The newe Navigation and discoverie of the kingdome of Moscovia, by the Northeast, in the yeere 1553: Enter prised by Sir Hugh Willoughbie knight, and per fourmed by Richard Chancelor Pilot major of the voyage: Written in Latine by Clement Adams.
AT what time our Marchants perceived the commodities
and wares of England to bee in small request with the
countreys and people about us, and neere unto us, and
that those Marchandizes which strangers in the time and
memorie of our auncesters did earnestly seeke and desire,
were nowe neglected, and the price thereof abated,
although by us carried to their owne portes, and all
forreine Marchandises in great accompt, and their prises
wonderfully raised: certaine grave Citizens of London,
and men of great wisedome, and carefull for the good
of their Countrey, began to thinke with themselves, howe
this mischiefe might bee remedied. Neither was a
remedie (as it then appeared) wanting to their desires,
for the avoyding of so great an inconvenience: for seeing
that the wealth of the Spaniards and Portingales, by the
discoverie and search of newe trades and Countreys was
marveilously increased, supposing the same to be a course
and meane for them also to obteine the like, they thereupon resolved upon a newe and strange Navigation. And
whereas at the same time one Sebastian Cabota, a man
in those dayes very renowmed, happened to bee in
London, they began first of all to deale and consult
diligently with him, and after much speech and conference
together, it was at last concluded that three shippes
should bee prepared and furnished out, for the search
and discoverie of the Northerne part of the world, to
open a way and passage to our men for travaile to newe
and unknowen kingdomes.
And whereas many things seemed necessary to bee
regarded in this so hard and difficult a matter, they first
make choyse of certaine grave and wise persons in maner
of a Senate or companie, which should lay their heads
together, and give their judgements, and provide things
requisite and profitable for all occasions: by this companie
it was thought expedient, that a certaine summe of money
should publiquely bee collected to serve for the furnishing
of so many shippes. And lest any private man should
bee too much oppressed and charged, a course was taken,
that every man willing to be of the societie, should disburse the portion of twentie and five pounds a piece: so
that in short time by this meanes the summe of sixe
thousand pounds being gathered, the three shippes were
bought, the most part whereof they provided to be newly
built and trimmed. But in this action, I wote not whether
I may more admire the care of the Marchants, or the
diligence of the Shipwrights: for the Marchants, they
get very strong and well seasoned plankes for the build
ing, the Shippewrights, they with daily travaile, and their
greatest skill doe fitte them for the dispatch of the
shippes: they calke them, pitch them, and among the
rest, they make one most stanch and firme, by an excellent
and ingenious invention. For they had heard that in
certaine parts of the Ocean, a kinde of wormes is bredde,
which many times pearceth and eateth through the
strongest oake that is: and therfore that the Mariners,
and the rest to bee imployed in this voyage might bee
free and safe from this danger, they cover a piece of the
keele of the shippe with thinne sheetes of leade: and
having thus built the ships, and furnished them with
armour and artillerie, then followed a second care no
lesse troublesome and necessarie then the former, namely,
the provision of victuals, which was to be made according
to the time and length of the voyage. And whereas they
afore determined to have the East part of the world sayled
unto, and yet that the sea towards the same was not
open, except they kept the Northren tract, whereas yet
it was doubtfull whether there were any passage yea or
no, they resolved to victuall the ships for eighteene
moneths, which they did for this reason. For our men
being to passe that huge and colde part of the world,
they wisely foreseeing it, allowe them sixe moneths
victuall to saile to the place, so much more to remaine
there if the extremitie of the winter hindered their returne,
and so much more also for the time of their comming
home.
Nowe this provision being made and carried aboord,
with armour and munition of all sorts, sufficient Captaines
and governours of so great an enterprise were as yet
wanting: to which office and place, although many men,
(and some voyde of experience) offered themselves, yet
one Sir Hugh Willoughbie a most valiant Gentleman,
and well borne, very earnestly requested to have that care
and charge committed unto him: of whom before all
others, both by reason of his goodly personage (for he
was of a tall stature) as also for his singular skill in the
services of warre, the company of the Marchants made
greatest accompt: so that at the last they concluded and
made choyce of him for the Generall of this voyage, and
appoynted to him the Admirall with authoritie and commaund over all the rest. And for the governement of
other ships although divers men seemed willing, and
made offers of themselves thereunto, yet by a common
consent one Richard Chanceler, a man of great estimation
for many good partes of wit in him, was elected, in whom
alone great hope for the performance of this businesse
rested. This man was brought up by one Master Henry
Sidney, a noble young Gentleman and very much beloved
of King Edward, who at this time comming to the place
where the Marchants were gathered together, beganne a
very eloquent speech or Oration, and spake to them after
this maner following.
My very worshipfull friends, I cannot but greatly
commend your present godly and vertuous intention, in
the serious enterprising (for the singular love you beare
to your Countrey) a matter, which (I hope) will proove
profitable for this nation, and honourable to this our
land. Which intention of yours wee also of the Nobilitie
are ready to our power to helpe and further: neither doe
wee holde any thing so deare and precious unto us, which
wee will not willingly forgoe, and lay out in so commendable a cause. But principally I rejoyce in my selfe,
that I have nourished and maintained that witte, which
is like by some meanes and in some measure, to profite
and steede you in this worthy action. But yet I would
not have you ignorant of this one thing. that I doe now
part with Chanceler, not because I make little reckoning
of the man, or that his maintenance is burdenous and
chargeable unto mee, but that you might conceive and
understand my good will and promptitude for the furtherance of this businesse, and that the authoritie and
estimation which hee deserveth may be given him. You
know the man by report, I by experience, you by wordes,
I by deedes, you by speech and companie, but I by the
daily triall of his life have a full and perfect knowledge
of him. And you are also to remember, into howe many
perils for your sakes, and his countreys love, he is nowe
to runne: whereof it is requisite that wee be not unmindefull, if it please God to send him good successe. Wee
commit a little money to the chaunce and hazard of
Fortune: He commits his life (a thing to a man of all
things most deare) to the raging Sea, and the uncertainties
of many dangers. We shall here live and rest at home
quietly with our friends, and acquaintance: but hee in
the meane time labouring to keepe the ignorant and unruly
Mariners in good order and obedience, with howe many
cares shall hee trouble and vexe himselfe? with how many
troubles shall he breake himselfe? and howe many disquietings shall hee bee forced to sustaine? We shall
keepe our owne coastes and countrey: Hee shall seeke
strange and unknowen kingdomes. He shall commit his
safetie to barbarous and cruell people, and shall hazard
his life amongst the monstrous and terrible beastes of the
Sea. Wherefore in respect of the greatnesse of the
dangers, and the excellencie of his charge, you are to
favour and love the man thus departing from us: and if
it fall so happily out that hee returne againe, it is your
part and duetie also, liberally to reward him.
