Nullam æstimo prouinciam esse quæ per se possit eis resistere: quia de omni
terra potestatis suæ solent homines ad bellum congregare. Et siquidem
vicina prouincia non vult eis opem ferre, quam impugnant, delentes illum
cum hominibus, quos ex illa capiunt, contra aliam pugnant. [Sidenote:
[Greek: Harainesis] de bello contra Tartaros gerendo.] Et illos quidem in
acie primos ponunt et si malè pugnant, ipsos occidunt. Itaque si Christiani
eis resistere volunt oportet quòd Principes ac rectores terrarum in vnum
conueniant, ac de communi consilio eis resistant Habeántque pugnatores
arcus fortes et balistais, quas multùm timent sagittásque sufficientes
dolabrum quoque de bono ferro, vel securim cum manubrio longo. [Sidenote:
Ferri temperamentum.] Ferramenta verò sagittarum more Tartarorum, quando
sunt calida, temperare debent in aqua, cum sale mixta, vt fortia sint ad
penetrandum illorum arma. Gladios etiam et lanceas cum vncis habeant, qui
volunt, ad detrahendum illos de sella, de qua facillimè cadunt. Habeant et
galeas et arma catera, ad protegendum corpus et equum ab armis et saggitis
eorum, et si qui non ita sunt armati, debent more illorum post alios ire,
et contra ipsos arcubus vel balistis traijcere. Et sicut dictum est suprà
de Tartaris, debent acies suas ordinare, ac legem pugnantibus imponere.
Quicunque conuersus fuerit ad prædam ante victoriam maximam debet poenam
subire: talis enim apud illos occiditur absque miseratione. Locus ad
prælium, si fieri potest, eligendus est planus, vt vndíque possint videre,
nec omnes debent in vnum conuenire, sed acies multas et diuisas, nec tamen
nimis distantes ab inuicem facere. Contra illos qui primò veniunt, debent
vnam aciem mittere, et alia parata sit ad iuuandum illam opportuno tempore.
Habeant et speculatores ex omni parte, qui videant, quando veniunt acies
cætere. Nam ideò semper debent aciem contra aciem, vt ei occurrant,
mittere, quoniam illi semper nituntur aduersarios in medio concludere. Hoc
autem acies caueant, ne si etiam illi fugere videantur, diu post illos
currant, ne fortè, sicut facere solent, ipsos ad paratas insidias trahent:
quia plus fraudulentia quàm fortitudine pugnant. Et iterum ne fatigentur
equi eorum: quia nostri multitudinem non habent equorum. Tartari verò quos
equitant die vna, non ascendunt tribus diebus, vel quatuor postea. Prætera
si cedunt Tartari, non ideò debent nostri recedere, vel ab inuicem
separari: quoniam hoc simulando faciunt, vt exercitus diuidatur, et sic ad
terræ destructionem liberè ingrediantur. Cæterùm Duces nostri die noctúque
facere debent exercitum custodiri: nec iacere spoliati, sed semper ad
pugnam parati: quia Tartari quasi Dæmones semper vigilant, excogitantes
artem nocendi. Porrò si aliqui Tartarorum in bello de suis equis
proijciuntur, statim capiendi sunt, quia quando sunt in terra fortiter
sagittant, et equos hominésque vulnerant.
The same in English.
Howe they may be resisted. Chap. 18.
I deeme not any one kingdome or prouince able to resist them because they
vse to take vp souldiers out of euery countrey of their dominions. And if
so be the neighbour prouince which they inuade, wil not aide them, vtterly
wasting it, with the inhabitants therof, whom they take from thence with
them, they proceed on to fight against another countrey. And placing their
captiues in the forefront of the battell, if they fight not couragiously,
they put them to the sworde. [Sidenote: Counsel how to wage warre against
the Tartar.] Wherefore, if Christians would withstande them, it is
expediennt, that the prouinces and gouernours of countreies should agree in
one, and so by common counsell, should giue them resistance. Their
souldiers also must be furnished with strong hand-bowes and cros-bowes,
which they greatly dread, and with sufficient arrowes, with maces also of
good iron, or an axe with a long handle or staffe. [Sidenote: A notable
temper of iron or steele.] When they make their arrow heads they must
(according to the Tartars custome) dip them red-hot into water mingled with
salte, that they may be strong to pierce the enemies armour. They that wil
may haue swords also and lances with hooks at the ends, to pull them from
their saddles, out of which they are easilie remoued. They must haue
helmets likewise and other armour to defend themselues and their horses
from the Tartars weapons and arrowes, and they that are vnarmed, must
(according to the Tartars custome) march behinde their fellowes, and
discharge at the enemie with long bowes and cros-bowes. And (as it is aboue
said of the Tartars) they must orderly dispose their bandes and troupes,
and ordeine lawes for their souldiers. Whosoeuer runneth to the pray or
spoyle, before the victorie be achieued, must vndergoe a most seuere
punishment. For such a fellow is put to death among the Tartars without all
pitie or mercie. The place of battel must be chosen, if it be possible, in
a plaine fielde, where they may see round about, neither must all be in one
company, but in manie and seuerall bandes, not very farre distant one from
another. They which giue the first encounter must send one band before, and
must haue another in a readynesse to relieue and second the former in time
conuenient. They must haue spies also on euery side to giue them notice
when the rest of the enemies bandes approch. For therefore ought they
alwayes to send forth band against band and troupe against troupe, because
the Tartar euer practiseth to gette his enemie in the midst and so to
enuiron him. Let our bands take this caveat also, if the enemie retire, not
to make any long pursuit after him, lest peraduenture (according to his
custome) he might draw them into some secret ambush: for the Tartar fights
more by policie than by maine force. Those horses which the Tartars vse one
day, they ride not vpon three or foure dayes after. Moreouer, if the
Tartars draw homeward, our men must not therefore depart and casseir their
bandes, or separate themselues asunder: because they doe this vpon policie,
namely to haue our armie diuided, that they may more securely inuade and
waste the countrey. And in very deede, our captaines ought both day and
night to keepe their armie in a readines: and not to lie out of their
armour, but at all assayes, to bee prouided for battell. For the Tartars
like deuils are alwaies watching and deuising howe to practise mischiefe.
Furthermore, if in battell any of the Tartars be cast off their horse
backes, they must presently bee layd holde on and taken, for being on foote
they shoote strongly, wounding and killing both horses and men.
De itinere Fratris Iohannis de Plano carpini vsque ad primam custodiam
Tartarorum. Cap. 19.
