them clayming the whole of those North parts as his owne right. The breadth
(if you go from that part of his territorie that lyeth farthest Westward on
the Narue side, to the parts of Siberia Eastward, where the Emperour hath
his garrisons) is 4400. verst or thereabouts. A verst (by their reckoning)
is a 1000. pases, yet lesse by one quarter than an English mile. If the
whole dominion of the Russe Emperour were all habitable, and peopled in all
places, as it is in some, he would either hardly holde it all within one
regiment, or be ouer mightie for all his neighbour Princes.

Of the Soile and Climate.

The soyle of the Countrey for the most part is of a sleight sandie moulde,
yet very much different one place from another, for the yeeld of such
things as grow out of the earth. The Countrey Northwards towards the parts
of S. Nicholas and Cola, and Northeast towards Siberia, is all very barren,
and full of desert woods by reason of the Climate, and extremitie of the
colde in Winter time. So likewise along the Riuer Volgha betwixt the
countreys of Cazan, and Astracan: where (notwithstanding the soyle is very
fruitfull) it is all vnhabited, sauing that vpon the riuer Volgha on the
Westside, the Emperour hath some fewe Castels with garisons in them. This
happeneth by meanes of the Crimme Tartar, that will neither himselfe plant
Townes to dwel there, (liuing a wild and vagrant life) nor suffer the Russe
(that is farre off with the strength of his Countrey) to people those
parts. From Vologda (whieh lieth almost 1700. verst from the port of S.
Nicholas) downe towards Mosco, and so towards the South part that bordereth
vpon the Crimme, (which conteineth the like space of 1700. verst or there
abouts) is a very fruitfull and pleasant countrey, yeelding pasture, and
corne, with woods and waters in very great plentie. The like is betwixt
Rezan (that lieth Southeast from Mosco) to Nouogrod and Vobsko, that reach
farthest towards the Northwest. So betwixt Mosco, and Smolensko (that lyeth
Southwest towards Lituania) is a very fruitfull and pleasant soile.

The whole countrey differeth very much from it selfe, by reason of the
yeere: so that a man would marueile to see the great, alteration and
difference betwixt the Winter, and the Summer Russia. The whole Countrey in
the Winter lieth vnder snow, which falleth continually, and is sometime of
a yard or two thicke, but greater towards the North. [Sidenote: The colde
of Russia.] The riuers and other waters are all frosen vp a yard or more
thicke, how swift or broade soeuer they bee. And this continueth commonly
fiue moneths, viz. from the beginning of Nouember till towardes the ende of
March, what time the snow beginneth to melt. So that it would breede a
frost in a man to looke abroad at that time, and see the Winter face of
that Countrey. The sharpenesse of the aire you may iudge of by this: for
that water dropped downe or cast vp into the air congealeth into yce before
it come to the ground. In the extremitie of Winter, if you holde a pewter
dish or pot in your hand, or any other metall (except in some chamber where
their warme stoaues bee) your fingers will friese fast vnto it, and drawe
off the skinne at the parting. When you passe out of a warme roome into a
colde, you shall sensibly feele your breath to waxe starke, and euen
stifeling with the colde, as you drawe it in and out. Diuers not onely that
trauell abroad, but in the very markets and streetes of their Townes, are
mortally pinched and killed withall: so that you shall see many drop downe
in the streetes; many trauellers brought into the Townes sitting dead and
stifle in their Sleds. Diuers lose their noses, the tips of their eares,
and the bals of their cheeks, their toes, feete, &c. Many times (when the
Winter is very hard and extreeme) the beares and woolfes issue by troopes
out of the woods driuen by hunger, and enter the villages, tearing and
rauening all they can finde: so that the inhabitants are faine to flie for
safegard of their liues. And yet in the Sommer time you shal see such a new
hiew and face of a Countrey, the woods (for the most part which are all of
firre and birch) so fresh and so sweete, the pastures and medowes so greene
and well growen, (and that vpon the sudden) such varietie of flowers, such
noyse of birdes (specially of Nightingales, that seeme to be more lowde and
of a more variable note then in other Countreys) that a man shall not
lightly trauell in a more pleasant Countrey.

And this fresh and speedy growth of the spring there seemeth to proceede
from the benefite of the snow: which all the Winter time being spread ouer
the whole Countrey as a white robe, and keeping it warme from the rigour of
the frost, in the Spring time (when the Sunne waxeth wanme, and dissolueth
it into water) doeth so throughly drench and soake the ground, that is
somewhat of a sleight and sandie mould, and then shineth so hotely vpon it
againe, that it draweth the hearbes and plants foorth in great plentie and
varietie, in a very short time. As the Winter exceedeth in colde, so the
Sommer inclineth to ouer much heat, specially in the moneths of Iune, Iuly
and August, being much warmer then the Sommer aire in England.

The countrey throughout is very well watered with springs, riuers, and
Ozeraes, or lakes. Wherein the prouidence of God is to be noted, for that
much of the Countrey being so farre inland, as that some part lieth a
thousand miles and more euery way from any sea, yet it is serued with faire
Riuers, and that in very great number, that emptying themselues one into
another, runne all into the Sea. Their lakes are many and large, some of
60. 80. 100. and 200. miles long with breadth proportionate.

[Sidenote: The chiefe Riuers of Russia.] The chiefe Riuers are these,
First, Volgha, that hath his head or spring at the route of an Aldertree,
about 200. verst aboue Yaruslaue, and groweth so bigge by the encrease of
other Riuers by that time it commeth thither, that it is broad an English
mile and more, and so runneth into the Caspian sea, about 2800. verst or
miles of length.

The next is Boristhenes (now called Neper) that diuideth the Countrey from
Lituania, and falleth into the Euxin sea.

The third Tanais or Don, (the ancient bounder betwixt Europe and Asia) that
taketh his head out of Rezan Ozera, and so running through the Countrey of
the Chrim Tartar, falleth into the great Sea, lake, or meare, (called
Maeotis) by the citie of Azou. By this Riuer (as the Russe reporteth), you
may passe from their Citie Mosco to Constantinople, and so into all those
parts of the world by water, drawing your boate (as their maner is) ouer a
little Isthmus or narrowe slip of land, a few versts ouerthwart. Which was
proued not long since by an Ambassadour sent to Constantinople, who passed
the riuer of Moscua, and so into another called Ocka, whence hee drew his
boat ouer into Tanais, and thence passed the whole way by water.

The fourth is called Duyna, many hundred miles long, that falleth Northward
into the bay of S. Nicholas, and hath great Alabaster rockes on the bankes
towards the sea side.

The fifth Duna, that emptieth into the Baltick sea by the towne Riga.

The sixt Onega, that falleth into the Bay at Solouetsko 90. verst from the
port of S. Nicholas. This riuer below the towne Cargapolia, meeteth with
the Riuer Volock, that falleth into the Finland Sea by the towne Yama. So
that from the port of S. Nicholas into the Finland sea, and so into the
Sound, you may passe all by water, as hath bene tried by the Russe.

The seuenth Suchana, that floweth into Duyna, and so into the North Sea.

The eight Ocka, that fetcheth his head from the borders of the Chrim, and
streameth into Volgha.

The ninth Moscua, that runneth thorough the Citie Mosco, and giueth it the
name.

There is Wichida also a very large and long riuer that riseth out of
Permia, and falleth into Volgha. All these are riuers of very large
streames, the least to be compared to the Thames in bignesse, and in length
farre more, besides diuers other. The Pole at Mosco is 55. degrees 10.
minutes. At the port of S. Nicholas towards the North 63. degrees and 50.
minutes.

The natiue commodities of the Countrey.

[Sidenote: The fruits and graine of Russia.] For kindes of fruites, they
haue Apples, peares plummes, cherries, red and blacke, (but the blacke
wilde) a deene like a muske millian, but more sweete and pleasant,
cucumbers and goords (which they call Arbouse) rasps, strawberies, and
hurtilberies, with many other beries in great quantitie in euery wood and
hedge. Their kindes of graine are wheat, rie, barley, oates, pease,
buckway, psnytha, that in taste is somewhat like to rice. Of all these
graines the Countrey yeeldeth very sufficient with an ouerplus quantitie,
so that wheate is solde sometime for two alteens or ten pence starling the
Chetfird, which maketh almost three English bushels.

Their rie is sowed before the Winter, all their other graine in the Spring
time, and for the most part in May. The Permians and some other that dwell
farre North, and in desert places, are serued from the parts that lye more
Southward, and are forced to make, bread sometimes of a kinde of roote
(called Vaghnoy) and of the middle rine of the firre tree. If there be any
dearth (as they accompted this last yeere Anno 1588. wheat and rie being
13. alteens, or 5. shillings fiue pence starling the Chetfird) the fault is
rather in the practise of their Nobilitie that vse to engrosse it, then in
the Countrey it selfe.

[Sidenote: The chiefe commodities of the countrey. 1. Furres.] The natiue
commodities of the Countrey (wherewith they serue both their owne turnes,
and send much abroad to the great enriching of the Emperor, and his people)
are many and substantiall. First, furres of all sorts. Wherein the
prouidence of God is to be noted, that prouideth a naturall remedie for
them, to helpe the naturall inconuenience of their Countrey by the cold of
the Climat. Their chiefe furres are these, Blacke fox, Sables, Lusernes,
dun fox, Martrones, Gurnestalles or Armins, Lasets or Miniuer, Beuer,
Wuluerins, the skin of a great water Rat that smelleth naturally like
muske, [Sidenote: These rats are in Canada.] Calaber or gray squirel, red
squirel, red and white fox. Besides the great quantitie spent within the
Countrey (the people being clad al in furres the whole winter) there are
transported out of the Countrey some yeeres by the merchants of Turkie,
Persia, Bougharia, Georgia, Armenia, and some other of Christendom, to the
value of foure or fiue hundred thousand rubbles, as I haue heard of the
merchants. [Sidenote: Momgosorskoy perhaps Molgomzaia.] The best Sable
furre groweth in the countrey of Pechora, Momgosorskoy and Obdorskoy, the
worser sort in Siberia, Perm, and other places. The blacke foxe and red
come out of Siberia, white and dunne from Pechora, whence also come the
white wolfe, and white Beare skin. The best Wuluerin also thence and from
Perm. The best Martrons are from Siberia, Cadamo, Morum, Perm, and Cazan.
Lyserns, Mineuer, and Armins, the best are out of Gallets, and Ouglits,
many from Nouogrod and Perm. The Beauer of the best sort breedeth in
Murmonskey by Cola. Other common furres and most of these kindes grow in
many, and some in all parts of the Countrey.

[Sidenote: 2. Waxe.] The second commoditie is of Waxe, whereof hath bene
shipped into forreigne countreys (as I haue heard it reported by those that
best know it) the summe of 50000. pood yeerely, euery pood conteyneth 40.
pound, but now about 10000. pood a yeere.

[Sidenote: 3. Hony.] The third is their Honie, whereof besides an exceeding
great quantitie spent in their ordinary drinkes (which is Mead of all
sorts) and their other vses, some good quantitie is caried out of the
countrey. The chiefe encrease of hony is in Mordua and Cadam neere to the
Cheremissen Tartar: much out of Seuerskoy, Rezan, Morum, Cazan, Dorogobose,
and Vasma.

[Sidenote: 4. Tallow.] Fourthly, of Tallow they afoord a great waight for
transportation: not onely for that their countrey hath very much good
ground apt for pasturage of cattell, but also by reason of their many Lents
and other fastes: and partly because their greater men vse much waxe for
their lights, the poorer and meaner sort birch dried in their stoaues, and
cut into long shiuers, which they call Luchineos. Of tallow there hath bene
shipped out of the Realme a few yeeres since about 100000. pood yerely, now
not past 30000. or thereabouts. The best yeeld of tallow is in the parts
and territories of Smolensko, Yaruslaue, Ouglits, Nouogrod, and Vologda,
Otfer, and Gorodetskey.

[Sidenote: 5. Hide.] An other principall commoditie is their Losh and Cow
hide. Their Losh or Buffe hide is very faire and large. Their bull and cowe
hide (for oxen they make none, neither yet weather) is of a small sise.
There hath bene transported by merchants strangers some yeres 100000.
hides. Now it is decreased to 30000. or thereabouts. Besides great store of
goates skinnes, whereof great numbers are shipped out of the countrey. The
largest kinde of Losh or Buffe breedeth about Rostoue, Wichida, Nouogrod,
Morum, and Perm. The lesser sort within the kingdome of Cazan.

[Sidenote: 6. Trane oyle.] Another very great and principall commoditie is
their Trane oyle, drawen out of the Seal fish. Where it will not be
impertinent to shewe the maner of their hunting the Seal, which they make
this oyle of: which is in this sort. [Sidenote: The maner of hunting the
Seale fish.] Towards the ende of Sommer (before the frost beginne) they goe
downe with their boates into the bay of S. Nicholas, to a cape called
Cusconesse or Foxnose, where they leaue their boats till the next spring
tide. When the Sunne waxeth warme toward the spring, and yet the yce not
melted within the Bay, they returne thither againe. Then drawing their
boates ouer the sea yce, they vse them for houses to rest and lodge in.
There are commonly about 17. or 18. fleete of them, of great large boates,
which diuide themselues into diuers companies, fiue or sixe boats in a
consort.

They that first finde the haunt, fire a beacon, which they carry with them
for the nonce. Which being espied by the other companies, by such among
them as are appointed of purpose, they come altogether and compasse the
Seales round about in a ring, that lie sunning themselues together vpon the
yce, commonly foure or fiue thousand in a shoale, and so they inuade them
euery man with his club in his hand. If they hit them on the nose they are
soone killed. If on the sides or backe they beare out the blow, and many
times so catch and holde downe the clubbe with their teeth by maine force,
that the partie is forced to call for helpe to his fellowes.

The maner of the Seals is when they see themselues beset, to gather all
close together in a throng or plumpe, to sway downe the yce, and to breake
it (if they can) which so bendeth the yce that many times it taketh the sea
water vpon it, and maketh the hunters to wade a foote or more deepe. After
the slaughter when they haue killed what they can, they fall to sharing
euery boate his part in equall portions: and so they flay them, taking from
the body the skin, and the lard or fat with all that cleaueth to the skin.
This they take with them, leauing the bodies behind, and so go to shore.
Where they digge pits, in the grounde of a fadome and an halfe deepe, or
thereabout, and so taking the fat or lard off from the skinne, they throw
it into the pit, and cast in among it boat burning stones to melt it
withall. The vppermost and purest is sold, and vsed to oile wool for cloth,
the grosser (that is of a red colour) they sell to make sope.

