How Cuyne enterteined the Minorite Friers. Chap. 26.
[Sidenote: The curtesie of Cuyne towards Ambassadors] But when wee were
come vnto the court of Cuyne, hee caused (after the Tartars manner) a Tent
and all expenses necessarie to bee prouided for vs. And his people
entreated vs with more regarde and courtesie, then they did anie other
Ambassadours. Howbeeit wee were not called before his presence, because hee
was not as yet elected, nor admitted vnto his empire. Notwithstanding, the
interpretation of the Popes letters, and the message which we deliuered,
were sent vnto him by the foresaid Bathy. And hauing stayed there fiue or
sixe dayes, hee sent vs vnto his mother, vnder whome there was mainteyned a
verie solemne and royall court. [Sidenote: The tent roial] And being come
thither, we saw an huge tent of fine white cloth pitched, which was, to our
iudgement, of so great quantitie, that more then two thousand men might
stand within it, and round about it there was a wall of planks set vp,
painted with diuers images. [Sidenote: A generall assemblie] Wee therefore
with our Tartars assigned to attende vpon vs, tooke our iourney thither,
and there were all the Dukes assembled, eche one of them riding vp and
downe with his traine ouer the hilles and dales. The first day they were
all clad in white, but the second in skarlet robes. Then came Cuyne vnto
the saide tent. Moreouer, the third day they were all in blew robes, and
the fourth in most rich robes of Baldakin cloth. In the wall of boardes,
about the tent aforesaid, were two great gates, by one of the which gates,
the Emperour only was to enter, and at that gate there was no gard of men
appointed to stand, although it stood continually open, because none durst
go in or come out the same way: all that were admitted, entred by another
gate, at which there stood watchmen, with bowes, swords, and arrowes. And
whosoeuer approached vnto the tent beyond the bounds and limit assigned,
being caught, was beaten, but if he fled, he was shot at with arrowes or
iron. There were many to our iudgement, had vpon their bridles, trappers,
saddles, and such like furniture, to the value of 20 markes in pure gold.
The foresaid Dukes (as we thinke) communed together within the tent, and
consulted about the election of their Emperor. But all the residue of the
people were placed farre away without the walles of board, and in this
maner they staied almost til noone. [Sidenote: The banquet of the Nobles.]
Then began they to drink mares milk, and so continued drinking til euen
tide, and that in so great quantity, as it was wonderfull. And they called
vs in vnto them, and gaue vs of their ale, because we could not drink their
mares milke. And this they did vnto vs in token of great honor. But they
compelled vs to drink so much, that in regard of our customary diet, wee
coulde by no means endure it. Whereupon, giuing them to vnderstand, that it
was hurtful vnto vs, they ceassed to compel vs any more. [Sidenote:
Ieroslaus Duke of Susdal.] Without the doore stoode Duke Ieroslaus of
Susdal, in Russia, and a great many Dukes of the Kythayans, and of the
Solangi. The two sonnes also of the king of Georgia, the ligier of the
Caliph of Baldach, who was a Soldan, and (as we thinke) aboue ten Soldans
of the Saracens beside. [Sidenote: Ambassadors of sundry nations.] And, as
it was tolde vs by the agents, there were more than 4000. ambassadors,
partly of such as paide tributes, and such as presented gifts, and other
Soldans, and Dukes, which came to yeeld themselues, and such as the Tartars
had sent for, and such as were gouernours of lands. All these were placed
without the lists, and had drinke giuen vnto them. But almost continually
they all of them gaue vs and Duke Ieroslaus the vpper hand, when we were
abroad in their companie.
Qualiter in imperium sublimatus fuit. Cap. 27.
[Sidenote: Imperij Cuynæ primitiæ.] Et quidem, si benè meminimus ibidem per
septimanas circiter quatuor fuimus. Credimúsque quod ibi fuit electio
celebrata, non tamen ibidem fuit publicata. Propter hoc autem id maximè
credebatur, quia semper, quando Cuyne tentorio exibat, eidem cantabatur, et
cum virgis speciosis, in summitate lanam coccineam habentibus,
inclinabatur, quod alteri Ducum nulli fiebat, quousque exterius morabatur.
[Sidenote: Syra orda.] Hæc autem statio siue Curia nominatur ab eis Syra
orda. [Sidenote: Aurea orda.] Hæc exeuntes, vnanimiter omnes equitauimus
per tres aut quaruor leucas ad alium locum, vbi erat in quadam pulchra
planicie iuxta riuum inter montes aliud tentorium, quod apud ipsos
appellatur Orda aurea, præparatum. Ibi enim Cuyne debebat poni in sede in
die Assumptionis Dominæ nostræ [Sidenote: Augusti 15.]. Sed propter
grandinem nuniam, quæ tunc, vt suprà dictum est, cecidit, res dilata fuit.
Erátque tentorium in columnis positum, quæ laminis aureis erant tectæ, et
clauis aureis cum alijs lignis fixæ. Porrò de Baldakino erat tectum
superius, sed alij erant panni exterius. Fuimus autem ibi vsque ad festum
Beati Bartholomæi, in quo maxima multitudo conuenit, et contra mendiem
versis vultibus stetit. [Sidenote: Preces solemnes.] Et quidam ad iactum
lapidis longè à cæteris erant, sempérque orationes faciendo, ac genua
flectendo, contra meridiem longius et longius procedebant. Nos autem virum
incantationes facerunt, aut genua Deo vel alteri flecterent, nescientes,
nolebamus facere genu flexiones. Cúmque diu ita fecissent, ad tentorium
reuersi sunt, et Cuyne in sede imperiali posuerunt, Ducésque coram eo genua
flexerunt. Post hoc idem fecit vniuersus populus, exceptis nobis, qui eis
subditi non eramus.
The same in English.
How he was exalted to his Empire. Chap. 27.
[Sidenote: The beginnings of Cuyne his empire.] And to our remembrance, we
remained there, about the space of foure weekes. The election was to our
thinking there celebrated, but it was not published and proclaimed there.
And it was greatly suspected so to be, because alwayes when Cuyne came
forth out of the tent, he had a noyse of musicke, and was bowed vnto, or
honoured with faire wands, hauing purple wooll vpon the tops of them, and
that, so long as he remained abroad: which seruice was performed to none of
the other Dukes. [Sidenote: Syra Orda.] The foresaid tent or court is
called by them Syra Orda. [Sidenote: The golden Orda.] Departing thence,
wee all with one accord rode 3 or 4 leagues vnto another place, where, in a
goodly plaine, by a riuers side, betweene certaine mountaines, there was
another tent erected, which was called the golden Orda. For there was Cuyne
to be placed in the throne Emperiall, vpon the day of the Assumption of our
Ladie [Sidenote: The 15th of August.]. But, for the abundance of haile
which fell at the same time, as is aboue said, the matter was deferred.
There was also a tent erected vpon pillars, which were couered with plates
of golde, and were ioyned vnto other timber with golden nailes. [Sidenote:
Wollen cloth.] It was couered aboue with Baldakin cloth, but there was
other cloth spread ouer that, next vnto the ayre. Wee abode there vnto the
feast of Saint Bartholomew, what time there was assembled an huge multitude
standing with their faces towards the South. And a certaine number of them
beeing a stones cast distant from the residue, making continuall prayers,
and kneeling vpon their knees, proceeded farther and farther towards the
South. Howbeit wee, not knowing whether they vsed inchantments, or whether
they bowed their knees to God or to some other, woulde not kneele vpon the
grounde with them. And hauing done so a long time, they returned to the
tent, and placed Cuyne in his throne imperiall, and his Dukes bowed their
knees before him. Afterwarde the whole multitude kneeled downe in like
maner, except our selues, for wee were none of his subiects.
De ætate ac moribus ac sigillo ipsius. Cap. 28.
