THE HISTORY of RUSSIA OR The Government of the Empero●● OF MUSCOVIA with the manners & fashions of the People of that Country. by G. Fletcher sometime fellow of King's College in Cambridge, and employed in the Embassy thither W. M. fecit. 1643    

The Contents of the several Chapters.  

Chap. 1 THe description of the Country of Russia, with the breadth length and names of the Shires Fol. 1  
Chap. 2 Of the Soil and Climate Fol. 6  
Chap. 3 The native commodities of the Country Fol. 14  
Chap. 4 The chief Cities of Russia Fol. 28  
Chap. 5 The house or stock of the Ruff Emperor Fol. 34  
Chap. 6 The manner of inauguration of the Ruff Emperors Fol. 40  
Chap. 7 The manner of their Government Fol. 47  
Chap. 8 The manner of holding their Parliaments Fol. 52  
Chap. 9 The Russee Nobility and by what means it is kept in an under proportion agreeable to that state Fol. 57  
Chap. 10 The government of their Provinces or Shires Fol. 70  
Chap. 11 The Emperor's Privy Council Fol. 82  
Chap. 12 The Emperor's customs and other Revenues, with the Sophisms practised for the increase of them Fol. 86  
Chap. 13 The Russee Commonalty, and their condition Fol. 107  
Chap. 14 Their public justice and manner of proceeding therein Fol. 117  
Chap. 15 The Emperor's forces for his Wars, with the Officers and their salaries Fol. 127  
Chap. 16 Their manner of mustering, armour, and provision of victual Fol. 137  
Chap. 17 Their order in marching, charging, and their martial discipline. Fol. 141  
Chap. 18 Their Colonies, and policy in maintaining their purchases by conquest Fol. 146  
Chap. 19 Their borderers with whom they have most to do in war and peace Fol. 155  
Chap. 20 Of the Permians, Samoites and Laps Fol. 180  
Chap. 21 Their Ecclesiastical state, with their Church Offices Fol. 166  
Chap. 22 Their Liturgy or form of Church-service, with their manner of administering the Sacraments Fol. 218  
Chap. ●3 The doctrine of the Ruff Church Fol. 231  
Chap. ●4 Their manner of solemnising Marriages Fol. 240  
Chap. ●5 The other Ceremonies of the Ruff Church Fol. 246  
Chap. 26 The Emperors domestic behaviour Fol. 256  
Chap. 27 The Emperor's household, with the offices of his house Fol. 265  
Chap. 28 The private behaviour and manner of the Ruff people Fol. 268    

CHAP. 1. The description of the Country of Russia, with the breadth, length, and names of the Shires.  
THe country of Russia was sometimes called Sarmatia. It changed the name (as some do suppose) for ●hat it was parted into divers small and yet absolute governments, not depending nor being subject the one ●o the other. For Russee in that tongue doth signify as much as to part, or divide. The Ruff reporteth that four brothers, Truber, Rurico, Sinees, and ●arivus, divided among them the North parts of the country. Likewise, that the South parts were possessed by four other, Kio, Scie●o, ●horanus, and their sister Libeda: each ●alling his territory after his own ●ame. Of this partition it was calid Russia, about the year from Christ 860. As for the conjecture which I find in some Cosmographers, that the Ruff nation borrowed the name of the people called R●xellani, and were the very same nation with them, it is without all good probability, both in respect of the etymology of the word, (which is very far fet) and especially for the seat and dwelling of that people, which was betwixt the two rivers of Tanais and Boristhenes (as Strabo reporteh) quite another way from the country of Russia.  
When it bore the name of Sarmatia, it was divided into two chief parts: the White and the Black. The White Sarmatia was all that part that lieth towards the North, and on the side of Liefland: as the Provinces now called Duyna, Vagha, Ustic, Vologda, Cargapolia, Novogradia, etc. whereof Novograd velica was the Metropolis or chief city. Black Sarmatia was all that country that lieth Southward, towards the Euxin, or Black Sea: as the dukedom of Volodemer, of Mosko, Rezan, etc. Some have thought that the name of Sarmatia was first taken from one Sarmates, whom Moses and Josephus call Asarmathes, son to Joktan, and nephew to Heber, of the posterity of Sem. But this seemeth to be nothing but a conjecture taken out of the likeness of the name Asarmathes. For the dwelling of all Joktans' posterity is described by Moses to have been betwixt Mescha or Masius (an hill of the Amonites) and Sephace, near to the river Euphrates. Which maketh it very unlikely that Asarmathes should plant any colonies so far off in the North & Northwest countries. It is bounded Northward by the Laps and the North Ocean: On the Southside by the Tartars called Chrims. Eastward they have the Nagaian Tartar, that possesseth all the country on the Eastside of Volgha, towards the Caspian sea. On the West and Southwest border lie Lituania, Livonia, and Polonia.  
The whole country, being now reduced under the government of one, containeth these chief Provinces or Shires: Volodemer (which beareth the first place in the Emperor's style, because their house came of the Dukes of that country) Mosko, Nisnovogrod, Plesko, Smolensko, Novogrod velica, (or Novogrod of the low country) Rostove, Yaruslave, Bealozera, Bezan, Duyna, Cargapolia, Meschora, Vagha, Ustug●, Ghaletsa. These are the natural shires pertaining to Russia, but far greater and larger than the shires of England, though not so well peopled. The other country's or provinces which the Ruff Emperors ●…ve gotten perforce added of late to ●…ir other dominion, are these which ●…low. Twerra, Youghoria, Permia, 〈…〉, Boulghoria, Chernigo, Oudo●…, O●doria, Condora, with a great 〈◊〉 of Siberia: where the people, 〈…〉 they be not natural Russes, ●…ey the Emperor of Russia, and ●…uled by the laws of his country, 〈◊〉 customs and taxes as his ●…le do. Besides these he hath und●…m the kingdoms of Cazan and ●…acan, gotten by conquest not lon●…. As for all his possession in 〈…〉 (to the number of 30. great●…ns and more) with Narve and 〈…〉 in Livonia, they are quite gone, being surprised of late years by the kings of Poland and Sweden. These Shires and Provinces are reduced all into four Jurisdictions, which they call Chetfyrds (that is) Tetrarchies or Fourth parts, whereof we are to speak in the title or chapter concerning the Provinces and their manner of government.  
The whole country is of great length and breadth. From the North to the South (if you measure from Cola to Astracan which bendeth somewhat Eastward) it reacheth in length about 4260 versed or miles. Not withstanding the Emperor of Russia ha●… more territory Northward, far beyond Cola, unto the river of Tromschua, that runneth a 1000 versed, well nigh beyond Pechinga, near to ward house, but not entire nor clearly limited, by reason of the kings of Sweden and Denmark, that have divers towns there as well as the Ruff, plotted together the one with the other, every one of them claiming the whole of those North parts as his own right. The breadth (if you go from that part of his territory that lieth farthest Westward on the Narve side, to the parts of Siberia eastward, where the Emperor hath his garrisons) is 4400. versed or thereabouts. A versed (by their reckoning) is a 1000 paces, yet less by one quarter then an English mile. If the whole dominion of the Ruff Emperor were all habitable, and peopled in all places, as it is in some, he would either hardly hold it all within one regiment, or be overmightie for all his neighbour Princes.   

CHAP. II. of the Soil and Climate.  
THe soil of the country for the most part is of a slight sandy mould, yet very much different one place from another for the yield of such things as grow out of the earth. The country Northwards towards the parts of S. Nicholas and Cola, and North-east towards Siberia, is all very barren, and full of desert woods, by reason of the climate, and extremity of the cold in wintertime. So likewise along the river Volgha, betwixt the countries of Cazan and Astracan, where (notwithstanding the soil is very fruitful) it is all habited, saving that upon the river Volgha on the westside the Emperor hath some few castles with garrisons in them. This happeneth by means of the Chrim Tartar, that will neither himself plant towns to dwell there (living a wild and vagrant life) nor suffer the Ruff (that is far off with the strength of his country) to people those parts. From Vologda (which lieth almost 1700. versed from the port of S. Nicholas) down towards Mosko, and so towards the south part that bordereth upon the Chrim (which containeth the like space of 1700. versed or thereabouts) is a very fruitful and pleasant country, yielding pasture and corn, with woods and waters in very great plenty. The like is betwixt Rezan (that lieth Southeast from Mosko) to Novograd and Vobsko, that reacheth furthest towards the Northwest. So betwixt Mosko and Smolensko (that lieth South-west towards Lituania) is a very fruitful and pleasant soil.  
The whole country differeth ver● 〈…〉 from itself by reason of th● year: so that a man would-marvel to see the great alteration and difference betwixt the winter and the summer Rus●…a. The whole country in the winter lieth under snow, which falleth continually, and is sometime of a yard or two thick, but greater towards the North. The rivers and other waters are frozen up a yard or more thick, how swift or broad soever they be. And this continueth commonly five months, viz. from the beginning of November till towards the end of March, what time the snow beginneth to melt. So that it would breed a frost in a man to look abroad at that time, and see the winter face of that country. The sharpness of the air you may judge of by this, for that water dropped down, or cast up into the air, congealeth into ice before it come to the ground. In the extremity of winter, if you hold a pewter dish or pot in your hand, or any other metal (except in some chamber where their warm stoves be) your fingers will frieze fast unto it, and draw off the skin at he parting. When you pass out of a ●arm room into a cold, you shall sensibly feel your breath to wax stark, and even stifling with the cold● as you draw it in and out. Divers not only that travel abroad, but in the very markets and streets of their towns are mortally pinched and killed withal: so that you shall see many drop down in the streets, many travellers brought into the towns sitting dead and stiff in their fleds. Divers lose their noses, the tips of their ears, and the balls of their cheeks, their toes, feet, etc. Many times (when the Winter is very hard and extreme) the bears and wolves issue by troops out of the woods driven by hunger, and enter the villages, tearing and ravening all they can find, so that the inhabitants are fain to flee for safeguard of their lives. And yet in the Summertime you shall see such a new hue and face of a country, the woods (for the most part which are all of fir and birch) so fresh and so sweet, the pastures and meadows so green and well grown (and that upon the sudden) such variety of flowers, such noise of birds (specially of Nightingales, that seem to be more loud and of a more variable note then in other countries) that a man shall not lightly travel in a more pleasant country.  
And this fresh and speedy growth of the spring there seemeth to proceed from the benefit of the snow; which all the wintertime being spread over the whole country as a white robe, and keeping it warm from the rigour of the frost, in the spring time (when the sun waxeth warm, and dissolveth it into water) doth so throughly drench and soak the ground, that is somewhat of a slight and sandy mould, and then shineth so hotly upon it again, that it draweth the herbs and plants forth in great plenty and variety in a very short time. As the winter exceedeth in cold, so the summer inclineth to overmuch heat, specially in the months of June, July, and August, being much warmer than the summer-aire in England.  
The country throughout is very well watered with springs, rivers, and ozeraes or lakes. Wherein the providence of God is to be noted, for that much of the country being so far inland, as that some part lieth a 1000 miles and more every way from any sea, yet it is served with fair rivers, and that in very great number, that emptying themselves one into another run all into the sea. Their lakes are many and large, some of 60. 80. 100 and 200. miles long, with breadth proportionate.  
The chief rivers are these; 1. Volgha, that hath his head or spring at the root of an Aldertree, about 200. versed above Yaruslave, and groweth so big by the increase of other rivers by that time it cometh thither, that it is broad an English mile and more, and so runneth into the Caspian sea, about 2800. versed or miles of length.  
The next is Boristhenes (now called Neper) that divideth the country from Lituania, and falleth into the Euxin sea.  
The third Tanais or Don (the ancient bounder betwixt Europe and Asia) that taketh his head out of Rezan Ozera, and so running through the country of the Chrim Tartar, falleth into the great sea lake or mear, called Maeotis, by the City of Azou. By this river (as the Ruff reporteth) you may pass from their city Mosko to Constantinople, and so into all those parts of the world by water, drawing your boat (as their manner is) over a little Isthmus or narrow slip of land, a few versts overthwart. Which was proved not long since by an Ambassador sent to Constantinople, who passed the river of Moskua, and so into another called Ocka, whence he drew his boat over into Tanais, and thence passed the whole way by water.  
The fourth is called Duyna, many hundred miles long, that falleth Northward into the Bay of Saint Nicholas, and hath great Alabaster rocks on the banks towards the seaside.  
The fifth Duna, that emptieth into the Baltic sea by the town Riga.  
The sixth Onega, that falleth into the Bay at Solovetsko, 90. versed from the port of S. Nicholas. This river below the town Cargapolia meeteth with the river Volock, that falleth i●… the Finland sea by the town Yama. So that from the port of S. Nicholas into the Finland sea, and so into the Sound, you may pass all by water, as hath been tried by the Ruff.  
The seaventh Suchana, that floweth into Duyna, and so into the North sea.  
The eighth Ocka, that fetcheth his head from the borders of the Chrim, and streameth into Volgha.  
The ninth Moskua, that runneth through the city Mosko, and giveth it the name.  
There is Wichida also, a very large and long river, that riseth out of Permia, and falleth into Volgha. All these are rivers of very large streams, the least to be compared to the Thames in bigness, and in length far more, besides divers other. The Pole at Mosko is 55. degrees 10. minutes. At the port of S. Nicholas towards the North 63. degrees and 50. minutes.   

CHAP. III. The native commodities of the Country.  
FOr kinds of fruits, they have apples, pears, plums, cherries, red and black (but the black, wild) a deen like a musk-millian, but more sweet and pleasant, cucumbers and goords (which they call Arbouse) rasps, strawberries, and hurtilberries, with many other berries in great quantity in every wood and hedge. Their kinds of grain are wheat, rye, barley, oats, pease, buckway, psnytha, that in taste is somewhat like to rice. Of all these grains the country yieldeth very sufficient with an overplus quantity, so that wheat is sold sometime for two alteens or ten pence starling the Chetfird, which maketh almost three English bushels.  
Their rye is sowed before the winter, all their other grain in the spring time, and for the most part in May. The Permians and some other that dwell far North, and in desert places, are served from the parts that lie more Southward, and are forced to make bread sometimes of a kind of root (called Vaghnoy) and of the middle rind of the fir tree. If there be any dearth (as they accounted this last year, An. 1588. wheat and rye being at 13. alteens, or 5. shillings 5. pence sterling the Chetfird) the fault is rather in the practice of their Nobility that use to engross it, then in the country itself.  
The native commodities of the country (wherewith they serve both their own turns, and send much abroad to the great enriching of the Emperor and his people) are many and substantial. First, furs of all sorts. Wherein the providence of God is to be noted, that provideth a natural remedy for them to help the natural inconvenience of their country by the cold of the climate. Their chief furs are these, Black fox, Sables, Lusernes, Dunne fox, Martrones, Gurnestalles or Armins, Lasets or Miniver, Bever, Wulverins, the skin of a great water Rat that smelleth naturally like musk, Calaber or Grace squirrel, Red squirrel, Red and white fox. Besides the great quantity spent within the country (the people being clad all in furs the whole Winter) there are transported out of the country some years by the merchants of Turkey, Persia, Bougharia, Georgia, Armenia, and some other of Christendom 10. the value of four or five hundred thousand rubbels, as I have heard of the Merchants. The best Sable fur groweth in the country of Pechora, Momgosorkoy and Obderskoy; the worse sort in Siberia, Perm, and other places. The black fox and red come out of Siberia, white and done from Pechora, whence also come the white wolf, and white bear skin. The best Wulverin also thence, and from Perm. The best Martrons are from Siberia, Cadam, Morum, Perm, and Cazan. Lyserns, Minever, and Armins, the best are out of Gallets, and Ouglites, many from Novogred, and Perm. The beaver of the best sort breedeth in Murmonskey by Cola. Other common furs, and most of these kinds grow in many, and some in all parts of the country.  
The second commoditi●… of Wax, whereof hath been shipped into 〈…〉 in country's (as I have heard i● reported by those that best ●now it) the sum of 50000. pood yearly, every pood containing 40. pound, but now about 10000 pood a year.  
The third is their Honey, whereof besides an exceeding great quantity spent in their ordinary drinks (which is ●ead of all sorts) and their other uses, some good quantity is carried out of the country. The chief increase of honey is in Merdua and Cadam near to the Cheremissen Tartar: much out of Severskoy. Rezan, M●rum, Cazan, Derogobose, and Vasma.  
Fourthly, of Tallow they afford a great weight for transportation: not only for that their country hath very much good ground apt for pasturage of cattle, but also by reason of their many Lents and other Fasts, and partly because their great men use much wax for their lights, the poorer and meaner sort birch dried in their stoves, and cut into long sh●vers, which they call Luchineos. Of tallow there hath been shipped out of the realm a few years since about a 100000. pood yearly, now not past 30000. or thereabouts. The best yield of tallow is in the parts and territories of Smolensko, Yaruslave, Ouglits, Novogrod, and Vologda, Otfer, and Gorodet skey.  
Another principal commodity is their Losh and Cow hide. Their Losh or Buff hide is very fair and large: Their bull and cow hide (for oxen they make none, neither yet weather) is of a small size. There hath been transported by merchant's strangers some years a 100000 hides. Now it is decreased to a 30000. or thereabouts. Besides great store of goat's skins, whereof great numbers are shipped out of the country. The largest kind of Losh or Buff breedeth about Rostove, Wichida, Novogrod, Morum, and Perm; the lesser sort, within the kingdom of Cazan.  
Another very great and principal commodity is their Trane oil, drawn out of the Seal fish. Where it will not be impertinent to show the manner of their hunting the Seal, which they make this oil of, which is in this sort: Toward the end of Summer (before the frost begin) they go down with their boats into the Bay of S Nicholas, to a cape called Cuscenesse or Foxnose, where they leave their boats till the next spring tide. When the sun waxeth warm toward the spring, and yet the ice not melted within the Bay, they return thither again. Then drawing their boats over the sea-ice, they use them for houses to rest and lodge in. There are commonly about 17. or 18. fleet of them, of great large boats, which divide themselves into divers companies, five or six boats in a consort.  
They that first find the haunt, fire a beacon, which they carry with them for the nonce. Which being esp●ed by the other companies, by such among them as are appointed of purpose, they come altogether and compass the Seals round about in a ring, that lie sunning themselves together upon the ice, commonly four or five thousand in a shoal, and so they invade them every man with his club in his hand. If they hit them on the nose, they are soon killed: If on the sides or back they bear out the blow, and many times so catch and hold down the club with their teeth by main force, that the party is forced to call for help to his fellows.  
The manner of the Seals is, when they see themselves beset, to gather all close together in a throng or plump, to sway down the ice, and to break it (if they can) which so bendeth the ice, that many times it taketh the sea-water upon it, and maketh the hunters to wade a foot or more deep. After the slaughter, when they have killed what they can, they fall to sharing every boat his part in equal portions: and so they flay them, taking from the body the skin, and the lard or fat with all that cleaveth to the skin. This they take with them, leaving the bodies behind, and so go to shore. Where they dig pits in the ground of a fathom and an half deep or thereabout, and so taking the fat or lard off from the skin they throw it into the pit, and cast in among it hot burning stones to melt it withal. The uppermost and purest is sold and used to oil wool for cloth, the gro●…, (that is of a red colour) they sell to make soap.  
Likewise of jokary or Cavery, a great quantity is made upon the river of Volgha out of the fish called Bellougina, the Sturgeon, the Severiga and the Sterledey. Whereof the most part is shipped by French and Netherlandish merchants for Italy and Spain, some by English merchants.  
The next is of Flax and Hemp, whereof there hath been shipped (as I have heard merchants say) at the port of Narve a great part of a 100 ships small and great yearly. Now, not past five. The reason of this abating and decrease of this and other commodities, that were wont to be transported in a greater quantity, is the shutting up of the port of the Narve towards the Finland sea, which now is in the hands and possession of the Sweden. Likewise the stoppage of the passage overland. By the way of Smolensko, and Pletsko, by reason of their wa●… with the Polonian, which causeth the people to be less provident in maintaining and gathering these and the like commodities, for that they lack sales. Partly also for that the Merchants and Mousicks (for so they call the common sort of people) are very much discouraged by many heavy and intolerable exactions that of late time have been imposed upon them, no man accounting that which he hath to be sure his own. And therefore regard not to lay up any thing, or to have it beforehand, for that it causeth them many times to be flieced and spoiled not only of their goods, but also of their lives. For the growth of flax the province of Vo●…ko and the country about is the chief and only place: For hemp, Smolensko, Dorogobose and Vasma.  
The country besides maketh great store of salt. Their best salt is made at Stararouse in very great quantity, where they have great store of salt wells, about 250. versed from the sea. At Astracan salt is made naturally by the sea-water, that casteth it up into great hills, and so it is digged down, and carried away by the merchants and others that will fetch it from thence. They pay to the Emperor for acknowledgement or custom 3. d. Russee upon every hundred weight. Besides these two, they make salt in many other places of the Realm, as in Perm, Wichida, Totma, Kenitsma, Solovetsky, Ocona, Bombasey, and Nonocks, all out of salt-pits, save at Solovetskey, which lieth near to the sea.  
Likewise of tar they make a great quantitiy out of their fir trees in the country of Duyna and Smolensko, whereof much is sent abroad. Besides these (which are all good and substantial commodities) they have divers other of smaller account, that are natural and proper to that country: as the fish tooth which they call Ribazuba, which is used both among themselves, and the Persians and Bougharians that fetch it from thence, for beads, knives, and sword hasts of Noblemen and gentlemen, and for divers other uses. Some use the powder of it against poison, as the Unicorns horn. The fish that weareth it is called a Morse, and is caught about Pechora. These fish teeth some of them are almost two foot of length, and weigh eleven or twelve pound apiece.  
In the province of Corelia, and about the river Duyna towards the North sea, there groweth a soft rock which they call Stude. This they cut into pieces, and so tear it into thin flakes, which naturally it is apt for, and so use it for glasse-lanthorns and such like. It giveth both inwards and outwards a clearer light than glass, and for this respect is better than either glass or horn; for that it neither breaketh like glass, nor yet will burn like the lantern. Saltpetre they make in many places, as at Oug●ites, Yaruslave and Ustug, and some small store of brimstone upon the river Volgha, but want skill to refine it. Their iron is somewhat brittle, but a great weight of it is made in Corelia. Cargapolia, and Ustug Thelesna. Other ours they have none growing within the Realm.  
Their beasts of strange kinds are the Losh, the olen, the will Horse, the Bear, the Wolvering, or wood Dog, the Lysern, the Beaver, the Sable, the Martron, the black and dun Fox, the white Bear towards the sea-coast of Pechora, the Gurnstale, the Laset or Minever. They have a kind of Squirrel that hath growing on the pinion of the shoulder-bone a long tuft of hair, much like unto feathers, with a far broader tail than have any other Squirrels, which they move and shake as they leap from tree to tree much like unto a wing. They skies a large space, and seem for to fly withal; and therefore they call them Letach Vechshe, that is, the flying Squirrels. Their Hares and Squirrels in summer are of the same colour with ours: in winter the Hare changeth her cote into milk white, the Squirrel into grey, whereof cometh the Calaber.  
They have fallow Deer, the roebuck, and goats very great store. Their horses are but small, but very swift and hard; they travel them unshod both winter and summer, without all regard of pace. Their sheep are but small, and bear course and harsh wool. Of fowl, they have divers of the principal kinds: First, great store of Hawks, the Eagle, the Gerfaulcon, the Slightfaulcon, the Goshawk, the Tassel, the Sparhawk, etc. But the principal Hawk that breedeth in the country is counted the Gerfaulcon.  
Of other fowls their principal kinds are the Swan tame and wild (whereof they have great store) the Stork, the Crane, the Tedder, of the colour of a Feasant, but far bigger, and liveth in the firre-woods. Of Feasant and Partridge they have very great plenty. An Owl there is of a very great bigness, more ugglie to behold then the Owls of this country, with a broad face, and ears much like unto a man.  
For freshwater fish besides the common sorts (as Carp, Pikes, Perch, Tench, Roach, etc.) they have divers kinds very good & delicate: as the Bellouga, or 〈◊〉 of 4. or 5. ●●ns long, the 〈◊〉 or Sturgeon, the Severign, and 〈…〉 somewhat in 〈…〉 like to the 〈◊〉, but not so thick 〈◊〉 long. These 4. kinds of fish breed in the Volgha, and are caught in great plenty, and served thence into the whole Realm for a great food. Of the roes of these four kinds they make very great store of Icary or Caviary as was said before.  
They have besides these that breed in the Volgha a fish called the Riba bela, or white Salmon, which they account more delicate than they do the red Salmon: whereof also they have exceeding great plenty in the rivers Northward, as in Duyna, the river of Cola, etc. In the Ozera, or lake near a town called Perislave, not far from the Mosko, they have a small fish which they call the freshherring, of the fashion and somewhat of the taste of a sea-herring. Their chief towns for fish are, Yaruslave, Bealezera, N●v●grod, Astracan, and Cazan: which all yield a large custom to the Emperor every year for their trades of fishing, which they practise in summer, but send it frozen in the wintertime into all parts of the Realm.   

CHAP. FOUR The chief cities of Russia.  
THe chief cities of Russia are, Mosko, Novograd, Rostove, Volodomer, Plesko, Smolensko, Yaruslave, Perislave, Nisnovograd, Vologda, Ustiuck, Golmigroe, Cazan, Astracan, Cargapolia, Columna.  
The city of Mosko is supposed to be of great antiquity, though the first founder be unknown to the Ruff. It seemeth to have taken the name from the river that runneth on the one side of the town. Berosus the Chaldean in his fifth book telleth that Nimrod (whom other profane stories call Saturn) sent Assyrius, Medus, Moscus, and Magog into Asia to plant Colonies there, and that Moscus, planted both in Asia and Europe. Which may make some probability that the city, or rather the river whereon it is built, took the denomination from this Moscus: the rather because of the climate or situation, which is in the very furthest part and list of Europe, bordering upon Asia: The city was much enlarged by one Evan or John, son to Daniel, that first changed his title of Duke into King, though that honour continued not to his posterity; the rather because he was invested into it by the Pope's Legate, who at that time was Innocentius the fourth about the year 1246. which was very much misliked by the Ruff people being then a part of the Eastern or Greek Church. Since that time the name of this city hath grown more famous, and better known unto the world: insomuch that not only the province but the whole country of Russia is termed by some by the name of Moscovia the metropolite city. The form of this city is in a manner round, with three strong walls, circuling the one within the other, and streets lying between, whereof the inmost wall, and the buildings closed within it (lying safest as the heart within the body, fenced and watered with the river Moskua, that runneth close by it) is all accounted the Emperor's castle. The number of houses (as I have heard) through the whole city (being reckoned by the Emperor a little before it was fired by the Chrim) was 41500. in all. Since the Tartar besieged and fired the town (which wa● in the year 1571.) there lieth waste of it a great breadth of ground, which before was well set and planted with buildings, specially that part on the Southside of Moskua, built not long before by Basibius the Emperor for his garrison of soldiers, to whom he gave privilege to drink Mead and Beer at the dry or prohibited times, when other Russes may drink nothing but water; and for that cause called this new city by the name of Nal●t, that is, skinck or pour in. So that now the city of Mosko is not much bigger than the city of London. The next in greatness, and in a manner as large, is the city Novograde: where was committed (as the Ruff saith) the memorable war, so much spoke of in Stories, of the Scythian servants, that took arms against their masters, which they report in this sort, viz. That the Boiarens or Gentlemen of Novograde and the territory about (which only are soldiers after the discipline of those countreus) had war with the Tartars. Which being well performed and ended by them, they returned homewards. Where they understood by the way that their Chol●pey or bondslaves, whom they left at home, had in their absence possessed their towns, lands, houses, wives, and all. At which news being somewhat amazed, and yet disdaining the villainy of their servants, they made the more speed home: and so not far from Novograde met them in warlike manner marching against them. Whereupon advising what was best to be done, they agreed all to set upon them with no other show of weapon but with their horse-whips (which as their manner is every man rideth withal) to put them in remembrance of their servile condition, thereby to terrify them, and abate their courage. And so marching on and lashing altogether with their whips in their hands they gave the onset: which seemed so terrible in the ears of their villains, and struck such a sense into them of the smart of the whip which they had felt before, that they fled altogether like sheep before the drivers. In memory of this victory the Novogradians ever since have stamped their coin (which they call a dingee Novogrod k●y, currant through all Russia) with the figure of a horseman shaking a whip aloft in his hand. These two cities exceed the rest in greatness. For strength their chief towns are Vobsko, Smolensko, Cazan and Astracan, as lying upon the borders. But for situation Jaruslave far exceedeth the rest. For besides the commodities that the soil yieldeth of pasture and corn, it lieth upon the famous river Volgha, and looketh over it from a high bank very fair and stately to behold, whereof the town takes the name. For Jaruslave in that tongue signifieth as much as a fair or famous bank. In this town (as may be guessed by the name) dwelled the Ruff king Ulademir surnamed Jaruslave, that married the daughter of Harald king of England, by mediation of Sueno the Dane, as is noted in the Danish story about the year 1067.  
The other towns have nothing that is greatly memorable, save many ruins within their walls. Which showeth the decrease of the Ruff people under this government. The streets of their cities and towns in stead of paving are planked with firre-trees, plained and laid even close the one to the other. Their houses are of wood without any lime or stone, built very close and warm with firre-trees plained and piled one upon another. They are fastened together with dents or notches at every corner, and so clasped fast together. Betwixt the trees or timber they thrust in moss (whereof they gather plenty in their woods) to keep out the air. Every house hath a pair of stairs that lead up into the chambers out of the yard of street after the Scottish manner. This building seemeth far better for their country, then that of stone and brick; as being colder and more dampish than their wooden houses, specially of fir, that is a dry and warm wood, whereof the providence of God hath given them such store, as that you may build a fair house for twenty or thirty rubbels or little more, where wood is most scant. The greatest inconvenience of their wooden building is the aptness for firing, which happeneth very oft and in very fearful sort, by reason of the dryness and fatness of the fir, that being once fired, burneth like a torch, and is hardly quenched till all be burnt up.   

