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The Principal Navigations, Voyages, Traffiques, and Discoveries of The English Nation v. 4

R >> Richard Hakluyt >> The Principal Navigations, Voyages, Traffiques, and Discoveries of The English Nation v. 4




Then entring into the presence, being a large roome floored with carpets,
were men of more estate, and richer shew, in number aboue an hundred set
square: who after the said English men came in, doing reuerence, they all
stood vp, the prince onely sitting, and yet rising at any occasion, when
our King and Queenes names were read or spoken. Then after speeches by
interpretation, our men kissing his hande, and bidden to dinner, were
stayed in another roome, and at dinner brought through, where might be
seene massie siluer and gilt plate, some like and as bigge as kilderkins,
and washbowles, and entring the dining place, being the greater roome, the
prince was set bare headed, his crowne and and rich cappe standing vpon a
pinnacle by. Not farre distant sate his Metropolitane, with diuers other of
his kindred, and chiefe Tartarian Captaines: none sate ouer against him, or
any, at other tables, their backes towards him: which tables all furnished
with ghests set, there was for the Englishmen, named by the Russes, Ghosti
Carabelski, to wit, strangers or merchants by ship, a table in the middest
of the roome, where they were set direct against the prince: and then began
the seruice, brought in by a number of his yoong Lordes and Gentlemen, in
such rich attire, as is aboue specified: and still from the Princes table
(notwithstanding their owne furniture) they had his whole messes set ouer
all in massie fine golde, deliuered euery time from him by name to them, by
their seuerall Christian names, as they sate, viz. Richard, George, Henry,
Arthur. [Sidenote: M. Killingworths beard of a marueilous length.] Likewise
bread and sundry drinkes of purified mead, made of fine white and clarified
honie. At their rising, the prince called them to his table, to receiue
each one a cup from his hand to drinke, and tooke in his hand Master George
Killingworths beard, which reached ouer the table, and pleasantly deliuered
it the Metropolitane, who seeming to blesse it, sayd in Russe, this is Gods
gift. As in deede at that time it was not onely thicke, broad, and yellow
coloured, but in length fiue foot and two inches of assize. Then taking
leaue, being night, they were accompanied and followed with a number,
carying pots of drinke, and dishes of meat dressed, to our lodging.

This yeere the two shippes, with the dead bodies of Sir Hugh Willoughbie,
and his people, were sent vnto by Master Killingworth, (which remained
there in Mosco Agent almost two yeeres) and much of the goods and victuals
were recouered and saued.

[Sidenote: Anno 1556.] Anno 1556. The company sent two ships for Russia,
with extraordinary masters and saylers to bring home the two ships, which
were frozen in Lappia, in the riuer of Arzina aforesaid. The two ships sent
this yeere from England sailing from Lapland to the Bay of S. Nicholas,
tooke in lading with passengers, to wit, a Russe ambassador, named Ioseph
Napea, and some of his men shipped with Richard Chanceller in the Edward.
But so it fell out that the two which came from Lappia, with all their new
Masters and Mariners, neuer were heard of, but in foule weather, and
wrought seas, after their two yeeres wintring in Lapland, became, as is
supposed, vnstanch, and sunke, wherein were drowned also diuers Russes
merchants, and seruants of the ambassadour. A third shippe the Edward
aforesayd, falling on the North part of Scotland, vpon a rocke was also
lost, and Master Chanceller, with diuers other, drowned. The sayd Russe
ambassadour hardly escaping, with other his men, mariners, and some goods
saued, were sent for into Scotland, from the King, Queene, and Merchants
(the messenger being M. Doctor Laurence Hussie, and others:) And then, as
in the chronicles appeareth, honorably enterteined and receiued at London.