Nos igitur ex mandato sedis Apostolicæ cùm iremus ad Orientis nationes,
elegimus prius ad Tartaros proficisci: quia timebamus, ne per illos in
proximo Ecclesiæ Dei periculum immineret. [Sidenote: Itinarium Iohann. et
sociorum legatorum.] Itaque pergentes, ad regem Boëmorum peruenimus: qui
cum esset nobis familiaris, consuluit, vt per Poloniam et Russiam iter
ageremus. Habebat enim consanguineos in Polinia, quorum auxilo Russiam
intrare possemus. [Sidenote: Boleslaus Dux Silesiæ.] Datísque literis et
bono conductu, fecit et expensas nobis dari per curias et ciuitates eius,
quo vsque ad Ducem Silesiæ Bolezlaum, nepotem eius, veniremus, qui etiam
erat nobis familiaris et notus. Hinc et ipse nobis similiter fecit, donec
veniremus ad Conradum, Ducem [Marginal note: Mazouiæ.] Lautisciæ, ad quem
tunc, Dei gratia nobis fauente, venerat Dominus Wasilico, Dux Russiæ, à quo
etiam plenius de facto audiuimus Tartarorum: quia nuncios illuc miserat,
qui iam redierant ad ipsum. Audito autem, quòd opporteret nos illis munera
dare, quasdam pelles castorum et aliorum animalium fecimus emi, de hoc,
quod datum nobis fuerat in eleemosynam ad subsidium viæ. Quod agnoscentes
Dux Conradus et [Marginal note: Grimislaua vt Mechouius lib. 1. cap. 9.]
Ducissa Cracouiæ, et Episcopus et quidam milites, plures etiam nobis
dederunt huiusmodi pelles. Denique Dux Wasilico à Duce Cracouiæ, et
Episcopo atque Baronibus pro nobis attentè rogatus, secum nos in terram
suam duxit, et vt aliquantulum quiesceremus aliquot diebus nos in expensis
suis detinuit. [Sidenote: Literæ Papa ad Russos.] Et cùm rogatus à nobis,
fecisset Episcopos suos venire, legimus eis literas Domini Papæ, monentis
eos, ad sanctæ matris Ecclesiæ vnitatem redire. Ad idem quoque nos ipsi
monuimus eos, et induximus, quantum potuimus, tam Ducem quàm Episcopos et
alios. [Sidenote: Daniel, frater Basilij.] Sed quia Dux Daniel, frater
Wasiliconis prædicti, præsens non erat, quoniam ad Baty profectus erat, non
potuerunt eo tempore finaliter respondere. Post hæc Dux Wasilico transmisit
nos vsque in Kiouiam metropolin Russiæ, cum seruiente vno. [Sidenote:
Lituani.] Ibamus tamen in periculo capitis semper propter Lituanos, qui
sæpè faciebant insultum super terram Russiæ et in illis maximè locis, per
quos debebamus transire. At per prædictum seruientem eramus securi à
Ruthenis, quorum etiam maxima pars occisa vel captiuata erat à Tartaris.
Porrò in Danilone vsque ad mortem tunc infirmati fuimus. Nihilominus tamen
in vehiculo per niuem et frigus magnum trahi nos fecimus. Cum ergò Kiouiam
peruenimus, habuimus de via nostra consilium cum millenario ac cæteris
ibidem nobilibus. [Sidenote: Pabulum equorum Tartario.] Qui responderunt
nobis, quòd si duceremus equos illos, quos tunc habebamus, ad Tortaros, cùm
essent magnæ niues, morerentur omnes: qui nescirent herbam fodere sub niue,
sicut equi faciunt Tartarorum, nec inueniri posset aliquod pro eis ad
manducandum, cùm Tartari nec stramina nec foenum habeant, nec pabulum.
Itaque decreuimus eos illic dimittere cum duobus pueris, deputatis eorum
custodiæ. Ideóque nos oportuit millenario dare munera, vt ipsum haberemus
propitium, ad dandum nobis equos subductitios et conductum. Secundo igitur
die post festum Purificationis cepto itinere, venimus ad villam Canouæ, quæ
sub Tartaris erat immediatè. [Sidenote: Micheas [Greek: pankakos].] Cuius
præfectus nobis dedit equos et conductum vsque ad aliam, in qua reperimus
præfectum Micheam omni malitia plenum. Qui tamen acceptis à nobis muneribus
secundum velle suum, duxit nos vsque ad primam custodiam Tartarorum.
The same in English.
Of the iourney of frier [Marginal note: Iohannes de plano Carpini.] Iohn
vnto the first guard of the Tartars. Chap. 19.
[Sidenote: The iourney of frier Iohn and his fellow Legates.] We therefore
by the commaundement of the sea apostolique setting foorth towards the
nations of the East, chose first to trauel vnto the Tartars, because we
feared that there might be great danger imminent vpon the Church of God
next vnto them, by their inuasions. [Sidenote: Boleslaus duke of Silesia.]
Proceeding on therefore, we came to the king of Bohemia, who being of our
familiar acquaintance, aduised vs to take our iourney through Polonia and
Russia. For he had kinsfolkes in Polonia, by whose assistance, we might
enter into Russia. Hauing giuen vs his letters, hee caused our charges also
to be defrayed, in all his chiefe houses and cities, till we came vnto his
nephew Boleslaus duke of Silesia, who also was familiar and well knowen
vnto vs. The like fauour he shewed vs also, till wee came vnto Conradus
duke of [Marginal note: Mazouia.] Lautiscia, vnto whome then (by Gods
especiall fauour towards vs) lord Wasilico duke of Russia was come, from
whose mouth we heard more at large concerning the deedes of the Tartars:
for he had sent ambassadours thither, who were returned backe vnto him.
