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

An ambassage sent from Pope Paule the fourth to Claudius the Emperour of Abassia or the higher Ethiopia, for planting of the religion and ceremonies of the church of Rome in his dominions; which ambassage tooke none effect at all.

IN the yeere 1555 Iohn the third king of Portugal, de∣termined to leaue no meanes vnattempted for the ab∣solute reconciliation of Prete Ianni vnto the church of Rome. For though Dauids ambassador had perfor∣med obedience to Pope Clement the seuenth on his emperours behalfe; yet doubted the king of Portugal (as true it was) that for want of speedie prosecution, those forward beginnings would proue but altogether fruitlesse; in that for all this, they still embraced the heresies of Dioscorus and Eutiches, and de∣pended on the authoritie of the Patriark of Alexandria, receiuing their Abuna from him, who is the sole arbitrator of all their matters ecclesiasti∣call, the administrer of their sacraments, the giuer of orders ouer all Ethio∣pia, master of their ceremonies, and Instructer of their faith. Whereupon he supposed, that he could not do any thing more profitable, or necessarie, then to send thither a Patriark appointed at Rome, who might exercise spi∣rituall authority ouer them, as also with him some priests, of singular inte∣grity and learning, who with their sermons, disputations, & discourses both publike and priuate, might reduce those people from their errors and here∣sies to the trueth, and might confirme and strengthen them in the same. And vnto this, it seemed a wide gate was already open; because not many yeeres before, Claudius the emperour of Ethiopia receiued great succours from the Portugals, against Graadamet king of Zeila, who had brought him to an hard point; and in a letter written from him to Stephen Gama, he called Christopher Gama his brother, who died in this war, by the reuerend name of a Martyr. The king of Portugal therefore hauing imparted this his resolution, first with Pope Iulius the third, and then with Paul the fourth, it was by them concluded to send into Ethiopia thirteene priests, men of principall estimation and account aboue others of their qualitie. Iohn Nun∣nes Barretto was made Patriark, and there were ioyned vnto him two assi∣sting Bishops, Melchior Carnero, and Andrea Oiuedo, vnder title of the Bi∣shops of Nicea, and Hierapolis. King Iohn set forth this ambassage, not onely with whatsoeuer the voiage it selfe necessarily required, but further with all royall preparation, and rich presents for Prete Ianni. Neuerthelesse, the better to lay open an entrance for the Patriarke, there was by the kings appointment sent before from the city of Goa, Iago Dias, and with him

Gonsaluo Rodrigo, into Ethiopia, to discouer the minde of the Neguz, and the disposition of his people. These two being admitted to the presence of that Prince, shewed him the letters of king Iohn, wherein he congratulated with him, on the behalfe of all Christians; for that following the example of his grandfather, and father, he had embraced the Christian faith, and vnion. Whereat Claudius was amazed, 'as at a thing neuer before thought of. And* 1.1 it being demaunded, why he had written to the king of Portugal to that ef∣fect, he excused himselfe by the writer, and interpreter of his letter: adding thereunto, that though hee esteemed that king as his very good brother, yet was he neuer minded to swerue one iot from the faith of his predecessors. Roderigo for all this, was no whit daunted, but wrought all meanes to bring Claudius to his opinion. But the greatest difficultie against this his busie enterprise, was the ignorance of the emperour and the princes of Ethio∣pia in all the generall Councels, and ancient Histories. Afterwards percei∣uing that the Neguz did not willingly admit him to audience, he wrote and diuulged a booke in the Chaldean toong; wherein confuting the opinions of the the Abassins, he laboured mightily to aduance the authoritie of the Romaine church. Which booke raised so great a tumult, that the empe∣rour, to auoide woorse inconueniences which were likely to ensue, was faine quickly to suppresse it. Iago Dias perceiuing that he did but loose time, & the terme of his returne approching, tooke his leaue of the Neguz. And hauing made knowne in Goa, how matters stood, it was not thought requisite that the Patriarke should expose his owne person, togither with the reputation of the Romaine church, vnto so great hazard. But rather, not wholy to aban∣don the enterprise, they determined to send thither Andrew Ouiedo, (newe elect bishop of Hierapolis) with two or three assistants, who with greater authoritie might debate of that which Roderigo alreadie had so vnfruitfully treated of. Ouiedo most willingly vndertaking this attempt, put himselfe on the voiage, with father Emanuel Fernandez, and some fewe others. When he was come into Abassia, he stood in more need of patience then disputati∣on. For king Claudius within a fewe moneths after, being vanquished and* 1.2 slaine, Adamas his brother succeeded, who was a great enimie to the sea of Rome. This man drew 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and his assistants, to the warres with him, and intreated them most barbarously, as also those Abassins whom they had conuerted. He likewise was afterwards ouerthrowne in battaile by the Turkes, who stripped Ouiedo and his companions of all things that they had. Whereupon they grew into such pouertie and miserie, as (all helpe failing them) they were enforced to get their liuing with the plough and spade, till they all died one after another. This Ethiopian Christianitie is brought at this day to an hard point, by the inuasions of the Turkes and Mores, as is before declared. Notwithstanding their religious men affirme, that they haue prophesies of the comming of a Christian nation to their Ports from farre countries, with whom they shall go to the destruction of the Mores: and these they hold to bee Portugals. They haue farther, cer∣taine

