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The Principal Navigations, Voyages, Traffiques,

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To the right worshipful and my singular good Vncle, Master Christopher
Frothingham, giue these.

Sir, Reade and correct;
For great is the defect.

* * * * *

The Testimonie of M. Richard Eden in his decades, concerning the Booke
following.

And whereas (saith he) I haue before made mention howe Moscouie was in our
time discouered by Richard Chanceler in his voyage toward Cathay, by the
direction and information of M. Sebastian Cabota, who long before had this
secret in his minde: I shall not neede here to describe that voyage,
forasmuch as the same is largely and faithfully written in the Latine
tongue, by that learned yong man Clement Adams, schoolemaster to the
Queenes henshmen, as he receiued it at the mouth of the said Richard
Chanceler.

* * * * *

The newe Nauigation and discouerie of the kingdome of Moscouia, by the
Northeast, in the yeere 1553: Enterprised by Sir Hugh Willoughbie knight,
and perfourmed by Richard Chancelor Pilot maior of the voyage: Written in
Latine by Clement Adams.

At what time our Marchants perceiued the commodities and wares of England
to bee in small request with the countreys and people about vs, and neere
vnto vs, and that those Marchandizes which strangers in the time and
memorie of our auncesters did earnestly seeke and desire, were nowe
neglected, and the price thereof abated, although by vs carried to their
owne portes, and all forreine Marchandises in great accompt, and their
prises wonderfully raised: certaine graue Citizens of London, and men of
great wisedome, and carefull for the good of their Countrey, began to
thinke with themselues, howe this mischiefe might bee remedied. Neither was
a remedie (as it then appeared) wanting to their desires, for the auoyding
of so great an inconuenience: for seeing that the wealth of the Spaniards
and Portingales, by the discouerie and search of newe trades and Countreys
was marueilously increased, supposing the same to be a course and meane for
them also to obteine the like, they thereupon resolued vpon a newe and
strange Nauigation. And whereas at the same time one Sebastian Cabota, a
man in those dayes very renowmed, happened to bee in London, they began
first of all to deale and consult diligently with him, and after much
speech and conference together, it was at last concluded that three shippes
should bee prepared and furnished out, for the search and discouerie of the
Northerne part of the world, to open a way and passage to our men for
trauaile to newe and vnknowen kingdomes.

And whereas many things seemed necessary to bee regarded in this so hard
and difficult a matter, they first make choyse of certaine graue and wise
persons in maner of a Senate or companie, which should lay their heads
together, and giue their iudgments, and prouide things requisite and
profitable for all occasions: by this companie it was thought expedient,
that a certaine summe of money should publiquely bee collected to serue for
the furnishing of so many shippes. And lest any priuate man should bee too
much oppressed and charged, a course was taken that euery man willing to be
of the societie, should disburse the portion of twentie and fiue pounds a
piece: so that in short time by this meanes the summe of sixe thousand
pounds being gathered, the three shippes were bought, the most part whereof
they prouided to be newly built and trimmed. But in this action, I wote not
whether I may more admire the care of the Marchants, or the diligence of
the Shipwrights: for the Marchants, they get very strong and well seasoned
plankes for the building, the Shippewrights, they with daily trauaile, and
their greatest skill doe fitte them for the dispatch of the shippes: they
calke them, pitch them, and among the rest, they make one most stanch and
firme, by an excellent and ingenious inuention. For they had heard that in
certaine parts of the Ocean, a kinde of wormes is bredde, which many times
pearceth and eateth through the strongest oake that is: and therfore that
the Mariners, and the rest to bee imployed in this voyage might bee free
and safe from this danger, they couer a piece of the keele of the shippe
with thinne sheetes of leade: and hauing thus built the ships, and
furnished them with armour and artillerie, then followed a second care no
lesse troublesome and necessarie then the former, namely, the prouision of
victuals, which was to be made according to the time and length of the
voyage. And whereas they afore determined to haue the East part of the
world sayled vnto, and yet that the sea towards the same was not open,
except they kept the Northern tract, whereas yet it was doubtfull whether
there were any passage yea or no, they resolued to victuall the ships for
eighteene moneths, which they did for this reason. For our men being to
passe that huge and colde part of the world, they wisely foreseeing it,
allowe them sixe moneths victuall to saile to the place, so much more to
remaine there if the extremitie of the winter hindered their returne, and
so much more also for the time of their comming home.

