as other great Fishes The Fowl wherewith the Sorcerer did present Myggyness is the sule described above which is neither found any where in this Country except there this is sold for the price it cost Though many things happened in those dark times amongst the Children of infidelity both there and other places that seem now in this our light to be very disconsonant and incredible as yet dayly many things are perpetrated by Witches which the childten of light cannot apprehend much less imitate them therein The Inhabitants receive also sometimes a considerable profit from the Whales that are pierced at Sea which come sometimes floating hither to the Land Here are besides seen under the Land great living Whales as the Roar and Witch-Whale on which the Inhabitants dare not venture The Roar is very great and long and the Witch-Whale very dangerous for it will play with Boats sometimes it riseth from under the water under the Boat so that it standeth fast on its back as upon a Rock which often bringeth the people in great danger But God and Nature have revealed them a strange secret means to drive away such dangerous Monsters namely Castoreum which usually they carry in the head of their Boat boaring a hole in the Wood and putting Castoreum in it which they stop afterwards with a peg others have it inclosed in a piece of wood whereunto they link their Fish lines and carry it always with them in the Boat and when the Witch-Whale comes under such a Boat or that they cast that piece of wood upon it it sinketh to the bottome as a Stone This Whale must have a very good scent and cannot suffer the smell of Castoreum wherefore it retireth presently to the deep It is believed here by old experience that Castoreum hath this property that if a man hath any about him and cometh in danger upon the water he cannot save himself but sinketh to the bottome as a piece of Lead and drowneth for it hath been proved by experience that a person that could swim well perished at Sea having Castoreum about him being sunk and drowned whilest others that were in the Boat and could not swim saved their lives whereof the samous expert and learned Dr. Thomas Bartalinus writeth in his Centuries of Anatomical History Cent. 2. Hist 17. The Inhabitants say also that if they have no Castorum they carry with them Juniper wood whereof they cut Chips and cast towards the Whale whereby it also sinketh It was a great while before I would believe this till the Provincial Judge a very prudent man named Jonae Poulson that is well inform'd in the proprieties of this Country assured it me to be true I would nevertheless hardly believe it a long time till I had found the natural cause of it which is this Since Castoreum that can drive down the Whale hath the vertue to drive the dead Foetus out of its mothers Womb by which vertue the Whale is also driven and the Oyl of Juniper hath the same vertue as Castoreum to drive out the Foetus it may also be that Juniper Wood whereof the Oyl is prepared may also drive the Whale and there must be a great Antipathy between the Whale and such things which by reason of its acute scent it presently perceiveth and is weakned in its nature so that it must presently sink to the bottom by which reason it followeth also that all other Medicaments expelling the dead Foetus have also the vertue to drive down the whale as are Assa Foetida Myrrha Galbanum Oppoponax Scammony Brimstone Cinnamon and Mace or these Herbs Rue Sabina Foenum Gracum Hollow Hearb Felworth Matricary as also these Herbs which grow in Feroe Samphire Mugworth Tyme and others though part of the Species aforesaid be but the ingredients of those Medicaments Experience must further teach what is hidden in nature if it be so as is argued of this Species and if Castoreum hath the propriety and vertue to depress a man down to the bottom of the Sea so that he must drown notwithstanding he can swim it followeth also that the aforesaid Species have that propriety to the depression of a man One doth besides often hear that when people come in danger sometimes the greatest part are easily saved one or two perishing some can neither be sav'd by others nor save themselves as if it was so disposed by God that they before others should infallibly dye such a death and could not escape as might be proved by example if it were needful who knows whether any of them had not about him some of the things aforesaid which might easily and ordinarily happen with Mace and Cinnamon Much is hidden in nature that is yet undiscovered and in time will be brought to light For a conclusion as in my time during my abode in Feroe the said Sea-monster namely the Whale-dog was seen so in the year 1670 there was seen at the West of Feroe before Qualboe plaine a Mair-maid close by the Land during two hours and a half by many men not only of Qualboe but also of other places of Suderoe she stood upright above the water having long hair on her head spread on the water round about holding a Fish in her hand with the head downwards it was also told me that the same year the Fisher men of Westmans haven in Stremoe had seen a Mermaid at the North of Feroe whether these Monsters do 〈◊〉 Feroe any evil hereafter time will teach us that consisting Whales in the providence of God passing by what other Monsters have appeared in Feroe in the Figure of Boats whereof we have mentioned something already CHAP. IV. Of the Inhabitation of Feroe and the Facts of the Inhabitants THese Islands of Feroe lying in the mid'st of the storming Sea far distant from other Countryes have during a long time whilest Navigation was not so much practised as in these later times been uninhabited being only visited by the Fowles of Heaven till the time of Harold Pulchricomus first absolute King of Norway when as we are taught by the Chronicle of Snore Sturleson this land was first possessed by men and inhabited in the year of our great Monarch Jesus Christ's Nativity 868. having been uninhabited from its creation during the time of 48â—5 years and hath been tilled till the date of this book a little above 800 years The cause of its inhabitation being this It happened that Harold Haldanson Pulchricomus principal Ness or Promontory King in Norway beginning to reduce the Kingdom under him made War upon the Inhabitants upward of 10 years from the year of Christ 858 to 868 and having during that time put to death a part of those little Kings and Princes reduced a part of them under himself driven another part out of the Land and the last year some Kings and principal men having made alliance to resist him and raised a great Army King Harold destroyed their Forces after which time he found
no more resistance in Norway and then saiih the History namely the Chronicles of Norway page 49 many desert Lands were inhabited which the men of Norway had begun to frequent before Jempteland Island Grkeney Hotland and Feroe were inhabited for many rich and oppulent men fled from the Wars of Norway because of Harolds power and many other able men yeilded to Harold and planted the Land with him by which History it is also in some manner intimated that Feroe was known to the people of Norway and frequented by them but then perfectly peopled and Inhabited though there be a great uncertainty in Histories written in such obscure times for Mr. Peter Clauson in his Description of Norway pag. 154. teacheth that in the sixth year of King Harolds Reign a Pirate called Madoder sailed from Norway intending sor Feroe but was driven by the Tempest under Island which was then quite desert and was peopled since by King Harold Pulchricomus's invitation and command whence it appears that Feroe was inhabited before Iasland But the Author seems to set a general certain time for an uncertain If those Inhabitants of Feroe had been as diligent to leave their Successors some narration from the beginning as those of Island one might now have had better information and it may be also they have not neglected it since there came no lesser men to Feroe then to Island but doubtless the Pirates have destroyed them It being certain that other documents which were kept in the publick Chest of the Country were within these 100 years rob'd and carried away by such men The first that setled himself in Feroe was they say called Grimar Camban which happened before those that fled from Norway came thither and wholly peopled the Land This Grimar Camban was doubtless a Pirate or Sea Robber Piracy being in those days honourable Hetland and Orheny being then but the habitations of Sea-Robbers and it being doubtless even so of Feroe but in King Pulchricomus his time in the 10 year of his Reign many considerable men with their Wives and Children Goods and Moveables took their habitation in Feroe which was before discovered to them by Grimar Camban who having first found the Land gave it also its name and called it Feroe the History mentioning that Fero's Name was known in Norway before they fled thither and possessed it There are several opinions concerning the derivation of this word Feroe some think that the land hath that name from Sheep called in Danish Faar because of the multitude of Sheep that is bred there which is an incongruous opinion Grimar Camban having found no Sheep there at his arrival neither hath it received its name since there have been Sheep planted there for before the principal Colony of people and Cattel went over thither the Land had already its name Besides which Faar is a Danish word which is called in the old Norway Tongue Saud and in that of Feroe Soid others would deny their names from Feer or Feathers which is also contrary to reason for they little thought then of Feathers and knew nothing of their use in commerce Their Merchandise being for the most part Wool as appears by the History of Trunder of Gote in the 256 page of the Chronicle of Norway who lived in Feroe 150 years after it was first inhabited for he said to his Brothers Sons Sigurd and Toerd the Sons of Torlack there is a great difference in the age of a man when I was young I did not lye on a Bench when it was good weather as you doe now the Ships lye on ground and rot under the hills and the whole house is full of Wool but none of you will carry it to the Market if I had some years of my age back things should not go so Torloft of Diemen is now a better Husband then you Sigurd grew angry started up and made himself ready with his company of 12 men and sailed out with Tarloff and they came late at night to Norway hereby it appeareth first only they have endeavoured to make mony of their wool But secondly that they have had their Trade in Norway where Feathers were not in price they having themselves Fowl enough on the North Coast of the Land and therefore there was no thoughts of Feathers to give the Country a name from thence in the beginning and so much the less because neither they themselves now nor antiently ever used Beds filled with Feathers Some will derive it from Far it being a Land that lyeth far from Norway and therefore should be called Feroe which is also doubtful Island and Greenland lying yet at a further distance and therefore ought with more reason to bear that name I must add my opinion concerning the Etymology of that name and methinks the land may have taken its name from the Word to Fare which is the same in the ancient Language of Feroe as Ferrie in English the same being also us'd in our old Danish for places in Denmark where one crosseth from one shoar to the other in Boats or Ferries are called Ferry places from ancient time to this present and Feroe consisting of many Islands where one not only must cross with Boats and Ferries called in that Tongue Faevinger from one Land to another but one can also with such Boats go along between the Islands it seems probable that this qualification of the land may have given Grimar Camban occasion at his arrival to call these Islands Feroier as they are called to this day in the language of Feroe I leave herein nevertheless every one to his own opinion but the Islands being many they ought to be called the Feroes as they are Feroier by the Inhabitants and in Latine Feroae as the Oreades Canaries and other Provinces that consist of many Islands Many principal men of Norway as abovesaid having transplanted themselves and their whole Families into Feroe they divided the Islands amongst themselves every Chieftain appropriating to himself his Island or more according to opportunity where they afterwards subdivided the Land to be possest and till'd by their Servants in the manner and places as it is found to this day most of the Chiefs having made the Country their properties and inheritance not only those places where they liv'd themselves but also the other so that the least part remained to their Servants whence it comes that Trundoff Jote in the 270 page of the Chronicle of Norway calls the Inhabitants of the East and North Islands his Tenants when he gave Tribute for himself and them to Charles the Myrske or Tender sent thither by King Oluff the Holy whence many old Folks can yet relate that a part of their predecessors were very rich in Lands so that they have possest above the half part of Suderoe this that great Village and the other many Enclosures but now there is nothing of such glorious riches to be seen for some of them having been a cruel people did forfeit
their possessions to the King by committing Murthers and other misdeeds as one might prove by example almost within the remembrance of man some in the Popish times forfeited their estates to the Bishops for eating of flesh as many can yet relate for the Bishops forbad their hearers to eat flesh in Lent and they being us d thereunto and desiâ—ous to eat it as a meat that was plentiful in the Country could not observe such interdictions wherefore those that were discovered were forced to give their Estates as a Mulet except they would fall under Excommunication some also gave away their possessions willingly in that time of superstition for the saving of their souls to Bishops Sees and Churches and those Bishops being removed at the time of the Reformation all such goods came under the Crown so that now the King is Proprietor of most part of the Country What Lands the owners did keep have since been divided by their heirs in so many small parcels that they cannot live thereof so that it seems those that were in the beginning the richest and most powerful are now grown the poorest and most indigent of the Country for the Inhabitants born to Land as they call them or freeholders are the poorest people those that possess the Kings Lands being the principallest and richest men Here are nevertheless found some noble mens Lands as the Benckestockers the Resencranthel and the Lady Adeluzies whether they are come to them by inheritance of these Chiefetaines or they have purchased them is uncertain Here are also certain Lands called Rytter's Lands that were purchased here in the Country by one Mathias Rytter It seems nevertheless that some of the Nobles Lands are possessions bought of others there being some that reckon themselves born heirs thereunto The said chiefs of the Land enjoy'd the Government of Feroe till they were reduced by the Kings of Norway There is nothing found in History of their orderly succession the first that is read of being Trund of Gote who was an old Chiefetaine during the Reign of some Kings ruling over the North and Eastern Islands Those that were Rulers with him were Breste and Beine two Brothers and Kinsmen of Trund that governed other Islands It is possible they may have been the first Chiefs that have both taken the Land in possession and governed it or else their next successors since they liv'd in Harald Greybeards time for they liv'd then long in the Land as some do yet But the aforesaid Trund being an infamous bad and deceitful man caused his Cousins and Fellow Rulers Breaste and Berne to be treacherously kill'd that he alone might have the Supreme Government In the mean time he took to himself their Sons Sigismund Breaste's Son and Torgild Berne's Son under preteuce of breeding them up but sold them afterwards privately as two Slaves out of the Country of whose remarkable History we will hereafter make further mention and so he governed the Country alone till the time of King Oluff Tryggeson That Sigismund Breastes Son came again to Feroe to revenge his Fathers death and killed Trund of Gote remaining so only Chiefetain over Feroe a long time till he was murthered by Turgrine Ilde and his Sons in Suderoe after which the Son of Trund of Gote ruied over the Land being also called Trund like unto his Father in name and deeâ—s though he ruled but over the North and East Islands Leiff Asseâ—son being Chieftain over all the Southern lived in King Oluff Haraldson the Holy's time they also having then a Pâ—â—vincial Judge called Gilke see the Chronicle of Norway p. 269. It is not known who succeeded them afterwards though the Country hath a long time after had its own Governours Though the Inhabitants have not been very powerful to resist the mighty absolute King of Norway they kept nevertheless their liberties under these their chiefetains by reason of the great division and civil war between the Sons of Harald Pulchrycomus and their Successors specially between the Sons of Erick Softear and Hagan Jarle the good that reduc'd the whole Kingdom of Norway to his obedience till King Oluff Harald Son the Holy's time who took care not only to amplifie the Kingdom of Christ but also his own wherefore he undertook to reduce the Feroes under his obedience but he durst not venture to do it by force fearing it may be the courage of the Inhabitors as also the dangerous access of the places wherefore he endeavoured to do it by good deeds and made many friends in Feroe whereby they gave themselves under his power But putting afterwards burthens upon them whereunto they were not accustomed they fell off from him presently again wherefore the King sent a message to Feroe that the best men of the Land should come to him in Norway Gille the Provincial Judge Lieffe Asserson Torrulff of great Diemen and many other Countrymens Sons made themselves ready to go into Norway but that cunning Fox Trund of Gote pretended sickness and went not with them When all these came to the King they were obliged to take their oath they would remain his subjects and promised they would send him a Tribute and that the Folks of the Land should be his Subjects And the King made them gifts and presents and dismissed them bountifully which the courteous Reader can find more largely exprest in the Chronicle of Norway pag. 246 247 248 c. But what loyalty the Inhabitants intended to have for King Oluff appeared in time presently afterwards see the Chronicle of Norway pag. 249. for when the King sent a Ship to Feroe to fetch his Tribute the Ship was lost so that he could never come certainly to know what was become of the Ship or men But having the next year had some relation that they were lost at Sea he sent again another Ship with men but it happened to them in the like manner and there were many opinions what might be become of the Kings Ships for in the Chronicle of Norway pag. 268. King Oluff keeping often his Court with his Chiefs in Sundmor gave out that he would send to fetch from Feroe the Tribute which they had promised him complaining for the men he had lost on that Voyage and named out some men that should Sail thither but they said all nay and refused to undertake the voyage Then rose up a great man well armed having a red Coat on a Helmet on his Head his Loins girt with a Sword and a great Halbert in his hand saying you have a good King but your selves are cowardly men that you dare refuse the voyage which he commands you having received so much honour and benefit of him I have not hitherto been the Kings Servant neither hath he been a gracious Lord unto me but I will now proffer my self to go to Feroe if there be no other remedy The King asked who he was and what was his name that answered him so undauntedly for he knew him not The
