The same in English

How they were giuen in charge to goe vnto Baatu the Father of Sartach.

Chap. 18.

The next morning betimes came vnto vs a certaine Priest who was brother

vnto Coiat, requesting to haue our box of Chrisme, because Sartach (as he

said) was desirous to see it: and so we gaue it him. About euentide Coiat

sent for vs, saying: My lord your king wrote good words vnto my lord and

master Sartach. Howbeit there are certaine matters of difficulty in them

concerning which he dare not determine ought, without the aduise and

counsell of his father. And therfore of necessitie you must depart vnto his

father, leauing behind you the two carts, which you brought hither

yesterday with vestiments and bookes, in my custodie because my lorde is

desirous to take more diligent view thereof. I presently suspecting what

mischiefe might ensue by his couetousnes, said vnto him: Sir, we will not

onely leaue those with you, but the two other carts also, which we haue in

our posession, will we commit vnto your custodie. You shall not (quoth he)

leaue those behinde you, but for the other two carts first named, we will

satisfie your request. I saide that this could not conueniently be done:

but needes we must leaue all with him. Then he asked, whether we meant to

tarie in the land? I answered: If you throughly vnderstand the letters of

my lorde the king, you know that we are euen so determined. Then he

replied, that we ought to be patient and lowly: and so we departed from him

that euening. On the morrowe after he sent a Nestorian Priest for the

carts, and we caused all the foure carts to be deliuered. Then came the

foresaid brother of Coiat to meet vs, and separated all those things, which

we had brought the day before vnto the Court, from the rest, namely the

bookes and vestiments, and tooke them away with him. Howbeit Coiat had

commanded, that we should carie those vestiments with vs, which wee ware in

the presence of Sartach, that wee might put them on before Baatu, if neede

should require: but the said Priest tooke them from vs by violence, saying:

thou hast brought them vnto Sartach, and wouldest thou carie them vnto

Baatu? And when I would haue rendred a reason, he answered: be not too

talkatiue, but goe your wayes. Then I sawe that there was no remedie but

patience: for wee could haue no accesse vnto Sartach himselfe, neither was

there any other, that would doe vs iustice. I was afraide also in regard of

the interpreter, least he had spoken other things then I saide vnto him:

for his will was good that we should haue giuen away all that we had. There

was yet one comfort remaining vnto me: for when I once perceiued their

couetous intent, I conueyed from among our bookes the Bible, and the

sentences, and certaine other bookes which I made speciall account of.

Howbeit I durst not take away the Psalter of my soueraigne Lady the Queene,

because it was too wel known, by reason of the golden pictures therein. And

so we returned with the two other carts vnto our lodging. Then came he that

was appointed to be our guide vnto the court of Baatu, willing vs to take

our iourney in all posthaste: vnto whom I said, that I would in no case

haue the carts to goe with me. Which thing he declared vnto Coiat. Then

Coiat commaunded that we should leaue them and our seruant with him: And we

did as he commanded. [Sidenote: They are come as farre as Volga.] And so

traueling directly Eastward towards Baatu, the third day we came to Etilia

or Volga: the streams whereof when I beheld, I wondered from what regions

of the North such huge and mighty waters should descend. Before we were

departed from Sartach, the foresaid Coiat, with many other Scribes of the

court said vnto vs: doe not make report that our Lord is a Christian, but a

Moal. [Sidenote: The Tartars will be called Moal.] Because the name of a

Christian seemeth vnto them to be the name of some nation. So great is

their pride, that albeit they beleeue perhaps some things concerning

Christ, yet will they not bee called Christians, being desirous that their

owne name, that is to say, Moal should be exalted aboue all other names.

Neither wil they be called by the name of Tartars. For the Tartars were

another nation, as I was informed by them.

Qualiter Sartach, et Mangucham et Kencham faciunt reuerentiam Christianis.

Cap. 19.

Tempore quo Franci ceperunt Antiochiam tenebat monarchiam in illis

lateribus Aquilonis quidam qui vocabatur Concan. [Sidenote: Con can.] Con

est proprium nomen: Can nomen dignitatis quod idem est qui diuinator. Omnes

diuinatores vocant Can. Vnde principes dicuntur Can, quia penes eos spectat

regimen populi per diuinationem. Vnde legitur in historia Antiochæ, quod

Turci miserunt propter succursum contra Francos ad regnum Con can. De illis

enim partibus venerunt omnes Turci. [Sidenote: Vnde venerunt Turci.

Caractay. Oceanus.] Iste Con erat Cara-Catay. Cara idem est quod nigrum.

Catai nomen gentis. Vnde Cara-Catay idem est quod nigri Catay. Et hoc

dicitur ad differentiam ipsorum Catay qui erant in Oriente super Oceanum de

quibus postea dicam vobis. Isti Catay erant in quibusdam alpibus per quas

transiui. Et in quadam planicie inter illas Alpes erat quidam Nestorinus

pastor potens et dominus super populum, qui dicebatur Vayman [Marginal

note: Vel Nayman.], qui erant Christiani Nestorini. [Sidenote: Presbyter

Iohannes.] Mortuo Con can eleuauit se ille Nestorius in regem, et vocabant

eum Nestoriani Regem Iohannem: et plus dicebant de ipso in decuplo quam

veritas esset. Ita enim faciunt Nestoriani venientes de partibus illis. De

nihilo enim faciunt magnos rumores. Vnde disseminauerunt de Sartach quod

esset Christianus, et de Mangu Can et Ken can: quia faciunt maiorem

reuerentiam Christianis, quàm alijs populis, et tamen in veritate

Christiani non sunt. Sic ergo exiuit magna fama de illo Rege Iohanne. Et

quando ego transiui per pascua eius, nullus aliquid sciebat de eo nisi

Nestoriani pauci. [Sidenote: Kencham vbi habitauit Frater Andreas in Curia

Kencham. Vut can, vel Vne. Caracarum Villula. Crit, et Merkit.] In pascuis

eis habitat Kencam, apud cuius curiam fuit frater Andreas: et ego etiam

transiui per eam in reditu. Huic Iohanni erat frater quidam potens, pastor

similiter, nomine Vut: et ipse erat vltra Alpes ipsorum Caracatay, distans

à fratre suo spacium trium hebdomadarum et erat dominus cuiusdam Villulæ

quæ dicitur Caracarum, populum habens sub se, qui dicebantur Crit, Merkit,

qui erant Christiani Nestorini. Sed ipse dominus eorum dimisso cultu

Christi, sectabatur idola; habens sacerdotes idolorum, qui omnes sunt

inuocatores dæmonum et sortilegi. [Sidenote: Moal pauperimi homines.] Vltra

pascua istius ad decem vel quindecem dictas erant pascua Moal: qui erant

paupernmi homines sine capitaneo et sine lege, exceptis sortilegijs et

diuinationibus, quibus omnes in partibus illis intendunt. [Sidenote:

Tartarorum sedes.] Et iuxta Moal erant alij pauperes, qui dicebantur

Tartari. Rex Iohannes mortuus fuit sine hærede, et ditatus est frater eius

Vnc: et faciebat se vocari Can: et mittebantur armenta greges eius vsque ad

terminos Moal. [Sidenote: Cyngis.] Tunc temporis Chingis faber quidam erat

in populo Moal, et furabatur de animalibus Vnc can quod poterat: In tantum

quod conquesti sunt pastores Vut domino suo. Tunc congregauit exercitum et

equitauit in terram Moal, quarens ipsum Cyngis. Et ille fugit inter

Tartaros et latuit ibi. Tunc ipse Vut accepta præda Moal et à Tartaris

reuersus est. Tunc ipse Cyngis allocutus est Tartaros et ipsos Moal dicens,

Quia sine duce sumus opprimunt nos vicini nostri et fecerunt ipsum ducem et

capitaneum Tartari et Moal. Tunc latenter congregato exercitu irruit super

ipsum Vut, et vicit ipsum et ipse fugit in Cathaiam. Ibi capta fuit filia

eius, quam Cyngis dedit vni ex filijs in vxorem, ex quo ipsa suscepit istum

qui nunc regnat Mangu. [Sidenote: Mangu-can.] Tunc ipse Cyngis permittebat

vbique ipsos Tartaros: et inde exiuit nomen eorum, quia vbique clamabatur,

Ecce Tartari veniunt. Sed per crebra bella modo omnes fere deleti sunt.

Vnde isti Moal modo volunt extinguere illud nomen et suum eleuare.

[Sidenote: Mancherule] Terra illa in qua primo fuerunt, et vbi est adhuc

curia Cyngiscan, vocatur Mancherule. Sed quia Tartari est regio circa quam

fuit acquisitio corum, illam ciuitatem habent pro regali, et ibi prope

eligunt suum Can.

The same in English.

Howe Sartach, and Mangu Can, and Ken Can doe reuerence vnto Christians.

Chap. 19.

At the same time when the French men tooke Antioch, a certaine man named

Con Can had dominion ouer the Northren regions, lying thereabouts. Con is a

proper name: Can is a name of authority or dignitie, which signifieth a

diuiner or soothsayer All diuiners are called Can amongst them. Whereupon

their princes are called Can, because that vnto them belongeth the

gouernment of the people by diuination. Wee doe reade also in the historie

of Antiochia, that the Turkes sent for aide against the French-men, vnto

the kingdome of Con Can. For out of those parts the whole nation of the

Turkes first came. The said Con was of the nation of Kara-Catay, Kara

signifieth blacke, and Katay is the name of a countrey. So that Kara-Catay

signifieth the blacke Catay. [Sidenote: An Ocean sea.] This name was giuen

to make a difference between the foresaid people, and the people of Catay,

inhabiting Eastward ouer against the Ocean sea: concerning whom your

maiesty shall vnderstand more hereafter. These Catayans dwelt vpon certaine

Alpes, by the which I trauailed. [Sidenote: Nayman. Presbiter Iohn.] And in

a certaine plane countrey within those Alpes, there inhabited a Nestorian

shepheard, being a mighty gouernour ouer the people called Yayman, which

were Christians, following the sect of Nestorius. After the death of Con

Can, the said Nestorian exalted himselfe to the kingdome, and they called

him King Iohn, [Marginal note: This history of Presbiter Iohn in the

North-east, is alledged at large by Gerardus Mercator in his generall

mappe. From whence the Turkes first sprang.] reporting ten times more of

him then was true. For so the Nestorians which come out of those parts, vse

to doe. For they blaze abroade great rumors, and reports vpon iust nothing.

Whereupon they gaue out concerning Sartach, that he was become a Christian,

and the like also they reported concerning Mangu Can, and Ken Can namely

because these Tartars make more account of Christians, then they doe of

other people, and yet in very deede, themselues are no Christians. So

likewise there went foorth a great report concerning the said king Iohn.

Howbeit, when I trauailed along by his territories, there was no man that

knew any thing of him, but onely a fewe Nestorians. [Sidenote: The place of

Ken Can his abode. Vut Can, or Vnc Can. The village of Cara Carum. Crit and

Merkit.] In his pastures or territories dwelleth Ken Can, at whose Court

Frier Andrew was. And I my selfe passed by it at my returne. This Iohn had

a brother, being a mightie man also, and a shepheard like himselfe, called

Vut, and be inhabited beyond the Alpes of Cara Catay, being distant from

his brother Iohn, the space of three weekes iourney. He was lord ouer a

certain village, called Cara Carum, hauing people also for his subiects,

named Crit, or Merkit, who were Christians of the sect of Nestorius. But

their Lorde abandoning the the worship of Christ followed after idoles,

reteining with him Priests of the saide idoles, who all of them are

worshippers of deuils and and sorcerers. [Moal in olde time a beggerly

people.] Beyond his pastures, some tenne or fifteene dayes iourney, were

the pasture of Moal, who were a poore and beggerly nation, without

gouernour, and without Lawe, except their soothsayings, and their

diuinations, vnto the which detestable studies, all in those partes doe

apply their mindes. [Sidenote: The place of the Tartars.] Neere vnto Moal

were other poore people called Tartars. The foresaid king Iohn died without

issue male, and thereupon his brother Vut was greatly inriched, and caused

himselfe to be named Can; and his droues and flockes raunged euen vnto the

borders of Moal. [Sidenote: Cyngis] About the same time there was one

Cyngis, a blacke smith among the people of Moal. This Cyngis stole as many

cattel from Vut Can as he could possibly get: insomuche that the shepherds

of Vut complained vnto their Lord. Then prouided he an armie and marched vp

into the countrey of Moal to seeke for the saide Cyngis. But Cyngis fledde

among the Tartars and hidde himselfe amongest them. And Vut hauing taken

some spoils both from Moal and also from the Tartars, returned home. Then

spake Cyngis vnto the Tartars and vnto the people of Moal, saying: Sirs

because we are destitute of a gouernonr and Captaine, you see howe our

neighbours do oppresses vs. And the Tartars and Moals appointed him to be

their Chieftaine. Then hauing secretly gathered together an armie, he brake

in suddenly vpon Vut, and ouercame him, and Vut fledde into Cataua.

