How being repelled by monstrous men shapen like dogs, they ouercame the
people of Burithabeth. Chap. 11.
[Sidenote: A strange report of certain monstrous women and dogs.] But
returning through the deserts, they came vnto a certaine countrey, wherein
(as it was reported vnto vs in the Emperours court, by certaine clergie men
of Russia and others, who were long time among them, and that by strong and
stedfast affirmation) they found certaine monsters resembling women who
being asked by many interpreters, where the men of that land were, they
answered, that whatsoeuer women were borne there, were indued with the
shape of mankinde, but the males were like vnto dogges. And delaying the
time, in that countrey they met with the said dogges on the other side of
the riuer. And in the midst of sharpe winter, they cast themselues into the
water: Afterward they wallowed in the dust vpon the maine land and so the
dust being mingled with water, was frozen to their backes, and hauing often
times so done, the ice being strongly frozen vpon them, with great fury
they came to fight against the Tartars. And when the Tartars threwe their
dartes, or shot their arrowes among them, they rebounded backe againe, as
if they had lighted vpon stones. And the rest of their weapons coulde by no
meanes hurt them. Howbeit the Dogges made an assault vpon the Tartars, and
wounding some of them with their teeth, and slaying others at length they
draue them out of their countries. And thereupon they haue a Prouerbe of
the same matter, as yet rife among them, which they speake in iesting sorte
one to another: My father or my brother was slaine of Dogges. The women
which they tooke they brought into their owne countrey, who remayned there
till their dying day. [Sidenote: The region of Burithabeth.] And in
traueling homewardes, the sayd armie of the Mongals came vnto the lande of
Burithabeth (the inhabitants whereof are Pagans) and conquered the people
in battell. These people haue a strange or rather a miserable kinde of
custome. [Sidenote: The manners of the people.] For when anie man's father
deceaseth, he assembleth all his kindred and they eate him. These men haue
no beards at all, for we saw them carie a certaine iron instrument in their
hands wherewith, if any haires growe vpon their chinne, they presently
plucke them out. They are also very deformed. From thence the Tartars army
returned to their owne home.
Qualiter à montibus Caspijs, et ab hommibus subterraneis repulsi sunt.
Cap. 12.
[Sidenote: Alia Chingis expeditio.]
Chingischam etiam illo tempore, quo dimisit alios exercitus contra
Orientem, per terram Kergis cum cxpeditione perrexit, quos tamen tunc bello
non vicit et vt nobis dicebatur, ibidem vsque ad montes Caspios peruenit.
At illi montes in ea parte, ad quam applicauerunt, de lapide Adamantino
sunt: ideóque sagittas et arma ferrea illorum ad se traxerunt. Homines
autem inter Caspios montes conclusi clamorem exercitus, vt creditur,
audientes, montem frangere coeperunt, et cùm alio tempore post decem annos
redirent Tartari, montem confractum inuenerunt. Cúmque ad illos accedere
attentassent, minimè potuerunt: quia nubes quædam erat posita ante ipsos,
vltra quam ire nullatenus poterant. Omninò quippe visum amittebant, statim
vt ad illam perueniebant. [Marginal note: Vide an Hamsem regionem dicat de
qua Haythonus cap. 10.] Illi autem ex aduerso credentes, quod Tartari ad
illos accedere formidarent, insultum contra eos fecerunt, sed statim vt
peruenerunt ad nubem propter causam prædictam, procedere non potuerunt. Ac
verò antequam ad montes prædictos peruenirent Tartari, plusquam per mensem
per vastam solitudinem transierunt, et inde procedentes adhuc contra
Orientem, plusquàm per mensem per magnum desertum perrexerunt. Itáque
peruenerunt ad quandam terram, in qua vias quidem tritas videbant, sed
neminem inuenire poterant. Tandem quærentes, vnum hominem cum vxore sua
repererunt, quos in præsentiam Chingischam adduuerunt. [Sidenote:
Troglodytæ.] Qui cùm interrogasset illos vbi homines allius terræ essent,
responderunt, quòd in terra sub montibus habitarent. Tunc Chingischam
retenta vxore, misit ad eos virum illum, mandans illis, vt venirent ad
ipsius mandatum. Qui pergens ad illos, omnia narrauit, quæ Chingischam eis
mandauit. Illi verò respondentes dixerunt, quod die tali venirent ad ipsum,
vt facerent eius mandatum. Ac ipsi medio tempore per vias occultas sub
terra se congregantes, ad pugnam contra illos venerunt, et subitò super eos
irruentes, plurimos occiderunt. [Sidenote: Fabulosus Solis orientis
sonitus.] Solis quoque sonitus in ortu suo sustinere non poterant, imò
tempore, quo oriebatur, oportebat eos vnam aurem ad terram ponere, et
superiorem fortiter obturare, ne sonum illum terribilem audirent. Nec sic
tamen cauere poterant, quin hac de causa plurimi ex eis interirent. Videns
ergo Chingischam et sui, quòd nihil proficerent, sed potius homines suos
perderent, fugerunt, ac terra illa exierunt. Illum tamen virum cum vxore
sua secum deduxerunt, qui etiam vsque ad mortem in terra eorum fuerunt.
