THE Report of a bloody and terrible Massacre in the City of Moscow, with the fearful and tragical end of Demetrius the last Duke, before him reigning at this present.  
AT LONDON Printed by Val. Sims, for Samuel Macham, and Matthew Cook, and are to be sold at their shop in Paul's Churchyard at the sign of the Tigershead. 1607.   

¶ The report of a bloody and terrible Massacre in the City of Moscow, with the fearful and tragical end of Demetrius the last Duke, before him reigning at this present.  
After that Peter Vendronitz Basmaneuf, one of the principallest, and most valiant Boyars, had been magnificently brought into the City, and most honourably received, by Boritz Fendronitz Godena, who was then Prince of the country: and all this, because of his magnanimous defence, and keeping of the Castle of Novomerskigrod, against the forces of Demetri joanavitz, and that for so valiant an act, he had been rewarded by his said Prince, with great and rich presents, the which fell out, in the month of February, 1605. It happened, that about the 13. of April, the said Boritz Fendronitz Godena suddenly died, not without suspicion, of having been poisoned: and he being interred the day after, his wife a desolate widow, and his son Fender Borissovitz, were incontinently placed in the Imperial throne, and received for Prince, and Princess, by every one of the City, and of the Country, who did them homage, and swore unto them, fidelity, subjection, and obedience. Wherefore, they dispatched incontinently, the said Peter Fendronitz Basmaneuf towards the Camp, as he that was General of all the men of war, to swear them, according to the custom which was performed by the greatest part of them. But by reason that the Prince Demetri joanovitz, drew every day, nearer, and nearer, and that his force apparently augmented, by reason of the great multitude of good fight men, and other hired soldiers, which were sent him out of Poland, so that those of the champion country, presently joined with them, principally because by permission divine, all the world was of opinion and fully persuaded, that he was the man, which should be true heir, and successor to the Crown: to which in like manner, many of the Boyars, willingly gave an ear, and those also of Boritz Fendronitz godena's party, who knew not well their own power, and were ignorant how to prevail with their natural authority: as also, there was a great part of the men of war, which desired rather to worship the Sun rising, as the said Basmaneuf in like manner did, to insinuate betimes into the favour of their new Prince, so that in conclusion, all the Camp revolted, adhering with the greatest part of the Almains, to that Prince Demetrius: who drew nearer every day, to the chief City of the country, and in his way all the world fell down before him, and thus the 20. of June, he made his entry into the City of Moscovie. The 28. of the said month, there arrived also, the old Princess, who was supposed to be the Mother, or rather indeed the wife, of the Tyrant joan Vasiliovitz, who during her widowhood, had been shut up, in a little obscure cloister, like a poor prisoner, which was distant an hundred leagues from the said City. And the said Prince, (by supposition h●●●onne) presented himself before her, accompanying her by the chariots side, with his head always uncovered, & on foot, never mounting so much as on horse back, whilst they entered into the Castle: where the said pretended mother, betook herself to an other of the principal Monasteries, wherein there was none, but of the greatest Ladies in the country, and where she as yet remaineth, being very well entreated, as a Princess, or Empress; and as the wife, and dowager, of an Emperor of that country. This Demetrius stayed not long, but caused himself to be crowned, the 21. of the said month, notwithstanding, that the Emperors of Russia were always wont, to put over this inauguration, until the fift of September, which is the day, when they begin to count the new year. But it seems necessity made him hasten the celebration of this solemnity, for very urgent reasons. He had about his person, a guard of certain Almaigne Halberdiers, which he brought with him out of Poland: but by reason that this was not the manner and custom of other Princes, upon their residence within the City, they were all presently discharged, as in like manner all soldiers of any strange nation, were licenced, and cashiered: the which was put in execution so confusedly, and suddenly, as diverse were very malcontent therewith, by reason they gave them not that which was promised, whereby, they found themselves but evilly rewarded, and slenderly recompensed for their good services: and namely, there was a certain great Lord, and Prince of Russia the fair, who was called Adam Visnevetskie, that amongst other of his complaints, intimated, how he had lent the said Demetrius, while he remained in Poland, about the sum of 80000 Roubles (a kind of coin.) Wherefore it is, I cannot well tell, but the said Lord was dislodged, without giving him, either payment, or contentment: and now there runs a rumour abroad, that he forageth upon the frontiers of that country, with diverse others of the same faction, like malcontented people, doing there all damage, and waste, that they can devise. At the very beginning of this Demetrius his Empire, there were many, which as well in public, as private, affirmed, that he was in no sort, true successor, heir, or Prince of the country, amongst whom, was also a great Lord, and a Monk. But the said Monk was quickly dispatched, and the Lord, whose name was Vasilius joanovitz Cinskie (who is now Prince of the country) was brought into the open market place, before the seat of justice, and