CHAP. V. Of the house or stock of the Ruff Emperors.  
THe surname of the imperial house of Russia, is called Beala. It took the original (as is supposed) from the Kings of Hungary. Which may seem the more probable for that the Hungarian Kings many years ago have born that name: as appeareth by Bonfinius and other Stories written of that country. For about the year 1059. mention is made of one Beala that succeeded his brother Andreas, who reduced the Hungarians to the Christian faith from whence they were fallen by Atheism and Turkish persuasion before. The second of that name was called Beala the blind, after whom succeeded divers of the same name.  
That their ancestry came not of the Ruff nation, Ivan Vasilowich father to this Emperor would many times boast, disdaining (as should seem) to have his progeny derived from the Ruff, blood. As namely to an English man his goldsmith, that had received bullion of him to make certain plate, whom the Emperor commanded to look well to his weight, For my Russes (said he) ar● thiefs all. Whereat the workman looking upon the Emperor, began to smile. The Emperor, being of quick conceit, charged him to tell him what he smiled at. If your Majesty will pardon me (quoth the goldsmith) I will tell you. Your highness said that the Russes were all thiefs, and forgot in the mean while that yourself was a Ruff. I thought so (quoth the Emperor) but thou art deceived. For I am no Ruff, my ancestors were Germans (for so they account of the Hungarians to be part of the German nation though indeed they come of the Huns, that invaded those countries and rested in those parts of Pannonia, now called Hungary.  
How they aspired to the Dukedom of Volodemer (which was their first degree, and engrafting into Russia) and whether it were by conquest, or by marriage, or by what other means, I could not learn any certainty among them. That from these beginnings of a small Dukedom (that bare notwithstanding an absolute government with it, as at that time did also the other Shires or Provinces of Russia) this house of Beala spread itself forth, and aspired by degrees to the monarchy of the whole country, is a thing well known, and of very late memory. The chief of that house that advanced the stock, and enlarged their dominions, were the three last that reigned before this Emperor, to wit, Juan, Basileus, and Juan father to the other that reigneth at this time. Whereof the first that took unto him the name and title of Emperor, was Basileus father to Juan, and grandfather to this man. For before that time they were contented to be called great dukes of Mosko. What hath been done by either of these three, and how much they have added to their first estate by conquest or otherwise, may be seen in the chapter of their colonies or purchases perforce. For the continuance of the race, this house of Beala at this present is in like case, as are many of the greatest houses of Christendom, viz. the whole stock and race concluded in one, two, or some few of the blood. For besides the Emperor that now is, who hath no child (neither is like ever to have for aught that may be conjectured by the constitution of his body, and the barenness of his wife after so many years' marriage) there is but one more viz. a child of six or seven years old, in whom resteth all the hope of the succession, and the posterity of that house. As for the other brother that was eldest of the three, and of the best towardness, he died of a blow given him by his father upon the head in his fury with his walking staff▪ or (as some say) of a thrust with the prong of it driven deep into his head. That he meant him no such mortal harm when he gave him the blow may appear by his mourning and passion after his son's death, which never left him till it brought him to the grave. Wherein may be marked the justice of God, that punished his delight in shedding of blood with this murder of his son by his own hand, and so ended his days and tyranny, together with the murdering of himself by extreme grief, for this his unhappy and unnatural fact.  
The Emperor's younger brother of six or seven years old (as was said before) is kept in a remote place from the Mosko, under the tuition of his mother & her kindred of the house of the Nagays: yet not safe (as I have heard) from attempts of making away by practice of some that aspire to the succession, if this Emperor die without any issue. The nurse that tasted before him of certain meat (as I have heard) died presently. That he is natural son to Ivan Vasilowich, the Ruff people warrant it by the Father's quality that beginneth to appear already in his tender years. He is delighted (they say) to see sheep and other cattle killed, and to look on their throats while they are bleeding (which commonly children are afraid to behold) and to beat geese and hens with a staff till he see them lie dead. Besides these of the male kind, there is a widow that hath right in the succession, sister to the old Emperor, and aunt to this man, sometime wife to Magnus' Duke of Hol●t, brother to the king of Denmark, by whom she had one daughter. This woman since the death of her husband hath been alured again into Russia, by some that love the succession better than herself, which appeareth by the sequel. For herself with her daughter so soon as they were returned into Russia were thrust into a Nunnery, where her daughter died this last year while I was in the country, of no natural disease as was supposed. The mother remaineth still in the Nunnery, where (as I have heard) she bewa●●eth herself, and curseth the time when she returned into Russia, enticed with the hope of marriage, and other fair promises in the Emperor's name: Thus it standeth with the imperial stock of Russia of the house of Beala, which is like to determine in those that now are, and to make a conversion of the Ruff estate. If it be into a government of some better temper & milder constitution, it will be happy for the poor people that are now oppressed with intolerable servitude.   

CHAP. VI Of the manner of crowning or inauguration of the Ruff Emperors.  
THe solemnities used at the Ruff Emperor's coronation are on this manner. In the great Church of Precheste (or our Lady) within the Emperor's castle is erected a stage, whereon standeth a scrine that beareth upon it the Imperial cap and robe of very rich stuff. When the day of the Inauguration is come, there resort thither, first the Patriarch with the metropolitans, Archbishops, Bishops, Abbots, and Priors, all richly clad in their Pontificalibus: Then e●●e● the Deacons with the choir of s●●gers. Who so soon as the Emperor setteth foot into the Church, begin to sing, Many years may live noble Theodore Juanowich, etc. whereunto the Patriarch and Metropolite with the rest of the Clergy answer with a certain Hymn, in form of a prayer, singing it all together with a great noise. The hymn being ended, the Patriarch with the Emperor mount up the stage, where standeth a seat ready for the Emperor. Whereupon the Patriarch willeth him to sit down, and then placing himself by him upon another seat provided for that purpose, boweth down his head towards the ground, and saith this prayer, Oh Lord God, King of Kings, Lord of Lords, which by thy prophet Samuel didst choose thy servant David, and anoint him for King over thy people Israel, hear now our prayers, and look from thy sanctuary upon this thy servant Theodore, whom thou hast chosen and exalted for King oven these thy holy Nations, anoint him with the oil of gladness, protect him by thy power, put upon his head a crown of gold and precious stones, give him length of days, place him in the seat of Justice, strengthen his arm, make subject unto him all the barbarous nations. Let thy sear be in his whole heart, turn him from an evil faith, and from all error, and show him the salvation of thy holy and universal Church, that he may judge thy people with justice, and protect the children of the poor, and finally attain everlasting life. This prayer he speaketh with a low voice, and then pronounceth aloud, All praise and power to God the Father, the Son, and the holy Ghost. The prayer being ended, he commandeth certain Abbots to reach the imperial robe and cap: which is done very decently, and with great solemnity, the Patriarch withal pronouncing aloud, Peace be unto all. And so he beginneth another prayer to this effect, Bow yourselves together with us, and pray to him that reigneth over all. Preserve him (O Lord) under thy holy protection, keep him that he may do good and holy things, let justice shine forth in his days, that we may live quietly without strife and malice. This is pronounced somewhat softly by the Patriarch, whereto he addeth again aloud, Thou art the King of the whole world, and the Savioun of our souls, to thee the Father, Son and holy Ghost, be all praise for ever, and ever. Amen. Then putting on the robe and cap, he blesseth the Emperor with the sign of the cross, saying withal, In the name of the Father, the Sin, and the holy Ghost. The like is done by the Metropolites, Archbishops, and Bishops: who all in their order come to the chair, and one after another bless the Emperor with their two forefingers. Then is said by the Patriarch another prayer, that beginneth, O most holy virgin mother of God, etc. After which a Deacon pronounceth with an high loud voice, Many years to noble Theodore, good honourable, beloved of God, great Duke of Volodemer, of Mosko, Emperor and Monarch of all Russia, etc. Whereto the other Priests & Deacons that stand somewhat far off by the altar or table answer singing, Many years, many years, to the noble Theodore. The same note is taken up by the Priests and Deacons, that are placed at the right and left side of the Church, and then all together they chant and thunder out, singing, Many years to the noble Theodore, good, honourable, beloved of God, great Duke of Volodemer, Mosko, Emperor of all Russia, etc. These solemnities being ended, first cometh the Patriarch with the Metropolites, Archbishops, and bishops, than the Nobility, and the whole company in their order, to do homage to the Emperor, bending down their heads and knocking them at his feet to the very ground.  
The style wherewith he is invested at his Coronation runneth after this manner.  
THeodore Juanowich, by the grace of God great Lord and Emperor of all Russia, great Duke of Volodemer, Mosko, and Novograd, King of Cazan, King of Astracan, Lord of Plesko, and great Duke of Smolensko, of Tweria, ●oughoria, Permia, Vadska, Bulghoria, and others, Lord and great Duke of Novograd of the Low-countries, of Chernigo, Rezan, Polotskoy, Rostove, Yaruflaveley, Bealozera, Liefland, Oudoria, Obdoria, and Condensa, Commander of all Siberia, and of the North parts, and Lord of many other Countries, etc.  
This style containeth in it all the Emperor's Provinces, and setteth forth his greatness. And therefore they have a great delight and pride in it, forcing not only their own people but also strangers (that have any matter to deliver to the Emperor by speech or writing) to repeat the whole form from the beginning to the end. Which breedeth much cavil, and sometimes quarrel betwixt them and the Tartar, and Poland Ambassadors: who refuse to call him Czar, that is Emperor, and to repeat the other parts of his long style. Myself, when I had audience of the Emperor, thought good to salute him only with thus much, viz. Emperor of all Russia, great Duke of Volodemer, Mosko and Novograd, King of Cazan, King of Astracan. The rest I omitted of purpose, because I knew they gloried to have their style appear to be of a larger volume than the Queens of England. But this was taken in so ill part, that the Chancellor (who then attended the Emperor, with the rest of the Nobility) with a loud chafing voice called still upon me to say out the rest. Whereto I answered, that the Emperor's style was very long, and could not so well be remembered by strangers; that I had repeated so much of it, as might show that I gave honour to the rest, etc. But all would not serve till I commanded my Interpreter to say it all out.   

CHAP. VII. The State or form of their Government.  
THe manner of their government is much after the Turkish fashion, which they seem to imitate as near as the country and reach of their capacities in politic affairs will give them leave to do.  
The State and form of their government is plain tyrannical, as applying all to the behoof of the Prince, and that after a most open and barbarous manner, as may appear by the Sophismata or secrets of their government afterwards set down, aswell for the keeping of the Nobility and Commons in an under-proportion, and far uneven balance in their several degrees, as also in their impositions and exactions, wherein they exceed all just 〈◊〉, without any regard of Nobility 〈◊〉 People Further than it giveth 〈◊〉 Nobility a kind of unjust and 〈◊〉 measured 〈◊〉 to command and 〈◊〉 upon the 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 sort of people in all parts of the realm wheresoever they come, specially in the place where their lands lie, or, where they are appointed by the Emperor to govern under him; also to the Commons some small contentment, in that they pass over their lands by descent of inheritance to whether son they will, which commonly they do after our Gavelkind, and dispose of their goods by gift or testament without any controlment. Wherein notwithstanding both Nobility and Commons are but storers for the Prince, all running in the end into the Emperor's coffers: as may appear by the practice of enriching his treasury, and the manner of exactions set down in the title of his customs and revenues.  
Concerning the principal points and matters of State wherein the Sovereignty consisteth, (as the making and annulling public of Laws, the making of Magistrates, power to make war or league with any foreign State, to execute or to pardon life, with the right of appeal in all matters, both civil and criminal) they do so wholly and absolutely pertain to the Emperor, and his Council under him, as that he may be said to be both the Sovereign commander and the executioner of all these. For as touching any Law or public order of the Realm, it is ever determined of before any public assembly or Parliament be summoned. Where besides his Council, he hath none other to consult with him of such matters as are concluded beforehand, but only a few Bishops, Abbots, and Friars: to no other end then to make advantage of the people's superstitions even against themselves, which think all to be holy and just that passeth with consent of their Bishops and clergy men whatsoever it be. For which purpose the Emperors are content to make much of the corrupt state of the Church, as now it is among them, and to nourish the same by extraordinary favours, and immunities to the Bishop's Seas, Abbeys and Friaries: as knowing superstition and false religion best to agree with a tyrannical state, and to be a special means to uphold and maintain the same.  
Secondly, as touching the public Offices & Magistracies of the Realm, there is none hereditary, neither any so great nor so little in that country but the bestowing of it is done immediately by the Emperor himself. Insomuch that the very Diacks or Clerks in every head town are for the most part assigned by himself. Notwithstanding, the Emperor that now is (the better to intend his devotions) referreth all such matters pertaining to the State wholly to the ordering of his wife's brother, the L. Borris Federowich Godonoe.  
Thirdly, the like is to be said of the jurisdiction concerning matters judicial, specially such as concern life and death. Wherein there is none that hath any authority or public jurisdiction that goeth by descent, or is held by charter, but all at the appointment and pleasure of the Emperor, and the same practised by the Judges with such awe and restraint, as that they dare not determine upon any special matter, but must refer the same wholly up to the Mosko, to the Emperor's Council. To show his Sovereignty over the lives of his subjects, the late Emperor Juan Vasilowich in his walks or progresses, if he had misliked the face or person of any man whom he met by the way, or that looked upon him, would command his head to be struck off; which was presently done, and the head cast before him.  
Fourthly; for the sovereign appeal & giving of pardons in criminal matters to such as are convicted, it is wholly at the pleasure and grace of the Emperor. Wherein also the Empress that now is, being a woman of great clemency, and withal delighting to deal in public affairs of the Realm (the rather to supply the defect of her husband) doth behave herself after an absolute manner, giving out pardon (specially on her birthday and other solemn times) in her own name, by open proclamation, without any mention at all of the Emperor. Some there have been of late of the ancient Nobility that have held divers provinces by right of inheritance with an absolute authority and jurisdiction over them, to order and determine all matters within their own precinct without all appeal, or controlment of the Emperor. But this was all annulled and wrung clean from them by Juan Vasilowich father to this Emperor.   

CHAP. VIII. The manner of holding their Parliaments.  
THeir highest Court of public consultation for matter of State is called the Zabore, that is, the Public Assembly. The states and degrees of persons that are present a their Parliaments, are these in order. 1. The Emperor himself. 2. Some of his Nobility, about the number 〈◊〉 twenty, being all of his Council. 3. Certain of the Clergy men, 〈◊〉 about the same number. As for But ghers or other to represent the co●… munaltie, they have no place them the people being of no better acco●… with them then as servants or bo●… slaves, that are to obey, not to 〈◊〉 laws, nor to know any thing public matters before they are concluded.  
The Court of Parliament (called Zabore) is held in this manner. The Emperor causeth to be summoned such of his Nobility as himself thinketh meet, being (as was said) all of his Council, together with the Patriarch, who calleth his Clergy, to ●it, the two Metropolites, the two Archbishops, with such Bishops, Abbots, and Friars as are of best account and reputation among them. When they are all assembled at the Emperor's court, the day is intimated when the session shall begin: Which commonly is upon some friday, for the religion of that day.  
When the day is come, the Clergy men assemble before at the time and place appointed, which is called the Stollie. And when the Emperor cometh attended by his Nobility, they arise all, and meet him in an out room, following their Patriarch, who blesseth the Emperor with his two forefingers, laying them on his forehead and the sides of his face, and then kisseth him on the right side of his breast. So they pass on into their Parliament house, where they sit in this order. The Emperor is enthronised on the one side of the chamber: In the next place not far from him at a small square table (that giveth room to twelve persons or thereabouts) sitteth the Patriarch with the Metropolites and Bishops, and certain of the principal Nobility of the Emperor's Council, together with two Diacks or Secretaries (called Dumnoy dyakey) that enact that which passeth. The rest place themselves on benches round about the room, every man in his rank after his degree. Then is there propounded by one of the Secretaries (who representeth the speaker) the cause of their assembly, and the principal matters that they are to consider of. For to propound bills what every man thinketh good for the public benefit (as the manner is in England) the Ruff Parliament alloweth no such custom nor liberty to subjects.  
The points being opened, the Patriarch with his Clergy men have the prerogative to be first asked their vote or opinion, what they think of the points propounded by the Secretary. Whereto they answer in order, according to their degrees, but all in one form without any discourse, as having learned their lesson before, that serveth their turns at all Parliaments alike, whatsoever is propounded. Commonly it is to this effect, That the Emperor and his Council are of great wisdom and experience touching the policies and public affairs of the Realm, and far better able to judge what is profitable for the commonwealth than they are, which attend upon the service of God ●●ely, and matters of religion. And therefore it may please them to proceed. That instead of their advice they will aid them with their prayers as their duties and vocations do require, etc. To this or like effect having made their answers every man in his course, up standeth some Abbot or Friar more bold than the r●st (yet appointed beforehand as a matter of form) and desireth the Emperor it would please his Majesty to command to be delivered unto them what his Majesties own judgement and determinate pleasure is as touching those matters propounded by his Dyake.  
Whereto is replied by the said Secretary in the Emperor's name, That his Highness with those of his noble Council, upon good and sound advice, have found the matters proposed to be very good and necessary for the commonwealth of his Realm. Notwithstanding, for as much as they are religious men, and know what is right, his Majesty requireth 〈◊〉 godly opinions, yea and their censures too, for the approving or correcting of the said propositions. And therefore desireth them again to speak their minds freely. And if they shall like to give their consents, that then the matters may pass to a full conclusion.  
Hereunto when the Clergy men have given their consents (which they use to do without any great pausing) they take their leaves with blessing of the Emperor: who bringeth the Patriarch on his way so far as the next room, and so returneth to his seat, till all be made ready for his return homeward. The acts that thus are passed by the Zabore or Parliament, the Dyakeiss or Secretaries draw into a form of proclamation, which they send abroad into every Province, and head town of the Realm, to be published there by the Dukes and Dyakeiss or Secretaries of those places. The session of Parliament being fully ended, the Emperor inviteth the Clergy men to a solemn dinner. And so they depart every man to his home.   

CHAP. IX. Of the Nobility, and by what means it is kept in an under proportion agreeable to that State.  
THe degrees of Persons 〈…〉 of Russia, besides the sovereign State or Emperor himself, are these in their order. 1. The Nobility, which is of four sorts: Whereof the chief for birth, 〈◊〉, and revenue, are called the Udelney Knazey, that is, the exempt or privileged Dukes. These held sometime a several jurisdiction, and absolute authority within their precincts, much like unto the States or Nobles of Germany. But afterwards (reserving their rights upon composition) they yielded themselves to the house of Beala when it began to wax mighty, and to enlarge itself by overmatching their neighbours. Only they were bound to serve the Emperor in his wars with a certain number of horse. But the late Emperor Juan Vasilowich, father to this prince, being a man of high spirit, and subtle in his kind, meaning to reduce his government into a more strict form, began by degrees to clip off their greatness, and to bring it down to a lesser proportion, till in the end he made them not only his vassals, but his K●lophey, that is, his very villains or bondslaves. For so they term and write themselves in any public instrument or private petition which they make to the Emperor. So that now they hold their authorities, lands, lives and all at the Emperor's pleasure, as the rest do.  
The means and practice whereby he wrought this to effect against those and other of the Nobility (so well as I could note out of the report of his doings) were these, and such like: First, he cast private emulations among them about prerogative of their titles and dignities. Wherein he used to set on the inferiors to prefer or equal themselves to those that were accounted to be of the nobler houses. Where he made his advantage of their malice and contentions the one against the other, by receiving devised matter, and accusations of secret practice and conspiracies to be intended against his person and state. And so having singled out the greatest of them, and cut them off with the good liking of the rest, he fell at last to open practice, by forcing of the other to yield their rights unto him.  
2 He divided his subjects into two parts or factions by a general schism. The one part he called the Oppressini or Select men. These were such of the Nobility and Gentry as he took to his own part, to protect and maintain them as his faithful subjects. The other he called Zempskey, or the Commons. The Zempskey contained the base and vulgar sort, with such Noblemen and Gentlemen as he meant to cut off, as suspected to mislike his government, and to have a meaning to practise against him. Wherein he provided that the Oppressini for number and quality of valour, money, armour, etc. far exceeded the other of the Zempskey side, whom he put (as it were) from under his protection, so that if any of them were spoiled or killed by those of the Oppressini (which he accounted of his own part) there was no amends to be sought for by way of public justice, or by complaint to the Emperor.  
The whole number of both parts was orderly registered and kept in a book, so that every man knew who was a Zempskey man, and who of the Oppressini. And this liberty of the one part to spoil and kill the other without any help of Magistrate or law (that continued seven years) enriched that side, and the Emperor's treasury, and wrought that withal which he intended by this practice, viz to take out of the way such of the Nobility as himself misliked, whereof were slain within one week to the number of three hundred within the city of Mosko. This tyrannical practice of making a general Schism and public division among the subjects of his whole Realm proceeded (as should seem) from an extreme doubt, and desperate fear, which he had conceived of most of his Nobility, and Gentlemen of his Realm, in his wars with the Polonian and Chrim Tartar, what time he grew into a vehement suspicion (conceived of the ill success of his affairs) that they practised treason with the Polonian and Chrim. Whereupon he executed some, and devised this way to be rid of the rest.  
And this wicked policy and tyrannous practice (though now it be ceased) hath so troubled that country, and filled it so full of gr●…dge and mortal hatred ever since, that it will not be quenched (as it seemeth now) till it burn again into a civil flame.  
3 Having thus pulled them and seized all their inheritance, lands, privileges, etc. save some very small part which he left to their name, he gave them other lands of the tenure of Pomestnoy (as they call it) that are held at the Emperor's pleasure, lying far off in another country, and so removed them into other of his Provinces, where they might have neither favour nor authority, not being native nor well known there. So that now these of the chief Nobility (called Udelney Knazey) are equalled with the rest: save that in the opinion and favour of the people they are of more account, and keep still the prerogative of their place in all their public meetings.  
Their practice to keep down these houses from rising again and recovering their dignities are these, and such like: First, many of their heirs are kept unmarried perforce, that the stock may die with them. Some are sent into Siberia, Cazan and Astracan, under pretence of service, and there either made away, or else fast clapped up. Some are put into Abbeys, and shear themselves. Friars by pretence of a vow to be made voluntary and of their own accord, but indeed forced unto it by fear upon some pretended crime objected against them. Where they are so guarded by some of special trust, and the Covent itself (upon whose head it standeth that they make no escape) as that they have no hope but to end their lives there. Of this kind there are many of very great Nobility. These and such like ways, begun by the Emperor Juan Vasilowich, are still practised by the Godonoes', who being advanced by the marriage of the Empress their kinswoman rule both the Emperor and his Realm (specially Borris Federowich Godonoe, brother to the Empress) and endeavour by all means to cut off or keep keep down all of the best and ancientest Nobility. Whereof divers already they have taken away, whom they thought likeliest to make head against them, and to hinder their purpose, as Knez Andrea's Guraken, Bulgatkove, a man of great birth 〈◊〉 authority in the Country. The like they have done with Peter Gollauni (whom they put into a dungeon where 〈…〉 ended his life) with Knez Vasilieury which Gollo●hen, with Andrieu Juanowich Suskoy, accounted among them for a man of a great wisdom. So this last year was killed in a Monastery (whither they had thrust him) on K●… Juan Petrowich Saskoy, a man of great valour and service in that Country, who about five or six years since bare out the siege of the City Vobskn made by Stepan Batore King of Polonin with a 100000. men, and repulsed him very valiantly, with great honour to himself and his country, and disgrace to the Polonian. Also Micheta Romanowich, uncle to the Emperor by the mother's side, was supposed to have died of poison, or some li●e practice.  
The names of these families of greatest Nobility are these in their order. The first is of Knez Vol●…, which resteth at this time in one daughter a widow, and without children (mentioned before) sometime wife to Hartock Magnus' brother to the king of Denmark, now closed within a nunnery. The 2. Knez Metheloskey, thrust into a Friary, and his only son kept from marriage to decay the house. The 3. Cli●skoy. But one left of his house, and he without children save one daughter. The 4. Suskoy, whereof there are four brethren young men, and unmarried all. The 5. Hubetskoy. Of this house are four living. The 〈◊〉. Bulgal●y now called Guletchey house, whereof are five living, but youths all. The 7. Vorallinskoy. Two left of that stock. The 8. Odok●key. Two The 9 Telletskoy. One. The 10. Taytove. Three. These are the names of the chief families called Udelney Knazey, that in effect have lost all now, save the very name itself, and favour of the people, which is like one day to restore them again, if any be left.  
The 2. degree of Nobility is of the Boiarens. These are such as the Emperor honoureth (besides their nobility) with the title of counsellors. The revenue of these two so●● of their Nobles that riseth out of their lands assigned them by the Emperor, and held at his pleasure (for of their own inheritance there is little left them, as was said before) is about a thousand marks a year: besides pension which they receive of the Emperor for their service in his wars, to the sum of 700 rubbles a year, and none above that sum.  
But in this number the lord Borris Federowich Godonoe is not to be reckoned, that is like a Transcendent, and in no such predicament with the rest, being the Emperor's brother in law, his protector for direction, for command and authority Emperor of Russia. His yearly revenue in land and pension, amounteth to the sum of 93700. rubbels and more, as appear by the particulars. He hath of inheritance which himself hath augmented in Vasma Dorogobose six thousand rubbels a year. For his office of Connick, or master of the Horse, 1200. rubbels or marks, raised out of the Conaslue Sloboday, or the liberties pertaining to that Office, which are certain Lands and Towns near about the Mosko. Besides, all the meadow and pasture ground on both sides the bank of the river Mosko, thirty versed up the stream, and forty versed downwards. For his pension of the Emperor (besides the other for his office) 15000. rubbels. Out of the Province or Shire of Vagha, there is given him for a peculiar exempted out of the Chetfird of Posolskoy 32000. rubbels. besides a rent of furs. Out of Rezan and Sever (another peculiar) 30000. rubbels. Out of Otfer and Turiock another exempt place 8000 rubbels. For rend of Bathstoves and Bathing houses without the walls of Mosko 1500. rubbels. Besides his pomest, or lands which he holdeth at the Emperor's pleasure, which far exceedeth the proportion of land allotted to the rest of the Nobility.  
One other there is of the house of Glinskoy that dispendeth in land and pension about 40000. rubbels yearly. Which he is suffered to enjoy because he hath married Borris his wife's sister, being himself very simple, and almost a natural. The ordering of him and his lands are committed to Borris.  
In the third rank are the Voyavodey or such Nobles as are or have been Generals in the Emperor's wars. Which deliver the honour of their title to their posterities also 〈◊〉 who take their place above the other Dukes and Nobles that are not of the two former sorts, viz. of the Vdelney Knazey, and of the Boiarens.  
These three degrees of their Nobility (to wit) the Udelney knazey, the Boiarens, and the Voiavodey have the addition of Which, put under their surname, as Borris Federowich, etc. which is a note of honour that the rest may not usurp. And in case it be not added in the naming of them, they may sue the Bestchest or penalty of dishonour upon them that otherwise shall term them.  
The fourth and lowest degree of Nobility with them, is of such as bear the name of Knazey or Dukes, but come of the younger brothers of those chief houses, through many descents, and have no inheritance of their own save the bare name or title of Duke only. For their order is to deliver their names and titles of their dignities over to all their children alike, whatsoever else they leave them. So that the sons of a Voiavodey or General in the field are called Voiavodey, though they never saw the field, and the sons of a Knez or Duke are called Knazey, though they have not one groat of inheritance or livelihood to maintain themselves withal. Of this sort there are so many that the plenty maketh them cheap, so that you shall see Duke's glad to serve a mean man for five or six rubbels or marks a year, and yet they will stand highly upon their Bestchest or reputation of their Honours. And these are their several degrees of Nobility.  
The second degree of persons is of their Sina Boiarskey, or the sons of Gentlemen, which all are preferred, and hold that name by their service in the Emperor's wars, being soldiers by their very stock and birth. To which order are referred their Dyacks or Secretaries, that serve the Emperor in every head town, being joined in Commission with the Dukes of that place.  
The last are their Commons, whom they call Mousicks. In which number they reckon their Merchants, and their common artificers. The very lowest and basest sort of this kind (which are held in no degree) are their country people, whom they call Christianeis. Of the Sina boiarskey (which are all soldiers) we are to see in the description of their forces, and military provisions: Concerning their Mousicks, what their condition and behaviour is, in the title or chapter Of the common people.   

