A Discovery of the countries of Tartary, Scythia, & Cataya, by the north-east: With the manners, fashions, and orders which are used in those countries.  
Set forth by john Frampton merchant.  
Imprinted at London at the three Cranes in the vintry, by Thomas Dawson. 1580.   

¶ To the right worshipful sir Rowland Hayward knight, and to master George Barn, Aldermen of the city of London, and governors of the worshipful company of the merchants adventurers for discovery of new trades, and to the assistants & generality of all the said worshipful fellowship, john Frampton wisheth all happy success in all their attempts.  
THere came of late to my hands, (right worshipful) a discourse of the several & sundry customs, and manners of divers nations, which are found to inhabit in the North, in the North East, and in the East parts of the world, etc. Collected and written by a certain learned man called Francisco Thamara, a reader in Spain, in the city of Cadiz, and dedicated by him to the most excellent Lord, Don john Claros de Guzman Earl of Niebla, and inheriter of the dukedom and estate of Medina Cidonia: And understanding the purpose of your worthy enterprise, for the discovery of the passages by sea to all those regions of the North, and North-east, etc. for very great zeal I bear to you, and of desire I had to farther you in so famous an enterprise, I took the translation of the same work in hand, and bestowed the same in writing on such as you sent in the said discovery in your two pinnaces, late sent forth, that falling on those coasts, foreknowing the natures of those people, they might the better shun perils, and on the other side take the benefit of the place the better. And now having thought good to commit the same to print, and to dedicate the same to your worships, that each of you may be partaker of the contents, praying you to accept of my small travel, & good meaning, and to take the same in good part, wishing that I were more able to do you pleasure or service, to the furtherance of so noble an enterprise: since the same tendeth to the ample vent of our cloth, and other our commodities of England, to the increase of our navy, to the supply of sundry our wants, and to the annoy of the mortal enemies of this kingdom, whereby you shall please God, purchase the prayer of the poor, and not offend any one or other honest person of the realm, and so I commit your worships to God, wishing the most happy success that is to be wished.  
From London this xv. of july. 1580. Your worships to command, john Frampton.   

¶ Of the Region of Tartary, and of the Laws and power of the Tartars.  
TArtaria, which by another name is called Mongall, as Vicencio writeth, standeth towards the North-east, and at the East part joineth with the Land of the Catheos' and Solangos: on the South part it bordereth with the Country of Sartanecos, & on the West part with that of the Naymanos, and of the North part it is compassed about with the Ocean Seas. It was called Tartary, by reason of a River running by it, called Tartar, and is a Region where the greatest part is full of Mountains, and the most part of the plain fields very sandy, being a barren country, saving that some part of it is overflown with the waters of the Rivers, & a great part thereof is wilderness & little inhabited. There are no Cities nor Towns in it, saving only the City of Cracuris. There is so great want and small store of wood in it, that the people there are driven to use for the most part the offal and dung of Oxen and Horses for their fuel, aswell in roasting and boiling their victuals, as otherwise. The air of this Region is very intemperate, and full of storms and tempests, that in the summer time there are such wonderful thunders and lightnings, that men die for very fear of the same. At other times there is great heat, and immediately followeth very extreme cold, and snow falling very thick. The winds there are so boisterous an strong almost continually, that they draw men backward as they are riding on their journeys, overthrowing them to the ground, and also blow up trees by the roots, and to conclude do much other harm. In the winter it never raineth, in the summer many times, and at every of the same so little, that scarcely it wetteth the ground: and yet for all this it is a rich country of all kind of cattle, as well oxen as Camels, etc. Of beasts of service and horses there is so great store and plenty, that it is to be supposed, there are not so many more in all the rest of the world. There were at the beginning in this Realm four sorts of people: The first sort called Yeca Mongales', which is as much to say the great Mongales': The second sort called Sumongales', which signifieth the Mongales' of the water, because they dwell near to the River Tartar, whereof they bear the name of Tartars: The third are called Mercat, and the fourth sort Metrit: All these had one manner of shape of body, and used all one language. Their manner of living at the first was fierce & barbarous, without any laws or policy, they lived by the increase of rattle, and were a bruit people, and little regarded among the Scythians. afterward in process of time they divided and severed themselves into certain places and began to take their Captains in company which had charge of the whole common wealth, and yet for all that ceased not to pay tribute to the Naymanos, which next adjoined to them, until that by chance one Canguista a man brought up among them, was elected for their king, by means of an Oracle and revelation. This man immediately after he had received the Empire and Sovereign government, commanded that all honour accustomed to be done to the devil, should cease, and established by his general edict, that all people should honour and worship one only GOD, the mightiest, greatest and best of all others, and also gave express commandment, that it should be generally published that he had received the Realm by the same God's providence. After this he commanded that all such as could bear armour, should come forthwith and represent themselves before him by a certain day. And all the people apt for the wars being come together, he in his own person having taken the number of them, divided them in order, and appointed over them Corporals, Sargents, Captains and Colonels. etc. After this, to prove what force and power he had in the empire and supreme authority: he commanded seven of the most principal men that first had the charge and government of all the Realm, to kill their sons with their own hands, the which though it was and seemed a very hard thing unto them, yet they accomplished it forthwith, being moved thereunto, partly for fear of the common people, and partly by reason of a devout superstition in that they had conceived a steadfast belief that God was the beginning and foundation of that kingdom, and that if they refused to obey the commandments of their king, they committed not an offence to him, but to God. And with this trust and power so raised, the king Canguista, first of all brought under his subjection, by force of arms, the Scythians that bordered upon his country making them his tributaries, with the other people also to whom his own subjects had before paid tribute, and forthwith set upon divers other nations both far and near from his own dominions, having so prosperous success, that he brought in subjection under his Empire all the Realms, Dominions & nations, even from Scythia unto the Mediterran sea, where the Sun riseth, & some what more, insomuch that with reason he entituleth himself Lord and Emperor of all the East parts.  
All the Tartars are of an evil shape in their bodies, the most part of them being of a small stature. They have great eyes, standing far out, and the lids thereof covered with very much hair, in such sort that there can but a little of their eyes be seen, their faces are broad, they have no beards, saving on their upper lips, & in the same have but a few hairs, and those very thin: all of them for the most part are slender in the waist, in the forepart of their heads they wear their hair long like women of our country, and make two rolls thereof, and so gather them behind their ears: and not only the Tartars do thus, but also such as are joining near to them do the like. They are light people and good horsemen, but evil footmen, none of them do go afoot, although they be very little. Their manner is to ride upon horses or oxen whether so ever they travail, and the women use geldings that are not fierce. They also use to have their foreheads decked with silver and precious stones, and conceive a great glory, in that their horses carry collars of bells to make a great iyngling. Their speech is sharp and high, when they would sing they howl like wolves, when they drink they shake the head, and also they accustom to drink so often, till they fall down, and take it for great honour.  
They inhabit neither towns nor cities, but in the fields, as the Scythians did in the old time, under Pavilions and Tents: For the most part are shepherds. In the winter they use to live in the plain fields, in the Summer they continue in the mountains, for the fruitfulness of the pasture. They make their lodgings and plates of abode like a shop either of bows, or of timber, covered with felt, and in the midst of these sheds, make a round window where the light cometh in, and the smoke goeth out, in the midst of the cottage is the fire, and their wives and children always about it. The men use to shoot in bows, and to wrestle, they are marvelous hunters, they ride a hunting armed on horseback, & when they see any wild beasts, they compass them about, and every one of them shooting his a-row, they wound, & take him. They have no bread, use no table cloth nor napkins, and believe in one God only, affirming him to be the maker of all things, visible and invisible, they honour him not with any ceremony, but make certain jodls of felt, or silk, or the likeness of a man, and put them on both sides of their sheds or shops, praying them to keep safe their cattle, and showing great reverence toward them, offering them all the milk that they have first of the cattle, and before they begin to eat or drink, they set their part before them. Any manner of beast that they kill for to eat, they put his heart in a vessel all night, and in the morning seethe and eat it. They honour and do sacrifice likewise to the Sun and Moon, to the four Elements, and also the great Chaam their king and Lord, whom they think to be the Son of God, and so honour him devoutly, and do sacrifice to him, and believe that in all the world there is none better, nor of more dignity than he, neither will they consent that any other be named but be.  
