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 GREAT DVKE OR EMPEROVR OF MVSCOVIE

The Contents.

[ C] 1. THe circuit and limits of the countrie of Musco••ie. 2. In what parallel and cli∣mat this Empire is scituated. 3. Description of the prouinces, and of Moskuu•• or Mosko the chiefe citie of the Empire. 4. Of the duchie of Valodimer. 5. Of the duchie of base No••ograde. 6. Of the prouince of Rhezan and her towns. 7. Of the prouince and towne of Smolenske. 8. Of the countrie of Mosaiski: the length and breadth, and by whom it was conquered from Poland. 9. Of the duchie of Roskoue. 10. Of the the countrie of Tu••er, and the renouned towne of Tuuerde. 11. Of the prouince of Pleskonia, the bignesse, and the chiefe towne of Plesko••u 12. Of Nouograde the great. 13. Of the coun∣trie [ D] of Volsoke, and the scituation. 14. Of the prouince of Biolysero, Volokde, and Iaroslaue. 15. Of the prouince of Du••ine. 16. Of Susdali, and Vuiathka, a prouince taken from the Tar∣t••rians. 17. Of Permia, Petzore, Iugaria, Obdore, and other countries subiect to the Musco∣••ite. 18. The sterilitie of the soile recompenced by the multitude of beasts, as Elkes, Bugles, Beares, Stags, Wolues, Hares, Bees, aboundance of flax, hempe, and the bountie of the aire. 19. De∣scription of the most famous riuers and lakes of Muscouie, and the beginning and spring of Bo∣rysthenes discouered in our time, and vnknowne to the auncient. 20. A particular obserua∣tion of the fertilitie and barrennesse of euery prouince, and of the Riphcan, or Hyperborean mountaines of an admirable height. 21. T••e strange custome of the auncient Muscouites in the election of their prince, and the vsage of their wiues. 22. Their strong constitution of body, [ E] their apparell, armes, and manner of fighting when they flie: their meat, and ordinarie drinke, their barbarousnesse, treacherie, subtilitie, loosenesse, and venall iustice. 23. A more particu∣lar description of the manners and customes of euery countrie. 24. Their riches in the skins of Elkes, Stags, Beares, Wolues, and Sables: in flax, hempe, honie, and wax. 25. Riches of the king, and what his reuenues be. 26. A notable relation of the stately entertainment of Permisten Embassadour to the Emperor by the Muscouite. 27. The strength of the Muscouites countrie in marisbes and riuers: in the thicknesse of woods seruing as rampiers, and making the entrie difficult; and of the great numbers of horse. 28. What numbers of horse this realme may draw to field. 29. Of the mightie neighbour enemies which confine with this Estate, and first of the Precop prince of the Tartarians. 30. Of two other neighbour enimies, the kings of Sueden and [ F] Poland. 31. Of the great dukes soueraigne authoriti•• in his Estate, and by what meanes he main∣taines it. 32. At what time the Christian religion was brought in, and what their ceremonies be in the celebration of the Masse. 33. Of the circumcision and religion of the Morduois, li••ing according to the law of nature.

WHen as in our common discourses we make mention of any duke, it [ A] seemes that his Estates are of a small extent, for that we commonly see, that such as at this day haue this title, either among vs, or with our neighbours, enioy but small prouinces, and do soone find the bounds of their commaund and seigneurie. But he of whom we meane now to speake, is a duke of greater power than all the rest which we know in Europe: For not onely his countries are equall in greatnesse to them of many great kings, but doth also exceed them in such sort, as he that wil compare their principalities with this, shall find that they giue law but to asmal [ B] pa••ch of ground in regard of that which doth acknowledge the great Duke or Knez of Muscouie: and therefore his subiects being sufficiently informed of the countries which yeeld him obedience, terme him Caesar or Emperor, and yeeld him as much honour as euer was done to any prince. And if we truely consider what his Empire containes, we shall find that he deserues a higher stile than that which they commonly giue him, in steed of the name of king, which they haue found to be very odious to the Muscouites.

[ I] Let vs now search it to the bottome, and see how far his limits do extend, and whither he be so powerfull as I haue said in the entrie of this discourse. I say then that all the Muscouits Empire doth at this day containe all Russia, excepting Polonia and Lituania, which are also comprehended vnder the same name of Russia. [ C]

These Estates are part in Europe and part in Asia, and this seperation is made by the riuer of Tanais, otherwise called Don, the which is the common bound of Asia and Eu∣rope. They are confined vpon the North by the frosen sea, as also vpon the East, ben∣ding towards the South by the Tartarians; vpon the South side they haue Lituania, and their neerest neighbours vpon the West are they of Liffland or Liuonia, and in like man∣ner Finland, countries diuided by the riuer of Polne, and belonging to the king of Sue∣den. All these Estates draw their generall name from a countrie lying in the middest of Russia the White, which extends towards the North and East, and is particularly called Muscouie. We must note that the part of Russia which obaies the great Knez is called White Russia, and that which doth acknowledge the king of Poland Blacke Russia; yet [ D] the king of Poland doth hold something in the White.

[ II] This Empire is scituated betwixt the nineteenth parallel in two and fiftie degrees of latitude or eleuation of the pole, and the three and fortieth parallel which is sixtie and six degrees from the Equator: or else expounding it after another manner, it lies betwixt the middest of the eight climat, and the middest of the twentieth, and is comprehended betwixt the Tropique of Cancer, and the Arctike circle: so as they obserue a very great difference in the quantitie of the longest day in Sommer. For in the most Southern para∣lell of Muscouie, the longest day is but sixteene houres and a halfe, whereas in the most Northern paralell of the same Empire, the longest day is of two and twentie houres and a halfe; the which doth sufficiently shew how great a distance it is from one fronti••e vnto [ E] another. For to take euery degree for thirtie French leagues as they doe commonly, we shall find that it containes in breadth onely from South to North foure hundred and twentie leagues, and in length twice as much, yea more: or to speake according vnto some Italians, this Empire hath in length three thousand miles, and in breadth one thousand and fiue hundred.

[ III] The particular prouince of Muscouie alone containes from East to West about six hundred leagues, and the chiefe citie of the Empire is in this prouince, the which they call Muskuua, or Mosko, of the name of a riuer which runnes neere vnto it. The castle of the great Knez is in the middest of this citie, betwixt the riuers of Mosko and Hegli∣ma, which comes and ioines with Mosko beneath this castle, the which is so great as it [ F] may be taken for a good towne: it is fortified with 17 towres, and there bastions, and there the great duke makes his ordinaryaboad, being attended on by fiue and twentie thou∣sand men. The citie hath neither good ditch nor wall, nor any rampire to defend it; and the houses are for the most part of wood: it is great, but very myrie, and in it are about

[ A] 41500 houses. There are many other places to be seene, but they stand dispersed, and much scattered, and in the middest of great plaines. The longest day of Sommer in the towne of Mosko is neere eighteene houres.

