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The Principal Navigations, Voyages, Traffiques and Discoveries

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




[Sidenote: The great ships of Henry the fift, made at Hampton.]

And if I should conclude all by the King
Henrie the fift, what was his purposing,
Whan at Hampton he made the great dromons,
Which passed other great ships of all the commons,
The Trinitie, the Grace de Dieu, the holy Ghost,
And other moe, which as nowe bee lost.
What hope ye was the kings great intent
Of thoo shippes, and what in minde hee meant?
It was not ellis, but that hee cast to bee
Lorde round about enuiron of the see.
And when Harflew had her siege about,
There came caracks horrible great and stoute
In the narrow see willing to abide,
To stoppe vs there with multitude of pride.

[Sidenote: Great caracks of Genoa taken by the Duke of Bedford.]

My Lord of Bedford came on and had the cure,
Destroyed they were by that discomfiture.

[Sidenote: 1416.]

This was after the king Harflew had wonne,
Whan our enemies to siege had begonne:
That all was slaine or take, by true relation,
To his worshippe, and of his English nation.

[Sidenote: The French nauie thus ouerthrowen was of fiue hundred saile.]

There was present the kings chamberlaine
At both battailes; which knoweth this in certaine;
He can it tell other wise then I:
Aske him, and witte; I passe foorth hastily
What had this king of his magnificence,
Of great courage of wisedome, and prudence?
Prouision, forewitte, audacitee,
Of fortitude, iustice, and agilitee,
Discretion, subtile auisednesse,
Attemperance, Noblesse, and worthinesse:
Science, prowesse, deuotion, equitie,
Of most estate, with his magnanimitie
Liche to Edgar, and the saide Edward,
As much of both liche hem as in regard.
Where was on liue a man more victorious,
And in so short time prince so marueilous?
By land and sea, so well he him acquitte,
To speake of him I stony in my witte
Thus here I leaue the king with his noblesse,
Henry the fift, with whom all my processe
Of this true booke of pure policie
Of sea keeping, entending victorie
I leaue endly: for about in the see
No prince was of better strenuitee.
And if he had to this time liued here,
He had bene Prince named withouten pere:

[Sidenote: The Trinitie, the Grace de Dieu, the holy Ghost]

His great ships should haue ben put in preefe,
Vnto the ende that he ment of in cheefe,
For doubt it not but that he would haue bee
Lord and master about the round see:
And kept it sure to stoppe our enemies hence,
And wonne vs good, and wisely brought it thence:
That no passage should be without danger,
And his licence on see to moue and sterre.

Of vnitie, shewing of our keeping of the see: with an endly or finall
processe of peace by authoritie. Chap. 12.

[Sidenote: Exhortatio generales in custodiam totius Angliæ per diligentiam
custodiæ circutus maris circa littora eiusdem: quæ debet esse per
vnanimitatem Consilariorum regis, & hominum bonæ voluntatus.]

Now than for loue of Christ, and of his ioy,
Bring it England out of trouble and noy:
Take heart and witte, and set a gouernance,
Set many wits withouten variance,
To one accord and vnanimitee.
Put to good will for to keepe the see.
First for worship and profite also,
And to rebuke of eche euill willed foe.
Thus shall worship and riches to vs long.
Than to the Noble shall we doe no wrong,
To beare that coyne in figure and in deede,
To our courage, and to our enemies dreede:
For which they must dresse hem to peace in haste,
Or ellis their thrift to standen and to waste.
As this processe hath proued by and by
All by reason and expert policy;
And by stories which proued well this parte:
Or ellis I will my life put in ieoparte,
But many londs would seche her peace for nede,
The see well kept: it must be doo for drede.
Thus must Flanders for nede haue vnitee
And peace with vs: it will non other bee,
Within short while: and ambassadours
Would bene here soone to treate for their succours.

[Sidenote: Tres sunt causæ prædictæ custodiæ scilcet, honor commodum
regnum, & opprobrium inimicis.]

