_Of the Originall of the_ Laplanders.
We have intimated our conjecture concerning the originall of the
_Laps_, and more then that it will be hard to produce, there being
no sober history which gives testimony in this affair. Negatively we
may pass sentence, and conclude they were not _Swedes_, no People
differing more both in constitution of body and mind, in language
and habit, or whatever else is taken for a character of likeness, or
having the same originall. Neither can any one think that they were
ever _Russians_ or _Moscovites_; seeing they differ as much from
them, as from the _Swedes_. The _Russians_ are generally tall, the
_Laplanders_ on the contrary very short; those are fat and corpulent,
these lean and slender; those have thick hair, long beards, and good
complexions, these wear their hair short and thin, and are dark and
swarthy. But most of all the language is different, in which the _Laps_
and _Russes_ have in a manner no kind of agreement. They must then come
from their Neighbours, either the _Norwegians_ on the one side, or the
_Finlanders_ upon the other. But they could not well be derived from
_Norway_, who are known to have drawn their originall from the _Swedes_.
[Illustration]
It remains therefore that they came from the _Finlanders_, who have a
certain division or allotment called _Lappio_. But tho we have shewed
that the name and originall of this Nation is not taken thence, it is
not to be doubted that they are of the race of the _Finlanders_ and
_Samojedes_, and this is the opinion of most learned men, which may be
farther proved by many arguments. First the name of both Nations is
the same, the _Laplanders_ in their own language being called _Sabmi_
or _Same_, and the _Finlanders_ _Suoni_, which two differ only in the
Dialect; and there is a tradition that they had both the same Founder
_Jumi_, who could not well have bin the Author of diverse Nations. We
may also observe that their languages have much affinity, tho they be
not the very same, as shall be proved at large in a particular Chapter.
The _Finlanders_ call _God_, _Jumala_, the _Laplanders_, _Jubmal_,
the _Finlanders_ fire, _Tuli_, the _Laplanders_ _Tolle_; they call a
hill _Wuori_, these _Warra_, and so they agree in many other words.
Besides they have bodies and habits alike, both their limbs well set,
black hair, broad faces, and stern countenances, and whatever else
they have different is very small, or may easily proceed from their
diet or Clime, in which they live. Their clothes too are not much
unlike; for if we compare the Picture of an ancient _Finlander_, as
it still remains in the Church of _Storekyr_ in _Ostrobothnia_, where
the slaughter of Bishop _Henry_ was drawn at large, with mine of a
_Laplander_ in Chapt. XVII. it will appear there is no great difference
between them. Lastly they agree in disposition and humor: they are
both much given to laziness at home, unless when necessity urges them
to work; both, unmoveable from their purpose, both superstitious
and lovers of Magick. And therefore _Ol. Magn._ saies of them both,
that they were so skilfull Magicians in the time of their Paganism
as if they had had _Zoroaster_ himself for their teacher. In a word
whatever _Tacitus_ saies of the _Finlanders_, now holds true of the
_Laplanders_, that _they have neither weapons, horses, nor houshold
gods, they live upon herbs, are cloth’d with skins, lie upon the
ground, putting all their confidence in arrows, which they head with
bones for want of iron. Both the men and women support themselves by
hunting, and they have no other defence for their Children against the
violence of wild beasts or weather, but Huts or hurdles, which are the
security of the old men as well as young._ And the same Description
which _Saxo_ gives of these, belongs as well to the _Laplanders_, that
_they are the farthest People towards the North, living in a Clime
almost inhabitable, good archers and hunters, wanderers, and of an
uncertain habitations, wheresoever they kill a beast making that their
mansion, and they slide upon the snow in broad wooden shoes_. Besides
all this, the _Norwegians_ and _Danes_ call the _Laplanders_, _Fenni_,
as may be seen in _Petr. Claud._ where he divides the _Finlanders_ into
_Siofinnar_, i. e. maritime _Finlanders_, and _Lappefinner_; i. e.
_Lappfinlanders_, the same with the _Laplanders_. This may be collected
too from the _Russians_ calling them not only _Lappi_, but _Kajienni_,
the original of which name can be no other but that they esteem them
to be the _Cajani_, of which name there is a Province now in _Finland_
called _Cajania_ the great.
