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.

Russia, alias Sarmatia, now Moscovia.

THe Great Duke of Moscovia is Lord of a most large Dominion, and within the limits of his jurisdiction are contained many Regions.

It is boūded on the North with Lappia and the North Ocean: On the South by the Chrim Tartars: On the East by the Nagarans, possessing all the Countrey on the East side of Volga, towards the Caspian sea: On the West and South∣west lye Lituania, Livonia, and Polonia.

The naturall Shires pertaining to Russia, and whereof per∣ticularly the Great Duke will not (without offence) but be stiled King, are sixteene, but farre greater and larger than the Shires of England, though not so well peopled. The other Provinces (being nine, with a great part of Siberia,) being not naturall Russes, the Emperours of late yeares have pur∣chased by their swords, and subjected them to their Lawes, Customes and Taxes. Casan and Astrachan, by them ter∣med Kingdomes, have devolved unto them by like provi∣dence. As for all his interest in Lituania (to the number of thirtie great Townes and more) with Narve and Dorp in Livonia, they are quite gone, surprised of late times by the Kings of Poland and Sweden.

From North to South, measuring from Cola to Astrachan, it containeth in length foure thousand two hundred and six∣tie Versts (a verst is three quarters of a mile English.) Be∣yond Cola hee hath more Territory Northward, viz. to Tromschna, running foure thousand versts welnie beyond Pechinga, neere Wardhuis; but not clearely possessed, by reason that the Kings of Sweden and Denmarke have divers Townes therein, aswell as the Russe, every one of them clai∣ming the lawfull possession of these Northerne Provinces, as

in his owne right. The breadth taken farthest Westward on the Narve side, to the bounds of Siberia Eastward, where the Emperour hath some garrisons, is foure and forty hun∣dred ve••sts, or thereabouts. If these Dominions were all ha∣bitable and peopled, the Russe Emperour were either very unlikely to hold them, or holding them with good govern∣ment, would prove too mighty for his bordering Neigh∣bours.

And although by the spaciousnesse of these Territories, it should seeme that he hath ingrossed many Countries, and for brevities sake, hath also assumed the titles into the credit and majestie of one Monarchie: yet it may well be com∣pared to the fortune of the five Kings that tooke Lot priso∣ner; whom Abraham with his three hundred and eighteene menial-servants released, and set at libertie: witnesse the proofe, which a few resolute and well ordered English soul∣diers made of late amongst them, even in the fields of No∣vograd, where they contracted their owne conditions in de∣spight of that whole Armie, which both Poles and Mosco∣vites rallied against them.

It is situated partly in Europe, and partly in Asia, which se∣paration is caused by the River of Tanais, bounder of Asia, and running thorow the middle of the Countrey. By which (as the Rasse reporteth) a man may passe from Mosco to Constantinople, and so into all those parts of the world by water; only drawing his Boat (as their custome is) over a lit∣tle Isthmus of land. This passage was proved not long since by a Russe Ambassadour sent to Constantinople; who passing the Moscua, entred into Ock••, and from thence (as aforesaid) drawing his Boat over land, fell into Tanais, then into Meo∣tis, and so to his journeyes end. The Pole at Moscua is 55. degrees and ten minutes: At Saint Nicholas 63. and 50. minutes.

The people were once subject to the Tartars, whose Prince Roydo in the yeare 1140. conquered Moscovie; but Iohn the first (incouraged by their civill dissentions) denied them tribute. In processe of time, when Ametes the last successour

of Roydo (who died at Vilua) had overcome the Tartars, Precopenses the great Duke adjoyned to his Empire Permia, Vestia and Iugria, Provinces subject to Ametes. From this time, the forces of the great Duke increasing. Basilius Casan, and Iohn the second, conquered the Provinces of Citrahan, which at this day are called Kingdomes. To confesse the truth, the great Dukes have mightily inlarged their bounds; and have taken the great Duchies of Severin and Smoloneke, Bulchese, Prescovia, Novogrod, Iaroslave, and Roscovia (some of them) from the Polaques, and some from other Potentates: they possessed thirtie great Townes in Lituania, with Narve and Dorp in Livonia, but they are all quite gone, being of late yeares surprized by the Kings of Poland and Sweveland.

The chiefe Citie of the Kingdome is Mosco, where the Pa∣triarch resideth; Roscovia and Novogrod are the Seats of Archbishops: Cortisa, Resania, Columna, Susdelia, Casan; Vologda, Tuera, Smoloncke, Plescovia, Staritia, Sloboda, Ie∣roslave, Volodomir, (from whence the Kings Seat was trans∣lated to Mosco by Iohn the second) Mosayco, Saint Nicho∣las, Su••ana, Vstium, and Gargapolia are Bishoprickes. The Emperour abideth in the Citie of Mosco, which taketh his name from the River, arising fourescore and ten miles higher into the Countrey. The Citie hath beene greater than now it is, and was nine miles compasse: the forme thereof is in a manner round, invironed with three wals, the one within the other, and streets lying betweene; whereof the inmost wall and the buildings closed within it, (lying safest, as the heart within the body, fenced and watered with the River Mosco, that runneth close by it) is all accounted the Emperours Ca∣stle. The number of houses thorow the whole Citie, (being reckoned by the Emperour a little before it was fired by the Enemie) was accounted to be 41500. in all. But since it was sacked 1571. and burnt by the Tartars, it containeth not above five miles. According to Possevinus, a Writer of good judgement and industrie, there are housed in this Citie thirty thousand people, besides Oxen and other Cattell. Doctor

Fletcher writeth, that it is not much bigger than the Citie of London.

Novograde hath the name of Great, and yet the same Author alloweth it not above twenty thousand Inhabitants; as likewise Smoloncke and Plescovia. As the Russe saith, here was committed that memorable warre (so much spo∣ken of in histories) of the Scythian servants, that tooke armes against their Masters: who in memory of their great victo∣rie, have ever since in their coine stamped the figure of a horse-man shaking a whip aloft in his hand.

This seemeth most incredible to me, (if it bee true as some write) that Plescovia, when King Stephen of Poland be∣sieged it, had within it fifty thousand foot-men, and seven thousand Horse. Truly this is a great number, and though they were not all Moscovites, yet this reckoning asketh a great proportion of Inhabitants; For if the King thrust in fifty seven thousand fighting men, it must needs be that the Inha∣bitants were very many moe. Some will have it, that in times past the Country was better replenished with people, and that afterwards it became desolate for three causes: the first was the Plague (a new disease in Moscovie) which gleaned away many thousand soules: the second, the Ty∣ranny of their Emperours, who have put infinite numbers to death, especially of the Nobility: the third the Incursions and robberies of the Tartars, Precopians, and the Nagayans, which never cease vexing their bordering neighbours. For the nature of these roguish Tartars is, to make spoile of all men, and to captivate their bodies, selling them to the Turkes and other Nations. By reason whereof, many farre removed Provinces (partly upon feare, and partly upon po∣licie) are suffered to lie waste and unmanured. And this is all the good which ambitious Princes gaine by their undis∣creet invasions of their neighbours, to the destruction of their people, and their owne vexation.

