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

Olaus Magnus the Goth, Arch-Bishop of UPSAL: CONCERNING The Wars and Manners of the Wild Pa∣gans, and their Neighbours. (Book 4)

The Epitome of the Fourth Book. (Book 4)

CHAP. I. Of the unhappy Battail of Regnerus, King of Denmark.

SAxo Grammaticus, the most famous Author of the Danish History, re∣lates, that Regnerus King of Denmark, for five years, when he had ended his Piracy on the Coasts of Russia, to have resolved to invade by armes his Neighbours of Biarmia; namely, Northern People, living in Mountains, and Champion Land, and to bring them down by his incomparable power. They, when they knew of his coming, presently used Charms to Heaven, and so prevailed with the Clouds, that they filled them full of Rain, to do violence; which so long held Regnerus, before he could put off to Sea, that his provision was spent; and so soon as the Tempest was allayed, a violent heat scorched him: Nor was that plague greater, than the great cold was raised also. Wherefore this double mischief of untemperate weather, did by turns mightily disturb and corrupt his souldiers bodies, by their immoderate coming upon them. But as the King observed himself, to be stopt rather by the false, than true force of the Ayr, to revenge this insolency of the Biarmians, he comes again upon them unexpected. But their King relying on his most skilful Archers of the Duke of Finmarck, his Neighbour, tore in pieces the Army of Ragnerus, who then held his Winter-Quarters in Biarmia; yet suffered no loss himself. For the Finlanders, (as I touched upon it at the beginning of my first Book) being able to run swiftly with slippery stakes, fly away at pleasure, and have power to come neer, and remove far back presently. For so soon as they have wounded their

Enemy, they run from him, as fast as they came upon him, and they will return, being nothing wearied by their running forward: Wherefore by reason of their Waggons, and nimbleness of their bodies, they have a most ready way, to fall on, or to retreat.

It is to be believed, as the same Saxo reports, that this mighty King sustained his ill fortune couragiously, and wondred at it, when he saw himself who had triumphed over the Roman pride, to be brought to the very last point of difficul∣ty, by an unarmed and disorderly Company: wherefore he that had so gallantly beaten down the most illustrious Renown of the Roman Souldiers, and the migh∣ty force of the great Commander, was forced to yield to the most sordid and slender provision of a savage and base people: and he whose fame in War the forces of the most potent Nation could not quel, could not stand against a small handful of contemptible men. Hence it fell out, that by that hand wherewith he most valiantly worsted the most famous glory of the World, and the greatest Instrument of Military strength, wherewith he openly adventured against the terrible noise of so many Horse and Foot, he was fain privately to fall upon this ignoble and obscure people, and to steal upon them unawares; and he was not ashamed to stain his great glory, got openly in the day, by fraud in the night, making choice of clancular Snares in the place of open Fortitude. This thing, as it was ill favoured in the Deed, so was it base in the End, and he might sing the common Verse,

Oh by what small things, great things are dectroyed!

I pass over how Arngrinus conquered Tengildus, King of Finmarck, and Eg∣bert King of Biarmia, who resisted Frotho, King of Denmark, with so obstinate a mind and forces. The said Frotho marryed his Daughter, which he onely loved, to the said Arngrinus, a Swedish Champion, who vanquished Egbert, whom he challenged to fight a Duel with him; thinking it not unfit to become his Father in Law, who had made himself so famous, by so many Titles of his Actions, and had conquered a most sharp Enemy.

CHAP. II. Of the cruelty of the Wild Inhabitants.

AS the Eastern people that dwell in the Caspian Mountains, by reason of the mighty noise of the Sun-rising, and the horrid sound by secret exha∣lations coming from the bowels of the Earth, fly to Caves to save their lives, and stop both their ears, that thay may be safer in the troublesome time: so the Nations that live in the utmost Coasts of the Seas of Norway, by reason of the violent South-West Wind, and thick Snows lying on the tops of the most high Mountains, have their Caves under ground, and live upon Fish, and Wild Beasts. And these hate any men that shall sail to them for Traffique, as if they were Rovers, fearing to be brought into captivity by them: But such as are Runaways, and oppressed by the cruelty of Tyrants, they admit for their compa∣nions, and they instruct them for their defence, how they may catch Pirats in snares, and kill them, when they come upon their Coasts. They may indeed, whilest they counterfeit themselves to be Fugitives, or shew their Harbours to strangers to ride in, that they may be in no hazard, shut them up in what dan∣gers they will. But when strangers come not, that they cannot do these and the like practises, by reason of the Sea frozen, they are forced to stay in Dun∣geons and Caves, made up with the bones and ribs of Sea-Monsters, because of the Winds and Snows.

