The voyages and travells of the ambassadors sent by Frederick, Duke of Holstein, to the Great Duke of Muscovy and the King of Persia begun in the year M.DC.XXXIII. and finish'd in M.DC.XXXIX : containing a compleat history of Muscovy, Tartary, Persia, and other adjacent countries : with several publick transactions reaching near the present times : in VII. books. Whereto are added the Travels of John Albert de Mandelslo (a gentleman belonging to the embassy) from Persia into the East-Indies ... in III. books ... / written originally by Adam Olearius, secretary to the embassy ; faithfully rendered into English, by John Davies.

Ianuary 1. 1635. After Prayers and Sermon, we left Novogorod, and got forwards 36 Werstes,* 1.1 or seven Leagues, to Mokriza. The 2. We came to Tuerin, six leagues and a half. The 3. to Orlin,* 1.2 six Leagues; the 4. to Sariza, 8 Leagues; and the night following vve made four Leagues, to Lilienhagen, belonging to Dame Mary Stop, the Relict of Iohn Muller, who,* 1.3 living, had been Agent from Sueden, in Muscovy. We were very vvell treated there; and the next day we got seven Leagues, and came to Narva.

The 6. We sent away our baggage.* 1.4 The Ambassadors follow'd the next day, and three days after, viz. the 10. we came to Reuel, vvhence we stirr'd not for the space of three weeks. But considering at last, that the Baltick Sea was not Navigable that time of the year, and be∣ing withal unwilling to stay there the rest of the Winter,* 1.5 vve conceiv'd it vvould be our best course to be gone thence with the soonest,* 1.6 and to prosecute our journey by Land, through Prus∣sia, Pomerania, and Mecklenbourg.

The Ambassadors left Reuel Ian. 30. having tabled most of their retinue with Mr. Henry Ko∣sen, and vvith a retinue of ten persons, took their way to Riga The two first nights vve pass'd over at Kegel, a house belonging to Iohn Muller, Counsellor of the City of Reuel, my Fa∣ther-in-law; vvhere vve vvere very vvell entertain'd.

Feb. 2. vve came to Parnau, at vvhich place God was pleased to favour me with a great deli∣verance, vvhich vvas thus; discharging their Canon at our entrance, the Tampion, which they had forgotten to take out of one of the pieces, pass'd very near me, and struck against the vvall of the City Gate, where it broke, the splinters of it flying about my head with such vio∣lence, that, being stunn'd thereby, it was half an hour ere I recover'd my self.

The City of Parnau is but a small one,* 1.7 but hath a good Castle, built of wood, and after the Muscovian fortification; to which the Houses, the Gates, and the Churches are suitable. It is seated upon the little River of Parnau* 1.8 of Parnou, which gives it the name, and which rising out of the great Forrest near the little River Beca and the Castle of Weissenstein, and receiving in its passage the waters of the Rivers Fela and Pernkeia, disembougues it self into the Baltick Sea, near this City, which is divided into two parts, the Old and the New. 'Tis numbred among the Hanseatick Towns, though it hath not in a manner any other Commerce than that of Wheat. Eric, K. of Sueden, took it from the Poles, in the year 1562. but they recovered it again by stratagem, in the year 1565. The Muscovites became Masters of it Iuly 9. 1575. but it was re-united to the Crown of Poland, with the rest of Livonia, by the Treaty of Peace made between that Crown and the Great Duke. In the year 1617. the Suedes took it, and have kept it ever since.

We met there with the Countess Dowager La Tour, named Magdalene, of the house of Hardek, in Austria. The Ambassadors sent me, with tvvo more of our retinue to complement her, and to make proffers of service to her in their names. She took it so kindly, that not content to make us drink his Highnesse's health three times over, she forc'd us to take the bovvls out of her ovvn hands, and in the mean time entertain'd us vvith much excellent discourse, in commendation of his Highness and that Embassy; as also concerning the manners and Religion of the Muscovites, vvith a svveetness and gravity vvhich cannot vvell be express'd. She vvould needs have the young Counts, Christian, and Henry, her sons, go to the Inn vvhere the Am∣bassadors vvere Lodg'd, to complement them▪ vvhich the young Lords perform'd handsomly; and to heighten their civility, they also stay'd Supper vvith them.