stripped, ready to have his head cut off with an hatchet, who notwithstanding at the same instant, and by the intercession of the Chancellor Ossinassi joanovitz, obtained mercy, and preservation of his life, and was very honourably entertained, and from that time forward, one could hear no speech of any thing else, but daily treasons, and all kind of conspiracies: whereof have ensued so many tortures, flagellations, disgraces, releasements, confiscations, and censure of goods, with new confirmations of estates, as it was most wonderful to hear: but this cursed race, and perverse generation of vipers, never ceased, until they had executed their tyrannical designs, during the government of a strange Prince. For his own person, he maintained his greatness very well: he was a man of mean stature, brown of hue, prompt to choler, but quickly appeased, he hath broken many a staff, and given sentence of death, upon the marshals, and other officers, when they did but a little swerve from their duty, he liked well to be on horse back, and loved to go often on hunting, being a man of great expedition, & that would quickly order whatsoever came before him, & commanded with excellent forecast, even in the least matters: he was a great enterpriser, of wonderful courage, and inwardly conceived, that all the country of Moscovia, was not sufficient for him, to purchase any great renown, so that he aspired after other countries also, and monarchies: at the beginning, he was very affable, giving free access, even to the meanest: but after he grew to know, and understand the Russians false pranks, he provided himself, of a guard of Livonians, and afterwards also, of Alwaynes, and other strangers, to wit, under three Captains, a French, an English, and a Scot Under the French Captain, who was called jaques Margarett, he had an hundred Archers, which carried Partisanes, and were richly clad in velvet, and cloth of gold. Under the English man, whose name was Matthew Knowtson, he had an hundred Halberdiers: as also under the Scot, called Albert Fancy, in like manner an hundred others, who were appareled in tawny cloth, with large guards of velvet, and on festival days, in red crimson velvet. The Archers had for the most part, 70. Roubles a year, and besides this, the revenewe of certain lands, whereon they might live. The Halberdiers, over and above their revenue of land assigned them, had 40. Roubles a year, and two suits of apparel; and besides these, he yet farther determined, to have also entertained an hundred muskeeteers, yet this determination was laid a part. Besides the delight which he took in hunting, he also took great delight, to cast pieces of Artillery, and not only to see them in hand, but also to prove them himself: for which end, he caused Ravylines', and Rampires to be erected, to imitate an assault, in which trainings, and exercises, he would always be in the thickest amongst others, so that sometimes he was but hardly entreated, and violently repulsed. Whilst this calm and peace endured, he sent the Lord Ossivassi Ivanovitz Vlussi, his Ambassador into Poland, to demand the Vayvod of Landimier his daughter in marriage, and to bring the said his spouse into the country. The Ambassador arrived at Cracovia, and after having procured, and obtained his request, the avant nuptials, or espousals, were very royally celebrated, and the said Lady, was placed at the upper end of the King of polonia's table, above the King, & the Pope's Nuntio: the like honour being done to the Ambassador, as to one, holding the place of the Emperor of Russia. The young Prince of Polonia, together with the King's sister, departed presently after, and so the said Ambassador was conveyed with a most magnificent train, even to the borders, and arrived here with the spouses' Father, in the City of Moscow, the 26. of April, where the day following, he presently made his report, to Prince Demetrius, and the said Vayvod had also his access, in saluting all the Courtiers, and very friendly embracing one another, who was lodged within the Castle, in Boritz Fendronitz lodging. The second of May, the new Empress, made her glorious entry into the Castle, being drawn in a Chariot all gilded, which was purposely made for her: and the same Lady espousal, was accompanied with a great number of Lords, and gentlemen, that is to say, first, with my Lord her father, the Vayvod of Landimier; and his son, my Lord, the King of polonia's Ambassador and the Lord Swisnevitz, brother to the other Vayvod: also the two brothers, Steri●fskie, and many others, which were of the suit of the said Princess: and then of the Prince's train, there was the Lord Peter Basmanoff, with all the great Boyars of the country, they being all most sumptuously clad, after the manner of that region: there was also many other Coaches, and Carosses of Ladies, and Gentlemen. The Princess showed herself very benign and gracious, in saluting not only, all the Ladies of the Court, but also, in discoursing very affably, with diverse citizens wives: and thus they advanced towards the Castle, where there was an high scaffold set up hard by the gate, upon the which, a number of trumpets stood, and kettle drums, making a wonderful sound, with the loud report of their instruments. From thence the said Lady Princess, was conducted to the Cloister, where the Ladies and Damoselles were resident, being the widows, and daughters of the great Lords, and Boyars of the country: and there was also the old Empress, where she was to stay, and spend the time, till the day of nuptial celebration. The Russians informed me, that these Ladies were there taught, and instructed in the articles of the faith, and Russian ceremonies, and that the same Lady Princess, was constrained