Nowe this prouision being made and caried aboord, with armour and munition
of all sorts, sufficient Captaines and gouenours of so great an enterprise
were as yet wanting: to which office and place, although many men, (and
some voyde of experience) offered themselues, yet one Sir Hugh Willoughbie
a most valiant Gentleman, and well borne, very earnestly requested to haue
that care and charge committed vnto him: of whom before all others, both by
reason of his goodly personage (for he was of a tall stature) as also for
his singular skill in the seruices of warre, the company of the Marchants
made greatest accompt: so that at the last they concluded and made choyce
of him for the Generall of this voyage, and appoynted him to the Admirall
with authortie and command ouer all the rest. And for the gouernement of
other ships although diuers men seemed willing, and made offers of
themselues thereunto, yet by a common consent one Richard Chanceler, a man
of great estimation for many good partes of wit in him, was elected, in
whom alone great hope for the performance of this businesse rested. This
man was brought vp by one Master Henry Sidney, a noble young Gentleman and
very much beloued of King Edward, who at this time comming to the place
where the Marchants were gathered together, beganne a very eloquent speech
or Oration, and spake to them after this maner following.

My very worshipfull friends, I cannot but greatly commend your present
godly and vertuous intention, in the serious enterprising (for the singular
loue you beare to your Countrey) a matter, which (I hope) will prooue
profitable for this nation, and honourable to this our land. Which
intention of yours wee also of the Nobilitie are ready to our power to
helpe and further: neither doe wee holde any thing so deare and precious
vnto vs, which wee will not willingly forgoe, and lay out in so commendable
a cause. But principally I reioyce in my selfe, that I haue nourished and
maintained that witte, which is like by some meanes and in some measure, to
profile and steede you in this worthy action. But yet I would not haue you
ignorant of this one thing, that I doe now part with Chanceler, not because
I make little reckoning of the man, or that his maintenance is burdenous
and chargeable vnto mee, but that you might conceiue and vnderstand my good
will and promptitude for the furtherance of this businesse, and that the
authoritie and estimation which hee deserueth may be giuen him. You know
the man by report, I by experience, you by wordes, I by deedes, you by
speech and companie, but I by the daily triall of his life haue a full and
perfect knowledge of him. And you are also to remember, into howe many
perils for your sakes, and his countreys loue, he is nowe to runne: whereof
it is requisite that wee be not vnmindefull, if it please God to send him
good successe. Wee commit a little money to the chaunce and hazard of
Fortune: He commits his life (a thing to a man of all things most deare) to
the raging Sea, and the vncertainties of many dangers. We shall here liue
and rest at home quietly with our friends, and acquaintance: but hee in the
meane time labouring to keepe the ignorant and vnruly Mariners in good
order and obedience, with howe many cares shall hee trouble and vexe
himselfe? with how many troubles shall he breake himselfe? and howe many
disquietings shall hee bee forced to sustaine? We shall keepe our owne
coastes and countrey: Hee shall seeke strange and vnknowen kingdomes. He
shall commit his safetie to barbarous and cruell people, and shall hazard
his life amongst the monstrous and terrible beastes of the Sea. Wherefore
in respect of the greatnesse of the dangers, and the excellencie of his
charge, you are to fauour and loue the man thus departing from vs: and if
it fall so happily out that hee returne againe, it is your part and duetie
also, liberally to reward him.

After that this noble yong Getleman had deliuered this or some such like
speech, much more eloquently then I can possiblie report it, the companie
then present beganne one to looke vpon another, one to question and
conferre with another: and some (to whom the vertue and sufficiencie of the
man was knowen) began secretly to reioyce with themselues, and to conceiue
a speciall hope, that the man would prooue in time very rare and excellent,
and that his vertues already appearing and shining to the world woulde
growe to the great honour and aduancement of this kingdome.

