Purchas his pilgrimes. part 2 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.

§. V.

Of the situation of the Royall Citie of the Kingdome of Congo: of their first conuersion and Warre, thence arising betwixt the Kings two Sonnes.

ALthough the chiefe and Royall Citie of the Kingdome of Congo be after a sort compre∣hended * 1.1 [ 60] within the Prouince of Pemba, yet notwithstanding for as much as the go∣uernment thereof, and the Territorie thereunto belonging, which may in compasse amount to the space of twentie miles about, doth depend wholly of the King of Con∣go himselfe, we will place it in a seuerall Regiment, and intreat of it by it selfe.

This Citie is called San Saluatore, or Saint Sauiour, and in times past in that Countrie Lan∣guage * 1.2 it was called Banza, which generally signifieth The Court, where the King or the Gouer∣nour doeth ordinarily soiourne. It is seated about one hundred and fiftie miles from the Sea, vp∣on a great and a high Mountaine, being almost all of a Rocke, but yet hauing a veyne of I∣ron in it, whereof they haue great vse in their housing. This Mountaine hath in the toppe of it a great Plaine, very well manured and furnished with Houses and Villages, contayning in circuit about ten miles, where there doeth dwell and liue, the number of one hundred thou∣sand persons.

The soyle is fruitfull, and the aire fresh, wholsome, and pure: there are great store of Springs, * 1.3 of indifferent good water to drinke, and at certaine times doe not harme any man: and of all sorts of Cattell great abundance. The top of the Mountaine is seuered and distinguished from [ 10] all the rest of the Hill which is about it, and therefore the Portugals doe call it, The Otheiro, that is to say, A view, or a Watch-tower, or a Singular heighth, from whence you may take a sight of all the Champaine round about: onely towards the East, and towards the Riuer, it is very steepe and rockie.

For two causes did the Princes of this Kingdom place this habitation in the foresaid heighth * 1.4 of this Mountaine. First, because it lieth in the very middest, and (as it were) in the Centre of all the Realme, from whence hee may presently send aide to any part of his Kingdome, that may stand in need of reliefe: and secondly, because it is situated in a Territorie that is by Nature mounted aloft, hauing a very good aire, and of great safetie; for it cannot be forced. By the [ 20] chiefe common high-way that goeth vp to the Citie, and looketh towards the Sea, being di∣stant from thence one hundred and fiftie miles (as hath beene told you) which way is very large and competent, though it goe some what about in compasse, you shall ascend fiue miles from the bottome to the top of the Mountaine. At the foot thereof on the East side there runneth a Ri∣uer, * 1.5 whereunto the women doe descend by the space of a miles waike to wash their clothes. In diuers other parts thereof there are sundrie valleys planted and manured: neither doe they suffer any part of the Countrie thereabouts to be left vntilled or vnused, because it is the Coun∣trie where the Court remaineth.

The Citie is seated in a corner or angle of the hill towards the South-east, which Don Alfon∣so the first Christian King did compasse about with walls, and gaue vnto the Portugals a seuerall [ 30] place for themselues, shut vp likewise within walls. Then did he also inclose his owne Pa∣lace and the Kings Houses with another wall, and in the middest between these two enclosures left a great space of ground, where the principall Church was built, with a faire Market place before it. The doores and gates as well of the Lodgings of the Lords, as of the Portugals Inha∣bitations, doe open on the side of the said Church. For, in the vppermost end of the Market place doe diuers great Lords of the Court dwell, and behind the Church doeth the Market place runne into a narrow street, where there is also a gate, and beyond that gate many houses towards the East. Without these walls, (which doe enclose the Kings houses, and the Citie of the Portugals) there are a number of other buildings, erected by diuers Lords, euery man making his seuerall choise of the place which he thinketh most fit and conuenient for his dwelling neere vnto the Court. So that the greatnesse of this Citie cannot well be determined or limited. Beyond these [ 40] walls also, that thus doe compasse this Citie; there is a great champaine Plaine, full of Villages, and sundrie Palaces, where euery Lord possesseth (as it were) a whole Towne within himselfe. The circuit of the Portugals Citie containeth about a mile; and the Kings houses as much. The walls are very thicke: the gates are not shut in the night time, neither is there any watch or ward kept therein.

And although that Plaine doeth lie very high and aloft, yet is there great abundance of wa∣ters * 1.6 in it, so that there is no want thereof. But the Court and the Portugals Citie doe all drinke of a certaine Fountaine that springeth continually, towards the North, and lieth downe the hill, as farre as a Gunne will shoot: and from hence they doe fetch all their water, and bring it to the Citie in vessels of Wood, of Earth, and Leather, vpon the backes of their Slaues. [ 50]

All this Plaine is very fruitfull, and well manured. It hath Meadowes full of Grasse, and * 1.7 Trees that are alwaies greene. It beareth sundrie sorts of Graine, but the principall and best of all is called Luco, which is very like to Mustard-seed, but that it is somewhat bigger. When it is grinded with Hand-querns (for so they vse to do) it yeeldeth a very white Meale, whereof they make Bread, that is both white, and also of a very good fauour, and wholsome withall: neither doth it giue place to our Wheat in any sort, sauing that they doe not celebrate the Sacrament with it. Of these Graines there now is great store, ouer all the Kingdome of Congo: but it is not long since that this Seed was brought thither from that part of the Riuer Nilus, where it falleth into the second Lake. There is also a white kind of Millet, called the Mazza of Congo, * 1.8 [ 60] that is to say, The Corne of Congo: and another Graine which they call Maiz, but they make no account of it, for they giue it to their Hogs: neither doe they greatly esteeme of Rice. The foresaid Maiz they commonly terme by the name of Mazza-Manputo, that is to say, the Por∣tugals Corne; for they call a Portugall Manputo.