[Sidenote: Cuynæ ætas et mores.] Hic autem Imperator quando sublimatus est
in regnum videbatur esse circiter xl. vel xlv. annorum. Mediocris erat
staturæ, prudens valde, nimis astutus multúmque seriosus, et grauis in
moribus. Nec vnquam videbat eum homo de facili ridere, vel aliquam
leuitatem facere, sicut dicebant Christiani, qui cum ipso morabantur
continuè. Dicebant etiam nobis asserendo firmiter Christiani, qui erant de
familia eius, quòd deberet fieri Christianus. [Sidenote: Studium
Christianismi.] Cuius signum erat, quod ipse Clericos Christianos tenebat,
et expensas eis dabat. Habebat etiam semper capellam Christianorum ante
maius, tentorium suum, vbi cantant Clerici publicè et apertè, ac pulsant ad
horas, vt cæteri Christiani secundum mores Græcorum, quantacunque sit ibi
multitudo Tartarorum, vel etiam aliorum hominum. Hoc tamen non faciunt alij
Duces ipsorum. [Sidenote: Maiestas.] Est autem mos Imperatoris ipsius, vt
nunquam ore proprio loquatur cum extraneo, quantumcunque magnus sit, sed
audit et respondet per interpositam personam, et quandocunque negotium
proponunt, vel Imperatoris responsionem audiunt illi, qui sub eo sunt,
quantumcunque sint magni, flexis genibus vsque ad finem verborum
persistunt. Nec alicui de consuetudine super aliquo negotio loqui licitum
est, postquam ab Imperatore definitum est. Habet autem Imperator prædictus
procuratorem et protonotarios, atque scriptores, omnésque officiales in
negotijs tam publicis quàm priuatis, excepris Aduocatis. [Sidenote:
Potestas ex lex.] Nam sine litium vel iudiciorum strepitu secundum
arbitrium Imperatoris omnia fiunt. Alij quoque Principes Tartarorum de his,
quæ ad illos pertinent, idem faciunt. [Sideote: Bellum in Christianos
cogitatum.] Hoc autem nouerint vniuersi, quia nobis tunc existentibus in
solenni curia, iam ex pluribus annis indicia, idem Cuyne Imperator, de nouo
electus, cum omnibus suis Principibus erexit vexillum contra Ecclesiam Dei,
ac Romanum Imperium, et contra omnia regna Christianorum et populos
Occidentis, nisi fortasse, quod absit, facerent ea, quæ mandabat Domino
Papæ, atque potentibus, et omnibus Christianorum populis, videlicet vt ipsi
subdantur eis. Nam excepta Christianitate, nulla est terra in orbe, quam
timeant, et idcirco contra nos ad pugnam se præparant. Huius siquidem
Imperatoris pater, scilicet Occoday, necatus fuerat veneno, et ob hoc à
bellis quieuerant tempore pauco. Intentio autem eorum, vt dictum est suprà,
est, sibi totum subijcere mundum, sicut à Chingischam habent mandatum. Vnde
et ipse Imperator in literis suis ita scribit: Dei fortitudo, hominum
Imperator. In superscriptione quoque sigilli eius est hoc: Deus in coelo,
et Cuyne Cham super terram, Dei fortitudo: omnium hominum Imperatoris
sigillum.
+ Et præclarè Aristoteles Politic. lib. 3. cap. 12. in hanc sententiam: Qui
legem præesse vult, is velle videtur Deum ac leges imperare: qui autem
vult hominem, is etiam belluam adiungit, cum præsertim tale quid sit
cupiditas et iracundia: et magistratus et optimus quisque à recta via
detorqueantur &c. Adde quæ è Chrysippo adducuntur ff. li. i. tit. 3. 1.
2.
The same in English.
Of his age and demeanour, and of his seale. Chap. 28.
This Emperour, when hee was exalted vnto his gouernment, seemed to bee
about the age of fourty or fourty fiue yeeres. He was of a meane stature,
very wise and politike, and passing serious and graue in all his demeanour.
A rare thing it was, for a man to see him laugh or behaue himself lightly,
as those Christians report, which abode continually with him. [Sidenote:
His inclination to Christianitie.] Certaine Christians of his familie
earnestly and strongly affirmed vnto vs, that he himselfe was about to
become a Christian. A token and argument whereof was, that hee reteined
diuers Cleargie men of the Christians. Hee had likewise at all times a
Chappell of Christians, neere vnto his great Tent, where the Clearkes (like
vnto other Christians, and according to the custome of the Græcians) doe
sing publiquely and openly, and ring belles at certaine houres, bee there
neuer so great a multitude of Tartars, or of other people in presence. And
yet none of their Dukes doe the like. [Sidenote: His maiestie.] It is the
manner of the Emperour neuer to talke his owne selfe with a stranger,
though he be neuer so great, but heareth and answeareth by a speaker. And
when any of his subiects (howe great soeuer they bee) are in propounding
anie matter of importaunce vnto him, or in hearing his answeare, they
continue kneeling vpon their knees vnto the ende of their conference.
Neither is it lawfull for any man to speake of any affaires, after they
haue beene determined of by the Emperour. The sayde Emperour, hath in his
affaires both publike and priuate, an Agent, and Secretary of estate, with
Scribes and all other Officials, except aduocates. [Sidenote: A lawlesse
authoritie.] For, without the noyse of pleading, or sentence giuing, all
things are done according to the Emperours will and pleasure. Other
Tartarian princes do the like in those things which belong vnto them.
[Sidenote: Warre intended against all Christians.] But, be it known vnto al
men, that whilest we remained at the said Emperours court, which hath bin
ordained and kept for these many yeeres, the sayde Cuyne being Emperour new
elect, together with al his princes, erected a flag of defiance against the
Church of God, and Romane empire, and against al Christian kingdomes and
nationes of the West, vnlesse peraduenture (which God forbid) they will
condescend vnto those things, which he hath inioined vnto our lord the
pope, and to all potentates and people of the Christians, namely, that they
wil become obedient vnto him. For, except Christendom, there is no land
vnder heauen, which they stande in feare of, and for that cause they
prepare themselues to battel against vs. This Emperors father, namely
Occoday, was poisoned to death, which is the cause why they haue for a
short space absteined from warre. But their intent and purpose is (as I
haue aboue said) to subdue the whole world vnto themselues, as they were
commanded by Chingis Can. Hence it is that the Emperor in his letters
writeth after this maner: The power of God, and Emperour of all men. Also,
vpon his seale, there is this posie ingrauen: God in heauen, and Cuyne Can
vpon earth, the power of God: the seale of the Emperour of all men.
De admissione Fratrum et nuncioram ad Imperatorem. Cap. 29.
[Sidenote: Cuyne audit legatos.] In loco illo, vbi positus est Imperator in
throno, vocati fuimus coram ipso. Cúmque Chingay protonotarius eius nomina
nostra scripsisset, illorumque à quibus missi eramus, et Ducis Solangorum
et aliorum, clamauit alta voce, recitans illa coram Imperatore ac Ducum
vniuersitate. Quo facto, flexit vnusquisque nostrum quater genu sinistrum,
et monuerunt, ne tangeremus limen deorsum. Cúmque pro cultellis nos
diligentissimè scrutati fuissent, et nullatenus inuenissent, intrauimus
ostium ab Orientale parte: quia nullus ab Occidente, nisi solus imperator,
audet intrare. Similiter et Dux ab illa parte ingreditur solus, si est
tentorium eius. Minores autem non multum curant de talibus. Tunc ergò
primum in eius præsentia suam intrauimus stationem, videlicet postquam
factus est Imperator ibidem. [Sidenote: Munera eidem oblata.] Omnes quoque
nuncij tunc ab eo recepti sunt, sed paucissimi tentorium eius intrauerunt.
Ibi verò tanta donaria ab ipsis nuncijs fuerunt ei præsentata, quòd quasi
videbantur infinita, videlicet in samitis ac purpureis et baldakinis ac
cingulis sericis cum auro præparatis, pellibus etiam nobilibus, cæterísque
muneribus. Quoddam etiam Solinum, siue tentoriolum, quod super caput
Imperatoris portatur, fuit eidem præsentatum, quod totum erat cum gemmis
præparatum. Quidam verò preafectus vnius prouinciæ adduxit ei Camelos
multos cum Baldakinis tectos. Similiter sellæ positæ cum instrumentis
quibusdam erant, in quibus homines interius sedere valebant. Equos etiam
multos et mulos adducebant eidem phaleratos et armatos, quosdam quidem de
corio, et quosdam de ferro. Nos etiam requisiti fuimus, an ei munera dare
vellemus: sed iam facultas non erat, quoniam omnia ferè nostra
consumpseramus. [Sidenote: Currus.] Ibidem longè à stationibus super montem
erant positi currus plusquam quingenti, qui omnes auro et argento ac
sericis vestibus erant pleni. Cunctique inter imperatorem et Duces diuisi
fuerunt, singulique Duces inter homines suos partes suas, vt eis placuit,
diuiserunt.
The same in English.
Of the admission of the Friers and Ambassadours vnto the Emperour. Chap.
29.
[Sidenote: Cuyne heareth the Legates.] In the same place where the Emperour
was established into his throne, we were summoned before him. And Chirigay,
his chiefe secretary hauing written down our names, and the names of them
that sent vs, with the name of the Duke of Solangi, and of others, cried
out with a loude voice, rehearsing the said names before the Emperour, and
the assembly of his Dukes. Which beeing done, ech one of vs bowed his left
knee foure times, and they gaue vs warning not to touch the threshold. And
after they had searched vs most diligently for kniues, and could not find
any about vs, we entred in at the doore vpon the East side: because no man
dare presume to enter at the West Doore, but the Emperour onely. In like
maner, euery Tartarian Duke entreth on the West side into his tent. Howbeit
the inferiour sort doe not greatly regard such ceremonies. This therefore
was the first time, when we entred into the Emperours tent in his presence,
after he was created Emperour. Likewise all other ambassadours were there
receiued by him, but very fewe were admitted into his tent. [Sidenote:
Gifts presented vnto him.] And there were presented vnto him such abundance
of gifts by the saide Ambassadours, that they seemed to be infinite, namely
in Samites, robes of purple, and of Baldakin cloth, silke girdles wrought
with golde, and costly skinnes, with other gifts also. Likewise there was a
certaine Sun Canopie, or small tent (which was to bee carried ouer the
Emperours head) presented vnto him, being set full of precious stones. And
a gouernour of one Prouince brought vnto him a companie of camels couered
with Baldakins. They had saddles also vpon their backs, with certaine other
instruments, within the which were places for men to sitte vpon. Also they
brought many horses and mules vnto him furnished with trappes and
caparisons, some being made of leather, and some of iron. And we were
demanded whether we would bestow any gifts vpon him or no? But wee were not
of abilitie so to doe, hauing in a maner spent all our prouision.
