De prima missione Fratrum Prædicatorum et Minorum ad Tartaros. Cap. 2.
[Sidenote: Ascelinus.] Hoc etiam tempore misit Innocentius IIII. Papa Fr.
Ascelinum de ordine Prædicatorum cum tribus alijs Fratribus, auctoritate,
qua fungebantur, de diuersis ordinis sui conuentibus sibi associatis, cum
literis Apostolicis ad exercitum Tartarorum, in quibus hortabatur eos, vt
ab hominum strage desisterent, et fidei veritatem reciperent. [Marginal
note: Vide Mechouium lib. I cap. 5.] [Sidenote: Simon Sanquintinianus.] Et
ego quidem ab vno Fratrum Prædicatorum, videlicet à Fr. Simone de S.
Quintino, iam ib illo itinere regresso, gesta Tartarorum accepi, illa
duntaxat, quæ superius per diuersa loca iuxta congruentiam temporum huic
operi inserui. [Sidenote: Ioannes de Plano Carpini.] Siquidem et eo tempore
quidam Frater ordinis Minorum, videlicet Fr. Iohannes de Plano Carpini, cum
quibusdam alijs missus fuit ad Tartaros, qui etiam, vt ipse testatur, per
annum et quatuor menses et amplius cum eis mansit, et inter eos ambulauit.
[Sidenote: Benedictus Polonus.] A summo namque Pontifice mandatum, vt
omnia, quæ apud eos erant, diligenter scrutaretur, acceperat, tam ipse,
quàm Fr. Bendictus Polonus eiusdem ordinis, qui suæ tribulationis particeps
et socius erat. [Sidenote: Libellus historialis Iohannis de Plano Carpini.]
Et hic ergo Fr Ioannes de his, quæ apud Tartaros vel oculis proprijs vidit,
vel à Christianis fide dignis, qui inter illos captiui erant, audiunt,
libellum historialem conscripsit qui et ipse ad manus nostras peruenit. De
quo etiam hic quasi per epilogum inserere libet aliqua, videlicet ad
supplementum eorum, quæ desunt in prædicta Fr Simoms historia.
The same in English.
The voyage of Iohannes de Plano Carpini vnto the Northeast parts of
the world in the yeere of our Lord, 1246.
Of the first sending of certaine Friers Prædicants and Minorites vnto the
Tartars, taken out of the 32 Booke of Vincentius Beluacensis [Footnote:
Vincentius Belvacensis, or of Beauvais who died in 1264 was a favourite
of Louis IX of France, who supplied him with whatever books he required.
He thus obtained plenty of material for his _Speculum Majus_ (printed at
Douay in 1624, 10 vols. in 4, folio), a badly chosen and ill-arranged
collection of extracts of all kinds. It is in four parts the first called
_Speculum naturale_ the second, _Speculum doctrinale_, the third
_Speculum morale_ and the fourth _Speculum Historiale_.] his Speculum
Historiale beginning at the second Chapter.
[Sidenote: Ascellinus.] About this time also, Pope Innocentius the
fourth sent Frier Ascelline being one of the order of the Prædicants,
together with three other Friers (of the same authoritie whereunto
they were called) consorted with him out of diuers Conuents of their
order, with letters Apostolicall vnto the Tartars campe: wherein hee
exhorted them to giue ouer their bloudie slaughter of mankinde, and to
receiue the Christian faith. [Sidenote: Simon Quintinianus.] And I in
verie deede, receuied the relations concerning the deedes of the
Tartars onelie, (which, according to the congruence of times, I haue
aboue inserted into this my woorke) from a Frier Minorite called Simon
de Sanct. Quintin who lately returned from the same voyage. [Sidenote:
Iohn de Plano Carpini.] And at that verie time also, there was a
certaine other Frier Minorite, namely Frier Iohn de Plano Carpini,
sent with certaine associates vnto the Tartars, who likewise (as
himselfe witnesseth) abode and conuersed with them a yeere and three
moneths at the least. [Sidenote: Benedictus Polonus.] For both he and
one Frier Benedict a Poloman being of the same order, and a partaker
of all his miserie and tribulation, receiued straight commaundement
from the Pope that both of them shoulde diligently searche out all
things that concerned the state of the Tartars. And therefore this
Frier Iohn hath written a litle Historie (which is come to our hands)
of such things, as with his owne eyes hee sawe among the Tartars, or
which he heard from diuers Christians worthy of credit, remaining
there in captiuitie. Out of which historie I thought good by way of
conclusion, to insert somewhat for the supply of those things which
are wanting in the said Frier Simon.
De situ et qualitate terræ Tartarorum. Cap. 3.
Iohannes de Plano Carpini.
[Sidenote: Tartariæ descriptio.] Est in partibus Orientis terra, quæ
Mongal siue Tartaria dicitur, in ea scilicet parte sita, in qua Oriens
Aquiloni coniungi creditur. Ab Oriente quidem habet terram Kythaorum
et etiam Salangorum, à meredie verò terram Sarracenorum. Inter
Orientem [Marginal note: Vel Occidentem.] et meridiem terram Huynorum,
et ab Occidente prouinciam Naymanorum, ab Aquilone verò circundatur
Oceano. In parte aliqua nimium est montuosa, et in aliqua campestris,
sed tota ferè admixta glarea plurimum arenosa, nec est in centesima
parte fructuosa. Nec enim potest fructum portare, nisi aquis
fluuialibus irrigetur, quæ ibi sunt rarissimæ. Vnde nec villæ nec
aliquæ ciuitates ibidem reperiuntur, excepta vna, quæ Cracurim
appellatur, et satis bona esse dicitur. [Sidenote: Syra orda.] Nos
quidem illam non vidimus, sed ad dimidiam dietam prope fuimus, cum
apud Syram ordam, quæ curia maior Imperatoris, eorum est, essemus.
