The estates, empires, & principallities of the world Represented by ye description of countries, maners of inhabitants, riches of prouinces, forces, gouernment, religion; and the princes that haue gouerned in euery estate. With the begin[n]ing of all militarie and religious orders. Translated out of French by Edw: Grimstone, sargeant at armes.

❧ [ B] A DISCOVRSE OF THE ESTATE OF THE KING OF POLAND.

The Contents.

[ C] 1 THe beginning and Etymologie of the name of Poland, the greatnesse, and the Pro∣uinces of this Realme. 2. Diuision of Poland into high and low, and their chiefe townes. 3. Description of Cracouia, the chiefe citie of base Poland: the neigh∣bour places and duchies. 4. Of Liuonia, and her chiefe townes. 5. Lituania, her bounds, chiefe Citie, Duchies, and Palatinats. 6. Samogitia, her length, and confines. 7. Ma∣s••••ia, the Etymologie, and beginning of the name of this Prouince, with her chiefe townes. 8. Vol∣••i••ia, her scituation, and prouinces. 9. Podolia, her limits, and chiefe citie. 10. Russia, the Ety∣mologie of the name, her bounds, countrie, and chiefe towne. 11. Podlassia, when and by whom vnited to Poland; her chiefe townes. 12. Pomerania, her confines, compasse, chiefe townes, and [ D] Islands. 13. Prussia, her bounds, length, and chiefe riuers, when reauced into a secular princi∣palitie, diuided in old time into twelue Dukedomes, but now into two Countries; her chiefe towne Mariembourg. 14. With what things Poland doth abound; and the incredible number of beeues wherewith their forrests are replenished: Of mynes of Azure, Lead, Tron, Copper, and Salt. 15. The Polonians descended from the Selaues: their ceremonies at the naming of their children: what gods they did generally worship. 16. Fire, Wood, and Serpents, worshiped in old time by the Lituanians: with whom the Priests did consult in time of sicknesse: their sacrifice of a Cocke; their feasts, and their ceremonies at their obsequies and funeralls. 17. The manner of liuing of the Polonians at this day, the ••orme of their Characters in writing, and of the vse of the Latin tongue, common to townes and villages: The nobilitie haughtie and proud by nature; their fashion [ E] of apparell and armes. 18. Their riches in all sorts of Graine, Honte, Wax, Flax, Hempe, Cattell, and namely the Salt of Olcen, and Velisques, Azure, mynes of Iron, Amber, Furres of Sables, and other beasts. 19. Of the reuenues of the King of Poland, what it comes to yearely: and of the ri∣ches of the nobilitie. 20. The forces of Poland, wherein they consist: Of the great number of their horsemen, of the carriage of their artillerie, and other munition of warre: Of the strong places of this realme, of their ships, gallies, and other sea forces. 21. Their neighbours as well enemies as friends, and their mightie allies. 22. Their forme of gouernement, and moderne pollicie, more like vnto a Commonweale than a Realme: Of their earthly Nuncios or messengers, their authori∣tie in assemblies and publique consultations of this State: Of the authoritie of their King, and of the Nobilitie. 23. Of the discord among the orders of Senators and Knights: Of noble Fami∣lies, [ F] and of Prouinces. 24. Of two members which make the whole Estate of Poland: and of the number of Archbishops, and Bishops, Palatins, Marshalls, and other dignities of this Realme. 25. Of the opinion of Lutherans and others brought into Prussia, and into the whole Estate of Poland by Merchants, and by Albert of Brandebourg: and what prouinces doe still hold the Ro••is•• religion. 26. A Gen••alogie of the Dukes and Kings of Poland.

[ I] POland, or Polania, is so called by reason of the plaines, which in the [ A] countrie language are called Poles, and it hath also the name of the Realme of the Lechites, of Lechus the first king which did in∣habit Poland, who setled his aboad at Gnesne, about the yeare of Grace 550. This realme is greater at this day than it was euer, by reason of Lituania, and Liuonia, which haue beene added to this Estate. It extends to the riuers of Note, and Orbe, which diuides it from Marchia, and to Odera, which doth in a manner seperat it from Silesia; and vnto Beresina and Nieper, which diuide it from Muscouia, and from the Baltique sea to the riuer of Mester, which diuides it from Moldauia; and it extends also to the Carpathian [ B] hills, which lie betwixt it and Hongarie: so as from the confines of Silesia, vnto the fron∣tiers of Muscouia, betwixt the West & East, it doth contain almost 120 German leagues, and as much from the extremities of Liuonia, vnto the frontiers of Hongarie. And for that it is in a manner of a round forme, it is much bigger than many conceiue it to be. It containes a good number of great prouinces, which be the high and low Polonia, Maso∣uia, Prussia, Podolia, Russia, Volhinia, Liuonia, and Lituania. Poland was found in a man∣ner desart: Prussia, and part of Pomerania, Podolia, Volhinia, Masouia, and Liuonia, haue beene conquered by armes, and Lituania (to the which Samogithia and part of Russia did first belong) had beene the ancient patrimonie of the house of the Iagellons; for in the yeare 1386, Iagellon, sometimes duke of Lituania, married the princesse Ediege, who [ C] onely remained of the royall house of Poland, and was made King vpon three conditi∣ons: That he should become a Christian: That he should draw all his subiects to im∣brace the Christian faith and That he should vnite his Estate to the crowne of Poland. The two first conditions were performed, but not the third, vntill our dayes, whenas the house of Iagellon came to fayle: for their kings being loath to depriue themselues of a patrimoniall Estate, and whereof they were absolute Lords, nor to subiect it to the electi∣on of the Polonians, still deferred the accomplishment thereof, vnder pretext, that they feared the Lituanians would reuolt, and that by this means they should loose that which did belong vnto them: but seeing on the one side, that the princes of their bloud began to fayle (for that the males ended with Sigismond Augustus, King of Poland) and on the [ D] other side, fearing the power of the Muscouites, they haue beene forced to vnite it vnto this crowne.

As for Liuonia, it did in old time belong vnto the Teuton Knights, who had a great maister: but being depriued of a great part of their Estate, by the great duke of Muscouie, in the yeare 1558, for matter of religion; they recommended themselues to Sigismond, king of Poland, who tooke them into his protection. True it is, that this prouince was not freed from the Muscouites command, but by king Stephen, in the yere 1582.

But hauing spoken of all these prouinces in generall, let vs say something in particular; [ II] Poland is diuided into high and low; high Poland, which is also called the North part, is diuided almost equally by the riuer of Warte; and base Poland, which they call the So∣therne, [ E] is watered by the riuer of Vistula. High Poland, which hath for neighbours the Saxons and the Prutheniens, hath receiued this name of High or Great, for that (as we haue said) Lechus, first Founder of the Polonians, planted his seat there, building the towne of Gnesne. This prouince containes these principall townes, which h••ue others lesse in their jurisdictions, that is to say, Posnania, the Metropolitan towne, which hath vnder it Rosceim, Medzyrzeczu, Ostresouu, Vuschauu, Sremk, Prenecz, and Rogozno: Caliz, which hath vnder it, Gnesne, Pyzadry, Vuarte, Naklo, Land, Konin, Slupeza, and Kolo: Siradia, which hath beene taken for a great Duchie, and did belong vnto the se∣cond sonne of the Kings of Poland; it hath these townes vnder it, Orluuia, Piatek, Bresi∣nia, Karnazeu, Inoulodz, Biechou, and others: Cujauia, or Vladislauia, which hath vnder [ F] it Bidgoste: Breste, which hath vnder it Radzaciou, Crusphicie, and Kouualou: Rauam, which hath subiect vnto it Sochaczouia, Gostimin, and Gambin: Ploczko, which hath vnder it the towns of Bisko, Ruchzyayas, Siegres, Srenko, Milauue, Plonsko, and Radza∣nou: Dobrinia, to which are subiect the townes of Slonck, Ripin, and Gorzno.

As for base Poland, since that the royall seat was transported to Cracouia, it hath been [ A] preferred before the other; and it hath three principal townes, that is, Cracouia or Cra∣cou, Sandomire, and Iublin, whereof either of them hath many other townes vnder it.

Cracouia or Cracou, is the chiefe towne of base Poland; and as Petrus Appianus [ III] saieth, it is the same which Ptolome calleth Carodumun: but leauing those controuersies, I say that in this towne is the Castle or Palace of the kings of Poland, in the which they are crowned and interred; by reason wherof it is the most renowned place of the whole realme: there is also in this towne a goodly vniuersitie. The longest day of Sommer is of sixteene houres and one eighth part. There are these three townes ioining to Cracouia, [ B] Clepardie, Stradomie, and Casimire: and this towne hath vnder it those of Bicz, Vuoy∣nicz, Sandecz, Lelouian, Kzyaz, and Proszouice. There are also two duchies in the juris∣diction of Cracouia, the one of Zaton, and the other of Osuuiecine. Sandomire hath vnder it the townes of Checiny, Korczin, Vuislicie, Pilsne, Opozno, Polouiec, Zauui∣chost, Zarnou, and Malegost. Iublin hath vnder it the townes of Vrzendu, Lulou, Par∣cou, and Casimire.

Liuonia is a very great prouince, which hath in length neere vnto the Balticke sea [ IIII] about one hundred twentie and fiue Germane leagues, and in breadeth at least fortie. It hath for bounds vpon the East R••ssia subiect to the Muscouites, from the which it is di∣uided by the riuer of Nerue, and the lake of Beibas: vpon the South Samogithia, to∣wards [ C] the West the Balticke sea, and towards the North Finland, seperated by the gulfe of Fintuque, or of Finland. The chiefe towne of Liuonia is called Rige or Rig, seated neere vnto the mouth of the riuer of Duine: and the other chi••fe townes are Ri∣ualie, commonly called Reuuell, and by the Russians Roliuue, the which hath a great and goodly port in the gulfe of the Baltike sea, Derpt or Derbten, and according vnto the Russians Iuryouugorod••, built neere vnto the bankes of the riuer of Bec, betwixt two lakes in the midd••st of the prouince. The other great towns hauing goodly castles, besides the aboue named, are Vende, or Wendem, in the middest of the countrie, Velin, Pe••nouie, Volmaria or Walmer, Wesembourg, Vitesten, and Narua. This countrie for the most part obeyes the king of Poland; but there are some few places which ac∣knowledge [ D] the Muscouite and the king of Denmarke; and some other obey the king of Sueden, as Reuuel and Narue, with some other small townes.

Lituania, which is of a great extent, lies neere vnto the Muscouite, & hath for bounds [ V] vpon the East a part of Russia, the which doth acknowledge the great Knez; towards the West, Podlasia, Masouia, and Poland; turning a little towards the North, Prusia; vp∣on the North, Liuonia, and Samogithia; and to the South, Podolia, and Volhinia. This prouince containes many duchies and contries, and is diuided into certaine Palatinats like vnto Poland: as the Palatina••s of Vilne, Troc, Minsce. Nou••grod, Brest, Kiouia, and others which may be taken for countries; yet there are few townes, but many villages. The chiefe towne of Lituania is Vilne, the which is as great as Cracouia, with all her sub∣urbes. [ E] They also account of Nouogrod, the which hath seuen Germane l••agues in cir∣cuit: but it is vnder the great duke of Muscouia, and was taken by the Muscouites in the yeare 1477. The chiefe riuer of Lituania, is that of Neper (called Borysth••nes by Ptolome) which comming out of Muscouia, and running beneath Chiouie, falls into the Pontike sea.

Samogithia lies neere to Lituania, and is fiftie miles long. It hath for confines vpon [ VI] the North, Liuonia; vpon the West, the Baltike or Germane sea, which is properly cal∣led the Baltike gulfe, and this sea doth border it, turning a little towards the North; and Prussia is also neere vnto it. There are no remarkable townes, but many small ones, with villages, the which belong as well vnto the king as to priuat gentlem••n, but their houses [ F] are generally ill built.

Masouia is a prouince of great circuit, ioining to Poland, and carries the name of one [ VII] Masse who was duke, but being wholly defeated by Cazimire duke of Poland, in the yere 1045, he fled into Prussia, wher hauing endured many afflictions in the end he hung him∣selfe. It confines vpon the East, with Lituania; vpon the West, with Poland; vpon the

North, with Prussia, and vpon the North, with Russia and Poland. This prouince had [ A] sometimes a particular prince, and was appointed for the king of Polands second sonne: but Iohn and Stanislaus the onely heires of this Estate, dying young, in the yeare 1526, this duchie returned to the crowne of Poland.

Marschouia is the the chiefe towne of this prouince, and hath vnder it the townes of Czirko, Egrod, Zekrozin, Cziechanouu, Czerniensk, Poltouuosk, Rosan, Varka, Blonic, Zarsin, Gadziek, Prasni, and Loraza. This prouince was strangely spoiled and ruined by Mendog duke of Lituania in the yeare 1246, and 1260.