[Sidenote: Magnu-can.] At the same time was the daughter of Vut taken,

which Cyngis married vnto one of his sonnes, by whome she conceiued, and

brought forth the great Can, Which now reigneth called Mangu-Can. Then

Cyngis sent the Tartars before him in al places where he came: and

thereupon was their name published and spread abroade for in all places the

people woulde crie out: Loe, the Tartars come, the Tartars come. Howbeit

through continuall warres, they are nowe all of them in a maner consumed

and brought to nought. Whereupon the Moals endeuour what they can, to

extinguish the name, of the Tartars that they may exalt their owne name.

The countrey wherein they first inhabited and where the Court of Cyngis Can

[Sidenote: Mancherule] as yet remaineth, is called Macherule. But because

Tartaria is the region about which they haue obtained their conquests, they

esteeme that as their royall and chiefe citie and there for the most part

doe they elect their great Can.

De Rutenis et Hungaris, et Manis, et de mari Caspio. Cap. 20.

De Sartach autem vtrum credit in Christum vel non nescio. Hoc scio quod

Christianus non vult dici. Immò magis videtur mihi deridere Christianos.

Ipse enim est in itinere Christianorum, scilicet Rutenorum, Blacorum,

Bulgarorum minoris Bulgariæ Soldainorum, Kerkisorum, Alanorum: qui omnes

transeunt per cum quum vidunt ad curiam patris sui deferre ei munera, vnde

magis amplectitur eos. Tamen si Saraceni veniant, et maius afferint cuius

expediuntur. Habet etiam circa se Nestorinos sacerdotes qui pulsant

tabulam, et cantant officium suum.

[Sidenote: Berta vel Berca.] Est alius qui dicitur Berta super Baatu, qui

pascit versus Portam ferream, vbi est iter Saracenorum omnium qui veniunt

de Perside et de Turchia, qui euntes ad Baatu, et transeuntes per eum,

deferunt ei munera. Et ille facit se Saracenum, et non permitit in terra

sua comedi carnes porcinas. Baatu in reditu nostro præceperat ei, quod

transferret se de illo loco vltra Etiliam ad Orientem, nolens nuncios

Saracenorum transire per eum, quia videbatur sibi damnosum.

Quatuor autem diebus quibus fuimus in curia Sartach, nunquam prouisum fuit

nobis de cibo, nisi semel de modico cosmos. In via verò inter ipsum et

patrem suum habuimus magnum timorem. Ruteni enim et Hungari, et Alani serui

eorum, quorum est magna multitudo inter eos, associant se viginti vel

triginta simul, et fugiant de nocte, habentes pharetras et arcus, et

quemcunque inuenuint de nocte interficiunt, de die latitantes. Et quando

sunt equi eorum fatigati veniunt de nocte ad multitudinem equorum in

pascuis, et mutant equos, et vnum vel duos ducunt secum, vt comedant quum

indiguerint. Occursum ergo talium timebat multum Dux noster. In illa via

fuissemus mortui fame, si non portauissemus nobiscum modicum de biscocto.

[Sidenote: Exacta Maris Caspij descripto.] Venimus tandem ad Etiliam

maximum flumen. Est enim in quadruplo maius quàm Sequana, et

profundissimum: Veniens de maiori Bulgaria, quæ est ad Aquilonem, tendens

in quendam lacum, siue quoddam mare, quod modò vocat illud mare Sircan, à

quadam ciuitate, quæ est iuxta ripam eius in Perside. Sed Isidorus vocat

illud mare Caspium. Habet enim montes Caspios, et Persidem à meridie:

montes vero Musihet, hoc est, Assassinorum ad Orientem, qui contiguantur

cum montibus Caspijs. Ad Aquilonem verò habet illam solitudinem, in qua

modo sunt Tartari. [Sidenote: Cangla populi, vel Cangitta.] Prius verò

erant ibi quidam qui dicebantur Canglæ: Et ex illo latere recipit Etiliam,

qui crescit in æstate sicut Nilus Ægypti. Ad Occidentem verò habet montes

Alanorum et Lesgi; et Portam ferream, et montes Georgianorum. Habet igitur

illud mare tria latera inter montes, Aquilonare verò habet ad planiciem.

[Sidenote: Frater Andreas.] Frater Andreas ipse circumdedit duo latera

eius, meridionale scilicet et Orientale. [Sidenote: Reprehenditur Isidori

error de mari Caspio.] Ego verò alia duo; Aquilonare scilicet in eundo à

Baatu ad Mangu cham, Occidentale verò in reuertendo de Baatu in Syriam.

Quatuor mensibus potest circundari. Et non est verum quod dicit Isidorus.

quod sit sinus exiens, ab Oceano: nusquan enim tangit Oceanum, sed vndique

circundatur terra.

The same in English.

Of the Russians, Hungarians, and Alanians: and of the Caspian Sea. Chap.

20.

Now, as concerneth Sartach, whether he beleeues in Christ, or no, I knowe

not. This I am sure of, that he will not be called a Christian. Yea rather

he seemeth vnto mee to deride and skoffe at Christians. He lieth in the way

of the Christians, as namely of the Russians, the Valachians, the

Bulgarians of Bulgaria the lesser, the Soldaianes, the Kerkis, and the

Alanians: who all of them passe by him, as they are going to the Court of

his father Baatu, to carie gifts: whereupon he is more in league with them.

How best, if the Saracens come, and bring greater gifts than they, they are

dispatched sooner. He hath about him certaine Nestorian Priestes, who pray

vpon their beades, and sing their deuotions. Also, there is another vnder

Baatu called Berta [Sidenote: Or, Berca.], who feedeth his cattell toward

Porta ferrea, or Derbent, where lieth the passage of all those Saracens,

which come out of Persia, and out of Turkie to goe vnto Baatu, and passing

by they giue rewards vnto him. And he professeth himselfe to be a Saracene,

and will not permit swines flesh to be eaten in his dominions. Howbeit, at

the time of our return, Baatu commanded him to remoue himselfe from that

place, and to inhabite vpon the East side of Volga: for hee was vnwilling

that the Saracens messengers should passe by the saide Berrta, because he

sawe it was not for his profite. For the space of foure dayes while we

remained in the court of Sartach, we had not any victuals at all allowed

vs, but once onely a little Cosmos. And in our iourney betweene him and his

father, wee trauelled in great feare. For certaine Russians, Hungarians,

and Alanians being seruants vnto the Tartars (of whom they haue great

multitudes among them) assemble themselues twentie or thirtie in a

companie, and so secretly in the night conueying themselues from home they

take bowes and arrowes with them, and whomsoeuer they finde in the night

season, they put him to death, hiding themselues in the day time. And

hauing tired their horses, they goe in the night vnto a company of other

horses feeding in some pasture, and change them for newe, taking with them

also one or two horses besides, to eate them when they stand in neede. Our

guide therefore was sore afraide, least we should haue met with such

companions. In this iourney wee had died for famine, had we not caried some

of our bisket with vs. At length we came vnto the mighty riuer of Etilia,

or Volga. For it is foure times greater then the riuer of Sein, and of a

wonderfull depth: and issuing forth of Bulgaria the greater, it runneth

into a certain lake or sea, which of late they call the Hircan sea,

according to the name of a certain citie in Persia, standmg vpon the shore

thereof. Howbeit Isidore calleth it the Caspian Sea. For it hath the

Caspian mountaines and the land of Persia situate on the south side

thereof: and the mountaines of Musihet, that is to say, of the people

called Assassini [Footnote: A tribe who murdered all strangers: hence our

word _assassin_.] towards the East, which mountaines are coioyned vnto the

Caspian mountaines, but on the North side thereof lieth the same desert,

wherein the Tartars doe now inhabite. [Sidenote: Changlæ.] Howbeit

heretofore there dwelt certaine people called Changlæ. And on that side it

receiueth the streams of Etilia: which riuer increaseth in Sommer time,

like vnto the riuer Nilus in Ægypt. Vpon the West part thereof, it hath the

mountaines of Alani, and Lesgi, and Porta ferrea, or Derbent, and the

mountaines of Georgia. This Sea therefore is compassed in on three sides

with the mountaines, but on the North side by plaine grounde. [Sidenote:

Frier Andrew.] Frier Andrew, in his iourney traueiled round about two sides

therof, namely the South and the East sides: and I my selfe about other

two, that is to say, the North side in going from Baatu to Mangu-Can, and

in returning likewise; and the West side in comming home from Baatu into

Syria. A man may trauel round about it in foure moneths. And it is not true

what Isidore reporteth, namely that this Sea is a bay or gulfe comming

forth of the Ocean: for it doeth, in no part thereof, ioyne with the Ocean,

but is enuironed on all sides with lande.

De curia Baatu, et qualiter recepti fuerunt ab eo. Cap. 21.

[Sidenote: Oceanus Aquilonaris Isisdorus.] Tota ilia regio à latere

Occidentali istius maris, vbi sunt Porta ferrea Alexandri, et montes

Alanorum, vsque ad Occanum Aquilonarem et paludes Mæotidis vbi mergitur

Tanais, solebat dici Albania: de qua dicit Isisdorus quòd habet canes ita

magnos, tantæque feritatis, vt tauros premant, leones perimant. Quod verum

est, prout intellexi à narrantibus, quod ibi versus Oceanum Aquilonarem

faciunt canes trahere in bigis sicut boues propter magnitudinem et

fortitudinem eorum. In illo ergo loco vbi nos aplicuimus super Etiliam est

casale nouum, quod fecerunt Tartari de Rutenis mixtim, qui transponunt

nuncios euntes, et redeuntes ad curiam Baatu: quia Baatu est in vlteriori

ripa versus Orientem nec transit illum locum vbi nos applicuimus ascendendo

in æstate, sed iam incipiebat descendere. [Sidenote: Descendit naui per

flumen Volga. Nota] De Ianuario enim vsque ad Augustum ascendit ipsi, et

omnes alij versus frigidas regiones, et in Augusto incipiunt redire.

Descendimus ergo in naui ab illo casali vsque ad curiam eius. Et ab illo

vsque ad villas maioris Bulgariæ versus Aquilonem, sunt quinque dictæ. Et

miror quis Diabolus portauit illuc legem Machometi. [Sidenote: 30 dietæ à

Porta ferrea. Astracan.] A Porta enim ferrea, quæ est exitus Persidis, sunt

plusquam triginta dietæ per transuersum, solitudinem ascendendo iuxta

Etiliam vsque in illam Bulgariam, vbi nulla est ciuitas, nisi quædam

casalia propè vbi cadit Etilia in mare. Et illi Bulgari sunt pessimi

Saraceni, fortius tenentes legem Machometi, quàm aliqui alij. [Sidenote:

Descriptio curiæ Baatu.] Quum ergo vidi curiam Baatu, expaui, quia

videbantur propè domus eius, quasi quædam magna ciuitas protensa in longum,

et populus vndique circumfusus, vsque ad tres vel quatuor leueas. Et sicut

populus Israel sciebat vnusquisque ad quam regionem tabernaculi deberet

figere tentoria: ita ipsi sciunt ad quod latus curiæ debeant se collocare,

quando ipsi deponunt domus. [Sidenote: Horda sonat medium.] Vnde dicitur

curia Orda lingua corum, quod sonat medium, quia semper est in media

hominum suorum: hoc excepto quod rectè ad meridiem nullus se collocat, quia

ad pattem illam aperiuntur portæ Curiæ: Sed à dextris et à sinistris

extendunt se quantum volunt secundum exigentiam locorum: dummodo rectè ante

curiam, vel ex opposito curiæ non descendunt. Fuimus ergo ducti ad quondam

Saracenum, qui non prouidebat nobis de aliquo cibo sequenti die fuimus ad

curiam, et fecerat extendi magnum tentorium, quia domus non potuisset

capere tot homines et mulieres, quot conuenerant. Monuit nos ductor noster

vt non loqueremur, donec Baatu præciperet: et tunc loqueremur breuiter.

[Sidenote: Misit rex Francia ad Kencham nuncios.] Quæsiuit etiam vtrum

misissetis nuncios ad eos. Dixi qualiter miseratis ad Kencham, et quod nec

ad ipsum misissetis nuncios, nec ad Sartach literas, nisi credidissetis eos

fuisse Christianos: quia non pro timore aliquo, sed ex congratulatione,

quia audiueratis eos esse Christianos misistis. Tunc duxit nos ad

papilionem: et monebamur, ne tangeremus cordas tentorij, quas ipsi reputant

loco liminis domus. Stetimus ibi nudis pedibus in habitti nostro

discoopertis capitibus, et eramus spectaculum magnum in oculis eorum.

