A geographical historie of Africa, written in Arabicke and Italian by Iohn Leo a More, borne in Granada, and brought vp in Barbarie. Wherein he hath at large described, not onely the qualities, situations, and true distances of the regions, cities, townes, mountaines, riuers, and other places throughout all the north and principall partes of Africa; but also the descents and families of their kings ... gathered partly out of his owne diligent obseruations, and partly out of the ancient records and chronicles of the Arabians and Mores. Before which, out of the best ancient and moderne writers, is prefixed a generall description of Africa, and also a particular treatise of all the maine lands and isles vndescribed by Iohn Leo. ... Translated and collected by Iohn Pory, lately of Goneuill and Caius College in Cambridge

A briefe relation concerning the dominions, re∣uenues, forces, and maner of gouernment of sundry the greatest princes either inhabiting within the bounds of Africa, or at least possessing some parts thereof, translated, for the most part, out of Italian.

AFricke hath euer beene the least knowen and haunted parte in the world, chiefly by reason of the situation thereof vnder the torride Zone; which the ancients thought to be vnhabitable. Whose opinion, although in very deede it is not true, bicause we knowe that betweene the two Tropickes there are most fruitefull coun∣tries, as namely Abassia, and the kingdomes of Angola, & Congo, with all India, new Spaine, and Brasile; yet neither is it altogither false: For no part of the world hath greater deserts, nor vaster wildernes, then this of Africa. These deserts, which extend themselues from the Atlanticke Ocean euen vnto the borders of Egypt, for more then a thousand miles, and runne out sometimes two hundred, and otherwhiles 300. miles in bredth, diuide Africke into two parts: whereof the southerly part was neuer throughly knowne to the people of Europe, as also Atlas, which diuideth Numidia from Africa the lesse, is some impediment to the same: And to∣wards the east it seemeth that nature also ment to conceale the same, by those deserts that lye bewixt the Red sea and the lande of Egypt. In the first times after the floud we finde mention very often made of the kingdomes of Egypt, and Ethopia: and as for Ethiopia the notice we had thereof, was but obscure and confused: But Egypt, by reason of the commodious situation thereof betweene the Mediterran, and the Red seas, hath alwaies beene renowmed and famous: yea king Sesostris that Egyptian monarch enlarged his empire from the Atlantick Ocean, euen to the Euxine sea: Af∣terwards the kings of Numidia, & Mauritania, & the Carthaginians flouri∣shed in those prouinces which are bounded by the Meditterran sea. In our times, wherein all Africke hath beene and is daily enuironed, there is suffici∣ent knowledge had of the Marine parts thereof, but for the inland prouin∣ces there is not so much knowne as might be, rather through want of wri∣ters then for default of discouerie & trade. Now therfore leauing those parts of Africa which are possessed by the Turke and the king of Spaine, to a

briefe narration in the last place, we haue reduced al the residue of our relati∣ons to three princes: that is, to Prete Ianni, the Monomotapa, and the Xeriffo, who is king of Maroco and Fez; for the rest referring you to Iohn Leo, and the discourse prefixed before him: the Xeriffo raigneth betweene Atlas and the Atlanticke Ocean; Prete Ianni about the center of Africke: and the Monomotapa hath his Empire towards the Sinus Barbaricus, or the Barba∣rian gulphe.

The Empire of Prete Ianni.

THe Empire of Prete Ianni answereth not certainly in effect, (although it be very large) vnto the fame and opinion which the common sort, and most writers haue of it: For lateliest of any other Hor atio Malugucci in a certaine discourse of his, touching the greatnes of states at this day, would needes haue his dominion to be greater then any other princes, but the king of Spaine. I confesse indeede, that in times past his state had most ample and large confines, as may be iudged by the multitude of kingdomes, with which he adorneth and setteth foorth his stile; for he entitleth himselfe king of Goi∣ame, a kingdome seated beyond Nilus, and of Vangue, and Damut situ∣ate beyond Zaire; and yet it is at this day euidently knowne, that his Em∣pire scarcely reacheth vnto Nilus: yea and Iohn Barros writeth, that the A∣bassins haue little notice of that riuer, by reason of the mountaines lying betweene them and it. The hart or center of his state, is the lake Barcena: for on the east it extendeth from Suaquen, as farre as the entrance of the Red sea, for the space of an hundred and two and twentie leagues: howbeit betwixt the Red sea and it, there thwarteth a long ranke of mountaines, in∣habited by the Moores, who also commaund the sea-coast. On the west it hath another ridge of mountaines along the channell of Nilus, enhabited by the Gentiles, who pay tribute vnto the Prete. On the north it consineth with an imaginarie line drawne from Suaquen to the furthest part of the isle of Meroe, which is an hundred and fiue and twentie leagues long: From hence it maketh as it were a bow, but not very crooked, towards the south, euen to the kingdome of Adel (from the mountaines whereof springeth that riuer which Ptolemey calleth Raptus, and placeth to the south of Me∣linde) for the space of two hundred and thirtie leagues; all which distance is bordered vpon by the Gentiles: from whence it turneth and endeth east∣ward at the kingdome of Adel, whose head citie is Arar, in the northerly latitude of nine degrees: So that this whole empire, little more or lesse, amounteth to sixe hundred threescore and twelue leagues in circuite: The countrie (which is distinguished with ample plaines, pleasant hils, and high mountaines, most of them manurable, and well inhabited) bringeth foorth barley and myll (for it aboundeth not greatly with other sortes of graine) and likewise Taffo da guza, another good and durable seede: But