But here some imagine that the _Laplanders_ came not in probability
from the _Finlanders_, because the one are very warlike, the other
cowards, these fat and corpulent, those lean and meager. But this
doth not at all invalidate our arguments; for every one knows that
diet will much alter the habit of the body, and the _Finlanders_ have
plenty of good nurishing meats, of which the _Laplanders_ are quite
destitute. And for the _Finlanders_ courage in war, heretofore they
were not so notable for it, for _Tacitus_ saies _they had neither arms
nor horses_, by which he implies they knew not at all what belonged to
war. Neither are they very expert at it yet, for by daily experience
’tis found when they are likely to be prest for Soldiers they hide
themselves, and by all means decline employment, therefore they are not
warlike from their nature, but from their discipline and arts, and in
their natural temper they differ not much from the _Laplanders_. But
what need we go about to prove this by so many arguments, when they
confess themselves they are originally sprung from the _Finlanders_,
and still keep a list of the Captains that first led them forth into
_Lapland_, of whom _Mieschogiesch_ is the chief. The same is confirm’d
by _Andr. Andresonius_ who lived there, and learn’t it from them, only
that he said _Thins kogreh_ was the cheif Captain, and so doth _Zachar.
Plantin_. But whatever is said of either of these two Captains, we are
not to imagine that they brought the first Plantation of _Laplanders_
into this Country, for ’tis not probable they should so long remember
their names, who must have lived before _Saxo_, for he mentions this
Country, and lived about 480 years before us, at which time the
_Finlanders_ themselves scarce know what was done, much less the
_Laplanders_. And this the name _Thinns_, doth something prove, which
none shall perswade me to be an old _Finland_ word, for it is the same
with the _Swedes_ _Thinnis_, and the Dutch _Thinius_, i. e. _Antonius_,
and that the word _Antonius_ was known to the _Finlanders_ before
_Christ_ no man will suspect. The same may be said concerning the
pretended occasion of the Colony of _Finlanders_ setling in _Lapland_;
for they themselves say, that they left _Brokarla_ and _Rengoarvis_,
because they were opprest with taxes and pitcht first in a wood in
_Ostrobothnia_ called _Tavastia_ near the _Bodic bay_. But all this,
as hath bin shew’d the very name of _Lappi_, which signifies banish’t
persons, sufficiently confutes. _Plantin_ and _Peter Nieuren_, pretend
that though the _Laplanders_ voluntarily removed to _Tavastia_, they
were forc’t to their present habitation: for the Natives of _Tavastia_,
griev’d to see them in a florishing condition, wearing rich clothes,
fareing deliciously, and abounding in all manner of wealth, chose them
a Captain called _Matthias Kurk_, and with a great number invaded their
quarters, killing and plundering all they met with, not desisting till
they had quite drove them as far as the Rivers _Kimi_ and _Torne_: and
not long after perceiving they lived too happily there, they set upon
them the second time, dealing so cruelly with them, that leaving their
Cattel they were forc’t to fly into those barren Countries they now
inhabit, carrying with them only their nets. _Plantin._ adds further
that _Andr. Andresonius_ affirms he saw some ancient letters, in
which mention was made of _Kurk_ a Governour of the _Laplanders_: but
as for his other name of _Matthias_, it is plain it was postnate to
Christianity, since which time if we should imagine the _Laplanders_
first to have come into these parts, we must also suppose the Country
to have bin till then uninhabited, whereas we have all reason to
believe that the _Biarmi_ and _Scridfinni_ lived here before _Christ_,
the latter of which seem by their name to have bin only a Colony sent
out of _Finland_: and mention is made of _Finlanders_ in these parts in
the time of _Harald_ the fair, or _Harfager_ King of _Norway_, and his
Son _Ericus Bodsexe_, who lived long before the times of Christianity,
and went down into _Finmark_ and _Biarmia_, and obtained a great
victory over them. Now if he went by Sea Northwards of _Norway_ to come
to _Finmark_, _Finmark_ then must have bin near _Norway_, as lying
North of it near the Sea, that is the same Country that is now named
_Finmark_, which because then inhabited by _Finlanders_, as appears by
the name, it is not to be believed that it was first possess’t by the
_Laplanders_ that were drove out of _South-Bothnia_ by _Matthias Kurk_.
Neither are they called _Lappi_ from being driven out then, for they
were so called in _Saxo_’s time, and there is little reason to believe
that _Matthias Kurk_’s expedition was before him, especially from that
inscription which mentions _Kurk_, since that in those times they knew
not so much of writing as to record any thing in it.
Wherefore we must find out some better authority to confirm to us the
originall of the _Lapps_, for we may believe that the _Finlanders_
more then once march’t out into _Lapland_, which is evident from the
several names of their leaders, whom some called _Thinns-Kogre_, others
_Mieschogiesche_. The first and most ancient is that from whence the
_Biarmi_ took their originall, whom I conclude to have descended from
the _Finlanders_, from calling their Gods by _Finlandish_ names.
