ii&tbiiott)eca Cuitosa. CHAN CELLO It's XHo^aoe to flDuscov>\^ ; KKINT. ANGLORCM NiVIGATlO AD MUSCOVTTAS. i AKKN krom RESPUBLIVA Air SCO 1 7. A" ( 1630). TO WHICH IS ADI)EI> A VKRV RAKK Axr> scM'Ci' ■I'PAcr, DC ^oncta "Kuestca iJEljcrlcr, 1030% WITH ENGLISH TRANSLATIONS J. M'CRINDLE, AND EDITED, min .\orE\ BY EDMUND (K)Ll)SMin. l.R.H.S. F.S.A. rScoi.' PKIVATKI.V PRINTFH, 1 i .IXliURCJl iSSo. James Devon A^^^, Cbancellor'e lt>o\>aGc to flDU6C0V^- This edition is liviited to ^75 sviall-faper copies, and 73" large-paper ropies. 20ibltotl)eca Curtoga. CHANCELLOR'S THo^age to HDuscov^^ ; BEING CLEMENT AU-.4k.]M'S ANGLORUM NAVllrATlO AI> MUSOOVITAS. TAKEN FROM RESPUBLICA MUSCOVI^ (1630). TO WHICH IS ADDED A VERY RARE AND SCARCE TRACT, De /Dboneta IRussica (Bljevler, 1630). WITH ENGLISH TRANSLATIONS BY J. M'CRINDLE, AND EDITED, fVITH NOTES, BY EDMUND GOLDSMID, F.R.H.S. F.S.A. (Scot.) PRIVAIKl.Y PRINTED, EDINBURCIH. 18S6. 3^ ,^*^~^5^^/i(^.^,^:. Snolorum BaviGatio a^ fll>u6covita0. QUAS OB CAUSAS SUSCEPTA SIT, ET QUIBUS AUTORIBUS, &c. AUCTORE CLEMENTE ADAMO. <1c)OSTQUAM merces nostras apud fmitimas gentes sordere negotiatores nostri animad- vetterunt, quceque avorum nostrorum memoria certatim a peregrinis mercatoribus expeterentur, TRANSLATION. (Tht Figures in Brackets refer to the Notes at the end of the Volume). After our traders had become aware that our goods were no longer in demand among the neighbouring nations, and that those articles which, in the memory of our forefathers, had been eagerly competed for by foreign merchants were now, even when offered at much lower prices, quite a drug in the markets to :!25G34 6 chancellor's voyage imminuto iam pretio, etiam exportatse fasti- (iiosum reperirent emptorem, exoticarum vero mercium pretia, in immensum extenderentur : Londinenses quidam, viri graves, ac Reipubl. suse imprimis amantes, banc cogitationem susceperunt, quo huic malo mederentur. Nee quserentibus, ut videbatur, remedium defuit, quo tantum incom- modum declinarent. Nam cum Ilispanorum ac Lusitanorum opes (inventis nuper novis terris) magnopere auctas viderent, eandem viam sibi insistendam rati, novam navigationem instituunt. which they were exported ; while, on the other hand, the prices of goods imported to us had risen enor- mously, some citizens of London, men of high character, and who had at heart above all else the welfare of their country, took under their considera- tion, how they could remedy this evil. Nor were they at a loss, as the result showed, in discovering the looked-for means by which they could mitigate the existing calamity, great as it was. For when they ^aw how greatly (soon after the discovery of the New World), the wealth of the Spaniards and the Portuguese had been increased, they thought it would be best to follow in their wake, and so they deter- mined upon a new voyage. In pursuance of this design, their first step was to apply for advice to the TO MUSCOVY. 7 Cum eodem tempore Sebastianus Caboia, vir celeberrimus, in urbe moraretur, ccepere primuni cum illo agere, ac serio consultare, et re demuni inter plures iactata, tandem convenit tres naves expediri, quibus aquilonaris mundi tractus, nostri.s etiam pateret, atque ad ignota regna viam aperiret. Ad banc rem tam arduam et ancipitem, cum multa consideranda, primum veluti in Senatum quemdam viros graves, ac prudentia spectatoe legunt, qui collatis consiliis sententias suas exponerent, et in omne eventum salubriter prospicerent. Lectus hie Senatulus censuil celebrated Sebastian Cabot ('), who happened just then to be staying in London. After an earnest consultation with this experienced navigator, it was finally agreed, when the project had been fully discussed by many, that three ships should be fitted out for opening up the northern section of the world, and discovering a passage to these hitherto unknown regions. The adventure being so beset with difficulty, and so full of risk, many points of detail had of course to be con- sidered, and a Board was therefore first of all appointed, consisting of men of sober judgment and approved wisdom, who, when met in council, might compare their respective views and make adequate provision for every possible contingency. This Committee 8 chancellor's voyage in rem fore, quamdam pecuniae summam publice cogi, qua tot naves instruerentur. Et ne quis- quam privatim gravi pecunia premeretur, placuit vicenas quinas libras viritim coUigi (tantum enim impendebat, qui in hoc quafi novum colle- gium voluit ascisci. ) Coacta igitur ad sex millia librarum summa, tres naves mercantur, quarum maximam partem de novo jedificandam ac refici- endam curant. Qua quidem in re Mercatorumne cura, an fabrorum diligentia maiori me adficiat delectatione, penitus est incertum. Illi enim assa- thought it advisable that a certain sum of money should be publicly subscribed, for the purpose of fitting out the requisite number of ships, and in order that no severe demand might be made on any person's purse it was resolved that the sum of ^^25 should be levied from each subscriber — and such was the actual amount each one had to pay who wished to join this new Company. The sum collected, amounting to j^6ooo, was invested in the purchase of three ships, which were ordered to be almost entirely rebuilt and refitted. I can hardly say whether in this part of the business I admire most the thoughtful care shown by the merchants or the diligence of the carpenters. For while the former supply the strongest of planks, properly seasoned, for being used TO MUSCOVY. 9 menta firmissima, pulchreque ficcata ad navium fabricationem comparant, hi indefesso labore ac arte summa eadem inter se committunt. Rimis stupa obstructis, ac carinis pice obductis, unius etiam imam partem, invento peracri et ingenioso muniverunt. Acceperant cnim in quibusdam Oceani partibus teredines generari, qure vel cras- sissima robora perforarent. Quo magis ab hoc periculo navigantes forent securi, partem navis undis depressam, tenuibus plumbi laminis obducunt. Post fabrictas naves, ac armamentis instructas, cepit illos non minor viatici solicitudo, quod pro in ship-building, the hitter with indefatigable toil and skill piece these planks together. All the seams were stopped with tow and the keels coated with pitch, while the bottom part of one of the vessels was further protected by a most ingenious contrivance. The merchants, it would seem, had come to know- that in some parts of the ocean little worms are bred which bore through the very stoutest oak, and accord- ingly, the better to secure the sailors against this danger, they sheathed that part of the ship which sinks in the water with thin plates of lead. Even after the ships had been built and fully rigged, they showed no less anxious care in the victualling of them m proportion to the calculated length and duration of lO CHANCELLORS VOYAGE temporis ratione, et navigationis longinquitate fuerat prospiciendum. Ad hsec cum viderent Orientalem orbis plagam esse petendam, nee illuc pervium mare, nisi Borealem mundi tractum naucleri tenerent : ubi, an pateret aditus, iam turn in incerto erat : octodecim mensium com- meatu naves instruunt : quod quidem hoc consilio faciunt. Cum nostris per illam immensi ac horrendi frigoris oram fuerat traiiciendum, pru- denter in rem consulentes, sex mensium cibaria prtebent, quo illuc navigare, totidem mensium, quo illuc moram facere, hyberno coelo reditum negante, rursum tantumden, quo remeare possint. the voyage. Accordingly, when they saw that the Eastern quarter of the globe had to be visited, where the sea offers no through-passage unless the pilots steered for the northern shores of the world, which were not as yet known for certain to be accessible, they put on board a stock of provisions sufficient for eighteen months, for they calculated with great sagacity that, since our men would have to coast along shores of such intense and frightful cold, six months' provisions should be allowed for the outward voyage, another six months' for the detention in port, as to return in the winter season was impossible, and also six months' further for the homeward voyage. lO MUSCOVY. I 1 adsignant. Post curatam, ut diximus, penuni, post arma omnis generis in naves congesta ; Duces et quasi antesignani tantce rei deerant, cui etsi multi se offerrent, rerum ancipitum ignari, tamen Hugo Wylibeius, vir inprimis strenuus, et non obscuro loco natus, banc curam sibi delegari impensius postulat. Cuius facile prx coeteris, cum ob corporis formam (erat enim procera.- staturce) turn ob singularem in rebellica indus- triam a Mercatorum collegio habetur ratio. Con- stituitur itaque Navarchus, adsignaturque illi navis prcetoria, sic ut in cseteras quoque imperium After the matter of rations had been thus settled, and after arms of every kind had been put on board (=), men were still wanting to take the command and lead the van, if we may so speak, of this great enterprise. Many did no doubt offer themselves, but they did so in ignorance of the hazardous nature of the service. Hugh Willoughby (3), however, a man of good birth and singularly energetic character, earnestly solicited that he might be entrusted with the command. He easily won the votes of the Board of Directors over the other competitors, as he was not only a man of goodly presence (being of great stature), but also an expert in military matters. He was therefore appointed Com- modore, and the leading ship, which controlled the 12 chancellor's voyage haberet. Cum de reliquarum prjefectis ageretur, ac huic muneri obeundo multi offerrentur, omnium consensu vicit Ricardus Cancelerus, vir ob multa ingenii documenta spectabilis, in quo uno summa conficiendi negotii spes erat. Hunc aluerat Henricus Sydneus adolescens nobilis, Regique Edovardo apprime charus : qui audito mercatorum concilio, pro singular! sua facundia, in banc sen- tentiam verba fecit : Veltementer piu7)t instittUtitii vesirum amplector (viri hojiestissi?iii ) qiti pro egregia vestra in whole squadron, was assigned to him. When the appointment of Captains for the other ships came under consideration, and many candidates for the post appeared, Richard Chancellor was unanimously chosen — a man who had attracted notice by many proofs of high capacity, and on whom, above all others, the highest hope was placed of a successful issue to the undertaking. He had been brought up by Henry Sydney (■♦), a young nobleman, who stood high in the favour and affection of King Edward, who, on hear- ing of the scheme of the merchants, addressed them, with that eloquence for which he was noted, in the following terms : — " The pious undertaking on which, most worthy gentlemen, you have entered, I most heartily embrace. TO MUSCOVY. 13 palriam pietate rem, et Anglis, tit spero, utikm, ac patricc communi honorificam, animo, et cogita- tione incumbitis. Qtieni qiiidevi conattwi vestrtim nos quoque pro viribus adiuvare par am us., nee quidquam nobis tani charjan diiximus, quod non libentur huitis tam laudabilis instituti nomine expenderimus. Imprimisque mihi gratulor, me illud ingenittm fovisse, quod vobis, tam pneclara molientibus, aliquo modo usui esse possit. Nihilo- minus tamen huius rei nescios vos esse nolim, me Cancekrum eo aniino a me dimittere, non quod Prompted by your ardent affection for your native land, you are applying yourselves heart and soul to the furtherance of a project which will, I trust, prove beneficial to the people of England, and reflect also honour on our common country. This scheme of yours we are in fact ourselves preparing to assist as far as lies in our power, and there is nothing I assure you, we hold so dear that we will not willingly expend in behalf of so praiseworthy an enterprise. And in the first place let me say that I am congratulating myself in that I have cherished such a disposition of mind as may prove in some sort serviceable to you in your noble undertaking. Notwithstanding however I would not have you ignorant of this fact that I part with Chancellor for this reason, not because I am tired of 14 chancellor's voyage fastidiam, vel quod niihi gravis alumnus esse videatur : sed tit promptam in adiuvando vestro ionsilio voluntatem meavt pariter intelligeretis, atque Cancelero nieo, commendaiiotie ?nea debita tribueretur aiithoritas. Vos ilium fama, ego experientia ; vos verbis, ego rebus : vos ser?none et congressu, ego quotidiano convictu hominis ingenium peniitts habeo perspectum et ezploratum. Nee latere vos debet, honestissimi patres, quanta discrimina et vestro et patriix nomine sit additurus. Cuius {si propitia nutnina pro/iciscetttem servent) nos non immemores esse decebit. Nos pecuniolafn him, or because I find his maintenance burdensome to me, but that ye might understand my ready willing- ness to forward your schemes, and that the authority and position Chancellor so well deserves, may be given him. You know him by hearsay, but I by experience ; you know him from report, but I from his actions ; you know him from meeting and talking with him, while I have scanned and intimately examined the character of the man from close and constant feUowship. Nor should you, most worthy fathers fail to think of the greatness of the hazards he is about to encounter both for your own and the country's sake — of such devotion it will become us not to be unmindful, should Heaven's protecting grace go with him when he leaves us. — While we are entrusting a mere trifle of money to TO MUSCOVY. 