enterprised any iourney of reputation but that against the Theutomarsi vpon whom king Valdemar laid the yoke of subiection but falling againe into rebellion after many chances of warre beginning in the yeere 1500. they were vtterly vanquished by Frederick the second in the yeere of our Lord 1558. Before that time they discomfited Iohn the sonne of king Christian the first What this king of Denmarke is able to performe at sea may be gathered by the names which vpon occasions he hath rigged to sea at the intreatie of Henrie the second king of France Christian the second sent a nauie of 100. ships into Scotland against the English and in them ten thousand land soldiers But for as much as it is apparent that he is lord of so ample a sea coast possesseth so many hauens in Denmarke Scaâ—â—a Norwey and so many Ilands without the Baltike sea it is most likely that he is able to assemble a mightie fleete of ships if money were not wanting which as I take it cannot but often faile him considering that in his whole kingdome there is growing no merchandise of value excepting seafish neither is there any famous Mart towne which is able to draw or long to maintaine traffike with other nations The greatest matter is his customes of the sea townes the profite of certaine mines in Scania the horses cattle of the Danish Chersonesse the timber and fish of Norwey and the Ilands It hath beene obserued that fiftie thousand oxen hath beene driuen out of these prouinces into Germanie for which tole hath beene paid at Gutthorpe He reapeth some profit likewise of Wardhouse whither the English of late yeeres haue sailed betweene Norwey and Groenlant some to Colmogro others to Stockholme not farre from S. Nicholas where they traffike with the Russies for waxe honie and flaxe thither resort likewise Hollanders Scots and Frenchmen Almost in the middle of this baie is an Iland and towne called Wardhuis which Frederick the second caused to be strongly fortified and here the merchants pay their custome Sweueland THE king of Sweueland raigneth in Scandia which is larger then Denmarke for it is accounted a iourney of fiue and fortie daies from the borders of Scandia to Lapland and the coast of the Balticke sea is little lesse then 400. miles long and his tract of land is esteemed larger then France and Italy In Liuonia this king possesseth Riualia the Narue Danouia and other peeces of good esteeme the Iland Vlander Alandes and many other places not woorthy speaking of situated in the Sweuian and Finland sea These regions besides Liuonia are diuided into three kingdomes Gotland Sweueland and Vandalia which againe are subdiuided into eleuen prouinces and twelue Counties among the which the Lappians are not accounted because this people though inhabiting a larger countrey then Sweueland cannot be termed to liue vnder any certaine dominion because of their miserie pouertie and wandring from place to place through woods and mountaines but they who haue anie manner of certaine abode or setled habitation are vnder the Sweuish dominion and pay rich skins for their tribute Of the three kingdomes whereof we spake Gotland bordereth vpon Scandia and is diuided into east and west both bounded with the lake Weret in the midst whereof the king delighting in the pleasantnes of the place keepeth his court Twenty fower riuers do run into this lake yet it emptieth it selfe but by one mouth The inhabitaÌ„ts for the excessiue noise of the waters call it in their toong the Diuels Head The word Gothia signifieth a heauenly countrie which doth wel agree thereto for the abundance of sustenance no region being comparable vnto it in fertilitie of flesh fish and corne Next followeth Sweueland larger then Norwey and Gotland both togither In Sweueland is Vpsalia their chiefe city and Stockholme the kings seate Stringa Enuecopia Orogundia Arboia Arosia Then comes Finland situate betweene the Balticke and Finland bay where stand Abo the chiefe citie Raugina and Augo both famous mart townes Vames Viburge and Castlehome in the Alandian Ilands The husbandmen inhabite without the townes and by reason of the plentie of timber the woods vallies and other places defended from the furie of the northren winde they liue here in verie good sort keepe in their houses flockes of cattell and instruments to digge to build or to make any thing necessarie for the life of man and this is the reason that townes here are neither so faire nor so frequent as in Germanie or England Ouer and aboue cities and villages there are accounted 1433. parishes in some of which a thousand people or as they terme it a thousand housholds or fires doe inhabite but there are few of these parishes in which at the least there are not an hundred families By this a man may iudge the number of this people especially if he consider the fruitfulnes of their generation for the women of Finland by a secret operation of their beere as some thinke become exceeding fruitfull The men liue here verie long chiefly in the most northerly parts neither is it miraculous amongst them to see a man liue aboue an hundred and thirtie or fortie yeeres This long liuing is the true cause of their propagation for where men liue shortest liues there the vertue of generation must needs soonest decay and therefore our Lord God in the beginning of the world did permit mankinde to liue seuen hundred yeeres and more that the world might the sooner be peopled and the act of generation which now for the shortnes of our liues is determined within fortie yeeres was then more vigorous at one hundred and vpward then in this our age at ten The riches of this kingdome consisteth in the plentie of victuals which this word Gothia signifying an heauenly region as we said before and Finland signifying a good countrey do well witnes Their prouision is flesh fresh fish salt fish fish dried in the smoke and sunne corne and beere whereof there is so great abundance that it is a hard thing to see a begger amongst them and trauellers are there freely entertained It is so rich in mines of lead copper siluer and some gold that no prouince in Europe may compare therewith And these mines are to be found in euerie place if the countrey people bound to carrie wood to the mines and to other seruile workes did not hide and hinder the discouerie thereof as much as in them lyeth Most fine siluer is found in the prouince of Vestros and more would be were it not for the enuy of the inhabitaÌ„ts who though they know not the vse of trying of mettals doe notwithstanding murmur that any strangers should imploy their labours therin And this their frowardnes toward strangers ariseth not of hatred but vpon a iealousie that they should be ouerreached or otherwise abused by theÌ„ for by nature they are simple and well meaning not giuen to ambition nor infected with auarice The kings reuenue consisteth in fower things