Interrogati verò, cur in regione sua sub terra soleant habitare, dixerunt,
quòd ibi quodam tempore anni, cùm oritur Sol, tantus fit sonitus, vt
homines nulla ratione valeant sustmere. Quin etiam tunc in organis et
tympanis cæterisque musicis instrumentis percutere solent, vt sonitum illum
non audiant.
The same in English.
How they had the repulse at the Caspian mountaynes, and were driuen backe
by men dwelling in caues. Chap 12.
[Sidenote: Another expedition of Chingis.] Moreouer Chingis Cham, at the
same time when he sent other armies against the East, hee himselfe marched
with a power into the lande of Kergis, which notwithstanding, he conquered
not in that expedition and as it was reported vnto vs, he went on forward
euen to the Caspian mountaines. But the mountaines on that part where they
encamped themselues, were of adamant, and therefore they drew vnto them
their arrowes, and weapons of iron. And certaine men contained within those
Caspian mountaynes, hearing as it was thought, the noyse of the armie, made
a breach through, so that when the Tartars returned vnto the same place
tenne yeeres after, they found the mountaine broken. And attempting to goe
vnto them, they could not: for there stood a cloud before them, beyond
which they were not able to passe, being depriued of their sight so soone
as they approached thereunto. But they on the contrary side thinking that
the Tartars durst not come nigh them gaue the assault, and when they came
at the cloud, they could not proceed for the cause aforesaid. Also the
Tartars, before they came vnto the said mountaines, passed for the space of
a moneth and more, through a vast wildernes, and departing thence towards
the East, they were aboue a moneth traueiling through another huge desert.
At length, they came vnto a land wherin they saw beaten waies, but could
not find any people. Howbeit at the last, diligently seeking, they found a
man and his wife, whom they presented before Chingis Cham: and demanding of
them where the people of that countrey were, they answered, that the people
inhabited vnder the ground in mountains. Then Chingis Cham keeping still
the woman, sent her husband vnto them, giuing them charge to come at his
command. And going vnto them, he declared all things that Chingis Cham had
commanded them. But they answered, that they would vpon such a day visite
him, to satisfie his desire. And in the meane season by blinde and hidden
passages vnder the earth, assembling themselues they came against the
Tartars in warlike manner, and suddenly issuing forth, they slewe a great
number of them. [Sidenote: A fabulous narration of the sun rising.] This
people were not able to endure the terrible noise, which in that place the
Sunne made at his vprising: for at the time of the Sunne rising, they were
inforced to lay one eare vpon the ground, and to stoppe the other close,
least they should heare that dreadfull sound. Neither could they so escape,
for by this meanes many of them were destroyed. Chingis Cham therefore and
his company, seeing that they preuailed not, but continually lost some of
their number, fled and departed out of that land. But the man and his wife
aforesaid they caried along with them, who all their life time continued in
the Tartars countrey. Being demaunded why the men of their countrey doe
inhabite vnder the ground, they sayd, that at a certeine time of the yeare,
when the sunne riseth, there is such an huge noyse, that the people cannot
endure it. Moreouer, they vse to play vpon cymbals, drums, and other
musicall instruments, to the ende they may not heare that sounde.
De statutis Chingischam, et morte ipsius, et filijs ac Ducibus. Cap. 13.
Cum autem de terra illa reuerteretur Chingischam, defecerunt eis victualia,
famemque patiebantur maximam. Tunc interiora vnius bestiæ recentia casu
inuenerunt: quæ accipientes, depositis tantum stercoribus, decoxerunt, et
coram Chingischam deportata pariter comederunt. [Sidenote: Chingis lex.]
Ideoque statuit Chingischam, vt nec sanguis, nec interiora, nec aliquid de
bestia, quæ manducari potest, proijciatur, exceptis stercoribus. Inde ergò
in terram propriam reuersus est, ibique leges et statuta edidit, quæ
Tartari inuiolabiliter obseruant, de quibus scilicet iam aliàs superiùs
dictum est. Post hoc ab ictu tonitrui occissus est. [Sidenote: Liberi.]
Habuit autem quatuor filios: Occoday vocobatur primus, Thossut Can
secundus, Thiaday Tertius, quarti nomen ignoramus. Ab his iiij.
descenderunt omnes Duces Mongalorum. Primus filiorum Occoday est Cuyne, qui
nunc est Imperator. [Sidenote: Nepotes.] Huius fratres Cocten et Chyrenen.