[Sidenote: Iohannes de Plano carpini.] Fuerat enim ibi frater Iohannes de

Plano Carpini, sed ipse mutauerat habitum ne contemneretur; quia erat

nuncius Domini Papæ. Tunc inducti fuimus vsque ad medium tentorij, nec

requisiuerunt vt faceremus aliquam reuerentiam genua flectendo, sicut

solent facere nuncij. Stetimus ergo coram eo quantum possit dici, Miserere

mei Deus: et omnes erant in summo silentio. Ipse verò super solium longum

sedebat et latum sicut lectus, totum deauratum, ad quod ascendebatur tribus

gradibus, et vna domina iuxta eum. Viri vero diffusi sedebant à dextris

dominæ et à sinistris quod non implebant mulieres ex parte vna quia erant

ibi solæ vxores Baatu, implebant viri. Bancus vero cum cosmos et ciphis

maximis aureis et argenteis, ornatis lapidibus prætiosis erat in introitu

tentorij. Respexit ergo nos diligentius, et nos eum: et videbatur mihi

similis in statura Domino Iohanni de Bello monte cuius anima rcquiescit in

pace. Erat etiam vultus eius tunc perfusus gutta rosea. Tandem præcepit vt

loqueremur. Tunc ductor noster præcepit vtflecteremus genua, et loqueremur.

Flext vnum genu tanquam homini: tunc innuit quod ambo flecterem, quod et

feci, nolens contendere super hoc. Tunc præcepit quod loquerer. Et ego

cogitans quod orarem Dominum, quia flexeram ambo genua, Incepi verba

oratione, dicens: Domine, nos oramus Dominum, à quo bona cuncta procedunt,

qui dedit vobis ista terrena, vt det vobis post hæc cælestia: quia hæc sine

illis vana sunt. Et ipse diligenter auscultauit, et subiunxit: Noueritis

pro certo quòd coelestia non habebitis, nisi fueritis Christianus. Dicit

enim Deus, Qui crediderit et baptizatus fuerit, saluus erit: qui vero non

crediderit, condemnabitur. Ad illud verbum ipse modestè subrisit, et alij

Moal inceperunt plaudere manus deridendo nos. Et obstupuit interpres meus,

quem oportuit me confortare ne timeret. [Sidenote Literæ Regis Francorum.]

Tunc facto silentio, dixi: Ego veni ad filium vestrum, quia audiuimus quod

esset Christianus, et attuli et literas ex parte Domini Regis Francorum

ipse misit me huc ad vos. Vos debetis scire qua de causa. Tunc fecit me

surgere. Et quæsiuit nomem vestrum, et meum, et socij mei, et interpretis,

et fecti omnia scribi. Quæsiuit etiam quia intellexerat quod exieratis

terram vestram cum exercitu vt haberetis bellum. Respondi, Contra Saracenos

violantes domum Dei Hierusalam. Quæsiuit etiam si vnquam misissetis nuncios

ad eum. Ad vos dixi nuquam. Tunc fecit nos vedere et dari de lacte, suo ad

bibendum, quod ipsi valdè magnum reputant, quando aliquis bibit cosmos eum

eo in domo sua. Et dum sedens respicerem terram, præcepit vt cleuarem

vultum volens adhuc nos amplius respicere, vel fortè pro sortilegio: quia

habent pro malo omine vel signo, vel pro mala Prognostica, quando aliquis

sedet coram eis inclinata facie quasi tristis, maximè quum appodiat

maxillam vel mentum super manum. Tunc exiuimus, et post pauca, venit Ductor

noster ad nos, et ducens nos ad hospitium, dixit mihi, Dominus Rex rogat,

quod retinearis in terra ista: et hoc non potest Baatu facere sine

conscientia Mangu cham. Vnde oportet quod tu et interpres tuus eatis ad

Mangu cham. Socius verò tuus et alius homo reuertentur ad curiam Sartach

ibi expectantes donec reuertatis. Tunc incepit homo DEI Interpres lugere

reputans se perditum: Socius etiam meus contestari, quod citius amputarent

ei caput quam quod diuideretur à me. Et ego dixi, quod sine socio non

possem ire: Et etiam quod benè indigebamus duobus famulis, quia si

contingeret vnum infirmari, non possem solus romanere. Tunc ipse reuersus

ad curiam dixit verba Baatu. Tunc præcepit, vadant duo sacerdotes et

interpres: et Clericus reuertatur ad Sartach. Ille reuersus dixit nobis

summam. Et quando volebam loqui pro Clerico, quod iret nobiscum, dixit, Non

loquamini amplius qua Baatu definiuit, et eo amplius non audeo redire ad

curiam. De eleemosyna habebat Goset clericus viginti sex ipperpera et non

plus: quoram decem retinuit sibi et puero: et sexdecem dedit homini Dei pro

nobis. Et sic diuisi sumus cum lachrimis ab inuicem: Illo redeunte ad

curiam Sartach, et nobis ibi remanentibus.

The same in English.

Of the Court of Baatu: and howe we were entertained by him. Chap. 21.

At the region extending from the West shore of the foresaid sea, where

Alexanders Iron gate, otherwise called the gate of Derbent, is situate and

from the mountaines of Alania, all along by the fennes of Alcotts,

whereinto the riuer of Tanais falleth and so forth, to the North Ocean, was

wont to be called Albania. [Sidenote: The North Ocean.] Of which countrey

Isidore reporteth, that there be dogs of such an huge stature and so

fierce, that they are able in fight to match bulles and to master lions.

Which is true, as I vnderstand by diuers, who tolde me, that there towardes

the North Ocean they make their dogges to draw in carts like oxen, by

reason of their bignesse and strength. Moreouer, vpon that part of Etilia

where we arriued, there is a new cottage built, wherein they haue placed

Tartars and Russians both together, to ferrie ouer, and transport

messengers going and comming to and fro the court of Baatu. For Baatu

remaineth vpon the farther side towards the East. Neither ascendeth hee in

Sommer time more Northward then the foresaide place where we arriued, but

was euen then descending to the South. From Ianuarie vntil August both he

and all other Tartars ascend by the banks of riuers towards cold and

Northerly regions, and in August they begin to returne backe againe.

[Sidenote: He descended downe the riuer Volga in a barke.] We passed downe

the streame therefore in a barke, from the foresaid cottage vnto his court.

From the same place vnto the villages of Bulgaria the greater, standing

toward the North, it is fiue dayes iourney. I wonder what deuill caried the

religion of Mahomet thither. For, from Derbent, which is vpon the extreame

borders of Persia, it is about 30 daies iourney to passe ouerthwart the

desert, and so to ascend by the banke of Etilia, into the foresaid countrey

of Bulgaria. [Sidenote: Astrscan.] All which way there is no citie, but

onely certaine cottages neere vnto that place where Etilia falleth into the

sea. Those Bulgarians are most wicked Saracens, more earnestly professing

the damnable religion of Mahomet, then any other nation whatsoeuer.

[Sidenote: The description of Baatu and his court.] Moreouer, when I first

behelde the court of Baatu, I was astonied at the sight thereof; for his

houses or tents seemed as though they had bene some huge and mighty citie,

stretching out a great way in length, the people ranging vp and downe about

it for the space of some three or four leagues. And euen as the people of

Israel knew euery man, on which side of the tabernacle to pitch his tent:

euen so euery one of them knoweth right well, towards what side of the

court he ought to place his house when he takes it from off the cart.

[Sidenote: Horda signifieth the midst.] Wherupon the court is called in

their language Horda, which signifieth, the midst: because the gouernour or

chieftaine among them dwels alwaies in the middest of his people: except

onely that directly towards the South no subiect or inferiour person

placeth himselfe, because towards that region the court gates are set open:

but vnto the right hand, and the left hand they extend themselues as farre

as they will, according to the conueniencie of places, so that they place

not their houses directly opposite against the Court. At our arriual we

were conducted vnto a Saracen, who prouided not for vs any victuals at all.

The day following, we were brought vnto the court and Baatu had caused a

large tent to be erected, because his house or ordinarie tent could not

contain so many men and women as were assembled. Our guide admonished vs

not to speake, till Baatu had giuen vs commandement so to doe, and that

then we should speake our mindes briefly. Then Baatu demanded whether your

Maiestie had sent Ambassadours vnto him or no? I answered, that your

Maiestie had sent messengers to Ken Can: and that you would not haue sent

messengers vnto him, or letters vnto Sartach, had not your Highnes bene

perswaded that they were become Christians: because you sent not vnto them

for any feare, but onely for congratulation, and curtesies sake, in regard

that you heard they were conuerted to Christianitie. Then led he vs vnto

his pauilion and wee were charged not to touch the cordes of the tent,

which they account in stead of the threshold of the house. There we stoode

in our habite bare footed, and bare-headed, and were a great and strange

spectacle in their eyes. [Sidenote: Iohn de Plano Carpini.] For indeed

Frier Iohn de Plano Carpini had byn there before my comming: howbeit,

because he was the Pope's messenger, he changed his habit that he might not

be contemned. Then we were brought into the very midst of the tent, neither

required they of vs to do any reuerence by bowing our knees, as they vse to

doe of other messengers. Wee stood therefore before him for the space

wherein a man might haue rehearsed the Psalme, Miserere mei Deus: and there

was great silence kept of all men. Baatu himselfe sate vpon a seate long

and broad like vnto a bed, guilt all ouer, with three stairs to ascend

thereunto, and one of his ladies sate beside him. The men there assembled,

sate downe scattering, some on the right hand of the saide Lady, and some

on the left. Those places on the one side which the women filled not vp

(for there were only the wiues of Baatu) were supplied by the men. Also, at

the very entrance of the tent stoode a bench furnished with cosmos, and

with stately great cuppes of siluer, and golde, beeing richly set with

precious stones. Baatu beheld vs earnestly, and we him and he seemed to me

to resemble in personage, Monsieur Iohn de beau mont, whose soule resteth

in peace. And hee had a fresh ruddie colour in his countenance. At length

he commanded vs to speake. Then our guide gaue vs direction, that wee

should bow our knees and speak. Wherupon I bowed one knee as vnto a man:

then he signified that I should kneele vpon both knees: and I did so, being

loath to contend about such circumstaunces. And again he commanded me to

speak. Then I thinking of praier vnto God, because I kneeled on both my

knees, began to pray on this wise: Sir, we beseech the Lord, from whom all

good things doe proceed and who hath giuen you these earthly benefites,

that it would please him hereafter to make you partaker of his heauenly

blessings: because the former without these are but vain and vnprofitable.

And I added further. Be it knowen vnto you of a certainty, that you shal

not obtain the ioyes of heauen, vnles you becomes a Christian: for God

saith, Whosoeuer beleeueth and is baptized, shalbe saued: but he that

beleeueth not, shalbe condemned. At this word he modestly smiled: but the

other Moals began to clap their hands, and to deride vs. And my silly

interpreter, of whom especially I should haue receiued comfort in time of

need, was himself abashed and vtterly dasht out of countenance. [Sidenote:

The letters of the French King.] Then, after silence made, I said vnto him,

I came vnto your soune, because we heard that he was become a Christian:

and I brought vnto him letters on the behalfe of my souereigne Lord the

king of France: and your sonne sent me hither vnto you. The cause of my

comming therefore is best known vnto your selfe. Then he caused me to rise

vp. And he enquired your maiesties name, and my name, and the name of mine

associate and interpreter, and caused them all to be put down in writing.

He demaunded likewise (because he had bene informed, that you were departed

out of your owne countreys with an armie) against whom you waged warre? I

answered: against the Saracens, who had defiled the house of God at

Ierusalem. He asked also, whether your Highnes had euer before that time

sent any messengers vnto him, or no? To you sir? (said I) neuer. Then

caused he vs to sit downe, and gaue vs of his milke to drinke, which they

account to be a great fauour, especially when any man is admitted to drinke

Cosmos with him in his own house. And as I sate looking downe vpon the

ground, he commanded me to lift vp my countenance, being desirous as yet to

take more diligent view of vs, or els perhaps for a kinde of superstitious

obseruation. For they esteeme it a signe of ill lucke, or a prognostication

of euill vnto them, when any man sits in their presence, holding downe his

head, as if he were sad: especially when he leanes his cheeke or chinne

ypon his hand. Then we departed forth, and immediately after came our guide

vnto vs, and conducting vs vnto our lodging, saide vnto me: Your master the

King requesteth that you may remaine in this land, which request Baatu

cannot satisfie without the knowledge and consent of Mangu-Can. Wherefore

you, and your interpreter must of necessitie goe vnto Mangu-Can. Howbeit

your associate, and the other man shall returne vnto the court of Sartach,

staying there for you, till you come backe. Then began the man of God mine

interpreter to lament, esteeming himselfe but a dead man. Mine associate

also protested, that they should sooner chop off his head, then withdrawe

him out of my companie. Moreouer I my selfe saide, that without mine

associate I could not goe: and that we stood in neede of two seruants at

the least, to attend vpon vs, because, if one should chance to fall sicke,

we could not be without another. Then returning vnto the court, he told

these sayings vnto Baatu. And Baatu commanded saying: let the two Priests

and the interpreter goe together, but let the clearke return vnto Sartach.

