A compendious history of the Goths, Svvedes, & Vandals, and other northern nations written by Olaus Magnus.

OLAUS MAGNUS THE GOTH, Arch-Bishop of VPSAL: CONCERNING The Rites of Nations, and Nature of Things, and Custome of making War; used by the Northern People. (Book 1)

An Epitome of the First Book. (Book 1)

CHAP. I. A Description of Biarmia.

BIarmia is a Northern Countrey, the Zenith whereof is the Artick Pole, and the Horizon is the same with the Equinoctial Circle; which cutting the Zodiack into two equal parts, makes the half year one artificial day, and the other half one night: so that the whole year is there but one natural day. Now Biarmia is divi∣ded, according to Saxo Sialandicus, into the furthermost, and hi∣thermost: In the hithermost, there are Mountains that are covered with snow perpetually, but they do no hurt, for they are never melted by the Sun: be∣tween these there are Woods and Groves in abundance, and it is most fertile with Pasture Grounds, and there are Beasts very frequent, that are not usual elsewhere. There are many Rivers in it, because there are so many Rocks in the Channels, and these run with a noise and foaming, as they are carryed on. But in the further Biarmia, there are some monstrous strange people, to whom the passage is difficult, and full of danger, that men can hardly come unto them. For the greatest part of the way is constantly blocked up by Mountains of snow, and if any man would pass over them, he must ride in a Chariot, drawn with

Stags, (as there is a great number of them in that place, as there is in Italy of Asses) and by the incredible swiftness of them, he may pass over the Clifts that are exceedingly frozen. Saxo mentions one Meningus, a Satyr of the Woods, who was very rich, and inhabited there; unto whom one Hotherus, King of the Swedes, was brought by tame Stags, and be••ame very rich and happy with great spoils: yet both these Countries are distinguished with Valleys and Fields, and would afford good Corn, if it were sowed there: But there is such plenty of Fish there in all places, and so much hunting after wild Beasts, which is the cause that men do not much desire Bread for use. When those of Biarmia go to fight, they commonly change their Arms into Art, and are wont by Charms to the Clouds, to open the Air, and to turn a fair day into rainy weather. The men of Biarmia are Idolaters, and Wain-drivers, as the Scythians are, and very cunning to bewitch men. For they will so bind men by the Witchery of their eyes, or words, or some other way, that they cannot be at liberty, or in their right mind but oft-times pine aw••y, and dye of a Consumption.

CHAP. II. The Description of Finmarck.

FInmarck is a Northern Countrey, of the part of Norway; of old, by reason of the largeness of it, it was honoured with the Title of a Kingdome. This place is seated in the coldest part of the World: yet the men there are of strong bodies, and stout minds, and they are wont manfully to defend themselves against the assaults of their Enemies. The Ayr of that and the Neighbour Countries is alwayes cold, clear, yet agreeing with the bodies of men; and in Summer there are very few showers: and the clemency of the Ayr there is so good, that Fishes never salted, but onely dryed in the Ayr, will last uncorrupted ten years. There is a continual day from the 8th. of the Calends of April, unto the sixth of the Ides of September, without any darknesse coming between, and the Sun is seen from the fourth of the Nones of May, unto the Calends of Au∣gust, without any night coming between. The distance from this Northern Fin∣marck unto the more Southern parts of the Goths, is above 350. Gothick miles, where at midnight, about the Summer Solstice in divers places, namely at Lin-Copia, and Scares the smallest Letters may be read without any Candle, and mo∣neyes told. Also in these places, under the Elevation of the North Pole, in 60. degrees, from the beginning of May, untill the beginning of August, no Stars are to be seen: Besides the Moon, which at the Full appears like a Bur∣ning Bush, something toward the Superficies of the Earth, for that space of time, to the admiration and horrour of those who see it.

CHAP. III. The Description of Scricfinnia.

SCricfinnia is a Countrey between Biarmia, and Finmarck; yet it hath one ••ong corner that stretcheth Southward, and towards the Bothrick Sea; it is called a Tail principally, because the Inhabitants of it slide very swift, having their feet fastned to crooked pieces of Wood made plain, and bended like a Bow in the former part, with a staff in their hands to guide them; and by these, at their pleasure they can transport themselves upward downward, or obliquely, o••er the tops of ••now; yet ever observing that proportion, that one of these pieces of Wood shal be longer then the other a full foot, according as the men or women are in tallness: so that if a man or woman be eight foot high the one piece of wood shall be just so long, and the other piece of wood shall be