For these Caves seem to be made very cunningly, being thatched outwardly with Sea-weeds, like to a ship turned bottome upwards; and that by reason of the Winds vehemency, which are no less formidable in that place, than cruel Tempests raised out of the Sea. There are some certain men amongst them, that are as it were shepherds, that live on the Coasts of the Caspian Sea, that stop the passages to their Cottages, with Turff and Sea-Weeds or Mountain Moss, with Twigs fastened together, lest any man coming from Sea, might come to view, and search out them, and their secret places. And it may be they willing∣ly endure this hardness of the Ayr and Earth, and to live in Dens, that they may be free from the intolerable and infatiable Tributes of Tyrants, to whom the boundless Ocean seems to be but a small Earthen pot. Also Pliny, lib. 16. c. 2. relates very strange things concerning Nations living in Caves toward the North, and toward the boyling Sea; namely, that there is a miserable people which have high Hillocks, and green Banks made with their hands, that are higher then the highest flood of the Sea; their Cottages being so made like to men sailing in them, as when ships are drowned by shipwrack; but when the wa∣ters go out, they hunt after Fish about their Cottages, which go back with the Sea; and those they thus take, they dry more by the Wind, than the Sun.

CHAP. III. Again concerning the cruelty of these Wild Men, &c.

TOward the white Lake of the farthest North parts, where the Dominion of the King and Kingdome of Sweden is largest in extent: there dwell most fierce people on all sides, who use no other Breast-plates, than Wild Asses, or Elks Skins: Likewise they use Bowes and Lances that are fortified with a most Spear before and behind. For by an admirable agility (as I said before, lib. 1. of the Scricfinni) they can turn and wheel about at pleasure on every side, and can avoid or put off any violence; and that chiefly on the tops of Valleys, that are in all places filled continually with thick snows. And we may almost say of these Nations, what the chief Philosopher of the Scythians Anacharsis writ of their Diseases; that is, that neither any one that comes unto them can fly away, nor can they be taken, nor yet be found, unless they please, and laid hands of. For they have no Cities nor Walls built: they all carry their houses with them: the Foot-Archers living without any bread, but onely with Fish and Deer they kill, their Houses are Wagons and Tents, made either of the dried Skins of Beasts, or of the Barks of Trees: yet in Winter they quarter by the Banks of Waters, and in Summer, amongst Shrubs, and Trees, and shady places, varying their station. Their Caps frequently are Wild-Geese, or Duck-skins, or Cocks; which, as other Fowl, are there found in abundance. There are a World of precious Skins, ra∣ther to be barterd for, than to be bought with money.

CHAP. IV. Of the Five-fold Speech of the Northern Kingdoms.

BY this diversity of their Habits and Arms, is declared what difference there is of their Countries, Languages, Ages, and Exercises. For there are many great and mighty Lands, as Lapland, Moscovia, Swethland Gothland, the Land of the Vermori, Dalenses, of the Mountainers, and Norwegians; whose largeness is extended far and broad, and is greater then all Italy, Spain, and France, joyned to∣gether: That Pliny did not falsly call them for their undiscovered greatness another World. Therefore it is no wonder, that therein is found the use of five Langu••ges; namely, of the Northern people, of the Laplanders, or men of Both∣nia, Moscoviters, Russians, Finlanders, Swethlanders, Goths, and Germans. But in

these cold Countries, some men live to be above 160. years old, as they do also in England and Scotland, wherein the Venerable Bishop David lived to be 170. years of age: also the Exercises of those that dwell in the Northern Desarts, are Hunting and Fishing, and they live by bartring with the Moscovites. The Fin∣landers live by Husbandry, Fishing, and hewing of Wood: The Goths and Swedes busie themselves in the same Exercises: The German strangers are given to merchandising, and live by gain; they observe the Law of the Terrigenae, and they import all things that seem to respect a civil kind of life, as silk Cloaths, wea∣ved Garments with Gold, and divers Wines.