After all this, the companie growing to some silence, it seemed good to
them that were of greatest grauity amongst them, to inquire, search and
seeke what might be learned and knowen, concerning the Easterly part or
tract of the world. For which cause two Tartarians, which were then of the
kings Stable, were sent for, and an interpreter was gotten to be present,
by whom they were demaunded touching their Countrey and the maners of their
nation. But they were able to answere nothing to the purpose: being in
deede more acquainted (as one there merily and openly said) to tosse
pottes, then to learne the states and dispositions of people. But after
much adoe and many things passed about this matter, they grew at last to
this issue, to set downe and appoynt a time for the departure of the
shippes: because diuers were of opinion, that a great part of the best time
of the yeere was already spent, and if the delay grewe longer, the way
would bee stopt and bard by the force of the Ice, and the colde climate:
and therefore it was thought best by the opinion of them all, that by the
twentieth day of May, [Marginal note: They departed from Ratcliffe, the 20.
of May, 1553.] the Captaines and Mariners should take shipping, and depart
from Radcliffe vpon the ebbe, if it pleased God. They hauing saluted their
acquaintance, one his wife, another his children, another his kinsfolkes,
and another his friends deerer then his kinsfolkes, were present and ready
at the day appoynted: and hauing wayed ancre, they departed with the
turning of the water, and sailing easily, came first to Greenewich. The
greater shippes are towed downe with boates, and oares, and the mariners
being all apparelled in Watchet or skie coloured cloth, rowed amaine, and
made way with diligence. And being come neere to Greenewich, (where the
Court then lay) presently vpon the newes therof, the Courtiers came running
out, and the common people flockt together, standing very thicke vpon the
shoare: the priuie Counsel, they lookt out at the windowes of the Court,
and the rest ranne vp to the toppes of the towers: the shippes hereupon
discharge their Ordinance, and shoot off their pieces after the maner of
warre, and of the sea, insomuch that the tops of the hilles sounded
therewith, the valleys and the waters gaue an Eccho, and the Mariners, they
shouted in such sort, that the skie rang againe with the noyse thereof. One
stoode in the poope of the ship, and by his gesture bids farewell to his
friendes in the best maner hee could. Another walkes vpon the hatches,
another climbes the shrowds, another stands vpon the maine yard, and
another in the top of the shippe. To be short, it was a very triumph (after
a sort) in all respects to the beholders. But (alas) the good King Edward
(in respect of whom principally all this was prepared) hee onely by reason
of his sickenesse was absent from this shewe, and not long after the
departure of these ships, the lamentable and most sorrowfull accident of
his death followed.

But to proceede in the matter.

The shippes going downe with the tyde came at last to Woolwich, where they
stayed and cast ancre, with purpose to depart therehence againe, as soone
as the turning of the water, and a better winde should draw them to set
saile. After this they departed and came to Harwich, in which porte they
stayed long, not without great losse and consuming of time: yet at the last
with a good winde they hoysed vp saile, and committed themselues to the
sea, giuing their last adieu to their natiue Countrey, which they knewe not
whether they should euer returne to see againe or not. Many of them looked
oftentimes back, and could not refraine from teares, considering into what
hazards they were to fall, and what vncertainties of the sea they were to
make triall of.

Amongst the rest, Richard Chanceler the Captaine of the Edward Bonauenture,
was not a little grieued with the feare of wanting victuals, part whereof
was found to be corrupt and putrified at Harwich, and the hoggesheads of
wine also leaked, and were not stanch: his naturall and fatherly affection
also somewhat troubled him, for he left behinde him his two little sonnes,
which were in the case of Orphanes if he spedde not well: the estate also
of his companie mooued him to care, being in the former respects after a
sort vnhappie, and were to abide with himselfe euery good or badde
accident: but in the meane time while his minde was thus tormented with the
multiplicitie of sorrows and cares, after many dayes sayling, they kenned
land afarre off, whereunto the Pilots directed the ships: and being come to
it, they land, and find it to be Rost Island, where they stayed certaine
dayes, and afterwards set saile againe, and proceeding towards the North,
they espied certaine other Islands, which were called the Crosse of
Islands. From which places when they were a little departed, Sir Hugh
Willoughby the General, a man of good foresight and prouidence in all his
actions, erected and set out his flagge, by which hee called together the
chiefest men of the other shippes, that by the helpe and assistance of
their counsels, the order of the gouernement, and conduction of the shippes
in the whole voyage might bee the better: who being come together
accordingly, they conclude and agree, that if any great tempest should
arise at any time, and happen to disperse and scatter them, euery shippe
should indeuour his best to goe to Wardhouse, a hauen, or castell of some
name in the kingdome of Norway, and that they that arriued there first in
safetie should stay and expect the comming of the rest.