After that this noble yong Gentleman had delivered this
or some such like speech, much more eloquently then I
can possiblie report it, the companie then present beganne
one to looke upon another, one to question and conferre
with another: and some (to whom the vertue and
sufficiencie of the man was knowen) began secretly to
rejoyce with themselves, and to conceive a speciall hope,
that the man would proove in time very rare and excellent,
and that his vertues already appearing and shining to
the world would growe to the great honour and advancement of this kingdome.
After all this, the companie growing to some silence,
it seemed good to them that were of greatest gravity
amongst them, to inquire, search and seeke what might
be learned & knowen, concerning the Easterly part or
tract of the world. For which cause two Tartarians,
which were then of the kings Stable, were sent for, &
an interpreter was gotten to be present, by whom they
were demaunded touching their Countrey and the maners
of their nation. But they were able to answere nothing
to the purpose: being in deede more acquainted (as one
there merily and openly said) to tosse pottes, then to
learne the states and dispositions of people. But after
much adoe and many things passed about this matter,
they grewe at last to this issue, to set downe and appoynt
a time for the departure of the shippes: because divers
were of opinion, that a great part of the best time of
the yeere was already spent, and if the delay grewe
longer, the way would bee stopt and bard by the force
of the Ice, and the colde climate: and therefore it was
thought best by the opinion of them all, that by the
twentieth day of May, the Captaines and Mariners should
take shipping, and depart from Radcliffe
upon the ebbe,
if it pleased God. They having saluted their acquaintance, one his wife, another his children, another his
kinsfolkes, and another his friends deerer then his kinsfolkes, were present and ready at the day appoynted:
and having waved ancre, they departed with the turning
of the water, and sailing easily, came first to Greenewich.
The greater shippes are towed downe with boates, and
oares, and the mariners being all apparelled in Watchet
or skie coloured cloth, rowed amaine, and made way
with diligence. And being come neere to Greenewich,
(where the Court then lay) presently upon the newes
therof, the Courtiers came running out, and the common
people flockt together, standing very thicke upon the
shoare: the privie Counsel, they lookt out at the windowes
of the Court, and the rest ranne up to the toppes of the
towers: the shippes hereupon discharge their Ordinance,
and shoot off their pieces after the maner of warre, and
of the sea, insomuch that the tops of the hilles sounded
therewith, the valleys and the waters gave an Eccho, and
the Mariners, they shouted in such sort, that the skie
rang againe with the noyse thereof. One stoode in the
poope of the ship, and by his gesture bids farewell to
his friendes in the best maner hee could. Another walkes
upon the hatches, another climbes the shrowds, another
stands upon the maine yard, and another in the top of
the shippe. To be short, it was a very triumph (after
a sort) in all respects to the beholders. But (alas) the
good King Edward (in respect of whom principally all
this was prepared) hee onely by reason of his sickenesse
was absent from this shewe, and not long after the
departure of these ships, the lamentable and most sorowfull accident of his death followed.
But to proceede in the matter.
The shippes going downe with the tyde came at last
to Woolwich
, where they stayed and cast ancre, with
purpose to depart therehence againe, as soone as the
turning of the water, and a better winde should drawe
them to set saile. After this they departed and came to
Harwich
, in which porte they stayed long, not without
great losse and consuming of time: yet at the last with
a good winde they hoysed up saile, and committed themselves to the sea, giving their last adieu to their native
Countrey, which they knewe not whether they should
ever returne to see againe or not. Many of them looked
oftentimes backe, and could not refraine from teares,
considering into what hazards they were to fall, and what
uncertainties of the sea they were to make triall of.
Amongst the rest, Richard Chanceler the Captaine of
the Edward Bonaventure, was not a little grieved with
the feare of wanting victuals, part whereof was found
to be corrupt and putrified at Harwich
, and the hoggesheads of wine also leaked, and were not stanch: his
naturall and fatherly affection also somewhat troubled
him, for he left behinde him his two little sonnes, which
were in the case of Orphanes if he spedde not well: the
estate also of his companie mooved him to care, being in
the former respects after a sort unhappie, and were to
abide with himselfe every good or badde accident: but
in the meane time while his minde was thus tormented
with the multiplicitie of sorowes and cares, after many
dayes sayling, they kenned land afarre off, whereunto the
Pilots directed the ships: and being come to it, they
land, and finde it to be
Rost Island, where they stayed
certaine dayes, and afterwards set saile againe, and proceeding towards the North, they espied certaine other
Islands, which were called the
Crosse of Islands. From
which places when they were a litle departed, Sir Hugh
Willoughby the General, a man of good foresight and
providence in all his actions, erected and set out his
flagge, by which hee called together the chiefest men of
the other shippes, that by the helpe and assistance of
their counsels, the order of the governement, and conduction of the shippes in the whole voyage might bee
the better: who being come together accordingly, they
conclude and agree, that if any great tempest should arise
at any time, and happen to disperse and scatter them,
every shippe should indevour his best to goe to Wardhouse, a haven or castell of some name in the kingdome
of Norway
, and that they that arrived there first in safetie
should stay and expect the comming of the rest.
The very same day in the afternoone, about foure of
the clocke, so great a tempest suddenly arose, and the
Seas were so outragious, that the ships could not keepe
their intended course, but some were perforce driven one
way, and some another way, to their great perill and
hazard: The generall with his lowdest voyce cried out to
Richard Chanceler, and earnestly requested him not to
goe farre from him: but hee neither would nor could
keepe companie with him, if he sailed still so fast: for
the Admirall was of better saile then his shippe. But
the said Admirall (I knowe not by what meanes) bearing
all his sailes, was caried away with so great force and
swiftnesse, that not long after hee was quite out of sight,
and the third ship also with the same storme and like
rage was dispersed and lost us.
The shippe boate of the Admirall (striking against the
shippe,) was overwhelmed in the sight and viewe of the
Mariners of the Bonaventure: and as for them that are
already returned and arrived, they know nothing of the
rest of the ships what was become of them.