Wherefore, it being giuen vs to vnderstand, that we must bestow giftes vpon
them, we caused certaine skinnes of beuers and other beastes to be bought
with part of that money, which was giuen vpon almes to succour vs by the
way. Which thing duke Conradus and the [Marginal note: Grimslaua.] duches
of Cracow, and a bishop, and certaine souldiers being aduertised of, gaue
vs likewise more of the same skins. And to be short, duke Wasilico being
earnestly requested by the duke of Cracow, and by the bishop and barons, on
our behalfe, conducted vs with him, vnto his owne land, and there for
certaine daies, enterteined vs at his owne charges, to the ende that we
might refresh ourselues a while. And when, being requested by vs, he had
caused his bishops to resort vnto him, we reade before them the Popes
letters, admonishing them to returne vnto the vnitie of the Church. To the
same purpose also, we our selues admonished them, and to our abilitie,
induced as well the duke as the bishops and others thereunto. [Sidenote:
Daniel brother vnto Wasilico.] Howbeit because Duke Daniel the brother of
Wasilico aforesaid (hauing as then taken his iourney vnto Baty) was absent,
they could not at that time, make a finall answere. After these things duke
Wasilico sent vs forward with one of his seruants as farre as Kiow the
chiefe citie of Russia. [Sidenote: The Lithuanians.] Howbeit we went
alwayes in danger of our liues by reason of the Lithuanians, who did often
inuade the borders of Russia, euen in those verie places by which we were
to passe. But in regard of the foresayd seruant, wee were out of the
Russians daunger, the greatest part of whome were either slaine, or caried
into captiuitie by the Tartars. Moreouer, at Danilon wee were feeble euen
vnto the death. (Notwithstanding wee caused our selues to bee carried in a
waggon through the snowe and extreme colde) And being come vnto Kiow, wee
consulted with the Millenary, and other noble men there concerning our
iourney. [Sidenote: The fodder of the Tartarian horses.] They told vs, that
if wee carried those horses, which wee then had, vnto the Tartars, great
store of snowe lying vpon the ground, they would all dye: because they knew
not how to digge vp the grass vnder the snow, as the Tartarian horses doe,
neither could there bee ought found for them to eate, the Tartars hauing
neither hay nor strawe, nor any other fodder. We determined therefore to
leaue them behind at Kiow with two seruants appointed to keepe them. And
wee were constrayned to bestow gifts vpon the Millenary, that we might
obtaine his fauour to allowe vs poste horses and a guide. Wherefore
beginning our iourney the second daye after the feast of the Purification,
wee arriued at the towne of Canow, which was immediately vnder the dominion
of the Tartars. [Sidenote: Michæas the malicious] The gouernour whereof
allowed vs horses and a guide vnto another towne, wherein wee found one
Michæas to be gouernour, a man full of all malice and despight. Who
notwithstanding, hauing receiued giftes at our handes, according to his
maner conducted vs to the first guarde of the Tartars.
Qualiter primò cum socijs suis receptus est à Tartaris. Cap. 20.
Cum ergo in prima sexta feria post diem cinerum, Sole ad occasum tendente,
hospitaremur, Tartari super nos armati horribiliter irruerunt, quærentes
cuiusmodi homines essemus: cúmque respondissemus, quòd Domini Papæ nuncij
essemus, quibusdam cibarijs à nobis acceptis, continuò discesserunt. Porrò
mane facto, cùm surgentes aliquantulum processissemus, maiores illorum, qui
erant in custodia, nobis occurrerunt, interrogantes, cur ad eos veniremus?
et quid negotij haberemus? [Sidenote: Papa Christianorum pater et Dominus.]
Quibus respondimus, Domini Papæ nuncij sumus, qui Christianorum pater est
ac Dominus. Hic nos idcircò tam ad Regem quàm ad Principes, omnésque
Tartaros, mittit, quia placet ei, quòd omnes Christiani Tartarorum sint
amici, et pacem habeant cum ipsis. [Sidenote: Legationibus mandata.]
Desiderat insuper, vt apuud Deum in coelo sint magni, et idcircò monet eos
tam per nos quàm per literas suas, vt efficiantur Christiani, fidémque
recipiant Domini nostri Iesu Christi, quia non possunt aliter saluari.
Mandat prætereà, quòd miratur de tanta occisione hominum, et maximè
Christianorum, ac potissimè Hungarorum Montanorum, et Polonorum, qui sunt
ei subiecti, facta per Tartaros, cùm in nullo læsissent, aut lædere
attentassent eos. Et quia Dominus Deus grauiter est super hoc offensus,
monet eos vt à talibus de cætero caueant, et de commissis poenitentiam
agant. Super his etiam rogat, vt ei rescribant, quid facere velint de
cætero, et quæ sit eorum intentio. [Sidenote: Corrensa.] Quibus auditis, et
intellectis, dixerunt Tartari, se velle equos nobis subductitios vsque ad
Corrensam et ducatum præbere. Statimque munera petierunt, et à nobis
acceperunt. Equis igitur acceptis, de quibus descenderunt ipsi, cum eorum
ducatu ad Corrensam arripuimus iter eundi. Ipsi tamen velociter equitantes,
nuncium vnum præmiserunt ad præfatum Ducem cum his verbis, quæ dixeramus
eisdem. [Sidenote: Dux limitis occidentalis.] Est autem Dux iste Dominus
omnium, qui positi sunt in custodia contra omnes Occidentis populos, ne
fortè subitò et improuisò irruant aliqui super illos. Et iste dicitur
habere sexaginta millia hominum armatorum sub se.
The same in English.
How he and his company were at the first receiued of the Tartars. Chap. 20.
Wherefore, the first saturday next after Ashwednesday, hauing about the
Sunnes going downe, taken vp our place of rest, the armed Tartars came
rushing vpon vs in vnciuil and horrible maner, being very inquisitiue of vs
what maner of persons, or of what condition we were: and when we had
answered them that we were the Popes Legates, receiuing some victuals at
our handes, they immediately departed. Moreouer in the morning rising and
proceeding on our iourney, the chiefe of them which were in the guard met
with vs, demaunding why, or for what intent and purpose we came thither,
and what business we had with them: Vnto whom we answered, We are the
legates of our lord the Pope, who is the father and lord of the Christians.
[Sidenote: The content of the legacie.] He hath sent vs as well vnto your
Emperour, as to your princes, and all other Tartars for this purpose,
because it is his pleasure, that all Christians should be in league with
the Tartars, and should haue peace with them. It is his desire also that
they should become great or in fauour with God in heauen, therfore he
admonisheth them aswel by vs, as by his own letters, to become Christians,
and to embrace the faith of our Lord Iesu Christ, because they could not
otherwise be saued. Moreouer, he giues them to vndersand, that he much
marueileth at their monstrous slaughters and massacres of mankind, and
especially of Christians, but most of al of Hungarians, Mountaineirs, and
Polonians, being al his subiects, hauing not iniuried them in ought, nor
attempted to doe them iniurie. And because the Lord God is grieuously
offended thereat, he aduiseth them from henceforth to beware of such
dealing, and to repent them of that which they had done. He requesteth
also, that they would write an answere vnto him, what they purpose to doe
hereafter, and what their intention is. All which things being heard and
vnderstood, the Tartars sayd that they would appoint vs poste horses and a
guide vnto Corrensa. And immediately demanding gifts at our hands, they
obtained them. [Sidenote: Corrensa.] Then receiuing the same horses, from
which they dismounted, together with a guide wee tooke our iourney into
Corrensa. [Sidenote: The duke of the western marches.] But they riding a
swift pace, sent a messenger before vnto the sayd duke to signifie the
message, which we had deliuered vnto them. This duke is gouernour of all of
them, which lie in guard against the nations of the West, least some enemy
might on the sudden and at vnawares breake in vpen them. And hee is said to
haue 60000. men vnder him.
Qualiter recepti sunt apud Corrensam. Cap. 21.