there is mill, and Zaburro (which we call the graine of India, or Ginnie wheate) great plenty, with al sorts of our pulse, and some also vnknowen to vs. Some of them weare clothes of cotton: but the greater part are clad in sheeps skinnes, and those which are more honourable, in the skins of Ly∣ons, Tigres, and Ounces. They haue all kindes of our domesticall creatures, as hennes, geese, and such like, as also abundance of kine, and wild swine, harts, goates, hares, but no conies, besides panthers, lyons, Ounces, and ele∣phants. To conclude, there cannot be a countrie more apt then this, for the generation and increase of all plants and creatures. True it is, that it hath little helpe or furtherance by the industrie of the inhabitants, because they are of a sloathfull dul nature, and capacitie. They haue flaxe, and yet can make no cloath, sugar canes, and know not the arte of getting the sugar thereout; yron, and haue no vse thereof, but take all smithes to be negro∣mancers: They haue riuers, and waters, and know not how to better their possessions by them. They conceaue not greatly of hunting or fishing: whereupon the fieldes are full of birdes and wild beastes, and the riuers and lakes, of fish. An other reason of their slacknes and negligence, is the euill intreatie of the communaltie by those of the mightier sort: for the poore seeing euery thing taken from them that they haue, sow no more, then verie necessity vrgeth them vnto. Their speech also is without any rule or pre∣scription, and to write a letter, requireth a great assembly of men, and many dayes to deliberate thereon. The nobles, cittizens, and peasants liue distin∣ctly and apart, and any of these may purchase nobility by some famous, or worthie act. The first borne inherite all things.

There is not in all the countrie a castel, or fortified place, for they thinke, as the Spartanes did, that a country should be mayntained and defended by force of armes, and not with rampires of earth or stone. They dwell for the most part dispersed in townes and villages. Their trade of marchandise is performed by exchanging one thing for an other, supplying the ouerplus of their prises with wheat or salt: pepper, incense, myrrhe, & salt, they sell for the waight in gold. In their bargaines they vse gold also, but by waight, siluer is not ordinary among them. Their greatest city is the Princes court, which is neuer firme and resident in one place, but remoueth here & there, and re∣maineth in the open fieldes vnder tentes. This courte comprehendeth ten, or more miles in compasse.

His Gouernment.

PRete Ianni his gouernment is very absolute, for he holdeth his subiects in most base seruitude, and no lesse the noble and great, then those of meaner qualitie and condition, intreating them rather like slaues, then sub∣iects: and the better to doe this, he maintaineth him selfe amongst them in the reputation of a sacred and diuine person. Al men bow at the name of the Prince, and touch the earth with their hand: they reuerence the tent where∣in

he lyeth, and that when he is absent also. The Pretes in times past were wonte to be seene of the people but onely once in three yeeres space, and afterwardes they shewed themselues thrice in a yeere, that is on Christmas, and Easter daye, as also on holy Rood day in September. Panufius who now raigneth, albeit he is growen more familiar then his predecessors, yet when any commission commeth from him, the partie to whom it is directed hea∣reth the wordes thereof naked, from the girdle vpward, neither putteth he on his apparrell, but when the king permitteth him. The people thought they bind it with an oath, yet do they seldome speake truth, but when they sweare by the kinges life, who giueth and taketh away, what great signiorie soeuer it pleaseth him, neither may he, from whom it is taken, so much as shew him selfe agreeued therewith. Except the giuing of holy orders and the admi∣nistration of the sacraments, he disposeth as well of the religious as of the laye sort, and of their goodes.

On the way he rideth, enuironed with high and long red curtaynes, which compasse him on euery side. He weareth vsually vpon his head, a crowne halfe gold, halfe siluer, and a crosse of siluer in his hand: his face is couered with a peece of blew taffata, which he lifteth vp, or letteth downe, more or lesse, according as he fauoreth them that he treateth withall: and sometimes he only sheweth the end of his foot, which he putteth forth from vnder the said curtaines. They that carrie and returne ambassages, come not to his curtaine, but with long time, diuers ceremonies, and sundry obseruations. None hath slaues but himselfe, to whome euery yeere his subiects come to do homage. This prince (as the Abassins report) descendeth from a sonne of Salomon, & the Queen of Saba, called Meilech: they receiued the faith vnder Queene Candaces, in whose time the familie of Gaspar began to raigne and flourish in Ethiopia, and from him after thirteene generations came Iohn called the holie. This man about the time of Constantinus the Emperor, be∣cause he had no children, leauing the kingdome to his brother Caius eldest sonne, inuested Baltasar, and Melchior, younger brothers, one in the kingdome of Fatigar, and the other in Giomedi: whereupon the royall blood grew to be deuided into three families, namely that of Baltafar, that of Gaspar, and the third of Melchior, ordayning that the Empire aboue all others should be giuen by election to some one of the foresaid families, soe it were not to the eldest borne. For these first borne there were particular kingdomes appointed. And to auoide scandale and tumult, hee decreed that the Emperours brothers with his neerest kindred should be enclosed as in a strong castell, within* 1.1 mount Amara; where he would also haue the Empe∣rours sonnes to be put, who cannot succeed in the Empire, nor haue any State at all, for which cause the Emperour ordinarily marrieth not.

His forces both in reuenues and people.

HE hath two kindes of reuenues, for one consisteth in the fruits of his possessions, which he causeth to be manured by his slaues, and oxen. These slaues multiplie continuallie, for they marrie among themselues and their sonnes remaine in the condition of their progenitors. An other great reuenue cōmeth of his tributes, which are brought vnto him, from all those that hold dominion vnder him. And of these, some giue horses, some ox∣en, some gold, some cotton, and others other thinges. It is thought he hath great treasure as well of cloaths and iewels, as of gold, and also that he hath treasuries and large magazins of the same riches, so that writing once to the king of Portugal, he offered to giue for the maintenance of war against the Infidels, an hundred thousand drams of gold, with infinite store of men and victuall. They say, that he putteth ordinarilie euerie yeere into the castel of Amara, the value of three millions of ducates. It is true, that before the dayes of King Alexander they layde not vp so much golde, because they knew not how to purifie it: but rather iewels and wedges of gold. Also his commings-in may be said to bee of three sorts: for some he raiseth as it were, out of his crowne-landes: another part he leuieth of the people, that pay him so much for an house, and the tenth of all those mines that are dig∣ged by others then by himselfe: and a third reuenue he draweth from his tri∣butarie princes and gouernours: and these giue him the entire reuenues of one of their cities, so as he choose not that citie wherein they make their re∣sidence. But though his wealth and reuenues be great, yet are his people of little worth, as well because he holdeth them in the estimation of slaues, by meanes whereof they want that generositie of minde, which maketh men ready to take vp armes, & to be couragious in dāgers: as also it seemeth they haue euer their handes bound with that awefull reuerence which they beare towards their Prince, and the feare they haue of him: and further, in that they haue no armes of defence but bad headpeeces, halfe sculles, and coats of maile, carried thither by the Portugals. Hereunto may be added his want of fortresses: for neither hauing strong places whither to retire, nor armes to defend themselues; they and their townes remaine as a pray to the enemie; their offensiue armes being vnfeathered arrowes, and some darts. They haue a lent of fiftie daies continuance, which through the great ab∣stinence, wherein they passe all that time, doth so weaken and afflict them, that neither for those daies, nor many other following, they haue the strength to stirre abroad: whereupon the Moores attend this opportunitie, and assaile them with great aduantage. Francis Aluares writeth, that Prete Ianni can bring into the field, an hundred thousand men: neuerthelesse in time of neede it hath beene seene, that he could make nothing so many. He hath a militarie religion, or order of knighthood, vnder the protection of Saint 〈◊〉〈◊〉, whereunto euerie noble man must ordaine one of euerie