Ex filijs autem Thossut Can sunt Bathy, Ordu, Siba, Bora. Bathy post
Imperatorem omnibus ditior est ac potentior. Ordu verò omnium Ducum senior.
Filij Thiaday, sunt Hurin et Cadan. Filij autem alterius filij Chingischam,
cuius ignoramus nomen, sunt, Mengu et Bithat et alij plures. Huius Mengu
mater Seroctan est, Domina magna inter Tartaros. excepta Imperatoris matre
plus nominata, omnibusque potentior, excepto Bathy. [Sidenote: Duces.] Hæc
autem sunt nomina Ducum: Ordu, qui fuit in Polonia, et Hungaria, Bathy
quoque et Huryn et Cadan et Syban et Ouygat, qui omnes fuerunt in Hungaria.
Sed et Cyrpodan, qui adhuc est vltra mare contra quosdam Soldanos
Sarracenorum, et alios habitatores terræ transmarinæ. Alij verò remanserunt
in terra, scilicet Mengu. Chyrenen, Hubilai, Sinocur, Cara, Gay, Sybedey,
Bora, Berca, Corrensa. Alij quoque Duces eorum plures sunt, quorum nomina
nobis ignota sunt.
The same in English.
Of the statutes of Chingis Cham, of his death, of his sonnes, and of his
dukes. Chap. 13.
But as Chingis Cham returned out of that countrey, his people wanted
victuals, and suffered extreme famin. Then by chance they found the fresh
intrails of a beast: which they tooke, and casting away the dung therof,
caused it to be sodden, brought it before Chingis Cham, and did eat therof.
[Sidenote: The lawe of Chingis.] And hereupon Chingis Cham enacted: that
neither the blood, nor the intrails, nor any other part of a beast which
might be eaten, should be cast away, saue onely the dunge. Wherefore he
returned thence into his owne land, and there he ordayned lawes and
statutes, which the Tartars doe most strictly and inuiolably obserue, of
the which we haue before spoken. [Sidenote: The death of Chingis. His
sonnes.] He was afterward slaine by a thunderclap. He had foure sonnes: the
first was called Occoday, the second Thossut Can, the third Thiaday: the
name of the fourth is vnknowen. From these foure descended all the dukes of
the Mongals. [Sidenote: His graund children.] The first sonne of Occoday is
Cuyne, who is now Emperour: his brothers be Cocten and Chyrinen. The sons
of Thossut Can are Bathy, Ordu, Siba, and Bora Bathy, next vnto the
Emperour, is richer and mightier then all the rest. But Ordu is the
seignior of all the dukes. The sonnes of Thiaday be Hurin and Cadan. The
sonnes of Chingis Cham his other sonne, whose name is vnknowen, are Mengu,
Bithat and certaine others. The mother of Mengu was named Seroctan, and of
all others most honoured among the Tartars, except the Emperors mother, and
mightier than any subiect except Bathy. [Sidenote: The Tartarian Dukes.]
These be the names of the dukes: Ordu, who was in Poland and in Hungarie:
Bathy also and Hurin and Cadan, and Siban, and Ouygat, all which were in
Hungarie. In like maner Cyrpodan, who is as yet beyond the sea, making war
against certaine Soldans of the Saracens, and other inhabitants of farre
countries. Others remained in the land, as namely Mengu, Chyrinen, Hubilai,
Sinocur, Caray, Gay, Sybedey, Bora, Berca, Corrensa. There be many other of
their dukes, whose names are vnknowen vnto vs.
De postestate Imperatoris et Ducum eius. Cap. 14.
[Sidenote: Imperatoris Tartarorum seruile in omnes imperium.]
Porrò Imperator eorum, scilicet Tartarorum, super omnes habet mirabile
dominium. Nullus enim audet in aliqua morari parte, nisi vbi assignauerit
ipse. Et ipse quidem assignat Ducibus vbi maneant. Duces autem loca
Millenarijs assignant, Millenarij verò Centenarijs et Centenarij Decanis.
Quicquid autem eis præcipitur, quocunque tempore, quocunque loco, siue, ad
bellum, siue ad mortem, vel vbicunque sine vlla obediunt contradictione.
Nam etsi petit alicuius filiam virginem, vel sororem, mox ei sine
contradictione exponunt eam, imò frequenter colligit virgines ex omnibus
Tartarorum finibus, et si vult aliquas retinere, sibi retinet, alias verò
dat suis homimbus. Nuncios etiam quoscunque et vbicunque transmittat,
oportet quòd dent ei sine mora equos et expensas. Similiter vndecunque
veniant ei tributa vel nuncij, oportet equos et currus et expensas tribui.