No Prince made longer journeyes and greater expences than the great Duke Iohn: he vanquished the Kingdomes of Casan to Volga, and Astrachan on the Caspian Sea; he sub∣dued

a great part of Livonia. But what honour, what pro∣fit, or what continuance of security gained he by these vi∣ctories? What was the end of this warre? In those expedi∣tions perished infinite numbers of men, in journeying, in as∣saults, with the Sword, with sicknesse, with hunger, and o∣ther extremities. When he had overcome them, he was en∣forced to keepe great Garrisons; yea, to bring thither whole Colonies. Besides, when men were so farre from home, either busied in getting other mens goods, or in kee∣ping what they had got, their wives stayed at home like widdowes, and the inward part of the Realme remained empty, as a heart void of bloud, wanting his necessary nu∣triment, whilst the Inhabitants were wasted on the skirts of the Kingdome. And therefore when it was invaded by King Stephen of Poland, these remote forces were wanting to make resistance; and through this oversight he lost againe Pozo∣via, and other peeces of good reckoning; yea, and was en∣forced to leave the whole possession of Livonia to the Po∣lander

To proceed, the soyle of the Countrey for the most part is of a sleight sandy mould, yet very much different one place from another; for the yeeld of such things as grow out of the earth. Northwards toward the parts of Saint Nicho∣las and Chola, and North-East toward Siberia, it is barren and full of desart Woods, by reason of the climate, and ex∣tremity of cold. So likewise along the River Volga, be∣twixt the Countries of Casan Astrachan, notwithstan∣ding the soyle be fruitfull, it is all inhabited, saving that upon the West-side, the Emperor hath some few Castles and Gar∣risons in them. This happened by meanes of the Chrim Tar∣tars, that will neither plant Townes to dwell in, (living a wilde and vagrant life) nor suffer the Russe, being farre off, with Colonies to people those parts. From Vologda, which lieth almost a thousand seven hundred versts from the Port of Saint Nicholas downe toward Mosco, and to to∣ward the South parts that border upon the Chrim (containing the like space of a thousand seven hundred Verstz, or there∣abouts)

it is a very pleasant and fruitfull Countrey, yeel∣ding Pasture and Corne, with Wood and Water in great store and plenty. The like is betweene Rezan (lying South-East from Mosco) to Novogrode and Vobsco, that reacheth farthest towards the North-West: So betwixt Mosco and Smolensko (that lieth South-West towards Lituania) is a very fruitfull and pleasant soyle, and also very fertill and commodious for those Inhabitants that dwell therein.

The Countrey differeth very much from it selfe, by rea∣son of the yeare; so that a man would marvell to see the great alteration and difference betwixt Winter 〈…〉〈…〉. In Winter it lieth under snow (which falle•••• 〈…〉〈…〉 unu∣ally) sometime a yard or two of thicknesse, but deeper to∣wards the North. The Rivers and other waters are frozen up a yard or more thicke, how swift or broad soever they bee. And this continueth commonly five moneths, (viz.) from the beginning of November, till towards the end of March, about which time the snow beginneth to melt. The sharpnesse whereof you may judge by this: for that water dropped downe (or cast up into the aire) congealeth into Ice before it come to the ground. In extremity of weather, if you hold a pewter dish or a pot in your hand, or any other metall (except in some chamber where their warme Stoves be) your fingers will freeze fast to it, and draw off the skin at parting: when you passe out of a warme roome into a cold, you shall sensibly feele your breath to wax thick and stifling with the cold as you draw it in and out: Divers, not onely that travell abroad, but in the very markets and streets of their Townes, are monstrously pinched, yea, killed with∣all; so that you shall see many drop downe in the streets, many travellers brought into the Townes, sitting dead and stiffe in their sleds. And yet in Summer-time you shall see such a new hue and face of a Countrey, the Woods so fresh and so sweet, the Pastures and Meddowes so greene and well growne, (and that upon the sudden) with such variety of flowers, and such melody of Birds (especially of Nightin∣gales) that a man shall not lightly travell in a more plea∣santer

Countrey. Which fresh and speedy growth of the Spring, seemeth to proceed from the benefit of the Snow; which all the Winter time being spread over the whole Countrey, as a white robe, keepeth it warme from the ri∣gour of the frost; and in the Spring-time, when the weather waxeth warme, and the Sunne dissolveth it into water, it doth so throughly drench and soke the ground (being of a sleight and sandy mould) and then shineth so hotly upon it againe, that it even forceth the Herbs and Plants to shoot forth in great plenty and variety, and that in short time. As the Winter season in these Regions exceedeth in cold; so likewise I may say, that the Summer inclineth to overmuch heat, especially in the moneths of Iune, Iuly, and August, being accounted the three chiefest moneths of burning heat in those places, much warmer than the Summer in England.

To returne to our relation of the soyle and climate; for the most part it is covered with Woods and Lakes: these Woods are the branches of Hircinia, spreading it selfe through all the North, and perhaps more in this Province than in any other. Here grow the goodliest and tallest trees of the world, thorow which for their thicknesse, the bright∣nesse of the Sun-beames can hardly pierce. An unspeakable quantity of Rozin and Pitch distilleth out of these trees, and here is the never-wasting Fountaine of Wax and Hony. For without any industry of man, the Bees themselves build their Hives in the Barks and hollownesse of trees. Here is all plenty of Cattell and wilde Beasts: Beares, Martins, Beasts called Zibellini, Wolves and blacke Foxes, whose skins doe beare highprices. Of the timber of these trees āre squared all necessaries, aswell for buildings, as all other uses; the Wals of the Cities are framed of beames cut foure-square, fastned to∣gether, filling all the chinks & vacant places with earth. And of these beames likewise they build platformes of such height and thicknesse, that they beare the weight of great Ordnance how massie soever. They are subject to fire, but not easily shaken with the fury of battery.

For Waters, Moscovie may well be called the mother of

Rivers and Lakes: witnesse Duyna, Boristhenes, Volga, Duyna, Onega, Moscua, Volisca, and the famous Tanais; the Lakes of Ina, upon which standeth the great Novograde, Vo∣luppo, and many others. The abundance of these Waters doe make the ayre colder than is requisite for the increase of Cattell, or growth of Plants, and although cold is thought more wholsome than heat, yet are their Cattell of small growth thereby, and many times their fruits come not to ripening; and the earth being drowned with the waters, for the most part becommeth light and sandie, and then ei∣ther with too great drought, or too much moisture, it destroy∣eth the fruit. Winter in some sort lasteth nine moneths, little more or lesse, & in seasonable times the soyle bringeth forth plenty of graine, and feeding for Cattell. It also bringeth forth Apples, Nuts, and Filberds: other kinds of fruits they scarcely know. Of Fish they raise their greatest gaine, as having greatest abundance of that commodity; they dry them in the frost and wind, as in Norway and other Nor∣therly Nations, and they lay it up for store, as well in their Townes of Warre, as for their private Families. The King∣dome is not full of Merchants, because by nature the Inha∣bitants are idle: And that Province cannot abound with Merchants, where Arts and Artificers are not favoured. And againe, the government is absolute, mixed with a kind of tyranny, enforcing slavish prostitution. So that in the chie∣fest and best ordered Townes of Novograde and Mosco, many strange and fearefull concussions have beene practi∣sed. Concerning which you have whole Commentaries, from whence you may take notice, how he once nailed an Ambas∣sadours Hat to his head, because he abated him of that reve∣rence appropriate to so great a Majesty; How Sir Tho. Smith was entertained with a contrary satisfaction and welcome. How Mosco is compared to the grand Caire for spacious∣nesse of ground, multitude of houses, and uncomlinesse of streets, so that, as the one is patible of stinke, corruption and infectious aire, so this other is not free from beastlinesse, smoke and unwholesome smels. They have not the use of the

Sea, because it is not lawfull for a Moscovite to travell out of his Princes Dominions: such, and such store of wares as they have (as Skinnes, Rosin, and Wax) they barter for Cloth, and divers other commodities, which the Arme∣nians bring to Astrachan by the Caspian Sea, and the English to Saint Nicholas by the Bay of Graduicum.