Licet autem aliàs infructifera sit illa terra, tamen alendis pecoribus
est apta. In aliqua eius parte sunt aliquæ syluæ modicæ, alia verò
sine lignis est omninô. [Sidenote: Aëris intemperies.] Itaque tam
Imperator quàm Principes, et omnes alij sedent, et cibaria sua
decoquunt ad focum, de boum et equorum stercoribus factum. Ipse quoque
aër inordinatus est ibidem mirabiliter. In media siquidem æstate ibi
tonitrua magna et fulgura fiunt, ex quibus plurimi occiduntur homines,
et eodem quoque tempore cadunt ibidem maximæ niues. [Sidenote: Orda
quid.] Sunt et ibi ventorum frigidissimorum tam maximæ tempestates,
quòd aliquando vix possunt equitare homines. Vnde cùm ante ordam
essemus (sic enim apud eos stationes Imperatoris et Principum
appellantur) præ venti magnitudine in terra prostrati iacebamus, et
videre propter pulueris magnitudinem minimè poteramus. Nunquam ibi
pluit in hyeme, sed frequenter in æstate, et tam modicum, vt vix
posset aliquando puluerem et radicem graminum madefacere. Ibi quoque
maxima grando cadit sæpè. Vnde cum Imperator electus in sede regni
debuit poni, nobis in curia tunc existentibus, tanta cecidit grando,
quod ex subita resolutione plusquam CLX. homines in eadem curia
fuerunt submersi. Res etiam et habitacula plura fuerunt deducta. Ibi
etiam est in æstate subito calor magnus, et repentè maximum frigus.
The same in English.
Of the situation and qualitie of the Tartars land, by Iohannes de
Plano Carpini. Chap. 3.
[Sidenote: A description of Tartaria.] There is towards the East a
land which is called Mongal or Tartaria, lying in that parte of the
worlde which is thought to be most North Easterly. On the East part it
hath the countrey of Kythay [Footnote: Or Cathay.] and of the people
called Solangi: on the South part the countrey of the Saracens: on the
South east the land of the Huini: and on the West the prouince of
Naimani: [Sidenote: The North Ocean.] but on the North side it is
inuironed with the Ocean Sea. In some part thereof it is full of
mountaines, and in other places plaine and smoothe grounde, but euerie
where sandie and barren, neither is the hundreth part thereof
fruitefull. For it cannot beare fruite vnlesse it be moistened with
riuer waters, which bee verie rare in that countrey. Whereupon they
haue neither villages, nor cities among them, except one which is
called Cracurim, and is said to be a proper towne. [Sidenote: Syra
Orda.] We our selues sawe not this towne, but were almost within halfe
a dayes iourney thereof, when we remained at Syra Orda, which is the
great court of their Emperour. And albeit the foresaid lande is
otherwise vnfruitfull, yet it is very commodious for the bringing vp
of cattell. In certaine places thereof are some small store of trees
growing, but otherwise it is altogether destitute of woods. Therefore
the Emperour, and his noble men and all other warme themselues, and
dresse their meate with fires made of the doung of oxen, and horses.
[Sidenote: The intemperature of the aire.] The ayre also in that
countrey is verie intemperate. For in the midst of Sommer there be
great thunders and lightnings, by the which many men are slaine, and
at the same time there falleth great abundance of snowe. There bee
also such mightie tempestes of colde windes, that sometimes men are
not able to sitte on horsebacke. [Sidenote: What Orda signifieth.]
Whereupon, being neere vnto the Orda (for by this name they call the
habitations of their Emperours and noble men) in regarde of the great
winde we were constrained to lye groueling on the earth, and could not
see by reason of the dust. There is neuer any raine in Winter, but
onely in Sommer, albeit in so little quantitie, that sometimes it
scarcely sufficeth to allay the dust, or to moysten the rootes of the
grasse. There is often times great store of haile also. Insomuch that
when the Emperour elect was to be placed in his Emperiall throne (my
selfe being then present) there fell such abundance of haile, that,
vpon the sudden melting thereof, more than 160 persons were drowned in
the same place: there were manie tentes and other thinges also carried
away. Likewise, in the Sommer season there is on the sudden extreame
heate, and suddenly againe intolerable colde.
De forma et habitu et victu eorum. Cap. 4.
[Sidenote: Tartarorum species.] Mongalorum autem siue Tartarorum forma ab
omnibus alijs hominibus est remota. Inter oculos enim, et inter genas, lati
sunt plus cæteris, genæ quoque satis prominent à maxillis. Nasum habent
planum et modicum, oculos etiam paruos, et palpebras vsque ad supercilia
eleuatas, ac super verticem in modum Clericorum coronas. [Sidenote:
Tonsura.] Ex vtraque parte frontis tondendo, plusquam in medio crines
longos faciunt, reliquos autem sicut mulieres crescere permittunt. De
quibus duas cordas faciunt, et vnamquamque post aurem ligant. Pedes quoque
modicos habent. [Sidenote: Habitus.] Vestes tam virorum quàm mulierum vno
modo formatæ sunt. Pallijs vel cappis vel caputus non vtuntur. Tunicas verò
miro modo formatas portant de buccaramo, vel purpurato, vel baldaquino.
Pellicium habet pilos exterius, sed apertum est à posterioribus. Habet
tamen caudulam vnam vsque ad genua retrò. [Sidenote: Vestes retro caudatæ.]
Vestes suas non lauant, nec lauari permittunt, et maximè à tempore, quo
tonitrua incipiunt vsquequo desinat illud tempus. [Sidenote: Tabernacula.]