at last losing our lives for such thy foolish humanity He was nevertheless perswaded and received friendly the two Children entertaining them some years and loving them dearly he taught them to Shoot to Fence and Swim and all other exercises specially those that are serviceable in war and Sigismund surpassed always his Cozen in all things When they were at last grown to mens stature he forbad them going any time in the Forrest that lay North of the house and they wondered wherefore he did so once as Torkild was gone on Shooting Sigismund took an Ax in his hand and went with his Cozen into the Forrest at North where they presently perceived a terrible great Bear that came right against them Torgild ran away but Sigismund retired behind a Tree and when the Bear came up to him he struck at him with his Ax and cleft his head Afterwards they took the Bear and raised him with props against the Tree and so returned home presently came their Foster-father towards them coming with his Bow and Arrows to seek them out for he was afraid the Bears would have hurt them He was very glad when he found them and they incited him to go with them against the Bear though they told him not that it was dead Torkild shot an arrow into the Bear which not falling he wondered very much at it and being ready to shoot again Sigismund began to laugh and said it was no wonder he was so afraid of Bears when they lived since he feared this now being dead Torkild rejoyced and perceived well what man Sigismund would be therefore he sent him to Hagen Lade Jave the Rich or Good who was Earl of the District of Trund heim ruling then over all Norway and he 〈◊〉 iâ— great favour with Count Hagen 〈◊〉 peace for Torkild from Hagan and all the Kinsmen of Ingeboâ—ig Afterwards Sigismund Married the Daughter of Torkild called Thone He was with Count Hagan and Erick in the Battle of Jornsviking which the Champions and Chieftains of Julin and other Danish Lords gave them and it is writien that Sigismund Bresteson out off with a back blow both hands â—n the joynts oâ— Boedigree who presently put the stumps in two Chests of his and cast himself therewith over-board Sigismund was afterwards converted to the Christian Religion by King Oluff Tryggeson and by his command went to Feroe and caused all the Folks of Hâ—tland and Feroe to be Baptized as also those that were not yet Christned in Orekney Sigismund was a great while on that voyage and revenged the death of his Father by killing Trund of Gote here is sung in Feroe an old Song of the actions of Sigismund wherein it is said that Sigismund found much difficulty and was in great danger ere he could take Land in Feroe For Trund of Gote by Sorcery and Witchcraft had raised great Storms against him King Oluff Tryggeson gave Sigismund all Feroe to rule over but after his death it came again under the Son of Trund of Gote that was also called Trund whereof is made mention before in the History of St. Oluff Sigismund Bresteson sailed back to King Oluff to Trund heim after he had caused all these people to be Baptized and practiced all exercises with the â—ing for Oluff Tryggeson was very expert in Swimming and Shooting either with a Bow or Hand-dart he could run about on the brinks of a Ship he Fenced equally well with both hands and could play with three hand-shears at once they were short Weapons to dart with so that there were always two in the air he could cast two darts at once and could climb upon a hill before any other none being able to follow the King so near as Sigismund Bresteson See the Chronicle of Norway pag. 166. and 167. It happened as Sigismund would return again to Feroe and spoke with the King that he had a thick Gold Ring on his Finger which Count Hagen had given him the King would try how much Sigismund loved the Earle and therefore desired the Ring of him but Sigismund said that he would not give it him for Count Hagans sake The King grew angry at it and prophesied him that this Ring would be the cause of his death Sigismund was afterwards murthered in Feroe in Sandvijgge in the Island of Suderoe by Torgrim Ilde and his Sons for that Rings sake Sigismund being then weary and weakned by Swimming for he had then swum about a League over an arm of the Sea Thus far Mr. Peter Clauson and Snore Sturleson This Sigismund must have been a very strong man for those of Feroe say that he swam over from Skuoe to Suderoe as far as Porckeroe which is above two Leagues off the Sea where there are several streams and currents Sandviig is not in Suderoe but according to old Tradition he swimm'd to Porcheroe where Torgrim which those of Feroe call Thore dog lived and when he came thither he lay on the Sea Weeds for weakness when Thore and his Sons came to him and seeing the Golden Ring he bad give it him and that then he would help him but as Sigismund would not do it Thore out of couetousness for the Gold killed him and because he had no Weapon he bit out his Throat wherefore he was ever since ealled Thorre-dog The other Champion of Feroe was Magnus Heinsen of whom Jens Lawritson writes that he was born in Norway It seems that as the Subjects of Haldâ—n the Black disputed to know where his dead body should be buried and not being able to agree about it divided his Corps into four parts each taking his and burying them in four places of Norway so those of Norway and Feroe dispute after the death of Magnus Heinson whose Country man he was All those of Feroe unanimously maintain that he was born in that Country his Father having lived there and his Brothers and Sisters having liv'd and being dead there also his Cozens and Kinsmen living there to this day his half brother Jonas Heinson dwelling in Lammehaufve was Provincial Judge of Feroe Magnus had also a natural Son living here in the Country dead not long since whose name was Erasmus Magnusson his Fathers Name was Mr. Hoine Hauffregster Curate of Osteroe of whom it is truly related that Heine with six other Students were in a Boat about their pleasure in Norway when a contrary wind drove them from the Land carrying them far at Sea out of sight thereof and at last drove them under Feroe the six Students returned straight to Norway by the first Ship Heire alone remaining who was first the Bishop of Feroes Servitor and afterwards Parish Priest of Osteroe he married a Woman of Feroe which being dead he went into Norway and Married a Norway Woman named Gery with whom he lived a good while here in Feroe begetting of her Magnus Heineson It is said besides that the said Mr. Heine returned into Norway where he got another living by reason
over thee as thou hast over me I would make thee suffer the cruellest Death that I could invent Whereupon his Victor seeing his Heroical courage gave him his liberty without being desired and Magnus kept this courage till the hour of his death for when as will be said hereafter he was forced though for an innocent cause to stretch his neck to the Executioner in the place before the Kings Palace and the Executioner ask'd him whether he would have a handkerchiefe tyed before his eyes as is usual he answered no saying moreover to the Executioner I have seen so many drawn Swords without fear have thou but a care thou beest not afraid Thus by his Fortune and valour he came greatly in the favour of the aforesaid King Frederick the II. of Glorious memory who not only made constant use of him in several such expeditions but also because of his great experience in the North Sea sent him to discover Greenland in the year 1577. and it is thought he was the first subject of Denmark that undertook to find out Greenland He set his course according to old Navigation directly for Island and from thence again till he perceived the Mountain White Serk where he met with a great deal of Fog and bad weather with much driving ice nevertheless he got sight of the Land but could not come thereunto neither seemed it he could come from the place where he was though he had a good wind by reason of the Loadstone which he believed to be at the bottome of the Sea and hindred his voyage wherefore the days growing short he was obliged without performing what he went for to return for Denmark By reason of Magnus Heineson's expeditions his name grew famous in the neighbouring Countreys and Kingdoms many loved him many feared him and many also hated him He found likewise envious men in Denmark It happening often that vertue is not without envy and persecution yet they could not hurt him as long as the good King Frederick lived but after his decease this brave Sea Captain was forced to yield his neck to the Sword which many enemies could not obtain by their force for it happened in the year 1588 during the Minority of King Christian the IV. of Glorious Memory that the said Magnus Heineson being treacherously accused of a dark and wrongful crime was arrested in the Palace of Copedhagen and being condemned to lose his Life was beheaded on the place before the said palace and from thence transported to be buried in St. Nicholas's Chur chyard But God as a just Judge made his Innocence appear appointing for that purpose the Right Honourable John Lindenow Lord of Olsloffe Provincial Judge of North Jutland who concern'd himself in Magnus Heinesons innocent cause and execution and by a lawful suit and sentence vindicated him at the General Sessions held at Kolding in the year 1590. the 6. of August out of S. Nicholas Churh-yard whence he was with pomp transported from Copenhagen into Jutland and Buried in Olsloffe Church near Viburg his Valour having been very renowned in this Kingdom where he had Married a Lady of Noble Parentage and for the false accusation for which he lost his life there was given 3000 Rix Dollars by friendly reconciliation and agreement The Right Honourable Lord Lindenow writ over this Valiant Sea Champion the following Epitaph Epitaphicum Pietate prudentia naturae excelâ—oris instinctu ac longo rerum maximar uâ— usu proestantiffimi viri Magni Heinsonii qui muâ—tis laboribus examlatis rebus domi forisque praeclare gestis Hafniae perplexa questione accusatus est non sine omnium bonorum luctu tandem decollatus Magnanimum Magno â—iâ—xit me nomine magna Majestas magnum nomen omen habet Vixi etiam magnus majorem magna ruina Erexit tandem maximus â—uge vocor Magna gerens quondam studuit me reddere parvum Sed frustra Magni nomen ut ante viget Vivit post funera virtus Johannes Lindenovius Senior posnit Anno 1590. Thus Englished The Epitaph Of Godly Prudent Generous and Expert man Magnus Heineson who after many exploits Valiantly performed at home and abroad being accused of a doubtful crime was beheaded at Copenhagen not without the griefe of all good men Gods greatest Majesty gave me of Great the name As a great sign I should in time come to great fame Thus I have lived great grew greater by my fall And now at last you see I am greatest of all One that could do great things did strive to make me less But in vain for my name hath now obtain'd redress Virtue liveth after death Written by John Lindenow the Elder in the Year 1590. So that these two valiant men of Feroe have not been much unlike one another not only in virtue courage and valour but also in the manner of their death having both received evil for their good deeds Besides these two there have been none of Feroe that by valiant actions have left any famous name to posterity having from the beginning applyed themselves to a quiet course of life contented with their poverty by which long tranquallity they have lost their old Heathenish ferocity and vigour though they have continually been troubled by French Irish and English Pyrates but their means consisting in Lands Cattle and Wild Sheep whereupon the enemy could do little damage they ever saved themselves on the high Rocks Those of Suderoe nevertheless held once a fight with the Irish Sea-robbers who would not forsake the Land so soon as they desired whereupon they gathered themselves against them and slew them every one Such sort of people have exercised great violence against the poor Inhabitants of this Country there passing formerly scarce any year but they were troubled by them For the last Bishop Mr. Peter Ribe was several times plundered by the French so that he was at last forced to remove from hence They tortured so Mr. Erasmus Curate of Suderoe with a Rope about his head for his monâ—s sake that he 〈◊〉 afterwards almost unfit for his calling They used also very ill Mr. Martin of Thors haven they took away the Lands â—â—â—st with the Writings carrying also with them what Merchants wares and goods of the King they found here taking such Ships as were sailing hither and committing many other â—ppressions The English Fishers had an ordinary custome going every year to fish under Island to take of the Inhabitants of Feroe whom they found first without distinction of persons not excepting the very Priests whom they carryed with them on their Voyage as if they had been slaves to help them to Fish and when they return'd and were under the Land they set them on Shoar where they could best be off with them Feroe hath in this manner during a long time been as a prey to such ravenous Wolfes Neither hath the Turk forgotten it for in the year 1629. there came two Turkish Ships into Suderoe that dealt very cruelly
it round about but Ships are in no danger of it Towards the South East Bordoe stretcheth it self out into three branches or points so that they seem at Sea as several Islands and constitute too long Inletts whereof that which is most Eastward is called Arnefiord the other Baardevijgs from Baardevijg's Inlet there runs a little valley half a mile long to the North west side where there is a safe harbour called Klack From hence the Land stretcheth it self again to the North along Videroe a matter of six miles or less all these branches and arms are for the most part streightning on both sides into long and sharp points on the North West Bordoe embraceth again with two arms or branches another little Island called Kunoe Kunoe is a long and narrow Island about six miles in length and a good mile in breadth growing sharp on both sides consisting in a long sharp hill separated from Bordoe by a narrow straight in some places half a mile broad and in some others less stretching it self most to the South and North from Mule on Bordoe till the Harbour of Klack which it shuts up with its southerly end and renders it safe against all Currents of the Sea Kalsoe lyeth Westward oâ— Kunoe separated from it by an inlet called Calseefiord which is two miles broad and this Inlet is open from South to North so that all Ships may safely run through it especially when the Stream is with them Kalsoe is a little longer then Kunoe and a little broader stretching it self to the South and North without Haven or Creek on the West side it is a very steep promontory on the East side the hill is edged and runs sloping to the Sea side all coloured withgreen Osteroe lyeth West of Kalsoe and Bordoe stretching it self most Northward towards East it is almost twenty miles long but inequally broad for some places are two miles broad others four or six miles broad according as the points stretch themselves far out the Land consisting in many long branches or arms on the East side towards Kalsoe Bordoe and the main Sea it hath six long branches or arms that constitute five Inlets or Creeks namely Funding fiord Andâ—fiord an indifferent Harbour Englefiord a good Harbour Joteviig and Lammehauf viig afterward the Land stretcheth it self to the South East in a long point called Ostness from which neck three miles Northward begins again another inlet far in the Land two miles long called Skaalefiord at the beginning of the Inlet there is a good harbour called Kings haven because formerly when his Majesties Ships did Cruise here under the Land after Pirats they took Harbour there on the West side from South to North the Land is almost even without any Inlet or Creek and the inlet between Câ—lsoe and Osteroe is in some places but a mile and half broad and safe for Ships to sail through the North end of Osteroe is very notable for Senmen for it stretcheth out it self with a little round point to the North west with a round hill upon it Nolsoe lyeth two miles Southward of Osteroe or Ostres extending it self most N. W. to N. and S. E to S. it is 4 miles long and a mile and half broad where broadest having on its west side Stromoe at the distance of two miles and half There is almost on the midst of the Island a high Hill sloaping by little and little to the South side where the Island is even on the top and not very high North of the Hill there is a little plain and West of it towards Stromoe a little Harbour called Nolsoeviig an indifferent good Summer Harbour Stromoe is the largest Island in Feroe and 24 miles long and where it is broadest eight miles in breadth it lyeth West of Osteroe and Nelsoe stretching it self North west to North and South West to South being full of many high Hills amongst which Skelingsfels over goeth all the rest in height standing like a high house above the others it is very notable for Seamen that are bound for Thorshaven for when they get sight of it and sail there unto they fall before the Northern entrance of Thorshaven That Island hath also several Creeks and Harbours on the East side from the South end is first of all Thors-haven where the general Commerce is established it is a little but a good harbour whereunto there are two entrances over against North Nolsoe between Stang and Ostness and over against South Nolsoe between Baarn and Skadlehoffoed afterwards there is Kalbacksfford then Kollefiord next thereunto Thorsviig and Qualviig one cannot come further with Ships for on the North of Qualviig Stromoe and Osteroe are as it were bound together by a ground that is between the Islands over which runs a very rapid stream and there is no Current on either side of the ground From this stream it is that Stromoe is so called at North of Stromoe is Haldersviig an indifferent Harbour into which one enters on the North side on the north side there is a very fair Harbour called Westmans Haven which is sheltered by Waagoe lying over against it Waagoe lyeth West of Stromoe being divided from it by a straight called Westmans haven seund a mile and a half broad thorough which there is a safe passage The Land of Waagoe is almost of a Triangular or Quadrangular Figure being eight miles in Diameter it is cut in by two long Creeks first by one on the South East side called Midvaage a good Summer Harbour then at West there is another Creek called Sorvaage The Land it self is all full of Hills hard by the South point of Sorvaage there lyes two little Islands with high clifts on them called Tineholm and Gaaseholm Myggeness lyeth out at the West of Sorvaage two miles from the Land it is three miles long and one and a half broad having a high territory with high promontories round about it there being but one place to come on Land it stretcheth it self most to the North East and South West Towards the South West end of it lyeth Myggeness Isle having a high clift round about it is flat above though sloaping like the roof of a house on the North East side it is separated by a little Riff three or four furlongs broad Kolter lyeth three miles to the South-East of Waagoe and above two miles to the West of Stromoe it is a little Island a mile long and about half a mile broad stretching it self most to the South and North having a high Mountain at the North end but at the South end it is low and narrow having a high Promontory on the West side Eighteen years since in the middest of Summer there was found on the highest top of the Mountain of Kolter the quantity of many tomies of Herrings spread along The Mountain where the Herrings were found is above two hundred fathoms high The vulgar sort will perhaps ask how these Herrings could come there whereunto is answered that