There are moreouer diuers and sundrie sorts of Trees, that beare very great store of Fruits, * 1.9 insomuch as the greatest part of the people doe feed vpon the Fruits of the Countrie, as Citrons, Lymons, and specially Oranges, very full of liquor, which are neither sweet nor sowre, and are ordinarily eaten without any annoyance or harme at all. And to shew the fruitfulnesse of this Countrie, the said Signor Odoardo reported, that he had seene from a kernell of the fruit of a Pome-Citrone, which was left within the rind thereof, there sprung vp within the space of foure dayes a pretie tall sprig. Other Fruits there are, which they call Banana, and wee verily thinke to be the Muses of Aegypt and Soria, sauing that in those Countries they grow to be as * 1.10 bigge as Trees; but here they cut them yeerely, to the end they may beare the better. The Fruit is very sweet in smell, and of good nourishment. In these Plaines there grow likewise sundrie [ 10] * 1.11 kinds of Palme-trees; one that beareth Dates, and another that beareth the Indian Nuts, called Cocoes, because they haue within them a certaine shell that is like to an Ape: and thereupon they vse in Spaine to shew their children Coccola, when they would make them afraid. Another Palme-tree there groweth also very like to the former, but of a more strange and singular pro∣pertie: for it yeeldeth Oyle, Wine, Vinegar, Fruit and Bread. The Oyle is made of the shell * 1.12 of the fruit, and is of the colour and substance of Butter, sauing that it is somewhat greenish. They vse it, as other people doe vse Oyle and Butter, and it will burne like Oyle. They anoint their bodies withall; and besides, it is very good to eate. They presse it out of the Fruit, as Oyle is pressed out of the Oliues, and then they boyle it, and so preserue it. The Bread is made * 1.13 of the stone of the fruit it selfe, which is like to an Almond, but somewhat harder: and within [ 20] the same is there a certaine kernell or pith, which is good to eate: very wholsome and of good nourishment. The whole Fruit, together with the outter shell is greene; and they vse to eate * 1.14 it both raw and rosted. The Wine is drawen from the top of the Tree, by making an hole therein, from whence there distilleth a liquor like Milke, which at the first is sweet, but after∣wards sowre, and in processe of time becommeth very Vinegar, to serue for Sallets. This Wine they drinke cold, and it moueth to vrine very much: so that in those Countries, there is not a man that is troubled with Grauell or Stone in the bladder. It will make them drunke, that drinke too much of it: but indeed it is of a very good nutriment.

There are other Trees, that beare a certaine fruit, called Cola, as big as a Pine-apple, which hath within it other fruits like Chest-nuts, wherein are foure seuerall shells or skins, of red and [ 30] * 1.15 Carnation colour. These they vse to hold in their mouthes, and chaw them, and at last to eate them, for the quenching of their thirst, and better relishing of their water. They comfort and preserue the stomacke, but aboue all other qualities, they are singular good against the diseases of the Liuer. And it is said, that the Liuer of a Henne, or of any other like Bird, which is pu∣trified, * 1.16 and stinketh, being sprinkled ouer with the matter of this fruit, returneth into his for∣mer estate, and becommeth fresh and sound againe. This food is commonly and generally vsed among them all, and there is very great abundance of it: and therefore it is good cheape. O∣ther kinds of wild Palme-trees there are, which yeeld diuers fruits that are eaten: and their * 1.17 leaues reserued to make Mats, wherewith their houses are couered; and Baskets and Skeps, and such other like Instruments that are necessarie for their daily vses. Other Trees there are [ 40] * 1.18 likewise, called Ogheghe, which beare a fruit which is like a yellow Plumme, and is very good to eate, and hath a very sweet smell withall. Of these Trees they cut off the boughs, and plant them so thicke together, that they touch one another, and stand closely all in a ranke; so that when they are growne great, they make a strong Fence or wall about their houses, which being afterwards couered with Mats, it resembleth a handsome Court or Closse, wherein they vse to walke, (as it were) in an Arbour that maketh a great shadow, and defendeth them from the heate of the Sunne. In the middest of these enclosures, they vse to build certaine houses of wood, couered with straw, and diuided into sundrie conuenient roomes, all on the ground with∣out any Stories or Sollers aboue them. These they doe line with very faire and delicate Mats, and furnish them with other ornaments in very handsome manner.

