Relations of the most famous kingdomes and common-wealths thorowout the world discoursing of their situations, religions, languages, manners, customes, strengths, greatnesse, and policies. Translated out of the best Italian impression of Boterus. And since the last edition by R.I. now once againe inlarged according to moderne observation; with addition of new estates and countries. Wherein many of the oversights both of the author and translator, are amended. And unto which, a mappe of the whole world, with a table of the countries, are now newly added.

Swethland.

THe King of Swethland reigneth in part of Scandie, being a larger Province than Den∣marke; for it is accounted to be a journey of five and forty dayes from the borders of Scandia to Lapland; and the Coast of the Balticke Sea is little lesse than foure hun∣dred leagues long, a tract of Land estee∣med larger than France and Italie. Swethland is incompassed with the Balticke Ocean on the South, the Mountaines on the West, the Icie Seas on the North, and Russia on the East. In Livonia he possesseth Rivalia, the Narve, Danovia, and other peeces of good estimation; the Ilands Vlander, Alan∣des, and other places (not worthy speaking of) situated in the S••r••ve••an and Finland Sea. These Regions (besides Li∣vonia) are divided into three severall Kingdomes, (viz.) Gothland, Sweveland, and Vandalia, which againe are sub∣divided into eleven Provinces, and twelve Counties, amongst which the Lappians are not accounted, because this people (though inhabiting a larger Countrey than Sweveland) can∣not be termed to live under any certaine dominion, by rea∣son of their miserie, povertie, and wandring from place to place, thorow woods and mountaines; but they who have any manner of certaine abode, or setled habitation, are under the Swevish dominion, and pay rich skins for their tribute. These are those Lapps which inhabit the Countries of Biar∣mia and Scrisinia; the other Lapps being under the Russian. Both of them are Idolaters. The Swethlanders are Lutherans in opinion, and Dutch in language, but with a different Dialect.

Of the three Kingdomes whereof wee spake,* 1.1 Gotland bordereth with Scandia, and is divided into East and West, as also into the Iland of Gothia lying in the Baltike Sea, five of their miles (which in some places of Sweden be seven or

nine of our English) broad, and almost 18. long. Sometimes the Danes, but now the Sweden possesse it: The Metropolis is called Wi••sbich. The firme land of Gothland is the hither part of that which is called Scandia, and next to Denmarke: In this is the mighty Lake Weret: in the middest whereof the King (delighting in the pleasantnesse of the place) kee∣peth his Court. Twenty foure Rivers doe runne into this Lake, yet it emptieth it selfe but by one mouth. The Inha∣bitants for the excessive noise of waters, call it in their tongue, the Devils Head. Gothia signifieth a good Coun∣try, which doth well agree thereto for the abundance of sustenance; no Region being comparable unto it for ferti∣lity of Flesh, Fish, and Corne.

Next followeth Sweveland, which is larger than Norwey and Gotland both together. In Sweveland is Vpsalia, their chiefe Citie, an Archbishopricke, and an Vniversity, and Stockholme the Kings seat. Stringa, Envecopia, Orogundia, Arboia, Arosia.

Then comes Finland situated betweene the Balticke and Finland Bay,* 1.2 where stand Abo the chiefe City, Rangina and Augo, both famous Mart-Townes: Vames, Viburge, and Castelholme, in the Alandian Islands. The Husband∣men doe not inhabit in Townes, but by reason of the plen∣tie of Timber and Woods, the Vallies and other places are so well defended from the fury of the Northerne wind, that they live here in very good sort, keeping in their houses flocks of Cattell, and all sorts of instruments to digge, to build, or to make any thing necessary for the life of man; and this is the reason that Townes here are nei∣ther so faire nor so frequent, as in Germanie or England. Over and above, the Cities and Villages there are accoun∣ted 1433. Parishes; in some of which, a thousand people, or (as they terme it) a thousand housholders or fires doe inhabit, but there are few of these Parishes, in which at the least there are not one hundred families. By this a man 〈◊〉〈◊〉 judge the number of this people, especially if he consi∣der the fruitfulnesse of their generation; for the Women of

Finland by a secret operation of their Beere (as some think) become exceeding fruitfull. The men live here very long chiefly in the most Northerly parts; neither is it miraculous amongst them, to see a man live above an hundred & thirty, or forty yeares. And in truth, this long living is the cause of their propagation: for where men live shortest lives, there the vertue of generation must needs soonest decay: and therefore our Lord God in the beginning of the world, did permit mankinde to live seven hundred yeares and more, that the world might the sooner be peopled, and the act of generation (which now for the shortnesse of our lives is de∣termined within forty yeares) was then more vigorous at one hundred and upward, than in this our age at twenty.

