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The Principal Navigations, Voyages, Traffiques and Discoveries

R >> Richard Hakluyt >> The Principal Navigations, Voyages, Traffiques and Discoveries




* * * * *

The league betweene Carolus Magnus and Offa King of Mercia concerning safe
trade of the English Marchants in all the Emperours Dominion. This Offa
died in the yeere of our Lord 795.

Offa interea Carolum magnum Regem Francorum frequentibus legationibus
amicum parauit: quamuis non facile quod suis artibus conduceret in Caroli
animo inuenerit. Discordarunt antea, adeo vt magnis motibus vtrobique
concurrentibus, etiam negociatorum commeatus prohiberentur. Est Epistola
Albini huiusce rei index, cuius partem hic apponam.

Nescio quid de nobis venturum sit. [Sidenote: Nauigatio interdicta.]
Aliquid enim dissentionis diabolico fomento inflammante, nuper inter Regem
Carolum & Regem Offam exortum est: ita vt vtrinque nauigatio interdicta
negociantibus cesset. Sunt qui dicant nos pro pace in illas partes
mittendos. Et nonnullis interpositis, Nunc, inquit, ex verbis Caroli foedus
firmum inter eum & Offam compactum subijciam. Carolus gratia Dei Rex
Francorum, & Longobardorum, & patricius Romanorum, viro venerando & fratri
charissimo Offæ Regi Mercioram salutem. Primo gratias agimus omnipotenti
deo, de salute animarum, de Cathocæ fidei sinceritate, quam in vestris
laudabiliter paginis reperimus exaratam. De peregrinis vero qui pro amore
Dei, & salute animarum suarum beatoram Apostolorum limina desiderant adire,
cum pace sine omni perturbatione vadant. Sed si aliqui, non religioni
seruientes, sed lucra sectantes, inueniantur inter eos, locis opportunis
statuta soluant telonia. [Sidenote: Negociatorum Anglicanorum patrocinium.]
Negociatores quoque volumus vt ex mandato nostro patrocinium habeant in
Regno nostro legitime. Et si aliquo loco iniusta affligantur oppressione,
reclament ad nos vel nostros indices, & plenam videbimus iustitiam fieri.
[Footnote: Malmsbur. de gestis Regum Anglorum lib. 1. cap 4.]

The same in English.

In the meane season Offa by often legacies solicited Charles le maigne the
king of France, to be his friend: albeit he could not easily finde king
Charles any whit enclined to further and promote his craftie attempts.
[Sidenote: Traffique prohibited] Their mindes were so alienated before,
that bearing hauty stomacks on both parts, euen the mutuall traffique of
their Marchants was prohibited. The Epistle of Albmus is a sufficient
testimony of this matter part whereof I will here put downe.

I know not (quoth he) what will become of vs. [Sidenote: Nauigation
forbidden.] For there is of late, by the instigation of the deuill, some
discord and variance sprung vp betweene king Charles and king Offa:
insomuch that sailing to and fro is forbidden vnto the Marchants of both
their dominions. Some say that we are to be sent, for the obtaining of a
peace, into those partes. And againe, after a fewe lines. Nowe (quoth he)
out of Charles his owne words, I will make report of the league concluded
betweene him and Offa.

[Sidenote: A league between Carol. Mag. and K. Offa.] Charles by the grace
of God king of the Franks and Lombards and Senatour of the Romanes, vnto
the reuerend and his most deare brother Offa king of the Mercians sendeth
greeting. First we doe render vnto almightie God most humble thankes for
the saluation of soules, and the sinceritie of the Catholique faith, which
we, to your great commendation, haue found signified in your letters. As
touching those pilgrimes, who for the loue of God and their owne soules
health, are desirous to resort vnto the Churches of the holy Apostles, let
them goe in peace without all disturbance. But if any be found amongst them
not honouring religion, but following their owne gaine, they are to pay
their ordinarie customes at places conuenient. [Sidenote: Protection of the
English marchants] It is our pleasure also and commandement, that your
marchants shall haue lawfull patronage and protection in our dominions.
Who, if in any place they chance to be afflicted with any vniust
oppression, let them make their supplication vnto vs, or vnto our Iudges,
and we will see iustice executed to the full.

