builde withall specially Stones for there are great store whereof may bee made whose Pillers and foure square peeces of fine redde Marble stone and there are such great peeces that a whole Church might bee hewed out of one of them Besides this marble there are hilles of iasper porphier or red marble nured with white and other colours which in Rome is called marble of Numidia Affrica and Ethiopia whereof many pillers are to be seene in Rome There is likewise found many grained stones among the which there are that are mixed with iacinths which maye bee taken foorth and separated from the other stones wherein they growe of those maye likewise pillars and other workes be made wherein might bee seene diuers sortes of stones There are also other strange stones mixed with mettall of diuerse colours as copper in shew greene and shining whereof they maye make Images and other princely workes so that want of substance to builde withall is not the cause of theyr small houses for neyther stone chalke wood nor beastes to drawe or carry them is wanting onelie they haue no masons carpenters nor brickelayers that shoulde make thâ—ir houses so that they dwel in little cotages Heere might be declared how this kingdome in the discouerie of the East Indies being in the yeare 1490. and 1491. was by the Portingales brought vnto the Christian faith also howe shamefully the countrey was left when golde beganne to faile I meane not by the decaying or diminishing of the golde but because the King of Congo was persuaded by a Portingale not to discouer the mine as also not mentioning the euill gouernement of the Bishoppes Priestes Moonkes and Friers that were sent thither as beeing sufficiently declared by Odoardus Lopez in his description thereof shewing that they desired not the health and saluations of mens soules but rather glory and rule and to satisfie their insatiable lustes and gréedinesse after golde Yet not long since the King of Congo now liuing hath twice sent his embassadors to the King of Spaine the Pope of Rome friendly hartily desiring them to send certaine preachers and teachers of the word of God to instruct his subiects withall offering to discouer the rich mines of gold that are within his countrey thereby to winne them to bring preachers to instruct his country but christendome hath other matters in hand as to hang suppres pursue and destroy their christen brethren which being beyond my profession is not for me to deale in But returning to the further description of the coast of Angola to the great cape de Bona Speranza first as touching Angola it is by report very populous and abundant in siluer copper and other mettall rich of al kinds of beasts and victualles specially kine yet the people rather eate dogs flesh which they buy and pay dearer for it than for any other flesh their mony is schulpens like theirs in Congo and are like in speech yet different in some words as Spanish and Portingale their king is an idolater or a Heathen They haue as many wiues as they will whereby they haue such aboundaunce of people that Angola alone can make a million of armed men all ready to serue theyr gouernours in the warrs They vse many glasse beades brought out of Venice beeing of diuerse colours which they weare for an ornament about their neckes and armes in their speech they doe call them Anzoles and being hanged on strings Mizanga Hauing passed the kingdome of Angola and the shoare of Kine called Seno delle Vache southward to the black cape or Out hooke the coast stretcheth about 220. Italian miles This coast is all one land like Angola and is vnder the gouernement of many lordes and from this blacke cape reacheth a line Eastward parting the hills called the colde hilles which also in some high places néerer to the Equinoctiall line are by the Portingales called the Snowe hilles which end at the foote of the Cristall hill taking her name from the great abundance of cristall found therein out of those Snow hilles the waters that make the lake haue their beginning by the Portingales called Dumbea Zocche and this cristall hil stretcheth further into the north toward the siluer hilles as farre as Malomba where the kingdome of Câ—ngo endeth beeing diuided by the riuer of Coari Coasting along the shoare from the kingdome of Angola to the cape de Bona Speranza you must passe by the kingdome of Climbebâ— wherein raineth king Matama this country reacheth to the riuer of Bauaghul springing out of the hill called Luna or the Moone and both together running into the riuer Magnice which floweth out of the lake aforesaide behind this lieth Tropicus Cancri and betweene this Tropicus Cancri and the cape de Bona Speranza there raigneth no king but diuerse seuerall Lords This land is compassed by high sharpe and colde unhabited hilles the people that are there liue in the fields like labourers in cotages apparelled in beasts skins wild rough people and not to be credited not induring or permitting anie traffike with straungers Their weapons are dartes and arrowes their meate fruites of the earth and flesh of beasts The ancient Writers thought the riuer Niâ—uâ— to haue her off spring in the hils of the Moone so that many to this day are likewise of the same opinion In this hil towardes the weast lieth a small lake called Gale out of the which lake floweth the Riuer Camilla by the Portingales called the fresh riuer which about the end of the falce cape de Bona Speranza runnes into the sea This Hooke is called the false or vnright Cape because the ships that saile from India to Portingale doe first discouer a great corner or hook of land called Deâ—li Aguâ—â—ie and after that this smaller hooke and therefore call it the Faise Cape beeing seperated from the right and great Cape The space betweene these two Hookes or Capes is 20 Dutch miles which bearing out like twoo hornes make an intercourse or gulfe where the Portingales at times take in water out of the fresh riuer aforesaide and the people dwelling about this riuer are blacke although the pole antartike is there at 35 degrees as also those that dwell in the colde hilles of the Moone so that it is not the heat of the Sunne but the nature of the Countrey that maketh them blacke And bicause this is the greatest hooke or cape and that reacheth furthest into the sea of any Cape whatsoeuer in al the world and very daungerous to passe as al other Capes are as also because that in this place the sea makes a most fearful noyse that the land windes comming downe make the sea thereabouts most rough and troublesome whereby so many Portingale ships haue there bin cast away and because by ancient Historiographers so litle hath bin said therof before and since the Portingales discouered the same thinke it good in this place to set downe the measure and certaine knowledge of the greatnesse
of the Portingales into the East Indies from thence to Malacca China Iapon Iaua and Sunda And from China to the Westerne or Spanish Indies and all the Coast of Brasilia c. The Fourth and last Treatise is A most true exact Summarie of all the Rents Demaynes Tolles Taxes Imposts Tributes Tenths Third-pennies and generally all the Reuenues of the King of Spayne arising out of all his Kingdomes Lands Prouinces and Lordships as well of Portugall as of Spayne collected out of the Originall Registers of his seuerall Chambers of Accompts together with a briefe description of the gouernment and Pedegree of the Kinges of Portugall I doo not doubt but yet I doo most hartely pray and wish that this poore Translation may worke in our English Nation a further desire and increase of Honour ouer all Countreys of the World and as it hath hitherto mightily aduanced the Credite of the Realme by defending the same with our Wodden Walles as Themistocles called the Ships of Athens· So it would employ the same in forraine partes aswell for the dispersing and planting true Religion and Ciuill Conuersation therein As also for the further benefite and commodity of this Land by exportation of such thinges wherein we doe abound and importation of those Necessities whereof we stand in Neede as Hercules did when hee fetched away the Golden Apples out of the Garden of the Hesperides Iason when with his lustie troupe of couragious Argonautes hee atchieued the Golden Fleece in Colchos Farewell THE FIRST BOOKE CHAPTER I. The Voyage and trauailes of Iohn Hugen van Linschoten into the East or Portingales Indies Setting downe a briefe discourse of the said Landes and sea coastes with the principall Hauens Riuers Creekes and other places of the same as yet not knowne nor discouered by the Portingales Describing withall not onely the manner of apparrell of the Portingales inhabiting therin but also of the naturall borne Indians their Temples Idols houses trees Fruites Hearbes Spices and such like Together with the customes of those countries as well for their manner of Idolatrous religion and worshipping of Images as also for their policie and gouernment of their houses their trade and traffique in Marchandise how and from whence their wares are sold brought thether With a collection of the most memorable and worthiest thinges happened in the time of his beeing in the same countries very profitable and pleasant to all such as are welwillers or desirous to heare and read of strange thinges BEeing young and liuing idlelye in my natiue Countrie sometimes applying my selfe to the reading of Histories and straunge aduentures wherein I tooke no small delight I found my minde so much addicted to sée trauaile into strange Countries thereby to séeke some aduenture that in the end to satisfie my selfe I determined was fully resolued for a time to leaue my Natiue Countrie and my friendes although it gréeued me yet the hope I had to accomplish my desire together with the resolution taken in the end ouercame my affection and put me in good comfort to take the matter vpon me trusting in God that he would further my intent Which done being resolued thereupon I tooke leaue of my Parents who as then dwelt at Enckhuysen and beeing ready to imbarke my selfe I went to a Fléet of ships that as then lay before the Tassell staying the winde to sayle for Spaine and Portingale where I imbarked my selfe in a ship that was bound for S. Lucas de Barameda beeing determined to trauaile vnto Siuill where as then I had two bretheren that had continued there certaine yeares before so to helpe my selfe the better by their meanes to know the manner and custome of those Countries as also to learne the Spanish tongue And the 6. of December in the yere of our Lord 1576 we put out of y e Tassel being in all about 80. ships set our course for Spain and the ninth of the same month wee passed betwéene Douer and Callis within thrée dayes after wee had the sight of the Cape of Finisterra and the fiftéene of the same moneth we saw the land of Sintra otherwise called the Cape Roexent from whence the riuer Tegio or Tagus runneth into the maine Sea vppon the which riuer lieth the famous citie of Lisbone where some of our Fleet put in and left vs. The 17. day wee saw the Cape S. Vincent vppon Christmas day after we entred into the riuer of S. Lucas de Barameda where I stayed two or thrée dayes and then trauailed to Siuill the first day of Ianuarie following I entred into the citie where I found one of my brethren but the other was newly ridden to the Court lying as then in Madrill And although I had a speciall desire presently to trauaile further yet for want of the Spanish tongue without the which men can hardlie passe the countrie I was constrained to stay there to learne some part of their language meane time it chanced that Don Henry the last King of Portingale died by which meanes a great contention and debate hapned as then in Portingale by reason that the said King by his Will and Testament made Phillip King of Spaine his Sisters Sonne lawfull Heire vnto the Crowne of Portingal Notwithstanding y e Portingals alwaies deadly enemies to the Spaniards were wholly against it and elected for their king Don Antonio Prior de Ocrato brothers Son to the King that died before Don Henry which the King of Spaine hearing presently prepared himselfe in person to goe into Portingale to receaue the Crowne sending before him the Duke of Alua with a troupe of men to cease their strife and pacifie the matter so that in the end partly by force and partly by mony hee brought the Countrie vnder his subiection Whereupon diuers men went out of Siuill and other places into Portingale as it is commonlie séene that men are often addicted to changes and new alterations among the which my Brother by other mens counsels was one First trauelling to the borders of Spaine being a cittie called Badaios standing in the frontiers of Portingale where they hoped to finde some better meanes and they were no sooner ariued there but they heard news that all was quiet in Portingale and that Don Antonio was driuen out of the countrie and Phillip by consent of the Land receyued for King Wherevpon my Brother presently changed his minde of trauelling for Portingale and entred into seruice with an Ambassador that on the Kings behalfe was to goe into Italie with whome he rode and ariuing in Salamanca hee fell sicke of a disease called Tauardilha which at that time raigned throughout the whole Countrie of Spaine whereof many thousands died and among the rest my Brother was one This sicknesse being very contagious raigned not onely in Spaine but also in Italie Germany and almost throughout all Christendome whereof I my selfe was sicke being as then in Italie and by them it
some after towards Portingall with whom my brother went because of his office in the shippe and I stayed with my maister in India certaine yeares to sée and learne the maners and customes of the said lands people fruites wares and merchandises with other thinges which when time serueth I wil in truth set downe as I my selfe for the most parte haue séene it with mine eyes and of credible persons both Indians and other inhabiters in those Countries learned and required to know as also the report and fame thereof is nowe sufficiently spread abroade throughout the world by diuers of our neighbour countries and landes which traffique and deale with them namely our countrey the East Countries England Fraunce c. which likewise are founde and knowne by the Portingalles themselues which dayly trafficke thither But before I beginne to describe Goa and the Indies concerning their manners traffiques fruites wares and other thinges the better to vnderstande the situation of the Countrey and of the coasts lying on the East side to the last and highest part of the borders of China which the Portingales haue trauelled and discouered together with their Ilandes I will first set downe a briefe note of the Orientall coastes beginning at the redde or the Arabian sea from the towne of Aden to Chinae and then the description of the coastes before named Chapter 5. The description of the coast of Arabia Felix or the red Sea to the Iland and fortresse of Ormus ADen is the strongest and fairest towne of Arabia Felix situate in a valley compassed about vpon the one side with strong mines on the other side with high mountaines there are in it fiue Castles laden with Ordinance and a continuall Garrison kept therein because of the great number of shippes that sayle before it the Towne hath about 6000. houses in it where the Indians Persians Aethiopians and Turkes doe trafique and because the Sunne is so extreame hotte in the daye time they make most of their bargaines by night About a stones cast from the towne there is a hill with a great Castle standing thereon wherein the Gouernor dwelleth In times past this towne stoode vpon the firme land but nowe by the labour industrie of man they haue made it an Iland Aden lieth on the North side at the entrie of the red Sea on the coast of Arabia Felix or fruitfull Arabia and reacheth 60. miles more inwards then the corner or Cape de Guardafum the farthest part or corner of Abex or Melinde as I said before but the coast of Arabia which taketh the beginning from Aden is much more inwarde Aden lieth vnder 13. degrées on the North side and from thence the coast lyeth Northeast and by East till you come to Cape de Rosalgate which lyeth vnder 22. degrées and is the further corner of the lande of Arabia Felix lying on the Indian Sea which is distant from Aden 240. miles the towne of Aden standeth by the hill called Darsira which men affirme to bee onely Cliffes of hard stones and red Marble where it neuer rayneth The people of this coast of Arabia are tawnie of colour almost like those of the coast of Abex or Melinde frō that Countrie they bring great numbers of good horses into India and also Frankensence Mirhe Balsam Balsam woode and fruite and some Manna with other swéete wares and Spices they hold the law of Mahomet after the Persians manner From the Cape of Rosalgate inwardes following the coast North-west to the Cape de Moncado in times past named Albora are 70. miles This point lyeth right against the Iland Ormus vnder 26. degrées There beginneth the entrance of the straights of Persia called Sinus Persicus and the Iland Ormus lyeth betwéene them both hauing on the one side Arabia and on the other side Northward the Countrie of Persia and is in breadth 20. miles From the Cape de Moncadon coasting the Arabian shore inwardes to the Iland of Barem are 80. miles and lyeth vnder 26. degrées a halfe There the Captaine of Ormus being a Portingal hath a factor for the King and there they fish for the best Pearles in all the East Indies and are the right orientall Pearle Coasting along this shore from Barem inwardes to the farthest and outermost corner of Persia or Sinus Persicus lyeth the towne of Balsora which are 60. miles this Towne lyeth vnder 30. degrées and a little about it the two ryuers Tigris and Euphrates do méete and ioyne in one and runne by Bassora into the aforesaide Sinus Persicus Thereabout do◠yet appeare the decayed buildings and auncient Ruines of old Babylon and as many learned men are of opinion thereabout stoode the earthly Paradice From the towne of Balsora the coast runneth againe Northward towards Ormus which is vnder the Dominion of the Persian this Sinus Persicus is about 40. miles broad not much more nor much lesse and hath diuers Ilands and in the mouth therof lyeth the rich Iland Ormus where the Portingales haue a Forte and dwell altogether in the I le among the naturall borne countrimen and haue a Captaine and other officers euery thrée yeares as they of Mossambique Chapter 6. Of the Iland and Towne of Ormus ORmus lyeth vpon the Iland Geru in times past called Ogyris and it is an Iland and a kingdom which the Portingales haue brought vnder their subiection whereas yet their King hath his residence that is to saye without the towne where the Portingales inhabite These people obserue Mahomets law and are white like the Persians And there they haue a common custome that he which is King doth presently cause al his brethren and his kinsmen of the Male kinde to haue their eyes put forth which done they are all richly kept and maintained during their liues for that there is a law in Ormus that no blinde man may bee their King nor Gouernour ouer them Therefore the King causeth them all to haue their eyes put out so to be more secure in their gouernmentes as also to auoide all strife and contention that might arise and to hold and maintaine their countrey in peace The Island is about thrée miles great very full of cliffes and rockes and altogether vnfruitfull It hath neyther gréene leafe nor hearbe in it nor any swéete water but onely rockes of salte stones whereof the walles of their houses are made it hath nothing of it selfe but only what it fetcheth from the firme lande on both sides as well out of Persia as from Arabia and from the Towne of Bassora but because of the situation and pleasantnes of the Iland there is al things therein to bee had in great abundance and greate traffique for that in it is the staple for all India Persia Arabia and Turkie and of all the places and Countries about the same commonly it is full of Persians Armenians Turkes and all nations as also Venetians which lie there to buy Spices and precious stones that in great abundance are brought