countrie is 75. miles long and 55. broad Carniola with the bordering countries vp to Tergiste is 150. miles long and 45. broad They are plentifull of corne wine flesh and wood The countie of Tirol is full of mines of siluer and salt pits and is eighteene German miles long and broad The territories of Sweuia Alsatia and Rhetia doe pay little lesse then two myriades and an halfe of ordinarie reuenue so much extraordinarie besides the 18. cantons of Rethia are vnder the same iurisdiction They are so well peopled that vpon occasion they are able to leuie 100. thousand footemen and 30. thousand horse I know no other prouince in Europe able to say the like And therefore the Emperor is not so weake a Prince as those who are ignorant of the state of kingdomes doe suppose him reporting his territories to be small vnprouided of necessaries poore in monie and barren of people But this is certaine that as he is a Lord of a large dominion fertile rich and infinite people so let euery man thinke that by the neighborhod of the Turke bordering vpon him from the Carpathie mountaines to the Adriatique sea the forces of a mightier prince may seeme small and ouerlayed For what prince bordering vpon so puissant an enemie but either by building of fortresses or by intertaining of garrisons is not almost beggered I will not say in time of warre but euen during the securest peace Considering that the forces of the Turke are alwaies readie strong and cheerefull yea better furnished in the time of peace then any other nation in the hottest furie of warre Wherefore it standes him vpon that is a borderer vpon so powerfull an enemie either for feare or iealousie to be euer watchfull and to spare no charges as doth the Emperor retaining in wages continually twenty thousand soldiers keeping watch and warde vpon the borders of Hungarie These aske great expences and yet lesse then these are not to be defraied for the strengthening of other places besides other expences not meete here to be spoken of Wherefore seeing the Turke like an vnsatiable dragon hath ouerwhelmed so many noble prouinces and so many flourishing kingdomes yea hath brought vnder his yoke those cities which were thought impregnable and those bulwarks which the world deemed could neuer be forced let vs not shut both our eares and say lie is farre from vs when he stands at our doores yea close by our sides Denmarke ALthough it may seeme needlesse to make any mention of Sweuelād because it is as it were situated in another world and with whom there is no great entercourse of trading yet for the spatious largenes thereof it may well deserue a place amongst other kingdomes spoken of in these relations It is situate in that part of Europe which some terme Scandia others Scandania or Balthia from whence issued the Gothes and Vandales the verie treaders downe of the Romane Empire It is subiect both to the Danish and Sweuian crowne The king of Denmarke besides the Cimbrian Chersonese where Helsatia Theutomarsia the Dukedome of Slesia Flensburge Friesland and Iuthland regions fruitfull replenished with store of cattle and wilde beasts doe lye retaineth other spacious Ilands the best whereof stand in the entrance of the Balticke sea being 15. in number all comprehended vnder the name Denmarke The chiefest of them is Sclandunia containing 60. miles in length and little lesse in bredth It excelleth the rest in woorth both for the number of villages the mildenes of the aire and because it hath beene and is the seate of their kings He hath also Gothland in his iurisdiction which is placed right ouer against Gothia One of his kinsemen hath the gouernment of Osilia a pretie Iland in the greater gulfe of Liuonia and ruleth those fat and plentious countries which lie in the continent of Liuonia Scania likewise acknowledged his soueraigntie and he holdeth the kingdome of Norway which from the confines of Scania extendeth and stretcheth northward 1300. miles to the castle of Wardhouse vpon whom border the Lappians The Iles adioining therto Sania Setland and Faria lying in the maine sea are in his tenure In times past the people of Norwey haue beene of great puissance they afflicted England scourged France and therein obtained a prouince called to this day Normandie In Italie they conquered the kingdome of Sicill and Appulia And in the holy warre Boemand leader of the Normans woon the principalitie of Antioch In the north Ocean besides that of Friesland and the sea coast of Island and Gromland he holdeth the dominions of the foresaid Ilands of Shetland and Faria The Orchades acknowledge the kings of Norwey for their lords although they are subiect to the Scottish crowne Sithēce the kingdome of Norwey became electiue turmoiled with ciuill wars and intestine discords it came to the possession of the Danish kings who that he may hold it surely intreateth the inhabitants cruelly spoiling them of their substance and to leaue no hope of better fortune to this miserable people he holdeth fortified all the creekes and hauens of the sea coast The wealth of the kingdome consisteth in the abundance of cattle and sea fish whereof there is such store that of the herring fishing onely a mightie masse of money is yeerely gathered so huge is the number of all sort of fish that at sometimes of the yeere a ship can make but slowe way in this sea and the marishes meadowes adioining thereunto are verie pleasant and sauorie to the feeding cattle Scania is rich in corne and pasture and well replenished with people Norwey hath no riches of any moment except timber fit for the erecting of houses and framing of ships from thence transported into Holland and Flanders and cattle and great store of cheese and milke Some profite also ariseth of a kinde of fish dried in the winde which the Dutchmen call Stockfish It is taken in Ianuarie and laid in the winde and cold vntill it be indurate and hardened like wood and then carried into diuers regions as a kinde of sustenance The greatest matter of gaine to the king of Denmarke is that narrow sea or streight betweene Cronburg Eltzenburg commonly called the Sound which is a passage so narrow that no shipping can passe that way without the licence and fauour of the watchmen keeping garrison there to receiue the impostes and customes of the arriuing vessels it is easily gathered to what some of money that impost amounteth by the infinite number of shipping of Holland Zealand France England Scotland Norwey and the Baltike sea that saile in those seas and of necessitie must passe the iawes of that narrow streight The inhabitants are as needie of Rhenish French Spanish wines the spices of Portugall or the fruits of Andoluzia as they againe are greedie of the waxe honie skins and corne which are brought thither from Prussia Liuonia Moscouia and the bordering nations Touching his powerablenes in land seruice it was neuer seene that he
keepe in their possession all the profits of the lands woods mines yea and the waters of pooles and riuers through their whole dominions No man may wash himselfe in Ganges which runneth by Bengala nor in Ganga which watereth the land of Orissa before he hath paid tole to the king The king himselfe is now inforced to buie this water causing it to be brought vnto him by long iourneies vpon a superstitious custome either to bathe or purge himselfe therein He is absolute Lord of the bodies and goods of his subiects which he shareth to himselfe and his captaines leauing the people nothing but their hands and labour of lands the king hath three parts and his captaines the residue Whereupon sithence all these barbarous princes maintaine not peace and iustice as arches whereupon to lay the groundworke of their estates but armes conquest and the nurserie of a continuall soldierie it must needes followe that they are able to leuie greater troupes of horse and foote then otherwise we were bound to beleeue But to induce some measure of credit let vs compare the abilities of some Christian princes with theirs If the king of France were absolute Lord of all the lands and profits of his whole dominion as these men are it is thought that his yeerely reuenues would amount to 15. millions and yet therein are neither mines of gold nor siluer The elergie receiueth sixe millions the kings demesnes amount to one and an halfe the residue is theirs who haue the inheritance and yet the peazants liue wel here in comparison of the villagois of India Polonia and Lithuania Besides this the king hath eight millions of ordinarie reuenue arising of customes and escheats How mightie a prince would he be if he were landlord of the demesnes and rents of the whole kingdome and should imploy them vpon the maintenance of soldiers