Stationes habent rotundas in modum tentorij de virgulis et baculis
subtilibus præparatas. Supra vero in medio rotundam habent fenestram, vnde
ingrediatur lumen, et fumus exire possit: quia semper in medio faciunt
ignem: parietes autem et tecta filtro sunt operta Ostia quoque de filtro
sunt facta Harum quædam subitò soluuntur, et reparantur, et super summarios
deferuntur: quædam verò dissolui non possunt sed in curribus portantur. Et
quocunque siue ad bellum siue aliàs vadunt, semper illas secum deferunt.
[Sidenote: Opes in pecore.] In animalibus valde diuites sunt, vt in Camelis
et bobus capris et ouibus. Iumenta et equos habent in tanta multitudine
quantam non credimus totum mundi residuum habere. Porcos autem et alias
bestias non habent. Imperator ac Duces atque alij magnates in auro et
argento ac serico et gemmis abundant. Cibi eorum sunt omnia, quæ mandi
possunt. [Sidenote: Victus.] Vidimus eos etiam manducare pediculos. Lac
bibunt animalium, et in maxima quantitate, si habent, iumentinum. Porro in
hyeme, quia nisi diuites sint, lac iumentinum non habent, millium cum aqua
decoquunt, quod tam tenue faciunt, vt illud bibere valeant. Vnde quilibet
eorum scyphum bibit vnum vel duos in mane, et quandoque nihil amplius
manducant in die. In sero autem vnicuique datur de carnibus modicum, et
bibunt ex eis brodium. Porrò in æstate quando satis habent de lacte
iumentino carnes comedunt rarò, nisi fortè donentur eisdem, aut venatione
bestiam aliquam ceperint vel auem.
The same in English.
Of their forme, habite, and manner of liuing. Chap. 4.
The Mongols or Tartars, in outward shape, are vnlike, to all other people.
[Sidenote: The shape of the Tartars.] For they are broader betweene the
eyes and the balles of their cheekes, then men of other nations bee. They
haue flat and small noses, litle eyes and eye liddes standing streight
vpright, they are shauen on the crownes like priests. They weare their
haire somewhat longer about their eares, then vpon their foreheads: but
behinde they let it growe long like womans haire, whereof they braide two
lockes binding eche of them behind either eare. They haue short feet also.
[Sidenote: Their habite.] The garments, as well of their men, as of their
women are all of one fashion. They vse neither cloakes, hattes, nor cappes.
But they weare Iackets framed after a strange manner, of buckeram, skarlet,
or Baldakines. [Sidenote: Like vnto Frobishers men.] Their shoubes or
gownes are hayrie on the outside, and open behinde, with tailes hanging
downe to their hammes. They vse not to washe their garments, neither will
in any wise suffer them to bee washed, especially in the time of thunder.
[Sidenote: Their tabernacles.] Their habitations bee rounde and cunningly
made with wickers and staues in manner of a tent. But in the middest of the
toppes thereof, they haue a window open to conuey the light in and the
smoake out. For their fire is alwayes in the middest. Their walles bee
couered with felt. Their doores are made of felte also. Some of these
Tabernacles may quickely be taken asunder, and set together againe, and are
caried vpon beastes backes. Other some cannot be taken insunder, but are
stowed vpon carts. And whithersoeuer they goe, be it either to warre, or to
any other place, they transport their tabernacles with them. [Sidenote:
Their cattell.] They are very rich in cattel, as in camels, oxen, sheep,
and goats. And I thinke they haue more horses and mares then all the world
besides. But they haue no swine nor other beasts. Their Emperors, Dukes,
and other of their nobles doe abound with silk, gold, siluer, and precious
stones. [Sidenote: Their victuals.] Their victuals are al things that may
be eaten: for we saw some of them eat lice. They drinke milke in great
quantitie, but especially mares milke, if they haue it: They seeth Mill
also in water, making it so thinne, that they may drinke thereof. Euery one
of them drinkes off a cup full or two in a morning, and sometime they eate
nought else all the day long. But in the euening each man hath a little
flesh, giuen him to eate, and they drinke the broath thereof. Howbeit in
summer time; when they haue mares milk enough, they seldome eate flesh,
vnles perhaps it be giuen them, or they take some beast or bird in hunting.
De moribus eorum bonis et malis. Cap. 5.
Habent autem mores quosdam quidem commendabiles, et quosdam detestabiles.
[Sidenote: [Greek: peitharchia].] Magis quippe sunt obedientes Dominis
suis, quàm aliqui qui in mundo sint homines, siue religiosi siue seculares.
Nam eos maximè reuerentur, nec illis de facili mentiuntur verbis factisue:
rarò vel nunquam ad inuicem contendunt, belláque vel rixæ, vulnera vel
homicidia nunquam inter eos contingunt. [Sidenote: Abstinentia.] Prædones
etiam ac fures rerum magnarum ibi nequaquam inueniuntur, ideoque stationes
et currus eorum, vbi thesauros habent, seris aut vectibus non firmantur. Si
aliqua bestia perdita fuerit, quicunque inuenit eam vel dimittit, vel ad
illos, qui ad hoc positi sum, eam ducit. [Sidenote: Comitas. Temperantia.]
Apud quos ille, cuius est bestia, illam requirit, et absque vlla
difficultate recipit. Vnus alium satis honorat, et familiaritatem ac
cibaria, quamuis apud eos sint pauca, liberaliter satis communicat. Satis
etiam sunt sufferentes, nec cùm ieiunauerint vno die, vel duobus, omninò
sine cibo, videntur impatientes, sed cantant et ludunt, ac si bene
comedissent. In equitando multum sustinent frigus, calorem quoque nimium
patiuntur. Inter eos quasi nulla placita sunt, et quamuis multum
inebrientur, tamen in ebrietate sua nunquam contendunt. Nullus alium
spernit, sed iuuat et promouet, quantum congruè potest. [Sidenote:
Castitas.] Castæ sunt eorum mulieres, nec aliquid inter eos auditur de
ipsarum impudicitia. Quædam tamen turpia satis habent et impudica.