CHAP. X. Of the government of their Provinces and Shires.  
THe whole country of Russia (as was said before) is divided into four parts, which they call Chetfirds, or Tetrarchies. Every Chetfird containeth divers shires, and is annexed to a several office, whereof it takes the name. The first Chetfird or tetrarchy beareth the name of Pososkoy Chetfird, or the Jurisdiction of the office of Ambassages, and at this time is under the chief Secretary and officer of the Ambassages, called Andrea's Shalcalove. The standing fee or stipend that he receiveth yearly of the Emperor for this service, is 100 rubbels or marks.  
The second is called the Roseradney Chetfird, because it is proper to the Roserade or high Constable. At this time it pertaineth by virtue of office to Basilie Shalcolove, brother to the Chancellor, but it is executed by one Zapon Abramove. His pension is an hundred rubbels yearly.  
The third is the Chetfird of Pomestnoy, as pertaining to that office. This keepeth a Register of all lands given by the Emperor for service to his Noblemen, Gentlemen, and others, giveth out and taketh in all assurances for them. The officer at this time is called Eleazar Wellusgine. His stipend is 500 rubbels a year.  
The fourth is called Cassanskoy dworets, as being appropriate to the office that hath the jurisdiction of the kingdoms of Cazan and Astracan, with the other towns lying upon the Volgha, now ordered by one Druzhine Pentcleove, a man of very special account among them for his wisdom and promptness in matters of policy. His pension is 150. rubbels a year.  
From these Chetfirds or Tetrarchies is exempted the Emperor's inheritance or Vochin (as they call it) for that it pertained from ancient time to the house of Beala, which is the surname of the imperial blood. This standeth of 36. towns with their bounds or territories; besides divers peculiar jurisdictions, which are likewise deducted out of those Chetfirds, as the Shire of Vagha (belonging to the Lord Borrise Feder●wich Godonoe) and such like.  
These are the chief governor's o● officers of the Provinces, not resident at their charge abroad, but attending the Emperor whithersoever 〈◊〉 goeth, and carrying their offices about with them, which for the 〈◊〉 part they hold at Mosko, as the Emperor's chief seat.  
The parts and practice of these four officeo is to receive all complaints and actions whatsoever, that are brought out of their several Chetfirds and quarters, and to inform them to the Emperor's Counsel. Likewise to send direction again to those that are under them in their said Provinces, for all matters given in charge by the Emperor and his Counsel, to be done or put in execution within their precincts.  
For the ordering of every particular Province of these four Chetfirds, there is appointed one of these Dukes, which were reckoned before in the lowest degree of their Nobility, which are resident in the head towns of the said Provinces. Whereof every one hath joined with him in Commission a Dyack or Secretary to assist him, or rather to direct him. For in the executing of their commission the Dyack doth all.  
The parts of their Commission are these in effect. First to hear and determine in all civil matters within their precinct. To which purpose they have under them certain officers, as Gubnoy Starets or Coroners, who, besides the trial of self-murders, are to attach felons: and the Soudiae or under-Justices, who themselves also may hear and determine in all matters of the same nature, among the country people of their own wards or bailiwicks: but so, that in case either party dissent, they may appeal, and go further to the Duke and Dyack that reside within the head town. From whom also they may remove the matter to the higher court at Mosko of the Emperor's Counsel, where lie all appeals. They have under them also Sotskey Starets, that is Aldermen, or Balives of the hundreds.  
Secondly, in all criminal matters, as theft, murder, treason, etc. they have authority to apprehend, to examine, and to imprison the malefactor, and so having received perfe●… evidence & information of the cause, they are to send it ready drawn and orderly digested up to the Mosko, to the officer of the Chetfird, whereunto that Province is annexed, by whom it is referred and propounded to the Emperor's Counsel. But to determine in any matter criminal, or to do execution upon the party offending, is more than their commission will allow them to do.  
Thirdly, if there be any public service to be done within that Province (as the publishing of any Law, or common order, by way of prodamation, collecting of taxes and impositions for the Emperor, mustering of soldiers, and sending them forth at the day and to the place assigned by the Emperor or his Counsel) all these and such like per●… to their charge.  
These Dukes and Dyacks are appointed to their place by the Emperor himself, and are changed ordinarily at every years' end, except upon some special liking or suit the ●ime be prorogued for a year or two 〈◊〉. They are men of themselves of 〈◊〉 erodit nor favour with the people where they govern, being neither 〈◊〉 nor brought up among them, 〈◊〉 yet having inheritance of their own there or else where. Only o● the Emperor they have for that service an 100 marks a year he that hath most, some fifty, some but thirty. Which maketh them more suspected and odious to the people, because being so bare, and coming fresh and hungry upon them lightly every year, they rack and spoil them with out all regard of justice or conscience. Which is easily tolerated by the chief officers of the Chetfirds, to the end they may rob them again, and have a better booty when they call them to account: which commonly they do at the end of their service, making an advantage of their injustice and oppression over the poor people. There are few of them but they come to the Pudkey or wh●… when their time is ended, which themselves for the most part do mak●… account of. And therefore they furnish themselves with all the sp●… they can for the time of their government, that they may have for both turns, aswell for the Emperor, a●… Lord of the Chetfird, as to res●… some good part for themselves.  
They that are appointed to govern abroad, are men of this quality, save that in the four border towns that are of greatest importance are set men of more special valour and trust, two in every town. Whereof one is ever of the Emperor's privy Counsel. These four border towns are Smolensko, Vobsko, Novogrod, and Cazan, whereof three lie towards the Polonian and Sweden, one bordereth far off upon the Chrim Tartar. These have larger commission than the other Dukes of the Provinces that I spoke of before, and may do execution in criminal matters. Which is thought behooveful for the Commonwealth, for incident occasions that may happen upon the borders that are far off, and may not stay for direction, about every occurrent and particular matter from the Emperor and his Counsel. They are changed every year (except as before) and have for their stipend 700. rubbels a year he that hath most, some have but 400. Many of these places that are of greatest importance, and almost the whole country is managed at this time by the Godonoes' and their clients.  
The city of Mosko (that is the Emperor's seat) is governed altogether by the Emperor's Counsel. All matters there both civil & criminal are heard & determined in the several courts, held by some of the said Counsel, that reside there all the year long.  
Only for their ordinary matters (as buildings, reparations, keeping of their streets decent and clean, collections, levying of taxes, impositions and such like) are appointed two Gentlemen, and two Dyacks or Secretaries, who hold a court together for the ordering of such matters. This is called the Zempskey house. If any townsman suspect his servant of these or like matter, hither he may bring him to have him examined upon the Pudkey, or other torture. Besides these two Gentlemen and Secretaries that order the whole City, there are Starusts or Aldermen for every several company. The Alderman hath his Sotskey or Constable, and the Constable hath certain Deoetskeiss or Decurions under him, which have the oversight of ten households apeice, whereby every disorder is sooner spied, and the common service hath the quicker dispatch. The whole number of Citizens poor and rich are reduced into companies. The chief officers (as the Dyacks and Gentlemen) are appointed by the Emperor himself, the Starust by the Gentlemen and Dyacks, the Sotskey by the Starust or Alderman, and the D●…skois by the Constables.  
This manner of government of their Provinces and towns, if it were as well set for the giving of justice indifferently to all sorts, as it is to prevent innovations, by keeping of the Nobility within order, and the Commons in subjection, it might seem in that kind to be no bad nor unpolitick way for the containing of so large a Commonwealth, of that breadth and length as is the kingdom of Russia. But the oppression and flaverie is so open and so great, that a man would marvel how the Nobility and people should suffer themselves to be brought under in, while they had any means to avoid and repunlse it; or being so strengthened as it is at this present, how the Emperors themselves can be content to practise the same with so open injustice and oppressión of their Subjects, being themselves of a Christian profession.  
By this it appeareth how hard a matter it were to alter the state of the Ruff government, as now it standeth. First, because they have none of the Nobility able to make head. As for the Lords of the four Chetfirds or Tetrarchies, they are men of no Nobility, but Dyacks advanced by the Emperor, depending on his favour, and attending only about his own person. And for the Dukes that are appointed to govern under them, they are but men of a titular dignity (as was said before) of no power, authority, nor credit, save that which they have out of the office, for the time they enjoy it. Which doth purchase them no favour, but rather hatred of the people, for as much as they see that they are set over them, not so much for any care to do them right and justice, as to keep them under in a miserable subjection, and to take the fleece from them, not once in the year (as the owner from his sheep) but to poll and clip them all the year long. Besides the authority and rule which they bear is rend and divided into many small pieces, being divers of them in every great Shire, limited besides with a very short time, which giveth them no scope to make any strength, nor to contrive such an enterprise, if happily they intended any matter of innovation. As for the common people (as may better appear in the description of their state and quality afterwards set down) besides their want of armour and practice of war (which they are kept from of purpose) they are robbed continually both of their hearts and money (besides other means) sometime by pretence of some service to be done for the common defence, sometimes without any show at all of any necessity of Commonwealth or Prince. So that there is no means either for Nobility or people to attempt any innovation, so long as the military forces of the Emperor (which are the number of 8000. ac the least in continual pay) hold themselves fast and sure unto him, and to the present state. Which needs they must do, being of the quality of Soldiers, and enjoying withal that free liberty of wronging and spoiling of the commons at their preasure, which is permitted them of purpose to make them have a liking of the present state. As for the agreement of the soldiers and commons, it is a thing not to be feared, being of so opposite and contrary practice much one to the other. This desperate state of things at home maketh the people for the most part to wish for some foreign invasion, which they suppose to be the only means to rid them of the heavy yoke of this tyrannous government.   

CHAP. XI. Of the Emperor's Counsel.  
THe Emperors of Russia give the name of Counsellor to divers of their chief Nobility, rather for honour's sake, then for any use they make of them about their matters of state. These are called Boiarens, without any addition, and may be called Counselors at large. For they are seldom or never called to any public consulearion. They which are of his special and privy Counsel indeed (whom he useth daily and ordinarily for all public matters pertaining to the State) have the addition of Dumnoy, and are named Dumnoy boiaren, or Lords of the Counsel, their office or sitting Boar●●ua dumna.  
Their names at this present are these in their order. First, Knez Feoder Joanowich Methisloskey. 2. Knez Jean Michailowich Glinskoy. 3. Knez. Vasi●ee Juanowich Silskoy Scopin. (These three are accounted to be of greater birth than wisdom, taken in (as may seem) for that end, rather to furnish the place with their honours and presence, then with their advice or counsel) 4. Knez Vasilie Juanowich Suskey, thought to be more wise than the other of his name. 5. Knez Fever Michailowich. 6. Knez Micheta Romanowich Trowbetskoy. 7. Knez Timophey Romanowich Trowbetskoy. 8. Knez Andriew Gregoriwich Curakine. 9 Knez Demetrie Juanowich Forestine. 10. Knez Feoder Juanowich Forestine. 11. Bodan Juanowich Sabarove. 12. Knez Juan Vasilowich. 13. Knez Feoder Demetriwich Shestinove. 14. Knez Feoder Michailowich Troyconiove. 15. Juan Buterlyney. 16. Demetrie Juanowich Godonoe. 17. Borris Federowich Godonoe, brother to the Empress. 18. Stephan Vasilowich Godonoe. 19 Gregory Vasilowich Godonoe. 20. Juan Vasilowich Godonoe. 21. Feoder Sheremitove. 22. Andrew Petrowich Cleshenina. 23. Ignatie Petrowich Tatislove. 24. Roman Michailowich Peva. 25. Demenshoy Juanowich Cheremissen. 26 Romain Vasilowich Alferiove. 27. Andrew Shalcalove. 28. Vasily Shalcalove. 29. Eleazar Wellusgin. 30. Drezheen Penteleove. 31. Zapon Abramove.  
The four last of these are called Dumnoy Dyakey or Lord Secretaries. These are all of the Emperor's privy counsel, though but few of them are called to any consultation: for that all matters are advised & determined upon by Borris Federowich Godonoe, brother to the Empress, with some five or six more whom it pleaseth him to call. If they come, they are rather to hear then to give counsel, & do so demean themselves. The matters occurrent which are of state done within the Realm are informed them at their sit by the Lords of the four Chetfirds, or Tetrarchies, whereof mention is made in the chapter concerning the Government of their Provinces, who bring in all such letters as they receive from the Dukes, Dyacks, Captains, & other officers of the Cities, & Castles, pertaining to their several quarter or Chetfird, with other advertisements, and inform the Counsel of them.  
The like is done by the chief officer of every several office of Record: who may come into the Counsel chamber, and inform them, as occasion incident to his office doth require. Besides matters of State, they consider of many private causes, informed by way of supplication in very great numbers. Whereof some they entertain and determine, as the cause or means can procure favour. Some they send to the offices whereto they pertain by common course of Law. Their ordinary days for their sitting, are mondays, wednesdays, and fridays. Their time of meeting is commonly seven a clock in the morning. If there be any extraordinary occasion that requireth consultation on some other day, they have warning by the Clerk of the counsel, called Dorosey Bushew, who receiveth order from the Koserad or high Constable of the realm to call them together at the time appointed.   

CHAP. XII. Of the Emperor's customs and other revenues.  
FOr the receiving of customs and other rents belonging to the Crown, there are appointed divers under-officers, which deliver over the same into the head-treasurie. The first is the office of Dwoertsova or Steward of the household. The second is the office of the Chetfirds, which I comprehend under one, though it be divided into four several parts, as was said before. The third is called Bulsha prech●de, on the great income.  
As touching the first, which is the office of the Steward, it receiveth all the rents of the Emperor's inheritance, or Crown land, which they call Vochin. The Vochin or Crown land containeth in it 36. towns with the territories or hundreds belonging unto them. Whereof the chief that yield the greatest rents are these, Alexandrisca, Corelska, Otser, Slobodey, Danielska, Moisaiskoy, Chara, Sametzka, Strararouse, Bransove, etc. The inhabitants or tenants of these and the other towns pay some rentmoney, some other rent-duties (called Obrokey) as certain chetfirds, or measures of grain, wheat, rye, barley, 〈◊〉, etc. or of other victual, as Oxen, Sheep, Swans, Geese, Hares, Hen●es, wild Fowl, Fish, Hay, Wood, Honey, etc. Some are bound to ●ow for the Emperor's provision certain acres of ground, and to make the corn ready for his use, having for it an allowance of certain altars of ground for their own proper use.  
This provision for the household, specially of grain served in by the Tenants, is a great deal more than is spent in his house, or in other allowance served out in livery, or for the Emperor's honour, called Schalovaney: for which use there is bestowed very much both in grain, and other victual. This surplus of provision is sold by the Steward to the best hand, and runneth into the Emperor's treasury.  
In the time of Juan Vasilowich, father to this Emperor (who kept a more Princely and bountiful house then the Emperor now doth) this overplus of grain, and other incomes into the Steward's office, yielded to his treasury not past 60. thousand rubbels yearly, but riseth now by good husbanding of the Steward Gregory Vasilowich Godonoe, to 230 thousand rubbels a year. And this by the means of the Empress & her kindred, specially Borris Federowich Godonoe, that account it all their own that runs into the Emperor's treasure. Much of this surplusage that riseth out of the rent-provision, is employed to the payment of the wages of his hou●…ld officers, which are very many attending at home, and purveying abroad.  
The second office of receipt called the Chetfirds (being divided into four several parts, as before was said) hath four head-officers, which besides the ordering and government of the shires contained within their several Chetfirds have this also as a part of their office, to receive the Tagla & Podat belonging to the Emperor, that riseth out of the four Chetfirds or Quarters. The Tagla is a yearly rent or imposition raised upon every Wite or measure of grain that groweth within the land, gathered by sworn men, and brought into the office. The Wite containeth sixty Chetfirds. Every Chetfird is three bushels English, or little less. The Podat is an ordinary rent of money imposed upon every Soak, or Hundred within the whole Realm.  
This Tagla and Podat bring in yearly to the Offices of the Chetfirds a great sum of money: as may appear by the particulars here set down. The town and Province of Vobsko pay yearly for Tagla and P●dat about 18000 rubbels. Novogr●d 35000. rubbels. Torshock and O●s● 8000. rubbels. Razan 30000. rubbels. Morum 12000. rubbels. Colmigrone and Duyna 8000. rubbels. Vologda 12000. rubbels. Cazan 18000. rubbels. Vsting 30000. rubbels. Rostove 50000. The city of Mosko 40000. rubbels. Sibierskoy 20000. rubbels. Castrome 12000. rubbels. The total amounteth to 400000. rubbels or marks a year, which is brought in yearly the first day of September, that is reckoned by them the first day of the year.  
The third that is called the Bulsha Prechod or great Income receiveth all the customs that are gathered out of all the principal towns and cities within the whole Realm, besides the fees and other duties which rise out of divers smaller Offices, which are all brought into this office of Bulsha Prechod. The towns of most trade, that do yield greatest customs, are these here set down, Mosko, Smolensko, Vobsko, Novogrod Velica, Strararouse, Torshock, Otfer, Yaruslave, castrome, Nesna Novogrod, Cazan, Vologda. This custom out of the great towns is therefore most certain and easy to be reckoned, because it i● set and rated precisely what they ●…ll pay for the custom of the year. Which needs must be paid into the said office, though they receive not so much. If it fall out to be more, it runneth all into the Emperor's advantage.  
The custom at Mosko for every year is 12000. rubbels. The custom of Smolensko, 8000. Vobsko 12000, rubbels. Novogrod velica 6000. rubbels. Strararouse by salt and other commodities 18000. rubbels. Torsh●ck 800. rubbels. Otfer 700. rubbels. Yaruslave 1200. rubbels. Castrome 1800. rubbels. Nesna Novogrod 7000. rubbels. Cazan 11000. rubbels. Vologda 2000 rubbels. The custom of the rest that are towns of 〈◊〉 is sometimes more, sometimes le●●●, as their traffic and dealings with commodities to and fro falleth out for the year.  
This may be said for certain, that the three tables of receipts belonging to this office of Bulsha Prechod, when they receive least, account for thus much, viz. The first table 160000. rubbels. The second table 90000. rubbels. The third 70000. rubbels. So that there cometh into the office of Bulsha Prechod at the least reckoning (as appeareth by their books of customs) out of these and other towns, and maketh the sum of 340000. rubbels a year. Besides this custom out of the towns of trade, there is received by this office of Bulsha Prechod, the yearly rent of the common Bathstoves, and Cabacks, or Drinkinghouses, which pertain to the Emperor. Which (though it be uncertain for the just sum, yet because it is certain and an ordinary matter, that the Ruff will bathe himself aswell within as without) yieldeth a large rent to the Emperor's treasury.  
There is besides a certain mulct or penalty that groweth to the Emperor out of every judgement or sentence that passeth in any of his courts of Record in all civil matters. This penalty or mulct is 20. Dingoes or pence upon every rubble or mark, and so ten in the hundred, which is paid by the party that is convict by law. He hath besides for every name contained in the writs that pass out of these courts five Alteens. An Alteen is five pence sterling or thereabouts. This is made good out of the office, whence the writ is taken forth. Thence it goeth to the office that keepeth the lesser seal, where it payeth as much more to the Emperor's use. This riseth commonly to 3000. rubbels a year or thereabouts. Further also out of the office of Roisbonia, where all felonies are tried, is received for the Emperor the half part of felon's goods, the other half goeth the one part to the informer, the other to the officers.  
All this is brought into the office of Bulsha Prechod, or great income. Besides the overplus or remainder that is saved out of the land-rents, allotted to divers other offices: as namely to the office called Roserade, which hath lands and rends assigned unto it to pay the yearly salaries of the soldiers or horsemen that are kept still in pay. Which in time of peace when they rest at home not employed in any service, is commonly cut off, and paid them by halfs, sometimes not the half: so that the remainder out of the Roserade office that is laid into the Emperor's treasury cometh for the most part every year to 250000. rubbels.  
In like sort (though not so much) is brought in the surplus out of the Strelletskoy offices which hath proper lands for the payment of the Strelsey men or gunner's, aswell those at Mosko, that are of the Emperor's guard (12000. in ordinary) as on the borthers, and other garrison towns and castles. Likewise out of the office of Prechase, Shifivoy Nemshoy which hath set allowance of lands to maintain the foreign mercenary soldiers, as Poles, sweden, Duchess, Scots, etc. So out of the office of Pusharskoy. (which hath land and rents allowed for the provision of munition, great Ordi●…ce, Powder, S●●t, S●ltpe●…r, Brimstone, 〈◊〉, and such like) there is left somewhat at the years end, that runneth into the treasury. All these bring into the office of Bulsha Prechod that which remaineth in their hand at the years end. Whence 〈◊〉 is delivered into the Emperor's treasury. So that the whole sum that groweth to this office of Bulsha Prechod, or the great income (as appeareth by the books of the said office) amounteth to 800000. rubbels a year, or thereabouts.  
All these offices, to wit, the office of the Steward, the four Chetsirds, and the Bulsha Prechod deliver in their receipts to the head treasury, that lieth within the Emperor's house or castle at the Mosko. Where lie all his moneys, jewels, crowns, sceptres, plate, and such like, the chests, hutches, and bags being signed by the Emperors themselves with their own seal. Though at this time the L. Borris Federowich Godonoe his seal and oversight supplieth for the Emperor, as in all other things. The under-officer at this time is one Stephen Vasilowich Godonoe, Cousin german to the said Borris, who hath two Clerks allowed to serve under him in the office.  

The sum that groweth to the Emperor's treasury in money only, for every year.  
1. Out of the Steward's office above the expense of his house 230000 rubbels.  
2. Out of the four Chetfirds for soak and head-money 400000. rubbels.  
3. Out of the Bulsha Prechod Office, or great income, for custom and other rents. 800000. rubbels.  
Sum 1430000. rubbles clear, besides all charges for his house, and ordinary salaries of his soldiers otherwise discharged.   
But besides this revenue that is paid all in money to the Emperor's treasury he receiveth yearly in furs and other duties to a great value out of Siberia, Pechora, Permia, and other places, which are sold or bartered away for other foreign commodities to the Turkish, Persian, Armenian, Georgian and Bougharian Merchants that trade within his countries, besides others of Christendom. What it maketh in the whole (though the value cannot be set down precisely, as being a thing casual as the commodity may be got) it may be guessed by that which was gathered the last year out of Siberia for the Emperor's custom, viz. 466. timber of Sables, five timber of Martrons, 180. black Foxes, besides other commodities.  
To these may be added their seizures, and confiscations upon such as are in displeasure, which riseth to a great sum; besides other their extraordinary impositions, and exactions done upon their officers, Monasteries, etc. not for any apparent necessity or use of the Prince or commonwealth, but of will and custom; yet with some pretence of a Scythian, that is, gross and barbarous policy (as may appear) by these few Sophismata or counterfeit policies put in practice by the Emperors of Russia, all tending to this end, to rob their people, and to enrich their treasury. To this purpose this by word was used by the late Emperor Juan Vasilowich, That his people were like to his beard. The oftener shaved, the shocker it would grow. Or like sheep, that must needs be shorn once a year at the least, to keep them from being overladen with their wool.  

Means used to draw the wealth of the land into the Emperor's treasury.  

1. TO prevent no extortions, exactions, or briberies whatsoever, done upon the Commons by their Dukes, Diacks, or other officers in their Provinces, but to suffer them to go on till their time be expired, and to suck themselves full; then to call them to the Praveush (or whip) for their behaviour, and to beat out of them all or the most part of the booty, as the honey from the Bee, which they have wrung from the Commons, and to turn it into the Emperor's treasury, but never any thing back again to the right owners, how great or evident soever the injury be: To this end ●…e needy Dukes and Diacks that are sent into their provinces serve the turn very well, being changed so often, to wit, once a year: where in respect of their own and the quality of the people, as before was said, they might be continued for some longer time, without all fear of innovation. For coming still fresh upon the Commons, they suck more eagerly: like Tiberius the Emperor's flies, that came new still upon all old sores, to whom he was wont to compare his Praetors, and other provincial officers.   

2. To make of these officers (that have robbed their people) sometimes a public example, if any be more notorious than the rest, that the Emperor may seem to mislike the oppressions done to his people, and transfer the fault to his ill officers. As among divers other was done by the late Emperor Juan Vasilowich to a Diack in one of his Provinces, that (besides many other extortions and briberies) had taken a goose ready dressed full of money. The man was brought to the market place in Mosko: The Emperor himself present made an Oration, These good people are they that would eat you up like bread, etc. Then asked he his Polachies or executioners who could cut up a goose, and commanded one of them first to cut off his legs about the midst of the shin, than his arms above his elbows, ask him still if goose-flesh were good meat, in the end to chop off his head: that he might have the right fashion of a goose ready dressed. This might seem to have been a tolerable piece of justice (as justice goeth in Russia) except his subtle end to cover his own oppressions.   

3. To make an open show of want when any great tax or imposition is towards: As was done by this Emperor Theodore Juanowich, by the advice of some about him at the beginning of his reign: when being left very rich (as was thought) by his father, he sold most of his plate, and stamped some into coin, that he might seem to want money. Whereupon presently out came a taxation.   