[Sidenote: 500 Carts ful of treasure.] There were also vpon an hill
standing a good distance from the tents, more than 500. carts, which were
all ful of siluer and of gold, and silke garments. And they were all
diuided betweene the Emperour and his Dukes, and euery Duke bestowed vpon
his owne followers what pleased him.
De loco diuisionis Imperatoris et matris suæ, et morte Ieroslai, Ducis
Russiæ. Cap. 30.
[Sidenote: Tentorium purpureum.] Inde recedentes, venimus ad alium locum,
vbi tentorium mirabile, totum de purpura rufa, quod Kitay dederant, erat
positum. Illic interius introducti fuimus, et semper cùm intrabamus nobis
dabatur ad bibendum cereuisia vel vinum, et etiam carnes coctæ, si
volebamus, ad edendum. [Sidenote: Solium churnum.] Erátque solariolum vnum,
de tabulis altè præparatum, vbi thronus Imperatoris erat positus, ex ebore
mirabiliter sculptus, in quo etiam erat aurum, et lapides preciosi, si bene
meminimus, et illuc ascendebatur per gradus. Eratque rotundum superius.
Banci verò erant positi in circuitu sedis, vbi dominæ sedebant à parte
sinistra in scamnis, à dextris autem nemo sedebat superius, sed Duces
sedebant in Bancis inferius, et hoc in medio. Alij verò sedebant, post eos,
et quolibet die veniebat dominarum maxima multitudo. Ista verò tria
tentoria, de quibus suprà diximus, erant valdè magna, aliáque habebant
vxores eius de filtro albo satis magna et pulchra. Ibidem Imperator diuisus
est à matre sua, quæ iuit in vnam terræ partem, et Imperator in aliam ad
iudicia facienda. Capta siquidem erat amica Imperatoris istius, quæ veneno
interfecerat patrem eius, eo tempore, quo exercitus eoram in Hungaria fuit.
Propter quod etiam exercitus eorum, qui erat in partibus illis, recessit.
[Sidenote: Nex Occoday vindicata. Ieroslaus Dux Russiæ.] De qua cum alijs
pluribus factum fuit iudicium, et occisi fuerunt. Eodem tempore mortuus
fuit Ierozlaus, Dux magnus Soldal, quæ est quædam Russia pars. Vocatus enim
ad matrem Imperatoris quasi pro honore, vt manducaret ac biberet de manu
ipsius, in continenti ad hospitum est reuersus, infirmatúsque mortuus est
post septem dies, totumque corpus eius miro modo glaucum effectum est,
dicebatúrque ab omnibus, quod ibidem, vt terram eius liberè ac plenariè
possiderent, fuisset impotionatus.
The same in English.
Of the place where the Emperour and his mother tooke their leaues one of
another, and of Ieroslaus Duke of Russia. Chap. 30.
[Sidenote: A tent of purple.] Departing thence, we came vnto another place,
where a wonderfull braue tent, all of red purple, giuen by the Kythayans,
was pitched. Wee were admitted into that also, and alwaies when we entred,
there was giuen vnto vs ale and wine to drinke, and sodden fleshe (when we
would) to eate. [Sidenote: A throne of Iuorie.] There was also a loftie
stage built of boords, where the Emperour's throne was placed, being verie
curiously wrought out of iuorie, wherein also there was golde and precious
stones, and (as we remember) there were certain degrees or staires to
ascend vnto it. And it was round vpon the top. There were benches placed
about the saide throne, whereon the ladies sate towarde the left hand of
the Emperour vpon stooles, (but none sate aloft on the right hand) and the
Dukes sate vpon benches below, the said throne being in the midst. Certaine
others sate behind the Dukes, and euery day there resorted great companie
of Ladies thither. The three tents whereof we spake before, were very
large, but the Emperour his wiues had other great and faire tentes made of
white felt. This was the place where the Emperour parted companie with his
mother: for she went into one part of the land; and the Emperour into
another to execute iustice. For there was taken a certaine Concubine of
this Emperour, which had poysoned his father to death, at the same time
when the Tartars armie was in Hungarie, which, for the same cause returned
home. [Sidenote: The death of Occoday reuenged.] Moreouer, vpon the
foresaide Concubine, and many other of her confederats sentence of
iudgement was pronounced, and they were put to death. At the same time
Ieroslaus the great Duke of Soldal, which is a part of Russia, deceased.
For being (as it were for honours sake) inuited to eate and drinke with the
Emperours mother, and immediately after the banquet, returning vnto his
lodging, he fel sicke, and within seuen dayes, died. And after his death,
his body was of a strange blew colour, and it was commonly reported, that
the said Duke was poisoned, to the ende that the Tartars might free and
totally possess his Dukedome.
Qualiter tandem Fratres ad Imperatorem accedentes, literas dederunt &
acceperunt. Cap. 31.
[Sidenote: Cuyne cum legatis dissimulanter agit.] Deníque Tartari nostri
nos ad Imperatorem duxerunt: qui cùm audisset per illos, nos ad eum
venisse, iussit nos ad matrem redire. Volebat enim secundo die, sicut
superiùs dictum est, contra totam Occidentis terram vexillum erigere, quod
nos volebat ignorare. Itaque reuersi stetimus paucis diebus, & iterum ad
ipsum reuersi sumus. Cum quo benè per mensem fuimus in tanta fame ac siti,
quòd vix viuere poteramus. Nam expensæ, quæ nobis pro diebus quatuor
debantur, vix vni sufficiebant. Nec inuenire poteramus aliquid ad emendum,
quia forum erat nimis remotum. [Sidenote: Cosmas Russus.] Sed Dominus nobis
quendam Ruthenum, nomine Cosmam, aurifabrum præparauit, qui satis dilectus
Imperatori, nos in aliquo sustentauit. Et hic nobis ostendit thronum
Imperatoris, quem ipse fecerat, antequam poneretur in sede, & sigillum
eiusdem, quod etiam fabricauerat ipse. [Sidenote: Chingay internuncius.]
Post hoc Imperator pro nobis misit, nobísque per Chingay protonotarium suum
dici fecit, vt verba nostra & negotia scriberemus, eíque porrigeremus. Quod
& fecimus. Post plures dies nos iterum vocari fecit, & vtrum essent apud
Dominum Papam, qui Ruthenorum vel Sarracenorum, aut etiam Tartarorum
literam intelligerent, interrogauit. Cui respondimus, quòd nullam istarum
literarum habebamus. Sarraceni tamen erant in terra, sed remoti erant à
Domino Papa. Diximus tamen, quia nobis expedire videbatur, quòd in
Tartarico scriberent, & nobis interpretarentur, nos autem in litera nostra
diligenter scriberemus, & tam literam quam interpretationem ad Dominum
Papam deferremus. Tunc à nobis recesserunt, & ad Imperatorem iuerunt. Porrò
à die Beati Martini fuimus vocati. Tunc Kadac, totius imperij procurator, &
Chingay & Bala, plurésque scriptores ad nos venerunt, nobísque literam de
verbo ad verbum interpretati fuerunt. Et cùm in Latina litera
scripsissemus, faciebant sibi per singulas orationes interpretari, volentes
scire, si nos in aliquo verbo erraremus. Cum igitur ambæ literæ fuissent
scriptæ, fecerunt nos semel ac secundo legere, ne fortè minus aliquid
haberemus. Dixerunt enim nobis, videte, quòd omnia benè intelligatis, quia
non expediret, quòd non omnia bene intelligeretis. Literas etiam in
Sarracenico scripserunt, vt aliquis in partibus nostris inueniri posset,
qui eas, si opus esset, legeret.
The same in English.
How the Friers coming at length vnto the Emperour, gaue, and receiued
letters. Chap. 31.
[Sidenote: Coyne dissembleth with the Legates.] To be short, the Tartars
brought vs vnto their Emperor, who when he had heard of them, that we were
come vnto him, commanded that we should return, vnto his mother. For he was
determined the next day, (as it is abouesaid) to set vp a flag of defiance
against all the countreis of the West, which he would haue vs in no case to
know. Wherefore returning, we staid some few dayes with his mother, and so
returned backe again vnto him. With whom we continued for the space of one
whole moneth in such extreme hunger and thirst, that we could scarce hold
life and soule together. For the prouision allowed vs for foure dayes, was
scantly sufficient for one day. Neither could we buy vs any sustenance,
because the market was too farre off. [Sidenote: Cosmas a Russian.] Howbeit
the Lorde prouided for vs a Russian goldsmith, named Cosmas, who being
greatly in the Emperours fauour, procured vs some sustenance. This man
shewed vnto vs the throne of the Emperour, which hee had made, before it
was set in the proper place, and his seale, which he also had framed.
[Sidenote: The message of Chingay.] Afterward the Emperor sent for vs,
giuing vs to vnderstand by Chingay his chief Secretary, that wee should
write downe our messages & affaires, and should deliuer them vnto him.
Which thing we performed accordingly. After many daies he called for vs
againe, demanding whether there were any with our Lord the Pope, which
vnderstood the Russian, the Saracen, or the Tartarian language? To whom we
answered, that we had none of those letters or languages. Howbeit, that
there were certaine Saracens in the land, but inhabiting a great distance
from our Lord the Pope. And wee saide, that wee thought it most expedient,
that when they had written their mindes in the Tartarian language, and had
interpreted the meaning thereof vnto vs, we should diligently translate it
into our own tongue, and so deliuer both the letter and the translation
thereof vnto our Lord the Pope. Then departed they from vs, and went vnto
the Emperour. And after the day of S. Martine, we were called for againe.