[ VIII] Volhinia lies betwixt Lituania, Podolia, and Russia: it did belong to the duke of Lituania, but now it is vnited to the crowne of Poland. They diuide it into three pro∣uinces, [ B] Leuczko, Volodomere, and Ryzemenec, which are also the names of the three principall townes, the which haue many others vnder them.

[ IX] Podolia hath for limits vpon the South Moldauia, neere vnto the riuer of Tyre, now called Nijester; vpon the East, great desart plaines, not inhabited vnto the marishes of Meotides, or the sea of Zabaques. There is nothing to be seene in all this countrie, but a few scattered townes, by reason of the incursions of the Tartarians. The chiefe towne is Camienec, in a manner diuinely built among precipices, and so strong, as the Tarta∣rians, Valachians, and Turkes haue beene often repulsed with great losse. There is also the towne of Lembourg, famous for the salt meats which they send into many parts.

Russia, which they also call Roxolania or Ruthenia, and was in old time (according to [ C] [ X] the opinion of some) called Rosseia, which is as much to say, as a scattred Nation, for that these people did hold all Sarmatia in Europe, and part of that of Asia, and did extend their collonies from the Frose•• sea vnto the Mediteranian, and Adriatike gulfe, and from the great sea vnto the Baltike: so as all the people which vse the Sclauonian tongue, and follow the religion and ceremonies of the Grecians, are commonly called Russians or Rutheniens. I meane not to discourse here of all Russia, whereof the greatest part obeyes the great Knez, but onely of that which they call the blacke, and according vnto some, the Red or the Southerne. Russia the blacke hath towards the South, the mountaines of Sarmatia, which are also called Carpath••an; and Ta••res; vpon the East, Volhinia, Podo∣lia, and Moldauia; vpon the North, Lituania, and vpon the West, Poland. This Russia [ D] containes the countries and towns of Lempurg, Halicia, Belze, Chelmo, and P••emistia, the which haue many others vnder them. The chiefe towne of the whole prouince is Lempourg, whereas the Archduke hath his seat.

[ XI] Podlassia (a great prouince) hath vpon the West, Masouia, and vpon the East it ioines to Lituania. It was sometimes vnder the dominion the Lituanians, but in the yeare 1569 it was vnited to the crowne of Poland, by Sigismond king of Poland, great duke of Litua∣nia: in it are the townes of Byelsko, Bransko, Suras, and Tykolzin, whereas they keepe the kings treasure: there is also Knyssin, where there is a royall pallace, with a great parke full of diuers kinds of beasts, and goodly channels and ponds full of fish. You may also see the townes of Narew, Vasilkou, and Augustou, a very strong towne, built by king Si∣gismond [ E] Augustus.

[ XII] Pomerania confines with the Baltike sea, & extends it selfe with a long tract of coun∣trie from the extremities of Holsatia vnto the frontires of Liuonia. It is called Pomera∣nia, or the prouince of Pomeran, which is to say Maritime in the Sclauonian tongue. The first inhabitants called it the countrie of Pamorci, and the inhabitants themselues were called Sidines. Th••re are fortie townes enuironed with sea and ditches, besides others, with many castles and monasteries. The chiefe townes are seated neere vnto the sea shore, and there are very few within the countrie: the shore is so well fortified by na∣ture and art, as it feares not any rage of the sea, and is very commodious for shipping.

Her townes which are within the countrie, are Stetin, the chiefe of the whole coun∣tire, [ F] which giues the name vnto a duchie, Neugarde, Lemburg, Stargard, Bergrade, Ca∣menez, Publin, Grisembourg, where there is an vniuersitie built in the yere 1546, Sundr, Puck, Revucall, Louembourg, Hechel, Stralsunde, a pleasant towne and of good traf∣ficke, with many others. In former times there was a goodly towne called Iulinum ••ow

[ A] Voltin, at this day ruined: but aboue all there is the towne of Gedan, Dantz, o•• D••••tzic, which is about fiue miles from the sea; some place this towne in Prussia. There are neere vnto this countrie of Pomerania three Islands, Rugen, in which they number fiue towns, Vfedam, or Vsedom hath three, and Volin, but one.

Prussia, which some others call Borussia, Prutenia, Vlmigauia, and Hulmigeria, hath [ XIII] for bounds vpon the North, the Baltike sea; Lituania and Samogithia vpon the East; the countrie of Pomeran vpon the West, and Poland with Masouia vpon the So••th. The length from North to South containes fiftie eight Poland leagues, from the towne of Torunia, which is vpon the frontier of Masouia, vnto the castle of Memule: and the breadth is fiftie leagues. Her chiefe riuers are, Vistula, Nemen, or Cronon, Nogat, El∣bing, [ B] Vusere, Passaria, Alle, Pregel, Ossa, Drebnicz, Lique, and Lauia.

This prouince was sometimes vnder the Teuton Knights: but after the yeare 1419, the countrie and towne of Prussia offered their obedience to Casimir King of Poland, and reuolted from the Knights: and afterwards, in the yeare 14••0, Prussia refused to obey these Knights, and subiected it selfe to the King of Poland, and the souldiers of the or∣der which were in garrison, sold Mariembourg, with many other townes and castles, in the yeare 1457, for 476000 florins. Yet the Knights refusing to sweare vnto the king of Poland, in the yeare 1498, they made warre with variable successe; vntill that Prussia was reduced vnder a secular Prince, which was Albert Marquis of Brandebourg, the fo••re [ C] and thirtieth and last great maister, who was made Knight of the ord••r, and secular prince at Cracouia, by Sigismond King of Poland, hauing taking a solemne oath vnto him, & the said king gaue him all the lands of Pr••ssia, to hold them of him as his lieg••••••an.

Prussia was in former times diuided into twelue duchies or prouinces, in the yeare 573, by Venedus their prince, according to the number of his children, to either of which he a••••igned a prouince which carried his Lords name. These prouinces or duchies are, Sudauia, which was wholly spoyled by the Teuton Knights; Sambia, at this day called Szamland, Natangia, Nadrauia, Bartonia, Galinde, Varmie, or Wermelande, Hogker∣lande, Culme, Poemsania, and Michlouia. Euerie one of these prouinces containes ••a∣ny townes, built at seuerall times by the Teuton Knights: for that after the Christian re∣ligion [ D] was planted in this countrie, the Knights built seuentie two castels, and sixtie two chiefe townes, whose number is now much increased; so as at this day there is not any prouince in Poland where there are so many townes, nor such goodly castles.

Prussia is now diuided into two countries, the one belonging vnto the duke, the other vnto the king. The duke hath his seat at Montroyall, which the inhabitants call Cumis∣berg, a sea towne, where there is an vniuersitie built by Albert the fir••t duke, who beg••n by the meanes of the king of Polonia, to inioy all the lands of these countries, as vassall to the crowne of Poland. Mariembourg is the chiefe towne of that part of Prussia which the king doth particularly inioy, besides that which he hath yeelded vnto the duke. This towne is rich, well peopled, and strong, hauing a castle well furnished and fortefied, sea∣ted [ E] vpon the riuer of Nogat, which is an arme of Vistula or Vuixell, six miles from the towne of Dantzic towards the East. A little aboue this towne, the riuer of Vistula di∣uides it selfe into two armes, and makes an Island, which is excellent for the fertilitie of the soyle, and the great number of villages and houses. Some doe also place the towne of Dantzic in Prussia, the which is much esteemed for the port, shipping, and storehou∣ses, with aboundance of all sorts of merchandise which are brought thither by sea from the West and Northerne parts, and also by land, and by the riuer of Vistula, which runs through the middest of it.

¶ The Qualitie.

POland is a plaine champian countrie, couered with many forrests, but hauing few [ XIIII] [ F] mountaines within it: the climat of this countrie is cold, by reason wherof they haue neither oliues nor vines: but it abounds in all other things which the earth is accusto∣med to bring forth: for there growes great store of wheat, barley, and all other kind of graine; so as other remote countries tast of her fertilitie. It abounds also in catte••l of all sorts, and in fish. True it is, that for the greatnesse thereof it is not well manured, ••or

that there are diuers great forrests, in which there are many wild beasts. There is also [ A] aboundance of fowle, with great store of fruit, butter, and wax. And as for honie, there is such plentie, as they want places for their bees: for all the trees and woods are blacke with their swarmes.

They haue no mines of gold nor siluer, but in the territorie of Cracouia, whereas they say there is no siluer, as at Sandomire, whereas they haue also found one of Azure: but this countrie yeelds lead, yron, and perfect copper, and there is great store of salt, espe∣cially that of the Myne, which is excellent. In Poland the longest day in Sommer doth not exceed sixteente houres, and fortie minutes.

Liuonia is a countrie full of marishes, plaine for the most part, and without moun∣taines. [ B] There are many riuers which water it, and yet there is much ground vntilled, notwithstanding that it is capable to beare any thing: for it yeelds wheat, and all sorts of fruit in so great aboundance, as they send a good part into forraine countries. This coun∣trie abounds also in beasts, both tame and wild, especially in horses which are verie sure. There is also great store of wax, honie, and pitch: It beares no oliues nor vines. There are many lakes, whereof the chiefe is called Beybas, being fiue and fortie miles long, and abounds in diuers sorts of fish.

Lituania is for the most part full of Moores and Forrests, and therefore not verie acces∣sible. There are verie great lakes, the which in some places are like vnto Seas. There are also many nauigable riuers, the which are more frequented in Winter than in Sommer, [ C] for that the pooles and marishes being frozen, the way is more easie. The ayre is nothing temperat, but troublesome and exceeding cold. The beasts which breed there are small: and besides those which are in Germanie, they haue Bugles, or wild Oxen, raine Deere, and wild Horses. This countrie doth also yeeld aboundance of wheat, but it is seldome ripe. There growes no vines, and they want salt, which comes from other countries. They haue great store of Sable skinnes, and Ermins, and aboundance of pitch, honie, and wax. At Vilne, the longest day in Sommer is seuenteene houres, and one eighth part, and throughout the whole prouince, it is not lesse than sixteen houres, and one sixt part: yet vpon the extremities, towards the North, the longest day in Sommer is almost eigh∣teene houres. [ D]

As for Samogithia, it is exceeding cold, and in a manner continually frozen. There are great store of forrests, whereas they find aboundance of honie, the which is better, more delicat, whiter, and hath lesse wax mingled with it, than in any other place.

Masouia, is for the most part full of woods, whereas they find great store of Bugles, and wild Bulls.

Volhinia, yeelds aboundance of all sorts of graine and fruit, and it hath many forrests, in which they find great store of wild beasts, and there are pooles which abound in fish: It hath much good pasture, and store of honie.

As for Podolia, it is exceeding fertile, so as for one they are accustomed to reape a hun∣dred, and in breaking vp the ground a little, and sowing it with wheat, it beares three [ E] yeares together: neither haue they need to sow their ground euerie yeare, but onely if they shake the corne a little when they reape it, that which falls, serues as seed for the following yeare. Their meadows carrie aboundance of hay, the which grows so high, as they can scarce see the heads of their cattell aboue the grasse, yea in three dayes it will couer a r••dd as it lies: yet the land is hard and stonie, so as they must haue at least six paire of oxen to till it, the which is verie troublesome, both to the cattell, and to those that lead them. There is in this countrie great troupes of oxen and sheepe, and aboundance of wild beasts, with store of honie. It abounds also in salt and horses.

South Russia is exceeding fertile, and abounds in horses, oxen, sheepe, sables, & foxes. There is such store of bees, as they not onely hide their honie in hiues and hollow trees, [ F] but also in rockes and caues vnder ground. There grow no vines: there are store of riuers which water it, and many pooles which haue plentie of fish. They say that in the territo∣rie of Chelme, the braunches of Pine trees being cut and left vpon the ground two or three yeres, grow hard, and are turned into stone. There is also great store of white ch••••ke.

[ A] The countrie of Pomeran is plaine, and hath very few mountaines. It is generally fer∣tile, and is watered with many riuers. The fields are well manured, and there are many nauigable riuers. It doth abound so in tame cattell, wheat, butter, honie, wax, and such like, as it doth furnish other countries with these commodities. The inhabitants of this countrie gather amber, which the flowing of the sea doth cast vpon the shore, but not so plentifully, as in Prussia.