This people in respect of themselves, thinking no other nation worthy to be compared with them, in wisdom nor goodness, and therefore will not willingly speak with any other, but rather avoid themselves from their companies. They call the Pope and all other Christians dogs and Idolaters alleging that they honour stones and stocks. They are much addicted to wicked arts, give credit to dreams, and entertain and allow such as use the magical science and art of divination, and can interpret their dreams: Also they ask questions and receive answer of their Idols, with full persuasion and belief that God speaketh in them. And therefore what enterprise so ever they take inhand, they begin and proceed in the same by the counsel of those Idols. They behold and mark the weather very much, and especially the Moon: for they make no difference of one time more than of an other, nor honour any festival day, ne use any manner of fasting or abstinence. At all times they live after one fashion, and are so covetous, that what soever they see, if it like them well, if they cannot get it with the good will of the owner, being no Tartar, they take it from him by plain stafford law, accounting it a matter lawful to be done by means of a commandment and establishment of the king their sovereign Lord. For they have an ordinance of their Canguista and Chaam their first king, that any manner of Tartar or Tartar's servant finding by the way as he travaileth any horse, man, or woman without a letter or safe conduct of the king, may sense and take them as his own, and enjoy them forever. They lend their money to such as stand in need of it, and take a certain kind of usury, both very great and also intolerable: for they take after the rate often pounds upon the hundred for every month, and if the usury money be not paid immediately, than they they take further usury. They constrain the people subdued unto them to pay so excessive tribute and taxes, and so greatly molest and oppress them, that there is no people read of, that so much molesteth their tributary subjects. Their covetousness is such, as is scant credible to be believed, they are always craving and bribing, yea the most Lords of all others, give nothing to any, no not to such as are in necessity, neither give to poor people alms: only in this they seem worthy of some commendation, that if any guests by chance come to them when they be at meat, and would take part with them, they turn them not away nor disturb them, but rather invite them, and give them of that they eat with much pity. In their diet they are very filthy having neither tables to eat upon, nor table clothes, nor napkins, & use not to wash their hands nor bodies, nor clothes. They eat no bread, for they have it not, nor any manner of herbs, but feed only with the flesh of all manner of beasts, and likewise pig's flesh, and of cats, horses and rats: and when they take any prisoner of their enemies, to show their cruelty the more, and the desire they have to revenge themselves, sometimes they roast them at the fire, and after many of them assemble and eat him, like unto wolves, they tear him in pieces, and eat his flesh, and take the blood the which they keep in certain vessels and drink it, although that otherwise their accustomed drink is the milk of beasts. They have no wine among them, but if by chance any be brought thither to them, they drink it with great desire and affection, as all other men do. Likewise they eat the lice one of an other, taking them out of their heads, or any other place: and when they have taken them, they say that they will do so by their enemies. They take it for a great evil among them, when any part of their meat or drink falleth from them, or is lost, and throw not their bones to dogs, before they have fully burnished them. They use such scarcity and niggardness of all things, that they neither kill nor eat any manner of beast while it is whole and sound, but when it is lame, or hath some impediment in the body, or when it beginneth to wax old, or by chance is sick: In all other things they are very modest, for they content themselves with very little meat. In the morning they drink a vessel full of milk, and afterward many times neither eat nor drink in all the day. The apparel they use is well near after one sort, as well men as women. The men wear upon their heads a certain thing, not very deep, which is plain before, and behind hath a tail well near a span long, and as much in breadth, and because it may stand close to the head, and not be blown of for the wind, they have certain guards sowed with it, near to the ears, wherewith they bind them under the chin. The married women wear a garment made like to a round basket, a foot and a half long, and the higher part of them plain much after the fashion of a boot, being of many colours, all garnished and edged about with silk, or Peacock's feathers, and laid over with many precious stones, and gold: and the rest of the body every one appareleth according to their abilities, the richest sort of grain and silk after the same manner that their husbands do, they have coats made full of pleites, open in the left side, whereby they put them on and off, having four or five lowpes or buttons to keep them together and fast to their bodies. The apparel they wear in the summer, is for the most part black, and that which they wear in the cold and rainy wether is white: these  reach no lower than to the knee: the maidens are not easily known from the married wives, nor the women from the men: for almost they have the like faces and apparel that the men have, every one equally and after one sort use all their small apparel alike. When they enter into battle, some of them wear armour upon their arms with certain iron leaves, which they tie together with strings, other use leather many times doubled, and in the like sort they arm their heads, there are few that use Lances, and long sword, but commonly they carry short sword, three spans long, round with a sharp edge on the side, and with these they wound their sides when they fight. The horsemen are very ●ight, and great archers, and he is taken for more strong and valiant that is more obedient, and laboureth most to preserve the Empire. They fight without wages, and are very subtle and diligent in their battles, and 〈◊〉 all that they take in hand, and very ready at all times to serve and obey. The Captains and Princes enter not into battle, but rather remain without, and cry with a loud ●●yce unto their men, warning and steng●hening them, and from thence they provide diligently what is convenient to be done. Sometimes they set upon horses their sons and wives, and also the Images of men to ●●crease their army, because it should seem 〈◊〉 greater, and that it might be the more wonderful and terrible to their enemies, ●hen they fight, if it seem good to them, ●●ey let them run away, and it is not evil ●●ought of: when they should shoot their ar●●wes they strip their right arm naked, ●●d afterward shoot their arrows with so ●reat strength, that there is no kind of ar●our can defend thenemies, but that it will ●●sse through. They go together and fight in squadrons, and also fly together, and then they wound their enemies, that follow them with mortal wounds of arrows: and afterward when they see the small number of their adversaries, suddenly they return to battle again, and then they shoot at them and their horses, and when it is thought that they are overcome, then chief they remain with the victory. When they will give battle to any country, they divide their army, and set upon them in all parts, that they cannot be succoured of any, and none of the inhabiters can run away, and so they have always victory, and when they have gotten it, they use the same with great pride and cruelty, not pardoning any that they take, neither children, women, nor old folks, they kill all without any difference, unless it be the handy craft's men, whom they reserve for their work, and such as they determine to kill, they divide them among their petty captains, who appoint to every one of their servants ten, that so they may kill them, or more or less, as the number requireth, and when all are put to death with a hatchet like pigs, that all others should be terrified, they take of every thousand man one, & this manner they hang upon a piece of wood among those that are dead, with his head downward, that it may seem that he giveth warning and advice to the other. They keep neither faith nor promise with any, what soever they have promised, and much more cruelty they use against such as do render and yield themselves unto them. The young women that they take captives, they may ●se them at their pleasure, and they carry with them all such as they like well of and put them to all subjection and slavery, and ●ake them to serve in bondage and misery ●s long as they live: these Tartars are the most vicious men of all the world, & though ●●ey take all the wives that they list, or are able 〈◊〉 keep, no degree of affinity or kindred can l●t them but that they marry with any at their pleasure, except only the mother and the ●●ughter: yet for all this they are very vicious, no more nor less than the Saracens, & moors. And the wife which they take, they ●●lde her not for their lawful wise, neither 〈◊〉 they receive her dowry, until she bring ●●rth children: and therefore it is lawful b● them to put away such as are barren, 〈◊〉 have no children, and to take an other in ●●r steed. And it is to be wondered at, that al●●it many women have but one husband, yet ●●ey never fall out, unless it be great marvel. Notwithstanding that some of them be preferred and made more of than others: sometimes the goodman keepeth company with one of his wives, sometimes with an other, but every one have their family and habitation asunder, and they live very chaste: for if they be taken in adultery, as well the man as the woman by their law shall suffer death presently. When the men have no wars, they keep their cattle, go a hunting, exercise themselves in wrestling, and do nothing else, all the rest of their affairs remaineth in the charge and oversight of the women. They have a care of that is necessary, for their food, apparel, and all other things appertaining to the house. These people use many superstitions and witchcrafts: chief they take it for a heinous matter to cast a knife into the fire, or touch the fire therewith, or take the meat out of the pot with a knife. There can no stranger be admitted to the kings presence, though he be of great dignity, and have weighty affairs with him, but first he must purge himself. And if any man's feet do smell, and come into the place where the Emperor is, although he be any of the Captains, forthwith he is commanded to be slain: and besides this if any when he is eating, take a mouthful that he cannot swallow, but is forced to vomit it, immediately they run all to him, a●d make a hole under the place where he is, and that way they pluck him out and kill him cruelly. There are many other things that these hold for sin, without redemption: and in other respects they account it a small matter to kill men, to take other men's lands, and to rob the goods of others against all right and justice, and set light by the commandments of God, and with all this they believe that they shall live after this life, for ever in an other world: but they know not how to declare it, and believe that there they shall receive reward according to their deserts. Immediately after that one of them falleth sick, and is near the point of death, they take a lance and pitch it in the tent where he is, and set upon the top of the same a black cloth, in token that none which passeth that ●ay should enter in there: & this being seen, ●one dare go in, unless he be called. And when the sick person is dead, all the household join together, and take the body out 〈◊〉 the shop or shed, and carrieth it to a ●lace that they have appointed for this cause: 〈◊〉 making there a hollow place, long and broad they raise up a small cottage or stall, and put a table thereupon full of meat, and set the dead body leaning to it, very richly appareled, and so cover it altogether with earth, they likewise bury with him one of his cattle, and a Horse with all things appertaining to him. And such as are of most power and riches, when they are living do choose one of their servants, and mark him with his Iron and mark, whom they cause to be buried with his master, to the end that in the other world they may have one too do them service. After this the friends of the deceased, take an other Horse, and kill him, and eat his flesh, and fill the skin full of hay, and sowing it