A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P R S T U V W X Z

The Principal Navigations, Voyages, Traffiques,

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




There are to the number of 30 men which spread abroad their garments before
the horse, and as soone as the horse is past ouer any of them, they take
them vp againe and run before, and spread them againe, so that the horse
doth alway go on some of them. They which spread the garments are all
priests sonnes, and for their labours the Emperour giueth vnto them new
garments.

[Sidenote: The Emperor leadeth the Metropolitans horse in procession.] One
of the Emperors noble men leadeth the horse by the head, but the Emperour
himselfe going on foote leadeth the horse by the ende of the reine of his
bridle with one of his hands, and in the other of his hands he had a branch
of a Palme tree: after this followed the rest of the Emperors Noble men and
Gentlemen, with a great number of other people. In this order they went
from one church to another within the castle, about the distance of two
flights shot: and so returned againe to the Emperours Church, where they
made an end of their seruice. Which being done, the Emperours maiestie and
certaine of his noble men went to the Metropolitane his house to dinner,
where of delicate fishes and good drinks there was no lacke.

The rest of this weeke vntil Easter day they kept very solemnely,
continuing in their houses for the most part, and vpon Munday or Thursday
the Emperour doth alwayes vse to receiue the Sacrament, and so doe most of
his nobles.

Vpon good Friday they continue all the day in contemplation and prayers,
and they vse euery yere on good Friday to let loose a prisoner in the stead
of Barrabas. The night following they go to the Church where they sleepe
vntil the next morning, and at Easter they haue the resurrection, and after
euery of the Lents they eat flesh the next weeke following, Friday,
Saturday and all.

They haue an order at Easter which they alwaies obserue, and that is this:
euery yere against Easter to die or colour red with Brazell a great number
of egs, of which euery man and woman giueth one vnto the priest of their
Parish vpon Easter day in the morning. And moreouer the common people vse
to carie in their hands one of their red egs, not onely vpon Easter day,
but also three or foure dayes after, and gentlemen and gentlewomen haue egs
gilded which they cary in like maner. They vse it as they say for a great
loue, and in token of the resurrection, whereof they reioyce. [Sidenote:
Kissing vsed in the Greek church.] For when two friends meete during the
Easter holy dayes, they come and take one another by the hand: the one of
them sayth, the Lord or Christ is risen, the other answereth, it is so of a
truth, and then they kisse and exchange their egs both men and women,
continuing in kissing 4 dayes together.

The 12 of Aprill being Tuesday in the Easter weeke, Master Ienkinson and
Master Graie, and certayne other of vs English men dined with the Emperor,
where we were serued as we had bin before time. And after diner the
Emperours maiestie gave vnto master Ienkinson and vnto M. Gray, and so
orderly vnto euery one of vs a cup of Mead, according to his accustomed
maner which when euery man had received and giuen thanks, M. Ienkinson
stepped into the midst of the chamber before the Emperours maiestie, and
gaue thankes to his highnesse for his goodnesse vnto him extended, desiring
his grace to licence him to depart, and in like maner did M. Gray. His
maiestie did not only licence them to depart, but also graunted vnto Master
Ienkinson his letters vnder his great seale, vnto all princes through whose
dominions master Ienkinson should haue occasion to passe, that he might the
sooner and quietlier passe by meanes thereof. [Sidenote: With these letters
M. Ienkinson tooke his voyage the same April to Boghar.] Which being
granted, master Ienkinson and Gray lowly submitted themselues, thanking his
maiestie. So the Emperour gaue vnto either of them a cuppe of mead to
drinke, and willed them to depart at their pleasure in Gods peace.

The 14. of Aprill in the morning, when M. Gray and I were ready to depart
towards England, the Chancellors sent vnto vs and willed vs to come to
their office in the Chancerie, where at our comming they shewed vs a great
number of the Emperors iewels, and rich robes, willing vs to marke and
beholde them well, to the end that at our arriuall into England, we might
make report what we had seene there.

[Sidenote: The Emperors wardrobe.] The chiefest was his maiesties crowne,
being close vnder the top very faire wrought: in mine opinion, the
workmanship of so much gold few men can amend. It was adorned and decked
with rich and precious stones abundantly, among the which one was a rubie,
which stood a handfull higher then the top of the crown vpon a small wier,
it was as big as a good beane: the same crown was lined with a faire blacke
Sable, worth by report 40. robles.

Wee sawe all his maiesties robes which were very richly set with stones,
they shewed vs manie other great stones of diuers kindes, but the most part
of them were vneuen, in maner as they came out of the worke, for they doe
more esteeme the greatnesse of stones, then the proportion of them.