three male children, but not the eldest. And out of these are constituted twelue thousand knights or gentlemen for the kings guarde. The ende of this order is, to defend the confines of the empire, and to make head against the enimies of the faith.

Princes confining vpon the Prete Ianni.

THis Prince, as farre as we can certainly vnderstand, confi∣neth especially with three other mightie princes: one is the king of Borno; another the great Turke; and the third the king of Adel. The king of Buruo ruleth ouer that countrey which extendeth from Guangara towards the east, about fiue hundred miles, betweene the deserts of Seu, and Barca, being of an vn∣eeuen situation, bicause it is partly mountainous, and partly plaine. In the plaines there dwelleth a very ciuill people in populous and much frequen∣ted villages, by reason of the abundance of graine, as also there is some con∣course of merchants thither. On the mountaines, shepheardes of great and smal beasts do inhabite, and their chiefe sustenance is mill: They lead a brutish life, without religion, with their wiues and children in common: They vse no other proper names, but those which are taken from the quali∣tie or forme of mens persons: the lame, the squint eied, the long, the stutte∣ring. This king of Borno is most mightie in men, vpon whom he laieth no other imposition but the tenth of their fruits; their profession is to robbe and steale from their neighbours, and to make them slaues: in exchange of whom, they haue of the merchants of Barbarie, horses. He hath vnder him many kingdomes, and people, partly white, and partly blacke. He molesteth the Abassines exceedingly with theftes, leadeth away their cattell, robbeth their mines, & maketh their men slaues. They fight on 〈◊〉〈◊〉-backe after the Gynnet fashion, they vse lances with two heads, & darts & arrowes: they as∣saile a countrey sometimes in one part, and otherwhiles in another, sud∣denly: but these may rather be termed theeues and robbers then right eni∣mies.

The Turke confineth with Abassia on the east; as likewise the king of Adel, who hemmeth it in betweene the east and the south. They disturbe the Prete exceedingly, restraining the limites of his Empire, and bringing his countrey into great miserie: For the Turkes besides the putting of a great part of Barnagasso, to sacke and spoile; (vpon which they entred the yeere of our Lord, 1558.) although they were driuen out againe, haue further ta∣ken all that from the Prete which he possessed on the sea coast: especiallie the portes and townes of Suaquen and Ercoco: In which two places, the mountaines lying betwixt Abassia and the red sea, doe open, and make a passage, for conueiance of victual, and trafficke, betweene the Abassins, and the Arabians: And it is not long, since the Lord Barnagasso was con∣strained to accord with the Turke, and to buie the peace of his countrie

with the tribute of a thousand ounces of gold by the yeere. Also the King of Adel procureth hym no lesse molestation: This man confineth with the kingdome of Fatigar, and extendeth his dominion euen to the Red sea, where he hath Assum, Salir, Meth, Barbora, Pidar, and Zeila. At Barbora manie shippes of Aden, and Cambaia arriue with their marchandize for ex∣change; from whence they receiue much flesh, honie, wax, and victuals for Aden; and gold, Iuorie, and other thinges for Cambaia. A greater quantitie of victuall is carried from Zeila, because there is aboundance of waxe, and honie, with corne and diuers fruites, which are laden for Aden, and for Arabia, and beastes also, as namely sheepe, with tayles wayghing more then fiue and twentie poundes, with their heads and necks all blacke, but the rest of them is white: as also certaine other all white with tayles a fathome long, and writhen like a vine branche, hauing thropples vnder their throtes like bulles. There be also certaine kine with branched hornes like to wild hartes, being blacke in colour and sorne others red, with one onely horne vpon their foreheads of an handfull and an halfe long, turning backward. The chiefe city of this kingdome is Arar eight and thirtie leagues from Zeila towards the South east. This king being a Mahumetan by a perpetuall profession of making war against the christians of Abassia, who are the subiects of the Prete, hath obteined of those Barbarians the surname of Holy: He stayeth his óportunitie while the Abassins be weakened, and brought downe with that long and hard fast of fiftie daies, when they can scarcely go about their domesticall affaires; and then he entreth into the countrey, sacketh the townes, leadeth the people away into seruitude, and doth a thousand iniu∣ries vnto them. The Abassin slaues are of great valew out of their owne countrey: whereupon the bordering, and other Princes both farre and neere esteeme them much, and many of them by meanes of their indu∣strie in seruice, of slaues haue become captaines and great Commanders, in Arabia, Cambaia, Bengala, and Sumatra: Bicause the Mahumetan prin∣ces of the east, being all tirants ouer kingdomes vsurped from the Gentiles, for securitie of their state, put no trust in their owne subiects: but arme themselues with a multitude of strange slaues, to whom they commit their persons, and the gouernment of their kingdome. And among all other slaues the Abassines beare away the bell, aswell for fidelitie, as for sound and good complexion. And bicause the king of Adel, with the multitude of these Abassin slaues, which he taketh in the townes and territories of Prete Ianni, filleth all Egypt, and Arabia (in exchange of whom he hath armour, munition, and soldiers, both from the Turke, and the Arabian Princes) in the yeere of our Lord 1550. Claudius king of Abassia, being after this sort sorely oppressed by Gradaamed king of Adel, who now for the space of fowerteene yeeres had with continuall incursions greeuously molested, and disturbed him, enforcing him to leaue his confines, and to retire into the hart of his empire, demaunded aide of Stephano Gama, the Indian Viceroy of Iohn the third king of Portugale, who was then with a good