There is not onely Finland, but Finmacke also bordering upon the North Ocean and lying beyond the Arctike cir∣cle, whose barbarous inhabitants be Witches and Idola∣ters. They usually sell winds to Merchants to carry their ship to any Port, and to bring them backe againe, which some making just scruple of, have laid wind-bound in the harbour, whiles others have made prosperous voyages. Bothnia or Bodia, (which gives name to the Sinus Bodicus) is also under his dominion. To these may be added these new conquests which this present King Gustavus Adolphus (the gallantest and most warlike Prince of these times) hath already made, or shall make hereafter in Prussia, where he hath taken Elbing, and other Townes and Lands from the Polander, with whom he is still in warres; and now ready to come with an Army also into Germany. He hath under him eleven Dukedomes, twelve Earledomes, and seven Bi∣shopricks: The whole is from Stockholme one way a thou∣sand Italian miles, and twenty dayes journey another.

The riches of this kingdome consisteth in plenty of victu∣als,* 1.3 which this word Gothia (signifying an heavenly Re∣gion, as we said before) and Finland (signifying a fine land or Country) doe well witnesse. Their provision is Flesh, fresh-Fish, salt-Fish, Fish dried in the smoke and Sunne, Corne and Beere; whereof there is so great abundance,

that it is a hard thing to see a begger amongst them, and Travellers are there freely entertained: The Innes at this day in the Villages being the Parsons houses, who expect some rare toy by way of gift, rather than of pay, for they doe it of courtesie. It is so rich in Mines of Lead, Copper, Silver, and some Gold, that no Province in Europe may compare therewith. And these Mines are to be found in every place, if the Country people (bound to carry wood to the Mines, and to servile works) did not hide and hinder the discoverie thereof as much as in them lieth. Most fine Silver is found in the Province of Vestros, and more would be, were it not for the envie of the Inhabitants, who though they know not the use of trying of M••ttals, doe notwith∣standing murmure that any strangers should imploy their la∣bours therein. And this their frowardnesse toward strangers ariseth not of hat••ed, but upon a jealousie that they should be over-reached, or otherwise abused: for by nature they are simple and well meaning, not given to ambition, nor infected w••th avarice.

The Kings revenue consisteth in foure things; the tenths of Ecclesiasticall livings, Mine, Tributes, and Customes. The profits of the Church-livings amount to a great summe of money: for in this Kingdome there were seven Cathe∣drall Churches; threescore Monasteries of Men and Wo∣men, endowed with most rich revenues. First Gustan, and after his sonne Eric, seized the greatest part thereof into their possessions. Of the Mines, some are wrought at the Kings charges, some at the charge of private persons, allow∣ing the tenth part to the King.

Of three Copper-works,* 1.4 I have knowne the tenth part (which is the Kings) to amount to the value of three thou∣sand Dolars yearely: hereby estimation may be made of the Silver and Lead. But his taxes doe farre surpasse all his other In-comes: for he levieth the tenth of Rie, Wheat, Barley, Fish, Oxen, Skinnes, and such like. Of the tenth of Oxen, at some times he hath gathered eighteene thousand, and with them maintaineth his Court, his Officers, his Navie,

and his Armies: for in the time of warre either with the Dane or Moscovite, he alloweth his Souldiers victuals, and by this meanes provideth it at very easie rates, as well of∣fending as defending. The mariage of the Kings daughters is at the disposition of the people, and they allow them be∣sides Silver, Plate, and other gifts, one hundred thousand Dolars for a Dowrie. Of the Vplandish people and others which pay not the imposition of victuals, the King is accu∣stomed to exact of every poll according to his ability, five Dolars or more yearely. The customes are paid in the Ha∣ven-Townes; the chiefe whereof are Calmar, Loabuis, and Stockholme, (whereat sometimes three hundred ships of burthen are to bee seene) Abo, Auge, Revalia, Parnovia, and Narve. It is thought that the King doth lay up in his Treasury, six or seven hundred thousand Dolars, over and above the expences upon the fortresses of Revalia and Vi∣burgh; for so did he in the yeare 1578. out of two or three Mines onely, and yet this was but the Kings tenth: whereas if need be, he may take all the silver, and pay the masters of the worke with victuals, C••pper, or other commodity.