[Sidenote: Insolentia aduersus exteros.] Porrò erga cæteros homines ijdem
Tartari superbissimi sunt, omnesque nobiles et ignobiles quasi pro nihilo
reputantes despiciunt. Vnde vidimus in curia Imperatoris magnum Russiæ
ducem, et filuim regis Georgianorum, ac Soldanos multos et magnos nullum
honorem debitum recipere apud eos. [Sidenote: Iracundia.] Quinetiam Tartari
eisdem assignati, quantumcunque viles essent illos antecedebant, sempérque
primum locum et summum tenebant, imò etiam sæpè oportebat illos post eorum
posteriora sedere. Præterea iracundi sunt, et indignantis naturæ multum
erga cæteros homines, et vltra modum erga eosdem mendaces. In principio
quidem blandi sunt, sed postmodum vt Scorpiones pungunt. [Sidenote:
Fraudulentia.] Subdoli enim et fraudulenti sunt, et omnes homines si
possunt astutia circumueniunt. [Sidenote: Sordes. Temulentia.] Quicquid
mali volunt eis facere, miro modo occultant, vt sibi non possint prouidere,
vel contra eorum astutias remedium inuenire. Immundi quoque sunt in cibo et
potu sumendis, et in cæteris factis suis. Ebrietas apud illos est
honorabilis: cùmque multum aliquis biberit, ibidèmque reijcit, non ideo
cessat, quin iterim bibat. [Sidenote: [Greek: dorodoxia.]] Ad petendum
maximi sunt exactores, tenacissimi retentores, parcissimi donatores.
Aliorum hominum occisio apud illos est pro nihilo.
The same in English.
Of their manners both good and bad. Chap. 5.
[Sidenote: Their obedience.] Their manners are partly prayse-worthie, and
partly detestable: For they are more obedient vnto their lords and masters,
then any other either clergie or laie-people in the whole world. For they
doe highly reuerence them, and will deceiue them, neither in wordes nor
deedes. They seldom or neuer fall out among themselues, and, as for
fightings or brawlings, wounds or manslaughters, they neuer happen among
them. [Sidenote: Their abstinence] There are neither theeues nor robbers of
great riches to be found, and therefore the tabernacles and cartes of them
that haue any treasures are not strengthened with lockes or barres. If any
beast goe astray, the finder thereof either lets it goe, or driueth it to
them that are put in office for the same purpose, at whose handes the owner
of the said beast demaundeth it, and without any difficultie receiueth it
againe. [Sidenote: Their courtesie.] One of them honoureth another
exceedingly, and bestoweth banquets very familiarly and liberally,
notwithstanding that good victuals are daintie and scarce among them. They
are also very hardie, and when they haue fasted a day or two without any
maner of sustenance, they sing and are merry as if they had eaten their
bellies full. In riding, they endure much cold and extreme heat. There be,
in a maner, no contentions among them, and although they vse commonly to be
drunken, yet doe they not quarrell in their drunkennes. Noe one of them
despiseth another but helpeth and furthereth him, as much as conueniently
he can. [Sidenote: Their chastity.] Their women are chaste, neither is
there so much as a word vttered concerning their dishonestie. Some of them
will notwithstanding speake filthy and immodest words. [Sidenote: Their
insolencie against strangers.] But towards other people, the said Tartars
be most insolent, and they scorne and set nought by all other noble and
ignoble persons whatsoeuer. For we saw in the Emperours court the great
duke of Russia, the kings sonne of Georgia, and many great Soldanes
receiuing no due honour and estimation among them. So that euen the very
Tartars assigned to giue attendance vnto them, were they neuer so base,
would alwaies goe before them, and take the vpper hand of them, yea, and
sometimes would constraine them to sit behinde their backes. Moreouer they
are angrie and of a disdainfull nature vnto other people, and beyond all
measure deceitfull, and treacherous towards them. They speake fayre in the
beginning, but in conclusion, they sting like scorpions. For craftie they
are, and full of falshood, circumuenting all men whom they are able, by
their sleights. Whatsoeuer mischiefe they entend to practise against a man
they keepe it wonderfully secrete so that he may by no meanes prouide for
himselfe, nor find a remedie against their conspiracies. They are vnmanerly
also and vncleanly in taking their meat and their drinke, and in other
actions. Drunkennes is honourable among them, and when any of them hath
taken more drinke then his stomacke can well beare, hee casteth it vp and
falles to drinking againe. They are most intollerable exacters, most
couetous possessours, and most nigardly giuers. The slaughter of other
people is accompted a matter of nothing with them.
De legibus et consuetudinibus eorum. Cap. 6.
[Sidenote: Poena adulterij.] Hoc autem habent in lege siue consuetudine, vt
occidant viros et mulieres, si quando inueniantur in adulterio manifestè.
Similiter etiam virginem, si fornicata fuerit cum aliquo, occidunt eam cum
eo. [Sidenote: Furti.] Præterea si aliquis in præda vel furto manifesto
inuenitur, sine vlla miseratione occiditur. Item si quis denudauit
consilia, maximè quando volunt ad bellum procedere, dantur ei super
posteriora centum plagæ, quanto maiores vnus rusticus cum magno baculo
potest dare. [Sidenote: Arcani euulgati.] Similiter cum aliqui de minoribus
offendunt in aliquo, non eis à maioribus suis parcitur, sed verberibus
grauiter affliguntur. Matrimonio autem generaliter coniunguntur omnibus,
etiam propinquis carne, excepta matre et filia et sorore ex eadem matre.