fleete vpon The red sea. Whereupon he sent him fower hundred Portu∣gals, with a good quantitie of armes, and small shot, vnder the gouernment of Christopher da Gama his brother. With these men by the benefit of shot, he ouerthrew the enimie in two battailes; but in the third, the king of Adel hauing receiued a thousand Turkish harquebuziers from the gouernour of Zebit, with ten peeces of artillerie, the Abassins were put to 〈◊〉〈◊〉, and dis∣comfited, and their captaine taken prisoner, and put 〈◊〉〈◊〉 death. But the king of Adel afterwards sending backe the said Turkes, he and his people were sodainly, assailed, neere the riuer of Zeila, and mount Saual, by king Claudi∣us with threescore thousand foote, and fiue hundred Abassin horse, togi∣ther with those Portugales, who remained of the former ouerthrow, one of whom wounded Gradamed dangerously. But in the moneth of March, the yeere of our Lord 1559. king Claudius being set vpon againe by the Malacai Mores, he was slaine in the battaile: and the enimie-king acknow∣ledging so great a victorie from the handes of God, triumphed vpon an asse.

Adamas brother vnto king Claudius succeeded him, against whom (for he was halfe a Mahumetan) the best part of the Abassine nobilitie rebelled, and he was defeated by the Barnagasso in the yeere 1562. who hauing thus for a while disturbed the affaires of Ethiopia, it seemed that they were at length asswaged, & reestablished vnder Alexander, by the aide of the Por∣tugals, who haue carried thither armes as well of offence, as defence, and stirred vp the mindes and courages of the Abassines, by their example, to warre; For all those that remained of the discomfiture giuen to Christopher Gama, and diuers others which came thither afterwards, and do daily there arriue and staie, do marrie wiues, and haue children; and Alexander per∣mitted them to elect a iudge, who might execute iustice among them: So that they haue, and do daily bring into Abassia, the manner of warfare in Europe, with our vse of armes, and the manner of fortifying passages and places of importance. Afterwards certaine Florentines went into those countries, partly vpon pleasure, and partly for affaires of merchandize. For Francesco di Medici great Duke of Florence, had some commerce with the Abassines. The Prete therefore giues entertainment, and maketh much of the Frankes, (for so do they call the people of Europe) and hardly giueth them license to depart out of his kingdome. Besides these the Prete Ianni hath diuers other enimies, amongst whom is the king of Dancali, to whom the towne and port of Vela vpon the red sea pertaineth; he confineth with Balgada. The Moores also vexe him greatly, which inhabite the prouince, called Dobas, deuided into fowerteene Signiories; for though they be with∣in the confines of Prete Ianni his empire, yet notwithstanding for the most part they rebell from him: they haue a lawe, that none of them may marrie, before he first giue testimoniall that he hath slaine twelue Christians.

Of the Emperour of Monomotapa.

COncerning the state of this mightie Emperour, and of his neighbour of Mohenemugi, and of the limits of both their dominions, as like∣wise of the Amazones and Giacchi the chiefe strength of their mili∣tarie forces, and other memorable matters; to auoide tedious repetitions, I referre the reader to the discourse going before the booke: saue onely that I will heere annexe a briefe testimony out of Osorius lib 4 de reb gest. Eman. which may adde some small light vnto the treatise before mentioned.

But (saith he) in this part of Ethiopia lying beyond the cape of good hope which is bounded by the south Ocean, there is a most ample king∣dome called Benomotapa, whereunto before such time as the Portugals discouered those parts, all the kinges vpon that coast were most obedientlie subiect. It aboundeth with gold beyond all credite: which is taken euen out* 1.2 of their riuers and lakes. Yea many kings there are which pay yeerely tri∣bute of gold vnto this king of Benomotapa. The people worship no Idols, but acknowledge one God the creatour of heauen and earth. In habite and apparell they are not much vnlike to other Ethiopians. They worship their king with woonderfull superstition. This king in his scutcheon or coate of* 1.3 armes hath two signes of maiestie. One is a certaine little spade with a han∣dle of iuorie. The other are two small dartes. By the spade he 〈◊〉〈◊〉 his subiects to husbandrie, that they may not through sloth and negligence let the earth lie vntilled, and so for want be constrained to play the theeues. The one of his darts betokeneth, that he will be a seuere punisher of male∣factors; & the other, that he will by valour & force of armes resist all forren inuasions. The sonnes of his tributarie kings are trained vp in his court;* 1.4 both to the end that by this education they may learne loialtie and loue to∣wards him their soueraigne, and also that they may remaine as pledges to keepe their fathers in awe and due obedience. He is continually guarded with a mightie armie; notwithstanding he be conioined in most firme league with all his neighbour-princes. For by this meanes he supposeth that warre cannot procure him any danger at all, knowing right well that often∣times in the midst of peace it is readie to disturbe the securitie of Princes. Euery yeere this king sendeth certaine of his courtiers and seruants to be∣stow* 1.5 in his name newe fire vpon all the princes and kings within his domi∣nions, that from them it may be distributed vnto others also. Which is done in manner following. The messenger being come to the house of any prince, his fire is immediately quenched. Then is there a new fire kind∣led by the messenger: and foorthwith all the neighbours resort thither to fetch of the said new fire for their houses. Which whosoeuer refuseth to performe, is helde as a traiterous rebell, and receiueth such punishment as is liable to high treason; yea if need be, an armie is leuied to apprehend 〈◊〉〈◊〉, to the end that being taken, he may be put to such torments as are corre∣spondent to his disloialtie. Hitherto Osorius.

The Xeriffo, commonly called The king of Maroco 〈◊〉〈◊〉, and Fez.

