Of the Russe common wealth. Or, Maner of gouernement of the Russe emperour, (commonly called the Emperour of Moskouia) with the manners, and fashions of the people of that countrey.

The State or forme of their Gouernment. (Book 7)

The 7. Chapter. (Book 7)

THe manner of their gouern∣ment is much after the Tur∣kish fashiō: which they seeme to imitate as neare as the coū∣trie, and reach of their capa∣cities in pollitique affayres will giue them leaue to doo.

The State and forme of their gouernment is plaine tyrannicall,* 1.1 as applying all to the behoofe of the Prince, and that after a most open and barbarous manner: as may ap∣peare by the Sophismata or secretes of their gouernment afterwards set downe, aswell for the keeping of the Nobilitie and Com∣mons in an vnder proportion, & far vneuen ballance in their seuerall degrees, as also in their impositions and exactions, where∣in they exceede all iust measure without any regard of Nobilitie or people: farther then it giueth the Nobilitie a kinde of iniust and vnmeasured libertie, to commaund and ex∣act vpon the commons and baser sort of peo∣ple in all partes of the realme where soeuer they come, specially in the place where their

landes lye, or where they are appoynted by the Emperonr to gouerne vnder him. Also to the Commons some small content∣ment, in that they passe ouer their landes by discent of inheritance to whither sonne they will: which commonly they doo after our Gauillkinde, and dispose of their goods by gifte or Testament without any control∣ment. Wherein notwithstanding both No∣bilitie and Commons are but stoarers for the Prince, all running in the ende into the Emperours coffers: as may appeare by the practise of enriching his treasurie, and the manner of exactions set downe in the title of his customes, and reuenues.

Concerning the principall pointes and matters of State, wherein the Soueraintie consisteth (as the making and annulling of pu∣blike Lawes, the making of Magistrates, power to make warre or league with any forraine State, to execute or to pardon life, with the right of appeale in all matters, both ciuill and criminall) they doo so wholy and absolutely pertaine to the Emperour, and his Counsell vnder him, as that hee may be saide to be both the Soueraine commaunder, and the exe∣cutioner of all these. For as touching any Lawe or publique order of the Realme, it is euer determined of before any publique assemblie or Parliament bee summoned.

Where besides his Councell, hee hath none other to consult with him of such matters as are concluded before hand, but onely a fewe Bishops, Abbots, and Friers: to no other end then to make aduantage of the peoples superstitions, euen against themselues, which thinke all to bee holy and iust, that passeth with consent of their Bishops and Cleargie men, whatsoeuer it be. For which purpose the Emperours are content to make much of the corrupt state of the Church, as now it is among them, and to nourish the same by extraordinarie fauours, and immunities to the Bishops seas, Abbeies and Frieries: as knowing superstition and false religion best to agree with a tyrannicall state, and to be a speciall meanes to vphold and mainteyne the same.

Secondly, as touching the publike offices and magistracies of the realme, there is none hereditarie, neither any so great nor so litle in that countrie, but the bestowing of it is done immediatly by the Emperour himself. Insomuch that the very Diacks or clearkes in euery head towne, are for the most part assigned by himselfe. Notwithstanding, the Emperour that now is (the better to entend his deuotions) referreth al such matters per∣teyning to the State, wholly to the ordering of his wiues brother, the L. Borris Federo∣wich

Godonoe.

Thirdly, the like is to be said of the iu∣risdiction concerning matters iudiciall, spe∣cially such as concerne life and death. Wherein there is none that hath anie au∣thoritie or publike iurisdiction that goeth by discent, or is held by charter, but all at the appoyntment and pleasure of the Empe∣rour, and the same practised by the iudges with such awe and restraint, as that they dare not determine vpon anie speciall mat∣ter, but must referre the same wholly, vp to the Mosko to the Emperours Coun∣cell. To shewe his Soueraintie ouer the liues of his subiects, the late Emperour Iuan Vasi∣lowich in his walkes or progresses, if hee had misliked the face or person of any man whō hee met by the way, or that looked vpon him, would command his head to be strook off. Which was presently done, and the head cast before him.

Fourthly, for the soueraigne appeale, and giuing of pardons in criminall matters to such as are conuicted, it is wholly at the pleasure and grace of the Emperour. Wher∣in also the Empresse that nowe is, being a woman of great clemencie, and withall de∣lighting to deale in publike affaires of the Realme, (the rather to supply the defect of her husband) doeth behaue her selfe after an

absolute manner, giuing out pardon (spe∣cially on hir byrth, day and other solemne times) in her owne name, by open procla∣mation, without any mention at all of the Emperour. Some there haue beene of late of the auncient Nobilitie, that haue held diuers prouinces by right of inheritaunce, with an absolute authoritie and iurisdiction ouer them, to order and determine all mat∣ters within their owne precinct without all appeale, or controlment of the Emperour. But this was all annulled and wrung cleane from them by Iuan Vasilowich father to this Emperour.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The Russe gouern∣ment ty∣rannicall.