nine foot. Moreover, they provide that those pieces o•• wood be covered be∣neath with the tender skin of a young Fawn; the form and colour whereof is like to a Deer Skin but it is far longer and larger. But why these pieces of wood are covered with these tender Skins, there are divers causes given; namely that they may transport themselves the swifter over these high Snows, that they may the more nimbly avoid Clifts of Rocks, and steep places with an overthwart motion, that when they ascend to a place, they may not fall backward: because the Hair will rise like Spears, or Hedg-Hogs Bristles, and by an admirable power of Nature hinder them from falling down. Therefore with such Instruments, and the Art they have to run, they are wont, especially in Winter time, to passe over the unaccessible places of Mountains, and Valleys; but not so early in Summer, though the Snow be there, because the Wood soon sinks into them. Not is there any Rock so prominent, but they can cunningly run up to the top of it, by a winding course. For first leaving the deep places or Valleyes, they passe over the feet of the Mountains, with a crooked motion round about; and they so turn to and fro, untill they come to the highest parts of those winding Hills: sometimes they do it in heat of Hunting, sometimes to try their Skill, and to contend for mastery therein, as those who run Races to win the price.

CHAP. IV. Of the Vehemency of the Southern Wind.

THere is a Port in Island, (a Land that is next to the Frozen Sea, under the Dominion of the Kingdome of Norway, commonly called Vestrabort) na∣med the West part; neer which about the Sea shores and Fields, men riding in Armour, by the mighty blast of the Southern Wind, are blown down to the ground like Towe. Likewise, neer those that dwell in Rocks and Caves, espe∣cially in that time of Winter, that the Sun goes back to the Solstitial Signes, when the Windes are more temperate amongst the Waves of the Seas. More∣over there are Mountains in Ireand not very high, that stick forth in many pla∣ces; upon which if any man strive to go when this Southern Wind blowes, he must not onely look for danger, but to be suffocated in Bogs and Quick-Sands. But how formidable and hurtful the Windes are on the Western Banks of Nor∣way, the Inhabitants, nor such as travel there, can be ignorant: For they shall see no Shrub nor Tree to grow there, by reason of the violence of this Winde: Wherefore, for want of Wood, they are forced to burn great Fish-bones to make Fire, and to boyl their Meats. The Inhabitants that dwell on the West Coasts of Bothnia, to the great hurt oft-times, have the tryal of it, how cruelly that wind rageth there. For it will carry away the whole tops of houses, and scatter them upon the Land in several pieces, at vast distances.

CHAP. V. Of the Violence of North-Winds.

VVHirlwinds and Northerly Tempests, to have a most terrible and dan∣gerous force, no man can be ignorant, who hath learned or searched out the secrets of Nature: especially since the cause and matter of its Oiginal, is manifold and indeficient. Therefore oft-times they take away the Waters of the Sea from under the ships, and carry the ships up into the Ayr: Also they

let fall stones, and other living Creatures, which they have taken up something high; and not onely those, but the Lead that covers Churches, and divers hou∣ses, and the strongest Beams are carried into the Air, and then another more ve∣hement blast comes, they are carried a great way. Also sometimes whole mills with huge stones being compassed about with a Whirlwind, are transported in∣to places far off, the people being safe; and sometimes such a mighty Whirlwind descends that it involves Cities, Castles, Villages, and scatters houses afar off in the Fields, as I said. In Summer, Winds blow from the West and the North with so great violence, that they will take up whole handfuls of stones from the ground, and will make great heapes of stones, like to heaps of Sand; and some∣times they will draw from men their weapons and clothes, and sometimes take the Rider off of his horse. Also it sometimes fell out in Victria or Norway, that great Fish which were to be dried in the Air and Sun, were taken off from poles like planks, by boysterous winds, in great numbers, and carried from rich Fishers houses, unto poor mens, and are received as a gift given them by God.

CHAP. VI. The divers Effects of Thunder and Light∣ning in the Northern Parts.

THundirng and Lightning have a most formidable effect in the Northern parts, especially in places opposite to the South. There appeares o••ten in the North parts, in clear weather, all the night, in September, continual Light∣nings, that threaten rather then hurt the Beholders of them. But Thunder ri∣sing from the Nature of the Clouds, and the Thunder-bolt falling, do bring grie∣vous mischiefs to men, and other Creatures in those parts. For it kills many men and cattle that are found upon places that are high, and consumes with a flame, not to be put out, the highest Towers, and houses, that are daubed over with hard Pitch, and this is no wonder; it cleaves down-right the loftiest Trees from the very top; or else beats them down, corroding them oblique∣ly.

CHAP. VII. Of the fierceness of Cold.

IT may be demonstrated by many Reasons, rather then Examples by Sense, what great power Frost and Snow hath in the North, as in its proper place. For the fearful multitude of living Creatures, feels its force and piercing, though they be many Furlongs from it, and the body and parts are perished and benummed with a little of it falling upon them. What can it not do, where Cold it self rules in its full force, and according to the Law of Nature; under which, because I was born and bred, (about the Elevation of the North Pole in the Degree 86.) I think I can more clearly demonstrate it in this, and the many following Chap∣ters, than other men that write by uncertain Opinion, how horrible and vehe∣ment the Cold is there: because from thence by succession, as it were Beames from the Center, it spreads it self into the whole World, as all Nations that it pierceth into, moved by the sharpness of it, can testifie.