4. To suffer their subjects to give freely to the Monasteries (which for their superstition very many do, specially in their last wills) and to lay up their money and substance in them, to keep it more safe. Which all is permitted them without any restraint or proviso, as was and is in some countries of Christendom. Whereby their Monasteries grow to exceeding great wealth. This they do to have the money of the Realm better stored together, & more ready for their hand when they list to take it. Which many times is done without any noise: the Friars being content rather to part from somewhat (as the increase groweth) then to lose all at once. Which they were made to doubt of in the other Emperor's days.  
To this end Juan Vasilowich late Emperor used a very strange practice, that few Princes would have done in their greatest extremities. He resigned his kingdom to one Velica Knez Simeon, the Emperor's son of Cazan, as though he meant to draw himself from all public doings to a quiet private life. Towards the end of the year he caused this new King to call in all Charters granted to Bishoprics and Monasteries, which they had enjoyed many hundred years before, which were all canceled. This done (as in dislike of the fact and misgovernment of the new King) he resumed the sceptre, and so was content (as in favour to the Church and religious men) that they should renew their charters, and take them of himself, reserving and annexing to the Crown so much of their lands as himself thought good.  
By this practice he wrung from the Bishoprics and Monasteries (besides the lands which he annexed to the Crown) an huge mass of money. From some 40. from some 50. from some an hundred thousand rubbels. And this as well for the increase of his treasury, as to abare the ill opinion of his hard government, by a show of worse in another man. Wherein his strange spirit is to be noted, that being hated of his subjects (as himself knew well enough) yet would venture such a practice to set another in his saddle, that might have rid away with his horse while himself walked by on foot.   

5. To send their messengers into the Provinces or shires where the special commodities of their country grow, as furs, wax, honey, etc. there to forestall and engross sometime one whole commodity, sometime two, or more, taking them at small prices what themselves list, and selling them again at an excessive rate to their own merchants, and to merchant's strangers. If they refuse to buy them, then to force them unto it.  
The like is done when any commodity either native or foreign (as cloth of gold, broad cloth, etc.) thus engrossed by the Emperor, and received into his treasury, happeneth to decay, or mar by long lying, or some other casualty. Which is forced upon the Merchants, to be bought by them at the Emperor's price, whether they will or no. This last year of 1589. was engrossed all the wax of the country, so that none might deal with that commodity but the Emperor only.   

6. To take up and engross in like sort sometime foreign commodities, as silks, cloth, lead, pearl, etc. brought into his realm by Turkish merchants, Armenians, Bougharians, Potes, English, and other; and then to force his merchants to buy them of his officers at his own price.   

7. To make a Monopoly for the time of such commodities as are paid him for rent, or custom, and to inhanse the price of them, as furs, corn, wood, etc. what time none must sell of the same kind of commodity, till the Emperors be all sold. By this means he maketh of his rent-corn, and other provision of victual (as before was said) about 200000. rubbels or marks a year: Of his rent-wood, hay, etc. 30000. rubbels, or thereabouts.   

8. In every great town of his Realm he hath a Caback or drinking-house where is sold aquavitae (which they call Russee wine) mead, beer, etc. Out of these he receiveth rend that amounteth to a great sum of money. Some yield 800. some 900. some a 1000 some 2000 or 3000. rubbels a year. Wherein besides the base and dishonourable means to increase his treasury, many foul faults are committed. The poor labouring man and artificer many times spendeth all from his wife and children. Some use to lay in twenty, thirty, forty rubbels, or more into the Caback, and vow themselves to the pot till all that be spent. And this (as he will say) for the honour of Hospodare, or the Emperor. You shall have many there that have drunk all away to the very skin, and so walk naked, whom they call Naga. While they are in the Caback, none may call them forth whatsoever cause there be, because he hindereth the Emperor's revenue.   

9 To cause some of his Boiarens or Nobles of his court (whom he useth upon trust) that have houses in the Mosko to fain themselves robbed; then to send for the Zemskey men, or Aldermen of the city, and to command them to find out the robbery. In default of not finding it, to brave or seize the city for their misgovernment in 8000. 9000. or 10000 rubbels at a time. This is many times practised.   

10. In these exactions to show their sovereignty, sometime they use very plain and yet strange cavillations. As was that of Juan Vasilowich, father to this Emperor, after this sort: He sent into Permia for certain loads of Cedar wood, whereof he knew that none grew in that Country. The inhabitants returned answer they could find none there. Whereupon he seized their Country in 12000. rubbels, as if they concealed the commodity of purpose. Again he sent to the city of Mosko to provide for him a Colpack or measure full of live fleas for a medicine. They returned answer that the thing was impossible; and if they could get them, yet they could not measure them, for leaping out. Whereupon he praved or beat out of their shins 7000. rubbels for a mulct.    
By like cavillation he extorted from his Nobility 30000. rubbels, because he miss of his game, when he went a hunting for the Hare: as if their hunting and murdering of hares had been the cause of it. Which the Nobility (as the manner is) praved presently again upon the Mousicks or common people of the Country. This may seem a strange kind of extortion, by such pleasant cavils to fleece his poor subjects in good sadness, but that it agreeth with the quality of those Emperors, and the miserable subjection of that poor Country. These and such like means are practised by the Emperors of Russia, to increase their Treasury.   

CHAP. XIII. Of the state of the Commonalty, or vulgar sort of people in the country of Russia.  
THe condition of the Commons and vulgar sort of people may partly be understood by that which already hath been said concerning the manner of their government, and the state of the Nobility, with the ordering of their Provinces, and chief towns of the land. And first, touching their liberty, how it standeth with them, it may appear by this, that they are reckoned in no degree at all, nor have any suffrage nor place in their Zabore, or High court of Parliament, where their laws and public orders are concluded upon, which commonly tend to the oppression of the commons. For the other two degrees viz. of the Nobility, and Clergy, which have a vote in the Parliaments (though far from that liberty that ought to be in common consultations for the public benefit, according to the measure and proportion of their degrees) are well contented that the whole burden shall light upon the Commons, so they may ease their own shoulders by laying all upon them. Again, into what servile condition their liberty is brought, not only to the Prince, but to the Nobles and Gentlemen of the Country (who themselves also are but servile, specially of late years) it may further appear by their own acknowledgements in their supplications and other writings to any of the Nobles or chief officers of the Emperors, wherein they name and subscribe themselves Kolophey, that is, their villains, or bondslaves, as they of the Nobility do unto the Emperor. This may truly be said of them, that there is no servant nor bondslave more awed by his Master, nor kept down in a more servile subjection, than the poor people are, and that universally, not only by the Emperor but by his Nobility, chief officers and soldiers. So that when a poor Mousick meeteth with any of them upon the high way, he must turn himself about, as not daring to look him on the face, and fall down with knocking of his head to the very ground, as he doth unto his Idol.  
Secondly, concerning the lands, goods, and other possessions of the commons, they answer the name, and lie common indeed, without any fence against the rapine and spoil not only of the highest, but of his Nobility, officers, and soldiers. Besides the taxes, customs, seizures, and other public exactions done upon them by the Emperor, they are so racked and pulled by the Nobles, officers, & messengers sent abroad by the Emperor in his public affairs, specially in the Yammes (as they call them) and through fare towns, that you shall have many villages and towns of half a mile, and a mile long, stand all habited, the people being fled all into other places by reason of the extreme usage, and exactions done upon them. So that in the way towards Mosko, betwixt Vologda and Yaruslaveley (which is two nineties after their reckoning, little more than an hundred miles English) there are in sight fifty Darieunes or villages at the least, some half a mi●e, some a mile long, that stand vacant and desolate without any inhabitant. The like is in all other places of the realm, as is said by those that have better traveled the country than myself had time or occasion to do.  
The great oppression over the poor Commons maketh them to have no courage in following their trades: for that the more they have, the more danger they are in, not only of their goods, but of their lives also. And if they have any thing, they conceal it all they can, sometimes conveying it into Monasteries, sometimes hiding it under the ground, and in woods, as men are wont to do where they are in fear of foreign invasion: in so much that many times you shall see them afraid to be known to any Boiaren or Gentleman of such commodities as they have to sell. I have seen them sometimes when they have laid open their commodities for a liking (as their principal furs and such like) to look still behind them, and towards every door, as men in some fear, that looked to be set upon, and surprised by some enemy: Whereof ask the cause, I found it to be this, That they have doubted left some Nobleman or Sinaboiarskey of the Emperor had been in company, and so laid a train for them to prey upon their commodities perforce.  
This maketh the people (though otherwise hardened to bear any toil) to give themselves much to idleness and drinking, as passing for no more than from hand to mouth. And hereof it cometh that the commodities of Russia (as was said before) as wax, tallow, hides, flax, hemp, etc. grow and go abroad in far less plenty than they were wont to do, because the people, being oppressed and spoiled of their gettings, are discouraged from their labours. Yet this one thing is much to be noted, that in all this oppression there were three brethren Merchants of late that traded together with one stock in common, that were found to be worth 300000. rubbels in money, besides lands, cattles, and other commodities. Which may partly be imputed to their dwellings far off from the eye of the Court, viz. in Wichida a 1000 miles from Mosko, and more. The same are said by those that knew them to have set on work all the year long ten thousand men in making of salt, carriages by cart, and boat, hewing of wood, and such like, besides 5000. bondslaves at the least, to inhabit and till their land. They had also their physicians, surgeons, apothecary's, and all manner of artificers of Doutcees and others, belonging unto them. They are said to have paid to the Emperor for custom to the sum of 23000. rubbels a year (for which cause they were suffered to enjoy their trade) besides the maintaining of certain garrisons on the borders of Siberia, which were near unto them. Wherein the Emperor was content to use their purse, till such time as they had got ground in Siberia, and made it habitable, by burning, and cutting down woods from Wichida to Perm, above a 1000 verse, and then took it all away from them perforce.  
But this in the end being envied and disdained, as a matter not standing with their policy to have any so great, specially a Mousick, the Emperor began first to pull from them by pieces, sometimes 20000 rubbels at a time, sometime more; till in the end their sons that now are, are well eased of their stock, and have but small part of their father's substance, the rest being drawn all into the Emperor's treasury. Their names were Jacove, Gregory, and Simon the sons of Onyka.  
For the quality of their people otherwise, though there seemeth to be in them some aptness to receive any art (as appeareth by the natural wits in the men, and very children) yet they excel in no kind of common art, much less in any learning, or literal kind of knowledge: which they are kept from of purpose, as they are also from all military practice, that they may be fitter for the servile condition wherein now they are, and have neither reason nor valour to attempt innovation. For this purpose also they are kept from travelling that they may learn nothing, nor see the fashions of other Country's abroad. You shall seldom see a Ruff a traveller, except he be with some Ambassador, or that he make a escape out of his Country. Which hardly he can do, by reason of the borders that are watched so narrowly, and the punishment for any such attempt, which is death if he be taken, and all his goods confiscate. Only they learn to write, and to read, and that very few of them. Neither do they suffer any stranger willingly to come into their realm out of any civil Country, for the same cause, further than necessity of uttering their commodities, and taking in of foreign doth enforce them to do.  
And therefore this year 1589. they consulted about the removing of all Merchant's strangers to the border towns, to abide and have their residency there, and to be more wary in admitting other strangers hereafter into the Inland parts of the realm, for fear of infection with better manners and qualities than they have of their own. For the same purpose also they are kept within the bounds of their degree by the laws of their country, so that the son of a Mousick, artificer or husbandman, is ever a Mousick, artificer, etc. and hath no means to aspire any higher, except, having learned to write and read, he attain to the preferment of a Priest, or Dyack. Their language is all one with the Slavonian, which is thought to have been derived from the Ruff tongue, rather than the Ruff from the Slavonian. For the people called Sclavi, are known to have had their beginning out of Sarmatia, and to have termed themselves of their conquest Sclavoes, that is, famous or glorious, of the word Sclava, which in the Ruff and Slavonian tongue signifieth as much as Glory, or Fame. Though afterwards being subdued and trod upon by divers nations, the Italians their neighbours have turned the word to a contrary signification, and term every servant or peasant by the name of Sclave, as did the Romans by the Geteses and Syrians, for the same reason. The Ruff character or letter is no other than the Greek, somewhat distorted.  
Concerning their trades, diet, apparel, and such like, it is to be noted in a several chapter of their private behaviour. This order that bindeth every man to keep his rank, and several degree, wherein his forefathers lived before him, is more meet to keep the Subjects in a servile subjection, and so apt for this and the like Commonwealths, then to advance any virtue, or to breed any rare or excellent quality in Nobility or Commons, as having no further reward nor preferment whereunto they may bend their endeavours, and employ themselves to advance their estate, but rather procuring more danger to themselves, the more they excel in any noble or principal quality.   

CHAP. XIV. Of their public Justice, and manner of proceeding in civil, and criminal matters.  
THeir courts of civil justice for matters of contract, and other of like sort, are of three kinds, the one being subject unto the other by way of appeal. The lowest Court (that seems to be appointed for some ease to the Subjects) is the office of the Gubnoy Starust, that signifieth an Alderman, and of the Sotskey Starust, or Bailiff of the Soak or Hundred, whereof I spoke before in the ordering of the Provinces. These may end matters among their neighbours within their Soak, or several Hundred, where they are appointed under the Dukes and Diacks of the Provinces, to whom the parties may remove their matter, if they cannot be agreed by the said Gubnoy or Sotskoy Starust.  
The second is kept in the head towns of every Province or Shire by the said Dukes and Diacks, that are deputies to the four Lords of the Chetfirds, as before was said. From these courts they may appeal and remove their suits to the chief Court, that is kept at the Mosko, where are resident the officers of the four Chetfirds. These are the chief Justices or Judges, every of them in all civil matters that grow within their several Chetfird or quarter, and may be either commenced originally before them, or prosecuted out of the inferior Courts of the Shires by way of appeal.  
Their commencing and proceeding in civil actions is on this manner. First, the plaintiff putteth up his supplication, wherein he declareth the effect of his cause, or wrong done unto him. Whereupon is granted unto him a Wepis, or warrant, which he delivereth to the Prestave, or Sergeant, to do the arrest upon the party whom he meaneth to implead, who upon the arrest is to put in sureties to answer the day appointed, or else standeth at the Sergeant's devotion, to be kept safe by such means as he thinketh good.  
The Sergeants are many, and excel for their hard and cruel dealing towards their prisoners; commonly they clap irons upon them, as many as they can bear, to wring out of them some larger fees. Though it be but for six pence, you shall see them go with chains on their legs, arms, and neck. When they come before the Judge, the plaintiff beginneth to declare his matter after the content of his supplication. As for Attorneys, Counselors, Procuratours and Advocates to plead their cause for them, they have no such order, but every man is to tell his own tale, and plead for himself so well as he can.  
If they have any witness, or other evidence, they produce it before the Judge. If they have none, or if the truth of the cause cannot so well be discerned by the plea, or evidence on both parts, than the Judge asketh either party (which he thinketh good, plaintiff or defendant) whether he will kiss the Cross upon that which he avoucheth or denieth. He that taketh the Cross (being so offered by the Judge) is accounted clear, and carrieth away the matter. This ceremony is not done within the Court or Office, but the party is carried to the Church by an Officer, and there the ceremony is done: the money in the mean while hanging upon a nail, or else lying at the idols feet, ready to be delivered to the party as soon as he hath kissed the Cross before the said Idol.  
This kissing of the Cross, called Creustina chelovania, is as their corporal oath, and accounted with them a very holy thing, which no man will dare to violate or profane with a false allegation. If both parties offer to kiss the Cross in a contradictory matter, than they draw lots. The better lot is supposed to have the ight, and beateth away the matter. So the party convicted is adjudged to pay the debt or penalty whatsoever, and withal to pay the Emperor's fees, which is twenty pence upon every mark, as before hath been noted.  
When the matter is thus ended, the party convicted is delivered to the Sergeant, who hath a writ for his warrant out of the office to carry him to the Praveush or Righter of Justice, if presently he pay not the money, or content not the party. This Praveush or Righter is a place near to the office, where such as have sentence passed against them, and refuse to pay that which is adjudged, are beaten with great cudgels on the shins, and calves of their legs. Every forenoon from eight to eleven, they are set on the Praveush, and beat in this sort till the money be paid: The afternoon and night time, they are kept in chains by the Sergeant, except they put in sufficient sureties for their appearance at the Praveush at the hour appointed. You shall see forty or fifty stand together on the Praveush all on a row, & their shins thus becudgelled and bedasted every morning with a pi●eous cry. If after a years standing on the Praveush, the party will not, or lack wherewithal to satisfy his creditor, it is lawful for him to sell his wife and children, either outright, or for a certain term of years. And if the price of them do not amount to the full payment, the creditor may take them to be his bondslaves, for years or for ever, according as the value of the debt requireth.  
Such kind of suits as lack direct evidence, or stand upon conjectures and circumstances to be weighed by the Judge, draw of great length, and yield great advantage to the Judge & officers. If the suit be upon a bond, or bill, they have for the most part good and speedy justice. Their bonds or bills are drawn in a very plain sort, after this tenor, I Juan Vastleo have borrowed of Alphonasse Dementio the sum of one hundred rubbels of going money of Mosko, from the Kreshenea (or hallowing of the water) until the Saburney voscreshenea (or Counsel Sunday) without interest. And if this money rest unpayed after that day, then be shall give interest upon the said money, after the common rate, as it goeth among the people, viz. for every five the sixth rubbel. Upon this there are witnesses, Micheta Sydroveskoy, etc. Subscribed, This bill have I written Gabriel Jacovelesni, in the year 796. The witnesses and debtor (if he can write) endorse their names on the back side of the bill. Other signing, or sealing have they none.  
When any is taken for a matter of crime (as treason, murder, theft, and such like) he is first brought to the Duke and Diack that are for the Province where the party is attached, by whom he is examined. The manner of examination in such cases is all by torture, as scourging with whips made of sinews, or whitleather (called the Pudkey) as big as a man's finger, which giveth a sore lash, and entereth into the flesh, or by tying to a spit and roasting at the fire, sometimes by breaking and wresting one of their ribs with a pair of hot tongues, or cutting their flesh under the nails, and such like.  
The examination thus taken, with all the proofs & evidences that can be alleged against the party, is it sent up to the Mosko to the Lord of the Chetfird or fourth part under whom the Province is, and by him is presented to the Counsel table, to be read and sentenced there, where only judgement is given in matter of life and death, and that by evidence upon information, though they never saw nor heard the party, who is kept still in prison where the fact was committed, and never sent up to the place where he is tried. If they find the party guilty, they give sentence of death according to the quality of the fact: which is sent down by the Lord of the Chetfird to the Duke and Diack to be put in executien. The prisoner is carried to the place of execution with his hands bound, and a wax candle burning held betwixt his fingers.  
Their capital punishments are hanging, heading, knocking on the head, drowning, putting under the ice, setting on a stake, and such like. But for the most part the prisoners that are condemned in summer, are kept for the winter, to be knocked in the head, and put under the ice. This is to be understood of common persons. For theft, and murder, if they be committed upon a poor Mousick by one of Nobility, are not lightly punished, nor yet is he called to any account for it. Their reason is, because they are accounted their Kolophey or bondslaves. If by some Sinaboiarskey or Gentleman-souldier a murder or theft be committed, peradventure he shall be imprisoned at the Emperor's pleasure. If the manner of the fact be very notorious, he is whipped perchance, and this is commonly all the punishment that is inflicted upon them.  
If a man kill his own servant, little or nothing is said unto him, for the same reason, because he is accounted to be his Kolophey, or bondslave, and so to have right over his very head. The most is some small mulct to the Emperor, if the party be rich: and so the quarrel is made rather against the purse, then against the injustice. They have no written law, save only a small book that containeth the time, and manner of their sitting, order in proceeding, and such other judicial forms and circumstances, but nothing to direct them to give sentence upon right or wrong. Their only law is their Speaking Law, that is, the pleasure of the Prince, and of his Magistrates and officers. Which showeth the miserable condition of this poor people, that are forced to have them for their law, and direction of justice, against whose injustice and extreme oppression they had need to be armed with many good and strong laws.   

CHAP. XV. Their forces for the wars, with the chief officers and their salaries.  
THe soldiers of Russia are called Sinaboiarskey, or the sons of Gentlemen, because they are all of that degree, by virtue of their military profession. For every soldier in Russia is a gentleman, and none are gentlemen, but only the soldiers, that take it by descent from their ancestors: so that the son of a gentleman (which is born a soldier) is ever a gentleman, and a soldier withal, and professeth nothing else but military matters. When they are of years able to bear arms, they come to the office of Roserade, or great Constable, and there present themselves: who entereth their names, and allotteth them certain lands to maintain their charges, for the most part the same that their fathers enjoyed. For the lands assigned to maintain the army are ever certain, annexed to this office, without improving or detracting one foot. But that if the Emperor have sufficient in wages, the rooms being full so far as the land doth extend already, they are, many times deferred, and have nothing allowed them, except some one portion of the land be divided into two. Which is a cause of great disorder within that country, when a soldier that hath many children shall have sometimes but one entertained in the Emperor's pay. So that the rest having nothing are forced to live by unjust and wicked shifts, that tend to the hurt and oppression of the Mousick, or common sort of people. This inconvenience groweth by maintaining his forces in a continual succession. The whole number of his soldiers in continual pay is this: First, he hath of his Dworaney, that is, Pensioners, or Guard of his person, to the number of 15000. horsemen, with their captains, and other officers, that are always in a readiness.  
Of these 15000. horsemen, there are three sorts or degrees, which differ as well in estimation as in wages one degree from another. The first sort of them is called Dworaney Bulshey, or the company of head Pensioners, that have some an hundred, some fourscore rubbels a year, and none under 70. The second sort are called Seredney Dworaney, or the middle rank of Pensioners. These have sixty, or fifty rubbels by the year, none under forty. The third and lowest sort are the Dyta Boiarskey, that is, the low Pensioners. Their salary is thirty rubbels a year for him that hath most, some have but five and twenty, some twenty, none under twelve. Whereof the half part is paid them at the Mosko, the other half in the field by the General when they have any wars, and are employed in service. When they receive their whole pay, it amounteth to 55000. rubbels by the year.  
And this is their wages, besides lands allotted to every one of them, both to the greater and the less, according to their degrees. Whereof he that hath least, hath to yield him twen tie rubbels, or marks by the year. Besides these 15000. horsemen, that are of better choice (as being the Emperors own guard when himself goeth to the wars, not unlike the Roman soldiers called Praetoriam) are 110, men of special account for their Nobility and trust, which are chosen by the Emperor, and have their names registered, that find among them for the Emperor's ware to the number of 65000. horsemen, with all necessaries meet for the warts after the Ruff manner.  
To this end they have yearly allowance made by the Emperor for themselves, and their companies, to the sum of 40000. rubbels. And these 65000. are to repair to the field every year on the borders towards the Chrim Tartar (except they be appointed for some other service) whether there be warres-with the Tartars or not. This might seem peradventure somewhat dangerous for some state to have so great forces under the command of Noblemen to assemble every year to one certain place. But the matter is so used, as that no danger can grow to the Emperor, or his state by this means. 1. Because these Noblemen are many, to wit, an 110 in all, and changed by the Emperor so oft as he thinketh good. 2. Because they have their livings of the Emperor, being otherwise but of very small revenue, and receive this yearly pay of 40000. rubbels, when it is presently to be paid forth again to the soldiers that are under them. 3. Because for the most part they are about the Emperor's person, being of his Council, either special, or at large. 4. They are rather as paymasters than Captains to their companies, themselves not going forth ordinarily to the wars, save when some of them are appointed by special order from the Emperor himself. So the whole number of horsemen that are ever in a readiness and in continual pay, are 80000, a few more or less.  
If he have need of a greater number (which seldom falleth out) than he entertaineth of those Sinaboiar skey, that are out of pay, so many as he needeth: and if yet he want of his number, he giveth charge to his Noblemen, that hold lands of him, 〈◊〉 bring into the field every man a proportionable number of his servants (called Kolophey, such as till his lands) with their furniture, according to the just number that he intendeth to make. Which, the service being done, presently lay in their weapons, and return to their servile occupations again.  
Of footmen that are in continual pay he hath to the number of 12000. all Gunners, called Strelsey: Whereof 5000. are to attend about the City of Mosko, or any other place where the Emperor shall abide, and 2000 (which are called Stremaney Strelsey, or Gunners at the stirrup) about his own person at the very Court or house where himself lodgeth. The rest are placed in his garrison Towns, till there be occasion to have them in the field, and receive for their salary or stipend every man seven rubbels a year, besides twelve measures apiece of Rye and Oats. Of mercenary Soldiers, that are strangers (whom they call Nimschey) they have at this time 4300. of Polonians: of Chirchasses (that are under the Polonians) about 4000 whereof 3500. are abroad in his garrisons: of Duchess and Scots about 150. of Greeks, Turks, Danes and Swedens, all in one band, an 100 or thereabouts. But these they use only upon the Tartar side, and against the Siberians: as they do the Tartar soldiers (whom they hire sometimes, but only for the present) on the other side against the Polonian and Sweden: thinking it best policy so to use their service upon the contrary border.  
The chief Captains or leaders of these forces, according to their names and degrees, are these which follow: First, the Voyavodey Bulshaia, that is, the Great Captain, or Lieutenant general under the Emperor. This commonly is one of the four houses of the chief Nobility of the land, but so chosen otherwise, as that he is of small valour or practice in martial matters, being-thought to serve that turn so much the better, if he bring no other parts with him save the countenance of his Nobility, to be liked of by the soldiers for that, and nothing else. For in this point they are very wary, that these two, to wit, nobility and power meet not both in one, specially if they see wisdom withal, or aptness for policy.  
These great Voiavod or General at this present in their wars is commonly one of these four: Knez Theodor Juanowich Methisloskey, Knez Juan Michailowich Glinskoy, cherechaskoy, and Trowbetskoy, all of great Nobility, but of very simple quality otherwise: though in Glinskoy (as they say) there is somewhat more than in the rest. To make up this defect in the Voiavod or General, there is some other joined with him as Lieutenant General, of far less nobility, but of more valour and experience in the wars than he, who ordereth all things that the other countenanceth. At this time their principal man, and most used in their wars, is one Knez Demetrie Juanowith Forestine, an ancient and expert captain, and one that hath done great service (as they say) against the Tartar and Polonian. Next under the Voiavod and his Lieutenant general are four other that have the marshalling of the whole army divided among them, and may be called the Marshals of the field.  
Every man hath his quarter or fourth part under him. Whereof the first is called the Prava Polskoy, or right wing; the second is the Levey Polskoy, or left wing; the third is Rusnoy Polskoy, or the broken band, because out of this there are chosen to send abroad upon any sudden exploit, or to make a rescue, or supply, as occasion doth require; the fourth, Storeshovoy Polskoy, or the warding band. Every one of these four Marshals have two other under them (eight in all) that twice every week at the least must muster and train their several wings or bands, and hold and give justice for all faults & disorders committed in the camp.  
And these eight are commonly chosen out of the 110. (which I spoke of before) that receive and deliver the pay to the soldiers. Under these eight are divers other Captains, as the Gulavoy, Captains of thousands, five hundreds, and 100 the Petyde Setskoy or Captains of fifties, and the Decetskies' or Captains of ten.  
Besides the Voiavoda or general of the Army (spoken of before) they have two other that bear the name of Voiavoda: whereof one is the Master of the great Ordinance (called Naradna Voiavoda) who hath divers under Officers, necessary for that service; the other is called the Voiavoda gulavoy, or the walking Captain, that hath allowed him 1000 good horsemen of principal choice, to range and spy abroad, and hath the charge of the running Castle, which we are to speak of in the Chapter following. All these Captains and men of charge must once every day resort to the Bulsha Voiavoda, or General of the Army, to know his pleasure, and to inform him if there be any requisite matter pertaining to their office.   

