brother The husbands receiue no dowrie from the wiues but they themselues assigne dowry to the wiues and their mothers Through the multitude of wiues the Tartars haue many children Nor is the multitude of Wiues very burdensome vnto the Tartars seeing they gaine much through their labours Besides they are very carefull for the gouernement of the familie and preparation of food and with no lesse care execute the other duties of the house But the men apply themselues wholly to hunting fowling and exercise of Armes The Tartars nourish many herds of Oxen flocks of Sheepe and other Beasts and Cattell and abide with them in places of Pasture in the Summer time in the Mountaines and colder places where they finde Pasture and Wood but in the Winter they remoue vnto the hotter Countreyes where they finde Pasture for their Cattell and goe forth-on two or three moneths together Their houses are couered with stickes and felts ordinarily round which they carrie with them on Carts or Waggons of foure wheeles whither soeuer they goe For they can fold and extend them set them vp and take them downe and they turne the doore of them alwaies to the South They haue also neat Carts of two wheeles couered with Felt so well that rayne cannot pierce them drawne by Oxen and Camels wherein they carrie their wiues children and necessarie houshold-stuffe with them and defend them from the iniurie of foule weather and rayne The Tartars if they be rich are clothed with Sables Ermins and Cloth of gold and all their furniture is costly Their Armes are Bowes Swords Polaxes and some Lances but they can best vse their Bowes whereto they are vsed from their childhood They are hardie valorous cruell will continue two dayes and nights on horse-backe armed exceeding patient of difficulties and exceeding obedient to their Lords Their Cattell also are hardie The Law and Faith of the Tartars is this They say that there is a great God high and heauenly of whom with daily incense they desire good vnderstanding and health They haue another which they call Natigay which is like an Image couered with Felt or some other thing which euery one hath in his house To this God they make a wife and children placing the wiues Image at the left hand and the representations of children before his face This they call The God of earthly things which keepeth their Children and their Beasts and Corne and giue it great reuerence Before they eat themselues they anoint the mouthes of the Images with the fat of the sodden Flesh and they cast the broth out of doores in honour of other Spirits saying that their God with his familie haue had their part and after they eate and drinke at pleasure If the sonne of any Tartar die who hath not yet beene married and also the daughter of another die vnmarried the parents of both the deceased parties meet together and make a marriage betweene the dead and making a draughter in writing of that contract they paint men and women for seruants Horses and other creatures with clothes of all sorts and moneyes in paper and burne them together with the writing of contract by the fumes whereof they say that all these things are carried to their children in another world where they are married and the fathers and mothers thinke they are ioyned together through such a bond of affinitie as if those marriages had beene celebrated while the married couple yet liued When the Tartars goe to warre their Prince conducteth about one hundred thousand Horse appointing Heads ouer tens hundreds thousands ten thousands by which orderly subordination commands are easily effected Euery hundred is called a Tuc ten a Toman When they set forth they send out men euery way as Scouts that no Enemie may assault them vnprouided Of Horse and Mares there are for euery man about eighteene They carrie also their like Felt houses vnder the which they shelter themselues in the time of raynâ— When there falls out some important employment they will ride ten dayes together without victuals boyled and liue of the bloud of their Horses cutting a veyne and sucking it They haue Milke dryed like Paste which they make boyling the Milke and taking the Creame which swims on the top put it in another vessell and thereof make Bâ—tter After they set the Milke in the Sunne and drie it and when they goe in the Armie carrie ten pounds thereof and euery morning take halfe a pound and put it into a little Flaske or Bottle of Leather with as much water as he pleaseth which while he rides beats together and this is his dinner When they encounter with their Enemies they ride here and there shooting and sometimes make shew of flight shooting as they flee and finding the Enemies broken redintegrate their forces and pursue the victorie hauing their Horses at command with a signe to turne any way But now the Tartars are mixed in diuers parts and so are their fashions They punish malefacters after this manner If any steale a thing of small value and hath not deserued to be depriued of life he is seauen times beaten with a Cudgell or seauenteene or seauen and twenty or thirty seauen or forty and seauen giuing the strokes according to the measure and qualitie of the offence and that vnto an hundred some doe often times dye through these strokes But if any haue stollen an Horse or another thing for the which hee deserueth to dye he is cut asunder with a Sword in the middle but if hee will redeeme his life he shall restore the theft nine fold Such as haue Horses Oxen or Camels brand them with their markes and send them to the pastures without a keeper Leauing the Citie of Carachoran and the Mountaine Altai
their men and they promised it to Cublai One morning whiles Naiam was sleeping negligently in his Tent hauing not so much as sent out any scouts to espie Cublai made shew of his Armie vpon a hill to Naiams Hee himselfe sate in a certaine Castle of wood full of Archers and Crosse-bow men borne by foure Elephants on the top whereof was the Royall Standard with the Images of the Sunne and Moone Hee deuided his Armie into three wings of which he sent that on the right hand and the other on the left against Naiams Armie To euery ten thousand Horse were assigned fiue hundred Foot with Lances taught to leape vp behind the horse-men if any occasion of flight happened and suddenly on aduantage to light and slay the enemies horses with their lances Caidu was not yet come The battel 's ioyned and made a cruell fight which continued from morning till noone and then was Naiam taken and brought before Cublai who commanded that he should be sewed betwixt two Carpets which should be tossed vp and downe till the breath were out of his bodie that so the Imperiall blood might not be exposed to the Sunne and the ayre The remainder of his people sware Obedience to Cublai which were foure Nations Ciorza Carli Barscol and Sitingui Naiam was secretly baptised and by profession a Christian but no follower of the workes of Faith and signed his principall Ensigne with the signe of the Crosse hauing with him infinite store of Christians which were all slaine The Iewes and Saracens that were in the Armie of Cublai began to vpbraid the Christians with this disaster of the Crosse who thereupon complained to Cublai Hee then sharply reprouing the Iewes and Saracens turning to the Christians saith Surely your God and his Crosse would not giue any ayde to Naiam but be not you therefore ashamed because God beeing good and iust ought not at all to defend Iniustice and Iniquitie Naiam was a Traytour to his Lord and contrary to all equitie raised rebellion and sought the helpe of your God in his mischieuous purpose But he as a good and vpright God would not fauour his Designes He returned after this with great triumph to Cambalu and stayed there till Easter On that day he called the Christians before him and kissed their Gospels and made his Barons doe the same The like hee doth in the great Feasts of Saracens Iewes and Ethnikes that Sogomamber Can the God of the Idols Mahumet Moses or whosoeuer is greatest in heauen might helpe him Yet he made best shew of liking to the Christian Faith but pretended the ignorance of the Professors and the mightie acts of the Sorcerers to his not professing it Now for rewarding his Souldiers he hath twelue Barons or wise Counsellours which giue him notice of each Captaynes merit who raiseth them command of one hundred to a thousand and from one thousand to ten thousand and so forward giuing them Vessels of Plate and Tablets The Captayne of one hundred hath a Tablet of siluer and the Captayne of one thousand of Gold or siluer gilded the Captayne of ten thousand hath a Tablet of Gold with a Lions head on it the weight of the Tablets differ also according to the worth and weight of the dignitie On the said Tablet is written a command in this manner By the strength and power of the great God and by the Grace which he hath giuen to our Empire the name of Can be blessed and let them all dye and be destroyed which will not obey him All they which haue these Tablets haue priuiledges in writing of all things which they are to doe or demand And the Generals when they ride in publike they haue a cloth borne ouer their heads and when they sit sit on a Chaire of siluer Their Tablet is of three hundred Saggi fiftie ounces of Gold with the Images of the Sunne and Moone They whose Tablet haue a Gerfalcon may take with them for their guard the whole Armie of a great Commander Cublai is a comeley and faire man of a meane stature of a red and white face blacke and goodly eyes well fashioned nose and all the lineaments of his bodie consisting of a due proportion He hath foure wiues which he accounteth lawfull and the first-borne of them succeedeth him in the Kingdome And euery one of these is called Empresse and holdeth a peculiar Court and that Princely in a proper Palace hauing about three hundred chosen Hand-mayds and Mayd-seruant and many Eunuch seruants and at least ten thousand persons in their Family The King hath also many Concubines There is a certaine Nation of faire people Tartars called Vngut whether euery second yeare he sendeth Ambassadors to puruey the fairest Lasses for him of greatest esteeme for beautie which bring him foure or fiue hundred more or lesse as they see cause There are Praysers or Examiners appointed which take view of all their beauties examining Eyes Nose Mouth c. apart and set price on them at sixteene seuenteene eighteene nineteene twentie or more Carrats And they bring those of that rate which their Commission appoints These hee causeth to bee reuiewed by other Examiners and of so many chuseth perhaps thirtie for his Chamber of the chiefe which he puts to some of his Barons Wiues to see if they snore not in their sleepe if in smell or behauiour they be not offensiue Those which are approoued are by fiues diuided each fifth part wayting three dayes and nights in his Chamber by course the other in the next Lodgings preparing whatsoeuer these command them The lesse prized are put to Cookerie and other noble Officers And sometimes the Can bestowes them on Gentlemen with great portions The men of that Countrey esteeme it a grace and credit to haue Daughters worthy his liking and thinke themselues borne vnder an ill Planet if they haue not for his turne Cublai hath two and twentie Sonnes by his foure legitimate Wiues and the first-borne of his first Wife was called Cingis who should haue succeeded him in the Empire if hee had not dyed before his Father He left a Sonne named Temur a valiant man wife and exercised in Armes who is to succeed his Grand-father in the Empire in stead of his deceased Father But by his Hand-mayds and Mayd-seruants he hath fiue and twentie Sonnes all which are daily exercised in feats of Armes and are great Lords Seuen of his Sonnes by his Wiues are Kings of great Prouinces and maintayne their states with great reputation Three moneths of the yeere to wit December Ianuarie and Februarie Cublai remayneth ordinarily in Cambalu which is at the North-east border of Cataio and there on the South part by the new Citie is seated a great Palace First there is a square Wall each square being eight miles with a deep Ditch enuironing and a Gate in the middle of each after which is the space of a mile in circuit where Souldiers stand After this is
Imperiall Dignitie which Commandement they obserued and from thenceforth vntill this day haue euer continued to call on the Immortall God in all their occasions Secondly Hee willed that all the men that were able to beare Armes should be numbred and that ouer euery ten should be one appointed and ouer euery ten thousand a great Commander and that also ouer euery thousand should bee a Colonell or Conducter of a Regiment and he called an Armie of ten thousand Souldiers a Regiment He commanded also the seuen Rulers ouer the Nations of the Tartarians that they should forthwith dismisse themselues of their former dignities which they relinquished immediatly But another of his Ordinances was very strange and admirable in which he commanded those seuen chiefe Rulers to bring euery of them his eldest sonne and each with his owne hand to cut off his head Which Commandement appearing to bee most cruell and vniust yet was there none that would any way gainsay it because they knew him to be set ouer them by Gods prouidence and therefore they presently fulfilled it When Changius Can had seene that they were readie to obey him euen vnto death he appointed them all a certaine day in which they should be readie to fight And then they rode against them which bordered next vnto them and subdued them Whereby they which had beene Lords ouer them were brought into subiection vnder them After hee inuaded diuers other Nations which hee conquered with great celeritie For hee did all his exploits with a small troupe of men and was successefull in his enterprises Yet one day it fell out that being accompanied with a small number he was encountred with a great troupe of his Enemies in such sort that the fight being begun betweene them whiles he valiantly defended himselfe his Horse was slaine vnder him And the Tartarians seeing their Lord ouerthrowne betooke themselues to flight so that the Enemies being all busied in pursuing of those that fled and hauing no knowledge of the Emperour whom they had vnhorsed and ouerthrowne he runne and hid himselfe among certaine shrubs for safety of his life Whither when the Enemies were returned with purpose to spoile the dead Carkasses and to seeke out such as were hidden it happened that an Owle came and sate vpon those little trees or shrubs which he had chosen for his couert which when they perceiued they sought no further in that place supposing that the said Bird would not haue sate there if any man had beene hidden vnderneath By which meanes in the dead time of the night he found meanes to escape thence and came by diuers vnfrequented wayes vnto his owne people and discoursed vnto them what had befallen him For which the Tartarians rendred thankes vnto the Immortall God And that Bird which vnder God was held to be the meanes of his escaped hath euer since beene held in such reuerence amongst them that happie is he that can get but a Feather of an Owle which they weare in their heads with great reuerence Which I thought fit to set downe in this Booke that the cause might be knowne for which the Tartarians vse commonly to weare Feathers on their heads But their Emperour Changius Can hauing giuen great thankes to God for his deliuerance out of so great a danger gathered his Armie together and fiercely assaulted his former Enemies againe and brought them all vnder subiection and so became Emperor of all the Countries lying on that side of the Mountaine Belgian and possessed them quietly without disturbance vntill it happened him to haue another Vision as shall after be declared Neither is it any maruell that in these Histories I haue not set downe the certaine time because albeit I haue sought of many to know the certaintie thereof yet could I neuer finde any to instruct me fully therein the reason thereof I take to be because the Tartarians at the first were ignorant of all Learning and knew no letters and so passed ouer the times and memorable accidents without any Record or Register thereof kept whereby they came afterwards to be forgotten §. II. Of CHANGIVS Can his second Vision and Conquests Of HOCCOTA and his three Sonnes expeditions of GINO Can of MANGV Can who was visited by the King of Armenia and baptised of the expedition of his Brother HALOON 17. AFter that Changius Can had subdued all the Kingdomes and Countries on that side of the Mountaine Belgian he saw another Vision in the night For the selfe-same Horsman armed in white Armour appeared vnto him againe saying Changius Can it is the pleasure of the Immortall God that thou passe ouer the Mountaine Belgian and direct thy course Westwards where thou shalt possesse Kingdomes and Countries and subdue many Nations And that thou mayest be assured that the words which I speake vnto thee are from the Immortall God Arise and goe with thy people to the Mountaine Belgian to that part thereof which ioyneth to the Sea there thou shalt alight from thy Horse and kneeling downe nine times towards the East thou shalt worship nine times the Immortall God and he which is Almightie will shew thee the way by which thou mayest easily passe ouer the Mountaine At this Vision Changius reioyced exceedingly and arose without farther doubt or delay because the trueth which he had found in the first Vision gaue him assurance of the other in such sort that he forthwith speedily assembled his people and commanded them to follow him with their wiues and children and all that they had And so they went forwards vntill they came to the place where the great and deepe Sea did beate against the Mountaine so that there appeared no way nor passage for them There presently Changius Can as had beene commanded him by God alighted from his Horse and all his followers in like manner worshipping nine times on their bended knees towards the East they beseeched the Almightie and euerliuing God that of his infinite mercy and grace he would vouchsafe to shew them the way and passage thence where they continued in prayer all that night And in the morning arising they saw that the Sea was departed from the Mountaine and had left them a way of nine feet in bredth to passe Whereat they being all astonished exceedingly and rendring thankes to the Immortall God most deuoutly they passed on the way which they saw before them and directed their steps towards the West But as the Histories of the Tartarians doe mention after they had passed ouer those Mountaines they indured some hunger and thirst for certaine dayes because the land was Desart and the waters were bitter and salt which they could not by any meanes drinke vntill at length they came where they had all necessaries aboundantly In which place they abode many dayes And there it happened by the will of God that Changius Can grew dangerously sicke in such sort that the Physicians despaired of his recouerie By reason
When Haloon vnderstood how the Soldan of Egypt had inuaded Syria and driuen thence his people he gathered his Armie and sent to the King of Armenia and to the King of Georgia and the other Christians of the East to prepare themselues against the Soldan of Egypt and the Saracens and when his Armie was in readinesse a sicknesse seized him of which he languished the space of a fortnight and then dyed by whose death the enterprize of the Holy Land had an end Abaga his Sonne held the Dominion of his Father who intreated the Emperour Cobila Can being his Vncle to confirme him therein to which he willingly accorded So he was called Abaga Can and began to reigne in the yeare of our Lord 1264. 32. Abaga was wise and gouerned prosperously in all things two only excepted one that he would not be a Christian as his Father had beene but worshipped Idols beleeuing the Idolatrous Priests The other that he was alwayes in warres with his Neighbours by reason wherof the Soldan was long in quiet and the power of the Saracens much increased Those Tartars or rather Turks which could escape from out the Dominion of the Tartars fled vnto the Soldan seeking to auoid the heauie burthens which the Tartars imposed on them And the Soldan dealt politikely for he sent Messengers by Sea to the Tartars in the Kingdomes of Cumania and Russia and made composition and agreement with them that whensoeuer Abaga should mooue warre against the Land of Egypt then they should inuade his Countrey for which he promised them great gifts by meanes whereof Abaga could not well inuade the Land of Egypt but the Soldan could easily without resistance inuade the Christians in the parts of Syria insomuch that the Christians lost the Citie of Antioch and diuers other places of strength which they held in that Kingdome 33. Moreouer Bendecar the Soldan of Egypt was so fortunate that he much abased the Kingdome of Armenia For it hapned that the King of Armenia with many of his men was gone to the Tartars which the Soldan hearing sent a Captayne of his to inuade the Kingdome of Armenia The Sonnes of the King of Armenia gathering together all that could beare Armes encountred the Egyptians in the Confines of their Kingdome and resisted them couragiously but the Armie of the Armenians being ouerthrowne one of the Kings Sonnes was taken and the other was slaine in battaile So that the Saracens thereby wasted and spoyled all the Kingdome of Armenia and carryed infinite riches thence to the great damage of the Christians whereby the Enemies power was much encreased and the Kingdome of Armenia wondrously weakned The King whose endeauour was wholly bent about the destruction of the Infidels hauing heard this most vnhappie newes of his owne Countrey busied his thoughts night and day how to afflict the Saracens and oft-times very earnestly dealt with Abaga and his Tartars to attempt the ouerthrow of faithlesse Mahomet and the reliefe of the Christians But Abaga excused himselfe by reason of the warres in which he was daily entangled with his Neighbours The King of Armenia seeing that hee could not haue any present ayde of the Tartarians sent and made truce by his Messengers with the Soldan of Egypt that he might redeeme his Sonne which was Prisoner The Soldan also promised him that if he restored him a friend of his called Angoldscar whom the Tartars held captiue and yeelded vp the Castle Tempsach and some holds of the Citie of Halappi which he had gotten in the time of Haoloon hee would set his Sonne at libertie Whereupon the Soldan hauing receiued his friend and the Castle of Tempsacke beeing yeelded and two other Castles throwne downe at his appointment deliuered his Sonne out of Prison and restored him accordingly Then afterwards King Haython of famous memorie hauing reigned fortie fiue yeares and done much good to the Christians yeelded vp his Kingdome and Dominion to his Sonne Liuon whom he had deliuered out of captiuitie and renouncing this Kingdom of the World became professed in Religion and was called Macharius changing his name according to the custome of the Armenians when they enter into Religion and in short time after dyed in peace in the yeare of our Lord 1270. 34. This King of Armenia Liuone was wise and gouerned his Kingdom prouidently and being much beloued by his owne People and by the Tartars he laboured earnestly to destroy the Saracens so that in his time Abaga made peace with al his neighbors who of long time had been his enemies Then the Soldan of Egypt entred the Kingdome of Turkie and slue many of the Tartars and draue them out of many Townes For a Saracen called Paruana being Captaine ouer the Tartars that were in Turkie rebelled against Abaga and sought the destruction of the Tartarians Abaga hearing thereof posted thither so speedily that in fifteene dayes hee rode fortie dayes iourney The Soldan hearing of his comming departed suddenly not daring to make any longer abode Yet could not so speedily withdraw himselfe but that the Tartars following swiftly ouertooke the rereward of his Armie in the entrie of the Kingdome of Egypt in a place called Pasblanke There the Tartarians rushing on them tooke two thousand Horsemen of the Saracens beside much riches and fiue thousand of the Cordines which liued in that Countrie Abaga being come to the Confines of Egypt was perswaded to goe no farther for heat for that Land is very hote and his Tartars and their beasts hauing come speedily from farre could hardly haue indured it by reason whereof hee returned into Turkie and spoiled and wasted all the Countries that had rebelled and yeelded to the Soldan But he caused the Traytor Paruana with his partakers to be cut asunder in the midst after the Tartarian manner and part of his flesh to be serued in all his meats whereof he and his Captaines did eat Such was the reuenge of King Abaga on the Traitor Paruana 35. Abaga hauing effected his desires in Turkie and enriched his Tartars with the spoyles of the rebellious Saracens he called to him the King of Armenia and offered him the kingdome of Turkie in regard that his father and hee had beene euer faithfull to the Tartarians But the King of Armenia being discreet and wise rendred great thankes to Abaga for so great a Present but excused himselfe from the accepting thereof as vnable to gouerne two Kingdomes For the Soldan of Egypt was in his full strength and earnestly bent against the Kingdome of Armenia so that hee had enough to doe to prouide for the defence thereof Yet aduised him to settle and dispose the Kingdome of Turkie in such sort ere his departure that there might bee no feare of Rebellion afterwards and in any case to permit no Saracen to command there Which aduice Abaga accepted of and neuer after suffered any Saracen to beare rule in that Countrey The king of Armenia then