The other prouinces are the duchie of Volodimer, where there is to be seene a great [ IIII] towne of the same name, built of wood, and distant from Musko towards the East, about six and thirtie Polonian leagues.

There is moreouer, the duchie of Base Nouograd, where is also to be seene a towne [ V] carrying the same name, built of wood, & lying from Mosko about one hundred leagues of Polonia.

[ B] Moreouer, the prouince of Rezan lies betwixt the riuers of Oque and Don, whereof [ VI] the great duke carries the title; and besides this, there is the duchie of Vorotina, as also, the prouince of Seuere, which is verie great: it containes many towns, among the which they doe number for the most famous those of Starodub, Potiuule, and Czernigouu.

The prouince of Smolenko is scituated vpon the riuer of Neper, or Deneper, called [ VII] Borysthenes by Ptolomee. This countrie was taken by Basilius duke of Muscouie, from the King of Poland, who was the Protector. The chiefe towne is also called Smolenko: it is reasonable great, and is distant from Mosko about eightie Polonian leagues.

The countrie of Mosaiski hath in length about three hundred and fiftie Italian miles, [ VIII] and as much in bredth. It was taken by Iohn duke of Muscouie, predecessor to Basilius, [ C] from Alexander King of Poland. Biele, or Bielski, is in like manner a principalitie, or pro∣uince of Russia, hauing a towne and castle of the same name vpon the riuer of Opske. This place is sixtie German leagues from Mosko, and six and thirtie from Smolenko▪

The duchie of Roschoue hath a towne of the same name, with a castle of wood, and is from Mosko, towards the West, about three and twentie leagues. The towne stands [ IX] vpon the famous riuer of Volga.

The countrie of Tuuer, or Otuuer, one of the greatest of Russia, hoth a towne called Tuuerde, the which is greater and more stately than that of Mosko, from the which it is [ X] distant six and thirtie leagues.

The prouince of Plescouia, or Pleskonia, hath in length three hundred and thirtie Ita∣lian [ XI] [ D] miles, and is not so broad by a third part. The chiefe towne is Pleskouu, great and powerfull, and walled about, which the other townes of Muscouie want.

Nouograd the Great, is the greatest duchie of all Russia, and takes his name from the [ XII] great and rich towne of Nouogrod, which exceeds all those that lie towards the North, notwithstanding that most part of the houses are made of wood: this towne is about two hundred miles from the Balticke Sea, one hundred and twentie from Mosko, to∣wards the South-West, six and thirtie from Pleskouu, and fortie from Iuuanouu∣grod.

The countrie of Volske, or Votske, is seated betwixt the West and North, and vpon the left hand it hath the castle of Iuuanouugrod. The prouince of Corelle is from No∣uogrod [ XIII] [ E] sixtie Polonian leagues towards the North: it extends vnto the frosen sea, and their longest day in Sommer is twentie houres and a halfe, during the which the Sunne doth shine, so as they haue not at that season any darke night.

The prouince of Bieleiezioro, or Biolysero, hauing a towne also so called, takes his name from the White Lake, neere vnto the which it lies, and in the which there is a fort [ XIIII] to be ••eene, which they hold impregnable, whereas the great duke doth commonly lodge his treasure, and whether he retires himselfe in time of necessitie whenas his ene∣mies presse him. This countrie is a hundred leagues both from Mosko and Nouogrod the Great. Volokde is also a prouince, wherein there is a place exceeding strong, whereas the great Knez doth sometimes lay part of his treasure. The duchie of Iaroslaue, with a [ F] towne and castle of the same name, vpon the riuer of Volga, is six and fortie leagues from Mosko. They doe also put the principalitie of Rostouu neere vnto Nouogrod the Great.

The prouince of Duuine, drawing the name from the riuer that waters it, was some∣times of the jurisdiction of Nouogrod: and the riuer hath receiued her name from the [ XV]

concourse of the riuers of Iuch, and Suchane; for that Duuine, in the Ruthenian tongue, [ A] signifies two. Notwithstanding that this countrie be one hundred leagues broad, yet hath it no other place, but the castle of Colmogor, that of Pinegue, and the towne of Duuine, seated in the middest of the prouince. There are good store of villages, but they stand scattering one from another, by reason of the barrennesse of the countrie. The Sun shines there in the solstice of Sommer, whenas it comes into the tropike of Cancer, one and twentie houres and a halfe, so as night there, is like vnto the breake of day: but whenas the Sunne is in the solstice of Winter, it remaines ouer the countrie about two houres and a halfe.

[ XVI] They place the prouince of Susdali, with a towne and castle of the same name, betwixt Rostouu and Volodimer. The towne of Susdali hath an Episcopall See, and was some∣times [ B] faire and well peopled, whenas the dukes of Muscouie kept their courts at Volo∣dimer: but at this day it is in a manner desart, by reason of the continuall incursions of the Tartarians. The prouince of Vuiathka, beyond the riuer of Camme, is distant from Mosko about one hundred and fiftie leagues: it did in former times obey the Tartarians, but it was taken from them by Basilius the great duke of Muscouie.

[ XVII] Permia is a verie great prouince, distant two hundred and fiftie leagues from Mosko, and hath a towne of the same name vpon the riuer of Vischore, or Vistore. The longest day in Sommer is of eighteene houres. The countrie of Iugre, or Iuhre, or Iugaria, lieth towards the North Sea, and it is from thence that the Hongarians comming in former [ C] times, seised vpon Panonia, the which they called of their name Iugaria, Hongarie. The prouince of Petzore is verie long, bending from the East and North vnto the frosen Sea. The inhabitants of this prouince haue their longest day of two and twentie houres.

The Muscouite hath also vnder his empire the Czeremisses, which are vnder Nouo∣grod, as the Nordues neere to Volga are vnder base Nouogrod. There are also other countries lying towards the North, which acknowledge the great Knez, as that of Ob∣dore, Condore, Culomorie, and Lappia, and in like manner certaine Hordes of Tarta••i∣ans, as the Hord of Casan, the towne of Astracham, or Citracham, with the Hords of Nohaicois, and some others. [ D]

¶ The Qualitie of the Countrie.