Nam sororem tantùm ex patre, et vxorem quoque patris, post eius mortem
solent ducere. Vxorem etiam fratris alius frater iunior, post eius mortem,
vel alius de parentela, tenetur ducere. [Sidenote: Andreas Dux Russiæ. Vide
Herbersteinium de rebus Moschoui. pag. 8. b.] Vnde, dum adhuc essemus in
terra, Dux quidam Russiæ, Andreas nomine, apud Baty, quòd equos Tartarorum
de terra educeret, et alijs venderet, accusatus est: quod licet non esset
probatum, occisus est. Hoc audiens iunior frater, et vxor, occisi, pariter
venerunt ad præfatum Ducem, supplicare volentes, ne terra auferretur
eisdem. At ille paruo præcepit, vt fratris defuncti duceret vxorem, mulieri
quoque vt ilium in virum duceret, secundum Tartarorum consuetudinem. Quæ
respondit, se potius occidi velle, quàm sic contra legem facere. At ille
nihilominus eam illi tradidit quamuis ambo renuerunt, quantum possent.
Itàque ducentes eos in lectum, clamantem puerum et plorantem super illam
posuerunt, ipsosque commisceri pariter coëgerunt. Deníque post mortem
maritorum, vxores. Tartarorum non de facili solent ad secunda coniugia
transire, nisi fortè quis velit soronam aut noueream suam ducere. Nullo
verò differentia est apud eos inter filium vxoris et concubinæ, sed dat
pater quod vult vnicuique Itàque si sunt etiam ex Ducum genere, ita fit Dux
filius concubinæ, sicut filius vxoris legitmæ. [Sidenote: Melich et Dauid
fratres Georgiani.] Vnde cùm rex Georgiæ duos filios nuper, vnum scilicet
nomine Melich legitimum alterum verò Dauid ex adulterio natum haberet,
moriensque terræ partem adulteræ filio reliquisset, Melich, cui etiam ex
parte matris regnum obuenerat, quia per foeminas tenebatur, perrexit ad
Imperatorem Tartarorum, eo quòd et Dauid iter arripuerat ad ilium Ambobus
igitur ad curiam venientibus, datísque maximis muneribus petebat adulteræ
filius, vt fieret ei iustitia secundum morem Tartarorum. [Sidenote: [Greek:
polygamia.]] Datáque est sententia contra Melich, vt Dauid, qui maior erat
natu, subesset, ac terram à patre sibi concessam quietè ac pacificè
possideret. Cùmque Tartarorum vnus habet vxorum multitudinem, vnaquæque per
se suam habet familiam et stationem. Et vna die Tartarus comedit et bibit
et dormit cum vna, altera die cum alia. Vna tamen inter cæteras maior
habetur cum qua frequentius quam cum alijs commoratur Et licet vt dictum
est, sint multæ, nunquam tamen de facili contendunt inter se.
The same in English.
Of their lawes and customes. Chap. 6.
[Sidenote: Punishments of adultery.] Moreouer, they haue this law or
custome, that whatsoeuer manor woman be manifestly taken in adultery, they
are punished with death. A virgine likewise that hath committed
fornication, they slay together with her mate. [Sidenote: Of theft. Of
secretes disclosed.] Whosoeuer be taken in robberie or theft, is put to
death without all pitie. Also, if any man disclose their secrets,
especially in time of warre, he receiueth an hundreth blowes on the backe
with a bastinado, layd on by a tall fellow. In like sort when any
inferiours offend in ought, they finde no fauour at their superiours
handes, but are punished with grieuous stripes. [Sidenote: Lawes of
matrimonie.] They are ioyned in matrimony to all in generall, yea, euen to
their neare kinsfolkes except their mother, daughter and sister by the
mothers side. For they vse to marrie their sister by the fathers side
onely, and also the wife of their father after his decease. The yonger
brother also, or some other of his kindred, is bound to marry the wife of
his elder brother deceased. [Sidenote: Andreas duke of Russia.] For, at the
time of our aboad in the countrey, a certaine duke of Russia named Andreas,
was accused before duke Baty for conueying the Tartars horses out of the
land, and for selling them to others: and although it could not be prooued,
yet was he put to death. His yonger brother and the wife of the party
deceased hearing this, came and made their supplication vnto the forenamed
duke, that the dukedome of Russia might not be taken from them. But he
commanded the youth to marrie his deceased brothers wife, and the woman
also to take him vnto her husband, according to the custome of the Tartars.
She answered, that she had rather die, than so haynously transgresse the
law. Howbeit, hee deliuered her vnto him, although they both refused as
much as they could. Wherefore carying them to bed, they constrained the
youth, lamenting and weeping, to lie down and commit incest with his
brothers wife. To be short, after the death of their husbands, the Tartars
wiues vse very seldome to marrie the second time, vnlesse perhaps some man
takes his brothers wife or his stepmother in marriage. They make no
difference betweene the sonne of their wife and of their concubine, but the
father giues what he pleaseth vnto each one: [Sidenote: Melich and Dauid
two brothers.] For of late the king of Georgia hauing two sonnes, one
lawfully begotten call Melich; but the other Dauid, borne in adulterie, at
his death left part of his lande vnto his base sonne. Hereupon Melich (vnto
whome the kingdome fell by right of his mother, because it was gouerned
before time by women) went vnto the Emperour of the Tartars, Dauid also
hauing taken his iourney vnto him. Nowe bothe of them commmg to the court
and proffering large giftes, the sonne of the harlot made suite, that he
might haue iustice, according to the custome of the Tartars. Well, sentence
passed against Melich, that Dauid being his elder brother should haue
superioritie ouer him, and should quietly and peaceably possesse the
portion of land granted vnto him by his father. Whensoeuer a Tartar hath
many wiues, each one of them hath her family and dwelling place by her
selfe. And sometime the Tartar eateth, drinketh and lieth with one, and
sometime with another. One is accompted chiefe among the rest, with whom
hee is oftener conuersant, then with the other. And notwithstanding (as it
hath bin said) they are many, yet do they seldome fal out among themselues.