desired him to thinke of deliuering the Holy Land out of the hands of the Pagans wherein he promised all his best endeauour and wished the King to send messengers to the Pope and to other Princes of Christendome for their assistance So Abaga hauing ordered the affaires of Turkie returned to the Kingdome of Corazen where hee had left his familie Bendecar the Soldan of Egypt after he had receiued such damage by the Tartars was poisoned died in Damascus whereof the Christians of those parts were very glad And the Saracens very sorrowfull for they had not his like after as they themselues commonly reported For his sonne called Melechahic succeeded him who was soone driuen out of his Dominion by one called Elsi who violently vsurping made himselfe Soldan 36. The time appointed being come when Abaga was to begin his warre against the Soldan of Egypt hee appointed his brother Mangodanior to goe to the Kingdome of Syria with thirtie thousand men being Tartars and couragiously to ouercome the Soldan if he came in battell against him or otherwise to take in the Castles and Holds of the Countrey and deliuer them to the Christians if the Soldan should shun the fight When Mangodanior with his Armie setting forward was come neere the Confines of Armenia hee sent for the King of Armenia who came presently vnto him with a goodly companie of Horse so that they entred the Kingdome of Syria and went spoyling and forraging till they came to the Citie Aman now called Camella which is seated in the midst of Syria Before this Citie lieth a faire great Playne where the Soldan of Egypt had assembled his Power intending to fight with the Tartarians And there the Saracen on the one side with the Christians and Tartars on the other side fought a great battell The King of Armenia with the Christians ruled and commanded the right wing of the Armie which inuaded the Soldans left wing manfully and put them to flight and pursued them three dayes iourney euen to the Citie Aman. Another part of the Soldans Armie was also routed by Amalech a Tartarian Captaine who pursued them also three dayes iourney to a Citie called Turara When they thought the Soldans Power vtterly ouerthrowne Mangodanior who neuer had seene the conflicts of warre before being afraid without any reasonable cause of certaine Saracens called Beduini withdrew himselfe out of the field hauing the better forsaking the King of Armenia and his Captaine which had preuayled against his enemies When the Soldan which thought he had lost all saw the field cleere and all abandoned he got vpon a little hill with foure armed men and stood there The King of Armenia returning from the pursuit and missing Mangodanior in the field was much astonied and imagining which way hee should be gone followed after him But Amalech returning from the enemies whom he had pursued abode two dayes expecting his Lord supposing that he had followed after him as he ought for the further subduing of his enemies and the Countrey which they had ouercome till at last hauing heard of his retrait leauing his victorie hee made speed after him whom hee found on the banke of the Riuer Euphrates staying for him And then the Tartars returned to their owne Prouince But the King of Armenia sustained much losse and hard aduenture in his returne for the Horses of the Christians of the Kingdome of Armenia were so wearied and spent with the length of the way and want of Fodder that they were not able to trauell so that the Christians going scatteringly by vnvsuall wayes were often found out and slayne without mercy by the Saracens inhabiting those parts Insomuch that the greatest part of the Armie was lost and in a manner all the Nobility And this misaduenture of Mangodanior happened in the yeere of our Lord 1282. When Abaga vnderstood the successe hereof he assembled all his people and when hee was readie to set forward with all his power against the Saracens a certaine Saracen the sonne of the Deuill came to the Kingdome of Persia and preuayled by giuing great gifts to sâ—me that serued neere about Abaga in such sort that both he and his brother Mangodanior were poysoned both in one day and died both within eight dayes after The trueth whereof was afterwards disclosed by the mischieuous Malefactors themselues And so died Abaga Can in the yeere of our Lord 1282. 37. After the death of Abaga Can the Tartars assembled themselues and ordayned ouer them a brother of his called Tangodor who had ouergone the rest of his brethren In his youth he had receiued the Sacrament of Baptisme and was baptised by the name of Nicholas But being come to riper yeeres and keeping companie with Saracens whom hee loued hee became a wicked Saracen and renouncing Christian Religion would be called Mahomet Can and laboured by all meanes to turne all the Tartarians to that irreligious Sect of Mahomet the sonne of Iniquitie in such sort that those that hee could not compell by violence hee aâ—lured by preferments and rewards insomuch that in his time many of the Tartarians became professed Saracens as at this day appeareth This Child of perdition commanded the Churches of the Christians to be destroyed and forbade them to vse any of their religious Rites or Ceremonies Hee caused the doctrine of Mahomet to bee publikely preached the Christians to bee banished and their Churches in the Citie of Tauris vtterly to bee destroyed Hee sent Messengers also to the Soldan of Egypt and concluded a Peace and a League with him promising that all the Christians within his Dominion should become Saracens or else lose their heads which gaue the Saracens cause of much reioycing and made the Christians very sad Hee sent moreouer to the King of Armenia in Georgia and to the other Christian Princes of those parts to come vnto him without delay But they resolued rather to die in battell then to obey his commandement for other remedie they could finde none And the Christians being now in such anguish and bitternesse of heart that they rather desired to die then to liue euen God which neuer refuseth them that put their trust in him sent consolation to them all For a Brother of this Mahomet with a Nephew of his also called Argon opposing themselues and rebelling against him for his euill deeds did signifie to Cobila Can the great Emperour of the Tartarians how he had forsaken the steps of his Ancestors and was become a wicked Saracen labouring with all his might to bring the rest of Tartars to be Saracens also Which when Cobila Can vnderstood he was much displeased thereat insomuch that he sent and required Mahomet to reforme his euill wayes for otherwise he would proceed against him Which message replenished him with wrath and indignation insomuch that he being perswaded there was none that durst gainsay his proceedings but his Brother and his Nephew
whereby he might easily ouer-come the Tartarians The Soldan who thought to haue expected the Tartars at the Citie of Aman did hereupon change his resolution and with a chosen companie hasted with all speede to assaile Casan at vnawares But his Espials and Scouts giuing him notice of their approach Casan commanded his men presently to be set in order and manfully to resist them He himselfe more bold then a Lion with such companie as hee had about him rode to meete the Saracens who had approached so neere that they could not auoid the battaile Casan seeing that the residue of his companie were spred so farre abroad in the Countrie for the feeding of their Horses that they could not suddenly come to him he commanded those that were with him to dismount from their Horses and placing them in a Circle made as it were a Wall of them and with their Bowes and Arrowes caused his men to expect their Enemies and not to shoote vntill they were sure to reach them by which meanes the Tartars shooting altogether wherein they are very skilfull and readie wounded the foremost Horses of their Enemies in such sort that they fell before the rest whereby the rest following on with great furie and finding the former ouerthrowne fell themselues head-long ouer them insomuch that of all the Saracens there escaped few which were not either ouerthrowne or else wounded to death with the Arrowes of the Tartars The Soldan himselfe being in the Armie fled as fast as hee could which Casan perceiuing made his men get vp on their Horses and manfully to set on their Enemies being himselfe the foremost amongst them that entred the Armie of the Soldan who with some small companie remayning so long sustayned the brunt vntill the Tartars came in Troupes well ordered to fight and then came the whole Armie on both sides to battaile which endured from the Sunne rising till the Ninth houre But in the end the Soldan with his Saracens fled being not able to withstand the courage of Casan who did wonders with his owne hand and pursued them with his people killing on euery side vntill it was darke night and made so great slaughter of the Saracens that the Earth was couered euery where with their dead carkasses That night Casan rested at a place called Caneto reioycing exceedingly at that great victorie which God had giuen him against the Saracens This fell out in the yeere of our Lord 1301. on the Wednâ—â—day before the Feast of the Natiuitie 42. Then Casan sent the King of Armenia and a Leader of the Tartars called Molay with fortie thousand Horse to pursue the Soldan as farre as the Desart of Egypt being twelue dayes iourney distant from the place where the battaile was fought and willed them to expect him or some Messenger from him at the Citie Gazara And they departed speedily before the Sunne rising to follow after the Sâ—ldan But some three dayes after Casan sent for the King of Armenia to returne because he purposed to besiege the Citie of Damascus and willed Molay with the fortie thousand Tartars to pursue with speede after the Saracens and to put what hee could take to the sword Yet the Soldan himselfe flying very swiftly and riding on Dromedaries both night and day in the conduct and companie of certaine Beduini escaped into the Citie of Babylon very strangely But others of the Saracens fled seuerall wayes as they thought they could best saue themselues and a great number of them going by the way of Tripolis were slaine by the Christians which inhabited the Mountayne of Libanus The King of Armenia returning to Casan found that the Citie of Aman had yeelded vnto him so that the whole treasure of the Soldan and his Armie was brought into his presence which was so great that euery one maruailed why the Soldan carried so much treasure with him when he went to fight Casan when he had gathered together all the riches and spoiles which they had gotten bestowed them bountifully amongst the Tartars and the Christians his followers whereby they were all made rich And I Friar Haython the Compiler of this Historie who was present in all Expeditions and Battailes which the Tartars had with the Soldan from the time of Haloon to this day yet did I neuer see nor heare that any of the Tartarian Lords accomplished more in two dayes then did Casan For the first day with a small companie of his owne he ouer-came a great Armie of his Enemies and did such exploits in his Person that he wanne fame and commendations aboue all the rest On the second day such was his largesse and so great this liberalitie of his heart that of all the infinite wealth and treasure which hee got hee kept nothing for himselfe but a Sword and a Purse in which was contayned certaine writings concerning the Land of Egypt and the number of the Soldans Armie And this was most maruailous aboue all the rest how in so little a body and of so bad presence for he seemed like a Monster there could be so much vertue and rigour contayned for among neere two hundred thousand Souldiers there could hardly one of lesse stature or of worse aspect be found Therefore because this Casan liued in our time it is fitting wee made the more ample narration of his Acts. And in regard that the Soldan who was ouerthrowne by Casan is yet liuing at the writing of this Historie they which intend to destroy or any wayes to endamage the Saracens may receiue many aduertisements out of these Collections After some few dayes rest Casan directed his course towards the Citie of Damascus where the Citizens hearing of his approch and fearing lest if hee tooke them by force they should die without mercy by the aduice of the wisest amongst them sent with one consent their Messengers vnto him with offer of their Citie which hee willingly accepted and after a while rode towards the Riuer of Damascus on whose Bankes hee pitched his Tents forbidding any damage to bee done to the Citie Then the Citizens sent him diuers gifts and plentie of victuals for his Armie There Casan made his abode fiue and fortie dayes with all his Followers except those fortie thousand Tartars which were sent with Molay who stayed his comming at the Citie of Gaccara 43 While Casan reposed himselfe neere Damasco there came newes vnto him how a Kinsman of his called Baydo had entred into the Kingdome of Persia and committed great spoile there in his absence and thereupon hee resolued to returne to his owne Leauing therefore his chiefe Captaine Cotolusa with part of his Armie for the custodie of the Kingdome of Syria whom hee willed Molay and the rest of the Tartars to be obedient vnto as to his Lieutenant he set Rulers and Gouernours ouer all the Cities and committed the gouernment of Damascus to the Traytor Calfach being not yet acquainted with his trayterous
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
remayned no other way but on the side of the Suburbe the which a Riuer compasseth about running all along the side of a bordering Mountaine vpon the which wee caused many bridges to be built for to haue thereby a way for to succour our Souldiers which kept the passages of the Mountaines on the enemies side In this meane time the King of Chinaes Armie approached which was very great as they brought vs word daily the Prince determining to goe in person and meet with the Enemie accompanied with his principall Hors-men and to leaue the greatest part of his Foot-men at the siege whereunto he had a great desire omitting nothing that might wearie the besieged who defended themselues couragiously So the Prince beganne to batter causing his Engines to approach as Rammes and other munitions insomuch as the Citie was assaulted on two sides very couragiously In the end through the valour of Axalla who gaue an assault with twenty thousand of his best Souldiers he wonne the wall and lodged there the Prince hauing so commanded him to doe to stop the heat of the Souldiers from going any further Now the Princes purpose was to compound for the Citie and not to force it for two reasons The first was for that he feared the Citie being great and rich that when the Souldiers should sacke it the Enemie who was but thirty leagues from thence should come vpon them and by this meanes his Armie should be found in disorder also rich Souldiers neuer serue well The other was for that hee would draw out of that Citie which was rich and wealthy those commodities which were necessary for the sure accomplishing of his enterprise seeing it was necessary to haue such a Citie for to make a Store-house of necessary things for the Armie Thus although the wall was won the Enemies wanted not courage yet to defend themselues valiantly looking for ayde according to the newes they had receiued that the Kings Armie marched forward Whilest these things were in doing one of our Engines shooting a bullet slue the Gouernour whereupon they did resolue for to yeeld themselues vnto the Princes mercy sauing their liues and the Souldiers enioying their horse and weapons The conditions were agreed vpon and there came out of the Citie eighteene thousand Souldiers the Inhabitants remayning in a manner all there were therein thirtie thousand Souldiers at the beginning the siege continued two moneths The honour of taking the Citie and the happy successe therein was attributed vnto Axalla to whom was giuen the gouernment of the Citie with the Countrey already conquered But hee beseeched the Prince that it would please him to bestow it vpon some other and for himselfe hee reserued the hope of his Master wherein hee should haue part This answere did greatly content the Prince for hee greatly desired the seruice of Axalla Vpon his refusall this charge was bestowed vpon the Prince of Thanais with the Title of Vice-roy Now as I haue already told you our Prince after hee had giuen such order as was necessary and aduertised his friends in all parts and aboue all the Emperour he marched forward hauing contented his Souldiers and made a generall muster of his Armie as well of the horse as footmen the which hee found to be diminished of ten thousand men onely Now our Prince after he had solemnely called vpon the Immortall Inuincible and Incomprehensible God and spent one whole day in prayer wee enterprised to goe on forward and to goe directly vnto the Enemie who was at Sintehu with all his owne forces and of all his Allies As soone as he receiued newes that our Armie was passed ouer the Riuer of Chulifu the King of China marched directly vnto vs with great magnificence there was nothing to bee seene but gold and precious stones in his Armie hee himselfe was commonly in a Chariot wherein there was such a quantitie of gold and rich stones that euery part was full of Diamonds Rubies and Pearles The King of China was of the age of three and thirtie yeeres who for the most part had beene brought vp in pleasures and not in militarie exercises nor vnder the bloudie ensigne of Mars loden with Iron boysterous and furious not with gold precious stones and with such kinde of riches so as he was very insolent in threatnings brauadoes and in defying vnto the battaile He often said that we had surprised him and had not warned him to prepare himselfe and that we had strucken him without speaking any word for this is the custome of the people in those parts to doe in this manner Hee had two or three Kings also with him his Neighbours and Allies who marched with the same preparation The rumour of these riches gaue great courage to the Souldiers for they were couetous of iust gayne as is that gotten by a battaile So both our Armies went forward each to approch the other and there was a Citie yeelded vnto the Prince called Tunicheuoy the which helped our Armie greatly The next day to the end wee might giue occasion vnto the Enemie for to approch neerer we sent to summon and at the same time to take possession of the Citie of Pannihu the which in aduancing forward wee left a little behinde vs. The King of China had put many men thereinto and it was a Citie sufficiently well fortified from Tiaucheuoy to Paguinuhu there were ten leagues He aduanced his Armie within a league of the Citie Tiaucheuoy about noone the next day they had more certaine aduertisement of the Enemies comming The Prince commanded his Armie to take the place for the battaile which he had chosen in his iudgement with most aduantage and hauing set downe vnto Odmar the order he would haue to be obserued he desired to see the comming of this Armie so sending before him fiue or six thousand Horse as Scouts hee aduanced forward and Calibes with him After he had seene this great confused Armie which continually came forward hee commanded Calibes to retyre himselfe as soone as they drew neere vnto him and bring vnto him this great cloud the which hee hoped soone to disperse So the Prince returned backe vnto his men for to assure them of the battaile hee caused all his footmen to bee placed all along by a great Mountayne so as they had but one head for to doubt And hee planted great store of Artillerie for the guard of his footmen I am of opinion that the Prince had about six-score thousand footmen whereof many were armed after the Christian manner and all they were commanded by sundrie Captaines but all obeyed Axalla who commanded them as Generall Our Horse-men were in battaile array in a great leuell Playne hauing the Footmen on the left hand and on the right was the comming of the Enemie so as vpon the least disfauour that might happen hee would retyre to bee assisted by his footmen Wee had foure score thousand horse
