¶ The legacy or embassate of the great emperor of Ind prester Iohn, unto Emanuel king of Portyngale, in the year of our lord M.u. C.xiii Of the faith of the indians, ceremonies, religions etc. Of the patriarch & his office. Of the realm, state, power, majesty, and order of the court of prester Iohn. Iohn More to the christian sten reader. FOr as much as every man naturally is desirous to here new things and strange (as both authors testify, and experience proveth) all though there were none other commodity thereof then the neweltye: I thought it a thing worth the labour, to translate this little work, late happened in my hand through the help of a special familiar friend of mine/ sins surely I thought it should be a work not only new, true, and pleasant to the reader, but also for the knowledge of sundry things therein contained very profitable and necessary. For in this little treatise be contained, the state, the faith, the religion, the ceremonies, the Patryarche with his office, the power, the laws of the land and empire of prestre Iohn, besides his royal majesty and order of his court. All which things were rehearsed unto the mighty and pusaunt prince Emanuel king of Portyngale, by the mouth of one Matthew, sent from th'emperor of Ind prester Iohn, unto the forenamed Emanuel, in the year of our lord M.u. hundred xiii And all though of this prester Iohn sir Iohn Maundefeld knight, in a work that he made of the discretion of countries, somewhat hath made mention: yet this ambassador that came from thence to the king of Portyngale, as he to whom every thing pertaining either to the religion and faith of that people, or to the politic order of that land, was much more perfitly known, it is no marvel though he much more perfitly describe them, namely to that prince, which from point to point was curious to inquire. This empire of prester Iohn is reputed as great a maygne country in a manner (if it be not greater) as all the remnant that now remaineth christened, except the new founden lands, that have been becomen christened within few years of late. And therefore it greatly may, & of reason greatly aught to rejoice all good christen people, to perceive that though there are diverse things wherein they and we dyffere in rites laws, customs, and ceremonies: yet in all other things necessarily pertaining as well to the virtues of faith and religion, as all other virtues moral, they so farforth accord and agree with these christian nations of ours, and with the catholic doctrine of the church, that it may well appear even by that thing alone, that the spirit of god hath wrought and worketh this full agreement & consent, in so many things necessary to salvation, thorough so many great countries and regions as ours are and theirs both, the tone by so long space having so little access unto the t'other, that of many years till now very late, we could not well tell whither they were well christened or not. How be it yet appeareth well now by many things, not in this book only, but in those letters also, which now very late the emperor of that land that now is, & son unto him that sent thambassador unto the king Emanuel, did send not only to the noble king of Portyngale that now is, son unto the said noble king Emanuel, but also to the pope's holiness that now is Clement of that name the vii by his ambassador, with his obedience after the manner of other christian princes: by this treatise and those letters it doth I say well appear, that the said emperor and all the church, that is to wit all the christian people of that empire, be of the same faith that we be. And in this treatise ye also see, that the great things which have been before this times established against heretics by general counsels of old, against which old determinations these new heretics make new business now, the self same things have the christian people of that great christian empire from the time of their first conversion, which was forthwith upon the death of christ, continually believed and ever observed still. So that this point is able alone if it be pondered as it is worthy, either to turn and convert or put to silence for shame, all the busy brethren that would make men so mad, as to ween that those things were new devised and late brought up here by priests/ which things themself see well enough (though they dyssymyle and say nay) in the books of old holy saints, and which things are now well known to have been this xu hundred year believed and used through that great empire as great a people as ours, into which our priests as far as men can tell of, never came hence to teach them. But sith that we begin now each to hear more of other, I pray god as there is in both many things very good, and some things that might be better: each people may learn & take of other those things that be good, and let the bad go by. And that we may make both so but one church militant here in earth, that we may both be parts of one glorious church, that ever shall be triumphant in heaven. Damyane Gooes a Portyngale, unto the right reverent father in god lord Iohn the great Goth, archbishop of wpsalen inhabiting the country of Swetia sends greeting. THrough the great familiar friendship (god thereof the undoubted author) that was between your holiness & me when we were together at Dantiske, what time I had there matters of my princes to do, after often meetings, at the last happened us communication of the matters of Portugal, as of the voyages of the indians, Arrabies, and Perses. And also of the long and dyffyculte passage into those countries, of the parels of the main Ocean see also, and of the continual war that the inhabitors as well on this side Gaunge as beyond, made again the Arrabyans, Persyans, & indians, of the yearly invasion of the Turks, which by their mighty naveyes sent by the see of Arrabye unto Ind the less, all though not vanquished, yet greatly vexed and troubled our people. But after we had much debated this matter, your holiness put well in mind of the high emperor of Ind prester Iohn. From whom surely myself ones saw an ambassador sent unto our king, and being present by, hard all that ever he told, as well of the faith, as of the ceremonies and estate of prester John's empire, which he parcel meal describe in the presence of many of his nobles. All which when in order I had showed your holiness you required