Then Kadac, principal agent for the whole empire, and Chingay, and Bala,
with diuers other Scribes, came vnto vs, and interpreted the letter word
for word. And hauing written it in Latine, they caused vs to interprete
vnto them eche sentence, to wit if we had erred in any word. And when both
letters were written, they made vs to reade them ouer twise more, least we
should haue mistaken ought. For they said vnto vs: Take heed that ye
vnderstand all things throughly, for if you should not vnderstand the whole
matter aright, it might breed some inconuenience. They wrote the said
letters also in the Saracen tongue that there might be some found in our
dominions which could reade and interprete them, if need should require.
Qualiter licentiati fuerunt. Cap. 32.
Vt autem nobis Tartari nostri dixerunt, proposuit Imperator nuncios suos
nobiscum mittere. Volebat tamen, vt credimus, quod nos id ab eo peteremus.
Sed cùm vnus de Tartaris nostris, qui senior erat, nos ad hoc petendum
hortaretur, nobis quidem, vt venirent, ne quaquam bonum videbatur.
[Sidenote: Legate abhorrent à Tartarorum ad Christianos legatione.] Ideóque
respondimus ei, quòd non erat nostrum petere, sed si sponte ipse Imperator
mitteret eos, libenter eos securè conduceremus, Domino adiuuante. Nobis
autem ob plures causas vt venirent, non videbatur expedire. Prima quidem
fuit, quia timuimus, ne visis dissentionibus aut guerris, quæ fiunt inter
nos, magis animarentur ad veniendum contra nos. Secunda fuit, timebamus eos
exploratores terræ fieri. Tertia verò, quia timebamus eos interfici. Gentes
enim nostræ arrogantes sunt et superbæ. Vnde quando seruientes, qui stant
nobiscum, ex rogatu Cardinalis, legati scilicet Alemanniæ, in habitu
Tartarico ibant ad ipsum, in via ferè lapidati sunt à Teutonicis, et coacti
sunt deponere habitum illum. Consuetudo autem est Tartarorum, vt cum illis,
qui nuncios eorum occiderint, nunquam faciant pacem, nisi sumant de ipsis
vltionem. Quarta etiam causa fuit, quia timebamus ne nobis auferrentur vi.
Quinta verò causa erat, quia de aduentu eorum nulla foret vtilitas, cùm
nullum haberent aliud mandatum vel potestatem, nisi quòd literas
Imperatoris ad Dominum Papam et ad Principes deferrent, quas videlicet
literas ipsi nos habebamus, et malum ex eorum aduentu posse contingere
credebamus. Itaque tertia die post hoc, scilicet in festo beati Briccij
[Sidenote: Nouemb. 13.] nobis dederunt licentiam et literam, Imperatoris
sigillo munitam, mittentes nos ad ipsius Imperatoris matrem, quæ vnicuique
nostrum dedit pelliceum, vnum de pellibus vulpinis, quod habebat pilos de
foris, et purpuram vnam. [Sidenote: Honorantur commeatu et lautijs.] De
quibus Tartari nostri furati sunt ex vnaquaque vnum passum. De ilia quoque
quæ dabatur seruienti, meliorem medietatem sunt furati. Quod nos quidem non
ignorauimus, sed inde verba mouere noluimus.
The same in English.
How they were licensed to depart. Chap. 32.
[Sidenote: The Legates are loth to haue any Ambassadours sent from the
Tartars to the Christians.] And (as our Tartars told vs) the Emperour was
purposed to send his ambassadors with vs. Howbeit, he was desirous (as we
thought) that we our selues should craue that fauour at his hands. And when
one of our Tartars being an ancient man, exhorted vs to make the said
petition, we thought it not good for vs, that the Emperour should send his
ambassadours. Wherefore we gaue him answere, that it was not for vs to make
any such petition, but if it pleased the Emperour of his owne accord to
send them, we would diligently (by Gods assistance) see them conducted in
safetie. Howbeit, we thought it expedient for vs, that they should not goe,
and that for diuers causes First, because we feared, least they, seeing the
dissentions and warres which are among vs should be the more encouraged to
make warre against vs. Secondly, we feared, that they would be insteade of
spies and intelligencers in our dominions. Thirdly, we misdoubted that they
would be slaine by the way. For our nations be arrogant and proud. For when
as those seruants (which at the request of the Cardinall, attended vpon vs,
namely the legates of Almaine) returned vnto him in the Tartars attire,
they were almost stoned in the way, by the Dutch, and were compelled to put
off those garments. And it is the Tartars custome, neuer to bee reconciled
vnto such as haue slaine their Ambassadours, till they haue reuenged
themselues. Fourthly, least they should bee taken from vs by mayne force.
Fiftly, because there could come no good by their ambassade, for they were
to haue none other commission, or authoritie, but onely to deliuer their
Emperours letter vnto the Pope, and to the Princes of Christendome, which
very same letters wee our selues had, and we knew right well, that much
harme might ensue thereof. Wherefore, the third day after this, namely,
vpon the feast of Saint Brice [Sidenote: Nouember 13.], they gaue vs our
passe-port and a Letter sealed with the Emperours owne seale, sending vs
vnto the Emperours mother, who gaue vnto eche of vs a gowne made of Foxe
skinnes, with the furre on the outside, and a piece of purple. [Sidenote:
They are rewarded with gifts.] And our Tartars stole a yard out of euery
one of them. And out of that which was giuen vnto our seruant, they stole
the better halfe. Which false dealing of theirs we knew well enough, but
would make no words thereof.
Qualiter ab illo itinere redierunt. Cap. 33.
[Sidenote: Difficilis legatorum reditus.] Tunc iter ad reuertendum
arripuimus, at per totam hyemem venimus, iacentes in desertis sæpiùs in
niue, nisi quantum poteramus nobis cum pede locum facere. Ibi quippe non
erant arbores; sed planus campus. Et sæpe manè nos inueniebamus totos niue,
quam ventus pellebat, coopertos. Sic venientes vsque ad Ascensionem Domini
peruenimus ad Bathy. [Sidenote: Bathy.] A quo cùm inquireremus, quid
responderet Domino Papæ, dixit se nolle aliud, nisi quod Imperator
diligenter scripserat, demandare. Datísque nobis de conductu literis, ab eo
recessimus, & sabbatho infra octauas Pentecostes vsque ad Montij
peruenimus, vbi erant socij nostri, ac seruientes, qui fuerant retenti,
quos ad nos fecimus reduci. [Sidenote: Corrensa.] Hinc vsque Corrensam
peruenimus, cui iterum à nobis donaria petenti non dedimus, quia non
habebamus. Dedítque nobis duos Comanos, qui erant ex Tartarorum plebe,
vsque ad Kiouiam Russiæ. Tartarus tamen noster non dimisit nos, donec
exiremus vltimam Tartarorum custodiam. Isti verò alij, qui nobis à Corrensa
dati sunt, in sex diebus ab vltima custodia vsque ad Kiouiam nos duxerunt.
Venimus autem illuc ante festum Beati Iohannis Baptistæ xv. diebus.
[Sidenote: Iunij 8. Gratulationes reducibus factæ. Basilius & Daniel
Principes.] Porrò Kiouienses aduentum nostrum percipientes, occurrerunt
nobis omnes lætanter. Congratulabantur enim nobis, tanquam à morte
suscitatis. Sic fecerunt nobis per totam Russiam, Poloniam & Bohemiam.
Daniel & Wasilico frater eius festum nobis magnum fecerunt, & nos contra
voluntatem nostram bene per octo dies tenuerunt. Medióque tempore inter se
& cum Episcopis, cæterísque probis viris, super his, quæ locuti fueramus
eisdem, in processu nostro ad Tartaros consilium habentes, responderunt
nobis communiter, dicentes: [Sidenote: Russi agnoscunt primatum Papæ.] quòd
Dominum Papam habere vellent in specialem Dominum, & in patrem, sanctam
quoque Romanam Ecclesiam in dominam & magistram, confirmantes etiam omnia,
quæ priùs de hac materia per Abbatem suum transmiserant. Et super hoc etiam
nobiscum ad Dominum Papam nuncios suos & literas transmiserunt.
The same in English.
How they returned homewards. Chap. 33.
[Sidenote: The sore iourneys of the legates in returning.] Then taking our
iourney to returne, we trauailed all Winter long, lying in the deserts
oftentimes vpon the snow, except with our feete wee made a piece of ground
bare to lye vpon. For there were no trees, but the plaine champion
[Footnote: Champagne (Fr.) Open] field. And oftentimes in the morning, we
found our selues all couered with snow driuen ouer vs by the winde.
