Purchas his pilgrimes. part 3 In fiue bookes. The first, contayning the voyages and peregrinations made by ancient kings, patriarkes, apostles, philosophers, and others, to and thorow the remoter parts of the knowne world: enquiries also of languages and religions, especially of the moderne diuersified professions of Christianitie. The second, a description of all the circum-nauigations of the globe. The third, nauigations and voyages of English-men, alongst the coasts of Africa ... The fourth, English voyages beyond the East Indies, to the ilands of Iapan, China, Cauchinchina, the Philippinæ with others ... The fifth, nauigations, voyages, traffiques, discoueries, of the English nation in the easterne parts of the world ... The first part.

A Letter of Master HENRIE LANE to the worshipfull Master WILLIAM SANDERSON, containing a briefe discourse of that which passed in the [ 10] North-east discouerie, for the space of three and thirtie yeeres.

MAster Sanderson, as you lately requested me, so haue I sought, and though I cannot finde some things that heretofore I kept in writing, and lent out to others, yet perusing at London copies of mine old Letters to content one that meaneth to pleasure many, I haue briefly and as truely as I may, drawne out as followeth: The rough hewing may bee planed at your lea∣sure, or as pleaseth him that shall take the paines.

First, the honourable attempt to discouer by Sea North-east and North-west named for Cathay, being chiefly procured by, priuiledge from King Edward the sixt, and other his Nobilitie, by and at the cost [ 20] and sute of Master Sebastian Cabota, then Gouernour for Discoueries, with Sir Andrew Iudde, Sir George Barnes, Sir William Garrard, Master Anthony Hussie, and a companie of Merchants, was in the last yeere of his Maiesties raigne, 1553.* 1.1 The generall charge whereof was committed to one Sir Hugh Willoughbie Knight, a goodly Gentleman, accompanied with sufficient number of Pilots, Ma∣sters, Merchants, and Marriners, hauing three Ships well furnished, to wit, The Bona Sperança, the Edward Bonauenture, and the Confidentia. The Edward Bonauenture, Richard Chancelor be∣ing Pilot, and Steuen Burrough Master, hauing discouered Ward-house vpon the Coast of Finmark, by storme or fogge departed from the rest, found the Bay of Saint Nicholas, now the chiefe Port of Rus∣sia, there wintred in safetie, and had ayde of the people at a Village called Newnox.

The other two ships attempting further Northwards (as appeared by Pamphlets found after written by [ 30] Sir Hugh Willoughbie) were in September encountred with such extreame cold, that they put backe to seeke a wintring place: and missing the said Bay fell vpon a desa••t Coast in Lappia, entring into a Riuer immediately frozen vp, since discouered, named Arzina Reca, distant East from a Russian Monasterie of Monkes called Pechingho, from whence they neuer returned, but all to the member of seuentie persons perished, which was for want of experience to haue mad•• Caues and Stoues. These were found with the Ships the next Summer, Anno 1554. by Russe-fishermen:* 1.2 and in Anno 1555. the place sent vnto by English Merchants, as hereafter appeareth.

Anno 1554. the said ship Edward Bonauenture (although robbed homewards by Flemings) retur∣ned with her companie to London,* 1.3 shewing and setting foorth their entertainments and discouerie of the [ 40] Countries, euen to the Citie of Mosco, from whence they brought a priuiledge written in Russe with the Kings or great Dukes seale, the other two ships looked for and vnknowne to them where they were.

Anno 1555. the said companie of Merchants for a discouerie vpon a new supply, sent thither againe with two Ships, to wit, the Edward Bonauenture,* 1.4 and another bearing the name of the King and Queene, Philip and Marie, whose Maiesties by their Letters to the said Muscouite, recommended sundry their subiects then passing, whereof certaine, to wit, Richard Chancelor, George Killing∣worth, Henrie Lane, and Arthur Edwards, after their arriuall at the Bay, and passing vp Dwina to Nologda, went first vp to Mosco, where, vpon knowledge of the said Letters, they with their trayne had speciall entertainment, with houses and dyet appointed, and shortly permitted to the Princes presence, they were with Gentlemen brought through the Citie of Mosco, to the Castle and Palace, replenished with numbers of people, and some gunners. They entred sundry roomes, furnished in shew with ancient [ 50] graue personages, all in long garments of sundry colours, Gold, Tissue, Baldekin, and Violet, as our Vestments and Copes haue beene in England, sutable with Caps, Iewels, and Chaines. These were found to bee no Courtiers, but ancient Muscouites, Inhabitants, and other their Merchants of credit, as the manner is, furnished thus from the Wardrobe and Treasurie, waiting and wearing this apparell for the time, and so to restore it.