[Sidenote: Mos salutandi Tartaricos proceres.] Cum ergò peruenissemus an
eius curiam, fecit nobis longè à se poni stationem, et misit ad nos
procuratores suos, vt quærent à nobis, cum quo ei vellemus inclinare id
est, quæ ei munera inclinando vellemus offerre. Quibus respondimus, quòd
Dominus Papa non mittebat aliqua munera; quia non erat certus, quòd ad
illos peruenire possemus, et insuper veneramus per loca valdè periculosa.
Veruntamen in quantum de his, quæ habebamus ex gratia Dei et Domini Papæ ad
victum nostrum, sicut poterimus, honorabimus ipsum. Acceptisque muneribus
duxerunt nos ad ordam siue tentorium ipsius, et instructi fuimus, vt ante
ostium stationis ter cum sinistro genu inclinaremus, et caueremus attentè
ne pedem super limen ostij poneremus. Et postquam intrauimus, opportunt nos
coram Duce omnibusque maioribus, qui ad hoc erant vocari, dicere flexis
genibus ea, quæ dixeramus superiùs. Literas etiam Dom. Papæ obtulimus: sed
interpres, quem de Kyouia, dato pretio, duxeramus, non erat sufficiens ad
interpretandum, nec aliquis alius habebatur idoneus. [Sidenote: Bathy
eiúsque potentia.] Hinc equi nobis dati sunt, et tres Tartari qui nos
ducerent festinanter ad ducem Bathy. Ipse est apud eos potentior excepto
Imperatore, cui tenentur præ cunctis principibus obedire. Itaque iter
arripuimus secunda feria post primam dominicam [Marginal note:
Quadragesime.] xl. et equitando, quantum equi trotare poterant, quoniam
habebamus equos recentes ferè ter aut quater omni die, properabamus de mane
vsque ad noctem, imò etiam de nocte sæpissimè, nec tamen ante quartam
feriam maioris hebdomadæ potuimus ad ipsum peruenire. [Sidenote: Comania.]
Ibamus autem per terram Comanorum quæ tota est plana, et flumina quatuor
habet magna. Primuim appellatur [Marginal note: Veteribus Borysthenes.]
Neper, iuxta quod ex parte Russiæ ambulabat Correnza et Montij, qui maior
est ille ex altera parte per campestria. Secundum appellatur [Marginal
note: Tanais] Don, super quod ambulat quidam Princeps habens in coniugio
sororem Baty, qui vocatur Tirbor. Tertium dicitur [Marginal note: Rha.]
Volga, quod est magnum valde super quod incecdit Bathy. Quartum nominatur
[Marginal note: Rhymnus.] Iaec, super quod duo millenarij vadunt, vnus ex
parte illuminis vna, et alter ex altera. Hi omnes in hyeme ad mare
descendunt, et in æstate super ripam corundem fluminum ad montes ascendunt.
Hoc est mare magnum, de quo brachium saneti Georgij exit, quod in
Constantinopolin vadit. [Sidenote: Pontus Euxinas.] Hæc autem flumina sunt
piscibus valdè plena, maximè Volga, intrántque mare Græciæ, quod dicitur
Magnum mare. [Sidenote: Volga non intrat.] Super Nepre autem multis diebus
iuimus per glaciem. Super littora quoque maris Græciæ satis periculosè per
glaciem iuimus in pluribus locis multis diebus. Congelantur enim circa
littora vndæ ad tres leugas inferiùs. Prius autem quàm ad Bathy
perueniremus, duo ex nostris Tartaris præcesserunt, ad indicandum ei omnia
verba quæ apud Corrensam dixeramus.
The same in English.
How they were receiued at the court of Corrensa. Chap. 21.
[Sidenote: The maner of saluting the Tartarian princes.] Being come
therefore vnto his court, hee caused our tent to be placed farre from him,
and sent his agents to demaund of vs with what we would incline vnto him,
that is to say, what giftes we would offer, in doing our obeisance vnto
him. Vnto whome wee answered, that our lord the Pope had not sent any
giftes at all, because he was not certaine that wee should euer bee able to
come at them: for we passed through most dangerous places. Notwithstanding,
to our abilitie, we will honour him with some part of those things which
haue bene, by the goodnes of God and the fauour of the Pope, bestowed vpon
vs for our sustenance. Hauing receiued our gifts, they conducted vs vnto
the Orda or tent of the duke, and we were instructed to bow thrise with our
left knee before the doore of the tente, and in any case to beware, lest
wee set our foote vpon the threshold of the sayd doore. And that after we
were entred, wee should rehearse before the duke and all his nobles, the
same wordes which wee had before sayd, kneeling vpon our knees. Then
presented wee the letters of our lord the Pope: but our interpreter whome
we had hired and brought with vs from Kiow was not sufficiently able to
interpret them, neither was there any other esteemed to bee meete for the
same purpose. Here certaine poste horses and three Tartars were appoynted
for vs to conduct vs from hence with al speede vnto duke Bathy. [Sidenote:
Duke Bathy and his power] This Bathy is the mightiest prince among them
except the Emperour, and they are bound to obey him before all other
princes. We began our iourney towards his court the first tuesday in Lent,
and riding as fast as our horses could trot (for we had fresh horses almost
thrise or foure times a day) we posted from morning till night, yea very
often in the night season also, and yet could we not come at him before
Maundie thursday. All this iourney we went through the land of Comania,
which is al plaine ground, and hath foure mighty riuers running through it:
[Marginal note: Boristhenes] Neper, on the side whereof towards Russia,
duke Corrensa and Montij marched vp and downe, which Montij on the other
side vpon the plaines is greater then he. The second is called [Marginal
note: Tanais.] Don, vpon the banke whereof marcheth a certain prince hauing
in marriage the sister of Bathy, his name is Tirbon. The third is called
[Marginal note: Rha.] Volga, which is an exceeding great riuer, vpon the
bankes whereof duke Bathy marcheth. The fourth is called [Marginal note:
Rhymnus.] Iaec, vpon which two Millenaries doe march, on each side of the
riuer one. All these, in the winter time, descend down to the sea, and in
summer ascend backe by the bankes of the said riuers vp to the mountains.
The sea last named is the [Marginal note: Pontes Euxima. He is deceiued,
for albeit Neper and Don run into Mare Maior: yet Volga and Iaec flowe into
the Caspian Sea.] Great Sea, out of which the arme of S. George proceedeth,
which runneth by Constantinople. These riuers do abound with plenty of
fishes, but especially Volga, and they exonerate themselues into the
Grecian sea, which is called Mare maior. Ouer Neper we went many daies vpon
the ice. Along the shore also of the Grecian sea we went very dangerously
vpon the ice in sundry places, and that for many daies together. For about
the shore the waters are frozen three leagues into the sea. But before we
came into Bathy, two of our Tartars rode afore, to giue him intelligence of
all the sayings which we had vttered in the presence of Corrensa.