me, if ever it chanced me to return to the low countries, that I would send you all those things briefly describe, with the articles of the faith, ceremonies, and estate of their country. which I faithfully promised to do. Therefore, after ones (though a thousand dangers escaped) I was come safe to the low countries, calling to mind your most holy company (which I never forget nor never shall) and therewith all my promise, all those things as was your request diligently have I done, which now here I send you. I send you chiefly the copy of the letter which the high and mighty prince th'emperor of Ind prester Iohn, writ on a season unto my maystert he king of Portyngale/ & after that, all the articles, as the religion, ceremonies, th'emperors power, the nobleness of his court, even in as compendious manner as the same legate describe them. More over then this (to th'intent the troth of the matter more plainly may appear) I shall show you briefly, how presently I both hard and saw all those things. In the year of our lord a thousand, five hundred, and xiii there landed & arrived in Portyngale, an ambassador of the high emperor of Ind prester Iohn, and of queen Ellynes his mother, sent unto the most christened prince Emanuel king of Portugal. Thembassatours' name was Matthew, an Armenicane born, with whom was joined in commission another noble young man an Abessyne, brought up in th'emperors prester Iohnns court, and his name was james. These were very well welcomed of the king, in whose court they abode and remained iii years together, & had there in great reputation, found only at the kings cost and charge/ till afterward they took their leave, and so merely returned safe home again to their country. This Matthew then, all such things as he had in commandment, commission, and charge, once declared to the kings highness, & likewise the letters of his emperors delivered: the king within few days after caused them to be sent for/ & so there in the company of certain well learned men, and presence of his nobles, demanded by an interpreter, of the faith, ceremonies, and estate of th'empire of Ind. Now then at this time was I xii year old, and one of those children that are wont to bring in the kings service unto the kings table. Two year after I had done the kings grace service in that office, I was by at all this as other of the court were, and both hard saw and understood all, as much at lest ways as my young and tender age would give me leave. But here you may object and say, how couldst thou being so young (as then thou wast) other write or remember all those things, so that thou shouldest thereby be able so long time after, in every point so perfitly to describe it. I answer, I confess my yough would not suffer me to do it But after I had spent full ten year in that office, the most christened prince king Emanuel my bringer up, gave me a new office. He sent me hither to the low countries on his business. whether as soon as I was come, I found a companion a very noble quick young man, both of the same order & office I was on, whose name was Roderyke Fardynande, which now was there for matters of his prince (and such a one in their vulgar tongue is called a factor) He being before sent as an ambassador from the king Emanuel unto Maximiliane th'emperor, and Albert the duke of bavary, had received letters from Antony Carnere the king Emanuelles secretary, in which letters these articles which once he had written before the king had inclusyd and sent. Now after I was fully acquainted with this Roderyke Ferdynande, & each had showed another others business I happened to speak of his legacy into Germany, chanced us also to fall in communication of Ind. After which he showed me he had received from Antony Carner, both th'articles fore remembered, and also the copy of the letter that was sent unto the king, from the high emperor of Ind prester Iohn. which as soon as I had hard, incontinent I desired he would let me have a sight of them. He was content. I took them, and as well as I could, have translated them out of the Portyngale tongue into latin. To you I dedicate them, to you I send them. In which if ye espy any Barbarous speech pardon me, as a courtier and unlearned, and with great business very much let and troubled. But how so ever they be written, true they be. All which we require your holiness to take in good worth. But now hear you, what that high and mighty emperor prester Iohn wrote unto our king, here I say this letter unto our king not feigned, but very true &, word for word almost, translate out of the Caldeane language (which speech they most use) into the Portyngale tongue, and so again out of that into latin. The letter of the high emperor of Ind Prester Iohn unto the most mighty prince Emanuel king of Portyngale. IN the name of the father the son and the holy ghost, three persons and one god, health, grace, and the blessing of our lord and redeemer jesus christ the son of Mary the virgin, borne in the house of Bethleem, be with our well-beloved brother, the most christened king Emanuel, lord of the sees, the subdewrr of the fierce and mysbeleving Moers. Our lord god prosper you, and send you thover hand of your enemies, and dilate & enlarge your kingdoms and realms through the devout prayers of the messengers of jesus christ our redeemer, that is to say of the four evangelists, saint Iohn, saint Luke, saint Mark, & saint Matthew, whose holiness, and prayers preserve you. we certify you our interely well-beloved brother, that here unto our country be come out of the high noble court of yours, two messengers, of which two one is named Iohn and calleth himself a priest, and tother Gomer who of us have desired victual and soldiers. wherefore unto you we send our ambassador Matthew with the leave of the patriarch Marce, which giveth us his blessing, & sends priests to Jerusalem, which is our father, and of all those that be under our domyon, the pillar of Cristes' faith and the holy trinity. He by our commandment hath sent unto your great capitain of them, that in Ind fight for the faith of our saviour jesus christ, to show him that we shall be always ready when need requireth to send them both victual sustenance and soldiers. Therefore the fame goeth that the prince of Cayry prepareth many a navy against your armies to be revenged of the injuries & damages, that they have sustained