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.

Of their mustering, and leuying of for∣ces, manner of armour, and prouision of victuall for the warres. (Book 16)

The 16. Chapter. (Book 16)

WHen warres are towards (which they fayle not of lightly euery yeere with the Tartar, and ma∣nie times with the Polonian and Sweden (the foure Lordes of the Chetfirds sende foorth their summons in the Emperours name,* 1.1 to all the Dukes and Dy∣acks of the Prouinces, to bee proclaymed in the head Townes of euery Shire: that all the Sinaboiarskey, or sonnes of gentlemen make their repaire to such a border where the seruice is to be done, at such a place, and by such a day, and there present them selues to such, and such Captaines. When they come to the place assigned them in

the summons or proclamation, their names are taken by certaine Officers that haue Cōmission for that pourpose from the Rose∣rade, or high Constable, as Clarkes of the Bandes.

If any make default and faile at the day, hee is mulcted, and punished very seuerely. As for the Generall and other chiefe Cap∣taines, they are sent thither from the Em∣perours owne hande, with such Commissi∣on and charge as hee thinketh behoofull for the present seruice. When the souldi∣ers are assembled, they are reduced into their Bands, and companies, vnder their se∣uerall Captaines of tennes, fifties, hundreds, thousands, &c. and these Bands into foure Polskeis, or Legions (but of farre greater numbers then the Romaine Legions were) vnder their foure great Leaders, which also haue the authoritie of Marshals of the fielde (as was sayd before.)

Concerning their armour they are but slightly appointed.* 1.2 The common horseman hath nothing els but his bow in his case vn∣der his right arme, and his quiuer & sword hanging on the left side: except some fewe that beare a case of dagges, or a Iauelin, or short staffe along their horse side. The vnder captains wil haue cōmonly some piece of ar∣mour besides, as a shirt of male, or such like.

The Generall with the other chiefe Cap∣taines and men of Nobilitie, will haue their horse very richly furnished, their Saddles of cloth of golde their Bridles faire bossed and tasselled with golde, and silke frindge, be∣studded with Pearle and precious stones, themselues in very faire armour, which they call Bullatnoy, made of faire shining steele, yet couered commonly with cloth of golde, and edged rounde with armin furre, his steele helmet on his head of a very great price, his sword bow and arrowes at his side, his speare in his hande, with an other faire helmet, and his Shestapera, or horsemans scepter carried before him. Their swordes, bowes, and arrowes are of the Turkish fashi∣on. They practise like the Tartar to shoote forwards and backwards, as they flie and retire.

The Strelsey or footeman hath nothing but his piece in his hande,* 1.3 his striking hat∣chet at his backe, and his sworde by his side. The stocke of his piece is not made calie∣uer wise, but with a plaine and straite stocke (somewhat like a fowling piece) the barrel is rudely and vnartificially made, very hea∣uie, yet shooteth but a very small bullet. As for their prouision of victuall,* 1.4 the Empe∣rour alloweth none, either for Captaine, or souldiour, neither prouideth any for

them except peraduenture some corne for their money. Euery man is to bring suf∣ficient for him selfe, to serue his turne for foure moneths, and if neede require to giue order for more to bee brought vnto him to the Campe from his tenant that tilleth his land, or some other place. One great helpe they haue, that for lodging and diet euery Russe is prepared to bee a soul∣diour beforehand. Though the chiefe Cap∣taines and other of account carry tents with them after the fashion of ours, with some better prouision of victuall then the rest. They bring with them commonly into the Campe for victuall a kinde of dryed bread, (which they call Sucharie) with some store of meale, which they temper with water, and so make it into a ball, or small lumpe of dowe, called Tollockno. And this they eate raw in steade of bread. Their meate is bacon, or some other flesh or fish dryed, after the Dutch manner. If the Russe souldier were as hardy to execute an enterprise, as he is hard to beare out toyle and trauaile, or were o∣therwise as apt & wel trained for the warres, as he is indifferent for his lodging and dy∣et, hee would farre exceede the souldiours of our partes. Whereas now he is farre mea∣ner of courage and execution in any war∣like seruice. Which commeth partly of his

seruile condition, that will not suffer any great courage or valure to growe in him. Partly for lacke of due honour and reward, which he hath no great hope of, whatsoeuer seruice or execution he doe.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Their order for muste∣ring.
• * 1.2

  The horse¦mans fur∣niture.
• * 1.3

  The foote∣mans fur∣niture.
• * 1.4

  Prouision of victuall.