Prussia yeelds aboundance of all things, and is much more happie than all the coun∣tries which lie neere it. For it is pleasant and profitable of all sides, by reason of the great number of ports it hath vpon the Balticke sea, and of diuers g••lfes of the sea. The aire is [ B] mild and temperat; so as you may see great store of cattell of all sorts. The land yeelds aboundance of wheat, the which doth much exceed that of Poland & Lituania in boun∣tie. This countrie abounds with honie like vnto all the Northern regions, and the bees make their honie in hollow trees. There are great forrests, and thicke, full of mightie wild beasts, among which they number the bugles, raine deere, and horses. Moreouer there are many riuers, pooles, and lakes which abound in fish. The inhabitants doe also find amber aboue the Baltike sea, which the inhabitants call Burstin, it is cast vpon the shoare by the waues of the sea and tempests.

¶ The Manners of the Auncients.

[ C] AS the Polonians are said to be descended from the Sclaues, so haue they for a long [ XV] time retained their manners; so as in discouering the one, we should soone come to the knowledge of the other. But to speake something thereof whenas they meant to giue a name to any one of their children, the which they did not vntill they were great. They conducted him to the temple of their gods, and did cut off his first haire, which they offered as a pledge of the seruice which he should do vnto them. To this end they called the kinsfolkes and friends to reioice, and they did sacrifice a hogge, and water mix∣ed with honie, made as we do metheglin. The gods which they did worship were Iessan, that is to say Iupiter, Ladon, which was Pluto, Niam, Diana, Marzim, Mars, Ziztl••a, Ceres, [ D] and Zie••ane, which was Venus, hauing the like opinion of these gods, to other nations, and they did sacrifice in like manner as the Greeks and Romans, solemnizing their feasts with banquets, dancing, singing, and all kinds of sports. And Dlugosse the historian writs, that this kind of reioicing continued vnto his time, which was some yeares after that the Polonians had receiued the Christian religion, yea at this day the Lituanians daunce and reioice. They do often repeat the word Ladon in their dauncing, with clapping of their hands, as Dlugosse saith; for god, Ziuie, which signifies that vitall force of the aire which giues vigour to things that haue life. They did also worship the god or goddesse Pogode, which was the cleerenesse and temperatnesse of the aire.

As for the Lituanians, they had in old time for their gods, fire, wood, and serpents, [ XVI] [ E] which they did nourish in their houses, as their houshould gods, and did offer them sacri∣fices. They did worship the holie fire▪ and did entertaine it in such sort, as it went neuer out: and the sacrificers and ministers of their temples did alwaies feed it, to the end it might not be quencht. When any one was sicke, his friends went to these sacrificers, and demaunded if he were in daunger of death, or should recouer. These sacrificers came by night vnto the fire, and the next day they gaue aunswer to their demaund, saying, th••t they had seene the shadow of the sicke man neere vnto the fire. There were some others in the countrie which did worship the Sunne and woods, and the higher a tree was, the more honour they did it. They were in old time so poore, and of such small reputation with the Russians, as the lords and princes of Kinia could draw nothing from them in [ F] signe of subiection but raggs, corke, and other base things. I had forgotten to say that they did offer cocks vnto their serpents, and did feed them with milke. They had solemne feasts euery yeare after haruest towards the moneth of September, and when they came from the warre, they did burne for a sacrifice the spoiles which they had taken from their aduersaries, and one of their enemies did serue for an oblation. Whenas any one of

them dyed, they did burne his best moueables with his bodie, and his fairest bones, of••e∣ring [ A] milke and honie vpon his tombe. Before they receiued the Christian faith, there were none but gentlemen that vsed cloth or shooes, for the common people were couered with linnen cloth, and the skins of wild beasts.

As for the Samogithians, it is not long since that they were ignorant of gold, siluer, copper, yron, and wine. Among them it was lawfull for a man to haue many wiues, and for the sonne to marrie his mother in law after his fathers death, and the brother his sister in law. This people had fire for their greatest god, the which they held sacred, and which was neuer out, but was kept vpon a high mountaine, by their sacrificator. They had for∣rests which they did worship as Saints, and as the abyding places of their gods, and they [ B] were fallen into such follie, as they thought that these forrests, and the beasts which did liue in them were Saints, and that whatsoeuer did enter was reputed for holie. They had in these woods harths seperated one from another for their houses and families, vpon the which they burnt the bodies of their bests friends, with their horses, saddles, and harnesse, and their best apparrel. Neere vnto these harths, they did set stooles made of corke, vpon the which they did leaue meat made of meale in forme of cheses, and they did poure beere vpon the fire: wherein they were so abused, as they did beleeue that the soules of their dead friends (whose bodies they had burnt) came in the night, and tooke their re∣flection there. If any one offered any violence to the forrests, or to the birds or beasts that were in them, his hands and feet grew croked by a diuilish art. [ C]

They of Liuonia were for a long time barbarous and vnciuile, and giuen to the wor∣shiping of gods, almost like vnto the former. The simplicitie of this people was so great, as hauing prest honie, they did cast away the wax, as a superfluitie and ordure. They had commonly in their mouthes this word of Iehu, whereof they of that time knew the ex∣plication.

The Prussians were in old time very cruell and barbarous, and great drinkers, taking most delight in mares milke, before they knew the vse of Metheglin. They had libertie to marrie as many wiues as they lift, and they held them in subiection like vnto seruants. When they were tired with labour, or with ouer much drinking, their bathes and stoues did helpe to refresh them, yea in the extremitie of Winter, they were accustomed to [ D] bath themselues in cold water. They did interre the dead with their richest moueables, armes, and horses, and to them that died in battaile, they did sacrifice some one of their enemies which they had taken. They did worship the Fire, the Sunne, Moone, Beasts, Serpents, and many other things. They were very charitable to the needie, and went forth to succour them that were in danger at sea, or to helpe such as were pursued by pirats. They made no esteeme of gold nor siluer; and they had store of excellent furres, which they gaue for other garments of wooll.

¶ The Manners at this day.

[ XVII] THe Polonians at this day differ much from the rudenesse and crueltie of the ancient [ E] Sarmatians. They are wise and discreet in their actions, and very courteous to stran∣gers, except the common people, who draw & exact from them all they can. They drinke willingly, like vnto other Northern nations, but the vse of wine is very rare, and they ••aue not the skill to plant vines. They make a certaine drinke with corne and other things, which they call beere, & it is like to ours. The characters which they vse in writing are composed partly of the Greeke, and partly of their countrie: and the men and wo∣men attire themselues in a manner like vnto the Grecians. The Polonians abhorre theft and robbing, and the countrie is so safe in that respect, as in Winter you shall see a man alone go a great iourney in a little wagon draw by one or two horses. The men are very [ F] industrious, and haue the knowledge of many tongues, especially of the Latin, the which they vse as commonly both in townes and villages, as their vulgar tongue, and it is fami∣liar both to rich and poore. The gentlemen loue to be statelie in their attire and armes. They are valiant by nature, and although their enemies haue an aduantage in regard of

[ A] n••mber, yet they will attend them, yea and charge them. The gentlemen which are not newly raysed, doe not easily endure any wrong done vnto them by noblemen, but seeke to haue reason and satisfaction, gathering together as many of their kinsfolks and friends as possibly they can. Finally, to speake generally of the Polonians, they are rather pro∣digall than liberall, for that they doe nothing but make feasts, and their delight is to en∣tertaine many persons, and to feed a great number of seruants.

As for the Lituanians, passing through the countrie in Winter, they gouerne them∣selues by the North Starre, as others doe at Sea. They haue no vse of money. The wo∣men of this countrie haue friends by their husbands sufferance and leaue, whom they en∣ioy in their sports of loue when they please, and yet if a married man had a Mistris, he [ B] should be blamed. Among them marriages are nothing sure, for they breake them easily, and quit one another by a common consent, marrying and remarrying as often as the humor takes them. Wine is not much in vse, and their bread is verie blacke, for that the corne is not well sifted and boulted. Their troupes furnish them with drinke, for that they haue aboundance of milke, which they vse in stead of wine. They speake the Scla∣uonian tongue like vnto the Polonians. Whenas the Lituanians haue warre against any one, they go rather with a great preparation of furniture, than well appointed to fight. Their forces also slip away presently; and if they be forced to pursue, they presently send home vnto their houses what they hold most pretious and deere, and so follow their Generall more by force than for any desire they haue to serue him, and to fight. This [ C] doth appeare plainely, for that great men which are bound to serue the king with a cer∣taine number of men, redeeme this seruitude and subiection with a great summe of mo∣ney, and this is so ordinarie a thing amongst them, as it is no blemish nor aspersion, for that the Generalls and Collonels will cause a proclamation to be made by the sound of a Trumpet, throughout the armie, that if any haue a desire to retire themselues, they may doe it bringing their money, and that they shall haue leaue. They are so licentiously dis∣pensed withall to doe any thing, as this excesse of libertie makes them to abuse the con∣dition wherein they liue. They weare long garments, like vnto the Tartarians, but they carrie a Launce and a Targuet after the manner of the Hongarians. They haue good [ D] horses, but they are all guelt, and neuer shod. They gouerne them at their pleasures with a small snaffle, neuer vsing any bit which is troublesome or rough.

The people are miserable, and held in great captiuitie, for that great men when they passe through the countrie accompanied with many footmen, enter into Pesants houses, and take away what they please, yea and many times beat them cruelly. It is not lawfull for a farmer to come emptie handed before his Landlord; and as for others, besides their rent, they are bound to giue them weekely three or foure dayes worke. If their C••••ats wife be dead, or if he marries, or hath a ch••ld borne, they are bound to giue him a cer∣taine summe of money, for this consideration onely, that he heares them in confession all the yeare long. If any one hath committed a crime worthie of death he must hang him∣selfe, [ E] as soone as the princes commaundement is signified vnto him, ••lse he is beaten and tormented cruelly before they put him to death.

The Liuonians are much giuen to gluttonie and drunkennesse, and this dissolution and excesse is practised more in rich mens houses than in any other place. He that can beare most wine, and continue longest at the table eating, is welcome; but in the end, he hath for his reward, scabbes, gout, bloudie flix, dropsie, or some such like disease. Some gentlemen are liberall to these gluttons and drunkards, and in the meane time to enter∣taine this liberalitie, they ransome the Pesants; so as whatsoeuer these poore men can get with much sweat and paine, the other spend in excesse and disorder. The Pesants are in a manner all slaues, and when any one not able to endure ••unger, whipping, nor [ F] the great tyrannie of his lord, goes away, if the gentlemen ouertake him, they cut off his foot, to the end he shall flie away no more. These poore slaues are fed with such sharpe meat, as euen swine in a maner would disdaine to tast of that which they eat. They weare shooes made of barke, whereof a payre costs but three deniers. Instead of singing, they* 1.1 houle like Wolues, and they haue continually, as in old time, the word Ichu in their

mouthes. When they are demanded what they meane by this word Iehu, they answer, [ A] that they know not; but they doe therein follow the custome of their predecessours. Fi∣nally, these poore men liue like beasts, and are intreated in a manner like beasts. Whenas they go to burie any one, they turne round about him, drinking carouse, and they inuite him to drinke, powring his part vpon him. And when they put him into the graue, they set by him a hatchet, wine, and meat, and a little money for his voyage; and whilest that they were subiect to the Teuton Knights, they sayd vnto their dead, Go vnto the other world, where thou shalt haue power and commaund ouer the Teutons, as they haue had ouer thee in this world. As for marriages, if any one will marrie a wife, he must rauish her often. The inhabitants of Liuonia are of diuers nations, for there are Liuoni∣ans, [ B] Curons, and Letiens, which haue diuers languages: yet in townes and castles they speake for the most part the German tongue.

They hold that the ••omen of the towne of Rig in Liuonia, are gallant and stately, and contemne them that come from any other countrie. They should be well married if they were not called Ladies. They are not giuen to doe any thing, but liue continually in idle∣and delights. In stead of spinning, or doing some other worke fit for women, they haue coaches and wagons in which they go abroad in Winter, and little boats in Sommer to sport themselues vpon the water.

The Samogitians are of a goodly stature, but vnciuile, rude, and barbarous. They are bold and apt to warre. They weare corselets, and vse pertu••sans, like vnto our men, but [ C] somewhat shorter. Their horses are little, and yet they toyle them infinitly. They breake vp the ground be it neuer so hard, with a woodden share, like vnto the Muscouites. One of their gouernours desiring to ease them, caused shares of yron to be brought, but it fal∣ling out for two or three yeares together that the earth did yeeld but little, for that the aire was verie intemperat, this grosse and dull headed people began to mutine, and to say, That this scarsitie fell vpon them for that they made them to plough with yron, con∣trarie to the custome, the which made their land vnfruitfull: so as the Gouernor was for∣ced (to auoid sedition) to suffer them to plough at their owne pleasures. And for that the people are so grosse, the deuill doth amase them often with strange illusions.