the Sea vapours having further inquired after this business and found that the Sheep grew first spotted about their legs afterwards on their thighs then under their Bellyes and finally all over Wherefore the cause is in the earth whether it be Brimstone or Salt Peter which both are found there that causeth it I leave to the judgement of others The riches of the Inhabitants doth consist in their Sheep for those that have many of them though few grow rich thereby those means being very casual for when there cometh a hard Winter and Sheep dye they are almost all equally rich Besides Sheep God hath plentifully blessed the Land with several sorts of Fowle whereof the greatest part serveth for the food of man and are taken every year in great numbers a part of them being Land Fowles and the other part Sea fowles whereof some fly away towards Winter and some stay here the whole year over those that fly away are a kind of Land Fowl being a manner of Snâ—pe called Lofver and Spofver and some water Fowle Those that stay here continually are some profitable as Doves Stares Grellings and Snow Fowle which is seen but one time of the year namely towards the Spring VVhen there cometh sharp Frost and Snow and never else though they tarry continually in the Land and keep themselves on top of the highest Mountains the Damageable ones are Owles Sparrow-Hawkes Crows and Ravens which last doth a great deal of damage on young Lambs and weak Sheep wherefore they are much hated and there hath been an ordinance in the Land which is yet sometimes observed that every man that roweth in a Boat must bring at St. Olaus Tide every year into the Session-house the Beak of a Raven which Beaks are laid on a heap and burn'd and he that hath brought none must pay a Raven-fine that is for every one that hath neglected it one skin which makes two pence half penny Amongst those Ravens there are found some white though few but those that are half white and half black are fit when they are taken young and have the Tongue string cut to be taught to speak I have made a notable experiment upon a young white Raven whole Tongue string was cut and yet I had no thought of teaching him but calling usually in the morning upon my Boy whose Name was Erasmus and the Raven cominually in the morning hearkning to that word Erasmus begun at last to call out Erasmus before the chamber where the Boy lay forming its voice exactly after mine the Boy hearing it answered anon Master and therewith arose and came into the Chamber to know what I would have but I telling him that I had not called him he went to bed again but was again called in the same manner and was so deceived by the Raven several Mornings till we perceived it was the Ravens voice and nevertheless the Boy was often since deceived thereby not being in a long time able to discern whether it was I that called or the Raven When I perceived that the said Raven could speak I begun purposely to teach it and as long as I would inform it would not go from before me though it were the space of two hours and what I taught it in the day time it repeated early in the morning putting the Syllables together till it could at last speak out the whole word as children do when they learn to spell in the Schools This Raven was at last killed without my knowledge for the mischief it did Besides here cometh a Fowl with half a cloven foot that liveth both on Land and Water called a Teale and in Norway a Sea pye it is a Fowle as big as a Crow having a yellow long round and obâ—use bill it is the Ravens enemy for being swift in its flight it flyeth hastily to the Raven striking it with its stump Beak so that the Raven cryeth out wherefore the Raven often hideth it self from it whence it comes that the Country-men make much of the Teile and will not suffer it to be destroyed because it driveth Ravens away amongst Water Fowles some are here continually seen as many sorts of Ducks and Plovers Eiders Maws and Teisters A Teister is a good Bird to eat it changeth its colour in Winter and becometh Grey the Eider cock is brown as the Hen when she is young but when he is old he groweth almost white and is called Eider-blick from this Fowle is gotten Eider down which the Eider plucks off from its Breast and layeth in its nest about the Eggs when it hatcheth them and when they are come out and are fled away with their dame this Downe is taken up from the Nest being then full of Moss and Straw wherefore it is dryed and cleansed over a Basket the Down which is pluckt off at other times from the Eider is good for nothing for it is fat and rotteth Here is besides seen a strange water Fowl called Imbrim that is never found on the Land the Inhabitants take it to be the Halcyon or the Kings Fisher but it doth not agree with the description which Francius hath in his Historia Animalium sacra Chap 17. for he writeth that the Kings Fisher is no bigger then a Sparrow and is blew with other of its qualities that do not at all agree with the properties of this Fowl for this is bigger then a Goose having a long Neck and a pretty long Beak it is grey on the back checquer'd with white spots its neck is also grey something whitish down towards the breast having a white ring about the middle of the neck The cause wherefore it is thought to be the Kings Fisher is they have heard and read that the Kings Fisher hatcheth its young ones on the Sea which they believe the Imbrim doth also since it is never found on Land and can neither come upon it for its feet stand too much back and are so weak that it cannot go with them besides its wings are so little that it cannot fly therewith In the third place there are two holes one under each of its wings capable to hold an Egg wherein they suppose it hatcheth its eggs till the young ones come out neither is it ever seen with more or less then two young ones which conceit seems not unreasonable it being possible that it might be of a larger proportion in cold Countreys then in hot it is often seen near the Land in Harbours when it is either bad weather or like to be so and then it cryes out so that one presently perceiveth its arrival if a man waveth a white linnen to them the young ones will easily be allured to Land that one may shoot them but the old ones are more wary Here cometh also a water Fowle in Summer called Liomen not unlike the Imbrim in bigness and voice its legs hang also back so that it cannot go and its wings are so little that it can hardly fly wherefore when
it is on the Land and men run after it lit tumbleth over and over being hardly able to escape though it flyeth pretty well when it taketh its flight from the water specially when there bloweth any wind It maketh its nest on banks near fresh waters so close to the water that it can drink thereof sitting in the Nest and if the water encreaseth by reason of rain so that it floweth over the eggs it sitteth on them nevertheless and hatcheth out the young ones Besides these here cometh also a rare water Fowle called Garfugel but it is seldom found on Clifts under the promontories it hath little wings and cannot fly it stands upright and goeth like a man being all over of a shining black colour except under the belly where it is white it hath a pretty long raised Beak though thin toward the sides having on both sides of its head over the eyes a white round spot as big as a half Crown showing like a pair of Spectacles it is not unlike the Bird Pinquin that is found in Terra del Fugo painted and described in Atlas minor mercatoris I have had that Bird several times it is easie to be made tame but cannot live long on Land Here cometh also some damageable Fowl in the Summer namely the Swarth bag the True and the Skue The Swarth bag is a great Bird like a Kite it is white all over but the back where it is black and therefore is called a Black back it is of the figure of a Mew and is also reckoned amongst that sort of Fowl it hunteth after lesser Birds to eat them and hath nothing olse worthy of writing The True or Thief is called so because it threatneth and stealeth the meat from other Birds for it hunteth after and strikes at them till they let the meat fall from their Beaks and then he catcheth the meat in falling through the air very dexterously and liveth thereby not being able to plunge in the Water after Fish and when it hath gotten something from the one he seeketh presently another continuing so the whole day over The Skue is of the same Species with the True but something larger as big as a Raven being very fierce in the defence of its Eggs and young ones so that if a man comes by its nest he must take a care of himself for it flyeth streight ways at his head and strikes him cruelly with his wings wherefore the Inhabitants that know the temerity of it fasten a knife upright on their head against it and it happeneth often that in falling with vehemence on the man it is run through with the knife and falleth down dead being called Skue because it shooteth it self so hastily on men The profitable Water Fowls that come hither in Summer are Wild-Geese which are of three sorts ordinary grey Geese reddish Geese and Helsin Geese that are less then ordinary Grey Geese coming hither in great numbers and keeping themselves in great Lakes of fresh Water When they Mew the Inhabitants go sometimes on Goose Hunting with little Boats on the said Lakes taking sometimes a great store of them Swans come also hither in the Spring but they only rest themselves and proceed streight on their way to other Countreys But specially there cometh hither in the Spring in great numbers to the Inhabitants great profit and advantage some other sorts of Birds good to be eaten amongst which the first is principally worth taking notice of it is called Sule and is found no where in Feroe but on the Islet or Myggoness whereof the Inhabitants have yearly a great help to their house keeping they rehearse a strange Fable of the reason wherefore that Fowl is only found there and no where else whereof we will speak in another place The Sule is a pretty great Fowl being of a blewish gray it is also found in Scotland and is called by Seamen a Gentleman The other eatable Sea Fowls are found in great quantities every where in the Land namely the Skrabe Lunde Lomvifve and the Sea-Daw The Skrabe cometh in February about St. Matthews day and fareth away about St. Bartholomew Tide The Lomvifve and Sea-daw come about St. Gregories Tide and fly away at Mary Magdelens These Daws are none of those that are so frequent in Denmark those being Land Birds that are seen here also though very seldome The aforesaid sorts of Birds lay every one but one Egg and get but one young every year and though they be those that chiefly are sought for and there be well taken of them a hundred thousand every year there is nevertheless more of them then of any other sort yea by the admirable providence of God they are so plentiful that they in clear weather can darken the shining of the Sun as it were with a thick Cloud making such a terrible noise and sound with their wings in flying that they who hear it and do not know the cause thereof would not think otherwise but that it were thunder Every one of these Birds builds its nest and brings forth its young ones in a particular manner The Skrabe builds on the Land under the Earth scraping with its Beak and Claws lying on the back whence it is called Skrabe it diggeth under ground in some places a foot deep in some other eight or ten foot in several turnings seeking specially to dig it self behind a stone where it thinketh to lye surest It breedeth as aforesaid but one young it being remarkable that this Bird is the whole day away from its young and never comes to it but in the night to feed it and if it flies not from its young at the dawning of the day it stayeth with it the whole day over till the night comes and then flyeth out to Sea till the other night cometh and though the young is fed but once a day yet it is so fat that no Goose though it have been three weeks fatned can be fatter and they call those young ones lyers they do not by reason of their fatness make present use of these young ones but salt them to eat them in Winter melting their fat which they burn in Lamps They have to take them out several hooks half an Ell or an Ell long wherewith they pierce them through and draw them out They do not usually take the Dame her self except she be sometimes hurt with the hook so that she cannot live but if they cannot get the young one with their hook or by thrusting their arm into the Birds Nest by reason of the many turnings they dig a hole down unto it as near as they can guess and then thrust about with their hooks till they can get it which hole they must again stop so close that not one drop of water can come into it for else she will forsake her hole and never come thither more which otherwise she doth every year in the wonted place so that the Inhabitants know in what place under
that hath also a felling Club to strike with when the Seals lying on dry ground begin to see the Light and men they will flee to Sea wherefore the old ones rise themselves on their paws with their Jaws open directly against the man specially if it be a He for then he will not flee from the man but the man must avoid him and when he strikes at him he meeteth the blow with his jaws snatching the Club from the mans hands and casting it on that side where there is no body Then comes the other man with his Club and strikes him over the neck but if it be a Shee she is not so fierce and fleeth from the man if she can When they hit them right over the head they fall down in a sound and then the men are presently ready so cut their throats When they have done so with all the old they come to the young ones that lye all still far from the water and never take notice of men nor light till they come and kill them when the slaughter is finish'd they hale the dead Kobs to the Water side and tye them fast to the Rope wherewith those in the Boat without pull them to them Last of all the men get out with the Boat that is within but if the waves be great the said Boat and men are also haled out In this manner they get sometimes many Seals often half a hundred in one Cave the old Kobs are as big as an Ox or Cow and so fat that one can get three Loads of Fat from them they use their skins for Shooes and eat the flesh of them they melt the Fat into Train Oyle and salt a part thereof to eat There are found several sorts of Whales under this Land amongst which there cometh one sort called Grind-Whale Grind according to the explication of Mr. Peter Clauson signifieth all sort of grates or Trellices either of Iron or Wood and because this sort of Whale swimmeth side to side by one another when they go on coupling such a Flock of Whales is called a Whales Grind. These Grind-Whales are not great the biggest being but five ells long and the young ones an ell and a half they come in great Flocks under the Land when it is dark or foggy weather so that they cannot see it which is therefore called Grind-weather When the Inhabitants are out about their Fishing and see a Flock of Whales those that see them first call and make signs to the other Boats that are about them who leaving their fishing come presently together and go to the Whales to drive them in towards the Land but when the Whales will turn back towards the Sea they cry out and make the most noise they can in the Boat throwing stones and what else they can find at them till the Whales turn again and then when God giveth his blessing they can drive them where they please as if it were a Flock of Sheep or Cattle When they come to Land they send a man or two to give notice every where and this messenger must go speedily day and night and is called Grind-message Those then that get notice of it presently kindle a brand on a certain place that they on the next Island where the message is not come may get timely notice of it who can know by the place whence the Fire or Smoak ariseth what it signifieth whereupon there cometh speedily a great number of Folks together some by Land and some by Water having their Whale Spears with them When they have then brought as many Boats together as they think needful they drive the Whales into an Inlet or Creek where they know there are good Whale-banks and flat sandy grounds whereon they drive the Whales with great crying noise and casting of Stones driving them as fast as they can upon the Sands then if it be necessary the Boats divide themselves into two companies the one lying below in the form of a half Moon to meet the Whale if it wou d flee away during the slaughter the other advancing into the midst of the Whale Flock thrusting their Whale Spears into their bodies in the mean time some of the people lye in an ambush on the Land till the Whales are come on ground and wade to them as deep as they can and then kill them chiefly with their Weapons with such fury on both sides that the water becometh as red as blood whereby the Whale is also blinded so that it cannot see to run away it is a strange thing to see that these strong creatures make no resistance but only plunge as well as they can before the boats and people till death cometh upon them and then they strike terribly about with their Tayles so that they beat sometimes the boats to pieces and the men come in danger if they do not know how to have a care of them Some of them get again loose from the Sands and carry sometimes the boats a great way with them on their backs over-turning them here and there and striking them full of water yet those that are below drive them in again but if they are not able to force them thereunto the rest come to their help so make them return though it happeneth also sometimes that they will at last suffer themselves to be driven in no more plunging and diving so much and a long way under the water that they must let them go the same happeneth also at Sea when they see them first and will drive them to Land for then they plunge sometimes so much that they must give them over whence one may conclude that this work doth only consist in a blessing of God When they have killed as many as they can get which lasteth well a whole day or longer they hale them on Land and those that are killed at Sea float up the next day and are also driven thither When all the Whales are thus brought on dry ground and are toll'd first the Tithes are taken of them then the Finding-Whale for him that saw them first the rest being divided into two parts the one whereof belongs to the people that took them and the other part to the owner of the Land under which they are taken whether it be the Kings some Noblemans or belongs to some Free-holders son sometimes the whole Flock of Whales cometh into the Inlets of it self in foggy weather no body driving them sometimes they come in with the Tide in a dark night running on the Sands where they lye dry when it is low water so that when folks come out in the morning they see sometimes the Sand covered with dead Whales which happened also for few years since in Tiorneviig In antient time there came greater multitudes of Whales and oftner then in our days though it happened that in the year 1664 there were taken in two places about a thousand Wherefore the Lord as also for his other benefits be