De superstitiosis traditionibus ipsorum. Cap. 7.
[Sidenote: [Greek: ethelothræskeia].] Quibusdam verò traditionibus
indifferentia quædam esse peccata dicunt, quas vel ipsi vel antecessores
eorum confinxerunt. Vnum est, cultellum in ignem figere, vel quocunque modo
ignem cultello tangere, vel etiam de caldaria cum cultello carnes
extrahere, vel cum securi iuxta ignem incidere. Credunt enim, quòd sic
auferri debeat caput igni. Aliud est appodiare se ad flagellum, quo
percutitur equus: ipsi enim non vtuntur calcaribus. Item flagello sagittas
tangere, iuuenes aues capere vel occidere, cum fræno equum peroutere, os
cum osse alio frangere. Itémque lac, vel aliquem potum aut cibum super
terram effundere, in statione mingere. Quod si voluntariè facit, occiditur,
si autem aliter, oportet quòd pecuniam multam incantatori soluat, à quo
purificetur. Qui etiam faciat, vt statio cum omnibus, quæ in ipsa sunt,
inter duos ignes transeat. Antequam sic purificetur, nullus audet intrare,
nec aliquid de illa exportare. Præterea si alicui morsellus imponitur, quem
deglutire non possit, et ilium de ore suo eijcit, foramen sub statione fit,
per quod extrahitur, ac sine vlla miseratione occiditur. [Sidenote: [Greek:
atheotaes].] Iterum si quis caleat super limen stationis Ducis alicuius,
interficitur. Multa etiam habent his similia, quæ reputant peccata. At
homines occidere, aliorum terras inuadere, ac res illorum diripere, et
contra Dei præcepta vel prohibitiones facere, nullum apud eos est peccatum.
De vita æterna et damnatione perpetua nihil sciunt. Credunt tamen, quòd
post mortem in alio seculo viuant, gregesque multiplicent, comedant et
bibant, et pætera faciant, quæ hic à viuentibus fiunt. [Sidenote: Cultus
lunæ.] In principio lunationis vel in plenilunio incipiunt, quicquid noui
agere volunt, ipsamque Lunam Imperatorem magnum apellant, eàmque
deprecantes genua flectunt. Omnes, qui morantur in stationibus suis,
oportet per ignem purificari. [Sidenote: Lustrationis ritus.] Quæ scilicet
purificatio fit hoc modo. Duos quidem ignes faciunt, et duas hastas iuxta
eos, vnamque cordam in summitate hastarum ponunt. Ligantque super cordam
illam quasdam de Bucaramo scissiones, sub qua scilicet corda et ligaturis
inter illos ignes transeunt homines, ac bestiæ ac stationes. Sunt etiam duæ
mulieres, vna hinc, et alia inde aquam proijcientes, ac quædam carmina
recitantes. Cæterum si aliquis à fulgure occiditur, oportet prædicto modo
per ignes transire omnes illos, qui in illis stationibus morantur. Statio
siquidem ac lectus et currus, filtra et vestes, et quicquid talium habent,
à nullo tanguntur, sed ab hominibus tanquam immunda respuuntur. [Sidenote:
Ignis super stitiosa efficacitas.] Et vt breuiter dicam, omnia purificari
credunt per ignem. Vnde quando veniunt ad eos nuncij, vel Principes, aut
qualescunque personæ, oportet ipsos et munera sua per duos ignes, vt
purificentur, transire, ne fortè veneficia fecerint, aut venenum seu
aliquid mali attulerint.
The same in English.
Of their superstitious traditions. Chap. 7.
[Sidenote: Ridiculous traditions. ] But by reason of traditions, which
either they or their predecessors haue deuised, they accompt some things
indifferent to be faults. One is to thrust a knife into the fire, or any
way to touch the fire with a knife, or with their knife to take flesh out
of the cauldron, or to hewe with an hatchet neare vnto the fire. For they
think by that means to take away the head or force from the fire. Another
is to leane vpon the whip, wherewith they beate their horses: for they ride
not with spurs. Also, to touch arrowes with a whip, to take or kill yong
birds, to strike an horse with the raine of their bridle, and to breake one
bone against another. Also, to powre out milke, meate, or any kinde of
drinke vpon the ground or to make water within their tabernacle: which
whosoeuer doth willingly, he is slaine, but otherwise he must pay a great
summe of money to the inchanter to be purified. Who likewise must cause the
tabernacle with all things therein, to passe betweene two fiers. Before it
be on this wise purified, no man dare once enter into it, nor conueigh any
thing thereout. Besides, if any man hath a morsell giuen him, which he is
not able to swallow, and for that cause casteth it out of his mouth, there
is an hole made vnder his tabernacle, by which hee is drawen forth and
slaine without all compassion. Likewise, whosoeuer treads vpon the
threshold of any of their dukes tabernacles, he is put to death. Many other
things there be, like vnto these, which they take for heinous offences. But
to slay men, to inuade the dominions of other people, and to rifle their
goods, to transgresse the commaundements and prohibitions of God, are with
them no offences at all. They know nothing concerning eternall life, and
euerlasting damnation, and yet they thinke, that after death they shall
liue in another world, that they shall multiply their cattell, that they
shal eate and drinke and doe other things which liuing men performe here
vpon earth. [Sidenote: The Tartars worship the moone.] At a new moone, or a
full moone, they begin all enterprises that they take in hand, and they
call the moone the Great Emperour, and worship it vpon their knees. All men
that abide in their tabernacles must be purified with fire: Which
purification is on this wise. [Sidenote: Their custome of purifying.] They
kindle two fires, and pitch two Iauelines into the ground neere vnto the
said fires, binding a corde to the tops of the Iauelines. And about the
corde they tye certaine iagges of buckram, vnder which corde, and betweene
which fires, men, beastes, and tabernacles do passe. There stand two women
also, one on the right side, and another on the left casting water, and
repeating certaine charmes. If any man be slaine by lightning, all that
dwell in the same tabernacle with him must passe by fire in maner
aforesaid. For their tabernacles, beds, and cartes, their feltes and
garments, and whatsoeuer such things they haue, are touched by no man, yea,
and are abandoned by all men as things vncleane. And to bee short, they
think that all things are to be purged by fire. Therefore, when any
ambassadours, princes, or other personages whatsoeuer come vnto them, they
and their giftes must passe betweene two fires to be purified, lest
peraduenture they haue practised some witchcraft, or haue brought some
poyson or other mischiefe with them.