CHAP. VIII. Of Frosts, and the falling of Snow.

SO great sometimes is the force of Frosts, and the falling of Snow in the Nor∣thern parts; and so sharp are the Tempests, and vehement Darkness, obscu∣ring the Air, that Travellers cannot shun nor know the next man that comes, be he Foe or Friend. That which breeds the greatest difficulty, is that on both sides, there hang over mens heads either high Clifts, or Snow hardned, and so high, that those who carry burdens, can neither get forth to the right hand, not to the lest: But because they can seldome find a desired Remedy against these steep places, for the standing of their Cattel, they dig down the Snow with mu∣tual labour, and they turn their wains upside down upon them: that so they may finish their intended Journey. And they do this with that celerity, as if they were urged to do it suddenly, to put away some dangerous Fire, or some most hurtful Danger; least if they should use any delay by the sudden falling of Snow and Frost, the wayes should be filled, and the Woods, that they should hardly know which is the way, or the field. There is little or no difficulty in the Ice, because it is ever every where, and pleasing to Passengers, onely they must be careful where the Ice breaks, to look to the Signs that are opposite to the Orifice of the breach; which Signs appear by the crazy pieces of Ice left at the mouth of it lying open or by the green boughs of Firr or Juniper congealed in the Ice, and sticking forth; and that in a long order for many miles, is carefully lookt to at the cost and by the diligence of the Fisher-men, least Travellers might mi∣stake their wayes. But in the Wood sometimes men meet with no small Ob∣stacles, when they fall together by breaking, or moving of Trees: especially the poplar Trees stand by reason of the thickness of Snow, as bent bowes loaded with Snow: by the least motion whereof great heaps of Snow, falling on the Travellers, do not a little hinder them: Also the Trees themselves falling a∣cross, being broken down by the weight of the Snow, makes the way altogether impassible, that they cannot get forth but by Axes, which they carry with them for that use; as I testifie it fell often out with me and others of my company.

CHAP. IX. Of the variety of Snow and Glasses.

IN one day and night you shall see fifteen or twenty distinct Forms of Snow; and there is no less variety in Glasses that are set for Windows in their Stoves to keep out the cold. For whilest these places are kept hot with fire against the excessive cold, those Glasses seem to be so painted with the external cold, and Workmanship of Nature, with divers fashions, that any Artist who shall behold them, shall better admire Natures excellence, than imitate it: yet Wit and In∣dustry of Workmen, hath invented and made many kinds thereof for the Orna∣ment and setting forth of houses; the like whereof can hardly be got by other Nations for love or money: and they are made so ingeniously that many of their Cups are thought to be silver: Moreover there are many Woollen and Linnen pretious woven Ornaments, and admirable Pictures, very decent; as I shall speak hereafter something concerning Painters and Weaving Works.

CHAP. X. Of the Forts of Snow made by Young People.

IT is the custome of the young Northern People, by a provident sagacity, to make Castles to fight against, and to employ for divers Arts and Exercises of War, they especially who take pleasure to make their first Attempts against these, without any danger of being wounded or killed: and therefore early in Winter, whilest the Snow lasts, the young men meet in Troops provoked there∣unto by their Parents, upon some eminent place, bringing with them, by each mans labour, huge heaps of Snow; and of these, especially on Holy-dayes, they make Forts like to Castle walls, alwayes sprinkling water on their Building, distinguished with Windows, that the Snow thus incorporated with the Water, when it grows cold, may freeze the harder. By which diligence they are so for∣tified, that they can endure not onely light blows, but brazen bullets, and the battering of Engines, so far as need is. These things thus prepared, the said young men divided into several Troopes, part of them goes to defend the walls; the other part stand without to fight against them. And in these white Castles they want not black or dark Flags, or green Bushes of Juniper: under which, not for money, but for desire of glory, they enter upon a pleasant Combat, and it is fought on both sides with no other weapons, then with Snow-balls, cast by their hands one against the other. For there is a penalty set, that any one shall have his naked body plunged into cold water, who shall in a Snow-ball wrap up a stone, iron, wood, or ice, to cast at one another. There are also amongst the Assailers, some that like Pioneers, mine under the lower part of the Walls or Snow, and enter, that they may beat off the Defendants at the Fort from their stations. And they are not slow to come to handy-blows, until the Standard being taken away, the conquered part yeeld, that another time, if it be possible, renewing the Combat, may triumph over the conquering part. And they doe not more idly or weakly fight these Battails, and endure them, than if they fought for their Lives, their Countrey, their Laws and Religion, in a publike spectacle. But such as are Cowards and run away, they thrust Snow-balls be∣tween their shirts and their skins of their backs, when they can catch them, and absolve them punished, first with insolent words and hard language, that another time when they come again, they may fight more valiantly, and defend their ca∣stles. They punish some with Ice let drop down between their head and neck when it freezeth hard; as I shall underneath explain it more, when I speak of punishments by Ice: And all these are pleasant Spectacles, to appoint milder punishments for Rebels and Cowards.