The next day, the Countess sent us all manner of Provisions, and Letters for Count Mathew Henry de la Tour, her father-in-lavv. She sent also to desire the Ambassadors to recommend her sons to his Highness, and to assure him of their services, when they should be of an age, and in a capacity to do him any. As we were getting on hors-back, our Host shew'd himself an honest man, and refus'd to take our money, telling us, the Countess had sent in most of the Provisions for the Ambassadors Supper, and that the rest was not worth the reckoning: so that to require his sincerity we gave him twenty Crowns. But we were not got a League off the City, ere we were overtaken by a man he had sent, to return us our money, and to tell us the Present was too small, in requital of the trouble we had given him. We sent back our Harbinger, with the Messenger, who gave the Host twelve Crowns more, wherewith he seem'd to be satisfy'd.

The 6. We enter'd Riga.* 1.9 The next day, the Governour visited the Ambassadors, and the 10. he made a great Feast for them,* 1.10 to which he invited the chiefest of the City. Some days follow∣ing were also spent in Feasting, among some or other of our friends.

Febr. 13. The Ambassadors left Riga, having in their Company a certain Ambassador of France, who was called Charles de Tallerand, and assum'd the quality of Marquess of Exidueil, Prince of Chalais, Count of Grignol, Baron of Marueil and Boswille. Lewis xiii. King of France and Navarre, had sent him with Iames Roussel upon an Embassy into Turky and Musco∣vy. But Roussel, his Collegue, had done him such ill Offices with the Patriarch, that the Great Duke sent him to Siberia, where he continu'd three years a prisoner; till such time, as the ma∣lice and artifices of Roussel, who endeavour'd nothing so much as to inflame the differences be∣tween the Princes, being discover'd, he was set at liberty, after the Partiarch's death. Du∣ring his restraint, his diversion had been to learn by heart the four first books of Vergil's Aeneids, which he had, as they say, ad unguen. He was a person of an excellent good humour, aged about 36. years.

We took our way through Courland,* 1.11 and came the 4. about noon to Mittau. This little Ci∣ty is situated in that part of Courland, which is called Semgalles, six Leagues from Riga, and it is the place where the Duke ordinarily resides.* 1.12 The Dutchy of Courland was some time part of Livonia, from which it is divided by the River Dune: but all this Province having been mise∣rably ruin'd by the Suedes and Muscovites, and the Archbishop of Riga and the Master of the Teutonick Order having submitted to the Crown of Poland, with all they were still possess'd of there, Sigismond Augustus, King of Poland, rais'd Courland to a Dutchy, and gave it to Go∣dard Ketler, of Nesselrot, last Master of the Teutonick Order in Livonia, to be held immediately from the Crown of Poland. Godard dies, May 17. 1587. leaving, by Anne, the Daughter of Albert Duke of Meklenbourg, two sons, Frederick, who died without issue, and William, who succeeded his brother in the Dutchy of Courland. This William having been dispossess'd by Si∣gismond III. and the States of Poland, was forc'd to live in Exile, till that, upon the media∣tion of several Foreign Princes, he was re-establish'd in the year 1619. During the first War between Poland and Sueden, the City of Mittau was taken by the Suedes, who fortifi'd it, and restor'd it not to the Duke of Courland, till oblig'd thereto by a Cessation agreed on between those two Crowns, in the year 1629. Iames (William's son) who now hath the Dutchy, and assumes the quality of the Duke of Courland, L••vonia, and Semgalles, is married to Louise-Char∣lotte, Daughter to George-William, Elector of Brandenbourg, and Elizabeth-Charlotte, of Baviere. It is not long since, that this Duke of Courland, having dispatch'd a Gentleman for Moscou, to manage some affairs there, the Weywode of Tleslau would not give him passage, and sent him word, that Courland being dependent on the Crown of Poland, could not have particular Agents and Ministers, but was to negotiate Affairs by means of the Ambassador, which the King his Master had at Muscovy. But this Prince hath been so fortunate, as, since this last War, to obtain the neutrality of all the neighbouring Princes, so that it is very likely, the Treaty to be agreed on between them will be such, as that he shall have no dependance on any of them.