[ XVIII] TO discourse in generall of all this countrie, it is full of marishes, myerie, moist, and nothing fertile, by reason that the aire is rough and vntemperat, and the fields are full of sand, and the soyle not good: so as the corne doth seldome ripen, by reason that the Winter is long, and the cold verie sharpe: wherefore, they drie their sheaues in stoues: yet they haue store of wheat, and grasse. Their land beares no vines, nor oliue trees, cheries, nor walnuts: they haue small nuts, and some other kinds of fruits, but their tast is not verie pleasing. The high countrie is full of woods and great forests, where the trees [ E] are verie high and thicke, and these woods are part of the forest of Hercynia. They find in them great numbers of Elkes, B••gles, B••a••es, Stags, and Wolues, but especially of Hares. Their sheep are much lesse than ours. They haue great store of bees, which liue not only in hyues which they make expresly for them, but they also fill hollow trees in the forest with their hony; yea in such sort, as a Muscouite called Demetrius being sent to Rome in embassage, reported, That a countrieman of his knowledge, and his neighbour, had slipt down into a great hollow tree to seeke for honie, and that being at the bottome, he was vp to the breast in honie, and continued two dayes in that estate, liuing onely of honie, vntill that seeing a beare which came to eat of this honie, and had gotten downe, he layed hold of him, and so terrified him with his cries, as he made him to leape forth, [ F] and so drew him out with him, hauing fast hold of the beares legges. Horned beasts are for the most part without hornes. The countrie yeelds aboundance of flax and hempe, which they transport into many parts of Europe, to make cords. There are not ••ny veynes of gold, siluer, or other mettall in this countrie, except yron. There is store of pa∣sture,

[ A] and by consequence great aboundance of cattell and flesh.

The aire of Muscouie is so good, as it were a wonder to see it infected with the plague: yet they haue a burning feuer which doth so torment them, lying in their heads & bow∣ells, as they die within few daies. The land opens and gapes by reason of the great cold, as it doth in our countries after a great heat & drought. Yet somtimes it is hote in the coun∣trie, for in the yeare 1527, the heat of Sommer was so violent, as the wheat yea and for∣rests were burnt, as Sigismond doth write.

There are many goodly riuers, among which there are diuers very famous, as well by [ XIX] reason of the nauigation, as for their greatnesse, and for the aboundance of fish which is [ B] in them. The chiefe which rise and haue their springs in the countrie it selfe, or else doe water it, are Borysthenes, called vulgarly Dnieper, Deneper or Neper, and Nester or Denester whose spring was vnknown to Herodotus; but discouered in our time neere to Dniepetk a village in Muscouie in the forrest of Wolkonzki. This riuer running towards the South, and passing first by the towne of Smolenko, then by Kiouia, and some other townes, being growne great with many other waters, falls into the Euxine sea, among others it receiues the riuer of D••sna, called by the auncients Hipani, but in such sort, as it being most cleere of it selfe, and Desna muddie, it is not troubled with it. Turante now called Duina, as Heberstein Rubo affirmes, comes out of the lake of Duina, neere vnto the spring of Neper in the same forrest, and falls into the Balt••cke sea. Rha now called Vol∣ga [ C] and Edil, is another riuer in Muscouie, which draws her name from a lake so called, which is fiue and twentie leagues from Musco, bending towards Lituania. This riuer hath an infinit course, for that rising as I haue said, and turning vp and downe, in the end it passeth neere vnto the towne of Astracham, and falleth into the Caspian sea with se∣uentie mouthes: the nauigation whereof doth inrich Muscouie with gold, siluer, silkes, and tapistrie, and by it they carrie away in exchange rich furres. The riuer of Tanais or of Don comes not out of the Riphean mountains, as some haue thought, but out of a great lake which is within a forrest neere vnto the riuer of Tuelle. This riuer with her course diuides Europe from Asia, and comming out of Muscouie, hauing runne a great tract, it turnes backe towards the South, and makes the marishes which they call Meotides, and [ D] are at this day called of Temerinde. This riuer hath store of fish, and goodly banks coue∣red with grasse, and fruit trees, whereas they also find roots of a pleasing tast. Herberstein saith, that this riuer doth swell so in Autumne, as it is able to beare great ships ful fraught. The riuer of Ocque hath her spring in the prouince of Misceneke, and makes all the land which it waters fertile: it abounds in fish, which they esteeme more than all the rest of Muscouie. There are moreouer many lakes, whereof some are exceeding great: for be∣sides the lake of Volga, of Duina, and others, from whence the riuers of Muscouie take their springs, there is the lake of Imen which the Rutheniens call Ilmer, aboue Nouo∣grod the great, the which is twelue German leagues long, and eight broad.

But to describe more particularly the qualitie of these countries, it is most certaine [ XX] [ E] that in the prouince of Volodimer, the land is so good & so fertile, as a measure of come being sowne doth many times yeeld twentie, yea sometime fiue and twentie measures. It is true that the soile of Rhezan is much more fertile, and yeelds more than all the rest that are vnder the Muscouite, for they say that one graine of corne doth many times bring forth six eares, yea more; the stalkes grow so thicke, as a horse can hardly passe through them, nor the quailes flie, or get out of them but with much difficultie. In this prouince there is great store of honie, fish, foule, and in like manner plentie of ••rmines and beuers; and their fruits are better than in any countrie of Muscouie: it is in this countrie whereas they find the spring of the riuer of Don.

As for the countrie of Seuere, it abounds in all things, notwithstanding that there be [ F] great champian desarts, and neere vnto Branki a very great wood. The forrests are full of ermines and sables. Touching the duchie of Smolenko, there are many thicke forrests, from whence they carrie a great number of sundrie skins. But if we shall obserue the pro∣uince of Volsque, we shall find one thing strange, for they hold it for certaine that the beasts which are brought thither, of what haire or colour soeuer they be, grow all white

hauing made any stay there. As for the prouince of Bieleieziore, it is in a manner full of [ A] woods, and marishes. In regard of that of Vstyug, there is little corne, but much flesh and fish: there are great numbers of beasts of all sorts, and by consequence many rich skins, except sables, the which are neither faire, nor many in number. The countrie of Rostoau hath a fertile soile, and abounds in salt and fish.

The prouince of Duuina is reasonably fertile, and it is plentifully furnished with fish and great store of beasts. Vpon the sea coast of this countrie there are many white beares which liue most commonly in the sea, as they of the countrie report. That of Viuatke is barren and moorish; but there is great plentie of honie, fish, and wild beasts. In the pro∣uince of Permia there is no corne, but in recompence they haue great store of stags and [ B] other beasts.

In the prouince of Petzore there are great mountaines and wonderfull high rockes, the which the auncients called Riphean or Hiperboreans, the which continually are co∣uered with snow. They are so high as some haue beene seuenteene daies going vp, and yet could not come to the top. There is not any corne in this countrie, but many wild beasts.

¶ The Manners of the auncient inhabitants.

[ XXI] THey which in old time liued in the citie of Mosco, had a custome which the successi∣on [ C] of the great duke hath quite abolished. There was a square stone in the middest of the m••rket place & if any one could get vp vnto it and not be ouerthrowne, he obtained the principalitie of the towne. The inhabitants did striue one against another with great yehemencie to get vp to this stone, and to hinder them that sought ot mount. Many haue reported that the Muscouits wiues did sometimes weepe, and complaine bitterly of their husbands, if they did not beat them often, beleeuing that they did not loue them, for that they shewed no effects of ielousie: so as euen they that were most tender ouer their wiues, were forced to beat them once or twice a weeke, to please them and to giue them some assurance of their loue, and by this meanes all iarres were ended.

