The Principal Navigations, Voyages, Traffiques and Discoveries of the English Nation Volume Ii Part 4

The same in English.

How the Tartars behaue themselues in warre. Chap. 17.

[Sidenote: The military discipline of the Tartars] Chingis Cham diuided his Tartars by captaines of ten, captaines of an 100, and captaines of a 1000.

And ouer ten Millenaries or captains of a 1000, he placed, as it were, one Colonel, and yet notwithstanding ouer one whole army he authorised two or three dukes, but yet so that all should haue especiall regart vnto one of the said dukes. And when they ioine battel against any other nation, vnles they do all with one consent giue backe, euery man that flies is put to death. And if one or two, or more of ten proceed manfully to the battel, but the residue of those ten draw backe and follow not the company, they are in like manner slaine. Also, if one among ten or more bee taken, their fellowes, if they rescue them not, are punished with death. [Sidenote: Their weapons.] Moreouer they are enioined to haue these weapons following.

Two long bowes or one good one at the least, three quiuers full of arrowes, and one axe, and ropes to draw engines withal. But the richer sort haue single edged swords, with sharpe points, and somewhat crooked. They haue also armed horses with their shoulders and b.r.e.a.s.t.s defenced, they haue helmets and brigandines. Some of them haue iackes, and caparisons for their horses made of leather artificially doubled or trebled vpon their bodies.

The vpper part of their helmet is of iron or steele, but that part which compa.s.seth about the necke and the throate is of leather. Howbeit some of them haue of the foresaide furniture of iron trimed in maner following.

They beate out many thinne plates a finger broad and a handful long, and making in euery one of them eight littel holes, they put thereunto three strong and straight leather thongs. So they bind the plates one to another, as it were, ascending by degrees. Then they tie the plates vnto the said thongs with other small and slender thongs drawen through the holes aforesaid, and in the vppper part, on each side therof, they fasten one small doubled thong vnto another, that the plates may firmely be knit together. These they make as well for their horses caparisons, as for the armour of their men: And they skowre them so bright that a man may behold his face in them. Some of them vpon the necke of their launce haue an hooke, wherewithall they attempt to pull men out of their saddles. The heads of their arrowes are exceedingly sharpe cutting both wayes like a two edged sworde, and they alwaies carie a file in their quiuers to whet their arrowheads. They haue targets made of wickers, or of small reddes. Howbeit they doe not (as we suppose) accustome to carrie them, but onely about the tents or in the Emperours or dukes guards, and that only in the night season. [Sidenote: Their experience and cunning in warres.] They are most politique in warres, hauing bene exercised therein with other nations for the of these 42. yeres. [Sidenote: Their maner of pa.s.sing ouer riuers.]

When they come at any riuers the chiefe men of the company haue a round and light piece of leather, about the borders whereof making many loopes, they put a rope into them to draw it together like a purse, and so bring it into the round forme of a ball, which leather they fill with their garments and other necessities trussing it vp most strongly. But vpon the midst of the vpper parte thereof, they lay their saddles and other hard things there, also doe the men themselues sit. This their boate they tye vnto an horse tayle, causing a man to swimme before, and to guide ouer the horse, or sometime they haue two oares to row themselues ouer. The first horse therefore being driuen into the water all the other horses of the company followe him, and so they pa.s.se through the riuer. But the poorer sorte of common souldiers haue euery man his leather bag or sach.e.l.l well sown together, wherin he packs vp all his trinkets, and strongly trussing it vp hangs it at his horses tayle, and so pa.s.seth ouer in maner aforesaid.

Qualiter resistendum sit eis. Cap 18

Nullam aestimo prouinciam esse quae per se possit eis resistere: quia de omni terra potestatis suae solent homines ad bellum congregare. Et siquidem vicina prouincia non vult eis opem ferre, quam impugnant, delentes illum c.u.m hominibus, quos ex illa capiunt, contra aliam pugnant. [Sidenote: [Greek: Harainesis] de bello contra Tartaros gerendo.] Et illos quidem in acie primos ponunt et si male pugnant, ipsos occidunt. Itaque si Christiani eis resistere volunt oportet qud Principes ac rectores terrarum in vnum conueniant, ac de communi consilio eis resistant Habeantque pugnatores arcus fortes et balistais, quas multum timent sagittasque sufficientes dolabrum quoque de bono ferro, vel securim c.u.m manubrio longo. [Sidenote: Ferri temperamentum.] Ferramenta ver sagittarum more Tartarorum, quando sunt calida, temperare debent in aqua, c.u.m sale mixta, vt fortia sint ad penetrandum illorum arma. Gladios etiam et lanceas c.u.m vncis habeant, qui volunt, ad detrahendum illos de sella, de qua facillime cadunt. Habeant et galeas et arma catera, ad protegendum corpus et equum ab armis et saggitis eorum, et si qui non ita sunt armati, debent more illorum post alios ire, et contra ipsos arcubus vel balistis traijcere. Et sicut dictum est supra de Tartaris, debent acies suas ordinare, ac legem pugnantibus imponere.