And comming againe vnto vs, hee tolde vs euen so. And when I would haue

spoken for the clearke to haue had him with vs, he saide: No more words:

for Baatu hath resolued, that so it shall be; and therefore I dare not goe

vnto the court any more. Goset the clearke had remaining of the almes money

bestowed vpon him, 26. Yperperas, and no more; 10. Whereof he kept for

himselfe and for the lad, and 16. he gaue vnto the man of God for vs. And

thus were we parted asunder with teares: he returning vnto the court of

Sartach, and our selues remaining still in the same place.

De itinere fraturn versus curiam Mangu cham. Cap. 22.

In Vigilia Assumptionis peruenit ipse clericus ad Curiam Sartach: et in

crastino fuerunt Sacerdotes Nestormi induti vestimentis nostris coram

Sartach. Tunc ducti fuimus ad alium hospitem, qui debebat nobis prouidere

de domo et cibo et equis. Sed quia non habuimus, quod daremus ei, omnia

malè faciebat. [Sidenote: Quintano septimanas iuxta Etiliam descendebant.]

Et bigauimus cum Baatu descendendo iuxta Etiliam quinque septimanas.

Aliquando habuit socius meus tantam famem, quod dicebat mihi quasi

lachrymando: videbatur mihi quod nunquam comederim. Forum sequitur semper

Curiam Baatu. Sed illud erat tam longè à nobis, quod non poteramus ire.

Oportebat enim nos ire pedibus pro defectu equorum. [Sidenote: Quidam

Hungari.] Tandem inuenerunt nos quidam Hungari, qui fuerant Clericuli,

quorum vnus sciebat adhuc cantare multa corde, et habebatur ab alijs

Hungaris quasi Sacerdos, et vocabatur ad exequias suorum defunctorum: Et

alius fuerat competenter instructus in Grammatica: qui intelligebat

quicquid dicebamus ei literaliter, sed nesciebat respondere: qui fecerunt

nobis magnam consolationem, afferentes cosmos ad bibendum, et carnes

aliquando ad comedendum: qui quum postulassent à nobis aliquos libros, et

non haberem quos possem dare, nullos enim habebam, nisi Biblium et

breuiarium, dolui multum. Tunc dixi eis, afferte nobis chartas, et ego

scribam vobis, quandiu erimus hîc: quod et fecerunt. Et scripsi vtrasque

horas Beatæ Virginis et officium defunctorum. [Sidenote: Comanus] Quodam

die iunxit se nobis quidam Comanus, salutans nos verbis latinis, dicens,

Saluete Domini. Ego mirens, ipso resalutato, quæsiui ab eo, quis eum

docuerat illam salutationem. Et ipse dixit quod in Hungaria fuit baptizatus

a fratribus nostris qui docuerant illam salutationem. Et ipsi dixit quod in

Hungaria fuit baptizatus à fratribus nostris qui docuerant illum eam. Dixit

etiam quod Baatu quæsiuerat ab eo multa de nobis, et quod ipse dixerat ei

conditiones ordinis nostri. Ego vidi Baatu equitantem cum turba sua, et

omnes patres familias equitantes cum eo, secundùm æstimationem meam non

erant quingenti viri. [Sidenote: Iter quatuor mensium a Volga. Ingens

frigus.] Tandem circa finem exaltationis sanctæ crucis venit ad nos quidam

diues Moal, cuius pater erat millenarius, quod magnum est inter eos,

dicens, Ego vos debeo ducere ad Mangu cham, et est iter quatuor mensium: et

tantum frigus est ibi, quod finduntur ibi lapides et arbores pro frigore:

Videatis vtrum poteritis sustinere. Cui respondi: Spero in virtute Dei,

quod nos sustinebimus, quod alij homines possunt sustinere. Tunc dixit: Si

non poteritis sustinere, ego relinquam vos in via. Cui respondi, hoc non

esset iustum: quia non iuimus pro nobis, nisi missi à Domino vestro: Vnde

ex quo vobis committimur, non debetis nos dimittere. Tunc dixit, benè erit.

Post hoc fecit nos ostendere sibi omnes vestes nostras, et quod sibi

videbatur minus necessarium fecit deponere sub custodia hospitis nostri.

[Sidenote: 16. Septemb.] In crastino attulerunt cuilibet nostrum vnam

pelliceam villosam arietinam et braccas de eadem, et botas siue bucellos

secundùm morem eorum cum soccis de filtro; et almucias de pellibus secundum

modum eorum. [Sidenote: Cangle populi Maior Bulgaria.] Et secunda die post

exaltationem Sanctæ crucis incepimus equitare nos tres habentes signarios

et equitauimus continuè versus Orientem vsque ad festum Omnium Sanctorum,

per totam illam terram, et adhuc amplius habitabant Cangle, quedam

parentela Romanorum. Ad Aquilonem habebamus maiorem Bulgariam, et ad

meridiem prædictum mare Caspium.

The same in English.

Of our iourney towards the Court of Mangu Can. Chap. 22.

Vpon Assumption euen our clearke arriued at the court of Sartach. And on

the morrow after, the Nestorian Priestes were adorned with our vestments in

the presence of the said Sartach. Then wee our selues were conducted vnto

another hoste, who was appointed to prouide vs houseroome, victualles, and

horses. But because wee had not ought to bestowe vpon him, hee did all

things vntowardly for vs. [Sidenote: They trauell fiue weekes by the banke

of Etilia.] Then wee rode on forwards with Baatu, descending along by the

banks of Etilia, for the space of fiue weekes together: Sometimes mine

associate was so extremelie hungrie, that hee would tell mee in a manner

weeping, that it fared with him as though hee had neuer eaten any thing in

all his life before. There is a faire or market following the court of

Baatu at all times: but it was so farre distant from vs that we could not

haue recourse thereunto. For wee were constrained to walke on foote for

want of horses. [Sidenote: Hungarians.] At length certaine Hungarians (who

had sometime bene after a sort Cleargie men) found vs out and one of them

could as yet sing many songs without booke, and was accompted of other

Hungarians as a Priest, and was sent for vnto the funerals of his deceased

countrey men. There was another of them also pretily wel instructed in his

Grammer: for hee could vnderstand the meaning of any thing that wee spake

but could not answere vs. These Hungarians were a great comfort vnto vs,

bringing vs Cosmos to drinke, yea and some times flesh for to eate also

who, when they requested to haue some bookes of vs, and I had not any to

giue them (for indede we had none but onely a Bible, and a breuiarie) it

grieued mee exceedingly. And I said vnto them: Bring mee some inke and

paper, and I will write for you so long as we shall remaine here: and they

did so. And I copied out for them Horas beatæ Virginis, and Officium

defunctorum. [Sidenote: A Comanian.] Moreouer, vpon a certaine day, there

was a Comanian that accompanied vs, saluting vs in Latine, and saying:

Saluete Domini. Wondering thereat and saluting him againe, I demaunded of

him, who had taught him that kind of salutation? Hee saide that hee was

baptised in Hungaria by our Friers, and that of them hee learned it. He

said moreouer, that Baatu had enquired many things of him concerning vs,

and that hee told him the estate of our order. Afterwarde I sawe Baatu

riding with his companie, and all his subiects that were householders or

masters of families riding with him, and (in mine estimation) they were not

fiue hundred persons in all. At length about the ende of Holy roode, there

came a certaine great Moal vnto vs (whose father was a Millenarie, which is

a great office among them) saying: [Sidenote: A iourney of 4. moneths from

Volga.] I am the man that must conduct you vnto Mangu-Can, and we haue

thither a iourney of foure moneths long to trauell, and there such extreame

colde in those parts, that stones and trees do euen riue asunder in regarde

thereof. Therefore I would wish you throughly to aduise your selues,

whether you be able to indure it or no. Vnto whom I answered: I hope by

Gods help that we shalbe able to brooke that which other men can indure.

Then he saide: if you cannot indure it, I will foresake you by the way. And

I answered him: it were not iust dealing for you so to doe: for wee goe not

thither vpon anie busmesse of our owne, but by reason that we are sent by

your lord. Wherefore sithence we are committed vnto your charge, you ought

in no wise to forsake vs. Then he said: all shalbe well. Afterward he

caused vs to shewe him all our garments: and whatsoeuer hee deemed to be

lesse needfull for vs, he willed vs to leaue it behind in the custodie of

our hoste. On the morrow they brought vnto each of vs a furred gowne, made

all of rammes skinnes, with the wool stil vpon them, and breeches of the

same, and boots also of buskins, according to their fashion, and shooes

made of felt, and hoods also made of skins after their maner. [Sidenote:

The 16. of September. 46. dayes.] The second day after Holy rood, we began

to set forward vpon our iourney, hauing three guides to direct vs: and we

rode continually Eastward, till the feast of All Saints. Throughout all

that region, and beyonde also did the people of Changle [Marginal note: Or,

Kangittæ.] inhabite, who were by parentage descended from the Romanes. Vpon

the North side of vs, wee had Bulgaria the greater, and on the South, the

foresaid Caspian sea.

De flumine Iagag, et de diuersis regionibus siue nationibus. Cap. 21.

[Sidenote: Iagag flumen 12. dietis à Volga Pascatir terra, vel Bascardorum

terra vel Zibiet] Postquam iueramus duodecim diebus ab Etilia inuenimus

magnum flumen, quod vocant Iagag: et venit ab Aquilone de terra Pascatir

descendens in prædictum mare. Idioma Pascatir et Hungarorum idem est: et

sunt pastores sine ciuitate aliqua. Et contiguatur maiori Bulgariæ ab

Occidente. Ab illa terra versus Orientem in latere illo Aquilonari non est

amplius aliqua ciuitas. Vnde Bulgaria maior est vltima regio habens

ciuitatem. [Sidenote: Hungaria Pascitir oriundi.] De illa regione Pascatir

exierunt Huni, qui posteà dicti sunt Hungari. Vnde ipsa est maior Bulgaria.

Et dicit Isidorus, quòd pernicibus equis claustra Alexandri rupibus Caucusi

feras gentes cohibentia transierunt: ita quod vsque in Ægyptum soluebatur

eis tributum. Destruxerunt etiam omnes terras vsque in Franciam. Vnde

fuerunt maioris potentiæ, quàm sunt adhuc Tartari. Cum illis occurrerunt

Blaci et Bulgari et Vandali. De illa enim maiori Bulgaria venerunt illi

Bulgari: Et qui sunt vltra Danubum propè Constantinopolin, et iuxta

Pascatir sunt Ilac, quod idem est quod Blac: [Sidenote: Nota.] sed B.

nesciunt Tartari sonare: à quibus venerunt illl qui sunt in terra Assani.

Vtrosque enim vocant Ilac, et hos et illos lingua Rutenorum et Polonorum et

Boemorum. Sclauorum est idem idioma cum lingua Vandalorum, quorum omnium

manus fuit cum Hunis: et nunc pro maiori parte est cum Tartaris quos Deus

suscitant à remotioribus partibus, populum multum, et gentem stultam

secundùm quod dicit Dominus, Prouocabo eos, id est, non custodientes Legem

suam, in eo qui non est populus, et in gente stulta irritabo eos.

[Sidenote: Deut 32. 21.] Hoc completur ad literam super omnes nationes non

custodientes Legem Dei. Hoc quod dixi de terra Pascatir scio per fratres

Prædicatores, [Marginal note: Qui fuerunt isti fratres?] qui iuerunt illuc

ante aduentum Tartarorum. Et ex tunc erant ipsi subiugati à vicinas

Bulgaris Saracenis, et plures eorum facti Saracenii. Alia possunt sciri per

Chronica: quia constat quod illæ prouinciæ post Constantinopolum, quæ modo

dicuntur Bulgaria, Valachia, Sclauonia, fuerunt prouinciæ Græcorum.

Hungaria fuit Pannonia. [Sidenote: Cangle planicies ingens.] Equitatuimus

ergo per terram Cangle à festo Sanctæ crucis vsque ad festum Omnium

Sanctorum, quolibet die ferè quantum est à Parisijs vsque Aurelianum,

secundùm quod possum estimare, et plus aliquando: secundum quod habebamus

copiam equorum. Aliquando enim mutabamus bis in die vel ter equos.

Aliquando ibamus duobus diebus vel tribus, quibus non inueniebamus populum,

et oportebat leuius ire. De viginti vel triginta equis nos semper hauebamus

peiores, quia extranei eramus. Omnes enim accipiebant ante nos equos

meliores. Mihi semper prouidebant de forti equo, quia eram ponderosus

valdè: sed vtrum suauiter ambularet vel non, de hoc non auderem facere

quæstionem. Nec etiam audebam conqueri, si durè portaret. Sed fortunam suam

oportebat vnumquemque sustinere. Vnde oriebatur nobis difficilimus labor:

quia multoties fatigabantur equi, antequam possemus peruenire ad populum.

Et tunc oportebat nos percutere et flagellare equos, ponere etiam vestes

super alios saginarios, mutare equos saginarios; aliquando nos duos ire in

vno equo.

The same in English.

Of the the riuer of Iagac [Marginal note: Or, Iaic.]: and of diuers regions

or nations. Chap. 23.

