made to them no matier whether ye called them all by one name, Saracenes,
or Turkes. But nowe as ye se, the name of the Turkes hath gotten the bettre
hande, and the other is out of remembraunce. This people vseth moe kindes
of horsemen then one. Thei haue Thimarceni, that is to saye Pencioners,
aboute a foure skore thousande. These haue giuen vnto them by the kinge,
houses, villages, and Castles euery one as he deserueth, in the steade of
his wages or pencion. And thei attende vppon the Sensacho, or capitaine of
that quarter, wher their possessions lye. At this daye the Turkes are
deuided into two armies: the one for Asie, and the other for Europe. And
either hath a chiefteine, at whose leading thei are. These chiefteines in
their tongue be called Bassay. Ther are also another sorte muche lyke to
our aduenturers, that serue withoute wages, called Aconizie. And these euer
are spoiling afore when the campe is yet behynde. The fiueth parte of their
butine is due vnto the king. And these are aboute a fourty thousande. Their
thirde sorte of horsemen is deuided into Charippos Spahiglauos, and
Soluphtaros. The beste, and worthiest of these, are the Charippie: of an
honourable ordre of knighthode, as it ware for the kinges body. And those
be euer about him, to the nombre of eyghte hundred, all Scythians and
Persians, and elles of none other kinde of menne. These, when niede is,
being in the sighte of the kinge: fight notably, and do wondrefull feates
on horsebacke. Spahy, and Soluphtary be those whiche haue bene at the
kinges bringing vp from their childehode, to serue his filthy abhominacion.
And when thei are come to mannes state, thei marye at the kynges pleasure:
And be enriched both with dowery of their wife, and a stipende. These for
the moste parte serue for embassadours, deputies, lieutenauntes and suche
other dignities, and are nexte vnto the kinge on bothe sides of him, when
he goeth any whether as a garde. Thei are in nombre a thousande and thre
hundred.
Among the footemen are three sortes, Ianizarie, these be chosen all the
Empire ouer, of xii. yeres of age, or there aboute, by certein that haue
Commission for the purpose: And are for a space enstructed in the feactes
of warre, in commune schooles. And then aftrewarde are thei chosen into
souldie, and haue giuen them a shorter garmente, and a white cappe, with a
tarfe tourned vpwarde. Their weapon is a Targette, a Curtilase, and a Bowe.
Their office is to fortifie the campe, and to assaulte cities. Thei are in
nombre aboue twentie thousande.
The seconde sorte are called Asappi, and are all footemen of light
harnesse, weaponed with swearde, target, and a kinde of long Iauelines,
wherewith thei slea the horses of their enemies, in the skirmishe and
battaile. These, to be knowen fro the Ianizaries, weare redde cappes. These
are appoincted in nombre, accordyng as the case shall require. But thei are
euer at the leaste fouretie thousande. When the warres are finished, for
the whiche thei ware hired: these are no longer in wages. Tharmie roialle
hath about two hundred thousande armed menne, beside a greate rable of
footemen aduenturers, that take no wages, and suche other as be called out
of Garrisons. And amonge these, Pioners and Cookes, Carpenters, Armourers,
and suche other as thei must niedes haue to make the waye, wher the place
is combresome: to dresse victualles, to amende harnesse, to make bredges
ouer floudes, to trenche aboute their ennemies, to plante battries, make
Ladders, and suche other thinges necessarie for the siege. Ther foloweth
the armie also, sondrye sortes of money Masters: some for lone, some for
exchaunge, some to buy thinges. And sondrie sortes of occupiers, such as be
thought nedeful in such cases.
But there is nothing in all that nacion more to be marueiled at, then their
spiedinesse in doeyng of thinges: their constantnes in perilles, and their
obedience and precise obseruinge of all commaundementes. For the least
fault, of goeth the heade. Thei passe ouer raginge floudes, mounteignes and
rockes: roughes and plaines, thicke and thinne, if thei be commaunded. Not
hauing respecte to their lyfe, but to their rulers. No men maie awaie with
more watche, no men with more hongre. Among them is no mutinyng, no
vproures, no sturres. In theyr fyght thei vse no cries, not shoutes, but a
certeine fiercenes of brayeng. Thei kepe suche precise scilence in the
night, through out their campe: that thei wil rather suffre such as they
haue taken prisoners, to run their waie, then to make any sturre. Of all
the peoples at this daie, thei onely doe warre, acording to the ordre of
armies. So that no manne niedeth to meruayle how it cometh that no people
this two hundred yeare and aboue, haue had like successe vnto them. Yea, it
may truely be sayd, that excepte it be by some plague or murreyn, or
discorde among them selues, they can not be subdued. The apparail that the
souldiours do vse, is most comely and honeste. In their sadles and bridles,
there is neither curiositie, ne yet superfluitie. No man emong them weareth
his Armour, but when niede is to fight. They carry their harnesse behynde
theim, at their backes. They vse neither banner, standerde, ne flaggue: but
certein Iauelins that haue streamynge out fro the toppe, diuers coloured
thriedes, by the whiche euery hande knoweth his capiteine. Thei vse a
dromme and a fiphe, to assemble their Bandes, and to sturre them to the
batteile. When the batteile is done, all the armie is presented to the
Regestour (whiche is some one of the nobles) bothe that it maye bee knowen
who is slain, and what nombre: and that newe may be entred in their places.