AMong all the princes of Africa, I suppose that there is not anie one, who in richnes of state, or greatnes of power, may be prefer∣red before the Xeriffo: In that his dominion, which comprehen∣deth all that part of Mauritania, called by the Romaines Tingi∣tana, extendeth it selfe north & south from Capo Boiador, euen to Tanger, and east and west from the Atlanticke Ocean, as farre as the riuer Muluia, and somewhat further also, in which space is comprehended the fairest, fruitfullest, best inhabited, and most ciuill part of all Africk, and among other the states, the most famous kingdomes of Maroco and Fez. With the particular description whereof, and of all the prouinces, cities, townes, riuers, mountaines, &c. therein contained, the Reader may satisfie himselfe to the full in the second and third bookes of the historie of Iohn Leo before set downe.

These kingdomes besides their natural fertilitie, are very traffickable; for though the king of Fez hath no hauen of importance vpon the Mediterra∣nean sea, neuerthelesse the English, French, and other nations traffick much to his ports vpon the Ocean, especially to * 1.6 Larache, Santa Cruz, Cabo de Guer, and in other places perteining partly to the kingdome of Fez, and partly to Maroco; and they bring thither copper, and brasse, with armes and diuers commodities of Europe, for which among other things they returne sugar.

But because these kingdomes of Maroco and Fez, and diuers other Sig∣niories, and Principalities, at first separate and deuided, were vnited not long sithence vnder one Prince, who is called * 1.7 the Xeriffo, it will not be much from our purpose (because among the accidents of our times, I think there is not any one, more notable or wonderfull then this) to set downe here how the matter passed.

About the yeere of our Lord 1508 a certaine Alchaide borne in Tigu∣medet* 1.8 a towne of Dara, whose name was Mahumet Benametto, and who caused himselfe to be called Xeriffo, being a subtile man, and of a minde no lesse ambitious, then learned in those sciences, whereunto the Mahumetans are most addicted, began to grow famous in the townes of Numidia. This man vaunting himselfe to be descended of Mahumets progenie, was posses∣sed with an imagination (trusting in the deuision of the States of Affricke, wherein then the Portugals bore great sway) of taking into his owne hands all* 1.9 Mauritania Tingitana. For performance of this, he first sent his three 〈◊〉〈◊〉, Abdel, Abnet, and Mahumet, in pilgrimage to Mecca and Medina, there to visit & do reuerence to the sepulchre of their Seductor Mahumet. The yoong men performed this voyage with so great fame and reputation of sanctitie and religion (if these words may be vsed, in declaring of such an

impietie) that in their returne, the people came out to meete them, kissed their garments, and reuerenced them as saints. They fayning themselues to be rauished into deepe contemplation, went vp and downe the streetes sigh∣ing, and crying out in words interrupted with lamentation & yerning: Alá, Alá; and they liued of nothing but almes. Their father hauing taken them home with great mirth and ioy: but yet not minding to suffer this sudden applause & credit, which they had obtayned by such a pilgrimage, to freeze and wax cold; he sent two of them which were * 1.10 Amet and Mahumet to Fez; where being courteously receiued by the king, one of them became a Rea∣der in the Amodoraccia, a most famous colledge of that citie, and the the yoongest was made tutor to the same kings yoong sonnes. These two seeing themselues so entirely beloued of the king, and in so great fauour with the people, being aduised by their father, and taking occasion vpon the damage which the Arabians & Moores did to those of their owne law & sect, vnder the ensignes of the Portugals, in whose paie they serued. They demaunded leaue of the king to display a 〈◊〉〈◊〉 against the Christians, put∣ting him in hope, (as indeed it fell out) that they would easily draw those Moores vnto him, who were followers of the crowne of Portugall, and by this meanes secure the prouinces of Sus, Hea, Ducala, Maroco, with others molested, & euilly entreated by the Portugals. This request was con∣tradicted by Mullei Nazer, brother to the king:

for (said he) if these men, vnder pretence of holines, and defence of their law, shall haue some prospe∣rous proceedings with armes in hand, it will not afterwards be in thy power (O king) to bridle or bring them downe: for armes make men couragious, & by victories they prooue insolent, & the rout of ambitious people are al∣waies desirous of innouation.

But the king who had a great opinion of their sanctitie, making small account of the reasons his brother alleaged vnto him, gaue them a banner, and drumslade, and twentie horse to accompanie them, with letters of recommendation to the Arabians, the princes, and the cities of Barbarie. With these beginnings many people running headlong after their fame, they ouercame Ducala, and the countrey of * 1.11 Saphia, and went forward euen as farre as Cabo de Guer, (which places then were sub∣iect to the Portugals) and finding themselues strong, both in retinue and credite, they demanded of the people (who at that time liued for the most part freely, and came in to none, but such as they liked of themselues) that seeing they now tooke vp armes, for the Mahumetane law against the Chri∣stians, they should aide them with their tenthes due vnto God: the which were presently yeelded vnto them by the people of Dara, and so they seazed by little and little vpon Tarodant (where their father was made gouernour) and likewise of Sus, Hea, Ducala, and other places adioining. They first planted themselues in Tednest, and then in Tesarote, and in a conflict 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Lopes Barriga, a famous captaine amongst the Portugals: but so they lost their owne elder brother therein. And afterwards by faire words en∣tring into the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of Maroco, they poisoned the king, and in his stead