to do the like, and that after this, she must be baptised after the Russian manner: but I rather suppose, seeing Demetrius frequented thither so daily, and was there so privately, that he taught her an other Catechism: and so as the entry into this Monastery, was made on a Friday, so was her coming forth, incontinently on the Wednesday following. For she was conducted again into the Castle, into lodgings very richly hung, and the gallery (through which she was to pass) was all covered with red crimson cloth, and the hangings of the said chambers, were for the most part, of cloth of gold. The day following, at Evensong, the espousals were solemnized by the Patriarch in our Lady's Church, where she was also crowned: the Temple round about, was hung with red cloth, with embroidery of gold and silk, and the pavement was covered with the like. The Crown, Sceptre, Globe, and Sword, were all carried before the Emperor of Russia, and the Crown, which was to be put on the Empresses head, was carried upon a cushion of red velvet: these solemnities continuing about the space of two hours, and thus they both went out of the Church together, leading one another by the hand, with crowns on their heads: on the right hand, the Emperor was led by the Lord Knees, or Duke Fender Ivanovitz Aliholsta: and the Empress on the left, by the Duchess, wife to the said Lord. The trumpets, kettle drums, and all other musical instruments, made a great noise, and all the Court, was in festivity, and joy. But in the ending, there was no great preparation, for it seems, that the greatest triumphing, was betwixt the new married couple. I forgot to relate, how the King of polonia's Ambassador brought with him, very goodly presents, the which he presented, the day after his arrival: which were vessels of silver, guilt, with a great number of cups, and goblets, and two goodly horses, with a fair dog: having delivered his letters of credence to the Emperors own hands, who receiving the letter, and perceiving, that upon the title of direction, there was mentioned the title of Emperor, and Monarch of Russia, he presently rejected the said letter, and delivered it himself to the same Ambassador: whereupon the Ambassador replying, answered, that his grandfathers, and predecessors, never pretended, nor usurped any such title, and that therefore, none was enjoined, to entitle him otherwise, then by the name of great Duke: but if he did affect any higher style than his progenitors, that then he should endeavour to conquer the Empires of great Tartary, or attempt to subdue under himself, the sceptre of the Turkish Emperor, and then he would be acknowledged of all the world, for an Emperor, and Monarch. At which so sharp, and stinging an answer, the Vayvod, Father to the spouse, was mightily astonished, and Prince Demetrius so enraged, that he would have cast his sceptre at the ambassadors head. When this choler was over, some body demanded of the Ambassador, whether the sceptre was thrown at his head or no? if it had been (said he) I would have taken it up, and gone away with the sceptre, returning presently into my country: notwithstanding, all this spleen passed over eassely, and they retired themselves peaceably, and very good friends, but the letter was never read. Money also was thrown abroad, when the coronation was solemnized, and Friday, which was the 9 of May, that is to say, the day after the coronation, and consummation of the marriage, the presents of the Ambassadors, and others of the Court, should have been delivered, but it seems, that this good Demetrius, who it may be (as having been heretofore a Monk) was too devout upon his breviary, he said too long a Mass with his new mistress, in whose company, he was so ravished, that he forgot to rise soon enough in the morning, and so showing himself in public very late, the same evening also there was no great banqueting at the Court. But on Saturday, which was a very solemn festival day, so as the Russians kept it with greater reverence, than their Easter: it vexed the Russians wonderfully, to see this day profaned by their Prince's nuptials, but notwithstanding this, the Emperor, with the Empress, having their crowns upon their heads, were set in a great Hall, where first the Patriarch, and then the Boyars, and in the end, Merchant's strangers, and other men of quality, entered in, kissing the new Empresses hand, and every one offering of their presents: amongst whom, was also your brother, and I, but I would to God we had kept our money in our purses, although we did it in hope, to have obtained some privileges; this we did out of a good intention, according as we had before received many fair promises from my Lord Vayvod: but the disastrous end of all this festivity, did in like manner frustrate us of our designs. Wherefore presently the tables were in readiness, and we were invited, and set in presence of our Emperor, at a most sumptuous dinner, and banquet, but after the manner of that country, and we strangers were placed at the table, with our faces towards the Emperor, but the Russians were not permitted to do so, but they must sit with their backs upon him: this feast might well deserve a pretty treatise apart, but we must reserve something till we return, to report unto you, by word of mouth, the brave drafts, that there they carowsed, and drank off. After this feast, they sent home unto us meat in gilded plate, but they forgot not quickly to redemaund their plate dishes again, otherwise it might have been supposed, that we received them in recompense of our former presents. There was very excellent music which was of Poland, among the followers of the said Lady, and this was the best pastime we had, but it was a very short joy and jubilee.  