hath likewise a market euery day where all kind of thinges are to be bought as in Cananor but in greater quantities The land of Cochin is an Island and it is in many places compassed about and through the Isle with small Riuers Right ouer against Cochin Northwarde lyeth an other Island called Vaypiin which is likewise compassed about with water like the fortresse of Cranganor all these landes and Countries are low and flat land like the Countrie of Holland but haue no ditches nor downes but onely the flat shore vpon the Sea side and within the shore the Strand of the ryuer nor without any high ground or shelters and so it still continueth The Countrie is verye great and pleasant to behold full of woodes and trees it hath also woods of Cinamon trées which are called Canella de Maâ—es that is wilde CinamoÌ„ which is not so good as the Cinamon of Seyloâ— for when the Cinamon of Seyloâ— is worth 1â—0 Pardaâ—eÌ„ or Dollers that Cinamon is worth but 5 or 3â— Pardaâ—wen and is likewise forbidden â—o bee carried into Portingale notwithstanding There is euery yeare great quantitie thereof shipped but it is entred in the Custome bookes for Cinamon of Seylon whereby they pay the King his full Custome for the best Cochin hath also much Pepper and can euery yeare lade two ships full other shippes lade along the coast at the fortresse aforesaid vse to come vnto Cochin after they haue discharged all their Portingal wares and Marchandises at Goa and thether also come the Factors and Marchants and lade their wares as in my Voyage homewards I will declare Without Cochin among the Malabares there dwelleth also diuers Moores that belieue in Mahomet and many Iewes that are very rich and there liue fréely without being hindred or impeached for their religion as also the Mahometans with their churches which they cal Mesquiten the Bramanes likewise which are the Spiritualitie of the Malabares Indians haue their Idols and houses of Diuels which they call Pagodes These thrée nations doe seuerally holde maintaine their lawes and ceremonies by them selues and liue friendly and quietly together kéeping good pollicie and iustice each nation béeing of the Kinges counsell with his Naires which are his gentilmen and nobilitie so that when any occasion of importaunce is offered then al those thrée nations assemble themselues together wherein the King putteth his trust of the which King and his Naires Malabare and Baâ—amenes c. with their maners customes aparrell Idols pagodes and ceremonies in an other place I will shewe you more at large together with their pictures couÌ„terfetes and for this time I cease to speake thereof wil procéede in the description of the coasts which I haue already beguÌ„ From Cochin to Coulon are 12. myles and lyeth vnder 9 degrées it is also a fortresse of the Portingals where likewise euery yere they lade a ship with pepper from Couâ—on to the cape de Comori are 20. myles this corner lieth full vnder 7. degrées a half which is the end of the coast of Malabar of India The 12. Chapter The description of the kings the diuision of the land and coast of Malabar and their originall TO vnderstand the gouernment and diuisions of the laÌ„d of Malabar you must know that in tymes past but long sithence the whole land of Mâ—labar was ruled by one King being then but one kingdome where now are manie and as the Malabares saye the last king that ruled the whole couÌ„try alone was named Sarama Perimal in whose time the Arabian Mahometanes much frequented the couÌ„trie of Malabar because of the great trafique of Spices which as then were sent from thence to the red sea and so conueyed into all places of the world Those Arabians by their subtilties delt in such manner with the King that they perswaded him and many of his couÌ„try to beleue in the lawe of Mahomet as they did almost throughout whole India and other orientall couÌ„tries and Ilands which is one of the principalest occasions why they can hardly be brought to beleue in Christ but rather seeke by all meanes to ouerthrowe the Christians and to fight against the Portingales in those countries as in the Portingal Chronicles and Histories of the first discouery and conquest of the Indies is at large described But returning to our matter this King Sarama was so déepely rooted in his new sect of Mahometes law that he determined in him selfe to leaue his kingdome and goe on pilgrimage to Mecca to see Mahomets graue and there to ende his lyfe in so holy an exercise thinking thereby to be saued which in the end he brought to effect And because he had neither childreÌ„ nor heyres to possesse his kingdome he deuided the same among his chiefest best seruaÌ„ts frieÌ„ds giuing to one Cochin to an other Cananor to the third Chale to the fourth Coulon c. and so he delt with all the other places of his dominions making euery one of those places a kingdome The town of Calicut he gaue to one of his best beloued seruaÌ„ts together with the title of Samoriin which is as much to say as Emperour and chief of al the rest and commanded that they should all acknowledge him as their Soueraigne and they his vassalles and at his commandement whereby euen vntill this time the King of Calicut holdeth the name of Samoriin with the commandement and authoritie ouer the other kings throughout the whole countrie of Malabar by such means as you haue heard before which done the king weÌ„t on pilgrimage to Mecca wher he ended his dayes and the Samoriin with the other kings continued each man in his newe kingdome whose successors vntill this day doe continue and gouerne the said kingdomes onely the Samoriin is somewhat imbased and the king of Cochin exalted since the Portingals ariued in the Indies as it is said before These Malabares are excellent good soldiours and goe naked both men and women onely their priuy members couered and are the principallest enemies that the Portingals haue and which doe them most hurt and although commonlie they haue peace with the Samoriin and hold so many forts vpon the land as you haue heard before yet the Malabares haue their hauens as Chale Calicut Cunhale Panane and others from whence with boates they mak roads into the sea and doe great mischief making many a poore merchant The Samoriin likewise when the toy taketh him in the head breaketh the peace that by the counsell of the Mahometanes who in all things are enemies to the Christians séeke to do them mischief and because of the Malabares inuasions the Portingall fléet is forced euery yeare to put forth of Goa in the summer-time to kéepe the coast and to preserue the merchants that trauaill those couÌ„tries from y e Malabars for that the most traffique in India is in Foists like galleyes wherein they traffique from the one place to the other which is
their daylie liuing occupations as it shal be shewed at large and yet there are continuall pyracies committed on the sea what order soeuer they take wherby poore marchaÌ„ts are taken prisoners robbed of all they haue The land throughout is very fruitfull gréene and pleasant to beholde but hath a very noysome and pestiferous ayre for such as are not borne in the countrie and yet pepper doth onely growe on this coast although some groweth by Mallacca in certaÌ„e parts of the land but not so much for from hence is it laden and conueyed throughout the whole world The 13. Chapter Of the Ilands called Maldyua otherwise Maldyua RIght ouer against the cape of Comoriin 60. miles into the sea westward the Ilands called Maldyua doe begin and from this cape on the North syde they lie vnder 7. degrées so reach south south east till they come vnder 3. degrées on the south side which is 140. myles Some say there are 11000. Ilands but it is not certainely knowne yet it is most true they are so many that they can not be numbred The Inhabitants are like the Malabares some of these Ilands are inhabited and some not inhabited for they are very lowe ground like the countrie of Cochin Cranganor c. and some of them are so lowe that they are commonlie couered with the sea the Malabares say that those Ilandes in time past did ioyne fast vnto the firme land of Malabar were part of the same land and that the Sea in processe of tyme hath eaten them away so separated them from the firme land There is no merchandize to be had in them but only coquen which are Indian nuttes and cayro which are the shelles of the same nuts that is the Indian hemp wherof they mak ropes cables and other such like commodities those are there to be found in so great aboundance that with them they serue the whole country of India and al the oriental coast of the wood of the same trées they make themselues boats after their manner with all things to them belonging of the leaues they make sayles sowed together with strings made of the nutshelles without any iron nayles and so being laden with the nuttes and other parts of the said trées they come and trafficke with those of the firme land their victuals in the ship being the fruite of the same trée so that to conclude the boate with all her furnitures their marchandises and their victuals is all of this palme trée and that maintaineth all the inhabitants of the Ilands of Maldyua and therewith they trafficke throughout India there are some of these nuttes in the said Iland that are more estéemed then all the nuttes in India for that they are good against all poyson which are verie faire and great and blackish I saw some that were preseÌ„ted vnto the vice roy of India as great as a vessell of 2. tuÌ„nes Indian measure and cost aboue 300. Pardawen which were to send vnto the King of Spaine Of this trée and her fruites together with the vsage thereof I will discourse more at large in the declaring of the Indian trées fruites meane time I will returne to the description of the coasts with their situations From the cape of Comoriin the coast beginneth North east to turne inwards again till you come to the Cape of Negapatan which lyes vnder 11. degrées and is 60. myles distant from the cape of Comoriin From the cape of Comoriin South east by South about 40 miles into the sea lieth the furthest corner of the great Iland of Seylon and so reacheth North and by east vntill you come right ouer against the cape of Negapatan being distant from the firme land the same cape 10. miles and betwéene the firme land and that Iland there lyeth some drie groundes or lytle Ilands whereby it is manie times dangerous for the Shippes that sayle vnto Bengala and the coast of Choâ—amandel which commonly passe through that way The Iland of Seylon is in length 60. miles and in breadth 40. miles from the first and vttermost corner North by east about 18. miles vnder 7. degrées and an halfe lyeth a fort belonging to the Portingals called Columbo which by méere force great charges is holden and maintained for that they haue no other place or péece of ground no not one foot but that in all the Iland it is but a small fort yet very strong and well guarded The soldiers that are therein are commonly such as are banished for some offence by them coÌ„mitted or such as haue deserued death and some dishonest women for some euill fact are put in there to beare them company They fetch al their necessaries out of India and are often times assailed by their enemies the Inhabitants of the Iland and often times besieged but alwaies valiantly defend themselues The 14. Chapter Of the Iland of Seylon THe Iland of Seylon is said to be one of the best Ilands that in our time hath béene discouered and the fruitfullest vnder the heauens well built with houses and inhabited with people called Cingalas and are almost of shape and manners like to those of Malabar with long wyde eares but not so blacke of colour they goe naked onely their members couered they were wont to haue but one King but hauing murdered their king they deuided their countrie into manie kingdomes and not long since a simple barber murthered their chief king with great tyrannie brought the kingdome vnder his subiection driuing the other kings out of the countrie whereof one that was a Christian fled into India and dwelleth at Goa where he is kept maintained at the kings charge This barber as it is said hath made himselfe king and the whole Iland vnder his subiection his name was Raju he liueth verie warily and is verie subtill a good soldier but trusting no man the Chingalans are not his good friends yet they liue in obedieÌ„ce vnder him more through force and feare then for loue or good wil for that he causeth them with great tyrannie to be executed so that no man dareth stirre against him he is likewise a deadly enemie to the Portingall and about a yeare before I came from India he had besieged the fort of Columbo with a great nuÌ„ber of Elephants and men but by meanes of y e Portingals that came thither out of India he was constrayned to breake vp his siege before the fortresse The Iland is full of hils and there is one hill so high that it is reported to be the highest hill in all India and is called Picode Adam The Indians hold for certane that Paradice was in that place and that Adam was created therein saying that yet vntill this daye there are some of his footsteps fouÌ„d vpon that hill which are within the stones as if they were ingrauen and neuer goe out The Iland is full of all sorts of Indian fruites and of al kind of wild beasts as
harts hindes wild bores hayres coneys and such like in great abundance of all sorts of foules as peacoks hennes doues and such like and for oringes lemons and citrons it hath not onely the best in al India but better then any are found either in Spaine or Portingal to conclude it hath many and almost all things that are found in India through all the seuerall prouinces and places thereof it hath also manie Indian palme trees or nut trees which are called cocken and certane credible persons doe affirme which told it mée that in the same Iland are nutmegges Cloues and Pepper trées although there is no certaintie thereof for that as yet they haue not béene brought or vttered to sell among the Christians but the best Cinamon in all the east countries is there to be had where it groweth in whole woodes and from thence is dispersed into all places of the world The Captaine that kéepeth the fort is forced by stealth in the night time to issue forth fetch this Cinamon into his fort whereof he maketh his principal profite for much more profite hath he not This Iland hath likewise al kindes of precious stones except Diamonds but Saphires Rubies Topasâ—es Spâ—nelen â—ranaden Robâ—ssen c. the best in all the East it hath likewise a fishing for Pearles but yet they are not so good as those that are at Bareiin by Ormus it hath likewise mynes of Gold siluer and other metals The Kings of the Iland will not digge it forth but kéepe it for a great state honor I thinke rather it is but Latteâ— because no man ventureth for it it hath also yron Flaxe Brimstone and such like ware also many Iuorie banes and diuers Elephantes which are accounted for the best in all India and it is by daylie experience found to be true that the Elephantes of all other places and couÌ„tries being brought before them they honour and reuerence those Elephantes the natural borne people or Chingalas are very cunning workmen in Gold Siluer Iuory Yron and all kindes of metal that it is wonderful they are much estéemed for the same through al India and beare the name and prayse aboue all the rest of the Indians they make the fairest barrels for péeces that may be fouÌ„d in any place which shine as bright as if they were Siluer My maister the Archbishop had a crucifixe of Iuorie of an elle long presented vnto him by one of the inhabitants of the I le made by him so cunningly â—rkmanly wrought that in the hayre beard and face it séemed to be aliue in al other parts so neatly wrought and proportioned in limmes that the like can not be done in all Europe Whereupon my maister caused it to be put into a case and sent vnto the king of Spaine as a thing to be woÌ„dered at and worthy of so great a Lord to be kept among his costliest Iewels In such things they are very expert and wonderful and maruelous nimble and expert in iugling as well men as women and trauell throughout the countrie of India to get money carying hobbyhorses with theÌ„ very strange to behold And this shall suffice at this present for the description of the I le of Seylon now I will procéede to shewe you of the coast of Choramandel where wée left before being at the cape of Negapatan The 15. Chapter Of the coast of Choramandel and the kingdome of Narsinga or Bisnagar THe coast of Choramandel beginneth from the cape of Negapatan and so stretcheth North by East vnto a place called Musulepatan which is 90. miles and lieth vnder 16. degrées and a half Betwéene these two places vpon the same coast lyeth a place called S. Thomas vnder 13. degrées an halfe and is 40. miles distant from Negapatan This place and Negapatan are inhabited by the Portingales and in al the other places along the coast they haue traffique and dealiâ— The aforesaid place called S. Thomas was in time past a towne of great traffique and as then called by the name of Meliapor and belonged to the kingdome of Narsinga whose king is now commonly called king of Bisnagar which is the name of his chief Citie where he kéepeth his court This Towne lieth within the land and is nowe the chiefâ— cittie of Narsinga and of the coast of Choramandel The naturall countrimen are for manners customes ceremonies like those of Ballagate decaminâ— Canaras for they are al one people but only separate by seueral places kingdoms and y e better to vnderstand wherefore this place was named S. Thomas the Indians say that in the time when the Apostles were sent spread abroad to preach the Gospell of our sauiour Christ throughout the whole world that S. Thomas the apostle came into that kingdome of Narsinga after he had bene in diuers places of India teaching preaching the word of God vnto those Indians and vnbeleuing people but litle profited therein for so say the Christians that are come of those same Countriemen which S. Thomas conuerted and baptised in the faith of Christ whom the Portingals found there at such time as they entered into the country and yet find many of them obseruing the ceremonies of the Gréek Church in the Chaldean tong that by no meanes will ioine with the Portingales in their ceremonies but not long sithence at the time of my béeing in India there was one of their Bishops that by land trauelled to Rome and there submitted himself to the Romish Church yet obseruing and holding their ancient ceremonies and customes which by the Pope was still permitted vnto them and when my Lord the Archbishop held a prouinciall counsell within the citie of Goa where his suffraganes were assembled that is to say y e bishops of Cochin Malacca and China to authorize the same the aforesayd Bishop was likewise called thether who as then was newlie come from Rome being made an Archbishop and was personally in the counsell but would not in any sort consent vnto the altering or changing of anie points of his Religion or ceremonies from the suffraganes from his Christians which were commonly called S. Thomas Christians But returning to our matter they say that when S. Thomas had long preached and taught in the kingdome of Narsinga From Musulepatan the coast runneth again Northeast and by East to the kingdom of Bengalen which is 120. miles and it is the lande and kingdome of Orixa which stretcheth along the same coast vnto the Riuer of Ganges the beginning of the kingdom of Bengalen This coast of Narsinga Bisnagar and Orixa are by the Portingalles commonly called as also the coast of Negapatan and Saint Thomas Choramandel vntil you come to Bengalen where the Portingalles haue great traffique for that it is a very rich and plentiful Country of all things as Ryce and all manner of fowles and beasts in great abundance It is also a holesome countrey and a good ayre for strange nations for that
the Portingals and other countreymen can better brooke it then other places in India From these coastes they vse great traffique vnto Bengala Pegu Sian Malacca and also to India there is excellent faire linnen of Cotton made in Negapatan Saint Thomas and Musulepatan of all colours and wouen with diuers sorts of loome workes and figures verie fine and cunningly wrought which is much worne in India and better estéemed then silke for that it is higher prised then silke because of the finenes cuÌ„ning workmaÌ„ship they are called Rechatas Cheylas wherof the Christians Portingals in India do commoÌ„ly make bréeches They likewise make clothes thereof for women to put about them from their nauelles downeward bound about their bodies which they weare within the house very finely made the best sort are named clothes of Sarasso some being mingled with thréedes of golde and siluer and such like stuffe of a thousand sortes very beautifull to behold wherewith they cloath themselues in very comely manner In this coast growe the great and thicke réeds which are vsed in India to make the Pallankins wherein they carry the women as in the Indian figures you shall sée which are so thicke that a man can hardly gripe them with both his handes very faire to looke vpon and very high being of diuers colours as blacke redde c. Whereof in an other place I will say more The 16. Chapter Of the Kingdome of Bengalen and the riuer Ganges AT the ende of the Kingdome of Orixa and the â—ast of â—horamandel beginneth the Riuer Ganges in the kingdom of Bengalen This is one of the most famous Riuers in all the world and it is not knowne from whence it springeth Some are of opinion that it commeth out of the earthly paradise because of an old speech of the Bengalers which is that in time past a certaine King of Bengalen was desirous to know froÌ„ whence the riuer Ganges hath her beginning to the which ende hee caused certaine people to bee brought vp and nourished with nothing but rawe fish and such like foode thereby to make them the apter to accomplish his desire which people hauing made boats fitte for the purpose he sent vp the riuer who were certain monthes vpon the water so long til they came where they felt a most pleasant and swéete sauour and founde a very cleare and most temperate skie with still and pleasant water that it séemed vnto them to bee an earthly paradise and being desirous to rowe further vpwardes they could not so that they were compelled séeing no remedie to returne againe the same way that they came and being returned certified the King what they had séene They that will not credit this are hard of beliefe for my parte I leaue it to the readers iudgement This Riuer hath Crocodiles in it like the riuer of Nilus in Aegipt the mouth or entry thereof lyeth vnder 22. degrées and the coast runneth East and by South to the Kingdome of Aracan which is about 80. miles it is an vneuen coast full of Islandes sholes hookes and créekes for the lande of Bengalen lyeth inwards of the gulf which is called Bengala for that froÌ„ Aracan the coast beginneth againe to runne South and East outwardes towardes Malacca and to the vttermost hooke which is called Singapura But returning to Bengala and the Riuer Ganges you must vnderstand that this riuer is holden and accounted of all the Indians to be a holy and a blessed water and they do certainely belieue that such as wash and bath themselues therein bee they neuer so great sinners all their sinnes are cleane forgiuen them and that from thenceforth they are so cleane and pure from sinne as if they were newe borne againe and also that hee which washeth not himself therein cannot be saued for the which cause there is a most great and incredible resorte vnto the same from all the partes of India the East countries in great troupes where they vse diuers strange ceremonies and superstitions most horrible to heare for they doe most stedfastly beléeue that they shall thereby merit eternall life From thâ— Riuer Eastward 50. miles lyeth the towne of Chatigan which is the chief towne of Bengala The naturall borne people of Bengala are in a manner like those of Seylon but somewhat whiter then y e Chingalas they are a most subtill and wicked people and are estéemed the worst slaues of all India for that they are all théeues and the women whores although this fault is common throughout all India no place excepted They haue a custome that they neuer dresse or séeth meat twice in one pot but haue euery time a new pot Whensoeuer they are found in adulterie they haue their noses cut off and from that time forwarde they must leaue ech others company which is most narrowly looked vnto by their law The countrey is most plentiful of necessary victuails specially Rice for that there is more of it in that countrey then in al the cast countries for they do yearly lade diuers shippes therewith which come thether from all places and there is neuer any want thereof and all other things in like sort and so good cheape that it were incredible to declare for that an Oâ—e or a Cowe is there to be bought for one Lariâ—n which is as much as halfe a Gilderne Shéepe Hens and other things after the like rate a Candit of Ryce which is as much little more or lesse as fourteene bushelles of Flemmish measure is sold there for halfe a Gilderne and for halfe a Doller Sugar and other ware accordingly whereby you may wel conceiue what plentie they haue The Portingalles deale traffique thether and some places are inhabited by them as the hauens which they call Porto grande and Porto pequeno that is the great hauen and the little hauen but there they haue no Fortes nor any gouernement nor policie as in India they haue but liue in a manner like wild men and vntamed horses for that euery man doth there what hee will and euery man is Lord and maister neyther estéeme they any thing of iustice whether there be any or none and in this manner doe certayne Portingalles dwell among them some here some there scattered abroade and are for the most part such as dare not stay in India for some wickednesse by them committed notwithstanding there is great trafficke vsed in those partes by diuers ships and marchants which all y e year diuers times both go come to and from all the Orientall parts Besides their Ryce much Cotton linnen is made there which is very fine and much estéemed in India and not only spread abroad and carryed into India and al the East parts but also into Portingal and other places this linnen is of diuers sorts and is called Sarampuras Cassas Comsas Beatillias Satopassas and a thousande such like names They haue likewise other linnen excellently wrought of a hearbe which