made Amet Xeriffo to be proclaimed king of Maroco. In the meane while the Arabians of Ducala, & Xarquia came to hand blowes with those of Gar∣bia, each partie holding themselues in the Xeriffoes fauour; but the Xeriffos perceiuing the skirmish to grow hot, and that many both of the one and of the other party went to wrack, turned their armes against them both, and en∣riched themselues with their spoiles. In former times they vsed to send vn∣to the king of Fez the fift of all those booties which they got; but after this victory, making no reckoning of their said custom, they presented him only with six horses, and six camels, & those but silly ones: wherat being mooued, he sent to demand of them the fift part of their spoiles, and the tribute that the king of Maroco paied him, threatning otherwise warre vpon them. But in the meane while, this man dying, Amet his sonne, who was scholler to the yoonger Xeriffo, was not onely content, but further confirmed Amet in the Signiorie of Maroco, so that in some small matter he would acknowledge the kings of Fez for soueraigne Princes ouer that citie. But on the other side the Xeriffi, whose reputation and power daily encreased, when the time of paying tribute came, sent to certifie this yoong king, that being lawfull successors to Mahumet, they were not bound to paie tribute to any, and that they had more right to Affrica then he: so that if he would haue them his friends, so it were; otherwise if he ment to diuert them from this their warre against the Christians, they should not want courage nor power to defend themselues. Wherewith the Fessan king being offended, proclai∣med warre against them, and went himselfe in person to the siege of Maro∣co: but at the very first he was driuen to dislodge: and afterwards returning with eighteene thousand horse, amongst whom were two thousand harque∣buziers, or bowmen, he was vanquished by the Xeriffi, who had no more but seuen thousand horse, and twelue hundred harquebuziers which were placed on the way at the passage of a riuer. By meanes of this victorie the Xeriffi shooke off the tribute of that countrie, and passing ouer Atlas, they tooke Tafilete, an important citie: and partly by faire meanes, partly by force, they brought diuérs people of Numidia to their obedience, as also those of the mountaines. In the yeere of our Lord 1536. the yoonger Xeriffo who was now called king of Sus, hauing gathered togither a mightie armie, and much artillerie, taken in part from the king of Fez, and partly* 1.12 cast by the French Renegados, he went to the enterprise of Cabo de Guer, a very important fortification, held then by the Portugals, which was built and fortified sirst at the charge of Lopes Sequeira: and afterward, knowing their opportunitie from the king Don Emanuel, there was fought on both sides a most terrible battell. In the end, fire taking hold on the munition, and vpon this the souldiers being daunted that defended the fortresse, the Xeriffo entred thereinto, tooke the towne, and made the greatest part of the garrison his prisoners. By this victorie the Xeriffi brought in a manner all Atlas and the kingdome of Maroco to their obedience, & those Arabians who serued the crowne of Portugall. Whereupon king Iohn the third,

seeing that his expences farre exceeded the reuenues which came in, of his owne accord gaue ouer Safia, Azamor, Arzilla, and Alcazar, holds which he had on the coast of Mauritania.

This 〈◊〉〈◊〉 was an occasion of grieuous discord betwixt the Bro∣thers: the issue whereof was, that the younger hauing in two battels subdued the elder (whereof the second was in the yeere of our Lord 1554) and taken him prisoner, he banished him to Tafilet: and afterwards turning his armes against the king of Fez, after hauing taken him once prisoner, and then re∣leasing him, he yet the second time (because he brake promise) got him into his handes againe, depriued him of his estate, and in the end caused both him and his sonnes to be slaine; and by meanes of his owne sonnes he also tooke Tremizen.

In the meane while Sal Araes viceroy of Algier fearing the Xeriffos prosperous successe, gathered together a great army, with which he first re∣couered Tremizen, & afterwards defeating the Xeriffo, conquered Fez, and gaue the gouernment thereof to Buasson Prince of Veles: but this man ioy∣ning battaile with the Xeriffo, lost at one instant both his citie and king∣dome. In the ende. Mahumet going to Tarodant was vpon the way slaine in his pauilion, by the treason of some Turkes, suborned thereunto by the viceroy of Algier, of whom one Assen was the chiefe: who together with his companions went into Tarodant, and there made hauock of the kinges treasures: But in their returne home, they were all, but fiue, slaine by the peo∣ple, in the yeere 1559: and Mullei Abdala the Xeriffos sonne, was proclai∣med and saluted king.

Let thus much suffice to haue bin spoken of the Xeriffo: whose procee∣dinges appeare much like to those of Ismael the sophie of Persia. Both of them procured followers by bloud and the cloake of religion: both of them subdued in short time many countries: both of them grew great by the ruine of their neighbours both of them receiued greeuous checkes by the Turkes, and lost a part of their states: for Selym tooke from Ismael, Cacamit and diuers other cities of Diarbena: And the viceroy of Algier did driue the Xeriffo out of Tremizen, and his other quarters: And euen as Selim won Tauris, the head citie of Persia, and afterwardes gaue it ouer: so Sal Araes tooke Fez the head citie of Mauritania, and then after abandoned the same.

The Xeriffo his reuenues, or commings in.

THe Xeriffo is absolute Lord of all his subiects goods, yea and of their persons also. For though he charge them with neuer so burdensome tributes, and impositions; yet dare they not so much as open their mouthes: He receiueth from his tributarie vassals, the tenthes, and first fruits of their corne and cattell. True it is, that for the first fruits he taketh no more but one for twentie, and the whole being aboue twentie, he demandeth no

more then two, though it amount to an hundred. For euery dayes tilth of grounde he hath a ducate and a quarter, and so much likewise for euerie house; as also, he hath after the same rate of euerie person aboue fifteene yeers old, male, or female; and when need requireth, a greater summe: and to the end that the people may the more cheerefullie pay that which is impo∣sed vpon them, he alwaies demaundeth halfe as much more as he is to re∣ceiue. Most true it is, that on the mountaines there inhabite certaine fierce and vatamed people, who by reason of the steep, craggie, and inexpugnable situation of their countrie cannot be forced to tributes; that which is gotten of them, is the tenth of their corne and fruits, onely that they may be per∣mitted to haue recourse into the plaines. Besides these reuenues, the king hath the towles and customes of Fez, and of other cities: For at the entring of their goods, the naturall citizen payeth two in the hundred, and the stranger ten.

He hath further, the reuenues of milles, and many other thinges, the* 1.13 summe whereof is very great: for the milles yeelde him little lesse then halfe a royall of plate, for euerie Hanega of corne that is ground in Fez, where, (as they say) there are aboue foure hūdred mils. The moschea of Ca∣ruuen had fourescore thousand ducates of rent: the colledges and hospitals of Fez had also many thousands. Al which the king hath at this present. And further he is heire to all the Alcaydes, and them that haue pension of him, and at their deaths he possesseth their horses, armour, garments, and al their goodes. Howbeit if the deceased leaue any sonnes apt for the seruice of the warres, he granteth them their fathers prouision; but if they be but young, he bringeth vp the male children to yeeres of seruice, and the daughters, till they be married. And therefore, that he may haue some interest in the goods of rich men, he bestoweth vpon them some gouernment, or charge, with prouision. Wherefore for feare of confiscation after death, euery one coueteth to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 his wealth, or to remoue far from the court, and the kings sight. For which cause the citie of Fez commeth far short of hir ancient glo∣rie. Besides, his reuenues haue beene augmented of late yeeres by mightie sums of gold, which he fetcheth from Tombuto and Gago in the lande of Negros; which gold (according to the report of some) may yeerely amount to three millions of ducates.