They marrie many wiues, and without any consideration of bloud, nor parcentage, for [ D] that the sonne after the death of the father marries his mother in law, and the brother makes no conscience to take his sister in law to wife. They vse no coyne, and build their houses verie low, couering them with straw and durt, and making the roofe of it like vnto a barke or a galley, vpon the top whereof they make a window which giues light vnto the whole house. They haue alwaies fire burning, as well to dresse their meat, as by rea∣son of the cold, the which is so vehement, as their riuers are frozen in a manner all the yeare long. They make the harth in the middest of the house, to the end that the good man being set, may in warming of himselfe haue an eye ouer his houshold and troupes; for that both men and beasts lye all vnder one roofe, without any seperation.

The richest and men of greatest power in stead of cups of siluer, or gilt, haue some [ E] which are made of bugles hornes. They vse no stoues or hothouses, like vnto their neigh∣bours. They are naturally inclined to diuination, charmes, and sorceries, and to the ob∣seruation of Auguri••s. They doe all in a manner eat verie blacke bread, which is little worth. Most commonly they drinke nothing but water, and they doe seldome vse Beere or Metheglin. As for their apparell and language, they differ little from the Litua∣niens.

The Masouians differ not from the Polonians in regard of their manners and apparell, and they vse the same language, only they add certaine whistlings, which makes them to differ a little: but they are exceeding valiant. The Volhinians also are full of courage, but their language and manners are like vnto the Russians. [ F]

The Southerne Russians are strong and valiant: in warre they vse the bow, and a pike of twelue foot long. They doe strangely hate the name of King. The Polonians haue co∣lonies in a manner throughout all this Russia, and almost all the Knights and chiefe of the countrie are Polonians.

[ A] The inhabitants of Pomeran haue kept their language and maners from the Vandales, vntill they receiued the Christian faith, at which time they learned the Saxon tongue, which they speake at this day.

The Prussians, especially the nobilitie, descend from the Germans, and retain much of their nature. They build higher than the Polonians, and their customes continue lon∣ger than those of others. They haue also more art and industrie, and much more pollicie than others; for that to speake the trueth the Germans doe much exceed all other Nor∣thern Regions, either in arts, or in the gouernment of townes.

[ B] ¶ The Riches.

THe wealth of the Polonians consists in aboundance of graine of all sorts, whereof the countrie is so plentifull, as in the yeare 1590, and 91, it did not onely releeue the neighbour countries, but also the riuer of Genoua, Rome, and Tuscanie, notwithstan∣ding that their neighbours were in great want of victualls. They do also make much mo∣ney of their honie, wax, flax, hempe, beeues. sheepe, horses, and bugles. But their greatest commoditie growes by the saltpits of Ocen, which were found out in the yere 1252, and also by them of Vilisgue in the territorie of Cracouia, and in diuers other parts of Rus∣sia, whereas they seeth the water drawne out of deepe pits. Some write that in those hol∣low [ C] caues far vnder ground they shal sometime heare voices like dogs, cockes, and other beasts, which they hold for a presage of some imminent mischiefe. This salt is drawne partly out of mines, and partly out of fountaines: so as they draw a great quantitie out of the earth, but they also (as I haue said) make much by decoction.

They do in like manner make great commoditie of their Azure, and of their mines of yron, whereof they haue store in the wooddie countries: copper, leade mixt with siluer in some places of the jurisdiction of Cracouia, and vpon the limits of Silesia; quicksil∣uer at Tustan in Russia. At Biezze, and in the mountaine countrie they draw Vitriol, the which being boyled turnes greene, and into a stonie substance: they haue in some places marble and alablaster. In the Baltike sea, neere to Dantzic and Montroy all townes [ D] of Prussia, they gather amber vpon the shore, where some men going naked into the sea, draw it forth with little nets, and of this they make a great commoditie. It is at the first soft, but comming into the aire it growes hard, and they fashion it as they please: there is both yellow and white, but the white is most esteemed. Some write that if it be burnt venimous things will die with the sent thereof. And they may also make some com∣moditie of their mines of sulphure.

To conclude, take away the port of Dantzic, you shall not find any other place of traf∣ficke which is of great importance. For as for that which is drawne from other ports of Prussia and Liuonia, it doth not enrich the realme with siluer, neither will it pay for the silkes and cloth which is brought thither out of Flanders and England; nor for the wine, [ E] sugar, fruits, and spice which they bring out of Spaine and Portugal, nor the m••lmesey of Candie, which is sold for sixtie crownes a pipe and more. But to speake something of Dantzic, they hold for certaine that there is sold and exchanged euery day, a thousand charges of wheat and rie, besides wood, pitch, tarre, fl••x, hempe, and beere, with infinit other commodities.

To returne to our discourse, the Polonians sel great store of furres, and skins of diuers beasts, as sables, and foxes, which are very deere. But to conclude, the whole countrie ha∣uing no great trafficke, except the towne of Dantzic, and there being no great trade in any other townes, nor the people of the countrie very industrious; moreouer the Polo∣nians being of that nature as they loue to make good cheere (especially the gentlemen) [ F] and to spend disorderly in feasts and apparell, so as they consume more than their reue∣••ues will beare, for they eate more spice than any other nation, and their wine, silkes, and most of their cloth comes from forraine parts; the countrie must of necessitie be poore of gold and siluer; for that no realme can be rich, vnlesse there goes forth great store of merchandise, and little comes in, to the end that the exportation may bring in

money, and the entrie cause them to disburse little. Hence grow es the wealth of the [ A] realme of Naples, and of the Estate of Milan, whereof the one sends forth great store of corne, wine, oyle, silkes, sa••ron, fruits, horses, and other things, by meanes whereof they draw great summes of money from strangers: and the other doth furnish many countries with corne, rice, cloth, yron workes, and all kinds of merchandise, and receiues little from others. If the realme of Naples (we may say the like of Sicile) had as many artificers, and men of industrie, as it hath fruits and benefits of nature, there were few countries to be compared vnto it.

[ XIX] But to returne to Polonia, the reuenues are not so small as some esteeme them. For first of all the kings reuenues, which they draw chiefely from the mines of salt and siluer, [ B] amount yearely to six hundred thousand crownes. It is true that king Sigismond Augustus did ingage some part, and king Henry a yeare before his departure (meaning to bind the nobilitie vnto him) did alienate for aboue three hundred thousand dollers of rent. But their kings may much augment their reuenues by the death of such as are in possession, annexing vnto the crowne those goods which they were wont to giue vnto priuat men. The king may spare the greatest part of this reuenue, for that he is defraied with his whole court in Lituania, and also in some part of Polonia, whilest he remaines in these ••••ouinces. The kings reuenues should be much greater, if he were not so bountifull to his Palatins and Chastelains, to whom he commonly giues two third parts, & sometimes more of all the rights & duties of their gouernments. But in necessities of war, and in [ C] enterprises of importance, after the resolution of the Estates, they charge the people with great taxes, the which is paied vpon the land, or vpon the imposts of beere, which amounts vnto such a summe, as by the meanes of this money king Stephen mantained a war against the duke of Muscouie for the space of three yeres.

As for the nobilitie, their wealth is commonly well diuided betwixt the noblemen and gentlemen, for there is not any one much richer than another, and the greatest hath not aboue fiue and twentie thousand crownes in yearely reuenues. We must except out of this number the duke of Curland, and Cunisberg: who although they acknowledge the king of Poland to be their Superiour, and they his Feudataries: yet are they no liue∣lie members of the realme, for that they haue no place in their Diets & Assemblies, nor [ D] any part in the kings election, or in the gouernment of the realme; neither doe they passe as noblemen of the countrie, but as strangers, as they are indeed, for that the duke of Cu••land is of the house of Denmarke, and he of Cunisberg of the house of Brande∣bourg: for all Prussia did sometimes belong vnto the Teuton knights, who had a particu∣lar great maister; but not able to resist the forces of Poland, they submitted themselues as Feudataries to king Casimire. In the end the great maistership falling into the hands of Albert of Brand••bourg, he became a Lutheran, and of great maister, duke of Prussia.

¶ The Forces.

[ XX] THe Forces of this realme consist in victualls, siluer, footmen, horsemen, armes, and [ E] munition of war. We haue formerly spoken sufficiently of victualls and siluer, let vs now come to the rest: The nobilitie are bound to serue the king at their owne charge, for the defence of this Estate. These serue on horsebacke, armed, some like vnto our men at armes, some with lighter armes, and some after the manner of the Tartarians. These last are called Cosaques, whose trade is to spoile▪ sacke, and ruine euery thing; and all go vn∣to the war richly apparelled, with cassocks imbrodered with gold, siluer, and diuers co∣loured silkes, with many f••athers, eagles wings, skins of leopards and beares, and with many ensignes of diuers fashions and colours, and many other ornaments fit to make their owne men admire them, or to make them seeme terrible to their enemies. They haue horses of a meane stature, but much more quicke, readie, and couragious than they [ F] of Germanie. They hold that Poland at need is able to make one hundred thousand horse, and Li••uania seuentie thousand, of which number there might be a hundred thou∣sand horses of seruice. It is true that the horses of Poland are much better then those of Li••uania.

[ A] They do so much esteeme their great numbers of horsemen, as contemning all the for∣ces of other princes, they haue had little care to make any forts. They beleeue that ar∣mies led through Champian countries against an enemie, should fight with more cou∣rage for their countrie, wiues, children, libertie, and for their whole estate. They make profession, neuer to turne their backes to the enemie, what accident soeuer happens.

Sigismond Augustus, King of Poland, did often attempt to haue the Estates resolue vp∣on the fortification of Crac••uia, by reason of the Emperours neighbourhood; but he could neuer persuade them to that which he desired; both for that they would not giue their kings meanes to become absolute maisters, by reason of their garrisons, as also, for [ B] that they say, they haue courage and force sufficient to defend the realme. They haue no footmen, for that all the people of the realme are diuided into merchants and artisans which dwell in townes, or labourers and pesants which liue in villages, being subiect, as we haue formerly said: so as the gentlemen onely are armed, and they are not accusto∣med to fight on foot. But whenas they haue any need of footmen, they entertaine Ger∣mans and Hongarians: so as king Stephen in his enterprise of Liu••nia, had about 16000 foot of these two nations, and aboue 40000 horse of his owne realme in his armie.

As for the conduct of artillerie and pioners, they imploy Tartarians, and the Pesants of the countrie. This realme is reasonably well furnished with artillerie and munition of warre; both for that the nobilitie haue much ordnance in their castles and priuat houses, [ C] as also, for that Poland being so neere to Germanie, which yeelds aboundance of mettal, and which hath many maisters for the casting of artillerie, and the making of all things that belongs to armes, it can in no sort want, and it abounds the more, for that it hath so few places of strength: yet it is not without some places of importance, and which are of good consideration, as the forts of Lempourg, and Camenez in South Russia: the castle of Cracouia in base Poland, Polosque vpon the frontiers of Muscouia, and Marienbourg, with some other places which are in Prussia and Liuonia, and which haue been fortified, not by the Polonians, but by the Teuton Knights, who were maisters thereof.

The forces of Poland, whereof we haue made mention, are such both for number and qualitie, as there are few realmes in Europe, I will not say that surmounts them, but that [ D] equalls them. These forces want nothing but promptitude and speed: for there are foure conditions requisit for any estate whatsoeuer, that is, That their forces consist of their owne subiects, and not borrowed, or hired from others, That they haue good numbers, valiant, and quicke in execution: That they be their owne, for that they cannot confident∣ly trust a stranger, That they haue nombers, to the end that if any sinister accident hap∣pen, they may haue new supplies to preuent a greater danger, That they be valiant, for that numbers without valor auaile nothing, and many times they hurt more than helpe, That they be quicke and actiue, to the end they may with more ease and speed be drawne together, and led where need requires. The Polonians want the last of these foure quali∣ties: for the celeritie of an armie depends chiefely▪ vpon two things, that is to say, of the [ E] authoritie of the prince, and to haue speedie meanes to raise money. In Poland the king cannot resolue nor vndertake a warre, nor impose any taxes for the leuying of money without the consent of their Diets and Assemblies. The Diets, where they must as∣semble many men, are like vnto great Engins consisting of many peeces, the which ad∣uance little in long time: and in matters of warre, we must hold those Princes to be soo∣nest readie which may resolue of themselues, and haue money at comm••undment: otherwise when they must assemble, or dispose the Estates to the resolution of that which they haue propounded, and then exact and leuie money, they spend so much time in these businesses, as there remaines little for the enterprise, and the occasion is in the meane time lost. Moreouer, in Poland the noblemen and gentlemen spend so much [ F] going to the Diets, and remaining there, as they haue little mony left to entertaine them afterwards in an armie.