by the captains of your war that ye have in Ind. which (as it is informed us) they have often suffered, wherein I pray god of his great goodness daily prosper you, that so in conclusion all infidels may utterly be subdued. we therefore against their assault shall send soldiers, which shall abide and tarry at the see of Mecha, that is to wit at Bebalmamdes, or to be sent (if you so think best) unto the haven of juda, or Thor, that so at the last you may rid out of the way & destroy such miscreant Moers, so that the gifts and oblations, that be offered up at the holy sepulchre from that time forward be not devoured of dogs. Now is come the time that was promised in which (as they say) christ & his blessed mother Mary foreshowed, that in the later days of the christian countries in Europe, a certain king should arise, which should destroy the hole nation of the Babaryanes' and Moers. And surely this is the same self season which our saviour christ promised to his blessed mother Mary should come. Furthermore what so ever our ambassador Matthew shall show you, account you it, as spoken of mine own mouth & believe him. For he is one of the chief of our court, and for that cause we willed to send him to you. we would have committed all this, to your own messengers you sent hither, had it not been that we feared lest our business should not come to pass according to our mind. we send unto you by this our ambassador Matthew a cross, made of the same self wood, on which our saviour jesus christ was crucified at Jerusalem. A piece of this holy wood was brought unto us from Jerusalem, of which we have made ii crosses, whereof the one still remaineth with us, & tother we send by our ambassador unto you. The colour of the wood is black, and hangeth at a little silver ring. Moreover if it please you either to marry your daughters with our sons, or your sons with our daughters, it shall be very pleasant and profitable for both parts, and a great stablyshement of the brotherly league all ready entered, which I pray god long to continue. No more at this time but the health and grace of our redeemer jesus christ and of his blessed mother our lady saint Mary the virgin, hold their hand over you, your sons, your daughters, and all your hole household. Amen. Besides all this we certify you if we list to assemble our power that we have strength enough to destroy (if god be our help) all the enemies of our holy faith. But as for our realms and countries so be annexed and joined together, that on no part we can break out to the see. wherefore we have no power on the water, wherein (god be thanked) you of all nations are most mighty. jesus christ be your aid, help, & succour, for the things that ye have done in Ind/ be surely more by gods might then man's. If so be it you would prepare & set out a thousand sail to see, we shall find victual, and all other things, plentifully, necessary for the furnishing of your navy. After that the most chrystyned king emanuel by the interpreter had well understanden these letters, very desirous to hear of christian matters, greedy to know again, of the legate, how the matters and Crystes faith stood amongst the indians/ after certain days, calling together the nobles of his court, commanded that by certain well learned christian devyns, which was there ready at hand, he should be demanded in his presence, of every point. And he answering by parcel meal declared all things, as hereafter in order followeth. The confession of the faith, ceremonies, and manner of their religion, of the empire of prester Iohn. IN this point, first of all, they believe as we do, three persons and one god, in which one and most best father they faithfulli trust and believe. 2 Item that he of no subject matter at all, nor of nothing earthly, but by a marvelous means made both heaven and earth, & like wise all things contained in them. 3 Also that jesus christ, that anointed king, our saviour, the very messias so often by prophets promised, is the very son of very god borne in Bethleem the cytty of David (according to the prophecies) of Mary, which continued a virgin, both before the birth and also ever after. 4 Moreover that the same jesus christ for our sin at Jerusalem before Pontius pilate a Roman there president and governor of jury, by an unjust judgement, both was condemned, suffered, died, and was buried. 5 Furthermore he incontenent after his death descended to hell, & their gates shaken and all to broken, the third day arrose from death to life having the victory of his enemies and death, and that after he returned again, and marvelously ascended up to heaven from whence he came. 6 besides this, they faithfully confess that after all this mortal life, they look for an universal and endless resurrection of our body. 7 Also that by the same faith they look for christ to be judge, who shall give an universal judgement of good and evil, in which each man shall receive a just reward, according to his desert in this world. 8 By which judgement given ones, good men shall have eternal joy with out end, and evil men everlasting pain vexation and shame. 9 Therefore they as well as we, solemnly observe and diligently keep the ten precepts of Moses. 10 Also they reckon as we do the vii deadly sins. 11 They have also all the books written of Moses, & finally all the prophets, with all such other volumes of the old law. 12 The four evangelists have they in great estimation, even the self same that we have, that is to wit, saint Matthew, saint Mark, saint Luke, and saint Iohn. 13 Of Paul's epistles they lack nothing, which each by name he there in presence recited. 14 The creed made by th'apostles and every article of the same they well allow. 15 The pater noster made by Crist they so much set by, that they prefer it before all other prayers. 16 The ave Maria also they mich use, in the honour of the mother of god the virgin our lady saint Mary 17 Their children the vii day after their birth, both be baptized, and also after Moses' law circumcised. And that not for any respect of merit or trust they have in it, but only for that it so hath remained of an old custom from their forefathers, and so to them left from hand to hand. 18 All the people in the remembrance of the true and their once received baptism, yearly in feast of the epiphany with a marvelous great gladness and rejoicing of mind, openly a fresh profess the faith of christ, and be solemnly baptized again. 