Quicunque conuersus fuerit ad praedam ante victoriam maximam debet poenam subire: talis enim apud illos occiditur absque miseratione. Locus ad praelium, si fieri potest, eligendus est pla.n.u.s, vt vndique possint videre, nec omnes debent in vnum conuenire, sed acies multas et diuisas, nec tamen nimis distantes ab inuicem facere. Contra illos qui prim veniunt, debent vnam aciem mittere, et alia parata sit ad iuuandum illam opportuno tempore.

Habeant et speculatores ex omni parte, qui videant, quando veniunt acies caetere. Nam ide semper debent aciem contra aciem, vt ei occurrant, mittere, quoniam illi semper nituntur aduersarios in medio concludere. Hoc autem acies caueant, ne si etiam illi fugere videantur, diu post illos currant, ne forte, sicut facere solent, ipsos ad paratas insidias trahent: quia plus fraudulentia quam fort.i.tudine pugnant. Et iterum ne fatigentur equi eorum: quia nostri mult.i.tudinem non habent equorum. Tartari ver quos equitant die vna, non ascendunt tribus diebus, vel quatuor postea. Praetera si cedunt Tartari, non ide debent nostri recedere, vel ab inuicem separari: quoniam hoc simulando faciunt, vt exercitus diuidatur, et sic ad terrae destructionem libere ingrediantur. Caeterum Duces nostri die noctuque facere debent exercitum custodiri: nec iacere spoliati, sed semper ad pugnam parati: quia Tartari quasi Daemones semper vigilant, excogitantes artem nocendi. Porr si aliqui Tartarorum in bello de suis equis proijciuntur, statim capiendi sunt, quia quando sunt in terra fort.i.ter sagittant, et equos hominesque vulnerant.

The same in English.

Howe they may be resisted. Chap. 18.

I deeme not any one kingdome or prouince able to resist them because they vse to take vp souldiers out of euery countrey of their dominions. And if so be the neighbour prouince which they inuade, wil not aide them, vtterly wasting it, with the inhabitants therof, whom they take from thence with them, they proceed on to fight against another countrey. And placing their captiues in the forefront of the battell, if they fight not couragiously, they put them to the sworde. [Sidenote: Counsel how to wage warre against the Tartar.] Wherefore, if Christians would withstande them, it is expediennt, that the prouinces and gouernours of countreies should agree in one, and so by common counsell, should giue them resistance. Their souldiers also must be furnished with strong hand-bowes and cros-bowes, which they greatly dread, and with sufficient arrowes, with maces also of good iron, or an axe with a long handle or staffe. [Sidenote: A notable temper of iron or steele.] When they make their arrow heads they must (according to the Tartars custome) dip them red-hot into water mingled with salte, that they may be strong to pierce the enemies armour. They that wil may haue swords also and lances with hooks at the ends, to pull them from their saddles, out of which they are easilie remoued. They must haue helmets likewise and other armour to defend themselues and their horses from the Tartars weapons and arrowes, and they that are vnarmed, must (according to the Tartars custome) march behinde their fellowes, and discharge at the enemie with long bowes and cros-bowes. And (as it is aboue said of the Tartars) they must orderly dispose their bandes and troupes, and ordeine lawes for their souldiers. Whosoeuer runneth to the pray or spoyle, before the victorie be achieued, must vndergoe a most seuere punishment. For such a fellow is put to death among the Tartars without all pitie or mercie. The place of battel must be chosen, if it be possible, in a plaine fielde, where they may see round about, neither must all be in one company, but in manie and seuerall bandes, not very farre distant one from another. They which giue the first encounter must send one band before, and must haue another in a readynesse to relieue and second the former in time conuenient. They must haue spies also on euery side to giue them notice when the rest of the enemies bandes approch. For therefore ought they alwayes to send forth band against band and troupe against troupe, because the Tartar euer practiseth to gette his enemie in the midst and so to enuiron him. Let our bands take this caveat also, if the enemie retire, not to make any long pursuit after him, lest peraduenture (according to his custome) he might draw them into some secret ambush: for the Tartar fights more by policie than by maine force. Those horses which the Tartars vse one day, they ride not vpon three or foure dayes after. Moreouer, if the Tartars draw homeward, our men must not therefore depart and ca.s.seir their bandes, or separate themselues asunder: because they doe this vpon policie, namely to haue our armie diuided, that they may more securely inuade and waste the countrey. And in very deede, our captaines ought both day and night to keepe their armie in a readines: and not to lie out of their armour, but at all a.s.sayes, to bee prouided for battell. For the Tartars like deuils are alwaies watching and deuising howe to practise mischiefe.

Furthermore, if in battell any of the Tartars be cast off their horse backes, they must presently bee layd holde on and taken, for being on foote they shoote strongly, wounding and killing both horses and men.

De itinere Fratris Iohannis de Plano carpini vsque ad primam custodiam Tartarorum. Cap. 19.