This vnitie is to God pleasance:
And peace after the werres variance.
The ende of battaile is peace sikerly,
And power causeth peace finally.
Kept than the sea about in speciall,
Which of England is the towne wall.
As though England were likened to a citie,
And the wall enuiron were the see
Kepe then the sea that is the wall of England:
And than is England kept by Goddes hande;
That as for any thing that is without,
England were at ease withouten doubt,
And thus should euery lond one with another
Entercommon as brother with his brother
And liue togither werrelesse in vnitie,
Without rancour in very charitie,
In rest and peace, to Christes great pleasance,
Without strife, debate and variance.
Which peace men should enserche with businesse,
And knit it saddely holding in holinesse.

[Sidenote: Ephes. 4. Solliciti sitis seruare vnitatem spiritus in vinculo
pacis.]

The Apostle seith, if ye list to see,
Bee yee busie for to keepe vnitee
Of the spirit in the bond of peace.
Which is nedeful to all withouten lese.
The Prophet biddeth vs peace for to enquire
To pursue it, this is holy desire.
Our Lord Iesu saith, Blessed motte they bee
That maken peace; that is tranquillitee.

[Sidenote: Matth. 5. Beati pacifici quoniam filij Dei vocabuntur.]

For peace makers, as Matthew writeth aright,
Should be called the sonnes of God almight.
God giue vs grace, the weyes for to keepe
Of his precepts, and slugly not to sleepe
In shame of sinne: that our verry foo
Might be to vs conuers, and turned so.

[Sidenote: Cum placuerint Domino viæ hominis eius inimicos ad pacem
conuertet]

For in the Prouerbs is a text to this purpose
Plaine inough without any glose:
When mens weyes please vnto our Lord,
It shall conuert and bring to accord
Mans enemies vnto peace verray,
In vnitie, to liue to Goddis pay,
With vnitie, peace, rest and charitie.
Hee that was here cladde in humanitie,
That came from heauen, and styed vp with our nature,
Or hee ascended, he gaue to vs cure,
And left with vs peace, ageyne striffe and debate,
Mote giue vs peace, so well irradicate
Here in this world: that after all this feste

[Sidenote: Vrbs beata Ierusalem dicta pacis visio.]

Wee may haue peace in the land of beheste
Ierusalem, which of peace is the sight,
With his brightnes of eternall light,
There glorified in rest with his tuition,
The Deitie to see with full fruition:
Hee second person in diuinenesse is,
Who vs assume, and bring vs to the blis. Amen

Here endeth the true procease of the Libel of English policie, exhorting
all England to keepe the sea enuiron: shewing what profit and saluation,
with worship commeth thereof to the reigne of England.

Goe forth Libelle, and meekely shew thy face;
Appearing euer with humble countenance:
And pray my Lords to take in grace,
In opposaile and cherishing the aduance.
To hardines if that not variance
Thou hast fro trought by full experience
Authors and reasons: if ought faile in substance
Remit to hem that yafe thee this science;
That seth it is soth in verray fayth,

[Sidenote: The wise lord of Hungerfords iudgement of this booke.]

That the wise Lord Baron of Hungerford
Hath thee ouerseene, and verely he saith
That thou art true, and thus he doeth record,
Next the Gospel: God wotte it was his worde,
When hee thee redde all ouer in a night.
Goe forth trew booke, and Christ defend thy right.

_Explicit libellus de Politia conseruatiua maris_.

* * * * *

Breuis Commentarius de Islandia: quo Scriptorum de hac Insula errores
deteguntur, & extraneorum quorundam conuitijs, ac calumnijs, quibus
Islandis liberiùs insultare solent, occurritur: per Arngrimum Ionam
Islandum. Serenissimo Principi ac Domino, domino Christiano IIII, Daniæ,
Noruegiæ, Vandalorum, Gothorúmque, Regi electo: Slesuici, Holsatiæ,
Stormariæ & Dithmarsiæ Duci: Comiti in Oldenburg & Delmenhorst: Domino
suo clementissimo.

Præclaram sanè apud Historicos meretur laudem, Sereniss. Princeps, Anchuri
illius Midæ regis filij ausus plusquam humanus, & in patriam pietas, ferè
exemplo carens, quòd ad occludendum ingentem circa Celænam Phrygiæ oppidum,
terræ hiatum, quotidie homines haud exiguo numero, & quicquid in propinquo
erat, absorbentem, sese vltrò obtulerit. Cum enim ab oraculo Midas pater
accepisset, non prius conclusum iri istam voraginem, quam res eò
preciosissimæ immitterentur: Anchurus existimans, nihil esse anima
pretiosius, sese viuum in illud profundissimum chasma præcipitem dedit:
ídque tanto animi cum feruore, vt neque parentis desiderio, neque
dulcissimæ coniugis amplexu vel lachrymis, ab isto proposito se retrahi
passus sit.