But if it be so, that any miserable mishap have overtaken them, If the rage and furie of the Sea have
devoured those good men, or if as yet they live, and
wander up and downe in strange Countreys, I must needs
say they were men worthy of better fortune, and if they
be living, let us wish them safetie and a good returne:
but if the crueltie of death hath taken holde of them,
God send them a Christian grave and Sepulchre.
Nowe Richard Chanceler with his shippe and company
being thus left alone, and become very pensive, heavie,
and sorowfull, by this dispersion of the Fleete, hee
(according to the order before taken,) shapeth his course
for Wardhouse in Norway
, there to expect and abide
the arrivall of the rest of the shippes. And being come
thither, and having stayed there the space of 7. dayes,
and looked in vaine for their comming, hee determined
at length to proceede alone in the purposed voyage. And
as hee was preparing himselfe to depart, it happened that
hee fell in company and speech with certaine Scottishmen:
who having understanding of his intention, and wishing
well to his actions, beganne earnestly to disswade him
from the further prosecution of the discoverie, by amplifying the dangers which hee was to fall into, and omitted
no reason that might serve to that purpose. . But hee
holding nothing so ignominious and reprochfull, as inconstancie and levitie of minde, and perswading himselfe
that a man of valour coulde not commit a more dishonourable part then for feare of danger to avoyde and
shunne great attempts, was nothing at all changed or
discouraged with the speeches and words of the Scots,
remaining stedfast and immutable in his first resolution:
determining either to bring that to passe which was
intended, or els to die the death.
And as for them which were with Master Chanceler in
his shippe, although they had great cause of discomfort
by the losse of their companie (whom the foresaid tempest
had separated from them,) and were not a little troubled
with cogitations and perturbations of minde, in respect
of their doubtfull course: yet notwithstanding, they were
of such consent and agreement of minde with Master
Chanceler, that they were resolute, and prepared under
his direction and government, to make proofe and triall
of all adventures, without all feare or mistrust of future
dangers. Which constancie of minde in all the companie
did exceedingly increase their Captaines carefulnesse: for
hee being swallowed up with like good will and love
towards them, feared lest through any errour of his, the
safetie of the companie should bee indangered. To conclude, when they sawe their desire and hope of the arrivall
of the rest of the shippes to be every day more and more
frustrated, they provided to sea againe, and Master
Chanceler held on his course towards that unknowen
part of the world, and sailed so farre, that hee came at
last to the place where hee found no night at all, but a
continuall light and brightnesse of the Sunne shining
clearely upon the huge and mightie Sea. And having
the benefite of this perpetuall light for certaine dayes,
at the length it pleased God to bring them into a certaine
great Bay, which was of one hundreth miles or thereabout
over. Whereinto they entred, and somewhat farre within
it cast ancre, and looking every way about them, it
happened that they espied a farre off a certaine fisher
boate, which Master Chanceler, accompanied with a fewe
of his men, went towards to common with the fishermen
that were in it, and to knowe of them what Countrey it
was, and what people, and of what maner of living they
were: but they being amazed with the strange greatnesse
of his shippe, (for in those partes before that time they
had never seene the like) beganne presently to avoyde
and to flee: but hee still following them at last overtooke
them, and being come to them, they (being in great feare,
as men halfe dead) prostrated themselves before him,
offering to kisse his feete: but hee (according to his great
and singular courtesie,) looked pleasantly upon them,
comforting them by signes and gestures, refusing those
dueties and reverences of theirs, and taking them up in
all loving sort from the ground. And it is strange to
consider howe much favour afterwards in that place, this
humanitie of his did purchase to himselfe. For they being
dismissed spread by and by a report abroad of the arrivall
of a strange nation, of a singular gentlenesse and
courtesie: whereupon the common people came together
offering to these newe-come ghests victuals freely, and
not refusing to traffique with them, except they had bene
bound by a certaine religious use and custome, not to
buy any forreine commodities, without the knowledge and
consent of the king.
Bv this time our men had learned that this Countrey
was called Russia
, or Moscovie, and that Ivan Vasiliwich
(which was at that time their Kings name) ruled and
governed farre and wide in those places. And the barbarous Russes asked likewise of our men whence they
were, and what they came for: whereunto answere was
made, that they were Englishmen sent into those coastes,
from the most excellent King Edward the sixt, having
from him in commandement certaine things to deliver to
their King, and seeking nothing els but his amitie and
friendship, and traffique with his people, whereby they
doubted not, but that great commoditie and profit would
grow to the subjects of both kingdomes.
The Barbarians heard these things very gladly, and
promised their aide and furtherance to acquaint their
king out of hand with so honest and a reasonable request.
In the meane time Master Chanceler intreated victuals
for his money of the governour of that place (who together
with others came aboord him) and required hostages of
them likewise for the more assurance of safetie to
himselfe and his company. To whom the Governours
answered, that they knewe not in that case the will of
their king, but yet were willing in such things as they
might lawfully doe, to pleasure him: which was as then
to affoord him the benefit of victuals.
Nowe while these things were a doing, they secretly
sent a messenger unto the Emperour, to certifie him of
the arrivall of a strange nation, and withall to knowe
his pleasure concerning them. Which message was very
welcome unto him, insomuch that voluntarily hee invited
them to come to his Court. But if by reason of the
tediousnesse of so long a journey, they thought it not
best so to doe, then hee graunted libertie to his subjects
to bargaine, and to traffique with them: and further
promised, that if it would please them to come to him,
hee himselfe would beare the whole charges of poste
horses. In the meane time the governours of the place
differred the matter from day to day, pretending divers
excuses, and saying one while that the consent of all the
governours, and another while, that the great and
waightie affaires of the kingdome compelled them to differ
their answere: and this they did of purpose, 'so long to
protract the time, untill the messenger (sent before to the
king) did returne with relation of his will and pleasure.
But Master Chanceler, (seeing himselfe held in this
suspense with long and vaine expectation, and thinking
that of intention to delude him, they posted the matter
off so often,) was very instant with them to performe
their promise: Which if they would not doe, hee tolde
them that hee would depart and proceede in his voyage.
So that the Moscovites (although as yet they knew not
the minde of their king) yet fearing the departure in
deede of our men who had such wares and commodities
as they greatly desired, they at last resolved to furnish
our people with all things necessarie, and to conduct them
by land to the presence of their king. And so Master
Chanceler beganne his journey, which was very long and
most troublesome, wherein hee had the use of certaine
sleds, which in that Countrey are very common, for they
are caried themselves upon sleds, and all their carriages
are in the same sort, the people almost not knowing any
other maner of carriage, the cause wherof is the exceeding
hardnesse of the ground congealed in the winter time by
the force of the colde, which in those places is very
extreme and horrible, whereof hereafter we will say something.