and that after their deathes they shall receiue either good or euill reward in the world to come according to their workes Wherefore they vse faire and costly Graues and beléeue that in the world to come men shall neuer more die but liue for euer there are also in this land many and diuers faire Vniuersities and Schooles for learning where they studie Philosophie and the lawes of the land for that not any man in China is estéemed or accounted of for his birth family or riches but onely for his learning and knowledge such are they that serue in euery Towne and haue the gouernment of the same being serued and honoured with great solemnities and worthinesse liuing in great pleasure and estéemed as gods They are called Loâ—ias and Mandorijns and are alwaies borne in the stréetes sitting in Chariots which are hanged about with Curtaines of Silke couered with Clothes of Golde and Siluer and are much giuen to banketing eating drinking making good cheare as also the whole land of China No man may rule gouerne or vse any Office of Iustice in the Towne or place where he was borne which they saye the King doth because their friendes or parents should not mooue or perswade them to doe any thing contrarie to Iustice or to the hinderance of the Kings seruice When any of the aforesaide gouernours or rulers die in China they kill diuers of their seruants and wiues and cause all kinde of victuals and necessaries with diuers Iewels to bee put into the Graue with them whereby they thinke themselues well prouided and to haue good companie with them to liue withall in the other world The Countrie is verie temperate good ayre for it beginneth vnder 19. degrées and is in some places higher then 50. degrées whereby it is to be presumed that it must of force be fruitfull a great helpe thereunto is the earnest and continuall labour the countrimen and inhabitants take to build houses in their land whereby there is not one foote of land lost or that lyeth wast for euen to the verie mountaines it is both plowed planted because there are so many people in the Countrie It is not in mans memorie that euer there was plague in that Countrie and they haue a law which is very straightly holden that no man may goe or depart out of the Countrie without licence nor yet that any stranger may come into the land without leaue vpon paine of death Likewise no man may trauaile through the Country to begge whereof they haue a great care and looke néerely vnto it The people are well formed and commonly fat and well liking of body broade and round faces smal eyes great eye-browes broad foreheads small and flat noses litle beards seauen or eight hayres aboue their lippes and vnder their chinnes and verie blacke haire which they estéeme verie much haue great care in y e keming thereof and in keeping it cleane as well men as women and weare it as long as it will growe and then binde it in a knot on the top of their heads and vpon it they put a péece of Silke netting Those that dwell on the Sea side with whome the Portingals traffique that is in Machau and Canton are a people of a brownish colour like the white Moores in Africa and Barbaria and part of the Spaniards but those that dwell within the land are for color like Netherlanders high Dutches There are many among them that are cleane blacke which haue great eyes and much beard but verie few of them as it may well bee thought and as the men of China themselues report Their ofspring was out of â—artaria or from other of their neighbours of straunge Countries at such time when they had licence to trauaile into those Countries and to haue conuersation with them by trade of marchandise which nowe they may not doe as it is saide before They vse to weare the nayles of their left hands very long and on the right hand short which they hold for an auncient ceremonie of their law and beliefe Their apparell as I said before is most of Silke of all colours that is such as are of welth indifferent rich others such as are poore do weare apparel of Cotton linnen of blacke and coloured Sayes and such like stuffe Cloth made of Wooll nor Veluet they can not make in all China although there wanteth no wooll and they haue many shéepe notwithstanding they know not how to vse it and wonder much at it when the Portingalles bring it thether The women goe verie richly apparelled with long and wide Gownes they weare many Iewels on their heades within their haire and also vppon their bodies they doe commonly hold their hands couered they are but little séene abroad but sit most part within the house and estéeme it for a great beautifying vnto them to haue small féete to the which end they vse to binde their féete so fast when they are young that they cannot grow to the full whereby they can hardly goe but in a manner halfe lame Which custome the men haue brought vp to let them from much going for that they are verie iealous and vnmeasurable leacherous and vnchast yet is it estéemed a beautifying and comlinesse for the women Those that are of any wealth or estate are born in chaires through the stréets hanged and couered with Silke Sattin and Damaske Curtins wouen with siluer and golde thréedes and haue small holes to looke through so that they may sée and not be séene The 24. Chapter Of the Prouinces Townes and other things worthie of memorie in the kingdome of China THe kingdome of China is deuided into 15 prouinces euery one being as great as it is reported founde written as the best kingdome in Europe and are gouerned by a Viceroye or Gouernour which by the Chinaes is called Cochin Two of the said Prouinces are ruled by the King himselfe and his Councell which are Tolanchia and Paguia wher the King is alwaies resident The other Prouinces are called Foquiem Olam Sinsay Xansay Oquiam Aucheo Hona Canton Quicheo Chequeam Saxi Aynaon Susâ—an Most of these Prouinces haue riuers and waters running through them haue conference and familiaritie by buying and selling with each other both by water and by land It is recorded by the Chinaes themselues in their Chronicles that in these fiftéene Prouinces ther are 591. chiefe Citties 1593. other Citties besides villages whereof some are so great as Citties whereby you may consider the greatnesse of the land Most of the Townes are built vppon riuers and running streames and closed about with broade ditches and thicke stone walles Without the Walles betwéene them and the Ditches is a walke where sixe men on Horse backe maye ryde in ranke and the like within which space is made to mende and repaire the Walles when néede requireth whereof they are very carefull and looke warily vnto them The high waies and foote pathes throughout the
the same as an infallible law which groweth vpon this occasion A long time since there was in China a great mightie familie which together with all their friends and acquaintance secretly conspired and agréed to ryse vp against the King of China to driue him out of his kingdome and to kill him and hauing so done to place themselues therein but it could not so secretly be contriued and wrought but in the end it was knowne whereupon the king punished them most gréeuously and caused diuers of the principall conspirators to be put to death and all others he found to be consenting therunto should haue felt the like paine which gréeued the Counsell and other Noble men of the countrie for that diuers of their néerest kinsmen were of that conspiracie so that with humble and long petition to the King they besought him to let them liue and to punish them with some easier punishment then death but that which they sought desired at the king all things considered was little better then death which was that he would banish them and all their posteritie for euer out of the countrie into the Ilands of Iapen which as then were not inhabited and this as they desired was done whereby there is so great enuie and hatred betwéene them and the men of China that they hate each other to the death and doe all the mischief one vnto the other that they can imagine or deuise euen vntill this time The men of Iapen haue done much mischief vnto the men of China and many times fallen vpon their coasts and put all to fire and sword and now at this present haue not any conuersation with them but onely they trafficke with the Portingales and to shewe themselues whollie their deadlie enemies in all their actions they are cleane contrary vnto the men of China and to the same end haue changed all their customes ceremonies and manners of curtesie from the men of China To recite the particulars would be ouer long yet I will in briefe set down some fewe examples of the customes and manners therein One is where the China vseth the curtesie of salutation to a man with the head and hand wheÌ„ they méet together the Iapens to the contrarie put off their shoes whereby they shewe them reuerence and as the Chinaes stand vp when they minde to receyue any man and to doe him reuerence they to the contrarie set themselues down accounting it a verie vnséemely thing to receyue or bid a man welcome standing on their féet and as we put on our clokes when we meane to goe abroad into the towne or countrie they put them off when they goe forth putting on great wyde bréeches and coming home they put them off again and cast their clokes vpon their shoulders and as among other nations it is a good sight to see men with white and yealow hayre and white teeth with them it is estéemed the filthiest thing in the world and séeke by all meanes they may to make their hayre and téeth blacke for that the white causeth their grief and the blacke maketh them glad The like custome is among the women for as they goe abroad they haue their daughters maydes before them and their men seruants come behind which in Spaigne is cleane contrarie and when they are great with childe they tye their girdles so hard about them that men would thinke they shuld burst and when they are not with Childe they weare their girdles so slacke that you would thinke they would fall from their bodies saying that by experience they do finde if they should not doe so they should haue euill lucke with their fruict and presently as soone as they are deliuered of their children in stéed of cherishing both the mother and the child with some comfortable meat they presently wash the childe in cold water and for a time giue the mother very little to eate and that of no great substance Their manner of eating and drinking is Euerie man hath a table alone without table clothes or napkins and eateth with two peeces of wood like the men of China they drinke wine of Rice wherewith they drink themselues drunke and after their meat they vse a certaine drinke which is a pot with hote water which they drinke as hote as euer they may indure whether it be Winter or Summer The Turkes holde almost the same maÌ„ner of drinking of their Chaona which they make of certaine fruit which is like vnto the Bakelaer and by the Egyptians called Bon or Ban they take of this fruite one pound and a half and roast them a little in the fire and then sieth them in twentie poundes of water till the half be consumed away this drinke they take euerie morning fasting in their chambers â—ut of an eâ—rthen pot being verie hote as we doe here drinke aquacomposita in the morning and they say that it strengtheneth and maketh them warme breaketh wind and openeth any stopping The manner of dressing their meat is altogether contrarie vnto other nations the aforesaid warme water is made with the powder of a certaine hearbe called Chaa which is much estéemed and is well accounted of among them and al such as are of any countenance or habilitie haue the said water kept for them in a secret place and the gentlemen make it themselues and when they will entertaine any of their friends they giue him some of that warme water to drinke for the pots wherein they sieth it and wherein the hearbe is kept with the earthen cups which they drinke it in they esteeme as much of them as we doe of Diamants Rubies and other precious stones and they are not esteemed for their newnes but for their oldnes and for that they were made by a good workman and to know and kéepe such by themselues they take great and speciall care as also of such as are the valewers of them and are skilfull in them as with vs the goldsmith priseth and valueth siluer and gold and the Iewellers all kindes of precious stones so if their pots cuppes be of an old excelleÌ„t workmaÌ„s making they are worth 4 or 5 thousaÌ„d ducats or more the peece The King of Bungo did giue for such a pot hauing thrée feet 14 thousand ducats and a Iapan being a Christian in the town of Sacay gaue for such a pot 1400 ducats and yet it had 3 peeces vpon it They doe likewise estéeme much of any picture or table wherein is painted a blacke trée or a blacke bird and when they knowe it is made of wood and by an ancient cuÌ„ning maister they giue whatsoeuer you will aske for it It happeneth some times that such a picture is sold for 3 or 4 thousand ducats and more They also estéeme much of a good rapier made by an old and cunning maister such a one many times costeth 3 or 4 thousand Crowns the péece These things doe they kéeepe and estéeme for their Iewels as
they know full well howe to bring to passe for that there is not any thing from whence they will not sucke or draw out some profit or aduantage or else they haue the slight and cunning how to get it as well from the King and from other Noblemen and estates as also from the common people it séemeth in a manner that they bewitch men with their subtill practises and deuises and are so wel practised and experimented in trade of marchandises that they surpasse all worldly men To conclude there is not any commoditie to be had or reaped thoroughout all India but they haue their part therein so that the other orders and Religious persons as also the common people doe much murmur thereat and séeme to dislike of their couetous humors A little beyond Iapon vnder 34. and 35. degrées not farre from the coast of China lyeth an other great Iland called Insula de Core whereof as yet there is no certaine knowledge neither of the greatnesse of the countrie people nor wares that are there to be found From Makau East Northeast distant aboue 90. miles lye certaine Ilandes called Lequeo Pequeno or little Lequeo and lye about 20. miles distant from the firme land of China and 90. miles farther in the same course lye other Ilands called Lequeo Maior or great Lequeo All these Ilandes are trauelled vnto and inhabited by those of China whereof we will now cease to speake till an other time hauing particularly made a briefe discourse in an other place of all their manners customes wares and marchandises according to the truest instructions I could find and so will returne againe to the description of Goa together with the places bordering about the same The 27. Chapter A short relation of the land lying behind Goa in the iurisdiction whereof lyeth the said towne of Goa and of the Originall of their Kings and Gouernours with their names by true information giuen by the inhabitants themselues together with their Histories BEfore I begin to write of the towne and Ilande of Goa with the coastes superstitions and other customes of the countrie lying behinde and rounde about Goa as well where the Portingales inhabit as where the natiue countrie men are resident I thought it conuenient to begin with the same somwhat further off then at the present time the better to vnderstand the originall of the people together with the principall causes of the diuisions of the same countries and nations as also their Kings names and surnames Then you must vnderstand that about 300. yeares past there was a mightie King of the countrie of Deli which lyeth within the land behind Goa on the Northside and bordereth vpon the land of Coracone belonging to the King of Persia wherein are made the rich Couerlets and hangings by the Portingales called Alcatyffas which land of Deli is verie colde and hath Snow and Ice in it like the Netherlands This king of Deli brought vnder his subiection all the countries bordering about him among the which were Decam Cuncam Ballagate and the lande of Goa At the same time the countrie of Cambaia which is distant from Goa about 100. miles Northward was ouerrunne and taken fâ—rcibly by the Moores Mahometans and brought the naturall countrimen called Reysbutos being heathens with great tyranie vnder their subiection The land of Ballagate and Decam was before inhabited by heathens that were verie mightie and of great power whose successors are now called Venesares and others that yet dwell within the countrie called Colles which Colles Venesares and Reysbutos of Cambaia doe yet liue by robbing and stealing and those of Cambaia pay tribute to the saide Reysbutos because they should not robbe and spoyle them but suffer them to liue in peace The Colles and Venesares also receiue tribute of the men of Decam and Ballagate for that the Kings could neuer as yet ouercome them although they make no shew thereof but still dissemble with them for that of what soeuer they robbe and steale they haue their parts After this King of Deli had brought all these kingdomes and countries vnder his subiection then came the Tartarians which the Indians call Mogoren and ouercame most part of the countrie of Deli. At the same time there dwelt in the kingdome of Bengalen a Noble Gentleman whose brother the King of Bengallen had wrongfully put to death whereby this Gentleman sought and deuised all the meanes hee could to bee reuenged and did not onely bring it to passe by bereauing the King of his life but also tooke the whole kingdome from him and brought it vnder his subiection and being in this sorte become absolute Lord and King of Bengalla was not therewith content but desiring to augment his kingdome and thereby to win great fame did inuade the countrie of Deli bordering vpon him with a great armie of men and by force draue the Tartarians or Mogoros out of the countrie and so conquered both that lande and all the countries bordering thereabouts as Decam Ballagate and Cuncam as farre as to the kingdome of Cambaia and for a time was the greatest Prince in all those quarters For the Indians affirme that hee had in Compasse vnder his subiection aboue 800. miles of land This King raigning for a time ouer al these lands and countries in the end desiring to liue quietly and to returne vnto his kingdom of Bengala thinking it too troublesome for him to rule so great a countrie did inuest one of his cosins with the countries of Decam Ballagate and Cuncam with the land of Goa and the countries bordering about the same which done he returned into his land of Bengala leauing his saide cosin King and commander of the aforesaid countries This man was alwaies a great friende and wel-willer to strange nations as Arabians Turkes Ruynes and Corasones parted his countries among Gouernours and Captaines to on whereof beeing called Idalham whome the Portingales call Hidalcam he gaue the Gouernment of Angedina which lyeth 12. miles from Goa Southwards stretching towards the North till you come to a place called Siffardan which are 60. miles wherein is contained the towne and Iland of Goa to an other Captaine called Nisa Maluco hee gaue the coast of Siffardan stretching Northwards to Negotana which are 20. miles and lyeth inwards to the land of Cambaia so that those two Captaines had their gouernments in the countrie of Cuncam which lyeth on the Sea coast and seperateth it selfe from the land of Decam by great and high hils called Guate These hils are verie high and haue many corners and hookes of land and doe stretch towardes Cambaia to the Cape de Comorin and from thence backe againe to the coast of Choramandel The hill of Guate is so high that men may easily sée it within Goa and all the coast along though commonly it is couered with clouds and it is the more to bee wondred at for this respect because all other hils are vneuen high and low