This yeere also the company furnished and sent out a pinnesse, named the
Serchthrift, to discouer the harborowes in the North coast from Norway to
Wardhouse, and so to the Bay of S. Nicholas. There was in her Master and
Pilot, Stephen Burrough, with his brother William, and eight other. Their
discouery was beyond the Bay, towarde the Samoeds, people dwelling neare
the riuer of Ob, and found a sound or sea with an Island called Vaigats,
first by them put into the Carde or Mappe. In that place they threw snowe
out of their said pinnesse, with shouels in August, by which extremitie,
and lacke of time, they came backe to Russia, and wintred at Colmogro.

[Sidenote: Anno 1557.] Anno 1557. The company with foure good ships, sent
backe the said Russe ambassadour, and in company with him, sent as an
Agent, for further discouery, Master Anthony Ienkinson, who afterward anno
1558, with great fauour of the prince of Moscouia, and his letters passed
the riuer Volga to Cazan, and meaning to seeke Cathay by land, was by many
troupes and companies of vnciuil Tartarians encountred, and in danger:
[Sidenote: Boghar voyage. 1560.] but keeping company with merchants of
Bactria, of Boghar, and Vrgeme, trauelling with camels, he with his
company, went to Boghar, and no further: whose entertainment of the king is
to be had of master Ienkinson, which returned anno 1559. to Moscouie.
[Sidenote: The first trade to the Narue. 1560.] And in anno 1560. he with
Henry Lane, came home into England: which yeere was the first safe returne,
without losse or shipwracke, or dead fraight, and burnings. And at this
time was the first traffike to the Narue in Liuonia, which confines with
Lituania, and all the dominions of Russia: and the markets, faires,
commodities, great townes and riuers, were sent vnto by dyuers seruants:
the reports were taken by Henry Lane, Agent, and deliuered to the companie,
1561. The trade to Rie, and Reuel, of old time hath bene long since
frequented by our English nation, but this trade to the Narue was hitherto
concealed from vs by the Danskers and Lubeckers.

Anno 1561. the said Master Anthony Ienkinson went Agent into Russia; who
the next yeere after, passing all the riuer of Volga to Astracan, and ouer
the Caspian sea, arriued in Persia, and opened the trade thither.

[Sidenote: Alcock slaine in Persia. Bannister died in Media. Edwards died
at Astracan.] Also betweene the yeeres 1568. and 1573. sundry voyages after
Master Ienkinsons, were made by Thomas Alcock, Arthur Edwards, Master
Thomas Banister, and Master Geffrey Ducket, whose returne (if spoyle neere
Volga had not preuented by rouing theeues) had altogether salued and
recouered the companies (called the olde companies) great losse, charges,
and damages: but the saying is true, By vnitie small things grow great, and
by contention great things become small. This may be vnderstood best by the
company. The forwardnesse of some few, euill doing of some vniust factors,
was cause of muche of the euill successe.

Arthur Edwards was sent againe 1579. and died in the voyage at Astcacan.
About which matters, are to be remembred the voyages of Master Thomas
Randolph Esquire, Ambassador, anno 1567. And late of Sir Ierome Bowes, anno
1583. both tending and treating for further discoueries, freedomes, and
priuileges, wherewith I meddle not. But in conclusion, for their paines and
aduentures this way (as diuers do now adayes other wayes) as worthy
Gentlemen sent from princes, to doe their countrey good, I put them in your
memorie, with my hearty farewell. From S. Margarets neere Dartforth in
Kent.

Yours Henry Lane.

* * * * *

The most solemne, and magnificent coronation of Pheodor [Marginal note: Or
Theodor.] Iuanowich, Emperour of Russia &c. the tenth of Iune, in the
yeere 1584; seene and obserued by Master Ierome Horsey gentleman, and
seruant to her Maiesty, a man of great trauell, and long experience in
those parts: wherewith is also ioyned the course of his iourney ouer land
from Mosco to Emden.

