Cosmographie in four bookes : containing the chorographie and historie of the whole vvorld, and all the principall kingdomes, provinces, seas and isles thereof / by Peter Heylyn.

5. SIAM.

SIAM, is bounded on the North, with Jangoma, and part of Pegu; on all other parts, with the wide Ocean, save that it toucheth on the East, with a part of Camboia, and on the West, with a poin•• of Pegu. So called from Siam the chief of all those kingdomes which pass under this name, as that from Siam the chief City of it.

The Countrey of greater length than breadth, stretcheth it self South-wards into the Sea many hundred miles, in form of a Peninsula or Denty-Iland, called antiently Aurea Chersonesus, or the Golden Chersonese: one of the five famous Chersoneses or Peninsulaes of the elder writers; the other four being Peloponnesus in Greece, the Thracian Chersonese neer Propontis, the Taurican Chersonese in the Euxine, and the Cimbrian Chersonese in the North of Germany, now part of Denmark. It had the name of Aurea, or the Golden, super-added to it, from its plenty of Gold, for which much celebrated by the Antients, both Greeks, and Romans (and therefore not improbably thought by some to be Solomons Ophir) stil famous with the rest of the Countries of the kingdome of Siam, for abundance of Gold, Silver, Tinn, and o∣ther metals; great quantity of Pepper sent yearly thence, with store of Elephants, and horses: the whole Countrey very fat, and fertile, well stored with Rice, Corn, Grass, and all other ne∣cessaries.

The people generally much addicted to pleasures, if not to Luxury; delighted much with Musick and rich apparel; and such as stand much upon their honour. For their instruction in good letters they have publick Schools, where their own Lawes, and the mysteries of their own religion, are taught them in their natural Language; all other Sciences in strange tongues understood by none but by the learned. To til∣lage they can frame themselves, and are painful in it; but by no means will follow any Mechanicall Arts, which they put over to their Slaves. In Religion for the most part Gentiles, worshiping the four E∣lements amongst other Gods; to each of which as they are severally affected, so are their bodies to be dis∣posed of: either burnt, buried, hanged, or drowned, after their decease; as in their lives they were most devoted to the fire, Earth, Air, or Water. Some Christians here also in and about the parts possessed by the Portugals; but more Mahometans: who possessing two hundred Leagues of the Sea-Coasts of this Coun∣trey, have planted that religion in most part of the Countrey now by them possessed.

It containeth in it many kingdomes, some of little note; those of most observation, 1. Malaca, 2. Patane, 3. Jor, 4. Muan••ay, and 5. Siam, properly and specially so called. Of which Malaca is now in the hands of the Portugals, Jor and Patane are possessed by the Arabians or Saracens; the other two have followed the fortunes of the kings of Siam.

1. The kingdome of MALACA taketh up the South part of the Golden Chersonese, extend∣ed towards the North from the Cape or Promontory which Ptolomy calleth Malanco••in, in the extreme South-point hereof neer unto Sabana, then a noted Emporie, for the space of 270 miles. So called from Malaca the chief City of it, of old times called Musicana, or built very neer it, from whence this Tract is called by Strabo, Musicani terra. The City seated on the banks of the River Gaza, which is here said to be 15 miles in breadth; by the frequent overflowings whereof, and the neerness of it to the Line (being but two degrees to the North) the Air hereof, and all the territory belonging to it, is very

unwholsome; and for that cause the Countrey but meanly populous. In compass it is said to be 20 miles, of great wealth, because of almost infinite trading; for Spices, Vnguents, Gold, Silver, Pearls, and previous Stones, the most noted Emporie of the East. Insomuch that is said by Ludovico Barthema, who was there before the Portugals knew it, that it was traded by more ships than any one City in the world, more by far since the comming of the Portugals to it, than it was before. The People (as in all this tract) of an Ash-colour, with long hair hanging over their faces; bloody and murderous, specially when they meet one another in the Night. Few other Towns of any note in a place so unhealthy, except 2. Sinca∣pura, situate East of Malaca, neer the Promontory of old called Magnum; supposed by some to be the Zaba of Ptolomy; and that more probably than that it should be his Palura, as Maginus would have it; Palura being a City of the Hither India, and different at the least 20 degrees of Langitude from any part of this Chersonese. But whatsoever it was called in the former times, it was in these latter ages the mother of Malaca; the greatest part of the Trade and people being removed from thence to this newer foundation: before which time it was the best frequented Emporie in these parts of the East. 3. Palo Zambilan, 120 miles on the West of Malaca, from whence to Sincapura, coasting about the Southern Cape (now called Cape Liampo) we have a Sea-shore of 270 miles, as before was said. No o∣ther habitation of any reckoning, but a few sheds upon the shore for the use of Fisher-men, and some scat∣tered Villages in the land the People dwelling most on Trees for fear of Tigers.