together, raise him up with four pieces of timber, upon the Sepulchre, in token that there is one buried, and the women do burn the bones, saying that they are for the purgation of the Soul. They which are of greatest authority do an other thing with the skin: namely they cut it small into very little strings and stretching them round about the Sepulchre, measure the earth, and believe that the dead body shall have so much in the other world, as his friends do measure, with his skin, and at the 30. days end, they make an end of their crying and lamentation. There are of the Tartars, certain that are Christians, although contrary to true christianity. These take after their fathers, when they wax old, because they should die the sooner, & make an end of themselves, and after their deceases, burn them, and gather diligently the ashes, which they keep as a precious thing, and therewith daily dress their meat. And now it would be tedious to write any more of them, as also perhaps to read with what ceremonies and solemnity the Tartars do choose their kings. After that any king dieth (I will show it you in few words,) all the Princes, Captains, and chief men, and all the people of the realm, assemble and meet together, in a place appointed for that cause, in the fields according to their custom and manner, and then take him, to whom the realm ought to come, either by succession, or election, and place him in a Throne and Chair of Gold, and he sitting down, all the people with a loud voice say in this manner, We pray thee, & likewise will & command, thee to be our sovereign Lord. Whereunto he answereth: if you will have me so, it is necessary that you be ready to do any thing that I command you, & come when I call you, & that you go whether so ever I send you. And any that I command you to kill, that forthwith it be done, and that you put and leave all the kingdom in our hands. Immediately all answer: So we are content. Then the king saith, From hence forward I will you to understand that the word of my mouth be my sword: all the people with great noise and gladness confirm the same. Immediately, the principal and chief men of the people take the king, and bring him down from the royal chair, and cause him to sit upon the ground, upon a felt laid abroad, and say unto him these words: Look upward, and know God, and then look down upon the-felt whereupon thou sittest. Thou shalt understand, if thou govern the Realm well, thou shalt have all that thou wilt at thy will: and if thou govern it ill, thou shalt be thrown down, and dispossessed in such sort, that that thou shalt not remain with this poor felt where upon thou sittest: and in saying this, they place him one of his wives near to him, that is best beloved, and lifting them both up with the felt, they salute and reverence him, as Emperor of all the Tartars, and she as Empress. Then the new Emperor and Empress are presented with many gifts, by all the people that are under their Empire, and then they bring before him all that the diseased king left, the which the new Emperor partly divideth among the princes of his Realm, and commandeth the remainder to be kept for himself, and so the election is finished, and the assembly dismissed, and from that time forward, all things are in his hands and power, none can nor dare say, this is mine, nor, such a ones, none can live in any part of the realm but where he is appointed. The Emperor himself appointeth places of abode, to the chief Captains, and they, to the captains of thousands, and these, to the Centurions, and the Centurions to the Corporals, and these to the other Lords. The seal & signet which the king of the Tartars useth, hath engraven God in heaven, and Cuicut Chaam in earth, the fortress of God, and Emperor of all men, he hath five very great and strong armies, and five Captains, with the which he destroyeth and keepeth in subjection all his adversaries. Unto the Ambassadors of other nations, he speaketh very seldom, and consenteth not to have them come before him, unless that they and the gifts they bring, (without the which they neither may, nor can come to his presence) be first purified, and by certain women appointed for that purpose, without the observing whereof he answereth them by third persons, and as long as he speaketh, they must hear and hearken kneeling upon their knees, be they never so great, and in such sort they must give ear, that they err not in the words they speak to him, and change no words, for it is not lawful for any man to alter nor change the emperors words, nor stand against any judgement that he hath given in any manner of cause whatsoever. He, nor any prince of Tartary, never drinketh publicly, except they which serve first sing or play something upon an instrument before him. And when the noblemen ride abroad they carry over them a hat upon a long lance, which shadeth them, and their wives have the like. These were the manners of the Tartars two hundredth years past, and this was the manner of their lives, and about this time they overcame and brought in subjection to them the Georgians, which were christians & kept the laws of the Greeks, these were neighbours to the Greeks and their dominion did extend very far even from the region of Palestina unto the Caspian mountains, and had eighteen bishoprics and a patriarch Sea: at the beginning they were subject to the patriarch of Antioch: they were warlike people. Some of the women were also expert in the wars and exercised their weapons. When these Georgians would enter into battle, they accustomed to drink a bottle of wine that they use to carry with them, and when they had drunk it, they set upon their enemies with more courage.  
The priests gave themselves freely to usury and Simony, they had great strife and hatred with the people of Armenia. These Armenians, of whom we speak, were also Christians before the Tartars overcame them, and brought them in subjection, and after that the Georgians were once subdued, they swerved in many things and departed from the true faith and manners of the catholic Church.  
They know not the day of the birth of our Lord, they keep no holy days nor fasting days, nor the four seasons of the year, the Saturday before Easter day they did not fast: For they affirm that the same day our Lord had risen near to the evening. All the fridays after Easter and Whitsuntide they eat flesh, and otherwise they fasted much, and began their Lent from the Sunday of Septuagesima so straightly, that the Wednesday and Friday they would eat no oil, nor fish, nor drink wine: for they thought he did sin more that drank wine those days, than he which did commit the sin of lechery. They did not all wholly refrain from all meats on the Monday. The Tewesday & the Thursday they made but one meal. The Wednesday and friday they eat nothing. The Saturday and Sunday they did continually eat flesh. They did admit children of two months old to receive the holy Sacrament. They kept certain Ceremonies of the jews, all their Priests were usurers, as the Georgians were, and gave themselves much to the art of Necromancy, and more to drinking then the lay people did. They took wives, but as soon as any one of them died, none of them could marry again. If any woman did commit adultery, the Bishop gave licence that her husband should put her away, and take an other. Finally in thirty. articles the Georgians gave to understand, that they were departed from the true Christian religion.   

Of the Country of Scythia, and of the rude manners of the Scythians.  
SCYTHIA is a Region that lieth towards the Septencrion or north, so called by Scitha, Son unto Hercules, as Herodoto saith, or as Beroso affirmeth of an other Scitha, Son to Araxes Prisca wife to Noah, who was borne in that country. These Scythians at the beginning did possess a small country, until by little and little, by their valiantness and strength, they enlarged their Empire, bringing under their subjection many nations. These people at the beginning made their abode near to the river Araxes being very few in number, and little esteemed, until they had gotten a Martial King excelling in the feats of arms, under whom they enlarged their country and dominions, and it extendeth by that side where the mountains lie unto the Ocean Seas, and the lake Meotis passeth by divers places unto the river Tanais: from the which river Scythia stretcheth in length. And at the east end it is divided into two sorts of people parted asunder almost in the midst of the mountain Ymao, the one of the which is called the Scythians within Ymao, and the other the Scythians without. The Scythians were never set upon, or at the least not overcome of any other strange empire. Darius' king of the Persians set upon them, but in the end returned flying away with great shame. They beheaded the king Cirus with all his army, and destroyed a Captain of Alexander the Great with all his power, they heard of the armies of the Romans, but felt them not, they are a hard people and can suffer great labour, & wars, & be very valiant, these people at the beginning did not go far one from another, for they neither used tillage, nor had any houses nor abiding place, but sojourned in the deserts & mountains, caring their beasts, and cat-tail, wives and children with them in carts, they had no laws, but observed justice and equity by their own accord. Among these there was no greater evil than theft, nor any thing more punished, and so it was needful, seeing they had no houses, nor enclosures for their cat-tail, but all things lay abroad in the fields.  
There was neither gold nor silver among them, neither knew they what it meant.  
Their meat which they used most commonly, was milk and honey. They clothed their bodies against the cold and frost with the skins of wild beasts, and rats. The use of wool and apparel was not known among them.  
This was the manner of living used, and common for the most part among the Scythians, but not generally of all: for as some of them were far of from the rest, by distance of places, so likewise they differ in their lives, and had peculiar customs among themselves, of the which we will speak after we have declared the manners of the common sort of people. The most part of the Scythians rejoice to kill men, whereupon they have taken a custom to drink the blood of the first man that any of them taketh prisoner in battle, he drinketh blood, and of every one that any of them killeth, he presenteth the heads to the king, and for cutting off of the same, is partaker of any thing of value that is found about him, and otherwise not. They cut of the head in this sort, they take the skull and cast out all that is in it, and take of the skin, and make it soft with their hands as the skin of a cow, and so keep it as a precious thing, and put it in the rains of their horses, and of this they triumph much: for he that hath most of these is accounted ●he worthiest and valiantest man. There are many of them that sow the skins of men together, as though they were skins of ●eastes, and use them for coverings, and others of them use to pluck of the skin from ●e right hands of their enemies with their ●ayles, and therewith cover the quiver of their ●rowes. another sort fleyeth the men, and casteth their skins upon wood, and after put ●●em upon horses, and the heads being cut 〈◊〉, as we have already declared, they cover ●e skull with the raw skin of an ox, and gild ●●on the in side, and use to drink in the same. ●nd sometimes when guests come to their ●●uses, they bring forth those cups, and show ●●w those men were overcome by them, and ●is they account a worthy matter. Once a ●eare all the Princes of those Regions do banquet their neighbours, and all such as ●ell near unto them with wine, in those Cups, whereof they all drink, that have ●●lled any of their enemies with their own ●andes, and he that hath killed none in that sort, tasteth not of the same, but without honour is set aside by himself from the rest of the company, which is taken among them for a matter of great shame and reproach, and such as have killed many drink with two cups together. The Gods unto whom they pray & give honour, are the Goddess Vesta chief, and then jupiter, and the Goddess Tellus: For they think that the earth is wife to jupiter. After these they honour Apollo, and the celestial Venus, and Mars, and Hercules: but their opinion is that they may not make any Intage of any of them, nor altars, nor Churches, but to the God Mars only, unto whom they offer in sacrifice one of every hundred of their captives. And to their other Goddesses they offer other beasts, and especially horses: Swine they esteem not of, neither will have any in their country.  