[Sidenote: The death of Iuan Vasiliwich, 1584. Apr. 18.] When the old
Emperour Iuan Vasiliwich died, (being about the eighteenth of Aprill, 1584.
after our computation) in the citie of Mosco, hauing raigned 54 yeeres,
there was some tumult and vprore among some of the nobilitie, and
cominaltie, which notwithstanding was quickly pacified. [Sidenote: L. Boris
adopted as the Emperors third sonne.] Immediately the same night, the
Prince Boris Pheodorowich Godonoua, Knez Iuan Pheodorowich, Mesthis
Slafsky, Knez Iuan Petrowich Susky, Mekita Romanowich and Bodan Iacoulewich
Belskoy, being all noble men, and chiefest in the Emperors Will, especially
the Lord Boris, whom he adopted as his third sonne, and was brother to the
Empresse, who was a man very wel liked of al estates, as no lesse worthy
for his valure and wisdome: all these were appointed to dispose, and settle
his sonne Pheodor Iuanowich, hauing one sworne another, and all the
nobilitie, and officers whosoeuer. In the morning the dead Emperor was layd
into the Church of Michael the Archangel, into a hewen sepulcre, very
richly decked with vestures fit for such a purpose: and present
Proclamation was made, (Emperor Pheodor Iuanowich of all Russia, &c.).
Throughout all the citie of Mosco was great watch and ward, with souldiers,
and gunners, good orders established, and officers placed to subdue the
tumulters, and mainteine quietnes: to see what speede and policie was in
this case vsed was a thing worth the beholding. This being done in Mosco,
great men of birth and accompt were also presently sent to the bordering
Townes, as Smolensko, Vobsko, Kasan, Nouogorod &c. with fresh garrison, and
the old sent vp. As vpon the 4. of May a parliament was held, wherein were
assembled, the Metropolitane, Archbishops, Bishops, Priors, and chiefe
clergie men, and all the nobility whatsoeuer: where many matters were
determined not pertinent to my purpose, yet all tended to a new reformation
in the gouernment: but especially the terme, and time was agreed vpon for
the solempnizing of the new Emperors coronation. [Sidenote: The old
Empresse, her father, and her yong sonne sent to Ouglets.] In the meane
time the Empresse, wife to the old Emperor, was with her child the Emperors
sonne, Charlewich Demetrie Iuanowich, of one yeres age or there abouts,
sent with her father Pheodor Pheodorowich Nagay, and that kindred, being 5.
Brothers, to a towne called Ouglets, which was giuen ynto her, and the
young Prince her sonne, with all the lands belonging to it in the shire,
with officers of all sortes appointed, hauing allowance of apparell,
iewels, diet, horse &c. in ample maner belonging to the estate of a
princesse. [Sidenote: The day of Pheodor his coronation.] The time of
mourning after their vse being expired, called Sorachyn, or fortie orderlie
dayes, the day of the solemnizing of this coronation, with great
preparations, was come, being vpon the 10. day of Iune, 1584: and that day
then Sunday; he being of the age of 25. yeres: at which time, Master Ierome
Horsey was orderly sent for, and placed in a fit roome to see all the
solemnitie. The Emperor comming out of his Pallace, there went before him,
the Metropolitan, Archbishops, Bishops, and chiefest Monkes, and Clergie
men, with very rich Copes, and Priestes garments vpon them, carying
pictures of our Ladie &c. with the Emperours Angell, banners, censers, and
many other such ceremonious things, singing all the way. The Emperour with
his nobilitie in order entred the Church named Blaueshina, or Blessednes,
where prayers, and seruice were vsed, according to the maner of their
Church: that done, they went thence to the Church, called Michael the
Archangell, and there also vsed the like prayers, and seruice: and from
thence to our Lady Church, Prechista, being their Cathedrall Church. In the
middest thereof was a chaire of maiestie placed, wherein his Auncestors
vsed to sit at such extraordinarie times: his robes were then changed, and
most rich and vnualuable garments put on him: being placed in this Princely
seate, his nobility standing round about him in their degres, his imperiall
Crowne was set vpon his head by the Metropolitane, his Scepter globe in his
right hand, his sword of Iustice in his left of great riches: his 6.
Crownes also, by which he holdeth his kingdomes were set before him, and
the Lord Boris Pheodorowich was placed at his right hand: then the
Metropolitan read openly a booke of a small volume, with exhortations to
the Emperour to minister true iustice, to inioy with tranquilitie the
Crowne of his auncestors, which God had giuen him, and vsed these words
following.