We saw two goodlie gownes which were as heauie as a man could easily
carrie, all set with pearles ouer and ouer: the gards or borders round
about them were garnished with saphires and other good stones abundantly.
One of the same gownes was very rich, for the pearles were very large,
round and orient: as for the rest of his gownes and garments, they were of
rich tissue and cloth of gold and all furred with very blacke Sables.

When we had sufficiently perused all these things, they willed master Gray
at his arriuall in England, to prouide if he could, such iewels and rich
clothes as he had seene there, and better if he could, declaring that the
Emperour would gladly bestow his money vpon such things.

So we tooke our leaue the same time, and departed towards Vologda
immediatly.


The maners, vsages, and ceremonies of the Russes.

Of the Emperour.

The Emperours name in their tongue is Iuan Vasiliuich, that is as much to
say, as Iohn the sonne of Vasilie [Marginal note: Or, Basilius.] and by his
princely state hee is called Otesara [Footnote: Czar.] as his predecessors
haue bene before, which to interprete, is a king, that giueth not tribute
to any man. And this word Otesara his maiesties interpreters haue of late
dayes interpreted to be Emperour, so that now hee is called Emperour and
great Duke of all Russia, &c. Before his father they were neither called
Emperours nor kings but onely Ruese Velike, that is to say, great Duke. And
as this Emperor which now is Iuan Vasiliuich, doeth exceede his
predecessors in name, that is, from a Duke to an Emperour, euen so much by
report he doeth exceede them in stoutnesse of courage and valiantnesse, and
a great deale more: for he is no more afraid of his enemies which are not
few, then the Hobbie of the larks.

His enemies with whom he hath warres for the most part are these: Litto,
Poland, Sweden, Denmarke, Lifland, the Crimmes, Nagaians, and the whole
nation of the Tartarians, which are a stoute and a hardie people as any
vnder the Sunne.

This Emperour vseth great familiaritie, as wel vnto all his nobles and
subiects, as also vnto strangers which serue him either in his warres, or
in occupations: for his pleasure is that they shall dine oftentimes in the
yeere in his presence, and besides that he is oftentimes abroad, either at
one Church or another, and walking with his noble men abroad. And by this
meanes he is not onely beloued of his nobles and commons, but also had in
great dread and feare through all his dominions, so that I thinke no prince
in Christendome is more feared of his owne then he is, nor yet better
beloued. For if he bid any of his Dukes goe, they will runne, if he giue
any euil or angrie worde to any of them, the partie will not come into his
maiesties presence againe of a long time if he be not sent for, but will
faine him to be very sicke, and will let the haire of his head grow very
long, without either cutting or shauing, which is an euident token that hee
is in the Emperors displeasure: for when they be in their prosperity, they
account it a shame to weare long haire, in consideration whereof, they vse
to haue their heads shauen.

[Sidenote: Note.] His maiesty heareth all complaints himselfe, and with his
owne mouth giueth sentence, and iudgement of all matters, and that with
expedition: but religious matters he medleth not withall, but referreth
them wholly vnto the Metropolitane.

His maiestie retaineth and well rewardeth all strangers that come to serue
him, and especially men of warre.

Hee delighteth not greatly in hawking, hunting, or any other pastime, nor
in hearing instruments or musicke, but setteth all his whole delight vpon
two things: First, to serue God, as vndoubtedly he is very deuoute in his
religion, and the second, howe to subdue and conquere his enemies.

He hath abundance of gold and siluer in his owne handes or treasurie: but
the most part of his subiects know not a crowne from a counter, nor gold
from copper, they are so much cumbred therewithall, and he that is worth 2.
3. or 4. grotes, is a rich man.


Of their religious men.

The Metropolitane is next vnto God, our Lady and S. Nicholas excepted: for
the Emperors maiestie iudgeth and affirmeth him to be of higher dignitie
then himselfe; for that, saith he, he is Gods spiritual officer, and I the
Emperour am his temporall officer, and therefore his maiestie submitteth
himselfe vnto him in many things concerning religious matters, as in
leading the Metropolitans horse vpon Palme Sunday, and giuing him leaue to
sitte on a chaire vpon the 12. day, when the riuer Mosco was in blessing,
his maiestie standing on the yce.

All matters of religion are reformed by the Metropolitane, he heareth the
causes and giueth sentence as himselfe listeth, and is authorized so to
doe, whether it be to whip, hang or burne, his will must needs be
fulfilled.