CHAP. XVI. Of their mustering, and levying of forces, manner of armour, and provision of victual for the wars.  
WHen wars are towards (which they fail not of lightly every year with the Tartar, and many times with the Polonian and Sweden) the four Lords of the Chetfirds send forth their summons in the Emperor's name to all the Dukes and Dyacks of the Provinces, to be proclaimed in the head Towns of every Shire, that all the Sinaboiarskey, or sons of gentlemen, make their repair to such a border where the service is to be done, at such a place, and by such a day, and there present themselves to such and such Captains. When they come to the place assigned them in the summons or proclamation, their names are taken by certain Officers that have Commission for that purpose from the Reserade, or high Constable, as Clerks of the Bands.  
If any make default and fall at the day, he is mulcted, and punished very severely. As for the General and other chief Captains, they are sent thither from the Emperors own hand, with such Commission and charge as he thinketh behooveful for the present service. When the soldiers are assembled, they are reduced into their Bands, and Companies, under their several Captains of ten, fifties, hundreds, thousands, etc. and these Bands into four Polskois or Legions (but of far greater numbers then Roman Legions were) under their four great Leaders, which also have the authority of Marshals of the field (as was said before.)  
Concerning their armour, they are but slightly appointed. The common horseman hath nothing else but his bow in his case under his right arm, and his quiver, and sword hanging on the left side, except some few that bear a case of dags, or a javelin, or short staff along their horse side. The under-captains will have commonly some piece of armour besides, as a shirt of male, or such like. The General with the other chief Captains and men of Nobility will have their horse very richly furnished, their Saddles of cloth of gold, their Bridles fair bossed and tasselled with gold and silk fringe, bestudded with pearl and precious stones, themselves in very fair armour, which they call Bullatnoy, made of fair shining steel, yet covered commonly with cloth of gold, and edged round with arm in fur, his steel helmet on his head of a very great price, his sword how and arrows at his side, his spear in his hand, with another fair helmet, and his Shesta pera, or horsemans' sceptre carried before him: Their swords, bows, and arrows are of the Turkish fashion. They practise like the Tartar to shoot forwards and backwards, as they fly and retire.  
The Strelsey or footman hath nothing but his piece in his hand, his striking hatchet at his back, and his sword by his side. The stock of his piece is not made caliever-wise, but with a plain and strair stock (somewhat like a fowling piece) the barrel is rudely and unartificially made, very heavy, yet shooteth but a very small bullet. As for their provision of victual, the Emperor alloweth none, either for Captain, or soldier, neither provideth any for them, except peradventure some corn for their money. Every man is to bring sufficient for himself, to serve his turn for four months, and if need require to give order for more to be brought unto him to the Camp from his tenant that tilleth his land, or some other place. One great help they have, that for lodging and diet every Ruff is prepared to be a soldier beforehand; though the chief Captains and other of account carry tents with them after the fashion of ours, with some better provision of victual then the rest. They bring with them commonly into the camp for victual a kind of dried bread (which they call Sucharie) with some store of meal, which they temper with water, and so make it into a ball or small lump of dough, called Tollockno, and this they eat raw in stead of bread. Their meat is bacon, or some other flesh or fish dried, after the Dutch manner. If the Ruff soldier were as hardy to execute an enterprise, as he is hard to bear out toil and travel, or were otherwise as apt and well trained for the wars, as 〈◊〉 is indifferent for his lodging and 〈◊〉 yet, he would far exceed the soldiers of our parts, whereas, now he 〈◊〉 far meaner of courage and execution in any warlike service. Which cometh partly of his servile condition, that will not suffer any great courage or valour to grow in him; part●…y for lack of due honour and reward, which he hath no great hope of, whatsoever service or execution he ●…o.   

CHAP. XVII. Of their marching, charging, and other Martial discipline.  
THe Ruff trusteth rather to his number, then to the valour of his soldiers, or good ordering of his forces. Their marching or leading 〈◊〉 without all order, save that the four Polskoy or Legions (where into their army is divided) keep themselves several under their ensigns, and so thrust all on together in a h●●rey, as they are directed by their General. Their Ensign is the image of Saint George. The Bulsha Dworaney or chief horsemen have every man a small drum of brass at his saddlebow, which he striketh when he giveth the charge or on●●●.  
They have drums besides of a huge bigness, which they carry with them upon a board laid on four horses, that are sparred together with chains, every drum having eight strikers or drummers, besides trumpets and shaums, which they sound after a wild manner, much different from ours. When they give any charge, or make any invasion, they make a great hallow or shout altogether, as loud as they can, which with the sound of their trumpets, shaums, and drums, maketh a confused and horrible noise. So they set on first discharging their arrows, then dealing with their swords, which they use in a bravery to shake and brandish over their heads, before they come to strokes.  
Their footmen (because otherwise they want order in leading are commonly placed in some ambush or place of advantage, where they may most annoy the enemy, with least hurt to themselves. If it be a set battle, or if any great invasion be made upon the Ruff borders by the Tartar, they are set within the running or moving Castle (called Beza or Gulay gorod) which is carried about with them by the Voiavoda Gulavoy (or the walking General) whom I spoke of before. This walking or moving Castle is so framed, that it may be set up in length (as occasion doth require) the space of one, two, three, four, five, six, or seven miles: for so long it will reach. It is nothing else but a double wall of wood to defend them on both sides, behind and before, with a space of three yards or thereabout betwixt the two sides: so that they may stand within it, and have room enough to charge and discharge their pieces, and to use their other weapons. It is closed at both ends, and made with loop holes on either side, to lay out the nose of their piece, or to push forth any other weapon. It is carried with the Army wheresoever it goeth, being taken to pieces, and so laid on carts sparred together, and drawn by horses that are not seen, by reason that they are covered with their carriage as with a shelf or penthouse. When it is brought to the place where it is to be used (which is devised and chosen out before by the walking voiavod) it is planted so much as the present use requireth, sometime a mile long, sometimes two, sometimes three, or more: Which is soon done without the help of any Carpenter, or instrument, because the timber is so framed to clasp together one piece within an other, as is easily understood by those that know the manner of the Ruff building.  
In this Castle standeth their shot well fenced for advantage, specially against the Tartar, that bringeth no ordinance, nor other weapon into the field, with him, save his sword, and bow and arrows. They have also within it divers field-pieces, which they use as occasion doth require. Of pieces for the field they carry no great store, when they war against the Tartar: but when they deal with the Polonian (of whose forces they make more account) they go better furnished with all kind of munition, and other necessary provisions. It is thought that no prince of Christendom hath better store of munition than the Ruff Emperor. And it may partly appear by the Artillery house at Mosko, where are of all sorts of great ordinance, all brass pieces very fair, to an exceeding great number.  
The Ruff soldier is thought to be better at his defence within some castle or town, than he is abroad at a set pitched field. Which is ever noted in the practice of his wars, and namely at the siege of Vobsko, about eight years since: where he repulsed the Polonian king Stepan Batore, with his whole army of 100000. men, and forced him in the end to give over his siege, with the loss of many of his best Captains and soldiers. Put in a set field the Ruff is noted to have ever the worse of the Polonian and Sweden.  
If any behave himself more valiantly than the rest, or do any special piece of service, the Emperor sendeth him a piece of gold, stamped with the Image of Saint George on horseback. Which they hang on their sleeves, and set in their caps. And this is accounted the greatest honour they can receive for any service they do.   

CHAP. XVIII. Of their Colonies, and maintaining of their conquests, or purchases by force.  
THe Russee Emperors of late years have very much enlarged their dominions and territories. Their first conquest after the Dukedom of Mosko (for before that time they were but Dukes of Volodomer, as before was said) was the City and Dukedom of Novograd on the West▪ and Northwest side, which was no small enlargement of their dominion, and strengthening to them for the winning of the rest. This was done by Juan great grandfather to Theodore now Emperor, about the year 1480. The same began likewise to encroach upon the countries of Lituania, and Livonia, but the conquest only intended, and attempted by him upon some part of those countries, was pursued and performed by his son Basileus, who first won the City and Dukedom of Plesko, afterwards the City and Dukedom of Smolensko, and many other fair towns, with a large territory belonging unto them, about the year 1514. These victories against the Lettoes or Lituanians in the time of Alexander their Duke, he achieved rather by advantage of civil dissensions, and treasons among themselves, then by any great policy, or force of his own. But all this was lost again by his son Juan Vasilowich, about eight or nine years past, upon composition with the Polonian king Stepan Batore: whereunto he was forced by the advantages which the Pole had then of him, by reason of the foil he had given him before, and the disquietness of his own state at home. Only the Ruff Emperor at this time hath left him on that side his country, the cities of Smolensko, Vitobsko, Cheringo and Beala gorod in Lituania. In Livonia, not a town, nor one foot of ground.  
When Basileus first conquered those country's, he suffered the natives to keep their possessions, and to inhabit all their towns, only paying him a tribute, under the government of his Ruff Captains. But by their conspiracies and attempts not long after, he was taught to deal more surely with them. And so coming upon them the second time, he killed and carried away with him three parts of four, which he gave or sold to the Tartars that served him in those wars, and in stead of them placed there his Russes, so many as might overmatch the rest, with certain garrisons of strength besides. Wherein notwithstanding this oversight was committed, for that (taking away with him the upland, or country people that should have tilled the ground, and might easily have been kept in order without any danger, by other good policies) he was driven afterwards many years together, to victual the country (specially the great towns) out of his own country of Russia, the soil lying there in the mean while waste, and untilled.  
The like fell out at the port of narve in Liefland, where his son Juan Vasilowich devised to build a town, and a castle on the other side the river, called Juan gorod, to keep the town and country in subjection. The Castle he caused to be so built, and fortified, that it was thought to be invincible. And when it was finished, for reward to the Architect (that was a Polonian) he put out both his eyes, to make him unable to build the like again. But having left the natives all within their own country, without abating their number or strength, the town and castle not long after was betrayed, and surrendered again to the king of Sweden.  
On the South-east-side they have got the kingdoms of Cazan, and Astracan. These were won from the Tartar, by the late Emperor Juan Vasilowich, father to the Emperor that now is: the one about 35. the other about 33. years ago Northward out of the country of Siberia, he hath laid unto his realm, a great breadth and length of ground, from wichida to the river of Obba, about a 1000 miles' space: so that he is bold to write himself now, The great Commander of Siberia.  
The country's likewise of Permia, and Pechora, are a divers people and language from the Ruff, overcome not long since, and that rather by threatening, and shaking of the sword; then by any actual source: as being a weak and naked people, without means to resist.  
That which the Ruff hath in his present possession, he keepeth on this sort. In his four chief border towns of Vobsko, Smolensko, Ast●acan; and Cazan, he hath certain of his Counsel, not of the greatest Nobility, but of greatest trust, which have more authority within their precincts (for the countenancing and strengthening of their government there) than the other Dukes that are set to govern in other places, as was noted before▪ in the manner of ordering their Provinces. These he changeth sometime every year, sometime every second or third year, but exceedeth not that time, except upon very special trust, and good liking of the party, and his service: lest by enlarging of their time, they might grow into some familiarity with the enemy (as some have done) being so far out of sight.  
The towns besides are very strongly fenced with trenches, castles, and store of munition, and have garrisons within them, to the number of two or three thousand apiece. They are stored with victual if any siege should come upon them, for the space of two or three years beforehand. The four castles of Smolensko, Vobsko, Cazan and Astracan, he hath made very strong to bear out any siege: so that it is thought that those towns are impregnable.  
As for the countries of Pechora and Permia, and that part of Siberia, which he hath now under him, they are kept by as easy means, as they were first got. viz. rather by showing, then by using of arms. First, he hath stored the Country with as many Russes as there are natives, and hath there some few soldiers in garrison, enough to ●eep them under. Secondly, his Officers and Magistrates there, are of his own Ruff people, and he changeth them very often, viz. every year twice or thrice: notwithstanding there be no great fear of any innovation. Thirdly, he divideth them into many small governments, like a staff broke in many small pieces: so that they have no strength being severed, which was but little neither when they were all in one. Fourthly, he provideth that the people of the Country have neither armour, nor money, being taxed and peeled so often as he thinketh good without any means to shake off that yoke, or to relieve themselves.  
In Siberia (where he goeth on in pursuing his conquest) he hath divers castles and garrisons, to the number of six thousand soldiers of Russes, and Polonians, and sendeth many new supplies thither, to plant and to inhabit, as he winneth ground. At this time besides he hath gotten the king's brother of Siberia, alured by certain of his Captains, to leave his own country by offers of great entertainment, and pleasanter life with the Ruff Emperor, than he had in Siberia He was brought in this last year, and is now with the Emperor at Mosko well entertained.  
This may be said of the Ruff practise, wheresoever he ruleth, either by right of inheritance, or by conquest, First, he bereaveth the country of armour and other means of defence, which he permitteth to none but to his Boiarskeiss only. Secondly, he robbeth them continually of their money, and dommodities, and leaveth them hare with nothing but their bodies and lives, within certain years, compass. Thirdly, he renteth and divideth his territories into many small pieces by several governments, so that none hath much under him to make any strength, though he had other opportunities. Fourthly, he governeth his countries by men of small reputation, and no power of themselves, and strangers in those places where their government lieth. Fiftly, he changeth his governor's once a year ordinarily, that there grow no great liking nor entireness betwixt the people and them, nor acquaintance with the enemy if they lie towards the borders. Sixthly, he appointeth in one and the same place adversary governor's, the one to be as controller of the other, as the Dukes and Diacks: where (by means of their envies and emulations) there is less hurt to be feared by their agreement, and himself is better informed what is done amiss. Seventhly, he sendeth many times into every Province secret messengers of special trust about him as intelligencers, to p●i● and hearken out what is doing, and what is amiss there. And this is ordinary, though it be sudden, and unknown what time they will come.   

CHAP. XIX. Of the Tartars, and other borderers to the Country of Russia, with whom they have most to do in war and peace.  
THeir neighbours with whom they have greatest dealings and intercourse, both in peace and war, are first the Tartar: Secondly the Polonian, whom the Ruff calleth Laches, noting the first author or founder of the Nation, who was called Laches or Leches, where unto is added Po, which signifieth People, and so is made Polaches, that is, the People or posterity of Laches: which the Latins after their manner of writing call Polanos: The third are the sweden. The Polonians and sweden are herter known to these parts of Europe then are the Tartars, that are further off from us (as being of Asia) and divided into many tribes, different both in name, and government one from another. The greatest and mightiest of them is the Chrim Tartar, (whom some call the Great Cham) that lieth South, and Southeastward from Russia, and doth most annoy the Country by often invasions, commonly once every year, sometimes entering very far within the inland parts. In the year 1571. he came as far as the city of Mosko, with an army of 200000. men, without any battle or resistance at all, for that the Ruff Emperor (then (Juan Vasilowich) leading forth his army to encounter with him, marched a wrong way: but as it was thought of very purpose, as not daring to adventure the field, by reason that he doubted his Nobility, and chief Captains, of a meaning to betray him to the Tartar.  
The city he took not, but fired the Suburbs, which by reason of the buildings (which is all of wood without any stone, brick, or lime, save certain outrooms) kindled so quickly, and went on with such rage as that it consumed the greatest part of the city almost within the space of four hours, being of 30. miles or more of compass. Then might you have seen a lamentable spectacle: besides the huge and mighty flame of the city all on light fire, the people burning in their houses and streets, but most of all of such as laboured to pass out of the gates furthest from the enemy, where meeting together in a mighty throng, and so pressing every man to prevent another, wedged themselves so fast within the gate, and streets near unto it, as that three ranks walked one upon the others head, the uppermost treading down those that were lower: so that there perished at that time (as was said) by the fire and the press, the number of 800000. people or more.  
The Chrim thus having fired the City, and fed his eyes with the sight of it all on a light flame, returned with his army, and sent to the Ruff Emperor a knife (as was said) to stick himself withal: upbraiding thi● less, and his desperate case, as not daring either to meet his enemy in the field, nor to trust his friends or subjects at home. The prnicipall cause of this continual quarrel betwixt the Ruff and the Chrim, is for the right of certain border parts claimed by the Tartar, but possessed by the Ruff. The Tartar allegeth that besides Astracan & Cazan (that are the ancient possession of the East Tartar) the whole country from his bounds North and Westward, so far as the city of Mosko, and Mosko itself, pertaineth to his right. Which seemeth to have been true by the report of the Russes themselves, that tell of a certain homage that was done by the Ruff Emperor every year to the Great Chrim or Cham, the Ruff Emperor standing on foot and feeding the Chrims horse (himself sitting on his back) with oats out of his own cap, in stead of a bowl or manger, and that within the castle of Mosko. And this homage (they say) was done till the time of Basileus grandfather to this man. Who surprising the Chrim Emperor by a stratagem, done by one of his Nobility (called Juan Demetrowich Belschey) was content with this ransom, viz. with the changing of this homage into a tribute of furs: which afterwards also was denied to be paid by this Emperor's father.  
Hereupon they continue the quarrel, the Ruff defending his country, and that which he hath won, the Chrim Tartar invading him once or twice every year, sometime about Whitsuntide, but oftener in Harvest. What time if the great Cham or Chrim come in his own person, he bringeth with him a great army of 100000. or 200000. men. Otherwise they make short and sudden roads into the country with lesser numbers, funning about the list of the border as wild geese fly, invading and retiring where they see advantage.  
Their common practice (being very populous) is to make divers armies, and so drawing the Ruff to one or two places of the frontiers, to invade at some other place that is left without defence. Their manner of fight, or ordering of their forces, is much after the Ruff manner (spoken of before) save that they are all horsemen, and carry nothing else but a bow, a sheaf of arrows, and a falcon sword after the Turkish fashion. They are very expert horsemen, and use to shoot as readily backward as forward. Some will have a horsemans' staff like to a bore spear, besides their other weapons. The common soldier hath no other armour than his ordinary apparel, viz. a black sheep's skin with the wool side outward in the daytime, and inward in the nighttime, with a cap of the same. But their Marseys or Noblemen imitate the Turk both in apparel, and armour. When they are to pass over a river with their army, they tie three or four horses together, and taking long poles or pieces of wood, bind them fast to the tails of their horse: so sitting on the poles they drive their horse over. At handy strokes (when they come to join battle) they are accounted far better men than the Ruff people, fierce by nature, but more hardy and bloody by continual practice of war, as men knowing no arts of peace, nor any civil practice.  
Yet their subtlety is more than may seem to agree with their barbarous condition. By reason they are practised to invade continually, and to rob their neighbours that border about them, they are very pregnant and ready-witted to devise stratagems upon the sudden for their better advantage: As in their war against Beala the fourth king of Hungary, whom they invaded with 500000. men, and obtained against him a great victory. Where among other, having slain his Chancellor, called Nicholas Schinick, they found about him the King's privy seal. Whereupon they devised presently to counterfeit letters in the King's name, to the cities and towns next about the place, where the field was fought, with charge that in no case they should convey themselves; and their goods out of their dwellings, where they might abide safely without all fear of danger, and not leave the country desolate to the possession of so vile and barbarous an enemy, as was the Tartar nation, terming themselves in all reproachful manner. For notwithstanding he had lost his carriages, with some few stragglers that had marched disorderly, yet he doubted not but to recover that lossé, with the access of a notable victory, if the savage Tartar durst abide him in the field. To this purpose having written their letters in the Polish character, by certain young men whom they took in the field, and signed them with the King's seal, they dispatched them forth to all the quarters of Hungary, that lay near about the place. Whereupon the Ungarians, that were now flying away with their goods, wives, and children, upon the rumour of the King's overthrow, taking comfort of these counterfeit letters, stayed at home. And so were made a prey, being surprised on the sudden by this huge number of these Tartars, that had compassed them about before they were aware.  
When they besiege a town or fort, they offer much parley, and send many flattering messages to persuade a surrendry, promising all things that the inhabitants will require; but being once possessed of the place, they use all manner of hostility, and cruelty. This they do upon a rule they have, viz. that Justice is to be practised but towards their own. They encounter not lightly, but they have some ambush, whereunto (having once showed themselves, and made some short conflict) they retire, as repulsed for fear, and so draw the enemy into it if they can. But the Ruff, being well acquainted with their practice, is more wary of them. When they come a roving with some small number, they set on horseback counterfeit shapes of men, that their number may seem greater.  
When they make any onset their manner is to make a great-shout, crying all out together, Olla, Billa, Olla Billa, God help us, God help us. They contemn death so much, as that they choose rather to die then to yield to their enemy, and are seen when they are slain to bite the very weapon, when they are passed striking, or helping of themselves. Wherein appeareth how different the Tartar is in his desperate courage from the Ruff and Turk. For the Russee Soldier, if he begin once to retire, putteth all his safety in his speedy flight; and if once he be taken by his enemy, he neither defendeth himself, nor intreateth for his life, as reckoning strait to die: The Turk commonly, when he is past hope of escaping, falleth to entreaty, and casteth away his weapon, offereth both his hands, and holdeth them up, as it were to be tied, hoping to save his life by offering himself bondslave.  
The chief booty the Tartars seek for in all their wars, is to get store of captives, specially young boys and girls, whom they sell to the Turks, or other their neighbours. To this purpose they take with them great baskets made like bakers panniers to carry them tenderly, and if any of them happen to tyre, or to be sick on the way, they dash him against the ground, or some tree, and so leave him dead: The soldiers are not troubled with keeping the captives, and the other booty, for hindering the execution of their wars, but they have certain bands that intent nothing else, appointed of purpose to receive and keep the captives and the other prey.  
The Ruff borders (being used to their invasions lightly every year in the summer) keep few other cattle on the border parts, save swine only, which the Tartar will not touch nor drive away with him: for that he is of the Turkish religion, and will eat no swine's flesh. Of Christ our Saviour they confess as much as doth the Turk in his Alcoran, viz. that he came of the Angel Gabriel, and the Virgin Marie, that he was a great Prophet, and shall be the Judge of the world at the last day. In other matters likewise they are much ordered after the manner and direction of the Turk, having felt the Turkish forces, when he won from them Azou, and Caffa, with some other towns about the Euxine or Black sea, that were before tributaries to the Chrim Tartar. So that now the Emperor of the Chrims for the most part is chosen some one of the Nobility whom the Turk doth commend: whereby it is brought now to that pass, that the Chrim Tartar giveth to the Turk the tenth part of the spoil, which he getteth in his wars against the Christians.  
Herein they differ from the Turkish religion, for that they have certain idol puppets made of silk or like stuff, of the fashion of a man, which they fasten to the door of their walking houses, to be as Janusses or keepers of the house. And these idols are made not by all, but by certain religious women, which they have among them for that, and like uses. They have besides the image of their King or great Cham, of an huge bigness, which they erect at every stage when the army marcheth: and this every one must bend and bow unto it as he passeth by it, be he Tartar or stranger. They are much given to witchcraft, and ominous conjectures, upon every accident which they hear or see.  
In making of marriages they have no regard of alliance or consanguinity. Only with his mother, sister, and daughter, a man may not mar●…; and though he take the woman ●…o his house, and accompany with her, yet he accounteth her not for his wife, till he have a child by her. Then he beginneth to take à dowry of her friends, of horse, sheep, kine; etc. If she be barren after a certain time, he turneth her home again.  
Under the Emperor they have certain Dukes, whom they call Morseiss or Divoymorseiss, that rule over a certain number of 10000 20000 or 40000. a piece, which they call hoards. When the Emperor hath any use of them to serve in his wars they are bound to come, and to bring with them their soldiers to a certain number, every man with his two horse at the least, the one to ride on, the other to kill, when it cometh to his turn to have his horse eaten. For their chief victual is horseflesh, which they eat without bread, or any other thing with it. So that if a Tartar be taken by a Ruff, he shall be sure lightly to find a horse leg, or some other part of him at his saddle bow.  
This last year when I was at the Mosko, came in one Kiriach Morsey nephew to the Emperor of the Chrims that now is (whose Father was Emperor before) accompanied with 300. Tartars, and his two wives, whereof one was his brother's widow. Where being entertained in very good sort after the Ruff manner, he had sent unto his lodging for his welcome, to be made ready for his supper and his companies, two very large and fat horses, ready flayed in a sled. They prefer it before other flesh, because the meat is stronger (as they say) than beef, mutton, and such like. And yet (which is marvel) though they serve all as horsemen in the war r●…, and eat all of horseflesh, there are brought yearly to the Mosko to be exchanged for other commodities 30. or 40. thousand Tartar horse, which they call Cones. They keep also great herds of kine, and flocks of black sheep, rather for the skins and milk (which they carry with them in great bottles) then for the use of the flesh, though sometimes they eat of it. Some use they have of rise, figs, and other fruits. They drink milk or ●…n blood, and for the most part ●…d them both together. They use sometimes as they travel by the way to let their horse blood in a vein, and to drink it warm, as it cometh from his body.  
Towns they plant none, nor other standing buildings, but have walking houses, which the Latins call Veji, built upon wheels like a shepherd's cottage. These they draw with them whithersoever they go, driving their cattle with them. And when they come to their stage or-standing place, they plant their cart-houses very orderly in a rank, and so make the form of streets, and of a large town. And this is the manner of the Emperor himself, who hath no other seat of his Empire but an Agora, or town of wood, that moveth with him whithersoever he goeth. As for the fixed and standing building used in other countries, they say they are unwholesome and unpleasant.  
They begin to move their houses and cattle in the spring time from the S●…h part of their Country towards the North parts. And so driving on till they have graed all up to the furthest part Northward, they return back again towards their South country (where they continue all the winter) by ten or twelve miles a stage: in the mean while the grass being sprung up again, to serve for their cattle as they return. From the border of the Shalcan towards the Caspian sea, to the Ruff frontiers, they have a goodly country, specially on the South and Southeast parts, but lost for lack of tillage.  
Of money they have no use at all, and therefore prefer brass and steel before other metals, specially bullate, which they use for swords, knives and other necessaries. As for gold and silver they neglect it of very purpose (as they do all tillage of their ground) to be more free for their wand'ring kind of life, and to keep their country less subject to invasions. Which giveth them great advantage against all their neighbours, ever invading, and never being invaded. Such as have taken upon them to invade their Countr●● (as of old time Cyrus and Darius Hy●aspis, on the East and Southeast side) have done it with very ill success, as we ●…d in the stories written of those times. For their manner is when any will invade them, to allure and draw them on by flying and reculing (as if they were afraid) till they have drawn them some good way within their country. Then when they begin to want victual and other necessaries (as needs they must where nothing is to be had) to stop up the passages, and enclose them with multitudes. By which stratagem (as we read in Laonicue Chalcacondylas in his Turkish story) they had well-nigh surprised the great and huge army of Tamerlan, but that he retired with all speed he could towards the river Tanais, or Don, not without great loss of his men and carriages.  
In the story of Pachymerius the Greek (which he wrote of the Emperors of Constantinople from the beginning of the reign of Michael Palaeologus to the time of Andronicus the elder) I remember he telleth to the same purpose of one Nogas a Tartarian captain under Cazan the Emperor of the East Tartars (of whom the city and kingdom of (a zan may seem to have taken the denomination) who refused a present of pearl and other jewels sent unto him from Michael Palaeologus: ask withal, for what use they served, and whether they were good to keep away sickness, death, or other misfortunes of this life, or no. So that it seemeth they have ever or long time been of that mind to value things no further then by the use, and necessity for which they serve.  
For person and complexion they have broad and flat visages, of a tanned colour into yellow and black, fierce and cruel looks, thin haired upon the upper lip, and pit of the chin, light and nimble bodied, with short legs, as if they were made naturally for horsemen, whereto they practise themselves from their childhood, seldom going afoot about any business. Their speech is very sudden and loud, speaking as it were out of a deep hollow throat. When they sing, you would think a cow lowed, or some great bandog howled. Their greatest exercise is shooting, wherein they train up their children from their very infancy, not suffering them to eat, till they have shot near the mark within a certain scantling. They are the very same that sometimes were called Scythae Nomades, or the Scythian Shepherds, by the Greeks and Latins. Some think that the Turks took their beginning from the nation of the Chrim Tartars. Of which opinion is Laonicus Chalcocondylas the Greek Historiographer, in his first book of his Turkish story. Wherein he followeth divers very probable conjectures. The first taken from the very name itself, for that the word Turk signifieth a shepherd, or one that followeth a vagrant and wild kind of life. By which name these Scythian Tartars have ever been noted, being called by the Greeks 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, or the Scythian shepherds. His second reason, because the Turks (in his time) that dwelled in Asia the less, to wit, in Lydia, Coria, Phrygia, and Cappadocia, spoke the very same language that these Tartars did, that dwelled betwixt the river Tanais or Don, and the country of Sarmatia, which (as is well known) are these Tartars called Chrims. At this time also the whole nation of the Turks differ not much in their common speech from the Tartar language. Thirdly, because the Turk and the Chrim Tartar agree so well together, as well in religion, as in matter of traffic, never invading or injuring one another, save that the Turk (since Laonicus his time) hath encroached upon some towns upon the Euxin sea, that before pertained to the Chrim Tartar. Fourthly, because Ortogules' son to Oguzalpes, and father to Otoman (the first of name of the Turkish nation) made his first roads out of those parts of Asia upon the next borderers, till he came towards the countries about the hill Taurus, where he overcame the Greeks that inhabited there: and so enlarged the name and territory of the Turkish nation, till he came to Eubea and Attica, and other parts of Greece. This is the opinion of Laonicus, who lived among the Turks in the time of Amurat the sixth Turkish Emperor, about the year 1400. when the memory of their original was more fresh; and therefore the likelier he was to hit the truth.  
There are divers other Tartars that border upon Russia, as the Nagays, the Cheremissens, the Mordwites, the Chircasses, and the Sbalcans', which all differ in name more than in regiment, or other condition, from the Chrim Tartar, except the Chircasses that border Southwest, towards Lituania, and are far more civil than the rest of the Tartars, of a comely person, and of a stately behaviour, as applying themselves to the fashion of the Polonian. Some of them have subjected themselves to the kings of Poland, and profess Christianity. The Nagay lieth Eastward, and is reckoned for the best man of war among all the Tartars, but very savage, and cruel above all the rest. The Cheremissen Tartar, that lieth betwixt the Ruff and the Nagay, are of two sorts, the Lugavoy (that is of the valley) and the Nagornay or of the hilly country. These have much troubled the Emperors of Russia. And therefore they are content now to buy peace of them, under pretence of giving a yearly pension of Russee commodities to their Morseiss or Divoymorseiss, that are chief of their tribes. For which also they are bound to serve them in their wars, under certain conditions. They are said to be just and true in their dealings; and for that cause they hate the Russee people, whom they account to be double and false in all their dealing. And therefore the common sort are very unwilling to keep agreement with them, but that they are kept in by their Morseiss or Dukes, for their pensions sake.  
The most rude and barbarous is counted the Mordwite Tartar, that hath many self-fashions, and strange kinds of behaviour, differing from the rest. For his religion, though he acknowledge one god, yet his manner is to worship for god that living thing that he first meeteth in the morning, and to swear by it all that whole day, whether it be horse, dog, cat, or whatsoever else it be. When his friend dieth, he killeth his best horse, and having flayed off the skin he carrieth it on high upon a long pole before the corpse to the place of burial. This he doth (as the Ruff saith) that his friend may have a good horse to carry him to heaven: but it is likelier to declare his love towards his dead friend, in that he will have to die with him the best thing that he hath.  
Next to the kingdom of Astracan, that is the furthest part South-eastward of the Ruff dominion, lieth the Shalcan, and the country of Media: whither the Ruff merchant's trade for raw silks, syndon, saphion, skins, and other commodities. The chief towns of Media where the Ruff tradeth are Derbent (built by Alexander the great, as the inhabitants say) and Zamachie, where the staple is kept for raw silks. Their manner is in the Springtime to revive the silkworms (that lie dead all the Winter) by laying them in the warm sun, and (to hasten their quickening that they may sooner go to work) to put them into bags, and so to hang them under their children's arms. As for the worm called Chrinisin (as we call it chrymson) that maketh coloured silk, it is bred not in Media but in Assyria. This trade to Derbent & Samachie for raw silks, and other commodities of that country, as also into Persiae, and Bougharia, down the river Volgha, and through the Caspian sea, is permitted as well to the English, as to the Ruff merchants, by the Emperor's last grant at my being there. Which he accounteth for a very special favour, and might prove indeed very beneficial to our English merchants, if the trade were well and orderly used.  
The whole nation of the Tartars are utterly void of all learning, and without written Law. Yet certain rules they have which they hold by tradition, common to all the Hoards for the practice of their life: Which are of this sort, 1. To obey their Emperor and other Magistrates, whatsoever they command about the public service. 2. Except for the public behoof, every man to be free and out of controlment. 3. No private man to possess any lands, but the whole country to be as a common. 4. To neglect all daintiness and variety of meats, and to content themselves with that which cometh next to hand, for more hardness, and readiness in the executing of their affairs. 5. To wear any base attire, and to patch their clothes, whether there be any need or not: that when there 〈◊〉 need, it be no shame to wear a patched coat. 6. To take or steal from any stranger whatsoever they can get, as being enemies to all men, save to such as will subject themselves to them. 7. Towards their own hoard and nation to be true in word, and in deed. 8. To suffer no stranger to come within the Realm: If any do, the same to be bondslave to him that first taketh him, except such merchants and other as have the Tartar Bull or passport about them.   