Through the will of the almighty and without beginning God, which was
before this world, whom we glorifie in the Trinitie, one onely God, the
Father, the Sonne, and the holy Ghost, maker of all things, worker of all
in all euery where, fulfiller of all things, by which will, and working, he
both liueth, and giueth life to man: that our only God which enspireth
euery one of vs his only children with his word to discerne God through our
Lord Iesus Christ, and the holy quickning spirit of life, now in these
perilous times establish vs to keep the right Scepter, and suffer vs to
raigne of our selues to the good profit of the land, to the subduing of the
people, together with the enemies, and the maintenance of vertue. And so
the Metropolitan blessed and layd his crosse vpon him. After this, he was
taken out of his chaire of Maiestie, hauing vpon him an vpper robe adorned
with precious stones of all sorts, orient pearles of great quantitie, but
alwayes augmented in riches: it was in waight two hundred pounds, the
traine, and parts thereof borne vp by 6. Dukes, his chiefe imperiall Crowne
vpon his head very precious: his staffe imperiall in his right hand of an
vnicornes horne of three foot and a halfe in length beset with rich stones,
bought of Merchants of Ausburge by the old Emperour in An. 1581, and cost
him 7000. Markes sterling. This Iewel M. Horsey kept sometimes, before the
Emperor had it. His scepter globe was caried before him by the prince Boris
Pheodorowich, his rich cap beset with rich stones and pearles was caried
before him by a Duke: his 6. Crownes also were caried by Demetrius
Iuanowich Godonoua, the Emperors vncle, Mekita Romanowich the Emperors
vncle, Stephan Vasiliwich, Gregory Vasiliwich, Iuan Vasiliwich brothers of
the blood royal. Thus at last the Emperor came to the great Church doore,
and the people cried, God saue our Emperour Pheodor Iuanowich of al Russia,
His horse was there ready most richly adorned, with a couering of
imbrodered pearle, and precious stones, saddle, and all furniture agreeable
to it, reported to be worth 300000. markes sterling.

There was a bridge made of 150. fadome in length, three maner of waies,
three foote aboue ground and two fadome broad, for him to goe from one
Church to the other with his Princes and nobles from the presse of the
people, which were in number infinite, and some at that time pressed to
death with the throng. As the Emperour returned out of the Churches, they
were spred vnder foot with cloth of gold, the porches of the Church with
red veluet, the bridges with scarlet, and stammell cloth from one church to
another: and as soone as the Emperor was passed by, the cloth of gold,
veluet and scarlet was cut, and taken of those that could come by it, euery
man desirous to haue a piece, to reserue it for a monument: siluer and gold
coyne, then mynted of purpose was cast among the people in great quantitie.
The lord Boris Pheodorowich was sumptuously, and richly attired, with his
garments decked with great orient pearle, beset with al sorts of precious
stones. In like rich maner were appareled all the family of the Godonouaes
in their degrees, with the rest of the princes, and nobilitie, whereof one
named Knez Iuan Michalowich Glynsky, whose robe, horse, and furniture, was
in register found worth one hundred thousand markes sterling, being of
great antiquitie. The Empresse being in her pallace, was placed in her
chaire of Maiesty also before a great open window: most precious, and rich
were her robes, and shining to behold, with rich stones, and orient pearle
beset, her crowne was placed vpon her head, accompanied with her
Princesses, and Ladies of estate: then cried out the people, God preserue
our noble Empresse Irenia. After all this the Emperour came into the
Parliament house which was richly decked: there he was placed in his royall
seat adorned as before: his 6. crownes were set before him vpon a table;
the basin, and ewer royall of gold held by his knight of gard with his men
standing two on each, side in white apparell of cloth of siluer, called
Kindry, with scepters, and battle axes of gold in their hands: the Princes,
and nobilitie were all placed according to their degrees, all in their rich
roabs.

