The Principal Navigations, Voyages, Traffiques and Discoveries of the English Nation Volume I Part 32

[Sidenote: Munsterus. Krantzius.] Rex Daniae qui et Noruagiae quotannis praefectum immitt.i.t genti.

Anno Domino 846. natus est Haraldus Harf.a.gre (quod auricomum vel pulchricomum dixeris) Qui deinde Anno 858, Rex Noruagiae designatus, vbi aetas viresque iustum incrementum acceperunt, formam imperij Noruagici mutauit. Nam antea in minutas prouincias diuisum (quas Fylki vocabant, et qui his praeerant regulos, Fylkis Konga) ad Monarchiam armis potentibus redegit. Id c.u.m et genere et potentia valentes aliquot regni incolae aegre ferrent, patria exulare, quam ipsius Tyrannidis iugum non detrectare maluerunt. Vnde hi in Islandiam, antea quidem a quibusdam visam et inuentam, at desertam tamen, colonias, dicto Superius Anno 874.

transtulerunt: Atque sic genti nostrae originem praebentes, se Islandos nuncuparunt, quod nomen hodie posteri retinent. Vixerunt itaque Islandi diu, nullius imperium agnoscentes, annis scilicet 386. plus minus. Et quamuis Rex Noruagiae Haquinus ille conatus, qui omnium regum Noruagiae diutissime, nempe plusquam 66. annos imperium gerebat, saepe per legatos tentarat tributarios sibi facere Islandos, constanter tamen semper rest.i.terunt, donec tandem circa annum Domini 1260. homagium ipsi praestarent. [Sidenote: Margareta.] Atque postea semper in data fide persistentes, et regibus Noruagiae parentes, translato per Margaretam, Daniae, Sueciae, et Noruagiae reginam, Noruagorum imperio, ad Danos, vna c.u.m reliquis imperij Noruagici Insulis, Serenissimum Daniae regem; Dominum et Regem suum hodie salutant.

The same in English.

THE FIFTH SECTION.

[Sidenote: Munsterus. Krantzius.] The King of Denmarke and Norway sendeth euery yeere a Lieutenant into the Countrey.

In the yeere of our Lord eight hundred fortie and sixe Harold Harf.a.gre (which is to say, golden haires or faire lockes) was borne. Who afterward in the yeere eight hundred fiftie and eight, being chosen king of Norway, when he was growen to age, and full strength, chaunged the forme of the Noruagian gouernment. For whereas before it was diuided into pettie Prouinces (which they called Fylki, and the pettie kings that gouerned them, fylkis konga) he reduced it by force of armes vnto a Monarchie.

[Sidenote: The occasion of the first inhabiting of Island by the people of Norway.] But when some inhabitants of the countrie, being mightie, and descended of good parentages, could not well brooke this hard dealing, they chose rather to be banished their countrey, then not to shake off the yoke of tyranny. Whereupon, they in the yeere aboue named eight hundred seuentie and foure, transported colonies into Island being before discouered by some men and found out, but vnpeopled as yet: And so being the first founders of our nation, they called themselues Islanders, which name their posteritie reteineth vnto this day. And therefore the Islanders liued a long time, namely, three hundred eightie and sixe yeeres, more or lesse, acknowledging no submission to any other Nation. [Sidenote: Haquinus coronatus.] And although Haquinus that crowned King of Norway who reigned longest of any Noruagian king, namely, about sixtie sixe yeares, did oftentimes attempt by Amba.s.sadours to make the Islanders become tributaries vnto him, notwithstanding at all times they constantly withstoode him, till at length about the yeere of our Lord 1260. they performed homage vnto him. And afterward continued alwayes in their promised loyaltie, being subiects to the king of Norway. But now at this day, since the Empire of the Noruagians was translated by Margaret Queene of Denmarke, Suedeland, and Norway vnto the Danes, they doe honour as their soueraigne Lord and King the most gracious king of Denmarke.

s.e.xIO s.e.xTA.