CHAP. XI. Of the running of Horses upon Ice for Cloaks.

OF old time it was a Custome among the antient Goths, in Winter, about the end of the moneth of December, (whilest the Lakes, Standing-waters, and all the Countrey, were covered with Snow, and bound up with very firm Ice) in every Province to collect all the best horses, that were more comely then Cows with Calves, to adorn their publick shews. But for what concerns their shews for delight, on the 26. day of December, infinite Inhabitants of those Coun∣tries in every Province (though of distinct Societies) do meet to contend on

swiftest Horses for the prize and glory, upon the Frozen Lakes and Rivers, that shine like glasse. The Bounds or Ends of this Race, contain about four or six Italian mi••es. The prize is some measures or bushels of Corn to be sowed, and new Garments are deposited also, on this condition, that the Horse that comes not to the Mark, shall be the Conquerour's. But these Spectacles are shewed in no p••ace in all the North more frequently upon the Ice, than amongst the Ostrogo∣thi, and Vestrogothi. For their Land abounds with p••entiful Pasture, to feed Herds o•• Horses to many thousands in most c••oi••e Grasse where they naturally meet, though it be in very spacious and dispersed Fields, and not in one Mea∣dow.

CHAP. XII. Of the Running of men upon the Ice for a Wager.

TWo sorts of men are found in these places, that run Races for Wagers most swift••y, in a compencious way of the Art fore-shewed. The first is the Wild or Laplander, because upon crooked Stilts, or long Stakes fastened to the soles of his feet, he transports himself upon the Snow in Dales and Mountains, in a dangerous way, by a winding and arbitrary motion; and he doth it with a most perfect Art whether h•• be to encounter with ad••erse accidents, or he doth it for ••port in Hunting, whereby he gets his li••ing, and he obtains greater riches, or whether he undertakes this for a prize, or g••ory. This kind is the chiefest amongst the Sericfinni. Here it shall suffice now to have said, That these men have such nimble agility in running over the tops of the Snowy Mountains, also when they run for a Reward, that others who use more plain and shorter Instruments can hardly attain unto, u••on the even and slippery Ice. Moreover those that run over the Snow, and come to the Mark appointed, will kill a wild Beast in the way with their ar∣rowes. But he that holds on his course on the Ice is scarce secure from Pits that are secret underneath; as I shall say hereafter concerning Wars upon the Ice. But the other kind runs swiftly onely upon the slippery Ice, and always continues run∣ning upon the even Ice, having a plain polished Iron, or plain Deers or Sheeps bones; namely the shank-bones that are naturally slippery, by reason of their imbred fatness, ••nd are a foot in length, fastened to the bottome of their feet. In which kind also there are found men every where striving for pleasure and price: the Goal they set is over the congealed Lakes, as smooth as Glasse, for eight or twelve Italian miles from both ends, or somewhat lesse. The prize is Silver Spoons, Brasse Vessels, Swords, New Garments and young Horses; but the••e more frequently than the other. They that win the prize, must come first to the Mark. They fasten Deers shanks polished broad, to the soles of their feet, be••meared with Hogs-grease, because so they cannot be hindered or stopt by the co••d drops of water, that in the most vehement cold weather will rise up as it were through the pores of the Ice: so it is with any Iron that is polished or greased o••er. For no greasing is more fit for Iron, than for the shank-bones of Deer, or Bulls, that have a natural slipperinesse in them. And this way so o••t as the Ice is clear, and uncovered of snow, and is two or three fingers thick, then is the time to exercise these Sports more easily and freely. But other∣wise not at all, because it is never more dangerous, nor is a man neerer to his death, than when he runs upon the Ice covered with a very thin snow. For the Ri••ers or small streams, with a si••ent swiftness, entring the Lakes from the shores by their corroding and continual motion prevail so far, that the Ice can∣not grow thick and strong, un••esse it be frozen with the greatest Frost: yet it falls out that rash Runners, such as know not, or despise the Nature of the Ice,

running mo••e boldly than wari••y, the Ice breaking, are drowned, with their body downward, and their heads above, cut off with the sharp Ice, as with an Axe, and so miserably left behind. But the Inhabitants seldome perish by that or the like danger, only strangers that travel to descry Countryes: who making more hast to serve them elves with the shortest way to make their disco∣veries, are suddenly destroyed by the falsenesse and brittlenesse o•• the Ice.

CHAP. XIII. Of the Inns upon the Ice for Travellers.