[Sidenote: Inhumanitas erga Legatos.] Ac verò nuncij, qui aliunde veniunt,
in magna miseria, et victus et vestitus penuria sunt. Maximeque quando
veniunt ad Principes, et ibi debent moram contrahere. Tunc adeò parum datur
decem hominibus, quòd vix inde possent duo viuere. Insuper et si aliquæ
illis iniuriæ fiunt, minimè conqueri facile possunt. Multa quoque munera
tam à principibus quàm à cæteris ab illis petuntur: quæ si non dederint,
vilipenduntur, et quasi pro nihilo reputantur. Hinc et nos magnam partem
rerum, quæ nobis pro expensis à fidelibus erant datæ, de necessitate
oportuit in muneribus dare. Denique sic omnia sunt in manu Imperatoris,
quod nemo audet dicere, Hoc meum est vel illius, sed omnia, scilicet res et
iumenta ac homines, sunt ipsius. Super hoc etiam nuper emanauit statutum
eiusdem. Idem quoque per omnia dominium habent Duces super sibi subditos
homines.
The same in English.
Of the authoritie of the Emperour, and of his dukes. Chap. 14.
[Sidenote: The absolute and lordly dominion of the Tartarian Emperour ouer
his subiects] Moreouer, the Emperour of the Tartars hath a wonderful
dominion ouer all his subiects. For no man dare abide in any place, vnles
he hath assigned him to be there. Also he himselfe appointeth to his dukes
where they should inhabite. Likewise the dukes assigne places vnto euery
Millenarie, or conductor of a thousand souldiers, the Millenaries vnto each
captaine of an 100. the captaines vnto euery corporall of ten. Whatsoeuer
is giuen them in charge, whensoeuer, or whersoeuer, be it to fight or to
lose their liues, or howsoeuer it be, they obey without any gainsaying. For
if he demandeth any mans daughter, or sister being a virgine, they
presently deliuer her vnto him without all contradiction: yea, often times
he makes a collection of virgines throughout all the Tartars dominions, and
those whom he meanes to keepe, he retaineth vnto himselfe, others he
bestoweth vpon his men. Also, whatsoeuer messenger he sendeth, or
whithersoeuer his subiects must without delay hnde them horses and other
necessaries. In like sorte, from what countrey soeuer tribute payers, or
ambassadours come vnto him, they must haue horses, carriages, and expenses
allowed them. [Sidenote: Their barbarous inhumanitie towards ambassadours.]
Notwithstanding ambassadours comming from other places do suffer great
misery, and are in much wante both of victuals, and of apparel: especially
when they come to any of the dukes, and there they are constrayned to make
some lingering abode. Then ten men are allowed so little sustenance, that
scarcely two could liue thereof. Likewise, if any iniuries be offered them,
they cannot without danger make complaint. Many gifts also are demaunded of
them, both by dukes and others, which if they do not bestow, they are
basely esteemed, and set at nought. And hereupon, wee were of necessitie
enforced to bestowe in giftes a great part of those things which were giuen
vs by well disposed people, to defray our charges. To be short, all things
are so in the power and possession of the Emperour, that no man dare say,
This is mine, or, this is my neighbours, but all, both goods, cattell and
men are his owne. Concerning this matter also he published a statute of
late. The very same authority and iurisdiction doe the dukes in like sorte
exercise vpon their subiects.
De electione Imperatoris Occoday, et legatione Ducis Bathy. Cap. 15.
[Sidenote: Occoday surrogatur patri. Bathy eiusque expeditio.] Mortuo, vt
suprà dictum est, Cyngischam conuenerunt Duces, et elegerunt Occoday,
filium eius Imperatorem. Qui habito consilio Principum, diuisit exercitus.
Misitque Bathy, qui in secundo gradu attingebat eum, contra terram
Altissodan et contra terram Bisminorum, qui Sarraceni erant, sed
loquebantur Comanicum. Qui terram illorum ingressus, cum eis pugnauit,
eósque sibi bello subiecit. [Sidenote: Barchin ciuitas.] Quædam autem
ciuitas, nomine Barchin, diu restitit eis. Ciues enim in circuitu ciuitatis
foueas multas fecerant, propter quas non poterant à Tartaris capi, donec
illas repleuissent. [Sidenote: Sarguit ciuitas.] Ciues autem vrbis Sarguit
hoc audientes, exierunt obuiam eis, spontè in manus eoram se tradentes.
Vnde ciuitas eorum destructa non fuit, sed plures eorum occiderunt, et
alios transtulerunt, acceptisque spolijs, vrbem alijs hominibus
repleuerunt, et contra ciuitatem Orna perrexerunt. [Sidenote: Orna
ciuitas.] Hæc erat nimium populosa et diuitijs copiosa. Erant enim ibi
plures Christiani, videlicet Gasari et Rutheni, et Alani, et alij nec non
et Sarraceni. Erátque Sarracenorum ciuitatis dominium. Est etiam posita
super quendam magnum fluuium, et est quasi portus, habens forum maximum.