When the king giveth out a commandment to put any person to death, for any matter or cause, he appointeth all his sons to be slain with him, but there is no hurt done to the women children. The leagues and amity that the Scythians enter into in their wars are in this sort. They take a greater-then vessel, whereunto they power wine with the blood of such as shall join in friendship to them, wounding themselves with some knife, or cutting some place of their body. After that in the same vessel they wet their swords and arrows, halberds, and lances, and then conjure & curse with many words, and immediately drink that wine, not only all such as enter into these leagues, but also their associates and companions, and especially those that are of greatest degree. The Sepulchres and Tombs of their kings are near to the city called Gerros, where the river Boristeneus beginneth, to be navigable, and even there, as soon as the king is dead, they dig a great square hole, and then take the body, and open it, and take ●ut the bowels, and make them clean, the which they fill up with the small bows of a willow tree, beaten to powder, and of Thimiamo, and with the seed of Apio, and anise seed, and immediately sow it up again, and lay it in a cart, and so carry him from one country to an other, and wheresoever they receive him, they do the like: but such as are of kindred to the king do cut of his ears, and also his hair round about, they give his arms many small cuts, and wound his forehead & nose, they shoot throw his left hand with arrows and after this they carry the kings body unto other people of his Empire, who accompany him until they return where the first came forth, and after they have carried him among all his people from country to country, they lay him among them that dwell in the uttermost parts of the Realm, where the Sepulchres of the kings are, and after they have put him into a place which is made upon the Sepulchre, they shut him up with lances made fast from one side to an other, and prepare good store of wood, and cover him with a cloak, and in the other side of the Sepulchre, they cut the throats of his woman which was best beloved of all, and also of a servant, a cook, a driver of Asses, a post, a page, & a horse. They bury him with certain cups of gold, and with the principal of all other things, and after a year expired they do the like, killing always the kings chief servants. These servants of the kings are the most principal of the people of Scythia: for there is no slave admitted to the kings service. Of these they cut the throats of fifty, and of as many horses of the most excellent, and after taking out the bowels, and having garments, and coverings stitched together, they take the horses and raise them up on their feet in a place made hollow round about the King's Sepulchre, and upon them they place the servants sitting, and set them in such order, that afar off they seem like to a company of men on horseback that tarried for the King. In this sort they use the burials and Sepulchres of their kings. Likewise, such as are next in degree to the king, and also the common people have their manner and fashion in their burials: for as soon as one dieth, the next of his kinsfolks lay him in a cart, and carry him among his friends, from one to another, and every one by himself receiveth him, and maketh great feasts, as well to the kindred as to others that accompany the dead body. In this sort they carry him forty days and after bury him, taking out first all that is in his head, and washing it, and upon the body they put three pieces of timber, leaving one to the other round about him, upon the which they hang certain will. The men of Scythia wash not themselves, but the women wash their bodies with water, and rub themselves with a plain stone shut within a piece of wood of Cypress, or Cedar, or incense. After they have so washed themselves, that they begin to smell, they anoint all their body & face with ointments, & so they remain very clean & shining. The manner of the oath that they swear, is by the king's chair. And if they find any perjured, which they know by the divines, that have the knowledge thereof, immediately without any longer tarrying, they behead him, and he loseth all his goods, which is given to such as accused him of perjury. There are in Scythia other people called the Massagetas towards the part of Asia near to the Caspian sea, which are like to the people of Scythia in apparel, & also in life, by the which many believe that they are Scythians. These fight both on horseback & on foot, & either way are almost invincible. In battle they use arrows & lances, & short swords that they always carry with them. They use much gold in their girdles, & in the trimming of their heads, & under their armpits, & in the breasts of their horses. The heads of their lances & arrows be of copper. There is neither Iron nor silver among them. Every of them taketh out wife, but afterward she is common to all. How long they live, no man hitherto could set down any certainty: for as soon as any of them beginneth to wax old, his kinsfolks and friends ●eete together and kill him, and then seeth him, and after sacrifice him with certain ●heepe, and then eat of that flesh at a banquet which they make. And this manner of death they account a happy kind of death. And if he die of any disease, they eat him ●ot, but rather bury him, & hold it for a great s●me & loss that he was not killed & sacrificed. They sow nothing in the earth, but live ●f the cattle, & fishes that are taken in the ●●uer Araxes, and for the most part drink ●ilke. They worship the Sun, and to it they offer sacrifice with horses, saying it is the ●ightest planet, & therefore the lightest beast ●ight to be sacrificed to him. There is another sort of people called Seres, who are a●ong themselves very quiet & tame, they 〈◊〉 from the company of all men, in so much ●hat they will have no traffic with any strange people. Howbeit merchants may pass vpō●heir river, & in the same without any other ●●●ling put their merchandise to exchange, ● that they buy nothing, but by way of bar●●y exchange one commodity for another.  
Among this last sort, there is no woman brought to answer in judgement nor otherwise touched, although she be a wicked woman, an adulteress, or thief. And as it is reported, there hath been no man put to death among them at any time: for the fear & reverence which they have to their laws, is of more strength than any other constellation or sin. They dwell at the beginning of the roundness of the world, and because they live chaste, they be not afflicted with Caterpillar nor worm, nor hail, nor pestilence, nor any other evils. The woman after she is conceived, is neither touched nor desired of any. Unclean flesh or forbidden, none eat thereof. Every one is judge for himself, according to the righteousness of justice, and therefore they are not chastened nor afflicted with those plagues that are used to come to others for their sins, and so they live long, and end their life without any disease. There are others which are called Tauroscythas of the mountain Tauro, near to the which they inhabit. These offer in sacrifice to the virgin Ephigenia all those that come sailing to them by sea, and are lost, and all manner of Greeks that repair thither, and the sacrifice is in this manner. After they have made certain prayers, they wound the head of the man, and so kill him. Others say, they cast the body headlong from a great rock, because her temple standeth upon a high rock, and they set the head upon a stake. And some say, that the body is not cast down from the rock, but that they bury it. This devil to whom they offer this sacrifice, they say is Ephigenia, that was daughter to king Agamemnon.  
Their enemies whom they take they use in this sort: every one cutteth off the head of his enemy, and carrieth it to his house, and setteth it upon a staff, the greatest that he can get, and then setteth it upon his house, & commonly upon the chimney, and say that they set them so high, to the end their enemies may be keepers of all the house. They of this country live by robberies & wars. There are others called Agatirsos, which are very politic, & use to wear upon their bodies great store of gold. All their women are common among them, for they say ●hey are all brethren, & of one house. There is not among them any envy, nor contenti●●, but are like in manners to the people of Tracia. There are others called Neuros, which use the manners and laws of the Scythians. These were constrained to leave their country one year before the conquest of king Darius, by reason of the multitude of Serpents that breed in it. They hold for a certain truth, and swear, that every year in certain days they were converted into Wolves, and afterward returned into the form and shape that they were first of. There are others which are called Antropophagis because they eat men's flesh, whose manners and laws are the most rude and beastly of all others, which are among men. They live under no manner of law. All their trade is in cattle. Their apparel is like to theirs of Scythia. They have a language proper to themselves. There are other called Melandenos, which use to wear all their apparel black, and therefore are so called. These only among the Scythians do eat man's flesh: In the rest they have the manners and laws of the people of Scythia. The Budinos are another great nation, and all these have fair eyes, and the colours of their bodies are white and red. The city that these possess is called Gelona, of the which they are called Gelonas', and this is the head place of that realm. They make their feasts in the honour of the god Bacchus, which are called Trietericas Bacchanales, from three years to three years. These were Greeks in times past, but going out of their country, came to this region, where they made their abode, and even at this day, use part of the Greek language, and part of the Scythians. The Budinos do differ from the Gelones in their language & life: for these Budinos be naturals of this country, and all their living dependeth upon the trade of cattle, and these of that region use to eat lice. Gelones are labourers and tilers of the earth, and have corn, and possess gardens and orchards, and have no manner of likeness at all unto the Budinos, neither in countenance nor colour: all the realm where these inhabit is full of trees, by a very great lake that is there.  