De initio imperij siue Principatus eorum. Cap. 8.
[Sidenote: Tartariæ populi.] Terra quidem ilia Orientalis, de qua dictum
est suprà, quæ Mongal nominatur, quatuor quondam habuisse populos
memoratur. Vnus eorum Yeka Mongal, id est, magni Mongali vocabantur.
Secundus Sumongal, id est, aquatici Mongali, qui seipsos appellabant
Tartaros, à quodam fluuio per eorem terram currente, qui Tartar nominatur.
Tertius appellabatur Merkat. Quartus verò Metrit. Omnes vnam personarum
formam et vnam linguam habebant hi populi, quamuis inter se per Principes
ac prouincias essent diuisi. [Sidenote: Chingis ortus et res gestæ.] In
terra Yeka Mongal quidam fuit, qui vocabatur Chingis. Iste coepit robustus
venator esse: didicit enim homines furari, et prædam capere. Ad alias
terras ibat, et quoscunque poterat, captiuabat, sibíque associabat. Homines
quoque suæ gentis inclinauit ad se, qui tanquam Ducem sequebantur ipsum ad
malè agendum. Coepit autem pugnare cum Sumongal, siue cum Tartaris, et
Ducem eorem interfecit, multòque bello sibi Tartaros omnes subiecit, et in
seruitutem redigit. Post hæc cum istis omnibus contra Merkatas, iuxta tenam
positos Tartarorum pugnauit, quos etiam bello sibi subiecit. [Sidenote:
Naymani. Infra cap. 25.] Inde procedens contra Metritas pugnam exercuit, et
illos etiam obtinuit. Audientes Naymani, quòd Chingis taliter eleuatus
esset, indignati sunt. Ipsi enim habuerant Imperatorem strenuum valdè, cui
dabant tributum cunctæ nationes prædictæ. [Sidenote: Fratres discordantes
oppressi.] Qui cùm esset mortuus, filij eius successerunt loco ipsius. Sed
quia iuuenes ac stulti erant, populum tenere nesciebant, sed ad inuicem
diuisi ac scissi erant. Vnde Chingi prædicto modo iam exaltato, nihilominus
in terras prædictas faciebant insultum, et habitatores occidebant, ac
diripiebant prædam eorum. Quod audiens Chingis, omnes sibi subiectos
congregauit. Naymani et Karakytay ex aduerso similiter in quandam vallem
strictam conuenerunt, et commissum est prælium, in quo Naymani et Karakytay
à Mongalis deuicti sunt. Qui etiam pro maiori parte occisi fuerunt, et
alij, qui euadere non potuerunt, in seruitutem redacti sunt. [Sidenote:
Occoday Cham.] In terra prædictorum Karakytaorum Occoday Cham, filius
Chingischam, postquam imperator fuit positus, quandam ciuitatem ædificauit,
quam Chanyl appellauit. [Sidenote: Homines syluestres.] Prope quam ad
Meridiem est quoddam desertum magnum, in quo pro certo syluestres homines
habitare dicuntur, qui nullatenus loquuntur, nec iuncturas in cruribus
habent, et si quando cadunt, per se surgere non valent. Sed tamen
discretionem tantam habent, quod filtra de lana Camelorum quibus
vestiuntur, faciunt et contra ventum ponunt. Et si quando Tartari pergentes
ad eos vulnerant eos sagittis, gramina in vulneribus ponunt, et fortiter
ante ipsios fugiunt.
The same in English.
Of the beginning of their empire or gouernment. Chap. 8.
[Sidenote: The people of Tartarie. ]
The East countrie, whereof wee haue entreated, which is called Mongal, is
reported to haue had of olde time foure sortes of people. One of their
companions was called Yeka Mongal, that is the great Mongals. The second
company was called Sumongal, that is, the Water-Mongals, who called
themselues Tartars of a certaine riuer running through their countrey named
Tartar. The third was called Merkat, and the fourth Metrit. All these
people had one and the same person, attire of body and language, albeit
they were diuided by princes and prouinces. [Sidenote: The original and the
exploits of Chingis.] In the prouince of Yeka Mongol, there was a certaine
man called Chingis. This man became a mighty hunter. For he learned to
steale men, and take them for a pray. He ranged into other countries taking
as many captiues as he could, and ioining them vnto himselfe. Also hee
allured the men of his owne countrey vnto him, who followed him as their
captaine and ringleader to doe mischiefe. Then began he to make warre vpon
the Sumongals or Tartars, and slewe their captaine, and after many
conflicts, subdued them vnto himselfe, and brought them all into bondage.