19 In the remembrance of our lords maundy, even in manner as we use, they say mass, but that not for any reward money or lucre, unless that percase some of a good religious mind freely without axing give their almose. 20 The blessed sacrament of thaltar they recount for the highest sacrament, firmly with a sincere and pure faith, professing it to be the undoubted body and blood of our lord jesus christ/ and according unto Christ'S ordinance, receiving it under both the forms. 21 As for the sacraments of annealing and unxyon, they confess. 22 Straight ways as soon as they have committed any deadly sin, they get them a pressed to whom in secret they confess their faults. 23 They receive pain for their trespass (which in their vulgar tongue they call penance) lymyted at the discretion of the confessor, which the party confessed fulfilleth with all diligence. 24 On fasting days (as often as they come) they abstain both from flesh and fish, without the receiving of collations or refection. 25 In stead of the lenten fast, they fast the septuagesime. And that (as we may gather of the time) bygynneth with our lent. 26 As for sundays and other holy days, appointed by their bishops, in the remembrance of god and our lady and other saints, they keep with all reverence. 27 In the later week of their lent, they use the memorial of Crystes passion even as we do. 28 They keep the palm sunday yearly even about the same self time that we do, and as we do. 29 And they use to burn tapers as we do, & at the same time that we do. 30 The go on common processions, as the time or necessity requireth. 31 Ones in the year they use to have a solemn dirge for all christian souls. 32 They use to take ashes, both in the manner we do, and also about the time that we do. 33 There is there an infinite number of monasteries, as well of women as of men, living very straightly in great abstinence. 34 amongst these monasteries some there be, whereof each hath in it either seven. hundred viii. hundred or a thousand monks. 35 In that realm is there a certain mountain, that hath inhabiting here and there upon it xii thousand monks. 36 All those monkꝭ as many as they be, get their living by their handy labour, nor in no wise may go to axe almose house by house, in streets, village, countries, or towns. All manner of begging is utterly forbidden them, unless that some of a good godly mind give them any thing freely, then may they receive it, not as begged, but as freely given. 37 Here and there be preachers, which preach to the people the faith of christ, and those be priests or monks, and that of the best learned. 38 Every where be many hospitals, whereunto all poor folk be gentylly welcomed and received. 39 Their holy houses, that is to wit the temples of saints, if any malefactor i'll thither for aid and help, it shall secure him and serve him. But this herein provided yet, that if any happen to come thither for murdering of their neighbour, they give him so small a portion to eat, that at the last he is compelled to die for hunger. 40 If one die, they make much a do at his burying, even as it is with us, with prayers, crosses, priests, & such other kind of ceremonies, and bury him in the church. 41 Such as have been holy, & men of good conversation in their life, after they have been long time deed and buried, they make diligent search of their virtuous living. which done, they recount him a saint, that is to say (as the greek word is) canonyse him. 42 The husbands solemnly with a great company come to the church doers, and marry only but by words that they speak of the present tyme. 43 Of an old custom they have, men may not marry any of their kindred within the vii degree/ within which, no not their high patriarch in any wise either may or will presume to dispense. 44 In their churches and temples they have and worship the images of god, our blessed lady saint Mary the virgin, with other holy saints. 45 They have in their temples holy water, which they believe good and effectual against evil and wicked spirits. 46 Very many costly temples and bells they have. 47 The garments wherein they say mass in, use to be consecrate. 48 chiefly they honour the feast of saint Iohn baptist. 49 They begin the year at September. 50 The pope of Rome they knowledge/ but the cause why they do not their obedience to him (as other christian people do) is the evil difficult way. 51 Saint Bartholomew th'apostle of Chryst, preached first the gospel and Christ'S faith unto them. Of their patriarch, and of his office. THey have but one chief pressed or bishop which they call a patriarch, that is to say the chief of the fathers. He only hath power on spiritual matters, that is to say as well in ecclesiastical offices as dispensing with benefices, without the interruption of any temporal person/ & he liveth continually unmarried. 2 This patriarch hath very great possessions/ for the third part of prester Iohnns reveneus cometh to his part, and that besides all the tithes of the hole realm. 3 All the profits hereof is bestowed only upon poor folk, the marriage of fatherless children, and prisoners. 4 when the patriarch dieth, the emperor prester Iohn is the heir of all his goods. His successor hath no manner a thing left him, besides the dignity of the patryarches chair, and the cure of all his fold of sheep committed to his charge. 5 This patriarch is called the patriarch of Alexandry/ and for this cause. For that where of old there were only four through out all christendom, of which Ind chanced to have the patriarch of Alexandry. 6 This patriarch of an old usage was wont to be chosen at Jerusalem only, and that by the voices of all good religious men of th'empire of prester Iohn that there were at the same season dwelling. 7 This patriarch extendeth his curse or excommunication upon such as are obstinate and rebellious persons/ which in so farforth is dreaded and feared, that who so ever stand so accursed dare not touch neither meat nor drink till time he know himself assoiled. For if so be it there be any so obstinate a person that he careth not for the curse, but that not withstanding he leaveth not from the crime for which he so was accursed: his meat and drink shall be taken from him, and he so compelled to die for famine. 