halfe part were passed which was fiftie thousand men good Odmar finding them in very ill order and nothing at all aduertised of the Enemies nearnesse gaue the charge and vtterly ouerthrew them there remayned dead vpon the ground some fiftie thousand men but it was not without great fight strengthened with the fauour of water and a great Marish wherein they were encamped Notwithstanding our Foot-men hauing wonne the banke of the Riuer beganne also to winne the Boats and to seuer them by the meanes of a great Boat the which we with diligence caused to runne downe beeing full of artificiall fire so as at the same very time that they which were within the Boate did draw neere they retyred out of the same hauing first kindled the fire within the Boate the which with a great force rushed against the Bridge of Boats and ouerthrew it and where it was resisted did burne This did greatly astonish them that were passed to see their returne cut off The Kings Brother was not yet passed vnto the other-side of the water and he which first had gone ouer was the King of Cauchina who was slayne at the first charge fighting very valiantly in the fore-front The Kings Brother did see his men slayne and drowned and could not remedie the same This second ouerthrow was of no small importance although it was but the third part of the Kings Brothers Army and that there remayned vnto him as yet a hundred thousand fighting men but there was no great hope that he durst present himselfe before our Army The newes hereof being reported at Quantioufou they desired to make tryall of the Emperours clemency Axalla dispatched one of his faithfull friends of his Countrey vnto the Prince to carry vnto him these good newes which was more welcome vnto the Prince then the ouerthrow he had giuen vnto the Enemy and agreed vnto all that Axalla demanded referring all vnto his sufficiencie and fidelitie The Kings Brother hauing sent to demand safety for to treate the Prince granted so much vnto them for such as would come vnto him In this meane-time Quantoufou yeelded it selfe into the hands of Axalla who caused the Garrison to come out of the same receiued the Inhabitants into the Princes protection and they which would might remayne therein vnarmed and he entred thereinto with the joy of all the Inhabitants who did determine to receiue the Emperour into the same with all the magnificence that might be He caused thirty thousand men of War to enter thereinto vnto whom was money deliuered for to maintayne them there vntill such time as all the Foot-men should receiue pay for three monethes due vnto them whereof the Inhabitants of Quantoufou did furnish the Prince to the summe of eight hundred thousand Tentins the which do amount vnto foure hundred and fifty thousand crownes or therabout The Prince at this present sent me vnto Axalla whom I found feasting of his Captaines and souldiers staying for the commandement that I brought vnto him the which was to remaine within Quantoufou and to cause all his footmen to set forward directly vnto him the which was done by the Prince to the end it should strike a greater terror into the minds of the enemies who seeing all his footmen arriued he supposed they wold nothing doubt Quantoufou being taken but that he would march forward insomuch as he hoped this would greatly aduance his Affaires considering the estate they were in I returned from Quantoufou vnto the Emperour hauing seene a beautifull and great Citie well fortified and wonderfully peopled and round about it there was a fruitfull Countrey Thus the Embassadors being arriued who were of the Kings chiefest Vassals Tamerlan receiued them with all humanitie causing his greatnesse to appeare vnto them and therewithall the agilitie of his Horsemen to make them see with their eyes that it would be the destruction of the Chinois name if he proceeded any further So hauing saluted the Emperour with all reuerence they vttered their Embassage vnto him which was that the Kings Brother had sent them vnto him to treat for two causes the one was for the liberty of their King the other for preseruation of their Countrey The Prince hauing heard them answered them that they had reason to trust vnto his mildnesse and seeing at this present they desired it he would yeeld thereunto Thereupon the Prince rose vp and caused to be said vnto them that they should deliuer their offers in writing and that present answere should bee made thereunto Thus went they out of the Princes presence with great joy and as it were assured of Peace and to recouer their former prosperities The conditions which they offered were to leaue Paguinfou and all the Countrey beyond it with all the Fortresses of the Mountaynes that they would pay all the charges of his Army since the day of answere made vnto his Embassadors that they would giue two Millions of Gold for their King This being presented vnto the Lord hee made answere thereunto which was that he would keepe that which hee had conquered within the Countrey which was his owne justly seeing his armes had giuen it vnto him that hee would haue the Riuer where he was now encamped to be his Frontier stretched vnto Hochioy Tahaucezug Cauchio Lulun euen vnto Poschio bordering vpon the Sea that the King of China should pay vnto him yearely three hundred thousand Crownes the which should bee deliuered at Paguinfou for acknowledgement of submission vnto the Empire as well for his Successors as himselfe that they should pay fiue hundred thousand Crownes in ready money for the charge of the Army that the King of China should be deliuered and all the Chinois Prisoners should pay ransom vnto particular men that took them except those which carryed the name of Kings who should pay one hundred thousand Crownes for peace with his Armes that no Chinois should bee kept as slaue nor sold for such hereafter beeing vnder the Princes obedience that Traffique and Entercourse of Merchants should be free betweene both the Nations that the King of China should deliuer his Brother as Prisoner and two Kings named with twelue principall men of the Countrey for assurance of the peace They accepted of such conditions of peace as pleased the Conquerour hoping that time would bring againe vnto them their ancient liberty and that for a time it behooued them to beare with patience the yoke of their bondage Now the Prince had sent two thousand Horse to fetch the King of China to the end that being at liberty he might sweare to the peace solemnly the which he hauing performed at Quantoufou whither the Prince caused him for to come he brought with him vnto Paguin all the pledges and amongst the rest the Kings eldest Sonne and his Brother The King beeing departed for to performe his promise according to the Treaty by him confirmed he was receiued and as it were worshipped within his Countrey with all the
in all manner of fights The Soldan of Egypt hauing ayded him with thirty thousand Mammolues very good horse-men and with thirty thousand footmen Their Armie in that order seemed almost as great as ours for they were not so knit together as we were our forces being directly one after the other and theirs all in a front So the Enemies Armie aduanced forward continually with an infinite number of cryes and ours was in great silence After that common prayer was ended the Emperour himselfe aduanced continually forward beholding the first charge giuen and caused Axalla to set forward after he returned into his order continually exhorting his men before hee left them There could not be seene a more furious charge giuen then was performed by the Ottomans vpon the Prince of Ciarcian who had commandement not to fight before they came vnto him there could not haue beene chosen a fairer Playne and where the skilfull choise of the place was of lesse aduantage for the one then for the other but that wee had the Riuer on our left hand the which was some aduantage for the Emperour hauing giuen commandement that in any case they should not lose the same and that the Enemies whatsoeuer came thereof should not win it this hee did for to haue the aduantage of the hand in fight The Emperour who aboue all Maximes of warre did vse to deale in such manner that the Enemie might bee the first Assaulter hee had straightly commanded them which were appointed for the first charge to suffer the Enemie for to giue the on-set Now as I haue already declared this young Prince of Ciarcian with his forty thousand horse was almost wholly ouerthrowne hauing fought as much as hee could but hee entred euen into the middest of the Ianizaries where the person of Baiazet was putting them in disorder where he was slaine About this time Axalla set vpon them with the Auantguard where as he was not in any such danger for hauing surprised one of the enemies wings hee cut it all in pieces and his footmen comming to ioyne with him as they had beene commanded hee faced the Battalion of the Ianizaries The Prince seeing the charge Axalla had vpon his arme sent ten thousand horse from his battaile for to succour him and knit together the mayne battaile of Axalla and to giue once againe a charge vpon another Battalion of footmen the which did shew it selfe and came to ioyne with and strengthen that of the Ianizaries who behaued themselues valiantly for the safetie of their Prince This fight continued one houre and yet you could not haue seene any scattered fighting resolutely the one against the other You might haue seene the Mountaynes of horses rush one against another the men die crie lament and threaten at one very time The Prince had patience to see this fight ended and when hee did perceiue that his men did giue place hee sent ten thousand of his Horse to joyne againe with the ten thousand appointed for the Arierward and commanded them to assist him at such time as hee should haue need thereof At this very time the Emperour chargeth and made them giue him roome causing the footmen to assault ouer whom the Prince of Thanais commanded who gaue a furious on-set vpon the Battalion of the Ianizaries wherein was yet the person of Baiazet who had sustayned a great burthen But the multitude and not valour did preuaile for as much as might bee done in fight was by the Ianizaries performed for to preserue the person of their Prince But in the end the Horse-men wherein was the Emperours person gaue a new charge and his Auantguard was wholly knit againe vnto him hee renewed another forcing and was fully victorious Baiazet hauing retyred on horse-back out of the troupe of Ianizaries wounded fell aliue into the hands of Axalla vnto whom hee yeelded himselfe supposing it had beene Tamerlan then Axalla seeing him so followed being for a time not knowne but for some great Lord of the Ottomans twentie thousand horse did not fight at all but onely in pursuing the victorie and they made a great slaughter The Prince had his horse slaine vnder him with the blow of a Lance but he was soone remounted againe on horse-back This day the wisdome of the Emperor gaue the victorie vnto his Souldiers for the iudgment which he had in tyring of the strong forces of the Ottomans was the safeguard of his For if all had gone vnto the battaile in one front surely the multitude had put it selfe into a confusion but this manner of aiding his men made euerie one profitable The Emperour iudging like a great Captaine of the need that euery one of his souldiers had so that this manner of proceeding was the getting of the victory They accounted threescore thousand men slaine of the Ottomans and twentie thousand of ours The Prince of Tirzis was slaine as I haue said the head of the Georgians slaine Calibes was verie sorrie hee had so easie a reckoning in his Arier-ward being very couragious and a gentle Knight the Despote of Seruia was taken prisoner who did accompanie Baiazet and was a Christian they gaue him this day of battaile much reputation The Emperour gaue vnto him very good entertainment reproouing him for that hee did accompany Baiazet against him who did come in fauour of his Emperour Hee answered him that it was not according to his dutie but the prosperitie of Baiazet vnto whom it seemed that all the world did bend for to subict it selfe vnto him and that his safetie had caused him to set forward The Emperour presently thereupon gaue him leaue to depart at his pleasure Hee tooke care to get into his hands Baiazet his children hee gaue commandement that Baiazet should bee cured and after brought before him who at such time as hee was there neuer made any shew of humilitie The Emperour saying vnto him that it lay in him to cause him to lose his life he answered Do it that losse shall be my happinesse And demanding of him what made him so rash for to enterprise to bring into subiection so noble a Prince as was the Emperour of the Greekes Hee answered him the desire of glorie and rule Wherefore doest thou said the Emperour vnto him vse so great crueltie towards men so farre foorth that neither thou nor thine doe pardon either sex or age This doe I answered hee to giue the greater terrour to my enemies Then said the Emperour so shalt thou receiue the like reward and causing him to bee conueyed againe out of his presence hee turned vnto his followers and said behold a proud and fierce countenance hee deserueth to be punished with crueltie and it is necessarie that hee bee made an exemplarie punishment to all the cruell of the world of the iust wrath of God against them I acknowledge that God hath this day deliuered into my hands a great enemy wee must giue thankes vnto God for the same
the which was performed being yet day for the battaile was wonne at foure of the clocke and there was as yet fiue houres of day-light The children of Baiazet were brought before him hee caused them to bee vsed curteously and as the children of an Emperour The next day hee commanded the dead to bee buried they found the Prince of Tirzis dead in the middest of the Ianizaries where he remained enclosed The Emperour did greatly lament this young Prince who was his kinsman and would haue beene one day worthie for to doe him great seruice In that battaile there died manie Captaines almost the chiefe Ottomans This was a great Battaile the which was fought from seuen vnto foure of the clocke in such sort that they knew not vnto whom the victorie did incline Our Armie stayed vntill the next day euery one causing his friends to bee buried The Prince of Tirzis was emblamed and conueyed with two thousand horse vnto Samarcand vntill the Emperour returned All the other dead bodies were buried at Sanas with all the honour that might be Axalla was much grieued for his kinsman because hee was verie well beloued of the Prince his charge was giuen vnto one of his brethren who was verie famous in fighting this same day we might iudge the euents of the matters of the world Behold this Emperour Baiazet who was as hee thought superiour to fortune which in an instant found himselfe and his estate by one battaile onely ouerthrowne euen vnto the lowest place and at such time as hee thought least thereof Hee vsed to say that hee was iustly punished for despising the multitude we had for the assurance that hee had in the valour of his horsmen and especially of his Ianizaries Hee was three dayes as they report before he could bee pacified as a desperate man seeking after death and calling for it The Empeour did not vse him at all curteously but caused small account to bee made of him and for to manifest that he knew how to punish the proud vpon festiuall dayes when as hee mounted on horseback they brought this proud man vnto him and he serued him in stead of a foot-stoole this did he for to manifest the folly and arrogancie of men and how iustly God had humbled him The next day the Prince marched directly towardes Bursia whither all the remainder of Baiazet his Armie was retired with the Bassa Mustapha All the countrie yeelded vnto vs and the Prince caused all the holdes and fortresses to bee ouerthrowne and destroyed and punished all those which were so euill aduised as to stay vntill they were besieged I had forgotten to declare how hee caused the Prince of Tirzis bodie to bee accompanied with diuers prisoners chained and tied together whom hee did send vnto Samarcand the which the Prince had determined to make great for a perpetuall memorie of his greatnesse Euen so had hee greatly peopled with people of China which had beene taken in the Battailes and of those likewise which were taken out of the two great Cities Paguinfou and Quantoufou Now this battaâ—le did bring great astonishment vnto all the countries possessed by Baiazet and no bodie resâ—sted vs euen vnto Bursia whither this Armie was fled and therein were also two sonnes of Baiazet verie young Axalla being alwaies aduanced forward before our Armie with fortie thousand Horse and an hundred thousand Foot-men without any carriages who hindred the Enemies from joyning themselues againe together and hee made a cruell Warre vpon the Ottomans deliuering the Graecians from the tyrannie of Baiazet Hee approached neere vnto Bursia where the Ottomans did not stay the comming of Axallas Armie but only they which could not runne remayned behind Baiazet his two Sonnes were sent vnto the Greekish Emperour for to bring them vp and to haue mercie vpon them the rest went vnto Gallipoli for to goe vnto Andrinopoli the which they held hauing conquered it from the Graecians Now the Prince for to returne vnto my purpose dispatched towards the Emperour his Vncle and vnto the Empresse his Wife one of his Familiars called Lieban Captayne of his Chamber for to carrie him newes of this Victorie and to ioyne it also vnto all the rest He sent vnto him Baiazet his Sword and Bow and the Caparisons of his Horse the which was esteemed to be worth aboue two hundred thousand Duckets You may easily thinke that Prince Lieban was well entertayned of the old Emperour and of the young Princesse bringing word vnto them that all the World did bend it selfe to make our Prince victorious who surely receiued these Victories from God without insolencie and at such time as hee sent him most glory then did his men note him to be least puffed vp He was neuer bold but in the day of battaile and on the Eeue for to command seuerely and with greater Majesty To tell you what he was in aduersitie I did neuer see him in that estate but it is to be thought that they which bee not insolent in prosperitie are not faint-hearted in aduersitie So our victorious Prince marched directy vnto Bursia loaden with Spoyles and Trophees which hee daily got departing from the Cities which did come and yeeld themselues vnto him therein obseruing the same manner of proceeding the which we did in the Conquest of China they which did yeeld vnto him without fighting were well vsed and the obstinate well punished the Prince knowing that reward and punishment are the Moderators of Common-wealthes the one to bee vsed towards the good and the other towards the euill In the end we receiued newes by Axalla that he had receiued Bursia in the Emperours name and how the Inhabitants thereof had punished the Garrisons of Baiazet hauing driuen them away and slaine many But I dare not follow our Author any further from Tartaria for whose sake I haue entertayned him Leauing therefore his agreement with the Greeke Emperour and secret visiting Constantinople his comming to Ierusalem and Expedition against the Soldan With his Exploits in Egypt Syria Persia we will returne with him to Samarcand §. IIII. Encrease of Samarcand Affaires of China Funerals of the Can comming to Quinza and description thereof His disposition of his estate and death PErsia as long as he liued was much affected vnto him which greatly serued him for the keeping as well of Syria as of the Soldans Empire leauing continually men there and drawing out Colonies the better to settle his Affaires in those places So the Emperour leauing the Prince of Thanais with his Army to attend his pleasure he marched with the rest of his forces into his owne Countrey with all the Ioyes and Triumphes that might be possible the chiefest Prisoners marching before the Emperour amongst the which was Baiazet Emperour of the Turkes all chayned and was a Spectacle vnto all the World of Fortunes inconstancy hee continued notwithstanding in the same fiercenesse was woont to be in him So wheresoeuer the
Tanguth in the entrance of the State of Grand Can who said he was called Daimiâ— Can and sent his Officers to the gouernment of the said Cities which are the first toward the Muslemans and are Idolaters He went thither with a Carauan which went with merchandises out of Persia and from the places adioyning to the Caspian Sea for the Regions of Cataio which Carauan they permit not to pierce further then Succuir and Campion nor any other Merchant therein except he goe Ambassadour to the great Can. This Citie of Succiur is great and populous with faire houses of hewen stones after our manner and hath many great Temples with their Idols of stone It is situate in a Playne where runne infinite Riuolets is abundant in victuals of all sorts and yeelds silke there made of the black Mulberies in great quantitie hath no Wine growing but they make a drinke with Hony as it were Ale Of fruits by reason the Countrey is cold there grow none but Peares Apples Apricocks Peaches Melons and Cucumers Hee said that Rhubard of this commoditie Memet had brought great store at that time to Venice growes all ouer the Countrey but the best in certaine high stony Hills neere adjoyning where are many Springs and Woods of diuers sorts of high Trees and the Land is of a red colour and by reason of many Raynes and Springs almost alway myrie He shewed out of his bosome a picture of the Plant brought out of the Countrey which Ramusio in his Preface to M. Polo hath also presented with this discourse the description of which is this The leaues he said are ordinarily two spans long more or lesse as the Plant is in bignesse narrow below and broad aboue downy with as it were small hayres in their circumference the stalke or trunke is greene foure fingers high and sometimes a span from the ground the greene leaues with age grow yellow and spread on the ground In the midst of the trunke growes a thin branch with flowres fastned within like the Mamole violets in forme but of the colour of Milke and Azure and greater then those violets of a noysome sent The roote within ground is a span or two long of a tawny colour in the barke some as bigge as a mans thigh or legge out of which grow little Roots or Sprigs which spread in the ground and are cut away from the great Roote which within is yellow with many veynes of faire red full of red and yellow juyce cleaning to the fingers and making the hand yellow and being cut in peeces the viscous juyce issueth out and the roote becomes light they lay them therefore on boords turning them vp and downe diuers times a day that the juyce should incorporate therein lest it lose the goodnesse after foure or six dayes hanging them to drie in the winde where the Sunne may not come at them being in two moneths drie and perfect They ordinarily take it out of the ground in the Winter the vertue being then most vnited in the Roote the Spring there beginning at the end of May which at other times is dispersed into the leaues and flowers that juyce also being gone and the roote light and hollow They sell one of their Cart lodes of Roots with leaues for sixteene siluer Saggi not much vnlike ours for they haue no Coynes but make their gold and siluer in small thin rods and thence cut peeces of a Saggio weight which in siluer is twentie Soldi Venetian and in gold a Ducket and halfe He said that they would not gather it if forren Merchants should not come to trade for it themselues making no reckoning thereof and that the Merchants of China and India carry away the greatest part who if they should cut and dresse it as before is expressed after it is brought in Carâ—s in foure or six dayes it would corrupt and seuen burdens greene hee said would not yeeld aboue one drie When it is greene it is intolerably bitter and in Cataio they vse it not for medicine but beate and mixe it with other odoriferous compositions for perfumes to their Idols In some places there is such store that they burne it dryed in stead of wood others giue it their crased horses so little doe they esteeme it in Cataio But there they much prize another small Roote which growes in the Mountaines of Succuir where the Rubard growes and call it Mambroni cini very deare vsed for diseases those specially of the eyes nor did he thinke any of it was brought into these parts He said also that in all Cataio they much vse the leaues of another herb which they â—all Chiai Catai which growes in a place of Catai called Cacianfu They boyle it whether new or drie and taking off a Beaker or two of that decoction fasting as hot as can be borne takes away the Feauer payne of the Head or Stomack Back Ioynts and other diseases especially the Gowt and it is good for digestion They vse to carry it with them in their Voyages and will giue a sack of Rubarb for an ounce of Chiai Catai And the Cataians say that if our Merchants Persians and Frankes knew the goodnesse thereof they would buy no Rauend Cini so they call Rubard I asked him of his Voyage from thence to Constantinople and hee answered mee by Mambre our Interpreter that hee returned not that way he went with the Carauan by reason that the Greene-head Tartars called Iescilbas sent an Embassador at that time when hee was to come away with a great company by the way of Tartaria Deserta aboue the Caspian Sea to the great Turke at Constantinople to make a league against the Persian their common enemie Whereupon he thought good to come with them and so did to Caffa I asked of the way he went He said he should haue returned from Campion to Gauta in six dayes eight Farsenâ—s each of which is three Italian miles are a dayes iourney but on the Hils and Desarts they goe not halfe so much from Gauta to Succuir in fiue dayes from Succuir to Camul in fifteene here the Musulmans or Mahumetans begin from Camul to Turfon is thirteene From Turfon they passe three Cities Chialis ten dayes iourney thence after that Cuchia other ten and after that Acsu in twentie From Acsu to Cascar are other twentie dayes all rough Desart all the former way being thorow places inhabited From Cascar to Samarcand are fiue and twentie dayes From Samarcand to Bochara in Corassam fiue from Bochara to Eri twentie from thence to Veremi in fifteene from Veremi to Casbin in six thence to Soltania in foure and thence to Tauris in six dayes Now for some particulars of those places he related that Campion is subiect to Daimir Can great Emperor of the Tartars the Citie placed in a fertile Playne all cultiuated and abundant in prouisions They are apparelled in black Cotton cloth furred in Winter with skins of