There are maintained in Sweveland and Gothland,* 1.5 about thirty two Companies, every troope consisting of five or six hundred Souldiers, all Harquebusiers, alwayes ready to march whither occasion calleth. Because of the thicknesse of the Woods, the Horsemen serve with Petronels, and sel∣dome use Pikes or Launces. These are most excellent Foot∣men; for every souldier is able to make and furnish him∣selfe with any furniture whatsoever, even the making of his owne Flaske and Touch-box; as likewise the common people in Pervina, and the neighbouring Provinces, being contented with a little, have alwayes accustomed to make all implements for their houses and bodies; to build, to weave, to play the Tailors, to sow, to reape, and to forge tooles fit for their businesse. And as for these Trades, which are neither common nor necessary, a to paint, to worke in silver, and such like, there are notwithstanding found a∣mong them very good worke-men, wanting rather matter

than Art to worke upon. The Swevian Horse-men are di∣vided into thirteene Companies: Sweveland and Gothland maintaine eleven, and Finland two; and upon necessitie they can raise a greater force: for the Dukedome of Vrme∣land (as report goeth) is able to furnish better than ten thousand men with Horse. In Marchland there is such plentifull breed of Horse, that there they are sold at a very low rate: both these Provinces are in Gothland. Their Horse is not so bigge bodied as the Frieslander. but exceeding har∣die; active, able to endure travell, and fed with a little. I will not omit to speake of two Noble usages of the King of Swethland towards his Souldiers: one is that if a Souldier be taken prisoner, he is ransomed at the Kings charges; the other, that if his Horse be slaine, the King bestoweth ano∣ther upon him. To his Captaines, and those which serve on Horse-back, in part of payment of their wages, hee giveth yearely a Garment, which the Germans terme Idolis, and may be taken for a Cassocke.

The rest of the Captaines meanes, if he serves within the Kingdome against the Dane or Moscovite, is but foure Dol∣lars a moneth, and exemption for himselfe and family from other duties and payments to the King. The common soul∣dier is not thus exempted, unlesse in time of warre or danger: his other pay is one Dollar and a quarter for a moneth: small pay, if you consider not the cheapnesse of victuals. In their marches in loose troopes, they are billetted in the next hou∣ses at the countries charges: But when the Armie is in the field altogether, the King findes them victuals, without de∣ducting it out of their meanes. It was not long since that the Horseman in time of peace received more than twenty Dol∣lars standing for a yeare, with a Horsemans coat and his ex∣emptions: but this is increased in the warres. The Officers of Horse-troopes receive monethly pay for themselves, their servitors, horse-boyes, &c. The Nobilitie and Courtiers also (Privie Councellors excepted) which may be about three hundred in all, are bound to wait on the King on horseback; every of which for himselfe and followers, receiving each

five Dollars a moneth. Every Captaine must be a Gentle∣man borne.

As touching their Sea-affaires,* 1.6 by reason of their huge Sea-coast, and infinite Havens, the Kingdome swarmeth with Mariners and shipping, which the King may arrest in his Dominions, as other Princes are accustomed to doe: hee maintaineth commonly fiftie Ships of warre, whereof every one carrieth fortie peeces of Ordnance, more or lesse. King Gustavus first brought in the use of Gallies. In the Warre which King Iohn waged with the Danes (before the Peace treated on at Stetin was agreed) he put to Sea seventie great ships, besides other of smaller burthen, in which were 22000. fighting men. In the Summer time they warre at Sea; in the Winter at Land: for then the Rivers are frozen, as likewise the Sea neere the shore for a great space. Seeing I have spo∣ken of Guns, I will adde thus much, that the King is thought to have about eight thousand great Peeces, the most part of Brasse, and that hee could cast many more if hee had more store of Tin. In the Castle of Stockholme only are numbred foure hundred. Certaine it is that the King can on the sud∣den rigge up a sufficient Fleet both for defence and offence; and that cheaper than any Prince of Christendome. For first he hath store of Mariners, and they easily paid; as desiring little more than cloaths and victuals. Their cloathes are sim∣ple enough; and their victuals the Countrie is bound to send them; a proportion namely of Beefe, Bacon, Salt-fish, But∣ter, Barly and Peason. As for materials for building a ship, he either hath them of his owne, (timber, pitch, iron and cor∣dage,) or else they are brought him but from the next doore. Brasse peeces (such plentie of metall he hath) that they cost him little or nothing. So that well might King Iohn the third of Swethland affirme, that he would set out and maintaine as good a Fleet for 100000. Dollars, as the King of Spaine could for a million of pounds. The chiefe of the Kings Na∣vie in time of peace, rides (like our Kings at Chatham) com∣monly in two places; either at Stockholme, where they may lye safe, even afloat without mooring, or so much as ancho∣ring,