15 For tuna aha credimus ; ilk dulcissimain vitam scevissimo tnari, et in certis periatlorum casibus exponet : nos ami notis et atnicis stiavem vitam transigevms ; ille dum ignotos et indotnitos nautas in officio continere studebit, qiiantis laboribus frangetur, quot perictdis vigiliisque angetur, quas inolestias devorare cogetur? Nos patrias sedes teiubimus, ille extera et ignota regna petet, ille har- baris et ignotis gentibus salutem cotmnittet, ille monstrosis etiam ponti belluis capnt obiectabit. Quapropter pro periculomm magnitudine, pro the die of fortune, he will be exposing what is sweetest to man, his very life, to the remorseless sea, amid inevitable perils— We shall be spending our days with our acquaintances and friends, while he, striving to keep to their duty sailors unknown to him and undisciplined, with what toils will he not be broken, with what dangers and watchings will he not be harassed, with what anxieties will he not be devoured ? We shall remain in our ancestral homes, he will seek foreign and unknown realms, he will entrust his safety to barbarous and unknown tribes, he will even expose his life to the monsters of the deep. Wherefore it will be fit and proper, in view of the magnitude of his dangers, in view of the dignity pertaining to his office, that you should attend him with your good i6 chancellor's voyage officii sui dignitate, vestro favore abeuntem pro- sequi, el si sors ferat, tit eum reduce7n conspiciamus, magnifice qtioqiie mtiiierari conveniet. Postquam hrec, aut non longe alia disertissime egregius adolescens perorasset, alius ilium con- templari, alius a proximo sciscitari, alius (cui nota viri virtus) tacite gaudere, ac arcanam spem con- cipere, ilium olim in magnum virum evasurum. Atque putare inchoatas has adolescentis virtutes, niagnopere olim patriam ornaturas. Contices- centibus omnibus gravissimis patrum, visum est de wishes when he goes, and that he should be magnifi- cently rewarded, should fortune vouchsafe that we see him return in safety." After the highly-gifted young gentleman had con- cluded his address in these or some such terms, his hearers showed in various ways ths deep impression made upon their minds. One meditatively gazed upon him, another plied his neighbour with questions about him, another (to whom the man's abilities were well known) silently rejoiced, and conceived a secret hope that he would hereafter prove a great man, judging that those dawning virtues which he displayed so early in life would in future days eminently adorn his country. As even the gravest of the fathers did not venture to break the silence, it seemed an opportune time to call TO MUSCOVY. 17 Orientalis Orbis tractn, quoad eius fieri posset, sciscitati, investigare, ac diligenter jjerquirere. Accersebantur hoc nomine Tartari duo qui Regi erant ab equili : aderat interpres. lUi per inter- pretem, super patria, super gente interrogali nihil penitus responderunt. Quippe qui (ut false quidam palam dixit) poculis exhauriendis, quam populorum moribus discendis magis erant assueti. Post multa ultro citroque jactata, tandem censent solvendi tempus constitui oportere : quod multum anni iam consumptum visum plerisque : et si for such information as could be obtained regarding countries in the East of the globe, and to investigate the question thoroughly in all its bearings. Two Tartars, accordingly, who were employed in the King's stables, were summoned for the purpose, but these, on being asked through an interpreter who was present about their country and their nation, answered nothing at all that was in point. Some one remarked (though not with truth) that this arose from their being more accustomed to drain the bowl than to study the manners of nations. After a great variety of matters had been debated back and forward, the ques- tion at length arose as to when the expedition should start. It was agreed that it was now necessary to fix a date, many urging as a reason that much of the year i8 chancellor's voyage diutius moram traherent, fore ut glacies viam ob- strueret. Placuit itaque omnibus, ut ad vicesi- mum diem Maii prsefecti nautreque naves conscenderent, ac (faventibus Superis) ex porlu Radclyfensi secundo aestu solverent. Illi salutatis necessariis, alius coniuge ac natis, alius cognatis et affinibus, alius amico cognatis chariore, ad dictum diem adsunt. Solutisiam navibus, ac reciprocante restu leni cursu Grenovicum feruntur : remigibus interim grandiores naves celocibus seu specula- toriisnaviculisremulcantibus. Hinovovestitucoloris veneti elegnnter ornati incumbunt remis, atque was already gone, and that if there was much longer delay the way would be blocked up with ice. It was, therefore, unanimously resolved that the captains and sailors should embark on the 20th day of May, and (God willing) should clear out of RadclifF Harbour when the tide suited. So these men, having bid adieu to their friends, one to his wife and children, another to his kindred and other relations, another to his bosom friend dearer than any relative, presented them- selves on the day appointed. The ships, when the tide answered, quitted their moorings, and dropped quietly down to Greenwich. The larger vessels were, however, towed down by barges or other light craft, rowed by watermen elegantly dressed in new suits of TO MUSCOVY. 19 requora verrunt. Cum nunc prope Grenovicenseni regiam essent : sub advenientium famam effundunl sese aulici ; concurrit vulgus, stabat frequens in ripa, prospectat ex fenestris Senatus Regius. Alii turrium fastigia adscendunt. Vibrantur bombard - arum fulmina, Tartareae volvuntur nubes : Martium sonant crepitacula : reboant summa montism iuga, reboant valles, reboant sylvce, claraque nautarum percellet sidera clamor. Stat alius in puppi, ac gestu, quo potest, amicis vale- dicit. Alii in foris obambulant. Ilic cancel- blue, who bent vigorously to the oars, and made good way down the stream. When they were now coming near Greenwich Palace, the inmates came rushing out as soon as they heard of their approach ; the populace at the same time hastened in crowds to the banks of the river, while the members of the King's Council witnessed the spectacle from their windows. Some even climbed up to the tower tops. The ground shook with the thunder of the guns. Clouds black as Tartarus rolled overhead. The martial drum rattled loud. The din is echoed back from the hill tops, is echoed back from the vales, is echoed back from the woodlands j while the ringing cheers of the sailors rend the sky. One of them you might see standing on the poop, and with the most significant gestures bidding his friends farewell j others you 20 chancellor's voyage latis funibus pendet, ille antennis libratur, alius h summo malo prospectat. In summa tri- umphalis cuiusdam pompse festa facies fuit. At (heu dolor ! ) optimus Rex Edovardus, cuius prsecipue nomine hie tantus apparatus, per valetudinem solus aberat : Quorum discessum tristissima illius mors, ac nunquam siccis oculis memoranda, post paucos dies subsecuta est. Wovicum tandem delati figunt naves, inde soluturi, cum aut sestus reciprocatio, aut secundior flatus ad navigandum invitaret. Nee mora, Harovicensem might see pacing up and down the deck — one here, hanging to the ropes ; another there, balancing himself on the sailyards ; while a third is looking round him from the very top of the mast. The whole affair, in short, presented the festive aspect of some triumphal pageant. But, alas ! I grieve to say our good King Edward, on whose account mainly all this magnificent display had been prepared, was alone absent, absent from an illness which terminated in his death. This most melancholy event, which can never be spoken of with dry eyes, took place a few days after the departure of the adventurers. Having sailed down to Woolwich, they moor the vessels in the roads, intending to put to sea when either an ebb tide or a fair wind should invite them to sail TO MUSCOVY. 21 portum pctuiit, in quo non sine maximo locdio, ac sumnio teniporis detrimento diu morantur. Ad postremum tamen, nacti idoneam navigandi tempestatem, passis velis in altum fenmtur, salutato prius natali solo, quod an unquam postea forent revisuri, penitus ignorabant. Respiciunt subinde tristes, nee lachrymis temperant, cogi- tantes secum in quam dubios casus essent ituri, et quam ancipitem maris eventum experturi. Tor- quebat, prteter cseteros, Ricardum Cancelerum prrefectum Edovardi Boniventuri penurire metus : thence. They were not detained long, and they made next for the port of Harwich, where their patience was tried to the utmost, and much precious time was sacrificed by their protracted stay. At last, however, a favouring breeze having sprung up, they bore away out to sea with sails outspread, having first bid fare- well to their native land, not knowing at all whether they should ever see it more. Ever and anon they cast back sorrowing looks in its direction, unable to restrain their tears, as they thought of the uncertain chances that lay before them, and the perils to be encountered on the deep. More troubled in mind than any of the others was Richard Chancellor, who dreaded that provisions might run short, for while the fleet lay in Harwich port, a part of the stores was 22 CHANCELLORS VOYAGE nam et pars viatici in porta Harovicensi putrida comperta est, vinique cadi infirmi ac fragiles. Movit etiam ilium paternus amor, reliquit enim abiens duos impuberes filios, orphanos futures, si asperior aliquis casus ipsum sustulisset. Movit ilium miserorum et infelicium comitum fortuna, quorum salutem cum sua conjunctam esse sciebat. Dum multiplici curarum ambage Canceleri animus excrutiatur, tandem post multorum dierum navi- gationem, tellus procul visa. Ad quam naucleri naves dirigunt. Insulam esse comperiunt Rossam nomine, in hac consumtis aliquot diebus, ulterius found to be rotten, while the wine casks were not strong enough, and would easily break. His love for his children also saddened him, for in going away he left two sons not yet grown up, who would be orphans if some untoward chance should cut him off. Moreover, he could not but pity the condition of his unfortunate and unhappy companions, whose safety he knew to be conjoined with his own. Whilst the mind of Chancellor is thus tortured with a multipli- city of varying anxieties, land was at last descried far oft" after the voyage had lasted many days. Towards this the pilots steer their course. They ascertain that the island bears the name of Rossa (5), Here they spend some days, and then, resuming the voyage, they direct TO MUSCOVV. 