[Sidenote: Krantzius Munsterus] Omnia eos communia sunt, praeter vxores.

Hoc loco praemitt.i.t Krantzius talem Ironiam.

Multa insignia in moribus illorum, &c. Porr etiam hic fidem vestram eleuat ingenium, ad a.s.serendum res incompertas nimis procliue, cupidinem nouitatis, et nominis ac famaae, im veritatis curam preposteram arguit, omnium et rerum personarumque et temporum experientia: O scriptores suspiciendi.

Testes sunt leges politicae, quibus inde ab initio c.u.m Noruagis vsi sunt eisdem Islandi: De Rege et subditis: De foro, et his quae in forensem disceptationem cadere possunt: De haereditatibus: adoptionibus, nuptijs, furto, rapinis, mutuo contractibus et caeteris: Quae omnia, quorsum illis, quebus res omnes sunt communes? Testes sunt, tot de bonis mobilibus et immobilibus contentiones, turbae et certamina, in foris ac iudicijs Islandorum: Testes sunt Reges nunc Daniae et olim Noruagiae, qui tot libellis supplicibus Islandorum, ad componendas istas de possessionibus controuersias, olim et nunc interpellati saepe fuerant. Testis contra seipsum Krantzius, cuius verba distinction. i. huius, haec fuerunt. Ante susceptam Christi fidem (Islandi) lege naturali viuentes parum a lege nostra discrepabant, &c. Si lege naturae, certe lege illa iust.i.tiae, quae tribuit vnicuique suum: Si lege iust.i.tiae, certe proprietatum et dominiorum distinctiones in nostra gente loc.u.m habuisse oportet: Quanquam autem in hanc ipsam legem etiam in Ecclesia, et quidem satis atrocitur, saepe delinquitur tamen et Ecclesia et Ethnici iustissimam et optimam esse semper fa.s.si sunt.

The same in English.

THE SIXTH SECTION.

[Sidenote: Krantzius. Munsterus.] All things are common among them except their wiues.

Here Krantzius in the first place beginneth with such a gybe There be many notable things in their manners, &c. Moreouer, your wit being too hastie in affirming things vnknowen, doth here also diminish your credite. The experience as well of all things as of persons and times proueth your ouer greedie desire of noueltie, of fame and vaine glorie, and argueth your great negligence in maintaining the truth. O worthy writers.

But whether the aforesayde things bee true or no, wee call the lawes of our Countrey to witnesse, which the Islanders from the beginning haue vsed all one with the Norwayes: of the King and his subiects: of the seate of iustice, and of law cases which come to be decided there, of inheritances: of adoptions, marriages, theft, extortions, lending, bargaines, and the rest: all which, to what purpose should they be enioyned vnto them with whom all things are common? We call to witnesse so many broyls and contentions in our courts, and places of iudgement in Island concerning goods mooueable, and immooueable: we call to witnesse our kings now of Denmarke, aforetime of Norway, who by so many billes of supplication out of Island in old time, and of late haue beene often interrupted, for the setting through of controuersies concerning possessions. Wee call Krantzius himselfe to witnesse against himselfe, whose words in the first section were these: Before the receiuing of Christian faith the Islanders liuing according to the lawe of nature did not much differ from our lawe &c. If by the lawe of nature, then doubtlesse by that lawe of iustice, which giueth to euery man his owne: If by the lawe of iustice, then certainely distinctions of properties and possessions must needes haue taken place in our Nation: and although this very lawe is often transgressed, and that haynously euen in the Church: notwithstanding both the Church, and also heathen men doe acknowledge it to be most iust and good.

SECTIO SEPTIMA.

Catulos suos et pueros aequo habent in precio: Nisi quod a pauperioribus facilius impetrabis filium quam catulum, &c.