What kind of Weapons they use, I shall shew both here partly, and partly un∣derneath; but more at large concerning their Battails in the Fields. But here it is granted, that amongst all the Northern people, the Goths are the most expe∣rienced in Archery, and more nimble at their Slings, as the Finlanders are appro∣ved for their Bowes.

The Swedes use to fight with Axes, and Hatchets, and Speers: their Habit after the antient manner is wont to be short and close about them, except their Hose that are more wide. The Swedes use more large Garments almost after the Ger∣man fashion: The Moscovites wear long Garments, as the Greeks did: of them all, these are the most Northerly: But the wild Laplanders are clothed in costly Skins, not for any Ornament, but for Necessity sake.

CHAP. V. Of Bartring of Commodities without Moneys.

SInce all Fraud is naught and detestable in any thing whatsoever, yet it is worse and more detestable and bitter, the more it is attempted amongst sim∣ple people, when any false or adulterate money is paid to them; as I shall shew underneath in my 6th. Book, concerning diversity of moneys. Therefore this Nation of Laplanders, or men of Bothnia, and wild places, is quiet at home and is held not to be known to the rest of the World. They are not troubled with false money, for they looking rather to the account of things, than of monies, ob∣tain with pleasure and content what they wish for. And being thus ignorant of the noise of Wars, they live without Seditions, and dwell together without Envy, and communicate all things one to another without Fraud: all the Con∣tention they have is to avoid Poverty, and not to be inamoured of Riches.

These people know not how to be covetous, nor will they vex themselves with any Fraud in Bargaining: Wherefore living without Tumults, they seek onely for moderate Fortunes, that they may not be deprived of a good Con∣science, as many rich men are; for it is a heinous offence with them to take any thing by violence, who know not how to deceive any man of his Right: Yet since they are not happy in all things, but that they want other mens helps and commodities to make them so, therefore they stick to traffique in Goods, with∣out money, depending on honest and faithful change one with another, by a mu∣tual consent; and without uttering any words, they deal justly: not for that they want wit, and have barbarous manners, but becau••e they use a peculiar Language which other Nations can hardly understand. Also, there are places appointed yearly, to perform these businesses, either upon the Plains, or Frozen Lakes, and these are kept as Marts, that they may vent in general all such Commodities that they have gaind by their private wits at home or abroad. Nor do they ab∣stain from the like Merchandise, when other men bring to them what they de∣sire.

They have Governours, and they highly respect them chosen by the common consent of the people, called Bergchara; that is, Mountain-men, to whom they pay many pretious Skins, and divers kind of Fish, as well for Tribute due to the King of Sweden, as given by them of their own liberality. And these are clothed in Red, whereby they are known before others. They pay also the like Tributes to the King of Norway, and Emperour of Moscovia, and are sub∣ject to them. They never make Wars against their Neighbours, or any that live far from them, unless they be provoked by great injury; and then also they use not onely Arms that Fury can afford, but they fall upon their implacable Ene∣mies with cruel Incantations, stupifying the Limbs of their Enemies; so that they can neither lift up their hands, nor strike with their swords, and can hardly fly from them.

CHAP. VI. Of Fairs upon the Ice.