23 navigant, aquilonem semper petentes, rusum alii« apparent insulse. Nomen his crux insularum. Post has cum naves una velificassent, prxfectus navium Wylibeius, vir in consiliis minime pra;- ceps, erecto vexillo, reliquarum navium primates ad se evocat, ut his consiliorum authoribus, et sollicitudinum sociis usus, de reliqua administra- tione facilius statueret. Illi ex composito adsunt ; ac inter ctetera convenit, si qua; grandior tem- pestas ingrueret, ac classiculam desiicerit, omnes Wardhoubium Nordvegia; portum non incelebrem their course continually northward, ;ind other islands again appear, which were called the Cross islands. Then the ships, after leaving these, sailing in company, Willoughby (''), the commodore of the squadron, a man by no means hasty in taking his measures, hoisted his flag, thus summoning the chief officers of the other ships to come to him, that by the help of their advice, and by admitting them to share his anxieties, he might more easily decide what regulations for the future should be adopted. They attended in obedience to the summons, and among other things it was agreed, that should a storm of unusual violence fall upon them, and disperse their little fleet, they should all make for Wardhousium fVardoehus) a well-frequented haven in Norway, Those who 24 CHAN'CELLOK S VOYAGE cursu peterent. Quique primi incolumes illuc adpullissent, dum reliquse naves eo convenirent, in anchoris exspectarent. Eodem die iam in pomeridianum tempus inclinato, circa quartam, tanta tempestas subito coorta, et immensi fluctus tanla vi se incitaverunt, ut naves institutum cur- sum tenere non possent, sed alite alio, magno sui cum periculo, vage disiicerentur. Inclamat Xavarchus voce, qua potest, maxima Cancelerum : enixe rogat ne longius abscedat. At ille nee velle, nee, si maxime vellet, posse, mode Navarchidis sure cursum (erat enim velocior) suo temperaret. should first gain in safety that port of refuge should remain there at anchor until the arrival of the other ships. The very same day, towards the close of the afternoon, say about four o'clock, a violent storm suddenly sprang up, and raised such vast and such furious waves that the ships were unable to hold their appointed course, and, while threatened with destruc- tion, were scattered wide apart, one here, another there. The commodore, at the pitch of his voice, calls out to Chancellor, and asks him for God's sake not to go far away from him. But he neither wished, nor was able, even if he had wished it ever so much, to regulate the course of his own vessel by that of the commodore's, which was a faster sailer. But by some TO MUSCOVY. 25 Verum nescio quo casu Wyliboii navis, dum plenissimis velis fertur, tanta vi abrepta est, ut aliquot horarum spatio e conspectu penitus avola- verit. Tertia etiain pari eventu ablata comites amisit. Prretorioe certe celox in puppim elisa, conspicientibus ex ipsa Edovardo nautis, fluctibus est obruta. Reliqui fati comitum suorum, qui incolumes nuper redierunt, penitus sunt ignari. (^uod si acerbior aliquis casus infelices premit, si pelagi seevitia innoxios absorbuit, aut si in aliena terra indigi oberrent, si in solitudine vagi cum accident, T know not what, the ship of Willoughby, while running with every stitch of canvass spread, was hurried away with such violence that in the space of some hours she drifted entirely ought of sight. The third ship, by a like accident, was carried away also, and parted company with her consorts. The pinnace of the commodore's ship, we know for certain, was dashed against the poop, and thereafter foundered, for the sailors on board the Edward witnessed the occur- rence. The men, who escaped, and who have lately returned to England safe, are utterly ignorant of what has become of their old shipmates. But if some cruel fate is crushing these poor unfortunate men ; or if the rage of the sea has devoured them, though guiltless ; or if they be wandering, pinched with want, in some 26 chancellor's voyage feris discurrunt, digni certe meliore sorte viri, quibusque, si vivant, in patriam reditum, sin cru- delior mortis fortuna insontes rapuit, moUem tumulum precemur. Ricardus Cancelerus solus cum Comitibus relictus, ac incerto reliquorum casu niLTSstus, ad destinatum portum contendit, quern cum teneret, ex composito reliquorum advenlum expectat. Hie septem dierum mora interposita, cum se frustra expectatione torqueri videret, navi- gationem subire in animo habebat. Cum omnino certum illi esset, naveni ex portu educere, forte foreign land ; or be roaming the wiUierness along with wild beasts, though they be surely men worthy of a better fate — let us pray, should they be still alive, for their return home, or if the cruel fate of death has cut them off", though innocent of wrong-doing, let us pray that the earth may lie light on their tomb ('). Richard Chancellor, left alone with his own crew and sorrowing over the uncertain fate of the others, hastened on to the port of rendezvous, which when he reached he then awaited the arrival of the others in accordance with the agreement which had been made. Here after delaying for seven days, when he saw that he was tantalized with a vain hope, he began to entertain the idea of resuming the voyage. But when he had just quite made up his mind to clear out of TO MUSCOVY. 27 cum Scotis quibusdam in congressum colloqviiunni ; venit. Qui cum illius animum exploratum habe- rent, et eius rationibus optime consullum vellent, vehementer ilium ab instituto consilio deterrere conantur, et pericula in maius extoUentes, eius constantiam labcfactare conantur. At Cancelerus, mobilitate et levitate ingenii nihil turpius existi- mans, et persuassimum habens, fortem virum maius in se dedecus admittere non posse, quam si metu fractus et debilitatus, periculorum casus refugeret, Scotorum oratione non deterritus, in proposito susceptoque consilio perstitit : statuens aut efticere, port, he happened to meet some Scotchmen with whom he entered into conversation. When they had learned what he proposed doing, and were anxious to give him the best advice thereon, they tried their utmost to dissuade him from carrying out his purpose, and by exaggerating the dangers to be encountered, sought to make him change his mind. But Chancellor, who thought nothing baser than a weak and vacillat- ing temperament, and who clung to the conviction that to recoil in abject terror from the threatening of danger was the worst ignominy that could attach to a brave man, was not scared by the representations of his Scottish friends, but persisted in the resolution he had adopted, determined either to do what he had 28 chancellor's voyage quod proposuerat, aut certre morti occumbere. Qui in eadem nave cum Cancelero erant, etsi Comitum dicessu (quos avulserat tempestatis sffivitia) plurimum angerentur, tanta tamen et tarn secunda in Cancelerum voluntare reperie- bantur, ut eius ductu et auspiciis omnes casus tentarf, ac certum capitis periculum adire non reformidarent. Hoc tam constans sodalium stu- dium, solicitudinem Ducis non mediocriter auxit. Ille enim pari animo erga illos adfectus, metuebat ne quo sue errore, sociorum saluti male consultum videri possit. Breviter amissa reliquarum navium proposed or to perish in the attempt. Those who were in Chancellor's ship though much distressed by their separation from their companions (torn from them by the rage of the storm) were found neverthe- less so firm in their loyalty to Chancellor that, under his command and auspices, they did not shrink from encountering every kind of risk, and exposing their very lives to certain jeopardy. This persistent trust and affection on the part of his associates increased in no ordinary degree the anxiety of the Commander. For, as he reciprocated the attachment of his men, he was in fear lest by any error on his part he should seem not to liave properly provided for their safety. The hope that the missing ships might arrive TO MUSCOVY. 29 spe, rursus fortunam maris experitur, mundique inane ac natun-e damnata petit, eousq ; provectus, dum noctis caligine depulsa, continuus solis fulgor vastum mare illustraret. Itaque continua luce per aliquot dies ufi, tandem divino numine fortunante, in ingentem quemdam sinum deveniunt, qui circi- ter centum millia pass, latitudine collegit. In hunc penitus ingressi, nave ad anchoras deligata, dum circumcirca prospiciunt, forte baud procul cernunt navem piscatoriam ; quam Cancelerus cum paucis Comitibus adire voluit, sciscitaturus ex piscatoribus, quae terra, quis populus, qui mores, having been soon abamloned, he tries again his fortune on the deep, and makes for that portion of the world which nature has doomed to desolation. He proceeded so far that he came to parts where from the continuous absence of night, sunlight never failed to show clearly the way through the wide seas. The sailors now that they had the advantage of continuous light for some days running, at length by the favour of the deity, reached a certain large gulf which had a breath of about 100 miles. They penetrate far up this gulf (*), and having anchored the ship, they scan the prospect on every side, and by chance see not far off a fishing smack, and this Chancellor with a few of his men wished to visit with a view to enquire from the fisher- 30 CHA^'CELLOR'S VOYAGE At illi novitate territi (neque enim istiusmod na%'es in illo orbe videntur) quam maxime possunt, aufugiunt. casterum Dux Cancelerus fugientes adsequitur, illi trepidi, ac metu semianimes ad genua Ducis provoluti, pedibus oscula offerunt. At Dux pro sua singulari humanitate, gestu ac nutu miseros consolatur, supplicum officia recusat, prostratosque amplexus in pedes adlevat. Mirum quantum favoris ha'c humanitas illi postea con- ciliarit. Hi enim dimissi, rumorem dissipant de nova gente, de humanitate singulari. Hasc fama men whr.t country it was, who were its inhabitants, and of what character they were. But the fishermen terrified by the strange sight, (for ships of that description are not seen in that quarter) take to flight with all the speed they can muster. But Captain Chancellor overtakes the fugitives, and they trembling and half dead with fright, cast themselves prostrate at the Captain's knees, and fall to kissing his feet. But the Captain with that humanity for which he was distinguished, by signs and nods allays the apprehensions of the poor wretches, allows them not to remain in the attitude of suppliants, but winding his arms around them as they lay prostrate, raises them to their feet. This act of humanity afterwards won for him an astonishing amount of goodwill. For these men TO MUSCOVY. 3t ubi percrebuit, adcurrere vulgus, ac ultro viaticum offerre, nee commercium offerre, nee commercium recusare, nisi quod non erat illis fas, inconsullo suo Prineipe, peregrinas nierees emere. Mox docentur nostri, Terrani esse Russiam atque Mos- coviam, et in illis locis Ivam Vasiliviche (hoc enim erat Principi nomen) plurimas nationes Im- perio ae ditione sua regere ac gubernare. Vieissim rogat Barbarus nostrates, unde genus ducant, aut quid petant in terra aliena. Ad hxc nostri, sese Angligenas, ab illustriss. Rcge Edovardo VI. in when permitted to go, spread abroad a report about a strange nation that was of unexampled humanity. When this story came to be widely circulated, the people hastened to welcome the strangers and without being asked offered them provisions. They neither sought nor refused to trade with them, but this was merely because they were not allowed to buy foreign goods without first consulting their Prince. Our men soon learned that the country was Russia and Muscovy, and that in those realms Ivan Vasilivich (for such was the name of the Prince) ruled and governed a great multitude of nations subject to his imperial sway. The barbarous people in their turn asked our country- men of what origin they were, and what they wanted in a foreign land. Qur men replied that they were 32 CHANCELLOR S VOYAGE ilium orbem missos, habere se ad illorum Principem Regis sui mandata, nee quidquam ultra qucerere, quam Principis sui amicitiam, ac cum popularibus suis commercia, qua quidem ex re maximas utili- tates in utriusque regni populos coUatas iri spera- bant. Non invitis auribus audiunt hsec Barbari, ac ultro operam suam poUicentur, ut tam sequa atque honesta postulatio ad Principis sui aures primo quoque tempore perferatur. Tunc Can- celerus a Toparchis, qui cum reliquis confluxerant, commeatum petit, ac obsides poscit, in tutelam Englishmen sent thither by that most illustrious sovereign King Edward the Sixth, that they bore despatches from that King to their Prince, and that they sought nothing further than the friendship of their Prince, and to trade with his subjects, and that by such intercourse they hoped that the very greatest advantages would be conferred on the people of both countries. The Barbarians lend no unwilling ear to those statements, and readily promise their assistance to convey so fair and honorable a request at the earliest moment to the ears of their Prince. Then Chancellor asks from the local governors, who had come with the common throng to see the strangers, a safe conduct, and also demands hostages for his own protection and the safety of his men. The governors TO MUSCOVY. 