This Government is more tyrannicall than of any other Prince in the World: for he is absolute Lord and disposer of the bodies and goods of his subjects. Therefore Mahu∣met the Visier was wont to say, That the Moscovite and the great Turke, amongst all the Princes of the earth were only Lords of their owne Dominions, and in that regard thought the journey of King Stephen of Poland would prove full of danger and difficulty. The Kingdome is divided into foure parts (by them termed Chetferds) & those governed by foure Lieutenants, not resident upon their charges, but attending on the Emperours person wheresoever he goeth; and there holding their Courts, but especially at Mosco, the prime seat of the Empire; where from their under-Deputies they receive the complaints of the Provinces, and informe the Kings Councell of the businesse, and from them againe receive instructions for amendment or reformation. For you must note, that the great Duke doth not trust any particular Nobleman with any eminent place of honour or dignitie; but placeth therein a certaine Duke of mea∣nest ranke, and no great capacitie, adjoyning with him in commission a Secretary to assist him, or to speake more pro∣perly, to direct him; for in execution the Secretary doth all. And being thus united, they have authority over all persons in criminall and civill causes, in levying of Taxes and Subsidies, in mustring of Souldiers, and commanding them to all services imposed by the Emperour or his Coun∣cell. And to prevent all popular Innovations, he will be sure that they shall neither bee borne within the territories of their Government, neither that they possesse one foot of inheritance within their jurisdictions: And being every yeare subject to change (of which hee will not faile) for

their new avarice, they stand assured first to bee extremely hated of the people, and worse used of the Emperour: For few of them have the favour to avoid the Pudkey (or whip) when their time is expired: and therefore doe make full ac∣count, as they cannot otherwise chuse, being to bribe the Em∣perour, the Lieutenant of the Chetfird, and to provide for themselves, having in allowance, the best, not above a hun∣dred markes; the worst, but thirty per annum.

Fuan Vasilowie shall be an example of this severity: who having before him a Diak (or Secretary) accused for taking a Goose ready dressed, stuft full of silver by way of a bribe, caused the offender to be brought into the Market place of Mosco, & there himselfe, making an honest Oration unto the people, asked his Polachies or Executioner, Who could cut up a Goose? And then commanded he one of them first to cut off the parties legs, about the midst of the shins, then his armes above his elbowes; (still asking the miserable offen∣der, If Goose-flesh were good meat) in the end to chop off his head, in similitude of a Goose ready dressed.

But in the foure Townes, whereof three border upon the Polonian and Sweden, and the other upon the Chrim Tartar, (viz.) Smolonsko, Vobsko, Novograd and Cazan, he is some∣what more advised and honourable. For being peeces of great import, in them he appointeth men of more sufficient and better ranke, two in each Towne, whereof one is ever of his Councell of Estate. These have larger commission, and without adjournment or appeale may proceed to execution in all criminall causes; yet are they changed every yeare, and have for their allowance, some seven hundred rubbles, and some foure hundred.

To preserve his Majesty and reputation, he useth as incre∣dible policy, as hee doth unusuall severitie: First, it is not lawfull for any of his subjects to depart the Realme upon paine of death; and therefore no man there dare goe to Sea, no, not speake to an Ambassadour, or use the counsell of a forren Physician, without licence. He weareth apparell of inestimable value, joyning the Ornaments of a Bishop to

the Majestie of a King; by wearing a Miter on his head, shi∣ning with Diamonds and rich stones: When he weareth it not on his head, he placeth it before his Chaire of Estate, and oftentimes changeth it, in boast of his riches. In his left hand he beareth a most rich Crosier, apparelled in a long Garment, not much unlike to that which the Pope weareth when he goeth to Masse: his fingers are full of Gold Rings, and the Image of Christ, and his blessed mother the Vir∣gin are over the Chaire wherein he sitteth. The Privie Chamber and great Chamber are full of men, cloathed in Cloth of Gold downe to the foot, but never used unlesse upon occasion of Festivals, or entertainement of Ambassa∣dours. In matter of Ceremonie, for the most part they fol∣low the Greeke Church; the Priests marrie, maintaine a∣doration of Images, Fast, and compel to confession; which the common people suppose most necessary, especially for the Nobles and Gentrle, retayning a sensualitie of life, and libertie of voluptuousnesse. The Princes themselves are ve∣ry devout at the Table, as often a dish is changed, or they have a desire to drinke, they make many signes of the Crosse.

That no man should prove a better Scholler than himselfe, he suffereth no schoole, but of writing & reading to be kept. In their Liturgies, they read nothing but the Evangelists, some Historie, the lives of Saints, a Homily of Iohn Chryso∣stome, or some such like; yea, they would hold him for an He∣retike, that should goe about to professe himselfe better lear∣ned; and assure himselfe, hee shall not escape punishment. Which is the reason that their Notaries, nay the Secretaries themselves, commonly can neither write, nor answer Am∣bassadors of forren Princes, no farther than they are taught by the great Duke. When they negociate, they no sooner name the great Duke, but all of them rise up with great reverence: the like is done at his Table, when he drinketh, or carveth to any man, and so in a thousand like casualties: they are taught, even from their cradles, to beleeve and talke of their great Duke, as of God: using these phrases in

their ordinarie talking, God onely and our Great Semapor knoweth this; Our Great Lord knoweth all things. All we enjoy, health and riches, all proceedeth from our Great Duke. For the subjects, seeing such State and Magnificence in the Prince, and knowing no more than he is taught at home, re∣verence and obey him as slaves, not as subjects, accounting him rather a God than a King. Those Lords which he hath under him are only graced with Titles, not as we have Dukes, Barons, &c. Bestowing upon one a Hamlet, upon another a Farme; and these not hereditarie, unlesse he confirme it: and when he hath confirmed it, the Farmers not withstanding pay him a portion of their fruits, and owe him villaine-service: which is the cause, that every man dependeth on the will of the Prince, and looke by how much the richer, by so much the deeper, is he indebted unto him.

•• The Native commodities are Furs, Wax, Honie, Tal∣low, Hides, Traine-Oyle, Caveare, Hemp, Flax, Salt, Tar, Slud, Salt-peter, Brimston and Tron. Besides the great quan∣titie of Furs spent in the Countrie (the onely defence of the Country-people in the winter season) there are transported some yeares by the Merchants of Turkie, Persia, Bougharia, Georgia, Armenia, and the Christians, to the value of foure or five hundred thousand rubbles yearely: Of Wax fiftie thousand poad; every poad contayning fortie pounds. Their Hony is almost all spent within the Countrie in their ordinarie drinkes, and other uses. Of Tallow in times past, they have shipped out 100000. poad yearely: Of Hides, 100000. Of Flax and Hemp one hundred ships: and so sem∣blably of other Merchandizes. But you must understand, that by reason of the idle carelesnesse of the people, occasio∣ned through the extreme tyrannie of their Emperours, (whereof you shall heare hereafter) at this day three parts of that reckoning in every commoditie, are abated.