IN this Scheme is demonstrated the most antient Custome of Marts upon the plain and wide Ice, in many Provinces, and places, that are observed by most rich confluence of Merchants. Their most eminent place is the Archiepiscopal City of Ʋpsal, of the Kingd. of Sweden: through the middle whereof a most vast River passing, is so mightily frozen with thick Ice, most commonly about the be∣ginning of February, that it will bear the weight of infinite multitudes of men, Beasts, and all sorts of Commodities. And such Fairs, even until this day An∣tiquity cal••ed, and yet calleth Dysting, that is, the judiciary place of the most prudent Quueen Dysa, because this most high-spirited, and most wise woman, seeing the infinite multitude of people, by reason of the most cold influence of the Heavens, their Corn and Fruits being exhausted, to be in danger to bestar∣ved, she declaring the Necessity, perswaded them rather to go forth of their Na∣tive Countrey, and to seek a seat in other Lands beyond Seas, living peaceab••y, and when they had found it, to be diligent about it, than to lose their lives by the most horrid censure of some improvident men: yet this going forth of the people, is not from the Peninsula Scanziana, whereof Paulus Diaconus speaks concerning the Lumbards. There might be the like cause, but at a very great distance asunder: for by the Command, Order, and Direction, of this Queen Dysa, it was varied with an infinite multitude of people, and with power. But since my most dear Brother and Predecessour Johannes Magnus, Arch-Bishop of Ʋpsal, makes mention of this in his History, I send the curious Reader to his Book, and return to my Icy Marts; and say, that by an unvaried sign, time out of mind, all the Northern people, and the Nations neer to them, are wont to ob∣serve these Marts most strictly, after this manner, That the first Full-Moon shall prescribe an infallible sign and time (which is after the day and midnight of the three Kings in January) at which time all men may come to those Fairs, kept at a place very well known to them all: yet observing that point of time, both before, and at, and after that in their Commerce, that the Moon decreasing, may shew every man the way to return to the place from whence he came. The business that Merchants there traffique about, are things of all sorts: Namely, pretious Skins of divers Creatures: also Silver Vessels for the Table, and for the Ornament of insatiable Women: also Corn, Mettals, Iron, Copper, Cloth, and things to be eaten; which are more frequently bought by just estimation, than by weight, in a mutual and pleasant agreement; except such things which Pro∣vidence, which is a wise Defence, perceives, that the Inhabitants may want for their present or future necessities: such as are Corn, and War-Horses, and

moist meats, as Butter, Cheese, Lard: the kinds whereof, if War be suspected, are forbidden to be brought forth by Forreign Merchants, or their Factors, by a publick Edict, with a penalty to confirm it. Moreover, in another place upon a Lake congealed, called Melet, about the end of February, by the Walls of the City Screngen, there are Marts held upon the Ice. Again in the middle of March, at a place called Oviken in the Territories of Jempthia, in the Mountainous pla∣ces of Sweden and Norway, there are Fairs kept upon the Ice; and in very many places about the middle, or end of May, Troops of Horses pass over the Frozen Waters, which are very wide, whether they be for War or Peace, when at Rome they are wont to feed on delicate Fruits.

CHAP. VII. Of the Marriages of the Laplanders by Fire and Flint.

THe Friends and Kindred being present, the Parents confirm their Chil∣drens Marriages by Fire; and by this Steel and Flint, that Fire is stricken out by. For in Fire and Flint, as by a Conjugal Society, the most fit and lucky Marriages are made fast than by any other sign whatsoever. And without Fire the more civil Christian People elsewhere in the North, do not solemnize their Marriage Rites. For every one, both Bridegroom and Bride, according as they are for Eminency and Kind••ed, command long Torches that are made by won∣derful Art, of divers colours out of soft Wax, with many coloured silk pieces hanging about them, to be carried before them to the Church as they go, for the Priests Benediction: which also they leave there behind them, with great Ob∣lations, when they have ended their Solemnities: But in the mean while, they that carry the Wax-lights, rend off the silk Ribbands, as in great fury, for a rich booty.

Moreover, Women when they have been delivered of a Child, they come with Wax-candles lighted to give thanks to God; and all faithful Christians al∣so are carried to their Sepulchres with Lights burning; as they came into the World before by Baptism, and a lighted Lamp. But to what belongs to the foresaid Laplanders, and their Custome, I must farther add, that these Marriages being celebrated the way spoken of by Fire, the Kindred bring home the Bride adorned with Ermine and Zabel Skins, upon a ranged or tame Deer, accompa∣nied with a notable company of her Friends, according to the account of her Birth.

And so they bring her into the Bed-Chamber, or Tents, wishing unto her health and fruitfulness, and they use Dancing in the mean time. But the Bride∣groom is adorned with Skins of a spotted Beast, or Mardurins, walking like to some Noble-man of Venice, to be esteemed as much for his rich Furs, as others that are loaded with Jewels, or Gold Chains. But the Bridegroom is so much more to be commended, together with his Bride, and that whole Nation, that they will be joyned tegether with so great state, not by wandring Lust, but so∣lemn Matrimony.

CHAP. VIII. Of Mourning-Dances.