Qualiter recepti sunt apud Bathy magnum Principem. Cap. 22.
Porrò cùm in finibus terræ Comanorum ad Bathy perueniremus, benè positi
fuimus per vnam leucam à stationibus eius. [Sidenote: Ceremonia per duos
ignes transeundi.] Cúmque duci debuimus ad curiam ipsius, dictum fuit
nobis, quòd inter duos ignes transire deberemus. Nos autem hoc nulla
ratione facere volebamus. At illi dixerunt nobis: Ite securè quia pro nulla
causa volumus hoc facere, nisi tantùm, vt si vos aliquid malum cogitatis
Domino nostro, vel portatis venenum, ignis auferat omne malum Quibus
respondemus: quod propter hoc, ne de tali re suspectos redderemus nos,
transiremus. [Sidenote: Eldegay.] Cùm igitur ad Ordam peruenissemus,
interrogati à procuratore ipsius Eldegay, cum quo inclinare vellemus? idem
quod prius apud Corrensam respondimus, datísque muneribus et acceptis,
auditis etiam itineris causis, introduxerunt nos in stationem Principis,
prius facta inclinatione, et audita de limine non calcando, sicut prius,
admonitione. [Sidenote: Bathy audit legatos.] Ingressi autem flexis
genibus, verba nostra proposuimus, deinde literas obtulimus, et vt nobis
darentur interpretes ad transferendum eas, rogauimus. Qui etiam in die
Parasceue dati fuerunt nobis, et eas in litera Ruthenica, Sarracenica, et
in Tartarica diligenter cum ipsis transtulimus. Hæc interpretatio Bathy
præsentata fuit; quam et legit, et attentè notauit. Tandem ad nostram
stationem reducti fuimus, sed nulla cibaria nobis dederunt, nisi semel
aliquantulum millij in vna scutella, scilicet in prima nocte quando
venimus. [Sidenote: Gerit se regifice.] Iste Bathy magnificè se gerit,
habens ostianos et omnes officiales ad modum Imperatoris, et sedet in
eminenti loco velut in throno cum vna de vxoribus suis. Alij verò tam
fratres sui et filij, quàm alij maiores inferiùs sedent in medio super
bancum, et homines cæteri post eos in terra deorsum, sed viri à dextris, et
foeminæ à sinistris. Tentoria quoque de panno lineo habet pulchra et magna
satis, quæ fuerunt Hungariæ regis. Nec aliquis ad eius tentorium audet
accedere præter familiam, nisi vocatus, quantumcunque sit potens et magnus,
nisi fortè sciatur, quòd sit voluntas ipsius. Nos etiam dicta causa sedimus
à sinistris: Sic etenim et omnes nuncij faciunt in eundo: sed in redeundo
ab Imperatore, semper ponebamur à dextris. [Sidenote: Eiusdem bibendi ad
Symphoniæ cantum mos.] In medio ponitur mensa eius prope ostium stationis,
super quam apponitur potus in aureis et argenteis vasis. Nec vnquam bibit
Bathy, vel aliquis Tartarorum Princeps, maximè quando in publico sunt, nisi
cantetur ei vel cytharizetur. Et cùm equitat, semper portatur solinum vel
tentoriolum super caput eius in hasta. [Sidenote: Authoritas.] Sícque
faciunt cuncti maiores Principes Tartarorum, et etiam vxores eorum. Idem
verò Bathy satis est hominibus suis benignus, valdè tamen ab eis timetur,
et in pugna est crudelisimus, sagax est multum et astutissimus in bello:
quia iam pugnauit tempore longo.
The same in English.
How we were receiued at the court of the great prince Bathy. Chap. 22.
Moreouer, when we came vnto Bathy in the land of Comania, we were seated a
good league distant from his tabernacles. [Sidenote: A ceremony of passing
betweene two fires.] And when we should be conducted vnto his court, it was
told vs that we must passe between two fires. But we would by no means be
induced thereunto. Howbeit, they said vnto vs: you may passe through
without al danger: for we would haue you to doe it for none other cause,
but only that if you intend any mischiefe against our lord, or bring any
poyson with you, fire may take away all euill. Vnto whom we answered, that
to the end we might cleare ourselues from all suspition of any such matter,
we were contented to passe through. [Sidenote: Eldegay.] When therefore we
were come vnto the Orda, being demanded by his agent Eldegay with what
present or gift we would do our obeisance? Wee gaue the same answere which
we did at the court of Corrensa. The gifts being giuen and receiued, the
causes of our iourney also being heard, they brought vs into the tabernacle
of the prince, first bowing ourselues at the doore, and being admonished,
as before, not to tread vpon the threshold. [Sidenote: Bathy heareth the
Legates.] And being entred, we spake vnto him kneeling vpon our knees, and
deliuered him our letters, and requested him to haue interpreters to
translate them. Who accordingly on good friday were sent vnto vs, and we
together with them, diligently translated our sayd letters into the
Russian, Tartarian, and Saracen languages. This interpretation was
presented vnto Bathy, which he read, and attentiuely noted. At length wee
were conducted home againe vnto our owne lodging, howbeit no victuals were
giuen vnto vs, except it were once a litle Millet in a dich, the first
night of our comming. [Sidenote: He behaues himselfe like a king.] This
Bathy caries himselfe very stately and magnificently, hauing porters and
all officers after the maner of the Emperour, and sittes in a lofty seate
or throne together with one of his wiues. The rest, namely, as well his
brethren and sonnes, as other great personages sit vnderneath him in the
midst vpon a bench, and others sit down vpon the ground, behinde him, but
the men on the right hand and the women on the left. He hath very faire and
large tentes of linnen cloth also, which were once the kings of Hungaria.
Neither dare any man come into his tent (besides them of his owne family)
vnles he be called, be he neuer so mighty and great, except perhaps it be
knowen that it is his pleasure. Wee also, for the same cause, sate on the
left hand; for so doe all ambassadors in going: but in returning from the
Emperour, we were alwaies placed on the right hand. In the middest stands
his table, neare vnto the doore of the tent, vpon the which there is drinke
filled in golden and siluer vessels. [Sidenote: Their custome of drinking
at the sound of musicke.] Neither doth Bathy at any time drinke, nor any
other of the Tartarian princes, especially being in a publique place, but
they haue singing and minstrilsie before them. And alwaies, when hee rides,
there is a canopie or small tent caried ouer his head vpon the point of a
iaueline. And so doe all the great princes of the Tartars, and their wiues
also. The sayd Bathy is courteous enough vnto his owne men, and yet is hee
had in great awe by them: he is most cruel in fight: he is exceedingly
prudent and politique in warre, because he hath now continued a long time
in martiall affaires.