[Sidenote: 7. Ickary.] Likewise of Ickary or Cauery, a great quantitie is
made vpon the riuer of Volgha out of the fish called Bellougina, the
Sturgeon, the Seueriga and the Sterledey. Whereof the most part is shipped
by French and Netherlandish merchants for Italy and Spaine, some by English
merchants.

[Sidenote: 8. Hempe and Flaxe.] The next is of Flax and Hempe, whereof
there hath bene shipped (as I haue heard merchants say) at the port of
Narue a great part of 100. ships small and great yerely. Now, not past
fiue. The reason of this abating and decrease of this and other
commodities, that were wont to be transported in a greater quantitie, is
the shutting vp of the port of the Narue towards the Finland sea, which now
is in the handes and possession of the Sweden. Likewise the stopping of the
passage ouerland by the way of Smolensko, and Plotsko, by reason of their
warres with the Polonian, which causeth the people to be lesse prouident in
mainteining and gathering these and like commodities, for that they lacke
sales. For the growth of flaxe the prouince of Vobsko, and the countrey
about is the chiefe and onely place. For Hempe Smolensko, Dorogobose and
Vasma.

[Sidenote: 9. Salt.] The countrey besides maketh great store of salt. Their
best salt is made at Stararouse in very great quantitie, where they haue
great store of salt wels, about 250. verst from the sea. At Astracan salt
is made naturally by the sea water, that casteth it vp into great hils, and
so it is digged down, and caried away by the merchants and other that wil
fetch it from thence. They pay to the Emperor for acknowledgement or
custome 3. d. Russe vpon euery hundred weight. [Sidenote: Nonocks.] Besides
these two, they make salt in many other places of the Realme, as in Perm,
Wichida, Totma, Kenitsma, Solouetsky, Ocona, Bombasey, and Nonocks, all out
of salt pits, saue at Solouetsky, which lieth neere to the sea.

[Sidenote: 10. Tarre.] Likewise of Tarre they make a great quantitie out of
their firre trees in the conntrey of Duyna and Smolensko, whereof much is
sent abroad. [Sidenote: 11. Ribazuba.] Besides these (which are all good
and substantiall commodities) they haue diuers other of smaller accompt,
that are naturall and proper to that countrey: as the fish tooth (which
they call Ribazuba) which is vsed both among themselues, and the Persians
and Bougharians that fetch it from thence for beads, kniues, and sword
hafts of Noblemen and gentlemen, and for diuers other vses. Some vse the
powder of it against poison, as the Vnicornes horne. The fish that weareth
it is called a Morse, and is caught about Pechora. These fish teeth some of
them are almost 2. foote of length, and weigh 11. or 12. pound apiece.

[Sidenote: 12. Slude.] In the prouince of Corelia, and about the riuer
Duyna towards the North sea, there groweth a soft rocke which they call
Slude. This they cut into pieces, and so teare it into thin flakes, which
naturally it is apt for, and so vse it for glasse-lanthorns and such like.
It giueth both inwards and outwards a clearer light then glasse, and for
this respect is better then either glasse or horne: for that it neither
breaketh like glasse nor yet will burne like the lanthorne. [Sidenote: 13.
Saltpeter and brimstone.] Saltpeter in many places, as at Ouglits,
Yaruslaue, and Vstiug, they make and some smal store of brimstone vpon the
riuer Volgha, but want skil to refine it. [Sidenote: 14. Iron.] Their iron
is somewhat brittle, but a great weight of it is made in Corelia,
Cargapolia, and Vstiug Thelesna. Other mine they haue none gowing within
the realme.

[Sidenote: The strange beastes, fish, foule, &c., that breed in Russia.]
Their beasts of strange kinds are the Losh, the Ollen, the wild horse, the
beare, the woluering, or wood dog, the Lyserne, the Beauer, the Sable, the
Martron, the black and dunne fox, the white Beare towards the sea coast of
Pechora, the Gurnstale, the Laset or Mineuer. They haue a kinde of
Squirrell that hath growing on the pinion of the shoulder bone a long tuft
of haire, much like vnto feathers with a far broader taile than haue any
other squirrels, which they moue and shake as they leape from tree to tree,
much like vnto a wing. They skise a large space, and seeme for to flie
withal, and therefore they cal them Letach Vechshe, that is, the flying
squirrels. Their hares and squirrels in sommer are of the same colour with
ours, in Winter the hare changeth her coate into milke white, the squirrel
into gray, whereof cometh the Calaber.

They haue fallow deere, the roe bucke, and goats very great store. Their
horses are but smal, but very swift and hard, they trauell them vnshod both
winter and Sommer, without all regard of pace. Their sheepe are but smal
and beare course and harsh wool. Of foule they haue diuers of the principal
kinds: First, great store of hawks, the eagle, the gerfaulcon, the
slightfaulcon, the goshawk, the tassel, the sparhawk, &c. But the principal
hawke that breedeth in the country, is counted the gerfaulcon. Of other
fowles their principal kinds are the swan tame and wilde, (whereof they
haue great store) the storke, the crane, the tedder of the colour of a
feasant, but far bigger and liueth in the firre woods. Of feasant and
partridge they haue very great plentie. An owle there is of very a great
bignesse more vgly to behold then the owles of this country, with a broad
face, and eares much like vnto a man.

For fresh water fish, besides the common sorts (as carpe, pikes, pearch,
tench, roach, &c.) they haue diuers kinds very good and delicate: as the
Bellouga or Bellougina of 4. or 5. elnes long, the Ositrina or Sturgion,
the Seueriga and Sterledy somewhat in fashion and taste like to the
Sturgion, but not so thick nor long. These 4. kindes of fish breed in the
Volgha, and are catched in great plenty, and serued thence into the whole
Realme for a great food. Of the Roes of these foure kinds they make very
great store of Icary or Caueary as was said before.

They haue besides these that breed in the Volgha a fish called the Riba
bela, or white salmon, which they account more delicate then they do the
red salmon, whereof also they haue exceeding great plentie in the Riuers
Northward, as in Duyna, the riuer of Cola, &c. In the Ozera or lake neere a
towne called Perislaue, not far from the Mosco, they haue a smal fish which
they cal the fresh herring, of the fashion, and somewhat of the taste of a
sea-herring. Their chiefe townes for fish are, Yaruslaue, Bealozera,
Nouogrod, Astracan, and Cazan: which all yeeld a large custome to the
Emperour euery yeere for their trades of fishing, which they practise in
Sommer, but sende if frozen in the Winter time into all parts of the
Realme.

The chiefe Cities of Russia.

The chiefe cities of Russia are Mosco, Nouogrod, Rostoue, Volodomer,
Plesko, Smolensko, Iaruslaue, Perislaue, Nisnouogrod, Vologda, Vstiug,
Colmogro, Cazan, Astracan, Cargapolia, Columna. [Sidenote: Mosco] The city,
of Mosco is supposed to be of great antiquitie, though the first founder be
vnknowen to the Russe. It seemeth to haue taken the name from the riuer
that runneth on the one side of the towne. Berosus the Chaldean in his 5.
booke telleth that Nimrod (whom other profane stories cal Saturne) sent
Assyrius, Medus, Moscus, and Magog into Asia to plant colonies there, and
that Moscus planted both in Asia and Europe. Which may make some
probabilitie, that the citie, or rather the riuer whereon it is built
tooke, the denomination from this Moscus: the rather because of the climate
or situation, which is in the very farthest part and list of Europe,
bordering vpon Asia. The Citie was much enlarged by one Iuan or Iohn, sonne
to Daniel, that first changed his tide of duke into King: though that
honour continued not to his posterity: the rather because he was inuested
into it by the Popes Legate, who at that time was Innocentius the 4. about
the yeere 1246. which was very much misliked by the Russe people, being
then a part of the Easterne or Greeke Church. Since that time the name of
this city hath growen more famous, and better knowen to the world: insomuch
that, not only the prouince, but the whole countrey of Russia is termed by
some by the name of Moscouia the Metropolite city. The forme of this city
is in maner round with 3. strong wals, circuling the one within the other,
and streets lying betwene, whereof the inmost wall, and the buildings
closed within it (lying safest as the heart within the body, fenced and
watred with the riuer Moscoua, that runneth close by it) is all accompted
the Emperors castle. The number of houses (as I haue heard) through the
whole Citie (being reckoned by the Emperor a little before it was fired by
the Crim) was 41500. in all. Since the Tartar besieged and fired the towne,
(which was in the yere 1571.) there lieth waste of it a great breadth of
ground, which before was wel set and planted with buildings, specially that
part on the South side of Moscua, built not long before by Basilius the
Emperor for his garison of souldiers, to whom he gaue priuiledge to drinke
Mead, and beere at the dry or prohibited times, when other Russes may
drinke nothing but water, and for that cause called this new city by the
name of Naloi, that is skinck [Footnote: From _Scenc_--drink, SAX.

  Where every iovial tinker for his chink,
  May cry, mine host, to crambe giue us drink,
  And do not slink, but skink, or else you stink.
              (B. JONSON, _New Inn_, I. 3.)]

or poure in. So that now the city of Mosco is not much bigger then the city
of London. [Sidenote: Nouograd.] The next in greatnes, and in a maner as
large, is the citie Nouograd: where was committed (as the Russe saith) the
memorable warre so much spoke of in stories of the Scythians seruants, that
tooke armes against their Masters: which they report in this sort: viz.
That the Boiarens or gentlemen of Nouograd and the territory about (which
only are souldiers after the discipline of those countreis) had war with
the Tartars. Which being wel performed and ended by them, they returned
homewards. Where they vnderstood by the way that their Cholopey or
bondslaues whom they left at home, had in their absence possessed their
townes, lands, houses, wiues and all. At which newes being somewhat amased,
and yet disdeining the villany of their seruants, they made the more speed
home: and so not far from Nouograd met them in warlike maner marching
against them. Whereupon aduising what was best to be done, they agreed all
to set vpon them with no other shew of weapon but with their horse whips,
(which as their maner is euery man rideth withal) to put them in
remembrance of their seruile condition, thereby to terrifie them, and abate
their courage. And so marching on and lashing al together with their whips
in their hands they gaue the onset. Which seemed so terrible in the eares
of their villaines, and stroke such a sense into them of the smart of the
whip which they had felt before, that they fled altogether like sheepe
before the driuers. In memory of this victory the Nouogradians euer since
haue stamped their coine (which they cal a dingoe Nouogrodskoy currant
through al Russia) with the figure of a horsman shaking a whip aloft in his
hand. These 2. cities exceed the rest in greatnes. For strength their
chiefe townes are Vobsko, Smolensko, Cazan and Astracan, as lying vpon the
borders. [Sidenote: Iaruslaue.] But for situation Iaruslaue far exceedeth
the rest. For besides the commodities that the soile yeeldeth of pasture
and corne, it lieth vpon the famous riuer of Volgha, and looketh ouer it
from a high banke very faire and stately to behold: whereof the towne
taketh the name. For Iaraslaue in that tongue signifieth as much as a faire
or famous banke. [Sidenote: Saxo Grammaticus lib. II. pag. 187.] In this
towne (as may be ghessed by the name) dwelt the Russe king Vladimer
sirnamed Iaruslaue, that maried the Daughter of Harald king of England, by
mediation of Sweno the Dane, as is noted in the Danish story about the yere
1067.

The other townes haue nothing that is greatly memorable, saue many ruines
within their wals. [Sidenote: The manner of Russe building.] The streets of
their cities and townes in stead of pauing are planked with fir trees,
plained and layd enen close the one to the other. Their houses are of wood
without any lime or stone, built very close and warme with firre trees
plained and piled one vpon another. They are fastened together with dents
or notches at euery corner, and so clasped fast together. Betwixt the trees
or timber they thrust in mosse (whereof they gather plenty in their woods)
to keep out the aire. Euery house hath a paire of staires that lead vp into
the chambers out of the yard or streat after the Scottish maner. This
building seemeth far better for their countrey, then that of stone or
bricke; as being colder and more dampish then their wooden houses,
specially of firre, that is a dry and warme wood. Whereof the prouidence of
God hath giuen them such store, as that you may build a faire house for 20.
or 30. rubbles or litle more, where wood is most scant. The greatest
inconuenience of their wodden building is the aptnesse for firing, which
happeneth very oft and in very fearful sort, by reason of the drinesse and
fatnes of the fir, that being once fired, burneth like a torch, and is
hardly quenched til all be burnt vp.

Of the maner of Crowning or Inauguration of the Russe Emperours.

The solemnities vsed at the Russe Emperors coronation, are on this maner.
In the great church of Precheste (or our Lady) within the Emperors castle
is erected a stage whereon standeth a scrine that beareth vpon it the
Imperial cap and robe of very rich stuffe. When the day of the Inauguration
is come, there resort thither, first the Patriarch with the Metropolitanes,
arch-bishops, bishops, abbots and priors, al richly clad in their
pontificalibus. Then enter the Deacons with the quier of singers. Who so
soone as the Emperor setteth foot into the church, begin to sing: Many
yeres may liue noble Theodore Iuanowich, &c: Wereunto the patriarch and
Metropolite with the rest of the cleargy answere with a certaine hymne, in
forme of a praier, singing it altogether with a great noise. The hymne
being ended, the patriarch with the Emperor mount vp the stage, where
standeth a seat ready for the Emperor. Whereupon the patriarch willeth him
to sit downe, and then placing himself by him vpon another seat prouided
for that purpose, boweth downe his head towards the ground, and saith this
prayer: O Lord God king of kings, Lord of Lords, which by thy prophet
Samuel didst chose thy seruant Dauid, and annoynt him for King ouer thy
people Israel, heare now our prayer, and looke from thy sanctuary vpon this
thy seruant Theodore, whom thou hast chosen and exalted for king ouer these
thy holy nations anoint him with the oile of gladnes, protect by thy power,
put vpon his head a crowne of gold and precious stones, giue him length of
dayes, place him in the seat of Iustice, strengthen his arme, make subiect
vnto him all the barbarous nations. Let thy feare be in his whole heart,
turne him from an euill faith, and all errour, and shewe him the saluation
of thy holy and vniuersal Church, that he may iudge thy people with
iustice, and protect the children of the poore, and finally atteine
euerlasting life. This prayer he speaketh with a low voice, and then
pronounceth aloud: Al praise and power to God the Father, the Sonne, and
the holy Ghost. The prayer, being ended, he commandeth certaine Abbots to
reach the imperiall roabe and cap: which is done very decently, and with
great solemnitie, the Patriarch withal pronouncing aloud: Peace be vnto
all. And so he beginneth another prayer to this effect: Bow your selues
together with vs, and pray to him that reigneth ouer all. Preserue him (oh
Lord) vnder thy holy protection, keepe him that hee may doe good and holy
things, let Iustice shine forth in his dayes, that we may liue quietly
without strife and malice. This is pronounced somewhat softly by the
Patriarch, whereto hee addeth againe aloud: Thou art the king of the whole
world and the sauiour of our soules, to thee the Father, sonne and Holy
ghost be al praise for euer and euer. Amen. Then putting on the roabe and
the cap, he blesseth the Emperour with the signe of the crosse, saying
withall: In the name of the Father, the Sonne and the Holy ghost. The like
is done by the Metropolites, Archbishops, and Bishops: who all in their
order come to the chaire, and one after another blesse the Emperour with
their two forefingers. Then is sayd by the Patriarch another prayer, that
beginneth: Oh most holy virgin, mother of God &c. After which a Deacon
pronounceth with a loude voice: Many yeres to noble Theodore, good,
honourable, beloued of God, great Duke of Volodemer, of Mosco, Emperour,
and Monarch of all Russia, &c. Whereto the other Priests and Deacons that
stand somewhat farre of by the altar or table, answere singing: Many yeres,
many yeres to the noble Theodore. The same note is taken vp by the Priests
and Deacons, that are placed at the right and left side of the Church, and
then altogether, they channt and thunder out, singing: Many yeres to the
noble Theodore, good, honourable, beloued of God, great Duke of Volodomer,
Mosco, Emperour of all Russia, &c. These solemnities being ended, first
commeth the Patriarch with the Metropolites, Archbishops, and Bishops; then
the Nobility, and the whole company in their order, to doe homage to the
Emperour, bending downe their heads, and knocking them at his feete to the
very ground.