For the receiving of which riches and Revenues, he hath as it were three principall Treasures; The Steward of his House; Every Chetsird within his owne Province; And the Office called the great Income.

The Stewards Office receiveth yearely, above the expence of his house twentie three thousand rubbles.

The fourth Chetfirds for Soak and Pol-mony foure hun∣dred thousand rubbles. And the office of the great Income for custome and rents eight hundred thousand rubbles.

And all this in readie coyne: For besides this revenue or∣dinarie, he receiveth extraordinarily in furs and other com∣modities, out of Siberia, Pechora, Permia and other remote places, a great masse of wealth. As may be ghessed by that, That 1589. out of Siberia onely, by way of custome, were collected foure hundred threescore and six timber of Sables, five timber of Martrons, one hundred eightie cases of black Foxes, besides other commodities.

To these may be added Seisures, Confiscations, and In∣comes of like nature, whereof I will shew you some cases.

As by coyning his Plate into money, in shew of want, thereby to colour some new taxations; so did Theodor Iu∣anowich. And as by suffering every man to give unto Mo∣nasteries, what pleaseth him; that the wealth being stowed in grosse, the Prince may come by it the readier to satisfie his pleasure: So did Iuan Vasilowich, wringing from some Bishops and Monasteries one hundred thousand rubbles; from some fortie, and from others fiftie, &c. For the subtile Friers are content without noise to part from somewhat, rather than by clamour to indanger the losse of the whole.

By forestalling homebred commodities, and ingrossing the forren; as Silkes, Cloth, Lead, Pearle; To give out mo∣nopolies for staying of Sables, till the Emperors be vented.

By rent corne and provision of victuall, hee hath some yeares raised two hundred thousand rubbles. Of rent wood, hay, &c. thirtie thousand rubbles.

But the most Unchristian abuse is, that in every great towne he hath a Caback (or Tap-house) to sell Aqua-vite, Mead, Beare, &c. wherein, besides the vice of drunkennesse, many foule faults (as it cannot otherwise fall out) are com∣mitted. The poore labouring man, and artificer many times spendeth all from his wife and children. Some will lay 20,

thirty or forty rubbles into the Caback, vowing themselves to the pot, till the stock be spent; and all this (as the drunkard will vaunt,) for the honour of Hospodare, viz. the Prince. For, for hindering this base and ungodly profit, none may dare to call, or intreat him out of the Caback. Of these some yeeld eight hundred, some nine hundred, some a thousand, some three thousand rubbles by yeare.

Sometime he will cause his Botarens (or Nobles) to feigne themselves robbed, and then will he send for the Aldermen of the Citie, to finde out the fellon, and upon an Ignoramus, he will sesse the Citie (upon colour of misgovernment) eight thousand, nine thousand or ten thousand rubbles.

Iuan Vasilowich sent into Permia for certaine loads of Ce∣dar wood, whereof he knew none to grow in the Countrie. The Inhabitants returned word, that they could finde none: whereupon he sessed the Countrie at 12060 rubbles. So sent he to the Citie of Mosco, to provide a Colpack (or measure full) of live fleas for a medicine: They returned answer that the thing was impossible: whereupon he praved (or beat out of their shins) seven hundred rubbles for a mulct. So at another time, he praved thirty thousand rubbles from his Nobilitie, because he missed of his game when he went on hunting: Which they againe praved out of the Monsicks, or common people of the Countrie, as the manner is.

Besides, in their Diets (or Parliaments) they are repu∣ted of no degree or order. For therein the Nobilitie and Clergie onely have voices.

In all their supplications and petitions to any of the No∣bles, or chiefe Officers, they subscribe Kelophey, slaves; and so doe they of the Nobilitie, to the Emperor: So that if a poore Mousal meeteth any of them upon the way, hee must turne himselfe about, and not dare to looke this Magnifico in the face, but conge to the ground with his head, as Priests doe to their Wafer-cakes.

As for the quiet enjoyment of their lands, besides the tax∣es, customes, feasings and other publike exactions, practised by the Emperour himselfe, and permitted unto his Nobles,

Messengers and Officers; you shall see Yammes (thorow∣fare townes) of halfe a mile and a mile long, stand uninha∣bited, by reason of these ungodly pressures. So that in the way towards Mosco, betweene Vologda and Yerasl••ve, which is some what more than an hundred English miles, there have beene in sight fiftie Villages, at least of the foresaid length, quite disinhabited. And this is the reason that the people doe not give themselves to thrive, nor to trades, as in former times: whereby honest labour is much decaied, and the pre∣sent quantities of Merchandize nothing answerable to the former reckoning. As well you may perceive in this one Hi∣storie, wherein I will shew you two rare accidents, how three Brethren Merchants did rise up to great wealth, and in what manner they were fleeced.

They traded together in one stocke, and were found to be worth three hundred thousand rubbies, besides lands, stocke and other commodities. They that knew them re∣port, That they set ten thousand men on worke all the yeare long, in making of salt, carriages by cart and water, hewing of wood, and such like labours; besides five thou∣sand bond-slaves at least, to inhabit and till their land. They had all manner of Artificers; Physitians, Surgeons, Apo∣thecaries (Dutchmen) belonging unto them; And for custome paid unto the Emperor came (the true cause wher∣fore they were the longer permitted to enjoy their thrift) twentie three thousand rubbles per annum, besides the main∣tayning of certaine garrisons on the borders of Siberia, which were neere unto them. Now if any man object, how these men could come to such an estate of wealth, under such an exactious Prince: First, he must understand, that their dwelling was in Wichida, a thousand miles from Mosco, and the eye of the Court: Secondly, that forbearance is no quittance: For the Emperour was well content to use their purses, untill such time as they had perfected their designes in Siberia; and that, by burning and cutting downe woods, from Wichida to Permia, a progresse of a thousand Versts, they had made the land habitable. But at last, He, envy∣ing

& disdayning that a Monsick should grow to be so great a man, against the rules of their policie; first began to pull from them sometimes twentie thousand rubbles, and some∣times more; and then, the greatest part of their Inheritance: So that at this day their Sonnes are well eased of their stocke, and have but small part of their Fathers substance.

Neither is this State content to tyrannize ouer their bo∣dies, goods and lands, but he doth the like ouer their wits and capacities. For, for any extraordinarie perfection in any common Art, much lesse in learning, you shall never see them excellent, from which they are kept of purpose, as they are also (being no Boiardi, Gentlemen) from all mi∣litarie practice.

And because they should prove utterly unapt for any profession, save servilitie, they are forbidden to travell; so that you shall never meet with a Russe in forren Countries, except it be some Ambassadour, or perhaps some stragling companion, who hath narrowly escaped the watch on the borders.

The penalty upon taking, is no lesse than confiscation of all his goods. Neither will they suffer any stranger willing∣ly to enter their Countrie, further than the necessitie of ven∣ting their commodities, and taking in of forren doth inforce them.