Sea-gods and Mermaids haue beene found The entrance of the riuer of Coanza is about halfe a mile broad may be sailed vp with a scute at the lest xx miles against the streame but it hath no speciall hauen Thereabout beginneth the kingdome of Angola which in time past was vnder the obedience of the kinges of Congo but not long since by meanes of a certaine gouernor it was taken from it and made a gouernement of it selfe which holdeth himselfe as a friend and not as a vassaile to the king of Congo yet many times hee sendeth him certaine presents in maner of a tribute FroÌ„ Coanza passing forward you come to a hook of land called Capo Ledo which hauing compassed about you finde other Riuers the first is Songa which may bee sailed vp xxv Italian or fiue Duch miles the next Bengleli where now one of the king of Angolas subiects is gouernor then you come to a very good hauen fit and capable for all shippes called the Creeke of Kine of some the banke of Kine because thereabout great numbers of kine doe vse to pasture being a plaine country fruitful of grasse and al kinds of vutualles there many times is openly to be solde certayne kinds of mettall specially siluer as Lopez and Pigafetta his interpreters do witnes from whence most part of this description is drawne and taken forth and so far was the coast of the mighty kingdome of Congo vsually accounted to bee where the Portingales in the first discouery of the country did ordinarily traffike and beginneth vnder 4 degrées and ½ on the south side of the Equinoctiall line reaching til you come vnder 13. degrees which are 630. Italian miles that is 126. Duch miles accounting fiue Italian miles to euerie Duch mile and although this countrie as also al other hath other sides that lie both East West North and South yet this discriptioÌ„ of the West side as far as it reacheth on the sea coasts shal suffice for the necessary knowlege of those y e saile along the Affrican or Indian seas But to make it some what better knowne I will in parte describe the fruitfulnes thereof which to vnderstand you must know that the whole kingdome of Congo is diuided into sire principall prouinces which are called Bamba Sogno Sundi Pango Batta and Pemba Bamba is the greatest and the richest it reacheth along the Sea coast from the riuer of Ambrizi to the riuer of Coanza hauing in it many Lordes whose names are needelesse to rehearse for they are all called Mani that is Lord as Mani Bamba lord of Bamba Mani Loanda lord of Loanda Mani Coanza lord of Coanza This prouince of Bamba is the key shield and defence of the whole kingdom of Congo from whence the king hath all his power means to resist the enemy for they withstand al rebellions of the places borduring about them they haue diuers expert souldiers that are alwayes in armes helping and assisting the king in all his wars and in the same prouince if need require he may haue 400000. fighting meÌ„ and according to the manner of the countrey at his commaundement The principall towne of this prouince lieth in an euen field betweene the riuers of Loze and Ambrizi and is called Panza which is a common name to all theyr towns where the gouernor lieth it is distant from the sea about 100. Italian miles which are 20. Dutch miles in this prouince beginneth the hill wherein are mines of siluer and of al other mettalls reaching toward the kingdome of Angola being very rich and there on the strande they finde the Schulphkens which they vse for money where likwise is the greatest trade for sale of slaues in al that country being brought from Angola which the Portingales euery yeare do buy of them by thousands carrying them to sell againe into diuers far different countries The people of the country are very expert in armes They beare long and broad rapiers or two handed swordos like the Slauonians or Switzers which are brought vnto them by the Portingales som of them are so strong that with one blow they will strike a slaue cleane thorow the middle of the body into peeces and further there hath bin so of theÌ„ found that haue borne the fourth part of a butte of wine weying about 325. li. vpon theyr shoulders besides those weapons they haue bowes wherein they bee very expert with long shieldes made of barks solded togither whereof I can shew you In this prouince of Bamba there be diuers strange beasts as elephants wherof there be many by reason of the great aboundaunce of wooddes meddowes and streames and be very great for that they grow halfe the time of theyr liues which is 150. yeares Those that haue bin found in Portingale and here with vs are 〈◊〉 because they are yong not come to theâ—â— full growths and to prooue them to 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 great it may be tried by the greatnes and weight of some of the teeth that be brought from thence for that there hath been 〈◊〉 found to be two hundred pounds 〈…〉 euery pound foure and twenty 〈◊〉 In Congo speech an elephants tooth is called Mene Manzo and the yong elephantes are by them called Moana Manzo theyr eares are as big as the greatest target that the Turkes do beare which are sixe spans long in forme like a Gys and somewhat sharpe towardes the shoulder and with the beating of theyr eares and tayles they driue away the flies and likewise with the wrinckling and shrinking together of theyr skinnes they kill them The hayres on theyr tailes are very thicke blacke and shining the olde hauing them much fayrer than the yoong and be more woorth theyr hayres are â—sâ—d by these country people for necke laces speciallie by the men and gentlewomen in the countrey of Angola and the places borduring on the same which are much esteemed and accounted of bicause they come from these kindes of beasts as also for the fay renesse and strength of the hayre for that some of them are so strong that a man can not breake them with his handes Some of the countrey people venture theyr liues to get them which is in this maner when the elephant passeth through so narrowe away that he cannot turne himselfe they leape out or follow him and with sharpe kniues cut off his haires which they sell and are wreathed and folded in the manner and forme of Ringes and Laces and so worne about thâ—yr neckes armes and fingers thereof by whole tayles with thâ— thâ—â—es they weare in those countries and many rings of the same hayre made by the â—es you may see at D Paludaâ—â— house the ancient fathers had not the great knowlege of elephants bicause they 〈◊〉 y t they cannot bow their legs that 〈◊〉 step standing vpright against trees by which means they write them to be taâ— but the experience of our country meÌ„ as also of the Portingales haue fouÌ„d it to
of the Portingales voyage towards the Indies for that there are about 6000. Italian miles to saile before you com to compas this great cape for that from the riuer of Fernando Poo where the head first beginneth to iut into the sea to the furthest point which as I said is called Delli Aguglie that is the néedles the coast from north to south is accounted 2200. Italian miles and on the other side of the same hooke or corner to the point or cape Guarda fuâ— lying ouer against the Iland Socotora the coast from south to north is accounted 3300. Italian miles whereof 1000. Italian miles make 200. Dutch miles and is 660. Dutch miles so that from Lisbon sailing about the coast of Affrica the cape de Bona Speranza to the kingdome of Goa are about 15000. Italian miles and thence to Malacca China is as much againe so that not any people in the world did euer make so dangerous a voyage as the Portingales haue done except within these few yeares certain English gentlemen that not onelie haue performed this voyage but haue sayled round about the worlde This head is called the cape de Bona Speranza that is head of good Hope for that al the ships that saile to India or from India to Portingale do feare the passing of this cape thinking if they passe it to haue passed al danger Now to returne to our matter touching the coast of Affrica hauing passed the cape delli Aguglie there are diuers good hauens for ships to harbor in first Seno Formoso il Seno del Lago because in that place the sea makes a gulfe or entrance wherein are certaine Ilands and hauens alitle further the riuer called S. Christofer runs into the sea in the mouth whereof lieth iii. Ilands and somewhat further there comes a riuer out of the land which the Portingaâ—eâ— call â—eria della Natiuita that is the land of Christs birth bicause it was discouered on the same day downe to the cape de la Pescheria between this cape the riuer Mâ—gnice lieth the kingdome of Burtua which reacheth to the hils of the Moone and so to this riuer towardes the north where the country of Monomoâ—apâ— lieth and on the west side to the riuer Bauagul In this country are many gold veines the people being altogether like the men of Monometapa passing in this maner by the coast you sée y e riuer of Magnice by the which begins the kingdome of Sofala the country of Menomotapa This riuer springeth out of the same lake where Nilus issueth forth runneth into y e sea in the middle of the entrance betwéene two corners of land one called Della Pescheria the other Delli Correnti liyng vnder 23. degrees ½ on the south side of the pole vnder Tropicus Caneri Into this riuer not far from the sea run three other riuers whereof one is called S. Christopher and by the inhabitants of the country called Nagoa the second hath her name of a particular man called Lorenzo Marchoâ— because he found it first and in that country Toroa these two issue out of the hils of the Moone the third is called Aâ—râ—e springing out of the other side of the hills by the golde mines of Mone motapa in some places of this riuer they finde golde as small as sand These three riuers together with the riuer of Magnice running into the sea cast foorth great abundance of water and from the mouth of these three Riuers stretcheth the kingdome of Sosala to the riuer of Cuania which hath receiued hir name from a Castle of the same name inhabited by Mahometanes This riuer of Cuama diuideth it selfe into seuen partes besides the channel that floweth vpwardes al inhabited and very populous and floweth out of the same riuer from whence Nylus doeth issue so the kingdome of Sofala lieth betwéen these two riuers Magnice and Cuama on the sea side yet very small hauing but fewe townes or villages whereof the principall cittie is Sofala lying in an Island of the same riuer giuing the name to the whole country inhabited by Mahometanes their King being of that sect but subiect to the King of Portingale onely because they wil not be vnder the obedience of Monomotapa In the mouth of this riuer Cuama the Portingales haue a fort where there is much traffike for golde iuorie and amber which is found by the slaues vpon the coast bartering the same for linnen made of cotten and for silke brought from Cambaia The people as nowe inhabiting therein were not borne in that country but before the Portingales discouered the land they came out of Arabia Felix with small barkes to traffike there and being once brought in subiection by the Portingales doe nowe inhabite and dwell there being neither Turkes nor heathens In the inward parte of the countrey between those two riuers beginneth the kingdome of Monomotapa wherein are manie golde mines which is carried into all the places round about as well to Sofala as throughout Affrica some being of opinion that out of this country Solomon caused golde and iuorie to be brought into Ierusalem which seemeth not vnlikely for that in this Kingdome of Monomotapa were found many olde and princely buildings very costly both for timber stone chalke and wood which in the countries about it are not found The gouernement of Monomotapa is very great and reacheth ouer many warrelike people all Heathens and Pagans blacke of a middle stature and very swift in the which gouernment are many kings that are subiect to the same and doe often rebell their weapons are dartes and light targets This Emperour holdeth many armies in seuerall prouinces diuided into legions after the maner of the Romanes thereby to defend hys great countrey and to maintaine his estate amongst his men of warre the legion of women is the best which are greatly esteemed of by the King wherein consisteth his greatest power These women do burne theyr breastes because they shoulde not hinder them in shooting like the Amazons whereof the auncient Historiographers make mention these women are very swift expert and cunning in shooting out of their bowes In theyr fight they vse a certayne subtiltie which is that seeming to runne away and flee from their ennemies as being scattered vpon the sodayne returne agayne and do their ennemy great mischiefe especially when they thinke to haue gotten the victory and by that subtiltie are ouerthrowne These women haue places appointed them to dwell in by themselues and at certayne times haue the company of men that they may haue children which if they be boyes they send vnto their fathers if daughters they keepe them The countrey of Monomotapa is in maner of an Island formed in that order by the sea the riuer of Magnice and a parte of the lake from whence the riuer springeth together with the riuer Cuamâ— borduring on the south vppon the Lordes of the cape de Buona Speraâ—za and on the north vpon the kingdome of Monemugi Sayling
along the coast by the riuer of Cuama you come to a small kingdome liing vppon the sea side called Angoscia taking the name from certaine Islandes that beare the same name lying right against it inhabited by Mahometanes and Heathens which in small shippes doe traffike and deale in such wares as those of Sofala vse And sayling further you discouer the kingdome of Mosambique lying vnder fouretéene degrees and a halfe whereof I haue sufficient spoken heretofore as also of the Island lying behinde it called Quiloa and the great Island of S. Laurence making the chanell which in the entrance towards the west is three hundred and forty Italian miles broad and in the middle towardes Mosambique where it is narrowest a hundred and seauentie miles kéeping that breadth all along the coasts towards India containing many Islandes The shippes that saile from Spaine into India and from India into Spaine do commonly keepe their course through this channell vnlesse they be otherwise compelled by the winde and surely this Island deserueth to haue better people than it hath inhabiting therein because of the situation hauing many good and safe hauens togither with fayre riuers sweet fresh waters which cause the land to bring forth diuers kinds of fruits and spices as beans pease rice and corn oranges lemons and citrons and all sortes of flesh tame and wilde hennes swine and harts of very good and sweete flesh by reason of the fertilitie and excellent good fish The inhabitants are heathens and some of Mahomets sect of a fayre colour much giuen to war and to their weapons specially bowes and woodden holberts This Island is diuided into foure gouernments ech fighting against other Therein are many mines of gold siluer copper yron and other metals but the wilde people vse not to traffike out of their owne countrey but onely sayle in small scutes cut out of trées from one place of the Island to the other for the most parte not suffering any traffike in their Island with strangers yet the Portingales at this time traffike in some of their hauens but go not on land and from thence bring ambergreece ware siluer copper rice and diuers other wares In this chanel betwéen the firme land of Affrica and this Island there lieth many both great and small Islands al inhabited by Mahometanes among the which the chiefe is S. Christofer then the Holyghost another called Magliaglie as also Comoro Anzoame Maiotto and such like Returning againe vnto the coast and hauing passed Quiloa you sée the kingdome of Mombaza lying vnder thrée degrées and a halfe on the south side taking the name from a certaine Island so called wherein lieth a faire towne with many goodly buildings beautiffied with diuers Images and figures the king being a Mahometane who withstanding the Portingales spéede like those of Quiloa taking it by force where they found much golde siluer pearles cotten linnen silkes and cloth of golde with other sortes of merchandises This Island bordureth on Quiloa and Melinde inhabited by heathens and Mahometanes and subiect to the king of Monemugi Sayling further you come to the kingdome of Melinde which is likewise verie small stretching along the sea coast till you come to the riuer Chimamchi lying vnder two degrees and a halfe and vpwardes by the riuer it runneth to a lake called Calice about a hundred Italian miles or twentie Dutch miles In this countrey about the sea side there is a very great towne most inhabited by white people al heathens and Mahometanes their houses are built almost like the houses in Portingale theyr sheepe are almost as bigge againe as those in Portingale with tailes which are accounted for a quarter of mutton weighing at the lest fiue and twenty or thirtie pound The women are white and dresse themselues after the manner of Arabia very prowdly and in great pompe al in silkes wearing about their neckes armes and legges iewels rings and bracelets of gold going with their faces couered like the Egyptian women not being seene or known but when it pleaseth them in this towne there is a good hauen for ships to lie in and for the most parte the people are friendly vpright in worde and déede holding good friendshippe with strangers specially with the Portingales giuing them much credit and neuer hurting them Betweene the ii heads of Mombaza and Melinde there lieth three Islands the first called Momsie the second Zanzibar and the third Pâ—mba all inhabited by Mahometanes white of colour very rich and abundant in wealth but not vsed to the warres only to til th earth In those Islands is much sugar which is by them brought in boates vnto the firme land with other fruites of those Islandes within the firme land Beyond those three kingdomes of Quiloa Melinde and Mumbaza lieth the great and large kingdome of Monemugi which on the south lieth vppon the kingdome of Molambique by the riuer of Coâ—uo and on the west vpon the riuer Nylus between the two lakes on the north vppon the Land of Pâ—esâ—eâ— lolin it liueth peaceably with the 3. kingdomes aforesaid traffiking with them for cotten linnen which is brought thither out of Cambaia w t such like wares brought out of India which they barter for gold siluer copper and iuory but on the other side towards Monomotapa it hath continuall warres and that so cruel and bloody that it can hardly be knowne who hath the victory because in that place there méeteth two mighty people and those that are most expert in armes throughout all Affrica for those of Monomotapa the women called Amazon whereof I spake before and for Monemugi the people by those of Mencongi called Giachi but in their owne spéech Agagi which in time past vsed much to inuade the kingdome of Congo nothing incomparable for strength and agillitie to the Amazons This people haue a custome with hote yrons to burne their faces especially their vpper lippes and so make strikes and lines in them also they turne their eye lids vpwards and round about They are blacke with shining skinnes The white of their eies being of so swart a colour that by their faces they seeme to be stange and cruel moÌ„sters they are il fauored great bodies liuing in the fields like beasts eate mans flesh In war they are most couragious setting most fiercely vpon their enemie their arms are darts wherin they are most cunning Comming again vnto the Coast hauing past the kingdome of Melinde to the Cape de Guarda fuy there are many other places inhabited by white Mahometanes where there are some good hauens whither diuers strange shippes and Marchants with their wares doe ordinarily resort wherof the chéefe is Pate the second Braua the third Magadoxo the fourth Amffion and behinde that reacheth the broade and wide head or Cape of Guarda Fuy which because of the greatnes issueth farre into the sea is knowne by many ships comming out of India Arabia Ormus other places And about this Cape the
Portingales do yearely watch for the Turkish ships which saile with many costly wares not hauing licence of them they are boorded and spoyled of their wares by the Portingales presuming themselues to be lords of al the traffike in those coūtries not permitting any other to traffike therin but onely themselues or by theyr licence Hauing sailed about this Cape de Guarda Fuy and setting your course towardes the redde Sea there are other townes and hauens inhabited by the Mahometanes the first called Meth the other being somewhat further Barbora and there are the last white people from thence you finde al blacke people and beyond that you come to Ceila Dalaca Malaca Carachin which coast in their spéech is called Baragiam being al Moores and expert in armes their apparrell from the middle vpwarde being of cotten linnen The chéefe gouernours or nobles weare Cappoten which they cal Bermissi this countrey is rich of gold Iuory mettal and al kind of victuals From thence you come to the mouth of the red sea wherein lyeth an Island called Babelmandel on both sides wherof there runneth a channel into the red sea whereof the West side is almost fiftéene Italian that is three Duch miles broade through the which al the shippes doe passe both in and out the channel lying on the other side is shallow and ful of sandes and cliffes so that in al it is about sixe Duch miles broade whereof the one poynt lying in the Affrican shore is called Raibel and the other lying in the countrey of Arabia Felix is called Ara whereabouts also is the hauen of the rich towne of Aden in Arabia alreadie spoken of in this booke This water runneth inward vnto Swes being about 1200. Italian miles in lēgth on both sides altogether dry and verie shallow ful of Islandes déep only in the middle where the shippes do ordinarily saile which is onely by the great swift course of the water which scouring the channel kéepeth it cleane and déepe casting vp the sande on both sides Now to say something of Prester Iohn being the greatest and the mightiest prince in all Affrica his countrey beginneth from the enterance into the red sea and reacheth to the Island of Siene lying vnder Tropicus Cancri excepting the coast of the same sea which the Turke within these fiftie yeares hath taken from him so that his gouernment towards the Northwest and East lieth most part by the red sea and Northeast vpon Egypt and the desarts of Nubia and on the South side vpon Monomugi so that to set downe the greatnesse of all the countries which this Christian king hath vnder his commandement they are in compasse 4000. Italian miles The cheefe Cittie whereof and wherein he is most resident is called Belmalechi his gouernment is ouer many countries and kingdomes that are rich and aboundant in gold siluer and precious stones and al sorts of mettals his people are of diuers colours white blacke and betwéene both of a good stature and proportion The noblemen and gentlemen of the countrey apparrel themselues in silke Imbrodered with gold and other such like In this countrey they obserue lawes for wearing of apparrel by degrées as they do in Portingale for that some are not permitted to weare any other apparrel but Leather the people are Christians but hold certaine ceremonies of the Iewish lawe and vpon the day of the conception of the virgin Mary al the kings and Princes vnder his obedience do come vnto the saide towne of Belmalechi there to celebrate the feast euerie man bringing with him such treasor or yearely tribute as he is bound to pay and at the same feast the people come thither in pilgrimage to honour it wherevppon that day there is a great procession and out of the church from whence they come they bring an Image of the virgin Mary in form like a man of Massie gold and where the eyes should be it hath two great rubies the rest of the whole Image beeing wrought with excellent workmanship and set with many precious stones laying it on a beere of gold very cunningly wrought At this procession Prester Iohn himselfe is personally present either sitting in a Chariot of golde or riding on an Elephant most richly trapped himselfe apparrelled in most strange and costly cloth of golde al embrodered and set with pearles and stones most sumptuous to beholde to see this feast and Image the people runne in so great troupes that by reason of the prease many are thrust to death This Emperour Prestor Iohn is not rightly named for that his name is Belgian Bel signifying the highest perfectest and excellentest of all things and Gian Lorde or Prince which is proper to all that commaund or gouerne ouer others so then Belgian signifieth the chiefe or highest Prince which name being so ioyned is proper to none but to the king hauing also a surname of Dauid as our Emperours the name of Caesar or Augustus Here I must alittle discourse of the riuer Nylus which hath not her issue in Belgians land neither from the hilles of the Moone nor as Ptolomeus saith from the two lakes which he placeth in the midle between east and weast with the distance of almost foure hundred and fiftie Italian miles one from the other for that vnder the same pole wher in Ptolomeus placeth the saide two lakes lieth the two kingdoms of Congo and Angola towardes the weast and on the other side towards the east the kingdome of Monomotapa and Sofala with distance from the one sea to the other of about twelue hundred Italian miles and Odoardus saieth that in these countries there is but one lake which lieth on the bordures of Angola and Monomotapa which is in bignesse about a hundred ninety fiue Italian miles of the which lake wee are well assured and truely certified by those of Angola but on the east side of Sofala and Monomotapa there is no mention made of any other lake whereby it may be saide that vnder the same degrees there is no other lake True it is that there are yet two other lakes but they lie clean contrary to those whereof Ptolomeus writeth for hee as I saide before placeth his lakes right in the middle betweene east and weast and those whereof I speake lie right by direct line betweene north and south distant about foure hundred miles Some men in those countries are of opinion that Nilus springeth out of the first lake and then againe hideth it selfe vnder the earth and issue out againe in another place which some men deny and Odoardus saith that right the opinion therein is that Nylus passeth not vnder the earth but that it runneth through certayne fearefull and desart valleis where no man commeth or inhabiteth without anye certaine channell and so it is sayd that it runneth vnder the earth Therefore it is most certaine that Nyl◠floweth out of the first sake which lieth vnder twelue degrees by the pole antartike which lake is almost compassed