Then entring into the Presence, being a large roome floored with Carpets, were men of more estate, and richer shew, in number aboue one hundred set square: who after the said English-men came in,* 1.5 do∣ing reuerence, they all stood vp, the Prince onely sitting, and yet rising at any occasion, when our King and Queenes names were read or spoken. Then after speeches by interpretation, our men kissing his hand, and bidden to dinner, were stayed in another roome, and at dinner brought through, where might bee seene [ 60] massie siluer and gilt Plate, some like and as bigge as Kilderkins, and Wash-bowles, and entring the Di∣ning place, being the greater roome, the Prince was set bare-headed, his Crowne and rich Cap standing vpon a pinacle by. Not farre distan•• sate his Metropolitan, with diuers other of his kindred, and chiefe Tartarian Captaines: none sate ouer against him, or any, at other Tables, their backes towards him:

which tables all furnished with ghests set, there was for the English-men, named by the Russes, Ghosti Carabelski, to wit, Strangers or Merchants by ship, a table in the midst of the roome, where they were set direct against the Prince: and then began the seruice, brought in by a number of his young Lords and Gentlemen, in such rich attire, as is aboue specified: and still from the Princes table (notwithstanding their owne furniture) they had his whole messes set ouer all in massie fine Gold, deliuered euery time from him by name to them, by their seuerall Christian names, as they sate, viz. Richard, George, Henrie, Ar∣thur. Likewise Bread and sundry drinkes of purified Mead, made of fine white and clarified Honey. At their rising, the Prince called them to his table, to receiue each one a Cup from his hand to drinke, and tooke into his hand Master George Killingworths beard, which reacheth ouer the table, and pleasant∣ly deliuered it the Metropolitane,* 1.6 who seeming to blesse it, said in R••sse, This is Gods gift. As indeed at that time it was not onely thicke, broad, and yellow coloured, but in length fiue foote and two inches of as∣size. [ 10] Then taking leaue, being night, they were accompanied and followed with a number, carrying pots of drinke, and dishes of meate dressed, to our lodging.

This yeere the two Ships, with the dead bodyes of Sir Hugh Willoughbie, and his people, were sent vnto by Master Killingworth, (which remayned there in Mosco Agent almost two yeeres) and much of the goods and victuals were recouered and saued.

* 1.7Anno 1556. The Companie sent two Ships for Russia, with extraordinarie Masters and Saylers to bring home the two ships, which were frozen in Lappia, in the riuer of Arzina aforesaid. The two ships sent this yeere from England sayling from Lapland to the Bay of Saint Nicholas, tooke in lading with passengers, to wit, a Russe Ambassadour, named Ioseph Napea, and some of his men shipped with Ri∣chard [ 20] Chancelor in the Edward. But so it fell out that the two which came from Lappia, with all their new Master and Marriners, neuer were heard of, but in foule weather, and wrought Seas, after their two yeeres wintring in Lapland, became, as is supposed, vnstanch, and sunke, wherein were drowned also di∣uers Russes Merchants, and seruants of the Ambassadour. A third ship the Edward aforesaid, falling on the North part of Scotland, vpon a rocke was also lost, and Master Chancelor with diuers other, drowned. The said Russe Ambassadour hardly escaping, with other his men, Marriners, and some goods saued, were sent for into Scotland, from the King, Queene, and Merchants, (the messenger being Ma∣ster Doctor Laurence Hussie, and others:) And then, as in the Chronicles appeareth, honorably enter∣tayned and receiued at London.