Qualiter recedentes à Bathy per terram Comanorum et Kangittarum
transierunt. Cap. 23.
[Sidenote: Legati iubentur ad Cuyme Imperat. pergere.] In die porrò
Sabbathi sancti ad stationem fuimus vocati, et exiuit ad nos procurator
Bathy prædictus, dicens ex parte ipsius, quòd ad Imperatorem Cuyne in
terram ipsorum iremus, retentis quibusdam ex nostris sub hac specie, quòd
vellent eos remittere ad Dominum Papam, quibus et literas dedimus de
omnibus factis nostris, quas deferrent eidem. Sed cùm rediissent vsque ad
Montij Ducem supra dictum, ibi retenti fuerunt vsque ad reditum nostrum.
Nos autem in die Paschæ officio dicto, et facta comestione qualicunque cum
duobus Tartaris, qui nobis apud Corrensam fuerant assignati, cum multis
lacrymis recessimus, nescientes vtrum ad mortem vel vitam pergeremus.
Eramus tamen ita infirmi corpore, quòd vix poteramus equitare. In tota
siquidem illa quadragesima fuerat cibus noster millum cum aqua et sale
tantùm, et in alijs similiter diebus ieiuniorum. Nec habebamus aliquid ad
bibendum præter niuem in caldario liquefactam. Ibamus autem per Comaniam
equitando fortissimè quoniam habebamus equos recentes quinquies aut pluries
in die, nisi quando per deserta ibamus, et tunc equos meliores atque
fortiores, qui possent continuum sustinere laborem, accipiebamus. Et hoc ab
ineunte quadragesima vsque ad octo dies post Pascha. [Sidenote: Comaniæ
descriptio.] Hæc terra Comania ab Aquilone immediatè post Russiam habet
Morduynos. Byleros, id est, magnam Bulgariam, Bastarcos, id est, magnam
Hungariam, post Bastarcos, Parositas et Samogetas. [Sidenote: Oceanus
septentrionalis.] Post Samogetas, illos, qui dicuntur habere faciem caninam
in Oceani littoribus desertis. A meridie habet Alanos. Circassos, Gazaros,
Græciam et Constantinopolin, ac terram Iberorum, Cathos, Brutachios, qui
dicuntur esse Iudæi, caput radentes per totùm, terram quoque Cithorum atque
Georgianorum et Armeniorum et Turcorum. Ab occidente autem Hungariam habet
atque Russiam. Et est Comania terra maxima et longa. Cuius populos,
scilicet Comanos, Tartari occiderunt, quidam tamen à facie eorum fugerunt,
et quidam in eorum seruitutem redacti sunt. Plurimi autem ex eis, qui
fugerunt, ad ipsos redierunt. [Sidenote: Terra Kangittarum.] Post hæc
intrauimus terram Kangittarum, quæ magnam habet in plurimis locis penuriam
aquarum, in qua etiam homines pauci morantur propter aquæ defectum.
[Sidenote: Ieroslaus, Dux Russiæ.] Vnde homines Ieroslai, Ducis Russiæ, cùm
ad ipsum in terram Tartarorum perrexerunt, plures eorum in illo deserto præ
siti mortui sunt. In hac etiam terra et in Comania multa inuenimus capita
et ossa mortuorum hominum, super terram acentia tanquam sterquilinium. Per
hanc itaque terram iuimus ab octo diebus post Pascha ferè vsque ad
Ascensionem Dominicam. Huiúsque habitatores Pagani erant, et tam ipsi quàm
Comani non laborabant, sed tantùm de animalibus viuebant, nec domos
ædificabant, sed in tabernaculis habitabant. Istos etiam Tartari
deleuerunt, et habitabant in terris eorum, illíque qui remanserunt, redacti
sunt in seruitutem ipsorum.
The same in English.
How departing from Bathy, they passed through the land of Comania, and of
the Kangittæ. Chap. 23.
Moreouer, vpon Easter euen, we were called vnto the tent, and there came
forth to meete vs the foresaid agent of Bathy, saying on his masters
behalfe, that we should go into their land, vnto the Emperor Cuyne,
deteining certaine of our company with this pretence, that they would send
them backe vnto the Pope, to whom we gaue letters of al our affaires to
deliuer vnto him. But being come as farre as duke Montij aforesaid, there
they were kept vntill our returne. [Sidenote: They trauelled post from
Easter day to the 22 of Iuly Eastward to Volga.] Vpon Easter day, hauing
said our praiers, and taken a slender breakfast, in the company of two
Tartars, which were assigned vnto vs by Corensa, we departed with many
teares, not knowing whether we went to death or to life. And we were so
feeble in bodie, that we were scarce able to ride. For all that Lent
through, our meat was Millet onely with a little water and salte. And so
likewise vpon other fasting dayes. Neither had we ought to drinke, but snow
melted in a skillet. And passing through Comania we rode most earnestly,
hauing change of horses fiue times or oftener in a day, except when we went
through deserts, for then we were allowed better and stronger horses, which
could vndergoe the whole labour. And thus farre had we trauailed from the
beginning of Lent vntill eight dayes after Easter. [Sidenote: A description
of Comania.] The land of Comania on the North side immediately after
Russia, hath the people called Morduym Byleri, that is, Bulgaria magna, the
Bastarci, that is, Hungaria magna, next vnto the Bastarci, the Parositæ and
the Samogetæ. [Sidenote: The North Ocean.] Next vnto the Samogetæ are those
people which are sayd to haue dogges faces, inhabiting vpon the desert
shores of the Ocean. On the South side it hath the Alani, the Circassi, the
Gazari, Greece and Constantinople, also the land of Iberia, the Cathes, the
Brutaches who are said to be Iewes shauing their heads all ouer, the landes
also of Scythia, of Georgia, of Armenia, of Turkie. On the West side it
hath Hungaria, and Russia. Also Comania is a most large and long countrey.
The inhabitantes whereof called Comani the Tartars, slewe, some
notwithstanding fled from them, and the rest were subdued vnder their
bondage. But most of them that fled are returned againe. [Sidenote: The
lande of the Kangittæ.] Afterward wee entred the lande of the Kangittæ,
which in many places hath great scarcetie of waters, wherin there are but
fewe inhabitants by reason of the foresayd defect of water. [Sidenote:
Ieroslaus duke of Russia.] For this cause diuers of the seruants of
Ieroslaus duke of Russia, as they were traueiling towards him into the land
of Tartaria, died for thirst, in that desert. As before in Comania, so
likewise in this countrey, wee found many skulles and bones of dead men
lying vpon the earth like a dunghill. Through this countrey we were
traueiling from the eight day after Easter vntil Ascension day. The
inhabitants therof were Pagans, and neither they nor the Comanians vsed to
till the ground, but liued onely vpon cattell, neither built they any
houses but dwelled in tents. These men also haue the Tartars rooted out,
and doe possesse and inhabite their countrey, howbeit, those that remained
are reduced into their bondage.