8 This patriarch shall not let or forbid the people from the sacraments of the church, for no manner of offence but only for murder. 9 The priests have wives/ but when one is deed, they may not marry another. 10 Bastards shall never be admitted to be priests. 11 Never shall there be any admitted to the order of presthed, but that before he shall be examined, by a well learned company, whether he be meet for it or no. If he be not meet, he is rejected with shame enough. 12 The emperor himself. Prester Iohn, hath no manner power on the clergy. For that is a thing belongeth only to the patriarch. 13 If any spiritual man committeth any abominable crime, him the patriarch after his own discretion suffereth to eat but certain ounces of meat, & so little and little to die for famine. But none of them even out of hand putteth he to death, but only murderers. 14 That same patriarch giveth plain and full remission and absolution of sins. 15 Twelve hath he of his counsel, with whom he ordereth and governeth all spiritual matters. Of the realm and estate of th'emperor prester Iohn. AFter all this being further demanded of the emperors realm and dominion, he answered in this manner. 1 first he hath in his realms very many cities and towns. 2 His nobles wear garments of silk, cloth of gold, velvet, satin, damask, with such other precious things. 3 The comen people were nothing but cloth. 4 divers kinds of merchandise hath he in his realms, & those very precious. 5 He hath great plenty of mynies of gold, silver, and other metal. 6 Money hath he none, but that is brought out of realms next bordering there about. They take gold & silver by weight in stead of coin. 7 Great plenty of corn have they, and that of diverse colours, both black, white, red, and grey. But as for their meal of all of them is very white. Benys, pesyn, taries, and all such other codware, have they enough both plenty & also of divers kinds. 8 There groweth great abundauns of sugar. 9 Oxen, sheep, horse, mulies, camels, goats, hogs, with such other household cattle besides birds they have great plenty. 10 Pork eat they none/ not for the that either their conscience or religion that forbiddeth, but because they find it not wholesome for their bodies. 11 th'emperors estate and power is very great, for he hath under his dominion three score christened kings. which be kings of great mighty kingdoms. whose names the legate there showed openly. 12 Besides these three score kings, yet hath he .v. other Machomet kings under him. 13 Moreover he hath under his dominion marvelous many great men, as princes, dukes, marquises, earls, barons, lords of very great lands and reveneus. 14 They observe & straightly keep what so ever th'emperor commandeth them. 15 The chronicles and noble acts of their princes they keep safe, and what so ever is worthy remembrance their secretary diligently registers. 16 The rites, laws, statutes, and comen ordinances made for the people's governance, they safely keep in writing. 17 th'emperor hath ever xii men present with him of his counsel, whom he may comen with of all the matters of his realm. 18 Through all the realms and dominions of his empire, there be judges appointed, which serve (according to the truth of the matter) both to hear causes and judge them. 19 No judge may judge any man to death but only for murder. 20 The emperor hath very great tributes. 21 The emperor hath as well of the inhabitors as of other merchant strangers, the ten part of their gains/ their stock saved hole. 22 There be soldiers of a certain religion, which ever go in white, with crosses on their cote armour/ alway ready for to war for Crystes faith, if need be. 23 Of the inheritance of their fathers, one hath as much as another, no respect had to the age, whither they be older or younger. 24 In all those realms & provinces, there be no jews, all though it is well known that ones there were many. But when the people could not suffer or bear their naughtiness, suddenly they set upon them and utterly destroyed them. 25 Many fairs and rich markets have they by reason of the merchants that resort thither. 26 The realms, provinces, and countries of prester Iohn, stretcheth to both the parts of Nilus' flood. 27 The people know none neither but Erithrean, that is to say the red see. Of the order of the same empire, and manner of the court. 1 THe emperors proper name is David. His common name prester Iohn, king of the Ebessyns. 2 His titles be in this manner. David king of kings, king of the Ebessins, prester Iohn, king of kings unto the Ebessyns and of all his provinces, both next and also at the end of the sees. The king of Nilus' flood, and judge of the great Sodane, & of the country of Cayre, and the see of Alexandrine. By the power of god and our redeemer jesus christ, & by the power of our lady the virgin saint Mary. 3 This emperor of an old custom marrieth ever the kings daughters that be under his dominion. 4 The eldest son ever succeedeth his father in his kingdom. 5 This son of his is verily well nuryshed and brought up within his father's court/ as for his other sons (at least ways if he have any) be brought up like noble men, either under the kings, or else some great princes of the emperors dominion. 6 The inheritance of his empire never descendeth to the daughters. But if th'emperor hap to die without issue male, then cometh it to the next of his blood. 7 th'emperors wives be had in great honour and keep a great port. 8 th'emperor hath ever ready at hand a marvelous great number, as well of horsemen as footmen. 9 The emperor to th'intent he would exercise his soldiers, in acts of war, is ever for the most part in the field amongst them. where they apply themself to feties of arms. 10 In the emperors court the chamberlain hath the chiefest room. 11 th'emperor hath for safeguard of the body, ever at hand xii of the noblest of his realm. Each of whom have under him xii thousand fighting men. 12 Those same xii noble men occupies the greatest rooms in the court. 13 They keep very diligently in writing pedigrees, names, & surnames of their ansetours, whereby every one may perfitly know his nation and stock. 14 th'emperors sons & doughthers be married unto the sons or daughters of other kings under him with great dowers given with them in marriage. And then all the people come, and of their own motion give them gifts. 15 th'emperor what time necessity so requireth useth thobedience and service of his subjects. 