as doth the king of Narsinga Surely whereas now the kings reuenues doe hardly suffice for the maintenance of fower thousand men at armes and six thousand crosbowes if this allowance were added to the former he might as easily maintaine 150. thousand To returne to Narsinga the king to see that his captaines performe their duties once a yeere proclaimeth a muster whereat they dare not but be present At the muster day those who haue presented their companies defectiue either in number or furnituâ—e are sure to be cassed but those who bring their companies complete and well armed he honoureth and aduanceth What forces may be gathered out of so ample a dominion armed after their manner as aforesaid you shall gather by that which Iohn Barros writeth of the armie which king Chrismarao led against Idalcan in the iournie of Raciel These are his words verbatim Vnder sundry captaines the armie was diuided into many battailions In the vantgard marched Camaraique with one thousand horse 17. elephants and 30. thousand footmen Tiarabicar with two thousand horse twentie elephants and fiftie thousand footemen Timaipanaique with three thousand horsemen and 56. thousand footemen After them followed Hadainaique with fiue thousand horsemen fiftie elephants and one hundred thousand footemen Condomara with six thousand horse sixtie elephants 120. thousand footemen Comora with 250. horse fortie elephants and 80. thousand footemen Gendua with one thousand horse ten elephants and thirtie thousand footemen In the rereward were two eunuches with 1000. horse 15. elephants and forty thousand footemen Betel one of the kings pages led 200. horse twentie elephants and eight thousand foote After all these followed the king with his garde of sixe thousand horsemen three hundred elephants and fortie thousand footemen Vpon the flanks of this battell went the gouernor of the citie of Bengapor with diuers captaines vnder whose colours were 4200. horse 25. elephants and sixtie thousand footemen seruing for wages Vpon the head of the battell ranged 200. thousande horsemen in small troupes like our vantcurrers in such sort and order scowring the countrie before behinde and on all sides that no noueltie could so suddenly happen but notice thereof was giuen at the Imperiall tent in a moment Twelue thousand carriers of water and twenty thousand light huswifes followed this armie The number of lackies merchants artificers scullions they call them Maniati oxen buffals and carriage beasts was infinite When the armie was to passe any riuer knee-deepe before the foremost were passed there was scant remaining sufficient for the latter whereof to drinke Before this iournie the king sacrificed in nine daies 20736. head of liuing creatures as well of birds as beasts the flesh whereof in honor of his idols was giuen to the poore The soldiers were clothed in garments of cotten wooll so close and hard quilted that they would beare out the thrust of a lance or sword Euery elephant was trimmed in a couering of cotten wooll with a frame on his backe bearing fower men To their tusks were fastened long and broad swords to cut in sunder whatsoeuer stood in their way The footemen were armed with bowes iauelins swords and bucklers These last the better to couer their whole bodies and to manage their heauie bucklers carried no offensiue weapons In the fight when the king perceiued Idalcan by the furie of his great ordinance to make hauocke of his men and dismay the residue leaping into the head of the battell is reported to vse this prince-beseeming incouragement Beleeue me my companions Idalcan shall rather boast that he hath slaine then ouercome a king of Narsinga With which words and ensample his soldiers all inflamed and ashamed of their cowardize with a furious charge broke the enemies aray and put Idalcan to flight Amongst other spoiles they tooke fower thousand Arabian horses one hundred elephants fower hundred great peeces besides smal The number of oxen buffals tents and prisoners was inestimable With Idalcan were fortie Portugals with the king of Narsinga twentie In his raigne two of his captaines rebelled Virapanai vsurped Negapatan and Veneapatir the territorie adioining to Matipura Calecute THE most noble part of India is that which lieth betweene the mountaine Gate and the Indian Ocean It stretcheth from Cape Comerin to the riuer Cangierecor three hundred miles long In this prouince raigneth the king of Calecut who though he may not be compared to the princes aboue spoken of for number and power yet for pleasant and plentifull situation he may be saide farre to surpasse them For the region is so cut as it were into many parcels sometime by creekes of the sea sometime by riuers and sometime by lakes that nature as it should seeme would haue it diuided into seuerall prouinces as Trauancor Colan Cochin Crangonor Calecute Tano Canonor Seuen yeeres agone Pereimal king of all Malabar ruled these prouinces who after he became a Mahumetan and resolued to trauell to Meca there to spend the remnant of his daies diuided the land into many principalities but with this prouiso that all soueraigne authoritie should rest in the king of Calecute with the title of
woods and the marrishes which euen in plaines make great pooles being vnto them a naturall wall trench against all incursions On the tops of mountaines are manie fruitfull plaines plentifull and fit for the feeding of â—atâ—le and thicke woods full of wilde beasts These rockie and mountainous places abounding notwithstanding with woods and pastures doe so strengthen the countrey that they neither feare to be forced by inuasion nor to be constrained with hunger for the dangerous accesse of the mountaines and the thicknes of the woods secureth them against the assaults of their enimies and in beseegings they doe sustaine themselues by cattle and wilde beasts which can neuer faile them To this helpeth the abundance of people fierce of courage excellent in the vse of their armes for necessities sake being able speedily to assemble 25. or 30. thousand men against the inrodes of their enimies and trusting to the strength of situations of places and practise of their armes they indeuour not to fortifie their ciâ—â—eâ— nor hauens which are so thicke in this countrey that by reason of the inlets of the sea there is not almost one house distant aboue twentie miles from the Ocean The king of Scotland gouerneth the Hebrides being fortie two and the Orchades thirtie two in number But since neither Scotland nor the saide Ilands are better stored with plenty of corne more then sufficeth for their owne prouision and the people are neither giuen to artes or abounding in wealth few merchants do resort thither But England whereof we now treate is diuided into three great prouinces England Cornwall and Wales England stretcheth to the Germaine sea Cornwall is right against France Wales against Ireland This most florishing kingdome conteineth two Archbishopricks Canterburie and Yoâ—ke 24. bishopricks 136. walled townes In the reigne of king Henry and his son Edward there were reckoned fortie thousand parishes but now there are onely 9725. Cornwall Wales in comparison of England are barren in the vpland places the people liue vpon white meates and oaten bread especially in Wales yet hath nature placed an Iland commonly called Anglesey so neere vnto it abounding with corne and cattle that it niay woorthily be called the mother of Wales Cornwall is exceeding rich in mines of Tinne and Lead England farre surpasseth both these prouinces in largenes riches and fertilitie and though it stand somewhat more northerly notwithstanding by the benefite of the sea or some vnknowne influence of the starres the aire there is so gentle and temperate rather thicke and moist then sharpe and