The Emperour after a short oration, permitted euery man in order to kisse
his hande: which being done, he remoued to a princely seate prepared for
him at the table: where he was serued by his nobles in very princely order.
The three out roomes being very great, and large were beset with plate of
golde, and siluer round, from the ground vp to the vaults one vpon the
other: among which plate were many barrels of siluer, and golde: this
solemnitie, and triumph lasted a whole weeke, wherein many royall pastimes
were shewed and vsed: after which the chiefest men of the nobilitie were
elected to their places of office, and dignitie, as the Prince Boris
Pheodorowich was made chiefe Counseller to the Emperor, Master of the
horse, had the charge of his person, Liuetenant of the Empire, and Warlike
engins, Gouernor or Liuetenant of the Empire of Cazan, and Astracan and
others: to this dignitie were by Parliament, and gift of the Emperor giuen
him many reuenues, and rich lands, as there was giuen him, and his for euer
to inherite a prouince called Vaga, of 300. English miles in length, and
250. in bredth, with many townes and great villages populous and wealthy,
his yeerely reuenue out of that prouince, is 35. thousand markes sterling,
being not the 5. part of his yerely reuenue. Further, he and his house be
of such authoritie, and power, that in 40. days warning they are able to
bring into the fielde 100. thousand Souldiers well furnished.

The conclusion of the Emperors Coronation was a peale of ordinance, called
a peale royall two miles without the citie, being 170. great pieces of
brasse of all sorts, as faire as any can be made, these pieces were all
discharged with shot against bulwarkes made of purpose: 20. thousand
hargubusers standing in 8. rankes two miles in length, appareled all in
veluet, coloured silke and stammels, discharged their shot also twise ouer
in good order: and so the Emperor accompanied with all his princes and
nobles, at the least 50. thousand horse departed through the City to his
pallace. This royall coronation would aske much time, and many leaues of
paper to be described particularly as it was performed: it shal suffice, to
vnderstahd that the like magnificence was neuer seen in Russia.

The coronation, and other triumphes ended, al the nobilitie, officers, and
merchants according to an accustomed order euery one in his place, and
degree brought rich presents vnto the Emperor, wishing him long life, and
ioy in his kingdome.

[Sidenote: Iohn de Wale.] The same time also Master Ierom Horsey aforesaid,
remayning as seruant in Russia for the Queenes most excellent Maiestie, was
called for to the Emperor, as he sate in his imperiall seat, and then also
a famous Merchant of Netherland being newly come to Mosco, (who gaue him
selfe out to be the king of Spaines subiect) called Iohn de Wale, was in
like sort called for. Some of the nobilitie would haue preferred this
subiect of the Spaniard before Master Horsey seruant to the Queene of
England, whereunto Master Horsey would in no case agree, saying, he would
haue his legges cut off by the knees, before he would yeeld to such an
indignitie offered to his Soueraigne the Queenes Maiesty of England, to
bring the Emperor a present, in course after the King of Spaines subiect,
or any other whatsoeuer. The Emperor, and the Prince Boris Pheodorowich
perceiuing the controuersie, sent the Lord Treasorer Peter Iuanowich
Galauyn, and Vasili Shalkan, both of the Counsell, to them, who deliuered
the Emperor backe, Master Horseys speech: whereupon he was first in order
(as good reason) admitted and presented the Emperor in the behalfe of the
English merchants trading thither, a present wishing him ioy, and long to
raigne in tranquilitie, and so kissed the Emperors hand, he accepting the
present with good liking, and auouching, that for his sisters sake Queene
Elizabeth of England, he would be a gracious Lord to her Merchants, in as
ample maner as euer his father had ben: and being dismissed, he had the
same day sent him 70. dishes of sundry kinds of meats, with 3. carts laden
with al sorts of drinks very bountifully. After him was the foresayd
subiect of the Spanish king admitted with his present, whom the Emperor
willed to be no lesse faithfull and seruiceable vnto him, then the Queene
of Englands subiects were and had bene, and then the king of Spaines
subiects should receiue fauour accordingly.