Their capitall punishments are hanging, rodding, knock∣ing on the heads, drowning, putting under the ice, impaling a stake, and such like.

By this a man may ghesse of his riches: for he is not only absolute Lord of all, but also he useth the service of their bo∣dies at his pleasure, and what portion of their goods him listeth. Of the skins of wilde beasts he challengeth what por∣tion he liketh; and of every sort of Fish, even what he will (as hereafter.) The skins are sold or given, as pleaseth him: the Fish (dried in the winde) is kept for victualling the gar∣risons. In the market no man may sell his wares, before the King hath sold. He hath not many Mines of Gold or Silver. The best Mart-Townes, from whence he gathereth the

greatest part of his Revenues, are Astrachan at the Caspian sea, whither the wares of the Persians and Armenians are brought; and S. Nicholas, whither the ships of the En∣glish and Hollanders doe arrive, laden with Cloth and other Merchandize, which from thence are transported to Volog∣da. When his Ambassadors returne, he taketh from them the presents given them by forren Princes, and in stead thereof bestoweth upon them some other reward, and many times nothing at all. To speake in a word: he gleaneth whatsoever is good or ought worth, through his whole Kingdome; it is thought that he hath great store of Treasure in his Castles of Mosco, Ieraslave, and the Marishes of Albi; which may be true: for the great Duke Iohn wasted in a manner all Li∣vonia, sparing neither Relique, Chalice, Crucifix, nor any or∣nament of silver: and of that which is once brought in, he suffereth no part thereof to be transported, unlesse it be for the ransome of souldiers taken in the war, or of the poore people carried into captivitie. This is most true, that when he lost Livonia, which King Stephen of Poland reconquered, in the yeare of our Lord 1582. he lost the richest Province of all his Dominions, for the Traffike of the Baltike sea; and the best, for the strength of 34. castles standing therein.

The strength of the Kingdome consisteth in the manifold numbers of Rivers and Marishes, and in the thicknesse of woods. Besides, they use to lay wast the parts neerest their e∣nemies, that there the Woods may grow thicker, which for the moisture of the soyle quickly commeth to passe, and are as available, as a wall or trench to the defence of the next townes. This policie brought great travel to the Polan∣ders, for they were constrained to lose much time in cutting downe the woods, before they could come to the inhabited places of their enemies. They have a few fortresses, some built of stone, some of bricke after the Italian fashion, but with∣out strength of moderne devices or cunning workmanship. Such are the Castles of Mosco, Novograd, Plescovia, Porco∣via, Slobadie: some are wrought with twigs and earth, well troden downe, as Smoloncke. But commonly the wals of

strong places are built of great beames stuffed with Turffe or Mosse leaving loop-holes for shot. This fortifying is very a∣vailable against great Ordnance, but exceeding subject to fi∣ring. They serve in the field (as we told you before, treating of his government) rather bearing themselves valiantly for feare of punishment, than of their own natures shewing any alacritie or willingnes to the service. He hath his Captaines at a becke, his Souldiers suffer all extremities patiently; they care not for frost or raine: they indure hunger and scarcitie with incredible contentment; they live with a little: better able to defend a fortresse, than to fight in field; for here cou∣rage and agilitie, there constancie and resolution are most serviceable: whereas the Polanders are better to fight in the field, than to keepe a Castle: as well appeared in either Na∣tiō at the siege of Vobsco, where the Russe repulsed the Polo∣nian King Stephen Battore, with his whole Armie of one hun∣dred thousand men, & forced him in the end to give over his siege, with the losse of many of his best Captaines and Soul∣diers: but in a set field the Russia hath beene ever noted to have had the worse of the Polonian and Sweden. And there∣fore the Great Duke Iohn, finding by experience the unapt∣nesse of his Souldiers, and the readinesse of the Polonians in skirmishes, was wont to say; That his men had need of a spur to drive them forward, and the Polonians wanted a bridle to hold them backe. His chiefest force is in horse; but what number he can raise, who can shew? For I doe not be∣leeve that hee is able (as some say) to arme three hundred thousand, because though his Empire be large, yet for the greatest part it lieth unmanured; as the many dayes journey between Cazan and Astrachan, and scarce meeting one Vil∣lage in the way, may well witnesse. In the war which King Stephen waged against him (being not above sixtie thousand Foot and Horse strong) hee was not able to raise so great a force, I will not say, as to meet him in the open field, but not to hinder him from forcing of Pocovia, V••locoluo, and other peeces, no, nor to divert him from the siege of Plescovia.

In the yeare 1571. the Prince of the Tartars with 80000.

Souldiers, pierced even into the bowels of his Kingdome, and set fire on his Imperiall seat Mosco. Therefore I thinke, that they who report, that the Great Duke can levie three hundred thousand men, and the King of Polonia 200000. doe rather meane heads of Horses than Riders; for there may be so many thousand Horse, and yet every one is not to be counted a Horse of service, no more than every Horseman a Rider, or able to finde himselfe Armour. One hath his heart in his horse; another wants abilitie; a third wants strength of bodie; a fourth, both courage and strength: yea, admit he could raise so many men (as these Writers speake of) yet would it be a hard matter, perchance impossible, for him to assemble them in one place; or if he could, where would wages or victuals be found sufficient to sustaine them For two hundred Horsemen in Moscovie, require three hun∣dred Packe-horses, and so many tenders, who must all be fed; as likewise the victualers, the Merchant, the Artificers, and such Servants as can hardly be spared in warlike enterpri∣ses. To performe this, whole Moscovie must of necessity be gathered into one place; and then it were to be feared, lest in so great a journey from one part of the Kingdome, the other part opposite would runne to ruine and decay. Likewise, although such a proportion of Horse, as hath beene spoken of, might be raised, it were not wisdome for the State to strip the Borders of their Garrisons, the Provinces of their finewes, the Cities of their Magistrates, and the Countrie of Husbandmen.

In which point Basilius, in the conquest of Lituania and Livonia. committed a great oversight; for that, taking away with him the upland and Country people; who should have tilled the ground, and might easily have been kept in order without any danger, by other good policies; by this course was afterwards driven many yeres together, to victu∣all the Countrie (especially the great Townes) out of his owne Countrie of Russia. And againe, when he first conque∣red the Countries, he committed no lesse an error in suffering the Natives to keepe their possessions, and to inhabit

all their Townes, onely paying him a tribute, under the go∣vernment of his Russe Captaines, whose conspiracies and at∣tempts were the losse of these places. The like fell out at the Port-Towne of Narve in Liesland, where his Son Iuan Va∣siliwich, built a Towne and a Castle on the other side of the River (called Ivangorod) to keep the Countrie in subjection, which so fortified, was thought to be invincible: When it was furnished, for reward to the Architect (being a Po∣lonian) he put out both his eyes, to disable him to build the like againe. But having left all the Natives within their owne Countrie, without abating their number and strength in due order, the Towne and Castle not long af∣ter was betraied to the King of Sweden. Therefore I con∣clude, that that Prince whose Kingdome is able to afford him an hundred and fiftie thousand Horse, to be bravely fur∣nished, if he can bring into the field but the third part (I speake of war, and not of incursions.)