man answered my name is not considerable though I think you have heard it named before I am called Charles the Tender The King answared it is true Charles that I have heard thy name before and a time hath been that if we had met thou shouldst not have carried the news of it abroad but I will pardon thee altogether since thou wilt undertake this voyage for me and thou shalt be my guest to day that we may speak further about it This Charles see the Chronicle of Norway pag. 269 had been a cruell Robber by Sea and Land and the King had often sent out his men to kill him but he escaped always he was of a great Family and very couragious valiant and expert in all things he made himself ready for his Voyage to Feroe and had about 20 men with him he got a good wind and when he came to Feroe he arrived at Thors haven in Stremoe and let summon all the people to a Court. There came Trund of Gote with many Folks as also Leiff Aserson and Gille the Provincial Judge the Kings sworn men with many people When they had pitched their Tents they came to Charles and embraced him Charles saluted them from the King and expounded then his friendly commands to raise and pay in the Tribute shewing them a token from the King they promised to promote his errand amongst the people and to give him their best assistance Then came Trund of Gote that base Traitor and Saluted Charles inviting him to a winters meal Charles excus'd himself because he had taken his lodgings by Leiff Aserson but he desired that Trund would gather the Tribute of the East and Northern Islands Trund promised he would do so In the winter Leiff raised the Tribute of the South Islands of Feroe The next Spring Trund grew very sick and amongst other diseases was much troubled with pain in his eyes he came nevertheless to the Assembly as he was wont and incamped under a black Tent and when Leiff and Charles came to him to receive what Tribute he had gathered he could not come out to them by reason of the weakness of his sight wherefore Leiff went into him in his black Tent and Trund gave him a bag with mony which he carried out to Charles and cast the mony in his Shield stirring them about and Leiff ask'd Charles what he thought of it who answered I believe that all the false mony that could be found in the Northern Islands is come hither Trund heard this and asked Leiff if it was not good Silver Leiff said it was false mony Trund put the fault upon his Servant that had gathered the Tribute whilest he was himself sick Leiff went in and took another purse of mony from him for Charles and when they viewed them they were neither so good that Leiff would receive them for the Kings Tribute Trund's Cousin Gautt the Red arose on the Bench whereon he laid and said it is an old Proverb The older a man grows the worse he is It is now so with thee Trund that sufferest Charles the Tender to search in thy mony so often this day Trund sprung up and was angry at Gaute's words and bad Leiff come in and take another bag saying my own Tenants have brought me this though I can see little yet the Shirt is nearer then the Doublet and he desired Leiff to go out to Charles and weigh the mony for him for he could not be present himself Leiff and Charles went out into the Fields and all their Folks were in arms as if they had gone to a war Charles took his Helmet from his head and cast the mony in it and they found 't was good Silver but as they were sitting they saw a man coming to them that had a Pole Ax in his hand this was Gaute the Red he stuck his Pole Ax in the ground and said have a care thou Tender Charles thou doest not get a mischief to day of my Pole Ax there came at the very same time a man running calling to Leiff Aserson and desiring him to come straight ways to Gills the Provincial Judges Tent for there had rushed in Siugurt Tolakson Trunds Kinsman and had deadly wounded one of the Judges men Lieff went presently thither and all his folks with him and Charles remained sitting with his people standing round about him Then came Gaute the Red and Thoer the Short and Gaute struck over a mans Shoulder and hit Charles on the head though it hurted him not much but Thoer struck presently with the Pole Ax that stood in the ground so that the Ax struck in his Brains and there came many people out of Trunds Tent. Trund shewed as if this action had much displeased him and paid the mulct for his Cozen but Leiff and Gille banished Sigurt for the Judges man whom he had killed and Gaute and Thoer for Charles whose men return'd to King Oluff and told him the news The King grew very angry and protested he would revenge it but he was hindered of it by the wars which were made against him and there were great disputes between Trund and Leiff ever since that day Thus far Snow Sturleson Thus Charles the Tender got to know what men were those of Feroe whereby they shewed sufficiently what was become of the two other Ships though it may be also they perished King Oluff Haroldson the Holy having thus been hindered by the defection of his Subjects and the oppression of Canulus the Great King of Denmark that took the Kingdom from him those of Feroe were for a time their own Masters not only under King Canuius the Great that had more weighty affairs to think on but also under King Magnus the Son of Oluff the Holy that was disturb'd with wars in Denmark against King Swenoe Estredson till the day of his death as also during the time of King Harold Redhair who during his Reign was troubled with foreign wars till he was discomfited in England His son King Kyrre lived in quiet and was contented with what he had but his son King Magnus Barefoot sought much forreign Countreys and thereby lost his Life in Ireland It seems also that he did not then forget Feroe though History maketh no mention of it and Feroe having not been reduced by him because he made many forreign wars and reigned but ten years it seems it was put under the Crown of Norway in King Sigurd the Hierosolomite's time or in the Century of years 1100. since in this Century there were not only Bishops constituted in Feroe but districts men that had the power of these Chieftains For it is related in the Chronicle of N way p ag 500. that when Erling Shack with his Son King Magnus Erlingson who ruled 30 years after Kiug Sigurt the Hierosolomite's death in the year of Christs Nativity 1163. did endeavour to destroy all the Kings line Male Suerre Sigurtson who was the Grand child of Harold Gilde
the earth and in darkness all sorts of men both good and bad being obnoxious to be troubled by these spirits the good to seperate them from God as the examples of Job and Christ do witness which God doth permit that their faith may be tri'd and that they may learn to walk warily The bad over which though Satan hath a great power yet he appears to these following Murtherers oppressors of the poor disobedient to their Parents despisers of God's word unbelievers and superstitious people and those that have made a contract with him whom he so long deludes till at last he takes them away both body and soul As long as these Islands of Feroe have been uninhabited during so many hundred years it seems they have been nothing but an habitation of Devils a Domicill for unclean spirits and a Den of Goblings it being sufficiently known in History what power the Devil had antiently in the Countreys of the North Island Finland Varmeland and Lapland and many know how powerful they are there to this very day Besides the solitariness of Feroe there are not only found great Chinks and long dark holes above in the Mountains but also below underneath some places quite through the Land Whereof one hears sometimes tell strange Stories enough amongst which there may also be some truth besides here are also those terrible Caverns mentioned above which they call Latters and when men took in the Country to possess it those spirits could not be driven out by Fighting force or Weapons as the abovesaid Fable of Myggenesse would perswade for iron is like straw and brass as a rotten wood as the Lord saith Job Chap. 41. ver 17. against the strength of Leviathan or the Divel Besides the people here have chosen their habitation near the Sea-side but the mountains with their holes and chinks are uninhabited to this day and though the whole Country were inhabited in all places it would not therefore be free from these unclean spirits for what Country is so populous but the Divel may be there where is there ever a Church built but the Divel builds himself a Chappel where is there any wheat sowed but the enemy soweth tares amongst Matth. 13. ver 25. he runneth about amongst men to see whom he can devour 1 Pet. Chap. 5. ver 8. The evil spirits that are cast down from Heaven from their first origine are wide spread abroad not only in the air but also over all the earth they take no room neither are naturally contained in any place for they are bound together with obscure chains live in outward darkness nevertheless they are in greater number about men than one can believe neither can a little space hinder their presence for if a whole Legion of Divels can have room enough in one only man how many then could be contained in a little Chamber with one only man Oh! that some mens eyes were but opened they would then with greater fear and trembling work out their salvation yet though they be manifold in every place they have not an equal power every where when the inhabitauts of Feroe were heathens and strangers to the knowledge of Jesus Christ these spirits had power enough amongst them by reason of their unbelief Ephes 2. yet in this time he hath been for the most part quiet but when the Lord had sent them his word the Ministers thereof alas mix'd that pure word with humane Superstition and figments and fill'd their Hearers hearts more with errors and superstitions than with true and justifying faith But as darkness is never so thick but the light doth break through so the light of God's Word did shine in those dark days for them that did seek invisible things and they received a true faith shining in their good works but others that gaped after outward splendor which was though but darkness and remained in obscurity being blinded in their errors and superstition whereby Satan made at that time more proofs of his Mastership than at any other aswel here as in other places by many false sights and miracles that he might the better extinguish their spark of faith and wholly darken their understanding Finally God having out of his Grace driven away such darkness of errors by the great new kindled light of his Gospel the great Prince of darkness was forced to retire and hide himself but it seems he hath not been in quiet and therefore by the permission of God breaks out and sometimes openly deludes these poor Inhabitants seducing them sometimes to their eternal ruine and sometimes to an errour and delusion for a time Christ teacheth us how this cometh to pass in the Gospel according to St. Matthew Chap. 12. ver 43. That the unclean spirit finding no rest in his dry mansion returneth then back with seven other spirits worse than himself that is to say with many gross sins and vices to precipitate a man into Truly the deeds and effects shew the words of Christ to be true for it cannot be exprest how stedfastly some keep their old Traditions and superstitious customs which they do secretly and diligently observe thinking themselves very subtile if one cannot with sharp admonitions and warnings from the word of God root them out Besides many gross sins and vices as in other places here in use amongst many the true Children of God being in no ways meant hereby here grow up young people that are disobedient to their Parents stiffnecked and contradictory wherefore the Devil as is said before easily appeareth Tell me Christian Reader what is this but that the old Spirit of superstition is come again into his house hath found lodging with those many errours and superstitions and with other unclean spirits work out many abominations God grant this were but in Feroe so that it is no wonder if he thus far deludeth man but it is to be wondred that the Devil doth not oftner appear taking and carrying more men away than he hath done already We must thank God therefore that hath put a ring in his nose that his goodness and long-suffering might incite men to better themselves and repent yea it is the cunning of Satan not to appear so often in a visible figure to many impious people that continually call upon him and curse by him that at last he may lead them captives at his pleasure into perdition There may possibly yet be found some that will not believe all this because they never saw any such Apparitions or Divels whereunto I answer that I never saw them neither and pray God I may never see them and which I also wish all my Readers and if ever I should see them God being pleased to tempt me thereby I will beseech him to give me his Grace and a good Spirit that I may overcome them by faith this Opinion being otherwise an humane weakness not unlike the infirmity of Thomas that would not believe-except he saw whereas faith doth consist in believing things
in this Treatise and thereby gratifie the curious Reader Many seek far abroad the wonderful works of God either by reading or travelling in forreign and remote parts whereas we have them as admirable amongst us if they were right considered but as we care not for what we dayly see we think it therefore not worthy to be Communicated to others who would nevertheless esteem it rare and wonderful Whence it is come that none of those that have been before me in Feroe hath taken the pains to leave any thing in writing of the Quality and Constitution of that Country But being come thither a Stranger and remarking many effects of nature not usual in my own Country I would not live Idle without the examination and considering thereof endeavouring to doe my Countrymen that are not informed of this Lands Nature some small service by the Notification of what I have discovered I pray therefore and desire the Courteous Reader to take in good part this my Labour which I have destined to the Common good and if he find any thing imperfect expound it in the best meaning every one having his faults Thus live well and let me be included in thy favour From my Pathmos in Thors-haven the 12. of March 1670. THE CONTENTS CHAP. I. Of the Land of Feroe in it self and the Circumstances thereof Page 1. CHAP. II. Of the Lands Fertility p. 111 CHAP. III. Of the Waters Fertility p. 163 CHAP. IV. Of the Inhabitation of Feroe and of the Facts of the Inhabitants p. 190 CHAP. V. Of the Qualities of the Inhabitants p. 25 CHAP. VI. Of the Pâ—litie p. 277 CHAP. VII Of Religion and first of Teachers p. 325 Of the Hearers p. 336 Of the School p. 341 CHAP. VIII Of Specters and Illusions of Satan in Feroe p. 349 The MAPP of the LAND of FEROE containing XVII Inhabited ISLANDS CHAP. I. Of the Land of Feroe in it self and the Circumstances thereof THe Islands of Feroe in themselves are only some high rocks arising out of the wild Sea and covered with a portion of thin Earth For Feroe doth consist of many Islands that are high Hills of hard stone strangely divided from each other by deep and rapid streams of water And that the said Hills or Mountains might be useful to mankind and the Lords holy Name in this latter age of the world be prais'd by true Christians in the midst of the storming Sea it hath pleased the Divine Providence to cover the valley between the Mountains and the sides of the Hills almost every where with two foot thick of Earth somewhere thicker or thinner according to the nature of the place whence doth grow not only abundance of Grass for Cattel but also Corn for the maintenance of man Wherefore if the land as other even Countreys could be cultivated and inhabited many thousands of men proportionably to the greatness and number of the Islands might there live and subsist But the people dwell only by the Sea-side where it is lowest and most convenient for them to get to Sea with their Boats and ply their Fishing there being almost every where high promontories whence no body can come down nor get up though there be some dangerous and terrible places whence they also launch out their Boats to Sea to go a Fishing where they must have strong Ropes in the Boat that those on Land may sometimes help the people out if they are in any danger some also who are the most live in creeks inletts and havens that are many convenient and good for Seamen to lay in their Ships in time of danger And where they live they have inclosed a small piece of ground which they Till to get Grass and Corn calling such Closes Boe The other part without the inclosure consisting in Valleys and Hills