33 suae, suorumque salutis. Cui Toparchse ; Sui arbitrii non esse quid statuat Princeps, quodque in manu eius sit, hoc ipsum velle prasstare, quodq ; solum possunt, commeatum pollicentur. Dum hsec aguntur, verredarium clam dimittunt, qui Imperatori renunciet de ignotae gentis adpulsu, simul ut illius animum explorarent, quid ille statuat. Allatum nuncium pergratum fuit Principi, adeo quidem ut ultro etiam ad Regiam invitaret. Aut si terrestris itineris longinquitas nimis molesta answered that it was not for them to judge what the Prince might determine, but what alone was within their power they were willing to sup- ply, and so they promised to give a safe con- duct. During these transactions they secretly despatched a courier to inform the Emperor of the arrival of the foreigners, and at the same time to learn his pleasure and what he decided on doing. The intelligence brought was exceedingly welcome to the Prince, so much so indeed that he was pleased to invite the strangers to his court. In case, however, they should think the great length of the journey by land would make it too toilsome to be undertaken, he granted per- mission to his subjects to trade witli them. He C 34 chancellor's voyage ipsis videretur, commerciorum copiam suis facit. Promittit praeterea, si ad se venire velint, vere- dariorum equorum impensam. Interea Toparch^ variis frustrationibus promissum differunt, dum nuncii reditum exspectant, aliam rem super alia causantes, nunc reliquorum Toparcharum con- sensum, nunc negotia, nunc nescio quoe alia. Postquam se frustrari sensit Cancellerus, serio instat, ut promissi fidem liberent, aut se ulterius navigaturum affirmat. At Moscovitae, tametsi adhuc regime voluntatis incerti essent, et nostrorum dicessum metuerent (habebant enim merces, quas promised besides, should they choose to come, to bear the expense of the post-horses that would be required. Meanwhile the governors under various pretexts, delayed the fulfilment of their promise while they awaited the return of their courier, laying the blame on this and on that, now on their having to wait for the consent of the other governors, now on their being very busy and on all sorts of excuses. Chancellor on finding that he was being dallied with, earnestly urged them to fulfil their promise, else, as he assured them, he would pursue his voyage further. But the Muscovites although they were as yet un- certain as to the pleasure of their sovereign, and feared the departure of our men (who had wares TO MUSCOVY. 35 illi magnopere expetebant,) commeatu instruunt. Atque ita iter longissimum ac multo molestissimum ingressus est. Quod quidem trahis, quarum pluri- mus illi genti usus, confecit. Trahis gestantur, trahis onera vehuntur, denique vix alia novere vehicula. Huius rei causa est rigidissimum solum horrendo gelu hybernis mensibus concretum, de quo postea disseremus. Maiori itineris parte iam peracta, supervenit veredarius, quern supra osten- dimus ab Irenarchis dimissum : qui (quo casu incertum) a via aberraverat, ac littora maris which they were extremely eager to procure) provided him with a safe conduct. Accordingly he started on a very long and a most arduous journey. He made it on sledges which are in very common use among the Muscovites, for they ride in sledges, carry loads in sledges, and have in fact hardly any other conveyances but sledges. The state of the ground accounts for this, for it is covered over with the hardest of ice by the frightful frosts of the winter months, but of this we shall treat hereafter. When the greater part of the journey had now been accomplished, the courier met them, the same who, as we have stated, had been despatched by the governors. He (it it uncertain how) had wandered from his proper way, and had directed his course to the shores of the sea 36 chancellor's voyage Tartaris vicina petiverat, ratus sese nostrorum navem ibi inventurum. Hie post longum errorem tandem ad nostros rediit. Ducem in via assecutus, litteras Imperatorias, illas quidem humanitatis plenissimas, Cancelero attulit. Quibus impera- batur, ut veredi illi, Comitibusque suis sine pretio suppeditarentur. Quod quidem tanta ala- critate ab omnibus in reliquo itinere factitatum est, ut in via etiam pugnarenl quidam, utri veredos SUDS trahse iungerent. Tandem post magnas longissimi itineris molestias (cofecerat enim quin- decies centena millia passuum) Moscuam regiam adjoining the Tartars under the idea that he would find the ship of our men thereabouts. After a long course of wandering, he returned to where he thought our men were. Having come up with the Captain when now on his way, he gave to Chancellor the Emperor's letter, which ran over with expressions of the greatest kindness. This letter contained the order that post-horses should be supplied to Chancellor's retinue without charge. This injunction was obeyed by all concerned during the rest of the journey, and with such alacrity that on the way some even fought as to which should yoke his horses to the sledge. At length after enduring many hardships on that extremely long journey, (they had travelled 1500 miles) he TO MUSCOVY. 37 urbem delatus est ; de qua ac de Moscovitaruni Caesare, deque illustribus Moscoviae urbibus paulo post plura sumus scripturi. De /iBoscovta, quae et IRussla Wcttur. "\fOSCOVIA, quae et Russia alba nominatur, -' terra est amplissima, hinc inde variis genti- bus contermina, a Meridie atque oriente Tartaris cingitur, Septemtrionale latus Oceanus Scythicus arrived at the City of Moscow where the Emperor resided. About this City and the Tsar of the Muscovites, and the famous Cities of Muscovy we intend in the immediate sequel to write at some length. OF MUSCOVY OR RUSSIA. Muscovy, which is also called Russia-Muscovy, which is also called White Russia, is a country of most ample extent, and is conterminous on its different sides with a variety of races. On the south and east it is begirt by the Tartars, and on the north it is bounded by the Scythian Ocean. To the west arc 33 chancellor's voyage ambit. Ad Occidentem iacent Lapones, gens sylvestris, nee uUi populo commercio linguae nota. Post hos Austrum versus, incolunt Suevi : Deinde Finlandise, ab hac Livonii ; iuxta hos Lituani. Plurimis ac maximis fluminibus irrigua est, mul- tisque in locis palustris. Nobilissima fluminum Rha, quod illi materno idiomate Volgam ; Tanais, quem Don, Borysthenes, quern hodie Neper nominant. Horum Rha atque Borysthenes eodem lacu orti immensa terrse spacia peragrant. Rha amoenos amnes in se recipiens, ac ex ipso statim fonte Orientem petens, post varios flexus ac cursus situated the Laplanders, an uncivilized race, and not known to any people by intercourse of speech. Beyond these, towards the south, dwell the Swedes j next come the Finlanders, and then the Livonians, and bordering on these the Lithuanians. The country is watered by a great many very large rivers, and is in many places marshy. The noblest among the rivers are the Rha, which the inhabitants in their mother tongue call the Volga, the Tanais, which they call the Don, and the Borysthenes, which now they call the Dnieper. Of these the Rha and the Borysthenes, which issue from the same lake, traverse immense tracts of country. The Rha, receiving pleasant streams in its course, and flowing towards sunrise as soon as it TO MUSCOVY. 3$ ambages, advenas aquas suasque in Caspium mare pluribus ostiis exonerat. Tanais fonte haud spectabili, ab ipsa scatebar grandescens, tandem in amplum lacum se diffun- dit, post evagantes aquas in arctum cogens, angustus labitur, nc post aliquot passuum millia iterum in lacum diffusus (quem Ivan appellant) flexuoso nieatu tendit, donee in vicina Volgse per- venit. Deinde quasi comitem aversatus, transverse cursu flectens in meridiem contendit, ac Meoticam paludem petit. Borysthenes, quem ex eodem fonte cum Rha leaves its parent lake, after various windings, and after deviating from its first direction, discharges through many mouths its own and its affluent waters into the Caspian Sea. The Don rises from an obscure source, but at once gathers volume on leaving its springs, and after a time pours its waters into a spacious lake. Issuing thence in a contracted stream, it flows for many miles within a narrow channel, and again enters a lake (that called Ivan), whence, after a very sinuous course, it reaches the vicinity of the Volga. Here, as if disdaining such companionship, it changes its direc- tion, and, turning southward, seeks its way to the Meotic Lake. The Borysthenes, which, we have said, has th« saime source a? the Rha, carries it% 40 chancellor's voyage ortum diximus, cognatas aquas in Austrum defert, subinde auxiliares amnes recipiens. Hie maximas gentes praeterluens, tandem in Pontem Euxinum sese condit. Habet et Moscovia lacus ac stagna. Lacus etiam deciduo sydederum semine pisces generant. Inter hos principatum tenet lacus Belli lesera, vel ob hoc prsecipue memorabilis, quod arx muni- tissima in eo sit exstructa : quo Moscovitarum Princeps gazam suam defert, si quando bellorum terror premit. Quod ad Riphsea iuga spectat perpetuis nivibus candentia, unde veteres Tanaim ortum habere kindred waters to the south, and receives from that quarter its tributary streams. Here, passing through very populous regions, it finally discharges itself into the Euxine Sea (9). Muscovy, besides its rivers, has lakes and pools. The lakes even breed fishes by the seed of syders (sydederum ?) falling into them. Of these lakes, that of Belli lesera holds the first rank, being especially notable because in it has been built a most strongly fortified arsenal, whither the Prince of the Muscovites conveys his treasures whenever an alarm of war arises ('°). As regards the Riphaean hills, hoary with eternal mows, from which, as the ancients dreamed, the TO MUSCOVY. 41 somniarunt, reliquaque naturoe portenta, quae Grseciaolim finxit, nee nostri, qui nuper redierunt, videre, nee trimestri spatio illic versati, ac Mus- covitarum adloquio utcumque imbuti, auditu cognoverunt. Terram esse planam ac campestrem illi, ac raro in montes assurgere. Et qua vergit in Septentrionem latissimos saltus habere, plurima ibi abies, unde ad instruendas cedes materia. Hi saltus feras alunt ; uros, ursos, lupos nigros, aliamq ; feram nostro orbi non visam, quam illi Rossoinacham nominant. Rarum fera; ingenium Tanais took its rise, and the other prodigies of nature which Greece of old created out of her own imagina- tion, our own men who lately returned home neither saw them, nor did they even so much as hear of them, although they staid in the country three months, and entered freely into conversation with the Muscovites. According to their report, the country is an open plain, and seldom rises up into hills. In the northern tracts it has forests of vast extent, consisting mostly of fir, which supplies the timber used in building houses. These forests breed wild beasts — uruses, bears, black wolves, and a kind of wild animal which has never been seen in our part of the world, and which they call the Rossomacha. Its nature is peculiar and noteworthy ; for when the creature is filled with 42 chancellor's voyage et spectabile. Satura enim est distenta, duorum stipitum angustias quarit, per quas se transmittens, ventris onus (quod alias non egeritur) excolat. Vros equites ut plurimum venantur, ursos pedites ligneis furcis. Septemtrionalis tractus tam hor- rendi frigoris esse dicitur, ut ex humidis lignis in foco structis distillans liquor in Stiriam concrescat. Tanta diversitas tantillo spatio, ut hinc prunam, illinc glaciem in eadem face cernas. Postquam hyemare apud illos incipit, assidua gelu incrementa capit. Nee se prius remittit, quam Solis radii food and distended thereby, it seeks for a couple of trees that are close to each other, and squeezes itself through the narrow interspace in order to disburden its bowels, which it cannot do otherwise ("). The uruses are hunted for the most part by men on horseback, the bears by men on foot, armed with wooden forks. In the northern regions the cold is said to be so frightful that the liquid which distils from moist logs of wood piled up on the hearth is congealed into icicles. So great is the difference of temperature within a very short distance, that you may see the same faggot burning at the one end and freezing at the other. After winter has once set in in these parts the cold increases constantly in its intensity. Nor is there any abatement until the rays of the sun. TO MUSCOVY. 