But nowe they having passed the greater part of their
journey, mette at last with the Sleddeman (of whom I
spake before) sent to the king secretly from the Justices
or governours, who by some ill happe had lost his way,
and had gone to the Sea side, which is neere to the
Countrey of the Tartars, thinking there to have found
our ship. But having long erred and wandered out of
his way, at the last in his direct returne, hee met (as hee
was comming) our Captaine on the way. To whom hee
by and by delivered the Emperours letters, which were
written to him with all courtesie and in the most loving
maner that could be: wherein expresse commandement
was given, that post horses should bee gotten for him
and the rest of his company without any money. Which
thing was of all the Russes in the rest of their journey
so willingly done, that they began to quarrell, yea, and
to fight also in striving and contending which of them
should put their post horses to the sledde: so that after
much adoe and great paines taken in this long and wearie
journey, (for they had travailed very neere fifteene
hundred miles) Master Chanceler came at last to Mosco
the chiefe citie of the kingdome, and the seate of the
king: of which citie, and of the Emperour himselfe, and
of the principall cities of Moscovie, wee will speake
immediatly more at large in this discourse.
Of Moscovie, which is also called Russia
.
MOSCOVIE, which hath the name also of Russia
the white,
is a very large and spacious Countrey, every way bounded
with divers nations. Towards the South and the East,
it is compassed with Tartaria: the Northren side of it
stretcheth to the
Scytian Ocean: upon the West part
border the Lappians, a rude and savage nation, living
in woods, whose language is not knowen to any other
people: next unto these, more towards the South, is
Swecia, then Finlandia
, then Livonia
, and last of all
Lituania
. This Countrey of Moscovie, hath also very
many and great rivers in it, and is marish ground in
many places: and as for the rivers, the greatest and most
famous amongst all the rest, is that, which the Russes
in their owne tongue call Volga
, but others know it by
the name of Rha. Next unto it in fame is Tanais
, which
they call Don, and the third Boristhenes which at this
day they call Neper. Two of these, to wit, Rha, and
Boristhenes yssuing both out of one fountaine, runne
very farre through the land: Rha receiving many other
pleasant rivers into it, & running from the very head
or spring of it towards the East, after many crooked
turnings and windings, dischargeth it selfe, and all the
other waters and rivers that fall into it by divers passages
into the
Caspian Sea. Tanais
springing from a fountaine
of great name in those partes, and growing great neere
to his head, spreds it selfe at length very largely, and
makes a great lake: and then growing narrowe againe,
doth so runne for certaine miles, untill it fall into another
lake, which they call Ivan: and therehence fetching a
very crooked course, comes very neere to the river Volga
:
but disdaining as it were the company of any other river,
doth there turne it selfe againe from Volga
, and runnes
toward the South, and fals at last into the
Lake of Moeotis.
Boristhenes, which comes from the same head that Rha
doth, (as wee sayde before) carieth both it selfe, and
other waters that are neere unto it, towards the South,
not refusing the mixture of other small rivers: and
running by many great and large Countreys fals at last
into Pontus Euxinus. Besides these rivers, are also in
Moscovie certaine lakes, and pooles, the lakes breede fish
by the celestiall influence: and amongst them all, the
chiefest and most principall is called Bealozera, which
is very famous by reason of a very strong towre built
in it, wherein the kings of Moscovie reserve and repose
their treasure in all time of warre and danger.
Touching the Riphean mountaines, whereupon the snow
lieth continually, and where hence in times past it was
thought that Tanais
the river did spring, and that the
rest of the wonders of nature, which the Grecians fained
and invented of olde, were there to be seene: our men
which lately came from thence, neither sawe them, nor
yet have brought home any perfect relation of them,
although they remained there for the space of three
moneths, and had gotten in that time some intelligence
of the language of Moscovie. The whole Countrey is
plaine and champion, and few hils in it: and towards
the North it hath very large & spacious woods, wherein
is great store of Firre trees, a wood very necessarie, and
fit for the building of houses: there are also wilde beastes
bred in those woods, as Buffes, Beares, and blacke
Wolves, and another kinde of beast unknowen to us,
but called by them Rossomakka: and the nature of the
same is very rare and wonderfull: for when it is great
with yong, and ready to bring foorth, it seeketh out some
narrow place betweene two stakes, and so going through
them, presseth it selfe, and by that meanes is eased of
her burden, which otherwise could not be done. They
hunt their buffes for the most part a horsebacke, but their
Beares a foot, with woodden forkes. The north parts
of the Countrey are reported to be so cold, that the very
ice or water which distilleth out of the moist wood which
they lay upon the fire is presently congealed and frozen:
the diversitie growing suddenly to be so great, that in
one and the selfe same fiebrand, a man shall see both
fire and ice. When the winter doth once begin there it
doth still more & more increase by a perpetuitie of cold:
neither doth that colde slake, untill the force of the Sunne
beames doth dissolve the cold, and make glad the earth,
returning to it againe. Our mariners which we left in
the ship in the meane time to keepe it, in their going
up onely from their cabbins to the hatches, had their
breath oftentimes so suddenly taken away, that they
eftsoones fell downe as men very neere dead, so great
is the sharpenesse of that colde climate: but as for the
South parts of the Countrey, they are somewhat more
temperate.
Of Mosco the chiefe Citie of the kingdome, and of the
Emperour thereof.
IT remaineth that a larger discourse be made of Mosco,
the principall Citie of that Countrey, and of the Prince
also, as before we have promised. The Empire and
government of the king is very large, and his wealth at
this time exceeding great. And because the citie of
Mosco is the chiefest of al the rest, it seemeth of it selfe
to challenge the first place in this discourse. Our men
say, that in bignesse it is as great as the Citie of London,
with the suburbes thereof. There are many and great
buildings in it, but for beautie and fairenesse, nothing
comparable to ours. There are many Townes and
Villages also, but built out of order, and with no hansomnesse: their streetes and wayes are not paved with stone
as ours are: the walles of their houses are of wood: the
roofes for the most part are covered with shingle boords.
There is hard by the Citie a very faire Castle, strong,
and furnished with artillerie, whereunto the Citie is joyned
directly towards the North, with a bricke wall: the walles
also of the Castle are built with bricke, and are in breadth
or thickenesse eighteene foote. This Castle hath on the
one side a drie ditch, on the other side the river Moscua,
whereby it is made almost inexpugnable. The same
Moscua trending towards the East doth admit into it
the companie of the river Occa.