Yet it may be they would resolue more speedily if there were question of the defence, and preseruation of the estate, for that the feare of losse and consideration of daunger makes euery man diligent. But in my opinion they would be verie show and irresolute, if

they should consult of the enterprise of any conquest; for that the hope of good doth [ A] not moue vs so forcibly, as the feare and apprehension of euill: yet we haue seene that the Muscouite tooke from Sigismond the first, the Estate of Poland and Smolen••ue, and yet he shewed no apprehension nor feeling worthie of so great a King, and so powerfull a realme. And the same Muscouite inuaded Liuonia, which had put it selfe vnder the pro∣tection of Sigismond, and found no resistance. But we must confesse, that the forces of Poland, which are great, valiant, and depend not of any one, will alwaies shew themselues readie and resolute if the king haue credit and authoritie among them.

We haue an example hereof in the person of Stephen Battorie, in whose time Poland not onely maintained it selfe in reputation to be able to resist any forraine forces, but also [ B] to make conquest of importance vpon powerfull enemies. But for that we haue spoken of speed and expedition, which is a matter wondefully importing the forces of an Estate, i•• shall not be from the purpose to add the causes of this expedition and speed. The chiefe are (as we haue said) the authoritie of the prince, which giues it motion, and the assurance of readie money which maintaines it; for that we haue seene mightie armies, which haue consumed the time vainly, for that their Generalls were slow; and we haue also seene verie important victories, which haue profited nothing for want of money, without the which, the souldier will not march. The qualitie of souldiers is also of great importance: for we cannot denie but the German and Bohemian footmen want speed and agilitie, the which is proper to the French, Italian, and Spaniard, not for that they are more ac∣••iue [ C] of their persons; but for that they content themselues with lesse, being in armes. If they want wine, they faint not, neither are they discouraged if they haue no flesh, & they doe more willingly endure the toyles and discommodities of warre.

Moreouer, the qualitie of horses doth much import; for that the Flanders horses doe much exceed them of Friseland and Germanie, and the Hongarians them of Poland: the Genets of Spaine exceed the horses of Turkie, and the Barbarian horses are swifter than the rest. As for the Coursers of Naples, they are not so swift as the Gennets, but they will endure trauaile much better, and they are reasonably swift. Experience hath taught vs that the Germane horsemen are not fit to giue chase to an enemie, nor to flie from them, for that they are too heauie: whereas if the Valachians, Hongarians, Polackes, Turkes, [ D] and Moores of Barbarie haue put any one to rout, he cannot escape them, and if any one hath disordred t••em, he cannot follow them: for that sometimes they are behind their enemies backes, and sodainly they are gone farre from them.

As for Sea fights, ships of burthen haue no great agilitie, for that they cannot stirre, nor turne without wind: great Galleasses moue somewhat better, but not much; onely the common gallies are good for this purpose. Wherefore we haue seene that Christian nauies consisting for the most part of ships, haue many times lost a good part of Sommer, which is the onely season to doe an exploit; whereas the Turkes fleets were soone made readie. But there is nothing that makes the Turkes more actiue and speedie than their kind of liuing, contenting themselues with little; for that wine and such delights doe [ E] more trouble our armies than the Turks whole prouision doth theirs: so as it is no won∣der if when they go to any enterprise, they are so well prouided of canons, bullets, poul∣der, and all kind of munition; for that by land they lade their wagons with th••se things, and their gallies at sea, and not with wine and other delights: and to conclude, they go to the warre to fight, and not to drinke drunke.

[ XXI] But to returne to our purpose, the Polackes confine with the Suedens, who haue some places in Liuonia, and with the Marquis of Brand••bourg, and the Emperor, being king of Bohemia: and it is now about 100 yeares that the kings of Poland haue not had any war with these princes; yea the lawfull king of Sueden being king of Poland, he cannot make war against himselfe, and doth onely demaund a part of his realme, detained from [ F] him by his vnc••le Charles. Moreouer, this prince hauing married a daughter of the hou••e of Austria, may liue in peace with the Emperour. And as for the princes of Germanie, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 forces are so equally ballanced, that the Germans feare not that the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 will force their townes, which are well fortified, and furnished with all things necessarie,

[ A] knowing that they want footmen, and the Polonians in like do not feare the Germans in open field.

On the other side the Polacks confine with the Muscouites the Precop of Tartaria, and the Turke. As for the Muscouite, I haue spoken waht is fit in the discourse of Masco∣uia. In regard of the Precop of Tartaria of the Taurique Chersonese, he may draw to field about fiftie thousand horse, and many more with the helpe of the other Tartarians his friends, as he did in the yeare 1569, whenas at the instigation of the Turke he led eith∣tie thousand horses against the Muscouites, and when he burnt the towne of Mosco in the yere 1561, but he cannot continue long in any enterprise of importance, & his trade [ B] is rather to picke, steale, and murther, than to make a well disciplined warre, or to fight a battaile; so as he is more hurtfull than daungerous. His people did much infest Podolia and Volhinia. They haue often consulted how to preuent their incursions, and it hath bin propounded to fortifie certaine Islands of Borysthenes, which the Tartarians passe to en∣ter into the Estates of Polonia, and there to entertaine certain armed vessells, and yet this thing could neuer be put in execution.

The great Turke is very neere to Poland, making himselfe maister of Valachia, which was sometimes feudatorie to the crowne of Poland, according vnto certaine contenti∣o••s which past betwix Alexander Palatin of Valachia, and Lad••slaus king of Poland in the yeare 1403: and also in the yeare 1432, betwixt Elias Palatin, and Ladislaus the third, [ C] this prouince made fiftie thousand horses, and did abound in all commodities; but the wars haue made it in a manner desart, so as they can hardly leuie fiue and twentie thou∣sand horse. But I haue spoken sufficiently in my discourse of the Turks Empire of the ad∣uantages or disaduantages which may be found betwixt these two princes, to the which I will referre the reader.

¶ The Gouernment.

POland hath alwaies beene gouerned as a Monarchie, and they carried onely the name of prince, vntill that the Emperor Otho gaue the royall diademe and honour vnto Bo∣leslaus [ XXII] [ D] surnamed Chobre, soone after that he had receiued the Christian faith, about the yeare of Grace 1100. This honour did not passe the fourth king: for after another Bo∣leslaus, the princes of Poland abstained from the name of king for aboue two hun∣dred yeres. Premisle tooke vpon him that title againe about two hundred and sixtie yeres since, and so it hath continued vnto this day. In the beginning the princes authoritie was more free, not being subiect to any lawes, and hauing absolute power not onely of their Estates, but also of life and death. Since that the Christian religion hath beene generally receiued, it began to be moderated, first by the holie admonitions of Bishops and Clergie men, whose authoritie was great among those people, being then rude & without know∣ledge of learning: and then by the merits and seruices of the nobilitie imploying them∣selues [ E] in war which was often attempted against them, for the defence of the crowne. And whenas good and religious princes would shew their pietie towards God, they gaue many honours and preferments to the Priests and Ministers of sacred things; and vsing their aduice in time of peace, and the valour of many gentlemen and souldiers in time of war, they gaue them many liberties, and did quit much of their rights, the which their successors haue continued. So as rightly considering the gouernment of Poland at this day, it may rather seeme a common weale, than a royaltie: for the kings regal power i•• so limited, as he doth not challenge much right and power ouer his subiects of the millitarie order, that is to say, of the nobilitie, nor ouer their Estates, neither hath he any ouer the Clergie. He may not vndertake any war without the aduice of the Senat, nor [ F] treat any alliance or accord, nor impose subsidies, or taxes, nor alienat any thing of his demeanes, nor do any thing of importance which belongs to the commonweale; for the nobilitie hath great authoritie in Diets and Councells. They chuse the king, and giue him what authoritie they please: and the power of the nobilitie doth daily increase; for that in respect of the kings election they neither haue law, rule, nor forme to do it, nei∣ther

in writing nor by tradition. They onely know that the Archbishop of Gnes••e hath [ A] soueraigne authoritie during the vacancie of the realme, and doth appoint Diets and pre∣side in the Senat, and doth proclaime the new king, and that he with the Archbishop of Leunpurg in Russia, and their Suffragans being thirteene in number, and the Palatins in number eighteene, and the great Chastelains who are thirtie (before that king Stephen had instituted new Bishops, Palatins, and Chastelains in Liuonia whenas he conquered it) and some small number of other persons, enter into this election. The earthly messen∣gers haue also a certaine authoritie: they call certain men so, which are as it were agents of jurisdictions or circles of the nobilitie, which are held throughout the prouinces, especially in those prouinces which are gouerned by States. These at the time of their [ B] Diet meet in a certaine place neere vnto the Senat; there they chuse two Marshalls, by whose meanes they signifie their desire vnto the Senat: and of late daies they haue got∣ten so great reputation and authoritie, as they seeme to be the authors and heads of all the publicke resolutions of the realme, and some haue desired rather to be Nuncios or Messengers than Senators. All these together do more and more restraine the power of their princes, as often as they proceed to any new election. But although the crowne of Poland depends of the free election of the nobilitie, yet do we not read that they haue euer depriued the roiall bloud of the succession, to transport the realme to any other fa∣milie, but once, whenas hauing deposed Ladislaus (who was afterwards restored) they made choice of Wenceslaus of Bohemia: yea they haue alwaies carried honor and respect [ C] to the kings children, as in old time to Edige whom they married to king Iagelon, and in our time to Anne married to king Stephen. And it is well known that Sigismond the third, obtained the crowne of Poland, especially for that he was sonne to Katherine, sister to Sigismond Augustus, and to the said Anne. But although the kings authoritie, as we haue said, depends of others in that which concernes the electio••; yet is it absolute in many things after that he is chosen. He appoints the diets, and prescribs what time and place he pleaseth. He chuseth the secular Councellors, and names the Bishops who shall after∣wards remaine Councellors, without any other formalitie. He is absolute Maister of the reuenues of the crowne, and Lord immediatly of his subiects (but he hath no right ouer the nobilitie) and doth absolutly execute the resolutions made in Diets. He is soueraigne [ D] Iudge of the nobilitie in criminall causes, and he hath meanes to do good to whom he pleaseth. Finally, he hath as much power and authoritie, as he hath pollicie and wit.

The new king of Poland being chosen, he is required to take an oath, That he shal raign according to the lawes and statutes of his auncestors, that he shall maintaine the rights and priuiledges of euery order, and shall not diminish any thing of the reuenues and li∣mits of the realme; yea he shall endeauour to recouer that which others haue lost: and in like manner all the whole Senat doth promise to obey him. In former times their kings were annointed and crowned in the Cathedrall Church of Gnesne, but now in that of Cracouia, by the Archbishop of Gnesne, & two other Bishops. Being annointed betwixt his shouldiers with a sacred oyle before the altar, where he receiues the communion [ E] with a great reuerence, hauing the crowne vpon his head, the septer in his right hand, and a golden ball in the left; then they set him vpon a throne prepared to that end: all things being duely performed, they conduct him thus crowned to his royall pallace. The next day they lead him with the like pompe on horsebacke, hauing the crowne vpon his head, to the pallace, or parliament of the towne, and the chiefe Councellors of the secular or∣der carrie before him the scepter, the golden ball, and the sword, and he is set vpon a high throne. The Senators take their seats a little lower about him: then the king rising from his seat doth thrust forth the sword vnto the foure parts of the world, and being set down againe, he makes knights, touching them with the sword: after which the Magistrats of townes sweare him fealtie and homage, and promise obedience. Which ceremonies per∣formed, [ F] they returne to the kings pallace with the like pompe, and the time is spent in feasts, and banquets. The queenes coronation doth not much differ from the kings, and it is performed in the kings presence, and he requiring it for her: but they do not sweare obedience vnto her, neither hath she any power or jurisdiction giuen her.

[ A] The nobilitie of Poland, as it appeareth by that which we haue formerly said, liue in verie great libertie. They doe what they please, and the kings decrees (as they them∣selues say) last but three dayes, and they carrie themselues vnto him as if they were his brethren. And as the king gouernes his subiects, which are immediatly his, with absolute authoritie: so doe they dispose immediatly of their vassals, ouer whom euerie one hath more than a regall power, so as they intreat them like slaues: for the vassalls of the Cler∣gie and nobilitie are not bound to serue the king, but in the reparation and fortification of castles and places of strength, and in building of new forts, by the decree of the Senat: yet of late dayes they haue beene forced to manure the princes land, and to contribute [ B] certaine subuentions of corne; to the end, that vnder the protection of Gouernors, they may be freed from the violence and iniurie of wicked persons.