There are to bee found among them many masses and lumpes of stone, which are of such [ 50] thicknesse and hugenesse, that you may cut out a whole Church, euen of one whole piece; yea, * 1.19 and of the same kind of stone, whereof the Obelisco is made, that is erected before Porta del Po∣polo in Rome. Besides this, there are whole Mountaines of Porphyrie, of Iasper, and of white Marble, and of other sundrie colours, which here in Rome are called, Marbles of Numidia, of Africa, and of Aethiopia: certaine Pillars whereof, you may see in the Chappell of Pope Gregorie.

Other Stone there is, that is speckled with graines or strakes, but among all the rest, that kind is most admirable, which hath in it faire Iacynthes, that are good Iewels. For the strakes being dispersed like veynes ouer all the bodie of their Mother-stone, if you shall diuide them, [ 60] and plucke them out as you would picke the kernels out of a Pomegranate, they will fall into graines and little pieces of perfect Iacynth. But if you please to make Pillars, or Obeliskes, or other such like memorials, of the whole masse, you shall see them shine and sparkle, full of most faire and goodly Iewels.

There are also other kinds of rare stones, which make a shew of metall in them, as of Copper, * 1.20 and of sundry other colours, that are very fresh, and bright, and smooth, whereof you may make Images, or any other worke of singular beautie. True it is, indeed, that they want Masons, and Cutters, and Playsterers, and Carpenters, and other such Artificers: for when the Churches, and the walls, and the other fabrickes in those Countries were built, the Workmen were brought thither out of Portugall.

There are also Tamarindes, and Cassia, and Ceders in such multitudes growing all along the Ri∣uer * 1.21 of Congo, besides other Trees of an vnmeasurable length and thicknesse, that an infinite num∣ber of ships and houses may be builded of them. Their Gardens doe beare all manner of Herbes and Fruits, as Pompions, Melions, Cucumbers, Coleworts, and such like, besides other sorts [ 10] that doe not agree with our Climates of Europe.

The King of Portugall, Don Giouanni the second, being desirous to discouer the East Indies, sent * 1.22 forth diuers ships by the Coast of Africa to search out this Nauigation, who hauing found the Hands of Cape Verde, and the Ile of Saint Thomas, and running all along that Coast, did light vpon the Riuer Zaire, whereof we haue made mention before, and there they had good Trafficke, and tryed the people to bee very courteous and kind. Afterwards hee sent forth (for the same purpose) certaine other Vessels, to entertaine this Trafficke with Congo, who finding the Trade there to bee so free and profitable, and the people so friendly, left certaine Portugals behind them, to learne the Language, and to Trafficke with them: among whom one was a Masse-priest. These Portugals conuer∣sing * 1.23 familiarly with the Lord of Sogno, who was Uncle to the King and a man well stricken in yeares, dwelling at that time in the Port of Praza (which is in the mouth of Zaire) were very well entertained [ 20] and esteemed by the Prince, and reuerenced as though they had beene earthly Gods, and descended downe from Heauen into those Countries. But the Portugals told them that they were men as them∣selues were, and professors of Christianitie. And when they perceiued in how great estimation the peo∣ple held them, the foresaid Priest and others began to reason with the Prince touching the Christian Re∣ligion, and to shew vnto them the errors of the Pagan Superstition, and by little and little to teach * 1.24 them the Faith which we professe, insomuch as that which the Portugals spake vnto them, greatly pleased the Prince, and so he became conuerted.

With this confidence and good spirit, the Prince of Sogno went to the Court, to enforme the King of the true Doctrine of the Christian Portugals, and to encourage him that he would imbrace the Christian Religion which was so manifest, and also so wholsome for his soules health. Hereupon the King comman∣ded [ 30] to call the Priest to Court, to the end he might himselfe treat with him personally, and vnderstand * 1.25 the truth of that which the Lord of Sogno had declared vnto him. Whereof when hee was fully infor∣med, he conuerted and promised that he would become a Christan.

And now the Portugall ship; departed from Congo, and returned into Portugall: and by them did the King of Congo write to the King of Portugall, Don Giouanm the second, with earnest request, that he would send him some Priests, with all other Orders and Ceremonies to make him a Christian. The Priest also that re nayned behind, had written at large touching this businesse, and gaue the King * 1.26 full information of all that had happened, agreeable to his good pleasure. And so the King tooke order for sundry Religious persons, to be sent vnto him accordingly, with all Ornaments for the Church and other seruice, as Crosses and Images: so that he was throughly furnished with all things that were ne∣cessarie [ 40] and needfull for such an action.

In the meane-while, the Prince of Sogno, ceased not day and night to discourse with the Portugall Priest, whom hee kept in his owne House, and at his owne Table, aswell that hee might learne the Christian Faith himselfe, as also instruct the people therein: so that hee began to fauour Christianitie with all his power.

At last the ships of Portugall, arriued with the expected prouisions (which was in the yeare of our Saluation 1491.) and landed in the Port which is in the mouth of the Riuer Zaire. The Prince of Sogno with all shew of familiar ioy, accompanied with all his Gentlemen, ranne downe to meete them, and entertayned the Portugals in most courteous manner, and so conducted them to their Lodgings. The next day following, according to the direction of the Priest that remayned behind, the Prince caused a kind of [ 50] Church to be builded, with the bodies and branches of certaine trees, which hee in his owne person, with the helpe of his Seruants, most deuoutly had felled in the Wood. And when it was couered, they erected therein three Altars in the worship and reuerence of the most holy Trinitie, and there was baptised him∣selfe and his young Sonne, himselfe by then me of our Sauiour, Emanuel, and his childe by the name of Anthony, because that Saint is the Protector of the C〈…〉〈…〉e of Li••bone.