to all that countrey This land is great and hath many people and countries vnder it but the principall and chiefe prouince which the Spanyardes holde therein is Mexicana also â—enustiran or Culhuacan as I saide before the other prouinces are Guatimala Xaliscus Hondura Cha'cos Taicâ— Chamoâ—la Claortomaca Huâ—cacholla and the kingdomes of Michuacan Tescuco Utazcalia Tenuacan Maxcalcinco and Mixâ—eâ—apan Mexico or Culhuacan was brought vnder the subiection of the kings of Spaine by Fernando Cortes Merches deila Valo in the yeere of our Lorde one thousand fiue hundred and eighteene which countrey is very rich of golde and siluer for that many riuers haue golde in the sand The Sea shore in those Countries yeeldeth manye pearles mustles or oysters wherein they finde the pearles whereof there is a great fishing and much traffike for them There are likewise in this countrey many lakes or meeres that are stil and haue no issue which by the heate of the Sunne tourne into salt There is likewise no lesse aboundance of Cassia Fistulâ— then in Egypt growing on trees with leaues like walnuts and yellow blossoms from whence the pipes or cases of Cassia do issue forth which are vsed to purge in hote feuers to coole and cleanse the gall and heart blood as also very good against the stone in the bladder and kidneys and other diseases There is likewise in that countrie a kinde of fruit that groweth in great abundance called Cacao altogether like an almond which is taken out of the huske and couered with a thinne skinne whereof the kernel is diuided into three or foure partes of a darke yellow with blacke veines being harsh in the mouth and of an euill taste but with them is much esteemed whereof being beaten with some of their countrey pepper they make a certaine drinke which they esteeme of great price giuing it vnto great Lordes and such as are their especiall friends as we esteeme of muscadel or maluesie The sea bordering vpon this countrey as also the riuers running through it are ful of fish wherein also they finde diuers Crocodiles as in Egypt the flesh whereof is so much esteemed before al other meates that they account it for a princely dish whereof some are aboue 20. foote long The country is full of hilles and stony rockes and great difference in their speeche so that they hardly vnderstand each other without Interpreters The places wherein the Spaniardes first placed their men were Compostella where the Bishop and the Kings counsell are resident and Colima which they call the Purification in new Galicia is the chiefe Guadalahara and the head or principall part of the kingdome Mecheocan also a Bishops sea Cacatula the towne of Angels a chiefe towne and bishopricke Mâ—xâ— a kingly citie and Queene of al cities in the new world lyeth vpon the border or side of a lake the market place of the Towne lying ful vpon the lake whereby they can not come at it but they must passe ouer bridges This lake is lâ—â—t and is in length sixe lucas or twelue miles and is in breadth tenne miles without fish onely a smal kind that may rather be called wormes than fishes from the which lake in summer time there ariseth such a stiâ—ke and infecteth the ayre in such manner that it is vnwholesome to dwel there notwithstanding it is inhabited by as many marchants as any towne in Europe the cittie is great at the least three miles in compasse wherein are so many temples that it is incredible the particularitte whereof before it be long shal be translated out of Spanish into our mother tongue by the author therof whereunto I referre you Not farre from this cittie lieth an other fresh lake very ful of fish whereon as also vpon the shore lie many townes When this towne was first taken by the Spaniards there raigned a king called Mâ—ntezâ—mâ— being the ninth in degree and as then the towne was but 140. yeares old which is to bee wondered at howe it is possible that so great a citie in so few yeers should be so famous The marchandises that are most carried out of this countrey are golde siluer pearle balsam cochenilia the white roote Macheocan which is good to purge Salla Pariglia and an other roote which maketh men sweate brimstone beasts skinnes and fish And thus much for new Spaine in generall and of Mexico in particular Not minding at this present time to make any longer discourse because that our Carde sheweth little thereof and now returning to our owne Carde you must vnderstand that the lower ende of Cuba hath an out Hooke called P. de Santa Anthonio which is very fitte for to take in fresh water and to calke and mend the shippes Sailing from this hooke sixtie fiue miles to the firme land you come to the hooke of Iucatan which runneth into the sea like a halfe Island Iectetan is in Indian speech I vnderstand you not for that vpon a time when certaine Spaniards put out of the hauen of Saint Anthony to discouer newe countries and arriued in that Island they made signes vnto the people to knowe the name of the country whereuppon the Indians answered them and saide O Tectetan Tectetan that is We vnderstand ye not and so the Spaniards corrupting the name Tectetan call that land Iucatan yet the furthest point therof in their spéech was called â—ecampi This point of Iucatan lyeth vnder 21. degrees vnder the which name a great countrey is comprehended by some called Peinsula that is a place almost compassed about with water for that the further this point reacheth into the sea the broader it is being in the narrowest part 80. or 90. Spanish miles broad for so farre it is from Xicalanco Therefore the sea Cardes that place this land nearer or smaller do erre much for that it is in length from East to West twoo hundred miles being discouered by Francisco Hernandez of Cordua in the yeare of our Lord 1517. but not al of it for that sailing from out of Cuba from Saint Iacobs to discouer new countries or as some say to fetch labourers to trauell in his mines he came about the Island Guanaxos herein called Caguan xâ— to the cape di Honduras where good honest ciuill and simple people dwelt being fishermen hauing no weapons nor vsed to the warres and proceeding further sayled to an vnknowne point of land where hee found certaine salt pannes whereunto he gaue the name of Donne that is women for that there were certaine stone towers with staires chappels couered with wood and straw wherein were placed diuerse Idols that shewed like women whereat the Spaniardes maruelled to finde stone houses which till then they had not seene and that the inhabitants were rich and well apparelled with shirtes and mantles of cotten white and coloured with plumes of feathers and iewels of precious stones sette in golde and siluer their women likewise appareled from the middle downewardes as also on the head and breast which
the Priests which answere the Priestes deliuered vnto the poople They do generally beleeue and tell that once there was a great floud whereby all the worlde was drowned onely a few persons that hidde themselues in certayne high hollow trées and hauing prouided victualles stopping the holes by that meanes saued themselues from the common misery of al mankind and that when thâ—se men thought the raine and waters to be gone they sent out two dogges who returning all wet backe againe they gessed the water not to be consumed and so thought it not time to goe foorth After that they sent the two dogges forth againe and perceiuing them to come home all dirtie they then knew the water to be gone and came foorth where they found great numbers of snakes which the slime earth had bred whereby they hadde worke enough to kill and destroy them They likewise say that the world shal be destroyed but not before there shal first come a great drought and in manner a burning of the ayre whereby the sunne and moone shal be darkened and taken away wherefore when there happeneth any Eclipses or darkenesses of the sunne or moone but specially of the sunne then they sing sorrowfull songs and make great mournings thinking the world shall be destroyed and that the end approcheth What are these but cloudes of their religion which the diuel in so great blindnesse could neuer driue out of these poore peoples hearts so that those of Brasilia beleeue the immortallitie of the soule and the Peruuians beleeue not onely the immortalitie of the soule but the resurrection of the body as it appeereth not onely by the manner of their graues but also by the request made by them vnto the Spaniardes when they opened their predecessors and Kings graues to take out the treasure desiring them not to take away or scatter the bones of the dead that they might not want them at their resurrection Touching the manner of their graues their Kings and Nobilitie are buried with great magnificence being set in seats within their graues apparelled with their best cloths one or two of their liuing wiues buryed with them being the fairest and such as in his life time hee loued best for the which when time serueth great controuersie riseth among the women which by the king in his life time is ordained and appoynted they bury likewise with him two or thrée of his seruauntes and much golde and siluer and the best they had also fruit bread maiz and such like things and which is more the last seruice the friendes doe for him is that with reedes or pipes they powre a certaine measure of theyr drinke called Cicha into the dead mannes mouth to this ende that hee may not want drincke before hee commeth into the other worlde in which his iourny he vseth that meate and the company of his wiues and seruantes which manner is vsed almost through all Peru and Mexico onely that euery one dooth more or lesse according to his estate but they vse most in Peru to burye liuing women which mischiefe sprang from the diuell that blinded them that at some time appeared vnto them in shape of those that were dead walking vpon the earth and women with him So great is the power and blindenesse of Sathan in the children of the vnbeleeuing In East India the diuell so wrought that hee got them to burne liuing women with the dead here in Peru hath perswaded them to bury liuing women with dead bodies They mourne many dayes for theyr dead and vppon the graue they place the Image of the dead person The common people and handiecraftesmen place something of their handiecraft vpon their graues and the souldier some kinde of weapon vsed in the warres whereby it may be seene who lyeth buried in that place So then the Peruuians pray vnto the Sunne and the Moone and acknowledge them for the highest gods and sweare by them as also by the earth which they esteeme to be their mother and if at anie time they speake with the diuell asking counsell and attending answere of him they did it more for feare they hadde to bee hurt by him than for any worshippe that they held and accounted the Sunne for the chiefe and highest God first it appeereth by many and so costly temples by them erected throughout al the kingdom of Peru as also by the answere of king Atabalida made to the Dominican Friar Vincentius de Valle Viridi after first Bishop of Peru who shewing him of the creation of the world by God and the redemption thereof by the death of Iesus Christ he answered him that no man made the world but onely the Sunne his god that died not as Christ did and said that he might beléeue in the crucified and dead Christ if it pleased him but for his part he would beleeue in his owne god and his Guacas which dieth not this Guacas were certaine stones that with weeping they honoured and called vpon Their maner of praying to the Sun THe Peruuian as I saide before had diuers great and sumptuous Churches of the Sunne in al places of the countrey many of them hauing the walls and Pillers couered and plated with gold and siluer with most costly stooles and benches and when the Prince Lords or Priests would desire any thing of the sunne they rise betime in the morning before the sunne riseth and get them vpon a high stone scaffold made for the purpose where holding downe their heades and with wringing and folding their hands and then presently lifting vp and spreading their armes as if they would receiue the Sunne into them they murmure certaine wordes shewing their requests and in the same manner they vsed to pray vnto the sunne since they were subdued they fal downe before the Spaniardes and desire them to be mercifull vnto them and not vtterly to destroy them in some places specially vnder the Line and thereabouts they placed the gates of their temples in the Est and couered them with certaine cotten linnen in euerie Church there stood two grauen Images of fashion like blacke Buckes before the which they kept a continuall fire of sweete wood which I thinke to be Cedar because the barke being taken off there issueth a certaine sweete gumme which is most excellent to preserue the bodyes of dead men and to the contrarie corrupteth the bodie of a liuing man Likewise there are in those Churches certaine Images of great Serpents which they pray vnto but this is only about the line in Peru and Cusco and not where they haue the Guacas which are stones about the which no man may come but onely the Priestes that are apparrelled al in white and comming to them they take in theyr handes certaine white cloathes and fal vppon the ground speaking to the Image in a strange speech because the common people may not vnderstand it Those Priestes receiue all the offerings that are giuen vnto the Idol burying the tenth part thereof in the
Church and keepe the rest for themselues and you must vnderstand that all the offerings must be wrought with golde and siluer and of such forme and fashion as the thing is which they desire to haue of their Guaca They offer also liuing men and all kindes of beastes looking in the hearts and intrailes of the men or beastes which they did offer for certaine secret tokens which if they founde not vpon the offerings they still offered newe men or beasts vntil they founde the tokens thinking the Idoll not to be pleased with such offrings as had them not When the priests should offer sacrifices then they abstaine from the company of their wiues and ceased not all night to doo nothing but crie out and pray to the diuell running into the fieldes and to the places where the Guacas stande whereof there were so many that euerie man hadde one before his dore and the day before they should speake with the diuell they fasted some binding a thing before their eies and some thrust them cleane out and it hath often bene seene that some of them haue done it of meere deuotion The kinges and noble menne enterprise not any thing before they haue consulted with the Priestes and the Priests with the Idoles in their sacrifices they vse not onely beastes but menne and children but they eate not mans flesh as the Caniballes do When the Spaniardes spoyled their Temples they founde therein many pottes full of the dried bones and flesh of dead children that had bin offered to their Idolles they offer likewise birdes and other beastes and with the bloud of their offerings they annoint the mouthes of their Idolles and the dores of their churches There was likewise among the golde that lay by their idolles certaine staues and myters for Bishops such as our Bishops vse when they are in their robes or as the Painters vse to set foorth Saint Nicholas with his Crosse and Myter and being asked what those things meant they knew not what to answere neyther from whence they came Besides those great temples of the Sunne and Guacas there were in all places of the countrey of Peru many other Churches and Cloysters for yong maides wherein some had one hundred some two hundred and some more al obseruing chastitie or at the least vowing to keepe it and to honour the Sunne like the Vastal virgins in Rome or our Nuns Those they called Mamacomas and were bound to stay in the cloyster during their liues and neuer to depart from thence dooing nothing but spinne weaue and sowe very fine cloth of cotten and wooll apparell and furnitures for their Idolles or as others affirme the clothes by them made were burnt with the bones of white sheepe the ashes whereof as a signe and token of godly honour they threw into the ayre against the Sunne Those maides were verye narrowely looked vnto by certaine Priestes and other men appoynted for the purpose wherof some were gelded because they should not seeke to defile them which if the maides once committed they were eyther put to death or buried quicke but if the maide with childe would take her othe that it was begotten by the Sunne then the childe was free from death and euerye yeere in the moneth of August when they had gathered in their corne or maiz the Perâ—uians that dwelt in the hilles made a great feast they set vp in the middle of their Market place two great hie trees like our Maie-poles and in the top of them they placed certaine Images made like men compassed about with flowers and so in roundes yet in good order comming thither they strike vp drummes throwing and showting one after the other with stones and arrowes at those Images making great noyse with whooping and hallowing and euery man hauing shott and thrown The Priests brought an other Image which was set belowe on the neather part of the trees whereunto they offered either a man or a sheepe annoynting the Image with the bloud thereof and after they perceiued the tokens in the heart or intrailes they certified it vnto the people and the tokens being found the feast was ended eyther with ioy or sadnes most part in drinking wherunto they are much addicted and so daunced turning and passing vnder each others armes each man hauing either a bill clubbe or some other weapon in his hand such as are desirous to know more of their ceremonies and false worshippings of Idoles let them reade the histories of the Spanish Indies The countrey of Peru was first ruled by Iudges which are Kings or Rulers that come from the great lake called Titicara or as some write Titicaca lying in Charcas being foure score miles in compasse which runneth westward through a great riuer which in some places is halfe a mile broad and then runneth into an other small lake fortie miles distant and it is to be wondered at how the abundaunce of water that runneth out of the great lake is comprehended in so small a place where it is not once perceiued to increase The lake beeing so small and the water so great but it is reported that in that lake there is no botome or ground and that the water runneth vnder the ground thorow the earth into another sea or riuer as it is saide of the riuer Alpheus that it runneth from Peioponces or Moica to Cicilia vnder the ground and from this lake or thereabouts the kings of Peru had their originall the petegree of which kings is by Iacob Fernando a Spaniard declared in this manner Frst Mango Capa who according to the Indians report was not borne of a woman but sprang out of a stone which vntill this day is yet shewne by them about the towne of Cusco hee by his wife Mama Guaco had issue one sonne called Sicheroca that ruled after his father and was the second Ingen or king you must vnderstand that the inheritance of the kingdome continueth in the issue sons successiuely and not vnto the children of the sonnes before all the brothers haue raigned one after another but first the eldest sonne is King then after his death his second brother succeedeth in the kingdome and not the eldest brothers sonnes and the second brother dying there being no more brethren the crowne falleth vnto the eldest brothers sonnes without alteration or change this Sicheroca was a valiant souldier like his father and broght many of his neighbours to subiection and by Mama Cura he had issue a sonne called Locuco Pangue the third king who studied rather to holde those landes he had vnder his subiection then to win or increase more vnto them and being aged he married a wife Mama Anauerque by whom he had a sonne called Maita Capa that augmented his kingdome and thervnto ioyned the prouince of Cusco and by his wife Mama Iacchi Dela he had issue a sonne called Capa Cyupangu of whom there is nothing worthy memory onely that he left a sonne by his wife Mama Cagna called Inga