The kings of Poland, to fortefie their empire, haue done one thing which is verie re∣markable, for as the Romans augmented their forces in communicating the freedome of Rome, and the rights of the countrie of Latium, to the inhabitants of townes and pro∣uinces conquered: euen so they haue much inlarged, vnited and fortefied their Estate, giuing priuiledges to the nobilitie of Poland in prouinces, conquered either by force of armes, or by any other meanes, and in equalling their nobilitie to that of Poland. In this manner king Ladislaus vnited Russia and Podolia to Poland, Sigismond the first Prus∣s••a, Sigismond Augustus Lituania, and Stephen Liuonia: wherein they shewed them∣selues [ C] to be verie iudicious and discreet, for that the honours being alike, and commodi∣ties equall, men grow more vnited in necessities and dangers.

The things worthie consideration, touching the goue••nement, are, That the diuersitie of sects which are within the realme of Poland, breeds perpetuall hatred & iarres among those people; and they not onely creepe into prouinces, townes, and families, but they also grow betwixt the father and the sonne, the husband and the wife.

Moreouer, the discord of dependances is great in this realme, for that this crowne be∣ing [ XXIII] subiect to election, many liue in hope, and seeke to bind the Polonians vnto them by diuers meanes, and especially by reason of their trauels, for that the youth of this realme, desiring to see other countries, come into other Estates, where they are much made of [ D] by the Princes; and these yong gentlemen returning into Poland, are bound by the cour∣tesies which they haue receiued, to become Partisans to those princes who haue so ob∣liged them: and they cannot make any shew of this partialitie, but in the election of a new king, whereas one hath as much power as another: by which meanes there growes a diuision of harts and minds, which breeds no disorder during the kings life, for that t••••s nation is verie faithful vnto their prince; but it may be that these differences & open pro∣fession of fauour and affection, will make them secretly to grow jealous and distrustfull one of another.

There is another difference, which is that of the orders of the realme, that is to say, of the order of Senators, and that of Knights: for the vnderstanding whereof, you must [ E] know, that although their principall intention be alwaies to maintaine their common li∣bertie, which is equall to all the nobilitie, yet the necessitie of gouernment hath brought in a custome, that they which are found worthie of any commaund, are most esteemed, and haue greater power than the rest: and therefore the sup••rior dignitie is reduced to two degrees, that is to say, the Palatinat, and the Chastelleine; for that kings in former times did by little and little cal these men to publique consultations, notwithstanding that they had absolute power to doe all things of themselues, to commaund, dispose, recom∣pence, and punish, of their owne motions. Since they haue ordained, that these dignities should make the bodie of a Senat, without the which, the king cannot consult nor deter∣mine of publique affaires. The rest of the nobilitie are in a manner infinit in number by [ F] reason of the greatnesse of this realme: and to the end that euerie one of them▪ whenas necessitie requires to make new ordinances and lawes, may interpose his authoritie and consent; euerie Palatin, the king requiring it, calls together all the nobilitie of his Pala∣tinat into some priuat towne, where hauing propounded vnto them the matters whereon they are to treat, and their will being knowne, according to the desire of the chiefest of

them, they chuse foure or six out of the whole companie which are called earthly Nun∣cios [ A] or messengers, who meet with the deputies of other prouinces, in a place appoin∣ted by the king, whereas the generall Estates are to be held, and these deputies being vnited, make one bodie, the which they call the order of Knights, lesse in dignitie than the first, but equall in authoritie; and therefore they doe commonly contradict the Se∣nators. The cause of this discord growes for that the Senators haue alwaies a desire to please the king, and to second his will, as they that are recompenced by the king him∣selfe: And the order of Knights haue no regard but of the publique good, and they hold that if they doe not resist, they cannot maintaine their libertie, nor preuent the daun∣gers of tyrannie: so as they oppose themselues all they can against the other order. [ B]

The other discord is that of noble families, amongst whom there is little good intel∣ligence, and in case they should come to the election of any one of these houses, whenas during the vacancie of the realme, there might grow great disorders, according to the power and meanes of the parties.

The last discord is that of Prouinces, as Lituania, Russia, & Liuonia, for that the gentle∣men of these Prouinces doe hardly indure (their countrie being greater) to be gouer∣ned and subiect to the Polonians. But there were good meanes to remedie all these things, according to the example of king Stephen, who sought in the generall Estates to reconcile the points of religion, and to settle a forme in future elections, to the end that the factions of the nobilitie might be supprest, and by this meanes preuent many disor∣ders [ C] which might grow by these discords and priuat passions. As for the controuersies which grew betwixt the Senators and Knights, he sought by all meanes to reconcile them. He pacefied the dissentions of the nobilitie, shewing himselfe equally to all, and calling them indifferently to the dignities of the Senat, distributing as a recompence the publique reuenues, being seuere to them that were factious and seditious, and finally ma∣king himselfe Protector of all good and quiet persons of what condition soeuer. As for the controuersies of prouinces, they must imitate him who supprest them with much art, hauing chosen for his aboad the towne of Grodme, scituated vpon the frontiers of Lituania and Polonia, by reason whereof he seemed to be equally affected both to the one and the other, and that he sought to content both parties. [ D]

[ XXIIII] To relate more particularly of those things which concerne the gouernement of this realme, you must vnderstand that there are two members which make the politique Estate. The first is that of the Ecclesticall Princes, that is to say, of two Archbishops, whereof the first is he of Gnesne, Primat of the realme, and Legat borne to the Pope throughout all Sarmatia, who hath authoritie to crowne their kings: the other is he of Lempourg in South Russia. There are also of this number diuers bishops, all which in a manner are great Princes, as the Bishop of Cracouia in base Poland, he of Posnan in the higher; he of Ploco in Massouia, he of Chelme in Volhinia, he of Presmil in Russia, he of Camenes in Podolia, he of Kiouia, and many others.

The other member is of the secular noblemen, which are the Palatins, Chastelains, [ E] High-marshals, Vnder-marshals, Chauncellors, Vice-Chauncellors, Collonels, Vice∣captaines, and others. But next vnto the Ecclesiasticall Princes; the Chastelain of Cracouia hath the first place neere vnto the king, and is followed by the Pilatins of Cracouia, and Vilne. Among the Palatins there are some chiefe Chastelains min∣gled; and after them the other Chastelains both great and small, hold their places.

The Palatins of the whole realme of Pollonia (who are as it were Gouernors of pro∣uinces) are those of Cracouia, of Sandomir, and Lublin in base Poland: of Posnan, Ca∣lis, Sirad, Lancicie, Vladislauia, Brest, Rau, and Ploc in high Poland: the Palatin generall of Masouia, he of Droic, Generall of Russia, he of Belzen, Palatin Generall of Podolia, he of Volhinia in Lituania, he of Tron, he of Minsce, he of Kiouia, he of Misczislauia, he [ F] of Vitebscie, and he of Poloie. Moreouer, they of Culme, Mariembourg, and Pomera∣nia. In the whole realme there are about sixtie Chastelains, and two high marshalls in Poland, and as many in Lituania. There is the like number of marshalls in either of these two Prouinces, and they haue diuers names: for the one are called Earthly, and the

[ A] other of the court. There are also two Chauncellours, and as many Vice-Chauncellors, who haue two seales, and go after the Marshalls. There are two Generalls of armies, whereof the one is in Poland, and the other in Lituania: and there are also fortie Col∣lonells in base Poland, thirtie in the higher, and twelue in Masouia, who are at the kings choise.

The king calls the Senators to Councell by the gromes of his chamber, or by his let∣ters missiue if they be far off; and he doth vse this meanes to assemble the States: for in regard of the great distance of places they do not assemble often vnlesse it be for some great occasion or solemnitie, as to assist at the marriage of the prince, or of his children, [ B] or at the oath of some duke allied vnto the prince. But the king consults according to the necessitie of affaires with such as are present and neere vnto his maiestie: if there hap∣pen not something that is difficult of great importance, for the determination whereof it shall be needfull to haue the presence, counsell, and aduice of many Senators: at what time they haue the aduice of them that be absent, by letters vnto the king, especially of the chiefest of the Councell. The Secretaries are also admitted vnto th Senat ha uing taken the oath, but as hearers onely, for they haue neither place nor voice in the Senat. The number of them is vncertaine being at the princes discretion, and they are admitted by him as well out of the ecclesiasticall as secular Estates, and one of them hath the ho∣nour and name of chiefe Secretarie. There are also two Referendaries which may enter [ C] into the Senat like vnto the Secretaries. It hath not beene vsuall to admit the sonnes of the chiefe Secretaries into the Senat, whereas they may heare what passeth in publicke Councells like vnto the Secretaries. These Councellors do also serue the prince and the commonweale whenas need requires, in the citie for judgements, and abroad for em∣bassages: and besides their charge of Senators, and care of the commonweale, they haue certaine offices assigned them according to the diuersitie of magistrats, and honours.

Hauing formerly made mention of certaine chiefe officers of the Estate of Poland,* 1.2 it shall not be impertinent to speake something of their places and offices, and first of the Palatin, who is so called, in imitation of the Romans, who vnder their Emperours did much esteeme and honour the Count Palatins. His charge is in the warre to be leader of [ D] the forces of his prouince or gouernment: and in time of peace his office is to appoint the assemblie of the nobilitie within his jurisdiction, to preside in them, and in judge∣ments, and to set a price vpon all commodities that are sold, and to haue care of weights and measures, vnlesse it be during the assemblie of the Estates, or in time of war.

The Chastelains are as it were lieutenants to Palatins, and leaders of the nobili∣tie, euery one vnder his Palatin.* 1.3 They are called Chastelains in regard of the castles or townes which are assigned vnto them, not that they haue any jurisdiction in them, but on∣ly the charge of warre, as we haue said; and many haue also annuall reuenues. The Cha∣stelain of Cracouia alone, besides the name and reuenues, is nothing common with the rest: but he hath the honour free without any charge, except that which is common to [ E] all the Senators; and he hath precedence before all others. It is not lawfull neither for the Palatin, nor Chastelain to be in any prouince, in the which he hath not some land or inheritance.

The Marshall of the realme is maister of the kings court,* 1.4 and administrator of the publicke Councell, to whom it belongs to assemble the Councell, by the commaunde∣ment of the king, or primat. They impose silence and giue audience, they haue power to speake their opinions, to giue entrance to forraine embassadors, and to exclude them out of the Councell which haue no place there, to pronounce the kings ordinances in cases of infamie and crime, to moderat publicke pompes, to entertaine strangers of account, to pacifie and suppresse tumults and seditions, not onely about the Senat and in publicke, [ F] but also in the princes house, to punish crimes committed in the kings court, or at the assemblies of the Estates: he hath also power in assemblies of Estates, and in the kings traine to giue lodgings, and to set a price of merchandise, whereby he reapes some tri∣••ute or profit. The Marshall hath jurisdiction ouer such as follow the court, and ouer the officers of the kings house, and may punish them: and therefore in publicke assem∣blies,

or whenas the king goes forth in publicke, he carries before him a Septer of wood. [ A]

* 1.5The Chauncellor and Vice-Chancellor are distinct names but of equall power. They haue the superintendancie and ouersight of all letters patents, and writings which come from the prince, or go vnto the prince, and in like manner which come from the Senat, and go vnto the Senat. They haue the kings seales in their custodie, the Chauncellor hath the great seale, and the Vice-Chauncellor the lesse, and their authoritie is so great as they may signe many things without the princes aduice, and reiect that which they see contrarie to the lawes, notwithstanding the kings expresse commaundement to the con∣trarie. They make answers in the kings name, and propound vnto the Senat of what mat∣ters they are to consult. Finally they set down in writing, diuulge & publish the decrees [ B] of the Senat, and the ordinances of the king, & of publicke assemblies. They take know∣ledge of priuat complaints and causes comming from subalternall Iudges. They haue command ouer the Secretaries, Scribes, Registers, Priests, and singing men of the court, yea and ouer ecclesiasticall ceremonies, especially, he that is of the ecclesiasticall order: for one of them must of necessitie be of the Clergie, and the other of the laytie; but in old time they were both of the Church.

* 1.6The Treasorer shews his charge by his name, he keepes the kings treasure with the marks and ornaments of the realme, which are, the crowne, the ball, and the scepter; he gouernes the plate, stuffe, and reuenues, writings, and publicke monuments: all recei∣uers, and such as disburse the princes money must yeeld an account vnto him. He is mai∣ster [ C] of the mint and paies all wages to souldiers, courtiers, and the kings officers, and is not bound to yeeld any account but to the king.