NOr doth this Nation, dwelling under the most cold Northern Climate, where Day and Night divide the Year, seem to remain without joy ming∣led with sorrow, as if they lived in a Desart. They make merry Bankets, having Minstrels with them, that the Ghests being more merry, (though they feed on hard meats) may be provoked to dance; which they lead on, when the Musick playes lustily, singing in their Countrey Ryme, the famous acts of their antient Worthies and Giants; namely, that glory and praise they wan by their valour. Then falling to deep sighs, & groans, they fall down upon the ground in humble manner, and the like is done by many standers by, that they may seem to be con∣formable to the rest.

At length the Musick raising them, they fall to more delicate meats, playing no more doleful Tunes; which were plaid chiefly for that reason, because they are unable to imitate the famous Deeds of their Ancestors, in any, or but very few things, or be like to them in their Titles; that is, for defending the chastity of Maids, nd repelling the violence of Oppressours, where, by a deceitful dissimu∣lation of Governours, these wicked Enormities are committed or suffered to be done, without any punishment for them. Therefore the foresaid people think it far better to dy than to live; for the most part they mourn, when Children are born, and sing at Funerals, as if they were Festival times.

CHAP. IX. Of their Exercises by Moon-Lights.

IT is a frequent Question, what the Northern people do, when the nights are long and continual, before and after the Winter Solstice, when by the light of the Sun, men especially under the Pole, should do any work; and again, when they have nothing but Day in Summer, and scarce any Night appears for six moneths; wherefore we must here observe, that Ptolomy testifies in the Second of his Almagest, c. 6. that in the 39. parallel, the greatest day is six moneths long; and under this parallel there are men, or countries, farthest toward the Pole; namely, the Laplanders, and Bothnians, and Isdalenses, that are Islanders. In the 38. Parallel, the greatest day is five months, under which is Sweden, Helsinge, An∣germannia, and the more Northerly parts of Norway. In the 36. Parallel, the greatest day is reckoned to be three moneths: under this is Gothia, Muscovia, Russia, and Livonia. Therefore, they that live in that long Summer light, or opposite darkness, know excellent well, and they are wont profitably to vary their constant actions, when it is night. For instead of day-light, they burn the fat of Sea-Monsters, and with a Wick put to it, they use that in their Houses, Fields, or Woods: they make thin, and prepare the Nerves of Living-Crea∣tures, especially of ranged Deer (whereof I shall speak underneath concerning Living-creatures) for Thread and Webs, and Cloths, to be sowed together, e∣specially of Skins with Wooll; because Flax in those far Countries, is neither sowed, nor doth it grow.

Moreover, those that labour in Champion-places, use in the snow, either the said fat of Beasts, or Fish-Oyl (and the Wind can have no power over these) or else they have the cleer Moon-light, or reflexion of the Stars; and they can do greater works in the Woods and Fields, when there is Snow and Ice in the Moon-light, and make longer journeys, than they can do in Summer by light of the Sun.

For in Summer, the crooked Valleys, and oblique Hills, and steep Rocks, and high Mountains, cannot be passed over with their Wagons, to make Journeys; but in Winter all are plain and fit, to take any kind of Journeys, and they are so agile, and opportunely ordered, that two Oxen will draw more weight (as I said before, and as I shal say hereafter, concerning wars upon the slippery Ice, or bea∣ten snow, than ten horses can do in wagons on land.) But as concerning the great Light, that it may not hurt them whilest they sleep, they keep Remedies suffici∣ent against it, both at home, and in their Tents; nor yet the glittering brightness nor heat of it, do so much hurt to the Inhabitants, as the most cruel Gnats do, which, may be, are a greater plague to the Egyptians, as I shall shew underneath, and speak of the Remedies against them.

CHAP. X. Of their Ships, Bands, and Roots, bound together.