Ruca who likwise did no speciall thing during his life but onely by his wife Mama Mâ—cay he had diuers sonnes and one among the rest called Iaguar Guacinga Iupangue of whome there is a strange history recited which is y t he being a child of y e age of thrée monthes was taken by certaine Caciquen that are likewise Lordes or kinges that thought to kil him and while they coÌ„sulted amongst themselues coÌ„cerning his death it chanced that as the childe cried certaine drops of blood issued out of his eyes whereby they were abashed estéeming it for a miracle they left the child and departed which being taken vp by a stranger was caried to the king and after that became great and proued a braue souldier so that he ouercam many of his neighbours and brought them in subiection vnder him he had to wife Mama Chipuia and by her had his eldest sonne named Viâ—a Cocham that succéeded him in his kingdome and much increased his dominions after him raigned Pachacoti his sonne borne of Mama Yunta Cayan this Prince was much valanter then al his predecessors whereby he ouercame many people and by him the foundation of the castle of Cusco was first begun and dying he left for heire and successor of his kingdome â—opa Inga Iupangue his sonne borne of Mama Anaberque that followed his fathers steppes and ouercame many people and brought them in subiection and finished the castle of Cusco begun by his father The prouinces by him won were Câ—iâ—e and Quito and he caused the kinges hie-waye so much wondered at of all the worlde to be made from Cusco through the prouince of Charcas vnto Chile in the which way from halfe mile to halfe mile he had placed postes by them called Chasquis which were Indians that went faster then any of our horses to the great ease and contentment of trauailers for by that means they might shorten their way and in three dayes trauaile 120 Lâ—uken that is 240 miles by reason of the swiftnes of the men that bare them and stoode for postes after the Aâ—trican manner in the kingdome of Congo as I haue already declared for that after the ariual of the Spaniardes there were neither horses asses nor mules within the country whereon men should ride or trauaile withal This king dying left issue aboue 150. sonnes among the which one of them named Guaynacapa begotten vpon Mama Oclo his wife succeeded him in his kingdom not any thing inferior for valour wisedom and councell both in peace and war much augmenting and increasing the limites of his countrie obseruing great order and equitie in all thinges both concerning the gouernment of the countrie and the people appointing better orders and manie olde and ancient lawes that were vnfit and not conuenient he caused to be abrogated and newe deuised in their place hee maried a wife called Coyam Pilico vaco by whom hauing no children he maried diuers other wiues so that the number of his children was much greater then his fathers who notwithstanding had 150 sonnes Among his children the eldest was called Guascar Inga his mother being called Raua Oclo and as I said before this king Guainacapa much increased in his kingdome and ouercame many people among the which hee helde so good gouernment and order as it séemed in manner vnpossible specially among such rude simple people that were wholy without learning wherein appeered a most manifest example of great subiection and loue in his subiects towards their naturall Lordes and herevpon to his great honour they made the two notable and costly hie-waies so much esteemed in al couÌ„tries and may well be accounted for one of the seauen wonders of the world for when Guainacapa was gon from Cusco with his armie to make warre against the prouince of Quito distant from thence at the least 500 miles he was forced to passe ouer high hills whereby both he and his people indured great trouble and miserie because 〈◊〉 war was full of hard and rough stones before his returne againe being victorious his subiects in token of great ioy as also for his further â—ase and comoditie because hee and his souldiers had indeed so hard and laboursome a â—ournâ—e cut downe and digged vp all the 〈◊〉 waies and stonie cliffes making the waye euen and plaine so that in some places there were vallyes of twentie or thirtie mens height that were filled vp and made euen with the hilles which way they made in that maner for y e length of fiue hundred miles so plaine and euen that any cart or wagon might trauell theron which way after the Spaniards ariual in the contrie was in diuers places spoiled and destroied to let the Indians from traueling that way and thinking this not sufficient when the saide Guainacapa went to visit his country of Quito and tooke his waie through the plain country they likewise made him another way to fill all the vallies and â—rish places therein and to make them euen which way they made about fortie foote broad on both sides with high walles and in the sandy waies they set great â—roughes with ropes tied vnto theÌ„ because men should not lose themselues in the waâ—e which stretched likewise 500 miles the walles as yet in some places are to be seene but by meanes of their warres the Banks for the most part are taken away and burnt and besides all this he him selfe caused many temples of the sunne and other Idoles and diuers Taâ—â—boâ— which are houses of munition and of pleasure for the benefit and commodity of his successors in time of warre to be made and builded as wel on the hils as in the plain countrie both on the riuer sides as in euery way the riuers whereof are at this day in many places to be seene whereby may be coniectured the greatnes and riches of those kings and the great care they had for the defence and safetie of their countries for that heereby when they trauailed through the countrie not only they and all their companie might lodge in those houses but the houses were still furnished and prouided by the people inhabiting about them not only with victuals sufficient for a whole armie but also with apparel and al kinde of weapons that were vsed in the warrs therewith presently to apparell their souldiers and to make them ready for the warres as bowes arrowes pikes halberds clubbes bils c. for 20000. or 30000 men presently to bee raised wherof there was no want and those houses were some 8 or 10 and some twentie miles at the furthest one from the other neuer further distaÌ„t then a days iourney As touching the ornaments of the kings of Peru which they in steed of crownes and princely septers vsed to weare therby to shew their power and maiestie they ware certaine tassels of red woole bound about their heads hanging downe vppon their shoulders almost couering their eies whereat there hung other threeds which they vsed when they would haue any thing
of the wars by them made one against the other for the gouernment of the country which was so cruell that they once met fought for the space of thrée whole dayes together and neuer ceased where many people were slaine â— and Atabalipa taken in the battel and kept prisoner in the prouince of Tomebamba and there very straightly kept in one of the Kings Castles yet by subtiltie and intreatie made to certaine women he had a copper instâ—â—ment brought vnto him wherewith hee brake the walles of the Castle of Tomebamba and gote out of prison at the same time that his brothers souldiers and captaines were making good cheere drinking their Cicha whereunto they are much addicted and dauncing for ioy of the victorie and being at libertie he fled vnto Qâ—â—to telling his people that he was by his father conuerted into a snake and so crept out of prison at a little hole his father promising him victorie so that his men would once againe returne with him to battaylet whereby his people were so well incouraged that they went with him agayne into the fielde where Fortune fauouring him and being victorious hee tooke his brother Guascar prisoner to whome not long before he hadde beene prisoner and therewith obtained all the Countrey making himselfe chiefe ruler thereof keeping his brother prisoner within Cusco About the same time Franciscus Pizarrus arriued in Peru being Oyuaer of those two mightie kings and by reason of theyr dissension made him maister of so great and rich countries of gold Hee that desireth a larger description hereof may reade the Spannish Histories that write of the description of the new worlde Pizarius being in the Countrey made warre against Atabalipam and in th end ouercame him and for a time kept him prisoner and during his imprisonment hee agréed with Pizario for a certaine ransome and when it was ready hée caused his brother Guascar to be sent for out of Cusco and by the way before he came at him he caused him to be slaine fearing and not without a cause that if Guascar once came before the Spaniard and should declare his misfortune he would without all doubt offer a greater ransome as he had done then hée should pay and by that meanes he shoulde remaine in prison and his brother at libertie hauing hadde al the treasure of his predecessours as also his fathers But Aâ—tabalipa hauing brought his ransom which amounted vnto 3088235. gilderus was not long after by crueltie of the Spaniards without any cause and also against theyr othe and promise most shamefully by certaine Moores at the commaundement of Pizarius openly strangled in the Market place and as some write his body was after burned to ashes This was the 〈◊〉 able end of the mightie K. Atabalipa a man of a meane stature wise and high minded wholly giuen to rule Twenty dayes before his death there appeared a blazing starre which when he perceiued he prophecied that in shorte time after a grâ—at Prince of that country should die not thinking it to be himselfe Guascar and Atabalipa being both dead the gouernment fâ—l vnto Mango Inga the third brother who dying left his kingdome to his son Xaires Topa Inga that maried a wife caled Câ—ya daughter of a noble man called Cuxi Vâ—rcay Guascaris and he before he entred into the gouernement chaunged his name to Mango capa Pachuti Iupan withall making himselfe subiect vnto Philip King of Spaine which hapned 1557. on the sixt of Ianuary being Twelfe day Thus much touching the kings of Peru. A description of the places or townes lying among the hils THrée miles from Cusco lieth the valley Iucay a very pleasant valley lying betwéene two hilles very fresh and wholesome aire as being therin neither ouer hot nor colde and two miles beyond it lieth Tambo another valley wherein are seene great ruines of the kings munition houses And trauelling further you come to Condesuyo a prouince where in times past there dwelt certaine warlike people their townes standing betwéene high hils where there were many wilde and tame beasts Their houses were of stone couered with strawe therein also were many houses and pallaces of noble men They haue all one maner of liuing with the rest the Peruuians offering lambes and other beastes in their churches wherein at certaine times the diuell shewed himselfe the riuers are rich of golde and there are made certayne couerlets of fine wooll cunningly wrought in diuers colours This way before called Andes is very long for it runneth cleane through Peru to the straites of Magellanas wherein there lieth many prouinces and townes and diuers high trees some couered with snowe others with flames of burning brimstone whereby it is very hard to be trauelled specially because therein for the most part it commonly raineth Trauelling many miles further you come to the countrey called Collao wherein is the lake called Tiâ—icaca where there is an Island and therein a Temple of the Sunne wherein they sowed their maiz and kepe their treasure Round about this lake are many villages and therein much good fish is taken Somewhat further you come vnto the town of Plata which is a hundred and fiftie miles from Cusco in the prouince of Chaâ—cas in a colder aire then any other place in all the hilles there are but fewe inhabitants but such as are verie rich and most because of the mynes of Porco and Potosi for Potoâ—i is not aboue eighteene miles from the towne of Plata discouered by the company of Captaine Caruaial for that as some of the Indians with one Ian de Villa Roel a townsman of Plata trauelled thorow the countrey they found a high hil lying in a flat and euen vallie wherein perceiuing certaine tokens of siluer they melted a peece of the Minerall and found it so rich that one quintal made fourscore marks siluer the like whereof was neuer heard of This newes being come to Plata presently the cheefe gouernours of the towne went thither where they diuided vnto euerie man as much as he could doo or labour in whereby such resort came thither that in short time the place was inhabited by more then 7000. men the Indians working and making contract with the Spaniards their maisters how much siluer they wold weekly deliuer This mine is of a wonderfull strange nature because it wil not be molten by blowing with the bellowes neyther in fornaces like other mynes but only in smal furnaces by them caled Guairas which they sette vppon the highest parte of the hill placing the mouthes southwarde from whence the winde dooth continually blowe throwing into the mine fire coales and sheepes dongue whereby the winde made the fire to burne so hot and cleare as that not any bellowes or other instruments coulde doo more and the Peruuians working in this maner by so easie means had so great gain that some of them got weekly besids theyr maisters parte fortie thousande Pezos but by resort it became likewise to be scarse
about halfe a myle forward you beginne to haue lowe land with sandie strands and Trées all along the Sea coast By all this coast and the low land it is all bankey grounds wherfore you must keepe from it about halfe a myle In the middle way of this lowe land there lyeth two mouths or entries of Riuers that are very shallow whereby you may not enter into them by any meanes and at the end of this low land you haue a riuer of fresh water of twelue Spannes in the Hauen at a Spring tide and within the Riuer at lowe Water the Shippes lie drie being sandy ground Close by the Roade or entry of this Riuer lyeth a Village called Aquina Fama Halfe a myle within the Land vpon the Riuer lyeth the greatest and mightiest Towne in all the Kingdome of Bungo where the Kings in time past held their Courts where now all the Marchaunts of the Countries round about it who are very rich and aboundant in wealth are resident From this Riuer vpon the other side of the Creeke lyeth a very good Hauen with harbour against all windes it is a small Bay for the points or heights therof doe runne through each other wherefore they make a good defence against the South windes The entry of this hauen is faire you need but run in through the middle of the Channell where you haue foure and a halfe and fiue fadome deepe and there you haue great furtherance for you runne in before the winde with the South Monson and you put out againe before the winde with the North Monson to vnderstand it well you must know that all this Countrey as also all China Malacca India and all the orientall places doe sayle with the coniunction of the windes which for certaine months together blowe out of one place as now in the North then in the South and that at certaine times and dayes in the yeare without fayling which coniunction is called as in other places I haue said the Monson as Monson of the South winde that is when the wind bloweth out of the South and monson of the North Windes in like sort wherewith through all India they make their accounts to passe from the one place to the other And because in this description there is oftentimes mention made of some Hauens Creekes Riuers Bayes and Islands where you haue good harbor for the Monson of the North and South Windes when they blowe which is to bée vnderstoode that if they bée against you in the way you should hold you should know which hauen is good to stay in for that time or to winter in for in the East Countries you must Winter when the winde is against you so that you cannot holde on your voyage and of force you must stay for the wind and weather that is the Monson which serueth you and where you haue a good harbour to stay for the Monson that you must haue and then to follow on your voyage Wherefore I thought it necessary to set this downe that you might the better vnderstand the meaning of the Portingall and Indian Pilotes that first set downe noted and obserued these courses and Nauigations vsing here the same manner and description of the countrey not chaunging the word of Monson although that in some places before I haue saied some thing thereof But to the matter you must knowe that the aforesaid Hauen or Bay is called Fingy but it is not free from Rouers and theeues From the aforesaid Riuer to this Hauen there is about three myles crosse-waies In the Roade of the Riuer it is twenty fadome deepe close by the land but it is bad ground and there it is not good to stay for the windes for there you could not saue any thing From this point you may see the East land and at the end where this great Creeke endeth it is low land which is called Mâ—ryee and is all along faire and cleare The aforesaid Riuer and Towne lye vnder 33 degrees and â— From this point or end of Mâ—ryee two myles further there is another point of land which lyeth with this point North and South it is a low land with sandie strands at the end whereof lyeth certaine stones and Rockes from thence forward you runne Northward along the coast and a myle beyond it there is a Village called Tamboca and another myle further lyeth another place called Tambico lying both on the Sea side but they haue no Hauens with harbours also the people of the same places are not to bee trusted Beeing right against this point of Land you shall along the coast see a long Island which a farre off sheweth like two Islands lying distant from the land about two myles it is called Fimexima betwéen this Island and the land it is all shallows from the point of the Créeke of Bungo to this Island aforesaid All this coast along for the space of a great myle is bankey ground Riffes Stones and other filth All this way from the beginning of the Kingdome of Bungo to this Island you must runne on the East side along by the land of Tocaa From this Island of Fimexima aforesaid nine myles Northward there is a very high Lande which reacheth East and West that is the land of Amanguchen a great mighty and rich country for therein is one of the mines of siluer of the countrey of Iapon In this coast are good Hauens as also the Island of Meagima which in times past before the Portingales trauelled to Iapon had great Trafficke for there was the staple of all the countrey of Iapon for all kindes of wares and Marchandises Along by this land of Amaguchen and the country of the Island Fimexima aforesaid beginneth the straight or passage to Facunda of the which as also the other places thereabouts I will speake in another place together with the Nauigation and scituation thereof To sayle from the point of Moryee in the Créeke of Bungo to the Hauen of Caminaxique lying in the country of Amanguchen which is very sure and good for all winds and of great Trafficke you shall holde your course Northeast and Northeast and by East being about sixtéene myles This Lande which you goe vnto is very great and high and you runne all the aforesaid coast along to a Hooke or point of Lande East and West and East and by North and West and by South and from the Hauen of Caminaxique to the aforesayed Point about fortie Portingale myles whereof seuentéene and ½ make a degrée as all the myles in this description likewise doe in the which coast lyeth the Hauens hereafter following that is from Caminaxique to Toraque are about two myles and â— from Toraque to the Island Meagima are sixe myles and a halfe The Roade of this Island is betwéene it and the Firme Lande from Meagima to Camangary are a myle and a halfe from thence to the Island of Anooxyma are fiue myles From Anooxyma to Toumoo are also fiue miles