The men and women before this had no proper names agreeable to reasonable creatures, but the com∣mon names of Plants, of Stones, of Birds a••d of Beasts. But the ••••••••ces and Lords had their deno∣minations from the Places and States which they gouerned. As for example the foresaid Prince, which was the first Christian in Congo was called Mani-Segno, that is to say, The Prince of Sogno, and when hee was christned, was called Emanuel, but at this day they haue all in generall such Christian [ 60] names as they haue learned of the Portugals.

After a Masse was celebrated and sung, one of the Priests that came from Portugall went vp, and

made a briefe Sermon in the Portugall Language, declaring the summe of the new Religion, and faith of the Gospell which they had receiued. This Sermon, the Priest that was left behind, hauing now lear∣ned * 1.27 the Congo speech, did more at large expound to the Lords that were in the Church: for the Church could not possibly hold the innumerable multitude of the people that were there gathered toge∣ther, at the conuersion of their Prince: who afterwards came abroad vnto them, and rehearsed the whole Sermon, with great loue and charitie, mouing and exhorting them to imbrace likewise the true beliefe of the Christian Doctrine.

When this was done, all the Portugals put themselues on their way towards the Court, to baptise the King, who with a most feruent longing attended the same. And the Gouernour of Sogno tooke order that many of his Lords should wait vpon them with Musicke, and singing, and other signes of wonder∣full [ 10] reioy sing; besides, diuers slaues which he gaue them to carrie their stuffe, commanding also the people, that they should prepare all manner of victuall to bee readie in the streets for them. So great was the number of people, that ranne and met together to behold them, as the whole Champaigne seemed to bee in a manner couered with them, and they all did in great kindnesse entertaine and welcome the Portu∣gall Christians, with singing and sounding of Trumpets and Cymbals, and other Iustruments of that Countrey.

And it is an admirable thing to tell you, that all the streets and high-wayes, that reach from the Sea, to the Citie of Saint Sauiours, being one hundred and fiftie miles, were all cleansed and swept, and a∣bundantly * 1.28 furnished with all manner of victuall and other necessaries for the Portugals. Indeed, they doe vse in those Countries, when the King or the principall Lords goe abroad, to cleanse their wayes and [ 20] make them handsome.

Three dayes iourney from the place whence they departed, they descryed the Kings Courtiers, that came to meet them, to present them with fresh victuals, and to doe them honour: and so from place to place they encountred other Lords, that for the same purpose were sent by the King to receiue the Christians, who were the Messengers and Bringers of so great a ioy. When they were come within three miles neere to the Citie, all the Court came to entertaine and welcome the Portugals, with all manner of pompe and ioyfulnesse, and with Musicke and Singing, as in those Countries is vsed vpon their solemnest Feast-dayes.

And so great was the multitude of people, which abounded in the streets, and that there was neither Tree nor Hillocke higher then the rest, but it was loden with those that were runne forth and assembled [ 30] to view these Strangers, which brought vnto them this new Law of their Saluation. The King himselfe attended them at the gate of his Palace, in a Throne of Estate erected vpon a high Seaffold, where he did * 1.29 publikely receiue them, in such manner and sort as the ancient Kings of that Realme were accustomed to doe, when any Embassadours came vnto him, or when his Tributes were payed him, or when any other such Royall Ceremonies were performed.

And first of all, the Embassadour declared the Embassage of the King of Portugall, which was expounded and interpreted by the foresaid Priest, that was the principall Author of the conuersion of * 1.30 those people. After the Embassage was thus deliuered, the King raysed himselfe out of his Seate, and standing vpright vpon his feet, did both with his countenance and speech, shew most euident signes of the great ioy, that he had conceiued for the comming of the Christians, and so sate downe againe. And [ 40] incontinently all the people with shouting, and sounding their Trumpets, and Singing, and other manifest arguments of reioycing, did approue the Kings words, and shewed their exceeding good liking of this Embassage. And further in token of obedience, they did three times prostrate themselues vpon the ground, and cast vp their feet according to the vse of those Kingdomes.

Then the King tooke view of all the Presents that were sent him by the King of Portugall, and the * 1.31 Uestments of the Priests, and the Ornaments of the Altar, and the Crosses, and the Tables, wherein were depainted the Images of Saints, and the Streamers, and the Banners, and all the rest, and with in∣credible attention, caused the meaning of euery one of them to be declared vnto him, one by one. And so withdrew himselfe, and lodged the Embassadour in a Palace made readie of purpose for him, and all the rest were placed in other Houses of seuerall Lords, where they were furnished with all plentie and [ 50] ease. * 1.32

The day following, the King caused all the Portugals to be assembled together in priuate: where they deuised of the course that was to be taken for the Christning of the King, and for effecting the full con∣uersion of the people to the Christian Faith. And after sundry Discourses, it was resolued and conclu∣ded, that first of all a Church should bee builded, to the end that the Christning, and other Ceremonies thereunto belonging, might be celebrated therein with the more Solemnitie: and in the meane-while the King and Court should be taught and instructed in the Christian Religion. The King presently comman∣ded, that withall speed prouision should be made of all manner of stuffe necessary for this Building, as Timber, Stone, Lime, and Bricke, according to the direction and appointment of the Work-masters and [ 60] Masons, which for that purpose were brought out of Portugall.

