The history of Russia, or, The government of the Emperour of Muscovia with the manners & fashions of the people of that countrey / by G. Fletcher, sometime fellow of Kings Colledge in Cambridge and employed in the embassie thither.

CHAP. VII. The State or form of their Government.

THe manner of their government is much after the Turkish fashi∣on, which they seem to imitate as near as the countrie and reach of their capacities in politick affairs will give them leave to do.

The State and form of their go∣vernment is plain tyrannicall, as applying all to the behoof of the Prince, and that after a most open and barbarous manner, as may ap∣pear by the Sophismata or secrets of their government afterwards set down, aswell for the keeping of the Nobilitie and Commons in an un∣der-proportion, and farre uneven ballance in their severall degrees, as also in their impositions and exacti∣ons, wherein they exceed all just 〈◊〉〈◊〉, without any regard of No∣bilitie 〈◊〉〈◊〉 People Further then it giveth 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Nobilitie a kind of unjust and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 measured 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to command and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 upon the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉〈◊〉

sort of people in all parts of the realm wheresoever they come, specially in the place where their lands lie, or, where they are appointed by the Em∣perour to govern under him; also to the Commons some small content∣ment, in that they passe over their lands by descent of inheritance to whether sonne they will, which com∣monly they do after our Gavelkind, and dispose of their goods by gift or testament without any controlement. Wherein notwithstanding both No∣bilitie and Commons are but storers for the Prince, all running in the end into the Emperours coffers: as may appear by the practice of enri∣ching his treasurie, and the manner of exactions set down in the title of his customes and revenues.

Concerning the principall points and matters of State wherein the So∣vereigntie consisteth, (as the making and annulling publick of Laws, the ma∣king of Magistrates, power to make warre or league with any forein State, to execute or to pardon life, with the right of appeal in all matters, both ci∣vil and criminall) they do so wholly

and absolutely pertain to the Empe∣rour, and his Councel under him, as that he may be said to be both the Sovereigne commander and the exe∣cutioner of all these. For as touch∣ing any Law or publick order of the Realm, it is ever determined of be∣fore any publick assembly or Parlia∣ment be summoned. Where besides his Councel, he hath none other to consult with him of such matters as are concluded beforehand, but onely a few Bishops, Abbots, and Friers: to no other end then to make advan∣tage of the peoples superstitions even against themselves, which think all to be holy and just that passeth with consent of their Bishops and clergie men whatsoever it be. For which pur∣pose the Emperours are content to make much of the corrupt state of the Church, as now it is among them, and to nourish the same by extraor∣dinary favours, and immunities to the Bishops Seas, Abbeys and Frie∣ries: as knowing superstition and false religion best to agree with a tyranni∣call state, and to be a speciall means to uphold and maintain the same.

Secondly, as touching the publick Offices & Magistracies of the Realm, there is none hereditarie, neither any so great nor so little in that countrey but the bestowing of it is done im∣mediately by the Emperour himself. Insomuch that the very Diacks or Clerks in every head town are for the most part assigned by himself. Not∣withstanding, the Emperour that now is (the better to entend his de∣votions) referreth all such matters pertaining to the State wholly to the ordering of his wives brother, the L. Borris Federowich Godonoe.

Thirdly, the like is to be said of the jurisdiction concerning matters judiciall, specially such as concern life and death. Wherein there is none that hath any authoritie or publick jurisdiction that goeth by descent, or is held by charter, but all at the ap∣pointment and pleasure of the Em∣perour, and the same practised by the Judges with such aw and restraint, as that they dare not determine up∣on any speciall matter, but must re∣ferre the same wholly up to the Mo∣sko, to the Emperours Councel. To

shew his Sovereigntie over the lives of his subjects, the late Emperour Ju∣an Vasilowich in his walks or pro∣gresses, if he had misliked the face or person of any man whom he met by the way, or that looked upon him, would command his head to be struck off; which was presently done, and the head cast before him.

Fourthly; for the sovereigne ap∣peal & giving of pardons in criminall matters to such as are convicted, it is wholly at the pleasure and grace of the Emperour. Wherein also the Em∣presse that now is, being a woman of great clemencie, and withall de∣lighting to deal in publick affairs of the Realm (the rather to supplie the defect of her husband) doth behave herself after an absolute manner, gi∣ving out pardon (specially on her birth-day and other solemn times) in her own name, by open proclama∣tion, without any mention at all of the Emperour. Some there have been of late of the ancient Nobilitie that have held divers provinces by right of inheritance with an absolute au∣thoritie and jurisdiction over them,

to order and determine all matters within their own precinct without all appeal, or controlment of the Em∣perour. But this was all annulled and wrung clean from them by Juan Vasilowich father to this Emperour.