At night we came to a Village,* 1.13 called Doblen, three Leagues from Mittau. The Inn∣keeper, who took us for Souldiers or Gypsies that were in distress for Lodging, made some diffi∣culty to let us into his house: but at last he was perswaded, and lodg'd us. All we had to sup∣per, was, hard Cheese, very brown Bread, and sour Beer.

The 15. we travell'd 7. Leagues,* 1.14 and came to Bador, in Poland, where an antient Gentleman, who had sometime been a Captain of horse, named Iohn Amdod, lodg'd us, and treated us ex∣tremely well, especially with all sorts of drinks, as Lithuanian Hydromel, excellent Sack, and good Beer, which made us spend some part of the night in carowsing: the Wine having the vertue of contracting a great friendship between the Ambassadors and him. The next day he gave us a very sumptuous entertainment, and the divertisement of Timbrells; and that all might be compleat, in the treatment, he would needs bring in his two Daughters, whom we had not seen the night before. He also presented the Ambassadors, one with a Fire-lock, the other with a Sword: and the Ambassadors gave him each of them a fair Watch. This breakfast, which lasted till the afternoon, hindred us so, that we could get but four Leagues that day, to Hashoff,* 1.15 where we went to bed supperless. The 18. we travell'd six Leagues, to a Village called Walzau.* 1.16

The ••9. we came to Memel,* 1.17 six Leagues from 'Tis a pleasant little Town, at the entrance of the Gulf called the Courishaf, or Lake of Courland. The Courlanders, in their Jar∣gon, call this Town Cleupeda, and Crometus, in his History of Poland, calls it Troipes. The Castle belonging to it is pleasant, and well fortify'd, and its Haven very commodious. The Ri∣ver Tange compasses it round, and not far thence falls into the Gulf. It was built in the year 1250. and was at that time part of the revinue of Livonia. The Friers of the Order of Livonia, in the year 1328. sold this City to the Master of the Order of Prussia, and it is, with that Dutchy, come to the Elector of Brandenburg, who hath been possess'd of it, ever since the Suedes restor'd it, by vertue of a cessation of 26. years, which France got concluded, in the

year 1635. between the Crowns of Poland and Sueden. The 20. we got upon the Haf, or Gulf of Curland, and dind▪ that day at Snenzel,* 1.18 three leagues from Memel, and lodg'd at Bulcapen* 1.19 five leagues from the said Memel.

The 21. we travel'd 8 leagues, and came to Koningsberg▪* 1.20 where, the snow beginning to fail us, we were forc'd to quit our Sledges. This city, called by the Polanders Krolefsky, is seated by the River Pregel, the chiefest of that part of Prussia, which is called the Ducal, be∣cause it hath its Duke, or particular Prince, under the Soveraignty of the Crown of Poland. 'Tis a Production of the thirteenth age, in which the Knights of the Teutonick Order built it, and named it Coningsberg, or Royal-mount, in honour of Primislas Ottocarus, King of Bohe∣mia, and in acknowledgement of the assistance he had brought them against the Heathens in those parts. It is now much bigger than it was then, inasmuch as, besides the suburbs, which are very great, there was added in the year 1300. that part of the city which is called Lebenicht, and in the year 1380. that of Kniphof, both which have their several Magistrates, both as to policy and administration of Justice. The Palace ows its perfection to George Frederick, of Brandenburgh, Duke of Prussia, who built it, about the later end of the last age. Among o∣ther remarkable things, there is a Hall, that hath no pillars, and yet is 274 Geometrical feet in length, and 59 in breadth; and a fair Library well furnish'd with abundance of excellent Books; among which, in drawers full of Books adorn'd with silver, is to be seen, that which Albert of Brandenbourg, first Duke of Prussia, made and writ with his own hand, for the instruction of his Son, and goverment of the country, after his death. The University was founded by the same Prince, who made it his business to render this city one of the most conside∣rable of all the North, The River Pregel, or Chronus, which rises in Lithuania, and falls into the Gulf, called the Frishaf, a league below the City, contributes very much to the improvement of its commerce; and the City is so populous, that many times there are seven or eight families in a house. They generally speak the German language, though there are few Iahabitants but have also the Polish, with those of Lithuania and Courland. There are brought thithes, from ••oland and Lithuania, Oak for Joyners work, Soap-ashes, Wax, Honey, Hydromel, Leather, Furrs, Wheat, Rye, Flax, and Hemp; and the Suedish, Dutch, and English Ships, bring Iron, Lead, Tinn Cloath, Wine, Salt, Butter, Cheese, &c. We say nothing here of Prussia, out of a fear of making too great a digression, and medling with ought relating to the History of Ger∣many, which hath nothing common with our Travells; but only, that the Crown of Poland hath quitted all pretension of Soveraignty over the Dutchy of Prussia, by the last treaty it made with his Electoral Highness of Brandenbourg.