But the Deuill who neuer ceaseth to crosse all good and holy proceedings, raysed new dissentions and conspiracies, by procuring a rebellion among certaine people of the Anzichi, and of Anzicana, which

dwell vpon both the bankes of the Riuer Zaire, from the foresaid fals vpwards, to the great Lake, and are subiect and belonging to the King of Congo. Now this monstrous Riuer being restrayned and kept backe by these fals, doth swell there mightily, and spreadeth it selfe abroad in a very large and deepe chan∣nell. In the breadth whereof there are many Ilands, some small and some great, so that in some of them, there may be maintayned about thirtie thousand persons. In these Ilands and in other places adioyning to the Riuers thereabouts, did the people make an insurrection, and renounced their obedience to the King, and slue the Gouernours that he had sent thither to rule.

The King must needs goe himselfe in person to pacifie these broyles: howbeit, he resolued to bee bap∣tised * 1.33 before his going, and so was enforced to forbeare the building of the Church of Stone, and withall speed, in stead thereof to erect one of Timber, which Church hee in his owne person with the aduice of the Portugals, did accomplish in such manner and sort as it ought to bee, and therein did receiue [ 10] the Sacrament of holy Baptisme, and was named Don Giouanni, and his Wife Donna Eleonora, after the names of the King and Queene of Portugall, and the Church it selfe intituled and dedicated to Saint Sauiour.

The same day, wherein the King was baptised, diuers other Lords following his example were bapti∣sed likewise, hauing first learned certaine Principles of the Christian Faith. And when all this was done, the King went in person to disperse the turbulent attempts of his Aduersaries, against whom bee found the Prince his Sonne, and the Lord of Batta alreadie fighting with a formall Armie. But at the arriuall of the King, the Enemies yeelded, and submitted themselues to the obedience which before they performed: and so he returned in triumph to the Citie of Congo, and the Prince his Sonne with him, who presently was desirous to become a Christian, and was christned by the name of the first Prince [ 20] of Portugall, called Alfonso: and with him also were christned many Gentlemen and Caualieros, and other of his Seruants, that came with him out of his Prouince.

The Kings second Sonne, would not agree to receiue the new Religion, many other Lords fauoured him, who being addicted rather to the sensualitie of the flesh, then the puritie of the minde, resisted the Gospel, which began now to be preached, especially in that Commandement, wherein it is forbidden, that a man should haue any mo Wiues but one.

The eldest Brother Don Alfonso, did with great feruencie, defend Christianitie, and burned all the Idols that were within his Prouince. The second Brother (called Mani-Pango, because hee was Gouer∣nour of the Countrey of Pango) did resist it mightily, and had gotten the greatest part of the principall Lords of Pango to be on his side. For there were diuers of the new christned Lords, whose Ladies seeing [ 30] themselues seperated, and forlorne of their Husband-Lords by force of the Christian Law, did take it as a great iniurie and scorne done vnto them, and blasphemed and cursed this new Religion beyond all measure. These Lords vnited themselues together with others, and began to plot Trecherie against Don Alfonso, hoping that if they could rid him out of the World, the Christian Faith would vtterly cease of it * 1.34 selfe. And therefore Mani-Pango and his Complices gaue intelligence to his Father, that the Prince Don Alfonso fauoured the Christian Faction, onely to the end that vnder the colour of his countenance and fauor, they might rayse an Insurrection & Rebellion against him, & so driue him out of his Kingdom.

The King gaue credit to their informations, and depriued his Sonne of the Gouernment wherein hee was placed: But the Prouidence of God which reserued him for a greater matter, did relieue him by the * 1.35 good mediation and counsell of his friends, who entreated the King his Father, that hee would not be mo∣ued [ 40] to anger, before he had examined the Answeres and Reasons of the Prince his Sonne. Wherein the King was especially perswaded by Mani-Sogno, who (as wee told you) was before christned, and called, Don Emanuel, and by good hap was in Court at that present. This man (being the ancientest Courtier and Lord of that time, singularly well beloued of the King and all his people) did with sound reasons and * 1.36 dexteritie of wit, procure the King to reuoke the sentence, with a speciall charge, that hee should not pro∣ceed with such rigour against the Gentiles, for the propagation and exaltation of the Christian Religi∣on. But he being full of feruent charitie, and godly spirit, ceased not (for all that) to aduance the Faith of the Gospell, and to put the Commandements of God in execution.