Nos igitur ex mandato sedis Apostolicae c.u.m iremus ad Orientis nationes, elegimus prius ad Tartaros proficisci: quia timebamus, ne per illos in proximo Ecclesiae Dei periculum immineret. [Sidenote: Itinarium Iohann. et sociorum legatorum.] Itaque pergentes, ad regem Boemorum peruenimus: qui c.u.m esset n.o.bis familiaris, consuluit, vt per Poloniam et Russiam iter ageremus. Habebat enim consanguineos in Polinia, quorum auxilo Russiam intrare possemus. [Sidenote: Boleslaus Dux Silesiae.] Datisque literis et bono conductu, fecit et expensas n.o.bis dari per curias et ciuitates eius, quo vsque ad Ducem Silesiae Bolezlaum, nepotem eius, veniremus, qui etiam erat n.o.bis familiaris et notus. Hinc et ipse n.o.bis similiter fecit, donec veniremus ad Conradum, Ducem [Marginal note: Mazouiae.] Lautisciae, ad quem tunc, Dei gratia n.o.bis fauente, venerat Dominus Wasilico, Dux Russiae, a quo etiam plenius de facto audiuimus Tartarorum: quia nuncios illuc miserat, qui iam redierant ad ipsum. Audito autem, qud opporteret nos illis munera dare, quasdam pelles castorum et aliorum animalium fecimus emi, de hoc, quod datum n.o.bis fuerat in eleemosynam ad subsidium viae. Quod agnoscentes Dux Conradus et [Marginal note: Grimislaua vt Mechouius lib. 1. cap. 9.]

Ducissa Cracouiae, et Episcopus et quidam milites, plures etiam n.o.bis dederunt huiusmodi pelles. Denique Dux Wasilico a Duce Cracouiae, et Episcopo atque Baronibus pro n.o.bis attente rogatus, sec.u.m nos in terram suam duxit, et vt aliquantulum quiesceremus aliquot diebus nos in expensis suis detinuit. [Sidenote: Literae Papa ad Russos.] Et c.u.m rogatus a n.o.bis, fecisset Episcopos suos venire, legimus eis literas Domini Papae, monentis eos, ad sanctae matris Ecclesiae vnitatem redire. Ad idem quoque nos ipsi monuimus eos, et induximus, quantum potuimus, tam Ducem quam Episcopos et alios. [Sidenote: Daniel, frater Basilij.] Sed quia Dux Daniel, frater Wasiliconis praedicti, praesens non erat, quoniam ad Baty profectus erat, non potuerunt eo tempore finaliter respondere. Post haec Dux Wasilico transmisit nos vsque in Kiouiam metropolin Russiae, c.u.m seruiente vno. [Sidenote: Lituani.] Ibamus tamen in periculo capitis semper propter Lituanos, qui saepe faciebant insultum super terram Russiae et in illis maxime locis, per quos debebamus transire. At per praedictum seruientem eramus securi a Ruthenis, quorum etiam maxima pars occisa vel captiuata erat a Tartaris.

Porr in Danilone vsque ad mortem tunc infirmati fuimus. Nihilominus tamen in vehiculo per niuem et frigus magnum trahi nos fecimus. c.u.m erg Kiouiam peruenimus, habuimus de via nostra consilium c.u.m millenario ac caeteris ibidem n.o.bilibus. [Sidenote: Pabulum equorum Tartario.] Qui responderunt n.o.bis, qud si duceremus equos illos, quos tunc habebamus, ad Tortaros, c.u.m essent magnae niues, morerentur omnes: qui nescirent herbam fodere sub niue, sicut equi faciunt Tartarorum, nec inueniri posset aliquod pro eis ad manducandum, c.u.m Tartari nec stramina nec foenum habeant, nec pabulum.

Itaque decreuimus eos illic dimittere c.u.m duobus pueris, deputatis eorum custodiae. Ideoque nos oportuit millenario dare munera, vt ipsum haberemus propitium, ad dandum n.o.bis equos subduct.i.tios et conductum. Secundo igitur die post festum Purificationis cepto itinere, venimus ad villam Canouae, quae sub Tartaris erat immediate. [Sidenote: Micheas [Greek: pankakos].] Cuius praefectus n.o.bis dedit equos et conductum vsque ad aliam, in qua reperimus praefectum Micheam omni malitia plenum. Qui tamen acceptis a n.o.bis muneribus secundum velle suum, duxit nos vsque ad primam custodiam Tartarorum.

The same in English.

Of the iourney of frier [Marginal note: Iohannes de plano Carpini.] Iohn vnto the first guard of the Tartars. Chap. 19.

[Sidenote: The iourney of frier Iohn and his fellow Legates.] We therefore by the commaundement of the sea apostolique setting foorth towards the nations of the East, chose first to trauel vnto the Tartars, because we feared that there might be great danger imminent vpon the Church of G.o.d next vnto them, by their inuasions. [Sidenote: Boleslaus duke of Silesia.]

