A letter of M. Henrie Lane to the worshipfull M. William
Sanderson, conteining a briefe discourse of that which
passed in the Northeast discovery for the space of
three and thirtie yeres.
MASTER SANDERSON, as you lately requested mee, so have
I sought, and though I cannot finde things that heretofore
I kept in writing, and lent out to others, yet perusing at
London copies of mine old letters to content one that
meaneth to pleasure many, I have briefly and as truly
as I may, drawen out as followeth: The rough hewing
may be planed at your leasure, or as pleaseth him that
shall take the paines.
First the honourable attempt to discover by sea Northeast and Northwest named for Cathay, being chiefly procured by priviledge from king Edward the sixt, and other
his nobilitie, by and at the cost and sute of M. Sebastian
Cabota, then governor for discoveries with sir Andrew
Judde, sir George Barnes, sir William Garrard, M.
Anthony Hussie, and a companie of merchants, was in
the last yeere of his Majesties reigne 1553. The generall
charge whereof was committed to one sir Hugh Willoughbie knight, a goodly Gentleman, accompanied with
sufficient number of Pilots, Maisters, Merchants and
Mariners, having three shippes well furnished, to wit,
The Bona Speranca, the Edward Bonaventure, and the
Confidentia. The Edward Bonadventure, Richard Chanceller being Pilot, and Steven Burrough Maister, having
discovered Wardhouse upon the coast of Finmark, by
storme or fogge departed from the rest, found the bay
of S. Nicholas now the chiefe port for Russia
, there
wintred in safetie, and had ayde of the people at a village
called Newnox.
The other two shippes attempting further Northwards
(as appeared by pamphlets found after written by sir
Hugh Willoughbie) were in September encountred with
such extreame colde, that they put backe to seeke a
wintring place: and missing the saide baye fell upon a
desert coast in
Lappia, entring into a River immediately
frozen up, since discovered, named Arzina Reca, distant
East from a Russian Monastery of Monkes called
Pechingho, from whence they never returned, but all
to the number of 70. persons perished, which was for
want of experience to have made caves and stoves. These
were found with the shippes the next Summer Anno
1554. by Russe
fishermen: and in
Anno 1555. the place
sent unto by English Merchants as hereafter appeareth.
Anno 1554. the sayd shippe Edward Bonadventure
(although robbed homewardes by Flemings) returned
with her company to London, shewing and setting foorth
their entertainments and discovery of the countreys even
to the citie of Mosco, from whence they brought a
privilege written in Russe
with the Kings or great Dukes
seale, the other two shippes looked for and unknowen
to them where they were.
An. 1555. the said company of Merchants for discoverie
upon a new supply, sent thither againe with two ships,
to wit, the Edward Bonadventure, & another bearing the
name of the King and Queene, Philip and Marie, whose
Majesties by their letters to the said Moscovite, recommended sundry their subjects then passing, wherof
certaine, to wit, Richard Chanceller, George Killingworth,
Henry Lane, and Arthur Edwards, after their arrivall
at the Bay, and passing up Dwina to Vologda, went
first up to Mosco, where, upon knowledge of the said
letters, they with their traine had speciall entertainment,
with houses and diet appointed, and shortly permitted
to the princes presence, they were with gentlemen brought
through the citie of Mosco, to the castle and palace,
replenished with numbers of people, and some gunners.
They entred sundry roomes, furnished in shew with
ancient grave personages, all in long garments of sundry
colours, golde, tissue, baldekin, and violet, as our vestments and copes have bene in England, sutable with
caps, jewels, and chaines. These were found to be no
courtiers, but ancient Moscovites, inhabitants, and other
their merchants of credite, as the maner is, furnished thus
from the Wardrobe and Treasurie, waiting and wearing
this apparell for the time, and so to restore it.
Then entring into the presence, being a large roome
floored with carpets, were men of more estate, and richer
shew, in number above an hundred set square: who after
the said English men came in, doing reverence, they all
stood up, the prince onely sitting, and yet rising at any
occasion, when our King and Queenes names were read
or spoken. Then after speeches by interpretation, our
men kissing his hande, and bidden to dinner, were stayed
in another roome, and at dinner brought through, where
might be seene massie silver and gilt plate, some like
and as bigge as kilderkins, and washbowles, and entring
the dining place, being the greater roome, the prince was
set bare headed, his crowne and rich cappe standing upon
a pinnacle by. Not farre distant sate his Metropolitane,
with divers other of his kindred, and chiefe Tartarian
Captaines: none sate over against him, or any, at other
tables, their backes towards him: which tables all furnished with ghests set, there was for the Englishmen,
named by the Russes, Ghosti Carabelski, to wit, strangers
or merchants by ship, a table in the middest of the roome,
where they were set direct against the prince: and then
began the service, brought in by a number of his yoong
Lordes and Gentlemen, in such rich attire, as is above
specified: and still from the Princes table (notwithstanding their owne furniture) they had his whole messes set
over all in massie fine golde, delivered every time from
him by name to them, by their severall Christian names,
as they sate, viz. Richard, George, Henry, Arthur. Likewise bread and sundry drinkes of purified mead, made
of fine white and clarified honie. At their rising, the
prince called them to his table, to receive each one a
cup from his hand to drinke, and tooke into his hand
Master George Killingworths beard, which reached over
the table, & pleasantly delivered it the Metropolitane,
who seeming to blesse it, sayd in Russe
, this is Gods
gift. As in deede at that time it was not onely thicke,
broad, and yellow coloured, but in length five foot and
two inches of assize. Then taking leave, being night,
they were accompanied and followed with a number,
carying pots of drinke, and dishes of meat dressed, to
our lodging.