Qualiter ad primam Imperatoris futuri curiam deuenerunt. Cap. 24.
[Sidenote: Terra Biserminorum.] Porrò de terra Kangittarum intrauimus
terram Biserminorum, qui loquuntur lingua Comanica, sed legem tenent
Sarracenorum. In hac etiam terra inuenimus vrbes innumeras cum castris
dirutas, villásque multas desertas. [Sidenote: Altisoldanus.] Huius Dominus
dicebatur Altisoldanus, qui cum tota sua progenie à Tartaris est
destructus. [Sidenote: Montes maximi.] Habet autem hæc terra montes
maximos. Et à meridie quidem habet Hierosalem et Baldach, totámque
Sarracenorum terram. Atque in finibus illis propinquis morantur duo fratres
carnales, [Sidenote: Burin. Cadan. Oceanus ab Aquilone. Syban, frater
Bathy.] Tartarorum Duces, scilicet Burin et Cadan, filij Thiaday, qui fuit
filius Chingischam. Ab Aquilone verò terram habet nigrorum Kythaorum and
Oceanum. In illa verò moratur Syban, frater Bathy. Per hanc iuimus à festo
Ascensionis dominicæ ferè vsque ad viij. dies ante festum sanct. Iohan.
Baptistæ. [Sidenote: Nigri Cathayni.] Deinde ingressi sumus terram nigrorum
Kythaorum, in qua Imperator ædificauit domum, vbi etiam vocati fuimus ad
bibendum. Et ille, qui erat ibidem ex parte imperatoris, fecit maiores
ciuitatis, et etiam duos filios eius, plaudere eoram nobis. [Sidenote: Mare
paruum.] Hinc exeuntes, quoddam mare paruum inuenimus, in cuius littore
quidam existit mons paruus. In quo scilicet monte quoddam foramen esse
dicitur, vnde in hyeme tam maximæ tempestates ventorum exeunt, quòd homines
inde vix et cum magno periculo transire possunt. In æstate verò semper
quidem ibi ventorum sonitus auditur, sed de foramine tenuiter egreditur.
Per huius maris littora plurimis diebus perreximus, quod quidem licet non
multum sit magnum, plures insulas habet, et illud in sinistris dimisimus.
[Sidenote: Plurimus diebus. Plures insulæ. Ordu. cap. 13.] In terra verò
illa habitat Ordu, quem omnium Ducum Tartarorum antiquiorem diximus, et est
orda, siue curia patris ipsius, quam inhabitat, et regis vna de vxoribus
eius. Consuetudo enim est apud Tartaros, quòd principum et maiorum curiæ
non delentur, sed semper ordinantur aliquæ mulieres, quæ illas regant,
eísque donariorum partes, sicut Dominis earum dari solebant, dantur.
[Sidenote: Prima curia Imperatoris.] Sic tandem ad primam Imperatoris
curiam venimus, in qua erat vna de vxoribus ipsius.
The same in English,
How they came vnto the first court of the new Emperour. Chap. 24.
[Sidenote: The land of the Bisermini.] Moreouer, out of the land of the
Kangittæ, we entered into the countrey of the Bisermini, who speake the
language of Comania, but obserue the law of the Saracens. In this countrey
we found innumerable cities with castles ruined, and many towns left
desolate. [Sidenote: Alti Soldanus. Huge mountaines.] The lord of this
country was called Soldan Alti, who with al his progenie, was destroyed by
the Tartars. This countrey hath most huge mountains. On the South side it
hath Ierusalem and Baldach, and all the whole countrey of the Saracens.
[Sidenote: Burin and Cadan.] In the next territories adioyning doe inhabite
two carnall brothers dukes of the Tartars, namely, Burin and Cadan, the
sonnes of Thyaday, who was the sonne of Chingis Can. [Sidenote: The North
ocean.] On the North side thereof it hath the land of the blacke Kythayans,
and the Ocean. [Sidenote: Syban brother vnto Bathy.] In the same countrie
Syban the brother of Bathy remaineth. Through this countrie we were
traueiling from the feast of Ascension, vntil eight daies before the feast
of S. Iohn Baptist. [Sidenote: The blacke Kythayans.] And then we entred
into the land of the blacke Kythayans, in which the Emperour built an
house, where we were called in to drinke. Also the Emperours deputy in that
place caused the chiefe men of the citie and his two sonnes to daunce
before vs. [Sidenote: A small sea.] Departing from hence, wee found a
certaine small sea, vpon the shore whereof stands a little mountaine. In
which mountaine is reported to be a hole, from whence, in winter time such
vehement tempests of winds doe issue, that traueilers can scarcely, and
with great danger passe by the same way. In summer time, the noise in deede
of the winde is heard there, but it proceedeth gently out of the hole.
[Sidenote: Many dayes.] Along the shores of the aforesaid sea we traueiled
for the space of many dayes, which although it bee not very great, yet hath
it many islandes, and wee passed by leauiug it on our left hande.
[Sidenote: Ordu cap. 13.] In this lande dwelleth Ordu, whom wee sayde to
bee auncient vnto all the Tartarian dukes. And it is the Orda or court of
his father which hee inhabiteth, and one of his wiues beareth rule there.
For it is a custome among the Tartars, that the Courts of Princes or of
noble men are not dissolued, but alwayes some women are appointed to keepe
and gouerne them, vpon whom certain gifts are bestowed, in like sort as
they are giuen vnto their Lords. [Sidenote: The first court of the
Emperour.] And so at length we arriued at the first court of the Emperour,
wherein one of his wiues dwelt.
Qualiter ad ipsum Cuyne, Imperatorem futurum peruenerunt. Cap. 25.