[Sidenote: Bathy.] And so trauailing till the feast of our Lordes
Ascension, we arriued at the court of Bathy. Of whom when wee had enquired,
what answere he would send vnto our Lord the Pope, he said that he had
nothing to giue vs in charge, but onely that we should diligently deliuer
that which the Emperour had written. And, hauing receued letters for our
safe conduct, the thirteenth day after Pentecost, being Saterday, wee were
proceeded as farre as Montij, with whome our foresaide associates and
seruants remained, which were withheld from vs, and we caused them to be
deliuered vnto vs. [Sidenote: Corrensa.] From hence wee trauailed vnto
Corrensa, to whom, requiring gifts the second time at our hands, we gaue
none, because we had not wherewithall. And hee appointed vs two Comanians,
which liued among the common people of the Tartars, to be our guides vnto
the citie of Kiow in Russia. Howbeit one of our Tartars parted not from vs,
till we were past the vtmost gard of the Tartars. But the other guides,
namely the Comanians, which were giuen vs by Corrensa, brought vs from the
last garde vnto the citie of Kiow, in the space of sixe dayes. And there we
arriued fifteene dayes before the feast of Saint Iohn Baptist. [Sidenote:
Iune 8. How they were welcomed at their returne.] Moreouer, the Citizens of
Kiow hauing intelligence of our approach, came foorth all of them to meet
vs, with great ioy. For they reioyced ouer vs, as ouer men that had bene
risen from death to life. So likewise they did vnto vs throughout all
Russia, Polonia, and Bohemia. [Sidenote: Basilius and Daniel Princes.]
Daniel and his brother Wasilico made vs a royall feast, and interteined vs
with them against our willes for the space Of eight dayes. In the mean
time, they with their Bishops, and other men of account, being in
consultation together about those matters which we had propounded vnto them
in our iourney towards the Tartars, answered vs with common consent,
saying: that they would holde the Pope for their speciall Lord and Father,
and the Church of Rome for their Lady & mistresse, confirming likewise al
things which they had sent concerning this matter, before our comming, by
their Abbate. And for the same purpose, they sent their Ambassadours and
letters by vs also, vnto our Lord the Pope.
* * * * *
Itinerarium fratris Willielmi de Rubruquis de ordine fratrum Minorum,
Galli, Anno gratia 1253. ad partes Orientales.
Excellentissimo Domino & Christianissimo, Lodouico Dei gratia Regi
Francorum illustri, frater Willielmus de Rubruquis in ordine fratrum
Minorum minimus salutem, & semper triumphare in Christo. Scriptum est in
Ecclesiastico de sapiente [Marginal note: Ecclus 39. ver 4.], In terram
alienarum gentium transibit, bona & mala in omnibus tentabit. Hoc opus,
Domine mi Rex, feci: sed vltinam vt sapiens et non stultus. Multi enim
faciunt quod facit sapiens, sed non sapienter, sed magis stultè; de quorum
numero timeo me esse. Tamen quocunque modo fecerim; quia dixistis mihi
quando recessi à vobis, vt omnia scriberem vobis, quæcunque viderem inter
Tartaros, & etiam monuistis vt non timerem vobis scribere longas literas,
facio quod iniunxistis: Cum timore tamen & verecundia, quia verba congrua
mihi non suppetunt, quæ debeam tantæ scribere Maiestati. Nouerit ergò
vestra sancta maiestas, quòd anno Domini millessimo ducentessimo,
quinquagessimo tertio, nonas Maij ingressi sumus mare Ponti, quod Bulgarici
vocant, Maius Mare: & habet mille octo milliaria in longum, vt didici à
mercatoribus, & distinguitur quasi in duas partes. Circa medium enim eius
sunt quæ prouinciæ terræ, vna ad Aquilonem, & alia ad meridiem. Illa quæ
est ad meridiem dicitur Synopolis; & est castrum & portus Soldani Turchiæ.
Quæ verò ad Aquilonem est, est Prouincia quædam, quæ nunc dicitur à Latinis
Gasaria, à Græcis verò qui inhabitant eam super littus maris dicitur
Cassaria, hoc est Cæsaria. Et sunt promontoria quædam extendentia se in
mare, & contra meridiem versus Synopolim. Et sunt trecenta milliaria inter
Synopolim & Cassariam. Ita quod sint septingenta milliaria ab istis punctis
versus Constantinopolim in longum et latum: et septingenta versus Orientem:
hoc est, Hiberiam, quæ est prouincia Georgiæ. Ad prouinciam Gasariæ siue
Casariæ applicuimus, quæ est quasi triangularis, ad Occidentem habens
ciuitatem, quæ dicitur Kersoua in qua fuit Sanctus Clemens marterizatus. Et
nauigantes coram ea vidimus insulam in qua est templum illud quod dicitur
Angelicis manibus præparatum. [Sidenote: Soldaia.] In medio verò quasi in
cuspide ad meridiem habet ciuitatem quæ dicitur Soldaia, quæ ex transuerso
respicit Synopolim: Et illuc applicant omnes Mercatores venientes de
Turchia volentes ire ad terras Aquilonares, et è contrario venientes de
Russia et terris Aquilonaribus, volentes transire in Turchiam. Illi portant
varium et grisiam, et alias pelles pretiosas. Alij portant telas de cottone
siue bombasio, et pannos sericos et species aromaticas. [Sidenote: Matriga
ciuitas.] Ad Orientem verò illius prouinciæ est ciuitas quæ dicitur
Matriga, vbi cadit fluuius Tanais in mare Ponti per orificium habens
latitudinem duodecem milliarium. Ille enim fluuius antequam ingrediatur
mare Ponti, facit quoddam mare versus Aquilonem, habens in latitudine et
longitudine septinginta, milliaria, nusquam habens profunditatem vltra sex
passus, vnde magna vasa non ingrediuntur illud. Sed mercatores de
Constantinopoli applicantes ad prædictam ciuitatem Matertam, mittunt barcas
suas vsque ad flumen Tanaim, vt emant pisces siccatos, sturiones, thosas,
borbatos, et alios pisces infinitæ multitudinis. Prædicta verò prouincia
Cassaria cingitur mari in tribus lateribus: ad Occidentem scilicet, vbi est
Kersoua ciuitas Clementis, ad meridiem vbi est ciuitas Soldaia, ad quam
applicuimus, quæ est cuspis prouinciæ, et ad Orientem Maricandis, vbi est
ciuitas Materta, et orificium Tanais. [Sidenote: Zikia.] Vltra illud
orificium est Zikia, quæ non obedit Tartaris: Et Sueui et Hiberi ad
Orientem, qui non obediunt Tartaris. Posteà versus meridiem est Trapesunda
quæ habet proprium Dominum nomine Guidonem, qui est de genere imperatorum
Constantinopolitanorum, qui obedit Tartaris: posteà Synopolis quæ est
Soldani Turchiæ qui similiter obedit: posteà terra Vastacij cuius filius
dicitur Astar ab auo materno, qui non obedit. Ab orificio Tanaius versus
Occidentem vsque ad Danubium totum est subditum. Etiam vltra Danubium
versus Constantinopolim, Valakia, quæ est terra Assani, et minor Bulgaria
vsque in Solonomam omnes soluunt eis tributum. Et etiam vltra tributum
condictum sumpserunt annis nuper transactis de qualibet domo securim vnam,
et totum frumentum quod inuenerunt in massa. Applicuimus ergò Soldaiæ in
12. Kalendas Iunij: Et præuenerant nos quidam mercatores de
Constantinopoli, qui dixerunt venturos illuc nuncios de terra sancta
volentes ire ad Sartach. Ego tamen prædicaueram publicè in Ramis Palmarum
apud Sanctam Sophiam, quod non essem nuncius, nec vester, nec alicuius, sed
ibam apud illos incredulos secundùm regulam nostram. Tunc cùm applicuissem,
monebant me dicti mercatores vt cautè loquerer, quia dixerunt me esse
nuncium, et si non dicerem me esse nuncium, quod non præberetur mihi
transitus. Tunc loquutus sum hoc modo ad capitaneos ciuitatis, imò ad
vicarios capitaneorum, quia capitanei iuerant ad Baatu portantes tributum,
et non fuerant adhuc reuersi. Nos audiuimus, dixi, de Domino vestro Sartach
in Terra Sancta quod esset Christianus: et gauisi sunt inde vehementer
Christiani, et præcipuè Dominus Rex Francorum Christianissimus, qui ibi
peregrinatur, et pugnat contra Saracenos, vt eripiat loca sancta de manibus
eorum: vnde volo ire ad Sartach, et portare ei literas Domini Regis, in
quibus monet eum de vtilitate totius Christianitatis. Et ipsi receperunt
nos gratanter, et dederunt nobis hospitium in ecclesia Episcopali. Et
Episcopus ipsius ecclesiæ fuerat ad Sartach, qui multa bona dixit mihi de
Sartach, quæ ego postea non inueni. Tunc dederunt nobis optionem vtrum
vellemus habere bigas cum bobus ad portandum res nostras vel equos pro
summarijs. Et mercatores Constantinopolitani consuluerunt mihi quod non
acciperem bigas, imò quod emerem proprias bigas coopertas, in quibus
apportant Ruteni pelles suas, et in illis includerem res nostras quas
vellem quotidie deponere, quia si acciperem equos, oporteret me in qualibet
Herbergia deponere et reponere super alios, et prætereà equitarem lentiori
gressu iuxta boues. Et tunc acquieui consilio eorum malo, tum quia fui in
itinere vsque Sartach duobus mensibus, quod potuissem vno mense fecisse, si
iuissem equis. Attuleram mecum de Constantinopoli fructus et vinum
muscatum, et biscoctum delicatum de consilio mercatorum ad præsentandum
capitaneis primis, vt facilius pateret mihi transitus; quia nullus apud eos
respicitur rectis oculis, qui venit vacua manu. Quæ omnia posui in vna
biga, quando non inueni ibi capitaneos ciuitatis, quia dicebant mihi, quod
grattissima forent Sartach, si possem deferre ea vsque ad eum. Arripuimus
ergo iter tunc circa Kalend. Iunij cum bigis nostris quatuor coopertis et
cum alijis duabus quas accepimus ab eis, in quibus portabantur lectisternia
ad dormiendum de nocte, et quinque equos dabant nobis ad equitandum. Eramus
enim quinque personæ. Ego et socius meus frater Bartholomeus de Cremona, et
Goset later præsentium, et homo dei Turgemannus, et puer Nicolaus, quam
emeram Constantinopoli de nostra eleemosyna. Dederunt etiam duos homines
qui ducebant bigas et custodiebant boues et equos. Sunt autem alta
promontoria super Mare à Kersoua vsque ad orificium Tanais: Et sunt
quadraginta castella inter Kersouam et Soldaiam, quorum quodlibet fere
habet proprium idioma: inter quos erant multi Goti, quorum idioma est
Teutonicum. Post illa montana versus Aquilonem est pulcherrima sylua in
planicie, plena fontibus et riuulis: Et post illam syluam est planicies
maxima, quæ durat per quinque dietas vsque ad extremitatem illius prouinciæ
ad aquilonem, quæ coarctatur habens Mare ad Orientem et Occidentem. Ita
quod est vnum fossatum magnum ab vno Mari vsque ad aliud. In illa planicie
solebant esse Comani antequam venirent Tartari, et cogebant ciuitates
prædictas et castra vt darent eis tributum. Et cum venerunt Tartari, tanta
multitudo Comanorum intrauit prouinciam illam, qui omnes fugerunt vsque ad
ripam Maris, quod comedebant se mutuo viui morientes: secundum quod
narrauit mihi quidam mercator, qui hoc vidit: Quod viui deuorabant et
lacerabant dentibus carnes crudas mortuorum, sicut canes cadauera. Versus
extremitatem illius prouinciæ sunt lacus multi et magni: in quorum ripis
sunt fontes salmastri, quorum aqua, qàam cito intrat lacum, efficit salem
durum ad modum glaciei. Et de illis salinis habent Baatu et Sartach magnos
reditus: quia de toto Russia veniunt illuc pro sale: et de qualibet biga
onusta dant duas telas de cottone valentes dimidiam Ipperperam. Veniunt, et
per Mare multæ naues pro sale, quæ omnes dant tributum secundum sui
quantitatem. Postquam ergo recessimus de Soldaia, tertia die inuenimus
Tartaros: inter quos cùm intraueram, visum fuit mihi recte quod ingrederer
quoddam aliud sæculum. Quorum vitam et mores vobis describam prout possum.