Proceeding on therefore, we came to the king of Bohemia, who being of our familiar acquaintance, aduised vs to take our iourney through Polonia and Russia. For he had kinsfolkes in Polonia, by whose a.s.sistance, we might enter into Russia. Hauing giuen vs his letters, hee caused our charges also to be defrayed, in all his chiefe houses and cities, till we came vnto his nephew Boleslaus duke of Silesia, who also was familiar and well knowen vnto vs. The like fauour he shewed vs also, till wee came vnto Conradus duke of [Marginal note: Mazouia.] Lautiscia, vnto whome then (by G.o.ds especiall fauour towards vs) lord Wasilico duke of Russia was come, from whose mouth we heard more at large concerning the deedes of the Tartars: for he had sent amba.s.sadours thither, who were returned backe vnto him.

Wherefore, it being giuen vs to vnderstand, that we must bestow giftes vpon them, we caused certaine skinnes of beuers and other beastes to be bought with part of that money, which was giuen vpon almes to succour vs by the way. Which thing duke Conradus and the [Marginal note: Grimslaua.] d.u.c.h.es of Cracow, and a bishop, and certaine souldiers being aduertised of, gaue vs likewise more of the same skins. And to be short, duke Wasilico being earnestly requested by the duke of Cracow, and by the bishop and barons, on our behalfe, conducted vs with him, vnto his owne land, and there for certaine daies, enterteined vs at his owne charges, to the ende that we might refresh ourselues a while. And when, being requested by vs, he had caused his bishops to resort vnto him, we reade before them the Popes letters, admonishing them to returne vnto the vnitie of the Church. To the same purpose also, we our selues admonished them, and to our abilitie, induced as well the duke as the bishops and others thereunto. [Sidenote: Daniel brother vnto Wasilico.] Howbeit because Duke Daniel the brother of Wasilico aforesaid (hauing as then taken his iourney vnto Baty) was absent, they could not at that time, make a finall answere. After these things duke Wasilico sent vs forward with one of his seruants as farre as Kiow the chiefe citie of Russia. [Sidenote: The Lithuanians.] Howbeit we went alwayes in danger of our liues by reason of the Lithuanians, who did often inuade the borders of Russia, euen in those verie places by which we were to pa.s.se. But in regard of the foresayd seruant, wee were out of the Russians daunger, the greatest part of whome were either slaine, or caried into captiuitie by the Tartars. Moreouer, at Danilon wee were feeble euen vnto the death. (Notwithstanding wee caused our selues to bee carried in a waggon through the snowe and extreme colde) And being come vnto Kiow, wee consulted with the Millenary, and other n.o.ble men there concerning our iourney. [Sidenote: The fodder of the Tartarian horses.] They told vs, that if wee carried those horses, which wee then had, vnto the Tartars, great store of snowe lying vpon the ground, they would all dye: because they knew not how to digge vp the gra.s.s vnder the snow, as the Tartarian horses doe, neither could there bee ought found for them to eate, the Tartars hauing neither hay nor strawe, nor any other fodder. We determined therefore to leaue them behind at Kiow with two seruants appointed to keepe them. And wee were constrayned to bestow gifts vpon the Millenary, that we might obtaine his fauour to allowe vs poste horses and a guide. Wherefore beginning our iourney the second daye after the feast of the Purification, wee arriued at the towne of Canow, which was immediately vnder the dominion of the Tartars. [Sidenote: Michaeas the malicious] The gouernour whereof allowed vs horses and a guide vnto another towne, wherein wee found one Michaeas to be gouernour, a man full of all malice and despight. Who notwithstanding, hauing receiued giftes at our handes, according to his maner conducted vs to the first guarde of the Tartars.

Qualiter prim c.u.m socijs suis receptus est a Tartaris. Cap. 20.

c.u.m ergo in prima s.e.xta feria post diem cinerum, Sole ad occasum tendente, hospitaremur, Tartari super nos armati horribiliter irruerunt, quaerentes cuiusmodi homines essemus: c.u.mque respondissemus, qud Domini Papae nuncij essemus, quibusdam cibarijs a n.o.bis acceptis, continu discesserunt. Porr mane facto, c.u.m surgentes aliquantulum processissemus, maiores illorum, qui erant in custodia, n.o.bis occurrerunt, interrogantes, cur ad eos veniremus?

et quid negotij haberemus? [Sidenote: Papa Christianorum pater et Dominus.]

Quibus respondimus, Domini Papae nuncij sumus, qui Christianorum pater est ac Dominus. Hic nos idcirc tam ad Regem quam ad Principes, omnesque Tartaros, mitt.i.t, quia placet ei, qud omnes Christiani Tartarorum sint amici, et pacem habeant c.u.m ipsis. [Sidenote: Legationibus mandata.]

Desiderat insuper, vt apuud Deum in coelo sint magni, et idcirc monet eos tam per nos quam per literas suas, vt efficiantur Christiani, fidemque recipiant Domini nostri Iesu Christi, quia non possunt aliter saluari.