43 nostrum orbem revisentes canescentem terram fulgore exhilarant, tristeque gelu tempore solvunt, Nautae certe nostri, qui in navi remanserant, ex inferiori stego, in foros scandentes tarn subita lipothymia nonnunquam sunt correpti, ut inter- mortui subinde ruerent. Tanta erat illic rigentis Goeli inclementia. Australiora illius aliquanto mitiora sunt. returning to the northern hemisphere, gladden with their effulgence the earth, hoary with snow, and dissolve the frost with their genial warmth. Such of our sailors, in fact, as had remained on board, when mounting from the lower hatches to the upper deck, were often seized with a sudden faintness, so that they would immediately fall down half dead. Such was the dreadful rigour of that frozen climate. The southern regions of Russia are, however, considerably milder. 44 chancellor's voyage Be /Iftoscua urbc TRcgia. ^ELIQUUM est ut promissa opusculi pars k ^ nobis dicatur, deque Moscua Regia Urbe, et de Moscovitarum Principe latius paullo disera- mus. Cuius Imperium amplissimum est, opesque hoc tempore insignes. Et quoniam ipsa urbs facile inter ceteras principatum tenet, merito sibi primum locum vindicet. Urbis amplitudo, ut nostri adfirmant, Londinum cum suburbio magni- OF MOSCOW, THE RESIDENCE OF THE SOVEREIGN. It remains now that the promised part of this little work should be given to our readers, and that we should treat at some greater length of Moscow, the imperial city, and of the Prince of the Muscovites, whose empire is of vast extent, and whose power is now conspicuously great. And since the city itself easily holds the pre-eminence over the others, let it claim our attention first, as it deserves. The extent of the city, as our travellers affirm, is equal to that of London, with its suburbs included. It has many TO MUSCOVY. 45 tudine sequat. ^dificia habet multa, sed cultu nequaquam nostris conferenda. Vicos plures habet, sed incompositos ; vioe lapide non ster- nunter ut nostra;. /ICdium parietes lignei sunt ; tecta scandulis ut plurimum muniuntur. luncta oppido arx est, et elegans et munita. Huic k Septentrione adnectitur urbs laterito muro. Ipsius etiam arcis mcenia lateribus struuntur, quorum crassities pedes i8. colligit. Ab altera parte sicca fossa munitur castellum, ab altera flumine Vologda adluitur. Quod in Orientem tendens, sociales aquas, suasque Occce adiungit. Sunt in castro, buildings, but these in point of elegance are not to be compared to ours. Its streets are numerous, but irregular, and the roads are not paved with stone like ours. The walls of the houses are made of wood, and their roofs are protected by shingles mostly. Close to the town is the arsenal, which is at once elegant and well fortified. With this the city is con- nected on the north by means of a brick wall. The walls of the arsenal itself are built of brick, and are of a thickness of eighteen feet. On the one side it is protected by a dry ditch, and on the other it is washed by the river Vologda, which, flowing towards the east, carries its confederate waters and its own into the Occa. There is within the fortress a sacred 46 chancellor's voyage jedes Sacrte, non invenusta;, quas tenant caenobitas. Ilabent etiam Papam suum, ac quosda alias Prse- sides, qui omnes plerumque in arce degunt. Ipsius certe Principis Regia minus culta, quadratae formse et structurse humilis, nostrorum palatiorum nitore longe superatur. Fenestrarum angustise, nunc vitriis, nunc specularibus, lumen admittunt. Attalica magnifica nostratium Principum aulis ornamenta deerant. Undique parietibus adhse- rent scamma, neque id solum in Imperatoris Regia, verum etiam ubique in privatorum fedibus. Exactis iam 12, ab ingressu in urbem diebus, adest building of some architectural grace, which is occupied by monks. It has also a priest (papa) of its own, and some other headmen, aU of whom live mostly in the arsenal. The Palace of the Prince himself is cer- tainly deficient in elegance. It is of a square shape and built low, and is altogether far surpassed in splendour by our Palaces at home. The narrow- openings for windows admit the light through panes made somet/mes of glass, and sometimes of transparent tissue. The halls lacked the sumptuous and mag- nificent decorations which are to be seen in the halls of our own Princes. Small benches are set close to the walls all round the apartments, and this not only in the Emperor's Palace, but also in private houses. TO MUSCOVY. 47 nuncius, ad Regius aedes nostros invitans. Angli morarum pertcesi cupide paruere. Itaque in aulam ingressi, honorandura centum aulicorum csetum aureo cultu ad talos usque demisso ornatum con- sidere conspiciunt. Exindein salutatoriumadmissi, minim quantum fulgor Imperatorius nostrorum oculos perstrinxerit. Russorum enim Imperator Regio in solio sublimis, ac aureo diademate multum conspicuus, regalique paludamento, auri- ficum opera spectabili, ornatus sedet ; aureum bacillum gemmis distinctum dextra tenet. Ac When twelve days had elapsed after the entrance of our men into the city, a messenger appeared, inviting them to the Palace. The Englishmen, being tired out by long waiting, eagerly obeyed the summons. Having, therefore, entered the Palace Court, they saw a distinguished throng of a hundred courtiers, arrayed in golden apparel, which reached down to their very ankles. On being admitted from thence into the Presence Chamber, the wondrous display of Imperial splendour was such as quite dazzled the eyes of our men. For they saw the Emperor of the Russians seated aloft upon his throne, conspicuous to all eyes by the golden diadem on his brow, wearing the robe of State, a marvellous product of workmanship in gold, and holding in his right hand a golden sceptre, 48 chancellor's voyage p^^^ter caetera Regalis opulentiae decora, inerat etiam in vultu majestas, tanto fastigio digna. Stant iuxta hinc atque hinc Archigrammateus, ac Silentiarius, et ipsa regali auro vestiti. Deinde centum quinquaginta Patrum consessus, aureo vestitu magnificus, undique subsellia prsetexuit. Poterat tantse majestatis fulgor, poterat tam augustus venerandorum Patrum conspectus insueto mentem excutere. At Cancelerus constant! vultu regia maiestate nostratium more salutata, Regis Edovardi litteras tradit. Lectis litteris, pauca de Regis Edovardi incolunitate interrogat. Quibus embellished with gems. But, apart from all these insignia of his sovereign wealth, there was at the same time a majesty in his looks worthy of his exalted position. Next to him on one side stood the Chief Secretary, and on the other the Grand Usher (silen- tiary), both in their Court robes, bedizened with gold. The blaze of so much majesty, the sight so august of the grave and reverend seigniors, might well have quite nonplussed any one who was unused to such scenes. But Chancellor, without any change of countenance, having paid his respects to the Emperor according to the fashion of the English Court, delivered the letter of King Edward. When this had been read, the Emperor asked briefly as to the King's TO MUSCOVY. 49 Angli respondent (uti sperabant) et valere et vivere. Mox k nostris per Archigramatea dono Imperatori oblato, (quod ipse aperto capite obUi- lit ; antea enim erat opertus) Moscovitarum Princeps Anglos in prandii tempus, ad quod ipsos invitavit, dimittit. Postquam per horas duas in illius cubiculo, qui Principi est i supplicibus, morati sunt : accersit nuncias ad epulas. In aureum palatium (ut ipsi nominabant, licet parum excultum) introducti, Russorum Ca;sarem alto thoro assidentem, argenteo amictu decoratum, alteroque iam diademale insignituni offendunt. health. The English replied (in accordance with what they hoped) that he was well and alive. Immediately on this a present was offered to the Emperor by our men through the Chief Secretary, who in doing this office uncovered his head, and then the Prince of the Muscovites allowed the English to retire until the hou. for dinner, to which he was pleased to invite themr Hereupon they waited for two hours long in the Chamber where the Prince received his petitioners, and then a messenger came to summon them to the banquet. Having been ushered into the Golden Palace (as the Muscovites were in the habit of calling it, though it is but little decorated), their eye encoun- tered the Russian Tsar sitting on a lofty couch, arrayed li 50 chancellor's voyage Nostri ex adverso collocati, mensae adcumbunt. Stat in medio palatio ingens abacus ab imo qua- dratus, paulum assurgit. Iluic orbis incubuit, unde in metam fastigiatur, latiori orbe (ordine quodam) contractiorem sustinente. Hunc gasa regia adornavit, tanta copia, ut pondere etiam gravaret. Melior certe pars vasorum ac pocu- lorum omnium, ex auro lectissimo fabricata. Quatuor oUse magnitudine conspicuas, reliquam aureorem vasculorum magnificentiam prrecipue honestarunt. Tant?e enim proceritatis exstiterunt, ut quinos prope pedes altitudine colligerent. in robes of silver, and wearing now a different diadem. Our men, having been placed opposite to him, took their seats at the table. In the middle of the Palace stood a huge abacus, with a square pedestal, of a good height, surmounted with a succession of orbicular tiers, which regularly tapered towards the culminating point of the fabric. This receptacle was adorned with such a profusion of plate and costly rarities that it was almost over-burdened with the weight. The greater part of all the vessels and cups was evidently made of the choicest gold. Four vases, which were conspicuous objects on account of their extraordinary size, served especially to enhance the splendour of the other golden vessels, for they were of such an imposing TO MUSCOVY. 51 Fuerunt etiam argentea qucedem dolia, a nostris minoribus capacitate non longe differentia, quibus Principis potuni privatim servant. Verum cra- teras, pateras, maliuvia, gutturnia, lagenas, ampullas, cajteraqure Regis; magnificentiiE orna- menta (cum fuerint innumera) quid attinet sin- gillatim exsequi ? Quatuor mensre ad singula triclinii latera singula; disposit^e, ac mundissimis mappis stratoe, quibus ab humiliori solo ternis gradibus erat ascensus, celeberrimo convivarum CKtu instruuntur. Hi foris linthealis, intusque prKtiosissimis pellibus vestiti regalibus mensis height that they each measured nearly five feet. There were also some silver vessels, not differing much in their capacity from the smaller kind in use among ourselves, and in these they serve drink to the Prince when he is in private. But to what purpose is it to go on enumerating one by one the bowls, goblets, basons, ewers, flagons, jugs, and other articles of regal splendour ? Four tables, placed separately on each side of the dining-hall, and raised each to the height of three steps above the floor, were bespread with the very finest of napery, and furnished with a very numerous company of guests. These, arrayed outwardly in linen robes, but wearing the most costly furs next their person, take their seats at the table of 52 chan'cellor's voyage accumbunt. Cum Princeps cultrum vel panem attrectat, signo crucis frontem prius munit. Qui in amicitia Principis palmam tenent, conciliorum- que participes sunt, eidem thoro adhibiti, remotiori loco ab ipso sedent. Adstabant abaco Principis pocillatores mollissimis mantiiibus ab humero dependentibus ; tenebant manu baccata pocula. Quoties liberiores epulas sibi indulget, vel tetricas curas amplius remittit, haec uno haustu plena ebibit, ac amicis propinat. Ante prandium dum exspectantur epulse, veteri ac quasi avito Mos- the Sovereign. When the Prince takes a knife or bread into his hand he makes on his forehead the protecting sign of the Cross. Those who carry the palm in the friendship of the Prince, and are sharers in his counsels, are admitted to the same couch, but sit at some distance off from him. Beside the abacus stood the Piince's cup-bearers, clad in very soft mantles, which depended from their shoulders. In their hands they were holding cups set with pearls^ As often as he indulges with more freedom than usual in the pleasures of the table, or banishes for a longer space his harassing cares, he drains these brimming cups at a single draught, and drinks healths to his friends. Before dinner, while the viands are waited TO MUSCOVY. 