Some more modest in writing affirme, that the Mosco∣vite could levie an hundred and fiftie thousand Horse, if necessitie to defend himselfe forced him thereunto: And that Iohn the third, in the voyage of Astrachan, entertained an hundred & twentie thousand Horse, and twentie thousand foot. The same King invading Livonia in the time of King Alexander, levied a mightie Army, and notwithstanding, maintained another upon the borders of the Kingdome. The great Duke Iohn adjoyning to his troops of Horse certaine thousands of shot, most Strangers, which yeelded him no∣table service in the defence of his Cities.

And to make good the aforesaid proportion of Cavalrie, the Englishmen, who by reason of their intercourse in those Countries, are best acquainted with these Relations, doe write, that the ordinarie number of souldiers enter∣tained in continuall pay is this: first, hee hath his Dowran∣cie (viz.) Pensioners, or guard of his person, to the number of 15000. horsmen, with their Captaines & other Officers, that are alwaies in a readinesse. These 15000. are divided into three sorts: the first are cheife Pensioners, & they receive some

an hundred, some fourescore rubbles a yeare, none under seventie. The second sort receive betwixt sixtie and fiftie, none under fortie. The third and lowest sort receive thirtie a yeare, some 25, some 20, none under 12. the whole summe ariseth to fiftie five thousand rubbles by yeare.

Besides these 15000 Horsemen, (being the guard of the Emperours owne person, when himselfe goeth to the wars, resembling the Roman praetorian souldiers) there are 110. men of speciall account for their Nobilitie and trust, chosen by the Emperour, who are bound to finde 65000. Horsemen, with all necessaries meet for the wars, after the Russian man∣ner. For the which service, they are yearly allowed for themselves, and their companies, the summe of 40000. rub∣bles. These 65000. are bound to repaire to the field every yeare, towards the borders of the Chrim Tartars (except they be otherwayes appointed) whether there be wars with the Tartar, or no. And because it should not prove dange∣rous unto the State, to intrust so great a power to Noble∣men, first as they are many, viz. 110. so are they changed by the Emperour at his pleasure. Secondly, they have their maintenance of the Emperour, being men otherwise borne but to small Revenue. Thirdly, for the most part, they are about the Emperours person, being of his Councell, either speciall, or at large. Fourthly, they are rather pay-masters than Captaines to their Companies; themselves not going forth ordinarily to the wars, save when they are directed by speciall command. So the whole number of horsemen alwayes in readinesse and continuall pay, are fourescore thousand, few more or lesse. If he need a greater number (which seldome hapneth) then he entertaineth those Gentlemen which are out of pay: If yet he want, he giveth charge unto his Noblemen that hold Lands of him, to bring into the field everie man proportionable number of his Ser∣vants (called Rolophey, viz. such as till his Lands) with their furniture: the which service being done, presently they lay downe their Weapons, and returne againe to their servile labours.

Of Footmen in continuall pay, he hath twelve thousand all Harquebushers, whereof five thousand attend about the citie of Mosco, or where the Emperour shall abide; and two thousand (called Stremaney strelsey, or Gunners at the stir∣rop,) about his own person at the Court or House where him∣selfe lodgeth. The residue are placed in Garrisons, till times of service, and receive for their salarie every man seven rub∣bles a yeare, besides twelve measures apeece of Rice and Oates. Of mercenary souldiers being strangers, (1588) he had three thousand Polonians: Of Chyrchasses (who are under the Polonians) about foure thousand: Of Dutch and Scots 150. Of Greekes, Turkes, and Swedens, all in one band, a hundred or thereabouts. These they imploy only upon the Tartarian side, and against the Siberians, as they doe the Tar∣tar souldiers (whom they sometime hire, & but only for the present) on the other side, against the Polonian and Sweden. Concerning their arming, they are but sleightly appoin∣ted: The Common Horseman hath nothing but his Bow in his case under his right arme, and his Quiver and Sword hanging on the left side, except some few that beare a case of Dags, or a Iavelin, or short Staffe along their Horse side. The Noblemen ride better and richer appointed; their Swords, Bowes and Arrowes, are of the Turkish fashion, and practise as the Tartars, to shoot forwards and back∣wards, as they flie, or retire.

The Footman hath nothing but his peece in his hand, his casting-hatchet at his backe, and his sword by his side; pro∣vision of victuall the Emperour alloweth none, either for Captaine or Souldier, neither provideth any, except per∣adventure some corne for their money. Every man is to bring sufficient for himselfe for foure moneths, and if need require, to give order for more to be brought after him to the Campe from his Tenant that tilleth his Land, or some other place: for diet and lodging, every Russie is prepared a Soul∣dier before-hand; for though the Chiefe Captaines carry tents with them after the fashion of ours, with some better provision of victuall than the rest: yet the com∣mon

sort bring nothing with them, save a kinde of dried bread, with some store of meale; which they temper with water, and so make it into a ball, or small lumpe of dough, and this they eat raw in stead of bread: their meat is Bacon, or some flesh, or fish, dried after the Dutch manner. If this Souldier were as hardy to execute, as he is able to beare out toyle and travell, or as apt & well trained, as he is indifferent for his lodging and dyet; he would farre exceed the servi∣tors of other Provinces. For every Souldier in Russia is a Gentleman, and none Gentlemen but Souldiers, so that the son of a Gentleman is ever a Gentleman, and a Souldier with∣all, bound unto no other profession, but meere Souldierie.

It is thought, that no Prince in Christendome hath better store of munition, which may partly appeare by the Artille∣ry-house at Mosco, where are divers sorts of great Ordnance, all of Brasse, very faire, and to an exceeding great number.

Upon his frontiers lie the Tartars, Precopenses, those of the Taurica Chersonesus, the Circassi, and the Nagayans. These people inhabit a Countrey seven daies journey distant, and are governed by Dukes, after the manner of the Helve∣tians. He hath received great injury of the Precopenses, without hope of amends; because they are confederate with the great Turke, and by him furnisht with Harquebusi∣ers, and Ordnance, and have in their Kingdome many strong places fortified with Turkish Garrisons: and therefore he thinketh it hard and dangerous to invade them being bac∣ked by the Turke, whose power he should likewise stirre up against him: It is the custome of the Precopi (often used) to make inrodes into the Provinces of the Great Duke, as like∣wise of the Polonian, & to carry away whatsoever commeth to hand. If the Great Duke have vanquished the Tartars of C••ssan and Astrachan, let him attribute that Conquest to his great Ordnance, which they wanted. But the Precopi have the use of Guns, and (worth all the rest,) the favour and pro∣tection of the Turkish Emperor; who thirsting to open a way into Moscouy, or the Caspian sea, assayed not many yeares 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to dig a trench from Tanais to Volga: but his forces

were put to flight by the Moscovites in feare of their utter destruction, if the Turke had brought that designment to effect. This was a device of greater courage than wisdome: for the Moscovites not onely defeated his Navy, taking part thereof; but also put all his Land-forces to the Sword, con∣sisting of fourescore thousand Tartars, five and twenty thou∣sand Turkes, and three thousand Ianizars.