* * * * *

An ancient testimonie translated out of the olde Saxon lawes, containing
among other things the aduancement of Marchants for their thrise crossing
the wide seas, set downe by the learned Gentleman Master William Lambert
pagina 500. of his perambulation of Kent.

It was sometime in English lawes, that the people and the lawes were in
reputation: and then were the wisest of the people worship worthy, euery
one after his degree: Earle, and Churle, Thein, and vnder-Thein. And if a
churle thriued so, that hee had fully fiue hides of his owne land, a Church
and a Kitchin, a Belhouse, and a gate, a seate, and a seuerall office in
the Kings hall, then was he thenceforth the Theins right worthy. And if a
Thein so thriued, that he serued the king, and on his message rid in his
houshold, if he then had a Thein that followed him, the which to the kings
iourney fiue hides had, and in the kings seate his Lord serued, and thrise
with his errand had gone to the king, he might afterward with his foreoth
his lords part play at any great neede. And if a Thein did thriue so, that
he became an Earle; then was he afterward an Earles right worthie. And if a
Marchant so thriued, that he passed thrise ouer the wide seas, of his owne
craft, he was thencefoorth a Theins right worthie. And if a scholar so
prospered thorow learning that he degree had, and serued Christ, he was
then afterward of dignitie and peace so much worthie, as thereunto
belonged, vnlesse he forfaited so, that he the vse of his degree vse he
might.

* * * * *

A testimonie of certaine priuiledges obtained for the English and Danish
Merchants of Conradus the Emperour and Iohn the Bishop of Rome by Canutus
the King of England in his iourney to Rome, extracted out of a letter of
his written vnto the Cleargie of England.

Sit vobis notom quia magna congregatio nobilora in ipsa solemnitate
Pascali, Romæ cum Domino Papa Ioanne, & imperatore Conrado erat, scilicet
omnes principes gentium a monte Gargano, vsque ad istum proximum Mare: qui
omnes me & honorifice suscepere, & magnificis donis honorauere. Maxime
autem ab imperatore donis varijs & muneribus pretiosis honoratus sum, tam
in vasis aureis & argenteis, quam in pallijs & vestibus valde pretiosis.
Locutus sum igitur cum ipso imperatore, & Domino Papa, & principibus qui
ibi erant, de necessitatibus totius populi mei, tam Angli quam Dani, vt eis
concederetur lex æquior, & pax securior in via Romam adeundi, & ne tot
clausuris per viam arcerentur, & propter iniustum teloneum fatigarentur.
Annuítque postulatis Imperator, & Rodulphus Rex, qui maxime ipsarum
clausurarum dominatur, cunctique principes edictis firmarunt, vt homines
mei tam Mercatores, quàm alij orandi gratia viatores, absque omni anguria
clausurarum & teloneariorum, cum firma pace Romam eant & redeant.
[Footnote: William of Malmsb. lib. 2. cap. 9. de gestis Regum Anglorum.]

The same in English.

You are to vnderstand, that at the feast of Easter, there was a great
company of Nobles with Pope Iohn and Conradus the Emperour assembled at
Rome, namely all the princes of the nations from mount Garganus [Footnote:
Garganus a mountain of Apulia in Italy.] vnto the West Ocean sea. Who all
of them honourably interteined me, and welcomed mee with rich and
magnificent gifts: but especially the Emperour bestowed diuers costly
presents and rewards vpon mee, both in vessels or golde and siluer, and
also in cloakes and garments of great value. Wherefore I conferred with the
Emperour himselfe and the Pope, and with the other Princes who were there
present, concerning the necessities of all my subiects both Englishmen and
Danes; that a more fauourable law & secure peace in their way to Rome might
bee graunted vnto them, and that they might not bee hindered by so many
stops & impediments in their iourney, and weaned by reason of iniust
exactions. And the Emperour condescended vnto my request, and king
Rodulphus also, who hath greatest authoritie ouer the foresaid stops and
streights, and all the other princes confirmed by their Edicts, that my
subiects, as well Marchants, as others who trauailed for deuotions sake,
should without all hinderance and restraint of the foresaid stops and
customers, goe vnto Rome in peace, and returne from thence in safetie.

* * * * *

The flourishing state of Marchandise in the Citie of London in the dayes of
Willielmus Malmesburiensis, which died in the yeere 1142. in the reigne
of K. Stephen.