¶ The Manners at this day. [ D]

[ XXII] THe Muscouits are for the most part strong and swift. They are of a meane stature, but square in the shoulders: they doe commonly weare long beards, and very long gar∣ments without any plaits, the which hang downe vnto their heeles, hauing very straight slecues, after the manner of the Hongarians, & they are commonly white, or of an azure colour: they weare buskins to the calfe of the legge, which are for the most part red, the which are high at the heele, and set with nailes of yron. They haue a good custome, that euery man weares garments according to his condition, and according to the great dukes ordinances, who hath prescribed what euery man shall weare. They haue for their armes [ E] a quiuer full of arrows, a bow, a hatchet, a partuisan, long kniues, and gloues many times double garnished with lead, the which they did sometimes vse in Greece. The footmen also carrie launces: they are armed with long corslets, and weare headpeeces and mory∣ons; they serue vpon geldings which are little and lightly furnished. They ride with short stirrops on a genet, and shoot their arrows flying with wonderfull dexteritie. Whenas they begin to flie, they haue no hope but in their flight, and being ouertaken by their enemies, they make no defence, neither are they euer seene to begge their liues, not any good vsage, not to make any entreatie. Moreouer they liue but miserably, hauing for their drinke nothing but water beere, or meade, it being forbidden them to drinke any liquor that may make them drunke, but twice or thrice in the yeare. They are opprest with a [ F] heauie and insupportable tyrannie, for that the noble men and peeres of the realme are subiect to the great duke, who disposeth of them as of slaues, and the people are tyran∣nised by the nobilitie. They haue a certaine natural inclination which doth m••••ue them to ra••e one at another with reproachful words, and also to accuse one another be it right∣fully

[ A] or without cause. They haue this cunning or villanie in them, secretly to transport into another mans house, and to hide that which is theirs, to the end, that hauing made a search, they may haue them condemned in whose lodging the things are found. They are so barbarous and trecherous, as there is not any plainnesse or sinceritie to be found among them; and their naturall disposition is so bad, as you shall neuer see any firme loue or frindship among them, yea they keepe no faith with them to whom they haue promi∣sed it, neither haue they any respect of parentage or alliance. They are as subtile and deceitfull as can be, and in all their bargaines they haue still some tricke and double vn∣derstanding, with the which they seeke to abuse one another, and to find meanes to [ B] breake their contracts, and to interpret them after their owne fancies: and it is a thing so common among them, and so well knowne, as they finding themselues blemished with this vice, faine themselues to be no Muscouites, whenas they are to deale with any stran∣gers, or would traffique with them. Iustice (as a man may say) is sold by the sound of the drum to him that offers most, and will pay deerest for it, and this wickednesse is pra∣ctised in a manner publiquely, and the poore haue no accesse to the prince, but onely to his Councellors, and that with verie great difficultie; and that which is more strange, poore men, and such as are vnknowne, can hardly haue accesse to ordinarie gentlemen, which are not of the greatest note in the prouince; and gentlemen shew themselues very seldome, to the end they may purchase greater authoritie, and be more respected, suffe∣ring [ C] themselues to be seldome seene by the people.

The women doe commonly carrie store of pearles and pretious stones, especially they want not to hang at their eares. She that hath married the second time, shall be held to be chast inough: but if she come vnto the third marriage, she is held for to be vnchast: the like opinion they haue of men. The people for the most part are wonderfully giuen to whoredome and drunkennesse: they are verie carefull of the sicke: they labour with horses: whereas in former times they had no kind of money coyned, now they vse some: they speake the Sclauonian tongue, but so mixed with other languages, and so corrupt, as the Sclauonians and Muscouites vnderstand not one another. The great duke suffers not his subiects to go out of his countrie, by reason whereof, the Muscouites knowing [ D] no other world but their owne countrie, and beleeuing that there is not any prince so powerfull as theirs, are wonderfull arrogant, and full of insupportable pride. They haue not among them any Physitians or Apothecaries.

But to speake something in particular of certaine prouinces of Muscouie, they of the [ XXIII] countrie of Rhezan are held valiant, and borne to warre, and they of Seuer fight also with great courage, by reason of their continuall warres with the Tartarians. They of Nouo∣grada the Great, were in former times verie courteous; but they are now much corrup∣ted, and haue left that good disposition by the conuersation they haue had with the Muscouites. They of Volsque haue a particular language, which differs not much from that of the Prussians. The inhabitants of the countrie of Permia vse no bread, but liue [ E] of the flesh of stagges and other beasts: they haue a particular language and characters also which differ from them of Russia: they vse dogges and great stagges in stead of hor∣ses to carrie their burthens, and to draw their wagons. They of Iugre or Iugaria speake the Hongarian tongue: and the inhabitants of the prouince of Petzore are verie simple, and haue a particular language: they neuer eat any bread. The Czeremissois liue in great forests, and haue not any houses. They vse a language differing from the rest: they are verie swift, and exceeding good archers. They carrie their bows continually in their hands, and loue them in such sort, as they neuer giue their children which are growne to any stature any thing to eat vntill they haue hit a white which they set vp before them. They liue for the most part of honie, and the flesh of wild beasts; they eat bread seldome, [ F] and make their garments of skins. The Morduois are in euerie thing like vnto the Czeremissois, onely they liue in houses, and haue a particular language.

¶ The Riches. [ A]

[ XXIIII] THe Muscouits haue great store of skin•• of Elkes, Stagges, Beares, Wolues, & Sables, which they sell deere vnto the merchants of Europe, as also flax and hempe which they hold to be exceeding good. And they haue great store of corne which they send towards the Caspian and Euxin Seas, besides yron, wax, tallow, wood, asnes, honie, and the other commodities aboue mentioned, whereof they sell aboundance to strangers. They haue a port called S. Nicholas, which is of great traffique, whether the English trade much, and to some other parts of the great Dukes dominions. But for all this, we [ B] must not thinke that this countrie is of great traffique, as well for that the inhabitants are not verie industrious, and that the countrie whereas arts, trades, & works do not flourish, cannot be of great traffique, nor sought vnto by strangers; as also, for that it is not lawfull for the Muscouites to go out of their princes dominions: by reason whereof, they are ig∣norant of matters belonging to the Sea. They doe onely exchange that which the coun∣trie yeelds, that is to say, pitch, honie, wax, skins, and other commodities, for cloth and such like, which the Armenians bring to Astracan vpon the Caspian sea, or of Bachu, and the English to S.Nicholas vpon the gulfe of Granu••c.