This yeere the two shippes, with the dead bodies of
Sir Hugh Willoughbie, and his people, were sent unto
by Master Killingworth, (which remained there in Mosco
Agent almost two yeeres) and much of the goods and
victuals were recovered and saved.
Anno 1556. The company sent two ships for Russia
,
with extraordinary masters and saylers to bring home
the two ships, which were frozen in
Lappia, in the river
of Arzina aforesaid. The two ships sent this yeere from
England sailing from Lapland
to the Bay of S. Nicholas,
tooke in lading with passengers, to wit, a Russe
ambassador, named Joseph Napea, and some of his men shipped
with Richard Chanceller in the Edward. But so it fel
out that the two which came from Lappia, with all their
new Masters and Mariners, never were heard of, but in
foule weather, and wrought seas, after their two yeeres
wintring in Lapland
, became, as is supposed, unstanch,
and sunke, wherein were drowned also divers Russes
merchants, and servants of the ambassadour. A third
shippe the Edward aforesayd, falling on the North part
of Scotland
, upon a rocke was also lost, and Master
Chanceller, with divers other, drowned. The sayd Russe
ambassadour hardly escaping, with other his men, mariners, & some goods saved, were sent for into Scotland
,
from the King, Queene, and Merchants (the messenger
being M. Doctor Laurence Hussie, and others :) And
then, as in the chronicles appeareth, honorably enterteined
and received at London.
This yeere also the company furnished and sent out
a pinnesse, named the Serchthrift, to discover the harborowes in the North coast from Norway
to Wardhouse,
and so to the Bay of S. Nicholas. There was in her
Master and Pilot, Stephen Burrough, with his brother
William, and eight other. Their discovery was beyond
the Bay, towarde the Samoeds, people dwelling neare the
river of Ob, and found a sound or sea with an Island
called Vaigats, first by them put into the Carde or Mappe.
In that place they threw snowe out of their said pinnesse,
with shovels in August, by which extremitie, and lacke
of time, they came backe to Russia
, and wintred at
Colmogro.
Anno 1557. The company with foure good ships, sent
backe the said Russe
ambassadour, and in company with
him, sent as an Agent, for further discovery, Master
Anthony Jenkinson, who afterward anno 1558, with great
favour of the prince of Moscovia, and his letters passed
the river Volga
to Cazan, and meaning to seeke Cathay
by land, was by many troupes and companies of uncivil
Tartarians encountred, and in danger: but keeping
company with merchants of Bactria
, or Boghar, and
Urgeme, travelling with camels, he with his company,
went to Boghar, and no further: whose entertainment
of the king is to be had of master Jenkinson, which
returned anno 1559. to Moscovie. And in anno 1560.
he, with
Henry Lane, came home into England: which
yeere was the first safe returne, without losse or shipwracke, or dead fraight, & burnings. And at this time
was the first traffike to the Narve in Livonia
, which
confines with Lituania
, & all the dominions of Russia
:
and the markets, faires, commodities, great townes &
rivers, were sent unto by divers servants: the reports
were taken by
Henry Lane, Agent, and delivered to the
companie, 1561. The trade to Rie, and Revel, of old
time hath bene long since frequented by our English
nation, but this trade to the Narve was hitherto concealed
from us by the Danskers and Lubeckers.
Anno 1561. the said Master Anthony Jenkinson went
Agent into Russia, who the next yeere after, passing all
the
river of Volga to Astracan, and over the
Caspian
sea, arrived in Persia, and opened the trade thither.
Also betweene the yeeres of 1568. and 1573. sundry
voyages after Master Jenkinsons, were made by Thomas
Alcock, Arthur Edwards, Master Thomas Bannister, and
Master Geffrey Ducket, whose returne (if spoyle neere
Volga
had not prevented by roving theeves) had altogether
salved and recovered the companies (called the olde
companies) great losse, charges, and damages: but the
saying is true, By unitie small things grow great, & by
contention great things become small. This may be
understood best by the company. The frowardnesse of
some few, and evill doing of some unjust factors, was
cause of much of the evill successe.
Arthur Edwards was sent againe 1579. and died in
the voyage at Astracan. About which matters, are to be
remembred the voyages of Master Thomas Randolph
Esquire, Ambassador, anno 1567. And late of Sir Jerome
Bowes, anno 1583. both tending and treating for further
discoveries, freedomes, and privileges, wherewith I meddle
not. But in conclusion, for their paines and adventures
this way (as divers do now adayes other wayes) as worthy
Gentlemen sent from princes, to doe their countrey good,
I put them in your memorie, with my hearty farewell.
From S. Magarets neere Dartforth in Kent
.
Yours
Henry Lane.