Whereupon his Aduersaries who neuer rested from their former attempt, were continually at the Kings elbow, and sought by all cunning shifts and secret deuises, to destroy that which the good Prince [ 50] had builded, especially when they saw that the Prince of Sogno was departed from Court, and returned into his gouernment. So that no bodie being now left to protect and defend the Christian Religion, the * 1.37 King began to doubt of the Faith, which with so great zeale he had before imbraced: and therefore sent to his Sonne, that he should come againe to the Court, to make account of those Reuenues that hee had gathered within the Countrey of his Gouernment, with a full intent and meaning, indeed, to depriue him, when his accounts should be finished.

But he, in the meane-while, his Father being an old man, did by meanes of a naturall infirmitie de∣part out of this life. And his Mother who alwaies perseuered constant in the Catholike Faith, louing her eldest Sonne most entirely, concealed the Kings death for the space of three dayes, being therein ayded and assisted by some of her trustie friends, & gaue it out, that the King had taken such order as no man might [ 60] come vnto him to trouble him. In the meane season, she did secretly signifie to her Sonne, the death of his Father, which she would keepe close till his comming, and charged him without any delay, and in all haste to speed him to the Court.

This shee did by certaine Runners, that from place to place in conuenient distances and iourneyes, are alwaies readie like Postes, to conuey the precepts and commandements of the King ouer all the Realme. Whereupon he presently caused himselfe to be carried poste both day and night, by certaine Slaues accor∣ding to the vse of that Countrie, and in one day and two nights, with most exquisite diligence, accompli∣shed the iourney of two hundred miles, and so arriued at the Citie, before he was expected.

Now together with the death of the King, there was also published the succession to the Crowne of * 1.38 Don Alfonso, being then present, who in his owne person did accompanie the corps of his dead Father to the buriall, with all the Lords of the Court, and all the Christian Portugals, which was solemnized after the manner of Christendome, with seruice and prayers for the dead, and all this with such funerall pompe, as was neuer seene before among those people. But they which heretofore were aduersaries to this new [ 10] King, doubting of their owne safetie, if they should remaine in the Court, vnited themselues with Mani-Pango, who was now departed into the Prouince of his owne Gouernment, and while his father liued, was wholly employed in fighting against the Mozombi, and certaine other people that had rebelled a∣gainst * 1.39 him.

Mani-Pango and his forces set forwards to the besieging of the Citie, with so great a noyse of war∣like Instruments, and cryes, and showtings, and terrible threatnings, that the poore few, which were in the Citie, as well Christians as others, fainted in their hearts, and failed in their courage, and came and presented themselues before the King, saying, that he had not power enough to resist so powerfull an Ene∣mie, and therefore they thought it better for him to grow to some concord and composition, and to aban∣don the new Religion, which he had lately begun to professe, to the end he might not fall into the hands of [ 20] his cruell aduersaries. But the King being resolute, and full of religious constancie, reproued their cowar∣dise, * 1.40 and called them dastards, and base people; and willed them, if they had any mind or desire to forsake him, and goe to the Enemie, that they should so doe. As for himselfe, and those few that would follow him, he did not doubt, but assuredly trust, though not with the possibilitie or strength of Man, yet with the fauour of God, to vanquish and ouercome that innumerable multitude. And therefore hee would not request them either to ioyne with him, or to put their liues in hazard against his aduersaries for his sake, but onely they might rest themselues and expect the issue that should follow thereon.

He did presently cause a Crosse to be planted, and erected in the middest of the Market place, right * 1.41 against the Church, which his Father had builded. This Crosse was of a wonderfull length, for it was fourescore spanne long, and the Crosse-barre in proportion answerable thereunto. The Crosse is to be [ 30] seene in the same place, wherein it was erected, at the front of the Church, which Church was called Saint Crosses, of the Crosse there planted. This Crosse the last King, that dead is, Don Aluaro, Father to the King that now is, renewed and made another of the same bignesse that the first was of.

Mani-Pango terrified with visions, and not with his brothers forces, ouercome with feare and danger ranne away, and fell into the Snares and Nets which he himselfe had laid for the Christians; For, ligh∣ting among the foresaid Stakes, he was with one of them thrust into the bodie, and so being surprized with an euill death, he finished his life, as it were in a rage. For you must vnderstand, that the sharpe ends of the said Stakes, were enuenomed with a certaine poyson, which taking hold of the blood, and entring some∣what into the flesh, would kill without all cure or remedie. By this victorie and death of his brother, did the King remaine in securitie and libertie.

All things well established, the King Don Alfonso tooke order, that they should presently goe in hand [ 40] with the fabricke of the Principall Church, called Saint Crosses, which was so named of the Crosse that was there planted, (as wee told you before) and also because vpon the Feast day of the holy Crosse, the first stone was laid in the foundation thereof. Moreouer, he commanded that the men should bring stones, and the women should fetch sand from the Riuer, for the furthering of this worke. The King would needs be the first Porter himselfe, and vpon his owne shoulders brought the first basket of stones, which he cast into the foundation, and the Queene her basket of sand likewise, thereby giuing an exam∣ple to the Lords and the Ladies of the Court to doe the like, and to encourage and hearten the people in so holy an action. And so this fabricke being furthered by so good Work-masters and Workmen, in a very short time was fully finished, and therein were celebrated Masses, and other Diuine Seruice, with [ 50] great solemnitie, besides, a number of Lords and others, that were there baptised and christned: so that the multitude of such as came to be partakers of the holy Baptisme abounded so greatly, that there were * 1.42 not Priests enough to execute that office.