[ XXV] As for the kings riches, we may easily coniecture that they are great, seeing that he is Lord and absolute maister of all things; he makes vse of the labour of his subiects, and [ C] taketh what part of their goods he pleaseth. He takes vnto himselfe the decrest and most pretious skins which are found in his countries, and makes his owne share: he doth the like of all kind of fish. He sells the skins, or giues them; and as for fish they drie it in the wind, and keepe it for the prouision of his sorts. No man may sell any thing in the mar∣ket, before that be bought which the prince hath sent. The places of greatest traffique from whence he drawes the greatest part of his reuenues, are Astracan, which is vpon the Caspian Sea, whether they bring their merchandise from Persia and Armenia: and S. Nicholas vpon the gulfe of Granuic, whether come the ships from England and Hol∣land, laden with copper and other merchandise, which they carrie from thence to Vo∣logde. [ D]

Whenas the Embassadours of the great Knez returne into Muscouie, he takes from them the presents which they haue receiued from princes, giuing them some matter of small value in exchange, and sometimes nothing at all. To conclude, he drawes vnto himselfe all that he finds good in his Estates. By reason whereof, they hold that he hath great store of treasure in the forts of Mosko, Ieroslauia, and the White Lake; the which hath some show of trueth, for the great Duke Iohn carried away in a manner all the Cha∣lices, reliques, crosses, and siluer, out of Liuonia: and it is not lawfull to carrie any mony out of his countries, vnlesse it be to redeeme slaues, or to pay the ransome of such as are taken by the enemies in warre. It is true, that by the losse of Liuonia (yeelded by the great Duke to Stephen King of Poland, in the yeare of our Redemption 1582) he hath [ E] beene depriued of the richest part of the traffique of the Balticke Sea, and of the best countrie he had. Yet notwithstanding the great Duke is exceeding rich, as well for the reasons aboue mentioned, as for other commodities which doe accrue vnto him: for he hath certaine Magazins of salt towards Liuonia, the which yeeld him yearely a million of gold, and is a great preiudice vnto France, the which for a long time did vent salt into these countries. They doe also send store of corne and other commodities into Sue∣den, Denmarke, and the neighbour countries, whereby they raise great s••mmes of money.

[ XXVI] But to represent in some sort the greatnesse and riches of this prince, I hold it not vn∣fitting to set downe in few words what Philip Pernisten Embassadour for the Emperour [ F] with the great Duke of Muscouie, reports of the entertainment he receiued from him, and of his magnificence. He saith, That the great Duke did carrie a Crowne which was richer than the Popes, the French Kings, the King of Spaines, or the Emperour, and that it was of an inestimable value: His roabe was all set with Diamonds, Rubies, Emeralds,

[ A] and other stones as big as hasle nuts, so as Pernisten was amased how he could carry so great a burthen. His eldest sonne was attired like himselfe. They were serued at their meat by a hundred gentlemen or thereabouts, all which carried so many dishes of gold vnto the table, setting them they tooke away vpon a great cubbord one vpon ane another, not caring for the meat that was in them. He sent vnto Pernisten whenas he departed from his court three hundred and twentie sable skins, euery one of which was valued in Vienne at twentie pounds sterling, and entertained him at his owne charge during all the time he remained in his countrie. He saith also that whenas the great Knez did feast him, there was in the Antichamber or Stoue such aboundance of chargers, bowles, and such like [ B] of gold and siluer, as thirtie wagons had not beene able to carrie all this vessell, and yet this was not his chiefest plate, but onely that of the castle where he dined. He must of ne∣cessitie haue great store of siluer, for that one of these dukes after the taking and sacke of Horcograde carried away three hundred wagons laden with money with an infinit quan∣titie of gold and siluer He hath infinit means to draw money, for that he alone doth deale with all sorts of merchandise throughout the realme, and spends not one pennie vpon any occasion; and all such as he sends into any of his countries defraie themselues. In like manner he giues not any thing to his souldiers, but going to the war, and returning from it, he paies to euery one three pence, the which he will haue obserued, to the end he may know what numbers go vnto the war, and what returne. And this is all that can briefely [ C] be spoken of the riches of this great prince; let vs now come vnto his forces.

¶ The Forces.

IT is most certaine that the incursions of the Tartarians Precopites, and Nogaies (who are neuer quiet, not suffer their neighbours to liue at rest, but carrie away whole pro∣uinces, [ XXVII] whom they sell vnto the Turkes and others) are the cause that Muscouie is much vnpeopled. Moreouer the enterprises made by the great dukes into far countries, haue much decreased the nūber of the people of Muscouie. There is nothing doth more shew the wisdome of a prince than his discretion in knowing what enterprise is profitable for [ D] his Estates, and what desseigne is preiudiciall, and his judgement not to suffer himselfe to be carried away with any shews of greatnesse, which transport him beyond the bounds of safetie, and draw him into daungerous extremities. For he that weakens his Estate of men an meanes, without hope of greatnesse, is like vnto him that should ruine the foun∣dation of his house to raise the walls or to make the couering: and it is well knowne that the first Principle of an Estate is to preserue it selfe, and the conquests which are made with the diminution of her forcos is contrarie to this Maxime, which should be carefully obserued.

Conpuests are like vnto grafts which should better the condition of an Estate, and not impaire it: for as they graft either to better sauage trees, or to make some plant beare [ E] fruit which carries none: so enterprises should be made in such sort as they may bring commoditie or wealth; otherwise they are but a charge and vexation, & are fitter to con∣sume and rulne, than to encrease and assure an Estate. Such are most commonly the wars which are made to conquer countries, which haue no communication with ours but are far off, or that haue neede of greater forces than ours to be preserued. For it is most cer∣taine that all enterprises should be grounded vpon three heads, whereof the one is the right and interest which he hath to that which he pretends to conquer; the second, the facilitie to vanquish; and the third, the fruit of the victorie: so as wars which are vnder∣taken without hope of fruit are meere follies.

The great dukes of Muscouie in truth haue far extended the bounds of their domini∣ons, [ F] but for all this they haue nothing augmented their forces. And we may say that none of them haue attempted farther, nor spent more treasure than the great duke Iohn, who tooke the realmes of Calan vpon Volgue, & of Astracan vpon the Caspian sea, and subdued a great part of Liuonia; but many of his men perished in these voiages, in bat∣tailes and in assaults, or by the enemies hand, sicknesse, hunger, or their continuall toile:

and after the conquest he was forced to entertaine great garrisons in his sorts, or to plant [ A] colonies there. By reason whereof the men being imployed far from their houses, either to get or to keepe that which is gotten, the women remaine at home like widdowes with∣out hope of issue: so the heart was left vnfurnished of bloud, which was drawne to the extremities. For being afterwards assaulted by Stephen king of Poland, he had not forces sufficient to defend the countrie of Liuonia, and so many other important places which were taken from him; so he was forced to quit all Liuonia vnto the Polonians.

The greatest part of the Muscouites buildings being of ioists ioined together and earth in the middest; they doe also for the most part make towers of ioists, the which are so strong as they beare all kind of ordnance how great and waightie soeuer. Some dispute [ B] what forts are best, either those which are built of stone and lime, or those that are made onely of wood and earth, and so alleadge in fauour of the last, that they are sooner made and with lesse charge, and are of better vse against batteries, and if they be easily ruined, they are also repaired in a short time, and that they may be fitted with more facilitie for diuers manners of defences. Yet it is most certaine that fortifications of stone are to be preferred, for that there being many meanes to offend a fort, that is to say, by the cannon, mine, fap, and fire, it may be a wall is lesse able to resist ordnance than earth, but it is much better than earth against the rest.