16 The men children of the kings, that be under him, be (to win their fathers good wills) brought up in th'emperors court. 17 He admitteth and suffereth challenges amongs his subjects. 18 The name of the emperors prester Iohnns mother that now is, is Ellen, a very holy woman, and one that showeth a great example of chastity, to whom for here especial goodness, and the nonage of her son, is committed all the hole order and rule of the realm. 19 Of kings, emperors, or the christian princes of Europe, they never had knowledge but only of the frenchmen whom they call in their vulgar tongue Cristyans. But by the reason of certain noble acts that were done few years passed by the portingalings, against the Turks, Persys, Arabyens, and Indyans, the name of the king of Portyngale begun to be well known and had in much reverence & reputation amongst them. HEre have you now right reverent father the things I promised your holiness (at my being with you) of the legacy of Ind. But yet to th'intent you may give the more credence to the matter, I shall put somewhat to, that a very noble young man, and one of my familiar acquaintance, named George Lupe Dandrade (what time we were together about our princes business in the low countries, and also hosted both twain in one house at Antwerp) told me. On this wise was his tale. In the time of his being at Ind for certain matters he had there of his prince (where he remained by the space of certain years) one a very valiant man Lupus Soarez, by the kings commandment was the chief captain of the portingalings wars, & chief ruler of all the realms, cyttes, towns, and castles, that be under the king of portyngale's dominion, even from Ethiope, through out the Chynas'. This Lupe had prepared him a marvelous great navy, to sail as his ancestors were wont to do from Cochine (now is Cochyne the castle & dwelling place of the Portyngale captains) & so intended to come to the see of Araby commonly called the red see, against the Turk/ which Turk now in stead of the Soldayne occupies the country. when he was arrived in a certain isle, called of the inhabitors Camara, that lieth in that cost/ incontinent he caused two ships to be made ready, and took unto him a certain chosen portingalings both familiar and faithful, amongs whom this George was one. This done he commanded they should cast over to another isle called Mazua, to the intent that when he were there ones, he would send out three espies unto the great emperor of prester Iohn, under the pretext of merchandise, & that for two causes. One to be certified of the legacy whereof Matthew before showed unto our king, and to know whether those things were true or false. secondly that they very narrowly should search, what ports and what havens were under the dominion of Pester Iohn. Of these iii spies one was well learned and very expert in scripture whose name was jusarte Viegas, a Baccaren borne. After they were ones safe come home again both man & ships to their capitain, and had made an end of their viage/ they showed him all, both that they had seen there, and also hard of the inhabitors of that country/ and further declared that they knew for a surety that the legacy of Matthew was true/ and that the same Mathewe they said was such a one as we had seen him with our own eyen one's ambassador before our king. The cause and manner of the legacy they say was such. After that Ellyn the mother of David prester Iohn, that then was a very wise and a discrete governor of all his hole realm (for he was but a child) had learned of certain portingalings which were come to her court, & specially of one called Iohn Clerk, all that ever we had done at Ind against the infidels, she sendeth that Matthew in a secret legacy unto the most christyned prince Emanuel, the first of that name, king of Portyngale/ with whom she sendeth also another young man an Ebyssyne borne an noble man, james by his name, of whom before in the description of the legacy, we have made mention. To them she gave here letters of commendation directed to the head ruler of that province, under the dominion of prester Iohn, whose power stretcheth to Mazua and the see of Araby, to pray him to help them as secretly as he could with all such things as they should need, making as though they were merchant men which came thither for merchandise. This ruler (and who so ever happeneth to be in that office) is called in the Ebessyne tongue Baruagays. This Mathewe and his companion the Ebyssyne; through the letters of commendacy. on they had, were lovingly welcomed, where as they made merry a certain space, never telling no man their purpose, neither what he would do there, or where when he thence departed he would become. But (to the intent he might bring his purpose to pass with less apparel) feigned himself a leather bier, and in the mean season now and then bought certain presents which privily he sent unto queen Ellyn. And under this cloak, perused divers provinces, meaning this, that escaping safe without hurt, through enemies of the Portugese's, at last might come to Portyngale it self, and so there do the things he come for. For other way then this was there not. Alway whether so ever he went or where so ever he became, he took with him this young man his fellow the Ebyssyne, leaving all his hole household at Arquyke, which is a cytty near the see cost, appertaining to prester Iohn, distant about a mile from the isle of Mazua. wherein that Baruagais before named then abode. For it is ever the abiding place of that office. But now if percase any capcyous fellow would object why of so many noble men, as there is no doubt but there be in so great a court as prester John's is, there were not sent in that embassate, some oldermen, men of more gravity, of greater experience and besides this Ebyssyns borne, which might have borne a greater port and majesty before our prince rather than these, of whom the one was far from the nobility either of an Ebyssyne or Indyane either, because being an Armenycane/ and the other all though he was an Ebyssyne and in the kings court brought up, yet but a young man, an without the company waiting on him that becometh a princes ambassador to have/ and thereby showeth not the dignity of a legate. But hereof may there be two causes alleged. The first, in all those regions (as great as they be) from the see of Araby, to