There are two heads and leaders of the armie, which they put in the number of ma∣gistrats, and officers of the realme, whereof the one is called Generall and chiefe captaine of the armie, the other Marshall or Captaine of the Campe. The first commaunds in all matters of war next vnto the prince, and is his lieutenant. He leads the armie, appoints the place where they shall campe, and orders the battaile: he giues the signe when they shal fight and retire: he hath the care of victualls in the campe, and sets the prices, & doth punish malefactors. The captaine or marshal of the campe is as it were his lieutenant, and is appointed by the king: he hath charge ouer Sentinells and watches, and doth com∣mand [ D] the mercenarie souldiers, especially in the Generalls absence: yet neither of these hath any place in the Senat, neither are they perpetuall, and in old time they were not called magistrats or officers of the realme. There are many other inferior offices which I omit for breuities sake.

¶ The Religion.

[ XXV] IN the beginning of the opinion of Iohn Hus, it began also to disperse it selfe though∣out the countries that were subiect to the crowne of Poland: but king Ladislaus assi∣sted by the noblemen and Bishops of the realme opposed himselfe violently against it. [ E] For this king refused the crowne which the Bohemians offered him, and by this meanes stoped the passage of that opinion, out of Bohemia into Poland, and they made a decree in a general Diet, That whosoeuer did fauor that opinion in any sort whatsoeuer, should be punished without exception. But for that in the beginning of Luthers doctrine, young men went to studie at Lipsic, and Wittemberg, partly to learne the Germane tongue with their other studies, and partly for curiositie, they returned home to their houses ei∣ther altogether Lutherans, or lesse affected to Papistrie: so as Sigismoud who then raigned did forbid young men to go and studie in those places. This prohibition did somewhat stay the course thereof, for that partly by reason of the libertie of the Polonian gentle∣men, and partly by the neighbourhood of countries infected with that opinion, and in [ F] like manner by means of the commerce of the Balticke sea, that doctrine got footing in this realme, yea some renewed the heresies of Arrius and Ebion.

The first which receiued the doctrine of Luther and some others were they of Prussia, for that the merchants brought it with their commodities out of Germanie, and dis∣perst

[ A] it partly with their bookes, and afterwards the ministers and scholemaisters aduan∣ced it more: so as in the yeare 1525, the people of Dantzic, desirous of nouelties, and thrust on by them of Luthers opinion, deposed the old Senat, and created a new of vn∣worthie men, they made a Notarie, Consull, profaned the Churches, carried away the ornaments, and did a thousand indignities to the priests and religious persons. And notwithstanding that the king went thither and did in some sort pacifie the town, yet the Papists lost their churches, and the Masse was in a ma ner quite banished: so as there re∣maines at this day in Dantzic but one conuent of the order of S. Dominicke, who haue free exer••ises, and one monasterie of religious women within the towne, and another [ B] without. Of late yeares they haue giuen entrance to certaine Iesuits, who haue not any colledge, but onely preach, and doe their other exercises; and these haue conuer••••d many.

But to returne to the progresse of Luthers doctrine, & of other sects in Prussia: the dis∣orders whereof I haue spoken were followed by the falling off of Albert of Brandebourg, who by the persuasion of Henry and George his brethren became a Lutheran, and of great maister of the Teuton knights of Prussia, made himselfe duke of a good part of that pro∣uince. The people of his countrie did presently imbrace the opinion of their duke, and afterwards it entred into that part of Prussia which is subiect to the king of Poland, where it had extended it selfe farther, if the Bishops had not opposed themselues. In [ C] Prussia which is subiect to the duke, besides the opinion of Luther and others, the Ana∣baptists haue got some footing, especially at Cunisbergue; and there are some which fol∣low the opinion of Osiander.

As for Liuonia, in the time of the Emperor Fredericke the first, certaine preachers past into that countrie, and profited much; among others, there was one Mainard of Lubec, who for this cause was consecrated Bishop of Liuonia by the Archbishop of Breme. He had for successor Bertold Abbot of Cisteaux, who entring into fight against the enemies of his profession was slaine. For this cause they brought the order of the knights of the sword into Liuonia, to defend the preachers & their doctrine by armes. This order grow∣ing weake, in the end vnited it selfe by the Popes authoritie with the Teuton knights, and [ D] in stead of knights of the sword, they were called knights of the crosse, and after that time the great maisters of Liuonia began to acknowledge the great maister of Prussia for superiour; the which continued vnto the time of Albert of Brandebourg, who freed them for a certaine summe of money, in the yeare of our Redemption 1513. There were at that time fiue bishopricks in Liuonia, that is to say, Derpt, Asilia, Oefelia, Curland, and Riuaille, with the Archbishopricke of Rig. In the yeare of our Saluation 1528, the great maister and the knights did openly imbrace the opinion of Luther, the which had by little & little crept into Liuonia, as it had done formerly into Prussia: yet all the Bishops continued constant for a time. In the yeare of Grace 1557, the Knights made warre against the Archbishop of Rig, being of the house of Brandebourg, for that he would [ E] not adhere vnto their opinion, and tooke him prisoner; but fearing Sigismond king of Po∣land, who had taken armes in his fauour, they set him at libertie, and restored him to his former estate: After whose death, Rig fell into the power of the Polonians. Soone after, the order of Crosse-cariers ended, by the death of William of Furstenberg: but before that this order was extinct, these knights were assayled by the duke of Muscouia, and being dispossessed of the greatest part of their Estates, they put themselues vnder the protecti∣on of Sigismond king of Poland, who notwithstanding gaue them small succours. In the meane time the Muscouite tooke the towne of Derpt, and most part of the rest, and transporting the Liuonians into other places, planted colonies of Muscouites there. On the other side, Iohn king of Sueden, hauing taken armes against the Muscouite, scised [ F] vpon Riuaille, Nerue, and some other places of that prouince, and Magne brother to the king of Denmarke, made himselfe maister of Oeselie, and Curland, in which is the Bi∣shopricke of Vinde. In the end, Stephen king of Poland made warre against Iohn, great Duke of Muscouie, and forced him to yeeld Liuonia vnto him, to auoid a greater incon∣••enience.

There are in this prouince six sorts of people, that is to say, Estons, Germans▪ Suedens, [ A] Danes, Muscouites, and Polonians. The Estons are originaries of the countrie, and they haue a particular language. Amidst so many charges (for that they haue beene some∣times vnder the Knights, sometimes vnder the Suedens, both which were of c••ntrarie opinions, & sometimes vnder the Muscouite, who is a Schismatick) they haue without any spirituall aid preserued their old religion. It is not credible how much they honour Priests: they carrie them salt, candles, and new fruits, to the end they may blesse them: They haue Churches built long since in the countrie, the which they frequent with great deuotion, and make great account of holie water. Euerie one takes an Appostle for his Protector. They vsed confession, but it is in a manner quite forgotten, they haue beene [ B] so long without Priests. The like we may say of many other their Popish ceremonies and Sacraments. Finally, they are so ignorant of the ceremonies of Christian religion, as you may scarce find any one in a village that can make the signe of the Crosse, or say his Pater-noster, and it is difficult to helpe them therein, by reason of the difference of their language.

The Germans dwell in cities which they haue built for the most part. Rig is the Me∣tropolitan of Liuonia, where there were no remainders of poperie, but one monasterie of religious women, in the which there were two Nuns in the yere of our Redemption 1587, (whereof one was a hundred yeares old, and the other little lesse) vntill that king Stephen had built a Colledge for Iesuits, who were expelled by the persuasion of the Mi∣nisters, [ C] in the yeare of our Saluation 1587. And as they talked of bringing them backe againe, the death of king Stephen made frustrat that dessigne: but they were restored in the yeare of Grace 1591, by the authoritie of king Sigismond and the Estates of the realme. Those places which are held by the kings of Sueden and Denmarke, haue small remainders of the Romish religion, and they are wholly depriued of the exercise thereof.

As for those townes where the Polonians haue planted themselues, they haue labou∣red, and doe daily, to reduce them to the Romish Church. To which end, they haue a Colledge of Iesuits at Derpt, a towne almost equall vnto Rig, and vpon the frontiers of Muscouia. And to conclude the discourse of this countrie, king Sigismond made an edict [ D] in the yeare of Christ 1589, by the which he did forbid the Ministers of Luthers doctrine to preach in Liuonia.

As for Poland, the opinions of Luther and Caluin haue beene in a manner generally receiued, especially by the nobilitie of the countrie: King Sigismond Augustus seemed to fauour them, and gaue them great libertie; but Henrie his successour, and after him Stephen Battorie opposed themselues.

As for the Lituanians, they were in old time subiect to the Muscouites: but Bartic great Can of Tartaria, hauing in a manner vanquished the Russians, they of Lituania, whereof Erdizuil was then prince withdrew themselues from vnder their commaund. Afterwards Mindoch, great Duke of Lituania, became a Christian, and was honoured [ E] with the title of a King by Pope Innocent the third, but he returned soone to Idolatrie. Finally, in the yeare 1386, the fourteenth of Februarie, Iagellon, great duke of Lituania, receiued the Christian faith, and was baptised, and hauing married the Infanta of Po∣land, he caused all his subiects of Lituania to be baptised. But by reason of the little care they haue had to instruct them since, the greatnesse of the countrie, the mixture of the Russians (who, besides heresie and schisme, haue a thousand strange superstitions) and by reason also of the disturbance of the Lutherans; and other opinions of their time, the in∣habitants haue not beene confirmed in the faith: for in Lituania and Samogithia, which is one of her dependances, they discouer in many places many heads of Idolatrie. In some places they doe worship a domesticke god, whom they call Distipan, that is to say, [ F] Lord of the Smoake, or of the Chimney; and they doe offer vnto him a couple of pul∣lets, and make great feasts to his honour. Foure miles from Vilne, in a village of the kings, called Louanaschi, they doe at this day worship Serpents.

The Samogithians do yet in many places nourish certain blacke serpents which haue

[ A] foure feet, and they behold them going forth and returning backe againe with great su∣perstition; and if any disaster happen vnto them, they impute it to the little honour they haue done vnto these serpents. They do also beare great honour to fire, lightning, woods, to the Sunne, to the Moone, and to trees which are very high, or that are remarkable for their age. In many places of Lituania they do sacrifice fat sowes to the goddesse Tellus, or the Earth, and diuers beasts to the god Ziemienni. There are also some Mahometans, since that Vitolde prince of Lituania began in the yeare 1399 a hoord of Tarta••ians, and ledged it vpon the riuer of Vache two miles from Vilne, suffering them to liue after the Maho∣metan manner; and there are also some in other places. The Zuingliens many yeres since [ B] built a colledge at Vilne with great charge, and there instructed all the youth of Litua∣nia: but at this day it is in a manner desart by meanes of the Iesuits, to whose scholes (for the reputation of their doctrine) all in generall send their children, and th••re are dai∣ly many men of account conuerted. The authoritie and great zeale of the house of Radi∣uil doth helpe much in Lituania to aduance the Romish religion.

As for the South Russians, the nobilitie for the most part followes the Church of Rome (notwithstanding that there be some which are otherwise affected) and the people acknowledge the authoritie of the Patriarch of Constantinople, and follow the errors of the Grecians. At this present in all Russia, comprehending also Lituania, they do number but fiue Romish or Latin Bishoprickes, that is to say, Vilne, Samogithia, Kiouia, Ianou••, [ C] and Luceoria with the Archbishopricke of Leunpurg: but the Russians haue two Arch∣bishoprickes, one of Vilne, and the other of Leunpurg (this last carries the title of Me∣tropolitan) and six Bishoprickes, that is, Polosque, Volodemire, Luceoria, Pinsce, Kio∣uia, and Presmil. There is also at Leunpurg an Archbishop or Patriarch of the Armeni∣ans, for that many of that nation trafficke in this town, & at Camenis and there abouts. Volhinia (which is comprehended vnder Russia as well as Podolia) is the abode of the duke of Ostrogoye, who hath vnder him aboue foure thousand Feudataries. He is the chiefe of them that liue after the Greeke manner.

To conclude, the prouinces subiect to the crowne of Poland, which are neere vnto the Balticke sea (the wich are Prussia and Liuonia) participat much with the opinions of [ D] Germanie: those which cofine with Silesia, Morauia, and Hongarie are infected with the heresies of their neighbours: but they that aduance towards the South and East follow for the most part the errors of the Grecians, and are not free from the opinions of these times.

But to the end you may the more easily judge of the number of Schismatickes, I will set downe two examples. Luc••orta a towne of Volhinia containes about a thou∣sand families, whereof there are one hundred and seuen of Romish Catholickes, and the other are Russians, Grecians, and some Armenians. In the towne of Poloce which king Stephen woon from the Mu••cou••tes, the Grecians haue seuen Churches, and the Latins but one, and that hath continued many yeares without a priest. There are many in base [ E] Poland which follow late opinions, yet the number of Papists is much greater. As for high Poland it is lesse infected, which growes chiefely by the care of the Archbishops of Gnesne, to whose jurisdiction it doth in a manner belong. They are almost all Papists at Polosque, and Vladislauia, but especially in Massouia, where you shall scarce find any one that makes publicke profession of any other religion.