colde that it token thereof the bay tree and the rosemarie are alwaies greene And it is most certaine that Flanders and Brabant are more vexed with cold and ice then England wherein for the most part the land is plaine yet now and then so garnished with fruitfull and delightfull hilles and those rising so pleasantly by little and little that they which see them a farre off can scant discerne them froâ—â— the plaine The cheefest prouision of the kingdome is corne cattle and fish so stored therewith for plenty goodnes and sweetnes that it needeth neither the helpe of France no nor of any neighbour bordring countrey Among other things the flesh especially of their swine oxen and veales haue the best relish of any part of Christendome and of fish their Pike and Oysters It bringeth not foorth Mules nor Asses but of horse infinite store The wealth thereof consisteth in neuer decaying mines of tinne and lead there are also found veines of copper and iron and in Cornewall is digged tinne of such excellent finenes that it seemeth little inferiour to siluer in qualitie Heere the wools are most fine by reason of the hils whereof the kingdome is full On these hils groweth a finall and tender kinde of grasse neither dunged nor watred with spring nor riuer but in winter nourished with the moisture of the aire and in sommer with the deaw of heauen which is so gratefull and pleasing to the sheepe that it causeth them to beare fleeces of singular goodnes and exceeding finenes The Iland breedeth no wolues nor any other rauening beasts and therefore their flockes wander night and day by hils dales and fields as well inclosed as common without feare or danger Most delicate clothes are wouch of this wooll which are transported in great abundance into Germanie Poland Denmarke Sweuqland and other prouinces where they are in high request There grow all sorts of pulse great store of Saffron and infinite quantitie of beere transported from thence into Belgia as also pelts and sea-coale The Iland is so commodiously seated for the sea that it is neuer without resort of Portugall Spanish French Flemish and Easterling merchants The trafique betweene the English and the Flemish ariseth to an inestimable value for Guiâ—ciardin writeth that before the tumults of the Low-countries they bartered for twelue millions of crownes yeerely There are other Ilands subiect to the crowne of England as Ireland Wight Man and Anglesey the ancient dwelling of the Druides Syllyes Gernsey Iersey and Alderney Ireland is not much lesse then England in bignes for it is three hundred miles long and ninetie broad mountainous woodie full of bogs apter for pasture then corne and abounding with milke and butter It sendeth foorth great store of butter skiâ—nes and saffron It is full of riuers and lakes abounding with fish It hath two Archbishoprickes Armach and Cassels the chiefe seat is Dublin and that part which lieth towards the East and the south is best peopled The prouinces of Vlster Conaught and Mounster situated to the west and north are lesse fruitfull and more sauage The other three Ilands are about one bignes of them Anglesey is the â—â—st and therefore called the mother of Wales it is well replenished with cattell and plentie of corne Man is fiue and twentie miles distant from England it hath one Bishopricke and two hauens the land is not verie fertill Wight is a hilly countrey in it is Newport a towne strongly fortified it incloseth the whole channell of South-hampton which is ouer against it and the fairest hauen in that sea In strength of situation no kingdome excelleth England for it hath these two properties which Aristotle wisheth in the building of a citie one is that it be difficult to besiege the other that it be easie to coâ—uey in and out all things necessarie these two commodities hath England by the sâ—â— which to the inhabitants is as a deepe trench against hostile inuasions and an easie passage to take in or sende out all commodities whatsoeuer On the west is the Irish Ocean a sea so shallow and so full of rockes flats that it is verie dangerous for great ships and on the south the flowing and ebbing of the Brittish Ocean is so violent and the remoouing of sandes and shelues so vncertaine that vnlesse the mariners be skilfull in taking the opportunities of winde and â—ydes they can hardly bring in their ships
printing restored musicke framed the chariot deuised the laying of colours in oile the working of colours in glasse the making of tapestrie saies searges wosteds russets frisadoes and diuers sorts of linnen cloth with innumerable other small trifles all sorts of clocks and dials and the mariners compasse It is diuided into 17. prouinces viz. the Dukedomes of Brabant Limburg Lutzemburg and Guelders the Earledomes of Flanders Artois Henault Holland Zeland Namure and Zutphen the Marquisat of the sacred Empire the Seigniories of Friesland Mechlin Vtrecht Ouerissel and Groningen all territories rich plentifull and exceeding populous In them are 208. walled townes stately and magnificent besides 3230 townes hauing priuilege of walled townes and 6300. villages with parish churches It hath manie mines of lead copresse and cole and quarries of excellent good stone The Emperor Charles had an intention to erect it into a kingdome but the difficultie consisted herein that euerie of these prouinces being gouerned by peculiar customes prerogatiues and priuileges would neuer haue yeelded vnto one royall law common to all especially those that had the largest priuileges for which cause he gaue ouer his determination It is seated commodiously for all the prouinces of Europe and containeth in circuit about 1000. Italian miles The aire of later times is become much more holsome and tempelate then in times past whether it be by reason of the increase of inhabitaÌ„ts or the industry of the people who spare no charge to amend whatsoeuer is amisse The beeues of Holland FrieslaÌ„d are very great weigh some of theÌ„ 1600 pound of 16 ounces to the pound the ewes in these prouinces and some part of Flanders bring foorth three and fower lambes at a time and the kine often two calues at once It bringeth foorth great quantitie of mather very perfect woad but no great store but of flaxe and hempe great abundance Whosoeuer shall consider what commoditie they raise by their fishing and traffike only may well say that no nation thorough the whole world may compare with them for riches For Guieciardine writeth that of their he ring fishing they make yeerely 441000 pound sterling their fishing for cod 150000. pound sterling and of their fishing for salmon more then 200000 crownes which is of sterling money 60000. pound The continuall riches that groweth to the countrie of other sorts of fish takeÌ„ all the yeere is infinite The value of the principall merchandize yeerely brought in and caried out is likewise infinite the foresaid authour esteemeth it to about 14. millions one hundred and thirtie fiue thousand crownes whereof England onely bringeth to the value of fiue millions and two hundred and fiftie thousand crownes It is a woonder to see how that the inhabitants of all these prouinces especially of Brabant and Flanders vnderstand speake two or three languages and some fower or more according to their entercourse with merchants and strangers yea in Anwerpe you shall heare the women speake Dutch French Italian Spanish and English The kingdome of Spaine SInce the first time that man began to acknowledge a superior authoritie and submit himselfe to the behests of a ruler there was neuer a more spacious seigniorie then that which the Spanish enioieth at this day especially hauing vnder a colorable and defensible title embezeled the crowne of Portugall For 〈◊〉 the large and faire prouinces in Europe the