such time as he may get power and aide to inuade some of his brethren againe From the Caspian Sea vnto the Castle of Sâ—llizure aforesaid and all the Countries about the said Sea the people liue without Towne or habitation in the wilde fields remoouing from one place to another in great companies with their Cattell whereof they haue great store as Camels Horses and Sheepe both tame and wilde Their sheepe are of great stature with great buttockes weighing sixtie or eightie pound in weight There are many wilde Horses which the Tartars doe many times kill with their Hawkes and that in this order The Hawkes are lured to seize vpon the beasts neckes or heads which with chafing of themselues and sore beating of the Hawkes are tyred then the Hunterr following his game doth slay the Horse with his Arrow or Sword In all this Land there groweth no grasse but a certaine brush or heath whereon the Cattell feeding become very fat The Tartars neuer ride without their Bowe Arrowes and Sword although it bee on hawking or at any other pleasure and they are good Archers both on horse-backe and on foot also These people haue not vse of Gold Siluer or any other coyne but when they lacke apparell or other necessaries they barter their Cattell for the same Bread they haue none for they neither till nor sowe they be great deuourers of flesh which they cut in small pieces and eate it by handfuls most greedily and especially the Horse flesh Their chiefest drinke is Mares milke sowred as I haue said before of the Nagayans and they will bee drunke with the same They haue no Riuers nor places of water in this Countrey vntill you come to the foresaid Gulfe distant from the place of our landing twentie dayes iourney except it bee in Wells the water whereof is saltish and yet distant the one from the other two dayes iourney and more They eate their meate vpon the ground sitting with their legs double vnder them and so also when they pray Arte or Science they haue none but liue most idlely sitting round in great companies in the fields deuising and talking most vainely They sixe and twentieth day of Nouember wee departed from the Towne of Vrgence and hauing trauelled by the Riuer Oxus one hundred miles wee passed ouer another great Riuer called Ardocke where wee payed a certaine petie custome This Riuer Ardocke is great and very swift falling out of the foresaid Oxus and passing about one thousand mile to the North-ward it then consumeth it selfe in the ground and passing vnder the same about fiue hundred miles issueth out againe and falleth into the Lake of Kitay as I haue before declared The seuenth of December following we arriued at a Castle called Kait subiect to a Sultan called Saramet Sultan who meant to haue robbed all the Christians in the Carauan had it not beene for feare of his brother the King of Vrgence as we were informed by one of his chiefest Counsellours who willed vs to make him a present which he tooke and deliuered besides wee payed at the said Castle for Custome of euery Camell one red hide of Russia besides petie gifts to his Officers Thus proceeding in our iourney the tenth day at night being at rest and our watch set there came vnto vs foure Horsemen which we tooke as Spies from whom we tooke their weapons and bound them and hauing well examined them they confessed that they had seene the tract of many Horsemen and no footing of Camels and gaue vs to vnderstand that there were Rouers and theeues abroad for there trauell few people that are true and peaceable in that Countrey but in companie of Carauan where there be many Camels and Horse-feeting new without Camels were to be doubted Whereupon we consulted and determined amongst our selues and sent a Poste to the said Sultan of Kaite who immediatly came himselfe with three hundred men and met these foure suspected men which wee sent vnto him and examined them so straightly and threatned them in such sort that they confessed there was a banished Prince with fortie men three dayes iourney forward who lay in wait to destroy vs if hee could and that they themselues were of his companie The Sultan therefore vnderstanding that the Theeues were not many appointed vs eightie men well armed with a Captaine to goe with vs and conduct vs in our way And the Sultan himselfe returned backe again taking the foure theeues with him These souldiers trauelled with vs two dayes consuming much of our victuals And the third day in the morning very early they set out before our Carauan and hauing ranged the wildernesse for the space of foure houres they met vs comming towards vs as fast as their horse could runne and declared that they had found the tract of horses not farre from vs perceiuing well that wee should meete with enemies and therefore willed vs to appoint our selues for them and asked vs what wee would giue them to conduct vs further or else they would returne To whom wee offered as we thought good but they refused our offer and would haue more and so wee not agreeing they departed from vs and went backe to their Sultan who as wee coniectured was priuie to the conspiracie But they being gone certaine Tartars of our companie called holy men because they had beene at Mecca caused the whole Carauan to stay and would make their prayers and diuine how we should prosper in our iourney and whether wee should meet with any ill companie or no To which our whole Carauan did agree And they tooke certaine sheâ—pe and killed them and tooke the blade bones of the same and first sod them and then burnt them and tooke of the bloud of the said sheepe and mingled it with the powder of the said bones and wrote certaine Characters with the said bloâ—d vsing many other ceremoniâ—s and words and by the same diuined and found that wee should meeâ—e with enemies and theeues to our great trouble but should ouercome them to which sorcerie I and my companie gaue no credit but wee found it true for within three houres after that the souldiers departed from vs which was the fifteenth day of December in the morning wee escryed farre off diuers horsemen which made towards vs and we perceiuing them to bee rouers gathered our selues together being fortie of vs well appointed and able to fight and wee made our prayers together euery one after his Law professing to liue and dye one with another and so prepared our selues When the theeues were nigh vnto vs wee perceiued them to be in number thirtie seuen men well armed and appointed with bowes arrowes and swords and the Captaine a Prince banished from his Countrey They willed vs to yeeld our selues or else to bee slaine but wee defied them wherewith they shot at vs all at once and we at them very hotly and so continued our fight from morning vntill two houres within night diuers
the left hand an Arab Dagger on the right the other part of their habite Iaponian The pompe of all sorts and the Ordnance attended them to the Vatican there the Italian Garrison and Heluetian Guard with their Peeces and military Musicke receiued them Then were they lead into the Hall and after all things there finished the Legates carried the Popes traine at his departure And on the fiue and twentieth day festiuall for the Annuntiation the Pope going on solemne Procession these Legates rode in the last place What should I say more sayth our Authour it cannot be told how all magnifie the mercy of God which brings farre more at this time from the East and West to the Catholike Church then the Deuill hath seduced in the North. These Iaponian Lords returned into India 1586. as Valignanus writeth and were much endangered by a tempest Their returne into Iapon is signified by the Letters of Michael to the Archbishop of Ebora testifying their arriuall the one and twentieth of Iuly 1590. at Nangasach with the said Valignanus and by the Letter of Don Sancius Sonne and Successour to Bartholmew Prince of Omur to Pope Xistus the fifth with thankes for the wood of the Crosse and the Sword sent his Father which should be kept amongst his principall Iewels Protasius also the King of Arima wrote to the Great and most holy Pope Xistus or Sixtus in this manner On the sixteenth of the sixth Moone which was the one and twentieth of Iuly 1690. heere arriued the Father Visitour of the Societie of Iesus with Cingiua Don Michael my kins-man Don Mancius and other companions which I had sent to Rome to put their heads vnder your Holinesse feet Whose comming did as much reioyce me as if a thousand Autumnes had comne to me and ten thousand yeeres had beene added to my life Don Michael related with what honour and fauour hee was entertayned of your Holinesse of King Philip and other Catholike Princes for which I render those thankes which Pen and Paper cannot expresse He deliuered me Letters also which your Holinesse vouchsafed mee fauourably reckoning mee amongst the Christian Kings Hee brought me also part of the holy Wood of the true Crosse a Hat and a Sword which your Holinesse is wont to send to Christian Kings and Princes Which fauour and studies are such and so esteemed of mee that I haue determined to consecrate them to eternall memory and to place them amongst my chiefe Treasures and the Ornaments and Monuments of my posteritie And this honour conferred on mee is such that greater cannot be in this life and it redounds vnto a future good life I had determined according to the order prescribed of your H. in his Letters and as the fauour and so great benefits bestowed on mee deserued to haue receiued the said Presents with all the celebritie and pompe that might be in my Kingdome but the Father Visitour shewed mee that respect was to be had of the tyrannie and great hatred wherewith Quabacondono the Lord of all Iapon persecuteth the Fathers and Christians these three yeeres together and this feast to be deferred till he returneth from Meaco whither hee is going in Embassage from the Vice-roy of India to Quabacondono c. The ninth yeere of the Era called Tenscio the tenth of the eighth Moone which is the two and twentieth of September An. 1590. At your Highnesse feet Arimano Sciurino Daibu Don Protasius This Quabacondono as L. Froes writeth was now growne the greatest Monarch that euer Iapon had hauing ascended thereunto from a base estate which was as hee hath diuers times with his owne mouth confessed to cut wood and to carrie it to the Market to sell for his daily food Nobunanga his Predecessor had growne to great height such as many ages had not there seene In Frenoiama eight hundred yeeres before a King of Iapon had builded 3800. Temples with houses adioyned for the Bonziâ— which employed themselues in the studie of the Lawes and Sects for whose quietnesse he remoued the Husbandmen and builded them two streets allowing to their maintenance about the third part of the Customes or Rents of the Vomen Kingdome Thus became it a fountaine of their superstitions In time those Temples dispersed in sixteene Vallies were lessened to 800. and the Bonzian discipline and studies melted into pleasures hardned into Armes and ranged into robberies so that they fired Meaco with great slaughter and opposed Nobunanga who hauing destroyed the Militarie Bonzi called â—coxos and taken away their Castles inuaded Frenoiama professing he feared not their Gods On the top of a Hill was the Temple of Quanon to whom prayers and pilgrimages were made for health wealth and long life and yeerely solemnities and Playes with huge pompe and cost were made in his honour to which the Gibon feast at Meaco succeeded with frequency of men deuices of work-men and such order that it may appeare that Satan there imitates the anniuersary solemnitie of Corpus Christi amongst vs. Thither the Bonzi had gotten but it and they and their streets were destroyed and foure hundred Temples with their furniture burned At Facusangin also were a thousand houses of the Bonzi by themselues besides Monasteries which he destroyed Xinguea the King of Cainochun had forced his Father to exile and imprisoned his elder Brother and then seized on the Kingdome after which he shaued his beard and haire and became a Bonzo and would needs repaire Frenoiama and stiling himselfe Chiefe in the house of the Kings and of Religions gathered an Armie Nabunanga wrote to him calling himselfe Tamer of Deuils and enemie of Sects Hee proceeded first against the Bonzi with these terrours and after would needs himselfe be worshipped but eighteene dayes after in a conspiracy of his owne against him he was slaine and his dispersed Quabacondono succeeded and in greatnesse of attempts and ambition exceeded This Quabacondono is a title which Faxiba assumed and is as much as Treasurer These titles are giuen by the Vo or Dairi descended of the ancient Kings and now enioying a strange Empire which is to giue titles of honour for which all great men haue their Factors with him and is esteemed as a God not suffered to tread on the ground that were deposition nor often seene and gets much treasure out of those Titles which he so often changeth that the King of Bungo was by the Iesuites obserued foure and thirty times to haue altered his appellations There is a high Priest who with Papall power authorizeth Sects confirmeth and consecrateth the Tundi or Bishops which are nominated by the Kings and enioyeth Royall reuenues The Quingue is the third person and hath power ouer Iudgements and Warres But the Lords of Tensa that is such as haue power to get into their hands Meaco and the Region adioyning are really chiefe Lords and command the State though in seeming ceremonie as the Turkes to
the Lettoes or Lituanians in the time of Alexander their Duke hee atchieued rather by aduantage of ciuill Dissentions and Treasons among themselues then by any great policie or force of his owne But all this was lost againe by his Sonne Iuan Vasilowich about eight or nine yeeres past vpon composition with the Polonian King Stepan Batore whereunto he was forced by the aduantages which the Pole had then of him by reason of the foyle hee had giuen him before and the disquietnesse of his owne State at home Onely the Russe Emperour at this time hath left him on that side his Countrey the Cities of Smolensko Vitobsko Cheringo and Beala gorod in Lituonia In Liuonia not a Towne not one foot of ground When Basileus first conquered those Countreyes he suffered the Natiues to keepe their Possessions and to inhabit all their Townes onely paying him a Tribute vnder the Gouernment of his Russe Captaynes But by their Conspiracies and Attempts not long after hee was taught to deale more surely with them And so comming vpon them the second time hee killed and carryed away with him three parts of foure which hee gaue or sold to the Tartars that serued him in those Wars and in stead of them placed there his Russes so many as might ouer-match the rest with certayne Garrisons of strength besides wherein notwithstanding this ouer-sight was committed for that taking away with him the Vp-land or Countrey people that should haue tilled the ground and might easily haue beene kept in order without any danger by other good policies he was driuen afterwards many yeeres together to victual the Countrey especially the great Towne out of his owne Countrey of Russia the soyle lying there in the meane-while waste and vntilled The like fell out at the Port of Narue in Liefland where his Sonne Iuan Vasilowich deuised to build a Towne and a Castle on the other side the Riuer called Iuangorod to keepe the Towne and Countrey in subjection The Castle hee caused to bee so built and fortified that it was thought to be inuincible And when it was finished for reward to the Architect that was a Polonian he put out both his eyes to make him vnable to build the like againe But hauing left the Natiues all within their owne Countrey without abating their number or strength the Towne and Castle not long after was betrayed and surrendred againe to the King of Sweden On the South-east side they haue got the Kingdomes of Cazan and Astracan These were wonne from the Tartar by the late Emperour Iuan Vasilowich Father to the Emperour that now is the one about thirty fiue the other about thirty three yeeres agoe North-ward out of the Countrey of Siberia he hath layed vnto his Realme a great breadth and length of ground from Wichida to the Riuer of Obba about 1000. miles space so that he is bold to write himselfe now The great Commander of Siberia The Countreyes lâ—kewise of Permia and Pechora are a diuers People and Language from the Russe ouercome not long since and that rather by threatning and shaking of the Sword then by any actuall force as being a weake and naked people without meanes to resist THeir Neighbours with whom they haue greatest dealings and intercourse both in Peace and Warre are first the Tartar Secondly the Polonian whom the Russe calleth Laches noting the first Author or Founder of the Nation who was called Laches or Leches whereunto is added Po which signifieth People and so is made Polaches that is the People or Posteritie of Laches which the Latines after their manner of writing call Polanos The third are the Swedens The Polonians and Swedens are better knowne to these parts of Europe then are the Tartars that are farther off from vs as being of Asia and diuided into many Tribes different both in name and gouernment one from another The greatest and mightiest of them is the Chrim Tartar whom some call the Great Cham that lyeth South and South-east-ward from Russia and doth most annoy the Countrey by often Inuasions commonly once euery yeere sometimes entring very farre within the In-land parts In the yeere 1571. he came as farre as the Citie of Mosko with an Armie of 200000. men without any battell or resistance at all for that the Russe Emperour then Iuan Vasilowich leading forth his Armie to encounter with him marched a wrong way but as it was thought of very purpose as not daring to aduenture the field by reason that he doubted his Nobilitie and chiefe Captaynes of a meaning to betray him to the Tartar The Citie he tooke not but fired the Suburbs which by reason of the buildings which is all of Wood without any Stone Bricke or Lime saue certayne out Roomes kindled so quickly and went on with such rage as that it consumed the greatest part of the Citie almost within the space of foure houres being of thirty miles or more of compasse Then might you haue seene a lamentable Spectacle besides the huge and mightie flame of the Citie all on light fire the people burning in their houses and streets but most of all of such as laboured to passe out of the Gates farthest from the Enemie where meeting together in a mighty throng and so pressing euerie man to preuent another wedged themselues so fast within the Gate and streets neere vnto it as that three Rankes walked one vpon the others head the vppermost treading downe those that were lower so that there perished at that time as was said by the fire and the presse the number of 80000. people or more The Chrim thus hauing fired the Citie and fed his eyes with the sight of it all of a light flame returned with his Armie and sent to the Russe Emperour a Knife as was sayd to sticke himselfe withall obrayding this losse and his desperate case as not daring either to meete his Enemie in the field nor to trust his Friends or Subjects at home The principall cause of this continuall quarrell betwixt the Russe and the Chrim is for the right of certayne border parts claimed by the Tartar but possessed by the Russe The Tartar alleadgeth that besides Astracan and Cazan that are the ancient possession of the East Tartar the whole Countrey from his bounds North and Westward so farre as the Citie of Mosko and Mosko it selfe pertayneth to his right Which seemeth to haue beene true by the report of the Russes themselues that tell of a certayne homage that was done by the Russe Emperour euery yeere to the great Chrim or Cham the Russe Emperour standing on foote and feeding the Chrims Horse himselfe sitting on his backe with Oates out of his owne Cap in stead of a Boll or Manger and that within the Castle of Mosko And this homage they say was done till the time of Basileus Grandfather to this man Who surprising the Chrim Emperour by a stratagem done by one of his Nobilitie called Iuan Demetrowich Belschey
liking Englands fertilitie better then that their own sterilitâ—e and rockie barrennesse 〈◊〉 by force of warres often to conquer that which would not be peaceably yeelded till King Edward a maintainer of peace with consent of the Kingdâ—me permitted them to dwell heere at pleasure as sworne brethren to the English Octher subiect and seruant to King Alfrâ—d aboue seuen hundred yeeres since related to his said Lord 〈◊〉 voyage from Heâ—golaâ—â— where he then dwelt to the North Cape and as probable circumstances argue along the coast to the Bay of Saint Nicolas Aedgar that famous founder of Monasteries is said by Ranulphuâ— Cestâ—ensis to haue in annuall vse foure thousand ships and by Flores Historiarum foure thousand eight hundred 〈◊〉 yeerely to compasse this Iland with his Nauie quadripartite twelue hundred in the East as many in the West and like proportions on the North and on the South coasts to secure the Seas and secure his subiects And in the Charter of the foundation of the Cathedrall Church of Worcester he vseth these words Mihi autem concessit propitia diuinitas 〈◊〉 Anglorum Imperio omnia Regnâ— Insularium Oceani cum suis fercissimis Regibus vsque Norwegiaâ—â— Maximamque partem Hyberniae cum sua nobilissima ciuitate Dubliâ—ia Anglorum Regno subiâ—gâ—re c. Hee also stiles himselfe King and Emperour of the Ocean and the Hands about Britaine beginning Ego Aedgâ—rus Anglorum Basileus omâ—iâ—mque Regum Insularum Oceaniâ—â—â— Britannium circumiacentis cunctarumque Nationum quae infra eam includuntur Imperator Dominus So potent was he first of the English Kings for Arthur was a Briton by his strong shipping and well manned and mannaged Nauie Florentius Wigorniensis stileth him â—los decâ—â—s antecessâ—rum Regum Pacificus Rex Aedgarus non minâ—â— memorabâ—lis Anglis quà m Romulâ—s Rowanis Cyrus Persis Alexander Macedonibus Arsaces Parthis Carolus Magnus Francis and addeth as before is notified 〈…〉 3600. 〈◊〉 sibi congregauerat naues ex quibus Paschali emensa 〈…〉 Anno 1200. In orientali 1200. in occidentalâ— 1200. in Sepâ—â—â—trionali insulae plaga coadunare ad occidentalâ—◠〈◊〉 orientali classe illa remissa ad borealem cum occidentali ipsaque remâ—ssa cum boreali ad orienâ—alem classem remigare eoque modo totam insulam omni aestate consueuerat cincumnauigare viriliter hoc agens ad defensionem contra exteros Regni sui suum sisorumque ad bellicos vsus exercitium Both Florentius and Malmesbury and Mat. Westminster record that hee sitting at the Sterne was rowed by eight Kings his Tributaries Kined King of Scots Macolm of Cumberland Macon of Man and many Ilands Dufnal of Dâ—metia Siferth and Howel Kings of Wales Iacob King of Galwales and Iukil of Westmar hauing the same day there met at his summons and sworne fealtie and assistance to him by Sea and Land These rowed him in the Riuer Dee to the Monastery from his Palace and thence after seruice backe againe So rightly did he instile himselfe in his Charter to Malmesbury Ego Aedgarus totius Albionis Basileus nec non 〈…〉 Regum circumhabitantium c. HONDIVS his Map of NORVVEGIA and SVETIA SVECIA ET Norwegia 〈◊〉 And such was the Danish tyranny that euery Dane was stiled Lord Dane and had at his commandement the wiues daughters and the whole houshold where hee became But after the death of Hardicanutus that title was turned into the reproachfull terme of Lurdane and the day of his death as the Roman Fugalia was celebrated with open pastime and feasting in the streets called Hocktide or Hucktide as if England then absolutely freed made a mocke or scorne of her enemies Canutus by treason of Eadrike Streona obtained the Kingdome first as partner with Edmund Ironside and after his death the whole by other perfidie slaying Eadwy brother of King Edmund and sending Edmunds two sonnes Edward and Edmund to the King of Sweden to be there made away But hee hating such crueltie sent them to Salomon King of Hâ—ngary to bring vp where Edmund dyed and Edward married Agatha daughter of Henry the Emperour by whom hee had Aedgar Athling and Margaret married to Malcolm King of Scots the mother of Maud wife to Henry the first and Christine a Nun. Canutus diuided the Kingdome into foure parts of which hee reserued West Saxonie to himselfe East England hee committed to Earle Turkill Mercia to Duke Edrike and Northumberland to Earle Erike Soone after he caused Duke Edrike which treacherously had aduanced him to the Crowne to bee slaine a iust reward of treason and then banished Earle Turkill and Earle Erike picking quarrell with them weary of any stalking horses the former of which was presently after his landing in Denmarke slain And now did Canutus seeke to win the fauour of the English by building and endowing Monasteries making good Lawes and marrying Emma the relict of King Ethelred Thus hauing Denmarke by inheritance and England by conquest treachery his ambition next aimed at Sweden where first he had the worse but after compelled Vlf and Eiglaf the Kings of that Countrie to composition with him Earle Godwin the Generall of the English prouoking and animating the English to recouer their pristine glory and by solid vertue to ouercome them who had ouercome their new Lord whose fortune had subiected the English Thus Canutus preuailed by Godwines policie and English valour they by night without the Kings knowledge or assistance of the Danish Armie assaulting and ouerthrowing the Swedens hee the next day missing the English and fearing they had turned to the Enemy till giuing the onset with his Danes vpon the forsaken Campe of the Enemy he found there nothing but carkasses and spoyle Anno 1027. hauing intelligence that the Norwegians contemned their King Olaue for his simplicitie he sent great summes of Gold and Siluer to the Grandes of Norway to corrupt them and caused them to reject Olaue and to choose him for their King For peruerted with gifts they sent him word to come to them whom he should find readie to entertayne him An. 1028. he went with a fleet of fifty sayle to Norway and expelled Olaue subjecting that Kingdome to himselfe Olaue which had beene the King Doctor Preacher and Apostle of the Norwegians as Florilegus stileth him the sonne of Harald King of Norway was slayne Anno 1030. and cruelly butchered by his treacherous Norwegians with an Axe or Hatchet for disanulling their Pagan superstitions and hee since is there superstitiously worshipped for a Saint whom then trayterously they permitted not to reigne or breathe The same yeere perished at Sea or as some say was slayne in one of the Orcades Earle Hacun whom Canutus fearing had banished in colour of sending him Embassadour His greatnesse hauing to wife his sisters daughter made him grow suspicious And according to the deuotion of that time Anno 1031. Canutus or Cunto went to Rome on Pilgrimage and there made magnificent