Cumque Tartari non possent eos aliter vincere, fluuium qui per vrbem
currebat, præciderunt, et illam cum rebus et hominibus submerserunt. Quo
facto, contra Russiam perrexerunt, et magnam stragem in ea fecerunt,
ciuitates et castra destruxerunt, et homines occiderunt. Kiouiam, Russiæ
metropolin, diu obsederunt, et tandem ceperunt, ac ciues interfecerunt.
[Sidenote: Vide Mechouium lib. 1. cap. 3.] Vnde quando per illam terram
ibamus, innumerabilia capita et ossa hominum mortuorum, iacentia super
campum, inueniebamus. Fuerat enim vrbs valdè magna et populosa, nunc quasi
ad nihilum est redacta: vix enim domus ibi remanserunt ducentæ, quarum
etiam habitatores tenentur in maxime seruitute. Porrò de Russia et de
Comania Tartari contra Hungaros et Polonos processerunt, ibíque plures ex
ipsis interfecti fuerunt, et vt iam superius dictum est, si Hungari
viriliter restitissent, Tartari ab eis confusi recessissent. [Sidenote:
Morduani.] Inde reuertentes in terram Morduanorum, qui sunt Pagani,
venerunt, eósque bello vicerunt. [Sidenote: Bulgaria magna.] Inde contra
Byleros, id est, contra Bulgariam magnam profecti sunt, et ipsam omninò
destruxerunt. [Sidenote: Hungaria magna. Parossitæ.] Hinc ad Aquilonem
adhuc contra Bastarcos, id est Hungariam magnam processerunt, et illos
etiam deuicerunt. Hinc ampliùs ad Aquilonem pergentes, ad Parossitas
venerunt, qui paruos habentes stomachos et os paruum, non manducant sed
carnes decoquunt, quibus decoctis, se super ollam ponunt, et fumum
recipiunt, et de hoc solo reficiuntur, vel si aliquid manducant, hoc valde
modicum est. [Sidenote: Samogetæ.] Hinc et ad Samogetas venerunt qui tantum
de venationibus viuunt, et tabernacula vestésque tantum habent de pellibus
bestiarum. [Sidenote: Monstra aquilinaria.] Inde ad quandam terram super
Oceanum peruenerunt, vbi monstra quædam inuenerunt, quæ per omnia formam
humanam habebant, sed pedes bouinos, et caput quidem humanum, sed faciem vt
canis. Duo verba loquebantur vt homines tertiò latrabant vt canes. Hinc
redierunt in Comaniam, et vsque nunc ibi morantur ex eis quidam.
+ De his regionibus Herbersteinius pag. 8. b. et 91. b. Paret enim hodie
vtraque Moscuorum Principi. Item de Bulgaria Guaguinus pag. 106. b.
The same in English.
Of the election of Emperour Occoday, and of the expedition of duke Bathy.
Chap. 15.
[Sidenote: Occoday succeedeth his father. The expedition of Bathy.] After
the death of Chingis Cham aforesayd, the dukes assembled themselues and
chose Occoday his sonne to be their Emperour. And he, entering into
consultation with his nobles, diuided his armies, and sent duke Bathy his
nephew against the countrie of Altisoldan, and against the people called
Bisermini, who were Saracens, but spake the language of Comania. The
Tartars inuading their countrey, fought with them and subdued them in
battel. [Sidenote: The citie of Barchin.] But a certeine citie called
Barchin resisted them a long time. For the citizens had cast vp many
ditches and trenches about their citie, in regard whereof the Tartars could
not take it till they had filled the said ditches. But the citizens of
Sarguit hearing this, came foorth to meete them, yeelding themselues vnto
them of their owne accord. Whereupon their citie was not destroyed, but
they slue manie of them and others they carried away captiue, and taking
spoyles, they filled the citie with other inhabitants, and so marched
foorth against the citie of Orna. [Sidenote: Orna.] This towne was very
populous and exceeding rich. For there were many Christians therein, as
namely Gasarians, Russians, and Alanians, with others, and Saracens also.
The gouernment of the citie was in the Saracens hande. It standeth vpon a
mighty riuer, and is a kinde of porte towne, hauing a great marte exercised
therein. And when the Tartars could not otherwise ouercome it, they turned
the said riuer, running through the citie, out of his chanell, and so
drowned the citie with the inhabitantes and their goods. Which being done,
they set forward against Russia, and made foule hauocke there, destroying
cities and castles and murthering the people. They laid siege a long while
vnto Kiow the chiefe citie of Russia, and at length they tooke it and slue
the citizens. Whereupon, traueiling through that countrey, wee found an
innumerable multitude of dead mens skulles and bones lying vpon the earth.