and sometimes in hills only is a thousand times larger and is called Hawe where their Sheep feed both Winter and Summer and their Kine only in Summer This part is never Tilled neither can it be so because the Inhabitants live along the Sea side for their Fishing sake and other conveniency having nevertheless the full profit thereof for they keep there as many Sheep as ever the place can feed A part of the islands of Feroe is Inhabited and a part furnished with Cattel they are in their greatness Havens Creeks Inletts and other circumstances as followeth Fugloe or Fowle-Island which is the most North East is pretty high and something flat on the top with high Clifts almost round about three English miles long and two broad where it is broadest having a little Creek on the East side called Hatterviig though it be unfit for Ships to Anchor in Suinoe lyeth two miles southward of Fugloe consisting in two long and high Hills on the North and South side The South Mountain is about a Leage in length the North but about half a League there is a valley in the midst on the East side whereof the people do inhabit and by this reason the Island being seen something far off at Sea seems to be divided in two Islands The said valley is about a mile long from East to West and therefore the Inhabitants have Boats lying on the East and on the West sides that they according to the Wind may ply their Fishing on either side such Valleys as also other places where the passage over land from one water to another is but short are called in the Language of Feroe Eide whereof there are many to the great benefit of the Country Videcoe or Vidoe lyes three miles west of Fugloe and hath a mile from Suinoe being crooked and having also a Valley where the people dwell it is in length about six miles and where it is broadest about three miles The south end of it stretcheth it self down between Suinoe and Bondoe being full of high Hills at the North of the Valley there is a high promontory at the East there is a little Creek though not very good sor Ships to Anchor in Bordoe a strange Island being in its Figure like a Crab having many points like claws it lyeth South West and West of Videroe and Suinoe being separated from them by a small Sinus in some places half a mile broad there being a place near Qnandesund only of Musket shot distant on the North East and East side it embraceth Videroe as with two arms and thereby makes a safe harbour every where between both Lands against all manner of weather and current having three entrances one at North between Mulen and Videroe another at South between Suinoe and the most easterly east point of Bordoe and the third at east between Suinoe But since towards the South East or South outlet as also about the North East or East three points of Land streatch out themselves the one from Videroe the other from Bordoe and the third from Suinoe and the ground under water being uneven it makes an indifferent Whirle-pool that turns the Boats that pass over
is related by a part of the Inhabitants that North of the Land there hath at several times appeared a Floating Island not only by the relation of our Predecessours but also by that of those that yet live who verily relate that they have seen it during some hours discerning hills and dales on it and running Rivers flowing through the Valleys and could perspicuously fee that it was green in the Valleys below Last year the 28 of April 1671 came to Feroe a Skipper Paul Badsted with his Ship and both he and two young Priests which he brought over with him to Feroe namely Mr. Gregory Peterson and Mr. Peter Clementson relate that they on their voyage to Feroe being by storm driven out of their course to the south thereof perceived an Island and being come neer to it saw it perfectly with the Hills Promontories and Rivers thereof running down the Island green with Grass towards the sea side with Rocks and Clifts neer the Land not unlike in all Circumstances to the Islands of Feroe but perceiving no other Islands by it they found themselves to be deceived and therefore made to the North and after some sailing found the Islands of Feroe and the Master related that according to his conjecture they had found that Land eleven Leagues from Feroe at south east If there had been any steady Island in that place it would have been found longago those that sail to this Island often sailing by that place and all Ships that come from the South and will go to the North of heâ—Heâ—land directing always their Course to Feroe and therefore do necessarily pass by it so that if that Island had been fast it would long since have been discovered The Island of Enckhupson found and so named by the Hollanders which lay under the 65 degree of Northern Latitude 45 Leagues North VVest of Feroe seems to confirm that opinion since it is no more to be found I leave herein every one in his own opinion whether such a mass of hard Rocks could Float and now again sink If it were of the nature of a Pumill Stone it might very well do so but then it would ever Float as Floating Islands in fresh water that are grown together with roots and covered with a little loose Eearth deckt with grass The Inhabitants besides rehearse a Fable of Suinoe that it was at first a Floating Island and believe that if one could come to the Island so often seen and cast Steel thereon it would remain fast which agreeth with the superstition of Duckers or Divers that lay Steel upon what they find at the bottom of the Sea that Spirits may not remove it when they are hoysed up which otherwise they find to be removed Many also tell much of these Floating Islands and believe there are such in Nature but I cannot give faith to any of them nor to any ones superstition If this were not described by the proprieties of many Islands I would say it were a Mountain of see that came Floating from Greenland which if it be not I believe stedfastly it is some deception or illusion of the Devil who is in himself a thousand fold Artisicer for he hath often before deluded them in many other manners it being almost every mans talk in the Land how formerly Satan in the dark when they were risen early in the morning in Winter as they yet always do to go a Fishing did appear to them in the Figure of a Boat with Fishermen and all instruments belonging to Fishing did speak with them gave them Fish baits and told them where there was good Fishing to be found and many can yet relate Satans words when he discover'd them where there was good ground for Fishing If Satan could then in the Figure of a Boat delude the Inhabitants he may also do it now in the Figure of an Island possibly to allure the Children of the unbelievers to him and bring them into mischief This Province of Feroe with the Islands belonging to it above named stretcheth it self in its greatest length from North to South 60 miles and in breadth 40 miles or a little above having at East Stat in Norway at South East Orkeney and Scotland at South Ireland at West the South end of Greenland at North West Island The height of the Pole or Latitude of Feroe according to the supputation of all is at the South end 61 degrees 15 m. and at the North end 62 degrees 10 m. though I have found the Land according to the height of Thors Haven at 62 degrees 2 m. which I have several times taken to lye something more Northwards I have as much as possible sought the Longitude and have found the length from the Meridian of Euraniburgh 20 degrees 20 min. which makes one hour 21 min. so that the Longitude of Thors Haven is 16 degrees 20 min. reckoning from the Pico of Teneriffe in the Canary Islands if I can discover it better in time I shall notifie it where it will be convenient And since the Land lyeth under 62 degrees there is but little night in Summer not fully 5 hours When the Sun is in the Sign of Cancer there is no night perceived for a whole month because the Sun doth not go 18 degrees under the Horizon whence it comes that in the middest of VVinter they have but little day though the Crepusculum and Diluculum are something more longer here then elsewhere especially when the Sun is in the South or Northerly Signs for when it is at highest and makes the longest day after 62 degrees Latitude it riseth at 2 of the Clock and 7 minutes and goeth down at 9 of the clock and 53 m. and then the day is 19 hours and 46 min. long and the night from Sun-setting untill it riseth 4 hours and 14 minutes during which time there is no difference to be perceived between day and night the Sun being then but 4 degrees 29 min. under the Horizon and cannot therefore make any difference for a whole month there being then also but little difference in the Suns declination whence it comes that we have no considerable might untill the 17th of August when the Sun first comes 18 degrees under the Horizon which is its right depth so that one can perceive nothing of its splendour Now the Sun rising in the mid'st of VVinter at 9 of the Clock 53 min. and setting at 2 a Clock and 7 m. and there being therefore but 4 hours and 14 minutes of day The Crepusculum and Diluculum add much to its length since one can perceive something of the day in the mid'st of VVinter at 8 a clock in the morning and at 4 a clock at night whence it comes that they have not in Feroe such tedious long nights as one might well imagine These Islands of Feroe consisting of a hard Stone there is found here and there a Loadstone therein on which if one setteth a Compass it will vary very much in
stony Rocks and high Steep Mountains through which the Water can find no passage and because of their steepness must presently run down nevertheless the water floweth more abundantly from the Springs when it raineth in Feroe and less when it is corystan drought some of the Springs growing then wholly dry which cometh from the harmony that is between the Air and the Earth For it happeneth constantly and naturally that when the Air is resolv'd into moisture the Earth also produceth then its humidity as may be seen on the Stones of Walls and when the Air is a long time dry the earth is so likewise and when the Earth is moistened by the Air it sucketh from the Sea Water nothing but the Salt but when the Earth is dry it thirsteth and therefore sncketh in not only the Salt but also the water whence it comes that little Springs are dryed up in long droughts but where there are great veins as there is also difference amongst Conduits the water is indeed diminished but not wholly dry'd up for we have sometimes great droughts in Feroe so that the Earth splits it self to the very Rock Water is then wanting in some places but in some other never Fire and Water being almost the two chiefest necessaries of mankind nature having denied this Land Trees so that there grows here none except some little Junipers that grow in some few places near the Earth nature hath recompensed that defect with abundance of Turf whereof though the Earth be fast there are found many sorts excellent good in several places so that some of them are made use of by Smiths to work Iron with instead of Sea-coals which is not found here except in one place of Suderoe unto which yet a man can hardly come The Air of these Islands of Feroe is no less considerable then the Water In Summer it is temperately warm not very hot at any time neither is the Winter very cold though the Land lyeth under 62 degrees of Northern Latitude it freezeth seldome a moneth together neither is the Frost then so hard as to produce Ice in the open Inlets wherefore all Horse and Sheep go into the Fields during the whole Winter and never come under shelter the cause of such mild eir is the Salt Sea wherewith the Island is embraced round about which being warm both by its saline nature and perpetual motion produceth ever a warm vapour which tempers th e Air and taketh away the rigour of its coldness and together causeth a moist air so that there falleth most melted Snow miâ—ling and rain in the Valleys though it freezeth upon the Mountains from this moist air and watery Clouds is produced much storm and terrible winds which sometimes tear up the stones from the ground turn up the Earthen crust from the Rocks and rowle it together as one might rowle a piece of Lead and those stormy winds are very variable according as the Gapps are between the tops of the high Mountains betwixt which the winds gather and throng themselves through with a wonderful force when sometimes it is amongst the Folks that dwell in the Valleys under these Mountains during such a storm so still that one may goe from one house to another with a light burning and then afterwards it cometh again so terribly by Gusts as if the the Hills would be torn to pieces and it is worth consideration that before the said impetuous wind cometh or is perceived the houses crack and make a noise as if they would streight fall down which afterwards though not much moved being low built and on all sides well defended with thick Walls made of green Turff and Stones Otherwise there being such high Hills so that the wind cannot blow straight forwards but now hitts against one corner then against another and so against a third one of those strong winds thus meeteth another and as it were begin a Fight together whereby are caused terrible Whirle-winds which having a long time stormed about between the hills come down over the Inlets and whirling round about run again through them some whereof are above three miles lone a great way into the Sea and then it is very dangerous for Boats that are met thereby which must presently let fall their Sails or else they are overturned men and all it also happeneth often though the Sail be not up that the Whirle-wind overturneth the Boat and the people as many examples do witness and as Boats are in danger by such Whirle-winds so ships have sometimes no less cause to fear those Gusts from the Mountains when they fail in greatest security for they in the like manner fall down from the Mountains when it is still weather as hath been expressed of several contrary Stormy Winds which Forreign Marriners that come with their Ships between these Lands must well observe or else they may possibly come in danger thereby Specially it is to be noted about these Whirle-winds that sometimes on Land between these Rocks when it is pretty good weather and there is no danger one of them will come on a sudden so furious that it beateth a man down from his Horse yea beareth down Man and Horse as also striketh down those that are going on Foot sometimes hurting them wherefore those that are used to the Countrey can easily perceive its coming for it is heard before with a terrible boistering between the Clifts when the weather is also very quiet wherefore the Rider alighteth from his Horse and layeth himself on the ground holding fast to the Grass or to a Stone as he thinks himself securest That sort of Whirle-wind happeneth but seldome and is doubtless of that sort which naturalist call Exnephia that are caused by the Clouds on the top of the Mountains as Kircherus relateth that it happeneth on the Mountain called Table Mount at the Cape of good Hope on which Mountain there is perceived by the people a little cloud before whence is caused such terrible and unlooked for whirl-winds which Cloud when they see on the Hill they run amain to their Ships Lanch from the Land and so preserve themselves and their Shipping There is told a strange Story which is said to have happened in this Countrey by reason of a Whirle-wind which the most part of those that read it will perhaps not believe though it be true It happened a pretty long time since that a Priest of Suderoe called Broder Anderson travelled to one of his Parishes namely Sumboe and when he came in those parts in a place called Sumboe Horse which is a very high Clift above 200 Fathoms high and hath several points by reason of which besides the height of the Mountain whether the wind bloweth from the Land or to the Land there may be caused a strong Whirlewind and the high way being very near the edge of the promontory where there is always a pretty storm though it be still weather every where below which happeneth by reason of the