Besides in their nature and manners they agree with the ancient
_Finlanders_: and lastly are called by all Strangers _Scridfinni_,
i. e. _Finlanders_ going upon frozen snow, which, the ancient knowing
none else to go so, took to be the _Biarmi_. But the name of _Biarmi_
was given them by the _Finlanders_ from their going to dwell upon the
Mountains, from the word _Varama_, which signifies a hilly Country:
now because Strangers knew from the _Swedes_ they used wooden shoes
to go upon the snow, which by the _Swedes_ are called _Att Skriida_,
not knowing the name _Biarmi_, they called them _Scridfinni_: and
because the _Finlanders_ and _Biarmians_ were of the same originall,
they were often subject to the same Prince, as to _Cuso_ in King
_Holters_ time. What the occasion was of this leaving their Country
is yet doubtfull, except it was for fear of the _Swedes_, who in the
reign of King _Agnus_ invaded _Froste_ King of _Finland_, and harassed
the whole Country. The second time of deserting their Country was when
the _Russians_ enlarged their Empire as far as the lake _Ladog_. For
fearing the cruelty of these People they retired into _Lapland_: which
I am apt to beleive because the _Russians_ call them _Kienni_, as has
bin said before from their passage through _Kajania_ into _Lapland_,
which they could not have known but by their own experience; and their
wars with them, especially those of _Carelia_ and _Cajania_ being so
ignorant both in history and other Countries, that they scarce know
any thing of their own, that is of any antiquity. And this proves
what we have said of their second leaving their Country, which was
about the 6^{th} age after _Christ_: and these perhaps are they which
are simply called _Finni_ by the _Danes_, _Swedes_, and _Norwegians_,
or with the addition of _Siæ_ or _Field_, obsolete words of the
_Biarmians_, because they were more then they in number, especially
after _Harald Harfiger_ King of _Norway_, who almost destroyed all
the _Biarmi_ in battle. In the mean while the _Finlanders_ lay secure
in _Finmark_, and all the _Biarmi_ being extinct, the name of _Finni_
obtained, and the name and credit of the _Biarmi_ was quite abolish’t
and forgot. And these are all the times they left their Country before
they were called _Lappi_, for till after this they were never called
otherwise than _Finni_, _Scritofinni_, and _Biarmi_. But in after
ages we find them named _Lappones_, of whom _Adam. Bremensis_ makes
no mention who lived in 1077, but _Saxo_ doth, that lived in 1200;
and therefore ’tis probable that in that intervall of time, after
they were call’d _Lappones_, they made their third migration. But any
one that will examine the histories of that time, will scarce find
any thing that should move the _Finlanders_ to leave their Country,
as _Ericus Sanctus_ hath made it appear in that Expedition in which
he brought them under the _Swedish_ Government, and planted among
them the Christian Religion, which he made in the year 1150, when
no small number of them the third time seem to have deserted their
Country, and gone into _Lapland_. And the reason is plain, having
bin subject’d to Strangers, and forc’t to be of a Religion different
from that of their Ancestors, which thereupon was hatefull to them,
and therefore no wonder some of them sought out a place where they
might live free: which is as good a reason too why they were called
_Lapps_ by those that stayed, for they submitting to the _Swedes_, and
embracing Christianity, look’t upon them as desertors of their Country,
whom fear only of a good Government, and better Religion, had made
exiles, especially when the King had put forth an Edict that all should
be accounted banish’t that would not renounce Pagan Superstition;
therefore they were justly called _Lappi_, and care not to hear of the
name to this day.
And this is my opinion of their originall and migrations, out of which
I shall not be perswaded by those learned men who believe they rather
came from the _Tartars_, for we never read of any of them going into
the North. Moreover the _Tartars_ live altogether by war and plunder,
whereas the _Laplanders_ live by hunting and grasing, abhorring
nothing more than war. Besides the cheif delight of the _Tartars_ is
in having many stately Horses, of which the _Lapps_ are so ignorant,
that in their whole language they have not a word to signify an Horse:
the language also of the two Nations is so different that one cannot
possibly be derived from the other. And altho some learned men, who
pretend they understood both languages of _Finland_ and _Lapland_,
confidently aver that they are altogether diverse: yet it will be
easy to produce diverse men as well skill’d in them, as they that say
the contrary. Besides ’tis no consequence because there are a few
differences between the _Finland_ and _Lapland_ languages, that they
are therefore utterly diverse, when this disagreeing may rather proceed
from the length of time than any diversity of the Tongues at first, as
we find now many _Swedish_ words that do not at all agree with those
now in vogue, which yet do not constitute a new language. And their
saying the _Laplanders_ could not come from the _Finlanders_, because
they alwaies hated one another, is of little force, when the reasons
of their hatred are enough explained already. But it signifies less
that the _Finlanders_ have severall Customs and Manners not in use
among the _Laplanders_, as the way of building houses, _&c._ for these
were to accommodate themselves to the nature of the place whither they
came, and to forget those things which would not be of any use to them.