This Tract in former times possessed by the Kings of Siam, about the year 1258 b•• came a kingdome of it self; founded by Paramisera, and some other of the Javan Nobility, who flying the tyranny of their own king, came into this Country, where they were lovingly received by Sangesinga, then reigning under the S••amite, in Sincapura. Him they perfidiously slew, and invested Paramisera in his Dominion. Outed of which by the King of Siam, he was forced to seek a new dwelling, and after two or three Removes, fell upon the place where Malaca now standeth, which City, pleased with the commodiousness of the situation, he is said to have built. The trade of Sincapura in short time removed hither also, which so in∣creased the wealth and power of the Kings hereof, that joyning with the Moores who began to plant themselves on the shores adjoyning, and receiving withall the Law of Mahomet, they began to cast off all subjection to the Kings of Siam, to whom the sonne and Successor of P••ramisera had submitted his new-raised kingdom, and became their Homager. Incensed wherewith, the S••amite about the year 1500 sent out a Navy of 200 Sail to distress it by Sea, and an Army of 30000 men and 400 Elephants to besiege it by land. But before he was able to effect any thing, hindred by Tempests, and the insolencies of some of his Souldiers, the Portugals, in the year 1511, under the conduct of Albuquerque had possessed themselves of it, who built there a Fortress and a Church. And though Alo∣d••nus the sonne of the expelled King (whose name was Mahomet) endeavoured the regaining of his Estate, and that the Saracens, Hollanders, and the kings of For and Achen (two neighbouring Princes) envying the great fortunes of the Portugals, have severally and successively laboured to deprive them of it: yet they still keep it in defiance of all opposition which hath been hitherto made against them.

2. North unto that of Malaca lieth the kingdome of YOR, IOR, or IOHOR; so called of Jor, or Johor, the chief City of it. Inhabited for the most part by Moores, or Saracens, Mahometanism by their means prevailing on the Natives of the Country also. A Kingdom of no great extent, but of so much power, that joining his Land-forces with the Navy of the King of Achen, he besieged Malaca, and built a Royall Fort before it: in which, when taken by Paul de Lima, by the defeat of this king, were found 900 pieces of brass Ordnance. After this, picking a quarrel with the king of Pahan, he burnt his houses, barns, provisions, and the Suburbs of the City it self: but in the course of his affairs, was in∣terrupted by the King of Achen (one of the Kings in the Isle of Sumatra) his old confederate, who after 29 daies siege took the City of Jor. What afterwards became of this king or kingdom, I am not able to re∣solve. In former times it did acknowlege him of Siam for the Lord in chief.

3. More North-ward yet lieth the kingdome of PATANE, denominated from Patane the chief City of it: but different from Patane, in the other India, as Cleveland in York-shire from Cleve∣land in Germany; or Holland in the Low-Countries from Holland in Lincoln hire, as hath been fully shewn before. The City made of wood and Reed, but artificially wrought and composed together: the Mesquit onely (most of the people being Mahometans) is built of brick. The Chinois make a great part of the Inhabitants of it, insomuch that in this small City there are spoke three languages, viz. the Chi∣nese, used by that people, the Malayan (or language of Malaca) which is that of the Natives; and the Siam, to the King whereof this small Crown is Feudatary. Built of such light stuff and combustible mat∣ter, it must needs be in great danger of fire; and was most miserably burnt in the year 1613 by some Ja∣van Slaves in revenge of the death of some of their Fellows: at which time the whole City was consumed with fire the Mesquit, the Queens Court, and some few houses, excepted onely. The Country go∣verned of late years by Queens, who have been very kind to the English, and Hollanders, granting them leave to erect their Factories in Patane. Not memorable for any great exploit by them performed, but that a late Queen a little before that dismall fire, offended with the King of Pan or Pahan, who had maried her Sister, and reigned in a little Iland not farre off, she sent against him a Fleet of 70 Sail, and 4000 men: by which compelled to correspond with her desires, he brought his Queen and her children with him to make up the breach.