[Sidenote: Iaic twelue dayes iourney from Volga. Pascatir.] Hauing

traueiled twelue dayes iourney from Etilia, wee fonnd a mightie riuer

called Iagac: which riuer issuing out of the North, from the land of

Pascatir, descendeth into the foresaid sea. The language of Pascatir, and

of the Hungarians is all one, and they are all of them shepheards, not

hauing any cities. And their countrey bordereth vpon Bulgaria the greater,

on the West frontier thereof. From the Northeast part of the said countrey,

there is no citie at all. For Bulgaria the greater is the farthest countrey

that way, that hath any citie therein. [Sidenote: The Hungarians descended

from the Bascirdes.] Out of the forenamed region of Pascatir, proceeded the

Hunnes of olde time, who afterwarde were called Hungarians. Next vnto it is

Bulgaria the greater. Isidore reporteth concerning the people of this

nation, that with swift horses they trauersed the impregnable walles and

bounds of Alexander, (which, together with the rocks of Caucasus, serued to

restraine those barbarous and blood-thirstie people from inuading the

regions of the South) insomuch that they had tribute paid vnto them, as

farre as Ægypt. Likewise they wasted all countreis euen vnto France.

Whereupon they were more mightie than the Tartars as yet are. [Sidenote:

Valachians.] And vnto them the Blacians, the Bulgarians, and the Vandals

ioyned themselues. For out of Bulgaria the greater, came those Bulgarians.

Moreouer, they which inhabit beyond Danubius, neere vnto Constantinople,

and not farre from Pascatir, are called Ilac, which (sauing the

pronunciation) is al one with Blac, (for the Tartars cannot pronounce the

letter B) from whom also descended the people which inhabit the land of

Assani. For they are both of them called Ilac (both these, and the other)

in the languages of the Russians, the Polonians, and the Bohemians. The

Sclauonians speake all one language with the Vandals, all which banded

themselues with the Hunnes: and now for the most part, they vnite

themselues vnto the Tartars: whom God hath raised vp from the vtmost panes

of the earth, according to that which the Lord saith: [Sidenote: Deut. 32.

v. 21. Rom. 10. v. 19.] I will prouoke them to enuy (namely such as keepe

not his Law) by a people, which is no people, and by a foolish nation will

I anger them. This prophecie is fulfilled, according to the literal sense

thereof, vpon all nations which obserue not the Law of God. All this which

I haue written concerning the land of Pascatir, was told me by certaine

Friers prædicants, which trauailed thither before euer the Tartars came

abroad. And from that time they were subdued vnto their neighbors the

Bulgarians being Saracens, whereupon many of them proued Saracens also.

Other matters concerning this people, may be known out of Chronicles. For

it is manifest, that those prouinces beyond Constantinople, which are now

called Bulgaria, Valachia, and Sclauonia, were of old time prouinces

belonging to the Greekes. Also Hungaria was heretofore called Pannonia.

[Sidenote: Cangle an huge plaine countrey.] And wee were riding ouer the

land of Cangle, from the feast of Holy roode, vntill the feast of All

Saints: traueiling almost euery day (according to mine estimation) as

farre, as from Paris to Orleans, and sometimes farther, as we were prouided

of poste horses: for some dayes we had change of horses twise or thrise in

a day. Sometimes we trauailed two or three daies together, not finding any

people, and then we were constrained not to ride so fast Of 20. or 30.

horses we had alwayes the woorst, because wee were strangers. For euery one

tooke their choice of the best horses before vs. They prouided mee alwaies

of a strong horse, because I was very corpulent and heauy: but whether he

ambled a gentle pase or no, I durst not make any question. Neither yet

durst I complaine, although he trotted full sore. But euery man must be

contented with his lot as it fell. Whereupon wee were exceedingly troubled:

for oftentimes our horses were tired before we could come at any people.

And then wee were constrained to beate and whip on our horses, and to lay

our garments vpon other emptie horses: yea and sometimes two of vs to ride

vpon one horse.

De fame et siti, et alijs miserijs quas sustinuerant in itinere. Cap. 24.

De fame et siti, frigore et fatigatione non est numerus. Non enim dant

cibum nisi in sero. In mane dant aliquid bibere, vel sorbere milium. In

sero dabant nobis carnes, scapulam arietis cum costis et de brodio ad

mensuram bibere. Quando habebamus de brodio carnium ad satietatem optimè

reficiebamur. Et videbatur mihi suauissimus potus et maximè nutriens. Feria

sexta permanebam ieiunus vsque ad noctem, nihil auriens. Tunc oportebat me

in tristitia et dolore comedere carnes. [Sidenote: Defectus materiæ ignis.]

Aliquando oportebat nos comedere carnes semicoctas vel ferè crudas propter

defectum materiæ ignis quando iacebamus in campis et de nocte

descendebamus: quia tunc non poteramus benè colligere stercora equorum vel

boum: aliam materiam ignis rarò inueniebamus; nisi fortè alicubi aliquas

spinas. In ripis etiam aliquorum fluminum sunt alicubi syluæ. Sed hoc rarò.

[Sidenote: Aliqua flumina.] In principio despiciebat nos multùm Ductor

noster, et fastidiebat eum ducere tam viles homines. Postea tamen quando

incepit nos melius cognoscere, ducebat nos per curias diuitum Moallorum: et

oportebat nos orare pro ipsis. Vnde si habuissem bonum interpretem, habebam

oportunitatem seminandi multa bona. [Sidenote: Vasta solitudo.] Ille

Chirigis primus Cham habuit quatuor filios, de quibus egressi sunt multi,

qui omnes habent modo magnas curias: et quotidiè multiplicantur et

diffunduntur per illam Vastam solitudinem, quæ est sicut mare. Per multos

ergò illorum ducebat nos Ductor noster. Et mirabantur supra modum, quia

nolebamus recipere aurum, vel argentum, vel vestes præciosas. Quærebant

etiam de magno Papa, si esset ita senex sicut audierant: audierant enim

quod esset quingentorum annorum. Quærebant de terris nostris si ibi essent

multæ oues, et boues, et equi. De Oceano mari non potuerunt intelligere,

quod esset sine termnino vel sine ripa. In vigilia omnium Sanctorum

dimisimus viam in Orientem, [Marginal note: Nota diligenter. Iter versus

mieridiem octo dierum.] quia iam populus descenderat multum versus

meridiem: Et direximus iter per quasdam Alpes rectè in meridiem continuè

per octo dies. In illa solitudine vidi multos asinos, quos vocant Colan,

qui magis assimilantur mulis: quos multum prosequuti [Footnote: sic.] sunt

Dux noster et socij eius, sed nihil profecerunt propter nimiam velocitatem

eorum. Septima die inceperunt nobis apparere ad meridiem montes altissimi:

et intrauimus planiciem, quæ irrigabatur sicut hortus, et inuenimus terras

cultas. [Sidenote: Asuni velocissimi. Montes Altissimi. Terræ cultæ.

Kenchat villa Saracenorum.] In octauis omnium Sanctorum intrauimus villam

quandam Saracenorum nomine Kenchat: cuius capitaneus occurrebat extra

villam duci nostro cum ceruisia et ciphis. Hic est enim mos eorum; quod de

omnibus villis subditis eis, occurratur nuncijs Baatu, et Mangu cham cum

cibo et potu. Tunc temporis ibant ibi super glaciem. [Sidenote: Septimo die

Nouembris ibant super glaciem.] Et prius à festo Sancti Michaelis

habueramus gelu in solitudine. Quæsiui de nomine Prouinciæ illius: sed quia

iam eramus in alio territorio nescierunt mihi dicere, nisi à nomine

ciuitatis, quæ erat valdè parua. [Sidenote: Ciuitas valdè parua. Magnus

Fluuius. Multæ Paludes. Vites.] Et descendebat magnus fluuius de montibus

qui irrigabat totam regionem, secundùm quod volebant aquam ducere: nec

descendebat in aliquod mare, sed absorbebatur à terra: et faciebat etiam

multas paludes. Ibi vidi vites, et bibi bis de vino.

The same in English.

Of the hunger, and thirst, and other miseries, which wee sustained in our

iourney. Chap. 24.

Of hunger and thirst, colde and wearinesse, there was no end. For they gaue

vs no victuals, but onely in the euening. In the morning they vsed to giue

vs a little drinke, or some sodden Millet to sup off. In the euening they

bestowed flesh vpon vs, as namely, a shoulder and breast of rams mutton,

and euery man a measured quantitie of broath to drinke. When we had

sufficient of the flesh-broath, we were maruellously wel refreshed. And it

seemed to me most pleasant, and most nourishing drinke. Euery Saterday

[Footnote: Friday (?).], I remained fasting vntil night, without eating or

drinking of ought. And when night came, I was constrained, to my great

grief and sorow, to eat flesh. Sometimes we were faine to eate flesh halfe

sodden, or almost rawe, and all for want of fewel to seethe it withal:

especially when we lay in the fields, or were benighted before we came at

our iourneis end: because we could not then conueniently gather together

the doung of horses or oxen: for other fewel we found but seldome, except

perhaps a few thornes in some places. [Sidenote: Certaine riuers.] Likewise

vpon the bankes of some riuers, there are woods growing here and there.

Howbeit they are very rare. In the beginning our guide highly disdained vs,

and it was tedious vnto him to conduct such base fellowes. Afterward, when

he began to know vs somewhat better, he directed vs on our way by the

courts of rich Moals, and we were requested to pray for them. Wherefore,

had I caried a good interpreter with me, I should haue had opportunities to

haue done much good. The foresaid Chingis, who was the first great Can or

Emperour of the Tartars, had foure sonnes, of whome proceeded by natural

descent many children, euery one of which doeth at this day enioy great

possessions: and they are daily multiplied and dispersed ouer that huge and

waste desert, which is, in dimensions, like vnto the Ocean Sea. Our guide

therefore directed vs, as we were going on our iourney, vnto many of their

habitations. And they marueiled exceedingly, that we would receiue neither

gold, nor siluer, nor precious and costly garments at their hands. They

inquired also, concerning the great Pope, whether he was of so lasting an

age as they had heard? For there had gone a report among them, that he was

500 yeeres olde. They inquired likewise of our countreis, whether there

were abundance of sheep, oxen, and horses or no? Concerning the Ocean sea,

they could not conceiue of it, because it was without limits or banks. Vpon

the euen of the feast of All Saints, we forsook the way leading towards the

East, (because the people were now descended very much South) and we went

on our iourney by certaine Alpes, or mountaines directly Southward, for the

space of 8. dayes together. [Sidenote: Eight dayes iourney southward. Asses

swift of foote.] In the foresaid desert I saw many asses (which they cal

Colan) being rather like vnto mules: these did our guide and his companions

chase very eagerly: howbeit, they did but lose their labour: for the

beastes were too swift for them. [Sidenote: High mountaines. Manured

grounds.] Vpon the 7. day there appeared to the South of vs huge high

mountaines, and we entred into a place which was well watered, and fresh as

a garden, and found land tilled and manured. [Sidenote: Kenchat a village

of the Saracens.] The eight day after the feast of All Saints, we arriued

at a certain towne of the Saracens, named Kenchat, the gouernour whereof

met our guide at the townes end with ale and cups. For it is their maner at

all townes and villages, subiect vnto them, to meet the messengers of Baatu

and Mangu Can with meate and drinke. At the same time of the yere, they

went vpon the yce in that countrey. And before the feast of S. Michael

[Sidenote: The 7. day of Nouember.], we had frost in the desert. I enquired

the name of that prouince but being now in a strange territorie, they could

not tell mee the name thereof, but onely the name of a very smal citie in

the same prouince. [Sidenote: A great riuer.] And there descended a great

riuer [Footnote: The Terek is probably alluded to.] downe from the

mountaines, which watered the whole region, according as the inhabitants

would giue it passage, by making diuers chanels and sluces: neither did

this riuer exonerate it selfe into any sea, but was swallowed vp by an

hideous gulfe into the bowels of the earth: [Sidenote: Many lakes. Vines.]

and it caused many fennes or lakes. Also I saw many vines, and dranke of

the wine thereof.

De interfectione Ban et habitatione Teutonicorum. Cap. 25.

[Sidenote: Casale Montes Caucasi contiguantur mari Orientali Talas, vel

Chincitalas ciuitas. Frater Andreas.] Sequenti die venimus ad aliud casale

propinquius montibus. Et quæsiui de montibus, de quibus intellexi, quòd

essent montes Caucasi: qui contiguantur ex vtraque parte maris ab Occidente

vsque ad Orientem: et quod transiueramus mare supradictum, quod intrat

Etilia. Quæsiui etiam de Talas ciuitate, in qua erant Teutonici serui Buri,

de quibus dixerat frater Andreas, de quibus etiam quæsiueram multum in

curia Sartach et Baatu. Sed nihil poteram intelligere, nisi quod Ban

dominus eorum fuerat interfectus tali occasione. Ipse non erat in bonis

pascuis. Et quadam die dum esset ebrius, loquebatur ita cum hominibus suis.