They hunt great store of wild beasts. And of their skins make gowns for themselves to wear. There is an other kind of people called Argipeos, which live at the foot of certain high mountains. They are a people bald from the time of their birth, as well the women as the men.  
They have flat and broad noses, and very great beards and a certain sound of a voice wherewith they speak. They are appareled like to the Scythians. They live commonly of the fruit of trees. They care not for breeding of cattle, and therefore have not many. Every one hath his dwelling place under a tree, which in the Winter they cover with a white covering, and in the Summer it is not covered at all. No people of the world hurteth them, for they say that they are sanctified. They possess no armour, neither to defend, nor to offend: but rather themselves by persuasions and fair means, take up all manner of controversies & strifes that rise among them. Whosoever cometh unto them, they favour and secure him. There are others called Isledones, which use these customs: whensoever the father of any of them dieth, all his kindred bring thither their cattle, the which they kill and make banquets, and the like is done of the father of him that hath convited them, and so they make their banquet, eating the flesh of the dead man, with the flesh of the cat-tail. They flay and take off the skin of the head of the dead man, and cleanse it of all that is therwithin, and after gild the same, & have it for their image, and make thereunto every year very great ceremonies, and sacrifices. This the father doth for the son, and the son for the father, even as the Greeks do celebrate the day of their birth. These do affirm themselves to be a just people, and their women are as strong as the men themselves. These were the manners and fashions of the Scythians in times past, until they were brought under the subjection of the Tartars, and then followed their manner of living, and now live as the Tartars do, being all called Tartars by one general name.   

Of the Country that is called, the other side of Ganges, and of Cataya, and the region of Sinas, which is a country of the great Cham; and of the marvelous things that have been seen in those countries.  
BEyond the river Ganges towards the East, is the land and part of India, that standeth on the other side of the same river, and therefore is called the other side of Ganges. This is the greatest, the best, & the richest country of all India, which is towards the East parts, where the Sun riseth, and is now called Cataya, and it appertaineth to the great Cham, who is lord of Tartary. In old time it was said, that it belonged to Prester john. The country of Cataya is great, and hath in it many kingdoms, and the buildings like to Europe. There is in it great policy of all things. It is a rich country of Gold, spices, and precious stones, whereof there is great abundance. The people are of great reason, and live in better order than we do. There are among them Philosophers, who are much esteemed: The second sort are husbandmen: The third Shepherds: The fourth, handicrafts men: The fifth, men of war to defend the country: The sixth, the precedents and governors, that govern the country: The seventh, are the counsellors to the king. And these are chiefest, and have charge over all the rest, and will not consent that any one should leave his own office or science, and take an other, and therefore they are better governed than we are. The great Chain divided this province into nine kingdoms, in the which are two thousand great cities, or thereabouts. There is no richer province in the world. It hath all things necessary, and in great plenty for the life of mankind. The Catayans are idolaters, great merchants, and crafts men. They give themselves much to Astronomy. There are among them many religious houses of Idolaters, which lead a strait life.  
They have among them there Universities and studies of learning, and the scripture of the old and new Testament, whereof it cometh to pass that they honour God, and believe in the everlasting life, but are not baptised. They love the Christians and give alms, with a good will. They have no beards. They are much like in face & countenance to those of the province of Mongall. There are many Christians in Cataya. It is so great a country, and so inhabited, that in a very short space the great Cham can join together an army of three hundred thousand fight men. In the province of Cataya they have no wine, but make their drink of Rise. They have flesh, milk, and cheese. They bury their dead bodies richly. In this province they celebrate their weddings with great banquets, Songs, and Trumpets. They use baths. They divide the year into 12 months, according to the twelve signs. The most part of these people accounteth the year from August. They use Crossbows, and guns, and of all kind of artillery, for they are the best handicrafts men in the world. They writ upon the leaves of trees, and make books of them. They make money of the rinds of Mulberry trees. In some places they use small Irons for money, like to needles: In other places small pieces of Gold. There is among these neither pestilence, nor any other contagious diseases, and therefore is such an infinite number of people. There is in this country many and very great Serpents, which the Catayans do eat in their banquets with great affection. The principal city in Cataya is Cambula, containing xxiiii. miles in compass, and is four square, and in every square reacheth vi. miles. Some say that it containeth xl. Italian miles, which is xx. leagues in compass. The walls are xx. paces in height, and v. in breadth, with pinnacles upon all of three paces in height. In the four corners are four round forts, and every one of them four miles in compass, with great provision of armour in every of the same.  
This city hath xii. gates, two miles distant one from another. Every gate hath over it a fair large house, wherein are continually a thousand watchmen kept to guard the city. There is a wall that goeth to every one of these forts, with their arches, where the king may pass into any of them. The great Cham his palace is strong and very stately and fair. The streets are straight, in so much that the light of the fire is seen from one end to another. In this city are many fair and sumptuous houses, and palaces, and in the midst of it, is a great and wonderful Palace, with a high tower therein, whereupon there is a great bell, and when it ringeth in the night, none dare walk abroad in the streets, but the watchmen of the city, and Midwives, and Physicians, who must pass with light. And without the city are twelve great streets, every one answering to his gate of the city, wherein there are many crafts men and merchants dwelling: and in the same are lodged all such as come to the court about any business: and the Stews are kept in those streets, in the which are above xx. thousand women of evil living, and not one of them dare enter into the city upon pain of burning. Out of this city goeth every day more than a thousand carts laden with silk. near to the city of Cambalu there is a mountain, wherein are found black stones which burn like unto dry wood.  
There is also near to Cataya a country of xx. days journey, inhabited with Christians Nestorians, which have greater & fairer churches than we have. In this city of Cambalu the great Cham hath his Palace and Court, which is very great. And it is said, that this Palace hath 4. Columns of fine gold, and the walls of the Palace laid over with gold, and the floors laid with bricks of gold & silver. In this Palace are the great Cham his wives, which are four in number of lawful birth, every of which hath in her court thirty thousand maids, & many pages, men & women that serve them which are more than four thousand men & women. His eldest son of his first wife hath his court by himself. There watch every night xx. thousand gentlemen on horseback, which are his guard: And four thousand persons sit at meat with him. The first wife sitteth at his left hand, & the rest successively: and at his other hand sit his sons, & his sons sons, every one according to his age. He hath xx. thousand huntsmen, & four thousand dogs, & xx. thousand hawks, & five thousand Gerfalcons, & a great number of Acorres. They pitch ten thousand tents in the fields, when he goeth to his pastimes of hunting. And two principal tents for himself, wherein may be two thousand knights at pleasure, the which tents are furnished with such riches, that one of the small realms is not able to buy them. The great Cham is the greatest Lord of the whole earth, and so entitleth himself king of kings, and lord of lords, and in truth, he is lord from Scythia, even thorough out all the East parts, & from thence to the Mediteran Sea: so that not without reason he causeth himself to be written, lord and Emperor of all the East parts. He commandeth himself to be called the son of God, and in this glorieth much. He hath great countries and very rich, & thereby is the greatest lord, and the richest of the world, as we have already rehearsed. In the Winter, the Tartars come into the plain fields, which are hot and of good pasture, and in the Summer they abide in the mountains, and among the trees, and fresh places. They make round houses of timber & cover them with felts, and these houses they carry with them whither soever they go. And always they set the door of the house in the Summer time towards the South, and in the Winter towards the North. They bring likewise some carts covered with feltes, so strong, that the water never passeth thorough them, the which are drawn with Camels. Upon these they carry their wives, children, & family. All the other customs and manners of the Tartars are spoken of already, where ●e treated of Tartary. The province of Mangi otherwise called Mongall is near unto Cataya, & subject to the great Cham. It hath under the jurisdiction thereof eight realms, and in every realm a 140. cities. And in all the province of Mangi is a thousand two hundred and two cities, very great and rich. There is in this country great ●rade of clothes of gold, and silk, and of precious stones, & pearls, and of all sorts of spices. The people are for the most part all handicrafts men. They cause the children to follow their father's occupations. There are a great number that use the science of Necromancy, and witchcraft: and there are many evil people, and of wicked conditions. There is in this country no man of war, nor horse for the wars, by reason it is situated in a strong place, and shut up with many waters: and round about the cities and towns are deep and broad ●aues full of water. The people of this country are much toubled with sickness, and diseases. If they gave themselves to seats of arms, all the world could not bring the province of Mangi under subjection. They worship idols: they speak the Persian language: they burn their dead bodies. They use in this country money of Coral, and the women bring it hanging at their necks, and deck their Idols with it, & therefore it is much desired and set by. In this province they make clothes of gold & silk, and chamblet in very great quantity. There are in this province mastiffs, as great as Asses. All they that are borne in the province of Mangi have the day & hour of their births written, that the lord of the country may know it. When any man will take his journey, he goeth to ask counsel of the divines. When they die they apparel their bodies in canvas, & burn them with papers wherein are painted devils, horses, slaves, beasts, and apparel. And they say, that all the same shall serve those that die in another world. And when they burn the bodies, they sing and make much mirth, and say that the gods do so receive them with joy in the other world.  