Haud longe a Rofa quasi viginti quinque milliarijs est Londonia Ciuitas
nobilis, opima ciuium diuitijs, constipata negociatorum ex omni terra, &
maxime ex Germania venientium, commercijs. Vnde fit vt cum vbique in Anglia
caritas victualium pro sterili prouentu messium sit, ibi necessaria
distrahantur & emantur minore, quàm alibi, vel vendentium compendio, vel
ementium dispendio. Peregrinas inuehit merces Ciuitatis finibus Tamesis
fluuius famosus, qui citra vrbem ad 80. milliaria fonticulo fusus, vltra
plus 70. nomen profert. [Footnote: Guliel. Malmesb. de gestis pont.
Anglorum lib. 2.]

The same in English.

Not farre from Rochester, about the distance of fiue and twenty miles,
standeth the Noble Citie of London, abounding with the riches of the
inhabitants, [Sidenote: Germanie] and being frequented with the traffique
of Marchants resorting thither out of all nations, and especially out of
Germanie. Whereupon it commeth to passe, that when any generall dearth of
victuals falleth out in England, by reason of the scarcitie of corne,
things necessary may there be prouided and bought with lesse gaine vnto the
sellers, and with lesse hinderance and losse vnto the buyers, then in any
other place of the Realme. Outlandish wares are conueighed into the same
Citie by the famous riuer of Thames: which riuer springing out of a
fountaine 80. miles beyond the Citie, is called by one and the selfe same
name 70. miles beneath it.

* * * * *

The aforesaid William of Malmesburie writeth of traffike in his time to
Bristowe in his fourth booke de gestis pontificum Anghorum, after this
maner.

In eadem valle est vicus celeberrimus Bristow nomine, in quo est nauium
portus ab Hibernia & Norwegia & cæteris transmarinis terris venientium
receptaculum, ne scilicet genitalibus diuitijs tam fortunata regio
peregrinarum opum frauderetur commercio.

The same in English.

[Sidenote: Norway.] In the same valley stands the famous Towne of Bristow,
[Footnote: Bristol.] with an Hauen belonging thereunto, which is a
commodious and safe receptacle for all ships directing their course for the
same, from Ireland, Norway, and other outlandish and foren countreys:
namely that a region so fortunate and blessed with the riches that nature
hath vouchsafed thereupon should not bee destitute of the wealth and
commodities of other lands.

* * * * *

The league betweene Henry the second and Fredericke Barbarossa Emperour of
Germanie, wherein is mention of friendly traffike betweene the Marchants
of the Empire and England, confirmed in the yeere of our Lord 1157,
recorded in the first Booke and seuenteenth Chapter of Radeuicus
Canonicus Frisingensis, being an appendix to Otto Frisingensis.

Ibidem tunc affuere etiam Henrici Regis Angliæ missi, varia & preciosa
donaria multo lepore verborum adornata præstantes. Inter quæ papilionem
vnum quantitate maximum, qualitate optimum perspeximus. Cuius si
quantitatem requiris, non nisi machinis & instrumentorum genere &
adminiculo leuari poterat: si qualitatem, nec materia nec opere ipsum putem
aliquando ab aliquo huiusce apparatu superatum iri. Literas quoque mellito
sermone plenas pariter direxerat, quarum hic tenor fuit. Præcordiali amico
suo, Frederico Dei gratia Romanorum imperatori inuictissimo, Henricus Rex
Angliæ, dux Normanniæ, & Aquitaniæ, & Comes Andegauensis, salutem, & veræ
dilectionis concordiam. Excellentiæ vestræ quantas possumus referimus
grates, dominantium optime, quod nos nuncijs vestris visitare, salutare
literis, muneribus præuenire, & quod his charius amplectimur, pacis &
amoris inuicem dignatus estis foedera inchoare. Exultauimus, & quodammodo
animum nobis crescere, & in maius sensimus euehi dum vestra promissio, in
qua nobis spem dedistis in disponendis. Regni nostri negocijs, alacriores
nos reddidit, & promptiores. Exultauimus inquam, & tota mente magnificentiæ
vestræ assurreximus, id vobis in sincero cordis affectu respondentes, quod
quicquid ad honorem vestrum spectare nouerimus, pro posse nostro effectui
mancipare parati sumus. Regnum nostrum & quicquid vbique nostræ subijcitur
ditioni vobis exponimus & vestræ committimus potestati, vt ad vestrum nutum
omnia disponantur, & in omnibus vestri fiat voluntas imperij. [Sidedote:
Commercia inter Germanos & Anglos.] Sit igitur inter nos & populos nostros
dilectionis & pacis vnitas indiuisa, commercia tuta. Ita tamen vt vobis,
qui dignitate præminetis, imperandi cedat authoritas, nobis non deerit
voluntas obsequendi. Et sicut vestraa Serenitatis memoriam vestrorum
excitat in nobis munerum largitio, sic vos nostri quoque reminisci
præoptamus, mittentes quæ pulchriora penes nos erant, & vobis magis
placitura. Attendite itaque dantis affectum, non data, & eo animo quo
dantur accipite. De manu beati Iacobi, super qua nobis scripsistis, in ore
magistri Hereberti & Guilielmi Clerici nostri verbum posuimus. Teste Thoma
Cancellario apud Northanton.