And moreover, there remains still a memoriall of those that came out
of _Finland_, where they first sate down in the woods of _Tavastia_,
near a Lake which they call _Lappiakairo_, that is the Fountain of the
_Laplanders_, who when their necessary food grew scarce, went further
up into the Desarts, and the _Finlanders_ pursuing them in _Tavastia_,
they retreat’d to the _Bothnic_ bay, where they might be more safe, and
have more conveniences for living: and this is that migration yet in
memory which _Plantin._ speaks of, _viz._ that the _Laplanders_ lived
here for an age, or more, till the time of King _Magn. Ladulaos_, An.
1272, who to get them under his subjection, promised any one that could
effect it, the Government of them, which the _Birkarli_, _i. e._ those
that lived in the allotment or division of _Birkala_, undertook; and
having for a great while cunningly insinuated themselves into them,
under a pretence of friendship, at last set upon them unawares, and
quite subdued them. But before this they were infested by the _Tavasti_
under the command of _Kurk_, which if we would strictly examine, we
should find it of later date than about Christs time, contrary to some
mens opinions. As it happens in things that are taken upon trust, the
_Laplanders_ confound the more modern with the ancient, making but one
history of all that happen’d in the distinct times of _Ericus Sanctus_,
_Magnus Ladulaos_, with some other Kings before and after, and that so
confused and lame, that it is hard for any one to understand it. _Ol.
Petr._ mentions at large one _Matthias_, Captain of the _Finlanders_,
when they subdued and drove out the _Laplanders_ into the furthest
and most desolate place of the North, whom some think to be a noble
Family of the _Kurks_ in _Finland_, and that he ceased not, by
frequent inrodes upon them, to molest them, till they promised to pay
him yearly tribute, which he at length weary of the long and tedious
journey exchanged with some of _Birkarla_ in _Tavastia_ for a part of
_Finland_, whence followed what is most true, that the _Laplanders_
to the year 1554 paid annuall tribute to the _Birkarli_, besides
whom it was not lawfull for any others to trade with them. There are
those now living who say they have seen the letters and conditions
of the _Kurks_ kept in _Ersnees_, an allotment of _Lulalapmark_, by
one _Jo. Nilson_. Which things are so far from being immediatly after
the birth of _Christ_, that they may be reasonably thought to have
bin since _Mag. Ladulaos_, unless we can imagine that _Ol. Petr._ by
his _Tavasti_ and _Buræus_ by _Birkarli_ meant the same people, since
there were other _Birkarli_ inhabitants of _Tavastia_, who chose them
a Captain named _Kurk_, under whom they drove out the _Laplanders_
out of the Borders of the Eastern _Bothnia_, and made them tributary,
and the letters may not be ascribed to _Kurk_, but to _Ladulaos_, in
which he had granted the _Birkarli_ the priviledge to receive tribute
of the _Lapps_, and of trafficking with them, for it is not probable
that _Kurk_, though he was their chosen Captain, was to have all the
benefit of the _Laplanders_ to himself, so as by contract to tranfer to
the _Birkarli_ his right. For the _Tavastii_ were either a free People
and so shared among one another whatever they got, or else under some
Prince, and so could not give another what was not their own, but their
Masters. Besides if they did give _Kurk_ any thing, as some Villages,
or the like, it was not from any bargain that they were to receive in
its stead tribute from the _Laplanders_, but as a reward to himself for
his pains and conduct in the war. But whatever may be said of _Kurk_
and the _Tavasti_, ’tis certain the _Laplanders_ never came originally
from the _Russians_, nor as others think from the _Tartars_, but from
the _Finlanders_, having bin driven out of their Country, and forc’t
to change their habitations often, till at length they fixt in this
Land where they now live: and that Country, which from the remove of
its inhabitants was called _Lapland_, had the same name continued by
the _Swedes_, who had conquered the greatest part thereof. For after
the _Swedes_ had learnt from the _Finlanders_ that they were called
_Lapps_, they also gave them the same name, then the _Danes_ took it
up: then _Saxo_, afterwards _Ziegler_, then _Dam. Goes_, who had the
account which he gives of the _Laplanders_ from _Ol._ and _Joh. Magn._
and so at last all the Country was called _Lapland_ from the Bay of
_Bothnia_ Northwards, especially after it was made subject to the
_Swedes_, except only that part which lies on the Coasts of _Norway_,
which retained its antient name of _Finland_; as also that part towards
the white Sea, called by the _Moscovites_, _Cajanica_, altho these
sometimes call the inhabitants _Loppi_, which without doubt they took
from their neighbours the _Finlanders_.