the Harbour being thirty English miles within Land, and the high cliffes keeping off all winds: The other Stati∣ons are in Finland, still in a readinesse against the Muscovite, and to watch that nor Armes nor munition be brought them out of Germanie.

The chiefe Fort of this Countrey is the Finnish Sea,* 1.7 which breaking in about Dantzik, runs up with a long gut or free thorow the midst of his Countrey, from South to North, a great deale beyond the Arctick Circle, into Finmarch and Lapland: another Arme of it, neere the first entrance parting Liefland and Finland (of which it is called the Finnish Bay) flowing even to the Frontiers of Russeland: Both of them are wonderfull strengths, eases, and riches to his Countrey: Fortified Townes and Castles he hath in all his Frontiers up∣on the Dane and Muscovite, some twentie in all.

Vpon the West-side of Swethland is Denmarke;* 1.8 on the East Moscovie, with both which he hath had long war. The Swevians have suffered much losse by the Denmarkes: for King Christian the second besieged Stockholme, and forced it, committing all kinde of cruelty against the Inhabitants, filling the Citie with bloud and dead carkases. The title which the Dane pretendeth to the Crowne of Swethland, is the cause of their enmities. The Havens, the situation of the Countrey, and especially Gothland (which is a member of Gothia, and therefore the Swevian claimeth it as his right) affordeth the Dane this facility of invading at his pleasure. After Gustavus recovered the Kingdom, he and his son Hen∣ry and John reigned successively: and although bloud enough hath beene sh•••• in the warres betweene Gustavus and the Paris, yet the Kingdome hath retained her honour: and the Cit••e of Lubeck (the mightiest State in that Sea) sometimes by consederating with the one, sometime with the other, doth in so even a ballance poise the differences of these two Nations, as it suffereth not the one to practise against the o∣ther, upon the perill that may ensue to the offender. In waiting with the Moscovite, the Swevian hath most advan∣tage, because Finland (which bordereth upon Russia) by rea∣son

of the great Marishes, whereof it is full, yeeldeth hard and perillous passage to the Enemie, oftentimes swallowing up whole Armies in those congealed Waters: there be Kee∣pers of the Castles of Viburge, Narve, Ravelia, and other piles and peeces upon the borders of the great Duke of Mo∣scovia, excellent well fortified, as bridles to stop his violent courses. In which, hee doth very wisely; for those peeces which lie in the Territories of our Enemies, are to be regar∣ded most carefully, because they bring forth two notable effects: first, they defend what is ours, and offend what is the Enemies. The further they are distant from our borders, the better they stand us instead: for while the Enemie is oc∣cupied in besieging thereof, our owne State standeth in quiet, and time affordeth meanes for rescue, or delivery thereof at leasure, and that without spoile to our owne people, or losse of our proper revenues. They grieve the Enemie with so much the more dammage, by how much the neerer they are situated unto him. Of this effect was Calais in the possessi∣on of the English, and the places which the Spaniards and Portugals hold in Africke. But the Fortresses built in our owne borders, serve to no other end, than to defend what is already ours, and that to our great disadvantage: for as of∣ten as they are invaded, all things are done at a sudden, and it cannot be avoided, but somewhat will fall to the spoile of the Enemie. To end with the King of Swethland, he is so much better able than the Moscovite to defend his Ter∣ritories, by how much Sea-forces joyned to Land-forces are able to prevaile against a State furnished with Land-forces only.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Got••••••••.
• * 1.2

  Finland.
• * 1.3

  Riches.
• * 1.4

  Co••per.
• * 1.5

  Forces at land.
• * 1.6

  Sea-forces.
• * 1.7

  Fortifications.
• * 1.8

  Borders.