The stile wherewith he is inuested at his Coronation, runneth after this
  maner.

Theodore Iuanowich, by the grace of God great Lord and Emperour of all
Russia, great Duke of Volodomer, Mosco, and Nouogrod, King of Cazan, King
of Astracan, Lord of Plesco, and great Duke of Smolensco, of Twerria,
Ioughoria, Permia, Vadska, Bulghoria, and others; Lord and great Duke of
Nouogrod of the Low countrey, of Chernigo, Rezan, Polotskoy, Rostoue,
Yaruslaueley, Bealozera, Liefland, Oudoria, Obdoria, and Condensa,
Commander of all Siberia, and of the North parts, and Lord of many other
Countreis, &c.

This stile conteineth in it all the Emperours Prouinces, and setteth foorth
his greatnesse. And therefore they haue a great delight and pride in it,
forcing not onely their owne people but also strangers (that haue any
matter to deliuer to the Emperour by speech or writing) to repeate the
whole forme from the beginning to the end. Which breedeth much cauill, and
sometimes quarell betwixt them and the Tartar, and Poland Ambassadours: who
refuse to call him Czar, that is Emperor, and to repeate the other parts of
his long stile. My selfe when I had audience of the Emperour, thought good
to salute him only with thus much viz. Emperour of all Russia, great Duke
of Volodomer, Mosco and Nouogrod, King of Cazan, King of Astracan. The rest
I omitted of purpose, because I knew they gloried, to haue their stile
appeare to be of a larger volume then the Queenes of England. But this was
taken in so ill part, that the Chancelour (who then attended the Emperour,
with the rest of the nobility) with a loude chafing voice, called still
vpon me to say out the rest. Whereto I answered, that the Emperors stile
was very long, and could not so well be remembred by strangers, that I had
repeated so much of it, as might shew that I gaue honour to the rest &c.
But all would not serue till I commanded my interpreter to say it all out.

Their forces for the wars, with the chief officers and their salaries.

The Souldiers of Russia are called Sinaboyarskey, or the sons of Gentlemen:
because they are all out of that degree, by vertue of their military
profession. [Sidenote: Souldiers by birth and inheritance.] For euery
souldier in Russia is a gentleman, and none are gentlemen, but only the
souldiers, that take it by discent from their ancestors: so that the sonne
of a gentleman (which is borne a souldier) is euer a gentleman, and a
souldier withall, and professeth nothing els but military matters. When
they are of yeres able to beare armes, they come to the office of Roserade,
or great Constable, and there present themselues: who entreth their names,
and allotteth them certaine lands to maintaine their charges, for the most
part the same their fathers enioyed. For the lands assigned to maintaine
the army, are euer certain, annexed to this office without improuing, or
detracting one foot. But that if the Emperor haue sufficient in wages, the
roomes being full so farre as the land doeth extend already, they are many
times deferred, and haue nothing allowed them, except some one portion of
the land be deuided into two. The whole number of his souldiers in
continuall pay, is this. First he hath his Dworaney, that is, Pensioners,
or Gard of his person, to the number of 15000 horsemen, with their
captaines and other officers, that are alwaies in a readines.

[Sidenote: Degrees of horsemen. 1. PrŠtoriani or such as attend the
Emperors person.] Of these 15000 horsemen, there are three sorts or
degrees, which differ as well in estimation as in wages, one degree from
another. The first sort of them is called Dworaney Bulshey, or the company
of head Pensioners, that haue some an hundred, some fourescore rubbles a
yeare, and none vnder 70. The second sort are called Seredney Dworaney, or
the middle rank of Pensioners. These haue sixty or fifty rubbles by the
yeare, none vnder fortie. The third and lowest sort, are the Dyta
Boiarskey, that is the low Pensioners. Their salary is thirty rubbles a
yere for him that hath most, some haue but 25, some 20, none vnder 12.
Whereof the halfe part is paid them at the Mosco, the other halfe in the
field by the general, when they haue any wars, and are imploied in seruice.
When they receiue their whole pay it amounteth to 55000 rubbles by the
yere.

And this is their wages, besides lands allotted to euery one of them, both
to the greater and the lesse, according to their degrees. Whereof he that
hath least, hath to yeelde him twentie rubbles or markes by the yeare.
[Sidenote: Two other troupes to the number of 65000.] Besides these 15000
horsemen, that are of better choyce (as being the Emperors owne gard when
himselfe goeth to the wars, not vnlike the Romane souldiers called
PrŠtoriani) are a hundred and ten men of speciall account for their
Nobilitie, and trust, which are chosen by the Emperor, and haue their names
registred, that find among them for the Emperors wars, to the number of
65000. horsemen, with all necessaries meet for the wars after the Russe
maner.

To this end they haue yerely allowance made by the Emperor for themselues,
and their companies, to the summe of 40000 rubbles. And these 65000 are to
repayre to the field euery yeare on the borders towards the Crim Tartar,
(except they be appointed for some other seruice) whether there be wars
with the Tartars, or not. This might seeme peraduenture somewhat dangerous
for some state, to haue so great forces vnder the command of Noblemen to
assemble euery yere to one certain place. But the matter is so vsed, as
that no danger can growe to the Emperor, or his state by this means. First,
because these noblemen are many, to wit, an 110. in al, and changed by the
Emperor so oft as he thinketh good. Secondly, because they haue their
liuings of the Emperor, being otherwise but of very small reuenue, and
receiue this yerely pay of 46000 rubbles, when it is presently to be payd
forth againe to the souldiers that are vnder them. Thirdly, because for the
most part they are about the Emperors person being of his Counsel, either
speciall or at large. Fourthly, they are rather as paymasters, then
Captaines to their companies, themselues not going forth ordinarily to the
wars, saue when some of them are appointed by speciall order from the
Emperor himselfe. [Sidenote: Horsemen in continuall pay 80000.] So the
whole number of horsemen that are euer in a readinesse, and in continuall
pay, are 80000, a few more or lesse.

If he haue neede of a greater number (which seldome falleth out) then he
enterteineth of those Sinaboiarskey, that are out of pay, so many as be
needeth: and if yet he want of his number, he giueth charge to his
Noblemen, that hold lands of him to bring into the field euery man a
proportionable number of his seruants (called Kolophey, such as till his
lands) with their furniture, according to the iust number that he intendeth
to make. Which the seruice being done, presently lay in their weapons, and
returne to their seruile occupations againe.

[Sidenote: Footmen in continuall pay 12000.] Of footemen that are in
continuall pay he hath to the number of 12000 all gunners, called Strelsey:
Whereof 5000 are to attend about the citie of Mosco, or any other place
where the Emperor shall abide, and 2000 (which are called Stremaney
Strelsey, or gunners at the stirrop) about his owne person at the very
Court or house where himselfe lodgeth. The rest are placed in his garison
townes, till there be occasion to haue them in the field, and receiue for
their salarie or stipend euery man seuen rubbles a yeare, besides twelue
measures a piece of Rye, and Oates. [Sidenote: Strangers mercenaries in pay
4300.] Of mercenary Souldiers, that are strangers (whom they call Nimschoy)
they haue at this time 4300 of Polonians: of Chirchasses (that are vnder
the Polonians) about 4000, whereof 3500 are abroad in his garisons: of
Doutches and Scots about 150: of Greekes, Turks, Danes and Swedens, all in
one band, an 100 or thereabouts. But these they vse onely vpon the Tartar
side, and against the Siberians: as they doe the Tartar souldiers (whom
they hire sometimes, but only for the present) on the other side against
the Polonian and Sweden: thinking it best policie to vse their seruice vpon
the contrary border.

[Sidenote: The chief captains or leaders.] The chiefe Captaines or leaders
of these forces, according to their names and degrees, are these which
follow. [Sidenote: 1. The Voiauod or general.] First, the Voyauoda
Bulshaia, that is, the Great Captaine, or Lieutenant general vnder the
Emperor. This commonly is one of the foure houses of the chiefe Nobility of
the land. Their great Voiauod or general at this present in their wars, is
commonly one of these foure: Knez Feodor Iuanowich Methisloskey, Knez Iuan
Michalowich Glinskoy, Cherechaskoy, and Trowbetskoy, all of great
nobilitie. [Sidenote: 2. Lieutenant general.] Next vnto the Voiauod or
general there is some other placed as Lieutenant general, being a man of
great valour and experience in the wars, who ordereth all things that the
other countenanceth. At this time their principal man, and most vsed in
their wars, is one Knez Demetrie Iuanowich Forestine, an ancient and expert
captaine, and one that hath done great seruice (as they say) against the
Tartar and Polonian. [Sidenote: 3. Marshals of the field foure.] Next under
the Voiauod and his Lieutenant general are foure other that haue the
marshalling of the whole army deuided among them, and may be called the
marshals of the field.

Euery man hath his quarter, or fourth part vnder him. Whereof the first is
called the Praua Polskoy, or right wing. The second is the Leuoy Polskoy,
or left wing. The third is Rusnoy Polskoy, or the broken band, because out
of this there are chosen to send abroad vpon any sodaine exploit, or to
make a rescue or supplie, as occasion doth require. The fourth Storoshouoy
Polskoy, or the warding band. [Sidenote: Foure marshals: deputies eight.]
Euery one of these foure Marshals haue two other vnder them (eight in all)
that twise euery weeke at the least must muster and traine their seueral
wings or bands, and hold and giue iustice for all faults, and disorders
committed in the campe.

And these eight are commonly chosen out of the 110. (which I spake of
before) that receiue and deliuer the pay to the souldiers. [Sidenote: Fiue
Coronels vnder Captaines.] Vnder these eight are diuers other Captaines, as
the Gulauoy, Captaines of thousands fiue hundreds and 100. The Petyde
Setskoy or Captains of fifties, and the Decetskies or Captains of tennes.

[Sidenote: Sixe Masters of the Artillery.] Besides the Voiauoda or general
of the armie (spoken of before) they haue two other that beare the name of
Voiauoda, whereof one is the master of the great Ordinance (called Naradna
voiauoda) who hath diuers vnder officers, necessary for that seruice. [The
walking Captaine.] The other is called the Voiauoda gulauoy, or the walking
Captaine, that hath allowed him 1000 good horsemen of principall choyce, to
range and spie abroad, and hath the charge of the running Castle, which we
are to speake of in the Chapter following. Al these Captains, and men of
charge must once euery day resort to the Bulsha voiauoda, or General of the
armie, to know his pleasure, and to informe him, if there be any requisite
matter pertaining to their office.

Of their mustering, and leuying of forces, maner of armour, and prouision
  of victuall for the warres.

[Sidenote: Their order of mustering.] When wars are towards (which they
faile not of lightly euery yere with the Tartar, and many times with the
Polonian and Sweden) the foure Lords of the Chetfirds send forth their
summons in the Emperors name, to all the Dukes and Dyacks of the Prouinces,
to be proclaimed in the head townes of euery Shire: that al the
Sinaboiarskey, or sonnes of gentlemen make their repaire to such a border
where the seruice is to be done, at such a place, and by such a day, and
there present themselues to such, and such Captaines. When they come to the
place assigned them in the summons or proclamation, their names are taken
by certaine officers that haue commission for that purpose from the
Roserade, or high Constable, as Clarkes of the bands. If any make default
or faile at the day, he is mulcted, and punished very seuerely. As for the
General and other chief Captaines, they are sent thither from the Emperors
owne hand, with such Commission and charge as he thinketh behoofull for the
present seruice. When the souldiers are assembled, they are reduced into
their bands, and companies, vnder their seueral Captaines of tennes,
fifties, hundreds, thousands, &c. and these Bands into 4 Polskeis, or
Legions (but of farre greater numbers then the Romane legions were) vnder
their foure great Leaders, which also haue the authoritie of Marshals of
the field (as was sayd before.)

[Sidenote: The horsemans furniture.] Concerning their armour they are but
slightly appointed. The common horseman hath nothing els but his bow in his
case vnder his right arme, and his quiuer and sword hanging on the left
side: except some fewe that beare a case of dagges, or a Iauelin, or short
staffe along their horse side. The vnder captains wil haue commonly some
piece of armour besides, as a shirt of male, or such like. The General with
the other chiefe captaines and men of Nobilitie wil haue their horse very
richly furnished, their saddles of cloth of gold, their bridles fair bossed
and tasselled with gold, and silk fringe, bestudded with pearle and
precious stones, themselues in very faire armor, which they cal Bullatnoy,
made of faire shining steele, yet couered commonly with cloth of golde, and
edged round with armin furre, his steele helmet on his head of a very great
price, his sword bow and arrowes at his side, his speare in his hand, with
another faire helmet, and Shesta pera, or horsemans scepter carried before
him. Their swords, bowes, and arrowes are of the Turkish fashion. They
practise like the Tartar to shoote forwards and backwards, as they flie and
retire.