CHAP. XX. Of the Permians, Samoites, and Laps.  
THe Permians and Samoites that lie from Russia North and Northeast, are thought likewise to have taken their beginning from the Tartar kind. And it may partly be guessed by the fashion of their countenance, as having all broad and flat faces, as the Tartars have, except the Chirchasses. The Bermians are accounted for a very ancient people. They are now subject to the Ruff. They live by hunting, and trading with their furs, as doth also the Samoit, that dwelleth more towards the North-sea. The Samoit hath his name (as the Ruff saith) of eating himself: as if in times past they lived as the Cannibals, eating one another. Which they make more probable, because at this time they eat all kind of raw flesh, whatsoever it be, even the very carrion that lieth in the ditch. But as the Samoits themselves will say, they were called Samoie, that is of themselves, as though they were Indigenae, or people bred upon that very soil, that never changed their seat from one place to another, as most nations have done. They are subject at this time to the Emperor of Russia.  
I talked with certain of them, and find that they acknowledge one God: but represent him by such things as they have most use and good by. And therefore they worship the Sun, the olen, the Losh, and such like. As for the story of Slata Baba or the Golden hag (which I have read in some maps, and descriptions of these countries, to be an idol after the form of an old woman) that being demanded by the Priest, giveth them certain Oracles concerning the success and event of things, I found it to be but a very fable. Only in the province of Obdoria upon the Seaside, near to the mouth of the great river Obba, there is a rock which naturally (being somewhat helped by imagination) may seem to bear the shape of a ragged woman, with a child in her arms (as the rock by the North cape the shape of a Friar) where the Obdorian Samoites use much to resort, by reason of the commodity of the place for fishing: and there sometime (as their manner is) conceive and practise their sorceries, and ominous conjecturings about the good or bad speed of their journeys, fishings, hunt, and such like.  
They are clad in Seal skins, with the hairy side outwards down as low as the knees, with their breeches and nether-stocks of the same, both men & women. They are all black haired, naturally beardless. And therefore the men are hardly discerned from the women by their looks: save that the women wear a lock of hair down along both their ears. They live in a manner a wild and savage life, roving still from one place of the country to the other, without any property of house or land more to one then to another. Their loader or director in every company is their Papa or Priest.  
On the North-side of Russia next to Corelia, lieth the country of Lappia, which reacheth in length from the furthest point. Northward (towards the Northcape) to the furthest part Southeast (which the Ruff calleth Sweetness or Holy nose, the English men Capegrace) about 345. versed or miles. From Sweetness to Gandelox by the way of Versega (which measureth the breadth of that country) is 90. miles or thereabouts. The whole country in a manner is either lakes, or mountains, which towards the Seaside are called Tondro, because they are all of hard and craggy rock; but the inland parts are well furnished with woods, that grow on the hills fides, the lakes lying between. Their diet is very bare and simple. Bread they have none, but feed only upon fish and fowl. They are subject to the Emperor of Russia, and the two Kings of Sweden and Denmark: which all exact tribute and custom of them (as was said before) but the Emperor of Russia beareth the greatest hand over them, and exacts of them far more than the rest. The opinion is that they were first termed Laps of their brief and short speech. The Ruff divideth the whole nation of the Laps into two sorts. The one they call Nowremanskoy Lapary, that is, the Norvegian Laps: because they be of the Danish religion. For the Danes and Norvegians they account for one people. The other that have no religion at all, but live as brute and Heathenish people, without God in the world, they call Dikoy Lapary, or the wild Laps.  
The whose nation is utterly unlearned, having not so much as the use of any Alphabet, or letter among them. For practise of witchcraft and sorcery they pass all nations in the world: Though for the enchanting of ships that sail along their coast (as I have heard it reported) and their giving of winds good to their friends, and contrary to other, whom they mean to hurt, by tying of certain knots upon a rope (somewhat like to the tale of Aeolus his windbag) is a very fable, devised (as may seem) by themselves, to terrify sailors for coming near their coast. Their weapons are the long bow, and handgunne, wherein they excel, as well for quickness to charge and discharge, as for nearness at the mark, by reason of their continual practice (whereto they are forced) of shooting at wild fowl. Their manner is in Summer time to come down in great companies to the seaside, to Wardhuyse, Cola, Kegor, and the bay of Vedagoba, and there to fish for Cod, Salmon, and But-fish which they sell to the Russes, Danes, and Norvegians, and now of late to the English men that trade thither with cloth, which they exchange with the Laps and Corelians for their fish, oil, and furs, whereof also they have some store. They hold their mart at Cola on S. Peter's day, what time the Captain of Wardhuyse (that is resiant there for the king of Denmark) must be present, or at least send his deputy to set prices upon their stockfish, trane-oyl, furs, and other commodities; as also the Ruff Emperor's customer, or tribute-taker, to receive his custom, which is ever paid before any thing can be bought, or sold. When their fishing is done, their manner is to draw their carbasses or boats on shore, and there to leave them with the keel turned upwards till the next spring tide. Their travel to and fro is upon ●leds, drawn by the Olen deer: which they use to turn a grazing all the summer time, in an island called Kilden (of a very good soil compared with other parts of that country) and towards the winter time, when the snow beginneth to fall, they fetch them home again for the use of their ●led.   

CHAP. XXI. Of their Ecclesiastical state, with their Church offices.  
COncerning the government of their Church, it is framed altogether after the manner of the Greek, as being a part of that Church, and never acknowledging the jurisdiction of the Latin Church usurped by the Pope. That I may keep a better measure in describing their ceremonies; then they in the using them (wherein they are infinite) I will note briefly, First, what Ecclesiastical degrees or offices they have, with the jurisdiction and practice of them. Secondly, what doctrine they hold in matter of religion. Thirdly, what liturgy, or form of service they use in their Churches, with the manner of their administering the Sacraments. Fourthly, what other strange ceremonies and superstitious devotions are used among them.  
Their offices or degrees of Churchmen, are as many in number, and the same in a manner both in name and degree, that were in the Western churches. First they have their Patriarch, than their Metropolites, their Archbishops, their Uladikey or Bishops, their Protopapes or Archpriests, their Papes or Priests, their Deacons, Friars, Monks, Nuns, and Eremites.  
Their Patriarch or chief director in matter of religion, until this last year, was of the city of Constantinople (whom they called the Patriarch of Sio) because being driven by the Turk out of Canstantinople (the s●at of his Empire) he removed to the Isle Sio, sometimes called Chio, and there placed his patriarchical sea. So that the Emperors, and clergy of Russia, were wont yearly to send gifts thither, and to acknowledge a spiritual kind of homage and subjection due to him, and to that Church. Which custom they have held (as it seemeth) ever since they professed the Christian religion. Which how long it hath been, I could not well learn, for that they have no story or monument of antiquity (that I could hear of) to show what hath been done in times passed within their country, concerning either Church or Common wealth matters. Only I hear a report among them, that about three hundred years since there was a marriage betwixt the Emperor of Constantinople, and the king's daughter of that country, who at the first denied to join his daughter in marriage with the Greek Emperor, because he was of the Christian religion. Which agreeth well with that I find in the story of Laonicus Chalcacondylas concerning Turkish affairs in his fourth book, where he speaketh of such a marriage betwixt John the Greek Emperor, and the King's daughter of Sarmatia. And this argueth out of their own report, that at that time they had not received the Christian religion: as also that they were converted to the faith, and withal perverted at the very same time, receiving the doctrine of the Gospel corrupted with superstitions even at the first when they took it from the Greek Church, which itself then was degenerate, and corrupted with many superstitions and foul errors, both in doctrine and discipline, as may appear by the story of Nicephorus Gregoras, in his 8. and 9 books. But as touching the time of their conversion to the Christian faith, I suppose rather that it is mistaken by the Ruff, for that which I find in the Polonian Story the second book the third chapter: where it is said that about the year 990. ●lodomirus Duke of Russia married one Anne sister to Basilius and Constanti●us, brothers, and Emperors of Constantinople. Whereupon the Ruff received the faith and profession of Christ. Which though it be somewhat more ancient than the time noted before out of the Ruff report, yet it falleth out all to one reckoning, touching this point, viz. in what truth and sincerity of doctrine the Ruff received the first stamp of religion, forasmuch as the Greek church at that time also was many ways infected with error and superstition.  
At my being there, the year 1588. came unto the Mosko the Patriarch of Constantinople or Sio, called Hieronymo, being banished (as some said) by the Turk, as some other reported by the Greek clergy deprived. The Emperor, being given altogether to superstitious devotions, gave him great entertainment. Before his coming to Mosko, he had been in Italy with the Pope, as was reported then by some of his company. His errand was to consult with the Emperor concerning these points▪ First about a league to pass betwixt him and the king of Spain, as the meetest Prince to join with him in opposition against the Turk. To which purpose also Embassages had passed betwixt the Ruff and the Persian. Likewise from the Georgians to the Emperor of Russia, to join league together for the invading of the Turk ●n all sides of his dominion, taking ●…e advantage of the simple quality ●f the Turk that now is. This trea●…e was helped forward by the Emperor's Ambassador of Almain, ●…nt at the same time to solicit an ●…vasion upon the parts of Polonia, ●hat lie towards Rusland, and to bor●…ow money of the Ruff Emperor, ●…o pursue the war for his brother ●…aximilian, against the Swedens ●onne now king of Poland. But this consultation concerning a league be●…wixt the Ruff and the Spaniard (which was in some forwardness at ●y coming to Mosko, and already ●n● appointed for Embassage into ●pain) was marred, by means of the overthrow given to the Spanish king by her Majesty, the Queen of England, this last year. Which made ●he Russee Emperor and his Counsel ●o give a sadder countenance to the English Ambassador at that time, for that they were disappointed of so good a policy, as was this conjunction supposed to be betwixt them and ●he Spanish.  
His second purpose (whereto the first served as an introduction) was in revenge of the Turk and the Greek clergy, that had thrust him from his seat, to treat with them about the reducing of the Ruff Church under the Pope of Rome. Wherein it may seem that coming lately from Rome, he was set on by the Pope, who hath attempted the same many times before, though all in vain, and namely in the time of the late Emperor Juan Vasilowich, by one Anthony his Legate; But thought this belike a far better mean to obtain his purpose by treaty and mediation of their own Patriarch. But this not succeeding, the Patriarch fell to a third point of treaty, concerning the resignation of his Patriarchship, and translation of the Sea from Constantinople or Sio to the city of Mosko. Which was so well liked, and entertained by the Emperor (as a matter of high religion and policy) that no other treaty (specially of foreign Embassages) could be heard or regarded till that matter was concluded.  
The reasons wherewith the Patriarch persuaded the translating of his Sea to the city of Mosko were these in effect: First, for that the Sea of the Patriarch was under the Turk that is enemy to the faith, and therefore to be removed into some other country of Christian profession. Secondly, because the Ruff Church was the only natural daughter of the Greek at this time, and holdeth the same doctrine and ceremonies with it, the rest being all subject to the Turk, and fallen away from the right profession. Wherein the subtle Greek, to make the better market of his broken ware, advanced the honour that would grow to the Emperor, and his country, to have the Patriarches seat translated into the ●hief city and seat of his Empire. As for the right of translating the Sea, and appointing his successor, he made no doubt of it, but that it pertained wholly to himself.  
So the Emperor and his Counsel, with the principal of his clergy, being assembled at the Mo●ko it was determined that the Metropolite of Mosko should become Patriarch of the whole Greek Church, and have the same full authority and jurisdiction that pertained before to the Patriarch of Constantinople or Sin. And that it might be done with more order and solemnity, the 25. of Januarie, 1588. the Greek Patriarch accompanied with the Ruff Clergy went to the great Church of Precheste, or our Lady, within the Emperor's castle (having first wandered through the whole city in manner of a procession, and blessing the people with his two fingers) where he made an Oration, and delivered his resignation in an instrument of writing, and so laid down his patriarchical staff, which was presently received by the Metropolite of Mosko, and divers other ceremonies used about the inauguration of this new Patriarch.  
The day was holden very solemn by the people of the city, who were commanded to forbear their works, and to attend this solemnity. The great Patriarch that day was honoured with rich presents, sent him from the Emperor and Empress, of plate, cloth of gold, furs, etc. carried with great pomp through the streets of Mosko, and at his departing received many gifts more, both from the Emperor. Nobility, and Clergy. Thus the Patriarchship of Constantinople or Sio (which hath continued since the Council of Nice) is now translated to Mosko, or they made believe that they have a Patriarch with the same right and authority that the other had. Wherein the subtle Greek hath made good advantage of their superstition, and is now gone away with a rich booty into Poland, whether their Patriarchship be currant or not.  
The matter is not unlike to make some schism betwixt the Greek and Russee Church, if the Ruff hold this Patriarchship that he hath so well paid for, and the Greeks elect another withal, as likely they will, whether this man were banished by the Turk, or deprived by order of his own Clergy. Which might happen to give advantage to the Pope, and to bring over the Ruff Church to the Sea of Rome (to which end peradventure he devised this stratagem, and cast in this matter of schism among them) but that the Emperors of Russia know well enough, by the example of other Christian Princes, what inconvenience would grow to their state and country by subjecting themselves to the Romish Sea. To which end the late Emperor Juan Vasilowich was very inquisitive of the Pope's authority over the Princes of Christendom, and sent one of very purpose to Rome, to behold the order and behaviour of his Court.  
With this Patriarch Hieronimo was driven out at the same time by the great Turk one Demetrio, Archbishop of Larissa, who is now in England, and pretendeth the same cause of their banishment by the Turk (to wit) their not admitting of the Pope's new Calendar for the alteration of the year. Which how unlikely it is, may appear by these circumstances: First, because there is no such affection nor friendly respect betwixt the Pope and the Turk, as that he should banish a subject for not obeying the Pope's ordinance, specially in a matter of some sequel for the alteration of times within his own countries. Secondly, for that he maketh no such scruple in deducting of times, and keeping of a just and precise account from the incarnation of Christ, whom he doth not acknowledge otherwise then I noted before. Thirdly, for that the said Patriarch is now at Naples in Italy, where it may be guessed he would not have gone within the Pope's reach, and so near to his nose, if he had been banished for opposing himself against the Pope's decree.  
This office of Patriarchship now translated to Mosko beareth a superior authority over all the Churches, not only of Russia and other the Emperor's dominions, but throughout all the Churches of Christendom that were before under the Patriarch of Constantinople or Sio: or at least the Ruff Patriarch imagineth himself to have the same authority. He hath under him as his proper diocese the Province of Mosko, besides other peculiars. His court or office is kept at the Mosko.  
Before the creation of this new Patriarch they had but one Metropolite, that was called the Metropolite of Mosko. Now for more state to their Church and new Patriarch, they have two Metropolites, the one of Novogrod velica, the other of Rostove. Their office is to receive of the Patriarch such Ecclesiastical orders as he thinketh good, and to deliver the charge of them over to the Archbishops, besides the ordering of their own diocese.  
Their Archbishops are four: of Smolensko, Cazan, Vobsko, and Vologda. The parts of their office is all one with the Metropolites, save that they have an under jurisdiction, as Suffragans to the Metropolites, and superiors to the Bishops. The next are the Uladikeiss, or Bishops, that are but six in all: of Crutiska, of Rezan, of Otfer and Torshock, of Collomenska, of Volodemer, of Susdalla. These have every one a very large diocese, as dividing the rest of the whole country among them.  
The matters pertaining to the Ecclesiastical jurisdiction of the Metropolites, Archbishops, and Bishops, are the same in a manner that are used by the Clergy in other parts of Christendom. For besides their authority over the Clergy, and ordering such matters as are mere Ecclesiastical, their jurisdiction extendeth to all testamentary causes, matters of marriage, and divorcements, some pleas of injuries, etc. To which purpose also they have their Officials, or Commissaries (which they call Boiaren Uladitskey) that are Laymen of the degree of Dukes, or Gentlemen, that keep their Courts, and execute their jurisdiction. Which, besides their other oppressions over the common people, reign over the Priests, as the Dukes and Diacks do over the poor people within their precincts. As for the Archbishop or Bishop himself, he beareth no sway in deciding those causes that are brought into his Court: But if he would moderate any matter, he must do it by entreaty with his Gentleman Official. The reason is, because these Boiarskey, or Gentlemen Officials, are not appointed by the Bishops, but by the Emperor himself, or his Council, and are to give account of their doings to none but to them. If the Bishop can entreat at his admission to have the choice of his own Official, it is accounted for a special great favour. But to speak it as it is, the Clergy of Russia, as well concerning their lands and revenues, as their authority and jurisdiction, are altogether ordered and overruled by the Emperor, and his Council, and have so much and no more of both as their pleasure doth permit them. They have also their assistants or several Counsels (as they call them) of certain Priests that are of their diocese, residing within their cathedral cities, to the number of four and twenty a piece. These advice with them about the special and necessary matters belonging to their charge.  
Concerning their rents and revenues to maintain their dignities, it is somewhat large. The Patriarches yearly rents out of his lands (besides other fees) is about 3000. rubbels or marks. The Metropolites and Archbishops about 2500. The Bishops some a 1000 some 800. some 500, etc. They have had some of them (as I have heard say) ten or twelve thousand rubbels a year, as had the Metropolite of Novograde.  
Their habit or apparel (when they show themselves in their Pontificalibus after their solemnest manner) is a mitre on their heads, after the Popish fashion, set with pearl and precious stone, a cope on their backs, commonly of cloth of gold, embroidered with pearl, and a Crosiers staff in their hands, laid over all with plate of silver double guilt, with a cross or shepherd's crook at the upper end of it. Their ordinary habit otherwise when they ride or go abroad is a hood on their heads of black colour, that hangeth down their backs, and standeth out like a bongrace before. Their upper garment (which they call Reis) is a gown or mantle of black Damask, with many lists or guards of white Satin laid upon it, every guard about two fingers broad, and their Crosiers staff carried before them. Themselves follow after, blessing the people with their two forefingers, with a marvellous grace.  
The election and appointing of the Bishops and the rest pertaineth wholly to the Emperor himself. They are chosen ever out of the Monasteries, so that there is no Bishop, Archbishop, nor Metropolite, but hath been a Monk, or Friar before. And by that reason they are, and must all be unmarried men, for their vow of chastity when they were first shorn. When the Emperor hath appointed whom he thinketh good, he is invested in the Cathedral church of his Diocese with many ceremonies, much after the manner of the Popish inauguration. They have also their Deans, and their Archdeacon's.  
As for preaching the word of God, or any teaching, or exhorting such as are under them, they neither use it, nor have any skill of it: the whole Clergy being utterly unlearned both for other knowledge, and in the word of God. Only their manner is twice every year, viz. the first of September (which is the first day of their year) and on S. John Baptists day, to make an ordinary speech to the people, every Metropolite, Archbishop, and Bishop in his Cathedral Church, to this or like effect; That if any be in malice towards his neighbour, he shall leave off his malice; if any have thought of treason or rebellion against his Prince, he beware of such practice; if he have not kept his fasts, and vows, nor done his other duties to the holy Church, he shall amend that fall, etc. And this is a matter of form with them, uttered in as many words and no more, in a manner, than I have here set down. Yet the matter is done with that grace and solemnity, in a pulpit of purpose set up for this one Act, as if he were to discourse at large of the whole substance of divinity. At the Mosko the Emperor himself is ever present at this solemn exhortation.  
As themselves are void of all manner of learning, so are they wary to keep out all means that might bring any in, as fearing to have their ignorance and ungodliness discovered. To that purpose they have persuaded the Emperors that it would breed innovation, and so danger to their state, to have any novelty of learning come within the Realm. Wherein they say but truth: for that a man of spirit and understanding, helped by learning and liberal education, can hardly endure a tyrannical government. Some years past, in the other Emperor's time, there came a Press and Letters out of Polonia to the city of Mosko, where a printing-house was set up, with great liking and allowance of the Emperor himself: But not long after, the house was set on fire in the night time, and the press and letters quite burnt up, as was thought, by the procurement of the Clergy men.  
Their Priests (whom they call Papaes') are made by the Bishops, without any great trial for worthiness of gifts, before they admit them, or ceremonies in their admission, save that their heads are shorn (not shaved, for that they like not) about an hand-breadth or more in the crown, and that place anointed with oil by the Bishop, who in his admission putteth upon the priest, first his surplice, and then setteth a white cross on his breast of silk, or some other matter, which he is to wear eight days, and no more; and so giveth him authority to say and sing in the Church, and to administer the Sacraments.  
They are men utterly unlearned; which is no marvel, forasmuch as their makers, the Bishops themselves (as before was said) are clear of that quality, and make no further use at all of any kind of learning, no not of the Scriptures themselves, save to read and to sing them. Their ordinary charge and function is to say the Liturgy, to administer the Sacraments after their manner, to keep and deck their idols, and to do the other ceremonies usual in their Churches. Their number is great, because their towns are parted into many small parishes without any discretion for dividing them into competent numbers of households, and people for a just congregation, as the manner in all places, where the means is neglected for increasing of knowledge, and instruction towards God. Which cannot well be had, where by means of an unequal partition of the people, and parishes, there followeth a want and unequalitie of stipend for a sufficient ministry.  
For their priests, it is lawful to marry for the first time. But if the first wife die, a second he cannot take, but he must lose his Priesthood and his living withal. The reason they make out of that place of Saint Paul to Timothy 1. 3. 2. not well understood, thinking that to be spoken of divers wives successively, that the Apostle speaketh of at one and the same time. If he will needs marry again after his first wife is dead, he is no longer called Papa, but Rospapa, or Priest quondam. This maketh the Priests to make much of their wives, who are accounted as the matrons, and of best reputation among the women of the parish.  
For the stipend of the Priest, their manner is not to pay him any tem the of corn, or aught else; but he must stand at the devotion of the people of his parish, and make up the incommes towards his maintenance, so well as he can, by offerings, shrifts, marriages, burials, dirges, and prayers for the dead and the living (which they call Molitua) For besides their public service within their Churches, their manner is for every, private man to have a prayer said for him by the Priest, upon any occasion of business whatsoever, whether he ride, go, sail, plough, or whatsoever else he doth. Which is not framed according to the occasion of his business, but at random, being some of their ordinary and usual Church-prayers. And this is thought to be more holy and effectual if it be repeated by the Priest's mouth, rather than by his own. They have a custom besides to solemnize the Saint's day that is patron to their Church, once every year, what time all their neighbours of their country and parishes about come in to have prayers said to that Saint for themselves, and their friends; and so make an offering to the Priest for his pains. This offering may yield them some ten pounds a year, more or less, as the patron or Saint of that Church is of credit, and estimation among them. The manner is on this day (which they keep anniversary) for the priest to hire divers of his neighbour-priests to help him, as having more dishes to dress for the Saint, than he can well turn his hand unto. They use besides to visit their parishioners houses, with holy water, and perfume, commonly once a quarter: and so having sprinkled and becensed the good man and his wife, with the rest of their household, and householdstuff, they receive some devotion more or less, as the man is of ability. This and the rest laid altogether may make up for the priest towards his maintenance about thirty or forty rubbles a year, whereof he payeth the tenth part to the Bishop of the Diocese.  
The Papa or Priest is known by his long tufts of hair, hanging down by his ears, his gown with a broad cape, and a walking staff in his hand. For the rest of his habit, he is apparelled like the common sort. When he saith the Liturgy or service, within the Church, he hath on him his surplice, and sometimes his cope, if the day be more solemn. They have besides their Papaes' or Priests, their Churnapapaes' (as they call them) that is, Black Priests: that may keep their Benefices though they be admitted Friars withal within some Monastery. They seem to be the very same that were called Regular Priests in the Popish Church. Under the Priest is a Deacon in every Church, that doth nothing but the office of a pa-rish-clerk. As for their Protopapaes', or Archpriests, and their Archdeacon's (that are next in election to be their Protopapas) they serve only in the cathedral Churches.  
Of Friars they have an infinite rabble, far greater than in any other country, where Popery is professed. Every city, and good part of the country, swarmeth full of them. For they have wrought (as the Popish Friars did by their superstition and hypocrisy) that if any part of the Realm be better and sweeter than other, there standeth a Friary or Monastery dedicated to some Saint.  
The number of them is so much the greater, not only for that it 〈◊〉 augmented by the superstition of the country, but because the Friar's lif● is the safest from the oppressions and exactions that fall upon the Commons. Which causeth many to put on the Friar's weed, as the best armour to bear off such blows. Besides such as are voluntary, there are divers that are forced to shire themselves Friars, upon some displeasure. These are for the most part of the chief Nobility. Divers take the Monasteries as a place of Sanctuary, and there become Friars, to avoid some punishment that they had deserved by the laws of the Realm. For if he get a Monastery over his head, and there put on a cowl before he be attached, it is a protection to him for ever against any law, for what crime soever, except it be for treason. But this Proviso goeth withal, that no man cometh there (except such as are commanded by the Emperor to be received) but he giveth them lands, or bringeth his stock with him, and putteth it into the common Treasury. Some bring a 1000 rubbles, and some more. None is admitted under 3. or 4. hundred.  
The manner of their admission is after this sort. First, the Abbot strippeth him of all his secular or ordinary apparel: Then he putteth upon him next to his skin a white flannel shirt, with a long garment over it down to the ground, girded unto him with a broad leather belt. His uppermost garment is a weed of Garrus, or Say, for colour and fashion much like to the upper weed of a Chimney-sweeper. Then is his crown shorn a hand-breadth or more, close to the very skin, and these or like words pronounced by the Abbot whiles he clippeth his hair, As these hairs are clipped off, and taken from thy head, so now we take thee, and separate thee clean from the world, and worldly things, etc. This done, he anointeth his crown with oil, and putteth on his cowl, and so taketh him in among the Fraternity. They vow perpetual chastity, & abstinence from flesh  
Besides their lands (that are very great) they are the greatest merchants in the whole country, and deal for all manner of commodities. Some of their Monasteries dispend in lands 1000 or 2000 rubbles a year. There is one Abbey called Troils, that hath in lands and fees the sum of 100000. rubbles or marks a year. It is built in manner of a Castle, walled round about, with great ordinance planted on the wall, and containeth within it a large breadth of ground, & great variety of building. There are of Friars within it (besides their officers, and other servants) about 700. The Empress that now is hath many vows to Saint Sergius, that is patron there, to entreat him to make her fruitful, as having no children by the Emperor her husband. Lightly every year she goeth on pilgrimage to him from the Mosko on foot, about 80. English miles, with 5. or 6000. women attending on her, all in blue liveries, & 4000 soldiers for her guard. But S. Sergius hath not yet heard her prayers, though (they say) he hath a special gift and faculty that way.  
What learning there is among their Friars, may be known by their Bishops, that are the choice men out of all their monasteries. I talked with one of them at the City of Vologda, where (to try his skill) I offered him a Ruff Testament, and turned him to the first Chapter of S. Matthews Gospel, where he began to read in very good order. I asked him first what part of Scripture it was, that he had read? he answered that he could not well tell. How many Evangelists there were in the new Testament? He said, he knew not. How many Apostles there were? He thought there were twelve. How he should be saved? Whereunto he answered me with a piece of Russee doctrine, that he knew not whether he should be saved or no: but if God would Poshallovate him, or gratify him so much, as to save him, so it was, he would be glad of it; if not, what remedy. I asked him, why he shore himself a Friar? He answered, because he would eat his bread with peace. This is the learning of the Friars of Russia, which though it be not to be measured by one, yet partly it may be guessed by the ignorance of this man, what is in the ●est.  
They have also many Nunneries, whereof some may admit none but Nobleman's widows, and daughters. when the Emperor meaneth to keep them unmarried, from continuing the blood or stock which he would have extinguished. To speak of the life of their Friars and Nuns, it needs not to those that know the hypocrisy & uncleanness of that Cloyster-brood. The Ruff himself (though otherwise addicted to all superstition) speaketh so foully of it, that it must needs gain silence of any modest man.  
Besides these, they have certain Eremites, (whom they call Holy men) that are like to those Gymnosophists for their life and behaviour, though far unlike for their knowledge and learning. They use to go stark naked, save a ●lout about their middle, with their hair hanging long, and wildly about their shoulders, and many of them with an iron collar or chain about their necks or mids, even in the very extremity of winter. These they ●●ke as Prophets, and men of great holiness, giving them a liberty to speak what they l●●t, without any controlment, though it be of the very highest himself. So that if he reprove any openly, in what sort soever, they answer nothing, but that it is P●…um, that is, for their ●…es. And if any of them take some piece of sale wa●● from any 〈◊〉 shop, as he passeth by, to give where he list, he thinketh himself much beloved of God, and much beholding to the holy man for taking it in that sort.  
Of this kind there are not many, because it is a very hard and cold profession to go naked in Russia, specially in Winter. Among other at this time they have one at Mosko, that walketh naked about the streets, and inveigheth commonly against the state and government, especially against the Godonoes', that are thought at this time to be great oppressors of that Commonwealth. Another there was that died not many years ago (whom they called Basileo) that would take upon him to reprove the old Emperor for all his cruelty & oppressions done towards his people. His body they have translated of late into a sumptuous Church, near the Emperor's house in Mosko, and have canonised him for a Saint. Many miracles he doth there (for so the Friars make the people to believe) and many offerings are made unto him, not only by the people, but by the chief Nobility, and the Emperor, and Empress themselves, which visit that Church with great devotion. But this last year, at my being at Mosko, this Saint had ill luck in working his miracles. For a lame man that had his limbs restored (as it was pretended by him) was charged by a woman that was familiar with him (being then fallen out) that he halted but in the day time, and could leap merrily when he came home at night. And that he had intended this matter six years before. Now he is put into a Monastery, and there raileth upon the Friars, that hired him to have this counterfeit miracle practised upon him. Besides this disgrace, a little before my coming from thence, there were eight slain within his Church by fire in a thunder: Which caused his bells (that were tingling before all day and night long as in triumph of the miracles wrought by Basileo their Saint) to ring somewhat softlier, and hath wrought no little discredit to this miracle-worker. There was another of great account at Plesko (called Nicola of Plesko) that did much good, when this Emperor's father came to sack the town, upon suspicion of their revolting and rebellion against him. The Emperor, after he had saluted the Eremite at his lodging, sent him a reward. And the Holy man, to requite the Emperor, sent him a piece of raw flesh, being then their Lent time. Which the Emperor seeing, bid one to tell him that he marvelled that the Holy man would offer him flesh to eat in the Lent, when it was forbidden by order of holy Church. And doth Evasko (which is as much to say, as Jack) think (quoth Nicola) that it is unlawful to eat a piece of beasts flesh in Lent, and not to eat up so much man's flesh as he hath done already? So threatening the Emperor with a prophecy of some hard adventure to come upon him, except he left murdering of his people, and departed the town, he saved a great many men's lives at that time.  
This maketh the people to like very well of them, because they are as Pasquil's, to note their great men's faults, that no man else dare speak of. Yet it falleth out sometime that for this rude liberty, which they take upon them, after a counterfeit manner, by imitation, of Prophets, they are made away in secret, as was one or two of them in the last Emperor's time, for being overbold in speaking against his government.   