Quamuis principio huius commentarioli censuerim, Munsterum et alios magni nominis viros, in ijs, quae de Islandia scripta reliquerunt, esse a calumnae nota liberandos: num tamen id hic, etiam a candidissimo et maxime sincero quocunque fieri possit, non satis video. Quid enim mouit tantos viros, vt Nautarum maleuolas nugas et mendacia secuti, tam atroci et contumelioso opprobrio gentem nostram diffamarent, commacularentque? Nihil profect, nisi secura ridendi et contemnendi gentem pauperem et ignotam, licentia, et si quae sunt huic vicia confinia.

Caeterum norint omnes non tam Islandis, quam ipsis Authoribus, incommodare hoc mendacium. c.u.m enim illud, et plurima etiam alia in historiam suam acc.u.mulant, efficiunt vna, vt alibi quoque suspectae fidei habeantur.

Illudque quod ait Aristoteles lucrantur, vt c.u.m vera dixerint, illis sine suspitione non credatur.

Sed age Lector, subsiste paulisper, mec.u.mque grauitatem et sapientiam tantorum virorum expende: Ne tantum Islandiae Elogium intactum praetereamus.

Docuerunt hactenus Krantzius et Munsterus: Islandos esse Christianos. Item: Islandos ante susceptam Christi fidem lege naturali vixisse. Item: Islandos vixisse lege quadam non multum a lege Germanorum discrepante. Item: Vixisse eos in sancta simplicitate. Adesdum igitur Lector, et quas Christianismi, Legis naturalis, legis Germanorum, santae simplicitatis notas Auth.o.r.es illi requirant, et in Islandis monstrent ac depingant, perpende. Vna fuit supra, qud infernum siue carcerem d.a.m.natorum montis Heclae voragine et radicibus circ.u.mscribant Islandi: de quo vide Sect. i. huius: et sect. 7. prior.

part. Altera nota, qud, c.u.m Anabaptistis, proprietatum et dominiorum distinctiones tollant: de quo Sect. praeced. Tertia eaque longe excellentissima haec est: illi praeclari affectus naturales, amor, cura, et animus tam pius et paternus Islandorum in liberos, qud videlicit eiusdem precij sint apud illos canes et filij, aut hi etiam viltoris. Siccine n.o.bis Munstere et Krantzi. Legem Christi, naturae, Germanorum, et sanctam simplicitatem depingitis: O picturam praeclaram et excellentem, quamuis non prorsus Apellaeam: O Inuentum acutum et admirandum, si bene authentic.u.m: O scientiam plusquam humanam, etsi non prorsus diuinam.

Nos ver Islandi, quamuis vltimi et gelidum conclusi ad Arcton, longe alias Christianismi notas requirimis. Nam et praeceptum Dei habemus, vt quilibet proximum diligat velut seipsum. Iam nemo est, puto, qui seipsum non plus diligat, aut pluris faciat, quam canem. Quod si tantus esse debet proximi cuiuslibet fauor, tanta aestimatio, tantus amor, quantus quaeso erit in liberos? Quorum arctissimum amorem, praeterquam quod ipsa parens natura n.o.bis firmissime conciliauit, etiam Lex diuina curam summam in enutriendo habere iussit (Exo. 12. 24. Ephe. 6, 4.) vt scilicet sint in sancto coniugio, Ecclesiae quaedam seminaria, omnis pietatis et honestatis exercitia: Prout vates ille pulcherrime cecinit.

Vult Ecclesiolam quamlibet esse domum.

Item: Coniugium humanae quaedam est Academia vitae.

Vt iam satis constet, apud Christianos longe pluris faciendos et curandos filios, quam canes: Et, si qui non aliter curent, Christianos non esse.