[Sidenote: The footmans furniture.] The Strelsey or footeman hath nothing
but his piece in his hand, his striking hatchet at his back, and his sword
by his side. The stock of his piece is not made calieuerwise, but with a
plaine and straite stocke (somewhat like a fouling piece) the barrel is
rudely and vnartificially made, very heauie, yet shooteth but a very small
bullet. [Sidenote: Prouision of victual.] As for their prouision of
victual, the Emperor alloweth none, either for Captaine or souldiour,
neither prouideth any for them except peraduenture some come for their
money. Euery man is to bring sufficient for himselfe, to serue his turne
for foure moneths, and if neede require to giue order for more to be
brought vnto him to the Campe from his tenant that tilleth his land, or
some other place. One great helpe they haue, that for lodging and diet
euery Russe is prepared to be a souldier beforehand. Though the chiefe
Captains and other of account cary tents with them after the fashion of
ours, with some better prouision of victual then the rest. They bring with
them commonly into the Campe for victuall a kind of dried bread, (which
they call Suchary) with some store of meale, which they temper with water,
and so make it into a ball, or small lumpe of dowe, called Tollockno. And
this they eate rawe in stead of bread; Their meat is bacon, or some other
flesh or fish dryed, after the Dutch maner. If the Russe soldier were as
hardy to execute an enterprise, as he is hard to beare out toyle and
trauell, or were otherwise as apt and well trained for the warres, as he is
indifferent for his lodging and diet bee would farre exceede the souldiers
of our parts.

Of their marching, charging, and other Martial discipline.

The Russe trusteth rather to his number, then to the valure of his
souldiers, or good ordering of his forces. Their marching or leading is
without al order, saue that the foure Polskey or Legions, (whereinto their
armie is deuided) keepe themselues seuerall vnder their ensignes, and so
thrust all on together in a hurrey, as they are directed by their Generall.
Their Ensigne is the image of S. George. [Sidenote: Horsemen drummes.] The
Bulsha Dworaney or chiefe horsemen, haue euery man a small drum of brasse
at his saddle bowe, which he striketh when he giueth the charge, or onset.

[Sidenote: The horsemans maner of charging.] They haue drummes besides of a
huge bignes, which they cary with them vpon a boord layde on foure horses,
that are sparred together with chaines, euery drumme haning eight strikers,
or drummers, besides trumpets and shawmes, which they sound after a wilde
maner, much different from ours. When they giue any charge, or make any
inuasion, they make a great hallow or shoute altogether, as lowd as they
can, which with the sound of their trumpets, shawmes and drummes, maketh a
confused and horrible noyse. So they set on first discharging their
arrowes, then dealing with their swordes, which they vse in a brauerie to
shake, and brandish ouer their heads, before they come to strokes.

[Sidenote: The footmans charge.] Their footmen (because otherwise they want
order in leading) are commonly placed in some ambush or place of aduantage,
where they most annoy the enemie, with least hurt to themselues. [Sidenote:
The walking Castle.] If it be a set battell, or if any great inuasion be
made vpon the Russe borders by the Tartar, they are set within the running
or mouing Castle (called Bexa, or Gulaygorod) which is caried about with
them by the Voiauoda golauoy (or the walking General) whom I spake of
before. This walking or moouing Castle is so framed, that it may be set vp
in length (as occasion doeth require) the space of one, two, three, foure,
fiue, sixe, or seuen miles: for so long will reach. It is nothing els but a
double wall of wood to defend them on both sides behinde and before, with a
space of three yards or thereabouts, betwixt the two sides: so that they
may stand within it, and haue roome enough to charge and discharge their
pieces, and to vse their other weapons. It is closed at both ends, and made
with loope holes on either side, to lay out the nose of their piece, or to
push foorth any other weapon. It is caried with the armie wheresoeuer it
goeth, being taken into pieces, and so layde on cartes sparred together,
and drawen by horse that are not seene, by reason that they are couered
with their cariage as with a shelfe or penthouse. When it is brought to the
place where it is to be vsed (which is deuised and chosen out before by the
walking Voiauod) it is planted so much as the present vse requireth,
sometime a mile long, sometimes two, sometimes three or more: Which is
soone done without the helpe of any Carpenter, or instrument: because the
timber is so framed to claspe together one piece with in another: as is
easily vnderstoode by those that know the maner of the Russe building.

In this Castle standeth their shot wel fenced for aduantage, especially
against the Tartar, that bringeth no ordinance, nor other weapon into the
field with him, saue his sword, and bow, and arrowes. They haue also within
it diuers field pieces, which they vse as occasion doth require. Of pieces
for the field they carie no great store, when they warre against the
Tartar: but when they deale with the Polonian (of whose forces they make
more account) they go better furnished with all kind of munition, and other
necessarie prouisions. It is thought that no Prince of Christendome hath
better store of munition, then the Russe Emperour. And it may partly
appeare by the Artillery house at Mosco, where are of all sortes of great
Ordinance, all brasse pieces, very faire, to an exceeding great number.

The Russe souldier is thought to be better at his defence within some
castle or towne, then he is abroad at a set pitched field. Which is euer
noted in the practise of his warres, and namely at the siege of Vobsco,
about eight yeres since: [Sidenote: 1580.] where he repulsed the Polonian
king Stepan Batore, with his whole armie of 100000 men, and forced him in
the end to giue ouer his siege, with the losse of many of his best
Captaines and souldiers. But in a set field the Russe is noted to haue euer
the worse of the Polonian and Sweden.

[Sidenote: Reward for valure.] If any behaue himselfe more valiantly then
the rest, or do any special piece of seruice, the Emperor sendeth him a
piece of golde, stamped with the Image of Saint George on horsebacke: Which
they hang on their sleeues, and set in their caps. And this is accounted
the greatest honour they can receiue, for any seruice they doe.

Of their Colonies, and maintaining of their conquests, or purchases by
  force.

The Russe Emperors of late yeres haue very much enlarged their dominions,
and territories. Their first conquest after the Dukedome of Mosco, (for
before that time they were but Dukes of Volodomer, as before was said) was
the citie, and Dukedome of Nouogrod on the West, and Northwest side: which
was no smal enlargement of their dominion, and strengthening to them for
the winning of the rest. This was done by Iuan great grandfather to Theodor
now Emperor, about the yere 1480. The same began likewise to encroach vpon
the countries of Lituania and Liuonia, but the conquest only intended, and
attempted by him vpon some part of those countries, was pursued and
performed by his sonne Basileus, who first wan the citie and dukedom of
Plesko, afterwards the citie and dukedome of Smolensco, and many other
faire towns, with a large territory belonging vnto them, about the yere
1514. [Sidenote: 1580.] These victories against the Lettoes or Lituanians
in the time of Alexander their duke, he atchieued rather by aduantage of
ciuil dissentions, and treasons among themselues, then by any great
policie, or force of his own. But al this was lost againe by his son Iuan
Vasiliwich about 8 or 9 yeres past, vpon composition with the Polonian king
Stephan Batore: whereunto he was forced by the aduantages which the Pole
had then of him, by reason of the foile he had giuen him before, and the
disquietnes of his own state at home. Onely the Russe Emperor, at this time
hath left him on that side his countery, the cities of Smolensco, Vobsco,
Chernigo, and Bealagorod in Lituania. In Liuonia, not a towne nor one foot
of ground.

[Sidenote: Lituania.] When Basilius first conquered those countries, he
suffered then the natiues to keepe their possessions, and to inhabite all
their townes, onely paying him a tribute, vnder the gouernment of his Russe
Captaines. But by their conspiracies and attempts not long after, he was
taught to deale more surely with them. And so comming vpon them the second
time, he killed and caried away with him, three parts of foure, which he
gaue or sold to the Tartars that serued him in those wars, and in stead of
them placed there his Russes, so many, as might ouermatch the rest, with
certaine garisons of strength besides. Wherein notwithstanding this
ouersight was committed, for that (taking away with him the vpland, or
countrey people that should haue tilled the ground, and might easily haue
bene kept in order without any danger, by other good policies) he was
driuen afterwards many yeres together, to vitaile the countrey (specially
the great townes) out of his owne countrey of Russia, the soile lying there
in the meane while wast and vntilled.

[Sidenote: Narue.] The like fell out at the port of Narue in Liefland,
where his sonne Iuan Vasiliwich deuised to build a towne, and a castle on
the other side the riuer, (called Iuanogrod) to keepe the towne and
countrey in subiection. The castle he caused to be so built and fortified,
that it was thought to be inuincible. And when it was furnished, for reward
to the Architect (that was a Polonian) he put out both his eyes, to make
him vnable to build the like againe. But hauing left the natiues all within
their owne countrey, without abating their number or strength, the towne
and castle not long after was betraied, and surrendred againe to the king
of Sweden.

On the Southeast side they haue got the kingdomes of Cazan, and Astracan.
These were wonne from the Tartar, by the late Emperour Iuan Vasiliwich, the
one about thirtie fiue, the other about thirtie and three yeares agoe.
[Sidenote: Siberia and Ob. Conquest of a 1000 miles.] Northward out of the
countrey of Siberia, he hath layed vnto his realme a great breadth and
length of ground, from Wichida to the riuer of Obba, about a thousand miles
space: so that he is bolde to write himselfe now, The great Commander of
Siberia. [Sidenote: Premia and Pechora] The countries likewise of Permia,
and Pechora are a diuers people and language from the Russe, ouercome not
long since, and that rather by threatning, and shaking of the sword, then
by any actual force: as being a weake and naked people, without meanes to
resist.

That which the Russe hath in his present possession, he keepeth on this
sort. [Sidenote: Means of holding chief townes.] In his foure chief border
townes of Vobsko, Smolensko, Astracan, and Cazan, he hath certaine of his
counsel not of the greatest nobility, but of greatest trust, which haue
more authoritie within their precincts, (for the countenancing and
strengthening of their gouernment there) then the other Dukes that are set
to gouerne in other places, as was noted before, in the maner of ordering
their Prouinces. These he changeth sometimes euery second or third yere,
but exceedeth not that time, except vpon very speciall trust, and good
liking of the party, and his seruice: least by enlarging of their time,
they might grow into some familiaritie with the enemie (as some haue done)
being so farre out of sight.

The townes besides are very strongly fenced with trenches, castles, and
store of munition, and haue garisons within them, to the number of two or
three thousand a piece. They are stored with victual if any seige should
come vpon them, for the space of two or three yeres before hand. The foure
castles of Smolensko, Vobsko, Cazan and Astracan, he hath made very strong
to beare out any siege: so that it is thought that those townes are
impregnable.

[Sidenote: Meanes of holding the countries of Pechora, Permia and Siberia.]
As for the countries of Pechora and Permia, and that part of of Siberia,
which he hath now vnder him, they are kept by as easie meanes, as they were
first got, viz. rather by shewing, then by vsing of armes. First, he hath
stored the countrie with as many Russes as there are natiues, and hath
there some few souldiers in garison, inough to keepe them under. Secondly,
his officers and Magistrates there are of his own Russe people, and he
changeth them very often, viz. euery yere twise or thrise: notwithstanding
there be no great feare of any innouation. Thirdly, he deuideth them into
many smal gouernments, like a staffe broke in many small pieces: so that
they haue no strength being seuered, which was but litle neither when they
were al in one. Fourthly, he prouideth that the people of the countrie haue
neither armor nor money, being taxed and pilled so often as he thinketh
good: without any meanes to shake off that yoke, or to relieue themselues.

[Sidenote: Siberia.] In Siberia (where he goeth on in pursuing his
conquest) he hath diuers castles and garisons to the number of 6000
souldiers of Russes and Polonians, and sendeth many new supplies thither,
to plant and inhabite, as he winneth ground. [Sidenote: The kings brother
of Siberia.] At this time besides he hath gotten the kings brother of
Siberia, allured by certaine of his captaines, to leaue his own country by
offers of great entertainment and pleasanter life with the Russe Emperor,
then he had in Siberia. [Sidenote: 1588.] He was brought in this last yere,
and is now with the Emperor at Mosco well enterteined.

Of the Tartars, and other borderers to the country of Russia, with whom
  they haue most to doe in warre, and peace.

Their neighbors with whom they haue greatest dealings and intercourse, both
in peace and war, are first the Tartar. [Sidenote: The Polonians called
Laches by the Russe.] Secondly the Polonian whom the Russe calleth Laches,
noting the first author or founder of the nation, who was called Laches or
Leches, whereunto is added Po, which signifieth People, and is so made
Polaches, that is, the People or posterity of Laches: which the Latins
after their maner of writing cal Polonos. The third are the Swedens. The
Polonians and Swedens are better knowen to these parts of Europe then are
the Tartars, that are farther off from vs (as being of Asia) and diuided
into many tribes, different in name, and gouernment one from another.
[Sidenote: The Chrim Tartar.] The greatest and mightiest of them is the
Chrim Tartar, (whom some call the Great Can) that lieth South, and
Southeastward from Russia, and doth most annoy the country by often
inuasions, commonly once euery yere, sometimes entring very farre within
the inland parts. [Sidenote: The firing of Mosco by the Chrim Tartar in the
yere 1571.] In the yere 1571 he came as farre as the citie of Mosco, with
an armie of 200000 men, without any battel, or resistance at al, for that
the Russe Emperor (then Iuan Vasiliwich) leading forth his armie to
encounter with him, marched a wrong way. The citie he tooke not, but fired
the suburbs, which by reason of the buildings (which are all of wood
without any stone, brick, or lime, saue certaine out roomes) kindled so
quickly, and went on with such rage, as that it consumed the greatest part
of the citie almost within the space of foure houres, being of 30 miles or
more of compasse. Then might you haue seene a lamentable spectacle: besides
the huge and mighty flame of the citie all on light fire, the people
burning in their houses and streetes, but most of all of such as laboured
to passe out of the gates farthest from the enemie, where meeting together
in a mightie throng, and so pressing euery man to preuent another, wedged
themselues so fast within the gate, and streetes neere vnto it, as that
three rankes walked one vpon the others head, the vppermost treading downe
those that were lower: so that there perished at that time (as was said) by
the fire and the presse, the number of 800000 people or more.