There are many great & rich cities in the province of Cataya & Mangi, as for example one called Gengomsu, being ten miles in compass, and the walls of the palace of that city, are round about on the inside lined with gold. In the province of Mangi is another city called Nocian, subject also to the great Cham, where men have their teeth covered with gold, & the women set great store by their hair, and buy & sell, & govern all the goods, and the men follow no kind of business, but apply their hunting, & pleasure, & pastimes in the fields, & go to the wars. And when the women have brought forth their children, the men go to bed & take the child & keep it until forty days be past, & the women rise up & go abroad, as though they had not been delivered of any child & serve their husbands. Singni is also a great and noble city, containing forty miles in compass, and in it is an innumerable company of people, & all are Philosophers, Physicians, merchants & handy crafts men, very expert in all arts. There ●re in this city seven. thousand stone bridges, brought very curiously, under the which, a Galley may row very well. In the mountains of this city groweth Rewbarb and Ginger, in great abundance. There are wrought in it many clothes of gold & silk, of sundry colours, the citizens rejoicing ●uch to apparel themselves therewith. And five days journey beyond it, is the noble city of Quinsay, which is as much to ●ye, as the city of Heaven, and it is the head city in the province of Mangi. It is reported to contain in compass one hundred miles, and to have twelve thousand bridges of stone, with arches so high, that a great ship may pass under. This city is situate in the water, like Venice, and every one dwelling therein followeth the occupation of his father and ancestors. There is in this city a lake thirty. miles in compass, and in the same lake stand the best palaces of the world, especially in the midst thereof be two, wherein are made all the marriage feasts of the city: and they are always furnished and trimmed for the marriages. In this city they use the money of Tartary, which is of the rind of a Mulberry tree. Upon every one of those bridges there be always watchmen ready, to the end there should no harm be done, nor any tumult or rebellion arise in the city. There are in it xiiii. baths. The great Cham doth set great store by this city. In the same there is a great & fair palace of the kings, made four square, and compassed about with walls ten miles, with very fair chambers and other rooms, and gardens, and fountains, and a great pond with much fish. There is also in this city an honourable church of Christians Nestorians. Of the city 〈◊〉 Quinsaye & of his province the great Cham doth receive four thousand and five hundred hanegs of gold, and every haneg is 126. thousand ducats and above, & this only is received of salt. Of his other rents he receiveth every year ten thousand hanegs of gold. In this course near to Ganges is a country that is called the golden Chersoneso, the which is in the Equinoctial, and runneth overthwart, and standeth from Melaca four hundredth and fifty leagues. All this country is very rich, and hath great abundance of gold, and therefore it was so called, or because it seemeth that the Sun riseth gilded, and shining. And beyond that, more than 500 leagues lieth the Island of Ciampa or Ciampago, as Marcus Paulus calleth it. It is a great Island, and very abundant of gold and precious stones. The king of this Island hath his palaces all covered with planches of gold for tiles, and the windows and marbles of the palace are all of gold. All the trees of this Island are of a sweet smell: there is in it much white pepper. The people of this Island are fair people, but evil in manners, for they are Idolaters: they worship Idols, & figures painted in diverse sorts. They kill their enemies, eat their flesh, and drink their blood. They speak the Persian tongue. Near to this Island are many others which are in number above seven thousand four hundredth, as they report that have sailed in those parts. From Ciampa unto java the great, are 150. leagues. java hath in compass three thousand miles: there are in it seven crowned kings. It is an Island very rich of gold, and hath very great store of victuals: and there is in the same great plenty of Cinnamon, cloves, pepper, and ginger, and many other spices in great abundance. The people are Idolaters, they speak the Persian language. java the less hath 200. miles in compass: there are in it eight kings: they speak the Persian tongue: they worship idols: they have lack of all kind of victuals. Eight leagues from java towards the south-west is another Island which is called jocat, great & rich. There is in it great abundance of gold, and many Elefants and Apes, and many small snails, of the which, they use the shells for money. And as they writ from Ophir, from whence Solomon caused gold to be carried for the Temple of jerusalem, it is believed to be the same: for in it is great abundance of gold, and of all other things which were carried to Solomon. And thirty leagues from java the less, is the Gatigara nine or ten degrees from the Equinocciall on the other side towards the South. Beyond this there is no other country known, by reason there hath been no navigation any further from these parts: and by land it cannot be travailed, for the great number of lakes and high mountains, which be there. And it is reported that the earthly Paradise lieth that way.   

Of many notable things that are found in the land of Tartary, and in the East India.  
Like as the gatherer of grapes, after he hath gathered all that he can, & made his principal gathering in: yet after that he causeth the refuse to be gathered, & maketh an after gathering. Even so it will hap to me in this work: for at the conclusion I will not let to seek again, if there be any notable thing to be found in these India's and provinces of the East parts, which have not been spoken of: and in the setting down thereof, will keep no other order, then to begin by the description and division of India, the which Pogio Florentino left written by the information of one Nicholas a Venetian that travailed those parts and saw them.  
All India is divided into three parts. The first part is from the region of Persia, unto the river Indo. The second part is the midst from the river Indo, unto the river Ganges. The third, called the farthest and last, is from Ganges unto the end of that which is known to be inhabited: and this exceedeth much the other in policy, riches, and good laws. For it is certain, that the men of this India have sumptuous houses, and well wrought, and all things appertaining to them very clean and handsome.  
There are very rich merchants which have tables and table clothes, and cupboards of plate as we have: and many of them are not without forty ships of their own, for their affairs, that every one of them is esteemed to be worth 80. thousand duccates. All these lack bread and wine. They live by Rice, flesh, milk, and cheese, & also make their drink with Rice ground & mingled with water: they make it a shining red colour with the juice of a certain kind of tree. They have great abundance of hens Capons, Partridges, Feysants, and other birds, and wild fowl, and sleep in beds trimmed with gold, & covered with quilts of cotton will. They wear also clothes of linen, & sarge, tied together with strings of crimson and gold. The women use to wear shows of thin leather painted with ●●●de and silk, and have bracelets of gold on their arms, necks, feet, and breasts. There be women that live like harlots, and the Indians know not what sin is. Some women use to wear their hair black, which colour among them is much set by. In the inner India which is that in the midst of the three, they consent not that one man have more than one woman. In the other they have as many as they list or can get. The manner of their burials is not alike in all the India, but diverse and differing one from another. The foremost India exceedeth the others in sumptuousness of their burials: for they make vaults under the ground, well and cunningly wrought, & lay the dead body in a bed costly decked with gold and clothes very precious. In the middlemost India they burn the bodies, & the first and bestbeloved wife of him that dieth, is burned with her husband. They weep and bewail them that die diverse kinds of ways. The Indians which are farthest within the country cover their heads with a sack, and some put bows of trees by the ways, with verses written, & painted papers. These play upon Instruments & feed the poor: others there be that weep three days for him that is dead, and the kinsfolks & neighbours go to the ●●use of the deceased, and carry meat with ●hem, in such sort, that there is nothing dressed in the dead man's house in these three days. Such as bury father or mother, carry a ●●tter leaf in their mouth: and for the space ●f a whole year never change their apparel: neither eat nor drink but once a day: ●either pare their nails, nor hair of their ●ead, nor beard. The women bewail such ●s die, by striking themselves upon their breasts. Some put in certain vessels of gold & silver the ashes of their Princes. The priests which are called Bachales, eat of 〈◊〉 beast, & especially of the Ox, saying, that ●e is very profitable for man. They eat rice, ●earbs, & fruits. They take but one wife who is burned with her husband when he ●●●th. Throughout all India are found one ●ind of Philosophers which are called Bragmanes, Astronomers & also divines. They live long: yea, so long until they come to be 300. years of age. They use great superstitions, & imaginations. Throughout all India they worship idols, & have churches very much like to ours, painted within with divers figures. There are in them idols of stone, of gold, silver & ivory; some are 60. foot long. When they enter into their temple, they wash themselves with clean water, and lie down upon the ground, and holding up their feet and hands, they pray, and after kiss the earth. They incense their sacrifices, offer meats to their gods, and after distribute them among the poor to be eaten. The Chambaytas only write in paper, all the rest in leaves of trees: and of them they make books very fair to the sight: they writ from above downward. There are among the Indians many and divers sorts of languages. They have a great number of slaves. The debtor unable to pay, is driven to serve the creditor. He that is accused of any crime, having no witness, doth clear himself by his oath only. There is no pestilence in the India's, nor any other contagious diseases: and for that cause there is a great multitude of people. There are many kings which make an army of more than of one Milleon of men.  