Nec inferiorem multò consecuti sunt gloriam Sperthius & Bulis, Lacedæmonij,
qui ad auertendam potentissimi Regis Persarum Xerxis, ob occisos à
Lacedemonijs Darij patris legatos, vltionem, ad Regem profecti sunt, & vt
legatorum necem in se, non in patria vlcisceretur, erectis & constantibus
animis sese obtulerunt.

Quæ verò res, Sereniss. Princeps, illos ac alios complures mouit, vt patriæ
flagrantes amore, nullum pro ea periculum, nullas molestias, imò ne mortem
ipsam recusarint, ea profectò me quoque impulit, non quidem, vt quemadmodum
illi, mortem sponte oppeterem, aut me mactandum vltro offerrem, sed tamen,
vt id quòd solum possem, in gratiam patriæ tentarem: Hoc est, vt scriptorum
de ea errores colligerem & rumusculos vanos refellerem: Ac ita rem profectò
periculosam, & multorum forsan sinistro obnoxiam iudicio, aggrederer.

In eo proposito me etiam Cn. Pompeij exemplum confirmauit: Quem rei
frumentariaæ apud Romanos procuratorem, cum in summa Vrbis annonæ
charitate, in Sicilia, Sardinia & Africa frumentum collegisset, maiorem
patriæ, quàm sui, tradunt rationem habuisse. Cum enim Romam versus
properaret, & ingenti ac periculosa oborta tempestate, Naucleros trepidare,
nec se ventorum aut maris sævitiæ committere velle animaduerteret, ipse
nauim primus ingressus, anchoras tolli iussit, in hæc verba exclamans: Vt
nauigemus vrget necessitas: vt viuamus, non vrget. Quibus vir
prudentissimus innuisse videtur, patriæ periclitantis maiorem habendam
rationem, quàm priuatæ incolumitatis.

Hunc ego sic imitor,

(Si parua licet componere magnis, & muscam Elephanto conferre) vt collectis
ac comportatis ijs, quibus ad succurrendum gentis nostræ nomini ac famæ,
apud extraneos, ex maleuolorum quorundam inuidia iam diu laboranti vterer;
paucula hæc in lucem emittere, méque pelago huic quantumuis turbulento
committere, lintea ventis tradere, cúmque illo exclamare non dubitem: Vt
scribamus, vrget necessitas: Vt verò scriptum nostrum, cuiusuis, delicato
palato, vbíque satisfaciat, aut omnem Momi proteruiam effugiat, non vrget.
Institutum meum complures probaturos spero: successum forsan non itidem
omnes probabunt. Nihiiominus tamen maiorem habendam rationem patriæ,
multorum hactenus opprobria & contumelias sustinentis, quàm siue laudis,
siue vituperationis, ad me ipsum hinc forsan redituræ, existimabam. Quid
enim causæ esse potest, cur nonnullorum odium & inuidentiam, cum hoc
patriæ, benefaciendi seu gratificandi studio fortè coniunctam recusem?

Quodsi scriptorum errores liberius notare, si quorundam calumnias durius
perstringere videbor, eos tamen æquos me habiturum censores confido, qui
paulò diligentius animaduertere volent, quam parùm tolerabiles sint
scriptorum de nostra gente errores: quot etiam & quàm graues quorundam in
nos calumniæ, quibus nationem nostram varijs modis laccssiuere, & etiamnum
lacessere non desistunt. Dandum etiam aliquid omnibus congenito soli
natalis amori est; Dandum iusto, ob hanc patriæ illatam iniuriam, dolori.
Et ego quidem, quantum fieri potuit, vbíque mihi temperaui, ac à conuitijs
abstinere volui: quòd si quid videatur mollius dicendnm fuisse, id prædicta
ratione veniam, spero, merebitur.