the declination those are the miles and the way that you haue sayled that is if the Sunne be risen or descended 6. degrées more or lesse so haue you likewise so much furthered or gone on your way Q. If you were by y e land in any place vnder one degrée on the Coast lying East West holding your course 89. miles from thence West west by North vnder what height and how far shal you as then be from y e land A. Vnder the height of two degrées and 15. Dutch 17. Spanish miles and a halfe from the land Q. If the Sunne were in the one Tropicus you in the other what height should you then make in taking of the Sunne A. The sunne is as then distant from y e Equinoctiall line 23. deg ½ with 23. deg and ◠more that you are distant from it which make 47. degrées then there wanteth thrée 43. degrées to make vp 90. deg those you must take by the Astrolabe those you shall compare or ad to the declination which is 23. deg and ½ it maketh 66. ½ then there wanteth 23. 1 ◠degr to make 90. and that is your height Q. If you were in a place knew y e height thereof but not the declination of the day how would you know it without your book A. Take the height of the Sun by your Astrolabe and that you find you must adde to the height that the place lyeth vnder and whatsoeuer it amounteth vnto aboue 90. degrées or that it wanteth of 90. degrées is the declination of the day Q. Which are the places of y e world wherin it is 6. monthes day 6. monthes night A. Vnder the Poles of the worlde Q. What is the height A. All that the Sunne riseth from morning to noone likewise the height is the degrees that you haue from the Pole to the Horizon also the height is all the distance you haue from the Equinoctiall line Q. How shall you know the declination of the Sunne A. You shall take the height of the Sun vpon the 21. of Iune Stilo nouo and then stayed till the 23. of December after vpon the which day again you shal take the height of the Sunne which done you must subtract the least number out of the greatest and that which resteth you shall deuide in the middle in this sort you shall find the declination Q. What is the greatest declination that the sunne maketh in one day A. Foure and twentie minutes Q. How many degrees doe account for a strike or line of the Compasse A. Eleuen ◠for 32. times 11. ¼ maketh 360. degrees which is the Compasse of the world Q. How far is the southstarre distant from the Pole A. Thirtie degrees keeping neither neerer nor further off Q. What doth the Compasse signifie A. The Horizon with the Compasse of the world deuided into 32. degrees Q. What is the Sea Carde A. The land and the Sea Q. What is the Astrolabe A. The 4. part of y e world which is 90. deg Q. Wherefore are the lines of the Compasse or in the nauigation euen and alike and passe altogether through the Center of one length without difference in greatnesse or compasse of roundnes wherefore thē doe you recken more miles vpon one degree and line then vpon the other for y t by order they should haue as many miles as the other A. The great circles or compassing lines which y e Equinoctiall naturally hath that is the 32. deg are altogether euē alike ech being 15. Dutch 17. Spanish miles and ½ but the smal circles or comparing lines haue some more some lesse according to y e eleuation of y e Pole in such maner y t the nearer you be to y e Equinoctial line so much longer your way wil be the nearer you go to the Poles the shorter will be your way for the Pole riseth or descēdeth one degrée running along by the line it neither riseth nor declineth Q. How shall you at noone time knowe how much the sunne declineth Northeast in Northwest in any place of the world whatsoeuer you shal be A. You shal make a rounde circle or Ring vpon the ground set a néedle or any other thing in the middle thereof so stay the rising of y e Sun in the first comming out thereof you may mark where y e shadow lyeth which hauing marked you shal stay til euening vntill the Sun goeth down thē looke where y e shadow of the néedle is marke it as before whereby you shal make your account in this sort you shal measure how much there is frō the one marke to y e other so deuide it crosse wise in equall distance which shall bee your North south now when the shadow of the Sunne commeth vpon those lines or strikes then it is noone now to know how much the néedle of y e Compas lieth northeast or northwest set the Compasse by thē you shal presently sée where the needle declineth whether it be eastward or westward and how much whereupon you may make your account Q. Where is the needle of the Compasse euen and alike A. Vnder the Meridian or at noone time The end of the 3 Booke THE FOVRTH BOOKE A most true and certaine Extract and Summarie of all the Rents Demaines Tolles Taxes Impostes Tributes Tenthes third-pennies incommings of the King of Spaine throughout all his Kingdoms lands Prouinces and Lordships as they are collected out of the originall Registers of his Chamber of accompts Together with a briefe and cleere description of the gouernment power and pedegree of the Kings of Portingall Translated out of Spanish into Low-Dutch by Iohn Hughen of Linschoten And out of Dutch into English by W. P. HISPANIA LONDON Imprinted by John Wolfe 1598. The fourth Booke A most true and certain extract summarie of all the Rents Demaines Tolles Taxes Impostes Tributes Tenthes third-pennies and incommings of the King of Spaine throughout all his kingdomes lands prouinces Lord shippes as they are collected out of the originall Registers of his seuerall Chambers of accomptes together with a briefe and cleare description of the gouernment power and pedegree of the Kings of Portingall To the Reader FOrasmuch as this mine itinerario or nauigation is onely a Treatise of the lands and coasts of the East-Indies Orientall Countries all which are at this day vnder the Gouernment and command of the king of Spaine so do I thinke it not impertinent nor from the purpose to ioyne herewithall an Extract and Summarie of all the Rents Demaynes and Reuenewes of the same king in all his Kingdomes Lands Prouinces and Lordships euen as I haue drawne them all out of the Originall Registers of his seuerall Chambers of accounts and translated out of Spanish into the Low-Dutch tungue wherein there are declared not onely the reuenewes of euerie Prouince and iurisdiction by themseues but
also of all the Citties and countries of the whole kingdome of Spaine in particular with their proper names and by-names so that a man may thereby both shape vnto himselfe a representation and memoriall of those rents as well in grosse as in seuerall and also vnderstand the number of Cities and countries throughout all Spaine Hoping that it will be accepted in as courteous sort as it will be dilectable to all those that are desirous of nouelties A note or instruction what sorts of monies are vsed in Spayne wherewith they make their accountes FIrst you must vnderstande for the better explanation of y e matter ensuing that in Spaine they vse to reckeÌ„ by Marauedies as wel in great sums is in little and when they passe aboue a hundred thousand in number that is to say tenne times a hundreth thousande they call it a Quento which is properly a million of Marauedies Vnder which two names and diuisions the saide rentes reuenewes c. shal be set downe and declared according to the ordinances and customes vsed in the Kinges Chambers of accountes throughout the whole Countrey of Spain and you must know that 34. Maranedies are a Spanish Ryall of siluer being vi d. English money and 11. Spanish Rials are a Ducket which is fiue shillings vi d. English money and euery Quento or million of Marauedies is 2673. Duckets 8. Ryals and 26. Marauedies which is 735. l. v. sÌ„ x. d. ½ English money These Marauedies shal be written and set down after the Spanish manner that is when the summe amounteth aboue hundreths of Marauedies then they set this marke V. before beginning from the thousandes vpwardes so that thereby you may the better and more easily know them at the first sight which for your more ease and better intelligence I haue set downe as hereafter followeth and this I trust shall suffice for instruction herein The 1. Chapter The rents demaines and reuenews of the King in his kingdomes of Spaine Naples Sicilie Aragon c. and in all his Lordshippes except the kingdome iurisdiction of the Crowne of Portingall which we will hereafter report by themselues THe Salinas that is the salt landes belonging to the Crowne of Spaine are yearely taxed to pay vnto y e King ninety thrée Quentos 93. Quentos For the tenthes of the sea for marchandises that come out of Biscay and the Prouinces of Guipiscoa with the 4. hilly townes lying on the sea coast they pay for all wares sent from thence by land into Castilia after the rate of one in euery ten and is paid in the custome houses of Victoria Horduna and Valmas Ceda amounting yearely for the King vnto the summe of seuentie Quentos â—0 Quentos The tenth of the sea for wares that passe through the kingdome of Leon by the hauens of Sanabria and Villa Franca yéelde yearely the summe of one Quento 1. Quento The tenth of the sea for wares that passe out of the principality of Asturias by the towne of Ouieda pay yearely the summe of Q. 375 V 000. The rentes of the Prouostes office within the towne of Bilbau which is for thinges that come into the towne pay yearely for the King Q. 490 V 000. The 2. Chapter A declaration of the Alcauales and third-pennies which are paid in Spaine TLl the Alcauales thirdes and other rentes which the king of Spaine hath in all the Prouinces Townes villages and Countries of al his kingdomes and Lordshippes as also what euery towne with their territorie and precinctes doe seuerally pay that you may the plainelier sée and vnderstand you must first learne what these rents of Alcauales are and what they do signifie namely of all goods marchandises houses lands and of all other thinges whatsoeuer they may be none excepted it is the custome in Spaine to pay y e tenth pennie to the king and that at euery time and as often as such goods wares houses lands or whatsoeuer els are sold froÌ„ one to another this tenth pennie is called Alcaual likewise all handie crafts men Mercers Haberdashers and other trades that buy and sell in their said trades as also Butchers Fishmongers Inkéepers or any other trade occupation victualling or hand worke whatsoeuer must euery man pay a tenth pennie of all thinges whatsoeuer they sell and as oftentimes as they doe sell any thing where vpon euerie Citie towne c. doth compounde and agrée with the king for a yearely somme to be paide into his coffers so that there are certain which do farme the same of the king pay it yearely accordingly which summes are receyued cleerely into the kings coffers all costes and charges deducted To the same end there are in euery chiefe towne and prouince of the countrey diuers receyuers appointed to take all accounts and summes of money in the kings behalfe that arise of the said Alcaualaos and again to pay out of the same the Iuros that is such summes of money as the king by warrant appointeth to be paide vnto certaine persons as also other assignations appointed likewise to be paide which paymentes the said receyuers doe set downe in account for their owne discharge and thereof as also of their receipts do make a yearely and general account into the kings Exchequer Now to vnderstand what y e third pennie is it is thus that many yeares past the Cleargie of Spaine did of their owne frée willes giue and graunt vnto the King the thirde pennie of all spirituall liuings rentes and reuenewes which they did towards the aide maintenance and defence of the Catholike and Romish religion which is likewise receyued by the said receyuers and officers of the Alcaual and as I said is called Tercias and are likewise rented out and farmed by the said receiuers in euery seuerall Cittie and iurisdiction some of these Alcauals the King hath sold and others he hath bestowed vpon some men for rewardes whereof mention shall bee made as time and place requireth THe towne of Burgos w t the iurisdiction therof payeth yearly for Alcauala and Tertias the summe of 17 Q. 329 V 880 The Bayliwicke of Burgos which is called Bureba and lyeth close by Burgos payeth yearly the summe of 2 Q. 646 V 000 The hill of Oca payeth yearely the summe of 34 V 000 The Bayliwicke of the Prouince of Rioxa payeth yearly 3. Q. 757 V 000 The Bayliwicke of Hebro payeth yearely 2 Q. 346 V 000 The Bayliwick called the Hook of Hebro payeth yearely 1 Q 402 V 000 The towne of Victoria payeth yearly 269 V 000 The Prouince of Guipiscoa payeth yearly 1 Q 181 V 000 The Iron of the same Prouince of Guispiscoa payeth yearely custome 150 V 000. The seuen Bayliwickes which are of olde Castilia on the hils pay yearly 942 V 000 The valley of Mena which is in the same old Castilia payeth yearely the summe of 229 V 000 The Prouince of the towne
that is a fist on y e face yearely 1 Q 262 V 000 The townes of Cubas and Grennon which belong to Don Aluaro de Mendoça who receyueth the Alcauala payeth one-onely in Tertias 117 V 000 The towne of Galapagar belonging to the Duke of Infantadgo payeth yearely 16â— V 000 The towne of Ilescas and her iurisdiction payeth yearely 2 Q 297 V 000 The towne of Toledo and her iurisdiction payeth yearely â—3 Q 000 V 000 The rent of the hilles which is paid for pasturing of cattell which goeth to the country of 〈◊〉 emadura to be fed amouÌ„teth yearly to the king 19 Q 503 V 000 The villages of the Pryorie of S. Iohn pay yearelie 7 Q â—55 V 000 The towne of Almagro and her prouince which is called de Campo de Cala traua and is of the maistershippe of Calatraua payeth yearely 7 Q 120 V 000 The Alcauala of the Herbage and Pasturage in the said maistershippe is yearely to the king 3 Q 4â—8 V 000 The towne Cuidad Real payeth yearelie 4 Q 150 V 000 The villages lying in the countrey called the Archdeaconship of Talauera de la Reyna pay yearely 14 Q 326 V 000 The town of Placentia her iurisdiction y e villages y t are accounted of the Archdeaconshippe pay yearely 18 Q 475 V 000 The towne of Truxillo and her iurisdiction payeth yearely 12 Q 224 V 000 The towne of Caceres and her iurisdiction payeth yearelie 7 Q 850 V 000 The towne of Badaios and her prouince and iurisdiction pay yearlie 9 Q 972 V 000 The towne of Alcantara her iurisdiction prouince and is of the maistership of Alcantara paieth yearelie 9 Q 403 V 000 The Herbage of the same countrie whereon beastes doe pasture are yearely to the King 3 Q 481 V 000 The prouince of Serna of the maistership of Alcantara paieth yearly â— Q 570 V 000 The towne of Merida and her iurisdiction which is in the prouince of Leon being of the maistership of S. Iacob paieth yearelie 21 Q 234. V 000 The town of Fuente el Maestro her iurisdiction being in y e prouince of Leon and of the maistershippe of S. Iacob payeth yearely 6 Q 973 V 000 The towne of Guadalcana and her iurisdiction of the maistershippe of S. Iacob paieth yearelie 3 Q 305 V 000 The towne of Xeres de Badaios of the maistership of S. Iacob payeth yearelie 7 Q 100 V 000 The town of Siuillia her iurisdiction partition paieth yearely 182 Q 38â— V 000 The rentes of the Lordshippe of the same towne payeth yearely 2 Q 000 V 000 The townes of Palma and Guelues belonging to the Earles of Palma and Guelues pay yearely 235 V 000 The townes of Teuar and Ardales belonging to the Marquesse of Ardales pay yearelie 235 V 000 The towne of Ilerena and her iurisdiction which is in the Prouince of Leon and of the maistershippe of Saint Iacob paieth yearely 3 Q 125 V 000 The Towne of Cadiz payeth yearely 8 Q 452 V 000 The rent of Cadiz called the Almadrauas which is the fishing called Atun are worth yearely 3 Q 035 V 000 The towne of Gibraltar payeth onely the thirde pennie for they are free of Alcaualen by the Kinges licence payeth yearely 1 Q 500 V 000 The towne of Xeres de la Frontera and her iurisdiction yearely 21 Q 050 V 000 The towne of Catmona and her iurisdiction yearely 9 Q 450 V 000 The townes of Lora and Sete Filla paye yearely 680 V 000 The towne of Egija with the suburbes payeth 15 Q 500 V 000 The towne of Cordona and her iurisdiction payeth yearelie 48 V 995 V 000 The countrey called Rea lengos of Cordoua pay yearelie 17 Q 316 V 000 The towne of Anduxar and iurisdiction pay yearely 4 Q 800 V 000 The towne of Wieda and iurisdiction payeth yearelie 11 Q 640 V 000 The towne of Baesa and iurisdiction payeth yearlie 17 Q 316 V 000 The towne of Quexada payeth yearlie 1 Q 415 V 000 The gentilitie of Carcola payeth yearlie 6 Q 885 V 000 The Erledome of S. Esteuen payeth yearly 1 Q 340 V 000 The towne of Martos and her iurisdiction being of the maistershippe of Calatraua parte of Andolosia payeth yearely 11 Q 436 V 000 The towne of Iaen and her iurisdiction payeth yearely 15 Q 909 V 000 The towne of Granada and her iurisdiction paieth yearely 42 Q 910 V 000 The silke of the kingdome of Granada was wont to be worth before y e Moores were driuen out of the countrey 42 Quentos it is now but 22 Q 000 V 000 The rent which is called Aguella Auilles of Granada paieth yearly â— Q â—50 V 000 The townes of Loxa and Alhama in the kingdome of Granada paie yearelie 3 Q 650 V 000 The town of Baca in Granado her iurisdiction paieth yearlie 10 Q 626 V 000 The towne of Guadix in Granado and her iurisdiction payeth yearlie 6 Q 395 V 000 The towne of Almena in Granado and her iurisdiction paieth yearly 3 Q 080 V 000 The townes of Almunecar Mutril and Salabrena in Granado pay yearelie 2 Q 643 V 000 The towne of Malaga in Granado pay yearely 16 Q 269 V 000 The towne of Veles Malaga in Granada pay yearelie 5 Q 519 V 000 The towne of Pulchena payeth yearlie 410 V 000 The towne of Ronda and her iurisdiction pay yearly 5 Q 334 V 000 The Ilande of Carnaria payeth yearely 4 Q 850 V 000 The Island of Teneriffe payeth yearely 3 Q â—00 V 000 The Island of La Palma payeth yearely 2 Q 400 V 000 The dayly contribution that the kingdomes or countries of Spaine doe pay yearly vnto the King are worth 104. Quentos 305 V 000 Marauedies which contribution is gathered throughout all his Prouinces landes and townes of Spaine among the common sort of people or subiects that are euery man taxed to pay according to their habilities and giue yearely a certayne summe as their goodes doe amount vnto in value which doth rise vnto as I saide before yearely 104 Q 305 V 000 The custome of the tenth pennie for drie hauens which are passages within the lande of the kingdomes of Valencia Artagon and Nauarre which men pay vpon all goods that are carried out of Spaine into the saide countries and for such as are brought into the same countries out of Spaine paide one with the other the tenth pennie which tolle amounteth to in the yeare the summe of 49 Q 035 V 000 The drie hauens or passages within the land comming in or going out which border on the kingdome of Portingale and lie in part of Spaine called Caâ—hlia pay yearelie for the tenth
pennie of all such goods passing to and fro 34 Q 155 V 000. The wolles that are yearely carried out of Spaine into other countries pay for euery sacke waighing about ten Aroben each Arobe bein 25. pound two duckats for such as are naturall all borne subiects of the land but a stranger payeth 4. duckets which amount vnto the yeare with the other 53 Q 586. V 000 The chiefe Almoxariffchay of Câ—la is larmed of the king for 10â— Q. 00 V 000. Marauedies yearely and is for the tenth pennie of all wares Marchandises of the Neatherlandes France England Portingale Italie c comming into Spaine and there to be discharged which one yeare with the other amount vnto 154 Q 309 V 000. The Almoxarifâ—hap of the Spanish Indies by the towne of Ciuillia hath farmed of the King which ariseth of all the wares that are laden in Ciuillia and sent into the Indies and are rated to pay the twentieth pennie arriuing in India the same wares doe pay yet a twentieth penny more and it is farmed out of the twentieth pennie due in Ciuillia yerely for the summe of 67 Q 000 V 000. The rent which the King receaueth by the mint in Spaine which is of euery marke of Siluer that is coyned in the said Mint each marke accounted sixe duckets in siluer one Riall of plate This rent is called El SeÌ„no reaxo de la moneda and the mint of Ciuill only riseth to as much as all the others this is yearely to the king 22 Q 000 V 000 The King hath farmed out the Master ships of Saint Iacob Calatraua Alcantara to the suckers of Ausburge and is the customes of corne wine oyle other things that are rated at a tenth pennie which in times past the said Masters vsed to haue In these customes are not comprehended nether Tercias nor Alcaualas but are receaued apart as I said before These Masterships are the cheiefe knights of the Crosse belonging to those thrée orders which vsed to haue chiefe rulers ouer them which were called Masters like the knights of Rhodes Malta or as in Cloysters and religious houses which were sworne to be true and obedient subiects and to obserue certaine orders prescribed as it is yet at this day which Masterships were in times past beeing offices of great estimation and account onely giuen vnto the blood Royall or els to some of the Kinges own children hauing certaine lands apointed to them and absolute commandement ouer them but of late yeares the kings of Spaine haue taken the same offices into their hands seruing or at the least presenting their places as Masters and commaunders ouer all knights of the Crosse of what order soeuer the farme whereof amounteth yearely vnto the sum of 98 Q 000 V 000. The king hath likewise rented out the pasturage of the lands of the said mastershippes yerely for the sum of 37 Q 000 V 000. He hath likewise found out the Quicksiluer of Almalen in the hil of Sierra Morena in the fieldes of Calatraua for yerely rent of 73 Q 000 V 000. The Bulles of the Popes of Rome which are called the Santa Crusada yeeld yearely to the king 200 Q 000 V 000. Which being reduced into English monie amounteth vnto the summe of one hundreth fortie seauen thousand fiftie and eight poundes and fiftéene shillings The rent called Subsedie which is thus all Priestes and spirituall persons that haue any benefices or spiritual rents of Churches Cloysters Chappels and such like must euerie man pay a certaine summe for a confirmation of his place or an enterance into his Stipendio Sallarus benefices and qualities which is like our first fruites This is giuen to maintaine warres against Infidels Heretickes for the which most Churches Cloysters haue agréed for a certaine summe yearely which cleare of al charges they must pay vnto the king this Subsedie is worth yearely 65 Q 000 V 000. Also all Bishops Churches of Spaine giue yearely vnto the king a certaine summe of monie towards his warres against Heritickes and Infidels which amounteth yearely 110 Q 000 V 000. These rentes are called El Excusado whereunto the Pope hath consented by his letters or Pattent Apostolica Romana so that the king may chuse a receauer out of euerie Chappell and Church to receaue the tenthes oâ— the spiritualty as of Corne Barley Wine Oyle c. and of all other thinges that are gathered of the ground and doe amount vnto as before The mine of Guadalcana lying in the countrie of Estremadura in the hilles of Sierra Morena were wont to be worth in siluer yerely gotteÌ„ out of the same 187 Q. 000 V 000 but what it now amounteth vnto it is not knowne as being of late yeares much diminished All the countries of Spaine giue vnto the king yearely a certaine rent called Excercitio towardes the keeping of Slaues maintenance and making of new Galleys the summe of 7 Q 750 V 000. The rent called de la Moneda Forera which is a reÌ„t raysing of euerie Heertsteede that payeth 7. Meruedies yearely of what quality or condition soeuer it be doth amount yearely to 6 Q 656 V 000. The rent or profit that commeth yearely out of the Indies to the kinges owne coffers is the summe of 300 Q 000 V 000 The kingdomes of Valencia Arragon and Catalonia giue yearely vnto the King besides other paymentes the summe of 75 Q 000 V 000. The Ilandes of Sardinia Maiorca and Minorca yéeld the king no profit for that the rents and reuenewes of the same are alwaies imployed to the defence and maintenance of the same Ilands against the enemy and sometimes more than is receaued The kingdome of Cicilia payeth yearely vnto the king 375 Q 000 V 000. The kingdome of Naples with the couÌ„tries of Pullia and Calabria doe yéeld yearely to the king 450 Q 000 V 000. The Dukedome of Millan payeth yerely 300 Q 000 V 000. The Prouinces of the Neatherlanders or Low countries with Burgondie vsed yerely to pay vnto the King the summe of 700 Q 000 V 000. But now in these wars and troublesome times there is no account therof to be made The farme of Cardes in Spaine is yerely worth vnto the king 20 Q 000 V 000. for that euery payre of cardes sold there payeth vnto the king halfe a riall and amounteth to as it is farmed 20 Q 000 V 000. The Rashes and clothes of Florence that are brought into Spaine are worth yearely 10 Q 000 V 000. for that euerie péece of Rash payeth sixe duckats custome to the king 10 Q 000 V 000. ALl these accounts tolles customes Alcaualas tenths and third pennies impostes contributions rents demaynes and reuenewes of the King of Spaine are gathered truely collected out of his exchequers of account in his said kingdomes and without any augmentation or diminishing set downe and recorded herein as they were farmed receaued and payde in the yeare of our Lord 1578.