presagements of Saint Sinoda, who was an Egyptain Hermite, of the ruine of Meca, the recouerie of the holy sepulcher, and the taking of Egypt and Cairo, by the Abassins, vnited with the Latines.

Of the Christians of the isle of Socotera.

VIcinitie of place and conformitie of customes inuite me to crosse the sea, and to visite the Christians of Socotera. This island is sixtie miles long, and fiue and twentie in bredth. It is situate ouer against the Red sea. The people thereof receiued the faith from Saint Thomas the Apostle: for they affirme, that heere he suf∣fred shipwracke, and that of the broken and battered ship he built a church, which is as yet extant. They imitate for the most part the rites, customes, and fashions of the Abassins, but with great ignorance and errour: for being separated from all commerce with the Christians of these parts, they re∣maine depriued of that spirituall helpe, which the westerne church by com∣munication might impart vnto them. They retaine circumcision, and some other Moisaicall ceremonies. Also they pray for the dead, and obserue or∣dinarie fasts: hauing prefixed howers for praier, and bearing great reue∣rence to their religion, in honour whereof, they build chappels, wherein as∣sembling togither, with an high and loude voice, they make supplications and praiers in the Hebrew toong. But their farre distance (as I said) from these parts of Christendome, the sterilitie of the island, and the pouertie of the people, are occasions that the little light of truth which they haue, is in a manner quite eclipsed by multitudes of errors. Vnto other things may be added the tyrannie of the king of Fartac a Mahumetan, who subdued* 1.3 them about the yeere of our Lord 1482. and partly by dominion, partly by affinitie and kinred, and partly also by conuersation, brought in amongst them the deadly poison of Mahumet. From this seruitude they were deli∣uered by Tristan d' Acunna, one of the king of Portugals captaines; sixe and twentie yeeres after they fell into the same. And for their better se∣curitie, he repaired the fortresse, leauing therein a Portugall garrison. But bicause the charges farre surmounted any benefite that came of the island, not long after the said fortresse was ruinated, and the island abandoned by the Portugals. Iohn the third king of Portugall had a great desire to assist and free them from the tyrannie of the Turkes: whereunto after the taking of Aden they were subiect. But for feare of prouoking the great Turke, or giuing him occasion to disturbe and molest those seas with his fleetes, as also for the dispatching of other affaires he had in hand, he neuer went about that enterprise.

Of the Christians of Nubia.

FRantis Aluarez in his Aethiopicke relation, writeth, that he be∣ing at the court of Prete Ianni, there arriued certaine ambassa∣dors frō Nubia, to make 〈◊〉〈◊〉 vnto that prince, for some priests, and ministers of the Gospell and sacraments, by whom they might be instructed in the Christian faith. But Prete Ianni answered them, that he had not enough for his owne countrey: whereupon they returned home very discōtent, so that hauing no helpe from the Christians, & on the otherside being daily sollicited by the Mahumetans, vpon whom they bor∣der on many sides, it is thought, that at this present, they remaine in a man∣ner without any religion at all. Notwithstanding at this day, there are more then an hundred and fiftie churches standing, with diuers other notes and signes of Christianitie. Their language partaketh much with the Egyptain, and no lesse with the Chaldean and Arabick.

Of the Christians in the king dome of Congo.