Peninsula so that when the Bassa of Capha or the Saniak dye he rules all the Signiories in the Peninsula vntill the Turke hath sent thither another Saniak or whom he will preferre ouer Capha The Chan hath a common Custome-house with the Turke at Perecopia Casslouia Capha and other Cities of Taurica or the Peninsula which are of the Turkish Empire Hee demands annually a contribution of the Tartars Armenians Iewes Cercasians Petigorens and Grecian Christians of whom he hath very few in his Dominion the Turkes are only excepted euery day are paid for a perpetuall stipend out of the Turkes Exchequer twentie fiue Dollers to the Chan twelue Dollers and a halfe to the Galga to the Soltan pledge two and a halfe and to the same Hostage Villages and ample Farmes neere Adrianople called Ianbolu are giuen by the Turke To the Dukes Caiaks Vlans and Murzies and many others which take pay are giuen constant wages according to each of their estates Notwithstanding the Chan alwayes payes euery yeere to the Turkish Emperour Captiues taken in warre of both sexes the most excellent and precious Furs and also baser Butter and Salt wherewith Taurica or the Peninsula abounds And into whatsoeuer warre he shall bee sent or called he may refuse neither may hee wage warre with any but the Duke of Moscho without the Emperour of the Turkes leaue or knowledge The Chan exacts annuall pecuniarie Rents from the better sort of Captiues taken in warre three pieces of Gold of the raskalitie one Doller and a tenth of them but from each of the Fountaines which are many in his Dominions in the Plaines of Taurica or the Peninsula one Horse of the Tartars but any necessitie enforcing the Chan all the Tartars decree a certaine contribution to him The Tartars Nobles alwayes at home and in warre also yeeld him sustenance of diuers sorts for hee neither tills nor sowes Hee hath alwayes proper Herds of Horses Camels Oxen and infinite Flockes of Sheepe Hee hath a peculiar money of base Copper which is coyned in Crimum a Towne of his Dominion round money whereof tenne are esteemed at a Turkish Siluer Aspeâ— which makes one Polonian Groat or lesse But I being present there were stamped greater Copper money siluered ouer which was valued at fiue Aspers In coyning it he hath a great and plentifull gaine for in three or foure yeeres of the same money which is carried by all the Tartars or Strangers into the Mint new inuented money is alway stamped For in all Taurica or the Peninsula it is lawfull for none Tartar or stranger euen in the Cities of the Turkes Dominion vnder a capitoll punishment and confiscation of goods of what estate soeuer hee bee to exchange Turkish pieces of Gold or the Doller of Strangers or the Turkes Siluer Asper into Tartar coyne of the other value Neither is it lawfull to buy with Gold or Siluer coyne but Tartarian which all strangers none excepted perpetually receiue by the Chans Edict When the Chan is about to go to any war he first signifies to all the Tartars of his Dominions by the Seruitors of his Court and commands them that they prepare themselues for war within three or at the most in foure weekes and that they prouide for themselues victualls for three or foure moneths That sustenance is carried in Leather-bags and those Bags among the Gentlemen are carried on Horses And they carrie with them food of Millet parched in the fire or stamped or ground for they haue Mills and thereof steeped in water the most make meate or drinke They carry Cheese and Flesh and Mares-flesh dried in the Sun they cut them in pieces boyled or drie and taking out the bones put them in Sackes They liue with Mares-milke and Cheese and sowre milke which they tempering with a certaine Art hold an excellent food The Chan hath only one Chariot with him for any danger of sicknesse also a few Camels wheron is carried for his owne person Aquauitae or some other prouision wherewith he is easily satisfied But the Tartars seuerally set meat before him and his Courtiers the gentlemen yet very few of them not seldome carry a little drie bread and a little Aquauitae on Camels or in lighter Carts But after the Chan hath determined any warlike Expedition he prepares very speedily some exercised men in an indifferent number and chooseth them sometimes Tartars but more frequently Cercesians Petigorens and those which are accounted spies of Regions and Prouinces of other Princes and expert Way-leaders they verie well know each particular passage of Places and Borders and Fords of Riuers And when they come into the Marches they goe into the neere confining circuits and each in sundrie places view all things and diligently seeke for Captiues which when they haue intercepted they returne with them speedily to the Chan of whom vsing interrogatories the Chan quickly is acquainted with the estate of those Prouinces where his skouts haue beene Forthwith therefore hee assignes the day of progression to the Tartars wherein hee stirres alone and premiseth speedily some seruants of his Court through all that Hord or Prouince They constraine and inforce to goe to warre and follow the Chan all Tartars and Christians of his gouernment men and youth if they can but sit on horses besides impotent old men and children who although they want Armes and Horses yet are accommodated by the welthier in hope of spoyle But in eight or at the vtmost in ten dayes after the Chans departure al of them follow him into certain new defined places which are beyond Perecopia toward Boristhenes the Galga Soltans Dukes Murzies the most approued valiant and chiefe Warriours and Souldiers being gathered and conuocated together and they being called to his Councell first the later Captiues and priuie Searchers also are examined at length they suddenly consult of the seasonablenesse of time places occasion of well ordering the matter and whether the warre be then commodiously to be prosecuted And mutuall consent and counsell being made and determined yet none of these things is confusedly diuulged to the multitude From the same place therefore the Ministers of the Court of the Chan Galga and Soltans going before the companies of the Dukes Murzons and other Tartarian Nobles which they lead and rule according to the ancient claime of their kindred and call them by various appellations in their Language â—he Chan moues the Armie vnder the Ensignes following in a meane order after the ancient custome of the Nation but after they haue set foot in their enemies Land againe he sends before a certaine number of the most experienced and skilfullest Espials They goe before the Armie and send backe to the Chan whatsoeuer Countreymen or others they shall take and meet with from whom hee may bee certified of the condition and armie of the enemies But when the Chan is certainly informed that no armie of enemies comes out against him he againe makes a Campe-councell
with his Nobles and Peeres how farre and wide he ought to endamage his enemies Dominions Then at length he goeth slowly forward in a perfect order with all his Hoast and commands vpon penaltie of their heads to kill all the obuious Rustickes lest after they should be taken by the Tartars they should peraduenture make an escape and certifie his enemies of his bands to the hurt of his men Moreouer they kill not women nor children nor lay hold on them nor dare lay hands of any of the prey lest his armie should be surcharged with it and cause some stay in his proceeding But when the Chan comes with his armie to the Castles Townes Villages Hamlets and manured places he elects ten or at the most fifteene thousand Souldiers with their Dukes Murzons and chiefe of his Court and most notable best tryed and principall men of Armes of all his Hoast and leaues them in his owne jurisdiction in his standing Campes or in the siege of some Fortresse then he makes ready the Galga other Soltans Dukes Murzons and the rest of the Armie which then is mustred some thousands And that Armie being spread abroad in diuers bands ouer each of which the best esteemed and ablest men are made Captaynes is extended in longitude more then ten miles and in latitude as much And as they assemble among themselues at the farthest in seuen or eight dayes but at the soonest in three or foure running about in troupes through diuers places and leading straying preyes and wasting with fire and Sword whatsoeuer they meet with returne to the Campe but if they come not backe at the prefixed day to the fortified Campe they waite not for them but all the Armie with wonderfull celeritie moue in their arrayes out of the standing Campe. And when as then also the Chan is truly signified that no Armie pursues him he prouides for places not medled with by his troupes an Armie of some thousands of selected Horsemen and as yet vnwearied He employes as many more also in ambushes in diuers places neere the Townes and Castles obuious to the Tartars lest that Armie might without delay fall into the lying in waite on any of their companies But if he bee certified by his Scouts of any numerous hoast of Enemies he neuer commits the matter to an vniuersall fight but goes forward slowly and cautelously with his bands but if the Chan be certainly assured that the Troups of his Aduersaries are many and valiant he retires a little and seekes for the better husbanded and peaceabler places and with wonderfull agilitie in his precipitious flight spoyles them with fire and sword and intends to returne home with the bootie that hee had hastily driuen away But if then hee hopes his enemies cannot ouertake him he marcheth with his Armie yet not too securely almost in the order to his confines But assoone as the Chan is entred into his Borders he takes the tenth of the principall Captiues throughout all the Armie But the Captaynes of companies and they which haue brought a greater number of captiues cull out of each Band the principall for themselues The other Tartars of the promiscuous multitude diuide the Prisoners among their troupes Notwithstanding before they come to that partition they first satisfie all those which running about by Bands haue lost Horses Garments or any thing else They sell to the Tartars both Noble and Ignoble captiues if they shall appoint no price whereby they may free themselues because the Chan being vitiated with the Merchants gifts hath set a great value on them The condition of captiues is very miserable among the Tartars for they are grieuously oppressed by them with hunger and nakednesse and the Husbandmen with stripes so that they rather desire to dye then to liue Many of them moued with the present calamitie and follie tell the Tartars that they are Gentlemen and haue wealthy and rich parents and friends They promise of their owne accord a great and almost inestimable ransome which the barbarous impious couetous hungry and cruell Nation seekes almost daily to increase with all kind of subtilties and Examinations tyes them in fetters vseth them therefore more hardly But when they vnderstand that an Agent of their people is come to the Chan they meete him with their captiues of whom sometimes they require the price falsly nominated by themselues or sometimes promised by the Prisoners but the Agent who wel knowes the craft and deceitfulnesse of the Tartars finds fault with the captiues foolishnesse and tell the Tartars that they are neither noble nor rich and that they knew not nor will euer be able to pay the price and as though they were neither moued with Pietie nor Religion reject them Yet the Agent is diligent that they be inscribed in the Catalogue and if they haue a purpose to ransome any with their own mony they hold it expedient to suborne Iewes or Tartars and other Merchants being corrupted with mony by whom being as it were neglected and rejected by the Agent they are released at a far easier rate Nothing therefore is more frequent to the captiues then to promise and offer to the Tartars this price for which they are sold to the Turkes Iewes and stranger Merchants and others beyond the Sea or a little more or twice so much if they bee able to performe it but if they cannot learne of the Rustickes or others what they are as the Tartars are for the most part went often to enquire of their captiues they are content with little Neither doe they sell them to strangers but rather to the Agent of their Nation but if they are not redeemed by the Agent they command them to write to their Parents or Kinsfolke Also many captiues are deliuered with the exchange of Tartar captiues in prouiding for and freeing of whom the Tartars exhibite and shew farre greater pietie friendlinesse and care then our Christians For disrepecting all price they first demand their Tartar captiues in exchange of ours which often promising the same and not able to performe it vse to bring vpon themselues a farre greater discommoditie For they aske of them almost an vnualuable summe wherewith they prize their Tartars which when they are not able to pay they sell them to barbarous Nations ouer the Sea for perpetuall slaues for as great a price as they can and very often at an excessiue rate or if the Tartars are wealthy they condemne them to perpetuall slauery The Chan hath all his Tartar Armie gathered of Horsemen except some hundred Gunners Ianizaries Footmen which are either Turkish Auxiliaries or some of his owne which he maintaynes He is accustomed to carrie with him some smaller Ordnance to warre From Taurica or the Peninsula the Perecopens and Crims Ossouiens Nogariens Cercessians are Tributaries and Souldiers for aide the Duke of the Cercessians Petigorens are Stipendaries and Mercenaries and are wont to goe voluntaries to the Chans warres The Oczacouiens
and Bialogrodens also they who by the continuall couenants which they haue with the Turkish Emperour sometimes also the Dobruâ—en Tartars and Inhabitants of Danubius by the command of the Emperour of the Turkes follow him to warre All that Hoast collected out of those Tartars is wont to make the number of a hundred and twentie thousand sometimes also thirtie thousand more but not seldome to exceed that Summe I haue bin truly informed by many credible Christians which often follow the Chans warres and by some captiued Gentlemen of our Nation who haue many times seene his Armie All haue according to their vse Tartarian Horses neat excellent stomackfull swift and indifferent good and commodious to vndergoe great labours The Chan most of the Soltans and Tartar Nobles vse in warre Turkish Caramanian Arabian and other Asian Tartarian and the best Out-landish Horses The swiftest Horses are accounted among them at a great and almost inestimable price They alwayes feed them Summer and Winter in the Plaines of Taurica or the Peninsula but very often as farre as the Riuers Boristhenes and Tanais the Gentlemen nourish at home very few Horses only for their vrgent occasions not for any arrogancie or luxurie They seldome put their Iades and vnprofitable Horses for riding in the Waggon for they doe all their businesse with Camels and Oxen. The Tartars vse their ancient weapons a two-edged Sword or Tartarian Cymiter somewhat long and a Turkish Dart or a Persian shorter and broader of the best Iron and well wrought a peculiar Tartarian Bow along Arrow and swift a Quiuer sometimes a short Speare after the old guize of their people They goe with Brest-plates and Helmets and in Persian or Moscouian Armes wherewith they abound being enriched by the spoyle of Christians They haue ancient Saddles and Bridles after the custome of the Nation very fitting not for pride or superfluitie the Nobles haue them prepared very elegantly strongly and compendiously for their vse But most in the Tartar Armie are altogether vnarmed and cowards and they carrie with them to warre by reason of their great Hoast almost an infinite number of Horses For a Tartar euen of the basest condition will scarcely be content with one or two Horses but three foure and more which he may haue alwayes readie with him at his hand Therefore the Armie of the Tartars is made so numerous great and terrible which when it is seene afarre off is deemed by our men almost an infinite and innumerable Hoast Now when the Tartarian Armie is come into their enemies Country the Tartars ranke not themselues in bands or troupes but all set forward and proceed leisurely They dispose many Watchmen in all parts throughout their companies which they make greater or lesser for their supply but after that the foremost of them haue descryed their enemy they counterfeit a flight that they may more easily allure them into those troupes which they haue laid in ambushments and so ouer-charge him But when they espie a great Armie of enemies they make a retraite quickly and speedily to their Armie Rankes and Banners There is great celeritie in constituting and gouerning their troupes seeing that they are not ruled onely by the aduertizements of the Generals and Praefects of their Regiments but also by the shew of Whips as is the long continued practice of the Nation and they are subject so to a becke that they are very easily brought into their Ranges whensoeuer it is necessary The Chan is alwayes fortified in warre with a band of some thousands of noble and couragious Tartars in number some hundreds of Ianizaries Footmen and some small Ordnance In the Chans Regiment a very great white Mares tayle and a piece of Greene and Red Silke of the Turkish Emperour is carryed before on a great Pike for the Standard There appeare in the troupes of the other Tartars many Ancients and Ensignes of various colours The more famous Souldiers and they which are notable in reputation dexteritie and war-like Prowes and haue atchieued in warre some Noble Seruice and Enterprize are greatly honoured by the Chan Soldans Kiniazons and Murzons And that respect is had to them that the Chan doth not only reward them with certayne great benefits and such liberalitie as he can shew them but also is so mindfull of their deserts and 〈◊〉 that he assignes them and their successors in the Assembly and as the fashion is at his Table a perpetuall place of honour among his more noble Murzons That dignitie among the Tartars is the greatest and Hereditary for they going to warre able and experienced men which possesse that place are dignified by the Chan with the glorie of leading the Troupes The Chan also frees some Tartar captiues with the permutation of captiues and in ransoming others he largely powres out his owne Treasure and willingly comforts them as he is able CHAP. XXII DITHMAR BLEFKENS his Voyages and Historie of Island and Groenland IN the yeere 1563. two Hamburg Merchants ships determined to sayle to Island the Mariners by an ancient custome desirous to haue a Minister of Gods Word with them commend this care to the Ministers of the Church of Hamburg and intreat them to prouide them a Minister One Doctor Paulus ab Etzen was then Superintendent of the Church of Hamburg While therefore I stayd at Hamburg expecting my Library from Rostoch I entred into some familiaritie with Paulus and the rest of the Ministers This Office was bestowed vpon me which I vndertooke the more willingly because I had a longing desire to know strange things and diuers Countries yeelding to their perswasion Taking ship therefore the tenth of Aprill wee sayled vpon the Coast of England and Scotland and passing beyond the Ilands Orcades in number fifteene whereof the most part lye vnmanured for the barrenesse Ferow and Hitland are inhabited Here wee saw a very high Rocke which in the top representeth the head of a cooled Monke where also there is a safe Harbour against all winds and this Monke deliuereth many from present dangers The fourteenth of Iune we descryed Island which seemes afarre off like winter clouds The next day we attayned the Land and Hauen of Haffenefordt toward the South Iseland is a rough hilly and snowie Land which is supposed to bee twice bigger then Sicilia it is thought to be a hundred leagues in length which also Olaus Magnus testifieth in his eleuenth Booke It hath the name of the perpetuall Ice and coldnesse of the Ayre which is there most sharpe for eight whole moneths it is troubled with Ice It burneth notwithstanding with heat and inward fire in many places The extremitie of cold increaseth this heate in the bowels of the earth which cold continueth the greater part of the yeere a few Summer moneths excepted and so bindeth the pores in the vpper part of the Earth that it can haue no free vent And this Iland hath so great a Latitude from the