CHAP. XXII. Of their Liturgy or form of Church-service, and their manner of administering the Sacraments.  
THeir morning service they call Zautrana, that is, ma●●ins. It is done in this order. The Priest entereth into the Church with his Deacon following him. And when he is come to the middle of the Church, he beginneth to say with a loud voice, Blasslavey Uladika (that is) Bless us heavenly Pastor, meaning of Christ. Then he addeth, In the name of the Father▪ and of the Son, and of the holy Ghost, one very God in Trinity: and Aspody Pomeluy, or, Lord have mercy upon us, Lord have mercy upon us, Lord have mercy upon us, repeated three times. This done, he marcheth on towards the Chancel, or Sanctum Sanctorum (as they use to call it) and so entereth into the Scharsuey Dwere, or the heavenly door, which no man may enter into but the Priest only. Where standing at the altar or table (set near to the upper wall of the chancel) he saith the Lord's prayer, and then again Aspody Pomeluy, or Lord have mercy upon us, Lord have mercy upon us, etc. pronounced twelve times. Then, Praised be the Trinity, the Father, Son, and holy Ghost, for ever and ever. Whereto the Deacons, and people say, Amen. Next after the Priest addeth the Psalms for that day, and beginneth with O come let us worship, and fall down before the Lord, etc. and therewithal himself with the Deacons, and people, all turn themselves towards their Idols or Images that hang on the wall, and crossing themselves, bow down three times, knocking their heads to the very ground. After this, he readeth the ten commandments, and Athanasius Creed out of the Service book.  
This being done, the Deacon that standeth without the heavenly door or chancel readeth a piece of a Legend out of a written book (for they have it not in print) of some Saint's life, miracles, etc. This is divided into many parts, for every day in the year, and is read by them with a plain singing note, not unlike to the Popish tune when they sung their Gospels. After all this (which reacheth to an hour and an half, or two hours of length) he addeth certain set Collects or prayers upon that which he hath read out of the Legend before: and so endeth his Service. All this while stand burning before their Idols a great many of wax candles (whereof some are of the bigness of a man's waist) vowed, or enjoined by penance upon the people of the parish.  
About 9 of the clock in the morning, they have another service, called Obeidna (or Compline) much after the order of the Popish Service that bore that name. If it be some high or Festival day, they furnish their Service beside, with, Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, etc. and, We praise thee O God, etc. sung with a more solemn and curious note.  
Their Evening service is called Vecherna, where the Priest beginneth with Blaslavey Uladika, as he did in the morning, and with Psalms appointed for the Vecherna. Which being read, he singeth, My soul doth magnify the Lord, etc. And then the Priest, Deacons, and people, all with one voice sing, Aspody pomeluy, or Lord have mercy upon us, thirty times together. Whereunto the boys that are in the Church answer all with one voice, rolling it up so fast as their lips can go, Verii, Verii, Verii, Verii, or Praise, Praise, Praise, etc. thirty times together, with a very strange noise. Then is read by the Priest, and upon the holidays sung, the first Psalm, Blessed is the man, etc. And in the end of it is added Alleluia repeated ten times. The next in order is some part of the Gospel read by the Priest, which he endeth with Alleluia repeated three times. And so having said a collect in remembrance of the Saint of that day, he endeth his evening service. All this while the Priest standeth above at the altar or high table, within the Chancel, or Sanctum Sanctorum, whence he never moveth all the service time. The Deacon or Deacons (which are many in their cathedral Churches) stand without the chancel by the Scharsuey dwere, or heavenly door: for within they may not be seen all the service time, though otherwise their office is to sweep, and keep it, and to set up the wax candles before their Idols. The people stand together the whole service time in the body of the Church, and some in the Church porch; for pew or seat they have none within their Churches.  
The Sacrament of baptism they administer after this manner: The child is brought unto the Church, and this is done within eight days after it is born. If it be the child of some Nobleman, it is brought with great pomp in a rich ●led or waggon, with chairs and cushions of cloth of gold, and such like sumptuous show of their best furniture. When they are come to the Church, the Priest standeth ready to receive the child within the church-porch, with his tub of water by him. And then beginneth to declare unto them that they have brought a little Infidel to be made a Christian, etc. This ended, he teacheth the witnesses (that are two or three) in a certain set form out of his book, what their duty is in bringing up the child after he is baptised, viz. That he must be taught to know God, and Christ the Saviour. And because God is of great Majesty, and we must not presume to come unto him without Mediators (as the manner is when we make any suit to an Emperor, or great Prince) therefore they must teach him what Saints are the best and chief mediators, etc. This done, he commandeth the devil in the name of God after a conjuring manner to come out of the water: and so after certain prayers he plungeth the child thrice over head and ears. For this they hold to be a point necessary, that no part of the child be undipped in the water.  
The words that bear with them the form of baptism uttered by the Priest, when he dippeth in the child, are the very same that are prescribed in the Gospel, and used by us, viz. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Ghost. For that they should alter the form of the words, and say by the holy Ghost (as I have heard that they did) following certain heretics of the Greek church, I found to be untrue, as well by report of them that have been often at their baptisms, as by their book of Liturgy itself, wherein the order of baptism is precisely set down.  
When the child is baptised, the Priest layeth oil and salt tempered together upon the forehead, and both sides of his face, and then upon his mouth, drawing it along with his finger over the child's lips (as did the Popish priests) saying withal certain prayers to this effect, that God will make him a good Christian, etc. all this is done in the Church-porch. Then is the child (as being now made a Christian, and meet to be received within the Church door) carried into the Church, the Priest going before, and there he is presented to the chief Idol of the Church, being laid on a cushion before the feet of the image, by it (as by the mediator) to be commended unto God If the child be sick or weak (specially in the winter) they use to make the water lukewarm. After baptism the manner is to cut off the hair from the child's head, and having wrapped it within a piece of wax to lay up as a relic or monument in a secret place of the church.  
This is the manner of their baptism, which they account to be the best and perfectest form: As they do all other parts of their religion, received (as they say) by tradition from the best Church, meaning the Greek. And therefore they will take great pains to make a proselyte or convert either of an infidel, or of a foreign Christian, by rebaptising him after the Ruff manner. When they take any Tartar prisoner, commonly they will offer him life with condition to be baptised. And yet they persuade very few of them to redeem their life so, because of the natural hatred the Tartar beareth to the Ruff and the opinion he hath of his falsehood and injustice. The year after Mosko was fired by the Chrim Tartar there was taken a Divoymorsey, one of the chief of that exploit with 300. Tartars more: who had all their lives offered them, if they would be baptised after the Ruff manner. Which they refused all to do, with many reproaches against those that persuaded them. And so being carried to the river Mosko (that runneth through the city) they were all baptised after a violent manner, being thrust down with a knock on the head into the water, through an hole made in the ice for that purpose. Of Lieflanders that are captives, there are many that take on them this second Ruff baptism to get more liberty, and somewhat besides towards their living, which the Emperor ordinarily useth to give them.  
Of Englishmen since they frequented the country there was never any found that so much forgot God, his faith, and country, as that he would be content to be baptised Russee, for any respect of fear, preferment or other means whatsoever, save only Richard Relph, that following before an ungodly trade by keeping a Caback (against the order of the country) and being put off from that trade, and spoiled by the Emperor's officers of that which he had, entered himself this last year into the Ruff profession, and so was rebaptised, living now as much an idolator, as before he was a rioter, and unthrifty person.  
Such as thus receive the Ruff baptism are first carried into some Monastery to be instructed there in the doctrine and ceremonies of the Church. Where they use these ceremonies: First, they put him into a new and fresh suit of apparel, made after the Ruff fashion, and set a coronet or (in Summer) a garland upon his head. Then they anoint his head with oil, and put a wax candle light into his hand, and so pray over him four times a day, the space of seven days. All this while he is to abstain from flesh, and white meats. The seven days being ended, he is purified and washed in a bathstove, and so the eighth day he is brought into the Church, where he is taught by the Friars how to behave himself in presence of their idols, by ducking down, knocking of the head, crossing himself, and such like gestures, which are the greatest part of the Ruff religion.  
The Sacrament of the Lords supper they receive but once a year, in their great Lent time, a little before Easter. Three at the most are admitted at one time, and never above. The manner of their communicating is thus: First they confess themselves of all their sins to the Priest, whom they call their ghostly father. Then they come to the Church, and are called up to the Communion table, that standeth like an altar, a little removed from the upper end of the Church, after the Dutch manner. Here first they are asked of the Priest whether they be clean or no, that is, whether they have never a sin behind that they left unconfessed. If they answer, No, they are taken to the table. Where the Priest beginneth with certain usual prayers, the communicants standing in the meanwhile with their arms folded one within another, like penitentiaries or mourners. When these prayers are ended, the Priest taketh a spoon, and filleth it full of claret wine, than he putteth into it a small piece of bread, and tempereth them both together, and so delivereth them in the spoon to the Communicants that stand in order, speaking the usual words of the Sacrament, Eat this, etc. Drink this, etc. both at one time without any pause.  
After that he delivereth them again bread by itself, and then wine carded together with a little warm water, to represent blood more rightly (as they they think) and the water withal, that flowed out of the side of Christ. Whiles this is in doing the communicants unfold their arms, and then folding them again, follow the Priest thrice round about the communion toble, and so return to their places again. Where having said certain other prayers, he dismisseth the communicants, with charge to be merry, and cheer up themselves for the seven day's next following; which being ended, he enjoineth them to fast for it as long time after, which they use to observe with very great devotion, eating nothing else but bread and salt, except a little cabbage, and some other herb or root, with water or quasse mead for their drink.  
This is their manner of administering the Sacraments. Wherein what they differ from the institution of Christ, and what ceremonies they have added of their own, or rather borrowed of the Greeks, may easily be noted.   

CHAP. XVIII. Of the doctrine of the Ruff Church, and what errors it holdeth.  
THeir chiefest errors in matter of faith I find to be these: First, concerning the word of God itself they will not read publicly certain books of the Canonical Scripture, as the books of Moses, specially the four last, Exodus, Leviticus, Numeri, and Deuteronomie, which they say are all made disauthentick, and put out of use by the coming of Christ, as not able to discern the difference betwixt the moral, and the ceremonial law. The books of the prophets they allow of, but read them not publicly in their churches for the same reason, because they were but directours unto Christ, and proper (as they say) to the nation of the Jews. Only the book of Psalms they have in great estimation, and sing and say them daily in their Churches. Of the new Testament they allow and read all, except the Revelation: which therefore they read not (though they allow it) because they understand it not, neither have the like occasion to know the fulfilling of the prophesies contained within it, concerning especially the apostasy of the Antichristian church, as have the Western Churches. Notwithstanding they have had their Antichrists of the Greek Church, and may find their own falling off, and the punishments for it by the Turkish invasion in the prophecies of that book.  
Secondly (which is the fountain of the rest of all their corruptions both in doctrine and ceremonies) they hold with the Papists, that their Church Traditions are of equal authority with the written word of God. Wherein they prefer themselves before other Churches, affirming that they have the true and right traditions delivered by the Apostles to the Greek Church, and so unto them.  
3. That the Church (meaning the Greek, and specially the Patriarch and his Synod, as the head of the rest) have a sovereign authority to interpret the Scripture, and that all are bound to hold that interpretation as sound and authentic.  
4. Concerning the divine nature and the three persons in the one substance of God, that the holy Ghost proceedeth from the Father only, and not from the Son.  
5. About the office of Christ they hold many foul errors, and the same almost as doth the Popish church: namely, that he is the sole mediator of redemption, but not of intercession. Their chief reason (if they be talked withal) for defence of this error is that unapt and foolish comparison betwixt God and a Monarch or Prince of this world, that must be sued unto by Mediators about him: wherein they give special preferment to some above others, as to the blessed Virgin, whom they call Precheste, or undefiled, and S. Nicolas, whom they call Scora pomosnick, or the Speedy helper, and say that he hath 300. angels of the chiefest appointed by God to attend upon him. This hath brought them to an horrible excess of idolatry, after the grossest and profanest manner, giving unto their images all religious worship of prayer, thanksgiving, offerings, and adoration, with prostrating and knocking their heads to the ground before them, as to God himself. Which because they do to the picture, not to the portraiture of the Saint, they say they worship not an idol, but the Saint in his image, and so offend not God, forgetting the commandment of God, that forbiddeth to make the image or likeness of any thing, for any religious worship or use whatsoever. Their church-walls are very full of them, richly hanged and set forth with pearl and stone upon the smooth table. Though some also they have embossed, that stick from the board almost an inch outwards. They call them Chudovodites, or their miracle-workers: and when they provide them to set up in their Churches, in no case they may say that they have bought the image, but exchanged money for it.  
6. For the means of justification, they agree with the Papists, that it is not by faith only apprehending Christ, but by their works also; and that Opus operatum, or the work for the work sake, must needs please God. And therefore they are all in their numbers of prayers, fasts, vows, and offerings to saints, alms-deeds, cross and such like, and carry their numbering beads about with them continually, as well the Emperor and his Nobility as the common people, not only in the Church, but in all other public places, specially at any set or solemn meeting, as in their fasts, law courts, common consultations, entertainment of Ambassadors, and such like.  
7. They say with the Papists that no man can be assured of his salvation till the last sentence be passed at the day of judgement.  
8. They use auricular confession, and think that they are purged by the very action from so many sins as they confess by name and in particular to the Priest.  
9 They hold three Sacraments, of Baptism, the Lords supper, and the last an oiling, or unction. Yet concerning their Sacrament of extreme unction, they hold it not so necessary to salvation as they do baptism, but think it a great curse and punishment of God if any die without it.  
10. They think there is a necessity of baptism, and that all are condemned that die without it.  
11. They rebaptize as many Christians (not being of the Greek church) as they convert to their Ruff profession, because they are divided from the true church, which is the Greek, as they say.  
12. They make a difference of meats and drin●●, accounting the use of one to be more holy then of another. And therefore in their set fasts they forbear to eat flesh and white meats (as we call them) after the manner of the Popish superstition: which they observe so strictly, and with such blind devotion, as that they will rather die then eat one bit of flesh, eggs, or such like, for the health of their bodies in their extreme sickness.  
13. They hold marriage to be unlawful for all the Clergy men, except the priests only, and for them also after the first wife, as was said before. Neither do they well allow of it in Laymen after the second marriage. Which is a pretence now used against the Emperor's only brother, a child of six years old, who therefore is not prayed for in their Churches (as their manner is otherwise for the Prince's blood) because he was born of the sixth marriage, and so not legitimate. This charge was given to the priests by the Emperor himself, by procurement of the Godonoes': who make him believe that it is a good policy to turn away the liking of the people from the next successor.  
Many other false opinions they have in matter of religion. But these are the chief, which they hold partly by means of their traditions (which they have received from the Greek Church) but specially by ignorance of the holy Scriptures. Which notwithstanding they have in the Polonian tongue, (that is all one with theirs some few words excepted) yet few of them read them with that godly care which they ought to do: neither have they (if they would) books sufficient of the old and new Testament for the common people, but of their Liturgy only, or book of common service, whereof there are great numbers.  
All this mischief cometh from the Clergy, who being ignorant and godless themselves, are very wary to keep the people likewise in their ignorance and blindness, for their living and bellies sake; partly also from the manner of government settled among which the Emperors (whom it specially behoveth) list not to have changed by any innovation, but to retain that religion that best agreeth with it. Which notwithstanding it is not to be doubted, but that having the word of God in some sort (though without the ordinary means to attain to a true sense and understanding of it) God hath also his number among them. As may partly appear by that which a Ruff at Mosko said in secret to one of my servants, speaking against their images and other superstitions, That God had given unto England light to day, and might give it to morrow (if he pleased) to them.  
As for any inquisition or proceeding against men for matter of religion, I could hear of none; save a few years since against one man and his wife, who were kept in a close prison the space of 28. years; till they were overgrown into a deformed fashion, for their hair, nails, colour of countenance, and such like, and in the end were burned at Mosko, in a small house set on fire. The cause was kept secret, but like it was for some part of truth in matter of religion; though the people were made to believe by the Priests and Friars, that they held some great and damnable heresy.   

CHAP. XXIV. Of the manner of solemnising their Marriages.  
THe manner of making and solemnising their marriages is different from the manner of other countries. The man (though he never saw the woman before) is not permitted to have any sight of her all the time of his wooing, which he doth not by himself, but by his mother or some other ancient woman of his kin (aswell by the parents as by the parties themselves, for without the knowledge and consent of the parents, the contract is not lawful) the fathers on both sides, or such as are to them in stead of fathers, with other chief friends, having a meeting and conference about the dowry, which is commonly very large, after the ability of the parents: so that you shall have a market man (as they call them) give a 1000 rubbels or more with his daughter.  
As for the man it is never required of him, nor standeth with their custom to make any jointure in recompense of the dowry. But in case he have a child by his wife, she enjoyeth a third deal after his decease. If he have two children by her or more, she is to have a courtesy more, at the discretion of the husband. If the husband depart without issue by his wife, she is returned home to her friends without any thing at all, save only her dowry, if the husband leave so much behind him in goods. When the agreement is made concerning the dowry, they sign bonds one to the other, as well for the payment of the dowry, as the performing of the marriage by a certain day. If the woman were never married before, her father and friends are bound besides to assure her a maiden. Which breedeth many brabbles and quarrels at Law, if the man take any conceit concerning the behaviour and honesty of his wife.  
Thus the contract being made, the parties begin to send tokens the one to the other, the woman first, than afterwards the man, but yet se● not one another till the marriage be solemnised. On the eve before the marriage day the bride is carried in a Collimago, or coach, or in a s●edde (if it be winter) to the bridegroom's house, with her marriage-apparel and bedstead with her, which they are to lie in. For this is ever provided by the Bride, and is commonly very fair, with much cost bestowed upon it. Here she is accompanied all that night by her mother, and other women, but not welcomed, nor once seen by the Bridegroom himself.  
When the time is come to have the marriage solemnised, the Bride hath put upon her a kind of hood, made of fine knitwork, or lawn, that covereth her head and all her body down to the middle; and so accompanied with her friends, and the bridegroom with his, they go to Church all on horseback, though the Church be near hand, and themselves but of very mean degree. The words of contract, and other ceremonies in solemnising the marriage, are much after the order, and with the same words that are used with us, with a ring also given to the Bride. Which being put on, and the words of contract pronounced, the Bride's ●and is delivered into the hand of the Bridegroom, which standeth all this while on the one side of the altar or table, and the Bride on the other. So the marriage knot being knit by the Priest, the Bride cometh to the Bridegroom (standing at the end of the altar or table) and falleth down at his feet, knocking her head upon his shoe, in token of her subjection and obedience. And the Bridegroom again casteth the lap of his gown or upper garment over the Bride, in token of his duty to protect, and cherish her.  
Then the Bridegroom and Bride standing both together at the table's end, cometh first the father, and the other friends of the Bride, & bow themselves down low to the Bridegroom; and so likewise his friends bow themselves to the Bride, in token of affinity and love ever after betwixt the two kindreds. And withal, the father of the Bridegroom offereth to the Priest a loaf of bread, who delivereth it strait again to the father, and other friends of the Bride, with attestation before God and their idols, that he deliver the dowry wholly and truly at the day appointed, and hold love ever after, one kindred with another. Whereupon they break the loaf into pieces, and eat of it, to testify their true and sincere meanings for performing of that charge, and thenceforth to become as grains of one loaf, or men of one table.  
These ceremonies being ended, the Bridegroom taketh the Bride by the hand, and so they go on together with their friends after them, towards the Church-porch, where meet them certain with pots and cups in their hands, with mead and Russee wine: whereof the Bridegroom taketh first a chark or little cup full in his hand, and drinketh to the Bride, who opening her hood or veil below, and putting the cup to her mouth underneath it (for being seen of the Bridegroom) pledgeth him again. Thus returning altogether from the Church, the Bridegroom goeth not home to his own, but to his father's house, and she likewise to hers, where either entertain their friends apart. At the entering into the house, they use to fl●ng corn out of the windows, upon the Bridegroom and Bride, in t●k●n of plenty, and fruitfulness to be with them ever after.  
When the Evening is come, the Bride is brought to the Bridegroom's father's house, and there lodgeth that night, with her veil or cover still over her head. All that night she may not speak one word (for that charge she receiveth by tradition from her mother, & other matrons her friends) that the Bridegroom must neither hear, nor see her, till the day after the marriage. Neither three days after may she be heard to speak, save certain few words at the table, in a set form, with great manners, and reverence to the Bridegroom. If she behave herself otherwise, it is a great prejudice to her credit, and life ever after; and will highly be disliked of the Bridegroom himself.  
After the third day they depart to their own, and make a feast to both their friends together. The marriage day, and the whole time of their festival, the Bridegroom hath the honour to be called Moloday Knez, or young Duke, and the Bride Moloday Knezay, or young Duchess.  
In living with their wives, they show themselves to be but of a barbarous condition, using them as servants, rather than wives; except the Noble-women, which are, or seem to be of more estimation with their husbands then the rest of meaner sort. They have this foul abuse, contrary to good order and the word of God itself, that upon dislike of his wife, or other cause whatsoever the man may go into a Monastery, and shire himself a Friar, by pretence of devotion, and so leave his wife to shift for herself so well as she can.   