The same in English.

There were present also the same tune, the messengers of Henry [Footnote:
The Second.] king of England presenting diuers rich and precious gifts, and
that with great learning & eloquence of speech. Amongst the which we saw a
pauilion, most large in quantity, & most excellent in quality. For if you
desire to know the quantitie therof, it could not be erected without
engines and a kinde of instruments, and maine force: if the qualitie, I
thinke there was neuer any furniture of the same kinde, that surpassed the
same either in stuffe or workemanship. The said king directed his letters
also, full of sugred speeches, the tenour whereof was this that followeth.

To his entirely beloued friend Frederick [Footnote: Son of Frederick, Duke
of Suabia, was born in 1121. and succeeded his uncle Conrad III. in 1152 as
Emperor of the West. As was proved by his campaigns in Italy in 1154, 1158,
and 1162, and by the justice and probity of his administration, he was
equally great as a soldier and as a ruler. He joined the Third Crusade in
1189, and was drowned whilst crossing a river in Asia in June, 1190. His
memory is still cherished amongst the peasants of Germany, who look upon
him in the same light as the Welsh on Arthur.] by the grace of God Emperour
of the Romanes most inuincible, Henry king of England, duke of Normandie
and Aquitaine, Earle of Anjou wisheth health and concord of sincere amitie.
We doe render vnto your highnes (most renowmed and peerelesse Prince)
exceeding great thanks for that you haue so graciously vouchsafed by your
messengers to visite vs in your letters to salute vs, with your gifts to
present vs, and (which wee doe more highly esteeme of then all the rest) to
beginne a league of peace and friendship betweene vs. We reioyced, and in a
maner sensibly felt our selues to bee greatly emboldened, and our courage
to encrease, whilest your promise, whereby you put vs in good comfort, did
make vs more cheerefull and resolute, in managing the affaires of our
kingdome. We reioyced (I say) & in our secret cogitations did humble
obeisance vnto your Maiestie, giuing you at this time to vnderstand from
the sincere & vnfained affection of our heart, that whatsoeuer we shal know
to tend vnto your honour, we are, to our power most ready to put in
practise. Our kingdome, and whatsoeuer is vnder our iurisdiction we doe
offer vnto you, and commit the same vnto our highnesse, that all matters
may be disposed according to your direction, and that your pleasure may in
all things be fulfilled. Let there be therefore betweene our selues and our
subiects, an indiuisible vnitie of friendship and peace, and safe trade of
Marchandize yet so, as that vnto you (who excell in dignitie) authoritie in
commanding may bee ascribed, and diligence in obeying shall not want in vs.
And as the liberalitie of your rewards doeth often put vs in remembrance of
your Maiestie euen so in like maner sending vnto your Highnesse the most
rare things in our custodie and which we thought should be most acceptable
vnto you, wee doe most heartily wish that your selfe also would not
altogether bee vnmindefull of vs. Haue respect therefore not vnto the
gifts, but vnto the affection of the giuer, and accept of them with that
minde, wherewith they are offered vnto you.

Concerning the hand of S Iames, [Footnote: According to the legend, the
relics of this saint were miraculously conveyed to Spain in a ship of
marble from Jerusalem, where he was bishop.] about which you wrote vnto vs,
we haue sent you word by M Herbert, and by William the Clerke. Witnes
Thomas our Chancelour at Northanton.