as he sate in his Imperiall seat and the-also a famous Merchant of Netherland being newly come to Mosco who gaue him selfe out to be the King of Spaines subiect called Iohn de Wale was in like sort called for Some of the Nobilitie would haue preferred this subiect of the Spaniard before Master Horsey seruant to the Queen of England whereunto Master Horsey would in no case agree saying hee would haue his legges cut off by the knees before hee would yeelde to such an indignitie offered to his Soueraigne the Queenes Maiestie of England to bring the Emperour a present in course after the King of Spaines subiect or any other whatsoeuer The Emperour and the Prince Boris Pheodorowich perceuing the controuersie sent the Lord Treasurer Peter Iuanowich Galauyn and Vasili Shalkan both of the Counsell to them who deliuered the Emperour backe Master Horseys speech whereupon he was first in order as good reason admitted and presented the Emperour in the behalfe of the English Merchants trading thither a present wishing him ioy and long to raigne in tranquilitie and so kissed the Emperours hand he accepting the present with good liking and auouching that for his Sisters sake Queene Elizabeth of England he would be a gracious Lord to her Merchants in as ample manner as euer his Father had beene and being dismissed he had the same day sent him seauentie dishes of sundry kinds of meats with three carts laden with al sorts of drinks very bountifully After him was the foresaid subiect of the Spanish King admitted with his present whom the Emperor willed to be no lesse faithfull seruiceable vnto him then the Queen of Englands subiects were had been then the King of Spains subiects shold receiue fauor accordingly All these things thus in order performed prayses were sung in all the Churches The Emperour and Empresse very deuoutly resorted on foote to many principal Churches in the Citie and vpon Trinitie Sunday betooke themselues to a progresse in order of procession to a famous Monasterie called Sergius and the Trinitie sixtie miles distant from the Citie of Mosco accompanied with a huge armie of Noblemen Gentlemen and others mounted vpon goodly Horses with furniture accordingly The Empresse of deuotion tooke this iourney on foote all the way accompanyed with her Princesses and Ladies no small number her Guard and Gunners were in number twentie thousand her chiefe Counsellor or Attendant was a noble man of the bloud Royall her Vncle of great authoritie called Demetri Iuanowich Godonoua All this progresse ended both the Emperour and Empresse returned to Mosco shortly after the Emperour by the direction of the Prince Boris Pheodorowich sent a power into the Land of Siberia where all the rich Sables and Furres are gotten This power conquered in one yeere and a halfe one thousand miles In the performance of this warre there was taken prisoner the Emperour of the Country called Chare Sibersky and with him many other Dukes and Noble men which were brought to Mosco with a guard of Souldiers and Gunners who were receiued into the Citie in very honourable manner and doe there remaine to this day Hereupon the corrupt Officers Iudges Iustices Captaines and Lieutenants through the whole Kingdome were remooued and more honest men substituted in their places with expresse commandement vnder seuere punishment to surcease their old bribing and extortion which they had vsed in the old Emperours time and now to execute true iustice without respect of persons and to the end that this might be the better done their lands and yeerly stipends were augmented the great taskes customes and duties which were before laid vpon the people in the old Emperours time were now abated and some wholly remitted and no punishments commanded to be vsed without sufficient and due proofe although the crime were capitall deseruing death many Dukes and Noble men of great Houses that were vnder displeasure and imprisoned twentie yeeres by the old Emperour were now set at libertie and restored to their lands all prisoners were set at libertie and their trespasses forgiuen In summe a great alteration vniuersally in the gouernment followed and yet all was done quietly ciuilly peaceably without trouble to the Prince or offence to the Subiect and this bred great assurance and honour to the Kingdome and all was accomplished by the wisedome especially of Irenia the Empresse These things being reported and carried to the eares of the Kings and Princes that were borderers vpon Russia they grew so fearfull and terrible to them that the Monarch of all the Scythians called the Crim Tartar or great Can himselfe named Sophet Keri Alli came out of his owne Countrie to the Emperour of Russia accompanied with a great number of his Nobilitie well horsed although to them that were Christians they seemed rude yet they were personable men and valiant their comming was gratefull to the Emperour and their entertainment was honourable the Tartar Prince hauing brought with him his wiues also receiued of the Russe Emperour entertainment and Princely welcome according to their estates Not long after one thousand and two hundred Polish Gentlemen valiant Souldiers and proper men came to Mosco offering their seruice to the Emperour who were all entertayned and in like sort many Chirkasses and people of other Nations came and offered seruice And as soone as the report of this new created Emperour was spred ouer other Kingdomes of Europe there were sent to him sundrie Ambassadors to wish him ioy and prosperitie in his Kingdome thither came Ambassadors from the Turke from the Persian the Bogharian the Crim the Georgian and many other Tartar Princes There came also Ambassadors from the Emperour 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 Emperour was desirous to send a message to the most excellent Queene of England for which seruice he thought no man fitter then Master Ierome Horsey supposing that one of the Queenes owne men and subiects would bee 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 Queenes Maiestie and her Subiects with other priuate affaires besides which are not to bee 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 Vobskie and thence to Nyhouse in Liuonia to Wenden and so to Riga where he was beset and brought forthwith before a Cardinall called Rageuil but yet suffered 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
husbands bosomes to serue their lusts neither did Demetrius as they say punish them one onely being sentenced and hee violently rescued from execution by the Poles They say also that Demetrius his body was plucked out of the graue and burnt the ashes throwne into the aire the seeds as the sequele seemed to shew of many Demetrij after Suiskey is also by some reported to haue beene chosen by lot in this manner The Nobles cast lots foure times to receiue a Successor as it were by diuine sentence in lot-oracle in euery of which times the lot fell vpon Suiskey for as some say there were three or foure neerer then hee he modestly refusing and enforced by constancy of the various lot to accept that Scepter whereof others thinke him as ambitious as was modest Boris before him Howeuer he hath left his name and memorie written in as blacke inke as either Boris or Demetrius if Reports bee true which say that he proued a wicked Prince partly by poison partly by the Tartars making away all whose bloud might by Nobilitie threaten a probabilitie of their prouing his Corriuals Yea he is said to haue sent for Witches and Sorcerers Laps Samoeds Tartars or whatsoeuer other Nation yeelded such Hell-hags incarnate Fiends the Deuils blacke guard to consult about his Empire and succession and the Deuill is a murtherer to haue sealed their predictions with bloud Thus being told that one Michalowich should succeed he is said presently to haue plotted the death of three Grandes of that name his best seruants yet the superstitious people obserue after much chopping and changing that in little time the State was settled on one of that Name which still swaieth the Scepter Who then being a youth of no State-terror was his attendant in Court and bare an Axe after their custome before him One of his first Acts was to send into Poland an Embassage which could not bee admitted audience till Ianuarie Hee thereby complayned of Sandomerskos artes which obtruded that Changeling on Russia whereby aboue two hundred of principall Nobilitie had lost their liues demanding restitution of the moneys which that Impostor had caused to bee transported into Poland and restitution of goods otherwise hee would with Charles of Sweden Duke of Suderman enter Poland with an Armie to bee reuenged for the league which they had sworne broken c. Sigismund answered modestly with excuse of their helping the right Heire in their conceits and that his desire was that peace should continue being loth in times then tumultuous at home to prouoke a forreine enemie so neere in dwelling so remote in affection Sandomersko still remayned prisoner in Russia But things being better setled in Poland and growing worse in Russia by the dislike conceiued against Suiskey a double danger grew to him both from another reuiued Demetrius yea many pretending that Name and Title did after arise as out of his dispersed ashes within Russia and from the Poles without willing both to assist him vnder colour of Reuenge and with hope of Conquest also to inuade and fish for themselues in troubled waters As for that Demetrius new risen from the dead not to mention the others of inferiour note I shall relate Captaine Gilberts reports which knew him and was by him entertayned as I receiued them of a iudicious friend of mine which had them from his owne mouth Hee being at Coluga as before is said receiued a Letter from this new Demetrius so written that it appeared to bee of the former Demetrius his owne hand and thus also he vsed to doe to others being able to counterfeit his writing and to relate such other particulars as seemed impossible to any but Demetrius to doe Hereupon Captaine Gilbert went with his Guard of Souldiers to meete him and the Polake Generall which came with him And whiles he was yet a good distance off Ah this Demetrius called to him my true seruant where were you and my Guard when the villaines hurt me but if I had followed the counsell which you gaue me such a time in such a place relating the particulars I had preuented them This circumstance had moued him to beleeue this to be the former Demetrius had not he differed from this in person as night from day Thus also he said he affirmed to the Pole Generall asking him how he liked this Demetrius that This and That were as like as Night and Day for the former was of goodly personage and this a very deformed wretch The Pole replyed It is no matter Captaine this Demetrius shall serue our turne to bee reuenged of the perfidious and bloudie Russe And this Demetrius acted the other so neerly and could so cunningly and confidently relate particular passages of past occurrents that the Lady of Demetrius was by him bedded Thus was miserable Russia ground betwixt these two Mill-stones the pretending Demetrius and the super-intending Pole Suiskey is helped not a little by the English which brought him strangely and aduenturously powder and munition to his Castle to Mosco which yet at last by reuolt of the Citizens deliuers vp it selfe and him to the Poles And as for that pretending Demetrius he was afterwards murthered in his Campe by a Tartar But it is meet to take hereof larger view Sigismund King of Poland layeth claime to Sweden as sonne to King Iohn who is said to haue vniustly depriued Ericus of his life and Kingdome whose yonger brother Duke Charles first receiued his Nephew King Sigismund then also elected and still continuing King of Poland but vpon warres which after arose betwixt them the issue was that the Pole holds the Title but Charles obtayned both Regall Title and Power wherein his Sonne hath succeeded Suiskey takes hold of this difference and Charles assists him with an Armie sent vnder the command of Pontus de la Gard a French Coronell consisting of English French and Scots These march to Mosco which the new Demetrius and Poles held besieged and put Demetrius into such feare that not trusting the Pole and fearing his Aduersaries on both sides he stole away by night with a small retinue and the Poles obtayned Articles of composition and departed But miserable were the distresses by famine fire sword rapes and other outrages in other parts of Russia caused by other Poles and yet these but as a beginning and prelude to other following For the King of Poland entred with a huge Armie some say of an hundred thousand men inuaded the Muscouite and especially laid siege to Smolensko He is reported thence to haue sent twentie thousand to besiege Mosco Suiskey had sent to King Charles for more aide which he procured out of England and other Countries of which I had rather let you heare an eye-witnesse speake of this as elsewhere other English men haue related their owne voyages This indeed deserueth relation as a tragedie of meaner persons with manifold vicissitudes of miseries attending voluntarie Souldiers as
they did wheresoeuer they came was to build a House or Tabernacle for their false god which they set alwayes in the middest of their Campe and there placed the Arke vpon an Altar in the same manner as they haue vsed in the holy Christian Church This done they sowed their land for bread and pulses which they vsed and they were so addicted to the obedience of their god that if he commanded them to gather they gathered but if he commanded them to raise their Campe all was left there for the nourishment of the aged sicke and wearie which they left purposely from place to place that they might people it pretending by this meanes that all the Land should remaine inhabited by their Nation We may well iudge what this Vitzliputzli was for that there was neuer seene nor heard speake of customes more superstitious nor sacrifices more cruell and inhumane then those which hee taught them To conclude they were inuented by the enemie of mankinde The Chiefe and Captaine whom they followed was called Mexi whence came the name of Mexico and of the Mexican Nation This people marching thus at leisure as the other sixe Nations had done peopling and tilling the Land in diuers parts whereof there is yet some shewes and ruines and after they had endured many trauels and dangers in the end they came to the Prouince of Mechouacan which is as much to say as a land of fish for there is great abundance in goodly great Lakes where contenting themselues with the situation and temperature of the ground they resolued to stay there Yet hauing consulted with their Idoll vpon this point and finding him vnwilling they demanded license to leaue some of their men to people so good a Land the which he granted teaching them the meanes how to doe it which was that when the Men and Women should be entred into a goodly Lake called Pascuaro to bathe themselues those which remayned on Land should steale away all their clothes and then secretly raise their Campe and depart without any bruit the which was effected and the rest which dreamt not of this deceit for the pleasure they tooke in bathing comming forth and finding themselues spoyled of their garments and thus mocked and left by their Companions they remayned discontented and vexed therewith so as to make shew of the hatred they had conceiued against them they say that they changed their manner of life and their language At the least it is most certaine that the Mechouacans haue beene alwayes enemies to the Mexicans and therefore they came to congratulate the Marquesse De Valle after his victorie obtayned when he had conquered Mexico From Mechouacan to Mexico are aboue fiftie leagues and vpon the way is Malinalco where it happened that complayning to their Idoll of a woman that was a notable witch which came in their company carrying the name of their sister to their god for that with her wicked artes shee did them much harme pretending by certaine meanes to bee worshipped of them as their goddesse the Idoll spake in a dreame to one of those old men that carried the Arke commanding him to comfort the people making them new and great promises and that they should leaue this his sister with her family being cruell and bad raysing their Campe at mid-night in great silence leauing no shew what way they passed So they did and the Witch remayning alone with her family in this sort peopled a Towne which they call Malinalco the Inhabitants whereof are held for great Sorcerers being issued from such a mother The Mexicans for that they were greatly diminished by these diuisions and by the number of sicke and wearied persons which they had left behinde meant to repayre themselues and to stay in a place called Tula which signifies a place of Reedes There their Idoll commanded them to stop a great Riuer that it might couer a great Playne and by the meanes he taught them they did inuiron a little Hill called Coatepec making a great Lake the which they did plant round about with Willowes Elmes Sapines and other Trees There began to breede much fish and many birds came thither so as it became a very pleasant place The situation of this place seeming pleasant vnto them and being wearied with trauell many talked of peopling there and to passe no farther wherewith the Deuill was much displeased threatning the Priests with death commanding them to returne the Riuer to her course saying that hee would that night chastise those which had beene disobedient as they had deserued And as to doe ill is proper to the Deuill and that the diuine Iustice doth often suffer such to be deliuered into the hands of such a Tormentor that choose him for their god It chanced that about mid-night they heard a great noyse in one part of the Campe and in the morning going thither they found those dead that had talked of staying there The manner of their death was that their stomacks were opened and their hearts pulled out And by that meanes this good god taught these poore miserable Creatures the kindes of sacrifices that pleased him which was in opening the stomacke to pull out the heart as they haue since practised in their horrible sacrifices Seeing this punishment and that the Playne was dryed the Lake being emptied they asked counsell of their god what to doe who commanded them to passe on the which they did by little and little vntill they came to Chapultepec a league from Mexico famous for the pleasantnesse thereof They did fortifie themselues in these Mountaines fearing the Nations which inhabited that Country the which were opposite vnto them especially for that one named Copil sonne to this Sorceresse left in Malinalco had blamed and spoken ill of the Mexicans for this Copil by the commandement of his mother awhile after followed the Mexicans course labouring to incense the Tapanecas and other neighbours against them euen vnto the Chalcas so as they came with a strong Armie to destroy the Mexicans Copil in the meane space stood vpon a little Hill in the middest of a Lake called Acopilco attending the destruction of his Enemies and they by the aduice of their Idoll went against him tooke him suddenly and slue him carrying his heart to their god who commanded them to cast it into the Lake fayning that thereof did grow a plant called Tunal where since Mexico was built They came to fight with the Chalcas and other Nations hauing chosen for their Captaine a valiant man called Vitzilonilti who in an encounter was taken and slaine by the Enemies But for all this they were not discouraged but fought valiantly and in despight of their Enemies they brake the squadrons and carrying their Aged their Women and young Children in the midst of their battaile they passed on to Atlacuyauaya a Towne of the Culhuans whom they found solemnising of a Feast in which place they fortified
Mexico Although the chiefe Citie of the Tapanecanes was that of Azcapuzalco yet had they others with their priuate Lords as Tucuba and Cuyoacan These seeing the storme passed would gladly that they of Azcapuzalco had renewed the warre against the Mexicans and seeing them danted as a Nation wholly broken and defeated they of Cuyoacan resolued to make warre by themselues to the which they laboured to draw the other neighbour Nations who would not stirre nor quarrell with the Mexicans In the meane time the hatred and malice increasing they of Cuyoacan began to ill intreate the women that went to their Markets mocking at them and doing the like to the men ouer whom they had power for which cause the King of Mexico defended that none of his should goe to Cuyoacan and that they should receiue none of them into Mexico the which made them of Cuyoacan resolue wholly to warre but first they would prouoke them by some shamefull scorne which was that hauing inuited them to one of their solemne Feasts after they had made them a goodly Banquet and feasted them with a great daunce after their manner then sent them for their fruite womens apparell forcing them to put it on and so to returne home like women to their Citie reproaching them that they were cowards and effeminate and that they durst not take armes being sufficiently prouoked Those of Mexico say that for reuenge they did vnto them a foule scorne laying at the gates of their Citie of Cuyoacan certaine things which smoaked by meanes whereof many women were deliuered before their time and many fell sicke In the end all came to open war and there was a battaile fought wherein they imploied all their forces in the which Tlacaellec by his courage and policie in warre obtained the victorie For hauing left King Izcoalt in fight with them of Cuyoacan he put himselfe in ambush with some of the most valiant Souldiers and so turning about charged them behinde and forced them to retire into their Citie But seeing their intent was to flie into a Temple which was very strong he with three other valiant Souldiors pursued them eagarly and got before them seising on the Temple and firing it so as he forced them to flie to the fields where he made a great slaughter of the vanquished pursuing them two leagues into the Countrie vnto a little hill where the vanquished casting away their weapons and their armes a crosse yeelded to the Mexicans and with many teares craued pardon of their ouerweening folly in vsing them like women offering to be their slaues so as in the end the Mexicanes did pardon them Of this victory the Mexicans did carry away very rich spoiles of Garments Armes Gold Siluer Iewels and rich feathers with a great number of Captiues In this Battaile there were three of the principals of Culhuacan that came to aide the Mexicans to win honour the which were remarkeable aboue all And since being knowne to Tlacaellec and hauing made proofe of their fidelity he gaue them Mexican deuises and had them alwayes by his side where they fought in all places very valiantly It was apparant that the whole victory was due to the Generall and to these three for among so many captiues taken two third parts were wonne by these foure which was easily knowne by a policie they vsed for taking a Captiue they presently cut off a little of his haire and gaue it to others so as it appeared that those which had their haire cut amonnted to that number whereby they wonne great reputation and fame of valiant men They were honoured as Conquerours giuing them good portions of the spoiles and Lands as the Mexicans haue alwaies vsed to doe which gaue occasion to those that did fight to become famous and to win reputation by Armes The Nation of the Tapanecans being subdued the Mexicans had occasion to doe the like to the Suchimilcos who as it hath beene said were the first of the seuen Caues or linages that peopled this Land The Mexicans sought not the occasion although they might presume as Conquerours to extend their limits but the Suchimilcos did moue them to their owne ruine as it happens to men of small iudgement that haue no foresight who not preuenting the mischiefe they imagined fall into it The Suchimilcos held opinion that the Mexicans by reason of their victories past should attempt to subdue them and consulted hereon among themselues Some among them thought it good to acknowledge them for superiours and to applaud their good fortune but the contrary was allowed and they went out to giue them battaile which Izcoalt the King of Mexico vnderstanding he sent his Generall Tlacaellec against them with his armie the battaile was fought in the same field that diuides their limits which two Armies were equall in men and armes but very diuers in their order and manner of fighting for that the Suchimilcos charged all together on a heape confusedly and Tlacaellec diuided his men into squadrons with a goodly order so as he presently brake his enemies forcing them to retire into their Citie into the which they entred following them to the Temple whither they fled which they fired and forcing them to flye to the Mountaines in the end they brought them to this point that they yeelded with their arme acrosse The Generall Tlacaellec returning in great triumph the Priests went forth to receiue him with their musicke of Flutes and giuing incense The chiefe Captaines vsed other Ceremonies and shewes of ioy as they had beene accustomed to doe and the King with all the troupe went to the Temple to giue thankes to their false god The day following the King Izcoalt went vnto the Citie of Suchimilco causing himselfe to be sworne King of the Suchimilcos and for their comfort he promised to doe them good In token whereof he commanded them to make a great Cawsey stretching from Mezico to Suchimilco which is foure leagues to the end there might be more commerce and trafficke among them Which the Suchimilcos performed and in short time the Mexican gouernment seemed so good vnto them as they held themselues happy to haue changed their King and Common-weale Some neighbours pricked forward by enuie or feare to their ruines were not yet made wise by others miseries Cuitlauaca was a Citie within the Lake which though the name and dwelling be changed continueth yet They were actiue to swim in the Lake and therefore they thought they might much indomage and annoy the Mexicans by water which the King vnderstanding he resolued to send his Armie presently to fight against them But Tlacaellec little esteeming this warre holding it dishonorable to lead an Armie against them made offer to conquer them with the children onely which he performed in this manner he went vnto the Temple and drew out of the Couent such children as he thought fittest for the action from tenne to eighteene yeares of age who knew how to