The same in English.
The iournal of frier William de Rubruquis a French man of the order of the
minorite friers, vnto the East parts of the worlde. An. Dom. 1253.
To his most Soueraigne, & most Christian Lord Lewis, by Gods grace the
renowned king of France, frier William de Rubruk, the meanest of the
Minorites order, wisheth health and continual triumph in CHRIST.
It is written in the booke of Ecclesiasticus concerning the wise man:
[Sidenote: Ecclus. 39, ver. 4] He shall trauell into forren countries, and
good and euill shall he trie in all things. The very same action (my lord
and kinge) haue I atchieued: howbeit I wish that I haue done it like a wise
man, and not like a foole. For many there be, that performe the same action
which a wise man doth, not wisely but more vndiscreetly: of which number I
feare myselfe to be one. Notwithstanding howsoeuer I haue done it, because
you commanded mee, when I departed from your highnes, to write all things
vnto you, which I should see among the Tartars, and you wished me also that
I should not feare to write long letters, I haue done as your maiestie
inioined me: yet with feare and reuerence, because I want wordes and
eloquence sufficient to write vnto so great a maiestie. Be it knowen
therefore vnto your sacred Maiestie, that in the yere of our Lord 1253,
about the Nones of May, we entered into the sea of Pontus, which the
Bulgarians call the great sea. It containeth in length (as I learned of
certaine merchants) 1008 miles, and is in a maner, diuided into two parts.
About the midst thereof are two prouinces, one towards the North, and
another towards the South. The South prouince is called Synopolis, and it
is the castle and porte of the Soldan of Turkie; but the North prouince is
called of the Latines, Gasaria: of the Greeks, which inhabite vpon the sea
shore thereof, it is called Cassaria, that is to say Cæsaria. And there are
certaine head lands stretching foorth into the sea towards Synopolis. Also,
there are 300. miles of distance betweene Synopolis and Cassaria. Insomuch
that the distance from those points or places to Constantinople, in length
and breadth is about 700. miles: and 700. miles also from thence to the
East, namely to the countrey of Hiberia which is a prouince of Georgia.
[Sidenote: Gasaria.] At the prouince of Gasaria or Cassaria we arriued,
which prouince is, in a maner, three square, hauing a citie on the West
part thereof called Kersoua, [Footnote: Kertch.] wherein S. Clement
suffered martyrdome. And sayling before the said citie, we sawe an island,
in which a Church is sayd to be built by the hands of angels. [Sidenote:
Soldaia.] But about the midst of the said prouince toward the South, as it
were, vpon a sharpe angle or point, standeth a citie called Soldaia
[Footnote: Simferopol, I presume.] directly ouer against Synopolis. And
there doe all the Turkie merchants, which traffique into the north
countries, in their iourney outward, arriue, and as they retume homeward
also from Russia, and the said Northerne regions, into Turkie. The foresaid
merchants transport thither ermines and gray furres, with other rich and
costly skinnes. Others carrie cloathes made of cotton or bombast, and
silke, and diuers kindes of spices. [Sidenote: The citie of Matriga.] But
vpon the East part of the said prouince standeth a Citie called Matriga
[Footnote: Azou.], where the riuer Tanais [Footnote: The Don.] dischargeth
his streames into the sea of Pontus, the mouth whereof is twelue miles in
breadth. For this riuer, before it entreth into the sea of Pontus, maketh a
little sea, which hath in breadth and length seuen hundreth miles,
[Footnote: The Sea of Azou is 210 miles long, and its breadth varies from
10 to 100 miles.] and it is no place there of aboue sixe-paces deepe,
whereupon great vessels cannot sayle ouer it. Howbeit the merchants of
Constantinople, arriuing at the foresayd citie of Materta [Marginal note:
Matriga.], send their barkes vnto the riuer of Tanais to buy dried fishes,
Sturgeons, Thosses, Barbils, and an infinite number of other fishes. The
foresayd prouince of Cassaria is compassed in with the sea on three sides
thereof: namely on the West side, where Kersoua the citie of Saint Clement
is situate: on the South side the citie of Soldaia whereat we arriued: on
the East side Maricandis, and there stands the citie of Matriga vpon the
mouth of the riuer Tanais. [Sidenote: Zikia.] Beyond the sayd mouth
standeth Zikia, which is not in subiection vnto the Tartars: also the
people called Sueui and Hiberi towards the East, who likewise are not vnder
the Tartars dominion. Moreouer towards the South, standeth the citie of
Trapesunda, [Footnote: Trebizond.] which hath a gouernour proper to it
selfe, named Guydo being of the Image of the Emperours of Constantinople,
and is subiect vnto the Tartars. Next vnto that is Synopolis the citie of
the Soldan of Turkie, who likewise is in subiection vnto them. Next vnto
these lyeth the countrey of Vastacius, whose sonne is called Astar, of his
grandfather by the mothers side, who is not in subiection. All the land
from the mouth of Tanais Westward as farre as Danubius is vnder their
subiection. Yea beyond Danubius also, towards Constantinople, Valakia,
which is the land of Assanus, and Bulgaria minor as farre as Solonia, doe
all pay tribute vnto them. And besides the tribute imposed, they haue also
of late yeares, exacted of euery houshold an axe, and all such corne as
they found lying on heapes. We arriued therefore at Soldaia the twelfth of
the Kalends of Iune. And diuers merchants of Constantinople, which were
arriued there before vs, reported that certaine messengers were comming
thither from the holy land, who were desirous to trauell vnto Sartach.
Notwithstanding I my self had publickely giuen out vpon Palme Sunday within
the Church of Sancta Sophia, that I was not your nor any other mans
messenger, but that I trauailed vnto those infidels according to the rule
of our order. And being arriued, the said merchants admonished me to take
diligent heede what I spake: because they hauing reported me to be a
messenger, if I should say the contrary, that I were no messenger, I could
not haue free passage granted vnto me. Then I spake after this maner vnto
the gouernors of the citie, or rather vnto their Lieutenants, because the
gouernors themselues were gone to pay tribute vnto Baatu, and were not as
yet returned. We heard of your lord Sartach (quoth I) in the holy land,
that he was become a Christian: and the Christians were exceeding glad
thereof, and especially the most Christian king of France, who is there now
in pilgrimage, and fighteth against the Saracens to redeeme the holy places
out of their handes: wherfore I am determined to go vnto Sartach, and to
deliuer vnto him the letters of my lord the king, wherein he admonisheth
him concerning the good and commoditie of all Christendome. And they
receiued vs with gladnes, and gaue vs enterteinement in the cathedrall
Church. The bishop of which Church was with Sartach, who told me many good
things concerning the saide Sartach, which after I found to be nothing so.