Afterwards he vsed their helpe to fight against the Merkats, dwelling by
the Tartars, whom also hee vanquished in battell. Proceeding from thence,
he fought against the Metrites, and conquered them also. [Sidenote: The
Naimani.] The Naimani hearing that Chingis was thus exalted, greatly
disdeined thereat. For they had a mighty and puissant Emperour, vnto whom
all the foresaid nations payed tribute. Whose sonnes, when he was dead,
succeeded him in his Empire. [Sidenote: The discord of brethren.] Howbeit,
being young and foolish, they knew not howe to gouerne the people, but were
diuided, and fell at variance among themselues. Now Chingis being exalted,
as is aforesaid, they neuerthelesse inuaded the forenamed countries, put
the inhabitants to the sword, and carried away their goods for a pray.
Which Chingis hauing intelligence of, gathered all his subiects together.
The Naimani also, and the people called Karakitay assembled and banded
themselues at a certaine straight valley, where, after a battell foughten
they were vanquished by the Mongals. And being thus vanquished, they were,
the greater part of them, slaine; and others, which could not escape, were
carried into captiuitie. [Sidenote: Occoday Cham.] In the land of the
foresayd Karakytayans, Occoday Cham, the sonne of Chingis Cham, after he
was created Emperour, built a certaine citie, which he called Chanyl. Neare
vnto which citie, on the South side, there is an huge desert, wherein wilde
men are certainely reported to inhabite, which cannot speake at all, and
are destitute of ioynts in their legges, so that if they fall, they cannot
rise alone by themselues. Howbeit, they are of discretion to make feltes of
Camels haire, wherewith they clothe themselues, and which they holde
against the winde. And if at any time, the Tartars pursuing them, chance to
wound them with their arrowes, they put herbes into their wounds and flye
strongly before them.
De mutua victoria ipsorum et Kythaorum. Cap. 9.
Mongali autem in terram suam reuertentes, se contra [Marginal note:
Haythono et Paulo Veneto sunt Cathay.] Kythaos ad prælium parauerunt, et
castra mouentes, eorum terram intrauerunt. [Sidenote: Tartarorum Cathayna
clades.] Quod audiens eorum Imperator, vnit cum exercitu suo contra illos,
et commissum est prælium durum, in quo Mongali sunt deuicti, omnésque
nobiles eorum, qui erant in exercitu, præter septem occisi sunt. Vnde cùm
illis volentibus aliquam impugnare regionem, minatur aliquis stragem, adhuc
respondent: Olim etiam occisi non nisi septem remansimus, et tamen modò
creuimus in multitudinem magnam, ideóque non terremur de talibus. Chingis
autem et alij, qui remanserunt, in terram suam fugerunt. Cúmque quieuisset
aliquantulum, præparauit se rursus ad prælium, et processit contra terram
Huyrorum. Isti sunt homines Christiani de secta Nestorianorum. [Sidenote:
Nouæ victoriæ. Literæ.] Et hos etiam Mongali deuicerunt, eorumque literam
acceperunt; prius enim scripturam non habebant, nunc autem eandem
Mongalorem literam appellant. Inde contra terram Saruyur, et contra terram
Karanitarum, et contra terram Hudirat processit, quos omnes bello deuicit.
Inde in terram suam redijt, et aliquantulum quieuit. Deinde conuocatis
omnibus hominibus suis, contra Kythaos pariter processerunt, diúque contra
illos pugnantes, magnam partem terræ illorum vicerunt, eorumque Imperatorem
in ciuitatem suam maiorem concluserunt. Quam et tam longo tempore
obsederunt, quod exercitus expensæ omninò, defecerunt. Cúmque iam quod
manducarent, penitus non haberent, præcipit Chingischam suis, vt de decem
hominibus vnum ad manducandum darent. [Sidenote: Argentum loco lapidum in
hostem proiectum.] Illi verò de ciuitate machinis et sagittis viriliter
contra istos pugnabant et cum deficerent lapides, argentum et maximè
liquefactum proijciebant. Ciuitas siquidem illa multis erat diuitijs plena.
Cúmque diu Mongali pugnassent, et eam bello vincere non possent, vnam
magnam sub terra viam ab exercitu vsque ad medium ciuitatis fecerunt, et
prosilientes in medium eius, contra ciues pugnauerunt. Illi quoque qui
extra remanserant, eodem modo contra illos pugnabant. Denique concidentes
portas ciuitatis intrauerunt, et imperatorem cum pluribus occidentes vrbem
possederunt, aurumque et argentum, et omnes eius diuitias abstulerunt.
[Sidenote: Chingis salutatur Imperator.] Et cùm aliquos terræ suos homines
nuntios præficissent, in terram propriam reuersi sunt. Tunc primum
Imperatore Kythaorum deuncto, factus est Chingischam imperator Quandam
tamen partem illius terræ, quia posita erat in mari nullatenus deuicerunt
vsque hodie. [Sidenote: Cathaynorum literæ et religio.] Sunt autem Kitai
homines pagani, habentes literam specialem, et etiam vt dicitur, veteris et
noui Testamenti scripturam. Habent etiam vitas patrum et eremitas et domes,
in quibus orant temporibus suis, ad modum Ecclesiarum facias. Quosdam etiam
sanctos habere se dicunt, et vnum Deum colunt. Christum IESVM Dominum
venerantur, et credunt vitam æternam, sed non baptizantur. Scripturam
nostram honorant ac reuerentur. Christianos diligunt, et eleemosynas plures
faciunt, homines benigni satis et humani videntur. Barbam non habent, et in
dispositione faciei cum Mongalis in parte concordant. [Sidenote:
Opificiorum [Greek: exochae].] Meliores artifices in mundo non inueniuntur
in omnibus operibus, in quibus homines exercentur. Terra eonira est
opulenta numis in frumento et vino, auro et serico ac rebus cæteris.