The very same day in the afternoone, about foure of the clocke, so great a
tempest suddenly arose, and the Seas were so outrageous, that the ships
could not keepe their intended course, but some were perforce driuen one
way, and some another way, to their great perill and hazard: The generall
with his lowdest voyce cried out to Richard Chanceler, and earnestly
requested him not to goe farre from him: but hee neither would nor could
keepe companie with him, if he sailed still so fast: for the Admirall was
of better saile then his shippe. But the said Admirall (I knowe not by what
meanes) bearing all his sailes, was caried away with so great force and
swiftnesse, that not long after hee was quite out of sight, and the third
ship also with the same storme and like rage was dispersed and lost vs.

The shippe boate of the Admirall (striking against the shippe,) was
ouerwhelmed in the sight and viewe of the Mariners of the Bonauenture: and
as for them that are already returned and arriued, they know nothing of the
rest of the ships what was become of them.

But if it be so, that any miserable mishap haue ouertaken them, If the rage
and furie of the Sea haue deuoured those good men, or if as yet they liue,
and wander vp and downe in strange Countreys, I must needs say they were
men worthy of better fortune, and if they be liuing, let vs wish them
safetie and a good returne: but if the crueltie of death hath taken holde
of them, God send them a Christian graue and Sepulchre.

Nowe Richard Chanceler with his shippe and company being thus left alone,
and become very pensiue, heauie, and sorrowfull, by this dispersion of the
Fleete, hee (according to the order before taken,) shapeth his course for
Wardhouse in Norway, there to expect and abide the arriuall of the rest of
the shippes. And being come thither, and hauing stayed there the space of 7
dayes, and looked in vaine for their comming, hee determined at length to
proceede alone in the purposed voyage. And as hee was preparing himselfe to
depart, it happened that hee fell in company and speech with certaine
Scottish men: who hauing vnderstanding of his intention, and wishing well
to his actions, beganne earnestly to disswade him from the further
prosecution of the discouerie, by amplifying the dangers which hee was to
fall into, and omitted no reason that might serue to that purpose. But hee
holding nothing so ignominious and reproachfull, as inconstancie and
leuitie of minde, and perswading himselfe that a man of valour coulde not
commit a more dishonourable part then for feare of danger to auoyde and
shunne great attempts, was nothing at all changed or discouraged with the
speeches and words of the Scots, remaining stedfast and immutable in his
first resolution: determining either to bring that to passe which was
intended, or els to die the death.

And as for them which were with Master Chanceler in his shippe, although
they had great cause of discomfort by the losse of their companie (whom the
foresaid tempest had separated from them,) and were not a little troubled
with cogitations and pertubations of minde, in respect of their doubtfull
course: yet notwithstanding, they were of such consent and agreement of
minde with Master Chanceler, that they were resolute, and prepared vnder
his direction and gouernment, to make proofe and triall of all aduentures,
without all feare or mistrust of future dangers. Which constancie of minde
in all the companie did exceedingly increase their Captaines carefulnesse:
for hee being swallowed vp with like good will and loue towards them,
feared lest through any errour of his, the safetie of the companie should
bee indangered. To conclude, when they sawe their desire and hope of the
arriuall of the rest of the shippes to be euery day more and more
frustrated, they prouided to sea againe, and Master Chanceler held on his
course towards that vnknowen part of the world, and sailed so farre, that
hee came at last to the place where he found no night at all, but a
continual light and brightnesse of the Sunne shining clearely vpon the huge
and mightie Sea. [Sidenote: They arriue in the Bay of Saint Nicholas.] And
hauing the benefite of this perpetuall light for certaine dayes, at the
length it pleased God to bring them into a certaine great Bay, which was of
one hundreth miles or thereabout ouer. Whereinto they entred, and somewhat
farre within it cast ancre, and looking euery way about them, it happened
that they espied a farre off a certaine fisher boate, which Master
Chanceler, accompanied with a fewe of his men, went towards to common with
the fishermen that were in it, and to knowe of them what Countrey it was,
and what people, and of what maner of liuing they were: but they beeing
amazed with the strange greatnesse of his shippe, (for in those partes
before that time they had neuer seene the like) beganne presently to auoyde
and to flee: but hee still following them at last ouertooke them, and being
come to them, they (being in great feare, as men halfe dead) prostrated
themselues before him, offering to kisse his feete: but hee (according to
his great and singular courtesie,) looked pleasantly vpon them, comforting
them by signes and gestures, refusing those dueties and reuerences of
theirs, and taking them vp in all louing sort from the ground. And it is
strange to consider howe much fauour afterwards in that place, this
humanitie of his did purchase to himselfe. For they being dismissed spread
by and by a report abroad of the arriuall of a strange nation, of a
singular gentlenesse and courtesie: whereupon the common people came
together offering to these newe-come ghests victuals freely, and not
refusing to traffique with them, except they had bene bound by a certaine
religious vse and custome, not to buy any forreine commodities, without the
knowledge and consent of the king.