They haue both monks, friers and nunnes, with a great number of great and
rich monasteries: they keepe great hospitalitie, and doe relieue much poore
people day by day. I haue bene in one of the monasteries called Troietes,
[Footnote: There was a monastery answering this description, but its name
was Trajetski.] which is walled about with bricke very strongly like a
castle, and much ordinance of brasse vpon the walles of the same. They told
me themselues that there are seuen hundred brethren of them which belong
vnto that house. The most part of the lands, towns, and villages which are
within 40. miles of it, belong vnto the same. They shewed me the church,
wherein were as many images as could hang about, or vpon the wals of the
Church round about, and euen the roofe of the church was painted ful of
images. The chiefe image was of our Ladie, which was garnished with gold,
rubies, saphirs and other rich stones abundantly. In the midst of the
church stood 12. waxe tapers of two yards long, and a fathom about in
bignesse, and there stands a kettle full of waxe with about 100. weight,
wherein there is alwayes the wicke of a candle burning, as it were a lampe
which goeth not out day nor night.

They shewed me a coffin couered with cloth of gold which stoode vpon one
side within their church, in which they told me lay a holy man, who neuer
eate or dranke, and yet that he liueth. And they told me (supposing that I
had beleeued them) that he healeth many diseases, and giueth the blind
their sight, with many other miracles, but I was hard of belief because I
saw him worke no miracle whilest I was there.

After this they brought me into their sellers, and made me taste of diuers
kinds of drinks, both wine and beere, mead and quassie, of sundry colours
and kinds. Such abundance of drink as they haue in their sellers, I doe
suppose few princes haue more, or so much at once.

Their barrels or vessels are of an vnmeasurable bignes and sise: some of
them are 3. yards long and more, and 2. yards and more broad in their
heads: they conteine 6. or 7. tunnes a piece: they haue none in their
sellers of their owne making that are lesse then a tunne. They haue 9. or
10. great vautes which are full of those barrels which are seldome
remooued: for they haue trunks which come downe through the roofe of the
vautes in sundry places, through which they powre drinke downe, hauing the
caske right vnder it to receiue the same, for it should be a great trouble
to bring it all downe the stayres.

[Sidenote: The hospitalitie of their monasteries.] They giue bread, meat
and drinke vnto all men that come to them, not onely while they are at
their abbey, but also when they depart, to serue them by the way.

There are a great number of such monasteries in the Realm, and the Emperors
maiesty rideth oftentimes from one to another of them, and lieth at them 3.
or 4. daies together.

The same monkes are as great merchants as any in the land of Russia, and
doe occupy buying and selling as much as any other men, and haue boats
which passe too and fro in the riuers with merchandize from place to place
where any of their countrey do traffike.

They eate no flesh during their liues as it is reported: but vpon Sunday,
Munday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday it is lawfull for them to eate
egges, butter, cheese, and milke, and at all times to eate fish, and after
this sort they lead their liues.

They weare all blacke garments, and so doe none other in all the lande, but
at that abbey onely.

[Sidenote: Want of preachers cause of great ignorance and idolatry.] They
haue no preachers no not one in al the land to instruct the People, so that
there are many, and the most part of the poore in the countrey, who if one
aske them how many gods there be, they wil say a great many, meaning that
euery image which they haue is a god: for all the countrey and the
Emperours maiesty himselfe wil blesse and bowe, and knocke their heads
before their images, in so much that they will crie earnestly unto their
images to helpe them to the things which they need. Al men are bound by
their law to haue those images in their houses, and ouer euery gate in all
their townes and cities are images set vp, vnto which the people bow and
bend, and knocke their heads against the ground before them: as often as
they come by any church or crosse they do in like maner. And when they come
to any house, they blesse themselues 3. or 4. times before they will salute
any man in the house.

They reckon and hold it for great sinne to touch or handle any of their
images within the circle of the boord where the painting is, but they keep
them very daintily, and rich men deck them ouer and about with gold, siluer
and stones, and hang them ouer and about with cloth of gold.

The priestes are married as other men are, and weare all their garments as
other men doe, except their nightcaps, which is cloth of some sad colour,
being round, and reacheth vnto the eares: their crownes are shauen, but the
rest of their haire they let grow as long as nature will permit, so that it
hangeth beneath their eares vpon their shoulders: their beards they neuer
shaue: if his wife happen to die, it is not lawfull for him to mary againe
during his life.

They minister the Communion with bread and wine after our order, but he
breaketh the bread and putteth it into the cup vnto the wine, and commonly
some are partakers with them: and they take the bread out againe with a
spoon together with part of the wine, and so take it themselues, and giue
it to others that receiue with them after the same maner.