IT is the custome that the publick wayes which are obstructed by the fall of Woods, by reason of Tempests, should be mended by the common charge and labour, with Axes and Pick-axes: but when they are barred by the thick∣nesse of the Snow, they are to be opened by the passage of Cattel and Waggons going over the Snow, by every man particularly, or else the way must be made neere the shoares of the Sea, or upon the Sea congealed, markes being set upon the Ice, whereby the way may ly open to mens habitations. But least by the same reason, the lower Germans that inhabit the Cities & Countries of the Vandals should be stopt by the great Snows, filling the Woods and Champion wayes, in their great commerce of Merchants; they place Inns upon the Sea shores and plain Rocks, or upon the open Ice, by a wonderfull industry. For they ordain long beams, elevated two or three feet, above the Ice for a distinction of the Foundations and Houses; and upon these they build necess••ry Houses, and those boarded, standing side by side, and they use a cold fire in th••ir Stoves plentifully, (as they do all things else that are required for joyfull banquets) and fearing no craft of any spies or thievs, or deceivers, they rejoyce because they have gaind more security upon the Iice, than they could have in a Palace: and th••y stay there more securely and merrily, the sharper the cold-weather is, and the stronger the winds are: which blowing underneath the Foundations of their Inns, make them to be more firm and solid, and preserve them untill such time as all this building about the vernall Aequinoctial is dissolved by the hot blasts of the South-Wind, and is carried into the continent, no Pension being paid for their standing place. But as for the cold of that German or Getick Sea, Al∣bertus Crantzius speaks many things, who was a most di••igent describer of these Countries. For he saith, that in the yeare, 1323 the Sea was extreamely Frozen that men passed on foot over the Ice ••rom Lubec to Denmark & to Prussia by Sea, Inns being made upon the Ice in convenient places. In the yeare of our Lord, 1399, all the Winter the Frost bound up both Sea and Land that went dry-foot from Lubee by Sea into the City Sunden & from thence to Denmark. In the year 1523. the Frost was all the Winter incomparable never the like heard of. So that Horsemen passed from Gedan in Prussia to Lubeck the same way saylers do, and then from Magnopolis by Sea into Denmark, having Inns upon the Ice. In the year 1294. the Cimbric Sea was frozen, that men rid from Jathia to Aslogia. Moreover, though for many ages after, most bitter cold followed, and free∣sing of the Seas, yet because they fell so common, they are scarce found to be observed.

CHAP. XIV. Of the Passage upon the Ice between the Gulphs,

SInce in the former Chapter concerning Inns on the Ice, too little is spoken, by what marks Travellers are guided in Snowy and Frosty weather, that they may come to the Inns they appoint to stay at; for that the way is so plain and large on all sides, that oftimes men can see nothing but the Heavens, and Ice, and Snow, for that they attempt in the bitter Winter, to passe by the agility of Horses, where in Summer-time the greatest Ships Sayle, being driven with the Winds: Therefore you must observe that the Ice being a little bored, into it Juniper or Firr-Trees at every furlongs end, standing upright are Frozen in, being set in the Sea, by the way side, especially where the Ice is grown thicker, and proved by the overseers for high ways. And if these marks were not, the fear would be no lesse, nor the danger of a mans life amongst the Gulphs on the Ice, than it would be on the open Sea, when unarmed Marriners light amongst cruel Pirats, or in a horrid desart, when men fall amongst savage Beasts: wherefore it is ordered by a most severe Law, that no man shall alter or carry off these water marks, unlesse it be in time of hostility, by reason of Spies and Traytors. And farther how dangerous it is for men to passe amongst those Gulphs formerly mentioned, I shall shew by the following reasons. But be∣fore all I must premise, that generally all lakes and standing-waters begin to be Frozen in October, and the Ice to be so condensed in many places by the in∣creasing of the cold, that where no Veins or Spring-water run not into those lakes and standing-pools, the fish are found to be choked when the Ice thaws. But that this suffocation may not be too great a losse, by the diligence of the Fishermen, the Ice is constantly broken, that it may not Freeze, as I shall shew under this, in my book concerning Winter fishing. Wherefore the Ice at be∣ginning and middle of Winter is so strong and tenacious, that at the thicknesse of two fingers a man may walk upon it, and when it is three fingers thick, a Horseman in Armour: when it is a hands breadth and halfe, whole Troops and Companies of Souldiers; when it is three or four hands breadth, a whole legion of thousands of people, as I shall shew underneath, concerning Winter Warrs. This strength of the Ice, though it seem to be so strong, yet naturall Veins and exhalations, springing forth underneath in many places, do so make it cleare and open, that for a long way it will leave an empty place like a pas∣sage or path upon the Land: yet the prudent Traveller penetrateth that fissure by compassing about, that he may not lose his time and appointed journey. But when such fissures happen, especially at night, they are heard afarr off, like cruel Thunder or Land Earth-quakes. But for all this the carefull Traveller leavs nothing unattempted, but that he will go forward on his journey amongst the Whirl-pools. But when the Ice melts about the beginning of April, no man will trust to the thicknesse of it, and lesse to the strength thereof, unlesse it be to walk upon it in the morning: because by the Sun-shine in the day it is made so brittle, that what had a little before born armed Horsemen, can hardly bear a man without Arms. But the Winter ways, by reason of the hardnesse of the cold, whereby they are made thicker, and more solid, will remain lon∣ger like bridges in the Lakes. But when Travellers would descend from the Ice upon the Land or contrarily, he must needs have a bridge of Planks, for the Sun heating the shore, melts all the congelation of the Ice there. I think not fit to let it pass•• here, that there is a Lake called Veter, which is 60 Italian miles long, and 20 broad, in the Kingdome of the Ostrogoths: which is of such