CHAP. XXV. Of the other Ceremonies of the Ruff Church.  
THe other ceremonies of their Church are many in number, especially, the abuse about the sign of the Cross, which they set up in their highways, in the tops of their Churches, and in every door of their houses, signing themselves continually with it on their foreheads and breasts, with great devotion, as they will seem by their outward gesture. Which were less offence, if they gave not withal that religious reverence and worship unto it which is due to God only, and used the dumb show and signing of it instead of thanksgiving, and of all other duties which they owe unto God. When they rise to the morning, they go commonly in the sight of some steeple that hath a cross on the top, and so bowing themselves towards the cross, sign themselves withal on their foreheads and breasts. And this is their thanksgiving to God for their night's rest, without any word speaking, except peradventure they say, Aspody Pomeluy, or, Lord have mercy upon us. When they sit down to meat, and rise again from it, the thanksgiving to God is the crossing of their foreheads and breasts, except it be some few that add peradventure a word or two of some ordinary prayer, impertinent to that purpose. When they are to give an oath for the deciding of any controversy at Law, they do it by swearing by the Cross, and kissing the f●et of it, making it as God, whose name only is to be used in such trial of justice. When they enter into any house (where ever there is an idol hanging on the wall) they sign themselves with the cross, and bow themselves to it. When they begin any work, be it little or much, they arm themselves first with the sign of the cross. And this commonly is all their prayer to God for good speed of their business. And thus they serve God with crosses, after a cross and vain manner, not understanding what the cross of Christ is, nor the power of it. And yet they think all strangers Christians to be no better than Tu●ks in comparison of themselves (and so they will say) because they bow not themselves, when they meet with the cross, nor sign themselves with it, as the Ruff manner is.  
They have holy water in like use and estimation as the Popish Church hath. But herein they exceed them, in that they do not only hollow their holy water stocks, and tubs full of water, but all the rivers of the country once every year. At Mosko it is done with great pomp and solemnity, the Emperor himself being present at it, with all his Nobility marching through the streets towards the river of Moskua, in manner of procession, in this order as followeth. First go two Deacons, with banners in their hands, the one of Precheste (or our Lady) the other of S. Michael, fight with the dragon. Then follow after the rest of the Deacons and the priests of Mosko, two and two in a rank, with copes on their backs, and their idols at their breasts, carried with girdles or slings, made fast about their necks. Next the priests come their Bishops in their pontificalibus; then the Friars, Monks, and Abbots; and after, the Patriarch in rich attire, with a ball or sphere on the top of his mitre, to signify his universality over that Church: Last cometh the Emperor with all his nobility. The whole train is of a mile long, or more. When they are come to the river, a great hole is made in the ice, where the market is kept, of a rod and a half broad, with a stage round about it to keep off the press. Then beginneth the Patriarch to say certain prayers, and conjureth the devil to come out of the water: and so casting in salt, and censing it with frankincense, maketh the whole river to become holy water. The morning before all the people of Mosko use to make crosses of chalk over every door, and window of their houses, lest the devil being conjured out of the water should fly into their houses.  
When the ceremonies are ended, you shall see the black guard of the Emperor's house, and then the rest of the town, with their pails and buckets, to take of the hallowed water for drink, and other uses. You shall also see the women dip in their children over head and ears, & many men and women leap into it, some naked, some with their clothes on when some man would think his finger would frieze off if he should but dip it into the water. When the men have done, they bring their horse to the river, to drink of the sanctified water, and so make them as holy as a horse. Their set day for this solemn action of hallowing their rivers, is that we call Twelfthday. The like is done by other Bishops, in all parts of the Realm.  
Their manner is also to give it to their sick, in their greatest extremity, thinking that it will either recover them, or sanctify them to God. Whereby they kill many, through their unreasonable superstition, as did the Lord Borris his only son, at my being at the Mosko, whom he killed (as was said by the physicians) by pouring into him cold holy water, and presenting him naked into the Church to their Saint Basileo, in the cold of the Winter in an extremity of sickness.  
They have an image of Christ, which they call Neruchi (which signifieth as much as Made without hands) for so their priests and superstition withal persuadeth them it was. This in their processions they carry about with them on high upon a pole, enclosed within a pix, made like a lantern, and do reverence to it as to a great mystery.  
At every brewing, their manner is likewise to bring a dish of their wort to the Priest within the Church, which being hallowed by him is poured into the brewing, and so giveth it such a virtue, as when they drink of it they are seldom sober. The like they do with the first fruits of their corn in Harvest.  
They have another ceremony on Palmsunday, of ancient tradition, what time the Patriarch rideth through the Mosko the Emperor himself holding his horse bridle, and the people crying Hosanna, and spreading their upper garments under his horse feet. The Emperor hath of the Patriarch for his good service of that day 200. rubbels of standing pension. Another pageant they have much like to this, the week before the nativity of Christ, when every Bishop in his Cathedral Church setteth forth a sh●w● of the three children in the Oven, where the Angel is made to come flying from the roof of the Church with great admiration of the lookers on, and many terrible flashes of fire are made with rosin and gunpowder by the Chaldeans (as they call them) that run about the town all the twelve days, disguised in their players coats, and make much good sport for the honour of the Bishop's pageant. At the Mosko the Emperor himself, and the Empress never fail to be at it, though it be but the same matter played every year, without any new invention at all.  
Besides their fasts on Wednesdays and Fridays throughout the whole year (the one because they say Christ was sold on the Wednesday, the other because he suffered on the Friday) they have four great Fasts or Lents every year. The first (which they call their great Lent) is at the same time with ours. The second, about Midsummer. The third, in Harvest time. The fourth, about Hallontide: which they keep not of policy, but of mere superstition. In their great Lent for the first week they eat nothing but bread and salt, and drink nothing but water, neither meddle with any matter of their vocation, but intent their shrieving and fasting only. They have also 3. Vigils or Wakes in their great Lent, which they call Stoiania, and the last Friday their great Vigil, as they call it, what time the whole parish must be present in the Church, and watch from nine a clock in the Evening till six in the morning, all the while standing, save when they fall down and knock their heads to their idols, which must be an hundred and seventy times just through the whole night.  
About their burials also they have many superstitious and profane ceremonies, as putting within the finger of the corpse a letter to Saint Nicholas, whom they make their chief mediator, and as it were the porter of heaven gates, as the Papists do their Peter.  
In Winter time, when all is covered with snow, and the ground so hard frozen, as that no spade nor pikeax can enter, their manner is not to bury their dead, but to keep the bodies (so many as die all the Winter time) in an house, in the suburbs, or out parts of the town, which they call Bohsedom, that is, God's house, where the dead bodies are piled up together like billets on a woodstack, as hard with the frost as a very stone, till the Springtide come, and resolveth the frost, what time every man taketh his dead friend, and committeth him to the ground.  
They have besides their years and month's minds for their friends departed, what time they have prayers said over the grave by the Priest, who hath a penny ordinary for his pains. When any dieth, they have ordinary women mourners, that come to lament for the dead party, and stand howling over the body, after a profane and heathenish manner (sometimes in the house, sometimes bringing the body into the backside) ask him what he wanted, and what he meant to die. They bury their dead, as the party used to go, with coat, hose, boo●s, hat, and the rest of his apparel.  
Many other vain and superstitious ceremonies they have, which were long and tedious to report. By these it may appear how far they are fallen from the true knowledge and practice of Christian religion, having exchanged the word of God for their vain traditions, and brought all to external and ridiculous ceremonies, without any regard of spirit and truth, which God requireth in his true worship.   

CHAP. XXVI. Of the Emperor's domestic, or private behaviour.  
THe Emperor's private behaviour, so much as may be, or is meet to be known, is after this manner. He riseth commonly about 4. a clock in the morning. After his apparelling and washing, in cometh his ghostly father or priest of his chamber, which is named in their tongue, Otetz Duhouna, with his cross in his hand, wherewith he blesseth him, laying it first on his forehead, then upon his cheeks, or sides of his face, and then offereth him the end of it to kiss. This done, the Clerk of the cross (called Chersby Deyack Prosery) bringeth into his chamber a painted image, representing the Saint for that day. For every day with them hath his several Saint, as it were the patron for that day. This he placeth among the rest of his image gods, wherewithal his chamber is decked, as thick almost as the wall can bear, with lamps and wax candles burning before them. They are very costly and gorgeously decked with pearl, and precious stone. This image being placed before him, the Emperor beginneth to cross himself after the Ruff manner, first on the forehead, then on both fides of his breast, with Aspody Pomeluy, Pomeluy mena hosp●dy, sacroy mena gresuick Syhodestua: which is as much to say, as, Help me O Lord my God, Lord comfort me, defend and keep me a sinner from doing evil, etc. This he directeth towards the image or Saint for that day; whom he nameth in his prayer, together with our Lady (whom they call Precheste) Saint Nicholas, or some other, to whom he beareth most devotion, bowing himself prostrate unto them, with knocking his head to the very ground. Thus he continueth the space of a quarter of an hour or thereabouts.  
Then cometh again the ghostly father or chamber priest with a silver bowl full of holy water, which they call in Russee, Tweta Voda, and a sprinkle of Basill (as they call it) in his hand: and so all to besprinkleth first the image-gods, and then the Emperor. This holy water is brought fresh every day from the Monasteries, far and near, sent to the Emperor from the Abbot or Prior, in the name of the Saint, that is patron of that Monastery, as a special token of good will from him.  
These devotions being ended, he sendeth in to the Empress, to ask whether she hath rested in health, etc. And after a little pause goeth himself to salute her in a middle room betwixt both their chambers. The Empress lieth apart from him, and keepeth not one chamber nor table with the Emperor ordinarily, save upon the eve of their Lents, or common Fasts, what time she is his ordinary guest at bed and board. After their meeting in the morning, they go together to their private Church or Chapel, where is said or sung a morning Service (called Zautrana) of an hour long or thereabouts. From the Church he returneth home, and sitteth him down in a great chamber, to be seen and saluted by his Nobility, such as are in favour about the Court. If he have to say to any of them, or they to him, then is the time. And this is ordinary, except his health, or some other occasion alter the custom.  
About nine in the morning he goeth to another Church within his Castle, where is sung by Priests and Choristers the high Service (called Obeadna or Complin) which commonly lasteth two hours, the Emperor in the mean time talking commonly with some of his Council, Nobility, or captains, which have to say to him, or he to them: And the Council likewise confer together among themselves, as if they were in their council house. This ended, he returneth home, and recreateth himself until it be dinner time.  
He is served at his table on this manner. First, every dish (as it is delivered at the dresser) is tasted by the Cook, in the presence of the high Steward, or his Deputy, and so is received by the Gentlemen waiters (called Shilshey) and by them carried up to the Emperor's table, the high Steward or his Deputy going before: There it is received by the Sewer (called Erastnoy) who giveth a taste of every dish to the Taster, and so placeth it before the Emperor. The number of his dishes for his ordinary service is about seventy, dressed somewhat grossly, with much garlic and salt, much after the Dutch manner. When he exceedeth upon some occasion of the day, or entertainment of some Ambassador, he hath many more dishes. The service is sent up by two dishes at a time, or three at the most, that he may eat it warm, first the baked, than the roast meats, and last the broths. In his dining chamber is another table, where sit the chief of his Nobility that are about his Court, and his ghostly father, or Chaplain. On the one side of the chamber standeth a cupboard or table of plate, very fair and rich, with a great cistern of Copper by it, full of ice and snow, wherein stand the pots that serve for that meal. The taster holdeth the cup that he drinketh in all dinner time, and delivereth it unto him with a say, when he calleth for it. The manner is to make many dishes out of the service after it is set on the table, and to send them to such Noblemen and officers as the Emperor liketh best. And this is counted a great favour and honour.  
After dinner he layeth him down to rest, where commonly he taketh three hours' sleep, except he employ one of the hours to bathing, or boxing. And this custom for sleeping after dinner is an ordinary matter with him, as with all the Russes. After his sleep, he goeth to evensong (called Vechurna) and thence returning, for the most part recreateth himself with the Empress till supper time, with jesters, and dwarves, men and women, that tumble before him, and sing many songs after the Ruff manner. This is his common recreation betwixt meals, that he most delights in. One other special recreation is the fight with wild Bears, which are caught in pits, or nets, and are kept in barred cages for that purpose, against the Emperor be disposed to see the pastime. The fight with the Bear is on this sort. The man is turned into a circle walled round about, where he is to quit himself so well as he can, for there is no way to fly out. When the Bear is turned loose, he cometh upon him with open mouth. If at the first push he miss this aim, so that the Bear come within him, he is in great danger. But the wild Bear, being very fierce, hath this quality, that giveth advantage to the Hunter; his manner is when he assaileth a man to rise up right on his two hinder legs, and so to come roaring with open mouth upon him: And if the Hunter then can push right into the very breast of him, betwixt his forelegges (as commonly he will not miss) resting the other end of their boarspear at the side of his foot, and so keeping the pike still towards the face of the Bear, he speedeth him commonly at one blow. But many times these Hunters come short, and are either slain, or miserably torn with the teeth and talents of the fierce beast. If the party quit himself well in this sight with the Bear, he is carried to drink at the Emperor's seller door: where he drinketh himself drunk for the honour of Hospodare. And this is his reward for adventuring his life, for the Emperor's pleasure. To maintain this pastime the Emperor hath certain huntsmen that are appointed for that purpose to take the wild Bear. This is his recreation commonly on the holy days. Sometimes he spendeth his time in looking upon his goldsmiths, and jewellers, tailors, embroiderers, painters, and such like, and so goeth to his supper. When it draweth towards bed time, his priest saith certain prayers, and then the Emperor blesseth and crosseth himself, as in the morning, for a quarter of an hour or thereabouts, and so goeth to his bed.  
The Emperor that now is (called Theodore Juanowich) is for his person of a mean stature, somewhat low and gross, of a sallow complexion, & inclining to the dropsy, hawk-nosed, unsteady in his pace by reason of some weakness of his limbs, heavy and unactive, yet commonly smiling almost to a laughter. For quality otherwise, simple and slow-witted, but very gentle, and of an easy nature, quiet, merciful, of no martial disposition, nor greatly apt for matter of policy, very superstitious, and infinite that way. Besides his private devotions at home, he goeth every week commonly on pilgrimage to some Monastery or other that is nearest hand. He is 34. years old, or thereabouts, and hath reigned almost the space of six years.   

CHAP. XXVII. Of the Emperor's private or household Officers.  
THe chief officers of the Emperor's household are these which follow. The first is the office of the Boiaren Conesh●●●, or Master of the Horse. Which containeth no more than is expressed by the name, that is, to be eversee● of the Horse, and not magister equitum, or Master of the Horsemen. For he appointeth other for that service, as occasion doth require (as before was said.) He that beareth that office at this time, is Borris Pederowich Godonoe, brother to the Empress. Of Horse for service in his wars (besides other For his ordinary uses) he hath to the number of 10000 which are kept about Mosko.  
The next is the Lord Steward of his household, at this time, one Gregory Vasilowich Godonoe. The third is his Treasurer, that keepeth all his moneys, jewels, plate, etc. now called Stepan Vasilowich Godonoe. The fourth his Controller, now Andrea's Petrolowich Clesinine. The fifth his Chamberlain, He that attendeth that office at this time, is called Estoma Bisabr●za Pastelnischay. The sixth his Tasters, now Theodore Alexandrowich, and Juan Vasilowich Godonoe. The seventh his Harbingers, which are three Noblemen, and divers other Gentlemen that do the office under them. These are his ordinary officers, and offices of the chiefest account.  
Of Gentlemen beside that wait about his chamber and person (called Shilsey Strapsey) there are two hundred, all Nobleman's sons. His ordinary Guard is 2000 Hagbutters ready with their pieces charged, and their match lighted, with other necessary furniture, continually day and night: which come not within the house, but wait without in the court or yard, where the Emperor is abiding. In the night time there lodgeth next to his bedchamber the chief Chamberlain, with one o● two more of best trust about him. 〈◊〉 second chamber off there lodge s●… other of like account, for their trust and faithfulness. In the third chamber lie certain young Gentlemen, of these two hundred called Shilsey Strapsey, that take their turns by fourties every night. There are Grooms besides that watch in their course, and lie at every gate and door of the Court called Estopnick.  
The Hagbutters or Gunners, whereof there are two thousand (as was said before) watch about the Emperor's lodging or bedchamber by course, two hundred and fifty every night, and two hundred and fifty more in the Court yard, and about the Treasure-house. His court or house at the Mosko is made Castle-wise, walled about, with great store of fair ordinance planted upon the wall, and containeth a great breadth of ground within it, with many dwelling houses, which are appointed for such as are known to be sure, and trusty to the Emperor.   

CHAP. XXVIII. Of the private behaviour or quality of the Ruff people.  
THe private behaviour and quality of the Ruff people may partly be understood by that which hath been said concerning the public state and usage of the country. As touching the natural habit of their bodies, they are for the most part of a large size, and of very fleshly bodies: accounting it a grace to be somewhat gross and burley, and therefore they nourish and spread their beards to have them long and broad. But for the most part they are very unwieldy and unactive withal. Which may be thought to come partly of the climate, and the numbness which they get by the cold in winter, and partly of their diet, that standeth most of root●, onions garlic, cabbage, and su●h like things that breed gross humours, which they use to eat alon● and with their other meats.  
Their diet is rather much then curious. At their meals they begin commonly with a Chark or small cup of Aqua vitae (which they call Russee wine) and then drink not till towards the end of their meals, taking it in largely, and altogether, with kissing one another at every pledge. And therefore after dinner there is no talking with them, but every man goeth to his bench to take his afternoons sleep, which is as ordinary with them as their night's rest. When they exceed, and have variety of dishes, the first are their baked meats (for roast meats they use little) and then their broths or pottage. To drink drunk, is an ordinary matter with them every day in the week. Their common drink is Mead: the poorer sort use water, and a thin drink called Quasse, which is nothing else (as we say) but water turned out of his wits, with a little bran meashed with it.  
This diet would breed in them many diseases, but that they use bathstoves or hothouses in stead of all Physic, commonly twice or thrice every week. All the wintertime, and almost the whole Summer, they heat there Peaches, which are made like the German bathstoves, and their Potlads like ovens, that so warm the house, that a stranger at the first shall hardly like of it. These two extremities, specially in the winter of heat within their houses, and of extreme cold without, together with their die●, maketh them of a dark and fallow complexion, their skins being tanned and parched both with cold and with heat; specially the women, that for the greater part are of far worse complexions than the men. Whereof the cause I take to be their keeping within the hot houses, and busying themselves about the heating and using of their bathstoves and peaches.  
The Ruff, because that he is used to both these extremities of heat and of cold, can bear them both a great deal more patiently than strangers can do. You shall see them sometimes (to season their bodies) come out of their bathstoves all on a froth, and fuming, as hot almost as a pig at a spit, and presently to leap into the ●…ver, stark naked 〈◊〉 or to pour cold water all ●ver● their bodies, and that in the coldest of all the wintertime. The women to mend the bad hue of their skins use to paint their faces with white and red colours, so visibly, that every man may perceive it. Which is made no matter, because it is common, and liked well by their husbands: who make their wives and daughters an ordinary allowance to buy them colours to paint their faces withal, and delight themselves much to see th●m of fowl women to become such, fair images. This parcheth the skin, and helpeth to deform them when their painting is off.  
They apparel themselves after the Greek manner. The Nobleman's attire is on this fashion: First a Taffia, or little night cap on his head, that covereth little more than his crown, commonly very rich, wrought of silk and gold thread, and set with pearl & precious stone. His head be keepeth shaved close to the very skin, except he be in some displeasure with the Emperor: Then he suffereth his hair to grow and hang down upon his shoulders, covering his face as uggly and deformedly as he can. Over the Taffia he weareth a wide cap of black Fox (which they account for the best fur) with a Tiara or long bonnet put within it, standing up like a Persian or Babylonian hat. About his neck (which is seen all bare) is a collar set with pearl and precious stone, about three or four fingers broad. Next over his shirt (which is curiously wrought, because he strippeth himself into it in the Summer time, while he is within the house) is a Shepon, or light garment of silk, made down to the knees, buttoned before: and then a Caftan or a close coat buttoned, and girt to him with a Persian girdle, whereat he hangs his knives and spoon. This commonly is of cloth of gold, and hangeth down as low as his ankles. Over that he weareth a loose garment of some rich silk, furred and faced about with some gold lace, called a Ferris. Another over that of chamlet, or like stuff called an Alkaben, sleeved and hanging low, and the cape commonly broached, and set all with pearl. When he goeth abroad, he casteth over all these (which are but sleight though they seem to be many) another garment, called an Honoratkey, like to the Alkaben, save that it is made without a collar for the neck; and this is commonly of fine cloth, or Camel's hair. His buskins (which he weareth in stead of ●os●, with linen folles under them in stead of boot-hose) are made of a Persian leather, called Saphion, embroidered with pearl. His upper stocks commonly age of cloth of gold. When he goeth abroad, he mounteth on horseback, though it be but to the next door, which is the manner also of the Boiarskey, o● Gentlemen.  
The Baiarskey or Gentleman's attire is of the same fashion, but differeth in stuff: and yet he will have his Caftan or undercoat sometimes of cloth of gold, the rest of cloth, or silk.  
The Noblewoman (called China Boiars●ena) weareth on her head first ●cau● of some soft silk (which is commonly red) and over it a frontlet, called Obrosa of white colour over that her cap (made after the coif fashion of cloth of gold) called Shapka Zempska, edged with some rich fur, and set with pearl and stone. Though they have of late begun to disdain embroidering with pearl about their caps, because the Dyacks and some Merchant's wives have taken up the fashion. In their ears they wear earrings (which they call Sargee) of two inches or more compass, the matter of gold set with Rubies, or Saphires, or some like precious stone. In summer they go often with kerchiefs of fine white lawn, or cambric, fastened under the chin, with two long tassels pendent. The kerchief spotted & set thick with rich pearl. When they ride or go abroad in rainy weather, they wear white hats with coloured bands (called Stapa Zemskoy.) About their necks they wear collars of three or four fingers broad, set with rich pearl and precious stone. Their upper garment is a loose gown, called Oposken, commonly of scarlet, with wide loose sleeves, hanging down to the ground, but tened before with great gold buttons, or at least silver and guilt, nigh as big as a walnut. Which hath hanging over it, fastened under the cap, a large broad cape of some rich fur, that hangeth down almost to the midst of their backs. Next under the Oposken or upper garment, they wear another, called a Leitnick, that is made close before with great wide sleeves, the cuff or half sleeve up to the elbows, commonly of cloth of gold, and under that a Ferris Zemskoy, which hangeth loose buttoned throughout to the very foot. On the handwrests they wear very fair bracelets, about two fingers broad of pearl and precious stone. They go all in buskins of white, yellow, blue, or some other coloured leather, embroidered with pearl. This is the attire of the Noblewomen of Russia, when she maketh the best show of herself. The Gentlewoman's apparel may differ in the stuff, but is all one for the making or fashion.  
As for the poor Mousick and his wife they go poorly clad. The man with his Odnoratkey, or loose gown to the small of the leg, tied together with a lace before, of course, white or blue cloth, with some Shube or long waistcoat of fur, or of sheep-skinne under it, and his furred cap, and buskins. The poorer sort of them have their Odnoratkey, or upper garment, made of Cow's hair. This is their winter habit. In the summer time commonly they wear nothing but their shirts on their backs and buskins on their legs. The woman goeth in a red or blue gown, when she maketh the best show, and with some warm Shube of fur under it in the winter time. But in the summer, nothing but her two shirts (for so they call them) one over the other, whether they be within doors, or without. On their heads they wear caps of some coloured stuff, many of velvet, or of cloth of gold, but for the most part kerchiefs. Without earrings of silver or some other metal, and her cross about her neck, you shall see no Ruff woman, be she wife or maid.  
As touching their behaviour, and quality otherwise, they are of reasonable capacities, if they had those means that some other nations have to train up thei●… it's in good nurture and learning. Which they might borrow of the Polonians, and other their neighbours, but that they refuse it of a very self pride, as accounting their own fashions to be far the best. Partly also (as I said before) for that their manner of bringing up (void of all good learning and civil behaviour) is thought by their governor's most agreeable to that State, and their manner of government. Which the people would hardly bear, if they were once civilled, and brought to more understanding of God, and good policy. This causeth the Emperors to keep out all means of making it better; and to be very wary for excluding all peregrinity, that might alter their fashions. Which were less to be disliked, if it set not a print into the very minds of his people. For as themselves are very hardly and cruelly dealt withal by their chief Magistrates, and other superiors; so are they as cruel one against another, specially over their inferiors, and such as are under them. So that the basest and wretchedest Christianoe (as they call him) that stoopeth and croucheth like a dog to the Gentleman, and licketh up the dust that lieth at his feet, is an intolerable tyrant where he hath the advantage. By this means the whole Country is filled with rapine and murder. They make no account of the life of a man. You shall have a man robbed sometime in the very streets of their towns, if he go late in the evening, and yet no man to come forth out of his doors to rescue him, though he hear him cry out. I will not speak of the strangeness of the murders, and other cruelties committed among them, that would scarcely be believed to be done among men, specially such as profess themselves Christians.  
The number of their vagrant and begging poor is almost infinite, that are so pinched with famine and extreme need, as that they beg after a violent and desperate manner, with give me and cut me, give me and kill me, and such like phrases. Whereby it may be guessed what they are towards strangers, that are so unnatural and cruel, towards their own. And yet it may be doubted whether is the greater, the cruelty or intemperancy that is used in that country. I will not speak of it, because it is so foul, and not to be named. The whole country overfloweth with all sin of that kind. And no marvel, as having no law to restrain whoredoms, adulteries, and like uncleanness of life.  
As for the truth of his word, the Ruff for the most part maketh small regard of it, so he may gain by a lie, and breach of his promise. And it may be said truly (as they know best that have traded most with them) that from the great to the small (except some few● that will scarcely be found) the Ruff neither believeth any thing that another man speaketh, nor speaketh any thing himself worthy to be believed. These qualities make them very odious to all their neighbours, specially to the Tartars, that account themselves to be honest and just in comparison of the Ruff. It is supposed by some that do well consider of the state of both countries, that the offe●…iey take at the Ruff government, 〈◊〉 their manner of behaviour, hath been a great cause to keep the Tartar still ●…athenish and to mislike (as he doth) of the Christian profession.  
FINIS.