We left Coningsberg, Feb. 24. and came the next day to Elbing,* 1.21 a City seated upon a River of the same name, between the Lake of Drauser, and the Frishaf, in the Royal, or Polish Prussia. It is not very big, but its streets are streight and spacious; and its fortifications, made by the late King of Sueden, during the last War of Poland, before his entrance into Germany, are very regular. If he who is Master of it, were also Commander of the Fort of Pilau, which the Elector of Brandenburg is possess'd of, at the entrance of the Frishaf, it might be made a very considerable place for Commerce.

The 27. we came to Dantsig,* 1.22 where we staid 16 or 17 days, during which time, the Ma∣gistrates treated us with the ordinary Presents of refreshments, and the principal Inhabitants gave us several noble entertainments. The Polanders call this place Gdansko, whence comes the modern Latine word Gedanum. It is not very antient, and yet it cannot be certainly af∣firm'd whether it was built by the Dukes of Pomerania, or by the Danes, since it seems to have its name from the later. It was a long time possess'd by the Dukes of Pomerania, and afterwards by the Kings of Poland, and by the Masters of the Teutonick Order in Prussia. In the year 1454 it redeem'd it self out of subjection to the Order, and made a voluntary rendition of it self to Casimir, King of Poland. It is situated in Cassuba, upon the Vistula, and Rodauna, which they say is the Eridanus of the Antients (because in that place there is found much yellow am∣ber) and near the Moslava, which falls into the Vistula, a quarter of a league below the City. But the River is so shallow there, that great Ships cannot come up to the City: Towards the West, it hath several mounts of sand, which they were forc'd to bring within the fortifications, because they commanded the city: though Canon can∣not be discharg'd to any great purpose, when they shoot point-blank downwards, and that there would not have been space enough between the mount and the ditch, to put forces in or∣der, and to give an assault. Towards the South and North, it hath a pleasant Plain, and on the East, the River. It is well built, but the streets not over-clean. The publick Structures are magnificent, and those of private persons very commodious, and handsome. On the other side of the Moslava, lies part of the Suburbs, called Schotland, or Scotland, as large as a pretty little City, but it depends not on the City of Dantsig, but on the Bishop of Cujavia. It hath its seat and suffrage in the Diets of Poland, even in those which are called for the election of the King. 'Tis one of the four Cities, which have the superintendency of all the Teutonick Association, or Hanseatick Towns, and hath so many other Privileges, that, though it con∣tributes

to Poland, and gives the King half the duties raised there, yet does it in a manner en∣joy an absolute freedome. There is so great a Commerce of Wheat in this City, that it is thought, there are sold every year above seven hundred and thirty thousand Tuns, whereof two make a Last. The Magistracy consists of fourteen Senators, and four Burgomasters; whereto are to be added the Governour, appointed by the King of Poland, some Escheuins, or Sheriffs, for civil and criminal causes, and a hundred Counsellors for affairs of importance. Criminal causes are finally judged, without admitting any appeal, as also Civil, not exceed∣ing a thousand Livers. It makes Statutes, and imposes taxes upon the Inhabitants, ac∣cording to the exigencies of publick Affairs, without staying for any superiour Per∣mission, and regulates the exercise of those Religions that are permitted by the Laws of the Empire.