goodly regions of Asia and rich countries in Africa he enioyeth in peaceable quietnes securitie being not disturbed or contested by any riuall or competitor the newe worlde in circuite more spacious then either Europe or Africke In Europe he is the sole soueraigne of Spaine holding it whole and intire a thing woorthie obseruation because for the space of these 800. yeeres before this age it neuer obeied any one prince but was dismembred and peece-meale claimed by diuers seigniors He hath very much shaked Belgia and lordeth it ouer the kingdome of Naples containing in bignes 1400. miles and retaineth Insubria otherwise called the Duchie of Millaine comprehending three hundred in circuite Of the Ilands he holdeth Maiorique Minorique and Huisa the first of three hundred miles space the second of 150. the third of eight Sicill is reported to be of 700. Sardinia 562. In Africa he holdeth the great hauen called Masalquiuir the most secure and safe harbor in the whole Mediterranean sea He hath also Oran Melilla and the rocke commonly called the Penion of Velez and without the Streights he possesseth the Canarie Ilands twelue in number and the least of seauen containing 90. miles In the right which he pretendeth to the crowne of Portugall he keepeth the woorthie places of Septa and Tangier which may rightly be surnamed the keies of the Streights yea of the Mediterranean and Atlantique Ocean without the Streights he holdeth the citie of Mazaga and by the same title in the vast Ocean he retaineth the Terceraz Porto Santo and Madera the ladie-like Iland of the Atlantique sea containing by estimation 160â— miles in compasse then the Ilands of Cape Verd seauen in number Vnder the aequinoctiall he holdeth the Iland of Saint Thomas somewhat more spacious then Madera but most plentifull in sugar and rangeth ouer that huge tract of land which tendeth from Cape Aguer to Cape Guardafu Lastly he is lord of all the traffique merchandize negociating and nauigation of the whole Ocean and of all the Ilands which nature hath as it were inameled the Ocean withall and scattered in the seas especially betweene the Cape of good Hope and promontories of Guardafu In Asia in the aforesaid right of the crowne of Portugall he ruleth the better part of the westerne coasts viz. Ormus Diu Goa and Malaca Ornius for his commodious satuation is growne so rich that it is a common prouerbe among the Arabians Si terrarum orbis quaqua patet annulus â—sset Iâ—â—ius Armusium geâ—â—â—ia decusque foret A great portion of Arabia Foelix belongeth to the principalitie of Ormus as likewise Baharem the Iland-queene within that gulfe both for the most plentifull circuite abounding in all varietie of fruites as also for the rich fishing of pearle In this sea the Portugals possesse Damain Bazam Tauaan and Goa which citie to omit Ohial Canora Cochin and Colan is of so great esteeme that it is thought to yeeld the king as great reuenue as many prouinces in Europe do their Lords and finally the Portugals hold all that sea coast which lieth betweene the citie Damain and Malepura wherein no prince except the king of Calecure challengeth one foote of land The Iland of Zeilan wherein they possesse a strong hauen and castle commonly called Columbo may rightly be called the delight of Nature and they enioy also Malaca which in those places is the bound and limite of their empire and also the key of the traffique and nauigation of the east Ocean and of all those Ilands which are so many and so spacious that in circuite of land they may be well compared to
they haue vndertaken diuers famous expeditions into Barbarie Ethiopia India and Brasile Within these 90. yeeres they haue taken and fortified the principall places and harbours of those prouinces chalenging vnto themselues the peculiar traffike of the Atlantike and east Ocean They seised vpon the Terceraz knowing that without touching at those Ilands no ship could safely passe into Ethiopia India Brasil or the New-world Returning from those countries towards Spaine or Lisbone they put in to releeue their wants and sicke passengers and outward they touch to take in fresh water and fetch the winde In Africke they are Lords of those places which we spake of before in the description of Spaine In Persia they haue Ormus in Cambaia Diu Damain and Bazain in the hither India Chaul Goa and the neighbour fortresses of Cochin Colan the Iland Mauar and the hauen Columbo in the Iland Zeilan Amongst these Goa is the chiefest as the place where the Viceroy keepeth his court Ormus famous for the iurisdiction of the sea and the traffike of the Persian and Cambaian gulfes Cochin and Colan for their plentie of pepper Mauar for the pearle-fishing Columbo for the abundance of Cinnamon Damain and Bazain for fertile prouision In these quarters they haue some princes their confederates others their feodaries The chiefe and wealthiest of Allies is the king of Cochin sometime tributarie to the king of Calecute but now by the intercourse and traffike with the Portugals he is growne so rich and mightie that the other princes do enuie his prosperitie The king of Colan is likewise their confederate Their chiefe force consisteth in situation and strength of their places and in the number goodnes of their shipping As concerning situation this people wisely considering that in regard of their contemptible numbers they were not of power to make any famous iourney into the inland regions neither to match the Persians the Guzarits the princes of Decan the king of Narsinga and other barbarous potentates in Campania turned all their cogitations to immure themselues in such defensiue places that with small forces they might euer haue hope to diuert great attempts and make themselues Lords and commanders of the sea and nauigation which when they had done they intertained and maintained so strong a nauie that no prince in those parts was able to wrong them yea they furnished those vessels so thoroughly that one single ship would not refuse to cope with three or fower of the Barbarians With this Armada of one and twentie ships Francis Almeida defeated the Mamelucks neere the towne of Diu. Alfonse Alburquerck with thirtie great ships woon Calecute with one and twentie he tooke Goa and regained it with fower and thirtie with three and twentie he tooke Malaca with sixe and twentie he entred the red sea and with two and twentie recouered Ormus In processe of time as their mightines increased Lopes Zuarezius made a iourney into the red sea with seuen thirtie Galleons Lopes Sequeira with twentie fower ships but with greater number of soldiers then euer before laid siege to Gnidda in the red sea Henry Menesius wasted Patane with fiftie ships Lopes Vazius Sampaius left in the Arsenal 136. ships of war for the greater part all excellent well furnished Nonius Acunia vndertooke a iourney to Diu with 300. ships wherein were three thousand Portugals and fiue thousand Indians besides a great number of his guard and seruants which ordinarily follow the Viceroyes in those countries Besides his confederates and feodaries he is confined with most mightie princes his enimies as the Persian who chalengeth Ormus as holden of him in vassalage the king of Cambaia who maketh title to Diu and other places which were once vnder his iurisdiction Nizzamaluc Idalcam for so the Portugals call the two princes of Decan the kings of Calecute Narsinga As for the kings of Persia Narsinga they neuer waged warre against the Portugals because they haue alwaies had to do with more dangerous enimies other princes though they haue enterprized to their vttermost to regaine Diu Chial Goa and other places and haue left no meanes vnattempted to bring their desseignes to effect yet their abilitie could not worke any prosperous successe to their