It is said, that in the realm of Lambry are men having feathers about their secret parts, both great and long like unto Geese. And in Fansur is a kind of great trees which have a thin rind, and under it is full of meal very good, of the which they make meat very excellent. In all these islands, because there is want of wine, they make it of certain trees like to Date trees: of the which they break the bows, where cometh out certain white and red liquor like 〈◊〉 wine, and is very excellent to drink: and there is great store of it. All those people live beastly, and have no manner of law.  
They worship the first thing that they see in the morning. They eat of all dead flesh good or evil, and flesh of mankind, not having care how it die. In the realm of Bisina are Munkeiss of divers sorts, and Unicorns little lesser than Elephants, having heads like to a Pig, and a long black horn in their forehead, and their tongues sharp and thorny with thorns, long and great. The Apes are little and have their faces like to young children: they flay them, and then seethe them, and dress them with spices in such sort, that there remain no evil smell, and so eat them. There are in this country black valiant hawks like to Crows, and good for the game. In the same country, when any dieth, his kinsfolks eat him, & keep the bones in a chest. They kill all the strangers that they take, and forthwith eat them, if they be not redeemed. The people of Nicuneya live like beasts and go naked both men and women. They use themselves like beasts in all things. In Nangama the people are idolaters, they live beastly and eat man's flesh; They are very cruel: they have heads like to great mastiffs, and teeth like to dogs teeth.  
There is in this Island great quantity of spices. And departing from this country declining towards the West, one thousand miles, which are two hundred and fifty leagues, you shall come to the Island called Saylan or Zaylan, which containeth in compass three thousand miles, and is the best Island of the world, and the richest. The people are Idolaters. They have abundance of Rice and cattle, and wine made as we have said. There are in it the best Rubies of the world, and many other precious stones, as Topacios', Amatistas', and others of diverse sorts. The king of this Island hath a Ruby, the best of the world, a span long, and as great as an arm, and as red as fire shining without any soil or spot. The people of this country are very lecherous, and nothing worth for the wars. near to this Island toward the West, forty miles, which are ten leagues, there is a great province called Mohobar, which is called the greater India. This is the greatest and the best province in the world: there are in it Pearls very great and fine, and it is divided into five realms: and all the men and women go naked, saving they carry a linen cloth, wherewith they cover their secret places. Also the king goeth naked, saving because he will be known, he carrieth a string at his neck full of precious stones, which are in number 54. in remembrance of so many prayers, which he is bound to say, in the honour of their gods, morning and evening, and upon his arms, legs, and feet, he carrieth as many precious stones, as ●enne rich cities are worth. This king hath eight hundred women. In this realm are fair women, according to there fashion, they paint their faces and bodies. When the king dieth, they burn him, and all such with him as kept him company in his life. There is a custom in this land, that such as are condemned to death, kill themselves for the love they bear to their Idols.  
In this country every one hath as many wives as he can maintain. And when the husband dieth, they burn the body according to their fashion, and the women of their own accord leap into the fire. All those are idolaters, and for the most part worship the Ox, saying he is a saint, because he ploweth the ground where the wheat groweth, and therefore will not kill an Ox for any thing in the world, nor eat of his flesh. And when any Ox dieth, they anoint all the house with his tallow.  
These people descend of such as killed saint Thomas. The king and all the rest eat their meat upon the ground. There groweth nothing else in this country but Rice. All men and women do wash themselves twice a day, morning and evening, and he that faileth therein shallbe taken for an heretic. They are good in the handling of their weapons: and few of them drink wine. This country is of an intolerable heat, and it never raineth in it, saving at certain times in june, july, and August. There are in this region many Philosophers, Necromancers, and Soothsayers, and black hawks like to crows, & great Owls like to Hens. In this province the body of Saint Thomas the Apostle lieth buried in a small city. And there live many Christians. The men of this country do anoint themselves with Benjamin to make them the blacker: for the blacker they are, the fairer they think themselves to be: and they paint their Idols black, and the devils white. In all this India, they observe neither law nor order in their marriages. By this course of the sea towards the South, are two islands of Christians, thirty miles one from the other, the one of men, the other of women: and the men go not to the women, nor the women to the men, but three months in the year, August, September, and October. The men children remain with their mothers until they be seven years of age, and then they go to their fathers. They ●●ue by flesh, milk, fish, and Rice, having ●o other victuals. In this Island is great quantity of Ambar. Mandagaister is an o●er Island towards the South, distant from Escorcia near 250. leagues. It hath in compass one thousand & forty miles, ●hich are 260. leagues. It hath four kings moor. There is not eaten in it any other ●leshe then of Elefants and Camels, whereof there be many: and therefore there is ●reat traffic with Elefants' tooth. There are found in this Island certain birds that are called Nichas, so great, that the greatest Feathers of their Wings are twelve paces long: they are of so great strength, that they take an Elephant, and carry him up into the air, and kill him, and after let him fall and feed upon him at their pleasure. Tanquibar is another Island most noble, and lieth in the same course, and hath in circuit 250. leagues. The inhabiters thereof are Idolaters, and so great of stature, that they be like Giants, and are of great force.  
They be all black and go naked. They are to be wondered at. The women are foul and evil favoured. They are strong in battle: for they esteem not their lives.  
Returning to the cities of Cataya and Tartary: It is said, that the city of Berengalia hath in circuit three score miles, which are fifteen leagues, and that it hath nine hundred thousand men, that can carry armour. The men of that country take as many wives as they list, who are burned with their husbands when they die. And the king hath twelve thousand, of the which two or three thousand are taken upon condition, that when the king dieth, they of their own accord shall burn with him, and to these is done great honour. In the city of Berengalia three times in the year they make a great feast to their gods: they carry their Idols through the city in procession, in the midst of two carts, accompanied with many people, and many maidens finely arrayed, singing joyfully with great devotion: they spend three days in banquets, dances and songs: and celebrate their marriages with banquets, songs, and trumpets. They have all kind of Instrustruments as we have, except Organs, which they lack. They dance as we do, one after an other, which is a thing to be seen. They use baths, except it be such as are near to Ganges. The other wash themselves many times a day in told water.  
Near to this city of Berengalia is a mountain so called, in the which are many Diamonds, and the mountain is full of serpents, but they take them with policy. They which dwell in these countries, divide the year into xii. parts as we do, & account the months like to the xii. signs. The most part reckon the year from August, by Augustus Caesar. In some of those realms, they use certain small stones for money, which are called the eyes of a Cat. In others they use certain small Irons like to needles: in others, certain papers wherein is written the name of the king. In some provinces of the India, more forward, they use Venice ducats of gold: in others they have money of silver, and copper: in others they make pieces of gold, and use them for money. Malpuria, or Malapuria, or Milipar is an other city in the province of Mahabaria, near to the second entrance that the river Indo doth run in at, where the body of saint Thomas the Apostle is honourably buried in an honourable church, where are resident well near 1000 Christians of the Nestorians: of the which are many throughout all the India, even as the jews are here among us. In the province of Macino, which Volaterano thinketh to be the region of the Seras, are many Elephants. The king bringeth up ten thousand, and useth of them in his wars. The men of this country take but one wife apiece. The women are very lecherous. They are all Idolaters, and in the morning they turn towards the Sun. They worship the divinity of God in Trinity. In this region is a river called Dava, well near as great as Ganges: the city is called Dua: it hath 18000. paces in circuit: they writ in the leaves of certain trees, for in all the India is no paper, except only in the city of Cambayta. They eat Serpents that are vi. foot in length, & as gro●e as a man. They eat likewise Aunts which are red and as great as crabs. In the end of this region towards Cataya, are certain Oxen, white, and black, with manes and tails like horses, having longer hair.  
The hairs of their tails are very small, & as light as feathers: they sell them by weight: they are highly esteemed. Cibalechia is a royal city, and one of the chiefest in all Cataya, it hath xxviii. miles in circuit: and in the midst a palace very strong and fair: and at every end a round fort of four mile's compass, for a house of armour, where is all kind of armour, and engines necessary, and that may be imagined for the wars. From the king's palace to every one of these forts, is a wall with arches: from whence the king may pass to any of them. Volaterrano caleth this city Cubaleschia, and sayeth it hath 32. thousand paces in circuit: and it should seem to be the same Cambalu which we have heretofore spoken of. About fifteen days journey from this city is an other city called Neptay newly built, having in circuit thirty miles and very full of people. Nicholas did affirm, that the houses and palaces, and all other things of these two cities were very like to our houses, and that the men were modest, and full of courtesy, and very rich. Near the city of Paconia, he found vines, yet very few: for all the India, as is already declared, lacketh wine, and grapes, and the grapes that there be, grow of trees, and therewith they make sacrifice to their gods.  