After this the King dispatched away the Portugall Embassadour, who till this time had remained at the Court, by reason of these troubles: and with him he sent also another Embassadour of his owne, cal∣led Don Roderico, and diuers others that were of kinne both to himselfe and to his Embassadour, to the end that they should learne, both the Doctrine of the Christians in Portugall, and also their Lan∣guage, and further declare vnto the King all these accidents that hapned.

Moreouer, hee caused the Lords of all his Prouinces to be assembled together, in a place appointed for that purpose, and there publikely signified vnto them, that whosoeuer had any Idols, or any thing else [ 60] that was contrarie to the Christian Religion, he should bring them forth and deliuer them ouer to the Lieu∣tenants of the Countrie. Otherwise, whosoeuer did not so, should be burned themselues, without remission or pardon. Which commanded was incontinently put in execution. And a wonderfull thing it is to be noted, that within lesse then one moneth, all the Idols, and Witcheries and Characters, which they

worshipped and accounted for Gods, were sent and brought vnto the Court. Many there were, that ca∣ried a deuotion to Dragons with wings, which they nourished and fed in their owne priuate houses, gi∣uing vnto them for their food, the best and most costly Uiands that they had. Others kept Serpents of horrible figures: Some worshipped the greatest Goats they could get; some Tygers, and other most monstrous creatures; yea, the more vncouth and deformed the Beasts were, the more they were honored. Some held in veneration certaine vncleane Fowles, and Night-birds, as Bats, Owles, and Scritch-Owles, and such like. To be briefe, they did choose for their Gods diuers Snakes, and Adders, and Beasts, and Birds, and Herbs, and Trees, and sundry Characters of Wood and of Stone, and the figures of all these things aboue rehearsed, as well painted in Colours, as grauen in Wood and in Stone, and in such other stuffe. Neither did they onely content themselues with worshipping the said Creatures, [ 10] when they were quicke and aliue, but also the verie skinnes of them when they were dead, being stuffed with straw.

The act of this their adoration, was performed in diuerssorts, all wholly addressed, and directed to ex∣presse * 1.43 their humilitie, as by kneeling on their knees, by casting themselues groueling vpon the earth, by defiling their faces with dust, by making their prayers vnto their Idols, in words and in actions, and by offering vnto them the best part of the substance which they had in their possession. They had moreouer, * 1.44 their Witches, which made the foolish people to beleeue that their Idols could speake, and so deceiued them: and if any man being in sicknesse or infirmitie, would recommend himselfe vnto them, and afterwards that man recouered his health, the Witches would perswade, him that the Idoll had beene angry with him, but now was appeased, and had healed him.

The King caused fire to be set vnto their Idols, and vtterly consumed them. When he had thus done, [ 20] he assembled all his people together, and instead of their Idols which before they had in reuerence, hee gaue them Crucifixes, and Images of Saints, which the Portugals had brought with them, and enioy∣ned euery Lord, that euery one in the Citie of his owne Gouernment and Regiment, should build a * 1.45 Church, and set vp Crosses, as he had already shewed vnto them by his owne example. And then he told them, and the rest of his people, that he had dispatched an Embassadour into Portugall to fetch Priests, that should teach them Religion, and administer the most holy and wholesome Sacraments to euery one of them, and bring with them diuers Images of Christ, of the Uirgin Mother, and of other Saints to di∣stribute among them. In the meane while, he willed them to be of good comfort, and to remaine constant [ 30] in the faith. But they had so liuely imprinted the same in their hearts, that they neuer more remembred their former beliefe in false and lying Idols.

He ordained moreouer, that there should be three Churches builded. One in reuerence of our Saui∣our, * 1.46 to giue him thankes for the victorie which he had granted vnto him, wherein the Kings of Con∣go doe lye buried, and whereof the Citie Royall tooke the name, (for as it was told you before, it is called, S. Sauiours.) The second Church, was dedicated to the blessed Virgin, the mother of God, called, Our Ladie of Help, in memorie of the succour which he had against his enemies: And the third, was con∣secrated to S. Iames: in honour and remembrance of the Miracle which that Saint had wrought by fighting in the fauour of the Christians, and shewing himselfe on Horse-backe in the heate of the [ 40] battaile.