Then put they vs to our choyce, whither we woulde haue cartes and oxen, or
packehorses to transport our cariages. And the marchants of Constantinople
aduised me, not to take cartes of the citizens of Soldaia, but to buy
couered cartes of mine owne, (such as the Russians carrie their skins in),
and to put all our cariages, which I would daylie take out, into them:
because, if I should vse horses, I must be constrained at euery baite to
take downe my cariages, and to lift them vp againe on sundry horses backs:
and besides, that I should ride a more gentle pace by the oxen drawing the
cartes. Wherefore contenting my selfe with their euil counsel, I was
trauelling vnto Sartach 2 moneths which I could haue done in one, if I had
gone by horse. I brought with me from Constantinople (being by the
marchants aduised so to doe) pleasant fruits, muscadel wine, and delicate
bisket bread to present vnto the gouernours of Soldaia, to the end I might
obtain free passage: because they looke fauorablie vpon no man which
commeth with an emptie hand. All of which things I bestowed in one of my
cartes, (not finding the gouernours of the citie at home) for they told me,
if I could carry them to Sartach, that they would be most acceptable vnto
him. Wee tooke oure iourney therefore about the kalends of Iune, with fower
couered cartes of our owne and with two other which wee borrowed of them,
wherein we carried our bedding to rest vpon in the night, and they allowed
vs fiue horses to ride vpon. [Sidenote: Frier Bartholomeus de Cremona.] For
there were iust fiue persons in our companie: namely, I my selfe and mine
associate frier Batholomew of Cremona, and Goset the bearer of these
presents, the man of God Turgemannus, and Nicolas, my seruant, whome I
bought at Constantinople with some part of the almes bestowed vpon me.
Moreouer, they allowed vs two men, which draue our carts and gaue
attendance vnto our oxen and horses. There be high promontories on the sea
shore from Kersoua vnto the mouth of Tanais. Also there are fortie castles
betweene Kersoua and Soldaia, euery one of which almost haue their proper
languages: amongst whome there were many Gothes, who spake the Dutch
tongue. Beyond the said mountaines towards the North there is a most
beautifull wood growing on a plaine ful of fountaines and freshets.
[Sidenote: The necke of Taurica Chersonesus.] And beyond the wood there is
a mightie plaine champion, continuing fiue days iourney vnto the very
extremitie and borders of the said prouince northward, and there it is a
narrow Isthmus or neck land, [Footnote: The Isthmus of Perekop.] hauing sea
on the East and West sides therof, insomuch that there is a ditch made from
one sea vnto the other. In the same plaine (before the Tartars sprang vp)
were the Comanians wont to inhabite, who compelled the foresayd cities and
castles to pay tribute vnto them. But when the Tartars came vpon them, the
multitude of the Comanians entred into the foresaid prouince, and fled all
of them, euen vnto the sea shore, being in such extreame famine, that they
which were aliue, were constrained to eate vp those which were dead; and
(as a marchant reported vnto me who sawe it with his owne eyes) that the
liuing men deuoured and tore with their teeth, the raw flesh of the dead,
as dogges would knawe vpon carrion. Towards the border of the sayd prouince
there be many great lakes: vpon the bankes whereof are salt pits or
fountaines, the water of which so soon as it entereth into the lake,
becommeth hard salte like vnto ice. And out of those salte pittes Baatu and
Sartach haue great reuenues: for they repayre thither out of all Russia for
salte: and for each carte loade they giue two webbes of cotton amounting to
the value of half an Yperpera. There come by sea also many ships for salt,
which pay tribute euery one of them according to their burden. The third
day after wee were departed out of the precincts of Soldaia, we found the
Tartars. [Sidenote: The Tartars.] Amongst whome being entered, me thought I
was come into a new world. Whose life and maners I will describe vnto your
Hignes as well as I can.
De Tartaris and domibus eorum. Cap. 2.
Nusquam habent manentem ciuitatem, sed futuram ignorant. Inter se
diuiserunt Scythiam, quæ durat à Danubio vsque ad ortum solis. Et quilibet
Capitaneus, secundum quod habet plures vel pauciores homines sub se, scit
terminos pascuorum suorum, et vbi debet pascere hyeme et æstate, vere et
autumno. In hyeme enim descendunt ad calidiores regiones versus meridiem.
In æstate ascendunt ad frigidiores versus aquilonem. Loca pascuosa sine
aquis pascunt in hyeme quando est ibi nix, quia niuem habent pro aqua.
Domum in qua dormiunt fundant super rotam de virgis cancellatis, cuius
tigna sunt de virgis, and [Transcriber's note: sic.] conueniunt in vnam
paruulam rotam superius, de qua ascendit collum sursum tanquam
fumigatorium, quam cooperiunt filtro albo: et frequentius imbuunt etiam
filtrum calce vel terra alba et puluere ossium, vt albens splendeat, et
aliquando nigro. Et filtrum illud circa collum superius decorant pulchra
varietate picturæ. Ante ostium similiter suspendunt filtrum opere
polimitario variatum. Consumunt enim filtrum coloratum in faciendo vites et
arbores, aues et bestias. Et faciunt tales domos ita magnas, quod habent
triginta pedes in latitudine. Ego enim mensuraui semel latitudinem inter
vestigia rotarum vnius bigæ viginti pedum: et quando domus erat super bigam
excedebat extra rotas in vtroque latere quinque pedibus ad minus. Ego
numeraui in vna biga viginti duos boues trahentes vnam domum: Vndecem in
vno ordine secundum latitudinem bigæ, et alios vndecem ante illos: Axis
bigæ erat magnus ad modum arboris nauis: Et vnus homo stabat in ostio domus
super bigam minans boues. Insuper faciunt quadrangulos de virgulis fissis
attenuatis ad quantitatem vnius arcæ magnæ: et postea de vna extremitate ad
aliam eleuant testudinem de similibus virgis, et ostiolum faciunt in
anteriori extremitate: et postea cooperiunt illam cistam siue domunculam
filtro nigro inbuto seuo siue lacte ouino, ne possit penetrari pluuia; quod
similiter decorant opere polimitario vel plumario. Et in talibus arcis
ponunt totam suppellectilem suam et thesarum: quas ligant fortiter super
bigas alteras quas trahunt cameli, vt possint transuadare flumina. Tales
arcas nunquam deponunt de bigis. Quando deponunt domas suas mansionarias,
semper vertunt portam ad meridiem; et consequenter collocant bigas cum
arcis hinc et inde prope domum ad dimidium iactum lapidis: ita quod domus
stat inter duos ordines bigarum quasi inter duos muros. Matronæ faciunt
sibi pulcherrimas bigas, quas nescirem vobis describere nisi per picturam.
[Marginal note: Nota.] Imo omnia depinxissem vobis si sciuissem pingere.
Vnus diues Moal siue Tartar habet bene tales bigas cum arcis ducentas vel
centum. Baatu habet sexdecem vxores: quælibet habet vnam magnam domum,
exceptis alijs paruis, quas collocant post magnam, quæ sunt quasi cameræ;
in quibus habitant puellæ. Ad quamlibet istarum domorum appendent ducentæ
bigæ. Et quando deponunt domus, prima vxor deponit suam curiam in capite
occidentali, et postea aliæ secundum ordinem suum; ita quod vltima vxor
erit in capite Orientali: et erit spacium inter curiam vnius dominæ et
alterius, iactus vnius lapidis. Vnde curia vnius diuitis Moal apparebit
quasi vna magna Villa: tunc paucissimi viri erunt in ea. Vna muliercula
ducet 20. bigas vel 30. Terra enim plana est. Et ligant bigas cum bobus vel
camelis vnam post aliam: et sedebit muliercula in anteriori minans bouem,
et omnes aliæ pari gressu sequentur. Si contingat venire ad aliquem malum
passum, soluunt eas et transducunt sigillatim: Vadunt enim lento gressu
sicut agnus vel bos potest ambulare.
The same in English.
Of the Tartars, and of their houses. Chap. 2.