The strength of the countrie consists partly in the multitude of marishes and riuers, and partly in the thicknesse of woods; and the Muscouites haue beene accustomed to [ C] suffer the countries which lie neere vnto the enemie to be desart and wast, to the end there may grow great woods (the which doth happen infallablie, by reason of the humi∣ditie of the ground) and that it may serue as a rampire to their townes. This hath much troubled the Polonians, for that to make them a way into their enemies countrie, they haue beene forced to cut downe great woods, and to loose much time.

There are also some forts built, part of stone and part of earth, but without any flan∣kers, or art of fortification, as those of Mosko, Nouogrod, Plescouia, Porkouia, Stari∣cia, Slobode of Alexandria, and Smolenko. But the walls of any place of strength are commonly made of great beames, the which they plant in such sort, as they leaue a space in the middest which they fill vp with earth very artificially, leauing certaine holes for [ D] their harquibuziers, and this kind of defence is reasonable good against artillerie, but not to resist fire, as I haue said.

The subiects of the great Knez serue their prince in the wars in such sort, as they seeme rather fearefull of punishment if they doe not well, than to haue any courage or valour. They obay their captains readily vpon the first command, & endure all discommodities patiently, neither caring for cold nor raine, they suffer hunger better than any people in the world, and content themselues with little. Wherefore some are of opinion that they are fitter to defend a fort, than to fight in open field; for that patience is required in the first, but they must haue courage and resolution for the other. Contrariwise the Poloni∣ans are much fitter to encounter an enemie in open field: wherefore the great duke [ E] Charles knowing the basenesse of his people in skirmishes and battailes, and the resoluti∣on and courage of the Polonians, said that his men had need of a spur to pricke them forward against their enemies, and the Polonians of a bridle to keepe them backe.

[ XXVIII] The chiefe forces of this prince consist in horsemen, but it is hard to say what numbers of horse he may draw to field. I will not beleeue that he can draw together three hundred thousand horse, as some doe affirme, for that his countrie is desart, and not manured in many places, there being scarce any one village from Casan to Astracan, they being two daies iourney one from another: and in the warre which Stephen king of Poland made against the Muscouites, notwithstanding that he had not aboue sixtie thousand horse and foot in his armie, the great duke could neuer draw so many men together, as he could [ F] make head against them in open field, or hinder the taking of Polosque, Vilchiluque, and some other places, or diuert him from the siege of Plescouia. And in the yeare 1560, the prince of the Tartarians came with an armie of eightie thousand horse into the heart of the Muscouites Empire, and burnt the citie of Mosko, the ordinarie aboad of the great

[ A] dukes. But they which say that the great duke of Muscouie may draw together three hun∣dred thousand horse, and the king of Poland two hundred thousand, do rather make an estimate of horses than men: for if there be great numbers of horse in Muscouie, it is well knowne they are not all good, not fit for warre, that euery one hath not meanes to mount and arme himselfe, and that some want siluer, others force, and some courage: and admit they had in Muscouie so many thousands of horse and men, yet were it not possi∣ble to draw them all into one place, either for that the prince hath not treasure sufficient to do it, or for that he is not able to make so great a prouision of necessarie victualls; for that in Muscouie they must haue three hundred thousand horses of burthen for two hun∣dred [ B] thousand souldiers, besides victuallers, artizens, merchants, and groomes; to enter∣taine, which they must draw all Muscouie into one place, & if this were done, they should see most of their beasts and men to faile from one part vnto another. But admit it were possible to vnite and ioine all these together, yet were it not fit, if they will regard the good of an Estate; for that by this meanes they should vnfurnish the frontires of their garisons, and the prouinces of their strength and support, as also the towns of magistrats, and the fields of labourers. So as notwithstanding that a prince may make one hundred and fiftie thousand horse out of his Estates, it shall be sufficient if he draw together a third part when he is ingaged in any important war. Some more temperat, haue written that the Muscouite may draw together one hundred and fiftie thousand horse whenas he [ C] is forced to defend himselfe against any one that assailes: him and that Iohn the third, great Duke of Muscouie, led vnto the enterprise of Astracan one hundred and twentie thou∣sand horse, and twentie thousand foot. The same Duke did also inuade Liuonia against Alexander King of Poland, with three great armies, and retained another vpon the frontier.

The great Duke Iohn added vnto his horsemen certaine thousands of Harquebuziers, among which there were many strangers which did him great seruice in defence of his countrie. This Prince euerie two yeare caused a muster to be made throughout all his Prouinces, of such as were fit for the warre, where he did inroll all gentlemens sons, with the number of their seruants, and what horses they were able to bring. Their horsemen [ D] (especially the rich) vse corslets and head-peeces made of fine plates, which come out of Persia, and they serue also with the Launce. Others weare caslockes of cotton, the which are so doubled and so quilted, as no arrow can pierce them: and some of these doe car∣rie bowes, and others Harquebuzes, and all weare swords and daggers. This Prince doth also vse Germans for the warre, and Italians for his fortification.

He confines with the Precop, Prince of the Tartarians of the Taurique Chersonese; [ XXIX] with the Circassiens of the fiue Mountains (these inhabit a countrie which is eight daies journey long, and are gouerned by seuen Heads or Commaunders, after the manner of the Suisses;) with the Tartarians, Nogayes; with the King of Sueden, and the Polonians. He receiues much losse from the Precop, without any hope of reuenge: for that the Pre∣cop [ E] is allied vnto the Turke, who furnishes him with Harque••uzes and artillerie; and moreouer, he hath in his Estate many strong townes, with good garrisons of Turkes; so as it were a daungerous enterprise to aslault him: and moreouer, it is verie easie for the Precop to make incursions into the great Dukes countries, as he hath often done, and as he doth into that of the King of Poland. If the great Duke hath subdued the Tartarians of Casan and Astracan, it was by meanes of the Artillerie, which those people wanted. Among other things, he carried against them of Casan certaine engins made as follow∣eth: they tied vnto the axell trees of certaine Carts, a great and broad table with many holes, by the which his souldiers discharged their muskets and harquebuzes, and in this manner wounding their enemies who had nothing but arrowes, and receiuing no hurt [ F] themselues, it was easie for the great Duke to vanquish these Ta••tarians, and to make them subiect. But the Precop hath the vse of Harquebuzes, and moreouer the loue and protection of the great Turke, who to open himselfe a way into Muscouie, or into the Caspian Sea, hath tried of late yeares to draw a channell from the riuer of Don vnto that of Volga, wherein he hath shewed more judgement and courage than hath beene

commonly seene in Turkes: but his men were defeated by the Muscouites, assisted there∣in [ A] by the Tartarians, who feared by this meanes to fall wholly vnder the Turkes domini∣on, if this enterprise had succeeded; and not onely they defeated the armie which was vpon the riuer of Don, and took a good part of them that were in it, but also put to ••out that at land, in which they did number eightie thousand Tartarians, and twentie thou∣sand Turkes, among which were three thousand Ianissaries. The Circassiens liue as we haue said after the manner of the Suisses; not caring to make any conquests; but they serue for pay sometimes vnder the Turke, sometimes with the Sophie, and sometimes with the Muscouite, and they lie so farre off, as they haue no cause to feare his forces.