All these things thus in order performed, praises were sung in all the
churches. The Emperor and Empresse very deuoutly resorted on foote to many
principal Churches in the Citie, and vpon Trinitie Sunday betooke
themselues to a progresse in order of procession, to a famous monasterie
called Sergius and the Trinitie 60. miles distant from the Citie of Mosco,
accompanied with a huge armie of Noblemen, Gentlemen, and others, mounted
vpon goodly horses with furniture accordingly.

The Empresse of deuotion tooke this iourney on foot all the way,
accompanied with her princesses and ladies, no small number: her guard and
gunners were in number 20000, her chiefe counseller or attendant, was a
noble man of the blood Roial her vncle of great authoritie called Demetri
Iuanowich Godonoua. All this progresse ended, both the Emperor and Empresse
returned to Mosco: shortly after the Emperor by the direction of the prince
Boris Pheodorowich, sent a power into the land of Siberia, where all the
rich Sables and Furres are gotten. This power conquered in one yeere and a
halfe, 1000. miles. [Sidenote: Chare Siberski prince of Siberia taken
prisoner and brought to Mosco.] In the performance of this warre, there was
taken prisoner the Emperor of the countrey called Chare Sibersky, and with
him many other dukes and noble men, which were brought to Mosko with a
guard of souldiers and gunners, who were receiued into the citie in very
honorable maner, and do there remaine to this day.

Hereupon the corrupt officers, Iudges, Iustices, captains and lieutenants
through the whole kingdom were remooued, and more honest men substituted in
their places, with expresse commandement, vnder seuere punishment to
surcease their old bribing and extortion which they had vsed in the old
Emperors time, and now to execute true iustice without respect of persons:
and to the end that this might be the better done, their lands and yeerly
stipends were augmented: the great taskes, customes, and duties, which were
before layd vpon the people in the old Emperors time, were now abated, and
some wholy remitted, and no punishments commanded to be vsed, without
sufficient and due proofe, although the crime were capitall, deseruing
death: many Dukes and noble men of great houses, that were vnder
displeasure, and imprisoned 20. yeeres by the old Emperor, were now set at
libertie and restored to their lands: all prisoners were set at libertie
and their trespasses forgiuen. In summe, a great alteration vniuersally in
the gouernment folowed, and yet all was done quietly, ciuilly, peaceably,
without trouble to the Prince, or offence to the Subiect: and this bred
great assurance and honour to the kingdom, and all was accomplished by the
wisedom especially of Irenia the Empresse.

[Sidenote: Sophet Keri Alli king of the Crimmes arriual at Mosco.] These
things being reported and caried to the eares of the kings and princes that
were borderers vpon Russia, they grew so fearefull and terrible to them,
that the Monarch of all the Scythians called the Crimme Tartar or great Can
himselfe, named Sophet Keri Alli, came out of his owne countrey to the
Emperor of Russia, accompanied with a great number of his nobilitie well
horsed, although to them that were Christians they seemed rude, yet they
were personable men, and valiant: their comming was gratefull to the
Emperor, and their entertainment was honourable, the Tartar prince hauing
brought with him his wiues also, receiued of the Russe Emperor
entertainment, and princely welcome according to their estates.

Not long after, 1200. Polish gentlemen, valiant Souldiors, and proper men
came to Mosko offring their seruice to the Emperor, who were all
entertained: and in like sort many Chirkasses, and people of other nations
came and offred seruice. And assoone as the report of this new created
Emperor was spred ouer other kingdoms of Europe, there were sent to him
sundry Ambassadors to wish him ioy and prosperitie in his kingdom: thither
came Ambassadors from the Turke, from the Persian, the Bogharian, the
Crimme, the Georgian, and many other Tartar princes. There came also
Ambassadors from the Emperor of Almaine, the Pole, the Swethen, the Dane,
&c. And since his coronation no enemie of his hath preuailed in his
attempts.

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