As we have said before, the Circassi live much after the manner of the Swissers; they endevour not to inlarge their owne bounds, but serve for wages, sometime under the Turk sometime under the Persian, sometimes under the Moscovite: from whose Dominions they are so farre disjoyned, that they stand in no feare of their severall greatnesses. The Nagayans are more to be dreaded, for their sudden inrodes and furious incursions, than for jealousie of their forces, or that they are able to raise, or undertake any royall voyage. Of late times they threatned the Moscovite, but their fury was soon appea∣sed by sending them presents. It is the best course to hazard our money, rather than our forces, against the thefts & spoyls of these barbarous Nations: for when they have neither Ci∣ty nor strong place to subdue; thereby to keepe them in sub∣jection, what can you terme the Warre made against them, but labour with losse, and charge without profit? But to pre∣vent all mischiefes, the Duke is forced to keepe great troopes of Horse in Curachan, Casan, and Viatca, against these Na∣gaij: as also a great Garrison in Culagan upon Tanais against the Precopi.

But the mightiest of them all is the Chrim Tartar, (whom some call the Great Cham) who lieth South and Southeast∣ward from Russia, and doth most annoy the Countrey by of∣ten invasions, commonly once every yeare, sometimes en∣tering very far within the Inland parts. In the yeare 1571. hee pierced as farre as the City Mosco, with an Army of 200000. men, without battell or resistance; for that the Russe Emperour (then Iu••n Vasiliwich) leading forth his Ar∣my to encounter him, mistooke the way. The City he tooke not, but fired the suburbs, which by reason of the buildings

consisting for the most part of wood, kindled so quickly, and went on with such fury, as that it consumed the greatest part thereof, almost within the space of foure houres: where, by fire, and prease 800000. people or more were reported to have perished at that season. Their principall quarrell ari∣seth about certaine Territories claimed by the Tartar, but possessed by the Russe. The Tartar alleageth, that besides Astrachan and Cazan (the ancient possession of the East-Tartar) the whole bounds, North and West-ward, so farre as the Citie of Mosco, and Mosco it selfe, pertaineth to his right; which seemeth to be true by the report of the Russes themselves, that tell of a certaine homage done by the Russe Emperour every yeare to the great Chrim, the Russe Empe∣ror standing on foot, and feeding the Chrims horse sitting on horse-backe, with Oats out of his owne Cap, in stead of a Boule or Manger, and that within the Castle of Mosco.

And this homage they say was done till the time of Ba∣silius, who surprizing the Chrim Tartar by a Stratagem un∣dertooke by one of his Nobility, was content to change this homage into a tribute of Furs: which afterwards also was denyed; whereupon they continue their quarrels, the Russe defending his Countrey and Conquests, and the Chrim in∣vading him once or twice a yeare, sometime about Whitson∣tide, but oftner in Harvest. What time if the great Chrim come in person, he bringeth with him an Army of one hun∣dred thousand, or two hundred thousand men; otherwise they make short and sudden rodes, with lesser numbers, running about the list of the borders like wilde-Geese, inva∣ding, and retyring, as they see advantage. And now being entred thus farre, not without occasion, into the manners of these Tartars, I thinke it not amisse somewhat to discourse of their rights, their Arming, their Religion, and Customes.

Their common practice (being very populous) is to make divers armies, and so drawing the Russe into one or two places of the frontiers, to invade at some place unsuspect∣ed, and without defence. Their order of fight is much after the Russe manner; that is, to thrust on all together without

discipline in a hurry, as they are directed by their Generall; save that they are all Horse-men, and carry nothing else but a Bow, a sheafe of Arrowes, and a Cemiter, after the Tur∣kish fashion. They are very expert Horsemen, and use to shoot as readily backward, as forward. Some will have a Horse-mans staffe like a Boare-speare; besides their other weapons. The common Souldier hath no other armour than his ordinary apparell, viz. a black Sheepe-skin, with the wooll-side outward in the day time, and inwards in the night time, with a Cap of the same. But their Morseis or Noblemen imitate the Turke both in Apparell and Armour. When they are to passe over a River with their Army, they tie three or foure Horses together, and taking peeces of wood, they binde them to the tailes of their Horses, and so sitting on the poles, they drive their Horses over. At handy strokes they are counted farre better men than the Russes, fierce by nature, but more hardy and bloody by continuall practice of war, as men never inured to the delights of peace, nor any civile practice.

Yet their subtiltie is more than may seeme to agree with their barbarous conditions. By their continuall invasions and robberies, they are very pregnant and witty, to devise strata∣gems on the sudden for their advantage. As in their Warres against Beala, the fourth Kings of Hungarie, whom they in∣vaded with 500000. men, and obtained against him a great victory. Wherein having slaine his Chancellor, they found about him the Kings privie Seale, and there with pre∣sently counterfeited Letters in the Kings name to the next Ci∣ties, with charge, That in no case they should convey them∣selves or their goods out of their dwelling places; encoura∣ging the people to abide therein without feare of danger, and withall recounting how base a resolution it were, to a∣bandon their countrey and possessions to so barbarous a Na∣tion as the Tartar; dispraising themselves in all despightfull manner, letting them to understand, that though he had lost his carriages with some few straglers; who had mar∣ched disorderly, yet hee doubted not but to recover that

losse with the fortune of a noble victory, if the savage Tar∣tar durst abide him in the field. To this purpose having writ∣ten their Letters in the Polish Character (by the helpe of certaine young men taken prisoners in the field) signed with the Kings seale, they dispatched them forth to all the ad∣jacent quarters of the Countrey; whereupon the Hunga∣rians that were now posting away with their goods, wives, and children, on the rumour of the Kings overthrow, by the comfort of these counterfeit letters, stopped their jour∣ney, and so being surprized, were hem'd in, and made a prey to the huge numbers of these barbarous Tartarians.

When they besiege a Towne or Fort, they offer much parle, and pretend many flattering courtesies to perswade a surrender, and being once possessed of the place, they leave no cruelty unpractised, affirming, that faith & justice is to be kept toward no people but their owne. In their encounters (where they alway practise by ambushments) they retire as repulsed for feare, so to draw their enemies within dan∣ger: but the Russe being well acquainted with this sub∣tiltie, is very wary of them. When they warre in small numbers, like Rovers, to make their Army seeme greater, they set counterfeit shapes of men on horsebacke.

When they give the onset, they make a great and barba∣rous shout, crying all together Olla Billa, Olla Billa, God helpe us, God helpe us; They contemne death in that de∣sperate manner, that they chuse rather to die than yeeld: and when they are wounded to death, & past recovery, they have beene seene to bite their weapons in rage; wherein ap∣peareth the great difference of courage between the Tartar, the Russe, and the Turke: For if the Russe souldier be once put to retire, all his safety is set on speedy and resolved flight, and being once taken, he neither defendeth himselfe, nor intreateth for mercy, as reckoning straight to die: and the Turke commonly, when he is past hope of escaping, falleth to intreat, and casting away his weapon, offereth both his hands as it were to bee manacled, chusing rather to live a slave, than to die constantly.