Sed et hic in prolem dulcissimam affectus naturalis in Ethnicis etiam satis aperte conspicitur: vt si quos hoc penitus exueris, eosdem etiam homines esse negaueris. Monstrant id matres Carthaginenses, c.u.m tertio bello Punico adolescentes quique lectissimi obsides in Siciliam mitterentur, quos illae fletu et lamentatione miserabili ad naues comitatae, et ex his quaedam a filioram compleximus aegre diuulsae, c.u.m ventis pandi vela cernerent, nauesque e portu egredi, dolore stimulante, in subiectos fluctus dissiluere: Sabellico auth.o.r.e. Monstrat aegeus, qui nauem filij Thesei, c.u.m velis atri coloris, ex Creta redeuntem cerneret, perijsse filium ratus, vitam in proximis vndis finiuit. Sabellic. lib. 3. cap. 4. Monstrat Gordia.n.u.s senior, Africae proconsul, qui similiter, ob rumores de morte filij, vitam suspendio clausit. Campofulgos. lib. 5. cap. 7. Monstrant idem Iocasta Creontis filia, Auctolia Sinonis F. Anius Tuscorum Rex, Orodes Rex Parthorum, et alij numero innumero. De quibus vide stat. lib. 2.

Plutarchum, et alios, &c. Huc illud. Amor descendit, &c. Ade, vt videas non minus esse homini proprium, sobolem intime diligere, et summo amore prosequi, quam aut volare; vt si iam aliquando homines esse Islandos, nedum Christianos scriptores nostri fa.s.si sint, hunc amorem et affectum in filios ijsdem, quantumuis inuiti et repugnantes, adscribant: sin minus, non mod hominis t.i.tulum et dignitatem illis detrahant, sed etiam infra bruta et quasuis bestias, quae ipsae, stimulante natura, maximo prolis suae et arctissimo amore tenentur, deprimant.

Non addam contra hoc impudens mendacium exempla etiam nostratium satis ill.u.s.tria: Tacebo leges nostras plagiarias ipsis Islandis antiquiores, quippe a Noruagis acceptas, quae exstant in codice legum nostrarum, t.i.tulo Mannhelge: cap. 5. Si quis hominem liberum (quemuis nedum filium) extraneis vendat, &c.

Iam ver si quis e fortunae deueniat, vt proprium filium, siue incolae, siue extranei alicuius potestati, vel fame vel extrema quacunque vrgente necessitate, aut periculo, permittat, ne familic.u.m *media deficientem aspicere cogatur, canem ver in proprias dapes reseruet, Is minime dicendus est filium aequo aut inferiore loco habere quam canem, siue id faciant, Islandi, siue extranei quilibet.

Offenderant forte Germanorum vel Danorum nautae apud nos mendicos quosdam, liberis onustos, quorum hic maximus est numerus, qui iocando, vt sunt nugis scurrilibus addicti, dixerint: Da mihi aut vende hoc vel illud: c.u.mque rogarint extranei: Quid tu mihi vicissim? Responderint mendici. Habeo liberos 10. vel 14. dabo ex eis vnum vel plures, &c. Solet enim ista mendicorum colluuies istiusmodi scurriles dialogismos c.u.m extraneis inst.i.tuere. Quod si tum quispiam bonus vir, misertus stoliditatis et inopiae mendicorum, vno illos filio leuauerit, eique propter Deum in alijs terris, aliquo tandem modo bene prospexerit, num mendicus, qui alioqui c.u.m filio, fame et paupertate moriturus, filium miserenti permitt.i.t et committ.i.t, filium istum suum minoris facit quam canem? Praest.i.tum est a multis tam Islandis quam extraneis huiusmodi beneuolentiae et commiserationis opus: ex quibus fuit vir n.o.bilissimus Accilius Iulius a serenissimo rege Daniae olim missus ad Islandos, Anno Domini 1552. Qui vt audiui, 15. pueros pauperculos a.s.sumpsit et sec.u.m in Daniam auexit: Vbi postea ipsius beneficio singulos suo vitae generi addictos, in viros bonos et frugi euasisse, mihi narratum est.