In the Castle aforesaide, there are in number nine
Churches, or Chappels, not altogether unhansome, which
are used and kept by certaine religious men, over whom
there is after a sort, a Patriarke, or Governour, and with
him other reverend Fathers, all which for the greater
part, dwell within the Castle. As for the kings Court
and Palace, it is not of the neatest, onely in forme it is
foure square, and of lowe building, much surpassed and
excelled by the beautie and elegancie of the houses of
the kings of England. The windowes are very narrowly
built, and some of them by glasse, some other by lettisses
admit the light: and whereas the Palaces of our Princes
are decked, and adorned with hangings of cloth of gold,
there is none such there: they build and joyne to all their
wals benches, and that not onely in the Court of the
Emperour, but in all private mens houses.
Nowe after that they had remained about twelve dayes
in the Citie, there was then a Messenger sent unto them,
to bring them to the Kings house: and they being after
a sort wearied with their long stay, were very ready, and
willing so to doe: and being entred within the gates of
the Court, there sate a very honorable companie of
Courtiers, to the number of one hundred, all apparelled
in cloth of golde, downe to their ankles: and therehence
being conducted into the chamber of presence, our men
beganne to wonder at the Majestie of the Emperour:
his seate was aloft, in a very royall throne, having on
his head a Diademe, or Crowne of golde, apparelled with
a robe all of Goldsmiths worke, and in his hand hee held
a Scepter garnished, and beset with precious stones: and
besides all other notes and apparances of honour, there
was a Majestie in his countenance proportionable with
the excellencie of his estate: on the one side of him stood
his chiefe Secretarie, on the other side, the great Commander of silence, both of them arayed also in cloth of
gold: and then there sate the Counsel of one hundred
and fiftie in number, all in like sort arayed, and of great
state. This so honorable an assemblie, so great a
Majestie of the Emperour, and of the place might very
well have amazed our men, and have dasht them out of
countenance: but notwithstanding Master Chanceler being
therewithall nothing dismaied saluted, and did his duetie
to the Emperour, after the maner of England, and withall,
delivered unto him the letters of our king, Edward the
sixt. The Emperour having taken, & read the letters,
began a litle to question with them, and to aske them
of the welfare of our king: whereunto our men answered
him directly, & in few words: hereupon our men presented
some thing to the Emperour, by the chiefe Secretary,
which at the delivery of it, put of his hat, being before
all the time covered: and so the Emperour having invited
them to dinner, dismissed them from his presence: and
going into the chamber of him that was Master of the
Requests to the Emperour, & having stayed there the
space of two howres, at the last, the Messenger commeth,
and calleth them to dinner: they goe, and being conducted into the golden Court, (for so they call it, although
not very faire) they finde the Emperour sitting upon an
high and stately seate, apparelled with a robe of silver,
and with another Diademe on his head: our men being
placed over against him, sit downe: in the middes of the
roome stoode a mightie Cupboord upon a square foote,
whereupon stoode also a round boord, in manner of a
Diamond, broade beneath, and towardes the toppe
narrowe, and every steppe rose up more narrowe then
another. Upon this Cupboorde was placed the Emperours
plate, which was so much, that the very Cupboord it
selfe was scant able to sustaine the waight of it: the
better part of all the vessels, and goblets, was made of
very fine gold: and amongst the rest, there were foure
pots of very large bignesse, which did adorne the rest
of the plate in great measure: for they were so high,
that they thought them at the least five foote long. There
were also upon this Cupbord certaine silver caskes, not
much differing from the quantitie of our Fyrkins, wherein
was reserved the Emperours drinke: on each side of the
Hall stood foure Tables, each of them layde and covered
with very cleane table clothes, whereunto the company
ascended by three steps or degrees: all which were filled
with the assemblie present: the ghests were all apparelled
with linnen without, and with rich skinnes within, and
so did notably set out this royall feast. The Emperour,
when hee takes any bread or knife in his hand, doth first
of all crosse himselfe upon his forehead: they that are
in speciall favour with the Emperour sit upon the same
bench with him, but somewhat farre from him: and before
the comming in of the meate, the Emperour himselfe,
according to an ancient custome of the kings of Moscovy,
doth first bestow a piece of bread upon every one of his
ghests, with a loud pronunciation of his title, and honour,
in this manner: The great Duke of Moscovie, and chiefe
Emperour of Russia, John Basiliwich (& then the officer
nameth the ghest) doth give thee bread. Whereupon al
the ghests rise up, and by & by sit downe againe. This
done, the Gentleman Usher of the Hall comes in, with
a notable company of servants, carying the dishes, and
having done his reverence to the Emperour, puts a yong
Swanne in a golden platter upon the table, and immediatly
takes it thence againe, delivering it to the Carver, and
seven other of his fellowes, to be cut up: which being
perfourmed, the meate is then distributed to the ghests,
with the like pompe, and ceremonies. In the meane time,
the Gentleman Usher receives his bread, and tasteth to
the Emperour, and afterward, having done his reverence,
he departeth. Touching the rest of the dishes, because
they were brought in out of order, our men can report
no certaintie: but this is true, that all the furniture of
dishes, and drinking vessels, which were then for the
use of a hundred ghests, was all of pure golde, and the
tables were so laden with vessels of gold, that there was
no roome for some to stand upon them.
We may not forget, that there were 140. servitors
arayed in cloth of gold, that in the dinner time, changed
thrise their habit and apparell, which servitors are in like
sort served with bread from the Emperour, as the rest
of the ghests. Last of all, dinner being ended, and
candles brought in, (for by this time night was come)
the Emperour calleth all his ghests and Noble men by
their names, in such sort, that it seemes miraculous, that
a Prince, otherwise occupied in great matters of estate,
should so well remember so many and sundry particular
names. The Russes tolde our men, that the reason
thereof, as also of the bestowing of bread in that maner,
was to the ende that the Emperour might keepe the
knowledge of his owne houshold: and withal, that such
as are under his displeasure, might by this meanes be
knowen.
Of the discipline of warre among the Russes.