even Polished that they serve to put in Rings whereunto they are used by some It is found that they grow in the Clifts and are washed off by the Sea-waves no body could yet know whether they be of any worth for some of them have by curiosity been carried to Jewelers but they have not been esteemed any thing My late private precept or the Learned and Famous Olaus Normins at my departure for Feroe shewed me amongst other Rarities in his Cabinet that sort of Stones sent him from Feroe and conceived they were Jaspis stones telling me also that they had lost their colour since he had them and desired me that I would send him some more of them which I did accordingly perform The Pearles whereof Mr. Peter Clauson writes in his Description of Norway that they are found in Muscles here are no other then those that are found in the Muscles of Denmark concerning the Stone which he also writes is found here by the sea side shaped like a Heart o Kidney called by the Inhabitants a Fairies Kidney that as Mr. Peter writeth according to the received opinion of the Inhabitants doth bring forth another Stone when it is kept long it is very certain that Fairies Kidneys ore found here but the Inhabitants have not that superstitious opinion of them neither is it any Stone but a West India Bean as hath been told me by a very knowing man for it hath a hard outward shell of a Chestnut brown colour and within a sweet Kernell This doubtless falls in other places off from its stalk into the Sea and is brought hither by the Stream They are carryed to Forreign Countreys and there carved to make Boxes for Sunff Tobacco here is also found but in small quantities some brittle Chrystal which cannot be wroâ—â—ht Though God hath denyed this land the riches aforesaid it hath nevertheless pleased him to enrich it with what can hardlyer be wanted in nature if the Land could be till'd every where as in other places it would in Fertility of Corn go beyond other Countreys equally large but here a Countryman cannot sow above one or two Tuns of Corn but in many places they Reap again 20 or 30 Tuns for one Tun of Seed specially in the Southerly Islands where they reap so much Corn that it need none to be imported from forreign Countryes Here is nothing sowed but Barley for other Seeds will not come to maturity and there being here but little sowed there is the more ground for Pastures In several places Grass is found so abundant and juicy that Oxen feed thereon both Winter and Summer growing sometimes so Fat that one can get in an Ox that is not big of growth 100 pound of Tallow and such places they call Feidelands It is very remarkable that where there are such Feidelands they ever turn to the North East and North wherefore would not think that the North or North East Wind could cause any Fertillity they being cold but rather the South West or West these being warm and moist and having more the Suns assistance to operate with them whence it comes that the old Grecians called the West Wind Zephirus as that which caused life in Plants Nevertheless the contrary is found in these pastures It is also observed that in Island the North part is more Fertile with Grass and Cattell then the South Greenland is also found to be given with Grass on the North East side whence it hath also received its name but on the West side there is found little or no grass If you will inquire the natural cause of this we must consult the Chymists who write much of their great Monarch or Lyon of the North especially mentioned by Theophrastus Paracelsus whereby they mean nothing but Nitre a special Agent in Chymical Operations The cause wherefore they call Nitre a Monarch and Lyon of the North is that in the Snow coming from the North or North East there is naturally found Salt Peter Wherefore when one cannot have other more convenient liquors to make Salt Peter of or sor other Chymical Operations they make use of North or North East Rain and Snow Besides there is found in their writings that Salt peter is not only used in the particular transmutation of Mettals but also that being dissolved and Corn dipt in it it may be sowed without dunging in the very leanest ground giving it an extraordinary production all dunging whereby the Earth is made Feftile having its inward vertue and essence consisting in Nitre or the Salt thereof which is clearly proved by an example known almost every where for those that make Salt Peter dig up old Floors from under Cattel or Sheep whereof they extract the Nitre that is ingendred there of the Beasts virtue whence it comes that Dunghills where Cattels Urine remains and rots are better for Dâ—ngning then dry dung it self For a further example it is seen here in Feroe that they take Sea weeds from the Shoare and lay them on heaps to â—ot wherewith afterwards they lung their ground which then bearâ—th abundance of Corn that effect proceeding doubtless of the Salt in â—he Sea weeds since Salt Peter can naturally be prepared of Salt from the premises North East Snow and Rain having Salt Peter in it self and all lunging consisting in Nitre The Reader may easily conclude that such plaâ—es as are exposed to North East Winds must consequently be more fruitful then others But here is also â—o be observed that the said places are Valleys arising usually with a high Promontory against the Sun which also helps to their Fertility the Scorching Beams of the Sun being hindred thereby One might here well imagine that since it Snoweth and Raineth from the North East or North over the whole Island and the Sun draweth Plants out of the Earth it might be most fruitful where the Sun doth shine the whole day with its beams it is found in nature that the Sun it self doth not produce the Plants from the Earth but warmeth nature and the night cooleth and moistneth what the Sun hath dryed and scorch'd whence principally Plants are produc'd In the Lands which lye under the torrid Zone nothing at all could grow because of the heat of the Sun if the night was not as long as the day and by its cooling and dew did not temperate the Plants It is observed here in Feroe that in the midst of Summer when in two months time there is almost no night Corn groweth but very little though it rainethâ— nor herbs though they be watered in dry weather and when the night beginneth to be longer Corn and Herbs grow more in a night and day then otherwise in fourteen from whence it is seen that the Sun at certain times doth indamage Plants and where it striketh directly down with its gathered Beams consumeth the moisture and fatness of the ground but where by a moderate reflexion it warmeth the Earth which happeneth in the Valleys aforesaid where
make Merchandize of for other expences The Inhabitants get a great many of those Fowles as God giveth his blessing and fit weather Yet this is not every where in the Land but only in the Islands that lye towards the Sea and have great Promontories as the Northern Islands Myggyness Waagoe Skuo the Diemens and Suderoe And when it is dark Weather they take most for then the Birds stay in the Rocks but in clear Weather and hot Sun-shine they seek the Sea and against their flying away they keep themselves most there sitting on the Clifts towards the Sea side where people go also sometimes to them with Boats and take them with Fowling Staves CHAP. III. Of the Waters Fertility AS the Justice of God for the Sins of men hath deprived many places of his blessings in their waters he hath done the like for the sins of the people of Feroe for in former times Fishing hath been so abundant that the Inhabitants could maintain themselves with it alone but it is now so diminished that some years they cannot fish for their own corporal necessities so that the poorest sort that have no Lands to Till suffer sometimes great indigency Nevertheless God doth ' sometimes shew the Liberality of his Mercy to these poor Inhabitants to incite them thereby to better themselves and knowing that the nature of this people is not to deal with too much riches and opulency without abusing thereof he taketh care they should not have satiety of all things at one time for it is plainly perceived that when he crowneth the land with abundancy the Fishes are driven from their Seas and contrarywise when he taketh away the beasts of the Fields he giveth them very abundant fishing The Fishes wherewith this people maintain themselves are of three sorts first small Fishes secondly Seals and in the third place Whales The most Fish that is fished here are Cods a kind of Whiting and great Flounders there is besides fish'd places Trouts and Sand Flounders specially God sendeth them a sort of small fish called Murt which are a kind of I think Pilchards and that in such a quantity that the Havens and Creeks are sometimes fill'd with them specially towards Autumn though that happeneth not every year there cometh such an abundance especially of them sometimes hither to Thors Haven where there liveth many needy souls that one cannot perceive the bottom for them seeing often with pleasure many children that have little to eat at home stand by the Sea side morning and evening fishing as many of them as they and their Parents can eat not taking usually any more then will serve them for one meal Cods are usually found in certain places of the Sea called Meads having a certain time when they come and when they go away These places are well known to the Inhabitants by the Points of Land whence they take their distance to come to the right place wherefore they call it Meade or Measure These places being usually grounds where it is thought there are Springs of fresh water by reason whereof those fishes like to be in such places The Seale Dog called in the language of Feroe Kob is found in great numbers some in the Inlets which are called stone Kobs because they lye upon stones when it 〈…〉 weather They bring forth 〈…〉 ones in the beginning of 〈…〉 suck their Dams till St. Johns Tide some are found on the Sea side and are bigger then those of the Inlets they are called Later Kobs and are as big as a Cow they lay themselves upon the Clifts and out Rocks under high Promontories where no body can come to them with Boats and when they bring forth their young ones which happeneth in September they retire themselves in great cavities under the Rocks which the Inhabitants call Later They have many ways to take them besides shooting them they cast Nets over them formerly they took them with Dogs instructed thereunto which few make now use of the Kob doth not so well and sleepeth usually when he lyeth on a Rock whereupon the Dog goeth to him against Wind least the Kob should smell him and having sneaked 〈…〉 upon him catcheth at him 〈…〉 Throat holding him fast till 〈…〉 cometh that killeth him 〈…〉 The third manner is very remarkable and is called to go on Later this word Later is not a Latine Word but an old word of the Language of Feroe signifying as much as coupling for when the Kobs are coupled together they call it then properly at Lateris For here are many hollow places from the Sea into the rocks being large and wide cavities as great Vaulted Cellars before which there is a little hole as a door so that a small Boat can go into them within the hole the water is deep so that one can yet go farther in with the boat but it becometh shallower and shallower and at last is dry ground with a spacious Vault so that there is a great Eccho within when any body speaketh being so dark there that one cannot discern whether it be day or night The Kobs have their habitation in these Vaults or Caves sometimes above 100 together and because the Inhabitants are of opinion that they couple therein they do therefore call them Later and to seek those holes to kill the Kobs is called by them to go on Later These Caves are of two sorts whereof the ones entrance is under water where no man can come in and is called Kaufve-Later because the Seals dive under water when they goe into them the other whose Orifice is above water The Peasants have particular small boats to go into these Caves with wherefore when they know that the young Seales are great and fat they go with their Boats into the Cave having usually two Boats with the one of which they get in the other staying without at the entrance having between the Boats a Tow of 80 Fathoms length or larger that if the Boat which goeth farthest in be fill'd with water as it often happeneth the other that is at the entrance may pull it out with the people in it and the Cave being narrow they have a pointed stake on each side wherewith they thrust themselves in They have also two Candles in the Boat that they may the better see to kill the Kobs it being so dark within The said Candles are as thick as a mans arm and they hide them in the Boat least the Seales should see the men before they come on dry ground When they are come so far in the Cave that they can feel ground which they try with their pointed Staves first one Man leapeth out from the Boat into the water as deep as he can wade having a club in his hand to fell the Kob with which they call Kob grass then leaps the second man after him having a Candle in each hand which he must hold over his head that they be not put out with the water after them cometh the third man
Admiral President in the Councel of Admiralty and Assessor in that of State with Gabriel Ackelâ—ye Knudson Secretary to take the Oath of Allegiance to his Majesty of all the Inhabitants which was done by the Inhabitants of Feroe with what Solemnity that Country could afford in Thors-Haven the third of August in the year aforesaid as Jens Lauritson describes in his Norrigia Illustrata In the year 1662. the States of Denmark having chosen his said Majesty King Frederick the third and his Successors to be Soveraign Hereditary Lord of Denmark and Norway arrived the second time the 14 of August his aforesaid Excellency the Lord Rix Admiral Henry Bialke to take of the inhabitants of Feroe the Oath of their Hereditary Allegiance to his Majesty whose Hereditary Throne the King of Kings establish for ever and continue his seed till the end of the World which they presently with greatest devotion performed When it pleased the great Lord of Heaven to call the said high and mighty Prince Frederick the third first Soveraign Hereditary Lord and King of Denmark and Norway from this Temporary to his Eternal and Heavenly Kingdom in the year 1670. the 9. of Feb. and his beloved Son The great and Mighty Hereditary Prince Christian the Fifth sate on his late Fathers Royal Throne to be Soveraign King over Denmark and Norway and the Subjects and States of Denmark had sworn Loyal Fidelity and Obedience to his Majesties absolute Government his Majesty the same year the 23. of April graciously dispatch't his Commissary the Honourable Jens Rodsteen Hereditary Lord of Leer Beck his Majesties Vice Admiral and Assessor in the Councel of Admiralty to Island and Feroe with full power in the name of his Majesty to take the Oath of the subjects and Inhabitants thereof where the said Commissary Jens Rodsteen arrived from Island and put into Thors haven in Feroe on Tuesday the 16 of August and on Friday the 19. of the same moneth all the Deputies or Inhabitants of Feroe themselves were gathered together and after the Service of God was performed took their ready and submissive Oath first together in a body and afterwards every one particularly under his Hand and Seal according to every ones State and quality Neither must we here omit to his Royal Majesty our most Gracious Hereditary Lord and King King Christian the Fifth's Immortal Praise and Clory and to the subjects of the Land both that now live and will hereafter succeed their admonition and remembrance to keep exactly the Oath they have taken in all its points and clauses not out of compulsion and fear but by an humble free and loving devotion till Death that his Majesty was graciously pleased to prevent the Inhabitants in giving them notice by his Patent that whatsoever either the States or any private man for himself had to petition and sollicite his Majesty for they or he should deliver it to his Royal Commissary and he receive it to carry unto his Majesty with a most gracious assurance that his Royal Majesty with a particular care and favour would be concern'd in what could be judged beneficial to them according to the time and occasion The wise King Solomon in the 19. chap. 12. verse of the book of Proverbs compareth admirably such Royal grace to the Dew that falleth on-Grass for as Dew vivifieth withered and down-fallen Grass so that it riseth again and groweth bravely up so hath this his Royal Majesties Grace reviv'd the hearts of the Inhabitants of Feroe which were almost fainting away for one cause or another and therefore the Subjects both Ecclesiastical and Temporal delivered the said Royal Commissary several Petitions concerning some of their grievances wherewith the said Commissary on Sunday the 21 of August after the Service of God departed from Feroe for Denmark Thereupon in the year 16-2 three deputies were sent over with full power humbly to represent the Lands necessities and his Majesty was graciously pleased to give the Inhabitants a very profitable Ordinance to prevent and take away all damage and ruine from the Land Whilest the Inhabitants of Feroe were under the subjection of the Kings of Norway and Denmark or before that time one doth not find much that any have been famous for their valiant actions though they have been a hard nation from the beginning except two namely Sigismund Bretteson and Magnus Heirson whose Histories excepted the one out of Snore Sturleson and Mr. Peter Clauson's Writings the other out of Jens Lawritson's Norrigia illustrata and a credible Manuscript of Feroe are for the Readers sake worthy to be here inserted After Trund of Gote of whom we have made mention before had treacherously let murther his fellow Governours of Feroe and his Kinsmen Breste and Beine sâ—lling their Sons Sigismund Bresteson and Fâ—rgill Beinson privately out of the Country to perpetual Slavery it happened that he that bought them was bâ— stâ—rm and bad weather set from 〈◊〉 course with his Ship to the East of Norway there ran the two boyes away from him and got up into the Country â—ow there had been in the Country some time before a young mâ—n whose name was Torkild that waâ— an excellent Huntsman and Shooter and lay usually out on Snow and Ice in the night seeking to kill Wild Beasts caring neither for cold nor frost whence he got the name of Torkild endure Frost he fell in love with a considerable man's daughter called Ingeborrig whose Parents refusing to give her unto him he took her in the Wild Woods but her Father Brothers and Kinsmen sought her out and took her back again Torkild came to her the second time and she went away with him but considering that he could not be in quiet for her kindred on that side of Dorfields he went therefore over the Mountain and setled his habitation close at the North of it in a great Wilderness and savage Forrest where no body came through there being a great way from thence to Towns where people lived and his Servants went into the district of Trundhein to sell skins and hides of wild beasts buying therewith what he had need of and he lived there many years having changed his name Sigismund Bresteson and Torgild Beinson being fled from their Master as aforesaid went up into the Country intending to go into the North of the District of Trund heim but when they came on Dor fields they lost their way and wandered some days â—â—ill at last they came down to the place where Torkild Endure Frost liv'd and went in His Wife received them well giving them meat and desired them to tarry there the night over When Torkild came home from the Woods she went to meet him and told him there were come to them two beautiful Boyes desiring him that he would do them no harm he grew angry because he had forbidden her to receive any body in the house or shew any one the way from thence saying we shall doubtless be found out and taken