Mandat praeterea, qud miratur de tanta occisione hominum, et maxime Christianorum, ac potissime Hungarorum Montanorum, et Polonorum, qui sunt ei subiecti, facta per Tartaros, c.u.m in nullo laesissent, aut laedere attenta.s.sent eos. Et quia Dominus Deus grauiter est super hoc offensus, monet eos vt a talibus de caetero caueant, et de commissis poenitentiam agant. Super his etiam rogat, vt ei rescribant, quid facere velint de caetero, et quae sit eorum intentio. [Sidenote: Corrensa.] Quibus auditis, et intellectis, dixerunt Tartari, se velle equos n.o.bis subduct.i.tios vsque ad Corrensam et ducatum praebere. Statimque munera petierunt, et a n.o.bis acceperunt. Equis igitur acceptis, de quibus descenderunt ipsi, c.u.m eorum ducatu ad Corrensam arripuimus iter eundi. Ipsi tamen velociter equitantes, nuncium vnum praemiserunt ad praefatum Ducem c.u.m his verbis, quae dixeramus eisdem. [Sidenote: Dux limitis occidentalis.] Est autem Dux iste Dominus omnium, qui positi sunt in custodia contra omnes Occidentis populos, ne forte subit et improuis irruant aliqui super illos. Et iste dicitur habere s.e.xaginta millia hominum armatorum sub se.

The same in English.

How he and his company were at the first receiued of the Tartars. Chap. 20.

Wherefore, the first sat.u.r.day next after Ashwednesday, hauing about the Sunnes going downe, taken vp our place of rest, the armed Tartars came rushing vpon vs in vnciuil and horrible maner, being very inquisitiue of vs what maner of persons, or of what condition we were: and when we had answered them that we were the Popes Legates, receiuing some victuals at our handes, they immediately departed. Moreouer in the morning rising and proceeding on our iourney, the chiefe of them which were in the guard met with vs, demaunding why, or for what intent and purpose we came thither, and what business we had with them: Vnto whom we answered, We are the legates of our lord the Pope, who is the father and lord of the Christians.

[Sidenote: The content of the legacie.] He hath sent vs as well vnto your Emperour, as to your princes, and all other Tartars for this purpose, because it is his pleasure, that all Christians should be in league with the Tartars, and should haue peace with them. It is his desire also that they should become great or in fauour with G.o.d in heauen, therfore he admonisheth them aswel by vs, as by his own letters, to become Christians, and to embrace the faith of our Lord Iesu Christ, because they could not otherwise be saued. Moreouer, he giues them to vndersand, that he much marueileth at their monstrous slaughters and ma.s.sacres of mankind, and especially of Christians, but most of al of Hungarians, Mountaineirs, and Polonians, being al his subiects, hauing not iniuried them in ought, nor attempted to doe them iniurie. And because the Lord G.o.d is grieuously offended thereat, he aduiseth them from henceforth to beware of such dealing, and to repent them of that which they had done. He requesteth also, that they would write an answere vnto him, what they purpose to doe hereafter, and what their intention is. All which things being heard and vnderstood, the Tartars sayd that they would appoint vs poste horses and a guide vnto Corrensa. And immediately demanding gifts at our hands, they obtained them. [Sidenote: Corrensa.] Then receiuing the same horses, from which they dismounted, together with a guide wee tooke our iourney into Corrensa. [Sidenote: The duke of the western marches.] But they riding a swift pace, sent a messenger before vnto the sayd duke to signifie the message, which we had deliuered vnto them. This duke is gouernour of all of them, which lie in guard against the nations of the West, least some enemy might on the sudden and at vnawares breake in vpen them. And hee is said to haue 60000. men vnder him.

Qualiter recepti sunt apud Corrensam. Cap. 21.

[Sidenote: Mos salutandi Tartaricos proceres.] c.u.m erg peruenissemus an eius curiam, fecit n.o.bis longe a se poni stationem, et misit ad nos procuratores suos, vt quaerent a n.o.bis, c.u.m quo ei vellemus inclinare id est, quae ei munera inclinando vellemus offerre. Quibus respondimus, qud Dominus Papa non mittebat aliqua munera; quia non erat certus, qud ad illos peruenire possemus, et insuper veneramus per loca valde periculosa.

Veruntamen in quantum de his, quae habebamus ex gratia Dei et Domini Papae ad victum nostrum, sicut poterimus, honorabimus ipsum. Acceptisque muneribus duxerunt nos ad ordam siue tentorium ipsius, et instructi fuimus, vt ante ostium stationis ter c.u.m sinistro genu inclinaremus, et caueremus attente ne pedem super limen ostij poneremus. Et postquam intrauimus, opportunt nos coram Duce omnibusque maioribus, qui ad hoc erant vocari, dicere flexis genibus ea, quae dixeramus superius. Literas etiam Dom. Papae obtulimus: sed interpres, quem de Kyouia, dato pretio, duxeramus, non erat sufficiens ad interpretandum, nec aliquis alius habebatur idoneus. [Sidenote: Bathy eiusque potentia.] Hinc equi n.o.bis dati sunt, et tres Tartari qui nos ducerent festinanter ad ducem Bathy. Ipse est apud eos potentior excepto Imperatore, cui tenentur prae cunctis principibus obedire. Itaque iter arripuimus secunda feria post primam dominicam [Marginal note: Quadragesime.] xl. et equitando, quantum equi trotare poterant, quoniam habebamus equos recentes fere ter aut quater omni die, properabamus de mane vsque ad noctem, im etiam de nocte saep.i.s.sime, nec tamen ante quartam feriam maioris hebdomadae potuimus ad ipsum peruenire. [Sidenote: Comania.]