Nonne sum de genere Chingis can sicut Baatus (Et ipse erat nepos Baatu vel

frater) quare non vadam super ripam Etiliæ, sicut Baatu, vt pascam ibi? Quæ

verba relata fuerunt Baatu. Tunc ispse Baatu scripsit hominibus illius, vt

adducerent ei dominum ipsorum vinctum quod et fecerunt. [Sidenote: Casale.]

Tunc Baatu quæsiuit ab eo si dixisset tale verbum: et ipse confessus est,

tamen excusauit se, quia ebrius erat: (quia solent condonare ebrijs:) et

Baatu respondit: Quomodo audebas me nominare in ebrietate tua? Et fecit ei

amputari caput. De illis Teutonicis nihil potui cognoscere vsque ad curiam

Mangu. Sed in supradicto casali intellexi, quod Talas erat post nos iuxta

montes per sex dietas. [Sidenote: Bolac villa. Aurifodinæ.] Quando veni ad

curiam Mangu cham, intellexi quod ipse Mangu transtulerat eos de licentia

Baatu versus Orientem spacio itineris vnius mensis à Talas ad quandam

villam quæ dicitur Bolac: vbi fodiunt auram, et fabricant arma, Vnde non

potui ire nec redire per eos. Transiui eundo satis prope, per tres dietas

fortè ciuitatem illam: sed ego ignoraui: nec potuissem etiam declinasse

extra viam, si benè sciuissem. [Sidenote: Intrat ditionem Mangu cham.] A

prædictos casali iuimus ad Orientem iuxta montes prædictos: et tunc

intrauimus inter homines Mangu cham, qui vbique cantabant et plaudebant

coram ductore nostro: quia ipse erat nuncius Baatu. Hunc enim honorem

exhibent sibi mutuo, vt homines Mangu cham recipiant nuncios Baatu prædicto

modo: Et similiter homines Baatu nuncios Mangu. Tamen homines Baatu

superiores sunt, nec exequuntur ita diligenter. [Sidenote: Alpes in quibus

habitabant Caracatay. Magnus fluuius.] Paucis diebus post hoc intrauimus

Alpes, in quibus solebant habitare Caracatay: et inuenimus ibi magnum

fluuium, [Footnote: The River Roup.] quem oportuit nos transire nauigio.

Post hæc intrauimus quandam vallem, vbi vidi castrum quoddam destructum,

cuius muri non erant nisi de luto, et terra colebatur ibi. [Sidenote: Terra

culta. Equius villa boua, longissimè à Perside.] Et pòst inuenimus quandam

bonam villam quæ dicitur Equius, in qua erant Saraceni loquentes Persicum:

longissimè tamen erant à Perside. [Sidenote: Lacus quindecem dietarum

circuitu.] Sequenti die transgressis illis Alpibus quæ descendebant à

magnis montibus ad meridiem, ingressi sumus pulcherrimam planiciem habentem

montes altos à dextris, et quoddam mare à sinistris, siue quendam lacum qui

durat quindecem dietas in circuitu. Et illa planicies, tota irrigabatur ad

libitum aquis descendentibus de montibus, quæ omnes recipiuntur in illud

mare. In æstate rediuimus ad latus Aquilonare illius maris, vbi similiter

erant magni montes. In planicie prædicta solebant esse multæ villæ: sed pro

maiori parte omnes erant destructæ, vt pascerent ibi Tartari: quia optima

pascua erant ibi. [Sidenote: Cailac magna villa et plena mercatoribus.]

Vnam magnam villam inuenimus ibi nomini Cailac, in qua erat forum, et

frequentabant eam multi mercatores. In illa quieuimus quindecem diebus,

expectantes quendam scriptorem Baatu, qui debebat esse socius ducis nostri

in negotijs expediendis in curia Mangu. [Sidenote: Contomanni.] Terra illa

solebat dici Organum: et solebant habere proprium idioma, et propriam

literam: Sed hæc tota erat occupata à Contomannis. Etiam in literatura illa

et idiomate solebant facere Nestorini de partibus illis. Dicuntur Organa,

quia solebant esse optimi Organistæ vel Citharistæ, vt dicebatur mihi. Ibi

primo vidi Idolatrias, de quibus noueritis, quod sunt multæ sectæ in

Oriente.

The same in English.

How Ban was put to death: and concerning the habitation of the Dutch men.

Chap. 25.

[Sidenote: A cottage. The mountains of Caucasus are extended vnto the

Easterne Sea.] The day following, we came vnto another cottage neere vnto

the mountains. And I enquired what mountains they were, which I vnderstood

to be the mountains of Caucasus, which are stretched forth, and continued

on both parts to the sea, from the West vnto the East: and on the East part

they are conioyned vnto the foresaid Caspian sea, whereinto the riuer of

Volga dischargeth his streams. I enquired also of the city of [Sidenote:

The citie of Talas or Chincitalas. Friar Andrew.] Talas, wherein were

certaine Dutchmen seruants vnto one Buri, of whom Frier Andrew made

mention. Concerning whom also I enquired very diligently in the courts of

Sartach and Baatu. Howbeit I could haue no intelligence of them, but onely

that their lord and master Ban was put to death vpon the occasion

following: This Ban was not placed in good and fertile pastures. And vpon a

certain day being drunken, he spake on this wise vnto his men. Am not I of

the stocke and kinred of Chingis Can, as well as Baatu? (for in very deede

he was brother or nephew vnto Baatu). Why then doe I not passe and repasse

vpon the banke of Etilia, to feed my cattel there, as freely as Baatu

himselfe doeth? Which speeches of his were reported vnto Baatu. Whereupon

Baatu wrote vnto his seruants to bring their Lorde bound vnto him. And they

did so. Then Baatu demanded of him whether he had spoken any such words?

And hee confessed that he had. Howbeit, (because it is the Tartars maner to

pardon drunken men) he excused himselfe that he was drunken at the same

time. Howe durst thou (quoth Baatu) once name mee in thy drunkennesse? And

with that hee caused his head to be chopt off. Concerning the foresaid

Dutchmen, I could not vnderstand ought, till I was come vnto the court of

Mangu-Can. [Sidenote: The village of Bolac.] And there I was informed that

Mangu-Can had remoued them out of the iurisdiction of Baatu, for the space

of a moneths iourney from Talas Eastward, vnto a certaine village, called

Bolac: where they are set to dig gold, and to make armour. Whereupon I

could neither goe nor come by them. I passed very neere the saide citie in

going forth, as namely, within three dayes iourney thereof: but I was

ignorant that I did so: neither could I haue turned out of my way, albeit I

had knowen so much. From the foresaide cottage we went directly Eastward,

by the mountaines aforesaid. [Sidenote: He entreth into the territories of

Mangu Can.] And from that time we trauailed among the people of Mangu-Can,

who in all places sang and daunced before our guide, because hee was the

messenger of Baatu. For this curtesie they doe affoord eche to other:

namely the people of Mangu-Can receiuing the messengers of Baatu, in maner

aforesaide: and so likewise the people of Baatu intertaining the messengers

of Mangu-Can. Notwithstanding the people of Baatu are more surlie and

stoute, and shewe not so much curtesie vnto the subiectes of Mangu-Can, as

they doe vnto them. [Sidenote: Certain Alpes wherein the Cara Catayans

inhabited. A mighty riuer.] A fewe dayes after, wee entered vpon those

Alpes where the Cara Catayans were woont to inhabite. And there wee found a

mightie riuer: insomuch that we were constrained to embarke our selues, and

to saile ouer it. Afterward we came into a certaine valley, where I saw a

castle destroyed, the walles whereof were onely of mudde: and in that place

the ground was tilled also. [Sidenote: Ground tilled. Equius.] And there

wee founde a certaine village, named Equius, wherein were Saracens,

speaking the Persian language: howbeit they dwelt an huge distance from

Persia. [Sidenote: A lake of fifteene dayes iourney in compasse.] The day

following, hauing passed ouer the foresaide Alpes which descended from the

great mountains Southward, we entered into a most beautiful plaine, hauing

high mountaines on our right hande, and on the left hande of vs a certaine

Sea or lake, [Footnote: Lake Erivan.] which containeth fifteene dayes

iourney in circuite. All the foresayde plaine is most commodiously watered

with certaine freshets distilling from the said mountaines, all which do

fall into the lake. In Sommer time wee returned by the North shore of the

saide lake, and there were great mountaines on that side also. Vpon the

forenamed plaine there were wont to be great store of villages: but for the

most part they were all wasted, in regarde of the fertile pastures, that

the Tartars might feede their cattel there. [Sidenote: Cailac a great city,

and full of merchants.] Wee found one great citie there named Cailac,

wherein was a mart, and great store of Merchants frequenting it. In this

citie wee remained fifteene dayes, staying for a certaine Scribe or

Secretarie of Baatu, who ought to haue accompanied our guide for a

despatching of certaine affaires in the court of Mangu. All this countrey

was wont to be called Organum: and the people thereof had their proper

language, and their peculiar kinde of writing. [Sidenote: Contomanni.] But

it was altogether inhabited of the people called Contomanni. The Nestorians

likewise in those parts vsed the very same kinde of language and writing.

They are called Organa, because they were wont to be most skilfull in

playing vpon the Organes or citherne, as it was reported vnto me. Here

first did I see worshippers of idoles, concerning whom, bee it knowen vnto

your maiestie, that there be many sects of them in the East countries.

Quod Nestorini et Saraceni sunt mixti et Idolatræ. Cap. 26.

[Sidenote: Iugures populi, Idolatræ.] Primi sunt Iugures, quorum terra

contiguatur cum terra prædicta Organum inter montes illos versus Orientem:

Et in omnibus ciuitatibus eorum sunt mixti Nestorini et Saraceni. Et ipsi

etiam sunt diffusi versus Persidem in ciuitatibus Saracenorum. [Sidenote:

Cailac.] In prædicta ciuitate Cailac habebant etiam ipsi tres Idolatrias,

quarum duas intraui, vt viderem stultitias eorum. In prima inueni quendam,

qui habebat cruciculam de atramento super manum suam. Vnde credidi quod

esset Christianus: quia ad omnia quæ querebam ab eo, respondebat vt

Christianus. Vnde quæsiui ab eo: Quare ergo non habetis crucem et imaginem

Iesu Christi? Et ipse respondit, non habemus consuetudinem. Vnde ego

credidi quod essent Christiani: sed ex defectu doctrinæ omitterent. Videbam

enim ibi post quandam cistam, quæ erat eis loco altaris, super quam ponunt

lucernas et oblationes, quandam imaginationem habentem alas quasi Sancti

Michaelis: et alias quasi ipsorum tenentes digitos sicut ad benedieendum.

Illo sero non potui aliud inuenire. Quia Saraceni in tantum inuitant eos,

quod nec etiam volunt loqui inde eis. Vnde quando quærebam à Saracenis de

ritu talium, ipsi scandalizabantur. In crastino fuerunt kalendæ et pascha

Saracenoram et mutaui hospitium: ita quod fui hospitatus prope aliam

Idolatriam. Homines enim colligunt nuncios, quilibet secundum posse suum

vel portionem suam. Tunc intrans Idolatriam prædictam inueni sacerdotes

Idolorum. In kalendis enim aperiunt templa sua, et ornant se sacerdotes, et

offerunt populi oblationes de pane et fructibus. [Sidenote: Iugures secta

diuisa ab alijs Idolatris.] Primò ergo describo vobis ritus communes omnes

Idolatrarum: et postea istorum Iugurum; qui sunt quasi secta diuisa ab

alijs. Omnes adorant ad Aquilonem complosis manibus: et prosternentes se

genibus flexis ad terram, ponentes frontem super manus. Vnde Nestorini in

partibus illis nullo modo iungunt manus orando: sed orant extensis palmis

ante pectus. Porrigunt templa sua ab Oriente in Occidentem: et in latere

Aquilonari faciunt cameram vnam quasi eorum exeuntem: vel aliter, Si est

domus quadrati, in medio domus ad latus aquilonare intercludunt vnam

cameram in loco chori. Ibi ergo collocant vnam arcam longam et latam sicut

mensam vnam. [Sidenote: Fuit apud Caracarum frater Wilhelmus.] Et post

illam arcam contra meridiem collocant principale idolum: quod ego vidi apud

Caracarum, ita magnum sicut pingitur Sanctus Christopherus. Et dixit mihi

quidam sacerdos Nestorinus, qui venerat ex Cataya, quod in terra illa est

Idolum ita magnum, quod potest videri a duabus dietis. Et collocant alia

idola in circuitu, omnia pulcherrime deaurata: Super cistam illam, quæ est

quasi mensa vna, ponunt lucernas et oblationes. Omnes portæ templorum sunt

apertæ ad meridiem contrario modo Saracenis. Item habent campanas magnas

sicut nos. Ideo credo quod orientales Christiani noluerunt habere eas.

Ruteni tamen habent et Græci in Gasaria.