a Nature, that when it is frozen by a tempestuous wind, and the time comes for it to thaw, it begins to boyle at the bottom with a most vehement noyse, and to be moved, and with great violence to break into small chops, or scissures, that are made in the Ice, and make these in a small time very great, though the Ice then be more than an arme or two in thicknesse; and then the upper force co-operating with it, all the Ice is divided into many small peices, upon which Travellers being left can scarse come to shore, otherwise than by the providence of God, because the force of Nature works more secretly there, and more wonderfully, than in other Lakes. Also there is a Lake neere the Metro∣polis of the Kingdome of Norway, called Nidrosia, that is never frozen.

CHAP. XV. Of Instruments for the Ice.

AS the people of a hot or temperate Climate seem to be free from cold, Ice, Snow, Frost and Winter noyses, so they can scarse find by what diversity of acts remedies and instruments those that live under this Northern cold, do defend and help themselves against all these sharp weathers, since it is impossi∣ble to run over the slippery Ice, or by it to transport the most weighty burdens, at so great a distance to the places appointed, unlesse it were done by art, to ease our strength. We spake before of wodden shoos, that were covered under with points of Iron, because they are agreeable to the seasonable use of Travellers, Fi∣shermen and Souldiers. Moreover three points of triangles with iron points are made with three corners for going the more sure: and lastly flexible Circles with points every way, sharpened like to teeth: to all which that they may stick fast to their feet, strong bands are tied, that by that firmnesse every man may be the more secure in running or going, and any burden may be carried the bet∣ter by the strength of one or two men; which otherwise in the Sand or Snow would not be drawn by the strength of horses. They have Axes also that are the chiefest and fittest Instruments to cut all Ice: for by such instruments they open frozen Rivers for many furlongs, when they set out a Navy against Robbers: or when the Common-wealth thinks fit to mannage the businesse so, to send messengers beyond the Seas. And in this case small ships by the labour of Cattel are carried to the broad Sea in Carts from Citties and Castels suddenly upon the Ice, that by the agility of the Winds and Sayles, they may swiftly dispatch their Voyage by Sea, which they could hardly perform in many days by Beasts. They have also iron Spades made for a certain purpose, because by these, the thick and hardned Ice that will not yeeld to other iron tools is more easily broken, whilst other Axes mingled with steel in a vehement cold with a blow onely upon the Ice or a green Tree, will break like glasse, where∣as the foresaid Spades of iron spears, endure strongly; moreover they have harping irons made with a crooked point, whereby the pieces of Ice broken with other instruments are more easily drawn which way they please, or thrust out also in the open Sea, at the time of the Winter Solstice, when they must not only foresee to keep off such a huge weight of Ice, that it break not their Ships, but also against the Rocks that are not seen, and lastly when they are to fight with their cruel enemies. They have also Socks, with which they can walk the more securely upon the slippery Ice, at their pleasure, in a fight on the Ice, to resist strongly, or fly away cunningly.

CHAP. XVI. Of the Warlike Obelisks of the Goths, and Stone-Monuments raised.

IT was the most antient custome of the old Goths and Sueons, that when they had had the sharpest battels in the fields or Mountains, they were wont there to raise stones, as it were Piramids of the Aegyptians: and upon these engraving, the famous fasts with some short inscription, they supposed that the memory of their deeds should be perpetuall, as the usuall Songs compos∣ed in verses compendiously, and by succession derived to these daies, have propa∣gated this matter to the memory of posterity. For in the Northern parts, there are seen most hard Mountains of an Ash colour, that are far harder than Marble: these sometimes by an Earth-quake or Thunder, or other motion of Nature use sometimes to be so shaken, that the stones cut forth, and falling down∣wards, receive the form partly of a Pyramis, and partly of square Pillars, part∣ly of four Corners and Obelisks, as if they were made by the excellent work of Nature, and it is uselesse, and vain to adde any more to them. But these Py∣ramids or Pillars are found amongst the Heslengi in greater quantity than else∣where in the North. But Obelisks of high stones, raised by the forces of Gy∣ants, and Champions are seen no where more frequently than in the publick high wayes amongst the Ostrogothi, and Vestrogothi, and Sueons: and also in vast desarts, which long since have been made desolate of Inhabitants, by Famine, Warr, Plague, and are not yet reduced to their former condition, by reason of the sluggishnesse and negligence of the Indwellers, the Land not yet, or very rarely, becoming fallow ground. And these stones, raised in very many places, are 10. or 15. or 30. foot long, and 4, or 6. foot broad, notably scituat∣ed, but in a more wonderfull order, and, with some notable Character, for many reasons were placed there: and they signifie by a learned, right long or∣der, the battels of Champions; by a square order, Troops of Warriers: and by a round order the Burialls of families: and by a wedge fashion, they shew that there, or neere that place, the Armies of Foot or Horse had there fortunately prevailed. But the writings are begun on the right hand at the foot of the stones, end in the top, and then turning about they end in the left foot; or else the letters are in the same order elevated or pressed down within. And every letter hath the thicknesse and length of the greatest finger of a man. And though many of them by the injury of weather and dirt, and many at the bot∣tom of the stones, by length of time out of memory are eaten away, yet the like effects of them are clearly read in the same manner. I Uffo fighting for my Country, killed 32. Champions, and at last slain by the Champion Rolvo, rest here. Moreover; I Jugolvas that conquered all violent men, and defended the oppressed, being full of Scars, and grown old, girt about with my sword, am placed here, when as other men sought for glory by Warrs, I Halsten striving for peace, deserved immortal praise.