March 16. We left Dantsig, and came the 25 to Stetin,* 1.23 the chief City of Pomerania. is at 53 deg. 27. min. latitude, and 38 d. 45. m. longitude, seated in a very pleasant place, upon the descent of a Hill. The River Oder divides it self there into four branches, whereof that which runs by the City keeps its name (the others taking those of Parnits, and the great∣er and lesser Kegelitz) and straggles so, as that to come to the City from Dam-side, a man must pass over six bridges, which, put together, are in length, 996 German ells, and 24 foot broad, and are all joyn'd by a noble Causey, well paved, and having in the middle a Royal Fort. The structures of it are beautiful, and it is excellently well fortify'd, especially since the Suedes became Masters of it. Iohn Frederick Duke of Pomerania, in the year 1575. laid the first foundations of the sumptuous Palace which is there built after the Italian Architecture, with very noble appartements, where, before these last Warrs, there were worth the seeing, a noble Library, a Magazine of Arms, many rarities, and the rich Wardrop and Plate of the Dukes of Pomerania. 'Tis one of the Hanseatick Towns, and enjoyes many great Privileges, among others, that of obliging strangers to disburthen in the City all the Merchandises which pass through it, what nature soever they are of: as also that the Gentlemen thereabouts cannot build any Castle or strong place any way within three Leagues from it; nay, that the Dukes of Pomerania themselves cannot build any Fort upon the Oder, or the Suine, or upon the Frishaf, between that and the Sea. But this advantage is lost by it's coming into the hands of the Suedes.

Mar. 29. being Easter-day, we came to Rostock,* 1.24 a City seated on the River Warne, in the Dutchy of Mekl••nbourg, where heretofore lived the people called the Varini. Pribis••i II. the son of Niclot, last Prince of the Obotrites, incompass'd it with a wall, in the year 1160. and made it a City out of the ruins of that of Kessin, which Henry le Lyon, Duke of Saxony, had destroy'd. Its Port is not commodious, in regard Vessels of burthen are forc'd to unload at Warnemunde, two Leagues below the City, at the mouth of the River. The City is handsome enough, ha∣ving three great Market-places, 27 streets, 14 little gates, and four great gates. Its University is one of the most antient in all Germany, and was founded, by Iohn and Albert, Cousin-Ger∣mans, Dukes of Mecklenbourg, who, together with the Magistrate, opened it in the year 1419. Among its Professors are many very great Persons, of whom one was Albert Crantz Rector of it in the year 1482. This City, having been taken by the Imperialists, in the year 1629. with all the rest of the Dutchy of Mecklenbourg, the late King of Sueden, Gustavus Adolphus, besieg'd it in the year 1631. and took it the 16. of Octob. the same year.

The 30. of March, we left Rostock, and came the same day to Wismar,* 1.25 seven Leagues. Those who say this City was built by Wismar, King of the Vandals about the year 340. tell a fabu∣lous story, whereof the vanity is so much the more visible, in that it is certain, that it was no City, till Henry of Ierusalem, Duke of Mecklenbourg, made it such, by the privileges he be∣stow'd on it, in the year 1266. It is near as big as Rostock, and its Port, which no doubt is one of the best upon the Baltick Sea, brings it very great Traffick. Its situation, being amidst Fenns, and upon the Sea, is very advantageous, and its Citadel fortify'd with five regular Bastions, makes it one of the most considerable places in all Germany. Adolphus Frederick, Duke of Mecklenbourg, and General Todt, took it, Ian. 10. 1632. from Colonel Gramma, who had the command of it, for the D. of Fridland; ever since which time the Suedes have kept it, as one of the most precious Jewels of their Crown.

The last of March, we came to the Castle of Schonberg,* 1.26 belonging to the Duke of Mecklen∣bourg, where some friends of our Comrade, Iohn Albert de Mandelslo, received us, and treat∣ed us very nobly. For my part, I am particularly oblig'd to acknowledge their kindness, for, being casually shot in the arm with a pistol by one of our company, I was forc'd to stay there two or three dayes, during which time I receiv'd very great civilities from them.