For it was a very large and a populous citie, but it is nowe in a maner
brought to nothing for there doe scarce remaine 200 houses, the inhabitants
whereof are kept in extreame bondage. Moreouer, out of Russia and Comania,
they proceeded forward against the Hungarians, and the Polonians and there
manie of them were slaine, as is aforesaid and had the Hungarians manfully
withstood them, the Tartars had beene confounded and driuen backe.
[Sidenote: The Morduans.] Returning from thence, they inuaded the countrey
of the Morduans being pagans, and conquered them in battell. [Sidenote:
Bulgaria magna.] Then they marched against the people called Byleri, or
Bulgaria magna, and vtterly wasted the countrey. [Sidenote: Hungaria
magna.] From hence they proceeded towards the North against the people
called Bastarci or Hungaria magna, and conquered them also. [Sidenote:
Parossitæ.] And so going on further North, they came vnto the Parossitæ,
who hauing little stomacks and small mouthes, eate not any thing at all,
but seething flesh they stand or sitte ouer the potte, and receiuing the
steame or smoke thereof, are therewith onely nourished, and if they eate
anie thing it is very little. [Sidenote: Samogetæ.] From hence the came
they came to the Samogetæ, who liue onely vpon hunting, and vse to dwell in
tabernacles onely, and to weare garments made of beastes skinnes.
[Sidenote: The North Ocean.] From thence they proceeded vnto a countrey
lying vpon the Ocean sea, where they found certaine monsters, who in all
things resembled the shape of men, sauing that their feete were like the
feete of an oxe, and they had in deede mens heads but dogges faces.
[Sidenote: Northerne monsters.] They spake, as it were, two words like men,
but at the third they barked like dogges. From hence they retired into
Comania, and there some of them remaine vnto this day.
De legatione Cyrpodan Ducis. Cap. 16.
[Sidenote: Expeditius Cyrpodanis.] Eo tempore misit Occoday Can Cyrpodan
Ducem cum exercitu ad meridiem contra Kergis, qui et illos bello superauit.
Hi homines sunt Pagani, qui pilos in barba non habent. Quorum consuetudo
talis est, vt cum alicuius pater moritur, præ dolore quasi vnam corrigiam
in signum lamenti ab aure vsque aurem de facie sua leuet. His autem
deuicus, Dux Cyrpodan contra Armenios iuit ad meridiem cum suis. Qui cùm
transirent per deserta quædam, monstra inuenerunt effigiem humanam
habentia, quæ non nisi vnum brachium cum manu in medio pectoris, et vnum
pedem habebant, et duo cum vno arco sagittabant, adeóque fortiter
currebant, quòd equi eos inuestitare non poterant. Currebant autem super
vnum pedem illum saltando, et cùm essent fatigati, taliter eundo ibant
super manum et pedem, se tanquam in circulo reuoluendo. Cúmque sic etiam
fessi essent, iterum secundum priorem modum currebant. [Sidenote:
Cyclopedes.] Hos Isidorus Cyclopedes appellat. Et ex eis Tartari non nullus
occiderunt. Et sicut nobis à Ruthenis Clericis in curia dicebatur, qui
morantur cum Imperatore prædicto plures ex eis nuncij venerunt in legatione
ad curiam Imperatoris superius annotati, vt possent habere pacem cum illo.
[Sidenote: Armenia et Georgia subacta.] Inde procedentes venerunt in
Armeniam, quam bello deuicerunt, et etiam Georgiæ partem. Alia vero pars
venit ad mandatum eorum, et singulis annis dederunt, et adhuc dant ei pro
tributo xx millia Yperperarum. Hinc ad terram Soldam Deurum potentis et
magni, processerunt, cum quo etiam pugnantes, ipsum deuicerunt. [Sidenote:
Soklanus Halapiæ.] Denique processerunt vlterius debellando ac vincendo
vsque ad terram Soldani Halapiæ, et nunc etiam terram obtinent, alias
quoque terras vltra illas proponentes impuguare: nec postea reuersi sunt in
terram suam vsque hodie. [Sidenote: Calipha Baldacensis.] Idémque exercitus
contra terram Caliphi Baldach perrexit, quam etiam sibi subdidit, et vt
CCCC Byzantios, exceptis Baldekinis cæterísque muneribus, ei quotidiè pro
tributo daret, obtinuit. Sed et quolibet anno mittunt nuncios ad Caliphum,
vt ad eos veniat. Qui cum tributo munera magna trasmittens, vt eum
supportent, rogat. Ipse autem Imperator Tartarorum munera quidem accipit,
et nihilommus vt veniat, pro eo mittit.
The same in English.
Of the expedition of duke Cyrpodan. Chap. 16.