* * * * *

A generall safe conduct graunted to all forreine Marchants by king Iohn in
the [Marginal note: 1199] first yeere of his reigne, as appeareth in the
Records of the Tower, Anno 1. Regis Ioannis.

Ioannes Dei gratij &c. Maiori & Communitati Londinensi salutam. Sciatis
voluntatem esse nostram, quod omnes Mercatores de quicunque fuerunt terra
saluum habeant conductum ire & redire cum mercibus suis in Angliam.
[Sidenote: Solitæ mercatorum consuetudines.] Volumus etiam quod eandem
habeant pacem in Anglia, quam Mercatores de Anglia habent in terris illis
vnde fuerunt egressi. Et ideo vobis præcipimus, quod hoc faciatis
denunciari in Balliua vestra, & firmiter teneri; permittentes eos ire &
redire sine impedimento per debitas & rectas & solitas consuetudines in
Balliua vestra. Teste Galfredo filio Petri comite Essexiæ apud Kinefard 5.
die Aprilis.

In eadem forma scribitur vicecomiti Sudsex, Maiori & commumtati Ciuitatis
Winton, Balliuo de Southampton, Balliuo de Lenne, Balliuo Kent, Vicecomiti
Norffolciæ & Suffolciæ, Vicecomiti dorset & Sommerset, Baronibus de quinque
portubus, Vicecomiti de Southampton sire, Vicecomiti de Herttford & Essex,
Vicecomiti Cornubiæ & Deuon.

The same in English.

Iohn by the grace of God &c. to the Maior and communaltie of London,
greeting. You are to vnderstand, that it is our pleasure, that all
Marchants of what nation soeuer shall haue safe conduct to passe and
repasse with their Marchandize into England. It is our will also, that they
be vouchsafed the same fauour in England, which is granted vnto the English
Marchants in those places from whence they come. [Sidenote: The ancient
customes of Marchaunts.] And therefore we giue you in charge, that you
cause this to be published, and proclaimed in your bailiwicke, & firmely to
be obserued, permitting them to goe & come, without impediment, according
to the due, right and ancient customes vsed in your said Bailiwucke.
Witnesse Geofry Fitz-Peter Earle of Essex at Kinefard the 5. day of April.

The same forme of writing was sent to the sherife of Sudsex, to the Maior
and communaltie of the Citie of Winchester, to the Baily of Southampton,
the Baily of Lenne, the Baily of Kent, the sherife of Norfolke and
Suffolke, the sherife of Dorset and Sommerset, the Barons of the
Cinque-ports, the sherife of Souththampton shire the sherife of Hertford
and Essex the sherife of Cornewal and Deuon.

* * * * *

Literæ regis Henrici tertij ad Haquinum Regem Norwegiæ de pacis foedere &
intercursu mercandisandi Anno 1 Henrici 3. [Marginal note: 1216.]

Henricus Dei gratia &c. Haquino eadem gratia Regi Norwegiæ salutem.
Immensas nobilitati vestræ referimus gratiarum actiones de his quæ per
literas vestris prudentem virum. Abbatem de Lisa nobis significastis
volentes & desiderantes foedus pacis & dilectionis libenter nobiscum inire
& nobiscum confoederari. Bene autem placet & placebit nobis quod terræ
nostræ comunes sint, & Mercatores & homines qui sunt de potestate vestra
libere & sine impedimento terram nostrum adire possint, & homines &
Mercatores nostri similiter terri vestram. Dum tamen literas vestras
patentes super hoc nobis destinctis & nos vobis nostras transmittemus.
Interim autem bene volumus & concedimus, quod Mercatores tam de terra
vestra quàm nostra eant veniant, & recedant per terras nostras Et si quid
vestræ sederit voluntati quod facere valeamus id securè nobis significetis.
Detinuimus autem adhuc Abbatem prælictum, vt de naui vestra & rebus in ea
contentis pro posse nostro restitutionem fieri faceremus: per quem de statu
nostro & Regni nostri vos certificare curabimus & quàm citius &c. Teste me
ipso apud Lamhithe decimo die Octobris.

Eodem modo scribitur S. Duci Norwegiæ ibidem & eodem die.