BEcause that in the Lands farthest North, no Mines of Iron, Copper, or Sil∣ver, are yet found out, and they have great necessity for shipping, by reason of the multitudes of Waters, which must be fastned with Iron; therefore when they make little ships, most for the use of Fishermen, they most ingeniously put together the cleft boards of Pine and Fir-trees, made into thin Planks, whereof they have plenty in their Woods; and these they fasten without any Iron Nails with the pliable green Roots of Trees, as with Ropes, as Spiders do their Webs. Others bind their Vessels with Withs, or Twigs of Poplar Trees, and other Trees, except Oke, which grows not neer them within two hundred Gothick or German miles. But Fir and Pine-Trees there, are so straight and high, that they are most fit for every necessary use, and for gain, for those who desire it, when they can be sold to Forraign Merchants. Others, for making ships, fasten the Planks, together with the Nerves of Beasts, converted and bruised, especially of ranged Deer, which they dry by the Wind and Sun; but these Nerves are like Hairs, drawn off from the thinner Nerves, which are made clean for to make Thread, and are as it were the Excrescence of them; as I shall shew elsewhere, lib. de Animal, concerning the use of Ranged Deer. But all their ships, however they are made or joyned, are most diligently smeered with Pine-tree pitch (whereof there is plenty in abundance) and they are fastened with Wooden pins, within and Without, where ever need is. Their ships are very short, not deep, but very broad, in a due proportion, and they are kept to sail with, in Tem∣pests, because the Waves rise not high, but are frothy; which froth is raised, by reason of the stones that lie hid under the Waters; and they commonly yeeld to the Waves, like to a Sack of Leather, and to the reflexion of the Waters, be∣cause they are not fastened with hard and unconquerd Iron, but with soft tough Twigs and Nerves. And these will last long against the injury of the Elements, because of the imbred Pitch.

They use for Anchors crooked Roots of strong Wood, bound with Poplar, or Birch-Withs, that are as long as Ropes, and their Sails are Woollen Cloth, and Barks of Trees, especially on standing waters, but very seldome on the salt-sea. They call these ships Scutes; as there is a long kind in the Bothnick Sea, and fresh waters, called Haapar, that is most carefully fastned without any Iron. And this, as it is wonderful long, so it is monstrous swift, that it seems almost to fly with any light touch. It serves onely on swift descending Rivers for Summer-fishing.

In which kind of ship I was carried most dangerously Anno 1518. between the Mountainous Rivers descending: so was I constrained to perform my pub∣lick occasions, to trust my life and safety to a brittle piece of Wood: the more dangerous was the passage, as there were Marks set on the shore, where people of great note had been drowned before by the force, of the Rivers.

CHAP. XI. Of the Art of shooting with the Bow.

THE Art of Shooting with the Bow, as a Natural Profession all the Northern people follow, especially with Bows fitted for e••ery Age, Time, P••ace, and Occasion; and this in their first Age, wherein their careful Parents teach all their Children of both Sexes, but chiefly their Boys, how to hold, rai••e, or depress, or turn obliquely their Hand-bows to shoot their Arrows with (for other kind of Arrows they use not) and if a Dart or Arrow, missing the Mark, is lost between the snow or grass, or fall down into shrubs or trees, that it cannot be found; to recover it, they shoot one or more Arrows after it, at length or upright, to find it: for that which was first shot, is to be found not far from it. And this way is observed by all Northern Archers to find out their sh••fts. That Children may hit the mark, they lay down for them a white Girdle (which they take great delight in) or new Bows; and likewise for Maids a Linnen Garment. And they grow so skilful, that at a great distance they will hit a Half-peny or a Needle, so far as they can see it, infallibly; as I saw it, Anno 1518. when I was in their Countrey.

These People are commonly small of stature, and of small courage, because they live without Cities or Castles, either in Villages or Tents, or in Caves or Desarts: some of them make their Houses in Trees, growing square, that they may not be suffocated in the field by the thick fall of snow, or devoured by hun∣gry Beasts, that come in an invincible number; upon which oc••asion, there is great care taken for childing Women, and young Children, which they will pur∣sue more greedily, as the most dainty meat; as I shall shew underneath concer∣ning the Nature of Wolves,

The Women and Maids of these Countries are very fruitful and fair, chiefly for that cause, that they are accounted fairer for White and Red (which is Na∣tures chief Workmanship:) they neither know, nor will know P••inting, if they were not comely by Nature: There are also Young men and Boys which the Parents cloth with dryed Skins of Beasts, chiefly of young Bears. And it is not blamed in the Nation, that is so bred in simple manners, and innocent beha∣viour.

CHAP. XII. Of the Hunting of the Laplanders.