HItherto we haue described that little, which remaineth of the ancient Christianity of Africk. It now resteth, that we giue some notice of that, which hath beene brought in of late. Congo is a kingdome about the bignes of France, situate (as is before said) beyond the equinocti∣all betweene Cabo da Catherina, and Bahia das vacas. It was conuerted to Christian religion, by the meanes of Don Iohn the second king of Portugal, in manner following. Don Diego Cano a captaine of that king, by his com∣mission coasting along Africa, after a great nauigation, arriued at length in the great riuer of Zaire; and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to saile vp into it, he discouered a∣long the banks thereof many townes, where he found much more affability in the inhabitants, then in those of other countries which before he had dis∣couered. And that he might be able to giue the more faithfull aduertise∣ment thereof to his king, his hart moued him to go to the court of that kingdome. Whither bein̄g come, and courteously brought to the kings presence, he shewed them the vanity of their Idolatry, & the high reuerence of christian faith. And he found in that Prince so good a disposition, as re∣turning into Portugal, besides an ambassador he was permitted to carry with him certaine youths of noble parentage, to the end they might learne the Christian doctrine, and be well instructed therein; and being baptized also, might afterwards be sent back with Portugall priests to preache the gospel, and to plant the Christian faith in that kingdome. These youthes remained in Portugal two yeeres, and were there liberally entertained, and with all di∣ligence instructed in matters of religion, and were at length with great so∣lemnity baptized. When they came to riper yeeres, king Iohn sent them backe againe into their owne countrey, with an honorable ambassage,

in whose company went for teachers and instructers of that nation three Dominick-Fryers, reputed for men of exquisit learning and holy life. Be∣ing arriued in Congo, they first cōuerted Mani-Sogno the kings vncle, with one of his sonnes. After that ensued the baptisme of the king and Queene; for which cause in short time, there was a goodly Church erected, vnder the name and title of Santa Cruz. And in the meane while there were infinit Idols burnt. The king was called Iohn, the Queene Leonora, and his eldest sonne Alonso. This Alonso was a singular good man, who not being satis∣fied in his owne conuersion, laboured also with a kind of Apostolicall zeale for the conuersion of his subiects. But let no man thinke, that the planting of religion can euer passe without some labour and trouble. These Do∣minick-Fryers, besides the intemperature of the aire and vnusuall heat, which consumed them, were also euilly entreated by the * 1.4 Moci-Con∣gi. For although they shewed themselues docible, and tractable enough, while they were instructed onely about ceremonies, and diuine mysteries, (because they thought, that the higher those matters were aboue humaine capacity, the more they sorted and were agreable to the maiestie of God) neuerthelesse when they began to entreate seriously of Temperance, conti∣nence, restitution of other mens goods, forgiuing of iniuries, and other heades of Christian pietie, they found not onely great hinderance and dif∣ficultie, but euen plaine resistance and opposition. The king himselfe, who had from the beginning shewed notable zeale, was now somewhat cooled; who because he was loth to abandon his soothsaiers and fortune tellers, but aboue all, the multitude of his concubines (this being a generall difficultie among the Barbarians) would by no meanes giue eare vnto the Preachers. Also the women (who were now reiected one after another) not enduring so suddenly to be banished from their husbandes, brought the court and roiall citie of Saint Saluador into a great vproare. * 1.5 Paulo Aquitino second sonne to the king, put tow to this fire, who would by no meanes be baptized; for which cause there grew great enmity betwixt him and Alonso his elder bro∣ther, who with all his power furthered the proceedings, and maintained the grouth of the Christian religion. During these troubles, the old king died, and the two brothers fought a battell, which had this successe; that Alonso the * 1.6 true heire, with sixe and thirtie soldiers, calling vpon the name of Iesus, discomfited the huge armie of his heathenish brother, who was him∣selfe also taken aliue, and died prisoner in this his rebellion. God fauoured Alonso in this warre, with manifest miracles. For first they affirme, that be∣ing readie to enter into battaile, he saw a light so cleere and resplendent, that he and his companie which beheld it, remained for a good while with their eies declined, and their mindes so full and replenished with ioy and a kind of tender affection, that cannot easily be expressed. And then lifting vp their eies vnto heauen, they sawe fiue shining swords, which the king tooke afterwards for his armes, and his successors vse the same at this day.