Their ceremonies are al as they say, according to the Greeke Church vsed at
this present day, and they allow no other religion but the Greeks, and
their owne: and will not permit any nation but the Greeks to be buried in
their sacred burials, or churchyards.

All their churches are full of images, vnto the which the people when they
assemble, doe bowe and knocke their heads, as I haue before said, that some
will haue knobbes vpon their foreheads with knocking, as great as egges.

[Sidenote: Al their seruice is in their mother tongue.] All their seruice
is in the Russe tongue, and they and the common people haue no other
praiers but this, _Ghospodi Iesus Christos esine voze ponuloi nashe_. That
is to say, O Lorde Iesus Christ, sonne of God haue mercy upon vs: and this
is their prayer, so that the most part of the vnlearned know neither Pater
noster, nor the Beliefe, nor Ten commandements, nor scarcely vnderstand the
one halfe of their seruice which is read in their Churches.


Of their Baptisme.

When any child is borne, it is not baptised vntil the next Sunday, and if
it chance that it be not baptized then, it must tary vntil the next Sunday
after the birth, and it is lawfull for them to take as manie Godfathers and
Godmothers as they will, the more the better.

When they go to the Church, the midwife goeth foremost, carrying the
childe, and the Godfathers and Godmothers follow into the midst of the
Church, where there is a small table ready set, and on it an earthen pot
ful of warme water, about the which the Godfathers and Godmothers, with the
childe, settle themselues: then the clerke giueth vnto euery of them a smal
waxe candle burning, then commeth the priest, and beginneth to say certaine
words, which the Godfathers and Godmothers must answere word for word,
among which one is, that the childe shal forsake the deuill, and as that
name is pronounced, they must all spit at the word as often as it is
repeated. Then he blesseth the water which is in the pot, and doth breathe
ouer it: then he taketh al the candles which the gosseps haue, and holding
them all in one hand letteth part of them drop into the water, and then
giueth euery one his candle againe, and when the water is sanctified, he
taketh the childe and holdeth it in a small tubbe, and one of the
Godfathers taketh the pot with warme water, and powreth it all vpon the
childs head.

After this he hath many more ceremonies, as anoynting eares and eyes with
spittle, and making certaine crosses with oyle vpon the backe, head, and
brest of the childe: then taking the childe in his armes, carieth it to the
images of S. Nicholas, and our Ladie, &c. and speaketh vnto the images,
desiring them to take charge of the childe, that he may liue, and beleeue
as a Christian man or woman ought to doe, with many other words. Then
comming backe from the images, he taketh a paire of sheares and clippeth
the yong and tender haires of the childes head in three or foure places,
and then deliuereth the childe, whereunto euery of the Godfathers and
Godmothers lay a hand: then the priest chargeth them, that the childe be
brought vp in the faith and feare of God or Christ, and that it be
instructed to clinege and bow to the images, end so they make an end: then
one of the Godfathers must hang a crosse about the necke of the childe,
which he must alwayes weare, for that Russe which hath not a crosse about
his necke they esteeme as no Christian man, and thereupon they say that we
are no Christians, because we do not weare crosses as they do.


Of their Matrimonie.

Their matrimonie is nothing solemnized, but rather in most points
abominable, and as neere as I can learne, in this wise following.

First, when there is loue betweene the parties, the man sendeth vnto the
woman a small chest or boxe, wherein is a whip, needles, threed, silke,
linnen cloth, sheares, and such necessaries as shee shall occupie when she
is a wife, and perhaps sendeth therewithall raisins, figs or some such
things, giuing her to vnderstand, that if she doe offend she must be beaten
with the whip, and by the needles, threed, cloth, &c. that she should apply
her selfe diligently to sowe, and do such things as shee could best doe,
and by the raisins or fruites he meaneth if she doe well, no good thing
shalbe withdrawn from her, nor be too deare for her: and she sendeth vnto
him a shirt, handkerchers, and some such things of her owne making. And now
to the effect.