They haue in no place any setled citie to abide in, neither knowe they of
the celestiall citie to come. They haue diuided all Scythia among
themselues, which stretcheth from the riuer Danubius euen vnto the rising
of the sunne. And euery of their captaines, according to the great or small
number of his people, knoweth the bound of his pastures, and where he ought
to feed his cattel winter and summer, Spring and autumne. For in the winter
they descend vnto the warme regions southward. And in the summer they
ascend vnto the colde regions northward. In winter when snowe lyeth vpon
the ground, they feede their cattell vpon pastures without water, because
then they vse snow in stead of water. Their houses wherein they sleepe,
they ground vpon a round foundation of wickers artificially wrought and
compacted together: the roofe whereof consisteth (in like sorte) of
wickers, meeting aboue into one little roundell, out of which roundell
ascendeth a necke like vnto a chimney, which they couer with white felte,
and oftentimes they lay mortar or white earth vpon the sayd felt, with the
powder of bones, that it may shine white. And sometimes also they couer it
with blacke felte. The sayd felte on the necke of their house, they doe
garnish ouer with beautifull varietie of pictures. Before the doore
likewise they hang a felt curiously painted ouer. For they spend all their
coloured felte in painting vines, trees, birds, and beastes thereupon. The
sayd houses they make so large, that they conteine thirtie foote in
breadth. For measuring once the breadth betweene the wheele-ruts of one of
their cartes, I found it to be 20 feete ouer: and when the house was vpon
the carte, it stretched ouer the wheeles on each side fiue feete at the
least. I told 22. oxen in one teame, drawing an house vpon a cart, eleuen
in one order according to the breadth of the carte, and eleuen more before
them: the axeltree of the carte was of an huge bignes like vnto the mast of
a ship. And a fellow stood in the doore of the house, vpon the forestall of
the carte driuing forth the oxen. Moreouer, they make certaine fouresquare
baskets of small slender wickers as big as great chestes: and afterward,
from one side to another, they frame an hollow lidde or couer of such like
wickers, and make a doore in the fore side thereof. And then they couer the
sayd chest or little house with black fell rubbed ouer with tallow or
sheeps milke to keepe the raine from soaking through, which they decke
likewise with painting or with feathers. And in such chests they put their
whole houshold stuffe and treasure. Also the same chests they do strongly
binde vpon other carts, which are drawen with camels, to the end they may
wade through riuers. Neither do they at any time take down the sayd chests
from off their carts. When they take down their dwelling houses, they turne
the doores alwayes to the South: and next of all they place the carts laden
with their chests, here and there, within half a stones cast of the house:
insomuch that the house standeth between two ranks of carts, as it were,
between two wals. [Footnote: Something in the style of the laagers of South
Africa at the present day.] [Sidenote: The benefite of a painter in strange
countries.] The matrons make for themselues most beautiful carts, which I
am not able to describe vnto your maiestie but by pictures onlie: for I
would right willingly haue painted all things for you, had my skill bin
ought in that art. One rich Moal or Tartar hath 200. or 100. such cartes
with chests. Duke Baatu hath sixteene wiues, euery one of which hath one
great house, besides other little houses, which they place behind the great
one, being as it were chambers for their maidens to dwel in. And vnto euery
of the said houses do belong 200. cartes. When they take their houses from
off the cartes, the principal wife placeth her court on the West frontier,
and so all the rest in their order: so that the last wife dwelleth vpon the
East frontier: and one of the said ladies courts is distant from another
about a stones cast. Whereupon the court of one rich Moal or Tartar will
appeare like vnto a great village, very few men abiding in the same. One
woman will guide 20. or 30. cartes at once, for their countries are very
plaine, and they binde the cartes with camels or oxen, one behind another.
And there sittes a wench in the foremost carte driuing the oxen, and al the
residue follow on a like pace. When they chance to come at any bad passage,
they let them loose, and guide them ouer one by one: for they goe a slowe
pace, as fast as a lambe or an oxe can walke.
De lectis eorum et poculis. Cap. 3.
Postquam deposuerint domus versa porta ad meridiem, collocant lectum domini
ad partem aquilonarem. Locus multerum est semper ad latus Orientale hoc est
ad sinistrum domini domus cum sedet in lecto suo versa facie ad meridiem:
locus verò virorum ad latus occidentale, hoc est ad dextrum. Viri
ingredientes domum nullo modo suspenderent pharetram ad partem mulierum. Et
super caput Domini est semper vna imago quasi puppa et statuuncula de
filtro, quam vocant fratrem domini: alia similis super caput dominæ, quam
vocant fratrem dominæ, affixa parieti: et superius inter vtramque illarum
est vna paruula, macilenta, quæ est quasi custos totius domus. Domina domus
ponit ad latus suum dextrum ad pedes lecti in eminenti loco pelliculam
hoedinam impletam lana vel alia materia, et iuxta illam statuunculam
paruulam respicientem famulas et mulieres. Iuxta ostium ad partem mulieris
est iterum alia imago cum vbere vaccino, pro mulieribus quæ mungunt vaccas.
De officio foeminarum est mungere vaccas. Ad aliud latus ostij versus viros
est alia statua cum vbere equæ pro viris qui mungunt equas. Et cum
conuenerint ad potandum primo spargunt de potu illi imagini, quæ est super
caput domini: postea alijs imaginibus per ordinem: postea exit minister
domum cum cipho et potu, et spargit ter ad meridiem, qualibet vice
flectendo genu; et hoc ad reuerentiam ignis: postea ad Orientem ad
reuerentiam aeris: postea ad Occidentem ad reuerentiam aquæ; ad aquilonem
proijciunt pro mortuis. Quando tenet dominus ciphum in manu et debet
bibere, tunc primo antequam bibat, infundit terræ partem suam. Si bibit
sedens super equum, infundit antequam bibat, super collum vel crinem equi.
Postquam vero minister sic sparserit ad quatuor latera mundi, reuertitur in
domum et sunt parati duo famuli cum duobus ciphis et totidem patenis vt
deferant potum domino et vxori sedenti iuxta eum sursum in lecto. Et cum
habet plures vxores, illa cum qua dormit in nocte sedet iuxta eum in die:
et oportet quod omnes aliæ veniant ad domum illam illa die ad bibendum: et
ibi tenetur curia illa die: et xenia quæ deferuntur, illa deponuntur in
thesauris illius dominæ. Bancus ibi est cum vtre lactis vel cum alio potu
et cum ciphis.
The same in English.
Of their beds, and of their drinking pots. Chap. 3.
Hauing taken downe their houses from off their cartes, and turning the
doores Southward, they place the bed of the master of the house, at the
North part thereof. The womens place is alwaies on the East side, namely on
the left hand of the good man of the house sitting vpon his bed with his
face Southwards; but the mens place is vpon the West side, namely at the
right hand of their master. Men when they enter into the house, wil not in
any case hang their quiuers on the womens side. Ouer the masters head is
alwayes an image, like a puppet, made of felte, which they call the masters
brother: and another ouer the head of the good wife or mistresse, which
they call her brother being fastened to the wall: and aboue betweene both
of, them, there is a little leane one, which is, as it were the keeper of
the whole house. The good wife or mistresse of the house placeth aloft at
her beds feete, on the right hand, the skinne of a Kidde stuffed with wooll
or some other matter, and neare vnto that a little image or puppet looking
towards the maidens and women. Next vnto the doore also on the womens side,
there is another image with a cowes vdder, for the women that milke the
kine. For it is the duety of their women to milke kine. On the other side
of the doore next vnto the men, there is another image with the vdder of a
mare, for the men which milke mares. And when they come together to drinke
and make merie, they sprinckle parte of their drinke vpon the image which
is aboue the masters head: afterward vpon other images in order: then goeth
a seruant out of the house with a cuppe full of drinke sprinckling it
thrise towards the South, and bowing his knee at euery time: and this is
done for the honour of the fire. Then perfourmeth he the like superstitious
idolatrie towards the East, for the honour of the ayre: and then to the
West for the honour of the water: and lastly to the North in the behalfe of
the dead. When the maister holdeth a cuppe in his hande to drinke, before
he tasteth thereof, hee powreth his part vpon the ground. If he drinketh
sitting on horse backe, hee powreth out part thereof vpon the necke or
maine of his horse before hee himselfe drinketh. After the seruaunt
aforesaide hath so discharged his cuppes to the fower quarters of the
world, hee returneth into the house: and two other seruants stand ready
with two cuppes, and two basons, to carrie drinke vnto their master and his
wife, sitting together vpon a bed. And if he hath more wiues than one, she
with whome hee slept the night before, sitteth by his side the daye
following: and all his other wiues must that day resorte vnto the same
house to drinke: and there is the court holden for that day: the giftes
also which are presented that daye are layd vp in the chests of the sayd
wife. And vpon a bench stands a vessell of milke or of other drinke and
drinking cuppes.
De potibus eorum et qualiter prouocant alios ad bibendum. Cap. 4.
Faciunt in hyeme optimum potum, de risio, de millio, de melle: claret sicut
vinum. Et defertur eis vmum à remotis partibus. In æstate non curant nisi
de Cosmos. Stat semper infra domum ad introitum portæ, et iuxta illud stat
citharista cum citherula sua. Citheras et vielas nostras non vidi ibi, sed
multa alia instrumenta, quæ apud nos non habentur. Et cum incipit bibere
tunc vnus mintstrorum exclamat alta voce, HA: et citharista per cutit
citharum. [Sidenote: Similiter in Florida.] Et quando faciunt festum
magnum, tunc omnes plaudunt manibus et saltant ad vocem citharæ, viri coram
Domino, et mulieres coram domina. Et postquam dominus biberit, tunc
exclamat minister sicut priùs, et tacet citharista: tunc bibunt omnes in
circuitu viri et mulieres: et aliquando bibunt certatim valde turpiter et
gulose. Et quando volunt aliquem prouocare ad potum arripiunt eum per aures
et trahunt fortiter vt dilatent ei gulam, et plaudunt et saltant coram eo.
Item cum aliqui volunt facere magnum festum et gaudium, vnus accipit ciphum
plenum, et alij duo sunt ei à dextris et sinistris: et sic illi tres
veniunt cantantes vsque ad illum cui debent porrigere ciphum, et cantant et
saltant coram eo: et cum porrigit manum ad recipiendum ciphum, ipsi subito
resiliunt, et iterum sicut prius reuertuntur, et sic illudunt ei ter vel
quater retrahendo ciphum, donec fuerit bene exhileratus et bonum habeat
appetitum, et tunc dant ei ciphum, et cantant et plaudunt manibus et terunt
pedibus donec biberit.
The same in English.