CHAP. XVII. Of Obelisks for Sepulchres.

BUt neither the old Goths, nor other Northern Nations, wanted a Remem∣brance of their Ancestors, but for those they were pleased to lay up in the ground, they set up Honourable Statues of high stones, as we see at this day mighty stones wonderfully joyned together, like to a most high and broad gate,

raised upwards and overthwart by the strength of Giants, especially two large miles from the City Scare as one goes to the Church of Kelby upon a Rock. For there are seen in the High-way three most huge Stones (as I said before) most curiously engraven with Gothick Characters: And if any man who is a curious searcher for such like stones, would go over Desarts, as well as open Fields, to search for them, he shall find infinite Spectacles, that I need not now be more tedious to mention. But there may be one cause more ready, by reason that not far from that most antient City Scare there was a Kingly Castle called Aa∣ranes, (whereof I shall speak particularly elsewhere) about which in former Ages and Generations most cruel Wars were fought: Con erning which my most dear Brother and Predecessour John, Arch-Bishop of Ʋpsal, writ wonderful things.

There are also amongst the Ostrogothi, and the Upper Sueons, Castles of great and Noble-men, built every where in the Countries, in places fortified by Nature: neer whose Walls and Fields, you shall ••ee huge Stone of the An∣tients, stuck fast into the ground, in a wedge fashion, round, ong, and upright sci∣tuation: the upper parts whereof being adorned with some Writings of the Goths, do teach, as it were by the command of some Governour then li••ing, what their Successours ought to fly from or follow; namely, to embrace Ver∣tue, and to detest Vice, &c. Nor may we doubt but in that Age the like Edict was observed in the Northern Countries again•••• the imbalming of the bodies of wicked Princes and Tyrants, that they should not have a seemly burial. The Obelisks of good Princes, and Stone Monuments, are yet plainly seen; many years before the Catholick Faith was planted in the Northern Kingdomes, Sig∣ned with the Sign of the Cross, having such like Inscription: After that I, sedu∣ced by the fraud of Devils, had erred, I Germundus dy converted to the God of the Christians, and here lie buried expecting his Judgment: Moreo••er elsewhere up∣on a stone these words are found; I Holmstam being dead, who had relinquished worshipping of Idols, am living in the Faith of Christ.

CHAP. XVIII. Of Stones with Figures, &c.

ALso in other places there are found very broad Stone Tables, and very high set into the Earth, by the strength of Gyants, having the Images of Dragons, Serpents, and Bears, engraven upon them: against which they observed no esse tryumph, than against armed Enemies; as I shall shew underneath in the Book of Gyants and Champions. Moreover there are huge Stones set upon the Shores of Waters, which shew in old Character; That in those places some Noble∣men, by divers accidents of Rivers, Tempests, Lightnings, Whirlwinds or Robbers, were killed. And from thence the Name imposed, endureth to perpetual Gene∣rations.

There are also high Stones, by the aspect and signature whereof, the antient Possessions of Provinces, Governments, Forts, Communities of Noble and Countrey-men, are suffered to continue to every man in peace, without Laws, Suits, or Arbitration, giving an Example to other Nations, that amongst these Nations there is more Right to be found in these Stones, that are Bound∣marks, than elsewhere in the large Volumes of Laws, where men think them∣selves to be more learned and civil. There are also Stones on the Shores that are very high, without Writings, by the industry of the Antients, turned to∣wards unfaithful Ports, without any notable Sign, informing the Marriners, that they may avoid shipwrack.

There is also a huge round Stone, having about 12. lesser Stones lying neer it, with Wedg fashioned stones, raised a little from the Earth, not far from the

Metropolis of Ʋpstal, called Morasten: Upon which a new King to be chosen, is received by an infinite company of people that are present, and afterwards is confirmed with more Solemn Ceremonies by the Catholick Bishops, taking an Oath before-hand to defend the Faith.