53 covitarum Principum more, ipse Imperator singulos covivas pane primum donat, cum honorum suorum titulo ac elata voce, in hunc modum : Magma Moscovitarum Dux, ac swumus Russia: Ir?tperator Johannes Vasilius (deinde qui perfert accipientem nominal) ie isto pane donat. Sub hoc adsurgunt convivje universi, ac adorantis quodam gestu cor- pora inclinantes, residunt. Feracta Principis donatione, celebri dapiferorum pompa incedit Atriensis, ac salutato Principe cignellum aurea in lance mensas admovet, mox tollit, ac structori for, according to an old, and, as it were, ancestral custom of the Muscovite Princes, the Emperor him- self first of all presents the guests one by one with bread, while reciting his own titles, and with uplifted voice saying words to this effect : — " The great leader of the Muscovites and the Supreme Emperor of Russia, John Vasilivitch, presents thee (here he who brings forward the recipient names him) with this bread." Upon this the guests all simultaneously rise up, and, bending their bodies with a sort of gesture of adoration, resume their seats. When the ceremony of presenting the bread is finished, the Steward of the Household, with a numerous train of table servants, enters the hall, and after saluting the Prince, brings forward to the table a cygnet on a golden charger, which he presently, however, takes 54 CHANCELLOR S VOYAGE cum septem comitibus, in frusta discerpendum tradit. H?ec in mensam paullo postillata pari celebritate convivis distribuunter, Dum hsec aguntur, et ipse Artiensis pane donatus delibat, ac honorato Principe mox recedit. De reliquorum ferculorum ordine, cum omnino incomposite sint illata, nihil certi referre possunt nostri. Illud certe constat, universum esculentorum ac potori- orum omnium apparatum, quibus centum convivis administratum est, lectissimo ex auro luisse : men- sasque ipsas auieis vasis ad eo fuisse onustas, ut nonnullis etia in mensa deesset locus. Neque away, and hands over to a carver, with seven assistants to cut up into slices, which are soon afterwards brought on to the table and distributed to the guests by the seven assistants. While this is being done, the steward himself is presented with bread, which he tastes, and he then retires after making an obeisance to the Prince. About the order in which the other dishes were served our men cannot speak with certainty, since they were not brought in in any regular order. But this is at all events clear, that the dishes on which the meats were served, as well as the drinking vessels used in entertaining one hundred guests, were all of the choicest gold, and that the tables themselves were so laden with golden vessels, that for some of them TO MUSCOVY. 55 vero silentio involvendum est, ministros centum quadraginta, aurea veste ornatos, ter ipso convivii tempore cul turn mutavisse. Ministri quoque pane ac potu ab Imperatore, simili, quo reliqui, modo donantur. Ad postremum finite prandio, ac illatis lucernis (erat enim nox) convivas et familiares omnes nomine adpellat, ut non immeiito mirum videatur, tot ac tarn varia cognomina viro alioquin occupatissimo memoria non excidere. Donativi ac nominum citandorum ratio est, ut Muscovites room could not be found at the table. Nor must it be passed unnoticed that one hundred and forty servants, arrayed in robes of gold, changed their apparel three times in the course of the banquet. The servants are also presented with bread and drink by the Emperor in the same manner as the others. At last, when the dinner had been finished, and the lights brought in (for it was night), he addressed all the guests and servants, every one of them by name, so that there is good reason to wonder that such a number and variety of names do not escape the memory of a man who has otherwise so very many matters to occupy his attention. The reason why the bread is presented and the names pronounced is, as the Muscovites explain, in order that the Prince may know well the members of his household and also that those who 56 chancellor's voyage referunt, ut familiam probe noscat, turn ut qui Principis amicitia exciderunt, hoc modo notentur. S)c re militari ^oscovitarum. QUOTIES finitimorum injurise in bellum evo- cant, baud unquam infra nongenta virorum millia in hostem armat. Ex quorum numero trecenta millia in aciem secum educens, reliqua in tutelam Imperii in praesidiis, aptis in locis disponit. Colonum nullum, nullum mercatorem in militiam have fallen out of the Prince's friendship, may in this manner be indicated. THE MILITARY SYSTEM OF THE MUSCOVITES. The Emperor, whenever his rights are infringed by his neighbours, never arms against the enemy a host under 900,000 strong. From this number he leads out for active service 300,000 men, and distributes the rest for garrison-duty into places conveniently situated for the defence of the Empire. He chooses his soldiery neither from the agricultural nor trading classes, for so great is the multitude of his subjects. TO MUSCOVY. 57 legit. Tanta enim est populi multitudo, ut his relictis, bellis suis iuventutem terra populosa abunde suppeditet. Quoscunque in expeditionem ducit, proprio sumptu seipsos alunt. Pedestrem pugnam non noverunt, equites in praelium pro- cedunt. Anna sunt his lorica et galea : lorica foris auro tegitur, vel holoserico etiam gregario militi, Impense iuvat opulenliam ostentare. Arcu et sagittis utuntur, more Turcarum ; lanceas etiam in bellogerunt: stapeda adductiore equitant, idque ut Turca. Genus est hominum, algoris that apart from these, the teeming population furnishes abundance of young recruits for his wars. All those whom he leads into the field have to maintain them- selves at their own expense. They do not know how to fight on foot, but advance to battle mounted on horseback. Their armour consists of a coat of mail and a helmet. The coat of mail is on the outside covered with gold, or with a wrapping made all of silk, even should it belong to a common soldier. It gives them a vast deal of pleasure to make a display of their opulence. They use the bow and arrows, in the manner of the Turks ; they carry also javelins in warfare. They ride, as the Turks do, with shortened stirrups. This nice of warriors is capable of sustaining cold to an extent past all belief, and 58 chan'cellor's voyage ultra omnem fidem patiens, ac victus parcissimum. Nam cum tellus alta nive candet, cum terra horrendo gelu adstricta riget, tamen hie Sarmata, sago, stipitibus, unde ventus ac nives fseviunt expasso, exiguum ignem sibi struit ; atque aversus a vento iacet ; sagum illi pro tecto est, sagum pro muro, in summa sagum instar omnium est. Hie incola nivium, aqua e gelido anine petita, ac similagine avense admixta, convivium suum instruit. Ac his dapibus satur, ac laute pastus, ad ignem decumbit, lateraque huiusmodi lautitiarum crapula fessa, rigenti solo perurit. Huic rigens solum subsists on the scantiest fare. For when the earth is covered up with snow, and the ground frozen hard by the frightful severity of the frost, here, nevertheless, the Sarmatian, spreading out his cloak over some stakes against the quarter whence the wind and snow are fiercely blowing, makes for himself a small fire, and lies down with his back to the wind ; his cloak is his roof, his cloak is his wall of defence, his cloak, in a word, serves him for every purpose. Here the tenant of the snow prepares his repast, which consists of oat- meal mixed with water drawn from a frozen stream When he has gorged himself with this dainty fare, he lies down beside the fire, and on the hard, frosty ground, exposes to the pinching cold his sides, now overstrained TO MUSCOVY. 59 pro pluma, truncus seu silex pro cervicali. Equus etiam non lautiori prope pabulo nutritus quam Herus, hero est contubernalis. Quam merito hie ignobilis et obscurus Sarmata, efibsminatam Duc- ibus nostris molitiem exprobret, qui coelo longe clementiore, pellilis ocreis, renonibusq ; utuntur. Hie est gregariorum militum apparatus. At qui illustriori dignitatis sunt loco, instructiores paulo in mihtiam proticiscuntur. Ipsius (juidem Inipera- toris apparatus vel tunc maxima insignis. Tentorii enim velia aurea sunt, spectabili etiamnum pluma- with his immoderate indulgence in the pleasures of the table. The hard ground serves him for a bed of down, and a log or stone serves him for a pillow. His horse, too, in the matter of aliment, scarcely fares any better than his master, and is his master's close comrade in his quarters. What a deserved rebuke does this lowly and obscure Sarmatian administer to the effeminate softness of our officers, who, under a far milder sky, have their boots and mantles all thickly lined with fur. This, then, is the equipment of the common soldier, but those who hold posts of exalted rank, set out on a campaign somewhat better provided. The equipage, especially of the Emperor himself, is of extreme splendour, for the curtains of his tent glitter with gold, and are to this very day adorned with skilfully 6o chancellor's voyage riorum opere, margaritisque ornata. Quoties cum hoste conferendum est, incompositi in hostile agmen procurrunt. Neque aciem dirigunt (ut mos est nostris) sad in insidiis collocati, adversarios adoriuntur. Ipsorum equi bidui inediam facile ferunt. In bello ut plurimum, arborum cortices, ac virgultorum mollia, his sunt pro pabulo : bimestri spatio hanc tantam penuriam etiam vegeti ac fortes et equus et eques non raro perferunt. Si cuius opera in bello strenua Princeps usus est, hunc prandio aut fundo aliquo donat, in alimentum arranged plumes, and with pearls. Whenever an engagement with the enemy takes place, they rush forward, without any fixed order, to attack the hostile ranks. They do not form themselves into a line of battle (as is the custom with us), but placing themselves in ambush, attack thence their adversaries. Their horses can easily go without food for a couple of days in succession. The provender of these horses in war- time consists mostly of the bark of trees, and their Soft succulent twigs, and on such penurious aliment as this, it Is not unusual for the horse and his rider to subsist for two months together, even thriving upon it, and keeping up their strength. If the Prince has been energetically assisted in war by any one, he presents that person with his maintenance, or with a TO MUSCOVV. 6 1 sui suorumciue, qui tamen ad ipsum Imperatorem post eius mortem redit, si nulla proles virilis sexus ipsi contingat. Nam se vel numerosam etiam foeminarum sobolem genuerit, tamen hunc hsere- (litarium agrum vendicat Princeps nisi quod exiguam forte partem, ad dotandas puellas Princeps concedat. Porroqui Imperatoris munificentia illo modo munerantur, gravi pecunia astringuntur, tot milites in bello alere, cum necessitas postulat, quot illius fundi reditus, Imperatoris censura, abunde alere possit. Haud meliori sunt forte, piece of land for the support of himself and his family, but this land reverts to the Emperor himself, should it so happen that the beneficiary has no male children ; for if he should have even a numerous female offspring the Prince v^ould still claim the land as a heritage of the Crown, except that he might, perhaps-, allow a a small portion to remain, in order to provide dowries for the daughters. Moreover, he who is rewarded in this manner by the Imperial munificence, is bound under a heavy pecuniary penalty, to rear as many soldiers for war, ready to take the field when necessity requires, as the revenue of that domain can easily support, according to an estimate made by the Emperor, Those to whom, by the law of inheritance, the lands descend, do not hold them on any better terms, for if 62 chancellor's voyage quibus hsereditario iure agri contingunt. Nam si moriuntur, nee sobolem masculam reliquerint, discedentes prsedia fisco Imperatoris statim cedunt. Super hcec, si opimus aliquis bello inutillis ab aulicis Principi deferatur, quod rei militari inido- neus, amplas facultates habeat, quibus multi clari sanguinis viri bello apti nutriantur, mox accersitur infelix, opibusque, quas tanto cum sudore, tot laboribus per omnem vitam comparavit, tantillo temporis momento exuitur. Nisi quod particulam aliquam a Principe recipit, ad se, coniugem, liberos, ac domesticos alendos. Hsec autem they die without leaving male offspring, the estates immediately lapse, on their demise, to the Imperial Exchequer. Moreover, if any rich person is reported to the Prince by the Court minions as useless for war, then, because he is unfit for military service, but possessed of ample means, wherewith many men of illustrious descent and warlike aptitude could be main- tained, the unhappy wretch is immediately called to account, and in the twinkling of an eye is stripped of the wealth which he had earned in the sweat of his brow, after a whole lifetime of hard industry. The Prince however, considerately allows him a pittance where- with to support himself, his wife, children and domestics. But in such cases it must be observed, TO MUSCOVY. 