Quid si quis in extrema const.i.tutus angustia, filium non mod vendat; sed si emptorem non habet, ipse mactet et comedat? Nota sunt huius rei exempla: Parentum videlicet inuitiae crudelitatis in filios, stimulante non odio vel astorgia, sed ineuitabili necessitate compellente. Num quis inde vniuersale gentis alicuius conuicium exstruxerit? Legimus, in obsidione Samariae matres duas filios suos macta.s.se, et coctos comedisse: 4. Reg. C. 6. Legimus in obsidione Ierosolymitana, quam flebilis fuerit vox miserrimae matris, filium misellum iam mactaturae. Infans, ait, (referam enim Eusebij verba de hac re, etsi notissima, vt miserae matris affectus appareat,) miselle et infelix, cuinam in hoc belli. famis, et seditionis tumultu, te commode reseruem? Si Romanorum subijciamur imperio, illic seruitutis iugo pressi, vitam infoeliciter exigemus. Sed seruitutum credo fames anteuertet. Accedit factiosorum praedonum turba, his vtrisque miserijs toleratu mult asperior.

Age igitur mi gnate, sis matri cibus, sis praedonibus furia, sis communi hominum vitae fabula, quae res vna ad Iudaeorum calamitates deesse videtur.

Quae c.u.m dixisset, natum trucidat, a.s.satumque dimidium mox comedit, dimidium reseruat &c. Eusebius libro 3. capite 6. Iam quis est, qui non credat misserrimam hanc matrem filium hunc suum, domini alicuius, si se obtulisset, apud quem credidisset seruatum iri, aut emptoris possessioni fuisse permissuram? Nota est fames, Calagurium, Hispaniae vrbem, olim a Cneio Pompeio obsessam opprimens (Val. libro septimo cap. 7.) cuius ciuibus, vxores et liberi in vsum estremae dapis conuersi sunt, quos profect; pro cibarijs et alijs dapibus haud inuiti vendidissent. Nota est quoque fames, quae Anno Domini 851. (Vincent. libro 25. cap. 36.) Germaniam attriuit, vt etiam pater filium suum deuorare voluerit. Notum etiam est, post mortem Henrici septimi Imperat fame per triennium continuata, quomodo parentes liberos, vel liberi parentes deuorarint, et praecipue quidem in Polonia et Bohemia. Et ne exempla tantum antiqua petamus, accepimus tantam annonae saeuitiam, Anno 1586. et 1587. in Hungaria gra.s.satam fuisse, vt quidam alimentorum inopia adacti immanissimo Christianorum hosti proprios liberos vendiderint, et in perpetuum seruitutis iugum manc.i.p.arint: quidam paruulos suos, quos vlterius tolerare non sustinebant, crudeli misericordia in Danubium proiecisse, et, suffoca.s.se dicantur. Sed, num haec et similia exempla quempiam e insaniae adigent, vt dicat hanc vel illam nationem, liberos in escam propriam mactare *consuettisse, Turcis libenter vendere, aut aquis submergere et suffocare solitam esse? Non opinor. Sic neque, qud mendici apud Islandos, extrema vrgente necessitate, cuius durissimi sunt morsus, filios suos libenter amittant, toti genti, et quidem probri loco, communiter adscribendum est a quoquam, nisi apud eundem omnis pudor, candor, humanitas, veritas exulent.

Caeterum optarim ego, parcius Islandis canum curam exprobrare illos populos, quorum matronae, et praecipue n.o.biles, canes in maximis delicijs habent, vt eos vel in plateis, ne dicam in sacris concionibus, sinum gestent, quem morem in peregrinis quibusdam, quos Romae catulos simiarum et canum in gremio circ.u.mferre Caesar conspexit, hac quaestione reprehendit, dum quaereret: Numquid apud ipsos mulieres liberos non parerent? Monens errare eos, qui a natura inditos sibi affectus, quibus in amorem hominum ac praecipue sobolis incitarentur, in bestias transferunt, quarum deliciarum voluptas Islandorum gentem, nunquam cepit aut habuit. Quare iam Munstere et Krantzi, alias n.o.bis Christianitatis, (vt sic dicam) legis naturae, legis item Germanorum, et sanctae simplicitatis notas qusente.