WHENSOEVER the injures of their neighbours doe call
the King foorth to battell, hee never armeth a less
number against the enemie, then 300. thousand soldiers,
100. thousand whereof hee carieth out into the field with
him, and leaveth the rest in garison in some fit places,
for the better safetie of his Empire. He presseth no
husbandman, nor Marchant: for the Countrey is so
populous, that these being left at home, the youth of the
Realme is sufficient for all his wars. As many as goe
out to warfare doe provide all things of their owne cost:
they fight not on foote, but altogether on horsebacke:
their armour is a coate of maile, & a helmet: the coate
of maile wtout is gilded, or els adorned with silke,
although it pertaine to a common soldier: they have a
great pride in shewing their wealth: they use bowes, and
arrowes, as the Turks do: they cary lances also into the
field. They ride with a short stirrop, after the maner of
the Turks: They are a kinde of people most sparing in
diet, and most patient in extremitie of cold, above all
others. For when the ground is covered with snowe,
and is growen terrible and hard with the frost, this Russe
hangs up his mantle, or souldiers coate, against that part
from whence the winde and Snowe drives, and so making
a little fire, lieth downe with his backe towards the
weather: this mantle of his serves him for his bed, wall,
house and all: his drinke is colde water of the river,
mingled with oatemeale, and this is all his good cheere,
and he thinketh himselfe well, and daintily fedde therewith, and so sitteth downe by his fire, and upon the hard
ground, rosteth as it were his wearie sides thus daintily
stuffed: the hard ground is his feather bed, & some blocke
or stone his pillow: and as for his horse, he is as it
were a chamberfellow with his master, faring both alike.
How justly may this barbarous, and rude Russe
condemne
the daintinesse and nicenesse of our Captaines, who living
in a soile & aire much more temperate, yet commonly
use furred boots, and clokes? But thus much of the
furniture of their common souldiers. But those that are
of higher degrees come into the field a little better provided. As for the furniture of the Emperour himselfe,
it is then above all other times, most notable. The
coverings of his tent for the most part, are all of gold,
adorned with stones of great price, and with the curious
workemanship of plumasiers. As often as they are to
skirmish with the enemie, they goe forth without any
order at all: they make no wings, nor militarie divisions
of their men, as we doe, but lying for the most part, in
ambush, doe suddenly set upon the enemie. Their horses
can well abstaine two whole daies from any meate. They
feede upon the barkes of trees, and the most tender
branches, in all the time of warre. And this scant and
miserable maner of living, both the horse and his Master
can well endure, sometimes for the space of two moneths,
lustie, and in good state of body. If any man behave
himselfe valiantly in the fielde, to the contentation of the
Emperour, he bestoweth upon him in recompense of his
service, some farme, or so much ground as he and his
may live upon, which notwithstanding after his death,
returneth againe to the Emperour, if he die without a
male issue. For although his daughters be never so
many, yet no part of that inheritance comes to them,
except peradventure the Emperour of his goodnesse, give
some portion of the land amongst them, to bestowe them
withall. As for the man, whosoever he be, that is in
this sort rewarded by the Emperours liberalitie, hee is
bound in a great summe, to maintaine so many souldiers
for the warre, when need shall require, as that land, in
the opinion of the Emperour, is able to maintaine. And
all those, to whom any land fals by inheritance, are in
no better condition: for if they die without any male
issue, all their lands fall into the hands of the Emperour.
And moreover, if there be any rich man amongst them,
who in his owne person is unfit for the warres, and yet
hath such wealth, that thereby many Noble men and
warriours might be maintained, if any of the Courtiers
present his name to the Emperour, the unhappy man is
by and by sent for, and in that instant, deprived of all
his riches, which with great paines and travell all his
life time he had gotten together: except perhaps some
small portion thereof be left him, to maintaine his wife,
children and familie. But all this is done of all the people
so willingly at the Emperours commandement, that a
man would thinke, they rather make restitution of other
mens goods, then give that which is their owne to other
men. Nowe the Emperour having taken these goods
into his hands, bestoweth them among his Courtiers,
according to their deserts: and oftener that a man is
sent to the warres, the more the favour he thinketh is
borne to him by the Emperour, although he goe upon his
owne charge, as I said before. So great is the obedience
of all men generally to their Prince.
Of the Ambassadors of the Emperour of Moscovie.
THE Moscovite, with no lesse pompe, and magnificence,
then that which we have spoken of, sends his Ambassadors to forren Princes, in the affaires of estate. For
while our men were abiding in the Citie of Mosco, there
were two Ambassadors sent to the King of Poland,
accompanied with 500. notable horses, and the greater
part of the men were arayed in cloth of gold, and of
silke, and the worst apparell was of garments of blewe
colour, to speake nothing of the trappings of the horses,
which were adorned with gold and silver, and very
curiously embrodered: they had also with them one
hundred white and faire spare horses, to use them at such
times, as any wearinesse came upon them. But now the
time requireth me to speake briefly of other Cities of the
Moscovites, and of the wares and commodities that the
Countrey yeeldeth.
Novogorode.
NEXT unto Mosco, the Citie of Novogorode is reputed
the chiefest of Russia
: for although it be in Majestie
inferior to it, yet in greatnesse it goeth beyond it. It is
the chiefest and greatest
Marte Towne of all Moscovie:
and albeit the Emperours seate is not there, but at Mosco,
yet the commodiousnesse of the river, falling into that
gulfe, which is called Sinus Finnicus, whereby it is well
frequented by Marchants, makes it more famous then
Mosco it selfe. This towne excels all the rest in the
commodities of flaxe and hempe: it yeeldes also hides,
honie, and waxe. The Flemings there sometimes had a
house of Marchandize, but by reason that they used the
like ill dealing there, which they did with us, they lost
their privileges, a restitution whereof they earnestly sued
for at the time that our men were there. But those
Flemings hearing of the arrivall of our men in those
parts, wrote their letters to the Emperour against them,
accusing them for pirats and rovers, wishing him to
detaine, and imprison them. Which things when they
were knowen of our men, they conceived feare, that they
should never have returned home. But the Emperour
beleeving rather the Kings letters, which our men
brought, then the lying and false suggestions of the
Flemings, used no ill intreatie towards them.
Yeraslave.
YERASLAVE also is a Towne of some good fame, for the
commodities of hides, tallow, and come, which it yeeldes
in great abundance. Cakes of waxe are there also to
bee solde, although other places have greater store: this
Yeraslave is distant from Mosco, about two hundred
miles: and betwixt them are many populous villages.
Their fields yeeld such store of corne, that in convaying
it towards Mosco, sometimes in a forenoone, a man
shall see seven hundred or eight hundred sleds, going
and comming, laden with corne and salt fish: the people
come a thousand miles to Mosco, to buy that corne, and
then cary it away upon sleds: and these are those people
that dwell in the North parts, where the colde is so
terrible, that no corne doth growe there, or if it spring
up, it never comes to ripenesse. The commodities that
they bring with them, are saltfish, skinnes, and hides.