Hauing obteined this victorie, he assembled all his nobles, and streightly

enioined them to bring all the idols of his countrey to an appointed place, and so vpon an high hill, he caused them all to be burned. This Alonso raig∣ned prosperously for fiftie yeeres togither, in which space he exceedingly furthered by authoritie and example, as also by preaching and doctrine, the new-planted Christianitie. Neither did Don Emanuell the King of Portu∣gall giue ouer this enterprise: for he sent from thence to Congo, twelue of those Fryers which the Portugals call Azzurri, of whom Fryer Iohn Mari∣ano was head: with architects and smiths for the building and seruice of Churches, and with rich furniture for the same. After king Alonso, succeeded Don Pedro his sonne: in whose time there was a Bishop appointed ouer the isle of Saint Thomas, who had also committed vnto him the administration of Congo. Where, at the citie of Saint Saluador, was instituted a colledge of eight and twentie Canons in the Church of Santa Cruz. The second bishop was of the bloud roiall of Congo, who trauailed to Rome, and died in his returne homeward. Don Francisco succeeded Don Pedro, who conti∣nued but a small space: & Don Diego his neere kinsman was after his decease aduanced to the crowne. In whose time Iohn the third king of Portugall, vn∣derstanding that neither the king himselfe cared greatly for religion, and that the merchants and priests of Europe furthered not, but rather with their bad life scandalized the people new conuerted, he sent thither fower Iesuits, to renew and reestablish matters of religion. These men arriuing first at the isle of Saint Thomas, and then at Congo, were courteously recei∣ued by the king: and presently going about the busines they came for, one of them tooke vpon him to teach sixe hundred yoong children, the principles of christian religion: and the other dispersed themselues ouer the whole countrie to preach. But all of them, one after another, falling into tedious and long diseases, they were enforced to returne into Europe. At this time there was appointed ouer Congo a third bishop of the Portugall nation, who through the contumacie of the Canons and clergie, found trouble enough. In the meane while Don Diego dying, there arose great tumults touching the succession, by meanes whereof, all the Portugals in a manner, that were in Saint Saluador (except priests) were slaine. In the end, Henrie brother to Don Diego obteined the crowne, and after him (for he quicklie died in the warres of the Anzichi) Don Aluaro his son in law. This man re∣conciled vnto himselfe the Portugall nation, caused all the religious and lay sort dispersed heere and there, throughout the kingdome, to be gathered togither, and wrote for his discharge to the king, and to the Bishop of Saint Thomas. The bishop hauing perused the letters, passed himselfe in∣to Congo: and giuing some order for the discipline of the clergie, he retur∣ned to Saint Thomas, where hee ended his daies. It so fell out, that what for the absence, and what for the want of Bishoppes, the progres∣sion of religion was much hindred. For one Don Francisco, a man for* 1.7 bloud and wealth of no small authoritie, began freely to say, that it was a vaine thing to cleaue to one wife onely, and afterwardes in the end, he fell

altogither from the faith, and was an occasion that the king grew woonder∣fully cold. They affirme, that this Francisco dying, and being buried in the church of Santa Cruz, the diuels vncouered a part of that churches roofe, and with terrible noise drew his dead carcase out of the tombe, and carried it quite away: a matter that made the king exceedingly amazed: but yet ano∣ther accident that ensued withall, strooke him neerer to the hart: For the Giacchi leauing their owne habitations, entred like Locusts into the king∣dome* 1.8 of Congo, and comming to battaile against Don Aluaro the king, put him to flight: who not being secure in the head citie, abandoned his king∣dome, and togither with the Portugall priests, and his owne princes, retired himselfe vnto an island of the riuer Zaire, called The isle of horses. Thus seeing himselfe brought to such extremitie (for besides the losse of his king∣dome, his people died of famine and miserie, and for maintenance of life sold themselues one to another, and to the Portugals also at a base price) for reparation of his state and religion, he had recourse to Don Sebastian king of Portugall, and obteined of him sixe hundred soldiers, by whose va∣lour he draue his enimies out of the kingdome, and within a yeere and an halfe, reestablished himselfe in his throne. In his time Antonio di Glioun à Spaniard, was made bishop of Saint Thomas, who after much molestation procured him by the captaine of that island, went at length into Congo, with two friers and fower priests, and ordered matters reasonablie well. In the meane while Don Aluaro died, and his sonne of the same name succee∣ded him, who failed not to sollicite, both Don Sebastian and Don Henrie kings of Portugall, and the king of Spaine also, that they would send him some competent number of preachers and ecclesiasticall persons for the augmentation of the Christian faith in his kingdome: and amidst these de∣terminations he died, and a sonne of his called also Don Aluaro succeeded him.