At verò quia nondum Imperatorem videramus, noluerunt vocare nos, nec
intromittere ad Ordam ipsius, sed nobis in tentorio nostro secundum morem
Tartarorum valdè benè seruiri fecerunt, et vt quiesceremus, nos ibidem per
vnam diem tenuerunt. [Sidenote: Terra Nyamanorum] Inde procedentes in
vigilia sanctorum Petri et Pauli, terram Naymanorum intrauimus, qui sunt
Pagani. In ipsa verò die Apostolorum ibidem cecidit magna nix, et habuimus
magnum frigus. Hæc quidem terra montiosa et frigida est supra modum, ibíque
de planicie reperitur modicum. Istæ quoque duæ nationes prædictæ non
laborabant, sed sicut et Tartari in tentorijs habitabant, quas et ipsi
deleuerant per hanc etiam multis diebus perreximus. Deinde terram
Mongalorum intrauimus, quos Tartaros appellamus. [Sidenote: Tartaria. Iulij
22. Acceleratum legatorum iter.] Per has itaque terras, vt credimus, tribus
septimanis equitando fortiter iuimus, et in die Beatæ Mariæ Magdalenæ ad
Cuyne Imperatorem electum peruenimus. Idèo autem per omnem viam istam valdè
festinauimus, quia præceptum erat Tartaris nostris, vt citò nos deducerent
ad curiam solennem, iam ex annis pluribus indictam, propter ipsius
Imperatoris electionem. Idcircò de mane surgentes, ibamus vsque ad noctem
sine comestione, et sæpius tam tardè veniebamus, quòd non comedebamus in
sero, sed quod manducare debebamus in vespere, dabatur nobis in mane.
Mutatísque frequentius equis, nullatenus parcebatur eis, sed equitabamus
velociter ac sine intermissione, quantum poterant equi trotare.
The same in English.
Howe they came vnto Cuyne himselfe, who was forthwith to be chosen
Emperour. Chap. 25.
But because we had not as yet seene the Emperour, they would not inuite vs
nor admit vs into his Orda, but caused good attendauce and entertainment,
after the Tartars fashion, to be giuen vnto vs in oure owne tent, and they
caused vs to stay there, and to refresh our selues with them one day.
[Sidenote: The land of Naymani.] Departing thence vpon the euen of Saint
Peter and Saint Paul, wee entered into the land of the Naymani, who are
Pagans. But vpon the very feast day of the saide Apostles, there fel a
mightie snowe in that place, and wee had extreame colde weather. This lande
is full of mountaines, and colde beyonde measure, and there is little
plaine ground to bee seene. These two nations last mentioned vsed not to
till their grounde, but, like vnto the Tartars, dwelt in tents, which the
sayde Tartars had destroyed. Through this countrey wee were trauailing
manie dayes. Then entered wee into the lande of the Mongals, whome wee call
Tartars. Through the Tartars lande wee continued our trauaile (as wee
suppose) for the space of some three weekes, riding alwayes hastily and
with speede, and vpon the day of Marie Magdalene we arriued at the court of
Cuyne the Emperour elect. [Sidenote: The 22. of Iuly.] But therefore did we
make great haste all this way, because our Tartarian guides were straightly
commaunded to bring vs vnto the court Imperiall with all speede, which
court hath beene these if many yeeres, ordained for the election of the
Emperour. Wherefore rising earely, wee trauailed vntil night without eating
of any thing, and oftentimes wee came so late vnto our lodging, that we had
no time to eate the same night, but that which we should haue eaten ouer
night, was giuen vs in the morning. And often changing our horses, wee
spared no Horse-fleshe, but rode swiftly and without intermission, as fast
as our horses could trot.
Qualiter Cuyne Fratres Minores suscepit. Cap. 26.
Cum autem peruenimus ad Cuyne, fecit nobis dari tentorium et expensas,
quales Tartaris dare solent, nobis tamen melius quam alijs nuncijs
faciebant. [Sidenote: Cuyne in legatos benignitas.] Ad ipsum autem vocati
non fuimus, eo quòd nondum electus erat, nec adhuc de imperio se
intromittebat. Interpretatio tamen literarum Domini Papæ, ac verba etiam à
nobis dicta, à prædicto Baty erant ei mandata. Cùm ergo stetissemus ibi per
quinque vel sex dies, ad matrem suam nos transmisit, vbi adunabatur curia
solennis. [Sidenote: Tentorium regium.] Et cùm venissemus illuc, tam
extensum erat tentorium magnum, de alba purpura præparatum, erátque tam
grande nostro indicio, quòd plusquam duo millia hominum poterant esse sub
illo. Et in circuitu factum erat ligneum tabulatum varijs imaginibus
depictum. [Sidenote: Comitia.] Illuc ergò perreximus cum Tartaris, nobis ad
custodiam assignatis, ibíque conuenerant omnes duces, et vnusquisque cum
hominibus suis equitaibat in circuitu per planiciem et colles. In prima die
vestiti sunt omnes purpuris albis, in secunda verò rubeis. Et tunc venit
Cuyne ad teritorium illud. Porrò tertia die fuerunt omnes in blaueis
purpuris, et quarta in optimis Baldakinis. In illo autem tabulato iuxta
tentorium erant duæ maiores portæ, per quarum vnam solus Imperator debebat
intrare, et ad illam nulla erat custodia, quamuis esset aperta, quia per
illam nullus audebat ingredi vel exire: per aliam omnes, qui admittebantur,
intrabant, et ad illam custodes cum gladijs et arcubus et sagittis erant.
Itaque si quis tentorio propinquabat vltra terminos, qui positi erant, si
capiebatur, verberabatur, si fugiebat, sagitta siue ferro sagittabatur.
Multíque ibi erant, qui in frænis, pectoralibus, sellis et huiusmodi,
iudicio nostro, auri circiter viginti marcas habebant. Sic Duces infra
tentorium colloquebantur, et de Imperatoris electione tractabant, vt à
nobis creditur. Alius autem vniuersus populus longè extra tabulatum
collocabatur, et ita ferè vsque ad meridiem morabantur. Tunc incipiebant
lac iumentinum bibere, et vsque ad vesperas tantum bibebant, quod erat visu
mirabile. [Symposium procorum.] Nos autem vocauerunt interius, et dederunt
nobis cereuisiam: quia iumentinum lac non bibebamus. Et hoc quidem nobis
pro magno fecerunt honore: sed tamen nos compellebant ad bibendum, quod
nullatenus poteramus propter consuetudinem sustinere. Vnde ostendimus eis,
hoc esse nobis graue, ideóque nos cessauerunt compellere. [Ieroslaus Dux
Russiæ. Legati diuersarum nationum.] Foris autem erat Dux Ieroslaus de
Susdal Russiæ, plurésque Duces Kythaorum et Solangorum. Duo quoque filij
regis Georgiæ, nuncius etiam Caliphi de Baldach, qui erat Soldanus, et plus
quam decem alij Soldani Sarracenorum, vt credimus. Et sicut nobis à
procuratoribus dicebatur, erant ibi nunciorum plus quàm quatuor millia,
inter illos, qui tributa portabant, et illos, qui deferebant munera, et
Soldanos ac Duces alios, qui ad tradendum seipsos veniebant, et illos, pro
quibus ipsi miserant, illósque qui terrarum præfecti erant. Hi omnes simul
extra tabulatum ponebantur, eísque simul bibere præbebatur. Nobis autem et
Duci Ierozlao ferè semper ab eis dabatur superior locus, quando cum eis
eramus exterius.