* 1.8This yeere also the company furnished and sent out a Pinnesse, named the Serchthrift, to discouer the [ 30] Harborowes in the North coast from Norway to Wardhouse, and so to the Bay of Saint Nicholas. There was in her Master and Pilot, Stephen Borough, with his brother William, and eight other. Their discouerie was beyond the Bay,* 1.9 toward the Samoeds, people dwelling neere the Riuer of Ob, and found a sound or sea with an Island called Vaigats, first by them put into the Card or Map. In that place they threw Snow out of their said Pinnesse, with shouels in August, by which extremitie, and lacke of time, they came backe to Russia, and wintred at Golmogro.

* 1.10Anno 1557. The companie with foure good Ships, sent backe the said Russe Ambassadour, and in companie with him, sent as an Agent, for further discouerie, Master Antonie Ienkinson, who after∣ward Anno 1558. with great fauour of the Prince of Muscouia,* 1.11 and his letters, passed the riuer Volga to Cazan, and meaning to seeke Cathay by Land, was by many troupes and companies of vnciuill Tarta∣rians [ 40] encountred, and in danger: but keeping companie with Merchants of Bactria, or Boghar, and Vr∣geme, trauelling with Camels, he with his companie, went to Boghar, and no further: whose entertain∣ment of the King is to be had of Master Ienkinson,* 1.12 which returned Anno 1559. to Muscouie. And in Anno 1560. hee, with Henrie Lane, came home into England: which yeere was the first safe returne, without losse or shipwracke,* 1.13 or dead fraight, and burnings. And at this time was the first trafficke to the Narue in Liuonia, which confines with Lituania, and all the Dominions of Russia: and the Markets, Faires, Commodities, great Townes and Riuers, were sent vnto by diuers seruants: the reports were ta∣ken by Henrie Lane, Agent, and deliuered to the companie, 1561. The trade to Rie, and Reuel, of old time hath beene long since frequented by our English Nation, but this trade to the Narue was hitherto concealed from vs by the Danskers and Lubeckers. [ 50]

Anno 1561. the said Master Antonie Ienkinson went Agent into Russia, who the next yeere after, passing all the riuer of Volga to Astracan, and ouer the Caspian sea, arriued in Persia, and opened the trade thither.

Also betweene the yeeres of 1568. and 1573. sundry Voyages after Master Ienkinsons, were made by Thomas Alcock,* 1.14 Arthur Edwards, Master Thomas Banister, and Master Geffrey Duc∣ket, whose returne (if spoyle neere Volga had not preuented by rouing Theeues) had altogether salued and recouered the Companies (called the old Companies) great losse, charges, and damages: But the saying is true, By vnitie small things grow great, and by contention great things become small. This may bee vnderstood best by the Companie. The frowardnesse of some few, and euill doing of some vniust Factors, was cause of much of the euill successe.

Arthur Edwards was sent againe 1579. and dyed in the voyage at Astracan. About which [ 60] matters, are to bee remembred the Voyages of Master Thomas Randolph Esquire, Ambassa∣dour Anno 1567. And late of Sir Ierome Bowes, Anno 1583. both tending and treating for further Discoueries, Freedomes, and Priuiledges, wherewith I meddle not. But in conclusion, for their paines

and aduentures this way (as diuers doe now adayes other wayes) as worthie Gentlemen sent from Prin∣ces, to doe their Countrey good, I put them in your memorie, with my heartie farewell. From Saint Mar∣garets neere Dartforth in Kent.

To the Reader.