Cum igitur hæc mihi subeunda sit alea, quod omnibus scriptum aliquod
edituris in more positum animaduerto, id mihi hoc tempore solicitè curandum
est: Nempè vt patronum & mecænatem aliquem huic meo commentariolo quæram,
sub cuius nomine & numine, tutius in vulgi manus exeat.

Eam igitur ad rem nihil poterit contingere optatius, vestra, clementissime
Princeps Sereniss. Maiestate: Et enim nos ei, qui vitam & fortunas nostras
in suam potestatem & tutelam accepit, ei inquam, nomen quoque gentis nostræ
innocenter contaminatum, curæ vt sit, supplices rogamus.

Imò verò, Rex clementiss. non solùm ad hanc rem, S. Maiestatis V. clemens
implorare auxilium necessum habemus; Sed ad multa quoque alia, quæ in
nostra patria desiderantur, aut quæ alioqui ad huius vtilitatem & salutem
communem spectant: quæque non per me, sed per summorum nostræ gentis
viroram libellos supplices hoc tempore exponuntur, aut certè breui
exponentur. Nihil enim dubitamus quin S. V. Maiestas, Christianissimorum
maiorum exemplo, etiam nostram patriam, inter reliquas imperij sui Insulas,
sua cura & protectione regia dignari velit. Nam quæ nostra est ad S.
Maiestatem V. confugiendi necessitas, ea est S. Maiestatis V. in nobis
subleuandis, curandis & protegendis, gloria: Et ob nutritam extremi ferè
orbis Arctoi ecclesiam, in remotissimis M. V. imperij finibus, quæ
tranquillitatem & tuta singulari Dei beneficio halcyonia habet, præmium, ac
reposita in coelis immarcessibilis vitæ æternæ corona.

Cæterum cùm illa huius loci non sint, id quod mei est propositi subiungo: &
à S. Maiestate V. ea, qua par est, amimi submissione peto, vt huic meæ
opellæ & studio in patriam collato, fauere, & patroni benigni esse loco,
clementer dignetur. Quod superest, Sereniss. Princeps, Dom. clementissime,
Maiestatem V. sapientiæ & prudentiæ, omniúmque adeò virtutnm heroicarum
indies incrementa sumentem, ad summum imperij fastigium, summas ille
regnorum, omniúmque adeò rerum humanaram dispensator, Deos opt. max.
euehat: Euectam, omni rerum foelicissimo successu continuè beet: Beatámque
hoc modo, vt summum horum regnorum ornamentum, columen, præesidium,
Ecclesiæ clypeum & munimen, quàm diutissimè conseruet: Ac tandem in altera
vita, in solido regni coelestis gaudio, cùm præcipuis ecclesiæ Dei
nutritijs, syderis instar, illustrem fulgere faciat. Faxit etiam idem Pater
clementis. vt hæc vota, quanto sæpius, in amplissimorum Maiestatis V.
regnorum & Insularem quouis angulo, quotidiè repetuntur ac ingeminantur,
tantò rata magis & certiora, maneant.

Haffniæ 1593. Mense Mart.

S. M. V. humiliter subiectus:

Aragrimos Ionas Islandus.

The same in English.

A briefe commentarie of Island: wherein the errors of such as haue written
concerning this Island, are detected, and the slanders, and reproches of
certaine strangers, which they haue vsed ouer-boldly against the people
of Island are confuted.

By Arngrimus Ionas, of Island.

To the most mighty Prince and Lord, Lord Christian the 4. [Footnote:
Christian IV. was the last elective king of Denmark and Norway. Frederick
III. in 1665 changed the constituion to an hereditary monarchy, vested in
his own family.] of Denmarke, Norway, and of the Vandals and Gothes, King
elect: of Sleswic, Holste, Stormar, and Dithmarse Duke: Earle of
Oldenburg, and Delmenhorst: His most gratious Lord.

That heroical attempt of Anchurus, sonne of King Midas (most gratious
prince) and that pietie towards his countrey in maner peerelesse, deserueth
highly to be renowmed in histories: in that freely and couragiously he
offered his owne person, for the stopping vp of an huge gulfe of earth,
about Celoena, a towne in Phrigia, which daily swallowed multitudes of men
and whatsoeuer else came neere vnto it. For when his father Midas was
aduertised by the Oracle, that the said gulfe should not be shut vp, before
things most precious were cast into it; Anchurus deeming nothing to be more
inualuable then life plunged himselfe aliue downe headlong into that
bottomless hole; and that with so great vehemencie of mind, that neither by
his fathers request nor by the allurements and teares of his most amiable
wife, he suffered himselfe to be drawne backe from this his enterprise.
[Footnote: It is added that Midas raised an altar to Jupiter on the spot.]