The Tartarians Nogaies are more to be feared by reason of the sodainnesse of their fu∣rious [ B] incursions, than for any meanes they haue to gather forces together for any great enterprise, and not many yeares since, hauing entred into the Muscouites countrie, they were pacified and returned home by reason of certaine presents which were giuen them. These Tartarians being (like to the Arabians) giuen to theeuing and murther, it is more easie to stay them in giuing them something, than in fighting with them.

Moreouer, who so should vndertake to make warre against them, should enter into a great charge without any hope of gaine, for that they haue neither towne nor place of strength by the taking and possession whereof they may be kept in awe. To stay whose incursions, the great Duke entertaines great troupes of horse at Citracan, Caffan, and Viatique, as he doth also at Gulugan, neere to the riuer of Don, to make head against the [ C] Precopites.

[ XXX] The Muscouite confines with the King of Sueden towards Finland; the Sueden against whom the Muscouite hath made long war, hath lost the forts of Serenesque, and the great and lesser Pernauia in Liuonia, with some other places, whilest that Stephen king of Poland molested him.

The King of Sueden holds at the end of the gulfe of Finland the fort of Vibourg, where he entertaines a good garrison to make head against the Muscouites. He doth also keepe in this Sea, and in the ports thereof, a good part of his ships of warre, as well to crosse all the dessignes of the great Duke, as to hinder the Germans from carrying any armes or munition. The aduauntage of this Sea armie hath made the King of Sueden [ D] stronger than the Muscouite in those places whereas these Sea forces may come: and by this meanes he hath taken many places from his enemie vpon the coast of Liuonia, and thereabouts: but it seemes that the great Duke hath alwaies had the aduantage in those places whereas his horsemen may fight in any good numbers, that is to say, vpon open plaines: yet they cannot much annoy one another, by reason of the roughnesse of the mountaines, the cold, yce, and snow.

We must now speake of the King of Poland, who hath a countrie better inhabited, and more ciuile than the great Duke; but not of so great an extent. There is also this difference betwixt these two Princes, that the Muscouites are more obedient to their Duke, and the Polonians more hardie and couragious: the first are fitter to resist, and the [ E] second to assaile; those seeme borne to defend their forts, and these to fight in open field; those are more vnited, and these more resolute in factions and enterprises; those feare hunger and all discommodities lesse, and these the sword and death: but the one and the other are such as the courage and conduct of their Prince doth make them: for we know well that the great Duke Basilius tooke the duchie of Smolenko and Polosko, and conquered a verie great countrie in Liuonia. And on the other side, Stephen King of Poland tooke Polosko, with many other places of importance from the great duke Iohn, sonne to Basilius.

¶ The Gouernement. [ F]

[ XXXI] IT is most certaine that the great duke of Muscouie disposeth as absolutly of his sub∣iects as any prince in the world, as you may obserue in many places of this discourse, for that he hath power both of life and goods, and is so feared, as when he hath comman∣ded

[ A] any thing, there is no contradiction, neither dare any man frame a complaint. Wherefore Meh•••••• ••isir•••••• to the great Turke said, that the Muscouite and the Turke al•••••• among all other princes ••••••••e absolute maisters of their goods; wherefore 〈…〉〈…〉 the enterprise of Steph•••• king of Poland very difficult. The great duke vseth an in••••••••d••ble care and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to maintaine himselfe in this authoritie. For first of all it is not ••••••full for any of his subiects to go out of his Estates without leaue, vpon pain of death. And for this cause there are none of his people that make any voiages by sea, nay they ••••re not, nor may not speake vnto an Embassadour, nor vse a strange physitian in their ••••••••nesse, vnlesse they haue leaue so to do••. He seekes also to make himselfe full of maie∣stie [ B] by the pompe and stárelinesse of his garments, for ioyning in a manner the grauitie of a prelate with his ••egall state: he carries vpon his head a Mi••er set with goodly pearles and rich stones, and if he weares it not, he holds it before him in his Throne, and doth often change to shew his greatnesse and riches. He holds in his left hand a kind of Crosse, which is very rich: he weares along roabe like vnto the Pope, whenas he goes to the Chappell, with his hands full of rings of great price. He holds in his right hand the image of Christ, and vpon the top of his ••haire stands that of the Virgin Mary. In his chamber, & in the withdrawing chamber attend men with roabes of cloth of gold down vnto the foot. To the end that no man may know more than himselfe, he hath not any ••••••••les for learning, but to read and write, whereas they read nothing but the Gospell, [ C] and the life of so••••d Saint, or some Homilie of S. Iohn Chrisostome, or of some other. If any one seemes to haue a desire 〈◊〉〈◊〉 proceed further in the sciences, he should be presently suspected to haue some bad d••••••••igh••, and his attempt should not be vnpunished: the which the great duke causeth to be obserued, to the end that none of his shall be more l••••••••ed than himselfe. Hence it growes that the Secretaries and high Chauncellor neuer 〈◊〉〈◊〉 not make answere to the Embassadors of for fa•••••• princes, but what the great duke d•••••• dictate. They neuer name the great K••••zin any affaires they treat of, but they all rise vp with great honour and r••••••••••nc•••• the like is done at the table whenas he inuites 〈◊〉〈◊〉 one to drinke, or makes him partaker of his dish, and in many other such like occasi∣ons. They doe also teach them from their infancie to speake and make account of their [ D] prince as of a God. God alone (say they) and the great Lord knowes this: our great Lord knoweth all: all health and all the commodities we haue come from our great L••••d. Thus the subiects instructed to this honour, and seeing such greatnesse and maiestie in their prince, and knowing no other reuerence, obey him not as subiects but as slaues, and respect him not as their prince, but as a God. There are not any noble∣men of title in Muscouie, as we see among vs dukes and barons, and if he grants to any one the possession of some place, it goes not to his heires vnlesse he confirmes it: and notwithstanding that he hath giuen this seigneurie, yet the peasants and countriemen pay p••••r•• of their fruits, and performe their daies workes vnto him. To conclude, all de∣pends of the will of the great duke, and the richer a man is, the more he is bound vnto [ E] him. To preuent all conspiracies, he transports whole families from one place vnto ano∣th•••••• and sends men vnto garrisons far from their houses, and as it were to banishment.

¶ The Religion.