In all assemblies and mietinges, feaste, or other: thei praie for their
souldiours, and menne of warre. But specially aboue all other, for those
that haue suffred death for the commune quarelle of their countrie: calling
them happie, fortunate, and blessed, that thei yelded not vp their liues at
home, amidde the lamentacions and bewailynges, of their wiues and children,
but loste them, abrode, amonge the shoutes of their enemies, and the
ratling of the Harneis, and Launces. The victories of their forefathers and
eldres, thei put into Balade, and sing theim with greate honour and
praises: for that thei thinke the courages of the souldiours and menne of
warre be muche quickened, and kindled thereby.
Their dwelling houses are communely of timbre and claie, very fewe of
stone: for of them are the noble mennes houses their temples, and Batthes.
And yet are there amonge the communes, men able of them self alone, to set
furthe an whole armie, furnisshed at all poinctes. But because thei are
naturally giuen to sparing and to abhorre all sumptuousenesse, embrasing a
lowe and simple state: thei wel beare this voluntarie pouertie, and rude
homelinesse. For this cause also, doe thei not set by any kinde of Painters
Imagerie. As for the other imagerie of coruen grauen, or molten worke, thei
do so hate and abhorre: that they call vs Christians for delighting so
muche in them, verie Idolatours and Image worshippers. And do not onely so
calle vs, but wil earnestly argue, that we are so in dede. Thei vse no
Seales to their Lettres, of what sorte so euer thei be, the kynges or
other. But they credite the matier, assone as thei haue red the
superscription, or heard the name of the sender. Thei occupie no belles,
nor suffre not the Christianes that dwelle among them to do. Thei game not
for money, or any valewe elles. And if it fortune that any manne be founde
to do, in many sundrie wise thei reuile him, and baite him with shames and
reproche.
No man among them, of what degree or dignitie so euer he be: requireth
forme chaire, stoole, or other kinde of seate to sitte vpon. But foldinge
bothe him selfe and his clothes, aftre a mooste comely sorte: rucketh downe
vpon the grounde, not muche vnlike to the sitting of our gentlewomen ofte
times here in Englande. The table wherupon thei eate, is for the mooste
parte of a Bullockes hide, or a Hartes skinne. Not dressed, but in the
heare, facioned rounde, beyng a fowre or fiue spanne ouer, and so set
rounde about on the bordre, or verge, with ringlettes of iron: that putting
a couple of stringes throughe the ringes, it maye be drawen together, and
shutte and opened like a purse. House, or Churche, or any other place wher
they entende to sitte, no man entreth with his shoes on. For it is compted
a very dishonest and vnmanerly facion, to sitte shoed. Wherfore they vse a
maner of slippe shooes, that may lightly be putte of and on. The place
where thei sitte, either at home, or at Churche, is in some place matted,
and in some place ouerspred with course woollen Carpette. And some places
also, either for the lowenes, moistenes, or vncleanelinesse therof are
plancked with boorde.
The garmentes aswell of the menne, as the women, are large and longe, and
open afore: that thei may the more honestlie and couertly hide all, when
nature craveth to be eased. And in doeyng those niedes, thei take greate
hiede, that their face be not into the Southe, as it is when thei praye. As
also that thei discouer no priuie parte, that any myghte fortune to see.
The menne make water sitting, aswell as the women. For if a man amonges
them, ware sene to make water standing: he should be iudged of all, a
foole, or an hertique.
From wine (as from a prouoker of al sinne and vnclennesse) thei absteine by
their lawe. And yet eate they the Grapes, and drincke muste. Thei also
forbeare to eate any thinge, that commeth of the Hogge: or any thinge elles
that dieth of sickenesse, or by aduenture vnslain. But any other thinges,
being mannes meate, thei refuse not to eate. Thei worshippe the Fridaie,
laieng all labour and businesse aparte, with as greate solempnitie and
deuocion, as we doe the Sondaie, or as the Iewes doe the Sabboth daie. In
euery citie there is one principall or head Churche. In the whiche vppon
the Fridaie at aftre Noone, thei all assemble together. And aftre solempne
praiers, heare a sermone. Thei acknowledge one God, to whome thei make no
like, nor equalle: and Mahomet to be his trustie and welbeloued, Prophete.