The principall cause of this continual quarell betwixt the Russe and the
Chrim is for the right of certaine border partes claimed by the Tartar, but
possessed by the Russe. The Tartar alleageth that besides Astracan and
Cazan (that are the ancient possession of the East Tartar) the whole
countrey from his bounds North and Westward so farre as the citie of Mosko,
and Mosko it selfe perteineth to his right. [Sidenote: Homage done by the
Russe to the Chrim Tartar.] Which seemeth to haue bene true by the report
of the Russes them selues, that tell of a certaine homage that was done by
the Russe Emperour euery yeere to the great Chrim or Can, the Russe
Emperour standing on foot and feeding the Chrims horse, (himselfe sitting
on his backe) with oates out of his owne cappe, in stead of a bowle or
manger, and that within the castle of Mosko. And this homage (they say) was
done till the time of Basileus grandfather to this man. Who surprising the
Chrim Emperour by a stratageme done by one of his nobilitie (called Iuan
Demetrowich Belschey) was content with this raunsome, viz. with the
changing of this homage into a tribute of furrres: which afterwards also
was denied to be paide by this Emperors father.

Hereupon they continue the quarrel, the Russe defending his countrey, and
that which he hath won, the Chrim Tartar inuading him once or twise euery
yere, sometime about Whitsontide, but oftner in haruest. What time if the
great Can or Chrim come in his owne person, he bringeth with him a great
armie of 100000. or 200000. men. Otherwise they make short and sudden rodes
into the countrey with lesser numbers, running about the list of the border
as wild geese flie, inuading and retiring where they see aduantage.

Their common practise (being very populous) is to make diuers armies, and
so drawing the Russe to one or two places of the frontiers, to inuade at
some other place, that is left without defence. [Sidenote: The maner of the
Tartars fight and armour.] Their maner of fight, or ordering of their
forces is much after the Russe maner (spoken of before) saue that they are
all horsemen, and carie nothing els but a bowe, a sheafe of arrowes, and a
falcon sword after the Turkish fashion. They are very expert horsemen, and
vse to shoote as readily backward, as forward. Some will haue a horsemans
staff like to a bore speare, besides their other weapons. The common
souldier hath no other armour than his ordinary apparell, viz. a blacke
sheeps skin with the wool side outward in the day time, and inwarde in the
night time, with a cap of the same. But their Morseys or noblemen imitate
the Turk both in apparel and armour. When they are to passe ouer a riuer
with their armie, they tie three or four horses together and taking long
poles or pieces of wood, bind them fast to the tailes of their horse: so
sitting on the poles they driue their horse ouer. At handie strokes, (when
they ioyne battell) they are accounted farre better men then the Russe
people, fierce by nature, but more hardy and bloody by continuall practise
of warre: as men knowing no artes of peace, nor any ciuil practise.

[Sidenote: The subtilitie of the Tartar.] Yet their subtility is more than
may seeme to agree with their barbarous condition. By reason they are
practised to inuade continually, and to robbe their neighbours that border
about them, they are very pregnant, and ready witted to deuise stratagems
vpon the sudden for their better aduantage. As in their warre against Beala
the fourth, king of Hungarie, whome they inuaded with 500000. men, and
obtained against him a great victorie. Where, among other, hauing slaine
his Chancelor called Nicholas Schinick, they found about him the kings
priuy seale. Whereupon they deuised presently to counterfeit letters in the
kings name, to the cities and townes next about the place, where the field
was fought: with charge that in no case they should conuey themselues, and
their goods out of their dwellings, where they might abide safely without
all feare of danger, and not leaue the countrey desolate to the possession
of so vile and barbarous an enemie, as was the Tartar nation, terming
themselues in all reproachful maner. For notwithstanding he had lost his
carriages, with some few straglers that had marched disorderly, yet he
doubted not but to recouer that losse, with the accesse of a notable
victorie, if the sauage Tartar durst abide him in the field. To this
purpose hauing written their letters in the Polish character, by certain
yong men whom they tooke in the field, and signed them with the Kings
seale, they dispatched them forth to all the quarters of Hungaria. that lay
neere about the place. Wherevpon the Vngarians that were now flying away
with their goods, wiues, and children, vpon the rumour of the kings
ouerthrow, taking comfort of these counterfeit letters, staid at home. And
so were made a pray, being surprised on the sudden by this huge number of
these Tartars, that had compassed them about before they were aware.

When they besiege a towne or fort, they offer much parle, and send many
flattering messages to perswade a surrendry: promising all things that the
inhabitants will require: but being once possessed of the place, they vse
all maner of hostilitie, and crueltie. This they doe vpon a rule they haue,
viz, that iustice is to bee practised but towards their owne. They
encounter not lightly, but they haue some ambush, whereunto (hauing once
shewed themselues, and made some short conflict) they retire as repulsed
for feare, and so draw the enemie into it if they can. But the Russe beeing
well acquainted with their practise is more warie of them. When they come a
rouing with some small number, they set on horsebacke counterfaite shapes
of men, that their number may seeme greater.

When they make any onset, their maner is to make a great shoute, crying out
altogether Olla Billa, Olla Billa, God helpe vs, God help vs. They contemne
death so much, as that they chuse rather to die, then to yeeld to their
enemie, and are seene when they are slain to bite the very weapon, when
they are past striking or helping of themselues. Wherein appeareth how
different the Tartar is in his desperate courage from the Russe and Turke.
For the Russe souldier, if he begin once to retire, putteth all his safetie
in his speedy flight. And if once he be taken by his enemy, he neither
defendeth himselfe, nor intreateth for his life, as reckoning straight to
die. The Turk commonly, when he is past hope of escaping, falleth to
intreatie, and casteth away his weapon, offereth both his hands, and
holdeth them, as it were to be tied: hoping to saue his life by offering
himselfe bondslaue.

The chiefe bootie the Tartars seeke for in all their warres is to get store
of captiues; specially young boyes, and girles, whome they sell to the
Turkes, or other their neighbours. To this purpose they take with them
great baskets make like bakers panniers, to carry them tenderly, and if any
of them happen to tire, or to be sicke by the way, they dash him against
the ground, or some tree, and so leaue him dead. The Souldiers are not
troubled with keeping the captiues and the other bootie, for hindering the
execution of their warres, but they haue certaine bandes that intend
nothing else, appoynted of purpose to receiue and keepe the captiues and
the other praye.

[Sidenote: The Tartar religion.] The Russe borderers (being vsed to their
inuasions lightly euery yeere in the Sommer) keepe fewe other cattell on
the border partes, saue swine onely which the Tartar will not touch, nor
driue away with him: for that he is of the Turkish religion, and will eate
no swines flesh. Of Christ our Sauiour they confesse as much as doeth the
Turke in his Alkaron, viz. that he came of the Angel Gabriel and the Virgin
Marie, that he was a great Prophet, and shall be the Iudge of the worlde at
the last day. In other matter likewise, they are much ordered after the
manner and direction of the Turke: hauing felt the Turkish forces when hee
wonne from them Azou and Caffa, with some other townes about the Euxine or
blacke Sea, that were before tributaries to the Crim Tartar. So that now
the Emperor of the Crims for the most part is chosen one of the Nobility
whom the Turke doeth commend: whereby it is brought nowe to passe, that the
Crim Tartar giueth to the Turke the tenth part of the spoyle which hee
getteth in his warres against the Christians.

Herein they differ from the Turkish religion, for that they haue certaine
idole puppets made of silke, or like stuffe, of the fashion of a man, which
they fasten to the doore of their walking houses, to be as Ianusses or
keepers of their house. And these idoles are made not by all, but by
certaine religious women which they haue among them for that and like vses.
They haue besides the image of their King or great Can, of an huge
bignesse, which they erect at euery stage when the army marcheth: and this
euery one must bend and bowe vnto as he passeth by it, be he Tartar or
stranger. They are much giuen to witchcraft, and ominous coniectures vpon
euery accident which they heare or see.

In making of mariages they haue no regard of alliance or consanguinitie.
Onely with his mother, sister, and daughter a man may not marrie, and
thougn he take the woman into his house, and accompany with her, yet be
accounteth her not for his wife till he haue a childe by her. Then hee
beginneth to take a dowry of her friends, or horse, sheepe, kine, &c. If
she be barren after a certaine time, be turneth her home againe.

[Sidenote: The Tartar nobilitie.] Vnder the Emperour they haue certaine
Dukes, whome they call Morseis or Diuoymorseis, that rule ouer a certaine
number of 10000, 20000, or 40000, a piece, which they call Hoords. When the
Emperour hath any vse of them to serue in his warres, they are bound to
come, and to bring with them in their Souldiers to a certain number, euery
man with his two horse at the least, the one to ride on, the other to kill,
when it commmeth to his turne to haue his horse eaten. [Sidenote: The
tartar diet.] For their chiefe vitaile is horse flesh, which they eate
without bread, or any other thing with it. So that if a Tartar be taken by
a Russe, he shall he sure lightly to finde a horse-legge, or some other
part of him at his saddle bowe.

[Sidenote: 1588.] This last yeere when I was at the Mosco, came in one
Kiriach Morsey, nephew to the Emperour of the Crims that nowe is (whose
father was Emperour before) accompanied with 300. Tartars, and his two
wiues, whereof one was his brothers widow. Where being intertained in very
good sort after the Russe maner, hee had sent vnto his lodging for his
welcome, to bee made ready for his supper and his companies, two very large
and fat horses, ready flayed in a shed. They prefer it before other flesh,
because the meate is stronger (as they say) then Beefe, Mutton, and such
like. And yet (which is marueile) though they serue all as horsemen in the
warres, and eate all of horse flesh, there are brought yeerely to the Mosco
to bee exchanged for other commodities 30. or 40. thousand Tartar horse,
which they call Cones. They keepe also great heards of kine, and flocks of
blacke sheepe, rather for the skins and milke (which they carie with them
in great bottels) then for the vse of the flesh, though sometimes they eate
of it. Some vse they haue of ryse, figs, and other fruits. They drinke
milke or warme blood, and for the most part card them both together. They
vse sometime as they trauel by the way to let their horse blood in a vaine,
and to drinke it warme, as it commeth from his bodie.

[Sidenote: The Tartars dwelling.] Townes they plant none, nor other
standing buildings, but haue walking houses, which the latines call Veij,
built vpon wheeles like a shepheards cottage. These they drawe with them
whithersoeuer they goe, driuing their cattell with them. And when they come
to their stage, or standing place, they plant their carte houses verie
orderly in a ranke: and so make the forme of streetes, and of a large
towne. And this is the manner of the Emperor himselfe, who hath no other
seat of Empire but an Agora, or towne of wood, that moueth with him
whithersoeuer he goeth. As for the fixed and standing buildings vsed in
other countreyes, they say they are vnwholesome and unpleasant.

They begin to mooue their houses and cattell in the Spring time from the
South part of their countrey towards the North partes. And so driuing on
till they haue grased all vp to the first farthest part Northward, they
returne backe againe towards their South countrey (where they continue all
the Winter) by 10. or 12. miles a stage: in the meane while the grasse
being sprung vp againe, to serue for their cattell as they returne. From
the border of the Shelcan towards the Caspian sea, to the Russe frontiers,
they haue a goodly Countrey, specially on the South and Southeast parts,
but lost for lack of tillage.

Of money they haue no vse at all, and therefore prefer brasse and steele
before other metals, specially bullate, which they vse for swordes, kniues,
and other necessaries. As for golde and siluer they neglect it of very
purpose, (as they doe all tillage of their ground) to bee more free for
their wandering kinde of life, and to keepe their Countrey lesse subiect to
inuasions. Which giueth them great aduantage against all their neighbors,
euer inuading and neuer being inuaded. Such as haue taken vpon them to
inuade their Countrey (as of olde time Cyrus and Darius Hystaspis, on the
East and Southeast side) haue done it with very ill successe: as wee finde
in the stories written of those times. For their manner is when any will
inuade them, to allure and drawe them on by flying and reculing (as if they
were afraide) till they haue drawen them some good way within their
countrey. Then when they begin to want victuall and other necessaries (as
needes they must where nothing is to be had) to stoppe vp the passages, and
inclose them with multitudes. By which stratagem (as we reade in Laonicus
Chalcacondylas in his Turkish storie) they had welnigh surprised the great
and huge armie of Tamerlan, but that hee retired with all speede hee could
towardes the riuer Tanais or Don, not without great losse of his men, and
cariages.

[Sidenote: Pachymerius.] In the storie of Pachymerius the Greek (which he
wrote of the the elder) I remember he telleth to the same purpose of one
Nogas a Tartarian captaine vnder Cazan the Emperor of the East Tartars (of
whom the citie and kingdome of Cazan may seeme to Emperors of
Constantinople from the beginning of the reigne of Michael PalŠologus to
the time of Andronicus haue taken the denomination) who refused a present
of Pearle and other iewels sent vnto him from Michael PalŠologus: asking
withall, for what vse they serued, and whether they were good to keepe away
sicknesse, death, or other misfortunes of this life, or no. So that it
seemeth they haue euer, or long time bene of that minde to value things no
further, then by the vse and necessitie for which they serue.

For person and complexion they haue broade and flatte visages, of a tanned
colour into yellowe and blacke, fierce and cruell lookes, thinne haired
vpon the upper lippe, and pitte of the chinne, light and nimble bodied,
with short legges, as if they were made naturally for horsemen: whereto
they practise themselues from their childhood, seldome going afoot about
anie businesse. Their speech is verie sudden and loude, speaking as it were
out of a deepe hollowe throate. When they sing you would thinke a kowe
lowed, or some great bandogge howled. Their greatest exercise is shooting,
wherein they traine vp their children from their verie infancie, not
suffering them to eate till they haue shot neere the marke within a
certaine scantling. They are the very same that sometimes were called
ScythŠ Nomades, or the Scythian shepheards, by the Greekes and Latines.
Some thinke that the Turks took their beginning from the nation of the Crim
Tartars. [Sidenote: Laonicus Calcocondylas.] Of which opinion is Laonicus
Calcocondylas the Greek Historiographer, in his first booke of his Turkish
storie. Wherein hee followeth diuers verie probable coniectures. [Sidenote:
1.] The first taken from the verie name it selfe, for that the worde Turke
signifieth a Shepheard or one that followeth a vagrant and wilde kinde of
life. By which name these Scythian Tartars haue euer beene noted, being
called by the Greekes [Greek: skythai nomades] or the Scythian shepheards.
[Sidenote: 2.] His second reason because the Turkes (in his time) that
dwelt in Asia the lesse, to wit, in Lydia, Caria, Phrygia and Cappadocia,
spake the very same language that these Tartars did, that dwelt betwixt the
riuer Tanais or Don, and the countrey of Sarmatia, which (as is knowen) are
these Tartars called Crims. At this time also the whole nation of the
Turkes differ not much in their common speech from the Tartar language.
[Sidenote: 3.] Thirdly because the Turke and the Crim Tartar agree so well
together, as well in religion, as in matter of Traffique neuer inuading, or
iniurying one another: saue that the Turke (since Laonicus his time) hath
encroached vpon some Townes vpon the Euxin Sea, that before perteined to
the Crim Tartar. [Sidenote: 4.] Fourthly, because Ortogules sonne to
Oguzalpes, and father to Ottoman the first of name of the Turkish nation
made his first roads out of those pans of Asia, vpon the next borderers,
till hee came towardes the countreys about the hill Taurus where he
ouercame the Greekes that inhabited there: and so enlarged the name and
territorie of the Turkish nation, till hee came to EubŠa and Attica and
other partes of Greece. [Sidenote: 1400.] This is the opinion of Laonicus,
who liued among the Turkes in the time of Amurat the sixt Turkish Emperour,
about the yeere 1400. when the memorie of their originall was more fresh:
and therefore the likelier hee was to hit the trueth.