Coloen is a noble City, twelve miles in compass: it hath near to the same much ginger, Pepper, and Cloves. And there be many serpents of divers kinds, some of six cubits in length wonderful to be seen, but they do no harm. Others have four feet and a long tail like to a dog: they take them in hunting, and eat them, and report it to be very good meat. Others there are of the length of a cubit with wings that have seven heads set in order by the length of their bodies, and live in trees: and fly swiftly, and are so full of poison, that only with their breath they kill. There are also cats of the mountains that fly. Cochin is an other city, that hath five miles in circuit, and standeth at the entry of a river, of the which it taketh his name: wherein there are said to be fishes in a manner like to men and women without any great difference. And passing farther, they go to another city that is called Colichuchia, containing viii. miles in circuits, which is the most famous and noble of trade in all India. Here is much Pepper, Lacar, Ginger, and gross Cinnamon, and many other sweet spices. In this region only the women take as many husbands as they list: and the husbands agree among themselves, and every one contributeth towards the woman's maintenance, and dwelleth in his own house, and when he goeth to the woman he leaveth a sign upon the door. Every man-child is the husbands, to whom the wife will give him. Their inheritance fall not to the sons, but to the cousines.  
This city, according to the signs & shows is Calicut. From hence fifteen days journey, he came to the city of Cambayta, near to the sea, whose circuit is xii. miles, & is towards the West, having great abundance of Espico nardo, Lacat, Indigo, Mirabolanos and Sarge. There is a certain kind of Priests that are called Bacchales, which have but one wife, who burneth herself with her husband when he dieth. These eat of no kind of beast, but live with fruits of the Earth, Rice, milk, and wild herbs. In this city the priests do preach to the people in the presence of their Idols. And many kill themselves for the honour of their gods: and those that so do, are taken among them for saints.  
There are many Oxen of the mountains, that have manes like horses, and horns so long, that if they turn their heads, they reach with them their tails. Near to this city lieth two Islands distant a hundredth miles a sunder: the one inhabited with women, and the other with men: one while the men pass to the women, another while the women to the men, every one returning within six months to their own islands: for they think, if they continued any longer together, that they should die: of the which people we have before spoken. There remaineth behind, for the conclusion of this peregrination, to treat of a region of the Si●as, who by the North part do border upon the Seras towards the West: but it is vn●nowen what countries there are on the South part, but that it is wilderness. Towards the West, the India lieth near to Ganges unto the great gulf that is called ●he South sea: where it is said, that the ●cthiafagi, to wit, such as live only with ●●sh, dwell. It hath many cities. The metropolitan and principal of all, is the city of ●ina, which is at the South part. Of this Ptolomeo speaketh, reporting it to be under the Equinoctial line: and that it exten●eth unto the Antecos, which are on the o●her side of the South. The country of Ga●igara encloseth it on the West part, & the unknown country, unto the Promontorio ●raso, and the sea of Prasodia. Gatigara is ●port and a principal place, where the ●hips do ride and harbour in this region. And Aspithra is a river, and great city in ●he same. Calicut, Canonor, Cambayta, Narsinga, are no new regions: for in truth ●hey were known of the ancient writers, and in our time have been discovered, many and wonderful things which are found in these East India's newly discovered by the spaniards, but especially in every region of the same are some precious things more in particular, as in the kingdom of Calicute and Narsinga groweth Pepper, Ginger, Cardamo, Mirabolanos and Casia.  
In Cambaya and Cochin is much Espiquenardo and Mirabolannos and also cotton wo●l in abundance. In the realm of Pego are all the like. And likewise the stone Cornerina, the Calcedonia & the diamonds. In the Island of Armos are stones in great abundance. In the Island of Zailon which is Taprobana are found Rubies and jacinets, sapphires and Topacios'. In the realm of Melaca are many Popingeys, and Elephants. In Sumotra is great abundance of Pepper. The Camfora is found in the Island of Porne, in Monoch & Bandan which are islands. Near to these parts, are Nutmegs, and Cloves great store, The Island of Sipangry hath much gold and great riches. The Island of Petar● and both Iauas yield great store of Pepper, Nutmegs, Espique, of Galanga and other sweet odours. In Madagassar are many Elefants, and great abundance of ivory very fine.  
The Island of Zauzibar is very much like to this, abounding with Lions, and many other wild beasts. Nicolao Veneciano, as Pogio declareth, reporteth that in the small brooks of the river Ganges there were canes of a marvelous length, & so great that a man could scarcely insorace them about with both arms, with the which they made small Boats to sail in, and at every side of those brooks are many gardens and orchards very pleasant and full of delight. And there groweth a fruit very like to Figs that they call Musa, which is exceeding sweet, yea, sweeter than honey. It is said, that the Island Taprobana containeth sixteen thousand times, a hundredth thousand paces in circuit, which amount to four hundred leagues, accounting four English miles to every league. The men of that Island were very cruel in their manners, and both the men and women have very great ears, laden with Zarcilloes of gold, & precious stones: and they wear linen loath, and cloth of Sarge. And the men take many wives, and have low houses, by reason of the great heat, and are Idolaters, and have great store of Pepper, of that sort which is called the greatest, & of the tongue, and plenty of Canfora, and Gold. In a certain place of this Island, which they call Bateth are a kind of people called Anthropophagi, to wit, devowrers of men, in respect that they eat the flesh of their enemies, and keep their heads for treasure: and he that hath most heads, is accounted most rich: for they make a trade with them and barter them away for other things. In Armenia the great, there is reported to be a fountain, where water like oil springeth, in so great abundance, that many ships are laden therewith. It is good to burn for light, and to anoint beasts. In the land of Tartary towards the North, are dogs not much less than Asses, the which draw a frame of timber, like as if it were a Cart, saving that it goeth not with wheels, upon the which two men may go, and they put two or four dogs or more to it, according to the burden and necessity. At the end of this realm, is a country called Darkness: because it is always as dark as the first hour of the night: & the Sun is never seen there. In this country are handsome men and women of person, but yellow in colour. They have neither king nor law, but live like beasts. This country joineth with one part of Russia.  
Russia is a great province towards the North, & a strong country. There are in it fair men and women, and are Christians. They pay tribute to the king of Tartary. There is great store of costly skins and f●rres. There are in Russia many mines of silver: the country is very cold. In the same time Pogio declareth that there came certain men from Aethiopia, which is parcel of the India's and the country of Prester john, and declared that they were of the country, near whereunto the river Nile springeth: and also said that the same river springeth near to the Equinoctial at the foot of certain high mountains, that are always covered with clouds: and that the said river groweth of three great fountains: two of them which are 40. paces asunder, & these meet together at the end of 500 paces, & then make the river so great, that it cannot be waded through. The third fountain is a greater stream, & a thousand paces from the other, and is near to his river, and ten miles from the other rivers. They say that there run above a thousand rivers into the river of Nile. And in the months of March, April, and may, the rain so much increaseth in that country, that they cause the rivers to overflow, and great floods to follow thereof. They say also that the water of Nile is very sweet, before it mingleth with other rivers, and that it had virtue to heal the leprosy and scabs, of such as washed themselves therein: Saying that very near about the place where the river Nile springeth, there standeth a city where they were borne that had 25. miles in circuit, which is vi. leagues & above, and that it was inhabited with people. And they said, that this region near to Nile was very temperate and abundant of all things. In so much tha● thrice a year they had hay growing and mown: and twice Wheat, and had abundance of bread and wine, and of all fruits like to ours, but Almonds ther● want. And the most part of Aethiopia in steed of Wine use Water tempere● with Barley. They said that unto the Ilan● of Meroe, the river of Nile was not navigable by reason of the great number of rocks ●hat are in it: and that from the same Island forward, ships might easily ●ayle and pass. Men being asked of Aethiopia, which is of the India's of Pre●er john, upon the said river, and ●hose that here we speak of, reported ●hat those people of Aethiopia, are commonly of a longer life than we are of, ●nd many of them live a hundred and fifty ●●ares, and in some places two hundred▪  
●hey never have the Pestilence nor other ●firmities: and that therefore it is a ve●e populous country. They have no ●oll: they apparel themselves with lin●n cloth, or with silk both men and wo●en, and the women for the most part ●●rrye behind them a long train, and go ●●rte with certain broad girdles garri●ed with gold, and precious stones ●ome cover their heads with thing●●●at are woven in with Gold, others carry ●●eir hair lose. Both men and women unswear rings on their fingers, they 〈◊〉 ●●all tables to eat upon: they cover th●●we do. All those people have one 〈◊〉 ●●ters, but diverse languages.  
They have one king, who is entitled king of kings under God. There are in Aethiopia Oxen, that are crooked backed like Camels with horns of three foot long. Their dogs be as great as our Asses. They can do more than Lions, and they hunt Lions with them. There are many Elefants that have teeth of six foot in length. There are divers other beasts, which differ from ours, and also birds. They said, that in the deserts were serpents of 50. foot of length without feet, that would swallow up a whole calf. Upon the river Eufrates is a noble city, whose circuit is of 14. thousand paces. They say, that it is one part of the ancient Babylon: It is called Baldach, or Baldachia: & Eufrates passeth through the midst thereof. It hath one gate of 14. arches. There appear from these parts many tokens of that great and ancient Babylon.   
FINIS.  

Imprinted at London, at the three Cranes in the vintry, by Thomas Dawson. 1580.