laborious indeuors by reason of the places situate so commodiously for the transportation and receit of continuall succours from the sea And though they haue vndertaken the like actions in the deepe of winter hoping by tempests and other casualties to barre the Portugals from their sea succours yet they neuer preuailed because the ships and courages of the Portugals the one resolute to indure the siege and by patience to ouercome the other determining hap what may neuer to forsake their distressed countrey-men haue set all vpon hazard and exposed their fortunes to the mercy of the winde waues of the sea Their woorst greatest and fiercest enimie is the Turke who being backed with the like aduantage of situation which the citie of Aden affoordeth him sometime pricked by his proper enuie emulation and ambition sometime egged on by the perswasions of the king of Cambaia hath often indeuored to dispoile them of the soueraigntie of the red sea and finally to driue them out of the east India The greatest nauie that euer he sent against them was to recouer Diu consisting of sixtie fower ships and by them defeated Afterwards he sent a nauie of greater ships to the conquest of Ormus and that likewise was almost wholie beaten bruised and drowned In the further Indies they hold nothing but Malaca and the Moluccas In times past Malaca was far greater then now it is for it lay scattered three miles alongst the sea coast but the Portugals that they might the better defend it haue brought it into a round forme containing not aboue a mile in compasse Heere the king hath two puissant enimies Ior and Achem the one mightie at land the other farre mightier at sea by whom the towne not without great danger hath more then once beene besieged but by the aide sent from India alwaies releeued with great slaughter of the enimie At length Paulus Lima defeated king Ior and raced the castle built by him neere Malaca wherein besides other spoiles he found 900. brasen cast peeces This territorie is subiect to great danger by reason of the puissance of this king of Achem bending all his cogitations to the rooting and finall destruction of the Portugals out of this prouince and therefore the king of Spaine of late yeeres sent Matthias Alburquerk with a great power into India with authoritie to secure the territorie of Malaca and to fight with the king of Achem. To secure their trade of spices and nutmegs in the Moluccas and Banda they built a castle in the Iland Ternate of late yeeres for want of succours deliuered vp to the Mahumetans and the Portugals reculed into the Iland of Tidore there establishing their trade and factorie The Great Turke VNder the Empire of the Turkes is
aire and discommodities of the tempestuous seas The whole trade of merchandize for the most part is in the hands of Iewes or Christians of Europe Epidaurians Venetians Frenchmen and Englishmen In so large a territorie as the Turke hath in Europe there is neuer a famous Mart-towne but Constantinople Capha and Thessalonica in Asia but Aleppo and Damasko Tripoli and Adena in Africke Cair Alexandria and Algier Although the ordinarie reuenues are no greater then aforesaid yet the extraordinarie arise to a greater reckoning and that by confiscations and presents For the Bassas and great officers as it were Harpyes sucke the verie bloud of the people and after they haue heaped vp inestimable riches for the most part they escheat to the coffers of the graÌ„d Seignior It is reported that Imbrain Bassa carried from Cair sixe millions and Mahomet Visier a farre greater masse Ochiali besides his other riches had three thousand slaues The Sultana sister to Selim the second receiued daily two thousand fiue hundred Chechini and for the ease of pilgrims trauellers iournying from Cair to Mecha she began to trench a water-course all alongst the way an enterprise surely great and maiesticall To raise his donatiues to a high reckoning it is a custome that no embassador may appeere before him emptie handed no man may looke for any office or honorable preferment if money be wanting no generall may returne from his prouince or iourney without his presents and you must thinke that so magnificent a prince will not swallow small trifles The Vaiuods of Valachia Moldauia and Transiluania hold their estates by vertue of this briberie and yet they are often changed For the estates are giuen to the best chapmen who againe to make good their daies of paiment oppresse the people and bring the commons to extreme pouertie Notwithstanding all this we haue seene the Persian warre to haue drawne drie his coffers and emptied his treasuries Not long sithence both at Constantinople and through the whole empire the value of gold was raised aboue beleefe insomuch that a Chechin of gold was double his value the allay of gold and siluer was so much abased that the Ianizars finding themselues agreeued thereat brought great feare not onely vpon the inhabitants but also to the grand Seignior in threatning that they would set fire on Constantinople In Aleppo 60. thousand ducats were taken vp of the merchants in the name of the grand Seignior Although his reuenues are not so great as the spatious firtil apprehension of so mighty an empire may seeme to obiect yet hath he an assistance of greater value then his surest reuenues and that is his Timars or stipends For the Ottaman princes seize vpon all the land which they take from their enimes and assigning a small parcell peraduenture none at all to their ancient lords diuide the residue into Timars to euerie gallant seruitor a portion but vpon condition to finde so and so many seruiceable horse for the warre Therein consisteth the chiefest preseruation of the Ottaman empire for vnlesse vpon this consideration the care of manuring the land â—ere committed to the soldiers and they againe set it ouer to others for their vse and lucre all would lie waste through the whole empire themselues affirming that wheresoeuer the grand Seignior once treadeth with his horse hoofe if it were not for this course there neuer after would grow grasse againe With these Timars he mantaineth 150. thousand horsemen excellent well armed and alwaies readie at their owne charges to march whither their leaders will command them So great a cauallery can no other prince maintaine with the yeerely expence of fowerteene millions of gold Which maketh me woonder that some writers comparing the Turkish receits with the Christians neuer speake word of so huge a member of the Turkish reuenues It is reported that in the warre of Persia the Turke conquered so much land that thereof he erected fortie thousand Timars a new exchequer at Tauris from whence he receiueth yeerely a million of gold The institution of these Timars and the choosing of the Azamogli for so they terme the yoong lads whom they meane to make Ianizars are as it were the verie arches or pillars of the Ottaman Empire And heerein they seeme to haue imitated the Romane policie For the Romane Emperors did alwaies inure their citizens to the warre and of them consisted the Pretorian Cohorts which neuer departed from the empires person Tacitus saith that the election of the yoong men which was made in this manner gaue the occasion of the Eatanian reuolt In the Romane empire Timars or stipends were giuen to the soldiers in vse as rewards of their good seruice and they were called Beneficta and the lessees beneficiarij Alexander Seuerus confirmed them to the heires of his soldiers but vpon condition that they should be alwaies readie to serue otherwise not Constantine the great made them hereditarie without exception or limitation By these infinite troups of horse the emperor worketh two exceeding politike effects through the whole empire by the first he so aweth his subiects that they