Ibamus autem per terram Comanorum quae tota est plana, et flumina quatuor habet magna. Primuim appellatur [Marginal note: Veteribus Borysthenes.]

Neper, iuxta quod ex parte Russiae ambulabat Correnza et Montij, qui maior est ille ex altera parte per campestria. Secundum appellatur [Marginal note: Tanais] Don, super quod ambulat quidam Princeps habens in coniugio sororem Baty, qui vocatur Tirbor. Tertium dicitur [Marginal note: Rha.]

Volga, quod est magnum valde super quod incecdit Bathy. Quartum nominatur [Marginal note: Rhymnus.] Iaec, super quod duo millenarij vadunt, vnus ex parte illuminis vna, et alter ex altera. Hi omnes in hyeme ad mare descendunt, et in aestate super ripam corundem fluminum ad montes ascendunt.

Hoc est mare magnum, de quo brachium saneti Georgij exit, quod in Constantinopolin vadit. [Sidenote: Pontus Euxinas.] Haec autem flumina sunt piscibus valde plena, maxime Volga, intrantque mare Graeciae, quod dicitur Magnum mare. [Sidenote: Volga non intrat.] Super Nepre autem multis diebus iuimus per glaciem. Super littora quoque maris Graeciae satis periculose per glaciem iuimus in pluribus locis multis diebus. Congelantur enim circa littora vndae ad tres leugas inferius. Prius autem quam ad Bathy perueniremus, duo ex nostris Tartaris praecesserunt, ad indicandum ei omnia verba quae apud Corrensam dixeramus.

The same in English.

How they were receiued at the court of Corrensa. Chap. 21.

[Sidenote: The maner of saluting the Tartarian princes.] Being come therefore vnto his court, hee caused our tent to be placed farre from him, and sent his agents to demaund of vs with what we would incline vnto him, that is to say, what giftes we would offer, in doing our obeisance vnto him. Vnto whome wee answered, that our lord the Pope had not sent any giftes at all, because he was not certaine that wee should euer bee able to come at them: for we pa.s.sed through most dangerous places. Notwithstanding, to our abilitie, we will honour him with some part of those things which haue bene, by the goodnes of G.o.d and the fauour of the Pope, bestowed vpon vs for our sustenance. Hauing receiued our gifts, they conducted vs vnto the Orda or tent of the duke, and we were instructed to bow thrise with our left knee before the doore of the tente, and in any case to beware, lest wee set our foote vpon the threshold of the sayd doore. And that after we were entred, wee should rehea.r.s.e before the duke and all his n.o.bles, the same wordes which wee had before sayd, kneeling vpon our knees. Then presented wee the letters of our lord the Pope: but our interpreter whome we had hired and brought with vs from Kiow was not sufficiently able to interpret them, neither was there any other esteemed to bee meete for the same purpose. Here certaine poste horses and three Tartars were appoynted for vs to conduct vs from hence with al speede vnto duke Bathy. [Sidenote: Duke Bathy and his power] This Bathy is the mightiest prince among them except the Emperour, and they are bound to obey him before all other princes. We began our iourney towards his court the first tuesday in Lent, and riding as fast as our horses could trot (for we had fresh horses almost thrise or foure times a day) we posted from morning till night, yea very often in the night season also, and yet could we not come at him before Maundie thursday. All this iourney we went through the land of Comania, which is al plaine ground, and hath foure mighty riuers running through it: [Marginal note: Boristhenes] Neper, on the side whereof towards Russia, duke Corrensa and Montij marched vp and downe, which Montij on the other side vpon the plaines is greater then he. The second is called [Marginal note: Tanais.] Don, vpon the banke whereof marcheth a certain prince hauing in marriage the sister of Bathy, his name is Tirbon. The third is called [Marginal note: Rha.] Volga, which is an exceeding great riuer, vpon the bankes whereof duke Bathy marcheth. The fourth is called [Marginal note: Rhymnus.] Iaec, vpon which two Millenaries doe march, on each side of the riuer one. All these, in the winter time, descend down to the sea, and in summer ascend backe by the bankes of the said riuers vp to the mountains.

The sea last named is the [Marginal note: Pontes Euxima. He is deceiued, for albeit Neper and Don run into Mare Maior: yet Volga and Iaec flowe into the Caspian Sea.] Great Sea, out of which the arme of S. George proceedeth, which runneth by Constantinople. These riuers do abound with plenty of fishes, but especially Volga, and they exonerate themselues into the Grecian sea, which is called Mare maior. Ouer Neper we went many daies vpon the ice. Along the sh.o.r.e also of the Grecian sea we went very dangerously vpon the ice in sundry places, and that for many daies together. For about the sh.o.r.e the waters are frozen three leagues into the sea. But before we came into Bathy, two of our Tartars rode afore, to giue him intelligence of all the sayings which we had vttered in the presence of Corrensa.

Qualiter recepti sunt apud Bathy magnum Principem. Cap. 22.