During these tumults, certaine other Portugall Priests went into Con∣go, labouring to prune that vine which had beene long time giuen ouer, and forsaken. These men haue built them an house in the island of Loanda, where do remaine sixe or seauen of their companie, that are readie to goe sometimes hither, and sometimes thither, as neede requireth. In the yeere of our Lord 1587. king Aluaro, (who bicause hee was not borne of law∣full matrimonie, was but little esteemed by his people) would needes haue one of these priests about him, by whose meanes and authoritie he came to reputation and credite. And God himselfe fauoured his procee∣dings: for meeting a sister of his by the fathers side, and one of her bro∣thers, with a great armie in the fielde, he gaue him battaile, and bore him∣selfe therein with such valour, as he did not onely ouerthrow the forces of his enime but further slew the ring-leader and generall thereof, and in the place where he was slaine, he would needs build a church to the honour of Christianitie. And the more by his owne example to mooue others, him∣selfe was the very first man that put hand to this worke: and likewise with

edicts and fauourable proclamations, he furthered and doth still aduance the preaching of the Gospell, and the propagation of religion.

Who so is desirous to be more fully instructed concerning the Chri∣stianitie of this kingdome, let him read the third and eight bookes of Oso∣rius de Reb. gest. Eman. & the second booke of Philippo Pigafetta his story of Congo, most properly and decently translated by the iudicious master ABRAHAM HARTWELL.

Of the Christian religion in the kingdome of Angola.

THose Portugal priests that remaine in the Iland Loanda, as aboue we declared, bend themselues more to the conuersion of Angola, then of Congo. The reason is (as I suppose) be∣cause the enterprise is new, and more neerely concerneth the Portugals, who there make war vnder the conduct of Paulo Diaz, to get possession of the mountaines of Cabambe which abound with rich mines of very fine siluer. It seemeth that god hath fauoured the amplifi∣cation of his holy name in those parts with some myraculous victories. For first in the yeere 1582, a fewe Portugals in an excursion that they made, put to flight an innumerable companie of the Angolans. And by this victory, they brought in a manner the halfe of that kingdome into their handes: and many Princes and nobles of the land vpon this, were moued to request and make suit to be baptized. Among whom was Songa prince of Banza, the kinges Father in law, whose brother and children were baptized already. Tondella also, the second person of Angola was conuerted: many Idols were throwne to the ground, and insteede thereof they erected crosses, and built some churches. And within this little while all the Prouince of Corimba is in a manner conuerted. Also in the yeere 1584, an hundred and fiftie Por∣tugals, together with such succors as were conducted by Paule Prince of Angola, who was not long before conuerted; discomfited more then a mil∣lion of Ethiopians. In an other place we declared the readie meanes and oportunities that the Princes of Ethiopia and of India haue, to assemble and bring togither such infinite armies. They say, that certaine Ethiopians be∣ing demaunded by a Portugal, how it came to passe that so great a multitude turned their backes to so few men: they answered, that the Portugals strength did it not, which with a blast they would haue confounded, but a woman of incomparable beawty, apparelled in shining light and brightnes, and an old man that kept her company with a flaming sword in his hand, who went aloft in the ayre before the Portugals, and ouerthrew the squa∣drons of the Angolans, putting them to flight and destruction. In the yeere 1588, were conuerted Don Paulo Prince of Mocumba, and with him a thou∣sand persons more.

The Christian religion of Monomotapa.

IN the dominions of the Monomotapa, the light of the faith being with incredible ease kindled, was also as suddenly 〈◊〉〈◊〉 by the deuises of the Mahumetans. For some Portugals going to the court of that monarche, and giuing himselfe, with some of his Princes and vassals, a taste of the gospel, were an occasion afterwards that Gonsaluo de Sylua, a man no lesse fa∣mous for the integrity of his life, then for his bloud and parentage, went ouer thither from Goa in the yeere 1570. This man arriuing with a prospe∣rous voiage, in the kingdome of Inambane, conuerted and baptized the king, his wife, children, and sister, with his Barons and nobility, and the greatest part of his people. Through whose perswasion Gonsaluo left his compa∣nions, prosecuting his voiage towards the Monomotapa, onely with sixe Portugals. Thus hauing passed Mozambique, and the mouth of the riuer Mafuta, and of Colimane, they came to Mengoaxano king of Quiloa, where they were courteously receiued& entertained. And though they had licence in this place to preach the gospell, yet would not Gonsaluo here stay, iudging that vpon the cōuersion of the Monomotapa, that of the neighbor kings would follow without delaie. Embarking themselues therefore vp∣on the riuer Cuama, they sailed along the coast of Africa eight daies, till they came to Sena, a very populous village: where Gonsaluo baptized about fiue hundred slaues, belonging to the Portugal merchants, and prepared for the receiuing of the gospel the king of Inamor, one of the Monomotapaes vassals. In the ende Antonio Caiado a Portugall gentleman came from the court, to guide Gonsaluo towardes the same place. Whither being in short time come, he was presently visited on the emperours behalfe, and bounti∣fullie presented with a great summe of gold, and many oxen. But he retur∣ning back these presents, gaue the Monomotapa to vnderstand, that he should know of Caiado, what he desired. The emperour was astonished at this his magnanimity, & receiued him afterwards with the greatest honor, that could possibly be deuised. And causing him to sit vpon the same carpet, whereon also his owne mother sate, he presently demaunded how many wo∣men, how much ground, and how many oxen (thinges mightily esteemed of in those countries) he would haue. Gonsaluo answered, that he would haue no other thing but himselfe. Whereupon the emperour turning to Caiado (who was their interpreter) said; that surely it could not be otherwise, but that he, who made so little account of thinges so highly valued by others, was no ordinary man; and so with much courtesie he sent him back to his lodging.