His Forces.

THe Xeriffo hath not any Fortresses of great importance, but only vpon the sea-coast, as Cabo de Guer, Larache, and Tetuan: for as the Turks and Persians do, so he placeth the strength of his state in armed men: but especially in horse. And for this cause he standeth not much vpon his ar∣tillerie; although hee hath very great store (which his predecessors tooke from the Portugals and others) in Fez, Maroco, Tarodant, and in the fore∣saide 〈◊〉〈◊〉; causing also more to bee cast, when neede requireth; for he

wanteth not masters of Europe in this Science. He hath an house of muni∣tion in Maroco, where they make ordinarily six and fortie quintals of pow∣der euery moneth; as likewise also caliuers and steele-bowes. In the yeere of our Lord 1569. a fire tooke hold on these houses with such furie, that a great part of the citie was destroied therewith. But for the Xeriffoes forces, they are of two sorts: the first is of two thousand seuen hundred horse, and two thousand harquibuziers, which he hath partly in Fez, but most in Ma∣roco (where he is resident) being as it were of his daily guard. The second is of a roiall squadron of sixe thousand gentlemen, being all of noble paren∣tage, and of great account. These men are mounted vpon excellent horses, with furniture and armes, for varietie of colour most beautifull, and for ri∣ches of ornament beyonde measure estimable: for euery thing about them shineth with gold, siluer, pearle, iewels, and whatsoeuer else may please the eie, or satisfie the curiositie of beholders. These men, besides prouision of corne, oile, butter, and flesh, for themselues, their wiues, children, and ser∣uants, receiue further in wages, from seuentie to an hundred ounces of sil∣uer a man. The third sort of forces which he hath, consisteth of his * Tima∣riotti:* 1.14 for the Xeriffo granteth to all his sons, and brothers, and other persons of account or authoritie among the people of Africke, or to the princes of the Arabians, the benefite of great Lordships & tenures for sustentation of his Cauallarie: and the Alchaides themselues till the fields, and afterwardes reape rice, oile, barly, butter, sheepe, hens, and monie, and distribute the same monethly to the souldiers; according to the seuerall qualitie of their persons. They also giue them cloth, linnen, and silke to apparell themselues, armes of offence, and defence, and horses, with which they serue in the warres, and if they die or be killed, they allow them other. A thing which was also vsed in Rome, towards them that serued on publike horses. Euerie one of these leaders contendeth to bring his people into the fielde well or∣dred, for armes, apparell, and horses: besides this, they haue betweene fower and twentie and thirtie ounces of siluer wages euery yeere. His fourth mili∣tarie forces, are the Arabians, who liue continually in their Auari, (for so they call their habitations, each one of them consisting of an hundred, or two hundred 〈◊〉〈◊〉) gouerned by diuers Alchaides, to the end they may be readie in time of need. These serue on horse-backe, but they are rather to be accounted theeues, then true soldiers. His fift kinde of forces milita∣rie, are somewhat like vnto the trained soldiers of Christian princes; and among these, the inhabitants of cities and villages of the kingdome, and of the mountaines are enrolled. It is true, that the king makes but little account of them, & very seldome puts armes into their hands, for feare of insurrecti∣ons and rebellions, except in the warres against the Christians, for then he cannot conueniently forbid them: For it being written in their law, that if à Moore kil a Christian, or is slaine by him, he goeth directly into Paradise, (a diabolicall inuention) men, women, and those of euery age and degree, run to the warres hand ouer head, that at least they may there be slaine; and

by this meanes (according to their foolish opinion) gaine heauen. No lesse zeale, to our confusion, may we perceiue in the Turks especially for de∣fence of their sect: for one would thinke they went to a marriage, and not to the warre, scarcely being able with patience to attend their prefixed time of going thither. They repute them holy and happie, that die with armes in hand against their enimies; as on the contrarie, those men vnhappie, and of little woorth, that die at home, amidst the lamentation of children, and outcries of women.

By the things aboue set downe, we may easily comprehend, what num∣bers of men the Xeriffo can bring into the field: but yet we may learne bet∣ter by experience. For Mullei Abdala in the yeere 1562. besieged Mazagan with two hundred thousand men, choaking the ditch with a mountaine of earth, and beating downe the walles thereof with his Artillerie: but for all this, he was enforced by the valour of the Portugals, and the damage which he receiued by their mines, to giue ouer his siege. Besides, this Prince can not continue a great war, aboue two, or three moneths: and the reason here∣of is, because his forces liuing on that prouision which he hath daylie com∣ming in, as well for sustenance as for aparrell, and not being able to haue all this conducted thither, where the war requireth, it followeth of necessitie, that in short time they must needs returne home for their maintenance of life: and further it is an euident thing, that no man can protract a war at length, except he be rich in treasure. Molucco who ouerthrew Sebastian king of Portugal, had in pay vnder his ensignes fortie thousand horse, and eight thousand foote besides Arabians and aduenturers: But it is thought, he could haue brought into the field, seuentie thousand horse, and more foot then he did.

Of the dominions and fortresses which the king of Spaine hath vpon the Isles and maine landes of Africa, and of the great quantity of treasure and other commodities which are brought from thence.