[Sidenote: The Nagay Tartar the cruellest, The Chircase the ciuillest
Tartar.] There are diuers other Tartars that border vpon Russia, as the
Nayages, the Cheremissens, the Mordwites, the Chircasses, and the Shalcans,
which all differ in name more then in regiment, or other condition, from
the Crim Tartar, except the Chircasses that border Southwest, towardes
Lituania, and are farre more ciuill than the rest of the Tartars, of a
comely person, and of a stately behauiour, as applying themselues to the
fashion of the Polonian. Some of them haue subiected themselues to the
Kings of Poland, and professe Christianitie. The Nagay lieth Eastwarde, and
is reckoned for the best man of warre among all the Tartars, but verie
sauage, and cruell aboue all the rest. [Sidenote: The Cheremissen Tartar of
two sorts: the Lugauoy and the Nagornay.] The Cheremessen Tartar, that
lieth betwixt the Russe and the Nagay, are of two sorts, the Lugauoy (that
is of the valley) and the Nagornay, or of the hilly countrey. These haue
much troubled the Emperours of Russia. And therefore they are content now
to buy peace of them, vnder pretence of giuing a yeerely pension of Russe
commodities to their Morseys, or Diuoymorseis, that are chiefe of their
tribes. For which also they are bound to serue them in their wars, vnder
certaine conditions. They are said to be iust and true in their dealings:
and for that cause they hate the Russe people, whom they account to be
double, and false in al their dealing. And therefore the common sort are
very vnwilling to keepe agreement with them, but that they are kept in by
their pensions sake.

[Sidenote: The Mordwit Tartar the most barbarous of the rest.] The most
rude and barbarous is counted the Mordwit Tartar, that hath many selfe-
fashions and strange kinds of behauiour, differing from the rest. For his
religion, though he acknowledge one God, yet his manor is to worship for
God, that liuing thing that he first meeteth in the morning; and to sweare
by, it all that whole day, whether it be horse, dog, cat, or whatsoeuer els
it bee. When his friend dieth, he killeth his best horse, and hauing flayed
off the skinne hee carieth it on high vpon a long pole before the corpes to
the place of buriall. This hee doeth (as the Russe saieth) that his friend
may haue a good horse to carie him to heauen: but it is likelier to declare
his loue towards his dead friend, in that he will haue to die with him the
best thing that he hath.

Next to the kingdome of Astracan, that is the farthest part Southeastward
of the Russe dominion, lyeth the Shulcan, and the countrey of Media:
whither the Russe marchants trade for rawe silkes, syndon, saphion,
skinnes, and other commodities. The chiefe Townes of Media where the Russe
tradeth, are Derbent (built by Alexander the great, as the inhabitants say)
and Zamachi where the staple is kept for rawe silkes. [Sidenote: The
reuiuing of silkwormes.] Their maner is in the Spring time to reuiue the
silke-wormes (that lie dead all the Winter) by laying them in the warme
sunne, and (to hasten their quickening that they may the sooner goe to
worke) to put them into bags, and so to hang them vnder their childrens
armes. [Sidenote: Chrinisin a kind of silkworme.] As for the woorme called
Chrinisin (as wee call it Chrymson) that maketh coloured silke, it is bred
not in Media, but in Assyria. [Sidenote: Liberty to trade downe the Caspian
Sea.] This trade to Derbent and Samachi for rawe silkes, and other
commodities of that Countrey, as also into Persia, and Bougharia downe the
riuer of Volga, and through the Caspian sea, is permitted aswell to the
English as to the Russe merchants, by the Emperours last grant at my being
there. Which he accounteth for a very speciall fauour, and might proue
indeede very beneficiall to our English merchants, if the trade were wel
and orderly vsed.

The whole nation of the Tartars are vtterly voide of all learning, and
without written Law: yet certaine rules they haue which they hold by
tradition, common to all the Hoords for the practise of their life. Which
are of this sort. First, To obey their Emperour and other Magistrates,
whatsoeuer they commaund about the publike seruice. 2 Except for the
publike behoofe, euery man to be free and out of controlment. 3 No priuate
man to possesse any lands, but the whole countrey to be as common. 4 To
neglect all daintinesse and varietie of meates, and to content themselues
with that which commeth next to hand, for more hardnesse, and readines in
the executing of their affaires. 5 To weare any base attire, and to patch
their clothes whether there be any neede or not: that when there is neede,
it be no shame to weare a patcht coate. 6 To take or steale from any
stranger whatsoeuer they can get, as beeing enemies of all men, saue to
such as will subiect themselues to them. 7 Towards their owne hoorde and
nation to be true in worde and deede. 8 To suffer no stranger to come
within the Realme. [Sidenote: No stranger without pasport admitted.] If any
doe, the same to be bondslaue to him that first taketh him, except such
merchants and other as haue the Tartar Bull, or passport about them.

Of the Permians, Samoites, and Lappes.

The Permians and Samoites that lye from Russia, North and. Northeast, are
thought likewise to haue taken their beginning from the Tartar kinde. And
it may partly bee gessed by the fashion of their countenance, as hauing all
broade and flat faces as the Tartars haue, except the Chircasses.
[Sidenote: The Permians.] The Permians are accounted for a very ancient
people. They are nowe subiect to the Russe. They liue by hunting, and
trading with their furres, as also doeth the Samoit, that dwelleth more
towardes the North Sea. [Sidenote: The Samoits.] The Samoit hath his name
(as the Russe saith) of eating himselfe: as if in times past, they liued as
the Cannibals, eating one another. [Footnote: _Samoyed_ means "self-eater",
while _Samodin_ denotes "an individual". Nordenski÷ld considers it
probable, however, that the old tradition of man-eaters _androphagi_,
living in the north, which originated with Herodotus, reappears in a
Russianised form in the name "Samoyed".] Which they make more probable,
because at this time they eate all kind of raw flesh, whatsoeuer it be,
euen the very carion that lieth in the ditch. But as the Samoits themselues
will say, they were called Samoie, that is, of themselues, as though they
were IndigenŠ, or people bred vpon that very soyle, that neuer changed
their seate from one place to another, as most nations haue done. They are
subiect at this time to the Emperour of Russia.

[Sidenote: The Samoits religion.] I talked with certaine of them, and finde
that they acknowledge one God: but represent him by such things as they
haue most vse and good by. And therefore they worship the Sunne, the Ollen,
the Losh, and such like. [Sidenote: Slata Baba or the golden Hag.] As for
the story of Slata Baba, or the Golden hagge, which I haue read in some
mappes, and descriptions of these countries, to be an idole after the forme
of an old woman that being demanded by the Priest, giueth them certaine
Oracles, concerning the successe, and euent of things, I found it to be a
very fable. [Sidenotes: A fable. The Sea.] Onely in the Prouince of Obdoria
vpon the sea side, neare to the mouth of the great riuer Obba, there is a
rocke, which naturally (being somewhat helped by imagination) may seeme to
beare the shape of a ragged woman, with a child in her armes (as the rocke
by the North Cape the shape of a Frier) where the Obdorian Samoites vse
much to resort, by reason of the commoditie of the place for fishing:
[Sidenote: Fishing or sea.] and there, sometime (as their manner is)
conceiue, and practise their sorceries, and ominous coniecturings about the
good or bad speede of their iourneies, fishings, huntings and such like.

[Sidenote: The Samoits habit and behauiour.] They are clad in Seale skins,
with the hairie side outwards downe as low as the knees, with their
breeches and netherstockes of the same, both men and women. They are all
blacke haired, naturally beardlesse. And therefore the men are hardly
discerned from the women by their lookes: saue that the women weare a locke
of haire downe along both their eares. [Sidenote: The people of Meta
Incognota such.] They liue in a manner a wilde and sauage life, rouing
still from one place of the countrey to another, without any property of
house or land more to one then to another. Their leader or directer in
euery companie, is their Papa or Priest.

[Sidenote: The Lappes.] On the North side of Russia next to Corelia, lieth
the countrey of Lappia, which reacheth in length from the farthest point
Northward, (towards the Northcape) to the farthest part Southeast (which,
the Russe calleth Sweetnesse or Holy nose, the English men Capegrace) about
345. verst or miles. From Sweetnesse to Candelox by the way of Versega
(which measureth the breadth of that countrey) is 90. miles or thereabouts.
The whole countrey in a maner is either lakes, or mountaines, which
towardes the Sea side are called Tondro, because they are all of harde and
craggy rocke, but the inland partes are well furnished with woods that
growe on the hilles sides, the lakes lying betweene. Their diet is very
bare and simple. Bread they haue none, but feede onely vpon fish and foule.
They are subiect to the Emperor of Russia, and the two kings of Sweden and
Denmarke: which all exact tribute and custome of them (as was saide before)
but the Emperor of Russia beareth the greatest hand ouer them, and exacteth
of them farre more then the rest. The opinion is that they were first
termed Lappes of their briefe and short speech. The Russe diuideth the
whole nation of the Lappes into two series. The one they call Nowremanskoy
Lapary, that is, the Norwegian Lappes because they be of the Danish
religion. For the Danes and Noruegians they account for one people. The
other that haue no religion at all but liue as bruite and heathenish
people, without God in the worlde, they cal Dikoy Lapary, or the wilde
Lappes.

The whole nation is vtterly vnlearned, hauing not so much as the vse of any
Alphabet, or letter among them. For practise of witchcraft and sorcerie
they passe all nations in the worlde. Though for enchanting of ships that
saile along their coast, (as I haue heard it reported) and their giuing of
winds good to their friends, and contrary to other, whom they meane to hurt
by tying of certaine knots vpon a rope (somewhat like to the tale of Aeolus
his windbag) is a very fable, deuised (as may seeme) by themselues, to
terrifie sailers for comming neere their coast. Their weapons are the long
bow, and handgunne, wherein they excell, as well for quicknesse to charge
and discharge, as for neerenesse at the marke by reason of their continuall
practise (whereto they are forced) of shooting at wild fowle. Their maner
is in Sommer time to come downe in great companies to the sea side, to
Wardhuyse, Cola, Kegor, and the bay of Vedagoba, and there to fish for
Codde, Salmon, and But-fish, which they sel to the Russes, Danes, and
Noruegians, and nowe of late to the English men that trade thither with
cloth, which they exchange with the Laps and Corelians for their fish,
oyle, and furres, whereof also they haue some store. [Sidenote: The mart at
Cola.] They hold their mart at Cola on S. Peter's day: what time the
captaine of Wardhuyse (that is residant there for the king of Denmark) must
be present, or at least send his deputie to set prices vpon their
stockfish, train oile, furres, and other commodities: as also the Russe
Emperors customer, or tribute taker, to receiue his custome, which is euer
paide before any thing can bee bought or solde. When their fishing is done,
their manner is to drawe their carbasses Or boates on shore, and there to
leaue them with the keele turned vpwardes, till the next spring tide.
[Sidenote: Sleds drawen with Deere.] Their trauaile to and fro is vpon
sleddes drawen by the Olen Deere: which they vse to turne a grasing all the
Sommer time in an Island called Kildyn, (of a verie good soyle compared
with other partes of that Countrey) and towards the Winter time, when the
snowe beginneth to fall they fetch them home againe for the vse of their
sledde.

The description of the regions, people, and riuers lying North and East
  from Moscouia: as the way from Moscouia to the riuer Petzora, and the
  Prouince Iugaria or Iuhra, and from thence to the riuer Obi. Likewise the
  description of other countreys and regions, euen vnto the Empire of the
  great Can of Cathay, taken out of Sigismundus ab Herberstein.

[Sidenote: The dominion of the Duke of Moscouia.] The dominion of the
Prince of Moscouia, reacheth farre toward the East and North, vnto the
places which we will now describe. As concerning which thing, I translated
a book that was presented vnto me in the Moscouites tongue, and haue here
made a briefe rehearsall of the same. I will first therefore describe the
iourney from Moscouia to Petzora, and so to Iugaria and Obi. From Moscouia
to the citie of Vologda, are numbered fiue hundred versts, one verst,
conteyning almost the space of an Italian myle. From Vologda to Vsting
toward the right hand, descending with the course of the riuer of Vologda
and Suchana with whom it ioyneth, are counted fiue hundred verstes, where
within two versts of the towne called Strelze, and hard by the citie of
Vsting, Suchana ioyneth vnto Iug which runneth from the South: from whose
mouth vnto the springs of the same, are numbred fiue hundred versts.

[Sidenote: Iug. So called of his swift and pleasant streame.] But Suchana
and Iug, after they ioyne together, lose their first names, and make but
one riuer named Dwina, by the which the passage to the citie of Colmogro
conteineth fiue hundred versts, from whence, in the space of sixe dayes
iourney, Dwina entreth into the North Ocean at sixe mouthes. And the
greatest part of this iourney consisteth by Nauigation. For by lande from
Vologda vnto Colmogro, passing ouer the riuer Vuaga, are a thousand
verstes. Not farre from Colmogro, the riuer Pinega running from the East on
the right hand for the space of seuen hundred versts, falleth into Dwina.
From Dwina by the riuer Pienega, by the space of two hundred versts, they
come to a place called Nicholai, from whence within halfe a verst ships
haue passage into the riuer Kuluio, which hath his originall from a lake of
the same name towarde the North, from whose springs is eight daies viage to
the mouth of the same, where it entreth into the Ocean.