in the Countrey taking away without exception whosoever came before them It happened the same time that the Priest of that place called Mr. Paul Erasmuson fled upon a Rock with a little child the Turks pursued him and took first the Child which he had laid down and afterwards pursued the Priest wherefore he leaped down from a very high promontory under which many people had hidden themselves from the enemy and God made it come to pass so wonderfully that he stopped upon a Turffe of Earth that was soft and well overgrown with Grass there being round about nothing but Clifts and Stones yet though his body was not endamaged his mind was nevertheless very much distracted by that high fall Wherefore his Majesty of Denmark King Christian the IV. rig'd out a Ship commanded by the Honourable George Daa who likewise did his utmost to destroy such a company of Thieves Amongst other he surpriz'd an Irish Pyrate in Westmans-haven in Stremoe A part of the Pyrates crew run presently over the Land and took one of the Inhabitants Boats wherewith they fled from Feroe to Hetland those that were left behind were taken and hanged After the said Daa his said Majesty commanded other Ships to cruise under Feroe which harboured usually in Skaale fiord in Osteroe whence it is that the harbour hath gotten the name of Kings haven But there going more charges yearly to fit out such Ships then the revenue which the King received of the Land could import King Christian the IV. was pleased to cause to build a Fort in Thors-haven against the unexpected invasion of all enemies There being not only kept the Kings contributions but also all Merchandize for the maintenance of the whole Country which was done after the Turks falling into Suderoe and since that time they have in some manner been free from such Sea-robbers except when there hath been war between Denmark and the neighbouring Kingdoms for tâ—â—n as is probable they have often been disturb'd by neighbouring enemies It is not heard or read of any civil war or inward tumult in Feroe as in Island though there be an old tale of some troubles in the Country and there hath been shewed me a valley in Calsoe above the village of Migledal where two armies of the Inhabitants have fought together and two hills under which they say the dead are buried though they know not the true ground thereof I am almost of opinion that this happened in the time of King Ingi Baard's son in the year of Christ 1211. by Erling Suerrison of whom the Hystory of Norway pag. 581. maketh mention in this manner There was a man in Feroe called Erling that gave himself out for King Suerreson his Mother was Astride Rois Daughter He march'd about in the Islands with some gathered men doing great violence and oppression he had 7 Children and went since for Norway in the Ship of Einar the Sheriff ren â—ring himself to Philip and the Lady Christina she received him very well and acknowledged him for her Brother he dyed some years after of an effusion of blood after blood letting It may be that he as an heir to the Crown of Norway would reduce Feroe to obedience but that he was discomsited and forc'd to go out of the Country to seek the assistance of his Sister Christina and that his design vanished by his death Here is also spoken of another uproar that happened for a good while since by some few that gathered themselves together and would possess themselves of Feroe putting to death all those that would not be of their Faction which company they call to this day the Flock men from their thus flocking and being gathered together The Inhabitants of Feroe having thus continually been as well free from civil as from foreign wars except what oppression the Sea-robbers and those of their party did them they have during their long tranquility taken great care to cultivate the ground having not only till'd Planted aud built the places that are now inhabited but other places besides that are now left untill'd and are seldome renewed They devide the ground which they till into acres the acre being subdivided into ells so that by an acre of ground is understood 320 Hamborough Ells four square whereunto belongeth also a part of the ground that is without the Inclosure yet there is a great difference in the greatness of the divisions though every acre of Land be reckoned for 320 ells And the Acres consisting in that sort of measure the poor free-holders know to divide it after their deceased Parents in many small parts namely in 80 60 40 20 and 10 ells and an acre of ground costing according to the ancient price of Land sixteen Gylders of Feroe they call usually such small parts a Gylder namely 80 Ells about 4 Gylders 40 Ells 2 Gylders and so forth till it comes to be so little that it amounteth but to five Skins of earth which is Land for 10 pence This division being very damageable to the Country for it maketh many poor people they do not plow their ground but dig it making deep furrows laing the earth which they dig out of them on the ground close together the dung being laid under it before Neither is each Field above 3 ells broad usually with a ridge on the one side that water may always have its fall into the furrow and continually flow away there falling here very much rain afterwards they break the Earth that was laid over with a spade instead of harrowing it and when they have sowed their Seed they clap the earth over with flat pieces of Wood instead of rowling it over So that they have a great deal of labour and pain in the Tillage of their ground which cannot otherwise be because of the Lands propriety The ground which they thus Till they let rest 8 or 10 years for it will not bear fruit every year but in the mean time it yields excellent Grass for Hay which they only mow and not that which groweth in Moorish grounds as they do in other Countreys As they have a great deal of labour in the Tillage of their ground so they have no less about their Corn for they cut it off with an ordinary Knife and puck every Ear from the Straw drying them afterwards in a Kilne the Corn not coming here to perfect Maturity Afterwards instead of Thrashing Women tread the Ears of Corn with their bare feet all this labour about their Corn taking up a great deal of time almost unprofitably which might well be remedied but they are so minded in general that they will not change their old customes no more in this then in many other things CHAP. V. Of the Qualities of the Inhabitants IT is so ordered in nature alas that Tares will commonly grow amongst Wheat It is here even as in other places where there are bad and good and since the bad ones cannot be much praised for their vertue we
old Champions Ballad but they use not then to exercise themselves at any scandalous play Besides at their vacant hours they take great pleasure to play at Chess wherein many are very expert as well women as men They are by nature something inclin'd to Astronomy for they do not only know some Stars and take diligent notice of their course specially the Star Bâ—oetes which they call the Star of the day because in the heart of Winter they know by its course in the morning what a Clock it is and how long it is till day that they accordingly may row out on fishing or begin some other work at home they also understand in some manner the course of the Moon that is when it will be new Moon though not by reason of its motion but by the increasing and decreasing of the Sea which being governed by the Moon they know by the streams alteration as the effect of it on which day there is new Moon When there is no Almanack brough into the Ceuntry they understand their computum Ecclesiasticum and can direct the course of the year in the moveable and immovable Holy Days without any fault or error They speak the Language of Norway though in these times most Danish having nevertheless many Norway words There is also a great difference between the Northern Islands Dialects and those that live in the Southern Islands The Air being here as was said before pretty wholsome and the Inhabitants using always one diet here are also usually found very antient folks beyond other places so that not only they attain to the highest age of man whereof David speaketh namely 80 years but many also reach to 90 and 100 years of age and above There is a very remarkable Example of an old man of this Countrey that died not long since whose name was Erasmus Magnusson living in Harold Sound in the Northern Islands who was Magnus Heinesons natural Son of whom is spoken before This Erasmus was first married with an old woman with whom he lived many years and begot no children of her at last his said wife died he being then about 90 years old desiring nevertheless to leave an Heir of his body he married a young woman of whom he begot 5 Children and was 110 years old when he died his youngest Child being seven years of age which he begot when he was 103 years old That one might not think there might be some seandalous suspition in this the woman was an honest woman and of good reputation having left a very good name after her death His eldest Son doth now possess his house being a great and strong young man above many of the Land I have know his Father in his antient age who was a strong and courageous man This example is more admirable than thâ—â— of Abraham who thought strange in his time that he should beget children being 100 years old As the time for women to bear Children is well known to all understanding men so Physitians and Philosophers have designed the natural age for a man to beget Children to be under 65 or at most 70 years whereupon antient Historians do remark as rare aud strange Examples that some men as Alexander Masser pract Med. lib. 4. de sterilitate writes have begotten Children when they have been above 80 years of age much stranger and more worth writing is this Example of one that has begotten Children being above 100 years old and in this late and weak age of the world CHAP. VI. Of the Policie THe Policie of this Country may be divided into three parts namely Acmdministration of Justice Merchandize and providing for the Poor 1. Of the Administration of Justice The Reader may easily perceive by the Histories related above how this Country was govern'd in the beginning when the Common wealth thereof consisted in an Aristochracy and was govern'd by principal men or Chiesetains as also in some manner how when the Country came under the Kings of Norway there were constituted Bishops and Sheriffs over the Nation besides the Kings Bayliff that gathered Taxes and contributions Since the time of Reformation we know not that this land hath been reduced to a government or District wherewith the King of Denmark's Ministers have been intrâ—sted but their Majesties have ever had their own Bayliffs here that have governed the Land and received the Kings duties which have been paid to them that either by gratification or contract ought to have the same till in our time the high and mighty Prince our Soveraign and Hereditary Lord Frederick the III. of Glorious Memory hath therewith as with a Government gratiously gratified his Excelence the Right Honourable Christopher von Gabel his Majesties State-holder Privy Counsellour and Assessor in the Counsel of State not only with the receipt of the Revenues and the jurisdiction thereof but also with the liberty of establishing and ordaining there his own Bayliff or Deputy to dispose and dispence as he thought fit in matters of Commerce and his said Excellency hath since that time kept his own Bayliff or Deputy over the land to administer in his place having Sheriffs under him for the Land is divided into six divisions or districts namely Norderoe Osteroe Stromoe Waagoe Sandoe and Suderoe Which Sheriff each in his division doth judge of all small causes but they summon the others to the Sessions They receive the Kings Tythes and put in execution what is desired of them by the Kings Commissary Here are also besides Spiritual and Temporal Judges In the Ecclesiastical State though here be no Bishops Canons or other learned men that make up a Chapter in other places yet there is a Synod kept yearly as a Convent or Chapter of Priests The Provost and all the Priests Assembling themselves at Thors haven in Stremoe about Saint Olaus Tide the Sessions being then also kept in the same place and if there be any Chapter cause they are pleaded and judged in the Assembly wherein the Bayliff of the Land presides in the place of the Governour and there is also consulted what may be for the advantage of the Commonalty The Temporal Justice is twofold particular and general The particular is yearly rendred in every division and it is the same thing as the Districts court or first instance in Denmark and is called the Spring Sessions for there being not so many controversies amongst the Inhabitants here as in other places it is kept but once a year namely in the Spring whence it hath the name of Spring-Session where it is the charge of the Sheriff to preside and of the Sworn Recorder to judge what causes they cannot decide or do it wrongfully are appealed of to the law sessions which is the general Court and is as the Provincial in Denmark where his Majesties Bayliff doth preside and hath with him all the six Sheriffs who one after another exhibite to the Court what Law Suits they have either regarding his Majesty or Private
Persons The Provincial Judge giveth the sentence having under him 36 men established by Law six for every division and the sworn Recorder that Registreth what is done and judged as long as the Court is kept all the Clergy being there also the Service of God is celebrated every day in the forenoon with Preaching and Singing in the Church and in the afternoon when the Bell rings the Court is kept The first day they sit all the Priests are called together and when the Court is sate there is only considered that day of what concerns the common good in general and all causes and other controversies being the other days brought to an end and the Court being then ready to be dissolv'd the Clergy is called again into the Court to know if any general matter is yet to be considered of and when all things are come to an end the Provost of the Churches doth declare on which day St. Michael's days of Prayers begin to be observ'd as also if there be any other particular day of prayers appointed by his Majesty as also what space there is between Christmas and Shrovetide After all this the Provincial Judge ariseth and dismisseth the Court pronouncing peace upon all them that go from the Court to their houses declaring also a peaceable possession of all proprieties and freeholds in the Land promising our Gracious Lord and King Tribute as antiently and then for a sign of consent every boby that is present clap their hands the Bell being afterwards rung that every body may know the Court is dissolv'd The same day in the evening both Ecclesiastical and Civil gather themselves in the Sessions-house to Feast and be merry together where according to an antient custome they drink the healths of his Majesty of the Queen and of the Prince the Counsels their Governours and other principal healths with the following particular Ceremony and Speech First one of the eldest Priests begins a verse of a Psalm which they sing out together after which the same Priest alone sings it in Latine according to the antient manner and the guests answer singing in Latine as followeth The Priest sings 1. Omnis Speritus 2. Benedicamus Dominâ— 3. Benedicite The people answers 1. Laudet Dominum 2. Deo gratias 3. Domino Afterwards the Elder of the company ariseth and mentions the health that is to be drunk with the following Speech which being old Language and very remarkable the Interpreter hath thought fit to put it here both in Danish and English Gud vere med vor allernaadigsie Nerre oc Ronning Presium oc Alerctum Leigum oc Lerdum for sin Blessen-Sang oc fauffver formaale baade her oc huert â—itne Ner er Nederligt Minde begyndt som er vor allernaadigsie Nerris oc Ronnings c. Stuble veer saa fare med samme Minde som det sommer oc se der allumgodum Mannum veer stullum helle aâ—munne dricte giore vel oc icte biude dem som stiencte for end vel er affdructen den stal veere Gud fierisi som meest driâ—â—er oc mindst sparer See! det er Billie min Nerre Rongis At Biâ—â—â—n Jogden Laugmaâ—d Presier â—ldermend Gild-Brodre oc Gild-Sostre Gicster oc Neime-mend sâ—ulle alle vere Gud oc velâ—ommene Thus Englished God be with our most Gracious Lord and King Priests and Clerks Layes and Learned for his blessed sake and fair promise now and for ever Here is begun an honourable health which is that of our most Gracious Lord and King c. one must proceed as far with the said health as suits and becomes every good-man every one must 〈◊〉 it to his mouth drink 〈…〉 give it again to him 〈…〉 till it be drunk out he â—hall â—e best beloved of God that drinketh most and spareth teast behold it is the will of the King my Master that the Bishop the Bayliff the provincial Judge the Aldermen the Brothers and Sisters of the Feast the Guests and Hosts should be all welcome thereupon they all arise and drink the health of one another This ceremony is used at every remarkable health that is drunk when every one is satisfied with drink they return to their Lodgings and the next day to their houses not seeing one another together again till the same time the next year They have no particular law as in Island but govern themselves after the law of Norway Those of Feroe have a particular Law that determines how one must deal with sheep called Soid-Brevet or Sheep Ordinance and having made some mention of it above to the Histories better explanation for the satisfaction of the curious Reader and profit of the Inhabitants I have thought fit to insert here the said Ordinance word by word which is thus CHristian the Fourth by the Grace of God King of Deamark and Norway of the Vandals and Gothes Duke of Sleswig Holstein Stormarn and Dytmersk Count of Oldenburgh and Delmanhorst c. Be it known unto all men That whereas many of our beloved Subjects of our Land of Feroe have humbly desired that we would graciously confirm and ratifie unto them an Ordinance concerning their sheep which the late King of Norway gave them the tenor of which is word for word as followeth HAgen by the Grace of God Duke of Norway Son to King Magnus Crowned sends all men that shall see or hear this Patent the blessing of God and also our spiritual and dear friend Mr. Eliender Bishop of Feroe and Mr. Sifvort Provincial Judge of Hetland which we have sent you to end the Controversie amongst the commonalty about the Points which they wanted in the Ordinance for profitable Houskeeping and therefore we have let stitch together these four leaves concerning the Affair and the Sheep business which we have with the counsel of our Principal men prepared as we know shall be most profitable for the Commonalty But for the Ordinance of Christianity we cannot for the present alter it but it must remain as our Lord and Father the Crowned caused it to be collected and delivered it in the hands of Mr. Ellender the Bishop as the Country Records themselves do manifest It is our absclute Command and true will that every one do exactly and well observe this Ordinance about sheep that neither we nor our Successors come in disrespect for it till with the counsel of our principal men we make another Ordinance which God grant may be for the best advantage of the Commonalty In witnesâ— whereof we have sealed this Ordinance Given in Opslo on Saturday next after St. John's week last past from the hour of Jesus Christ's birth One Thousand and Forty Winters that is in the year 1040. and of our Dukedom the 19th Lord Achis the Chancellor sealed Sr. Theyter dictated this Law and Baardue Peterson the Notary writ the Patent ARTICLE I. To know Sheep WE have been informed of a bad custom that hath been in the Land more than it should about sheep neither ought we to have suffered it so but