BEsides Oran, Mersalquibir, Melilla and Pennon which the king of Spaine possesseth within the streights; as likewise, çeuta, Tanger, and Arzil, which by the title of Portugal he holdeth very neere the streights of Gibraltar; and Mazagan in like sort without the streights mouth, twentie miles to the southward of Arzil: he hath along the coast of Affrick, from Cape de Guer, to that of Guardafu, two sorts of states: for some are immedi∣diately vnder him; and others are as it were his adherents. The Ilands of Ma∣dera, Puerto Santo, the Canaries, the Isles of Arguin, of Cabo Verde, the isle Del Principe, with that of Sant Thomas, and others neere adioining, are immediately vnder his dominion. These islands are maintained with their owne victuall, and prouision, and yet they haue also some out of Eu∣rope, as in like manner they send some thither: especially sugars and fruits,

wherewith the isle of Madera woonderfully aboundeth, as also with wine. And the iland of Sant Thomas likewise hath great abundance of sugars. These States haue no incumbrance, but by the English and French men of warre, * 1.15 which for all that go not beyond Cape Verde. At the ilands of Ar∣guin, and at Sant George de la Mina, the Portugals haue planted factories in forme of fortresses, by meanes of which, they trade with the bordering people of Guinie and Libya, and get into their hands the gold of Mandin∣ga, and other places neere about. Among the adherent Princes, the richest and most honorable, is the king of Congo, in that his kingdome is one of the most flourishing, and plentifull countries in all Ethiopia. The Por∣tugals haue there two Colonies, one in the citie of S. Saluador, and an other in the island Loanda. They haue diuers rich commodities from this king∣dome, but the most important is euery yeere about 5000. slaues, which they transport from thence, and sell them at good round prizes in all the isles and maine lands of the west Indies: and for the head of euerie slaue so taken vp, there is a good taxe paid to the crowne of Portugall. From this kingdome one might easily go to the countrie of Prete Ianni, for it is not thought to be very farre off: and it doth so abound with Elephants, victuall, and all other necessarie things, as would bring singular ease and commodity to such an enterprise. Vpon the kingdome of Congo confineth Angola, with whose prince of late yeeres Paulo Dias a Portugall captaine made war: And the principall occasion of this warre are certaine mines of siluer, in the mountaines of Cabambe, no whit inferior to those of Potossi; but by so much are they better, as fine siluer goeth beyond that which is base, and course. And out of doubt, if the Portugals had esteemed so well of things neere at hand, as they did of those farther off and remote, and had thither bent their forces wherewith they passed Capo de buena esperança, and went to India, Malaca, and the Malucoes; they had more easily, and with lesse charge found greater wealth: for there are no countries in the world richer in gold and siluer, then the kingdomes of Mandinga, Ethiopia, Congo, Angola, Butua, Toroa, Maticuo, Boro, Quiticui, Monomotapa, Cafati, and Mohenemugi. But humane auarice esteemeth more of an other mans, then his owne, and things remote appeere greater then those neere at hand. Betweene Cabo de buena esperança, and Cape Guardafu, the Portugals haue the fortresses of Sena, Cephala, and Mozambique. And by these they continue masters of the trade with the bordering nations, all which abound in gold and iuorie. By these fortresses they haue speciall commoditie, for their nauigation to the Indies; bicause their fleetes sometimes winter, and otherwhiles victuall, and refresh themselues there. In these parts the king of Melinde is their greatest friend, and those of Quiloa, and other neigh∣bour-islands, are their tributaries. The Portugals want nothing but men. For besides other islands, which they leaue in a manner abandoned, there is that of Saint Laurence, one of the greatest in all the world (being a thou∣sand two hundred miles long, and fower hundred and fower-score broad)

the which, though it be not well tilled, yet for the goodnes of the soile it is apt and fit to be manured, nature hauing distinguished it with riuers, har∣bours, & most commodious baies. These States belonging to the crowne of Portugall, feare no other but such sea-forces, as may be brought thither by the Turkes. But the daily going to and fro of the Portugall fleetes, which coast along vp and downe those seas, altogither secureth them. In the yeere 1589. they tooke neere vnto Mombaza, fower gallies, and a galliot, be∣longing to the Turkes, who were so bold as to come euen thither.

The dominions of the great Turke in Africa.

THe great Turk possesseth in Africa all the sea-coast from Velez de Gu∣mera, or (as some hold opinion) from the riuer Muluia, which is the easterne limite of the kingdome of Fez, euen to the Arabian gulfe or Red sea, except some few places (as namely Mersalcabir, Melilla, Oran, and Pennon) which the king of Spaine holdeth. In which space before mentioned are situate sundrie of the most famous cities and kingdomes in all Barbarie; that is to say, Tremizen, Alger, Tenez, Bugia, Constantina, Tunis, Tripolis, and all the countrey of Egypt, from Alexandria to the citie of Asna, called of old Siene, togither with some part of Arabia Tro∣glodytica, from the towne of Suez to that of Suachen. Also in Africa the grand Signor hath fiue viceroies, called by the names of Beglerbegs or Bas∣sas, namely at Alger, Tunis, Tripolis, at Missir for all Egypt, and at Suachen for those places which are chalenged by the great Turke in the dominions of Prete Ianni. Finally, in this part at Suez in the bottome of the Arabian gulfe, is one of his fower principall Arsenals, or places for the building, re∣pairing, docking, and harbouring of his warlike gallies, which may lie heere vnder couert, to the number of fiue and twentie bottomes.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Of this moun∣taine read in the discourse be∣fore the be∣ginning of Leo.
• * 1.2

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 most 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in gold.
• * 1.3

  The kings armes.
• * 1.4

  A 〈◊〉〈◊〉 course.
• * 1.5

  A recrely 〈◊◊◊〉〈◊◊◊〉 of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 fire from the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to his 〈◊〉〈◊〉 prin∣ces.
• * 1.6

  Described by Leo in his fifth booke vnder the name of Lha∣rais.
• * 1.7

  Or Miramo∣nin.
• * 1.8

  The maner how the Xeriffos aspired to the kingdomes of Maroco, Sus, and Fez.
• * 1.9

  Or the king∣domes of Maro∣co, and Fez.
• * 1.10

  Or Abnet.
• * 1.11

  Or Azaphi.
• * 1.12

  Artillerie cast by French Re∣negados.
• * 1.13

  Caruuen the principall Mahumetan temple in Fez, being a mile and an 〈◊〉〈◊〉 about. Read Leo, lib. 3.
• * 1.14

  These are a mi∣litarie order, like vnto them which hold land 〈◊〉〈◊〉 vs vnder the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of knights seruice.
• * 1.15

  Mine author heere much mistaketh the matter.