Porr c.u.m in finibus terrae Comanorum ad Bathy perueniremus, bene positi fuimus per vnam leucam a stationibus eius. [Sidenote: Ceremonia per duos ignes transeundi.] c.u.mque duci debuimus ad curiam ipsius, dictum fuit n.o.bis, qud inter duos ignes transire deberemus. Nos autem hoc nulla ratione facere volebamus. At illi dixerunt n.o.bis: Ite secure quia pro nulla causa volumus hoc facere, nisi tantum, vt si vos aliquid malum cogitatis Domino nostro, vel portatis venenum, ignis auferat omne malum Quibus respondemus: quod propter hoc, ne de tali re suspectos redderemus nos, transiremus. [Sidenote: Eldegay.] c.u.m igitur ad Ordam peruenissemus, interrogati a procuratore ipsius Eldegay, c.u.m quo inclinare vellemus? idem quod prius apud Corrensam respondimus, datisque muneribus et acceptis, auditis etiam itineris causis, introduxerunt nos in stationem Principis, prius facta inclinatione, et audita de limine non calcando, sicut prius, admonitione. [Sidenote: Bathy audit legatos.] Ingressi autem flexis genibus, verba nostra proposuimus, deinde literas obtulimus, et vt n.o.bis darentur interpretes ad transferendum eas, rogauimus. Qui etiam in die Parasceue dati fuerunt n.o.bis, et eas in litera Ruthenica, Sarracenica, et in Tartarica diligenter c.u.m ipsis transtulimus. Haec interpretatio Bathy praesentata fuit; quam et legit, et attente notauit. Tandem ad nostram stationem reducti fuimus, sed nulla cibaria n.o.bis dederunt, nisi semel aliquantulum millij in vna scutella, scilicet in prima nocte quando venimus. [Sidenote: Gerit se regifice.] Iste Bathy magnifice se gerit, habens ostianos et omnes officiales ad modum Imperatoris, et sedet in eminenti loco velut in throno c.u.m vna de vxoribus suis. Alij ver tam fratres sui et filij, quam alij maiores inferius sedent in medio super banc.u.m, et homines caeteri post eos in terra deorsum, sed viri a dextris, et foeminae a sinistris. Tentoria quoque de panno lineo habet pulchra et magna satis, quae fuerunt Hungariae regis. Nec aliquis ad eius tentorium audet accedere praeter familiam, nisi vocatus, quantumcunque sit potens et magnus, nisi forte sciatur, qud sit voluntas ipsius. Nos etiam dicta causa sedimus a sinistris: Sic etenim et omnes nuncij faciunt in eundo: sed in redeundo ab Imperatore, semper ponebamur a dextris. [Sidenote: Eiusdem bibendi ad Symphoniae cantum mos.] In medio ponitur mensa eius prope ostium stationis, super quam apponitur potus in aureis et argenteis vasis. Nec vnquam bibit Bathy, vel aliquis Tartarorum Princeps, maxime quando in publico sunt, nisi cantetur ei vel cytharizetur. Et c.u.m equitat, semper portatur solinum vel tentoriolum super caput eius in hasta. [Sidenote: Authoritas.] Sicque faciunt cuncti maiores Principes Tartarorum, et etiam vxores eorum. Idem ver Bathy satis est hominibus suis benignus, valde tamen ab eis timetur, et in pugna est crudelisimus, sagax est multum et astutissimus in bello: quia iam pugnauit tempore longo.

The same in English.

How we were receiued at the court of the great prince Bathy. Chap. 22.

Moreouer, when we came vnto Bathy in the land of Comania, we were seated a good league distant from his tabernacles. [Sidenote: A ceremony of pa.s.sing betweene two fires.] And when we should be conducted vnto his court, it was told vs that we must pa.s.se between two fires. But we would by no means be induced thereunto. Howbeit, they said vnto vs: you may pa.s.se through without al danger: for we would haue you to doe it for none other cause, but only that if you intend any mischiefe against our lord, or bring any poyson with you, fire may take away all euill. Vnto whom we answered, that to the end we might cleare ourselues from all suspition of any such matter, we were contented to pa.s.se through. [Sidenote: Eldegay.] When therefore we were come vnto the Orda, being demanded by his agent Eldegay with what present or gift we would do our obeisance? Wee gaue the same answere which we did at the court of Corrensa. The gifts being giuen and receiued, the causes of our iourney also being heard, they brought vs into the tabernacle of the prince, first bowing ourselues at the doore, and being admonished, as before, not to tread vpon the threshold. [Sidenote: Bathy heareth the Legates.] And being entred, we spake vnto him kneeling vpon our knees, and deliuered him our letters, and requested him to haue interpreters to translate them. Who accordingly on good friday were sent vnto vs, and we together with them, diligently translated our sayd letters into the Russian, Tartarian, and Saracen languages. This interpretation was presented vnto Bathy, which he read, and attentiuely noted. At length wee were conducted home againe vnto our owne lodging, howbeit no victuals were giuen vnto vs, except it were once a litle Millet in a dich, the first night of our comming. [Sidenote: He behaues himselfe like a king.] This Bathy caries himselfe very stately and magnificently, hauing porters and all officers after the maner of the Emperour, and sittes in a lofty seate or throne together with one of his wiues. The rest, namely, as well his brethren and sonnes, as other great personages sit vnderneath him in the midst vpon a bench, and others sit down vpon the ground, behinde him, but the men on the right hand and the women on the left. He hath very faire and large tentes of linnen cloth also, which were once the kings of Hungaria.