The Sunday following, there was yet far greater feasting, and the king of polonia's Ambassador, made it known before, that he would not sit down at the table, except they did him the same honour, which was afforded the Ambassador of Russia, in the royal Court of Cracovia, where he was set down at the King's table, and so he requested, he might likewise have his place, at the Imperial table, to which the Emperor would not in the beginning consent, but so he let him understand, that he should have his place, above all the Boyares, and great Lords of the country: the which the said Polonian Ambassador flatly refused, so that at last, the Emperor permitted him to sit at his table, and so he came thither with his presents, which were far richer, than any of the former, and the banquet continued till it was late in the evening. In the retiring of themselves, a Polonian struck a Russian such a blow, that being sore wounded, he cried aloud, murder. But the uproar was presently pacified, and the two days following, there was nothing but sounding of trumpets, and kettle drums, after the Imperial manner. It was supposed also, that the guard of the Boyares, should have shot off their Harquebusses, and that the Artillery, and Chambers laden with balls of artificial fire, should have been discharged, in sign of joy, the Cannon was now drawn out of the City, and a Fortress of wood after the modern fashion was built for an assault: but all this (as an evil presagement) was given over. On Wednesday, a day, whereon the Russians eat no flesh, all was very silent, and still, as also the Thursday following, and by reason the Emperor had a little inkling of what was a brewing amongst the Russians, having always his ear, and eye hereupon, he advised all the Poloniaus to stand upon their guard, commanding all those of his own guard, that they should repair to the Castle, with their Harquebusses charged, bullet in mouth, and match light, and in truth, there was to the number of 15000. Muscovites, which were now in readiness, to effect their enterprise: but by reason that the Polonians kept good watch, and shot off many Harquebuzadoes in hearing, making a great rut with their kettle drums, the Russians durst attempt nothing: that present night, which might have served the other well, for an admonition, and foresight: as also they might clearly perceive, that the joy of this marriage suddenly ceased, and that all the time passed away, in an uncouth and dead silence, and the Friday after, there was none that would sell them any powder, or other warlike munition.  
In the mean while, the young Empress passed the time merrily amongst her damoiselles, in measures, dances, and masking, intending to have come the Sunday following, in a gallant mummery to find out the Emperor, when he should be at a banquet, with the great Lords, and to present them yet further, with some new recreations, but all this was interrupted: for the Russians now plotted, to put in execution, a design, which long time before they had resolved upon: which was, the same Saturday, being the 17. of May, according to the old style, about seven by our clocks in the morning. For this conspiracy to kill the Emperor, was projected before the Vayvods coming into the country with his daughter, they bethinking themselves long before, to entrap all the Polonians, which should then be there present, with their arms, and also because by the same mean, they would recover at that instant, all the treasure which had been sent out of the country, to the said Vayvod, & his daughter, and thus this tragedy began. On the same day, most terribly, the Boyars, with their servants being mounted on horse back, with harness, and coats of male on their backs, having lances in their hands, iavelines, and darts, bows, and arrows, scimitars, and all other kind of arms, the common people running up and down, with their steel mazes, stocks, and scimitars in their hands, the number of them being so great, as it seemed, that the Myrmidons swarmed as thick as hail stones, all the world ran hastily towards the Castle, crying no other thing, along the streets as they went, but, to the murder, to the fire, kill, kill, making one another believe, that the Polonians massacred the Boyars within the Castle, though very few of them were lodged within the same: but this was done to no other end, but the more to flesh the rakehell vulgar, against the poor Polonians.  
This uproar was so sudden, that diverse Russians, appareled after the Polonian fashion, were slain amidst the press, and incontinently, they belayed the Inns, and lodgings of all the Polonian Gentlemen, so as no body could either come forth, or assist one another, with their arms. They ran in thousands towards the Castle, where no resistance was made against them, by the Prince's Archers, who were all Russians, and held correspondency with the rest. And evil fortune went so hard on this miserable Prince's side, that where as he was wont to have every day, all 100 Halberdiers, in a corpse de guard, there was not now 30. no, not so much as one Captain to be seen, and yet if they had been there all together, and performed their best, in defending of themselves, it had been nothing against so great a multitude of people, but the slaughter, and butchery had been so much the greater, besides the evident danger, whereto was Dutch Merchants, and of all other strange nations should have run into. The Russians therefore, cried out to them of the guard, (so few of them as there were) that they should lay aside their arms, to come & join with them, and take their part, and then they should have no hurt at all, the which they presently did, & willingly yielded themselves, with their arms laid aside, The Russians then ran up towards the great Hall, with great press, the above named Peter Basmaneuf going before them, who was a very faithful friend of the Emperors, and who, heretofore had a servant, who many times spoke very evilly of the Emperor, and defamed him amongst the common people; the same was he, who suddenly struck his old master, in such a sort, that he died.  