Vologda.
VOLOGDA being from Mosco, 550. miles yeeldes the commodities of Hempe and Flaxe also: although the greatest
store of Flaxe is solde at
Novogrode.
Plesco.
THE
Towne of Plesco, is frequented of Marchants for
the good store of Honie and Waxe that it yeeldeth.
Colmagro.
THE North parts of Russia
yeelde very rare and precious
skinnes: and amongst the rest, those principally, which
we call Sables, worne about the neckes of our Noble
women and Ladies: it hath also Martins
skinnes, white,
blacke, and red Foxe skinnes, skinnes of Hares, and
Ermyns, and others, which they call and terme barbarously, as Bevers, Minxes, and Minivers. The sea
adjoyning, breedes a certaine beast, which they call the
Mors
, which seeketh his foode upon the rockes, climing
up with the helpe of his teeth. The Russes use to take
them, for the great vertue that is in their teeth, whereof
they make as great accompt, as we doe of the Elephants
tooth. These commodities they cary upon Deeres backes
to the towne of Lampas: and from thence to Colmagro,
and there in the winter time, are kept great Faires for
the sale of them. This Citie of Colmagro, serves all the
Countrey about it with salt, and salt fish. The Russians
also of the North parts, send thither oyle, which they
call traine, which they make in a river called Una,
although it be also made elsewhere: and here they use
to boile the water of the sea, whereof they make very
great store of salt.
Of controversies in Lawe, and how they are ended.
HAVING hitherto spoken so much of the chiefest Cities
of Russia, as the matter required: it remaineth that we
speake somewhat of the lawes, that the Moscovits doe
use, as farre foorth as the same are come to our knowledge. If any controversie arise among them, they first
make their Landlords Judges in the matter, and if they
cannot end it, then they preferre it to the Magistrate.
The plaintif craveth of the said Magistrate, that he may
have leave to enter law against his adversarie: and having
obtained it, the officer fetcheth the defendant, and beateth
him on the legges, till he bring forth a suretie for him:
but if he be not of such credite, as to procure a surety,
then are his hands by an officer tied to his necke, and
he is beaten all the way, till he come before the Judge.
The Judge then asketh him (as for example in the matter
of debt) whether he oweth any thing to the plaintife. If
he denies it, then saith the Judge, How canst thou deny
it? the defendant answereth, By an othe: thereupon the
officer is commaunded to cease from beating of him, untill
the matter be further tried. They have no Lawyers, but
every man is his owne Advocate, and both the complaint
of the accuser, and the answere of the defendant, are
in maner of petition delivered to the Emperour, intreating
justice at his hands. The Emperour himselfe heareth
every great controversies, and upon the hearing of it,
giveth judgement, and that with great equitie, which I
take to be a thing worthy of speciall commendation, in
the Majestie of a Prince. But although he doe this with
a good purpose of mind, yet the corrupt Magistrates
do wonderfully pervert the same: but if the Emperour
take them in any fault, he doeth punish them most
severely. Now at the last, when ech partie hath defended
his cause with his best reasons, the Judge demandeth of
the accuser, whether he hath any more to say for himselfe: he answereth, that he will trie the matter in fight
by his Champion, or else intreateth, that in fight betwixt
themselves the matter may be ended: which being
graunted, they both fight it out: or if both of them, or
either of them seeme unfit for that kinde of triall, then
they have publike Champions to be hired, which live by
ending of quarrels. These Champions are armed with
yron axes, and speares, and fight on foote, and he whose
Champion is overcome, is by and by taken, and imprisoned, and terribly handled, untill he agree with his
adversarie. But if either of them be of any good calling,
and degree, and doe challenge one another to fight, the
Judge granteth it: in which case they may not use publike
Champions. And he that is of any good birth, doth
contemne the other, if he be basely borne, and wil not
fight with him. If a poore man happen to grow in debt,
his Creditor takes him, & maketh him pay the debt, in
working either to himselfe, or to some other man, whose
wages he taketh up. And there are some among them,
that use willingly to make themselves, their wives, and
children, bondslaves unto rich men, to have a little money
at the first into their hands, and so for ever after content
themselves with meate and drinke: so little accompt doe
they make of libertie.
Of punishments upon theeves.
IF any man be taken upon committing of theft, he is
imprisoned, and often beaten, but not hanged for the first
offence, as the manner is with us: and this they call the
lawe of mercie. He that offendeth the second time hath
his nose cut off, and is burnt in the forehead with a hot
yron. The third time, he is hanged. There are many
cutpurses among them, and if the rigour of the Prince
did not cut them off, they could not be avoyded.
Of their religion.
THEY maintaine the opinions of the Greeke Church: they
suffer no graven images of saints in their Churches, but
their pictures painted in tables they have in great abundance, which they do adore and offer unto, and burne waxe
candles before them, and cast holy water upon them,
without other honour. They say that our images which
are set up in Churches, and carved, have no divinitie in
them. In their private houses they have images for their
houshold saints, and for the most part, they are put in
the darkest place of the house: hee that comes into his
neighbours house doth first salute his saints, although
he see them not. If any foorme or stoole stand in his
way, hee oftentimes beateth his browe upon the same,
and often ducking downe with his head, and body, worshippeth the chiefe Image. The habite, and attire of the
Priests, and of the Lay men, doth nothing at all differ:
as for marriage, it is forbidden to no man: onely this
is received and held amongst them for a rule, and custome,
that if a Priests wife doe die, he may not marry againe,
nor take a second wife: and therefore they of secular
Priests, as they call them, are made Monkes, to whom
then chastitie for ever is commanded. Their divine
service is all done and said in their owne language, that
every man may understand it: they receive the Lords
Supper with leavened bread, and after the consecration,
they carry it about the Church in a saucer, and prohibite
no man from receiving and taking of it, that is willing
so to doe. They use both the Olde and the Newe Testament, and read both in their owne language, but so
confusedly, that they themselves that doe reade, understand not what themselves doe say: and while any part
of either Testament is read, there is libertie given by
custome to prattle, talke, and make a noise: but in the
time of the rest of the service they use very great silence
and reverence and behave themselves very modestly, and
in good sort. As touching the Lords praier, the tenth
man amongst them knowes it not: and for the articles
of our faith, and the ten commandements, no man, or
at the least very fewe of them doe either know them or
can say them : their opinion is, that such secrete and
holy things as they are should not rashly and imprudently
be communicated with the common people. They holde
for a Maxime amongst them, that the olde Lawe, and
the commandements also are abolished by the death and
blood of Christ: all studies and letters of humanitie
they utterly refuse: concerning the Latine, Greeke,
and Hebrew tongues, they are altogether ignorant in
them.