his Sheep though he would yet in that case the proprietary of the Close shall be paid for it That Sheep is close fast where she brings a Lamb and continueth the Winter over VIII How one must goe into a Close If the Closes or Fields are â—lying together and the ones Sheep go into the others Close let him that will go to divide the Fields warn the other to meet him or go together with him following so together if the one will not come or go let him that warned him go into his own close and not in the others but if he goeth to divide Fields and in anothers Close let him answer the other in Law for it as if he had not warned him But if he hath not given him warning and goeth nevertheless let him answer in Law the other that was at home since he doeth him wrong and pay all the damage that is done that day by reason of his going as also the adversaries Mulct and 3 Ortes of Silver to the King IX How to tame Sheep If any have a Close or Field together wherein are wild Sheep and some will make the Sheep tame and others will not let them chuse that will tame the Sheep and will bargain for his Cattle and not they that will play for them both or let those that will not make tame bear all the damage that can come thereof except there hath been great calamity Therefore we have consented and ordered that the ordinance above written in all its points and articles shall be ratified and coufirmed forbidding all and every one to hinder or obstruct in any manner therein the said Inhabitants of Feroe under pain of our displeasure Given in our Palace of Anderskouff the 24 of February 1637. The Reader may take notice of the fault that is found in the date of this Sheep Ordinance in our 4th Chapter there seems also to be a great errour in the 5th article where it is said that he shall be declared a dishonest man that marketh Sheep less worth then an Orte For one would think according to the Law of Nature he ought to be a dishonest man that marketh Sheep worth more then an Orte for the greater a fault is so much the greater ought to be the punishment but this errour is proceeded from the long kept Sheep Ordinance in writing that was put out in Print without being altered Concerning Mulcts or Fines they are much greater in regard of the worth in Feroe then in other Countreys or Provinces lying under the Crowns of Denmark and Norway the highest Mulct in the law of Denmark being but 40 marks King Hagen Hagenson of Norway mitigated his Law and gave away the two parts of these 40 marks whence it comes that the greatest Mulct namely 8 Ones and 13 marks in the Law of Norway is but a third part of 40 Marks A Marks Mulct in Denmark is expounded in the Danish Law-Glossary for a Rix-mark but the Honourable Jens Biclke in the explication of the Glossery of Norway counteth 8 Ortugs and 13 marks of Silver to be worth 8 Rix Dollars yet in Feroe one is fin'd for a mark of silver 2 Gilders and 8 Skins which maketh 2 Rix-Dollars and for 8 Ortugs 16 Skins that is 4 Danish marks so that one gives in Mulct for 8 Ortugs and 13 marks of Silver 32 Gilders of Feroe amounting in mony to 26 Rix-Dollars and 4 marks Neither doth any body know whence it comes that the worth of those Mulcts is risen so high in Feroe above what it is in Norway since they enjoy a common Law that hath been mitigated by the Supream Magistrate and on the other side there is found no particular ordinance of any King for augmenting the said Mulcts Whether this be the just worth of an antient mark of silver I leave to more skilful persons to judge II. Of Merchandise One may perceive by the Chronicle of Norway as is said before in the History of Trund of Gote that the Inhabitants from the beginning have had Yatchts and small Barks wherewith they have themselves transported their Wares into other places and there put them off neither is it long ago as many old people can witness that the Inhabitants had yet Ships wherewith they brought themselves over their necessaries from other Countreys for which there are yet found priviledges given them by King Frederick the Second of Glorious Memory but those that had procured them having no skill in Merchandise and the Commonalty not being provided with what they had need of and no stranger furnishing the Countrey with necessary things the said King Frederick was graciously pleased to establish and confirm a certain Company that should furnish the Country with all Merchandises and that the Inhabitants should only trade with the Merchants thereof The old people of the land say that the Hamburgers have first by Priviledge from the King had their Staple in Feroe After them the Burgers of Bergen have had a priviledged commerce there since that time the Priviledge thereof was granted the antient Company of Island established at Copenhagen which being dissolv'd in the year 1662. his Excellency the Right Honorable the Lord Statholder Christopher von Gabell by vertue of the Authority granted him over the Country transported that Commerce to Mr. Jonas Trâ—llund of whom the traffick hath almost ever since depended And that Commerce might might be the better improv'd and the poor people provided with all necessary things King Christian the Fourth of Glorious Memory was graciously pleased to grant the Company certain Priviledges upon all Merchandises transported to and transported from Island and Feroe granting them besides the Revenue of Feroe for a moderate price namely a load of fish for every Gilder of Feroe and besides obliged them to transport all necessaries thither and reciprocally forbad the Inhabitants to traffick with strangers The Priests and all Officers under pain of losing their employments and the Peasants of forfeiting their houses And that this Monopoly might not be prejudicial to the Inhabitants there was a certain Tax laid upon all Merchandise usually brought hither and sold namely a Tun of Barley for two Gilders of Malt 3 Gilders of Rye 2 Gilders and a half of Meal 3 Gilders and in that manner all Merchandises that are transported hither have their certain price And here being no traffick with silver mony but all Trade being Ware for Ware there is also a certain price put upon the Commodities of Feroe as are Skins Feathers Tallow Train-Oyl Fish and Stockings viz. a Bundle of Skins consisting of 40 for 2 Gilders a Load of Feathers and fish for a Gilder a Tun of Tallow and Butter 10 Gilders a Tun of Trane-Oyl 6 Gilders a pair of Stockings 4 Skins formerly Wool was sold instead of Stockings few of them being made here though the price of those that were made was 5 Skins But fishing having continually failed for 50 years since the Inhabitants have been forced to work the
wool into stockings and instead that only some hundred pairs of stockings were then every year transported out of the Country there are now and carried out yearly above 60000 pairs when it pleaseth God to preserve their sheep by giving a mild Winter The Wares that are either sold or exchanged here are reduced into mony of Feroe namely Skins and Gilders a Skin is as much as 4 Danish Shillings so that a Sheepskin or 4 Marks of fish doth cost one skin a Gilder is as much as 5 Danish Marks so that 20 Sheepskins or a load of fish maketh a Gilder a load is 36 pounds or two Lis pounds and four single pounds so that though two single pounds or 4 Marks make but one skin and 36 single pounds are really but eighteen skins the load nevertheless according to the old Tax either in fish or other wares that are sold by the Load is worth a Gilder and though the Law of Norway ordereth that the Ell of Zeland and the the Tun of Copenhagen shall be made use of all over Norway they use here nevertheless from antient time the Ell of Hamborough and the Tun of Rostock which by an old custom is shaken three times It may be the Germans who had the first Priviledge of Commerce have brought these measures into Feroe where they have remained ever since Besides this the Inhabitants have a particular greater price of things amongst themselves which is called a Mark of Feroe that is worth 16 Gilders or currant Dollars They call it a Mark because a Mark of ground in Feroe by the antient Tax is reckoned for 16 Gilders of Feroe The Inhabitants pay also their Rents to his Majesty in the Rent-chamber according to the Tax aforesaid yet his Majesties Bayliff taketh one skin more in the Load of his Majesties Revenue which the late Provincial Judge Jonas Heineson granted his Brother Magnus Heineson who then received and transported away his Majesties Revenue may be lest he should come short upon the Merchandises for the great Leakage there is on Butter and Tallow whence it is since come into perpetual custom and whereas all his Majesties Tenants have in their houses the Kings Inventory consisting principally in sheep and Kine which is called the Kings Furniture they give therefore to his Majesty besides their Rents a a yearly Revenue namely for every sheep a sheepskin or the worth in Tallow and for every Cow a load of Butter for every Mark of ground where there is no Kine ten skins in other Wares and some Countrymen having 3 or 400 and above of Furniture sheep it is too difficult for them to pay all in sheepskins wherefore they lay down the half part in skins and the other half in tallow and whereas a skin or 4 Marks of Tallow are worth a skin and a half and a Tun of Tallow 10 Gilders the Tun of Tallow is taken by the weight viz. when it weigheth 6 loads and 2 Bismar-pounds which weight a Tun of Butter ought also to weigh since likewise it is worth 10 Gilders of Feroe III. Of providing for the Poor Besides the portion which poor indigent old and helpless men have of the 4 th part of Tythes every one in his place the able Inhabitants assist them according to their power but besides these here are also found poor leprous men with whom one cannot converse by reason that sickness is infectious wherefore deceased Christian Kings have founded a particular place called Arge near Thors haven whereunto belongeth 4 Marks of ground to feed their Catâ—le upon and besides have gratiously perpetuated 100 Gilders of Feroe that are paid by his Majesties Bayliff The infected are brought and kept there both by the said Annuity of the King as also by what the Inhabitants out of Charity give thereunto as also what can be brought in by their particular diligence wherewith they are now so plentifully maintain'd that almost as many may be entertained there as are infected whereas before there were yearly but 12 persons admitted therein The word of God is Preached unto them and the Sacraments administred by the Parish Priest of Thors haven when they send him word they have their own inspector that takes care for the Tilling of the Mannor provides the sick what they have need of and travels yearly through the Land to gather for the Hospital what charitable people do freely give the poor His Sallary to maintain himself and his servants is the third part of the Kings annuity and what else is gathered round about in the Country As for Leprosie it self I would not omit for the Readers sake to mention something of its nature Physicians write that there are three so it s of Leprosies namely Tyriâ— from the Serpent Tyrâ—â— In this Leprosie the Patients skin is soft and sometimes falleth off in shells and they have many spots and white Wartes thereon The second is called Alopesia by reason the hairs fall off as those of a Fox he that is infected with this Leprosie hath a red face and his Beard and Eye-brows fall off The third sort is called Elephantiaâ—â—â— from the Elephant to whom they become like on their skin the body and face of him that is infected with this Disease is full of knobs The Leprosie wherewith they are troubled in this Country is usually Elephantiasis for the face and limbs of almost all the infected are full of blew knobs that break sometimes out as Boyls whereby they look very deform'd in the face being besides all Hoarse and speaking through their Noses the sickness taketh them most in the Spring and in Autumn and then many of them dye thereof I find the cause of this Leprosie to be the air and dyet for as we said above here is usually a pretty cold and moist air which usually causeth the Scurvy to those that lead a solitary life and this hath a great affinity with Leprofy Besides the meat of all specially of the poorer sort is half rotten flesh or fish all their nourishment in Summer being likewise fresh fish and sweet Milk without any Salt wherfore he that is not of a strong and good complexion may easily have his blood corrupted the sickness gnawing then it self throught he body before it breaketh out and when any one is so infected he may easily give it to another that is of the same complexion with the sick Now that Disease acting a great while in a man before it breaketh out it happeneth that many that think they be clean on both sides do marry together and yet afterwards the one is found to be infected God and nature deals wonderfully with such people in their marriage for amongst the children they beget some clean and some unclean I have 3 examples in my Parish of Women that have been unclean and have brought forth many Children whereof most are married none of them being yet found to be unclean wherefore the Inhabitants take but little care in their woing whether their Parents
they are carried thither by a whirlewind for the Sea it self when it is most boisterous seldome casts any Fish on Land but rather Seaward from the bottom for as little as strong wind can hinder the flight of Birds as little can the strongest motion of the Sea hinder the swimming of Fishes but if either wind or water grow too strong for their inhabitants as Birds hide themselves in trees holes and nests so the small Fishes that lie under the Land float on the deep to save themselves there as long as the storm lasts as is frequently seen in Feroe Wherefore those Herrings were carryed there on Land by a kind of Whirle wind called Typhon which in the Danish Tongue is named Oes That sort of Whirlewind is formed amongst the Clouds and strikes from thence on the Sea and Earth with such a sudden and mighty whirle that if it falleth on Land it takes up Trees Bushes Stones Flesh and what else it meets with and where buildings are too great it strikes them down and breaks them to pieces If it falleth on the Sea it takes up an incredible quantity of water so that one may see deep Cavities in the Sea till the water runs together again and what Fishes are then in that water are drawn up by such a whirlewind Marriners that have tryed the dangers of the deep can speak enough of this whirlewind and have first given it the name of Oes because it draws up the water of the Sea Expert Seamen when they are aware of it let presently fall all their Sails or else they would lose them and sometimes come in great danger of their lives What this Oes takes and draws up from one place it lets it fall on another when it hath wrought out and left its strength whence it comes that one seeth in some places rain down Stones Flesh Mice and particularly the Lemmings or Cats of Norway and in this manner are also these Herrings rained down on Kolter The Hurricane of the West Indies which is sufficiently known is doubtless of this sort of Wind. Sandoe lyeth two miles south of Stromoe and Hestoe stretching it self most to East and West it is eight miles long and four miles broad having but one Creek on the South side neer Sand neither is it a very good Haven At West towards the North point there is a little Isle called Troldhoffret edging off from the North East side to the South West with a high Promentory thereon feed wild Oxen and Sheep Skuoe lyeth two miles to the south of Sandoe stretching it self to the East and West being three miles long and one broad it is a high Land with high Clifts Store Diemen or great Dam liethhalf a mile at the Southeast of Skuoe it is almost round a good mile in Diameter it is a high Territory for the most part flat and green above with great Clifts round about If this Island were garrison'd with thirty warlike men it would not be easie for any Potentate to take it in there being no way to get up except in one place at East and that difficulty for one man at a time and therefore could easily be so strengthned by art that none at all could come up Neither could Ships lye on the Sea about the Island because of the strong current nor could they be taken by Famine there being Cattel Sheep and Fowle enough on the Island It hapned some years ago that the Countrymans Wife on that Island kept secret love with the serving man and they both murthered the Master VVherefore that they might avoid the punishment of the Magistrate they held out the Island a long time but the innocent being unwilling to keep such continual watch with the guilty and they at last being grown secure some nimble men of Feroe by the Bailiff of the Countrys order came on the Island by the East side and took the Delinquents Prisoners who afterwards received their just punishment Lille Diemen lyeth two miles from Store Diemen at South South East it is inhabited and to be accounted for an Isle it ariseth from the Sea as a round and sharp Clift thereon feed wild Sheep Suderoe is the last and Southest Island lying two miles south of Lille Diemen It is almost twenty miles long and eight miles broad where it is broadest bowing with one end to the South the other end stretching it self to the Northwest it is full of Hills having on the VVest side many Clifts neither can one land on it but in four places and yet with difficulty At East it hath four long Creeks namely on the North end Qâ—ailviig neer the close second Qualboe whence a Valley stretcheth it self on the VVest side a mile long then Trungesvaag within which Inlet is a very good little harbour called Punthaven besides which between a little Isle and the Land one may fasten Ships with a Rope and go from Shipboard to Land on a Planck There is besides every where in the Inlet good Harbouring in Summer Finally here is also Vaagesfiord whence there runneth also a Valley a mile long on the Southside In that Inlet there is a bowed Creek where there is one of the best Havens in Feroe called Lebroe It appeareth by the premises that Feroe doth consist of seventeen inhabited and Cultivated Islands namely Fugloe Suinoe Wideroe Bordoe Kunoe Kalsoe Osteroe Nolsoe Stromoe Waagoe Myggeness Kolter Hestoe Sandoe Skuoe Store Diemen and Suderoe and four little Isles or Holms to wit Tintholm Myggenessholm Trolehofred and Lille Diemen whereon only Pasture VVild-Sheep Besides here are several other Holmes whereof the most notable and necessary to be known of Marriners are these Hossvigsholm Kirckboeholm and Comboeholm There are also under the Land several Rocks arising out of the Sea whereof two are considerable for Marriners to know the Land by the one at North of Fugloe called the Bishop which is a round and pretty high Rock it doth not lye so far from the Land as it is set in the Map but only a stone cast or a Musquet shot off The other is at the South of the Land a pretty way at South East of Sumboe it is also a round high Rock called the Monck Neer this Monck is a dangerous whirlepoole which in still weather draweth Ships to it self and brings them in great peril for the waves strike every where into the Ship nay in the very Mast and the Ship cannot be steered but one must let it drive as the stream will have it till it be appeased It is most dangerous in still weather for then one cannot easily get from thence with a Gale of VVind one may take a care not to come into it Jautoe which Mr Peter Claason speaketh of in his book called a Description of Norway is not extant but is only an inclosure called Gote and is twofold namely North Gote and South Gote Neither is he to be blamed for it since he hath written with others pen and seen with others eyes It