can no sooner stirre but as so many falcons these Timarots are presently on their necks and this is the drift of dispersing them through the prouinces the second is that one part of them are alwaies ready at the sound of the trumpet vpon al occasions to march while the other stay at home to keepe the inhabitants in duty and obedience Besides this Cauallery he entertaineth in pay a great number of horsemen diuided into Spachi Vlufagi and Caripici these are as it were the nurserie from whence springeth the degrees of Bassas Beglerbeis and Sangiaks Then hath he his Auxiliaries the Alcanzi the Tartars the Walachians and Moldauians The other pillar of his estate is his Infantery consisting of Ianizars In them two properties are to be noted their birth-place and practise As concerning their birth-place they are not chosen out of Asia but Europe for they alwaies accounted the Asians effeminate and cowardly alwaies more readie to flie then willing to fight but the Europians hardy couragious and good men of warre The Asians they terme after their owne name Turkes the Europians Rumi that is Romans As concerning their practise they are taught when they are yoong and therefore no maruell if as they grow in age so they increase in strength actiuitie and courage for these three vertues make a perfect soldier The tithing of springals is made euery third yeere vnlesse occasion constraine a quicker election as it happened in the Persian warre wherein they were forced not onely to make more haste then ordinarie in their elections but also compelled to take vp Turkish Azamoglani that is yoong men which was neuer put in practise before When these yoong lads are brought to Constantinople they are suruiewed by the captaine of the Ianizars who registreth their names their parents country in tables From thence some are sent into Natolia and other prouinces to learne
shadowed it selfe vnder the wing protection of the said Sigismund In the daies of Henrie of Aniow Iohn prince of Moldauia euen he that with an vndaunted spirit and famous victorie held war against the Turke was shamefully forsaken of them contrary to the couenants of confederacy betweene him and Sigismund Augustus concluded Yet must we needes confesse that such as is the courage valour and reputation of the prince such is the resolution alacritie and forces of the Polands of themselues populous valiant and couragious Stephen Bathor gaue good testimonie heereof in whose time Polonia not onely maintained the honor and glory of a kingdome sufficient to defend it selfe from forraine armes but also to make conquests of great matters from most potent enimies And seeing we haue spoken of celeritie a vertue most necessarie for euerie state it shall not be amisse to speake of the causes of this celeritie which as is aforesaid are two viz. the reputation of the prince which giueth it life and store of coine which preserues it in action for we haue seene in most mightie armies the body by the slownes of the head to haue spent the time most idly and very famous victories for want of money to giue continuall motion to the armie to haue brought forth small or no effects Besides the disposition of the soldier is a great helpe hereunto for no man can truly praise the Germane and Bohemian footemen for celeritie but this commendation without doubt is proper to the Italian Spaniard and Frenchmen not onely for that they are of better constitution of body but for that which in warre is all in all they are better contented to liue with a little though they want coine they are not discouraged neither waxe sicke with fruites if flesh be wanting and happen what may they longer and better can indure hardnes and scarcitie Their riding light armed is of more execution then armed at all peeces and their argoletiers more seruiceable then lanciers for which cause the French also in their late broiles haue giuen ouer their lances wherin of old did consist the glory of their armes and betaken themselues to the pistoll But to what aduantage they haue thus done let another dispute for I say not that a light armed man is absolutely to be preferred before a man at armes in chances of warre but onely affirme that he is more actiue and more readie yea the goodnes of the horse is of great consequence For the Flanders horse farre excelleth the Frieslander and Germane the Hungarie horse the Polonian the Turkie horse the Genet the Barbarie horse is more speedie then any of the rest Betweene both is the courser of Naples who though he be not so swift as the Spanish genet yet he is better able to indure trauell and to beare the waight of armour not becomming ouerâ—low therewith To speake truth experience manifesteth the Germane horse by reason of their slow pace to worke small effect either to pursue the fleeing enimie or swiftly to flie from their executing aduersarie for if the Wallachian Hungarian Polish Turkish Moorish or Barbarie horsemen should breake the Germans they are not able to flie and if it happen the German to ouerthrow them they are as vnable speedily to pursue for they charge slowly retire heauily So in fights at sea ships of burden are of small seruice because if winde want they can neither be mooued nor turned the great Galleons are somwhat better yet performe little more but the best of all is the galley for his swiftnes And for proofe hereof we haue seene the nauy of the Christians consisting of great ships to haue spent the better part of sommer and warlike season in preparations onely and on the contrarie the Turkish fleete soone furnished and speedily put to sea of such aduantage is spare diet and needfull prouision to the Turkish affaires and so discommodious is gluttonie to the proceedings of the Christians for wine and other delicates onely are as troublesome to the Christians as the whole prouision for a campe to the Turkish armie Therefore let no man maruell if they march in all their iorneies excellently well furnished with ordinance shot gunpowder and all necessaries for at land they haue their carriages laden onely with prouision at sea their ships and not with wine pullets and such needlesse vanities At a word they go to the warre to fight and not to fill their bellies The great Duke of Moscouia THE great Duke of Moscouia is Lord of a most large territorie and within the limits of his iurisdiction are contayned many regions Northward his scepter stretcheth to the north Ocean from the Bay of Granico to the riuer of Ob on the south all alongst the riuer Volga to the Caspian sea westward it reacheth to the borders of Liuonia and almost to the riuer Boristhenes and eastward to Volga Some write that it containeth in length three thousand miles in bredth 1500. wherein are contained fifteene Dukedomes sixteene prouinces and two kingdomes They were once subiect to the Tartars whose Prince Roydo in the yeere 1140. conquered all Moscouie but Iohn the first great Duke incouraged by their ciuill dissentions denied them tribute In processe of time when Ammetes the last successor of Roydo who died at Vilua had ouercome the Tartars Precopenses the great Duke adioyned to his Empire Permia Veatia and Iugria prouinces subiect to Ammetes From this time the forces of the great Duke increasing Basilius Casan and Iohn the second conquered the prouinces of Citrahan which are called kingdomes To confesse truth the great Dukes haue mightily enlarged their bounds and haue taken the great Duchies of Seuerin and Smoloncke Bielchese Prescouia Nouogrod Iaroslaue Roscouia some from the Polands some from other prouinces they possessed part of Liuonia and made their armes feareful to their neighbours The chiefe citie of the kingdome is Mosco where the Patriarch resideth Roscouia and Nouogrode are the seats of the Archbishops Cortisa Resania Columna Susdelia Casan Vologda Tueria and Smolonck are Bishopricks Plescouia Porcouia Staritia Sloboda Ieroslaue Volodomer from whence the kings seat was translated to the citie Mosco by Iohn the second Mosayco Saint Nicholas Sugana Vstiud Cargapolia The Emperor abideth in the citie Mosco which taketh his name of the riuer Mosco rising fourescore ten miles higher into the countrey The citie hath beene greater then now it is was nine miles compasse but since that in the yeere 1570. it was sacked and burnt by the Tartars Precopie it contayneth not aboue fiue miles According to Posseâ—inus a writer of good iudgement and industrie there are housed in this citie thirtie thousand people besides oxen and other cattell Nouograde hath the name of Great and yet the same author alloweth it not aboue twentie thousand inhabitants as likewise Smolonck and Plescouia This seemeth most incredible to me if it be true as some write that Plescouia when king Stephen of Poland besieged it had within it