I Haue had much trouble to giue thee this Authour, both for his Language, being Portugall (which for this, and some other parts of this worke, I was forced to get as I could) and for the raritie of his Relations, seeming both in themselues so stupendious, and not seconded in many things, that I say not [ 10] contraried, by other Authours. Besides his booke came not out, till himselfe was gone out of the world. I answere, that Ricius the Iesuite his Relations came not to vs, till himselfe was likewise gone; and that that might rather plead not onely for the Maturitie, but the sinceritie, by that Cassian rule, Cui bono; for whom should a dead man flatter, or for what should hee lye? Yea, hee little spares his owne companie and Nation, but often and eagerly layeth open their vices: and which is more, I finde in him little boa∣sting, except of other Nations; none at all of himselfe, but as if he intended to expresse Gods glorie, and mans merit of nothing but miserie. And howsoeuer it seemes incredible to remember such infinite par∣ticulars as this Booke is full of, yet an easie memorie holdeth strong impressions of good or bad: Scribunt in marmore laesi, is said of one; and of the other, Omnia quae curant senes meminerunt. Nei∣ther [ 20] is it likely but that the Authour wrote Notes, which in his manifold disaduentures were lost otherwise, but by that writing written the firmer in his memorie, especially new whetted, filed, forbushed with so many companions of miserie, whom in that state, Haec olim meminisse juuabat; their best mu∣sicke in their chaines and wandrings being the mutuall recountings of things seene, done, suffered. More maruell it is, if a lyar, that he should not forget himselfe, and contradict his owne Relations; which som∣times he may seeme to doe in the numbers of the yeere of the Lord; yea, and other numbers: but his leaues were left vnperfect at his death, and those numbers perhaps added by others after: and besides, mine owne experience hath often found figures mistaken from my hand, which being by the Compositor set at large,* 1.15 haue runne at large by ten times so much; and girt in otherwhiles as narrow with the tenth place dimini∣shed, or one figure set for another. And none but the Authour, or he which knowes the subiect, can ea∣sily amend that fault, being so great by so small and easie a lapse. The graduations of places I doe con∣fesse [ 30] otherwise then in the Iesuites, and as I suppose not so truely as theirs: for I thinke that he neither had Arte * 1.16 or Instrument to calculate the same, but contented himselfe in the writing of this Booke to looke into the common Maps of China, and to follow them in setting downe the degrees, and so the blind led the blind into errour; no printed Map that I haue seene being true. And perhaps the Chronicler to whom the papers were brought vnfinished might out of those Maps doe it; erring either of ignorance, or (which we haue often seene in Cards of remote places East and West) purposely, to conceale from others that which they haue found sweet and gainfull; the Mariner and Merchant not looking with the gene∣rous eyes of the ingenious, ingenuous Scholer.

For his repute at home; it was dedicated to King Philip the Third of Spaine, which impudence would not haue obtruded (if altogether a tale) on such Maiestie; licenced by the Holy Office, and prin∣ted [ 40] at Lisbon; translated into the Spanish by the Licentiate, Francisco de Herrera Maldonado, Canon of the Church Riall of Arbas, and dedicated to a Clergie-man Senerin de Faria, Printed 1620. at Madrid (and small credit it had beene to the House of the Farias, that one of them should publish in Portugall, and in Castile to another should be dedicated, a friuolous tale and deuised foolerie.) I adde also the Authours stile so religious, and his often protestations: his credit, as Herrera reporteth with King Philip the Second, who spent much time in discourse with him about these things. I might adde the Spanish Translators Apologie at large, and out of him Fr. Andrada the Portugall Chroni∣clers testimonie.

If this moue thee not to beleeue, yet beleeue thus much, that I haue no minde to deceiue thee, but giue [ 50] thee what I found, onely much contracted, and not going all the way with our Authour, whose originall Booke is aboue one hundred and fiftie sheets of paper in folio, but contented with his China and Tarta∣ria Relations: that also too much, if not true. And yet I would not haue an Authour reiected for fit speeches framed by the Writer, in which many Historians haue taken libertie; no, if sometimes he doth mendacia dicere, so as he doth not mentiri; that is, if he be so credulous to beleeue, or so improuident to proffer to others faith, probable falshoods related by others (as I will not sweare but of himselfe hee might mistake, and by others be mis-led, the Chinois here might in relating these rarities to him enlarge, and de magnis maiora loqui) so as he still be religious in a iust and true deliuerie of what himselfe hath seene, and belye not his owne eyes: the former is rashnesse and distastfull, the later is dishonest and detestable. Once, the Sunne Rising hath found many worshippers, but the Westerne Sunne is neerer night: [ 60] and neerer obscuritie and meannesse are our Westerne affaires then those China Raies of the East; and wee were Backes and Owles not to beleeue a greater light then our selues see and vse.* 1.17 All China Au∣thours how diuersified soeuer in their lines, yet concurre in a centre of Admiranda Sinarum, which if others haue not so largely related as this, they may thanke God they payed not so deare a price to see them; and for mee, I will rather beleeue (where reason euicts not an ••••ectione firma) then seeke to see