The great troop than ran with like haste, thorough the Chambers, and even to the Emperors own lodging, who hearing this tumult, leapt out of his bed, putting on his night gown, and demanding what the matter was: whereupon one of his household Russes answered, that he knew nothing, and that it might be they cried out for some fire. No, villainous traitor as thou art, (said the Emperor) it is not for fire they thus cry out, but there must needs be some other matter in it, for all the bells, as well of the City, as of the Castle do ring alarm. Ah (said he further) do you think you have to do with an other Boritz and so he made himself ready, tucking up his shirt sléeves very high, and calling for his two edged Curtleaxe, which they were wont to carry before him, to lay about him, within on all sides, but he who had it in keeping, could not find it: and when he saw the enemy's troop to press forward, to fly upon him, he requested his Halberdiers which were before the gate, that they would not thus yield him into the Boyar's hands, shutting the door himself, and so retiring within some other more inward Chambers, even to the stuff where he was wont to bathe himself, whither he was presently pursued by his enemies, so that he leapt down out of a window, falling a marvelous height, upon the pavement; for his lodging was in the top of the Castle, so as it was a great wonder, that he broke not his arms, and legs, or that he was not crushed all in pieces. One of his Halberdiers, called Farstenberg, came presently down the stairs, and found him yet alive, but allhis breast was bruised, so as he did nothing but vomit blood, & his head was also all to be crushed, & bloody.  
The said Halberdier, with others help, carried him up again into his Chamber, where he was a little refreshed with waters and other comfortative drugs, while he came a little again unto himself, and then the Boyars had much talk with him, and interrogated with him upon some points, but it could never yet he well known, what passed betwixt them. And to the end that the said Halberdier might divulge nothing of such matters as had passed betwixt them, they presently killed him, and afterwards they slew their Prince, with many cuts and thrusts, and so they drew out his body, throwing it down from aloft with a cord fastened about his privities, and thus hacked, dragged it towards the market place like a dog or some other vile carrion, leaving thus his stripped and naked dead body, to the view of all the world, upon a plancher or stage erected on high, till the fourth day after, and under him, the body of his friend Peter Basmaneuf. There went every day thither great numbers of men and women, to see this hideous sight, and they put an ugly vizard upon the emperors belly, which they had found amongst the Empresses spoils, and in his mouth the flute, with a kind of little bagpipe, under the arm with a piece of money of the value of half a Patar, giving to understand by this, that for the piece of money he gave them a hunts up, or fit of an old song. The popular sort in the mean while, forbore not to run headlong up and down the Castle, and into the Polonians lodgings, killing diverse of them, and pilling of their houses, ransacking them in such sort as they had not a shirt left to put on their bodies. The Musicians defended themselves a good while, and five or six of them escaped, but the rest to the number of about twenty persons, were all hewn in pieces.  
The Lord Vayvods' house, by reason it was environed with good walls, and had also a good guard within, was saved: the gates were well barricadoed without, to the end that no man might go out, or fly away. I leave every man now to imagine, how this poor Princess with all her Ladies and Damosels, were discomforted in their hearts: for she was presently rob and spoiled of all her riches, jewels, movables, apparel; and even the cowches, and beds whereon she reposed, were taken away from under her: as also all the Lords and Polonian Gentlemen were rob of all the jewels and presents that had before been given them. True it is, that they within the town defended themselves very valiantly in their Inns, but in the end they were driven to yield, and leave the boot to the others. The Lord of Vituenetskie only saved himself, and his train, and killed many Russes, though they had planted the canon against his house, and at last seeing himself hardly beset, he hung out a white cloth, in sign that he determined to have yielded, causing presently a number of ducats to be scattered before his chamber dooze. The Russians ran thick and threefold to anoint their fingers herewith, but his people issued out suddenly upon them, and so slashing and hewing on every side, they slew above an hundred Russes, and made an open way for themselves to go out, when in the mean while, divers Boyars of the Castle came, who took the said Lord into their protection, and drive out all the common people, so that in the end, all this alarum was appeased.  