Not long after this, the ships arriued from Portugall, with many men that were skilfull in the holy Scriptures, and diuers religious Friers of the Orders of S. Francis, and of S. Dominick, and of S. Austine, with sundry other Priests, who with great charitie and feruency of spirit, sowed and dispearsed the Catholike Faith ouer all the Countrey: which was presently embraced by all the people of the King∣dome, who held the said Priests in so high reuerence, that they worshipped them like Saints, by kneeling vnto them, and kissing their hands, and receiuing their blessing, as often as they met them in the streetes. These Priests being arriued into their seuerall Prouinces, did instruct the people in the Faith of Christ.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The Territory of the chiefest Citie in all Congo, contai∣neth in com∣passe twentie miles about.
• * 1.2

  The chiefe Ci∣tie, called San Saluatore. The situation of the Citie. The Mountain whereupon it standeth.
• * 1.3

  The soyle, the aire, the waters and the Cat∣tell. The Otheiro.
• * 1.4

  The reason why they built in this place. 1. 2.
• * 1.5

  Fiue miles from the bot∣tome of the Hill to the top. A Riuer at the Hill foot. The particular situation of the Citie. A seuerall place for the Portugals. The Kings Pa∣lace. The principall Church and Market place.
• * 1.6

  Good store of waters
• * 1.7

  The Plaine very fruitfull. Seuerall sorts of Graine. Luco, Millet.
• * 1.8

  White Millet, called the Mazza of Congo. Maiz.
• * 1.9

  Diuers kinds of Trees bea∣ring fruit.
• * 1.10

  Banana.
• * 1.11

  Diuers kinds of Palm-trees.
• * 1.12

  The Olye of Palme.
• * 1.13

  The Bread of Palme.
• * 1.14

  The fruit of the Palme. The Wine and Vinegar of Palme.
• * 1.15

  The fruit Cola. See of it Fin∣ches Iournall.
• * 1.16

  Andrew Battell affirmed this to be true.
• * 1.17

  Other kinds of Palme-trees.
• * 1.18

  Trees called, Ogheghe.
• * 1.19

  Great store of stone to build withall.
• * 1.20

  Want of work∣men to build.
• * 1.21

  Stuffe for building ships and housing. Herbs & fruits.
• * 1.22

  The first traf∣ficke of the Portugals into Congo.
• * 1.23

  Mani-Sogno, the Kings Vncle entertayneth the Portugals.
• * 1.24

  Mani-Sogno, conuerted and become a Christian.
• * 1.25

  The King of Congo, promi∣seth to become a Christian.
• * 1.26

  The King of Portugall sen∣deth Priests to the King of Congo to in∣struct him. Mani-Sogno promoteth the Christian Re∣ligion. The ships re∣turne from Portugall, 1401. Mani Sogno & his traine en∣tertayneth the Portugals. Mani-Sog•••• buildeth a Chur••h. Mani Sogno & his Sonne baptized.
• * 1.27

  A sermon con∣tayning the sum of Christi∣an Religion. Mani Sogno rehearseth the Sermon to his people. The Portugals goe to the Court to bap∣tise the King.
• * 1.28

  How beautiful are the feet of them that bring tydings of peace? The Courtiers of Congo meet the Portugals.
• * 1.29

  The King him∣selfe receiueth them.
• * 1.30

  The Portugall Embassadour declareth his Embassage. The King re∣ioyneth at the Embassage. The people reioyce at it.
• * 1.31

  The King vieweth the Presents sent vnto him by the King of Portugall.
• * 1.32

  Consultation among the Portugals for the Christ∣ning of the King and for the building of a Church. An insurrecti∣on raysed by the Deuill, to hinder the progresse of Christian Re∣ligion.
• * 1.33

  The King buildeth in haste a church of timber. The King and Queene of Congo christ∣ned. The Church of S. Sauiours. Diuers Lords baptised. The King go∣eth in person against the re∣bels, and dis∣comfiteth them. Mani-Sundi christned and many other with him. Mani-Pango resisteth the Gospel. Polygamie.
• * 1.34

  Mani-Pango & his Complices accuse Mani-Sundi to his Father.
• * 1.35

  The King de∣priueth Mani-Sundi of his gouernment.
• * 1.36

  Mani-Sogno, maketh inter∣cession for his Brother.
• * 1.37

  The King wa∣uereth in Re∣ligion, and cal∣leth M••ni Sun∣di to account, of purpose to depriue him. The King dyeth. The Queene Mother sen∣deth in al••aste for her Sonne Mani Sundi.
• * 1.38

  The funerall of King Iohn, celebrated by King Alfonse.
• * 1.39

  Mani-Pango, rebelleth against his brother.
• * 1.40

  The King to his Souldiers.
• * 1.41

  The King ere∣cteth a Crosse of a great length. The miracle which the au∣thor addes, I haue omitted, a vision of light and fiue swords, as also the vision of our Ladie and Saint Iames, fighting a∣gianst Mani-Pango. The stratagem of Mani-Pango, turneth to his owne destru∣ction. The death of Mani-Pango. The building of the Church called Saint Crosses.
• * 1.42

  King Alfonso dispatcheth the Portugall Embassadour, and another of his owne into Portugall. The king com∣mandeth all Idols to bee brought in, and all other things that are contrarie to the Christian Religion.
• * 1.43

  Their deuout worshipping of Idols.
• * 1.44

  Witches.
• * 1.45

  The king com∣mandeth euery Lord to build a Church, in the Citie of his owne gouern∣ment. Exchanged Imagerie.
• * 1.46

  The King buil∣deth three Churches. One to Saint Sauiour. The second, to our Lady of Helpe. The third, to S. Iames. The ships re∣turne from Portugall with Friers and Priests. Priests wor∣shipped.