[Sidenote: The regions by the North sea.] Sayling by the coasts of the
right hand of the sea, they passe by the regions of Stanuwische,
Calunczcho, and Apnu: And sayling about the promontorie or cape of
Chorogoski Nose, Stanuwische, Camenckh, and Tolstickh, they come at length
into the riuer Mezen, and from thence in the space of sixe dayes, to a
village of the same name, standing in the mouth of the riuer Pieza, by the
which againe ascending toward the left hand and sommer East, they come to
the riuer Piescoia: from whence sayling for the space of fiue versts, they
come into two lakes, in the which are seene two wayes: whereof one on the
right side, goeth to the riner Rubicho, by the which they passe to the
riuer Czircho. Other, by an other and shorter way, bring their ships from
the lake directly into Czirchor: from whence, except they be hindered by
tempest, they come in the space of three weekes to the riuer and mouth of
Czilma, flowing into the great riuer Petzora, which in that place is two
versts in breadth. Sayling from thence, they come in the space of sixe
dayes to the Towne and castle of Pustosero, neare vnto the which Petzora
entreth into the North Ocean at sixe monthes. The inhabitants of this
place, are men of simple wit: they receiued the faith of Christ, and were
baptised in the yeare M. D. xviii.

From the mouth of Czilma vnto the mouth of the riuer Vssa, going by
Petzora, is one moneths viage. Vssa hath his springs in the mountaine
[Marginal Note: Cingulus mundi.] Poyas Semnoi, being on the left hand
toward the sommer East, and springeth out of a great stone of the same
mountaine, called Camen Bolschoi. From the springs of Vssa to the mouthes
of the same, are numbered more then a thousand versts. Furthermore, Petzora
runneth from this south winter part, from whence ascending from the mouthes
of Vssa, vnto the mouthes of the riuer Stzuchogora, is three weekes viage.
They that described this vyage sayd that they rested betweene the mouthes
of the riuers Stzuchogora and Potzscheriema, and left their victuals there
which they brought with them from Russia. Beyond the riuers of Petzora and
Stzuchogora toward the mountaine Camenipoias, and the sea with the Ilands
thereabout, and the Castle of Pustosero, are diuers and innumerable
nations, which by one common name are called Samoged (that is) such as eate
themselues. They haue great increase of foules, birdes, and diuers kindes
of beastes: as Sables. Marternes, Beuers, Otters, Hermelines, Squirrels:
and in the Ocean the beast called a Morse: Also Vesse, white Beares,
Wolues, Hares, Equiwoduani, great Whales, and a fish called Semfi, with
diuers other. [Sidenote: Wilde people.] The people of these nations come
not to Moscouia: For they are wilde, and flee the company and society of
other men.

From the mouthes of Stzuchogora, sayling vp the riuer vnto Poiassa,
Artawische, Cameni, and Poiassa the greater, is three weekes vyage.
Furthermore, the ascending to the mount Camen, is three dayes iourney: from
the which descending they come to the riuer Artawischa, and from thence to
the riuer Sibut, from whence they passe to the Castle of Lepin, and from
Lepin to the riuer Sossa. The people that inhabite the region by this
riuer, are called Vuogolici. Leauing Sossa on the right hande, they come to
the great riuer Obi, that springeth out of the lake Kitaisko, the which,
with all the haste they could make, they could scarcely passe ouer in one
day, the riuer being of such breadth that it reacheth fourescore versts.
The people also that dwell about the riuer, are called Vuogolici and
Vgritzschi. From the Castle of Obea, ascending by the riuer of Oby, vnto
the riuer Irtische, into the which Sossa entereth, is three moneths
iourney. In these places are two Castles named Ierom and Tumen, kept by
certaine Lords called Knesi Iuhorski, being tributaries to the great Duke
of Moscouia, as they say. Here are diuers kinds of beasts and furres.

From the mouth of the riuer Irtische to the Castle of Grustina, is two
moneths iourney: from whence to the lake Kitai, by the riuer Oby (which I
said to haue his springs in this lake) is more then three moneths iourney.
[Sidenote: Blacke men without speech.] From this lake come many blacke men;
lacking the vse of common speech. They bring with them diuers wares, and
especially pearles and precious stones, which they sell to the people
called Grustintzi and Serponowtzi. These haue their name of the Castle
Serponow, situate in the mountaines of Lucomoria, beyond the riuer Obi.
[Sidenote: Men that yeerely die and reuiue.] They say that to the men of
Lucomoria chauncheth a marueilous thing and incredible: For they affirme,
that they die yeerely at the xxvii. day of Nouember, being the feast of S.
George among the Moscouites: and that the next spring about the xxiii. day
of Aprill, they reuiue as doe Frogges.

[Sidenote: A strange trade of merchandise.] With these also, the people of
Grustintzi and Serponowtzi exercise a new and strange kinde of trade. For
when the accustomed time of their dying, or rather of sleeping, approcheth,
they leaue their wares in certaine places appointed, which the Grustintzi
and Serponowtzi carry away, leauing other wares of equall value in their
places: which if the dead men at the time of their reuiuing perceiue to be
of vnequal price, they require their owne againe: by reason whereof, much
strife and righting is betweene them.

From the riuer of Obi descending toward the left hand, are the people
called Calami, which came thither from Obiowa and Pogosa. Beneath Obi,
about Aurea Anus (that is the golden old wife) are the riuers Sossa,
Berezuua, and Danadim, all which spring out of the mountaines Camen,
Bolschega, Poiassa, and the rockes ioyning to the same. All the nations
that inhabite from these riuers to Aurea Anus, are subiect to the prince of
Moscouia.

Aurea Anus, called in the Moscouites tongue, Slata Baba, is an Idol at the
mouthe of Obi in the prouince of Obdora, standing on the furthest banke
toward the sea. Along by the bankes of Obi, and the riuers neare there
about, are here and there many castles and fortresses: all the lordes
whereof are subiect to the prince of Moscouia, as they say. They say also,
or rather fable, that the idol called Aurea anus, is an image like vnto an
old wife, hauing a child in her lap, and that there is now seene another
infant, which they say to be her nephew: Also that there are certaine
instruments that make a continuall sound like the noyse of Trumpets, the
which, if it so be, I thinke it to be by reason of the winde, blowing
continually into the holow places of those instruments.

The riuer Cossin falleth out of the mountaines of Lucomoria: In the mouth
of this is a castle, whither from the springs of the great riuer Cossin, is
two moneths viage. [Sidenote: Tachnin a great riuer. People of monstrous
shape. A fish like a man. Plinie writeth of the like fish.] Furthermore,
from the springs of the same riuer, the riuer Cassima hath his originall,
which running through Lucomoria, falleth into the great riuer Tachnin,
beyond the which (as is said) dwell men of prodigious shape, of whom some
are ouergrowen with haire like wilde beastes, other haue heads like dogges,
and their faces in their breasts, without neckes, and with long hands also,
and without feete. There is likewise in the riuer Tachnin a certaine fish,
with head, eyes, nose, mouth, hands, feete, and other members vtterly of
humane shape, and yet, without any voyce, and pleasant to be eaten, as are
other fishes.

[Sidenote: The end of the iournall.] All that I haue hitherto rehearsed, I
haue translated out of the saide iourney which was deliuered me in the
Moscouites tongue: In the which, perhaps some things may seeme fabulous,
and in maner incredible, as of the double men, and the dead reuiuing, the
Aurea Anus also, and the monstrous shapes of men, with the fish of humane
fourme: whereof although I haue made diligent inquisition, yet could I know
nothing certaine of any that had seene the same with their eyes:
neuerthelesse, to giue farther occasion to other to search the truth of
these things, I haue thought good to make mention hereof.

Noss in the Moscouites tongue signifieth a nose, and therefore they call
all capes or points that reach into the sea by the same name.

The mountaines about the riuer of Petzora are called Semnoy Poyas, or
Cingulus mundi, that is, the girdle of the world, or of the earth.

Kithai is a lake, of which the great Can of Cathay, whom the Moscouians cal
Czar Kithaiski, hath his name: For Can in the Tartars language signifieth,
A King.

[Sidenote: Moria is the sea.] The places of Lucomoria, neare vnto the sea,
are saluage full of woods, and inhabited without any houses. And albeit,
that the author of this iourney, said, that many nations of Lucomoria are
subiect to the prince of Moscouia, yet for asmuch as the kingdome of Tumen
is neare thereunto, whose prince is a Tartar, and named in their Tongue,
Tumenski Czar, that is, a king in Tumen, and hath of late done great domage
to the prince of Moscouia: It is most like that these nations should be
rather subiect vnto him.

Neare vnto the riuer Petzora (whereof mention is made in this iourney) is
the citie and castle of Papin or Papinowgorod, whose inhabitants are named
Papini, and haue a priuate language, differing from the Moscouites.
[Sidenote: High mountaines, supposed to be Hyperborei, and Rhiphei.] Beyond
this riuer are exceeding high mountaines, reaching euen vnto the bankes,
whose ridges or tops, by reason of continuall windes, are in maner vtterly
barren without grasse or fruits. And although in diuers places they haue
diuers names, yet are they commonly called Cingulus mundi, that is, the
girdle of the world. In these mountaines doe Ierfalcons breede, whereof I
haue spoken before. There growe also Cedar trees, among the which are found
the best and blackest kinde of Sables: and onely these mountaines are seene
in all the dominions of the prince of Moscouia which perhaps are the same
that the old writers call Rhipheos or Hyperboreos, so named of the Greeke
word, Hyper, that is, Aboue, and Boreas, that is, the North; for by reason
they are couered with continuall snow and frost, they can not without great
difficultie be trauayled, and reach so farre into the North, that they make
the vnknown land of Engronland. The Duke of Moscouia, Basilius the sonne of
Iohn, sent on a time two of his Captaines, named Simeon Pheodorowich
Kurbski, & Knes Peter Vschatoi, to search the places beyond these
mountaines, and to subdue the nations thereabout. Kurbski was yet aliue at
my being in Moscouia, & declared vnto me that he spent xvii. daies in
ascending the mountaine, & yet could not come to the top thereof, which in
their tongue is called Stolp, that is, a piller. This mountaine is extended
into the Ocean vnto the mouthes of the riuers of Dwina and Petzora.

But now hauing spoken thus much of the said iourney, I will returne to the
dominions of Moscouia, with other regions lying Eastward and South from the
same, toward the mighty Empire of Cathay. But I will first speake somewhat
briefly of the prouince of Rezan, and the famous riuer of Tanais.

[Sidenote: The fruitfull prouince of Rezan.] The prouince of Rezan, situate
betweene the riuers of Occa and Tanais, hath a citie builded of wood, not
far from the bank of Occa: there was in it a castle named Iaroslaue,
whereof there now remainethr nothing but tokens of the old ruine. Not farre
from that citie the riuer Occa maketh an Iland named Strub, which was
sometime a great Dukedome, whose prince was subiect to none other. This
prouince of Rezan is more fruitful then any other of the prouinces of
Moscouia: Insomuch that in this (as they say) euery graine of wheat
bringeth forth two, and sometimes more eares: whose stalkes or strawes grow
so thicke that horses can scarsely go through them, or Quayles flie out of
them. There is great plenty of hony, fishes, foules, hirdes, and wilde
beasts. The fruits also due farre exceede the fruits of Moscouia. The
people are bolde and warlike men.

A speciall note gathered by the excellent Venetian Cosmographer M. Iohn
  Baptista Ramusius out of the Atabian Geographie of Abilfada Ismael,
  concerning the trending of the Ocean sea from China Northward, along the
  coast of Tartarie and other vnknowen lands, and then running Westwards
  vpon the Northerne coasts of Russia, and so farther to the Northwest.

Descriuendo poi il predetto Abilfadai Ismael luoghi della terra habitabile,
che circuendo il mar Oceano tocca, dice cosi.

[Sidenote: La regione delle Cine. Contini delli vltimi Tartari. Alcune
Terre Incognite. Contini Settentrionali della Rosia.] Riuoltasi l'Oceano da
leuante verso la regione delle Cine, et vÓ alla volta di Tramontana, et
passata finalmente la detta regione, se ne giunge a Gogi et Magogi, cio Ŕ
alli confini de gli Vltimi Tartari, et di quiui ad Alcune Terre che sono
Incognite: Et correndo sempre per Ponente, passa sopra li confini
Settentrionali della Rossia, et vÓ alla volta di Maestro.

The same in English.

The aforesaid Abilfada Ismael describing afterward the habitable places of
the earth, which the Ocean sea in his circuit toucheth, sayth in this
manner following.

[Sidenote: The Countrey of China. The coasts of the vttermost Tartars.
Certaine vnknowne Countreys. The Northern coasts of Russia. The Northwest.]
The Ocean sea turneth from the East toward the Countrey of the Chinaes, and
stretcheth toward the North, and at length hauing passed the sayd Countrey,
it reacheth vnto the Gogi and Magogi, that is, to the confines of The
vttermost Tartars, and from thence vnto certaine vnknowen Countreys: and
running still Westward it passeth vpon the Northerne coasts of Russia, and
from thence it runneth toward Northwest, (which it doth indeede vpon the
coast of Lappia.) By this most notable testimony it appeareth, that the
Ocean sea compasseth and enuironeth all the East, Northeast, and North
parts of Asia and Europe.

The Emperors priuate or houshold Officers.

The chiefe Officers of the Emperors houshold are these which follow.
[Sidenote: Master of the Horse.] The first is the office of the Boiaren
Conesheua, or master of the Horse. Which conteineth no more then is
expressed by the name, that is to be ouerseer of the Horse, and not
Magister equitum, or Master of the Horsemen. For he appointeth other for
that seruice, as occasion doth require, as before was sayd. He that beareth
that office at this time, is Boris Pheodorowich Godonoe, brother to the
Empresse. Of Horse for seruice in his warres (besides other for his
ordinary vses) he hath to the number of ten thousand which are kept about
Mosco.

The next is the Lord Steward of his houshold at this time, one Gregory
Vasilowich Godonoe. The third is his Treasurer, that keepeth all his
monies, iewels, plate, &c. now called Stephan Vasilowich Godonoe. The
fourth his Controller, now Andreas Petrowich Clesinine. The fift his
Chamberlaine. He that attendeth that office at this time, is called Estoma
Bisabroza Pastelnischay. The sixt his Tasters, now Theodor Alexandrowich,
and Iuan Vasilowich Godonoe. The seuenth his Harbingers, which are three
Noble men, and diuers other Gentlemen that do the office vnder them. These
are his ordinary officers and offices of the chiefest account.