A Polish Gentleman called Nimetskie, brought thither sundry jewels of great value, and had delivered them to the Emperor but the day before: as a servant of the Lord Vol●kie did the like, having made show in the Court of divers goodly tapestries which he brought, all these things were taken from them. But above others, divers Almain and Italian Merchants are to be lamented, amongst whom, there was a very honourable aged man, who was called john Ambrosio Celari a Mylanese, that had also delivered out of his hands at the Court, to the value of three and twenty thousand Florines, who was there most villainously murdered, by the rascal vulgar. In the same lodging remained also two servants belonging to Master Philip Henbar, of Ausburg, who were recommended unto me by my friends at Croeo, and had also delivered for the value of above 25000. florins in merchandise sold to the Emperor, and yet they had taken from them, beside above 10000 florins more. There is yet here a merchant of Ausburg, called Andrew Nathan, which was out in the Court, above 200000. florins, being rob also of an 10000 florins, in goods and merchandise. Here is also a Russian Merchant of Lemberg, called Nicholas, who hath also lost great store of goods. I am afraid they will never recover any repayment thereof; I spoke twice with the emperors brother now reigning, by way of commending unto him, the affairs of these honest men, and presented unto him their petitions, to the end, that by his mediation, something might be obtained from the Emperor: but be gave me no other answer, but that this merchandise was never delivered to the precedent Emperor, by the Treasurer of Russia, but that the Polonians greased their fingers with it, so that the Russians, will not now, hear on that side, they alleging further, that none of all these things were ever found in the Treasury, but that this Roister (for he termed him Rostrigo, which is to say, a riotous, or debauched monk, for so he called the dead Prince) had sent it all out of the country, and that there was no more money remaining in the Treasury, to pay such sums. These Almaigne Merchants, had also one of their servants, which was borne in Antwerp, being named jaques, who was miserably slain, in this popular fury, and was thrown amongst other dead bodies into a ditch, but I caused him to be found, and drawn out, and did honourably bury him.  
All things had such lamentable issue, in this terrible days work, and the people's cry was so dreadful, the alarm bell ringing continually, and there being no end of slaughter, that I was in great anguish of mind, especially, when as I saw, that they sacked the next house to my lodging, where the Lord Peter Basmaneuf dwelled, who was one of the first, that was slain at the Court, looking every minute, for no better a bargain then the rest: but in the end, I took courage, and mounting on horse back, I broke through the press, being accompanied with three of my servants, committing myself to God's protection, and I went to find out one of the Lords and Boyars, to obtain from them a safe conduct, for fear of being massacred in mine own house, the number of them was so great, whom I met with their scimitars all bloody, in so fearful a manner, that I was many times exceedingly affrighted, and thought to have forsaken my way, which had been my apparent death. But God was so gracious to me, that I met in the streets two marshals, which were officers of Justice in the City, who left me one of their men, for my guide, and guard, with whom I returned to my lodging, but one of my servants remained, and went with them, who procured me further fix others of their men, to withstand them in the Justice's name, if the multitude should have gone about to force my house. I can never be sufficiently thankful to God, for preserving me in this so evident, and manifest a danger. And so this alarm continued, from morning till evening, but the night following, there was such a deep silence over all this great City, as though there had not been one living soul therein. The Inns of the Polonian Lords, were environed round about, and kept with a good guard, and all their arms taken from them. If this nation had kept good sentinel, and held themselves in arms, and good order, or but set fire on some parts of the City, when this alarm began, it had been the horriblest slaughter, and the greatest effusion of blood that ever was heard of: for there was a great number of them, and they were well horsed, and had good arms, and there, the houses are all of wood: but God had his hand herein, so that of the two, the less calamity happened: for the Polonians have no goodness in them, but are full out as villainous, and bad as the Russians.  
The fury being thus pacified by this emperors brother, being assisted by the principal Lords, and Boyars, they assembled together about the election of another Emperor, and so they jointly elected for their Prince, the Lord Vasilius Inavovitz Cintskie, and this election was made, on the 20. of May. Amongst the Dukes of this country, he is one of the most ancient, and of the ancientest, and most renowned family, of all the Boyars: God give him a long and happy life, and make him to govern well and justly.  
The 29. of May, Demetrius his body, was dis-interred, and drawn out of the City, it being there burnt, and consumed to ashes, and the multitude said, they would have it thus performed: alleging, how it was to prevent the charms, of that dead Enchanter. For the same night after he was slain, there was such a great, and wonderful frost, that all the corn of the fields was spoiled, and as diverse very old men also affirmed, in their life time, they never heard of the like, in so forward a season of the spring. All their fruits, and gardens were spoiled, and the leaves of the trees in the forests, were so withered, as it was to be feared, that this would cause a great dearth of all things throughout the whole country: all corn grew presently double, above the ordinary prize; but the night after his body was burnt, it was yet a far greater frost, so that these barbarous, and infidel people believe, that in his life time, he was a great Necromancer, but they should rather have ascribed it, to the great enormity of their own grievous sins.  