Neither dare any man come into his tent (besides them of his owne family) vnles he be called, be he neuer so mighty and great, except perhaps it be knowen that it is his pleasure. Wee also, for the same cause, sate on the left hand; for so doe all amba.s.sadors in going: but in returning from the Emperour, we were alwaies placed on the right hand. In the middest stands his table, neare vnto the doore of the tent, vpon the which there is drinke filled in golden and siluer vessels. [Sidenote: Their custome of drinking at the sound of musicke.] Neither doth Bathy at any time drinke, nor any other of the Tartarian princes, especially being in a publique place, but they haue singing and minstrilsie before them. And alwaies, when hee rides, there is a canopie or small tent caried ouer his head vpon the point of a iaueline. And so doe all the great princes of the Tartars, and their wiues also. The sayd Bathy is courteous enough vnto his owne men, and yet is hee had in great awe by them: he is most cruel in fight: he is exceedingly prudent and politique in warre, because he hath now continued a long time in martiall affaires.

Qualiter recedentes a Bathy per terram Comanorum et Kangittarum transierunt. Cap. 23.

[Sidenote: Legati iubentur ad Cuyme Imperat. pergere.] In die porr Sabbathi sancti ad stationem fuimus vocati, et exiuit ad nos procurator Bathy praedictus, dicens ex parte ipsius, qud ad Imperatorem Cuyne in terram ipsorum iremus, retentis quibusdam ex nostris sub hac specie, qud vellent eos remittere ad Dominum Papam, quibus et literas dedimus de omnibus factis nostris, quas deferrent eidem. Sed c.u.m rediissent vsque ad Montij Ducem supra dictum, ibi retenti fuerunt vsque ad reditum nostrum.

Nos autem in die Paschae officio dicto, et facta comestione qualicunque c.u.m duobus Tartaris, qui n.o.bis apud Corrensam fuerant a.s.signati, c.u.m multis lacrymis recessimus, nescientes vtrum ad mortem vel vitam pergeremus.

Eramus tamen ita infirmi corpore, qud vix poteramus equitare. In tota siquidem illa quadragesima fuerat cibus noster millum c.u.m aqua et sale tantum, et in alijs similiter diebus ieiuniorum. Nec habebamus aliquid ad bibendum praeter niuem in caldario liquefactam. Ibamus autem per Comaniam equitando fortissime quoniam habebamus equos recentes quinquies aut pluries in die, nisi quando per deserta ibamus, et tunc equos meliores atque fortiores, qui possent continuum sustinere laborem, accipiebamus. Et hoc ab ineunte quadragesima vsque ad octo dies post Pascha. [Sidenote: Comaniae descriptio.] Haec terra Comania ab Aquilone immediate post Russiam habet Morduynos. Byleros, id est, magnam Bulgariam, Bastarcos, id est, magnam Hungariam, post Bastarcos, Parositas et Samogetas. [Sidenote: Ocea.n.u.s septentrionalis.] Post Samogetas, illos, qui dic.u.n.tur habere faciem caninam in Oceani littoribus desertis. A meridie habet Alanos. Circa.s.sos, Gazaros, Graeciam et Constantinopolin, ac terram Iberorum, Cathos, Brutachios, qui dic.u.n.tur esse Iudaei, caput radentes per totum, terram quoque Cithorum atque Georgianorum et Armeniorum et Turcorum. Ab occidente autem Hungariam habet atque Russiam. Et est Comania terra maxima et longa. Cuius populos, scilicet Comanos, Tartari occiderunt, quidam tamen a facie eorum fugerunt, et quidam in eorum seruitutem redacti sunt. Plurimi autem ex eis, qui fugerunt, ad ipsos redierunt. [Sidenote: Terra Kangittarum.] Post haec intrauimus terram Kangittarum, quae magnam habet in plurimis locis penuriam aquarum, in qua etiam homines pauci morantur propter aquae defectum.

[Sidenote: Ieroslaus, Dux Russiae.] Vnde homines Ieroslai, Ducis Russiae, c.u.m ad ipsum in terram Tartarorum perrexerunt, plures eorum in illo deserto prae siti mortui sunt. In hac etiam terra et in Comania multa inuenimus capita et ossa mortuorum hominum, super terram acentia tanquam sterquilinium. Per hanc itaque terram iuimus ab octo diebus post Pascha fere vsque ad Ascensionem Dominicam. Huiusque habitatores Pagani erant, et tam ipsi quam Comani non laborabant, sed tantum de animalibus viuebant, nec domos aedificabant, sed in tabernaculis habitabant. Istos etiam Tartari deleuerunt, et habitabant in terris eorum, illique qui remanserunt, redacti sunt in seruitutem ipsorum.