Sperthius also and Bulis, two Lacedemonians, were not much inferiour to the
former, who to turne away the reuenge of Xerxes that most puissant King of
the Persians, entended against the Lacedemonians, for killing the
ambassadors of his father Darius, hyed them vnto the sayd king and that he
might auenge the ambassadours death vpon them, not vpon their countrey,
with hardy, and constant mindes presented themselues before him.

The very same thing (most gracious prince) which moued them and many others
being enflamed with the loue of their countrey, to refuse for the benefite
thereof, no danger, no trouble, no nor death it selfe, the same thing (I
say) hath also enforced me, not indeed to vndergoe voluntarie death, or
freely to offer my selfe vnto the slaughter, but yet to assay that which I
am able for the good of my countrey: namely, that I may gather together and
refute the errors, and vaine reports of writers, concerning the same: and
so take vpon me a thing very dangerous, and perhaps subiect to the sinister
iudgement of many.

In this purpose the example of Cneius Pompeius hath likewise confirmed me:
who being chosen procurator for corne among the Romanes, and in an extreme
scarcetie and dearth of the citie hauing taken vp some store of grains in
Sicilia, Sardinia, and Africa, is reported to haue had greater regard of
his countrey, then of himselfe. For when he made haste towards Rome, and a
mighty and dangerous tempest arising, he perceiued the Pilots to tremble,
and to be vnwilling to commit themselues to the rigor of the stormie sea,
himselfe first going on boord, and commanding the anchors to be weighed,
brake foorth into these words: That we should sayle necessitie vrgeth: but
that we should liue, it vrgeth not. In which words he seemeth wisely to
inferre, that greater care is to be had of our countrey lying in danger,
then of our owne priuate safetie.

This man doe I thus imitate,

If small with great as equals may agree:
And Flie with Elephant compared bee.

Namely that gathering together and laying vp in store those things which
might be applied to succour the fame and credite of our nation, hauing now
this long time bene oppressed with strangers, through the enuie of certeine
malicious persons, I boldly aduenture to present these fewe meditations of
mine vnto the viewe of the world, and so hoysing vp sailes to commit my
selfe vnto a troublesome sea, and to breake foorth into the like speeches
with him: That I should write necessitie vrgeth: but that my writings in
all places should satisfie euery delicate taste, or escape all peeuishnes
of carpers it vrgeth not. I doubt not but many will allow this my
enterprise: the successe perhaps all men will not approue. Neuertheles, I
thought that there was greater regard to be had of my countrey, sustaining
so many mens mocks and reproches, then of mine owne praise or dispraise,
redounding perhaps vnto me vpon this occasion. For what cause should moue
me to shunne the enuie and hate of some men, being ioyned with an endeuour
to benefite and gratifie my countrey?

[Sidenote: The errors of the writers of Island intolerable.]

But if I shall seeme somewhat too bold in censuring the errors of writers,
or too seuere in reprehending the slanders of some men: yet I hope all they
will iudge indifferently of me, who shall seriously consider, how
intolerable the errors of writers are, concerning our nation: how many also
and how grieuous be the reproches of some, against vs, wherewith they haue
sundry wayes prouoked our nation, and as yet will not cease to prouoke.
They ought also to haue me excused in regard of that in-bred affection
rooted in the hearts of all men, towards their natiue soile, and to pardon
my iust griefe for these iniures offered vnto my countrey. And I in very
deed, so much as lay in me, haue in all places moderated my selfe, and haue
bene desirous to abstaine from reproches but if any man thinke, we should
haue vsed more temperance in our stile, I trust, the former reason will
content him.

Sithens therefore, I am to vndergo the same hazard, which I see is commonly
incident to all men that publish any writings: I must now haue especiall
regarde of this one thing: namely, of seeking out some patron, and Mecoenas
for this my briefe commentary, vnder whose name and protection it may more
safety passe through the hands of all men.