When they are agreed, and the day of marriage appointed when they shall goe
towardes the Church, the bride will in no wise consent to go out of the
house, but resisteth and striueth with them that would haue her out, and
faineth her selfe to weepe, yet in the end, two women get her out, and lead
her towards the church, her face being couered close, because of her
dissimulation, that it should not be openly perceiued: for she maketh a
great noise, as though she were sobbing and weeping, vntil she come at the
Church, and then her face is vncouered. The man commeth after among other
of his friends, and they cary with them to the church a great pot of wine
or mead: then the priest coupleth them together much after our order, one
promising to loue and seme the other during their liues together, &c. which
being done, they begin to drinke, and first the woman drinketh to the man,
and when he hath drunke he letteth the cuppe fell to the ground, hasting
immediately to tread vpon it, and so doth she, and whether of them tread
first vpon it must haue the victorie and be master at all times after,
which commonly happeneth to the man, for he is readiest to set his foot on
it, because he letteth it fall himselfe, then they goe home againe, the
womans face beeing vncouered. The boyes in the streetes crie out and make a
noyse in the meanetime, with very dishonest wordes.

When they come home, the wife is set at the vpper end of the table, and the
husband next vnto her: they fall then to drinking till they bee all drunke,
they perchance haue a minstrell or two, and two naked men, which led her
from the Church daunce naked a long time before all the companie. When they
are wearie of drinking, the bride and the bridegrome get them to bed, for
it is in the euening alwayes when any of them are married: and when they
are going to bedde, the bridegrome putteth certain money both golde and
siluer, if he haue it, into one of his boots, and then sitteth down in the
chamber, crossing his legges, and then the bride must plucke off one of his
boots, which she will, and if she happen on the boote wherein the money is,
she hath not onely the money for her labor, but is also at such choyse, as
she need not euer from that day forth to pul off his boots, but if she
misse the boot wherin the money is, she doth not onely loose the money, but
is also bound from that day forwards to pull off his boots continually.

Then they continue in drinking and making good cheere three daies
following, being accompanied with certaine of their friends, and during the
same three daies he is called a Duke, and shee a dutches, although they be
very poore persons, and this is as much as I haue learned of their
matrimony: but one common rule is amongst them, if the woman be not beaten
with the whip once a weeke, she will not be good, and therefore they looke
for it orderly, and the women say, that if their husbands did not beate
them, they should not loue them.

They vse to marry there very yong, their sonnes at 16. and 18. yeeres old,
and the daughters at 12. or 13. yeeres or yonger: they vse to keepe their
wiues very closely, I meane those that be of any reputation, so that a man
shall not see one of them but at a chance, when she goeth to church at
Christmas or at Easter, or els going to visite some of her friends.

The most part of the women vse to ride a stride in saddles with styropes,
as men do, and some of them on sleds, which in summer is not commendable.

[Sidenote: The women of Russia paint their faces.] The husband is bound to
finde the wife colours to paint her withall, for they vse ordinarily to
paynt themselues: it is such a common practise among them, that it is
counted for no shame: they grease their faces with such colours, that a man
may discerne them hanging on their faces almost a flight shoote off: I
cannot so well liken them as to a millers wife, for they looke as though
they were beaten about the face with a bagge of meale, but their eye browes
they colour as blacke as ieat.

The best propertie that the women haue, is that they can sowe well, and
imbroder with silke and golde excellently.


Of their buriall.

When any man or woman dieth, they stretch him out, and put a new paire of
shooes on his feete, because he hath a great iourney to goe: then doe they
winde him in a sheet, as we doe, but they forget not to put a testimonie in
his right hand, which the priest giueth him, to testifie vnto S. Nicholas
that he died a Christian man or woman. And they put the coarse alwayes in a
coffin of wood, although the partie be very poore: and when they goe
towards the Church, the friends and kinsemen of the partie departed carrie
in their hands small waxe candles, and they weepe and howle, and make much
lamentation.

They that be hanged or beheaded, or such like, haue no testimonie with
them: how they are receiued into heauen, it is a wonder, without their
passport.

There are a great number of poore people among them which die daily for
lacke of sustenance, which is a pitifull case to beholde: for there hath
beene buried in a small time, within these two yeeres, aboue 80. persons
young and old, which haue died onely for lacke of sustenance: for if they
had had straw and water enough, they would make shift to liue: [Sidenote:
Bread made of straw.] for a great many are forced in the winter to drie
straw and stampe it, and to make bread thereof, or at the least they eate
it in stead of bread. In the summer they make good shift with grasse,
herbes and rootes: barks of trees are good meat with them at all times.
[Sidenote: The vnmercifulnesse of the Russes toward the poor.] There is no
people in the world, as I suppose, that liue so miserably as do the pouerty
in those parts, and the most part of them that haue sufficient for
themselues, and also to relieue others that need, are so vmnerciful that
they care not how many they see die of famine or hunger in the streets.

Copyright (c) 2007. famouswriterz.com. All rights reserved.