The same in English.

How the Nestorians, Saracens, and Idolaters are ioyned together. Chap. 26.

[Sidenote: The people called Iugures idolaters.] The first sort of these

idolaters are called Iugures: whose land bordereth vpon the foresaid land

of Organum, within the said mountains Eastward: and in al their cities

Nestorians do inhabit together, and they are dispersed likewise towards

Persia in the cities of the Saracens. The citizens of the foresaid city of

Cailac had 3. idole-Temples: and I entred into two of them, to beholde

their foolish superstitions. In the first of which I found a man hauing a

crosse painted with ink vpon his hand, whereupon I supposed him to be a

Christian: for he answered like a Christian vnto al questions which I

demanded of him. And I asked him, Why therefore haue you not the crosse

with the image of Iesu Christ thereupon? And he answered: We haue no such

custome. Whereupon I coniectured that they were indeede Christians: but,

that for lacke of instruction they omitted the foresaide ceremonie. For I

saw there behind a certaine chest (which was vnto them in steed of an

altar, whereupon they set candles and oblations) an image hauing wings like

vnto the image of Saint Michael, and other images also, holding their

fingers, as if they would blesse some body. That euening I could not find

any thing els. For the Saracens doe onely inuite men thither, but they will

not haue them speake of their religion. And therfore, when I enquired of

the Saracens concerning such ceremonies, they were offended thereat. On the

morrow after were the Kalends, and the Saracens feast of Passeouer. And

changing mine Inne or lodging the same day, I tooke vp mine abode neere

vnto another idole-Temple. For the citizens of the said citie of Cailac doe

curteously inuite, and louingly intertaine all messengers, euery man of

them according to his abilitie and portion. And entring into the foresaid

idole-Temple, I found the Priests of the said idoles there. For alwayes at

the Kalends they set open their Temples, and the priests adorne themselues,

and offer vp the peoples oblations of bread and fruits. First therefore I

will describe vnto you those rites and ceremonies, which are common vnto

all their idole-Temples: and then the superstitions of the foresaid

Iugures, which be, as it were, a sect distinguished from the rest They doe

all of them worship towards the North, clapping their hands together, and

prostrating themselues on their knees vpon the earth, holding also their

foreheads in their hands. Wherupon the Nestorians of those parts will in no

case ioyne their hands together in time of prayer: but they pray,

displaying their hands before their breasts. They extend their Temples in

length East and West: and vpon the North side they build a chamber, in

maner of a Vestry for themselues to goe forth into. Or sometimes it is

otherwise. If it be a foure square Temple, in the midst of the Temple

towards the North side therof, they take in one chamber in that place where

the quire should stand. And within the said chamber they place a chest long

and broad like vnto a table: and behinde the saide chest towardes the South

stands their principall idole: which I sawe at Caracaram, and it was as

bigge as the idole of Saint Christopher. [Sidenote: Frier William was at

Caracarum.] Also a certaine Nestorian priest, which had bin in Catay, saide

that in that countrey there is an idole of so huge a bignes, that it may be

seen two daies iourney before a man come at it. And so they place other

idoles round about the foresaid principal idole, being all of them finely

gilt ouer with pure golde: and vpon the saide chest, which is in manner of

a table, they set candles and oblations. The doores of their Temples are

alwayes opened towards the South, contrary to the custome of the Saracens.

They haue also great belles like vnto vs. And that is the cause (as I

thinke) why the Christians of the East will in no case vse great belles.

Notwithstanding they are common among the Russians, and Græcians of

Gasaria.

De templis eorum et idolis, et qualiter se habent in officio deorum suorum.

Cap. 27.

Omnes sacerdotes eorum rasum habent totum caput et barbam; sunt vestiti de

croceo, et seruant castitatem, ex quo radunt caput: et viuunt pariter

centum vel ducenti in vna congregatione. Diebus quibus intrant templum,

ponunt duo scamna, et sedent è regione chorus contra chorum habentes libros

in manibus, quos aliquando deponunt super illa scamna: et habent capita

discooperta quandiu insunt in templo, legentes in silencio, et tenentes

silencium. Vnde cum ingressus fuissem apud Oratorium quoddam eorum, et

inuenissem eos ita sedentes, multis modis tentaui eos prouocare ad verba,

et nullo modo potui. Habent etiam quocunque vadunt quendam restem centum

vel ducentorum nucleorum, sicut nos portamus pater noster: Et dicunt semper

hæc verba: Ou mam Hactani: hoc est, Deus tu nosti; secundum quod quidem

eorum interpretatus est mihi. Et toties expectant remunerationem à Deo,

quoties hoc dicendo memoratur Dei. Circa templum suum semper faciunt

pulchrum atrium, quod bene includunt muro: et ad meridiem faciunt portam

magnam, in qua sedent ad colloquendum. Et super illam portam erigunt

perticam longam, quæ emineat si possint, super totam villam. Et per illam

perticam potest cognosci, quod domus illa sit templum Idolorum. Ista

communia sunt omnibus Idolatris. Quando ergo ingressus fui prædictam

Idolatriam, inueni sacerdotes sedentes sub porta exteriori. Illi quos vidi,

videbantur mihi fratres Franci esse rasis barbis. [Sidenote: Tyaræ

cartaceæ.] Tyaras habebant in capitibus cartaceas. Istorum Iugurum

sacerdotes habent talem habitum quocunque vadunt: semper sunt in tunicis

croceis satis strictis accincti desuper recte sicut Franci: et habent

pallium super humerum sinistrum descendens inuolutum per pectus et dorsum

ad latus dextrum sicut diaconus portans casulam in quadragesima. Istorum

literas acceperunt Tartari. [Sidenote: Chinenses ita etiam scribunt.] Ipsi

incipiunt scribere sursum, et ducunt lineam deorsum, et, eodem modo ipsi

legunt et multiplicant lineas a sinistra ad dextram. [Sidenote: Sortilegi.]

Isti multum vtuntur cartis et caracteribus pro sortilegio. Vnde templa sua

plena sunt breuibus suspensis. Et Mangu-cham mittit vobis literas in

idiomate Moal et literatura eorum. [Sidenote: Combustio mortuorum.] Isti

comburunt mortuos suos secundum antiquum modum, et recondunt puluerem in

summitate pyramidis. Cum ergo sedissem iuxta prædictos sacerdotes postquam

ingressus fueram templum et vidissem idola eorum multa magna et parua:

quæsiui ab eis quid ipsi crederent de Deo. Qui responderunt, Non credimus

nisi vnum Deum. Et ego quæsiui: Creditis quod ipse sit spiritus vel aliquid

corporale? Dixerunt, credimus quod sit spiritus. Et ego: Creditis quod

nunquam sumpserit humanam naturam: Dixerunt, minime. Tunc ego: ex quo

creditis, quod non sit nisi vnus spiritus, quare facitis ei imagines

corporales et tot insuper? Ex quo non creditis quod factus sit homo, quare

facitis ei magis imagines hominum, quàm alterius animalis? Tunc

responderunt, Nos non figuramus istas imagines Deo. Sed quando aliquis

diues moritur ex nostris, vel filius, vel vxor, vel aliquis charus eius

facit fieri imaginem defuncti, et ponit eam hic: et nos veneramur eam ad

memoriam eius. Quibus ego, Tunc ergo non facitis ista nisi propter

adulationem hominum. Immo dixerunt ad memoriam. Tunc quæsiuerunt à me quasi

deridendo: vbi est Deus? Quibus ego, Vbi est anima vestra? Dixerunt, in

corpore nostro. Quibus ego, Nonne est vbique in corpore tuo et totum regit,

et tamen non videtur? Ita Deus vbique est, et omnia gubernat, inuisibilis

tamen, quia intellectus et sapientia est. Tunc cum vellem plura ratiocinari

cum illis, interpres meus fatigatus non valens verba exprimere, fecit me

tacere. Istorum sectæ sunt Moal siue Tartari, quantum ad hoc, quod ipsi non

credunt nisi vnum Deum: tamen faciunt de filtro imagines defunctorum

suorum, et induunt eas quinque pannis preciosissimis, et ponunt in vna biga

vel duabus, et illas bigas nullus audet tangere: et sunt sub custodia

diuinatorum suorum, qui sunt eorum sacerdotes, de quibus postea narrabo

vobis. Isti diuinatores semper sunt ante curiam ipsius Mangu et aliorum

diuitum: pauperes enim non habent eos; nisi illi qui sunt de genere

Chingis. Et cum debent bigare, ipsi præcedunt, sicut columna nubis filios

Isræl, et ipsi considerant locum metandi castra, et post deponunt domos

suas; et post eos tota curia. Et tunc cum sit dies festus siue kalendæ ipsi

extrahunt prædictas imagines et ponunt eas ordinate per circuitum in domo

sua. Tunc veniunt Moal et ingrediuntur domum illam, et inclinant se

imaginibus illis et venerantur illas. Et illam domum nemini ingredi

extraneo licet: Quadam enim vice volui ingredi et multum dure increpatus

fui.

The same in English.

Of their Temples and idoles: and howe they behaue themselues in worshipping

their false gods. Chap. 27.

All their Priests had their heads and beards shauen quite ouer: and they

are clad in saffron coloured garments: and being once shauen, they lead an

vnmaried life from that time forward: and they liue an hundreth or two

hundreth of them together in one cloister or couent. Vpon those dayes when

they enter into their temples, they place two long foormes therein:

[Sidenote: Bookes.] and so sitting vpon the sayd foormes like singing men

in a quier, namely the one halfe of them directly ouer against the other,

they haue certaine books in their hands, which sometimes they lay downe by

them vpon the foormes: and their heads are bare so long as they remaine in

the temple. And there they reade softly vnto themselues, not vttering any

voice at all. Whereupon comming in amongst them, at the time of their

superstitious deuotions, and finding them all siting mute in maner

aforesayde, I attempted diuers waies to prouoke them vnto speach, and yet

could not by any means possible. They haue with them also whithersoeuer

they goe, a certaine string with an hundreth or two hundreth nutshels

thereupon, much like to our bead-roule which we cary about with vs. And

they doe alwayes vtter these words: _Ou mam Hactani_, God thou knowest: as

one of them expounded it vnto me. And so often doe they expect a reward at

Gods hands, as they pronounce these words in remembrance of God. Round

about their temple they doe alwayes make a faire court, like vnto a

churchyard, which they enuiron with a good wall: and vpon the South part

thereof they build a great portal, wherein they sit and conferre together.

And vpon the top of the said portall they pitch a long pole right vp,

exalting it, if they can, aboue all the whole towne besides. And by the

same pole all men may knowe, that there stands the temple of their idoles.

These rites and ceremonies aforesayd be common vnto all idolaters in those

parts. Going vpon a time towards the foresayd idole-temple, I found certain

priests sitting in the outward portal. And those which I sawe, seemed vnto

me, by their shauen beards, as if they had bene French men. They wore

certaine ornaments vpon their heads made of paper. The priestes of the

foresaide Iugures doe vse such attire whithersoeuer they goe. They are

alwaies in their saffron coloured iackets, which be very straight being

laced or buttened from the bosome right downe, after the French fashion.

And they haue a cloake vpon their left shoulder descending before and

behind vnder the right arme, like vnto a deacon carying the housselboxe in

time of lent. Their letters or kind of writing the Tartars did receiue.

[Sidenote: Paper. So do the people of China vse to write, drawing their

lines perpendicularly downward, and not as we doe from the right hand to

the lefte.] They begin to write at the top of their paper drawing their

lines right downe: and so they reade and multiply their lines from the left

hand to the right. They doe vse certaine papers and characters in their

magical practices. Whereupon their temples are full of such short scroules

hanged round about them. Also Mangu-Can hath sent letters vnto your

Maiestie written in the language of the Moals or Tartars, and in the

foresayd hand or letter of the Iugures. They burne their dead according to

the auncient custome, and lay vp the ashes in the top of a Pyramis. Now,

after I had sit a while by the foresaid priests, and entred into their

temple and seene many of their images both great and small, I demanded of

them what they beleeued concerning God? And they answered: We beleeue that

there is onely one God. And I demaunded farther: Whether do you beleue that

he is a spirit, or some bodily substance? They saide: We beleeue that he is

a spirite. Then said I: Doe you beleeue that God euer tooke mans nature

vpon him? They answered: Noe. And againe I said: Sithence ye beleeue that

he is a spirit, to what end doe you make so many bodily images to represent

him? Sithence also you beleeue not that hee was made man: why doe you

resemble him rather vnto the image of a man then of any other creature?