The thirty day of the same month the Articles of his condemnation were publicly read, and wherefore they made him to be dispatched after this manner. First, they alleged that he had been a shaven and graduated monk, whose kinsmen, sisters, and brothers were yet living, that is, his father in law, and his own mother, who were brought into the market place before all the people, and their order is so strict, that every professed Monk, leaving his order, and profaning his sacred vow, aught to be burned, and the like is observed towards Nuns, there being no remission or pardon granted for such an offence. For his father in law, his own mother, and his brother, who were exposed, (as hath been said) to the view of the whole world, they were reputed to be the same, though they resembled him in nothing at all, and whether they had suborned them, to confess such a matter in the presence of all men, God knows, this I may be bold to affirm, that I see them as well as many others, and I also saw them made, to kiss a cross, and take an oath thereon, that his name was Gregory, and in their language Griskie Strepy, and that he was a Monk of this City in the monastery of the Castle: men say, that in his youth he was very diligent to read and write, and delighted much to peruse and read Histories and Chronicles, having sometimes served in the patriarchs Court, for a Singing man and a physician, ever carefully observing whatsoever might further his intentions, neither would he ever go into the said monastery, as long as he was emperor, fearing (as men say) to be known by some of those monks, that were drooping and old, like the good old Jades of Galicia. Men say likewise, that at Galith, where he was borne, he caused his father in law, his mother, brothers, and all the rest of his kindred, to the number of three score persons, to be imprisoned in a tower: all this went currant amongst the common people.  
The second point was, that he was a Magician, and that by enchantment he had obtained so many victories, and prosperous success in attaining to the Crown,  
The third Article was, that he was known to be an heretic, that he never observed their feasts, nor fasts, and that he made no account of their Images and ceremonies.  
The fourth Article imputed to him, was, that he had entered into a dangerous and pernicious conspiracy with the Pope, against their Religion, wholly to supplant that, and to bring in the Roman rites, even as there were written Letters of the Popes found to that effect, while he was emperor, wherein he was exhorted, to put in execution, what he had before so oftentimes promised to the said Pope, persuading him, to procure in such sort, that the Jesuits, and other Romish Priests, might be established in their Churches, and that Temples and Colleges might be allotted them, to reform the whole Country.  
For the fift imputation, there were Letters brought forth, wherein he had treated and concluded with the Vayvod, to give him the principality of Smolenko, and to his wife, the principality of Novigrod, to their son the country of Dibiria, and that they had plotted together to have massacred all the Boyars, to extirpate their whole race, and to plant in their stead, the Polonian Vayvodes, and to constitute new Castelans, and Starostes, sed haec non credo: as also that he had drawn the Canon out of the City, and making show, as though he intended it for some pastime or triumph, to turn them against the City, and so to have bestowed on them so many canonadoes cross, or athwart, for their disseverance one from another, and thereupon the Polonians should have fallen into the City, and killed all those which made any resistance, and so to have made themselves absolute Lords of the chief City in the Country, which might very well have been effected, if the Russians had not stood well upon their guard: for, whosoever is master of that City, he is Lord of the whole country. Howsoever it was, I refer myself to a further time, which will discover all.  
Sixtly, they complained greatly, because the Boyars and great Lords of the country had so little, and in a manner, no access at all to the Prince, who did disdain them, and after such a sort, as they were feign to attend before the Palace gate, and oftentimes, were also repulsed by the Halberdiers, whereas the Polonians, entered as often as they would, and being oftentimes outraged, by this Polonian nation.  
When they made their complaints, surdo narrabant fabulam; there was no justice done, in revenge of the wrongs they endured, and moreover it was imputed unto him, that he undertook all his affairs, without demanding their counsel, or advise in any thing, and when they replied to any point, difficult, or doubtful, they were driven away with hand-blows, disgraced, and sent into exile.  
The seventh was a complaint: about the great, and excessive expense he had been at. He made him a gilded Throne, on each side of the same, there were six Lions gilded, all of massy silver, the which no other great Duke ever did, and the Sceptre and Crown was never carried before any other, as it was before this man, and that exceeding all his predecessors, he had bought many jewels, which were found in his cabinet, as also a number of other precious things, presenting divers very prodigally: and having sent into Polonia huge sums of money, so as the treasure was clean exhausted, and therefore he had laid great taxes and impositions upon the country, not rewarding for all this, those which deserved well, but ever favouring, rather Flatterers, Buffoons, and Jugglers, to whom he would usually give rich gifts, and that very largely too.  