Apr. 1* 1.27 the Ambassadors left Schonberg, but M. Mandelslo and my self stay'd two dayes after them, and the third of April overtook them at Lubeck.* 1.28 This City is so well known, that I need not give any particular description of it, after so many other Authors that have written of it. Only I shall say, that it is situated between the Rivers of Traue and Wagenits, at 28. d. 20. m. longitude, and at 54. d. 48. m. latitude, two leagues from the Baltick Sea. Those who have chiefly contri∣buted

to the building of it, were, Adolphus II. Count of Holstein, Henry le Lion, Duke of Saxony, and Henry Bishop of Aldenbourg. The Emperor Frederick I. re-united it to the Em∣pire, and Frederick II. his Grand-Son, gave it some of those Privileges, which it enjoyes to this day. It lies in the Wagria, at the entrance of the Country of Holstein, and is very well forti∣fy'd, according to the modern fortification, having, besides the other advantages which it hath equally with the other Imperial Towns, that of the oversight of the Teutonick Association, whereof all the•• Archivi are kept in the Guild-Hall of this City. How considerable it is in the Empire, may be judg'd by the contributions it payes towards the charges of the journey to Rome, which amount to 21 horsemen, and 177 foot, and, reduc'd to money to 1980 Livers a mouth. As for its rank at the Diets, it hath a place alternatively with the city of Wor••nes. In this city the Peace between the Emperor Ferdinand II. and Christian IV. King of Denmark, was conclu∣ded, in the year 1629. The Bishoprick of Wagria, which was transferr'd from Aldenbourg to this city, is now possess'd by Iohn, Duke of Holstein, brother to Frederick, Duke of Hol∣stein, who lives at Oitin. Here also I escaped another great misfortune; as I alighted off my horse, I fell upon my wounded arm, but ere I could get up again, Mandelslo's horse, which was furious and skittish, startingthereat, stood up on his hinder feet, and very narrowly miss'd my head with his fore-feet. We travel'd on, in the Afternoon, and came that night to an Inn in the suburbs of Arnsbock.* 1.29 This little city, lying in Wagria, between Lubeck and Pretz, belon∣ged heretofore to the Carthusians; but now it is possess'd by Ioachin Ernest, Duke of Holstein, by the branch of Sounderborg, who is married to Dorothea Augusta, our Prince's Sister. Upon which accompt it was that he sent a coach and six horses to bring us to the Castle, where the Ambassadors and some of the retinue supp'd at his own Table, and lay there the night following.

The next day we broke our fast at the Castle, which done, we were brought in the Duke's coach to our Inn, whence we continued our journey, and got the same day to Pretz,* 1.30 where there is a very rich and sumptuous Monastery of young Ladies Nobly descended, who are main∣tain'd there, till they leave the place to embrace a married life.

April 6. about noon, we came to Kiel,* 1.31 a city situated upon the Baltick Sea, and famous for a Fair kept there yearly at Twelf-tide, which brings thither all the Nobility about the coun∣try, and a very great number of Merchants. We got the same night to Gottorp,* 1.32 for which we are to give Almighty God our humble thanks; and the next day, the Ambassadors made a re∣port of their negotiation. And so much by way of accompt of our first Voyage into Muscovy.

Notes

• * 1.1

  1635.
• * 1.2

  JANU∣ARY.
• * 1.3

  Mokriza. Tauerin.
• * 1.4

  Orlin. Sariza. Lilienha∣gen. Narva. Reuel.
• * 1.5

  Narva.
• * 1.6

  Reuel.
• * 1.7

  FEBRU∣ARY.
• * 1.8

  The De∣scription of Parnau.
• * 1.9

  1635.
• * 1.10

  The Am∣bassadors come to Riga.
• * 1.11

  Mittau.
• * 1.12

  Courland made a Dutchy.
• * 1.13

  Doblen.
• * 1.14

  Bador▪
• * 1.15

  Hashof.
• * 1.16

  Walzau.
• * 1.17

  Memel.
• * 1.18

  Swenzel.
• * 1.19

  Bulcapen.
• * 1.20

  Konings∣berg.
• * 1.21

  Elbing.
• * 1.22

  Dantsig.
• * 1.23

  It Stetin▪
• * 1.24

  Rostock.
• * 1.25

  Wismar.
• * 1.26

  Schonberg
• * 1.27

  APRIL▪
• * 1.28

  Lubeck.
• * 1.29

  Arnsbock.
• * 1.30

  Pretz.
• * 1.31

  Kiel.
• * 1.32

  Gottorp.