at the Authours rate; and if he hath robbed the Altars of Truth, as he did those of the Calempluy Idols, yet in Pequin equity we will not cut off the thumbs (according to Nanquin rigour) vpon bare sur∣mise without any euidence against him, Howeuer, cheaper I am sure he is by farre to thee then to mee, who would haue beene loth to be so true a labourer in a lying Authour, willingly or commonly (in my con∣ceit) falsifying his owne sight, though perhaps not seldome deceiued in things taken vp on China mens trust, or entred into their China Bookes, such as he here often citeth. Men refuse not Siluer for the Oare; gather the Rose notwithstanding the prickles; neglect not Haruest mixed with weeds, Wheat with the chaffe, Fruit for the shells, and hate not Honie for the Bees sting; nor will I either in prodiga∣litie of faith beleeue all, or be so penurious as to reiect the most of that which here I present. Vse thou thy freedome, and him at thy pleasure (I say not mee) and if thou wilt not pardon such a briefe [ 10] collection, thou wouldst hardly giue Castilian entertainement to all, and more then all, often yeelding brauadoes and enlarging flourishes of stile, beyond a translation, as if his Authour had not said enough. The variety, if it had beene meerly deuised, presents I know not how many entercourses as interludes of Comicke and Tragicke euents, more worthie the reading then most in this kinde, and as fit to recreate: how much more, where veritie is (as I suppose) the ground and substance, though perhaps inlayed with other phantasies among. That the Iesuites in some things differ, is their authoritie against his, who as more learned and iudicious, and longer experienced, might finde out some truths better then hee; as his various fortunes, and that time, might let him see many particularities which they could not, writing sixtie yeeres after. In many things they both agree: and Gaspar de Cruz hath many the same things; and that his strange Relation of the Crosse in China and the Hungarian of the Mount Sinai, is deli∣uered [ 20] by Lucena, perhaps learned by some of His companie: and these exceptions by mee mentioned, are rather praeoccupations of censorious iudging my iudgement, then my iudiciall sentence, which the iudi∣cious will suspend, and leaue to better experience. Iudicent posteri; veritas Temporis filia.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Anno 1553. Master William Burrough was th••n young, and with his brother in this first voyage. Newnox is from the road of S. Nicholas Westward 35. miles.
• * 1.2

  Note.
• * 1.3

  Anno 1554.
• * 1.4

  Anno 1555. The King and Queenes let∣ters.
• * 1.5

  Entertain∣ment by the Duke.
• * 1.6

  Master Killing∣worths beard of a maruel∣lous length.
• * 1.7

  Anno 1556. the disastrous voy∣age.
• * 1.8

  Serchthrift.
• * 1.9

  Stephen Borough
• * 1.10

  Anno 1557.
• * 1.11

  Boghar voyage.
• * 1.12

  Muscouie trade long vnfortu∣nate.
• * 1.13

  1560. The first trade to the Narue. 1560.
• * 1.14

  Alcock slaine in Persia.

  Banister dyed in Media. Edwards dyed at Astracan.
• * 1.15

  Note for num∣bers (if great care bee not had) how ea∣sily, how dan∣gerously mis∣taken.
• * 1.16

  So it seemes by those words of his, fol. 122. Aind a que con∣fesso que me falta o milhor, que be saber & engenho para dar a enten∣der o clima & a Altura d••s graos &c. False gradua∣tions a com∣mon thing in Maps of East and West In∣dies.
• * 1.17

  Valignanus a great Iesuite wrote a booke with that title.