The same in English.

THE SEVENTH SECTION.

They make all one reckoning of their whelpes, and of their children: except that of the poorer sort you shall easier obtaine their sonne then their shalke.

Although in the beginning of this Treatise I thought that Munster and other men of great name in those things which they haue left written concerning Islande, were not to bee charged with slander, yet whether that fauour may here be shewed by any man whatsoeuer (be he neuer so fauourable, and neuer so sincere) I doe not sufficiently conceiue. For what should moue such great men, following the despightful lyes, and fables of mariners, to defame and staine our nation with so horrible and so shamefull a reproch?

Surely nothing else but a carelesse licentiousnesse to deride and contemne a poore and vnknowen Nation, and such other like vices.

But, be it knowen to all men that this vntrueth doth not so much hurt to the Islanders, as to the authors themselues. For in heaping vp this, and a great number of others into their Histories, they cause their credite in other places also to be suspected: And hereby they gaine thus muche (as Aristotle sayth) that when they speake trueth no man will beleeue them without suspition.

But attend a while (Reader) and consider with me the grauitie and wisedome of these great Clarkes: that we may not let pa.s.se such a notable commendation of Island. Krantzius and Munster haue hitherto taught, that the Islanders are Christians. Also: that before receiuing of Christian faith they liued according to the lawe of Nature. Also: that the Islanders liued after a law not much differing from the lawe of the Germanes. Also, that they liued in holy simplicitie.

Attend I say (good Reader) and consider, what markes of Christianitie, of the lawe of nature, of the Germanes law, of holy simplicitie, these authors require, and what markes they shew and describe in the Islanders. There was one of the sayd markes before: namely, that the Islanders doe place h.e.l.l or the prison of the d.a.m.ned, within the gulfe and bottome of mount Hecla: concerning which, reade the first section of this part, and the seuenth section of the former. The seconde marke is, that with the Anabaptists they take away distinctions of properties and possessions: in the section next going before. The third and most excellent is this: those singular and natural affections, that loue and tender care, and that fatherly and G.o.dly minde of the Islanders towards their children, namely, that they make the same accompt of them, or lesse then they doe of their dogges. What? Will Munster and Krantzius after this fashion picture out vnto vs the lawe of Christ, the lawe of nature, the lawe of the Germanes, and holy simplicitie?

O rare and excellent picture, though not altogether matching the skill of Apelles: O sharpe and wonderfull inuention, if authenticall: O knowledge more then humane, though not at all diuine.

But wee Islanders (albeit the farthest of all nations and inhabiting a frozen clime) require farre other notes of Christianitie. For we haue the commaundement of G.o.d, that euery man should loue his neighbour as himselfe.

Nowe there is none (I suppose) that doeth not loue or esteeme more of himselfe then of his dogge. And if there ought to bee so great fauour, so great estimation, so great loue vnto our neighbour, then how great affection doe we owe vnto our children? The most neare and inseparable loue of whom, besides that nature hath most friendly setled in our mindes, the loue of G.o.d also commaundeth vs to haue speciall regard in trayning them vp (Exod 12. 24. Ephes. 6. 4.) namely that there may be in holy marriage certaine seminaries of G.o.ds Church, and exercises of all pietie and honestie according to the excellent saying of the Poet--

G.o.d will haue each family, A little Church to be,

Also,

Of humane life or mans societie, A Schole or College is holy matrimonie

That it may be manifest, that among Christians their sonnes are more to be accompted of and regarded, then their dogges: and if any doe no otherwise esteeme of them, that they are no Christians.