Not long time after, the emperour let Gonsaluo to vnderstand, that he and his mother were resolued to become Christians, and that therefore he should come to baptize them. But he to instruct them better in the faith,

deferred it off for some daies. Finally fiue and twentie daies after his arri∣uall, with vnspeakeable 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and preparation, he gaue the water of baptisme to the king, and to his mother. He was called Sebastian, and shee Maria. And presently after, about three hundred of the principall in this emperours court were baptized. Gonsaluo for his wonderfull abstinence, charity, wisedome, and for many other his singular vertues was so reueren∣ced and esteemed by those people, as if he had come downe from heauen among them. Now as matters proceeded thus prosperously, and with so de∣sireable successe, behold, an horrible tempest arose which drowned the ship. There were in the court fower Mahumetans most deere vnto the king. These men finding out some occasion, suggested vnto him, that Gonsaluo was a Magioian, who by witchcraftes and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 could turne king∣domes topsie turuie: and that he was come to prie into his estate, and to stir vp his people to rebellion, and so by this meanes to bring his kingdome vn∣der subiection to the Portugals. With these and such like suggestions they brought the king (who was but a young man) to determine the death of Gonsaluo. The effect whereof was, that after long praier, reposing himselfe a little; he was by eight of the kings seruants slaine, and his body throwne into the riuer Mensigine. Neere vnto the same place, were with like violence put to death, fiftie new-conuerted Christians. This rage and furie being ouer, the king was aduertised by the Principall of his kingdome, and then by the Portugals, of the excesse and outrage he had therein committed. He excu∣sed himselfe the best he could, causing those Mahumetans to be slaine, who had seduced him; and he sought out some others also who lay hid, to put them to death. Whereupon it seemed that by the death of father Gonsaluo, the conuersion of this great king, and of his empire, should haue bin furthe∣red, and no whit hindered, if the Portugals would rather haue preuailed by the word of God, then by force of armes. The which I say, bicause insteed of sending new preachers into those countries, to preserue that which was alreadie gotten, and to make new conuersions, they resolued to reuenge themselues by warre. There departed therefore out of Portugall a good fleete, with a great number of noble Portugals therein, conducted by Fran∣cisco Barretto. At the fame of this warre, mooued against him, the Mono∣motapa full of feare, sent to demaund peace of Barretto. But he aspiring to the infinite mines of gold in that kingdome, contemned all conditions of∣fered him. The effect of this enterprise was, that this armie which was so terrible to a mightie Monarke, was in fewe daies consumed by the intempe∣rature of the aire, which is there insupportable to the people of Europe.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The Emperour of Ethiopia wil by no meanes admit the su∣premacie and religion of the Romish church.
• * 1.2

  Adamas a new Emperour of Ethiopia.
• * 1.3

  Fartac a coun∣trey of Arabia Felix; the king whereof subdu∣ed the isle of Zocotera, 1482.
• * 1.4

  So are the in∣habitants of Congo called.
• * 1.5

  So called by Osorius lib. 3. de Reb. Gest. Eman. But by Phil. Pigafetta. lib. 2. Cap. 2. Mani-Pango.
• * 1.6

  Osorius de Reb. Gest. Eman. lib. 3.
• * 1.7

  * Called by Philippo Pi∣gafetto 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.8

  Concerning these Giacchi, otherwise cal∣led Agag, read the discourse of Mohenemugi before the be∣ginning of Iohn Leo.