THe Russians and Muscouites receiued the Christian religion from the Grecians in the [ XXXII] yeare of Grace 987, or as some say 942. They were before giuen to the worship of false gods, whom they left with such resolution, as they haue euer since persisted in the re∣ligion which they haue receiued, yet notwithstanding they haue added in succession of time many superstitions. They say that they and the Grecians alone are true Christians, [ F] and that the Romans and other Christians haue fallen from the Primitiue Church, and do not adhere to the seuen holy Synods. They vse the Sclauonian tongue, like to the Po∣lonians ••nd Lituanians, and celebrate their Masse and ceremonies in the same language, adding certain songs with the Epistle and Gospell in Greeke. They hate the Iewes dead∣ly, and will not suffer them to liue among them. They hold it a great offence to kill a calfe

and to eat the flesh of it. Pernisten reports that when he was Embassadour there for the [ A] Emperor, all the Muscouites seemed to haue a great desire to see Rome, and to visit the places where as they heard so many Saints had suffered Martyredome and been buried: but their greatest desire was to see our Lady of Loretto. They beare great honour to S. Nicholas, whose bodie they keepe carefully and with great reuerence. They are much more ceremonious in matters of religion than the Romanists; for that they neuer passe before a Monasterie, a Church, or a Crosse (whereof the streets are full) but they alight from their horses and kneele downe, which the footmen also do, making the signe of the Crosse, and saying these words following, Miloy Hospodi, Miloy Hospodi, Miloy Hospodi, Lord haue mercie vpon us. The same Pernisten saith, That whenas they that were sent [ B] vnto him to keepe him companie, came neere vnto any Church whereas they sayd Masse, it was not possible to make them passe on, vntill they had heard it, but falling vp∣on their knees, they did beat the ground often with their forehead, especially at the eleua∣tion of the Sacrament. They dare not enter into a Church, but remaine without (when∣as they haue beene with a woman) vntill they be bathed and washed. Whenas they ce∣lebrat Masse they are attired like Romish Priests: but one of their Masses continues twice as long as that of the Romanists, and they say it in the vulgar tongue. There are alwaies two or three Deacons present, which sing continually, Miloy Hospodi, and Alleluya, and all the assistants sing with him, making oftentimes the signe of the Crosse. They vse candles of wax, images, and other things like vnto the Romanists, and especially holie wa∣ter, and holie salt. At the end of Masse, the Priests diuide certaine little loaues that are [ C] hallowed, and distribute them vnto the people, the which they receiue and carrie home with great reuerence, seeking to giue some small portion to euerie one of their familie.

In Monasteries they alwaies say a Masse at the breake of day, at the which men onely assist, and many through great deuotion remain all night in the Church with the Monks, who successiuely sing and praise God without ceasing. They are also very deuout in their affaires; for they neuer go out of their lodging, nor enter in, but they bow themselues thrice before a crucifix or the Virgin Marie, which they keepe with some light in their chambers, and they make the signe of the Crosse, saying thrice Miloy Hospodi. This cere∣monie being done, they begin to speake to them that are neere them. They doe the like [ D] at the table whenas they take their repast.

Processions are also very frequent there, and notwithstanding that it is exceeding cold, yet they go far. Baptisme is esteemed, & administred by them, as by the Romanists, only they say, Let the infant be baptised in this fountaine, in the name of the Father, &c. Pen∣nance is also practised by the Confessor and the Penitent, who stands vpright in the mid∣dest of the Church, and neuer fits. Satisfaction is also frequent, as in the Primatiue Church, and rigorous amongst them. They communicate, and go yearely to receiue the holy Sacrament, the which is consecrated for sicke persons vpon holie Thursday onely, and kept in the Church with great reuerence vnder the kind of bread onely, whereof they breake a peece with a siluer spoone, and dissolue it in warme water, and then giue it [ E] to the sicke, worshipping it deuoutly; so as they differ not much herein from the Papists, only they vse leauened bread after the manner of the Grecians.

They honour the Saints much, and call vpon them to pray vnto God for them, and they beare a particular honour to S. Nicholas their patron, as I haue said. His image is in the towne of Massouia, and the prince doth euery morning (in the place where it is) cause a great quantitie of bread, flesh, and other things to be offered, the which is after∣wards distributed to the ministers of the Church, who do their office, and sing continu∣ally, praying vnto God for the prosperitie of this great prince; who doth also entertaine another Monasterie, neere that where the image of S. Nicholas is, called the holy Trinitie, where there are continually two hundred religious men, in whose Church S. Ignatius is [ F] buried, who as they say, doth often miracles, for that God would make this Saint glori∣ous among his enemies. The religious men are all of the order of S. Basil and liue very exemplarily like vnto Hermites. And no man can passe two or three leagues but he shall find a monasterie.

[ A] It is lawfull for Priests to marrie once, but if their wiues die they must liue a single life, and marrie no more. They denie purgatorie, and yet in their Masses and prayers they pray vnto God for the faithfull deceased, that his diuine Maiestie would pardon the pains which they haue deserued, and receiue them into the heauenly kingdome.

One of their greatest errors is, that they hold that it is not lawful to celebrat any other Councells but the first seuen: and as they imbrace those wholly, so they refuse all others that haue followed; and hence growes their discord with the See of Rome.

They haue their Metropolitan, of whom the Clergie and all the Bishops depend. They attribute as much to him as the Papists doe vnto the Pope. This Metropolitan [ B] should depend (as they say) of the Patriarch of Constantinople; but it is certaine there is little intelligence betwixt them, for that the Patriarch is of the Turkes countrie, and the other of the Muscouites, who are naturally great enemies. This Metropolitan doth euerie yeare celebrata Synod, whether all the Bishops and other Prelats come, who haue a pastorall staffe carried before them, as the Popes Legats haue the Crosse, and euerie one is accompanied with certaine religious men and seruants. There is not any Bishop made but he is a religious man; so as they that are in monasteries indeauour to liue well to obtaine this dignitie. The great Prince determines not of any thing of impor∣tance without the aduice of the Metropolitan. They fast Lent verie strictly, eating no∣thing that is boyled, vnlesse they be forced thereunto by reason of their weakenesse; and [ C] their fast continues a weeke longer than ours. During all the time of Aduent they doe the like, calling it S. Philips fast.

As for the Prince, he obserues carefully and strictly all the ceremonies belonging to religion, and all that it commaunds: for being at the table, as often as they change a dish, or giue him drinke, he makes many signes of the crosse. He failes not at any fast, and beats the ground with his forehead through deuotion like vnto the rest.

The Morduois, who liue vpon the frontiers of Muscouie, vse circumcision like vnto [ XXXIIII] the Turkes and Iewes. They worship no Idols like vnto the Pagans, neither are they baptised as the Christians. They liue according to the law of nature, and worship one onely God, creator of the whole world. They go seldome to field, and when they are [ D] there, they eat and drinke together, and offer vnto God the first of all they are to eat and drinke, casting it against heauen. They doe the like of any thing they gather.