63 Imperatori suo k populo tarn alacriter ofiferuntur, ut credas, illos aliena restituisse, non sua alieno dedisse. His bonis pro merit o singulorum aulicos suos donat Princeps. In bello etiam, quo quis ssepius in expeditionem mittitur, eo propensiorem Principis favorem in se auguratur, etiam cum suis impensis seipsum alat, sicuti ante a nobis dictum est : tantum est apud omnes Ducis sui obsequium. everything is offered to the Emperor by his people with such readiness that one might believe that they had restored what belonged to another and not that they had given up to another what was their own. These good things the Prince bestows upon his courtiers according to their respective merits. In time of war, moreover the oftener_any one is sent upon a military expedition, he anticipates on that account that the Prince will be all the more inclined in his favour and that he may even maintain him at his own cost as has already been stated by us. So great is tbe deference universally accorded to their sovereign ruler. 64 chancellor's voyage De Xcgatis Duels /Dboscovitarum. TyTON minori magnificentia, quam qua diximus, y* Legates suos ad obeunda negotia ad externos Reges mittit Moscovita. Nam nostris Moscus agentibus, Legates duos ad Polonise Regem iter suscipientes, vel ingressos, mille quingenti equites ornatissimi comitabantur, quorum melior pars veste aurea, ac cericis induebatur, et qui incultissime cymatili : Ut interim equorum strata, auro argen- toque inducta, et spectabili Phr>-gionum opere OF THE AMBASSADORS OF THE SOVEREIGN OF THE MUSCOVITES. The Muscovite equips, with no less splendour than what we have described, the Ambassadors whom he despatches on diplomatic Missions to foreign Courts j for while our men were transacting their business in Moscow, two ambassadors who were then either undertaking a journey to the King of Poland, or had already started upon it, were accompanied by a retinue of fifteen hundred horsemen, of whom the better class wore gold and silk attire, while those who were most meanly arrayed wore a blue coloured dress. As to the housings of the horses, let me say no more than that they were over laid with gold and silver, and adorned TO MUSCOVY. 65 ornata silentio transeam. Habebant insuper centum sonipedes albos pulcherrimosque, in quos (si ali- cuius taedium ipsos in itinera cepisset) cum vellent, transcenderent. Sed nunc tempus exigit, ut ad quasdam alias Moscovite urbes orationem con- vertamus, et merces, quibus abundant, breviter perstringamus. IRopogarDla. ^EQUITUR Moscuam celeberrima urbium ^ Novogardia, qua^ ut illi dignitate est inferior, ita magnitudine non parum superat. Emporium with the most beautiful embroidery work. They had in addition a hundred palfreys of a white colour, and of remarkable beauty which they could mount at pleasure if they tired on the journey of the horse they were riding. But now the occasion requires that we should turn our narrative to certain other cities of Muscovy, and briefly glance at the articles of commerce in which they abound. NOVGOROD. Next to Moscow, the most famous of the cities is Novgorod, which though inferior to Moscow in rank, nevertheless surpasses it very considerably in size. It 66 chancellor's voyage est totius Imperii longe nobilissimum, et licet regiam sedem sibi Princeps Moscuse constituat, fluminis tamen opportunus interlapsus, ac post in mare Sarmaticum exoneratus, facit mercatorum conventu, ipsa regia Urbe celebratiorem. Huic ob summam optimi lini ac Canabis abundantiam, inter reliquas Regni urbes, facile datur palma. Vendit etiam coria, mel, et ceram, Instituerunt ibi collegium mercatorum Flandri. is by far the noblest mart of commerce in the whole empire, and though the Prince fixes the seat of sovereignty at Moscow, nevertheless the advantage it possesses in being seated on the river {Volga) which afterwards discharges into the Sarmatian sea, attracts a great concourse of mercantile men, and it is thus a place of greater resort than the Metropolis itself. As it possesses vast stocks of the best flax and hemp, it carries off, on this account the palm from all the other cities in the Muscovite dominions. It sells also heather honey and wax. The Flemings have esta- blished there a company of Merchants. TO MUSCOVY. 67 ^eroslabia. /"^ELEBRATURquoque leroslabia propter coria, sevum, ac fruges, quibus plurimum abundat. Cerarum etiam orbes ibi sunt venales, licet aliis in locis maior sit copia. Sita hsec est ab Urbe regia ad lapidem ducentesimum. Totum inter- vallum plurimos habet vicos populosissimos ; abundant agri frugibus, quas Moscuam tanta copia advehunt, ut aliquando antomeridiano tempore YAROSLAV. Yaroslav also is frequented on account of its leather, tallow and grain, in which it very much abounds. Balls of wax are also for sale there altho' in other places the supply is more abundant. This place is situated at the two hundredth mile stone from the capital. All the intervening country is studded with a very great number of very populous villages. The fields produce abundant crops, and the grain is con- veyed to Moscow in such great quantities, that some- times in the fore part of the day you may see seven or 8 chancellor's voyage videas, septingentas vel octingentas trahas, ultro citroque commeantes, fniges vel salsamenta vehentes. Veniunt a millesimo lapide Moscuam mercatum fruges, trahisque vehunt. Hi sunt aquilonis incolae : nam tanta est ibi frigoris incle- mentia, ut segetes non crescant, aut si crescant, non maturescant. Hi salsamenta, pelles, coria adferunt. eight hundred sledges passing to and fro, laden with corn or salted provisions. Men come from a thousand mile^ off to Moscow to purchase grain and carry it away in sledges. These are inhabitants of the North ; for such is there the rigour of the frost that corn does not grow, or if it does grow it does not ripen. These men of the North bring with them salted provisions, furs and leather. TO MUSCOVY. 69 -\-\rOLOGDA quingentis quinquaginta millibus ' passuum interiectis, ab urbe Metropolitana distans, merces habet, sevum ac linum, tametsi lini maior vis Novogardise vaeneat. BMescovia. (■v)ROPTER mellis cerceque magnam copiam a mercatoribus frequentatur Plescovia. VOLOGDA. Vologda is situated at a distance from the Metropolis of 550 miles. Its wares arc tallow and flax, but a greater quantity of flax is on sale in the market at Novgorod. PLESCOVIA. Plescovia is frequented by merchants on account of the great supply it has of honey and wnx. 70 chancellor's voyage Colmocjora. MITTIT aquinolaris Russise tractus, raras ac pretiosas pelles. In his vel prsecipuse sunt Zabellinse, dominarum nostrarum cer-vicibus im- primis expetita;. Habent etiam et pelles martias, vulpinas Candidas, et nigras, et rufifas, leporinas ac armelinas, aliasque barbaris nominibus dictas beveres, mingas, miniveras. Gignit vicinum mare belluam Barbaris Mors nominatam : haec dentium adminiculo rupes scandens, pabulum petit. Hanc capiunt Russi ob dentium insignem usum, qui non minor his est, quam Elephantorum nostratibus. COLMOGORA. The regions of Northern Russia produce rare and costly furs. Among the principal are sables which are in special demand for the necks and shoulders of our ladies. They have also Marten furs, fox furs white, black, and red, hare and ermine furs, and others called by outlandish names, beaver, minx and minniver furs. The neighbouring sea breeds a monstrous creature, called by the Barbarians the Morse (Walrus). It climbs the rocks by using its teeth as a support when it goes in quest of its food. The Russians capture the animal for the sake of its teeth, of which they make beautiful articles as our people do from ivory. TO MUSCOVY. 71 Hae merces cervorum rlorsis ad oppidum Lampas feruntur, deinceps mercatores urbem Colmogoram petunt. Atque ibi, hyberno tempore, celeberrim?e sunt illarum mercium nundinas. Affatim suppeditat hsec urbs vicinze Regio ni salem ac salsamenta. Mittunt et aquilonares Russi oleum a Barbaris Train dictum, quod in flumine Una dictoconficiunt, licet ibi non tantum habeatur. Coquunt etiam inarinam aquam, unde ipsis constat vis magna salis. These wares are carried on the backs of reindeer to the town Lampas, and from thence the traders make their way to Colmogora, where the fairs that are held for the sale of their commodities in the winter time are very numerously attended. This City supplies all the neighbouring districts with abundance of salt and salted provisions. The Russians of the North pro- duce also an oil called by the Barbarians Train-oil which they prepare in the river Una('-), though it is not procured there in any great quantity. They boil sea water and thus obtain a great quantity of salt. 72 chancellor's voyage Be DissiOentium lite, et quibus Brbitrts tiniantur certamina. KUNC quoniam de insignioribus ea diximus, quae locus postulavit, superest ut de juris forma, qua Moscovitse utuntur, quatenus ea ad notitiam nostram pervenit, perscribamus. Si qua- lis apud illos oritur, fundorum dominos iudices primum constituunt ; hi, si componere litem non possunt, superior! magistratui litem deferunt. Accusator a Magistratu petit, ut liceat sibi adver- sarium in ius vocare : mox facta potestate, satellitem OF LITIGATION, AND BY WHAT ARBITERS DISPUTES ARE SETTLED. Now, since we have said what the case required about such matters as have superior claim to attention, it remains that we should describe the system of law which obtains among the Muscovites, as far as we have been able to learn its nature. When any dispute arises among them, they appoint, in the first place, the land owners to act as judges, and these, if unable to settle the dispute, refer the case to a higher magistrate. The complainant asks the magistrate for leave to summon his adversary to Court. This leave being granted, he at once calls a Serjeant, and cites the TO MUSCOVY. 73 vocat, ac reum sistit, et in ius rapit. Huius tibias flagris caedit lictor, donee proferat qui legi satisdet. At reus si eius fidei non sit, ut vadem inveniat. inanibus collo constrictis a lictore trahitur, verberi- busque, eousque afficitur, donee ad dieendani causam cora judice sistatur. Reus itaque k Magis- tratu interrogatus (verbi gratia in aetione alieni eris) an in illius ?ere alieno sit, k quo accusatur : ille it intieias. Turn judex, qui potes inficiari? Cui reus : jurejurando. Mox a Magistratu pro- hibiiur lietor amplius verberare, donee certiori accused and hurries him along to the Court. The Serjeant keeps scourging him about the shins with the knout until he can bring forward someone who on his behalf can satisfy the law. But if the accused is one in whom no friend has such confidence as to go bail for him, the serjeant, grasping him by the neck, drags him along, and subjects him to this treatment till he presents him in Court to plead his cause before the judge. The defendant being then asked by the magistrate (supposing the case is an action to recover a debt) whether he is in debt to the plaintiff, replies that he is not in his debt. Then the judge says, In what form can you make the denial ? The defendant replies, Upon my oath. Thereupon the serjeant is forbidden by the magistrate to administer any more 74 CI]ANCELLORS VOYAGE fide de lite costet. Carent maximo Reipublicje malo, nam leguleios non habent. Quisque sibi advocatus est, atque accusantis querela reique defensio, supplicum litteranim forma, Principi traduntur, justam Principis sententiam petentium. Ipse Imperator omnium litem, majorum prtesertim controversiarum, cognoscit, ac, cognita lite,lsenten- tiam fert. Ille summa sequitate certamina dirimil, quod in summ?e Majestatis Principe, pracipua laude dignum reor. Id licet sancto animi proposito facial, mire tame mali Alagistratus idem pervertunt, stripes until the evidence adduced makes the cafe clearer. The Muscovites are exempt from a great curse to a community, in that they have no petti- fogging lawyers. Every man conducts his own case, and the plaint of the pursuer and the defence of the accused are submitted to the prince in the form of written petitions, craving for a just sentence at his hands. The Emperor himself takes cognisance of all actions at law, especially when the matters in dispute are of unusual importance, and gives judgments when the cases have been heard. He settles controversies with the utmost fairness and impartiality, and this is, methinks, a matter for which a Prince of his pre- eminent rank is entitled to the highest praise. But though he acts thus from a sacred sense of duty, wicked TO MUSCOVY. 