¶ A GENEALOGIE OF THE DVKES AND KINGS OF POLAND.

LEch was the first which had commaund ouer the Polacks, but the histories of Poland [ XXVI] [ F] do not set downe at what time he obtained this principalitie.

After his death his children, and his childrens children did rule according to their degrees of age. Their deeds and the times of their gouernments, are not noted in hi∣stories.

The race of Lech being wholie extinct, the princes and chiefe noblemen resolued in

the beginning to chuse and establish some prince ouer them: but in the end they were [ A] all of opinion to liue at libertie, so as they made choice of twelue Vauoides or Palatins to administer justice to all men and to gouerne the State. Long after the Polonians be∣ing wearie of the gouernment of Palatins, for that they rather affected their owne pri∣uat profit, than the publicke good, would haue a prince to gouerne them, and made choice of Gracebus, who liued at the foot of the Sarmatick hills, neere vnto the riuer of Vistula. It was he that built Gracchouia.

He left for his successor Gracchus his eldest sonne. They hold that it was foure hundred yeares before the birth of our Sauiour. This Gracchus eldest sonne to the first, hauing ta∣ken possession of Poland, was slaine by his brother, for which fratricide he grew odious [ B] and detestable to all men; who seeing himselfe thus hated died of griefe. Then the inha∣bitants of Gracchouia receiued Vande their sister for their princesse. They say that she did sacrifice herselfe vnto the gods for a great victorie which she obtained against the Teu••ons, casting her selfe from the top of a bridge into the riuer of Vistula.

The posteritie of Gracchus failing, the people mad a new choice of twelue men to go∣uerne the countrie: but they fell into dissention, and in the meane time the enemie en∣tred Poland by force, and spoiled it, the gouernors making no resistance. The people seeing this, they did chuse for their Soueraigne prince a valiant man, well experienced in warre, and very discreet, called Pre••islaus, to whom they gaue the name of Lesko, by reason of his great pollicie. He was the fist gouernor after Lech the first of that name. Af∣ter [ C] his death they made a young man duke, who was called Lesko the second.

He left his sonne Lesko the third for his successor, who raigned very wisely, and had one lawfull sonne called Popyel, and twentie bastards. He left the principalitie to Popyel, and to either of the rest a prouince.

The children of Lesko the third.

• Popyel, lawful.
• ...Boleslaus.
• ...Casimire.
• ...Vladislaus.
• ...Vratislaus.
• ...Oddo.
• ...Beruin.
• ...Pribislaus.
• ...Premislaus.
• ...Iaxa.
• ...Semian.
• ...Semouite.
• ...Semonislaus.
• ...Bogdale.
• ...Spitzigure.
• ...Spitzmere.
• ...Sbignee. [ D]
• ...Sobeslaus.
• ...Vissimire.
• ...Czessimire.
• ...Vislaus.

Popyel being installed disliked the mountaines of Gracchouia, and trasported his seat to Gnesne which stands in the plaine: afterwards this place displeased him, so as he made choice of a new aboad among the lakes, and there built the towne of Cruicnize, the which he made the seat of his principalitie. In the end he was eaten with rats. [ E]

After the death of Popyel, the Polonians did chuse for their duke a countriman called Pyast, who made honie: he was a man of a small stature but very strong.

Semouite sonne to Pyast succeeded him, and did much extend the limits of the realme. He left one sonne very young, called

Lesko, which was in the time of the Emperour Arnold, and of Michaell Emperour of Greece.

Lemom••slamus his sonne succeeded him, and afterwards left the principalitie to his sonne.

Miesko, who raigned in the yeare of Grace 963. Some call him Mietzlaus: he made [ F] himselfe a Christian at the instance of Boleslaus king of Bohemia, whose daughter he ma∣ried called Dambro••ke.

••••••••slaus his sonne succeeded him, and in the yere of Grace 984 married Iudith daugh∣ter to Geysa of Hongarie. He was created king by the Emperor Otho, and crowned in the

[ A] yeare 1001, for before all his Estate was but a duchie, and the princes were called dukes and gouernors. He died in the yeare 1014.

••ietzko, or Mietzlaus his sonne succeeded him. He did nothing but by the Councell o•• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 wife, and was wholly giuen to all sorts of pleasures: for this cause the people 〈◊〉〈◊〉 his father had subdued, retired themselues from his obedience, namely, the Bohe∣•••••• and Morauians: yet he kept the Russians (who also would haue reuolted) vnder his ••••••••ction.

••••••simire his sonne, after that he had beene a Monke at Clugny, was made king, and left 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Cloister by the Popes permission, vpon condition that euery head of a familie in the [ B] realme of Poland (except gentlemen) should pay a pennie euery yeare to S. Peters suc∣cessors. He was crowned at Gnesne in the yere of Grace 1041, and died in the yere 1058.

••oleslaus his eldest sonne was crowned king the same yeare 1058. He gaue himselfe to •••• disorder and dissolutnesse, and being reprehended by Stanislaus Bishop of Craccho∣••••, who did excommunicat him seeing him obdurate in his sinne, he slew him with one ••ow of a sword. The Pope hearing it, tooke the crowne from the realme of Poland, and ••••solued all the subiects from their obedience to the king, who soone after fell mad in ••••ngarie, whether he had retired himselfe, and died.

••ladislaus his brother succeeded him, in the yeare of our Redemption 1082, but he ••s not crowned, notwithstanding that he was called King, for that the Bishops feared [ C] disobey the Pope. Finally, finding himselfe to be opprest with old age, he diuided his ••••me to his two sonnes: he gaue the better part to his lawfull sonne, called Boleslaus; and ••••••ignee his bastard, Massouia, high Poland, Pomeran, and Prussia: he died in the ye•••• of our Saluation 1102.

〈◊〉〈◊〉 realme of Poland being thus diuided, Sbignee made warre against his brother Bo∣•••••••••• who did easily vanquish him, and brought all that vnder his subiection which 〈◊〉〈◊〉 held: so as this miserable man was forced to cast himselfe at his brothers feet, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 a graunt of him to remaine duke of Massouia. In the end, seeing his brother to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 rebellious, he caused him to be slaine. After many braue exploits, hauing lost a 〈◊〉〈◊〉, he died, as they say of griefe, in the yeare 1139.

[ D] ••••••••slaus his eldest sonne, to whom he had giuen for his part, the lands of Gracchouia, Stra••••ia, Lancicia, Slese, Pomerand, and the soueraigntie of the realme, was chosen soue∣••••ine prince, according to his testament: but not content with his portion (which was ••••••••ght part of the realme) he commanded them all not to obey his brethren, and raised 〈◊〉〈◊〉 against them: but they entred into Gracchouia, and woon the castle, forcing him to•••• out of Poland, and to flie into Germanie to Conrade king of Romans.

••••••slaus, called the Crespe or Curled, his brother, by the consent of his other brethren, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 chiefe noblemen of the realme, was made soueraigne lord of the countrie, after ••••••••••ght of Vladislaus, in the yeare of Grace 1146. He died in the yeare 1173, and made 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to the benefit of his onely sonne Lesko.

[ E] ••••••••zlaus, vnkle to Lesko, and brother to Casimir, was chosen for soueraigne duke of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Poland, & duke of Pomerand, whereunto they added Gracchouia, with the whole ••••••••nce: but for that he became a tyrant, they set Casimir his yonger brother in his place, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 died sodainly in the yeare 1192, hauing taken a certaine drinke.

••esko, eldest sonne to Casimir, surnamed the Faire, succeeded him, Mietzlaus being dis∣••••••••ented therewith, wrought so with Hellene mother to Lesko, as he being verie old, re∣••••••••ed the possession of the monarchie, and of Gracchouia. But afterwards going into 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Poland, Lesko was againe put into the castle of Gracchouia: yet Mietzlaus was 〈◊〉〈◊〉 restored to the soueraigntie thereof in the yeare 1202. But he died soone after, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the seigneurie to Lesko, who died in the yeare 1227.

••••leslaus, the Chast, succeeded his father Lesko, and died in the yeare 1274 hauing 〈◊〉〈◊〉 yeares. Wherein we must obserue that Conrade, who had caried himselfe as tutor 〈◊〉〈◊〉 children of Lesko▪ gouerned from the yeare 1227 vnto 1243.

••••••••rie, the Bearded, was successour to Boleslaus the Chast.

〈◊〉〈◊〉, the Blacke, came after him, and died in the yeare 1287.

Doleslaus, duke of Masouia, was chosen after him, but he was deposed. [ A]

Henrie, surnamed the Wise, succeeded him, and died in the yeare of Christ 1290.

Henrie, sonne to Boleslaus, duke of Legnits, was his successour, and after his death his two dukedomes were diuided to two dukes: that of Gracchouia fell to Premislaus, and Vladislaus Locketec•• had the duchie of Sandomiria.

The Polonians considering that it was more expedient for them to haue but one Prince, whom they might all acknowledge, did, in the yere 1295, in the moneth of Iune, make choise of Premislaus the second for their king, and he was annointed and crowned in the Church of Gnesne: but he was within a short time slaine through the hatred of the great men of the realme, being 38 years old, hauing raigned only 7 moneths, & 11 daies. [ B] 〈…〉〈…〉, sonne to Casimire, was afterwards chosen king: but by reason of his dissolutenesse, he was deposed in the yeare 1300, and they did chuse

Venceflous, king of Bohemia, who was crowned at Gnesne, and died in the yeare 1305. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Lochteck found meanes afterwards to make himselfe duke of Gracchouia, or 〈◊〉〈◊〉 but some Polonians in the meane time did chuse for their prince Henrie 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of Gragon••a; and those were they of high Poland, Posnan, and Calisia: but Lotch∣teck had alwaies the victorie against his Competitor Henrie, and was accepted for Soue∣raigne by all the other Polonians. This Lochte••k obtained the royall crowne from the Pope, the which he tooke in the Church of Gracehouia, in the yere 1320. He died in the yeare of our Redemption 1333. [ C]

Casimire his sonne succeeded him, and raigned fortie yeares.

L••wis, King of Hongarie, Ca••simires sisters sonne, was chosen King of Poland, & crow∣ned in the yeare 1370. He gouerned the realme twelue yeares.

〈◊〉〈◊〉 or Edige the young••st of the two daughters of Lewis, was crowned Queene of Poland, and the Polonians gaue her power to gouerne the realme vntill that she were married vnto some Prince, in the end, Iagellon, great duke of Lituania, being yet an Ido∣later, married 〈◊〉〈◊〉, vpon condition, that he should become a Christian, and vnite the du∣•••••••• of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to the crowne of Poland.

Iagellon, great duke of Lituania, was king of Poland by meanes of his marriage with 〈◊〉〈◊〉, in the yeare 1386, and at his baptisme he was called Vladislaus. He died in the yeare of our Saluation 1434. [ D]

Vladislaus his sonne succeeded him: he raigned ten yeares, and died being one and mont•••• yeares old.

〈◊〉〈◊〉 his brother, great duke of Lituania, was called to the crowne of Poland, in the yeare 1445, and died in the yeare of our Redemption 1492.

Iohn Albert, eldest sonne to Casimire, succeeded him, and died in the yeare 1501.

After the death of Iohn Albert, the Polonians did chuse Alexander his brother, who di∣ed at Vilnein a voyage against the Tartarians, being fiue and fortie yeares old.

Sigismond, the youngest of all Casimires children, was chosen king of Poland, in the yere 〈◊〉〈◊〉. He died in the yeare 1549.

Sigismond Augustus, his son, succeeded his father the same yeare, and died in the yeare [ E] of Christ 1573.

Henrie of Valois was called to the crowne of Poland, in the yeare 1573, and parted out 〈◊〉〈◊〉 about the middest of October to go thither: but Charles the ninth, the French 〈…〉〈…〉 dead, he left Poland, to come and raigne in his owne natiue 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in the yeare 1574.

〈…〉〈…〉, of the house of the Princes of Transiluania, succeeded him, and made long 〈…〉〈…〉 others, with verie happie successe. He died in the yeare 1687.

〈…〉〈…〉 sonne to the King of Sueden, and of Anne Queene of Poland, succee∣ded [ F] him the 〈…〉〈…〉 against his vnkle duke Charles, sometimes with losse, sometimes with aduauntage. This warre keepes the Polonians 〈◊〉〈◊〉 their armies against the Turke, or the Muscouite.

Notes

• * 1.1

  A Fa••thing a••d so••e∣thing m••••e.
• * 1.2

  Office of Pa∣latins.
• * 1.3

  Chastelain.
• * 1.4

  Marshall of the realme.
• * 1.5

  Chauncellor and vice∣Chauncellor.
• * 1.6

  Treasurer.