the water of Ganges, there be but two languages, that is to wit, Persyke and Arabyke. which languages who so perfitly knoweth, may easily pass through all those provinces. Now in Prester Iohnns court be there very few or none nobles, Ebyssyns borne, that can skill of those tongues. first because they have little company or acquaintance with the out borderers. secondly for that it seldom causeth them to go out of their own country, as being content with their country laws. And for that cause the same Matthew, skilled in both the tongues and in all the provinces there about, for he had oft been in them/ and seeing that at that time, all though he were an Armenyane, yet he was of the queens counsel, and very great about her, he was thought the metyst for that message/ namely sins he had one joined with him an Ebyssyne borne, which both knew the tongues and manners of many nations/ so that if need should require, he were meet to be sent on a like embassat. The second cause is. The acts of war of the portingalings done with the indians, against the Turks or Persyes at that time was not so well known of the Ebyssyns, that they thought it needful to venture any old noble Ebyssyne, & specially sins they were unexpert in the tongues, in so far and so dyffyculte a viage, till time they were farther certified by some other. And therefore pleased to send that Matthew, an Armenycane borne, as most meat for that business which not greatly accompanied, but as a merchant should go and espy all together. And that it so was meant, the matter self showed. For after ones all was exactly tried by him, there was then another ambassador sent, both an old man, a noble man, an Ebissyne borne, and a pressed, cunning both in scripture and Calday/ on whom waited a very great company of nobles of the Ebyssyns, of th'emperors pnster Iohnns court. And this man was sent unto the most mighty prince one Iohn, the third king of Portyngale. For Emanuel that was his father departed almost ten years ago. This legate with all his company at this present day is with our king, much made on, and had in great reverence. whom questyonlesse they would never have sent, had they not been afore surely certified of our matters by Matthew. But now we be a little degressed therefore let us again return to our purpose. This Matthew then under the pretext of feigned merchandise, after his being at many other cities, resorted to Aden/ which is a city by the see of araby under the Turks dominion, byelded even as our cities be, very rich, and very well fenced with fortresses. where after he had fallen in some familiar acquaintance with certain merchant men, and had searched all thing to the utter most, and finished the matters he came for, making himself ever amongst the Turk's a Turk, for other wise could he never have escaped & done his business safe without danger, he returned to Arquique where before he had left his household with his companion the Ebyssyne, & thus he removed, took his household again and so returned to Aden, hoping that from thence he might sail with his wares and his household to India. For why at the town of Aden they are wont to take shipping toward India. where when he was landed he sold all his leather & bought other merchandise of alexandria to carry with him to India, by which he must needs pass into Portyngale. Now was a ship ready going to Ind, and he ready with all his merchandise to go with that ship, while there sprung a certain suspicion amongs the cetezyns of Aden, that he should be a spy. whereupon he was tarried and let that he could not take passage at that season. But he as one of a great wit and experience, so clearly purged himself of that suspicion, proving in deed he was a merchant man, and that there he sought nothing but merchandise, that they gave him with his household free passport, to depart whether him pleased. But now then being dismissed/ he found never a vessel going toward Ind. Then he was fain to higher one, & so he with all his company took shipping, and came toward Ind, to a certain noble rich city called Xaer. which is distant from Aden about a hundred mile, where likewise he found no ships going to Ind, because that now it was winter, which there beginneth in March. And while it lasteth no man may sail toward Ind, for the great storms of wind (which is a marvelous thing) that continually blows contrary out of one quarter. But when the sees served him, he sailed from the city of Xaer unto a town called Fartaque, there in every place feigning himself a merchant of Turkey. From whence he went to a place called the inhabitors of Dabul/ & from thence to depart to the town of Goa. where then wintered the great Alfonsus Dalbubarque a Portyngale, the chief capitain of all India, predecessor unto Lupus Soarez, whom we have made mention of before, which was he the subdued all that same Ind, Araby, pierce, Malach, and the hole see of Ganges, and made all them subjects to Portyngale. dabul is distant from Fartaque, which is in the cost of Ind four hundred mile, from Goa xl from Dio iii score great mile. Dio is a very rich city, under the dominion of Cambaie very well fenced, with gonnes and such other ingens of war, and very well walled. Furthermore he tarried at Dabul from May to December, and there occupied himself about merchandise because in all that time he could not take shipping. At last he gate him a small vessel, and began to get him away. And by the reason he showed certain of his friends & the master of the ship that he would go unto Portyngale with his merchandise, by and by it was showed to certain head officers of the town, that there was a stranger one unknown, which privily would convey himself to Portyngale. whereupon wotting never what they should think of the matter, they kept him still with fair words, and so let him of his passage for the season. After he saw this incontinent by certain merchant men which were wont to be conversant in Ind with the portingalings, which he before had made his friends, he wrote secretly unto the capitain Alfonsus Dalbuberque, certifying him as diligently as he could how it stood with him. He as soon as he knew it sent thither certain shyppis and galleys some great some small unto him. Silvester Corzo was the capitain of them, where when he was arrived, straight way he showed the officers of the town that he was sent unto them from the great duke