4. The Kingdom of SIAM, strictly and specially so called, is situate on the main-land (the rest before described being in the Chersonese,) betwixt Camboia on the East, Pegu on the West, the king∣dome of Muantay on the North, and the main Ocean on the South. The chief Cities of it, 1. Socotai, memorable for a temple made wholly of mettall, 80. spans in height, raised by one of the Kings; it being

the custome of this Country, that every king at his first coming to the Crown, is to build a Temple which he adorneth with high S••eples, and many Idols. 2. Quedoa, renowned for the best Pepper, and for that cause very much frequented by forreign Merchants. 3. Tavay, upon the Sea-coast where it joineth to Pegu. Whence measuring along the shores till we come to Champa before mentioned; being all within the Dominions of the king of Siam (not reckoning the Chersonese into this Accompt) we have a Seacoastof the length of 600 Leagues. 4. Lugor, upon the sea-side also, neer that little Isthmus, which joineth the Cherson se to the land; from whence to Malaca is 600 miles sail all along the coast. 5. Ca∣lantan, the head City of a little kingdome but subject to the Crown of Siam. 6. Siam, the chief City of this part of the kingdome, which it giveth this name to. A goodly City, and very commodiously seated on the River Menam, for trade and merchandise. So populous and frequented by forreign nations, that besides the natives here are said to be thirty thousand housholds of Arabians. The Houses of it high built, by reason of the Annual deluge, during which time they live in the Upper rooms; and unto every house a boat for the use of the familie. Those of the poorer sort dwell in little sheds made of reed and tim∣ber; which they remove from place to place for the best convenience of their markets. And yet so strong that being besiged by the Tanguan Conqueror, then king of Pegu, Anno 1567 with an Army of four∣teen hundred thousand fighting men, for the space of 20 moneths together, it resolutely held good against him: not gained at last by force but treason, one of the Gates being set open to him in the dead time of the right, and by that means the City taken. The people hereof are thought to be inclining to Christiani∣ty, but hitherto so ill instructed in the principles of it, that they maintain amongst many other strange opi∣nions, that after the end of 2000 years (from what time I know not) the world shall be consumed with fire, and that under the ashes of it shall remain two egs, out of which shall come one man and one woman, who shall people the world anew.

5. MVANTAY the last of these Kingdomes, lieth betwixt Jangoma and Siam: memorable for nothing more then the City of Odia, or Vdi••, the principal of all the Kingdomes of Siam, and the usual residence of those Kings. Situate on the banks of the River Ca••pumo, and containing in it 400000 Inhabitants, of which 50000 are trained to the warres, and in continual re••diness for prelent service. For though this King be Lord of nine several Kingdomes, yet he useth none of them in his wars but the natu∣rall Siamites, and those of this City and the rest of his Subjects of Muant••y. It is said that for the use of this City only (being eated like Venice upon many little Ilands not bridged together) there are no few∣er than 200000 skiffes, and shallops; serving to wast the people from one place to another. By means hereof of great strength, and almost impregnable. But being beleagured by the Tanguan or 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Conquerour with ten hundred thousand fighting men (an Army bigge enough to have bu∣ry••d a greater City than this; if every man had but cast a shovell full of earth upon it) it was wonne at last.

The Government of these kings of Siam, was absolute heretofore, if not tyrannical, he being sole Lord of all the land in his kingdomes, which he either gave to his Nobles, or Farmed out to Husbandmen, during life or pleasure, but never passed over unto any, the right of Inheritance. And these he grants un∣to his Subjects, besides rents in money, upon condition to mairtain a determinate number of horse, Foot, and Elephants: thereby inabled without further charge unto the Subject to leavy 20000 Horse, and 250000 Foot for present service; besides far greater numbers out of the residue of his people, if occasion be. And for his ordinary Guard he was said to keep 6000 Souldiers, and 200 Elephants, of which beasts he is re∣ported to have 30000, of which every tenth Elephant is trained up to the war. By reason of so great a power he became Master of the Realms of Camboia, and Champa; held those of M••l••ca, J••r, Pahan, and Patane, as his Vassals and Tributaries with that of Jangoma and the Laos, under his protection. But when the fatal time was come; and that his City of Siam was betrayed to the king of Pegu, he poisoned himself upon the newes; his sonne becoming Tributary to the Peguan Victor. This sonne of his, too much a Prince to be a Subject, reuolted from a sonne of the Peguan, a vicious and tyrannical King, (degenerating from the gallantries of so worthy a Father) by whom he was besieged in Siam with 900000 fighting men. Unable to resist this Army, if he had presently declared such a resolution, he entertained the king with Treaties, and promises of delivering the City to him, till the third moneth after, (which was March) when ordinarily the River was to overflow all the Countrey for 120 miles about: by which sud∣den and violent inundation, and the sword together (the Siamites waiting diligently for the opportunity) there perished all of this great Army except 70 thousand. After this blow, the conquering Siamite An∣no 1600 besieged and endangered the City of Pegu, of which more annon: and dying in the year 1605. left his estate unto his Brother. Whose sonne succeeding, settled a Factory in Siam of the English Mer∣chants Anno 1612. and was in a fair way of obtaining the soveraignty of Pegu, then destroyed and wasted; if the violent and unresitable coming of the king of Barms had not crossed him in it; to whom now subject with the rest of the Indian Princes on that side of the River.