All the Saracenes are bound to praie fiue times on the daie, with their
faces toward the South. And before thei so do, to the ende thei maie be
cleane from all filthe of bodie: to wasshe them selues toppe and taile,
heade, eares, eyes, nose, mouthe, armes, handes, bealy, colions, legges and
fiete. Specially, if he haue bene late at the soile with a woman or stouped
on his taile to vnburden his bealie. Except he haue some lette of iournie,
or sickenesse. But if he lacke watre to doe this withall (as that sieldome
or neuer can happen, for that thei haue in all cities, bathes, ordenarie
for the purpose) thei supplie the defaulte with the moulde of fresshe
cleane earthe, wherewith thei rubbe ouer their whole bodies. Who is so
polluted in any maner wise: suffreth no man before this clensing, to speake
with hym, or to see him, if it be possible. Euery yere for the space of
fiue wiekes continually together, thei faste al daie as presicely as is
possible, bothe from meate, drincke and women. But aftre the sonne is ones
doune, till the next daie he riseth, thei neither spare eatyng ne
drinckyng, ne pressyng of pappes. In thende of their lente, and againe the
sixtieth daie aftre: Thei kiepe their passeouer or Easter, in remembraunce
of the Rambe shewed vnto Abraham, to be Sacrificed in the steade of his
sonne, and of a certaine nighte in the whiche thei doe beleue that the
Alcorane was giuen them from heauen.
Euery yere ones, the Saracenes also are bound of duetie to visite the house
of God, in the citie of Mecha: bothe to acknowledge their homage, and to
yelde vnto Mohomete his yerely honour at his Sepulchre there. The Saracenes
compelle no man to forsake his opinion or belief: ne yet labour so to
perswade any countrie to do. Although their Alcorane commaunde theim to
treade doune and destroie all menne of the contrary beliue yea them and
their prophetes. But through this sufferaunce, ther are to be founde
enhabiting in Turkie, peoples of all opinions, and beleue: euery man vsinge
suche kinde of worshippe to his God, as to his religion apperteineth. Their
priestes do not muche diffre from the commune people, nor yet their
churches from their dwelling houses. Yf thei knowe the Alcorane, and the
praiours and ceremonies or their lawe, it suffiseth. Thei are neither giuen
to contemplacion ne yet schole study. For why thei are not occupied with
any churche seruice or cure of soules. Sacramentes haue thei none, nor
reliques, nor halowinges of foutes, Aulters, and other necessaries. But
prouidinge for their wiues, their children, and householdes, thei occupie
their time in husbondrie, marchaundise, huntinge, or some other meane to
get the penie, and mainteyne their liuing, euen as the temporall men doe.
Ther is nothing forbidden them, nothing is for them vnlawfull. Thei be
neither burdoned with tillage, ne bondage. Thei be muche honoured of al
men, for that thei are skilfull in the ceremonies of the lawe, teache them
to other, and be the gouernours of the churches.
They haue many schooles and large, In the which great nombres are taught
the lawes there giuen by kinges, for the ciuile gouernance and defence of
the Realme. Of the whiche some are afterwarde sette fourth to be men of the
churche, and some to be temporalle officers. Their spiritualtie is deuided
into many and sondry sortes of religions. Of the whiche some liue in the
wooddes and wyldernes shonnyng all companye. Some kiepe open hospitalitie
in cities, and yet liue by almose them selues. These if they lacke meate to
refreshe the niedy straunger and pelligrine, yet at the least waie they
giue him herbour and lodgyng. Other, roumyng the cities vp and downe and
caryeng alway in bottles faire watre and fresshe, if any man be disposed to
drinke, vnasked they willingly proffre it him, and refuse not to take, if
he for their gentlenesse offre aught vnto them agayn. Otherwise they craue
nothyng, but in al their woordes, gesture, behauour, and diedes: shewe
theim selues aungelles raither then menne. And euery one of these hath one
knowledge or other, of difference from the reaste. The Saracenes or Turkes
are very precise executours of Iustice. Who so committeth bloudshed: hath
in like sorte his owne shedde againe. Taken in adultery, both parties are
streight without mercy stoned to deathe. Thei haue also a punisshement for
fornication, whiche is to the manne taken with the diede, foure score
ierkes or lasshes with a skourge. A thief for the first and the seconde
time, escapeth with so many stripes. But at the thirde time, hathe his
hande cut of, and at the fourthe his foote. He that endamageth any manne:
as the losse or hinderaunce shalbe valewed, so muste he of force
recompence. In claiming of goodes, or possessions, the claimer muste proue
by witnesse that the thing claimed is his: and the denier shalbe tried by
his othe. Witnesses they admitte none, but persones of knowen honestie, and
suche as mighte be belieued withoute an othe. Thei haue also certeine
spiefaultes ordinarilye appoincted (muche like to our Sompnours) that spie
in euery shiere for suche as be necligent, and let slippe suche oraisons
and seruice as thei be bounde to. Those if thei fortune to finde them: do
thei punishe aftre this maner. Thei hange a borde about their neckes, with
a great many of foxe tailes, and togginge them vp and downe the stretes:
all ouer the citie, thei neuer lette them go vntyll they haue compounded by
the purse. And in this also nothing vnlike to our Sompnours. It is lawfull
for no manne, beinge come to mannes state, to liue vnmaried. It is compted
amonge them as lawfull to haue iiii. wiues, as it is amonge vs to haue one.