HAving spoken in my first Book, c. 2. of the Scricfinni, Biarmienses, and Fin∣marck men, and of the life and manners of them; I shall here add how they run swiftly after Beasts, with Bows and Arrows, over Valleys and Snowie Mountain tops, up and down, upon bending downwards broad slippery boards, bo••nd to their feet.

The Women shoot their Arrows with their Hairs hanging about their Ears; And no wonder, because those that dwell under the Pole, when the Woods are so green, there are found such abundance of Wild-Beasts amongst them, that men alone, unless women help, are not sufficient to hunt them.

Therefore the Women hunt them as nimbly, and may be, more nimbly than the men do. But the man divides the prey, and puts it on the Spit to rost, and disposeth of what must be given to those of the House, or to Neighbours in libe∣rality.

Not is this cunning to hunt Wild-Beasts, either by Snares or openly, used; as also upon, Birds of divers kinds, that are found in vast Defarts, whose softer Fea∣thers serve for their Beds, and their harder Quils for the weaving of strings. B••t they more frequently feed on Rost, than boyled Meats. The Skins of Beasts they make fit for their Childrens bodies, and Birds skins for to cover their heads: wherefore some have foolishly believed, that their bodies are hairy like to Wild Beasts: which may be proceeds from ignorance, or plea••ure that many take to speak things incredible of remote Lands, as Paulus Jovius thinks fit to do.

CHAP. XIII. Of Horses passing over Snowy Mountains.

HOrses and men pass, as upon Bucklers of War; for there are other Moun∣tains that are Limits between the Northern Kingdoms of Sweden and Nor∣way, called Doffrini, and some others, that in Winter are so co••ered with deep thick Snows, that Travellers cannot pass over them the usual way: But that homebred Factors may by their Wit overcome all difficulties, and lighten the Burdens by Art: they bind to their own feet, and to their Horses feet, hu••∣dles or bows made with light broad Cork, or Bark of Tree, and so without fear of sinking, they can with a great Burden go over the Mountains of Snow, and they will go but a days Journey that is, two Mountain mi••es, (which is 12. Italian miles) in a day, because the days are short. But in the night, the Moon shining most bright, they will go twice or thri••e as far. Nor is that unfitly done, sin••e by the reflex of the Snow, the Light of the Moon en••ightens the high and low fields, and steep Mountains, that they can descry Wild-Beasts afar off, and avoid them: amongst which Mountains, Wolves (when the Cold is very great) come in troops, especially in January and these are the most dangerous, as I shal shew underneath, concerning the danger of Wolves. But the things that are carried by such ingenious labour, are Salt, hard Iron, Linnen and Woollen Cloth, and some where Mineral Stones of Silver, Copper, and pretious Skins: But that Horses may be better provided for their passage over the Snow, they daily ead them over Snowy Valleys, from their first years, with Baskets tied to their feet, with a light burden, that they may learn to carry greater burdens. Also, those that lead them, support themselves with Baskets, bound under their feet, and a Staff, broad at the end, that by the••e Preambles, for that time, they may escape imminent death, and great necessity. For it falls out with t••em that travel, that when the South Wind blows, the Snow grows so soft that horse or man set∣ting their feet upon it, unlesse they provide, as I said before, against it, they will fall into an open Pit, and no Man and Beast can help, unlesse there be more com∣pany that are faithful.

CHAP. XIV. Of the dangerous passage between the Mountains.

THere is yet greater danger that attends such who travel over hollow Moun∣tains, because the Winds blow so strong there, which seem to be raised by the concourse of small Snow, that unlesse men carry Spades to dig, and open the way, they can scarce get out of the high Mountains, or deep Valleys.

The principal of these Mountains are Doffra, Schars, Sula, Harvilla, and many such like: from the Bottome, or Roots whereof, vast Rivers run forth, some to the East, some to the West: For the Mountains are continued from South to North, as a line drawn in form of a crooked bunched back; and they have their Names from the Provinces, Rivers, or form of Places, or Beasts that use to dwell in them; as from Bears, Wolves, Stags, or Beavers, and other kinds of living crea∣tures that are all hairy, which according to the quality of the place, are most ex∣ceeding well covered against the Cold. Therefore Lions, Camels, Apes, Asses, or Mules, if they be carried thither, can scarce live there: yet the Inhabitants will go into these Mountains in Winter, carrying no small Burdens with ranged Deer, like yoked Oxen, almost two hundred Italian miles. One man keeps 40. ranged Deer, and each of these will carry two hundred pound weight and more.