[Sidenote: Kergis.] At the same time Occoday Can sent duke Cyrpodan with an
armie against Kergis, who also subdued them in battell. These men are
Pagans, hauing no beardes at all. They haue a custome when any of their
fathers die, for griefe and in token of lamentation to drawe as it were, a
leather thong ouerthwart their faces, from one eare to the other. This
nation being conquered, duke Cyrpodan marched with his forces Southward
against the Armenians. And trauailing through certain desert places, they
found monsters in the shape of men, which had each of them but one arme and
one hand growing out of the midst their breast, and but one foote. Two of
them vsed to shoote in one bowe, and they ran so swiftly, that horses could
not ouertake them. They ran also vpon that one foote by hopping and
leaping, and being weary of such walking, they went vpon their hand and
their foote, turning themselues round, as it were in a circle. And being
wearie of so doing, they ran againe according to their wonted manner.
[Sidenote: Cyclopodes.] Isidore calleth them Cyclopedes. And as it was told
vs in court, by the clergie men of Russia, who remaine with the foresayd
Emperour, many ambassadours were sent from them vnto the Emperours court,
to obtaine Peace. [Sidenote: Armenia and Georgia conquered.] From thence
they proceeded forth into Armenia, which they conquered in battell, and
part also of Georgia. And the other part is, vnder their iurisdiction,
paying as yet euery yeare vnto them for tribute, 20000. pieces of coyne
called Yperpera. [Sidenote: The Soldan of Aleppo his land.] From thence
they marched into the dominions of the puissant and mighty Soldan called
Deurum, whom also they vanquished in fight. And to be short, they went on
farther sacking and conquering, euen vnto the Soldan of Aleppo his
dominions, and now they haue subdued that land also, determining to inuade
other countries beyond it: neither returned they afterward into their owne
land vnto this day. [Sidenote: The Caliph of Baldach.] Likewise the same
armie marched forward against the Caliph of Baldach his countrey, which
they subdued also, and exacted as his handes the daylie tribute of 400.
Byzantines, besides Balkakines and other giftes. Also euery yeare they send
messenters vnto the Caliph mouing him to come vnto them. Who sending back
great gifts together with his tribute beseecheth them to be fauourable vnto
him. Howbeit the Tartarian Emperour receiueth al his gifts, and yet still
neuertheles sends for him, to haue him come.
Qualiter Tartari se habent in prælijs. Cap. 17.
Ordinauit Chingischam Tartaros per Decanos et centenarios et millenarios.
[Sidenote: Tartarorum militaris disciplina.] Decem quoque millenarijs
præponunt vnum, cunctóque nihilominus exercitui duos aut tres Duces, ita
tamen vt ad vnum habeant respectum. Cúmque in bello contra aliquos
congrediuntur nisi communiter cedant, omnes qui fugiunt, occiduntur. Et si
vnus aut duo vel plures ex decem audacter accedunt ad pugnam, alij verò ex
illo Denario non sequuntur similiter occiduntur. Sed etiam si vnus ex decem
vel plures capiuntur, socij eorum si non eos liberant, ipsi etiam
occiduntur. Porò arma debent habere tallia. Duos arcus vel vnum bonum ad
minus. [Sidenote: Armatura.] Trésque pharetras sagittis plenas, et vnam
securim et funes ad machinas trahendas. Diuites autem habent gladios in
fine acutos, ex vna parte tantum incidentes, et aliquantulum curuos. Habent
et equos armatos, crura etiam tecta, galeas et loricas. Verùm loricas et
equorum cooperturas quidam habent de corio, super corpus artificiosè
duplicato vel etiam triplicato. Galea verò superius est de chalybe, vel de
ferro: sed illud, quod in circuitu protegit collum et gulam, est de corio.
Quidam autem de ferro habent omnia supradicta, in hunc modum formata.
Laminas multas tenues ad vnius digni latitudinem et palmæ longitudinem
faciunt, et in qualibet octo foramina paruula facientes, interius tres
corrgias strictas et fortes ponunt. Sicque laminas, vnam alij quasi per
gradus ascendendo, supponunt. Itáque laminas ad corrigias, tenuibus
corrigiolis per foramina prædicta immissis, ligant, et in superiori parte
corrigiolam vnam ex vtraque parte duplicatam cum alia corrigiola consuunt,
vt laminæ simul benè firmitérque cohæreant. Hæc faciunt tam ad cooperturas
equorum, quàm ad armaturas hominum. Adeóque faciunt ilia lucere, quod in
eis potest homo faciem suam videre. Aliqui verò in collo ferri lanceæ vncum
habent, cum quo de sella, si possunt, hominem detrahant. Sagittarum eorum
ferramenta sunt acutissima, ex vtraque parte quasi gladius biceps
incidentia, sempérque iuxta pharetram portant limas ad acuendum sagittas.