75 quos qiiidem in crimine deprehensos, scverissime Princeps vindicat. Ad postremum cum utraque pars quibus potuit argumentis causam suam con- firmavit, rogat judex accusatorem, an ulla causa; suoe argumenta adhuc supersint. Respondet se, vel pugilem suum, manu strenua, etiam in hostem comprabaturum ; ac mox postulat, ut singulari certamine congredi liceat, copiaquecertandi utrique facta, ambo in monomachiam ruunt. Aut si alteruter vel uterque parum strenuus aut pugna; minus habilis sit, pugiles publicos substiluunt. magistrates, nevertheless, in the strangest way pervert his decisions. If, however, they are found guilty of such an offence, they are most severely punished by the Prince, But to return from this digression. When at last each party to the suit has supported his case with all the arguments available, the judge asks the accuser whether any arguments remain to be yet further adduced. He answers that he himself, or his champion for him, will, with a strong hand, make good his accusation on the person of his opponent, and he forthwith demands leave to engage with him in single combat. Liberty to fight is accorded to both the disputants, who rush simultaneously to the onset. But if one or other of the two, or both of them, be either not strong enough, or be unfit to fight, they 76 chancellor's voyage Habent etiam pugiles, quibus solo hoc qurestu victus constat. Hi armati in arenam descendunt : tela sunt, ut plurimum, clava bellica, et venabu- lum. Fit pugna pedestris. Cuius igitur pugil in certamine superatur, is absque mora in vincula coniicitur : Ubi indignissimis modis tractatur, donee cum adversario certamen finiat. Prseter hsec si uterque claris ortis sit parentibus, atque alterum privatum hostem deposcit, lannuit judex: nee tum vicariis pugilibus fas est uti. Porro qui splendidiore loco natus est, hostem obscuriore engage professional pugilists as their substitutes. There are, in fact, pugilists who depend entirely for their living on being employed as champions. These men enter the lists armed : their weapons are chiefly a war-club and a hunting-pole. The fighting takes place on foot. He whose champion is beaten, is cast without delay into prison, where he is most shamefully treated, until he ends his dispute with his adversary. Moreover, if there be two men, each of whom belongs to a family of high rank, and one challenges the other as his private enemy, the judge allows them to fight a duel, but in such a case it is unlawful to employ proxies. And furthermore, the man of more illus- trious parentage disdains to engage in combat with an antagonist who is sprung from an obscurer family. If TO MUSCOVY. 77 ortum familia in ccrtamine respuit. Si quis pauper jeri alieno astrictus creditori solvendo non sit, abducit ilium creditor, atque eo usque in opere faciendo exercet, vel alteri operam obserati elocat, donee operando debitum persolvat. Sunt qui sponte, se conjugem, ac liberos opulentioribus per omnem vitam emancipant, ut in initio exiguam pecuniae summam accipiant, ac post, pro reliqua vita alimenta capiant : adeo illis vilescit libertas. any poor man has incurred a debt which he is unable to pay, the creditor carries him off, and makes him labour for him ; yea, he even lets out his services on hire to some one else, until, by his labour, he fills up the full amount of his debt. There are some who voluntarily enslave themselves, their wife, and children to rich men for their entire lifetime, in order that at the outset they may receive a trifling sum of money, and afterwards get their aliment as long as they live : of so little real worth is freedom in their eyes. 78 chancellor's voyage 5)c furum Suppliciis. QI quis furti reus sit, in carcerem coniiciunt, ac fiagris subinde csedunt, neque ob primani noxam suspendunt, ut nos, atque hanc legem misericordiie appellant. Qui secundo delinquit, illi nasum prtecidunt, ac stigniatis frontem signant. Tertia noxa crucem meretur. Multi et insignes sunt crumenisecse : quod si Principis severitas illos non tolleret, non esset resistere illorum proventu. OF THE PUNISHMENTS OF THIEVES. If any one is guilty of theft they cast him into prison, and thereafter lash him with the knout, but they do not hang him for the first offence, as we do, and they call this the law of mercy. If a second offence is committed, they cut off the nose of the criminal, and brand him on the forehead. The third offence incurs the penalty of crucifixion. There are many and notable cut-purses ; but if the severe measures of the Prince did not abridge their numbers, their increase would make them irresistible. ^be Coim, ^c, of IRuseia ; BEING AN ENGLISH TRANSLATION OF DE MONETA RUSSICA {ELZEVIER, 1630.) TAKEN I'KOM "HAKLUYT'S COLLECTION OF VOYAGES." KUITEU BY EDMUND GOLDSMID, F.R.H.S. F.S.A. (Scot.) T TT TT^ PRIVATELY PRINTED, EDINBURGH. 1886. ^hc Coiue, ^c, of IRuesia/ — >y.^<^^>.^<^ — q^ORASMUCH as it is most necessary for al marchants which seeke to haue traffique in any strange regions, first to acquaint ihemselues with the coines of those lands with which they do intend to ioyne in traffique, and how they are called from the valuation of the highest piece to the lowest, and in what sort they make their paiments, as also what their common weights and measures be : for these causes I haue thought good to write some- thing thereof according to mine owne knowledge and experience, to the end that the marchants of that new aduenture, may the better vnderstand how the wealth of that new frequented trade will arise. * This tract, written by John Hasse, in 1554, appears in " Hakluyt's Collection of Voyages." It was printed in Latin by the Elzeviers, under the title of "De Moneta Russica," in 1630. 4 THE COINS, ETC., First, it is to be noted that the Emperour of Russia hath no other coines then siluer in all his land, which goeth for paiment amongst merchants, yet notwithstanding there is a coine of copper, which serueth for the reliefe of the poore in Mosco, and no where els, and that is but only for quasse, water and fruit, as nuts, apples, and such other like. The name of which money is called Pole or Poles, of which Poles th ere goe to the least of the siluer coines, 1 8. But I will not stand vpon this, because it is no currant money among merchants. Of siluer coines there be three sortes of pieces : the least is a Poledenga, the second a Denga, the third, Nowgrote, which is as much to say in English as halfepenie, penie and twopence, and for other valued money then this, there is none : there are oftentimes there coines of gold, but they come out of forrein countreys, whereof there is no ordinarie valuation, but they passe according to the agree- ment of merchants. Their order in summing of money is this : as we say in England, halfpenie, penie, shilling, and pound, so say they Poledenga, Denga, Altine^and Rubble: there goeth two Poledengas to a Denga, SIX Dengaes to an Altine, and 23 Altines, and two Dengaes to a Rubble. Concerning the weights of Russia they are these: There are two sortes of pounds in vse amongst OK RUSSIA. 5 them, the one great, y other small : the great pound is iust two small pounds : they call the great weight by the name of Beasemar, and the smal they call the Skalla weight : with this smal weight they weigh their silues coines, of the which the Emperor hath commanded to put to euery small pound three Rubbles of siluer, antl with the same weight they weigh all Grocerie wares, and almost al other wares which come into the land, except those which they weigh by the Pode, as hops, salt, iron, lead, tinne and batrie with diuers others, notwithstanding they vse to weigh batrie more often by the small weight then by the great. Whensoeuer you find the prices of your wares rated by the Pode, consider that to the great weight, and the pound to be the small. Also they divide the small pound into 48 parts, and they call the eight and fortieth part a Slotnike, by the which Slotnike the retailers sell their wares out of their shops, as Goldsmiths, Grocers, Silkesellers, and such other like as we doe vse to retaile by the ounce: and as for their great weight which they cal the Beasemar, they sel by pode or shippond. The pode doth containe of the great weight, 40 pounds, and of the small 80 there goe 10. podes to a shippond. Yet you must consider that their great weight is not full with ours : for I take not their great pound to be full 13 ounces, but aboue 12 I thinke it be. 6 THE COINS, ETC., But for your iust proofe, weigh 6 Rubbles of Russia money with our pound weight, and then shal you see what it lacketh : for 6 Rubbles of Russia is by the Emperors standerd, the great pound : so that I thinke it the next way to know the iust waight, as well of the great pound as of the small. There is another weight needfull to be knowen, which is the weight of Wardhouse, for so much as they weigh all their drie fish by weight, which weight is the Baesemar, as they of Russia doe vse, notwithstanding there is another sorte in it : the names of those weights are these : the marke pound, the great pound, the weie, and the shippond. The marke pound is to be vnderstood as our pound, and their great pound is 24 of their marke pound : the weie is 3 great pound, and 8 weie is a shippound. Now concerning their measures. As they haue two sortes of weights, so they haue also two sortes of measures : wherewith they measure cloth both linnen and wollen : they cal the one an Areshine, and the other a Locut : the Areshine I take to bee as much as the Flanders ell, and their Locut halfe an English yard : with their Areshine they may mete all such sorts of clothes as come into the land, and with the Locut all such cloth both linnen and wollen, as they make themselues. And whereas we vse to giue yard and inch, or OK RUSSIA. 7 yard and handfull, they do giue nothing but bare measure. They haue also measure wherewith they doe mete their corne, which they cal a Setforth, and the halfe of that an Osmine : this Setforth I take to bee three bushels of London measure. And as for their drinke measure, they call it a Spanne, which is much like a bucket, and of that I neuer saw any true rate, but that some was greater then other some. And as for the measures of Ward- house wherewith they mete their cloth, there is no difference between that and the measure of Danske, which is halfe an English ell. NOTES. 1. Cabot was born at Bristol, in 1477. In 1497 he sailed from Bristol in the Mattheiv : saw the coast of Labrador about lat. 59". He subsequently performed two other journeys to America, previous to 1517, when he attempted the North- West Passage, and is said to have entered Hudson's Bay. In 1526, he commanded a Spanish Expedition up the river Plate. He subsequently returned to London, where he died in 1557. 2. It seems strange to us to find artillery named as a useful article to take on an Arctic Expedition. 3. Of Hugh Willoughby, nothing is known beyond this expedition. 4. Sir Henry Sidney, father of Sir Philip Sidney, the hero of the battle of Zutphen, and author of "A Defence of Poesie," and "Arcadia." 5. Rost Island, off Lofoden. 6. Willoughby made his way ultimately to the mouth of the Varzina, where he wintered. His crew were attacked with scurvy, and in 1554 their bodies were found, and the corpse of the commander sent back to England. 7. Of Willoughby's journal, a very fragmentary sketch was recovered, but gave few details of the events after their landing. From a will that was also found, and which Willoughby witnessed in Jan. 1554, it appears that on that date he was still alive, but that is all that was ever discovered. 8. The White Sea, or rather, perhaps, the Bay of Archangel. 9. It is not a fact that the Dnieper rises in the same lake as the Volga, although the sources of the the two rivers are not very distant from one another. 10. Probably Lake Onega, which is also called Izselge. 11. This extraordinary creature I am not able to identify in any way. 12. Or Dwina. Printed by E. &" G. Goldsmid, Edinhtiigh. t 3 8 7 UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, LOS ANGELES THE UNIVERSITY LIBRARY This book is DUE on the last date stamped below m 2 ^^^ ' MAY \i dUl 3d?dajrl JAN 2 5 1973 REC'D LO-Wtt ■ MAR I 6 ^^^^ %AR ^ 1973 AQei^ APR 2 6 198B REC'D LD-URl MAR 08 1991 Form L-!i 2r.m-10,'4l(2101) THE UBSARY U5«VERSn V G< CALlFOftNi/ 3 1158 00216 4407 UC SOUTHERN REGIONAL LIBRARY FACILITY AA 000 813 969 3