with all his power where he vanquished them and ruined all their kingdome and passing beyond the Mountaine Menade he conquered still euen vnto the North Sea Then returning towards the South Sea he subdued many Prouinces so as he became a mighty King all by the helpe and counsell of Tlacaellec who in a manner conquered all the Mexican Nation Yet he held an opinion the which was confirmed that it was not behoouefull to conquer the Prouince of Tlascalla that the Mexicans might haue a frontier enemy to keepe the youth of Mexico in exercise and allarme and that they might haue numbers of Captiues to Sacrifice to their Idols wherein they did waste as hath beene said infinite numbers of men which should be taken by force in the wars The honor must be giuen to Moteçuma or to speak truly to Tlacaellec his Generall for the good order and pollicy setled in the Realme of Mexico as also for the Counsels and goodly enterprises which they did execute and likewise for the number of Iudges and Magistrates being as well ordered there as in any Common-weale yea were it in the most flourishing of Europe This King did also greatly increase the Kings house giuing it great authoritie and appointing many and sundry Officers which serued him with great pompe and ceremony He was no lesse remarkable touching the deuotion and seruice of his Idols increasing the number of his Ministers and instituting new ceremonies whereunto he carried a great respect He built that great Temple dedicated to their god Vitziliputzli whereof is spoken in the other Booke He did Sacrifice at the dedication of this Temple a great number of men taken in sundry victories finally inioying his Empire in great prosperitie he fell sicke and died hauing raigned twentie eight yeares vnlike to his successor Ticocic who did not resemble him neither in valour nor in good fortune The foure Deputies assembled in counsell with the Lords of Tescuco and Tacuba where Tlacaellec was President in the election where by all their voices Tlacaellec was chosen as deseruing this charge better then any other Yet he refused it perswading them by pertinent reasons that they should choose another saying that it was better and more expedient to haue another King and he to be his instrument and assistant as he had beene till then and not to lay the whole burthen vpon him for that he held himselfe no lesse bound for the Common-weale then if he were King seeming to him though he were not King yet in a manner that he commanded Kings suffering him to carry certaine markes as a Tiara or ornament for the head which belonged onely to themselues as in a Comedie he deserues most commendation that represents the personage that imports most In recompence of his modesty and for the respect which the Mexican Electors bare him they demanded of Tlacaellec that seeing he would not raigne whom hee thought most fit Whereupon he gaue his voyce to a Sonne of the deceased King who was then very young called Ticocic but they replied that his shoulders were very weake to beare so heauie a burthen Tlacaellec answered that his was there to helpe him to beare the burthen as he had done to the deceased by meanes whereof they tooke their resolution and Ticocic was chosen to whom were done all the accustomed ceremonies They pierced his nosthrils and for an ornament put an Emerald therein and for this reason in the Mexican Bookes this King is noted by his nosthrils pierced Hee differed much from his Father and Predecessor being noted for a coward and not valiant He went to make warre for his Coronation in a Prouince that had rebelled where hee lost more of his owne men then hee tooke captiues yet he returned saying that he brought the number of captiues required for the Sacrifice of his Coronation and so hee was crowned with great solemnitie But the Mexicans discontented to haue a King so little disposed to warre practised to hasten his death by poison For this cause he continued not aboue foure yeeres in the Kingdome But this losse was well repaired by a Brother of the deceased who was also sonne to great Moteçuma called Axayaca who was likewise chosen by the aduice of Tlacaellec wherein hee happened better then before Now was Tlacaellec very old who by reason of his age was carried in a chaire vpon mens shoulders to assist in counsell when businesse required In the end he fell sicke when as the King who was not yet crowned did visit him often shedding many teares seeming to loose in him his Father and the Father of his Countrey Tlacaellec did most affectionately recommend his children vnto him especially the eldest who had shewed himselfe valiant in the former warres The King promised to haue regard vnto him and the more to comfort the old man in his presence hee gaue him the charge and ensignes of Captaine Generall with all the preheminences of his Father wherewith the old man remained so well satisfied as with this content he ended his dayes The Mexicans made his Funerall as the Founder of that Empire more sumptuous and stately then they had done to any of their former Kings And presently after Axayaca to appease the sorrow which all the people of Mexico shewed for the death of their Captaine resolued to make the voyage necessary for his Coronation He therefore led his Armie with great expedition into the Prouince of Tequantepec two hundred leagues from Mexico where he gaue battell to a mighty Army and an infinite number of men assembled together as well out of that Prouince as from their Neighbours to oppose themselues against the Mexicans The first of his Campe that aduanced himselfe to the combate was the King himselfe defying his enemies from whom he made shew to flye when they charged him vntill hee had drawne them into an Ambuscadoe where many Souldiers lay hidden vnder straw who suddenly issued forth and they which fled turned head so as they of Tiquantepec remayned in the midst of them whom they charged furiously making a great slaughter of them and following their victorie they razed their Citie and Temple punishing all their Neighbours rigorously Then went they on farther and without any stay conquered to Guatulco the which is a Port at this day well knowne in the South Sea Axayaca returned to Mezico with great and rich spoiles where he was honourably crowned with sumptuous and stately preparation of Sacrifices Tributes and other things whither many came to see his Coronation The Kings of Mexico receiued the Crowne from the hands of the King of Tescuco who had the preheminence Hee made many other Enterprises where he obtained great victories being alwayes the first to leade the Armie and to charge the enemie by the which he purchased the name of a most valiant Captaine and not content to subdue strangers he also suppressed his Subjects which had rebelled which neuer any of his Predecessors
with heauie burthens that shewing their courage therein they might more easily be admitted into the company of Souldiers By this meanes it happened that many went laden to the Armie and returned Captaines with markes of honour Some of them were so desirous to be noted as they were either taken or slaine and they held it lesse honourable to remaine a prisoner And therefore they sought rather to be cut in peeces then to fall captiues into their enemies hands See how Noblemens children that were inclined to the warres were imployed The others that had their inclination to matters of the Temple and to speake after our manner to be Ecclesiasticall men hauing attained to sufficient yeares they were drawne out of the colledge and placed in the Temple in the lodging appointed for religious men and then they gaue them the order of Ecclesiasticall men There had they Prelates and Masters to teach them that which concerned their profession where they should remaine being destined thereunto These Mexicans tooke great care to bring vp their children if at this day they would follow this order in building of houses colledges for the instruction of youth without doubt Christianitie should flourish much amongst the Indians Some godly persons haue begunne and the King with his Counsell haue fauoured it but for that it is a matter of no profit they aduance little and proceede coldly We haue not discouered any Nation at the Indians that liue in comminalties which haue not their recreations in plaies dances and exercises of pleasure At Peru I haue seene plaies in manner of combats where the men of both sides were sometimes so chafed that often their Paella which was the name of this exercise fell out dangerous I haue also seene diuers sorts of dances wherein they did counterfait and represent certaine trades and offices as shepheards labourers fishers and hunters and commonly they made all those dances with a very graue sound and pale there were other dances and maskes which they called Guacones whose actions were pure representations of the deuill There were also men that dance on the shoulders one of another as they doe in Portugall the which they call Paellas The greatest pars of these dances were superstitions and kindes of Idolatries for that they honoured their Idols and Guacas in that manner For this reason the Prelates haue laboured to take from them these dances all they could but yet they suffer them for that part of them are but sports of recreation for alwayes they dance after their manner In these dances they vse sundry sorts of instruments whereof some are like Flutes or little Canons others like Drums and others like Cornets but commonly they sing all with the voyce and first one or two sing the song then all the rest answer them Some of these songs were very wittily composed containing Histories and others were full of superstitions and some were meere follies Our men that haue conuersed among them haue laboured to reduce matters of our holy faith to their tunes the which hath profited well for that they employ whole dayes to rehearse and sing them for the great pleasure and content they take in their tunes They haue likewise put our compositions of Musicke into their Language as Octaues Songs and Rondels the which they haue very aptly turned and in truth it is a goodly and very necessary meanes to instruct the people In Peru they commonly call Dances Tagui in other Prouinces Areittos and in Mexico Mittottes There hath not beene in any other place any such curiositie of Playes and Dances as in New Spaine where at this day we see Indians so excellent Dancers as it is admirable Some dance vpon a Cord some vpon a long and streight stake in a thousand sundry sorts others with the soles of their feet and their hammes do handle cast vp and receiue againe a very heauy blocke which seemes incredible but in seeing it They doe make many other shewes of their great agilitie in leaping vaulting and tumbling sometimes bearing a great and heauy burthen sometimes enduring blowes able to breake a barre of Iron But the most vsuall exercise of recreation among the Mexicans is the solemne Mittotte and that is a kind of dance they held so braue and so honourable that the King himselfe danced but not ordinarily as the King Don Pedro of Arragon with the Barber of Valencia This Dance or Mittotte was commonly made in the Courts of the Temple and in those of the Kings houses which were more spacious They did place in the midst of the Court two Instruments one like to a Drumme and the other like a Barrell made of one piece and hollow within which they set vpon the forme of a man a beast or vpon a Pillar These two Instruments were so well accorded together that they made a good harmony and with these Instruments they made many kinds of Ayres and Songs They did all sing and dance to the sound and measure of these Instruments with so goodly an order and accord both of their feet and voyces as it was a pleasant thing to behold In these Dances they made two Circles or Wheeles the one was in the middest neere to the Instruments wherein the Ancients and Noblemen did sing and dance with a soft and slow motion and the other was of the rest of the people round about them but a good distance from the first wherein they danced two and two more lightly making diuers kinds of paces with certayne leaps to the measure All which together made a very great Circle They attyred themselues for these Dances with their most precious apparell and Iewels euery one according to his abilitie holding it for a very honourable thing for this cause they learned these Dances from their infancie And although the greatest part of them were done in honour of their Idols yet was it not so instituted as hath beene said hut only as a recreation and pastime for the people Therefore it is not conuenient to take them quite from the Indians but they must take good heed they mingle not their superstitions amongst them I haue seene this Mittotte in the Court of the Church of Topetzotlan a Village seuen leagues from Mexico and in my opinion it was a good thing to busie the Indians vpon Festiuall dayes seeing they haue need of some recreation and because it is publike and without the preiudice of any other there is lesse inconuenience then in others which may be done priuately by themselues if they tooke away these To the Reader REader I here present vnto thee the choisest of my Iewels My trauelling fancis hath inuited many Readers to many my labours in strange births already Qâ—ae regio in terris nostri non plena laboris Iaponian and China rarities so remote from our world are neere to our worke and their characters communicated here to the Reader not their arts alone Thou hast here also Indostan Arabike Persian
of the Spaniards imagine the desire of that Metall hauing made such an impression in their imagination that they told Cortes before hee came at it they had seene a house with wals of Siluer Here and at Chiauiztlan Cortes incited them to rebell against Mutezuma and to become seruants to the Spaniards which they did and he vnder-hand so wrought that Mutezuma tooke him for his friend All his intent was to fish in troubled waters and to set them both by the eares that hee might watch oportunitie to benefit himselfe His owne people rebelled some of whom he chastised with the halter and the whip for example to the rest and after caused all his ships to bee sunke closely that they should not minde any returne He left 150. man for the guard of the new Towne vnder Pedro de Henrico and with 400. Spaniards fifteene Horses and sixe Peeces of Artillery and 1300 Indians they went from Zempoallan and came to Zaclotan the Lord whereof was Olintler the subject of Mutezuma who to testifie his joy and to honour Cortes commanded fifty men to be sacrificed whose bloud they saw new and fresh They carried the Spaniards on their shoulders sitting on Beeres such as whereon they vse to carry dead men He bragged as much of the power of Mutezuma as their Spaniards of their Emperour He said he had thirty Vassals each of which was able to bring into the field an hundred thousand men of Warre and sacrificed 20000. men yearely to the gods in this he somewhat exceeded the other was true although some yeares the Sacrifices also were thought to amount to 50000. This Towne was great and had thirteene Temples in each of which were many Idols of stone of diuers fashions before whom they sacrificed Men Doues Quailes other things with great perfumes and veneration Here Mutezuma had 5000. Souldiers in Garrison Cortes passed from thence to Mexico by the Frontiers of Tlaxcallon which were enemies to Mutezuma whom he might easily haue ouercome but reserued partly for the exercise of his Subiects to the Warre parâ—ly for the Sacrifices to his gods These ioyned an hundred and fifty thousand men against Cortes taking him for Mutezuma's friend and yet euery day sent him Guinney-cockes and Bread partly to espie his strength and partly in a brauery lest their glory should be obscured in the conquest of men already starued But when in many skirmishes and fights they could not preuaile against that handfull of Spaniards they thought they were preserued from harme by inchantments and sent him three presents with this message That if he were that rigorous god which eateth mans flesh he should eate those fiue slaues which they brought him and they would bring him more if he were the meeke and gentle god behold Frankinsence and Feathers if he were a mortall man take here Fowle Bread and Cherries At last they made peace with him and submitted their City to him Their City Tlaxcallan was great planted by a Riuers side which issued into the South-Sea It had foure Streetes each of which had their Captaine in the time of Warre The gouernment was an Aristocraty hating Monarchy no lesse then tyranny It had eight and twenty Villages and in them an hundred and fifty thousand Housholds very poore but good warriors They had one Market-place so spacious that thirty thousand persons in a day came thither to buy and sell by exchange for money they had none Mutezuma had sent before to Cortes and promised tribute to the Emperour whatsoeuer should be imposed onely he would not haue him come to Mexico And now he sent againe that he should not trust that new friendship with the beggerly Nation of Tlaxcallan and they againe counselled him not to aduenture himselfe to Mutezuma Cortes held his determination for Mexico and being accompanied with many of the Tlaxcantlexas he went to Chololla a little from whence Mutezuma had prepared an Army to intrap him in the way but he finding the trechery it redounded vpon the Cholollois the same day they had thought to haue executed the same vpon him For this end they had sacrificed ten children fiue males and as many females three yeares old to Quezalcouatl their god which was their custome when they began their Wars He out-going them in their owne art of subtilty intrapped their Captains in Counsell and sent his Army to spoile the City where were slaine thousands There were twenty Gentlemen and many Priests which ascended vp to the high towre of their Temple which had an hundred and twenty steps where they were burned together with their gods and Sanctuary This Citie had twenty thousand Housholds within the Wals and as many in the Suburbs It shewed outward very faire and full of Towres for there were as many Temples as dayes in the yeare and euery one had his Towre The Spaniards counted foure hundred Towers It was the Citie of most deuotion in all India whither they trauelled from many places farre distant in Pilgrimage Their Cathedrall Temple was the best and highest in all New-Spaine with an hundred and twenty steps vp to it Their chiefe god was Quezalcouatl god of the Ayre who was they say founder of their Citie being a Virgin of holy life and great penance He instituted fasting and drawing of bloud out of their eares and tongues and left precepts of Sacrifices Hee neuer ware but one garment of Cotten white narrow and long and vpon that a Mantle beset with certaine red crosses They haue certaine greene stones which were his and are kept for great relikes one of them is like an Apes head Eight leagues from Chololla is the hill Popocatepec or smoake-hill which the Earth seemeth to haue erected as a Fort to encounter and assault the Ayre now with smoky mists endeuouring to choake his purer breath another while with violent flames and naturall fire-workes threatning to ioyne league with his elder and superiour brother to disinherit him sometimes with showers of ashes and embers as it were putting out the eyes and sometimes with terrible and dreadfull thunders rending the eares of that Airy Element alwayes such is the euent of warre hurting and wasting it selfe to indamage the enemy The Indians thought it a place of Purgatory whereby tyrannicall and wicked Officers were punished after their death and after that purgation passed into glory The Spaniards aduentured to see it but two onely held on their iourney and had there beene consumed had they not by a Rocke bin shadowed from the violent eruption of the fire which then hapned It chanced that the Earth weary it seemeth of the warre as hauing spent her store and munition agreed on a truce which continued ten yeares but in the yeare 1540. it brake forth into more violent hostility then before quaking and renting it selfe with vnbridled passion and whereas the Ayre had alwaies a snowie Garrison about her high tops and frontiers to coole and quench her fiery showers yet these did