Alfonsus Dulbuberque to seek a certain merchant man which he must needs speak with all, & that the same Matthew was he whom he sought/ which known they gave him leave to speak with him and so delivered him into his hands. For this cause the Dabulenses used this liberality toward him, for fere they should seem our open enemies, for as much as they take much profit by our portingalings which use Goa & Ind, & yet in place & time when the may, secretly do us displease. This Matthew then conveyed from the city of dabul, came with this noble young man the Ebyssyne his fellow, & all his family, at the last to Goa, where as we before recited, the noble capitain Alfonsus then wintered with a great number both of people & nobles of the portingalings. There is both an i'll & also a city of this name of Goa. The city I say as it is very rich, so is it also very habundaunt of all thing that serveth for the finding of men. In that dwelleth merchant men of all kinds, Indians, Arabyes, Persyans, with divers of the realms of Narsynga & Cambaia. In this isle be four great & very well fenced fortresies, well manned with many hired soldiers of the portingalings. There inhabiteth the city, about xu hundred portingalings. These be citizens there, with their wives, children, and servants, besides many other, as soldiers, & merchants. Both that hole isle the city & the castles, be under the portingalings. In the city be grammar schools kept, where in is taught in common scoles both the latin and the Portyngale tongue. whereby the inhabitors of those parts, be as well skilled in both those languages, as in the language of their native country, where they were breed and brought up. The faith of christ is every where received amongst them. Many sumptuous and costly temples & houses of religion be there as well of other as of saint France's order, where daily is used divine service. Over the highest part of a gate in the city, which they call saint Mary da sera, be kept & had in great veneration & honour, the bones of that capitain Alfonsus Dalbuberque. But now after that Matthew had arrived, from the town of dabul in the haven of Goa, the captain Alfonsus commanded him to come unto him. He denied & said he would not come out of the ships, alleging that he was not the legate of any mean prince but of the high mighty emperor of Ind Prester Iohn/ & hereunto added that it were not convenient nor meetly that thambassador of so high a mighty christened emperor, should be received to so noble a duke as Alfonsus is without dew reverence & honour. Then Alfonsus calling together his clerks, priests, & all his nobility that were nigh at hand, goth forth (namely sins he was the ambassador of th'emperor Prester Iohnns) to meet him with crosses, and such other ornaments of the church, the priests and clerks singing this hymn: Te deum laudamus, within a few days after Alfonsus began to ask him of his legacy, to whom he answered, that he was sent from prester Iohn unto the most christened prince Emanuel king of Portugal, & that he ought only to open the cause of his embassate to no creature but unto him alone. which when he hard the duke Alfonsus axed him no further questions. within a while after when he saw his time, this Matthew & this noble young man the Ebyssyne, with all his company making haste toward Portyngale, Alfonsus very gently accompanied him unto the haven, where taking shipping from Goa they came toward Portugal. All this showed un me this George Lupe Dandrade, that he knew of a surety for truth, for as much (as we have showed you before) the great ruler of Ind Lupus Soarez had sent him from the isle of Camara, as a spy among the Ebyssynes under the pretext of merchandise, to search out the truth of that legacy. when he & that noble young man the Ebyssyne, with all his family came to Portyngale, myself (as I have showed your holiness before) was by, whom I both saw and spoke often with all. He was a man of mean stature, very whitely visaged and somewhat sallow, with a side & hoar here, with a long white beard. which a little more at length I have showed your holiness, to th'intent you with all other that be desirous to know the very truth shall not think it be a lie or feigned. Of the people of Pilapes. I Very well remember me right reverent father how you showed me at my last being with you, that under your archbyshopryke, was the same wild region of Scythyce other wise calleth Pilape where they neither know god or christ, nor awe have they none amongs them for them to live by. Surely a very miserable case, & a thing nothing chrystenlike considered of your men. For it was told me both of good men & virtuous men also (and that for a surety to) that your nobles (the more shame for them) were in fault why those people were no better than brute beasts, nor came to christendom. For so they fear they shall lose a great part of their polling and pilling and their accustomed ravenous robbery, through the which they pytyfully oppress with insatiable avarice those silly poor innocent people. And therefore I desired you then (& yet again in Christ'S name do) and that not I alone, but also as many as think as I do, that sins it is your office (as being their herdman, and they committed to you by god) you would cause those nobles of yours, to leave their covetous cruelty, and so in conclusion to bring those simple souls to the knowledge of christ, and so paying their due tributes to their kings, as other christian people do to their princes. Let those nobles of yours take heed therefore what they do, that they compel not so great a fold of sheep in time to come, in the presence of that just judge jesus christ, to axe judgement of that tyranny of theirs. I desire your holiness to do that lieth in you, which doing, see what glory and what reward you shall obtain of god, what prays and laud besides of the world. No more to your holiness but thus far you well. I suppose that I shallbe shortly at Portyngale with the kings highness or else at Germany. But where so ever I become I shall be wholly yours. I pray you I may be heartily recommended unto your brother Olaus the great Goth, a very special friend and lover of mine. At Antwerp out of the common houses of our realm of Portyngale, in the Calendas of December, the year of our god M.D.xxxi. ¶ printed by W. Rastell in Fleetstreet in saint Brydys church yard. 1533 Cum privilegio.