Habent verò scuta de viminibus, aut de virgulis facta. Sed non credimus,
quod ea soleant portare, nisi id castra et ad custodiam Imperatoris ac
principum, et hoc tantùm de nocte. [Sidenote: Vsas bellorum.] In bellis
astutissimi sunt: quia per annos xlij. cum cæteris gentibus dimicarunt.
[Sidenote: Mos tranandi flumina.] Cùm autem ad flumim peruenerunt, maiores
habent rotundum ac letie corium, in cuius summitate per circuitum ansas
erebras facientes funem imponunt ac stringunt, ita quod in circuitu quasi
ventrem efficiunt, quem vestibus ac rebus cæteris replent, fortissimeque ad
inuicem comprimunt. In medio autem ponunt sellas et alias res duriores: ibi
quoque sedent homines. Huiusmodi nauim ad equi caudam ligant, et hominem,
qui equum regat, pariter natare faciunt, vel habent aliquando duos remos,
cum quibus remigant. Equo igitur in aquam impulso, omnes alij equi
sequuntur illum, et sic transeunt fluuium. Pauperior autem quilibet vnam
bursam vel saccum de corio bene consutum habet, in quo res suas omnes
imponit, et in summitate fortiter ligatum, ad equi caudam suspendit, sicque
modo prædicto transit.
The same in English.
How the Tartars behaue themselues in warre. Chap. 17.
[Sidenote: The military discipline of the Tartars] Chingis Cham diuided his
Tartars by captaines of ten, captaines of an 100, and captaines of a 1000.
And ouer ten Millenaries or captains of a 1000, he placed, as it were, one
Colonel, and yet notwithstanding ouer one whole army he authorised two or
three dukes, but yet so that all should haue especiall regart vnto one of
the said dukes. And when they ioine battel against any other nation, vnles
they do all with one consent giue backe, euery man that flies is put to
death. And if one or two, or more of ten proceed manfully to the battel,
but the residue of those ten draw backe and follow not the company, they
are in like manner slaine. Also, if one among ten or more bee taken, their
fellowes, if they rescue them not, are punished with death. [Sidenote:
Their weapons.] Moreouer they are enioined to haue these weapons following.
Two long bowes or one good one at the least, three quiuers full of arrowes,
and one axe, and ropes to draw engines withal. But the richer sort haue
single edged swords, with sharpe points, and somewhat crooked. They haue
also armed horses with their shoulders and breasts defenced, they haue
helmets and brigandines. Some of them haue iackes, and caparisons for their
horses made of leather artificially doubled or trebled vpon their bodies.
The vpper part of their helmet is of iron or steele, but that part which
compasseth about the necke and the throate is of leather. Howbeit some of
them haue of the foresaide furniture of iron trimed in maner following.
They beate out many thinne plates a finger broad and a handful long, and
making in euery one of them eight littel holes, they put thereunto three
strong and straight leather thongs. So they bind the plates one to another,
as it were, ascending by degrees. Then they tie the plates vnto the said
thongs with other small and slender thongs drawen through the holes
aforesaid, and in the vppper part, on each side therof, they fasten one
small doubled thong vnto another, that the plates may firmely be knit
together. These they make as well for their horses caparisons, as for the
armour of their men: And they skowre them so bright that a man may behold
his face in them. Some of them vpon the necke of their launce haue an
hooke, wherewithall they attempt to pull men out of their saddles. The
heads of their arrowes are exceedingly sharpe cutting both wayes like a two
edged sworde, and they alwaies carie a file in their quiuers to whet their
arrowheads. They haue targets made of wickers, or of small reddes. Howbeit
they doe not (as we suppose) accustome to carrie them, but onely about the
tents or in the Emperours or dukes guards, and that only in the night
season. [Sidenote: Their experience and cunning in warres.] They are most
politique in warres, hauing bene exercised therein with other nations for
the of these 42. yeres. [Sidenote: Their maner of passing ouer riuers.]
When they come at any riuers the chiefe men of the company haue a round and
light piece of leather, about the borders whereof making many loopes, they
put a rope into them to draw it together like a purse, and so bring it into
the round forme of a ball, which leather they fill with their garments and
other necessities trussing it vp most strongly. But vpon the midst of the
vpper parte thereof, they lay their saddles and other hard things there,
also doe the men themselues sit. This their boate they tye vnto an horse
tayle, causing a man to swimme before, and to guide ouer the horse, or
sometime they haue two oares to row themselues ouer. The first horse
therefore being driuen into the water all the other horses of the company
followe him, and so they passe through the riuer. But the poorer sorte of
common souldiers haue euery man his leather bag or sachell well sown
together, wherin he packs vp all his trinkets, and strongly trussing it vp
hangs it at his horses tayle, and so passeth ouer in maner aforesaid.