Marie what soeuer is aboue this nombre (as thei may if thei liste, and be
able to kepe them, no degree excepted, but mother and sister, marie a
hundred) thei are not iudged so lawfulle. The children that thei haue bothe
by the one, and the other haue equalle porcion in the fathers enheritaunce.
Sauing that ii. women children are compted in porcion but for one man
childe. Thei haue not ii. of their wiues together in one house, ne yet in
one citie. For the busines, and disquietinges that might happen therby, but
euery wife in a seuerall towne. The housebandes haue libertye to put them
away thrise, and thrise to take them againe. But yet when he hath ones
putte her awaie, if any manne haue taken her, and she lust to abide with
hym, she maie.
Their women are moste honestlie appareiled. And vpon their heades doe vse a
certeine attire, not muche vnlike the veluet bonette of olde Englande:
wherof the one lappe so hangeth vppon whiche side semeth her good: that
when she is disposed to go out of the doores, or to come amongest menne
within the house, she maie hide therwith by and by her whole face, sauyng
her eyes.
The Saracenes woman, neuer dare shewe her self wher there is a company of
menne. To go to the marchate to occupy byeng or sellyng in any wise: is not
syttyng for their women. In the head church they haue a place farre a part
fro the men: so close that no manne canne looke into them. Into the which
notwithstandyng it is not laufull for euery mans wyfe to entre: but for the
nobilitie onely. Ne yet for them neyther, but on Friday, at the onely houre
of noone praier: whiche as I haue aforesayd, is kept amonge them high and
holy.
To see a man and a woman talke together ther, in the open strete or abrode:
is so straunge, and so vnwonte a thing, that in a whole yere it skante
happeneth ones. For a man to sitte with his wyfe in open sighte, or to ride
with any woman behinde him: amongest them ware a wondre. Maried couples
neuer dally together in the sighte of other, nor chide or falle out. But
the menne beare alwaies towarde the women a manly discrete sobrenes, and
the women, towarde them a demure womanlie reuerence. Greate menne, that
cannot alwaie haue their wiues in their owne eye, appoincte redgelinges, or
guelte menne to awaite vppon them. Whiche waite them in diede so narrowlye,
that it ware impossible for any man beside the housebande to speake with
the wyfe vnsene: or the wyfe by any stealthe to false her trouth and
honestie. Finally the Saracenes do so full and whole beleue their Mahomete
and his lawes: that thei doubte no whitte, but the kepers of them shall
haue euerlasting blessednesse. That is to saye, after their opinion, a
paradise of pleasure, a gardein plotte of delighte, full of swiete rindles
of Christalline watre. In whose botomes the grauelle, popleth like
glisteryng golde. The ayre alwaie so attempre and pure, that nothyng can be
more swiete, more pleasaunte, nor healthsome. The grounde couered and
garnisshed with natures Tapesserie, neither lacking any colour that
pleasaunte is to the eye, or sauour that maie delight the nose. Birdes
syngyng with suche armonie, as neuer mortalle eare heard. Briefly flowyng
in all pleasure that any harte can aftre thincke. Disshes for the mouthe,
of all deinties. All maner of Silkes, Veluettes, Purples, Skarlettes, and
other precious apparelle. Godly younge damoselles, with graie rowlyng eyes,
and skinne as white as Whales bone, softe as the Silke, and breathed like
the Rose, and all at their becke. Vesselles of siluer and golde. Angelles
for their Butlers that shall bryng theim Milke in Goblettes of golde, and
redde wine in siluer. But contrariewise, thei threaten vnto the breakers of
them, helle, and euerlastyng destruccion. This thei also beleue, that be a
manne wrapped in neuer so many synnes, yet if at his death, he beleue vpon
God, and Machomete, he shalbe saued.
¶ The xii. Chapitre.
¶ Of the Christians, of their firste commyng vp, their Ceremonies, and
ordenaunces.