CHAP. XV. Of the Law of killing Crows.

THere is a Law made in Iceland, that is, the Land of Ice, that was of old, and is now subject to the Kingdome of Norway, that whosoever shall kill a hurtful Beast, should have a set reward from the Kings Treasury, or Officer there, according to the quality of the body of the Beast slain, and cruel Na∣ture of it. Since therefore white Crows there are more cruel than in other Countries, to kill young Lambs and Pigs, flying fiercely upon them, and scratch∣ing them with their claws. Young men that dwell there, use themselves to that labour, that they may revenge this Depopulation, to kill many Crows with their Arrows, and they onely tie their backs upon strings, and shew them to the Governours, for to demand their reward: and they largely reward them, gi∣ving them as many Arrows as they shot, and killed withall. And this is ob∣served also concerning all hurtful Creatures in the Northern Climate, saving that the Skins of great Bears, especially wild ones, are laid for the Priests to tread on, at the feet of their sacred Altars, that the Cold may not hurt them.

CHAP. XVI. Of the Baptizing of Children of the Wild Inhabitants.

THough I have said much of the Idolatry and Superstitious Worship of the people, that live farthest North, and how there is hope, that when they shall hear the true Gospel preached, they will make hast to joyn them∣selves to the Congregation of faithful Christians: yet the pious perswasi∣on of the Catholick Priests, hath already induced many of these wild people to come in; and there is greater possibility, that henceforth all Errours being laid aside elsewhere, they will come with one consent. But the reason why they seem to delay is very evident, they living above two hundred Italian miles from the Churches of the Christians: to which, because of that vast distance, they can seldome come: yet such as have yielded to the Christian form, are found to be most obedient; for though the distance be so great, yet once or twice a year they visit their Churches where they were baptized, and they bring their sucking Children in Baskets, bound on their backs, and other Burdens, and Gifts of Skins, especially costly Skins, to pay to the Priests for their Tithes.

But this discommodity of distance is lamentable, not onely of the Bothnii, that dwell toward the North, but also of the Vermii Westward, for it hinders their conversion to the Faith.

And by reason of this, the Presbyters very seldome, and the Prelates never pass into those Desarts, because of the difficult Passages, and so full of danger.

CHAP. XVII. Of the Conversion of North and East Finland, and their great Hospitality.

THis, the farthest Country Northward, was formerly seduced by Pagan Su∣perstition, as many Lands neer unto it were also; and so erring from the way of truth, was contumelious against God, and injurious to Neighbors: But after that, two most famous Lights, Ericus King of Sweden, and blessed Henry Arch-Bishop of Ʋpsal, had subdued them by a powerful hand to the Christian Faith, and Kingdome of Sweden, in the Year of Grace, 1155, first offe∣ring them peace, which they despised; and when they had built Temples, and preferred Priests to instruct that people, they became the chief Lovers of all Ver∣tues, but chiefly of Liberality and Hospitality, that the Inhabitants used towards Strangers and Forraigners, with exceeding good-will. They are amongst them∣selves gentle and modest, and slow to anger; and if they be long urged, they make good their slowness by their great revenge. They dwell in Parishes and Villages distinctly. They have built magnificent Churches, and they exceedingly endeavour to build more new ones. They yield chief veneration to their Priests, & pay their Tythes of all things; & they are again instructed by them in the law of God, the Preacher standing upon some high place, as the manner is, that roo∣ting out their former Errours, they may cheerfully, and with a good will fol∣low what is good. The Inhabitants of the West-Bothnia are held to be like these; who wanting Scholastick Discipline, are taught by the Law of Nature to detest Vices, and to embrace Vertues. For they find that such who live uprightly, and hurt none, abound with all goods; and on the contrary, for those detestable Crimes, Fornications, Adulteries, Thefts, Murders committed, Birds and Beasts, have oft-times forsaken the Woods; Fishes, the Waters, and would not come again, until such time as the Divine Majesty offended, was pacified by Prayers and Benedictions of the sacred Clergy.

The End of the Fourth Book.