CHAP. XIX. Of Dials with Shadows.

YOu must know that the Inhabitants of the farthest North, that dwell beyond the 86. Degree of the Elevation of the North Pole, have no u••e of a Sun-Dial, such a one as Anaximenes Milesius, the Lacedemonian, is first said (as Pliny writes) to have found out; nor of any other Diall that is made with Weights, Wheels, Waters, Measures, by Lines and Distances: but they use onely the high Stones of Rocks, that are placed partly by Nature, partly by Cun∣ning, that by an infallible Conjecture, do over-shadow the Sun-Beams, and di∣stinguish the parts of the Day: as also in Winter both by Night and Day (the Moon not shining) they clearly measure the Account of Times by Experience, by the Cryes and Actions of Birds and Beasts; whereof there are infinite com∣panies there, and they are content with such obelisks or Rural Marks.

CHAP. XX. Of Sticks to design the Times by.

AS both the Latine and Greek Authors testifie, that the Goths have a perfect Experience in Arms and Military Disciplines; so also the Gothick Wri∣ters say that they have both at home and abroad, the knowledge of many profi∣table things, and experiments thereof, especially the knowledge of the Stars, whereby they can for the most part divine future things. For the Goths, both old and young, have a Staff, marked with the Characters of the Goths, so engra∣ven, that it may be seen, by what Instruments in old time, when there was no use of Books, they knew by infallible Events the influences of the Moon, Sun, and the other Stars, as at this day almost all the Inhabitants acknowledge: Where∣fore a stone made so long as a man on both sides, with the number of the Weeks of the Year; for every week having 7. Gothick Letters, whereby the Golden Num∣bers, and Dominical Letters (after Christianity was embraced) are distinguished in their Countrey Language and Figures: Nor did they use other Books in the manifold Revolution of Times, for the interpretation of the Stars. Moreover, Fathers instruct their Lay-Sons, and Mothers their Daughters, at home on Holy∣dayes, or at their coming to Church, that they are daily made more perfect, as well by Learning as by Experience. For by an old Custome of the Nation, the Laicks lean upon these Stakes, in long Journeys they take to visit Countrey-Churches; and so meeting together, by alleaging certain Reasons, they shew the qualities of the following year, by more true conjectures, than perchance others can by their speculative sciences, or that rely on their jugling Prognostications.

Moreover they wonderfully observe the Artick Pole, as the Gnomon of the whole Heavenly Dial; also the Bears, or Wains, Venus's Distaff and Spindle, as familiar Signs of their antient Diety; and by looking into the Nature of them, they wonderfully provide for Accidents that shall happen.

CHAP. XXI. Of the Goths Alphabet.

OF most antient time, when there were Gyants in the Northern parts, that is, long before that Latine Letters were found out, and before that Carmen∣ta came out of Greece, to the Ports of Tyber, and came to the Romane Land with Evander, and expelling the Aborigines, taught that rude people, and almost wild, both Manners and Letters, the Northern Countries had their own Letters: A Token whereof is shewed by Stones of a huge bigness, fastened on the Tombes and Monuments of the Antients. And if any man doubt of what was done by the force of Gyants in old time, let him come thither, and he shall see greater Wonders that will amaze him, more then any Writing can promise or perform. Wherefore they carving these Actions upon Stones, left them to perpetual me∣mory, as I read in the first Book, and 7. Chapter, of the History of my most dear Brother John Magnus, my Predecessour, Arch-Bishop of Ʋpsal. Also others for private accounts, like the Egyptians, used many Figures of Living Creatures, instead of Letters and do yet use them by a Domestick Ingenuity; as I shal shew underneath by & by: Some like to these are to be seen now at Rome amongst the old Obelisks, wherein several Letters signified a several name; as a Woolf, a cove∣tous man; A Fox, a deceitful person; A Bee; the King; because it behoves the Governour of the people, to have the Honey of Clemency, mingled with the Sting of Justice. Moreover, as Epistles written in Paper are now sent amongst men, so formerly the Northern people appointed Letters engraven upon Wood, for a famous kind of Paper to be sent from one to the other; and now adayes when they want Paper in the Camp of Souldiers, or in the besieging of Cities, they fitly use the Bark of Birch, cut into leaves, or thin plates, to write their Let∣tets upon; and it is so much the safer, for that thi•• Rind is spoiled by no accident of Rain or Snow. Moreover there are found some Northern people of so quick wit, who having never learned Latine Letters, not yet the Alphabet of the Goths, they make an Alphabet for themselves, from the Figures and Instruments of Things, and they use these to help their Memories, writing them single on a Skin, Paper, or Rind. And they communicate this Secret to none but such as are of their own Families, causing Ink to be made of a Cole powdred, and Milk, or Common Water.