but is euer in progresse sometime in one place sometime in another and euer in the open fields vnder tents and pauilions It is said to containe ten miles in circuit His gouernment is tyrannicall for he intreateth his vassals rich and poore more liker slaues then subiects which to do with the greater safety he carrieth himselfe amongst them with a certaine holy and Saintlike adoration for at his bare name they bow their bodies and touch the earth with their hands They reuerence his pauilion yea though he be absent In old time they were accustomed to shew themselues vnto the people but once in three yeeres but sithence they are growen lesse maiesticall shewing themselues thrice in one yeere to wit on Christmas day on Easter day Holy Rood day yea and in these times Panufius which now raigneth is become more gracious When any matter of weight is committed in the princes name to any man be he neuer so great he is to attend his commission starke naked to the middle neither may be put on his garment without licence Being called to witnesse a matter in controuersie they hardly speake truth vniesse they sweare by the life of the king He giueth and taketh to whom and from whom he pleaseth neither dare he from whom he taketh for his life shew a discontented countenance He presenteth to holy orders and disposeth at his good pleasure of the goods of the spiritualtie as well as of the laitie In trauelling he rideth shadowed with red curtains high and deep incopassing him round about He weareth on his head a crowne the one halfe wrought of gold the other of siluer in his hand he beareth a siluer crucifix He couereth his face with a piece of watchet taffata which more or lesse he lifteth vp putteth downe according as he is minded to grace him with whom he talketh Sometime he sheweth his whole leg lifting it without the hangings then may no man approch but by degrees and after many curtesies and diuers messages passing to and fro No man hath vassals but the king to whom once a yeere they do homage and protest obedience as subiects to their liege soueraignes He deriueth his pedegree from Mileich the sonne of Salomon and Saba In the raigne of Candaces they receiued the Christian faith and about that time one Gasparis became famous in Aethiopia from whom after thirteene generations discended that Iohn who first tooke vpon him the â—â—rname of Sanctus and left it an hereditarie title to his house and successors This man hauing no issue of his body about the time of Constantine gaue the kingdome to the eldest sonne of his brother Caius and inuested the yoonger Balihasar and Melchior the one with the kingdome of Fatigar the other with the kingdome of Goiam and so diuided the blood-royall into three families the Gaspars Balthasars and Melchiâ—rs To auoide sedition and innouation he made a law that the sonnes brethren neerest kinred of the Emperor should be kept and shut vp in the castle of mount Amara and that they should neither succeed in the Empire nor enioy any honorable estate for which cause the Emperors euer since haue seldome married He manureth his owne fields with his owne slaues and cattell who by reason they are suffered to marrie and their issues remaine in the same estate of villenage as doe their fathers they daily increase to infinite multitudes Euerie man that hath any inheritance doth likewise pay tribute some horses some oxen others gold cotton wooll or such like commodities It is thought that he is Lord of infinite treasures and to haue storehouses full of cloth iewels and gold In his letters to the king of Portugall vpon condition that he would wage warre against the Infidels he offered him a million of gold and a million of men with prouision according He his reported to lay vp yeerely in the castle of Amara three millions of gold And true it is that before the daies of king Alexander he did hoord vp great store of gold in rude and vnwrought masses but no such quantitie because they knew not how to refine it His reuenues are of three sorts the first ariseth of his crowne land the second of the taxes of his people who pay euerie man by house somewhat besides the tenth of all that is digged out of their mines the third he leuieth of the great Lords and they giue him the reuenue of any one of their townes which he will choose so he choose not that wherein themselues inhabite And albeit the Prince be verie rich yet the people are idle and beggerly partly because they are intreated as slaues which vsage taketh from any people that courage and alacririe of spirit which should be in men professing armes and vndergoing dangers and partly because in respect of that base bond of seruile fidelitie wherewith they are ouerawed to his Maiestie they perceiue their hands are fast bound through feare whereof they haue no other weapon fit for seruice then a rustie headpeece a skull or curasse which the Portugals haue brought thither so that hauing neither fortresse to flie vnto nor weapons to repulse wrongs their villages and substance lie alwaies open to the pray and spoile of whosoeuer will inuade them Their offensiue weapons are certaine darts and arrowes without feathers They obserue a Lent of fiftie daies which by reason of their true or rather superstitious abstinence doth bring their bodies so weake and low that for many daies after they are not able to gather strength to mooue themselues from one place to another At which time the Moores watching the opportunitie inuade their dominions and carrie away men women and wealth Francis Aluarez writeth that he is able to bring into the field an hundred thousand men but experience hath manifested that euen in his extremities his numbers were far inferior to that reckoning He hath knights of the Order dedicated to the protection of Saint Anthonie Euerie gentleman father of three sonnes excepting the eldest is bound to giue one to the seruice of the king out of these are chosen twelue thousand horsemen for the guard of his person Their vow and oath is to defend the bounds of the Empire and to fight against the enemies of the Christian faith He is affronted with three puissant neighbours the king of Borno the great Turke and the king of Adel. The king of Borno is Lord of that countrey which from Guangula eastward stretcheth about fiue hundred miles betweene the deserts of Seth and Barca In situation it is verie vneuen sometime mountanous and sometime plaine the people indifferent ciuill the countrey reasonably well inhabited and in regard of plentie of victuall somewhat resorted vnto by merchants Vpon the mountaines dwell neat-herds and shepherds liuing for the most part vpon millet leading a beastiall life without religion and accompaning with one an others wife in common They know no other names then such as are giuen them for some note or marke