Eightly, he was grievously accused to have profaned the sacred calling of vowed Virgins, in coming to the monastery of Nuns where his wife was: and going to see them oftentimes in very dissolute fashion, bringing thither musicans with him, revelling and dancing there, and causing them to sing such filthy songs, as wherewith these Virgins were greatly scandalised, who reputed it for a wonderful sin: but above all, for having violated some of them, and amongst the rest, one of Boritz Fendronitz his daughters, as also for celebrating his nuptials on the festival day of Saint Nicholas, which he should have held in great reverence, according to the custom of all the country. And further, that he had the image of the holy Virgin Marie standing upon the bolster of his bed, when he went to lie with his new Spouse: For making little account of monks and Priests, but causing them to be whipped, like poor beasts, if they mumbled but a word betwixt their teeth, that he had been a monk himself: and that he borrowed ten thousand Roubles out of a Cloister, to repay them, ad calendar Graecas, with other such like matters.  
Ninthly, he was accused to have been the Author, and occasion of a great spoil, and damage, which fell out upon the river of Volga, causing himself by false marks to be proclaimed the son of Fender juanovitz, whom under this pretext he had suborned to come to his succour, with many thousand Cosaques, to be the more secured of the country. Surely it must needs be confessed, that he was the cause of marvelous ruin to the country, for all the Ports of Astracasses were sacked, and all the goods and merchandise there, rob, and peeled: and out of Persia there comes great and inestimable treasure, and though some will say, that the revenues of all the country of Russie amounteth to above twelve millions: so we must suppose too, that all this was too little for such a prodigal Steward, and if he meant to continue his port and train as he had begun.  
The tenth complaint was (and questionless it was an insupportable thing) of the Polonian insolencies, outrages, and villainies, for they esteemed the Russes but as dogs, threatening them every day, beating them like slaves, and saying oftentimes, that they would make them slaves. The women, yea the Ladies and wives of the principallest amongst the Boyars, durst not any more go abroad in the streets, may they would go and seize upon them in their houses and lodgings, and where an husband walked with his Wife holding her by the hand, they have cut off his arm, and led away his Wife. Upon all these complaints, there was never no Justice executed. It so happened, that a Polonian was to be put to death, for an offence committed, and as they led the malefactor out of the town, the Poles issued out and slew the executioner, and frees their companion, so that this scéemed a scourge and punishment prepared for them, by the wrath, and vengeance of god. They further allege, infinite other faults, but if these above alleged, only are true, such a barlet well deserved death: yet it had been much more laudable, to have performed it, by course of Justice. Some said, that a little before the very moment of his death, he requested, that he might make his confession publicly, before all the world, but it was then too late: I am of opinion, if he had borne himself more mildly, without meddling with the Polos, and matched with some Lady of the country, applying himself to their humour, though he had been base than a paunch fed Monk, yet might he have kept the Crown on his head: but I believe that the Pope, with his Seminaries, and Jesuits, were a principal cause of his ruin, and total subversion. For these murderers of Princes would needs have made a Donke, too quickly, and they as suddenly light within the be hive. It is pity that their heads, were no better shaven, but they were transformed, too cunningly in so secular habit: such maskers, never paint themselves lightly, but in green. I believe likewise, that the polacks, will take heed hereafter, how they be so insolent as they have been, they which yet remain here behind, bear themselves, and go in the streets as meekly as Lambs, they are distributed into divers troops, of 2. and 3. hundred in a troop, and so they are sent to Smolensko, and Polotsko, some horses being appointed them for their conveyance: and to the end they should not take away those of the paisants, but finding their guards asleep, they killed about a score of them, but the rest awaking, revenged themselves presently upon the field, and slew about six and thirty Polonians, so that they are all cast into gaols and prisons, of which, peradventure not one shall escape. I judge that in all, there came short home about twelve hundred Poles, and four hundred Russes beside. An Ambassador is sent from hence, into Poland, to inform the King of all which passed here, and to treat of a peace, and in the mean while, the vaivode must stay here with all the Lords and Gentlemen about him (and so according to the answer good or bad, which he returns, they shall be held or released.)  
It is reported since, by those that have lately come over, that ivan Basilivitz son, the right Demetrius, was by this present Emperor digged out of his grave, having been fifteen years buried before at Ouglitz, whom he presented to the view of many, his body being yet whole and entire, and holding nuts in his hands, with which he was buried, using to play with them when he was a child. He is inferred in the Castle Church of Archangel, amongst the Emperors, and the people ascribe unto him the working of miracles, which they say are daily performed: and when they happen, general notice is given thereof, by the sound of a Bell. They are determined to build a Church over him, and to worship him as a Saint.  
These be the principallest of such occurrences as happened in this City, I beseech God to preserve us from a greater sedition yet suspected.  
The fifteenth day of June the like began again, for this accursed vulgar are ever hungry after boot and spoil, they would feign every day begin again their former garboils, but this last commotion was presently pacified by the Boyars.  
FINIS.