before the said king of Spaine had any right in the kingdome of Portingal for the which cause it is not here set downe but shall hereafter follow particularly by it selfe together with the pettigrée of the kings of Portingale brieflie and truly described by coppies receiued from the officers of those countries the whole summe of all the rents reuenewes c. afore specified and set downe doe amount vnto yearely the summe of 47 31 Q. 329. V. 880. Spanish monie which amounteth in English monie to the summe of three millions foure hundreth thréescore and nintéene thousand nine hundreth and seauentéene pounds fiue shillinges and nine pence which is the full summe of all his receites Portingale excepted which now is in the said kinges handes as hereafter followeth The kingdomes that are comprehended vnder the name of Spaine or Castillia are these Leon Arragon Castillia Nauarre Granado Tolledo Valencia Seuillia Cordoua Murcien Iaen Gallicia Gibraltar and Catalonia which are 14. in number and in times past were euerie one a Kingdome apart yet hold the name the Kingdomes Prouinces and Townes which are called to any counsell or assemblie in the Court of Spaine and therein doe giue their voices are the Kingdomes of Leon Seuillia Tolledo Granado Cordoma Murcien and Iaen The townes called chiefe townes or Cities which are Bishoprickes are Burgos Saâ—amanca Segouia Soria Auila Cuenca Toro Zamora Guadalaxara the townes that are no chiefe townes nor Bishoprickes and are called townes whether they lie walled or not of these but two of them haue any voices which are Valla Dolid and Madrid the other kingdomes as Arragon Nauarre Valencia and Catalonia c. haue their Viceroyes Gouernours apart holding Parlements or Courts by themselues alwaies referred to the King of Spaines order and direction as the kingdomes of Naples and Cicilia with the Dukedome of Millan c. The 3. Chapter A briefe discourse of the notablest and memorablest things situation gouernment and reuenewes of the kingdome of Portingale called Lusitanea THe kingdome of Portingale is in coÌ„passe 285. miles that is on the sea coast 135 miles and by land 150. miles There are 1â— Townes in Portingale that are called Citties which title no Towne may beare but such as are Bishoprickes vnles it be by speciall licence from the King himselfe all the rest are called Townes whether they haue walles or not whereof there are many of these townes and Castles There are in Portingale 4â—0 besides villages it hath 3. principall hauens or riuers which are Lisbone Porto and Seruual and other thrée in the land of Algarue which is also vnder the Crowne of Portingale which are Tauilla Lagâ—s and Villa Noua the key or defence of the riuer and towne of Lisbone is the Castle of Saint Iulian by the Neatherlanders called Saint Gilles which lieth on the first enterance of the riuer called Tegio in latine Tagus one of the most famous riuers of all Europe The 4. Chapter Of the Iustice and gouernement in Lisbone and throughout all Portingale FIrst there is the Tribunale called the ciuill Court or Law whereof the chiefe Iudge is the Regidoer that is the ruler in the kinges behalfe with two other Iudges then the Tribunale or Court for criminall causes with two Iudges an Auditor or receauer of the kinges customes called the Alfandega a Iudge of Equitie for euerie mans proprieties or own reuenewes eight Iudges of the Weesen a Iudge of the Hospitals a chiefe Iudge called Correcteur of the thinges and causes of India Guinea Capo verde Saint Thomas and Brasilia from all these Courtes they may appeale to the ciuill law the Tribunale or Court of requests whose Iudges are called Desembargadores which is as much to say as dischargers these are of great authority and credit as the chiefe States and Presidents are in the Low Countries To this Court are brought the appellations that are made vnto the ciuill law their chiefe Iudge is called Correcteur of the requests two Iudges that are called Desembargadores da Fazenda which is as much to say as Auditors and Iudges of the Kinges causes and reuenewes these are they that minister Iustice betwéene the King and particular men and from them there is no appeale the councell of orders Tribunale Supremo or highest Court which are called Desembargadores of the pallace Tribunale or Court of Consciences Tribunale or Court of Veedores da Fazenda that is visitors and ouerseers of the Kinges reuenewes Tribunale or Court of the Kinges Exchequer which is vnder the courts of Veedores da Fazenda the Kinges Councell two Dukes one Marques ten Earledomes The fortresses which the Portingales hold in Africa or Barbaria are these Tanger Zepta Arzilla the Iland of Madera the Flemmish Islandes called as Ilhas dos Acores in those are comprehended Tercera S. Michael Santa Maria Saint Iorgie Pico Fayael Gratiosa the Ilandes of Flores and Coruo the Ilands of Cabo verde are S. Iacob O fogo Mayo Boa Vista S. Antonio and Saint Nicolaes Arguyn a fortresse in the Countrie of Guinea the Myne of Saint Iorgie the Castle lying on the same side of Aethiopia also on the same coast the Iland del Principe Saint Thomas Atâ—bâ—n the Kingdome of Congo and Angola on the same Coast of Aethiopia lieth vnder tribute of the Portingale the Iland Santa Helena on the other side of the cape de Bona Speranza the fortresse of Soffala the Iland of Mosambique the Iland of Ormus lying betwéene Persia and Arabia the towne and fortresse of Diu the towne and fortresses of Daman Bacayn Chaul Goa where the Viceroy is resident all lying on the Coast of India the townes and fortresses of Honor Barcelor Mangalor Cananor Cranganor Cochin and Coulan all lying on the same Coast of India called Malabar a fortresse in the Iland of Seylon called Columbo the townes Negapatan and S. Thomas on the coast of Choramandel the towne and fortresse of Malacca the Iands of Maluco which are Tarnate Tydor Banda and Amboyna the land and coast of Brasilia stretching 500. miles in length and deuided into eight Captaineships or gouernements from whence euery yeare is brought into Portingale about 150. thousand Arroben of sugar each Arroben waighing 32. pound the Hauen called de Todos os Santos or of all Saints where the Gouernour of Brasilia is resident The ordinarie rentes of the Crowne of Portingale are yearely one million of gold 100000. duckets the rents reuenewes of the Mastership of the knights of the Crosse the king being alwaies Master to whom belong the Ilands of Acores or Flemmish Ilands Madera those of Cabo verde Saint Thomas and de Princepe are yearelie 200000. Duckets the rent of the Mine belonging to y e Knight of the Crosse of Christ is yerely worth 100000. duckets Brasilia yéeldeth yearely 150000. Duckets the customes of spices and other goods receiued out of the East Indies is yearely 600000. Duckets the other rents profits and reuenewes of the Indies and their townes are spent and disbursed in
defence maintenance of the said Countries and places so that the rents and reuenewes of the Crowne of Portingale doe amount vnto the sum of 220000 Duckets at 5. shillings 6. pence the Ducket amounteth vnto in English monie to the summe of sixe hundreth and fiue thousand poundes The 5. Chapter Of the yearely charges disbursed by the Kinges of Portingale THe fées and payments due to the ministers Iustices of the lawes and ordinances of the countrie of Portingale for the executing of their offices doth amount vnto yearely the summe of 100000 duckets The rentes which the King bestoweth yearely as giftes and rewardes vnto such as haue done him seruice which being dead returneth vnto him againe doe yerely amount vnto the summe of 300000 duckets The Iuros which are bought for monie and fee farme or continuall rents to bee paide out of the kinges reuenewes customes and other demaynes yearely and are neuer released but remaine from heire to heire are yerely 150000 Duckets The charges of Maintayning the castles and fortes in Africa and Barbarie doe yerely amount vnto the summe of 300000. duckets The charges of maintaining fiue Gallies yearely 50â—00 Duckets The charges of the armie that doth yerely conuay the Indian ships thither fetcheth them back againe amount vnto 300000. Duckets The Moradien that is the wages which the king payeth to his seruants called Mocos da Camara Caualheâ— Fidalgos and other titles as an honour to such as hee will shew fauour vnto or els in reward of anie former seruices or in respect their Ancetors were true and faithfull seruitors to the king with those titles they are called seruantes of the kinges house which is a great honour they doe receiue a yearely stipend although not much towardes their charges of finding prouision for their horses although they can hardly saue a paire of shooes and yet neuer come on horses backe all their life time but it is onely a token of the Kinges fauour and good will wherein the Portingales doe more glorie and vaunt themselues then of any thing in the world yet is it not of much importance and verie little paie it amounteth yearely to 80000. Duckets The charge of the king of Portingales house is yearely the summe of 200000. Duc. which was wont to be farmed as at this day it is for the charge of houshold of Don Alberto Cardinall of Austria Gouernour of Portingale for the defence and maintenance of the Castles and Forts of Portingale the summe of 200000. Duckets So that the charges aforesaid doe amount vnto in all the summe of 1680000. duckets at fiue shillinges sixe pence the ducket is in English monie the summe of foure hundereth sixtie and two thousand pounds which being deducted out of the receates of Portingale aforesaid that amount vnto 605000. poundes English monie there resteth yearely for the king of Spaine Coffers one hundreth fortie and three thousand pounds English monie The 6. Chapter Of the Towne of Lisbone THe towne of Lisbone hath â—2 parish Churches and aboue eleuen thousaÌ„d houses wherin there are aboue â—0 thousand dwelling places accounting the Court and the place thereunto belonging it hath in people aboue 120000. whereof 10000. of them at the least are Slaues and Mores which estimation is made according to the church bookes which the Parsons Vicars and Curats are bound to doe once euerie yeare euerie one in his parish among these are not accounted such as follow the Court neyther Cloysters Cobents Hospitalles nor any other houses of religion for that in all they would amount vnto as much as the houses of the citie also of other Churches Cloysters and Chappels of the virgin Marie and other Saints which are no parishes there are so many that they can not be numbred The Towne hath aboue 350. streetes besides crosse waies and lanes that haue no thorow fare which are likewise a great number The 7. Chapter A short discourse of the pettigrees of kinges of Portingale vntill Phillip now King of Spaine and Portingale Sonne of Charles the fift Emperour of Rome THe first king of Portingale was named Don Alfonso Henriques sonne of Earle Henry who as the Chronicles rehearse was sonne of the Duke of Lorraine others thinke hee was sonne of the king of Hungarie but the truest Histories doe report him to be of Lorrane and that he came into the King of Spaines Court being desirous to imploy himselfe in the warres of the Christians against the Mores which as then held the most part of the countrie of Spaine and the whole land of Lusitania or Portingale warring continually on the King of Spaine and other Christians bordering on the same in the which warres hee behaued himselfe so well and did so valiantly that the King knew not how or in what sort to recompence him better then by giuing him his daughter in mariage with her for a dowrie gaue him the countrie of Portingale that was as much as he had conquered and brought vnder his subiection with all the rest if he could win it with the name and title of Earle of Portingale his sonne aforesaid called Don Alfonzo was borne in Anno 1094. who wan the most part of the countrie of Portingale from the Mores after his fathers death was called Prince of Portingale which name and title he enioyed for the space of 27. yeares which title in Spaine no man may beare but the Kings eldest son and heire vnto the Crowne and being of the age of 45. yeares was crowned king of Portingale by the fauour speciall priuiledge of the Pope of Rome as then being by that meanes Portingale became a kingdome This first King maried when he was 52. yeares of age and had one sonne and 3. daughters and besides them one bastard son and a bastard daughter he raigned 46. yeres and died in the towne of Coyinbra his body being buried in the Cloyster of Santa Crus erected by him as also the Cloysters of Alcobaca and Saint Vincent without Lisbone called Saint Vincent de Fora This King first wonne the Towne of Lisbone from the Mores by the aide help of the Flemmings and Low countrimen which came thether with a Fleet of Ships being by stormie weather forced to put into the riuer that were sayling to the holy land whether for the furtherance of Christian religion they as then trauelled which as I suppose was about the time that the Christians won the great City of Damyate in the couÌ„trie of Palestina where those of Harlame did most valiantly defend themselues and shewd great valour as the Sword Armes as yet extant doe well bare witnes which Fleet being come thether at such time as the said king besieged the said towne of Lisbone hee vnderstanding that onely cause of comming was to imploy their forces against the Infidels and vnbeleeuing Christians friendly desired them séeing it was Gods will they should ariue there at so conuenient a time to aide him against his enemies shewing them that they might
the battaile by him erected hee wonne the Castle and towne of Septa from the Mores in Barbaria or Affrica and was Father to the Infant Don Ferdinand that is Canonized for a Saint After him raigned his sonne Don Duarte or Eduart and was the 11. king of Portingale he liued 42. yeares whereof he raigned 5. yeares king hee died in the Pallace of the couent of Thomar in Anno 1438. he lieth buried in the Cloyster of the battaile Don Alfonso his sonne was borne in S. Arein in the yeare of our Lord 1432. and because he was but 6. yeares of age wheÌ„ his Father died his vncle the Infant Don Pedro raigned in his place vntill the yeare of our Lord 1448. Then the said Don Afonso was himselfe crowned king was the 12 king of Portingale he died in S. Arein in y e same chamber where he was borne the 28 of August 1481. and lieth buried by his Ancestors in the Cloyster of the battaile After his death raigned his sonne Don Ioan the great called the seconde of that name being the 13. King of Portingal he was borne in Lisbone the 4. of May anno 1455. hee did openly himselfe being present cause Don Fernando Duke of Beâ—ganca vpon the market place of the towne of Euora to be beheaded on the 22. of Iune in An. 1483. with his owne hand with a Poynyard slew Don Domingos Duke of Begia brother to his wife Dona Lianor presently calling Don Manoel the said Dukes brother gaue him the same Dukedome with all that belonged therunto he liued 40. yeres and died at Aluor in the bath the 25. of October An. 1495. lieth buried in the Cloister of the battaile by his Ancestors died without issue By his last Wil and Testament he gaue the Crowne of Portingale vnto Don Manoel Duke of Viseu who was crowned king of Portingale was the 14. king hée was crowned in Alcacer do Sal the 27. of October An. 1495. he caused all the Iewes in his land eyther willingly or by force to such as refused it to be christened in the yere of our Lord 1499. and caused all the Mores that dwelt at Lisbone without the gate of Moreria to be banished whereof the gate to this day holdeth the name In the â—â—me of this king there happened an insurrection of Portingales in Lisbone against the new Christened Iewes whereby they slew certaine hundereths of them both men women and children burning some of them with a thousand other mischiefes robbing their houses shops and goods for the which the king did great Iustice and finding out the principall beginners of the same caused them to bée punished This king did first discouer and by his captaines souldiers conquered y e Countries and passages into the East Indies and y e orientall countries for spices also the hauens passages in Prester Iohns land hee likewise conquered the towns fortresses of Saffâ—in Azamor in Affrica he died in an 1521. vpon S. Luces day lieth buried in the Cloyster of Bethlehem by the dutchmeÌ„ called Roysters After his death raigned his son Don Ioan the 3. was the 15. king of Portingale he was borne in the month of Iune in Anno 1502. in the citie of Lisbone where he was crowned in anno 1521. he was simple curteous mild and a great friend vnto all religious persons as also to all students he fouÌ„ded the vniuersitie of Coymbra and other colledges died the 11. of Iune An. 1557. lieth buried in the Cloyster of Bethelem or Roysters After his death was crowned Don Sebastian and was the 16. king of Portingale he was son to the Prince of Portingale eldest sonne to the aforesaid Don Ioan that maried with Dona Ioana daughter to the Emperour Charles the fift and Sister to Phillip king of Spaine which Prince dying before his father left his wife great with childe of this Don Sebastian who after the death of his Grandfather was Crowned king of Portingale he was born on Sebastians day in the yeare of our Lord 1553. hee passed with a great armie into Africa to conquere the countrie in the yeare 1578. where hee with most of his Armie was slaine the rest taken prisoners and so died without issue After this ouerthrow and death of the said king Don Sabastian was Crowned Don Henricke a Cardinall vncle vnto the saide Don Sabastian and was the 17. King of Portingale and died without issue in Anno 1580. leauing by his last will and testament for heire of the Crowne of Portingale Don Phillip king of Spaine as lawfull successor vnto the same for that his Father Charles the 5. maried the eldest daughter of the king Don Manoel which was mother to Don Phillip king of Spaine and sister to the grandfather of Don Sebastian and of the aforesaid Don Henrick although there had bin another brother of the said don Henrick named Don Luiis who dying left a son called Don Antonio that was Prior de Ocrato of the order of the knightes of the Crosse of S. Iohns whome the Portingales chose for their king but by meanes of the great power and might of the king of Spaine who by monie had gotten the greatest part of the nobilitie of Portingale to hold with him partly by monie and partly by force he got the kingdome into his hands and subiection driuing Don Antonio out of the countrie so in anno 1581. he came into Portingale in Lisbon was crowned king in the cloyster of Thomar by all the 3 estates of the countrie that is the nobility spiritualtie and commons is the 18. king of Portingale who as yet liueth raigneth ouer the same countrie whereby the Crowne of Portingale is now fallen into the handes of the kinges of Spaine hauing continued in the handes of the kinges of Portingales for the space of 442. yeares which their successors till then inioyed being of the race and progenie of the house of Loraine Thus endeth the fourth Booke FINIS TYPVS ORBIS TERRARVM QVID EI POTEST VIDERI MAGNVM IN REBVS HVMANIS CVI AETERNITAS OMNIS TOTIVSQVE MVNDI NOTA SIT MAGNI TV DO CICERO Exacta acurata deliucatio cum orarum maritimarum tum etiam sororum terrestrium quae in regionibus China Cauchinchinâ— Cambojn siue Câ—ampa Syao Malaca Aracan Pegu una cum omnium vicinarum iusu latum descriptione ut sunt Samatra Java utraque Timora Molucca Philippinâ— Luconja de Leqveos dicta nec non insulae Japan Corece reliquaeque omnes adsacentes ubj etiam adnotauimus scopulos â—reviâ—i omniaque Vadosa loca siquce alia a quibus periculum navigantibus Qvemadmodum singula hoc aeâ—o à Lusitanis nauium gubernatoribus còmperta inaâ—â—gitata in tobulaâ— relaâ—a fuere Equoâ—um recentibus ac emen daâ—is tabulis perqà m studiose haec destribi ex primiâ— curavimus in eorum hominum coÌ„modum quibus ista usvi voluptatia