of Brabants Stile in the yeare 1241. Dukes in Russia of the fourth degree of Nobilitie their descent from younger Brothers 425.30 They haue no inheritance glad to bee Seruing-men ibid. Dâ—ng a good Commoditie in China 189 40 Dung Bread baked in it 34.20 Dung bought by sound of Taber 270.40 Dung of Birds a strange report of it 266 Dutch disturbe the English at Greenland 466. See Netherlanders And againe 467.1 ibid. 20. The English take some of their Fiâ—h from them ibid. At difference with the English there ibid. 60. They Fish perforce braues and threatens the English and is surprized 468.1.10 They returne to Greenland to driue away the English ibid. 40. They assault the English ibid. Beate and rifle them and ouerthrow their Voyage 569.1.10 So doe they the next two or three yeares after they spoyled the Greenland Discoueries 472.60 Some Discoueries of theirs towards Noua Zembla 473. c. Their hard Voyages thither ibid. 474. c. They are forced to Winter and build a House thereabouts 490. c. Their often and dangerous Fights with the Beares ibid. The Eleuation vnder which they Wintred 497.10 They liue vpon Foxes 495. c. They get to Sea againe 508.1 Their dangerous Voyage into Russia 509. Their admirable returne into Holland 518 Dutch men in Tartarie set to digge Gold and make Armour 20.30 Dutch Knights their Acts in Prussia 626.627 Dutch Fish at Greenland 716.30 Forbidden ibid. Withstand the English 719.1 Dutch men pull downe our Kings Armes in Greenland 727.1 Their intollerable insolencies 734.10 Dwellings all vnderground in Iseland 649 E EAgle found by the Mexicans by Oracle and worshipped the Storie of it 1004.40 Strange storie of another Eagle there 1021 Earthquakes in Island 649.1 Earth in China shining like Gold 265. Marg. Earth thought to be square 329.40 Earth why it moues not about with the Primum Mobile 924.50 Earthquake in China 269.60 Earthquakes a Philosophicall discourse of them 940. c. Affinitie betwixt burning Mountaines and them they happen nearest to the Sea and why some runne a hundred leagues ibid. Their effects noyse they make before when they mostly happen 941 Earthquakes in China 198.10.20 c. Earthquakes frequent in Peru whence they proceed 895.20 Earthquake a prodigious one in the West Indies 868. â—0 Earings generally worne by the Russe Women 460 East winde raignes within the burning Zone 923.50 Healthfull called the Brise ibid. Cause of the Brises 924 Easter the Russes haue a Festiuall greater then it 762.50 This is about the fourteenth or sixteenth of May. Conferre the places page 762. with page 764. Easter in Russia how kept 227.60 They salute and kisse one another 228.1 On the Eue they sleepe in the Church 227.50 Easterne people generally haue little Eyes 23.50 Eating neere a Tartarian Honour 378.30 Eating of Men sacrificed in Mexico 1032 Ebbe and flowe much or little what Seas doe and what do not 989.30 40 50 Ebbing and flowing of seueral Seas A great secret 929.930 Opinions of it Ebone wood whence brought 938 10 Eclipses the Chinois opinion of them 345.40.346.1 Eclipses the Chinois opinion of them 385.10 Bels beaten then ibid. Edges Hand discouered 732.10 Edenborow in Scotland more Northerly then Mosco and yet not so cold and why 472.40 Edeffa the Citie or Robais 110.50 Eddie winds 925.40 Egges at Easter giuen to the Priests 227.50 Died red or gilded and carried in the hand then ibid. Exchanging them with their friends 228.1 Egtegaia the Prouince 80.10 Elements worshipped by the Mexicans 1027 Elements fiue in China 345.50 Elephants carrying woodden Castles 93.20 Elkes or Loshes men ride vpon them 523.60 Elbing the English trade for Flaxe there 627 Elsenore in Denmarke how bigge 625 50 Emanuel Sina his mischance 318 18 Ember-weekes of the Heathen Mexicans 1035.40 Embassie of the Russian Lords to the King of Poland the points of it 788 Emeralds a Myne of them where 884.40 885.30 How they grow 889.20 Emeralds haue the third place amongst Precious Stones his value now A prettie story of them where in the Indies is the greatest store and how vsed by the Indians the Myâ—es and manner of growing greatnesse of some moderne and ancient â—52 Enchanted sleepe 45.10 Sleepe inchanted of three dayes long 45 10 Enchantments of the Islanders how they hinder ships from sayling 646.20 Engines of battery 97.1 Engines of wood to two ships 341.1 Englâ—sh aydes sent into Sweden 772.1 The conditions of their entertainment 771.1 10. In distresse at Sea and landed in Iuitland ibid. Relieued by a Dane the ship that brought them sayles away They are billetted in seuerall Houses in danger of the people 773. Falsly accused by Griffin a Welchman 774.1 Bound in their beds vnbound 774.40 c. Foure of them slaine all in danger againe relieued by the King of Denmarke enforced to pawne their Lieutenant arriue in Sweden 775. Fall foule with the Burgers of Stockholme for meate ibid. Relieued by the King shipt into Finland and distrest there at Sea dye of cold in Finland Their miserable march into Russia 776. They defeat sixe thousand Poles 777. They meete the Russian Army being engaged vpon an Enemy their owne Army and Generall forsakes them their valour their Horse defeated the foot receiue quarter 779 English right to the North-west passages 806.40 Their Discoueries that way 807 English conquests in Sweden 621 40. And Norway 623. Two other places 624.50 English finde America before Columbus his Voyage thither 808 20 English flagge aduanced in the Caspian Sea 241 English houses in Russia 755.10 English Merchants slaine in a tumult at Mosco 763.30 An Englishman his strange Aduentures amongst the Tartars 63 40. His relation of them ibid. Sent as the Tartars Messenger and Interpretâ—r to Hungarie 64 10. His trauels 64.10 20. c. English Voyages to the Riuer Obi 530.40 English Voyage to the West Indieâ— 999.40 English ships on the Coast of China 309.40 Suspected by the Chinois ibid. The Spaniards would punish them as Enemies 310.40 English suffer shipwracke in Media 246.40 Ensigne of the Tartars 643.1 Entertainments in China the fashion 373.20 A particular garment for it ibid. Entertainments in China 392.1 Epethites of the seueral Europaean Nations 63.1 Episcopia a Monastery in Cyprus 125.50 Era reckoned by in Iapon 323.40 Ergâ—â—ul the Kingdome in Tangut 79.50 Estotiland the Ile Latine spoken there 610. Their Language Mynes of Gold trade c. 611.1 Estridges in Peru terrifie the sheepe 964 Ethicks the Philosophy of China 359.2 Ethicks and Politicks are the learning of China 343 Ethicks the learning of China 384 50 Etilia or Volga diuides it selfe and where 48.10 Frozen ouer 48.10 Etilia or Edel is Volga 54 Etilia is the Riuer Volga 12.40 Euerlasting punishments not belieued by the Indians 1047.10 Eunuches in China and why 183 30 Eunuches great men in China 346 saepe Eunuches are bed-chamber men to the Tartarian Emperours 310 60 Eunuches serue the Kings of China how made c. Their numbers and choice ibid. Eunuches
could not come to assault them without danger they would not goe forth to fight but remayned in the place where they were and when the Tartars thought without any impediment to haue assailed their Enemies they found a small Riuer betweene them which in some places had no passage ouer by meanes whereof much time was spent before they could passe ouer the Riuer but after they had passed the greatest part ouer the Riuer they set manfully on their Enemies Yet the Soldan stood still and would not remoue from the place he was in betwixt the Lake and the Mountayne which Cotulossa perceiuing because the darke night approached he withdrew his company for that night and lodged them neere the Mountayne only about a thousand Tartars which could not passe the Riuer were not with him that night The day comming the Tartars againe couragiously set vpon the Soldan but as before he would by no meanes come forth to fight but defended himselfe in that place of aduantage So the Tartars continuing their assault from the morning vntill the ninth houre beeing thirstie and ouer-wearie for lacke of water they retyred themselues in good order leauing the Soldan and came to the Plaine of Damascus where they had plentie of pasture and water at will where they determined to abide vntill they had sufficiently reposed themselues and their Horses But the Inhabitants knowing that the Armie of the Tartars was spread abroad in that Plaine opened the Sluces of the Riuer in the night time whereby the waters rose so high in eight houres ouer all the Plaine that the Tartars were constrayned on the sudden to arise and depart so that the night being darke and the Ditches all filled with water and no wayes nor pathes to be seene they were all amazed in such sort that many Horses perished and much Armour was lost insomuch that the King of Armenia endured much losse yet the day comming through the goodnesse of God they escaped the waters but the Bowes and Arrowes of the Tartars being their chiefe weapons which they vse and the rest of their Armour being all wet and vtterly vnseruiceable they were so astonied therewith that if their Enemies had then pursued them they might haue beene taken or slaine Afterwards the Tartars by reason that many had lost their Horses returned softly by small Iournies to the bankes of the Riuer Euphrates yet none of their Enemies durst follow or pursue them but the Riuer beeing risen and swolne through the abundance of raine that fell many of the Armenians as also of Georgians perished therein more then of the Tartars whose Horses knew better to swimme so returned they into Persia ruined and disgraced not by the power of the Enemie but by accident partly partly by euill aduice A great cause whereof was the obstinacie of Cotolusa who would not regard any aduice that was giuen for if he would haue harkened to the counsell of the wise he might easily haue preuented those dangers And I Frier Haython the Compiler of this Historie was present at all these proceedings and if happily I treate more largely thereof then shall be thought conuenient I craue pardon in regard that I doe it to this end that on like occasions happening these courses may bee called to minde For these actions that are ordered by counsell haue commonly good and commendable euents but the rash and improuident Enterprizes doe vsually faile of their wished successe After that the King of Armenia had passed the Riuer Euphrates with some losse he resolued to goe to Casan before he returned to his Kingdome of Armenia and therefore hee went streight to the Citie of Niniue in which Casan then resided He entertayned the King with much honour kindnesse and magnificence and being compassionate of his losses to make him some recompence of especiall fauour vnto him he granted him a thousand Tartarians continually in pay at his charge for the defence of his Kingdome and also granted him out of the Kingdome of Turkie a yeerely pension for the maintenance of another thousand Armenian Horse men yeerely at his pleasure the King thus recompenced hauing taken his leaue returned to the Kingdome of Armenia which Casan had enioyned him to watch warily ouer vntill God pleased to enable him personally to goe to the reliefe of the Holy Land §. V. CASAN dyeth CARBANDA succeedeth his Apostasie The Authors entrance into a Religious Habit. Of TAMOR Can the sixth Emperour and of CHAPAR HOCHTAI and CARBANDA three other Tartarian Kings THe King of Armenia returned safely to his Kingdome but after hee came thither hee found little rest there for after it so pleased God that Casan was surprized with a grieuous infirmitie and hauing gouerned wisely in his life hee was no lesse willing that his wisdome should bee commended in his death Therefore hee made his last Will and Testament appointing his Brother Carbanda or Carbaganda his Heire and Successor and hauing ordered all things concerning the Affaires of his Kingdome and his House in prudent manner he made many good Ordinances and Lawes which for a memoriall he left behind him being at this day inuiolably obserued by the Tartarians Then dyed Casan and his Brother Carbanda succeeded in his Kingdome This Carbanda was the Sonne of a Ladie of famous memorie called Erockcaton who was very deuout and religious in Christianitie while she liued and had euery day Diuine Seruice celebrated before her keeping a Priest and Chappell of her owne so that this Carbanda was baptized and named Nicholas in his Baptisme and continued a professed Christian as long as his Mother liued But after his Mothers death delighting in the societie of Saracens he forsooke the Christian Religion to become a Mahometist The King of Armenia vnderstanding of the death of Casan was much troubled therewith and his Enemies began to lift vp their Crests very high For the Soldan of Babylon thereupon sought by all meanes to endamage him and his people sending all the yeare almost euery moneth great troupes of armed Souldiers which foraged and wasted the Kingdome of Armenia and did more damage and spoyle on the plaine Countrey then they had euer sustayned before in any mans memorie But the Almightie and most mercifull God who neuer forsaketh altogether those that put their trust in him had compassion on the poore afflicted Christians for it fell out that in the moneth of Iuly seuen thousand Saracens of the best Families vnder the Soldan made a roade into the Kingdome of Armenia wasting and spoyling all as farre as the Citie of Tharsus in which the blessed Apostle Saint Paul was borne and when they had committed many spoyles in that Prouince and were vpon their returne the King of Armenia hauing gathered his people together encountred and set vpon them neere the Citie of Giazza where more by Gods goodnesse then our worth they were vtterly ouerthrowne in such sort that of seuen thousand Saracens there escaped not three hundred but
were either taken or slaine albeit they thought in their Pride they could haue ouer-runne the whole Kingdome of Armenia and deuoure all â—he Christians there at a morsell This was performed on the Lords Day being the eighteenth of Iuly after which conflict the Saracens durst no more enter into the Kingdome of Armenia But the Soldan sent to the King of Armenia to make truce with him which was agreed betweene them 46. I Frier Haython hauing beene present at all the said proceedings had purposed long before to haue taken a Regular Habit vpon me and to haue entred into Religion But by reason of many impediments and difficulties in the Affaires of the Kingdome of Armenia I could not with my honour forsake my friends and kindred in such extremities But seeing that Gods goodnesse had beene so gracious vnto me as to leaue the Kingdome of Armenia and the Christian people there after my manifold labours and trauels in quiet and peaceable estate I then tooke the time to performe that Vow which before I had vowed Therefore hauing taken my leaue of my Lord the King and of the rest of my kindred and friends euen in that field where God gaue the Christians Victorie ouer their Enemies I beganne my Iourney and comming to Cyprus in the Monasterie of Episcopia tooke a Regular Habit of the Order Premonstratensis to the end that hauing serued the World as a Souldier in my youth I might spend the rest of my life in the Seruice of God forsaking the pompe of this World which was in the yeere of our Lord 1305. Therefore I render thankes vnto God that the Kingdome of Armenia is at this day in a good and peaceable estate and well reformed by the Moderne King Liueno Sonne to King Haython who is a Looking-glasse or patterne to all other Kings in all kinde of eminent vertue Moreouer the Compiler of this Worke affirmeth that he hath come three manner of wayes to the knowledge of those things which hee declareth and writeth in this Booke For from the beginning of Changius Can who was the first Emperour of the Tartars vntill Mango Can who was their fourth Emperour I faithfully deliuer what I gathered out of the Histories of the Tartarians But from Mango Can to the death of Haloon I write that which I receiued of an Vncle of mine who writ the same by the commandement of Haiton King of Armenia and was present then at all the foresaid occurrences and with great diligence did often discourse make rehearsall of them to his Sonnes and Nephewes that they might remayne the better to Posteritie and from the beginning of Abaga Can to the end of this third part of this Booke the Author relateth those things which hee knew of himselfe as hauing beene present at them aâ—l whereby he is enabled to giue testimonie of the truth Now albeit we haue hitherto treated of the Histories and Deeds of the Tartarians there remayneth yet somewhat to be said concerning their Power and Dominion especially of those that are now liuing that it may the better bee knowne 47. The great Emperor of the Tartars which now holdeth the Empire is called Tamor Can being their sixt Emperour who keepeth his Residence in the Kingdome of Cathay in a very great City called Iong which his Father caused to be built as is aboue declared his power is very great For this Emperour alone is able to doe more then all the Tartarian Princes together and the Nations vnder his gouernment are reputed more noble and rich and better stored of all necessaries because that in the Kingdome of Cathay in which they now liue there is great abundance of riches Besides this great Emperour there are three other great Kings or Princes of the Tartars which rule each of them ouer many Nations yet are they all subiect to the Emperour and acknowledge him their naturall and Leige Lord. And the differences which happen betweene them are decided in the Emperours Court and determined by his Iudgement The first of these Kings is called Chapar another Hochtay and the third Carbanda This Chapar hath his Dominion in the Kingdome of Turquestan being the neerest to the Emperour It is thought that he is able to bring into the field foure hundred thousand Horsemen and these are bold and good Warriours but not so well furnished of Horse and Armour as were expedient The Emperours subiects doe many times make warre vpon them and they on the other side doe often inuade the people of Carbanda The Dominion of this Chapar was in ancient time subiect for the greatest part to a Lord called Doay Hochtay keepeth his Seat of Residence in the Kingdome of Cumania in a Citie called Asaro or Sara and it is said that he is able to bring six hundred thousand Horsemen to the fight yet are they not so much commended in Feats of Armes as the men of Chapar albeit they haue better Horses These make warre sometimes on the Subiects of Carbanda sometimes against the Hungarians and sometimes amongst themselues But Hochtay who ruleth at this present holdeth his Dominion peaceably and quietly Carbanda hath his Dominion in the Kingdome of Asia the Great and maketh his chiefe abode in the Citie of Tauris beeing able to bring three hundred thousand Horsemen to the field But these are gathered out of diuers parts being rich and well furnished with necessaries Chapar and Hochtay doe sometimes make warre vpon Carbanda but hee neuer medleth first with them neither moueth warres against any but that he sometimes inuadeth the Soldan of Egypt against whom his Predecessors haue fought many Battailes Chapar and Hochtay would willingly take from Carbanda his Dominion if they were able to effect it The reason whereof is this Asia is diuided into two parts the one part whereof being called the Lower or Deepe Asia is inhabited by the Emperour and those two Kings called Chapar and Hochtay The other part being the higher is called Asia the Greater in which Carbanda inhabiteth and hath Dominion Now there are only three wayes by which men may passe out of the Deeper or Lower Asia vnto the high Countrey called Asia Maior The one is out of the Kingdome of Turquestan to the Kingdome of the Persians another way there is called Derbent which lyeth neere the Sea where Alexander built the Citie called the Iron Gate as in the Histories of Cumania appeares the other way is to goe ouer the Sea called Mare maius which way lyeth through the Kingdome of Barca By the first way the subiects of Chapar cannot passe to the Territories of Carbanda without great danger and difficultie because they should find no feeding for their Horses in many dayes trauailes the Land being so dry and barren that before they could come to any fruitfull inhabited Countrey their Horses would be starued or at least so faint and wearied that they might be easily ouercome and therefore that way they
China and that he will set at libertie in due time the Prisoners which he held in the Galleyes albeit he thought to vse them as he did in the voyage of Maluco which he put in execution with speed And all this he precisely performed CHAP. IIII. The report of a Mahometan Merchant which had beene in Cambalu and the troublesome trauell of BENEDICTVS GOES a Portugall Iesuite from Lahor to China by land thorow the Tartars Countreyes IErome Xauere a Iesuite in a Letter from Lahor in India subiect to the Mogoll dated August 1598. relateth that an old man there knowne to haue distributed 100000. Peeces of Gold at Mecca affirmed to the Prince that he had liued in Xatai thirteene yeeres in Xambalu the chiefe Citie that the King thereof was mighty and had in his Empire one thousand and fiftie Cities some very populous that he had often seene the King with whom no man speakes but by a Supplication nor is answered but by an Eunuch And asked how hee had accesse thither he said he being a Merchant sustayned also the person of the Embassadour of the King of Caygar and being detained in the first Citie by the Magistrate he shewed his Commission and Poste was presently sent to the King who returned in a moneth riding ninety or an hundred courses a day with change of Horses bringing him Letters of admission Hee said that they punish theeues seuerely that these Xaitaians are white long bearded personable and comely therein to be preferred before the Rumes or Turkes in Religion Isauites Christians so called of Iesus some Musauites or Iewes and many Mahumetans insomuch that they hoped to bring the Christian King to that Sect. They had he said to the Iesuite in another conference many Temples and Images painted and grauen and Crucifixes which they with great deuotion worshipped many Priests much reuerenced each hauing his owne Church to whom they offer their gifts they liued single and kept Schooles one supereminent at the Kings charge were the Churches built and repaired they ware blacke clothes and on holidayes red with Caps like the Iesuites but greater many Monasteries of both Sexes and some in their owne houses obseruing a single life the Countrey rich hauing many siluer Mines and that the King had foure hundred Elephants which they said were brought from Malaca and that Merchants resorted thither the Voyage sixe moneths Xauerius addeth that in Caximir he heard of many Christians in Rebat a Kingdome adioyning to Catai with Churches Priests and Bishops These reports sayth Trigantius the Saracens made either of purpose to deceiue after their wont or were deceiued by like shew of Holies in Images Lamps Altars Priests vestments Processions Singings and the like which the Deuill hath imitated among the Chinois like to our Romish Rites These reports caused the Iesuites in India to thinke of sending one of their Society into those parts Pimenta the Father Visitour sent notice thereof to the Pope and to the King of Spaine who tooke Order with the Vice-roy to be aduised herein by Pimenta Benedictus Goez a brother of that Society and Coadjutor to Xauerius was thought fit for that designe hauing the Persian tongue And hauing come from Echebar father of the present Mogol who had lately taken Brampor with his Legat to Goa hee was sent backe to Lahor to accompanie the Merchants which euery fifth yeere as that Saracen related with title of Legats of the King of Persia and other Easterne Kings not otherwise admitted went thither In the yeere therefore 1602. he went to Agra where Echebar applauded his purpose and gaue him foure hundred Crownes for his iourney besides a thousand Rupias hee had already spent He changed his habite and disguised himselfe like an Armenian Merchant and so went to Lahor calling himselfe Branda Abedula whither he came on the eight of December He went to the house of Iohn Galisco a Venetian and there prouided himselfe of necessaries wearing his haire and beard long and Leo Grimone a Greeke well skilled in Turkish and Persian vndertaking to be his companion with Demetrius another Greeke and Isaac an Armenian Furnished with diuers writings and a Catalogue of moueable Feasts till An. 1610. he set forth An. 1603. the sixth of Ianuarie from his Superiour and in Lent after from Lahor with the companie of Merchants which goe from the Mogols to Cascar almost fiue hundred men with many Camels and carriages In a moneths iourney they came to a Citie called Athec in the Prouince of Lahor and after fifteene dayes passed a Riuer a flight shot broad where they stayed fiue dayes being told of theeues in great number at hand Two moneths after they came to another Citie called Passaur where they rested twentie dayes Thence they going to another small Towne met with a certaine Anchorite a stranger by whom they vnderstood that thirtie dayes off was a Citie named Capherstam into which the Saracens are not permitted entrance and if they enter are put to death But Ethnike Merchants are admitted their Citie yet not their Temples Hee said that the Inhabitants of that Region goe to Church all of them in blacke their Countrey fertile and plentifull of Grapes Hereby Goes supposed that they were Christians In the place where they found this stranger they stayed other twentie dayes And because the way was infested with Theeues they receiued of the Lord of the place a Conuoy of foure hundred Souldiers In fiue and twentie dayes they came from hence to a place called Ghideli all which way their carriages went at the foot of a Hill The Merchants with Armes on the tops of the Hill made search for Theeues which vse to throw stones from thence on the Passengers except thus preuented In this place the Merchants pay Tribute Being assaulted by Theeues many were wounded and they had much adoe to saue their liues and goods Benedict escaped by flight into the Woods At night they came againe together and auoyded the Theeues After other twentie dayes iourney they came to Cabul a Citie and Mart frequent not yet hauing passed the Mogols Dominions Here they stayed eight dayes for some of the Merchants would goe no further and others durst not being so few In this Mart the Sister of the King of Cascar by whose Dominion they were to passe to Catay happened on the Carauan The Kings name was Maffamet Can this his Sister was Mother to the King of Cotan and called Agehanem Age is a title giuen by the Saracens to those which haue beene on Pilgrimage at Mecca whence she now returned Being destitute of prouision for her iourney shee demanded aide of the Merchants promising to restore all faithfully with encrease when they were comne to her Kingdome Goes thought it a fit occasion to procure the friendship of another King his Mogoll Patents now wearing out Hee lent her therefore on sale of some goods sixe hundred Crownes refusing any contract of interest which