By this time our men had learned that this Countrey was called Russia, or
Moscouie, and that Iuan Vasiliwich (which was at that time their Kings
name) ruled and gouerned farre and wide in those places. And the barbarous
Russes asked likewise of our men whence they were, and what they came for:
whereunto answere was made, that they were Englishmen sent into those
coastes, from the most excellent King Edward the sixt, hauing from him in
commandement certaine things to deliuer to their King, and seeking nothing
els but his amitie and friendship, and traffique with his people, whereby
they doubted not, but that great commoditie and profit would grow to the
subiects of both kingdomes.

The Barbarians heard these things very gladly, and promised their aide and
furtherance to acquaint their king out of hand with so honest and a
reasonable request.

In the meane time Master Chanceler intreated victuals for his money of the
gouernour of that place (who together with others came aboord him) and
required hostages of them likewise for the more assurance of safetie to
himselfe and his company. To whom the gouernours answered, that they knewe
not in that case the will of their king, but yet were willing in such
things as they might lawfully doe, to pleasure him: which was as then to
affoord him the benefit of victuals.

Nowe while these things were a doing, they secretly sent a messenger vnto
the Emperour, to certifie him of the arriuall of a strange nation, and
withall to knowe his pleasure concerning them. Which message was very
welcome vnto him, insomuch that voluntarily he inuited them to come to his
Court. But if by reason of the tediousnesse of so long a iourney, they
thought it not best so to doe, then hee graunted libertie to his subiects
to bargaine, and to traffique with them: and further promised, that if it
would please then to come to him, hee himselfe would beare the whole
charges of poste horses. In the meane time the gouernours of the place
differred the matter from day to day, pretending diuers excuses, and saying
one while that the consent of all the gouernours, and another while, that
the great and waightie affaires of the kingdome compelled them to differ
their answere: and this they did of purpose, so long to protract the time,
vntill the messenger (sent before to the king) did returne with relation of
his will and pleasure.

But Master Chanceler, (seeing himselfe held in this suspense with long and
vaine expectation, and thinking that of intention to delude him, they
posted the matter off so often,) was very instant with them to performe
their promise: Which if they would not doe, hee tolde them that hee would
depart and proceede in his voyage. So that the Moscouites (although as yet
they knew not the minde of their king) yet fearing the departure in deede
of our men who had such wares and commodities as they greatly desired, they
at last resolued to furnish our people with all things necessarie, and to
conduct them by land to the presence of their king. And so Master Chanceler
beganne his iourney, which was very long and most troublesome, wherein hee
had the vse of certaine sleds, and all their carriages are in the same
sort, the people almost not knowing any other maner of carriage, the cause
whereof is the exceeding hardnesse of the ground congealed in the winter
time by the force of the colde, which in those places is very extreme and
horrible, whereof hereafter we will say something.

But nowe they hauing passed the greater part of their iourney, mette at
last with the Sleddeman (of whom I spake before) sent to the king secretly
from the Iustices or gouernours, who by some ill happe had lost his way,
and had gone to the Sea side, which is neere to the Countrey of the Tartars
thinking there to haue found our ship. But hauing long erred and wandered
out of his way, at the last in his direct returne, hee met (as hee was
coming) our Captaine on the way. To whom hee by and by deliuered the
Emperours letters, which were written to him with all courtesie and in the
most louing maner that could be: wherein expresse commandement was giuen,
that post horses should bee gotten for him and the rest of his company
without any money. Which thing was of all the Russes in the rest of their
iourney so willingly done, that they began to quarrell, yea, and to fight
also in striuing and contending which of them should put their post horses
to the sledde: so that after much adoe and great paines taken in this long
and wearie iourney, (for they had trauelled very neere fifteene hundred
miles) Master Chanceler came at last to Mosco the chiefe citie of the
kingdome, and the seate of the king: of which citie, and of the Emperour
himselfe, and of the principall cities of Moscouie, wee will speake
immediately more at large in this discourse.

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