The letters of King Henry the third vnto Haquinus [Footnote: Haco IV.,
bastard of the able adventurer Swerro. His invasion of Scotland in 1263
forms a striking episode of medæval history.] King of Norway concerning a
treatie of peace and mutuall traffique of marchandize, &c.

Henry by the grace of God, &c. vnto Haquinus by the same grace King of
Norway sendeth greeting. Wee render vnto your highnesse vnspeakeable thanks
for those things which by your letters, and by your discreete subiect the
Abbat of Lisa, you haue signified vnto vs, and also for that you are right
willing and desirous to begin and to conclude betweene vs both, a league of
peace and amitie. And wee for our part both nowe are, and hereafter shalbe
well contented that both our lands be common to the ende that the Marchants
and people of your dominions may freely and without impediment resort vnto
our land, and our people and Marchants may likewise haue recourse vnto your
territories. Prouided, that for the confirmation of this matter, you send
vnto vs your letters patents, and wee will send ours also vnto you. Howbeit
in the meane while wee doe will and freely graunt, that the Marchants both
of our and your lands, may goe, come, and returne to and from both our
Dominions. And if there be ought in your minde, whereby we might stand you
in any stead, you may boldly signifie the same vnto vs. Wee haue as yet
deteined the foresaid Abbat, that wee might, to our abilitie, cause
restitution to be made for your ship, and for the things therein contained:
by whome wee will certifie you of our owne estate, and of the estate of our
kingdome so soone, &c, Witnesse our selfe at Lambith the tenth of October.

Another letter in the same forme and to the same effect was there and then
sent vnto S. Duke of Norway.


Mandatum pro Coga Regis Norwegiæ Anno 13. Henrici 3.

Mandatum est omnibus Balliuis portuum in quos ventura est Coga de Norwegia,
in qua venerint in Angliam milites Regis Norwegiæ & Mercatores Saxoniæ,
quod cum prædictam Cogam in portus suos venire contigerit, saluò permittant
ipsam Cogam in portubus suis morari, quamdiu necesse habuerit, & libere
sine impedimento inde recedere quando voluerint. Teste Rege.

The same in English.

A Mandate for the King of Norway his Ship called the Cog.

Wee will and commaund all bailifes of Portes, at the which the Cog of
Norway (wherein certaine of the king of Norwaie his souldiers, and certaine
Marchants of Saxonie are comming for England) shall touch, that, when the
foresaid Cog shall chance to arriue at any of their Hauens, they doe permit
the said Cog safely to remaine in their said Hauens so long as neede shall
require, and without impediment also freely to depart thence, whensoeuer
the gouernours Of the sayd ship shall thinke it expedient. Witnesse the
King.

* * * * *

Carta pro Mercatoribus de Colonia anno 20. Henrici 3. Confirmata per Regem
Edwardum primum 8. Iulij Anno Regni 18. prout extat in rotulo cartarum
de Anno 18. Regis Edwardi primi.

Rex Archiepiscopis &c. salutem. Sciatis nos quietos clamasse pro nobis &
hæredibus nostris dilectos nostros, Ciues de Colonia, & mercandisam suam de
illis duobus solidis, [Marginal note: Antiqua consuetudo Gildhallæ
Coloniensium Londini.] quos solebant dare de Gildhalia sua London, & de
omnibus alijs consuetudinibus & demandis, quæ pertinent ad nos in London, &
per totam terram nostram; & quod liberè possunt ire ad ferias, per totam
terram nostram & emere & vendere in villa London & alibi, salua libertate
Ciuitatis nostræ London. Quare volumus & firmiter præcipimus pro nobis &
hæredibus nostris quod prædicti ciues de Colonia prænommatas libertates &
libera consuetudines habeant per totam terram nostram Angliæ sicut
prædictum est. His testibus, venerabili patre Waltero Caerleoiensi
Episcopo, Wilhelmo de Ferarijs, Gilberto Basset, Waltero de Bello campo,
Hugone Disspenser, Waltero Marescallo, Galfrido Dispenser, Bartholomæo
Pech, Bartholomæo de Saukeuill, & alijs. Data per manum venerabilis patris
Radulphi Cicistronsis Episcopi, Cancellarij nostri apud Dauintre Octauo die
Nouembris, Anno Regni nostri vicesimo.

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