The chiefest bootie they desire is to get store of captives, especially young Boyes and Girles, whom they sell to the Turkes, or other their neighbours. And the Russe borderers (being used to their invasions, lightly every Summer) keepe few other Cattell on the borders save Swine, which the Tartars will not touch nor drive away, because they are of the Turkish Religion, and will eat no Swines flesh. Of Christ, they confesse as much as the Turke doth in his Al∣coran, viz. That he came of the Angell Gabriel and Mary; that he was a great Prophet, and shall bee Judge of the world at the last day. In other matters likewise they are much ordered after the manner and direction of the Turke, as having felt his force at the winnings of Azon and Caf∣fa, with some other territories about the Euxine Sea, which before were Tributaries to this Chrim Tartar. So that at this day, most usually the Emperour of the Chrim is chosen out of the Tartar Nobility by the Turks appointment, and to him they give the tenths of their spoiles gotten by warre from the Christians. Under the Emperour they have cer∣taine Dukes, whom they call Morses or Divoy morses, that rule over a certaine number of 1000. 20000. or 40000. apeece, which they terme Hords. When the Emperour hath use of them in his warres, they are bound to come and to bring with them their proportion of Souldiers, every man with two horse at least, the one to ride on, the other to kill, when it commeth to his turne to have him eaten. For their chiefe victuall is horse-flesh, which they eat without bread, or any thing else with it. And yet (with marvell) though they serve all on horsebacke, and eat all of horse-flesh, there are brought yearely to the Mosco to bee sold 30 or 40000 Horse. So they have great droves of Kine, and flocks of blacke Sheepe, which they keepe rather for their skinnes, than for their flesh, though sometime they eat of it. Townes they plant none, nor other standing buildings; but have moving houses built on wheeles, like a Shepherds cottage: these they draw with them wheresoever they goe, driving their Cattell with them, and when they come to their jour∣nies

end, they plant these Cart-houses in a ranke, in forme of a Towne with large streets: neither hath the Emperour himselfe other place ormanner of dwelling; saying, That the fixed and standing buildings of other Countries are un∣wholesome and unsavoury.

In the Spring they beginne to move their houses from the South parts towards the North, and so driving on till they have grazed up all to the farthest part of the North; they returne backe againe towards the South (where they conti∣nue all the Winter) by ten miles a stage. Of Money they have no use at all, preferring Brasse and Steele before other Metals, which they use for swords, knives and other ne∣cessaries; gold and silver they neglect of purpose, as also tillage, to be more free for their wandring kinde of life, and to keepe their Countrey lesse subject to invasions. Which course indeed cannot but prove disadvantagious to the In∣vaders, as it hapned in old time to Cyrus, and Darius Hista∣spis. For their manner is, when they are invaded, by flying, reculing, and fained feare, to draw their enemies some good way into the bowels of their Countrey; and then when victuals beginne to grow scarce, and other extremities to oppresse their enemies, (as needs they must, where nothing is to be had) they stop up the passages, and inclose them with multitudes. By which policy (as some write) they had well-nigh surprized the Army of Tamerlane, had hee not with all expedition retired towards the River Tanais.

For Person and Complexion; they have broad and flat visages, of a tawny colour, firce and cruell in lookes, thinne-haired on the upper lip and a pit of the chinne, light and nimble bodied, and short leg'd, as if they were naturally created for horsemen. Their speech is very sudden and loud, speaking as it were out of a deepe hollow throat. Their chie∣fest exercise is shooting, wherein they traine their children from their infancie: and to conclude, are the very same peo∣ple whom the Greekes and Latines called Scytha-Nomades, or the Scythian Shepherds.

There are divers other Tartars (as I have afore said) bor∣dering

upon Russia, as the Nagaij, the Cheremissens, the Mordwits, the Chircasses, and the Shalcans: all differing in name, more than in custome or condition, from the Chrim Tartar, (except the Chircasses that border South∣East toward Lituania,) who are farre more civill than the rest of the Tartars, of a comely personage and stately behavi∣our, as imitating the fashion of the Polonian: whereof some of them have subjected themselves to this Crowne, and pro∣fesse Christianity. The Nagaij lieth Eastward, and is recko∣ned the best man of warre among the Tartars, but very sa∣vage above all the rest. The Cheremissen Tartar lieth be∣tweene the Russie and the Nagaij, and are of two sorts, the Luganoy, that is, of the valley; and the Nagornay, viz. of the hilly Countrey. These have so troubled the Russe Em∣perour, that under colour of a yearely pension of Russie com∣modities, he is content to buy his peace, yet with conditi∣on to serve him in his warres.

The most rude and barbarous is the Mordwit Tartar, a people having many selfe-fashions, and strange kinds of behaviour differing from the rest.

Next to the Kingdome of Astraehan, the farthest part South-East of the Russie dominion lieth the Shalcan, and the Country of Media, whither the Russie Merchants travell for raw Silks, Syndon, Saftron, Skins, and other commodities.

The next bordering neighbour by Finland side, is the King of Sweveland. Of late times this King holding a long warre against him, tooke from him by force the Castles of Sorenesco, and Pernavia the great, and the lesse in Livonia, on the one side, while King Stephen vexed him with a cruell warre on the other. In the utmost bound of the Finland Bay, the Swevian to his great charge possesseth the fortresse of Viburge, maintaining therein a great Garrison to resist the attempts of the Russe. Likewise in that Sea, and on the coast adjoyning, he keepeth the ships of warre, as well to be rea∣dy at all assayes against the approaches of this great Duke, as also to forbid the Easterlings the bringing in of muni∣tion, and warlike furniture into any part of the Russies

Dominions: neither doth he suffer other Ships to saile in those Seas, without a speciall Placard signed with his owne hand: By the benefit of this Navy, the King (wheresoever he finds meanes to use it) becommeth master of the Sea, and by vertue thereof seizeth upon many places on the coast of Livonia, and the bordering territories. But where the Dukes horse, or his great numbers of footmen may stand him in stead, (as in the open field removed from the Sea) there he maketh his part good enough, and most commonly puts the Swevian to the worst. The best is, Nature hath placed be∣tweene them such rough Mountaines, such cold, such Ice, and such snowes, that they cannot greatly endamage one another.

The last neighbour is the King of Poland betweene whom and the great Duke, this is the difference. The Moscovite hath more territories, the Polonians better inhabited, and more civill: the Moscovite more subjects, and more sub∣ject; the Polonian better souldiers, and more couragious: the Moscovites are apter to beare the shocke, than to give a charge; the Polonians, to charge: the Moscovite is fitter to keepe a fortresse; the Polonian, to fight in the field: the Moscovite forces are better united; the Polonian more con∣siderate, and better armed: the Moscovite lesse careth for want and extremities; the Polonian, death and the sword: yea, either Nation is of greater worth, when either of their Princes is of greater magnanimity: As it hapned, when Basilius conquered the great Duchie of Smoloncke, and Po∣loncke, and the large circuit of Livonia: And againe, when Stephen, King of Poland, in his last warres against Iohn Ba∣silius his sonne, reconquered Poloncke, with divers other pla∣ces of good reckoning; besieged the City of Plesko, and forced the Moscovite to leave all Livonia; whereby I con∣clude, such as is the valour and wisdome of either Prince, such is the force and courage of their people.

Notes

• Bounded.
• Shires.
• Situation.
• Mosco.
• The soyle and climate.
• Of Waters.
• Forme of go∣vernment.
• 〈…〉〈…〉▪
• Riches, and commodities.
• Of his Entrada or Revenue.
• Their cruel∣tie in punish∣ing offen∣ders
• Of his strength
• Borderers.
• The Circassi.
• The Nagayans.
• The Chrim Tartars.
• Tartaria
• The Pole.