Then they answered saying: we frame not these images whereby to represent

God. But when any rich man amongst vs, or his sonne, or his wife, or any of

his friends deceaseth, hee causeth the image of the dead party to be made,

and to be placed here: and we in remembrance of him doe reuerence

thereunto. Then I replyed: you doe these things onely for the friendship

and flatterie of men. Noe (said they) but for their memory. Then they

demanded of me, as it were in scoffing wise: Where is God? To whom I

answered: where is your soule? They said, in our bodies. Then saide I, is

it not in euery part of your bodie, ruling and guiding the whole bodie, and

yet notwithstanding is not seene or perceiued? Euen so God is euery where

and ruleth all things, and yet is he inuisible, being vnderstanding and

wisedome it selfe. Then being desirous to haue had some more conference

with them, by reason that mine interpreter was weary, and not able to

expresse my meaning, I was constrained to keepe silence. The Moals or

Tartars are in this regard of their sect: namely they beleeue that there is

but one God: howbeit they make images of felt, in remembrance of their

deceased friends, couering them with fiue most rich and costly garments,

and putting them into one or two carts, which carts no man dare once touch:

and they are in the custody of their soothsayers, who are their priests,

concerning whom I will giue your Highnesse more at large to vnderstand

hereafter. These soothsayers or diuiners do alwaies attend vpon the court

of Mangu and of other great personages. As for the poorer or meaner sorte,

they haue them not, but such onely as are of the stocke and kindred of

Chingis. And when they are to remoue or to take any iourney, the said

diuiners goe before them, euen as the cloudie piller went before the

children of Israel. And they appoint ground where the tents must be

pitched, and first of al they take down their owne houses: and after them

the whole court doth the like. Also vpon their festiual dates or kalends

they take forth the foresayd images, and place them in order round, or

circle wise within the house. Then come the Moals or Tartars, and enter

into the same house, bowing themselues before the said images and worship

them. Moreouer, it is not lawfull for any stranger to enter into that

house. For vpon a certaine time I my selfe would haue gone in, but I was

chidden full well for my labour.

De diuersis nationibus, et de illis qui comedere solebant parentes suos.

Cap. 28.

Prædicti vero Iugures, qui sunt mixti cum Christianis et Saracenis, per

frequentes disputationes, vt credo, peruenerunt ad hoc, quod non credunt

nisi vnum deum. Et isti fuerunt habitantes in ciuitatibus, qui post

obediuerunt Chingis Cham: vnde ipse dedit regi eorum filiam suam.

[Sidenote: Patria Presbiter Iohannis.] Et ipsa Caracarum est quasi in

territorio eorum: Et tota terra regis siue presbyteri Iohannis et Vut

fratris eius circa terras eorum; Sed isti in pascuis ad aquilonem, illi

Iugures inter montes ad meridiem. Inde est quod ipsi Moal sumpserunt

literas eorum. Et ipsi sunt magni scriptores eorum: et omnes fere Nestorim

sciunt literas eorum. [Sidenote: Tangut populi fortissimi.] Post istos sunt

ipsi Tangut ad orientem inter montes illos, homines fortissimi, qui

ceperunt Chingis in bello. Et pace facta dimissis ab eis, postea subiugauit

eos. [Sidenote: Boues pilosis caudis: his similes sunt in Quinera Americæ

septentrionalis prouincia.] Isti habent boues fortissimos habentes caudas

plenas pilis sicut equi, et ventres pilosos et dorsa. Bassiores sunt alijs

bobus in tibijs, sed ferociores multum. Isti trahunt magnas domos

Moallorum: et habent cornua gracilia, longa, acuosa, acutissima: ita quod

oportet semper secare summitates eorum. Vacca non permittit se iniungi nisi

cantetur ei. Habent etiam naturam bubali quia si vident hominem indutum

rubeis, insiliunt in eum volentes interficere. [Sidenote: Tebet populi.]

Post illos sunt Tebet homines solentes comedere parentes suos defunctos, vt

causa pietatis non facerent aliud sepulchrum eis nisi viscera sua. Modo

tamen hoc dimiserunt, quia abominabiles erant omni nationi. Tamen adhuc

faciunt pulcros ciphos de capitibus parentum, vt illis bibentes habeant

memoriam eorum in iocunditate sua. Hoc dixit mihi qui viderat. Isti habent

multum de auro in terra sua. [Sidenote: Auri Abundantia.] Vnde qui indiget

auro, fodit donec reperiat, et accipiat quando indiget, residuum condens in

terra: quia si reponeret in arca vel in thesauro, crederet quod Deus

auferret ei aliud quod est in terra. De istis hominibus vidi personas

multum deformes. [Sidenote: Tangut homines magni sed fusci.] Tangut vidi

homines magnos sed fuscos. Iugures sunt mediocris staturæ sicut nostri.

Apud Iugures est fons et radix ideomatis Turci et Comanici. [Sidenote:

Langa et Solanga.] Post Tebet sunt Langa et Solanga, quorum nuncios vidi in

curia: Qui adduxerant magnas bigas plusquam decem, quarum quælibet

trahebatur sex bobus. [Sidenote: Solanisimiles Hispanis, et fusci.] Isti

sunt parui homines et fusci sicut Hispani: et habent tunicas sicut

supertunicale diaconi manicis parum strictioribus: et habent in capitibus

mitras sicut episcopi. Sed pars anterior est parum interior quàm posterior,

et non terminatur in vnum angulum: sed sunt quadræ desuper, et sunt de

stramine rigidato per calorem magnum, et limato in tantum, quod fulget ad

radium solis sicut speculum vel galea bene burnita. Et circa tempora habent

longas bendas de eadem materia assutas ipsi mitræ; quæ se extendunt ad

ventum sicut duo cornua egredientia de temporibus. Et quando ventus nimis

iactat eas plicant eas per medium mitræ superius à tempore in tempus: et

iacent sicut circulus ex transuerso capitis. [Sidenote: Tabula de

elephantino.] Et principalis nuncius quando veniebat ad curiam, habebat

tabulam de dente elephantino ad longitudinem vnius cubiti, et ad

latitudinem vnius palmi, rasam multum: Et quandocunque loquebatur ipsi

Cham, vel alicui magno viro, semper aspiciebat in illam tabulam, ac si

inueniret ibi ea quæ dicebat: nec respiciebat ad dextram vel sinestram, nec

in faciem illius cui loquebatur. Etiam accedens coram domino et recedens

nusquam respicit nisi in tabulam suam. [Sidenote: Muc populi.] Vltra istos

sunt alij homines, vt intellexi pro vero, qui dicuntur Muc, qui habent

villas, sed nulla animalia sibi appropriant: tamen sunt multi greges et

multa armenta in terra ipsorum, et nullos custodit ea. Sed cum aliquis

indiget aliquo, ascendit collem et clamat, et omnia animalia audientia

clamorem accedunt circa illum, et permittunt se tractari quasi domestica.

Et si nuncius vel aliquis extraneus accedat ad regionem illam, ipsi

includunt eum in domo, et ministrant ei necessaria, donec negocium eius

fuerit expeditum. Quia si iret extraneus per regionem, animalia ad odorem

eius fugerent, et efficerentur syluestria. [Sidenote: Magna Cathaya.] Vltra

est magna Cathaya, cuius incolæ antiquitus vt credo dicebantur Seres. Ab

ipsis enim veniunt optimi panni serici. Et ille populus dicitur Seres a

quodam oppido eorum. Bene intellexi, quod in illa regione est oppidum

habens muros argenteos et propugnacula aurea. In ista terra sunt multæ

prouinciæ, quarum plures adhuc non obediunt Moallis. Et inter [Footnote:

_Aliqua desiderantur_.]

The same in English.

Of diuers and sundry nations: and of certaine people which

were wont to eate their owne parents. Chap. 28.

But the foresayd Iugures (who liue among the Christians, and the Saracens)

by their sundry disputations as I suppose, haue bene brought vnto this, to

beleeue that there is but one onely God. And they dwelt in certaine cities,

which afterward were brought in subiection vnto Chingis Can: whereupon he

gaue his daughter in mariage vnto their king. [Sidenote: The countrey of

Presbiter Iohn] Also the citie of Caracarum it selfe is in a manner within

their territory: and the whole countrey of king or Presbyter Iohn, and of

his brother Vut lyeth neere vnto their dominions: sauing, that they

inhabite in certaine pastures Northward and the sayde Iugures betweene the

mountaines towardes the South. Whereupon it came to passe, that the Moals

receiued letters from them. And they are the Tartars principall scribes and

al the Nestorians almost can skill of their letters. [Sidenote: Tangut.]

Next vnto them, between the foresaid mountaines Eastward, inhabiteth the

nation of Tangut, who are a most valiant people, and tooke Chingis in

battell. But after the conclusion of a league hee was set at libertie by

them, and afterward subdued them. [Sidenote: Strange oxen.] These people of

Tangut haue oxen of great strength, with tailes like vnto horses, and with

long shagge haire vpon their backes and bellyes. They haue legges greater

then other oxen haue, and they are exceedingly fierce. These oxen drawe the

great houses of the Moals and their hornes are slender, long, streight, and

most sharpe pointed, insomuch that their owners are faine to cut off the

endes of them. A cowe will not suffer her selfe to be coupled vnto one of

them vnles they whistle or sing vnto her. They haue also the qualities of a

Buffe: for if they see a man clothed in red, they run vpon him immediately

to kill him. [Sidenote: The people of Tebet.] Next vnto them are the people

of Tebet, men which were wont to eate the carkases of their deceased

parents that for pities sake, they might make no other sepulchre for them,

then their owne bowels. Howbeit of late they haue left off this custome,

because that thereby they became abominable and odious vnto al other

nations. Notwithstanding vnto this day they make fine cups of the skuls of

their parents, to the ende that when they drinke out of them, they may

amidst all their iollities and delights call their dead parents to

remembrance. This was tolde mee by one that saw it. [Sidenote: Abundance of

golde.] The sayd people of Tebet haue great plentie of golde in their land.

Whosoeuer therefore wanteth golde, diggeth till he hath found some

quantitie, and then taking so much thereof as will serue his turne, he

layeth vp the residue within the earth: because, if he should put it into

his chest or storehouse, hee is of opinion that God would withholde from

him all other gold within the earth. I sawe some of those people, being

very deformed creatures. [Sidenote: The stature of the people of Tangut,

and of the Iugures.] In Tangut I saw lusty tall men, but browne and swart

in colour. The Iugures are of a middle stature like vnto our French men.

Amongst the Iugures is the originall and roote of the Turkish, and Comanian

languages. [Sidenote: Langa and Solanga.] Next vnto Tebet are the people of

Langa and Solanga, whose messengers I saw in the Tartars court. And they

had brought more than ten great cartes with them, euery one of which was

drawen with sixe oxen. [Sidenote: The people of Solanga resemble

Spaniards.] They be little browne men like vnto Spaniards. Also they haue

iackets, like vnto the vpper vestment of a deacon, sauing that the sleeues

are somewhat streighter. And they haue miters vpon their heads like

bishops. But the fore part of their miter is not so hollow within as the

hinder part: neither is it sharpe pointed or cornered at the toppe: but

there hang downe certaine square flappes compacted of a kinde of strawe

which is made rough and rugged with extreme heat, and is so trimmed, that

it glittereth in the sunne beames, like vnto a glasse, or an helmet well

burnished. And about their temples they haue long bands of the foresayd

matter fastened vnto their miters, which houer in the wind, as if two long

hornes grewe out of their heads. And when the wind tosseth them vp and

downe too much, they tie them ouer the midst of their miter from one temple

to another: and so they lie circle wise ouerthwart their heads. [Sidenote:

A table of elephants tooth.] Moreouer their principal messenger comming

vnto the Tartars court had a table of elephants tooth about him of a cubite

in length, and a handfull in breadth, being very smoothe. And whensoeuer

hee spake vnto the Emperor himselfe, or vnto any other great personage, hee

alwayes beheld that table, as if hee had found therein those things which

hee spake: neither did he cast his eyes to the right hand, nor to the

lefte, nor vpon his face, with whom he talked. Yea, going too and fro

before his lord, he looketh no where but only vpon his table. [Sidenote:

The people called Muc.] Beyond them (as I vnderstand of a certainty) there

are other people called Muc, hauing villages, but no one particular man of

them appropriating any cattell vnto himselfe. Notwithstanding there are

many flockes and droues of cattell in their countrey, and no man appointed

to keepe them. But when any one of them standeth in neede of any beast, hee

ascendeth vp vnto an hill, and there maketh a shout, and all the cattel

which are within hearing of the noyse, come flocking about him, and suffer

themselues to be handled and taken, as if they were tame. And when any

messenger or stranger commeth into their countrie, they shut him vp into an

house, ministring there things necessary vnto him, vntill his businesse be

despatched. For if anie stranger should trauell through that countrie, the

cattell would flee away at the very sent of him, and so would become wilde.

[Sidenote: Great Cathaya.] Beyond Muc is great Cathaya, the inhabitants

whereof (as I suppose) were of olde time, called Seres. For from them are

brought most excellent stuffes of silke. And this people is called Seres of

a certame towne in the same countrey. I was crediblie informed, that in the

said countrey, there is one towne hauing walls of siluer, and bulwarkes or

towers of golde. There be many prouinces in that land, the greater part

whereof are not as yet subdued vnto the Tartars. And amongst [Footnote:

Somewhat is wanting.]