Every yeere they celebrate foure severall fastes, which
they call according to the names of the Saints: the first
beginnes with them, at the time that our Lent beginnes.
The second is called amongst them the fast of S. Peter.
The third is taken from the day of the Virgin Marie.
And the fourth and last begins upon S. Philips day. But
as we begin our Lent upon Wednesday, so they begin
theirs upon the Sunday. Upon the Saturday they eate
flesh: whensoever any of those fasting feastes doe drawe
neere, looke what weeke doth immediatly goe before them,
the same weeke they live altogether upon white meates,
and in their common language they call those weekes,
the fast of Butter.
In the time of their fasts, the neighbours every where
goe from one to another, and visite one another, and
kisse one another with kisses of peace, in token of their
mutuall love and Christian concord: and then also they
doe more often then at any other time goe to the holy
Communion. When seven dayes are past, from the
beginning of the fast, then they doe often either goe to
their Churches, or keepe themselves at home, and use
often prayer: and for that sevennight they eate nothing
but hearbes: but after that sevennights fast is once past,
then they returne to their old intemperancie of drinking,
for they are notable tospots. As for the keeping of their
fasting dayes, they doe it very streightly, neither doe
they eate any thing besides hearbes, and salt fish, as long
as those fasting dayes doe endure: but upon every
Wednesday and Friday, in every weeke throughout the
yeere, they fast.
There are very many Monasteries of the order of S.
Benedict, amongst them, to which many great livings,
for their maintenance, doe belong: for the Friers and the
Monkes doe at the least possesse the third part of the
livings, throughout the whole Moscovite Empire. To
those Monkes that are of this order, there is amongst
them a perpetuall prohibition, that they may eate no
flesh: and therefore their meate is onely salt fish, milke,
and butter: neither is it permitted them by the lawes,
and customes of their religion, to eate any fresh fish at
all: and at those foure fasting times, whereof we spake
before, they eate no fish at all: onely they live with
hearbes, and cucumbers, which they doe continually for
that purpose cause and take order to grow and spring,
for their use and diet.
As for their drinke, it is very weake, and small. For
the discharge of their office, they do every day say service,
and that early in the mornings before day: and they doe
in such sort, and with such observation begin their service,
that they will be sure to make an ende of it, before day:
and about nine of the clocke in the morning they celebrate
the Communion. When they have so done, they goe to
dinner, and after dinner they goe againe to service, and
the like also after supper: and in the meane time while
they are at dinner there is some exposition or interpretation of the Gospel used.
Whensoever any Abbot of any monasterie dieth, the
Emperour taketh all his housholde stuffe, beastes, flockes
of sheepe, golde, silver, and all that he hath: or els hee
that is to succeede him in his place and dignitie doth
redeeme all those things, and buyeth them of the
Emperour for money.
Their churches are built of timber, and the towers of
their churches for the most part are covered with shingle
boordes. At the doores of their churches, they usually
build some entrance or porch as we doe, and in their
churchyardes they erect a certaine house of wood, wherein
they set up their bels, wherein sometimes they have but
one, in some two, and in some also three.
There is one use and custome amongst them, which
is strange and rare, but yet it is very ridiculous, and that
is this: when any man dyeth amongst them, they take
the dead body and put it in a coffine or chest, and in the
hand of the corps they put a litle scroule, & in the same
there are these wordes written, that the same man died
a Russe
of Russes, having received the faith, and died
in the same. This writing or letter they say they send
to S. Peter, who receiving it (as they affirme) reades it,
and by and by admits him into heaven, and that his glory
and place is higher and greater then the glory of the
Christians of the Latine church, reputing themselves to
be followers of a more sincere faith and religion then
they: they hold opinion that we are but halfe Christians,
and themselves onely to be the true and perfect church:
these are the foolish and childish dotages of such ignorant
Babarians.
Of the Moscovites that are Idolaters, dwelling neere to
Tartaria.
THERE is a certaine part of Moscovie bordering upon
the countreys of the Tartars, wherin those Moscovites
that dwell are very great idolaters: they have one famous
idole amongst them, which they call the Golden old wife:
& they have a custome that whensoever any plague or
any calamitie doth afflict the countrey, as hunger, warre,
or such like, then they goe to consult with their idol,
which they do after this maner: they fall down prostrate
before the idol, & pray unto it, & put in the presence
of the same, a cymbal: & about the same certaine persons
stand, which are chosen amongst them by lot: upon their
cymball they place a silver tode, and sound the cymball,
and to whomsoever of those lotted persons that tode
goeth, he is taken, and by and by slaine: and immediately,
I know not by what illusions of the devill, or idole, he
is againe restored to life, & then doth reveale and deliver
the causes of the present calamitie. And by this meanes
knowing how to pacifie the idole, they are delivered from
the imminent danger.
Of the forme of their private houses, and of the apparell
of the people.
THE common houses of the countrey are every where
built of beames of Firre tree: the lower beames doe so
receive the round holownesse of the uppermost, that by
the meanes of the building thereupon, they resist, and
expell all winds that blow, and where the timber is joined
together, there they stop the chinks with mosse. The
forme & fashion of their houses in al places is foure
square, with streit and narrow windowes, whereby with
a transparent casement made or covered with skinne like
to parchment, they receive the light. The roofes of their
houses are made of boords covered without with ye barke
of trees: within their houses they have benches or griezes
hard by their wals, which commonly they sleepe upon,
for the common people knowe not the use of beds: they
have stooves wherein in the morning they make a fire,
and the same fire doth either moderately warme, or make
very hote the whole house.
The apparell of the people for the most part is made
of wooll, their caps are picked like unto a rike or diamond,
broad beneath, and sharpe upward. In the maner of
making whereof, there is a signe and representation of
nobilitie: for the loftier or higher their caps are, the
greater is their birth supposed to be, and the greater
reverence is given them by the common people.
The Conclusion to Queene Marie.
THESE are the things most excellent Queene, which your
Subjects newly returned from Russia
have brought home
concerning the state of that countrey: wherfore if your
majestie shall be favourable, and grant a continuance of
the travell, there is no doubt but that the honour and
renowme of your name will be spred amongst those
nations, whereunto three onely noble personages from the
verie creation have had accesse, to whom no man hath
bene comparable.