But for this purpose I could not finde out, nor wish for any man more fit
then your royal Maiestie, most gratious prince For vnto him, who hath
receiued vnder his power & tuition our liues and goods, vnto him (I say)
doe we make humble sute, that he would haue respect also vnto the credit of
our nation, so iniuriously disgraced.

Yea verily (most gracious King) we are constreined to craue your Maiesties
mercifull aide, not only in this matter, but in many other things also
which are wanting in our countrey, or which otherwise belong to the
publique commoditie and welfare thereof which not by me, but by the letters
supplicatory of the chiefe men of our nation, are at this time declared, or
will shortly be declared. For we doubt not but that your sacred Maiesties,
after the example of your Christian predecessors, will vouchsafe vnto our
countrey also, amongst other Islands of your Maiesties dominion, your
kingly care and protection. For as the necessitie of fleeing for redresse
vnto your sacred Maiestie, is ours so the glory of relieuing, regarding,
and protecting vs, shal wholy redound vnto your sacred Maiestie: as also,
there is layd vp for you, in respect of your fostering and preseruing of
Gods church, vpon the extreme northerly parts almost of the whole earth,
and in the vttermost bounds of your Maiesties dominion (which by the
singular goodnes of God, enioyeth at this present tranquillitie and quiet
safetie) a reward and crowne of immortall life in the heauens.

But considering these things are not proper to this place, I wil leaue
them, and returne to my purpose which I haue in hand: most humbly
beseeching your S. M. that yon would of your clemencie vouchsafe to become
a fauorer, and patron vnto these my labours and studies, for the behalfe of
my countrey.

It now remaineth (most gracious and mercifull souereigne) for vs to make
our humble prayers vnto almighty God, that king of kings, and disposer of
all humane affaires, that it would please him of his infinite goodnes, to
aduance your Maiestie (yearely growing vp in wisedome & experience, and all
other heroicall vertues) to the highest pitch of souereigntie: and being
aduanced, continually to blesse yon with most prosperous successe in all
your affaires: and being blessed, long to preserue you, as the chief
ornament, defence and safegarde of these kingdomes, and as the shield and
fortresse of his church: and hereafter in the life to come, to make you
shine glorious like a starre, amongst the principall nurcing fathers of
Gods Church, in the perfect ioy of his heauenly kingdome. The same most
mercifull father likewise grant, that these praiers, the oftener they be
dayly repeated and multiplied in euery corner of your Maiesties most ample
territories & Islands, so much the more sure and certain they may remaine,
Amen. At Haffnia, or Copen Hagen 1593. in the moneth of March. Y. S. M.
most humble subiect,

Arngrimus Ionas, Islander. [Footnote: A celebrated Icelandic astronomer,
disciple of Tycho Brahe, and coadjutor of the Bishop of Holen, died in 1649
at the great age of 95. His principal works, besides his Description and
History of Iceland, (published at Amsterdam in 1643, 4to), are _Idea Vera
Magistratus_ (Copenhagen, 1689, 8vo); _Rerum Islandicarum libri tres_
(Hamburg, 1630, 4to); _The Life of Gundebrand de Thorlac_, etc. He is
remembered amongst the peasantry of Iceland as the only instance known in
that country of a man of ninety-one marrying a girl in her teens.]

Benigno & pio Lectori salutem.

In lucem exijt circa annum Christi 1561. Hamburgi foetus valdè deformis,
patre quodam Germanico propola: Rhythmi videlicet Germanici, omnium qui
vnquam leguntur spurcissimi & mendacissimi in gentem Islandicam. Nec
sufficiebat sordido Typographo sordidum illum foetum semel emisisse, nisi
tertiùm etiam aut quartùm publicasset, quo videlicet magis innocenti genti
apud Germanos & Danos, aliósque vicinos populos summam & nunquam delendam
ignominiam, quantum, in ipso fuit, inureret. Tantum Typographi huius odium
fuit, & ex re illicita lucri auiditas. Et hoc in illa ciuitate, quæ
plurimos annos commercia sua magno suorum cùm lucro in Islandia exercuit,
impunè fecit. Ioachimus Leo nomen illi est, dignus certè qui Leones pascat.

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