Of Gentlemen besides them that waite about his chamber, and person (called
Shilsey Strapsey) there are two hundred, all Noblemens sonnes. His ordinary
Garde is two thousand Hagbutters readie with their pieces charged, and
their match lighted, with other necessarie furniture continually day and
night: which come not within the house, but waite without in the court or
yard, where the Emperour is abiding. In the night time there lodgeth next
to his bedchamber the chiefe Chamberlaine with one or two more of best
trust about him. A second chamber off there lodge sixe other of like
account for trust and faithfulnesse. In the thirde chamber lie certaine
young Gentlemen, of these two hundred, called Shilsey Strapsey that take
their turnes by forties euery night. There are groomes besides that watch
in their course, and lie at euery gate and doore of the Court, called
Estopnick.

The Hagbutters or Gunners, whereof there are two thousand (as was sayd
before) watch about the Emperours lodgings, or bedchamber by course 250.
euery night, and 250. more in the Courtyarde, and about the Treasure house.
His Court or house at the Mosco is made castle wise, walled about, with
great store of faire ordinance planted vpon the wall, and conteyneth a
great breadth of ground within it, with many, dwelling houses: Which are
appointed for such as are knowen to be sure, and trustie to the Emperor.

Of the priuate behauiour, or qualitie of the Russe people.

The priuate behauiour and qualitie of the Russe people, may partly be
vnderslood by that which hath beene sayd concerning the publique state and
vsage of the Countrey. [Sidenote: Constitution of their bodies.] As
touching the naturall habite of their bodies, they are for the most part of
a large size, and of very fleshly bodies: accounting it a grace to be
somewhat grosse and burley, and therefore they nourish and spread their
beards, to haue them long and broad. But for the most part, they are very
vnwieldy and vnactiue withall. Which may be thought to come partly of the
climate, and the numbnesse which they get by the cold in winter, and partly
of their diet that standeth most of routes, onions, garlike, cabbage, and
such like things that breede grosse humors, which they vse to eate alone,
and with their other meates.

[Sidenote: Their diet.] Their diet is rather much then curious. At their
meales they beginne commonly with a Charke or small cuppe of Aqua vitae,
(which they call Russe wine) and then drinke not till towardes the end of
their meales, taking it in largely, and all together, with kissing one
another at euery pledge. And therefore after dinner there is no talking
with them, but euery man goeth to his bench to take his afternoones sleepe,
which is as ordinary with them as their nights rest. When they exceede, and
haue varietie of dishes, the first are their baked meates (for roste meates
they vse little) and then their broathes or pottage. Their common drinke is
Mead, the poorer sort vse water and a third drinke called Quasse, which is
nothing else (as we say) but water turned out of his wits, with a litle
branne meashed with it.

This diet would breed in them many diseases, but that they vse bathstoues
or hote houses in steade of all Phisicke, commonly twise or thrise euery
weeke. All the winter time, and almost the whole Semmer, they heat their
Peaches, which are made like the Germane bathstoues, and their Poclads like
ouens, that so warme the house that a stranger at the first shall hardly
like of it. These two extremities, specially in the winter of heat within
their houses, and of extreame cold without, together with their diet, make
them of a darke, and sallow complexion, their skinnes being tanned and
parched both with cold and with heate: specially the women, that for the
greater part are of farre worse complexions, then the men. Whereof the
cause I take to be their keeping within the hote houses, and busying
themselues about the heating, and vsing of their bathstoues, and peaches.

The Russe because that he is vsed to both these extremities of heat and of
cold, can beare them both a great deale more patiently, then strangers can
doe. [Sidenote: An admirable induring of extreme heat and colde at one and
the same time.] You shall see them sometimes (to season their bodies) come
out of their bathstoues all on a froth, and fuming as hoat almost as a
pigge at a spit, and presently to leape into the riuer starke naked, or to
powre colde water all ouer their bodies and that in the coldest of all the
winter time. The women to mende the bad hue of their skinnes vse to paint
their faces with white and red colours, so visibly, that euery man may
perceiue it. Which is made no matter because it is common and liked well by
their husbands: who make their wiues and daughters an ordinarie allowance
to buy them colours to paint their faces withall, and delight themselues
much to see them of fowle women to become such faire images. Thin parcheth
the skinne, and helpeth to deforme them when their pinting is of.

They apparell themselues after the Greeke manner. [Sidenote: The Noblemans
attire.] The Noblemans attire is on this fashion. First a Taffia, or little
nightcappe on the head, that couereth litle more then his crowne, commonly
verie rich wrought of silke and golde threede, and set with pearle and
precious stone. His head he keepeth shauen close to the very skinne, except
he be in some displeasure with the Emperour. Then hee suffereth his haire
to growe and hang downe vpon his shoulders, couering his face as ugly and
deformedly as he can. Ouer the Taffia hee weareth a wide cappe of blacke
Foxe (which they account for the best furre) with a Tiara or long bonnet
put within it, standing vp like a Persian or Babilonian hatte. About his
necke (which is seene all bare) is a coller set with pearle and precious
stone, about three or foure fingers broad. Next ouer his shirt, (which is
curiously wrought, because he strippeth himselfe into it in the Sommer
time, while he is within the house) is a Shepon, or light garment of silke,
made downe to the knees, buttoned before: and then a Caftan or a close coat
buttoned, and girt to him with a Persian girdle, whereat he hangs his
kniues and spoone. This commonly is of cloth of gold, and hangeth downe as
low as his ankles. Ouer that he weareth a lose garment of some rich silke,
furred and faced about with some golde lace, called a Ferris. An other ouer
that of chainlet, or like stufle called an Alkaben, sleeued and hanging
lowe, and the cape commonly brooched, and set all with pearle. When hee
goeth abroad, he casteth ouer all these (which are but sleight, though they
seeme to be many) an other garment tailed an Honoratkey, like to the
Alkaben, saue that it is made without a coller for the necke. And this is
commonly of fine cloth or Camels haire. His buskins (which he weareth in
stead of hose, with linnen folles vnder them in stead of boot hose) are
made of a Persian leather called Saphian, embrodered with pearle. His vpper
stockes commonly are of cloth of golde. When he goeth abroad, hee mounteth
on horsebacke, though it be but to the next doore: which is the maner also
of the Boiarskey, or Gentlemen.

[Sidenote: The Gentlemans apparel.] The Boiarskey or Gentlemans attire is
of the same fashion, but differeth in stuffe: and yet he will haue his
Caftan or vndercoat sometimes of cloth of golde, the rest of cloth, or
silke.

[Sidenote: The Noble woman's attire.] The Noble woman (called Chyna
Boiarshena) weareth on her head, first a cauil of some soft silke (which is
commonly redde) and ouer it a fruntlet called Obrosa, of white colour. Ouer
that her cappe (made after the coife fashion of cloth of gold) called
Shapka Zempska, edged with some rich furre, and set with pearle and stone.
Though they haue of late begunne to disdaine embrodering with pearle aboue
their cappes, because the Diacks, and some Marchants wiues haue taken vp
the fashion. In their ears they weare earerings (which they call Sargee) of
two inches or more compasse, the matter of gold set with Rubies or
Saphires, or some like precious stone. In Sommer they goe often with
kerchiefffes of fine white lawne, or cambricke, fastned vnder the chinne,
with two long tassels pendent. The kerchiefe spotted and set thicke with
rich pearle. When they ride or goe abroad in raynie weather, they weare
white hattes with coloured bandes called Stapa Zemskoy. About their neckes
they weare collers of three or foure fingers broad, set with rich pearle
and precious stone. Their vpper garment is a loose gowne called Oposhen
commonly of scarlet, with wide loose sleeues, hanging downe to the ground
buttened before with great golde buttons or at least siluer and guilt nigh
as bigge as a walnut. Which hath hanging ouer it fastned vnder the cappe, a
large broad cape of some rich furre, that hangeth downe almost to the
middes of their backes. Next vnder the Oposken [Trascriber's note: sic] or
vpper garment, they weare another called a Leitnich that is made close
before with great wide sleeues, the cuffe or halfe sleeue vp to the
elbowes, commonly of cloth of golde: and vnder that a Ferris Zemskoy, which
hangeth loose buttoned throughout to the very foote. On the hande wrests
they weare very faire braselets, about two fingers broad of pearle and
precious stone. They goe all in buskins of white, yellow, blew, or some
other coloured leather, embrodered with pearle. This is the attire of the
Noblewoman of Russia, when she maketh the best shewe of herselfe. The
Gentlewomans apparell may differ in the stuffe, but is all one for the
making or fashion.

[Sidenote: The Mousicks or common man attire.] As for the poore Mousick and
his wife they goe poorely cladde. The man with his Honoratkey, or loose
gowne to the small of the legge, tyed together with a lace before, of
course white or blew cloth, with some Shube or long wastcoate of furre, or
of sheepeskinne vnder it, and his furred cappe, and buskins. The poorer
sort of them haue their Honoratkey, or vpper garment, made of Kowes haire.
This is their winter habite. In the sommer time, commonly they weare
nothing but their shirts on their backes, and buskins on their legges. The
woman goeth in a red or blewe gowne, when she maketh the best shewe, and
with some warme Shube of furre vnder it in the winter time. But in the
sommer, nothing but her two shirts (for so they call them) one ouer the
other, whether they be within doores, or without. On their heads, they
weare caps of some coloured stuffe, many of veluet, or of cloth of gold:
but for the most part kerchiefs. Without earings of siluer or some other
mettall, and her crosse about her necke, you shall see no Russe woman, be
she wife or maide.

The Lord Boris Phcodorowich his letter to the Right Honorable William
  Burghley Lord high Treasurer of England. &c.

[Sidenote: The Emperors stile increased.] By the grace of God the great
Lord Emperor, and great Duke Theodore Iuanowich, great Lord, King, and
great Duke of all Russia, of Volodemer, Mosco, and Nouogorod, king of
Cazan, and Astracan, Lord of Vobsko, and great Duke of Smolensco, Tuer,
Vghori, Permi, Viatsko, Bolgorie, and other places, Lorde and great Duke of
Nouogrod in the Lowe Countrey, of Chernigo, Rezan, Polotsky, Rostoue,
Yeroslaue, Bealozera, and Liefland, of Oudorski, Obdorski, Condinski, and
commander of all Sibierland, and the North coasts, great Lorde ouer the
Countrey of Iuerski, Grisinski, Emperor of Kabardinski, and of the Countrey
Charchaski, and the Countrey of Gorsky, and Lord of many other regions.

From Boris Pheodorowich his Maiesties brother in law, master of his horses,
gouernour of the territories of Cazan and Astracan, to William Lord
Burghley, Lord high Treasurer to the most vertuous Ladie Elizabeth, Queene
of England. France, and Ireland, and other dominions: I receiued your
Lordships letters, wherein you write that you haue receiued very ioyfully
my letters sent vnto you, and aduisedly read them, and imparted the same
vnto her Maiestie: [Sidenote: The English Marchants complaints.] and that
your Merchants finde themselues agreeued, that when they approch these
parts, and are arriued here, they are not permitted to enter into a free
and liberall course of barter, traffike, and exchange of their commodities,
as heretofore they haue done, but are compelled before they can enter into
any traffike to accept the Emperours waxe, and other goods, at high rates
farre aboue their value, to their great losse: and that they are by reason
of this restraint long holden vpon these coasts to the danger of wintering
by the way. Hereafter there shalbe no cause of offence giuen to the
Marchants of the Queenes Maiestie Queene Elizabeth: they shall not be
forced to any thing, nether are there or shall be any demands made of
custome or debts. Such things as haue beene heretofore demaunded, all such
things haue beene already vpon their petition and supplication commaunded
to be discharged. I haue sollicited his Maiestie for them, that they be not
troubled hereafter for those matters, and that a fauourable hand be caried
ouer them. And according to your request I will be a meane to the Emperour
for them in all their occasions, and will my selfe shew them my fauorable
countenance. And I pray you (William Burghley) to signifie to her Maiesties
Merchants that I promise to haue a care of them, and for the Queenes
Maiestie of Englands sake, I will take her Merchants into my protection,
and will defend them as the Emperours selected people vnder the Emperors
commission: and by mine appointment all his Maiesties officers and
authorized people shall be careful ouer them. [Sidenote: English Marchants
in great fauour with the Emperor.] The Emperors gracious fauor towards them
was neuer such as it is now. And where you write that at the Port the
Emperors officers sell their waxe by commission at a set rate giuen them,
farre aboue the value and that they enforce your Marchants to accept it,
they deny that they take any such course, but say they barter their waxe
for other wares, and also put their waxe to sale for readie money to your
Merchants, according to the worth thereof, and as the price goeth in the
custome house here. It hath beene heretofore deare, and now is sold as good
cheape as in any other place, and as they can best agree: they enforce no
man to buy it, but rather kepe it: therefore your Marchants haue no iust
cause to make any such report. I haue expressely giuen order, that there
shall be no such course vsed to enforce them, but to buy according to their
owne willes, and to tarrie at the port or to depart at their pleasure.
[Sidenote: Halfe the debt of Antony Marsh remitted.] And as touching the
customes alreadie past, and debts demanded at your Merchants hands, whereof
you write: Our Lord great Emperour and great Duke Theodore Iuanowich of all
Russia of famous memory hath shewed his Maiesties especial fauour and loue,
for the great loue of his welbeloued sister Queene of England, and by my
peticion and mediation, whereas there was commandement giuen to take
Marshes whole debt of your Merchants and factors, it is moderated to the
halfe, and for the other halfe, commandement giuen it should not be taken,
and the Merchants billes to be deliuered them. And to the end hereafter
that her Maiesties Merchants moue no contention betwixt our Lord the
Emperor and great Duke of Russia, and his welbeloued sister Queene
Elizabeth, his Maiestie desireth order to be giuen, that your Marchants doe
deale iustly in their traffike, and plainely without fraud or guile. And I
will be a fauourer of them aboue all others, vnder his Maiesties
authoritie: themselues shall see it. [Sidenote: Ann. Dom. 1590.] Written in
our great Lorde the Emperours citie of Mosco in the moneth of Iuly. 7099.

The Queenes Maiesties letter to Theodore Iuanouich Emperour of Russia,
  1591.

Elizabeth by the grace of God Queene of England, France, and Ireland,
defender of the faith, &c. to the right high, mighty, and right noble
prince Theodore Iuanouich great Lord, King, and great Duke of all Russia,
Volodemer, Mosco, Nouogrod, King of Cazan, and Astracan, Lord of Vobsko,